Village Scene thought it was a mobile device, a phone or tablet perhaps, that he would simply walk away with.
Village Scene thought it was a mobile device, a phone or tablet perhaps, that he would simply walk away with.
On visiting The Village Market management office, Joe was greeted by a group of cheerful staff, eager to see the lucky winner. He was directed to the boardroom where he received the good news.
Blue lagoon
With their minds finally made up, Joe and Julia prepared their passports and other travel documents. Meanwhile, the management team at The Village Market sorted out their air tickets and full-board accommodation at the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa.
Initially, their trip had been set for early March; but the couple would not leave before casting their votes at the General Election on 4 March.
“ We agreed that our pleasure should not take prevalence over our civic right,” recounts Joe.“ By all means, we had to vote first and go on holiday later.”
Thinking the poll results would be out the following day, Joe and Julia, like many other anxious Kenyans, were kept waiting for nearly a week. The election petition filed at the Supreme Court would have seen them wait even longer. On 30 March at 4.30 pm the couple took off aboard an Emirates flight, landing five hours later in Dubai. They had a short stay in Dubai before leaving for Maldives capital, Malé.
“ I woke up to the sound of the sea knocking against the pillars of our lagoon villa,” recalls Julia.“ I was somewhat frightened, but relaxed
when I realised the pillars were very strong.”
Joe, on the other hand, began enjoying the first-class service from the start.“ The food was excellent and there was nothing we didn’ t have to our disposal.”
After breakfast, the couple explored the resort, taking in the blue-green lagoon in all its splendour. As they strolled along the beaches, they realised that many of the tourists were couples, both young and old. For Joe and Julia, both over 65 years of age, the trip must have been like a second honeymoon.
Memories
Their five days at the Taj Exotica resort were spent exploring, reading, swimming and strolling on the beach and in the small towns. Once in a while they would engage with the locals, who were more than willing to take photographs of the couple on their behalf.
And when it was all over, Joe and Julia returned home with memories of an exotic trip.
“ We have always enjoyed shopping at The Village Market due to its proximity, variety of stores and the general ambience,” says a still relaxed Joe. His wife agrees, describing her regular visits to the shopping complex as an attachment that isn’ t about to end soon.
About the promotion
The Great Getaway Giveaway festive season promotion ran from 1 December 2012 to 31 January 2011. As well as enjoying a wonderful shopping experience during the festive period, shoppers had the chance to win a five-night stay for two at the Taj Exotica Resort in the Maldives among other prizes.
Glamorous prize
The package included two air tickets with Emirates, a full-board meal plan, US $ 500 in cash and speedboat return airport transfers. Shoppers needed to spend KES 2,000 to enter the promotion. To ensure that everyone was a winner, the promotion incorporated a social responsibility angle in which The Village Market management pledged to plant 9,000 trees in Karura Forest( see separate article in this issue). We thank all participants, tenants and sponsors of the Great Getaway Giveaway promotion.
Corporate companies who wish to sponsor this year’ s promotion can get in touch with the Marketing and PR Department: + 254( 20) 7122488 or pr @ villagemarket-kenya. com
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