18 and The Maji Beach Hotel

 You know how December is peaked with corporate end of year parties? Yes, I’ve been attending a couple of those the last few days and I must state it’s really humbling to receive invites to a party designed to appreciate you for being a loyal client.

Last evening, I was invited to Twiga Tours and Travel Annual Christmas Cocktail Party. The event was held at Apollo Centre, Westlands, and Shazmin, the Director, was in point of fact, the one receiving guests at the entrance. She’s a remarkably gorgeous and stylish lady, warm at heart, very social and exxxtremely chatty.

After giving an introductory speech, she joined our table, took a bite of the crispy coated prawns and quickly sipped on her soda. And I snapped, “what?” then she whispers, “It’s too spicy” and I go, “but you’re Indian!” and she whispers, “please don’t tell the rest of them”. And I think I just told the Whole World Wide Web now. Sorry Shazmin. Then we spent the rest of the evening talking about everything travel and DK even got a package for a honeymoon I didn’t know he was planning. So much with keeping surprises!

Next, there was a raffle competition. At the registration desk, every guest was given a ticket, each ticket standing a chance to win one of the seven possible prizes. And the prizes were huge! Some of those I can remember were tickets to Masai Mara, a night for two at Sarova Whitesands and Pedicure, Manicure and Facial vouchers to one of the leading Beauty Salons in the country. 

This is how the raffle played. Guests were randomly picked to draw a ticket from the bowl containing a copy of every number issued at the entrance.

And here is where the story gets exciting.

It was time for the last draw, and the grand prize of the evening. For a quantity of reason, everyone pointed to our table for one of us to draw the ticket from the bowl since we had been busy talking all night. And the Marketing Manager, Vincent, brought the bowl to us with an enormous smile on his face. I put two fingers in and pulled out the first folded number I touched.

“Eighteen” I told Vincent, holding up the paper.

“Number Eighteen” he announced to Shazmin. 

“And the lucky winner of the grand prize is holder of ticket number EIGHTEEN” Shazmin broadcasted. 

Silence. 

“Number eighteen anyone?” She repeated. “One. Eight?” “E.i.g.h.t.e.e.n?”

“Oh My God, I’m number eighteen!”  Pause. “That’s my ticket number!!” I yelled, raising my ticket up with both hands and jumping up in disbelief.

And everyone burst out laughing.

“You picked out your own number?!” Shazmin voiced though the mic.

“Haha You bet I did! I couldn’t let anyone else win the grand prize!!” I said with a prided laugh then ran to the stage.

“This is unbelievable, you have to go with me” she said putting on a serious face.

“NOOOO!!! Not with you!” I screamed as I jumped to the stage.

And there was more laughter.

“Ok, you earned it. People, she just won a fully paid return flight for two to Diani, Mombasa PLUS two nights at The Maji Beach Hotel full board accommodation courtesy of Twiga Tours and Air Kenya.”

I’ve spent all morning on their website..

 And I now even know which room number I want to sleep in when we get there,

CANNOT. Believe. It. I officially have a new lucky number 18 and I’m so grateful to Twiga Tours, Shazmin, the first Indian I’ve dined with who hates spicy food and her welcoming, sociable and engaging staff.

To learn more about Twiga Tours and to win amazing getaways please visit their website.

To join Joanne in envying DK and I, and see more photos of The Maji Beach Hotel we will be visiting, please click here.