Saturday, September 6 2008

SOME lucky persons are now getting ready for a vacation to remember with friends and family courtesy MasterCard WorldWide. It’s off to Peru on Tuesday, all expenses paid and the chance to be part of the live football action when Peru squares off with Argentina in a qualifying game.

MasterCard’s Casual Dining Promotion offered cardholders in Trinidad and Tobago this amazing opportunity when they used their MasterCard cards at selected casual dining restaurants.

The winners all dined at Ruby Tuesday’s, TGI Friday’s, Benihanna and Pelican Reef in Tobago some time between June 15 and July 31. On August 21, MasterCard treated the winners to an evening of cocktails at the Jade Terrace of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain where they were presented with their packages.

As expected, there was excitement in the air as the winners and their guests discussed the upcoming trip which will also include a visit to Machu Picchu, one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Comments like, “amazing; a journey of a lifetime; out of this world” could be heard as the evening progressed.

It was a double celebration for Conrad Skinner and his wife Lee Marie who were celebrating their anniversary on Thursday. Lee Marie says this trip is truly a blessing and a great surprise.

She and Conrad were at the Pelican Reef in Tobago a few weeks ago when they entered.

Conrad tells us when he got the call that they won he thought it was one of his friends playing a prank. Now that reality has set in, he is just looking forward to the visit when he and Lee Marie will continue their anniversary celebration.

Narendra Pundit, another winner, says he learnt about Peru in high school and has always wanted to visit. He loves travelling and visiting other countries. He and his wife Janelle are looking forward to experiencing Peruvian culture and daily life in the South American country. He says, “People’s philosophies are evidenced by their culture, that kind of brings a sense of wholeness in me.”

Winning was just as unexpected for Garnet Smart who decided some time in July to have a meal alone at TGI Fridays in Port of Spain.

He and five lucky persons will be part of his Peru getaway. He tells us, “Apart from seeing the qualifying game which I know I will enjoy thoroughly, I hope to see the wonders of Peru and what it has to offer. maybe I can come back and encourage more people to visit South America.”