The Sunday News
Tatenda Gapare
IT was the women’s turn this year to spoil the men . . . And Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo offered the best gift to couples, regardless of whose turn it was.
Taking advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime offer to experience a romantic day with my partner, all being catered for by Rainbow, my Valentine’s Day was just magnificent.
Rainbow offered couples a rare but scenic opportunity to spend the day on a train, which travelled from Bulawayo to Figtree, where we spent some time at Redwood.
Rainbow Hotel is well-known for hosting lunch and dinner for couples on Valentine’s Day but this time around they decided to have something different and unique.
Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel in conjunction with the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) organised a steam train ride from Bulawayo to Figtree, where couples or even “singletons” had an experience of a lifetime.
Over 40 couples embarked on the romantic journey, which started off at the Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel at 9am and lasted until 4pm.
Each couple paid $60 for the romantic day.
On arrival at the hotel, where the staff welcomed us with smiles and made us feel at home and gave us the chance to freshen up.
My partner and I were the youngest couple, as the rest of the couples were supposedly married.
I felt special either way and was not intimidated by the fact that my partner and I were not married.
Once everyone had arrived the Rainbow Hotel general manager Fungai Mutseyekwa, his personal assistant Renie Gumbo and the management trainee for food and beverages Ntokozo Ndebele, led us outside where transport was readily waiting to ferry us to the railway station.
Most of the couples did not adorn themselves in the usual red and white, however, there was one couple, which raised interest.
They were dressed in matching blue t-shirts, blue jeans and blue Timberland shoes, trust me, that was beautiful.
We arrived at the railway station just a few minutes before 11am and boarded the steam coach.
My preferred seat was by the window, where I could treat my eyes to the beautiful scenery of nature and take pictures.
My partner sat opposite me next to the window as well.
While on the train we were treated to snacks, which comprised roasted chicken wings, caterpillars (amacimbi), fresh chips and groundnuts. We then stopped at a Flying junction by Khami Road.
All the couples disembarked from the train to take videos and pictures. A while later we continued with our train ride, which was made interesting by guitarist, George Ndlovu who played various intimate renditions of love songs by famous artistes.
After we arrived at Redwood in Figtree, to our awe, the place had been specially decorated and set for couples, where every lady was given a rose.
Everyone was given an option for alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.
The tables were set for two couples.
Ntokozo welcomed everyone at Redwood, while thanking all associates and sponsors (Minute Maid and Schweppes) for the event.
We then had our Valentine’s Day Brunch (breakfast and lunch). After having our lovely meal we had desert.
After lunch couples were requested to accustom and engage each other, as we played a game.
During the game couples were asked questions and if they got the answer correct they would win a prize. My partner and I did not participate in the game and watched while the others played.
Ironically the winners were the couple wearing the matching blue outfits.
They won a ticket for free dinner at Rainbow Hotel.
Another moment to note was of a man who was celebrating Valentine’s Day and his birthday. His wife surprised him with a cake and people sang for him.
We left Figtree for Bulawayo at around 4pm and arrived at about 5pm.
