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| Sunday, 8 January 2006 |
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Two years in a floating hotel :An enchanting cruiseby Ranga Chandrarathne A breathtaking view heralds every morning against the blue but some times rough sea. The cruise liner moves majestically calling many strange ports and passing exotic islands with its passengers.
Pradeep Fernando was among the chosen few to be a crew member of the ship. Pradeep, an old boy of St. Sebestian's College Moratuwa, had chosen a profession in the hotel trade at a young age while most of his friends sought different avenues in life. Having been trained and serving in leading Sri Lankan hotels such as Galle Face Hotel, Hotel Taj Samudra and Lanka Oberoi, Pradeep qualified as a cook which eventually led him to an enchanting journey on a cruise liner with people belonging to different nationalities. It is this career that enabled him to visit some of the treasured tourist destinations including the Vatican and many countries such as Spain, Italy and Costa Rica. "When the cruise berthed at a port, we were given a short interval, we come out of the galley (kitchen in the ship) and travelled the city when I visited the Vatican, it was the time of selecting a new pontiff and the city was very busy. However, I spent only two dollars for the journey, which would have been more than Rupees two hundred thousand for an ordinary visit to the Vatican. I did not have to spend on food and lodging as I was an employee. I work in the luxury liners "Island Cruises" and "Thomson Destiny" We did not feel that we were in a ship. On some days the sea is calm, but on rough days we feel a slight jerk. I also had the opportunity of working with different nationalities such as Bulgarians, English and some Russians. " said Pradeep. Pradeep is grateful to the National Apprentice and Training Institute (NITA) for putting him on the correct path to success and placing him on a on an the job training that led to his career on the cruise liner. |
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