‘It just knocked me for six’ – Kevin Hines, winner of A&K’s Wonders of Ancient Egypt competition

“It could not have come at a better time for me,” says Kevin Hines, winner of  Abercrombie & Kent’s Nile river cruise for two competition, worth more than $9000.  

“It just knocked me for six,” he told Cruise Passenger. Hines wins A&K’s Wonders of Ancient Egypt itinerary from Cairo to Cairo which includes a four-night cruise on The Nile and three nights in Cairo.

For the last seven weeks Hines has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for tumours in his throat, lung and hip.

“I had just walked back into the house after a chemotherapy session when I received a phone call saying that I won A&K’s Egypt competition advertised on Cruise Passenger. I have never won any competition before and coming at a time when I was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation was just so uplifting.”

So when his wife, Darlene returned home from work that evening and he told her about the win, she did not believe him.
“B——t” she said.

Soon she will eating those words as the husband-and-wife will be embarking on their holiday of a lifetime to experience a Nile cruise and the Great Pyramid of Giza – one of the seven wonders of the ancient world before the end of the year.

Hines, a delivery driver who works from 1am – 7am delivering pastries to different shops, is now planning to go on the Nile cruise in November – if he gets a clean bill of health.

“I will be seeing my doctor soon and will know whether I have been given a life sentence or will be on parole. If my health is fine, we want to go to Egypt and experience our first Nile cruise in November.”

It will be a double celebration for the Hines as he marks his 69th birthday next week.

The Hines have always loved to travel but have not experienced a cruise. Together with their three sons, they have been on family holidays visiting America, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia and New Zealand.

“We have been to Egypt before but that was 21 years ago,” he added.

Hines has always been quite selective about entering competitions.

“It all depends on the destination,” he said.

The keen golfer and sports fanatic, intends to continue entering competitions on Cruise Passenger – selectively.

“I don’t know how long I’ve got left. But you have got to be in it to win it,” he said.

See more of the journey here.