70 BREEZE BY COCO COLLECTION SEPTEMBER 2015
COCO FAMILY Meet the family WORDS NASHIU ZAHIR Abul Hussain, Coco Collection’s longest serving associate, shares his journey from builder to bar captain Abul Hussain, a mild mannered but affable man from Comilla, Bangladesh, is one of the stars at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu. As bar captain, he oversees the Beach Bar near the resort’s jetty. His working knowledge of several languages, including French, Italian and Japanese have helped endear him to many guests, especially those who choose to return year after year. The eldest of five children, Abul completed his schooling in Comilla, and enrolled at the city’s technical college. There he gained an understanding of the basics of hospitality. He came to the Maldives in the late 90s, hoping to find work at Dhuni Kolhu. It was a dream of his to work in hospitality, he says. But things did not go exactly as planned, as the resort was still under construction at the time. Thus Abul’s first taste of the Maldives ended up being that of an expatriate labourer’s. He worked diligently, never despairing despite the unfavourable hand he had been dealt. “I got along fine with everyone,” he says. “It wasn’t what I’d been hoping for but at least I got paid, was fed and had a place to sleep.” After the resort was completed Abul wanted to leave but the management did not want to let him go. “They offered me a position in the kitchen,” he says. He took it after some thought. Soon, he managed to change to F&B, which he found more to his taste. Abul has received extensive training over the years. He remembers a particular trainer from Canada that he was especially fond of. “He was very helpful,” says Abul. “He helped me overcome my shyness when dealing with people, especially the guests. I was afraid to talk to people, because my English wasn’t very good. But he said, ‘They will understand that you’re not from England. It’s not your first language. Don’t be too hard on yourself.’ And I took his advice.” Nowadays, he has many friends among guests, and Dhuni Kolhu gets quite a number of repeaters. “Some guests don’t even call it the Beach Bar; they call it Abul Bar,” he laughs. Abul is proud of the cocktails he serves, especially his mojitos and Long Island iced teas. “I’ve got some great comments from guests about them,” he says. “A lot of repeaters come to me and ask for their usual drinks. I know them so well, I know their tastes, what they want. I’m able to keep them happy. ” Abul has been the bar captain for almost five years and he is thrilled to be working at Dhuni Kolhu. “The management’s fantastic,” he says. “They’d even send personal letters thanking us at the end of the year. So that makes you feel really appreciated.” He is also delighted with the team at the resort. “I know everyone here,” he says. “I’ve been with them so long and they’re really amazing people. And we’re like brothers and sisters, like family here. We’re all the same here, regardless of our nationality or religion or race; here at Dhuni Kolhu we’re all part of the Coco Family.” www.cococollection.com 71