For country counters or adventure seekers, Nigeria isn't usually at the top of their list. Nigeria, or more specifically Lagos, is usually used as a quick layover to 'check off' the country from the list. Admittedly, this is how I planned on visiting Nigeria. However, in late 2017, the opportunity to visit a friend's friend in Nigeria came up in June of 2018, so I seized the opportunity.


Background


Touching on what I just mentioned. A friend of mine that I travel quite often with had previously visited Nigeria a few times. A friend's parents of his currently live in Nigeria (various parts) and his friend goes back to visit a few times a year. We timed our trip to coincide with one of her visits to Nigeria to visit her parents. This not only meant that getting a visa would be pretty easy. Normally, obtaining a Nigerian visa is a pain. You'd have to ship your passport and docs off to the embassy, wait, etc. Additionally, Nigeria has starting making applications to show up in person to get fingerprinted, which further complicated the process. Luckily, our contacts were able to arrange 'business' visas on arrival. Ya, it was a tourism trip but OK. Needless to say, I was issued a tourist visa on arrival (which oddly enough isn't technically offered). Welcome to Nigeria.


Day 1


As usual, the first day started with an early departure from work. A nasty storm had run through Atlanta earlier in the afternoon and had caused trickling multiple hour delays on all of the remaining Tampa - Atlanta flights. Luckily, after switching flights 10 or so times, I was able to make it to Atlanta about four hours later than scheduled. The Atlanta - Lagos flight was also delayed, so connecting was no issue. However, not the most pleasant way to start a trip.

The route out to Africa today.


The Delta A330-200 operating the flight to Lagos.


My seat for the next 10 or so hours.


I ordered the fish for dinner which was ok.


Pre-arrival meal.



Day 2


The flight took me into day 2. We were running about an hour or so late, so we weren't estimated to land in Lagos until 4PM local time.
Only about an hour out.


On approach to Lagos.


Looking fresh.


Likewise.


Lagos Airport.


Our hosts in the country had our Lagos driver meet me at the airport upon arrival. By that, I mean right outside the jetway. He walked me to a small non-air conditioned room pre-customs to obtain my visa. Pretty easy process though they did issue me a tourist visa on arrival (instead of 'business' as indicated on my application), which they technically don't even offer. Getting through customs was easy as my driver (and security guard) was with me. We spent quite a bit of time sorting out a sim card for the week as T-Mobile wouldn't unlock my phone. Eventually, we got it to work but it had taken well over an hour. By the time we made it into the city, it was already dark and close to 7PM.

This is where you'll see how different this trip is from my normal. There are quite a few days where we did basically nothing, just sat around and relaxed. Our hosts in the country covered the hotels and told us to just order room service for our meals. I met my friend at the hotel in Lagos (he had arrived the day prior) and we ordered some dinner to the room. His friend (daughter of our hosts) was planning on arriving from Abuja in two days, so we had the evening and the next day to ourselves.

Some chicken suya for dinner from the hotel.



Day 3


We texted our driver in the morning to see what we had on the agenda today. Normally, our travel pace is pretty fast with most days being full of activities. Our hosts had arranged today to be a 'relax and recover' sort of day, though we didn't really know that until that morning. Hey, can't argue with a veeeeeery cheap trip.

The room at the Lagos Continental Hotel (ex-Intercontinental).


We went downstairs to grab some lunch once we realized the day was going to be rather slow. Interesting mix of Indian, Thai and Nigerian cuisine.


Eventually, the boredom took over and we decided to go out for a walk around the hotel. The hotel is located on Victoria Island in Lagos, a rather upscale part of town. Most of the city's luxury hotels are located here.


Not a bad day to stay indoors though. It rained all day except for the hour or so we went outside. Below is our hotel, the Lagos Continental. It appears IHG is in no rush to force them to remove the Intercontinental branding. Our keycards were IC branded, the room had IC stuff in it, most of the signs, etc.



Just walking around a wet Victoria Island.


It started raining for a bit so we explored this random mall/store.


Victoria Island, Lagos.


Interesting method of seizing a property.


Walking around Victoria Island, Lagos.


More IC branding.


It appears I went blind for a moment with focusing in this picture, but anyway. Keeping it authentic with a pizza for dinner.



Day 4


Our driver/guard, Fred, picked my friend and I up around 10AM to head to the airport to pick up his friend (the one with family here). She was heading down to Lagos for two days to explore the city with us.


Fred and I waiting at the domestic terminal for her to arrive from Abuja. Great guy, if you're ever in Lagos and need a driver/security guard, he's the one to go with.


After picking her up and dropping some stuff back at the hotel, we spent the second half of the day actually doing some stuff in Lagos. The first stop was the Nike Art Gallery on Victoria Island. We met the artist, Nike Davies Okundaye, and she arranged for an employee to give us a tour, not something I'd normally do, but it was interesting none-the-less.


Touring the Nike Art Gallery.


The gallery was rather impressive.


A rather disorganized toll plaza.


We stopped by the hotel for some lunch before heading out for our next activity...


...which was a boat ride around the Lagos Lagoon. Certainly something unique.


Welcome aboard.


We had one security guard on the boat with us (in addition to Fred).


The weather certainly wasn't the greatest but it never really rained, which was nice.


Lots of nice looking houses and buildings line the lagoon.


An unexpected LSU advertisement.


The Radisson Blu Lagos.


We headed into the Port of Lagos which was interesting.


Up close with an oil rig.


Oh, I forgot to mention the rig was repossessed by the Nigerian government. Naturally.


Local fishermen from the nearby Makoko Floating Village, which we'd be visiting tomorrow.


Some colorful condos/apartments along the lagoon.


Rusting away.


This is where my Nigerian Prince lives I'm pretty sure.


More fishermen from Makoko.


Lekki Iyoki Link Bridge.


We headed back to the hotel for dinner after a great day exploring Lagos. We decided to visit the Chinese restaurant for dinner tonight, which was quite good.



Day 5


So the night before we had actually started devising a plan to do a day trip over to Cotonou, Benin (the neighboring country), which was about a 3-hour drive away from Lagos. We spent a few hours the night prior trying to plan everything for it but hit a few snags. For starters, I hadn't gotten my Yellow Fever vaccine yet as it's around $400 in the United States right now. Fred assured us that's nothing a few bucks can't solve. However, we also realized that our Nigerian visas were only single entry. Fred still thought we'd be fine but we decided not to risk it. Instead, we put together a plan to see more of Lagos for the day.

First sighting of one of these Nigerian made imposter G wagons.


The first stop was the Lekki Conservation Center on Victoria Island. They had a tortoise which was over 100 years old.