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A Trip to Nigeria
Welcome to my latest trip report, this time to my first West African country and third African country overall, Nigeria. Previous reports: A Trip to the Grand Canyon and Sedona A Trip to the Azores. One Week in India: Mumbai, Amritsar, Agra/Taj Mahal, Jaipur and Delhi CX and EY J A Snowstorm in Tokyo and Volcanoes in the Philippines New Year’s in Seoul, South Korea Delta A350 Suite Keeping it Domestic: Grand Teton National Park 9 Days in Asia: Taipei, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Shanghai Two Weeks in South Africa and Namibia: Joburg, Cape Town, Sossusvlei and Kruger ˇBienvenido a Cuba! |
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. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...0%282%29-M.gifhttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif The Delta A330-200 operating the flight to Lagos. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2505-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif My seat for the next 10 or so hours. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2506-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif I ordered the fish for dinner which was ok. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2515-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Pre-arrival meal. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2524-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif 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. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2534-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif On approach to Lagos. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2544-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Looking fresh. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2546-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Likewise. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2549-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Lagos Airport. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2554-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif 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. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2557-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif 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). https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2570-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif 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. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2574-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif 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. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2583-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif 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. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2585-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Just walking around a wet Victoria Island. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2591-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif It started raining for a bit so we explored this random mall/store. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2589-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Victoria Island, Lagos. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2588-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Interesting method of seizing a property. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2593-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Walking around Victoria Island, Lagos. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2596-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif More IC branding. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2599-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif It appears I went blind for a moment with focusing in this picture, but anyway. Keeping it authentic with a pizza for dinner. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2604-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif 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. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2611-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif 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. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2632-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif 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. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2635-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Touring the Nike Art Gallery. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2665-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif The gallery was rather impressive. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2675-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif A rather disorganized toll plaza. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2680-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We stopped by the hotel for some lunch before heading out for our next activity... https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2681-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif ...which was a boat ride around the Lagos Lagoon. Certainly something unique. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2686-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Welcome aboard. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2688-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We had one security guard on the boat with us (in addition to Fred). https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2709-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif The weather certainly wasn't the greatest but it never really rained, which was nice. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2719-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Lots of nice looking houses and buildings line the lagoon. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2720-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif An unexpected LSU advertisement. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2745-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif The Radisson Blu Lagos. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2762-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We headed into the Port of Lagos which was interesting. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2771-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Up close with an oil rig. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2785-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Oh, I forgot to mention the rig was repossessed by the Nigerian government. Naturally. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2792-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Local fishermen from the nearby Makoko Floating Village, which we'd be visiting tomorrow. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2846-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Some colorful condos/apartments along the lagoon. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2865-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Rusting away. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2880-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif This is where my Nigerian Prince lives I'm pretty sure. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2886-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif More fishermen from Makoko. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2922-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Lekki Iyoki Link Bridge. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2933-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif 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. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2959-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif 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. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2965-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif The first stop was the Lekki Conservation Center on Victoria Island. They had a tortoise which was over 100 years old. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_2968-XL.jpg |
We drove up to the top of a hill for an overview. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3561-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Aso Rock, Abuja. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3581-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Our hosts' fleet. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3585-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Hotel food for dinner again. I've really become attached to Nigerian Chicken Pepper Soup. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3586-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Day 8 Our host arranged the family driver and guard to take us wherever we wanted for the day. I put together a quick list, which included the National Assembly. I just wanted a simple picture, but that ended up being a full walking tour around the outside of it with several AK-47 wielding guards. We also witnessed the President of the Senate arrive in his motorcade (including jammer cars, an ambulance, etc). Aso Rock seen from the National Assembly. Her mom is actually involved in the government and could've gotten us a tour of the inside, but it was too close in to plan that. Maybe next time. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3593-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif National Assembly of Nigeria. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3604-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We then stopped at Millennium Park next. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3610-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Really quite relaxing and no one was there. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3616-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We stopped for lunch after Millennium Park, which included some pepper soup. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3633-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We then drove about 45 minutes out of town to see Zuma Rock. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3634-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Zuma Rock, along with our blacked out, no license plate, Land Cruiser. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3648-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Quite the busy street. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3654-XL.jpg HIV mingle? https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3675-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Some sachet water for 10 Naira (3 US cents). https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3682-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif The City Gate to Abuja. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3694-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif The family Police Escort taking us around. Normally he carries an AK-47, but he didn't during our trip to Nigeria since her mom didn't really go anywhere with us. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3698-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We were looking for souvenirs and ended up here, not 100% what it is. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3700-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We then headed over to the National Mosque. Couldn't really get a good distant picture of it from the car. Nigeria is roughly half Christian and half Muslim, with a dividing line right through the center (North Muslim, South Christian). Abuja lies right in the middle. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3712-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We arranged a guide for the mosque (who was really nice). In the parking lot was this car, which I inquired about. He said it still runs and someone that works there drives it. Not sure I believe him... https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3715-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif National Mosque, Abuja. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3721-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Pictures were allowed and the guide was very informative, they don't get a ton of visitors so he was quite excited. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3730-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif National Mosque. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3741-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif After our tour of the city, we met back up with her parents to head out to dinner. My buddy's friend's dad (our host) works in real estate so he drove us past one of his friend's places. This guy apparently is building houses out of shipping containers, this particular one is made out of four. Pretty interesting. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3754-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Dinner was at the #2 rated place in the city. I started off with a Chapman, a Nigerian mocktail specialty. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3758-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Followed by the best Chicken Pepper Soup I had on the trip. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3761-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif I decided to go with the Japanese Teriyaki Chicken for the main (very traditional, I know). It was excellent. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3768-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We also shared some Chicken Suya. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3762-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Naira, the local currency. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3770-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We then drove around erratically trying to find somewhere to take pictures at sunset. Normally a quick Google search solves that problem, but in places less traveled like West Africa, that didn't prove to be the case here. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3774-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We missed the light and I don't have a long lens, but this is a pano of Abuja. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3783-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Day 9 Another slow day (or next couple of days). We had a noon flight south to Enugu to visit Amokwe, the village that her parents are from. They built a compound of houses down there. As I mentioned, her dad works in real estate. He's one of the people in charge of the Centenary City development outside of Abuja. It's another planned city which they hope to attract tourists and businesses to Nigeria. Not much is done yet as most of it is in the planning stages, but we did get a tour of the plans and models as the area is on the way to the airport. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3785-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Information about Abuja. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3786-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif The mockup of Centenary City. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3791-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Centenary City. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3795-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif House model. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3801-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Apparently, they just settled with all of the property owners in the area in the last few months, and they anticipate construction to start early next year. Now, whether it'll be on time is another question, after all, this is Africa and we know how these things end up. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3813-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif The Abuja domestic terminal. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3815-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Boarding was rather chaotic. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3819-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Flying down to Enugu on an old 737-300 with Air Peace. They're a newcomer to the domestic Nigerian market, but they're quite good. I guess Nigerians like them since they run a pretty on time schedule compared to Dana Air and Arik. The flight was oversold and they boarded one extra person than seats on the plane. This, of course, caused a huge debacle with him getting removed from the plane. The captain then came out to explain what happened and calm people down. Quite entertaining as the passengers were erupting and people started yelling. Just the kind of experience I was looking forward to. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHPx-7M45ZU&feature=youtu.be The Air Peace 737-300 taking us down to Enugu. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3826-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Dana Air had a nasty crash in Lagos a few years ago which killed almost 200 people. Public faith in the company plummeted after that and Nigerians (at least the ones we spoke to) hate the airline. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3830-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Taking off from Abuja. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3843-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif |
Free snacks on the 50 minute flight to Enugu. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3849-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif A class watching our plane arrive in Enugu. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3855-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We stopped by a mall in Enugu on the way to the village to pick some stuff up. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3859-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We also got Coldstone, which was refreshing. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3862-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif My friend had been asking for this for days, yet we couldn't find it. Ended up finding it in a convenience store in Enugu. Interesting story on this stuff later. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3866-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Amokwe is about an hour out from Enugu. The roads weren't in the greatest of condition, but it was a pretty uneventful ride. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3872-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif The family built a compound of houses in Amokwe for everyone (aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc). All of the structures were built out of concrete, which differs greatly from what we have in the US. Lots of not straight lines, rough edges, etc. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3894-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif My room for the next two nights. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3878-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif The road outside of the compound. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3896-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Day 10 Today was another rather uneventful day. The plan was to drive out to Cross River State (about 4 hours) to see some waterfalls on the border with Cameroon. We had everything arranged with the driver but our hosts advised not to go due to road conditions, which are quite poor during the rainy season. Oh well, you can't do everything. We ended up just relaxing most of the day in the house. We did head into Enugu for dinner and to meet a family friend. No pictures of the food considering it was KFC. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3910-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif The sun was going down as we were heading back to the village. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3935-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif I'd be a concerned homeowner if I was the guy on the left. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3965-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif The sky just exploded, it's too bad I didn't have a better spot to shoot. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3969-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Sunset. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_3975-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Day 11 Today was our last day in Nigeria. Our flight from Lagos wasn't until late at night, around 10PM. We woke up rather early in Enugu to head to the airport and fly back to Lagos. We met up with Fred in Lagos, but we didn't have much of a plan outside of that. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4002-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif My first time flying on a 737-500. This particular one came from Continental. Going back to the Feyrouz comment. My friend had put about a dozen of them in his checked bag. On the way out to the plane, they pulled him (and effectively me) aside. They pulled out the Feyrouz and basically said that they'd be taking it unless he "helped them out". Unfortunately, he had to pay that one since he wanted to keep them and it would've caused too much of a scene to try to save what ended up being $3. Sad that things go that way, but it is what it is. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4008-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif The flight was rather uneventful. Some interesting aircraft on the ground in Lagos though. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4015-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif A 727 hanging out in a field. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4018-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Since it was Sunday, some places on our list were closed, but we did find another art gallery (much smaller) to visit. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4024-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4021-XL.jpg We decided to treat Fred and his wife to lunch at one of the nicest restaurants in town, located on Victoria Island. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4047-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Chapman to drink. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4029-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Salmon cakes to start. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4034-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif I went with the Sea Bass as the main, which was excellent. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4040-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We then went out to Elegushi Beach on Victoria Island. We didn't expect much, we were just looking for something to waste some time. Note: The sky was perfectly clear, a stark contrast from our other days in Lagos. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4053-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Just a run aground oil tanker, nothing unusual. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4086-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Beach food. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4091-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Going over the Lekki Iyoki Link Bridge. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4099-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Fred then took us to the New Afrika Shrine, which is near the airport. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4105-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Fema Kuti, a famous Nigerian musician, performs here. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4114-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Drums. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4116-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Fela Kuti (Fema's father) started the Old Afrika Shrine, which burned down in 1977. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4123-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Decor from the Old Akrika Shrine. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4126-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif One last bowl of Chicken Pepper Soup at a restaurant near the airport. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4131-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif On the way to the airport we came up to this round about. The driver infront of us slammed on the brakes, then someone jumped out and threw rebar into a stopped cars wheel on the side of the road. We stopped, Fred got out of the car, and a fight ensued. Apparently the stopped car was an Uber driver waiting for someone and the assailants were a towing company that wanted to tow the car away. A few minutes of screaming and eventually they let the guy go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey2q...ature=youtu.be Fred dropped us at the Lagos Airport about four hours prior to our flight. The immigrations official tried to extort me, naturally. After I handed him my passport, he tossed it back and said "put something in it" before he would stamp it. I continually refused and he eventually just stamped it and let me go. The Lagos Airport was a dark and hot place. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4136-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Air Peace recently acquired two 777s, so it'll be interesting to see where they send those. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4137-XL.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif We flew confirmed on this trip and our upgrades cleared into Business class with no issue. Time to head home. https://photos.smugmug.com/A-Trip-to...MG_4142-X2.jpghttps://mdtravelphoto.smugmug.com/img/spacer.gif Overall, I really enjoyed my first trip to West Africa. Nigeria was never one of those places that I actively sought traveling to, but I can't imagine there's any better way to do it. Having someone arrange everything for you, drive you around everywhere, cover expenses and provide housing certainly made it easy. Sure, I wish our schedule had been more active and I wish we had done the day trip to Benin and the drive to the Agbokim Waterfalls in Cross River State (which look epic), but you win some and you lose some. Now that I have contacts in Nigeria, if I do return in the future, I'll know where I want to go. A road trip from Lagos to Abidjan with Fred may or may not be in my future plans (cough, hint hint). Next up is my recent weekend trip to Oregon where I visited way too many waterfalls and took what I feel is my favorite photo I've ever taken. That'll be followed by my trip to the Caucuses coming, which I depart for next week. |
A great report. Thanks for posting. Africa and Antarctica remaining. This inspires me to get to Africa soon.
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Impressive!
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Having worked in Nigeria for a few years (and staying in VI at one point), this brought some memories flooding back so thank you for the great pictures and stories.
I especially loved the photos of the floating village - they have so little but look so happy and content |
Fantastic TR and pics of a fascinating place |
The immigrations official tried to extort me, naturally. After I handed him my passport, he tossed it back and said "put something in it" before he would stamp it. I continually refused and he eventually just stamped it and let me go. But, another great TR from you, thank you for showing another side of Nigeria - my ex colleagues and I only know the Business side of things and never get a chance to see what real life is about. |
Awesome, I've always wanted to go to Nigeria, but was always taken back by the thought of it being a pretty boring trip and regards of things to actually do. I would even just go up to fly on the 737-300!
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Excellent and very informative TR.
Many thanks for sharing |
Originally Posted by lamphs
(Post 30129873)
A great report. Thanks for posting. Africa and Antarctica remaining. This inspires me to get to Africa soon.
Originally Posted by moondog
(Post 30130191)
Impressive!
Originally Posted by wcel
(Post 30130460)
Having worked in Nigeria for a few years (and staying in VI at one point), this brought some memories flooding back so thank you for the great pictures and stories.
I especially loved the photos of the floating village - they have so little but look so happy and content |
Originally Posted by ubiest
(Post 30130602)
Fantastic TR and pics of a fascinating place
Originally Posted by roadwarrier
(Post 30130808)
Good on you!! Over the years I have often come across crap like this. Sometimes you feel sorry for the "Official" since they may not have been paid for a while - thinking Zimbabwe here - but in other cases, it is more of taking a chance to extort some $$$ from a "rich" foreigner.
But, another great TR from you, thank you for showing another side of Nigeria - my ex colleagues and I only know the Business side of things and never get a chance to see what real life is about.
Originally Posted by Flame3601
(Post 30130820)
Awesome, I've always wanted to go to Nigeria, but was always taken back by the thought of it being a pretty boring trip and regards of things to actually do. I would even just go up to fly on the 737-300!
It's worth mentioning that Air Peace does have ONE Dornier 328Jet which is pretty rare, no idea where they fly it though. Not to mention the 735s which are pretty rare nowadays too.
Originally Posted by flying_blue_white_red
(Post 30131776)
Excellent and very informative TR.
Many thanks for sharing |
Tremendous TR with great pictures in a place we don't see much about. Fascinating stuff. The village pics were really great. Massive poverty but the kids looked very joyful and happy. Hard to imagine, but I guess that shows the type of people they are!
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