LAGOS TRAVEL GUIDE: “YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LAGOS NIGERIA”

LAGOS TRAVEL GUIDE: “YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LAGOS NIGERIA” is the first ever high-quality, locally curated guide to Lagos, Nigeria written by Funke Ogunkoya-Futi

You’ll discover:

– Lagos’s must-seestop experiences, and hidden gems
– the best spots to eatdrinkshop, and stay
exclusive interviews from tastemakers like Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye (Owner “Nike Art Gallery”)
– colour-coded chapters to every part of Lagos, from Victoria Island to Lekki, Ikoyi to Badagry
– a lightweight format, so you can take your guide with you wherever you go

BUY YOUR COPY HERE:

Amazon (Paperback)

Amazon (eBook)

Apple (eBook)

BASED IN NIGERIA? (Paperback)

 


About the Author

Funke Ogunkoya-Futi is a Nigerian-British Media & Travel professional based between Lagos, Nigeria and London, United Kingdom. She worked in finance for six years in the UK and New York at a leading US investment bank before assuming a leadership role in one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing internet companies.  She holds a BSc. In Business Management from King’s College London and an MBA from INSEAD Business School. 

She was born in Osogbo, Nigeria and has visited over 40 countries to date. Funke Ogunkoya-Futi lives in between London, UK and Lagos, Nigeria.

 

NEW YORK TIMES TRAVEL SHOW TALKS FRUGAL TRAVEL

I had the pleasure to attend the New York Times Travel Show 2018 (held at the Jacob K. Davits Centre on the 26-28th January in New York City) as a member of the press. The show is the largest travel trade exhibition in North America and its 2018 show represented its 15th year running. The show comprised of many seminars to aid education around many areas of Travel from “food” to “affordability of travel”. The show was bolstered with an incredible travel exhibition representing well over 150 countries.

I attended a number of seminars from those that focused on Africa to “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern of the Travel Channel”. One of my favourite panels was “The Frugal Traveler With Lucas Peterson” and below I will be sharing my key takeaways from the session alongside images of the travel exhibition.

Lucas Peterson of the New York Times on stage during his seminar session 

WHAT IS FRUGAL TRAVEL & WHAT RESOURCES SUPPORT IT

  • Frugal travel DOES NOT mean cheap. It means finding the best value for one’s dollar.
  • Frugal travel can offer a more “genuine” travel experience allowing one-on-one interaction with locals.
  • Leverage home-sharing sites like Airbnb, GuesttoGuest, Couchsurfing
  • Travel is becoming more experiential – In effect, people want to feel as if they were a local (“step into the shoes of a local”)
  • Recommended “experiential” sites: Visit.org, Airbnb, ifonly, Vayable etc. These sites enable you to book local experiences (run by locals with most proceeds going back into the local communities).

TRAVEL MYTHS

  • There is no specific day/time to get the best deals on flights (but granted weekend travel tend to be more expensive).
  • Travel is too expensive. Travelling is becoming cheaper in this era. Key is to compare, compare, compare.

 

KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SHOW

Official opening of the show

Travel blogger session with Lina and David Stock of Divergent Travels & Hannah and Adam Lukaszewicz of GettingStamped.com

One of the many incredible exhibition stands by the Mexican Tourism Board


The exhibition was organised by continent (great to see a lot of African countries represented)

A snapshot of the stand representing the Tourism Board of the Seychelles Islands

  Overall, the travel show was a great opportunity to network with travel professionals, exchange insights from local travel markets and build relationships with like-minded travel enthusiast. Let me know if you found the information useful and which travel shows you attend in your local market.

Click here for more info about the NY Times Travel Show

MY 2017 YEAR IN 5 MINUTES | 2018 TRAVEL INSPIRATION

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OaWNeg0PWE[/embedyt]

2017 has been an incredible year of travel for me. Hope you enjoy this video montage of my travels this year and that it inspires you for the year ahead.

To stay up-to-date with my incredible travel vlogs and hacks, subscribe to my YouTube channel here: http://bit.ly/sassy-funke

HOW TO KEEP FIT WHILE TRAVELING – MY HEALTHY TRAVEL TIPS

One of the things we tend to neglect while traveling is our health and many of us over indulge during our travels. We allow ourselves to “enjoy life” but are not happy with the consequences when we return home to find that we have gained an additional person in weight (in only 2 weeks lol). How can YOU keep fit with all the temptation? Well….

Below is my video on simple but effective travel tips to keep you looking fit aka #PepperDemGang aka #FitFamReady all year round throughout your travels. Watch the video and make sure to subscribe  to my YouTube channel “SASSY FUNKE” for more videos.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0UzUXPvyEU[/embedyt]

 

Please share more #FitFam travel tips in the comments section below. What do you do to keep fit whilst on vacation?

 

A GUIDE TO VISITING Oktoberfest, GERMANY

I had never heard about Oktoberfest before in my life but a few german friends mentioned festival, germans and beer and I was down. For those that have never heard of it. Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival held yearly in Munich, Germany. Think beer, amusement park rides, games, traditional german food and you have Oktoberfest. I went to Oktoberfest dressed in my jeans and a casual top. Before I venturned into the festival (seeing how everyone was dressed and how I didn’t want to look like a tourist), I invested a decent amount into a traditional german outfit (I convinced myself it would be useful in the future for halloween and future Oktoberfests).

IMG_9441

En-route to Oktoberfest – Taking the train from our Air BnB accommodation to the festival. You can see how we actually dressed to the festival.

 

IMG_9496

The crew all cheese for the camera

IMG_9476

Trying out some well brewed german beer at the festival in our newly purchases attire #WhenInRome…

IMG_9472

Took me forever to finish this up. It was sure goooood….I ate to many different types of sausages on this trip, that I don’t remember the name of any.

 

IMG_9555

Indecent behavior at the festival was controlled by the german officer….trust me, these officers were needed.

IMG_9601

Making friends and drinking beer at the festival

What I loved about Oktoberfest: The energy. Everyone down to have a good time and just getting on with it. Very well organised festival

What I hated about Oktoberfest: The walking: but I guess that is what festivals are about

Would I go back: 100% YES

Tips: Get to Oktoberfest early, if you want a seat that is (unless you have booked tables in advance). Ensure you have a way to communicate with friends as you may likely lose them in the vast crowds. Sleep well, as its going to be a long few days. 🙂

 

Have you attended Oktoberfest before? If so, what did you love or hate about it? If you need any tips, please feel free to ask.

The Lagos Chronicles: Driving in Lagos [Know the 10 rules]

You think you are a pretty good driver, right? You may have driven on all the roads and highways in the world but if you haven’t driven in Lagos, you simply haven’t driven at all. I actually never drove before I came to Lagos (but I had taken driven lessons in the UK but failed #StoryForAnotherDay) so the experience was very interesting given my reference point. I can categorically say that driving in Lagos is the true test of a real driver. Take it from someone who knows.

If you are planning to drive in Lagos in the nearest future or just want to be entertained, then these rules are for you:

1) If you must drive in Lagos, do so with the knowledge that everyone else is mad except yourself. Avoid every other road user and do not think that they care much about their lives or their cars as you do [especially those drivers driving recklessly when their owners are not in the car).

everyone-else-is-mad

Image: bellanaija

2) Danfo drivers believe they are immortal. Never yield to the temptation to teach them otherwise. You will only blame yourself in the end. By the way, Danfo’s are yellow 10-15 seater buses as below.

imortal-danfo-drivers

Image: elombah

3) Our “Okada” (Motorcycle) riders have a pact with suicide. Avoid them like plagues.

avoid-okada

Image: lagoschamber

4) There will be traffic. It is no myth. Like many other mega cities across the world, Lagos has its own terrible gridlocks. You might need to study the system properly. Know when to leave your home and when to simply stay put.

the-traffic-in-lagos

Image: pulse.ng

5) The only time you pay for damages to a car is if you destroy at least any of the lamps. If it’s simply a bump or a scratch, just say sorry and move on! Most people don’t have insurance so don’t bring all that insurance story their way.

bump-just-move-on

Image: edforh

6) When overtaking, always turn to look at the next person eyeball to eyeball and get some sort of acknowledgment,  just because you never know! Your trafficating light is a signal for most NOT to let you overtake. That is the joy of over taking in Lagos.

overtaking-eyeball-to-eyeball

Image: deveoh

7) Never get in the way of a car that needs extensive bodywork, except you want to spend your whole day fixing your car #TheyHaveNothingToLose

bodywork

Image: bodyworkplusltd

8) You will be scratched because the bumper-to-fender movement is most likely to get you scratched by a biker, someone riding a Keke (tricycle), a danfo (commuter bus), or yet another private road user. Take very special cars out on weekends to avoid sad stories (when I say OUT, I mean stay on the island not the mainland. Don’t be fooled, many who drive cars do not have any insurance.

bumper-to-fender-scratch

Image: naijamoderncars

9) When asking for directions, always ask at least three people. Lagosians always claim to know every inch of the city – even areas they’ve never been to (we are just wired that way).

asking-for-directions-in-lagos

Image: divus.cc

10) Finally, PLEASE if you get caught breaking any law by any chance, do not allow the police, traffic wardens, FRSC, Kai brigades, fire brigades, VIO, LASTMA, LAMATA, LASWA to enter your car. If they happen to get in, do not drive from that spot (veer off traffic & settle promptly). If they don’t agree to your payment amount, pretend that you are calling your uncle who is in the army (believe me it always works). Never EVER follow them to any sort of office except you are ready to pay ten times more what was demanded. Also, if you’re from ABROAD, ditch that accent ASAP. 

dont-let-the-lastma-in

Image: omgvoice

Good luck driving in Lagos.

Are you a driver in Lagos? Do share any rules you think are worth knowing. Share your LAGOS DRIVING stories, I know you have many!!

TRAVEL INSIGHT: Why Nigerians always travel to london?

This title is a bit misleading as the article really focuses on why Nigerians hardly change travel destinations. You always hear that Nigerians are always travelling to the same destinations notably London, Dubai, Turkey, Atlanta & Texas. You may think that we are not in the least creative but truth is there are many valid reasons why we stick to these locations (There is a method to our madness) and I am about to share them:

 1. MONEY CONSCIOUS

You may not necessary agree with this point given the vast spending the younger generation do especially if you’ve watched the documentary “Lagos to London: Britains New Super Rich”. You see the kids popping champagne in London clubs simply to wash their feet with it (Here is a link to those ones but note they represent the minority). Truth is we are the most money conscious people in the world, so we tend to travel where we have family or friends who are prepared to lodge us for FREE. London is a popular destination here.

 2. BUSINESS

Majority of the Nigerians that travel to Turkey or Dubai are not going there to primarily check out the museums and sites. They are not vacation (a vacation for the typical Nigerian means they did not go to work). They are there to buy gold, materials and handbags so that they can comfortably stock their shops back home in Nigeria. We are constantly thinking of how to increase our wealth. We spend money to make money.

 3. WE ARE NOT WELCOME ELSEWHERE

This is one that I can testify to. Having a Nigerian passport restricts where in the world one can venture. Forget about being even welcome in another country, you are not even welcome in the embassies of some of these foreign countries in Nigeria. Very few Nigerians have the patience or energy to go through hoops and puzzles only to be granted a visa for 3 days (What an insult!! And you know we Nigerians are full of pride).

  4. FULL OF PRIDE

Nigerians are full of pride and don’t take being discriminated against lightly. Getting discriminated against is something we don’t handle well. It can make us never step into a country again. It can make us bad mouth that country to death and do everything in our power to ensure that whoever offended us is punished. Rather than open the possibility of this happening, we stick to places we know we will not necessary be respected but at least not insulted. What’s that quote again

Do you agree with my reasons? or perhaps you know of other reasons why Nigerians always travel to the same locations? Share 🙂

Featured image: virgin atlantic

SPOTLIGHT: CHISWICK HOUSE AND GARDENS, LONDON

To be honest, I should be ashamed of this post. Well not of the post but of the fact that it took me over 9 years to actually write this post. I actually lived a 4 min walk to Chiswick House and Gardens for 9 years and I only on a recent holiday decided to check what the hype was about (bear in mind the gardens are only 9 miles from central london so a great option for perfect day out in London):

fullsizerender

The map of the Chiswick house and its vast gardens

To give you some history, Chiswick House and Gardens is the birthplace of the English landscape movement. The 65 acres of Grade I listed gardens are stunning and have an amazing array of architectural delights and wilderness areas amongst other beauties. I wasn’t able to go inside Chiswick house as it was closed until April 2017 but the beauty the gardens had to offer was more than sufficient. Nevertheless, there was so much to soak in and here is my visual diary:

fullsizerender_1

Chiswick house in all its glory!

fullsizerender_2

View of chiswick house

 

fullsizerender_4

On Chiswick grounds is a beautiful lake with many ducks and ducklings for all you nature lovers

fullsizerender-25

En-route…

fullsizerender_5

Another view of Chiswick house

fullsizerender_6

A view of the cascade waterfall at Chiswick Gardens

fullsizerender-24

A section of the gardens was built to look like paintings

fullsizerender-27

At the classic bridge

fullsizerender-23

View of the lake from the Classic bridge

fullsizerender-26

Ionic Temple, Obelisk and Amphitheatre

 

What I loved: So much beauty to be seen here. The gardens, lakes and grounds are spectacular and a perfect weekend chill-zone. Also the grounds are free entry for all but there are other fees to enter inside Chiswick house itself. See more details here.

What I didn’t like: The weather could have been better which would have lengthened the amount of time I spent. That’s what I get for visiting London in winter. I could imagine how much more stunning it would be here in the summer.

Who should visit: Everyone! Its the perfect day out for families or even if you are on a date (There is a cafe on the grounds too). Did I mention its a gorgeous spot for a wedding?? Views to make those wedding pictures stunning.

What other gems are worth visiting in LONDON. Share with me!!!

 

 

A guide to visiting Gruyere, Switzerland

If you love love love cheese or simply love the peace and tranquility and beauty Switzerland has to offer, please please venture to Gruyeres. Gruyères is a town in the district of Gruyère in the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland. I ventured to Gruyeres when I was visiting one of my Swiss friends in Lausanne, Switzerland. I wanted a day trip not too far from Lausanne and here we were in Gruyere (only a 40 min car ride away).

IMG_1508

The map of Gruyeres

Gruyere was named the most beautiful village in Switzerland in 2014.

IMG_1505

The view from our walk from the car park

IMG_1473

The view from the main street in Gruyeres

IMG_1470

The swiss artist playing us some tunes with a traditional swiss instrument, “The alphorn”

Swiss-Tourism-Fondue

Lost my foundue pics but essentially this is what we ate all day at Gruyeres…Cheese, Cheese, More Cheese, bread and wine.

Image: ghmhotels

IMG_1502

Artisan Chocolate in Gruyeres for all the chocolate lovers 🙂

 

What I loved: The views, simply to die for. The weather given it was summer 🙂 The cheese and the wine.

What I didn’t like: Well if you don’t like cheese, there wasn’t much of an extended menu available. I guess you don’t really venture to Gruyeres if you don’t like cheese.

Would I go back to Gruyeres: Maybe but I feel its like one of those places you tick off so there isn’t a urge to go back especially if you don’t live in Switzerland. It’s unlikely I would fly out from Lagos just to visit Gruyeres but if I was in Switzerland, why not? #PerfectDayOut

 

Have you ever been to Gruyeres before and if so, what did you love about it? Share in comments below

THE LAGOS CHRONICLES: Lagos through the eyes of a stranger

First things first. Who is a stranger to Lagos? A stranger is not just a foreigner in Nigeria, a stranger in our own term means someone who has never lived in Lagos, Nigeria. They have always heard stories about Lagos, either via the media or through an acquaintance that has been there before. So wherever you are reading from, if you have never been to Lagos, you are a stranger. Truth is I know all the good and the bad things you have heard about this illustrious city, but I am here not only to debunk some and also to validate some as well.

THROUGH YOUR EYES:

Lagos is very dangerous

THE REALITY:

Where is safe? Well Lagos is as safe as the streets of London. There are some places in London I would not attempt to go. Truth is you need to be aware of your environment; moreover the government has really intensified their efforts in making it safer.

PIC 13. SOME OF THE ARMOURED PERSONNEL CARRIERS INAUGURATED BY GOV. BABATUNDE FASHOLA OF LAGOS STATE IN LAGOS ON TUESDAY (25/10/11).

Image: beegeagle

THROUGH YOUR EYES:

If you come to Lagos, you can get a job within the twinkle of an eye.

THE REALITY:

Lagos is for the smart and industrious, some of the people making it big here found their niche and didn’t wait for white-collar jobs. The chances are fairer that other states but then so are the chances in America but some people are still suffering there.

jobs-in-lagos2

Image: gotoshool

THROUGH YOUR EYES:

Lagos is for workaholics and there is no time for relaxation

THE REALITY:

You are right on the work angle but surely there is relaxation in Lagos. Have you seen the Lagosians do nightlife (I guess not)?. The city never sleeps but certainly gets more sleep than New Yorkers. After the stressful weekday, Lagosians know how to unwind at several spots such as the beach, boat clubs and sports clubs to mention a few. And the weekends? Just stop by at an event centre next to you, you would be sure to get free entertainment at any “Owambe” (Party).

enjoyment-in-lagos2

Image via hotels.ng

THROUGH YOUR EYES:

Lagos is the place to get high class BAEs

THE REALITY:

You are right on that, if you are looking for high class BAE. Not that you cannot get them elsewhere but Lagos has them in abundance but then I must warn you, there are specific places to get the high class ones (I will talk about that another day).

 

Women at a fashion show in Lagos

Image: s3.amazonaws

THROUGH YOUR EYES:

The cost of living in Lagos is too high.

THE REALITY:

Though the cost of rent in Lagos is high but then other things such as food are cheap. Just don’t enter those fancy supermarkets in VI & Co. and you will be sure to save yourself some millions 🙂

cost-of-living-in-lagosImage: howafrica

Lagos is a beautiful city and you are definitely going to love it with it’s the fast life, authentic food, vibrant entertainment and so much more.

So have I changed your perception of Lagos?

What are your other perceptions about Lagos? Tell me and I will let you know if you can bank on them or not.