Travel – Page 2 – #SASSYFUNKE

March 3, 2017April 7, 2017

a GUIDE TO Glamping in Wadi Rum, Jordan

I have had my share of camping especially on the highlands in Scotland whilst I was a teen but over the past few years the notion of glamping was certainly welcomed. So what is Glamping? As the words eludes to, it is a fusion of Glamour and Camping. Essentially, camping without the hassle. There is no tent to pitch, no fire to build…sounds like having a baby without having to get pregnant (It’s all given to you on a gold platter), and who wouldn’t want that??

Some people want the adventure of camping over glamping but I am indifferent to both (even though my friends would certainly disagree). Whilst on a tour of Jordan, my friends and I spent 2 nights at the glam camp in Wadi Rum! See what we got up to below:

Posing in front of the Glam rooms in the desert

This was Glamping HQ aka lobby and restaurant #DesertVibes

We visited the Wadi Rum visitor centre prior to exploring the desert area which was few minutes away from Glamp HQ

Getting a tour of the Wadi Rum area by our very knowledgeable tour guide

Yours truly posing by the sand dunes where “Lawrence of Arabia” was filmed

Our chef at Glam HQ prepping our food that was buried deep in the ground for about 4 hours

Dinner dugged up from the ground and delicious I must add.

Have you ever had a Glamping experience before? Please share your experience. If you need any tips on Glamping, feel free to ask me.

February 25, 2017April 7, 2017

A GUIDE TO Visiting PETRA, JORDAN

Petra is located in the country of Jordan. It is an archaeological city in southern Jordan and a UNESCO world heritage site which essentially means it’s unique and worth seeing. The city was carved into the rock face by the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled in Petra more than 2000 years ago, turning it into an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome. I went to Petra simply to see one of the wonders of the world. It took my friends and I about 7 hours to tour the whole city but not without the help of donkeys of course.

Not sure I had the right shoes but oh well.

What a beauty!!!!!!!!!!

It took my friends and I about 7 hours to tour the whole city but not without the help of our donkeys of course. FYI – donkeys are amazing animals. I am sure my donkey carried me up 300 steps.

*Why Not Shop* for your artefacts and refuel during your 7 hour trek 🙂

Mixing in with the locals: I met this lovely girl on my way out of the bathroom and she helped me tie my scarf the appropriate way to avoid me getting a heat stroke (It’s the simple things like these that make a difference to ones experience (don’t you think?)

You know I never turn down a shopping opportunity. This shop had all artefacts possible and was certainly an unexpected find in deep into the city of Petra.

Tips for Petra:

(I) Prepare for the heat

(II) Pay for a donkey to take you up to the Monastery (Don’t be cheap)

(III) Bargain for everything

(IV) Prepare to be left breathless

Check out my Jordan travel vlog here

Have you ever been to Petra? What did you enjoy the most? Share with us. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment.

February 21, 2017April 7, 2017

A guide to visiting Ivory Coast || Culture, Food & Nightlife

This was one trip that wasn’t really planned. A friend of mine and I simply wanted to explore Africa and thought South Africa was too far for a 3-night trip from lagos. Given I had already been to South Africa, there was also an incentive on my part to explore new territory. Ivory Coast is a francophone country which meant I had a great opportunity to brush up on that French I spent summer 2014 in Lausanne, Switzerland (not to excluded my 6 months life in France in 2014 and 2015) learning. I wasn’t expecting all the beauty I saw so here it is:

About to board by flight from Lagos to Abidjan, Ivory Coast with Air Cote d’Ivoire. The ticket was so expensive for this less than 2 hr flight. Next time, I am walking!! lol perhaps a road trip 🙂 (I actually found out that there was a road direct to Ivory Coast from Lagos).

I stayed at the Novotel Abidjan in the business district. Loved these flying orchids in the lobby. Only complaint was the small rooms (the breakfast was great). When you live in Lagos, most places in the world seem smaller.

Visting the busiest market in Adjame, Abidjan. It is so funny how I was exploring this market but to go to the market in my home town Lagos, Nigeria is a mission lol

We literally took a walking tour of plateau (the business district in Abidjan) and came across these boutiques (not your everyday boutique).

Visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral in Abidjan. Impressive but a small giant in comparison to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast

Selfie ready for our 2 hour drive to Yamoussoukro (from Abidjan) to visit the BIGGEST CHURCH IN THE WORLD.

That backdrop – Moi at the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast

That View

The interior of the church. The church was a gift from the 1st president of the Ivory Coast to the pope. When asked how much he paid for the church’s construction, he responded that one could not price a gift to God. The tour of this church was one of the most impressive tours I have had (So much thought and precision was put into its construction).

I also visited the “Felix Houphouet-Boigny Foundation”. Here, is the peace room. The goal of the foundation is to contribute to the research, preservation, maintenance and promotion of peace in Africa and the world, in the spirit of the Constitution of UNESCO and the United Nations Charter.

A great meal at Aboussouan, a lovely african restaurant with a lovely vibe. This place was full by the time we left on a sunday – definite testament to the quality of the food and service.

What I loved about Ivory Coast?: Hands down the Basilica in Yamoussoukro (Such beauty) and the thorough FREE tour guide given by (even though I gave a small tip) . The people – very friendly and did I mention the incredibly FUN nightlife (with of course music from Nigeria – Nigeria is truly taking over the world with its beats).

What I didn’t like?: Its a francophone country so no one had an interest in speaking english lol (honestly I loved that I was forced to practice french though). Also I didn’t like the flight ticket price. African airlines need to do better to encourage africans to explore Africa or else we will carry our cash outside the continent.

Would I go back?: Well possibly but not any time soon. This does not take away from the fact that I enjoyed my trip.

Have you visited Ivory Coast before? If so, share what you loved and what you didn’t. And if you have any tips for travelling to Ivory Coast

February 17, 2017February 17, 2017

5 quick and FREE ways to maximise short vacations

Only the rich get the luxury of taking long holidays abruptly. For most 9 to 5’ers (who really work longer than 9 to 5, not that I am venting) who have been allocated a 20 day or so holiday quota by their employer, they have to be really smart with the time allocated to them. We can not afford to take time for granted because frankly we don’t have much of it. So here I am to the rescue with 5 quick and free ways to maximise short vacations!

1. TRAVEL CLOSE

I made this mistake. I assumed that a holiday was only a holiday when I flew to a destination only at least 5 hours away. A vacation break can be an hour flight away or even a 30 mins drive away. Look for destinations close to home, rather than those so far away. There are unexpected gems to be found closer at home if we look hard enough. There is no point spending all your travel time on a plane (that may be delayed and thus even prolong you travel time even further). Flight delays are something we see on this side of the world (i.e. Nigeria) more often than not.

2. DITCH THE LUGGAGE

I am always of the fear that the airline will lose my check-in luggage so once a while I try to travel with only a hand luggage. This saves a good amount of time as you can arrive at the airport much later and be the first to leave the airport at arrival. Wouldn’t you prefer to spend more time relaxing than battling and sweating for your luggage??

3. TRAVEL WITHOUT FRIENDS aka SOLO TRAVEL

Truth is some friends have their own agendas when they travel and their agenda can mess with yours. If your travel partner decides to sleep-in that extra two hours on your “SHORT” vacation, that is two hours you will not get back especially if you’re working on a schedule.

4. PLAN WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE AND WHEN

I am always so perplexed when people tell me they went on vacation but failed to see some important sites. Their excuse is that they had no time. Did you actually plan beforehand all the things you planned on doing or did you expect to by chance, stumble upon them? Greatness was never stumbled upon, it was always planned in advance 🙂

5. STAY OFF SOCIAL MEDIA

We all spend way too much time on social media when we really should be absorbing the world around us #GuiltyAsCharged. The amount of time is spend on social media is time we could be using to unwind, relax and enjoy life.

What do you think about my 5 SIMPLE and FREE (we all love free lol) ways to maximise time on short breaks? Share with me other ways you’ve gained time during those short vacations.

February 7, 2017April 7, 2017

HOW TO SPEND 4 DAYS IN ZANZIBAR

This trip to Zanzibar was not a well planned one, in that I only decided a week before to venture there. It was certainly a trip which I don’t regret. Zanzibar was quiet, peaceful, clean and warm. All that I needed for a moment of self reflection and stillness. Zanzibar is a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa. I spent 3 nights in Zanzibar and this is what I got up to, where I stayed and all that’s in-between bearing in mind I wasn’t planning on breaking my budget.

About to catch my flight from Dar es Salaam (after flying in from Nigeria via Ethiopian airlines the night before)

“I made it” This is how I got to Zanzibar. On a little propeller plane from Dar es Salaam (a major city in Tanzania). #NotForTheFaintHearted but I slept like a baby on the 35 min flight.

The streets of Zanzibar en-route to my hotel

I stayed at an all-inclusive. The beauty of an all-inclusive is that you control your budget as your hotel payment includes accommodation, meals and drinks.

The all-inclusive accommodation at the Neptune Pwani Resort in Zanzibar located right on the beach.

Loved the rustic feel to the hotel room and of course those all important mosquito nets

Balcony goals anyone?

At the coconut dispensary on the resort

Spa goals?

Above at the full moon party at the Kendwa Rocks Beach Hotel in Zanzibar. The full moon party is in the Top 10 of full moon parties in the world. Food, good vibes, music from tanzanian artists, beach vibes. A worth while night for 2 hours before my bed called me 🙂

Exploring the streets of Stone town, Zanzibar with our driver turned tour guide (a cheap trick to save money by the way). Driver are well traveled people in a city.

A museum in stone town

Market stall in Stone Town

Views from the Zanzibar ferry port from Mercury’s restaurant (ordered a pretty decent pizza from here because I was nearly late for my ferry). Honestly the pizza was better than any pizza I’ve had in Nigeria but certainly not better than the ones I’ve had in Italy. Took the ferry back to Dar es Salaam and was impressed by the cleanliness and order of it all.

What I loved about Zanzibar: Quietness, beautiful beach, water sports, polite people/staff (It is incredible what value add customer service can be)

What I would have change: I wish I explored more i.e. take the “spice tour” (an apparent must in zanzibar) and visited more monuments

Perfect for: Retreats, Honeymoons, Girls getaway

Tips: Book your transport ferry in advance to avoid disappointment. Reserve all the unique restaurants for all nights once you arrive if you are not keen at eating at the buffet in case you stay at an all inclusive resort.

Would I go back: Yes!!!

Have you been to Zanzibar before? If so what did you enjoy the most and would recommend for anyone visiting Zanzibar?

February 4, 2017February 1, 2017

THE LAGOS CHRONICLES: 7 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT LAGOS TRAFFIC

If there is one thing the city of Lagos is popular for, it’s her mind-draining traffic. Even though experiencing traffic is quite annoying especially when you’re trying to get to work on time or you’re running late for that important client meeting, there are indeed some positives of being stuck in traffic (i.e. reasons why we love traffic). Here they are:

1) ENJOY FUNNY SCENES

There are so many comical activities surrounding traffic in lagos. It’s either the sound of bus conductors urging passengers to hold on to their change, or the arguments that go on between the local touts (popularly known as AGBEROS) over things that make no sense. Even road shows involving a lot of energetic dancing organized by companies to market their products are entertaining. Either way, you can be assured of getting free unadulterated humor and sometimes freebies (Who doesn’t love freebies?? even the rich do).

Image: nairaland

2) MEETING HOT GUYS

This is my personal favorite. Who doesn’t like to meet good looking and potential husband-material guys? Lagos traffic makes it really easy. Traffic in Lagos makes it possible to score a hot guy with a dope ride with little to no effort (a few stares and winks here and there will suffice). If you are lucky enough you’ll get a date right in traffic (that’s how good lagos traffic is). You dream man might just be a car way *wink*

3) ROADSIDE MUNCHIES

This might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it sure is mine! I love indulging in some of the locally made snacks that are both pocket friendly and really delicious. Snacks like BOLI (roasted plantain), GALA (sausage roll) and the signature traffic drink LA CASERA (every lagosian should be able to relate).

Image: iafrikan

4) TURN UP

Traffic in lagos can often last for hours (I mean a 20 min journey can end up being 3 hours) and while some people let themselves get frustrated by it, I simply switch up to gear “turn up”. I simply plug in the AUX and viola!! It’s a party. It’s usually much better when I have a few girlfriends with me then we pretty much in a club. It’s not odd to see drivers dancing while in traffic (it’s a norm in Lagos, they are REALLY having the time of their lives and not crazy).

Image: dailymail

5) SOCIAL MEDIA FRIENDLY

Everyone is pretty much obsessed with social media platforms and I am no exception. Lagos traffic gives me the adequate amount of time to post a few tweets, like a picture or two on instagram and most especially make snapchat videos keeping friends posted on my exact whereabouts. The traffic allows me do all this without getting into trouble with the law as most traffic will bring you to a complete stop. Remember “Don’t text and drive”.

Image: cnn

6) LISTENING TO THE RADIO

Now I often don’t get enough time to listen to the radio or watch news on TV because of life’s hecticness. But the few hours spent in traffic gives me enough time to catch up with my favorite radio shows and believe me when I tell you radio stations in Lagos are absolutely dope.

Image: topgear

7) SHOPPING TIME

Food isn’t the only thing you can get in lagos traffic. If you’re familiar with traffic around areas like the main traffic light in Maryland, the Adeola Odeku area in Victoria island (Lagosians can relate). In these locations, you can bag yourself great knockoffs of your favorite designer shades (why go for a N30,000 pair of “Wayfarers” when you can get the knockoff “Ray Peng” for about N200). Although some people “you know who” are trying to take away our road markets, we know they serve a good function 😉

Image: theguardian

I have a real blast every time I’m stuck in traffic in this city that never sleeps. Do you enjoy traffic as much I as do? If so, how do you make your time in traffic more enjoyable? Share your ideas with me below!

February 1, 2017February 3, 2019

A GUIDE TO VISITING Badagry

February is Black History month and what better place to explore and share with you than my trip to Badagry. My trip to visit Badagry was a bit unplanned but nevertheless fulfilling because I had a chance not only to hear about history but to get a thorough walk-though of the slave trade in Nigeria. Badagry is notably known for the slave trade to foreigners. I had the pleasure of having knowledgble tour guides walk me through the four key sights in the area over the course of 2 to 3 hours: The first storey building in Nigeria, The Chief Mobee Royal Family Original Slave Relic Museum, Seriki Faremi Williams Slave Museum and the Badagary Slave Route.

The history of the slave trade told of how 40 slaves were sold in exchange for an umbrella to how slaves were kept in inhumane conditions some for months before they were sold and shipped away. I had a pleasure to see history in a way I have never done before and this was indeed due to the impressive tour guides.

Rather than bore you further with a history lesson, I will leave you with visuals of my trip. Please also see here for a short vlog of my trip.

THE FIRST STOREY BUILDING IN NIGERIA

Standing in front of the first storey building

Tour guide at the First Storey Building talking about the quality of the materials then went into the building of the house

Being shown the safe that was located in the first storey building along with currencies that were used then by the British

This well is the only drinkable well in Badagry (located in the compound of the first storey building)…of course, I had a taste and have to admit that it tasted pretty good.

SERIKI FAREMI WILLIAMS ABASS SLAVE MUSEUM

The entrance of the museum

Baracoons are enclosures in which black slaves were confined for a limited period

Our tour guide sharing history with us

Some of the instruments of torture

CHIEF MOBEE FAMILY SLAVES RELICS MUSEUM

Certainly not the biggest museum in the world but holds history nevertheless

The Museum

The original drinking bowl from which slaves drank from

Depictions of slave treatment

ORIGINAL SLAVE ROUTE (THE POINT OF NO RETURN)

Our transportation from badagry to the island of “the point of no return” (approx. a 10 min journey)

On the slave route on the island

The only official store on the island (where I purchased the cutest coconut bag)

Arriving at the point of no return (It took approx. a 25-30 min walk to get from where the bought disembarked to reach this point by the atlantic)

What I loved: The tour guides who were very thorough and the closeness of all the sites visited which made it easy to walk and see most things.

What I hated: Not much but bear in mind that the trip to Badagry can be a long one (65KM from the mainland Lagos) if you do not make way at the right time (i.e. traffic-prone times)

Would I go back: Certainly! Especially to showcase to others who haven’t been. It is certainly one of the best tour sites I have visited in Nigeria.

Costs:

– Boat from Badagry to the island of the point of no return was N5000 for three of us (considering no one else was on the boat with us. Apparently its normally N1000 each if it was busy. N5000 included a tour guide that guided us through out the whole island.

– Each site cost approximately N200 – N500

Travel Tips: (1) Make sure to bring drinks with you to keep hydrated (there were options for drinks but I believe limited)

(2) Costs for all tour sites are negotiable and as such, make sure to bargain according to what you believe you can afford

(3) If you have an issue with walking 25 mins, please avoid going to the point of no return. There were no other means of transporting for tourist on arrival on the island so either you walk or just wait. (My 60 year old aunt came with along with me and was sooo mad lol)

I hope you enjoyed the write-up. Let me know if you haven questions about my trip. As always, I hope that I have inspired you to visit this gem is history.

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January 19, 2017January 19, 2017

The Lagos Chronicles: The Travails of the “Danfo” Bus Passenger

The ‘Danfo’ bus is a passenger bus that operates in Lagos and carries approximately 16-18 passengers. They play an essential role in the lives of millions of Lagosians, including myself (I used to board 7 of them on average every week whilst I was younger, growing up in Nigeria).

As much as these Danfo Buses are useful, most of we the passengers have lots of tales of woes to tell and sometimes the drama is not necessarily from the crazy Danfo drivers and their conductors. It is from the well “interesting” passengers.

These buses carry a mix of characters i.e. “The gentle”, “The angry, “The born-again” (aka serious Christians) and so on. Are you ready to find yourself among this list below or at least to be entertained (if this whole concept and experience is new to you as you are chauffeur -driven)

– THE SCREAMERS

Are you that passenger that is always with N1000 or N500 note for just a N50 bus fare? Then when the conductor proceeds to give you change less that N50, you would start screaming at the top of your voice for N50 change? Please behave yourself please, everyone is looking for change so please find your change before entering and disturbing us or didn’t you hear “enter with your change?”

Image: techcabal

– THE SLEEPERS

If it’s around 5am-7am, it’s acceptable to sleep but for those who use their heads to disturb people’s shoulders at 12pm or 6pm, I tire! You entered the bus single and now you have bae. If you are one of those who can’t but sleep, please do it with swag aka style. Don’t always hit your head on the person in front or beside you. Remember, you are not in the four corners of your home.

Image: naij

– THE ARGUERS

You won’t even know what caused the argument. Before you know it, you will just start hearing noise “Buhari is this…”, “Fashola is that…”. Please, if you are one of them, stop disturbing the Danfo community and if you are just an onlooker, please don’t interfere o, because before you know it someone can start breaking bottles.

Image: adelove

– THE AMEBO

You would think you and this person went to the store together and bought 50% of your phone. They have no shame in ogling at your chats or whatever you are doing with your phone at that particular time. They even have the audacity to give some advice based on your personal chats #Facefrontbusybody!

Image: aderonkebamidele

– THE LYING LIONS

The confident way this person will keep lying to the person on the other side of the phone that he is at “Jibowu” when in fact he is in “Festac” would surprise you. You would even want to be double check that you boarded the right bus.

Image: zikoko

– THE PASTORS

Yes, the pastors! They literally turn the entire trip into a complete Sunday service with testimony and offering. Once you hear ‘Praise the lord”, get ready. Can we just travel in peace? Telling them to be quiet will be like telling God you don’t want to hear his word so you just suck it up #NoOneIsReadyToOffendGodHere

Image: encomium

My mantra whenever I used to enter the Danfo bus was to respect myself, hold my change, plug my earphones in my ears and listen to my music. No drama for me please.

Which category do you belong to? Got any Danfo Bus story? Sharing is caring *winks*

January 10, 2017April 7, 2017

A GUIDE TO VISITING IOS, GREECE

The truth is when the world mentions Greece, most of us think “Santorini” as if to say it was the only island worth visiting. Today is not about Santorini but about another little gem Ios. Ios is an island in cyclades group in the Aegean Sea. Ios is only about 18km long and 10km wide. If there is one thing that the island is known for is that it is a party island. I went to Ios as part of a trip where I visited other islands in the group from Santorini to Mykonos (Stay tuned for my write-up on these other islands). Below is my visual diary of what I got up to on the island #Enjoy

Arriving by ferry to Ios

Enroute to our hotel

A view from the balcony in my stunning hotel (Dionysos Seaside Resort)

My room at the hotel

My gem of a hotel – DIONYSOS

How I spent my day (Relaxing)

Beach vibes at the Milopotas beach a short walk from my hotel

Milopotas beach

My favourite restaurant in Ios (You literally pick the fish you want cooked from the sea)

Some of the amazing heavenly food delicacies

Me and my travel partners at Drakos

Almyra by the sea

One of the many divine seafood meals in Ios

What I loved about Ios: The seafood (especially the restaurant Drakos) was just AMAZING. And our hotel, it was such a little gem that I would love to replicate once I open my own hotel (some day, some day lol)

What I didn’t like: The island was somewhat taken over by children i.e. teenagers who were seeking freedom so was a little bit irritating in some locations on the island.

Would I go back: For the food, 100%

Travel Tip: Book your ferry to the islands in advance to avoid any disappoint as they get very packed especially in the summer months

Getting Around: Some people rent cars but we simply booked cabs given we were only on the island for 2 days. I don’t think it’s necessary to rent a car on the island as least for us as we walked around a lot as we were close to beaches and restaurants.

Hope you enjoyed my write-up on Ios. And hopefully it inspired you somewhat. Do let me know if you have any questions.

November 15, 2016April 7, 2017

THE SEYCHELLES BUCKET LIST

Truth is the Seychelles is one of those destinations where honeymooners ventures on holiday and don’t really do much except stay on their resort, eat and sleep all day. I went to the Seychelles as part of a family holiday and as always, I made sure I kept myself busy (Why would I travel so far to SLEEEP?? No, not me. I can sleep peacefully in Lagos; thats actually debatable). Here are my favourite highlights from my trip to inspire you to visit the Seychelles:

1. VANTAGE POINT FROM VICTORIA, SEYCHELLES

There were many vantage points in the Seychelles but this was one of my favorites.

2. VISIT TO THE TEA FACTORY

Located in Mahe, this tea factory established in 1962 is responsible for growing and manufacturing tea in the seychelles. You can discover here how Seychelles’ tea is made. From the tea factory, one can also enjoy panoramic views of the western slopes of Mahé.

3. CATAMARAN FOR THE DAY

This is no doubt a perfect way to not only relax and get some watersports into your day but its also a perfect way to visit other the many island in the Seychelles.

4. VISIT TO TORTOISE ISLAND

We visited the Praslin island which was home to many many giant tortoises. I particularly enjoy feeding these creatures.

5. VISIT TO THE HINDU TEMPLE

Interesting is that Hinduism is the second largets religion in the Seychelles. The Arulmigu Navasakti Vinayagar Temple is the first and the only Hindu temple in Seychelles. I didn’t visit inside the temple but the exterior of the temple was no doubt stunning.

6. MANGROVE WALK IN PRASLIN ISLAND

Such a great way to see nature at its finest. An unspoilt island with many beautiful plants and animals.

7. VIEW FROM THE RECEPTION OF FOUR SEASONS

8. THE VIEW OF OUR VILLA AT THE FOUR SEASONS (SPOT THE OTHER VILLAS)

9. BATHROOM TO DIE FOR ANYONE? FOUR SEASONS

10. VISIT TO THE MISSON RUINS OF VENN’S TOWN, A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

11. SUNSET AT THE FOUR SEASONS

12. THE VIEWS LANDING IN THE SEYCHELLES

To say the Seychelles is stunning is an understatement and one truly has to see it with one’s own eyes to believe it.

Hope I was able to inspire you to visit The Seychelles. If you have any questions re: tips or what to do in the Seychelles, please feel free to ask.