#SASSYFUNKE – Page 11 – Travel – Flight Reviews

March 7, 2017September 21, 2018

A GUIDE TO VISITING MAKOKO – A SLUM IN THE CENTRE OF LAGOS?

For many years whilst driving through the “Third Mainland Bridge” in Lagos, I notice a community built on water. I always asked myself why people lived there and years later I ask why they chose never to leave. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit this community whose name is “MAKOKO” and had my questions answered.

Makoko is a community with over 100,000 people (85% Christians and 15% muslim). This community is a fishing community with men responsible for catching fish whilst women are responsible for smoking and selling fish. The people are mainly from the Ijaw tribe (hence the reason I couldn’t understand the language spoken in Makoko) with some from the Yoruba and Igbo tribe. Makoko consists of 11 communities (6 of which are built on water). The community operates self sufficiently with limited interference from the government with chief being the judicial system. Below is a visual diary of my trip to Makoko (see also my SHORT video diary):

Approaching…

Commerce. Tomatoes anyone? Canoeing is the mode of transport.

Kids learn to swim from the age of 3

Mother and child

Certificate of chieftancy at the visit to the Chief’s house

A view from the primary school

The primary school in Makoko which educates 269 people a year

With the Chief’s youngest brother Noah Shamede who is also the Director of the school

Yours truly

How did I organise this trip: I am a member of the Nigerian Field Society, a national organisation made up of volunteers that organise trips across Nigeria. If you are interested in well organised trips, ensure to join the society.

How long was the trip: A 20-30min boat trip from Victoria Island to Makoko. Overall trip was 3 hours long.

What did I enjoy the most: The Q&A with Noah Shamede which gave interesting insights into the community. And seeing Makoko from inward instead from how I viewed it driving on the third mainland bridge.

Travel tips:

The heat can be intense so I suggest you take along drinks and snacks
Wear a hat to protect you from the heat
Wear comfortable shoes like trainers
Wear trousers (makes getting in and out of the boat easy)

Hope you enjoyed the write up on Makoko. Share your most memorable site to visit in Nigeria.

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.

March 1, 2017September 5, 2017

ROAD TRIP TO BADAGRY

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzHlWZRJ8qc[/embedyt]

Road Trip to Badagry. I took a trip to explore this historical site in Lagos, Nigeria. Badagry was home to the slave trade in Nigeria. Come and explore with 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 14, 2017September 21, 2018

CHECKING IN: MAISON FAHRENHEIT LAGOS NIGERIA

Every year there seems to be new hotels springing up in Lagos and today I will review a relatively new one “Maison Fahrenheit”. This hotel is located in Victoria Island and is considered a boutique hotel (with 26 uniquely decorated rooms and 4 suites). I stayed in one of the suites termed the “WOW” suite. Keep reading if you want to know if the “WOW suite” WOWED ME or was just a waste of money.

The room

The living room in the suite

Bathroom goals?

Balcony views

Breakfast room

Yummy breakfast

A view from the rooftop bar

Pool time

Pool view by night

The WOW suite: It was a decent size unlike the standard rooms which were considerable smaller. Decor was very modern.

THE BREAKFAST: There wasn’t extensive choice like in the bigger hotels but the choice available was GREAT and TASTY

THE FACILITIES: The pool was divine. I loved the decor. Unfortunately no gym (which is a big negative for me)

ROOFTOP: Home to a restaurant and bar which gave hotel guest a 20% discount on platters and drinks. Loved the rooftop

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: Call me picky but dirty floor towels on the balcony isn’t quality. Also everyone visiting the hotel has access to all floors. Even public guest to the rooftop could easily visit other floors in the hotel (safety issue, no?)

Overall I liked the hotel and would recommend it for those who were visiting Lagos. I paid a very good price for this room which I am sure was a website error so it was definitely worth it. If I had to pay the standard price, I may have been unimpressed 🙂 ….Value can be a function of expectation.

February 10, 2017March 7, 2017

4 essential rules to adhere to as a wedding guest in Nigeria

Wedding parties in Nigeria are truly the greatest! They are colourful, vibrant and full of people who are either genuinely in high-spirit for the couples or simply want to pre-drink before they heard to the club. There is no party like our party anywhere else in the world! Nigerian parties have the best Jollof rice, and any party with Jollof rice is always a party worth attending. The music is also as fleek and groovy as the dance moves that accompanies it. And if you have crazy friends, be sure that they would make you feel giddy and excited like it were there own party as well. Anyway, the last part may be the only thing liable to have glitches – “PEOPLE”. There is just a thin line between making someone’s party memorable for them and turning it into a nightmare. Many people can’t tell the difference. That’s why I have created this four important rules for all party guests in Nigeria. So you can tell when you have or are beginning to cross the line.

1. DO NOT OUT-DRESS THE HOST

Whatever party you attend, I know you want to slay. It is perfectly alright to look gorgeously dressed. However try not to overdo it. Especially at weddings. Do not outshine the bride! Do not wear anything white, or even remotely so. You can wear something with a touch of white to a wedding but try not to be a deliberate attention-grabber. Your host may not show displeasure but you have somehow taken their show and this is selfish. Some people even go as far as deliberately wearing something different from the dress code. Don’t be that person. If they want black and gold, go in black and gold or anything close. Because the party is theirs, not yours.

2. DO NOT BRING AN UNINVITED PERSON ALONG

If an invitation was sent to you which admits only you to a party, do not try to smuggle in someone else. People make plans based on an expected number of people. You would be turning their event into a nightmare if they do not have enough to cater for everyone present because people like you brought in more people. If your friends want to tag along, make sure you request the host’s consent. However in Nigeria, some people just do not like to hear about parties and not show up.

3. PHOTOGRAPHY NOT PAGEANTRY

Photography is meant to capture all the beautiful moments and its importance cannot be over-emphasized. When you see a professional cameraman, do not jump in front of it as though it is a documentary about you. We all know you want to be featured on Bella Naija but have some self restraint. You brought along your own phone (and extra battery and “LuMee” light) so make good use of it and snapchat all you want but let the photographers capture the moments that matter most to the celebrant. Also when taking pictures with the host, unnecessary and silly face-making is annoying and distracting. Don’t draw attention to yourself (Pictures are pretty when you smile simply).

4. GIVE GIFTS

I know you probably bought an Aso-ebi of N20,000 and you think you have done well. The good gesture of handing celebrants and couples gifts at their events is a timeless tradition. When you give out gifts, it is an opportunity to send a goodwill message or prayers. And also shows that you are not a freeloader but a person genuinely celebrating others. Remember that the cost of putting together that wedding dwarfs the cost of your aso-ebi and make-up

Finally, keep to all the above rules.

Do you adhere to any of the rules above when attending parties in Nigeria? Tell me what other rules you think people should follow.

Image: Adufe’s Blog

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!