Leezyjet From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2001, 4041 posts, RR: 55 Posted (7 years 1 month 2 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 1902 times:
I'll be going to Lagos for 2 months in summer. Just wondered if anyone has any ideas what there is to see/do when I'm not working. I've heard the stories but also heard that most of it of over hyped.
Anyone got any suggestions.
"She Rolls, 45 knots, 90, 135, nose comes up to 20 degrees, she's airborne - She flies, Concorde Flies"
EZEIZA From Argentina, joined Aug 2004, 4929 posts, RR: 28 Reply 2, posted (7 years 1 month 2 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 1863 times:
I spent several months in lagos in 2004 and, no offence to our Nigerian a.nutters, but it was not my greatest experience. In fact, when I wasn't working, the only major distraction was to go to the bars where the expats would go. That was actually quite fun, meeting great people, but prices were not as friendly
One thing I would suggest is to visit neighbouring country Benin. I spent the easter holiday of 2004 in Cotounou and it was great! Also if you have some time, fly to Accra. Lovely city, great people and great food!
Obviously, this is all based on my own experience, so I'm sure that for other people there could be a different view!
There is so much more to say, so feel free to send me an IM or an email if you need extra info!
here are a couple of pics I took upon my arrival ... enjoy
MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 31118 posts, RR: 74 Reply 9, posted (7 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1786 times:
Quoting Leezyjet (Thread starter): I'll be going to Lagos for 2 months in summer. Just wondered if anyone has any ideas what there is to see/do when I'm not working. I've heard the stories but also heard that most of it of over hyped.
I don't know who told you it is over-hyped, but its not. I have never been to a city as unsafe feeling as Lagos. The city is just ridiculously depressing and dangerous. What I do reccomend, if time and money allow, is to visit neighbouring areas, especially Accra, which are beautiful, safe, and have plenty to offer. Lagos offers pretty much nothing, which is an unfortunate consequence of the fact that it is so dangerous.
Diamond From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3279 posts, RR: 66 Reply 11, posted (7 years 1 month 1 week 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1770 times:
I realize that you are not an American, but you may find the attached travel advisory interesting.
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Mon Apr 10 17:27:05 2006.
NIGERIA
February 17, 2006
This Travel Warning is being re-issued to note the deteriorating security situation in the Niger Delta region. It supersedes the Travel Warning for Nigeria issued January 20, 2006.
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Nigeria. The lack of law and order in Nigeria poses considerable risks to travelers. Violent crime committed by ordinary criminals, as well as by persons in police and military uniforms, can occur throughout the country.
The security situation in the Delta region has deteriorated significantly. Travel to the region remains very dangerous and should be avoided. On January 11, 2006, one American and three other expatriates aboard an oilfield service vessel were kidnapped off the coast of Bayelsa State. Over the last several months, the region has been subjected to a series of attacks on oil company facilities that may be coordinated and have resulted in the death of over twenty security personnel. A militant group claiming responsibility for the recent kidnapping has made public threats against oil company employees and their families, demanding they leave the region.
In recent months, Lagos and Abuja have also witnessed spikes in crime. Some expatriates have been robbed in the outlying Lagos suburb of Lekki, and in Abuja, the Maitama area has seen a series of home invasions. In a working class section of mainland Lagos, an October 2005 clash between police and residents left several dead. Even Victoria and Ikoyi Islands, which are generally safer than other parts of Lagos, have experienced attempted bank robberies, and have seen an increase in smash-and-grab car robberies, including some involving expatriates.
Religious tension between some Muslim and Christian communities results in occasional acts of isolated communal violence that could erupt quickly and without warning. The states of Kano and Kaduna are particularly volatile. Rival ethnic groups have clashed violently in the Niger Delta region around Warri city and in Southeast Plateau State. Senior al-Qaida leadership has expressed interest publicly in overthrowing the government of Nigeria. Links also were uncovered connecting Nigerians to al-Qaida in 2004.
Leezyjet From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2001, 4041 posts, RR: 55 Reply 13, posted (7 years 1 month 1 week 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 1724 times:
Thanks for the replies so far.
I am actually looking forward to it. It isn't one of those places that one would normally visit, but as I'm beinf paid to go there, and it's the first oppertunity to work overseas my department has had for 6 years then might as well take the chance to experience it.
Thats one of the great things about travelling, getting to experience different cultures etc.
I hear that there is plenty of fun to be had in the hotel though, having BA/VS/KLM and AF crew staying there !!!.
Hopefully I'll at least come back with a good tan, and be a little further on with my ATPL studies !!!.
"She Rolls, 45 knots, 90, 135, nose comes up to 20 degrees, she's airborne - She flies, Concorde Flies"
EZEIZA From Argentina, joined Aug 2004, 4929 posts, RR: 28 Reply 14, posted (7 years 1 month 1 week 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 1718 times:
Quoting Leezyjet (Reply 13): hear that there is plenty of fun to be had in the hotel though, having BA/VS/KLM and AF crew staying there
What hotel will you be staying at? I stayed a few weeks at one of Lagos "best", the Eko (at the time it was part of Le Meridien) and it honestly sucked!
Soups From Ghana, joined Jun 2004, 3437 posts, RR: 15 Reply 15, posted (7 years 1 month 1 week 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 1714 times:
Quoting Leezyjet (Reply 13): Hopefully I'll at least come back with a good tan
Summer in europe is raining season in Lagos.. Well in Accra, Lagos have similar weather i am in ACC for a month during summer. we can meet up in ACC if you ever get there
Next destinations, Suarabaya, beirut, paris, Accra
Shamrock_747 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (7 years 1 month 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 1642 times:
I really can't believe you're going to LOS! You're right in saying that a lot of the speculation about the place is over-hyped, however it is still extremely dangerous. It's a great shame - Lagos was a great place to live before Nigeria became so corrupted.
I'd expect VS will advise you not to stray from the hotel or airport. Unless you're with someone who knows the area well and have security with you it's probably best to stick to whatever you're recommended to do by VS!
It will certainly be 'different'. Hopefully there's lots of fun to be had at the hotel with all the crews. Good luck!
Leezyjet From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2001, 4041 posts, RR: 55 Reply 19, posted (7 years 1 month 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 1624 times:
Quoting Shamrock_747 (Reply 18): I'd expect VS will advise you not to stray from the hotel or airport
Yep, not allowed out of the hotel compound at all unless accompanied - not even to the Chinese Restaurant next door - but try getting the crew to understand that - Last year a crew decided to go to the Chinese and just happened to be walking in as the armed robbers were walking out - guess what happened !!!.
"She Rolls, 45 knots, 90, 135, nose comes up to 20 degrees, she's airborne - She flies, Concorde Flies"
Birdwatching From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3573 posts, RR: 52 Reply 21, posted (7 years 1 month 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 1614 times:
Quoting Leezyjet (Reply 13): first oppertunity to work overseas my department has had for 6 years
Your company doesn't work in the area of internet crime by any chance?
Soren
All the things you probably hate about travelling are warm reminders that I'm home
AGM100 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 5407 posts, RR: 17 Reply 22, posted (7 years 1 month 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 1604 times:
Can you stop by and pick up my $25M dollars left over from the Oil Minister who died and forgot to sign over the trust. The guy said all I need to do is bring $35,000.00 US cash to pay the trustee , and the money is mine.
So what do you thinK?
You dig the hole .. I fill the hole . 100% employment !
Quoting AGM100 (Reply 22): Can you stop by and pick up my $25M dollars left over from the Oil Minister who died and forgot to sign over the trust. The guy said all I need to do is bring $35,000.00 US cash to pay the trustee , and the money is mine.
So what do you thinK?
Actually, I think I too got left some money by a long lost relative from Nigeria - they must have traced the family tree back to the stone age tho - my family roots are probably as Anglo Saxon as you can get !!.
"She Rolls, 45 knots, 90, 135, nose comes up to 20 degrees, she's airborne - She flies, Concorde Flies"
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- Last year a crew decided to go to the Chinese and just happened to be walking in as the armed robbers were walking out - guess what happened !!!.
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