April to May 14 2011 Lagos Naija Experience

It has been a month and a half in Nigeria, what was meant to be a short visit has now been extended.

There have been some highs and lows. The lows include getting used to NEPA an ESKOM equivalent back home and its load shedding. It is a foregin concept and i wonder how those without generators cope during these hours. I must say though we have been without power at most for 3 hours, as the generator kicks in. Water is another low, not used to seeing brown water coming out of a tap, explains why hubby would jump into the shower excited when he got home and 'drank'the water as it trickled down his face.

In terms of activities:

Shopping

Since my last blog and after settling, we did manage to find the baby bath tub at #Shoprite, in fact we found more than that, we got a package that included the tub as well as a laundry basket, jug, bottle, potty trainer etc. Shopping at Shoprite has brought smiles on our faces as we consume favourite house brands such as #Crosse and Blackwell Mayonnaise, simple pleasures you would think mayonnaise would taste the same, #Jungle Oats from Tiger Brands and ah #Iwisa maize meal for that home made pap to name a few...Still cannot get used to the numerous number of people queuing for the already made food and how packed the shop is day in and day out.

#Game, here we managed to buy the baby's stroller. I must say i feel that game has a 'brand dumping' feel to it. Most of the brands found in the store are from SA. To illustrate, my husband bought a fan from a local shop called #park and shop, this fan is made for local conditions, comes with a rechargeable battery thus unaffected when the electricity goes off in this very hot country. The fans sold at Game are the Logic ones that you get in SA, no adaptation to the local needs at all. This is but one example.

#Park and Shop, this is where we do most of our groceries. It has a #Checkers Hyper feel in that the shop sells everything from groceries to house appliances such as fridges to electronics such as TV sets, Guiltars, Cell Phones, Perfumes, Alcohol with big names such as #Dom Perignon, South African wines such as #2 Oceans and Perfumes to name a few.

#Spar which is found in Lekki is like home, great layout and an ambience of an aspirational brand in South Africa. Here you also find local brands but swallow hard when you need to buy home made or imported tomatoes at 2000 Naira per killo, equivalent to US$13 or R100 per killo to name a few. We have stopped comparing prices now and can conclude that the standard of living is very high in Nigeria. One can easily spend $US100 a day without recollecting what it was spent on.

#Markets, i have yet to visit these, i have a few people who have promised to take me there, so far i know it is where the chef buys his vegetables etc.

Restaurants:
So far we have been to #Cumberland for the best Indian Curry, i must say its external looks does not give it justice as when you walk in it is a formal setting with the cooling air from the airconditioners which is a must here.

#The Lagoon, for food by the bankside of the water, we are on an island after all, great for eat as much seafood and meat as you want. This place will set you back 8500 Naira per person, equivalent to US$57 per person but the food and ambiance is worth it!

#Sweet Sensation is our sunday lunch. This is where you get to experience local Nigerian food. You mostly find families eating here with a kiddies area. This place will set you back 2500 Naira for 2 people, equivalent to $US16 with full plates and soul filling food.

Restaurant at #Mega Plaza i have forgotten the name, but great food, great music, great staff, great children area, great family spot and chilled atmosphere.

#Eko Hotel for steak, this place will set you back plus minus 10 000 Naira, but you pay for the ambiance and dining with some hotel guests.

#Frenchies great bakery for bread and doghnuts! and next to it is a great place to get frozen yoghurt and smoothies, didnt taste the ice cream.

#La Chocolat at the #Palms Shopping center is great for cheese cakes

Entertainment

Shopping malls visited include #Mega Plaza with different floors of different shops, managed to score hats and great food, #The Palms Shopping Centre with big house brands such as #Mango, 3Levi,  #Fossil, #Swatch, #Game, # Shoprite and more.

Cinema #Genesis Deluxe situated at the Palms Shopping Centre. I felt like i was at a Ster Kenikor at home. We discovered that it is cheaper on Wednesdays where you pay 600 Naira equivalent to US$4 for the movie and popocorn not that expensive either, watched #The hangover vs a Thursday where i paid 1500 Naira for the movie ticket alone and ended up watching #True Grit because of Matt Damon only to discover it was a terrible movie! The cinemas were not that busy on a Thursday either. Ah the difference is its free seating!

#Bookshop at the Palms Shopping Centre, near the movies, similar setup to an #Exclusive books back in SA.

#Television, mostly watching #Big Brother Amplified, 4 African Magic Channels and a local music channel called SCITY over and above #DSTV of course.

Spiritual
We attend a church called the #redeemed cgurch of christ olive branch near #Banana Island, interesting church, message always powerful.

Stay tuned, we have yet to visit Spas, Museums, The Nail Studio, Markets etc

Sunday May 1

Woke up with a plan to go to church, was pretty excited actually to experience Naija churches , trick is most drivers are off on Sundays or making excuses. The roomie had a great day spend the day at Karzan bay sp. Changed quickly had my swimming stuff ready got baby ready, we were driven to a place where we would hire a boat to take us to the beach ooooh the excitement. Alas when we arrived a heavy presence of Police.

Apparently the carnival that was on land yesterday now moved to the water, everything complete shut down. Lucky enough there was a plan B, hubbys colleague had just come back from SA and has a new apartment on Banana Island no joke, with a swimming pool! All was not lost, managed to swim and chill, there were 4 other SA dudes there, amazing how you get reunited ex race when you are in a different country!

After the 'picnic' by the pool, The host cooked for us great Pasta! I was taken back at how these men prepare such great dishes!

We spoke about missing home, life in Nigeria, its a whole different world here but great business opportunities!

As for the apartment! WOW! Taking notes for my future house. Who furnishes these apartments? The finishing is great from beginning to end! We drove past more HUGE houses in an estate, I am in AWE!

Day 5: Friday Carnival Day

Today was Lagos carnival day in ikoyi, from 7am till 7pm. How I wish I could have gone but most of the roads were blocked. Apparently it happens every year. Got a glimpse of some people though, colorful outfits. Went to a restaurant Emjay or Cumberland in Victoria Island yesterday with the husband, Indian restaurant. I must admit from outside it looked dodgy thought I was going to those corner restaurants where you buy meat and braai there, don't judge a book by its cover. It was pretty cool yesterday had some Mutton curry, black pepper fish very salty and burnt, black pepper chicken, butter non sp and steamed rice. Tea was served in a flask which I thot was sort of smart it doesn't get cold like the teapots and some Pepsi water. Service was average and together costed 7000 Naira equivalent to $50, quite reasonable, apparently the best Indian joint in Lagos and I will grow to love it lol. Not 5 star dining but will grow to love it.

Day 4: 28 April

Another day in the house, getting used to the 'load shedding, off from 9am till 12, then on 12 till 3pm then on again 5 upwards. Trick is PC no power either so can't read etc. Getting used to the left hand driving but the 'reckless' driving and hooting on the road every 5 minutes by S, that I have to get used to. It rained today so the weather a bit bearable.

Just came from the shops, Spar at the park and shop, wow shopping with brand names you don't know is not easy, the Chef just gave us a list of missing things, but how do you decide on what brand of rice to buy? Or juice okay that was easy Coca Cola made lol, oh no no jungle oats! I knew I shud have brought some, biscuits What...don't know any of these brands, had to ask a shop attendant on which mayonnaise to buy. Baby Aisle yippee Purity pheew now I can breathe, I would have had to pack 60 cans for 30 days at least! Sugar oh ya we use cubes here hey how does the measuring work? Got me some Lipton tea bags yeah! Shopping at 8h30pm the only place you could do that on SA was at seven 11 lol. At least the aisles were marked so it made for easy shopping.

Need to get a local sim card at least no Rica here.

Off to go and have dinner

Day 3 : 27 April

Pretty uneventful seeing as stayed indoors today.

Trying to make a baby sleep with the hooting noises outside though is something I have to get used to. No door bells or intercoms (big gates enclosing big houses) so every time someone comes home they have to hoot, security guards open and that's the whole street. I will respect the no hooting sign when I get back home

Then its the back drop sound of a generator. The power went off today which meant no Aircons the HEAT! Baby was sweating like hell which also meant no TV! And couldn't charge my PC! Really need to find entertainment other than the baby who keeps me company lol

HITLIST: Places i plan to go...

• Clear Essence California Spa and Wellness Resort 13 Alexander Road

Bangkok Restaurant (Asian), 244A Muri Okunola St, Victoria Island, Lagos, 0803 307 7666

Churras(Brazilian), 1C Ozumba Mbadiwe Ave, Victoria Island, Lagos, 01-262 9961

Marco-Polo (Seafood), 9 Karimu Kotun Street Victoria Island, Lagos, 01-444 8938

Piccolo Mondo (Italian), 19B, Plot 975, Idejo Street, Off Adeola Odeku St, Victoria Island, Lagos

Very hard to find info on things to do but this is what i was able to find on the net:

  To be reviewed:

Marketing/ Advertising/ Sponsorship

Due to the elections, most of the outdoor advertising is of different candidates running for government.

I was however able to see Glo mobile outdoor advertising using famous 'ambassadors' that I recognized from 'nollywood' movies. I saw at least 4 different ambassador ads on the way to Victoria Island.

What caught my eye though was the Samsung Drogba, Essien and Obi billboard, wearing their Chelsea jerseys with an slogan 3/ tripple something..made for African Conditions! Great usage of Sponsorship to sell product!

Watched a program on Supersport last night with Skye Bank as the main broadcast sponsor, corner logos and studio branding. Disappointing though how a Nigerian caller called in to comment about Torres and Chelsea and the Panel all white after the call did not understand what he said! Get a translator.

My cellphone immediately changed to Etisalat I am a Vodacom user.

Zenith bank has the majority of the airport branding.

The Palms shopping centre boast Familiar shops such as GAme and Shoprite, Polo, Nandos the pricing is no joke.

At the Park and Shop we were able to buy some groceries at Spar.