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
No comments:
Post a Comment