tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52613924467759619902024-02-22T10:52:38.034+01:00Labyrinths of Lahrah The Accidental TravellerMolara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.comBlogger341125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-49779232213007518952021-10-30T12:59:00.005+01:002021-11-07T08:23:26.615+01:00Footprints in Magical Morocco<div><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgV4JHdieKyrLVCGifXp5HuwaIFJe6BtPPH9itx2n3hNNLRIpOOb7Z6tLNgSJSJDMgE_luJxHbPunqYyDQEDUOv_czx7kYDplWVkxKUUw4gKv0-BVMM1BG99B9kQ0kSTu78imEL_CrJ6QCK_d7lNiXbOHIhKr_ZNvLPTA3pJYArGVkyhXJexVEQL2Ed=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgV4JHdieKyrLVCGifXp5HuwaIFJe6BtPPH9itx2n3hNNLRIpOOb7Z6tLNgSJSJDMgE_luJxHbPunqYyDQEDUOv_czx7kYDplWVkxKUUw4gKv0-BVMM1BG99B9kQ0kSTu78imEL_CrJ6QCK_d7lNiXbOHIhKr_ZNvLPTA3pJYArGVkyhXJexVEQL2Ed=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>V</span>isiting Morocco has been my dream for about 3 years now . </span></span></span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve always wanted to experience Marrakech, see Fez and particularly spend the night camping in the desert. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZsjcgVTe65rfAnoe0gC4AF3Y4Jf51Ei8GtmyMEZqfsKEQyHuGsIxLFQ0LzUlSyAyTQN75U4dwgVdM7sEoDtqp0fImTmaigHYIy8AsOBoYy_-lzeEnt8ErFsw-r2qqvmCTcet_6nBXsZ-fBVaG1kxOHg-_eJJjvRmrmhQDYUxseBMXmeztYqp_HoeY=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZsjcgVTe65rfAnoe0gC4AF3Y4Jf51Ei8GtmyMEZqfsKEQyHuGsIxLFQ0LzUlSyAyTQN75U4dwgVdM7sEoDtqp0fImTmaigHYIy8AsOBoYy_-lzeEnt8ErFsw-r2qqvmCTcet_6nBXsZ-fBVaG1kxOHg-_eJJjvRmrmhQDYUxseBMXmeztYqp_HoeY=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And as I stood overlooking the desert that Friday evening in October, the winds blowing, the sun setting, marvelling at the undulating dunes of the Sahara desert before my eyes, that dream had become a reality. </span></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);">There is no </span>exaggeration when I say Morocco was magical. 9 days of magical bliss, driving through beautiful nation of breath taking landscapes, bustling medinas and capturing a whole new experience.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgocwaPioa3BQvu-fxa4hdqq83RygPBt4wOvR7d9sVj5sY6Y0mhhRV89RntNnJgl0TXkBD6F_vzGVXHuABkVkhOmdoOJTA_HnYZfO9qToPxuvPbdqZxu4toQVdbhOfm5U4CHIJCSA0FS-UuB39dtGrYN2BBOCFxkn5gjh682-Y0YzUxzdk9qg4GVTdT=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgocwaPioa3BQvu-fxa4hdqq83RygPBt4wOvR7d9sVj5sY6Y0mhhRV89RntNnJgl0TXkBD6F_vzGVXHuABkVkhOmdoOJTA_HnYZfO9qToPxuvPbdqZxu4toQVdbhOfm5U4CHIJCSA0FS-UuB39dtGrYN2BBOCFxkn5gjh682-Y0YzUxzdk9qg4GVTdT=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);">This was my first flight since returning from Cape Verde in January 2020 and I am super happy that this was my destination of choice.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><b>Planning the trip</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX-vKxSLqcnFXhoeDqKF5NBpHPWwwhkIieKYqI3hy1fHTq5pXcVT1ppT9L8ihVRoRDmicBUoIKwfMOFRiPhc-g0aKAXuX0VCl5aUgyIIUjg8hpnFrjaaVVX0XknhSAkJQniApyl3TzP8362-XiIlgDJ7BAMWQZqICiYskK3TvgnYfvsPScZUGNfxc8=s2048" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgX-vKxSLqcnFXhoeDqKF5NBpHPWwwhkIieKYqI3hy1fHTq5pXcVT1ppT9L8ihVRoRDmicBUoIKwfMOFRiPhc-g0aKAXuX0VCl5aUgyIIUjg8hpnFrjaaVVX0XknhSAkJQniApyl3TzP8362-XiIlgDJ7BAMWQZqICiYskK3TvgnYfvsPScZUGNfxc8=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fez Tannery</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I made up my mind to go on vacation, the intention was a multi-country trip. Morocco and Egypt, Morocco and Turkey or Egypt and Turkey. Unfortunately, Turkey was on the red list </span>as<span style="font-family: inherit;"> the time of travel. There was no guarantee that my visa will make it out of the embassy before the travel date. I settled for </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: inherit;">Morocco and due to the backlog at the embassy, the visa did not arrive as earlier assumed. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);">By the time I got my passport back, there was not enough time to get the passport into another embassy before my travel date. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);">Work was dragging me, I really did not have time to plan the trip, it was mostly insha Allah and vibes. 5 days to trip and I did not even have accommodation booked or tours🤣. </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: inherit;">Travelling solo also meant that the trip was going to cost me a lot more.</span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: inherit;">2 days to my trip, I finally booked a night accommodation in Casablanca. Found a local tour guide in Marrakech, Ali of <a href="http://www.moroccojoytravel.com" target="_blank">Morocco Joy Travel</a> on Instagram and I was good to go.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><b>Getting the Visa</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);">Nigerian passport holders require a visa to visit Morocco.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);">The embassy of Morocco is in Abuja and no, I did not visit Abuja for the visa application. There are a couple of travel company in Lagos that help with processing the non-appearance visa.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);">The Tourist visa requirements are:</span></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Passport</b>. You must possess a valid international passport or travel document. Valid for 6 months beyond your intended duration of stay. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">A clear copy of the international passport data page.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Visa Application for</b>m. Duly and accurately filled visa application for which can be downloaded from the embassy's <a href="https://www.consulat.ma/en/ordinary-visas" target="_blank">official website</a>.</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Passport Photographs</b>. You need to submit two passport coloured photographs on white background<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(33, 37, 41);"> (4 X 3 cm) showing the features of the face clearly;</span> </span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Introduction Letter. </b>An introduction letter from your employer is needed for a Morocco visa application. You need to state the purpose of visit and length of stay.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Payslip. Employees need to show evidence of salary slips for 6 months.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Work I.D. card. </strong>A copy of your employer issued identity card is mandatory and you need to include it in your application. The ID card must show your names as they appear on your passport, your title, and the company’s details.</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Bank Statement of Account </b>You must submit 6-month bank signed and stamped account statement showing sufficient funds for the trip. And if you need to submit a corporate account, a reference letter from the bank is required. </span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Letter of sponsorship if applicant's employer is sponsoring the trip.</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">NIN Slip</span></b></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hotel Reservation. </b>You need to get a confirmed hotel reservation for the purpose of the visa application.</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Flight Reservation. </b>Confirmed return or onward tickets. The flight needs to show your arrival date and departure.</span></li><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Travel Insurance </b>You need 3-month insurance to cover for your trip. </span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The<span style="color: black;"> visa processing time is ideally maximum of 15 working days but there are exceptions the embassy hangs on to your passport beyond the required days. The embassy issued me a 30 days visa instead of the usual 90 days which changing my travel date impossible.</span></span></div></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">The decision to use a travel company was the most cost effective option for me, also I did not have the luxury of time to visit Abuja to physically apply for the visa.</span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b>Flight Details</b></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE5O6q0jvpeeZzK0kJtk1Cr6nICRYB_fTZyD42KePfbn6RJrbmc_bWRdyDsh_JfMqekb74VNSxtsu0xQyJcZ90b-74q8edO0mYeH0dHt8Wqxv_W8gI0_7nLKrC6bspNXUWgPJauszfKFNfo4vLQQ_oQt9b2bXo1PO0YgFR9jQ8MddgHQ7EEvbuC4sj=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE5O6q0jvpeeZzK0kJtk1Cr6nICRYB_fTZyD42KePfbn6RJrbmc_bWRdyDsh_JfMqekb74VNSxtsu0xQyJcZ90b-74q8edO0mYeH0dHt8Wqxv_W8gI0_7nLKrC6bspNXUWgPJauszfKFNfo4vLQQ_oQt9b2bXo1PO0YgFR9jQ8MddgHQ7EEvbuC4sj=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">I flew directly into Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc. Flight time was 4.30hrs. The downside of a less than 5 hours flight </span>is that I was not eligible for PTA. The other flight options are Egyptair (about 22hours flight time with stop over in Cairo) and Turkish Airlines (Stop over in Instanbul with flight time of about18 hours)</span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(39, 44, 48); font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ll share what I got up to in the next post. </span></span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(39, 44, 48); font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(123, 123, 123); letter-spacing: 0.20999999344348907px; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Have you been to Morocco, What was your experience like? is Morocco on your travel bucket list?</span></span></b></div></div></blockquote><div><div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: georgia;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: #454545; font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">♥Lara</span></span></div>Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-72565585913584263032020-12-31T19:53:00.018+01:002020-12-31T21:57:05.202+01:00The Uncertainty of Tomorrow<div><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's the last day of 2020.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCL3V8VUCeC2i2MveRZzZyW0enGp1Bav75ErHyq5gLCEk89rR16rFAQEo2RMERjyoTiSQMKc2W9bhO9an3v8DdAi2HUujQezZDs0Mb63-iYeUmeTQGXTbWxpsB0XqwVWPDNfilTyrj0XQ/s2048/molara+brown+2020.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCL3V8VUCeC2i2MveRZzZyW0enGp1Bav75ErHyq5gLCEk89rR16rFAQEo2RMERjyoTiSQMKc2W9bhO9an3v8DdAi2HUujQezZDs0Mb63-iYeUmeTQGXTbWxpsB0XqwVWPDNfilTyrj0XQ/w259-h259/molara+brown+2020.jpg" width="259" /></span></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The plan was to ring in the new year in a different country.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">This time last year, I was exploring the island of Sal in Cape Verde. This year I am home in Lagos.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not how I planned to spend the day.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wanted to ring in the year in Cotonou the moment the border was reopened</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">But alas, I was in contact with someone who was in contact with a COVID positive case. I had to immediately self-isolate.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I registered to get tested, but I never got the email.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Crazy, I just found out that the only person who was allowed to visit me on Christmas day has also been in contact with a positive case. We await his result.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The one lesson 2020 has taught me is the uncertainty of tomorrow.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The next minute is uncertain.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>2020 broke my heart so many times from one tragedy to another. </div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite the loss, the pain, and the deaths, somewhere during this year, a year like no other.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I laughed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x13Rv-81i3uDMyKBJRHWKr5KRmXdNtDmlxjcsDOXXpC1jwc8pLRNFiMeCOSqwMB_C-t0OBgrReCwir583V6PvTwoIcmyifi98qQHFvCDCxPzBHcf1C_lcuuT7VE9BTPARcpHQoFrWKo/s2048/Molara+Brown-2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x13Rv-81i3uDMyKBJRHWKr5KRmXdNtDmlxjcsDOXXpC1jwc8pLRNFiMeCOSqwMB_C-t0OBgrReCwir583V6PvTwoIcmyifi98qQHFvCDCxPzBHcf1C_lcuuT7VE9BTPARcpHQoFrWKo/s320/Molara+Brown-2020.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to remember that I laughed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am not sad or happy but I want to remember the laughter.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you to everyone who still reads this blog.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.21px;">Adieu, 2020.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">♥Lara</span>Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-50040297077086897942020-12-08T22:11:00.007+01:002020-12-09T11:09:42.197+01:00A Year Like No other: When Work is a coping Mechanism<div><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">Sometimes I can’t recognize my life!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOSPVW9YoId8q-RKwLqAHQvi6s6XHwa-L8u0t1OVEBGUEmwJ6x89rVKxw-pLhP_S3rGdhmrRGrM4nsmZbyaQk8Df8KEy-jX9I0UV-IPsnjsGlSi1lEJ8MjN_KwPyns2L2Wj0k1aN7k88/s1436/DD2DCA55-EF75-45FF-9AD1-AC5023D26249+2.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="1080" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOSPVW9YoId8q-RKwLqAHQvi6s6XHwa-L8u0t1OVEBGUEmwJ6x89rVKxw-pLhP_S3rGdhmrRGrM4nsmZbyaQk8Df8KEy-jX9I0UV-IPsnjsGlSi1lEJ8MjN_KwPyns2L2Wj0k1aN7k88/w210-h279/DD2DCA55-EF75-45FF-9AD1-AC5023D26249+2.JPG" width="210" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div>It has been one long year.<br style="background-color: white;" /><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">2020 came for all of my emotions </span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></div><div><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">I was clinging on to my morsel of happiness by a thread.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">These times have been overwhelming!</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Death came knocking once again in the month of June, this time, it came for a good friend. One of the most beautiful souls I met off this Obasanjo's Internet. He was a travel and photography lover and that was our bond.</div><div><br /></div><div>We went from briefly chatting on a Saturday night to news of his death on Monday morning. I remember our last chat on IG when he said we needed to take a trip again and I responded "Post COVID".</div><div><br /></div><div>Nowadays, I remember our fears about COVID and it didn't even matter because when death came calling, it was not COVID but death came when it was time.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It has been hard to process it all. </div><div>Harder because I am not able to escape.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have gone this year without taking any vacation days</div><div>Maybe a sick day or two and a one-day bereavement leave when my cousin passed.</div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-I7cEvO2Iqhr0Ubm8I-73Vmz4uC9mvtCaan_AStOy0Jb-4FJNL9gHHE_CD2xapzFMRSH5vfQq_6d8H8vrxEMITqobSAZFNAt2lEYoWXcdiHEtHXoxIRkhQXBSKmYvxmx0E1QCYywDjY/s2048/IMG_2313.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-I7cEvO2Iqhr0Ubm8I-73Vmz4uC9mvtCaan_AStOy0Jb-4FJNL9gHHE_CD2xapzFMRSH5vfQq_6d8H8vrxEMITqobSAZFNAt2lEYoWXcdiHEtHXoxIRkhQXBSKmYvxmx0E1QCYywDjY/w320-h240/IMG_2313.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div>Work has been a coping mechanism.</div><div>It is not healthy but this is what is not making me lose my shit lately. I am not even thinking of work-life balance at this moment.</div><div>I spend the day thinking of work, I find myself working and sending emails at 2am🙈</div><div>Old Lara is screaming at this behavior.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am slowly weaning myself off this.</div><div>I no longer work weekends, I try my best to take the time off and just either spend the day sleeping or gisting with my mum.</div><div><span face="-apple-system, system-ui, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"></span><br /></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;">I finally moved out of my aunt's house. </span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;">It's almost 2 months of living in my own space alone even though I have only spent 2 weekends in it. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">Saturday night always meets me at my mother's house.</span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;">Adulting and a life of responsibility is another scale.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">I miss the days when I only have to think about saving to travel, now I am thinking of my rent for next year even though my rent is not due in the next 7 months.</span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;">I really do miss travel.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;">Travelling is so expensive nowadays.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;">I just jejely closed the browser when I saw so-called black Friday deals.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;">I can't believe I will be ringing the new year in this Lagos.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;">I am counting down to the end of the year.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;">But first, I am looking forward to the close of business on the 18th.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;">It's been one long year</span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white;">A year like no other.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Until I come down the streets again👋</div>♥LaraMolara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-67626510108519931182020-05-12T16:01:00.001+01:002020-05-12T16:02:00.711+01:00Lockdown Chronicles - Living through the pandemic<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="2322" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-czZcsmlEnPuTpPvqZia2oyixTSKbRodIf-X757SbJxJt8a9L5GhbvaSJzqlN_2OSHQndFulRGMouf9WR76k_w7XLlmbcVRbe9tGlJeBYQXzoz_K_CnF2kA1GpWSkf7Q4a2A4yfGcP0/s320/MolaraBrown+WFH.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How is every one doing out there?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have been home working from home for 2 months now. The last day I stepped into an office building was March 12!</div></div><div>Occasionally, working from home has been my norm for the past 4 years. I got 2 days a month at Anakle and with Ping Express, 4 days a month.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's been tough this past few months dealing with grief and then also struggling with the anxiety brought on with the pandemic. I have not gone beyond the front of our gate since March 25 ( minus a weekend I spent at my mum’s which is story for another day).</div><div><div></div><div>I thought I was prepared for remote work but to be honest after week 3, I was done. I miss the commute and I miss the noise. I miss going to sit with a colleague or the short walks from one office to another. I try to stick to a schedule and make sure to sign off work at 6. Focusing is not an issue because there is work todo. I don’t have a designated lunch time, I just eat whenever I am hungry. The only thing keeping sane during this lockdown is work.</div><div></div></div><div>It's so hard trying to focus on the positives but in this midst of this madness and sadness has been some good news.</div><div><br /></div><div>Last month, I turned 35!</div><div>Miss Rona made sure there is no trip to celebrate it but then I am grateful.</div><div>My anxiety had been out of the roof following my <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2020/03/a-little-life-update.html" target="_blank">cousin's death</a> and I was so scared of reaching that milestone.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ramadan is in town so I didn't even mind since miss rona already made sure I was stuck in the house. Best thing was to spend the day praying and getting to speak with friends and family.</div><div>My next two birthdays (36 and 37) will also be in the month of Ramadan, I am not even sure how I feel about it. Right now, I am using these moments to improve my relationship with God.</div><div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Facebook just reminded me that I moved to Bonn, Germany on this same day 8 years ago. Interesting how much has happened since that day. </div><div><br /></div><div>I miss travelling but I don't think I will be amongst the first to experience the world of travel when the pandemic is over. I might travel locally, take road trips but flying will take the back seat for now.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Last month I also started working with a new employer. </div><div>In the month of March, I ended up with 2 job offers and I had to do a lot of thinking, accessing the direction of my career and questioning before I made up my mind on my current employer.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I am curious to know how we are all doing out there. Do you stick to a schedule or pretty relaxed with your structure? Are you looking forward to life back in the office or loving the work from home life? I’ll love to read your thoughts and experiences these past few months.</div><div><br /></div>♥LaraMolara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-67588558861431851842020-03-01T15:13:00.001+01:002020-03-01T15:13:41.198+01:00A Little Life Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS6fp_x6oe74nUHtfg3MdtMDJmuxcTEbOhqr_yG_xcZDaRJzAyYY2kPrftQ_gmsopMLCLf2t_6G189y38QSlfYhNAnr3AmvbVqJhhx8Yd89VQ20P5hQ_hJKHkJEjGC3LnPNms7HDrwFY/s1600/293489_10151146869509776_835269339_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="453" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMS6fp_x6oe74nUHtfg3MdtMDJmuxcTEbOhqr_yG_xcZDaRJzAyYY2kPrftQ_gmsopMLCLf2t_6G189y38QSlfYhNAnr3AmvbVqJhhx8Yd89VQ20P5hQ_hJKHkJEjGC3LnPNms7HDrwFY/s320/293489_10151146869509776_835269339_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>It's already March and I am so done with this year.<br />
It has brought me sadness and pain.<br />
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The year has taken my beloved cousin away.<br />
She went to sleep to never wake up on earth.<br />
<br />
It has been hard having to deal with this loss.<br />
We continue living, that is what we all do when one of us ends their journey on this earth.<br />
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I find solace in sharing memories of her with people who knew her. People who experienced the beautiful soul that she was.<br />
I can't share stories of my past without her featuring in it.<br />
My childhoods, birthdays, undergrad experiences all feature her.<br />
My friends were her friends. Her friends were my friends.<br />
Even though I fought a lot with her friends.<br />
<br />
I was looking forward to our 35th.<br />
She would have been 35 on the 25th of March<br />
I had hope to have another joint birthday with her just like our 1st, 5th, 10th and 21st.<br />
Now I see the finality of this post I wrote almost 10 years ago: <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2010/03/first-of-many-to-come.html" target="_blank">The First of many to come...</a><br />
<br />
I was thinking of spending this year travelling with her.<br />
All my thoughts are just thoughts now because she is no longer here for me plan with.<br />
All my plannings out the door now.<br />
<br />
I will miss her seeing her 'aburo' comments on my posts and me telling her to stop deceiving herself.<br />
She is one month and one day older.<br />
My mum basically birth me and handed me over to her sister to raise.<br />
<br />
Her name is <b>Zainab Adetola Bakre</b>!<br />
<br />
Before her death, I have been struggling.<br />
I think I am angry, not just at this death but at something I am yet to figure out.<br />
I am left with this hollow feeling which I will spend the rest of my year or many years fighting off.<br />
<br />
The question, "what happened" has been super annoying to me lately.<br />
If you are not family or personally know the 'late', I think you should just stick to sending your condolences and move on. Instead of making the bereaved recount experience that do not matter to you.<br />
<br />
Living in Lagos exhausts me, but I am not even ready to move cities.<br />
<br />
Career-wise I am am good.<br />
I changed employer last year, which is partly the reason for travelling only twice in 2019.<br />
I love the people that I work with.<br />
<br />
An employer headhunted me late last year and asked what it will take to have me port.<br />
"The people", I said.<br />
I used to think that I love my work. But now, I know that it's the people at work that I really love.<br />
They are the ones who make the profession worthwhile.<br />
<br />
I think I need a career break.<br />
I need a minimum of 1 month break from work.<br />
I don't know if I want to spend this break travelling or withdrawing to a remote place away from people.<br />
<br />
I will be back to the travel posts. There is Namibia, Ivory Coast and Cape Verde to share with you all<br />
<br />
♥Lara</div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-13952385040385433542019-03-11T08:00:00.000+01:002019-03-11T08:00:02.079+01:00Unravelling Lebanon in 6 Days<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Welcome Back.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I promised to come back to give a detailed report of my time in Lebanon. For Visa requirements and quick facts on Lebanon, please read previous post titled <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2018/12/lebanon-moments.html" target="_blank">Lebanon Moments</a>. In 6 days, I got to explore 11 Lebanese cities which are distinctively different and unique.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>Beirut</u></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">My first destination in Beirut was a Mall. I told the service driver I was going to the city centre meanwhile I was going to Downtown Beirut. The service driver dropped me in front of a mall with City Centre written boldly on it. That is the moment, I </span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">realised</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> I had goofed. Language barrier was going to be an issue. I roamed the mall for a few minutes and stepped outside to find a taxi to the National Museum. After a few minutes haggling, we were finally on our way to the Museum for $10.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Entry into the Museum was free on the day I visited but the entry fee is LBP 5,000 per adult and LBP 1,000 per child. The Museum is open all day of the week except Monday from 9AM to 5PM. The National museum which was officially opened in 1943 is said to have collections of about 100,000 objects, most of which are significant artefacts and medieval finds from prehistoric to Mamluk times.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Museum suffered extensive damage during the 1975 Civil War in Lebanon. The Museum served as the divide between the warring factions. We got to watch a short clip which detailed the origin of the museum, the excavations and how it survived the war.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next destination was Downtown Beirut which is home to the Beirut Souks, Roman baths, 800-year-old Al-Omari Grand Mosque, St. George’s Maronite, Place de l’Etoile, Martyrs’ Square and the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque. This was my initial destination until I turned downtown Beirut to the “city centre” which turned out to be a Mall. My first stop was the Mohamad al Amin Mosque, a Sunni Muslim mosque which is also referred to as “the blue Mosque”. The mosque is one of the most impressive structures in Beirut. Entrance to mosque which spots a blue dome, towering minarets built with stone from Saudi Arabia is free dnd if you are a lady you will have to put on a free flowing black robe to enter (there is a rack by the entrance where you can take one). I am a sucker for beautifully built mosques and this inspired by Ottoman one was a beautiful sight to behold. From the chandelier to islamic art and the way it lits up at night is a must not miss if ever in Beirut. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adjacent to the Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque is the Martyr’s square Monument. Behind the mosque is the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saint George Maronite Cathedral and after which I roamed the Beirut Souks which is basically a shopping Mall. I tried to get a SIM card but was told I needed to provide my passport. Downtown Beirut gave the European city vibe. The building structures and streets are similar to a regular street in Bonn or Paris.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Rhr5uV6bfnqj9EFBWgPFS9H40XXjUGADV4ds5j8LAg2ETpPwMUhZfy5OqyaXEoX_YctxdLaVCqQf8YEBNdS3FsHRgczoce_z_tsPYpV1CntYNp6MhM5ckmiuDRvXUNRRMgndvqEcu30/s1600/Beirut+Souk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Rhr5uV6bfnqj9EFBWgPFS9H40XXjUGADV4ds5j8LAg2ETpPwMUhZfy5OqyaXEoX_YctxdLaVCqQf8YEBNdS3FsHRgczoce_z_tsPYpV1CntYNp6MhM5ckmiuDRvXUNRRMgndvqEcu30/s400/Beirut+Souk.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On my way back to the airbnb apartment, it was so difficult describing my hotel to the taxi driver. I got the name of the neighbourhood but apparently the neighbourhood is split in two by the highway. The cab driver dropped me at some point when I realised the confusion, I found a man who understood English and was kind enough to send me on the right path to my airbnb. I found a restaurant on my way and balanced to have dinner. The food was a lot that I had to ask them to pack the rest for me as take away even though I ended up thrashing it 2 days after. After dinner I began the sojourn back to my airbnb and called it a night.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Bcharre and Qadisha Valley</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was off to the Bsharri (Bcharre) town with my tour guide and another tourist, Bernie from Ireland who currently lives in Abu Dhabi on my second day in Lebanon. This is the only tour I pre-booked before landing in Lebanon. My tour guide, Robin happened to be a Nigerian of Lebanese origin who grew up and lived in Niger State until his last visit to Lebanon when he made up his mind to make Lebanon country home. Our destination was the <b>Deir Mar Antonios Qozhaya (St Anthony of Quzhayya)</b> situated along the Kadisha Valley. A Maronite hermitage founded in the 11th century is the largest in the valley and is famous for establishing the first known printing press in the Middle East in the 16th century. We hiked the Cedars of God in the cold, the weather was 14°, at some point it rained. I got to hug the oldest cedar tree which is said to be over 6000 years old. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We visited the Khalil Gibran Museum because Bernie is a fan but unfortunately the Museum is not open on Mondays. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We drove down the Qadisha Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to get to another Maronite monastery. The valley which is home to a number of monasteries and cave churches was the refuge destination for fleeing maronite monks. For this tour, I paid $80.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Saidon and Tyre</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbs5fzVYyFczMjF-Qk2FZt4pS5aS0i97I7nRF5qjCGy1Gi0loszTIqZZqxm0HjnnvQwW81Zuc7mQYW8Jd0Npyud_srDgUn2_Uv9upcAfG9Q_BrQYiUiuQktwIDj1ZY3AQHq-V4UVuLZQ/s1600/Sidon+Sea+Castle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbs5fzVYyFczMjF-Qk2FZt4pS5aS0i97I7nRF5qjCGy1Gi0loszTIqZZqxm0HjnnvQwW81Zuc7mQYW8Jd0Npyud_srDgUn2_Uv9upcAfG9Q_BrQYiUiuQktwIDj1ZY3AQHq-V4UVuLZQ/s400/Sidon+Sea+Castle.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For my next tour of the country, I went out solo. I took a service (pronounced “servees’, shared taxi) from my airbnb bus stop to Cola intersection. My destination for the day was the city of Sidon, known locally as Sayda, which is around 45 minutes from Beirut. I teamed up with a British tourist who was on the bus with me to Sidon. We explored the Sidon Sea Castle, actually we basically just took pictures and left. The entrance fee to the Sidon Sea Castle which was build as fortress of the holy land is 4,000 LBP. It is a beautiful structure but there is no guide to tell you anything. The security guy only collects your money and sends you in to get lost. It is however a beautiful destination for pictures.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We got on a bus to Tyre locally known as Sour, the ride was over 2 hours long. In Tyre, we got to explore the <i><b>Tyre Hippodrome</b></i> and <b>Al-Bass Necropolis</b>- a UNESCO World Heritage site. We entered this structure from the end of the street and did not get to pay any entrance fee but apparently there is another entrance at which you pay 6,000 LBP. We also got to explore the Narrow streets of Tyre’s Christian Quarter. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfpfBUeHzFAU1mqJxjzJnfqDX0HtcrSetvFK8yRoQKTbzSps5eXSPqOxE6grZEYQ4l1YCV0nm81Wxk2hBbuYbNwtPI8RWGyb3vvTZS3T-2x_7qxqxpyhmOkEJDmZAyPe3FOxA2mBzZPA/s1600/IMG_2042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfpfBUeHzFAU1mqJxjzJnfqDX0HtcrSetvFK8yRoQKTbzSps5eXSPqOxE6grZEYQ4l1YCV0nm81Wxk2hBbuYbNwtPI8RWGyb3vvTZS3T-2x_7qxqxpyhmOkEJDmZAyPe3FOxA2mBzZPA/s400/IMG_2042.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Old Tyre- Christian Quarter</b></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Halat</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I moved to a different city on my fourth day in Lebanon. I got on a bus heading towards Tripoli from the Charles Helou bus station, this is the closest station to my Airbnb. I got down at the Ajaltoun exit, from where I took a cab to Jeita Grotto. Because I was moving with all my luggage which was basically a bag pack, my laptop bag and a paper bag, I told the cab guy to wait for me and he dropped me at Jounieh. I can’t really remember how much I paid for this ride but I think around 4,000 LBP.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jeita Grotto believed to be the longest cave in the Middle East consists of two separate but interconnected limestone caves. This is one of best tourist attractions of Lebanon and must not be missed. There is a ‘No photography’ rule enforced at the Grotto, all phones, cameras are dropped in lockers at the point of entry. To my amazement, I met a bunch of Egyptians in the upper grotto who had sneaked a camera in. I told them to take of picture of me, which was later sent to me via WhatsApp. I kept gasping in awe at the sight because the grotto is truly beautiful. We got on a cable car from the entrance to access the upper Grotto. A train took us to the entrance of the lower grotto. A tour of the lower grotto involves the use the of an electric boat trip.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My cab driver dropped me at Jounieh from where I took the cable car, locally known as <b>Téléphérique</b> to see the statue of Our Lady of Lebanon. I could literally see the insides of people’s home from the cable car. The car stopped for a few minutes and I honestly didn’t even realise there was a power cut, it was on my way back down that I realised, Lebanon “Nepa” carried light while I was hanging in the air. The Stature of Our Lady of Lebanon, which was crafted in Lyons-France, is a 13-ton statue, made of bronze and painted white honouring the Virgin Mary perched on top of a hill, overlooking Jounieh Bey. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I headed to my new home in Halat which is a one bedroom and parlor self contain apartment overlooking a public beach. I basically was in the house to sleep and wake up as I was out of the apartment the next morning by 5.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Baalbek, Anjar and Ksara</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Baalbek ruins was my best experience followed by Jeita Grotto. This is another guided tour I decided to join last minute. Robin came to pick me at the new apartment and we drove to Beirut to get the others. This time, my tour buddies were a British Couple, Bernie from the Qadisha Valley Tour and a Peruvian with the Canadian Permanent Residency. The journey from Beirut to Baalbek took us over 2 hours. The Roman Ruins of Baalbek is located at the edge of Lebanon’s troubled region, the beqaa valley and just miles away from the Syrian border. </span></span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Important to note that Baalbek is an important stronghold of the Shi'a Hezbollah movement. Hezbollah is a Shi’a political militant party considered a terrorist organisation by the US, EU, and many other state parties. This is one region, that I won’t advise anyone visits solo, at least visit with a local if you can’t afford a guided tour. We all had our international passports with us for identification, but at no point were we asked to show our IDs. </span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our first stop in Baalbek was the Roman limestone quarry not far from the ruins which is also known as the <b><i>Stone of the Pregnant Woman.</i></b> It is believed that any woman who touches the stone will experience increased fertility. The story of the preservation of the quarry by a local man who has a shop right opposite the quarry is an interesting one. He spent years unveiling a treasure while people believe he had embarked on a futile journey.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Ruins are the most impressive and magnificent structure in Lebanon or maybe I should just say the best I saw. The ruins consists of three temples: The temple of Jupiter is the principal temple of the triad, the exceptional and best preserved temple of Bacchus and the temple of Venus also called the round temple is the smallest of the triad.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In Baalbek, I also saw the most beautiful mosque ever. The exterior is the mosque </span></span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">known as <i><b>T</b></i></span><b style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>he shrine of Sayyida Khawla</i></b><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>,</i> which was built during the period of the Roman rule, is</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"> so shiny and beautiful. Robin informed us that the mosque is now occupied by the Hezbollah military, so we could not explore it or openly take pictures. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From Baalbek, we drove along the Beqaa valley passing several refugee camps of displaced people from Syria to Anjar. Anjar is actually closer to the Syrian border than Baalbek. The Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges serve as backdrop to the quaint city of Anjar. The Anti-Lebanon Mountains are mountain ranges that form most of the border between Syria and Lebanon.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Anti Lebanon Mountain</b></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prior to the civil war in Syria, Anjar was a major tourist attraction. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is best known for the large number of Armenians who reside in the city and of the </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Umayyad ruins</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Even though the ruins is not as impressive as the Baalbek ruins, the anti-Lebanon backdrop gives it an aesthetic feel. The ruins of Anjar include the walls of the Umayyad palace, harems, a mosque, the palace of the Caliph, thermal baths, and many pillars which include some elements of the Roman architectural style. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">We rounded up our tour for the day with a tour of Château Ksara, the oldest winery in Lebanon established by Jesuit priests in 1857. We took a tour of the caves where wines are stored and then had complimentary tasting of with several of the wines produced in the winery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Byblos and Beirut</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On my last day in Lebanon, I decided to visit the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world since 5000 BC, Byblos known locally as Jbeil. Halat is about 10 mins drive from Byblos. I got into a bus headed towards Tripoli and dropped at the Byblos bus stop, from where I took a cab to the Byblos Castle. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Byblos is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Byblos castle is a crusader castle also known as the <b><i>castle of Gibelet</i></b>. I honestly found the castle underwhelming but not on the same scale as the Tyre ruins but still underwhelming. The castle gives an aesthetic view of Bylos After roaming around the castle, I visited the Wax Museum which is spooky but worth the visit. I walked around the museum for a few minutes and headed to the souks. I walked through the souks which was just opening and bought few souvenirs. It was nice to get the middle easterner feel at the souk, this is something that is now missing in Beirut. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Activities are sort of limited in Byblos apart from the visit to the crusader castle, wandering around the souks and relaxing by the harbour. I had lunch in one of the many restaurants situated in souks which offered free WIFI. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wasn’t going to leave Lebanon without sighting the Pigeon’s rock in Raouche, Beirut. The iconic 60-meter high limestone twin rocks was formed in the prehistoric era by a geologic movement. I spent hours staring at the rocks, watching the sunset in awe, actually I was passing time until it got dark and I then I headed to the airport.</span></span></div>
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<b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">What do you think of Lebanon?</span></b></div>
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<b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> Have you been to Lebanon, What was your experience like? is Lebanon on your travel bucket list?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">♥Lara</span></div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-8339590969404970172018-12-29T09:18:00.001+01:002018-12-29T09:18:38.275+01:002018: THE YEAR IN REVIEW<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">The year has been a beautifully weird one for me. I sadly was unable to document my experience on this blog this year. I can continue to blame my burn out or Instagram but I honestly didn't have the zeal to write. I backed out of a lot of writing assignments and once when I sat down to write a post, I lost all I wrote because the document didn't save when I assumed it did. I hope to do better in the new year. For a travel less year, I still got to explore quite a number of destinations, even though most of them are repeat destinations. </span></h4>
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So here it is...my 2018 in review</h4>
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2018...In Travel</h2>
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Weekend Getaway to Ekiti</h4>
My first travel for the year was to Ekiti State in February. I got to revisit Ikogosi Warm Spring and also visit the Arinta Waterfall for the first time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Arinta Waterfall</b></td></tr>
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The Girls Trip to Togo</h4>
For the Easter holiday, I returned to Togo with Temitayo along with 5 other ladies. We switched the hike to the waterfall in Kpalimé for a visit to the voodoo town of Togovillé.<br />
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Birthday Getaway to Ethiopia and Tanzania</h4>
I turned 33 in April and to celebrate, I travelled to Tanzania with an over night stop over in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with 2 of my friends. I spent my birthday in Dar es Salaam exploring the city and which ended with dinner at the Akemi restaurant, Tanzania's only revolving restaurant. We moved on to Zanzibar to spend a few days as well. I am so glad I ticked off this destination, before Nigeria was removed from the Visa on Arrival list.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Uroa, Zanzizar</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dar es Salaam</b></td></tr>
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The Work Trip to Ghana</h4>
In May, I had to visit Ghana for work. My colleague and I decided to extend our trip to the weekend and paid Cape Coast a visit. We had money issues because our cards did not work in Cape Coast and we were low on cash. We had to transfer money to an ex-colleague who is now based in Ghana, who then sent mobile money to the hotel and we were able to retrieve some of the cash we paid for accommodation. We were only able to visit the Elmina Castle.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Elmina Castle</b></td></tr>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
The Wedding in Owerri</h4>
Part of my travel goals for the year was to explore the eastern part of Nigeria. I unfortunately was not able to do this in February as planned. When the opportunity to travel to Owerri for a colleague's wedding came up, I jump on it. So now I can categorically say that I have visited all Geo-political zones in Nigeria.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKLYZOZ81MZr5pf7-TLcczG3CGiJwgMo0v59IFCKOJuJ6CafxlEcNt_69sW2h2kgURMY1V3twJx6fTaB7khi9NOk-Q3qWFHO-sKJIgBomd6TWJ9nLtmekimoopCvo8JzDZhiQHobTLXg/s1600/20180721_140614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKLYZOZ81MZr5pf7-TLcczG3CGiJwgMo0v59IFCKOJuJ6CafxlEcNt_69sW2h2kgURMY1V3twJx6fTaB7khi9NOk-Q3qWFHO-sKJIgBomd6TWJ9nLtmekimoopCvo8JzDZhiQHobTLXg/s400/20180721_140614.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqJUZpPyQhSQ6jun5_YO5q5deaOlaxqA_j5EnhsDo2OqBypVvQuDXty1MGCy9c2hFLs-ZxZbk3nu-2iUtA9Smptw2XgyiPV5XVSizqkHNbhHlq4lwhE5Ahcu88tv3aK2wCOnMia98tT4/s1600/20180721_152534+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqJUZpPyQhSQ6jun5_YO5q5deaOlaxqA_j5EnhsDo2OqBypVvQuDXty1MGCy9c2hFLs-ZxZbk3nu-2iUtA9Smptw2XgyiPV5XVSizqkHNbhHlq4lwhE5Ahcu88tv3aK2wCOnMia98tT4/s400/20180721_152534+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Weekend Getaway to Idanre Hills and repeat trip to Ekiti</h4>
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In September I returned to hike the hills of Idanre. The experience was beautiful as the first time. It rained all through the day on my way from Lagos, only to get to Akure and be told there was no rain. We were unable to get to some parts of Oke Idanre which was already cut of due to the rains from previous days. On our way back to Lagos, my travel partners decided to see Ikogosi Warm Spring and the Arinta Waterfall. I ate the best pounded yam in Ekiti, well Ekiti is home of pounded yam so not sure why I was surprised.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Idanre Hills, Ondo</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Ikogosi, Ekiti</b></td></tr>
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<h4>
The Olojo Festival</h4>
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During the week of September, I got to visit Ile-Ife for the Olojo festival thanks to my friend, <a href="http://funmiajala.com/" target="_blank">Funmi Ajala</a>. The festival was so surreal and one of my best travel experience for the year.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ile-Ife</td></tr>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Few Days Escape to Abuja</h4>
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I flew to Abuja to see my mum who has been living in the city for over a year now for work. I was only able to visit the Jake Lake Mall because I spent the days mostly with my mum.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jabi Lake, Abuja</td></tr>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Out of Africa to Lebanon</h4>
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Lebanon was totally my out of the blues off-the-beaten path destination. As mentioned in my <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2018/12/lebanon-moments.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>, the country made in on my 2018 list simply due to cheap cost. The plan was Ivory coast and at some point Senegal, but when I did the calculations, I realised that for the cost of travelling within Africa, I could fly to Lebanon – and so I did!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CSTA8UdSkRbihS1L0Vbc9ZOK8Eam2xv4WCM9z-71vv1hexy-kzB41mCxr_NRDl7dyD9oF_e_wQ0tRkUnsoHfyXg6aFb_gZ8QATbVh73mtRH8C-aDBSxE-z57PIwT7DFrALLFdJoiI0k/s1600/IMG-20181104-WA0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CSTA8UdSkRbihS1L0Vbc9ZOK8Eam2xv4WCM9z-71vv1hexy-kzB41mCxr_NRDl7dyD9oF_e_wQ0tRkUnsoHfyXg6aFb_gZ8QATbVh73mtRH8C-aDBSxE-z57PIwT7DFrALLFdJoiI0k/s400/IMG-20181104-WA0007.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Martyr's Square, Beirut</b></td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
2018...Exploring Lagos</h2>
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Awolowo Museum and Private beach</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_C_xtB0OSxwgFuJt0OD21unxFrqdyqHP7q53wfX5nkZSQWvNxHilkxukSZOo8Y019fYXSqOekizxmhu0X3oJjATysySM_pExn48U4AfVNk6rCBArXyxDUj255o_muIuz2n4QAcC07RPk/s1600/20180127_132601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_C_xtB0OSxwgFuJt0OD21unxFrqdyqHP7q53wfX5nkZSQWvNxHilkxukSZOo8Y019fYXSqOekizxmhu0X3oJjATysySM_pExn48U4AfVNk6rCBArXyxDUj255o_muIuz2n4QAcC07RPk/s320/20180127_132601.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I went in search of the Awolowo Museum and Private Beach in January. It was such a long drive down to that side of Lagos. The museum is located about 20 mins drive from Epe and off the Eleko beach road. It was great learning history for one of the Yoruba land's independence fighter and his time on the prison now turned museum. </div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Kayak on the Lagos Lagoon</h4>
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In February, I went kayaking with my friend Sandra and 3 other people. This was my second time kayaking, but Sandra who was kayaking for the first time was better at it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqTjtU-0WgKLa-B26ClFUOSA_7IUwvZKnI43MDEhllI7UPyuDkkT9fccCHhB4zqrfmzc4xVS1rK7zSTEiC4R5gOQ0XkUQO6m9x8N3037ldA3COb4QOFFn8WuAbqABrpjSSxzE0p1kHOw/s1600/20180203_134639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqTjtU-0WgKLa-B26ClFUOSA_7IUwvZKnI43MDEhllI7UPyuDkkT9fccCHhB4zqrfmzc4xVS1rK7zSTEiC4R5gOQ0XkUQO6m9x8N3037ldA3COb4QOFFn8WuAbqABrpjSSxzE0p1kHOw/s400/20180203_134639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
The Keke Experience by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thedareexperience_/" target="_blank">The DARE Experience</a></h4>
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On May 29th, I joined other adventure enthusiasts to explore some parts of Lagos Island with Keke AKA NAPEP, MARWA or Bajaj like my east African brothers and sisters will call it. It was such a beautiful experience, running around Lagos Island trying to get a picture based on the tasks sheet. We went from pretending to be a bus conductor, to taking picture in a fabric store, to looking for the 5 Naira stamp. This day is definitely one of my best days in 2018.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AZNmtWjhyCnRVPTePq5oZPgfi6uL94FU967AX4z46Kwrv_lthT589TmHOp2aDq48PEx7X_EItILlEMo9MaOhkO498ccZZ9EnMN2YQPpr2sN-nnRwA-GMUjfcJtxO7MJryIexXdzENcw/s1600/20180529_125222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AZNmtWjhyCnRVPTePq5oZPgfi6uL94FU967AX4z46Kwrv_lthT589TmHOp2aDq48PEx7X_EItILlEMo9MaOhkO498ccZZ9EnMN2YQPpr2sN-nnRwA-GMUjfcJtxO7MJryIexXdzENcw/s320/20180529_125222.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Day Trips to Kalakuta Museum and Epe Mangrove</h4>
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When <a href="https://justrioba.com/" target="_blank">Winnie Rioba</a>, Kenyan Travel blogger came to Lagos, I got to host her and part of her itinerary was a visit to the Kalakuta Museum in Ikeja and the Epe Mangrove. The Kalakuta Republic Museum was home to Late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, his family and his band members in the 1970s until his death in 1997.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQaysdqCT2e9YtrFxxoshdsAprHPQi4MpQSSrSavuHcURr46oP9wP7QB0JJZE7X_G2JE_V3DLgGXn8Dmh1fay-SO9D4saQN2dAICbfIL9LTSpKSkBMcepd3Tmm_ge6sAP8cNPMRb1NZ0/s1600/20180630_164403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQaysdqCT2e9YtrFxxoshdsAprHPQi4MpQSSrSavuHcURr46oP9wP7QB0JJZE7X_G2JE_V3DLgGXn8Dmh1fay-SO9D4saQN2dAICbfIL9LTSpKSkBMcepd3Tmm_ge6sAP8cNPMRb1NZ0/s400/20180630_164403.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Kalakuta Museum</b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">We found the Epe Mangrove really underwhelming but tried our best to ensure our time while there.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tJ5HkAc0gqsRC77sJYiuCLuA7rFi3tms6eAvFEGLacCCk72IurOlW4oqBXWNxTEvyOidEHPtBxcnIc96hwlNYqp2GULEvm1htymnUm1N1wPRGss3p3uZg_gDWWBY0oUYa-f7adF2O10/s1600/20180703_122126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tJ5HkAc0gqsRC77sJYiuCLuA7rFi3tms6eAvFEGLacCCk72IurOlW4oqBXWNxTEvyOidEHPtBxcnIc96hwlNYqp2GULEvm1htymnUm1N1wPRGss3p3uZg_gDWWBY0oUYa-f7adF2O10/s400/20180703_122126.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Epe Mangrove</b></td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
2018...In Books</h2>
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I didn't get to read a lot of books this year. I found myself reading one book from April and didn't get to finish it until November. This is pretty interesting because I never start another book until I finish reading one. But in between putting down this book, I got to read other ones. This book, the <a href="http://www.thezanzibarchest.com/" target="_blank">Zanzibar Chest by Aidan Hartley</a> kept drawing me back. The other titles I got to read are: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_3FbxscfyBYcKskhW5uPBCsEIr7JVR-ppldX8ctyysJ8ThT-Jg9CzC34EuZUUU0DmLKvk-2yV2nXx82nUA3rxmIZSoBLqfW09qAmush8r9TrJwzDhvZxRCaV7tvy9xN7lMrJK1wverA/s1600/20180409_135646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_3FbxscfyBYcKskhW5uPBCsEIr7JVR-ppldX8ctyysJ8ThT-Jg9CzC34EuZUUU0DmLKvk-2yV2nXx82nUA3rxmIZSoBLqfW09qAmush8r9TrJwzDhvZxRCaV7tvy9xN7lMrJK1wverA/s320/20180409_135646.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>We're going to need more wine by Gabrielle Union</li>
<li>We should all be feminists and Dear Ijeawele or A Feminist Manifesto in fifteen Suggestions by <a href="https://www.chimamanda.com/" target="_blank">Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/White-Masai-Exotic-Tale-Adventure/dp/0061131539" target="_blank">The White Masai </a>by Corinne Hofmann</li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unbowed-Memoir-Wangari-Maathai/dp/0307275205" target="_blank">Unbowed </a>by Wangari Maathai</li>
<li>The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve</li>
<li>The Pressure Cooker by Nkiru Olumide-Ojo</li>
<li>Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi</li>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
2018...running business</h2>
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So someone told me that the reason I am not paying that much attention to either of my business is because I am still within the comfort of my 9-5. I wouldn't say I totally disagree but then again my 9-5 is basically what is funding my business and private life for now. Part of my HR business is CV writing and I have come to find it too exhausting, not entirely sure the reason for this. The HR part of my business suffered from my lack of attention to it but I intend to do better in the new year.</div>
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The best part of my <a href="https://travelkotroom.com/" target="_blank">travel business</a>, was the design and launch of the Adventure Journal. The Adventure Journal is the one tool for travellers to stay organised, budget accordingly and document their trips on the go. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWuujBo6ZqoCnnZSOnTPP2EWmJZW50oW9YRxwVZaFuH3l05oQoJAegE5ZjoTcbziQu84f3y-5mUtwA7O8ZGiyiwSfUUIphCimvM6V9AwfnKYbcsvLMv4rArDoIg5-TqoxdCaF1pg8fi8/s1600/IMG-20181103-WA0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="710" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWuujBo6ZqoCnnZSOnTPP2EWmJZW50oW9YRxwVZaFuH3l05oQoJAegE5ZjoTcbziQu84f3y-5mUtwA7O8ZGiyiwSfUUIphCimvM6V9AwfnKYbcsvLMv4rArDoIg5-TqoxdCaF1pg8fi8/s400/IMG-20181103-WA0002.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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Please follow my travel business page on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Travel KOTRoom is the name to look out for.</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
And on that note, HERE’S TO 2019!</h3>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
To be honest, I am not sure what to expect from 2019. Judging from the way I never stick to my travel goals, I think I will just leave the goals blank and fill them in as soon as I get to experience them. The economic forecast for the year 2019 is talking about another recession and I would like to stay on safe grounds with regards to money spending. </div>
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<br /></div>
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As of right now I am planning to ring in the new year in Abidjan, Ivory Coast and right now in Ouidah, Benin Republic with friends. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kfl7njOaApCINO3nFCARk-P16WbcIJtz1U7ExAMjA9NSAwdXZTy1Bq7O8CbGkSg3PVxqZhpyQL_foldd-O6p45QFdqbNmeudxZwj06jViRW0B9SFKTwU6A1Oy5of3ozu49CPM8DbHJo/s1600/IMG-20181227-WA0008+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kfl7njOaApCINO3nFCARk-P16WbcIJtz1U7ExAMjA9NSAwdXZTy1Bq7O8CbGkSg3PVxqZhpyQL_foldd-O6p45QFdqbNmeudxZwj06jViRW0B9SFKTwU6A1Oy5of3ozu49CPM8DbHJo/s400/IMG-20181227-WA0008+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
I have a flight ticket to Namibia for April, I will have to apply for a Visa. This will be my second visa application in 6 years, the first was my visa to South Africa. I have been travelling to Visa free and Visa on arrival destinations in the last 6 years. I will have to get a new passport because I won' t be able to get a visa to Namibia with the current one as it will be less than 6 months by the date for my trip. </div>
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Thank you to every one who still read this blog and to those who follow me on my social media handles. I pray the New Year brings us many more beautiful adventures and new beginnings. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
♥Lara</div>
</div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-25742698728848814362018-12-05T14:28:00.000+01:002018-12-31T20:35:07.614+01:00Lebanon Moments...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_OE7DkILYw3Jva3XaUKj_uZskQyTCT8w8JjzcOzSSU35boRIBbMNLc-idqkF6fnG99q2Q71GTyi4skKzFmDj5SUV08VWqG2Q52Gorad2ZIoDh8KQ6xE_xuLDtFWv-OSjYmQhUnwm75I/s1600/IMG_3963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_OE7DkILYw3Jva3XaUKj_uZskQyTCT8w8JjzcOzSSU35boRIBbMNLc-idqkF6fnG99q2Q71GTyi4skKzFmDj5SUV08VWqG2Q52Gorad2ZIoDh8KQ6xE_xuLDtFWv-OSjYmQhUnwm75I/s320/IMG_3963.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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I can’t believe I
only put out 2 posts on this blog this year. I am so ashamed of myself. This
year has been a travel slow year but I was at least able to visit 3 new
countries as I planned. Ethiopia, Tanzania and Lebanon. I was in Togo again
this year for Easter and Benin Republic in June. I also got to attend the Olojo
Festival in Ile-ife and locally I went to Ekiti twice (Arinta Waterfall and
Ikogosi Warm Spring) and Ondo (Idanre Hills)<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAca4wuOQR3MlhBs9GkvkFN8ze-sxrev51uiHQFMz_MpUpi4UYp7OcTlIRik2HbOKt98KHNPZR0KH3O9nfTaBJbaRXMgsRZM5Nw0IVEZMk5Hm_mZ_vC_zWU76RdizNSSM7_fpqLKxiLtI/s1600/Molarabrown-Zanzibar-Tanzania2jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="774" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAca4wuOQR3MlhBs9GkvkFN8ze-sxrev51uiHQFMz_MpUpi4UYp7OcTlIRik2HbOKt98KHNPZR0KH3O9nfTaBJbaRXMgsRZM5Nw0IVEZMk5Hm_mZ_vC_zWU76RdizNSSM7_fpqLKxiLtI/s400/Molarabrown-Zanzibar-Tanzania2jpg.jpg" width="300" /></span></a>I would be lying if I said Lebanon was on my travel bucket list, it was
not even in my travel plans for 2018. Lebanon was on my list countries I might
be fortunate enough. The only reason Lebanon came on my list this year was
simply because I found cheap tickets. The cost of my Egypt Air ticket was
N159,699, which is about 40k cheaper than I would have spent on a ticket to
Ivory Coast which was the initial destination I had in mind. It was not a coincidence that my trip started on the same date I embarked on my East African
Experience in 2017.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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So even though, I have seen pictures and read some blogs, I went to
Lebanon with zero expectations.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7et_51q2JSyDGEcJDOpOau8eY7LULxIPG5NXhvS5N-hz4BxiSFYE6anmMlwsHTTVjpgTPxUetxT1g6wY4ldaB04-H7h7EO9xYxIArG4p9mpGh6AcmMHLEFu50Xn6zkNTsWTRcU6et8VU/s1600/Molarabrown.com-Lebonon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7et_51q2JSyDGEcJDOpOau8eY7LULxIPG5NXhvS5N-hz4BxiSFYE6anmMlwsHTTVjpgTPxUetxT1g6wY4ldaB04-H7h7EO9xYxIArG4p9mpGh6AcmMHLEFu50Xn6zkNTsWTRcU6et8VU/s400/Molarabrown.com-Lebonon.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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To visit Lebanon, there are two ways to get the Visa: you either apply
for Visa at the Lebanese embassy in Lagos and Abuja or you get visa on Arrival.
Nigeria is one of the 15 countries allowed to get conditional visa on
arrival.<br />
<br />
The requirements for a conditional visa on arrival are a
non-refundable return or circle trip ticket, a copy of a reservation in a 3 to
5 star hotel or private residential address with telephone number in the Republic
of Lebanon, and at least USD 2,000 in cash. If you don’t have 2000 USD, I would
advise you apply for the visa at the embassy. I opted for the conditional visa
on arrival which is 20 USD asides from the expected 2000USD. Do not bother planning a visit to Lebanon if you have the Israeli stamp on your passport nor plan a visit to Israel with the Lebanese stamp on your passport as well. Future "JP"s beware.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYL1fR7GFFR8LbX4nA6DyT5m3Ktq99FaR1Nzi-6tdX9AoenL7-r6YmgaNrHUBSmckLG16vl2OT-I8SVuu93kqA2sqBNtzvGGy4bovocfVEfChZYCO-9xtYJu6m7fxSu8sf4WIko_mFH8/s1600/MolaraBrown-Lebanon5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYL1fR7GFFR8LbX4nA6DyT5m3Ktq99FaR1Nzi-6tdX9AoenL7-r6YmgaNrHUBSmckLG16vl2OT-I8SVuu93kqA2sqBNtzvGGy4bovocfVEfChZYCO-9xtYJu6m7fxSu8sf4WIko_mFH8/s400/MolaraBrown-Lebanon5.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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Before I was allowed to check in, I was made to use my own credit to
call my host in Beirut to confirm that accommodation was already paid for,
after which I was told to count my dollars in front of some other female
official who just waved me away upon sighting the money.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWRGA2VnvJtFz6WQ9V_Tdz2UfQFyhZ_5pHjKuYRg1bCOOR2n2ZQy8uQ5yMS6Ka-c0SxXZ8aJfXIGSnqIj6DfyK6RinEQyXRqDTLrTYgnn9GDDBldIktMc_APz193_-9OvPOmnAVVm8hQ/s1600/MolaraBrown-Lebonon6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWRGA2VnvJtFz6WQ9V_Tdz2UfQFyhZ_5pHjKuYRg1bCOOR2n2ZQy8uQ5yMS6Ka-c0SxXZ8aJfXIGSnqIj6DfyK6RinEQyXRqDTLrTYgnn9GDDBldIktMc_APz193_-9OvPOmnAVVm8hQ/s320/MolaraBrown-Lebonon6.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The EgyptAir flight departed Lagos after more than 2 hours delay on 3
November. I had an 8 hours layover in Cairo and my flight landed in Beirut on 4
November by 9.20 AM (GMT+2). Immigration was smooth in Lebanon and I was only
asking for the number of days I would be spending, paid 20 USD for the visa
stamp and was stamped in by immigration. I had no checked-in luggage, so it was
straight up to arrival for me.</span></div>
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If you ever go to Beirut, never buy sim card from the airport. I asked
to buy a sim card at the airport and I was told to pay 58 USD. I almost paid
for the sim card thinking that was the cost in the country. I already even gave
the man my passport and then someone else enters and he said “I would rather
roam my line than buy sim card for 58 USD”. That is how my village people saved
me and I requested for my passport back. I would later buy a sim card in town
for 5000 Lebanese Pound ($3.3).<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I got a taxi from the airport for $35, quite pricey considering that I
got the offer of $20 from my Tour guide which I didn’t take before arriving in
Lebanon. The cab driver allowed me call my Airbnb host with his phone. My
home for the next 3 days in Beirut was an Airbnb one-bedroom apartment in the <span style="background: white;">Mar Mikhael</span> district. If travelling on a budget
in Lebanon, airbnb is the way to go. My home for the next 3 nights was a one-bedroom
apartment on the 8th floor overlooking the sea port in the <span style="background: white;">Mar Mikhael neighbourhood.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYL1fR7GFFR8LbX4nA6DyT5m3Ktq99FaR1Nzi-6tdX9AoenL7-r6YmgaNrHUBSmckLG16vl2OT-I8SVuu93kqA2sqBNtzvGGy4bovocfVEfChZYCO-9xtYJu6m7fxSu8sf4WIko_mFH8/s1600/MolaraBrown-Lebanon5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYL1fR7GFFR8LbX4nA6DyT5m3Ktq99FaR1Nzi-6tdX9AoenL7-r6YmgaNrHUBSmckLG16vl2OT-I8SVuu93kqA2sqBNtzvGGy4bovocfVEfChZYCO-9xtYJu6m7fxSu8sf4WIko_mFH8/s400/MolaraBrown-Lebanon5.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Quick Facts</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> about Lebanon before
I dive right into what I was up to for each day I was in the country.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNkFpqyb4aMWNn9PH0e8r1IiREhFrW5KT_zz9ywJ6oKPxf1DXZ_YPtt-p5QibEyTDB3gbJb7PCUmEL-jPgch6dmJ-7zKqcBurtfI38I5wN4Ji1lK8dOqWyqo_I0f6i5XixW_a0s6WLvQ/s1600/MolaraBrown-Lebanon7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNkFpqyb4aMWNn9PH0e8r1IiREhFrW5KT_zz9ywJ6oKPxf1DXZ_YPtt-p5QibEyTDB3gbJb7PCUmEL-jPgch6dmJ-7zKqcBurtfI38I5wN4Ji1lK8dOqWyqo_I0f6i5XixW_a0s6WLvQ/s400/MolaraBrown-Lebanon7.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Lebanon is the oldest
country name in the world. It is over 4000 years old.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Lebanon is the only Arab
country without a desert.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The oldest continuously
inhabited city in the world, Byblos (Jbeil) is situated in Lebanon.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Lebanon gained independence
from France on <span style="background: #FEFEFE;">November 23, 1943.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Lebanon’s official language
is Arabic, however English and French are widely spoken.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The Cedar is the national
symbol of Lebanon; it signifies its enduring strength.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Beirut is the capital and largest
city.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It snows in Lebanon. The
country </span><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">is famous for having a snowy winter up in the mountains.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">There are more Lebanese (estimated 9 to 14 Million) living outside the country which
has a population of 6 million.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">There are <span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">18</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"> officially
recognised religious groups include </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">4</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"> Muslim sects, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">12
Christian sects</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">, the Druze sect, and Judaism.</span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 4.0pt; text-align: justify;">
I will dive into my day to day experience in my next post. Let me just tell you that Lebanon is competing with Malaysia as my favourite country visited.</div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><o:p> </o:p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.21px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Where do you plan to visit in 2019?</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.21px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></b></span>
♥Lara</div>
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Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-54021782657216365242018-09-04T15:54:00.001+01:002018-09-04T15:54:29.305+01:00Remarkable Rwanda- The Land of a thousand hills <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2C6qBaIAWQN4fXKjLkt4DZMyo5RZocwIUS8z41SqwYUHNqbhcju9YV6ffjcAAzni5VHJsR7BPXi6feZz0giHV5QTq3-dQq5nw4Xbz__npPcUJwkPVbXpiI4uXoDuFacQdzNVatqn2PI/s1600/DSC_0348.NEF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2C6qBaIAWQN4fXKjLkt4DZMyo5RZocwIUS8z41SqwYUHNqbhcju9YV6ffjcAAzni5VHJsR7BPXi6feZz0giHV5QTq3-dQq5nw4Xbz__npPcUJwkPVbXpiI4uXoDuFacQdzNVatqn2PI/s320/DSC_0348.NEF" width="320" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me start by saying Rwanda was my favourite destination of 2017. My 2 cities visit to the "<b><i>Singapore of Africa</i></b>" beat all other countries I visited in 2017.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I flew into Kigali around 2am (Rwandan Time) on the 4th of November with Kenya Airways. The trip was smooth and even beyond my expectations. The exit experience in the Nigerian Airport has greatly improved and way better than than my experience in February of the same year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had to see for myself to believe how clean Rwanda is. That country is clean and its citizens are law abiding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Tour of Rwanda is not complete with the mention of the genocide which happened over 20 years ago. The country is one which has learned its lesson and is making every effort to heal its people and change the narrative of its horrific past.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Weather</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">November falls in the short rainy season for East Africa so it is not really an ideal time to visit the country. It rained for every day I spent in that country. The best time to visit is during the long dry season months of <b>June</b> to <b>September</b> or over the short dry season from <b>mid-December</b> to early <b>February</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What I did/Saw:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Due to the rain, I always had limited time to spend exploring the city daily. I was also pretty much lazy on this trip. First stop was the <b>Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial</b>, the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">site where ten Belgian UN peacekeepers (paratroopers) were murdered by the Hutu extremists in order to provoke the withdrawal of the UN forces, which then cleared the way for the Rwandan genocide to unfold.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbA_48X1c69LGKNyTG8tQQbh8CdWUQMMXxp-PN6a4ZJFdQeoLL-8yIw6dO_kgSF6JOGnA_fOUEPhNu5ZsrRkCoDTjfrDAglQI5fozXy6yYPKeQfOA9z752KE4wXx3tzz50flyLQKAY7M0/s1600/DSC_0262.NEF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbA_48X1c69LGKNyTG8tQQbh8CdWUQMMXxp-PN6a4ZJFdQeoLL-8yIw6dO_kgSF6JOGnA_fOUEPhNu5ZsrRkCoDTjfrDAglQI5fozXy6yYPKeQfOA9z752KE4wXx3tzz50flyLQKAY7M0/s400/DSC_0262.NEF" width="400" /></span></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTkRCf33Oo0iXpWaApDUZDWFmVTQwR7YA_PWFfUBGICuI-wC0Ektozs-Xe1_-7m_SgbWVDFbUjnwyTszyAmcDJZG5h8kT49XmML_MIrN9eYaW0-BLDtbixWlbL4pK0PSMLl8CI1ahOyM/s1600/DSC_0258.NEF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTkRCf33Oo0iXpWaApDUZDWFmVTQwR7YA_PWFfUBGICuI-wC0Ektozs-Xe1_-7m_SgbWVDFbUjnwyTszyAmcDJZG5h8kT49XmML_MIrN9eYaW0-BLDtbixWlbL4pK0PSMLl8CI1ahOyM/s400/DSC_0258.NEF" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Each stone column represents one of the paratroopers and the horizontal cuts in it represent the paratrooper's age.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next stop was a walking tour of the city</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg823oHFM6Nwegn-hrSaHGFQSDxs-PLtLfdh2pXR1gfs50LDiPRW8LTLZMHHxfW3eQOpmLg0Zu1-Jfph-IcMJEvhy9HpYxbWQ00kzW425LkunQ_dXwa560FaRMJ9hhgYTWdpzwa3gThqVk/s1600/20171104_170124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg823oHFM6Nwegn-hrSaHGFQSDxs-PLtLfdh2pXR1gfs50LDiPRW8LTLZMHHxfW3eQOpmLg0Zu1-Jfph-IcMJEvhy9HpYxbWQ00kzW425LkunQ_dXwa560FaRMJ9hhgYTWdpzwa3gThqVk/s400/20171104_170124.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Day 2 </b>was the Kigali Genocide Memorial. You need to be emotionally strong to visit the genocide memorial and not break down in tears or worse be so into your emotions that the rest of your day is ruined. People were not only killed, the mutilation and rape is unimaginable. The Rwandan genocide which happened for about 100 days was one of the worst genocide in modern history that happened while the world kept mute. </span><br />
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The Kigali Genocide Memorial which was opened on the 10th Anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The center honours the memory of the more than one million Rwandans killed in 1994. The Genocide Memorial includes three permanent exhibitions; a documentary of the 1994 Genocide, a children’s memorial and an exhibition on the history of genocidal violence around the world.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Day 3</b>, I took the bus to Gisenyi where I spent a night. The rain started the moment I stepped into the hotel which meant I lost the whole of that day and went to bed pretty much early. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Day 4,</b> The next day, I took a walk from the hotel to the Rwanda/DRC border. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVz-mk8OSQCGlXdyTywJS3CKPPKKZ1kkWBZ-NafsMOjkbIDa-9KqG2qCR0znAaw1lu02PR067udzUfV71z4nEjsi0UgRi90Sz9jLW628Fbnm3qBcwCT8Kg50iVVj3jQcRNlNiKDXHcHq0/s1600/20171107_090524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVz-mk8OSQCGlXdyTywJS3CKPPKKZ1kkWBZ-NafsMOjkbIDa-9KqG2qCR0znAaw1lu02PR067udzUfV71z4nEjsi0UgRi90Sz9jLW628Fbnm3qBcwCT8Kg50iVVj3jQcRNlNiKDXHcHq0/s400/20171107_090524.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On my way back from the border, I stopped by the Calafia Cafe for coffee.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_u9pBKP1UGaitsPXJHm7OxQh6wHLYrPNIVdOaAC7JqwkfKWRky3VXdiWIb751-8drvSNDKxmIbMVxtJgf1bsKk5HPJQXyR6G5IoB7GXy1LIqLJA2S33g87w_OXEoNmokmGkul7G8k1M/s1600/20171107_093009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_u9pBKP1UGaitsPXJHm7OxQh6wHLYrPNIVdOaAC7JqwkfKWRky3VXdiWIb751-8drvSNDKxmIbMVxtJgf1bsKk5HPJQXyR6G5IoB7GXy1LIqLJA2S33g87w_OXEoNmokmGkul7G8k1M/s640/20171107_093009.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After which, I took a bike to the <span style="text-align: left;"><b>The Nyamyumba hot spring</b> which </span>is situated about 7km from Gisenyi town centre. The hot spring is believed to have multiple medicinal and curative powers such as the healing of flu and r<span style="background-color: white;">heumatic diseases. I paid 5,000 RWF for a foot and hand massage. I also met a genocide victim, who shared bits of his experience with me. He was a child when the genocide happened and is the only surviving member of his entire nuclear and extended family;</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8H9IvpLegT0ZwR0qdfbqmCaEWvUVarN0P9ekt_y3Vqx4SEJCGi7mldavJ1M4n-SXZyNNUbONVaKeWe0IC75eVE_zO1brJIqZWN0Maeot39THbpQSizweLW465xjRmvd_JY_fE-FtcHBQ/s1600/20171107_105823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8H9IvpLegT0ZwR0qdfbqmCaEWvUVarN0P9ekt_y3Vqx4SEJCGi7mldavJ1M4n-SXZyNNUbONVaKeWe0IC75eVE_zO1brJIqZWN0Maeot39THbpQSizweLW465xjRmvd_JY_fE-FtcHBQ/s640/20171107_105823.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihH5tjSYiLr0tOOBxhCU3tj5ldaPBDatHsIyxJMIHbEhLax7ZTCq-x88QKHWsNUqCDgU1lBXtThOcpcyYUJ2Eu94stRI3tZ0e2hhy_t0d0zAkWLW2S6S_l_I5AI_q39Ah1QG_4BIppCMc/s1600/20171107_105852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihH5tjSYiLr0tOOBxhCU3tj5ldaPBDatHsIyxJMIHbEhLax7ZTCq-x88QKHWsNUqCDgU1lBXtThOcpcyYUJ2Eu94stRI3tZ0e2hhy_t0d0zAkWLW2S6S_l_I5AI_q39Ah1QG_4BIppCMc/s640/20171107_105852.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lastly, I went mask shopping for an acquaintance. This was the most stressful part of it all. I didn't have wifi and I had to go into a store which had free wifi to send him pictures. It took a while before we could agree on what he wanted. I had a bus to catch back to Kigali and I was almost certain, I would miss it but to God be the glory. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QIkSGEGNyNN_TESr6CP5Z6pn3FhmLyF5w3mvWIpMkMmPTCnGwvBsZRj6Gio4IbcnBJ54_fibBvxde178Nbc4wOiX9cqZRrE_ZgucDF6QFCdwADFzuoeWQ1zaOWd5smBO-gnH8Qtp1FA/s1600/20171107_121642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QIkSGEGNyNN_TESr6CP5Z6pn3FhmLyF5w3mvWIpMkMmPTCnGwvBsZRj6Gio4IbcnBJ54_fibBvxde178Nbc4wOiX9cqZRrE_ZgucDF6QFCdwADFzuoeWQ1zaOWd5smBO-gnH8Qtp1FA/s320/20171107_121642.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Day 5</b>, I paid the Inema Arts Center and the Ivuka Art Studio a visit. The Inema Arts Center has a coffee shop that reminds me of Bogobiri in Ikoyi. I got to chat with one of the artists at the Ivuka Art Studio, sharing my little art viewing experience and listening to his dream to someday visit Nigeria.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBMggvd6aPzV4_zGTYlM2n8zElrP_qjvMxpC3jmG_W3d87tUnJKHkbt-ZIgV6Sw8c6IC_NDCFVWxHmugVHxeCiMzPOyHwq_wH1iIIQ9il0nPeff0hAZCf2fhoBJCqk56ANVDjJRXR7rU/s1600/20171108_151743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBMggvd6aPzV4_zGTYlM2n8zElrP_qjvMxpC3jmG_W3d87tUnJKHkbt-ZIgV6Sw8c6IC_NDCFVWxHmugVHxeCiMzPOyHwq_wH1iIIQ9il0nPeff0hAZCf2fhoBJCqk56ANVDjJRXR7rU/s640/20171108_151743.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Dmy9zBDhDbgnvZGr9Q6Z8GOjWsM_Iohbfe9LdCagI7pi1f2dRQqMUpmtJx2VepMyYfOdjKEqR6QKz63tsevO3Ck54HL1cCnZmrfyFlbvVJun_nhowQ7TT8zli8OfxTW_lHTUTZdlIrA/s1600/20171108_152324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Dmy9zBDhDbgnvZGr9Q6Z8GOjWsM_Iohbfe9LdCagI7pi1f2dRQqMUpmtJx2VepMyYfOdjKEqR6QKz63tsevO3Ck54HL1cCnZmrfyFlbvVJun_nhowQ7TT8zli8OfxTW_lHTUTZdlIrA/s400/20171108_152324.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Inema Arts Center</span></b></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkkMpgqVkHg7XaOdEuVJFZIMjVtioksrjFoZudk72wFLfKNvJBocELMk0Oz1SCJvn_ZPd7zY_8_75Bz1x-z3dSbTig95SpWSSmSGAYnkH1oR2Sa59Pr64MeKXOwtSQo-JeFOUr8pC9Vg/s1600/20171108_164002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkkMpgqVkHg7XaOdEuVJFZIMjVtioksrjFoZudk72wFLfKNvJBocELMk0Oz1SCJvn_ZPd7zY_8_75Bz1x-z3dSbTig95SpWSSmSGAYnkH1oR2Sa59Pr64MeKXOwtSQo-JeFOUr8pC9Vg/s640/20171108_164002.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ivuka Art Studio</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On my last night, I met up with some Nigerians who were in town for a conference in Kigali. Our host was a Rwandese lady who went all out to make sure we had a beautiful night. Before that, I visited the Kigali Convention Center and had coffee from Java situated in Kigali Heights.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlrgkw-1UIAEmPR_HZEzAP5C9JXo_N81P7u_pqhcl9fdK5OX4czH0gGWBHgXYo4x6tXqDzCa38qaJwDFuV6cxjjycIcVmamQ19iYoQOnxdXksO-wF_yxlGv-kDhyphenhyphenqzN_jv1Wg4DeFVVU/s1600/20171108_181236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlrgkw-1UIAEmPR_HZEzAP5C9JXo_N81P7u_pqhcl9fdK5OX4czH0gGWBHgXYo4x6tXqDzCa38qaJwDFuV6cxjjycIcVmamQ19iYoQOnxdXksO-wF_yxlGv-kDhyphenhyphenqzN_jv1Wg4DeFVVU/s400/20171108_181236.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Accommodation:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Kigali, I lodged at the St Augustine Apart & Hotel. Reservation was made on <b><a href="https://travel.jumia.com/" target="_blank">Jumia Travel</a></b>. It was difficult locating the hotel as the street numbering system is new to Rwandans. It is best to request for the closest landmark in the neighbourhood. I tried to change my hotel when I returned from Gisenyi but an hour after and 10 thousand Rwandan Francs after, the cab driver couldn't locate the street despite saying he knew the location. A good Samaritan also helped contact some of the people he knew in Jumia Travel Rwanda but alas they could not even give an accurate description of hotels located on their platform. I ended up going back to St Augustine.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8BXuMk_QY5MQhwOxcO6XJW53bQE62PfwEOLEMYIlrnCAEvvKjK9gLvxrd69pWYKwsZUt95cAWvFIwftmw-i2yG1Dl7fvWMDJa7egfvRqKdctYL0VUHYDHaR1qn7szxt1rZQJvbwrza8/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="353" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8BXuMk_QY5MQhwOxcO6XJW53bQE62PfwEOLEMYIlrnCAEvvKjK9gLvxrd69pWYKwsZUt95cAWvFIwftmw-i2yG1Dl7fvWMDJa7egfvRqKdctYL0VUHYDHaR1qn7szxt1rZQJvbwrza8/s640/Untitled.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The ambiance of this hotel was top-notch. The staff were very helpful, they helped me with translations while communicating with the bike or taxi drivers. Breakfast in bed because I refused to go to the dining room downstairs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Gisenyi, I spent the night at the <a href="https://www.booking.com/" target="_blank"><b>Beach Garden BnB</b> </a>which I reserved on Booking.com.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I would excuse the fact that this budget hotel was sort of still at set up stage, and following my review on Booking, I was told the issues has been fixed. My issue was there was no mosquito net. It started raining the moment I got to the hotel and rained all night long. The rain meant all forms of insects flew into the room. Also unlike Kigali, there was no 24 hours electricity, the light was out for the most part of the night. The Wifi also did not work, so I was cut off from the rest of the world for more than 24 hours. The owner was pretty nice, he picked me up from the bus station and also dropped me at the bus park on my way back to Kigali.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">What I ate:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I pretty much stayed off food in Rwanda. The two hotels I stayed in served the English breakfast. I got the Africa tea which had ginger in it. I actually loved the tea and had it all through my days there. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3zpqEQwggT78Op5fLb-IkEJpuuu6WHZavgUklbaZHAHYGFcvAuHy3NngC7DJO9gb6Rl0fKoREqyTYdjnwgxNznzThncF0QJcY78RW2ja4BC_7RFYo-uxR4WZUP9AhaVfv3NV7Lbr4fs/s1600/20171105_113037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3zpqEQwggT78Op5fLb-IkEJpuuu6WHZavgUklbaZHAHYGFcvAuHy3NngC7DJO9gb6Rl0fKoREqyTYdjnwgxNznzThncF0QJcY78RW2ja4BC_7RFYo-uxR4WZUP9AhaVfv3NV7Lbr4fs/s640/20171105_113037.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Breakfast at St Augustine </span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMOKwMxfTT0t9lVKbXm0OChq-uTgc5-CIRvbP88ymAwD703tlZOzaJdZXy28URnXnd9zHJpUq2F7FdVVyAFjw2DjrFgEDRMDQq5PmzSkmfLrKOmzUqpKIF5HsmOk7BlfiHbDh6BjVBC4/s1600/20171107_074355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMOKwMxfTT0t9lVKbXm0OChq-uTgc5-CIRvbP88ymAwD703tlZOzaJdZXy28URnXnd9zHJpUq2F7FdVVyAFjw2DjrFgEDRMDQq5PmzSkmfLrKOmzUqpKIF5HsmOk7BlfiHbDh6BjVBC4/s400/20171107_074355.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Breakfast at Garden Bnb</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The only attempt with the Rwandese meal was when I thought I saw pepper soup but which turned out to be broth (Omi Eran). Apparently, this is an East African delicacy because my Ugandan and Kenyan friends were amazed at my shock.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwztEKe6D_ZTekJxe5JmH7x0bUbMQMXFPi8atNiAOd2-hEsojqualW6ikFFu3jTdm3m5MXqF287RZN7bOZm9LWNeoo2-mvULNQnxXV8uQF6bm2JBPNEh7DzyXBFcg-v4lm7v5gjcQuz8/s1600/20171107_094026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwztEKe6D_ZTekJxe5JmH7x0bUbMQMXFPi8atNiAOd2-hEsojqualW6ikFFu3jTdm3m5MXqF287RZN7bOZm9LWNeoo2-mvULNQnxXV8uQF6bm2JBPNEh7DzyXBFcg-v4lm7v5gjcQuz8/s640/20171107_094026.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Cofee from Calafia Cafe</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXeA6ofG5DaXGLBJlCaHSftDvYnr98R_8StkNRc7PB2Dr6ixPLio4-Ngf8w6cMXL6aOkVKi0FH9b6gXtvbykN8oVJXC92C4KJKGOR-x3gwKN6qVb5Qi4ZE9kOxX3CsasozXqagd-2paI/s1600/20171108_221528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXeA6ofG5DaXGLBJlCaHSftDvYnr98R_8StkNRc7PB2Dr6ixPLio4-Ngf8w6cMXL6aOkVKi0FH9b6gXtvbykN8oVJXC92C4KJKGOR-x3gwKN6qVb5Qi4ZE9kOxX3CsasozXqagd-2paI/s400/20171108_221528.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dinner at the meetup on my last night</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope to visit Rwanda again someday and really get to explore Kigali and visit Kibuye, the other town which share Lake Kivu with Gisenyi. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">What do you think of Rwanda?</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> Have you been to Rwanda? What was your experience like? Would you recommend it?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">♥Lara</span></div>
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Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-18026621550248047382018-04-23T07:00:00.000+01:002018-04-26T05:26:55.679+01:00Life Lately....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It is the fourth month of the year and sadly this is when I publish my first post this year.<br />
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I didn't plan it like this, but life happened.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2017/12/best-of-2017scrap-thatwhat-do-i-want.html" target="_blank">burnout</a> that I mentioned in my last post was worse than I thought or imagined. It took me a long time to realize that the loss of interest in every activity that I am passionate about and that gives me joy was a result of my burnout.<br />
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I have been struggling with everything. From meeting deadlines to meeting up with friends, to planning personal and contracted trips, even waking up to get to work has lost its zeal.<br />
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I started running to distract myself, I lost a bit of weight but more importantly, I look forward to running every weekend. I have not been consistent lately but I am happier.<br />
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The months have not been entirely traveling or activities free....so here are the adventures in 2018 so far.<br />
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First stop in January was the Awolowo Museum and Private Beach situated in Lekki town. So Lekki Town is about 20 minutes from Epe and on the Lekki free trade zone axis.<br />
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Next up in February, I went Kayaking in Lagos and visited the Arinta waterfall and Ikogosi warm springs.<br />
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My first visit to <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2014/05/visit-to-ikogosi-warm-spring-through-my.html" target="_blank">Ikogosi Warm Springs was 2014</a> and I remember complaining about the hot spring. Sadly the hot spring has become lukewarm and totally becomes cold instead of warm by the time it connects with the cold spring.The neglect the tourist destination has suffered is appalling. Arinta waterfall makes a trip to Ekiti worth it.<br />
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For the Easter holiday, I went back to Togo with my friend Tayo and 5 other ladies. We switched Kpalime for the Voodoo town of Togoville.<br />
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Yesterday, I went camping on the Takwa Bay beach overnight. I had my first camping experience sleeping in a tent on the beach. It was such a beautiful experience camping with 12 strangers. The organizer was the only one I knew and one lady I went kayaking with last year.<br />
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Tomorrow, I am off to Tanzania with 2 of my friends. I hope to keep up with blogging now.<br />
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I am thinking of joining the Wordpress bandwagon. I guess time will tell if I make the switch or not.<br />
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♥Lara</div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-26420562363918788402017-12-31T00:30:00.000+01:002018-05-15T00:15:17.853+01:00Best of 2017...Scrap that...What do I want from 2018? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>2016</b> was the year of getting my ass out of the comfort zone<br />
<b>2017</b> is the year of stretching myself and stretch myself I did all through the year.<br />
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2017 has been a crazy, good and great year.<br />
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Instead of using the word "bad", I choose to use the word "Crazy", because to be honest, the year was not as bad as I expected.<br />
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I did some pretty stupid things, that I am even ashamed to talk about and then I went on to do great things I am proud of.<br />
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First up, I had my <b>postgraduate degree graduation</b> in January and my graduation gift to myself was the trip to South Africa and Kenya. I only showed up at the venue because my mum insisted on coming and wanted to take pictures with me. She was trying to make up for missing my undergraduate graduation. No form of studying happened this year and that was intentional.<br />
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<b>Friendship:</b> I am a sucker for friendship, people who know me well know how I go through the highs and lows for anyone I call a friend. Respect and loyalty are key for me. I got a rude awakening this year and had to define the relationship with most of the people I call friends. One key lesson is that you can only be friends with people who see you as their friends. </div>
<b><br /></b> <b>Don't go making an acquaintance a friend.</b><br />
<b><br /></b> With friendship, I learned forgiveness. I relearned the value to beautiful friendships both old and new.<br />
<b><br /></b> <b>Travel</b> took the focal point of the year. My first post of the year highlighted my <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2017/01/my-travel-goals-for-2017.html" target="_blank">2017 travel goals</a>. In the post, I mentioned plans to go on a West African adventure, visit some states in Nigeria and ring in the new year in the New York.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Lake Kivu, Rwanda</span></b></td></tr>
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I got to visit 5 out of all 11 destinations I listed.<br />
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I can't complain because even though I listed 11 destinations, I ended up visiting 19 destinations in total. If I count Ile-Ife and Nairobi which I visited twice within the same year then that sums up 21 destinations. Switched the West African adventure for the East African experience.<br />
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I got to explore 4 new countries (<a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/search/label/South%20Africa" target="_blank">South Africa</a>, <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/search/label/Kenya" target="_blank">Kenya</a>, <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/search/label/Rwanda" target="_blank">Rwanda</a> and <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/search/label/Uganda" target="_blank">Uganda</a>) and visited 6 in total ( revisited <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2017/10/independence-weekend-in-grand-popo.html" target="_blank">Benin Republic</a> and <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2017/06/togo-i-fell-in-love-again.html" target="_blank">Togo</a>). Locally I visited, Osun state (Ile-Ife, Osogbo), Ogun state (Abeokuta), Bauchi state (Bauchi, Yankari), Plateau state (Jos) and Kwara (Offa, Owa-Kajola (Owu Waterfall).<br />
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Away from Travel, I finally launched my travel and HR Consultancy businesses so I would say this year was the testing phase. The HR Consultancy suffered the most because at some point I was unable to find a balance between both opposing businesses and my 9-5. I joined an entrepreneurship support group and I would say that has been one of my best decisions in 2017. My biggest business shock was realizing the fact that some friends will not support the business or should I use the word patronize your business. They are used to having it for free and would rather pay someone else than pay you for the services.<br />
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<b>Books</b>: I did read quite a number of books but I, unfortunately, was unable to read as much as I wanted. I am currently in some sort of reading rut, I can't seem to pay enough attention to complete a book.<br />
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I was able to save enough money this year but I spent a lot of it on travel. I am not even sad about it nor regret spending money on any of the experience. I will be spending more next year.<br />
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December has been a pretty hectic month. I returned from my trip on the 19th of November and dived straight into work. Right now I am suffering the worst burnout ever in my life and I am physically and mentally exhausted.<br />
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I made the decision to spend the holiday with family. All I have been doing in the past days is sleep, eat and sleep again.<br />
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I didn't get the year that I planned but I got the best year life had to give me<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Away from 2017 and on to what I want from 2018.</b></i></span><br />
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So the goal for 2018 is intentional and productive living.<br />
There has been a lot of introspection and plannings.<br />
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I will be picking up the books and hopefully get my HR certifications. My certifications come at a cost so it will affect how much I will spend on travel.<br />
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I will cut back on personal international travels and do more of domestic travels. The plan is to visit at least 3 new countries.<br />
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<b>My travel plans</b>, for now, are Côte d'Ivoire (no fixed date) and Tanzania (April 24 to May 1, 2018) for my birthday.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Zanzibar</span></b></td></tr>
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<b>Europe</b> is also on my bucket list for the year. Belguim, France, Sweden and Lithuania are top on the list.<br />
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Locally, I plan to explore the Eastern part of the country starting from Enugu.</div>
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Arinta waterfall in Ekiti is top on my list for 2018. I also plan to visit my mum in Abuja. New York is also on my radar, this is majorly dependent on when I get the US Visa. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Where do you plan to visit in 2018?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>What are your goals for 2018?</b></span></div>
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♥Lara</div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-71302344631460294472017-12-24T07:51:00.000+01:002017-12-24T08:21:57.292+01:0016 Days, 3 countries: My East African Experience<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2017/01/my-travel-goals-for-2017.html" target="_blank">My travel goals</a> for the year changed the moment I decided to switch the West African Experience for the East African Experience. If you follow me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lhararom/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> this is stale news to you as this was documented live while on the trip.<br />
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Last month, I spent 16 days in Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya. I made up my mind on the East African trip following the win of a rebated ticket from Kenya Airways and the choice of Rwanda as the destination by my friends and I. I said to myself, why visit only one country when I can visit all three on one Visa.<br />
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Why Rwanda? my mum asked when I told her about my intended trip, to be honest for most times I have no reason for wanting to visit destinations, I just want to visit because that is the place on my mind at that moment. Let me just confess now, I am yet to watch the popular movie "Hotel Rwanda"<br />
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Visiting Rwanda has been on my bucket list since 2015, I actually told all my team members then in Jumia that I would be visiting that year. After seeing insta-stories and pictures of my favourite travel bloggers such as <a href="https://www.thisbatteredsuitcase.com/" target="_blank">Brenna of This Battered Suitcase</a> and <a href="http://folaswaka.com/" target="_blank">Folaswaka</a>, I knew there was no way I would be passing up Rwanda this year.<br />
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I got the East African visa at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi for $100 which allowed me multiple entries into Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.<br />
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I didn't head into Rwanda to track gorillas which is one of the most popular touristy things to do. I don't have $1500 to be chasing gorillas, that price is more or less the sum total of my budget in all three countries minus flight fee. I was curious and wanted to experience the beauty, cleanliness, orderliness, and safety of the country for myself.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial, Kigali</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Uganda was a reunion trip. I missed my friend Bena's wedding last year and made up my mind to visit Uganda when next I visit East Africa. I got to visit Kampala and Jinja.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Source of the Nile, Jinja</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Kenya came on the list majorly because of the airline I was flying with. By the time arrived in Nairobi, I was exhausted and had to catch up with work. I didn't get to explore much and only visited the Karura forest and The National Museum.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Waterfall in Karura Forest, Nairobi</span></b></td></tr>
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I plan to write individual posts on each country before the year ends, last last finish the story by January.<br />
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2017 is slowing coming to an end and I must say the year unfolded way beyond my expectations. I am grateful for it all.<br />
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Until my next post<br />
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♥Lara</div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-1158287279350706832017-10-30T08:30:00.000+01:002017-10-30T21:00:46.513+01:00Independence Weekend in Grand Popo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIuxBB3PnE4/We5SmCcmrBI/AAAAAAAAZBE/ybeLLJT9ZmwvLYN5XRiFny86PWdx4htTQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BIuxBB3PnE4/We5SmCcmrBI/AAAAAAAAZBE/ybeLLJT9ZmwvLYN5XRiFny86PWdx4htTQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a>For the weekend of Nigeria's 57th birthday, Sandra and I decided to explore the beach town of Grand Popo, Benin Republic.<br />
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The destination choice was for only one reason, I wanted to rest.<br />
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This is our third visit to the Benin Republic, we visited for the first time in 2014 when we visited Cotonou and Porto Novo and 2015 when we visited Ouidah but this is our first time visiting Grand Popo.<br />
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We breezed through the Seme border in less than 30 minutes. I learned one big lesson to always check my passport to be sure it got stamped. The officer who was busy trying to make a side deal forgot to stamp my passport out of all the passports in his hand. He did enter me into the system but did not stamp me out.<br />
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I thought the beach in Ouidah was beautiful but the beach in Grand Popo takes it all. Maybe because the town is less populated. The beach is blue, the picture above is straight from the camera, no edit. The town is sleepy or maybe it is the side of town we were located.<br />
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The accommodation was a residence I found on Jumia Travel, but it is also listed on Airbnb. I booked a studio apartment which had it's own kitchen and door leading to the swimming pool and straight to the beach.<br />
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The goal of the trip was rest, so we spent the days on the beach, in the pool and watched the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy and How to get away with Murder. The only time we stepped out of the apartment was to get dinner on both nights and when we checked out to return to Lagos.<br />
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<b><u>Food we ate</u></b></div>
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Language barrier was an issue here, we found it difficult communicating what we wanted. We ordered blindly and thank God we did not end with food we could not eat. I survived 2 nights with no pepper. </div>
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I intend to embrace more of this type of trips. It is not every time somebody will be roaming about in the name of travel. Sometimes just relax and sip juice.<br />
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So my breakdown of travel to the Benin Republic is this, for business and City life, Cotonou is the best destination. For tourist things, Ouidah and Porto Novo it is and for the beach life, Grand Popo is the destination.<br />
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Where did you spend your independence holiday?<br />
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<b>Have you been to Benin Republic? If yes, which town? Please share your experience</b></div>
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♥Lara</div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-85104639072983580962017-09-23T13:11:00.000+01:002017-09-23T19:22:22.179+01:00How I afford to travel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am no trust fund baby, neither is there one rich Alhaji funding the travel lifestyle. I also do not work with an organization where business traveling is possible. <br />
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This year my travel frequency has increased from previous years. I have visited 3 international destinations this year and 4 more are to come before the year ends.<br />
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But here is my life, I don't pay rent, pay utility bills or have car maintenance bills yet.<br />
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Even though I do not have adulting bills to pay, I also don't have plenty free income to play with. As we all know, travel is not cheap.<br />
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For every 1 Naira spent on traveling, is money I could use to fund another need. So the opportunity cost for my choice of travel are the rents, car maintenance bill and every other adulting bill that I do not have yet.<br />
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Although some travelers will tell you to cut out on unnecessary spending and stick to spending on basic needs, it does not mean I am not able to live a good life outside of travel. I still buy restaurant food, hang out with friends, go see movies, buy shoes and every other thing I want in this life.<br />
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The major source of my travel funds is the monthly salary I earn from my 9-5 as HR manager. My 9-5 offers me a fine income and the time to achieve this expensive hobby of mine. Up until this year, my salary has been the only source but this year I have curated 2 group tours for <a href="http://www.travel.kotroom.com/" target="_blank">Travel KOTRoom</a> which have contributed small change to the travel funds.<br />
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<b>So here is how I do it:</b><br />
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The traveling life actually kicked off when I<b> lived </b>and<b> worked abroad. </b>So while I lived in <b><a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/search/label/India" target="_blank">India</a>,</b> I was able to explore the incredible nation and also visit <b><a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/search/label/Malaysia" target="_blank">Malaysia</a> </b>and the <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/search/label/UAE" target="_blank"><b>UAE</b></a>. Living in <b><a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/search/label/Germany" target="_blank">Germany,</a></b> I was able to visit <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/search/label/Italy" target="_blank"><b>Italy</b></a> and <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/search/label/Belgium" target="_blank"><b>Belguim</b></a>.<br />
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So even though I am not into that budgeting life, I have <b>a savings lifestyle</b>. I save a percentage of my salary which is specifically for travel and every other emergency that might happen. I save this in an account that I do not have access to except I visit a banking hall which I hate doing.<br />
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I plan in advance. I am going on an East African tour in November and I got my flight ticket which is the most expensive purchase of the trip as far back as June. That way I was able to get my ticket at a cheaper rate even before the airlines increased the exchange rate they use for dollars conversion which has led to the recent increase in flight fares.<br />
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I avoid traveling during destinations peak period, and if I ever have to, the trip would have been planned in advance.<br />
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I travel off the beaten paths. So instead of visiting Milan or Rome, I visited <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2013/01/italy-snapshots-of-bergamo.html" target="_blank">Bergamo</a>. I am currently traveling Africa because the flight fare for Asian and European countries right now is the total cost of a trip to an African destination.<br />
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For accommodation, I stay with friends or <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> (which is always cheaper than hotels) or stay in 2/3 star hotels. <a href="https://www.couchsurfing.com/" target="_blank">Couch surfing </a>is also another way to save cost on accommodation, I tried it for 1 night in Nairobi. I use sites like <a href="https://travel.jumia.com/" target="_blank">Jumia Travel</a> and <a href="http://booking.com/">Booking.com</a> to get discounted room rates, I am yet to pay actual price for hotel rooms ever.<br />
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I love solo travel, but traveling with a <b>travel partner </b>keeps cost especially accommodation and car hire down<b>.</b><br />
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And there you have it, the secret to how I am able to afford traveling all the time. The ability to travel is actually a lifestyle choice because there are people who can afford to and who have the time to who just will not travel.<br />
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So if travel is really what you want, make the decision, commit and be determined to make it happen.<br />
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<b>Are you a traveler, how do you afford to travel? If interested in traveling, what is stopping you?</b></div>
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Let's talk in comment</div>
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♥Lara</div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-29130129627826289322017-08-05T14:07:00.000+01:002017-08-05T14:07:25.892+01:00Weekend Road Trip: Osogbo and Ile-Ife<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">Osogbo and Ile-</span>ife<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">were </span><span style="background-color: white;">the destinations for the month of May.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white;">So this is my second time visiting Ile-Ife this year. I visited Osogbo along with 2 others and it was a fun trip.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white;">We hired a car at the Ojota new garage and headed straight to Osogbo.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white;">The journey <span style="background-color: #f6d5d9;">took about 3 hours, the first stop was the Osun-Osogbo Grove.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: #f6d5d9;">The </span>Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a sacred forest along the banks of the Osun river in Osogbo, Osun state. Founded over 400 years ago, the grove which </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">is the largest of the sacred groves that have survived to the present is dedicated to Osun, the Yoruba goddess of fertility. The Grove is a place of worship, and it is the site of the annual Osun-Osogbo festival.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Entrance fee is 200 Naira and 1000 Naira for cameras.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">We moved on to the residence of Susanne Wenger, the Austrian artist to be later known as "Adunni Olorisha". Sussanne became a priestess of Osun following years of studying the deepest mysteries of Yoruba traditional beliefs. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I have seen a fair share of "Ebo-Sacrifice" on the streets of Lagos, but the amount I saw in this house was just too much. If you are deeply religious (Christianity or Islam), you might want to pass on visiting this house. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">So we got lost trying to find Nike gallery in Osogbo, the person who gave us direction sent us on one long journey that we ended up in Ede trying to locate the gallery. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">We found the gallery sha after about 1 hour of driving around. Actually, we found the hotel from which we were taken to the gallery.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">We stopped briefly at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park in Osogobo.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">We went to Ile-ife that night, got a hotel, had dinner and went to bed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The next morning, we got up bright and early to explore Ife town. First stop was the Ori Olokun statue.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Next was the Palace of the Ooni of Ife and the Moremi Statue. We got a guide this time who told us the history of the Palace, Ile-ife and Moremi.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">We were exhausted after the Moremi statue and skipped the visit to Opa Oranmiyan. We got back to Lagos around 4PM. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Osun State is a must-see for anyone with an interest in Yoruba history, art, culture, and religion. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Photos were taken with my mobile phone </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Pictures of me were taken by travel partner, Idoko</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Until my next trip</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span> <span style="background-color: white;">♥Lara</span></span></div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-13596963990099428562017-07-15T12:14:00.004+01:002017-07-15T12:14:44.272+01:00Discovering the North- Plateau and Bauchi State<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When I drew up <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2017/01/my-travel-goals-for-2017.html" target="_blank">my travel goals for the year</a>, the north was not anywhere on the list. That list needs an edit because I have visited at least 3 places, and I intend to visit 2 new countries also not on the list.<br />
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The only thing I knew for sure at the beginning of the year was that I would take some days off my annual leave for my birthday. The destination was not fixed, I thought of doing a European tour to visit at least Belguim, Germany, and Lithuania. Up until the moment I changed my mind, I was so sure I would take the West African road trip for my birthday. Then I went to Togo for Easter which was about 10 days before my birthday, so the list was down to Grand Popo in the Benin Republic. I can't say for sure the moment Bauchi and Jos came into my head. All I know was that I started researching, flights and routes.<br />
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I got in touch with my friend Lilian, who I have not seen since she left Bonn for Nigeria. She currently lives and works in Jos, so I knew there was no way I would go that far without meeting her.<br />
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I flew into Abuja on 25 April and got on a Plateau express Sienna car to Jos. I was told the distance is about 3 hours but I spent 5 good hours on the road. The car drove through Kaduna state into Jos.<br />
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For this trip, I had no itinerary. Especially for Jos, I only wanted to relax, catch up with my friend and see sights whenever I can. For Bauchi, the Yankari Games Reserve was the destination.<br />
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In Jos, I visited the Jos Museum and Wildlife Park. Lilian took me out to a club which was pretty decent but empty on my last night.<br />
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I spent a night in Bauchi, Yankari was a disappointment and not worth the money I spent on transportation traveling all the way from Bauchi. Because Yankari is not a regular transport route, I had to rent a private cab to drive me down there and back. I spent eleven thousand Naira on cab alone, one thousand five hundred Naira entry fee from the first gate to find out that there was no room available at the resort. I was happy I refused to go on the safari because I would have cried to pay Six thousand Naira just to see Antelopes, Baboons, and Warthogs.<br />
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The Wikki Warm Spring which I had to pay Five hundred Naira for the only attraction that made sense. Unfortunately, Miss Red was in town so I could not take a dip. There is a Museum in the Resort which is the only free attraction.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Wikki Warm Spring</b></td></tr>
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<br />I visited the tomb of Nigeria's first and only Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. The tomb is beautiful and worth a visit if you are ever in Bauchi. I returned to Jos immediately after I left the tomb.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Exterior of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Tomb</b></td></tr>
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Jos to Bauchi is two hours by cab. On my way to Bauchi, I was the only female in the cab and I remember my mom calling on the way telling me to make sure I am not the only female in the cab. I just smiled told her "Mo ti gbo"<br />
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Just like in Lagos where everyone is assumed to understand Yoruba, a lot of people spoke Hausa to me, especially in Jos.<br />
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I found out Boko Haram actually started in Bauchi state before moving on to Borno state.<br />
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There are a lot of Military check points, made me feel like I was in a war zone. But with the understanding of the Northern situation, I was not really bothered.<br />
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I was relatively safe while up North, except for when passing through Kaduna state on my way to Jos. The language was a problem but I was always able to find someone who understands English small. On my way back, the car went through Nasarawa state.<br />
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I did enjoy the trip asides from the Yankari adventure.<br />
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I would most likely go back to Plateau state again; this time around for the waterfalls and rock formations. Bauchi not sure I will be visiting again.<br />
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<b style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.21px; text-align: center;">Have you been to Jos or Bauchi? What was your experience like? Would you recommend it or visit again?</b><br />
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♥Lara</div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-26990693516358631272017-06-05T15:59:00.000+01:002017-06-05T15:59:06.284+01:00Togo- I fell in love again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I was back in Togo again this year for the Easter holiday. I visited <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2016/04/togo-hidden-gem.html" target="_blank">last year also during the Easter holiday</a>. </div>
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Tayo and I agreed to go back to Togo, our love for that country cannot end anytime soon. We had 3 new people join us this time around, one of them is Simi of <a href="http://www.eattechtravel.com/" target="_blank">Eattechtravel</a>.<br />
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We stayed in the same apartment as the last time and the owner of the house was also in Togo from France.<br />
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We went with ABC transport, I am never traveling with ABC transport ever again in my life, a story for another day.<br />
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We visited Coco Beach and also the beach across the road from the house. I went back to Womé fall in Kpalimé with Simi and Lucy. We also discovered the Lomé Cathedral and the arts and craft market.<br />
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The arts and crafts markets reminds me of the Lekki Market. All 3 arts of craft market (Accra, Lomé and Lekki) look and feel the same to me, they have the same products. I guess the voodoo section in the Lomé is the only major difference between all 3.<br />
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Our initial plan was to visit Koutammakou, a UNESCO site of traditional mud houses for a day. We found out that the trip actually takes over 7 hours and we would have to spend the night in the town close to the village. We jejely changed plans and ended up in Womé<br />
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This time around I took got to swim in the Womé fall, there was no Miss red in town to stop.</div>
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Asides from the stress with ABC, I had a really good holiday. Language barrier was a mess this time around. It was hard communicating with our airbnb host but dude was nice. He even took us out on the night before we left. The Togolese hospitality is the best I have experienced in our African countries I have visited.</div>
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I am already mentally planning my next trip to Togo. I can't seem to get enough of that country. For my next trip to Togo, I plan to go beyond Lomé and experience the other waterfall. </div>
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<br />
The month of Ramadan is here and the next public holiday is coming. I plan to spend time with the family. I will be splitting my days between my mum's and my father's. I may get to visit Badagry for a day's trip.<br />
<br />
<b>What are your plans for the holiday? </b></div>
<br />
♥Lara</div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-46516818121342588782017-04-20T08:00:00.000+01:002017-04-20T08:00:10.138+01:00Travel is not for everyone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>“Travel is stress, travel takes your money and if you are not careful,
you will burnout.”<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i><span id="goog_1987888253"></span><span id="goog_1987888254"></span><br /></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I sat through travel focused sessions during the just
concluded Social media week in Lagos and listened to the tour operators talk
about how Nigerians do not like to travel, how we do not know our beloved
country Nigeria beyond the cities and towns we live in and how Nigerians do not
visit beyond the UK, US and UAE whenever they think travel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On my way to Johannesburg this January, the NDLEA and immigration
officers kept asking me why I was not visiting Obudu Cattle ranch and carrying
our money outside the country.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I remember saying this during the Q and A session of the one
of the sessions, that we are beginning to shame people who do not travel. That
we travel does not make our lives more fulfilled that those who do not travel.
We are also finding a way to shame people who travel as well for travelling
only to particular regions and not off the beaten paths. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My cousins have been living in the UK for the past 7 years,
they aspire to visit the USA and Canada and for them that is life. This is the
typical Nigerian dream.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite the fact that I have travelled to over 10 countries
that I am yet to visit the UK and US, I have not yet arrived. Living in Germany
is the not the same as visiting the UK. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The only place my mother aspires to visit is Saudi Arabia
for Hajj and maybe the UK. Going to
Saudi Arabia for Hajj is the ultimate goal of Muslims the world over, so even
if you never get to visit anywhere else in the world, that goal alone makes
your life fulfilled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even within the world of travellers, there is a lot of
shaming. You hear words such as don’t be a tourist, be a traveller and blab bla
bla. The number of countries clocked is now another form of shaming.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On my way to Lomé for the Easter holiday, I met another traveler who I have been
following for a while on Instagram @theajalabug. We got chatting about our type
of travel, she does not like stress and even though I might not call her a
luxury traveler, she is not a budget traveler either. I saw her itinerary and
she was more for comfort than anything else.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I used to think I was a budget traveller until this year and
I realised, that struggle life is not for me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me comfort and safety is key. Couchsurfing is not for me; does that
make me any better than the person who lives for freebies when travelling?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fact that I have been to over 10 countries does not make
me better than that person who has never been anywhere or who only visits the UK
or USA all the time. Neither is the person who has counted over 20 countries
any more knowledgeable than me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Yes, Travel is good, travel opens your eyes to the many
opportunities that exists in the world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Travel breaks down barriers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the honest truth is travel is not for everyone.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Not everyone can afford to travel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Travel is all glamorous but expensive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pictures for the gram is so beautifully edited that we
sometimes forget the struggle and drama it took to get us to the destination.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Travel is stress, it zaps all your energy. Travel will take
your money and if not careful, you will burnout.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That I get to inspire people to explore the world does not
make me any better than that person who has never been beyond their current
cities/towns.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That you have clocked in so many countries on your passport
does not give you the bragging right to have lived a fulfilled life. Fulfilment
in life for you is different from another’s. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
You should not be ashamed to only want to travel Nigeria and Africa. You should not be ashamed to tell that friend of yours who travels that you cannot afford the trip planned. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will not shame you for your life choices neither do I expect
you to shame me for mine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
♥Lara</div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-89654963891604990482017-04-14T00:15:00.001+01:002017-04-14T00:15:21.588+01:00Weekend Road Trip: Abeokuta and Ile-Ife <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It is April already, and just like that the first quarter of the year is over.<br />
March was set to be my travel free month and just as planned I did not go anywhere outside Lagos.<br />
<br />
February 18 and 19, I visited Abeokuta and Ile-Ife with my friend Sandra.<br />
<br />
The trip was originally planned for an Australian who supposed to be visiting Nigeria for a conference. Visa arrived pretty late and it did not make sense for him and his colleagues to spend over 24 hours travelling only to come spend 3 days in Nigeria, I buzzed Sandra to come along for the trip because I knew she always wanted to visit Olumo Rock.<br />
<br />
I told her to pack for a sleepover since I wasn't sure we would make it back to Lagos that same day. The plan was initially Abeokuta, Ibadan and Ile-Ife, we wasted so much time in Abeokuta so we decided to end up in Ile-Ife that same day.<br />
<br />
Since our final destination for the night was not Ile-ife, we didn't book any accommodation. We were already running thin on cash and decided that we will use an ATM when we get to Ibadan. There was no bank around the park we were dropped and since it was late already (we got to Ibadan around 7PM), we decided to head to Ile-Ife with our last cash.<br />
<br />
Let's just say we almost entered one chance.<br />
We got to Ile-Ife around 8PM, and it is a sleepy town.<br />
Almost all the ATMs decided not to work except Zenith bank's<br />
No cash, no pre-booked hotel and no food.<br />
<br />
All the banks were all one street and imagine moving from bank to bank and ATM is not working.<br />
Then there is this long queue in front of the only functional bank ATM.<br />
It was not even a funny something.<br />
<br />
At last, we finally got cash and rushed inside the Mr Biggs right next to the bank.<br />
That was our only meal for the day.<br />
After the meal came the struggle to search for an hotel to spend the night.<br />
<br />
We checked out some hotels on Jumia Travel and Hotel NG, the one we settled for was nothing to write home about. I called it a "beer parlor which had rooms for those who forgot to check their wristwatches and found out by midnight that they were not at home". Also the pictures on the website was totally different from what we saw, both Jumia and Hotel NG had the same wrong pictures.<br />
<br />
We found our way back to one of the hotels we saw on our way into Ile-Ife for the night. I got palm-wine at the hotel bar, I was too exhausted and went to bed shortly after.<br />
<br />
The next morning we decided to explore Ile-ife, our first stop was the Ori Olokun, which we walked to from the hotel. Next was the palace of the Ooni also know as "Ile Oodua". Right across the palace is the statue of Oduduwa. Right down the corner is the Moremi Statue and we took a bike to the Opa Oranmiyan location.<br />
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<b>Ile-Ife</b></div>
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It was a pretty interesting weekend and I was glad I went on the trip.</div>
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Also it had been a while Sandra and I went on a trip alone. </div>
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The Easter holiday is here and I am so excited.</div>
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I am off to Togo again with my friend Tayo and 3 new friends.<br />
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Wishing you all an Eggciting Easter celebration.<br />
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♥Lara</div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-78522662531526009272017-03-25T10:35:00.000+01:002017-03-25T10:35:09.785+01:00Notes from my visit to Nairobi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I said hello to Nairobi on February 1, 2017.<br />
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For Kenya, before I landed, I was more interested in catching up with my friends from India days and not really about what the country was about. I told friends I wasn't going to go on the safari, or do anything pretty much touristy.<br />
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I didn't have a planned itinerary. I was just going to show up and enjoy the 5 days inclusive of 2 travel days as much as I can. I landed in Nairobi from Johannesburg 30 mins than scheduled onboard the Kenya Airways flight.<br />
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Entry was smooth, I only had to verify my e-visa from an immigration office, fill the yellow form and I was allowed entry. No long story, no unusual questions. I exited the airport, changed currency, bought a sim card and booked an uber to by host's apartment.<br />
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<b>Conversation with the Uber driver</b><br />
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I had pretty much interesting conversation with my Uber driver from the airport to my host’s apartment. He told me about how unbearable hot Nairobi had been since December until the rain which fell the night before I arrived (Same thing happened in Johannesburg, rain fell the day after I arrived). For the first time in a long while, he finally had a good night sleep devoid of heat.<br />
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Conversation moved to how Nigerian men get to travel more than the women. My response was that our men are more inclined to hustle no matter the destination. He told me about how most of the Nigerian men in Nairobi had no verifiable source of income yet lived the life of luxury. They are only seen with laptops about (Yahoo boys rings in my head). He goes ahead to say they must be doing something illegal. I asked if these men he talked about are legally in the country and he said he is not sure. Until that moment, I never thought of Kenya as a destination for Yahoo boys. Legal work but not internet fraud haven, I guess I was wrong.<br />
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Next was Kenyan women’s love Nigerian and Congolese men. He talks about how our men and Congolese men spend heavily on Kenyan women. For the men it is no strings attached but the women fall for the sweet words and money. Kenya men are then held on unreasonable thresholds and usually cannot measure up, leading to miserable relationships and resentment towards Nigerian and Congolese men (South African men also complain about our men stealing their women).<br />
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<b>Accommodation</b><br />
I had two hosts, one I got on CouchSurfing and the other an AIESEC alumni who was introduced to me by a very good friend. I opted to stay with the AIESEC alumni and spent a night at CouchSurfing host's apartment.<br />
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<b>What I did/Saw</b><br />
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I slept all through the night of my first day in Nairobi.<br />
As in I crashed, all the waka in Pretoria the day before and walk around trying to figure out my boarding gate at the Johannesburg airport following last minute change by Kenya Airways left me exhausted. After dinner, I just went to sleep and slept all through the most part of the next day.<br />
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQDwPFOBeGJ/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">So minus the safari, Nairobi is just like Lagos with its traffic, potholes, smell and all. City Centre- Marina Rest of the neighbourhood- Mile 2/Oshodi/Mushin Some part: GRA, Ikeja.</a></div>
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A post shared by Lara A' (@lhararom) on <time datetime="2017-02-03T17:57:46+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 3, 2017 at 9:57am PST</time></div>
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I finally dragged myself to the city center and found my way to my Couchsurfing host's apartment on the other side of town. I met her at the hospital where she took her Canadian friend who was ill to. Public hospital doctors where on strike all over the country and everyone had to resort to the private clinics. I spent the night at her place and we all got talking on our travel experiences. The Canadian started travelling last October and had been to 22 countries as at when I met him. His illness and the rain which fell the night before I arrived had set his trip back by 2 days. He left for Mombasa the night I left the house, and would continue on to Tanzania, South Africa and a host of other countries.<br />
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The first tourist destination I visited was the <b>Giraffe Center </b>after I left my Couchsurfing host's apartment on Friday.<br />
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<b><br /></b>Later that night, I met with my friend Mutembei who I met in India at Sierra lounge, located in a mall called Yaya Centre. He was meeting with his friends from the organization he worked with before he left to Japan for his MBA. From Sierra lounge we moved to Kiza club (rumored to be owned by a Nigerian). I could swear I saw "Patoranking" coming out of the elevator, if it wasn't him then I was imagining things.<br />
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I told everyone who asked that I wouldn't go for the Safari. The Ijebu blood in me was using head to calculate $$. My friend asked how I would fly into 2 safari nations and not visit a park. I finally agreed to visit one along with my new friends over drinks at Kiza. $43 and I got to see 3 of the big 5 at the <b>Nairobi National Park</b>.<b> </b><br />
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We visited the <b>David Sheldrick orphanage</b> for baby elephants.<br />
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Lunch was at the <b>Karen Blixen Museum. </b>I had tea and samosa with another friend Diana (also from India) at the Java house in Hurlingham that evening. I was full from lunch and could not even finish the samosa. I got a call from Mutembei asking if I was up for dinner. Shebi I should jejely say no, I don't know the "alejeranju" in me that said yes. Fast forward, Diana drops me at the apartment, I immediately change my clothes and I was off to Carnivore to meet Mutembei for dinner.<br />
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<b>What I ate</b><br />
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While I stayed off food in South Africa, I didn't resist food in Kenya.<br />
I could not say no to food.<br />
I was eating everything that came my way.<br />
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My host was Vegan, so it meant I had to get food outside the apartment.<br />
She made rice and beans for me on my first night, but you know food for me is not complete without any form of protein. I gave up that no protein life the moment I stepped off Indian soil.<br />
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Out of respect for my host, I did not take any picture of any of the plenty meat I ate when I visited the restaurant Carnivore. If you are a meat lover, you must visit Carnivore. I ate crocodile, Ostrich balls, turkey, chicken, beef and lamb meat<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Pilau not Jollof Rice</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Lunch at Karen Blixen Museum</b></td></tr>
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<b>How I moved around</b><br />
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As <a href="https://taxify.eu/cities/nairobi/" target="_blank">Taxify</a> did not work in Kenya when I visited, I had to resort to Uber. I used Uber to and from the airport, to Sierra lounge, back to the apartment on both nights out and to Carnivore for dinner on my last night. Uber was way cheaper than a normal taxi in Nairobi. I also got to ride in the Matatus like a local, they only needed to give me the bus number and describe the bus-stop and I was good to go. I used the Matatu to find my Couchsurfing host's apartment and the Giraffe Centre.<br />
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<b>The weather</b><br />
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Following the rain the night before I arrived, Nairobi was pretty warm. The nights were a little cold, I didn't have a sweater on most night which is one thing I regretted not having.<br />
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One thing I have been doing lately on most of my trip is actually to allow myself enjoy the moment. I take less pictures while travelling now. There was no pictures taken from my time in the clubs (Sierra lounge and Kiza) and also dinner at Carnivore. I was having fun actually interacting with everyone around me to even remember to take pictures. Also I am respecter of personal space, I didn't want to encroach on people by taking pictures when they might not be interested in taking one.<br />
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I really enjoyed my time in Nairobi and would definitely be visiting again. Account just needs to balance sha.<br />
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<b>What do you think of Kenya?</b></div>
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<b> Have you been to Kenya? What was your experience like? Would you recommend it?</b></div>
<br />
♥Lara</div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-11431367625607969252017-03-19T18:34:00.001+01:002017-04-10T22:07:31.655+01:00 How to successfully apply for Kenya E-Visa from Nigeria<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Prior to 1st September 2015, visitors to Kenya could get visa on arrival at the port of entry.<br />
<br />
What this means is that you could board a plane with only your ticket, evidence of accommodation reservation and only $50 dollars for visa at the border. The only comma to this is that you can be refused entry if the border officer is not convinced that you will not end up a liability to the Republic.<br />
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The Kenyan Department of Immigration Services launched www.evisa.go.ke which effective from 1 September 2015 allows visitors to Kenya apply for visa online prior to arrival without having to visit a Kenyan High Commission/Embassy, or obtain the visa on arrival.<br />
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Visitors are still allowed to apply for visas via the Kenyan High Commission/embassy and on arrival. The application process is pretty much straight forward.<br />
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<b><u>How to apply</u></b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Visit www.evisa.go.ke;</li>
<li>Click on Create an account;</li>
<li>Create account as EVisa visitor;</li>
<li>Fill registration form with required information.;</li>
<li>Upon submission, check your email to "Activate your eCitizen Account";</li>
<li>Click on activation link in email to activate your account;</li>
<li>Once Logged in, Select Department of Immigration services "Get service now";</li>
<li>Select Make application;</li>
<li>Select Kenyan Visa;</li>
<li>Select the type of visa (Single Entry Visa) and read the instructions carefully;</li>
<li>Complete the application form - please note that incomplete applications will be rejected and you will lose your processing fees;</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>You will need a scan of your passport data page (with your name, date of birth and other information).</li>
<li>You will need to re-upload your passport photo.</li>
<li>Your flight itinerary. </li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>Pay the sum of $51 ($50 for Visa and $1 for service charge) using Mastercard, Visa card, and other debit/credit cards.</li>
</ul>
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<b><u>What next</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Processing turnaround time is a minimum of 2 business days (my visa was issued on the 3rd day which was a Saturday).</li>
<li>Await approval via email (I never got one, check your eCitizen account instead)</li>
<li>When your approval status changes to "issued", it means you have a visa.</li>
<li>Download and print the eVisa from your eCitizen account.</li>
<li>Present your printed eVisa to the immigration officer at the port of entry.</li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u>Points to note</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Visa processing fee is non-refundable.</li>
<li>A visa to Kenya once approved and issued is valid for travel within 3 months.</li>
<li>Approval and issuance of the visa does not guarantee entry into Kenya</li>
<li>Engaging in any form of business or employment without a requisite permit or pass is an offence.</li>
<li>Details of hotels and applicants telephone numbers are necessary for security and emergency purposes.</li>
<li>You don't have to complete your application at once, the system allows visitors to save his/her application and continue with process at own time.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
In need of further information please go to <a href="http://evisa.go.ke/evisa-faqs.html" target="_blank">E-visa FAQs</a>.</div>
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Until my next post.<br />
♥Lara</div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-53136238044662317752017-03-03T20:32:00.000+01:002017-03-03T20:32:06.550+01:00Events in the City: JamesonConnectNG<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So last Saturday, I got to attend a Lagos event. </div>
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It was a Jameson whiskey event tagged the #JamesonConnectNG. To be honest, until I got to the venue I had no idea Jameson was a drinks brand not to talk about the fact that it is a whiskey brand.<br />
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How did I get the tickets, one of the travel bloggers in a WhatsApp group I belong to asked if anyone was interested in attending a Jameson event and I just said yes. I had a free Saturday and I wasn't ready to spend it at my mom's.<br />
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Fast forward event day, I only dragged myself out of the house because I had the tickets for all four of us that were to attend the event.<br />
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I would have so given myself a knock on the head if I missed this event. I totally enjoyed myself. I was finally able to put a face to some of the travel bloggers I have been chatting with on the group in the last 3 to 4 months. I also got to do some Jumia Alumni reunion with fellow ex-staff I met the event.<br />
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I had a great time and almost didn't want to go home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Funmi Ajala and I</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zainab Fashion of Zeegoes and Chiamaka, Social Prefect.</td></tr>
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Until my next post, thank you for reading always.<br />
♥Lara</div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-63801649488622659172017-02-27T11:30:00.000+01:002017-03-19T17:18:47.682+01:00How to successfully apply for South Africa Visitor Visa from Nigeria<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I hate visa applications.<br />
But unfortunately, due to the diplomatic relationship of our beloved country with other nations, we have no choice but to apply for visas to plenty countries.<br />
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Visa applications can be so exhausting especially with some of the ridiculous demands and worse despite all the troubles, the application will now be rejected.<br />
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I know how I was discouraged from applying for the South Africa visa, I was told there were more cases of visa rejection than approvals. South Africa visa application from Nigeria doesn’t have to be a hustle if you follow the instructions and honestly provide all required information.<br />
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<b>How to apply</b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Download the application form <a href="http://www.vfsglobal.com/southafrica/nigeria/pdf/BI-84-010516.pdf">BI-84</a> for Short term/Visitor Visa only; for a long-term visa, you are to download the <a href="http://www.vfsglobal.com/southafrica/nigeria/pdf/DHA-1738-010516.pdf">DHA-1738 Form 8</a>. </li>
<li>Fill the form in <b>CAPITAL </b>letters and <b>BLACK</b> biro only completely without leaving blanks. Write N/A in fields which are not applicable to you. </li>
<li>The Checklist below details the required document you are to submit along with your application form. </li>
</ul>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Please note that only coloured photocopies are accepted.</li>
<li>If a friend is hosting/inviting you, he/she should also send you a Letter of invitation.</li>
<li>If self-employed, attach documents of ownership and a draft letter stating so. </li>
<li>If you are a student, ensure you attach a letter of introduction from your institution of study.</li>
<li>You do not have to make pre-paid hotel bookings, there are a number of hotels which allow you make a reservation without payment.</li>
</ol>
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<b>Where to Submit your application</b><br />
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Applicants are required to submit their Visa applications (form and all required documents) personally at the VFS South Africa Visa Application centres in Lagos (Plot 110, Admiral Ayinla Way, Opposite Treasure Garden Estate Third Roundabout, Lekki Phase I), Abuja (No. 38, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2) or Port Harcourt (Vineyard Shopping Centre, 88 Woji Road, GRA). There is a limit to the number of applications accepted daily.<br />
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<b>Visa Fee</b><br />
<b><br /></b> I paid 28,700 Naira when I applied for my visa in December 2016 but a friend who applied recently paid the sum of 31,310 Naira in Lagos. Prices for Abuja and Port Harcourt are slightly different. Only 8,600 Naira goes to the embassy while the rest is the administrative fee for VFS. You can never be too sure of the exact amount until you get to the VFS centre. Visa application fee and services fee is paid at the bank teller counter situated inside the VFS Centre.<br />
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<b>What next?</b><br />
<br />
South Africa Visa processing turnaround time is a minimum of 5 working days from the submission date. I got my visa 15 working days after submission, but a friend got her passport back within 10 working days.<br />
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You can track your visa application online by entering your Reference Number and your Date of Birth <a href="http://www.vfsglobal.com/southafrica/nigeria/track_1.html">here</a>. I had to track mine because I never received any SMS from the VFS Centre meanwhile my passport was already with them for two days before I went there.<br />
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For collection, you will be required to come along with the pink copy of the receipt you were given when you submitted your application.<br />
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For more Information, you can visit the <a href="http://www.vfsglobal.com/southafrica/nigeria/">VFS Website</a><br />
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All the best with your application.<br />
Bon voyage!<br />
<br />
<b>Related Posts:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2017/02/72-hours-in-johannesburg-and-pretoria.html" target="_blank">72 Hours in Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa</a><br />
<a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2017/02/the-road-to-south-africa.html" target="_blank">The road to South Africa</a><br />
<br />
Until my next post.<br />
♥Lara</div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-5405004093914788062017-02-21T11:45:00.003+01:002017-02-24T22:32:50.197+01:0072 Hours in Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Mall of Africa</b></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
So after all the entry drama, which I shared in my last post, <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2017/02/the-road-to-south-africa.html">the road to South Africa</a>...I finally got my 72 hours in South Africa. How did I end up leaving Nigeria just to spend 72 hours in South Africa?</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
1) I paid for the ticket which I used in applying for my Kenyan E-Visa because flight fare had gone up by the time I was finally ready to pay.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
2) Fear, let me just say it was only one person who I met on the <a href="http://www.molarabrown.com/2017/01/accra-with-irinng.html">Irin-ajo trip to Accra</a> who assured me I had nothing to fear by visiting South Africa. Almost everyone else fueled the fire of fear in me, even those who currently live in the country. At some point, I almost canceled the South African part of the trip.<br />
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<b>What I did/Saw:</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KWkQhT4wgww/WKt01rNnD9I/AAAAAAAAQpE/PAbExY80e-IQfmdNSNZCvkPcJLOM6MbpQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KWkQhT4wgww/WKt01rNnD9I/AAAAAAAAQpE/PAbExY80e-IQfmdNSNZCvkPcJLOM6MbpQCLcB/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mall of Africa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ySIecyWUTWM/WKt2qkmoGNI/AAAAAAAAQpU/a5ivNM7ZLg4WTdM2yKoTe-wAOMiy2a4JgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ySIecyWUTWM/WKt2qkmoGNI/AAAAAAAAQpU/a5ivNM7ZLg4WTdM2yKoTe-wAOMiy2a4JgCLcB/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mall of Africa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t70LHejS9vA/WKt33qSsZsI/AAAAAAAAQpg/9T6ShZsXEbw06D9DOEIsduGG1HQNoMAOACLcB/s1600/DSC_0116.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t70LHejS9vA/WKt33qSsZsI/AAAAAAAAQpg/9T6ShZsXEbw06D9DOEIsduGG1HQNoMAOACLcB/s400/DSC_0116.NEF" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhodes Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xcyty5F9WEU/WKt5XWn25nI/AAAAAAAAQps/z1H0HpDfKqopmoNPtF9YTNECOY0eaxeWQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0265.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xcyty5F9WEU/WKt5XWn25nI/AAAAAAAAQps/z1H0HpDfKqopmoNPtF9YTNECOY0eaxeWQCLcB/s400/DSC_0265.NEF" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandela House, Soweto</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDqqlhUloGc/WKt8dZB7wrI/AAAAAAAAQp4/_ov1uYQZLlwZuMF9H5ltiI_WrNEs-4yrgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0269.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDqqlhUloGc/WKt8dZB7wrI/AAAAAAAAQp4/_ov1uYQZLlwZuMF9H5ltiI_WrNEs-4yrgCLcB/s400/DSC_0269.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soweto</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_HVDDzmAMEQ/WKt9Aigc96I/AAAAAAAAQp8/A82oPl2mA-EmCqygL8Yia0VkCMWabNoHwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0299.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_HVDDzmAMEQ/WKt9Aigc96I/AAAAAAAAQp8/A82oPl2mA-EmCqygL8Yia0VkCMWabNoHwCLcB/s400/DSC_0299.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Union Building, Pretoria</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TF2NriFc-3s/WKuOtwTwHgI/AAAAAAAAQrU/MgCMrV_JdhUPHqnyxxqAquh_HlhWOMe0gCEw/s1600/20170131_105629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TF2NriFc-3s/WKuOtwTwHgI/AAAAAAAAQrU/MgCMrV_JdhUPHqnyxxqAquh_HlhWOMe0gCEw/s400/20170131_105629.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">University of Pretoria, Hatfield</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X9aQ_Hp6H4g/WKuQkVxvfBI/AAAAAAAAQrs/4H1mP03GUyExi4fCAGKyFjDtPJT2Z7YzwCLcB/s1600/20170131_162906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X9aQ_Hp6H4g/WKuQkVxvfBI/AAAAAAAAQrs/4H1mP03GUyExi4fCAGKyFjDtPJT2Z7YzwCLcB/s400/20170131_162906.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CBD, Johannesburg</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RoufmL3sv8w/WKuPzx9F7NI/AAAAAAAAQrg/zj-hT7d981U3T7aoWe5QgdfAACY1GWwHQCLcB/s1600/20170131_122740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RoufmL3sv8w/WKuPzx9F7NI/AAAAAAAAQrg/zj-hT7d981U3T7aoWe5QgdfAACY1GWwHQCLcB/s400/20170131_122740.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretoria</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHTCOIvLO18/WKuQHMcK7GI/AAAAAAAAQrk/FSlZ3Iy2WW0b6MQ1NfPKBwgxRMhQ8_z6ACLcB/s1600/20170131_123504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jHTCOIvLO18/WKuQHMcK7GI/AAAAAAAAQrk/FSlZ3Iy2WW0b6MQ1NfPKBwgxRMhQ8_z6ACLcB/s400/20170131_123504.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretoria</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-MeJ8kS0uo/WKt9kaiarLI/AAAAAAAAQqE/PUuub_4wrrURSX9TsshHEdNT8W_bbxYqgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0397.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B-MeJ8kS0uo/WKt9kaiarLI/AAAAAAAAQqE/PUuub_4wrrURSX9TsshHEdNT8W_bbxYqgCLcB/s400/DSC_0397.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandton City</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DRM9nNDf7M/WKt97VeHusI/AAAAAAAAQqI/w9-rWmLQ860gSAiTPfVrbQm2Dxy_54d8QCLcB/s1600/DSC_0396.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DRM9nNDf7M/WKt97VeHusI/AAAAAAAAQqI/w9-rWmLQ860gSAiTPfVrbQm2Dxy_54d8QCLcB/s400/DSC_0396.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandton City</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c1yDeldNGpw/WKuFH6CSYGI/AAAAAAAAQq8/QsGnUdcGNX0g5JpGdJcsXBjGHq6dr7pZgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0410.NEF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c1yDeldNGpw/WKuFH6CSYGI/AAAAAAAAQq8/QsGnUdcGNX0g5JpGdJcsXBjGHq6dr7pZgCLcB/s400/DSC_0410.NEF" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monte Casino</td></tr>
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I pretty much realized how little time I had the moment I stepped into Johannesburg. I tried to see as much I could while there. The rain which fell the next morning after I arrived, did not help matters. </div>
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Luckily for me, my high school friend agreed to drive me down to Soweto. He has been living in South Africa for almost 5 years minus the 2 years he spent in South Korea and has never been to the Mandela house or any of the tourist destinations in the country. </div>
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I sadly did not get to see the Apartheid Musuem, Maboneng and Consititution Hill as I expected.</div>
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<b>Accommodation</b>:<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CX8X_cKOoFI/WKt_W9PXGdI/AAAAAAAAQqY/Xb67re_hQyknE-TM3O1TeHcl2Ods5J5wwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CX8X_cKOoFI/WKt_W9PXGdI/AAAAAAAAQqY/Xb67re_hQyknE-TM3O1TeHcl2Ods5J5wwCLcB/s400/DSC_0016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsqRidCEOzc/WKt_s4XVWbI/AAAAAAAAQqc/-JQ-9kfg0Oc4QNiLkAbs6mtFwpfr24TMQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0017.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rsqRidCEOzc/WKt_s4XVWbI/AAAAAAAAQqc/-JQ-9kfg0Oc4QNiLkAbs6mtFwpfr24TMQCLcB/s400/DSC_0017.NEF" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EE1gj6ZzV8Y/WKuAQp-3XSI/AAAAAAAAQqk/R2HSuVoSTVAyKusn1CUN_fNsqJHhYOPvQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0023.NEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EE1gj6ZzV8Y/WKuAQp-3XSI/AAAAAAAAQqk/R2HSuVoSTVAyKusn1CUN_fNsqJHhYOPvQCLcB/s400/DSC_0023.NEF" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
So I rented a Orchid room in a Victorian House, the Kensington area of Johannesburg on <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/" target="_blank">airbnb</a>. The neighborhood pretty much gave the European vibe and was pretty quiet. The main house is occuppied by 3 permanent housemates. </div>
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The two men (Anthony and Maku) were from the DRC and have been living in South Africa for a while. I enjoyed my night time conversations with them. We talked about everything, from religion to our varying culture and economy, finding love, Boko Haram, their experience living in South Africa. Maku runs a foundation and hopes to meet Tony Elumelu someday. </div>
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The third housemate is a white lady whose name I can't remember now. The first thing she said to me when we met was that she hope I did not come down to South Africa to settle down, for if I have come to settle, she would advise me to go back home. I kind of found that weird and over reaching, like what if I had actually relocated, that wasn't a nice thing to say to anyone at first meet. </div>
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I am not really sure where she said she was from, I assumed she was Polish or German but I think she is a white South African or has always lived in South Africa all her life. She moved into the house 3 days before I visited. We chatted briefly whenever we met but nothing deep. I could tell she preferred to always be alone and I never went beyond the cordial hello, hi, how was your day compliment. She was nice enough to borrow me her umbrella when I visited Rhodes Park and gave me advise to be really careful at the park. </div>
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<b><b>What I ate:</b></b></div>
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So when my friend asked me if I would like to try South African food, I gladly said yes.</div>
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We went to a "buka" behind the complex his shop was located in the CBD area.<br />
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Let's just say I could not wrap my head around eating this "semo" like food with coleslaw and all the other things inside this plate. I tried my best and swallowed a few wraps. I just told them to pack it for me, because the meat was too good to throw away. </div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BP5u44rhop0/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Lara A' (@lhararom)</a> on <time datetime="2017-01-30T20:33:35+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 30, 2017 at 12:33pm PST</time></div>
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Asides from this attempt, I pretty much stayed off their food food.<br />
I had burger and chips on my first day. Had chips and fish fillet, the chip was quite soggy sha when I visited Pretoria.<br />
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Asides from these, I survived on Fanta, biscuit and the "minimie" chinchin which followed me from Nigeria.<br />
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><b> How I moved around</b>:<br />
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I took the <a href="http://www.gautrain.co.za/" target="_blank">Gautrain</a> from the CBD to get to Pretoria and Sandton City. My airbnb housemate gave me his card which saved me a few rands. Asides from the confusion when we had to change trains because the one we got in from CBD developed a fault, it was pretty much a good ride. But it was annoying having to change platforms like 3 times, watch trains stop and zoom off without picking up any passenger and finally getting a train and having to stand because it was full.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--DVpXJIIkaI/WKuOd6jq7CI/AAAAAAAAQrQ/fgkGc30wv7MxViFFzz9KgwBu43SpItmbQCLcB/s1600/20170131_092121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--DVpXJIIkaI/WKuOd6jq7CI/AAAAAAAAQrQ/fgkGc30wv7MxViFFzz9KgwBu43SpItmbQCLcB/s400/20170131_092121.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The train was pretty much a good ride and way cheaper than taking a taxi. It reminds me of the trains in Germany. Foods and drinks are not allowed on the platform and on the train. It was one lady that called my attention to this while I was obliviously eating my chips on the platform.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VdGPeSQp5FwcvyQHAbvz_c2FiuBW5DWXnTGtFoa8NcqxfmUhyphenhyphendbOluvstiZsEdrfJYpqIpwFH0hXZUuaq2bGh1xyfpqWrkZR5PbEu05PbU3mDk_TJUYVS1Rvwe0xoOteJRrO7KU3p_k/s1600/20170131_115133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VdGPeSQp5FwcvyQHAbvz_c2FiuBW5DWXnTGtFoa8NcqxfmUhyphenhyphendbOluvstiZsEdrfJYpqIpwFH0hXZUuaq2bGh1xyfpqWrkZR5PbEu05PbU3mDk_TJUYVS1Rvwe0xoOteJRrO7KU3p_k/s320/20170131_115133.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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My friend's sister and her husband picked me up from the airport. My friend also drove me to Soweto. I took the bus to the CBD from my airbnb apartment on my way to Pretoria. The public transport (bus) is not so easy to assess, I had to take a long walk before I found the bus station.<br />
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<a href="https://taxify.eu/cities/johannesburg/" target="_blank">Taxify</a> was also my go to app for movement around the city. I used it to get from the Pretoria Gautrain station to the union buildings. Also from the CBD to my airbnb apartment when I lost my way trying to find my friend's shop. It was also my ride to the airport on my way out of Johannesburg. I say never underestimate the power of these apps.<br />
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<b>The weather</b>:<br />
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So before I left Nigeria, I asked two of my friends living in South Africa about the weather and all I heard was that it is very hot, summer hot in short. So I really did not pay attention to the weather forecast. Alas, my second day in Johannesburg and there was rain. The weather was pretty much cool all through my time there, and I had to buy a sweater at some point. </div>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BP4RbD9BaBo/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">So someone forgot to tell me to prepare for the rain. #Johannesburg</a></div>
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A post shared by Lara A' (@lhararom) on <time datetime="2017-01-30T06:56:52+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 29, 2017 at 10:56pm PST</time></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
With the recent renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa, I would most likely have cancelled my trip. Because it was one of the fears I had that what if I got caught in the midst of it all. Yeah I found South Africa to be beautiful and way more organized and I can understand the reason why our people would rather be there than be back home in Nigeria. Their system works, they have good roads and there is stable electricity. They only have to worry about creating more employment opportunities and conducive business environment for entrepreneurs.</div>
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But I am not sure I want to live in an environment where I will always have to sleep with one eye, always watch my back and might lose everything I worked hard for because some citizens feel threatened by my presence in their country.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>What do you think of South Africa?</b></div>
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<b style="text-align: center;">Have you been to South Africa? What was your experience like? Would you recommend it?</b></div>
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Stay tuned to more posts on my adventures.</div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><span style="color: purple;"> ♥</span>Lara</div>
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Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261392446775961990.post-2876802592331694462017-02-12T11:19:00.001+01:002017-02-12T11:19:38.327+01:00The road to South Africa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--u0CtlF9grI/WJ6wPS1MSuI/AAAAAAAAQoA/2CGGJZ9DmHMUkpUL0u0MS7P0qYjfdSloACLcB/s1600/SA%2BVisa.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--u0CtlF9grI/WJ6wPS1MSuI/AAAAAAAAQoA/2CGGJZ9DmHMUkpUL0u0MS7P0qYjfdSloACLcB/s320/SA%2BVisa.png" width="320" /></a><br />
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So the conversation to visit South Africa began in November 2016 with my friend Mosun. My initial plan was a West African road trip to Benin Republic-Togo-Ghana all the way to Ivory Coast. She suggested South Africa or Rwanda, finally we settled for South Africa. We started gathering visa application information, a travel agent was charging 160 thousand for visa alone and could not guarantee a visa.<br />
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I reached out to Amara of <a href="http://travelwithapen.com/" target="_blank">Travel with a Pen</a> who directed me to her post on South African visa application and who was available to answer all my questions regarding the visa application process.</div>
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I got all required documents and submitted my visa application on the 18th of November, 2016 at the VFS Centre in Lekki. I picked my visa from the VFS centre 15 working days later (8 December, 2016). By this time, my friend Mosun has already decided she would no longer be going on the trip.</div>
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Before my South African visa was ready, I also already made a decision to add Kenya to my itinerary. The weekend before I got my visa, I visited a wakanow office in Lekki and I got a ticket for about 158 thousand Naira but because I wasn't sure I would get a visa due to all the gist of embassy denying visa applications, I decided not to pay for the ticket. I found out in the office that Kenya had an e-visa option and it was advised I get the E-visa to avoid entry issues.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFR0rCn-nEY/WJiw1xNWXiI/AAAAAAAAQlk/fATc63LMag47d9S8avFD6zUszj57QQBKACLcB/s1600/20170128_105628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFR0rCn-nEY/WJiw1xNWXiI/AAAAAAAAQlk/fATc63LMag47d9S8avFD6zUszj57QQBKACLcB/s400/20170128_105628.jpg" width="223" /></a><br />
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I got in touch with the lady the moment I got my visa to get me a ticket for December and by the time she got back to me, price had gone up to 176 thousand. I checked with friends and was ready to make payment, I was on my way to the bank to make payment when I realized my trip in and out of Johannesburg was in the middle of the night. With all the gist about South Africa, I wasn't about to take any stupid risk and be moving around in the middle of the night. I called lady and requested for a change if possible, madam cancelled the ticket and was only getting tickets for over 200k, least was 199 thousand. I wasn't ready to part away with such amount for ticket (budget traveler alert), in short I more or less gave up on going on the trip. A week after, </div>
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I was talking to a friend who suggested I check January flight fares, the fares were looking reasonable. I then decided to apply for my Kenya E-visa which took another 3 days and made reservation on Kenya airways as it was a requirement for visa application. By the time my e-visa was approved, prices for my preferred dates were up to 199 thousand and above again.</div>
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The trip to Johannesburg was finally confirmed on the 19th of December when I paid for my flight fare. </div>
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I didn't want to stay in an hotel, this is largely due to the fact that I was travelling solo and all the stories about how tourists are followed from the airport to their hotels and mugged wasn't helping matters. I booked a room on <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/6440727" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> and was all set for my trip.</div>
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Fast forward to my departure date, I departed Lagos for Nairobi aboard the Kenya Airways flight to Nairobi. The flight was uneventful asides from the horrible landing by the pilot at the Cotonou airport and the struggle in-flight food. My seat partner is a Nigerian who has been travelling since 1997, he is currently based in Malawi, deported from Germany and has been to all West African countries. He was surprised I was only travelling for vacation, did not believe I was not going to meet a man or for business. The man next to him is Ghanaian who was living and working in Nairobi and has not been home in years.</div>
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I had an 11 hours over night stop-over in Nairobi. Java House's Iced Latte and Ngugi wa Thiog'o's A Grain of Wheat kept me company through the night. </div>
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Our flight for Johannesburg did not depart the next morning 1.30 mins after the scheduled departure time. We finally landed at the O. R. Tambo International Airport for 11 am (South African Time).</div>
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So drama started with my airbnb reservation, immigration officer started with the amount I paid for . accommodation. I paid $48 in total and dude has never heard of airbnb. He asked if accommodation was pre-paid or will be post paid, I replied in the former. He proceeds to call my host's number and when the number did not connect at first ring, he said he would have to refuse me entry. I told him, called the number from Nigeria before I was allowed to board the plane in Nigeria, so how come it is not going through in his own country.</div>
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The number finally connects and it is the house manager who picks up. So my host is a Belgian who once lived and bought a house in Johannesburg. The house is managed by a South African name Manesi who only gets name of guests and the days to be spent in the house. She has no idea how much was paid or my passport No (actually airbnb doesn't have this information). So immigration guy says he is going to have to deny me entry because Manesi does not have this information, She told him the room goes for 250 rand per night and according to Forex exchange rate for the day, that was not correct. He also raised an issue with the way my name was spelt on airbnb, I used Lara instead of Omolara as stated on my passport. </div>
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I spent over 10 mins explaining that the name is accurate and Lara is just a short form of "Omolara" and this long explanation on how airbnb works. Oga sha still insists on refusing me entry. He said he will issue me a refusal and also give me a 10 year ban. By this time, I was exhausted, hungry and tired. I called my friend's sister who was supposed to pick me up at the airport and explained the situation to her. I was already thinking in my head, how I will just go back to Kenya and see if I could enter on my visa which was valid from the 31st of January or worse get to pay for another visa.</div>
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She insisted on talking to him and told him to explain what exactly the problem was. He told his long story and she told him, he could not refuse me entry simply because of the the Rand to Dollars rate for the day does not correspond with the rate as at when I paid. She also told him that if he needed to confirm any more information about my accommodation, he is free to go to the address for further confirmation, After a lot of back and forth, 30 minutes after I landed, oga finally stamped me in and allowed me entry in the Sun City.<br />
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Until my next post.</div>
<span style="color: magenta;">♥ </span>Lara </div>
Molara Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com12