blog
Top Places to Visit in Cote D’Ivoire
Grab a seat, pour hot chocolate, balanced well then shockingly, Tea spilt I’m not even crying because that’s what I am here to do anyways, Spill the tea for y’all. If you follow me on other platforms then you will have a visual representation of all the attractions I’m about to list here. if you’re not I will indulge you to do, so you can make a more informed decision if it’s worth the visit for you or not: WATCH INSTAGRAM HIGHLIGHTS CLICK TO WATCH ON YOUTUBE There are several places to see in Cote D’Ivoire and while I spent more days in the city than expected because a sister gotta rest, I have put together a good Itinerary for you. DOWNLOAD HERE PLACES TO VISIT IN ABIDJAN ( Commercial Capital) I had my host drove me around town to visit the tourist site on the plateau. This is the commercial hub of Cote D’Ivoire Places to see: All within a walking distance or a few miles apart: The Cathedral The Mosiac: The mosque A walking tour of the plateau Take a boat to experience the boat ride around the city. The Museum: To learn about their culture & their history. Bushman Cafe A day Visit to Yamoussoukro. About 3-4 hours drive from Abidjan is the administrative capital of Cote D’Ivoire, Yamoussoukro which is rather known for this gem within the city: THE NOTRE DOME Basilica; Our Lady of Peace. The Biggest church in the world. Visit Grand Bassam & Assini Mafia Grand Bassam & Assini are popular know for the beaches. Assini which stood out for it’s lagoon & beach view is one of the most talked-about islands in the country. A walking tour of Grand Bassam historical street… Relax at Grandbasam Beach Head to Assini! ENJOY THE BEACH Take a boat cruise from the lagoon to the beach. MAN { The city of Eighteen Mountains} I took a 10 hours bus ride trip to Man to go chase waterfall. Man is known for the beautiful le cascade the Man (waterfall) and the Mountains. It’s the most mountainous city in Cote D’Ivoire.. And if you know me well, you will know hiking and waterfall is my absolute travel weakness. Unfortunately for me, the waterfall didn’t fall. It was a sad experience traveling that far only to realize it’s a seasonal waterfall and it best pour only during the rainy season. places to visit; Le cascade the man waterfall ( best visit during rain season) The monkey forest ( totally worth it) Hike the Mount Toukpi ( totally worth the view) Experience other things in the City Take walks, experience night live, go shopping at Trcehville, Would you love to visit Ivory Coast soon. I have put together a well detailed guide to help you plan and navigate your trip with ease. I went through some of the stress so you don’t have to go through them. For shikini money of N3,500 or $7 you can pre-order this guide and be the first 20 to have it your mailbox. Now that all travel bans by road is now lifted, It’s the best time to invest in this guide. STEAL MY ITINERARY Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Click here PRE-ORDER Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Click here Write you soon Alarinka cares.
Ivory Coast | Travel guide, tips, & Requirements
•Currency: XOF•Language: French•Colonized: France•Independence: 1960•How to get in from Nigeria•By Road or By Air•Visa Requirement: Visa-free for NigeriansCovid 19: Requirement: 42 hours PCR TestTwo jabs of vaccination& Yellow Fever Card. Cote d’Ivoire isn’t one of those countries that get tourists and travel operators planning trips to year in year out. I mean, if you’re not adventurous and looking into exploring every country in the world, Cotedivoire may never cut the top must-visit countries in the world. I didn’t grow up knowing a lot about the continents and the maps outside the basics that have been taught in Geography and & Government classes in elementary school but travelling has indeed been the best teacher to learning about my continent Africa. Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d’Ivoire, officially the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, is a country on the southern coast of West Africa. Political capital is Yamoussoukro in the center of the country; while its largest city and economic center is the port city of Abidjan. {Source Wikipedia} Other countries to visit that border the Ivory Coast is.Guinea to the NorthwestLiberia to the westMali to northwestBurkina Faso to NortheastGhana to the east. Other local indigenous languages are also widely used, including Bete, Baoule, Dioula, Dan, Any etc. My first week In Abidjan, the Ivory Coast wasn’t all that fun, I thought as a solo traveler, I could survive anywhere alone, but sadly, it’s not the case in Cote d’Ivoire. The language barrier made it unbearable and it’s by luck I was connected to someone who could understand English and speak a bit of it. Hence, If you don’t understand French, exploring or enjoying Ivory Coast might be more of a Stress than a Holiday. Is Côte D’Ivoire worth the Visit? Absolutely Yes, if you’re adventurous and you love the adrenaline rush of new experiences, then you would enjoy it there. The country has a lot to offer across the region from Nature, of Art, in culture, history and fun nightlife. You just have to know how to find it. There is little information about tourist attractions in Cotedivoire On the media.Check out the Edgar page for inspiration. Things you need to get on Arrival • SIM cards & Data: Popular sims to get are Orange & MTN SIM cards.. It cost 500CFA to get a sim and data subscriptions varies. You can get within the city and register with your passport. Location: Abidjan mall. • Money Exchange: You can either exchange at the Airport or Border ( At the time of this post the Land border to Ivory Coast is closed) Banking System: The popular banking system in Ivory Coast is Mobile money , same as Ghana. MONEY:Currency: XOF: Francs They spend the same currency with the Benin Republic and if you’re travelling from Nigeria, the Conversation rate is 1naira to 1CFA at the time of this post. One currency might be favoring another, depending on your country note and exchange value at the time of your travel. Meanwhile, It’s important to note that exploring Cotedivoire, isn’t Inexpensive. Accommodations from hotels to Airbnb are unjustifiably expensive, ranging from N150, 000 to N60, 000 per Night for a 5-star to 2 star hotels. And Airbnb can range from $50 per night. Transportation Within the Country.There are various means to move around in the country: Ride-hailing App: Yango might be your best option if you don’t understand French and can’t easily navigate the city on your own. Yellow Cab: This is the country yellow bus in Lagos. Cheap, move from different stopsPrices from 100 Franc- 500 Franc Red Taxi: This is the yellow taxi in Lagos. Way more expensive than yellow cabs and Yango combined. Either you put your bargaining barge on, or you avoid them. BRT & Boats: There are several buses and port stations in the country, especially in Abidjan Plateau. This is the central business hub Prices ranges from 300 Franc to 500 Franc Boat & BRT respectively. You can take the boats to other districts of the country like Yopougon, Yamoussoukro, Bonum. FOOD: This right here is relative. As a local Nigerian girl with varieties of food options, I struggle to survive out here in 🇨🇮 . There are limited food options and some combos that I found pretty weird.Local meals are:AchekeFoutou (which can be pounded banana, Yam or cassava)RiceAloko (which is plantain) Proteins: mostly different varieties of Fish and chicken. But their first protein option is Fish Their Sauce and soups are; Aubergine Groundnut soup Onions &onions sauce Onions and onion and onion sauce again. Then other things that you see around and have plenty of options for are Croissant (pastries) and coffee shops. Places to Visit and things to do:There are several things to see and do, culturally and nature wise. In the next post, I will be listing out things to do in each district of the country. Advice to tourists visiting:Either solo travelling or a group trip or Organizing a trip here: Learn basic French or get a local guide: You can join in on walking tours in the city or find a local tour guide via Trip Advisor. Set your budget, high: It’s better to over-plan than under budget for the trip to this country. To be on the safe side, please put your budget into consideration Have your itinerary ready: it’s easy to want to cancel all plans and just go with the flow in this country because of language barriers. Have a certain (must do & see and also leave the rest of nature. Get google translate: it’s really important. You can choose to cook your preferred choice of meal if you’re staying in an Airbnb. If you can afford to rent a car for easy commute, then by all means, do so. SECURITY :Abidjan is pretty safe to explore whilst putting basic security measures in place. You’re safe out heret in the country. Getting ready to explore Côte D’Ivoire, trust me , this is all the information you need. Check
Exploring West Africa As a budget, Nigerian Traveller.
Exploring West Africa has a budget, Nigerian Traveller. You want to travel the world and you have taken the advice of starting from your immediate environment too seriously. As a Nigerian, you know where to start from is from the neighbouring countries. You’re smart! That’s exactly where to start from. Adejoke, Whatever budget you currently have, multiply it by three. I know you might have read some posts that picture exploring West Africa as budget-friendly. I did too, and they were outdated. Here are the facts to help you better prepare. 1: Exploring West Africa is not cheap, regardless of the proximity. Before you embark on this journey. Prepare a fat budget, depending on how long you want to be on the road, and how many countries you’ll be visiting. Advice: Do two neighbouring countries at a time and take your time to explore and enjoy each country. You may or may not return there a second time, so enjoy your money once. 2: Accommodation: Unlike Nigeria, where you can easily see a hotel or motel in Lagos for N5,000 in some areas if you can find it. Out here using Ghana & Ivory Coast as a case study, you can’t get such. Advice: • Get a host if you can If not: Plan smart so you don’t have to waste extra-days if not necessary. Airbnb is your best option and you want to book ahead for better choices. 3: Data & Subscriptions: If you think MTN & Airtel Nigeria is expensive in Nigeria. Wait until you try Airtel Tigo or Orange. Data across other West-African countries are outrageously expensive. Advice: Whilst travelling, if your hotel or accommodation doesn’t come with Wi-Fi: Tell your social family you will update them when you get back home or: Set another a Fat budget for that separately. If you have to work whilst travelling: Get a data bundle that can sustain you and only use when necessary. 4: Language Barrier: This right here is on another level: Apart from Ghana, where you can still flaunt your English literacy, in other countries, moving around is a bit more difficult. Advice: • Make sure you connect with a local who understands English, that can help you around. Learn the local language basics to get you around. Like greetings, money, transportation questions. E.t.c. Get a local tour guide to help your navigating easy. Google translate: This won’t save you as much as you want to believe, because some of their French is pidgin “they can speak doesn’t mean most of the locals you’ll interact with on a daily will be to read your translation on your phone” Still have it, to learn basic and try to pronounce it well. 5: Food: There are limited food options, especially in the Francophone countries, and the Bougie Restaurant will break your neck with prices. If you’re a food explorer, you’ll do just fine. Moreover, In Ghana, There are intercontinental dishes in nice affordable restaurants but in Ivory-coast or Benin, not really. Also, street food might still not be of much help too. Advice: • If you’re staying where you can cook, Get ready to make the kind of meal you will prefer. Or else! Hunger and you will become ultimate friends. 6: Currency: Is West -Africa ready for a single currency? This is a conversation to have. But here is the truth! If you can open a dollar account and start saving for your travels in dollars. West-African currencies From Naira, Cedis and XOF values are questionable. Trust me, you don’t want to start converting back to Naira, my dear. Advice: Start saving in dollars, Request dollars from your local bank whilst travelling and exchange them at the border or with the local exchanges. Here is to debunk that travelling across West -Africa is cheap but it can be budget-friendly. Mind you, budget-friendly is relative, this is for people who are not really financially sufficient, but still want to travel .. Regardless of your income, you can still make travel plans and this is where I come in. Sharing Travel tips, advice and practical methods that have helped me travel and still helping me see the world, in respective of my income. There’s more to come from where this comes from, so stick around darling. You know I love you love always Alárìnká ♥️
First Time Flying; My Experience and Tips
I know it’s shocking right, that a 28 female traveller like myself has never boarded the plane before. Especially travelling across Nigeria without a local flight. How shocking! The gist is! When I started travelling, travelling by air was so expensive compared to road. Imagine! Lagos to Abuja is 40k by air when Bus is just 10k… OMO that 30k difference will do a lot for a budget traveller. Over time, I began to wish that my first flight would be a sponsored trip and fast forward to 2021 the opportunity came. First was an International all-expenses-paid trip to Jamaica. I was super excited and got all prepared, only to get to the airport and the flight got cancelled. It was painful but we kept the hopes high. Fast forward to 3 months later, I got an opportunity to attend a travel exhibition by Bayo Omoboriowo for his feat of travelling across the 36 States in Nigeria. I was honored to have gotten the invitation but super excited to be flying for the first time . It was a die minute invite which means I had to book the next available flight to Abuja Which limited my flight options & prices flexibility. Booked my first flight on Wakanow.com and I settled for Azman airline after reading reviews and asking dozen of questions from my experienced friends. Azman airline gave me a beautiful first flight experience that I almost wished the trip shouldn’t come to an end. ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FLYING FOR THE FIRST TIME. 1: You want to book your flight early enough if possible weeks before your travelling date. This gives room for flight choices and cheaper rates. You can check and compare flights prices on Wakanow.com, Expedia or the individual flight portal. 2: You want to get to the airport at least 3 hours before your boarding time. If you leave in Lagos boya you should leave by 4 Am for a 12 Pm Flight. 😆.factoring in Lagos traffic and whatnot 3: Check the luggage requirement so you don’t exceed the threshold and if you do, you will be paying extra fees. Luggage limit varies but about 50lb ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT 1: Once you get adhering to the Covid-19 procedures. Head straight to your airline counter to check in and get your boarding pass. 2: Once you get your boarding pass and your luggage tagged. You’ll be referred to the luggage room to confirm your luggage and if it doesn’t have any exhibit through the X-ray scan. 3: You will be directed Upstairs to the jetway. You’ll need to show your ID and boarding pass at the TSA security checkpoint. Once you’re past the initial screener, you’ll put all your carry-on luggage, along with your footwear, outerwear and anything in your pockets, in bins that are then put through an X-ray machine. While your luggage is being screened, you’ll walk through a screening machine yourself Once You’re on the Plane Put your luggage either in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you; anything you want access to during the flight should go under the seat, if possible. Before the plane takes off, buckle your seatbelt across your lap. The flight crew will walk you through the rest of your first flight adventure. MY EXPERIENCE! It was blissful, maybe because I have anticipated this day all my life that I couldn’t notice if anything was off. Take off wasn’t scary neither was landing. I have heard different stories that helped me prepared my mind. The views from the top damn!!! Dear God, I believe you exist because how do I explain the movement of the clouds giving room to a beautiful view of the earth. It was an hour flight and I was up all through taking pictures and videos for I was in awe of the beauty presented to me. In case, I decided not to travel by road again, I’m sure you can’t hold me for it oo 😆… I know this is one of many flights to come and I’m looking forward to experiencing them all. International next baby 💃.
Araromi beach; The coastline bike ride to Ondo State.
Araromi beach; The adventure through a coastline. Have you ever been on a bike journey through the shoreline to travel interstate? I have and it was spontaneous, adventurous and probably the highlight of this month adventure so far. After getting back from a trip on Tuesday, one of my media friends invited me to join her on a trip to Araromi beach. Haven’t heard about this adventure from other travel bloggers, I thought why not! The Beginning; We have read somewhere that you can journey from Lagos to Ondo using a bike via the shoreline. The only time I have seen people journeying on the coastline was at Ibeano beach, Akwa-Ibom and I constantly wondered where they were going to. Realizing I could have the same experience, steered up my excitement. The Journey and How to get there. I took a BRT from Oshodi BRT terminal 3 for about N500 to Ajah under-bridge. From there I boarded another bus going to Eleko Junction, which is on your way going to Epe for a price of N400 From Eleko Junction I boarded another bus going to Eleko beach Junction, which is a popular bus stop if you’re going to any of the beautiful beaches in the area and it cost N100. But I didn’t further into the journey until the next day because my other travel buddy had suggested we stay at Villa resort for the night. The next morning; The Day of the adventure. Beforehand, we had called one of the locals in the community to send us a direction on how to get there. Which was simply straightforward. We continued our Journey from Eleko beach Junction and took a bus headed to Folu town. Folu town is an hour journey from Eleko beach junction journeyed through the Trade zone and La-Campagne resort route, it felt like a never-ending journey because it was our first time. Arrival at Folu Town; Immediately we highlighted from the bus, we were surrounded by bike men like flies on a spilt of malt on the ground. They could tell where we were going to. Araromi Beach! they screamed at us. After back and forth we finally decided to go with two of them. Price for the bike. N4,000 for two people and N2,500 per person. Was this worth it? Stay with me. It didn’t start to make sense to me until we got to the bank of the river, the fresh smell of the ocean, the wind from the tall palm trees and the sound of fishermen at the ocean made it all a reality. Damn! I am about to go on a breezy, wavy bike ride for about 50 minutes on the shorelines. Mad interesting. After trying to wave the beach and splash of water by my bike man, we made it to the Araromi town, Ilaje community to meet our community guide. Paid off the bike men and walk through some lush green, beautiful planted palm tree, blue lakes and some well-structured farms to the open of Araromi beach view. It was a beautiful sight to behold with the long white sand in view and the almost sky bluish water. The most interesting part is seeing the different canoe belongings to fishermen at the beachside and also hearing some of them sing as they push their boat filled with fish out of the ocean. The first time I experienced such up close was in Ghana so it was a delight. Trust a bunch of travel bloggers travelling together, everybody trying to create that content while enjoying the beauty of the moment. I had a great run on the beach shoreline barefooted, I enjoyed it until I ran on the hot sand and got my feet burnt 😆. Enjoyed the view, relaxed and also curate a beautiful content for my readers/viewers. PROS: Before this trip, I had no idea that there’s such a wonder in Ondo state, we know that beaches are to Lagos has Rocks and Mountain is to Ondo, now having this discovery is an additional experience to exploring Ondo state. Tired of crowded Lagos beach and you want to experience travelling through bikes on the shoreline. Then It’s worth it. CONS: The beach surroundings are quite dirty, I was expecting something different but like every other beach, they couldn’t keep this one clean also. Hopefully, they start putting this into consideration. You have to leave early if you plan to return on the same day. Once the river is said to be filled up, driving through it is a bit difficult. Overall, it was an amazing experience for me and I think everyone should experience it. Before this post, did you know there is a beach in Ondo state? If not, would you be adding it to your bucket list?
The 9 Best 2021 Vacation Rental Apartments for Travelers In Lagos
The 9 Best 2021 Vacation Rental Apartments for Travelers In Lagos Lagos state is Nigeria’s economic/commercial hub, as well as a hotbed of potentials for viable business ideas and enterprise. It is also a place of fun, tourism and a cultural melting pot where the best of local entertainment mixes with continental enjoyment. So if you are thinking of coming to Lagos anytime soon, or if you’re already in Lagos but you need a place where you can recharge alone or with family, friends and a loved one, you should consider these 9 vacation rental apartments listed below in no particular order. 1. The Daniel’s Luxury Home If you are a traveller looking for a sophisticated vacation rental apartment in Lagos, The Daniel’s Luxury Home is among the best options for you. Even if you are a Lagosian looking for the perfect getaway in comfort and total peace of mind, this 4-bedroom home in Lekki Ikate is perfect for your needs. The Daniel’s Luxury Home is laid out in three floors, with an ultra-modern 65-inch TV in the living room, a king bed, walk through wardrobe, a 55 inch TV in its master bedroom amongst other amenities to ensure comfort and an unforgettable experience. It is a pet-friendly short let apartment that grants easy access to Admiralty road, Lekki Phase 1, and a bunch of restaurants such as Sailor’s Lounge, Circa Lagos; and other fun places like The Lekki Leisure Lake and The Nike Art Gallery. 2. The Stephens Luxury Home Embrace the comfort and total privacy of this fabulous townhouse in Lekki, Osapa. Part of the famous Shortlethomesportfolio, Stephen’s Luxurious home is the perfect haven for you if you’re looking to have a luxury home for yourself, your friends and family during your vacation. They have all the amenities to make your stay a convenient one. From functional air conditioners to washing machines, a spacious kitchen with utensils, free parking space, quality bed and soft pillows, a breath taking living room, etc. With quick access to major roads, spending time out at the finest restaurants, bars, and fun places won’t be an issue. Speaking of places to visit, The Grand Grill Cafe is close and totally worth checking out. 3. Ope’s 5 Star Short let Apartment in Ikate, Lekki This pet-friendly residence is the short let apartment in Ikate, Lekki, that travelers can go to, when they need to feel at home and to enjoy every single moment of their stay in Lagos. The hospitality at the 3-bedroom palatial apartment is top notch and the quality of their customer service is always 100%. Located close to major roads and some of the best restaurants, eateries, lounges and other attraction sites such as Brass and Copper and Lekki Leisure Lake, this short let apartment has all the hallmarks of a world-class holiday rental apartment. Their amenities include a 65-inch smart TV with Netflix in the largest room and 45inch smart TV in all other rooms, a swimming pool, games room built just for friends, a large living room diner, a very spacious kitchen with cooking utensils and a large freezer, washing machine, and 24/7 electricity and security. 4. Keji’s Luxury Home Enjoy your vacation, in super luxury and sophistication at Keji’s Luxury Home, a 3-bedroom short let apartment based in Lekki Phase 2, Osapa, Keji’s Luxury home is a haven of maximum enjoyment, world class hospitality and top notch service delivery that will make you feel so much at home. Get a taste of Lagos at close-by restaurants such as Rhapsody’sand Grind Grill Cafe, while also basking in the homeliness of the classy interior design and functional amenities provided to give you an experience to never forget. They have 24/7 power, free parking space in the facility, air conditioning system, Cable TV and Netflix, washing machine, smoke detector, comfy bed and cushy pillows, a security camera, hot tub, a pool etc. They also allow long stays of 28 days and more. 5. Tokyo’s Home Away From Home This 3-bedroom apartment is very new, super-modern, dazzling and 100% homely. It is a top-grade short let apartment in Lekki Phase 1 that speaks luxury, class and promises a lovely time. The interior design is lovely, the 3 rooms are ensuite, there is 24/7 electricity, security cameras, WiFi, daily house cleaning, a pool, anti-Covid protocol, parking space in the facility and helpful house manager to make your time pleasant and without hitches. 6. Tiara’s Luxury Home Tiara’s Luxury Home in Lekki Phase 1 is a magnificent vacation rental that you can always depend on for rest, relaxation, and access to the best of what Lagos has to offer. Perfectly located in Lekki Phase 1, it makes it easy for guests to get to attractions like The Cactus, Shiro, Landmark Beach, and a host of other restaurants offering fine dining in the area. The living arrangement has been classily put together to replicate a remarkable feeling of home even though you are far from home. Fitted with 4 beds, a refrigerator, freezer, coffee maker, a washing machine and other ultra-modern home amenities, Tiara’s Luxury Home is indeed the place to be for the best view and feel of Lagos, either for a few days or for months at a stretch. 7. Lara’s Luxury home Lara’s Luxury home is conveniently located just 4 minutes away from Four Points Hotel and 7 minutes from Landmark Beach. But what’s even better than its prime location is the ritzy interior, the plushness of its velvet chairs, while still maintaining an unmistakable feeling of home! Lara’s 5-star Luxury Home in Victoria Island is supremely classy without losing its coziness. Not many short let homes come close to its level in Lagos. Getting fine dining during your stay there won’t also be an issue as Eric Kayser, Shiro Lagos, Sugar Cane, RSVP as a host of other restaurants are just around. 8. Achikare Luxury Home Away From Home The Achikare Luxury home is located in Victoria Island, a high-brow, secure part of Lagos. It is managed by the reputable real estate moguls at Shortlethomes Ltd., who have designed the apartment and curated the