Encomium
Christmas is coming in full swing. It’s time to start planning for the holiday. Christmas comes with a lot of fun and joyfulness. The festive season is a period to spend time with loved ones, a period to take a break from work and enjoy with your family. ENCOMIUM Weekly presents a handful of interesting places to visit this season.
LEKKI CONVERSATION CENTRE
Lekki Conversation Centre is on Lekki Peninsula. If you want to get closer to biodiversity of Nigeria and the wildlife, this is a place to visit. The peninsula consists of swamp and savannah habitats. The reserve has a 1.8km nature trail, so visitors can view the reserve as they stroll through the wooden bridge. There is a 21 metre high bridge which has a tree house where you can have a panoramic view of the reserve, a visitors centre, a picnic area and children’s playground among the trees, a bird hide overlooking a swamp which is home to crocodiles and monitor lizards and a tilapia fish pond. On the trees are Mona monkeys and other species of monkeys. The open grass land is home to bush bucks, giant rats, hogs, mongoose, peacock and tortoise. There are tents made of fine woods which you can sit under. Of course, you need to take your food along. Park rangers are available to guide you through the reserve. The reserve is a beauty of nature in a world class environment. Most times visitors forget that they are still in Nigeria.
COCONUT BEACH
The Coconut Beach is a beautiful beach in the coastal town of Badagry, west of Lagos. The beach is attractively set in an area surrounded by coconut trees. It’s situated 20 miles towards the boarder of Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, accessible through the Lagos.-Badagry Expressway. The beach, which has the historical reputation of being a centre for slave trade in the 1800s is pleasant and fascinating. It provides excellent holiday relaxation. Visitors who are unaccustomed to the tropical sun are advised to wear hats as it can be rather warm at mid-day.
OLUMO ROCK
This is one of the most popular tourist locations in the city of Abeokuta, Nigeria. One of the major things to enjoy is climbing the man made stairs carved in the rocks. There is also an elevator which transports you, if you are taking your children along from the top of the rock, you can view almost the entire Ogun state. Landmarks such as the Ogun River, the first TV mast and old secondary schools and family buildings where popular Nigerians grew up could be seen from the top.
There is an art gallery and restaurant. There are also tour guides to take you round and tell you historical glories of the place. Olumo Rock is an ancient rock where the Egba hid during the war.
TAKWA BAY BEACH
This is another choice location in Lagos. This island is a wonder of nature. To enjoy this trip, you need to have your own group of friends and family. Don’t forget to take along your own entertainment, from food to music to beach balls, swim suits. The area is accessible by ferries or speed boats. It’s another location for people that love nature, especially water. First, you will enjoy the boat ride from Bonny Camp to the bay.
It’s very safe to swim in the beach, as it is clean and the waves have been broken with big granite stones. Don’t forget to take your tube floater and swim shades for your children also your picnic mat. There is a volley ball court where you can play with your family and friends, horse rides, among others.
THE AMUSEMENT PARK, APAPA
The ancient Apapa Amusement Park is now back with breathtaking designs and facilities. Adults who had their childhood in Lagos may have been to Apapa Amusement Park, let your children experience it.
Luckily, there are games for adults too. Comparing the park with what it used to be before renovation, it’s better. All the equipment are new and modernized to entice more people. There is train ride, swings, car race, etc.
- NKECHINYERE IBEREME
