Exhausted after our long two days trekking across Nigeria we spent some wonderful days around our Protea hotel Oakwood park on the Lekki expressway.
Mr Bekker, Mischa, Andries and Marlise treated us amazingly, like long lost family, and we even managed to squeeze in a braai around the pool for Mischa’s birthday. Man what a treat! We did manage to meet some very interesting people in our five days spent in Lagos and on the road up, while we waited for Mike’s recently defrauded credit card to arrive in the Hotel from South Africa. Nigeria is a strange and interesting mix of business, socialisation and politics. Everyone is constantly working and one the move, no rest it seems, no matter what your business or pleasure.
But not once did we ever feel threatened. Look, I would not want to break down on the road in the dark, but in the south it seems that Nigerians might be slightly misunderstood. Yes, there are police stops, and yes there is corruption, but we never got a sense of impending doom for the place, never a feeling that a gun man was lurking behind every tree and pile of bricks, just waiting to pounce. Its mad, but I can honestly say I have felt safer here than I have driving down the roads of Johannesburg at night. No country is ever perfect, some are just a little wilder than others and you just have to find the balance in between in order to actually enjoy the ride.
We decided to hit the road after 5 days in the Protea Hotel recuperating, sleeping and eating at 5am too avoid the insane traffic. Thankfully we did, as meandering our way through taxi stops, burning rubbish, more rubbish, shacks and what ever else you do not want to see on or near a road. After 2 hours we hit the border crossing to Benin. Before leaving Nigeria we were given our one last look at blatant and irritating corruption. Every official we spoke to asked blatantly, “what do you have for me.” They keep pestering you hoping to see a crack in your nerves, if you show them one, they will pounce and you will be lucky if you leave in your underpants. We just said NO we have nothing, and sooner than later, thankfully we were released from Nigeria’s grip. As we entered Benin it was like a calming had occurred, somewhat like traveling in the British countryside (not much to see, but peaceful). No police stops, normal traffic, friendly people and a fantastic house to stay in, welcome to Benin, beauty by the sea. Linda and I have set up camp at Hugo’s house along with his house mate Carolin. We spent a fantastic Christmas here and have been enjoying the sights and sounds of Contonou. Benin is definitely one of those paradise countries nobody knows anything about, and we look forward in sharing our story with you all.
At present, Linda and I are arranging all the respective meetings and acquiring the relevant filming information. We have found a chap with a diving compressor, thanks to Hugo and look forward exploring some of Benin’s underwater secrets. I hope everyone who is reading this has a fantastic holiday, a brilliant new years eve and an even better 2009.
