Lekki Conservation Center

The Lekki Conservation Center was built in 1990 and is located across the street from the Chevron complex on Lekki Peninsula (45 minute drive because of traffic - should be 15 minutes). It consists of swamp and savannah habitats and is run by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and supported by Chevron (I believe it is located on Chevron’s land). The area is secure.

Bob and I spent the day at the conservatory after a night at the Protea Oakwood Hotel (see post on August 4, 2007 to read about how we got a free night there). The center is in need of some serious upkeep as the elevated walkways are falling apart in places, but that did not take away from enjoying the swamp. We saw Mona monkeys, monitor lizards, huge turtles, peacocks and it is reported that there are also crocodiles, bush bucks, duikers and giant rats (oh boy!) in the park.













More Links on Lekki Conservatory:
http://10000birds.com/liking-lekki.htm
http://www.africanconservation.org/ncftemp/lekki.html

Still working on the Hong Kong & Thailand post

Check back in the next day or two for the trip details. I can't seem to get it done... I keep working on shorter easier posts! I will do it soon! ; ) Here are some photos. More to come soon. BANGKOK, THAILAND

Lagos Half Marathon - The official website

They have finally published a website for the Lagos Half marathon. Here is the link:
http://www.glolagosmarathon.com/news.html

Here are a couple of interesting excerpts from the website:

Running Rule #1
All teams must complete the courses as instructed and marked. No motorized forms of transport are allowed unless otherwise required (e.g. during an emergency).

Comment: I have heard that many people try to cheat by taking an okada (motorcycle) for part of the run!

Medical
For your safety, it is advised that you do not participate in the event if you have had a fever or cold in the past week, or have a hangover, as these can contribute towards heat exhaustion, dehydration, or life threatening heatstroke.

Comment: Interesting that they have to mention hangovers here. Duh!!!

Toilets
Please note: Toilet facilities at the Half Marathon Start will provided. Urinals for men will be available at the Half Marathon Start to assist with waiting times. The organisers ask that all men utilise these urinals where at all possible.

Comment: Are there no women's restrooms??? Uh Oh!!

Lagos post on YouTube

I just ran across this video on YouTube and I think it provides a representative view of Lagos. The video must have been taken on a holiday or weekend as there is no traffic.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewUtqoXpB_A&mode=related&search=

Oyibos Online - Most Timely Nigeria News

An expat recommended the website Oyibos Online for the lastest in Nigeria news. They mentioned that it is the most up to date and timely website for news, even better the the US Consolate and CNN. Check it out:

http://www.oyibosonline.com/

Vendors at the Beach

Here are a few pictures of the vendors at the beach selling handicrafts such as batik tablecloths and African print shirts, Nigeria and Ghana baskets, beads, knives from Mali and wood carvings.

More Lagos Holidays

Monday, October 1 was a holiday In Nigeria to celebrate it’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1960.

Thursday, October 11 and Friday, October 12 were declared Public Holidays by the Federal Government to celebrate this year's ID-EL-FITRI. ID-EL-FITRI (spelled many different ways) marks the end of Ramadan, a 30-day period of daytime fasting observed by Muslims.

Learn more about Ramadan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan

Learn more about Nigeria Holidays: http://www.motherlandnigeria.com/holidays.html

Vegetable Sterilization

We had a dinner party this Thursday Night and as Daniel was preparing I snapped a picture of the vegetables in the sink. All of our vegetables have to be soaked in a sterilizing solution before we can eat them; we use Milton tablets. I had never heard of this stuff before but I read up on it and it is mostly used (in the UK, I think) to sterilize baby bottles. It is basically a bleach solution that we soak our vegetables in for about 20 minutes and it kills all germs (bacteria, viruses and fungi). I asked our cook if he needs to sterilize the vegetables he eats and he said that he does, especially to protect against typhoid! Yikes!

Lagos Yacht Club 75th Anniversary Ball

Lagos Yacht Club is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this week and Friday night was the Anniversary Ball. Unfortunately I did not get many pictures. On our boat ride to the yacht club, I did take one of Bob looking very handsome wearing his Red Sea rig, or jacketless tuxedo. You heard me… Bob is now the owner of a tuxedo. Can you believe it!!! When we were in Hong Kong we went to his Eric’s tailor (his best friend in Hong Kong who we just visited) and Bob had a good quality tuxedo tailor-made for much less money than the equivalent would have been in the US. Too bad the tailor incorrectly spelled Bob’s last name inside of the tux – Bezinski – and Bob did not notice it until we were already home! While in Thailand Bob bought a unique bow tie that was dark pink with grey elephants (from a Jim Thompson store, known for its famous Thailand silk) but a matching cummerbund was not available so he had a gray one made when we were in Hong Kong.

Anyway… the party was at the yacht club, which has one of the best views in Lagos, especially at sunset, and it was a lot of fun. Bob was in rare form as he was dancing more that I have ever seen him dance before! Maybe it was the bow tie!!!

Bob with friends Tina and Kelvin and their friend Anna in the background.