Cool But Vicious

No, not me but I can be if you are not nice to me.

I'm talking about the weather. Nigeria's rainy season in fact. It is usually hot year round but now, it has started. If you have been following my post from the beginning, I explained about the wet and dry seasons of Nigeria. Now, we have entered the wet season which will usually last from April to October and sometimes it starts as early as March. Dry season is from November to March.

As I am writing this blog, it has started raining pretty hard. Singapore weather is very similar to this. Personally, I love it. This is my kind of weather. Nigeria does not have four distinctive seasons like most countries do.



Storm's brewing

Cool, cool rain

I don't mind the snow but hate it when it starts to become a wahala (problem) to do daily chores/errands outside of the house. Snow blizzards are not fun. I haven't had the chance to experience it and not sure if I want to!

Too much rain is not good either for us folks in Nigeria. When you have too much rain, flooding occurs and traffic becomes horrendous! I am not going to complain. Instead, I will enjoy this weather of Nigeria right now. Don't bother me, I'm back in my pajamas/lounge clothes again. Is it bedtime yet?

Arts & Baskets

One of the reasons I love living in Nigeria is to be able to have the opportunity to buy beautiful, colorful artwork, fabrics and of course baskets. Yes, baskets. Oh my gosh, I NEVER have enough baskets! They come in different shapes, colors and sizes.

LOVE the vibrant colors

In the 9 months that we've been in Lagos, we've acquired a number of these baskets, paintings/artwork etc and love them all.

Yesterday, I bought a bunch of baskets at Lekki Market. I am going home to Singapore for a visit during our children's summer school holidays and thus bringing them to give away as souvenirs. They make nice gifts don't you think?

Of course, I never leave the market with these baskets without haggling hard with the vendors! I mean REAL hard!!!

So, family and friends far away, I hope you like them as much as I do!!

Almost Ready

Yes, I'm almost ready.

Top ten things that I am almost ready for:

1) Summer. Oh yeah, long summer break.

2) Thailand, the land of smiles. Sawadee. LOVE, LOVE this place. Our favourite place to hang out.

3) Beaches. Sun, sand and sea.

4) Massages/Spa time.

5) Spicy food. LOTS of it!

6) Singapore. Visit family and catch up with good friends. Ladies' night too!!

7) USA. Nothing beats this place.

8) First annual shipment.

9) Camping.

10) Shopping!

BRING IT ON....

Time To Stock Up

Now that we are back in Lagos, it's time for me to stock up the kitchen with food especially when our 7yrs old son is showing signs of a serious growth spurt!

I still don't feel 100% yet with this cold of mine. My chest feels heavy and tissues have become my best friend literally! Shit, I feel like chopping off my nose! Getting there though..getting there.

Before we went on our spring break, there were lots of rumors about another strike that might happen this month, in April. So far, it has been quiet though. Few days ago, I did, however, see a long queue for petrol right outside where Shoprite is at. Don't know whether that's a tell-tale sign. I am stocking up! I always have been. Anything can happen here.

I love buying vegetables and fruit at the market under the bridge. Loads of fresh green vegetables everywhere. The vendors there can be very pushy, a bit aggressive at times. Heck, I don't mind it if I can buy a BIG bunch of bananas for merely 500Naira (US$3/S$4), pineapple for 300Naira (US$2), a kilo of crabs for 800Naira (US$5) and one whole big fish for roughly about 1500Naira (US$9) depending on the type of fish you buy. Can't beat the prices here than in the grocery stores for sure! Establish a good relationship with a few of the vendors armed with your bargaining skills and you'll do just fine!



About 2200Naira (US$13) for a kilo of BIG prawns

If you do buy fish here, just be careful as the vendors will put some coloring on the fishes to make them look fresh. I am not good at spotting that!! This is when my friend, Amy, or even my nanny comes into the picture! THEY are good in telling these things. Me? Not so much!

The market is always buzzing especially on Fridays. Sometimes, local Nigerian music will go blasting through a speaker hidden somewhere in the market. Some vendors will get their groove on and jiving with the music. It's a fun sight! Gotta love it! So, to the market I go.

Hello Cape Town

We arrived in Cape Town on a nice Tuesday afternoon. Weather was nice throughout our stay in South Africa except for the last day or so we were there.


V&A Waterfront in Cape Town

Was supposed to live in a serviced apartment at the waterfront for five nights but after two nights we had to move to another place. The aircon wasn't working, there was no internet and phone access readily available. My husband especially was not happy. I was not happy. So, by the time we checked into our new hotel, I know everything would be ok when I saw this...

Beautiful sunset in Cape Town to end our visit to South Africa

The hotel do not allow children ages 12 and below to stay with them but I am so glad they made an exception in our case all thanks to our wonderful travel agent, Leanne of Ngwe Safari, who made it all possible!!

Quite a bit of things to do in Cape Town itself. Managed to sneak in a day's trip along the Peninsula. Did a drive through Hout Bay, boat ride to Seal Island, visit a penguin colony and a couple more.

By the end of the day, our boys were so exhausted they were not even smiling! Getting things done in South Africa however, was also challenging. I ran out of minutes for my mobile phone. It was a hassle to get a SIM card. In the end, cut the story short, we have phone access! By this time, we had no mood to go to our wine tour. It worked out fine for our boys because THEY get to go to a theme park called Ratoonga Junction. It was fun though. Everyone's happy so it's all good! Good thing we did, as the next two days, Cape Town rained on us.

It have been a good spring break. Kids are back in school and we are swinging back into the groove of things in Lagos. Till next time. Adios!

Safari, How Wild Are Thee!

Hey, hey folks! Did you miss me? I sure miss you all. Now, that's the truth :)

Yes, got back to Lagos on Sunday night. It's true when they say sometimes taking a vacation can be very tiring. I was so knackered when we finally stepped into our flat. It doesn't help also when I brought a cold back with me. Today is day three that we are back and with "drugs" in my system, I am feeling a little better today.

South Africa is georgeous. We started our trip with a safari 4 hours away near Cape Town situated in the heart of the little Karoo, along the scenic Route 62 and Robertson Wine Route. No, we didn't drive. At all. I'd rather absorb in all the beautiful views rather than get stressed out driving while on holidays!



On our way to safari. Beautiful views throughout.



Entrance to the game reserve

This game reserve is only about 10-11 years old compare to others but it is certainly filled with an impressive and diverse collection of wildlife, 650 plant and 216 bird species.  Plenty of things to do such as guided nature walking opportunites, visit ancient rock art sites, cool stargazing at night and the list goes on. It was so peaceful and breathtaking. No tv. Who cares? Nestled among nature itself are our constant entertainment.



View of our lodge from a distance on one of our game drive



My afternoon tea overlooking Bellair dam and the surrounding mountains

Our boys, however, were not thrilled with our daily 6am wake-up call to get ready for our 6.30am morning game drive. Must admit I was not thrilled either. Ha! The morning air was crisp and cold!



Brrrrrr....I was not kidding when I said it was COLD!

Once we were out there, the morning wake-up calls, dragging our butt off the bed, catching a cold were all so worthwhile when we saw these.........





Beautiful parade of elephants





Zebra crossing. Cute!

Just simply breathtaking views

Indigenous flora and fauna found at the game reserve

Cocktails and tea break in the middle of nowhere was awesome. Breakfast in the bushes one morning was an experience. It happened to be the favourite hangouts for the white lions the next day!



Our ranger, Suritha, preparing our breakfast in the bush :)




All in all, we managed to see oryx, white and tawny lions, kudu, red hartebeest, black-backed jackal, eland, white rhinoceros, baboons and many more. Safari's done. We are ready for Cape Town next. Yes, city life. Here we go.

Welkom, Welkom!

Greetings from South Africa, folks! Weather has been cloudy today but hey, we can't have sunshine everyday right? I know I have been AWOL lately, but I will be back soon. Enjoying our last few days of spring break and before I forget, Happy Easter to those celebrating it. The gym is calling me back home in Lagos. My belly is so big, round and bursting out that it's not even funny! So, I'll see you later, alligator. With love from Cape Town.