Twenty one years in Lagos and I grew up believing that there was no life beyond Lagos until I decided to take the bold step and move beyond Lagos. Stay with me to the end as I have listed and reviewed some of the places I visited in Ibadan.
Now playing: swaggu by yusufkanbai
I overlooked my travel phobia and motion sickness and embarked on a two-hour evening trip to Ibadan, six days here and I have realized that Lagos is designed to shorten our lifespan. I searched for at least thirty minutes traffic in Ibadan so I’ll be assured that Lagos wasn’t totally running me mad but alas!!! No traffic.
Even the rain wasn’t half as aggressive here as it has been in Lagos.
I’m now in the very best position to tell my dear readers, most of who reside in Lagos to travel out of that city once in a while just to wind off and experience the peace that comes with not being stuck in traffic and eating amala undilutedly made with peace and love.
The kind of amala you’d enjoy without getting angry if you try to drag shaki with your teeth and it splashes soup into your eyes. That’s the kind of amala I’m talking about.
WEDNESDAY
Don’t ask where Monday and Tuesday went because I slept all day on Tuesday.
If you feel the need to also be adventurous, please visit Bowers tower if you’re claustrophobic and experience what it’s like to be in a horror movie.
You can tell from the pain in my eyes that the journey that led to taking this picture was not funny. After eating that beautiful amala from Amala skye, my host decided that he was going to take me to bowers tower because he wanted me to be in touch with history. I honestly would have opted for sleep but I couldn’t resist not spending my host’s money so I agreed and so began the journey that took four of us to that tower. After climbing the hill and walking the long road that led to the tower, we finally made it into the compound where the tower stands only to find out that the stairs are really tiny and the flight up was quite long and slow. For every step I took, I said prayers that went like “God abeg, don’t let these walls close in on me, don’t let that door lock and don’t let these stairs give way under me. God, please I’m begging you, you know I don’t watch horror movies, don’t let me star in one.” I was the most scared than I had ever been in my life because the stairs were never ending.
We eventually made it up but my paranoid state refused to let my body calm down. The view was great, it was a 360 view of the whole city and I could have sworn I saw Unilag but I couldn’t afford to let my guard down because I didn’t trust the tower to not collapse.
The rest of the guys were making the most out of it and creating memories but not me because I just wanted to get to the ground again and when we did, I walked as fast as my legs could take me. I was laughed at but I preferred that, really.
I’m pretty sure that if my host says it from his point of view, you’d think we went to heaven because perspectives play very important roles in storytelling. It was that same day that WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook were down so I visited the coldstone at bodija and compensated myself for the horror I had experienced earlier.
THURSDAY
Thursday evening had me at the the arcade at Ventura mall.
We tried something that we ordinarily wouldn’t try in Lagos. We said “let’s go to the mall” ordered Taxify and got to the mall in less than ten minutes. I kept on saying “wow” because as a sane person in Lagos, even if you lived behind the mall, you had to make proper plans and leave your house hours before the stipulated time because traffic could build up unexpectedly in front of your gate.
Safe to say that I had fun without being worried that I was going to have to face traffic on my way back home. Life is good when you don’t end up spending half of your day in traffic and all your money on transport.
FRIDAY
If you ever want to eat breakfast and get full, be sure to visit Oliver’s cafe. I was so sure before I saw the pancakes that I was going to ask for another round but halfway through the pancakes, my stomach was already acting full but I loosened my shorts and lived up to my nickname – baby elephant.
This breakfast knocked me out till 3pm.
SATURDAY
I visited Agodi gardens. I’m never going there again.
My blogger friend – Yeychi picked me up later that afternoon and took me to ParisBakery and I kid you not, they had amala alongside their icecream and cake. If you looked closely, you’d also see rice and stew.
If you love pure sugar, please order anything from this bakery. I had never had problems finishing icecream until I tasted this one. Never again dear God.
If you ever need an affordable restaurant where you can go on dates, please start with cafe Chrystalis.
SUNDAY
I’m in Lagos and I’m in tears because I entered Lagos and became unfresh. The best you people can do for me now is answer the following questions in the comment section.
DON’T I DESERVE TO LEAVE THIS LAGOS?
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO IBADAN?
HAVE YOU TASTED AMALA IN IBADAN? YOU NEED TO TASTE IT TO KNOW THAT I’M NOT BEING OVERLY DRAMATIC.
WHAT ARE THE BEST OUT OF LAGOS CITIES TO VISIT?
Osas now I want to go to Ibadan, eat amala and visit all of the good places you mentioned
Let’s link up. I stay in Ibadan
Funke, please go with money so you’ll eat as you like
This is very nice. Simple and precise. I came here by accident and I’m glad I mistakenly clicked that part of my phone screen that led me here. Good job tbh. You’re really pretty btw.
Yesss oo we’ll be stuck in this Lagos together and nope I’ve never been out of Lagos. Heard so much about Ibadan and their amala and would love to try it but can’t get over my fear of traveling
You’ll have to get over it one way or the other
I have actually been to Ibadan and I liked Agodi, why didn’t you?
Plus i’m planning a girls trip for my birthday and this post has certainly helped me figure out what to do if I end up in Ibadan. Thanks
I’m glad you got here. Thank you Queen
Okay, so this simply means I travelled to two different cities this weekend cos you just made me feel like I’m a part of your whole journey…♂️
You deserve to leave Lagos, infact anyone who lives here does doesn’t mean you shiuld leave Lagos
Yes, I have been to Ibadan, I have eaten Amala in Ibadan too
And lastly, try visiting Abeokuta anytime soon, you’d love it. ♂️
Abeokuta is literally in my plans. I’ll most definitely come
Osas just took me to Ibadan
I,m glad
Thank you for navigating our city, i am happy you liked the atmosphere, i have never regretted leaving lagos mehn, do come back again but before then, enjoy your traffic ✌✌
sheybe you’ll come and enjoy this traffic too
Oliver’s cafe I love their Singapore spaghetti not a fan of pepper soup but damn their chicken pepper soup looks like heaven….
I only took pancakes and now you want to make me go back
You’re such a beautiful writer❤❤❤❤
Why don’t you want to visit Agodi Gardens again though
thank you jare. It looked irritating when i went there
This has been the best weekend in forever
na because say you get money
Truly Ibadan is fun, even though I haven’t had this much experience with the city. Anywhere that’s free of Lagos traffic is fun.
And yeah, you deserved the break
Thank you dear
OSAS! ❤️
DapoKing!!!
First time coming to your blog… But never gonna be my last.
ope o. Be sure to subscribe o
I’ve been in Ibadan only 6 months. I visited most of these places except Bower Towers. I wish you ate Oliver’s Cafe Spaghetti Bolognese, I had to take the rest home the day I got there. I’m leaving here in three months back to Lagos, and I don’t know if I’m ready for traffic.
I’ll just advice you stay there
Leave Lagos and give us space, dearie. I have been to Ibadan, but only for brief periods. I’ve never tasted their amala. I don’t know any cities to visit, because all my life, I don dey this Lagos.
I school in Ibadan and I’m gonna explore.. Amala here is soooo good
Honestly, you’re enjoying
shotop
First Time Here And I’m Here To Stay Forever.
I serve in Ibadan too, so I can relate to everything you wrote. You write so beautifully well too.
I’m really glad. I want to serve in Ibadan too
You didn’t put the location of this places for us, I’ve been staying in Ibadan and I don’t know this places am I that introverted.
Honestly, I don’t know how to locate those places. All i know is that i got there
People are always downgrading us . Atleast now you’ve opened their eyes
I wpon’t even lie, i downgraded too
Grew up in Ibadan so I definitely can relate to everything except the bower towers….still haven’t gotten used to this Lagos life and I plan on moving out asap lol
Paris bakery ehn
If I’d go on any vacation it’d be to maybe calabar or so
Welcome back to where you belong sha
I don’t belong here in Jesus name
I’ve been to Ibadan and you didn’t overate amala skye. I plan on going next week and sure visit all these places you listed
Let me be your handbag now
A wonderful place to live in. You’ll get richer and chubbier in no time.
But the work opportunities are limited. Lagos provides you with varieties
Osas I think I need a week break from Lagos
my guy, take it
I’ve been to Ibadan just once, we got there in about 2 hours. I was shocked and i was also surprised to see so many beautiful buildings. I actually thought it would be a dead place.
Osas I think you need to leave Lagos Ibeg. Lagos is too stressful, coupled with this traffic again. I can’t deal!
Honestly, I was surprised the place was modern. Anyway, I’m considering serving there
I’ve not left Lagos except to Ogun state, which was for school ♂️
I think I’m coming to ogun next
I’d lived in Ibadan all my life and that’s a place I will always call my home. Lagos is an out of it option for me because I knew what I went through when I lived in Iyana-dopemu. So sad that I relocated to the UK but I really miss the cheap cost of living and My Amala❤
should we send elubo to the UK for you?
Ibadan kini so!
My last Ibadan was really nice to I understand well what you’ve described in this diary.
Nice recap.
Thank you mami
Osas has been to more places in IB than me that has never left Ibadan since I dropped from the womb… Eh God
But Agodi garden, why never again?
lmao. Agodi gardens looked really irritating
Okay i really love this. Ibadan is a lovely place but in my head there are just two states in Nigeria. Lagos And Others. Yes i said what i said.
Lagos for suffering
I love reading your posts you deserve to leave Lagos . I’ve been to Ibadan but not to have fun like you did
Next time, have as much fun as your body can take
Osas ma I’ll not stop telling you to come to Nairobi but now I definitely want to eat that amala delicacy
I’m hoping my hosts sees what other hosts are doing though
I’ll come soon my dear
I think I’m going to Ibadan now
Everyone deserves to leave this Lagos my darling
Las las I go taste that Amala
please go o. Go and enjoy life
I can testify to the amala part, anytime i visit home mehn…i do tell mumsy to make it down so i can devour it to cool off the long journey
And as for paris bakery, mehn you’re damn right I can’t wait to go home again
My dear, ibadan is the best place to unwind and relax from all the hustle and bustle of this lagos. It’s my safe haven. Every time I eat amala in ibadan, it’s like I’ve never tasted amala before. It always tastes sooooooo good. Make sure you return soon
Great post.
And yes, you do deserve to leave Lagos. There’s so much more to experience in Nigeria.
You’re so funny. I wonder what kind of thoughts are in that mind or yours.
Factually, the air outside Lagos is just kinda different. You deserve, everyone deserves to take a breather outside Lagos.
I haven’t been to Ibadan but I hear the Amala is legendary, I think the meat with the amala is the whole point of eating amala anyways.
You are adored
And I have never been to Lagos don’t spoil it for me
P.s come to Ilorin. My sister, you’ll be looking for good food. Good pizza just entered this year and if you want amala or any solid with a soup that’ll make you lick your plate, come to my house when you visit
i LIVED IN IBADAN FOR A YEAR! WAS A ROLLERCOASTER!
I DECIDED I CAN ONLY STAY THERE IN BITTS, CANNOT TOTALLY LIVE THERE, I WILL RUN MAD!
http://www.tlmurban.com
I have never gone to Ibadan. I would love to. I stay in Port Harcourt in Rivers State. I would like to go there and visit all these wonderful places…
Been saying I was gon visit your blog
Had it on pin in my to-do
After my submitting a clients work with no sleep insight.Here I am reading every story I can
You put content in writing.
New subscriber alert.
Lol, I’ve lived in Ibadan for years now and I must confess I haven’t been to most of the places you mentioned. Makes me want to explore more. This is definitely going on my bucket list
Pingback: How to maintain your sanity during the last days of your final year in the University. – OsasTheKing