Airport Experiences

Traveling has been smooth and interesting. We landed in Abuja at 8:30p (3pm central). I am glad we came through Abuja airport versus going to Lagos International airport. It was less overwhelming compared to the stories I usually hear about Lagos. Yes, at customs they do ask for open hand to get through the line without many problems. The cart boys who carry our the luggage will also do the same. They take it to the next level and tell you sad stories hoping you will increase the tip. It was night time, so I could not really take pictures. We reached our hotel the Valencia Hotel. Not too bad of cost $100 per night. We ate dinner at the local restaurant called Mama Cass. The spaghetti reminded me of my grandmother's. It was good. I might actually gain weight on this trip.

Interesting travel stories:
1. On the plane, TK had to provide medical care with a passenger who had apnea. Passenger is fine, but it made the airline nervous.

2. In the Amsterdam airport when a passenger is missing the plane the airport will announce " Passenger _________you're delaying flight and bags will be off loaded. Please return to the gate.

3. In Amsterdam airport in the woman's bathroom, we had the encounter of men also using the bathroom. Not sure if they could not understand the signage.

4. In Amsterdam airport when asking for assistance for an employee about gate connections who was obviously guiding other passengers to proper area, we get the reply " I am working you need to look at the TV terminals for your gate connections."

and finally, NO MORE FREE PEANUTS
5. On domestic airlines there is now a fee for snacks $3 for a snickers.

Things that make you go hummmm. I will post pictures tomorrow. We will be traveling to Lagos tomorrow.

The City of Jos

Hello Everyone,
We are now in Jos at the Crest Hotel visiting our family Uncle Matt and Aunt Justine. They own the largest chicken farm. Esther Rose is liking the baby chicks. Many pictures to share and hopefully will be able to post once we return to Abuja. The internet has been very unreliable at our past hotels. The drive to Jos was about 3 hours.

Jos is one of the nicest places to visit in Nigeria. It's the capital of the Plateau State and is located at an elevation of 1300 metres above sea level, which means that it is cooler here than anywhere else in the country most of the time.

The main attraction of the town is the Jos Museum Complex, which consists of four separate museums and a zoo. Skip the Railroad and the Tin Mining Museum and head for the Jos National Museum and the Traditional Nigerian Architecture Museum.

If you are spending a few days here you might consider paying a visit to the Rock Brewery. They have guided tours with an all you can drink buffet for reasonable prices.

Jos is surrounded by beautiful hills, the most welknown being the Shere Hills (1800m). Also the Jarawa hills, the Vom Hills and the Gana Wuri. Many tourists choose Jos for trekking and hiking.

None of them rival the world's highest ranges, but you can work up a hearty appetite climbing up them. Factor in their natural beauty and the various streams and dams around, the area makes a perfect picnic spot.

I hope to send more information within the next couple days.

Best Regards

Abuja City

Nicknamed, "Second London", Abuja is Nigeria's new capital. It is a beautiful city with clean roads, The idea was conceived in 1975 and the seat of government formally moved to Abuja from Lagos in 1992. It was intended to be developed in four phases. The first phase had so far been completed. In a few years the city will have a few million inhabitants, but right now there are only a few hundred thousand. This means that the city is pretty spread out and there are a lot of half empty spaces. There aren't a whole lot of sights in Abuja (yet), the main Mosque is pretty enough, but muslims are not allowed in and the guards are not always very welcoming. Close to Abuja you find Zuma Rock, which looks like a pale version of Ayers Rock. The local population used to attribute magical power to the rock. You can see it on the way from Abuja to Kaduna - the same road brings you to Zaria and Kano. Abuja has an ultra modern Airport - Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport named after the first president of Nigeria. The first phase of the international wing had been commissioned and is now operational while the smaller domestic terminals have been in operation since the early 80s. Abuja is located at the center of Nigeria and is bounded by Kogi, Niger, Kaduna and Nassarawa States. Its indeed a beautiful place to be. Abuja is known as the center for unity as a result of its rich culture based on the lifestyles and people from different tribes.

Final Packing

We will be leaving next week for Lagos. Many last minute items that need to take place before we depart. I am thrilled to say that our visas arrived on time. I love our travel agent! Afrique Travel located in Dallas. Yes, I am shamefully giving them an advertisement seal of approval. The latest challenge has been with the airline luggage policy. As of May 5th, passengers are allowed one free check in luggage at 50lbs and two carry on bags. Extra luggage will now have the fee of $150. Crazy!!! Because we purchased our tickets before April 2nd, we will be allowed two free 50 lbs bags. International flights will now count a child's stroller as a carry on, so now I am debating not taking one because we need to use the carry on luggage. Every inch of luggage space will be utilized to the fullest.

Visa and travel shots anxiety

This past week has been finalizing all shots for everyone. Word to the wise when preparing a four year old for shots, 24 hours is enough advanced notice. Anymore time will cause mental anguish. Thank GOD my daughter was current on immunizations and just needed two. It was sad to watch my child for the first time run underneath a chair when the {three} nurses came into the room. You think they would have forseen my daughter's reactions . She recovered quickly, but then again I had to spend two hours at the McDonald's play area as a token for surviving. As for myself, I needed only three shots and one oral medication in place of a shot (Yeah)! The travel clinic was very helpful and informative. There is a shortage with several international shots such as the "yellow fever". Our guest was very close to not getting one and these shots are not cheap.

VISA DRAMA!!!! It's cutting it very close being 22 days away from the trip to apply for a visa. Since 9-11 there has been numerous changes when going abroad, and the Embassy of Nigeria has now gone on-line (yeah Nigeria, Drama for me). Our travel agent guranteed visa in five days, but the cost $215 which was $65 more then doing it ourself. I would strongly suggest to purchase tickets at least 2 months ahead and apply for visa one month ahead. Now it is just the waiting game for the visa and I hope the travel agent comes through on their word.

Trip to Nigeria

Hello to my family, friends and to whom ever decide to take this journey with me to Nigeria. This is my travel journal of my trip with my family. It is my goal to write in phases. "Phase One" will be a weekly entry describing the preparation needed until departure. "Second Phase" will be a daily entry of our trip with pictures. "Final Phase" will end with us returning back home. I do hope you decide to join me on this adventure. I look forward to your comments.