Hey guys!
Over the weekend, Google took some online media Influencers including Kemi Filani Blog‘s Zaynab, on a tour around 10 iconic landmark places in Lagos.
You see, every year, Google brings together online media influencers to explore a particular city using the specialized Google apps for travel. This time, it’s #GidiwithGoogle2.
Although I’ve lived in Lagos my entire life, it was nice seeing Lagos through a new lens last weekend, thanks to Google.
On the first day we visited the Badagry Slave Museum, took boat to the Island of no return #badagryslaveroute, saw the first story building where Bishop Ajayi crowther translated the English Bible to Yoruba and more!
Visiting Badagry wasn’t on my to-do list his month, but when the opportunity came especially since it was from GOOGLE, I had to jump at it. Trust me when I say the experience I had has been the highlight of my 2018.
I have heard a lot of things about slavery and how the slaves were treated but seeing some of it with my eyes and having a thorough walk-through of the slave trade in Nigeria was fulfilling and satisfied my curiosity.
Badagry is specifically known for the slave trade to foreigners and with the help of knowledgeable tour guides, we were taken round the four most important sight in the area in less than 3 hours: Seriki Faremi Williams Slave Museum, The Chief Mobee Royal Family Original Slave Relic Museum, the Badagry Slave Route (also as Land of no return) and The first storey building in Nigeria.
We were told how trade by barter was done then, for instance, 40 slaves were sold in exchange for an umbrella, 20 slaves for a bottle of schnapps, and more. We were also shown some of the mode of slave punishment which ranged from castration of slaves, piercing of both lips and locking with a padlock, working on farm lands etc. You wouldn’t even wish for your enemy to suffer that much.
We then proceeded to #whispering palms where we danced, ate, and had loads of fun. We were welcomed in a lovely manner with a native musical troupe being our host, the troupe leader’s dance energy is second to none and the delicacies we had not only satisfied our hunger but our inner mind inclusive.
After the long day, I was lodged in one of the executive rooms at the lily gate hotel, Lekki.
Truly, Lily Gate is the definition of a home away from home, from the warm reception, to its serene environment, cozy bed and need I mention that their delicacies were on point.
The next day, we visited @LekkiConservationCenter, @NikeArtGallery, @relegallery, #FreedomPark and had an amazing lunch at Marco Polo restaurant.
The highlight of the Lekki Conversation centre was the canopy walk and the friendly monkeys everywhere, jumping from trees to trees.
Next stop was the Nike Art Gallery! A particular art work of hers caught my attention, it was that of the Chibok girls, there was something extra-ordinary about it, it wasn’t done with the normal painting brush and paper but with BEADS!
How can one use beads to illustrate the Chibok girls so well you would think it was a picture take with a camera?!!
After our visitation to the Nike art gallery, the RELE art gallery was next, I won’t even tell you how I felt when I entered the gallery with the beautiful pictures hung on their walls, not ordinary pictures but moment catching pictures.
Amazing of all is that I still can’t believe I drew an art work at the RELE art gallery, with the help of an amazing yet perfect artist Mr.Gafar.
I drew the common commercial vehicle found in Lagos state called “Danfo”. At first I didn’t think I could do it but Mr. Gafar kept saying believe in yourself and follow my instruction, so I decided to give it a trial, and half way through the painting the confidence came from no where and it was as if I drank an energy booster because I was so eager to see what my painting would look like.
Even though it wasn’t perfect, it came out awesome.
The last place we visited was the freedom park, Lagos.
This was the first prison in Lagos and yea, Obafemi Awolowo served his prison term there.
Looking round the prison gave me a constant reminder to always behave myself and not do what so ever would land me in trouble, trust me, freedom is worth more than gold.
And that was how my weekend went with Google turning my normal boredom weekend to an amazing life time experience.
With what I learnt during the trip, I was able to save some of these awesome places as my favs within my #googlemaps and it will definitely make it easier to go back there soon especially with my zero sense of direction.
I really must commend Google for all they do with their various products that helps in making life easier as a whole.
Most importantly however, during this trip I learnt MORE about some Google products like maps and street view, and even some others I’m not at liberty to divulge yet ? and how Google continues to work hard at improving the quality of life in general. It was such a fun experience and I can’t wait to do it again.
When in doubt (aka lost but don’t want to admit because ego), check Google Maps (Android/iOS), and don’t forget to back up your photos on Google Photos because these are memories to live for.