Happy Weekend people!
How una dey? Hope your weekend’s coming along fine? Out and about or restful and quiet?
I am resting jejely at home oh and I am so sorry, there will be no Frances’s love letter today on love and relationships but I will chronicling my visit to Olumo Rock in Abeokuta.
I did say I will do it didn’t I? And you should know by now that I try very hard to do what I say I will do.hehe (clap for me, lol)
Before going on that mini adventure, I tried to search google for location, entry fee and all but I found only the experience of some persons. Nobody wrote about cash needed so I will include the amount of funds one will need for this rock climbing if you plan to go. Yeah, I should provide a solution to an issue I had issues with ba?
Ok.
So I was in Lagos for our conference like you all know and I had this goal from the beginning of the year to visit a place I had never been to before.
I wanted to go to Ghana or Calabar but that didn’t work out, so I planned to go to Ogun State to climb Olumo rock on my birthday but because of some twist of plans, I had to stay at home (you can see the reasons in my birthday wishes post)
So I thought, Abeokuta is close to Lagos, just go there before you return to Delta.
I spoke to a friend but he didn’t want to go.
Ah, when has doing something alone ever stopped me before? After all its my goal nah, isn’t it?
So I set out for Abeokuta on Tuesday December 8th 2014 (See the way I said set out as if it’s far.lol)
You can find buses from Oshodi and you’ll pay 800Naira as transport fare there.
Abeokuta is also about 2hours(or less) from Lagos.
Got there, stopped at Kutor garage and took a bike to the rock for 150bucks.
If you want to climb the rock manually which I did, you will pay 700Naira for entrance and if you prefer to use the elevator, you’ll have to pay 1,500Naira.
So, I was shown the art gallery which had many lovely pieces. Pictures were not allowed to be taken in there.
They had some lovely paintings, necklaces, bracelets made from rocks and some bracelets and necklaces that you could customize your name on.
I had a camera guy who showed me around and pictures go for 200Naira if you want hard copies.
Speaking of which, the guy who snapped me promised to send me my soft copy pictures but never did.
I guess some persons don’t take their words as seriously as I do… oh well…
But still, thank you Olamide for taking me around and snapping me pictures…
Ok, so we started the “journey abi adventure”?
I was showed the shrine where they used to offer humans as sacrifice once a year but now offered cows(or something)
Then we went down to the caves area and he showed me where they lived to hide away from their enemies during the war.
One small dark hole like that… and they lived there for years oh, hmm.
Then we had to begin the real climb…
Me wey dey form Jackie chan, I was scared oh.
The dude was just scaling it like it was normal. Hah!
See some of the pictures below with me smiling?
Hmm, I was breathing real hard, just had to smile for the camera.
After all the waka, we finally got to the top of the rock.
I say “finally” like it was one long waka. Lol.
10 abi 15 minutes tops.
Anyways, picture freak like I am had to snap lots of pictures.
I had to go back to Lagos, otherwise, I would have just sat still in the quiet place and penned down some thoughts.
It was just quiet, you know..away from the world.
See me dreaming about my ideal writer’s life. Hehe.
Anyway, it was time to go.
We used the stairs down, didn’t climb back down.
I lazed around for a bit and snapped more pictures.
See this place? You can put your coins in there and make a wish.
I had coins I was given as change from Shoprite sha but I didn’t make any wish. Jare.
Journey back home was the same way I came.
100Naira to Kutor garage and 800Naira from there to Lagos.
And that was it.
Goal to visit somewhere I have never been to before as a single lady and just chillax… #DONE!
And small love letter flavor chipped in here…
Dear single lady,
Visit places…
Have fun with yourself…
Take yourself out…
Go out of your normal surroundings…
Lord knows, it will almost be a luxury when the kids arrive as they soon will (note to self too) 🙂
So, hopefully, this will not be the last of my waka/travels/adventure/places visited…
Till my next personal memoir,
With love,
21 Comments
lola
December 20, 2014 at 3:43 pmGood to see a young single lady enjoying her free time as a single, u must be really adventurous to tk dis kind of trip alone and enjoy it
Frances Okoro
December 20, 2014 at 3:58 pmLola 🙂
Am I adventurous? I don’t know, but I can come out of my covers in “full force” when needed.lol
Mobolaji
December 20, 2014 at 6:15 pmPut Ghana on your list for next year o ^.^ I’ve never tried going out on my own before, might add that to my list for 2015! xoxo
Frances Okoro
December 20, 2014 at 7:31 pm@Mobolaji, I really, really wanted to go to Ghana this year..
All the issues why it didn’t work out this year won’t be there next year in Jesus name, amen!(serious prayer)
And you should try going out alone.Makes you comfy in your own company and gives you that freedom to talk to the random strangers you see/ask another for help instead of a friend..like I had to ask Olamide for help. Won’t have been done if I went with a friend..
Teggie
December 20, 2014 at 6:41 pmWoooow! Nice one dear… Really nice! Have always wanted an adventure like dis. Buh going solo has been a huge deal. Anywyz, come 2015 no jokes. Gonna make all my wishes, dreams n aspirations come 2 pass. God help me!
Frances Okoro
December 20, 2014 at 7:34 pmAh, for this to make Teggie come out to comment? It’s serious oh!
And I seriously say amen and amen! Nothing go stand in the way of your aspirations and wishes coming to pass.
Even going alone sef nor go try am.lol.
Seriously sha, you will end up enjoying it. I have tried some solo waka this year all in a bid to be comfy in my own skin. ie, see a movie alone and then this…it all works out well later.no lele.
Can’t wait to see you blaze through all your aspirations 🙂
Teggie
December 21, 2014 at 7:46 amLol… was so excited I could nt swallow d comment anymore. hehehe
Frances Okoro
December 21, 2014 at 11:57 amI’m glad at that. We need more of the silent readers to start coming out.lol
Chukwuma
December 21, 2014 at 9:15 pmyou have courage as well as to climb there. tell me nah, it wasn’t scary. its nice you took the time out to see the place, which makes it really good to go out sometimes and SEE THE WORLD.
welcome back nah . . .!!!
Frances Okoro
December 21, 2014 at 9:51 pmIt was scary oh Chukwuma.
At a certain place, when the guy said we will pass here..i said what? No no!
Lol.
But I climbed it sha, with plenty “Jesus and mummy oh” hehe. Such a baby.
But it was fun…
Ugochi
December 22, 2014 at 5:21 pmWow! It really does sound like a great adventure! Well done Frances and thanks for sharing this info, it might be useful to someone like me tomorrow.
Frances Okoro
December 24, 2014 at 8:35 am🙂 thank you Aunty Ugochi…
I couldn’t find bit by bit info online and thought to share this…
ego
December 22, 2014 at 11:46 pmwow! I admire your courage, going to Abeokuta alone. was it your first time? how did you find out directions?
I used to be a confirmed loner, and had this teeny weeny adventurous streak. Because I did things alone, I only had to really want to do something and I would find a way. However, years passed and I got friendlier and had to learn to do things with people. Somehow I’ve lost the ability to do my own thing spontaneously, and I hate that.
I have had tons of plans like this canceled because there was no one to go with. I passed up going to my favourite band’s concert cos I didn’t want to go alone. I feel like I went from one extreme to the other, and this is worse.
You have inspired me, I can’t keep shelving my goals/plans because people around me don’t share them. I guess this is a wake-up call to start living my life, I must enjoy this single hood 🙂 God-willing I would visit an African country in 2015, even if I have to go alone.
Frances Okoro
December 24, 2014 at 8:34 amWow Ego, your comment has inspired me too!
My initial plan was to visit an African country-Ghana…I won’t be shelving that plan anytime soon, it’s still on the list for 2015.I’d add some more too within Nigeria sef..
Cheers to getting your groove back babes!
Everyone may not share your goals and deal is, they owe you no obligation to fufil your goal, only you owe yourself that obligation… go on and just do it!
I’m excited for you and I…
Let’s get these goals for singlehood rolling 🙂
glowingscenes
December 25, 2014 at 9:00 pmI think I need to start trying stunts like Frances here. Thanks for the tips. You never know when it can come in handy for people like us.
I was just looking at your socks and shoe and admiring you. You are beautiful Frances and you look so liberated. I’m sure 2015 has so much for you and you’re ready to grab it.
I hope you got my message to send me my own chicken. Not the burnt one o. The good ones 🙂
glowingscenes
December 25, 2014 at 9:39 pmI think I need to start trying stunts like Frances here. Thanks for the tips. You never know when it can come in handy for people like us.
I was just looking at your socks and shoe and admiring you. You are beautiful Frances and you look so liberated. I’m sure 2015 has so much for you and you’re ready to grab it.
I hope you got my message to send me my own chicken. Not the burnt one o. The good ones. wink wink*
Frances Okoro
December 27, 2014 at 9:56 amBlehh..I’m happy to say that I didn’t burn any of the Chicken..I’m good like that.lol.
Don’t take my word for it sha, I must praise myself(you understand 🙂 hehe)
Your compliment warmed my heart Itunu..
I hope to hear/read of your own adventure soon..time to go all out and explore! We’ve got the time now, let’s use it yeah? Yes!
*hugss**
Berry Dakara
December 26, 2014 at 8:57 pm#1. YES!!! Olumo Rock! Twas fun, wasn’t it?
#2. YESSS!!! Traveling while single! People like to live as if being single is a thing of doom and they can’t do anything. LIES!!!
#3. YESSSSSS!!! Doing something new!!! I always applaud people, especially females who do something new and out of the norm.
Absolutely glad you had fun.
Frances Okoro
December 27, 2014 at 10:13 amYesssss! Berry’s first comment here!
And yesssss! You are welcome, I hope to see more of you here 🙂
I totally agree with you, whoever sold the lie that single ladies cannot enjoy their single lives lied big time! They sold junk to us and i’m not buying it… I must maximise this time to the fullest!
all God has for me, i’m squeezing it all out 🙂
And it was really fun to do this, some “mummy oh” were uttered at some places I had to climb sha, but still it was fun 🙂
Rosemary
March 17, 2015 at 1:17 pmThank you for sharing! Had been searching for info online without luck until I came across your blog, I just love your adventurous spirit! Pls keep it up and may God grant you your heart’s desires, Amen. Keep being real!
Frances Okoro
March 20, 2015 at 8:53 pmAwww Rosemary..I’m glad you found this helpful…
first time here right? Pls do stay..lets be adventurous kindred souls together 🙂