Let’s face it, life can be hard. We have a lot going on at different times of our lives. How do you disconnect from all the pressure and obligations we have? When do you get some down time?
Travelling is one way, at least it works for me from experience and from feedback I’ve got from fellow travellers.
Quick facts:
- Singapore is an island country in Southeast Asia.
- It is a city state and does not have states and cities like other countries. The country is a well-planned urban area.
- The country has an estimated population of 5,917,600 people.
- The official languages are Malay, Chinese, English and Tamil. The population is a mix of people originating from China, Malaysia, India and others.
- Their currency is Singaporean Dollars (SGD).
- Singaporeans kind of sound like Nigerians when they speak English, hahaha
Visa requirements
i) Valid Passport with minimum of
6 months validity from the date of entry
ii) Photocopy of passport
ii) Previous passports (if
any)
iv) One recent passport size
colour photo with white background (taken within the last 3 months)
v) Completed Visa Application
form (Form14A)
vi) Sponsor Letter of Introduction
(LOI) from Singapore (V39A)
vii) Proof of employment letter
with salary & leave entitlement, employment letter approving annual leave
viii) Pay slips or bank statements
ix) Hotel Booking
x) Copy of round trip air ticket booking/itinerary
xi) $22 visa fee
Laos had been high on my bucket list for years so when I had the chance, I just had to visit. I visited in February 2024.
Quick
facts
- - Officially the Loa People’s Democratic Republic, the only landlocked country in South East Asia, it is bordered by 5 countries (Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand).
- - It’s capital and largest city is Vientiane and the people speak Lao.
- - They have an estimated population of 7.8 million people.
- - The local currency is called Lao kip
Visa
Process
I wrote to
the Lao embassy in Yangon where I live, to make enquiries and was told as a
Nigerian passport holder, I needed the following:
- - Letter
of introduction from where I work
- - Proof
of funds (pay slips/ bank statements)
- - Visa
fee of $35
- - Hotel
reservation
- - Flight
booking
- - 2
passport photographs
- - Copy
of passport data page
- - Passport
with at least 6 months validity
As no visa application had been treated for a Nigerian at that Embassy before, I was told that my application would be sent to their Ministry of Foreign Affairs for approval. The lady seemed worried and asked if we had an office in their country, so they could apply for me. I told her I was in no hurry and would wait for the approval. The approval only took 2 weeks!
When it comes to travelling, there are different categories of travellers :
1) those who get to the airport way ahead of their flights, then take all the time to stroll around or just wait at their boarding gates
2) those who wait for last minute, are constantly in a hurry, running or missing flights
3) those who spend their time window shopping or eating
I happen to be in the first category. I get into a bit of a panic when I'm running late, so I would much prefer to get to the airport early, ahead of the long queues. This saved me once when I was asked to do a covid test by an airline because they had not yet updated their regulations (didn't need a test) from the country I was travelling to. Thankfully, there was a place to do an antigen test at the airport, and I had more than enough time to get the result, check in and wait to board.
I recently had to travel to London via Kigali, Nairobi and Paris. There was a 40 minute delay from Kigali which was not a problem. However, on arrival in Nairobi, there was a 3 hour delay. I watched the time pass and kept consoling myself that I would make the connecting flight in Paris. At times like these, you watch time pass quicker than anything. I spent 40 minutes in Paris and I spent a good amount of that time on ground running.
As we arrived, we disembarked then got on the bus that took us to the terminal. That took about 15 minutes then I ran from the bus to get through security. Thankfully, there wasn't a long queue but as every minute passed, I was getting more and more apprehensive. I saw some people go right under the security barriers, but I didn't want anything to delay me more than necessary in case someone decided to be difficult with me.
Anyway, it took me 7 minutes to get through security. I felt my phone vibrate but that was the least of my worries. As soon I got through security, I ran like my life depended on it. I had a family event in London starting at 2pm and I kept saying to myself that I could not miss that flight. I was to arrive around noon.
As I approached the boarding gate, the counter seemed empty, but I kept running. Right on cue, a lady appeared, then shouted London in that familiar asking tone. Out of breath, I shook my head while running to get to her and she gestured for me to slow down and said it was okay. God knows I was grateful for that. I was the last one to get on the plane, the door closed right as I got on. I sat down, panting, then I spotted a couple that was on the Nairobi flight as well. They were seated just in front of me. I remember seeing them go under the security barriers, I spoke to them. You made it from the Nairobi flight. We all shared the knowing laughter of 'we made it'. As I was about to switch off my phone, I saw a text message from Air France notifying me to go to the boarding gate. That must have been the vibration I felt while waiting to get through security.
Of course my suitcases did not make it onto the plane. As we landed, I got another text message notifying me that my suitcases were in Paris and would arrive on the next flight, which was at 4pm. I found the Air France baggage unit, filled out the forms with my address and my suitcases were delivered the next morning. I have to admit, their service in this regard was great.
I find Airports very fascinating. It's a place where people 'put aside all dignity' if need be, when it comes down to it. The two times I have had to run like this (with no shame) to catch planes, were between London and Paris. First time was in London in 2010, I was returning to Paris where I lived at the time and this time, in Paris. Fortunately, all ended well for me, I can't imagine how frustrated I might have been if I had missed the flight.
I visited Senegal last month after 10 years! I didn't remember so much about Dakar from the last time I visited, but the thing that struck me most in 2012 was the Gorée Island (île de Gorée) and I knew I had to go back.
Senegal is a small country in West Africa with a population of about 16 or 17 million. Largely on the coast, a good part of the population speaks Wolof, one of the national languages. Wolof and French are widely spoken.
The baobab tree and the lion are national symbols. While talking about boabab trees, someone made reference to how elders sit under baobab trees in rural areas and disputes get resolved under boabab trees. It obviously holds great significance and there are lots of these trees all over the country.
If you followed the Africa cup of Nations recently, you'll know that the team that won was the Lions of Teranga 😊
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| A baobab tree |
Dakar, the capital of the country, has a nice vibe to it, it has a life of its own and there are lots of things to do. The night life is indeed night, as they start late, close to midnight (depending on the kind of fun you are looking for) and go on till morning. There is a wide range of restaurants, bars and hang out spots with live music. There is a beach area lined with exercise equipment already set up. You'll find people exercising there most times, the area is called La Corniche.
In Dakar, the art scene is grand, from street art to graffiti, museums and the art village. The traffic is equally hectic so the colourful streets can keep you company while you get through. Have a look at some of the street art I drove past:
I went back to Benin Republic in May after about 20 years and I was pleasantly surprised. Cotonou is more organised and cleaner than I remem...
