A Pandemic Year
What happened next wasn’t expected until after a couple of months… maybe a year even. At least it’s here, we’ve got the Covid-19 vaccine and life can finally be back to normal! I thought as I closed my eyes and continued to imagine.
Could it be? I smiled as I picked a pen and paper to compile a list.
Six hours later, it was all a dream.
After that wild fantasy, I got thinking about places I’d really like to visit when Covid was all over. And I came up with this ten-pointer.
Ahem! Could we please get started.
10 AMAZING PLACES I WANT TO VISIT AFTER THE PANDEMIC
#1. BADAGRY
Badagry is one of the many towns located on the outskirts of Lagos.
It shares boundaries with Benin and is very popular among travellers making their way through Seme Border.
Many centuries ago, the Badagry ports were equipped for slave trade activity. Boats would dock at the ports and traders would exchange slaves for ceramic bowls, bottles of gin or big cannons. How ridiculous was that!
Photo Credit. TheThamarah
Anyone interested in learning more about this horrific times can visit any of the museums scattered in the vicinity.
The town is also known for many firsts as described by Tamara, you will discover the first story building; the first Bible translated to Yoruba; the first well and the first primary school in Nigeria among others.
Related Article: BADAGRY: OF FIRSTS, SLAVE TRADE AND FREEDOM
#2. GET ARENA
GET Arena is the capital destination for go kart or motorsport enthusiasts in Lasgidi. It is situated opposite Oriental Hotel, behind Lekki toll gate at Plot 6 Abila Oniru/BIS Way, Oniru Estate, Off Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Lekki, Lagos.
The kart racing venue is a great hangout for families, friends, couples or fun seekers and it is currently recognised as the first and most challenging racing track in Nigeria.
According to this writeup on Wikipedia, the arena has been closed down permanently. I do hope this happened because of the pandemic and nothing else.
The venue incorporates a bar and grill, indoor game arcade, restaurant and private event space. So it’s not always about racing.
Related Article: WANT TO SHARPLY PAINTBALL IN ABEOKUTA? NOW YOU CAN!
#3. KALAKUTA MUSEUM
The Kalakuta Museum formerly called Kalakuta Republic was the home of Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
Why Kalakuta Republic?
The Kalakuta Museum is run by one of his sons, Kunle Kuti and it showcases personal effects, clothing, shoes, recording studio, prints, paintings and pictures of the great legend.
Photo Credit. Moon Walker Talks
It is located at 7 Gbemisola Street, Off Toyin Street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.
Related Article: A VISIT TO THE KALAKUTA MUSEUM (FELA’S HOUSE). WORTH IT OR NOT?
#4. NATIONAL MUSEUM
As a kid in primary school, I was part of excursions to Oluomo Rock, The National Theatre and of course, National Museum to mention a bunch.
What’s impressive is that after all these years, the domestic museum has remarkably maintained its mark for promoting arts, history and culture.
Established in 1957, the National Museum is nestled in Onikan, just beside the Lagos City Mall and opposite The Muson Centre. If you’re coming in from the mainland, it’s on the same street as Tafawa Balewa Square.
I can recall some attractions including the Mercedes Benz of former Head of State, Murtala Mohammed. He was assassinated in the vehicle and the bullet pockets haven’t escaped my memory since.
Other exhibits include Jemaa Head, Benin Mask, Igbo-Ukwu and Nok Art.
Related Article: NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM: WHAT’S ON THE INSIDE?
#5. NIKE ART GALLERY
Nike Art Gallery is the one place I’ll definitely love to see again.
Being an African art enthusiast, I visited the creative space about two years ago and I penned this short review.
In Osogbo, I was also opportune to see the second location of the art gallery. There are four locations all together in Kogi, Abuja, Lagos and Osogbo.
Nike Art Gallery is the largest in West Africa and with over 7,000 artworks up for display, it is one of the best places in the continent to appreciate different forms of African art.
I liked the reception during my last visit, I was with some friends and at the end of our tour, the guide adorned us with colourful traditional attires for a group photo. It was pretty cool.
Related Article: AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO VISITING NIKE ART GALLERY
#6. ONIRU PRIVATE BEACH
The last time I was at any beach was…. well I can’t remember unless I’m prompted to say I visited the former Bar Beach as a kid, that place is now the site of Eko Atlantic City.
So, you can just imagine how long ago.
Maybe I’m not much of a beach goer but since I did a review of Favour’s trip to Oniru Private Beach, it has received a lot of views on this blog and even ranked page one on Google Search.
This is the more reason that I want to visit for myself, to check what makes everyone love it so much.
Fun activities at the beach include sunbathing, horseback riding, surfing, swimming, quad biking and trying out spicy delicacies.
Related Article: 7 MOST AMAZING THINGS TO TRY AT ONIRU PRIVATE BEACH
#7. SKATE CITY
Skate City is nestled in the big black box. Yep! Maryland Mall.
It is located on the first floor of the mall and this fun space is stocked to keep your adrenaline pumping!
I literally don’t know why I skipped the roller skating area the last few times I visited Maryland but this review from Adeyinka kinda influences me to try it myself.
Services at Skate City include quad and inline skates; padded walls, rugs and helmets for extra safety; hoverboard rides and skating classes.
Photo Credit. Eko City Guide
Related Article: MY SKATE CITY EXPERIENCE AT MARYLAND MALL
#8. THE FIVE COWRIES TERMINAL
Five Cowries Terminal is a popular white clad building on the Lagos island cityscape. It serves as an embarking and disembarking point for water transport users in the Mega-city.
Situated in the affluent Ikoyi neighbourhood, the facility was built by MTN Nigeria and donated to the Lagos State Government in 2018.
It features a jetty, waiting area, restaurant, bar, administrative blocks, ticketing offices, restrooms and ATM gallery.
Inside, there’s a section dedicated to indigenous art and there’s also some cool ‘water keg’ murals hanging from the ceiling. The murals were carefully pieced together by Mrs Polly Alakija.
Related Article: TOP 5 THINGS I LOVED ABOUT HENRIMOWETA AFRICAN ART CENTRE
#9. THE NATIONAL ARTS THEATRE
The National Arts Theatre is rumoured to be a lookalike of General Yakubu Gowon’s military peak cap. It was completed by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 1976 just in time for FESTAC ’77.
This iconic monument can be seen all the way from the Third Mainland Bridge.
Today, it accommodates a 5,000-seater Main Hall with a collapsible stage, two capacity cinema halls and several artworks.
The National Arts Theatre is located in Iganmu, Lagos Apapa Local Government, Lagos.
Photo Credit. TVP Adventures
Related Article: A VISIT TO THE NATIONAL ARTS THEATRE
#10. TERRA KULTURE
The last time I saw Terra Kulture was in Bling Lagosians, funny how this movie is also the founder’s directorial debut but it’s not so shocking now because of her impeccable reputation for stage plays such as Saro the Musical, Wakaa the Musical, Fela and the Kalakuta Queens.
Speak of talent.
Terra Kulture is a creative space that quadruples as an art gallery, restaurant, bookstore and auditorium. It is very popular for its series of stage plays and the Taruwa Festival of Performing Arts.
This critically acclaimed destination is perched on Plot 1376 Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Photo Credit. TVP Adventures
Terra Kulture was founded in 2003 by Nigerian lawyer, Bolanle Austen-Peters.
Related Article: 8 THINGS TO DO IN LAGOS FOR ART LOVERS
Final Thoughts
These aforementioned locations are free or closely affordable for visitors, and only require little recovery. After all’s said and done, which one do you think comes out on top? If you reside in Lagos, have you visited any of these places?
Oops… don’t want to forget to say that you can join my peng social network on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And of course, I follow back.
Thanks in advance and cheers to many blissful days ahead.
Featured Image. Madingwa
ERICOTRIPS 
Leave a reply to Eromonsele Emmanuel Cancel reply