Christmas Vacation in Lagos

We spent Christmas Eve exploring and enjoying some of  what Victoria Island, Lagos has to offer. VI is no longer  technically an island since the swamp that originally separated it from the mainland was filled in.  Victoria Island is labeled as the business and financial center of Lagos.  There are banks everywhere.  It's interesting though to just take a turn off one of the well paved roads that provided access and transit from the mainland to VI, Lekki and Ikoyi and run into gravel, stone-filled unpaved streets.  In someways it's very much like the dusty unpaved roads of the north.  According to our driver, hired to take us to several shopping areas, the paved roads have been paid for by  private concerns--the hoteliers and others who want to insure easy and safe transit to their properties.


I suppose shopping on Christmas Eve is the same all over the world (Christain).  The Palms mall was packed with last minute shoppers.  Though each of us had a list of needed items, finding them proved to be a challenge. Selections in women's clothing was somewhat limited, but housewares, electronic accessories and books were easy to find.

Lobby of the Pointer Hotel

We had a number of recommendations from various friends who have either lived or worked in Lagos. But, one of my teammates saw an ad for a casino at the Federal Place Hotel, so we decided to check it out! Our driver dropped us off on the circular drive at the entrance of the lovely appointed hotel.  Within a few minutes, we were greeted by two young women at the entrance to the casino.  They helped us get registered and ushered us into the casino.  On of the women described a drawing which was being held and promised to bring tickets to us.  The short of the story is --Barbara won a prize-dinner for two at the hotel's dining room.  (Whoohoo! Free food!) Then we met the twins, but I'll save that story for another post.

Light display near Civic Center

Pam and Barbara after buying out the crafts marked at the Ecos Hotel