What to do in Lagos, Nigeria

18 Jan

If you are considering taking a trip to Africa, then one of the up and coming tourist destinations is Lagos in Nigeria. Up until the 1960’s this was the capital of the country and has a well-established city centre and island attractions. Lagos is well known for its excellent after dark party atmosphere with clubs and bars that rock through the night but it also has some gorgeous, tranquil countryside locations where you can see the natural savannah landscape or relax on some of the best beaches in Nigeria.

Party Time

Music and nightlife is at the heart and soul of Lagos and it is famous all over Africa for its party time entertainment. It won’t take any travellers long to discover where the hot spots are. You just have to follow the sounds, as there are concerts, parties and live appearances happening nightly.

Beach life

Beaches surround the coastline of Lagos and the local people regularly get away from the chaos of busy city life to enjoy the serene settings of Lagos’s shores. Eleko and Bar Beaches are where you can go for a drink and a swim, often crowded, as these are real party beaches. Quieter destinations include the Tarkwa Bay Beach, reached by the Tarzan Jetty ferry and a great place for water sports and family fun. For the ultimate in tranquillity the Lighthouse Beach more often than not is deserted and you can find a whole stretch of coastline to yourself.

Lagos Attractions

Sungbo’s Eredo, now on the tentative heritage list for UNESCO this site about an hour outside of Lagos is the largest manmade, pre-colonial structure in Africa and the defensive fortifications covers 160 Km. It was built around 1,000 years ago and was believed to have been used to unite the local area into a unified kingdom.

Lekki Conservation Centre created an area of 78 hectares to preserve the natural, biodiversity of the savannah, swamp and forested landscape just outside Lagos. This is the last untouched area of unspoilt land in Lagos and the project aims to protect it for future generations. The site includes wooden boardwalks and a tree house where visitors can safely observe the animals in their natural habitat.

Culture and Collections

Two of Lagos favourite museums are the National Museum and the Black Heritage Museum. The National Museum traces the 2,000-year history of Nigeria, with bronzes and ivory sculptures, exhibits from the colonial era, to the countries modern development. The Black Heritage Museum has interesting artefacts from the slave trade that once centred on the Badagry district of Lagos.

Oba’s Palace on Lagos Island is the king’s palace residence, originally built in 1630 and expanded by the Portuguese some 40 years later. It has also received some modern additions more recently. It now serves as the site for meeting and entertaining foreign dignitaries and is a popular tourist attraction.

Accomodation In Lagos

Picture Via 500px

There are many places to stay when visiting Lagos and depending on what part of town you want to stay will give you choices. The Radisson Blu Anchorage is a four star hotel located on Victoria Island, in the business hub of the city and sits on the waterfront, which gives impressive views over Lagos Lagoon.

Seeking Legal Advice When Buying a House

13 Jan

You should seek legal advice when buying a home, but what should you look for in a lawyer?

If you are buying a home, the legal side of this transaction can be very complicated. It’s a good idea to get expert advice from a trained lawyer who specializes in real estate law. This lawyer will be able to help you with negotiations, surveyors, and much more.

Conveyancing

Conveyancing is the legal term for the process of transferring the ownership of land or property from one party to another. This process begins when an offer has been made an accepted for a home. You might want to hire a licensed conveyancing solicitor to help with the legal side of transferring ownership of the home.

It is possible to complete this process on your own, but it will be very time consuming and complicated and it can be risky if done incorrectly. If you lack the appropriate experience, it is well worth the cost to enlist the services of a professional to assist you.

Special Situations

There are some situations where the conveyancing of a property will be extra complicated, and it is very important to seek the legal advice of an experience solicitor before proceeding. An example would be if the property is being sold by a couple who are going through a divorce, as this requires very specific skills and knowledge. Also, if the property is unregistered or is not a freehold, you should also seek legal advice.

Choosing a Solicitor

When you are choosing someone to help with the legal aspects of buying a house, you will want to look for a few traits. The first trait that you will be looking for is experience, because you will want to work with someone who has handled this type of law before and knows what they are doing. You will also want to find a lawyer who has good references from satisfied clients.

Also, if you are working with an estate agent and they recommend a lawyer to you, be wary. Most of the time, estate agents and lawyers work in a sort of partnership referring clients to each other in this way. You might find that the estate agent is recommending this particular lawyer to you not because they are the best but because they get some sort of kickback in a way. If the lawyer actually works for the real estate company you can be suspicious as to whether they have your best interests in mind or those of the company. It is better to find your own independent solicitor who can give you unbiased guidance because they are not involved.

Most of all trust your instincts. When you have found the right lawyer for your needs you will feel comfortable hiring them to help you with the legal aspects of buying a house because you will trust their skills, experience and ethics.

The Page Turner

13 Jan

Excellent video!