Beyond the historical monument at Ogun State
I have visited Abeokuta twice but I still have butterflies in my belly for the place. I think I found love.
My first visit to Ogun State, specifically Abeokuta, was in 2016. A friend's younger brother was getting married and so I thought to take that opportunity to visit Ibadan and on my return to Lagos, make a stop at Abeokuta. After some convincing, I successfully got a friend to ride with me to Ibadan.
After the wedding, we explored Ibadan, checked in at Golden Tulip Own Crown hotel and then set out back to Lagos the next day. As we had planned, we make a stop at Olumo rock in Abeokuta and guess who was excited? Me....I felt like the last person to visit the towering majestic rock over the town. We got a tour guide who shared the history of the rock with us and cheered us along as we struggled to climb to the top.
My second visit to Ogun State was in March, 2017. I was stressed from many factors outside my control and needed a getaway badly. I began to research and realised there was more to see at Abeokuta than the historical monument, Olumo Rock. I spoke to a friend who is also a travel enthusiastic and she agreed to go on the trip. We drove for hours through Oyo State (wrong move, google map lied to us) to hike Oke Ado mountains. While I was all energised and determined to get to the top, my dear friend quit 5% into the journey. She was whistling down saying "no one gat time for that". LoL.
We stayed at Park Inn by Radisson. Infact, if that ended up being the only thing we did at Abeokuta, I would have been satisfied. The hotel was everything thing I hoped for (location, bed comfort, food choices etc).
In all, I found beauty and quiet at Abeokuta and would most definitely recommend the town either for relaxation or for some adventure. I look forward to returning to the town and touring the Arts centre and the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library. Both places keep calling my name from the pictures I have seen on social media.
A trip to Abeokuta is definitely worthwhile. What makes the town more appealing is that it is only 90 mins from Lagos (on a good day). Now, Meggie takes the back seat while the pictures do the talking.
OLUMO ROCK | The Ajala Bug
As I have gathered online, Oluma Rock is a popular tourist attraction in the city of Abeokuta. It was used as a fortress by the Egba people in the early 19th century. From the top of the rock, I could see the panoramic view of the town; landmarks such as the Ogun river and the first TV mast etc. What really marvelled me the most is the fact that the top of the rock looks like a pregnant woman laying face up on the rock, as pointed out by the tour guide
OLUMO ROCK | The Ajala Bug
Here, we heard the women pounded yams and ground spices. We also toured the museum at the premises and also saw the traditional shrines. Though traditional, the tour guide said that the Alake of Egbaland, being the paramount ruler of the Egba, prays at the shrine on behalf of the people, the whole country and the entire Egba people, as well as for the tourists that visit the rock. Irrespective of the steep rock and climb, there has been no accident recorded.
FUNAAB ZOO PARK | The Ajala Bug
What a different and rich zoo park. They had quite a number of clean and healthy looking animals, a lot of which are free-range - yup, even snakes are allowed to move freely. FUNAAB can easily be converted to a safari. We saw porcupines, monkeys, baboons, donkeys, jackals, hyenas etc. Definitely worth a visit but most importantly, the place needs funding.
FUNAAB ZOO PARK | The Ajala Bug
They had Ostriches as well. Did you know that the kick of an Ostrich can kill?! Lol. Well, never get too close.
THE PALACE OF THE ALAKE OF EGBALAND | The AJALA BUG
Culture trip to the Palace. This is Aafin Alake ti Ile Egba, which means Palace of the Alake of Egbaland. This is the recent palace (where the 'Kabiesi' stays).
ALAKE OF EGBALAND'S PALACE | The Ajala Bug
This is the old palace (built in the 18th century) which has now been converted for meetings. The palace is rich in art and culture.
ALAKE OF EGBALAND'S PALACE | The Ajala Bug
There are storytellers at the palace. One of them showed us where the Oba is kept for three months before coronation.
ABEOKUTA GOLF RESORT | The Ajala Bug
The golf course is a serene and a leisure spot. It is a members club and a prestigious and highly sought club in Ogun State. We were told a number of golfing tournaments have held here.
ABEOKUTA GOLF RESORT | The Ajala Bug
At the Golf course checking to ensure that I can still jump
GOLF RESORT ABEOKUTA
GREEN LEGACY RESORT | The Ajala Bug
GREEN LEGACY RESORT
