This post is a continuation of an article about my recent trip to Benin Republic. I visited sites in two countries (Nigeria and Benin) for N20K. I’ll breakdown costs later on and also talk more about couchsurfing for the first time, getting to Cotonou and my experience crossing the Seme border.
Here’s an overview of how day two of the 3-day trip went. You can find all the super interesting details about day one here…
Day Two: Fidjrosse to Ouidah
We began day two with a drive down the beach road to Ouidah. The trip took about an hour and a half (including a brief stop to get some coconuts.) We got to the gate of the ‘point of no return’ and had breakfast at a shop there. I had couscous and an omelette with a drink. This cost me about 1000 cefa. Mark said the food might have cost less in a different location.
After breakfast, we visited the ‘Temple des Pythons in Ouidah. We paid an entry fee of 1000 cefa each (N754) and 2000 cefa (N1,510) for the group to go in with our cameras. It was a good tour and the guide was very Knowledgeable. I wasn’t brave enough to put a snake around my neck though…
I didn’t want to pull off a ‘davido’, so I just respected myself. Plus, my mum would probably disown me if she even hears I went to this place. (Fun Fact: She doesn’t like to hear the word ‘Snake’. We have to say ‘That thing you don’t like‘)
After Temple des Pythons, we visited the Sacred Forest of Kpasse. This is where a tree believed to be the King Kpasse exists. (I’ll probably write a separate article about these places in the coming months) The fees for entry and taking in a camera were the same as the python temple. We decided we would do without pictures here and paid for entry only.
Mark took us thereafter, to a bukka-style place to try Beninese cusine. We ordered for ‘akassa’ and goat. It tasted nothing like what I’ve had before (I mean the akassa) but I’m pretty sure we have an equivalent in Nigeria. The countries along the West African coast have similar cuisines. That’s why we all fight about whose Jollof Rice is better…
When we were done with lunch, it was time to take the slave trade route tour. There was a masquerade parade while we waited for our guide. Couldn’t take more pictures of them cos they were demanding for money and chasing people…
Our guide came shortly after and took us to the tourist office where we paid 10,000 cfa which was the price for a group of 3-5 persons. We then began the tour of the slave trade route from the slave market to the door of no return where it ended.
I said my goodbyes to Jon & Jade who were going to stay with a friend for the night while Mark and I headed back to Fidjrosse. Day two ended with a lovely dinner by the beach and a nice cup of tea and honey made by Mark. I slept like a baby!
The next morning, before he went to work, we grabbed breakfast at a really lovely cafe in Cotonou. (cost was 2700 cfa for both of us)
…and then he gave me a short tour of the city before dropping me off at the taxi park in Tokpa.
I had an amazing time in Benin Republic, thanks to Mark and I couldn’t have asked for a better host. He welcomed me into his home, provided wifi, coffee in the mornings and slept on the couch while I had the bed. It was a trip I will never forget and I hope I get the chance to return the favor someday…
Please leave your comments, contribution or question in the comment box. By Amarachi Ekekwe
Culled from Chapterone.com.ng
