Hello guys,

I just relocated to the UK, two days ago.

I will document my thoughts on this page for insight and reference.

Keep a tab on this thread.

Part 1: Just Before Leaving Nigeria

The days leading to my date of departure was quite emotional for a lot of people, certainly not me.

My mum was reeling in tears, that I intentionally avoided calling her over the phone nor asking her to accompany me to the airport, cos it'd end in a public show of crying festival...Maybe na Instablog I for dey see myself now.

My sister who was with me days before leaving also broke down in tears just as we were about going to the airport. It wasn't easy seeing her that way But we move!

For me, I didn't see any need to cry. I'm not a deeply emotional person.

I was simply excited about going to meet my partner. Traveling to the UK itself wasn't a big deal for me. But many felt it was the best thing that could have happened. In all, we thank God!

Thanks to family members and friends for their support and insight.

Part 2: It's Time To Leave Naija

It's the D-Day. I was to fly on a 10:55pm British Airways flight from Lagos to London.

Prior to the D-Day, I had packed my bags and weighed them to ensure I was within the allotted luggage size. No banned products or items.

I arrived at the Lagos Airport at about 6pm or so although I had checked in online in the morning.

After staying in a slow-moving queue, I entered the departure terminal, passed my bags through the scanner and all of a sudden a guy in mufti pointed at my foodstuff bag that they needed to conduct further examination on the content. I queried why that was necessary after the machine had scanned, plus I wasn't carrying any contraband item. He sha said he's not the one that made the call but his oga by the machine, probably, becos the machine couldn't scan all the bag content.

I said no wahala then took the bag to the man. He asked for the content of the bag, I told him foodstuff. He asked if there was palm oil there, I said no. He asked me to zip it up. He then asked me to zip it up and move closer to him for a discussion.

You already know what the discussion was about...MONEY! He wanted something for doing his job. I wanted to give him something but I thought of the time-consuming process he went through to do that, then, I said nothing for him. He returned to his sit after much foot-dragging. He tried doing same for an old man, but the Baba was a hoodlum with a harsh tone and he released him pronto. Their exchange was so funny.

Just as I was turning to proceed to the BA's counter, another officer in uniform stopped me and asked if I had taken my foodstuff bag to the Export Desk for examination. I wanted to scream at him that I wasn't commercially exporting the stuff. But he was smart to read my face, and immediately said, he's just informing me for future travels. I said okay and proceeded to BA's counter.

Bags were weighed, documents were checked, tags and boarding pass were given. I concluded all this around 8pm. The counter officer said I go straight to the boarding gate. I knew I could move around, chill with friends before proceeding. Mind you, my sister had an official I.D that could give her access to most places in the airport even the departure lounge.

After checking in, I decided to exchange some funds inside the airport. The rate was bad...N765/£. Paid N765,000 for £1,000.

At this point I was feeling hungry, so I walked round the airport to get something to eat. I was craving yam, as I had experienced some stomach discomfort earlier.

So, I sat at a small store and ordered water. Then I added meat pie, which was somehow and I couldn't finish it. Then I thought I should buy groundnut, as my partner likes it nau. It was time to pay and I asked the guy. Guess how much he called my bill for the three items?

N3,000...Omo, I shouted! Wetin I buy nau; Eva Water, Meatpie and Groundnut Kwa? He said water is 500, pie = 1000 and nut=1500. E pain me sha but I paid. It was also a good way to offload some of my Naira notes, cos they may not have same value by the time I return to Naija.

Na so I comot the shop and proceeded to the boarding gate. That was another layer of security and luggage check.

Welcome on board, trust you are settling well.

Op ride on

Booking space

Tell us all about the London girls.

Thanks! Settling in quite well.

Soknown:
Welcome on board, trust you are settling well.

lightnlife:
Thanks! Settling in quite well.

Great. Enjoy

lightnlife:
Part 2: It's Time To Leave Naija

It's the D-Day. I was to fly on a 10:55pm British Airways flight from Lagos to London.

...

PART 3: This Is A Boarding Announcement

After going through the checks - customs, airline, immigration and all - it was time to board the plane.

Just before this time, I needed to fully utilize the over 15GB data I had on my sim before flying. Sadly, the airport download speed was slow. Tried downloading some movie, music and also update my system but it was impossible. I had to let go of such huge data. E pain me ooo!

As usual, passengers had to endure the torture of a rumbling voice and unclear diction making announcements in the airport. I didn't bother listening to the announcements becos I knew my flight number and time. Some old men around had some complaints about it. I've always wondered how those dead-beat announcers get such roles when there are millions of fantastic speakers out there. Guess it's the Nigerian factor!

There was slight delay in boarding the BA flight. After much ado, the officials announced that passengers would start boarding. Trust Nigerians, almost everyone jumped off their seats to board at once. The officials had to restructure the boarding process, requesting elderly passengers, nursing mothers and children to board first, followed by passengers with seat numbers 30 - 50K. Interestingly, I was in the latter category. I picked my bag and proceeded to board.

As expected, routine in-flight checks and announcements were made and sooner than later we were up in the sky counting down to our destination. Being a late night flight, most people slept off for most part of the flight ✈️ time.

While I wasn't expecting much from British Airways in-flight services given the poor reviews I had received from friends and family, I'd say my personal experience was even poorer than what I heard. First, the leg room and structure of the plane was super discomforting. Secondly, the food was a miss...I really hope they look into all these.

Omo, seeing the leg room of the first class and other premium tickets got me thinking about the essence of having good money to afford comfort ooo.

ASIDE: The passenger beside was literally and figuratively in the air...She had a huge wrap of suya to start the journey. Requested several alcoholic drinks to step down at intervals.

Arrival time in Heathrow airport was meant to 5:30AM but the plane arrived much earlier. Good, right? Upon arrival, everybody rushed to disembark, but as the custodian of the back seat, I needed to be calm to allow those in front go before we attempt to leave...

Thank God for safe trip

Grabbing my popcorn..

lightnlife:
PART 3: This Is A Boarding Announcement

After going through the checks - customs, airline, immigration and all - it was time to board the plane.

Just before this time, I needed to fully utilize the over 15GB data I had on my sim before flying. Sadly, the airport download speed was slow. Tried downloading some movie, music and also update my system but it was impossible. I had to let go of such huge data. E pain me ooo!

There was slight delay in boarding the BA flight. After much ado, the officials announced that passengers would start boarding. Trust Nigerians, almost everyone jumped off their seats to board at once. The officials had to restructure the boarding process, requesting elderly passengers, nursing mothers and children to board first, followed by passengers with seat numbers 30 - 50K. Interestingly, I was in the latter category. I picked my bag and proceeded to board.

As expected, routine in-flight checks and announcements were made and sooner than later we were up in the sky counting down to our destination. Being a late night flight, most people slept off for most part of the flight ✈️ time.

While I wasn't expecting much from British Airways in-flight services given the poor reviews I had received from friends and family, I'd say my personal experience was even poorer than what I heard. First, the leg room and structure of the plane was super discomforting. Secondly, the food was a miss...I really hope they look into all these.

Omo, seeing the leg room of the first class and other premium tickets got me thinking about the essence of having good money to afford comfort ooo.

ASIDE: The passenger beside was literally and figuratively in the air...She had a huge wrap of suya to start the journey. Requested several alcoholic drinks to step down at intervals.

Arrival time in Heathrow airport was meant to 5:30AM but the plane arrived much earlier. Good, right? Upon arrival, everybody rushed to disembark, but as the custodians of the back seat, I needed to be calm to allow those in front go before we attempt to leave....[I will continue later today. It's 12:00AM already].

Thanks for reading.

BA’s food is terrible. Virgin is slightly better. The Nigerian airlines( Arik, Belview, Medview) were much much better food wise but sadly no longer operate this route. Welcome to the UK, whereabouts are you?

Thanks!

England.

Londonboyrep:
BA’s food is terrible. Virgin is slightly better. The Nigerian airlines( Arik, Belview, Medview) were much much better food wise but sadly no longer operate this route. Welcome to the UK, whereabouts are you?

went there for school or what bro ?

Family, work and life.

My partner works here.

Nogymmarts:
went there for school or what bro ?

lightnlife:
Family, work and life.

My partner works here.

waw, congrat

Congratulations @OP

lightnlife:
Thanks!

I'm in Dorset, England.

Nice, thats a predominantly white county. Bournemouth has some very nice beaches and tourist attractions but you will miss naija food though. Hope you brought plenty of naija food stuffs otherwise you’d need to come to London, Kent or Essex for those. Welcome again and all the best. PM me.

lightnlife:
Hello guys,

I just relocated to the UK, two days ago.

I will document my thoughts on this page for insight and reference.

Keep a tab on this thread.

Congratulations bro.

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
I'm looking for a partner that will take me abroad.

Londonboyrep:

Nice, thats a predominantly white county. Bournemouth has some very nice beaches and tourist attractions but you will miss naija food though. Hope you brought plenty of naija food stuffs otherwise you’d need to come to London, Kent or Essex for those. Welcome again and all the best. PM me.

I don't even fancy Naija food especially swallows.

Thanks!

Yeah, Dorset is a white community.

Per missing Nigerian food, there are a couple of African stores around. There won't be a need to travel all the way to London or any other county.

Londonboyrep:

Nice, thats a predominantly white county. Bournemouth has some very nice beaches and tourist attractions but you will miss naija food though. Hope you brought plenty of naija food stuffs otherwise you’d need to come to London, Kent or Essex for those. Welcome again and all the best. PM me.

Thanks!

Nogymmarts:


waw, congrat

Thanks!

Ehnehn! All the best but I'm not sure that should be a dominant factor for wanting a partner.

With the right skills and info, you can travel yourself .

"Bro" how did you assume I'm a "bro"?

Albertone:


Congratulations bro.

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
I'm looking for a partner that will take me abroad.

lightnlife:
Thanks!




Thanks!

Ehnehn! All the best but I'm not sure that should be a dominant factor for wanting a factor.

"Bro" how did you assume I'm a "bro"?

I'm desperate to leave here. That's my own dominant factor mbok

My bad if you're not a bro.Are you a sis then?

Albertone:


Congratulations bro.

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
I'm looking for a partner that will take me abroad.

There are countries that grant citizenship by marriage.

JapaProfessor:


There are countries that grant citizenship by marriage.

Obviously yes!
To see marriage partner is the issue here.

lightnlife:
...

PART 3: This Is A Boarding Announcement

After going through the checks - customs, airline, immigration and all - it was time to board the plane....

PART 4: Welcome To The UK


The plane landed Heathrow airport some few minutes past 5AM. The first shocker for me was that everywhere (the sky) was fully bright. I was literally expecting the gradually fading dark cloud but it all brightness. With that brightness came light cold, announcing the arrival to the cold country. Nobody tell me to wear jacket right from the plane before disembarking.

Upon disembarking, I walked for few minutes, joined the airport train service conveying passengers to the spot of their choice - arrivals (baggage collection) OR connecting flights. After getting off the train �, there was another short walk which leads to the immigration checks corridor.

First shocker: there was a different service centre for passengers holding a UK, US, EU, Japan and a few other countries' passport. It was a fast and stress-free process. On the flip side, holders of other countries' passport had to join a long, slow-moving line for their immigration clearance. There were just two immigration officers attending to the numerous passengers as at the time, maybe becos it was early in the morning. To reduce the waiting time, the immigration assistant had to come to the long queue area to announce/check if there are holders of the aforementioned countries' passport, so they can be moved to the "special/fast" side...No one signified. She later to ask everyone with a BRP to go over to the fast lane. A couple of people moved there. But then, the general queue was still long. So, she started picking people from the long queue to the other space in bits. More officers begin to arrive at their work stations, making the line a bit faster. Quite a lot of people got tired waiting in queue but everyone had to choice but to chill. While all these was going on, there was this immigration officer that was really grilling people, taking his time and asking questions, while others clearing passengers really fast. I was praying not to be directed to him after waiting for such a long time. Just as the "long-griller" was about calling me, another officer called me. I was happy.

I approached the officer's cubicle, greeted him and presented my passport to him. He checked my passport and visa page several times, types on his PC, then ask why I'm in the UK and where I'll be staying amongst other questions. I answered him, then he stamped my passport and returned it, then said have a great time in England. I Collected my doc and proceeded to collect my bags...That was quite easy as I had tagged my bags.

Oh! Trolleys were free in Heathrow, UK. But they're often paid for in Lagos, Nigeria. How so?


Anyway, picking up my bags, I proceeded to terminal five to wait for my partner. After a few minutes, I went to the restroom and by then my partner was already in the airport to pick me up. I finished up in the restroom then proceeded to meet my partner, and boom, it was indeed a moment of joy and estacy.

We drove home, gisting and admiring each other...Love is sweet biko!

lightnlife:
PART 4: Welcome To The UK


The plane landed Heathrow airport some few minutes past 5AM. The first shocker for me was that everywhere (the sky) was fully bright. I was literally expecting the gradually fading dark cloud but it all brightness. With that brightness came light cold, announcing the arrival to the cold country. Nobody tell me to wear jacket right from the plane before disembarking.

Upon disembarking, I walked for few minutes, joined the airport train service conveying passengers to the spot of their choice - arrivals (baggage collection) OR connecting flights. After getting off the train �, there was another short walk which leads to the immigration checks corridor.

First shocker: there was a different service centre for passengers holding a UK, US, EU, Japan and a few other countries' passport. It was a fast and stress-free process. On the flip side, holders of other countries' passport had to join a long, slow-moving line for their immigration clearance. There were just two immigration officers attending to the numerous passengers as at the time, maybe becos it was early in the morning. To reduce the waiting time, the immigration assistant had to come to the long queue area to announce/check if there are holders of the aforementioned countries' passport, so they can be moved to the "special/fast" side...No one signified. She later to ask everyone with a BRP to go over to the fast lane. A couple of people moved there. But then, the general queue was still long. So, she started picking people from the long queue to the other space in bits. More officers begin to arrive at their work stations, making the line a bit faster. Quite a lot of people got tired waiting in queue but everyone had to choice but to chill. While all these was going on, there was this immigration officer that was really grilling people, taking his time and asking questions, while others clearing passengers really fast. I was praying not to be directed to him after waiting for such a long time. Just as the "long-griller" was about calling me, another officer called me. I was happy.

I approached the officer's cubicle, greeted him and presented my passport to him. He checked my passport and visa page several times, types on his PC, then ask why I'm in the UK and where I'll be staying amongst other questions. I answered him, then he stamped my passport and returned it, then said have a great time in England. I Collected my doc and proceeded to collect my bags...That was quite easy as I had tagged my bags.

Oh! Trolleys were free in Heathrow, UK. But they're often paid for in Lagos, Nigeria. How so?


Anyway, picking up my bags, I proceeded to terminal five to wait for my partner. After a few minutes, I went to the restroom and by then my partner was already in the airport to pick me up. I finished up in the restroom then proceeded to meet my partner, and boom, it was indeed a moment of joy and estacy.

We drove home, gisting and admiring each other...Love is sweet biko!

so after all this long typing you no drop picture?? Na to sanction you ooo

Pictures now uploaded.

DannyFX2638:
so after all this long typing you no drop picture?? Na to sanction you ooo

Following.......

All the very best in the next chapter of your life.
Kindly represent yourself, your family and your darling nation well.

May God be with you in all you do over there.
It will end in praise for you man.

lightnlife:
Yeah! Thanks.

Best wishes to you and yours.

You are always welcome.
Go and succeed.
Thank you!

For London, get money oh, or na cubicle you go live