₦airaland Forum

COMING SOON...

AS ALWAYS MY DEARIE, THIS WILL BE A ONE TO ALWAYS CHERISH

THERE WAS NEVER A RELIGIOUS CRISIS IN KANO BUT JOS WHO FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS WITH DIFFERENT CHRISTIAN GOVERNORS HAD CRISIS. BUT ITS THE KANO GOVERNOR THAT IS TAGGED LINKED WITH TERRORISM. FUNNY LOTS.

Hey ya'll,

I'm back again with my clean travel, unfortunately i couldnt update this trip thinking there was restriction on word counts. This was my last 2025 trip to UAE, Ras Alkhaimah. Never knew there was a city in UAE called that. All i know in UAE is Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. I'm glad this trip was included in my list of visited cities and country. I'll like to give moment of silence to one of my best friend, whom i lost in 2025 and its only fair to show my respect in my little online world. He has been a major part in my progress, development and goals. He introduced me to Nairaland as far back as 2013. May His soul continue to Rest in peace. We always go our trips together and planned to achieve more goals both locally and internationally.
Here goes nothing!

VISA APPLICATION
So the visa application is one of my smoothest as i didnt spend a dime to get it. All i did was use my contact for our meeting to process the visa for me ans was given a special visa within 7 days. The details my contact (aka the host) required me to give my work ID, meeting state letter, back of biodata page, biodata page and meeting invite letter. And the rest was history. Thats why i love anything middle east, they never want anything that'll showcase them as weak host to participants globally. For those who have attended any seminar, meeting or conferences in middleeast, they'll understand what i'm saying. I was granted a 1 month single-entry special visa.

PREPARATION
The preparation was much as i knew the temperature wasnt that hot at that time of the year, but i had to make up my mind that at some point i'll need a kinda of warm cloth. The weather was about 30^ during the day and 18^ at night. Which is how most northern states in Nigeria are during harmattan.

I was supposed to depart on the 16th Nov, but my colleague begged me to postpone it till 17th monday as she wanted to handle some stuff before leaving. It was supposed to be an 18 hour flight depending on the flight used. I chose Qatar airways as your boy needs to maintain his avios points even if it includes me spending more hours (is that loyalty?). Which means we will depart from NAIA (Abuja) to HAM (Doha) then to Dubai airport.
As part of my preparation, i decided that i wanted to my umrah since its an opportunity to thank my God for all the wonderful things and also for the tragic events that also happened in my life (to make me stay humble). That made me to even park as less bags as i would normally do. But in the process i had to pick up an extra bag (because wife 🙄). They can decide to send shopping list along the way even after you've gave out a warning how much you hate luggage.

So my idea was to ask our protocol office to get me a return from Jedda - Saudi to Abuja - Nigeria. Which means i'll buy my flight from Dubai to Madinah - saudi Arabia. It wasnt an expensive flight ($200) and i dont need visa in process (because i have used my US visa - so its a visa on arrival).


DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

We arrived at DIA at about 4:30am and there wasnt much immigration process to clear yourself. It was a smooth process. I even got to meet our honourable minister of Tourism (HE Hannatu Musawa), it was a brief discussion between me and her as she was probably there for dubai airshow in dubai. Its only when these politicians go the abroad that they become humble (though she used a business class abi na first class) to travel.

I booked an uber to Ras Alkhaimah (another 1:30mins drive from ddubai. I was exhausted at the time so we i didnt even flinch when a supposed Nigerian-ghanaian approached me an offered to drive me to Ras alkhaimah. He demanded about 300dirhams to take me. People dey hustle sha. We had a decent convo. As to what his plans are and how he manages to stay in dubai. It was after i entered the car that i realised he wasnt the driver but using his friend's car (indian) to drive me. I wasnt bothered because na all of go die for that road if anything funny happen inside that car, i used my google map to monitor the road.


HILTON GARDEN INN RAS ALKHAIMAH

I arrived my hotel at about 5:30am, i was a smooth ride with no issues. i already had my booking with the hotel and leaving Nigeria. I always try to reserve my booking at the hotel where the meeting will take place to avoid any transportation to the event or missing anything. And ofcourse always with breakfast included. The check in time for the hotel is 3pm for some weird reasons, and i arrived too early to the hotel. But fortunately for me, because of my reservation, i got a room early. The total budget for the 4 nights i spent there was about 1,500 dirhams. As soon as i entered my room, there was a good sourvenir and gift basket waiting for me courtsey of the host agency 😭 i felt honoured, rich and important.

I immediately went down to have my complimentary breakfast then came back took my shower and went straight to the meeting. It was a very tiring meeting for me as i still have jet-lag at the moment. Especially after taking my bath. But managed to attend till 3pm before going to bed.

The hotel is very good and the customer service is top class. The environment is serene and food (arabs dont hold back when it comes to food). They give you everything that is humanly possible as varieties can go.

RAS ALKHAIMAH CITY

The city unlike Dubai, is a mix of calm, peaceful and a bit racist (as its to be expected with most middle eastern countries). My hotel is a few minutes to good malls, so safe to say the city center. The Racism part took place when i wanted to get a jallabiya from a tailor's shop just outside my hotel. Its a custom made jallabiya that you'll choose the farbic you want and then'll either sew it for you or choose a ready made piece and they'll size it for you to your size. When i went into the shop, the owner was a bit repulsed. Which gave me the vibe that i'm not welcomed there. So i wasnt even expecting anything after i asked them how they operate. He wasnt forthcoming and i just left without asking anything further. But all round, the town is right for me to live in and enjoy my stay.

RAK MALL

I wasnt ready to go out that much as i still have a bit of jetlag at the time but managed to visit the mall. Its nice and big. They have a wodnerful food court with top notch brands serving different varieties of cuisines. As you all know by now that my only go to when i travel is the hotel i stay in, the views in the town and the perfumes i get from mall. Nothing much. And because i was planning on going to Saudi Arabia after, i didnt want to put so much in my box. I was able to get a good arabian perfume - Touch of Oud (Tayma).

DisGuy:
They are just doing their job bro, you should be disappointed with your 'international' bank and perhaps lack of adequate preparations for a fall back plan, back up card, pre-paid card, e-sim or roam your sim

it's a learning experience I'm sure

More pictures please

I understand but the frustration is too much. I specifically requested my bank statement to be sent via mail and their response was that i should be in the bank to put the preferred email (i was like what in the world is going on, we are communicating with the preferred email.)

Hey ya'll, (accent must change na a werey traveller wey i be)

I'm really excited letting you know how this trip went down. This is a trip which i planned for when i got the opportunity. Wanted it to happen in february for my trip to Brazil Sao Paulo, but unfortunately that trip didnt happen and i couldnt make the US stop. So i already planned for it in my head without knowing which city i should visit.

So my trip isnt directly from Nigeria as i came to canada Montreal for a meeting. It has this wonderful feeling knowing that you can have a bit of vacay after the merting. Which was something i did plan for in february. But here we are now....

I already have my US visa for a previous trip to miami from an invite by CISA which also unfortunately didnt happen as i got the visa

---

on the day the program/workshop ended. So i didnt need to apply for it again. The news yeaterday about their presidential werey banning some countries from travelling to USA was disturbing before i saw the list. It was a relief knowing Nigeria wasnt included (Wheew).



Stay tuned, i got a book for the trip and lookig forward to covering some pages (might decide if its worth discussing or not by the end of the 3hr flight). YUL -> CLT -> IAD.

VISA APPLICATION

So like i said, i didnt need visa to both montreal and US as i already have some years on my document. It was easy for me to make the decision to make a stop and see the world around. The only disadvantage is i'm doing this without my lovely and adorable wife (who is angry with me everytime). BUT i'll try and bring them along next time (in Government terminology - its in the pipe line). Event if its Saudi Arabia next, or spain Alicante for a friend's wedding.


PREPARATION


By now you all know i hate luggages. So as always i pack small for the journey to montreal. But what i always do incase i need to buy stuff/presents for loved ones back at home, i take an extra bag (duffle). Because the only thing i buy for myself is perfume (Parfum to be precise) and the city/countries sourvenir. Man must scent nicely at all times even if you wear shorts and singlet. From my hotel in montreal where i stayed - travel lodge by Wyndham, i was transported by our driver from the organization representing nigeria for the flight (2:35pm). After my complimentary breakfast at 7:30am, arrived at the airport at 11pm and was able to check in early. Since i already at in the morning, all i needed was some hot cappaccino to stay active and walk round the terminal. I got some perfumes (polo blue & CK - very sweet & intense scents) at the duty free shop. I proceeded to wait at the gate & got myself a nice book - about a canadian spy who cracked the Nazi code (i'll advice to read the book).

CHARLOTTE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

My journey began from YUL (Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport), leaving my hotel Travel lodge by Wyndham at about 10:30am for a 14:00 flight. My ticket was for Charlotte Douglas International Airport, USA. Then from there i had a connecting flight to Virginia - IAD (Dulles International Airport). It was a cool and stress free process for me as i easily navigated through the customs and like mentioned earlier i got myself a book and some perfumes. We arrived at Charlotte on time and the airport wasnt a big one, just majorly for connecting flights for those who have been there. Understandably a small airport. Waited at washington DC link up gate for about 1hr 30mins apprx. My ticket was upgraded even though it was a CRJ 900 plane, the seat has some leg space and in the front. 😀

We arrived at Dulles International Airport after a 1hr flight from charlotte. The airport is huge. I was suprised to notice there was no custom at the exit gate to talk with. So i basically just came out from the plane and headed straight to the baggage claim. Took in train to the terminal which is just a one stop ride. Lucky for me after the baggage claim, i remember getting a message from my hotel (Wingate by Wyndham) to contact the hotel incae i'm interested in airport pickup for free.
Knowing that i landed and no sim to reach out, i used the airport phone which is free to contact the help desk at the hotel. In about 20mins the shuttle bus arrived and picked us to the hotel. During the ride to the hotel, the driver was very helpful in letting us know the advantages we can take from using the shuttle and places i can check out for the period of my stay in Virginia/washington. He pointed out to us some eatout spots and malls around the hotel.

SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL AIR & SPACE MUSEUM

This is one of my passions though. I'm taking about Lockheed CJ-71, space shuttle, Concorde etc. History, artefacts every Aerospace & aviation is there. Its like a kid in a candy store with everything FREE. Its about a 1:30 mins walk in the hangar with so much to read and educate yourself with. They have simulations you can go into and have the experience. Have tried it because there is so much queue.

Funny thing that happened to me: Wore a hoodie with the caption: SIMPSONS COLLEGE. Ono na so oyinbo man ask me if i went to simpsons, as a naija boy, my brain processed in milliseconds and i told him my cousin went there. No be you guy disgrace sir! He apologised and i kept walking.

After the walk around i used the info desk to call my hotel for a pick up. Easy peasy!


THE NATIONAL MALL

IF YOU've been to washington DC before then you know this area is a must! All the history & monumental buildings are located here. I'm taking about Black history, American history, National history, Lincoln Memorial, white house etc. all in the same area! So i took the the metro after being dropped off by my hotel at Dulles International Airport. Took the silver line metro going to ashburn. Its about a 1hr :30mins ride with lots of stops. I dropped off at Smithsonian station which is the exit to the National mall. Its a looooooooooooooooooooooong walk from Capitol building to the Lincoln Memorial. I'm not kidding, when you are out for the view, make sure you wear something light and good trekkers (In summer). Because its a never ending walk bruh. Because its about 25-27 degrees out when i did the walking i had to take breaks and get some refreshments. I started with the National Historic meseum and go through all the other museums. It was fun at first till i got so tired and wished i could just fly back to my room. I now understand why people pay for the city tour trips. It would have been much easier than going alone, cost effective but at what cost baba?!.

Any ways i had the pleasure of seeing all the great monuments and understand the American pride.

Zenith bank really dealt with me as i'm not good at holding cash, prefer to use my atm everywhere i go. But today, that solidary to zenith bank has ended and i'd advise anyone who plans to travel to hold cash. First hand experience is a bitch. I knew there was issue when i tried to purchase some sourvenirs and my card declined (God punish zenith bank). I went to the station to ride back to my hotel and my card declined at the entrance. I explained to the securities (guy and lady - FREAKING BLACKS) about my issue and they stated to me clearly that they couldnt help. I was disappointed to say the least. I was stranded and no internet or sim card to make a call back to my hotel.

I had to borrow my friend's (An angel) card details to order uber ride. About $47 back to my hotel & a 36mins ride. Before i left, i told the security that if he was in nigeria and in such situation people not just me would have helped out. And that as blacks i was disappointed with the hospitality. Didnt wait to hear what they had to say i left.

DisGuy, justwise

Some bonus images 😝

uchman:
OP,
You’ve flexed more than Dangote

Egbon no now

More pictures

Hey ya’ll,

Its been a minute, this trip is long and entails all the necessary experiences for anyone who is there for a meeting or just vacation. I had some wonderful experiences which include; using Automatic bumbum washer (first time 😭) and almost wating pork.
At this point i really need to start looking up cities and countries i travel too. I’m talking about fun places and cuisines. At best, i try to check the weather condition to determine if i should take my jackets or not. And the time difference to Nigeria.
The trip was a business/leisure type and i wasnt disappointed at the city at all. By now, i understand that unlike our dear country, the transport system and addresses are all put in maps. All it takes you to do in a new country/city is to approach any information station/desk and ask about the where and how to your requests. Currency exchanges at airport? No what i like to do but for the sake of transportation and probably food/snacks to be purchased, i always change $100.

VISA APPLICATION
I applied my visa through the RoK embassy, which has an alternative to VFS. Its easier to get from the embassy if you have a contact person from Korea that will confirm your trip (Mostly official visits). I downloaded the form after some regorous search on the internet and even including Nairaland as a keyword 😊 just to see the possible out come.

Filled out the e-form which was better for me as i hate writing. As part of the processes and depending on what type of visa you are applying, the document requirements may differ. For me, i was asked to submit invitation form, introduction letter from my office, bank statement, proof of employment, and payslip.
On the submission day after getting all the necessary documents, i was asked at the embassy if i had an appointment with the embassy and i said no. This is where it gets tricky i believe, if i hadnt insisted that i wanted to submit at the embassy, they’d have asked me to go and apply through VFS. Which would have taken longer time. At at the time i had only 10 days to get my visa and make the trip.
Sometimes i wonder if our nigerian brothers and sisters at various embassy have a way they cashout from frustrating people. Nonetheless, i presented my reason for coming there and insisted that i need to submit as my colleague did the same and submitted his (i used beni sense on them since they wanted to be tricky too). I was asked to come in, waited for about 10mins before being attended too as the hall is empty. The person at the other end requested my documents and i presented everything. Even though she wanted to frustrate the process by insisting i present a new focal person in korean or i should go and submit through VFS.

They always require you to take up cash as the visa fee, not transfer, not Pos, vut cash only which is N60k (with no receipt) - shady as f*ck if you asked me. I suspected that they’d have prefered i follow through agent for the submission since they’ll probably get their caught. It took them about 8 days to make decision and contacted me via text message and i rushed to get my passport as i needed to leave 2 days later.

PREPARATION

Preparation has always been the same for me, last minute packing and no much luggage as i planned to only spend 7 days and come back. I have already made my hotel reservation through booking app. Seoul Garden Hotel was the place as chose as accommodation. Its a wonderful place with great choices of eatries, station access and even bowling alley at walking distance. It cost me about $580 for the 7 nights which is decent if you asked me as the event was held at the venue and price skyrocketed few weeks to the program to about $1300 for the same 7 nights. (Advice: Book early for your trips).
Didnt need to pack much as i have only 4days of the meeting and 3 days chilling on my calendar 😀.
On the day of the trip, i had my ticket for Qatar airways (now a silver privilege holder) with accumulated avios points enough to make some shoppings at duty free 🤗. I hope someday i’ll have enough points to ypgrade myself to first class - and for the plane not to crash as i want to come and share with you wonderful souls how the experience feels like🥹.
Anyways, the flight is from Abv - Doh, Doh - ICN. This is the hectic part, we are talking about 7hrs to doha with 1hr layover and another 9hrs to ICN. 😒 which i wasnt looking forward to at all if not for my avios points that’ll gather. I was so jetlagged before the journet even began. I watched my ritual movie (Lord of the Rings - trilogy) for the entirety of the trip.

INCHEON

We landed at INCHEON AIRPORT, and was shocked to know that i still have an hour journey to SEOUL. Could have used the k-limousine ( bus from airport to different routes - specifically to popular hotel bus stops) which would have cost me about W18,000. One thing to note is that $1 = W1350. Which is just little close to our currency. So it was a bit easier to remember the currency. I changed $100 at the airport which is avout W135,000. Myself and my colleague took a taxi as we are very much exhausted to our hotel, we shared the fare 50/50 - that reminds me, he still needs to balance me my W5,000🤔. We bargained the taxi to our hotel at W90k. A trip that is as far as going from lagos to ibadan.
FUN FACT: korean has about 90% electric cars

SEOUL GARDEN HOTEL
When you search a hotel like this, the review will blow your mind. Normal normal, in every country you visit, the housekeeping are always asians. Now imagine in a city known for its housekeeping globally. That hotel is neat like Mf - excuse my french but i think i have seen only 2 on diffrrent occassions cleaning the rooms on my floor of about 25 rooms. And that includes: changing sheets, cleaning smart toilet, replacing toiletries etc. i was astonished by the view in the room, the smart room with minimal design but elegant and luxurious. (Best believe i had plans to take along some of the shampoo, shower get and indoor shoes. Cant be soending that much and still allow them have it).
I was so hungry and exhausted after the flight. We arrived at ICN at about 7pm which is 10am Nigerian time. You can inagine the confusion to adjust. Since i needed to rest and plan for the meeting the next day, i slept off after a hot shower and woke up around 12:50am. Most of the shops close by 11pm so i had to inprovise and use the vending machine at the reception to get snacks and some juice. Could have used the 7-11 shop just outside the hotel but was too lazy to get that.

MYEONGDONG NIGHT MARKET

I didnt plan to do anything much after the meeting as the only thing in my head is how to get some sleep. My sleep was F*cked up at this point. But this market is the one scene you can possibly see in movies. Tourists centre, good skincare products shops, street food of any kind depending on your cravings. Dont carry your partner to this route if He/she has sweet tooth. 😂. We went out with a friend i met at the meeting who is a canadian-pakistani. Very jovial guy with interest in Nigerian girls with big nyash. Story for another day when we reunite. I love everything about this street and the number of hotels around and the station makes it even a good location for tourist. I got my ritual sourvenir gifts (plague and fridge magnet). Which cost a total of W25k. Had a good crap + sweet chilli + cheese = w7k and used the metro on a single ticket = W2k. We initially used uber from the Mapo where our hotel is to the Myeongdong market = W9,800. So its lot alot cheaper using the metro and no traffic.

YOUIDO ELAND HAN RIVER CRUISE

This is one cruise i was looking up too, but unfortunately i lost interest in it even after making a payment of $17 for the cruise. My reasons are its cold, i dont like being in a confined space for too long and you dont get any form of small chops. As a Nigerian i believe that such cruise should come with some kind of food or choice to get drink or snack. My colleague made me to get the booking done - and its non-refundable . I’m sure it’d have been fun if the weather was ok for flexing in the river. Cant tolerate a 2c weather in a river.


LOTTE DEPARTMENT STORE

Tried going to a mall where i can window shop and possibly eat, but its a bit scanty for my liking u like Doha. I feel like the stores and malls here are cool but their products are a bit high. Remember the difference to Naira is not much about 2-3k difference. And the currency has high denominations - W50,000, W20,000, W10,000, W5,000, W1,000 and coins in 100,200,500.

TIMES SQUARE MALL
On my way to the station, i enter through an underground passage and discover a whole new market below it. This is a place where you can have value fo your money. Things there are cheaper, you can price, and have the real Korean products. The name of the place is around Time Sqaure shopping mall. A made a wonderful portrait printout of my family and also got a very nice frame replacement for my glasses. Same frame that i almost got for $160 in a different location, i got for W35,000.

I really had a wonderful time at this city and looking forward to coming back someday. Very honest and respectful set of beings. AND VERY NEAT CITY in my opinion as you'll hardly see trash out.

THE END

More images

Will definately try to improve on visiting better places and snapping cool images. Visited the Old Medina Souk market but unfortunately i forgot to snap some images there. I'm the Live-in-Moment kinda guy. Sorry

heyya!

Its your boy Unlettered with the flow like like kendrick.... dont mind me, just carried away, thought i could start with a cool entrance. But remembered its a faceless forum.

Anywho, i had one of the almost smooth experiences in this trip to Rabat. I'm sure some will be like where in the world is that, but Dont stress yourself your youngin, Dj unlettered *i'm sorry, was carried away again. *, Rabat is the Capital City of the north african state of Al-Magrib AKA Morocco. I'm sure the popular places that people are familiar with is Marrakhesh & Casablanca. Cool places too but my business trip is to Rabat. Which not really a small town but a decent weather and nice people kinda city. With so many cool locations and local/traditional resturants. These people are really proud of their heritage and culture i must admit. And also so many ashraf-Hakimi like people (my football guys will understand)


VISA APPLICATION
Visa visa visa, sometimes you have it smoothly with some embassies, other times its shit, excuse my moroccan french. But the first i do when travelling is to check up online to see if its possible to process the visa online, becacuse the hassle to go and physically appear is not funny and i'm not a fan of such. So after realising that my African brothers dont even value my country to have a space for iVisa, i was disappointed to say the least and wonder what are all those aviation bilateral discussions for.

Got the form online from a simple google search, initially i got the pretoria form. So i'll advice we nigeria to the country you are applying from before completing it. The requirements are started clear on the site too for anyone that will check. I did my insurance about 38k and visa fee for about 50k.

Now stop right there. Why was the fee increased on the day i was submitting my form to the embassy? A lady actually submitted hers and already made initial payment of 30k before being recalled to conplete. Funny how you have to pay in cash ONLY & no receipt is given after. Thats some shady dealing going on there and its something that need to be addressed.

I got my visa in about 7-10days which is ok.



PREPARATION
I made a little prep early this time by making the bookings of my hotel and got my ticket which cost about N1.8m or there about. Now stop here again. As at 2019, people travel to countries within africa and dubai for about N100k RETURN. Yet again not funny. Or maybe its a peak period, not sure.

So i always travel light, dont need much to pack as always. Though i did check the weather i only took one leather jacket, sweat pants for the cold. And since i intended to get somethings there i didnt bother pack much clothes. Hotel always gives the necessary things needed except if you are going to stay in an Airbnb. Even at that they provide certain things like tissue.

So i got a hotel Belere Hotel Rabat which just a few mins walk to the city centre. The event location was changed at last min, Lucky for me at the time i didnt book any accommodation. So the hotel for 5 nights cost about €340. Which is fair price. I closed to work late as i had a flight to lagos and a late departure to maroc using Royal Air Maroc that also departs at the late hour of about 5am i guess. Its the only direct flight to Casablanca.


RABAT
Royal air maroc takes of in lagos to Casablanca, which is a 4hr+ flight. Ethiopia and other airlines will take you our of the continent extending your time of arrival in maroc to about 13-23hrs. Not worth it at all. i was disappointed with the flight, because i never brough that into consideration to check the aircraft make we were using for the trip. A B737 . Funny story, on the queue to enter the plane, one man came with a security guy being tagged as business class or whatever his class was. Baba no see any difference. Plane be like boarding airpeace to abuja or enugu. We dey see each other with no movie screen at our front. Only difference would have been when they served food.... Flash news, Airpeace type snack pack was given to us at the end of the flight (when exiting) .

The hotel is not particularly fancy but it had the cool vibes and upto date facilities. And just 3mins walk to the event location. With lots of cool shops and resturant around. First thing i did was to try the talked-about al Magrebi mint tea. Couldnt resist that, its sweet and minty with a touch of cultural swag of how pour into the cup.

MEDINA RABAT
Indeed this is a a great historic site that you cant skip the ancient vibes it gives. In some instances for those who have been to northern states in Nigeria, alot of them have these ancient walls that was built as far back as the 18th century to protect and create a boundary back in the days. Same is applicable to the Medina. It has a cool brown tall walls which surround the site. They have alot of cultural and modern artefacts. I'm glad for that because for every trip i get to do, i buy a sourvenir plate of the city of State i visit. Its a kind of ritual for me now . It also has some nice moroccan, spanish and french cuisine like Tapas - tapas poulpe à lagallega, Tajine and alot of freshly baked croissants. I did a bit of Jallabiya (Caftan) shopping too with some as high as 800Dh and others not as expensive.

MALL AIT BAHA

i wasnt really looking for much malls to visit because i believe in my research Rabat is not a town for mall types. But overall, its a decent building that house a number of shops with market spaces for those who lodged in Riads or Airbnb. You have your goods bought here as it is in the city centre.

La MENORA RESTURANT
At the end of our event, we held a nice cozy dinner at this wonderful and peaceful Moroccan resturant. Most of my acquintances are french and moroccans. So it was easy to get the best out of the resturant. I had a nice spanish Tapas - Poulpé la Gallega which remains my favourite with good salted black and green olives (i really love olives). Washed everything with a fresh squeezed juice and maroc tea. One thing i can give the Moroccans is their love for sucre things. Which is mostly against the nigerian nature as our existence revolves around "Mekwe".

I didnt do much as our meeting takes chunk of the time and most places close by 5:30pm. Rabat has a wonderful weather of about 15C. Which is quiet good and some raining moments too. But overall, Morocco is a location i'll recommend for anyone with a big or small budget.

I've seen alot of immigrants, a good number of people begging on the streets too.


THE END

I lost my father in 98’. At the age of 11. It made me the strongest person i can imagine. I strived for success in all i do, last month i participated as a panelist at the highest point in my career.

Missed him so much that i have never saved a number with father, dad, baba or mentor. So i created a random number and saved it as father.

I’m sad because he didnt take part in anything success in my life but 10years of birthday celebration. I was the best graduating role model in my sec sch. I was a panelist in the minds of industry professionals. I have travelled to 4 continents for business trip invitations and its heart breaking that i didnt get that “i’m proud of you” validation from my father.

Value a loved one regardless of who that person is.

Still feels like a dream after all these years.

highchief1:
u didn’t visit lulu hyper market?na we open Qatar those days.

Yeah couldnt make it, but had one next to my hotel holiday inn. So many places to visit.

chanceux:
I was in Qatar during the world cup. Very beautiful place. My Hayaa card is expiring in January, might revisit

Will definately come back when making a transit to canada

elvhinzey:
Interesting! Have you visited The Four Seasons?

Yeah seen it around the museum of islamic arts

More

Heyya,

I’m back again with another astonishing experience. Who said you cant be in Nigeria and still make your life beautiful. Life is full of experiences and based on your choices in life, you can never go wrong with self enjoyment and dedication. Let me not bore you with ted talk.

It was a journey that was bound to happen in present or near future. Came with a bit of drama that almost mad me feel as if my village people were after me… Village people or my siblings 😂

I planned to make my travel last 2 nonths to Doha for a business/leisure trip. It was easy for me being that i have a valid US visa and canada visa. Which qualifies me to use the ETA platform called Hayya. It took me less than 24hrs for the during of the application - Applying, confirmation, payment and visa grant. They gave me a 30 day valid visa and i booked my ticket for my journey 16th sept. Also i was able to secure my hotel booking after being sure of the date. Which is a hotel in Msheireb In Doha.

VISA APPLICATION
this is one of the easiest visa apllications i have ever done. Ynfortunately for those who dont have any US or Canada visa they cant use a platform known as HAYYA. It does take you more than 10-15mins to complete. Just biodata, active US or canada visa. The process takes less than 24hrs from visa application to approval. It was interesting and i made payment the same day and was granted visa same day.

PREPARATION
Like i always say, i’m not a too much luggage guy. So its always easy for me travelling light. And in the event that i have to buy things for people then i can get a bag and easier for me to bring it back than going with much. In this trip, i wasnt expecting myself to look for guides on what to do or how to do it. I love the surprises. One thing i was eager to see was the airport. It was the top for me and to be frank i wasnt disappointed. Got my ticket for the trip and did some research on the hotel to be in using booking.com. Massive help on that. Book a city view room which was around QR600 for 3nights. Lucky for me, my algie friend who happened to be there a week before me did some sightseeing for me. Got the best views. Places and even suggested another hotel for me Holiday inn. Holiday inn is multinational.

On the day of the trip, i arrived at the airport after work just few mins to counter closing. This is when i realised a turn of event. About to receive my boarding pass when the attendant came back to me to tell me that a letter was mistaken on my Hayya visa application. Couldnt believe my ears and eyes. Tried all i could to reach the hayya customer care which is very disappointing to say the least. Logged in to the app to make edits but couldnt. However, the only positive in this was i could open my ticket while my ETA was to expire the next day. Which means i can as well reapply and get my visa same day. That was exactly what i did and got my visa for another 30days.

DOHA

The journey was a 9hrs flight from Nigeria. Which is a direct daily flight to doha using Qatar Airways. I still feel i enjoyed the qatar airways more than the British Airways in my previous post. I didnt feel much of the stress because i love to select my seat before departure. I’m not that rich o, so i cant afford a free leg seat which costs N88k/N44k 🙂.

I had the best hotel view and i’d like the advice people to check them up if possible. Note: No bad hotel. Paid about QR600 for the first 3 nights i spent. 😍 great room, great view, close to the Metro as well - probably like 5mins walk. Ubers are freaking cheap as well. The name is The Town Hotel

SOUK WAQIF

If you the arabian cultural vibes, cuisine, local products, fancy views. Then you have yourself to blame if you are in doha and havent visited this place. I think it has a good history about 500years or so. They have the availability to oil perfumes, abayas, spices for both food, drink and medicinal i guess 🤔. (NOT KAYAN MATA TYPE OOO). Bought a few fabrics myself.

MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ARTS

This a tourist wonder, you will have the biew to the doha city center. The historical building has a lot of Arabian artefacts from all over arabian dating back to 7-19th century. Its about 8 floors with so much details and evidence that creativity and culture is what what people should value more. In Nigeria we are really bad at keeping our cultural and ethnic afrtefacts. Regardless of what anyone says, you should not let your tribe, belief slide under the carpet. Family name and ethnicity has a validity, if you allow yourself to loose it then you dont exist.

VILLAGGIO

i’ll advice you check this great place out, its as if you are in different cities/countries but in a single location. The ceiling is a design of the sky, the path are made as a street within a mall.

I wasnt opportuned to check the stadium 974. Which was used during the Qatar world cup 2022. The amazing theming about the stadium is that it was designed using cargo containers (974) of them. Saw it along the old airport road though and looks great with the water and all.

HOLIDAY INN
I later changed hotel to holiday inn based on suggestion from my algie friend. Its a wonderful place with good location and the customer services is brilliant and professional. I spent QR1,115 for the 4nights. But i’d prefer my other hotel because of the view and closeness to the souk waqif.

Overall, Qatar - Doha is a wonderful place for tourism with the visa ban from Dubai. Middle east have a way of taking its visitors by surprise.



THE END

Ive gotten my visa. 5years. Unfortunately i couldnt attend my business trip as its past the date.

Nontheless, i was asked about my job, family and duration of trip. Thats about it and granted the visa asap.

Jtilt:
Can you please explain if you did anything after the initial emergency appointment request was denied?

I actually have the invitation letter sent by the org requesting me to come. Its a B1/B2 appointment. Obviously they sent my name to the embassy.

I just got my emergency appointment after they initially rejected it.

It took them 5days to rejecct my emergency app request and 3 days to reverse it.

Hello house, urgent please, i need a date for this week. If there is anyone available to assist.

Pearlmadeit:
You have to wait... I got a response after 67 days.

Thank you, i got response yesterday. Requested the emergency appointment now. Awaiting response

Can someone assist me with this please…. This is the message it keeps saying to me for the past 2weeks now.

“Your request to schedule an appointment has been received and will be reviewed. You will receive an email once your request is approved“

Dollarboss93:
Are you from Maiduguri?


Why una like this Kyari Abubakar of a guy over there...

Even in Gubio, Magumeri, almost every where Bornu state

Honestly he is one of the cleanest politicians i know. Yes from maiduguri. And alot is being achieved under him.

my oga is there... thank you tinubu - Abubakar kyari.

Debbieeeeeee:
I thought it was only those who qualified for renewal that were made to wait for dates to submit.
I’m not sure if it still works this way but when I used the emergency route two years ago I chose the available date(it was a 2024 date I saw then) I could see as of that day then I applied for emergency before getting approved. You can’t apply for emergency if you don’t chose a date doesn’t have to be a close date.

My point is i dont have access to choosing a date. So i cant even make choice to select emergency. Thats my concern. And tbe program is in late august.

Debbieeeeeee:
Are you renewing or is this the first time?

no first time

anyone able to help clarify my issue please?

i applied for b1 abuja, but im still yet to have access to date appointment. this is the message i keep seeing: Your request to schedule an appointment has been received and will be reviewed. You will receive an email once your request is approved.

i applied since last 12th july. anyone facing the same issue. i tried to reschedule to lagos but same issue. and my program is next month ending. i dont have issue because i have all to expedite my visa including a letter of invite ready.

apexdesigns12:
You have to reschedule an appointment

havng the same issue, applied since 12th july, 2023. i am yet to receive an appointment email. no place where i can reschedule on my dashboard. it keep saying the same thing about wait for my request to be approved.