By Funlola Obe
Let’s face it, times are tough.
Everything is expensive; FX, petrol, even tomatoes are causing problems for people’s accounts.
But you still have to have a social life, right? What is the point of working morning to night every weekday (sometimes at the weekends), when you have nothing to take the edge off and relax? It might be simple to just stay home and binge-watch tv shows like ‘Game of Thrones’ or ‘Orange is the new black’ (I won’t lie that’s what I spent my last weekend doing, thank God for high speed internet), but unless you want to become a hermit, you have to go out and have fun with your friends once in a while.
So my new motto is ‘cheap or free’, and in my new stingy mode I’ve discovered a few things to do and places that won’t break my account, and hopefully yours:
Freedom Park
This is a National Memorial, historical landmark, cultural site, as well as an arts and recreation center. Over the past couple of years, I kept hearing about this Freedom Park but never had any idea what it was, so I finally went one Friday night to ‘Afropolitan Vibes’ (a monthly concert at the park), and it was a lot of fun.
I decided to check it out during the day to see if it was a nice place to just hang out. I went on a Sunday afternoon, and it was just as much fun. It costs 200 Naira to get in, the food and drinks are quite cheap, and there were a lot of stalls to walk around and buy things like jewelry or just window shop.
Kayak Lagos
So my house faces the Cowrie Creek Lagoon in Ikoyi, and one Sunday I was home doing what I do best (lie down and wait to sleep, or just sleep) and I looked out and saw people KAYAKING. I was shocked!
Firstly, it’s Lagos. We don’t do things like that here.
Second of all, isn’t that water filthy?
And lastly, I was sure it would be ridiculously expensive.
I was wrong.
Apparently it’s quite popular, the water isn’t clear blue like in Miami or wherever, but it’s not as dirty as you would expect, and it was also quite affordable. It cost N3000 for 2 hours and you take off from Oyinkan Abayomi Drive in Ikoyi.
Definitely something worth trying out.
Bottles
This is not a new discovery, but I had to give it an honourable mention here. In case you didn’t know Bottles offers UNLIMITED wings and beer every Tuesday for N4000. It might not be that cheap but really, it’s UNLIMITED WINGS AND BEER. Trust me, you will drink and eat your money’s worth, and if you can’t you can always carry the rest home!
Lekki Conservation Center
I thought it would be boring as well, but it’s actually a very nice place. The gate fee is N500, and it’s a nice place to take a walk, have a picnic, see some fun animals and just relax in general. Also if you’re lazy like me, that walk doubles as exercise.
Chaka Resort
Holidays right now are seriously expensive. The cost of a ticket to travel is already sky high, before we even mention the FX. My friends and I went to Chaka Resort one weekend out of boredom, and I was pleasantly surprised.
It’s located off the Lekki-Ajah expressway so it’s a long drive, but even at the current price of fuel, travelling by road is still cheaper than flying. The rooms (well done up) start at N25,000 for 2 people to share, so it was a very good deal. It’s a beachfront resort with easy access to the beach all day and night, an indoor and outdoor pool, a gazebo on stilts which is just so peaceful, a beach cabana and a beach bar where you can get food and drinks.
Make your vacation a staycation and save money!
Happy Hour (Combo Deal)
This is more like a point and kill option. If you want to go to all the bars and restaurants you would usually go to, but don’t want to spend as much money, Happy Hour is for you. Someone sent me a link to a website that had all the happy hour specials listed in Lagos. That’s how I found out that on every week day all cocktails are 50% off at 355 between 5-8pm, and you can get every other cocktail ½ off at Sao Café between 4-7pm.
Visit http://eatdrinklagos.com/lagos-happy-hour/ where it’s listed by day, to find out if you’re missing out on any deals.
Nike Art Gallery
This gallery has an amazing collection of Nigerian Art. It’s a good place to spend an afternoon ‘getting cultured’ and the best part is―it’s FREE.
Movies
If all else fails, simply go and watch a movie. A ticket is N1500 at most, and if you’re lucky enough to look like a small child like me, you will get away with paying N500 for your ticket.
Even though everyone seems to hate it these days I always go to Silverbird. They have the best popcorn, and at some point I’m sure I was addicted to their crepes.
You could also just stay home and watch all the fun Red TV has to offer ;-).
