When you come from humble beginnings like I have, you never really know what summer means. People talk about summer, but to you, it feels like any other month because, honestly, all you’ve ever known is survival. As a matter of fact, before writing this piece, I went online to confirm what months are summer.
For the longest time, I’ve been in survival mode, hustling to make ends meet. Sometimes when I get things easily, I feel like a fraud. These days, I’m starting to live a more comfortable life. It’s not perfect, but it’s much better than it used to be. Still, I struggle with guilt. When I buy something, I really like or indulge in a bit of luxury. I feel guilty because my brain is so used to hustling. It’s hard for me to simply enjoy my blessings. I remind myself that I’ve worked hard to get here, made sacrifices, and done things most people my age haven’t done. It’s sad because I know I’m not the only one in Nigeria who feels this way.
Seventy per cent of Nigerians are in survival mode, constantly on the move.
This year, I decided to go to Tanzania for my birthday, but as the time drew nearer and the economy became more unstable, it became clear I couldn’t afford it. I wanted to cancel all plans, but my friend encouraged me to still do something for my birthday. So, I opted for a staycation at Ziba Resort. I’ve always liked the resort with its above-water rooms and proximity to the beach. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love the beach.
So, I went to their website to see the prices for the rooms. They weren’t cheap but were still affordable. Instead of booking on the website, I decided to send them a message on WhatsApp, and they responded immediately, sending me their rates and package benefits. They offered full board and half board. Full board includes all-day room access, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while half board gives room access from 2 pm until the next day. The above-water rooms with direct pool access were pricier but worth it. The pools are only 4 feet deep, so you can enjoy them even if you can’t swim. They also provide floaters.
Booking was very easy, but you are required to pay up to 70% to lock down your room. After that, they’ll send you a link to check in online so that you don’t have to wait at the reception. My friend and I went on this staycation, and it gave us time to bond. The ride there was really long, somewhere inside Ajah, but thankfully there was no traffic, and we also had snacks and other things we could munch on, so we started the birthday celebration in the car.
Upon arrival, the security and reception staff were cordial. The ambience was nice with a bamboo minimalist vibe. They hung some Ankara beach attires at the reception, which gave it a nice beach feel. The reception was small but cosy, and the lights were great for pictures. We didn’t spend much time at the reception because I had already checked in online. When we got to our room, it was smaller than I expected, and the door kept making this really annoying sound, which made us feel very uncomfortable. The socket also didn’t work properly. We called room service, and they kept telling us they would send someone, but they didn’t. Fortunately for us, we had tipped the concierge that attended to us at the reception. After waiting for a few minutes, we went to the reception and requested a new room. The concierge we had tipped already took a liking to us, so he agreed. The new room was way better and more spacious than the first one. The space was more private; we could see the other boarders, but they couldn’t see us.
The new room was cosier, with a wooden minimalist design, even for the carpet. The bathroom was nice, especially the shower with its fancy taps that made bathing enjoyable. The room had a foyer leading directly to the pool, which was surrounded by about six apartments. Each foyer had a pool lounger, a wooden reading table, and two chairs. You could sunbathe in the foyer and jump into the pool whenever you liked. This direct pool access from the room was my favourite part.
After we settled in, we decided to tour the resort. It was really nice and close to the beach. There was also a playground area/park where guests could spend time with their families, and they had nice swings that could serve as cool picture spots. You could also have picnics at the park. On the other side, there’s another pool area for non-guests or those without overwater rooms. It had many pool loungers for relaxation.
Dinner was buffet-style in a small, simple dining room. We arrived late, so most of the food was gone, but we still had a nice meal. There were very few of us there, so we all started talking, and then we realized that most of us in the room were July-born. It was very exciting. I enjoyed the food and the conversation. The food could have been better, but it wasn’t bad at all.
After dinner, we went back to the foyer to chill by the pool, and I was also able to cut my cake. I made a wish and blew out the candles. It was a beautiful experience, especially with my best friend there. The next day, we felt bittersweet, wishing we could stay longer. We had just started enjoying the place. We were caught between taking cool pictures and actually taking it all in. When we realized we were both overthinking it, we decided to just let go and have fun. We changed into our bikinis after breakfast and went to the beach. I really enjoyed this part. Just being by the beach again after such a long time gave me goosebumps. Then we went back to our room, and I got into the pool. The water was perfect on my skin. I truly enjoyed it.
Even though this staycation cost a lot, I’m truly glad I took it. Not only did I enjoy the experience of just getting away from the hustle and bustle of Lagos, but I also enjoyed bonding with my friend. Some of our conversations opened me up to learn things about myself that I didn’t even know were there. This experience has also affirmed me in a lot of ways. It’s made me believe I am deserving of good things, and hopefully, next year I’ll do something outside the country and stay longer. It also taught me to stay in the moment and enjoy life in the moment. At some point, we were very particular about getting the right picture spot. I have a gazillion pictures, thanks to my friend.
Eventually, we decided to let loose and have fun and enjoy the experience. This experience has also taught me that dreams come true; you can literally manifest anything you put your heart into. I went on this trip with my oldest friend, and this is a dream I had a very long time ago, even though I had forgotten. The universe reminded me of my dreams. Also, it doesn’t matter how humble your beginning is; it doesn’t matter how bad things are in your life right now. Keep the fire burning. If anyone had told me four years ago that I’d be able to afford some of the things I can now, I would have laughed hard in their face, but somehow God turned my life around.
I really liked Ziba Resort, and I’d recommend it to anyone any day, especially if you are a newlywed. It’s a cool place to celebrate your honeymoon. I’d give the place a 7/10.
