This past weekend was a four day weekend, so we took full advantage of the opportunity to get out of Abuja and explore.On Saturday, we joined an entourage of friends and drove 3 hours southeast of Abuja to the Benue River. According to the map, there is a road that goes all the way to the town of Loko, which is right on the river. When we got an hour away from Loko, we suddenly reazled the road had been washed out by the rains. The locals made a pedestrian bridge, but there was no way for a car to cross. So, we parked the cars, crossed the washed out road, and jumped on an okada (a dirtbike/motorcylcle) to our final destination, Loko. We were told the ride would be 30 minutes one way, but we soon found out it was much longer than that. After an hour and ten minutes of riding through the African bush, we arrived in the town/village of Loko. The purpose of our visit was for Bryan to research possible boating excursions. We hung out around the river for a while and then we were given a tour of the village. There had to have been at least two hundred people following us through the village. We must have been quite the scene. During our tour, we were introduced to the chief of the village who was not at all happy with us. It is expected when visiting a village to find and greet the chief before doing any other business. We unfortunetly did not know that and ended up meeting him about 15 minutes after our arrival. After apologizing and conversing for a few mintues, we were shown to his compound and invited to stay whenever we were back in the area.
Lana, Lulu (the dog) and I at a rest stop
Need I say more...
waiting for our ride
crossing the washed out road
The Benue River
The village tour guides
Almost made it...
This was the furthest from Abuja we had been since arriving last year. We had a wonderful trip full of 'firsts' and new adventures. We look forward to visiting Loko again.
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