Surprisingly, the year that just started yesterday is four days old today. But the feting seems to continue, especially for those that resolve to enjoy every bit of leisure that both nature and man are offering this year.
Of course, it is a good thing to do. It is healthy, stylish and sensible to take time off and cruise far away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.
At the many beaches that dot the Lagos coastline, fun seekers are still having unending bash for the New Year.
Amidst the bash, locals were also making brisk business with their products.
The museums, especially Nike Art Gallery Lekki, and Lagos Museum Onikan, had great patronage, while Lekki Conservation Centre still wooed lots of nature lovers.
The exclusivity of the Akodo, Hermitage, La Campaigne among other beaches on the Lekki-Epe axis serves well for the high-profile beach lovers. Beach soccer, basketball, boat ride among other activities welcome guests into the new year of fun. It is also going to be a fun-filled year for children seen often with their kites on the beaches, playing amidst normal fight on the white sandy shoreline, while some others hunt for shells, which they on return, present to their parents and siblings as new year gift. Lovers should not miss out with the fresh opportunity to commune with nature and man this year. Feting, necking and usual cuddling that cement relationships are better done in natural abodes like beaches, resorts and parks.
But the scene seems to be grander at the Badagry axis where many families, friends, lovers and even club members jam-packed in cars and commuter buses for picnicking at the Asakpo and Sultan beaches. It seems the whole of Lagos is on the beach, but the wider reach of both beaches provided enough space for everybody to frolic, commune with nature, enjoy a somewhat family reunion, refresh and gain the strength to face the challenges of the new year.
Over 2000 fun seekers that throng the beach in phases had enough space and sand to frolic on. The somewhat angry ocean current fete them with both fresh sea breeze and its splash that keeps swinging those who dare to swim forth and back.
There were enough horses to ride on for just N200, photographers still made brisk business with their digital tools, while hawkers prayed for an unending party.
The feting is so much that the many coolers filled with drinks, food and water were empty on return, children were carried away by excitement, lovers plan sleeping on the beach while parents in their usual protective nature, decide when the game is over.
The magic, of course, is the improvement in the beaches. The over 50 stylish and beautifully decorated tourist huts at the Suntan and Asakpo beaches play host to everyone with a sense of leisure.
Oye Ifako, a fun seeker who came with his family of four, says besides the improvement on infrastructure, the top security in place at the beach is what woos them to the beach despite the traffic jam on Badagry Expressway.
Badargy West Tourist Resort Limited, the operators of the beach, raise the money from tickets, services at the accommodation options they provide for in-house guests and revenue from business people on the beach.
And the economy of the locals who hawk wares, food, drinks and coconut is no longer dwindling as patronage improves as well. The question on the lips of the locals before used to be: “Where have all these Lagos people gone to”. They fete enough of them and in return made brisk business for the period the fun lasted.
Yinka Amao makes money hiring out her picnic mats at the rate of N250 per one, while those who want it all can buy the mats at N500 each.
The intense sun provides good business opportunity for hawkers of cold drinks, water and coconut.
Of course, they doubled the prices, but the leisure-imbued guests did not mind an expensive time-out with nature. Sure, they are never the same, going by the renewed spirit, strength and vigor they gain to carry on productively in the New Year.
OBINNA EMELIKE
