For the past few days, I have not been chanced to write on the western odyssey for reasons beyond my control. Nevertheless, I will do my best to elucidate you on our western tour.
Having spent two days in a western land, we were set for the third day and obviously the final day adventure. On the third, we visited the popular "Ikogosi warmspring" located in a town in Ekiti State and on the fourth day, we visited the famous "Idanre hills" located in Idanre town southwest of Ondo state.
On our way to Ikogosi warmspring, one of our vehicle broke down and unfortunately only a few made it to the warmspring.
Ikogosi warm spring is a tourist centre tucked away in the rustic, idilic and serene town of Ikogosi-Ekiti, in Ekiti State. What is mysterious about the Ikogosi warmspring is the fact that, flowing side by side the warm spring, is another spring, a cold one. The warmspring is a beautiful place to be.
It presents tourists with a feel of water at different temperatures. The warm and cold springs of Ikogosi originate from a close proximity, come to a meeting point, and flow onward together with each spring retaining its thermal identity. The warm spring has a temperature of up to 70oC at the source and 37oC after meeting the cold spring. The meeting point of the warm and cold springs is a unique attraction to tourists. It was believed that the different springs were two wives of a hunter who had two different temperaments. We later came back at night and we were served "Ewa-agoyin", a popular Yoruba dry beans prepared with oil and often eaten with Agege bread.
On Sunday, we celebrated the Holy Mass with students of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo state. The students really enjoyed our presence since we participated actively in the celebration of the Holy Mass. After feeding our stomach with the popular Yoruba meal, "Ofada rice", we began another adventure to Idanre hills.
When we entered Idanre town, students were amazed at the sight of awesome hills and rocks surrounding the town. Idanre town is a town surrounded by hills and rocks. As we drove down, we saw hills of different heights almost trying to kiss the clouds. Is there any thing spectacular about Idanre hills? Oh yes. There is. I will tell you more about the hill.
Since the place was temporarily shut down for some reasons, we had to pay a courtesy visit to the Owa of Idanre (the king of Idanre town). He was receptive and he explained a whole lots of myths about the hill to us. According to the 95years old King, Idanre hill is a special hill in Idanre that takes a tourists approximately 667 steps to get to the top of the hill. At the top, there is a low land that is been inhabited by people. He also said his palace has an extension on top of the hill. The hills became their refuge, a strategic protection against their warring kinsmen and invaders. The people of Idanre had settled and lived for over 800 years before they migrated downhill in the year 1923. Idanre in Yoruba means "this is wonder."
Another spectacular thing about the hill was the "Agboogun’s footprint." This mysterious footprint presents an attractive spectre of a mythical shoe print which could fit into the size of anyone who put their foot into it. It was believed that one was a witch, wizard or a spirit if the footprint does not match his or her shoe size. Also, there is a river on the hill known as "Arun River" which has never dried up no matter the season of the year and it was believed to posses healing powers. Another fascinating aspect of the hill which always bring wonder to the mind of tourists are the unreadable letters believed to be a mysterious handwriting. The letters are etched on the hill and till date, nobody has deciphered the meaning. After spending much time at the Owa's palace, we drove down to Akure city shopping mall.
At the mall, some students who were good at swimming went to swim in a nearby swimming pool in a hotel within the vicinity while the rest spent quality time at "Film house Cinema" where they watched a movie titled, "Avengers: infinity war." We also bought some groceries and also had a swell time at the mall. We later had a "bonfire" night where we cracked jokes, played and made merry around a burning fire.
The next day and obviously the final day of our tour saw us on another adventure to the famous Obafemi Awolowo University Botanical Garden (OAU ZOO), Ile-Ife in Osun state. Arriving at OAU, the students were amazed at the beautiful gigantic structures in the school and as well as their high level of sanitation coupled with the high number of commercial banks in the institution unlike what we have in our own institution. The botanical Garden had several wildlife animals like the hyena, the crocodile, ostrich, tortoise, lion (about four of them), python, monkey etc. It was an awesome experience getting to see the wildlife animals. From the zoo, we drove back to where we lodged to get ready for our journey back to the East. Most students who had the intention of traveling to Lagos were later dropped off at the commercial park.
Our journey to the East began in the evening and it was "fun-filled" trip. We stopped at several locations to ease off and refresh before continuing the journey. By the grace of God, we arrived FUTO in the early hours of the morning. That finally brought our western odyssey to an end!
Meanwhile, the western experience was worth it. We came. We saw. We experienced. We adventured. We exchanged contacts. We conquered.
Special thanks to our amiable Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Jude Ike, members of the committee, the drivers of the bus, our host (Don Bosco youth Centre), the students that participated and everybody that contributed to the success of the adventure. May the good Lord bless us all.
St. John Bosco.... Pray for us.
Photos inset
Regards,
Aniebo Anthony (Maazị)
Aniebo Anthony (Maazị)
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