. I entered Bénin Republic through the Semé Border from Badagry. You can get to seme in different ways but since I knew the terrain I went in the most affordable way. From Mile 2 in Lagos to Seme is 5000 naira by a straight car but if you break the journey into 2 or 3 you spend only 2 or 3000 naira. You can take a bus from mile 2 to Agbara and Agbara to Badagry roundabout for about 700 and 500. From Badagry to Seme is about 600 naira but if you take pay for two seats in front it's double that money. It's been a while since I went that route so prices may vary by 100 or so. Instead I took a bike from the Red cross office at Yaba to Oyingbo for 600, then took a rickety, nearly packed up bus of the type common in Lagos to Agbara, and from there to Badagry for 500 naira . My journey Began with a Tragedy which I am just talking about for the first time . I looked up to see the moment a tricycle ran into a very young Boy, spilling his brain Nearly unto the pavement. At first one or two people in the bus thought he was still alive but as he was lifted up and the Brains fell out into the pavement, his true fate became known. The air was rent with cries of pain of sadness. If I were superstitious , I'll have ended the journey right there. I didn't though but I continued .
In reality I spent two days in Badagry while trying to clear up a few outstanding issues in Nigeria, but at the end I got tired and moved on without rounding up. At badagry, I visited or rather re visited the slave museums and the First story building in Nigeria. At the border I took a car to Cotonou ( 1500 Francs) and bought some lovely street food. Pics to come

P:s in Light of the current fuel scarcity, it's likely that some of the prices may have changed

*What to know about Bénin*

It has a vibrant Nigerian community. Yoruba is the second most spoken local language.

Prices are on average twice as much as in Nigeria .

To get a residence permit costs as little as about 5k or so I'm told

In the past Béninoise used to smuggle Fuel and Nigerians smuggle rice . I wonder why it isn't standardized instead of allowing smugglers make money. I said in the past, because the level of smuggling activity varies based on multiple economic factors eg I'm told it became less profitable to smuggle with the rise in naira

Rent is paid monthly here, data is expensive .was paying about 2k in naira for one Gb-.
For places to see check out Ganvie, Ouidah, the various restaurants and seaside resorts in the south, or the Tata sombas in the north
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Pics incoming

Waiting.

Enjoy your trip.

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