by Loreta Iloh
My last tour to Enugu State Nigeria was my best tour so far. I dont even know where to start from because It was awesome and thrilling!If you were not there,you missed a lot because it was filled with load of fun and excitement.The democracy day tour was organized by Mr Wilson Uche and Mr Johnpaul Ezeani,endorsed by the office of the Governor on Tourism Development, Enugu state Nigeria.
it was a 2 day tour with visits to The Unity museum,The former Governor’s Lodge,The Coal Plant, Ngwo Pine Forest and Awhum Waterfall.
Getting to Enugu from Lagos where i reside was an interesting journey for me.I travelled by road and so it was a road trip for me because it is the best way to see a city.Enugu State is one of the states in the eastern part of Nigeria. The state shares borders with Abia State and Imo State to the south, Ebonyi State to the east, Benue State to the northeast, Kogi State to the northwest and Anambra State to the west.Enugu literally means Énú Ụ́gwụ́ meaning “hill top” denoting the city’s hilly geography as it sits at about 223 metres (732 ft) above sea level.One peculiar feature about Enugu is the presence of hills,waterfalls,lakes and caves and that is why it is known to be a great tourist destination in the South East.
The first day of the democracy day tour commenced with visits to the Unity Museum,The former Governor’s Lodge,The Coal Plant and Ngwo Pine Forest.
The Unity museum located very close to the former governors lodge comprises of artefacts from the different ethnic groups in Nigeria.Pictures were not allowed inside the museum.
Infront of The Unity Museum
The former governor’s lodge not too far from the museum used to be the residence for the past governors including the immediate past governor,Sullivan Chime.The lodge comprises of few structures which according to the tour guide was erected by the colonial masters.The pictures were limited as well because of some security reasons and we were made to believe that the lodge is still very much guarded as it can be used by the governor at any time.
The Front view of the former Governor’s Lodge
An upclose view
The coal preparatory plant which is now totally defunct was our next stop.The plant is close to the old site of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.The colonial-style structures of the miners’ quarters were comfortable abodes in the past but now the buildings have become dilapidated. Most of them have fallen into disrepair, and the entire community now have the appearance of a slum.
At The Coal Plant
Standing on the large space in the coal plant,i wept bitterly in my heart for Nigeria.Looking at the structures that were supposed to produce massive coals for the country now inhabited by organisms of different kinds and the interior walls covered by algae,fungus,lichens,moss etc made me sad.
The last coal mined in the plant was in 2005 according to the tour guideThe coal plant used to be a tourism and museum centre for tourists.We didnt see much at the coal plant because there is even nothing to see anymore,only dilapidated structures.It is well!
Afterwards we set out for the famous Ngwo Pine Forest;the largest pine forest in West Africa.We passed through the popular Milliken Hills. These hills are found at Ngwo in Enugu North LGA, they are 100 meter above sea level, offering beautiful standpoint for a panoramic view of Enugu metropolis, especially at dawn and dusk.The Hill is a famous tourist attraction in the beautiful coal city of Enugu. History has it that in 1908, a British expedition on his way to the middle belt from Awka, sighted the hill at Enugu ngwo and reported back to Lagos. Interest in the mineral potential of the hill compelled the colonial government to send a team of mining engineers to the place in 1909 to prospect for silver, but the team struck coal instead. The Europeans settled at Ngwo on the top of the hill now called “Hilltop”.
On Milliken Hill
The 4.8km long Milliken Hill Road was constructed because of coal discovery on the hill, and it was named after the head engineer who designed the road. The road winds up the hill with several distinct bends along its course.The hill was named after one of the earliest colonial administrator in Enugu.
The first road into Enugu city winds through the foot of the hill bounded by a deep gully. Underneath the hills are relics of coal mines and its beautiful tunnels. Beneath the Milken hills is the Iva valley. The hills are good for mountaineering. However, drivers are advised to drive slowly with caution through the meandering roads.
Finally we were welcomed to the Pine forest by the beautiful array of pine trees and the awesome canopy it provides which makes it a perfect getaway destination for tourists and indigenes. Despite the serene and peaceful atmosphere of the forest, it is advisable for visitors to visit the forest in groups.
Sitting In the pine Forest
You can camp, party and do all sorts of exciting activities in this forest.The pine forest is mostly used for photoshoots and music videos.The visit to the pine forest marked the end of the day1 of the Democracy Day Tour.Below are some pictures in the Pine forest.
And so the long awaited day came.It was not just the democracy day but also the day for the Awhum Waterfall Tour.I thought i was the only one anxious about the day’s tour till i saw the excitement on the faces of other tourists all seated in the bus ready to go explore the waterfall.
Showing off my ticket for the Democracy Day Tour
I have heard so many stories about the waterfall ranging from being scary to not being able to capture the image of the statue of the blessed Virgin Mary and so on.At least i was glad i was going there myself to confirm if its true.
The participants getting ready for the tour
The excitement increased more as the driver pulled over at the entrance to the Monastery at the waterfall.We were welcomed by a narrow footpath peaked from a bush behind the concrete fence of the monastery.
At The Monastery
Beyond it loomed a fertile landscape of thick forests underlain by towering ridges and a deep valley at the centre; the valley that houses the treasure for which I have travelled a hundred of miles to behold.
Without wasting time further,we started off on the narrow footpath and then the 45 minutes long walk commenced.We laced through picturesque fields of grass and flowery plants, punctuated with low trees and shrubs, gently carpeting the ridge slopes leading into the abysmal valley and a chilly atmosphere which is further accentuated by the thick forest canopies insulating the valley floors.
Walking down the valley to the waterfall
Beds of sand and sandstones at the ridge tops evolved into outcrops of limestone as we descended further into the valley. The narrow paths had changed into a ruggedly sculpted chain of staircases formed by small depressions dug into the rocks, serving as foot holds.Numerous stream channels resurged as the paths further dug into the limestones.
Crossing one of the stream channels
There are two major stream channels.After the first stream is a small hill before getting to the second stream channel which leads to the waterfall.At this point the path seems to level out with hard rocks stuck beneath the muddy stream.This was even the hardest point because the rocks beneath the stream made the navigation more difficult and i bet if i was not holding one of my collegaues would had been baptised in the muddy stream.Lol.
And its selfie time
And lo and behold were towering limestone walls which engulfed the footpath and narrowed as it terminated beneath a wall punctured in different parts by massive caves. A statue of Mary stood on a platform above the path and beneath the caves. The damp rays of sunlight sneaking through the thick canopies seemed to cast a mild blanket of green tincture on limestone walls, giving the enchanting milieu an ambiance of awe and wonder.
A flooded narrow crevice swings to the left from the foot of the caves.We descended into the flooded crevice which led into a mind blowing stretch of 300m long masssive limestone cave in which laid the cascades of Awhum Waterfalls.The waterfall stands at the far end of the cave. Small sinkholes at the roof of the caves permitted provided illumination for the cave.The waterfall plunged down from the 30m-high roof with great pressure.
Descending into the flooded crevice that leads to the waterfall
Awhum Waterfall
The showers flooded the cave with a billion bubbles of water vapour, soaking the walls and everything within its borders including the lens of our cameras and phones which reflected in virtually all the pictures taken at the cave.
A group of 4 sculpted figures which represents the Holy Mary and the three fatima children namely; Lucia Santos,Francisco Marto and Jacinta reposed at a corner in-front of which the pilgrims usually offer words of prayer.
Standing infront of the statues
Swimming time
We all changed into our swim wears and clustered beneath the heavy showers of the waterfall not praying but swimming.Hahahaha.I guess we were thrilled that we even forgot to offer some words of prayers there.We had excessive fun swimming and playing at the waterfall.At a point i felt like staying there the whole day because the fun was just so much. I could see the sadness on the faces of my fellow tourists when the tour guide announced it was time to leave the cave because it was getting darker given that we still had another 45 minutes long walk before getting to our departure point.
Funnily during the 45 minutes long walk down the valley to the waterfall,we all enjoyed it but the reverse was the case for the ascending part.I could see some ladies holding their waists,some supporting themselves by holding the guys.
It was really an interesting tour.Our next tour is coming up soon and of course i will always update us here when the time comes.You can always book for your tours with me.kindly send a mail to Lorigold2010@yahoo.com or call 08187164586.You can also send your inquiries as well and dont forget to share your travel experience with me.i will be glad to publish it here.Thanks for your time.Travel with me and explore the world. Ciao!!!
