Idanre Hills - 660 steps up to heaven

Entering Idanre town

It's been so many months since I last blogged on here. It was due to a packed schedule of events in my life in the last year. I went back to school to get a Masters degree in Literature at the University of Lagos while continuing my work full time. There's only so many things a man can do at the same time.

I have also recently gotten engaged!

Lawale doing the Usain thunder-Bolt move

Amazing view from the top

Lots of things to be done on top

Posing with Laide

Seun poses while descending the hill

So Christmas time my fiancee and I have traveled to Akure to be with my parents. On Christmas eve we drove down to Idanre with my brother and two cousins, a town just 30 minutes from Akure to climb the famous hills that were part of the subject of Wole Soyinka's 1968 volume Idanre and Other Poems.

There are 660 steps on the way up the hill. Lacking physical conditioning, we all panted as we climbed except for my brother who ran, jogged and looked so strong climbing.

Due to our late arrival, we couldn't explore so much of the features but it was still a breathtaking view from the top - even it's my second trip there. It's always a thing of great beauty to behold the majesty of those hills.

I joked to my fiancee that the hills are the droppings of an extinct race of giants. We all had a good laugh.

Idanre is a great place to visit for anyone looking for great mountain climbing adventure. There's lots of history locked away in that town.

I just wish that the local people and government would take it upon themselves to promote the resource better. First, we could start with a good restaurant and refreshment shop at the bottom for tourists who need to unwind after a long climb.

St Paul's Anglican Church, Igbara Oke

Recently visited Igbara Oke in Ondo state for a project and saw the St Paul's Anglican Church perched on a little hill. Ascending into the church on its well worn staircase felt like a short trip to heaven. Inside I found no one to ask questions about its age so I made a silent retreat.

Christ on a Cross

Shot this image of a cross in front of an uncompleted church in Igbara Oke, Ondo state. 

System Overload

I saw this heavily laden truck in Akure a couple of days back.

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Nativity scene

This nativity scene in front of the government house in Akure has become a big attraction for tourists. I stopped by to take this photo with my phone.

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Idanre Hills

This is the town of Idanre from atop the Aghagha Hill. It's a view that takes one's breath away. When it rains, mist covers the hills like a heavenly umbrella shrouding the town.

Holiday makers can find some nice hotels to stay in while they explore the many beautiful features of the hills. The town is also home to a large cocoa growing community. Its restaurants make some of the best pounded yam meals in the country.

According to guides, it takes between four days and a week to fully climb all the hills and see the impressive works of nature.

Idanre is located in Ondo State, about four hours from Lagos by road and 30 minutes by air from the Akure airport.

Idanre Hills

Signboard announcing the world famous Idanre Hills. There are 662 steps to climb to the landing of the hill where several amusements await as this sign shows.

Giant Maltina

Saw this 35 foot Maltina bottle during a recent trip to Idanre, Ondo State where my friends and I went rock climbing (Idanre is famous for its rocks).

You can my friend Seun posing beside the huge replica. Her 6"2 frame is dwarfed by its sheer size.

Goodbye!!!

My final image from Akure is this beautiful wave goobye from a lady I shared a taxi ride with.

Yam market

I was in Akure, Ondo state where I grew up, recently and had the opportunity of experiencing the vibe of the market place. Oja Oba, the king's market is the biggest shopping place in town and it was where I took this photo of women haggling over yam tubers. Pounded yam is a delicacy in many Nigerian homes.

If you're interested in archaelogy, the entry on Akure on Wikipedia should interest you. It says "Rock engravings dating back to the Mesolithic period, have been discovered on the outskirts of Akure, as has the oldest Homo Sapiens fossil to have been found in West Africa thus far, dating back to around 11,000 years ago."

I can tell you that the people are very warm and I was allowed to take photos freely unlike what happens most times in a big city like Lagos.