Foropa is an island located in the coastal region of bayelsa state.
It is very close to the Atlantic Ocean.
Before I embarked on my journey I did a detailed research to enable me have some Intels.
This was my first journey to that island so I was a bit scared because I heard rumours about sea pirate attacks there. This was not going to stop me because I knew what I'll gain from the trip.
So on Friday iset out on my journey to were I'll book a boat that will convey me there.
On reaching the ferry I was told that the transport fee is five thousand naira I almost screamed.
Deep down in my thoughts I said buhari has killed us. If you are a Nigerian you will understand.
At the end I paid the transport fair.
Finally I boarded the boat and did my usual ritual of praying before starting a journey.
At at about 3pm the boat I booked finally took off with ten passengers inside.
I Remember vividly a woman told me that I should not be afraid of the water that if I don't know how to swim my life jacket would keep me alive if something happens.
I told her a good swimmer but she still insisted I hold on to my life jacket.
What a good gesture she showed.
When we finally came out of the crowded water way into a more free waterway, the driver increased the speed of the boat.
The breeze was so much I had to put on my hood.
I watched as the speed of the boat separated the water. It was such a beautiful scene.
On reaching one village called ogboinbiri. We came across a checkpoint with soldiers mounted, so the boat driver had to slow down the boat so we could raise our hands for proper check up.
After the check up we continued our journey.
We had to do the same routine check up three times along the way. Each time we came across the soldiers I was a bit nervous because of their heavy artillery and guns because am not a fan of guns due to what I've experienced with guns.
At about 7pm in the evening I finally arrived at Foropa.
It was such a stressful journey because of how the boat always had to bump on waves from other boats passing at high speed.
First of I had to secure a place I'll stay for the period am i'll be staying.
I had three places I mapped out I'll be exploring which were the beach, the mangrove forest and the fishing camp but first I needed to have a good night rest.
The next day I took off on my first adventure to explore the beach with one of locals to guide me . The road to the beach was well paved. After 15 minutes of walking I finally arrived at the beach.
I could feel the intense breeze hitting me hard on the face. The waves were so huge. This did not stop me from having a good swim.
I was even told by some natives there that the water cures fever and cattarh. That's Africa for you.
After swimming I set off to expire the dense mangrove forest.
As i pulled through the dense grasses could see monkeys moving from one branches to the other.
We finally came across a hut and a man that was making a local boat.
He welcomed us and gave us some fish and garri.
The native people love soaking garri and fish, and if your offered that food you'll take the one you can finish because in their custom they believe you should always bite as much as you can chew.
After eating he took us to his canoe making workshop. He explained to us in detail how they are made. It was such a tasking job because you have to be watching the canoe carefully so that the fire that expands the wood used in making the canoe doesn't ruin the it.it was a stern lecture.
The final place I had to visit was the fishing camp called, Abadi.
The local boat making man offered is a boat and asked his son to convey us there. Before leaving he gave us some fish. We thanked him so much and left.
During our shirt journey I could see jellyfish in the water. This was my first time seeing of seeing this magnificent creature. Back at home I could only see them on National Geographic channel. They looked beautiful but deadly to touch.
Finally I arrived at the fishing came.
I visited the leader and he also offered us garri and fish but I had to tell him we are already filled. I jokingly told him that the amount of garri I've soaked today is enough to start another cassava plantation. After our little conversation he took us to place were the fishermen take of into the sea for fishing.
You need to have incredible stamina he said because you have to battle the on Coming waves before you could enter the less turbulent side of the ocean.
After a couple of hours at the fishing camp i could gradually see the sun setting.
So I told my local guide that it was time to head back to my lodge.
We offered our gratitude to the fish g Camp leader.
He also offered us more fish and waved us goodbye.
We arrived back at the local boat man's workshop and thanked him for the boat and his kind gesture, no wahala he said.
I told him I'll be leaving the following day and he said am always welcomed at Foropa anytime.
I went back to my lodge with my local guide. he was such a gentle person.
The following day I was about to leave I gave him some rewards which put so much smile in his face.
What a patient and kind person was to me.
I boarded a speed boat and waved him goodbye he was almost in tears.
And that was how my adventure came to an end.
It may not be the most perfect story, but everybody needs to be heard at some point in there life.
Stay strong guys, there's always light at the end of the tunnel.
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courtesy of @nmalove