The Hive Blockchain has been a space where people learn, earn, connect and grow. No doubt, a lot of people in the Hive ecosystem has been building connections which do not only exist in the Blockchain but extend to our physical world. We are not exceptions in this regard and so far it's been an amazing experience with some Hivers who have been my close pals, as we explore and build genuine connections. So two - three weekends ago, I had an opportunity to connect physically with some Hivers living within Lagos island, Nigeria. It wasn't really something we planned very well for the physical meet up but it still turned out to be a memorable experience. @nkemakonam89, @moremoney28, @princessbusayo and I hosted the Hive connect at OMU RESORT IBEJU LEKKI. A place where nature speaks. The environment alone is super welcoming with the feeling of calmness, good enough for outdoor activities.
The idea of a weekend getaway with our friends was ignited by a lovely Hivian, @nkemakonam89, who had initially contacted @moremoney28 to lead her to my place since I've, on several occasions, avoided any opportunities for a physical meetup, despite the fact that we've been friends for almost 4 years now, thanks to the Hive blockchain and we live not too far from one another.
| @nkemakonam89 | @vickoly | @moremoney28 | @princessbusayo |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
However, I guess they later changed their mind to make it more intriguing since @princessbusayo would also be in Lagos at that time, so they suggested we have a meetup. With this, they reached out to me and told me about the places, which I saw as a great opportunity to step out and connect, an opportunity where I would finally meet with my online friends, with whom I've chatted but never met in person prior to this; thanks to Hive for making such happen.
Also, after concluding on having the meetup, we then deliberated on where to hold it. We've got loads of wonderful places that give you an aura of fun, joy, connection to nature, serenity, and satisfaction. At the end of the day, we opted for OMU RESORT, located at Ibeji Lekki Lagos, Nigeria. It was deemed a cool place where we could unwind, gist, and connect physically, away from the usual routine while creating some amazing memories together. Connecting with princessbusayo, nkemakonam89, and moremoney28 wasn't something I'd thought would happen, but it did, and I feel so glad connecting with them.
We've access to a whole lot of fun fare activities and intriguing places and views, such as amusement rides, zoo and wildlife exploration, ferris wheels, roller coasters, trains, waterslides, water parks, swimming pools, roller skating, kayaking, the Hurricane ride, bumper cars, pendulum ride, and several others.There are a lot of activities over there to unwind and just feel alright with friends that you couldn't indulge in all before nightfall, although I guess their tour guide wasn't available at the time of our arrival. We were able to find our way around the place even though it is very big.
We began the tour by visiting the basketball 🏀 court, playing the game, and just having fun together, relaxing our bones, and calming our nerves.
From there, we move to the zoo section, where many animals, both wild and domestic, welcomed us. There we saw a zebra, horse, lion, tortoise, turkey, and even a snake, all animals well-caged and taken care of. We admired God's creatures, taking pictures of the animals for reference purposes.
The zoo entrance.
Monkey 🐒
Ostrich.
Horse 🐎
Lion and lioness 🦁
For me, the highlight of the day was exploring the resort to see fun activities, most especially having access to the zoo. I would say it was my first time visiting a zoo and seeing different animals live and not ones I would be watching on TV, though animals like snakes, horses and ostrich were ones I've seen physically but never did I know would be seeing live lions, one that almost used me for lunch, but thanks to my speed in running (of course, who would see death at an instant and not fight for their lives? Hahaha), For the lion, my excitement to take a perfect picture of a sleeping lion almost cost my life and there we have my friends around who couldn't rescue me but ran for their dear lives. Do I blame them? Of course no! 🤣 @princessbusayo.
After the zoo tour, stepping out of the zoo segment, we had some fun playing with the swings, relishing the childhood experience of doing the same.
Then, we went for a train ride. Wow, at first it looked scary, but with many people in the train cheering each other up, it became so fun as we rode several rounds in excitement.
The highlight of this meetup for me was the train ride alongside the pendulum ride. It was a fun but very scary experience that literally made me have my heart in my mouth, and the machine swings from side to side. I also enjoyed every single aspect of the outing and the opportunity to meet my Hive friends in person. @nkemakonam89.
The pendulum and hurricane ride was another fun game we tried, but I must confess that the speed at which it moves was so scary, though fun to some extent.
We then move to their Sea World, swimming pool, and waterslides section, which is well-structured and good enough to soak yourself and feel calm, especially during the summer period.
The highlight of the whole meetup for me was meeting these amazing friends Hive blessed me with; also, I had fun and enjoyed the pendulum and hurricane ride, all thanks to the scary screaming and begging of Nkem and Princess for the ride to be stopped due to how scary it was. Overall, I later had fun with the waterslides, which others didn't indulge in, but I did; it was actually exciting sliding down from that height and landing in the pool. @vickoly.
After indulging in every single activity we could, we went to look for a spot to sit, discuss, and also enjoy the mouthwatering meal Nkema prepared for us. While eating, we had enough time to talk about different things, revolving around Hive, our individual lives, and how to grow in every aspect of life.
The highlight of everything for me, aside from the fun I had, was the food aspect, which Nkem made us have a nice savor. The chicken curry sauce with white rice and fried chicken was a welcoming meal with which we all enjoyed together, coupled with other drinks we got at the supermarket earlier before coming into the resort. @moremoney28.
In every activity we did that day, what stood out the most was the sense of connection we shared; eating together was a captivating scene, seeing how you've come to be joined by some beautiful online friends who are also doing amazingly well for themselves on the Hive blockchain. Every joke we had, the photograph taken, and even our debates over which ride to try next made these moments special and can never be erased.
By the end of the day, it wasn't just the place we went to explore, but the people I experienced it with. This trip was so perfect and fun for me and a great reminder that the laughter and shared adventures are what make the moments rich.