Inside and Out – Phones, Spirituality and Travel in West Africa

On this week’s episode, Mark and I talk some more about living in Lagos, taking photos with vegetables in Shoprite, religion vs spirituality and our top three countries to visit in West Africa. Mark details more about his top3 West African destinations in this post.

Personally, I felt very attacked in this episode. You see, I am on that Shoprite vegetable-picture-taking table! x_x BUT I only take pictures of the produce (not of me)! The world is my canvas, don’t judge!

We also share a bit about our travels in Benin Republic and Morocco. Mark made a video for both destinations and as promised in the podcast, here’s the link to both videos;

As usual, we welcome you to join our conversations. Let us know what you think in the comment section below. What are your top 3 West African destinations and why do you love them?

7 comments

  1. Ermmm! And the phone thing! More like an Addition 🙈🙈🙈 Will get better!

  2. Amarachiiiiii! I love the podcast! I guess I’ll get used Mark’s accent as I continue to listen to your podcasts!

    I could barely understand some part 😂

    I love your first couch surfing video!

    I couldn’t get into Bab’s Dock as I went on a weekday, so delighted to see the footage!

    You should hear me hyping you as you kayaked through the Mangrove!

    Off to listen to the next podcast!

    Cheers to More memories Guys!

    You Rock!

    1. Hahaha, I actually imagined you hyping me in the video. Lol, thanks love and thanks for listening to the podcast too.

  3. So cute!!!!!
    Mark, I’m really sorry about the ‘oyinbo’ thing, but I promise it’s not derogatory (even though watching your video now I see how it can be).

    My top 3 places would be Kumasi, Ghana(there’s this beautiful lake I’ve never forgotten); Calabar, Nigeria(I’m Nigerian lol); and somewhere in Ivory Coast( I hope to go someday loool).
    Those places are just less crowded than the popular cities, even know I’ll have to confirm that about Ivory Coast when I visit…..

    Oh by the way…..please keep the podcasts coming…we love them!!!!

    1. Thanks Joy! We’ll try to visit Kumasi when next we go to Ghana. I have been to Calabar and so has Mark. I think we can agree that it is worth visiting (and yes, less crowded than cities like Lagos).

I love to hear from you, Leave a comment here!

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Honestly, I am not quite sure if I preferred Japan in Spring 🌸 or Fall 🍂 - both are amazing!

For our second trip to the country 🇯🇵, we went in late March and stayed until mid April. The weather was perfect - cold (but the nice kind), crisp and joyful. 

I also did not find the crowds overwhelming at this time - perhaps because cherry blossoms in the more famous cities were not in full bloom yet. We went to lesser-visited places and were rewarded with gorgeous scenery, cherry blossom bloom 😍 and more!

Japan remains my favourite destination and it's a sentiment shared by many. I hope I get the chance to return again 💙
Honestly, I am not quite sure if I preferred Japan in Spring 🌸 or Fall 🍂 - both are amazing! For our second trip to the country 🇯🇵, we went in late March and stayed until mid April. The weather was perfect - cold (but the nice kind), crisp and joyful. I also did not find the crowds overwhelming at this time - perhaps because cherry blossoms in the more famous cities were not in full bloom yet. We went to lesser-visited places and were rewarded with gorgeous scenery, cherry blossom bloom 😍 and more! Japan remains my favourite destination and it's a sentiment shared by many. I hope I get the chance to return again 💙
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When you travel for over 10,000km to see a library! ✨️💙🌻🇰🇷
When you travel for over 10,000km to see a library! ✨️💙🌻🇰🇷
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January - especially the second week is such a fun travel time for me! I find lots of deals and in many places, the weather is still great - but the Christmas and New Year crowds have left!

This is your reminder to set some money aside for January - whether you're travelling or not!
January - especially the second week is such a fun travel time for me! I find lots of deals and in many places, the weather is still great - but the Christmas and New Year crowds have left! This is your reminder to set some money aside for January - whether you're travelling or not!
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Start your travel year right! Detty December is nice but you know what's better? ✨️Jetty January✈️✨️🥁
Start your travel year right! Detty December is nice but you know what's better? ✨️Jetty January✈️✨️🥁
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Tag your travel buddy who needs this reminder before December spending gets wild 💸

Set aside a small percent of your earnings in December. It makes January feel lighter and if you love to travel, January (after the first week) is almost always a good time to do so!

There are lots of deals, weather is great in many places and the crowds would start heading home!

Are you team January travel or no?
Tag your travel buddy who needs this reminder before December spending gets wild 💸 Set aside a small percent of your earnings in December. It makes January feel lighter and if you love to travel, January (after the first week) is almost always a good time to do so! There are lots of deals, weather is great in many places and the crowds would start heading home! Are you team January travel or no?
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Drop your totals in the comments! 💭💫

If you've spent or are planning to spend:

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$10 - $40: 🌸 Globe Trotter in Training: Rooting for you!

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Drop your totals in the comments! 💭💫 If you've spent or are planning to spend: $100 - $180: 💎 RICH rich! 💸💸 - you're basically living your travel influencer fantasy and I'm happy for you! $50 - $90: ✨️ Travel MVP - the travel vibes are strong with this one! $10 - $40: 🌸 Globe Trotter in Training: Rooting for you! $0: 💫 Dreamer Mode: planning and dreaming. See you at 🌸 soon!
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It's me 🤭🫣
It's me 🤭🫣
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Idea for your 2026 travel year: A Kenya + Uganda combo trip!

Start with sunrise safaris in Tsavo National Park 🦁, unwind on Kenya’s dreamy coastline in Diani or Watamu 🌊🌴 and enjoy the pulse of city life in Nairobi ☕.

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From beaches to mountains, wildlife to culture, this combo is perfect for travellers who want variety without rushing. Save this if you’re planning a Kenya Uganda itinerary and ask me anything you'd like to know about visiting both countries!✨

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Idea for your 2026 travel year: A Kenya + Uganda combo trip! Start with sunrise safaris in Tsavo National Park 🦁, unwind on Kenya’s dreamy coastline in Diani or Watamu 🌊🌴 and enjoy the pulse of city life in Nairobi ☕. Then head to Uganda for misty treks with gorillas 🦍, and slow days near Lake Victoria ⛰️ From beaches to mountains, wildlife to culture, this combo is perfect for travellers who want variety without rushing. Save this if you’re planning a Kenya Uganda itinerary and ask me anything you'd like to know about visiting both countries!✨ #KenyaTravel #UgandaTravel #VisitUganda #VisitKenya #EastAfricaTrip
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Hi 👋🏽, welcome to the soft side of Instagram. Over here, we

- travel with our 9-5
- share relatable travel content
- do not gatekeep

If this sounds like your vibe, come say hello!
Hi 👋🏽, welcome to the soft side of Instagram. Over here, we - travel with our 9-5 - share relatable travel content - do not gatekeep If this sounds like your vibe, come say hello!
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