My First Couchsurfing Experience: How I enjoyed a weekend getaway in Benin Republic with just 9k

Yes! This post is long overdue and I am so excited putting my experience into writing.  My bad! My name is Adenike Daramola, founder of Tha Globetrotters. Just call me Ms. Dara. Tha Globetrotters is a group of life livers where we explore, experience and enjoy the beauty of life. To read more about us, kindly connect with us on our social media platforms. “THA GLOBETROTTERS”

In my previous article, I listed two (2) ways to save cost while planning a budget trip and I wrote on 'choosing an apartment over an hotel'. If you missed it, kindly read up here

Now, I will be writing on item (2) 👉🏿 COUCHSURFING

Couchsurfing? It sounds strange right? It’s okay. I understand how you feel ‘cos I felt the same way the first time I read about it on Amarachi’s blog (Travel with a Pen). Couchsurfing is a service that connects members to a global community of travelers. Use Couchsurfing to find a place to stay or share your home and hometown with travelers. 

Why Couchsurfing?
👉🏿 If you would like to travel and explore a country like a local
👉🏿 Only a local can show you the best places and activities in his/her country
👉🏿 If you are planning a low budget trip
👉🏿 If you always want to feel at home even when you are away from home
👉🏿 If you are someone like me who loves to meet new people, learn about new culture and tradition. 

This was my first time of Couchsurfing and I will definitely love to be hosted again and again. No. It’s not because I like awoof (freebies) 🙈 but the love I experienced on my stay cannot to be expressed in words. I am also making an arrangement to get a comfortable apartment that will give me the opportunity to also host others. This will be my little way of giving back to the community.

Like I mentioned earlier, I read about Couchsurfing on Amarachi’s Blog “Travel with a Pen” during my research before our (Tha Globetrotters) first trip to Benin in April. I downloaded the app and added few friends. My host Yanick offered to host me in April but I couldn’t try Couchsurfing then because it was a group trip. Couchsurfing is perfect for solo trips. Most hosts can only accommodate one guest at a time. Only few will accommodate 2-3 guests at a time. You don’t want to over burden your host. Do you?
For group trips/travels, choose affordable apartments instead but you can meet up with local Couch surfers who are willing to show your group around town.

I stayed in touch with Yanick on WhatsApp until I started planning a pre-birthday vacation in August and he volunteered to host me. This time, I was ready to be hosted. I briefed him about my itineraries 3 weeks before my visit and we planned it together i.e date of arrival, places to visit and other activities. 

There was a little language barrier because Yanick is 💯 a Frenchman and his English is not fluent but glory to God, he has a Fiancée called “Adebola” who is half Nigerian (her dad is from Oyo State, western part of Nigeria) and she made the communication easier.

 

Dinner with Yanick & Adebola

Before my trip, I posted my travel date and destination on my Couchsurfing profile and I got over 10 requests from different hosts. Why did I choose Yanick? I have been following Yanick for few months on IG and the fact that he is a Professional Photographer sold him out! His pictures are dope. As a picture lover, you already know. It was one week to my birthday and I didn’t plan for a birthday shoot so I decided to seize the opportunity of having a photographer as an host to capture my lovely moments. He didn’t fail! As a matter of fact, he did more than I asked. All for FREE!!!

 

My host, Yanick & I

On Saturday 03rd August, I left Lagos at 06:00am with just N9,000 on me. One of the biggest risk I have ever taken. Please don’t try this oo! Always have a backup plan just incase things go wrong. I left Lagos with a positive mindset and a conviction that I was going to have a beautiful weekend.  I didn’t forget to go with my empty ATM card though 😊.

The journey was not a smooth one at all. The roads were terrible and I had unpleasant encounters with immigration officers on our way. These immigration officers didn’t harass me personally because I had my student ID card on me but they harassed other passengers in my shared taxi and tried to exploit them.
We ended up wasting hours at different check points arguing over irrelevant issues. I will share this experience in detail on another post. 


I finally got to Seme Border at 10:30am. To stamp my international passport would have been another stuggle but thank God for my Student ID card again *smile*. I went prepared. I told them I was going to Benin as a student representative for a meeting (Yes. I had to lie. May God forgive me). I got my passport stamped without hustle. Thank God for grace.

My Benin Experience 
My beautiful experience began immediately I got to my host’s apartment. Yanick was at work but Adebola was at home to receive me. She  welcomed with  me a delicious lunch made with Creole Rice, fried spaghetti and chopped beef. See picture 👇🏾 

 

Creole Rice and Fried Spaghetti 

I was showed around the apartment, unpacked my bag in the room and relaxed on the couch to stare at the TV (I instantly realized how important it is for me to learn French). All the TV channels were in French. Thank God I was not home alone.

Yanick got home around 7:00pm and I finally got to meet my Couchsurfing friend. He is such a wonderful person. You will love him immediately. Language barrier could not get between us. Adebola was there to help with interpretations where necessary. See some pictures of my host below 👇🏾 
Wait! Did I mention that he is a great cook too? Oh yes. He is. He cooks better than Adebola (I hope she does not see this). 

  

 

 

The lovely couple. I love their love  

Day 2 
This started with a lovely breakfast. Cotonou bread and eggs with cold sausage. 

Breakfast - Day 2 (Sunday)

After breakfast, my host dedicated the whole day to show me around. He also shot an amazing video of my experience. Visit our YouTube channel to see the professional documentary. Adebola was a bit down so she couldn’t go with us. We visited Bab’s Dock and explored Fidgrosse beach. I had a wonderful time! Beach is always a good idea. 

Bab's Dock, Houndodji, Cococodji, Benin

Bab’s Dock is such a beautiful place for picnic and according to reviews, they serve delicious food too. I bought only a drink. Make sure you visit Bab's Dock anytime you are in Cotonou. Access fee is only 2,500CFA (includes amazing boat ride through the mangroves) 

 

My favorite hut in Bab's Dock 

I enjoyed the boat ride through the mangroves.

Yanick capturing the moment.

 

Mangrooves

The smile says it all

After Bab’s Dock, he took me to Fidgrosse Beach and we were there till sunset! It was a beautiful experience. Even pictures can't say enough. 

 

Picture by Yanick Folly

I was supposed to return to Lagos on Sunday but I sent a mail to my boss requesting for a day leave 🙈. I was having the greatest moment. Thanks to Yanick.

We got back home for dinner and I had a good night rest.

My host dropped me off at Dantokpa market where I took a shared taxi back to seme boarder.

Writing this brings back all the memories. It’s amazing how you can meet strangers and they turn to family immediately. Thanks to my Benin family. I’ll definitely visit again. I am also looking forward to host them here in Nigeria too.

What you should know about Couchsurfing:
👉🏿 It is FREE
👉🏿 Hosts are not expected to request monetary value for their kind gesture 
👉🏿 Make sure you read references before choosing your host. Also get to know your host through voice calls and chats before visiting. 
👉🏿 Make sure you don’t go empty handed. You can get them some unique souvenirs from your country. No matter how little, show that you appreciate their hospitality.
👉🏿 Also volunteer to do some housekeeping and keep your space tidy and clean. 
👉🏿Don’t just be at the receiving end. Give too.
👉🏿 Enjoy the moments! You’ll need the memories.

How do get onboard?
👉🏿 Download the app and signup
👉🏿 Search for few friends from the country you will like to visit soon. 
👉🏿 Maintain healthy communication with other Couch surfers 
👉🏿 Meet fellow Couch surfers in your country. Hangouts and earn good reference from them.
👉🏿 Connect with Adenike Daramola 
👉🏿 Enjoy life and travel the world. 



Total  Cost Breakdown 

From Ilasamaja, I took a bus going to Mile 2 for just N100. From mile 2, I entered a shared taxi to seme boarder and paid N2000. 

After crossing the boarder, I had to change some naira to CFA. Exchange rate as at August 03rd was N1 to 1.65CFA. I changed N4,500 to 7400CFA, leaving N2,400 with me for Transportation back to Lagos.

How I spent the 7400 CFA
Took a shared taxi from seme to Danktopa Market, Cotonou                        1000CFA 
Took a Zem (bike) from Danktopa to Abomey Calavi (My host’s apartment) 1000CFA
Bab’s Dock Fee.                                                                                              2500CFA
Bought a drink @Bab’s Dock.                                                                          1500CFA
A shared taxi back from Datokpa Market to Seme boarder.                            1000 CFA
Total.                                                                                                                 7000CFA

I have some coins left in my wallet ☺️

A weekend well-spent indeed.

Kindly drop your comment. Let me know if this information has been helpful. This will encourage me to post more often. 

Merci pour la lecture (Thank you for reading).