Hello forumites... ;D ;D ;D
I just changed the flag in my profile some minutes back because, to God who we give all the Glory, we just landed in Calgary. I feel a little heads up would be a good way to give back to this great forum.
First up, pack enough local food (for those that love their food); garri, beans, maggi (avoid maggi chicken or maggi fish), grounded crayfish, ground pepper. Avoid diary products and whole fish. Don't let 9ja customs people harass you. they will try to intimidate you like they did us (sadly, we buckled). We made the mistake of not carrying Naira to MMIA. Carry your Naira oooo... just take this to be the last time you will get to indulge corrupt officials.
You don't need transit visa if you are passing through the UK. i almost made the mistake of wasting money getting transit visas for our kids who didn't have UK visas. You also don't need transit if passing through Amsterdam. I do hear you will need if transiting through Yankee. So, if possible, avoid Yankee. beyond that, Yankee them get wahala plenty.
If traveling with toddlers, make arrangements with your airline for buggies or push chairs for them (that is if you don't have one). Most airlines have complimentary services like the provision of baby push chairs etc. It will be very indispensable while marauding the transit airport during those long torturous transit hours. We found this out the hard way while waiting 10 hours at Heathrow airport. If you own buggies; BA will carry it for you free for each toddler. Toddlers are allowed a push chair "and" a car seat on BA (so don't be in a hurry selling off those car seats). Also carry your kids' food along with you. Youngsters find it difficult adjusting to oyinbo food (let alone the horrible airplane diner). It's your right to carry along food for your kids, sha don't abuse it by overdoing it ooo.
Landing in Canada has been blissful. The immigration officers were the nicest people ever (as long as you haven't been to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali and Guinea in the last 21 days). Didn't take longer than 25 minutes to clear through immigration. No PoF was requested; I just had to declare to CA customs that I was carrying more than $10k CAD. We got our social security number the next day, today, and have started processing our health cards. For those coming to Alberta, we would need in addition to our CoPR and passports, a proof of address in Alberta like a utility bill, lease agreement or bank account details, to complete the process of your health cards. So we are waiting for our account opening tomorrow to complete the health insurance registration. Apparently, you need to book an appointment with the bank to open account.
The weather has been great but please come prepared; winter coats, thermals, gloves and scarves. It's 8 degrees right now but I heard it was as low as minus 25 degrees some 5 days ago. The people on the other hand have been very warm to us. As you dey waka, people go just dey greet you... just like in my village before before 9ja spoil. Apparently, they love kids... a lot. 8) 8) 8)
i will try and keep the forum posted as the waka continues.
Cheers
