> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://thechocolatelife.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Nigeria Photoblog - URL: https://thechocolatelife.com/nigeria-photoblog/ - Published: 2021-10-11T13:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-03-11T23:22:00.000Z - Description: My first-ever trip to Africa was to Nigeria. I went to install and train on chocolate equipment in a factory in Ikom, about 25km from the Cameroon border in the state of Cross River. - Author: Clay Gordon - Tags: Travelogues There was not much time in the schedule to stop and enjoy the experience. But here’s a small taste of what I did manage to capture. ## **The Landscape and The Trip** ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/loadingUpSecurity1280x720.jpg) We are leaving the hotel in Calabar for the factory site in Ikom. We had a security detail of four ***armed** officers escorting us wherever we went; one in the van and three in another vehicle. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/obstacleCourseLeft1280x720.jpg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/obstacleCourseRight1280x720.jpg) The drive from Calabar to Ikom takes about 2.5 hours on a road – the only road – that often resembles an obstacle course. While some of the obstacles are deliberately placed ... ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/roadSurface1-1280x720.jpg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/roadSurface2-1280x720.jpg) ... many of the obstacles were created by nature , potholes and craters that can (and did) damage equipment inside trucks. A connector on the tempering machine’s cooling system cracked and we were not able to get it fixed until two hours before we had to pack up and leave. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/aViewFromTheCar1-1280x720.jpg) A tantalizing glimpse of the verdant landscape. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/aViewFromTheCar2-1280x720.jpg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/aViewFromTheCar3-1280x720-1.jpg) These two scenes remind me of many places I have traveled – Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/backToTheBorder1280x720.jpg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/camerounSign1280x720.jpg) L: We did manage to try to cross the border into Cameroon but because of civil unrest, it was not safe to do so – this is as close as I got. We were not allowed to point our cameras towards the Cameroon border, so I handed my camera off to a member of the security detail who took the photo with my back to the border. R: The complement of the Featured Image, the two signs are across the street from each other. --- ## **The Factory and Warehouse** ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/factoryPanorama-1920x490.jpg) The factory building is situated in a roughly 30Ha agricultural innovation zone. To the right of the factory is a 3,000MT cocoa warehouse. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/factoryExterior1-1280x720.jpg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/factoryExterior2-1280x720.jpg) L: A closeup view of the factory building. R: A peek inside through the open roll-up door. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/factoryWIP2-1280x720.jpg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/factoryWIP1-1280x720.jpg) L: Factory interior; the equipment on the left is a Buhler bean cleaner that is four stories tall capable of cleaning \~1MT ton of cocoa per hour. R: Our factory space under construction – the stub walls are complete but that’s about it, there is no electricity, no air conditioning (no ceiling), and no plumbing (no running water in the building!). ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/factoryBuhler1-720x960.jpg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/factoryBuhler2-720x960.jpg) Two more views of the Buhler bean cleaner. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/warehousePanorama-1920x572.jpg) The interior of the cocoa bean warehouse – sans beans. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/warehouseInterior1-1280x740.jpg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/warehouseInterior2-1280x791.jpg) I loved the light emanating from the hole in the floor and the geometry of the stairs. --- ## **The Cocoa Beans** ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/beans2-720x960.jpg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/beans1-720x960.jpg) L: We’re in a factory capable of cleaning over 1MT beans an hour but this one bag of beans represents the sum total of beans available to us. R: Cleaning beans – trash (doubles, rocks, flats, etc.) weighed in at about 10%. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/beans3-720x960.jpg) A cut test of the beans, above. --- ## **Fun *with* Food** ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/marketStall1280x720.jpg) The Wuse food market in Abjuja is larger and more varied than any other market I have ever visited – bigger and more varied than the Huembes market in Managua (Nicaragua) or Mercado #1 (or #2) in Lima (Peru)! Often vendors will say “No Snapping” (no photos unless you pay 5000 Naira – the equivalent of about US$2.50) or you buy something from them. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/alligatorPepper1024x.jpg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/dawadawa1024x.jpg) L: Alligator pepper. Right: Dawadawa. Both were found in the Wuse market. I got the bowl in the craft market in Abuja – an experience for another post. ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/breakfastPlate1024x.jpg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/palmWine1024x.jpg) ![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2021/10/giantSnail1024x.jpg) L: Breakfast plate – the gelatinous yellow mass is a savory corn “pudding” – going on a keto diet would be very hard. C: Palm wine – by noon it has already begun fermenting (yummy!). R: Giant snails in the Wuse market – for dinner, not as pets – are on offer in the market. --- All images ©2021 Clay Gordon. > Have a comment? Let us know, below! ---