With
the
offer
of
additional
boats
from
Kogi
state
a
flotilla
of
3
boats
accompanied
Goodwill
from
Lokoja.
The
first
port
of
call
was
to
Agenebode
in
Edo
state.
The
land
team
arrived
ahead
of
the
boats
and
to
ensure
the
town
was
fully
aware
of
the
arrival
of
Goodwill,
a
visit
was
immediately
made
to
the
local
government
Chairman.
This
man,
Stanley,
had
lived
in
California
for
a
number
of
years
and
was
extremely
helpful
and
receptive.
The
town
had
expected
us
the
day
before
and
but
still
managed
to
set
up
a
fantastic
reception
for
us
and
the
imminent
arrival
of
the
boats.
The
reception
became
like
a
party
with
dressed
up
performers
on
stilts
and
others
costumed
like
monsters.
This
made
for
an
atmospheric
afternoon
that
impressed
all
the
visitors
including
the
flotilla
with
Goodwill
that
arrived
during
the
celebrations.
After
enjoying
the
festivities
and
resting
for
a
short
time,
the
Goodwill
team
pressed
on
as
they
had
plans
to
camp
further
downstream
and
needed
to
make
best
use
of
the
daylight.
The
boat
team
camped
about
an
hour
downriver
after
finding
a
suitable
spot
to
set
up
the
tents.
After
preparing
food
and
securing
the
boats
the
team
spent
a
great
evening
by
the
river.
Luckily,
there
seemed
to
be
fewer
insects
than
for
the
previous
campers
and
this
helped
a
great
deal.
The
remainder
of
the
team
were
taken
to
see
the
local
king.
It
was
also
a
pleasant
surprise
to
see
his
wife
the
queen,
as
in
other
visits
to
local
tribal
rulers
no
women
were
seen
in
the
palaces.
We
left
the
king's
palace
in
high
spirits
as
there
was
a
mature
but
energetic
dance
troupe
to
see
us
off.
After
rest
and
washing
we
were
treated
to
a
relaxed
and
informal
dinner
at
the
riverside
of
catfish
and
rice.
The
fish
were
very
fresh
as
we
had
seen
them
swimming
in
a
large
tub
that
afternoon.
The
evening
was
hosted
by
Stanley
and
was
relaxing
and
highly
appreciated
.
Agenebode
dance
troupe |
Agenebode
children
Walking
on
Stilts
Goodwill
joins
the
party
Reception
committee |
