Working in Angola (Lobito)

Dis86

Dis86

Dis86

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As the thread title really. Has anyone had experience of working there?
Looks like I could be in the country for 4+ weeks at a time and don't really know what to expect of the place other than heat and massive wealth disparity!

Been told not to carry any sizeable amounts of cash when entering the country or just in general as it's not uncommon for fees and taxes to suddenly appear any time you deal with an official.
 
My wife worked there quite some time ago I can ask her when she is back what did you want to know. I will be honest she didn't paint it in the best light.
 
Just looking for general advice really.

How not to annoy the locals, any major faux pas to avoid etc.

What is there to do? I don't really drink and don't just want to sit in bars all night every night or linger in my accommodation. Is it safe to head out and about solo?
 
All I've read about Angola is that its capital, Luanda, is the most expensive city in the world with really extortionate rents so while I appreciate you're not going to Luanda, hopefully you've checked out whether your accommodation in Lobito is going to be acceptable and paid for.

Other than that, I'll just wish you luck and state I'm quite jealous as I'd love to do something like that. Mind if I ask what industry you work in? I'm guessing either International Development or Oil and Gas ;)
 
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Accommodation will be paid for me so that shouldn't be a problem. Company owns properties there so may end up in one of those as I believe they're also security patrolled.
Failing that it's pick a hotel of my choice.

Dirty old oil and gas for me!
 
Apparently the beaches are quite nice from speaking to someone who worked there. From memory he said it wasn't great for wondering around solo and I think you're fairly compound bound.
 
I dunno but I'm sure according to the sun newspaper (!) it has on average the largest penis size in the world. Just saying. This May or may not have any relevance to this thread.
 
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OK mate she didn't go to Lobito but she said generally the whole country is the same bar the NE and you should be careful whereever you go and that crime is rife. However, the people are generally friendly. One thing she said to bear in mind is that you may have a ton of corporate procedures to follow in regards to your safety. Essentially the companies will issue their own advice and you are expected to keep to it because it is part of their safety procedures and insurance policies etc. Saying all that she said that she did know of anyone who was a victim of an problems over there it was always someone who knew someone. She didn't do any sightseeing over there but says plenty of people did but after dark don't go out. You will most likely get a massive lecture on all you need to know. She went to work did that and left it at that - don't expect a stellar nightlife but times may have changed.
 
so presumably you're going to live in a compound/gated development and if you want to go out you'll need to take a car everywhere.... do your dining/drinking in hotel compounds, restaurants with secure parking etc.. with other expats
 
There's gotta be some nightlife.... how else is the OP going to chase after girls working for NGOs, Charities etc..
 
Jic89 said:
I dunno but I'm sure according to the sun newspaper (!) it has on average the largest penis size in the world. Just saying. This May or may not have any relevance to this thread.
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Dont worry, I'll ruin that statistic!

If I'm in company owned accommodation then yeah, I believe it's a gated community. Sounds like it's going to drive me insane.

Company has its policies on what to do and yeah, don't go anywhere alone after dark is pretty much the main one. Feels odd to go to such amazing places but not be able to truly experience them.
 
Dis86 said:
Dont worry, I'll ruin that statistic!

If I'm in company owned accommodation then yeah, I believe it's a gated community. Sounds like it's going to drive me insane.

Company has its policies on what to do and yeah, don't go anywhere alone after dark is pretty much the main one. Feels odd to go to such amazing places but not be able to truly experience them.
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welcome to the oil industry in most of Africa.

You will soon get over the need to explore, human poverty and 3rd world charm :P
 
dowie said:
There's gotta be some nightlife.... how else is the OP going to chase after girls working for NGOs, Charities etc..
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They'll be in the NE but if he goes that way he may find out 1st hand if they truly do have the largest penis size in the world. I am guessing he kind of likes the way he walks at the moment.
 
Efour said:
welcome to the oil industry in most of Africa.

You will soon get over the need to explore, human poverty and 3rd world charm :P
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I've been to Africa before, granted north and never encountered something like that. Had free reign to head wherever I wanted.
 
Some information about Lobito in this fórum

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=601623

I have a friend who is working there( oil platform in the Lobito bay) for around 20 years now

he works 9 months there and gets 3 months of rest in his home each year
but the money he make working there is much more than he could hope working here in Portugal

btw the native angolans are very cool people the crime rate over there is sensible lower than some other African countries....
 
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