The Janssen Family World Travels: Lupita Island, Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania

Day 4 found us awaiting quick 30 minute flight to our final African destinatioin, Lapita Island on Lake Tanganyika.There were some logistical issues and since the area is so remote it was tough getting a plane in on short notice so we opted for a 5 hour drive.Great decision.The roads weren’t bad (all dirt mind you) and we went through some really interesting country, villages and geologic features.The kids loved ‘catching air’ inside the car on some of the mounds for culverts or bridges.We stopped at a roadside restaurant (old charcoal grill in the parking lot) and had these incredible egg and french fry omelets.We arrived late yesterday afternoon and this place is really special.Lake Tanganyika is the second deepest lake in the world and the longest lake in Africa. It is crystal clear like Tahoe and you can drink the water.Such a contrast to have so much fresh water in one place when the getting fresh water is the biggest daily chore for most Africans.Tom bought this small island 5 years ago and it is about as remote as you can get in Tanzania.

So I used to be quite an athlete, or so I thought, being able to do a backflip from about 10’ off our boathouse at our former home. I used to even add a 180 degree twist. So I’m about 10’ up on the edge of this boat that is bobbing on the swells of this lake that is really more like an ocean. We’re out for sundowners (sunset drinks) and swimming from this 46’ boat. So after completing one backflip and ceremoniously enjoying an adult beverage, I am encouraged by our hosts and my kids to add the twist. No problem. No problem that is until I forget the flip part and instead do a twisting back flop that perfectly, flatly aligns 100% of my back and legs with the lake. In the words of my friend Spook…Owie Owie Owie! Thankfully there was nothing seriously hurt other than my pride. To add insult to injury I had several comments that I was lucky to have had the flop padded by my back hair.

Tanganyika is the deepest in Africa (4,820 feet), second deepest in the world, is 420 miles long by 30 miles wide, and has enough fresh water to cover North America to a depth of 2 feet. It also has huge swells like the ocean and it is very strange as it is so big you want to taste the salt but it just isn’t there! It is also has a surface temperature of about 80 degrees and it only varies a few degrees with the seasons. Lupita Island is amazing. We had the good fortune (do you recall my Swahili name meaning the lucky one?) of having this place to ourselves for the visit. There are 11 guest “huts” and a huge pool, dining area, etc. There is also a games room where the kids have become demons at foosball and ping pong. The activities are endless. We kayaked around the island (about 45 minutes). Halle is my kayak buddy and we always seem to get the best of those who start water fights. We’ve gone snorkeling to view the thousands of colorful native fish. Sydney and Hayden are machines and are doing some relatively deep dives. Halle has been really sweet and trying hard but has had some equipment issues that have been challenging. Today Traci and I went scuba diving. We only went for about 30 minutes and were only about 40’ deep and it was a great refresher as Traci hadn’t been for 20 years and I hadn’t been for about 13. No currents, clear water, great instructor. While we dived the kids snorkeled on the surface. I let Sydney and Hayden use my breather after resurfacing and Sydney is hooked and really wants to get certified. That will have to wait for spring but she would love to learn and we should find a few suitable places!

We enjoyed a great day at the beach doing more snorkeling, rock jumping and waterskiing (why did we come to Africa?). Our second to last day, it was just what we needed. The last day we visited a local fishing village, enjoyed the pool and were treated to a really cool dinner treat. The local choir from the Roman Catholic church came by and we enjoyed a magical set of songs and a few dances together. We were very sad to pack up and leave Lupita. All places have been special and perhaps because it was last but it was difficult to say goodbye.

We took another charter to Kilamanjaro airport, once again only catching sneaks of the famous mountain. Then it was back to Nairobi for a day of packing, downsizing, shipping of some gear. Next up was a 2 hour drive across the 15 miles to the airport, an 8 hour red-eye flight to Paris leaving at 10:30 then a 2 hour flight to venice and a 3-4 hour car drive to the Dolomites. We were ready for the upcoming exercise. These multiday transitions aren't quite as glamorous as the destinations!