otherchelebi

Thanks for another vote for Iznik (Nicaea) Croesus.

I should also tell y'all that Iznik lake is clean and you can swim in it.

So far, i have not heard of any bans on snorkeling or diving over the basilica.

We also have another and quite decent new hotel, not far from the submerged basilica.

otherchelebi

The 42 Kilometer Iznik Mountain Marathon was run today.

The course is very beautiful.

If i were still 15-17, the age when I used to run shorter cross country races, I would have loved to have joined.

Apparently there is an Ultra Marathon also, although I can hardly visualize myself doing those 130 kilometres at any age.

These are all internationally recognozided races and I cannot help but invite Fodor's readers to join although I have hardly known any Fodorites to dare. -

http://www.iznikultra.com/english/iz...a-marathon.php

kja

Thanks for the update, other!

I never found running simpatico, but I stand (literally and figuratively) in awe of those who do.

Croesus

Underwater archaeology starts on İznik basilica
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/und...&NewsCatID=375

Croesus

I can't help laughing at this...

"Mini submarine to research basilica"
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/min...&NewsCatID=375

"Work has been continuing at the site of the basilica, which lies under two meters of water"

Won't it crash into it?

otherchelebi

I had not seen that Croesus.

I love that submarine. It is something that i could have imagined when I was six.

I hope the photograph was not photoshopped!!

Will check to see if it is still there next week.

otherchelebi

Some new news on the sunken basilica :

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/und...&NewsCatID=375

kja

Interesting -- thanks, otherchelebi! I look forward to hearing about your first visit to it.

kja

And Croesus's, too!

Croesus

I was intending to visit this year but the motorcycle rental in Bodrum didn't work out, so I rented one in Antalya instead, and headed in a different direction.

Here's my brief trip report on the ADVrider website:
http://advrider.com/index.php?thread...f250l.1154208/

otherchelebi

I enjoyed your trip report Croesus, and learned from it also.

Glad you stopped at Canada Hotel at Cirali and saw Carrie. Does her husband (Rustem?) still do his great cooking?

Wish I was younger and were a motorcycle rider.

Next reincarnation, I guess.


Leaving for Iznik by public transpor in two hours. Will report back.

otherchelebi

There was noone at basilica site except for some large buoys and a closed of section of the shore where roofs of some prefabs could be seen.

Any visit would have required a boat or swimming from furtheraway and snorkels or just goggles.

Croesus

Yes, great food at the Canada Hotel cooked by Şaban. I thought I was going to lose a bit of weight during Ramazan, but 3 nights at the Canada put paid to that!

İznik's still on my to-do list. Maybe next year, before heading to the USA for the total eclipse in Kentucky.