Panorama Photo

...und dann nischt wie raus zum Vansee! This tune sung by Conny Froböss was meant for the Wannsee in Berlin, but would certainly fit for Van and Lake Van in East Anatolia as well. The huge lake, seven times the size of Lake Constance offers lots of nice swimming opportunities. It has no overflow, it only diminishes by evaporation. Therefor it has become alkaline and feels and tastes like an ocean.
The city of Van is yet another ancient place in this area, going back to Urartean times. After WW1 the old city was razed to the ground by the Ottoman troops. You can see a few minarets, that survived in the area close to the castle. Recently in 2011 an earthquake shook the modern city and many people died. But I did not see any traces, lots of rebuilding must have happened.