DATELINE: 14th December 2000

ALEXANDRIA DIVES
The Egyptian government has recently opened to sport divers some of the extraordinary treasures found off the coast of Alexandria, the once illustrious ancient city founded by Alexander the Great and submerged following an earthquake and huge tidal waves more than 1600 years ago, writes Chris Hellier.
Over the past 40 years or so, marine archaeologists have gradually been uncovering the remnants of the city. Now amateur divers, too, can dive among the remains of Cleopatra's Palace and the Pharos lighthouse, which stood 100m tall and was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Among the attractions are colossal columns, a royal pier, stone sphinxes and Pharaonic statues, including a red granite head of Ptolemy II discovered about four years ago. And plans are afoot to build the world's first underwater museum, at a cost of some £5 billion, with underwater Plexiglas tunnels, diving platforms, leisure submarines and glass-bottomed boats.
It is expected that other sites will open before long, including the Bay of Aboukir area where the city of Menouthis was discovered in early 1999 by French archaeologist Franck Goddio. The remains are currently closed to sport divers.
By arrangement with the Egyptian government, a company in Alexandria is organising three-day, four-day and seven-day diving visitor packages, including airport transfer, hotel accommodation and guided dives.
Call Alexandria Dive Co, 00 2012 327 1993, e-mail: alxdiv@dataxprs.com.eg

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