Kelly DuMar

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#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

Knidos

All night, the moon, the breeze, the salt air, the night sky. A few of us stretched on cushions under light blankets watching the strawberry moon show in our drowse. Slipping off to sleep, Frank beside me. I woke in the middle of the night and looked around for my friends. I was alone. The lone sleeper, everyone else, including Frank, gone to their cabins. There was a breeze and it was cool. I decided to stay. I wanted the wide open expanse and the orange orb of the moon traveling with me. Every time I opened my eyes I saw the moon in a different spot over the hills at the edge of the Aegean Sea. Towards dawn, a friend returned. I saw her in the low light of a new day, another moonwatcher. Later, I stayed under my blanket, and I heard the activity of the boat hands and the captain readying the boat for departure. And we were off. We cruised, not far, to Knidos, where we could go ashore and see the ruins. It was hot, but there was such a relief-filled breeze and the views were stunning. Frank and I hiked all around, as did all of our friends. Swimming, from the boat in the turquoise clear freshness. Water clean, pleasantly cold. A quiet, peaceful day. Now we are settled in. Each in our little nest. A very comfortable boat. Everyone happy, joyful. Of course! Our food so fresh, vegetables and fruits. Simple, plentiful, satisfying, delicious. We have three wedding anniversaries among our crowd, including mine and Frank’s, June 27, yet to come. Thirty seven years. How fortunate we are. To have met and made our match. To have started as friends, best friends. Magic, to slowly realize we were in love and wanted to spend our lives together. How did I get so lucky? I wondered, then. I wonder now. And remain, simply, stunned and grateful at my good fortune.

Knidos or Cnidus[1][2] (/ˈnaɪdəs/; Greek: Κνίδος, Ancient: [knídos], Modern: [ˈkniðos], Knídos) was a Greek city in ancient Caria and part of the Dorian Hexapolis, in south-western Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. It was situated on the Datça peninsula, which forms the southern side of the Sinus Ceramicus, now known as Gulf of Gökova. By the 4th century BC, Knidos was located at the site of modern Tekir, opposite Triopion Island. But earlier, it was probably at the site of modern Datça (at the half-way point of the peninsula).[3]

It was built partly on the mainland and partly on the Island of Triopion or Cape Krio. The debate about it being an island or cape is caused by the fact that in ancient times it was connected to the mainland by a causeway and bridge. Today the connection is formed by a narrow sandy isthmus. By means of the causeway the channel between island and mainland was formed into two harbours, of which the larger, or southern, was further enclosed by two strongly built moles that are still in good part entire.[2]

The extreme length of the city was little less than a mile, and the whole intramural area is still thickly strewn with architectural remains. The walls, both of the island and on the mainland, can be traced throughout their whole circuit; and in many places, especially round the acropolis, at the northeast corner of the city, they are remarkably perfect.[2]

~ Wikipedia

Yellow Poppy