Our last day aboard Tanem!

An expedition to explore the ruins of Knidos where the Dorians, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs all lived at some point.

The city began in the 12th century BC, and reached its population peak in the Dorian period, 7th century BC, when 20000 people were estimated to live here. When the Romans took over in around the 2nd century AD numerous basilica style churches were built on top of older Dorian structures. Then the Arabs invaded the area in 7th century AD, and Knidos was abandoned shortly afterwards. Drought & disease are assumed as the demise of the city.

A few significant piles of rocks include the Temple of Dyonysus, in honour of this God of Wine & Frivolity. It dates from the Hellinistic period, a time when Knidos was known for its wine production and some of the greatest artists of the time. When the Romans moved in they built a church on top of the temple, recycling some of the original stones.

The Stoa, over 100 meter long, was the market place, covered with mosaics and carved marble demonstrating the local artistic talent.

Knidos was protected by steep cliffs & gigantic walls, and was a place if great importance. The Temple of Apollo was named for the great Olympian Apollo Karneios, God of prophecy, music, youth, healing and the aversion of plague and harm. A busy boy, with time to frolic with nymphs as well, captured in statues at the entrance to the trmple where there was a large spring.

The most important building was the Round Temple, believed to be where the original statue of Aphrodite was placed. This Goddess of Love and. Beauty could be seen from everywhere, including out at sea. Created by Praxiteles in the 4th century this was the first known female nude statue & revved up quite a tourism business.

The small Greek Theatre housed 5000 spectators, its vaulted entrances some of the earliest ever built by these pioneers in theatre architecture.

You could spend hours roaming through the ruins. We managed one, before heading back aboard to see the gorgeous boat Regina moored up alongside - with room for 14 passengers, she starred in the latest James Bond movie.

From Knidos we edged closer to Bodrum, stopping for lunch and a swim before mooring at anchor just outside Bodrum for our final night on Tanem. The champagne and Turkish wine flowed, another quiz presided over by quizmaster Vicky, who was forced to compete with the night club music of Bodrum.

Reluctantly everyone retired to be ready for a morning pack up and abandoning ship.