Corfu, Greece (Locals call it Kerkyra)
Jan 31 (some old guys birthday) - Feb 2.
The ferry ride over to Corfu with the rental car was easy (minus the minor fender bender with the Mercedes). Our AirBnB was right on Spinada square - the largest city square in Greece. The building was being renovated so I’m not going to recommend our place, but the parking was easy there at the square. The old town of Corfu is very polished and beautiful, outside those few blocks it looks like any city in Europe. There are some forts to check out - new and old (new being from the 1500’s so not what you were thinking). Things start to get tricky when there is rain (or an off-season), and that was our case at the old fortress. They closed the route to the top of the fort because of the rain, and we found out why. The lichen covered marble stairs that are so worn they slope downwards, when wet, are slippery as ice! Somehow we made it down a long set after being turned back because of the closure. Inside the old fort we were surprised to find that it housed the music college and the sailing school! Not what you’d expect to see in an historic monument? A full day of rain didn’t keep us from walking and exploring Corfu City (vs. Corfu the Island), granted a few stops to dry out along the way we’re to be expected.
The following day we did an epic all-day driving tour of the norther half of the island (and still somehow ended up walking 8 miles!?!). First stop was a drive up to the highest point on the island - Mt Pantokrator. Where the mountain kitties greeted us and wanted some love, or food… Stellar view into Albania (Thinking about one of my Dads best friend and my history teacher Mr Matthews when I see Albania). The scenery reminds me of the Alps, in both Albania and in Greece. I am boggled to not have known, that snow covered peaks of great heights awaited us here!? From the mountain we headed to the sea at Kassiopi. There we walked about an olive orchard inside a hillside old castle. Then to the harbor and a stroll out to a dramatic point. A little further along the coast we found Canal d‘Amore, where the cliff divers (in summer mind you) jump off the sculpted sandstone cliffs. Lastly a nice area of big inlets in Palaiokastritsa. Lovely bays of clear blue water - makes me want to come back with a boat! We made it back in time for sunset over Corfu city’s old fort, and a few more hours of walking about the old town before dinner - mostly because it was our last day there.
From the top of Mt Pantokrator.
Kassiopi Castle ruins and Kanoni Beach
Canal d’Amore and some bigger cliffs at Cape Drastis
The little photos couldn‘t do it any justice
From here we move onto the Peloponnese peninsula and Ancient Olympia just in time for the Olympics! (Everyone knows the Olympics started in Greece - right?)
Last night in Corfu City pics… I got a lot more too if you like👌
