Wednesday, October 17, 2018 - Kerkira (Corfu), Greece

                        

At the end of his travails, a weary Odysseus was shipwrecked on the vernal island of the Phaecans, who patiently heard his tale before setting him on a boat home to Ithaki.  This island is modern-day Corfu and you can expect the same level of kindness from this cosmopolitan jewel.

Ever since it was first settled by the Corcyrans in the 8th century Corfu, or Kerkyra (ker-kih-rah) in Greek, has been an object of desire for both its untamed beauty and strategic position in the Mediterranean.  It was a seat of European learning in the early days of modern Greece, with cultural institutions such as libraries and academic centers.  To this day Corfiots remain fiercely proud of their intellectual and artistic roots, a legacy visible from its fine museums and cultural life. 

Venture up its woody mountains studded with spear-sharp cypress trees and explore vertiginous villages, coves fringed by cobalt-blue water, and the fertile interior filled with olive trees.

Remember that I went to bed early last night.  That meant that I had no maid service, nor did I have any important announcements, like the time changing!!!

So not knowing that I'd set my phone for 7:00 am. which would give me plenty of time to get a coffee and meet the group at 8:15 for our walking and tasting tour of Corfu.  Woke at 6:50, opened my door to get any mail in my slot outside, and lo and behold, my clocks hadn't been changed!!!  It was really one hour later!!!  Skipped the coffee, tore into my clothing, slapped on some makeup, brushed my teeth and the phone rang. . . Eric . . . where was I?  Said I was on my way, ran down the stairs and was only three minutes late!!

Today was a really fun day, a marathon for my new ankle (it did fine!), and especially a challenge to walk the uneven stone streets of Corfu.  Our guides were two sisters - so charming and knowledgeable, and downright fun!   Again will narrate the photos - very picturesque and charming city.

      

      

      

      

                               

       
Wanted to leave the group here and swim . . .          Even if I had to climb down these stairs!

After walking the park area and learning the history of the island, we began our tasting.

      
Kumquat liquor - fabulous!                                     Award winning olive oil - $75 per bottle!!

  
Wonderful cheeses . . . .                                            . . . and more
                                                 
  
Sweet 'N Spicy Shop.                                               Spices and olive oil

We rested during a beautiful lunch, al fresco.  Greek salad, more cheeses, pasta with a beef sauce and chunks of beautifully cooked beef in it.   The pasta was mostaccioli, and the sauce was accented with cinnamon.   There is a huge Italian influence here in Corfu so pasta fixed many different ways is a major part of their diet.  Even their local language has some of the same words as Italian.  Of course, lunch was accompanied by the requisite ouzo!!

Then back to the van where we proceeded to the villa that is the filming place for the television series, The Durrells, and the promise of an elegant Greek wine tasting.

Such an old building, with lots of character even though a bit ramshackle.  The wines were interesting (there were 13 of them!) and two were very special for me.  I still have no taste for the retsina wines of Greece.   I hope each time that I taste them that perhaps my palate will have matured - but no way!!  Can't really equate the taste of tree sap in my wine!!

      
Miniature wild cyclamen.                                        Harvesting olives at the villa

      
Beautiful spread for the wine tasting.

      
                                                                                 Villa owners olive oil - each presented a bottle

      
Malagousia - light, floral, delicious (white).           Ammos Nemea - lovely red much like Merlot

When the van dropped us off, we were to take a shuttle back to the ship, but I needed to stretch my legs, so took off and walked about a mile back to the ship.   Kept up a pretty good clip, got most of the alcohol fumes out of my system!

Back to the pool deck bar where we watched local dancers perform on the outdoor stage.   Then back to the room for a hamburger and Caesar salad.   Perfect!   Glass of very cold Sprite - no more wine today.