Corfu Visit

Corfu...destination 2 checked off.  Beautiful island!  Luckily the tour I chose did take me out in the countryside so I was able to see beautiful sights!  I like to see that more than cities but wasn't sure about it when it said it went to the monastery.  But this one was in the mountains and absolutely beautiful!  There was a small church at the top, and lovely bouganvillas align the path, with majestic views down to the sea, stunning!  

We had a delightful guide, as usual, in Greece.  Again, filled with wonderful information.  She told us about the kum quat items on the island.  I had a bit of the liquor, strong for me, but many items are made from that here.  Lots of Venetian influence on the island because of the 400 years Corfu was occupied by them.  She said the foods here are named by the ingredients used in it.  Main things used are garlic, oregano, and tomatoes, so you might have garlic potatoes, or garlic chicken, etc.  of course she told us the names in Greek.  She also said there was a ginger beer that was good and very fizzy.  On our stop in the old town I sat at an outdoor cafe and ordered one.  I was asked if I would like alcoholic or non.  I chose non and it was an unusual taste, but I liked it.  It is like a lemonade with ginger and bubbles.  Interesting.  There are horse drawn carts available for a ride through the old town, which was a charming place to wander.  Buses sat patiently behind these as they went down the same streets.  The fortresses, old and new, were quite impressive, and on high hillsides.  And as in the case in many places throughout europe, the 'new' structure is, I believe, older than our old structures in the US.

Whereas Olympia is a place that I would just visit once, Corfu is a place I would look forward to visiting again, I'd like to take a boat out to the caves. It is beautiful...but will it take Mykonos' place in my heart?  Not a chance!

Next stop, Split, Croatia!  I'm looking to my full day tour of the Dalmation coastline which includes lunch in one village, a folk show in another and shopping time in a third village.  This should be a lovely day and my Croatian kunas are packed and ready to spend!

A bit about the ship before I close...I can tell the cutbacks the longer I am on the ship.  Yes, it has been a year, and I think this is the same one we were on a year ago, Diana might remember.  The Internet has gotten a lot more expensive, I guess with all the cell phones, etc, they have had to get more income from what they can.  I've NEVER seen so many crew lined up at the free Internet places near where we land, they have said it is more expensive for them too.   Last night was formal night and the lobster night of the cruise.  There was no champagne fountain that is usually the event of the evening, but as I went into the dining room I saw a big net of balloons, that was apparently going to be dropped in celebration.  Not the same, but I'm sure a fun event for those that attended.  Dinner took FOREVER to be served!  I am sure this is the result of more staff cutbacks, those waiters work like crazy, keeping a smile on their faces.  I am not much into the cruise activities which is fine since my 6 days are filled with wonderful ports of call.  It's why I chose this particular cruise and as for that, I have not been disappointed.  

Dalmation coast, next stop!