Corfu, Greece!

such a cutie...he danced away...

a lovely lady...proud of her fresh bunch of rosemary...

love the artistry of the hanging laundry...

So kind...

Fish Spa...

strolling along the waterfront.....

OPA!!! Look at their faces...do you think they know of the chicken dance???

dancing in the streets...

gratitude candle....

love old windows....

gorgeous architecture...

Ride anyone??? Hubby said no before I could ask the price... he is such a romantic

Good bye sweet people of Corfu...

We arrived in The Port of Kerkira, on the Island of Corfu, Greece, Friday, May 24, 2013. First morning photo 8:35AM. It was bright, sunny and yes, finally warm. The port was breathtaking, very mountainous, a light fog added to it’s mystique. Corfu is the fourth largest of the Greek Islands. 

We decided to stay in town and just be. No tour, history, palace, castle, ruins, bones, or otherwise. Just find a cafe, sit and rest, walk or stroll, enjoy the locals and whatever gifts the day would bring. 

Well folks, if there was ever a place to jump ship, this was it! We discussed going back to the ship grabbing our passports and running for the mountains. It was the best day ever. Actually, it was all about the people of Corfu. 

Their kindness, warmth and positive energy, contagious. Most of the the buildings had been here for centuries, holding their dignity well. We discovered small lane ways and narrow streets, filled with the most gorgeous shops one could imagine. There was something for everyone on our souvenir list. Anything from a bar of soap to the most incredible jewelry. You're going to love the soaps kids! Shop owners would greet us, shake our hand, ask where we were from and bless us and our families, upon leaving. No purchase necessary. Some would talk of family living in the United States. I haven’t done much shopping, we had hours to meander. We had to be back at the ship by 4:30PM. 

We met an elderly woman carrying some fresh rosemary! I asked if I could take her picture by pointing to my camera. She gave me a great big toothless smile and a hug to accompany it. She even posed. I welled up, she touched us both. 

We then met a group of six Greek Orthodox priests. I asked the priest with the biggest hat If I could take his picture. Sorry, I don’t know the hats proper name. “Why would you want to do that,” he asked? He grabbed my hubby and said, take it! Wow where the heck was I? Another priest in the group looked straight at my camera and made a sign, of which I was not familiar. Snap, Snap, snap! 

I asked a local to view the photo and what it meant. It startled me a bit! It meant, peace, love, health and a  long life, for me and my family! It was a blessing, she said! Phew!

I learned to say good morning in Greek, Kalemeara. So now, a well educated Greek wannabe, I wished everyone, calamari. Realizing my error, when someone said the fish market was down the street! YIKES! 

I captured a small child dancing to the music of his father and uncle. He was just adorable. People were dancing in the street! We did too! The energy infectious! 

Hubby got caught up into a strolling group of musicians and singers. He did the chicken dance! 

We passed by an open fish spa! Yes I said fish spa. I had heard of this, but never actually saw one in action. Thought it to be gross! Small tropical fish, eat the dead skin off your feet. Come in, come in, the young woman beaconed. Clients assured me that it felt great. Ten euro, for fifteen minutes, what the heck! I’ve done some pretty weird stuff in my life but this one took the cake. It scared me at first and everyone had a good chuckle. It felt kind of prickly. Think I’ll pass on another though! 

We visited the Church of St. Spryidon. Here we lit a candle, grateful for our blessings and asked that our children and grandchildren be blessed. Another tearful moment. 

We enjoyed lunch at a small cafe, discussing our grand getaway! 

Needless to say we are back aboard ship and will never forget this magical day! We love Greece and most of all it’s people. OPA!!! Or is it Oomph? 
Whatever! It's all Greek to me! 

Katakolon, Greece

original Olympic Games were held here...

The Temple of Zeus...

The Ancient City of Olympia...

Ride up the hill,  2 euro

Zorba Dancing

Zorba Dancing

The handsome group...great show

Zorba the Geek does the "Chicken Dance"... the man can still make me laugh...

We arrived in Katakolon Greece, Thursday, May 23, 2013. First morning photo 7:10AM. It was very foggy and windy as well. A chance of rain was in the forecast, however, warm enough for a light jacket. 

My first observation of the port was that it was smaller by comparison to others, no industry. The landscape hilly, not mountainous, or at least in this area. Now in the Adriatic Sea, the water more of a Caribbean blue.

We booked a tour through Holland America to The Ancient City of Olympia & Zorba. Katakolon is the Gateway to the Ancient City of Olympia, the birth place of the original Olympic Games in 776 B.C.

Our tour was ahead of schedule, we left port at 8:20AM. Our guides name was Maria Helena and our driver Alexis. 

Maria was extremely knowledgeable and very understandable. She spoke non stop for about two hours, it was evident how proud she is of her heritage. 

Driving though the countryside it was noticeable that this was an impoverished area. The people here rely heavily on tourism, Maria said. Homes were sporadic and in disarray. Old cars were laid to rest in open fields and in run down concrete structures. No livestock insight, we passed many olive trees and vegetable gardens during our forty minute ride. Depressing, I thought. 

The hills were growing into mountains the further east we drove. There are ten million people in Greece and five million live in Athens. This is typical Greece, outside of Athens, she said. 

Obviously, Olympia is the main attraction here. There were at least thirty tour buses visiting the site.  A very large area, where you really had to use your imagination to visualize, what had been. We visited the Temple of Zeus, Maria explained volumes of information and mythology associated with the games. I expected to see a large colosseum where the games were held, however it was a large sandy area with grassy slopes. As many as forty thousand spectators could enjoy the games, held here every four years. She said athletes came to win, not to participate. The site was preserved very well and a beautiful place to visit and learn.

We then drove to a rest area with water closets, coffee and pastries. The usual gifty, touristy type of items available. A bobble headed statue of Zeus was not on my souvenir list. 

We then drove to a restaurant for a light lunch and some Zorba dancing. This was a highlight for me, as I love to drink in the culture of the people. The dancers and the music were incredible. We enjoyed every minute of it and you know who did the chicken dance!!!

We were dropped off at the town square, a ten minute walk from the ship. Many passengers, from now two ships, were enjoying the shops, cafes and restaurants.

The residents were very friendly and warm. We never saw a police officer. Maria said people were very honest here. There were several wifi cafes with no purchase necessary to use it, along the main street. We have to keep reminding ourselves that we are now seven hours ahead of EST. Certainly don’t want to wake anyone back home in the US. We did anyway! Sorry kids!

We enjoyed our day and mostly the people of Katakolon. 
So happy to inform you... they have gelato here too! YUM!!!