Saturday in Corfu, Greece

Looking at a map you find the island of Kérkyra, where Corfu is located, very close to Albania in the Ionian Sea. Mountainous Corfu is 227 square miles with a population of almost 40,000. Its Greek name, Kérkyra is connected to two powerful water symbols: Poseidon, god of the sea, and Asopos, an important Greek mainland river. Poseidon fell in live with the beautiful nymph Korkyra, daughter of Asopos and the river nymph Metope. Poseidon kidnapped Korkyra and brought her to an unnamed island. Because it all worked out and they lived happily ever after, the island was named Korkyra- that evolved into Kérkyra. Together they had a child they called Phaiax, after whom the residents of the island were named, Phaiakes, that was then transliterated via Latin to Phæacians. The highest peak on the island, Mt. Pandokrator, is 3000 feet high.

Myths notwithstanding, the first known inhabitants were the 8^th century BC Corinthians. Like most Greek people, Corfiots enjoy a strong seafaring tradition- the regional symbol is even a warship. Until the first Balkan Wars in 1912, Corfu was a nervous Christian outpost on the edge of the Ottoman Empire. The island’s history is full of battles and conquests. The legacies of these struggles remain in the form of castles that exist in strategic locations all over the island.The harbor where we are docked is quite lovely. The water is many shades of blue and the boat traffic is interesting. Several fortresses can be seen.

Jim continues his wandering the Noordam looking for impressive pieces of art.

One of the most valuable pieces of furniture on board the ship is a remarkable inlaid chest flanked by carved wooden 17th-century Baroque columns. Made in Germany in 1885, the chest is inlaid with ebony and precious stones. Our traveling companions were off

to the countryside to see some palaces in an outlying town. The first one, Achillion, was the summer palace of Empress Elisabeth of Austria.

The delicate Elisabeth, the last Kaiser to rule Corfu, called the palace “comfort of her soul.” The Greek hero Achilles fascinated the Empress. After she was assassinated in 1898, the villa was empty until Kaiser Wilhelm bought it in 1907. They also visited the palace Mon Repo, the birthplace of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the consort of Queen Elizabeth II. Lucy said this one was more of a museum while in Achillion you could tell more how people really lived. Bill said he learned more about Greek mythology than he did in high school. Olives, lemons, and oranges are grown in this area. Kumquats are also a popular crop. We crossed another time zone and therefore the time moved ahead last evening by one hour- making us 7 hours ahead of our east coast families and 8 hours ahead of the central time family. Jim and I decided to stay onboard and give knees, hips, and backs a rest after yesterday’s activities. Reading and watching the harbor was so wonderfully relaxing. The scupper along the edge of our deck was painted today so we had many workmen around sanding, painting with primer and then painting the dark blue scupper. If we’d seen a drunken sailor we’d have known just what to do with him…or her.

Jim, Bill and Lucy did go to hear the comedy show last evening, but Jim returned after about 20 minutes saying he was “OK” and when Kemps checked in they reported about the same.