Greece: Sightseeing on Corfu

Tuesday morning we arrived in Corfu and then took a bus tour of the island. We visited a very old monastery that featured a wooden, painted ceiling, countless icons and the warm wax candles always lighted in Greek Orthodox churches, even on hot days! Outside the church and other buildings of the monastery there were many cats sunning and napping, and Jim took some great shots of a mom-cat with her frisky kittens. On the same side of Corfu there was a bay and beach with beautiful azure waters, so typical for Greece. We traveled to high mountains and Jim bought a bottle of the local kumquat liquor. We later stopped in a town to have mezzes (snacks) with the local dry red and white wines, which are not exported. These treats included bread with salami, feta, cucumbers, a stuffed fig leaf and different breads. Jim also ordered lunch in the taverna, a salad with feta and tomatoes, and a plate of fried calamari. Corfu is a large, unique Ionian island with much natural greenery, unlike many of the other island chains in this part of the Mediterranean. We arrived back at the ship around 3 PM and plan to attend a large cocktail party tonight for all those passengers who have taken cruises with Atlantis more than four times. Often at such parties they announce their future plans, which can be tempting or not. –Dan