August 24 – Flight to Corfu

Today we were up quite early to catch a plane to Athens and then on to Corfu.  The flight was uneventful and we, and our luggage, arrived in Corfu without a hitch.  However, we didn’t have anyone there to meet us for the transfer to the hotel.  After waiting a bit and then making a call we eventually connected and ended up at our wonderfully located hotel.

After settling in we walked across the street to have lunch on a restaurant patio in a park.  Great location.  It is hot and humid but the breezes and shade trees are nice.

Since it was early we were able to get in a half day of sightseeing.  We walked a little ways along the harbor promenade…

and then went to the Old Fortress complex.  The current fortress was built during the Venetian era but fortifications have been on the site since the Byzantines controlled the area.

The fortress is cut off from the mainland by a moat, built by the Venetians that goes from one side of the promontory to the other.  It is really a sea channel that basically severed the area from the main part of the island, making the citadel a separate island. 

We stopped in to see the Church of St. George.

The walk to the top of the fortress gave us good views of the harbor and the town.  

After all the walking in the heat we decided to find an ice cream shop and then wandered around the area.  Lots of wind, picturesque streets.

And lot of people, being as it is Friday night.

The swallows or marlins were also out in force with masses of them flying around looking for their evening meal.


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Watch video of the swallows.                                 *****
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