Monday 12th September
We woke up today still in the smelly old port in Korfu city, the first night with our new crew Nemyra and Lansing. Yesterday we spotted double-decker busses touring the city and thought that may be a nice way to have a look around. We had abandoned the idea to hire a car to drive around the island as there are not that many sights to be seen as far as we could make out.

The tour showed some of Korfu old town but most time was spent going a bit south of the city where the landing strip of Korfu airport meets the sea. The area is referred to as Kanoni as the French had a battery of canons up the hill to defend Korfu. There is now only one canon left, the rest probably melted and put to good use. We enjoyed a coffee at Kanoni and watching planes land and take off from the airport right in front of us.
The female section of our company walked down the steep stairs to have a look at Pontikonisi (pontiki = mouse nisi = island, little green island on bottom-right photo) from afar and the little Byzantine chapel of Christ Pantokrator (Pantos = all, kreator = might, so AllMighty). Greek legend demands that Odysseus’ boat was turned into this island by Poseidon. The male section stayed on the mountain high above the crowds having another coffee and talked about airplanes (Lansing used to be a pilot in the US airforce).

After the gender split had been repaired and the groups had merged back into a Clio crew, we returned to Clio and moved out of the little stinky harbour and into Mandraki yacht harbour, right under the old fort (top-left photo). The yacht club is really nice and comfortable and smells much better for the bargain price of €45/night. So the girls are going for a long, luxurious hot shower ashore, and set off to explore the old fort which also houses the music department of University of Korfu and a cacophony of various musical forms drift out of the building where many students practice and receive tuition. It is mandatory for all children to learn music on Korfu and these studies are sponsored by older members of the (200 or so) philharmonic orchestras, music is a very significant part of the Corfiot culture.

After having a look inside the fort, of course, it was essential to do some more shopping. Then back to the yacht club for a sundowner drink at the club, overlooking the old yacht harbor, sitting at a nicely setup table, and having a lovely dinner. What a luxury!


Tuesday 13th September
Sad day for Chris as Rhonda's trip has come to an end but not without the obligatory photo for the Clio-Crew Wall of Fame (bottom left). It is time to take her to the airport (top-right photo) and say our heavy-hearted goodbyes. It has been a great three weeks and we loved having you crew with us.
To be continued.