Corfu

 10/6/21

Wanted to give myself some time before I posted about Corfu. 

In the first few days, I will admit I was slightly disoriented. Corfu reminded me so much of California that I started to get homesick. Having taken a right turn, instead of the left towards Old Town Corfu, I have seen how Corfu is its own, unique place. 

It’s bigger than the islands I’ve visited so far in Greece. I drove through Old Town Corfu and saw The Old Fort, didn’t stop because parking was nonexistent and traffic was intense. The good thing about being stopped in traffic is that I could look around. Driving here isn’t easy. The roads go from narrow to insanely narrow, the locals drive them fast. I overcame the fear of it after a while, but I will admit that I spent some time riddled with anxiety. If you’ve ever spent any time in that shitty place, you know it can paralyze you. I stayed local for a few days, visited some tavernas. First the taverna next door owned by a man called Spiros.  Then I got a little braver and took the 5 min cliff walk to Taverna Yiannis, which is owned by the hosts of the Airbnb. Such a nice, welcoming family - I spent a lot of time there and on the beach directly in front of it. 

This is an abandoned house in one of the oldest villages in Corfu called Sokraki

Aggelokastro Castle from a distance - loved the hike up. 

Of course there’s cats. I will probably cry when I leave this orange kitten. I named him Leo and he’s been my little companion. 

Favorite retsina. 

Beach in front of my rental. I love listening to the sound of the waves rolling the pebbles.

Sunrises are glorious. And of course there’s Leo.

Today, I sucked it up, got in the car and took the right off the very steep driveway to visit Kassiopi, a lovely little fishing village. I took a walk along the cliff road, so happy I did. Amazing little beaches carved into the cliff sides, the water an astounding color of green-blue. I’m proud that I overcame the fear of driving to see these places. The ride there is also insanely gorgeous - stopped to take a photo from the cliff side of the famous Lawrence Durrell house on Kalami Beach. 

The last white house on the water is the Durrell house. So cool to see it. 

Kassiopi, the gorgeous cliffs and sea. Truly remarkable.

Loved the olive groves. 

I think we are all little children inside, and it seems that we could treat ourselves with the same gentleness we’d treat an actual child or kitten/puppy.  I struggle with this and have to remind myself often that we are all students in the school of life, and each thing is a lesson.  I leave Greece for France on the 10th, rented a car there too. Driving in Corfu has prepared me for it, so grateful for these learning experiences. 

I’ve spent almost a month in Greece and really only scratched the surface of a remarkable country. The weather is changing, storms are rolling in. The sea is an entirely different beast today.