Corfu

We arrived here at 8 am for half a day. Corfu is the northernmost and second largest of the Ionian islands. It was rued, over the centuries, by the Phoenicians, Romans, Lombards, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Genoa and Venice, and, for a short periods France, Russia, Turkey and Britain, ultimately becoming part of Greece in 1864. Venice ruled Corfu for 400 years and left an distinctive architectural legacy in the old town in it's tall houses and narrow streets. The French built the Liston, a beautiful 19th century arcade based on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. The Liston looks out onto a broad marble esplanade, bordered by cafes under welcoming shade trees, and the Spianada, a lovely park which includes a cricket pitch a relic of British rule.

The Old Fort dominates a peninsula to the east. Most is derelict now, except for some army buildings, a small church and the beautiful Greek chapel of St. George, modeled on a Greek temple. Inside, it is bare except for some lovely chandeliers and many icons, mostly of St. George and the dragon. Prince Philip was christened here, as his birthplace, Mon Repos palace is nearby. The views from the old fort are spectacular, especially of the crystal clear Ionion sea.

There is also the New Fort, a 16th century Venetian structure, hi on a hill, overlooking the old town.

All of this provided a very nice morning visit...in the hot sun...90s!!! As I arrived, I witnessed some lovely Greek folk dancing. The last visit of my little tour was to St. Spiridon, an Italianate Green Orthodox church. The painted ceiling and the silver oil lamps are magnificent. What is most interesting, though, is a side room containing a silver sarcophagus in which lie the mummified remains of the saint himself, a 4th century bishop. Greece is about 90% Orthodox, of which about 60% are practicing Christians. It was, therefore, not surprising to see the locals lined up to present prayers to the saint by placing them in a receptacle at one end of the coffin. A priest presided over the gestures. At the other end of the coffin, under a glass window, the mummified head and shoulders of the saint were visible. Here, some people became very emotional, kneeling and crying, holding the sarcophagus, then kissing the glass.

Outside, another icon was the object of veneration and kissing.

After lunch, we set sail for Athens....at top speed, since it is a long run. We moved our usual venue for drinks to the Chart Room and then had an early dinner in one of the alternative restaurants - Prime where we had some excellent steaks.