Corfu, Greece, Day 1

This is going to be a long one...

The flight was uneventful-although the runway in Corfu is very very short a mere 2000 or so meters long and is built on a narrow strip of artificial land surrounded by water. See link to a video showing you just how short it is.

Once off the plane, we headed through passport control, or lack of. Those flashing a UK passport were waved through, most only showing the front cover of their passport. We had to step aside as well as an Australian couple. After everyone else went through, we waited while our passports were entered into the computer and stamped. We waited another half hour for the luggage which was piled so high on the cars that the driver could only drive about 2 miles/hour if that. After retrieving the luggage we herded onto buses going to various resorts.

Before the bus drove away, our tour rep welcomed everyone, distributed safety booklets and informed us of the high mineral content of the water, the fact that no paper goes in the toilet and it is mosquito season.

We sat at a red light for about 10 minutes or more as a police car blocked all traffic-a plane was preparing for take off and the runway was just yards from the road with only a chain link fence between the two. I imagine this is to prevent cars being blown away by the plane, something residents must endure for tourist season 6 months of the year.

Driving through town I observed several bicycle riders sans helmets weaving thru cars as well as a motorbike with a small child as a passenger without a helmet as well. Jason saw several shops with large animals he thought were cows hanging in the window. I don't think they were cows-beef is usually imported.

After about 45 minutes of winding, dangerous driving, we arrived at the Corfu Plaza Hotel but only us and one other family got off. We wandered around a bit after dumping our luggage and realized it was very deserted here. In fact only 2-3 bars and a few restaurants seemed to be open. Maybe that's why we got such a cheap deal.

We picked a restaurant that looked the cleanest. The kids ate ice cream and fries (its vacation). Jason opted for soup and bread while I went for the Dolmades. We then went to the hotel play area where the kids befriended some children who live in the London area but were from Iceland.

After a bit of play, we went for a siesta in the room. Despite telling Kaitlyn 3 times as we got in the room and once more while she was using the toilet not to put the TP in the toilet, she forgot. Luckily nothing happened and I am sure we were not the first to forget.

After a nap and a quick trip to the mostly empty grocery for water, cookies, and milk, we walked back into town for dinner. Once again we noticed how shut down everything was. While looking at a menu for a place called The Balcony (its main dining area is a balcony overlooking the sea), I spied a waiter waving us up. All the kids received a pat on the head and Kaitlyn said, "Just like Italy mom."

The kids tried to order soda and the waitress said, "Oh no, kids don't like that so much, you would like juice or milkshake better." Jillian dropped her pacifier and the waitress immediately picked it up and washed it.

The menu was in Greek, English, and German and most dishes came with 'chips' catering to the British clientele. I wanted to order something Greek that came without chips-so I pointed out the 'specialities' to the waiter for a description to make sure I didn't get lamb. I ended up with a Greek salad-which came with a huge slab of feta that was wonderfully fresh, a few bits of lettuce, and loads of cucumbers and juicy tomatoes and of course Greek olives. I think I could live off this. My main course, Stamna, is a Corfu specialty. It is like a beef stew full of either lamb or beef, potatoes, carrots, green beans, a fair bit of cinnamon and topped with cheese. Jason had pasta with the same hunks of beef found in my stew.

Corfu is the closest Greek island to Italy, so you find a lot of rice and pasta on the menus and there is even some debate as to who invented pasta; the Greeks or Italians.

Our fellow diners were the kids from Iceland and the staff didn't bat an eye at the kids going back and forth between the tables (unlike England).

We ended the evening with the kid's disco at the hotel-a bit cheesy but the kids loved it and the entertainers put in enough humor aimed at the adults to make it tolerable. The disco was followed by the Greek Dancers, and with only 9 families, we all had to participate. I got out of a bit-Jillian was thirsty so I ran back to the room for her water cup. As I was returning I noticed what looked like bus loads of people arriving-at 10 pm.