The Pink Palace and Corfu

Well, we made it to the Ionian Sea. The first day of travel was less than auspicious! We arrived in Athens International airport at roughly 10:45 I think. Now, the airport is in the middle of nowhere, so we really could not leave, and we had 7 hours of waiting for our flight to Corfu. It is painful to spend time in such a fashion, but it was unavoidable. We people watched, we snoozed against our packs, we read...time really does stand still when there is nothing to do but wait. The worst part about it was that it did not seem like we were away yet! Any international air port is much like another, they have the same feel, and the same varieties of people (not exactly, but close enough).
After the eternity of waiting, we touched down in yet another airport (much smaller, less active). Ahh, Corfu at last! Travel from the terminal to the Pink Palace was expensive by cab (30 euros, 80 cents by bus we later learned, but no buses ran at 8:30). Checking in was hectic, as the palace was so busy, and we just crashed without doing much of anything other than eating. We had, after all, just spent 28 hours in transit, in the same clothes, no showers, etc.
On Saturday, we got up in good time, and decided to explore the Agios Gordios area. It was simply stunning, as we made our way along tiny mountain roads along the coast until we arrived aT the town of Pentati (about 3 km as the crow flies, 7 by the winding roads). It was extremely pleasant, and not at all tourist driven like Agios Gordios. We explored there for a while, attempting to locate a suppossed foot path back to town, but we kept running into dead ends. It was tiring going up and down the mountain side in the 40+ degree heat, and damned if we ever found the path. Instead, we climbed back up to the road, and made our way back. I am happy to say that for lunch, I am back on my travel rations of Tuna, bread, and cheese...oh, the luxury
Now, I had been praying that the fabled Pink Palce Toga parties were the same as before, and they were! Oddly, this turned out to be disappointing...for a few reasons, but mainly, I think it had to do with the fact that 3 years ago, the crazy, wild hedonism was so manic, so insane, so intense, and so UNEXPECTED. We had no idea what we were heading into. This time, we knew exactly what to expect, and so the crazy, wild hedonism seemed worn out, tired, blase, and in truth boringly like a marketing ploy. Don't get me wrong, I still cherish my initial toga party memories, but now, I have moved past that stage of my life. I thought when I was at home, it was simply that the bars there were tired and worn out, but now I know that it is me that has evolved past them, and now I am OK with that fact. I may not know yet what I am here looking for, but for now it is enough to have discovered what I am NOT looking for. That is just as important, I think.
The next day we explored the other side of Agios G. It was even more spectacular, and as we hiked back along the beach, we discovered a phenomenal swimming area, where the waves swept in and smashed these huge boulders. It was wild swimming there. amongst the rocks and waves, being buffeted about, and lacerated by massive spray off the rocks. The whole area is so stunning, it really is paradise.
Later that same night we ate dinner with a group of girls...3 were nothing special (2 from Halifax, and one from Devon England), but the 4th, my god in heaven, she was stunning. Katie, who was from Queensland was an angel. Lucky for me we hit it off, and talked about travels we have been on, and so on, for an 2 hours. By then, however, it was clear that nothing more exciting was going to happen, so after some shots and some mixed drinks, we parted ways (oh so sad...truly a goddess!!). I went back down to the Ionian sea and swam under the light of the half moon, watching the lighting dance off over the Adriatic and Italy beyond that. The stars were in full bloom as well. It was gorgeous.
Today, we went into Kerkyra (Corfu Town) and explored the ruins of the 2 forts that dominate the town. They are stunning, but a full description will have to wait, as I run out of net time. Needless to say, they are colossal, and took us the whole afternoon to go through them both. They were in use up until the end of the 2nd world war!. tonight we bid farewell to Agios Gordios and the Palace. It will be bittersweet, as I look forward to leaving, but also wish to stay and soak up the beauty that this Isle offers up, endless olive groves and Cypress trees sweeping down jagged slopes to the blue, blue sea. Paradise....