Another weird port time, but this time because we needed all the time to get here.  We arrive in Corfu at 2 and sail at 9, which is odd. But the Captain was going 20 knots almost all the way, so apparently that’s what we needed to do to get here.  Because of the timing, we nixed renting a car (although we would love to explore the rest of this island) and decided to just stay in Corfu town and wander around.

It is a beautiful sail in – sunny skies with wispy clouds frame the old fort and then the city as we sail by.  Its breezy, but really warm, close to 80 by the time we disembark, although breeze blowing off the water is cool.  We are some of the first off and elect to take the shuttle to the port building.  From there we are walking to the New Fort to explore for a bit before there 3:30 closing time. 

The damn GPS actually works correctly today, directing us up through a more local neighborhood then up a set of hidden stairs (I will admit to a bit of nervousness trying to find the stairs) and right into the old fort, actually saving us from walking up a really long flight of stairs on the other side of the fort.  Paying our entrance fee, the ticket taker reminds us that we only have until 3:30 – which turns out not to be much of a problem.

Wandering around the fortified walls is really cool though.  There is a tunnel entryway that goes through meter thick walks and lets you out behind the fortified walls. The solid massiveness of the walls and construction alone are fascinating.

Then you have all the stunning views.  It is lovely to walk along the walls, looking out over the old town to the Old Fort, the main Church, and the Venetian style houses.

On the other side, outside one of the bastions is the view across the harbor.

The only access inside is one bastion with windows and defensive slits facing out across the town and the harbor.

Totally fun visit, and well worth it.  As we are leaving, we notice they’ve already locked the gate (it’s only a little after 3) and aren’t admitting anyone else in.  Good thing we made it when we did and definitely not a problem to only spend about an hour crawling all over the walls and bastions – we had plenty of time.

Now we are just wandering around town, snapping pictures of the interesting looking buildings, churches and streets.  We stop at the Holy Church of Saint Spyridon, marveling at the amazing frescoes (but not being allowed to take photos in the church)…

…head back out onto the streets, wandering through the craziest grocery store we’ve ever seen. You enter on one street into this little area with a meat counter and local products, then wind your way back and around through little narrow hallways to the rest of the store, where you pay and exit out onto another street.  Crazy wild!  More pictures of street architecture, a stop at a souvenir shop to buy candy for the crew, then a stop at a cafe for beer and wine…..

….and we are on our way back to the ship.  Taking more pictures of the Old Fort, street architecture, flowers and the harbor along the way.

Arriving back to the cabin we find the cutest Halloween chocolates!  They are the most creative things! Have no idea why we got them – but we love them and don’t want to eat them they are so pretty!  That will be our sea day snack tomorrow.

Dinner in Los Lobos.  Magician show where we still cannot for the life of us figure out how he does what he does.  Then the atrium to watch the Halloween parade.  Yes, a LOT of people brought a LOT of Halloween gear and are dressed up.  Then back to the cabin because no way are we going to the Spooktacular Halloween party in the lounge.  Nope. Not our thing.

And tomorrow, the last of sea days on the NCL Dawn.  Only 3 more ports left – time does fly.