Neil Cooper

Paxos is Pretty Perfect

What a fun day. Up early to catch the 8:15 fast (hydrofoil) ferry from Corfu to Paxos. We left without checking out because there was no one at the desk until 8:30. Quick 30 minute walk to the ferry dock – Why would we want to take a cab?

Our place is up on a hill from the New Port. Paxos is a small island with lots of hills covered with green that lands on the beach. It is beautiful. There are lots of little harbours and big boats.

We walked up to our place for the next few days – 15 min. We checked it with the host and told her we planned on renting a scooter. She has a guy so she called him and he picked me up at our place and drove me to the scooter. We did the exchange in the parking lot at the port. No paperwork needed.

After a couple little difficulties remembering how to make these scooters go, I was able to get it up the hill to our place. Then the fun began.

We started heading south on the island to one of the 5 best beaches on the island. Mongonissi. We had to go up and down very steep narrow roads on the scooter to get there. We are just before the season opens so the resorts and beach places are just putting the final coats of paint on things before they open up this weekend. We hung out there for a bit and then headed back north to find more of the 5 best beaches. We went from the SE tip to the NW tip across the middle of the island. It took only about 30 min end to end.

We explored the little towns of Lakka and Longos. We tried to find the #1 beach on the island (cause no one goes there). We drove around in circles for a hour trying to find the little walkway that led to the beach.

We finally gave up – we will try again tomorrow. We passed the same two guys with a back hoe and a car in the town square. We did go to the beach and I went swimming. The scooter is the perfect form of transportation as there is nowhere to park a car anywhere. The Island is small we can go almost anywhere.

After our scooter and beach adventure we came home and then drove down for supper in the main square. We are loving the Greek food.

Where is Colleen?

Here is a fun game. Where is Colleen in these next two pictures? We know she doesn’t want to be in the pictures, but I got her!

Extra points if you can figure out where in the world is Colleen Cooper?

Chillin’ In Corfu

Today was pretty relaxing. I slept in today to 8 am. When is the last time that happened? Latte and croissants for breakfast then a short walk over to the fortress to climb to the top.

We have been to the top of a lot of castles over the years. The view is always spectacular. I guess that is why they pick that spot. The Acropolis is the highest spot in the city. Technically, in Calgary, our house is at the acropolis.

We wandered around today with the many cruise ship people and school kids on a field trip and we managed to have gelato three times. I think gelato is very justifiable as a breakfast, lunch and after dinner meal. The good thing is …

We stopped in a park to read and snooze for a while.

At supper time all the crowds disappeared and we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Dinner at a Corfian restaurant was great.

Tomorrow – 8:15 hydrofoil boat to Paxos.

Corfu is calling

We’ve arrived!

Lazy morning in Horley then off to Gatwick for our flight at 3pm. At the airport, just before security that have a chugging area where people stop, empty their water bottles, cans of Coke, coffees – anything with more that 100ml. Mostly they chug them – which of course guarantees they will need to pee during the flight. I am sure only 1/3 of those people have an aisle seat meaning they are going to have to disturb the person next to them. Instead – as we learned in residency, if you don’t eat or drink anything, you won’t need to stop and pee during the day.

Colleen’s favourite activity on the plane

Corfu is awesome!

We arrived at about 8pm – just before dark. A quick on line comparison between Uber and Taxi – Taxi wins so we hopped a cab to our place. It is spectacular. The nicest room we have stayed in in years. There are control panels beside the bed and at the door that control the lights and the curtains. There is a mood lighting setting!

We are right on the edge of the old town so we went for a wander through the narrow streets (no cars here). Restaurants, gift shops, Gelato shops, coffee shops everywhere. Lots of people at the little bars.

The view of the fortress is spectacular at night!

Looking forward to many zzzz tonight.

May 10-11 And we’re off…

London here we come. Standby on Westjet and we have seats – not exactly together but aisle seats one in front of each other. If I go in front I’m unlikely to have a child kicking the seat all night, on the other hand the person behind me is not going to complain if I recline my seat. If we sit the other way, Colleen is guaranteed to have a child behind her.

Searching for Shakespeare

We spent part of the day on a literary pilgrimage—searching the streets of London for the original Globe Theatre where Shakespeare first brought his words to life. After many steps (and a few missteps), we finally found it—or at least what remains of it. Today, all that’s left is the facade that is a the front door of a pub.

Not far away, though, we stumbled upon its legacy: the beautifully reconstructed Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, a loving tribute to the original. They were just beginning a performance of Romeo and Juliet, and for a moment we considered joining the audience. But after 32 hours without sleep, we knew how that story would end for us: with closed eyes and gentle snores during Juliet’s lament.

Instead, here is a little taste of our adventure (in iambic pentameter)

Searching for Shakespeare

We wandered long through alleys old and tight,
In search of where the Bard once plied his quill.
Our feet, though weary, pressed into the night
To find the Globe, with hope and stubborn will.

At last we came upon a humble place—
A building small, a tavern now its kin.
“Is this,” quoth we, “the stage of Hamlet’s grace?
Where once did dreams and dagger’d scenes begin?”

But lo! Not far, a newer Globe did stand,
A tribute bold to mimic days of yore.
Romeo and Juliet took to hand—
Their tale of love and death upon the floor.

We near did enter, drawn by thespian art,
But sleep, that thief, did creep into the heart.

We paused before the doors, our hearts aflame,
As Juliet did call from off the stage.
Yet travel’s toll had wearied mortal frame,
And sleep did fight our thoughts in silent rage.

To sit within that hall would tempt the Fates,
For eyes once closed may not so soon arise.
We’d shame the house with snoring through its gates,
While lovers wept ‘neath balcony and skies.

So turned we back, with reverence and regret,
And left the star-crossed tale to those more wake.
Our steps did wander where old spirits met,
While London’s breeze did whisper in our wake.

Tags: Shakespeare, London, Travel Blog, Globe Theatre, Literary Travel, Sleep-Deprived Adventures

May 11 – Planes, Trains and Automobiles

We know how to pack it in to a day. The flight was ok. Sitting one in front of the other was not the best but the price was right.

Off the plane and through the easiest immigration (scan the passport and our face by a machine and off we go.)

We went to take the train to Gatwick and it was really expensive! £64 each $128CDN x 2. Instead we got a Bolt (Uber) for £65 for both. Bonus it was an hour drive vs 2 hours on the train.

We arrived and checked in then went looking for food.

In order to avoid jet lag, it’s best to switch to the new time as soon as you can. It was 3 pm but we found a place that serves all day breakfast. That doesn’t count even though breakfast at 8am in Calgary and 3 pm here are kind of cheating!

We jumped on the train to London. Favorite saying on the train – “Mind the gap” Which means don’t trip on the gap between the train and the platform.

Lots of walking and people watching. We went on the London Eye!

Interesting- we are having a hard time understanding the accents in this English Speaking country. In must be our problem because, well …. They are English!