I Jumped off a Cliff...

Paxos got dropped from the itinerary.

Sunday we spent the day wandering all over Old (centuries) Town Corfu and forts. We shopped a bit and began to really feel like we were in Greece. Ended the day eating dinner on the waterfront and turning in early.

Monday we rented a car to see the northern half of the island. Up the touristy eastern coast. First stop, Ag Stefan, a secluded beach. Picnic. Mary H discreetly changed into her swimsuit and I decided it just wasn't worth the trouble. Stripped down to my undies (fortunately they matched) and ran into the clear, cold water for a swim. As I was sunning/drying off felt a wee bit conspicuous until I noticed the 60+ year old woman 25 yards up the beach had taken off her top and was baring all.

Next stop was Sidari to see cool rock formations. Reminded me a little of the Pancake Rocks in New Zealand. We walked up to take pictures and watched three young men and a young woman jump off. I looked at Mary and said, "I'm going to do that." She calmly enumerated good reasons I shouldn't. I watched a few more minutes then turned to go in the bushes to change into my swimsuit.

Thoughts going through my mind: I remember years ago sitting on the couch with my dad on a Saturday afternoon (ABC Wild World of Sports?) watching men dive off of cliffs in Mexico. I think a seed of wonder was planted. What kind of person would have the gumption to do that? I also remembered words I spoke to my girls as they were growing up, "if everyone else is jumping off a cliff, would you?"

I walked back and asked a couple of the young men if they would help me if I looked like I was in trouble. They agreed. I didn't think any more. Walked to the edge. Jumped. With my eyes wide open. What a charge to cut into the cold water and surface! Swam to the edge where I climbed the rock face using a thick rope. Honestly, the fact that I could do that was almost as much of a charge as the cliff jumping. BTW, Mary H got it all on tape...

We put the cameras away and rented a kayak to tool around in the Ionian Sea. Beached on rock outcropping. Swam a bit. Kayaked back.

On around the western coast. Less inhabited and commercialized. Last stop, Paleokastritsa, where we watched a pretty sunset from the grounds of the monastery. It was midnight before we got to bed. Amazing day.