The sail to Corfu was a short one, just 15 nautical miles, but it marked the beginning of a new chapter for KORA as we entered Greece, our home for the next two months.
With very little wind to work with, we motored our way across the channel, taking our time as Greece slowly came into view. The coastline felt noticeably different from Albania. The rugged mountains remained, but the hillsides appeared more settled and established, dotted with homes, olive groves, villages, and churches that seemed to spill gently toward the sea.
Corfu greeted us with fortress-crowned cliffs, Venetian architecture, and a waterfront that looked every bit as beautiful from the sea as we’d imagined.
After fueling up and settling into D-Marin Gouvia, a beautiful marina just outside Corfu Town, Doug raced off to begin the process of checking KORA back into the EU. A biometric screening requirement had us heading into Corfu Town, where a local agent, hired for €150, guided us through the paperwork. A few hours later, we were officially back in Greece and free to explore Corfu’s charming Old Town, with its narrow cobblestone streets wound between pastel-colored buildings, and lively cafés spilling out onto sunlit squares.
The day carried mixed emotions. After nearly two weeks aboard, it was time to say goodbye to Kate. She quickly became part of life on KORA, always up for an adventure, a paddle board, a hike, a laugh, or a glass of wine. She will be greatly missed.
Sunday was spent preparing the boat for our next guest. Laundry spun nonstop, salt was scrubbed from every surface, and KORA received a much-needed spa day. People often ask why sailors spend so much time washing boats. The answer is simple: salt gets everywhere. Left unchecked, it coats surfaces, traps dirt, and accelerates wear.
Fortunately, every goodbye aboard KORA seems to be followed by a hello. Cue the arrival of our newest crew member… Mack stepped aboard, bringing fresh energy and excitement for the adventures ahead. After a quick tour and introduction to life aboard, it was time to celebrate our arrival in Greece. Glasses of ouzo appeared, ice clinked, stories were exchanged, and plans were made for the adventures ahead.
Several grocery runs followed, made dramatically easier by one of the marina’s greatest features: shopping carts that can be wheeled directly to the boat. Anyone who has ever carried nine litres of water and several bags of groceries a mile back to a marina will understand why this felt like winning the lottery.
With provisions stocked, fishing gear inventoried, and the crew assembled once again, excitement is building. Tomorrow we sail for Paxos, an island with special meaning for Buzz, whose family roots trace back there.
And perhaps most importantly… with Mack aboard, will this finally be the trip where we actually catch enough fish to stop talking about catching fish and actually eat one?
