Pipedream's Web Diary - 38 11.22N 022 37.332E Noon fix at sea

38 11.22N 022 37.332E Noon fix at sea - 16 miles west of the Corinth Canal

Pipedream

Tue 5 Oct 2010 09:17

Galaxidia pretty much had it all. It is likely one of the best ports we have visited so far on this leg of the trip. The only down side to the Greek experience has been the port police. They came by yesterday to tell us we had to register in. There was a little building on the waterfront that had Port Police printed on it. It was about the size of a large phone booth but for two days had no one inside. After much searching we found the office, down an alley, no sign, just a Greek flag hung overhead. Two women and a man on the ground floor more above out of sight. You are supposed to stop in on arrival and departure to pay your tax for being in Greece. It turned out to be 21 Euros for us so far?? I got chewed out for not getting an exit stamp leaving Corfu. But not Perveza where there was no port police at the marina. When you stay in a municipal dock it must be different than a private marina. The Italian couple ahead of us had apparently overstayed their three month allowance without getting a renewal and were being taxed an additional 250 Euro but the catch 22 was they could not pay it at that office but only at the tax collectors office 25 kilometers away. The port police guy was calling them a cab as we were leaving. I asked the woman I was dealing with what happens if I leave Greece and return in a few months and she told me she did not know. This country reminds me of the Pop eye movie where as soon as he hits shore Robin Williams, Mr. Eye, is taxed for about 15 different things all equally lame.

We ate at a great restaurant down one of the side streets. Full of old wood furniture and blue checkered table cloths. During the day ten or so old guys sat outside drinking Ouzo or coffee. Great food. The waiter/owner came out with a picture book of what was on the menu and explained each one. We ordered pretty much one of each and had a Chinese style dinner experience. Onions stuffed with rice and meat, grilled vegetables( onions, sweet peppers, eggplant, squash, and potatoes). Yogurt, garlic, and cucumbers. Pork sautéed in plumbs.. schnitzel. We went back the next night, and that says it all. We ate most lunches at the internet cafe/ tavern across from where the boat was tied up. The waitress spoke great English. Her husband was from England and they had just moved back to mothers with two kids. Mom took turns feeding the kids, both in high chars between serving us. She lined us up with grocery stores, bus stops and all that was needed in town.

The fuel guy came back and we topped of with fuel out of his mobile truck and water from the queue before leaving this morning.

The trip to Delphi was great! We had to change buses in Itea the harbor we had initially selected. Andrew had given us great advice. Pretty seedy marina. There was a road race going in through town however and the pits were located at the marina just across from the bus station. We were there for the start of the race in the morning and again for the finish in the late afternoon on the way back. Apparently they raced the mountain roads above the town... there are lots of mountains but few roads...

The trip into Delphi took about half an hour and was just about straight up. We were let off at the bus stop where we had to walk through 'town' which consisted of two main roads lined with tourist traps and hotels for about a mile. We did the museum first. Very well done. Each major room was time related and covered a major structure. Fragments of stature were exhibited for instance with a diorama behind it showing what the rest of the statue looked like and where it all fit. I had forgotten the significance of Delphi... it was like an ancient Vatican City/ United Nations all in one and reached it's height of influence about 560 BC. Each major Greek city had a 'treasury' located here. I can only imagine these contained 'offerings' maybe something like a ransom or ante to belong. The Oracle made pronouncements but I would bet it was something like a supreme court thing and kept the various City States loosely together as God decided important issues. When the Romans took over about 275 BC they built a 'stadium' and moved the decision making powers to the Roman Senate... Delphi declined at this point and became more a symbolic place. Chuck bought a cool book that shows the ruin as it is now and then with a plastic overlay what it was originally. End of lesson.

We left early this morning on our way to the Corinth canal. They are closed on Tuesdays from 6 AM to 6PM. We tried calling the small marina there but no one answered. we'll see what happens when we get there.