Not China quite yet

As I turned 22 this week as my mother turned 50 I was offered place on a family trip to Corfu, fully paid for by my mum and stepdad. So as any self-respecting and penniless 22 year old wanting to embrace their own financial independence would do, I wholeheartedly accepted and spent a week being bought ice creams and being taken on trips and absolutely loving it.

Corfu was absolutely gorgeous, staying in the peaceful seaside resort of Agios Georgios I had a chance to relax, swim, sun bathe and eat virtually every type of delicacy Corfuit cuisine had to offer. I am getting a little concerned that this is just going to turn into a blog entirely centred on the delicious/weird/wonderful things I have eaten so I’ll keep it short and sweet: gyros, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, watermelon and big fat chocolate ice creams.
In Paxos we met this entrepreneurial shell seller, suffice to say his cuteness managed to extort several euros out of me and my mum and we left looking like gullible tourists happy with a handbag full of shells. Although now i look at it all i remember was him putting our money in the cute toy cash register on the right, rather than the gun on his left, less cute.

We also visited the smaller and less known coastal village of Agios Nicholous and Notos, its beautiful beach. Right next to a stunning tropical olive grove studded with hammocks and loungers are the clear blue waters of the panorama beach. A path leads past the restaurant and through the trees to a cove looking out to the faded view of mainland Greece. This cove used to be used only by the women of this coast due to its shaded and hidden nature, men seen within the area would be chased away and have stones thrown at them. The water is dotted with large white statuettes that give the bay a magical appearance.We enjoyed the woodland and the calm waters without having to throw rocks at any wandering greek perverts but the idea was tempting when a boat trip from Kavos pulled up and ruined the atmosphere a bit.

So all and all a gorgeous week in Corfu celebrating my 22nd and getting ready for the decidedly less tropical and relaxed lifestyle i'll be taking on in China. Still can't wait!