"The Ark" animal welfare organisation and Markos, the airport dog

  "The Ark" is a non profit organisation which cares for stray animals. relies on the generosity of Corfiots, ex -pats and foreign visitors. The well-known Austrian actress Gabrielle Jacoby and a group of like minded animal lovers, both Greeks and foreigners, founded the Ark in 1997. It was formed primarily to alleviate the suffering of stray and abandoned animals on the island of Corfu. The Ark is a registered charity and is administered by an elected board of trustees who are responsible for the various functions necessary to ensure the smooth running of the organization. They receive no government funding and rely entirely on volunteers and the generosity of our members and the public for our income, which comes mainly from donations and fund raising activities. It spays stray animals, helps sick, abandoned and poisoned strays, rescues puppies and kittens often discarded in dustbins and elsewhere. Re-home animals both in Greece and abroad. Infinite care is taken to ensure that homes are suitable and that no animal is ever destined for experimentation.


How you can help:
* Become a member of the Ark ( 25 Euros a year)
* Become a Volunteer.
* Re-home a pet in Greece or abroad.
* Temorarily foster an injured or recovering animal.
* Offer emergency transport for an animal needing treatment.
* Visit the Charity Shop in Ag Dimitiou, Corfu Town ( Behind Commercial Bank and/
or Hondas Center)
* Donate your small change into our collecting boxes.
* Tell other animal lovers about the organisation.


  Markos the Airport Dog

  Markos, a large black and white male, adopted Corfu Airport as his home. The people working at the airport, especially the cleaners, and taxi drivers, adopted him as well and take care of him. (A really good example that there are Greeks who care about dogs.)  His favorite spot is at the entrance to the departure hall where it is nice and cool. Unfortunately, Markos was badly injured, probably in a fight with other males over a female dog. Someone very kindly took the initiative to call a vet and he has been treated. But for some time Markos is going to need more 'nursing' care, so at present The Ark is taking care of him. As soon as he is fit again he will be back in his favourite spot at the airport. Meanwhile, you can follow Markos' progress here.


  If you want to support Markos, send him an email, leave a donation at the charity shop in Corfu Town or contact the charity to learn how you can send a donation towards his treatment.

The Philharmonic Society of Corfu at the 11th of August celebrations

Here are two videos from the 11th of August celebrations in Corfu Town with the Philharmonic Society of Corfu performing the famous march from Tannhäuser and Alford's "Colonel Bogey" march..

The Schulenburg fort in Vidos island

  Few people know that for almost two centuries, from the early 18th century up to 1864 Vidos boasted three little forts built by the Venetians and the British. Given that Vidos island is strategically situated across Corfu Town port, it was important to protect it from the Turks and from the other enemies who wanted to take control of the island. During the first centuries of the venetian occupation, nothing was done to fortify that little island across town. But after 1716 siege, general Schulenburg understood that it was very important to establish fortifications across Vidos because if the enemy achieved to take it, it would had been very easy to bombard the town and its fortresses. So in 1727 it had beed decided the construction of a sophisticated system of walls and forts but at last only an hexagonal fort on the northwestern side of the island was constructed which later was named "Schulenburg fort". 

  Nowadays, the fort is in ruins- it had been bombed by the british back in 1864, the year when Ionian islands had been annexed to Greece. But its walls can still be seen. On the top of the fort a forest of pines can be accessed by a set of stone steps leading at the top of this artificial hill. The view from there is amazing; looking down those crystal clear shallow waters which encircle the island and the view towards Pantokrator range is spectacular.

  It would have been great if the authorities could clear, renovate and promote this historic place as part of  the island's defensive history.

Agios Gordios on a windy day with huge waves

  These pictures were taken last week when 7 beaufort north-western winds prevailed the island creating huge  waves at the northern and werstern shore. The waves in Agios Gordios were nearly 2 metres tall making it difficult to swim as long as the sea currents made it impossible to move as you swimmed. 

  

A video from the 11th of August litany

  The 11th of August litany is one of the greatest processions in the island. We celebrate one of Saint Spyridon miracles which took place in August 1716 when Corfu was sieged for many days by the Ottoman Turks. Legend has it that at the most critical point of the siege, when the Turks were about to gain access to the Old Fortress, a fierce storm broke out which made the enemy to give up. Since then, every 11th of August we celebrate with this  big procession which takes place around the Esplanade and Liston. Many wind bands participate and there are lots of tourists from mainland Greece and abroad attending.
  Here is a video I found at YouTube from this year's procession.

Corfu then and now 4: the old garage of the Corfiot Automobile Company

  The Corfu Automobile Company was founded in 1920 by Stauros Christidis. It was the first taxi company and it had its base at the car station at the intersection of Rizospaston Voulefton and Polila street. Today this old garage building still survives, although being boarded up. 

  Here is a 1920s photo with Corfu's first taxis parked outside the garage. Right below is a recent photo taken roughly from the same angle.

  Few more photos of the garage building - notice the 60s style sign: "Automobile station - Service - Stauros Christidis & Co." 

  The premises had been abandoned many years ago and maybe soon they will be torned down to make way for a new apartment building. 

The famous Loggas sunset

The sunset as seen from Loggas beach is one of the most stunning and unforgetable sights the island can offer. Loggas is a narrow sandy beach with characteristic clay rocks looming above it. On the top of the rocks, there is a bar which offers an exclusive view of the sunset. You can have a coffee or a cold beer watching the sun goes down and dissapear into the sea and near the Diapontia islands (a group of three islands - Othonoi, Mathraki, Erikoussa) which are the most northwestern point of Greece.
It deserves a visit as this magnificent sight of the sunset over the Ionian sea is really unforgetable.