Santorini (Europe Trip Part 4 – The Finale)

Of course the real reason for our trip to Europe was the wedding of my dearest friend Jane and her lovely then-fiancé-now-husband Neil.  J&N had booked the La Maltese Estate for their nuptials and had decided on a 3 day package.  This meant that the bride and groom, wedding party, families and friends from across the world (me, Luke and two of Jane’s other girlfriends) were holed up in a luxury and exclusive villa for the day of the wedding and two preceding days.  We had such a fun time, socialising and carrying on and then, of course, attending the wedding in our respective roles.  Jane was her usual organised self and the days preceding the wedding were planned with social activities – drinks, dinners, beach visits – and in between just general frivolity and catching up with old friends and getting to know new ones. 

Santorini itself is a beautiful place, as a caldera of a volcano that rises straight out of the ocean.  The sunsets are particularly spectacular (see photos on flikr) and the water is clear and warm for swimming.  In terms of activities, the main ones are shopping (which we didn’t do – expensive, even with the strong Oz dollar), eating (which we did do, of course) and drinking (which we also did, of course again).  On our last day, Luke and I also did a little sailing tour out to the active part of the volcano and some hot springs that we swam in.

But to the wedding ... it was absolutely beautiful and we had a wonderful time.  I spent some of the day with Jane and the other girls while Luke hung out with the boys.  We then did our daily Tour watching and glammed ourselves up for the first time since we left Sydney nearly 4 months ago.  Since we were staying at the venue, it was a short walk up to the wedding and a drink before the ceremony.  J&N were married just before sunset, overlooking the Mediterranean.  Jane resembled (but outdid) Pippa Middleton in a stunning slim fitting dress and Neil was very dashing in a light suit and pink tie.  They were married by a Greek celebrant who unintentionally added some humour to the proceedings by pronouncing their names Jaaaaane and Neeeeeeeeeeil.  After sunset photos, a lovely dinner, funny speeches and a lot of dancing, we fell into bed around 3:30 am – 9 hours after the wedding began.  What a night!!

Luke and I didn’t take our camera to the wedding, because we just wanted to look with our eyes (and not through a two inch LCD screen), so unfortunately I don’t have any photos on flikr.  The two below are from J&N’s official photographer and Jane’s sister in law (Amanda) has about a million more that are in the process of being organised.  When they are ready, I will post a link (if approved by the bride J).   Other photos of Santorini are on flikr. 

So that’s it – our European adventures in four parts.  We have spent the last 5 days hanging out in Brisbane, watching the last of the Tour (on the edges of our seats), catching up with everyone and getting organised for the next leg of our Troopy travels.  Tomorrow we roll out for Fraser Island, so stay tuned ...

Click here for Santorini photos