“I don’t want to get married in the wind and rain,” my daughter René informed us at the time. For South Africans like us who live in the UK, it remains a dilemma when your children want to get married, because although our families and hearts are in South Africa, our children’s friends, acquaintances and soon-to-be in-laws reside here on the Muddy Island. When René and Martin got engaged, they decided to get married in Sani, a lovely resort in Halkidiki, a peninsula in Northern Greece. They went on an explorative holiday and met the Swedish wedding planner Anna there. In the end it was a small, intimate wedding next to a knotted olive tree with the magnificently blue Mediterranean Sea in the background and the massive Mount Olympus in the distance. Most of the people stayed on for a week or more, which gave us the opportunity to get to know some of the other guests.
Three years later saw another Greek destination for Simon, our youngest, and Lucie’s wedding: this time the Mamma Mia island of Skiathos. They also went to a wedding fair, and although many a wedding venue across Europe tempted them, Skiathos immediately impressed them. In recent history, the movie Mamma Mia – based on the successful West End musical – was filmed there starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan in the principal roles. As a result of all the media hoo-ha, the number of tourists has increased significantly, and one or more super yachts in the harbour are no strange phenomenon these days. As with René and Martin’s wedding, most of the guests also availed themselves of the opportunity to enjoy a week-long holiday. And does the gorgeous island have much to offer! 60 beaches, many hotels, taverns, restaurants and outdoor pubs as only the southern Europeans can do. Most of the beaches are on the bus route and it is a pleasure to use the neat, reliable and affordable bus service. In winter, when – believe it or not! – the island may experience some snow, the number of residents shrinks to less than 4 000, while the summer months may see up to 70 000 people when the tourists and seasonal workers arrive.
The island comprises only about 46 km2. It was somwhere in 700 AD when the first residents – very impressed with the abundance of trees on the island – called it Skiathos (skia is shadow in Greek). History is mirrored in the many monasteries and the Bourzi Castle that was built in the 13th century by Venetians to control the harbour. The many churches and monasteries are witness to the precious Christian history that commenced in 531 AD when the first church was built. We visited Evangelistria, a dynamic working church and monastery where visitors can buy a wide range of articles made by the monks. They grow their own fruits and vegetables, and make their own wine. When strolling through the quieter leafy alleys far away from the touristy places, it becomes remarkable how many people have large vegetable gardens and fruit orchards. It seems that there is no shortage of water and the local fruits are delicious.
If you are more adventurous, you can rent a Jeep or buggy to visit the more distant beaches and restaurants via the numerous gravel roads crisscrossing the mountainous island. (Simon and his good friend Matt went on a quad mountain road adventure on the eve of the former’s wedding, strayed off the road and ended up in the thick bushes next to the cliff. A few vehicles had to be called in to recover the quad. It could have been a tragedy if the bushes weren’t so thick.) The ceremony started in the hotel’s courtyard and we basked in the warm Greek sun for half an hour or so while the readings were being delivered. The legal part of the ceremony was later conducted by a state official. The food was delicious and the partying went on until very late. Once again, the picturesque Mediterranean Sea in the distance, the long summer evening and luscious flora provided the ideal festive backdrop. The ecclesiastical blessings will take place in the Mint family’s home church in England.
Unfortunately, not many of our family or friends from South Africa could attend the wedding so far away; their chance, however, will come next year when our other son Christiaan and his betrothed Harriet get married in Cape Town.
