Jessica and Walter celebrated their wedding on Sunday August 12, 2007! :-) Some pictures of our Sacred Union ceremony can be viewed here. We then experienced our honeymoon for two and a half weeks in Greece from August 12 through 31. Below are a few photos from our adventure. Higher resolution versions of these along with other pictures can be seen here.
1: Parthenon: Jessica and Walter stand before the Parthenon, probably the most famous temple in Greece. Notice the bit of scaffolding in the background, which is part of a restoration process currently going on there.
2: Acropolis: Jessica sits on the edge of the Acropolis (the hill upon which the Parthenon and other ancient structures sit) with a view of Athens behind her.
3: Athens: A wide view of the large and enchanting city of Athens, Greece, seen from the Acropolis.
4: Greek Ruins: Jessica before some Roman era ruins. On the upper left can be seen Hadrian's Arch, and on the upper right can be seen the acropolis with the Parthenon peeking over the edge.
5: Goddesses: Greece contains many large museums and ancient artifacts. Here can be seen two beautiful figures in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. One is the goddess of Love, and the other is a marble statue. ;-)
6: Gardens: A fountain in the large Athens Municipal Gardens. Notice the star made out of stones on the ground in front.
7: Garden Trees: A row of large trees in the Athens Municipal Gardens.
8: Jessica: Jessica dressed up pretty on a rooftop terrace restaurant. The acropolis is in the background, although it's invisible in the picture due to it being evening.
9: Pillars: Walter gets in touch with his inner pillar at the Roman era ruins of the Church of St. Titus at Gortyna, Crete.
10: Knossos: After Athens we journeyed to the island of Crete. This was the capital of the ancient Minoan civilization, and the site where Theseus met Ariadne, solved the Labyrinth of King Minos, and faced the Minotaur.
11: Knossos: Jessica and Walter together before a pair of pillars at the palace of Knossos. Notice Walter's bull head shirt with a strap across it, symbolizing "no more bull" in our lives. ;-)
12: Phaestos: Walter and Jessica together at the Minoan ruins at Phaestos, Crete.
13: Agia Triada: Jessica waves from an ancient stairway at the Minoan ruins at Agia Triada, Crete.
14: Elevator: Jessica is a beautiful soul at all times, even in seemingly "ordinary" places like this elevator at the Lato Hotel, in Heraklion, Crete.
15: Hearts and Smiles: After Crete we journeyed to the island of Naxos. Walter sends a heart from our hotel room at the Hotel Grotta on the island of Naxos, Greece.
16: Beach: Naxos is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches. Jessica welcomes you into the crystal blue waters.
17: Beach: Jessica reflects on life as the late sun reflects off the water.
18: Portara: In the main town or Hora of Naxos is this gateway called the Portara, the last remnant of the Temple of Apollo.
19: Portara: Jessica playful in the blowing wind. :-) The Portara can be seen in the background on a narrow peninsula.
20: True Love: Jessica and Walter share a magic moment next to the Portara at sunset.
21: Natural Arch: Greece also features a number of naturally formed gateways. Jessica contemplates one while looking out to sea, very near our hotel.
22: Mt. Zeus: While on Naxos, we climbed Mt. Zeus (Zos), the tallest mountain in the Cyclades cluster of islands. Jessica is at the base of the trail, with the mountain in the background.
23: Zeus Cave: Part way up the mountain is the Cave of Zeus. According to legend, this is where Zeus, king of the Greek gods, was born.
24: Zeus Summit: Walter and Jessica at the summit of Mt. Zeus, with a view of much of Naxos and other islands visible in the background.
25: Nature: Jessica in the beautiful countryside of Naxos, on the back slopes of Mt. Zeus. Notice the stone wall, where there were often herds of goats ambling about.
26: Shopping: Greece in general, and Naxos in particular, are full of enchanting shops along narrow, windy streets. Jessica tries out a hairpin in a fairy themed store we came across.
27: Boat Trip: Traveling by boat is always a special experience. We took this boat from Naxos to the island of Santorini.
28: Dolphins: While on the boat, a group of at least five dolphins joined us and swam along the bow for several minutes! This view is looking straight down from the side of the boat into the water, where one dolphin can be seen jumping into the air, and two others on either side of it in the water. A magic experience and true blessing! :-)
29: Santorini Town: Jessica welcomes you to the sunny island of Santorini, Greece. The town of Fira can be seen on the edge of the cliff.
30: Santorini Caldera: Jessica and Walter together at the edge of the caldera on Santorini. Santorini is an enormous ancient volcano, that erupted 3600 years ago and then collapsed into the sea. It greatly changed the world around it, just as we have been greatly changed together. :-)