Honeymooning

Within two days of arriving in Greece, all the worry and anxiety of the days before evaporated. We traveled by ferry from Athens to an island called Serifos, staying in a house that a cousin of my mother's lent to us. With no Internet connection and no phone line and hardly a soul around us, there was nothing to do but swim, read, contemplate the impossible beauty around us, eat sun-warmed figs plucked off the tree next to the front door, swim and read some more. Thank goodness.

I read five books in the first week. Actually, if we're going to get technical, five books in five days. Yes, this is the kind of crazed bookworm I am. If given some free time and a stack of books (or a Kindle, as the case may be), I will plow through them like a house on fire. Look out.

We walked through hilltop villages where everything was as white-cubed and blue-domed as in the picture books.

We held our breath as we swam, goggled, through crystal-clear water. We saw black sea urchins, holding on tightly to the rocks, and schools of fearless small fish that darted towards us again and again.

We met Greece's silent majority: Street cats.

We photographed every sunset and felt a million miles away from everything we'd left behind. It was just the two of us. Just the way it should be.

Whenever we saw horta on a menu, we ordered it. There was feta galore and there were tiny fried anchovies and, by the side of a small beach one day, a plate of pork meatballs that could redefine the genre. We dragged the meatballs through a smear of tzatziki and munched, hot, cold, crunchy, smooth, while we watched a teenager walk in from the water, a speared octopus in hand.

It occurred to me at some point that in my adult life, I have never had a vacation that lasted for two whole weeks. The Europeans are onto something here. As the days melted into another and I started forgetting if it was a Monday or a Thursday, I practically saw the tension lift off my body like steam and gently float away.

When our time on Serifos came to an end, we took leave of the impossibly clear water, the sprawling fig tree, the stone floors and the dirt road in front of the house and boarded a ferry, heading to Milos and then Santorini.

It was lovely there, but we missed the stark, lonely beauty of Serifos. Our quiet little beach. Our dirt road. Our fig tree. The sound of waves each night as we fell asleep.

But really, that's just splitting hairs. I still found it possible to fall more in love with my husband every single day. Feeling like I hit the jackpot for getting to spend the rest of my life with him. In fact, even when the trip came to an end, it was hard to feel sad. We got to go home together! Our lovely, cozy, homey home.

Honeymooning, man. It's pretty great. In fact, I've decided we'll be needing a honeymoon every year. Stopping at one just seems silly. Wouldn't you say?

I'll be back with new posts, recipes and more in a day or two. It's so good to be back.

Comments

[Brainfogandtea.wordpress.com]

It sounds like you had such a lovely holiday. The way you write and your beautiful photos give me just enough of a glimpse to be able to imagine that I was there too.

[Kate]

As beautiful as a Pablo Neruda sonnet. Thanks for sharing, and welcome home!

[tea_austen]

Look at that smile and glow you've got—after the stress and deadlines, it's good to see you happy again. Sounds like you had a gorgeous time. I'm so glad. xox

[Deborah]

Oh, I agree - honeymoon every year is a brilliant idea. Your first sounds absolutely dreamy!

[Honeybee]

Of course you'll need one every year!! And a long weekend here and there, maybe Paris or Munich or Dublin or - wherever, all with your husband! I love that about Europe, you can go to so many interesting cities in little time!

Thanks for sharing some honeymoon pictures, the made me want a holiday, too!!

[ruthie @ the twice bitten]

Looks stunning. Love how happy you and your husband sound. Having someone you love that deeply is even better than the best foods (just about).

[Serena]

so happy for you!!
siete bellissimi nell'ultima foto. Non vedo l'ora di vedervi!

[Suzy]

Ga Wa, such gorgeous pictures. I've never been to Serifos. It looks incredible.

[z]

That's just lovely.

[Jess]

So thrilled that you and Max got to have this time away together in such a beautiful place. Good stuff, good stuff. xo.

[diana]

What a gorgeous recount... Glad you had a wonderful time!

[Sasa]

Yay! Welcome back. I hear you on the books - one a day is definitely how I roll too, though I can never remember what happens in them later, heh.
Also: pleased you've joined the more-than-2-week-holiday club, it's a good one.

[Jaime]

Such a beautiful post. Beautiful words, people and pictures:)

[Tita Buds]

This is so beautifully-written it might just put underrated Serifos on the map. :)

[Dawn]

Your happiness has trickled across the pond and right into my morning coffee! Thank you for sharing such a special time with your readers. I could not imagine a more perfect start to a long and happy life together.

[Betty]

You are such a cute couple and so lucky to have visited Serifos. Visited the island in my 20's in 1976 with my husband and have many memories also. Wonderful pictures and beautifully written! :)

[The Starving Student]

Looks gorgeous! I also love the octopus tentacles, I would be all over those! Congrats, enjoy the rest of your honeymoon!

[Ivan Scott]

Your lovely way of sharing took us with you. Thank you.

[olga]

luisa - so nice to see you so happy!! and yes, honeymooning every year sounds brilliant!

[brooklynite]

This is my dream vacation/honeymoon! Sounds like an amazing time.

[Robin]

I have been checking this page like a stalker b/c I couldn't wait to see your pictures and impressions of Greece! I'm glad you had such a nice time. Nosy parkers want to know what books you read. The way you talk about Max reminds me of what Iris Murdoch said about writing novels, something to the effect that you should not enter a marriage or start writing a novel until you can't believe how lucky you are to have found your partner/story. Congratulations again, Luisa!

[Giulia]

Lovely post - I second a honeymoon every year!

[Luisa]

Thank you, sweeties!

Robin - that Iris Murdoch quote is the loveliest thing. I need to go track down where she said it! As for books: First I read the English book "Room", which I intensely disliked by the end. Then I read "Maine", which I loved and didn't really want to end. (Perfect beach read.) Also, because of "Maine", I read "Commencement" by the same author, J. Courtney Sullivan, which I thought was sort of blah. I read Jon Krakauer's "Under the Banner of Heaven", which was FASCINATING and then Bill Bryson's "At Home", which made me do that annoying thing of calling out super-interesting facts to Max every ten minutes while he was trying to read the paper. The last book, Gary Shteyngart's "Super Sad True Love Story" was started in Greece, but then the holiday ended so I'm being slow about finishing. It's very funny.

[Jessica @ Quirky Bookworm]

I was quite excited to see a new post from you in my reader this morning! How beautiful! Your honeymoon looks lovely, and I heartily endorse a yearly one. It's been 5 years since mine, I'm ready for another!

Also, happy to know I'm not the only bookworm who'll read a book a day if given the chance!

[julia]

wow. sounds like absolute perfection. congrats again. looks like you couldn't be happier.

[Lisa (dinner party)]

Sigh, so lovely. What a wonderful trip--so happy for you.

[amelia]

Welcome back, Luisa!! What an amazing/gorgeous trip. You guys look so happy in that last photo. Also, congrats on turning that manuscript in! You're an inspiration to us all.

[Eleana]

Whta an amazing time and what amazing pictures. I'm so glad you've found happiness!

[Amy]

Oh yay, how beautiful! This made me so happy. And yes, honeymooning every year is a must, must, must! :) Glad you're back.

[cinzia]

Luisa and Max you are bellissimiiiiiii <3

[Emily]

It looks like a fabulous honeymoon! Congratulations!

[Kate]

Congratulations! Your photography makes everything look like the most beautiful thing in the world, and I now know I will die unsatisfied if I do not visit Greece. :) Though I am somewhat baffled about Max - for years I thought he was Ben. Am I going crazy?

[Luisa]

Kate - Sounds like you missed a few posts along the way... Ben and I broke up two and a half years ago.

[Michelle]

I am so glad that you had a wonderful honeymoon! You totally deserve it and I wish you many more in the same blissed out state.

[josephine]

Congratulations! I love what you said about the end of your honeymoon. Very sweet :)

I hope your trip gave you some great ideas for future recipes, too!

[Jamie]

You guys are so adorable! I'll remember my honeymoon forever - one a year sounds about right. I guess we've been busy for the past 8, but I'm gonna run that plan by my husband and see what he says!

Welcome back! I can't wait to read more.

[Brettne]

Welcome back, beautiful lady! Your photos are insanely GORGEOUS--thank you so much for sharing. Looks like it was a perfect honeymoon. xoxoxo

[Row]

Lovely, lovely post... so happy for you! :D

[Chungwan]

Your posts never fail to leave a big smile on my face long after i read them. Fantastic.

Welcome back.

[Nellie]

Congratulations! What beautiful pictures. I could use a honeymoon.

And also... you probably know this, but those people on the beach are in their bday suits. Full disclosure for those looking at them full size at work (I'm at home, but you know).

[sweetbittertart]

Aww - sweetest ever - I'm so happy for you! It all looks so totally lovely. : )

[Jill Anderson]

WOW! You have just reminded me of my own honeymoon 8 years ago -- in Greece! ah...It was so wonderful. Welcome home and thanks for bringing back the memories.

[web design London]

I wish you many more in the same blissed out state... You have just reminded me of my own honeymoon 8 years ago -- in Greece! ah...It was so wonderful.

[Julia of Randomly Yours, Julia]

You look happy as could be! As you should. Congratulations again! One day I'll get to Greece, but I can't complain about my holidays (or where I'm currently living)! And five books in five days? Sounds about right.

[dancing gal]

My country through the eyes (and the impossibly beautiful) words of a non-Greek (no, no "stranger" here ;) ) makes me smile :) And now that I live in Paris, and I go home on vacation, and of course every summer, your pictures made me wanna cry. In a good way. Oh, and the "beach-impossible beauty-sun-warmed figs-crystal-clear water-five books in five days" has been my vacation definition my whole life. Welcome to the club ;)

Thanks for the words, the pictures and, well, of course, the recipes :) ;)

Eliza

[Charlotte]

Luisa, thanks for sharing your lovely story and photos. And a honeymoon a year sounds divine.

[Gursahiba Anand]

Luisa, just love the way you write. I do wait for your new post and stories. Its refreshing to read. I have my own food blog. I did try out your Banana Cake it was truly utterly delicious. Waiting for your more post.

[Nuts about food]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Sounds like you found the right man. Sounds like you are about to start your second honeymoon immediately, now that you are home. You are a lucky couple.

[Sasha Gora]

beautiful photographs and words!

it sounds like the vacation/honeymoon that you deserved!

[Leah]

Many congratulations Luisa!! And congrats on finishing the book! Beautiful photos and glowing smiles.