Wedding dinner at Castle

So the party moved on to the third stage,, crossing the border:) Two big buses has been organized and all the guests are transported to.... ITALIAN CASTLE!!!



Oh my god, there's even a red carpet all the way to the entrace. I can't believe how well organized it is in the castle. It's not a professional banquet hall but they even arranged perfect cocktails at the garden.



Wedding couple has welcomed us.



You could see how isolated the venue is. It is indeed a PRIVATE party. But very cozy with other guests.

After taking the photo of the entire guests at the garden, we proceed to the inside of castle where formal dinner served. Dinner at the castle!? No such an idea will come up from Japanese...



What made me even more surprised is how professional banquet it is even in a castle! Now I'm start wondering what exactly a "castle" is in Europe. Is it normal to have a banquet here? It's too perfectly organized to be just a castle. I felt like I'm in a real banquet hall which is professional for dinner and partys. I mean, so wonderful the table decoration is!



These small vegetables are the concept of the party. I think it means "herbst" which is fruitful life. My husband think they represent "children" and to have many children after marriage:)



Table for wedding couple. They are sharing table with the couple of best woman and best man.



Good food.



Good service. Comfortable chatting time. How can it be better?

As being a ex-hotelier, I'm very curious how these arrangements have been done....in castle. Are they professional? It's not an easy work to serve 100 guests.



Godzilla giving a speech. And it followed by Ursula, mother of Ariuscha and my husband who is a brother of Ariuscha. Maybe father could give a speech in Japan, but mother have no chance. At the wedding of her children, she sits there and watching the happiness of them with full of emotion, but not saying a word.

In Japan, daughter write a letter to her parents and read it at the banquet. Earlier, when daughter get married, it means she is "GIVEN" to the family of her husband and no longer a member of original familiy. She really has to leave the family where she grown up. That's why she thanks to her parents who raised her up,, and say good bye with tears. In this age, of course daughter is always a member of the original family but still she reads thank you letter to her parents. It is the most emotional time durning the banquet.

Here, by Ariuscha and Lukas wedding, speech was given causing laughter than tears. Maybe Ursula was a little bit emotional but she also done it very professional. I think no Japanese mother can give such a great speech like she does.



After a satisfying dinner, all the guests have been escorted to the upstair. We went up the steep typicle castle stairs and found again, a hall with huge screen. Now the time for performance!

Such a creative SURPRISE video has been showned for both Ariuscha and Lukas. Ariuscha was a real good dancer and the video was organized by her ex-dance mate. That was touching. Lukas video was also great, showing his childhood and teenager days. Everybody had to crack up:)
In Japan there is also a surprise performance planned by wedding guests. I once danced in front of 200 people:)

Wedding cake served by Ariuscha and Lukas. It was another very tasty one. Dessert buffet was also great. I couldn't say no even after huge dinner.

And we dance until morning. Since we are in 2hours away from our home, we had to make up our mind to stay up late. First bus left at 1 am but those who stayed had to dance until morning:) It reminded me of my days in Tokyo that once I miss the last train, I had no choice than staying until first train in the next morning:)

DJ was very good. He played variety of music. The bar at the castle was available all night. This kind of service is not available in Japan.

Overall, I really felt that the wedding couple focused on "enjoyable, fun party for guests". Otherwise, they don't have to chose a venue in such a mountain and moving all the way to Italy for dinner. It was indeed worth. I believe the experience of this whole weekend stay in the memory of each guests as a wonderful wedding.

Congratulations once again Arisucha and Lukas! It's my honor to be a part of the family!

Castle of Godzilla

2nd day in Greece, Ursula (mother-in-law) and Jürg=Godzilla(father-in-law) have invited us for the breakfast at their home. I was sooo excited since I've never been to their home in Greece yet. If that is the house for normal person, I believe I was less excited. However, Godzilla is not a normal person. He is a big artist!! Since I know how artistic his house in Zürich is, I was curious how it will be in Greece..
As we knocked the door, Ursula welcomed us with a big smile. I went it a little nurvosly and upon I entered,,, "Oh my god!!"

Palm tree is standing at right in the middle of the yard!! The tree is still young and short so it gave us even more impact than tall thin tree. What a Godzilla,, even a Palm tree is artistic. Something orange plant is hanging among it's leaves of palm tree and adding more jungle impression.
Actually, this back yard is functioning as a living room.

Behind the palm tree is comfy cozy relaxing place for Ursula and Godzilla. The stone is made by marble! Under a perfect shadow of palm tree, it is a very beautiful place to relax in the early afternoon when the sun is still strong.

Palm tree is very much insisting himself in the yard but actually there is variety of plants here. Lemon tree, mimosa, rose and yukatan.

Ursula prepares very nice breakfast. This date, she was in orage, she herself looks like a flower in the yard! The table is also a proud one equipment in Godzila's castle. This stoned table can easily accommodate 12 people and can organize big party.

Behind the table is a useful kitchen. It's design enable many people to cook at same time.

Explored further Godzilla's castle. Here is a working room with view. Godzilla can work here and could go straight to the balcony and relax when he is tired.

Up on the stairs in the middle, there is a sleeping room with agin, awesome view.
I went out,, a saw a beuutiful scenery of Ermioni!

.. and back yard of this castle from the above.

The yard is completely covered by plants. Hmmm natural roof plants for the outside living room.. This is also an art of Gadzilla.

Actually, living room inside is like this. A photo taken from sleeping room.
What a life, what a holiday, owning and staying in such a house by ocean. But I believe there are long time effort for Godzilla to make this castle. "over time, I'm building a castle of love..." suddenly this song came up to my mind. Godzilla built a castle for his family and his satisfying holiday time. It was my honor to be invited to such an impressive castle!