Everyone dreams of finding a great love or mysterious special someone while traveling abroad. The allure of the foreign, the sexy accents, the spicy romance. One of our recent trip participants found all that and more and is now marrying the love of her life she met on one of our Galapagos expeditions. This story's too cute not to share so be sure to keep iExplore in mind for all your future matchmaking needs.

Dear Sir/Madam,

If you could spare a few moments I would like to share a love story with you.

A woman in her 30's who had been unlucky in love and basically resigned to being single, goes on what she expects will be a once in a lifetime trip to Ecuador visiting the Galapagos Islands and hiking in Cotopaxi National Park. Aside from the great adventure of breathtaking scenery and an incredible array of animals and plant life, she also finds the man of her dreams. This wonderful man has all of the qualities she has always hoped to find in a partner and had given up ever finding in one man. As you can guess this love story is my love story. I am currently engaged to marry this wonderful man whom I met in the Galapagos Islands. And the challenges of a long distance relationship has forced us to really get to know each other. Lots of long distance phone calls, emails and old fashioned snail mail.

Daniel was working on the ship. Every day we had the opportunity to chat and among the many things that impressed me about Daniel were his priorities. Instead of asking me if I liked to party or what I did, he asked about my family. He asked if I had a good relationship with my family, and how I felt about marriage and children. This was very refreshing and endearing. One day Daniel told me that he liked me, and then asked if it was okay with me that he liked me. I tried to act nonchalant, like tall, dark, handsome men proposition me every day of the week. So I told Daniel that it was okay with me that he liked me, and then coyly turned around to try to turn off a light that was not even on, failing to operate the switch I was so flustered. Daniel very politely showed me how to operate the light switch, while I tried to exit the room with some semblance of dignity. Instead of walking through the door which was wide open, I walked right into the wall. Daniel acted as if he did not notice. But I think that was a clue to him that I liked him, as well.

We have applied for a visa for my fiancé. Once my fiancé arrives we will only have 90 days to arrange our wedding. I would like to have a nice simple affair to thank our friends and family for all their love and support through this process. Thank you iExplore for helping this Cinderella find her handsome prince.

Sincerely,

Lisa R. Ahmed, Waltham, MA

Inquiring minds want to know: have you met anyone abroad? Any great tales of romance or fantasy?