Traveling Couples: Nellie Huang & Alberto Molero

When I discovered Nellie Huang’s vibrant, global travel blog, Wild Junket, I was thrilled.  When I learned that her fiancee, Alberto Molero, asked her to marry him just this past Valentine’s Day, I was touched.

When I saw that Alberto asked Nellie to marry him in a post on her own blog…I was 100% floored.

Here is Alberto’s post, in all its romantic glory.  (Nellie, by the way, said yes.)

To celebrate their unique engagement, their romance, and their shared love of travel, I put a few questions to Nellie.

TWT: You’re a talented and prolific writer, having been published all over the travel blogosphere. How long have you been doing it?

NH:   I’m flattered!  I’m actually a greenhorn in the travel writing industry, having just started writing seven months ago. It’s all new and exciting, and I’m loving every single minute of it.

TWT:  What led you specifically to travel writing?

NH:    As a crazy travel addict, I’ve always had this obsession for new adventures and kept a journal to scribble useful notes or funny anecdotes while on the road.  After volunteering in Tanzania last year, I felt the urge to share my story. Coincidentally, I stumbled across a casual advertisement posted by a travel website editor and voila! They accepted my first article, and I’ve been hooked since.

TWT:  How did you and Alberto meet?

NH:  We met five years ago, while studying in the University of Miami on an exchange program. We were young and carefree, and never expected any long-term commitment. We both moved back home thereafter to continue with our studies, but after numerous miserable long-distance phone calls and webcam sessions, we set a date one-and-a-half years later, to live together in London.

We haven’t been apart since.

TWT:  Where did you two travel together before your engagement?

We travelled around Florida and New York when we first met, and then around Europe while living in London and Madrid. My first trip to Spain and Italy was the most memorable – we hadn’t seen each other in 6 months, and we were sneaking kisses in narrow cobblestoned alleys and amidst the Roman ruins.

Last year, we volunteered in Tanzania, Africa for a few months, and traveled through Egypt and Jordan. Before the engagement, we were wandering around Asia for a bit, seeing China, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

TWT:  What does Alberto do for work that allows him to join you on your travels?

NH:    He is a programmer/technology freak, currently undertaking his Masters in Digital Media, in Singapore. We actually started traveling before we found our career paths. Our first destination after graduation was London, where we lived for one year, and Alberto started his first job as a games designer.  He loved designing computer games, and still does.  So, he really is thankful for our travels, as it’s opening up new opportunities for him.

TWT:  Besides the fact that he’s your main squeeze, how did Alberto gain access to your blog’s admin section?

NH:    He’s the mastermind behind my travel blog, the main brain who came up with the design and layout.  So obviously he has admin access…but I never expected him to use it to propose!

TWT:  Are romantic surprises like this a theme in your relationship?

NH:    We love each other’s company and spend all our time together, but we never forget to say how much we love each other.  Alberto hates romance flicks and corny novels, but he definitely knows how to romance a girl. We try to keep the flame alive, doing something different now and then and going on holidays amidst traveling for work.

TWT:  How have you surprised each other in the past?

NH:    Back when we were apart, he would surprise me with simple gifts or cook me a nice meal to surprise me after a tiring day of work. I’m not too bad myself; I sprang a surprise Venice trip on his 26th birthday, with a Victorian hotel room and sexy lingerie included.

TWT:  What has been your favorite destination as a couple?  (If you can bear to pick one…)

NH:    One is definitely way too tough to choose!  We both really loved Greece. Turkey would be next. Both of these countries have such gorgeous scenery, rich traditions and life-loving culture. I especially loved how diverse Turkey can be.

TWT:  Where and when do you plan to get married?  To honeymoon?

NH:    We plan to tie the knot next summer in Granada, Alberto’s hometown in southern Spain. Granada is stunning, with white-washed houses dotting the slopes of the ancient city.  We used to visit this cafe at the mirador (viewing point) very often; it has a breathtaking view of the city and a chilled-out atmosphere. We might actually hold our wedding there, we haven’t decided yet.  There’s still a long way to go!

We would definitely honeymoon somewhere quiet, isolated and gorgeous. We’re toying with the idea of lazing on beaches in the Seychelles, the Maldives or Bora Bora…