GETTING ENGAGED ON THE NILE

With tears in his eyes, Gert proposes to Rhoda. 

Memorable travel moments come in all shapes and sizes. 

Some may involve the terror of falling off a cliff in Thailand. Others could stem from the joy of getting lost underwater while surrounded by thousands of friendly fish. 

On a sunset boat cruise at the source of the Nile River in Uganda, we were invited to share in someone else's travel moment. And it will go down as one of the most sincere and touching memories of the trip.

As we boarded the pontoon boat, Rhoda, a stunning Kenyan woman with a constant smile, told us she had always wanted to cruise the Nile. She thought that's what her doting boyfriend Gert had brought her to Jinja to do. But Gert had other plans.

Unbeknownst to Rhoda, her boyfriend had been planning stealthily to make the boat trip far more than just a cruise. Gert was going to ask Rhoda to marry him, which he whispered to Kip only minutes after they climbed on-board. The plan was hatched. 

We shared drinks, travel tales and laughs. We took an unauthorized swim in the dark, swirling waters of the Nile. Soon after, to the tune of Shania Twain's "From This Moment," Gert dropped to one knee and, tears in his eyes, he asked the "woman of his dreams" to marry him. 

The happy couple.

Between sobs, Rhoda screamed "Yes!" Gert slipped the ring on her left hand. He held her close and told her he loved her. She cried some more. 

Drinks were served. A celebration ensued. 

Somewhere in the middle of it all, Rhoda explained to Gert that he would need be ready to negotiate with her family on how many cows this would cost him. She laughingly added he might get a discount for her poor cooking skills. Gert assured her he would be ready. 

And a very special travel moment went deep into the memory banks for all of us.

Congratulations, Gert and Rhoda! Thanks for sharing your special day with us!