Episode 68

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Published on:

25th Feb 2025

068: Passport to Love: Two Teachers in Thailand Found True Love | Esther Milanzi

In this heartwarming episode of Passport to Love, we share the beautiful story of Esther Milanzi, who found love in the most unexpected place—while teaching abroad in Thailand. Esther’s journey is a true testament to how travel can open doors to not only new experiences but also life-changing romantic connections.

We follow Esther’s love story that began on the sun-soaked beaches of Southern Thailand, where she met a fellow American expat teacher at a beach party. Despite being on the other side of the world, fate had a surprising twist in store—they were both from the same area back home in North Carolina! Their instant connection turned serious quickly, sparking a whirlwind romance that took them from the shores of Thailand to adventures in Vietnam and Bali.

In this episode, you’ll hear Esther’s first-hand account of:

  • Meeting her partner at a beach party: How a casual night at a Southern Thailand beach party led to the start of something special.
  • Serendipity in travel: The unexpected and magical moment of discovering that they were from the same hometown in North Carolina.
  • Building a relationship while traveling: How they deepened their connection across multiple countries, including Vietnam and Bali, sharing both the joys and challenges of being together on the road.
  • The unique bond of expats: Why living and working abroad as expats created the perfect environment for love to flourish.
  • Allowing each other to constantly evolve:  How never holding on to past versions of each other helps each other grow individually and as a couple.  

Esther’s story is filled with joy, adventure, and the transformative power of travel, offering inspiration to anyone who believes that love can find you when you least expect it—sometimes even halfway around the world.

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About the Podcast

Transform With Travel
Go On An Adventure
Welcome to the Transform with Travel Podcast, where we share stories of personal transformation and life lessons through our experiences of traveling and exploring the world. We believe travel has the power to transform your life, one trip at a time. So we bring on every day adventurers to tell their stories of inspiration, as well as Industry Experts to enhance and optimize your travels. I’m your host - Kelly Tolliday, Founder of Transform With Travel - and it’s my mission to inspire you to live life to its fullest, travel with an open-mind & Heart, and let the world show you a new perspective.

About your host

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Kelly Tolliday

Kelly is the Founder of Transform With Travel, with over 11 years in the travel industry. She's a Wellness Travel Expert, Retreat Facilitator, Travel Advisor & Podcast Host.

She's also a 500-Hr Registered Yoga Teacher & an Accredited Continued Education Provider for the Yoga Industry.

She's traveled to over 45 countries and lived across 4 continents. Now, it's her mission to inspire and support you in stepping outside of your comfort zone and into the life of your dreams.

She's passionate about immersive and transformational travel. She believe when you travel with intention, by combining wellness, adventure & cultural enrichment, you can truly transform your life, one trip at a time.

She's now based in South Florida, and she's married to her husband Sam with 2 beautiful daughters & 2 crazy dogs.