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This Way To Paradise

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Travel Tips
  • Escape Guides
    • Belize
      • Ambergris Caye
      • Caye Caulker
    • Cambodia, Koh Rong Samloem
    • Costa Rica
      • Arenal and La Fortuna
      • The Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park
      • Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
    • Dominican Republic
    • Guatemala
      • Lake Atitlan
    • Indonesia
      • Ambon, Maluku
      • Bali
      • Gili Islands
      • Kai Island, Maluku
      • Raja Ampat
      • Sumatra-Belitung Island
    • Mexico
      • Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo
      • La Paz
      • Patzcuaro
      • San Miguel De Allende
      • Todos Santos-The Antidote To Cabo!
      • Zipolite Beach: A Complete Travel Guide
    • Portugal
      • Beach Porn Alert: 7 Reasons Why You Need To Put Lagos, Portugal On Your Bucket List Now
      • The Top Portugal Beaches To Visit
    • Sri Lanka
      • Colombo, Sri Lanka
      • Ella
      • Mirissa Beach
      • Yala National Park
    • Thailand
      • Bangkok
      • Koh Lipe
      • Phi Phi
      • Phuket
      • Railay Beach-Krabi Town
      • Your Thailand Songkran Water Festival Guide
  • Places To Stay
  • Food
  • Contact Me
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Travel Tips
  • Escape Guides
    • Belize
      • Ambergris Caye
      • Caye Caulker
    • Cambodia, Koh Rong Samloem
    • Costa Rica
      • Arenal and La Fortuna
      • The Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park
      • Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
    • Dominican Republic
    • Guatemala
      • Lake Atitlan
    • Indonesia
      • Ambon, Maluku
      • Bali
      • Gili Islands
      • Kai Island, Maluku
      • Raja Ampat
      • Sumatra-Belitung Island
    • Mexico
      • Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo
      • La Paz
      • Patzcuaro
      • San Miguel De Allende
      • Todos Santos-The Antidote To Cabo!
      • Zipolite Beach: A Complete Travel Guide
    • Portugal
      • Beach Porn Alert: 7 Reasons Why You Need To Put Lagos, Portugal On Your Bucket List Now
      • The Top Portugal Beaches To Visit
    • Sri Lanka
      • Colombo, Sri Lanka
      • Ella
      • Mirissa Beach
      • Yala National Park
    • Thailand
      • Bangkok
      • Koh Lipe
      • Phi Phi
      • Phuket
      • Railay Beach-Krabi Town
      • Your Thailand Songkran Water Festival Guide
  • Places To Stay
  • Food
  • Contact Me

Recent Posts

  • The Power of Adventure Vacations: Exploring Nature and Curiosity
  • The World’s Most Exciting Long-Distance Travel Routes
  • What to pack for the Camino de Santiago (and what to send ahead)
  • Trading Palm Trees for Twinkle Lights: Finding Winter Paradise in Europe’s Festive Old Towns
  • Hidden Alpine Destinations That Deserve More Attention
  • Boudhanath Stupa
    Travel Tips

    Things to do in Kathmandu: Visiting The Sacred Boudhanath Stupa

    October 14, 2014 / 6 Comments

    The Boudhanath Stupa ( known as Khāsti by the local people) is considered to be the most sacred Tibetan Buddhist temple outside of Tibet.  This holy stupa is the biggest in Nepal and one of the largest in the entire world.  It’s located just outside of downtown Kathmandu in the town of Boudha. The proper way to walk around the stupa is clockwise. The sounds of Tibetan chanting, prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, and prayer bells will fill your ears with delight. I felt a great sense of peace and tranquility as I walked around the Boudhanath Stupa. Glowing butter lamps, fragrant flowers, the musky smell of burning incense, and singing birds all added to…

    Read More
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    September 13, 2026
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    San Pancho & Sayulita Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

    November 28, 2025

    Best Hiking Destinations and Essential Gear for Outdoor & Island Adventures

    August 21, 2026
  • Travel Tips

    Planning a Trip to Kamuela on Hawaii’s Big Island? Here is Your Travel Guide

    October 10, 2014 / No Comments

    Kamuela, also known as Waimea, on the north side of Hawaii’s Big Island is a favorite destination for hikers, horseback riders, and those just wanting to relax and enjoy a laid-back ranch-town atmosphere. Kamuela offers stunning views of the Kohala coastline, and if you are looking for a piece of Hawaii that is quiet and peaceful, then this is the place for you. Getting There Kamuela is 32 miles from the Kona International Airport and 43 miles from the Hilo International Airport. For $2 you can ride the hele-on bus from either airport to Kamuela. If you plan on doing a lot of exploring on the Big Island, then renting a car…

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    How To Travel The World With Mindfulness

    January 6, 2014
    Best Beaches in St Maarten / St Martin

    Best Beaches in St Maarten/St Martin

    January 1, 2021
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    The Best Things To Do In Savannah

    March 19, 2021
  • Edinburgh
    Travel Blog,  Travel Tips

    5 Reasons Why You Need To Book A Flight To Edinburgh Right Now

    September 29, 2014 / 3 Comments

    Are you planning a vacation, but aren’t sure where to go?  I say, book a flight to Edinburgh. Out of all the places I traveled to in Europe, Edinburgh was my absolute favorite. Edinburgh is a city that touched me to my very core. It combines magic, tradition, and culture, and there really is no place like it. Here are: 5 Reasons Why You Need To Book A Flight To Edinburgh Right Now  1.  Walkability I adore cities that I can walk in, and Edinburgh was perfect for walking. Every step I took seemed like a surprise. There was just so much to see. I went in May when everything was blooming. I loved…

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    Letting Go Of Baggage: A Weight Loss Plan For Your “Stuff”

    February 28, 2014
    Riding an Elephant

    White Knuckles-Surviving Scary Situations And Letting Go of Fear

    January 20, 2013
    An Alternative To Staying In Touristy Waikiki: Rent This Condo In Makaha

    An Alternative To Staying In Touristy Waikiki: Rent This Condo In Makaha

    June 27, 2016
  • Marrakesh spices
    Travel Tips

    Why I Thought Marrakech Was Hell On Earth (And 8 Reasons Why You Should Still Go)

    September 22, 2014 / 16 Comments

    “What kind of hell did I just arrive in?”, I wondered as I found myself in a heated argument with the entire taxi cartel at the airport within five minutes of arriving in Marrakech. They were trying to make me pay 300 dirhams to get to my hotel, when I knew the rate should have been 70 (a difference of about $27 USD). Fortunately, I had help. An expat interrupted and helped me negotiate the rate down to 100. He offered to share the ride and the cost with me. I was relieved not to be alone in the taxi with my angry driver, so I agreed. However, once the expat…

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    Valen Dawson at the Castaway Resort, Koh Lipe www.thiswaytoparadise.com

    Other Travel Articles Written By Valen Dawson

    December 30, 2013
    Big Island Beaches: Tips For Kua Bay, Hawaii

    Big Island Beaches: Tips For Kua Bay, Hawaii

    May 8, 2017

    Trading Palm Trees for Twinkle Lights: Finding Winter Paradise in Europe’s Festive Old Towns

    September 23, 2026
  • artist in chaing mai
    Travel Blog

    The Credits: Meet John Monoon, The Coolest Artist In Chiang Mai

    September 15, 2014 / 1 Comment

    I rounded the corner of Thae Pae Rd Soi 3 onto Loi Kroh Rd in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and it was there that it happened. I was drawn into The John Gallery, and I suddenly became Alice falling down the rabbit hole. I found myself in a wonderland of trippy colors, rock lyrics, meteor showers, temples, sunsets and quotes that seemed especially meant for me. For the first ten minutes, I was bizarrely alone in the shop, and I couldn’t help but be entranced. I have always loved quotes. I had a history teacher who instilled that love in me. Every day, that teacher would write a new quote on…

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    January 30, 2026
    A Love Letter To Greece In Her Difficult Times

    A Love Letter To Greece In Her Difficult Times

    August 1, 2016
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About Me

I am always looking for the perfect escape, the perfect paradise, the kind of place that tosses your cares into the sea. Fortunately, I have discovered many! I created this site to show you where to go and how to get there. My goal is to show you that Paradise is only a plane ticket (or boat ride) away. I have inspired many others to travel and to create a better life. I am available for inspirational speaking, coaching, writing, travel planning, and photography.

©2026