• Start Here
  • Contact Me
  • Advertise/Hire Me
  • Privacy Policy
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

  • 10 Hidden Beaches in Mexico You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
  • UK Escapes That Rival Any Global Hotspot
  • Holiday Homes in France
  • Why The People You Meet Are What Make Travel Unforgettable
  • Sports Tourism by the Sea: How Beach Cities Turn Matches into Mini-Vacations
  • traveling to Iceland reasons to visit Iceland
    Travel Blog

    Big Announcement: 11 Reasons Why I Will Be Traveling To Iceland

    October 20, 2015 / 21 Comments

    I’ve got the travel bug again, so I’ve decided where to go next. The main place that keeps capturing my interest is Iceland. So, I’m going to be traveling to Iceland in May. Here’s what I will be doing on my Iceland vacation and the reasons I’ve decided to travel there. 11 Reasons Why I Will Be Traveling To Iceland  1. Magical Waterfalls Waterfalls are one of my favorite forms of nature, and the waterfalls in Iceland look glorious. There is an interesting legend behind Barnafoss waterfall, and it’s just one of the many waterfalls I hope to visit while traveling to Iceland. Barnafoss is only one hour away from Reykjavík, so it’s…

    Read More
    paradise

    You May Also Like

    Planning the Ultimate Ski Holiday

    August 7, 2025
    Valen Dawson at the Castaway Resort, Koh Lipe www.thiswaytoparadise.com

    Other Travel Articles Written By Valen Dawson

    December 30, 2013
    Where To Stay In Athens: AthensWas, A Spectacular Athens Hotel That Combines Luxury With Design

    Where To Stay In Athens: AthensWas, A Spectacular Athens Hotel That Combines Luxury With Design

    May 18, 2016
  • What To Do In Bali: Bali Tours With Locals
    Travel Blog

    Why I’ll Probably Never Go Back To Bali

    September 14, 2015 / 25 Comments

    I know. It must be surprising to hear from me, but it’s true. I’ll probably never go back to Bali. What happened? About a year ago, I decided I would move there after falling in love with the rice fields, the lovely people and their ceremonies, the healers of Bali, and so many other things. But, things have changed, and now I will probably never go back. Here’s why. What Bali Used To Be Like The first time I went to Bali was in 2005. I’ve never really liked the Kuta area, though the first time I visited, I did spend a few days there. It’s the spring break tourist trap for young…

    Read More
    paradise

    You May Also Like

    Boat at Sanctuary Resort, Thailand www.thiswaytoparadise.com

    The Sanctuary Resort at Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand

    August 17, 2013
    Silver Springs

    Exploring Florida Springs: Nature’s Liquid Jewels

    November 28, 2023
    Sunrise over the Pacific

    The Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park

    January 19, 2013
  • San Miguel de Allende
    Travel Blog

    Being Back In San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

    February 3, 2015 / 7 Comments

    I have made it back to San Miguel de Allende, and it really has felt like coming home! In my last blog post, Going Home, I wrote, “I want to live a life where I awaken to hot air balloons in the bluest sky I’ve ever seen, and I have time to enjoy them. I want to be still. I want to notice. I want to stop chasing after the world. I want to let the world come to me.” The Perfect View In San Miguel de Allende I found the perfect apartment here, that allows me to see the hot air balloons gliding over this beautiful town each morning and…

    Read More
    paradise

    You May Also Like

    Paradise Islands That Travel Bloggers Don’t Write About

    April 17, 2026
    nadine happier than a billionaire interview

    How To Be Happier Than A Billionaire: An Interview With Nadine Hays Pisani

    September 8, 2014
    Casa Amora Lisbon

    Casa Amora- A Welcoming Place To Stay In Lisbon, Portugal

    May 4, 2014
  • mexico flags
    Travel Blog

    Going Home To San Miguel de Allende-An Update

    December 27, 2014 / 2 Comments

    “Happiness doesn’t lie in conspicuous consumption and the relentless amassing of useless crap. Happiness lies in the person sitting beside you and your ability to talk to them. Happiness is clear-headed human interaction and empathy. Happiness is home. And home is not a house-home is a mythological conceit. It is a state of mind. A place of communion and unconditional love. It is where, when you cross its threshold, you finally feel at peace.” ― Dennis Lehane 2014 has been quite a year. It’s been full of adventure both exciting and uncomfortable, utopian islands like Ibiza, stunning beaches in Portugal, living in Thailand during a military coup, and stunning sunrises in Nepal.  I…

    Read More
    paradise

    You May Also Like

    5 Things To Do In Vegas That Don’t Involve Gambling

    September 5, 2025
    How to paint in Ubud, Bali

    Learn How To Paint In Bali

    April 8, 2013
    Cape Horn: The Pacific NW Hike That Will Leave You Smitten

    Cape Horn: The Pacific NW Hike That Will Leave You Smitten

    April 17, 2018
  • nepal sunrise nagarkot
    Travel Blog

    Tibetan Singing Bowl Lessons: The Best Thing I Did In Nepal

    October 29, 2014 / 6 Comments

    On my trip to Nepal, I saw and did many wondrous things. I was awed by stunning sunrises. I met incredible people.  I came to know the true meaning of the word, “Namaste”.   I celebrated Tihar, the festival of light. But none of these experiences affected me the way that taking Tibetan singing bowl lessons did. The Tibetan singing bowl lessons changed my life. I took the lessons from 3rd generation master, Shree K. Shahi. He has taught Tibetan singing bowl lessons for over 32 years. I learned Chakra therapy, chanting with the bowls, water therapy, shamanic techniques, and so much more. The bowls taught me lessons, too. They taught me to touch lightly,…

    Read More
    paradise

    You May Also Like

    what to pack for your vacation

    What To Pack

    June 15, 2015
    Beach View Gili Air

    Learning To Slow Down On Gili Air

    March 12, 2013

    Best Ways to Combine Casino Trips with Local Sightseeing

    January 14, 2026
34567

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