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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

  • Where to Stay in Los Cabos: 7 Boutique Hotels That Make Baja Feel Unforgettable
  • 4 Stunning Greek Beaches Perfect For Families
  • Hidden Culinary Gems: Extraordinary Dishes Worth Trying
  • 10 Hidden Beaches in Mexico You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
  • UK Escapes That Rival Any Global Hotspot
  • 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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    Vereda: A Jungle Oasis Place To Stay In Yelapa, Mexico

    Vereda: A Jungle Oasis Place To Stay In Yelapa, Mexico

    February 19, 2018

    The Joy of Vacation Prep: Why Planning Can Be Half the Fun

    April 23, 2025
    The Best Cozumel Beach Clubs

    The Best Cozumel Beach Clubs

    October 10, 2022
  • 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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    Trapani-The City That Sparkles In Sicily

    April 13, 2014
    Valmor Lisbon

    Valen at the Valmor- A Trendy Apartment Stay In Lisbon

    May 8, 2014
    Val eating fish in Mexico

    Lost In Translation-How My Spanglish Almost Caused Me To Starve To Death

    February 25, 2013
  • 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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    Samana Peninsula, Dominican Republic

    January 11, 2013
    Valen Dawson at the Castaway Resort, Koh Lipe www.thiswaytoparadise.com

    Other Travel Articles Written By Valen Dawson

    December 30, 2013
    A Northwest Forest Pass or other valid parking pass is required to park at the Ramona Falls Trailhead

    Ramona Falls: The Most Breathtaking Waterfall In Oregon

    August 28, 2018
  • 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…

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    Mt Shasta

    Sacred Sites And Spiritual Experiences At Mt. Shasta

    July 28, 2024
    Nagarkot sunrise

    The Sunrise That Should Be On Your Bucket List (Nagarkot, Nepal)

    October 21, 2014

    The Digital Nomad’s Guide to Funding Your Next Tropical Escape

    March 26, 2026
  • Norwegian Air reviews nightmare complaints
    Travel Blog,  Travel Tips

    Norwegian Air Review: How My Dreamliner Experience Turned Into A Nightmare

    August 11, 2014 / 22 Comments

    I hate having to write bad reviews, but my Norwegian Air experience was a complete nightmare, and I feel like I owe it to my readers to warn them about flying with Norwegian Air. What especially convinced me that this Norwegian Air review needed to be written was finding out about the many other complaints flooding in about Norwegian Air.  More than 200 complaints have been registered with the Transport Complaints Board alone. The board says they  have never seen this scope of complaints in a single case. I have read about everything from double-billed credit cards, a loss of air-conditioning on International flights, long delays, and false advertising. As if that’s not enough, there’s even…

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    Tanjung Tinggi Beach, Belitung Island, Sumatra

    Pictures From Belitung Island, Sumatra

    May 5, 2013

    Where to Stay in Los Cabos: 7 Boutique Hotels That Make Baja Feel Unforgettable

    June 15, 2026
    Flowers from Sri Lanka

    Scammed In Sri Lanka-Information You Need To Know Before You Go

    April 21, 2013
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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.

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