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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

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Escape Guides

10 Hidden Beaches in Mexico You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

If you’re looking for an uncrowded escape, you need to know about these hidden beaches in Mexico. Everyone tends to gravitate towards Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and to Cabos,…

read more
May 29, 2026
Travel Tips

Unforgettable Things To Do in Portland, Oregon

I moved back to Portland, Oregon after living in Charleston, SC and St Pete, FL the past four years. Moving back has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever…

read more
April 1, 2025
Travel Tips

San Pancho & Sayulita Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

I just got back from my travels to San Pancho and Sayulita in Mexico, and I had a wonderful time. These two beach towns are right next to each other,…

read more
November 28, 2025
Escape Guides

From Dolphins To Fish Tacos: The Best Things To Do In Loreto

I just returned from Loreto, Mexico, and while I can’t say it was my favorite place in Mexico, it still had its charms. Zipolite still gets my vote for being…

read more
August 5, 2025
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My Favorite Greek Island
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Sacred Sites of Mt Shasta
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Best Things To Do in Milos, Greece
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The Secret Beach on the Big Island
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Do You Know About the Florida Springs?
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Some of the Best Florida Beaches
  • Travel Blog

    The Raja Ampat Islands: Conscious Diving in Raja Ampat

    December 9, 2013 / 15 Comments

    The Raja Ampat islands are by far one of the most breathtaking diving spots that I’ve ever seen. However, what I found even more impressive was that these islands are the world’s most environmentally conscious place to dive. Raja Ampat consists of four major islands in the Indonesian part of Papua, although there are actually 1,500 islands which make up the Raja Ampat islands if you count the uninhabited ones! In the crystal-clear water, I was surrounded by untouched coral gardens in brilliant colors, giant clams, turtles, sharks, and huge manta rays. There are 537 species of coral and about 700 species of animals found in the waters of the Raja Ampat islands.…

    Read More
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    January 20, 2013
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    March 10, 2013
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    Travel Blog

    What The Animals in Yala Park, Sri Lanka Taught Me

    December 2, 2013 / 10 Comments

    Sometimes I think that there are no better teachers in life than animals.  If we spend the time to really watch them, we can learn so much.  I had the opportunity to do just that in Yala Park in Sri Lanka, and this is what I learned. 1.  Determination I watched an  elephant struggle with a tree branch for 15 minutes just to get to the leaves on the top of a tree.  There were plenty of other trees around with leaves that would have been easier to reach, but the elephant refused to move on until it had gotten all the leaves off of this one.  It made me…

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    Hawaii Hikes: The Most Magical Hike Of My Life At Kuliouou Ridge

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    August 14, 2017

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    July 17, 2026
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    October 17, 2016
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    Travel Tips

    Winter Holidays-Where To Go Sun Chasing

    November 25, 2013 / 7 Comments

    I used to live in Portland, Oregon, and every Winter I would have to book a plane ticket and head for somewhere with some warmth and sun.  I wouldn’t care where I went for my winter holidays as long as there was sun. I would search the internet for the best winter vacation package and just go.  Are you in the same boat (or wishing you were on a boat) and trying to figure out where you should go? Here are a few of my favorite destinations for spending Winter holidays in the sun: 1.  Cuba There is no place to fill your heart full of sunshine like Cuba.  The…

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    March 17, 2013
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    December 30, 2013
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    6 Things To Do In Sardinia That You Won’t Want To Miss

    July 28, 2014
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    San Miguel de Allende Food: 4 Places For Sweet Treats

    November 24, 2013 / 10 Comments

    Yes, I’ve got a sweet tooth.  My favorite book as a child was, “The Sweet Touch” where everything the girl touched turns to candy.  I am loving all the San Miguel de Allende food, but my particular favorite are all the amazing desserts that San Miguel has to offer.  Here are 4 of my favorites for dessert in San Miguel de Allende. 1.  La Buena Vida Bakery La Buena Vida is my favorite bakery in San Miguel de Allende for many reasons ( the bread, the cinnamon rolls, the chocolate croissants, cookies) but my favorite thing by far are their doughnuts.  They are absolutely perfect.  My favorite one is the…

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    6 Ways To Travel The World Without Leaving Your Home Town

    November 11, 2013 / 22 Comments

    While I do believe that there is nothing like getting out to see the world to change our perspective on life, I also feel there are many ways to develop the mindset of a traveler without ever leaving home.  Because the more I have traveled, the more I have come to realize, it’s not about seeing another church or another museum, another beach, or another touristy site. What it is about is showing up.  Living in the moment.  Being spontaneous.  Letting life happen to me instead of me trying to happen to life.  It’s about the people I meet.  Learning about different cultures.  Trying new foods, smelling new smells, and…

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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