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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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  • What to pack for the Camino de Santiago (and what to send ahead)
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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
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
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

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,…

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November 28, 2025
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  • Places To Stay

    Clock Inn-A Cheap Hotel In Colombo, Sri Lanka

    April 28, 2013 / 2 Comments

    If you are looking for a cheap hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the Clock Inn is a good place to stay.  It is in a great location on Galle Road close to good restaurants such as the Barefoot Garden Cafe and The Gallery Cafe.  The room is stylish, though small, in the European fashion.  It is fairly clean.  I did find several hairs on the floor, so it’s not immaculately clean, but clean enough.  There are both private rooms and dorm rooms. The private rooms have  AC, free Wi-Fi,  a TV with LCD flat screen, and hot water. They are $50 a  night. The dorm rooms are $16 a night and…

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    The Fern Grotto Inn: Kauai Cottages To Make You Sigh

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    Kona Condos: This Big Island Rental Will Make You Not Want To Go Home

    Kona Condos: This Big Island Rental Will Make You Not Want To Go Home

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  • Elephants Drinking Water Yala National Park, Sri Lanka
    Travel Tips

    Yala Park-Why You Should Go To Sri Lanka-Just Be Careful Of The Suicidal Cows!

    April 25, 2013 / 13 Comments

    Most people don’t know much about Sri Lanka.  I know I didn’t. I came because it sounded exotic, and because I hadn’t been before.  Yala Park made me glad that I had journeyed so far.  The variety of animals is astounding.  I am convinced that this is where Noah must have parked his ark.  I saw elephants, leopards, monkeys, water buffalo, crocodiles, monitor lizards, beautiful birds, a mongoose, wild boar, deer, and so much more.  I highly recommend going to Yala Park.  That is, if you get there alive. My driver drove like many of the people in Asia, at breakneck speeds, plowing down anything that should get in the…

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    April 14, 2026

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  • Blue whale sri lanka
    Travel Tips

    Blue Whale Watching In Sri Lanka

    April 23, 2013 / 1 Comment

    If you want to go whale watching in Sri Lanka, the best area for this is in Mirissa.  In fact, that is the main reason to visit Mirissa.  The beach isn’t spectacular, but the blue whales that swim in its water are incredible.  The blue whales are the largest animal that have ever lived.  Blue whales are even bigger than the biggest dinosaurs.  The whale watching trips leave at 6 am, so you will be getting up early, but the early morning harbor views are just gorgeous. I highly recommend going whale watching in Sri Lanka with the group Raja and the Whales.  Raja is a researcher with the University,…

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    Travel Tips

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

    April 21, 2013 / 85 Comments

    The Lonely Planet says that Sri Lanka is the best place to visit in 2013.  Since many people may follow these words of advice and be planning to visit soon, I must let you know about the scams that are going on in the city of Colombo.  Right now, I feel anguish and like I’m on the worst vacation I’ve ever been on.  I am hoping this will change, but my first impression of the people here or at least the tuk tuk drivers is that they aren’t to be trusted.  I think that one of the worst things that can happen is to be lied to.  Today on the…

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  • Val enjoying a becak ride, Ambon
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    Ambon, Maluku,The Capital Of The Spice Islands-Not To Be Missed Photos

    April 18, 2013 / 4 Comments

    Ambon, Maluku is the capital of the spice islands.  It is a pretty island, and the main area of town can have pretty views that overlook the bay.  It is also a bustling city, and in no way is the air perfumed with spices like I thought it would be.  (Think rotting durian fruit, fried foods, and gasoline fumes).  It is, however, perfumed with a rich culture that I enjoyed visiting.  They weren’t used to tourists here, and I found that I spent most of my time posing for pictures.  I loved riding the becaks or bicycle rickshaws to get around. I did find that finding good restaurants here was a…

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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