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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
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
Escape Guides

The Ultimate Olympic National Park Itinerary: Best Things to See and Do

It can definitely get a little overwhelming when trying to plan an Olympic National Park itinerary. There’s a lot of beautiful things to see and do, and you definitely will…

read more
September 5, 2026
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
  • Places To Stay

    Bedulu Resort-One Of The Best Places To Stay In Amed, Bali

    March 18, 2013 / 3 Comments

    Are you looking for places to stay in Amed, Bali? The Bedulu Resort is a true haven which impressed me from the moment that I arrived. I arrived hot and sticky from the boat over from the Gili Islands and walked up the few steps to the open air restaurant which doubles as a lobby for the hotel. I didn’t have to walk many steps before I was greeted by three smiling Balinese faces (their smiles just melt by heart) who rushed towards me to take the bags from my hands and help me up the stairs. I was led inside and told to sit where I was then greeted…

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    The San Jose Airbnb Haven You Will Want To Stay At In Costa Rica

    The San Jose Airbnb Haven You Will Want To Stay At In Costa Rica

    October 23, 2016
    Dusit Thani Bangkok

    Dusit Thani-An Oasis Of Heaven In Bangkok

    June 4, 2014
    Waikiki Condos: Darmic At The Waikiki Banyan Review

    Waikiki Condos: Darmic Waikiki Banyan Review

    June 7, 2016
  • Boat on Gili Trawangan
    Pictures

    Pictures of Gili Trawangan

    March 17, 2013 / 3 Comments

    Gili Trawangan is now very different than when I first visited her stunning glory seven years ago. Seven years ago, she was a sleepy glorious island with open air tiki bars set up with couches under the stars and Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix playing in the background.  Now her nightlife is very loud and bordering on the obnoxious with Top 40 and Reggae filling the streets.  During the day,though, her colors still astound, her coral still washes up on her shores, and her sunsets will still touch your heart.  Also, the North Beach is still quiet and untouched and is the area to stay in if your are looking…

    Read More
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    Val enjoying a becak ride, Ambon

    Ambon, Maluku,The Capital Of The Spice Islands-Not To Be Missed Photos

    April 18, 2013
    Elephant in Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka

    Pictures From Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka

    July 22, 2013
    Mirissa Beach coconut

    Pictures of Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka

    July 2, 2013
  • Sama Sama Bungalows Places To Stay In Gili Trawanagan
    Places To Stay

    Sama Sama-One Of The Worst Places To Stay On Gili Trawangan

    March 17, 2013 / 5 Comments

    If you are looking for a place to stay on Gili Island, you have many options to choose from.  I made the mistake of choosing Sama Sama. After all, Sama Sama means “You’re Welcome.” It would have been nice if there had been anything to thank them for. If you are looking for  places to stay on Gili Trawangan, do not stay at Sama Sama. It was the worst place that I’ve every stayed, to the point that it became almost laughable. First of all, I didn’t realize when booking, that Sama Sama is really a reggae bar, and it was like, as an afterthought, they had the idea that…

    Read More
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    You May Also Like

    Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide, View from Heven Zipolite

    Heven Zipolite: A Bed And Breakfast With A View

    February 16, 2016

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

    June 15, 2026

    Bed and Breakfast Bella Trapani: A Charming Place To Stay in Trapani, Sicily

    March 31, 2014
  • Bowl of flowers in Bali
    Travel Blog

    Adventure Fail-My Adventure That Turned Me Into A Dripping Wet Monsoon

    March 16, 2013 / No Comments

    Somehow, I seem to be developing a habit when I travel. That is the adventure of being driven to ATM machines on the back of someone’s motor scooter. This trip was no exception as I somehow forgot to do the research and didn’t realize that Amed has no ATM machines. My hotel said that they would accept a credit card, but there would be a 3% charge. The manager said he would be willing to drive me on his scooter to an ATM 5 kilometers away. I admit, I was a little terrified. I’ve seen how people drive their scooters around here. Recklessly, dangerously, passing each other while cars are…

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    Are You Already Living Your Biggest Fear?

    Are You Already Living Your Biggest Fear?

    October 17, 2016
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    Norwegian Air Review: How My Dreamliner Experience Turned Into A Nightmare

    August 11, 2014
    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
  • Boat on Gili Trawanagan
    Travel Blog

    They’re Coming To America-Why This Neil Diamond Song No Longer Holds True

    March 16, 2013 / 4 Comments

    “Coming To America”.  I remember dancing to this Neil Diamond song in my childhood over and over. My sisters and I would put on what we considered our most patriotic dress up clothes which consisted of some tube tops covered in sequins, or crazy hats, and dance and sing our hearts out to this record over and over again. Until one day, (I can’t say that I blame my parents), that record mysteriously disappeared. But, actually it didn’t just disappear. It was deliberately burned. I remember seeing it on top of the burn pile, my heart aching as my favorite music went up in flames. But my heart aches even…

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    My Experience Of Volunteering With Dolphins And Whales In The Azores

    April 1, 2023
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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