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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

  • Skip the Hotel, Skip the Villa: The French Summer Luxury Everyone Overlooks
  • 10 Hidden Beaches in Mexico You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
  • UK Escapes That Rival Any Global Hotspot
  • Why High-End Travelers Matter So Much to Resorts
  • Holiday Homes in France
  • Coral in Raja Ampat, best diving
    Pictures

    Pictures From Raja Ampat, Papua-The Best Diving Spot In The World!

    May 2, 2013 / 1 Comment

    Raja Ampat is the best diving spot in the world.  I still can’t believe that I got to swim with manta rays there!! I also saw the most vibrantly colored coral I’ve ever seen, the biggest clams, many sharks, beautiful fish, and so much more.  If you are a diver or a snorkeler, I highly recommend a trip to Raja Ampat. You may also like my article on swimming with the manta rays in Raja Ampat! 

    Read More
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    Bird in Yala Park, Sri Lanka

    What The Animals in Yala Park, Sri Lanka Taught Me

    December 2, 2013

    Blooming Journeys: Top Flower Destinations and How Delivery Services Bring Their Beauty Home

    October 15, 2025
    Casa Amora Lisbon

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

    May 4, 2014
  • Val enjoying a becak ride, Ambon
    Pictures

    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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    Edinburgh

    5 Reasons Why You Need To Book A Flight To Edinburgh Right Now

    September 29, 2014

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    July 8, 2025
    NINETEEN-A Stylish Brighton Guesthouse In England

    NINETEEN-A Stylish Brighton Guesthouse In England

    June 5, 2016
  • Travel Tips

    Things To Do In Bali: Bali Healing And Its Balians

    April 16, 2013 / 73 Comments

    You will never run out of things to do in Bali. However, after reading the book Eat, Pray, Love, many people find themselves curious about visiting a traditional healer, or balian. Besides the balian, there are many other healers and practitioners available to treat imbalances of energy in the body. There are actually more balians in Bali than there are doctors.  In this article, I am going to spotlight some of the best ones that I have visited. Also, I will tell you about my experience, and give you the balian’s contact information. I only visited healers in the Ubud area of Bali, but there are many others throughout the…

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    The Kinsterna Hotel In Monemvasia: Not Just A Hotel, But An Experience

    The Kinsterna Hotel In Monemvasia: Not Just A Hotel, But An Experience

    May 22, 2016

    From City to Serenity: How to Plan a Perfect Trip to Panama

    September 10, 2025
    Where To Stay In Reykjavik: Eric The Red Guesthouse Will Make You Feel Right At Home

    Where To Stay In Reykjavik: Eric The Red Guesthouse Will Make You Feel Right At Home

    May 4, 2016
  • Sunset on Kai Island
    Pictures

    Pictures From Kai Island

    April 10, 2013 / 1 Comment

    Kai Island (also known as the Kei Islands) is part of the spice islands of Indonesia, and includes some of the prettiest beaches that I’ve ever seen.  When you think untouched, tropical paradise, this is it!  Pasir Panjang Beach on Kei Kecil is one of the top beaches in the world.  While staying at Coaster Cottages, I saw some of the prettiest sunsets of my life.  You may also enjoy my review of Coaster Cottages!                                              

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    Your Safety Guide for Embracing the Solo Travel Lifestyle

    August 12, 2025
    What To Do In Sifnos-My Favorite Greek Island

    What To Do In Sifnos-My Favorite Greek Island

    April 1, 2025
    Elephant in Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka

    Pictures From Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka

    July 22, 2013
  • How to paint in Ubud, Bali
    Travel Tips

    Learn How To Paint In Bali

    April 8, 2013 / 22 Comments

    Ubud, Bali is home to many artists and painters.  I knew before I arrived that one of the things I wanted to learn while I was here was how to paint.  I wasn’t sure, though, how to go about finding someone to teach me.  As I was wandering the streets of Ubud one afternoon, some guys who were sitting on the sidewalk asked where I was going.  I decided to ask them if they knew where I could take a painting class.  They laughed, both moved in opposite directions to reveal a sign that said, “Open Painting Class-Have Fun Time With Balinese Artist.”  I knew, immediately, that I was meant…

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    April 16, 2013

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    February 20, 2018
    Multnomah Falls just outside Portland

    The Best Pacific Northwest Road Trip from Portland: Routes, Stops, and How to Plan Yours

    May 8, 2026
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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