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This Way To Paradise

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  • About Me
  • Travel Tips
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    • Belize
      • Ambergris Caye
      • Caye Caulker
    • Cambodia, Koh Rong Samloem
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      • Arenal and La Fortuna
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      • Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
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      • Lake Atitlan
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      • Ambon, Maluku
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      • Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo
      • La Paz
      • Patzcuaro
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      • 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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  • Best all-inclusive holidays for families in Europe
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  • A holiday by bike: a unique way to discover the world
  • Buddha temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka
    Pictures

    Pictures From Colombo, Sri Lanka

    June 1, 2013 / 5 Comments

    Colombo, Sri Lanka wasn’t my favorite place to visit, but I still found beauty in this hectic city.  I still managed to find tranquil spots, interesting people, and more than my share of interesting stories to tell!  I hope that you enjoy my pictures of Colombo, Sri Lanka!

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  • Lotus flower from Ubud, Bali
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    Pictures From Ubud, Bali-Part 3

    May 17, 2013 / 5 Comments

    I just couldn’t take enough pictures in Ubud, Bali.  Every day there was some new miracle happening, something I hadn’t seen before, a person or a flower that would catch my eye.  I am so grateful for my time in Ubud and how it taught me not just to notice but to look deeper at the flow of life. You may also like some of my other pictures from Bali!  

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  • Tanjung Tinggi Beach, Belitung Island, Sumatra
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    Pictures From Belitung Island, Sumatra

    May 5, 2013 / 2 Comments

    “The best beach in the world.”  That was what I thought when I stepped onto Tanjung Tinggi Beach on Belitung Island in Sumatra.  Pictures can’t give you the feeling of what it’s like to walk among the granite rocks that are towering above you.  The water of the ocean is crystal clear and just invites you to sink in.  I was the only one on the beach when I went and the solitude of the place just made me relax even more.  I first found out about this beach by seeing a picture of it on the internet, and then I decided that I just had to go.  It didn’t let…

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  • Coral in Raja Ampat, best diving
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    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! 

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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