About

about me

My Story

Owner, author, creator of Highlatravels. I’m still figuring things out. I’m still wondering what’s next, I’m still getting to know myself, I’m still learning. I hope that starts us off with something in common.

For a while, I wanted to do something extordinary. Not leave a legacy or anything like that- that sort of thing doesn’t bother me, no. I want to live this life, not spend it leaving something for when I’m gone.

Many people have different ideas about what it means to live, but for me it’s the fearless pursuit of our dreams. My dream was to travel Australia and Southeast Asia and I blogged my way around these locations, sharing personal insight and story telling about my travel experiences with a disability.

At 20 I went on a trip visiting different European countries on the rail line and got the bug. Then in 2020 I planned to go to New Zealand, which was impossible. In 2023 I had a one way flight to Bangkok booked in… little did I know it would be a flight I never embarked, because I’d be recovering from major surgery.

Timeline

Jan 2022 : Inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis

The bleeding started in 2020, and progressively got worse, among experiencing other symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). My diagnosis came in the beginning of January 2022. Treatment after treatment I was unresponsive to all, meanwhile my symptoms were becoming increasingly unmanagable.

Nov 2022 : Emergency surgery

Mere months after my diagnosis, I because so unwell I was admitted into hospital through ER. What we all thought would be a night or two became 2 months. Biologics followed strong steroids but neither had the desired effect, and I was put under to have my entire colon removed. I developed sepsis after my surgery and had overall a traumatic time there.

Nov 2023 : One way flight to Australia

I missed my flight to Bangkok, because I was still recovering from surgery. Slowly gaining my strength, immune system, body back. What remained in the back of my mind was my desire to travel. Along with questions like ‘Will I be able to now?’, ‘Is it still possible?’. Well, a year after that surgery I boarded a one way flight to Sydney Australia. I made this blog so others could see it’s possible for them too.

Now

In this blog you’ll be able to find all my posts about travelling around Australia and Southeast Asia. As of June 2025 I’ve returned home to England, determined to begin my career again in science.

As you can tell, I love writing. I love connecting with readers, but I also love science, healthcare, communicating complex topics and empowering people through knowledge.

The recent posts on this blog will reflect these interests, and I hope to break down some complex topics for individuals suffering with IBD, or with stoma bags. Knowledge is power, and it’s only right that knowledge should be accessible to people who suffer with diseases on a daily basis.

I sincerely hope you enjoy this shift in focus, I’m so excited to share with you what I learn. Read on, learn and empower yourself with knowledge.