Live HappAlly

05/08/2024

Have you ever heard of Kangaroo Island? 🦘

Life’s been a bit crazy recently but I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity to come back and live in Australia 💕

A few months ago, I visited South Australia and took a ferry over to KI. They limit the number of people who can visit so it’s super remote!!!

The landscape and wildlife is incredible as expected. The sunsets are just insane!!!

The island is pretty accessible getting around. There are ramps and benches around all of the main touristy parts. However, given how remote it is, you could be looking at a 2 hour drive to a restaurant / pharmacy depending on where you stay! Also book early as it can be quite $ and difficult to find accommodation.

06/05/2024

Are you remembering to make time for relaxation? ✨

While travelling, it’s really important to make time for yourself. Personally, I’m a big fan of hot water - jacuzzis, spas, hot springs… it can really help with joint pain as well as relaxing the body.

New Zealand has TONS of hot springs. In our 10 day trip, I believe we visited 3 😅 my body thanked me for it!

Recommendations include:
📍Onsen hot pools, Queenstown
📍Tekapo hot springs, Tekapo
📍 Polynesian spa, Rotorua

Where have been some of your favourite places to visit for self care?

24/04/2024

15/04/2024

Reminder of how cool Earth is 😍

What a beauty! Visiting this natural wonder was no easy task though.

In the beautiful Royal National Park, under an hours drive South of Sydney, you’ll need to hike 1-2 hours to reach the pools. Initially it’s well paved but steep. Once on the beach, you have to compete with the sand and boulders.

The hiking poles from .official came in handy to start but they had to go away once climbing over the rocks. 2 hands were indeed necessary!

You’ll need to make sure it’s safe to visit during this time on the official location website because of the tide levels. It’s a coastal walk and so a high tide would be far too dangerous.

Whilst at the pools, stay away from the edges as we saw people knocked over by waves. Also, because of the moss, the surface of the rocks is incredibly slippery. Almost lost my footing!!!

I’d recommend visiting earlier in the day to avoid crowds. Be careful moving around the pools but wow they were simply beautiful! Definitely not something you see everyday!

If you have mobility issues, this may be too difficult for you. I definitely struggled with my hyper-mobility and recent injuries; I felt a bit sore later that’s for sure!

06/04/2024

The reasons I love Lake Wānaka 👇👇

- great accessibility. I visited during a flare up and there’s plenty of viewpoints which don’t require hiking. Photo 1 is the beach in the town and there’s nearby parking. The other photos are from driving around the lake, where you can just park and get a beautiful view. Almost no walking required. The only more challenging route was for the tree (pic 8). You have to walk along the beach for maybe 5-10 mins but it is flat.
- plenty of food options in the town. All my dietary restrictions were met; it’s quite a touristy town. Yay for food!!!
- there are some swim spots scattered around the lake. Instead of hiking, you can choose to grab a towel and sit on the beach, admiring the view.
- if you want to challenge yourself, there’s some really good hikes nearby e.g. Roy’s Peak. Unfortunately I was too broken for this, but if you have the capability, I would recommend based off the pictures!!!

Time to visit?? 🥰

31/03/2024

A magical town in South Island New Zealand ✨
Would you go?

06/03/2024

Almost got wiped out by a rainstorm on top of this mountain 😅 but there wasn’t another person in site, just us and the wilderness. It was so spectacular. Peaceful, wild and freeing 💙

03/03/2024

This was definitely one of the most unique places I’ve ever been to! It has its own microclimate; 20 mins away it can be warm (mid-20s) but -7 degrees in the park itself. Quite a shock to the system 😅

The flora and fauna was like nothing I’d ever seen before. Truly felt like another planet!

There is an accessible viewing platform at the start as well as numerous hiking options depending on mobility.

Is this on your bucket list?

18/02/2024

Living with a chronic illness can feel like your body is a prison - you’re trapped and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Accept your body for how it is and nurture it. Learn what it needs. With time these bars will start to come down.

11/02/2024

Wow! What a stunning place. And so fascinating seeing where one of our staple foods comes from 😍

04/02/2024

What’s your view on travelling solo with a chronic condition? 🤔

I’ve travelling a lot solo and it’s definitely a bit more challenging - notably carrying heavy items, not having mental support, not having someone to lean on…

My trip to Portugal with friends was cancelled in 2021 the day before I left because I got sick. I was absolutely devastated! But in 2022 I returned to Europe and decided, f**k it! I’ll go on my own since no one’s around. It was the right choice! 🥰🥰

Pack light, plan your itinerary, book a hotel in a convenient place, book a nice room if you can to make sure you sleep super well, and remain super organized!

29/01/2024

Grateful to have made it another year on this beautiful planet 💙

21/01/2024

Always dreamt of a flower petal bath 🌸My kinda relaxation! Just the right amount of bougie 😅

Where’s your favourite place to relax? Do we love a good bath?

14/01/2024

The hill that messed up my knee, but it was so beautiful 😍

I’d been wanting to do this walk for quite some time. It was quite a trek to get there by public transport, 2-3 hours each way by bus 😩

The walk itself shouldn’t have been too difficult. It was paved and around maybe 250m high. But STEEP!

On the way back down, my knees buckled and have been troublesome since. And it’s been several months now 😭

Having EDS can make it really difficult to do the things you want to do. You don’t necessarily have to stop yourself from these activities, you have to adjust.

Next time I’ll take my hiking poles and wear my knee supports. Or walk backwards downhill (this one actually helps the knees a lot!).

I had to delay this walk for around 6 months because of my condition and that’s ok. Whether it’s a week or 5 years, there’s no such thing as never if you don’t want there to be.

07/01/2024

Beach lover or mountain obsessed?😍⛰️ both?

With my trip to New Zealand lined up shortly, I’m remembering my trip to the Canadian Rockies last year.

Being around nature is so good for mental health and calming the nervous system. I found mountains in particular so grand and powerful, channeling our inner strength.

30/12/2023

One of my favourite places to be ✨ Are you a mountain or beach person?

I love the mountains but with my condition it’s not always possible to climb them. Luckily for me, this lake has a viewing platform so no extra hiking needed!

There are a handful of accessible viewing spots out in the Canadian Rockies, not to be missed!

27/12/2023

Are you making time for relaxation? 😏I’m pretty useless when it comes to relaxing, but MAKE TIME FOR IT! ✨

We had an adventure packed trip to Bali and by the end this was exactly what I needed. Your body will thank you!

Travelling with a chronic illness can be very difficult and confusing; it’s hard to know our limits. I recommend breaks and plenty of down time 💕

15/12/2023

How are we managing social events over the holidays? 🎄✨

This was a beautiful Summers day out in Sydney, but after another outing the next day, I’m still a little tired now 😅

I was out in the 38 degrees Celsius heat (100F) for more than 8 hours. Such a nice contrast after living in Canada for 3+ years. 2 late nights in a row and eating restaurant food has confused my body somewhat.

Christmas time can be a very sociable time of year. It’s so much fun but don’t forgot to prioritize sleep, rest and healthy food choices! And stay hydrated!

If you’ve not got a lot going on, perhaps go check out a local Christmas market, carolling etc. Reach out to friends and family or go solo, it’s not as scary as we think 💕

Happy holidays all ❤️