Travelling continents

    It was 1974 and we had planned to drive across the Sahara by the western route through Mauritania. We knew little of what we ahead or that we would spend another two years driving through west, central and east Africa.

    People and life

    ...a mixture of cultural groups came together - Fulani, Dgwede, Hausa, Yoruba, and other tribes. The Hausa people are spread through several west African countries and their language is familiar for other groups.

    Beliefs and meaning

    ...the magic of Laos was the freedom, the wonderful simplicity and friendliness of the peolpe, the added spiritual influence of the ever-present Buddhist monks, and the magnificent mountainous scenery.

    Uncovering the hidden

    ...gently rising valley, on a well-marked track. We passed several mule trains en route to Tibet, at first unseen, but announced by their tinking bells, echoing gently through the valley.

    Adventure and spirituality

    ...not that any of these occupy a particular traffic lane, rather they move as one huge intermingled mass, horns, hooters, bells and screaming voices, like an army brushing and vying with the oncoming enemy...

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    Author

    Born in industrial Yorkshire in 1937, David Marsh experienced World War II as a young boy and later completed an apprenticeship on the floor of a steelworks near Sheffield. His interest in exploring the meaning of life and enquiry into the nature of selfhood pushed him to travel and discover other cultures.

    At the time of his departure from the United Kingdom to Australia in 1962 there was very little information about anything east of Greece, let alone maps. David’s main hesitation to travel came from his poor health. His youth was plagued with chronic asthma, bronchitis, infections and polio – all of which were being suppressed by medications. He felt insecure about his determination to leave, but decided that he would rather die travelling to Australia than stay in the United Kingdom surviving on medications. This turned out to be one of the great decisions of his life. After giving up the medications, David later realised that this was the start of a slow recovery, which was supported by genuine healing opportunities that he learnt and used from a variety of natural treatments and disciplines on his journey. It was an inner journey to a far healthier body and mind.

    Leaving the United Kingdom, David hitchhiked across land to Australia where he studied bookkeeping and accountancy before taking up an administrative role in Papua New Guinea, which is where the photographs, experiences and writings for Highlife commence.

    From his healing journey, travels and work with indigenous peoples, David’s observations and inquiry to the meaning of life result from self-reflection and an openness towards alternate ways of life.

    The book Highlife seeks to reinvigorate a sense of wonder, excitement and openness toward travelling whilst also tempting some questions around life’s meaning. The photographs in the book have been digitalised from Ektachrome slide film. This has created a unique presentation of natural and softer Ektachrome colours, with some blemished photographs having deteriorated from humidity and time.

    Photograph higlights

    Crossing the Sahara, Mauritania

    Looking toward Himalayan ranges from Naundanda

    Ghanese fishermen near Dixcove beach

    Fishing nets near Cochin, India

    Quarzazate Road toward Atlas Mountains, Morocco

    Jomson trail through the Himalayas

    Nigerian woman

    Mountainside village near Kisoro, Uganda

    Mekeo Chief, Papua New Guinea

    Promotional videos

    Order a copy

    To order within Australia, please send us an email indicating format (hardcover or paperback), quantity and postal address. Prices are AU$36 for paperback and AU$48 for hardcover. Alternatively copies can be ordered through your local bookstore via IngramSpark distribution channels, either from within Australia or internationally.