Initially, I was going to make my final post of the year a review of the past twelve months. However, the Internet is being filled with people’s reflections and thoughts of the year and I couldn’t possibly bear the thought of boring you all with a years worth of personal trials and tribulations. I am in no way denying the significance that 2015 has had on me; it’s been a big year that has seen a lot happen (including the birth of this blog – yippee!). So instead I’ve decided to write you all an extensive list, recording all of the things that gave me wanderlust throughout the year. Hopefully something in there will make you smile or inspire you to get up and get out there! Enjoy.
 
Books
On the Road – Jack Kerouac
A Penguin classic. While this book isn’t new (it was written in 1955), I was yet to read it until this year. On the Road is a novel based on the travels of Kerouac and his friends across America. Everything about this book equated to wanderlust for me. I bought it in Shakespeare and Company whilst in Paris earlier in the year. At that particular moment I was feeling reminiscent of my time in America, so On the Road comfortably filled any empty thoughts I had.
 
Wild – Cheryl Strayed
I think I actually read this book in 2014, but this year has gone by so quickly that the time has kind of moulded together (I also figured that seeing as this is my first ever final-post-of-the-year that I could get away with a few 2014 inclusions). Another book that put happy, nostalgic thoughts of America in my mind. This book is definitely a must read! The story follows Cheryl Strayed who, at the age of twenty-six thought she had lost everything after the death of her mother, so impulsively decided to walk eleven hundred miles along the Pacific Crest Trail alone. The emotions described in this book are very raw and real, and also empowering.
After reading Wild, I may or may not have (I did) gone straight to Mountain Design and layby-ed heaps of hiking gear.
 
Confessions of a QANTAS Flight Attendant – Owen Beddall with Libby Harkness
I’ve got to be honest; I didn’t think I’d love this book as much as I did. There is no denying how cutthroat honest yet hilarious Owen’s tales of his time as a Flight Attendant are though. This book is filled with gossip and debauchery. Despite the warnings of lack of sleep, relationship strains and annoying passengers, you will find yourself filling out application forms for your local airline.
 
A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hosseini
To say that this book gave me wanderlust would be using the complete wrong terminology. Rather, this book put things back into perspective for me. The story surrounds two women living in troubled Afghanistan and portrays the meaning of family and friendship. A very well-written, emotional novel that left me speechless upon finishing. We all get so absorbed in our first-world bubbles sometimes, and this book is a great reminder of global happenings outside of those bubbles, and the devastation that innocent people are unwillingly falling victim to.
 
You Mean the World to Me – Jesse Hunter
A gorgeous book filled with photos of Jesse Hunter’s travels around the world. The pictures showcase love all around the world. Regardless of age, sex, religion, race or social status you mean the world to someone and someone means the world to you. A really cute book that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy.
 
Paris in Colour – Nichole Robertson
Another photo book. Paris in Colour is filled with photos that Nichole Robertson has taken in Paris and are organised according to colour. Much like the city, the book is super quaint, lively and romantic.
 
Magazines
I love killing time browsing the magazine stands at newsagents. Here are a few magazines that never fail in inspiring and motivating me:
 
The Collective Renegade
National Geographic
Get Lost
 
Films
Wild
The film adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s novel, following her three month hike on the American West Coast. The film was so well done, Reese Witherspoon is amazing (!!) and the scenery is killer.
 
 
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Another 2014 addition. However, I love this film so much that I couldn’t not include it! The scenery is amaaaazing and I always love a film that has a ‘life’s what you make it’ moral. This film definitely inspires spontaneity …. And inspiration for that $2000 Iceland flight!
 
Paper Towns
A little cheesy, but I can’t deny how much I loved John Green’s film adaptation of the novel! A coming of age film without the BS. Follow your heart.
 
Art
Unfortunately, I’m not a very artistically talented person, much to my disappointment. However, I do really love looking at other people’s amazing creations. A few months ago, I went to a gallery viewing at the Bulli Beach Gallery and was blown away by the art that was being displayed. Unfortunately I didn’t write down the artists’ details, but her artwork was amazing! The artist was a University student who always painted the view from her hotel window, and let me tell you, some of the paintings were immaculate! A really inspiring, fresh twist on travel art that I thoroughly enjoyed.
 
Photography
Whilst doing a photography class at uni earlier in the year, I found that I really enjoyed looking at the work of other photographers – particularly those of Ansel Adams. His no-editing beliefs are something that I have taken on board and are constantly kept in mind when taking photo’s.
 
Instagram
I’d be lost without Instagram. I waste so much time scrolling through travel accounts. These are some of my favourites that induced serious wanderlust:
@seanscottphotography
@chrisburkard
@worldwanderlust
@jonesaroundtheworld
@muradosmann
@travelemporium
 
Social Media
Facebook
A recent inclusion. Facebook and other social media sites can be so wonderful when the purpose of its use is to create and connect! I recently joined some travel groups on Facebook (Girls Who Travel and Female Travel Bloggers) and have very quickly grown madly in love with them both! It’s so great to see women encouraging other women to go out and achieve whatever they set their minds to, it’s so empowering and lovely! Both of these groups have filled my heart with so much love and admiration and have given me seriously itchy feet!
 
Music
The Playlist
No journey is complete without a killer playlist. Here’s a snippet of what mine includes (no judging either – sometimes you just need a little Bono to get you going):
Beautiful Day – U2
Pumpin’ Blood – Nonono
Love Like This – Kodaline
Built – Watermät
Over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Escape – Jack Johnson
Step Out – Jose Gonzales
Lost it to Trying – Son Lux
Falling – HAIM
My Type – Saint Motel
Crystals – Of Monsters and Men
King And Cross – Àsgeir
Fire and the Flood – Vance Joy
Of the Night – Bastille
Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
On Top of The World – Imagine Dragons
Midnight City – M83
Endless Summer – Josh Pyke
Memories – Weezer
Alive – Empire of the Sun
 

Only Smiles – Sanur Bali – November 2015

Only Smiles – Reutte Austria – January 2015

Only Smiles – Bondi Beach Australia – August 2015