Travel Movie Monday: Tracks

Every second Monday I’m going to recommend you one travel movie (in no specific order). Each one of those mentioned, had some kind of an impact on me and I’m sure they will affect you too. Travel movies have the ability to inspire your wanderlust, the motivation to a new destination and give you the power to chase your goals.

TRACKS (2013)

Travel Movie Monday: Tracks | The Cheerful Wanderer

A young woman goes on a 1,700-mile trek across the deserts of West Australia with four camels and her faithful dog.

Tracks tells the remarkable true story of Robyn Davidson, a young woman who leaves her life in the city to make a solo trek through almost 2,000 miles of sprawling Australian desert. Accompanied by only her dog and four unpredictable camels, she sets off on a life-changing journey of self-discovery. It is documented by National Geographic photographer, who she meets just before starting her trip. Read More

Dream job

Hi!

I just want to give you some updates on my life and what I’ve been up to. I’m going to post rarer this March because I’m currently in Ireland, doing my dream job. I’ll be here for the whole month working at the guesthouse and a hostel. To get here, I had to fly twice and then take two buses. Sleeping at the airport is not something I’m unfamiliar with, but this time I had a worse experience than I did before. I kept waking up every half hour, Italians were loudly chatting on my right side and a some guy tried to fall asleep on me. Literally. He only put his lower part of the body over my lower part of the body. I understand he wanted to spend the night on seats instead of floor, but seriously? I was honestly too tired to fight, at 3am I just gave up and went through the security check. My morning flight was lovely, though.

English countryside by The Cheerful Wanderer

English countryside shot at my 6am flight from Stansted.

Today was my second day. I’m so excited, every minute here feels like living my dreams. There are lovely people I hang out with all the time, my boss is very fair, the town is cute… Feel like a better version of home, if this makes any sense. I’m happy. Yesterday I had a nice talk with one of my roommates about hostels in Portugal, another country I’m very eager to visit. Who knows, maybe I’ll go there next. Right now I feel like I’m exactly where I belong.

My work depends on what hour I start and how busy that day is. Today for example we had plently of check outs, but since I started at 7am, I first had to prepare breakfast (I learnt how to cook Irish breakfast!), do the laundry, clean some dishes, tidy around the kitchen and do two rooms. Yesterday I was mainly cleaning. The rooms, kitchen, bathrooms. The best part are evenings, when we all gather and prepare some dinner. Last night we decided to go to an Irish pub after – it was so much fun!

That’s it for today, I’ll be posting more in the next few days, if my schedule allows me.

Canada  ·  Tips

Is Niagara Falls Adventure Pass worth buying?

In October 2015, me and my boyfriend spent a little less than 24 hours in Niagara Falls, Ontario. We arrived from Toronto and spent most of the day on Canadian side, which is better in terms of the view and activities offered, although I liked American side a lot more. It’s greener and more park-like.

Since this was our first time there, we pre-ordered Niagara Falls Adventure Pass before even flying out of Europe, but you can also get it at the Welcome Center for the same price (adult $54.95, child (6-12 years) $36.95, kids 5 and under free). My recommendation would be to buy it there, so you have an option of changing your mind. You need to visit ticket booth anyway to redeem the online ticket.

Is Niagara Falls Adventure Pass worth buying? | The Cheerful Wanderer

Attractions included

Journey Behind the Falls
Hornblower Niagara Cruises
Niagara’s Fury
White Water Walk
+ 2 days of bus transportation throughout Niagara Falls
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The best free views (of Eiffel Tower and more) in Paris

Who doesn’t love a great shot of the Eiffel tower while in Paris? Preferably somewhere not crowded, so you don’t have to move all the time to capture the moment. In this post I’m talking the less known spots for photographing Sacré-Cœur, Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. Most of those were empty when we were there.

1. Printemps Department Store

They offer a wide variety of products, mostly well-known brands, so if you’re on a budget, this is not where you do your shopping. The building is beautiful, inside and out, and although the series of escalators can get a bit confusing, it’s very much worth visting. On 9th floor there’s a restaurant and a rooftop terrace with free access to the public, offering the most spectacular view over the surrounding Paris skyline. On left side of the unimpeded 360 degree view you have Pantheon, Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, while on the right side Sacré-Cœur stands out in all its beauty among the typical tin roofs of Paris. If you wish to grab a snack, I was told that the food here is very tasty and cheap. However, there is no requirement or expectation that you must buy anything to visit the terrace.

The best free views (of Eiffel Tower and more) in Paris  | The Cheerful Wanderer

Address: 64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Metro: Havre-Caumartin (line 3 and 9)*
Opening hours: Closed on Sundays, Thursdays from 9:30am to 9pm, other days from 9:30am to 8pm

Read More

Travel Movie Monday: Before Sunrise

Every second Monday I’m going to recommend you one travel movie (in no specific order). Each one of those mentioned, had some kind of an impact on me and I’m sure they will affect you too. Travel movies have the ability to inspire your wanderlust, the motivation to a new destination and give you the power to chase your goals.

BEFORE SUNRISE (1995)

Travel Movie Monday: Before Sunrise | The Cheerful Wanderer

A young man and woman meet on a train in Europe, and wind up spending one evening together in Vienna. Unfortunately, both know that this will probably be their only night together.

When I first saw the movie poster, I was convinced this was going to be some love story between two partners and my expectations were low. If you read the synopsis above (I haven’t until now), you already know I had been wrong. Before Sunrise follows the story of two travellers, who met on a train and fall for each other. The spontanious decisions Jesse and Céline make, led them to one night together in Vienna. In the morning they say goodbye, knowing they’ll probably never see each other again, but still hoping they would. Read More