Stray - New Zealand Backpackers Bus
TRAVELLERS' COMMENTS
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Latest Traveller Comments:
Hey strayers,
The Jade carving in Barrytown was an absolute blast. It's kind of fulfilling taking a green piece of rock, carving it with diamonds, and making it into a masterpiece (with the help of Hamish). It's also a good cherry on the top for good ole bazvegas. Have a great trip and enjoy your stray time, it's the best in New Zealand.
P.S. i know it's jade but be sure to be careful with your necklace... they can break
By from United States - 09 Aug 2010
I really enjoyed travelling with stray and I really miss NZ ALOT!
Unfortunatly I was so dumb and didn't write names and e-mails of the people I met. SO if anybody sees this and remembers that they met a goofy brown-haired girl from Sweden between february-may, pleeease do not hesitate to add me on facebook(Julia Ebba Elisabeth Eklund) or write me an email (julia.eklund@yahoo.se)
Thank you!
Ps. Honey, Nat, Nick and Gollum was the best!
By from Sweden - 04 Aug 2010
I teach at a university, so I am older than the average traveler. Therefore, I was a little apprehensive about doing the Stray thing. I can say without reservation it was just a great experience. We had a great bus driver named Mumbo that was able to talk knowledgeably about the various activities and history as we traveled. The other travelers were fun and great individuals, we had community meals each night, and frankly the experience far exceeded my expectations. I would definitely go with Stray in the future and I regretted that I had to leave due to plane reservations. I would have really enjoyed more time with Mumbo as the driver and visiting more of NZ
The Maori experience was the best with Uncle Boyd and of course since I was the eldest, being chief was fun.
By from USA - 18 Jun 2010
Thanks guys for a fab time in NZ...and the freebie day in Auckland! I was travelling on my own, but never felt lonely once! Awesome time, Emilly in South Island was definetly the coolest driver I have ever had (and I've been on quite a few buses now!) Met some fantastic people on the buses that I think I will be friends with forever, and have got some amazing memories. Never did get the whole internet booking thing, glad it was done for me, even though it was explained loads of times to me! Would definetly use Stary again. :-)
By from UK - 17 Jun 2010
Can anyone who has been traveling alone please give their opinion of the stray experience? ie: is it a good way of meeting people? and what should i expect?
By from ireland - 01 Jun 2010
Just a quick note to say thank you Stray, myself and 4 friends did both the North and South Island and have to say we had an amazing time. Our drivers were all really cool, Trouble was full of information, laid back and nothing was too much........trouble!! Hoover was hilarious and Nat couldn't do enough for us. I will definately be recommending Stray to others and plan on coming back to tour with you again. Keep up the good work!
By from Ireland - 05 May 2010
Have just had grt trip round the sth islnd with stray & have to say i really enjoyed my time in Barrytown...real characters... did the bone carving which was grt fun & didnt know how creative i was until Karen (teacher ) encouraged me. She was so friendly & it didnt matter that i didnt know wat i was doing she kept it going. Only thing i didnt like was the owner Graham and his crude jokes or is that the way he is normally.
By from england - 27 Apr 2010
Ive had a great trip all down to stray and our bus driver honey!!! Ive met some amazing friends for life. I did the short moe pass which was ace i still got to see everything i wanted and more :) Nightlife was great craic, it was well worth seeing with Stray. I would defo do it again!!!
camper trailers
By from uk - 26 Apr 2010
My daughter is living in Paihia and when I said I was coming to visit she suggested we do a Stray tour. The Tom Pass was recommended to her by driver "Scratch" who I thank very much for the suggestion. Our driver for the 5 days was "Metro" and I couldn't have asked for a more fun, hard working and organized person. I also felt truly comfortable with his careful driving skills as we snaked our way through the mountains. He went above and beyond to make sure everyone was enjoying themselves. The games while travelling were so much fun, even for a mom, and was a great way to meet everyone else on the bus. My daughter and I saw so much and Metro was very informative with tidbits of information as we toured. Thank you for a great 5 days for both of us and I have already passed word along to friends that hope to visit New Zealand next year.
By from Canada - 26 Mar 2010
I had the best time in New Zealand, and Stray was able to make that happen. I did most of the North Island with 'Uncle Fuck Fuck' who was amazing, and gave us many laughs. The South island was also awesome, Ariel did a fantastic job taking us down the west coast. Thanks Stray and I will definitely be a repeat customer!!
By from Canada - 25 Mar 2010
Ive had a great trip all down to stray and our bus driver honey!!! Ive met some amazing friends for life. I did the short moe pass which was ace i still got to see everything i wanted and more :) Nightlife was great craic, it was well worth seeing with Stray. I would defo do it again!!! Thanx miss u guys xx
By from Ireland - 24 Mar 2010
"SWEET AS BRO"
"CHOICE EH"
Just a few words people should know before you travel haha.
By from uk - 15 Mar 2010
On Feb. 25th my wife and I very much enjoyed the free Christchurch Bike Tour offered by STRAY each Thursday at 11 a.m. Stumpy was an excellent guide through the whole tour. We very much liked Stumpys explanations and comments. We went along the streets of Christchurch, biked through Hagley's Park all along Avon River. Had a cool beer in the end. Thanks to Stumpy and to STRAY for a wonderful tour.
By from germany - 11 Mar 2010
i was in new zealand for about 4 weeks in january and early february. i did the Moe pass and was on Rob's bus for 3 weeks starting in Auckland. I had an awesome time on both the north and south island. Rob took us to some some places way off the beaten track away from the big tour buses and we got to see parts of new zealand that most tourists have never even heard of. If you want to see new zealand with great people then stray is definitely your best choice. being on stray gets you discounts on tons of activities and you will not be disappointed. if your expecting to be spoon fed like a child then don't pick stray, and save your fellow travellors from listening to you whine.
- Canadian Kev
By Kevin Burden from Canada - 01 Mar 2010
Just got back to UK from my travels to NZ,OZ,Fiji & US. Had a brilliant time om y Stray journey around NZ. Especially the South Island where I had the best driver possible in Natalie who was very knowledgeable and went out of her way to entertain the whole group. She is so easy to get on with and made it easy for everyone on the bus to get on with. I had Honey also for a couple days of my trip and she was awesome as well. Thanks again for some great memories ladies. I will defo go back on the Stray tour again on my next visit to such a beautiful country. All the best from Tom (the guy who sprained his ankle on Mount Tongiro !)
By TOM JACKMAN from ENGLAND - 23 Feb 2010
Aweseom time with stray pure quality had one driver all the way through, great cultural experinces and the scenery was great, they take you to some great hidden spots!
Definitely do stray you cant go wrong!
By Matt from UK - 15 Feb 2010
Gollum, you rock! Thanks for a great trip!
By Robin from Canada - 15 Feb 2010
Hey everybody do Stumpy's free bike tour of Christchurch! It's a blast, great way to spend an afternoon. I did it the day before I started my stray pass, and I knew by the end of it I had chosen the right company. Thanks Stumpy!
By Robin from Canada - 15 Feb 2010
Of all the amazing things I've done in New Zealand, the jade carving in Barrytown will stay with me the longest. My first impression of the jade carving was that I would pick a design, and Hamish would carve it for me. I was pleasantly mistaken. As soon as he had cut a rough chunk of jade out of the large slab, Hamish handed it to me and with a brief course on how to use the equipment, I was set loose to create my own work of art. (He also gave me a cup of coffee, which raises my respect for him to ridiculous levels) There is more satisfaction than I can express in creating a beautiful, smoothe work of art out of a rough chunk of green stone. Hamish proved not only to be a master artist, but also a master teacher. I felt as though I could sit in his shop creating new pieces for weeks on end without wanting to stop. This is a must do activity for anyone who wants to bring back a piece of New Zealand.
By from USA - 10 Aug 2010
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