Stray - New Zealand Backpackers Bus
TRAVELLERS' COMMENTS
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Latest Traveller Comments:
I had a great trip on the bus, even tho i was kinda disappointed with the whole stray thing. But I must say that our bus driver Tyke did a really good job getting everyone involved, we became a big family just after a few days. Although he may not have the complete knowledge about the country n everything that goes on there, which he can learn!! He really have the ability to make most people feel welcome:) I would do it all over again (like some;P) if I had the time!
By from Norway - 30 May 2009
Hi to all, did the stray north island tour in february including the go east package with the lovely jason:) Man it was awesome, jason displayed a wealth of local knowledge, gave us some maori flavour, history and knew all the best swimming holes! the small personal bus and experience made it seem like going on a road trip with your mates. highlights were meeting leo and "dave" and watching some waterfall antics and doing the rere rockslide....such good fun, and getting slimed by a stingray! also the beach house setup is "choice". so as jason says stray the maori way...go hard go east. oh and ladies.....he's easy on the eyes too:)
By Sarah from Ireland - 27 May 2009
Had the best time doing the south island with stray. great atmosphere on our bus thanks to tyke the best driver ever. it was more like a huge group of friends traveling together! was not so impressed with the deep south. the tour was a bit boring and our driver rob was so rude to all the passengers, not to mention the horrible 'jokes' he told and offensive music he played.
The availibility of busses is also very poor. Other then that i loved my stray trip and miss uncle tyke and the rest fo the stray family!
By Aisling from Ireland - 25 May 2009
Just had the most amazing southen loop trip! so much fun and the people where amazing...including our fabulous driver Tyke! He Made the trip! Thanks!! good times x x x
By Eleni from UK - 24 May 2009
When we booked our Stray pass it said that we would go to Dunedin, however Stray doesn't go there in the winter as we found out once we were on the bus, the only other way to find this out is by reading the whole magazine that you get given. Not fair, what justification do you have for missing out such a great city whilst not keeping the customer properly informed.
Free mussles were a joke, 2 pre-cooked plastic pots of mussles that the passengers ended up paying for.
Lucky and Apples were the best drivers ever despite Lucky having two tyre blowouts and bags falling out of the back of the bus, she still made it a journey to remember and worked her ass off day and night (thankyou). I hope the the people who had there bags stolen get re-embursed by Stray.
Because of one tyre blowout we arrived at the culture evening three hours late and still had to pay the full $75, however it was still a good experience and we did get bought some beer from our driver.
Computer booking system was rubbish, twice I was on a bus that was over booked and people had to find there own way to the next destination, also not fair.
Barrytown, further off the beaten track to line a (stray) buddy's pocket. Not much to do but get dressed up and get drunk, no alternative accomodation not fair for the older traveller who didn't want to be on a booze bus.
That said still had a great trip just would be better without all of these annoying problems.
The best thing about being on a stray bus is the other passengers, if you are not bothered about that hire a Spaceship.
By Ricky from UK - 13 May 2009
just got back from a fab time in new zealand. we had tyke as a driver what a top top guy we loved every minute of it. he really really made our trip thanks tyke you are truly brilliant!!
By kerrie evans from uk - 11 May 2009
i spent an AWESOME 4 weeks straying new Zealand with possibly the best group in the world!!! and Mambo the legend that is our driver made the trip phenomenal! soo many of us booked addons so we could stay with him going south! i miss the good times!!!
By Ellen from UK - 07 May 2009
Hey. Im Delina! And i travelled with stray during the summer. I must admit, im a kiwi, and i couldn't get over how great our bus drivers were. It was fun to see us kiwi's teach all the other foreigners NZ slang and NZ music.. It was great.. I had such a great time with the stray team. Skins was pretty much my driver the whole way, and i give him all the created. He's a cool guy, so i'd recommend him :) I miss stray so much and all the wonderful people i met. Wait until you get to queenstown, you'll eat the best pizza's and ice cream in all the world..Since im from NZ and my ticket is valid for a year, im thinking of re-doing the trip! Chose stray guys.. Its the best organization :)
THNKS,
Delina.
By Delina from New Zealand - 07 May 2009
The Stray Bus was a super duper ride full of fun,laughter and Joy.The Stray bus drivers were well informed and became friends.The Reception Staff were excellant and really helped us with the booking of buses when we choose tyo hop on or of Thaqnk you for a great 60 day Trip around New Zealand.Fantastic
By Andrew Pendlebery from England/Malta - 05 May 2009
I just got off the Bay of islands bus heading to Auckland, and I have to say I am not happy, so unhappy that I thought I needed to write this before I headed to my hostel. My driver was #2. When I first met him he was rude and very stern, NO MANNERS! He then proceeded to tell me and others in the same situation as me that Stray only drops passengers off at hostels within the central auckland area. He would NOT drop off at Parnell, Brown Kiwi or Bamber house. He then proceeded to have an arguament with another passenger and there was a feeling that the driver was going out of his way and could not be bothered to drop the passengers off at hostels that were not on queen st. I feel that it should be company policy to drop people off at hostels. and not make us spend more money to catch a bus at night when we have already spent a good amount of money to have this service! and these hostels are not out of the way. he is lazy and very very very rude and even though I had a great trip with stray, This will be my lasting impression. He needs to do his job, that is what he is paid for and not bitch that he has to drive somewhere out of his way. then talk to someone on the phone while driving back saying he wants to drop off quick so he can see them and train???huh?
im sorry you hate your job so much #2. and im sorry STRAY you have an employee like this. its a shame.
By a collection of disgruntled passengers from Uk, US, Hollnad, Ireland - 05 May 2009
Bought a stray pass.....had Tyke as a driver absolute rubbish as a tour guide...he knew nothing about new zealand ... an example been...''a glacier is made when it snows on top of a mountain and stuff happens then u get a glacier" word for word from the man !!...
By Mark from Ireland - 01 May 2009
All the drivers I had were great, but Cougar is the best bus driver on the face of the planet. And probably the hottest.
Thanks for making my NZ sweet as.
By Kris from USA - 25 Apr 2009
Hey guys,
I had one interesting day today. I got on the bus about 7 am, than we rode to Taupo which was about a 4 hr drive. Anyway, in Taupo I was kicked off the bus. On the Stray tours, they are in a habit of overbooking, and they claimed I had not booked the bus to Auckland (which was completely false, as I had the paperwork from my reservation), but they insisted, and I had to get off of the bus, thus I needed a bus to get to Auckland, and I had to book my own accomodation in Auckland. I did find an InterCity bus to Auckland for about 39 NZD, which was my only chance. After a 5 hour ride, we did get to Auckland, but unfortunately I was taken to area with no hostels, so I am currently staying in a cheap hotel for 79 NZD tonight. Sorry about all this, but these things have been happening to people the whole trip and I was another victim.
By Andrew Lambe from US - 23 Apr 2009
Lucky Rocks!! We miss you heaps and heaps xxxx
By Kalpna, Shelley, Graeme, Sven, Sofie, Kate and Tim!! from All over - UK, USA, SWEDEN AND SA!! - 11 Apr 2009
Hi there,
I have just finished my Moe pass and most o my time I s with the lovely Hoover. She was professional , funny, informative and you can really tell she has a passion for the job and her beautiful country! I feel my trip would not have exceeded my expectations with out and the rest of the wonderful friends I made while on her bus.
Stray is the way to go if you want small groups and a trip that offeres the \"real NZ\' both in exploring the out of it places we go and through the driver/guides. Thanks Stray and big ups to HOOVER!
By Tara from England - 26 Mar 2009
Just wanted to thank everyone on the Stray team for a wonderful trip through NZ.
Special mention to Noddy, Seagull and Metro who each made the trip a fantastic experience that I will remember for ever.
No doubts, Stray is by far the best tour company in NZ!
By paul davies from Scotlan - 23 Mar 2009
The staff in the Stray office were very helpful at booking my last minute pass! I had a fantastic time travelling around North Island with Stray with great drivers (Lucky and Jason) and made loads of new friends
By Helen from England - 22 Mar 2009
Hi Folks, I had a wonderful time in NZ. Thanks a lot to the drivers B.P. and Rudi, two experienced tour guides and safe drivers.
BR from cold Berlin
Volkmar
By Volkmar from Germany - 18 Mar 2009
Hello people!
Stray is a really good organisation.. But because some circumstances, I can\'t finish Go East and I have a pass. When there are people that wan\'t go to there.. You can buy it from me, but not for the full price!! I hope that you will it!! Please give an reply...!
Thanks..
By from - 18 Mar 2009
I had an awesome time on stray, met some really nice people, and our bus driver for the south island - tyke - was amazing, and created a really good atmosphere!
my only major complaint is the maori cultural night on the north island - it was really rubbish and no way worth $75. the food was awful, the show was over in minutes and really poorly put on...i felt like i learnt nothing whatsoever from it. its good to have something like this as an optional stop, but i didnt like the fact that we were made to do it. maybe if it had been a LOT cheaper i wouldnt have minded so much, but $75 is a total rip off!!
By Anna from UK - 31 May 2009
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