Kia ora everyone!

Neil’s Stuff:   
We had Stray’s winter launch party last night in Auckland.  We had an absolutely fantastic turnout – thanks to everyone who came to learn about our new stuff (which is listed below); thanks to ‘Cassette Number Nine’ for hosting us (great venue from the guys from the World Bar), and thanks to our crew for putting it on!  Well done also to the winners of our quickfire quiz to got the great bottles of Old Hokonui whisky!
Lots of cheers,
Neil

PS I was dressed as a cowboy not a bogan as girls in a bar later on in the night thought...!

Stray New Winter Stuff!!
-    We have an amazing new route for the Burt pass (bottom of New Zealand) with a unique combination of the deep south’s history, spectacular scenery, remote wilderness and wildlife.  After spending the day at Milford Sound, Stray travellers will stay in historic miners’ cabins for the night and get to check out the local wildlife, stunning scenery and historic museum on-site at our unique new overnight stop at Gunn’s Camp in Fiordland National Park. The second day we head to Gore and the historic Hokonui Moonshine museum for some culture and a taste of local whisky dating from the prohibition era.  In the afternoon we head to the coast and check out the Catlins Wilderness area and Curio Bay for wildlife such as seals and penguins, then we have the option to catch the ferry over to NZ’s 3rd major island, Stewart Island for the night.  The next day we have free to explore the island before we catch the afternoon ferry back to the Mainland where we express back to Queenstown.

-     We are now offering the chance to learn flax weaving in Raglan and make your own flax basket (kono).  This class is run by local Maori and gives a down-to-earth alternative to surfing in this surf and arts town.

-     The Jackson Pass is back!  In winter we express up to Paihia from Auckland with stops at either the Native Bird Recovery Centre or Parry Kauri Park.  In the afternoon we have a free eco-cruise in the Bay of Islands to check out the islands and view dolphins and other wildlife! The Jackson pass is NZ$105 ($90 with hostel card discount) and with the cruise (worth $79) and return transport + booking/guidance from your driver, it’s an amazing deal!

-    We continue our popular activity - mussel tasting (with lots of different recipes) around the fire at our unique overnight stop by Abel Tasman National Park.  This is one of many opportunities for Stray customers to try local food and is a great way to get the group together and meet people (especially for those starting in the South Island).


Random Story of the Week: A very odd thing happened in the Stray/Spaceships Auckland shop last week – a girl came in and the shop manager Daniel started to have a chat with her then out of the blue she went up to him and started rubbing his (bald) head!!  She then thanked him and left the shop! Both Dan and Nate were left speechless (a very, very rare thing!)


Stuff from the Road (by Lucky the Stray Driver):
Hi everyone!
My latest news is that a few weeks ago I ran my first marathon!  The day was fabulous, overcast and cool with a slight breeze blowing.  The Te Houtaewa Challenge has been running for the last 17 years down 90 Mile Beach.  It is the reenactment of the legend of Te Houtaewa the best athlete of his time who ran from the top of 90 Mile Beach down to the bottom in Ahipara to nick some kumaras and then he outran his pursuers back to Te Kao to give his mum the kumaras for that night’s hangi meal.
The last 9 kilometres of the 42 k run were brutal for me as the sun beat down and the wind picked up but I finally crossed the finish line after 5 hours and 9 minutes.
I ran as a tribute and fundraiser to Marlene Greer who passed away last year of Alzheimer’s.
There has been so much support from around the country for me and the fundraising efforts have been fantastic.  A really big THANK YOU to all the crew at Fusion Bar for their efforts a few weeks ago which helped raise over $200.  Also a big THANK YOU to Rainforest Retreat who hosted a pajama party which raised close to $300.  Stacey from Skydive Taupo, Mikey from Cathedral Cove Kayaks and Stray all put up prizes for the raffles so BIG BIG THANKS there too.
Cougar has been campaigning around the country as well as myself and the results have been fabulous with over $700 being pledged.  Cougar you are awesome.
Over the 42 kilometres I had a few cheerleaders who helped remind me I could do it, my Mum and a couple of aunties as well as Jugs who did not carry pompoms but brought me water and powerade and kept telling me to keep going.
Now that the marathon is over I am back off the wagon so will be catching up with everyone for a beer real soon and collecting pledges along the way.  I will let you all know what the final amount raised is once all has been collected.
Thanks again for everyone help and support.
Lucky.

Well done Lucky – what a legend!



Catch ya further off the beaten track!

Team Stray and Space
                       
If you do not wish to receive these email updates or if there is anyone else in your team who you think deserves to get the news, please let me know: celia@straytravel.co.nz. Ta.
PS if only we'd gone home a few hours earlier last night...