Did you know the blue whale’s heart is the size of a Volkswagen Beetle? The mind boggles. We asked the crew at Wings Over Whales in Kaikoura what makes these mysterious creatures of the deep so special. Having operated scenic whale watching flights for over 20 years, they know some pretty cool facts about whales…
Emily
Emily is a native creative nerd. This creative crew member's favourite stop is Bay of Islands.
Free Things to do in Cairns
Tropical Cairns is the last stop on our northbound tours. There are a bunch of once in a lifetime experiences available to do in Cairns, but a lot of them don’t come cheap! Luckily for you, we’ve got the scoop on plenty of free or relatively cheap things to do when you’re not jumping out […]
New Zealand phone plans, data and internet: Everything you need to know!
Most backpackers coming to New Zealand won’t want to rely on finding free wifi to stay connected. While free wifi exists (see the list at the bottom of this article), if you’re heading off the beaten track it’s much harder to find, and that’s where all the Instagram worthy photos come from! Check out our […]
Lone Buffalo, Laos – A Foundation for the Future
At Stray, we believe that travel is a two-way exchange between travellers and locals. It’s important for us to give back to local communities in return for the incredible things that they teach us about their cultures. Find out more about Lone Buffalo, a not-for-profit school in Laos and how Stray makes a difference with […]
3 Places in South-East Asia that Will Change How You View the World
South-East Asia is also steeped in a dark and violent history, things that you might not have been exposed to in Western society, but once you visit these places on your travels, and hear the stories, the lessons of this history will stay with you for the rest of your life.
The Best Places to Celebrate Songkran in South East Asia
In many countries, New Year is celebrated with fireworks but in Southeast Asia it’s celebrated with… water! We’re not talking about a splash here and there, but three whole days of the biggest outdoor water fights in the world! Locals and backpackers alike take to the streets armed with water pistols for Thai New Year […]
Stray Days – Stories from the road. Straying with Gemma!
Gemma Daniel, originally from Wales in the UK, quit her job to travel for a year and a half. She spent 4 months travelling around Asia on the Lot Pass and even celebrated her 26th birthday on the Stray bus in Bai Xep! She’s planning to keep travelling around the world but we managed to […]
Life is slower in Laos: time to relax and to appreciate the little things in life
As you cross the border into Laos, something instantly feels different. The busy life we’re used to back home has changed to a more relaxed lifestyle where we are able to see and appreciate the little things in life. Life surely is slower in Laos.
Often overlooked yet so amazing: 6 reasons to travel to Laos as soon as it is possible
With its hidden caves, lush jungles, terraced rice paddies and rural villages it has all the potential to be a contender in the running for your favourite SE Asia destination yet. Here are just 6 reasons why, if you’re planning your Southeast Asian adventure, you simply can’t skip Laos!
This is how you create an easy travel plan for an awesome week in Cambodia
We’ve put together a brief guide outlining all of Cambodia’s highlights and how to make the most of your time there if you only have a week to spare. That way you can see the popular attractions and some of the hidden gems.
How safe is travel in Myanmar and should we support it with our tourist dollars?
“Should we continue to tour in Myanmar in light of the recent civil unrest?” This is the question that we at Stray have been wrestling with ever since the news broke last year of the escalating humanitarian crisis unfolding against the Rohingya people along the remote western coastal border of Myanmar.
A Guide to the Best Authentic Asian Cuisine. Take your Taste Buds on a Heavenly Trip
South-East Asia is a feast for the senses, it’s the prospect of an actual culinary feast that’s at the forefront of our minds. Southeast Asia is a food lover’s dream with countless options to tempt the taste buds. This is our list of the best authentic dishes or street food in Asian cuisine.
Making a difference at the Laos Homestay Village
Nestled on the banks of the mighty Mekong River in northern Laos sits the tiny village of Ban Pak Nguey, location of Stray’s Laos village homestay. Over the past 3 years, this rural community has hosted Stray travellers from all over the world.
Stray Days – stories from the road. Straying with Rebecca!
This month we’re Straying with Rebecca from England. Over the course of 4 months, Rebecca Strayed with us in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and New Zealand – everywhere you can Stray, she Strayed!
10 Things you didn’t know about Myanmar
You probably know that watching the sunrise over the temples is Bagan is a ‘must-do’ and that you can’t miss visiting Inle Lake. You may even know that a lot of the architecture is British Colonial style, but did you know these things?