Stray Days: Straying with Sarah and Tim

Originally from the USA and now travelling the world on an extended 20-month honeymoon (the dream, right?!), Sarah and Tim found some spare time to fill us in on their Stray adventure.

Why did you choose to travel Stray?

We originally planned to rent a camper van and self-drive around the islands, but after some research, we realized that the Stray tour was not only less expensive but included visits to places we hadn’t even heard of before! We chose the tour and it gave us the benefits of our own road trip, for less money and less stress!

Tourists in the Fjordlands
Exploring the Fjordlands

What things about Kiwi culture make you giggle? 

  1. The rivalry with Australia (which the Kiwis clearly win!)
  2. The phrase “sweet as.” Sweet as what? It always sounds like an incomplete thought to me! We also thought people were saying “sweet a**” at first. I’m glad we got that clarified early on!
  3. Luging. Luging definitely made us giggle.
Tourists in new Zealand
Getting ready to luge!

What will you miss the most when you return home?

We aren’t returning home for a while since we’re on a big round-the-world trip for the next year and a half. That said, now that we’ve left New Zealand, we already miss the amazing views and hikes we experienced every day, the friendships we made with others on the Stray bus and the excitement of not knowing everything the drivers had in store for us. Oh, and the meat pies.

A rope swing on a beach at Hahei
An awesome rope swing in Hahei

What are the 5 things you can’t leave home without to travel in NZ?

  1. Hiking boots
  2. Ear plugs
  3. A good neck pillow for long bus days
  4. Camera
  5. Sunscreen
Hiking in New Zealand
Raise your hands if you love NZ!

What is a handy tip for other travellers thinking about Straying NZ?

Even though Stray tours include accommodation, transport and loads of activities, think about booking any optional extra activities, especially when you have free days in some of the amazing stops on the trip.

Hikers on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
We conquered the Tongariro Crossing

When you look back on your trip, what is the first thing that pops into your mind?

We were so pleased to learn so much about Maori culture on our Stray tour- from the very start until the very end. Having not been exposed to it previously, we were grateful and inspired by how much respect and pride New Zealand has for its Maori history. This will always be the first thing we think about when we reflect on our trip.

Tourists on the Franz Josef glacier
Pure happiness on Franz Josef glacier

Take a look at our current NZ Stray tours covering North Island, South Island or both in a whole of New Zealand tour.


Do you want to share stories from your Stray Days with us?
Contact [email protected] for more details.

Tara profile picture

Tara

Originally from Birmingham, UK. Favourite Stray stop: Tongariro National Park. Fun fact: she has done every Bungy Jump in New Zealand.

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New Zealand is a tiny country that packs a scenic punch! Explore New Zealand the 'Stray' way - getting further off the beaten track, seeking out one-of-a-kind experiences and meeting a bunch of epic fellow adventurers.
All tours are Stray Journey small group tours!

Wanderlust - See it All in NZ

24 days - starts & ends in Auckland

On this trip, you get the best combination of nature, relaxation, beautiful scenery and adrenaline. In 24 days, you will experience beautiful nature consisting of rainforests, mountains and volcanoes.

Takahe - South Island Tour

11 days - starts & ends in Christchurch

From the golden sands of Abel Tasman National Park to the West Coast’s glaciers and rainforests, the party and adventure capital of Queenstown, to the “Roof of Aotearoa” Mt Cook National Park.

Ruru - All of NZ Tour

18 days - starts in Auckland, ends in Christchurch

Hike some of New Zealand’s best tracks, kayak at sunrise, taste a delicious traditional hangi meal, bathe in a hot thermal stream surrounded by native bush.

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