Sara Strachan

When I’m not at work or travelling I’m…

To be found longboarding along Brighton seafront!

If I wasn’t working for Travel Nation I would be…

Snowboarding somewhere.

On my RTW trip I spent longer than expected in:

Byron Bay - I loved it so much I had to change my tickets!

Which place exceeded your expectations on your travels and why?

Gili Trawangan, Lombok - I love this place, there are no cars or motor bikes, just horse and cart and bicycles! It also has the most beautiful beach in the world and you can swim with turtles everyday! In total I have spent over 3 months on this tiny island!

What are your top 5 must-pack items?

Wateproof camera, sarong, iPod, fire poi and a good book.

When staying in a hotel room for more than one night do you a) Unpack your bags or b) live from your rucksack?

I never unpack my bag and a few months down the line I can surprise myself with what I find at the bottom!

What was your first great travel experience?

My first round the world trip - I had no idea what to expect and then wished I had gone to some even more far flung destinations.

What are your top 3 places in the world?

Gili Trawangan, Lombok, Byron Bay - Australia and Luang Phrabang waterfall in Laos.

What is your favourite hotel, why and where is it?

The treehouse I stayed in in Khao Sok National Park, Thailand with 360 views of the jungle

Best beach

Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands, Australia where I worked on a boat. Oh and Aitutaki Lagoon.

Most depressing place

Ferry from Lombok to Bali where the boat had about 20 times the legal and twice the normal amount of people on board after the Nyepi Festival. I was crammed on to about 10 inches of floor squashed between bodies and a bin, whilst I thought I was suffering from Dengue fever.

Where/what would you really like to visit?

So many places are on my list! Currently at the top are Zanzibar (for diving and kitesurfing).

What is the weirdest thing you have eaten whilst abroad?

Tarantula leg! And then I accidentally ate some kind of stew in Kuala Lumpur which half way through I discovered it had lots of small hearts in it! Ewww.

Have you ever worked abroad? If so explain…

I have worked all around Australia, charity fundraising in Perth, working on a Pearl farm boat in Broome, chef and photographer on a dive boat in the Whitsunday Islands and selling surf trips in Sydney. I've also worked as a photographer in Greece for Club Med, Windsurfing Instructor in France and bar staff in the Alpes.

What do you miss most from home whilst you are away?

Baked beans on toast and friends!