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The not-so shortlist

We had fabulous fun reading through entries to our ‘strangest thing’ travel stories competition. These are our 20 favourites.

Coches locos

Rachel Webb narrowly avoids collision with some rather singular vehicles.

Duckzilla

Eleanor Christie questions her sanity and sobriety in Krakow.

Yat-chan and Fuku-chan

Claire Potter gets a shock in a Japanese restaurant.

As if by magic…

Alison Roberts has a magical encounter in the backstreets of Marrakech.

Jade hitching in New Zealand © Jade Johnston

A wild ride in NZ

Jade Johnston has a memorable time hitching in New Zealand.

Basho and the spider

A run-in with the world’s largest spider, in Laos.

My Cusack moment

Joshua Weinman describes a wet and wonderful moment in Buenos Aires.

A fire display at Kiwiburn © kiwiburn.com

Carry on at Kiwiburn

James Cook takes a tour of Kiwiburn, the New Zealanders’ answer to Burning Man.

Welcome to Russia

A heady first taste of Russia, by Nicola Roberts.

You never forget your first?

Ross Morrison McGill describes a freak accident on an Indian train.

Lego Man! Driving safely in Puglia, Italy © Andrew Scott

A second Italian language

Andrew Scott learns to communicate, without words, in Italy.

Down and out, down under

A British girl in distress receives help from an unlikely source in Sydney.

Bangkok dangerous

Allen McAvoy’s run-in with some questionable street meat.

Running with a suitcase © John Paul Robinson

Seconds to spare

A tale of getting to the airport on time, by Kelly Dennett.

Travelling takes its toll

Nazreen Fazal gets duped in Italy.

Bethelehem, Church of the Nativity © myheartinpalestineII

Postcard from Bethlehem

Lena Walton visits Bethlehem on Christmas Day, but a few zillion other people have the same idea.

Let’s go round again

Michael Delaney has a surreal road trip in Ireland.

The Miners’ Club incident

Kathryn Johns has a fright in Skegness.

Seven in a bed

A strangely cosy Vietnamese bus journey, by Ella Wesolowicz.

The New Mosque, Istanbul © Antony Barton

Welcome to Istanbul

Erin Porter on her collegiate run-around-Europe-with-backpack-half-the-size-of-her-body.