“ There are no strangers in this world , only friends I haven ’ t met yet .”

That ’ s the belief of members of Friendship Force Marlborough , a group of 54 Marlburians who are part of an international organisation that aims to foster world peace through shared travel and home-hosting .

Friendship Force International was founded in the USA in 1977 and has since spread to more than 300 clubs in over 60 countries . The Blenheim chapter , which was founded more than 30 years ago , is one of 21 clubs throughout New Zealand .

Long-time member and Friendship Force Marlborough president , Val McMurtry , originally joined in 1989 .

“ I wouldn ’ t have travelled nearly as much or as far if I hadn ’ t joined the group all those years ago ,” she says , and rattles off a list of the countries she ’ s visited in the past 20 years . “ Brazil , Jakarta , USA , England , Germany , Canada . It definitely makes travel easier and there ’ s nothing better than travelling with friends , having someone to share your experiences with - it ’ s great for solo travellers ,” she adds .

The Marlborough club is allocated one international journey per year to a reciprocating club . They stay with club members coordinated by their hosting clubs . Staying with host families gives them unique insights into the local way of life .

Friendship Force Marlborough treasurer , Robert Cooper , says spending time with host families is always a highlight .

“ The people you meet are simply amazing ,” Robert says . “ I get more out of sitting around the kitchen table talking about their everyday lives and their lifestyle than you could ever get from a guide .”

Later this year they are off to Vietnam for 16 days , where they will stay with host families some of the time and visit a village that cares for people with serious health issues caused by the United States military ’ s use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War .

Next year they will journey to Taiwan and Japan , where they will sleep on tatami mats on the floor alongside their host families .

While they visit some tourist attractions as a group , they also spend time with their host families who devise experiences based on their own favourite things to do and places to go , Robert says .