In cafes and restaurants, you either need to pay at the beginning, at the checkout when ordering or after eating, go to the checkout yourself. And they often ask for a name. Lovely!

A lot of stylish institutions, galleries, shops, museums, parks. A lot of obese people. Fast food is popular here. Very few smokers. Even on the open areas of cafes and in front of shops there are signs: "Thank you for not smoking with us." People smoke mainly a wipe. They have Ayko here thanks God! But almost no one knows about it.

People are very polite and friendly. And they immediately ask you, like Odessa people would do: "And where did you come from?"

From Auckland, we took the train to Wellington, the capital of NZ. We drove 12 hours in a comfortable small train. There was a special carriage for photographers with open windows. Beautiful views, but so far nothing special, very similar to the European part.

I liked Wellington more than Auckland somehow. It is quieter, more individual, more specific. And their Zealand Park is generally something special! A huge territory with many routes, perfectly organized. A lot of different birds. They study the past, monitor the present and breed endangered birds.

In general, the tourism business in NZ works like a Swiss watch. Everything in time (boats, trains, buses, excursions), many tourists centers offering help. Karina has said many times that everything is organized just like in Switzerland. Until we arrived for our car, booked in advance. Later it turned out that Karina chose the worst company. Service for the C grade. But so far so good, the car on the go after many problems, but we can handle it.

Many Thai, Indian, Vietnamese kitchen. Everywhere is very tasty. Pizza and McDonald's are also available. But we didn't try only New Zealand one. What the irony!

In some restaurants and cafes you can eat only inside, although there are tables outside. You can only take away and then sit on the street.

Everywhere they give a liter of still water for free.

In the shops are excellent vegetables and fruits, tasty meat. Large selection of cheese, delicious bread. Lots of yummy wine and beer. NZ is famous for Sauvignon Blanc, we like their Chardonnay more thou. We got addicted to the local Pale Ale. We even saw the Ukrainian Obolon beer, but only non-alcoholic.

Strong drinks can only be found at specialty stores. There is everything - and even Russian vodka. And a beautiful Cuban rum.

Almost all NZ residents were involved in the filming. And not only the Lord of the Rings. There was also King Kong, Xena and other films. But The Lord of the Rings is the main event, of course. In the North, near Auckland, is the famous Hobbits Village. We decided to go there at the end of the trip. And yesterday we flew on an old plane with an open cockpit above the field and lakes, where the main battle scene of The Lord of the Rings was filmed. It is in the southern part, near the city of Twizel.

The case happened in Wellington:
walking along the street, Karina wanted a coffee and I wanted a beer. Through the open door of the cafe, I saw beer bottles of a craft beer. It turned out these bottles supposed to be for water. The waitress so sincerely and for a long time apologized, and even explained where the nearest pub was. I was very surprised and moved.

yesterday, after a super flight, we returned to our former place for an overnight stay - it is very good and quiet. Besides us, there was only a couple from Germany, we make friends with them. They have a solar battery - our devices were charged, we can finally survive without electricity! We invited them in the evening for coffee and rum - it was wonderful, we talked a lot and had a fantastic evening. Beautiful couple: he is already retired, she is still working. They are traveling since the late 90s. They gave us a lot of advices.

And today for me there was a surprise from Karina - absolutely crazy and delightful! We fly again, but this time on a glider, without a motor! We were separated because there is only one passenger seat in each. This is unbelievable! First, a plane with a motor lifts you into the sky with a cable, then the cable unhooks and you plane like a bird on air currents! Over the mountains, lakes. Long trip. Sometimes troubled by changes in height, turns, speed and wind.

I was more fortunate than Karina - we were much higher and flew over the mountains, my pilot was sociable. Karina's pilot was silent, and he never caught the wind to rise higher and fly around the glacier.

Not only I was scared time to time, Karina too. She knows more about air flow - she did paragliding many years ago. I just farted, prayed and trusted the pilot:) Ah, yes, and at the very beginning - when they explain about the parachute, how the roof opens, how to unfasten the carbines and pull on which ring - it's also was a little bit annoying! And they also show the vomiting bag!

Of course, after such a flight, we were a little uncomfortable - such a height, turns, falls and rises. And incredible views! It looks my breath away! Oh this is a beauty!

Karina was a little upset that her pilot was so silent and could not rise higher. But still happy. And we decided enough flights for now :)

And we again returned to our favourite place - now all alone!) This place is not indicated in the local App for campers. At the other pace that we drove, a lot of cars. And there is no view of Mount Cook.

Actually it is very windy now. Even the car was "stormy" along the way. But we are happy to be here again. Home sweet home! All alone, as if it is the end of the world!

We already third evening here. The lake has such an unusual color, because the water from the glacier. The smell is fishy. They grow salmon here. Several times I saw large fish jumping out of the water. And of course birds loving local fish.