Holidays in New Zealand: tips

To make your New Zealand vacation fun, comfortable and memorable, read these ten tips for vacationers:

• New Zealanders are a welcoming and friendly people. There are almost no natural dangers, poisonous snakes or dangerous wild animals in the country, almost no blood-sucking insects. A small danger is posed by sand fleas, which are common on the beaches. The only venomous creature on the islands is the rare red katipo spider, whose venom is dangerous to humans. But it is found only in the northern part of the country. There are no special restrictions on clothing, even when visiting churches or traditional Māori festivals.

• There are no restrictions on photography, only in churches and museums you should ask permission before using your camera, but usually there are signs everywhere explaining the norms.

• There are several types of accommodation in New Zealand. The cheapest is for those traveling with a backpack. There are inexpensive hotels with a standard list of services. There are also posh hotels, in which everything will be liked. New Zealand is a tourist country, the hotel business in it is established. By the way, this country is recognized as one of the world leaders in providing facilities for the disabled and people with disabilities.

• Cleanliness on the streets of cities and in public places is exceptional. Fighting in the street is, of course, not accepted. It is monitored, so, at the very least, they will be surprised, and may even write a fine.

• Milk and dairy products are safe to eat as they are carefully processed. Local meat and poultry in all forms, seafood, vegetables and fruits are also safe.

• Hard liquor is only sold in specialized Bottle Stores. Some restaurants allow you to bring your own spirits, in which case a BYO sign is posted in a prominent place.

• The crime rate here is low. If a theft has occurred, special attention should be paid to filling out the paperwork with the police, with a detailed report required, rather than a receipt for the loss (usually a simple report sheet with the word theft), for which it is almost impossible to get compensation.

• Serious drugs and related drug abuse are virtually non-existent, drug use and dealing is strictly prohibited, but there is some "pot smoking" around here, especially on the North Island. Tobacco is sold everywhere, but it is very expensive. Smoking is prohibited in all public places, on all forms of transportation, in hotels and even in some restaurants.

• New Zealand does not have local telecom operators. The optimal option is to buy at the airport SIM-card operators Vodafone or 2degrees. Places work from 7 am to 4-5 pm. After 5 pm there may be difficulties with currency exchange, lunch in cafes, buying groceries or refueling the car, with checking into a local (not network, international) hotel or hostel (if you plan to arrive after 20 hours, it is better to inform about it in advance). On national or religious holidays in New Zealand everything is closed, because on Queen's Day or Easter, for example, it is legally forbidden to work. And also here is not very fast internet, and it is not everywhere.

• Tip is 5-10% of the bill in a restaurant (but not in a cafe), in major tourist centers. In provincial establishments do not usually take tips. And in general, it is easier to eat here on your own than in restaurants or cafes. Since the usual check costs not less than 70 NZD, and you can buy this or that fried meat or fatty dishes from it. And on the same check in the supermarket or store is quite realistic to buy food for a good lunch, and will remain for dinner.