It struck me as a teenager that the best things in life were free. Noticing sudden disappearance of free tea and coffee facilities on arrival at Auckland Airport, I felt like putting down on paper what other free things one can still enjoy in Auckland and possibly even get high from right now, despite all the winter chill and gloom. While everyone can choose for oneself, here is what I came up with: 1. GO FOR A WALK If you like it big, take the 16 kilometre coast to coast walk from the downtown ferry terminal to Onehunga. Or get a short and sweet one strolling across funky Albert Park. There is a range of walks of various length and feel to explore: Judges Bay, Symonds St. Cemetery, Ports of Auckland's red fence walk, North Shore Literary Walk and even The Engineering Heritage of Auckland Trail. For keen naturalists there are walks in notorious Auckland Domain, breathtaking Mount Eden and versatile One Tree Hill; for less adventurous there are downtown, midtown and uptown heritage walks as well as walks in virtually every suburb including St. Heliers, Grafton, Parnell and Ellerslie Town. Of a particular interest is Ponsonby heritage walk and especially K Rd walk (request a free guided tour with amazing local historian Edward Bennett on K' Rd website; it is arguably the best guided tour in NZ, absolute delight for all senses). Whatever option you chose, walking will keep you fit, entertained and could even open up new horizons. Pick up a free brochure with suggested routing map and places of interest from your local library, i-Site or download from the Auckland City Council's website. Leave boredom, tiredness and everything negative behind, get on your sneakers, sexy sporty apparel and off you go to better emotions and exciting discoveries! 2. EXPLORE THE MUSEUMS Auckland Memorial Museum is finally free for Auckland ratepayers with a proof of address. Get your free I AM card at the museum and you will no longer be asked for a donation again. There is a range of objects throughout museum that could give insights into the hidden gay history, from the magnificent building itself, erotically charged sculptures, mythological Greek pottery, Samurai sword and Chinese Emperor's short sleeve robe to pink triangle in the Holocaust gallery. Recent addition is a new interactive aqua trail to explore using one's ipad or iphone (or you can borrow free ipod from the ticket desk). Voyager Maritime Museum became free for locals too. If sailing rocks your boat, a visit to Voyager is a must. While there don't miss out "Te Waka: Our great journey", animated ten minute film which retells the story of the migratory voyage to New Zealand by the first Polynesian settlers. There are various themed galleries where maritime enthusiast can truly immerse themselves into this gender regulated world and quench ones thirst for almost any marine kink. 3. GET A FREE RIDE AT BRITOMART Auckland's central station is more than a pick up place. Warm, welcoming and trendy in any weather it features open living room with a wide screen TV that one can enjoy in usually rather diverse company. Wait for your turn and grab a complimentary copy of New Zealand Herald that is circulated in the area. Alternate between people-watching and watching rugby on the Sky Sports channel. Once tired, get on a free red City Circuit bus for a ride across the city. This eco-friendly hybrid red bus can get you to the University, The Civic or The Sky Tower with more stops in between. Bus leaves every 10 minutes from 8am to 6pm and if you are into twinks, go for a ride in the morning. 4. SURF AT THE LIBRARY Wi-Fi access, free internet access to practically uncensored websites tempts with possibilities (but please me mindful of children around as well of 100mb set limit). Plug in your laptop and start surfing, or Skype with your friends overseas or just recharge your batteries. Remember to get up to the top floor for free temporary exhibitions. For a free lunch time concert get down to the central library on Thursday at 12-30. To enhance your library experience, book yourself on a free Discover-your-library tour and get close and personal with a friendly staff or check it through the back door by taking free Behind the Scenes tour. Central Library has been a long supporter of Auckland LGBT community, there is a very well used catalogue of gay fiction on the ground floor; Gay Times magazine is featured among other periodicals and there is truly amazing selection of gay and lesbian literature in the sexual studies section on the first floor. Free Citizens Advise Bureau and JP services are also available at Library's CBD branch; they include job search advice, general legal advice and even financial and budgeting consultations (these require appointment). 5. GO CRUISING Ports of Auckland shout Aucklanders a one hour full commentary free boat cruise. While concentrating on the ports area, a bit of a shabby (or if you prefer, retro) boat goes as far as the Viaduct and Harbour Bridge- loads of fun in the right weather. Seats are still available for July a as well as August and September cruises, boat sails on Thursdays at odd 11am. Book your complimentary ticket with 360 discovery, pack up wisely, take earplugs to use when you get enough of onboard commentary about port operation, put on your sunglasses, hat and wave all your fans goodbye from the pier! 6. CHECK OUT THE ART SCENE Auckland Gallery is a flash place to see and be seen at. Sign up for a free newsletter to be the first one to know about any upcoming events. The gallery provides a free 45-minute guided tours daily at 2pm. Experienced guides will bring works of art alive, teach you how to distinguish Lindauer from Goldie at the first glance and tell you stories behind displayed paintings. If hungry for more, take "Walk of Art" through other galleries in the central city, ask for a free detailed brochure at the information desk. Both Artstation at no. 1 Ponsonby Road and ARTSPACE at no. 300 K-road have free exhibitions with later arranging series of Saturday Talks on selected Saturdays at 3pm. TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre at the magnificently restored Pah Homestead in Mount Cecilia Park features extensive collection of the contemporary NZ arts. Centre is free to public and open every day except on Mondays. 7. VOLUNTEER FOR A GOOD CAUSE Like a good sex, volunteering is as much giving as getting. While for enthusiast volunteering in a field of interest would be rewarding in itself, many organisations also give their volunteers some special privileges, provide training and various other opportunities including hand-on job experience and industry knowledge, mastering specific skills etc. Auckland Zoo volunteers get a chance to participate in late night events that include popular concerts. Guides on Tiritiri Matangi island sanctuary get free ticket to this utopic destination in the Waitemata Harbour. If you would like to make a change in people's lives and support the community, consider becoming volunteer counsellor for the OUTLine New Zealand. Get to know yourself and other people around you better, learn valuable interpersonal skills that will empower you to make a difference and get things better. Or volunteer with the New Zealand AIDS foundation, there are a range of options from condom packing to helping out during Bear Week and other events. 8. BREAK THROUGH BORDERS If you like breakfast at Tiffany's, go for lunch or dinner at Borders. Borders is an iconic institution, where you can hang out for hours, browsing the latest books, magazines and DVDs in welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Born in intellectual Ann Arbor, hometown of Michigan University, the Borders concept became so popular that its outlets quickly spread among the most cosmopolitan and stylish cities of the world. In its heyday the company had over 1,200 stores but increased competition, popularity of e-books and recession made it file for bankruptcy in the US and go through liquidation in several countries. With last stores in Australia closing in July it may not be long before the brand becomes extinct. So don't delay your visit to this trendy book club, choose from three stores in Auckland and indulge in the world of words. Visiting most popular Queen St store is like going to a free gay cruise club where you are the one in charge. Scan through familiar and new magazines all competing for your personal attention; pick up the one you fancy today and check the merchandise. No need to bring it home unless you are after long-term relationship; have an quickie instead on the spot or pile some up and fetch them for an orgy on a couch. If not satisfied, descend down the Egyptian tombs central staircase and go hunting for other precious treasures through the intriguing labyrinth of passages, halls and chambers on several levels. Don't miss gay and lesbian bookshelves (yes, you guessed it- in the basement, at the back of the maze, behind general psychology). Grab the book you like and relax in one of the armchairs neatly placed throughout the store (when all seem to be taken, check out seating area between the cafe and DVD place). Listen to a soft music and scroll through pages for as long as you like/can. The central store is conveniently open until 10pm on Saturdays and Fridays and 9pm on other days. 9. GET TO A FREE CONCERT No need to wait for free summer concerts in the parks as Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra provides several Happy Hour Concerts throughout the year with next one on 19 July. Happy Hour acts as a teaser before a big forthcoming concert where its most digestible and crowd pleasing pieces are introduced to a wider audience. Complimentary tickets need to be booked on Auckland Philharmonia's website and can be collected right before the performance at the magnificent Town Hall. One hour concert with an interval could be a very entertaining and light introduction to more serious music- ideal for classical virgins, and it goes in friendly if rather unconventional atmosphere. Grandeur interior, chandeliers, red carpet, stained windows, mirrors and the grand staircase all give an excuse to put on your best outfit. While cruising around during an interval check out the poshest gents toilet in Auckland with antique urinals dating back to 1911 (there is an actual plaque proudly attached to them). If you are likely to get affected by crying and shouting children, consider consuming alcohol in the buffet before the performance or during an interval, it definitely puts you in a happier mood. 10. MAKE A SPLASH Get in your speedos and visit any of the six pools in Manukau free of charge. There are five indoor aquatic centres operating all year round, seven days a week in Mangere, Otara, Pakuranga, Papatoetoe and Manurewa. Check out what all the controversy about free pools is about and if it really worth it. Due to certain demographic trends visit to these pools may be especially appealing to lovers of spicy exotics. Caution: free hot showers during winter apparently do attract all sorts of people from very different backgrounds. Alexander Lowe is an Eastern European on a voyage of self-discovery. He lives in the eastern suburbs with a view of Rangitoto. Auckland is his favourite city, well after Prague. And after Vancouver. And Montreal. And maybe Wellington. "I like New Zealanders, I like being a New Zealander and being able to call it home. I like its freedom, open horizons, nature, history, morality, spirit, sense of humor. Immigration for me is a journey, transformationfromold self (leaving behindunwanted cocoon of failures and doubts) into a new state of mind in entirelynewuniverse." Alexander Lowë - 20th July 2011