Just in case you were getting bored of the humdrum routine of our year and half in New Plymouth, we've decided to switch things up again and move to Wellington! Tah dah! No boredom for my readers, no way!
As you probably surmised, that is not the reason for our upcoming move (although I do want to save you all from boredom when possible).
The real reason is: J got an amazing job at the National Headquarters of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)!! Yay for J!
MPI is the branch of government that J has worked for since we moved to NZ, and while he likes the branch, his current job is very high-stress and leaves him exhausted and worried at the end of each day, which is unhelpful in every aspect of life. He has therefore been on the lookout for a promotion to the main office in Wellington, where he could work in the same field, but in a different environment and fill a different role. And it finally happened! In November, J will become MPI's Senior Veterinary Medicines Advisor, and we will move to Wellington!
We will be sad to leave New Plymouth, where we have been happy, but Wellington will be a new and exciting step. We have enjoyed getting to know the people we've met here, but haven't made a lot of really close friends, so it's not as hard to leave as it might have been. Wellington is still just two hours away from Wanganui, where our closest Kiwi friends live, which means we'll still visit regularly. But regardless of other considerations, we're just so excited for J to finally have a job that he can enjoy.
Wellington is an upbeat, active city, and almost every Kiwi we've talked to about it has said that he/she would love to live there, so that's bound to be a good sign. Apparently, the only downside is that it's extremely windy, but we can deal with that.
I went to Wellington for the weekend with some friends, and had an energizing, pleasant time wandering around the waterfront and exploring. It made me even more excited to move there, as I can just imagine all the fun times J and I are going to have delving into all the interesting places there.
Wellington is the capital of NZ (hence J's work being there), and is located on the southern end of the North Island. It's population is a little over 200,000. It is built all around a big harbour, so that it has a long, winding waterfront with beautiful views to the land across. The islands in the middle of the harbour are wildlife sanctuaries, and just to the north-west of the main city is the Kapiti Coast, with Kapiti Island just offshore, both of which are stunningly beautiful.
I know I've posted pictures of Wellington before, but I thought I'd share a couple of my favourites, and some new ones that I took this weekend, so you can see what a beautiful place it is.
This is looking down from Mount Victoria, which is near the centre of the city, and one of the big Lord of the Rings filming locations.
This is one of my favourite areas along the waterfront.
Walk a little ways from there down Oriental Parade, which runs along the waterfront, and you get to this charming little beach.
This round building is the Beehive, which is the Parliament building. It's a few blocks away from the waterfront.
Right across the street from it is this building: Pastoral House is the MPI main office, where J will be working. It is so special for him to work right downtown!
This is looking in the other direction from near the top of Mount Victoria.
We are so lucky that J's exciting work opportunity is taking us to such and amazing and beautiful place!
That's awesome! Glad to hear. :-)
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