Well folks this is the end of our New Zealand adventure. We are on to new pastures and with that our blog address is changing. You can now visit us a aristopoor.com. We chose the new name because it is less dependent on location and somewhat fitting to our personalities. See you there.

Well today I got to test out New Zealand’s ACC benefits, which cover all accidents in NZ. Apparently when you just finish sharpening a large kitchen knife to a razor edge you shouldn’t leave it on the counter with half of the handle hanging over the edge. A whole lot of blood and two stitches later I was driving myself home from the emergency room, (Marcy won’t drive our car) no bill and a very interesting demonstration on how to tie stitches and an explanation on how local anesthetic works.

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Here’s our new place. We have escaped the moldy dungeon and found sanctuary in a deluxe apartment in the sky. We have a great view, sunshine, a washer dryer, counter space, storage, parking and the library is right across the street. I did have to make Marcy start taking Muay Thai Boxing classes, now that her commute is only one block.

This past Sunday, we when to Kapiti Island. It is a nature reserve about an hour north of where we live, just off the coast. Birds are everywhere. It was like walking through a giant aviary. We also saw the rare taheka which looks like an ancient blue chicken.

We had to take the Te Aihe ferry to the island. We wanted to go to the North End. However, the boat captain didn’t drop us off at the right location. So, we got to hike up and down a mountain in the middle of the island instead. If we ever go again, we’ll use the other ferry service.

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Another hike another light house. The only light house in New Zealand to have a female lighthouse keeper. Mary jane Bennett was the wife of the previous keeper, George Bennett, who drowned in the harbor in 1855.

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