Barbara's travels continue 2018

Whilst most of the world was at a standstill, we were fortunate enough to continue life as normal, apart from closed borders. I made the most of the fantastic Summertimes activities, just in case we suddenly went up a level or two, which would lead to cancellations or postponements. Actually, only at the start of March did we experience some restrictions, but only for a short time.  Friday Evening concerts, classical, jazz and music of the musicals, in Victoria were very popular and glorious in the late afternoon sunshine. As we basked in the pleasant rays of evening sunshine, we were joined by quarantined guests on their balconies in the highrise appartments overlooking the square. I am sure they were happy to have something special to break up the 14 days in isolation.  Sunday afternoon jazz concerts in the gardens of The Old Stone House were so restful and such a pleasant way to spend 3 hours. We were treated to some great music, including internationally acclaimed violinist, Fiona

Six days of some of the most majestic and diverse scenery in the world, starting from The Canterbury Plains, through the gentle tussock-covered foothills of the Southern Alps, the beautiful beech forest of Arthur's Pass, down the spectacular Otira Gorge with its vivid Rata trees, to pop out into a completely different world on The wild West Coast with its dense rain forest and spectacularly rugged coastline. .  It does not matter if you are visiting for the first time or the fifty first time, the coastline at Punakaiki is simply jaw-droppingly fabulous! It is all so accessible thanks to the wonderful tracks, such as the Truman Track. After an easy 10-minute stroll through the dense native forest, then you pop out at this incredible viewpoint across the cliffs to Punakaiki's famous Pancake Rocks in the distance. Here too you can enjoy the blowholes and the cliffs and caves across the beach. Of course, nothing quite compares to the Pancake Rock loop track where you can let your