Here is our final entry from Gallipoli.... 26 April 2015 As we sit on our balcony soaking up the warmth of the late afternoon sun, we are reflecting on ANZAC Eve and ANZAC Day in Gallipoli. All Mum can say is “It’s an experience I’ll never forget. I can’t believe I’ve done it. It’s a numbness that I’m really here. Amazing! I came. I saw. I conquered.” Once through all the bus registration, checkpoints to have passport checked and ballot tickets scanned we finally arrived at Mimoza Park , the ‘holding bay’ until our bus shuttle number was called. So thankful for the assisted mobility pass for Mum; it was a 3km walk to the commemoration site. A final check point and bag check we were ushered to our seats. There were lots of volunteers from ... read more

A change of pace was planned into the itinerary for today and was greatly appreciated. Breakfast was leisurely, as our departure for the ancient city of Troy was 10:00am. The half hour drive enabled us to see a different area of this lovely country. The sun shone brightly and warmed our spirits. There were moments of hilarity on the bus with wonderful banter between our guide, Okan, and historian, Peter. Peter (who reminds us of Wallace from ‘Wallace and Grommit fame) was with us for the experience of Troy. Okan recounted the history, mixing truth with legend in a delightful way. It was a fun and lighthearted journey. The Trojan Horse towered above us. It’s a replica of course! I was looking at the horse and, when I turned around, whom should I see but my ... read more

A significant moment was experienced as we stepped off the bus and onto the soil of Ari Burnu…ANZAC Cove. Nick McCallum and his cameraman, Paul, from the Channel 7 news team greeted us. They led us onto the beach and away from the main group. We stood on the exact place of the landing, picking up the stones that those adventurous, charging, mostly inexperienced young men would have scrambled over…including Mum’s father, my grandfather. I was more emotional than Mum! She was incredibly calm and told the journalists so as she was interviewed. (Not sure when it will be aired!) To look out across the sea and imagine the boats filled with these young soldiers who had no idea what lay ahead; to visualize them entering the water and crunching the stones of this foreign land; ... read more

A pictorial overview of the beautiful Topkapi Palace...... read more

A cool, cloudy morning encouraged us to snuggle in bed a bit longer. This meant a later breakfast but it was still very leisurely. We breakfasted beside an Australian couple who live near the NSW / Queensland border, and chatted….of course! We didn’t leave the dining area until well after 10 o’clock! We ventured outside the hotel grounds for a brief stroll in the gradually warming sunshine. We particularly noted the blossoms bursting from their buds and the fresh green leaves appearing on the trees. The trees had barely a tinge of green when we arrived on Thursday. As we are about to embark on the tour we decided to have another very quiet day. The sun on the balcony was glorious and we took delight in soaking it up. (Thanks for the Sudoku, Lynne!) Our ... read more