Gelibolu, or as we call it, Gallipoli

We got to the Çanakkale Peninsula at about 3pm after a pleasant drive day, and met our guide at the museum on the Gelibolu penninsula. He gave us a tactical rundown of events surrounding the Battle of Gallipoli from a Turkish perspective, which was really interesting. We then went into the museum to see artifacts, uniforms and weapons from the battles. It was a good intro for the afternoon, and I had no idea how many monuments and battlefields and cemetries and trenches there were to come.

We first visited the main cemetry on the coast near ANZAC cove. The cove itself is really beautiful, and you get an idea about the cliffs that the ANZACS would have had to climb after being dropped of in deep water amid a barrage of fire from all sides. It must have been terrifying. Today it is picturesque. If there was any place you could want to be buried, this is it. Amazing ocean, sunset views, very peaceful.

We also visited Lone Pine, the Australian memorial. It was nice, but not as nice as the Turkish cemetry, which is colourful, full or flowers and islamic calligraphy decorationg the walls. There are two generals, one English and one Turkish buried in the Turkish cemetry who were found still clutching each other trying to kill each other when they died. Now they lie together in peace, which is a bit of a metaphor for relations between the countries since the war - we're all friends now.

We also saw the New Zealand memorial, which is at the highest point on the penninsula. The kiwi forces managed to take a strategic point, a mountain called Chunuk Bear on which you could see both sides of the penninsula and which is easily defensible. Unfortunately, they waited for orders and reinforcements which never came, so after two days they fell to the turks. But this is where the Kiwi memorial stands, we saw it at sunset and I will never forget it. The setting sun was on one side, a full moon on the other. I was moved.

After our tour of the penninsula, we went back to camp and celebrated our LAST NIGHT IN TENTS!!! I am so thankful I don't have to put up and take down a tent and blow up lilos again, it's hotels and hostels the whole way from now on, YAY!!!!

ISTANBUL HERE WE COME!! :)

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