Blogs from Gallipoli, Marmara, Turkey, Middle East

Having been to Gallipoli twice before, both times just before Anzac Day to visit the historical sites and then for the Dawn service, I wasn’t sure whether a third visit would be a bit same same. But visiting in summer, when it’s hot, and away from Anzac Day, when it’s far less crowded and more peaceful, brings a different perspective. Bringing kids (I’m hot, how much longer, can I have icecream) also changes things slightly. We arrived in Eceabat after an early start and long drive from Istanbul. A few refueling stops along the way and we were pleased to see that conditions were overcast with a very strong breeze whipping up the Dardanelles keeping the temperature reasonable. A quick lunch stop before we collected all the other Aussies and, inexplicably, an Italian and headed for ... read more

The time we spent on the Gallipoli battlefields was so informative. I thought i knew the history but until I listened to the tour guide, and reading all the information at the various memorials I did not really have the full story. Our Turkish tour guide told the story with such emotion, he had a few of the tour group in tears. After being in Turkey for a few days and hearing about the last 4000 years of their history I would say that warfare was part of their culture. These people had been fighting for their bit of land for a long time. Their other secret weapon was their general, later to be called Mustafa Ataturk. He ... read more

Gallipoli I grew up on a diet of annual commemorations on 25th April. Over time I have collected mental images of vast cemeteries with white symmetrical crosses all in columns and rows. The reality is starkly different. So I was surprised at how small the first cemetery I visited was. But then it sinks in – there are lots and lots of cemeteries each containing the remains of those of a particular segment of the campaign. Another unexpected discovery is how big the Gallipoli battle fields are in the minds of the Turkish people. The very first memorial site we came to in the Gallipoli peninsula was a huge Turkish memorial. From there on we got to see the effect of the Turks losing about 3 times as many as the British and allies. When we ... read more

Left the nice camp site & hippy types with the beautiful sight of Samothraki Island to our right in the Sea of Thrace ('I'm Spartacus!' & all that apparently). Cathy had a fight with the Dyson & after exploring' a few town back streets eventually got back onto the main road towards the Turkish border. We weren't that far away so were there inno time. We were waved through the Greek checkpoint, then stopped at the Turkish passport control, then the Customs control, then the documents control & finally the 'not sure what it was' control as all the chap did was to scan the bar code the previous controller had stuck on my passport – no wonder he looked bored. It was obviously a dangerous job as he carried a hand gun. At the Customs ... read more

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