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Published: August 8th 2007
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Yes I ran away and I'm in Turkey. Turkey was a pleasant surprise I was expecting the dirt and grime of Cairo to be in Istanbul but it turned out to be a nice clean place considering 16 million of people live there. The disorganisation of the tour was as expected, we arrived at the first hotel only to be told that this was not the hotel that we were staying at even though all the travel documentation said so. But a tip for those visiting Istanbul in the future, cross the Art Otel off your list of places to stay.
It was novel in that you could hear someone breathing in the room next door (something to do with the window that formed a wall in the back of a cupboard ???, oh and the full height window that was the wall from the room to the corridor) but after 30 plus hours sleeping in an economy seat it was an improvement. The hotel the next night was much better even though we couldn’t stay there when the tour returned to Istanbul, something to do with someone on the other bus deciding that the tv would get better reception
as it fell four floors to the ground, oh well it cost him $250 US for the pleasure of such an obscure thought at 6am after a few drinks. Plus we got to sample a diferent Istanbul hotel when we got back to Istanbul after eight days touring.
The main thing you notice about Istanbul is mosques, like they are on every second corner and they are huge. Every one raves about the blue mosque but there are another twenty or so that are almost as big. But the blue mosque is impressive. Apart from mosques the Turkish love tulips and kebabs. There are tulips everywhere, plus you’re never short of a kebab shop. Although the turkish coffee has got nothing on the nuns or grind.
The whole idea of the trip to Turkey was to be at Anzac Cove for the dawn service on Anzac Day. Oh and something to do with having a unique way to turn 40. Luke on the same bus as me turned 21 on Anzac Day as well, so that was kind of novel for the bus, plus we got cake. After touring the battlefields we made the trek to where the
dawn service was held. The Australian Government has this well organised, you go through a security screening and get tagged, you get your showbag with Anzac biscuits, poncho, rubbish bag and booklets. From there you walk in and stakeout your little patch of turf that will be yours for the next 15 hours. We were fortunate enough to get there early and get a spot on the grass to lay out our sleeping bags. OK it gets cold at Gallipoli overnight, no lets rephrase that it gets freezing, but at least there was no-one shootig at me from the ridgeline.
Overnight they had the Navy band, some commentary and docos plus a 3am wake up call from Warren Brown asking everyone to move closer to fit more in. Then the sun started peak over the horizon. I didn’t get as moved by the dawn service as much as I expected but it was definitely one of those moments to remember. Especialy as the sun peaked over the Sphinx and the bugler played the Last Post.
After the dawn service we all then walked the 3 km uphill to the Lone Pine service. It was here that 300 or
so of those travelling with us gave a splendid rendition of happy birthday to Luke and I. It was very special.
The Lone Pine service was definitely a highlight and well worth the long uphill walk. Strangely enough it was absolutely freezing there as well, with a nice refreshing breeze coming through the stands. So it was back on with the layers and the sleeping bag as a granny rug. But come the service the sun was shining.
After that we ran away to our coach for the long bus trip around the rest of Turkey. Kusadasi was a great place to spend two nights especially after too many hours in bus (how come things always sound close together in the tour brochure???). The hotel was nice and new and flash. Ephesus was a good way to spend part of the day walking around the ruins and checking out the arena. Plus we got to go to a carpet factory/shop where they tried to sell us the finest of carpets, although the silk on silk rug nearly got me, I just wasn’t in the mood to try and bargain down the $40 000 price. But there was some
really nice carpets and the whole salesmanship was outstanding. After that it was the leather factory, again no success in getting me to buy a leather jacket.
After a look at the calcium terraces of Pamukkale and a swim in the health spa pools (where some Europeans decided to use it as a fashion shoot) it was the long bus trip up to Bursa about eight or ten hours. Helped by the other bus blowing a tyre, which led to an improtu game of cricket at the servo (complete with streaker) while it was fixed. The passing Turkish motorists and tractorists liked this.
One last night in Istanbul at Taksin square partying with the bus load and the trendy locals. The live band was good but it wasn’t the brass monkey. I can highly recommend the few hours sleep before getting an early flight to London then to Paris. You have to love Heathrow, you line up to get into the country do the full x-ray thing then you get on a bus go to another terminal and line up to get on your plane to get out of the country. But there was no hassle picking up
the car in Paris and driving the 450 km to Nantes.
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