Gallipoli
Trip Start
May 21, 2008
1
35
39
Trip End
Jul 01, 2008
Gallipoli,
Canakkale,
Turkey
Thursday, June 26, 2008
We have finally visited the sites of Gallipoli, the highlight Gary was very keen for. Early start 0630 in the morning and then a 5 hour bus drive out to the peninsula. Very emotional, so many cemeteries, well maintained. The graves (if they have one) are very sad to read, so young and so many. The mean age for the Turkish soldier was 22 and Australia 23. It is overwhelming the loss of life and the "stuff ups" that contributed to the sad history. Many memorials have been built and we had an excellent guide who really gave us valuable and detailed insight.
Stood on the beach at Anzac Cove and splashed in the water that once turned to red from the blood loss, and looked up the steep hills surrounding contemplating the enormity of it all
Simple stone that says so much
.Unfortunately the museum was closed, renovation, so disappointing I had planned to search for Maurice's' photo. It was very windy and sooo hot, walked through the trenches, you can see how close they were to each other. Sharing provisions, across 8 metres, we drove along the ridge separating the trenches, No Mans Land, looking down into Shrapnel alley.
The Lone Pine Memorial is really something, so many dead with their names entered on a wall, "believed to be buried here", and the youngest Aussie was 14 years old. The Pine tree has a story too, but that would probably be too long. Needless to say it relates from a Mother who lost her son. We left a small Aussie flag here.
After this climbed on board a ferry for the trip over the Dardanelles, some of the other people could not believe the boat was going to take us all. It was like a converted fishing boat; thank goodness we had the sense to just bring an overnight back pack. We got here okay and checked into Anzac House; giving Gary is first taste of hostel life. To me just like camping, but I think the ship spoiled our Gazza, not impressed with 'roughing' it... Tomorrow we will be visiting the ancient city of Troy.
Comments
Gallipoli
What a moving and emotional journal entry! Reading your story makes us feel as if we're there with you.
Make sure Gary doesn't get too used to the high life, unfortunately it will be all back to reality too soon.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday. Look forward to hearing about Troy and the last few steps of your journey.
The Fletchers.
Re: Gallipoli
Yes no words can really describe the sense of loss of this sad place over 500 died each day. See you soon