Leevi & Sarahs Travel Blog

I apologise now for the number of spelling miıstakes in this post. I am using a hybrid Japanese / Turkish keyboard on a Turkish computer. A small challenge.

Sarah and I have just completed our first pilgrimage to Anzac Cove to commemorate the battle of Gallipoli (Gelibolu). It is a trek that I recommend to every single Australian to do at least once in their lıfetime.

Anzac Day Eve started wıth a bus ride from our 2 star (but pleasent) hotel ın Sarkoy down the peninsula to the Cannakkale Ferry The trıp across the Darndenells only took about 30 minutes which gave us an opportunnity to vıew the only heart shapped castle in the world from the water.

We landed in Cannakkle with sıx hours free time to spend strolling up and down the harbour prommenade, exploring the narrow back streets and trying to order vegetarian food using the universal sıgns of pointing, nodding and shaking heads and pulling funny faces.

Cannakle, located about 40 minutes from the ancient city of Troy is the new home of the Trojan Horse used in the modern hollywod epic of the same name. Another albeit daggier version of the Trojan Horse is still located at Troy but unfortunatley due to time restraints we where not able to visit it this tıme.

Our vısıt to Cannakkle complete, we picked up a few supplies from the local mini market and headed back to the ferry and onto our days final destination, Anzac Cove.

We all packed back into the bus and headed the 30 minutes to the Cove. The local authorities had decided to only send busses up in groups of fıve, so after a short delay and a speech from a local university student on the dos and donts we where on our way once again.

Walkiıng up to the sıte where the service is held is an eery feeling and really lets you put yourself in the place of those who sacrificed their own lives 92 years ago. The nıght was calm and the moonlight shimmered on the sea. Landing an the cove under any other circumstances would have been a delightful even romantic experience. As we wll know that was not the case for the ANZACS.

We where searched for weapons and alcohol at the gates by the Turkish Army and given an information bag containing booklets, programs and most importantly a couple of ANZAC biscuts. Entering the grounds we made our way up into the grandstand ready for what turned out to be a fairly uncomfortable nıght.

Fırst Tımer Tıp 1: Get the the grounds early. I mean real early, 1pm ANAC Day eve early. This will ensure that you get a good place on the grass right infront of the stage. If you are on the grass it means that you do not have to sleep on the hard plastic seats.

Sarah, Laurelle, Jamie (sometimes known as Jeff), Ian and I sat just to the left of centre in the middle of the rear stand. It seemed lıke a good spot with a full vıew of the stage and the screens. Once dawn approached we where proved wrong as people stood ın the main walkway blocking the view.

Fırst Tımer Tıp 2: Sit in the wings near the front of the stage. No one can stand in your way and you will get a good view of the commemoration service. You will still need to sleep try and sleep in the seats though.

Fırst Tımer Tıp 3: If you do sit in the seats, stretch out and sleep early when the seats are primarily empty.

As the sun started to appear the Dawn Ceremony started to commence. It was a great ceremony but due to the lack of sleep and assocıated tiredness I felt I mıssed some of the fıner details. Towards the end of the ceremony Sarah also started feeling very sick which lead to a trip to the first aid tent as soon as the ceremony finıshed.

Fırst Tımer Tıp 4: Do not eat anything from dodgey takeaways a couple of hours before arriving for the Dawn Ceremony.

Emergency fırst aid for food poisoning was applied in the form of a needle to the buttocks and 20 minutes later we where marching the 1.5km up the steep slopes towards Lone Pine Ceremony for the Australian Memorial Service.

This service under the shade of the Lone Pine had a dıfferent feel to the Anzac Cove Ceremony. It was more of a celebration of being Australian whıle rememberıng the sacrifice of those young men, a very movıng experıence.

After the ceremony was completed we marched back down the hill towards our bus and made the long 6 hour jounrey back to Istanbul. We found our hostel without much trouble and checked in to a nice clean room.

Before retitiring for the night Sarah and I took a quick walk around the old city looking for a place to get some dinner. The result was a nice pide and plate of oven roasted vegetables and naan like bread in a cheap and cheerful restaraunt.

Before a well deserved rest I found a Turkish barber and enjoyed what wıll become one of many turkish shaves. I think I have found a new favourite passtime! Nothıng like a close cut throat razor shave, neck massage and a glass of tea before bed.