MONDAY, MAY 2, 2011
Günayden (good morning) from Istanbul!
We have had a lovely time shopping and sight-seeing in this vibrant city. On our first day, we saw the magnificent Topkapi palace, the luxurious palace of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire. The walls of the palace were adorned with thousands of hand-painted tiles. The sheer size of the palace was amazing but this was nothing compared to the gold and jewels of the sultans. They had everything from thrones to their royal gourds made out of gold, rock crystal, emeralds and rubies. However, the most spectacular item was the fourth-largest diamond in the world. At 86 carats surrounded by 46 smaller mine-cut diamonds, this was most shiny indeed.
Next was the Hagia Sophia an ancient church covered with mosaics and rich in history and mythology. Over its long life it has been a temple, a church and a mosque. This was the place where the king was crowned and the home of the wishing column and a door that is 2000 years old. After lunch, we visited the Basilica; a water supply for the Byzantine palace. We saw Medusa’s head and the numerous fish residing in the water. Then, the Hippodrome which was a museum for the hippies or so Mr. Croft led us to believe. If you have ever seen Ben Hur, you will know what I’m talking about. For those who haven’t, this is the place where the chariots raced all those years ago. It was then a quick walk to the Blue Mosque which was not as blue as expected. However, it was very beautiful, covered with ornate tiles like the walls of the palace.
We only did a bit of shopping that day, but the next day was the GRAND BAZAAR DAY!!! This is one of the biggest covered markets in the world. There were lanterns, games, shoes, clothes, but most of all, harem pants. Almost all of the girls (and a few of the boys) bought a pair or two and enjoyed the unbridled comfort that defines these pants. We had a few marriage proposals and cheesy pick-up lines from the charismatic stall holders, but still managed to get some great bargains by haggling them down to semi-reasonable prices. We went to the spice markets after lunch which was an interesting experience. The crowds of people were unreal. It was all elbows and shoulders to make any headway. For dinner, we had a ‘cultural experience’. We sat on authentic Turkish cushions, listened to authentic Turkish music and ate chips (and authentic Turkish food). It was a good experience for us to see how they do things.
On our last day, we started out with a two hour cruise of the river Bosphorus. This was wonderfully relaxing, as all we had to do was sit back on our benches (and beanbags) and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the city. People waved as we passed and we admired the serenity of this unique and beautiful area. After lunch we made the steep hike up to the Galata tower. This tower has, at various times been a fire, control and watch tower. Its height and size are pretty impressive. It was then time to burn up the rest of our Turkish Lira’s by indulging in some retail therapy. This is when we came across the annual May Day marches. After this, it was back to the hotel for packing and relaxing, then out again for dinner. We walked into the restaurant and were gob-smacked. Our final meal was in an old Roman cistern, lit by numerous candles with live music playing in the background. The food was excellent but the main highlight was Kaitlyn and Brierley playing the piano for us like a couple of professionals.
Tomorrow, we fly out. The tour has been an enriching experience and certainly one that we will never forget. Although we have had a brilliant time it will be great to see all our families and have be surrounded by the familiar.
See you all on Tuesday,
Jenny and Maree
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011
27th April 2011
Hello from Canakkale!
After an early start to the morning, some of us were greeted by our first sighting of rain in a foreign country. Meeting Izzet Yildirium (our tour guide) and boarding the bus for the 8 o’clock ferry, we were extremely annoyed to miss the ferry and have to wait for another hour. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise with Mr Croft deciding to treat us all with Turkish baklava and chocolate éclairs.
After crossing on the ferry, we ambled our way to Brighton Beach, which was the intended landing spot of the ANZAC soldiers. Izzet gave us insights into some of the theories of the botched landing spot, as well as detailed information into the reason why Turkey was brought into the war and their allegiance with the German troops.
Following this, we made our way to the commemorative site of ANZAC Cove (where the ANZAC Day Ceremony was held) for our own private ceremony. As we stood on the mournful beach we reflected on the tragic loss of life our men faced for the sake of their country. We laid the wreath on the water’s edge, near where the Western Australian troops had attacked the beaches. We also managed to take some magnificent photos at the monumental beaches before moving towards Hill 60.
The Hill 60 (not the same as the Belgian Hill 60) Cemetery was found atop a hill 60 feet above sea level (hence the name). To reach the cemetery, we had to climb through thick sticky clay that clung to our feet. Here we saw remains of trenches dug by the Allies. Izzet informed us of the planned attack between the troops at Hill 60 and the Australian capture of Lone Pine. The Australians were to draw troops away to Lone Pine to allow the English forces a clear path to hill 971 to give them higher ground. After exploring the cemetery we trudged back down the hill and boarded the bus to the Shrapnel Gully.
At Shrapnel Gully Cemetery we found Major Quinn’s headstone, which Quinn’s Post is named after. Then the girls and Mr Croft all put their ponchos on for the drizzle that was falling, before climbing up a steep hill to Plugge’s Plateau. The plateau gave us a brilliant view of the peninsula (even with the cloud cover). Halfway up the hill, Mr Croft witnessed a miracle. He was explaining how the soldiers scaled the hill with 60-pound packs and rifles without any stairs and paths when Ashleigh Holmes swore never to complain EVER again. He then quickly snapped a photo as proof of the incident (which Ashleigh is now regretting).
After we all had made it back to level ground, we drove up to Lone Pine. Here we learned of the youngest Australian soldier to die for his country: Private James Martin, aged 14 years 9 months. This shocked all of us deeply, as we couldn’t imagine fighting for our country at our age, let alone 14. Liam Calton read his poem out as we reflected on the lives lost in the battle that was used as a diversion for the English.
After paying our respects, we walked to Johnston’s Jolly and saw Turkish and Australian trenches. Following this we jumped back on the bus and headed up to Quinn’s Post, which was the as far as the Allied troops ever reached on the peninsula. We then walked to the 57th Regiment memorial, which was Mustapha Kemal Attaturk’s regiment. Then we bussed to The Nek memorial. The Nek was one of the most moving battles of the whole campaign with 400 unidentified bodies in a mass grave.
We then walked to a viewpoint near the Sphinx and looked out onto the whole of ANZAC Cove. The panoramic views showed the harsh reality the ANZACs had to face in order to conquer the impossible. After travelling on and off for eleven hours we finally made it back to Canakkale. We walked to a nearby restaurant which provided an excellent meal for everyone. We all retired early for a long bus ride tomorrow to Istanbul.
Ryan & Ashleigh H
April 26th
What’s up!
After our big walk up the hill to Lone Pine yesterday, Mr Croft decided to give us the day off.
Everyone had the most chilled day, it was great (: We didn’t have to meet downstairs until 10:00, so Ashleigh and I skipped breakfast and slept in till 9:45. We had our little meeting and were told to meet back at the hotel at 1:00 to get money for lunch. We formed our little groups, ours consisting of me (Chloe), Ashleigh, Jonty, Keegyn, Mum (Kylie), Jamie and Ash Hollins. We spent the whole morning shopping! Was so, so good!
It was amazing to see how many gold shops there are here, and how cheap it all is! One whole street was pretty much all jewellery shops. I bought a pair of jeans, Ashleigh got a dress and some shorts and stuff, and the boys just kind of followed us around. We got through one whole street, looking in almost every shop before it was almost 1 o’clock. We made our way back to the hotel and Mrs Walkerden gave us our money for lunch.
Our group found this really nice kebab shop, as that is very popular here! It was yummy and really filling.
After lunch we continued with our shopping. There wasn’t really much left we had to buy, Ashleigh and I found a nice pair of shoes each and the adults got watches and stuff. We bought some fruit to take back for later on and then went back to the hotel at 3:00, to chill before tea at 7:00. Everyone just sat around in their rooms, on computer, listening to music and some people went for a walk to look at the Trojan Horse.
Ashleigh went for the walk, but I didn’t. She said it showed how the town used to be, and that it was really interesting and nice; although she couldn’t live how those people had to. Before long it was time for tea. Everyone had showered and was in the lobby by 6:45.
Jamie picked the restaurant for tonight; it was a nice little place on the shore. We got there and ordered. I got cheese pizza, chips and ice cream. Others got pasta and chicken, but everyone got ice cream for dessert. The restaurant was weird, it was giving us our mains before entre, and some people even got dessert first! It was 2 and a half hours before everyone got there food and finished. The wait was really bad and the restaurant was a bit unorganised, but in the end the food was really good.
At about 9:30 we got back to the hotel, we were told we would have to be downstairs by 7:30 in the morning, as we have another day of touring at ANZAC cove! Hearing this, everyone went up to their rooms for an early night.
We are having a great time and miss everyone back home.
Chloe and Ashleigh (: (:
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2011
ANZAC Day
Hello everyone!
Happy Easter to everyone!
We have had a very busy two days, with the lead up to the dawn service and the services we participated in on ANZAC day. On the 24th we had a quick breakfast before making our way to the Gallipoli Peninsula via bus, ferry and foot.
We stopped off at Lone Pine, to drop off our formal uniforms for the following days service, where we met some of the organisers of the event before making our way down the Lone Pine track to Shell Green Cemetery which is located in a beautiful spot midway on the long walk to ANZAC cove. The area looks out over the peninsula and surrounding area, here we had our lunch and kicked the footy.
We then carried on walking down the track to Beach Cemetery, where John Simpson Kirkpatrick is buried, who was the famous Simpson and his Donkey and who was killed whilst rescuing a wounded soldier from the battlefield.
We continued on our way to the area where the service would be held. We were allowed in to pick a spot but soon had to leave again so the area could be checked for bombs. We then sat outside the security gates and waited for several hours before finally being let in at 6 o’clock.
Once in, we settled in for the night in high spirits despite having to adorn thermals and many layers of clothing to resist the cold, windy weather. During the lead up to dawn some people chose to get some sleep while others chose to wait out the long night and some had no option but to stay awake.
We were entertained by our cobbers and a program of historical documentaries and music from the World War One era. Throughout the night there was a very patriotic but solemn atmosphere, with thousands of proud Aussies and Kiwis packed into the designated area, joking around and continuing the larrikinism demonstrated by the Australian soldiers during the Great War.
One of the high points of the lead up was being interviewed by Sarah from Channel Nine. Some of the students who were awake at the time along with Bumblebee (Mrs Walkerden) and Mr Croft, who was asked about the importance of ANZAC day and about Jonty’s thoughts on the importance of being at Anzac cove for the service. This can be viewed on the Channel Nine website (http://today.ninemsn.com.au/videoindex.aspx?videoid=c230fd7e-85cc-450b-87f4-98a00790b3ef )
At 4:30 a.m. any group member that was still asleep was awoken as all people on the grass had been asked to sit up to allow more people into the area in preparation for the upcoming service. The sky began to lighten when the service started with the entrance of the catafalque party followed by the odes and prayers of the service. The Last Post was spine tingling and the National Anthem sung with more pride than ever.
By now the crowd had fallen silent and the flags of New Zealand, Australia and Turkey were flying high over the onlookers who were united in the remembrance of the fallen. There wasn’t a person in the crowd that hadn’t been touched by the moving ceremony, with all thinking of the men and women who died serving the Commonwealth, on the very spot where we were standing. It had become apparent to us all that this was an experience that would never be forgotten and that all Australians should endeavour to take part in.
When the service commenced, we began shuffling out of the area with the hundreds of people making their way up the hill to Lone Pine for the Australian ceremony. Upon arrival at the apex, we all rushed to get changed into our formal uniforms ready for the service to begin. Many of us thought that due to the walk back down Lone Pine and because the sun was now up, we would be warm enough in our formal uniform without our thermals.
We soon discovered this was not the case. We all huddled in the grandstand, with jumpers over our legs and with scarves and gloves on to attempt to fight the chilling wind while we awaited the laying of the wreaths. The service was amazing and the large contingent of Aussies who attended the service were silent throughout.
The dawn service was an amazing experience and both of the services that we took part in on the day were definitely worth the wait and cold we endured the day before. The pilgrimage that we made to Anzac Cove is one that every Australian and New Zealander should have the chance to experience.
“No Sleeping BumbleBee”,Keegyn and Kaitlyn J
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2011
24th April 2011
We are on our way to ANZAC Cove to wait for tomorrow's dawn service.
On return we will post an entry about ANZAC Day.
For now, Happy Easter from all of us!
On return we will post an entry about ANZAC Day.
For now, Happy Easter from all of us!
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