Wednesday 29^th April 2015

Today is an at sea day as we continue to sail towards Athens via the Dardenelles then into the Agean Sea and about 1:30pm the Captain expects we will alter to a westerly course and enter the Sea of Saronikos where we will Cape Sounion where the ancient temple of Poseidon is located before turning north west and head for Piraeus, the port for Athens.

A sleep in and late breakfast was the order of the day.

Weather and sea conditions are still excellent. Calm sea with only a 1m swell, light 10 knot breeze and expected maximum of 23°.

Not much to report today. Putting our feet up for a rest after all the walking over the last few days. Catching up on some washing and just reading a book.

Tuesday 28^th April 2015

Another early rise, 7:00am again this morning, breakfast in the buffet and then to the conference centre to meet our tour group for todays activities.

The weather gods continue to shine on us with yet another beautiful sunny day and a maximum of 23°.

We boarded the bus at 9:00am and drove back to the Hippodrome. From there we walked to the Hagia Sophia. Hagia Sophia was originally a Christian Basilica built between 532 – 537. After the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 the Ottomans converted it into a mosque. In 1932 Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum. Over the years since it has been a museum there has been restoration works done that has uncovered evidence of its original use as a Christian Basilica.

Hagia Sophia

Following a short walk we were taken into a local carpet shop where we saw a demonstration on how carpets are hand made. At the end of the demonstration the fun began. About 10 high-pressure Turkish salesmen tried to harass us into purchasing carpets. One of them was trying to get me to buy a carpet (more the size of a door mat) for US$4,500. When I said no he offered it to me at the special discount price of US$2,500. I don’t know what he did not understand about NO, but I had to tell him about 5 times that I did not want it.

With the carpet experience behind us we walked to the Grand Bazar – one of the most famous markets in the world. Truly mind boggling. It has over 4000 shops under a huge roof and it would be easy to get lost. There are different sections for items such as leather, jewellery, food etc. We bought some Turkish delight.

The Basilica Cistern

The Grand Bazar

The carpet salesmen have nothing on those in the Bazar. You get harassed from all sides by people offering you this or that. One even stopped us and said he knew Russell Crow and then proceeded to show us a photo on his phone of him standing next to Tony Abbott. It was a real experience and it would have been interesting to spend more time there haggling.

Final stop on the tour was a visit to the Byzantine Basilica Cistern (underground Reservoir) 70m wide & 140M long with brick vaulting supported by 336 columns. Said to have been built by Emperor Constantinius I. Truly amazing.

Back on the bus for the return trip to the ship for lunch and a rest.

We sailed out of Istanbul harbour at 5:00pm and are now heading for Athens.

Tonight is formal night in the dining room so we donned our finery and headed to dinner t 6:00pm and then went to a show in the theatre.

Monday 27^th April 2015

Woke at 7:00am this morning just in time to see the ship docking in Istanbul.

Weather is still good, clear sky with an expected maximum temperature of 21°.

After breakfast in the buffet, fruit and omelette, we met out Group in the Conference Centre for our 9:00am tour.

First stop was the Hippodrome. Originally built in 198 AD by Roman Emperor Septimius Severus as a large stadium for chariot races, it is now a large pedestrian area between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Museum. Numerous dogs and cats roam the area, fed and tagged by the council. They are quite tame and don’t seem to mind the crowds. They just lie down and sleep wherever they want. It seems the locals of Istanbul don’t keep their dogs & cats in their homes.

Next was a visit to the Blue Mosque, so called because its interior is covered with blue and white tiles. It was built between 1603 – 1617 by Sultan Ahmet I. Unlike any other mosque in Istanbul it has 6 distinctive minarets. Lynne had to wear a head scarf and we had to take off our shoes before we could enter.

After putting our shoes back on we walked to the Topkapi Palace, which, for over 300 years was the Grand Palace of the Ottoman Sultans. Built in 1453, it is now a museum. The tour ended about 1:00pm and we boarded the bus for the drive back to the ship.  The road rules in Istanbul appear to be the same as in Rome, there are no rules. You take your life in your hands particularly when crossing the road. The traffic seems to speed up and does not have any regard for pedestrians.

We had lunch on board and then went off the ship and walked to a little local café nearby where I had a Turkish coffee, very thick and strong. As the café had free internet we stayed there for about 1½ hours checking emails and Lynne put some info on facebook.

After our little bit of exploring round Istanbul we returned to the ship for dinner.

P.S.

Phil, HMAS ANZAC was docked in Istanbul. Told them I knew you but was not able to go on board.

Topkapi Palace

The Blue Mosqu

Hippodrome

Sunday 26^th April 2015

Another early rise today as we were leaving at 8:00am for the highlight of our trip – A tour of the Battlefields on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

 The weather God was shining on us again today, clear blue sky with a light breeze and temperature ranging from a low of 9° and a high of 23°.

The bus drove onto the vehicle ferry at Cannakale at 9:00am for the short trip, 15 minutes across the Dardanelle Straight to the Gallipoli Peninsula.

First stop was the 4^th Battalion Parade Ground Cemetery, where we held a short remembrance and wreath laying ceremony.

Johnston’s Folly was next where we saw some of the extensive trench network that is still visible. 

Trench System

The Australian Memorial and cemetery at Lone Pine was our next stop, where we laid another wreath.

Australian Memorial at Lone Pine

Back in the bus for a short drive to Quinn’s Post and then the Turkish 57^th Regiment Memorial, which has particular significance to the Turks as every soldier in the Regiment was killed. There was a Turkish Scout Troop there holding a memorial service.

Our final stop for the day was Ari Burnu Cemetery at Anzac Cove. We walked along the beach at Anzac Cove and could only imagine what it must have been like for the ANZAC’s.

The beach is not very wide and is mostly rocks and pebbles. As you look from the beach up the steep hill towards the Sphinx and The Nek, it is hard to imagine how anyone could make it to the top of the ridge.

We were also able to see North Beach where the Dawn Service was held.

It was a very special and moving moment to be standing on the beach where so many brave ANZAC’s made the ultimate sacrifice.

The beach at ANZAC Cove

Finally boarded the bus and arrived back at the ship 4:00pm.

The ship left the port of Kepez at 5:30pm and is now sailing towards Istanbul which is our next port of call.

ANZAC Day Saturday 25^th April 2015

We were up at 4:30am so we could attend the live satellite screening of the Dawn Service at Gallipoli that commenced at 5:30am whilst our ship was anchored 7 miles off shore directly in front of ANZAC Cove.

ANZAC Cove at dawn

At 7:00am the ship was permitted to move to within 1 mile of the shore so we were able to see first hand what the Diggers saw as they landed 100 years ago. The landmarks of Lone Pine, The Nek and Quinn’s Post were clearly visible and although the terrain has changed over the last century it still looked uninviting in the cold early morning, so we could only stand on the deck of the ship and marvel at what those brave ANZACs went through as they waded ashore with full packs and rifles under constant gunfire from the hills above.

The Dawn Service at North Beach

At 7:45am, with the ship still in ANZAC Cove a special ANZAC service was held on the poolside deck. Quite an amazing and moving experience with 100’s of people present.

The ship then sailed out of ANZAC Cove, around the bottom of the Gallipoli Peninsula, past the British, French and Turkish War Memorials and entered the Dardanelle Straight, sailing to the Turkish Port of Kepez, (approx.7 miles south of Canakkale), where we docked at 11:00am.

After a quick lunch in the buffet we met in the conference room at 1:45pm and disembarked at 2:00pm to board our bus for the 30-minute trip to view the ruins of the ancient city of Troy. We then drove into Canakkale for a short walk around the main shopping precinct.

Arrived back at the ship in time to drop our backpack off in our State Room and head to the dining room for dinner. Yes, another lovely 3-course meal. Lucky we are doing plenty of walking.