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.