Emma went on an ANZAC Day tour in 2011 and compiled this photo blog. ANZAC Day occurs annually and commemorates the landing of the ANZAC troops at Gallipoli, Turkey during World War One. For more on ANZAC Day and the tours on offer for 2012, take a look at our website.
1. ANZAC Day - Waiting for the National Park gates to open at Gallipoli
Members of the On The Go tour groups (in commemorative hoodies) enjoying a barbecue as we waited for the Gallipoli National park to open. The location was right on the water and as close to the park entrance as you could get. The food and the atmosphere was wonderful and many OTG groups shared the spirit of togetherness right from the start of the event. Our hoodies really stood out and later on in the evening helped keet the chill off – it can get really cold at ANZAC Cove around that time of year!
2. Gallipoli National Park
Gallipoli National Park (Gelibolu as it is natively spelt) is a huge area with no buildings, hotels or shops, The organizers don’t officially open the gates until 6pm, so we had some time on the way in to explore a couple of areas whilst we learnt from the organizers how to respect the area and how the proceedings would go.
3. Our On The Go Tours guide
Our guide was with us the whole way as we waited to pass through the security screenings procedure. ANZAC Day 2011 was excellently organized by the Commonwealth War Graves commission and I was amazed at how smoothly it was run; getting 8000 people organized in a remote national park in a foreign country is no easy task.
4. ANZAC Cove
Such a beautiful and peaceful cove that saw so much bloodshed in 1915. A very special place.
5. The tour group settling in for the night
Our group started settling in for the night and national pride was overflowing. We had 33 people in our group: 19 Aussies, 13 Kiwis and an Irish girl. The age ranged from 22 to 67 and everybody agreed that we all felt like we had become one big family. It was fantastic to share this experience with people who became very dear to me, (we all still keep in touch) and yet we had only met not quite two weeks before.
6. Sunset at ANZAC Cove
When the sun went down on the eve of ANZAC Day at around 9pm, the warmth went with it – it got down to a chilly 2 degrees Celsius overnight. Thermals, good sleeping bags (ideally with a zip in the bottom so that shoed feet can pop out) and warm clothes were must-haves.
7. ANZAC Day - Night falls in ANZAC Cove
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them. Lest we Forget.
8. Walking to the respective memorials at the end of the dawn service.
The Lone Pine (Australian National) memorial service started at around 9.30am and it was roughly a 2 km walk uphill. Some people in our group boarded pre-registered shuttle busses. The Chanik Bair (New Zealand) memorial was a longer walk at around 4 km’s, but that service started later in the day, allowing plenty of time to make the service and also explore the areas of the parks with trenches and cemeteries. At the end of the day all visitors would gather together at Chanik Bair for the final pick-ups of the day.
9. Paying respects at the Lone Pine Memorial.
A soldier in uniform at Lone Pine Memorial
10. The trenches of Gallipoli
Some of the original trenches in the area can still be explored. There are still around 70,000 Turkish soldiers and 20% of Allied soldiers who are still unaccounted for. This very special park has been preserved as a burial site to all that served and died here. The experience of being in Gallipoli for ANZAC Day is one that will be with me for a very long time.
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About OTG Team
We're an international team of travellers - based all over the world - London, Brisbane, Vancouver, New York, Johannesburg, Cairo, Auckland, Sydney .... and a few more! We're English, Australian, Indian, Canadian, Polish, Czech, South African and New Zealanders too .... And we travel the world - a lot! Be it for work, pleasure - or often both - our collective travel experiences are extensive ... and through our blog, we are now able to share all our adventures and insights with you. We hope you enjoy our posts!
Nice one Emma! Everything you said is spot on (except I reckon it was a wee bit colder, and the walk to Chanuk Bair was a couple of ‘s more, LOL – but hey, nothing compared with what those poor buggers had to put up with nearly a hundred years ago, may they rest in peace).
We had a GREAT TIME, and Burhan, our guide was the best. Our time at ANZAC Cove was so special, very emotional, and we all learned a lot about experiences from both sides.
Any one thinking of taking this turn, do it, you will not regret it. Big thanks to all the team at OTG for making it a most memorable journey.
Cheers
Tony Corbett
Dunedin NZ
Thanks a lot for taking the time to write Tony, it’s always great to hear from our travellers. We’re pleased you had a good time, and hopefully we’ll see you on one of our tours again soon!
Wow, this is great Emma! It captures the spirit of Anzac day, the dawn service and the camaraderie of our OTG group beautifully.
After living abroad for ten years, this day truly reminded me of the essence of what it is to be an Australian. How lucky we truly are as a nation. The sacrifices made by the soldiers on that beach and in the trenches; Australian, New Zealand and Turkish alike, is immeasurable and a truly humbling experience.
While sombre and reflective, it was also filled with the typical Aussie humour and attitude, coupled with the New Zealanders, Irish lass and our wonderful Turkish hosts, made a thoroughly unforgettable day. This was one of many days on a truly outstanding and memorable Turkey tour, with special thanks to Burhan and his crew.