ANZAC Day

Gallipoli

Chunuk Bair

Gallipoli

Anzac Cove

Lone Pine

So despite Icelands best efforts to stop me, I made it to ANZAC Cove for ANZAC day. It wasnt as busy as what I was expecting-about 6000-7000 people turned up. We arrived on Saturday afternoon about 6, and after getting dropped off, we walked up to ANZAC Cove where we were to spend the night, and where the Dawn Service was held. There was a large queue to get through security (no open liquids, no alcohol, no juice, no weapons, no camping equipment, no large packs/suitcases), we eventually made it through (needless to say the guys line was much shorter than the girls line as there is a ratio of about 2/3 girls to 1/3 guys who visit), we found our spot for the night. By the time we had arrived, all the grass space had been taken, so we sat in the stands, on some very uncomfortable seats (incidently I did manage to find a postition which was fairly comfortable, more so than the bed at Tuli which was quite sad), and sad back to watch the interviews and documentories they played all night...thus no sleep was had despite the best efforts of tying on my improvised bed.

The morning started early, with a 'wake up' call at 4, ready for the official party to arrive. We then had some speeches, and some more photos of ANZACS who had lost their lives, before the service started at 5.30. It was quite similar to the ones I have been to in Melbourne, but the atmosphere was so much more moving, being in the place where it all started. After the service we headed up the hill to Lone Pine, where there was an Australian ceremony, complete with another security check-not quite sure where we were supposed to have got banned items from. This ceremony was very similar to the Dawn Service, but was still very moving.

From there I headed to Chunuk Bair, and the New Zealand ceremony. Again, it was very similar to the other ceremonies, but still very worth going to. Once the ceremonies were over, we had to wait for the buses to come and pick us up, a slow process considering the number of people, and the fact that only 2 buses could get in at once. After an hour and a half we finally got on our bus, and headed to the town just down the road, where I got off the tour, to continue my tour around Turkey.

Photos!!!!

Wales

England

Blue Mosque-Istanbul

Pink Mosque-Istanbul

Blue Mosque-Istanbul

TURKEY!!!!!!

The airports were opened today, for the first time in a week, and much to my surprise and excitment, I managed to get a flight to Istanbul on the first flight out-today!!!! So after a joyful day of sitting in the airport for several hours, waiting for the delayed flight, I managed to escape London, and arrive in Istanbul-only a day later than planned, not bad considering that there are hundreds for thousands of stranded people, tens of thousands of flights cancelled, no available room on buses or trains until next week, and I walk onto the first flight to Turkey!!!! Happy Times.

Now for some relaxing days in Istanbul, then a tour to ANZAC cove.

Rob I have forgiven you for your kind caring emails-they just made my day :)

Stranded

After leaving Scotland last week after a very relaxing and lazy two weeks there, I headed to Wales for a few days. So lovely, the scenery is superb, lovely hills, some spectacular "beaches"-rocks as always-and beautiful buildings. I didnt have too long to explore, so stuck mainly to Cardiff, with a quick trip to Swansea and Swindon to visit a friend. Then it was back to London for a flight to Turkey-or that was the plan at least.

Enter the Volcano! No flights in our out of the UK since Thursday, and as a result no trains or buses until next week as everyone is trying to get out of the UK. Yes my flight was cancelled, yes I am stuck in London, no I am not happy about it (as those who have seen my facebook will attest :)) Not sure when I will be leaving the UK, I cant contact the airline, ANZAC day at ANZAC cove is looking very distant. So it is more exploring London and the surrounds until I can escape.

Edinburgh

While relaxing in Scotland, I decided to head down to Edinburgh for a couple of days, and actually see some things there, like the Castle which was so rudely closed due to the weather last time I was in Edinburgh. Luckily I was blessed with a couple of quite nice days, and enjoyed my time visiting the Castle (and nearly dying from fright from the 1 o'clock gun), Holyrood Palace (Queens Residence), Mary Kings Close (underground streets which have been built over, this was a little spooky), Royal Mile, and some random meandering. Edinburgh is a lovely city, with many beautiful old buildings.

It was then back to Dundee for a few more days of lazing around before heading off on my final 4 weeks of travel!

Back to Scotland

After spending 3 months travelling Europe, I have headed back to Scotland for a couple of weeks for some R&R. It is nice to have some luxury (nice big comfy bed, no snoring/drunk dorm mates), and am relaxing with some friends for two weeks.

After two weeks, my tour will continue, with Wales, Turkey, and Scandanavia still to be visited, before I head home-6 weeks and counting till Australia!