Anzac Day

The Anzac Day event started late on the 24^th. After visiting the ruins of Assos we only had a few hours to rest up, shower, prep our day bags, pack up our belongings, have dinner and maybe get some sleep before checking out of the hotel at 10pm to leave at 11am for the dawn service down the road.

As in a military operation, we experienced the normal ‘hurry up and wait’ as it only takes 5 minutes to check out of your room in the hour allocated. Gene showed her true talent by sleeping on one of the more uncomfortable chairs in the foyer.

The 10-minute bus trip to the dawn service was uneventful event even when you realise it took half an hour with the obligationary wrong turn.

After clearing security, we found a good spot in the specially built bleacher stands and settled ourselves in to wait for the next 4 and a half hours. Even with our great coats, sleeping bags, thermals and multiple layers it was still cold when sitting and not roaming around.

Luckily, we had Ray Martin as MC keeping us entertained with videos, music and other commentary during the long wait. Why wait so long? No idea. I think it was due to the enforced security options at Fort Daranos but it was never explained.

Unfortunately, Gene picked up a bug which made her nauseous for the second half of the night and had frequent vomiting spells. She was better by the morning but was fairly worn out for the rest of the day.

The entertainment was more emotionally evocative than the service that the tour provided or the telecast viewing of the service at the beach.

Once it was all wrapped up, we moved to the buses but were told to wait until the buses could be brought up in order once they could contact them. With a quick ‘Bugger that’ we walked down to the buses and the warmth.

I don’t recall the first 1 ½ hours of the drive back to Istanbul because I was asleep but was woken by a large explosion and Dee swearing. The airbag of the front right wheel’s shock absorber ruptured when we were on the ferry crossing to the town of Gallipoli. We then spend 1 ½ hours, then 3 and finally 5 hours in the town waiting for the bus to be repaired. We filled in the time looking at a 17^th century fortification that was converted into a museum, eating and talking. Dee also spent a few hours flirting with old Turkish men.

We didn’t get back to the hotel in Istanbul until 8.30 at night. The other people on the tour were really good about the delay and took it all in their stride. The tour company even gave us a free dinner to compensate us which was appreciated.

Time for a shower and sleep and the final full day in Turkey tomorrow. We may wander around tomorrow but we’ll see how we go.