Turkey and Gallipoli 2015
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 1 Div Sig Coy men going ashore at ANZAC Cove at 6am on the 25th April 1915 Map 1 (Turkey) | Map 2 (Turkey) | Map 3 (Gallipoli) | Map 4 (ANZAC Cove) |
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 2nd Light Horse Regiment men going ashore at Gallipoli on the 11th May 1915 Click photos for larger view Photograph details displayed by hovering the mouse over the image (Microsoft Explorer only) Photo Info: Tumbprint 150px | Display 1000px | p/Display 1500px |
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South Korean - 11 April 2015 Overnight Accommodation via Korean Air arrangements, in South Korea without our suitcases @#@# Bride not happy! Hotel: Ramada Songdo Hotel (near Incheon International Airport) |
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Turkey Arrived Ataturk International Airport early evening on the 12 April and transfer to our hotel in Istanbul, for a bit of overnight rest. Hotel for the night not as planned @#@# Back Street Tour of Istanbul - 13 April 2015 Optional back street tour and viewed Topkapi Palace, Suleymanlye Mosque, Golden Horn waterway and did a walking tour of old Taksim back streets. Completed the tour with free time at the Egyptian Spice Market. While we enjoyed the day, Colleen did too much walking, which was to cause her some problems later in our visit to Turkey. Hotel: City Holiday Inn Hotel, Istanbul |
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Istanbul Day 1: 13 April 2015 - After the optional Back Street Tour (See above) relocating to the Titanic Hotel and had the formal welcome to Turkey for our 'On the Go - 2nd Australian Light Horse Tour'. Kicked off the tour with a 8pm meeting with our guide Mr Recep Aydin (Reggie) and the other members of the group. Day 2: 14 April 2015 - Today we explore Istanbul on a guided tour taking in the Hippodrome area, the stunning Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and underground cistern. After a break for lunch, enjoy a relaxing 2 hour cruise along the Bosphorus - the strait that divides European from Asian Istanbul. Back on dry land we visit to the Egyptian Spice market and free time to explore the legendary and cavernous Grand Bazaar - boasting some 4000 shops under one immense roof. The Grand Bazaar is just the ticket for souvenirs, clothing, scarves, brassware, silver and handbag purchases. Two Night Stay: Titanic Business Bayrampass Hotel, Istanbul |
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Cappadocia Day 3: 15 April 2015 - Istanbul - Ankara - Cappadocia. We bused via the nation’s capital, Ankara where we visited the Ancient Civilisation's Museum, we then continue east to Cappadocia - one of Turkey’s finest attractions. The isolated region is famed for its troglodyte villages, subterranean churches and fortresses, hewn from the soft, eroded volcanic rock. Late afternoon hotel check in after a long day on the bus. Day 4: 16 April 2015 - Very early this morning we did a exhilarating hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia. The World Heritage listed Goreme Valley was the first stop on our guided tour today after the ballooning, to view the stunning rock cut Byzantine churches, chapels and temples carved by the Christians facing persecution in the 1st - 10th centuries AD. We also explore Zelve with its eroded landscape of so-called ‘fairy chimneys’ and more. As the sun sets we enjoyed a folklore evening. With dinner, beer, wine, a folklore show, which included a belly dancer - it’s was a top night out! Two Night Stay: Peri Tower Hotel, Cappadocia |
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Click Hot Air Balloon Flight over Cappadocia on the morning 16 April 2015 | ||
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Konya and Antalya Day 5: 17 April 2015 - Cappadocia - Konya - Antalya. Heading south along an ancient Silk Road, we visit an old caravanserai in Sultanhani. Continuing on to Konya, we tour the mystic Mevlana Whirling Dervish Museum before making our way to Antalya on the beautiful Mediterranean coast. Perge and Aspendos Day 6: 18 April 2015 - Colleen was sick so we had the day off to focus on being well for the main mission "Gallipoli". Denis did a little exploring in the winding streets of Antalya's picturesque old town near the Hotel. Two Night Stay: Best Western Khan Hotel, Antalya |
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Saklikent Gorge and Fethiye Day 7: 19 April 2015 - Antalya - Fethiye. Following the stunning Mediterranean coast, we visit Saklikent Gorge in the Taurus Mountains - a natural wonder of breathtaking beauty. After exploring the gorge the Group young one's did a bit of river tubing. Continuing our journey, we wind our way through the spectacular Taurus Mountains en route to Fethiye, a picturesque seaside town on the Turquoise coast. Day 8: 20 April 2015 - Did a boat cruise to some of the off shore islands. Happy Birthday Sharon Two Night Stay: Hotel Ata Park, Fethiye |
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Pamukkale Day 9: 21 April 2015 - Fethiye - Pamukkale. Today we traveled north to Pamukkale - famous for its unique cascades of natural mineral rich pools. We explore the ancient town of Hierapolis and the magnificent white calcium terraces of Pamukkale. Some of the group walked barefoot along the terraces allowing the mineral rich waters to wash over there feet however the weather was just to bloody cold for us. We did go for a dip in the indoor hot thermal pool (see photo right) at the Hotel and we enjoyed the therapeutic powers of the pool, after a hard days touring and travel. Happy Birthday Colleen Overnight: Spa Colossae Thermal Hotel, Pamukkale |
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Ancient Ephesus Day 10: 22 April 2015 - Pamukkale - Kusadasi. Onward to Ephesus - positively the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean. Rumoured to have been founded in the 13th century BC, Ephesus became the Roman capital of Asia Minor. It revelled in prosperity from commerce and visiting pilgrims who came to see the its great Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Ancient Wonders. Exploring all things Roman, we view the Great Theatre once capable of seating 25,000 spectators at one time, Curetes Way (one of the main thoroughfares), the Temple of Serapis and the awesome Library of Celsus. Off Curetes Way, are ancient public toilets, a brothel, remains of fountains and various temples. We had a short stop at a leather factory, before overnighting at coastal Kusadasi. Happy Birthday Paul Overnight Stay: Visa Hill Hotel, Kusadasi |
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Aegean Coast Day 11: 23 April 2015 - Kusadasi - Avylik. Today we explored the ruins of Pergamum with its steep hillside amphitheatre and neighbouring asclepion (ancient medical centre). Continue to Dikili on the Aegean coast for a small before leaving early in the morning for Troy and then Gallipoli. Overnight: Halic Park Hotel, Dikili Day 12: 24 April 2015 - Izmir/Bergama - Gallipoli. On the road at 6am for a short visit to Homer’s Troy - famed for its Trojan wooden horse and then on to the Gallipoli Peninsula for ANZAC Cove. |
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ANZAC Day at Gallipoli Day 13: 24/25 April 2015 - Continuing on to the Gallipoli Peninsular and started passing thru security check points, taking our place among the many at the Dawn Service site for the atmosphere charged ANZAC Eve vigil. We were lucky in that we got to the site at about 4:45pm. Dawn and first light signals the commencement of the annual Dawn Service, attended by 10,500 including Australian's, New Zealand's and other foreign dignitaries, military personnel and a strong following of regular Australian and New Zealand folk. The poignant and emotive service commemorating this important and historical date allows us time to reflect. Lest we forget. On completion of the Dawn Service at 6:30am, visitors we had a 3.5 hours before the Australian National Memorial Service at Lone Pine Service at 10am. Many walked the 2-3 kilometres distance via Ari Burnu, Beach, Shrapnel Valley and Shell Green Cemeteries. Because of Colleen's walking issues, we took the small bus available to mobility assistance pass holders to Lone Pine. DVA, NZ Defence Force and your volunteers: Well done to all involved in setting up and running Gallipoli 2015 - you did us proud. Click Article on our visit to ANZAC Cove, Galliopli [pdf] Overnight: ANZAC Cove (under the stars) |
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Istanbul Day 14: 25/26 April 2015 - Late evening we left Gallipoli and return to Istanbul arriving at 10pm. We were lucky to get away from the site early - Well done Reggie! Our tour concluded after breakfast and hotel check out. After a long wait at Ataturk International Airport we flew out at 9:20 pm for Incheon International Airport in South Korea. Overnight: Titanic Business Bayrampass Hotel, Istanbul |
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Brisbane via South Korean 26/27/28 April 2015. Arrive home 6:50am early on the 28 April, very tried after 40 hours traveling from Turkey. What a great trip - Gallipoli can now be ticked off the bucket list. |
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