Today was a chilly and rainy day and very much inline with the somber places we visited today.
We went to the Gallipoli peninsula and visited the memorials to the soldiers, Australian, New Zealand, and Ottoman Empire. Being Canadian we don't hear much of this battle as just a few Newfoundlanders were involved. We learned about the entire campaign an how tough and trying it really was... plus how poorly organized and planned the Allied campaigns were. This picture is ANZAC or where the Australians and New Zealanders landed. Where they wanted to be was about two miles down the road where it was a sandy beach and not the short beach, open field, dense forest and then treacherous hills.
Hearing the stories of how hopeless the campaign was, how stuck everyone was and the thousands and thousands of young men who lost their lives there before the Allies retreated.
It was very interesting to hear from Mete the Turkish perspective about how they won this battle (although they had lost the war) and how this battle was the unofficial start of Turkey's War for Independence.
What as most impressive (and also made me sob) was the letter that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the first President of the Republic of Turkey wrote to Australia and New Zealand that had been made into a huge plaque at one of the many cemeteries. Every year, on ANZAC Day, they have a large memorial service and next year will be the 100 year anniversary of the campaign.
From the last cemetery, we started the last drive back to Istanbul. It's great to be back in a big city! With the few hours we had before dinner, my roommate and I did a little shopping. I stocked up on Turkish Delight, even the yummy chocolate Turkish Delight (that I'm sure is for tourists!) We got some great shots of the New Mosque (in a place when new is 200 years old!)
We had one final dinner with the group tonight and Mete took us to a awesome Turkish restaurant. So good that many of us thing we will be back tomorrow for dinner!
One last day tomorrow in Istanbul before I start the long trek home!
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