Today we're traveling some 300+ km to Çanakkale to see the war grounds and some fallen soldier cemetaries... Tisnis our bus for the next few days
The road to Çanakkale was very beautiful and scenic... Ahmet allowed us time to introduce ourselves, where we're from, how many Contikis we've been on, what we do, etc. we've pretty much met everyone and hung out already but it was nice to meet and hear about some people we haven't gotten to talk to yet.... There was 39 people in total on the tour, 6 males (3 of which came with their significant other), mostly Australians then Canadians, 8 Americans and mostly all solo travelers... It was really great and so easy to talk to everyone (except these 2 dumb bitches... I won't even tell you the dumb shit they did throughout the trip)
Our bur ride would take a total of 6 hours tog get to our destination but we stopped every 2 hours and stretched our legs, used the bathroom or picked up snacks....
Our first stop was for lunch, lots of gas stations have restaurants in or attached to them... The food is pretty decent and inexpensive offering many choices too
This paricular gas station had a a variety of animals on display... I saw a camel for the first time! I kept my distance as I didn't want to get spit on... There were turkey's, peacocks, chickens... I've seen all those but a camel! It was so cool!
The first scenic stop was Anzac Cove... A small cove along the Gallipoli penninsula where Australia and New Zealand Army Corp (ANZAC) came to Turkey to aid them with World War I... Thise area of the penninsula was dedicated to those who've lost their lives in the war and it's a very beautiful dedication spot
There's a portion of former Turkish president, Atatürk's dedication speech in 1934, which is absolutely beautiful and touching:
"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives...
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country
Therefore rest in peace
There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side
Here in this country of ours...
You, the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries
Wipe away your tears;
Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace
After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well..."
Just look at the setting of this cemetary!... (It very very windy here so bring a sweater!)
These 3 gravesites are facing a different direction because the soldiers were Muslim and their graves had to face Mecca
Another cemetary called Lone Pine, also incredibly beautiful!
This is the grave of the youngest soldier to fight in this war, only 16 years old... He took the opportunity to see the world and was killed in action
There were many beautiful words on the tombstones left by family members or of unclaimed soldiers... It was really breathtaking to experience and learn the history
After Lone Pine we went to another memorial area, this one dedicated to New Zealand soldiers
It also was the only area of Turkey that was the main reason they were able to keep Russians from getting supplies they needed to win the war. In order to enter the Black Sea to get aid to Russia, Germany needed to go through the Dardanelles Strait (the narrowest body of water through Turkey before reaching the Bosphorus Strait and in to Black Sea. Turkey was able to defend the Dardanelles successfully and Russia never received their aid. Unfortunately many lives were lost and this site was turned into a memorial
The Dardanelles Strait
Trenches still in place from the war
Monument dedicated to New Zealand soldiers
Atatürk statue
Aegean Sea on the other side (you can see Greek islands from here)
The ferry and rest of the bus ride to tonight's accommodations was a nice sight
The view from the hillside
Dinner: Local fish and seasoned rice
After diner we made it down to the hotel bar where my tour mates played drinking games and danced into the night
The next morning we woke up early again to head towards Troy. So much history here, so many levels of Troy built depending on sea level and trade
A model Trojan Horse... Not sure if it's to scale but you can climb up to the inside and stick your head out
This country continues to amaze me with the amount of history. Each ruin site is more beautiful than the last and has a different story.
Pergamum is no different, the amount of information archeologists have been able to find out about past civilizations based on where they built rooms and such is incredible
We settled in our rooms for a bit and went out in to town to get dinner and drinks. It was really nice to be out and amongst the people
Our lovely tour guide
Don't worry... we all wake up in time for the next day's adventure!
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