Gallipoli, Turkey

Memorial @ Anzac Cove, Gallipoli

Me @ Gallipoli

Lone Pine Cemetery @ Gallipoli

Tour Guide, TJ, in front of Turkish Soldier Statue, Gallipoli

What I remember (in 2024)

The hostel's owner, TJ, was also a tour guide.  He is a Turk, married to an Aussie.  Friends had done TJ Tour's and it was known as the best around.  AND IT WAS AMAZING!  All day we were given a history lesson on what happened around the Anzac's landing in Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.  I knew a little about World War I and Gallipoli, but what I learned today was amazing.  At this point, I have no known family that fought here (turns out there is a Fay that fought and survived here), but the lessons learned brought everyone to tears, especially at the end of the day, hearing The Last Post.  We spent the day walking around the area where battles took place.  We were up on the hill where the Turks lie waiting for the Anzacs were going to land on the beach below.  We went down to the beaches, the now named ANZAC Cove, looking up the massive hill the Aussies & Kiwis were tasked to get up, at the cost of too many lives.  We stood in trenches 10 feet apart where opponents fought.  We picked up shell casings, still around after 86 years.  And most importantly we paid respect to all soldiers buried on the peninsula, us and them.  Lone Pine in particular was pretty emotional.  Today there is a mutual respect between the Turks, Aussies & Kiwis, stemming from the fact that while they were at war against each other, each new they were doing the work of others, and not personally hating on their opponents.  I actually hope to bring my boys here one day and do this tour.