After meeting with our tour in Istanbul we hit the road to
Gallipoli. This was something I have been looking forward to since we left
Australia and I think I can speak for everyone when I say it was one of the
greatest, awe-inspiring moments of my life. To sleep overnight in the location
where young Australian men valiantly lay down their lives so we could enjoy
the fruits of a free world is something I will not forget in a hurry. There was
neither a dry eye, nor a sign of an arm free from goose bumps in the entire
peninsula a the bugle played to begin the dawn service. Without a doubt I have
never been prouder to part of our great nation and to have neighbours like New
Zealand, well they aren’t too shabby for a bunch of Kiwi’s.
During the night we became acquainted with our fellow tour
goers. There was Matt and Holly from New Zealand who were on the way to live in
London, Sandy, Loz and Mandy from the mines of W.A. who were also on the way to
London, Will from the Yarra Valley, who funnily enough was on his way to London
(are you seeing the trend here?), Cat who was an absolute hoot and Hillary who
both live in London, Aaron and Amy who also live in London (and Amy’s parents),
Quock and Amy who were on their honeymoon from Maroubra and Warren and Darlene
who were on their first ever overseas trip (also Darlene bore a striking
resemblance in both nature and looks to young Shirley Hudson). It was a
stand-out crew made even more special by our very energetic, very funny, chain
smoking guide, Tgbar. A pocket rocket who gave as good as she got, but taught
us many lessons about the history of the ANZAC Cover. After not sleeping a wink
we were herded onto the bus and sent to bed. It was glorious.
