Thought this was a fitting place to start my blog. On the night of the 24th April I camped out at ANZAC Cove with a lot of other New Zealand and Australians. We slept under the stars and rain waiting for the dawn to arrive. It was a miserable night and we had plastic rubbish bags over our sleeping bags and ponchos on trying to protect ourselves from the weather. I even managed to make it onto the news!
http://www.newshub.co.nz/world/sleeping-bags-out-for-gallipoli-dawn-service-2016042514#axzz4DjSJG2sr
When the dawn finally came a beautiful service was held in memory of the men who fought and lost their lives there in the dawn of 25th April 1915. It was such a special experience to be part of. We then walked over 6km up the hills to the of the Gallipoli Cliffs, on the way we passed many memorials as well as trenches. You could get a feel of how close the two sides were to each other seeing both sides trenches.
At Chunik Bair a beautiful ceremony for New Zealand's lost soldiers was held at 11 am. We a long walk up there in the heat but truly made you appreciate what those soldiers went through with supplies on their backs too. There was a moving haka, this was the first time one had ever been allowed to be performed there.
What touched me the most about the whole experience was the fact the Turkish have allowed huge memorial sites for countries that invaded their lands to exist. The Turkish were just doing what anyone would do, fighting to protect their homeland and freedom.
I think that the quote below is quite remarkable from one of the greatest leaders of the Turks - Ataturk.
