Anzac Day

Having recently visited Gallipoli in Turkey, ANZAC day has taken on a whole new meaning for me. The preparations were well underway two weeks ago when I was in Gallipoli for the ANZAC Day memorial services held today. I've attached a photo taken on Anzac Cove with red chairs set up for the Australian memorial service, in the background you can see a natural landmark that during WW1 the ANZACS referred to as the Sphinx. Isabelle and I also visited the graveyard where John Simpson (the man with the donkey) was buried and were deeply moved to hear an account of his role during the war. When we visited some of the trenches, I was horrified to learn that sections of the Turk trenchline and ANZAC trenchline were only 8 metres apart, and the sad loss of lives from both sides.

I should probably explain as well that the photo of the lone poppy from my previous blog entry was taken on Brighton Beach in Gallipoli. This was the spot where the ANZAC troops had intended to land instead of their ill-fated landing at ANZAC cove.

Lest We Forget - Gallipoli

No words can reflect the spirit of Gallipoli better than the speech of Mustafa Kemal ATATURK, the Turkish National Hero of the Gallipoli battles, Turkish Independance War and the founder of the Modern Republic of Turkey addressed at a Gallipoli memorial service in 1934:

"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.”

Tasting Istanbul

Last week, a friend from Melbourne, Isabelle, and I spent a few days exploring Istanbul. Here are some of the highlights:

Favourite Spot - Egyptian Spice Bazaar!!

Most Interesting/Weirdest Find - Bottles of leeches for sale. Apparently, the Turks buy the leeches for improved blood circulation. I was happy to keep my distance from those suckers.

Best Pick-Up Line from Turkish boy - 'Excuse me...can I ask you something? Did it hurt? Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?'

Favourite Food - the baklava was divine.

Best Headspinner - An evening show of the 'whirling dervishes' who literally did trance-like spins for half of the show.

In between the shopping expeditions, we also visited some of the famous Istanbul sites including Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar.

At the end of our trip, we treated ourselves to a Turkish Bath and Massage at Cemberlitas Hammam, a lovely dome shaped hammam dating from 1584.

It was a fabulous holiday and I look forward to the day when I can return to glorious Istanbul.

Champions League Match

Photos of Paul enjoying the match between Liverpool FC and Eindhoven PSV. The match was in Eindhoven and the end result was Liverpool 3 - PSV 0.