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"A Pilgrimage for any Antipodean " a Gallipoli Travel Page by Kiwigirlie

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"A Pilgrimage for any Antipodean " a Gallipoli Travel Page by Kiwigirlie

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Kiwigirlie   
HAPPY TRAVELS!!!


Real Name: Denise
Lives In: Auckland, NZ
Member Since: Jul 21, 2003
VT Rank: 3709

 

Page Views: 356            Last Visit to Gallipoli: 1999      

A Pilgrimage for any Antipodean

by Kiwigirlie - last update: Feb 17, 2004

ANZAC DAY 85th Anniversary - 25th April

Anzac Cove, Gallipoli Peninsular
I went on this trip not knowing what to expect. Going to a war memorial service is not what some people would call a great holiday experience. But if you come from New Zealand or Australia, Anzac Day is something that is ingrained in your life from an early age.
Gallipoli for me was a real time capsule. Although I was often surrounded by thousands of other kiwis and Aussies I felt infinitely alone with the history of the place. It's a beautiful pennisular but I just felt the sorrow that must have been felt by the veterans who were also visiting. I wish I had taken the time to go independantly and although an important day - I also wish I hadn't actually gone on Anzac Day itself. There were too many people there for a start. I felt like we were all disturbing the place. As with many cultural events the traders and racketeers come out in force and that spoiled it for me as well. To be at Anzac Cove, at a quiet and respectful memorial service and then to be pestered by hawkers was just too much.
It's weird because I felt very proud and patriotic to be a Kiwi but as far as I know, our family was not involved in that particular campaign. So I had no grandfather or great uncle to trace. But I still felt connected and I was deeply affected by the place.

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Pros:"Very beautiful, quiet part of Turkey"
Cons:"Don't go on the 25th April unless you are committed to being with thousands of others."
In A Nutshell:"A place of sorrow but of great natural beauty"
Kiwigirlie's Gallipoli Travel Tips

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Comments for Kiwigirlie about Gallipoli
AltayEfe Thu Apr 2, 2009 07:43 UTC
 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." ATATURK, 1934
CdnJane Sun Apr 24, 2005 14:21 UTC
 Your experience with the water must have made you feel a sense of what the soldiers endured while they were in the Gallipoli campaign. However, I doubt that that was on your mind at the time. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and pictures.
MalenaN Fri Feb 27, 2004 17:41 UTC
 Nice pictures and good info!

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