Hi all!
Tonight we are leaving Singapore for the last leg home!
I will be writing about Rome on the plane as I can never sleep on planes.
First chance I get to up load them in Sydney, I will. The week in Rome and Assisi was packed like the rest of the time on the pilgrimage.
I'm resting a bit today and will go on the big Ferris Wheel this afternoon while enjoying a complimentary Singapore Sling! They are very nice!
See you very soon!
Monday, 7 May 2012
Sunday, 6 May 2012
Day 18 - Turkey to Italy
This morning we travelled by bus back to Kayseri Airport to catch the plane to Rome via Istanbul.
Of course, while going through the security screening at Kayseri I set off the alarms. I got the once over with the wand and then a pat down. In the meantime, another officer wanted to know what the "Whisper" was all about. This is like a little transistor that runs off batteries. It allows the guide to speak through a little microphone and then the voice is picked up by our transistors so that we can hear what is being said. The security person wasn't satisfied with my explanation and called over a police officer. I explained it to him and also that the 40 people behind me also had one each. They said something to each other in Turkish, looked at me again and then waved me on!
We got to Istanbul and then went through the motions again to get the plane to Rome. Yet again, I had a problem going through security. I had the once over again with the magic wand and another pat down. This time, however, it wasn't the "Whisper" that slowed the process down. We had already given these back to Aret when we left him before going through security. This time security took an interest in the stone crucifix I bought and decided he wanted to have a look. He either thought it was some kind of bow and arrow or his curiosity got the better of him. This was a bit of a pain because he had to open up the packaging only to have the smallest of peeks.
So off to Rome we went. Despite the fact that the gate was changed at the last minute from one end of the airport to the other and that the flight left about an hour late, we had a good flight.
We arrived in Rome and as soon as we walked in to the terminal, the chaos began. There were about eight people from our group who did not get their bags. We found out that they were still in Istanbul! Unfortunately, poor Carolyn was one of them! We waited about an hour, after our already late arrival, to see if their bags turned up and while they filled out the paper work. A couple of the bags from other people on our flight, but not in our group, had been quite significantly damaged. I have been very lucky so far!
To get to Domus Australia, our accommodation while in Rome, we had a city tour by night to help us get our bearings. While this was going on, I was thinking about what clothes I could lend Carolyn. Before we reached the accommodation we got word that the missing bags arrived in Rome on the next flight out of Istanbul. There was a great sigh of relief from all those concerned!
Domus Australia is not what I was expecting. It is like a five star hotel! I guess, for a place for Australian Catholic pilgrims to stay while in Rome, I was expecting something a little bit more humble. It was beautiful and, being the Cardinal's guests, we were very well looked after.
The Church on the premises was beautiful. We had Mass there as soon as we arrived. We then had our dinner at about 10:00pm. I was so tired I just wanted to go to bed. I know I was not the only one feeling this way but because the dinner had been prepared we had to be gracious and be present for the meal. I am sure any chef would have been most upset given that they had probably timed dinner for a couple of hours earlier!
We got the keys to our rooms. I had a shower and then went to bed.
Of course, while going through the security screening at Kayseri I set off the alarms. I got the once over with the wand and then a pat down. In the meantime, another officer wanted to know what the "Whisper" was all about. This is like a little transistor that runs off batteries. It allows the guide to speak through a little microphone and then the voice is picked up by our transistors so that we can hear what is being said. The security person wasn't satisfied with my explanation and called over a police officer. I explained it to him and also that the 40 people behind me also had one each. They said something to each other in Turkish, looked at me again and then waved me on!
We got to Istanbul and then went through the motions again to get the plane to Rome. Yet again, I had a problem going through security. I had the once over again with the magic wand and another pat down. This time, however, it wasn't the "Whisper" that slowed the process down. We had already given these back to Aret when we left him before going through security. This time security took an interest in the stone crucifix I bought and decided he wanted to have a look. He either thought it was some kind of bow and arrow or his curiosity got the better of him. This was a bit of a pain because he had to open up the packaging only to have the smallest of peeks.
So off to Rome we went. Despite the fact that the gate was changed at the last minute from one end of the airport to the other and that the flight left about an hour late, we had a good flight.
We arrived in Rome and as soon as we walked in to the terminal, the chaos began. There were about eight people from our group who did not get their bags. We found out that they were still in Istanbul! Unfortunately, poor Carolyn was one of them! We waited about an hour, after our already late arrival, to see if their bags turned up and while they filled out the paper work. A couple of the bags from other people on our flight, but not in our group, had been quite significantly damaged. I have been very lucky so far!
To get to Domus Australia, our accommodation while in Rome, we had a city tour by night to help us get our bearings. While this was going on, I was thinking about what clothes I could lend Carolyn. Before we reached the accommodation we got word that the missing bags arrived in Rome on the next flight out of Istanbul. There was a great sigh of relief from all those concerned!
Domus Australia is not what I was expecting. It is like a five star hotel! I guess, for a place for Australian Catholic pilgrims to stay while in Rome, I was expecting something a little bit more humble. It was beautiful and, being the Cardinal's guests, we were very well looked after.
The Church on the premises was beautiful. We had Mass there as soon as we arrived. We then had our dinner at about 10:00pm. I was so tired I just wanted to go to bed. I know I was not the only one feeling this way but because the dinner had been prepared we had to be gracious and be present for the meal. I am sure any chef would have been most upset given that they had probably timed dinner for a couple of hours earlier!
We got the keys to our rooms. I had a shower and then went to bed.
Day 17 - Cappadocia
"It is said that St Paul was looking for a secure place after he was expelled from Jerusalem. He came to this region and established its first Christian colony with his followers. Furthermore, St Gregory of Nyssa, one of the Cappadocian Fathers who lived in this area said, on his return from Palestine in 380AD, that the Holy Spirit was not confined to Jerusalem, arguing, 'One might more justly consider that He dwelt in the Cappadocian nation more than anywhere else; for how many altars there are there - one could hardly count so many in the rest of the world.'"
We started the day by visiting an underground city, the Kaymakli Underground City. Christians hid from Arab invaders in these underground cities. It is amazing to see how they carved their way through the soft rock and the planning of the different layers of the city so that each level did not cave in on another. Some of the rooms and passage ways were so low that I hit my head on the ceiling a few times.
We then went to a pottery place where they showed us how they made the traditional Hittite wine bottles and goblets. The man speaking to us said that it has been the family business for a few generations and that they had mastered the traditional Hittite design. The man speaking to us also claimed that this was the area in which the Hittites lived. The art work was beautiful. I bought a small plate and a spoon rest. I also bought a beautiful crucifix carved out of stone. It is quite heavy and will definitely be part of my carry-on luggage. I hope to have this blessed by the Cardinal.
We then had Mass in the cave of a mountain the early Christians had transformed into a Chapel at Avanos.
After lunch, we went to visit Goreme. This is an open-air museum that has the earliest Churches and carved Chapels with Byzantine frescos. We visited the Dark Church, the Apple Church, the Buckle Church and the Nunnery. Unfortunately, we weren't ably to take photos inside.
On the way back to the Hotel we had a short stop at the 'Fairy Chimneys' in the Devrent Valley. These are pieces of volcanic rock that have been eroded away by wind and rain to finish up looking like long mushrooms.
We then went back to the Hotel. After dinner the people who had put washing in to be done had a real fight trying to track it down. There were a lot of other people staying at the hotel as well and the laundry had all been mixed up and delivered to the wrong rooms.
Carolyn's didn't turn up and the person behind the desk told her to go and knock on the doors to see if she could find it! Needless to say, that was not going to happen! The Turkish guide travelling with us saw from a distance the commotion that was unfolding at the desk and he came up straight away and started interceding. I was so glad I hadn't put any washing in but I felt very sorry for Carolyn.
Eventually her clothes turned up in the returned laundry of one of the blokes in our group. How they got the two mixed up, I'll never work out because Carolyn is the shortest person in our group and Steve is the tallest in our group, besides the Cardinal. As a result of this Turkish laundry fiasco everyone then checked their laundry. Everyone's laundry was eventually returned to the correct person, however, all of it was still wet. The people behind the desk then suggested that the clothes be dried by each person with the hair dryers provided in each room! Once again, I was so happy I did not put any laundry in to be done!
We went to bed but Aret stayed up until after midnight arguing with them that they should not be charging anybody for the laundry service. Fortunately for our group Aret won the argument!
We started the day by visiting an underground city, the Kaymakli Underground City. Christians hid from Arab invaders in these underground cities. It is amazing to see how they carved their way through the soft rock and the planning of the different layers of the city so that each level did not cave in on another. Some of the rooms and passage ways were so low that I hit my head on the ceiling a few times.
We then went to a pottery place where they showed us how they made the traditional Hittite wine bottles and goblets. The man speaking to us said that it has been the family business for a few generations and that they had mastered the traditional Hittite design. The man speaking to us also claimed that this was the area in which the Hittites lived. The art work was beautiful. I bought a small plate and a spoon rest. I also bought a beautiful crucifix carved out of stone. It is quite heavy and will definitely be part of my carry-on luggage. I hope to have this blessed by the Cardinal.
We then had Mass in the cave of a mountain the early Christians had transformed into a Chapel at Avanos.
After lunch, we went to visit Goreme. This is an open-air museum that has the earliest Churches and carved Chapels with Byzantine frescos. We visited the Dark Church, the Apple Church, the Buckle Church and the Nunnery. Unfortunately, we weren't ably to take photos inside.
On the way back to the Hotel we had a short stop at the 'Fairy Chimneys' in the Devrent Valley. These are pieces of volcanic rock that have been eroded away by wind and rain to finish up looking like long mushrooms.
We then went back to the Hotel. After dinner the people who had put washing in to be done had a real fight trying to track it down. There were a lot of other people staying at the hotel as well and the laundry had all been mixed up and delivered to the wrong rooms.
Carolyn's didn't turn up and the person behind the desk told her to go and knock on the doors to see if she could find it! Needless to say, that was not going to happen! The Turkish guide travelling with us saw from a distance the commotion that was unfolding at the desk and he came up straight away and started interceding. I was so glad I hadn't put any washing in but I felt very sorry for Carolyn.
Eventually her clothes turned up in the returned laundry of one of the blokes in our group. How they got the two mixed up, I'll never work out because Carolyn is the shortest person in our group and Steve is the tallest in our group, besides the Cardinal. As a result of this Turkish laundry fiasco everyone then checked their laundry. Everyone's laundry was eventually returned to the correct person, however, all of it was still wet. The people behind the desk then suggested that the clothes be dried by each person with the hair dryers provided in each room! Once again, I was so happy I did not put any laundry in to be done!
We went to bed but Aret stayed up until after midnight arguing with them that they should not be charging anybody for the laundry service. Fortunately for our group Aret won the argument!
Day 15 - Day in Istanbul
After breakfast we headed off to Mass at the Church of St Peter and St Paul. Again, this was a Church that did not look like a Church from the outside. It was at the top of a very steep and narrow street, tucked away in a corner. I imagine the Church had been there a long time and that the surrounding buildings that towered over it came later. The Churches here don't have the grounds that ours do in Australia. Nor do they have the parish primary schools that we have either.
After Mass, we had about cruise down the Phosphorus Strait. A few of us were feeling a bit anxious about this given the fact that we were back on a small boat. Fortunately, even though we had taken sea-sickness tablets, we did not go out to sea so nobody really got sick at all. This was a good thing as we had some serious shopping ahead of us in the afternoon!
The Bosphorus Strait runs between two continents, Europe and Asia. We sailed past the Ottoman Palaces, Byzantine fortresses and the Beylerbeyi Palace.
After the boat cruise we then went to the 6th Century Basilica Cistern. A few of us were confused in the beginning because we thought it was another Basilca. We have seen so many of them already! I was wondering how anyone would name a Basilica after a cistern! When we got down there we understood. This was a water supply for the city and was named the Basilica Cistern because it looked like a Basilica. There were a large number of pillars which, I guess, likened it to Church architecture.
We then had lunch. Carolyn, my room mate, Alison and I got a chicken kebab for lunch and went and sat in a park. The park was lovely but the kebab didn't compare with ours in Australia!
After lunch we walked to Topkapi Palace. This was like a mini-city which the Sultan resided in. We saw some of the jewels of the Sultan. The highlight was seeing an 84 carat diamond! There was an interesting story to this one. A man found it in a heap of rubbish and then gave it to a peddler in exchange for three spoons. The peddler the took it to a jeweller to have it valued. Once the jeweller realised the value of it he offered to buy the "rock" at really reduced amount without disclosing its true value. A dispute broke out once the peddler found out that he had been duped. When hearing about the dispute, the Sultan then decided that he was going to have the diamond. Lucky Sultan! He first had the diamond put into a ring setting but this became to big and heavy to wear on his hand so he then had it reset into a brooch to pin onto his turban.
It was then time to shop ... We made our way to the Grand Bazaar! What an experience this was! I have never been so falsely flattered by so many merchants in all of my life. The Bazaar was not what I was expecting at all I thought it would actually be something like our Paddy's markets but it was far more up-market than that. There were over 4000 tiny shops all selling exotic Turkish items. You name it ... and you would find it! One of the funniest lines from a merchant I was on the receiving end of was "Hello pretty lady. Can I help you spend your money please?" Another one was "Ah, for a beautiful lady I have beautiful carpet. Come inside my shop please and I sell you a beautiful carpet." When I thanked the man and politely told him that I did not need a carpet he then invited me again to go into his shop so that he could sell me something else that was beautiful!
We had a great time at the Grand Bazaar and when we all got back on the bus there were lots of comparing of purchases and many laughs over the smooths lines we all received from the merchants. Fortunately, none of us took to heart being referred to as a beautiful woman ... It wouldn't surprise me if the men with us were also called beautiful!
We got back to the Hotel had dinner and eventually got into bed.
After Mass, we had about cruise down the Phosphorus Strait. A few of us were feeling a bit anxious about this given the fact that we were back on a small boat. Fortunately, even though we had taken sea-sickness tablets, we did not go out to sea so nobody really got sick at all. This was a good thing as we had some serious shopping ahead of us in the afternoon!
The Bosphorus Strait runs between two continents, Europe and Asia. We sailed past the Ottoman Palaces, Byzantine fortresses and the Beylerbeyi Palace.
After the boat cruise we then went to the 6th Century Basilica Cistern. A few of us were confused in the beginning because we thought it was another Basilca. We have seen so many of them already! I was wondering how anyone would name a Basilica after a cistern! When we got down there we understood. This was a water supply for the city and was named the Basilica Cistern because it looked like a Basilica. There were a large number of pillars which, I guess, likened it to Church architecture.
We then had lunch. Carolyn, my room mate, Alison and I got a chicken kebab for lunch and went and sat in a park. The park was lovely but the kebab didn't compare with ours in Australia!
After lunch we walked to Topkapi Palace. This was like a mini-city which the Sultan resided in. We saw some of the jewels of the Sultan. The highlight was seeing an 84 carat diamond! There was an interesting story to this one. A man found it in a heap of rubbish and then gave it to a peddler in exchange for three spoons. The peddler the took it to a jeweller to have it valued. Once the jeweller realised the value of it he offered to buy the "rock" at really reduced amount without disclosing its true value. A dispute broke out once the peddler found out that he had been duped. When hearing about the dispute, the Sultan then decided that he was going to have the diamond. Lucky Sultan! He first had the diamond put into a ring setting but this became to big and heavy to wear on his hand so he then had it reset into a brooch to pin onto his turban.
It was then time to shop ... We made our way to the Grand Bazaar! What an experience this was! I have never been so falsely flattered by so many merchants in all of my life. The Bazaar was not what I was expecting at all I thought it would actually be something like our Paddy's markets but it was far more up-market than that. There were over 4000 tiny shops all selling exotic Turkish items. You name it ... and you would find it! One of the funniest lines from a merchant I was on the receiving end of was "Hello pretty lady. Can I help you spend your money please?" Another one was "Ah, for a beautiful lady I have beautiful carpet. Come inside my shop please and I sell you a beautiful carpet." When I thanked the man and politely told him that I did not need a carpet he then invited me again to go into his shop so that he could sell me something else that was beautiful!
We had a great time at the Grand Bazaar and when we all got back on the bus there were lots of comparing of purchases and many laughs over the smooths lines we all received from the merchants. Fortunately, none of us took to heart being referred to as a beautiful woman ... It wouldn't surprise me if the men with us were also called beautiful!
We got back to the Hotel had dinner and eventually got into bed.
Day 16 - Istanbul to Cappadocia
I have just read a couple of my previous posts and realised that at times the spelling, grammar and sentence construction are sometimes incorrect. This is probably the result of fatigue, typing on a bus or the auto correct taking over. I apologise for these mistakes and hope that you are able to make sense of what I am saying!
This morning we visited the Byzantine Hippodrome. There were three obelisks that we looked at. It is amazing how they managed to get the two very large ones in place.
From there we had a short walk over to the Blue Mosque. I have seen pictures of this in text books but to see it in the real was amazing. It is a beautiful building! Of course, we had to take our shoes off before entering but I also had to put a wrap-around skirt on because I had shorts on. I forgot to think about what I was wearing when I got dressed this morning. The windows were beautiful and the decorative ceilings were as well.
From the Blue Mosque we then went to the Hagia Sophia. This was a most interesting place to visit. It had been once a Christian place of worship and then became a Moslem place of worship. To see the Christian images along side the Moslem ones left me thinking about what it must have been like for the Christians living in Turkey during the times when there was the battle with Moslems regarding which tradition would win as the state religion. How lucky we are to be living in a country where we can choose our creed and be free to practise it! This is no longer a place of worship but rather a museum. 'Hagia Sophia' means 'Holy Wisdom'. It was built in 548AD and was the greatest Church in Christendom until 1453 when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire.
In the afternoon we went back to the airport for our domestic flight to Kayseri Airport. From there, we had a coach to take us to Cappadocia. It has been written:
"A visit to the Cappadocia region is like stepping into a fairy tale setting. The rocks of Cappadocia near Goreme eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and minaret-like forms. The volcanic deposits from ancient volcanoes millions of years ago are soft rocks that the people of the villages at the heart of the Cappadocian region carved out to form houses, churches and monasteries. Goreme became a monastic centre between 300-1200AD."
I am quite excited about learning about this place.
This morning we visited the Byzantine Hippodrome. There were three obelisks that we looked at. It is amazing how they managed to get the two very large ones in place.
From there we had a short walk over to the Blue Mosque. I have seen pictures of this in text books but to see it in the real was amazing. It is a beautiful building! Of course, we had to take our shoes off before entering but I also had to put a wrap-around skirt on because I had shorts on. I forgot to think about what I was wearing when I got dressed this morning. The windows were beautiful and the decorative ceilings were as well.
From the Blue Mosque we then went to the Hagia Sophia. This was a most interesting place to visit. It had been once a Christian place of worship and then became a Moslem place of worship. To see the Christian images along side the Moslem ones left me thinking about what it must have been like for the Christians living in Turkey during the times when there was the battle with Moslems regarding which tradition would win as the state religion. How lucky we are to be living in a country where we can choose our creed and be free to practise it! This is no longer a place of worship but rather a museum. 'Hagia Sophia' means 'Holy Wisdom'. It was built in 548AD and was the greatest Church in Christendom until 1453 when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire.
In the afternoon we went back to the airport for our domestic flight to Kayseri Airport. From there, we had a coach to take us to Cappadocia. It has been written:
"A visit to the Cappadocia region is like stepping into a fairy tale setting. The rocks of Cappadocia near Goreme eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and minaret-like forms. The volcanic deposits from ancient volcanoes millions of years ago are soft rocks that the people of the villages at the heart of the Cappadocian region carved out to form houses, churches and monasteries. Goreme became a monastic centre between 300-1200AD."
I am quite excited about learning about this place.
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Day 14 - Gallipoli Pilgrimage with the Dawn Anzac Day Service
At about 10:30pm last night we set out for Gallipoli. We were all pretty tired but there was also an air of excitement as we boarded the bus.
We drove to the port and not too long after arriving the bus drove on to the boat. When we arrived at Gallipoli Penisula we went as close to Anzac Cove as we could by bus. The plan was to sleep for an hour and then start the walk down to the cove. Most people did sleep but a few of us couldn't. There was one pilgrim snoring so loudly that the bus rattled! Before too long, the stale air was starting to get to me. So I got off and walked around a bit. If it wasn't for the flood lights that were around, it would have been pitch black. There was nothing around.
By about 2:30am we got the call that if we did not make a move we would not be allowed to go through. So we rugged up and off we went. I was so tired ... it had been quite some time since we had had some sleep.
We had to go through security. As we went through the security we were greeted by Australian volunteers who gave us tote bags with little goodies in them.
As we continued walking down to the cove, there were blue flood lights pointed out toward the sea. This created a very eerie atmosphere. I was able to imagine what it must have been like for those young men as they landed and knowing the landscape, as it was along the edge of the cliffs that we walked, it was very easy to see how our soldiers really had no chance at all.
We found our seats ... Section A1! We just couldn't believe how lucky we were. There had been hundreds of people there before us who were sleeping on the ground in sleeping bags and we just walked straight in and were directed to our seats. It was very cold but at least we were not sleeping on cold ground.
The dawn service began with a very solemn chant from two Maori women. I will never forget the stirring inside of me when I heard this. I obviously didn't understand what they were singing but for me, it helped me to feel the grief of the women who had lost their sons, husbands, fathers, brothers and lovers. It was the most haunting song of grief I have ever heard. This really set the tone of the ceremony.
Julia Gillard spoke beautifully. There were other dignitaries who also spoke. There was pin-drop silence while the Ode was being played. I was so very lucky to be present for this.
At the end of the Ceremony we went down to the beach and took some photos. I can't believe I stood on the same shore as our diggers.
We then walked to Lone Pine for the service that was taking place there. This was quite a walk. The Lone Pine Service was for Australians only. The Kiwis had their ceremony at another place. This was a bit more celebratory in nature. Again, there was a great sadness at this place as well with so many of our diggers dieing there in battle. The headstones read "Believed to be buried in this cemetery". It was so sad to see that and I was very moved by this. We were fortunate enough, again, to be sitting in prime seats. So much so, that the Prime Minister came up to say hello. I shook her hand and said hello to her! Some of our group were able to have a photo with her. We were all very excited!
By this stage it was starting to get very hot! When it came to singing the national anthem we all stood up and very proudly starting singing. Unfortunately, after only three or four lines I had a lump in my throat and couldn't really sing very loudly at all. I found it to be such a proud moment to be Australian.
After the service we then walked to the bus. On the way out we stopped at some of the trenches. I am amazed at how small they were and also how close they were to the enemy.
We were then back on the bus and on our way to Istanbul. We stopped about half way and had a very late lunch and early dinner.
Once we got to the Hotel we checked in, had Mass and then went to bed.
We drove to the port and not too long after arriving the bus drove on to the boat. When we arrived at Gallipoli Penisula we went as close to Anzac Cove as we could by bus. The plan was to sleep for an hour and then start the walk down to the cove. Most people did sleep but a few of us couldn't. There was one pilgrim snoring so loudly that the bus rattled! Before too long, the stale air was starting to get to me. So I got off and walked around a bit. If it wasn't for the flood lights that were around, it would have been pitch black. There was nothing around.
By about 2:30am we got the call that if we did not make a move we would not be allowed to go through. So we rugged up and off we went. I was so tired ... it had been quite some time since we had had some sleep.
We had to go through security. As we went through the security we were greeted by Australian volunteers who gave us tote bags with little goodies in them.
As we continued walking down to the cove, there were blue flood lights pointed out toward the sea. This created a very eerie atmosphere. I was able to imagine what it must have been like for those young men as they landed and knowing the landscape, as it was along the edge of the cliffs that we walked, it was very easy to see how our soldiers really had no chance at all.
We found our seats ... Section A1! We just couldn't believe how lucky we were. There had been hundreds of people there before us who were sleeping on the ground in sleeping bags and we just walked straight in and were directed to our seats. It was very cold but at least we were not sleeping on cold ground.
The dawn service began with a very solemn chant from two Maori women. I will never forget the stirring inside of me when I heard this. I obviously didn't understand what they were singing but for me, it helped me to feel the grief of the women who had lost their sons, husbands, fathers, brothers and lovers. It was the most haunting song of grief I have ever heard. This really set the tone of the ceremony.
Julia Gillard spoke beautifully. There were other dignitaries who also spoke. There was pin-drop silence while the Ode was being played. I was so very lucky to be present for this.
At the end of the Ceremony we went down to the beach and took some photos. I can't believe I stood on the same shore as our diggers.
We then walked to Lone Pine for the service that was taking place there. This was quite a walk. The Lone Pine Service was for Australians only. The Kiwis had their ceremony at another place. This was a bit more celebratory in nature. Again, there was a great sadness at this place as well with so many of our diggers dieing there in battle. The headstones read "Believed to be buried in this cemetery". It was so sad to see that and I was very moved by this. We were fortunate enough, again, to be sitting in prime seats. So much so, that the Prime Minister came up to say hello. I shook her hand and said hello to her! Some of our group were able to have a photo with her. We were all very excited!
By this stage it was starting to get very hot! When it came to singing the national anthem we all stood up and very proudly starting singing. Unfortunately, after only three or four lines I had a lump in my throat and couldn't really sing very loudly at all. I found it to be such a proud moment to be Australian.
After the service we then walked to the bus. On the way out we stopped at some of the trenches. I am amazed at how small they were and also how close they were to the enemy.
We were then back on the bus and on our way to Istanbul. We stopped about half way and had a very late lunch and early dinner.
Once we got to the Hotel we checked in, had Mass and then went to bed.
Day 13 - Assos, Alexander Troas and Troy
Today we went to Alexander Troy. This is an ancient site dating back to about 310BC. We had to be escorted in by security. This security extend to a man on a motorbike! I'm not sure what or who we needed security from ... There was no one or nothing in sight! We had Mass on what could have been the base of the ancient temple. Our guide said that it probably needed another 30 or 40 years of excavation before they would really know more about the site. It is thought that the temple was dedicated to Emperor Augustus.
We then went to Assos. This was a little village set on a very steep mountain slope. There were lots of little stalls mainly run by the elderly. The Temple of Athena was set on this mountain and the view from the Temple was spectacular. We had lunch at the bottom of the village. Most of us had a Gozmele which is a type of pancake with cheese in it.
We then made our way to Troy. We were told by the guide that the city dates back to 3000BC. This is an interesting place to visit and did find it quite easy to imagine what it must have been like in those ancient times.
We then went to Assos. This was a little village set on a very steep mountain slope. There were lots of little stalls mainly run by the elderly. The Temple of Athena was set on this mountain and the view from the Temple was spectacular. We had lunch at the bottom of the village. Most of us had a Gozmele which is a type of pancake with cheese in it.
We then made our way to Troy. We were told by the guide that the city dates back to 3000BC. This is an interesting place to visit and did find it quite easy to imagine what it must have been like in those ancient times.
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