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.