Visit Gallipoli on Anzac Day

This year i finally went.

There were about 50,000 Australians and Kiwis there,
all crammed into a temporary stadium facing the water where the ANZACs landed.

It was very moving.

I saw the trenches, visited the landmarks where significant battles took place. Chunuk Bair, Hill 60, and others.

I saw the lists of names of soldiers whoes bodies were never recovered. There were hundreds of headstones of young soldiers killed in action.

They were mostly in their early 20’s.

What do most people in their early 20’s do these days?
Play video games and get drunk, without a care in the world.

Makes you think doesnt it?

I know there are dozens of conflicts all around the world, and many young people are being killed every day.

Will that ever change?
Is worldwide peace possible?

Thankyou Turkey for forgiving your invaders, and welcoming their decendants as friends.
May you never have to face such battles again.

I have booked a tour.
About time!

So i’ll have to do it next year.

Am going to go to a dawn service here in NZ. This one will have to wait.

My first glimpse of Gallipoli was watching the cliffs emerge in the dawn light while waiting in the dark and the cold.

No-one prepared me for how heart breakingly beautiful it is there.

I have been back since .. words can’t describe what you feel being there .. it is a humbling, inspiring and sorrowful experience.

It is worth the journey.

I’ve been living in Europe now for nearly five years and i still havent done this!

Doesn’t every NZer?