A couple of years ago, I wrote about my trip to Gallipoli for Anzac Day 2009 with the Australian-based travel group, The Fanatics. It was one of the more memorable experiences of my life and you can read about it here (it’ll only take a couple of minutes, but it’s worth it for those who haven’t visited this sacred site).
Ahead of this year’s 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing—the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War—I thought I’d share some more photos from my 24 hours in Gallipoli, and a couple from Istanbul.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli Anzac Day Gallipoli](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-XPgPzm.jpeg)
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli Fields of green and gold greeted us as we made our way to Gallipoli on Anzac Day eve.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-NhMGbK.jpeg)
Fields of green and gold greeted us as we made our way to the Gallipoli Peninsula on Anzac Day eve.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli The view over Sulva Bay, Galipoli.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-RL7mPW.jpeg)
In 1985, the Turkish Government agreed to the official naming of this part of the Gallipoli Peninsula ‘Anzac Cove’.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli The beachside war cemetery of Ari Brunu on Sulva Bay contains the graves of 182 Australians, including 82 men from the Australian Light Horse regiments.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-OXxyML.jpeg)
The beachside war cemetery of Ari Brunu at Anzac Cove contains the graves of 182 Australians, including 82 men from the Australian Light Horse regiments.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli Anzac Day Gallipoli](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-kTmMfQ.jpeg)
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli Anzac Day Gallipoli](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-EnYGqK.jpeg)
![Anzac Cove Gallipoli](https://blondeambition82.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/2926_82845269046_6963581_n.jpg?w=639)
A tribute written in 1934 by Atatürk (Mustafa Kemal), commander of the 19th Division, the main reserve of the Turkish Fifth Army, wrote this tribute to the Anzacs killed at Gallipoli.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli The Lone Pine memorial commemorates more than 4,900 Australian and New Zealand servicemen who died in the Anzac area. Some died at sea buried in the waters off Gallipoli.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-mFvXXK.jpeg)
The Lone Pine memorial commemorates more than 4,900 Australian and New Zealand servicemen who died in the Anzac area. Some died at sea buried in the waters off Gallipoli.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli The memorial at Lone Pine.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-u476CH.jpeg)
The memorial at Lone Pine.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli Anzac Day Gallipoli](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-p62pGJ.jpeg)
The grave of John “Jack” Simpson Kirkpatrick (6 July 1892 – 19 May 1915), who was a stretcher bearer with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. After landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915, he obtained a donkey and began carrying wounded British Empire soldiers from the front line to the beach, for evacuation. He continued this work for three and a half weeks, often under fire, until he was killed, during the Third attack on Anzac Cove.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli The Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-zPadlg.jpeg)
The Turkish 57th Regiment Memorial.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli Anzac Day Gallipoli Fanatics](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-dYPwpI.jpeg)
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli So proud to be in Gallipoli honouring those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-xcivm8.jpeg)
So proud to be in Gallipoli honouring those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli We made the 3km trek from Sulva Bay to Lone Pine. I couldn't even imagine trying to do it under enemy fire.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-XmKifd.jpeg)
Following the Dawn Service, we made the 3km trek from Sulva Bay to Lone Pine for a second memorial service. I couldn’t even imagine trying to do it under enemy fire.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli Were it not for the 37 cemeteries and war memorials scattered across its peninsula, the area’s beauty could almost mask its tragic past; where wildflowers now grow, blood was once spilled.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-LTlzP5.jpeg)
Were it not for the 37 cemeteries and war memorials scattered across its peninsula, the area’s beauty could almost mask its tragic past; where wildflowers now grow, blood was once spilled.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli Anzac Day Gallipoli](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-UfB1QL.jpeg)
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli Families were allowed 65 characters to write a lasting message about their loved one on the headstones scattered across the Gallipoli Peninsula.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-9LGjgY.jpeg)
Families were allowed 65 characters to write a lasting message about their loved one on the headstones scattered across the Gallipoli Peninsula.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli Waiting for the Australian service at Lone Pine where Turks and Australians lived, fought and died.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-8MTUB6.jpeg)
Waiting for the Australian service at Lone Pine where Turks and Australians lived, fought and died.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world with more than 58 streets, over 1,200 shops, and more than 250,000 visitors daily. Products include handmade rugs, pottery, mosiac lanterns and much more.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-jDPhZZ.jpeg)
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world with more than 58 streets, over 1,200 shops, and more than 250,000 visitors daily. Products include handmade rugs, pottery, mosiac lanterns and much more.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli 2926_82845174046_7491359_n](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-AWRcXZ.jpeg)
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli Apple tea and hand woven rugs are two of Turkey's specialties.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-SaHkQm.jpeg)
Apple tea and hand woven rugs are two of Turkey’s specialties.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli Istanbul, Turkey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-0PJAAR.jpeg)
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli The Blue Mosque, Istanbul](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-z1C5ED.jpeg)
The Blue Mosque in Istanbul mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 years, during the rule of Ahmed I, and was named for the blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior design.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli The gardens inside Topkapi Palace, Istanbul.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-DW2Rgy.jpeg)
The gardens inside Topkapi Palace, Istanbul which was the primary residence of the Ottoman sultans for approximately 400 years (1465–1856) of their 624-year reign.
![Anzac Day in Gallipoli The underground cistern in Istanbul is thought to have been built 532 AD.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/119/1197984/anzac-day-in-gallipoli-L-zYUOZZ.jpeg)
The underground cistern in Istanbul is thought to have been built 532 AD.