Day 37 Anzac Cove

Day 37 – Anzac Cove – Thursday 21/6/12

Weather – Fine and Sunny 23C - 25C

Sunrise – 5.47am

Sunset – 8.46pm

Time difference - minus 7 hours ex Sydney.

After departing Istanbul, Sun Princess set westerly courses through the Sea of Marmara towards the Dardanelles. At around 2am the pilot got on and guided us past Gelibolu. At2.40am we passed Dalyan Point just a couple of miles portside. At 3.40am we passed Nara Point, then chucked a big turn to port and passed Canakkale. The pilot got off at 4.30am at the Kumkale Pilot Station, and then we continued north toward Anzac Cove for our early morning scenic cruise.

This was a very special morning. Most of the ship was up in time for a 6am Anzac service that was held top deck, whilst the ship was just 3 miles off the Gallipoli coast. It was a well conducted service, with the Passenger Choir providing special input. After the service the captain took the ship as close as possible to the shoreline, about 1km, and then we hugged the coastline for a few kms whilst an historian, pointed out points of interest.

It was not hard to be moved by the occasion, the service, the location and the history of this little patch of the world. All Australians and New Zealanders reading this blog will know what I mean when I say that the very solemn feeling one has on Anzac Day just enveloped the ship. We had a few hours to embrace Anzac Cove, and even after we turned away from Anzac Cove, many folk just stayed out on deck and reflected upon that period that impacted so much in many Australian and New Zealand families in 1915, and right up until today.

The rest of the day was just spent reading, either by the pool in the sun, or down on the deck chairs on Promenade deck. Pre-dinner show by Ventriloquist, Steve Hewlett, was excellent, a very funny show

After departing Anzac Cove, we steered south westerly courses towards Pireaus for our visit to Athens.