Anzac Cove

Friday 26th
A very special day, as we woke to find the ship stopped off Anzac Cove (which I have to admit is not where I thought it was, being on the western side of the peninsula, not Gallipoli to the east).  Lesson 1.  Anyway, land was on the starboard side, so after waiting half an hour for our tea, we went upstairs to get a view of land.  They were setting up for the service, and as number of veterans were having a pre service tot. Found Christine & Mark, so we ventured into the trough (Horizon Court) for a quick buffet breakfast.  By the time we'd finished the crowd was assembling and we were fortunate to get a spot on deck 15, with a perfect view of the proceedings.

Captain Kent conducted an excellent and moving service, with the Sea Princess Choir (incl. Mark 1) in full voice.  They/we concluded the service with the Australian and New Zealand National Anthems including the 1st verse in Maori, which was no mean feat. We could see the landing beaches, memorials etc. from a distance and it was a pity that they did not provide a map, so that we could all correctly identify the area.  However we were extremely fortunate to get into to area, which is off limits to other cruise ships, but as we were sailing from Sydney, the Turkish government gives us special permission.

We stayed off the shore until 11.00 and then we did a full 360 degree turn, so that everyone could get a good view before we headed off for our next port of call, Santorini tomorrow.  As Vivian has bridge, it was down to MDR for lunch (making up for breakfast) and as we are just finishing the waiter opens the curtain and there is a submarine beside us!  This area is a major shipping lane into Istanbul and through into the Black Sea, so it could have been anyone's.  Later I looked at it through the binoculars and it was flying the Turkish flag, but that doesn't mean anything as it was simply in Turkish waters. We were flying the same flag yesterday☺

As I write, we are being buzzed by some unknown jet fighters, unseen from the port side however.  Must have been friendly as we are still here.  Vivian has finished bridge & our green tea and cookies on deck 5, and is enjoying a nap before show? & dinner & 2nd show??  I don't think so, as she is fighting off the bot, which is rife, with too many people out and about when they should stay in their cabins.  Touch wood, I am fine and have just finished my NZ supplied antibiotics.

Tomorrow is Santorini and we have nothing planned other than taking the cable car up to the town of Fira for shopping and coffee.  As this is our last Greek port of call, I trust that our Euros are still OK.  Sad how they don't seem to be able to get a deal in place. Hey looks as though I may have mastered the photos at last.  If so, I'll post some earlier ones.