Day 5 (Friday) [TROY]
This morning the pace was relaxed in preparation for our busy day tomorrow. Everyone woke up full of excitement because they’re going to be sleeping under the stars tonight. But first we travelled south to tour the ancient city of Troy, immortalised in the tales of the Trojan War and the story of the famous Trojan Horse. We all came here thinking 100 years is such a long time ago but that all changes when you stand on the ruins of a 4000+ year old city of 9 different archaeological layers.
Day 5 (Friday) [MIMOZA PARK/ACS DAWN SERVICE SITE]
After Troy we headed back to our resort for the final time to pack our bags and say goodbye to our hosts. We know it’s getting serious now as we go through the first of 6 checkpoints before we get on to the car ferry. On the peninsula today we see an armed police officer on every corner and lots of armed soldiers in every farm field (and we thought their camouflage gear was supposed to work better than that). 3 checkpoints later we reach Mimosa Park secure holding area where we receive a tent and meal pack and settle in until our 3am wake up call. It is now that we really start to identify with the 10,000 or so nervous, anxious and scared ANZACs who would have been on troop ships in the sea immediately in front of us. Because we have such a large group it is decided that we will be the last ones moved up to ACS (Anzac Commemorative Site). Everyone thought of inventive ways to survive the near freezing night and the winners were the kids who gathered up pine needles to make an insulated mattress to crash on. After the most brilliant sunset (ok we have said that about 4 times so far but really it was) a clear cold night sky became the backdrop for a perfect crescent moon (think Turkish flag). I am not sure what phase of the moon occurred in 1915 but if it was this one then it may have been an omen for a ‘home team advantage’.
This morning the pace was relaxed in preparation for our busy day tomorrow. Everyone woke up full of excitement because they’re going to be sleeping under the stars tonight. But first we travelled south to tour the ancient city of Troy, immortalised in the tales of the Trojan War and the story of the famous Trojan Horse. We all came here thinking 100 years is such a long time ago but that all changes when you stand on the ruins of a 4000+ year old city of 9 different archaeological layers.
Day 5 (Friday) [MIMOZA PARK/ACS DAWN SERVICE SITE]
After Troy we headed back to our resort for the final time to pack our bags and say goodbye to our hosts. We know it’s getting serious now as we go through the first of 6 checkpoints before we get on to the car ferry. On the peninsula today we see an armed police officer on every corner and lots of armed soldiers in every farm field (and we thought their camouflage gear was supposed to work better than that). 3 checkpoints later we reach Mimosa Park secure holding area where we receive a tent and meal pack and settle in until our 3am wake up call. It is now that we really start to identify with the 10,000 or so nervous, anxious and scared ANZACs who would have been on troop ships in the sea immediately in front of us. Because we have such a large group it is decided that we will be the last ones moved up to ACS (Anzac Commemorative Site). Everyone thought of inventive ways to survive the near freezing night and the winners were the kids who gathered up pine needles to make an insulated mattress to crash on. After the most brilliant sunset (ok we have said that about 4 times so far but really it was) a clear cold night sky became the backdrop for a perfect crescent moon (think Turkish flag). I am not sure what phase of the moon occurred in 1915 but if it was this one then it may have been an omen for a ‘home team advantage’.