We boarded the bus at 8:00 to head out for the day. Fortunately it fits 12 people, so it’s nice not be on top of each other. Here’s where we went, then I’ll elaborate:

• Bathroom stop in Tekirdag – we were supposed to do wine tasting at a private vineyard, but they had to cancel
• Gallipoli monuments, cemetery and a museum
• Lunch in Kesan on the water
• Ferry across the Sea to Cannakule
• Troy or Troi and escalated ruins
• Final destination a small fishing village in Assos to eat and spend the night

We traveled the European coast southwest on the Sea of Marmara. At one point on our way we turned left toward Cannakule (pronounced Channacooli) but there was a sign identifying the way to Greece. It was only 30 kilometers away. In Turkey they call it Yunanistan, not Greece.

We stopped to have lunch on the Dardanelles, in an inexpensive traditional Turkish restaurant. Beautiful view. We had stuffed eggplant, stuffed peppers, meatballs, chick peas, fish, and stuffed zucchini. Yummy. I even bought perfume from someone on the street. I know it’s not real, but it was fun.

The bus ride to Gallipoli was 4 hours, so we stopped 2 hours in for a bathroom break in Tekirdag. Mom had to use the WC (water closet). It was a pay toilet, and she was quite happy to select one with a seat, because others it was just a hole in the ground. Tekirdag is known for its meatballs and raki. Raki is 45% alcohol made of grapes. Some places its made of apricots or figs. They add anise for the flavor. People call it lions milk because it makes you brave, or stupid.

Gallipoli was quite amazing and so tragic. I never saw the Mel Gibson movie, but will be renting it when we get home. Almost 400,000 soldiers (allies and Turks) were killed or wounded between April 1914 and January 1916.

There were so any memorials built, but we only visited 4 – Anzac, Lone Pine (the Australian National Momument), Turkish memorial, and one with the statue go Mustafa Kemal (who order the Turkish troops not just fight, but to die). There was a beautiful memorial dedicated to all that died.

• “Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives…

You are now living in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours…

You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace, after having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.”

Then we took the Dardanelles car ferry from Europe to Asia. It only took about 30 minutes, and was a beautiful ride…in the shade. Mom bought another gift on the ferry.

Our next stop was Troy; it was fascinating to see that Homer might have had some insight into this mythological city. Amazing to see stone walls, dating back to 3000 BC. Seeing the wells, alters where aphrodite was worshipped. And the roads onto the buildings. The Trojan horse on display is the one from the movie. It was a gift.

Our last stop was a small fishing village in Assos. The rides were steep and narrow, but worth the stress. Our hotel is Nazlihan, sits right on the water and is beautiful. It used to be an acorn storage building and wasn’t turned into a hotel until 1990.