The NZ memorial service at Chunuk Bair.

The service went well,  everyone spoke well, and wreaths were laid by an astonishing no of Representatives of foreign governments.  Most of the EUROPEAN Union were represented,  and the Canadians had a government and military presence,  as did, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh (they all fought with us at Gallipoli)  The Turkish president also laid a wreath as did Prince Charles. Harry laid one on behalf of veterans. Some VIP people came to our service. Much of the singing

was in Te Reo, well led by the RNZAF. Here is the crowd around the memorial on all sides.
Afterwards we waited in the stands until around 1500hrs. We all agreed ours was way better than the Australians. But that's just being parochial.

After we came down from the stands, we waited in the marquees for the buses. They had to pick the Australians up from Lone Pine first, they had been waiting since midday in their stands, they were not allowed to leave. Around 1500hrs the wind iced up from the north and the temperature dropped sharply to well below 10 degrees. We had moved outside the tents by this time so as not to miss our bus numbers. The controller calling the numbers got quite concerned and sent an air force medic over to us who said we must go inside and got blankets to wrap around us. The military started making us all hot cups of tea,  soup and noodles to keep us warm, assisted by the youth ambassadors,  they were wonderful.By this time it was 2000 hrs, and finally our bus was called. Each time a bus was called the military (mostly musicians and medics) would cheer and clap as each group left. I have the strangest feeling I have been somewhere else where they have done this, I certainly remember the navy's soloist,  and her fabulous voice.  They were wonderful!  It was a huge relief to get aboard a warm bus. The same government official who  was so efficient at getting everyone seated, checked us all off onto the buses, making sure no one was left behind. That man deserves a medal, except he all ready had a chest full of them.  Including the order of NZ.  I am fairly sure I know who he is, but he would not appreciate being publically named.
on the bus back it took until 2200 hrs to get over the Dardenelles on the ferry such was the congestion. When we got to the wharf we had to clear immigration out of Turkey even though we were headed to Istanbul. I think that was all around security on the peninsula. The reason it had all taken so long is that the military police would only allow 5 busses to depart at any given time. The Australians just got to freeze on their stands, no assistance from their military was given. We were asked to wait for all the other buses to go first with immigration,  then we got back on our buses to wait for the tender, but we were told the ship may dock, but that was not possible as there were ships in every available dock. The buses were driven to the end of the pier, as technically we we had exited Turkey. No tenders! By now it was around 0100hrs on the 26th April. We were annoyed at the lack of information,  but we could see the Azamara Journey sitting 100 meters off the pier. Finally the tug moved and in came the tenders. As we got on we were given hot soup, and as I looked up at the ship there were waiters on the upper resturant (the informal one), so we knew they had food for us. We were prepared for other hardships, but not the difficulties at the end.
It seemed odd having dinner at 0100hrs but that's how it was.  I am so greatful to our military for all the help they gave us. We were very well looked after.

 The farewell parties!