Gallipoli, Troy & ANZAC day

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
05/04/2009 02:22

I'm not sure whether I'm allowed to write this but here goes! I am trying to organize a non profit making trip for TRNC residents to Gallipoli and Troy during April next year to include ANZAC day 25th April 5am Memorial service, 5 days, 4 nights B&B to include all transfers (starting point Girne), flights, coaches, guide (me!) and time in Istanbul. No single person supplement is envisaged. Impossible to gather prices from hotels, airlines, coach companies at present as It's 'too far in advance' to quote for! Given that business in Turkey seems only interested in pricing in Euros (not so good for Stg at present) I've approximated a ceiling price of no more than £350 pp. Any interest of intent would be gratefully received. Not sure whether I'm allowed to give out my email address but Janny from Goktur Travel will give out my contact numbers.

Richard

Navek



Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 2656

Message Posted:
05/04/2009 09:15

Hi Brinsley,



"Not sure whether I'm allowed to give out my email address "



All board members with over 50 posts can view your profile,

which has your email address, so no problem there.

Good luck with your trip.

Navek

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
05/04/2009 14:51

Hi Richard

Have always wanted to visit Gallipoli so would be very interested in the trip should it come to fruition. Very best of luck.

Regards

Paul

joseph


Joined: 17/04/2008
Posts: 709

Message Posted:
05/04/2009 15:48

Hi Brinsley...



Gallipoli... caught my eye as my mum lost family there. What a fantastic idea and all credit to you. If I was resident in TRNC I would def go... maybe sometime in the future



Why not ring local papers and see if they would write a short story about your proposed trip/Gallipoli anniversary etc as I am sure this would get it advertised and generate interest?



Best Regards



Joseph

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
05/04/2009 16:47

What about Anzac this 2009?



Try http://www.fezbus.co.uk from £99.00

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
05/04/2009 17:43

Fine, if you're a back packer in your twenties, able to stay awake for 18hrs, coaches with no loos and able to handle a mass of drunken antipodeans en route! Went with them 7 years ago and they were totally unprofessional. I paid near on £250 then, return flight included from ERN.

I am a Blue Badge Paris Tour guide so should know the level of service and organisation I wish to provide for those that may wish to participate in this trip! Bon chance avec Fez tours!

Richard

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
05/04/2009 18:03

Hi Brinsley,



Most important why have a go at Fez they did not do so to you.



Seven years and a lot of changes! There are backpacker tours from Fez they are generally aimed at the younger set but we have also had people in their seventies on the HoHo tours and no complaints.



There are many “better” tours from Fez too as they provide for clients from backpacker to 4 & 5 star some are more cultural and some more leisure orientated. http://www.fezbus.co.uk/fb/ANZAC_Day_Tours_Turkey_Premium_Troy.php



There have been members of this board who have travelled on tours with FezBus and have been happy enough to contact us for other tours while on their tour.



I am sure if you had your guide badge 7 years ago you might have changed and would not want someone to judge you today on what you did then.



You make the point about being a guide in Paris but are you a tour operator or qualified guide in Turkey (TURSAB) if not you should know that you need to be before offering services.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
05/04/2009 22:49

With due respect, Mr flightholiday, I think you miss read or miss interpreted my initial posting of intent. My intention is not for, or part of a commercial profit making organization (which your code name seems to suggest) but for those erudite historian's living in the TRNC who maybe interested in such a visit. As a Kiwi, having lost my great Uncle at ANZAC Cove in 1915, I have as much right to take a private party there as anyone else! Given that my Government (Australia also) gave Turkey a huge amount of money to sustain the upkeep of National Park in Canakkale and exempts me of the £10 visa entry fee (which I'm sure you have to pay!), I look forward to your lecture on the history and reasons for the Dardanelles campaign!

Richard

ps Do it properly or not at all

skybluesam


Joined: 24/12/2008
Posts: 447

Message Posted:
05/04/2009 23:07

Hi Richard, My wife and I would be very interested on this trip that you plan to organise, please keep me informed of any further news.

Nick

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
06/04/2009 00:53

Thank you Messrs fiendishpaul & skybluesam (Nick) for your kind interest (joseph included). I am very new to this site so not quite sure of protocol or process of contacting persons direct to furnish further information or updates on developments. Itinerary has been worked out, just exact times and costs to be finalised. Please let me know how I may make contact or I refer you to last line of my first posting allowing you to contact me. Janny is close to Tempo Nos.1, opposite side of the road, next door to Kozan speed cash, just past Credit West Bank. I'm in Istanbul mid May so will grading hotels first hand and having meetings with coach companies to secure levels of quality and reliability if not prices! The more persons that participate on the tour the cheaper the overall cost will be. Single persons will not pay a supplement!



Richard

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
06/04/2009 01:41

Hi Richard,



I do not try to hide that I have a commercial interest in travel especially to both North Cyprus and Turkey. In past years we have helped many people who have a historic or personal interest in Gallipoli and Canakkale to visit and not just Anzacs but Brit’s too.



We were in 2003/2004 active in trying to organise the "Anzac Day Legacy Walk" which was set up to benefit the RSL, RSA and Veterans of Gallipoli.



Many people on all sides lost family in the Great War not only those who landed on March the 18th 1915 and they all deserve respect. All wanton loss of life and injury is deplorable and we can only hope to learn.



I have only respect for those who as you do want to visit in memory of your great Uncle. As I do for those who lost life and loved ones in the Holocaust, Vietnam, Korea and in modern day conflicts such as Afghanistan, Gaza etc.



Cont.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
06/04/2009 01:50

Cont. from Msg 11



I see no problem with people wanting to do anything related to travel. I am very concerned when they seem to be offering tours that look as if they are "professional or being offered by a travel /tourism professional that might not offer cover or expertise.



Your response was not to elucidate what you were offering but to take a pot shot at a company and your experience of Fez Travel and its products is very out of date.



My posting Msg 5 was just letting members know that there are many tours this year, not only for Anzac day but year round to Gallipoli; from one day for those with too little time through to private tours which are completely under the clients control so they can get not only go to the classic sites but also be able to have their own personal pilgrimage to places and graves they may wish to visit.



Please do not have a go at me or what I do before you ask why I do what I do. Most of my posts are trying to assist and give advice.



Tom

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
06/04/2009 02:48

Tom

In reply I offer my apologies at what seems to be a genuine misunderstanding. Firstly, that 7 years ago experience I was subjected to was pretty dreadful though accept practices, services and professionalism do change for the better. Secondly, the 5am dawn service weather wise is bitterly cold, appealing only to the hardy and those who do have personal connections with ANZAC day, 25th April (I tried to find my Uncles grave without success) in addition to appreciate the 10 0'clock Australian, 12 0'clock noon New Zealand, army ceremonies at their respective war memorials. The 5am speeches and band music aren't so bad either! So visiting in warmer times has It's advantages to leasurly while away the time in perfect peace absorbing the atmosphere, great for those that have the time and know how. Lastly I do not wish to take anything away from those companies who are in business to make profit but I've never seen anything advertised in the TRNC for this type of tour.

Richard

Bowman


Joined: 02/05/2007
Posts: 256

Message Posted:
06/04/2009 11:48

A few years ago, I went to the Anzac Memorial Service at Wayne's Keep, which is the Commonwealth Graveyard in the UN Buffer Zone in Cyprus. I was lucky to be invited by a friend who was working at the British High Commission at the time in Nicosia. It was a trully moving experience and something I will never forget. The service at Waynes Keep is exceptional on two fronts:a) it is the only dawn service in the world, outside of Turkey, that is held at exactly the same time as the dawn service in Gallipoli (Cyprus and Turkey share the same time zone) and b) it is the only military service in the world that is not organised or conducted by military or former military personnel, as the Australian Federal Police co-ordinate it. Perhaps you could try the BHC and see if they can arrange entry? Also, you can now fly from Istanbul to Cannakale for around £100 return, so I am told. Anyway, good luck and best wishes.

LEST WE FORGET.......

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
06/04/2009 16:16

Thanks Mr Bowman I'll look into that one.



Richard

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
06/04/2009 16:30

Brinsley/Richard

Please feel free to contact me at Fiendishpaul@hotmail.com

Regards

Paul

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
06/04/2009 17:48

Paul, get my email and draft itinerary?



Richard

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
06/04/2009 18:07

Richard

Both e-mails received

Thanks

Paul

skybluesam


Joined: 24/12/2008
Posts: 447

Message Posted:
06/04/2009 19:31

Richard, I can be contacted at nudger@ayza.net

Many Thanks

Nick

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
08/04/2009 00:17

To those who have shown interest and others who would like to know more or add constructive input, I'll be at the Watermill Hotel (behind Passport restaurant) on Saturday 25th April (ANZAC Day 2009!)



Richard

Lemtich



Joined: 15/02/2007
Posts: 1487

Message Posted:
08/04/2009 01:10

They have become our sons as well. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPFjToKuZQM



Lem

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
08/04/2009 01:27

Have whole speech, very moving and become a little maudlin hearing it ANZAC day evening after a skin full of Steinies!



Richard