2015 Gallipoli Ballot - 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings

[serfty]

Both received emails today - I would suggest they are trying to get people to be prepared for an offer given they only have two weeks.

 

[amaroo]

Both received emails today - I would suggest they are trying to get people to be prepared for an offer given they only have two weeks.

I sense a touch of panic!

 

[medhead]

Any thoughts on what constitutes a "large" backpack or a "large" camera?

I find it interesting that it is recommended to take:

• Wet weather and windproof jacket and pants
• Warm, thermal clothing, jacket, beanie, hat or cap, gloves, scarf
• Warm blanket – noting that you will not be able to lie down
• Prescription medications (if required)
• Non-perishable food and snacks
• Drinking water (opened bottles will not be allowed into the site)
• Sunscreen
• Torch
• Basic first aid kit, including sunscreen and non-prescription pain relief medication

But I can only take a day pack.

Is a DSLR, with upto 75mm lens a large camera?

 

[Cynicor]

Anyone going to be in turkey/Istanbul prior to the main events? I happen to be there 9-13th April, I think I leave Europe on 24th April. Only realised it was ANZAC day when I was wondering about availability drying up.

 

[amaroo]

Anyone going to be in turkey/Istanbul prior to the main events? I happen to be there 9-13th April, I think I leave Europe on 24th April. Only realised it was ANZAC day when I was wondering about availability drying up.

Miss you by that much... arrive ATH 15th and IST 18th.

 

[Cynicor]

Ah, I'm going to Santorini via Athens from there, 13-16th.

 

[amaroo]

Just received. Wonder how many will dropout after the 23rd Jan...

Dear amaroo,
We are writing to you as you were offered passes through the ballot to attend the Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli in 2015.

This is a confirmation email. A review of your ballot account shows you have completed all of the minimum necessary mandatory questions to accept and secure your ballot offer for yourself and your accompanying person.

You have successfully accepted your ballot offer to attend Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli in 2015.

If you, or your accompanying person, do not have a current passport, you have until 23 January 2015 to advise these details in your ballot account. Your passport number will be printed on your ticket.

Attendance tickets will be printed in late January 2015, with both tickets sent to the ballot account holder in late February/early March 2015.

Please update

For further information, please visit the Gallipoli 2015 website www.gallipoli2015.dva.gov.au/
Yours sincerely
The Gallipoli 2015 Ballot Team

 

[medhead]

Same. And it is the second confirmation email I've received. And I've already included passport details.

 

[Flying mermaid]

It seems a bit of a mess. They keep on saying to check your place on the wait list, but I checked again (out of idle curiosity as at 26,000+ it is of no real interest) after receiving this e-mail and I haven't moved in months.

8 December 2014
Customer ID Number:
Username:



GALLIPOLI 2015 BALLOT WAIT LIST REMINDER
We are writing to update you on the operation of the Gallipoli 2015 ballot wait list. To date there have been 2,188 offers of a double attendance pass made to the wait list. More than 100 people have requested to be removed from the wait list and more than 80% of all Australian attendance places have been filled.
If you no longer wish to be on the wait list, please assist us by advising Ticketek on 1300 364 002 or email [email protected] as soon as possible.
Using your Customer ID number, you should find out where you are ranked on the wait list, so you can start planning if you are near the top of the list. The next round of wait list offers will be announced in mid-January 2015.
If you receive an offer of attendance passes, you will be notified by email and/or letter. To secure both attendance passes, you must have confirmed your travel arrangements by the advised expiry date and time (14 calendar days after the offer is made), for both yourself and your accompanying person.
If you do not take any action by the expiry time and date, your offer will be cancelled and you can no longer participate in the ballot process or attend the Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli in 2015. The wait list will remain operational until 31 March 2015.
Yours sincerely
The Gallipoli Ballot Team

 

[serfty]

Received email today stating that I am still on the wait list etc. etc.. (being 25,000+ I have little chance)

One observation was "over 80%" have been allocated.

I was wondering about 80% was of the 8,120 places for Oz residents ... it does not jell is 2,200 off double pass offers from the wait list.

That indicates 4,400 further places have been made from the wait list, meaning, of the initial 8,120 place offers, only 3,700 went ahead - less than 50%.

So of the further offers for 4,400 places, only spots for 2,800 accepted.

 

[medhead]

Reply received, carry on luggage size is the guidance on backpacks.

Not newspaper, sports, paparazzi style zoom cameras. Still undecided about taking a 300mm lens.

Any thoughts on what constitutes a "large" backpack or a "large" camera?

I find it interesting that it is recommended to take:

• Wet weather and windproof jacket and pants
• Warm, thermal clothing, jacket, beanie, hat or cap, gloves, scarf
• Warm blanket – noting that you will not be able to lie down
• Prescription medications (if required)
• Non-perishable food and snacks
• Drinking water (opened bottles will not be allowed into the site)
• Sunscreen
• Torch
• Basic first aid kit, including sunscreen and non-prescription pain relief medication

But I can only take a day pack.

Is a DSLR, with upto 75mm lens a large camera?

 

[Atleastonce]

Is anyone going to use, or does anyone have a portable wifi device for Turkey. We are trying to put the final touches of our plans for Gallipoli and pre Gallipoli throughout Europe. Mrs Atleastonce needs daily contact with clients in Australia whilst traveling. We are looking for both Europe and Turkey options. We will be traveling through UK, France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany before making our way to Turkey.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Is anyone going to use, or does anyone have a portable wifi device for Turkey. We are trying to put the final touches of our plans for Gallipoli and pre Gallipoli throughout Europe. Mrs Atleastonce needs daily contact with clients in Australia whilst traveling. We are looking for both Europe and Turkey options. We will be traveling through UK, France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany before making our way to Turkey.

we just travel with an IPad and phones with global roaming. Every hotel we stay in has wifi (and increasingly free) so check messages etc mornings and evenings. We buy a data package for Mr FM's phone (around $30) and keep data switched off on the phone and turn on when we need to do an Internet search or check mail while out and about. No doubt other people will have better and cheaper tips, but we have used this method everywhere, including Africa and it keeps us connected to the Internet at what we feel is a reasonable cost.....

 

[amaroo]

we just travel with an IPad and phones with global roaming. Every hotel we stay in has wifi (and increasingly free) so check messages etc mornings and evenings. We buy a data package for Mr FM's phone (around $30) and keep data switched off on the phone and turn on when we need to do an Internet search or check mail while out and about. No doubt other people will have better and cheaper tips, but we have used this method everywhere, including Africa and it keeps us connected to the Internet at what we feel is a reasonable cost.....

Ditto.

The trick is making sure data is switched off and text rather than call.

 

[Atleastonce]

We need to have access to Internet not just email, and Skype.

 

[Flying mermaid]

We need to have access to Internet not just email, and Skype.

Our system gives total Internet access - I haven't used Skype, but Miss FM uses my iPad to Skype. The only trick with keeping costs down with global roaming as amaroo says is to make sure the data component is switched off until you want to connect to the Internet. We do most of our internet access at the hotel using the iPad, but it is useful to be able to turn the Internet on, when away from the hotel via the phone if you want to check where something is.

Just been been talking to Dr FM who is home for Christmas and she says even youth hostels in Europe and cheap hotels in Turkey have wifi available (and usually free). Apparently even a tiny hotel in a remote village in the Carpathian Mountains had wifi.

 

[vetrade]

Although I'm guessing most would have booked their flights already, FWIW today's Herald Sun had a small article in the business section which said that QF are putting on an additional flight on 21st April (refurbed 747) for ppl going to the Anzac Day ceremonies. Route will be SYD - PER - IST.

 

[markis10]

Although I'm guessing most would have booked their flights already, FWIW today's Herald Sun had a small article in the business section which said that QF are putting on an additional flight on 21st April (refurbed 747) for ppl going to the Anzac Day ceremonies. Route will be SYD - PER - IST.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ews/qantas-announces-one-off-anzac-65244.html

 

[jsoprano]

Although I'm guessing most would have booked their flights already, FWIW today's Herald Sun had a small article in the business section which said that QF are putting on an additional flight on 21st April (refurbed 747) for ppl going to the Anzac Day ceremonies. Route will be SYD - PER - IST.

Small correction: final destination will not be IST (Ataturk Intl Airport) but SAW (Istanbul's secondary airport on the Asian side of the Bosporus).

 

[amaroo]

BBC News - Turkey bombing: Female suicide attacker hits Istanbul police station

A female suicide bomber has blown herself up in the Turkish city of Istanbul, killing one police officer and injuring another, officials say.

She targeted a police station in the tourist hub of Sultanahmet, near the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia museum.