2015 Gallipoli Ballot - 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings

[Princess Fiona]

Why the need for booked airfare before December 31 and already booked tours to Gallipoli to be eligible? Who would do that without ballot success? I though they were telling people to stay away if not successful?

I agree, that's nuts !!

 

[Flying mermaid]

I agree, that's nuts !!

Unfortunately with so little time to go, I think they have decided they don't have time to faff around with whether people will book airfares or will get on tours. They just want to fill the remaining places from the thousands of people who already have confirmed bookings for both. Annoying for people like you who would definitely go, but I can see their point and perhaps a nice little reward for people who might have booked 5 years ago and decided still to go even when they weren't successful in the ballot.

I no longer wish to go given the huge crowds that are going to be there. Our ex cruise has 37 buses lined up to take people around - and that is just one tour! We will go when it is quieter. Received our refund today - our people have behaved very ethically (apart from stuffing the booking in the first place).

 

[BAM1748]

QF have some $999 return to Istanbul on their special, dep April 21 and back on the 28, even not going to anything a cheap week away. (assume the cheap seats)

Matt

 

[amaroo]

Unfortunately with so little time to go, I think they have decided they don't have time to faff around with whether people will book airfares or will get on tours. They just want to fill the remaining places from the thousands of people who already have confirmed bookings for both. Annoying for people like you who would definitely go, but I can see their point and perhaps a nice little reward for people who might have booked 5 years ago and decided still to go even when they weren't successful in the ballot.

I no longer wish to go given the huge crowds that are going to be there. Our ex cruise has 37 buses lined up to take people around - and that is just one tour! We will go when it is quieter. Received our refund today - our people have behaved very ethically (apart from stuffing the booking in the first place).

10,000/50 (complete guess on avg bus seating) = 200 buses. Average game night issues for a footy game ... or, am I dreaming

 

[Flying mermaid]

10,000/50 (complete guess on avg bus seating) = 200 buses. Average game night issues for a footy game ... or, am I dreaming

each to their own - I don't like crowds so you wouldn't catch me at any footy match. I am sure it will be a wonderful experience for you . There will be a lot more than 10,000 in the days prior though - how many more I doubt anyone has any idea at this stage....

 

[amaroo]

each to their own - I don't like crowds so you wouldn't catch me at any footy match. I am sure it will be a wonderful experience for you . There will be a lot more than 10,000 in the days prior though - how many more I doubt anyone has any idea at this stage....

That sarcasm was aimed at my own post. I'm working on the theory it will be a well drilled disaster!

 

[Flying mermaid]

That sarcasm was aimed at my own post. I'm working on the theory it will be a well drilled disaster!

Ah OK - I was trying to be supportive. . I don't think it will be a disaster, but it will be very busy.

 

[amaroo]

Ah OK - I was trying to be supportive. . I don't think it will be a disaster, but it will be very busy.

This will be the first tour we've ever done :shock: The accommodation I've booked for the three nights is not cheap, but I'm assuming - will be very raw.

I've compensated by arranging some excellent hotels/restaurants either side of our four day pilgrimage Plus F flights for every sector available :mrgreen:

 

[BNEFlyer]

10,000/50 (complete guess on avg bus seating) = 200 buses. Average game night issues for a footy game ... or, am I dreaming

You know I hadn't even thought about all of those buses... It's going to be a madhouse. I just hope my tour group isn't the unlucky one that gets let through the gates at 2:30am on the 25th after being in the holding area for 15 hours.

 

[BNEFlyer]

Anybody who is going to Gallipoli next month should be subscribing to 'SmartTraveller' ....

Bit disturbing, the WARNING sent out today via email ...

As amaroo said, it's a worldwide terror alert and no mention of Turkey, nothing much to worry about. At this stage even if DFAT said "Reconsider your need to travel" or "Do not travel" to Turkey, I'd still be going.

 

[Rick93]

Should have specified my concern ...

It's not just Turkey for me ... I'm more concerned about my extended tour to Egypt.

Only three nights. Pyramids and Egyptian Museum main attractions. Issues of being in 'public places' etc. as per DFAT Warning.

Really, I think same for Istanbul.

Would Australian Government really want to say to their citizens attending Gallipoli: "Do Not Travel" ??

 

[AVC]

The idea did cross my mind, but, like medhed, I would rather visit Anzac Cove on the off season.
We're actually planning on travelling to Vietnam for the 2015 (yes, I know, different war)

 

[amaroo]

Should have specified my concern ...

It's not just Turkey for me ... I'm more concerned about my extended tour to Egypt.

Only three nights. Pyramids and Egyptian Museum main attractions. Issues of being in 'public places' etc. as per DFAT Warning.

Really, I think same for Istanbul.

Would Australian Government really want to say to their citizens attending Gallipoli: "Do Not Travel" ??

I can see your concern with Egypt.

If the GOV issued the dire warning for Turkey - it would probably be safer to travel there.

 

[amaroo]

The idea did cross my mind, but, like medhed, I would rather visit Anzac Cove on the off season.
We're actually planning on travelling to Vietnam for the 2015 (yes, I know, different war)

Pretty sure mh has a ticket and will be there on the day

 

[Rick93]

Yes, fifty years ... wow !

Haven't anything about that really, and attend local RSL Sub Branch meetings, and this hasn't been mentioned.

( they are looking at how to commemorate centenary of the RSL of Australia in 2016. )

*** 2015 ? Must be the 40th. comm. for the END of the War - not the START of it, which some say was 1962.

 

[medhead]

The idea did cross my mind, but, like medhed, I would rather visit Anzac Cove on the off season.
We're actually planning on travelling to Vietnam for the 2015 (yes, I know, different war)

I got tickets for the 25th. But we're also going back on the Monday to have a proper look without the crowds.

I'm just about finished Vol 1 of the war history. Really want to find Quinn's, Courtney's, Steele's posts and the bloody angle. Also seeing the pictures of the sphinx, I am astounded that they went straight up that thing.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Should have specified my concern ...

It's not just Turkey for me ... I'm more concerned about my extended tour to Egypt.

Only three nights. Pyramids and Egyptian Museum main attractions. Issues of being in 'public places' etc. as per DFAT Warning.

Really, I think same for Istanbul.

Would Australian Government really want to say to their citizens attending Gallipoli: "Do Not Travel" ??

They only issue do not travel if it is pretty much a war zone or next to a war zone. I have been to places that have a reconsider your need to travel and it has been fine. I wouldn't ignore a do not travel warning. To be honest it is all about luck - you can go to the safest of places and end up with something happening. In 2001 we elected to travel overseas in early Oct 2001 - in fact we flew to London the night the USA went into Afghanistan. It was fairly edgy all through that trip - BA was doing body searches before boarding on European legs and we took the kids to the Tower of London and it was just about empty only us queued to see the Jewels... Nothing happened all fine. A friend of mine elected not to go over at the same time as it felt unsafe to her - 13 years later she was blown out of the sky in MH 17. My kids stayed at the Taj in Mumbai almost exact a year before it got blown up by terrorists. I guess the point I am trying to make is that the risk is tiny and it is everywhere and you can't really calculate it. I probably wouldn't go to Egypt right now, but then I know plenty of people who have gone there safely in the last few years. We were a little nervous in Nairobi last year after all the random bombings but nothing happened. We are spending nearly 2 weeks in Turkey - once again a little nervous but not going to let it change my plans. The way things are you could have an attack in Australia, so you just have to do the things you want to and take sensible precautions. E.g. last time we were in Istanbul we walked everywhere even late at night. This time we might take a taxi to and from dinner.

 

[Rick93]

Yes ... interesting points.

I'm not actually changing any of our travel plans.

I know the meaning of 'bad luck' though ... ( all the various events that have actually happened etc. )

We will try NOT to look like tourists, and follow all the usual 'personal safety / security' advice ...


I was impressed with some advice I received recently, when mentioning our trip at an RSL meeting ...

Carry a 'decoy wallet' !!

That is, put your REAL wallet / cash / cards somewhere, like in your long sock ( on one leg ) ... because a potential thief will be expecting a 'money belt' around your waist.

... and carry an old wallet ( one you can 'lose' without being a problem ), and place a few 'low value' notes and some local coins in it. Even place your old expired credit cards ( just two ), and some other stuff - to make it LOOK LIKE it's your real wallet.

If you wind up in a 'bad luck' situation of a 'street robbery', you hand over this decoy wallet, and hope they run off without really examining the expired dates on the cards etc. etc.

Anybody ever done this ( and DID get mugged ) ??

 

[medhead]

I'd think watching shows like scam city would be more useful. Thieves will generally watch to see where you valuables are kept, well good ones. Make a sudden disturbance, for example, will see most people put their hands into their wallet. A pickpocket then has a target.

 

[Gogo65]

Anybody who is going to Gallipoli next month should be subscribing to 'SmartTraveller' ....

Bit disturbing, the WARNING sent out today via email ...

Well I just arrived in Paris today for the start of our trip ending in Gallipoli, looks like I'm here now, no going back!