The Gallipoli exhibit was extremely moving and very finely and sensitively put together. We moved through the several months of campaign getting to know, and caring about, the lives of the soldiers. Little mention was made of their leaders as the outcomes of the battles and huge loss of life spoke legions about their errors of judgement.
Throughout the display were several incredible over-sized models of specific people involved in the conflict (created by Weta Studios): the lieutenant; the medical surgeon; the gunner; the nurse all amazingly life-like (the veins on the arms; the hairs on the backs of hands; the sweat on the brow; the tears in the eyes of the nurse holding her two letters returned to sender informing her simply that her brother had been killed).
What I also found moving was that the Turks were portrayed, not as the 'baddies', but as soldiers also fighting to protect their own country and given the respect they deserved. At the end of the exhibit we were invited to take a paper poppy on which to write a few words, or to remember someone killed at Gallipoli and to place our poppies around the feet of the final soldier. I emerged, unable to speak for some time. We wished we had more time to explore the other exhibits in this very excellent museum.
The Interislander ferry is running an hour late and it would appear that Wilderness have not booked us places in the lounge, as requested (and paid for!) Once I access the free wi-fi on board there will be an e-mail dispatched. Meanwhile we sit in the queue overlooking the harbour.
Later: Thankfully we secured the final two places in the Premium Lounge (to be recommended) and it was a treat worth the money (NZD45 each). The price included unlimited access to a range of high quality food and drink which was very welcome as we hadn't eaten very much in the Museum Cafe. We were able to charge all our electrics and our seats were very comfortable. We went on deck as the Strait closed in and we sailed in to Queen Charlotte Sound and had our first views of South Island terrain. The crossing was thankfully very calm.
Once disembarked at Picton we decided not to drive on further as the day had exhausted us, so we booked in at the Picton Holiday Park and rested up. It was a well kept, small site with good facilities but the road outside was incredibly busy throughout the night with trucks passing through. Were they all heading for the ferry terminal? We had no idea but it didn't make for that restful night we needed.
Picton itself was a small, pretty town with a marina around which there were busy restaurants.
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