Of course it was just two days before the anniversary of Atatürk's death and so his mausoleum was likely to be even busier than normal. It didn't open until 0900 but Göksel wanted to be there early to avoid lengthy queues and for some unknown reason (unknown even to the all knowing Aziz) we weren't allowed in the usual entrance but had to drive to the rear of the place and then join the queue, which luckily wasn't too long. Security here was even tighter than other places and my fellow photographer wasn't allowed to take his small ruck sack in with him and was made to leave it (Aziz had already driven off by this time). We then had to walk the whole length of the complex in order to enter from the correct end.
The approach to the monument is a 262m long
pedestrian walkway that is lined on both sides by twelve pairs of lions carved
in a style like the Hittite archaeological finds. The lions represent 24 Oghuz Turkic Tribes and
are shown seated to simultaneously represent both power and peace. I can’t say I noticed but apparently a 5cm
gap separates the paving stones on the Road of Lions to ensure that visitors
take their time and observe respectful behaviour on their way to Atatürk's
tomb.
I did ask permission to take this shot, not that he was allowed to answer me but I'm sure he would have indicated disapproval somehow.
These are apparently just Turkish Men and Turkish Women
Huge floral displays
Purely on the vast scale this reminded me of Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and I have to say it was pretty impressive.
I suddenly spied these guys heading off to presumably change the guard, so of course I followed them.
Monty Python's Ministry of Silly Walks has nothing on these guys, as well as the high leg kick, their upper bodies are leaning back at a strange angle.
It was surprisingly quiet in the actual mausoleum, so getting here early paid off.
From the various different uniforms I assume that his guard of honour is made up from all the services.
Back outside and you can certainly get a sense of the scale from here. The people on the right were doing a group photo, I just couldn't resist joining in - I wonder what they'll say about the strange old bird in the photo. Göksel thought it was hilarious.
This relief is on the wall by the main building.
We then went underground to the museum, which actually was quite interesting; as well as Atatürk it featured other prominent Turks who were instrumental in the formation of the country. I waited an age to get this corridor clear of people and in the end gave up; no sooner had one person gone than another appeared from somewhere. So person with fat stomach in green t-shirt shall remain for scale if nothing else.
Most of the artwork depicts Atatürk looking like this, a very charismatic man with lovely blue eyes.
This scene was absolutely astonishing - at first glance it really looked like a real person.
One of the group lost their sunglasses somewhere so they and Göksel headed off to try and locate them and meantime Ian had a well earned sit down.
Luckily for me this break coincided with another change of guard which passed right in front of us. I think the chap at the end of the line is the sentry I photographed when we first arrived.
Look at the children copying.
Quite unnerving really when a detail of armed guards is marching straight at you.
Our visit over we then headed out, this is now the queue along the Road of Lions which was empty when we arrived an hour ago. Apparently the reason why Aziz couldn't park in the usual coach park was that thousands upon thousands of school children were visiting and here they all are.
I guess some teacher had a bright idea to keep them under control - all hold a giant, 250m long, Turkish flag. The lost sunglasses would apparently have gone to Lost Property so the group had permission to exit a different way and to get there we all had to bob underneath the flag to cross it
Which we all successfully did, except one! Göksel has come close to losing people throughout this trip as he's in the habit of setting off at high speed and not noticing who is or isn't following him but mostly we got used to this and as a group tended to make sure no one got left behind - until today and we were in a lift taking a short cut back to the coach via Lost Property when someone pointed out one of our single ladies was missing. Fortunately she was a former teacher and a very capable person so we all felt confident that she would do the logical thing; head for the exit and wait for us there - which, to cut a long story short, she did.