Ayvalik

The road to Assos was extremely narrow, with hairpin sharp curves, on a very steep side of the mountain. Near Ayvalik are many small islands, inlets, peninsulas giving the shoreline a dynamic interest. On the mainland are modest mountains on which Pinus Pinea or Umbrella Pine provides the economic engine. Pine nuts obtained from these trees support several small towns, like Kozak and Kinik.

On Thursdays, a big market supported by many area villages provides a rich variety of items to the locals. Markets are very colorful places with the goods they offer and the people who mind the stands. The buyers interacting with the merchandise add another layer of interest to these dynamic gatherings once a week.

In the surrounding area are many olive groves that produce one of the main products of Ayvalik, olive oil. Visits to these groves present great photographic opportunities with ancient olive trees. Finding trees several centuries old is relatively easy, yet with a little search, one can find trees estimated to be 800 plus years old. You will see one such tree in this gallery. The photographs in this gallery, in their totality, should give a sense of place to the viewer.

The Texture of the Town