Ayvalık, yes or no?

16.9.23

There’s definitely something in the insulation of Naz’s walls that puts me into a sleep coma. (if there is any?) As usual I was out like a light by 10.30pm.

I woke at 6am, normal for me these days. John came to life around 9.15am.

“Did you hear the street dogs barking? Did you hear the vehicle with all the beeping that parked nearby” said Mr Grumpy. “Morning darling”. I hadn’t heard a thing.

Mr Grumpy cooked breakfast, sausage, beans and scrambled eggs. Lush. He’s been quite short tempered. It’s times like this I wish I could drive Naz. I’d go off into the sunset.

The drive to Ayvalik took almost 2 hours, no dramas, nothing to report.

We parked by the prom and decided todays plans were to walk the dogs all along the prom to the Belediye park cafe 45 minutes away and explore the town minus the dogs this evening.

I’ve seen so many stunning photos of this area and was pretty excited.

It was soon my turn to be grumpy. The prom quickly turned into a high street, chaotic, noisy traffic, dodging round petrol station forecourts, kerbs etc.

I was so grumpy that I picked up a small boys discarded ice cream wrapper from the ground and gave it back to him.

A discussion about who was the most grumpy ensued and I pointed out that we’ve had dramas to get here and should be happy. A hug and a kiss and only another 25 minutes to the cafe.

It was worth the effort. We had cheesecake which was amazing, almost but not totally frozen, surrounded by fabulous views.

So where are all the Greek Ottoman houses, boutiques, shops, churches and pretty alleyways?

They were one road back from the main road and were wonderful. I got very carried away with taking photos.

The church was really special. I’ve always wondered what our nearby Kayakoy churches would have looked like, and now I have a good idea.

Ayvalik had redeemed itself.

It was time to prepare dinner when we got back. It’s always pot luck as to what’s not totally frozen in the tiny ice box. Today it was burgers.

I nipped over the road to the Carrefour Mini for rolls, lettuce and mushrooms. I ended up hiking up a long hill to Bim for bread, A101 for mushrooms and a greengrocer for the lettuce.

By the time I was back I’d missed sunset but luckily John had taken photos. This was my favourite.

The evening was spent sitting outside watching ‘Suspect’ snuggling with the most adorable kitten.

Ayvalik is chock a block with cats, but this little one was very special. She even came in the van, jumped up and had no fear of the dogs.

The only reason we could tear ourselves away from her and not take her home was that Ayvalık is clearly a place where animal lovers live. Although there are hundreds of cats they’re clean and healthy. I’ve not seen anyone shoo them away or kick out at them.

Its also very noticable that there are a lot of elderly street dogs, white faces, opaque eyes, rickety legs, but again well looked after, many too well fed and chubby.

Most of the street dogs were friendly to our two, curious rather than aggressive. There are a few dogs on leads with owners, mostly little doodle dogs or pure breeds. Always makes me sad when the shelters are full to bursting.

So, Ayvalik, yes or no?

A lot of redeeming features but way too much traffic noise. Even in the little cobbled streets you’re having to dodge noisy motor scooters.

It’s almost the weekend, there are so many out of town cars and the obligatory ones with music pumping at full volume.

It is beautiful. The temperature is perfect, so nice to be away from the Fethiye heat and humidity.

Would I rush back?

Yes, but in winter time. I bet it’s even more gorgeous then.