Istanbul to Ayvalik

After a three day break at Atakoy marina in Istanbul, where Haley & Rob joined from Australia, we again set sail westward. Two long full day passages took us to Marmara Island in the Sea of Marmara and then on through the Dardenelles to Bozcaada Island. There we waited a day for the meltemi to abate and toured the beautiful little island by motor scooter, visiting vinyards [they make very good wine] and lovely sandy beaches. Then on downwind in the meltemi to ancient Assos where we anchored near the old port. Assos is a jewel largely undiscovered by western tourists. The small number of hotels, pensions and restaurants lining the port are all built of the same stone and terra cotta tiles as would have been those of 1000 BC. The site of the ruins above, atop an extinct volcanic cone with fine views across the strait to Lesvos, is magnificent. We are now once again at Ayvalik where we intend to check out of Turkey for a while and spend some time in the adjacent Greek islands.