Mosquitos and Chemists

[martinh]

We will be in Pakias for 2 weeks from end August staying at the Costa Chrysoulla. Its now only 5 weeks and counting and the more I read on your website the more I can't wait.

It'll be our 2nd time in Crete as we stayed near Chania 2 years ago and really enjoyed it.

Only annoying part was that I had more mosquito bites than I have ever had in 15 years ofgoing to Greece.

Appreciate any comments and advice on how to avoid being bitten.  Also is there a chemist/pharmacy in Plakias?

Oh, and Jane wants to know if its really windy in Plakias.  I was browsing through a travel guide in WH Smiths (Rough Guide, Lonely Planet or something like that) and it said it was very windy.  She normally wears contact lenses but wouldn't if there was a lot of sand blowing around.  

Thanks,

Martin & Jane

[ostraco]

Well I'll be there at the same time - staying very near you at Dora - and taking advantage of Costa's pool most mornings.

I'm one of those lucky guys who doesn't have a great deal of trouble with the dreaded mozzie. Some of the friends I travel with do however. They recommend the Citronella based sprays available in town - and if you're sitting out on your balcony, a Citronella candle. Plug-in mozzie killers keep your bedroom free from problems.

Yes, there is a good pharmacist in Plakias, always ready with helpful advice.

As for the winds - there usually is a welcome breeze. Sometimes, you do get strong winds: weather patterns seems to be changing a little however, and it's difficult to predict when. These days, I leave my contacts at home - they dry out at the best of times! When I used to wear them out there, I always made sure I had comfort drops available.

[shinaria]

We´re back from our three weeks in plakias since two weeks now. It´s been so marvellous....!! Wanna be there again!!!
Though I couldn´t believe that it would work I bought one of those electronic Anti-Mosquito-machines to plug to 220V [ works with ultra high tones and without any toxic substances.] To my surprise it worked and we spent many nights on our balcony at Ouranos without being attacked by mosquitos.

This year there were many wasps around esp. they enjoyed the streams of fresh sweetwater at the showers at the far end of the bay. One bite into my arm and made me look like Poppeye. [Lucky it was the arm!!] My 2 minute visit at the doc [40 Euro,please!] led my to the"Apotheke" for antihistamine.

Kalo Taxidi!

Alfred [shinaria]

[Ploppy]

I'm surprised about your experience with the ultrasound mozzie killer Alfred. I had heard they weren't any good. I was going to go for the normal plug thingy with slot in tablets and a candle jobby for the balcony. What experiences has everyone else had with anti-mozzie devices?

I too can vouch for the pharmicist, he was very helpful when Margherita twisted her ankle plus he spoke some English which made things a lot easier.

On the doctor front, isn't there a form you can get from the Post Office to do with medical care whilst in Europe. Does anyone bother filling these in?

Ploppy

[compage]

What you need is an E111.  Information here.

[Ploppy]

Good stuff, thanks John. Hopefully I shall not have to use it.

[DOTTY]

I'm surprised about your experience with the ultrasound mozzie killer Alfred. I had heard they weren't any good. I was going to go for the normal plug thingy with slot in tablets and a candle jobby for the balcony. What experiences has everyone else had with anti-mozzie devices?

I too can vouch for the pharmicist, he was very helpful when Margherita twisted her ankle plus he spoke some English which made things a lot easier.

On the doctor front, isn't there a form you can get from the Post Office to do with medical care whilst in Europe. Does anyone bother filling these in?

Ploppy

Hi we borrowed one of the new mossie repellants it did work even with the doors open, only bites I had were from the flies on the beach
  Dotty

[compage]

Could anyone give me more information about the ultrasound mosquito repellants?  We both suffer badly from bites.  We arrive in Plakias and all the insects say 'Mmmmm!  It's John and Valerie!  Yippee!'.
Brand name, model, price, retailer?

[JulieB485]

Hi
We are in Plakias at the moment (first visit ever) and are having a FAB time but the wind is monstrous!!!!
So bad at the moment that it is agony to go on the beach because of the blowing shingly sand whipping - its like loads of injections at once !!!
The locals reckon it is unusual and only started when we arrived LOL and it shouldn't last too long!!!
Would definitely be a nightmare in contacts though


Julie

[compage]

In that case Julie, why not nip off to Rethymno on the North coast?  If it's windy in Plakias it's bound to be pleasant there.  It's only about 20 minutes drive.  A little retail therapy and a drink by the harbour?  Wish I was there!

[RobM.]

JulieB...Go to Ammoudaki beach - it's tiny pebbles and they don't blow about!

[Pritch]

As far as the mozzies go, we've always used the blue tablet plug ins, and they have worked fine.
We've also used the Boots liquid plug in, which again work very well.
Also, for evenings out we have always used the 'Jungle Juce' range of products and they are very effective.
One thing I did learn ages ago was that perfume and aftershave attract no matter what you've got on, so we always steer clear of that in the evenings.

Another tip given to me by a wise old African was to drink plenty of beer, don't ask me why,....but it does seem to work. Oh hail King Mythos....

21 days and counting

 

[Yvonne]

Yes, mozzies can be a problem and you have been given good advice.  The chemist supplies me with a gel called Fenistil which is made especially for use in Greece for fairly instant relief.
As for the wind, it is notorious during July and August (overlapping sometimes either side).  We try to visit June or September when it is not quite so blustery.  See you all September 4th (can't wait)!!!

[Yvonne]

I forgot the alcohol tip, only the African told me it was Whiskey!!!

[Greecemad]

I'll second the suggestion to go to Ammoudaki beach - that's the little cove to the east of Damnoni beach. Besides being coarser send (I wouldn't call it pebbles), this beach is well sheltered from the wind and you will see people there when all other beaches are empty.