Dancing Naked with the Sphinx

What would you do, if one of these flew up your trunks?

          This is a "sphinga." There are many of these flying around in Pefkos. They normally go about their own business in an unassuming manner, leaving humans well alone. They are attracted to the water flowing over the short cliffs of Pefkos Beach itself near the Philosophia Taverna. When you're on the beach you can see them darting around the water as it gently slides down towards the beach. They are no problem.

One October we take a very late break at the Pefkos Beach Hotel, the last week of the season. It's always quiet then, with the occasional downpour. Usually, it's nearer 26 degrees, though. There is a fabulous pool at the hotel, just above the Palm Cocktail Bar.

Fortunately, on the day in question it was deserted. It was "Ochi Day." ['No Day' - when the Greeks celebrate sticking the finger up to the Nazis.]

28th October, Wednesday, the day of the return flight, when you just want to relax on your flight home......

Sitting on the edge of the sun-lounger, I ask my eldest, "Where did that bomber just go?" referring to one of the giant hornets which frequently dive down over the pools on their way to the beach.

"Dunno," he replied, helpfully.

"Well if he's not still flying there's only one place he could have gone. And I pointed to the gap in my shorts behind my left leg.

Peace shattered. Jumping up and trying to remove the shorts without disturbing a giant sphinga is not so easy. Jumping into the water was not an option as the shorts would have taken ages to remove. Within seconds I am naked jumping around the bottom pool, lanced by the sphinga sting. Uproar ensued. Trying to grab a towel while suffering the burning agony of the aforementioned sting was not simple. Could easily have been done for indecent behaviour!

Pefkos Beach Hotel

The sphinga was still wrapped up in my shorts an hour later, when Benny (the waiter) & I checked them out.

The most uncomfortable flight home ever. Here's the beautiful pool area.

Remember the sphinx, when you're relaxing there.