Bon vivants on the beach
I can't imagine it myself: spending two weeks just lying on a sunbed at the beach. But sometimes a day can be quite enjoyable. The beach I go to must be lively and busy; otherwise, I get bored after an hour. When there are many people around me, I can spend hours observing what everyone is up to. And almost everyone fits into one of the following categories.
1. Reading Mothers
These are the mothers whose children finally go about their own business. These women are happy that, after years of hard work, they can finally relax in the sun with a good book during the holiday. You really shouldn't disturb them because they believe they have more than earned this reading week!
Reading on the beach of Malaga
2. Selfie Chicks
These ladies want a stunning photo of themselves in their beautiful new beach outfits at all costs. Hat on, sunglasses straight, lips pursed, and click away. They can spend hours trying to get the perfect picture, even though all the photos are probably the same. If they're unlucky, their current partner then has to take countless more photos if the selfie doesn't turn out well.
3. Hysterical Sunscreen Mom
This mom might seem super annoying because she spends the whole day running around after her kids with a bottle of SPF 50 sunscreen. But actually, she's very caring. She wants to prevent her children from getting sunburned at all costs and ruining their entire vacation (and their skin). As a result, she almost always forgets to put sunscreen on herself.
4. Boozers
A quiet group in the morning, dozing on the beach. But after lunch, this clique slowly comes back to life and tentatively opens the first beer. By the end of the afternoon, they are completely drunk, loudly shouting conversations with their friends without any shame.
5. Bon Vivants
Wonderful! Because enjoying life during vacation is, of course, super important! The day starts with a to-go coffee with a treat. Then, the menu from the nearest beach club is picked up for an extensive lunch and a colorful cocktail. And of course, some snacks are ordered at the end of the afternoon! With wine!
Relaxing on the beach of Jan Thiel, Curaçao
6. The Recoverers
They stumble onto the beach with their hair still messy from the hour of sleep in the apartment. They take a dip in the sea, only to fall asleep in no time on a sunbed or towel. Somewhere in the afternoon, these partygoers come back to life, slowly recharging for another night out. What a life!
7. The Gossips
Shamelessly, everyone who walks by is judged. Not the right bikini, too fat, too thin, too much time spent in the sun... And all of this is discussed loudly in their own language, assuming no one can understand what is being said. Of course, compliments are also given: when the well-trained lifeguard parades by during his mandatory round.
8. Sunburned Holidaymakers
This phenomenon is encountered every holiday. A thoroughly sunburned person, baking in the middle of the sun, in the surf of the sea, or on a sunbed far from an umbrella. They got terribly sunburned in the hot sun the day(s) before. How these people endure it is a mystery, as you can almost feel the pain when you see those bright red shoulders.
9. Shopaholics
Many beachgoers are terribly annoyed by a beach vendor who has already come by five times to ask if you want to buy sunglasses (even though you're already wearing a pair). Others are actually very happy with these vendors! They even call them over and have them display everything, only to buy nothing at all. Or a whole lot!
Sports on the beach of Formentera
10. Sporties
These sporty individuals spend the whole day walking along the sea, swimming, doing handstands, running, and playing tennis. They participate in all the games organized by the animation team, such as beach volleyball, soccer, and water polo. And with a bit of luck, they even keep your children occupied by building sandcastles with them!