Fave part of your day when on a beach holiday

[howoriginal]

Curious as to how people spend their beach holidays and what their favourite parts of it are! So what's the best part for you?
We're away right now, and although I love the beach, lazing by the pool or having a swim, my favourite part of the day is getting back to the room after a day in the sun, having a really long cool shower (love to removed the feeling of sweat and suncream off my body) and then all 3 of us curling up together on the massive main bed with the tv on and having a little siesta with the balcony door open and the sound of the sea. Currently my 7 year old is watching mtv while my husband has a snooze and I'm...well I'm on Mumsnet! Love the opportunity to be lazy and not have any chores to do at all. Heaven!

Lunchtime pasty
Reading my book in the sun, listening to the waves while the kids play in the sea!

I love the sea but adore the shower after wnd putting on an oversized soft cotton light T-shirt and shorts for some chilled air conditioned time before dinner

@Thinking2041 yes to the air conditioning time! And the anticipation of dinner, and putting on a light dress and sandals. Love it.

Under an umbrella, surrounded by books, fan and drinks, eating my lunch. With other people at a distance. And no children around. And everyone speaking in whispers.

I like swimming in the sea.

First coffee of the day in the blazing sunshine

Exactly the same at yours. The back to room part between 5-7pm just relaxing and getting ready for the evening.

All aglow from the sun and freshly showered and chilling out.

Walking out into the warm evening in a light dress and clicky sandals, with a sunny glow, wondering where to go for dinner.

Just having the kids play nicely together in the pool / sea. Me getting to relax for 5 minutes!

Mainly just the same as I enjoy anywhere!

When I was younger and slimmer and had no responsibilities - after a day in the sun, putting in a cotton dress, hair still wet from the shower, bit of lipstick and mascara, small purse and off out for dinner outdoors. Have never been a big drinker or clubber. Just, sitting out, people watching, enjoying my family or friends, nice simple food and good wine.

Now that I’m older and my body ails me, I have children and a hundred worries, lying on the sand so flat that actually I stop hearing things properly. Conversations become indistinct so I’m unbothered - but I’m not alone. Also, being so far out in the sea that I can’t hear people at the shore but I can still see them clearly. So utterly peaceful. Nobody can reach me. No phones. No urgency to do anything. Very attuned to the waves and the water and nothing else.

A mimosa at breakfast overlooking the Caribbean ocean, the thought of it keeps me going during the winter!

Early morning swim,then in the evening dinner at a new bistro, taverna every night.

Waking up in the morning knowing it's already warm and sunny outside.

My favourite part are those long lunch in to dinner eating a range of hams and salami and cheeses and fresh bread, salad snd cold gazpacho. Just sitting outside talking. If out for the day then the pre dinner sangria with nuts just watching the sun go down. We go to our family home in Spain so less schedule driven than staying at a hotel.

Late night dinner in the balmy weather. Al fresco dining in a floaty dress. Ahhhh

Breakfast. Sitting outside with loads of tropical fresh fruit and pastries. The sun starting to heat up. Love it.

Best part is when you send DH with the king to the beach. Pretend that you have forgotten something and have to pop back to the hotel. Then have a nice quiet coffee and peaceful reading time and leave them to it.

The problem is that they cotton on after a few days.

@SkiingIsHeaven which king - Canute?

The moment you get in the water (I'm talking Cornish seaside now) and the cold goes, and you just thing ahhhhhh this is lovely! And you float and bob on the gentle waves, going out as far as you safely dare, and look back at the folk on the beach. I live here tho so it's not really holiday. And I know the beaches to avoid in high summer!

Sitting with my legs in the pool, reading one of my many holiday books with a cocktail. Last year we booked a swim up room for the first time and it was perfect. DP is more of a sitting in the shade watching films person so he could do that on the balcony while I sat by the pool. Then around lunchtime when our little pool became a bit shaded, we’d go for lunch and then head over to the main pool. Those 10 days were utter bliss.

@SkiingIsHeaven

Best part is when you send DH with the king to the beach. Pretend that you have forgotten something and have to pop back to the hotel. Then have a nice quiet coffee and peaceful reading time and leave them to it.

The problem is that they cotton on after a few days.

Oooh I need to remember to try this!

Love it all. Lunch outside in the sun, reading on a sunbed, getting ready for dinner in summer clothes. Cocktails. All the posts are sending me there (as I prepare a massive Easter lunch for 20).

Great thread. Probably either early morning sunny quiet air and a coffee or out to sea floating and detached, starfishing. Sigh.

Getting up and having the first swim in the pool before breakfast and being the first person all day in the pool and being the person who made the first ripple in the pool. Peace before the screeching kids jumping and splashing around

Early morning when you go out and the heat of the sun on you contrasts against the coolness of the morning air, along with breathing the clear/fresh air, all before the noise, humidity, business of the day.