I never understand people who claim they don’t like the beach. Now that MRT Beach is set to open back up, this thought has been swirling through my mind. How can you not be a beach person?! Fine, maybe you don’t like getting sand everywhere, or maybe you hate applying sticky sunscreen to every part of your body, but then again, that’s only referring to “beach” part of the beach. A beach is made up of more than just sun and sand; much more is at hand. A beach is comprised of lush water, a beach club, exciting activities, nature, long walks, good food, chilling, sports, building sandcastles, and much, much more. I find it very hard to believe that there are people out there who don’t enjoy any of these things.
Naturally, certain parts of the beach experience will be more appealing to some than to others. Everyone has their own interests, and everyone has their own way of relaxing. That’s why I have decided to dedicate this blog to the creation of four beachgoing personas. Hopefully, you, the reader, will recognize yourself as one of the types, thereby proving that the beach is fun for everyone! As a bonus, you will know how to spend your first day at MRT Beach on the Maasplassen once you’re done reading!
I’ll come right out of the gate with my spirit animal. Person 1 has turned relaxing into a form of art. Once the sun has clambered high in the sky, this beachgoer will slowly emerge from his villa at Parc Maasresidence Thorn, favorite book and a soft towel under his arm; sunglasses wedged up on his sleepy head. Waking up was a tiresome ordeal, so Person 1 is headed straight for a lazy beach chair in order to recuperate. This chair will be his base of operations for the remainder of the day. Reading, chilling, napping, dawdling, and heck, maybe even a bit of SUP’ing? Alrighty then! Casually floating across the water with nature’s glory in your periphery… doesn’t sound too bad! Luckily, SUP Bike Tours lies just a few tactical flip-flop strides away from his chair. After paddling past the drowsy forests, sleepy meadows, and grazing cows, it’s high time for Person 1 to head back to the comforts of his chair. Luckily, beach bar Naut. intersects his trajectory, so a fruity smoothie is a foregone conclusion. Lovely, some homemade vitamins with a straw.
Person 2 is the polar opposite of Person 1 in every way imaginable. Beach = action and fun! There’s not a hair on her head that’s considering passing up the first warm day at MRT Beach. Person 2 enjoyed a hearty breakfast at Humphrey’s Thorn restaurant and is now eagerly awaiting to go on the E-foil at E-Flow. It takes a bit of splashing, thrashing, and getting back up, but after a few tries she soars across the water like a mighty albatross! The feeling of freedom is indescribable, but it is also hard work! Time to relax and regroup with an icy glass of cola at beach bar Naut. During her refreshing intermezzo, Person 2 yearningly watches a group of friends playing beach volleyball together. Can she join in? But of course! After a few well-aimed spikes, her energy is truly drained. Time to cool down in the water for a bit before heading back toward her luxury apartment on the Maasplassen.
Person 3 has fully found herself in her counterpart. The two of them are seasoned veterans when it comes to getting comfortable during the holidays since they both know exactly what the other likes. After having enjoyed breakfast on their private terrace, Person 3 and her partner saunter past the MRT Marina, across the blue drawbridge, and toward MRT Beach. They came prepared, however. Person 3 ordered a hand-made picnic at beach bar Naut. just the day before. It’s all packed and ready to accompany them on a nature-filled hike along the Maasplassen. They spend their afternoon listening to birds, petting horses and cows, and enjoying each other’s company. They even venture across the Belgian border for a bit, but finally choose MRT Beach as the ideal spot for a picnic. Once again, planning proves to be key as Person 3 takes out a soft picnic blanket she had already packed the day before. They take off their shoes and sit back, enjoying a fresh sandwich with their toes in the sand. Afterward, they finish off their perfect day with a frothy cup of cappuccino.
Person 4 had to get up waaay too early, but it’s all good. The little rascals wanted nothing more than to go to the beach since they got here, and their enthusiasm is contagious! It takes a while to brush all the little teeth, to cram all the little butts into all the little trunks, and to gather all the little buckets and shovels, but then the fun can start! Like an amateur dog walker, Person 4 tries to keep the pack together once they are outside, but it’s hopeless. Whatever, he’ll catch up to them at the beach. Slightly out of breath, he reaches MRT Beach and sees construction has already started. Two of the little buggers are digging downward like their life depends on it while the youngest one sits perched upon the mountain of sand next to the hole, carefully creating a sand tower. Person 4 grabs a bucket and gets to work on turning the tower into a castle. Meanwhile, they are pelted by sand flying out from the surprisingly deep hole. The youngest one decides to test the structural integrity of the castle with his butt. Goodbye castle. All of them have sand everywhere, even in their ears. Time to wash off in the water. Person 4 attaches little floaties to little arms and throws them into the water. After splashing and screaming for a while, it’s time to head over to beach bar Naut. for some well-earned juice. They look upon their work with pride. A deep hole and a pile of sand: a job well done!
Four completely different personalities, each with their very own special day at MRT Beach in Limburg. Don’t tell me none of these personalities speak to you even a little bit! If, after all this, you still disagree with me, come find me and we’ll talk it out. I’m Person 5, the blog writer who is comfortably seated on a table at the back of beach bar Naut, with sunglasses on, some ginger tea at hand, and a large smile across my sunny face.
MRT Beach is open from May till the end of September. On days that exceed 20 degrees Celsius in May, June, or September, a massage parlor can be found at the beach between 10:00 and 18:00. Book a massage via Leisure King.
