[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6Gck6yFm9IM/VGSjKykqYvI/AAAAAAAAins/T2Oe3xBYfec/s144-c-o/IMG_0526.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage20Brazil3SaoLuisToRecife#6081164802626577138″ caption=”Camp at the Yachtclub in Natal” type=”image” alt=”IMG_0526.JPG” ]

Highlights: A proper shower and yummy barbecue invitation
Lowlights: Not taking enough time for nothing…
Launch: low dumper on low tide with reef shelter
Landing: sheltered sandy river beach
Pos: here
Loc: Natal Yacht Club
Acc: tent
Dist: 53,6 km
Start: 4:45 End: 14:50

I was well rested after that day off and ready to go again. It was low tide in the early morning, so the river reef shelter was on duty and I could launch ok through a low dumper. No chance on high tide here! But as soon I was out of the river mouth, the bumpy lumpy water had me back again on the rising tide with as usual about 18 knots wind. All concentration was needed to avoid being trashed by an unexpected breaker. I don’t enjoy this kind of water at all, despite the following wind. It is mentally draining.
At Pirangi do Norte, I could paddle behind the reef shelter and relax for a while, the tide also started to go down again and the water calmed down in general. I was a bit worried about the river entrance I was planning to paddle into at Natal, as I’d be arriving about two hours before low tide and the water would still be going out. Could I get in? No idea…the sea got bumpy again across the city of Ponta Negra, until the river entry. I was going up and down and up and down…getting almost sea sick.

I carefully approached the river mouth, it looked so narrow! But there were two larger fishing boats coming out, so there must be space for my kayak also… I gave the harbour wall breakers a wide berth, and headed straight in with not too many waves, current or problems… thank goodness. I had seen and paddled different river entries…

Inside, it was surely dead calm, and the current was really weakI could easily paddle under the wide impressive river bridge, and land around the corner on a small calm sandy beach between three huge catamarans sitting on the sand.. Some more were floating before the Yacht Club, all in all the place looked quite fancy. Hopefully just right to treat me well! 🙂

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XMLhHR-XXNM/VGSjJ46-IiI/AAAAAAAAins/yEEnn4C690A/s144-c-o/IMG_0524.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage20Brazil3SaoLuisToRecife#6081164787150889506″ caption=”Natal´s harbor bridge” type=”image” alt=”IMG_0524.JPG” ]

I got out of my kayak, watched by the curious of a small barbecue party with a delicious smell. Just what the doctor ordered! I introduced myself, said that we had e-mailed with the Commodore of the Club and that he agreed to me putting up my tent here for the night. Perfect, welcome, and have some meat! Muitos obrigada…

But business first, unloading, putting up the tent, a shower, washing quickly some clothing in the sink, hanging them up, plugging in my electronics – and instead of now diving into the yummy smelling meat there was first an interview for the Natal newspaper to be done…hurry up guy, I am hungry! I really like the South American way of having an Asado, as they call the barbecue here. They rather have big lumps of meat hanging over the fire, in this case of the finest fillet, instead of thin sliced portions like we usually do. The outer edge is cooked well, then the chef cuts small pieces from the outside, more or less well to serve all preferences, puts them on one single serving plate and this is passed around for everybody to take a piece. Who needs plates and forks? Licking the fingers is part of the pleasure! The rest of the uncooked big lump of meat goes back on the fire, and so on…additionally, we had pineapple from the fire. Delicious also, but I rather like it raw, it feels more refreshing for me yearning for vitamins… That was it, and it was enough and delicious! Surely everybody had a beer or two or more, I preferred an extra delicious ice cold bottle of water compared to the luke warm water out of my bags, as I still needed to go shopping.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-160wiezTss8/VGSjOu-qYDI/AAAAAAAAins/vODwEd00N20/s144-c-o/IMG_0528.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection3Stage20Brazil3SaoLuisToRecife#6081164870381363250″ caption=”The happy barbecue party just besides my camp at the Yachtclub” type=”image” alt=”IMG_0528.JPG” ]

I was asking the guys about a possibility to go to a supermarket, if maybe someone could drive me? Thanks, one of the big bosses ordered simply a taxi driver for me at no charge, who drove me to a supermarket, escorted me around and carried my stuff back to the tent. VIP shopping! Very quick and convenient, thanks!

I threw everything into my tent, tried to be a bit more social, but time was moving on, I had my rest day already yesterday and didn’t want to stay one more day. The guys got more drunk and all my gear was still disorganized inside my tent. I thanked all guys for their hospitality and friendliness, and started my chores. Still too tired for a full update, so this one comes a bit delayed…