Serantes Apart Hotel

Pack Lite - The "All You Need" List

by madvex

I made this list because I could not find one before I left. Everyone said the same thing " clothing here is all beach wear". Well I didn;t belive it, so I brought some dress clothes too. I'm glad I did, cause I did use them - but, but no means every day. Basically beachwear goes everwhere in Natal and you don't need to bring too much. So here's my list.. I hope it helps you!!

Luggage:
A Single Carry-on for the trip there
A second Carry-ons for the trip back (for presents). Buy your seond bag in Brazil, they're cheap!

Check Nothing! For 10 days I found the following to be sufficient:

4 beach t-shirts
2 nice shirts
1 dress shirt
3 prs. of shorts
3 bathing suits
1 pr. dress socks
2 prs. normal socks
1 pr. sandals
1 pr. dress shoes
1 pr. jeans
1 pr. dress pants
2 prs. sunglasses

There's not much need to dress up in Natal so, one nice outfit will cover you. The rest should be light beach clothes - it's HOT!
Also, you can get your clothes washed at any hotel/pousada - so pack light. extra contact lenses (if you wear such)
saline soultion
toothbrush
floss
small toothpaste
anti-persp/deodorant
small shampoo
small conditioner
sun screen
lip balm w/ UV protection
cologne/perfume
after shave
hair gel
advil/tylenol
some bandages/band-aids
cold pack
plastic bags (pack toiletries in plastic in case they explode during flight) digital camera
extra battery or voltage converter for charger
extra memory (if you need it)
camera case phase book (if you don't speak portuguese)
english/port - port/english dictionary
copy of passport
local consulate/embassy information
travelers checks

Genipabu

by madvex

North of the Fortaleza, you must place your car on a balsa (boat) for 6R$ to cross the inlet. The boat holds about 30 cars and comes every 20 minutes. While you wait there is a shop where you can get another beer (always need beer) and wait for the boat to arrive.

After crossing the Inlet you arrive in a small fising village (eat here for a real taste of brazil), then keep going north through Santa Rita and onto Genipabu.

Genipabu is THE place for dunes in Natal. They are HUGE! The area also offers great vistas of the ocean and more beaches to play and relax on.

Most people rent buggys or tours to come here, I drove there myself and therefore was free to to do and see whatever I wanted. If you park and walk the dunes it's quite tiring.. but worth it, for once at the top there are camels you can tour the dunes on - one person per side for 20R$ each (or 7+$ USD) or you can go Ski-Bunda (ski on your ass)! This was really cool - rent a prancha (board) for 5R$ and ride down the dunes on your butt - Sure you get sand in yer crack - but what's vacation for ?? :-) LOL.

At the bottom of the dunes, right on the ocean is a nice bar/restaurant where the music is good and the ppl. are very friendly.. stop in and have another beer (always necessary) - expecially when they are 30 cents USD. :)

Then, stay here for the wonderful sunset over the basin from the top of the dunes. It was the most beautiful sunset I saw in Natal. Unfortunately for me, my camera battery died right as I was going to take the best picture of the trip - but I still have the image in my mind!

Aquarela do Brasil

by whenIneedyou

Brasil!
Terra boa e gostosa
Da morena sestrosa
De olhar indiferen...te
O Brasil, samba que dá
Bamboleio, que faz gingar
Ó Brasil, do meu amor
Terra de Nosso Senhor
Brasil! Brasil!
Pra mim, pra mim
O esse coqueiro que dá côco
Oi, onde amarro a minha rede
Nas noites claras de luar
Brasil!

"Genipabu"

Natal é famosa pelas suas lindas praias, pontos turísticos, lagoas, dunas, óptimo clima e ar puro.