this is genipabu, a very trendy and famous beach close to the city of natal, the capital of the state of rio grande do norte. it is reputed to be one of the most beautiful in brasil. it is pretty, but i thought it was a bit overrated, and a bit too conscious of its own fame, if you know what i mean. it was the one beach in all my trips where i was made to feel like a tourist - there were lots of people selling useless but 'exotic' adventures, like camel riding in the sand dunes. camels?! in brasil? whatever.... :). the sand dunes are fun, but frankly, if you want really amazing sand dunes head further north west, to places like jericoacoara, parque de lencois and the general costal region between the states of ceara, piaui and maranhao. 

you can get to genipabu by buggy from natal - there are day trips which leave natal early in the morning and spend the whole day along beaches and up and down sand dunes. natal itself is a very cool town, very pretty and great night life.

i had never seen colours like this on a sea. i dont really know why it creates a rainbow like this, though i assume its the result of differences in depth, soil and vegetation in the relatively shallow seabed. i do love the image of the lone man out there. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

yes, camels in brasil. a bit too gimicky for me. i felt sorry for these poor animals, completely outside their original habitat and used in circus like fashion.