NATAL - March 12 (Sun) - Day trip to Paradisiac São Miguel do Gostoso.

What a fun and, at the same time, relaxing day!
Our friends nicely prepared an amazing tour for us. 

All we had to do was seat down and relax. 

The girls started it at Michele's house with a delicious cold coconut water in her backyard.

One of many papaya trees... right here.

Our friends said they normally do this. Instead of driving their cars to a place - normally a beach - they hire a van with a driver and split the costs - pretty affordable - among them. The van picks them up at home early in the morning and drops them off in the end of the day. Everyone wins: the tourists don't have to worry about driving, everyone can drink and they are helping the local economy. 

FROM WIKIPEDIA:

Origin of the name, which literally translates to "São Miguel of the Delicious"

According to legend, a town resident, Manoel Gostoso, provided accommodations to traveling salesmen. Gostoso became known for entertaining his guests with stories and jokes. The locals soon began to refer to the town as Gostoso, in honor of Manoel.

On 29 September 1899, Miguel Félix Martins built the first Roman Catholic first church in town, in honor of Saint Michaell. The locals then joined São Miguel to the previous name of Gostoso to create São Miguel do Gostoso.

This place is slowly being discovered by tourists, but it's still pretty remote and isolated. We felt very special to be here and spent the day in a fancy 3-star hotel called Mi Secreto Pousada & Spa. 

FROM https://misecretopousada.com/en/

The location of the Pousada & SPA Mi Secreto is privileged on one of the most paradisiacal beaches in São Miguel do Gostoso, the well-known Ponta do Santo Cristo Beach, in front of the kitesurf and windsurf point, and next to the “Dr. Wind” kitesurf and windsurf school . The Pousada & SPA Mi Secreto is the perfect place for lovers of these sports, offering convenience, comfort and a different mood, facilitating the practice of water sports, as well as transportation, rental and equipment repair.

For those who appreciate rest and tranquility, our resort offers a privileged view of the sea, a harmonious and cozy decoration and a large garden with native coconut trees, palm trees and banana trees. We also provide comfortable Balinese beds, hammocks and sun loungers to relax and enjoy nature and our beautiful white sand beach.

My two big suns, brighting up the tropics even more!

Natural art.

FROM WIKIPEDIA: 

Size: 345.9 km² (equivalent to 0.65% of the state of Rio Grande do Norte)
Rain: Average 1038.3 mm
Rainy Season: March to June
Average Annual Temperature: 26,5 °C
Average Annual Humidity: 68%
Population: Approximately 10.000 inhabitants
Economy: Tourism, Agriculture and Fishing
Electricity: 220 V
High speed internet: Yes
Cell phone coverage: Yes

It's almost impossible to describe the peace feeling while on this beach, but I think this image says a lot. 

FROM WIKIPEDIA: 

In 1989, the city only had one Pousada (local Bed & Breakfast). Today São Miguel do Gostoso has approximately 25 Pousadas, a variation of bars and restaurants and two kite and wind surf schools. The wind conditions attract many visitors for kite surfing and windsurfing.

We love the bar as much as we love the beach!

The cuisine was excepcional, with lots of dishes and cocktails prepared with local ingredients.

Wide, white sand beach, sun, horses in the back, swings and amazing friends. 
Or you can just say "happiness."

Fatima, Sandro e Michele are the best hosts you can ask for. 

Love this picture! It seals the fantastic day on the beach. 

Back in Natal City it gets dark at 6pm, but the local street market was still going strong with vendors, food and music.

We just kept going. :)

Fifi expanding her home made bracelets collection. 

The day finished in Sandro's apartment with a equally amazing dinner. Unfortunately I don't have photo of the beautiful table, but Marquinhos, his roommate, went above and beyond to receive us with various local dishes and sweets.  Just wow! I am so grateful for our beautiful friends here!