Where in the world is Natal?
Well, it is closer to Africa than it is to Florida. The official language is Portuguese and it is in a region called Rio Grande do Norte. Tourism is a major source of income along with salt and oil. This Atlantic port specializes in cold storage cargo such as fish, fruit, and nuts for its customers in Vigo (Spain), Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Sheerness (England).
It is six in the morning and the sun is already high in the sky. We are less than 6 degrees latitude south of the equator and we are beginning to sail up the mouth of the Potengi River. We will have to sail under the Newton Navarro Bridge to get to the dock. There should be no problem because this is one of the largest bridges in Brazil.
From the Atlantic Ocean, the tiny white fort defends the entrance to the river. The Portuguese began building it on January 6, 1598. That is the date on the Catholic calendar that Epiphany is celebrated. The bible story says that is when the three wise men, also called Magos or Magi, brought their gifts to the newborn baby Jesus. Hence the name translates as the fort of the three kings. Natal means birth and Christmas and the city was founded on December 25, 1599.
Our bus tour of the city and coast began at eight and fifteen minutes later we were walking in the center of the city and looking at the historic buildings and parks.
Not all of the buildings are historic.
An hour later we were at our next stop about thirty kilometres south of Natal in the community of Pirangi do Norte. This is were the Guinness book of Records has identified the world’s largest Cashew tree.
The world’s largest Cashew Tree
It started with a single trunk but something went wrong with its genetic programming and it started bending its branches down to the ground and then shooting up another branch from there.
Until the walkways were built above the ground, visitors were walking on the branches and causing damage to them. Now there is also an observation deck above the canopy so that visitors can get a feel for how extensive the tree has become. Click on this <link> to view a video of the trunk and canopy of this one tree
The tree is about 120 years old and covers about 8500 square meters. This is about 70 times larger than the average cashew tree. It yields about 80,000 fruit per year and each fruit yields only one nut. That is why they are so expensive. The tree is a great tourist attraction but there is a problem for the local town. The branches of the tree are still growing at a rate of three meters per year. They are growing over the roads and neighbour’s property and homes.
This is the neighbourhood of the biggest cashew tree. 
Growing so close to the Atlantic Ocean
It was mid-morning and since we were so close to the beach, a coconut punch was in order. The beaches are another one of Brazil’s tourist attractions. Do you think they look inviting?
After the refreshments, it was time to head back up the coast to Natal. By noon, we were back at the fort and the base of the bridge.
The coast is very sandy and vegetation helps hold it in place. Wisdom is protecting the coastal environment and has stopped building right down to the water.
The fort stands alone in the sand. It is now used as a museum.
Fortaleza dos Reis Magos Museum 
That pretty much ended the tour. Lunch was ready for us back at the ship and there was time for a few more pictures of the city from the dock.
Natal harbour on the Potengi River. 
The old and the new Natal
At five in the evening, the dock hands cast off the lines and it was farewell to Natal. The clouds were forming overhead and creating a beautiful sunset for our sail away.
