North Beach, March 16, 2023

Today was overcast, windy and 17c but we did have some sunny breaks.  We headed out to walk North Beach which is where the surfers hang out to ride the big waves.  We saw North Beach from the Lighthouse but could not get to it from that point, so today we took the car and found the access to the beach on the north side of Sitio.  Even though it was windy, the waves were not as high as last Sunday but it was still very invigorating to walk the beach and we actually stayed for quite a while watching and listening to the pounding surf.   

                                The whole beach is protected by a big stretch of hilly sand dunes.  

                                              On the sandy trail that leads down to the beach

The beach is 1.5km long and its just sand and surf.  And when the big waves are not there, the surfers are not either, so we had the beach pretty much all to ourselves.

                                            Took off our shoes and walked along the beach 

A very calming time just sitting on the beach and listening to the pounding surf.

For dinner we had a recommendation but when we went to find the restaurant it was closed for renovations.  We wandered around looking for a place that looked inviting and spotted Tabernassa Restaurant that looked inviting and was almost full.  We managed to get a table and were very happy to hear most of the voices were in Portuguese, which meant a local hangout.  Tabernassa specializes in grilled pork and beef and we ordered a mixed pork grill for two that also came with vegetables, two type of salads and fries.  

The meat was finger-licking good.  Nicely spiced and very tender.  Went very well with a nice bottle of local red wine. 
On the way to the WC I stopped by the open kitchen to see how the chef prepared the food.  She was just putting out a mixed plate for four which looked enormous but smelled amazing.  Good food and good value.  


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