#16 - Selarón Staircase

We are back in Rio. So we have always been in Rio, just now again, where most people have Rio in front of their eyes. Back then we decided not to go back to Barra, but to Copacabana, so that we are a bit closer to the airport and also closer to numerous sights. We found a great hotel near the beach, where we have a bit of the sea from the terrace and the room on one side and a view of the favelas a little further away.

In the evening, we enjoyed strolling along the kilometer-long beach, either in the sand or on the famous promenade. The beach vendors are busy packing up all the sun loungers and umbrellas. But the beach is crowded with people drinking cocktails or coconut water, eating ice cream, but above all, there are many people jogging or doing group training. The beach is also busy in the dark.

The morning starts cloudy again and will stay that way all day. But it's okay, it's nice and warm, and a little rain is not a problem.

Our first destination this morning is the famous Selarón Staircase, or Escadaria Selarón, created by the artist Jorge Selarón. It is located between the artist neighborhood of Lapa and Santa Teresa and has about 250 steps. Already during the approach, you can feel that it is really a different neighborhood. Beautiful houses and incredibly beautiful and varied graffiti line the streets. We take on the climb and the work is truly overwhelming with the thousands of tiles (please look up the history yourself ;-)). But we even find tiles from Switzerland and other special pieces from all over the world. After reaching the top, we take a short break and can listen to a guitar player. Apparently, not many people go all the way to the top, so we can take good photos without many people.

We then walk back down through the neighborhood and spontaneously pass by the theater, and then continue towards the sea and also find the Museum of Modern Art. And all on foot on the normal streets. At no time did we feel uncomfortable and the police presence is really noticeable, no matter where you are.

It is a hot and humid day, so we then return to the hotel and relax a bit on the terrace. We no longer go to the sea today.