Happy End!

A white beach after another, cottage settlements & skyscrapers next to them, green everywhere, mountains behind, high above the Christ the Redeemer statue watches over everything - that's Rio de Janeiro. We are staying in Lapa (according to locals) - the real Rio! There is a lot going on here in the evening, people gather in bars, drink beer, Caipi & Caçacha! The food is shared with the whole table here. Of course, we had to try that too: steak (also with cheese gratin), rice, beans, potato chips & farofa! The food would easily be enough for 3 people and tastes incredibly good! But that is clearly not the only highlight of the city. While the center fascinates us less, we are excited about the view from Morro Dois Iramos. However, the way up here was a little adventure. First, we take a taxi to the beginning of the Favelas, from here you can take a mototaxi (= a motorcycle on which you sit at the back) to drive up the mountain - quite a fast ride. Then it goes over an increasingly narrow and steep path through undergrowth. But at the top, you are rewarded with incredible views. On one side, the Favela Rocinha and on the other the Copacabana, Ipanema, the Sugarloaf Mountain, and of course the Christ the Redeemer statue. And now let's put aside a few prejudices: a Favela does not consist of nothing but sheet metal huts, but of normal houses; a Favela does not necessarily have to be dangerous and you don't have to be afraid of being robbed! One evening we had dinner in a Favela, from here we had an amazing view, better than at Copacabana & Co., the prices were more budget-friendly, and the food authentic. Even walking through the streets there at night was no problem - the owner told us that we should be more afraid at Copacabana than here. But even otherwise, we always felt safe in Rio, whether touristy or not. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful and everything is peaceful, because we have also experienced a lot here. Due to government reforms, there were demonstrations by workers on some streets near our hotel, people marched through the streets all night long, and even some (empty) buses were set on fire in protest. However, if you inform yourself a bit here and follow a few rules, you will be able to enjoy your stay. Of course, we didn't miss out on the tourist highlights either. You can take a train to the Christ the Redeemer statue, where you have an amazing view, but it is so crowded that you can't stand it for too long. Copacabana and Ipanema are two beautiful beaches that are unfortunately mostly not suitable for swimming (too high waves). But you can relax here with a Caipi. Also great is the staircase between Lapa and Santa Theresa - it has been completely tiled by an artist. Rio is an incredibly fascinating and unique city. People are in a good mood and friendly, the panoramic view is simply overwhelming. This was the perfect end for our trip.