Of mountains, wind and waves: Rio de Janeiro

We left the north of Brasil after another few days in Fortaleza and flew south to Rio de Janeiro. I don't know what we expected, but it was nothing like that. In my mind I always considered Rio as "kind of dangerous" beginning already with arriving at the airport (with a highway from the airport to the city that closed sometimes because of drug-related shootouts and warnings to tourists that began with phrases like “to minimize the chance of kidnapping ... ”).
However nothing of this is true anymore. We experienced Rio as a great and overall really safe city with spectacular views all over. In the past several years, a strong national economy combined with the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016 has changed a lot in Rio. The New York Times worte lately that Rio’s murder rate has plunged to the lowest point in decades; even below those of American cities like Baltimore and St. Louis.

With it's hills and mountains all over the city, Rio offers amazing views from everywever you are, it doesn't matter if you are on the beach, on top of the Corcovado mountain (with it's famous "Christo Redentor" statue) or just somewhere in the barrio of Santa Teresa - you will be stunned by the view that is offered to you.
We spend only three days in this beautiful city but we are pretty sure that we will come back to stay a bit longer!

See for yourself why: