The Most Amazing Church

I had to have a shower when I got in last night, so hot and sticky even at 3am. However, it turned out to be a cool shower as there was no hot water, was quite nice once I was over the shock.

Didn't get out until after 12pm today, a mix of the late night and having to change rooms because of the hot water issue. The first thing we went to see today was the Escadaria Selaron. Only a 15 minute walk from the hotel. A long flight of stairs that a guy had adorned in bits of old tile, it's one of the main things they push here as a tourist attraction. However, at the time we got there you could hardly see any of it with the number of people on the stairs.

Not far away and something I'd not heard mention of at all was the Sao Sabastiao municipal cathedral. It turned out to be the most unusual and stunning church I've ever seen and I've seen a few. Like an upside down waffle ice-cream cone with the top quarter chopped off. Inside it was vast and the four floor to ceiling stained glass windows were breathtaking. I can't believe some tatty old steps get way more attention.

Then onto Leblon one of Rio's posher suburbs, where the beach runs into Ipanema's. So we walked the length and then had dinner in Ipanema. When we got back to the room Carol noticed she had a voicemail from the events guy we met on the Camino. Turned out he had some last minute spare tickets for the Sambadrome this evening. Though by the time she saw the message it was too late. Oh well there is always tomorrow.Read more