"The Maze" is a gaudí-esque bed & breakfast inn, built on top of a hill, right inside a favela (shantytown), which also hosts jazz gigs, original artwork for sale, and even the occasional film shoot.

As "slum tourism" gains popularity, places like this have sprung up in (few) peaceful favelas

- but "The Maze" was a pioneer.

Besides all, it provides a breathtaking view to Guanabara Bay and the Sugar Loaf. The rooms (only 7) are not that comfortable, but the view is priceless.

This weird, unique hotel,was designed by

Bob Nadkarni, a war cameraman in the Middle East and a BBC TV correspondent in Brazil.

As many foreigners, he seems to have fallen in love with Rio and decided to stay here.

He first built a studio home in this favela (he is also a painter), then it became an art gallery, and now he rents rooms for adventurous tourists

(people like Andreas (Buschinho), I guess...).

The Maze hosts a very popular Jazz night every last Friday of the month.

I have never been there, though (why? don't ask me... maybe I just don't know anyone who would join me, and I don't want to go by myself).

Anyway, even if you don't like jazz and can't survive without a jacuzzi, 

talking to Bob and listening to his crazy stories is worth the visit.

(this tabblo was sponsored by Rita Mandarino, who took me to this place - with a bodyguard!)