We only arrived back in Hanoi about mid-afternoon which meant that there wasn't really that much that we could do. But we did have tickets to the water puppet show that night!! :)
By the time we were dropped off at the hotel, there was really only 1 other sight that we could go to, which is the oldest temple in Hanoi - Bach Ma Temple, which is one of the grandest temple in Old Quarters. Unfortunately for me, they were just closing up as we arrived. Not to mention that it wasn't the easiest temple to find :(. Oh well, just a photo from the outside will have to do.
By the time we were dropped off at the hotel, there was really only 1 other sight that we could go to, which is the oldest temple in Hanoi - Bach Ma Temple, which is one of the grandest temple in Old Quarters. Unfortunately for me, they were just closing up as we arrived. Not to mention that it wasn't the easiest temple to find :(. Oh well, just a photo from the outside will have to do.
Bach Ma TempleI was trying our best to look for a market that sold 'delicate' food, which mainly meant your non-usual fresh ingredients. Like lizards and things.. But once again, we were not able to find this.. but managed to walk around and observe the local life.
Your typical street food :)
Mobile marketWe also tried making our way to Dong Xuan market, but frankly the map that we had was crap or either that, the town was really just too confusing for my liking. We either found the market but it was closed by the time we were there, or we probably never found it.
Anyhow, by then we were just wondering around aimlessly and frustrated and just walked and walked and walked and stumbled upon St Joseph. Which was great! At least my mood was lifted by then.
Anyhow, by then we were just wondering around aimlessly and frustrated and just walked and walked and walked and stumbled upon St Joseph. Which was great! At least my mood was lifted by then.
Some other random building we came across towards St Joseph
St Joseph CathedralThe church was absolutely packed to the brim, there was worshippers who had to stand outside during prayers. It was relatively quiet when you're near the church's main doors, but just outside there church were lines and lines of street stalls which were packed. Opened in 1886, the church still conduct masses as often as twice a day, everyday. It had a sense of Gothic-ness in it's style, but that's purely my opinion.
As our puppet show was booked for 9 p.m, we decided to grab a quick dinner before heading back to the hotel for a rest prior to the show. And of course, we just have to walk along the lake and enjoy it's romantic feel :).
The famous turtle pagodaLocated in the other end of Hoan Kiem Lake, the pagoda looks a lot prettier at night. During the day, it just kind of look like an old uncared for temple.
Hoan Kiem Lake by nightAnd soon we settled for dinner at a nearby side street, at a street stall. Not a bad idea, the food was really pretty good and the servings were also pretty decent but only that there was just loads of noodles and just a little meat. We were hungry by a few hours after that!
Our young chef
Our beef Pho
Chicken PhoAnd my favourite......
Chinese Donuts!!!!! :)Nevertheless, I was really quite satisfied with dinner at this point and waited patiently till our show starts at 9.
Flower market near the food stallThe famous water puppet show in Hanoi is performed by the Thang Long Water Puppet Company which is located just next to Hoan Kiem Lake. Honestly, the whole place was packed with tourist and barely a handful of locals, but not that I minded. It was still a pretty good show in my opinion. Despite what others may say :P. A of our friends fell asleep when they watched it the last time.
The number of motorcycles at Hoan Kiem Lake
Thang Long Water Puppet Show
Tickets to the showWe had our wonderful hotel booked the tickets for us, which was about 60,000 VND which makes it to a few USD per ticket, so it really is quite a cheap show.
Performance hall
The stageThere was a total of 17 short stories, which really isn't that long. Each probably only took a few minutes.
Programme:
1) Rising the Festival Flag
2) Chu Teu or the Narrator
3) Dragon Dance : Four Dragons dancing on the surface of water audiences
4) On a buffalo with a flute
5) Agriculture
6) Catching frogs
7) Rearing ducks and catching foxes
8) Fishing
9) Harvest Festival. Returning to native land after college graduation.
10) Lion dance
11) Phoenix Dance
12) Legend of the Restored Sword
13) Children playing in water
14) Boat racing
15) Unicorns playing with ball
16) Fairy dance
17) Dance of four holy animals
2) Chu Teu or the Narrator
3) Dragon Dance : Four Dragons dancing on the surface of water audiences
4) On a buffalo with a flute
5) Agriculture
6) Catching frogs
7) Rearing ducks and catching foxes
8) Fishing
9) Harvest Festival. Returning to native land after college graduation.
10) Lion dance
11) Phoenix Dance
12) Legend of the Restored Sword
13) Children playing in water
14) Boat racing
15) Unicorns playing with ball
16) Fairy dance
17) Dance of four holy animals
The musicians
The dragon danceHonestly, the show isn't all that boring despite the mundane sounding titles. It had it's funny and amusing parts that had the audiences laughing loudly, and there were the subtle ones that gathered a few snickers. So, definitely worth a go if one's ever in town. You have to decide for yourself if it's good. We both enjoyed it :).
Rearing ducks *I think*
Fishing
Harvest FestivalThis one was quite a pretty one as there was more puppets which meant more colours :).
And my favourite, the Fairy Dance!
:)Hhhmm.. was pretty sure I saved a few videos from the show, but obviously have misplaced or deleted them :(.
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