The Laoshe Teahouse is the Best!

I discover the hostel can sort out a train ticket for me and so with great ease (and a bit more cash!) a train ticket to Hanoi is in my hands! Hurrah, what joy!. I seek out the Laoshe Teahouse (nearby and good rep.) and spend a while in amazement at the wonderful surroundings, atmosphere and the great expanding and everlasting cup of 'Seven Sons Congratulate on Mother's Birthday' tea ( I got a wierd look for that one!) and listen to some Chinese folk Music. Then out and about on my newly hired bike - the way to travel; quick/dangerous, green and cheap (10 yuan a day) and no brakes to worry about. Off to the temple of Heaven Park (Tiantan) and Henrick and I wander and marvel at the beautiful pagodas, wierd tree bark, people walking backwards (the new craze!), recycling bions, muscians and try to find the divine kitchen. The sun is going down and sheds a beautiful light on it all. A quick cycle back in the darkness - no lights - and much craziness and stop at a great street cafe for quick food. A pick and mix veg., dumplings and random glutinous stuff all cooked in a big bubbling pot before our very eyes and then we (or may I say Henrick) entertain the locals by trying to eat this slippery, watery but very tasty meal with chopsticks. Then back to Laoshe Teahouse for the night show, Kung Fu! Oh yes, we are in China no doubt, Opera, mask/face changing (my favourite!), fabulous costumes, drum opera (not sure about this one!), Kung Fun fighting/boxing, magic, comedy (didn't quite get it but looked like Chinese version of the Two Ronnies in their day!), some nearly rapping all accompanied by lots of tea and wierd nibbles and cold rice pudding - all for 80 Yuan (bargain - and we got the Kung Fu guys autograph!).