Ngọc Sơn Temple

Before our embassy appointment on Tuesday, we visited the Ngọc Sơn Temple. Our trip was cut a little short due to rain. I obtained this info from the water puppet show website:

"Heroic Legends and the Vietnamese Spirit

Vietnamese people always respect their long history, That is why there are a number of water puppet plays retelling Vietnam's history and national heroes. Among these items, the legend about the returning the magic sword by King Lê Lợito the Gold Tortoise is the most wonderful one recreated in water puppetry.

In the early 15th century, the Ming Dynasty in China invaded Vietnam, Lê Lợi, a fisherman in Thanh Hóa, caught a holy sword by chance and he led the resistance war lasting for 10 years, In 1427, Lê Lợi defeated the invaders and proclaimed himself the king. One day, taking a boat trip on the lake, he met a huge tortoise which seized the holy sword in his hands then sank away. The King understood that the tortoise wanted to tell him that, after the war, the major task was to develop a prosperous and peaceful country. Then, he named the lake " Hoàn Kiếm" (Sword Returning Lake).

The difficulty of this scene is how to control a swimming tortoise to open its mouth and snatch the sword in the King's hands. Then it must disappear in the water, carrying the sword in its mouth. This performing item praises a national hero and retells a mysterious legend while displaying original techniques of water puppetry.

Some hundred-year-old tortoises are now living in Hoàn Kiếm Lake at the center of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. The small tower in the middle of the lake is named Tháp Rùa (Tower of Tortoises) and is considered one of the symbols of Hanoi. In the Ngọc Sơn Temple on an islet of the lake there remains the mummy of a huge tortoise over 2m in length. Opposite to the temple is the Thăng Long Water Puppet Theater where many water puppet shows are shown to foreign tourists daily. "

Enjoying breakfast in Hanoi.
Tháp Rùa (Tower of Tortoises) in Hoàn Kiếm Lake at the center of Hanoi.
Getting ready to cross the bridge at the Ngọc Sơn Temple at Hoàn Kiếm Lake.
On the bridge.
Checking out the mummy of a tortoise that is more than 6-feet long.
Trying out the Jackie O look.
Keeping the load dry, well, at least partly dry.
Sarah loves fruit.
Good to the last bite.