One day in Paradise

I did forget to mention that Steph and I did have one day of Paradise in Hanoi...After we arrived and had that bit of stress with the taxi driver we decided to treat ourselves. Compliments of David, Steph's boyfriend.
We went off to Chocolate and Baguette to treat ourselves to a fantastic lunch. And that we did. Steph and I had the biggest Baguette sandwich full of yummy goodness. After this it was time to let ourselves be pampered and get a massage. However the hotel we were attempting to have a massage at was actually demolished and all that stood there was a pile of rubble. Plan B. We asked around at a tourist office for a massage place and were headed in the direction of a very savvy place indeed. On arrival I knew this was going to be well out of my budget but I was reassured that this treat was on Dave. So firstly we decided on a full body oil massage. This started by us stripping down to a towel and spending 15 minutes in a herbal steam bath. For Steph and I, 15 minutes was too much. We are unaccustomed to breathing in large amounts of hot steam. So we headed for our next stop. 15 minutes in the sauna. Yet again this only lasted 5 till we decided that cooking from the inside out wasn't us and we grabbed a shower. After the shower you don your robe and disposable undies...That's right. These things were so funny Steph and I had to take a photo of each other in them. Then we were ushered in to our massage room where we lay side beside in relaxed comfort. The massage was so good that we decided to go for a facial as well. After picking one for our skin types and a cool fruit shake later, we were ready for more pampering.
I have never had a facial like it. Than again I always went to the collage of beauty so what did I expect? I was massaged, suctioned, rubbed, masked and cleansed. Why though is it always the way that you break out in fits of laughter when the mask is drying away on your face? Steph and I were in uncontrolled fits over the suggestion of a shampoo and blow dry...Or s it just the fact that you know you should be laying there motionless?
After we were buffed and polished we were sent back outside, for yet another shower and to change back in to our clothes. Then we were served lunch!
Ahhh that's the life!
That evening we headed out to see the Water Puppets. This is famous to Vietnam but in particular Hanoi. In the Lonely Planet it says to look around at the magic in the children's faces. Forget the kids. You should have seen Steph and I. We were on the edge of our seats clapping like half Wits. We had so much fun. They use minonet puppets that are on long pieces of wood and strings. The water is the floor of the stage, depicting events from Vietnamese history and lives as the theme. The narration is in Vietnamese and the singing is beautiful and traditional. It was amazing to see. Truly spectaular.