Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam: The Central Post Office

Back when I was a teenager, I was, for a time, into this whole “pen pal” thing. It allowed me to interact and be friends with people on other parts of the globe. Some, to this day, I still keep in contact with, albeit sporadically. So a huge chunk of my schedules back then included trips to post offices. Then e-pals (pen pal, only this time, thru e-mail) happened. Who knew, years later, that I’d be spending a lot of time at a post office, and see it as a tourist attraction? Because that’s exactly what the Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh is. Continue reading “Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam: The Central Post Office”

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam: The Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral

I have gotten used to hearing about the Philippines being the largest Christian nation, in terms of percentage of participation in Asia that I still find myself surprised when I see traces of Christianity in other Southeast Asian countries. Which is stupid, because being the “largest” should not mean we’re the only one. And yes, Christianity also prevailed in Vietnam, and combine that with French civilization due to France’s occupation of the country in the past, and you shouldn’t be too surprised to stumble upon the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral while walking Ho Chi Minh’s streets. Continue reading “Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam: The Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral”

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam: The Independence Palace

I cannot believe we’re nearing the end of July, guys. Time flies so fast when you’re having fun. Or so busy. Which is sad, because deeeern, when do we get to do all the fun things, eh? I’m having a bit of a walkabout-drought here, it’s a good thing I can let my mind drift back to previous visits, like this one foray into a palace in the heart of Saigon: the Independence Palace, or the Palais de l’independance.

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June 2017 FoodVentures: Ling Nam, BrrrGrrr, Canto, Sage

“Where to eat in Baguio?” is a question oft asked that, in hindsight, makes me want to scoff a bit. Several years ago that question would have made me pause and think hard for a while, because there aren’t too many options. At present, however, that question would still make me pause, but for an entirely different reason: it’s because there are simply too many options, you’d have to weigh them and choose a real good one. Funny, too, because at every turn, you’d find a place to eat.

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Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam: The War Remnants Museum (Part 2 of 2)

People visit museums for several reasons. One of the most common reasons is so that they could take a peek at something far removed from what they are familiar with, and be transported back in time, albeit through relics, photographs or works of art. However, I doubt that a visit inside the War Remnants Museum would make you want to go back in time, to this particular wartime.

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Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam: The War Remnants Museum (Part 1 of 2)

Remember how I said that, when I was inside the Hoa Lo Prison and was surrounded by what may be one of the darkest periods in the history of Vietnam (the French occupation, to be more specific), I felt this certain heaviness that kinda made it difficult to breathe? Well, that still did not prepare me for my visit to the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh. The pain is real, and I wasn’t even part of that period of history. (This post is rated PG. Parental Guidance is strongly advised… due to some violent and graphic images and descriptions.) Continue reading “Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam: The War Remnants Museum (Part 1 of 2)”

May 2017 FoodVentures: Balbacua, Vizco’s, Cafe Veniz, Amare, Yasuragi

Dining out was never really my thing, but I suppose being adventurous about food comes with age, at least in my case. And it helps that I am surrounded by people who are willing to try new things and new places. And it helps that there seems to be no shortage of places to eat in Baguio City and La Trinidad. So here are my May 2017 foodventures.

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April 2017 FoodVentures: Il Padrino, Meow Meow Cafe, Lemon & Olives, Sage

If I were to be serious about blogging about food, I’d definitely suck at it. I’m too un-picky about food, and am easily satisfied so being a food critique is out. Also, I’m not really the type to eat out often, or venture somewhere out of the way to check out a new place to eat, at least not on my own or purposefully so. Still, as I was going through image folders and cleaning up files I stumbled upon some photos that I thought I should add on my blog, you know, for future reference.

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Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam: The Cu Chi Tunnels

“A rifle in one hand and a plow in the other.” “They fight during the day, and farm at night.” Those were some of the realities of war. For someone who has lived in relative peace time for all her life, my grasp on life in a war zone is limited to the books I’ve read, the movies I’ve watched, and the news clips on TV and online. When I was visiting Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, there was heaviness in my heart. When I visited the Cu Chi Tunnels…. s**t just started to get even more real.

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