BY BEADED STORY: Vietnam Day One

This post surely comes late. J. Bond has been pushing me to work on a thousand and more photos of our recent trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He was so eager to share and show family and friends all that we experienced and discovered. But with my busy Christmas bazaars, I promised to work on the photos the week immediately after my last bazaar.

Now, I am late. Papa (J. Bond's pop) passed away while on my 2nd day of the Alabang Hills Village Toys and Gifts Christmas Bazaar. He had seen only a handful of photos, and mostly about beads. I knew Papa wanted to see more -- historical spots, war remnants, culture, food. He was vocal about it.

Too much life stories, both high and low, have happened since our return. But this point, I could not still grasp the part that my project list for this week still says ... finalize number of guests and menu for Papa's birthday celebration.

Anyway, I still hold on to my promise. A part of me knows that Papa sees. So PA, here are a few photos from day 1.

Upon arrival, we did a quick tour of attractions located along the way to the hotel. First quick stop, Ho Chi Minh Post Office.

Post office interior.

Calling home from the Post Office. Our guide, "Thuy", loved directing our shots.

2nd quick stop, Notre Dame Cathedral.

Our first taste of crazy motorcycle driving.

I love how these two pigeons have chosen the image's head and foot as their resting place.

Shopping at the Post Office's gift shop. Shopping begun on day one.

Pretty colorful dolls.

We headed towards Ben Thanh Market immediately after checking-in. No such thing as wasting time.

At night, streets surrounding Ben Thanh Market transforms into a Night Market.

More shopping on day one. Bound by one mode of communication when shopping, calculator.

While I focused on beads, J. Bond was in pursuit for the B of his life...bikes (in all sizes).

Cute miniature bikes.

I'm sure Mother (my Mom) would have eaten here if she had tagged long. She is thrilled over food or dining joints found along the street. Her claim, the dirtier, the yummier. Lol!

Mother would have surely loved this. Right, Ma?

Dinner was at Pho 24. Months prior to this trip, a well-polished list of Ho Chi Minh attractions was shared by a Vietnamese/Filipina friend. Pho 24 was part of her list.