Bukchon Hanok Village ~ A Mirror of Old Korea

Hello mga teh! Samahan si Teh at si Darlene-sensei sa kanilang adventures in Bukchon Hanok Village! (Backlog since 2013...) 

If you walk 300m away from Anguk station, you will find these traditional houses na existing pa since the Joseon Dynasty, around 6 centuries ago.

Somehow, the architecture of these houses seems like Chinese and Japanese architecture fusion, which is a little bit logical because the earliest traditions of Korea rooted from Chinese people (proof is that, their old handwriting was Chinese characters before it became Hangul), and Japanese occupation during early 1900's.

Pero siyempre, with the effort of Korean government and its constituents, na-preserve nila ang magandang village na ito. Hats off for their great job in preserving this old village! ^_^

Emote pa more, Teh.

In this village, puwede ninyong ma-experience ang traditional Korean homestay, ang pagsusuot ng Hanbok and tea ceremonies. Booking in advanced is required in general so Teh recommends that you ask your hotel/guesthouse staff regarding this. 

Dahil walang booking sa maski anong activities dito, wala kaming specific na bahay na napuntahan. Teh and Sensei just strolled around the village, as if we were lost in time... (emote...)

As for the tourist information centre, as far as Teh remembers, free admission sa loob nito. Inside the tourist information centre kasi, merong photo gallery depicting the history and restoration projects for the Bukchon Hanok Village. 

Bukchon Tourist Information Centre

Natapos namin ang aming DIY walking tour within half day, in the morning. So you will notice that we've reached the end of the tour. Thank you very much for visiting my travel journal mga teh! Till next time! ^_^

Special thanks to the following who made the adventures of Teh in Seoul successful:

• Promo fare by Cebu Pacific Air.
• Choi's House Seoul for making Teh and Sensei feel at home and for the guidance in revising our original itinerary.
• Darlene-sensei for the photos and company.
• Korean Tourism Website for refreshing Teh's memories (official page link here).

A Slice of Korean Dynasties ~ Palaces and Shrines

Hello mga teh! Welcome to the new series of Teh's adventures. This time, samahan si Teh together with my professor turned life mentor, Darlene-sensei, sa adventures namin sa Seoul, South Korea. Pasensya na, backlog ulit. 2013 pa kasi kami pumunta rito. Pero hindi naman siguro sobrang bongga ang difference. (Hopefully para may sense pa ang post na ito para sa inyong nagbabalak tumungo rito. :)

Teh's back! Walling sa Gyeongbokgung Palace.

~ Gwanghwamun Square and Gyeongbokgung Palace ~

Recommended Length of Visit: 3~4 hours

As far as I have read, this palace is the most significant palace among what the locals call as the "Five Grand Palaces". Kaya naman ito ang unang target puntahan nina Teh and Sensei. At sinaglit na rin namin ang Gwanghwamun Square, where the statue of King Sejong, the 4th king of Joseon Dynasty has been established. Sa naaalala ko, tanaw mo agad ang statue paglabas ng train station.

Left: Statue of King Sejong
Right: Entrance to the Gyeongbokgung Palace

Saktong naabutan namin ang munting palabas ng mga Imperial Guards ng palasyo pagdating namin. Hindi lang sigurado ni Teh ang interval, pero sa tantya ko, every 2~3 hours, merong palabas na ganyan. Kasi paglabas ulit namin, meron na naman. At nasaktuhan din naming nakita ang mga batang nakasuot ng Hanbok[1]. Ang cute-cute nila. ^_^

Imperial Guards: Kaliwa~ kaliwa~ kaliwa, kanan, kaliwa~
Teh: (Kilitiin ko kaya mga 'to. Magre-react kaya sila? XD)

Highly recommended, by the way, ang pagbili ng mga entrance tickets na naka-bundle. In our case, bumili kami ng Integrated Palace Tickets. Malaking tipid and valid siya for 1 month. As of 2013, nasa 10,000 KRW siya. Around 400~500 pesos when you convert.

Reminds Teh of Beijing's Forbidden City... 

The main attraction is the center of the palace. Parang sa Forbidden City rin na nagsusumiksik ang mga people para makita ang mga gamit ng hari. Sagrado kasi para sa kanila ang mga gamit ng royalty dahil para sa kanila, diyos ang mga nagiging hari noong unang panahon.

The heart of Gyeongbokgung Palace, sacred to many devotees of the kings.

Sa sobrang lawak ng palasyong ito, hindi maiwasang kung saan-saang sulok kami napapadpad. Pero dahil Autumn, hindi masyadong mainit kaya keri lang maligaw. And look oh, nakakaganda ng paligid ang red maple leaves. Pati 'yung bundok sa background reminded Teh of Beijing. ~_~

When there's another door, there's another chance to get lost.
(Buti na lang may mapa kami...)

Sa totoo lang, mahirap mapansin ang difference ng palace architecture ng China at Korea. Pero if you will notice the smallest detail, doon mapapansin ang difference. Pero dahil walang time at brain cells si Teh para pagkaisipin pa 'yon, picture-picture na lang ang nagawa namin.

Top left and bottom: Lake inside the palace. 
Paano ko matandaan pangalan eh ang hirap bigkasin. -_-
Top right: Playground where you can play sipa and other outdoor games...

The palace seems to house a small community of commoners as well. I think mga palace workers ang nakatira sa area na 'to before.

Looks like a small village inside Gyeongbokgung Palace. Find the emoting Teh. (5 pts.)

~ Jongmyo Shrine ~

Recommended Length of Visit: 30 minutes (fixed, guided tour)

Kamuntik pa kaming hindi makaabot sa last tour available in English (4PM). Shrines, unlike palaces, are regarded as sacred place because they are tombs of great people in history. So tourists cannot just go in and roam around as they like. Also, controlled din ang number of visitors na nasa loob ng Shrine dahil after the guided tour, you really have to leave.

Our tour guide, si Ateng Nakahanbok and the Shrine Entrance.

Ever wondered why there's an elevated walkway whose center is elevated further and bawal siyang tapakan? Lakaran kasi ng royalties 'yan. And the middle one is reserved for the king.

Preparation room of the royalties for ceremonies to be held in the shrine.

Medyo natakot lang si Teh nang kaunti kasi sobrang tahimik ng place. Ramdam mong sementeryo siya. Haha. Awoo~ -.-

Left: Ateng Nakahanbok explaining the ceremonies held in the Shrine.
Right: Main shrine, Jeongjeon, that houses the tablets of the Joseon Dynasty Kings.

Dahil hindi nakapagsuot si Teh ng Hanbok, nag-picture na lang kami ni Ateng Nakahanbok. Salamat sa pag-guide sa amin. :)

Kamsamnida Ateng Nakahanbok. :)

~ East Palaces: Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung + Huwon Secret Garden ~

Recommended Length of Visit: 4~5 hours

Siguro kung tatanungin si Teh kung anong lugar sa Korea ang pinaka-ubos energy, East Palaces ang sagot ko. Sobrang lawak ng area. Pagtabihin mo ba naman dalawang palasyo eh. 

Different sights at Changdeokgung Palace.

Built during Choson Dynasty, ang sabi ng information tablet sa loob ng palace eh this is the "epitome of Korean Architecture". But still, at a glance, it's difficult to separate its identity from the Chinese Architecture.

The heart of the Changdeokgung Palace.

I really cannot recall every part of the palace because it is too big. Kaya nag-emote na lang ulit si Teh. :))

Teh thinks that this is a common area where people can study or hold feasts.

Walking further within the Changdeokgung Palace, you will see gates that lead to Huwon Secret Garden (left) and Changgyeonggung Palace (right). Now you may see the convenience of buying the Integrated Tickets I've mentioned kasi you can immediately flash your ticket when crossing between the two palaces. Bonus rin ang entry sa Huwon Secret Palace by the way. :)

Top left: The gates that lead to Huwon Secret Garden and Changgyeonggung Palace respectively.
Others: Lake and tree sights in Changgyeonggung Palace

I think that this is more of a garden palace rather than structural palace. Parang 70% ata ng lugar na ito eh halaman at puno. They even have a greenhouse inside this palace. :)

White house na green house. :)

And here are the (maybe around) 30% of the palace, that are buildings. :3

Some structures inside the Changgyeonggung Palace.

So when you enter the left gate, heto naman ang mga makikita ninyo. Garden. (Hello?) Dito nakapagpulot sina Teh at Sensei ng maple leaf na ang laki-laki at sobrang dilaw. Do you see Teh smelling the leaf? (Infairness, amoy lupa haha.)

Enjoying the Autumn trees while exploring the Secret Garden. :D

Somehow, I didn't expect to see more Korean-inspired buildings inside. Dahil may "garden" sa pangalan ang area na ito, Teh expected plants and flowers. Pero okay lang din. Sobrang presko kaya sa lugar na 'to. Sarap ngumanga for a while. At medyo nirarayuma na ang Teh. :))

Ngangahan place sa Huwon Secret Garden. :O

A little bit surprised to see a small chain of houses here, or should I say common areas. Parang school din kasi ang itsura eh. Makes sense, because the Garden has served as training ground for military drills, a place for farming and for culturing silkworm.

Top left: Abangers ng lalabas.
Top right: Classrooms kaya ito?
Lower left: Dalawang teacher na nag-aabang ng klase.
Lower right: Walling. Nevermind...

~ Deoksugung Palace ~

Recommended Length of Visit: 2~3 hours

Medyo kakaiba 'tong palace na 'to kasi ang sabi eh free admission to those who are wearing Hanbok. Hay kung alam lang nina Teh sana 'yon na lang sinuot namin. :))

The traditional Korean structures inside Deoksugung Palace.

At kakaiba rin ang palace na ito in the sense that it houses some western-style buildings inside.

British-inspired buildings inside the palace.
The large building (bottom left) is a Japanese art gallery (which Teh did not enter).

As we walked further, natiyempuhan namin si Ateng Reyna in full Queen attire. Akala namin may nauupahan doon na royalty attire. 'Yun pala may gagawin lang ata silang pictorial. Pero hindi ko ma-confirm kung artista siya kasi hindi siya gaanong dinumog ng mga tao.

Around these areas, we found the Queen. Lumabas kaya siya from time machine? @_@

Huling palasyo na itong binisita namin, kaya lang hindi ko pa rin maisip ang pinagkaiba ng Chinese at Korean architecture sa maraming tinginan. (Not just once, twice, n times...)

The central structure at Deoksugung Palace.

Compared with other palaces, this is relatively smaller. Hindi naman kasi hari ang tumira dito kundi kapatid niya.

One last emote before we leave. XD

~ Heunginjimun/Sungnyemun Gates ~

Recommended Length of Visit: 5 minutes (just for exterior photo ops)

Actually, hindi alam ni Teh kung alin ang alin sa dalawang 'yan. Basta 'yung Heunginjimun Gate is near Dongdaemun station while Sungnyemun Gate is near Namdaemun station. Magkakamukha lang kasi ang fortress gates ng Seoul. These are just 2 out of 8 fortress gates in Seoul's Fortress Wall that surrounded the city during Joseon dynasty.

Alin, alin, alin ang naiba~ Hindi talaga mawari ni Teh. -_-

Sa palagay ko ay napagod na rin kayo sa pag-iimagine kung gaano kalalayo mga nilakad namin. Sa susunod na adventures ni Teh with Sensei in Seoul, we will explore the Bukchon Hanok Village. Thank you very much for visiting my travel journal. ^_^

Special thanks to the following who made the adventures of Teh in Seoul successful:

• Promo fare by Cebu Pacific Air.
• Choi's House Seoul for making Teh and Sensei feel at home and for the guidance in revising our original itinerary.
• Darlene-sensei for the photos and company.
• Korean Tourism Website for refreshing Teh's memories (official page link here).

~ Vocabulary ni Teh ~

[1] Hanbok - traditional Korean Costume.

Ilocandia Revisited ~ The South

At ngayon, ikukuwento naman ni Teh ang second part ng Ilocandia adventures with ADHICs. This time, samahan kaming mag-explore sa Vigan and its nearby town, Bantay. :)

On the second evening of our Ilocandia trip we stayed in Vigan, sa mga pinsan ni Teh, para makatipid ng accommodation. At siyempre para mabisita na rin ang mga pinsan, tita at lolo ko. Isang barangay kasi kamag-anak ko sa Vigan, father's side ni Mudra.

~ Plaza Burgos, Vigan Cathedral and Rizal Park ~

Location: Vigan

Recommended Time of Visit: Evenings, especially after Church Mass para lively

Anyway, we started the night with Vigan Empanada, Isaw and Okoy in front of Plaza Maestro. Then after that, we strolled around Plaza Burgos para masulit ang oras. Tambay konti tapos lakad-lakad para ma-burn ang fats galing sa mga finood-trip namin. :)

Burgos Park at night. Tambay after isaw and empanada food trip. :D

Medyo late na kaming nagpunta ng centro kasi naligo pa kami. Paano kasi, hindi kami nakaligo bago umalis ng Pagudpud sa lamig ng tubig. (Eh medyo kadiring mga turista hahaha. Malay ba nila?) Ooops, too much info. :))

The bottomline is, sarado na ang Vigan Cathedral pagdating namin. Sayang hindi nakapag-wish 'yung dalawang kasama ni Teh. Unang punta eh.

Top pics: Vigan Cathedral facade
Bottom: The bell tower and old McDonalds. (Old style eh.)

Isa pang hindi namin naabutan ay ang dancing fountain ng Rizal Park. Around 7~8PM daw kasi meron. Eh kumusta naman kasi 9PM na kami nakarating. 'Di bale, next time... -_-

Rizal Park (missed the dancing fountain though...) :(

Mabuti na lang at may ilaw pa ang mga Christmas tree sa paligid ng Kapitolyo. Eh 'di do'n na lang kami nag-picture-picture. :3

Vigan Capitol sights: the Christmas trees (December) and former President Elpidio Quirino.

FYI, kung curious kayo about former Pres. Quirino's statue, kung bakit meron sa Vigan niyan, it is because he was born in Vigan. One of the Ilocano prides.

~ Calle Crisologo ~

Location: Vigan

Recommended Length of Visit: 1~2 hours

Sa daming beses nang nakapunta ni Teh rito, this was the only time na nabisita ko ang kalyeng ito ng gabi. This old road, impassable by motor vehicles, only by kalesas and walking pedestrian, was named after a famous political clan in Ilocos Sur. Travel back in time as you traverse this road. (Meh gano'n?)

Lost in time ang peg. Drama pa more mga Teh at Koya.

~ Sidestory: The Cornfields ~

Location: Vigan

Recommended Time of Visit: Actually, napahinto lang...

Yes napahinto lang talaga kami rito at kung hindi nga naman kami tinamaan nang malas flat ang isang gulong ng sasakyan namin. At ang nakakatawa pa, flat din ang reserba. Kakaloka lang pero nanghiram lang kasi si Teh ng sasakyan. Mga lolo ko kasi gumagamit so hindi na gaanong na-maintain. Sa pagtitipid namin. So habang nag-aantay ng ipapalit na gulong (salamat sa hubby ng pinsan ko), eh tambay ganda at pogi muna kami sa pinangyarihan ng pagkaflat ng gulong. Inabot na rin kami ng umaga. Sadly, we had to cancel yung visit sa grotto in Sulvec, Narvacan dahil sa tire condition ng gamit naming sasakyan. (Next time na lang din...)

Top: Parang opening ng The Lion King ang feels. Do you hear the Circle of Life in the background? :D
Bottom Left: Anong pinagkakaabalahan ni Kuma?
Bottom Right: Conductor Beks??? Kumpas pa more.
Bottom Mid: Ang kinukumpasan ni Beks - mga damo at corn. @_@

~ Banaoang Bridge ~

Location: Bantay-Santa boundary

Recommended Length of Visit: 30 minutes (mainit kaya)

After a typhoon destroyed this bridge, sinara na ito sa mga motorista. But then, hindi nila totally sinara ito para sa mga mahilig magpicture tulad namin. (Yey!)

Left: Mga ilang beses naming kinunan 'to. :))
Upper right: Nag-aabang ng pipigil. :))
Lower right: Teh, for the nth time. #FrustratedModel :))

Mag-jumpshot, mag-meditate o humiga sa kalye. Only in Banaoang bridge, where it is possible to make it alive after doing such poses. :))

Dahil inaccessible to vehicles na 'to, YOLO! :))

How can I possibly miss this view? Noong high school pa lang ako, gusto ko nang makunan 'to. Nakunan ko naman kaso medyo buwis-buhay noon. This time, Teh was so free to do so. ^_^

The view from Bannaoang Bridge. Nostalgic...

Few drive away from the bridge, within Santa's territory, merong viewdeck doon kung saan puwede mong ma-view ang buong bridge. Notice the third part of the bridge? Before siya nasira nang tuluyan, inayos pa nila 'yan by removing the trusses of the third portion kasi doon may sira dati. Kaso lang natuluyan na talaga nung 2010 so fully impassable na siya as of today. Display na lang siya, gano'n. Mabuti at pin reserve pa siya ng gobyerno for tourist attraction. :)

World class view sana kung hindi sinali si Teh. :))

~ Bantay Church and Bell Tower ~

Location: Bantay

Recommended Length of Visit: 30 minutes~1 hr or longer if you attend the mass

Another old church in Ilocandia that you must visit mga teh! At siyempre pa, don't forget to wish kung first time mong bumisita rito. :)

Dahil naiinitan ang mga friendships ko, dalawa na lang kami ng pinsan kong umakyat sa bell tower. Medyo sad 'no? :)) Sayang, ang ganda pa naman ng view sa taas (if you exclude Teh sa photo sa baba hehe).

Top left: Bantay Church interior
Bottom left: Bantay Bell Tower
Right: Nevermind Teh. The landscape should be the photo's highlight. :))

~ Pagburnayan ~

Location: Vigan

Recommended Length of Visit: 30 minutes

No entrance fee and pottery making demo is free. Kaya nood na mga Teh! :)

Free demo ng pottery making part 1. :D

Donations after the show are very much welcome. Support our local potters. ^_^

Free demo ng pottery making part 2. :D
(But it's polite to give donation after the show...) ^_^

Or if you can't donate, please patronise the souvenir shop beside it. :)

Souvenir shop beside the Pagburnayan.

~ Hidden Garden ~

Location: Vigan

Recommended Length of Visit: 1 hour to sawa (malamig eh)

Pinapili ni Teh kung saan tutungo ang ADHICs and cousins - kung dito ba o sa Baluarte. Dahil naiinitan kaming lahat, jaran! Dito kami tumungo.

Welcome to Hidden Garden!
Can you spot kung sinong pagod at dumiretso nang higa? :))

Para bumenta ang isang garden, dapat maganda ang pagkaka-landscape. 2nd time na ni Teh rito pero I'll still be glad to visit this again. Very rejuvenating, relaxing, ano pa ba? Hehe... :D

Top: #Abangers :))
Bottom: Plants for sale and for eyes only. Buy 1 plant and get 1 zombie free. 
(Chos lang walang zombie!)

At siyempre pa, hindi lang basta garden ito. Plant store din ito mga teh. Pero dahil walang green thumb si Teh, I dropped the idea of taking one plant home with me. Sad, bakit ba wala akong green thumb? T_T

Plants pa more. :D

Kung may favorite spot si Teh sa Hidden Garden, ito siguro 'yung portion na 'yon. May collection kasi dito ng Theravada Buddhist art. ^_^

Buddhist art - adding up to the rejuvenating environment of the garden. ^_^ 

~ Food trip: Uno Grille ~

Location: Vigan

Last meal before going back home. Kaya we ordered Ilocano dishes for lunch as much as possible. Kahit alam kong sawa na mga pinsan ko diyan. Saying goodbye to bagnet and dinengdeng... ~_~

Last Ilokano meal before heading back home. :) :(

~ Pasalubong Hunting at Vigan Market ~

Location: Vigan

Maski saan tayo magpunta, it is very common na 'pag nalamang turista tayo eh pahirapan ang pagtawad sa bilihin. Salamat sa pinsan ni Teh, kasi siya nakipag-usap sa tindera to make tawad for us. Thanks cousin! ^_^

Teh's older cousin making tawad to the tindera. :))

This ends the adventures of Teh and ADHICs in Ilocandia. Stay tuned for the next adventures of Teh! Thank you very much for visiting! ^_^

Special thanks to the following who made the adventures of Teh and friends in Ilocos Sur successful:

• Friendship ni Mother from Partas Bus Company (sana malibre minsan si Teh hehe). :D
• Tita Mila for our breakfast and accommodation. :D
• Lolo Tony✞ and Lolo Doro✞ for our vehicle. (Sumalangit nawa sila...)
• Cousins Sheena at Blinky for guiding us around. :D
• Cousin Sheila and her husband for helping us with the flat tire incident. :D