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

Ilocandia Revisited ~ The North

It's the 3rd year (excluding the more than 1 year hiatus) of The Adventures of Teh, and for this, I've decided to re-feature a region that is very close to Teh's heart ~ my mom's hometown, Ilocandia! ^_^

Alam kong naikuwento ko na ito sa inyo dati mga teh. But this time, Teh would like to share kung ano ang ganap sa Ilocandia kapag December. Also, last time, si Mother ang kasama ni Teh. This time, tropang ADHICs naman ang kasama ko. Medyo nauso sa tropa ang kasabihang "matira, may nunal sa paa" dahil among the ADHICs, ang natuloy rito ay sina Teh, Beks at Kuma.

Maraming challenges ding hinarap sina Teh sa adventure na ito. Unang-una, ang pagtitipid (dahil wit kaming anda nang mga time na ito). Pangalawa, ang mapuntahan lahat ng nailistang lugar at activities ni Teh sa itinerary. It was like, we only had 3 days and 2 nights to tour the best places (in Teh's opinion) in Ilocandia.

O siya, tama na ang intro. Narito na ang mga ganap at bagong discoveries pa ni Teh sa kanyang pinakapaboritong tourist spot sa Pinas. :)

So we arrived at Pagudpud at around 6:30 AM. 13 years ang biyahe namin, grabe lang. Ang pinakamalupit pa niyan, pagdating namin, sobrang lamig sa Pagudpud. Mas malamig pa sa Baguio ang leveling. Walang silbi 'yung jacket ni Teh. Medyo kawawa mga kasama ko kasi sila walang baong jacket. Paano naman kasi, sunny weather ang na-picture naming lahat sa mga imagination namin bago makarating dito. >_<

Despite the weather condition, pumush pa rin kami sa adventures. Kasi we had to maximize our 3 days. Nagpahinga saglit sa Hannah's Homestay (previously featured here) then by 9 AM we left... :3

~ Muddy Adventure in Kabigan Falls ~

Location: Pagudpud

Recommended Length of Visit: 2~3 hours

Pagdating namin sa registration area, medyo muntik na kaming mapaatras dahil naulan at medyo nahangin nang malakas. Si Beks pa naman, nalimutang magbaon ng tsinelas. Mabuti na lang may tinda sa store katabi ng registration area. Bago nagsimulang maglakad papuntang falls, nagtanong kami kung may marerentahan bang kapote dahil mukhang walang bearing ang paggamit ng payong sa mahanging lakaran. Sa kasamaang palad, naubusan kami. Awts. :|

Anyway, pinush na lang din namin ang pag-akyat na ang mga attire namin eh pang-strolling sa mall. Sayang ang time, baka kasi hindi mapuntahan lahat. Bandang una ng paglalakad, medyo naloloka si Teh sa paglubog ng paa sa putikan dahil minsan hindi nakakaahon mula sa pagkakalugmok ang aking mga paa sa malambot na lupa. Hirap maging heavygat na adventurer sa ganitong uri ng nilalakaran, matagal ang recovery time. :))

Pero unti-unti, nakakasanayan na namin ang paglalakad sa putikan at nakakabuo na rin kami ng mga strategies paano makausad. Grabe lang, sige sa putik ang peg namin. At si Beks, despite his asthma, hindi siya nakaramdam ng pagod habang naglalakad papuntang falls. Instead, feeling niya gumanda pa ang pakiramdam sa lungs niya. Siguro kasi, super fresh ng hangin dito. :3

The view of the gloomy paddy field somehow reminded me of Calanasan in Apayao (previous post here)... Nostalgic.

Putikan adventures of ADHICs with our tour guide. :)

After struggling with the very cold zephyr and fighting the putik gravity (heavy eh), narating din namin sa wakas ang rumaragasang waterfalls. As in, ibang-iba talaga ang aura ng falls from the last time Teh visited. Hindi tuloy kami nakainom ng fresh water sa tabi ng falls. Hirap na, baka matangay kami ng agos kasama ng mga pangarap namin. Hashtag: #OceanDeep. :))

Top right pic: Don't go chasing waterfalls ang peg ni Beks

Bottom right pic: Ahm~ (Inner Peace...)

~ Emo Weather sa Patapat Viaduct ~

Location: Pagudpud

Recommended Length of Visit: 10~15 minutes

In general, dahil malungkot ang weather ditey 'pag December, wala kang magagawa rito kundi mag-emote habang pinapanood ang malalakas na alon at pinagmamasdan ang mga clouds na tila ba kinukumutan maya't maya ang mga kabundukan... :3

Top pic: Moment ni Kuma at Beks

Bottom pic: Moment ni Teh

~ Paraiso ni Anton ~

Location: Pagudpud

Recommended Length of Visit: 10~20 minutes

Dinala ko ang mga kasama ko rito sa pag-aakalang mapapainom ko sila ng miraculous water. In the end, nauwi kami sa pamimili ng mga pasalubong. Infairness, push lang sa pagtawad sa mga tindera, ibibigay nila ang tawad. Pero nalaman ko lang ding 'pag December pala, hindi sagana sa Gammet (Ilokano word for dried seaweeds) ang Pagudpud kaya mahal ang bili ni Teh. Php 120 ang isang pack na konti laman. Sayang, favorite ko pa naman 'yun. So sad... :(

Paraiso ni Anton.

Sensya na paulit-ulit yung rocky part, hindi makapili si Teh sa dalawang picture na 'yan.

(Na-explain ko na, labyu!)

~ Bantay-Abot Cave ~

Location: Pagudpud

Recommended Length of Visit: 30 minutes

Recommended Time of Visit: Basta Low Tide :3

Although nang mga time na nadaanan namin ang stairs papunta rito eh gutom na kaming lahat, nag-suggest si Kuya Tour Guide (forgot his name huhuhu...) na bisitahin na ito dahil pa-high tide na raw. Eh siyempre, ang gutom, makakapaghintay 'yan, pero ang high tide hindi! So tinungo na namin ang cave na ito. Sa tingin ni Teh, kaya natawag itong "Bantay Abot" kasi inaabutan ng dagat ang cave kapag high tide. And since "Bantay" means mountain, medyo bundok kasi ang itsura nito sa perspective ng dagat. Wala lang, pauso lang 'to ni Teh. Bahala kayo kung maniniwala kayo hehe. Kthnxbye.

Moments nina Teh at Beks sa cave. :3

Natripan lang din nina Teh na fumight-scene pose against the raging waves. Masulit lang ba ang malalakas na alon kaysa nganga. :))

Top pic: Against all tides ang peg.

Bottom pic: Teh: "Anong ganap?"

~ Blue Lagoon at Rage ~

Location: Pagudpud

Recommended Length of Visit: 1~2 hours

Hindi tulad noong unang punta rito ni Teh na super blue ang color kapag tinignan mo from afar ang lagoon (photo here), noong natanaw na namin mula sa itaas ang lagoon, blue-green na ang nakikita namin. Kaya nga hindi maawat si Kuma after kong in-introduce ang lugar na ito sa kaka-correct sa aking dapat hindi raw "blue lagoon" ang blue lagoon. Dapat daw "blue-green lagoon". Okay fine, may point pero pointless. :))

Finally, nakapag-lunch na kami. Medyo matagal ang serving sa kinainan naming palutuan (ito rin 'yun) dahil dagsa ang mga tao rito. Isa pa, medyo paubos na rin ang mga seafoods na puwedeng pagpilian dahil hapon na kami nakarating. Siguro mga 3PM 'yun. Pero infairness, masarap 'yung nakain naming Buttered Shrimp. 'Yun lang naman 'yung matagal sa mga inulam namin kasi may mga lutong ulam na rin sila tulad ng Igado (Ilokano dish similar to Menudo) at nakalimutan ko na pero basta baboy 'yun. :))

Habang sinusuong ni Beks (wearing blue-white shirt) ang kalamigan ng mga malalakas na alon...

Si Teh naman ay nag-eemote. :3

Dahil nakapag-recharge na habang lunch, back to regular programming ulit. YOLO time sa tabing-dagat! :D Medyo imba/yolo talaga ang peg ni Beks. Keber na sa cold weather at sa malalaking alon, basta siya eh nakalangoy sa dagat. :))

At heto pa ang isang yolo activity suggestion ni Teh ritong si Beks pa rin ang may gawa. Heto ang procedure:

1. Kumuha ng tree branch na puwedeng panulat sa buhangin ng kung ano. 
2. Sumulat/mag-drawing ng kung ano sa buhangin. Title ng adventure, pangalan ng cras mo, message para sa cras mo o kung ano pang trip mo.
3. Kunan ng picture.
4. Tapos, tumambling. (Saya-saya.)

YOLO trip ni Beks sa buhanginan. Push mo 'yan!

~ Dos Hermanos Island ~

Location: Pagudpud

Recommended Length of Visit: depends on the weather condition :3

Malamang high tide na nang mga panahong nadaanan namin ito kaya naman tinignan na lang namin ito saglit from afar pagkatapos kong ikuwento sa mga tropa ko kung anong ibig sabihin ng "Dos Hermanos". Pero sa naaalala ko, at sa naikuwento ko rito, 'pag low tide, puwedeng puntahan ito by foot without having to swim. :3

5 minutes of pagnganga from afar. :O

Ewan ko ba kung trip lang manadya ng panahon, pero matapos ang adventures namin sa Pagudpud during our first day, biglang sumilip si Haring Araw na palubog na rin halos nang mga oras na 'yan. Patay ka naman. :))

At 5PM... 

Teh: Haring araw, why only now? T_T </3

~ White Sand sa Saud Beach ~

Location: Pagudpud

Recommended Length of Visit: 1~2 hours

Recommended time of Visit: kung kailan magsa-sunrise? o sunset?

Kahit na 2nd visit na ni Teh rito, kay Beks ko pa nalamang white sand pala ang Saud Beach, malapit sa Hannah's Homestay. At mas maganda pa ang buhangin dito kaysa sa Blue Lagoon. Mabuti na lang at pinush ni Beks na hanapin ang white sand na tinungo niya dati rito. While waiting for breakfast, naglakad-lakad muna kami rito at nag-cloud watching. :3

White sand pala ang buhangin sa Saud Beach. Hadn't realized it before... >_<

~ Pagudpud Welcome Arch ~

Location: Pagudpud

Recommended Length of Visit: 10~15 minutes

Ito ang spot kung saan ka dapat magpa-picture para mapatunayang tumungo ka nga talaga sa Pagudpud. Pero sa totoo lang, hindi lang arch ang highlight ng spot na ito. Mas highlight pa para kay Teh ang magagandang landscapes dito. Grabe, as in nganga. Super breathtaking para sa akin... :O

Top pic: You take my breath away... ~Teh

Bottom-left: leaving pagudpud...

Bottom-right: The Arch

~ Bangui Windmills ~

Location: Bangui

Recommended Length of Visit: 30 minutes ~ 1 hour

Salamat naman kay Haring Araw dahil sumikat na siya noong 2nd day namin. Mas masaya mag-tour at kumuha ng pics kapag ganito kasigla ang panahon. ^_^

ADHICs signature jumpshots. 'Yung totoo Teh, bigat na bigat sa sarili?

Suggestion lang mga teh, sabihin sa tour guide/van driver ninyong dalhin kayo sa spot kung saan makikita ang karamihan ng windmills para maraming makita sa picture ninyo. ;)

Top pic: ADHICs

Bottom pics: Kuma's windmill invasion

Sa totoo lang, F na F ni Teh ang jacket niyang nililipad-lipad ng hangin habang nagpo-photo op dito. Kaya mga teh, baon kayong jacket para aura kayo rito. :))

Top pic: Can you paint with all the colors of the wind ang peg. :3

Bottom pics: the sceneries (chos)

~ Bangui Valley Viewdeck~

Location: Bangui

Recommended Length of Visit: 15~30 minutes

Acrophobic si Teh, pero hindi 'yon napipigilan ang kagustuhan kong ngumanga sa mataas na lugar tulad nito. If you want to see the windmills together with the Bangui valley, then don't miss this one! :)

Moment sa viewdeck nina Teh at Beks.
Puwede namang wala kami sa eksena. :))

~ Kapurpurawan Rock Formation ~

Location: Burgos

Recommended Length of Visit: 30 minutes~1 hour

Have never been to Brittany pero sa mga pictures na nakita ni Teh from my atlas during my childhood, this place seems kinda similar. Well, konti lang naman pero medyo ganon ang feels nung nandito kami. May kabayo and rock formations by the sea. So if you want a little hint of Brittany, but don't want to go as far as France, gora na here! :D

What ADHICs saw in Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

As I've mentioned here, the Ilocano word "puraw" means "white. So obvious ba kung saan galing ang name ng rock formation na 'to? Ang sabi sa amin ng mga nag-aalaga ng horsies diyan eh tubig-dagat ang humuhulma sa rock formation na ito. Pero the changes are not obvious until hundred years will pass. Medyo similar sa concept ng white sand beach formation from corals. (Sa tingin ni Teh gano'n 'yun pero 'wag masyadong nagpapaniwala hindi ko forte ang rocks haha.)

Top left: Famous napkin pad pose by Beks.

Top right: Moment ni Teh sa white rock. (Pagbigyan, frustrated model 'yan.)

Bottom pics: Gave Teh the Brittany feels... ~_~

~ Cape Bojeador Lighthouse ~

Location: Burgos

Recommended Length of Visit: 30 minutes~1 hour

Seems very old pero sabi ng wikipedia, active pa rin ang lighthouse na ito. Sabi nga, don't judge the book... cover it! (Chos lang...)

Somehow looks ideal for prenup photoshoot. Kung hindi man prenup, perfect for lost-in-time-ang-peg-moments photoshoot. Siyempre, may example na namang pic si Teh. :))

Top left: Tapang-tapangan moment ni Teh. :))

Bottom left: Walling moment ni Teh. -_-

Right pic: Paparazzi lang, Beks?

~ Aurora Park ~

Location: Laoag City

Recommended Length of Visit: 15~30 minutes

Moving on with our southbound journey, we dropped by Aurora Park sa tapat ng Kapitolyo ng Ilocos Norte. Masabi lang na nakatapak kami sa Laoag. Hehe. Pero kidding aside, at one spot here lies a monument about tobacco monopoly (which I think nasulat ko na rito...)

Left: 'Yan kaya si Aurora? Sino kaya yung nasa taas na statue ng mama?

Upper right: The park's fountain. At night sometimes illuminated.

Lower left: Kapitolyo ng Ilocos Norte

~ Paoay Kumakaway Sand Dunes ~

Location: Paoay

Recommended Length of Visit: 30 minutes~1 hour (depende kung keri niyo ang heat)

The first time I went here was rainy. Buti na lang ngayon maaraw na. (Pero hindi naman kami nakapag4x4 kasi no money and no time. >.<)

Round 1: Beks vs Kuma. (Eps lang yung upper left pic ni Teh hehe.)

At dahil maaraw at walang anda masyado, malakas ang tawag sa amin ng baliwan fight scenes. Enjoy! :D

Round 2: Kuma vs Teh. F na F ni Teh makipaglaban. :)) #HarmfulTeh

~ Malacañang of the North ~

Location: Paoay

Recommended Length of Visit: 30 minutes~1 hour

Hindi na kami pumasok kasi bawal din namang magpicture sa loob. Pero ang totoo n'yan nagtitipid kami. May entrance fee kasi. Haha. 

Last time I visited this place, siguro 9 years old palang si Teh noon kaya hindi ko na-appreciate masyado. Nung si mother naman ang kasama ni Teh, sarado kasi it was a Monday. Yep, every Monday, sarado ito. Kahit sa labas lang ng bahay bawal pumasok. So plan your visit here very well.

Welcome sa dating bahay ni Apu Marcos! (Na many years ago ko nang hindi napasok. -_-)

~ Paoay Lake ~

Location: Paoay

Recommended Length of Visit: 30 minutes~1 hour

Dahil nakakapagod ang itinerary namin, tumambay ganda at pogi muna kami rito. Inhale-exhale moments. Hinga-hinga rin kasi may time. (Phew...)

Emoting time sa tapat ng magandang view. :3

~ Saint Augustine Church ~

Location: Paoay

Recommended Length of Visit: 30 minutes~1 hour (longer if you want to attend the mass)

This is one of the oldest churches with a bell tower in the Philippines. Kinda ominous na naabutan naming may kasalang ganap sa loob. Congrats sa bagong kasal kung sino man sila. ^_^

Left: Bell tower

Upper right: Church facade

Lower right: Just married. Best wishes kung sino man kayo. <3

~ Mariano Marcos State University ~

Location: Batac

Recommended Length of Visit: 15~30 minutes

Sometimes coined as the "UP of Ilocos Norte". Hindi nga naman nalalayo ang architecture and feels nito sa UP Diliman. Dahil mga guro ang ADHICs (akalain niyo 'yun sa baliw naming 'to), pwede na ring masabing educational trip ang ginawa naming pag-visit dito. :D

Left: Front and rear buildings of MMSU

Right: Statue of Mariano Marcos, father of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos

~ Juan Luna's House ~

Location: Badoc

Recommended Length of Visit: 30 minutes~1 hour

How did a painter become a hero? Ang sagot ay nasa loob ng bahay na ito. Sinong Pinoy ba ang hindi nakakaalam ng Spoliarium? (Kahit hirap si Teh sa spelling ng word na 'yan.)

Museum portion of the house. 

Family tree, paintings, photos and painting paraphernalia of Juan Luna.

Sa backyard, aside from the very famous Spoliarium, nakapaskil ang iba pang mga paintings ni Juan Luna pero not the originals - naka-print sila sa tarpaulin. Some of these were his works when he stayed in Europe to study painting. Visit his house to have closer look on them. :)

Well-maintained exterior and interior. Medyo takot lang si Teh kasi medyo madilim. >.<

By the time na natapos ang ADHICs dito, palubog na ang araw. And so, let's call it a day. Sa susunod na post, sa Ilocos Sur naman itu-tour ni Teh ang ADHICs. Thank you very much for joining Teh and friends sa adventures nila in Ilocos Norte! ^_^

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

• Florida Bus Company (sana malibre si Teh minsan hehe).
• Partas Bus Company (sana rin malibre minsan si Teh hehe).
• Tour guide in Kabigan Falls (forgot his name huhu).
• Southbound tour driver, Bro (Contact numbers: 09222727746 or 09192405321). :)
• Hannah's Homestay in Pagudpud hosts and tour guides Ate Marife (Contact number: 09213104826) and Kuya Ruben (Contact number: 09289306603). ^_^
• Tricycle tour guide na kamag-anak ni Ate Marife (nakalimutan ko rin name niya huhu).