Oh-oh, I think the kids are coming down with colds. They were sniffling the whole night, sana huwag namang magtuloy. Sa sobrang pagod yan, I’m sure. Paano ba naman, masyado silang exited, akala mo wala nang bukas kung maka-pasyal. Wagas! We spent 12 hours going around the city yesterday. Kung hindi pa ako naghimutok, wala silang kabalak-balak umuwi ha! @_@
I was pleasantly surprised to find everyone still asleep at 8:30 am. Ako ang pinaka-naunang nagising, himala! So rare, especially for Kap, to wake up so late. It just means our bodies are recovering from the shock of the previous days’ expeditions hehe. Lahat ng parte ng katawan ko, nagmumura!
Ever the spendthrift, Kap had our tirang pancakes from yesterday’s brunch brown-bagged & made us eat them them for breakfast this morning, kalurkey. @_@ Mega-shopping na daw yesterday, konting hinay naman today. Nakatipid sya ng isang kainan, hay. His day was off to a good start.
—
My Honey, anyareh? Bakit at paano ka nagkaganyan? ;))
It was raining so our OOTD shot was done underground instead of our usual place outside the apartment. Oo, basta nalang ako nangangalabit ng taong dumadaan, sabay.. “take our peechur please?” – pakapalan lang talaga ng mukha yan. ;P This is at the Anguk Station, I’m not sure if it regularly features art & art pieces, but we were lucky to have passed by this route that day. Kap & I especially had fun with the musical stairs below teehee..—
Syempre naman, palalampasin ba ng diyosa ng kagandahan ang photo op? Hinde! 😛
—
So good was the start of Kap’s day, in fact, that he gave his wholehearted consent to don a hanbok & go around Gyeongbokgung Palace wearing it. ;))
Ate googled beforehand & found a hanbok rental place nearest to the palace and we had a hoot choosing & donning our costumes -yes, even the normally indifferent boys! <3 Don’t worry, the city is teeming with rental places so you won’t miss the many rental places strategically placed around the area.
Hanbok (South Korea) or Joseon-ot (North Korea) is the traditional Korean dress characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines without pockets. Although the term literally means “Korean clothing”, hanbok usually refers specifically to clothing of the Joson period and is worn as semi-formal or formal wear during traditional festivals and celebrations.
—
Hanbok rental at Hanbok Plus. Be a Korean for a day, or 4 hours at least. 15,000 for a male outfit, 20,000 for the more elaborate ladies. Click on the link I provided here for complete details & how to get there.
Wear your costume upon entrance to the Geongbokgung Palace nearby & you get in for FREE! Kaya payag agad si Kap maglakad ng naka hanbok HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Hanbok Plus provides two types of hanbok: General and Special (the more elaborate ones we are wearing). Default rental hours is 4 hours. Daily rent is also available. Price is the same for children (2-14 years old) and adults. Hair-braiding and accessories like daenggi (Korean hair ribbon), headband, and handbags are also made available & free of charge to hanbok rental customers. You may store your clothes & bags at the lockers thoughtfully provided. There is also a restroom & water station so I advice you take advantage of both before your expedition.
—
It took a better part of our day but it was worth every won, time, and energy we consumed at the rental place, and ultimately at the palace grounds. Every picture we took was prettier because of the hanbok we were sporting.
Gyeongbokgung also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Built in 1395, it is located in northern Seoul, South Korea. The largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty, Gyeongbokgung served as the home of Kings of the Joseon dynasty, the Kings’ households, as well as the government of Joseon.
In the early 20th century, much of the palace was systematically destroyed by Imperial Japan. Since then, the walled palace complex is gradually being reconstructed to its original form. Today, the palace is arguably regarded as being the most beautiful and grandest of all five palaces. It also houses the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum within the premises of the complex.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
—
Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is also commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because its location is furthest north when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (Western Palace) Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful, and remains the largest of all five palaces.
The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasions, 1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong (1852-1919).
Remarkably, the most representative edifices of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond have remained relatively intact. Woldae and the sculptures of Geunjeongjeon (The Royal Audience Chamber) represent past sculptures of contemporary art.
Everywhere you eyes fall is simply picturesque. Perfect place for photoshoots. <3
It’s more fun walking around dressed in hanboks though! The sun was really glaring & every step of the 2 hours that we went around was pure torture, but the sights was made prettier with people strolling in costumes.
Gyeongbokgung Palace or “Palace of Shining Happiness” with happy, shiny people, lol. ;))
Admission Fees: * Adults (ages 19-64) 3,000 won * Group 2,400 won (10 or more people) * Youth (ages 7-18) 1,500 won / Group 1,200 won (10 or more) * Age 6 and under – FREE.
Opening Hours: * March to Oct 09:00-18:00 * Nov to Feb 09:00-17:00 Closed on Tuesdays so make sure you call ahead or ask the tourist information for confirmation so you don’t waste a day.
Pardon him. Most of the time he’s good, truly. The rest though, he is simply naughty. @_@
—
It was a tough hurdle going back to the rental place as we were feeling dehydrated from the scorching sun & layered outfits, but one step at a time, madaming dasal in between, sipag at tyaga, umabot din kami sa paruruunan, hay. They don’t sell water in the palace (or anywhere near even) so make sure you bring some with you when you snoop around. It’s a huge place and combined with the hot weather, you WILL wilt, believe me.
Ate‘s itinerary always involves 4/5 star-rated hole in the wall places for our meals so it was pila pa more when we got to Bukchon Son Mandu known for.. you guessed it, mandu (dumplings)! 😉 I swear, if I had water to spare in my bodilicious bodeh, I would have cried already. Pasalamat sila na-dehydrate na ako ng sobra kaya wala nang luhang natira. I have never been so tired & weak in my entire life, grabe.
—
Bukchon Son Mandu (북촌손만두)
—
Pila pa more at Bukchon Son Mandu, rated 5-stars! Just make sure you don’t mind being pushed around, unintentionally spat on due to close proximity to your seatmate, and that you don’t value your personal space, lolz.
We ordered a plate of Combination Dumplings which consisted of: 3 steamed dumplings, 3 fried dumplings, and 3 ball dumplings. I suggest you just go straight to the fried mandu which is SO AMAZING & skip the rest! I’ve never had anything as crispy & as tasty before huhu! It was definitely my favorite item on the menu.
Plus spicy cold noodles again for me & the girls, and steaming hot regular noodles for the boys for a super late lunch. Knowing what I know now, I would just have gorged on mandu, mandu, and more mandu! <3
—
After 45 minutes standing on queue, we were finally seated. The noodles were ordinary, but the empanada-looking fried dumplings were soooo yummy & worth the trip & pila. Total lunch bill: 63,500 won or 2,800 php. Kamot parin ng ulo si Kap. “Sweetheart, nasa turo-turo na tayo umaabot parin tayo ng 3k??” Well, ganyan talaga ang buhay Honey ko. ;))
Just when he thought we were good until dinnertime, nadaanan namin ito. Wooops, ice cream break! Banamisu, kakaiba, gotta try! ;P Iling nalang ng ulo si Kap. Me: Gusto mo rin ba Honey? Kap: Hindi na, makiki-dila nalang ako!” HAHAHAHAHA!
—
OMG Ate.. upo ba ng dalagang pilipina yan??? ;)) Hahahahaha! #pagodacoldwavelotion
Tiramisu ice cream for us sweet-toothed girls. Well-deserved after all that walking. I’m done for the day. Please park me somewhere, ayoko ko na talagang maglakad ahuhuhu.
Oh my dearest Bea, you are ever so blooming ha! <3 So excited for your coming debut. No boyfriend muna please!!! @_@
—
The kids had energy to spare after a dash of sugar intake. But I had my quota na of walking so I asked to be left behind at the ice cream shop while they explored the rest of the old village. (Which is why I am not in the photos from hereon out hehe).
Call me KJ but I’d just lag behind & slow them down so they’re really better off without me, pramis. Kabilin-bilinan ni tatay: “Wag kang aalis dito ha, baka mamaya pagbalik namin may bagong bag ka nang hawak!” Oh Honey, you really have trust issues. LOL! PS: Chika ko sa inyo ang bag-issue bukas! 😛
—
Jogyesa Temple is the chief temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The temple was first established in 1395, at the dawn of the Joseon Dynasty. Natural monument No. 9, an ancient white pine tree, is located within the temple grounds. Jogyesa Temple is located in one of the most popular cultural streets in Seoul, Insa-dong. Very close to the palace of Gyeongbokgung.
—
After 2 hours of exploring, they came back to me. Kumbaga sa battery, na-recharge ako ng 20% lels. Ano kaya ang nilalaklak na bitamina ng mga ito at parang wala silang kapaguran?!
A quick dinner at Yoogane Chicken Galbi then thankfully, we went back to our apartment. Yoogane, since 1981, has grown to one of the most popular galbi brands in South Korea. So pahinga muna kami sa BBQ beef.
Galbi, generally refers to a variety of grilled dishes in Korean cuisine that are made with marinated meat in a ganjang-based sauce. Yoogane’s signture dish will be their Yoogane Marinated Dak Galbi (a delicious, spicy grilled chicken dish).
—
Yoogane Chicken Galbi
—
Back at Myeongdong for more night shopping & eats. This big palayok at Yoogane Chicken Galbi caught our attention yesterday so we decided to try it tonight. 2k php-worth, super kap-approved na, busog-lusog pa! Mega spicy wok veggies with chicken & seafood. The boys are NOT happy hehe. Meanwhile, I’m in sugar & spice heaven.
48,500 won for a HUGE single order good for the GOppets 5. <3
—
Oh my gulay, kaya ko pa ba ang mga susunod na araw? Pwede ba i-wheelchair nyo nalang ako? Utang na loob! :'(
9 Comments
Ambongga ng hanboks! The Goppets look like dugong bughaw na Koryans, lalo na ikaw, mukhang pag-aari mo ang buong palasyo!!! Thank you for taking away my Monday blues. xoxo
August 7, 2017 at 8:59 amGanyan talaga kapat malusog medling, mukhang madaming pambili ng foods hahahahaha! ;))
August 7, 2017 at 11:30 amJena isn’t a baby anymore. She is growing up so beautiful.
August 7, 2017 at 11:11 amThank you Candy. <3 I want to stop time, it's moving way too fast huhu.
August 7, 2017 at 11:31 amAng ganda ni Ate at Jena ? Gosh! You didnt try the yoogane with fresh cheese?
August 7, 2017 at 8:06 pmWaaaah cheesy.. may ganyan?? Sa uulitin hehe.
August 8, 2017 at 6:13 amYes!!! Fresh cheese!! Next time try nyo yun mas masarap!
August 8, 2017 at 7:08 pmHuhu! Nakakita na naman ako ng mandu. I will totally survive in Korea bilang bet ko ang mga pagkain nila. The GOppets don’t look like tourists at all. Blend in na blend kayo with your hanboks. 🙂
August 7, 2017 at 8:20 pmHahahahaha lagi ka kaming napagkakamalang Koreans at nagugulat sila pag hindi kami nakakasagot in Korean lol.
August 8, 2017 at 6:12 am