2011 Sep: Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar, Philippines

Travel Date: September 24, 2011
Destination: Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar, Bo Pag-asa, Bagac, Bataan, PhilippinesWebsite: http://www.lascasasfilipinas.com
Map: http://www.lascasasfilipinas.com/images/stories/packages/road-map.jpg

From a chartered van from Ortigas, Pasig City, it took us almost 3 hours to reach Bagac, Bataan. Along the road I had few realizations:

• We have a very rich forestry
• Roads are still not that fine (Roman Highway). There are areas under construction but you’ll see no people are working on it.
• Getting there by commuting looks to be difficult as there are only few buses on the road especially on Bataan proper.

Our coordinator booked for Day Tour Package 1 (set meal) that costs Php 1200 per person. This includes:

• 30 minutes to 1 hour guided tour of the Heritage Houses
• entrance fee and use of beach area
• 1 lunch, afternoon snack, bottled water
• vicinity map
• all taxes and service charge

As a background of the place, there is a man named Jerry Acuzar who is an antique collector. He extended his collection from simple antique bed, chandelier, paintings to old traditional houses. From its original location in the Metro and provinces, each house is being transferred ‘piece by piece’, ‘plank by plank’ to Bagac, Bataan.

Tour starts at Casa Mexico, which is being used as receiving area and information center. The name is based on its original location, Mexico, Pampangga.

Casa Meycauayan is from San Fernando Pampangga, Meycauayan Bulacan.
Casa Canadaba from Candaba Pampangga. Also used as a movie location of Noli Me Tangere, 1961.

Casa Tondo, from Tondo, Manila. This is a private casa which is a gift of the owner to his best friend.

Casa Quiapo is taken from its original location in Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila. The mansion was used as the first campus of the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts (1906-1926).

Below is Casa Luna from La Union [on the left] and Casa Jaen from Nueva Ecija [on the right]. In front is Plaza Belmonte with sculptures of playing children.

Paseo de Escolta is a replica from strip of commercial structures and transients at Escolta, Manila. Now, this place is the catered as the resort’s hotel for rooms that accommodate 1-4 persons. In front is Plaza Belmonte where gathering of guests happens during weekends for some entertainment shows.

Casa Unisan is from Unisan, Quezon. This is also the location Café Marivent where lunch, snacks and dinner is served.

This trip happened to have a collection of several chandelier and light photography.

These pieces come from very old houses of which some are abandoned, some were considered thrash, and others were taken from junk shops – but with these there is money and with concern there is beauty and respect for the culture of our country.

With the owner’s belief:

At Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, the legacy of our forefathers and the beautiful Filipino traditions live on. It is a step back into the past, reliving the age- old traditions and practices distinct to our culture, without leaving the luxury and comforts of the modern world.

A showcase of Filipino talent, ingenuity and craftsmanship, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar takes pride in the past... And keeps its hope for the future.

Seoul, South Korea: Boots on the Ground

Location: Seoul, South Korea
Date: June 22 - 27, 2011

From summer season as we are aware, it was June 22 when it started raining all over Seoul. The temperature started to drop but what I can say? The fashion went UP! A lot of girls were wearing mini-skirts together with not just leather but also boots that are made of plastic – which in Manila are normally wore on floods, not in the streets or MRT stations.

22nd Philippine Travel Mart Expo

What: 22nd Philippine Travel Mart Expo Where: SMX Convention
When: September 2-4, 2011

Today is the last day of the 22nd Philippine Travel Mart Expo held at SMX Convention Center.

As a traveler, either you are buying or just choosing your next local destination – it is good to grab the opportunity on visiting this type of event for:

Familiarity on the Airlines – There were 4 major participants on this event:

• Zest Air [http://www.zestair.com.ph/] has the least visitors



• Philippine Airlines [http://www.philippineairlines.com/home/home.jsp] - with their Palakbayan Program, they still have few buyers



• AirPhil Express [http://www.airphilexpress.com/] - has the cheapest price, I guess because I was not able to see the insurance fee on their fares



• Cebu Pacific [http://www.cebupacificair.com/] – claims to be the largest local airline that offers cheapest fares in most number of domestic destinations. Although, this is the airline of my choice, you travel addict should analyze what is the difference between buying in an Expo over online – actually there is none. Previously, they offer much cheaper fares during Expo, but now what you on sale over the net are the same price they use during the Expo period.
  

First hand experience of offers and promotional skills of the Hotels – I was eyeing for Pads in Palawan, they are offering 2,011php for 3D2N stay until end of this year. If I’m booking for January, they would price it at 2000php/night. But on their website it is only 1500php/night. You have to be resourceful, and know your factors as there are cases when it is better not to buy on the actual Expo site.

Package Tours – you’ll be able to learn the price range of different destinations. Cheapest all-in package to Batanes is on 22,000php for 3D2N stay.

Magazines – I was able to see Susan Calo Medina on the VIP Lounge, she is scheduled to sign her Travel Time magazine at 200php/pc. There were also Travel Magazines worth 50php on old copies. And, I was able to buy these 2 for 75php – 7101 Island Travel Magazine (http://www.7107magazine.ph/).

Cultural Show – There was a competition of Universities and Colleges showing cultural/folk dances of each Region.



My top 3 best exhibitors are:
1. Davao – very beautiful and resourceful. They used pineapple, banana and different types of flowers to spell out D-A-V-A-O.

2. Southern Tagalog Region – their booth is like an aquarium inside with floating fish (Nemo) while outside they have approachable men in Moriones/gladiator costumes.

3. Ilocos – very small area but caters their products

I must commend PHILTOA [http://philtoa.org/phil-travel.php] (Philippine Tour Operators Association) and DOT (Department of Tourism) for having this program of showcasing what our country can offer to the world. I hope that on the next World Expo, Philippines will be advertised on a higher level than what was shown in 2010 in Shanghai.

City Collection: Seoul, South Korea

I bought my Starbucks city mug from Myeongdong area.
I got this postcard from Namsan Tower. Aside from the postcards we sent from Nami Island, we sent out others from Korea Post Office and Incheon Airport Post Office.

2011 June: South Korea: Goodbye Seoul, Hello Incheon

Travel Date: June 26, 2011
Destination: Incheon
This is free day in Seoul, I have not set anything on this day except that we need to hear a mass in Myeongdong Cathedral.

It is a rainy and windy day as tropical storm Meari is heading a land fall in South Korea from Philippines. We can’t use umbrellas as it is flipping over due to strong winds.

We had a quick breakfast in Paris Baguette. We ordered for sausage (1700won) and ham (1400won) sandwiches with steamed milk (3000won) and café latte (3500won) for a total of 9600won (400php).


We continued our walk by taking exit #8 and turning right in ABC Shopping Store. We had to take the stairs going to the church. The Sunday English mass is at 9am. You can get the mass book from the right-hand side entrance of the church.

How is it different from the masses I have attended in the Philippines?

• There is no kneeler and bibles are available in each row.
• During the offering, the basket is only on the aisle and the attendees should be standing and giving the offering to the basket.
• During the communion rites, each row will be standing and will take the host. The sacristan is not on the left-side but behind the priest/giver of host.

We went back to Zaza Backpackers, prepare our luggage and covered them with plastic so we could freely walk during the storm when going to the Airport bus stop. We took bus 6015 going straight to Incheon Airport for an hour with a fare of 9000won (360php).

We had lunch at the airport, then decided to go to our 4th and last accommodation in South Korea. We took a cab and paid 5000won for less than 5 minutes travel going to Theoville building.

Global Guest House 801 IBC Daewoo Theoville, 2850 Unseo-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon http://globalgh.com/

Reposting from my review in www.agoda.com:

Global Guesthouse is like 5-10 minutes away from the airport terminal. We did not bother to take the Airport Free Shuttle, we paid 5000 won going to the building and 10000 won returning to the airport.

You will go to the room in 801, then the owner will give you the keys to your room.

It is good to stay here if you are just waiting for your flight, but if you will be looking for a cab very early in the morning – it will only be a luck by chance.

The room is so big, like condominium unit. Everything is clean,. We stayed on the 11th floor, and we can see planes arriving and leaving. Television has English channels and has several channels with Arrival and Departure Status. Also, has good wifi internet connection. We had 2 cups, spoons, 2 coffee bags and 1 free bottled water; hangers and cabinet. Room has stove and refrigerator. Toilet is with hair dryer, toiletries and towels.

Book Global Guest House, Incheon in Agoda

The most stressful trip thinking on how we can get back to Manila in the middle of a typhoon. Even if the building is just close to the airport, we can’t take the option of walking to the airport building as it is dangerous because of the strong winds. While seeing from above, there are no cabs or Airport Shuttle and very rare for private cars to pass by at 4-5am. We decided to stay at the building grounds at 5:30, hoping we could see a cab. Then we were seen by a cab driver who was waiting for his scheduled passenger, after sending off his passengers, he went back and volunteered to help us – i’m so touched and thankful!

We need to keep running until we complete the check-in, breakfast, airport train and finally reach the boarding gates. It is my first time to be on the second row, we were seated at 2D and 2E – I guess we are that late! And still another big appreciation, I was able to get my first win at Cebu Pacific Fun Games on Air. Question: What is the currency of Thailand. As inspired by 2PM’s latest hit song, ‘put your hands up’ – I just did and win a Cebu Pacific box for the answer of ‘Baht’.

Thank God, we landed at NAIA with blue skies! Thanky you to my brother for being with me on this trip. Thanks to all the hosts of the fours accommodations we had (4 in just less than 9-day trip?!). To the cab drivers that were very helpful, to the locals and tourists who helped us take every single step on the confusing streets of the place where Hallyu stars are born.

This is not my last entry for Korea, I’ll be posting more entries on those things I have observed during my visit. And I'll say, see you soon Jeju!

2011 June: South Korea: Post it!

Travel Date: June 25, 2011
Destination: Post Office, Namdaenum, Kring Museum, Banpo Bridge

We started walking from Myeongdong Station going to Korea Post. Today, we are sending post cards to our friends in Asia.

Since we saw Namdaenum is just across the area, we headed there to check on more pasalubongs. As featured in Rated K by Korina Sanchez, there is this bad smell of famous local street food in Korea – it looks like a member of beetle/insect family.

It is raining hard so went back to Zaza Backpackers. On late afternoon, we headed to Samseong Station Exit 3, after 10 minutes walk we reached Kring Museum (another Perfect Match Location).

Here, instead of appreciating the art work, I loved most is the comfort room – nothing can beat the comfort! My first time to see a tv on every cube, they even have seats and multiple mirrors on different heights.

Then we headed to Jamwon Station, it is a very, very long walk going to Banpo Bridge because we are hoping to watch the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain show, but since it is raining, they have cancelled the show.

South Korea: Changdeokgung Palace

Travel Date: June 24, 2011
Destination: Changdeokgung Palace + Shopping

We decided to have breakfast on Caffe Bene. We had blueberry waffle, corn waffle, coffee and milk for 12400krw (500php).  Quoting from koreatimes.co.kr , “Almost anywhere you go, there’s a Caffe Bene and its signature look is hard to miss. The rustic wooden exteriors, with the playful sign that says ``Caffe Bene: gelato & waffles,’’ is not one to be mistaken for Starbucks or Coffee Bean.”

2011 June: South Korea: Leaving Nami & Visiting Namsan Tower

Travel Date: June 22, 2011

Destination: Namsan Tower

We started early, since we know that we will have a lot of stops along Central White Pine Tree Lane due to our heavy bags. First ferry leaving from Nami Wharf is at 8.30am, but we missed it. The boat immediately left without passengers, so we tried to catch the next one.

We met Chae, a Korean painter working in New York for years. He painted 2 rooms (105 and 107) in Nami Hotel. He was is good enough to accommodate our taxi fare going from Family Mart (ferry wharf) going to Gapyeong Station. It took us around less than 2 hours before we reached Seoul Station.

During that long discussion with him, we knew a lot on he’s travelling. He is proud that Korea’s season is so distinct compared to other countries. The 3 month cut between Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall is so clear based on experience. He is also a climber in Himalayas and a frequent visitor in Nepal.

[Read more about Nami Island]

We missed breakfast and had lunch (grilled beef with seaweeds) in a Korean Restaurant, upper level of Seoul Station.

Zaza Backpackers (http://zazabackpackers.com/) in uphill area of Myeongdong is our 3rd guesthouse for this trip. This place does not accept more than 2 months advance reservation. They are attentive in answering my inquiries in mail, but due to some conflicts in their building permit with the Korean government, we had multiple reservation issues with them. It is almost 10-15minutes away from the train station. However, we were not able to find any lift or escalator on that station, thus, it is hard if you have heavy luggage.

The place is clean and the room is well lighted with windows. The bed is soft with clean pillows and sheets. Air-conditioner is working well. The television has no English channel. They also have hair dryer.

Since they will provide the pass code for the digital door lock, it looks like you are not secured from them. One time, we were watching tv and somebody unlock our door, so we requested the owner that we change our pass code, where we are the only ones who know it (even the owner does not know it during the rest of our stay. Then we shared it upon our checkout).

The common room has 2 computer units with internet connection. They have a phone which can be used for international calls, but Philippines is not included. They also provide maps and guides for tourists.

Hangers, adaptor and doormat are available upon request. Too bad that there are no slots for hangers, they do not have cabinet as well. They do not provide toiletries and big towels. There is no elevator, so you have to carry your luggage if you are staying on the upper floor.

Late afternoon, we started walking on the upper area of the street to find the Cable Car Station. We bought the one-way ticket worth 6000 won (240php), and the trip lasted for less than 3 minutes. The combo ticket for Teddy Bear Museum and Viewing Deck is 14000 won (560php). We had a late merienda in Twosome Place.

The Teddy Bear Museum (http://www.teddybearmuseum.com/) has 2 exhibit halls - The Past: Historical Seoul. Closed last Nov 2013.

The Present: Today’s Seoul

The bears used in Goong (Princess Hours) are in this Museum (Although, the actual location shoot of Princess Janelle and the Queen was in Teddy Bear Museum Jeju). There are also several special Joon Bears, inspired by Bae Yong Joon’s drama series: Winter Sonata and The Story of the First King's Four Gods.

Due to bad weather, there is a zero visibility in the Observation Deck. We took photos of the Manila prints. The stamps available in the shop is on package to a postcard that is not related to Namsan Tower, so we did not bother to send one.

We took Yellow Bus 02 going back to Myeongdong.

South Korea: Seoul: Gyeongbokgung Palace

First Visit on 2011 June:

We find our way for the tickets (we though, that we can buy it cheaper with the Seoul City Pass Plus, but we did not get any discount). We were able to attend the English Tour in the palace – it was a good learning experience.

In Summary, the kings live on their own palace separate from his queen. The queen takes good care of all the servants and other wives of the king. The heating system of the palace does not use woods due to the smoke it produce, instead they use charcoal. Most of the buildings and arches found in the place were restored pieces due to the destructive invasion of Japan. The uneven flooring in the courtyard is for it not to be slippery in winter.

If you notice, the roof are already covered with nets.  This is to prevent the birds from building nests in between the roof design.

We were able to watch the exchange of guards in the palace at 1pm, the ceremony lasted for 10 minutes. They use big drums and old flutes before the guards do their marching.

Hours of Operation:
- Changing of the Royal Guard Ceremony: 10:00, 14:00
- Gwanghwamun Gate Guard on Duty Ceremony: 11:00, 13:00
- Royal Guard Costume Experience: Before and after the Changing of the Royal Guard Ceremony
- Gatekeeper Military Training: 9:30, 13:30 (running time 15 min.)


We were also able to visit National Palace Museum of Korea.

Since we are still hungry, and to satisfy our craving – we need to look for McDo or KFC (yeah, nothing beats that type of food), we decided to have a quick visit at Myeongdong – and near Exit 07, we had fish sandwich from KFC.


Breakfast? It was hard looking for an open restaurant or café during early Sunday morning at Namdaenum area. We tried to stop at one station, but every store we saw are still closed. Until we reach Gyeongbokgung Station, we saw this coffee shop near National Museum – we had this cold beef with bean sprouts for 15000won (600php).

Updated with photos taken on our second visit on 2016 November 10 (for your autumn color reference):

We normally take the Orange Line Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 5, when going to the palace.  This time, we took Purple Line Gwanhwamun Station Exit 9, to roam around the square and meet Admiral and King Sejong.  Crossed the street to go to the palace gates.

Upon buying a tikcet, please present senior citizen card to get discount (this is applicable for foreigners).  You can either join the english tour or watch the 10:00 exchange of guards, every after 15 minutes.

I just finished watching my first full length traditional drama, Bogum's Love in the Moonlight, and it made me appreciate seeing the interior of the main hall.  

Good thing, we are still able to chase the ginkgo leaves and able to watch the exchange of guards.

Then we moved to Insadong, it is just so quiet in the morning just like Myeongdong. Don’t go there early, better to visit after 3pm to taste the street food as well.

Drama Location:
Goblin (aka Guardian: The Lonely and Great God; Gong Yoo, Lee Dong-wook) Episode 2 (19:50-20:49th minute, aired December 2016)
The scene when Kim Shin and Eun Tak return from Canada to Seoul.

Last updated: 2017 September