Charming Bukchon Hanok Village

Between Gyeonbokgung Palace and Chandeokgoung Palace is the  Bukchon Hankok Village.  This is an area with  more than 900 Korean traditional houses where people still actually live.  There is also an area in this place where Korean street food  and various arts and crafts are being sold.   

But be prepared for a tiring walk as you have to go up and down its steep streets which is worth the effort as the place is quaint and charming.  It is a favorite filming location for Korean movies and TV dramas.

Jongmyo Shrine: Memorial Fit for Royalty

Kings and Queens of the Joseon Dynastry are honored in Jongmyo Shrine where their memorial tablets are kept and memorial services offered.  It is a quiet tranquil place and you can only visit thru a guided tour except Saturdays when visitors can tour on their own.

Jongmyo Shrine is a Unesco World Cultural Heritage site and is the world's largest remaning wooden structure built in the 14th century.

Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret!

Changdeokgung Palace was originally built as a detached villa within the Gyeonbokgung Palace.  It is therefore not as grand as the Gyeongbokgung Palace.  But it has a secret which makes it a must see place in Seoul, its sprawling and serene Secret Garden. Within the Palace grounds is this garden which is actually a forest within the city and provides a peaceful and quiet sanctuary to royalty.  You need to make advance reservations  to be able to access this Secret Garden as they limit the number of guests per day.

A visit to Changdeokgung Palace which is a Unesco World Heritage Site is worthwhile because of its secret.

The Grand Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace is not only grandest of the many palaces in Seoul but was also the first palace built during the Joseon Period.  The palace and its extensive grounds are very well maintained just like all the historical landmarks of South Korea.

Its gate is beautifully illuminated at night!

Tilapia and Chips: Boracay's Hot Ribs Place

There's a very good restaurant in Boracay  located at the Mall's entrance near the main road named Tilapia and Chips.  It specializes in fish and chips and baby back ribs.  But according the owner, their best seller is the baby back ribs.  The place is clean, and service, warm and friendly!

I tried the half slab order of their baby back ribs which is priced at a reasonable P460 (US$11.00) and this comes with a glass of iced tea, french fries and salad. The ribs is sweet tasting and is good except that even if the meat is tender it is a bit dry.  The baby back ribs at Texas Joe House of Ribs in Subic is better since their ribs are really  tender and juicy.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed this meal and next time I go to Boracay would most likely eat here again and try their other specialty, the tilapia and chips.

Panay Town: Quaint and Charming

Panay town in Capiz is a short 15 minute drive from Roxas City.  In this quaint and charming town, you will find the oldest church in Panay, the Santa Monica Church. This 17th century Church is made of coral stones with the interiors baroque in style. Other attractions are the church bell (which was made from 70 sacks of silver and gold coins donated by the locals), a traditional water well, and the town hall.

Roxas City: Seafood Capital???

The reason why I decided to pass by Roxas City on my way to Boracay was their fresh and reasonably priced seafoods which I have read about.  Afterall, Roxas City prides itself as the seafood capital of the Philippines.

However, I was in for a major disappointment.  Not only were there not a lot of seafood choices but the prices also were not reasonable.  At the Seafood Court in the People's Park Plaza, they were selling steamed small crabs for P100 (US$ 2.32) per piece and  a small slice of blue marlin at P150 (US$3.40). A bit reasonable was the sea shells in a small soup bowl for P80 (US$1.80).  The prices were a lot more expensive than in Manila. No wonder there were very people dining at the place during the lunch hour that I was there. 

For this reason I decided to stay for just a night instead of 2 nights as I originally planned.  The title "Seafood Capital" is undeserved!