Korea Chronicle: Changdeokgung Palace

My visit: December 2, 2011

Day 5 (morning)

Changdeok Palace

99 Yulgong- no,

Jongno-gu, Seoul

Korea

02-7629513

Schedule:

April- October 9am- 6:30pm

December-February 9am-5pm

November & March 9am- 5:30pm

Closed on Mondays

The Palace Admission:

Adults W3, 000

Children W1, 500

The Secret Garden Admission:

Adults W5, 000

Children W2, 500

No smoking and No pets allowed within the palace grounds.

Changdeok Palace literally means "Palace of Prospering Virtue". It is referred to as the East Palace because it is located at the east of Gyeongbok Palace.

  It was the secondary palace of Gyeongbokgung, the main palace. All 5 palaces were destroyed by fire during Japanese invasion in 1592. It was restored in 1610 and served as the main palace when for about 270 years until Gyeongbokgung was finally reconstructed in 1868.- taken from back of the ticket

 Injeongjeon (Main Hall)

Changdeokgung is one of the 5 Grand Palaces in Seoul built by Joseon Dynasty. The other four are Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Gyeongbokgung and Gyeonghuigung.

In 1997, Changdeokgung was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as an "outstanding example of Far Eastern palace architecture and garden design- Wikipedia

New find: Shang Tsu Tomas Morato

My visit: January 14, 2012

Shang Tsu
Unit 5 No. 74 Creekside Square
Tomas Morato Ave.,
Quezon City
6227742 

I read about this newly opened restaurant along Tomas Morato called Shang Tsu in Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) a few weeks back. I told my girlfriends to dine here on our next get together but the plan didn't push through. Fortunately, when I nudge DH to give this restaurant a try after our dentist appointment, he said yes.

 crispy pork chop set meal PhP145

The restaurant's concept reminded me a lot of pientang (Taiwanese lunch box). I ordered what I always order when I am in Taiwan, crispy pork chop meal ; p

The pork chop is crispy but a little bland. I finished one of the three side dishes- sweet shredded bean curd, in a snap. I am just not sure if I can ask for a refill though lol

Summer Getaway in Orlando, Florida!

My last vacation is so much fun that I started planning for the next one. Since our supposed trip to the US last year was postponed, DH and I are planning to go back to US this summer vacation. I already have a 10- year US visa. All I needed is a ticket then I could easily jump on a plane and travel to any US destination that I want.

So far, I have been to Boston, New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas. On our next trip, DH and I plan to visit Orlando, Florida.

I know of a cousin who spends her family vacation almost every year in Florida. She said it never gets boring. Plus, her kid never gets tired of the place!

Let me share what I found online that offers the best deals in Orlando Hotels. You can also like them on Facebook.

I can’t wait for my summer getaway!

The Riverside Hotel Korea

My visit: December 27, 2011

The Riverside Hotel

6-1, Jamwon-dong, 

Seocho-gu, Apgujeong/ Cheongdam,

Seoul, Korea

Looks can be deceiving! The Riverside Hotel seems impressive at first because it is a boutique hotel. This is my least favorite hotel. Thank goodness we only stayed here for two nights. Read after the break to find out why I am pissed off...

twin bed ; (

On our fourth night, we still didn't get the bed that we requested for. I would later find out that king size bed is hard to come by in Korea ; (

Our twin beds were neatly tucked. The room is quite small but so are the rest of the hotel rooms that we have stayed in. I like the headboard. It gives the room an added class ; p

Ramen X opens in Trinoma

My event: January 26, 2012

Ramen X 

2nd level, Trinoma Mall

next to Recipes

Ramen X was conceptualized by the same group that brought to you Ramen Bar in Eastwood. I was invited to attend the soft opening of the restaurant by the owner himself ; p DH and I were there ahead of schedule. We need to leave early because we have a movie date right after lol

 Ramen X Authentic Japanese Ramen

Ramen- quick- cooking noodles, typically served in a broth with meat and vegetables

DH, the self- appointed "Ramen Expert", gave his verdict after the break...