Our last attraction was to Nami Island, which was just a 20 minute drive from Gangchon Rail Park.
Our driver dropped us off at Gapyeong Wharf at 4.20pm where we took a 5 minute ferry ride to Nami Island. Since the island is not reachable by land transport, visitors can only access it by ferry or a zip line.
We went up to second level of the ferry, an open-air deck that offered an unobstructed view of the surroundings.
As we cruised through Cheongpyeong Lake, I enjoyed the breeze and the picturesque view of the valley, with hills forming a beautiful silhouette against the clear blue sky.
Prior to visiting, the only thing I know about Nami Island was that it was the filming location for the 2002 Korean Drama 'Winter Sonata', starring by Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo.
We came in the period where the leaves were still in green. If we come in end October, we might be able to witness the foliage transitioning to shades of yellow and orange.
We passed by Cheonsatap Garden, four pillars to heaven, that is near the lake. The pillar added a sense of mystical charm to the landscape.
I learned that the island was named after General Nami, a historical figure from the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. It is said that his body was buried beneath the stones on the northern hill of Nami Island.
Although the lake scenery was beautiful, we realised we had ventured far from the main attractions and away from the crowds. It took us another 15 minutes to cut back to the island's key attractions.
Our pathway brought us to "Winter Sonata First Kiss" location. The snowman is a mascot of Nami Island, inspired by the theme of "Winter" Sonata.
We crossed over the bridge to Yeonji Pond (Pond with Lotus), enjoying the lush green lotus leaves covering up the water's surface. This made a good spot to pause and soak in the peaceful atmosphere.
The Snowman mascot was literally everywhere on Nami Island, adding a touch of charm. Without us knowing, the time was already 5pm, leaving us slightly less than an hour time on the island as we needed to be back at Gapyeong Wharf by 6.15pm.
This was the famous Central Korean Pine Tree Lane that lined the path with tall pine trees decorated with balloon-shaped light bulbs. These bulbs will light up the lane beautifully at night.
The entire island was nestled within a big garden filled with greenery, exuding a serene and calming atmosphere. There were many spots and cafes to explore. Despite its remote location, Nami Island remained a favorite destination among tourists.
We wanted to find a place to sit down for either a drink or dessert, but was worried it might be too rush to dine on Nami Island. Hence, we decided to head back to Gapyeong Wharf where we had earlier spotted some food options there.
There was a queue for the ferry and we ended up boarding the second one. This time, we opted for a seat indoors on the first level to give our feet a rest.
We stopped by at Cafe & Mart for dessert fix at 5.45pm, giving us half an hour to unwind before our tour ended.
The cafe had an inviting atmosphere, featuring a white interior complemented by wooden floors, tables, and chairs. A large window allowed natural light to pour in, enhancing the cozy ambiance.
We placed our order at the self-service kiosk which was very convenient with English menu. I had Pine Nut Gelato at ₩5,500 (or S$5.41), drawn to its unique flavour. The gelato was smooth and creamy, delivering a nutty aroma with every bite.
The cafe was a great spot to enjoy a gelato and unwind after our visit to Nami Island. We relaxed while taking in the serene view of the lake as the sun set.
Nami Island
1 Namiseom-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Operating hours: 8am to 9pm daily
It was only 6.25pm and the sky was gradually darkening. The journey back to Myeongdong was 1 hour 40 minutes, marking the end of our one day tour. It was a fun day, especially at Alpaca World and Gangchon Rail Park, which were the highlights for me. Nami Island, though beautiful, felt more normal in comparison.
It was 8pm when the driver dropped us off at Myeongdong Station exit opposite the 12-storey Daiso, just nice it was in my plan to visit this place.
We did not want to venture too far for dinner, so we looked around the stretch around us and decided to settle for Two Two Chicken. The place was bustling with crowds coming here for their famous chicken and beer.
They had the option of drumstick and boneless chicken, I chose the latter that was easier to eat. We had the Boneless Fried Chicken Half and Half Set at ₩22,000 (or S$21.63) which came in a mix of original and spicy flavour. I enjoyed the original flavour more as it satisfied the crunch and meatiness. The seasoned flavour gave a refreshing spice, but the heat built up and became a bit overwhelmed towards the end.
Besides our table was a group of business professionals probably celebrating TGIF. They kept chanting "ha-na, dul, set." before clinking their glasses together for toasts.
Two Two Fried Chicken
5 Toegye-ro 20-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
Operating hours: 11am to 12am from Mon to Sat
We left the eatery at 8.50pm and cross over to the 12-storey Daiso shopping. We quickly checked the directory and marked the level we wanted to explore. There was a queue to the lift so we had to wait through a few rounds before it was finally our turn to board.
We started from level 12 which was Fashion and Travel item, but nothing caught my eyes.
Each level offered an array of items that catered to different needs, it was one of the best shopping destinations in Myeongdong in my opinion. My favorite level was the section on Food and Character Goods, where I could find Disney and other cartoons merchandise for under ₩5,000. I ended up buying more than I ever had before at Daiso.
We were back in hotel at 10.10pm, here were my loots from Daiso at ₩19,000 (or S$18.68).
The past two days were packed with sightseeing adventures, the next two days are set aside for shopping time and cafe hopping. Stay tuned for more.
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