nami island, the solo part

i am not a k-pop nor a k-drama fan but i had seen a few korean drama series and within that transitory time, i was entertained and perhaps, sheepishly giggled a few times. i'm a girl, after all! but for all the k-fans out there, i hope this does not come as disdainful if i would say that the main reason i headed to nami was to frolic in a sea of snow and not because of the winter sonata drama series. i hadn't really seen the series and it didn't help that the channel that adapted/dubbed the drama in the philippines, was not favored at home so, i'm unfortunately clueless with the storyline.

even with my obvious lack of fervor on the series that propelled nami's fame to the foreign audience, i still braved another winter day to get to the island, including the long commute that i had to figure out.

this is the gapyeong station, the nearest train station to the wharf for nami island.

and how did i exactly get my dazed self to nami island from seoul?

at 9:30 in the morning, i left my hostel at yeongdeungpo-gu in seoul and on my way to the train station, i happily trudged on freshly fallen snow along the pavement. please cue the winter wonderland song! anyway, two and a half hours later and 3 grueling train transfers, i arrived in gapyeong station safe and sound. even if the journey was painfully long, i was yet again mesmerized with south korea's countryside and the pristine snow seemingly all over the place!

i don't advise the sane people to follow what i did because you might hunt me down after. the thought alone, scares me. i got this route from jihachul, south korea's train route app for smartphones.

Line 5: Yeongdeungpo Market -> Euljiro 4
Line 2: Euljiro 4 -> Wangsimni
Jungang Line: Wangsimni -> Mangu
Gyeongchun Line: Mangu -> Gapyeong

it was a total of 31 stations with the first 2 legs through the subway and of course, an agonizing endless walk and climb for train transfers. i was out of my mind on one train transfer that i exit from the turnstile so, in my quick return i was set with a new fare. argh!

the alternative for the better minds is to take a bus or the awesome ITX train. i don't have anything to fill any additional details on those routes though. i'm afraid you're stuck with my ingenious 31-station way! haha

it is uncommon to go to nami island alone, except maybe the special kinds and i'm surprisingly talking about myself with regards to that.

for those hauling themselves from the train, they can line up for a taxi that can get them to the wharf. but by then, it's already a short trip and dividing the fare is sufficiently economical. i, on the other hand did not entertain much thought on taking a taxi nor ask anyone to share a taxi with me. instead, i walked towards a bus stop across the station, where many koreans were milling. my ears were in its most attentive mode that time that i was able to catch the namiseom word from a woman. i deduced that they're also bound for nami island and of course, they're waiting for the bus to the wharf. i nonchalantly got myself lost in the midst of them and followed them when they got on a bus a few minutes later. my eardrums were absolutely right and i arrived successfully at the wharf.

people visiting to nami island that day were greeted by not-so-spotless snowmen but these poorly done snow figures already made do. i might have a few reservations but it was still an extraordinary moment since it was my first time to see a real snowman! and you know, it's not the kind of snowman that i see in malls!

as it was a sunday and a part of a long holiday in south korea, both foreign and local tourists crowded the wharf but the whole process was orderly. after i paid my ticket, priced at ₩10,000, i joined the other people who were waiting for our interesting ride which looked like a vehicle in some sci-fi film.

aside from this uniquely-shaped boat, you can also zipline your way to nami island. swimming in the river with ice, is out of the question in case that crosses your mind.

the boat trip only took 10 minutes and the people from the boat immediately dispersed to wherever. some ceremoniously posed with the ice structures near the dock, some followed a very evident trail and as for me, i just followed my instinct more than the crowd. i hadn't walked that far when i saw this extremely adorable furry rabbit, hopping towards us but soon scurried away, after it probably realized that we didn't have carrots (yes, i'm stereotyping).

nami island is a small island which remarkably came about after the construction of a dam. if i haven't read this in wiki, i wouldn't have realized it when i was there. it looked just like a regular island with the presence of trees, cozy-looking cabins, restaurants, and other man-made structures. there was even a small train in case you're too lazy to walk.

The Philippine flag!

i was beyond ecstatic as i purposely stepped on the thick wad of glistening snow on the ground. the idea of being ridiculous didn't bother me the least. with the use of a picnic table, i was able to take photos of my ridiculous self even if there were a lot of people in the area. i didn't know them and they also didn't know me! so, it's only fair and square. haha

my hunger stopped me from further embarrassment that my next agenda was to find a place where i could have my lunch. i ignored the western option and of course, chose the korean food stall that advertised ddeokbokki. my heart then sank when i was told that it was not available! why? oh why? i never got to eat the rice cake snack in korea that i'm even considering of going back just for the food that i missed!

back to my lunch, it was this huge vegetable pancake called pajeon and as usual, i had this all for myself! the korean couple across my table, eyed me in obvious perplexity, probably thinking on how i could be such a glutton! however, i wasn't able to finish it because i was overwhelmed with the oil but i was grateful that i had the kimchi to balance the taste. don't get me wrong though, i adore vegetables. it was just too big!

while i was in the middle of my struggle with the slippery chopsticks, three countrymen went inside the shop and since there was no vacant table left, i offered mine to share. at first, they were caught off guard that i spoke their language for i might look an alien to them, gobbling down a huge pancake. for their own good, they probably didn't want to associate with me.

but with how filipinos can easily make an instant connection most especially in a foreign land, we conversed a little bit. i told them that i was only there as a tourist while they shared that they work in south korea. i bade them goodbye as they finished their lunch while i braced again the cold outside.

the instant connection that i made during lunch, turned out to be a good company. i met up again the trio near these rows of trees and they're too kind to invite me to join them. well, why not? i really had no reason to say no. :)

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