Mar-17:
Today’s the day that we’ve been waiting for because we’re going to Nami Island! Took a day tour package from klook.com which also includes Petite France and Garden of Morning Calm. The day tour covers round trip transportation, an English speaking staff and entrance ticket to all attractions.
The tour bus stops at several stations to pick up guests, the starting point of the bus was at Hongik University Station, it was further from our home but we picked that first station so that we get to pick bus seats. And it was the first time we got to travel on Seoul roads as we took the train all the time.
An hour later we reached Nami Island ferry terminal and got our entrance tickets, my friend told me that there’s a 10% chance of snow that day, I just nodded and it went straight to the back of my head as I didn’t want to put hopes on a 1/10 chance. Boarded the ferry and despite the strong wind, I decided to stand on deck to take pictures. We reached shore after about 5 minutes. The sun was glaring and I reached for my glasses… which wasn’t there! Ugh must have fallen into the water where the winds are strong, and just like that my precious Transition lens glasses was gone.
I did manage to forget about it while strolling on the island, learnt that Nami Island was named after General Nami who was wrongly accused as a traitor during King Taejo’s time (again on the Joseon Dynasty). I’ve never watched Winter Sonata before but everybody who’s been to Seoul went to Nami Island so I listed it in my to-visit list. Different seasons means different colors for the trees, we went at the end of winter season, no snow and bare trees.
It didn’t seem wrong at the time but we brought instant noodles for lunch there, bad idea. Nobody sells you hot water! So we just explored the island and returned to mainland to try again and ask for hot water. Luckily there was one convenience store that was willing to give it for free, so we ate our Maggie cup by the glass wall like that scene from Legend of The Blue Sea.
As we look out we notice white flakes falling down from the sky, it was snowing! We were ecstatic to get our 10% that day, then we finished our noodles outside under the falling snow.
Next stop is Petite France, before going to Seoul I watched Running Man a lot and one of my favorite episodes was when they ran here, also there’s a scene shot here in My Love From The Stars, so was pretty excited to go. It snowed heavily along the way. Petite France is a cute little French village with colorful buildings and decor.
Soon it was time to go again, this time to Garden of Morning Calm, it has a lighting display available only during the winter season. It was still snowing when it got dark so we were freezing. But the lights were so pretty that we managed to ignore the cold most of the time.
We had an awesome time today and though the tour price was a bit on the high side, it was worth it. Went home tired but happy with all the memories lingering in our heads.