BackPack to Korea! Part 2 - Nami Island

~Naminara Republic~A romantic dreamy Island where dream come true~

It's a Rainy Friday morning, usually I'll be glad smelling the "fresh-ness" of the rain early in the morning, forgetting the humid whether that make your head itch...but then again I got up today in a totally different surroundings! It's spring already in Seoul (estimated around 3-5°C), but due to the rain & that holly-freezing wind, my face experience a total shock whenever I'm outside happily strolling about. Yea..it feels like 0°C even a negative sign I would say that day...gosh...Everytime there's the breeze, it smack my face like a wakeup call. My eyes keeps tearing up...totally ruin my makeup...HAHA..XD  Never in my life I experience that kind of coldness before, even when I'm in Australia the whole spring..the whether it's already a double digit! Australia's winter too, can't get any lower than an estimated 8°C. And look at me here...freezingly cold....chillllllssss....

We took the Shuttle bus to Nami Island. Detailed transportation info, click on the Shuttle bus pic below. ^^

Nami Entrance Tickets!

Story Book on board in case your bored! =)

I can't even sleep once I'm on the bus! Not a wink! So what I do, I read! Yeap, like what the Malays would say "Lantak pi la" coz it's all in Hanguk! haha...forcing myself to read every single character. Belief or not, I only managed to read 2 full page before I give up. Too tiring! LOLxx.. =P

Too bad it's raining that day, if not we would have run freely around the Island! =D

Oh well, since we're they might as well have fun! Cheers!

 

 The scenery there takes your breath away!~~ haha..

Warmth all thanks to the heater! =D

We stayed out and played till a point that we can't continue no more coz it's freezing! Have to hide in the Tourism centre oredi! =P  Oh the heater is so so nice! Chuk-tah

Winter Sonata? =)

~~True Friend~~

No Man is an Island entire of itself! I love this phrase so much, and am happy that they are there with me thru thick & thin.Just Earlier this week, I received an email spreading the sisterly love all around.Never knew there is such thing called "Sister's Day".

To my Girlfriends:

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. 

Love the ones who don't just because you can. Believe  everything happens for a reason. 

If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. 

If it changes your life, let it. Kiss slowly. Forgive quickly. 

God never said life would be easy.  He just promised it would be worth it. 

I am only as strong as the wine I drink, the hairspray I use and the friends I have. 

To the cool women that have touched my life... here's to you! 

I was really touched by this! And yes, no matter how you acted out; there's always a friend at your back leading you the way back on the right track! 

Just as how my big bros "look" out for me! Really a true "good" friend they can be! Wahahah...

Good Friends, when they cannot pull you up,

 they won't let you down neither.

True Friend

Yea, this is how they are as friends right?! Haha.. Bringing out rocks & rope just so that I won't fall... 흠하하하하하하하....LOLxxx

Thanks but no thanks guys! =)

But Anyway, really appreciate it when they are there every single step of the way. Cheers! =)

How to get to Nami Island

There's a few ways to get to Nami Island; either by Subway, ITX train, normal train, Shuttle bus, local bus. But I would recommend going there by Shuttle bus if you are a first timer, less stop, less hassle.

But if still prefer to go by Subway, here's how:
By Subway

Now, you need to take the train from Sangbong Station (Line 7 / Gyeongchun line / Jungang Line) to Gapyeong Station, Gyeongchun line (the nearest station to Nami Island).
Normally if you are staying in backpackers hostel, then it's around Hongdae district. So, I will show the route from Hongdae & Seoul only! ^^
1. From Hongdae / Hongik University Station to Gapyeong Station

Duration: 1 hour 46 minutes, 68 km
Stop: 34 stations
T Money: 1,950 won
Cash: 2,050 won
Transfer: Konkuk Univ. Station, Line 2 and Sangbong Station (Jungang Line)
Route: Hongdae Station, Line 2-->  Konkuk Univ. Station, Line 2 --> Sangbong Station (Jungang Line) -->Gapyeong Station (Gyeongchun Line)

2. From Seoul Station to Gapyeong Station

Duration: 1 hour 38 minutes, 63.9 km
Stop: 23 stations
T Money: 1,950 won
Cash: 2,950 won
Transfer: Hoegi Station, Line 1 and Mangu Station (Jungang Line)
Route: Seoul Station, Line 1-->  Hoegi Station, Line 1 -->  Mangu  Station (Jungang Line) -->Gapyeong Station (Gyeongchun Line)

From the Gapyeong Station, you can ride on a taxi (cost around 3,000won) to get to the Nami Island's Jetty; 5mins ride. Or 25mins by walk (1.6km).

Time Table
Sangbong Station --> Gapyeong Station
Weekdays  First 5:10     Last 23:00
Weekends  First 5:42     Last 23:42
Gapyeong Station --> Sangbong Station

Weekdays  First 5:32     Last 23:27
Weekends  First 6:07     Last 23:27


By Shuttle Bus
It's gonna be easier for first timers for sure! Trust me! =)

Take a shuttle bus from Insadong or Jamsil Station- Exit 4
Departure at 09.30am from Pagoda Park / Tapgol Park at Insadong (Be sure to be there 10mins earlier. Bus will depart right on time!)
Departure at 04.00pm from Nami Island (parking lot at ticket office at the Nami jetty)

Call Nami Island Seoul Center for reservation:  02-753-1247 (in Korea) or +82-2 -753-1247 (outside of Korea) or can email them @ na230@naminara.com
Note: Payment can be made only wired transfer, foreign credit card is NOT accepted.
Note: Cash is only accepted on the bus; pay to the bus driver - but seats are based on first come first serve basis.


Operation frequency : once in everyday 
  09:30 Insa-dong and Jamsil station , Seoul >>> Nami Island
  16:00 Nami Island >>> Insa-dong and Jamsil station , Seoul  

Fare (Updated Fare as in year 2012)
 One-way: KRW 7,500
 Round trip: KRW 15,000
 Integrated: KRW 23,000 (Include entrance fee)
  * Integrated Fare include a entrance ticket to Nami Island
  * Entrance ticket embraces ferry fare 

Where are Nami Bus Stop?

At Insadong: Nearby west gate of Topgol park, Jongno 2-ga

Front gate of Topgol Park. Nami bus stop is at the side gate of the park.

For more information on how to make booking, refer their official website at http://www.namisum.com

BackPack to Korea! Part 1

Back-Pack!! Ever wonder if you are up for it??! You wouldn't know if you could do it if you yourself haven't take the chance to try it before. I did!! And I'm proud to say that I've accomplish one of my Life long childhood dreams! =P
My journey started when me & my friend were happily joking one fine day after watching 2days1night. Then, there's where we started this whole new crazy journey together! Haha... Without us realising 5-6 months have pass by and on that very night I thought to myself: "Gosh! How am I gonna sleep tonight?? I'm flying to Seoul tomorrow morning!"...LOL...At the end I ended up slept way pass 3am & got up at 5am..Crazy right?! XD

We boarded Air-Asia from Penang to LCCT Kuala Lumpur on very morning of 22th March, and later in the afternoon transit from KL directly to Incheon Airport KOREA! You couldn't imagine how happy we were..like  2 little kids only when we first arrive at the airport..haha..words could't begin to describe how we felt from the amazement!!!!!!!!WWAAAAAAAAA~~~~we go!!! LOLXX....
We reach there around 10pm local Korea time. After declaring our stuff, ooppss actually we don't have anything to declare, haha..we waited in queue at the immigration counter. Eventhou the crowd was huge, but as always I'm impress with how the Koreans works. They are super organize & efficient, when it's my turn..it actually took just merely 2mins & its done..Scanning your whole facial feature somemore! Haha...After that it's Off we go by AREX to the accomodation/hostel we booked earlier in Hongdae Seoul. This first time, my friend wanted to try Hey Backpackers 2, we got that Ajussi to give us special price since we are staying there for more then 1 week! =)

It's only 14,000won/weeknight & 16,000won/weekends (we stayed at a 6-ppl per room with bathroom)..How cheap can that be! But for this breakfast is not included la...what you expect for a price like this. But then again, you can get other places for around 20,000 per night with breakfast & other service. I'm so gonna go again next year! Ahaha..Let's come back to this before I wander off again =P

There's actually 3 ways to get to Hongdae: 1. By AREX (Airport railway/subway) 2.Airport Limousine (don't be shock its just a bus, but with the driver all dressed in coat!^^) 3. Taxi
Option 1: AREX cost 3,600 won estimated arrival time 46min
Option 2: Airport Limousine cost 13,000 won estimated arrival time 55min
Option 3: Taxi cost 40,000 won estimated arrival time around 45min
But, if you are on a bag-pack journey better still to just opt for opt1 or opt2. It's not much hassle either as their subway system are super efficient! Another point I love Korea! =D

We opt for AREX, the whole journey took us around 46min to reach Hongik University station. Get off at that station & exit at Exit 9. Then we walk for at least 10min more to reach Hey BackPackers2. By the time we reach, it's way passed midnight already. Super tired, but what we do...yea..left our bags at the hostel & off we go hunting for food at 2am! =)
The Ajussi even treat us Kimbap! And it's super delicious..mashida! 

Kimbap! =D

After that, we had a nice stroll along the Hongdae alley..It's super pack with people even though it way pass 2am. Know why? Cause that area is full with clubs! My Clubbing friends should be excited to be here right now!! I thought...haha...XD
And what came to mind...as usual...the guys there are super H.O.T!! XD  Can't blame me for having a good time right...haha...

After a tiring day, it's off to bed for the 2 of us. We have to get up early tomorrow Cause we are going to Nami Island! Yay! Can't wait... 
Update later in another post! =)

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