Summer Sonata.
Last month, Mike and I were trying to take advantage of the sunny days before rainy season hit. We did our best to get out on the weekends and enjoy the sunny weather. Turns out, the rainy season didn’t really come this year. There were a few wet ones, but not the nonstop rain for days on end that usually occurs.
One Saturday, our destination was Nami Island. It was an easy two hour bus ride to from Suwon to Gapyeong and then a 5 minute ferry to the island. We had the good fortune of getting tickets on the 7am(!) bus so we had a few hours on the island before the crowds arrived. If you are headed to Nami Island in the summer, I highly recommend arriving early. 
The island is basically a picturesque park filled with an assortment of especially scenic spots and pathways. There are river views, a lush lotus pond, ostriches, and pathways lined by cherry, sequoia, maple, and gingko trees. Pretty much everywhere you look there’s another photo opportunity. In addition to the natural sights, there are also cafes, museums, art galleries, gift shops, and libraries. In fact, just about everywhere on the island is a library. There are little bookshelves strategically located so you can enjoy a leisurely read no matter where you are (including the bathroom stalls). 
We spent the day strolling through the trees, riding the Sky Bike, and paddling out in a swan boat. The main thoroughfare can get pretty crowded (near the shops/cafes), but there is plenty of space on the island to spread out and find your own little patch of nature. I definitely appreciated being surrounded by trees instead of tall buildings. 
From the Sky Bike!
More Sky Bike scenes.
In addition to being a beautiful and peaceful location, Nami Island is also famous for its brief appearance in a Korean drama. All over the island there are little signposts to point out the location of certain scenes in Winter Sonata. This drama is the one of that helped spread Korean dramas throughout the region and the world back in the early 2000s. Of course, when we got home we had to check it out. Mike only lasted one episode but I quickly became addicted. Eventually, I had to take a break halfway through the series. I just couldn’t get anything done while being glued to the subtitles. However, if you have some time on your hands (like 20 hours), I highly recommend Winter Sonata. It’s all on youtube! 
It was a memorable summer Saturday.
xo, jill
