Alpaca World, Nami Island, and Gangchon Rail Park

Our second trip to Seoul was very different from our first trip. We took the train this time and realized it is definitely better than flying. Super easy and brought us super close to Myeongdong where we stayed this time. Cam and I opted for a budget hotel since we figured we would spend almost no time there and we were correct. The bed was not comfy and the pillow was terrible… but the shower did not get the toilet wet! (this has become one of our requirements when looking for accommodation now).

When we arrived, we were excited to discover that the footpath overpass to cross the highway was our favourite stretch of city walk. You can take an elevator up to it (or escalator) and there are flowers and trees planted along it. There was even a trampoline (?) and a cafe. It took us 20 minutes to walk to our hotel from the KTX station. Our first night, we walked through the Myeongdong shopping area (super touristy - so many foreigners) and went out for ramen.

Friday, we had a tour to Nami island booked. We woke up early and got breakfast at Starbucks (we’ve been knocking Starbucks for a while since there are so many better cafes in Korea BUT it’s reliably open at 7 AM and we had gift cards). Then went to the meeting spot for the 7:50 AM. Our tour guide was named Cecilia and she was awesome. You could tell right away that she really cared about doing her job well. Every time that she needed to go find a missing tourist or some information she would literally run.

Like our tour from Busan, the focus is not informational. Cecilia was super warm and welcoming though and funny when she told us the basic rules and meeting times. The first stop was Alpaca world! Imagine Victoria petting zoo but way bigger and more animals (and more opportunities to feed the animals). We got there just as the alpaca run happened which reminded me of the goat run at Victoria petting zoo. We bought some food and fed the alpacas and enjoyed the walk but we were not that excited about the deer or the bunnies which obviously we have at home in the wild…

One of the options at the park was to do a “healing walk” with an alpaca. You pay $10, they put a party hat on an alpaca and a leash on it and then you get to take it for a walk.

Our next stop was Nami island. Nami island used to be only an island some of the year but after a dam was built it became a permanent island. It used to be a super popular date spot for young couples in Seoul. Now it is much more touristy - they even invented their own currency. They have a 5 minute ferry or a zipline to get to the island. Although very touristy, it was surprisingly peaceful and beautiful. We went out for lunch in the middle and then walked along the perimeter of the island.

The last stop of the tour which we almost didn’t do was Gangchon Rail Park. You get on a four wheel bike cart which is on a train track and then pedal (and coast down the hills) along the course. There are gorgeous views along the way and also some fun tunnel. There’s the bubble tunnel, the “romance” tunnel, and the disco tunnel. Cam and I had a great time. It was kinda like a ride at an amusement park but much longer and you have to pedal.