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Nami Island’s Beauty Will Take Your Breath Away

This tiny crescent island in South Korea holds an otherworldly splendour.

It was Chuseok when I stepped foot on Korean soil again. A major harvest festival and a three-day holiday, it’s a celebration that begins on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar on the full moon. Chuseok, like many other harvest festivals around the world, is held around the autumn equinox. This time of thanksgiving for good harvest is observed through Koreans visiting their ancestral hometowns, paying their respect to their parents and eating traditional Korean feasts.

Once I arrived, the first destination straight from Incheon airport was Namiseom Island (popularly known as Nami Island), a tiny half-moon shaped island located in Chuncheon, a place that I couldn’t go to on my last visit because it was far from Seoul.

The nearly-five-hour trip from dawn in Cebu to mid-morning in Incheon clearly wore out most of my companions since they fell asleep as soon as we got on the bus. Not one for falling asleep even during long trips, I watched as the scene outside my window changed from the tall urban skyline to the laidback rural residential areas and stretches of plantations.

Two and a half hours later—the traffic jams we encountered along the way added to our estimated travel time (however, I was unfazed, being a resident of Cebu)—we had arrived, but not quite yet. We were in Chuncheon, the city where the island was located, but we had to take a five-minute ferry ride to cross the river between the port and Nami Island.

Upon embarking the ferry, I was already admiring the trees that stretched as far as my eyes could see. The sunlight that streamed past the canopy of leaves overhead as I walked was a muted gold, almost silver in colour as it illuminated the path. The breeze was slightly chilly, even more so because of the many trees that lined up the path and were scattered around the island.

Nami Island is beautiful when visited in autumn (early autumn, in my case), so the volume of visitors arriving and admiring the surroundings was not a surprise. Though tiny, it was filled with sights and sounds. Couples took photos every chance they got, with their clothes color-coordinated and their smiles nearly identical in happiness. Kids ran around with their parents chasing after them to make sure they didn’t fall. Tourists huddled together as their tour guide explained the place’s history.

Those familiar with Nami Island will associate it with the K-drama titled “Winter Sonata”. A statue of the main characters had been erected in the middle of the island, named the “First Kiss Statue” in which the two lovers are locked in an embrace and staring into each other’s eyes.

On Nami Island, the animals are able to roam freely. Squirrels, rabbits, deer, peacocks, ostriches, geese, and many other critters greet you as you go around.

The trees of Metasequoia Road, Gingko Tree Lane and Central Korean Pine Tree Lane are the most popular photo spots, where their heights make it seem like they’re holding up the heavens. In early autumn, the foliage is still verdant and deep while it turns into a mixture of reds, oranges and yellow later in the season. It’s possible to just stand in between the rows of trees and simply lose yourself in the scenery.

Of course, you can’t forget to get a taste of the food. Try the Hotteok at one of the many food stalls available on the island. Best described as pancake with a crisp outer layer and a gooey red bean filling, it’s a popular Korean street food that goes for just KRW1,000. It’s delicious when you take a stroll on the wooden walks around the lake’s edge as you take in the stunning view of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Though the island is small, it does take some time to get around between places. It’s possible to rent a bike or take an electronic car if walking isn’t something you’d like to do, or if you would just like to enjoy the scenery while on a bike.

It’s a wonder how a tiny crescent island could hold so much beauty. The moment I walked off the island and onto the ferry to the city, I knew I would come back for more.

Related Topics:Korea Nami Island Namiseom Island

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An Ocean of Flavors: The Bada Opens Their Second Branch

A trail of white smoke, along with the scent of roasted pork and the sizzle of the flaming grill will welcome you once you enter the tinted doors of the second branch of The Bada Korean Restaurant.

A trail of white smoke, along with the scent of roasted pork and the sizzle of the flaming grill will welcome you once you enter the tinted doors of the second branch of The Bada Korean Restaurant. Located at A.S Fortuna, Mandaue City, The Bada is sure to leave you with a satisfied appetite and a full stomach.

The name “bada,” which is Korean for ocean, was used since it started out by selling more seafood items than meat. Later on, the restaurant pursued on selling more meaty items on its menu. Although, no different than their first branch, The Bada gives its customers the opportunity to experience Korean food culture at a fair price of P299.00 only per person. With that, you already get an unlimited amount of the coveted samgyeopsal. But what makes the second branch much better than the first one? The A.S Fortuna branch is more spacious, well-ventilated, and vibrant; perfect for when you want to take some selfies or Instagram-worthy photos.

More than that, The Bada offers a round up of your favorite Korean dishes such as gimbap (seaweed rice roll), samgyeopsal (grilled pork), bulgogi (which literally means “fire meat”), bibimbap (mixed rice), and the like. Pair all of that with some soju and you’re good to go!

What makes them different from other Korean restaurants in the metro, owners and brothers Paul, Mason, and Min Ho Kim say that it’s their marinated bulgogi. While other Korean restaurants offer it just as it is, theirs is made with a special Korean marinade sauce; a recipe created by their own mother.

And while the Korean cuisine, in general, may be a bit foreign to our Filipino palate, The Bada’s bulgogi gives a slight familiarity to the taste.

“We’ve got [Korean] food that Filipinos also like,” says Paul.

What to do when you get there

Since the The Bada is an all-you-can-eat restaurant, we recommend you to bring your coworkers, friends, or family since they serve a generous amount of food (remember, they’re unlimited).

Getting there may take you on a few rides should you choose to use public transportation, but all that will be forgiven once you enter the brightly lit and steamy room. You’ll find yourself hungry for a decent amount of meat after taking in the sweet and savory scent of sizzling samgyeopsal. Take your time in choosing from an unlimited choice of Korean food, there’s no need to wait since the friendly staff will serve them almost right away with a smile.

Once the food arrives at your table, you’ll find yourself with an array of side dishes, lettuce wrap, and, of course, the meat. Start off by grilling the meat on the stove to your desired doneness. Once cooked, put one or two pieces on a lettuce wrap, add some side dishes, and wrap them all up. In one big satisfying bite, expect a burst of different flavors will definitely hug your taste buds.

Make sure to also try their bibimbap, gimbap and their authentic seaweed soup, you’ll surely feel satisfied after doing so. And what is Korean food without the famous kimchi, right? The Bada’s kimchi is unforgettable with just the right and balanced blend of fermented vinegar and spice, the perfect pair for your orders.

With its promising and delectable menu, The Bada will surely feed the Seoul-ful foodie that’s inside you.

The Bada opens from 11 A.M. to 12 M.N.
Visit them at A.S Fortuna, Mandaue City, right beside Benedicto College.

Featured

Bringing businesses together: Lalamove paves way for SMEs across the globe to “Make a Winning Move”

The local episode #LalamoveItToWinIt to support MSMEs across PH

To inspire businesses around Asia and Latin America, Lalamove has launched a regional branding campaign “Make a Winning Move” to showcase its various B2B services, strong driver-partner network, and wide-ranging fleet for fast and reliable delivery solutions. Locally, the on-demand delivery platform has kicked off the campaign by inviting its patrons, old and new, to #LalamoveItToWinIt.

Now more than ever, businesses are focusing their efforts on an experience-led customer journey. With deliveries as undeniably crucial for businesses to fulfill their services and win over customers, the central creative idea behind the regional campaign revolves around such scenarios where Lalamove’s services and B2B features help entrepreneurs stay ahead of the intense competition.

Lalamove, as the trusted delivery partner, has been servicing businesses of all sizes in the Philippines. Lalamove’s corporate clients can enjoy the on-demand delivery platform’s variety of business solutions, such as multi-stop delivery, API integration, real-time GPS tracking, a wide variety of fleet for on-demand, same-day, long distance, and last-mile delivery, and a dedicated account manager.

“The Philippines has more than 900,000 businesses, over 99% of which are MSMEs. What Lalamove offers businesses of all sizes is faster, easier, and a more seamless delivery experience to help them save time and costs. Our dedicated partner drivers, the economic frontliners of today, are here to deliver to an even wider reach across Luzon and in Cebu. This campaign is the visualization of what we can do to help businesses jump over hurdles – simply put, just ‘Lalamove It to Win It!’” remarked Dannah Majarocon, Lalamove Philippines Managing Director.

First-time users of the Lalamove mobile delivery app can get up to Php 150 off when they sign up and use the code LALAWINIT. New corporate clients, on the other hand, can also receive a welcome bonus of up to Php 1,200 when they sign up and top-up their Lalamove corporate wallet. Moreover, with Lalamove Rewards recently launched, each delivery for every user is now made even more rewarding.

Find out more about what Lalamove offers by visiting www.lalamove.com/lalamoveittowinit, or follow the official Lalamove Facebook page, Instagram account, and TikTok account for more information.

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ABOUT LALAMOVE

Launched in the Philippines in late 2016, Lalamove is an on-demand logistics company that matches drivers with customers and SME businesses to fulfill same-day deliveries. Lalamove’s mission of making local deliveries faster and simpler across North, Central, and South Luzon, and in Cebu is achieved through innovations such as instant order matching, real-time GPS vehicle tracking, 24/7 services, and a driver rating system. Lalamove also allows businesses to scale their deliveries and operations at an accelerated rate. Lalamove now operates in over 30 markets across Asia and Latin America. Visit Lalamove’s website: http://lalamove.com

Featured

King-size Treats Await Dad this Father’s Day at Seda Central Bloc

Misto Restaurant at Seda Central Bloc

King-size Treats for the King!

by Ryan Daniel R. Dablo

Seda Central Bloc celebrates the hardworking hero and steadfast lynchpin of the home with its offerings for Father’s Day weekend.

At the Misto, Seda’s restaurant, Dad gets to sample the delicious international cuisine for free when dining with five full-paying adults. If an evening dine-out is more the family’s speed, the Straight Up bar offers a dinner buffet with a continental menu and mocktails, all enjoyed amid a backdrop of excellent cityscape views from the rooftop. Staycation at the hotel comes packed with perks for the weekend as well, such as complimentary lunch at the Misto, drinks at the Straight Up bar, and breakfast for two.