France? In Korea?

I know it has been soooo long since I have written. I apologize greatly. I had a baby. That's what happened. But, I have to squeeze in more posts because I have met a few people that have come across this blog and found it so helpful in getting acquainted with South Korea.


Today I will cover our most favorite place we have come to visit in Korea yet, Gapyeong or also known and/or pronounced as Kapyeong? Cap-yong or Gap-yong would be how it's pronounced, I believe.

The view on the way to Gapyeong

This area is about 1.5 hour, north-east from Camp Casey and is absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. It reminded me a little of home as there were beautiful GREEN fields, grape vineyards, mountains, rivers, lakes, you name it. Not so much on the city congestion and buildings that we're used to in Dongduchoen on down to Seoul.

We stopped off at the river to take a pic...no people in this area though

As you're driving to Gapyeong you are driving smack dab in the center of mountains and surrounded by grape vineyards. As you're driving on further, you follow a huge river where the Korean folk set up tables (literally in the river!) to have lunch. Some tables are off to the river's edge and covered by a canopy. This kind of thing goes on for miles. You see kids and adults alike, wading in the river water. It looks refreshing. It appears that in some parts, Koreans have set up camp, so camping would also be a possibility.

As you reach Gapyeong, you are greeted by a beautiful, huge lake in which you must drive around to reach Le Petite Prince. It appears that you can do all sorts of things on this lake: boating, banana boats, water skiing, and zip lining! I heard there's a bungee jump too! There are all sorts of little hotels on the lake that look super cute and fun! We also came across a few cafes with beautiful docks on the lake. Man, Koreans love them some coffee.

When you get to Le Petite Prince, it's basically a little replica of a French neighborhood. Koreans love them some Frenchies and French fashion, and just the whole French, coffee sippin and romantic dress wearing French culture. The little theme park cost a few bucks to get in. The place has a few buildings that are actually villas in which you can stay! They look just like little French apartments. The place has a cafeteria with a French Farm decor inside. We're veg heads, so we got some pasta. The pasta was good, but has some ham in it. They serve Korean food as well. I would suggest bringing your own assortment of cheeses, sneak in some wine and find a place to sit. There are not too many employees walking around at all.

Le Petite Prince is just basically gimmicky, but to the Koreans, they pretty much dig it. They have some French roosters, bunnies, and kittens to gawk at. I guess they associate cats with France. I don't know, but it was super cute. The place has a couple "antique" shops with some French style knick knacks mixed in with probaby some real French antiques. They also have a cute little historical farm house that is decked out in French style furniture.

I love sewing.

Yum cafe in the back with yum waffles

To the right of me is where they have a live marionette show, however the guys were very hot from the summer heat and very bored so they started making the marionettes do bumping and grinding dancing together as they thought know one was watching.

The view was, indeed, gorgeous. You definitely forget you're in Korea! All in all, it's certainly worth the trip when the weather warms up!

 

And peeps, don't be disrespectful, try the food on the side of the road! It's pretty much delish!

Little stand on the mountain drive with corn on the cob! Yummy nutty flavor!

Stay tuned for more on Gapyeong when we explore their beautiful gardens! xoxo