I’m sitting in the Sky Club in Narita International in Tokyo, having just emerged from a SHOWER – yes, you read that correctly! Let me back up…
My day started early. I set the alarm for 0415, having fallen asleep somewhere around 0200. Needless to say, I stumbled out of bed thinking “this is waaaaaay too early to be up”. I had arranged a ride to the airport with a driver I found on Tealit.com: Mike Wang. Since the entrance to the apartment is down a one-way alley, he’d arranged to meet me across the street from Watson’s, and sure enough, at 0524 he texted saying he was waiting. What a pleasant ride that was! (I highly recommend Mike’s limo service; 1000NT each way and you get to learn a little about Taiwan’s history as you drive.)
At the airport, Mike jumped out and got a cart for my luggage. I waited in a short line at the Delta counter (while I was in line, a friendly staff person took my passport and returned with my boarding passes.) Luckily I’d packed well and the ONE allowable free bag was under the 50 lb. limit. Then I went in search of food/coffee/the Delta Sky Room. Unfortunately my Sky Room membership had expired and in TPE, China Airlines runs the VIP lounge and could not renew it for me. A little over 2 hours later we were landing at Narita where I of course went in search of anything Hello Kitty for my oldest granddaughter. (Mission accomplished!)
Next, I found my gate (Terminal 1, gate 26) and then headed to the Sky Room. The super friendly Japanese staff offered me a one-month membership for a price I could not refuse. Then to make things more interesting, they asked if I wanted a shower. (A shower? Do I look in need of one?) At any rate, in the spirit of adventurous travel and new experiences, I said “Yes!”. Half an hour later, after consuming rice crackers and tea, I found myself in a lovely LARGE private bathroom area and, despite having showered only hours previously, took another one. Heaven! It must be something in the water because I emerged totally refreshed. (They even had a hair dryer for use.) Ah….
Photos to follow
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