Home for the Holidays

I was going to make it home for the holidays (Chinese Lunar New Year) after all, but so where a ton of other Asians. This is the line to check-in for Air China Economy class at Shanghai Pu Dong  Airport. 

Anyone see a counter nearby?! The line was so long it wrapped into the entrance hall. However, the flight was operated by Japan's ANA so the crowd was surprisingly well-behaved. I don't know if the same could be said for an all-Chinese line of passengers.

So after a canceled and rescheduled flight, I also had a 4 hour lay-over in Tokyo's Narita Airport...but what would have normally been an  unpleasant waste of time turned out to be quite entertaining. For one, there are the Day Rooms and Showers for you to primp and prep, followed by abundant duty free shopping for those in need of mochi indulgence, a wi-fi lounge area, and a little novelty I wanted to try called an oxygen bar. I chose the orange blossom, eucalyptus, and citrus lime sampler. Not bad. But maybe not something I would try again. I just felt I wanted to "cleanse" my lungs after months of breathing in Shanghai's traffic exhaust, but an oxygen bar? Totally frivolous.  Air is the last thing on earth that is still free.

Tokyo Narita Airport Dayrooms & Showers

Tokyo Narita Airport Wi Fi Lounge

Tokyo Narita Airport JUKO oxygen bar

Tokyo Nartia Airport Origami Shop

Tokyo Narita Airport Fatty Tuna Snack

And Finally, A Lucky Continental Airlines Exit Row Seat!