getting up to board a 10-hour flight was a little easier when we knew that the gate was right there one level below us. and i found that i only had one thing left in my suitcase that i could wear - but why did i even PACK a white dress??
dropping off our suitcases and going through security took almost no time, and then we headed off in search of the lounge that we had access to. on the way there i eyed the hermes store and debated going in to look around, but i figured i couldn’t buy anything anyway and the bean would have zero interest so we just kept on walking.
the lounge was really nice, but it was pretty crowded in there. we got lucky and found seats at the window, which was kinda fun.
and the food was really good, as it was everywhere else in japan.
there was a massage room, where they had these big comfy chairs in little cubicles. we had about a half hour before we had to head to the gate, so we each took a chair and got a little pre-flight massage.
i really wish we could have cool stuff like this in our public restrooms - you’d take a piece of toilet paper, spray some sanitizer on it and you could wipe down the toilet seat to make sure it was sanitized before you used it.
when we got to the gate and found a spot to wait for our turn to board the plane, i snapped this because i knew i wanted to preserve that moment in time. i look at this picture and i instantly remember how much fun the two of us had had together on this first trip to asia, and it reminds me of a trip the hub booked for me and the old lady when she was about 9 or 10. we took a train to san diego and rented a car when we got there and spent the weekend together, just the two of us. bonding moments with my kids are so precious, and i cherish those memories so much.
and then it was time to board the plane!
the hub had splurged on our return flight and booked us in first class, which we were super excited about. the premium economy seats on our way out were perfectly lovely, but there’s nothing quite like first class seating for a long flight. we had our own space, seats that would turn into beds, and so many amenities:
we were really excited for those pajamas.
i was a big fan of the slippers.
and the FOOD. check out the menu for our flight:
but first, my last onigiri from 7-11 needed to be enjoyed.
i washed it down with an ice cold coke and followed it up with some warm nuts.
next, a fresh salad and the smoked tuna and marinated shrimp small plate served with a warm roll.
of course, i ordered the grilled beef filet with roasted potatoes and veggies for my main.
and when the attendant offered an ice cream sundae for dessert, i didn’t say no.
with my sweet pajama set on and my belly full and happy, it was time to stretch out and take a nice little nappy-nap.
a couple of hours later, i happily accepted the mid-flight snack. i don’t remember exactly what it was, but it was some sort of sandwich with a side of pasta salad and a fruit cup.
and later, i enjoyed breakfast while watching downloaded episodes of “selling sunset” on my ipad.
almost there!
and at 6:30am local time, we were back on american soil. it’s so weird to go back in time.
we’d received our approval for global entry while we were gone (great timing), so when i spotted a desk to do the required interview to complete the application process just past baggage claim we stopped to get it done. it’s damn near impossible to find a location near home to do it, and since we were already there with only one family in line ahead of us, it was a no-brainer. i was really excited to see the hub and i knew he was waiting for us, but he agreed that it made sense to finish the process while it was right in front of us.
speaking of the hub, while he was just as happy that we were home he definitely didn’t love the two extra (very full) suitcases that we’d brought home. i tried to use the “most of these are gifts” and “everything there is so high quality and inexpensive” but it wasn’t working. oops.
and when he watched us open those bags and saw all the AMAZING stuff we had…well, he still wasn’t convinced.
i’d managed to bring home one 7-11 melonpan:
and all of the amenities from the disney hotels, even the little kid items. i just knew i would have kids who i could gift them to, and they’d love it (spoiler: i was right).
the bean and i had run out of toothpaste, so we tried this one that looked really cool. turns out, brushing one’s teeth with salt is…not wonderful.
and after two weeks away, there’s no better first meal home than a #1 combo from in-n-out.
and with that, the recaps of our fabulous trip to japan and korea are officially done. talk about your yay!/boo. situation, amirite?
No comments:
Post a Comment
i heart comments. i wan-na hear what you have to say.
um, i think.