Bangkok via Narita

August 8, 2014

For the most part, I really enjoy flying.  It doesn’t always go well and there have been flights I would rather forget about but for the most part, I look forward to the experience.   Being at a Star Alliance Gold Level helps tremendously, the lines are shorter, the luggage comes out sooner, and with enough points you can upgrade to Business Class and that makes a huge difference.

My flight to Bangkok started in Los Angeles, it stopped in Narita (Tokyo), before landing in Bangkok.  The first leg of the trip was on United’s 787 Dreamliner.  I treated myself to business class and it was worth every minute of it.  I had  10 hours of being served while watching movies.

While in Narita, I headed to the Star Alliance lounge.  A few years back I was amazed at their robotic beer dispensers which pours the perfect beer every time.  On a previous trip, I took a video of it and posted it on YouTube.  I had to go in and have at least one.  Unfortunately the Star Alliance lounge was a bit too busy.  I headed to the All Nippon Airways (ANA) lounge hoping it wasn’t as crowded.  It was crowded as well but I struck up a conversation with a fellow American who is currently living in Tokyo.  He had moved to Tokyo from Manassas, VA (where he had grown up and where my sister and her family live).  He had spent the last 30 years living in Tokyo.

Japan has been on my list of places to go but I have to admit, I feel a little intimidated by Japan and end up choosing someplace else to go.  Maybe I should start researching tours and start diving into their food.   I know Sushi and noodles but it pretty much ends there.

When I boarded the ANA flight to Bangkok, there was a choice of Traditional Japanese and International Menu.  I went for the Japanese menu with sake pairings.  I almost always knew what was in the food but I had no idea on what it was called.  I decided to simply enjoy the meal instead of trying to figure out the names of every dish.

I arrived in Bangkok, after a total of 16 hours flying with a 3 hour stop in Tokyo.  It has been a long day.  My friend Sophon met me at the airport and we headed the Grand Erawon hotel.