After leaving Bahrain I begin my long journey home. Instead of a more direct routing, I will be doing a series of flights over the course of three days to get home. This means an overnight flight from Bahrain to Bangkok. Spending the day in Bangkok. Then another overnight flight to Tokyo. Spending the morning in Tokyo, then flying to Los Angeles and then north to Vancouver. Why you may ask? Well keep reading to find out!
Healthland
For my day in Bangkok, I originally intended to get a nice Thai massage before spending some time exploring parts of Bangkok I hadn’t from my previous visit. However, due to the big delay in my flight from Bahrain, my massage appointment would now be in jeopardy. My massage booking is with a company named Healthland, and seems to be one of the more well regarded establishments in the city. So upon landing and clearing immigration, I hastily make my way to their Sathorn location in hopes I can salvage my appointment. Thankfully, they are understanding and are still able to accommodate me even though I am late.
Their building is very large with multiple floors and multiple rooms on each floor. Depending on your treatment the therapist will take you to a different part of the building. For me I am led to the third floor and am given an outfit to change into. I then to proceed to get a two hour Thai massage and the stress of rushing here form the airport bleeds away!
Baan Ying
After my massage, I originally wanted to explore parts of Bangkok I didn’t get to before. However because my day is essentially cut in half, I only have time to grab a little food before I need to start thinking about making my way back to the airport again. So for dinner I drop into a restaurant called Baan Ying for some Thai food. I order a Pad Thai along with some garlic morning glory. Both dishes certainly hit the spot and I’m glad I still have a chance to get some Thai food whilst visiting Bangkok.
JAL Sakura Lounge
Sadly, my time in the city is limited and I need to make my way back to the airport. Upon checking in and clearing security, I settle into JAL’s Sakura Lounge at BKK airport. One of my favorite things about Japanese airline lounges is they always serve great food and this one is no different. After a quick shower, I get myself a set meal and quickly scarf it down while waiting for my flight boarding to start.
Flying JAL Business Class from Bangkok to Tokyo
Soon enough, its time for my flight to board and I head over to the gate. Boarding is super efficient and by the time I settle into my seat we’re just about ready to push back already! JAL’s Sky Suite seat is actually the same seat as the Gulf Air seat from my previous two flights in and out of Bahrain just with JAL’s colour schemes. Since this is a red eye flight, a light snack is served soon after takeoff. This way most passengers can get to sleep as soon as possible. For me, I stay up to order a cup noodle snack that catches my eye before finally crashing for a few hours . When we are close to Tokyo, the flight attendants start waking us up and serve a tasty Japanese breakfast. I’m able to catch some lovely shots of the sun rising over the land of the rising sun 🙂
Tsikuji
After clearing deplaning and clearing Japanese immigration, I make my way over to Tsikuji outer market. For my day in Japan, I effectively have the morning and a little bit of the early afternoon before I need to head back to the airport. So I figure starting the day at the fish market to get some sushi on rice is fitting.
While walking through the different shops to find a place for sushi rice, I end up walking by Tsukiji Jyu Jyu. This place sells skewers of Wagyu beef and certainly catches my eye as I walk by. If you have been reading this blog for a while, you’ll know that I was in Japan earlier in the year. And one of my “quests” was to find that “heaven opening up” beef experience. I didn’t have it then, but seeing these skewers of meat makes me want to try again. And so try I did! This is probably closest to the experience I want so far. So I’m happy to say that even though I didn’t come searching for beef, I’m glad this is the first thing I’ve eaten on my day in Japan.
Very close to Jyu Jyu is a small sushi rice restaurant which I happily enter and order a yummy sashimi on rice bowl. I spend some time devouring this as well and realize that my day in Japan is simply going to be full of gluttony.
Walking around Tokyo and Lunch at Sanukiu Udon
After leaving Tsukiji, I spend a little time walking around the Ginza area of Tokyo. I even stop into a Starbucks to pick up a coffee and people watch a little. But soon my tummy yearns for more food and I head over to Tokyo Station to find a restaurant underneath to eat at. My heart is set on udon and I find Sanukiu Udon. I happily enter and order myself a hot bowl of Udon. I’m always happy to be eating soupy noodles and this one is no exception.
JAL First Class Lounge
After lunch, I make my way back to Haneda airport. I’m excited because the reason for this roundabout way home is I have a JAL First Class flight booked from Tokyo to Los Angeles. So I make sure to get back early so I can experience JAL’s First Class Lounge. While the main lounge area is expansive and very nice in its own right. One of the highlights is the Red Suite which is a a uniquely decorated full of Japanese Aviation History. As an Avgeek, I spent a fair bit of time here going through the different bits of memorabilia it has to offer!
After geeking out I head back to the main area where you can have delicious made to order dishes. Since I’m in the lounge for a few hours I end up trying everything on the menu. This includes hand made sushi, ramen and curry. (Along with some beverages of course)
JAL First Class to LAX
Soon it’s time to board the plane that will take me closer to home. Earlier this year, I had the chance to fly on ANA’s first class. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have been looking forward to this flight for a while now. While this is an older plane, the seat is still incredibly spacious and comfortable. On top of that the service provided by the staff on board is top notch and I really enjoyed the entire experience. I really only wish it were longer!
The Food
One of the things I’m most excited about on these flights is the unique and delicious food available. Dinner is a multi course meal. I’ll try to add a caption for each course It starts with an amuse bouche, then moves into an appetizer of five different offerings:
After stuffing my face with this DELICIOUS meal, the flight attendants then came around to make our beds so we can catch some sleep. I’m able to get an hour or two of sleep but end up watching a movie to enjoy my surroundings and pass the time. Closer to landing, the flight attendants come around once again and offer to serve breakfast. And I did something very uncharacteristic for me and opted OUT of breakfast asking to substitute it with some fruit instead. Maybe all the eating from the day prior started catching up to me, but I really did desire something fresh.
Sadly all good things must come to an end and before I know it, we are landing at LAX and I am a few steps closer to home and the end of this trip.
Flying Alaska Airlines Home
With all the excitement that my JAL flights come with. My final two flights home are a bit anti climactic. I spend a few hours in LAX waiting for my flight to Alaska’s main hub in Seattle. Then, I have another few hours to kill before hopping on the short 45 minute flight home from Seattle to Vancouver. I probably could take more photos of this portion of the trip. But a combination of long waits, routine flights and fatigue probably has something to do with my lack of documentation.
Eventually just before midnight, I finally touch back down in Vancouver. I am home and am genuinely glad to be home after a very long few days of travel. Over the past few years, I find moments near the end of my trips that allow me to reflect. There’s always an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I am fortunate to travel and see this beautiful world. Next week I will write a final wrap up to this trip so stay tuned!
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