Fellow travellers, have you ever come across something unexpected or cool at an airport that made you think “Wow, this is awesome!”? Well, here’s one example. During a layover in Narita Airport in Japan, I discovered the Transit and Stay program where local volunteers would take travelers with long layovers to explore the area. I got to experience the Goma Fire Ritual at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, which was amazing! You could also participate in tea ceremonies, or take a mini-tour further outside Narita. The tours usually last 3 hours, so it’s a great chance to get out of the airport and stretch your legs. Last year I had a layover in the Seoul airport and was too exhausted to find food. Imagine my surprise when a little robot wheeled up to me and offered – in eight different languages – to bring me a snack! All I had to do was enter the number of the bench I was sitting in and choose from a selection of snacks.
These are just some of the hidden gems I’ve discovered during my travels. I’m sure there are plenty more out there! So next time you have a layover, why not take some time to explore the area and see what you can find? You never know what kind of surprises you might discover – and who knows, you may even end up having a great time!