I had a ten-hour layover in Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport. Since it was overnight, between 23:00 and 09:00, I didn’t bother passing through immigation. I had planned to spend most of the time asleep, but my Pacific Standard Time body clock wasn’t cooperating, so I just wandered around the Arrivals and Departures halls, and Goldilocks-ed my way through all the different couches and recliners on offer.  I had expected to encounter more cheapskate overnighters like myself, but the entire place was almost utterly deserted, except for various airline and airport staff. No one seemed to care that I was there, and the guy at the EVA Airlines Transfer Desk even asked if I was spending the night at the airport. I took the opportunity to snoop onto the various denominational prayer rooms, and breastfeeding rooms. Note for mothers with tots – free diapers, in four sizes, including XL. In fact, the breastfeeding rooms were rather well-appointed, and I considered crashing out in one of the armchairs in a cubby, but decided that wasn’t really appropriate. 

Things started perking up around 05:30. I found free showers in Terminal 1 squirreled away behind the airline lounges and a wall of construction. I didn’t want to soggy up my travel towel only to stuff it back into my backpack…I know from experience that this is a recipe for funky funky smells…but this is why one must always carry a bandana. It’s not the first, and won’t be the last time I’ve used a bandana as a towel. It can get one adequately dry. Also, the library was open for perusing by that point. The library anywhere is usually my favorite spot. In addition to the books, this one has souvenirs for sale, free device charging stations, and armchair + iPad stations for web surfing. The iPad I sat at opened to a rather racy GQ page.

I give TPE a thumbs up for overnighting, at least on the airside. I don’t know what’s on the landside yet.

let’s go, Hello Kitty!

private cubby with power outlet

I like the blue one

if your religion isn’t represented, you can pray at the Orchid Altar with this enormous mirrored butterfly

my kumquat tea included unexpected yummies