Airport Oddities: The Weirdest Things You Can Buy On A Stopover

Cheapflights.co.uk rounds up the strangest objects found in airport shops.

With substantial experience scouring the globe, the team at Cheapflights.co.uk has compiled a list of the oddest items that can be purchased in airports around the globe. Although all equally weird, some of these items come with an interesting background story while the others are just simply good for a laugh (or cringe!).

TOKYO, JAPAN:

Need a lap to rest your head?
No more need for a standard rounded neck pillow, Japanese men have moved on to the lap pillow. Quite simply, this contraption is a foam pillow shaped like a woman's lap and can be purchased in Narita International's duty free shops. Made to replicate the sensation a child would have resting his/her head on their mother's lap, the pillow is said to offer similar comfort to men during stressful times or when simply missing their mothers.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI:

Voodoo dolls
In Port-au-Prince, Haiti, voodoo dolls can be found in airport souvenir shops. A syncretic religion practiced predominantly in the island nation of Haiti, Haitian Voodoo originated in the French slave colony of Saint-Domingue in the 18th century and focuses on the vices of dishonor and greed. Contrary to popular belief, the faith does not match the misconceptions of many that the religion has ties to folk magic.

LONDON, ENGLAND:
Royal-tea?
Heathrow airport offer some fairly standard souvenirs, however, if someone is looking to have a prince relax in their cup of tea, there are shops selling Prince William and Kate inspired tea bags that will do just that.

BARCELONA, SPAIN:
Pooping Obama, pooping nativity sets, pooping everything!
Known as the "Caganer", which means (in more polite terms) "the pooper" is essentially a figurine depicted in the act of defecation that can be found in Catalonia and neighboring areas. The exact origin of the Caganer is unknown, but dates back to the 18th century. History has found evidence of holy Iberian warriors defecating on their falcata (sword) which has led scholars to believe that this is a pre-combat ritual.Now, however, pooping figurines can be purchased depicting pretty much any prominent person doing the deed.

TORONTO, CANADA:
Not your ordinary bottled water...
Formed when glaciers receded at the end of the Wisconsin glaciation (AKA the last ice age), Niagara Falls are a spectacular site not to be missed. Of course, small souvenir bottles of Niagara Falls water can be purchased in Toronto's Lester B Pearson airport. There are no guarantees that the water doesn't come straight from a tap, however, the bottles themselves make for nifty keepsakes.

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL:
No more post-travel breath...
After a long-haul flight and an aversion to brushing ones teeth in an airplane restroom, one may welcome dental services in an airport. Guarulhos International offers a full dental clinic where interested persons can opt for express whitening and even X-rays for a fraction of UK costs.

Cheapflights.co.uk suggest the next time you're on a stopover to take a look in the shops as you never know what kind of insightful souvenirs you may come across.

- Ends -

For further press information please contact:

Rooster PR
Jill Duffell / Linda Cerminara / Sakhita Sharma
Tel: +44(0) 20 3440 8930
Email: TeamCheapflights@rooster.co.uk

Momondo Group: "Let's Open our World."
Momondo Group is an online travel media and technology company that is driven by the belief that an open world is a better world. The group now serves travel search and inspiration to over 13 million visitors a month - plus 6 million travel newsletter subscribers - via its Cheapflights (cheapflights.co.uk) and Momondo (www.momondo.com) brands.

Skygate began the sourcing of complex air-travel data in 1992, whilst Cheapflights pioneered the online comparison of flight deals for users in 1996 and Momondo launched meta-search in the Nordic countries from 2006.

The Group has offices in London, Copenhagen, Boston and Toronto, with a consumer base across more than 20 international markets but users all over the world.
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/cheapflights
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cheapflights