Simple Living

Layover Experience at Narita Airport - Travel Pay Lounge During my seven-hour layover at Narita Airport, I took advantage of the Travel Pay Lounge located in Terminal #1 next to Gate 26. For just 1200 Yen ($12 USD) , I enjoyed access to this comfortable space for the entire day. It’s a fantastic option for travelers with extended layovers! Benefits of the Lounge One of the biggest perks is the unlimited free coffee, water, and soft drinks . However, the true value for me was the ability to relax in a comfy chair away from the hustle and bustle of the terminal. The airport can be chaotic, with many people rushing around, and I often found myself dodging travelers who would bump into me or speak to me in different languages, which added to the stress. A Productive Environment In the lounge, I managed to get a lot of reading done. The relaxed atmosphere made the time pass quickly, allowing me to focus without the distractions of the noisy terminal. After enjoying a bowl of ramen noodles

Flight Review: Boeing 767 from MNL to NRT For my return flight from Manila (MNL) to Narita (NRT), I was on a Boeing 767. While the plane and its decor felt somewhat dated, it was well maintained, and I found everything I needed for a comfortable journey. The touchscreen entertainment system was user-friendly, and I appreciated having a USB charging port at my seat. Service and Food The service was excellent, which elevated the overall experience. In terms of food, I have to say this was the best economy fare meal I’ve had so far. One standout feature was the availability of Asahi Beer, which I thoroughly enjoyed with my meal. Smooth Flight The flight itself was silky smooth with no turbulence at all, which contributed to a pleasant atmosphere. To top it off, we arrived early—giving me an extra 30 minutes to enjoy in Japan. Final Thoughts Overall, this experience made me more inclined to travel with Japan Airlines (JAL) whenever I can. It's easy to see why JAL flights are so popular

Travel Diary: Manila, Philippines - February 2017 I just returned from my second international trip of 2017, this time to Manila. It was an awesome and eye-opening experience, especially since it was my first venture outside the relative comfort of Japan or Korea. The Philippines felt like a logical choice for me since English is widely spoken, which helped navigate the city and culture more easily. Day 1 - Going to MNL I opted to fly with Delta, which still operates 747s. There's just something charming about these older planes that I love, especially since most airlines have shifted to 767s, 777s, or A330s. This might even be the last year Delta flies the 747. After nearly 18 hours, I finally arrived in Manila, followed by an intense two-hour ordeal with the infamous Manila traffic before reaching my hotel. I was too exhausted to eat, so I opted for a couple of Johnnie Walkers instead. To my surprise, the price of JW Blue Label was only 700 PHP ($14 USD), while JW Black was 350 P

Travel Diary: Japan and South Korea Trip - January 2017 I just wrapped up my first trip of 2017, spending five days in Japan and South Korea, primarily visiting family and exploring all the changes in the area. I wanted to stay longer, but I'm trying to budget my vacation hours wisely to last throughout the year. Day 1 - Narita, Japan (Tokyo) I've visited Narita Airport several times before, and it remains one of my favorites for its logical layout. Once you understand how the terminals are organized, navigating the airport becomes a breeze. However, this efficient structure seems to complicate the runways, as it often takes 15 to 25 minutes for planes to taxi to the gates. A minor annoyance is the storage lockers—they don’t count by the hour but rather follow a set time schedule. If you arrive on an evening flight, you might have to pay twice for a few hours of storage. After a simple dinner of Pork Tonkatsu, I took an airport shuttle to a nearby hotel to get some rest before

Audio-Technica MSR7 Review One of my main objectives during my visit to Japan was to sample some headphones, and I stumbled upon a decent selection at the airport, including models from Sony and Audio-Technica. Although I couldn't find the M70x or MDR1a, I had the opportunity to try the ATH SR5, MSR7, and the new SR9. While the SR9 sounded better than the MSR7, I felt it required an amp to really shine.  Ultimately, I focused on the MSR7, and after a 15-minute audition, I decided to purchase a pair. Although Amazon sells them for the same price, I wanted to support the airport stores so they continue stocking cool gear for future layovers. Specifications Speakers: 45mm closed-back drivers Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW Frequency Range: 5 - 40,000 Hz Max Input Power: 2,000 mW Impedance: 35 ohms Weight (without cable): 290g The MSR7 has similar specs to the ATH M50x but boasts a greater frequency range and input power capacity. The Good The MSR7 is a worthy contender and a great comple

Update on the Con-50 Ink Converter for the Pilot Metropolitan I recently picked up the Con-50 ink converter for my Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen. While the stock CON-20 ink converter that comes with the pen works fine, I found it a nuisance to gauge how much ink was left. It was especially frustrating when it ran out of ink in the middle of a business meeting. Initial Impressions The Con-50 converter functions similarly to the Platinum ink converter, allowing me to fill the pen quickly and with minimal mess. Although it holds less ink, I appreciate that I can easily see when it’s getting low. This will help me start estimating how many days or weeks I can go between refills. Update (1/12/17) Unfortunately, my experience with the Con-50 took a turn for the worse. It cracked! I ended up with a total mess and had to disassemble and clean the pen thoroughly. I’ve reverted back to using the stock CON-20 converter for now. This marks my third frustrating experience with Amazon, where I'

My New Fountain Pen: Platinum Century 3776 in Chartres Blue I recently picked up my third fountain pen: the Platinum Century 3776 in Chartres Blue (Fine Point). There are plenty of reviews available, so instead of a full review, I’d like to share why I chose the 3776 as my first “nice” pen. Why the Platinum Century 3776? After enjoying both the Pilot Varsity and Metropolitan, I felt ready to invest in a higher-quality pen for a better writing experience and deeper understanding of fountain pens. The 3776 stood out as an excellent choice for me. Priced at $67 from Amazon, with an additional $8 for the ink converter, it's a significant step up, but the cost is manageable. I had considered a pen in the $30–$40 range, but an extra $20 for the 3776 seemed worth it for the quality and craftsmanship. First Impressions Upon receiving the pen, I immediately filled it with Iroshizuku Kon-Peki Ink. The initial lines were a bit scratchy and thin, but after some time for the ink to saturate the

First Impressions of Iroshizuku Ink: Cerulean Blue (Kon-Peki) I finally received my first bottle of Iroshizuku Ink in Cerulean Blue (Kon-Peki), a popular choice that many have raved about online. After loading it into my Pilot Metropolitan Fine Point, I was able to write some lines, and I can already see why this ink has garnered such acclaim. While it's still early to determine if this will become my "signature ink," it's definitely shaping up to be a color I'll use quite regularly. Mishap with the Bottle Cap Unfortunately, there was a mishap during shipping: the flimsy plastic bottle cap fractured, causing some ink to leak all over the inside of the shipping package. I managed to seal the fracture with tape, but I'll likely need to transfer the remaining ink to another container. It's a pity to encounter this issue, especially since I’m learning that the plastic cap is a common flaw with Iroshizuku Ink and doesn’t hold up very well.

Evolving Perception of Scotch Whisky What a difference a year can make in my perception of Scotch whisky. I was barreling toward single malts only to be disappointed by a very bad bottle of Macallan 12-year-old. Now, I find myself hurtling back to blends. Exploring Blended Whiskies While I tried various blends, none seemed suitable beyond Johnnie Walker Red or Black. I was tempted to move toward Green Label, but online reviews mentioned that the older, discontinued variation of Green Label was limited to just four single malts that defined this Johnnie Walker version. In other words, I missed the party on that one. To ensure some variety in my collection, I opted for Monkey Shoulder, a blend of three whiskies: Glenfiddich Balvenie Kinivie I am familiar with Glenfiddich and Balvenie, but I was mostly unimpressed by Glenfiddich until I tried mixing it with other whiskies. This led me to become interested in Monkey Shoulder. I don't know much about Kinivie, other than that all three w

Weekend Vacation in San Diego I flew down to San Diego for a weekend vacation. I didn’t do much, which was the point of a true vacation. Accommodation and Amenities The hotel had Starbucks in the room and an In-N-Out Burger down the road, making it convenient for a quick bite or a morning coffee. Evening Relaxation In the evenings, I enjoyed a tall glass of beer, which added to the relaxation of the trip. Overall, it was a fantastic weekend, and then it was back to the bustle of work.

Review of the Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen Contents Pen Pen Display Case (Clear Plastic Top Cover) Con-20 Style Converter One (1) Blue/Black Ink Cartridge Nib Style Options Fine (F) or Medium (M) Color / Model Numbers Classic Black MRFC1BLKFBLKP (F) MRFC1BLKMBLKP (M) Gold MRFC1BLKFGLDP (F) MRFC1BLKMGLDP (M) Silver MRFC1BLKFSLVP (F) MRFC1BLKMSLVP (M) Retro Pop Green / Marble Red / Wave Orange / Flower Purple / Ellipse Grey / Hound Tooth Turquoise / Polka Dots Animal Print Purple / Leopard White / Tiger Black / Crocodile Gold / Lizard Silver / Python Initial Impressions My Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pen (Fine Point) arrived from Amazon, and it is a beautiful writing instrument. The online reviews accurately describe it as an excellent starter pen. The immediate sense of quality is apparent just by holding it. There is a certain weight and heft that exudes quality, making the overall look and feel best experienced through actual use. For $13, this is a phenomenal deal. It even comes w