Modern Simple Living

Travel Journal Surviving a Seven-Hour Layover at Narita Airport *Finding peace and productivity in the Terminal 1 Travel Pay Lounge* 7 Hours 1,200 Yen Entrance Fee 3 Food Items Purchased Section I The Escape 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! 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.   Amenities and Atmosphere In the lounge, I managed to get a lot of reading done. The relaxed atmosphere ma...

Travel Journal Flight Review: Japan Airlines Economy (MNL to NRT) A smooth, comfortable journey with top-tier service 1,850 Miles 4 Hours 30 Minutes Early Table of Contents ① The Flight Experience ② Dining & Service ③ Final Thoughts Section I The Flight Experience 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 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.   Amenities & Cabin Comfort I appreciated the standard of care taken in the cabin. The technology provided was reliable and kept me occupied throughout the duration of the flight. → Touchscreen Entertainment — a user-friendly system for in-flight media. → USB Charging Port — conveniently located at the seat for pow...

City Guide Navigating Manila: A First-Timer’s Guide An eye-opening journey through the bustling malls and humid streets of the Philippines 18 Hours Travel Time 1,000 Stores Mapped ~50 Coffee Shops Table of Contents ① Section I — Getting There ② Section II — Exploring Manila ③ Section III — Work and Leisure ④ Section IV — Departure Section I Section I — Getting There 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. 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, ...