Night at Asakusa Shrine

Asakusa shrine, a shrine that I made a promise to myself that I will return to pay a visit, pray and donate to this shrine whenever I manage to visit Tokyo. Since the year 2007, I have been visiting this shrine at least once per year. My all time favourite spot to visit, I have decided to visit it during late evening for a beautiful night photography. It was cold in the January winter, however the it paid off the effort. Well that's my first travel of year 2014 after all.

Kaminari-mon aka the thunder gate aka the main entrance of Asakusa Shrine. This spot is one of the most popular spot as local and foreign visitors and tourists will halt for a photo in front of the huge lantern

The lively and crowded Nakamise-dori aka the shopping street that leads toward the Asakusa Shrine was empty and deserted at night. Such a a different atmosphere.

Night Photography of the The Hozomon aka the Treasure Gate and the Pagoda

The main prayer hall  (Hondo) of Asakusa Shrine. There were some visitors/devotees who still visited and prayed in front of the hall.

Read More

The New Japan Airlines: A Flight Review

The last 2 times I flew with Japan Airlines were in the year 2008 and 2009. 5 years later in the year 2014, yet again I manage to get the opportunity to fly with the national airlines of Japan. Ever since the take, there have been numerous rebranding since 2011. 

one of the rebranding strategy was the logo, 'arc of the sun' and stork image inside with red as its color (a remodified 1959-1989 logo)

another new rebranding strategy is their economy class seat. I flew on the Boeing 767-300 aircraft with a 2-3-2 seat configuration

The new economy class seat offers 10 centimetres extra leg space with Hiroshi Abe (local artiste) as the Japan Airlines ambassador

The new in-flight entertainment system has also been upgraded from an 8 inches screen to 10 inches with the new MAGIC-V system, a USB port and a video input/output

The new MAGIC-V in-flight entertainment system is also accompanied by the JAL MOVE! New Sky Entertainment System

The new joypad is also accompanied with a mini keyboard as well as design different from the Singapore Airlines' and Emirates Airlines' design

Every two seats are provided with an electrical socket for laptops and other electronic/electrical appliances

Every travellers on-board be it economy, business or first class flight will definitely be looking forward to its in-flight meal. 

Kuala Lumpur - Narita (Japan) Economy Class in-flight meal

For Kuala Lumpur - Narita (Japan) flight, chicken sandwich with rice cracker and orange juice were served as a supper

Omelette with ham and vegetables were served as in-flight meal breakfast

Narita (Japan) - Kuala Lumpur Economy class in-flight Meal

Chocolate Vanilla Cake with Vanadium Asahi Drinking Water were served as breakfast

Seafood meal was served as an in-flight lunch

Häagen Dazs Vanilla ice cream was also served as a dessert after lunch time

The new economy class in-flight entertainment system and its facilities are definitely a good upgrade. The in-flight meal was quite delicious but could be further improved in terms of its portion and taste. The new seating design offering 10 centimetres extra leg space was definitely a boon for many travellers. From my last flight experience in the year 2009 with Japan Airlines, the cushion seats could be improved. It seems as though the cushion padding were no better in the year 2009. Prolonged sitting has caused sores and pain and made it difficult for me to sleep comfortably compared to other airlines during an overnight flight. Hopefully the padding could be improved in the future flight.

Read More

Airasia X Premium Flatbed Experience by Optiontown

During my trip back from Taiwan which was an overnight flight of approximately 5 hours, I decided to purchase the Airasia X Premium Flatbed as I need a proper rest for next day's work. Thus my dream of flying Business Class in a long haul flight came true at last. 

the premium flatbed is equipped with fully 100%, a pillow and a blanket 

A small LED reading lamp is provided for night flight

Electrical socket is also provided for laptop or charging your phones

The flat bed can be controlled into 3 automatically preset position or you can adjust manually according to your own comfort

No Airasia flight is complete without the Complete Pak Nasser's Nasi Lemak with condiments, chocolate cake as a dessert and an apple box drink :D

The premium flatbed is definitely very comfortable and is highly recommended especially for an overnight flight. Most of you were thinking that I was rich enough to pay for the Airasia Premium Flatbed seat even though the price is not as expensive as any Business Class of a premium airlines. What I did was I 'gambled' through Optiontown and I paid 75% off for the upgrade. 

I am sure that upon confirmation of your Airasia X flight, you will receive a combination of Airasia X and Optiontown email. Optiontown partners with Airasia X in offering Premium Flatbed upgrade and Empty Seats options.

Upon payment made, you will see the 'Upgrade Decision Pending', an email will be sent to you requesting you not to check-in online until confirmation of the upgrade decision is made. 

I paid a total of RM125 (refundable) + RM5 (non-refundable fees) for a one way Premium Flatbed Upgrade and to my surprised, I have managed to get the upgrade accepted. 

I did try applying for the 'Empty Seat Option' however it has been rejected due to full passengers on the flight. Thus the amount of money paid will be fully refunded except for the RM5 which is a registration aka processing fees. That is what I meant as 'gamble' but there is no harm trying out.

I would really recommend optiontown for seat upgrade since it is very cheap and affordable to score a business class seat in Airasia. Good luck in trying!

Read More