I visited Singapore two decades ago and had no great desire to visit the place again. However, we have business there and stopped on our way back from Japan. It turned out to be an intense experience.
We flew with Singapore Airlines and sampled probably one of the best services in economy class. The friendliness of the cabin crew is unquestionable. British Airways, take note! There is a smile for everyone, which makes a long flight slightly more tolerable.
Changi Airport is quite a revelation. For an international airport, it has a lot of greenery and plenty of passenger friendly services: staff with iPad at the information area to advise passengers where to find their connecting flights; free wi fi areas at departure gates, drinking fountain for passengers to refill their water bottles, plenty of seating without the feeling of being crammed in by loud speaking Americans. The toilets are modern and spotlessly clean too, almost like a luxury hotel.
Down town, Singapore is all high rise and skyscrapers. Next to the hotel is this newly completed residential building, complete with garage that looks onto the living room, or vice versa. The first in Asia, apparently. Besides the sky garages, the building also boasts standard features of high-end apartments: a gym, meeting rooms, outdoor pool. It's a snip at S $10,000,000 for 256 sq m.
We went to the Kranji Memorial, a train ride from down town to the edge of the city, pass the suburbs, a lake, more suburbs, and eventually to Kranji. This is a beautifully kept cemetery maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Gardeners were hosing the grass by hand and tending to the plot with great care and attention. Not a weed was in sight, and the tombstones were in pristine condition. It was a sobering moment to see the tombstones of so many soldiers from all over the world who gave their lives to fighting the Japanese during World War II. The visit helped to close a chapter in our lives.
We flew with Singapore Airlines and sampled probably one of the best services in economy class. The friendliness of the cabin crew is unquestionable. British Airways, take note! There is a smile for everyone, which makes a long flight slightly more tolerable.
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| I counted 30+ cabin crew waiting to board the A380 from Singapore to London Heathrow |
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| The menu cover on board Singapore Airlines Simply delightful |
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| An advertisement in the in flight magazine Handbags are getting bigger, and providing more room for germs |
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| The arrival area at the spacious Changi Airport, Singapore |
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| The departure area at Changi Airport, Singapore Waterfall and greenery make a pleasant change from a utilitarian look |
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| Sweet shop in the air side shopping mall, Changi Airport All luxury brands have a presence here |
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| An integrated garage / living room along Scott Road, Singapore |
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| One of the most delicious Chinese meals eaten outside Hong Kong Duck, mango, and jelly fish |
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| Kranji Memorial, Singapore |
