Changi Airport Must-Know Spots

More on Changi Airport information.  One post is just not enough.  If you are taking a cab going to the airport, the cab driver will ask you which terminal will you be getting off.  In case you don't know which terminal to tell the driver, below are the airlines operating per terminal:

Terminal 2:

Air India - AI                         Air India Express - IX                    All Nippon Airways - NH
Asiana Airlines - OZ               Berjaya Air - J8                             Cebu Pacific Air - 5J
Etihad Airways - EY               Firefly - FY                                   Hainan Airlines - HU
IndiGo - 6E                            Korean Air - KE                           Lao Airlines - QV
Lufthansa German - LH          Malaysia Airlines - MH                  Mandala Airlines - RI
Pal Express - 2P                    Philippine Airlines - PR                   Royal Brunei Airlines - BI
Scoot - TZ                             SilkAir - MI                                   Singapore Airlines - SQ
Southeast Asian Airlines         Sriwijaya Air - SJ                           SWISS - LX
Tiger Airways - TR                TransAsia Airways - GE                 Vietjet Air - VJ

Terminal 3:

China Eastern Airlines - MU                                    Sichuan Airlines - 3U
Garuda Indonesia - GA                                           SriLankan Airlines - UL
Jet Airways - 9W                                                    Transaero Airlines - UN
Qatar Airways - QR                                                United Airlines - UA
Saudi Arabian Airlines - SV                                     Vietnam Airlines - VN

* Airlines not listed operates from Terminal 1.

Services in this airport are endless.  Some of the services listed on the guidebook are as follows:

*  Fly-Cruise:
     -  Available at Terminal 3, Arrival Hall.  If you are embarking on a cruise ship from the airport you can check-in your baggage at the Fly-Cruise Counter 48 hours prior to the departure.  Baggage will be delivered directly at your cruise cabin.

* Left Baggage:
   - Available at Terminals 1,2 & 3 Departure Transit Lounge and Public Area. If you plan to go and explore either the airport or the city and you don't want to carry too much stuff you can leave your things at the Left Baggage Counters which is available 24 hours for a certain fee.

*  Medical Services & Pharmacies:
   - Available at Terminal 1, Departure Transit Lounge; Terminals 2 & 3, Departure Transit Lounge and Public Area.  For medical requirements there are counters to provide you the necessary medicines and assistance.  Airport Clinic Emergency Hotline is +65 6543 2223.

Passengers' needs are also provided by the airport.  Too bad I didn't check all of it as I was too lazy to read the guidebook while I was there.

For families:
-  Children's Play Area - Terminals 1,2 & 3 Departure Transit Lounge
-  Family Zone - Terminal 2, Departure Transit Lounge
-  Baby Care Room - Terminals 1,2 & 3 Departure Transit Lounge

For Leisure:
- TV & Entertainment Lounges - Terminals 1,2 & 3 Departure Transit Lounge
- Free WIFI - Terminals 1,2 & 3 Departure Transit Lounge and Public Area
- Free Internet Access - Terminals 1,2 & 3 Departure Transit Lounge
- Spa, Massage & Foot Reflexology - ( Terminal 1 -  the Fish Spa & Reflexology; Terminal 2 - The Ultimate Spa and TranSpa; Terminal 3 - My Foot Reflexology)

For Others:
- Shower Facilities - Terminals 1,2 & 3 Departure Transit Lounge
- Powder Room - Terminals 1 & 3, Departure Transit Lounge
- Prayer Room - Terminals 1, 2 & 3 Departure Transit Lounge
- Special Needs - Terminals 1,2 & 3  Departure Transit Lounge and Public Area
- Laundry Services - Terminals 2 & 3, Public Area
- Free Rest Areas - Terminals 1,2 & 3 Departure Transit Lounge
- Smoking Areas - Terminals 1, 2 & 3 Departure Transit Lounge

And lastly, here's the layout.  Hopefully it could help you roam the busy floors of Singapore Changi Airport.

What You Don't Know About Changi Airport

While I was sorting out papers from our pile.  Correction, piles.  We have tons of papers filed in "creative" ways everywhere in the house.  Anyway, while I was sorting I saw this small booklet I got when I was in Singapore Airport waiting for my flight back here in Abu Dhabi.  I was scheduled to fly around 10 pm, unfortunately on that same day my sister had a doctor's appointment at 7:00 pm -ish so they need to send me off earlier.

I have never stayed long on airports before because I usually well, just go.  I don't like lay overs.  Plus I'm a non-revenue passenger.  We usually don't have that luxury.  As much as flying with a high travel class is absolutely amazing, being bumped off in case the flight is full is the complete opposite of amazing.  Sigh.  Life of a NR passenger.  But hey, I'm not complaining!

grabbed from commons.wikimedia.org

Back to the booklet.  It was all about the airport - Changi Airport for that matter.  I just realized that I have missed a lot.  While I was killing time, I was just roaming around and thinking of buying some stuff that are small enough to shove inside my backpack while trying to connect to their wifi.  I don't know what seems to be the problem because I just can't.

So I just roamed around, while looking for the loo, I found some internet stations.  I was able to let me family in Davao and my husband in Abu Dhabi know where I am currently at.  I can't stay long there because they don't have seats.  It was intended for short term use only.  So I went back to listless walking.

I got tired of walking so I looked for some lounge chairs where I could sit and read my book. Unfortunately, where ever I go chairs are occupied.  I don't want to go to coffee shops because its too far from my designated gate.  I ended up sitting by the departure gate area, where most of the passengers were sitting on the floor.  If you can't beat them, join them.  To make this post longer (*sheepish grin*) here are what I have discovered from the booklet I got from the airport, which is too late by the way.  But for you potential Changi airport bystanders here are some helpful information.

Below are free services at Changi Airports' Transit Areas:
    -  Avail of the 550 internet stations all around the airport.
    -  Free WiFi access airport-wide (I can't...I just can't)
    - Watch movies at the Movie Theaters in Terminals 2 and 3
    - Play and Enjoy Xbox 360, Playstation 3, MTV booths and LAN Gaming at the Entertainment Deck
         at Terminal 2
    - Watch worldwide news and sports at  TV & Entertainment Lounges
    - Relax at Foot and Calf Massage Stations
    - Stroll at the various themed gardens
    - Make art creations at the Art Interactive Zones
    - You can do local telephone calls
    - Have the kids run around at the Children's Play Area
    - If you are staying longer than 5 hours, take the 2-hour Singapore tour.  Look for the Singapore
          Tour booths in level 2 of Terminals 2 and 3.

The airport's layout will be shown and more information of Changi Airport on my next post.  Hope this could give you an introductory activities while killing the time during one of your transit time in Singapore city.

Seoul Garden Singapore: Shabu-Shabu to the Next Level

A few months ago, when I stopped over Singapore for my last food binging before going back to the land of Shawarma, we went to my fave shabu-shabu spot in Singapore - Seoul Garden.

I discovered this amazing place way back in 2008 when we celebrated a birthday of a good friend.  Honestly, it was a pricey place, even if I was working that time.  The price would just give you a step back before handing in your hard-earned dollar.  The good thing though, it was worth every buck you pay.  You will definitely have your tummy bursting with so much Chinese and Malay food.

The first time I tried this restaurant was at Bugis Mall.  Actually, my second and third time was also there.  I didn't know they have other branches.  Anyway, we had it from Tampines Mall.  We came early so there were a lot of tables available.

We went there on a weekday so we paid for SGD 24.99 and SGD 6.99 for my niece who was soundly sleeping.  First stop, all the marinated meat section, which we dumped on the grilling plate.  In the middle of the grilling plate is a bowl where we could make our own soup too. 

We tried to be creative in making soup.  Unfortunately, we were too distracted between eating the cooked meat and the ready to eat goodies.  Honestly, it was overwhelming.  I wanted to try everything.  I was particularly curious of the Malay desserts.  And as my sister assured me, they were really really good.  She's right!  They didn't disappoint.

I was so full, that we have to walk it off on the floors of Mustafa Center (again!).  If ever I get to stop again in Singapore, no doubt, I' ll still drop by Seoul Garden, even if its expensive, the food is just simply great.

Singapore After Five Years

My April 2013 was a total nightmare.  First the chasing of the housing thief Mr. Saeed episode then my legal stay in Abu Dhabi took a nose dive.  I will not delve into the dirty details of the latter as I still feel bitter and angry of what happened and what is continuously happening. To make the story short, I get to be a reluctant vacationer.

First stop is my first home abroad: Singapore.  It has been 5 years since I last step foot on this vibrant city.  I must admit, Singapore still is an exciting city.  Aside from re-exploring Singapore - I am visiting my sister.  I get to bond with my cheeky niece.

I often daydream of retracing my steps in Singapore particularly in the food department.  I try to look for cheap noodles here in Abu Dhabi but still that distinct taste of Singapore noodles is just not there.  Though some may say there are a lot of Chinese/Singaporean cuisines in the city - still not the same as that from the kopitiam.

My first day in Singapore was not exactly in Singapore style because we decided to give Jollibee Singapore a try.  My niece was particularly happy about it because there will be fries (shhh!) and my sister was craving for pinoy fast food.  Sad to say though, the chicken was not what I have expected. It is not the same back home.  Anyway, we still binge.  We ordered practically everything on the menu!

After the big bee moment, I had kaya toast.  The thin brown bread with a generous amount of butter and kaya spread is absolute heaven.  For those who are not aware of kaya spread, this is a coconut and egg jam.  If you visit Singapore never forget to try it.

Then came the noodles.  Yes the noodles that I think will never be replicated.  I had mee goreng.  The spicy vegetarian noodle will definitely burn your lips.  For a good reason, of course.  Then the ban mian.  Unfortunately, the store where I got the ban mian is not the same with the one I used to buy from in People's Park in Chinatown.

Mee Goreng

My sister also introduced me to bah kuh teh.  We bought two orders for lunch.  Sadly, I am not a big fan.  It was just too bland for my liking, but the ribs was well cook.  The meat literally falls off the bone.

Bah Kuh Teh

My Singapore rendezvous without a visit to Mustafa.  Who could pass up a chance to scour floor after floor of goodies.  Every visit is totally wallet-killing.

Singapore 4 Day Itinerary

When going for a vacation, the best way to maximize your stay in a foreign country is to plan, plan and plan. You study the country, what makes it interesting, what are the places to visit, where to try out the best food and how to go around the city. Nowadays, vacation planning is no longer that tedious, because there are a lot of material to read and absorb in the internet that you don't have to stay inside the bookstore to look at the maps and you don't have to buy travel books to guide you.

When in Asia there are two cities that are tourists magnet - Singapore and Hongkong. If, that is if you are into shopping vacation. Here is a simple 4-day itinerary for those who are planning to visit Singapore. You don't need to book a tourist guide to discover the city. Do it on your own and in your own pace and have your own Singapore story.


1 Day - Arrival
Since it depends on the time your arrive, we will just start off with the check in time in hotels. Usually, check in time is at 2:00 pm. After checking in, the best way to head out is the city's central business/shopping district - Orchard. Known to be along the red line at the heart of the interconnecting MRT lines. Stroll along the shopping malls in Orchard. Take a snack by trying out their 1 SGD ice cream. Recommended flavor: bubble gum.



When dinnertime is almost near, you can hop on to the MRT and alight at Dhoby Ghaut change MRT and take the purple going to Clarke Quay. This is where fabulously expensive restaurants and bars are located. Favorite stop is the Hooters. But aside from the restaurants, fast food is also found inside the Clarke Quay Mall if you are in a budget. At night, the lights filled the river with changing colors. Benches are scattered everywhere. If you are feeling adventurous, you can try out Gmax or the Bungy Ride. If you had enough for the night, back to the hotel to make way for the next day of walk.



Day 2:
If you are checked in to the hotel with a buffet breakfast, it is always a good thing to be one of the first guests to be in the dining hall. you'd get the freshest juice and food. Not that the rest won't be fresh anymore, but the staff is more accommodating if you are one of the first to be in the restaurant. Be sure to pack in enough food because you'd be walking most of the time. Before going in to your events of the day, make sure to buy a bottled water to keep you quenched. Plan for the day is Sentosa Island. Take the Purple line MRT going to Harbourfront station. The MRT exit is inside Vivo City Mall, the ride going Sentosa is found on the 3rd level of the mall. Spend the day roaming Universal Studios and Sentosa Marine Attractions. Click here for more information on the entertainment of the island. Make sure to stay until around 7:00 pm to enjoy that Songs of the Sea. Kids would love the show.

This day is good as exhausting. Back to the hotel for a good night's sleep.

3rd day:
Start the day early, and prepare for the most exhausting day (again!) Nature tripping and visit Singapore Zoo. Take the red line MRT again and get off at Ang Mo Kio. From the station go to the nearest bus interchange, signs will lead you there and take bus no.138. You'll get off right in front of the zoo. After 3 hours in the zoo, you can start shopping. Going back to where you began, take the Ang Mo Kio MRT going to City Hall Mrt Station. Alight at exit D going where Funan Mall is located. If you are in serious need to buy the best deals in IT gadgets, this is the place.

After Funan Mall, go back to to the MRT station where you can walk going to Suntec City. One of the biggest Mall in the city where the biggest fountain is located. Fountain show starts at 7:00 pm. It's free. Inside the walk going to the mall, there is a way going to Esplanade. Singapore's famous landmark. And just a few steps from Esplanade is the Merlion. Take a res and enjoy the view. AFter the walk and the picture taking, time to take the the MRT again and go to Bugis Station. Shop and Eat. Nearby Bugis Junction is Sim Lim Square, famous for selling gadgets like cameras and cellphones. visit the palce and don't forget to haggle.

For the last night in Singapore, why not make the most of it. Visit Mustafa - the 24 hour Mall. It is located in the Purple Line. Alight at Little India, the Mustafa Mall is located behind Serangoon Plaza. Buy all the souvenirs you need for a cheaper price.

4th Day:
Last day, checking out. Once in the airport, the shopping continues, shops are also located inside the airport. Before boarding that plane, don't forget to have your GST. Tax refund. GST counter is visible in the airport, you can have all the items you bought checked so you can have a refund.

Actually, the 4 days in Singapore is not enough to enjoy everything in Singapore. This is just the basic must visits in the city. If you have a thicker budget, you can extend a few more days to discover more of Singapore

Buying Groceries in Singapore

Part of the daily activity when living in Singapore is buying groceries. Now, groceries are basically everywhere. Grocery stalls are available everywhere specially near HDB's to cater the needs of every household. They sell basic needs for cooking, cleaning the house and washing the clothes. But if you are a particular buyer of groceries there are big names you should try and visit. And believe me, they are worth the visit.

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Singapore Day Trip Under S$5

If the weather forecast says its going to be a cloudy day, then its time for you to pack up your picnic basket and spend the day at the park with some friends without spending too much shilling.

There were those weekends, when there is no take-home work to be done. The laundry is already drying outside. And not much to do on a Sunday. Prepare some sandwiches, pack in some chips, a bottle or two of soda and an old blanket then head down to the nearest park. Singapore is a well planned city with the visible balance of green and concrete. Most residential areas have their own parks where residents can take a stroll whenever they feel like taking a walk. There are two parks I have visited in Singapore which I must say are pretty nice for a whole day picnic, either with a special someone or just hanging out with goofy friends.

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Kuala Lumpur in 24 Hours

It was one of those weekends when you feel like taking a different scenery for a change.  When shopping can already lead you to bankruptcy and people watching is already quite boring, you take another turn to release the stress - then you go to Malaysia.  This is what most Singaporeans would do on any given weekend.  Particularly if its a long weekend.  However, that was not our case.  It was my fiance's last weekend before going back to Abu Dhabi.  So along with some good friends we hopped onto the bus going to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.


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Autumn in Singapore

When the cool air of winter will start to caress your cheek when the sun sets, this only means one thing, autumn season is on its way.

After the buzz of the Great Singapore Sale from mid-May to mid-August has settled and the street partying of the National Day Parade starts to die down, its time to make way for the mid-Autumn festival.  Or in Singapore the Mooncake festival.  One night, a few years back, on my way home I stopped at the nearest grocery store to buy myself a cheap dinner, while walking I saw this person standing outside one residential building.  She was standing in front of a drum where there's a little fire going on inside.  She was holding some sheet of paper and a picture.  Incenses were burning and its odd smell wafting into the night.  I didn't know what that was all about and just mentioned it to my office mate the following day.  She said that activity was part of the celebration of the mooncake festival.

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Shopping on a Budget in Singapore

The first month in Singapore was a total nightmare.  One because I am all alone.  Second, I don't have internet in my room and third I don't know anyone there to consider my friend.  However, our office has an internet connection and I could check my mails and update myself on a forum I have initially joined before trying my luck in this new country.  So what to do?  I explored the city.  On my own.  There is a lot of advantages when roaming around a big and busy city all alone.  You don't have to worry about your companion and you get to do and eat whatever you want.  I must admit I was sort of the introvert that time.  But it was fun.  More time for my self and for discovering things.  Singapore always connotes shopping but since no salary yet, I opted to hunt down bazaars and flea markets.


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Noodle Soup for the Rainy Night

The other night, on our way home doing some little shopping for my father's upcoming trip to his hometown Ibajay, Aklan heavy rain accompanied us.  I was smiling the whole time.  I love the rain and it just makes me want to snuggle beneath the sheets and dream the night away but for the rest of the people outside the car rushing for cover it was nightmare.  So we were driving a bit slower than usual, because my mother goes berserk when the speed goes over 40 kph and its rainy.  The road is slippery as she always justify.  And I was already thinking about food.  And what could be the best companion on a rainy night?  Noodle soup!  Of course, hot chocolate with marshmallows will also be on the top 3 list, but noodle soup?  Well, its a whole lot different.  This lures me back to my misadventures in Singapore.

Why I love Singapore so much, is because of all the noodle shops scattered everywhere.  I love noodles.  I could eat noodles for a month and still won't get enough of it.  Since my previous office is located in Chinatown we often take our lunch at the people's park building.  It is right across Pagoda street.  The ground floor of the building houses lots and lots of shops that sells all kinds of noodles.  My all time favorite is the one located at the farthest right when you enter the building.  For 5 months that I was there  eating almost everyday, I can't seem to remember the name of the shop.  Anyway, I always order meehon with fried egg.  Sometimes, I add another side dish if I feel a little generous on that day.  However, if I have some sandwiches which I prepared that day my office mate and I order mee goreng and share it.  Mee goreng is basically a Malaysian vegetarian noodle dish cook with so many chilies in it.  By the time you are in your 5th bite you would definitely be sweating already, thus the sharing scheme.  On the farther left on the other hand also sells noodles.  I don't know what really is its name but its really really good.  Boiled noodles seasoned with soy sauce and a bit of chili and garnished with grilled pork.  It even has a wanton soup to go with it as part of the meal.



For rainy days, which often happens anytime in Singapore, my office mate and I would go to another noodle shop that sells Ban Mian.  This is definitely the noodle soup you should not miss to eat when visiting Singapore.  Ban Mian has this wide flat noodles floating in a rich soup topped with minced pork, some vegetables, and some fried anchovies.  We often put some soy sauce with chili to go with it to give it a little kick.  Almost all noodles in Singapore have chili as side dish.  And its perfect combination.



There are gazillion choices of noodles to choose from.  If traveling in this country, might as well try them all and be the judge.

Singapore: My First Home Abroad

Burp!  Full stomach tonight.  I don't think I could still breath properly and I'm beginning to worry about my incision.  Is it possible that it could open up because of too much eating?  I hope not.  Need to ask my OBGYN though for precaution.  And despite the full tummy, I was still craving for some kopi bun on the way home.  This is really embarrassing, I'm not even pregnant yet but I am already eating like one.  Oh well.  So we stopped by Kopi Roti a coffee shop in Davao City that sells kopi bun, kaya toast and good Singaporean coffee.

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