Sam in Singapore

Trip to Singapore was uneventful. I dispute the claims I have read that Singapore Airlines has the best premium economy service. I have experienced better on 3 other airlines, but it was relatively comfortable and they let me into their lounge in Brisbane so no complaints. Except for the snotty kid sitting next to me, but apart from the cringe factor it appears no damage done.

I arrive  at Changi Airport - orderly processing, delightful facilities. Everything you could want in an airport. Why even bother sitting in a lounge when you can sit here?

Orchid Garden

Orchid Garden

Or here.

Sunflower Garden

Or  surrounded by these.

from the butterfly garden

from the butterfly garden

Which is not to say, Singapore Airlines, that I don’t want the RIGHT to sit in a lounge when you gave me the impression I could.

After a shower I stow my carry on for the day to wander around Singapore unencumbered. I head to
the nearest Info desk to find out if everyone takes cards or I need Singapore dollars.

‘Do you have a visa?’ asks the girl at the desk. ‘Um, no, I’m pretty sure I don’t need one,’ I say,
almost confident in my pre trip research. ‘Not just for a day, right?’.

‘Oh yes, everyone needs a visa to leave the airport.’ She whips out an airport  brochure. ‘Why don’t you just enjoy the airport for the next 12 hours?’ Having already enjoyed the airport for the last 3 hours I trot off to review my research, which quite clearly shows that I don’t need a visa. I wonder to myself if she gets a kickback from every shop I would frequent over the course of 12 hours.

Moments later I’m in a taxi with Lo, who warms right up to me when he realises I’m going to get him to drive me all around town to one site after the other. I explain I want to visit my old house. He quickly becomes my new best friend when he hears my last visit to Singapore was at age 13, and he thinks that must have been about 20 years ago.

He drives me around, we look at my old neighbourhood and then he drops me at Bugis St where I try to get a feel for the place my folks have told stories about. But it’s not the same place anymore.

Entry to Bugis St

Bugis Street food

More Bugis Street food

Tri-shaw rank near Bugis St

I grab some street food and head down to Gardens by the Bay where I feed my body and my soul with the delightful sights and sounds of the lily pond, cloud forest and flower garden.

lunch vista

more lunch vista

the cloud forest

I follow up the gardens with a couple of cocktails at the Marina Bay Sands rooftop bar with this view, then head back to the airport for a massage and shower, and unexpected business class upgrade.

View from the Marina Bay Sands hotel rooftop bar

Best gift ever after more than 24 hours in transit with little sleep. Great start to the trip.