Ok fine, I cheated. I stayed about 17 hrs at the airport - that's just 7 hrs short of 24, but that's not the point right? Now you would ask me what possibly could be there at the airport that can keep you entertained for 17 hrs! Well, for starters we are talking about Changi Airport here. Not your average airport on close observation. Plus, I wouldn't be exaggerating if I say that 17 hrs still didn't seem enough time to "try out" everything Changi had to offer. So yeah, read on.
2.55 am (local time) - SLEEP!
My red eye flight lands at Terminal 3; 17 hours of layover ahead of me, I stand unperturbed. The airport didn't have any buzz; nobody at the information desk, no crowds and no air trains; save for the 24 hour joints/shops that were open. I promptly found the Snooze Lounge on Terminal 3 and plopped myself on one of the lounge chairs. I opened my laptop and killed time by browsing the Internet - a side effect of being a news junkie. It was 4 am already so I gave up, threw the valuables from my backpack into a small handbag, held it close (who knows? you gotta be careful with your stuff), pulled over my hoodie (they have the lights on, always) and dozed.
Side note: On Terminal 2 and 3, you also have transit hotels (if you seek the comfort of a bed) where you can book a block of 6 hours to take a shower, sleep, watch TV and whatever else you aim to do at a hotel. Isn't that cool? No immigration hassles as the hotels are right on the terminal.
I contemplated taking off to the transit hotels but I recommend you use the free services on the airport like the Snooze Lounge, if you are not completely wiped out. You can save Singapore $$$ to splurge on something else...and there are a lot of "something elses" in Changi, trust me.
I contemplated taking off to the transit hotels but I recommend you use the free services on the airport like the Snooze Lounge, if you are not completely wiped out. You can save Singapore $$$ to splurge on something else...and there are a lot of "something elses" in Changi, trust me.
8.15 am - WAKE UP, BRUSH, CHECK EMAILS
I wake up (with the noise). The airport seems alive now. Few whispers here and there, breakfast buzz and announcements are on. I head down to the ground level and walk into the most exquisite "Powder Room" - a fancy name for a ladies toilet cum changing rooms cum vanity chairs/large mirrors to do your makeup. Too bad I didn't snap a photo here - toilets so shiny clean I could sleep on the floors. No kidding. Complete with a touch based rating system at the exit where you can rate how the toilets are. Of course I rate it a high-five! I quickly brushed, washed my face and off I went.
9 am - DO THE IMPORTANT THINGS FIRST!
I see the information desk is manned now. And I needed to do that little important thing first. Changi Airport has this special transit program for those who transit via Singapore - they basically give away 40 SGD worth of coupons that you can use anywhere on the airport on anything - food, shopping, services. So I got my coupons and headed down to the Free Singapore Tour booth (available both on Terminal 2 and 3). More freebies I know :-)
This is a free 1.5 hour tour of Singapore that is offered to anyone who has minimum of 5 hr layover at Changi. A good thing to know is they get filled REALLY FAST! So yes, get in line there and get yourself a reservation. Sooner the better.
This is a free 1.5 hour tour of Singapore that is offered to anyone who has minimum of 5 hr layover at Changi. A good thing to know is they get filled REALLY FAST! So yes, get in line there and get yourself a reservation. Sooner the better.
But a little problem happened here - the woman sighed when she saw my visa (Japanese temporary visitor visa). She says to me, "Umm I don't know if you will be allowed to go out see the city on this visa". I roll my eyes and tell her "Of course I can, your tour is for people who don't have a transit visa. Why else would I register with you if I had a transit visa to go out to the city?". She didn't seem too pleased that I started an argument. So I just said - "Look, its ok I can explain to the immigration if they ask me, can you just get me a spot please?". She relented and gave in.
Meanwhile, a middle aged Indian couple seemed to shove me because you know that's what some of my fellow countrymen do - jump queues - I had to just let it go because I was already in an argument here. Sigh. Couldn't wait to get out of that place. So I got booked for a 2.30 pm tour (yay!), and the reporting time was 1.30 pm (so you get your immigration and other logistics done)
9.30 am - FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND BAG STORAGE
At this point my back started to well, hurt. My backpack was heavy with the laptop and other assortments. I found the "Left Baggage" (a paid storage place where you leave your baggage) and dropped my backpack there after retrieving my camera, wallet and passport packed into a small handbag. For 2$ I could store one piece of baggage for 24 hours. Sweet!
I felt like I could breathe now. I walked over to the money exchange counter, converted most of the leftover Japanese yen to SGD. Ready to splurge now!
10 am - NOSH!
So I am still loitering at Terminal 3 and suddenly my hunger pangs set in. It was rather late for breakfast and I could use some heavy lunch now. Headed up to the Food Court. The first name that hit me was "Kaveri" - umm, smell of the dosas and idlis was enticing. I had to fight it off.
Because, come on, I am in Singapore now - gotta taste the local specialities no? I find my way to Prima Taste and order a Laksa La Mian, a lychee drink and a pandan chiffon cake for dessert (all local favorites). This Laksa La Mian was like an orchestra of things going on in my mouth - burst of flavor from the coconut seafood broth, fried tofu, chicken, shrimp and spicy seasoning. Just incredible! This was comfort food at its best. Just what I needed. Without a shadow of doubt, my best noodle discovery by far.
Because, come on, I am in Singapore now - gotta taste the local specialities no? I find my way to Prima Taste and order a Laksa La Mian, a lychee drink and a pandan chiffon cake for dessert (all local favorites). This Laksa La Mian was like an orchestra of things going on in my mouth - burst of flavor from the coconut seafood broth, fried tofu, chicken, shrimp and spicy seasoning. Just incredible! This was comfort food at its best. Just what I needed. Without a shadow of doubt, my best noodle discovery by far.
And the best part? I paid for the meal with a 20$ voucher - thanks Changi transit program. LOL.
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| Laksa La Mian and Lychee Sling |
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| Pandan Chiffon Cake |
10.30 am - BUTTERFLY GARDENS & KOI POND
If you didn't know already (from all those colorful brochures and signposts around you), Changi Airport has a whole garden trail to unleash on you. They have 7 gardens in the airport - each different from the other. Since I was still on Terminal 3, I wanted to finish this up before I head over to another terminal. And I think I could use little greenery for my tired eyes.
The place was truly a butterfly heaven. I got some good shots. Learnt a bit about butterflies and their habitat. Spent a good 20 mins here. This is a must-do at Changi.
As you exit out of the butterfly garden, on the right side is the Koi Pond (bright colored ornamental fishes). You can even feed them at designated times (9am and 4 pm). A must-see again, it was very relaxing to just gaze at fish. This place gets crowded, specially with kids :)
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| Koi Pond! |
11.30 am - SHOWTIME
Now how can a movie nerd like me pass an opportunity like cozy movie theaters with a choice of free movies? Hell no. I gotta have it. In my giddiness to get up there and soak up a good movie - I forgot to snap a picture of this place - well, you gotta see it to believe it. It was the best movie lounge I have seen. You could totally mistaken it for a real movie theatre.
Btw, I made a quick call to Mr. boyfriend - he must think I am lost or something - while I seem to love this airport adventure, he had no idea. Haha. So I call him up to say I am alive. And then he asks me the most critical question of the day - "Have you gone to the Fish Spa yet?"
It is the most unique thing to do at Changi. And am like "Oh good timing, let me find out."
It is the most unique thing to do at Changi. And am like "Oh good timing, let me find out."
12.15 am - FISH SPA!
The friendly information desk tells me the Fish Spa is on Terminal 2. I take an air train to T2 (3 mins ride) and get distracted by other sign posts as soon I get down at T2 (a lot of gardens here apparently!) but hey Fish Spa first, I remind myself.
It is sort of easy to get disoriented at Changi terminals - so make sure you don't go too far before realizing you are on the other end of where you are supposed to be. Always stop to check out maps or just ask information desk folks.
A good question to ask me right now is - what the hell is a Fish Spa? Ya, so apparently a therapist popularized this concept of a fish spa - he found these small fishes (Garra Rufa or Doctor Fish) that nibble away at your feet and eat the dead cells of your skin (gosh!) to give you shiny new feet. It is kind of like pedicure. Of course I had to experience it to believe it.
So, at this point if you are still loitering (like me) and cannot find this place it is because this spa is invisibly tucked away behind a huge Starbucks. I make my way and pay 22$ for the 20 min session (20$ voucher + 2$ of my own) with the fishes. A smiling guy leads me inside, hands me a towel and water to wash my feet. I pull up my jeans to my knees and I go right in. Make sure you tell him if you prefer warm water or cold water (they provide both). And then like magic the fishes huddle towards my feet, nibbling away. It tickles me for a good few seconds, haha. And then I get over the sensation.
It was well, unique. I kept zooming in on them with my camera lens to see if they umm, really eat away at my skin? And boy they do! It was so amusing. I sat there for a good 30 mins (although it was 20 min only...hey, nobody was checking on me right?), until the guy came in (still smiling) to give me some green tea:) Ok, I guess that was a sign to wrap up. What a polite way of doing it. Alright so I wash my feet again and clean them dry (I do see little things peeling out of the gaps between my toes. Nicely done fishes!).
12.45 am - ORCHIDS & WOODBLOCK PRINTING
Pop quiz - what is Singapore famous for? Gardens of course. Orchids to be precise. Heading to the other side of T2, is the most intricate setting of Orchids, replete with colors and a few Koi Fish in the pond. Definitely a photo-op if you are with the loved ones. As for me, I took a whole load of photos here until I was satisfied that I captured the colors well:)
Then I walked over (right beside the Orchid Garden) to the Woodblock printing zone. Picked up a white sheet and red crayons and went about tracing Changi's exterior - since I was so much in love with Changi now. I folded the sheet and put it in my bag to carry home (my own souvenir from this place - how cool is that?)
Then I walked over (right beside the Orchid Garden) to the Woodblock printing zone. Picked up a white sheet and red crayons and went about tracing Changi's exterior - since I was so much in love with Changi now. I folded the sheet and put it in my bag to carry home (my own souvenir from this place - how cool is that?)
1.30 pm - TOUR STARTS!
By now I forgot to keep track of time and as I was lost in the art installations (such as this tea pot), the adjoining air train station bolted me into reality.
Oh gosh, it was the tour reporting time! So I jumped into an air train, got back to T3's Singapore Tour booth, just in time. Phew. They led us (a group of about 20) to T2 where we went through immigration and popped into a bus. The tour guide (a woman in her 40's) picked up the mic, introduced herself and gave us a full blown account of Singapore's history and culture as the driver zipped us into the city. A paltry 20 min ride and we are already at the famous Fullerton Road. Neat!
Oh gosh, it was the tour reporting time! So I jumped into an air train, got back to T3's Singapore Tour booth, just in time. Phew. They led us (a group of about 20) to T2 where we went through immigration and popped into a bus. The tour guide (a woman in her 40's) picked up the mic, introduced herself and gave us a full blown account of Singapore's history and culture as the driver zipped us into the city. A paltry 20 min ride and we are already at the famous Fullerton Road. Neat!
So we have a 20 min photo stop here we are told; so we can have our fill of the Great Merlion statue and the Marina Bay Sands overview.
After this, we are drifted to the Chinatown area. I was amused to find the oldest Hindu temple located in the heart of Chinatown. I am told that Singaporeans are the most harmonious when it comes to respecting other religions. How neat! We are dropped back by 4 pm at T2.
4 pm - NOSH!
This time I gave in to my Indian cravings - so I headed straight to Kaveri in T2 Food Court., for a masala fix. Ordered a Ragi masala dosa and a masala chai - for 9$ in all - not bad. I looked around to find all the airport authorities of Indian origin dining here, so this place seemed legit. Good. The ragi dosa was decent and the chai was an instant hit, given how tiredness started catching up with me. A quick call to boyfriend and dad and debated if I should pick up a Vodka or stick with some premium wine from DFS.
4.30 pm - DESSERTS, MORE GARDEN TRAILS, PHOTO STOP!
Ya, by now you must know I hunt down for food pretty hard. LOL. But a must-do at Changi is to try out the Kueh Lapis and Pineapple tarts at Bengawan Solo at T2. I sampled their desserts (they give out free food samples) and settled for a slice of their classic Lapis cake. I contemplated about buying home this cake and then let go as I felt it was too steep a price (26$) for a tiny portion of the cake. They also have other regular fares like cookies, muffins, nuts etc. But the pineapple tarts and lapis are a definite must-try (you can buy a slice or a tart for yourself but I made the most of the free food sample and they didnt seem to mind. Wink, wink.)
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| Sunflower Garden |
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| Hexagonia Garden (great architecture!) |
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| Cactus Garden |
5.00 pm - BOOZE & SOUVENIR SHOPPING!
And then I had to get some liquor shopping done. I usually don't spend more than 10 mins at a DFS shop since I decide beforehand what I want. This time though I couldn't decide on a red wine and I struck a conversation with one of their salesmen. About 30 mins later I picked up a medium bodied Pinot Noir, made in New Zealand (45$) and a 3-pack Tiger Beer (a cheap 5$)
I hopped over to the Discover Singapore shop and got a Merlion statue for 10$ and two Tiger balms for 10$ (they smelled real nice, haha)
6.30 pm - (FREE) FOOT MASSAGE
No way in hell am I missing a free massage. And since my baggage was at T3, I hopped back there. The free foot massage machines are installed at T3 (these are right below the Snooze Lounge). You simply power them on, stick your feet in and the machines do their thing. They got like 4 ways of massaging your feet and you can adjust the heat and vibration modes. It really works!
7 pm - COLLECT BAGGAGE AND GO THRU SECURITY, SIGH :|
Need I explain? But FWIW, the security was lightening fast (what a relief!). If you have visited HongKong airport, you know how much of a nightmare it is to wait for security (an hour easily in line).
THINGS I MISSED AT CHANGI:
Yeah, you would think 17 hrs was enough to cover them right? Wrong. So I missed some really cool things like the Game Center (they have an uber cool setup rife with Xbox, Wii and a bunch of game DVDs to go with). I also missed out on the Slide and an Aviation Gallery both at T3, but in public areas (so you need immigration to get to them). I guess there is always a next time. Btw, if you want to ride down the slide, keep a purchase receipt (minimum 10$) from any of your shopping/eating from the airport. This serves as your ticket to the slide.
This is one airport you wished you got stranded.
So long Changi. You treated me well :-)
