Guest DaneD Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 We are going to book our flight with Singapore Airlines, is all food and drink included in the cost...not used to these long haul flights :-) damn straight the food and drink is included! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redditchcouple Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 cheers for that...pmsl here :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest siamsusie Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 We are going to book our flight with Singapore Airlines, is all food and drink included in the cost...not used to these long haul flights :-) Yes all food and beverage on Singapore Airlines is included. Susie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DaneD Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 ive just made my booking with the transit hotel. im landing and taking off in t2, i have just noticed that the pool and bar are located in t1. can i get to the swimming pool? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redditchcouple Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 just booked our flight with Singapore airlines...roll on 7th November :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablo Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 ive just made my booking with the transit hotel. im landing and taking off in t2, i have just noticed that the pool and bar are located in t1. can i get to the swimming pool? Would think so mate,just jump on the skytrain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest siamsusie Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Eat your way through Singapore AH, CHOICES, choices. If you're in the mood for Chinese, then try what amounts to Singapore's national dish Hainan chicken, a basic lunchtime special of poached chicken with a light sauce of soy and sesame oil, served with rice and a chicken-flavoured broth. If it's Malaysian food you want, what better than a spicy coconut laksa, or that fabled treat chilli crab? And if Indian food tempts, you can always indulge in the very popular murtabak, a dish of meat and curry served on top of roti bread. Eat on the street In Singapore, a hawker centre or street dining area has one huge advantage over a restaurant: a vast menu of tempting choices. Not only can you eat extremely well and cheaply, but you can explore the food that ordinary folk enjoy and soak up the neighbourhood atmosphere too. Dining at a hawker centre is perfectly straightforward, although choosing what to order from the extravagant variety on display might take a while. However, another advantage over restaurants is that you can inspect other people's choices, watch what the cooks are doing, and usually study illustrations of the dishes on offer. Put in your order and tell the owner your table number if necessary, although some hawker centres are entirely self-service and you should return to collect your meal once it's cooked. You only pay for your food when you return to pick it up. While you're waiting, order soft drinks or a cold Tiger beer at a beverage stand. At meal times, hawker centres may be hectic, and locals sometimes reserve empty seats by placing packets of tissues on them. Otherwise, feel free to sit anywhere and to share a table, a perfectly acceptable custom and a great way to fall into conversation. Once you've finished, there's no need to clear your dishes away, as cleaners circulate to do the job for you. On the whole, the same scrupulous cleanliness you find everywhere in Singapore applies equally to hawker centres, which undergo frequent government health inspections. Still, look for stalls where locals are congregating. Those with the most customers will not only have the best food, but the quick turnover means that few ingredients are left sitting out for very long. Where to look So, where to go if you have a hankering for Hokkien noodles (noodles fried with pork, prawns and bean sprouts) or char kway teow, a type of rice noodle served with clams, sausage, egg and bean sprouts in sweet black sauce? There are dozens of hawker centres all around Singapore, and if you ask locals, they'll be able to point you in the direction of one in the neighbourhood. Hawker centres are often concentrated around MRT train stations, such as at Yishun, Bukit Batok and Pasir Ris, and near housing developments in the suburbs. But several conveniently sited hawker centres can be found on Bugis Street, Maxwell Road, Lau Pa Set (on the corner of Robinson and Boon Tat streets) and the aptly nicknamed Food Street (actually Smith Street) in Chinatown. The hawker centre at the corner of Adam and Dunearn roads, though a little out of the way, is excellent, and specialises in Malay food and fruit juices. Popular Malay dishes include rendang curries, fresh salads with a sauce of crushed peanuts, and nasi padang (actually Sumatran in origin), featuring rice accompanied by curries, fish or chicken. But best of all is surely skewered meat satay, marinated with peanut sauce, cumin and chilli, and barbecued there and then over open coals. Clarke Quay, a stretch along the river downtown, has an air-conditioned hawker centre, but you can also carry your meal out and sit at the tables along the riverbank in order to admire the view and watch the never-ending parade of passing people. The satay here is particularly wonderful, barbecued over charcoal before being served up with onion and cucumber and a dipping bowl of peanut and chilli sauce. Recently revamped Newton Circus is another popular hawker centre, but it's more for tourists than locals and it's a little overpriced as well as being under-underwhelming in character. Still, it might be a good place to start if you're unsure of hawker centre etiquette, since the stall owners here are used to dealing with busloads of hesitant visitors. If you're shopping on Orchard Road, there's a hawker centre just beyond Centrepoint Shopping Centre on Cuppage Terrace. There's also a market with a staggering array of fresh fruit and vegetables from around the world. Some of these stalls will make up a mouth-watering fruit salad for you, full of refreshing local produce such as mangosteens, rambutans and papaya. In Little India the Tekka Centre also has fine hawker fare, where you can enjoy tandoori chicken or fish, roaring hot vindaloo curries and nasi biryani saffron rice with chicken and curried lentils. Visit the wet market here and inspect stalls hung with cuts of meat or piled with multi-coloured vegetables and tropical fruit. If you don't know what a starfruit, pomelo or zirzat is, this is your chance to find out. Then, join the bustle of Indian ladies in saris and Malay gentlemen in white caps looking for ready-made packets of spices for cooking with fish, vegetables or curries. These are items easily packed in a suitcase, and they make ideal culinary souvenirs. That way, long after the holiday is over, you can still enjoy the taste of Singapore and start a hawker centre right in your own kitchen. 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Guest siamsusie Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Events The multicultural people of Singapore celebrate with the roar of a Chinese dragon at New Year, feasting for the living and the dead, and dancing with the fervour of religious passion. Because they follow the lunar calendar, the dates of Chinese, Hindu and Muslim festivals vary from year to year. Chinese New Year, in January or February, is welcomed in with dragon dances, parades and much good cheer. Chinatown is lit up with fireworks and night markets. Vesak Day in May celebrates Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. It is marked by various events, including the release of caged birds to symbolise the liberation of captive souls. The Dragon Boat Festival, held in May or June, commemorates the death of a Chinese patriot who drowned himself as a protest against government corruption. It is celebrated with rice dumplings and boat races across Marina Bay. The Chinese Festival of the Hungry Ghosts is usually celebrated in September. This is when the souls of the dead are released for feasting and entertainment on earth. Chinese operas are performed for them and food is offered; the ghosts eat the spirit of the food but thoughtfully leave the substance for mortal celebrants. During Ramadan, food stalls are set up in the evening in the Arab St district, near the Sultan Mosque. Hari Raya Puasa, the end of Ramadan in November, is marked by three days of joyful celebrations and often coincides with the Hindu Deepavali (or Diwali) festival, when Little India is festooned with lights. The festival of Thaipusam is one of the most dramatic Hindu festivals and is now banned in India. Devotees honour Lord Subramaniam with acts of amazing body-piercing. In Singapore, devotees march in procession from the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on Serangoon Rd to the Chettiar Hindu Temple on Tank Rd. Event Date Type Good Friday Mar/Apr official holiday New Year's Day 1 Jan official holiday Chinese New Year Jan/Feb official holiday Christmas Day 25 Dec official holiday National Day 9 Aug official holiday Hari Raya Puasa Oct/Nov official holiday Labour Day 1 May official holiday Hari Raya Haji Feb/Mar official holiday Vesak Day May official holiday Deepavali Oct official holiday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest siamsusie Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 When To Go Go anytime. Climate is not a major consideration, as Singapore gets fairly steady annual rainfall. Instead, coordinate your visit with one of the various festivals and events: Thaipusam is a spectacular Hindu festival, occurring around February. If shopping and eating are major concerns, April brings the Singapore Food Festival and the Great Singapore Sale is held in June. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorgon Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 ive just made my booking with the transit hotel. im landing and taking off in t2, i have just noticed that the pool and bar are located in t1. can i get to the swimming pool? Yes this is really easy and quick on a small train which takes a few seconds. They supply towels and there is changing room. You get these from the gym reception just downstairs from the pool. Don't forget to take a plastic bag to hold your swimmers! And you can have a shower in the changing room afterwards. Try a Singapore Sling from the bar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sandisonsonthemove Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 Excellent thread - thanks to Susie for starting and others for their input. I think we will go Singapore Airlines when we eventually move. Thanks all :hug: Donna x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest siamsusie Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 FAQ Questions 1What should I do if I have a connecting flight at Changi? 2I am arriving on a budget airline flight and departing on another budget airline flight. Can I get back into transit and use the Transit Hotel after clearing Customs & Immigration? 3I have to check-in at a transfer counter in a Terminal different from the one I landed in. How do I get there if I do not clear Customs & Immigration? 4If I clear Customs & Immigration upon my arrival in Singapore and have a connecting flight out of Singapore, when can I re-enter the transit area? 5Will I be able to enter Singapore during my transit at Changi Airport? 6Will I need to pay airport tax when I enter Singapore? 7Is there a place for me to leave my luggage while I walk around the Airport or in the city? 8I am concerned about missing my connecting flight out of Changi. How do I ensure that I catch my connecting flight? 9I will be transferring at Changi with a 5-hour transit before my next flight. I intend to use the Transit Hotel. How can I collect my baggage for my stay at the hotel? 10I understand passengers are not allowed to retrieve their baggage while in transit, but I left my medicine in the check-in baggage. Is there a way that I can retrieve it? Answers 1 What should I do if I have a connecting flight at Changi? (a) If you are connecting from a full service carrier flight to another.If you have your boarding pass (with a seat allocation) for your connecting flight, you may proceed directly to the gate for your connecting flight. If you do not have a boarding pass for your connecting flight, you should proceed to the nearest Transfer counter in the terminal of your connecting flight. You will then be issued with a boarding pass and arrangements will be made for the transfer of your baggage to your connecting flight.(b) If you are connecting to or from a budget airline flight.As budget airlines do not have transfer counters in the Departure Transit Lounge, you will need valid travel documents (passport, visa etc) to clear Customs and Immigration. You have to collect your baggage and check-in again at the Departure Check-in Hall of your connecting flight. If you are connecting to Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific Air or Firefly, please proceed to Terminal 2 Basement to catch the free shuttle service to the Budget Terminal. You can find our transfer counters on our Inter-Terminal Transfer Map. 2 I am arriving on a budget airline flight and departing on another budget airline flight. Can I get back into transit and use the Transit Hotel after clearing Customs & Immigration? If you arrive on JetstarAsia, Valuair or Thai Air Asia, you can stay at the Transit Hotel in Terminal 1. As the Transit Hotel is located in the Departure Transit Lounge, you should not clear Customs and Immigration upon your arrival in Singapore. We recommend that you make a room reservation with the Transit Hotel well in advance. However, you must still have the valid travel documents to clear Customs and Immigration to collect your check-in baggage from the respective airline handling agents' Lost & Found counter at the centre of the Arrival Baggage Claim Hall. It is advisable to do so at least 2 hours before you check-in for your connecting budget airline at the Departure Hall (JetstarAsia, Valuair or Thai Air Asia) or the Budget Terminal (Tiger Airways). If you are connecting to a Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific Air or Firefly flight, you can catch the free shuttle service from Terminal 2 Basement to the Budget Terminal. Note that if you are arriving on any of these budget airlines, you will not be able to use the Transit Hotels as they are only located in Terminals 1, 2 and 3. I have to check-in at a transfer counter in a Terminal different from the one I landed in. How do I get there if I do not clear Customs & Immigration? You can make your way between Terminals 1, 2 & 3 via either the Skytrain or travellators within the transit area. The Skytrain runs from 5.00am to 2.30am (including Sundays and Public Holidays). If the Skytrain is out of service, you can use the travellators. You can find Skytrain and travellator locations on our Inter-Terminal Transfer Map. If you are connecting to Tiger Airways, Cebu Pacific Air or Firefly, you must clear Customs and Immigration to check-in at the Budget Terminal. To get to the Budget Terminal, take the free shuttle service from Terminal 2 Basement. The shuttle service departs every 10 to 15 minutes. 4 If I clear Customs & Immigration upon my arrival in Singapore and have a connecting flight out of Singapore, when can I re-enter the transit area? You will only be able to re-enter the Transit Hall if you are holding the boarding pass of your flight out of Singapore issued by the airline or a self-printed boarding pass which has been endorsed by the airline. Please note that if you leave the transit area without a valid boarding pass for your departing flight, you will only be able to check-in for your connecting flight when your airline starts its Check-in operations in the Departure Check-in Hall. Check-in counters generally open at least 2 hours before flight departure. Please check with your airline for the exact opening time of Check-in counters. For further queries, you may approach any of the Information Counters at the airport. 5 Will I be able to enter Singapore during my transit at Changi Airport? Yes, you are allowed to enter Singapore during your transit as long as you have the valid travel documents (passport, visa etc). Passengers arriving on or connecting to a budget airline must clear Customs and Immigration into Singapore. You may visit the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website for further information on entry requirements into Singapore. Will I need to pay airport tax when I enter Singapore? You are not required to pay airport tax so long as your transit time is less than 24 hours. 7 Is there a place for me to leave my luggage while I walk around the Airport or in the city? Yes, you can leave your baggage at the Left Baggage counter located in all terminals. This service is available at: Terminal 1 * Departure Transit Lounge East, Level 2 * Basement West, Public Area Terminal 2 * Departure Transit Lounge South, Level 2 * Arrival Hall North, Public Area, Level 1 Terminal 3 * Departure Transit Lounge North * Basement 2 South Budget Terminal * Departure Check-in Hall I am concerned about missing my connecting flight out of Changi. How do I ensure that I catch my connecting flight? If you have a connecting flight out of Changi, you should plan your flights so that the incoming flight is scheduled to arrive at least an hour before the outgoing flight is scheduled to depart. If you are connecting between terminals, it is advisable to plan your connecting flights more than an hour apart. 9 I will be transferring at Changi with a 5-hour transit before my next flight. I intend to use the Transit Hotel. How can I collect my baggage for my stay at the hotel? Passengers are not allowed to retrieve their baggage during their transit. Hence, you should put all the items you would require for your stay at the transit hotel in your hand carry baggage 10 I understand passengers are not allowed to retrieve their baggage while in transit, but I left my medicine in the check-in baggage. Is there a way that I can retrieve it? Airlines generally are prepared to make exceptions and allow passengers to retrieve medication that is needed urgently. We would like to encourage all passengers in transit at Changi to keep their medication as well as all other necessities in your hand carry luggage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redditchcouple Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 We are travelling via Singapore Airlines A380 to Sydney on November 7th, our transfer time is only 90 mins at Changi airport. Does this mean we have to disembark our aircraft,check-in,security checks or do you think it will be the same aircraft and we will not be asked to disembark?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest siamsusie Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 We are travelling via Singapore Airlines A380 to Sydney on November 7th, our transfer time is only 90 mins at Changi airport. Does this mean we have to disembark our aircraft,check-in,security checks or do you think it will be the same aircraft and we will not be asked to disembark?? You will be given Boarding Cards in the UK for Singapore - Sydney leg of your trip..so checking in wont be necessary. Security inspection will be done at your Boarding Gate. 90 Minutes should be adequate timing for your onward journey, maybe just ascertain where your gate is so you are not rushed. Most often than not you will have another plane, this should show up on your Itinerary (Aircraft Type) Susie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellyjamie Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 yep susies right will defo be a different plane on the singapore to oz flight, we phoned singapore airlines last week about our luggage and we had already prebooked our seats, but the chap was good enough to comment we hadnt picked the best seats so he moved us ti better ones, and then booked our seats on the singapore to brisbane flight as it will be a smaller plane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunwa Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Great thread. Planning to stay there when we come out in August. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redditchcouple Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 thanks for that guys...as long as I dont have to lump luggage around the airport then I'll be fine :biggrin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hevchick Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Thanks very much for this post susie. Great info, you've answered all my questions. Now I know how I'm going to spend my 2 hours - foot spa here I come! :wink: Hev x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest siamsusie Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Pleased it came in handy Hev, The foot spa is one of my favourites as well. Enjoy! love Susie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hevchick Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Oooh, and maybe the swimming pool but definitely a shower! :laugh: Last time I flew to Singapore I stayed over in a hotel for two nights but this time we'll be in transit so got to make the most of my time in the airport. Might try to visit the butterflies as well. Hev x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest siamsusie Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Oooh, and maybe the swimming pool but definitely a shower! :laugh: Last time I flew to Singapore I stayed over in a hotel for two nights but this time we'll be in transit so got to make the most of my time in the airport. Might try to visit the butterflies as well. Hev x Thats lovely Hev, nothing like feeling refreshed for stage 2 of the journey, that whats I always do and the swimming pool is free for Transit Hotel residents as well. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DaneD Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 i bought some new swimming shorts yesterday, i didnt have any and i really want to use the swimming pool at singapore airport! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellathedog Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 After reading so many positive comments about Singapore Air, we booked with them in January this year, to fly out in October. We paid extra to have exit row seats (preferred seating) and we chose these upstairs on A380. All good so far! Then last week we had notification from them that we were being moved downstairs as all seats upstairs on this plane were now business class. It seems the next 8 A380s that are being delivered will all have this new configuration. Just thought I'd point this out, as upstairs economy seemed to be everyones preference and it's not available on every flight now with Singapore. Susie, this thread about Changi is brilliant, thank you for starting it!! Can't wait to stop there now!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve99 Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 For SIA A380, have flown several times now, if you book direct via SIA online (and its the best online booking system there is and usaualy the best price or near on) then you can instantly choose your seats. The best seats are upstairs where the window seating is in 2's not the usual 3, also the window seat has massive storage at the side. The other trick at the last minute is to go back into your booking for online check-in @ 48hrs beforehand and check through the seating to see if there are any empty'ish rows then maybe move your seat. This can give you a whole row but is a gamble as sometimes there are passengers who have not been allocated seating until they check in (strange as they automaticaly allocate you a seat whether you book online or not) and then you get caught with other people. Last time flew with Malaysian but not a scratch on SIA (A380 OR the new 777er's) with the exception of having 2'' more legroom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest siamsusie Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Yes Steve, one of our sons works for Singapore Airlines and I do confirm Poshslice's post. They have changed the configeration on the A380's and on many of the flights economy passengers are being re housed downstairs. It doesnt matter it is still a gorgeous aircraft to travel on. Susie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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