Layover at Singapore Changi Airport
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward….” - Leonardo Da Vinci.
The Singapore Changi airport has been designated one of the best airports in the world. I was excited at the chance to see all the marvels that I had read about. Twelve hours might be too long a time but surprisingly it passed faster than you might imagine.
Our flight landed at Terminal 3. After disembarking from the aircraft, we took a SkyTrain to the T3 transit area. Free tours are offered by Singapore airlines of the city and/or the Jewel inside the airport. I chose not to take one of the tours, instead armed with a guide to all the marvels at the airport I decided to use the Skytrain system to wander through terminals, 1, 2 and 3 at my own pace.
Initially I had thought to leave my hand luggage at a luggage concierge in Terminal 3 but because I had a laptop, they would not hold my stuff. Instead, the lady suggested a similar facility in terminal 2 that was larger and had luggage scanning capabilities. In the end I just ended up keeping my luggage with me as I wandered.
I was so excited to see this large Bacha Coffee shop almost as we exited the sky train. On my recent trip to Morocco, the Bacha Palace and Bacha coffee had been one of the places to visit but it was closed due to damage sustained in the recent earthquake. I decided to wait a while before tasting the coffee.
As I wandered through Terminal 3 I stopped t admire the designer row. but it was this store with its over the top aquarium facade that caught my eye.
I took a peep inside the butterfly garden also located in terminal 3 as I made my way towards the Sky train stop that would take me to Terminal 2.
In order to go visit the famous Jewel I had to complete all formalities to exit the transit area and enter the public area but before I headed down to immigration one last stop at the Orchid Garden.
This beautiful area had orchids galore and these beautiful blown glass sculptures full of flowers. It seemed an important selfie and photo stop.
Finally, the jewel in Changi’s crown, the tallest indoor waterfall in the world. Sponsored by HSBC the rain Vortex cascades down seven stories surrounded by a lush rain forest. You can view this from the Sky train that goes between Terminals 2 and 3 though it is actually located in the public area of Terminal One.
The area is full of people taking selfies, I saw a lady all dressed by in a cheongsam holding a fan posing. I also had an interesting discussion about walking shoes with a cute young Indian couple whom I met as I wandered through the entertainment complex and considered stopping at one of my favorite dim sum restaurants for lunch.
Even though I still had plenty of time I decided to head back to Terminal 3 and the lounge. As I entered the departures area of Terminal 3, I saw this beautiful display of the dragon welcoming the lunar year of the dragon.
Armed with a slew of recommendations from the staff in the lounge I wandered through the Singapore Food Street but decided to pass on food.
And taste the most expensive cup of coffee that I have ever drunk. $36 USD for their best coffee. The to go coffee is served along with a cup of Chantilly cream and a sugar stick. Despite being in sticker shock, I decided that I just had to spend a bit extra and try their brioche with Turkish Delight at its center. I will say the coffee was delicious but was it worth the price, the jury is still out.
Before I knew it the day was done, and it was time for my onward flight. As we were taxing for our spot to take off this airplane was being towed across the runway. I’m sure my imagination can supply a story though the truth is left behind with the airport authorities in Singapore.