Check in was fast at the Jetstar counter. Managed to get FREE flights for our departure. However, our Malaysia Airports Berhad still had to pay wages to the baggage attendants and service staff, thus additional airport surcharges still applied! Noting that food would NOT be cheap aboard a Singaporean owned airline, a "down-to-earth" breakfast was sought after. The McDonald's queue was too long for our schedule. The high class dim-sum was too costly, and thus, our favourite chicken stall was the chosen ONE, i.e. KFC. The set breakfast consisted of a pair of sausages, coupled with some omelette and the famous KFC bun. The mashed potatoes and porridge are optional items.
The Airbus A320 punctually took off without any hitches at 850am after the stewardess demonstrated the necessary safety procedures.
The flight was fairly full, laden with passengers, tucked into their 3-3 configuration leather seats.
The aerial view of Singapore was evident as we approached its shores lined with droves of container yards.
The armada of various international vessels were also in full view, sailing towards its ever busy ports. Density is not as high during current economic times though.
Landing in the Changi Terminal 1 was also a cinch. After making a few FREE local phone calls and visiting the duty free stores, we feted our tummies with some food after clearing immigration and customs. As we were the last to come out from the flight, there was NO queue at all. Even the bags were already stacked out from the conveyors, much to our delight.
A promotion was present in a Chinese run restaurant called Imperial Treasure Noodle & Congee House, offering Citibank card customers a 15%.
What this means is that there is NO discount on the food, as the 10% service charge is thus waived, and the current Government Sales Tax is reduced from 7% to 2%!
Portions were NOT that hefty, just enough for a snack.
Since it's the airport, prices are expected to be high.
After the quick snack, we had to take the monorail to alight at Terminal to connect to the MRT which brings us downtown.
A large Burger King outlet was present with pork burgers.
We grabbed the Singapore Tourist Pass which the MRT chaps suck your $10 deposit for 5 days, on top of the $24 which validates unlimited travel on all public transport for 3 days, except for cabs. This includes the trains and buses. The MRT Station was as usual, clad in the latest architectural designs.
We had to switch trains at TANAH MERAH station (after discovering our mistake, when the train made a U-turn back to Changi Airport).The interchange was simple as crossing to the other side of the platform.
Warning signs in the 4 major tongues was present on the tracks.
Announcements of trains were also clearly visible on 42" LCDs.
After reaching our destination at TANJONG PAGAR, we managed to grab a cab to the hotel, which was just 200m away, as the bags were taking its toil on my better half. It was a $4 well spent.
The taxis now are also being upgraded to nothing less than leather clad Hyundai Sonatas, which are fully air conditioned and accepts credit card payments, with issuance of receipts. Our Malaysian taxis are easily 20 years behind!
We checked into our Interval International Timeshare Resort, Amara Hotel. Rates for weekends were about $180 whilst weekdays were $250. Thus our entire week's stay was worth $1,610. Slap the prevailing taxes and surcharges of 17%, this brings the total to $1,884. At the time of writing, our WEAK Malaysian Ringgit was RM 2.44 to the Singapore dollar, thus prepping the value to RM 4,596 or about RM 657 per night on the average. Note that 5 star hotels are about $350 upwards per night.Aren't we glad we got the timeshare? With 3 rounds of this hotel stay, our initial investment outlay, would have been recouped!
A business class hotel with a 4 star rating. Our arrival was timely as the tropical storm set in soon afterwards.
As our room was being tidied up, we patiently waited at the concierge desk, perusing though the local dailies, which was FILLED with numerous mobile phone ads, which offered FREE phones! Much to our jealousy, as compared to the "backward" plans available in Malaysia. We also enjoyed the Xmas decors at the lobby, which featured loads of Yuletide knick knacks.
The room was a typical 30 sq metre configuration with a king size bed, which was supposed to come with a harbour view, but got apartment views instead.
All the basic amenities are all there, including PAID Wired Broadband Internet service at $2.50 PER HOUR.
Lavatory facilities were comfortable enough with a separate shower stall and a half-sized bath tub.
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After garnering a well deserved rest (waking up at 530am this morning to catch the flight is tiring, to say the least), we refreshed ourselves, and headed off to NOVENA MRT station, a couple of stops north of ORCHARD from our base TANJONG PAGAR. A quick interchange was executed at CITY HALL.
We headed to the United Square Mall via the all AIR-CONDITIONED underground pedestrian interlinks with CLEAR signage. All the public luxuries which one would ONLY DREAM OF in Kuala Lumpur!
With the festive mood in the air, the environment encapsulating UNITED SQUARE was aptly decorated.
Even at the basement concourse in this "outskirt" enclave, the level of modern Interior Design puts KLCC to shame.
A Barbie doll promotion was underway, with LIVE Caucasian models dancing and prancing on centre stage in the concourse.
We finally met up with my cousins and their friends for a sumptuous "home-cooked" Chinese restaurant called SOUP RESTAURANT. This chain of "family oriented" outlets dot many malls around Singapore. Perfect for the urban yuppy who missed Ma's meals.
The Dinner selection was perfect, all to my liking as noted below. Please don't salivate on your keyboards!
After the sumptious meal, a post-dinner exercise brought us around the mall and Cold Storage which had loads of sweet delights, normally not available in our local Malaysian supermarkets. All the foreign goods are taken for granted by the Singaporeans, but seemed to be "luxury items" for Malaysians. Look at this super large packet of Biscuits from Italy!
Shop selling exclusively, Xmas decorations.
No evening would be complete without a quick stroll to Orchard Road to view the Xmas lights. We had to fully utilize our "Unlimited Rides" Singapore Travel Pass too! Arriving under the full moonlight at Orchard station, we proceeded to the nearest shopping mall, i.e. Wisma Atria.
Loads of promotions were at hand. Wisma Atria had a live band to jazz up the evening (no pun intended). A spanking new Subaru Impreza was awaiting a lucky shopper!
I'm pretty sure the FRU would be at hand, to clamp down hoards of teenagers who would otherwise, succumb to nosebleeds, after viewing such a "skimpy" outfit, if this was allowed in Kuala Lumpur!Loads of Orchard Road buildings were lit up, but not to the levels of yesteryear, according to some locals. Decorations of the Marriott and TANGs were at its best!
Wheelock Place was also lit up with its internal glass cone facade.
After the exercise, one can't resist the temptation of some supper. What better way than to bask under the moonlight @ Burger King to relish upon the Turkey pies from POLAR Cafe (bought at United Square, Novena)
Not forgetting that we had to rely on public transport, we promptly headed back to Orchard MRT, before the last train departs, after our hour preview of nightlife in this happening area. We passed by our Russian-American Japanese starlet, Anna Tsuchiya's larger than life advertisement poster, promoting Casio's Sheen series of lovely watches, donned at the entrance of the Orchard MRT station, adjoining the new ION ORCHARD Mall, now under construction.
Till tomorrow, good night!
