Erk's 2014 Pacamerican Circle

[erkpod]

For the 0.01% of regular AFFers who haven't been to Changi (until I got here last week, that figure was probably 0.02%), here's some T3 pics.











By my own admission, I didn't see the lights of Singapore. Maybe next time.

 

[erkpod]

Does anyone know how to drive this thing? It seems to be stuck on Asian lady settings.

 

[markis10]

I think your crazy to be at the airport that early, would have checked in then headed downtown for a drink at Raffles and dinner at one of the Quays if you had not seen the lights etc.

 

[markis10]

Another thought, have your tried getting on the City Lights free tour

Free Singapore Tour - Changi Airport

 

[erkpod]

I think your crazy to be at the airport that early, would have checked in then headed downtown for a drink at Raffles and dinner at one of the Quays if you had not seen the lights etc.

First time at Changi & I've had my fill of Singapore this time. I've had plenty of time to see the lights. Maybe it's the end of nearly 2 months away from home talking but I'm enjoying exploring the airport. I'll be heading to the lounge soon.

 

[erkpod]

Some nature shots while at the airport.

 

[erkpod]

I'm sure the koi thought they were getting food from that guy.





In case it needed to be said, don't swim in the koi pond, don't feed the koi & don't fish the koi.

 

[erkpod]

Of course I had to take the Skytrains in between terminals.

 

[erkpod]

Oh look, there's a red Kangaroo over there...



... and a Tiger over there ...







... and a peanut with a Captain's hat.

 

[Pushka]

Are M&M's having a giant promo at the moment?

Safe travels home.

 

[erkpod]

Are M&M's having a giant promo at the moment?

Safe travels home.

Every M & M store I pass (and there's a few of them!) seems to have Red & Yellow doing something different.

 

[erkpod]

I saw an A380 pull in behind an A330. I thought it would be a good SQ/SQ shot.



From gate level



From food court level. D'oh!

 

[erkpod]

Up to lounge level & I head to the Silver SQ lounge. Lounge Angel says to me "Sir, feel free to go to the Gold lounge around the corner."

Around to the Gold lounge & the lounge angel welcomes me to the lounge, almost forgetting to give my passport back.

I do a lap around the lounge & look for the toilet. I ask the lounge angel & she says I have to go outside & around the corner. I ask if she'll remember me & she says she will ... and she does.

No western meals (not surprised based on other people's experiences) but self serve soft drink & alcohol (win!) in the serving area. Not surprisingly, no VA hot dogs. LOL.

What did surprise me was the lack of flight screens.

I'm sitting here comfortably (as comfortably as one can when the air conditioners are seemingly painted on the walls) closest to the gates before my flight departs in 4 hours.

Again for the 0.01% of the AFF regulars who haven't seen inside the lounge, some pics.

 

[erkpod]

With about 15 minutes to go before security & boarding, now seems like a good time to thank everyone for reading, liking & commenting on my TR.

Hope you've enjoyed traveling with me on this epic 57 day adventure. I look forward on being able to read back through this report, the photos on Flickr & the audio I recorded.

Next stop Sydney on SQ231 around lunchtime Wednesday for anyone playing along at home.

 

[Meggsy]

Thanks for sharing this TR Erkpod. I have thoroughly enjoyed every post and it looks like you have had a great trip.

 

[erkpod]

I have arrived at SYD. Just awaiting something to clear our gate. Flight report & final pics this afternoon.

 

[Hvr]

I have arrived at SYD. Just awaiting something to clear our gate. Flight report & final pics this afternoon.

And I'm looking forward to them. This has been a great report in real time with awesome pics.

Much appreciated.

 

[erkpod]

Flight Report, SQ231 SIN - SYD
Wednesday 26 February

Check in: Followed the signs to Y check in. Saw a note for *A & SQ SG to check in at another counter so I did. Agent thought that I shouldn't be charged for excess baggage due to VFF SG but the computer says that she should charge me. She goes & checks with her supervisor who agrees with her (and me). No charge. Allocated 73F, my first time on the upper deck on an A380 on this trip. Bags were *A priority tagged.

Immigration: Stamp stamp stampity stamp. No problem there. Security is done at the gate.

Lounge: See pics & info in previous report. No flight info screens inside the lounge. Not every flight boarding announcement was made as I found out. Lots of gate change announcements.

Boarding: Due to start at 2345 but started 15 minutes late at midnight. No boarding announcement in lounge. Ended up rushing to gate but missed the crowds.

Security: Dear airports of the world & umbrella organisations - can we please sort out if we want iPads in or out of the bag. Got through fairly easily.

Delays: Pushed back about 15 minutes late due to late boarding. 2 passengers' bags needed to be offloaded due to no shows. Arrived early into Sydney but held outside gate due to previous plane still at gate. Further held because the captain said the gate & the guide system was broken. Close to original scheduled time.

Sleep: I sat in 72F instead of allocated 73F. 72DEFG vacant. Noted some vacant exit row seats & row 80. Slept for most of the flight, often with the blanket over my head. Woken up for beeakfast despite having a blanket over my head. Suggested to the Singapore Girl that they should supply eye masks. To my surprise, she brought me back an eye mask - I put it on & went back to sleep.

CBP: No problem. Noted that people from the UK, US & Singapore can now use Smartgate in addition to Aussies & Kiwis. About 20 - 25 minutes plane to street. Not prodded, poked, swabbed or x-rayed.

 

[TomVexille]

Fantastic work Erk!

Loved following your blow by blow account of your trip. Thanks for posting.

 

[Doug_Westcott]

Welcome home to Australia. Sounds like you had a fun packed time. Really appreciate your regular reports.

When is your next trip?