Singapore - Chinese and Japanese Garden

Today I went to the Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden in the west. Promoted as a tourist attraction, there was actually very few people. Some are retirees and a few tourists. I think the tourism board need to do more to attract more people to visit.

There is construction going on right now and I hope the gardens can be spruced up with boardwalks that open to the lake. Taking a walk in the park on a cloudy afternoon is actually quite pleasant. Although the garden is free to visit, there isn't much to do around here. The main attractions are the big pagoda and the smaller twin pagodas. The bridges are fine, nothing too impressive, but that's about it.

I hope the gardens can become a lot more attractive in future !

Japanese garden red bridge

Japanese garden white bridge

I climbed to the highest floor. The view is magnificent !

A rewarding climb to the top !

Confucius. An important personality in Chinese history

Twin pagodas. Shorter climb on both of them. The view is great as well  !

Bridge

Chinese sayings. Sadly I'm not too well versed in it.

Entrance to the Chinese garden

Singapore - Bukit Panjang park

Tucked away in a corner of Bukit Panjang is a road that leads under the Bukit Timah Expressway towards a secluded bike trail. The day I went, there are only about five people there. Nearby there is a bicycle rental shop, a shelter area with toilet amenities and a free carpark. Yup. That's about it.

Another of my recent discovery...

Under the Bukit Timah Expressway

Biking trail

At the entrance of the park

Free carpark with electronic barrier

A trail that leads to nowhere

Singapore - 小桂林

I have the slightest impression that I have visited 小桂林 before, but it's so long ago that I cannot remember when.

Anyway, this is in Singapore, not China. Though I will definitely like to visit China's 桂林, which is one of the top attractions of China.

Meanwhile, in Singapore, it is not exactly a top attraction. A normal weekday only attracts very few patrons. It is located in Bukit Batok suburbs, accessible by public bus. Here are some photos:

It's a limestone cliff.

So having seen Singapore's version, I'm very tempted to head over to China to see the real version of 桂林.

Singapore - Changi beach

I have been to Changi beach. Over the past month. After about three decades...

Changi beach is a plane spotter's paradise. You can spot planes comfortably on a bench all day long. Inbound planes arriving into Changi Airport usually come in two directions, either from the south (you see the MBS) or from the north (you see Changi beach).

Changi beach is accessible by private transport (too many carparks) and public transport (a few bus stops just steps away from the beach).

Changi beach is also connected to Changi village via a bridge.

On a weekday, there are very few people along the beach. Just me, the sea and the planes.

SQ 747 Cargo

Changi beach docking station for small boats

A great curvature

Panorama effect. Makes the place look more bent than it really is.

SQ

Thai B747

Eva Air 773er

Jetstar. Most of the planes I observed are narrowbodies on regional flights in the morning and early afternoons.

Seems that this direction is usually reserved for inbound flights. I have only spotted once when this direction is used for take-offs.

Still, a great way to spend the day !

Upcoming trip or trips 2016 year-end

I have finalized my Northern Lights trip next month. A flight to the Scandinavia, a domestic flight to the top of the world, literally. A cruise on the Hurtigruten, which will be my first, a ride on the Norway train. And finally a ride on the Arctic Circle train.

Like what I have said in my previous post, I'm very excited and looking forward to it. A lot of firsts for me.

Recently, I also realized that my star alliance gold status was due to expire end of this year. Some briefs on this gold card. My gold card is obtained from SQ, which allows me to accumulate my flying miles in it. 

Over the years, my leisure flying has earned me some miles which I have redeemed for some short economy class flights and more importantly, a Suites class flight from Singapore to Auckland. In terms of other benefits, lounge access pre-flight worldwide for me and one guest when travelling with star alliance airlines such as Turkish, Aegean, Eva Air and soon SAS. Some lounge amenities come with shower and a buffet of delicious foods. Another benefit is an extra baggage which comes in handy if I'm travelling with someone.

Yup, the gold card has really given me substantial privileges, so I'm inclined to renew my gold status for another year. Now comes the issue. The easiest and cheapest way to earn miles is by flying United Airlines. Because they give 100% for even the deeply discounted tickets. Not my favourite airline of course. Plenty of negative online reviews.

I have taken one flight with United on their dreamliner B789 from Singapore to San Francisco direct. A 14+ hour flight. Quite bearable actually. Food is okay. Entertainment on the PTV screen is great on their dreamliner plane. Seat is okay for me as well as I don't have a big size. So their dreamliner is worth travelling on.

With that, I'm now planning a second trip end of this year. To nowhere in particular. More to accumulate sufficient miles to keep my status. United has some cheap flights from China and Hong Kong to a few cities in the U.S. which I'm still checking out. Hopefully I can keep my costs to a minimum. But I want to book early, having learnt my lesson with hurtigruten.

All right, that's it.

Staycation - Changi Airport Crowne Plaza

I have stayed twice at the Changi Airport Crowne Plaza. It is easily one of my favourite hotels. Because ... planes ! Yes, I like to see planes, especially at such near distances. I don't call myself an aviation nerd.. I have come across online blogs of such people and the things they do and I am no where at their level. For one, I don't spot planes on a regular basis.

Anyway, a short one night stay at Changi Airport Crowne Plaza is very costly, by Singapore's standard. Even after discounts that I received, it is still costly. So I intend to treasure precious moments of my time there, by taking lots of photos for keepsake. Here goes..

Unique swimming pool among the trees

A big bathroom, with runway view, if you don't mind

The runway view from the hotel room. The closest I can get without boarding the plane!

One of my favourites, Emirates A380. All economy lower deck. I have taken it on 4 different segments to London and Amsterdam.

Jetstar plane with colourful livery

Airport skytrain

SQ A380 with our Singapore flag livery, in conjunction with SG50

Scoot. All boeing 787 fleet. I have taken it once. The cabin atmosphere is great, more bearable to other plane types.

Eva Air. I have taken its business laurel class, elite class and economy class. My favourite is of course the reverse herringbone business class seats.

Singapore - Gardens by the Bay

Today I explored some parts of the Gardens by the Bay which I have not been to before. This magnificent garden has been open for some years already but due to work I could not find time to come and explore.

Now finally I have time and I want to really explore what Singapore has to offer. One thing's for sure, the garden offers some great views of downtown Singapore!

From the underground carpark with similar HDB rates, an escalator up and I saw 3 supertrees.

Supertree

Floral clock

Over the bridge

the MBS with the 'spaceship' at the top

Singapore' top attractions: flyer, supertree, dome 

I counted 15 supertrees in all. Some are connected by the tree top walk.

Over another bridge towards MBS

MBS hotel. It costs $464 a night with breakfast at the cheapest.

I ended my trip by spotting this auto vehicle.