I cannot begin to tell you how many times we have transited through Singapore, a major gateway to Asia. A person in a jet-lagged coma (me) can manage to find their way around Singapore's amazing Changi Airport, make hotel reservations, and take a free tour of Singapore (been there...done it). if you are stuck in transit. And, if you have a chance to use Singapore Airlines, one of the Best Airlines in the World, you are one lucky-ducky.

Whether Singapore is part of your group tour or just a stop through Asia, try to spend at least two days in Singapore. Singapore Airlines recently had such a deal! Hotel Accommodation, airport-hotel-airport transfers, free rides on SIA Hop-on Bus and SIA Hop-on Sentosa Shuttle, free admission to seven attractions and more...are you ready for this... for $1 per person a night... OMG... Keep an eye on the Singapore Airlines site for the enticing fare sales and special offers.

Continue reading "Sheila's Fast and Easy Singapore" »

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Start spreading the news. At long last, there is a premium, luxury hotel at Singapore's Changi Airport. Inbound flights from the United States usually arrive around midnight and return flights, both home and to other Asian destinations, begin early in the morning. That doesn't leave many options for wiling away the long hours in between. Misconnecting on onward flights for years in and and out of Singapore, ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and I have always coped by:

- Spending a few extra days in Singapore at the start or end of a trip;

- Sleeping and stretching out on seats in the comfortable and clean airport when there was less than 7 hours between flights;

- Booked rooms in the Transit Hotel on the second level of Changi Airport. You can rent a room for 4 hours or more but it's noisy (people coming and going all night) as well as expensive if you need more than 4 hours; and

Continue reading "Crowne Plaza Hotel, Changi International Airport, Singapore" »

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It took days to actually get to Kathmandu. A 14-1/2 hour non-stop United flight from Chicago to Hong Kong, four hour layover, three more air hours to Singapore for a one-night stay. It was impossible to do the entire journey, Chicago-Kathmandu in two days without misconnecting somewhere, ergo, one night in Singapore. (Read some of my prior entries, Visiting Singapore for more details on Singapore.)

This time, we stayed at Le Meridien Hotel, in the heart of Orchard Road and all the shopping malls. Feeling good after a fast seven-hour deep sleep, it was time for breakfast and time to experiment with the MRT, Singapore's super fast and clean transportation system. Give public transportation a try in countries that are safe and clean. It isn't necessary to spend a fortune on taxi's...

Continue reading "On The Way to Kathmandu, Nepal Via Singapore and Delhi" »

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Singapore is hot and humid the entire year. Casual clothes and flip-flops are worn day and night and, if you have curly hair like myself, another one of my pastimes is hourly watching to see how much my hair expands from the humidity. I usually look like a walking Brillo or SOS pad within minutes.

Hotels. Singapore has a multitude of 4**** and 5***** hotels along with many less expensive ones but one of our favorites is the Regent. We started staying at the Regent Hotel years back (got a great rate on an Internet site) but what keeps us coming back is the incredible service.

On our first stay, "ex-Marine" and I, dressed in our usual "street people" clothes, dripping with sweat, had purchased an "older" Indonesian chest in a market. We dripped up to the concierge desk, sweat beads flying and asked if they could possibly find a cardboard box for us to package it and ship through baggage on the way home.

Continue reading "More To Know About Visiting Singapore" »

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Whether you call it the "Lion City" or "Garden City," Singapore is sure to make a positive impression on you. 1980 was our first visit to Singapore and, like everyone else, were struck by its extreme cleanliness, ethnic diversity of both the food (a foodie paradise), people and friendliness. When was the last time you visited a country that has four official languages: English, Tamil, Chinese and Malay! And, is among the 20 smallest countries in the world with the #1 Airport, #1 Airline and #1 bunkering port.

We have returned many times since then because Singapore is one of the major gateways to Asia and is convenient to transit in and out. Not to mention, it gives us a chance to use Singapore Airlines, rated #1 as the Best Airline in the World on a yearly basis. And, each time we fly (or transit) through Singapore's amazing Changi Airport, it's always a wonderful surprise to experience its user friendliness, cleanliness and one time, even used the free tours of Singapore offered to passengers in transit for more than 4 hours.

Continue reading "Visiting Singapore" »

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