Check-in at Changi airport in Singapore was fast. We had looked at our seats online. The flight had sets of three abreast seats. I chose an aisle. One empty seat between me and the other passenger in my little row. She had got on in Australia and had put her coat in the middle seat and fell asleep through the meal service.
Film
No matter. I watched the film about Jewel, the redeveloped car park now a shopping mall with a giant waterfall in the middle. I was there the week it opened to the public when it was very crowded.
The film showed the man who designed the music for the sound and light show on the waterfall, the grand official opening which happened about six months after the preview which I had seen.
I must admit that what I saw was different. I loved the waterfall. I enjoyed the coffee museum early photos at the back of the coffee shop. My post about it it is somewhere way back on this blog.
Lounge Food
Before boarding we went to the lounge. You could view the food offerings. No touching. You order or ask for it. You can serve yourself coffee or, in my case, hot chocolate. From a machine. Also wine from an Enomatic.
The chicken meal I ordered was pleasant enough. Not memorable.
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
On board it seemed quite a wait until the late night supper. I was happy enough. I liked the vanilla bean ice cream. i was not expecting to like it. Vanilla ice cream usually looks like plain white and tastes of nothing. But the vanilla cream was yummy.
My husband didn't like it. He is a bit of a fuss pot. He carries his own small wine glass in order to drink on board in style. Sort of DIY first class. Before we started our diet, because of Covid-19, we used to bring our own chocolates on board to end the meal in economy.
I slept in the upright position. After I reclined my seat. No problem.
Airline Breakfast
Breakfast arrived. The egg cake was delicious. The pale veal sausage was rubbery. On the other hand, so were the old dark pink Viennas which I loved in my youth.
I managed to get to the toilet before we landed. To cut the queues, airlines should have one toilet designated for people who want to be quick.
We could also do with a soundproof section for babies and small children. And prevent toddlers from running up and down the aisles beyond that area.
Secret Bin Pedal In Toilets
Two secrets I discovered. Firstly, in the toilet. I made several attempts to stuff waste paper after drying my hands, into the bin. Later I noticed the foot pedal on the floor. Which doesn't have much effect if the bin is already full. But it's there. Why don't they tell you. Er - actually they do. One sign on the wall, another on the flap. How could I have missed it!
Secret Arm Rest Lifter
The second secret. My husband who flies even more than I do, knows how to lift the arm on the aisle side. There's a button under the arm rest at the back. A well kept secret. But handy when you are bringing down your suitcase from the overhead rack and want to move it quickly onto the seat area out of the way of the other people who are getting off the plane.
Because of Covid-19, with regulations about not crowding people together, debarking or deboarding was very civilised. Instead of the usual scrum, we left the plane only a few rows at a time when instructed to do so.
The walk at Heathrow seemed never ending. But we had arrived. Mission accomplished.
You can wait in a coffee bar for your driver to arrive. Look for the breakfast specials. If you are ready for a second breakfast.
Useful Websites
https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/travel-info/precautionary-measures/
https://www.c19testing.co.uk/rapidtravel/
https://www.changiairport.com/
About the author
Angela Lansbury lives in the UK and Singapore.
No comments:
Post a Comment