What an amazing feeling to step foot into Singapore Changi Airport after being away for over 20 years.
Singapore, I’ve missed you!
I have a long history with Singapore. I have lived and worked here over six years. Changi Airport was a home base for every Singapore Airlines flight stewardess. The annual World Airport Awards by Skytrax for 2018 ranks Singapore’s Changi Airport as the world’s best for six consecutive years! Every crew member knows which restaurants to patronize in different terminals. Changi Airport isn’t just a transit because this is where we see a doctor, buy groceries and hangout with friends.
I grew up visiting Singapore on every big school holidays
My sister and I used to join my aunt and uncle back to Johor Bahru after his meeting in Kuala Lumpur. After a few days in their house, we hopped on the bus to Singapore to stay with our uncles’ families. I spent my childhood holidays going to many attractions around the island and playing with my cousins. I even learned Singapore national song and a popular folk song Singapura from the television.
I’ve missed Singapore. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I have missed this part of my ‘home’ and yearn to return. 20 years later, here I am! My aunt and uncle have since moved to Singapore and they invite us to stay with them. I plan to show Shane all the places I’ve been and new places to visit. After two days of sightseeing, we decide we prefer to hang out at home and enjoy the companies of our hosts.
Here are some of Singapore’s attractions
- Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck – a great vantage point to get a great view of the city and coastline. We can see the Gardens by the Bay and the Cloud Forest Dome. The Merlion looks tiny from above but the Singapore Flyer is an impressive observation wheel, the largest in Asia.
- The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands – a convenient location to dine after an exhilarating time on the Skypark Deck. Be warned because the food court is EXPENSIVE! We are thinking cheap ‘economy rice’ in Malaysia forgetting we are in a tourist spot. Shane orders a few small scoops of dishes over noodle and his bill is SIN$25 while my noodle is SIN$15. Two American men are slapped with SIN$93 because they take a little of everything too. We didn’t see a small notice under the counter stating that it’s SIN$5 a scoop. The server has failed to warn us that same charge applies no matter how little we take.
Sentosa Island Attractions
- Sentosa Island – we take a short ride on a bus to Sentosa Island and visit S.E.A Aquarium. It is home to more than 100,000 marine animals of over 1,000 species, across 45 different habitats. Afterwards, we take some photos in front of the iconic Universal Studio Singapore Rotating Globe and visit some of the stores.
Historical Visit to Singapore Former Ford Factory
Aunt Susie joins us the next day to Singapore Former Ford Factory. According to Wikipedia, it is the place where British forces under Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival surrendered to Japanese forces under Lieutenant-General Yamashita Tomoyuki on 15 February 1942 after the Battle of Singapore.
Why I miss Singapore?
I come to realize why I miss Singapore after spending two days exploring the island. It is family connections I have been missing all along, not the sightseeing and food. I vow to come back again to this island and spend time visiting the rest of my relatives. Today we get to enjoy Aunt Susie and Uncle Dev’s companies and cook meals together.
Singapore Changi Airport – You’re still the Best!
It’s time for us to fly back to Malaysia. Our hosts join us early to the Changi Airport so we can explore more places and walk down memory lane. The departure terminal is new for me, it wasn’t built when I was still in Singapore. Regardless, I still have the same excitement – Singapore Changi Airport is still the best in the world for me! The incredible feeling is having my family share this experience with me! Thank you.
Singapore Changi Airport Departure Hall
Singapore Changi Airport Departure Hall is just one amazing place with great amenities to make a traveler wants to stay a day and enjoy everything. There are orchids and tropical plants everywhere. Shane loves the koi pond and the beautiful wall art in the shopping area. We try on every cozy lounge sofa in the boarding area! Yes, I love Singapore. I’m sharing a photo taken in 1992 on board a flight to Japan as a Singapore Airlines crew member.
Check out Alice & Shane Lifestyle section for more stories of our family activities.