Things to do in Singapore

If you stranded at the airport now because of the volcanic ash, don’t fret. The disruption to all the air travel in and out of Europe has not only kept you at the airport without a shower for the last 48 hours, but my German sausages have been delayed too. But there are people having a good time because of the Iceland volcano PMS … people like the air stewardess who are having the extended holidays in Switzerland and the luggage handlers at the airport who are enjoying ultra long lunch breaks (they are eating food meant for the planes).

I am not here to get you that special air ticket via our secret underground airport or extra special discount hotel room rate (because there is none). If the suggestions to keep you sane here are not relevant, then I hope it will just keep your mind entertained for a few minutes. But you have to stay positive, and look at the bright side. The Icelandic eruption is probably like a pimple that popped out pus and splattered on the mirror when you squeeze it. It’s clearing a little bit of dirt in the ground.

Ok, so here are the things to do when you are stranded here at the Changi Airport. The FIRST thing to do is to check your tickets, MAKE SURE you are flying back to some parts of Europe and not Asia and your flight is cancelled. Dumb right?

If your flight is really cancelled, then confirm the details with the airline staff. See if there is any reshedule any time soon. Checked. No reshedule, then bring your luggages to the lost and found department at the airport. Just ask around where this department is (should be at some corner of the arrival hall). Go over and deposit your luggages there. Tell them you are one of those lucky passengers selected to travel round the country again. LEAVE your contact details with them and also get the number of the office. Then leave your details with the airline office and tell them to call you when there is news. Get their number as well and prepare coins to call them every three hours. Once ready, get out of the airport.

Head to the airport bus terminal and take a bus. Will not cost you more than three dollars to get anywhere you want. Here are some suggestions for nearby tourist attractions:

1. Take a bus to East Coast Park. Wonderful beach. Rent a bicycle or roller blades and enjoy the sun. Stop by the hawker centre for some suger cane juice and bbq chicken wings and satay for lunch.

2. Take a bus to Changi Village. Sorry no transvestites to watch during the day. Otherwise enjoy the serenity around the beach and maybe stop by one the shops offering Chinese massage. Have coffee or tea in one those cafes along the road.

3. Take a bus to Tampines town or Bedok Town. They are about half an hour from the airport. These two are residents’ areas with local shopping malls. Check out the local wet markets. Go up to one of those flats and walk along the corridors. Have a look at lives of the average Singaporean. If you are lucky, someone may invite you into their house for some soon kuey with barley drink (afternoon tea).

So this is a short itinery for your short stay at the airport. But if you are too lazy to move out of the airport, there is also a few other things to do. There is roller coaster at the airport, a casino, a chocolate factory, indoor wind surfing ……

Something else to do if you have time …. Kayaking at Lower Seletar Reservoir