Singapore Changi Airport

Souvenir Sunday at Singapore’s Changi Airport

Shopping, Souvenir Sunday, Souvenirs, , ,

Singapore’s Changi Airport has more than 230 retail outlets, so picking just one item to feature this week for Souvenir Sunday was a real challenge.  As always, the goal was to find something for under $10, “of” the city, and a wee bit offbeat.

Luckily, the live frogs I found for sale by the bushel in town at one of the “wet markets” were not available out at the airport.

Changi frog

Live orchids, Singapore’s national flower, were available at the airport, but I wasn’t so sure I’d be allowed to bring a live plant through customs.

Changi orchids

For just a second,  I considered an orchid-themed Beanie Baby (remember that craze?)

Changi beanies

But in the end I decided instead to grab some packages of local spices, mango pudding and popular Bah Kut The soup mixes – all very definitely “of” the city, and each under $10.

Changi Mango pudding

Changi Bah Kut Teh soup display

Have you found a great souvenir while being stuck at the airport?

If it’s under $10, “of” the city, and a wee bit offbeat, then please take a photo and send it along. It may be featured on a future edition of Souvenir Sunday here at StuckatTheAirport.com.

Greetings from Changi Airport: butterflies and free coffee

Art, Assistance, Entertainment, Exhibits, Free Stuff, Fun Stuff, Massages, Sleeping, Wi-Fi, , , ,

I had loads of fun touring Singapore’s Changi Airport today and wanted to share a few photos of the some of the fun, unusual, and very useful amenities this airport offers.

In addition to free wireless Internet access and more than 500 free Internet terminals, Changi Airport has five lovely and restful gardens, including a cactus garden, a fern garden, a sunflower garden, an orchid garden and, my favorite, a butterfly garden:

Changi butterflies

There are napping areas throughout the airport, including some lounge chairs that include alarm clocks (!)  and I found these ladies enjoying some of the airport’s complimentary foot and leg massage machines.

Changi leg massage

And, in case you’re not quite awake, I guess, this giant coffee cup is around to remind travelers that on Monday mornings through mid-February, there’s free coffee for everyone.

Changi - free coffee

Michael Jackson Tribute shows at Singapore Changi Airport

Entertainment, Free Stuff, Fun Stuff, Music, , , , , ,

Is it Michael Jackson, or Michael Jackson impersonator Edward Moss there at Changi Airport?

Changi Michael Jackson Tribute

Sadly, since the King of Pop is still dead, the “Michael Jackson” you’ll see performing at Singapore’s Changi Airport through October 7th is going to be Mr. Moss.

Moss is performing three times a day, in Changi’s Terminal 1 Departure/ Transit Mall and in the Terminal 3 Departure Hall. The shows will include Michael Jackson trivia quizzes and prizes of Jackson CDs and DVD albums.

In addition to screenings of the trailer for the Michael’s tribute film, This Is It, scheduled to be released at the end of this month, travelers will also get to see an exhibit about Jackson’s career, watch concert and video footage, and buy Michael Jackson books and music from booths that will be open from 4 pm until 10 pm through October 7th.  Here’s a link to the schedule for Changi’s Michael Jackson tribute peformances.

CHANGI MJThriller

Dwell well at San Francisco Int’l and Singapore’s Changi Airport

Design, , ,

sfo-intl-lobby

Dwell magazine’s June 2009 issue picks San Francisco International Airport’s International Terminal as the Best Airport in the United States and Singapore’s Changi Airport as the Best International Airport.

Writer Tom Downs says SFO’s International Terminal “elevates expectations with its sweeping, wing like roof and custom lettering oozing cosmopolitan style… Waylaid travelers can busy themselves with an aquarium, an aviation museum, thoughtful art and culture exhibits, spa treatments, quality restaurants, and wireless Internet.”

changi-aiport-singapore-interiorWhile Downs says Changi Airport’s indoor waterfall “does approach Las Vegas standards of excess…,” he allows that “the vines, tasteful wood trim, and warm tones help offset the coldness commonly found in international hubs.”  And he certainly approves of the “24-hour cinema, spa, showers, children’s play areas, and free Internet service.”

Do you agree?