SG50 “Window” Displays at Changi Airport Terminal 1

Changi Airport's special exhibitions and displays are always intriguing and picture-perfect. It is also a very creative airport that offers entertainment concepts that are not usually associated with airports. Even though Terminal 1 is undergoing improvements, Changi Airport has creatively incorporated pretty window-like displays around one of the enclosed areas. These “windows” are tiny, and the displays light up and move. These displays remind me of the window displays in Australia during the Christmas holidays, except that the displays in Changi Airport are SG50-themed to commemorate Singapore's 50th year of independence.

The displays are of Singaporean attractions, which are also national icons. One of the window displays is of the Botanical Gardens, which was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. The purple orchids also give a strong sense of the Singapore identity, since orchids closely form both Singapore’s and the Botanical Gardens’ heritages, and Singapore's national flower is an orchid (Fun fact: Singapore’s national flower is the Vanda Miss Joaquim).

The next window depicts the Singapore Flyer and the Formula 1 night race in the city. The race car moves up and down, and it is a reminder of the Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix that was held in September. It embraces the night grand prix concept that Singapore hosts in the heart of the city, with the city lights illuminating the night sky that form the beautiful backdrop.

The third window is a mini-Changi Airport. The iconic control tower takes centre-stage in this display, and the Skytrain, which links all three terminals, moves up and down on the bright and cool track. The Skytrain in the display is the tiny version of the normal-sized Skytrains that are currently covered in illustrations to commemorate Singapore’s 50th year of independence, referred to as SG50.

The final window display in this post is of the Merlion. The Merlion is half-lion and half-fish, and there are five official life-sized Merlions around Singapore. This majestic creature has a primary role in the story of how Singapore was discovered and named “Singapura” by Sang Nila Utama, a prince from Palembang. In this display, the blue waves move around the Merlion, similar to the Merlion at Merlion Park in the city.

These window displays are fun to watch, even though they are small. The movements and bright lights in the displays add joy to viewing them, and they attract many happy travellers who are keen to snap their pictures. Head to Changi Airport Terminal 1 to enjoy these displays.

These displays are located near the Skytrain platform bound to Terminal 2, and the location is near to the AirAsia check-in counters.

Top Five Awesome Activities at Changi Airport, Singapore

Changi Airport is undoubtedly one of the best airports in the world. From its world-class amenities to creativity, this airport is a destination of its own. Once you have cleared the immigration, you can explore this awesome airport further. If your airline provides the early check-in service, it is worth to pay the additional costs (like I do) to spend time in exploring and enjoying the various facilities in this amazing airport. Here are the top five fun and awesome activities to enjoy at Changi Airport.

#1: Movie Theatre

There are two theatres in the Airport, one in Terminal 2 and the other in Terminal 3. The theatres are mini cinemas that play famous movies for all travellers to enjoy. The theatre in Terminal 2 is located near the gaming kiosks (yes, there really are gaming kiosks at Changi Airport!) and sunflower garden. The theatre in Terminal 3 is located near the Transit Hotel. I enjoyed watching movies there while waiting for my flight to the Gold Coast late in the evening.

#2: Gardens

The airport truly lives up to Singapore’s name as a garden city. The outdoors are embraced through five gardens around the airport, including the butterfly and sunflower gardens. These gardens allow travellers to go outdoors and observe the planes while admiring the lush greenery.

The gardens are beautiful at night too. This is the sunflower garden at night.

#3: Television-Viewing Areas

Travellers can catch-up on their favourite television shows, keep up-to-date with sports and watch the latest news at the television lounges in Terminals 2 and 3. There are limited seats at these areas, and the speakers are in the armrests of the comfortable one-seat sofas. Channels including MTV, BBC and The National Geographic Channel.

#4: Food

Changi Airport is also a notable attraction for its variety of food choices. From local cuisine to Western delights, this airport caters for a variety of taste buds. Hard Rock Café, Dunkin Doughnuts, Texas Chicken, the Coffee Bean, Subway, Starbucks and many more restaurants are located in the airport. As for local street food such as satay and char kway teow, a “hawker” centre, named the Singapore Food Street, is located at Terminal 3. The décor resembles the traditional Singaporean shop-houses and streets that were common from some generations ago. Travellers can also view the planes from Singapore Food Street while enjoying their food.

Singapore Food Street

The Coffee Bean at Terminal 1

#5: Colouring Stations

There are colouring areas around Changi Airport where both kids and adults can colour over wooden carved designs with crayons. Designs such as the airport’s control tower and Terminal 3 are fun to colour, and you can bring your masterpieces home to remember your holiday.

There are some colouring stations before immigration too, such as the one in Terminal 3 at the Basement 1 level.

Note: You do not need to pay any additional fees to enjoy these activities, except for the food.

Chocolate and Nut Mini Rolls from Jollibean in Singapore

Jollibean is famous for a special core ingredient that they include in their products: soybeans. Soybeans are known for their health benefits such as providing vitamins and minerals.

Jollibean’s mini chocolate and nut rolls are bite-sized and are perfect as a snack. The combination of chocolate and nuts is delicious. The combination of creamy and crunchy textures in the fillings are not only pleasing to the eyes, but also to the taste buds. The fluffy pancake is the base for a selection of different fillings from Jollibean’s menu. You can view the preparation of food and drinks since Jollibean’s layout follows an open concept.

The rolls with ice lemon tea from Kopi Alley. Click here to read the Kopi Alley Post

Jollibean is currently having an offer of $3.90 which includes a pack of chocolate and nut mini rolls and a cup of classic soy milk.

Toasts at Kopi Alley in Woodlands, Singapore

Kopi Alley is a cost-friendly Singaporean café that offers a variety of local food enjoyed by many generations.

Although the two must-try dishes are their toasts, their other items on the menu are nice too.

Must-Try Toast #1: Kaya Toast

Kaya toast is one of Singapore’s signature dishes. Although it is typically a breakfast item, kaya toast is enjoyed throughout the day.

Kaya is typically defined as an Asian jam made with coconut and eggs. Kopi Alley’s kaya includes pandan, which makes the kaya green. Although you can choose your preferred bread for the toast at Kopi Alley, nothing beats the good old traditional bread. This bread is thin and very crispy when toasted, thus adding the crunch in the dish.

Must-Try Toast #2: Peanut Butter Toast

Peanut butter lovers will absolutely love this toast. The thin and crunchy traditional toast is delicious with peanut butter too.

Overall, Kopi Alley is a delightful place to visit with family and friends.

Kopi Alley (Woodlands)

Woodlands Civic Centre

900 South Woodlands Drive

Level 1

Nearest MRT station: Woodlands

Appam At Changi Airport T3, Singapore

Changi Airport is a destination of its own and never fails to impress its visitors with fascinating amenities; from the outdoor gardens (my favourite is the sunflower garden) to the wide ranges of shops. Terminal 3 is home to Kopitiam, which is basically a food court selling local food at affordable prices. One of the stalls that is busy during the peak hours is the Local Snacks stall, and their stand-out snacks are their appams.

Appams are native to South Asia and is usually consumed as a meal. To me they are milk pancakes, since milk is one of the core ingredients. The middle of the appam is fluffy, and it is crispy on its surroundings. Many foodies enjoy this humble yet delicious delicacy. Appams can be elevated by adding modern twists to the flavours. My favourite version of appam is the one with chocolate drizzled, and nuts and sugar sprinkled all over it. This appam is the perfect treat, and what’s more is that it is served with grated coconut and more sugar as sides.

The chocolate and nuts appam looks like a dream come true for appam and chocolate fans, and it catches many patrons’ eyes whenever it is served. Whenever you are at Changi Airport, head down to the Local Snacks stall located at Kopitiam in Terminal 3 at the 2nd basement level (public area). The stall is next to a bakery. Do note, however, that the Kopitiam is not accessible upon clearing immigration, therefore you should visit it before entering the immigration hall.

Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore

It’s that time of the year to light up the lanterns at night and savour delicious mooncakes. The yearly Mid-Autumn Festival is a harvest festival. Although this festival is celebrated by ethnic Chinese in Singapore, other ethnicities join the festivities, thus celebrating as a community.

The first attribute to the Mid-Autumn Festival are lanterns. Children love choosing and admiring the colourful lanterns and carrying them around at night. The traditional lanterns are made from paper and tend to be in simple block colours. Now, there are more modern paper lanterns with cartoon characters either printed on them or the lanterns themselves are shaped as the characters. Another version of the lantern is multi-coloured and made from cellophane. These lanterns are shaped as animals, and look cool at night when lighted up. These lanterns are brought outside at night and are lighted by a candle inside each lantern. Another trend that has emerged is the battery-operated lanterns. Not only can these lanterns light up, they have music too when turned on!

Lanterns sold at a local supermarket - NTUC Fairprice

The second (and delicious) attribute to the festival are the mooncakes. Mooncakes are round and have patterns on the pastries’ shells. The traditional mooncakes are baked with pastes inside them. Some of these mooncakes have egg yolks in the middle of the cakes, but there are plenty of non-egg yolk options. Common pastes include red bean and lotus pastes. Modern twists to the mooncake include ice cream mooncakes, and new pastes such as chocolate and durian pastes are becoming popular.

Mooncake with Lotus Paste

Bazaars during the Mid-Autumn Festival season are common, and the mooncakes look scrumptious. It is always interesting to discover new innovations with mooncakes and lanterns.

The bazaar at Sun Plaza’s atrium has been decorated to set the festival’s scenes. There are many mooncake stalls from hotels and other suppliers. The lanterns that are levitating above the atrium add colour, and are pretty.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is on 27^th September 2015.

HOW TO GET THERE

Bazaar Location: Sun Plaza - Atrium

30 Sembawang Drive

Nearest MRT Station: Sembawang

Sun Plaza is a grey and yellow building opposite the MRT Station. Walk straight after tapping your Ez-Link Card and turn right. Walk down the ramp and cross the road. Viola! You've reached Sun Plaza.

My McDonald's Breakfast in Singapore's Heartland

Welcome to my blog! Today's location is McDonald's in Sembawang, Singapore. Although Sembawang is located in Singapore's heartland, there are many enjoyable aspects to this area, beginning with McDonald's at Sun Plaza.

McDonald’s outlets differ around the world, from the menu items to the décor. In Singapore, McDonald’s is one of the most popular breakfast spots for students and working adults. The various breakfast options on the menu (including yummy pancakes) and free coffee and tea refills makes it a great place to meet friends over breakfast. McDonald's breakfast menu is served till 11 a.m. Some of the McDonald's outlets exude positive vibes with catchy music and energetic staff, such as the outlet at Sun Plaza in Sembawang.

One of my favourite McDonald’s breakfast items is the Sausage McMuffin set, consisting of the burger, a hash brown and a drink (ice lemon tea and Milo are favourites in Asia). The McMuffin bun
is soft, and the chicken patty with cheese is simply divine.

McDonald’s at Sun Plaza was revamped when the shopping centre underwent massive renovations, and it is a bright and upbeat place to have a cup of coffee, with the use of motifs and bright yellow all around the outlet. It is now easier and convenient to place orders by simply using the kiosks in the restaurant. The great thing is you can choose and customise your order. The outlet at Sun Plaza has a few of these kiosks. Basically you can place your order and pay for your food. If you want to pay with cash, you need to print the order receipt and make your payment at the counters. Both your order and payment receipts will have numbers printed on them, and those numbers will appear on the screen when your order is ready for collection.

Location:
McDonald's Sun Plaza
30 Sembawang Drive, #01-19
Nearest MRT Station: Sembawang