PH>VN: Layover At Changi Airport (again)!

Arrived in Singapore via Philippines Air Asia, and I was to sleep here. Okay, let's do this!

If you noticed, that was the last picture in my previous post. With that scene, I immediately knew I was at Changi Airport Terminal 4. Why? Aw, aside from being new everywhere, because of the vivid colors!

It also smells "still new" even if it has been almost a year since inauguration!

Singapore is one airport that truly cares for the welfare of every kind of passenger, not just those who are going to land (enter) the city for a visit, but even those who are in transit. It shows in their signage!

Who will not recognize those signs na halos kalahating-tao ang laki? And if you don't know as to which terminals your connecting flight will depart from, read that board in the middle where flights are listed.

Note: not many airports in the world have that "Flight Connections" display, updated in real-time, plus a real dedicated connection service, before and separate from, regular immigration service counters!

Let's clarify that: this is still airside, meaning still in the security area before you even reach the regular immigration counters. If your connecting flight departs from T1, T2 or T3, you will be transferred there in a free shuttle service, and you arrive already at the transit area (pre-departure) of those 3 terminals.

The catch: if you're a cheapskate like me, fond of budget airlines, chances are you won't be allowed to avail of that speedy service. Why? Because (I think) that needs prior agreements/permission between airline companies and Singapore immigration authorities, which, probably require some fees, which is a thing budget airlines are allergic to! But if you're transiting among full service airlines, that's for you!

So we "budget folks" (even if in transit), we still throng with others to regular immigration counters.

I don't find it an issue though, since Singapore immigration lines are normally fast anyway! But heads-up to those who need visas to this country. You may need transit visas, better ask them before you fly!

For us Pinoys (being ASEAN citizens), at least it is another 'sightseeing opportunity' at the arrival area duty free shops, arrival & departure lobbies - even if "for your eyes only" and "for selfie purposes only"!

Let's say that again: you still 'land' or 'arrive' at Singapore - meaning you still do the arrival immigration formalities even as transit passenger - if coming-in or connecting-to a budget airline. Watch your time.

After immigration and customs, we naturally get to the arrival lobby. And this is its right side.

Note, that is still inside the arrival lobby, and that's where everyone (passenger or not) wait for the bus ride to T2. How about T1 or T3? Same bus. From T2 you use the skytrain or the walkalator to T1 or T3.

Note too that this facility may be temporary, until a skytrain service to T4 becomes available.

Look, I took a picture of one of the buses taking off. I didn't ride that one, it was rather too full!

I wasn't in a hurry, so why not give others a chance! As you can see there's an old man who also opted to wait for the next bus, while two girls were running to catch it. Hello, there is a bus every 10 minutes!

Anyway, I got to T2 in no time! And to my Tavel 101 students kunohay listen to this: I went to the Scoot Air self-check-in machine' (many airports call it kiosk); printed my boarding pass (for tomorrow's flight to Vietnam); went to departure immigration; and I was ready for my flight even if that is still tomorrow!

Nice that I was in T2, because I was to have dinner at one of my favorite Bak Kut Teh stalls in Changi!

At the Straits Food Village of T2. I could have gone to T3 for that, but my next activity was to be at T2.

By the way, I saw this thing again, and I got reminded of a fervent wish sana ganito ang mga Pinoy...

They have a "tray return station" and it is seriously adhered-to, even by non-Singaporean passengers.

Wouldn't it be nice to see it being practiced in our country? Discipline ba!

Well, as if to say "in fairness to us" hehehe, it is only in Japan and Singapore that I see this 'tray return' habit or practice diligently followed. In other places including our country, it is more of a hit-and-miss!

Aha! I remember talking about this "tray return station" to a friend, and, not to justify lack of discipline, he educated me that, in the Philippines, it is not taken seriously because we have a lot of unemployed people. Collecting trays and/or cleaning tables require manpower, that's employment for more Pinoys.

Hmm, I think that's a valid point. Okay, sige na nga!

After dinner, I got to see this again, because I had to pass by it. Do you remember what it is called?

Sirit na? It appears in a number of my blogs that pass by Changi, but if you really can't recall, read this!

I often pass by the area because it is along the way to my favorite resting area, Gates E.

And, second-to-last stop for the day, the smoking room at Sanctuary Lounge, across Gate E5.

Many passengers love that glass-walled corner sporting a karesansui (zen garden) & bonsai garden!

FYI, no one can enter that 'garden' other than its caretakers. Plus, it is best viewed only from inside the smoking room! O ano? As I've said long ago, strict sila sa no-smoking rules nila, but they don't treat us smokers as basura o 3rd class citizens na patatayuin mo lang sa harap ng airconditioner exhaust fan!

Okay awat na (bakit ba umiinit ang ulo ko) hahaha! Looking at, and listening to the constantly dripping water from that faux bamboo tube, is oh so calming and relaxing, especially while you are.... smoking!

After that calming, relaxing smoking break beside Sanctuary Lounge, I proceeded to my sleep area!

Ang daming vacant! Is end of September not anymore a passenger season here? I don't know really.

I always choose the loungers with little desks and charging ports on the side. Not all of them have.

And off to lalaland I went... zzzzhh ngork! My zero-cost layover in Singapore. Bakit pa magho-hotel?!

But is was not complete, right?

We better make that a separate blog story, and on the third leg of my connecting flights.

Next. Pramis!

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