A close up look of this beautiful with striking colors behind tempted me to click this photo at changi airport butterfly garden singapore .recently
K.Natarajan
06/07/2019
Singapore
World’s Best Airports for 2018 ….Named by Skytrax …Changi Singapore is No.1 !!!
Once again the region’s aviation hubs are leading the world when it comes to passenger satisfaction, scooping top prizes in the prestigious annual Skytrax World Airport Awards.
Maintaining its position at the top of that chart for an amazing sixth year in a row is Singapore’s Changi Airport.
The city-state’s gleaming facilities fended off stiff competition from the likes of Doha’s Hamad International and Hong Kong’s International Airport.
“To be voted the World’s Best Airport for the sixth consecutive year is a fabulous achievement for Changi Airport, and this award yet again demonstrates the airport’s popularity with international air travelers,” Edward Plaisted, CEO of UK-based Skytrax, said in a statement.
The annual awards, which were held in Stockholm on Wednesday, are based on millions of airport passenger surveys and have been dubbed “the Oscars of the aviation industry.”
On top of the world
Changi Airport, which celebrated serving 60 million passengers from almost 100 countries across the world in 2017, has 5,000 arrivals and departures a week, connecting customers to over 200 destinations.
Amenities on offer include two 24-hour movie theaters screening the latest blockbusters for free, a rooftop swimming pool and a sunflower garden that features several varieties of sunflowers grown in the airport’s on site nursery.
This is the ninth time it’s received the “world’s best airport” title at the annual awards in the past two decades.
While there were no new entries among the Top 10, Seoul’s Incheon International Airport moved up one place to No. 2, while last year’s second place holder Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) dropped to No. 3, keeping Asia’s stranglehold on the top slots.
Doha’s Hamad International Airport progressed to fifth place after coming in at No. 6 in 2017, while Munich Airport dropped from fourth to sixth place.
Moving up and down the ranks
There were few surprises in the Top 100, however Rome Fiumicino Airport achieved one of the biggest jumps, moving from 158th place to 85th, while Bahrain International Airport saw its ranking fall from 57th place to number 73.
Vancouver was the No.1 airport in North America yet again, although its ranking dropped one place to 14th.
Denver International Airport came out on top in the United States, claiming 29th place, while Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport fell eight spots from 26th to 34th on the list.
Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport ranked number 48, Atlanta Airport at 50, San Francisco International Airport at 51, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport at 56, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at 62 and New York’s JFK International Airport at 69.
Skytrax also singled out airports for a variety of more specific awards, with categories such as food, shopping facilities and even cleanliness.
Tokyo International Airport won the vote as “the world’s cleanest airport,” while Incheon International Airport was awarded for its airport staff.
Hong Kong International Airport was voted the “world’s best transit airport” and the “best airport for dining,” but Japan’s Chubu Centrair Nagoya stole the title for “world’s best regional airport.”
For the full list, visit the World Airports Awards website.
2018 Skytrax World Airport Awards
1. Singapore Changi Airport
2. Incheon International Airport (Seoul, South Korea)
3. Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)
4. Hong Kong International Airport
5. Hamad International Airport (Doha, Qatar)
6. Munich Airport (Germany)
7. Chubu Centrair Nagoya (Japan)
8. London Heathrow Airport
9. Zurich Airport (Switzerland)
10. Frankfurt Airport (Germany)
Source…….. https://edition.cnn.com/
Natarajan
9 ways to embarrass yourself in Singapore…….
Singapore is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and is an island nation packed with expats. It’s a country that seems to have perfectly blended cosmopolitan living with rich cultural heritage.
But, as with anywhere in the world, there are local customs people must be aware of and rookie mistakes visitors can make. These mistakes can not only be highly embarrassing but also costly.
Singapore has strict fines that ensure society functions the way authorities want it to. For example, if you “illegally” cross the road — within 50 metres of a crossing zone — you will be fined up to S$1,000 (£472, $US744) or get 3 months in jail.
Here are some official and unofficial faux pas you don’t want to make when you go to Singapore.
9. Taking a picture on the Metro
Singapore’s Metro, which is the equivalent of Britain’s DLR service and an overground version of New York’s subway, bans pretty much everything other than entering and travelling.
Taking pictures and eating or drinking is banned and carries a S$500 (£267, $US372) fine.
8. Breaking the hawker stall seating code
If you get to a food court that has lots of hawker stalls, beware of breaking the unofficial seating rule of “vacant” seats.
If you see an empty seat with a pack of tissues next to it, do not pick it up and sit down — this is how people save their seats while they go and get food.
Think of it as the equivalent of putting your towel on a sun lounger.
7. Wearing very little
Singapore is very near the equator and temperatures can rise to as high as 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 Fahrenheit) but you’ll look utterly ridiculous walking around like you’re going to the beach.
Singapore is a cosmopolitan city/country and 90% of region is heavy on the air conditioning — so you’ll also be freezing if you’re not actually covered up.
Magnets showing the fines you can get in Singapore.
6. Not flushing the toilet
Well, it goes without saying that you should flush the toilet after you use it.
But if you forget or can’t, for whatever reason, you could be seriously embarrassed when an official calls you out. And they will do that — not flushing the toilet in Singapore in a public place carries a S$150 (£71, $US112) fine.
5. Not carrying tissues and hand wipes
A lot of Asia now has western toilets but in some of the more “local” areas the “drop and squat” is still prevalent.
These toilets are effectively holes in the ground that you have to squat over and many have hoses instead of toilet paper. While Singapore has mostly moved to using Western toilets, there will be some times when you’re stuck using these “alternative” ones.
It’s always good to be prepared with tissues and anti-bacterial gel for these occasions.
4. Chewing gum
Singapore is incredibly sleek, clean, and cosmopolitan but this is mainly down to the strict rules it has governing its environment.
The sale and importation of chewing gum is banned in Singapore — it carries a huge S$100,000 (£49,000, $US74,517) fine.
3. Playing with chopsticks
Ask any local what really irks them when it comes to dining etiquette and playing with chopsticks will come near the top.
It’s seen as disrespectful and embarrassing to fellow diners.
2. Spitting
Spitting on the street may happen a lot in mainland China but don’t think you can do the same in Singapore.
Not only will you be openly berated by locals but you’ll be fined S$500 (£267, $US372).
1. Insulting or making fun of the food
One of the great things about travelling is tasting and experiencing new cuisines. But whether it’s trying chicken feet for the first time or the infamously pungent durian fruit, don’t outwardly complain if you encounter food in Singapore that you think is odd.
Insulting the food and making fun of local delicacies will just show you up as an embarrassing, disrespectful tourist.
Source….LIANNA BRINDED in www. businessinsider.com.au
Natarajan
” I am Not only a Taxi Driver…But Also a Goodwill Ambassador of My Country” …
Shiv Khera’s experience in Singapore:
Six years ago in Singapore I gave a taxi driver a business card to take me to a particular address. At the last point, he circled round the building. His meter read 11$, but he took only 10. I said Henry, your meter reads 11$ how come you are taking only 10.
He said Sir, I am a taxi driver, I am supposed to be bringing you straight to the destination. Since I did not know the last spot, I had to circle around the building. Had I brought you straight here, the meter would have read 10$. Why should you be paying for my ignorance? He said Sir, legally, I can claim 11$, but ethically I am entitled to only 10. He further added that Singapore is a tourist
destination and many people come here for three or four days. After clearing the imigration and customs, the first experience is always with the taxi driver and if that is not good, the balance three to four days are not pleasant either. He said Sir I am not a taxi driver, I am the Ambassador of Singapore without a diplomatic passport.
In my opinion, he probably did not go to school beyond the 8th grade, but to me he was a professional. To me, his behavior reflected pride in performance and character.That day I learned that one needs more than professional qualifications to be a professional.
In one line, be a “Professional with a human touch and Values ” that makes all the more difference.
Knowledge, skill, money, education, all comes later. First comes Integrity.
Professionalism:
“It is NOT the job you DO,
It is HOW you DO the job.
Source….Unknown…input from a friend of mine.
Natarajan
Singapore…. From Swampy Land Mass to Most Livable City in the World …!!!
The Legendary Toilets of Singapore
Over the years the city of Singapore has been described by many as one of the cleanest on Earth with roads and toilets being “clean enough to eat off“, which is perhaps to be expected from a city where it’s illegal not to flush a public toilet.
The reason why toilets in Singapore are so insanely clean can be traced back to the work of Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first and arguably most popular prime minister. Kuan Yew rose to power in 1959 and continued to serve as Singapore’s leader for 31 years until he decided to step down in 1990. When Singapore became an independent nation in 1965, Kuan Yew is noted as being instrumental to the the small city-state being able to so quickly transform itself from being a “poor port from the bottom rungs of the third world” to being one of the most profitable and prosperous economies on the planet.
Kuan Yew accomplished this through a series of reforms aimed at making the country an overall nicer place to live including:
- Enacting legislation to make prosecuting corrupt officials easier as well as “relentlessly pursuing” corruption wherever he encountered it.
- Paying civil servants decent wages to ensure the jobs would be tempting to Singapore’s best and brightest and giving them bonuses based on how well the Singapore’s economy does on a yearly basis.
- Inviting foreign corporations to set up shop in his country to create reliable employment for his citizens and foster international relations.
- Establishing the Housing and Development Board to help house residents without homes into newly built apartments. Further, unlike most nation’s public housing, Singapore’s is quite nice, places people actually want to live.
- Drafting legislation to plant tress and clean up the cities waterways and rivers which were notably filthy. Kuan Yew was so serious about making Singapore cleaner, he famously promised that if his dream wasn’t a reality by 1986 and he was still in charge, that he’d personally hunt down whomever was responsible for the failure and shoot them. Because he wasn’t playing around.
- Creating the Water Planning Unit, which was tasked with helping the country become less dependent on water from Malaysia, which was threatening to cut off their water supply after Singapore gained independence. This initiative, like so many others he enacted, was a
- resounding success, with Time magazine later calling Singapore “the global paragon of water conservation.” In fact, their system is so efficient that they even can, and do, process non-potable waste-water into high-purity drinking water.
- Imposing stiff taxes on car ownership and enacting the Clean Air Act as well as creating the Anti-Pollution Unit, to help keep Singapore’s air pollution levels at an acceptable, healthy level.
By far Kuan Yew’s most infamous policies though were his incredibly strict rules in regards to public cleanliness, most if not all of which carry hefty fines if you’re caught breaking them. For example, not flushing a public toilet is considered a crime in Singapore and if you’re caught flouting it, you will be given an on the spot fine of about 150 dollars, more if you’re a repeat offender. Likewise, littering carries an equally heavy fine of about 300 dollars or more, depending on the size of the item. Smaller items like candy wrappers usually incur a lesser fine, whilst things like soda cans can net you a trip to court and even a caning if you’re caught.
- Kuan Yew’s biggest bugbear, however, was chewing gum; he hated it with such a passion that since the 1990s, gum has been outright banned in the country. This was later (partially) repealed in 2004 and gum is now okay to be brought into the country in small quantities and dentists are allowed to prescribe it for certain medical conditions.
While this may seem a tad extreme, Kuan Yew’s annoyance with gum chewing wasn’t without precedent. You see, prior to the ban in 1992, the government was spending upwards of 150,000 dollars a year to clean it up and vandals were using it to disrupt the sensors on the country’s newly built subway trains, stopping their doors from shutting and in the process causing huge delays. After the ban, cases of such gum littering plummeted and the associated costs of cleaning it up dropped to negligible levels.
If you’re wondering how exactly Singapore enforces these dozens of laws, it’s mostly accomplished using hundreds of undercover police officers who have the power to issue on the spot fines to anyone seen flouting them. Officers are known to check toilets after they’ve been used and even install security cameras if they receive multiple complaints on a particular toilet, to catch offenders in the act.
- Perhaps our favourite Singapore cleanliness fact is that many of Singapore’s elevators have “Urine Detection Devices” which will lock the doors of an elevator and summon the police to your location to arrest you if it detects that you’re relieving yourself in one.
All of this may seem excessive, but the results really speak for themselves; today, Singapore is largely considered one of the world’s leading economies and the city itself is one of the most industrious, safe, clean, nicest to live and richest on Earth. In fact, Singapore is currently enjoying 16 consecutive years on the top spot of the “world’s most livable cities“, and is also generally considered the world’s best city for businesses. Not bad for a place that was up until about 50 years ago or so described as a “swampy land mass“.
Source…www.today i foundout.com
Natarajan
Here is what a Pilot Thinks When the Aircraft loses all of its Engines in the Mid Air….
Last weekend, Singapore Airlines Flight 836 was traveling from Singapore to Shanghai when the twin-engine Airbus A330-343 lost power on both engines over the South China Sea.
Image of Airbus330-343
Fortunately, the pilots were able to restore power to the engines, and the flight was able to continue on to its destination.
No injuries have been reported.
Modern turbofan engines are very robust pieces of engineering and tend to be incredibly reliable.
That makes last weekend’s incident an exceedingly rare event.
In fact, experienced A330 pilot Karlene Petitt told Business Insider that in her years flying the popular jet, she has never encountered, in pilot parlance, a “dual flameout.”
So what is an airline pilot thinking when the engines on his or her plane inexplicably lose power?
“What would go through my mind is fly the plane and do everything I can to get the engines started,” Petitt said in an email. “That would be the only thing to think about.”
In the cockpit, pilots are equipped with reference guides which provides guidance and checklists for a wide variety of operational situations – including the loss of power on all engines.
At cruising altitudes – 39,000 ft. in the case of the Singapore jet – the air is very thin and there may not be enough oxygen to get the engines to relight.
However, according to Petitt, “Normally when you get down around 24,000 feet you should be able to get one started because of the denser air at that altitude.”
In the case of Singapore Flight 836, the airliner lost 13,000 feet of altitude before the pilots were able to get the engines going again.
According to Petitt, she would only think about looking for a landing location after realizing she wouldn’t be able to get the engines going.
Depending on how high and how far the airplane is from an airport, the pilot would then determine what would be the appropriate course of action
In past incidents, pilots have chosen a variety of strategies.
In 1983, Air Canada Flight 143 going from Montreal to Edmonton ran out of fuel midway through the flight after the ground crew miscalculated the amount needed for the trip. The pilots were able to glide the twin-engine Boeing 767-200 jet to safety at a retired Canadian military runway that had been turned into a race track.
In 2001, an Air Transat Airbus A330 traveling from Toronto to Lisbon developed a fuel leak while flying over the Atlantic Ocean. The widebody jet lost all power, but the pilots were able to glide to an airport in the Azores Islands.
Miracle on the Hudson
Most famously, US Airways flight 1549 lost both of its engines after colliding with a flock of geese while taking off from New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Due to the low altitude, the pilots didn’t have time to complete the engine restart procedure. Miraculously, Captain Sully Sullenberger was able to successfully guide the Airbus A320 down in the middle of the Hudson River.
In these instances, the pilots were able to safely land their planes with few injuries to the passengers and crew.
“Pilots never stop flying the plane,” Petitt reiterated. “No matter what, we will do what it takes.”
Source….BENJAMIN ZHANG in www.businessinsider.in
Natarajan
Image of the Day… New Year’s Comet Love Joy !!!
New Year’s Comet Lovejoy
Wow! Comet Lovejoy is really living up to its name! A wonderful December 29 photo from Justin Ng of Singapore and a link below to how you can see the comet.
Have you seen Comet Lovejoy yet? Although telescopes and binoculars are still the best way to find and view the comet, it’s now barely within the limit for visibility with the unaided eye under exceptional viewing conditions. Justin Ng of Singapore took this fine photo. He wrote:
I would like to suggest an image of Comet Lovejoy that I’ve just taken on 29 December 2014 at around 12.30 AM SGT. This is a LRGB image with a total exposure time of 12 minutes. A spiral galaxy, NGC1886, is also visible in the image, located on the left of the comet’s coma.
SOURCE::: http://www.earthsky.org
Natarajan
What Happened to Air Asia Flight QZ 8501 ?
The first aircraft to land at the newly-launched Low Cost Carrier Terminal-KLIA (LCCT-KLIA) sits on the tarmac in Sepang outside Kuala Lumpur March 23, 2006.
An AirAsia plane went missing during a flight to Singapore shortly after asking to deviate from its planned flight path because of bad weather.
AirAsia flight QZ 8501 lost contact with air traffic control at about 6:17 a.m. on Sunday, about halfway through the flight from Surabaya, Indonesia to Singapore. The plane is thought to have crashed near the Indonesian island of Belitung, but search and rescue teams have yet to find any wreckage.
Satellite imagery from the area where the plane went missing showed severe thunderstorms around the time it disappeared:
CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam said “lines of very heavy thunderstorms” were present when the plane was in the air, but also pointed out that “turbulence doesn’t necessarily bring down aeroplanes.”
The search and rescue operation has been suspended overnight. Singapore’s air force and navy is helping with the operation to locate the plane.
Here’s where it lost contact with air traffic control:
155 Indonesians are on board the plane, along with three people from South Korea, and one from Singapare, Britain, Malaysia, and France. Of those passengers, 16 are children and one is an infant.
The missing plane is an Airbus A320-200, a popular and generally reliable model. The plane is about six years old and is operated by AirAsia’s Indonesian affiliate, which the Malaysia-based company holds a 48.9% stake in, CNN reports
SOURCE::: PAMELA ENGEL in http://www.busionessinsider.com.au
Natarajan
What it’s Like to Fly on the Most Lavish Suite Class !!! ….Fabulous !!!
IT’S an experience that most of us can only dream of — an airline suite that’s even better than first class. But Singapore-based entrepreneur and frequent flyer Derek Low was lucky enough to score the ultimate plane seat. This is his story.
In 2008, Singapore Airlines introduced Suites Class, the most luxurious class of flying that is commercially available. The Suites are exclusive to their flagship Airbus A380 planes, and they go beyond flat beds by offering enclosed private cabins with sliding doors that cocoon you in your own little lap of luxury.
It also became the first and only commercial airline with a double bed in the sky.
The bed is incredible. Picture: Derek Low Source: Channel 9
However, the experience comes with a hefty price tag. With round-trip tickets from Singapore to the US costing up to $20,600, it’s completely unattainable for most people.
But then I remembered that most of my personal net worth exists in frequent flyer miles rather than cash. So last month, after splurging an colossal amount of miles, I booked a Suites Class flight to New York City!
This is what I experienced:
The experience begins at the airport. Picture: Derek Low Source: Channel 9
I arrived at Singapore Changi Airport and proceeded to the Singapore Airlines counters for check-in. As I joined the line, I was promptly greeted by staff: “Good evening sir, how may I help you?”
A sudden realisation hit me and I went “OH NOPE SORRY” and briskly walked away, leaving the lady puzzled. I had almost forgotten that Changi had a luxurious check-in lounge specially for First Class and Suites passengers.
Flying in the Suites also includes an invitation to The Private Room, which is “higher than first class”.
A ticket to luxury. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
I followed a flight attendant past what seemed to be 50—60 people in the Business Class lounge. She walked noticeably fast, seemingly afraid that I would be disgusted by the presence of the working class. Here I was transferred to another attendant who walked me through the First Class lounge, and then through a set of automatic sliding double doors before being transferred to yet another attendant.
Finally, after what seemed like 16 kilometres of secret passageways and being escorted by 3000 people, I arrived at The Private Room, where staff greeted me by name.
Inside the private room. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
I wasn’t hungry but I’ve heard rave reviews about the dining room. So I ordered a glass of champagne and had the Chicken and Mutton Satay plate … and the Baked Boston Lobster with Gruyere, Emmenthal and Cheddar.
And also the Prime Beef Burger with Foie Gras, Rocket Leaf and Fried Quail Egg. Oh, and a Mango Smoothie too.
A snack before take off. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
Completely stuffed at this point, I realised it was time for boarding. There was a dedicated jet bridge solely for Suites passengers. Standing at the end of the bridge was a flight attendant ready to greet me: “Good evening Mr Low!”
I realised that they would address me by whatever title I chose in my Singapore Airlines profile and regretted not going with President Low or Princess Derek.
I was escorted to my Suite:
Better than first class. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
I picked the middle one which can be merged with the adjacent suite to form a double bed.
My home for the next few hours. Bliss … Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
“Would you like a glass of Dom Pérignon, sir?” And I replied the only acceptable response to such a question: “Yes”.
The drinks are flowing. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
“Sir, would you like a copy of every newspaper we have on-board today?” Sure, why not.
At this point, the crew members came out to personally introduce themselves. Among them was Zaf, the chief steward. As it turns out, he’s the guy in the airline’s safety video.
Hi Zaf. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
Zaf told me that there were only three passengers in the 12 Suites, and joked that I could have a bedroom, dining room and living room if I wanted. And so I picked my dining room.
Dom Pérignon and Iced Milo in hand, it was time to take off.
Not a bad spot to eat. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
I took this time to check out what was provided on-board the flight. Headphones from Bose, for example.
Not your average airline headphones. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
A Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kit, which included a full-sized bottle of cologne.
The amenity kit. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
Everything else was Givenchy: blankets, pillows, slippers and pyjamas.
Give us the Givenchy. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
As soon as the plane reached cruising altitude, I was offered another drink. Seeing that it was almost 1 AM and I was just beginning to indulge in the whole suite experience, I decided to order coffee to stay up.
I don’t know much about coffee, but I do know the Jamaican Blue Mountain costs a lot, so I ordered it. Apparently it’s “by far the most outstanding” option.
Special coffee. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
I unglamorously gulped down the entire cup at once, while pretending to appreciate the finely-balanced traits of the Blue Mountain. I asked Zaf to recommend me a tea, and he quickly brought out a cup of TWG’s Paris-Singapore tea.
He knelt down next to me as I sampled it, telling me about the high quality tea leaves and the hand-sewn cotton tea bags. He told me about the fragrant cherry blossoms and red fruits infused into the tea.
He says that he has been with the airline for 19 years. Within the past three years, he has served Leonardo DiCaprio and Morgan Freeman, in Suites Class. He recommended a movie for me — The Grand BUDAPEST HOTEL
, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Off the top of his head, he named the actors and talked about how brilliant their performances were.
Chilling out. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
As I settled in, supper service began. Having stuffed myself with three entrees back in the lounge, I wasn’t particularly hungry so I settled for a five-course supper. For the appetiser I had the Malossol Caviar with Lobster-Fennel Salad. And after clearing the plate in three bites, I asked for a second plate.
More please. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
On to my third appetiser, I had the Duck Foie Gras with Shaved Fennel-Orange Salad, Beetroot and Mizuna.
Yum. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
I picked the Fish Noodle Soup for main course.
There’s nothing fishy about the service. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
And Vanilla Bavarois with Raspberry Coulis for dessert.
Sweet. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
After supper, I decided to burn off the kilojoules by walking around the plane. I asked the crew if they could give me a guided tour of the A380 and they willingly obliged.
Stairway to haven. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
When I got back to the suites, the lights were already turned down indicating it was time to sleep.
Sleep time. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
In the suites, you don’t just lie on a seat that has gone flat. Instead, you step aside while the Singapore Airlines flight attendants transform your suite into a bedroom, with a mattress on top of a full-sized bed. When the adjacent suite is empty, the dividing partition can be brought down to create a double bed.
Zaf and a stewardess went about making the bed. I don’t even know how to express this process in words.
Now that’s service. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
It’s folded down. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
I jumped into bed squealing like a little girl and spent the next hour lounging in all possible positions.
So. Much. Room. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
Bliss. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
Some people might say this seems to be the loneliest flight ever. And to that, I say this:
Jealous yet? Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
And while you’re doing stupid things like that in the suite, you can use the “Do Not Disturb” button for privacy. Through the entire flight, the attendants check on you almost every three minutes without being intrusive or annoying. They just briskly walk past you with quick glance.
I paid a visit to the rest room to change into the pyjamas provided. It’s a rest room, what were you expecting? Ah-hem:
Now this is extravagant. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
There’s a seat that folds down that’s actually more comfortable than most economy class seats.
Miles better than economy. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
And then I slept. Well, not on the toilet of course. When I woke up, I saw the clock and my heart sank. A little over three hours to Frankfurt Airport. I’d slept for six hours, thousands of dollars worth of the flight. So to cheer myself up, I asked for a chocolate and was handsomely rewarded with two.
Mmm … chocolate. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
We landed at Frankfurt for a two hour layover, and the three of us in Suites Class were escorted to the Lufthansa Senator Lounge which has a spa and hot shower. Getting back on the plane, a new crew was on-board for the final leg of the flight to New York.
It was 8am and I decided to begin the day with a Singapore Sling.
Sling away. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
For breakfast, I used Singapore Airlines’ Book the Cook service. You can pre-order a specific meal before the flight, which is then specially put on-board the flight for you. I had the Lobster Thermidor with Buttered Asparagus, Slow-roasted Vine-ripened Tomato, and Saffron rice. And dessert.
Time for another meal. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
When it was time to nap, I didn’t want to trouble the crew for a full double bed, so I opted for a single bed instead. The partition between the two middle suites slides up to form a wall.
Time for another snooze. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
Besides, the single bed is plenty spacious on its own.
There’s room to move. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
Waking up, I was immediately presented with the second meal I had pre-ordered.
Could there BE more food? Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
It was the Grilled Prime Beef Fillet designed by celebrity chef Alfred Portale.
Cannot. Eat. Anymore. Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
As we finally landed at New York, a huge problem presented itself — I didn’t want to leave the plane. After being served Dom Pérignon in a double-suite bedroom at 36,000 feet, I’m not sure flying experiences get any better than this.
But eventually I got off the plane, because New York’s not too bad.
New York, New York! Picture: Derek Low Source: Supplied
SOURCE:::: Derek Low in news.com.au
NATARAJAN
Take off with Natarajan 