Singapore nowadays..
Singapore celebrated 53 years old of nationhood a month ago.
To celebrate, I decided to give myself a treat : travelling Premium Economy class with Singapore Airlines. I liked the Priority check-in and boarding, plus the coveted Priority tag on the baggage which spelled quicker baggage retrieval.
I used the " Book the Cook" which is a pre-flight meal selection offered on Business Class. Making sense ( cents ) of two times more expensive ticket compared to Economy class. I have to say the menu options weren't terribly exciting and the food quality was mediocre to say the least.
If only SIA was more generous with the seat pitch and seat width. On the A-350, the personal space was a bit tighter than on the A-380 window seat. On top of that, I like flat beds, hence a recliner was just impossible to get me to sleep. My biggest gripe was having to share toilets in the Economy cabin when you have paid a premium ticket to be seated just behind Business class.
Inflight service was fine, with the cabin crew constantly patrolling the cabins with plastic cups of water or OJ. The noise canceling headphones added a nice touch, though the socks and a toothbrush kit came in a miserable throwaway plastic pouch. The only thing I like about the A-350 and the A-380 is the smooth take-off and landing and flying. And the peace of mind, that SIA planes are newer and safer... just like our streets ?
I have never seen so many security cameras before. At the Macpherson MRT station, there must have been 15 of these black pods positioned at the exit/entrance of the station. Every building and street has its security cameras. Good for tracking and deterring crimes, no doubt about it. Soon, we will have drones patrolling overhead. How sci-fi is that?
At 5.5 million inhabitants, we are a crowded, densely packed city so it is with much relief when I can retreat to my brother's spacious maisonette at the end of the day. Never mind my sister-in-law's two Mancoon cats.
The other fad happening in Singapore is the pursuit of good hawker food. Good meaning being listed in the Michelin Guide. There are only two hawker stalls which have a one star rating by Michelin. There is a clear difference between being awarded a Michelin Star and being listed in the Michelin Guide. In any case, the long queues are repulsive enough for me. So I happily create my own eat-guide, relying on my own senses and cooking skills. Besides who needs foreigners telling me how my heritage food should taste like?
It is inconceivable that the price of things have gone up. No wonder the malls are empty and retailers with brick and mortar stores opt to close up and sell online. The rents are incredibly high and this is reflected in $3.80 per mini muffin, $9.20 per slice of sponge cake with cream filling and a strawberry. And that floss topped bun now cost $1.80 coming from $1.10. The absolute scandal is $4.00 for a simple croissant. We have officially surpassed Copenhagen's cafe prices.
Going local to beat the expensive western style cafes? That's why you wait for a table at Ya kun and Toast box. When fried carrot cake start at $3.00, Hokkien Mee at $5.00 and Soya bean drink cost $2.00 at the hawker stalls, you balked at such drastic prices but quickly become immune as you sought to pacify your growling stomach.
The only bright lining is Grab. I can get a ride for a fraction of what I'll pay in a regular taxi. Nonetheless, read the latest headlines news in Singapore about Grab monopoly.. shucks could have been even cheaper for us, commuters !
Well, i will try those yellow Oto bikes I see littered on the grassy patches all over the island. It is cheap, accessible and surely the way forward to a healthier heart, thinner waistline.
To celebrate, I decided to give myself a treat : travelling Premium Economy class with Singapore Airlines. I liked the Priority check-in and boarding, plus the coveted Priority tag on the baggage which spelled quicker baggage retrieval.
I used the " Book the Cook" which is a pre-flight meal selection offered on Business Class. Making sense ( cents ) of two times more expensive ticket compared to Economy class. I have to say the menu options weren't terribly exciting and the food quality was mediocre to say the least.
If only SIA was more generous with the seat pitch and seat width. On the A-350, the personal space was a bit tighter than on the A-380 window seat. On top of that, I like flat beds, hence a recliner was just impossible to get me to sleep. My biggest gripe was having to share toilets in the Economy cabin when you have paid a premium ticket to be seated just behind Business class.
Inflight service was fine, with the cabin crew constantly patrolling the cabins with plastic cups of water or OJ. The noise canceling headphones added a nice touch, though the socks and a toothbrush kit came in a miserable throwaway plastic pouch. The only thing I like about the A-350 and the A-380 is the smooth take-off and landing and flying. And the peace of mind, that SIA planes are newer and safer... just like our streets ?
I have never seen so many security cameras before. At the Macpherson MRT station, there must have been 15 of these black pods positioned at the exit/entrance of the station. Every building and street has its security cameras. Good for tracking and deterring crimes, no doubt about it. Soon, we will have drones patrolling overhead. How sci-fi is that?
At 5.5 million inhabitants, we are a crowded, densely packed city so it is with much relief when I can retreat to my brother's spacious maisonette at the end of the day. Never mind my sister-in-law's two Mancoon cats.
The other fad happening in Singapore is the pursuit of good hawker food. Good meaning being listed in the Michelin Guide. There are only two hawker stalls which have a one star rating by Michelin. There is a clear difference between being awarded a Michelin Star and being listed in the Michelin Guide. In any case, the long queues are repulsive enough for me. So I happily create my own eat-guide, relying on my own senses and cooking skills. Besides who needs foreigners telling me how my heritage food should taste like?
It is inconceivable that the price of things have gone up. No wonder the malls are empty and retailers with brick and mortar stores opt to close up and sell online. The rents are incredibly high and this is reflected in $3.80 per mini muffin, $9.20 per slice of sponge cake with cream filling and a strawberry. And that floss topped bun now cost $1.80 coming from $1.10. The absolute scandal is $4.00 for a simple croissant. We have officially surpassed Copenhagen's cafe prices.
Going local to beat the expensive western style cafes? That's why you wait for a table at Ya kun and Toast box. When fried carrot cake start at $3.00, Hokkien Mee at $5.00 and Soya bean drink cost $2.00 at the hawker stalls, you balked at such drastic prices but quickly become immune as you sought to pacify your growling stomach.
The only bright lining is Grab. I can get a ride for a fraction of what I'll pay in a regular taxi. Nonetheless, read the latest headlines news in Singapore about Grab monopoly.. shucks could have been even cheaper for us, commuters !
Well, i will try those yellow Oto bikes I see littered on the grassy patches all over the island. It is cheap, accessible and surely the way forward to a healthier heart, thinner waistline.
Comments
Post a Comment