Australia has been on my wish list for long. The time has come at last to tick it off. I chose Queensland, a tropical paradise with the Daintree Rain Forest and the Great Barrier Reef, two UNESCO World Heritage sites – both equally interesting and strong enough magnets to attract a nomad like me. Since there are direct flights now from Singapore to Cairns (thrice a week), I knew that Aussie travel can’t get better than this. Going via Singapore had one more advantage. I could explore the world famous Changi airport at leisure during the transit. Hence I didn’t mind the long layover of 19 hours at Singapore while going. I planned my itinerary well in advance to get the best out of the long wait.
After landing and checking into my transit hotel, first I went to the Free Singapore Tours (FST) Registration Booth to book my tour. I opted for the City Lights Tour as I wanted to see Singapore’s beauty reflected in the evening lights. A lovely breakfast followed at the Silver Kris Lounge and then I set out to explore the colossal Changi Air Port. My main activity was admiring the most beautifully created floral beds in the transit areas (sometimes even touching them to see if they were real). Orchids in various hues and shapes, palms, ferns and crotons – all those wonderful plants that make a spectacular garden. The Orchid Garden with Koi Pond, Cactus Garden and Sunflower Garden were all visual treats. The Butterfly Garden was right next to my transit hotel “Ambassador” in Terminal 3. With an indoor waterfall and more than 1,000 free-roaming butterflies to soothe and delight the senses, hanging out in these gardens felt like a holiday.
Changi airport is certainly a shopper’s paradise, what with the best brands displaying the latest in fashion and some of them even offering discounts. Two free gift vouchers (amounting to 40 Singapore dollars) are given to all passengers, thus tempting even those who are not avid shoppers into shopping! Presenting my boarding card, I redeemed mine and they came in handy when I indulged in some cosmetics. After lunch and a good rest I joined others and went on the City Lights Tour. The guide, like others of his ilk, was good at weaving stories and in addition he had a good sense of humour, making us laugh most of the time. It was good, meeting and interacting with people from other countries on this bus tour. We stopped at Merlion, took pictures and spent some time enjoying a panoramic view of Singapore’s famous icons along the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade – the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands and Esplanade. We also stopped at the Gardens by the Bay. I found the “Supertree Grove” the best. As darkness engulfed, lovely colours showed on the gigantic trees, converting the whole place into a dreamland. Fully charged with the pleasant, though brief encounter with Singapore and its airport, I embarked on my onward journey that night, out to explore Australia, my dream destination!
The author is a travel writer and a documentary filmmaker focusing on art, culture and history