The al fresco experience of enjoying a smooth brew while being protected by the canopy above us, The Pump Room is a great place to enjoy one of their fine crafted beers and to people watch. With a prominent location on the corner of a pedestrian intersection, this is definitely a comfortable location to settle in for the day or evening.
Jumbo Seafood is a mainstay for chili and black pepper crab in Singapore. How do you decide? Try both! The flavors are great but there is almost too much sauce on the crab that you almost forget what type of meat you are eating. Get a bib and try to finish before they start cleaning up around you.
The first words that come to mind after visiting the Fish Reflexology Spa (located in Underwater World) is tickle-torture, but this certainly is a unique experience. Choose between two pools teeming with fish – the Black Turkish Fish, which are more common, or the Orange African Fish which felt like piranhas (without teeth) gumming your feet. Once your mind settles down and you overcome the tickling, the fish do a good job at eating the dead skin. The experience is not incredible, but definitely unique.
A great day time activity in inclement weather, the Singapore Underwater World (aquarium) is a must for every diver at any time of year. The facility celebrates the best of the region and around the world. For an adventure without strapping on your BCD, head to Underwater World and create your own dive profile. Unfortunately, the dolphin exhibit was not open and we have heard multiple stories of this happening.
A serendipitous choice of places to eat, Rocky Master is certain to excite your palate with their amazing coffee and a good menu selection of tasty, yet affordable food options. The service is fantastic and they can offer great recommendations. Our only disappointment is that we only ate there once.
The Fairmont Singapore is probably a better choice than the celebrated Raffles Hotel across the street, but it still did not feel like a 5 star hotel. However, it certainly exceeds in comfort and service and the gym is definitely well-appointed. Wow! Central to everything in Singapore, The Fairmont will make a good prelude to a memorable vacation.
We arrived late in the evening at Singapore Changi Airport. This is how all airports should be. Not just the modernization of in terminal hotel facilities and the presence of a shopping mall, but the readiness to serve and ample space to move about in all areas of the airport without feeling claustrophobic. Changi, you are tops in our books!
We flew first class from Los Angeles to Singapore on United Airlines. Yeah baby! There is nothing quite like flying in comfort and being spoiled along the way. Service was attentive, the meals were exceptional and the seat was comfortable. In any class of service, the journey should always be part of the excitement in any adventure. Use those miles earned to fly in the premium cabin and spoil yourself. Trust us, it’s worth it!
What can we say about Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)? It’s a terrible airport to fly in and out of. There are way too many people traveling through it and not enough competent people working there. Security is both inadequately staffed and staffed with belligerent fools, but once you’re through, it’s almost as if you’re at another airport. The problem is, if you’re like us, and you like international travel, you really have no choice but to grin and bear flying the friendly skies via a very unfriendly airport.
The only way to travel through Calgary International Airport (YYC) to the United States is with a NEXUS card. Issued by Canada/US, this enables the traveler to express their way through US CBP and Canadian Immigration anywhere in the world. Otherwise, the terminals, while nicely appointed, are narrow and busting at the seams and services in the secured areas are minimal.