Lux Jewel Changi Airport in Lil’ Red Dot Singapore

Changi Airport is the pride of Singapore has been crowned as the best airport in the world for 6 consecutive years from 2013 to 2018.

Jewel, the newest pride of Singapore was previously parking area at Terminal 1. Today, it transformed to the luxurious 10-storey glass dome with the tallest indoor waterfall Vortex surrounded by beautiful lush greenery, Yotelair, Cinema, Retail stores, Restaurants, Cafes and more.

 
Rain Vortex & Sky Trains inside the dome and Changi Control Tower 
at the background.

Being a part of Changi Airport and connected to T1, T2 & T3, Jewel offers convenient airport facilities for passengers to catch their flights.

 
Early & Fast Check-in Counters.

  
Why not drop the heavy lugage here and explore Jewel...

My first impression when strolling inside the Jewel was I'm at two places at one time: The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay. Here are the reasons...

 
Majectic Waterfall and lush vertical vegetation.

Gardens by the bay especially at Cloud Forest because of the misty Cloud Forest Waterfall looks quite similar to Forest Valley in Jewel. For your info, 40m high Rain Vortex with gorgeous light show when the sky turns dark is now crowned as the tallest indoor waterfall in the world, after 30m tall misty Cloud Forest Waterfall at Gardens by the bay stepped down to the second place.

 
Pokemon merchandise store, Nike with full product showcase, Duplex Muji store 

and second largest Uniqlo store in Singapore @Jewel Changi.

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is a shopping mall which also has a smaller Rain Vortex. However, The Shoppes housing mostly Luxury Brands, while Jewel has more pocket-friendly shops. For me, most of the time it's just window shopping at The Shoppes, while here I can shop without feeling quilty.

 
I highly recommend The Canopy Park as it is a theraupatic place 

to relax before boarding confined planes.

 
Delightful meals of either delectable local food or 

unique cuisines are ready to pamper your stomach.

For those passengers with time-constraint, please check the queueing time until the food is served. This is to make sure that you don't miss your flight as it might takes up to 2 hours especially those popular restaurants or stores with insane queues.

 
Do expect long queues and waiting time for popular shop and restaurants.

We spent about one hour waiting at Hong Kong's Michelin-starred Kam's Roast Restaurant and another 45 minutes to get 3 cups of Bubble tea.

Ok, do visit Jewel if you're in Singapore and snap photos with new iconic Rain Vortex and share your experiences with us.

For now, I just imagine me with smiling face holding a passport with ticket to San-Jose, walking to Early Check-in Counter to drop my luggage and ready to attend Connect Live with Local Guides around the world~!^^

September in Seoul - Incheon - Singapore [Day 7]

We headed to Seoul station after FantaStick show to collect back our luggage from Premium Travel Centre, then tapped our single use AREX transportation card to go to Incheon Airport.

Goodbye... my love

The nonstop ride from Seoul Station to Incheon Airport 

is just a comfortable 43 minutes ride.

There are other options to go to Incheon Airport such as Airport Limousine buses, taxi and Seoul Metropolitan Subway.

We don't have much time left after Fantastick Show, so we decided to have our dinner in airport. We selected AREX in order not to worry about traffic jams and discounted fare only 8,000 Won instead of 14,500 Won (this promotion fare is extended to the end of 2014).

Incheon Airport - World's Best Airport for 8 consecutive years!

Departure Hall

We hurried to Scoot's counter to check-in, and it's long queue and we're quite worried that not in time. However, we found out that actually there was flight delay. Quite irritating as they didn't even update the status in their website or inform us via email. 

We actually thought to go and eat first since it'll be delay... But, the counter didn't have the timing of the flight. They asked us to queue and check-in. We had no choice, but to wait in the queue.

My hubby just went to convenience store to buy

kimbap, taco, and rice wrapped with ham.

We took turn to queue and eat our dinner?! And we still couldn't go to eat even after check-in as the timing still not confirmed, and we need to wait for further information. 

Haiz, if we knew that, we won't rush to the airport and have nice dinner first. We just so bored waiting and waiting for about 4 hours... played games, surfed net, ate some snacks, watched Goddess of Fire that was airing on that day without English subtitle, and kids slept after tired playing games and talking more than dozen of different topics...

Annyeong Incheon airport... will say Annyeong again soon! So excited... start counting down!!!

Hahaha... really really sorry that I just finished my last trip posting. You know... endless spring-cleaning for Chinese New Year as no helper anymore. Then, very excited on planning for my next railroad trip (O-train, V-train, S-train). Busy editing last trip photos for photobook printout, and also very important thing... watching Korean Dramas: "Painter of the Wind" (2008), "The Heirs", "Empress Ki" and "My Love From Another Star"... oh, can't wait for the next episodes!!!

Ok, have a wonderful weekend~^^

September in Seoul - Bukchon Hanok Village [Day 7]

 

 Ma Love in the Land of Morning Calm

Places that we visited in Korea (09.09.2013 - 15.09.2013)

  

On our last day in Seoul, we tried to relax and slow down to appreciate the moment in Seoul. Because after tonight, everything will back to normal life with endless things for us to rush. So, we planned to just have light itinerary in Seoul. But then, we got some problem with our luggage, as supposedly, we can leave our luggage in Capt. Ryan's Nest, but he said there'll be another guest coming in, so for the conveniences of everyone, we thought to just put them in the lockers at Seoul subway station, since we'll be taking Arex from there to Incheon Airport. However, those big lockers were all occupied...

Where to store your luggage?
1. Subway paid lockers

I love this facilities so much. You know... I'm the person that can go out just with my HP and credit card, because I hate to carry anything especially if it's heavy. And, another reason is I'm a forgetful person, that few times I left my purse, bag and other things.

In Korea, you can easily find lockers almost in every subway stations, nearby the entrance of  tourist attractions and departmental stores with various sizes (small, medium and large). Some places even provided free lockers, or you need to pay the deposit but it'll be refunded after usage.

Interesting! I just found out that these subway lockers also provide diverse services including shipping and receiving, express delivery, and laundry. Please check this link on how to use the locker machine and the payment method available.

2. Premium Travel Center - Seoul Station
You can leave your baggage, clothing and products at baggage storage service available at Premium Travel Centre located at Seoul Station:

Premium Travel Center B2F,

Seoul Station City Airport-Terminal,

378 Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu,
Tel: +82 2 392 3545  

Hours of operation : 08:00 to 20:00

Rate: Small - 3,000 Won / Medium - 5,000 Won / Large - 7,000 Won / X-Large - 10,000 Won (per Item included Tax).

Premium Travel Center also provided other services such as:

*  Porter services

*  Tour Information / Travel service

*  Business Center

*  Meet & Greet service

*  Conference room Reservation

*  SIM Card & WI-FI Rental service

Yes, we bought our EG Sim Card from this Premium Travel Center on our first day in Seoul after gave up searching for Pocket Wifi.

After freed our hands from those big and heavy luggage, we went to Korail Arex Ticket Counter just opposite Premium Travel Center to buy ticket to Incheon Airport at discounted price. Korail just announced a one-year extension until 31 Dec 2014 on its discount fare of 8,000 won instead of the standard 14,500 won.

we supposed to go to Namdaemun market for breakfast, but...

Kids insisted to have Dunkin Donut, as they were hungry...

  

Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을)

Bukchon literally means North Village, was the hometown of yangban and scholars during Joseon Dynasty. Hundreds of beautiful traditional Hanok house will capture your attention and your heart just located between Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung and Jongmyo Shrine.

 

Signage for directions around Bukchon

You can find experience interactive programs related to traditional culture such as tea ceremony, arts and crafts, Museum of Korean Embroidery and Museum of Korean Traditional Knots are located inside these charming alleys in Bukchon Village. Check BnBHero's website if you wish to stay in Hanok Guesthouse.

Hanok Gallery

Donglim Knot Workshop.

Maybe because we were there early in the Sunday morning, Museums, Arts and Crafts Workshops and Cultural Centre and Galleries were still closed...

you can find unique galleries, cafes and eateries too

We saw quite a lot of local Korean strolling along Bukchon "8 Photo Spots". It's nice to explore these small alleys surrounded with vintage hanok and endless pleasant surprises with beautiful and cozy atmosphere to reminisce the old Seoul.

  

Bukchon 3rd Spot: Gahoe-dong Museum Lane


Bukchon Observatory
22-3, 11 Da-Gil Bukchon-ro, Jongro-Gu


From Observatory, you can have a wonderful view of entire
31 Gahoe-dong area, Mount Bugaksan and Namsan Tower too.




Bukchon 4th View: Gahoe-dong Alley
The most beautiful place in Bukchon...


the sea of hanok tiled roof is truly a sight to behold...


Bukchon 5th Spot: Gahoe-dong Alley (Harmony)
Thanks to the Bukchon Hanok conservation project that these
antique hanoks zone has perfectly preserved its originality.


Bukchon 6th Spot: Gahoe-dong Alley
The finest view of Seoul, Hanok houses contrast with high-rise buildings.
Bukchon 5th and 6th spots are the most popular among the eight views.

Stairs made of rock stone

We didn't complete the full 8 Photo Spots and no chance to search for Hanok House where "Personal Preference" was filmed, because these 2 kiddos were worse than old grannie! They remarked  Bukchon Hanok Village was the highest mountain that they ever climbed and they're out of breath!

Modernised two-story or three-story Hanok Houses.

Beautiful Hanok Houses along the maze-like alleys of Bukchon Village.
Ups! Why I have so many photos? I'm sure it's more than  scenic spots here :P

Don't miss it if you're in Seoul. If you miss it, you miss Seoul~! ^^

Related Posts:
~ [Trazy] Bukchon Hanok Village 북촌한옥마을
~ Samcheongdong has Something for Everyone~!
~ Gyeongbokgung Palace