Reset
23 Comments

Lost in Singapore

First – thank you to everyone so far who has purchased my first product, the Unconventional Guide to Discount Airfare. I am truly grateful.

If you weren’t here on Wednesday, you can read more about it in the expected location. Against the conventional wisdom of scarcity, I plan to keep selling and improving it for a long time.

And now –

This is the story in which I am provided a geographic tour of Singaporean prostitutes, reflect on the biggest travel month of my life, and sleep in Changi airport prior to heading back to Hong Kong on the ultimate no-frills airline.

It’s a bit long—if you’re not interested in my travel diaries, you might not like this one. But if you’re up for it, here it is.

The last time I was in Singapore, things didn’t go so well – I walked into the glass door of a Starbucks on Orchard Road. My head recovered quickly, but my pride was wounded for the rest of the day.

Today I’m between Brunei, an odd little country completely surrounded by Malaysia, and Hong Kong on a nice 36-hour transit stop. I arrived mid-afternoon, which means I officially have one-and-a-half nights to spend before catching a 6am flight back to HKG. The first night I had planned to stay in a budget hotel, and the second night I expect to hang out at Changi Airport.

Singapore is the Asian city all travel writers love to hate.

Almost any commentary on visiting here is filled with references to canings and chewing gum. The implication is that Singapore is uptight, militant, and boring. Mention you are going to Singapore among established travel writers, and many will roll their eyes. “Why don’t you go up to Malaysia or down to Indonesia for some real culture?”

Yeah, yeah. Actually, I like Singapore just fine. It has a culture all of its own. Sure, part of that culture is somewhat manufactured – but that doesn’t mean it’s not culture in its own way.

On the train from Changi Airport, I listen to my iPod and say silent prayers for being finished with Brunei and on my way back home. In Singapore I have no schedule or major travel mysteries to solve, and I am happy for that.

The Red-Light Hotel 81

For my one night in the city before sleeping in the airport the next night, I’ve booked the cheapest hotel I could possibly find. Times are hard these days, and that’s just how it goes. The YWCA I stayed in before goes for $90 a night, but I’ve found a cheaper place further out of town in the Geylang district – which also happens to be the red-light district.

When I learn this information about my neighborhood, I’m a little surprised. I had no idea that Singapore even had a red-light district, but indeed they do. I get out of the train and hail a taxi to take me to the hotel. Along the short journey, the driver gives me an unrequested run-down on the prices of the local prostitutes.

“This area here, this is Chinese area. Chinese prostitutes, very expensive—maybe $80!” he says. ($80 in Singapore dollars is about $60 U.S.). He looks back at me for encouragement, but I don’t give him any. Nevertheless, he keeps going.

“Indonesian prostitutes over here—they go cheaper, lah. Maybe $30!”

I tell him I’m only interested in sleeping in my room tonight, but he doesn’t take the hint. “Over here, Malay prostitutes, over there, Thai prostitutes…” and on it goes.

It’s like the ASEAN of prostitutes in this neighborhood, with every nationality assigned its own couple of blocks. When I check in to the budget hotel, a Chinese guy next to me is paying for a stay of two hours. A sign reads “Only two people are allowed in the rooms after 11pm.”

Well, this is definitely not the vibe I get up at the YMCA, which does stand for Young Men’s Christian Association, after all. But the room is clean, and I take a quick shower, leave my bags, and head out to the parts of the city I’m more interested in.

The rest of the day, I walk. First I take the MRT over to Little India, a great neighborhood I’ve never managed to explore before.

Unlike a lot of Chinatowns, it really is like its own, well, little India. After a late lunch of potato curry, I head over to Orchard Road, Singapore’s central shopping area and also a nice place to walk in the early evening. I had just ran about 13 miles in Brunei the evening before, so my legs are pretty tired. I walk along at a slow pace, thinking about the whole trip that will be coming to an end soon.

The next day I head out to Changi Airport for an overnight stay before a 6am flight. I’ve decided to save money again and sleep on the airport floor, which at Changi is usually not as bad as it may sound if you haven’t been there.

Changi is frequently voted the #1 airport in the world, and for good reason. Transit passengers have access to free Xbox gaming consoles, internet-enabled PCs throughout the airport, nice relaxation rooms, a movie theatre, and even an outdoor garden you can sit in to pass the time. If you’re transiting in Singapore between 4 and 24 hours, the city will even send you on a free tour into the city, or give you a complimentary transfer shuttle so you can make your own tour.

In short, if you are going to sleep on the floor of an airport, Singapore is one of your better choices. I had planned to hang out in the garden, get caught up on emails, have a nice dinner at the vegetarian restaurant (yes, they have one of those too), and then crash out down by the Oasis lounge, where reclining chairs are freely provided.

There was just one problem… as there often is when traveling.

I do most of my long-haul travel on the Star Alliance and OneWorld networks, with major airlines like Cathay Pacific, Austrian, Thai, and so on. But I do a lot of side trips on low-cost carriers, which are ubiquitous throughout Asia and Europe.

On this side trip, I was traveling between Singapore and Hong Kong on JetStar Asia, a budget carrier in the truest sense. On JetStar Asia, you can’t even get a cup of water without paying extra for it… and they don’t allow you to bring your own food or drinks on board.

I know, I know – it’s almost as bad as Air Canada or any major U.S. airline. But the most troubling thing to me was that in addition to charging $1.80 for a cup of water, JetStar also does not allow anyone to check-in for a flight more than two hours prior to departure.

I didn’t realize this before I got to the airport, because I frequently get boarding passes for up to 36 hours in advance from other airlines. Then I’m free to cross security to the transit side, hang out in the lounge if I have access, or do whatever I want.

Anyway, I found out about 2pm that afternoon that I would not be able to get a boarding pass for my flight until 4am the next morning. This was definitely an unexpected disappointment, because it meant that my whole plan of spending the night in the transit area would not be possible now.

Happiness and Expectations

Writer Gretchen Rubin is publishing a book on the search for happiness next year, and I’m eager to hear what she has to say about it when the time comes. For me, I’ve learned through travel that happiness is largely related to expectations and perception.

I had been looking forward to the meal and the relatively comfortable place to sleep on the airport floor. With that plan, I’d get up about 5:15 in the morning and walk straight to the gate with boarding pass in hand. But without the boarding pass, of course, none of that was possible.

I’d have to fend for myself in the check-in area (which had less comfortable chairs and no carpeting, just a hard floor), and I would also have to wake up at 4:00, queue for the check-in, go through immigration and security, and then have another hour to wait until the flight actually boarded.

With my expectations dashed, I felt disappointed and unhappy. But when I thought about if further, I realized I had been in far more serious situations before. I mean, just last week I arrived in Pakistan without a visa. This should be easy, right?

I gave myself the “get over it” talk – also known as ass-kicking – and realized further that it was 2pm and I hadn’t eaten anything all day. (The lovely Hotel 81 in Geylang offers the option of two-hour rooms, but no complimentary breakfast.) After I ate some nice fried noodles with chili sauce, I immediately felt better about the situation.

I left my bags at the drop-off office downstairs, and went back into town on the MTR. After walking around Raffles Place for a while, I took the long way back to Changi. There wasn’t anything waiting for me there, and besides, I like to walk. For about an hour and a half, I walked through downtown, going along the Singapore river and then the Boat Quay area. Singapore is usually hot and sticky, but halfway through my walk, it cooled down.

Goodbye, Southeast Asia

My trip was coming to an end, and I was heading home. At 6am I’d be back on the no-frills flight to Hong Kong, then a connection to Tokyo and a long-haul flight across the Pacific the following morning. This trip had been far more tiring than usual, but I also made some good progress towards my long-term travel goal.

I realized I had been in a lot of places recently:

Pakistan – where I arrived without a visa, but then had a great week hanging out in Karachi.

Brunei – which was not really my kind of place, but I did have a great two-hour run and saw The Dark Knight with some Malaysians at the theatre in Bandar Seri Begawan.

San Marino – where I rented a car from the Rome airport and drove 12 hours round-trip to visit the Europe’s smallest republic. What, you don’t remember that story? It’s probably because I haven’t written about it yet. In fact, I may never write about it, because it didn’t go very well. But I did it, and I’ve been to San Marino now.

Mongolia – where I was evicted from my guesthouse—a first for me. It’s over, so that’s good. But it was also cool to see the Genghis Khan Brewery and other interesting cultural sites.

Poland – where I had another great run, also about 13 miles or so along the Vistula riverbank in Warsaw. I also learned I had made my biggest travel mistake ever, but I’ve gotten over it by now.

Northern Iraq, AKA Kurdistan – where I took off from my time in Eastern Europe to visit over a weekend. I was impressed with the culture and felt completely safe the whole time I was there.

Russia, Moldova, and Beyond – where I trekked through the Baltics, on to Russia, on Moldovan Airlines to Chisinau, and a train to Bucharest… before flying back to Vienna.

Yes, it was quite the journey. As I write this out in my journal this afternoon, I realize there’s a good reason why I’ve been so tired lately.

Thankfully, being tired works in my favor when nighttime comes, at least tonight in Singapore. I go back to Changi and enjoy a surprisingly good meal in the subway area below the airport. It also costs half the price of the $9 meal in the real airport, so I’m doubly-content. I buy a beer at the downstairs grocery store (they have one of those at Changi too) and head up to the check-in area, where I’ll make my “bed” on a couple of plastic chairs.

It’s not comfortable and they never dim the bright lights even after the last flight has left, but because I’m so tired I manage to sleep about four or five hours. I wake up sleepy-eyed, but ready to check-in and move on at 4:00 a.m.

I fly back on the uneventful JetStar Asia, but the good news this time is that the flight is half-full. I have a row of three seats to myself, and right after takeoff I fall asleep across the whole row. Nearly three hours go by before I wake up as we descend to Hong Kong, and I’m very thankful for the extra sleep.

Home from Japan

And then, a few hours later, I was heading back to Tokyo on the wonderful Japan Airlines, which provides consistently great service. Hot towels are brought out to everyone in all classes, and everyone gets a welcome drink. The 15 flight attendants, who are all women, are super-polite.

“Excuse me, sir,” says one of them as we are all boarding. “Is it alright if I ask you to please turn off your iPod before the departure?”

Being asked like that puts you in a great mood for the flight. Yes, it is quite alright. Thank you for asking so nicely.

The next morning, I’m on the way across the water, and I watch Kung-Fu Panda and type up these notes for everyone. Next stop, Seattle, my home city. It’s nice to travel, and it’s nice to come home.

###

Image: tobym

    Subscribe now and you’ll get the best posts of all time.

    23 Comments

    • Tracy Murrell says:

      Chris, loved your post. I can’t remember how I found your blog but I must say that I truly enjoyed reading it and look forward to your next adventure. Asia is on my list for ’09. Have you been to Cuba?

    • Chris says:

      @Tracy,

      Great, thanks. No, I haven’t made it to Cuba yet — the U.S. government is a little picky about its citizens visiting there, even though Cuba doesn’t mind. There are exceptions and other ways to do it, but I haven’t planned it out yet. Hopefully soon!

    • theWeir says:

      Hey Chris,

      Enjoying the blog (tracked you down via Seth Godin) and the guide to world domination. Thanks for sharing your life.

      Changi rocks. My beautiful wife and I had transit stopovers from UK to NZ a couple of times and it was thoroughly delighted by the experience. Not sure when we’re going back that way, so enjoy hearing stories of other people’s experience. Does that mean I am living vicariously through your blog…? ;->

      Grace and Peace for journey,

      Andy

    • Cris says:

      Hi Chris, this story is full of tips for us.. thanks!
      We are also planning to spend one night in the airport in Singapore.. but we’ll arrive there at night, so I hope we are allowed to stay in the transit area before leaving to the town in the morning.
      We’re also travelling with JetStar (from Bali to Singapore), and now I know I might have to eat something before boarding. 🙂

    • Chris says:

      @Andy,

      Thanks – and nice to meet you too!

      @Cris,

      Hey, that’s great… yeah, JetStar is truly no-frills, although the flight itself isn’t bad.

      If you can get in the transit area in SIN, you’ll be fine. Otherwise, go to Terminal 3 (not 1 or 2) as it is *slightly* better to sleep over there on the check-in side, upstairs in the viewing area.

      Good luck!

    • moom says:

      I like Singapore but Changi airport feels like it could be in the US Midwest or somewhere at least last time I was there in 2002 I think.

    • The Traveller says:

      Your blog about Jetstar has been most uncalled for. I’ve travelled many times on Jetstar within Asia, and it’s proven time and again, that air travel need not be expensive, the way it was in the past.

      Your whining sounds like many of the spoilt-bred in Singapore, who were too spoilt by services like SIA, and expected the same services every where they go. But mind you, why would you even want to fly on Low-cost airline. Stay with flying SIA then. Jetstar is no cheap-skate budget airline like TIger is. You can do a better serive to your blog by comparing like-for-like.

      It seems you’re deliberately describing a few of the minus you encountered, and not mentioning the rest of the pluses that you experienced, like Jetstar operates out of Changi Airport main Terminal 1 (yes, the world-class airport terminal), you get to select your seats when you book online, etc…

      I think you’ll do a better job by giving a balanced view.

    • Chris says:

      @The Traveller,

      I wrote about my own experience with JetStar, not anyone else’s. If you’ve had a better experience, that’s great.

      I really didn’t experience any positives when flying with them other than the arrival. As I said in the article, the U.S. airlines are no better, but at least with almost any other carrier passengers can get a boarding pass more than two hours before departure.

      Take care,

      Chris

    • Gabrielle H says:

      A great post – as usual. I’m learning a lot from your blog

    • The Global Traveller says:

      Cris – yes you can stay airside on arrival at Singapore, sleep the night and clear immigration in the morning. I’ve done that before when my flight arrived 2am-ish and I was meeting someone at 7am. I got a couple of extra questions at immigration but it was no big deal – literally a minute longer for me to get through.

      Chris – normally you can check in a long time before depature only on connecting flights rather than simple O&D (origin and destination) flights. Singapore Airlines is one of the few exceptions which is why you got caught out with Jetstar Asia I guess.

    • Leonel Gan says:

      Hi Chris, how would you even get a place to sleep in the airport for free? haha! I remember few years back, I ordered a cup of coffee and slept in the cafe. At least, there’s a nice sofa. Singapore is a great country, I love her airport, as well. Jetstar Asia is one of the better option to travel cheap in Asia, at least you made a right choice. There are other budget airlines not as comfortable. Lastly, I love reading your post. It is interesting. Stay cool, dude!

    • Natasha says:

      Great post! I think in Changi they deliberately make it less comfortable to rest outside as they want to prevent homeless people from crashing there, thus the stark contrast with the transit area. Glad you enjoy your trip and hopefully see you back in Singapore soon!

    • super mario bros says:

      It’s a bit long—if you’re not interested in my travel diaries, you might not like this one. But if you’re up for it, here it is.

    • REnusn says:

      Do you want to fix connections to Bluetooth audio devices and wireless displays in Windows 10? But, http://windowstuts.net/mobile your Windows 10 Bluetooth connection stuck then you are at the right place.

    • SeriesDanko.to says:

      One way that you could promote your online website, to increase the number of page views it sees, is to take advantage of online video websites.

    • gmail login says:

      Genuinely loved this kind of post. Although I want much more information on like precious subject matter.

    • Altadefinizi.one says:

      Although I want much more information on like precious subject matter.

    • www.zalukaj.ws says:

      So, go ahead and order that Danish Bleu Cheese Burger topped with dried cranberries and a ginger soy glaze you always wanted.

    • Combine jpg to pdf says:

      Simple start this site combine jpg to pdf use this code.

    • megadede says:

      Nothing can prepare you for the blurring of boundaries and turf that occur as you transition into working together.

    • mejor torrent says:

      With hundreds of new franchise concepts being started every year, it is nearly impossible to keep track of the freshest ideas.

    • gcmob says:

      We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us

    • ابر 4 میل says:

      معرفی هنر خیاطی
      از زمان انسان‌های نخستین تا به امروز پوشیدن لباس یک ضرورت بوده است و هر شخصی تمایل دارد که ظاهررر خود را به بهترین شکل ممکن آراسته کند بنابراین رنگ و طراحی پوشاک باید هنرمندانه، زیبا، هماهنگ با شرایط محیط و باب روز باشد. از این رو فن یا به عبارتی هنر خیاطی به وجود آمد و در ردیف مشاغل مهم و کارآمد جامعه قرار گرفت و روز به روز در کنار هنرها و فنون دیگر رشد کرد و به روز شد. از گذشته تا امروز این هنر طرفداران زیادی داشته است و مردان و زنان بسیاری با این هنر در سطوح مختلف آشنا هستند.

    Your comments are welcome! Please be nice and use your real name.

    If you have a website, include it in the website field (not in the text of the comment).

    Want to see your photo in the comments? Visit Gravatar.com to get one.

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *