Marvelling about in Changi

Changi Airport

This is when I really marvel over technology. Here I am in Changi airport in

Singapore – a marvel in itself, for being the most civilised airport I’ve come across. they really cater for travellers here… including six hours of free wireless Internet (how did they know I have a 6 hour layover? It’s simply fun being here, no matter what time of day or where you are in your travels. Free movies, nap lounges, foot massage machines, a butterfly garden, orchid garden. Since I am on my way to travel,  I must resist the shopping, though I did buy a few small electronic accessories for a small fraction of what I’d pay at home.

Found this display in a men’s shop… not the sort of men’s shop one finds in Auckland or most American cities… this is some kind of metro-sexual men’s shop – where men are proud to buy lotions and serums and potions, brushes and buffers, toners and soothers.

Bobby is a bit bemused, but I have the feeling it’s rather recent that these kind of shops have fallen out of favour in the west – our men have to be so very macho – maybe because the women are, too? Asia is much less macho, though it is undoubtedly more sexist. I like the idea that there’s no conflict in a dude who rides a Harley using lotion to keep his face smooth and moist.

A bit to eat – we had breakfast on the plane, but I’ve been on a low-carb diet for the last few months and everything they gave us seemed to be white flour, white sugar, previously forbidden fruit. My blood sugar spiked and like the stereo-type I inevitably turn out to be – I was starving when it dropped. I courageously had a grande bowl of Boston seafood chowder. Quite tasty. Bobby played it safe with a Mango Snapple and a bagel (funny  how we revert to the comfort foods of old).

OK – he IS giving me the evils, but he ended up feeling a bit green around the gills.

I like this sign indicating departures. We are on the 12.50 via Dubai flight. We’re heading for Dubai – but it carries on to Riyadh. Not sure I’ll ever get to  Riyadh, but I might – I get more curious about the world every day and find it’s less and  less resistable. There’s a few destinations up there I wouldn’t mind going, but Phuket and Kuala Lumpur, both of which I have been to before are on the this trip as well. Looking foorward to snorkeling with monkeys in Phuket. (No, they don’t get in – they really don’t handle the equipment well – but they like to watch…) Not sure what I’ll do in KL this time… I like not knowing.

The orchid garden is really the highlight of terminal 3. Neither Bobby or I have ever seen orchids like these – and in such abundance!

Every colour and variety imaginable. It draws everyone – all ages and cultures. I love watching the other picture takers – those who will wait and wait for their fried to come and stand in front of these perfect flowers so they can get a photo – and those who wait and wait for the people to leave, so the flowers have no competition.

Me, I love the both – the people and the flowers and especially the beautiful goldfish. You don’t mind if I while away the next hour pondering them before the next flight… It’s just such a beautiful  way to start a trip!

Next – Dubai! Opulence, extravagance, indulgence, excess… and all the things I don’t expect soon to be discovered!