Live Work Play

Live Work Play

Wednesday, 11 April 2018

Lounges @ Changi Airport


Lounges form part of the travel experience be it for work or holiday. However, not all of them offer the same experience as they vary on amenities such as shower facilities to the food selections and most important of all - the range of alcohol available! Or at least to me...

1. KrisFlyer Gold Lounge (T2/T3)

An airline lounge with full offering (except showering facilities). Staff are friendly and approachable in line with the standards of the airline. There are a variety of warm food and snack. Free access to the alcohol stations with a mix of red, white and hard liquor.



Complimentary Accessibility: 
  • KrisFlyer Elite Gold Members departing on a SIA or SilkAir flight
  • Star Alliance Gold Members departing on a SIA or Star Alliance flight 
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold holders departing on a SIA flight 
  • Virgin Australia Velocity Platinum and Gold members departing on a SIA or Silkair flight
  • DBS Treasurers (S$350k AUM and S$20k DBS/POSB annual card spend)

Key Features:
  • Selection of warm food,light snacks and beverages
  • WIFI
  • Internet PCs
  • TV Area


Seating area
Coffee Machine. They also serve TWG tea.
Warm Food
Warm Food
Sandwich

Chilled Drinks
Cereal

Chips and Nuts

Free access of Alcohol

Rating:

Amenities: 6/10
Food Selection: 6/10
Drinks Selection: 7/10
Alcohol Selection: 7/10
Service Crew: 7/10
Environment: 7/10

Overall rating: 6.6/10



2. SATS Premier Lounge

A very modern looking 3rd party lounge with full suite of offerings. Although they provide self service laksa cooking stations, the other buffet spreads are abysmal. Free access of alcohol with selection similar to Krisflyer Gold Lounge. Crew service are average, standards below that of Krisflyer Gold Lounge. 



Complimentary Accessibility: 
  • Air China
  • Air Niugini
  • Lion Air
  • Myanmar Airways
  • Philippines Airlines (Business Class/ Gold Card Members)
  • Turkish Airlines
  • Biman Bangladesh International
  • Uzbekistan Airways
  • Shenzhen Airlines
  • Regent Airways
  • Air India (Business Class)
  • Etihad Airways (Business Class / Gold Card Members)
  • Lao Airlines
  • Malaysia Airlines (Business Class / Gold Card Members)
  • Royal Brunei Airlines (Business Class / Gold Card Members)
  • United Airlines (First Class / Business Class Passengers)
  • Scoot Airlines
  • Jet Airways (First Class / Business Class Passengers)
  • China Eastern Airlines (First Class / Business Class Passengers) 
  • Vietjet Air
  • Saudi Arabian Airlines (First Class / Business Class Passengers)
  • Batik Air
  • Air New Zealand
  • Asiana Airlines
  • Malindo Air
  • Oman Air
  • EVA Airways
  • Priority Pass

Key Features:
  • Selection of warm food,light snacks and beverages
  • WIFI
  • Internet PCs
  • TV Area
  • Shower
  • Massage Chair


Seats

Individual PC area

Buffet area

Alcohol selection

Make your own laksa
Laksa

Chilled drinks

Soda dispenser

Rating:

Amenities: 7/10
Food Selection: 6/10
Drinks Selection: 6/10
Alcohol Selection: 7/10
Service Crew: 7/10
Environment: 6/10

Overall rating: 6.5/10



3. Plaza Premium Lounge (T1)

3rd party lounge that provide a full suite of offerings. Best view provided by this lounge as it faces the runway. For plane fanatics, this will be an exciting place for some bird watching. Good selection of hot meals but alcohol access is disappointing as there is restricted access. Limited selection of beverages and service staff are unprofessional - rude cook and unresponsive service staff when asked about the alcohols.



Complimentary Accessibility: 
  • Priority Pass
  • Plaza Premium Pass 
  • OCBC Voyager cardholder (S$200k AUM, annual card fee of S$488)

Key Features:
  • Selection of warm food,light snacks and beverages
  • WIFI
  • TV Area
  • Shower
Rest Area

Rest Area

Good view of the runway

Food area

Hot meals and sashimi

Limited drinks

Ordered Chicken Rice - Not bad

Limited Alcohol selection - Beer and House Wines

The rest needs additional charges

Additional charges apply

Shower room


Rating:

Amenities: 7/10
Food Selection: 6/10
Drinks Selection: 5/10
Alcohol Selection: 5/10
Service Crew: 4/10
Environment: 7/10

Overall rating: 5.6/10



4. Blossom Lounge (T4)

One of the newest lounge at changi, the blossom lounge is co-operated by SATS and Plaza Premium. Limited selection of food while drinks and alcohol are sufficient. There is a clear lack of service crew as used plates are seen lying around the lounge. 


Complimentary Accessibility: 
  • Korean Air (First Class, Business Class / Frequent Flyer card members)
  • Vietnam Airlines (First Class / Business Class Passengers)
  • Priority Pass
  • Plaza Premium Pass 
  • OCBC Voyager cardholder (S$200k AUM, annual card fee of S$488)

Key Features:
  • Selection of warm food,light snacks and beverages
  • WIFI
  • Shower
Dining Area

Individual seating area

Free Access of Alcohol

Crackers and Nuts

Food Stations

Hot meals

Dilmah Tea and soda dispenser

Bread and Fruits

Chilled Drinks

Food

Cheers!

Rating:

Amenities: 7/10
Food Selection: 6/10
Drinks Selection: 6/10
Alcohol Selection: 7/10
Service Crew: 4/10
Environment: 6/10

Overall rating: 6/10



5. The Green Market (T2)

A restaurant that provides proper meals to fill the tummy before your flight. However, service crew are not attentive and houseflies are encountered in the store.



Complimentary Accessibility: 
  • Priority Pass

Key Features:

  • 6 Hot fusion Japanese-Korean meals to choose from


Dining Area

Yakiniku Beef Set

Tempura and Saba Set




Sunday, 26 June 2016

Day 4 - 5 Kimchi land - Jeju/ Seoul

Day 4

Itinerary for Day 4





Seongsan Illchulbong - Unesco Heritage
Wake up early for Seongsan Illchulbong Sunrise peak, a Unesco Heritage site!

Cost is 2000 KRW per pax. It took me a good 20 minutes to ascend to the peak. At the peak, there is a magnificent view of the crater. 



Lunch @ Gwang Dong Sik Dang
After the tiring climb, we head for lunch! This is the cheapest pork galbi store that I have ever eaten. It is located off road in the neighbourhoods of rural Jeju. Recommended by a Naver blogger, I decided to try it and it proves to be true! Friendly ahjumma with a generous serving of pork.


 Taste:
8.5/10

Manjanggul Cave - Unesco Heritage
Next is a visit to the triple crown Unesco Heritage site Manjanggul cave. It is one of the more accessible 3 lava tube that are connected to each other. The temperature in the cave is no greater than 15 degrees. It is advisable to bring a jacket with you for the 1 hour walk. 

Ticket prices - 2000 KRW


Mysterious Road
 It is an optical illusion that made objects to appear to roll up the hill instead of down. The car seemed to defy gravity for a short moment before coming to a halt. Not sure if I did it correctly - put the gear to neutral.


Fuel time
Cost of fuel is about 1500 won/litre. 

Ramada Encore Yeondong
 The hotel is situated at Sin-Jeju, the new part of Jeju city. Interestingly, the carpark to the hotel is not located within the grounds of the hotel. It is parked at the opposite end of the hotel where you will have to navigate a busy road to reach the hotel. It cost only SGD 88 per night and its newly built, hence no complaints. Else, you can consider Maison Glad, Shilla Stay or Lotte City Hotel for alternatives.


Baojian Street

Dinner @ Hwayoung
Found a 24 hours restaurant along Baojian street.

Day 5:


Itinerary for Day 5



Breakfast Opposite Maison Glad Hotel
Managed to find a simple hanjeongsik breakfast at a local eatery frequent by locals.



AJ Car Rental
 As we rented the car at 10am on our first day, we made sure to return the car before 10am to avoid incurring another day charge. The airport branch is conveniently located near the airport. After returning, hop on the Car rental bus for your trip to the airport. Ensure you give yourself at least 30 minutes buffer time prior to checking in.


7C106 Jeju Air (CJU - GMP) - B737 new gen
1045 - 1155

Check in counters open 2 hours prior to your flight departure. For the return leg to Gimpo, no buses were involved. There were aerobridges linking directly to the passenger's terminal for both Jeju and Gimpo Airport.


  



Song Joong Ki endorsed Airline


























Personally I prefer Jeju Air to T'way. They serve orange juice with unlimited refills!

AirBnb Mapo
I was deciding between Airbnb or a Hotel. Decided to go with Airbnb with a cost savings of at least 200 SGD which i can use for shopping! Overall 4 nights stay is around 280+SGD.

Our host is called Tersea. She is a very friendly host who will answer all your queries and provide recommendations for good food! She picked us up at the subway exit and gave us detailed introduction to her house - use of wifi, door etc. She regularly checked on us to see if we needed any help and her house location is perfect!

Direct line to the airport, Gwanghwamun, Dongdaemun, Yeoido. Direct bus to Myeongdong (Just 10 minutes away). And if you are staying late outside, Night bus N16 serve the area too (Connecting Myeongdong and Dongdaemun). You will then not be needing to worry about taxi haggling which happened to me on our last night! Tell you more on that later.


She was generous to us, providing mask! The sofa in the living room can be made into a bed. Hence, her apartment can effectively fit 4 people!

Lunch @ Yoogane Myeongdong
There are so many Yoogane outlets in Myeongdong. At least 3? You will definitely spot it if you are in Myeongdong. Order a set for 2 @ 10000KRW per pax and an additional fried rice for 2000KRW. VERY YUMMY!







Sulbing
Just across the street, I cant resist to go into Sulbing for some icy desserts after the spicy dak galbi meal! The bill works out to be around 11,500KRW for a bingsoo and toast!


Line Shop Myeongdong
There was a pretty long queue for the huge line bear at the entrance. I skipped it. The one at Garogusil has no queue! 


One of my favourite store in Korea - Aland! They sell really good collection of fashionable clothes. However, their prices are on the steeper side.


Myeongdong Kyoja
Its a must eat when you come to Myeongdong. Their Kimchi is one of the best I have eaten so far with a strong garlic and chilli taste. Mixed it with your mandu and the taste is simply perfect!


Myeongdong Gimbap
This store was recommended by our Airbnb host. IT IS REALLY GOOD. So good that I have to go back on my last day before leaving Seoul. When you eat there, you can have free refill of the side dish - Spicy cuttlefish, Spicy radish and the soup. It cost 7000KRW for a set of 10 Gimbap. 


Back to Day 2 - 3