EN ROUTE

The other day we hit a milestone on our trip: Our passports are half full. That’s a pretty monumental event. There would be more pages used, but we mostly only get stamped when we fly into or out of a country; a few countries in Europe went unstamped since we used trains or buses.

Since September, we’ve taken over 10 flights to get to where we are now. Other than a couple ridiculously early departure times and overnight “sleeps” in airports, we have nothing to complain about. All flights have never been delayed more than an hour or so, and after every journey our baggage has faithfully found its way to that carrousel.

Last Wednesday, however, our flying experiences reached a whole new height.

Two words: Air. Singapore.

Keep in mind that one thing—and one thing alone—is solely considered when we book our flights. Money. No matter what time a flight departs or arrives, if it’s cheap and it’s reasonably close to where we want to go, we book it.

At the price we paid for the flight from Kolkata to Phnom Penh (via Singapore), we were expecting a flight like most of the others we’ve taken. Saying no to purchasing flimsy ear phones, nasty food or expensive duty free. Leg room that’s fit for a four year old. Stale air. Ninety-degree seats. You know the drill.

Well, any airplane that decks its walls with boughs of holly this time of year, clearly is in a league of it’s own. They treated us like royalty—we’re talking warm towels, socks, headphones, meals ordered off a menu, endless beverages & cocktails (…ever tried a Singapore Slinger?), personal TVs with movies, trivia, Nintendo, radio), and tons of leg room. They had mouthwash, toothbrush, toothpaste, combs, razors and shaving cream in the bathrooms. And to top it all off, we landed to a sweet little flute solo of “What Child is This?” Does it get better than that? Sorry West Jet, but I think not.

The only downfall to the whole thing was that it was only a 3 hour flight. It takes a person that long to orient themselves with all the gimmicks, sample the food and drink, and pamper oneself in the salon-like bathrooms. Even though the flight was from 11pm to 2am, sleep was definitely not an option.

And that’s just the airplane; Singapore’s airport is a whole other ball park. There are 3 massive terminals, one of which was having a grand opening while we were there...guided tours and all. Within these terminals are huge city-like areas reserved solely for passengers in transit (“Transit Terminals”) You don't have to go through customs, and your baggage (ideally) goes directly through to your next flight. There are cheap hotels within the terminal, free 2hr city tours aboard a coach bus and river boat (...the city isn't to shabby either, but that'll have to wait for another time), showers, movie theatres, pools, fitness centres, shops, free internet, restaurants, massage areas, and quiet sleeping areas.

Needless to say, Singapore has undoubtedly become our new flying Mecca. The airport alone is worth becoming a vacation destination. If you're ever in the area, add 'er to the list...