Jewel

There are airports and there are airports. I have an affinity for airports especially at Changi. Each time I returned home, I kiss the ground at Changi. How many airports have such plush carpet, plants, flowers, gardens, shops and food and other entertainment for weary travellers? Many from overseas often tell me how great Changi Airport and Singapore is. A prophet is never appreciated in his own country as it is said. We have new terminals adding up and being built way before the tourist numbers increased. Terminal 4 was completed and now building Terminal 5. Some joked that we are suffering from terminal illness. Oh and what a shame that some parcels of land from golf courses had to be taken. For the greater good so just shut up and play as it lies. Golf is important and it is not elitist as some folks think. The sport itself never is. It was just how some made it up to be.

Tiger Woods' comeback has been significant for golf. After all his marital disaster and serious back and knee injuries and at 43 against much younger, very strong and a talented field of golfers, he did it. If only someday Tiger would visit Singapore to play and meet our own jewel.

And so I have an invitation and tickets to visit our Jewel. Drove there and parked at Jewel itself. Came up from the lift at the basement lobby and was greeted by this...

The Rain Vortex. To make it more amazing, it was said that it was built off centre which was the great challenge.

At the ground level, you could the rain mist. You could read all about its architect Moshe Safdie, the Israeli-Canadian yourself. How could he at 80 years of age built something like that when I can't even make a bowl of salad. Where did his energy come from?

It is a great big garden there. The multi-award winning Moshe said he drew inspiration from the  science fiction film Avatar. This indoor waterfall has water falling through the roof at a velocity of 10,000 gallons per minute. I am afraid that Dr. M may start accusing us again that any success from hereon was a result of his water. 

On that Sunday, only ticket holders could get in which means it is controlled and not over-crowded but it was crowded but manageable. You have to queue for food and we decided to try "Shiki Hototogisu Ramen".

You could still see water splashing down but covered by thick glass or fibre-glass.

This is a tyre-rated ramen. I mean Michelin.

While you wait, let the water feature entertain you.

They serve a very different and special ramen indeed. At different areas in this bowl of soup, you will taste a few types of flavour - Black Truffle Oil, Garlic Butter and Shiitake, Enoki and Oyster. It is the "Signature Four Seasons (Autumn)" and it is very good.

We also tried the more fiery but simple one with thin slice of cha su.

Like James Bond, I like mine shaken but not stirred.

The Jewel has a few gems that is going to rock Singapore for sure. Humans clamour for things they do not have rather than appreciate those they have. While we enjoy new things sometimes please do not forget the old. Old places, old things and old people. 

"Shake Shack" is going to rock the place. Shake Shack is a New York City casual restaurant chain that started out as a roadside hot dog cart at Madison Square in 2001. So you can say it is like our pasar malam Ramly Burger. Shake Shack only opens from 17 April 2019 so we can see but cannot eat. Anyway it would be too long to queue. 

I must not forget the return of A and W. This was Singapore's first fast food restaurant at Dunearn Road long ago which had a "Drive-Through". It gave us our very first fast food. Burgers, Root Beer and Root Beer Floats plus Coney Dog and Ice Cream Waffles. Too many burger chains and outlets came along and off the went and left us. After they were gone, Singaporeans just love to go to A & W when they were overseas from Batam to Bangkok. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

A & W can come and go but people don't. So treasure the people you ought to treasure because some times when they are gone they are gone forever. 

As we moved up there are still many eateries.

You could the light show from the top with a vantage view. 

Lights can be quite fascinating.

I found this which is also going to be very popular - "Burger and Lobster" from London. 

I also found Tanuki Raw which is famous for their Cocktails, sashimi and oysters and their truffle yakiniku donburi.

Back to the light show as the audience were in awe of the kaleidoscope. 

If you are not afraid of height you could one day walk on this Canopy Bridge. 50m long and suspended 23 m above the ground with see through glass floor panels.

This reminded me of the movie "Independence Day" where the alien mother ship attacks.

The laser would come out later to give you more photo and...

video opportunities. I saw quite a few folks armed with cameras, tripods and video equipment.

It gets more complicated

to further wow the crowd.

There is a garden on top.

There is an elephant made up of flowers.

The Bouncing Net - to give you a sense of weightlessness and at its highest point it is closest to the Jewel facade.

This flower garden brought me back to Hokkaido.

Our own Chrysanthemum Garden.

There are plenty of shops. A huge variety of food and there are so many things do to at the Jewel. Whether you are local, tourists, travellers, you are going to be spoilt for choices. If you are departing from CHangi airport please do not forget your real destination and its flight timing. You may be too engrossed. 

There is but just one thing I could play with. Just key in your car number and the screen will remind you at which level and where your car was parked with a photo of your car.

It even mapped out the route to your car. It is so cool maybe next time after a phase 2 upgrade they may even send the car to you. 

There are plenty of shopping you can do here, lots to eat and so much to do that the next time I come to the airport, I will not fly. This is the Crown Jewel!