A quick review for a quick, easy and comfortable flight. But first! A not-so-little-secret  why you should transit in Changi Singapore International Airport with Singapore Airlines.

Not only is Changi a perfect hub in Asia Pacific connecting Australia/NZ to Asia and the rest of the world. Until 30 September 2014 31 March 2015, Singapore Airlines (and Silk Air) passengers who are transiting (less than 24 hours) in Singapore are given a voucher of SGD 40.00 EACH to shop and spend anywhere you like within Changi International Airport.

You simply present your passport and boarding pass at the i-Shop Changi desk, and they hand you your SGD 40.00 voucher.

Pre-trip, I’ve heard from others that due to the popularity of this offer, there are often long lines at the iShop Changi and that by the time you get your voucher, it’s almost time to board.

And this is where the joys of early morning travel kicks in. Though not as early as our Sydney to Singapore flight at 640AM, we were at the airport around 0630-0700. The airport was still relatively quiet. (But all shops were open!)

The staff verified our tickets and eligibility and handed us 2 x 20 SGD vouchers each to buy anything we want at the airport. The ideas are endless! You could use that towards lounge accessibility, massages, souvenirs , cameras or cosmetics — the choice is yours.

Given how magnanimous Changi Airport is (this airport alone is an experience / tourist attraction in itself!), the possibilities are endless.

And as of this writing, the exchange rate is ALMOST 1AUD = 1SGD (SGD is still lower but just by a smidgen), so the 40 SGD voucher is really good value.

*Terms and conditions apply to this voucher make sure you read more information on the Changi Transit Promotion*

With less than 40 minutes to shop, Zombie and I decided to part ways and just meet each other at the boarding gate.

I naturally gravitated towards the DFS Cosmetics section, where I can spend hours and hours just browsing and ‘playing’. I finally ended up choosing 2 lipsticks. A cranberry shade (YSL) and a semi-nude/peach shade (L’Oreal)

Zombie got himself a portable keyboard, which may seem more practical than my choice but I doubt a keyboard will make him look pretty, yes?

On hindsight, I wish I chose a different shade from the peach one as it does make me look abit washed out. But such is the consequence of shopping under pressure 🙂

With new lipsticks in tow, I hurried to the gate and we boarded our Singapore to Hong Kong flight.

SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG WITH SINGAPORE AIRLINES, ECONOMY CLASS

Flight Number : SQ 860

Singapore to Hong Kong

Aircraft Type: Boeing 777-200

Departure: 0830

Flight time: 3 Hours 30 minutes

This was a short, sweet and pleasant flight. Again, Singapore Airlines made sure I was seated nicely on a bulkhead, this time right on the very first row of the economy cabin.

Though I didn’t have the injured leg towards the aisle, I didn’t really mind because this is probably the best seat you could get in the economy cabin of this aircraft.

Pardon the hideous footwear and the still swollen left leg (those were the only footwear I could wear without the moonboot).

Anyway back to the topic at hand. Even with my legs fully stretched, it still barely touches the wall of the bulkhead.

The bulkhead also has a flap that opens to the business class cabin which is more a safety feature during take off and landing.

As the flight departed at 0830 and took only 3.5 hours, there was 1 meal service of brunch. Choices for the regular meal were Fried Rice Vermicelli with Honey Roast Pork and Vegetables OR Scrambled Egg with Chicken Sausages, tomato and potatoes.

This is what Zombie opted for (Vermicelli noodles with Honey Roast Pork), and it smelled really divine. Though I think a few more slices of the honeyed pork roast would make this more perfect! There was also an orange jelly panna cotta which I stole from Zombie (for a 2nd serve).

And for my seafood meal:

A dish of baked crusted cod with potatoes and vegetables. An entree of pasta and shrimp. The orange jelly panna cotta for dessert was of good quality for plane food (and on economy at that). It was creamy, and not gelatin-like, as I initially thought it would be.

The flight was very quick and pleasant, I spent my time flicking through music and movies, and reading a book.

We landed in Hong Kong by mid-day and in good spirits.

So tell me, what would you buy at Changi Airport with your SGD 40.00 voucher?