Did you bring the right passport to the checkpoint?

Did you bring the right passport to the checkpoint?

ICA says it expects peaks in traffic at the Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints from Dec 22 to 26, and Dec 29 to Jan 1 2018.



In the first 10 months of this year, about 600 Singaporeans turned up at the Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints either with a wrong passport, or without a passport.

While it may be a mistake, these travellers will be subjected to a thorough security check, causing a hold-up and inconvenience to other travellers, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Wednesday (Dec 13).

“After conducting our checks on him, we have to turn him back because we cannot allow him to depart. Because the land checkpoint is a restricted area, we need resources to escort him out,” said Superintendent Muhammad Nagib Ali, senior assistant commander at Tuas Checkpoint.

While the number is not big and a slight drop from the 622 in 2015, ICA said that these avoidable cases have the potential to lead to congestion, and require manpower.

About 3,000 foreigners also tried to enter Singapore with expired, invalid travel documents or no documents at all.

ICA gave these figures during a media briefing at Tuas Checkpoint to give a glimpse into what is being done to manage checkpoint operations during the year-end peak period.

BRACING FOR INCREASED TRAFFIC

Traffic flow through the Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints is expected to be heavy from Dec 22 to 26 and Dec 29 to Jan 1 next year, ICA said.

During the year-end period, about 430,000 travellers use the land checkpoints, an 8 per cent increase from the regular 400,000 travellers who use the checkpoints daily.



The traffic during morning peak hour at Tuas immigration checkpoint. (Photo: Howard Law)

In order to improve the flow of traffic, ICA said it monitors real-time traffic to open up an appropriate number of lanes for the different modes of transport. On the roads are also officers to ensure that there is no “ballooning” caused by motorcyclists who try to cut the queues by coming in from the outer lanes.

Such ballooning can cause a jam as the motorcycles can potentially take up all lanes, preventing cars and buses from passing through.

ICA officers also put in up to 14 hours a day to handle the traffic that gets heavy as early as 5am. The authority also leverages technology to ease the flow, with 164 automated clearance lanes in total at both checkpoints for motorcyclists. These counters speed up motorcycle clearance by up to 30 per cent, ICA said.

However, as much depends on motorists’ behaviour, Supt Nagib appealed to motorists to observe lane discipline.

SECURITY NOT COMPROMISED DESPITE HEAVIER TRAFFIC

Despite the heavier traffic, ICA said that security will not be compromised, as it brought the media on a tour of the security checks that are conducted.

At every stage of the immigration clearance process, officers identify travellers who may be smuggling contraband items and acting suspiciously.

Those who are suspected of carrying security-sensitive items such as arms and explosives are referred for more thorough checks.



ICA officers conducting a security check on a car entering Singapore at Tuas Checkpoint. (Photo: Howard Law)

From January to October this year, about 36,000 contraband cases were detected at land checkpoints. These cases, 118 on average a day, mostly involved the smuggling of cigarettes and drugs through methods like strapping the items onto the body, and concealing them in modified compartments.

As Tuas Checkpoint is the only one that allows the transportation of poultry and hazardous materials, cargo is also checked for chemical, biological, radiological and explosive materials, and potential viruses in the case of poultry.

“This is important because these substances can be used for self-made bombs or malicious intent, and cause damage in Singapore,” Supt Nagib said.

Source: Channel News Asia

Changi Airport warns of potential baggage delay due to monsoon season

Changi Airport warns of potential baggage delay due to monsoon season

Travellers arriving at Changi Airport during the year-end holiday period may experience delays in retrieving their luggage due to the monsoon season, said Changi Airport Group (CAG) on Monday (Dec 4).

It explained that heavy rain and lightning may force ground handlers to temporarily stop the retrieval of baggage from aircraft.

“This is for the safety of the baggage handling staff,” said CAG.

“When there is lightning activity, there is also the possibility of a ‘side flash’, where dangerous static electric discharge occurs even when the workers are standing close to the aircraft and not in contact with any object,” it added, noting that lightning alerts have also been issued when it is not raining.

Last month alone, bad weather led to baggage delays for 1.5 per cent of arrival flights.

Out of 14,971 flights, there were baggage delays for 225 flights, said CAG. That is almost triple the average of 78 cases per month from January to October this year.

According to the Meteorological Service last Thursday, wet and rainy weather is expected to continue in the first two weeks of December.

It added that with the onset of the northeast monsoon, two to four episodes of monsoon surges can be expected from December to January, bringing prolonged, widespread rainfall that can last between two and five days.

Under normal weather conditions, CAG aims to get passengers their luggage within 35 minutes after the aircraft parks. It said it has achieved this for more than nine in 10 passengers.

AFFECTED PASSENGERS CAN WAIT IN LOUNGES

In the case of baggage delays, CAG said it will activate messages on the monitor displays at the baggage claim belts and issue public announcements at regular intervals.

A sign or “lightning cubes” will also be placed on the relevant baggage claim belts. This is being tested at Terminal 3 and there are plans for it to be rolled out across all terminals, said CAG.

It added that affected passengers will be offered refreshments such as bottled water, canned coffee, packet Milo and biscuits while they wait for their bags. 

CAG has also turned some space in the Baggage Claim Hall of Terminals 2 and 3 into lounges where passengers can access WiFi and power plugs.



Passengers can rest at the lounges at the T2 and T3 Arrival Halls while they wait for their bags to arrive at the baggage claim belt. (Photo: CAG)

In extreme cases where the delay is expected to be long, CAG noted that some airlines offer a complimentary home delivery option.

Given that Singapore has one of the highest occurrences of lightning activity in the world, CAG said it has measures in place to protect staff.

These include having ground handlers use wireless headsets which help to remove the possibility of lightning-induced static discharge from the aircraft.

Since August, CAG has also made it compulsory for all aircraft to perform three-point aircraft grounding, to prevent the accumulation of electrical charge by dissipating them to the ground safely.

"The safety of airport workers is paramount to CAG. We seek passengers’ understanding that we will do our best to present their bags for collection as soon as it is safe to do so, be it rain or shine," CAG added.

Source: Channel News Asia

More wet weather in first half of December: Met Service

More wet weather in first half of December: Met Service



Wet and rainy weather is expected to continue in the first two weeks of December, the Meteorological Service said in a weather forecast on Thursday (Nov 30).

Short, moderate to heavy showers with thunder can be expected on five or six days in the afternoon and evening.

On one or two days, widespread thundery showers with occasional windy conditions in the early morning can also be expected, said the Met Service.

Around the second week of the fortnight, a monsoon surge could develop and bring a few days of cooler temperatures, windy conditions and heavy rain to Singapore.

Rainfall for the first fortnight of December is forecast to be well above normal, the Met Service said.

The daily maximum temperature for most days in the first half of December is likely to range between 31°C and 32°C.

However, a few rainy days during this period might drop the daily maximum and minimum temperatures to 29°C and 22°C respectively.

With the onset of the northeast monsoon, two to four episodes of monsoon surges can be expected from December to January, bringing prolonged, widespread rainfall that can last between two and five days, it added.

Source: Channel News Asia

Chingay 2018: Parade route to be doubled, with a free carnival

Chingay 2018: Parade route to be doubled, with a free carnival



Students from the School of Dance will kick off Chingay 2018 with a performance called Chingay Wonderland.

The route for next year's Chingay Parade in February will be doubled from 720m to 1.5km, and there will be a stretch that is open to the public free-of-charge, said organisers on Tuesday (Nov 28).

From the F1 Pit Building, which is a ticketed zone, the parade will extend to the area behind the Singapore Flyer before ending at the Floating Platform where River Hongbao will be held.

At the open space behind the Singapore Flyer, there will be a free street parade and carnival where visitors can get a taste of "instagrammable" treats such as colourful roasted marshmallows and rainbow bagels, said organisers.

Members of the public can also expect free street performances such as circus acts and balloon sculpting.

Organised by the People's Association, Chingay 2018 will be held on Feb 23 and 24, the week after Chinese New Year. It will involve 6,500 local and international performers as well as 2,000 volunteers.

Kickstarting the parade will be a group of more than 550 students from the School of Dance who will put up a performance called Chingay Wonderland.

Smart technology will also be showcased, with a contingent featuring dancing robots and driverless cars. The contingent will be lead by seniors who are Silver Infocomm Wellness Ambassadors, people who have have spent time teaching and encouraging their peers to use technology.

With the theme Cultural Funtasy, next year's parade is the 46th edition of the annual event.

"Chingay 2018 will be a more fun, vibrant and organic street parade while celebrating Singapore's cultural diversities and our people," said Mr Julian Aw, vice-chairman of Chingay 2018.

"The parade will be characterised by performers from all walks of life, bringing greater fun, increased community participation with more imaginative presentations."

Source: Channel News Asia

MRT closures and shorter operating hours

MRT closures and shorter operating hours: What you need to know



Commuters travelling along the East-West Line and North-South Line will experience shorter operating hours over the weekend and full closures on some Sundays in December at 19 stations.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Commuters travelling along the East-West Line (EWL) and North-South Line will experience shorter operating hours over the weekend and full closures on some Sundays in December at 19 stations.

The move will affect 17 stations from Tiong Bahru to Tuas Link on the East-West Line, and Bukit Batok and Bukit Gombak stations on the North-South Line.

The shortened operating hours are expected to affect some 20,000 to 30,000 people.

Train operator SMRT said at a press conference on Tuesday (Nov 21) that this was done in order to accelerate resignalling works and move the East-West Line onto the new signalling system by June 2018 instead of the end of next year.

Compatibility issues between an old and a new signalling system caused a collision between two MRT trains on Nov 15. The changes were flagged to avoid the risk of a repeat incident by keeping the two systems separated till next June.

This will also mean no train service between Joo Koon station and Gul Circle on the East-West line as a way to keep the two signalling systems separate, till the EWL switches over to the new system.

Here is what commuters need to know and what alternative transport arrangements will be available:

1. SHORTER OPERATING HOURS ON FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS

When: From Dec 8 to 30, train services will end at 11pm on Friday and Saturday at 19 stations - Tiong Bahru to Tuas Link on the East-West Line, and Bukit Batok and Bukit Gombak stations on the North-South Line.

When: From Dec 9 to 31, the first trains at those stations will also start later at 8am on Saturday and Sunday.

Alternative arrangements: Commuters can take parallel bus services - which run along the MRT network - outside affected MRT stations. They will be charged the same fare as if they had taken a train journey.

2. FULL-DAY CLOSURES ON TWO SUNDAYS

When: The 19 stations - from Tiong Bahru to Tuas Link on the East-West Line, and Bukit Batok and Bukit Gombak stations on the North-South Line - will be closed for the whole day on two Sundays - Dec 10 and Dec 17.

Alternative arrangements: Parallel shuttle bus services will be made available on those days. These buses will ply the route the MRT trains will take along the train tracks.

The fares for these shuttle bus services will follow the rail fare structure.

3. FULL CLOSURE BETWEEN JOO KOON AND GUL CIRCLE UNTIL MID-2018

When: Train services have been suspended between Joo Koon and Gul Circle stations. This will continue until mid-2018.

Alternative arrangements: Commuters will have to alight at either stop and take a free shuttle bus to the other in order to continue their journey. They will be charged the same fare as if they had taken a train straight through.

4. REDUCED TRAIN SERVICES ALONG OTHER STRETCHES IN FIRST HALF OF 2018

When: Disruption to services will happen at other stations along the North-South and East-West Lines in the first half of 2018. More details closer to the dates will be revealed.

Alternative transport: Parallel shuttle bus services will run along those stretches as and when train services are affected.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Hotels may use facial recognition, e-payment in future

Hotels may use facial recognition, e-payment in future



At W Singapore Sentosa Cove, guests can unlock their rooms with a smartphone thanks to the Starwood Preferred Guest Keyless feature. The Singapore Tourism Board has announced a plan to identify technology that hotels can adopt to become "smarter".PHOTO: ST FILE

Facing changing consumer demands and technological disruption in the sector, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has announced a plan to identify technology that hotels can adopt, such as facial recognition at check-in and the use of e-payment wallets.

Work on this road map to help hotels become "smarter" will begin in late 2018.

It will serve as a common framework for hotel owners and operators to embark on technological transformation, said the tourism board in a statement on Thursday (Nov 23).

Called the Smart Hotel Technology Roadmap, it will be charted by STB and the Hotel Innovation Committee, led by the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA).

"The hotel industry must continue to innovate and transform itself to keep up with emerging trends in businesses and technologies, as well as consumers' changing preferences," said Mr Albert Teo, president of SHA.

A key component of the road map will be the Smart Hotel Core Technology listing, which is a register of solution providers that can help hotels in their transformation.

Some innovations that STB hopes more hotels can adopt were showcased at an annual conference organised by STB on Thursday, such as an egg machine that can make omelettes.

Other technology on display at the event at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre included a chatbot software to facilitate guest interaction, a luggage tracking system and delivery robots.

The tourism board also gave an update on the Hotel Industry Transformation Map, which outlines strategies to help hotels adopt technology and address the manpower crunch, among other goals. This was launched in December 2016.

It is one of 23 industry transformation maps under the Industry Transformation Programme announced by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat during Budget 2016.

One highlight of the plan so far is the Hotel Innovation Challenge that was held in May this year. It aimed to crowdsource innovative solutions to raise productivity and enhance customer experience.

The challenge has yielded more than 15 awarded solutions, with more than 30 participating hotels agreeing to pilot these solutions in areas such as artificial intelligence and robotics.

Another initiative was the three-year Hotel Careers Campaign in July to raise awareness of the range of jobs and careers available in the sector.

STB chief executive Lionel Yeo said: "We strongly encourage hotels to participate in the Hotel Industry Transformation Map's initiatives and push ahead together with us on this journey of transformation to meet guests' evolving needs in an era of change and disruption."

STB will also be working with a hotel operator at the group level for the first time in this way, by partnering Far East Hospitality Management in a four-year commitment to implement a programme across the entire hotel group.

The plan will cover three new properties slated to open in Sentosa in 2019.

Some of the ideas being explored with the operator include the use of smart technology and artificial intelligence in hotel operations, self-check-in processes and an in-house talent grooming programme.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

Changi Airport passenger traffic up 8.1% in October

Changi Airport passenger traffic up 8.1% in October



File photo of visitors watching a bag-tagging demonstration at Changi Airport Terminal 4. (Photo: Dewi Fabbri)

Changi Airport handled more passengers in October compared to the year before, with traffic boosted by growth from all regions.

The airport registered 5.16 million passenger movements last month, an 8.1 per cent increase compared to October last year, Changi Airport Group said in a release on Thursday (Nov 23).

The figure was also higher than the 4.93 million passengers that passed through Singapore in September.

Of its top 10 markets, China, India, Thailand and Vietnam registered the largest increases, Changi said. Major city routes that recorded double digit growth included Bangkok, Guangzhou, Penang, Phuket and Taipei.

Changi noted that passenger traffic for the first 10 months of 2017 rose 6.1 per cent to 51.2 million. It added that come December, the airport is on track to welcome, for the first time, its 60 millionth passenger in a calendar year.

Aircraft movements rose 3.7 per cent to 31,730 landings and takeoffs compared to the same period last year, while airfreight throughput grew 5.0 per cent to reach 185,830 tonnes.

Changi Airport was awarded CAPA Asia Airport of the Year 2017 at this year’s CAPA Asia Aviation Awards for Excellence. The awards celebrate strategic excellence in the aviation industry.

It was also recognised for the development of Terminal 4, launched last October, and its commitment to boost capacity over the next decade.

More than 100 airlines operate at Changi Airport, connecting Singapore to some 380 cities in about 90 countries and territories.

There are more than 7,000 weekly scheduled flights, and an aircraft takes off or lands every 90 seconds, Changi said.

On Tuesday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced that a smart digital tower, which allows air traffic controllers to guide take-offs and landings remotely without having to see the planes, will soon be tested at Changi Airport.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

Fish Head Curry

Fish Head Curry

This spicy dish is a scintillating stew of curry cooked with vegetables and of course, the whole head of a fish.



The squeamish will squirm at the sight of puffy cheeks and bulging fish eyes surrounded in a sea of red gravy. Yet, for many, it is a visually appetising feast - usually eaten with rice to soak up the fragrant curry.

Fish head curry is unique to Singapore, the epitome of a cultural melting pot. It mixes the spices of a typical South Indian curry with the fish head, a delicacy among the Chinese.

Every ethnic group here has its own version of the dish, with slight variations to the curry. Some mix in tamarind paste for a tinge of sourness, others add coconut milk for a creamier texture.

The only similarity is the head of a fleshy Red Snapper swimming in a pool of spicy gravy, along with a mix of vegetables such as okra (lady fingers) and egg plant.

A head start

Fish head curry was created in the kitchen of a small Indian restaurant in the 1960s. Fish head is not considered an Indian ingredient, but to please Chinese customers who love it. A restaurant owner from the Southern Indian state of Kerala blended Indian curry with the Chinese favourite fish head.

The result was a hit. Today, it is on the menu in Indian, Chinese, Malay and Peranakan restaurants, often served still bubbling away in a large clay pot. Fish aficionados will proclaim that the cheeks have the best flesh, and the eyes are a treat.

~Courtesy of VisitSingapore.com~

Chilli Crab

Chilli Crab

Chilli crab hits all the right spots with tangy gravy that seeps into the succulent flesh of the stir-fried crab.



The crab is divine but the sauce is the star – sweet yet savoury, slightly spicy and supremely satisfying. You will get it all over your fingers as you crack open the crab shells, and it is simply impossible not to lick it all up.

And you will go back for more, dipping fried or steamed buns, called mantou, to soak up the sauce – a delightful blend of tomatoes and chilli paste, thickened with ribbons of beaten eggs.

Chilli crab is among Singapore’s greatest culinary inventions, the king of all crab dishes. It is easily available in most seafood restaurants, which typically serve it with mud crabs that have deliciously sweet and juicy flesh.

Crab creation

The world famous dish started from a pushcart in 1956. Run by a couple, the husband asked his wife to experiment with other methods of cooking crabs other than just steaming the seafood.

Madam Cher Yam Tian’s first attempt was stir-fried crabs with tomato sauce, but decided the dish will have more kick by adding chilli sauce. They sold their chilli crabs along Kallang River and it became so popular that they opened a restaurant, called Palm Beach.

A famous chef, who opened Dragon Phoenix restaurant later, added a slight twist to the dish – using sambal, tomato paste and eggs to cook the gravy instead of bottled chilli and tomato sauces. This has since become the version most commonly served in Singapore.

~Info courtesy of visitsingapore.com~

World's rarest macaws on 10-year loan at Jurong Bird Park

World's rarest macaws on 10-year loan at Jurong Bird Park



Six of the world's rarest macaws - two critically endangered Spix's Macaws and four endangered Lear's Macaws - have arrived in Singapore on a 10-year loan at the Jurong Bird Park.

The Spix's Macaws are from Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation in Qatar, while the Lear's Macaws came from the Germany-based Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots, Wildlife Reserves Singapore said in a statement on Friday (Nov 3).

Their arrival means Jurong Bird Park is now the only zoological park in the world where visitors can view all three existing species of the blue macaw family.

The park is already home to the third existing species - the Hyacinth Macaw.

The last member of the blue macaw family, the Glaucous Macaw, has not been seen since the 1960s and is believed to be extinct.

The critically endangered Spix's Macaw is believed to be extinct in the wild, with the last confirmed sighting in 2005.

There are only more than 150 of the birds left in the care of humans worldwide.

The bird, also known as the Little Blue Macaw, inspired the Rio movie series.

There are about 1,300 Lear's Macaws left in the wild.

The macaws are in Singapore on a 10-year loan agreement, and they make their debut in Jurong Bird Park as part of the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations between Brazil and Singapore.

Last year, Jurong Bird Park committed to provide support in establishing a breeding and release facility in Brazil, with the aim of reintroducing the Spix's Macaw into the wild.

Brazil is the native homeland of the species.

Visitors can view the blue macaws at Jurong Bird Park's Parrot Paradise exhibit from Nov 22.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

More security checks at Woodlands Checkpoint on Nov 9

More security checks at Woodlands Checkpoint on Nov 9 as part of ICA exercise



Enhanced security checks at Woodlands Checkpoint will be conducted for selected motorists and travellers using the Causeway in an operational exercise early Thursday (Nov 9) morning, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced in a statement.

ICA’s exercise, which will take place from 1.30am to 3am, is part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to “test and validate its emergency plans and procedures at the checkpoints”, it said on Tuesday.

Travellers at the checkpoint during the stated period are advised not to be alarmed, the statement added.

Signs will be placed at prominent locations to inform travellers of the exercise.

“We seek travellers’ understanding and cooperation,” said ICA.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

World's most welcoming city for tourists: Travel index

Singapore is world's most welcoming city for tourists: Travel index

A new travel index has named Singapore as the world's most welcoming city, with the Republic earning high marks for its safety, world-class airport and willingness to host tourists.

It pipped the likes of Sweden's Stockholm, San Francisco in the US, Japan's capital Tokyo and Switzerland's Zurich to top spot.

Bottom-ranked cities included Russia's Moscow, Vietnam's Hanoi and Hungary's Budapest.

The index, published on Oct 31 by holiday website TravelBird, ranked a total of 100 cities across the globe, according to factors such as expert opinion, port of entry, safety, happiness, English proficiency and openness to accommodating tourists.

Singapore earned a perfect score of 10 for port of entry, while the index also gave the country high scores for safety (8.95) and openness to host tourists at home (8.6).

It earned an overall score of 8.22, with Stockholm (8.02), Helsinki (8.01), San Francisco (8) and Rotterdam (7.98) rounding out the top five spots.

Thousands of cities were first examined - based on data from the World Tourism Organisation - before the index focused on the top 500 destinations according to tourist arrival numbers.

An expert poll conducted with more than 15,000 travel journalists, asking them how welcoming they found each city based on their personal experiences, was also taken into consideration.

Singapore ranked 2nd most visited city in Asia-Pacific and is top in terms of tourist spending

The Telegraph reported that the index, which was released to coincide with the United Nations' World Cities Day, was inspired by the anti-tourism backlash seen in some of Europe's most popular cities such as Barcelona and Venice.

Cities deemed to have suffered from overtourism were marked down. Such cities struggle with the impact that having too many tourists has on the local population and the environment, and have taken steps to limit their numbers in recent years.

Said TravelBird chief executive Steven Klooster: "We devised this study as the first step towards a more sustainable future. It's a call to action to ourselves and to fellow tour operators, to residents and local governments in those places that are worst affected by overtourism, to work together to find solutions to this problem."

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

S'pore Airlines warns of scams touting free First Class tickets

Singapore Airlines warns of scams touting free First Class tickets



One scam circulating on WhatsApp asked people to share a link with 20 friends or groups on the messaging app for two free Singapore Airlines first class tickets. (Photo: Nigel Tan/Facebook)

Singapore Airlines has warned of contests, emails and calls claiming to be from the company, informing recipients of free air tickets before proceeding to request for their personal data.

In a Facebook post on Monday (Nov 6), the national carrier advised customers to exercise discretion when revealing personal data to unverified sources.

"To appear more authentic, such callers are also able to modify their caller ID to imitate our official telephone numbers," it added on an advisory posted on the Singapore Airlines website.

Over the weekend, one such scam has been circulating on messaging app WhatsApp.

The message read: "Hello, Singapore Airline is giving away 2 Free FirstClass Tickets to celebrate it's 45th anniversary, Now you can get your tickets too !" followed by a link that closely resembled the airline's official website.

Upon clicking on the link, people were directed to a website asking them to share the promotion with 20 friends or groups via WhatsApp and enter their address details to claim their tickets.

As of Monday, the website appeared to have been taken down.

The scam comes days after Singapore Airlines unveiled its new first class suites, among other cabin offerings on its revamped Airbus 380s.

To verify websites, emails and calls claiming to be from Singapore Airlines, customers can send the airline details via its website, the carrier said in the Facebook post.

"Singapore Airlines also wishes to advise customers to be cautious of social media posts and phishing websites that appear similar to our official website singaporeair.com," it added.

Source: Channel News Asia

Grand Prix releases Early Bird ticket deals for 2018 F1 race

Singapore Grand Prix releases Early Bird ticket deals for 2018 F1 race



Red Bull's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo drives during the third practice session of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix in Singapore on September 16, 2017. Photo: AFP / Manan VATSYAYANA)

Early Bird tickets for the 2018 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix are available until May 8 next year, organisers announced on Wednesday (Nov 1).

In a news release, organisers said the tickets offer savings of up to 28 per cent off regular prices.

Prices range from S$248 for three-day Zone 4 Walkabout tickets to S$1,988 for three-day Turn 3 Premier Grandstand tickets.

Other ticket categories available include those for the single-day Sunday Pit Grandstand and single-day Padang Grandstand and Premier Walkabout.

Tickets for wheelchair-accessible platforms at Turn 1 and Empress Place are also available for sale from S$38.

Next year's night race is provisionally scheduled to be held from Sep 14 to 16.

This year saw a dramatic race which Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won after Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen and Red Bull's Max Verstappen all crashed out just after the start of the first wet race in Singapore.

Tickets are available via www.singaporegp.sg, ticketing hotline 6738 6738 and Singapore GP's authorised agents.

Source: Channel News Asia

Changi Airport's Terminal 4 welcomes first flight

Changi Airport's Terminal 4 welcomes first flight



Changi Airport's Terminal 4, which opened on Tuesday (Oct 31), welcomed its first flight as Cathay Pacific Airways CX659 from Hong Kong landed at 5.25am.

Passengers who were on the flight were given a goodie tote bag containing a plush toy, fan, and cardholder. They also received orchids upon disembarking from the plane and were greeted with a performance by local instrumental band Lorong Boys at the baggage belt.

One passenger, Mdm Rameza, said: "It was very good. There were live performances and goodies, and operations were very smooth."

Another passenger, Mr Mohammed Hossenbux, said: "The whole process was very efficient. It only took me 15 minutes to walk from the plane exit to get out of here (arrival hall)."

The new terminal features start-to-end self-service systems, allowing travellers to check in, deposit their baggage and even go through immigration via automated systems.

At 225,000 sqm, Terminal 4 is only about half the size of Terminal 3, making it Changi Airport's smallest terminal. But once fully operational, it will be expected to handle 16 million passengers a year - about 70 per cent of T3's handling capacity.

Along with Cathay Pacific Airways, Korean Air also commenced operations at the new terminal on Tuesday. This will be followed by Cebu Pacific and Spring Airlines on Nov 2, and AirAsia and Vietnam Airlines on Nov 7.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

First Botanic Gardens Children's Festival to kick off in November

First Singapore Botanic Gardens Children's Festival to kick off in November



The movie screenings will be held over three Saturdays during the festival. (Photo: Singapore Botanic Gardens/Facebook)

The first Singapore Botanic Gardens Children's Festival will kick off on Nov 11, the National Parks Board (NParks) announced in a media release on Friday (Oct 27).

Running for two weeks from Nov 11 to Nov 26, the festival will have a "host of activities lined up for children of all ages" at the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden and around the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Visitors will be able to take part in activities where children can discover more about nature through play, craft, storytelling, investigations and walks, said NParks, as well as carnival activities.

For example, in one of the programmes, children can learn how to make snacks and beautify them through food art as well as learn about healthy eating.

There will also be performances and movie screenings, including The Lego Batman Movie, and interactive performances where children can meet and greet Speedy the Squirrel, Lizzie the Monitor Lizard and other performance characters, according to the press release.

All festival programmes are free of charge and more information can be found on www.nparks.gov.sg/childrensfestival, NParks said.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

Three new hotels to open in Sentosa in mid-2019

Three new hotels to open in Sentosa in mid-2019



Artist's impression of the three hotels that will open in Sentosa in mid-2019. (Photo: Far East Hospitality)

Three hotels with a combined 839 rooms are expected to open in Sentosa in mid-2019, aiming mostly to serve the mid-tier market and attract staycation enthusiasts.

Village Hotel Sentosa, The Outpost Sentosa and a third hotel whose name will be confirmed at a later stage, will be located at Artillery Avenue in the Palawan area of Sentosa, said Far East Hospitality, the operator of the hotels, on Wednesday (Oct 25)

“Sentosa is a regional tourist spot. It has a host of attractions, and is easily accessible to the Central Business District, making it an ideal location amongst travellers who are here for leisure or business," said Mr Arthur Kiong, chief executive officer of Far East Hospitality, in a press release.

"However, the mid-tier segment in Sentosa is underserved. With these three new properties, we hope to fill the gap of the mid-tier segment, while catering to the growing category of discerning travellers and Singapore's robust staycation market.”

Village Hotel Sentosa, with 606 rooms, aims to target the mid-tier market, including travellers from regional and international markets and Singaporeans looking for a family weekend getaway, the release said.

The Outpost, with 193 rooms, caters to young couples who prefer exclusivity. Meanwhile, the third hotel, with 40 rooms, will be designed to appeal to guests in the upscale market, Far East Hospitality said.

Sentosa currently has 13 hotels with a combined 2,500 rooms. It has been trying to increase its visitorship, and in June announced plans to improve connectivity and introduce new and upgraded attractions.

Among the changes, the Merlion Gateway – a 12-ha precinct starting from Resorts World Sentosa, past Merlion Plaza and onto Sentosa's beaches – will be revamped to include an elevated walkway and increased capacity for pedestrians. The revamp of the gateway is expected to be completed by 2021.

Additionally, two new tracks will be added to Skyline Luge Sentosa.

Source: Channel News Asia

Orchard Road light-up to feature Christmas village

Orchard Road light-up to feature Christmas village; lights to be switched on early



Artist's impression of the Christmas village, which will be open from Nov 25 to Dec 25, 2017. (Image: Orchard Road Business Association)

The run-up to Christmas this year will see the annual festive lights on Orchard Road being switched on hours earlier in the day.

And for the first time, a European-inspired Christmas village will feature as part of the street's annual light-up for the festive season.

In a media release on Wednesday (Oct 25), the Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) said the Christmas village will feature a double-decker carousel, as well as stores by more than 25 brands, including Starbucks, Toast Box, PAUL and Royal Selangor.

From 8pm on Christmas Eve, local bands will perform Christmas classics, ahead of a pyrotechnics show at midnight.

The Christmas village, which will be located at Ngee Ann City's Civic Plaza, will operate from Nov 25 to Dec 25.

Orchard Road will kick off its Christmas light-up on Nov 11, with President Halimah Yacob officiating the ceremony. This year's decorations will span 2.88km, running from Tanglin Mall to Plaza Singapura.



The theme for this year's Christmas light-up along Orchard Road is Endless Wonder. (Image: Orchard Road Business Association)

The Christmas lights will also be turned on earlier this year - starting from 3pm, instead of 6.30pm in previous years.

"We want visitors to enjoy the whole Endless Wonder experience in the day and the night," said an ORBA spokesperson, adding that energy-efficient LED lights will be used.

The lights will remain on until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, and until midnight on all other days except Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, when they will stay on until 6am the following morning.

Other highlights include the main arch between Ion Orchard and Tang Plaza. Standing at 12m this year, it is the tallest arch in the history of Christmas light-ups along Orchard Road.



Artist's impression of a 5m tall Enchanted Tree, which will be located outside Wisma Atria. (Image: Orchard Road Business Association)

In total, 76,800 man hours were spent producing the Christmas decorations while 15,120 man hours were spent to put them up along Orchard Road, according to ORBA.

Retailers such as Haagen Dazs, Casio and SK-II will also have pop-up stores between Wisma Atria and Mandarin Gallery as part of festive celebrations, ORBA said.

The Christmas light-up along Orchard Road runs until Jan 1, 2018.

Source: Channel News Asia