I participated as a Jury member in the Women's World Hot Air Balloon Championship held in Northam near Perth, Australia from late August to mid-September in 2023
I made reservations with Turkish Airlines for a long journey starting from Bologna, Italy, with layovers in Istanbul and Singapore. I wanted to avoid missing connecting flights, so I allowed plenty of time for layovers. Thanks to that, I was able to join a free city tour at Changi Airport in Singapore.
At Istanbul Atatürk Airport
There are unmanned kiosks throughout the airport where you can register with your passport to receive a paper with the Wi-Fi password.
The airport, which opened in 2019, is enormous.
Transfers are not too difficult if you follow the signs.
When arriving from Italy and transferring to Singapore, there were no passport controls or baggage checks.
At the boarding gate for Singapore, I was asked about the final destination and I said Australia, then I was told to present an Australian visa and it took me a while even I had it. I reccomend to have all necessary documents ready not just for the boarding flight but also for the final destination.
At Singapore Changi Airport
If you have spare time during your layover, you can sign up for free tours during the waiting time. There are various conditions, so make sure to read them carefully before applying.
If you're entering Singapore even for a short time, you need to fill out the SG Arrival Card in advance.
I used the MyICA mobile app, which can be done three days before arrival. For more information, visit www.ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-....
Also, to visit the Jewel, the waterfall at the airport, you need to go through immigration, so it's smoother to complete the procedures beforehand if you plan to visit the Jewel.
Japanese passports have a chip, so you can go through immigration using machines. For more information, visit www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/m/mbimmig....
Large luggage is not allowed on bus tours.
Before checking in for the tour, you need to deposit your luggage at a paid luggage storage facility. They won't keep laptops, so be careful.
You can't leave anything on the bus when you get off at each point.
The tour I chose included the Merlion Park and Gardens by the Bay. Our guide was efficient, and the conversation was interesting. There were participants from Fukuoka, and we had a lively conversation.
There was a Japanese guy on their way to Australia for working holidays.
It was a fun tour where I could talk to people from various countries.
Singapore, near the equator, is very hot. I brought an umbrella with me.
Audionautix の Sideways Samba は、クリエイティブ・コモンズ - 著作権表示必須 4.0 ライセンスに基づいて使用が許諾されます。 creativecommons.org/licenses/...
アーティスト: audionautix.com/
Wood note from MusMus
#イタリアモデナ暮らし
#changiairport
#singapore
#freetouratchangi
#シンガポール
#チャンギ空港
#無料ツアーチャンギ空港