[Travel Advisory] ADJUSTMENTS TO SINGAPORE AIRLINES AND SILKAIR SERVICES
Singapore Airlines and SilkAir will temporarily reduce services across their network due to weak demand as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Details of the affected flights can be found in the tables below.
They will continue to monitor the situation and make further adjustments as necessary.
Affected customers will be notified and re-accommodated onto other flights.
If you have booked your tickets through a travel agency, please contact your agent for assistance. If you have booked your tickets directly with Singapore Airlines, please contact the SIA reservations team at (+65) 6223-8888 if you need any assistance.
As they are expecting large volumes of calls, they seek your patience and understanding that their customer service agents may take longer than usual to respond to you.
Singapore Airlines and SilkAir apologise for the inconvenience caused.
First posted on 18 February 2020, 0908hrs (GMT +8)
Immerse yourself in a multi-sensory experience at Siloso Beach in Sentosa
Witness a magical shore like never before, Siloso Beach has come alive with magnificent sight of light and sound displays. Starting 23 January 2020, guests can be dazzled by the interactive beach light art that spans across the 400-metre stretch of Siloso Beach.
It will commence from 7.30pm to 10.30pm daily all year round.
There will be four key acts to look out for:
1. NocturnalAwakening:
Experience the “awakening” of Siloso Beach with magical movements on sand.
Interactive art, inspired by diverse elements ranging from water flow tomarine creatures, are projected onto the beach at two areas where they will interact with guests.
2. Islet Whispers
Marvel as a mysterious cloud of fog and lights emerge from over the islets, flowing over the waters and merging with the projections on the beach, amid the soothing sounds of Sentosa.
3. Force of Nature
Watch the trees come alive as a relaxing light and sound symphony accentuate the raw beauty of the natural landscape.
Lights from the islets will change colours and intensity, as they track movements on the beach and reflect off the waters
4. New Peaks
In a spellbinding flourish of colour, multi-coloured projections will light up the night sky.
New Peaks lasts three minutes, and takes place every 15 minutes.
Here’s what you can expect:
How to get there:
From Sentosa Boardwalk: You can stroll in for free and enjoy free shuttles via Sentosa Express and Sentosa’s Beach Shuttles
From VivoCity Level 3: Take Sentosa Express that takes you directly into Sentosa Beach Station. Selected TransitLink concession card
holders enjoy 50% off the transport fare.
SBS Transit Service 123: Take the bus and alight at Beach Station.
Drive in via Sentosa Gateway for $2 after 5pm and park at Beach Station
Grab ride: Visitors can use the promo code “SentosaSpring” to enjoy $5 off Grab rides. Valid until 8pm daily and limited redemptions available. Pick-up and Drop-off point must be “Beach Station”
All images and videos from Sentosa Development Corporation.
Armed with a debit card and a stack of American dollars, my significant other and I went on a vacation recently. We needed to unwind as we take a step back from the hustle and bustle of the city.
One thing is for sure! It was a good idea for us to research on how to carry foreign currency in a country we have not been before. Consider the following methods to safely convert your money to foreign currency while traveling.
#1: CREDIT CARD
Credit cards are best used for significant purchases such as hotel reservations, car rentals, and airline tickets. Credit card purchases are usually exchanged at the interbank exchange rate, which leans towards your advantage. What’s more? There are credit cards that rub off their rewards such as added travel insurance or airport lounge access.
The only downside with carrying mere credit card is that some restaurants or stores do not accept credit card transactions. While there are advantages in carrying a credit card, keep in mind the charges that can add up quickly as you return home.
#2: DEBIT CARD OR ATM
Arguably the most convenient and cheapest way to get local cash is to swipe your debit card through the ATMs. You will reap the same interbank exchange rate when you make cash withdrawals through your ATM or debit card as you do when you make a credit card purchase. Spend directly from your bank account with your Visa or MasterCard debit card when you go overseas. Simply ensure that you are aware of the in tree international transaction fees that come with it.
The downside to using your debit card is its foreign ATM use and currency conversion fees. Research on this.
#3: CASH
For immediate purchases that you must consume within the first 24 hours, it is a good idea to carry an ample amount of foreign currency. Before you leave Singapore, remember to exchange your SGD to foreign currency to handle expenses such as taking a cab or buying a meal. Use your cash until you can find the nearest ATM.
It goes without saying that you would not get the greatest conversion rate from your home country. However, it provides a cushion for your immediate expenses and prevents you from being stranded. If you are traveling to a major international airport or a well-known city, you probably do not need to hoard cash as ATMs are of access.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
A WORD FOR SAFE KEEPING
When you are traveling or living overseas, it is entirely impossible that you will not need to spend money in the local currency. Whether you are paying for your essentials or sending money back home, there are several ways to secure your funds.
Research is your best-friend! Know where to get or how to convert your funds while you travel. Bring a small amount of foreign currency abroad unless you can guarantee that the conversion rate is favorable to you.
Nonetheless, you may carry your local currency along with your plastic cards as you cross different countries. Convert your local currency periodically when needed.
It has been a while since my significant other and I traveled together. For the first time in a long time, we shall be booking an overseas trip at the last-minute. With two weeks to spare, we need to find ways to stretch our dollar.
Conventional wisdom states that you must book months in advance to save money. Last minute purchases usually lead to expensive airline tickets and lodging arrangements. However, this is not always the case.
#1: BE FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR DESTINATION
Since you are being spontaneous, consider letting the deals decide your destination. Let the fate guide you! Who knows? You may be in Haiti for less S$200.
If you do not have your heart set on a specific place, you may go to websites that enable you to check the best travel deals. For instance, Kayak Explore is a great tool to see which countries offer the best deals at a variety of travel dates.
#2: BOOK A LATE TIME-SLOT
Use the scarcity of time to your favor by booking really late. Interestingly, you may score the cheapest flights by pushing your booking way back. The closer the date, the more desperate airlines are in trying to fill the plane’s capacity. Go big or go home, right?
#3: SEARCH FOR FAVORABLE EXCHANGE RATES
One way to maximize your dollar is to compare the Singapore dollar to the rest of the world. If you are eyeing a trip abroad, you may look for a destination with favorable exchange rates. Which local currencies are weaker compared to the Singapore dollar? Perhaps, there are countries experiencing momentary economic instability or other conditions that decline their currency values. Consider traveling to these countries.
#4: OPEN THE INCOGNITO MODE
Keep your searches in private. When you surf the Net in Incognito Mode, your browser does not collect cookies. This means that third parties cannot identify the website you have visited before. Without the ability to track your movements, travel websites will have a harder time guessing your intentions. You see, these websites tend to raise prices to people who are not on “private” mode.
Another option is for you to use a VPN or a Virtual Private Network, which will conceal your geographical location and encrypt the data you send.
#5: PACK THE LIGHT ESSENTIALS
Make minimalist packing your lifestyle by traveling light. No matter how long you plan to be away from the country, it is best to pack no more than a week’s supply of fresh clothes. Packing light basics and weather-appropriate gear ensures that you save money and space.
Do not forget other essential accessories such as travel-sized hygiene items, chargers and USBs, power adapters, and padlocks.
#6: BE FLEXIBLE WITH THE TRAVEL DATES
Aside from the destinations, you can save more money by being flexible with the travel dates. People travel less in these unconventional days. Traveling in the middle of the week is cheaper than traveling towards the end of the week. You will get the best deal by flying on a Tuesday and leaving the following Wednesday as compared to flying on a Friday and leaving next Sunday.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Keep these tips in mind the next time you book a last-minute flight! ?
Are you planning a vacation to the Philippines this summer? Well, this country has a lot to offer; it’s like a small paradise on earth.
The country is like no other place on the planet. It has more than 7,500 islands with 2000 of them being inhabited. The area is full of beautiful sceneries and world-class beaches from Coron to El Nido.
The country offers one of the longest white sand coastlines in the world. Be sure to visit one of these beaches, and you’ll love the experience.
El Nido, Palawan
El Nido Island has one of the best beaches in Palawan. Its extraordinary splendor and ecosystem make it your ideal destination this summer.
The place is commonly known as the Philippines’ last frontier. It features as the 14th beach among CNN’s top 100 beaches in the globe.
The island has over 50 white sand beaches, three marine habitats and five types of forests. It also a home to different bird species. Its waters are rich in marine life including dugongs, dolphins and over 100 species of fish.
You can visit this island and its fabulous beaches from December through March. At this time, the weather is dry and beautiful, plus the visitors are few translating to fewer rates.
Coron Island, Palawan
Coron Island is a gem of natural beauty in the world. It boasts of steep limestone cliffs, seven mountain lakes, and white sand beaches. It’s also a popular scuba diving site with Forbes travel magazine listing it among the ten best locations around the globe.
Even better, behind the majestic rock formations, there’s a secret lagoon with crystal-green waters and white-sand shores. This hidden beach is a paradise. You must get here either by swimming through the sea tunnel or climbing over the cliffs.
Panglao Island, Bohol
The island boasts of crystal clear blue waters and white sand beaches. The diving sites are among the best in the world. You’ll also find different species of marine life here.
Statistics from Panglao Biodiversity Project claim that the island has more marine life than Japan and the Mediterranean Sea combined.
Some of the famous beaches on this island are Alona, Doljo, and Dumaluan. Be sure to visit the area during the dry and cool season from December through to March.
Palaui Island, Cagayan
According to CNN, Palaui Island is at number 10 of their top 100 best beaches in the world. It describes the beach as a raw beauty where nature unfolds with fauna and flora, white sands, volcanic rocks, and abundant marine life.
When visiting this island, don’t expect to get any hotel or luxury item here. If you have to stay, look for a homestay or go camping at the beach. Don’t forget, camping near the lighthouse is illegal.
Conclusion
Philippines is among the leading vacation locations in the world. It has thousands of inhabited and uninhabited islands. Each of these islands has a lot to offer, including white sand beaches and the best scuba diving sites in the world. Plan a visit today, and you’ll not regret it.
