Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Everything you need to know about Vaccinated Travel Lanes

The announcement of Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) is quite possibly the most exciting bit of travel news for everyone living in Singapore, along with anyone eager to visit the Little Red Dot.

So now that quarantine is no longer required for travellers between Singapore and the growing selection of VTL countries, how do you go about planning your next adventure? We’ve got you covered. If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible to travel on a VTL flight, start off by checking your eligibility on this Vaccinated Travel Lane (Air) Overview, regularly updated by Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.

All good? Let’s continue…

Please note that all information is accurate as of the last page update. Travel advisories may change at short notice. If you plan to travel to Singapore on a VTL flight, always check the latest advisories on the ICA Safe Travel website before you fly.

Flying from Singapore to a VTL destination

While the majority of VTL countries (listed below) provide quarantine and test-free entry to vaccinated travellers from Singapore, this is not the case for all of them and the full details can be found here. There may also be entry restrictions by VTL countries based on recent travel history, so make sure to check Singapore Airlines’ Travel Advisory or the website of the local embassy of your planned destination.

A few things to keep in mind before booking:

  • Apart from selected flights to Malaysia, the VTL concept only applies to flights returning to Singapore. Other flights departing from Singapore are not designated as VTL.
  • If your trip is seven days or less, avoid transiting in non-VTL countries when flying out of Singapore. Any transits will add that country to your seven-day travel history regardless of whether you’ve entered the country.*
  • Singapore residents can authenticate their certificate of vaccination and obtain a QR code from Notarise
  • Travel between VTL countries while overseas is permitted
  • The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has removed the pre-departure test requirements for all passengers transferring or transiting through Singapore.

List of VTL countries SIA services:

Flying from a VTL destination to Singapore

For those flying from a VTL destination, it’s essential to be on a VTL flight in order to be eligible for quarantine-free entry to Singapore. Search for your preferred itinerary on Singapore Airlines’ Flight Schedule page and take note that non-VTL flights may still be available on the same route. VTL flights are denoted by a VTL label in the booking system, take a look here.

Travellers entering Singapore must meet the following requirements:

  • 7-day travel history only includes Singapore and/or any VTL country/countries
  • Fully vaccinated with any vaccine noted on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Emergency Use List. The final dose must be completed at least 14 days prior to arrival in Singapore.
  • Negative pre-departure Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or professionally administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART) taken within two days before departure for Singapore*
  • Travel on designated VTL flight to Singapore
  • Take a supervised self-swab antigen rapid test (ART) within 24 hours of arrival at any test centre located across Singapore and self-isolate until negative result is received*
    *Passengers under two years old are exempt

Documents needed when entering Singapore:

  • A vaccination certificate in English – issued by Singapore or the VTL country – must be provided. The certificates must be digitally certifiable. Children aged 12 and below are exempted from these requirements, but must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult.
  • All short-term visitors and work permit holders eligible to travel on VTL must apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) online between three to 60 days before visiting. Children 12 and under (as of calendar year) do not need to apply.
  • Singapore citizens, Long-Term Pass holders and permanent residents are not required to apply for a VTP, however PRs do need valid re-entry permits.

Testing requirements for VTL flights

  • Travellers on a VTL flight entering Singapore are required to take the following professionally administered tests: a pre-departure test (either PCR or ART, depending on the passenger’s travel history) and a supervised self-swab ART at any test centre across Singapore within 24 hours of arrival. A testing notice with a weblink to book tests will be issued to travellers upon their entry into Singapore.
  • VTL travellers who recently recovered from Covid-19 (i.e. within seven to 90 days of their last infection before departure to Singapore) are exempted from all testing requirements if they provide appropriate documentary proof of their recovery. Learn more here.

As all requirements are continuing to change, refer to this frequently updated
list of details regarding eligibility and requirements from Singapore Airlines and bookmark this page!

Happy and safe travels!

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Friday, 18 February 2022

5 new hotels and resorts to rediscover Thailand

With two years of disrupted holiday plans behind us, 2022 is when we hope to finally explore the rest of the world outside of Singapore and catch up on what’s been happening in our favourite cities.

And now that the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore has announced that more destinations in Thailand have been added to the Vaccinated Travel Lanes list – in addition to Bangkok – it’s time to start planning your next leisure trip to the Southeast Asian country. Here are new hotels and resorts that are waiting to host you.

1. Novotel Bangkok Future Park Rangsit

Landing in Suvarnabhumi Airport but don’t want to head to Bangkok? Take a 40-minute drive in the opposite direction and check in at Novotel’s newest outpost in the Land of Smiles. Located in Rangsit, the gateway city to northeastern and eastern Thailand, the hotel is ensconced within Future Park Rangsit, one of Asia’s largest shopping malls at 20,000 sqm. The 226-room property is also close to attractions such as Dream World Amusement Park, the Royal Thai Airforce Golf Course, and museums for lotuses and rare stones.

Novotel Bangkok Future Park Rangsit
Novotel’s newest outpost in Thailand is ensconced within Future Park Rangsit, one of Asia’s largest shopping malls

2. The Standard, Hua Hin

With 28 villas that each have their own pool – plus 171 guest rooms and suites – everyone’s assured of a luxurious and relaxing stay at The Standard’s first property in Thailand. Located in the seaside town of Hua Hin, guests are never more than a few steps away from the ocean. There are plenty of water activities to choose from – you can even explore the beach on horseback – but don’t forget to book a spot at the spa for a traditional Thai massage which incorporates crystals and quartz to unblock chakras.

Standard Hotel Hua Hin
A villa at The Standard in Thailand’s seaside town of Hua Hin

3. Meliá Chiang Mai

The first five-star hotel to open in northern Thailand since the pandemic started, Meliá Chiang Mai promises to be talked about for its rooftop bar, Mai The Sky Bar, which offers a 360° view of the city and is comprised of two bars connected by a glass bridge. Set to open in April 2022, the hotel is located on the busy Charoen Prathet Road and features 260 rooms with spare and clean interiors, reflecting the design aesthetic of the Spanish hospitality chain.

melia hotel chiang mai
Opening in April 2022, Meliá Chiang Mai is the first five-star hotel to open in northern Thailand

4. Meliá Phuket Mai Khao

A 15-minute drive from Phuket International Airport, this Mediterranean-inspired resort has 30 suites and 70 villas – including 15 Wellness Pool Villas where guests can enjoy the open-air Vitamin C-infused showers and complimentary daily massages. Located on Phuket’s northwestern coastline, the resort fronts Phuket’s longest stretch of sand and overlooks the Andaman Sea.

Meliá Phuket Mai Khao
A 15-minute drive from Phuket International Airport, Meliá Phuket Mai Khao is a Mediterranean-inspired resort

5. Kimpton Kitalay Samui

Located on Choeng Mon Beach, Kimpton Kitalay is the luxury boutique brand’s first outpost in Southeast Asia. Inspired by Koh Samui’s history as a fishing village, the resort’s understated design fuses contemporary touches with details that evoke island living, such as stilt-suspended platforms and a lush tropical landscape. The main draw is the resort’s beach, which is secluded in its own cove. For those travelling with children, Junio is a split-level club that offers non-tech activities to keep them busy all day.

Kimpton Kitalay Samui
Ideal for family vacations, Kimpton Kitalay Samui has a kids club that offers non-tech activities to keep children busy all day

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Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours as well as booking requirements before visiting, and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about.

The information is accurate as of press time. For the latest travel advisory updates, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.

To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights to Thailand, visit singaporeair.com. To join us in protecting the environment by offsetting your carbon emissions on your future flights, visit the following websites to learn more: carbonoffset.singaporeair.com.sg and carbonoffset.flyscoot.com.

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Tuesday, 15 February 2022

This interactive installation at CapitaSpring shows flowers growing in real time

CapitaSpring, Singapore‘s newest 51-storey skyscraper in the Central Business District, will soon be unveiling a rooftop garden featuring more than 80,000 plants from about 130 different species on its top floor. Until then, check out something a bit more artsy already blooming on the building’s ground floor.

Japan-based art collective teamLab, who in 2019 transformed a 16th-century castle in Japan into an interactive art space, and whose works have been shown several times here in the Little Red Dot as well as art shows all over the world, has unveiled a permanent interactive installation in CapitaSpring’s lobby.

Called Proliferating Immense Life – Sunrise and Sunset, A Whole Year per Year, a screen almost 18m tall (nearly six levels) displays photos of seasonal flowers that respond interactively to the movements of people “and multiply as they are repeatedly born, bloom, and scatter, transforming perpetually. When it detects people passing by, butterflies and flowers scatter; and when the elevator door opens, the butterflies fly away.

According to teamLab, the artwork is not a pre-recorded image. Instead it is created by a computer program that continuously renders the work in real time. The work, it says, is synchronised with Singapore’s actual time and season. The artwork brightens as the sun rises, darkens as the sun sets, and the flowers that bloom throughout the year change with the seasons. It will showcase seasonal flowers, including Singapore’s national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim.

CapitaSpring is at 88 Market Street.

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Wednesday, 9 February 2022

7 ways to get your adrenaline pumping in Singapore

We are excited about the announcement that the Singapore night race will return (30 September to 2 October 2022) and that the contract has been extended for another seven years. After over a decade of hosting Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, it’s clear how much energy it brings to the city. The adrenaline-fuelled motorsport also inspires many of us to pick up the pace in our own lives as well.

Not ready to jump in a car that can accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 2.4 seconds? Whether it’s swimming 200m above ground in one of the world’s highest infinity pools at Marina Bay Sands or sliding down a 60m ski slope at Snow City, there are many family-friendly ways to release your happy hormones in Singapore. But if it’s extreme solo adventures that you prefer, it’s also easy to find safe yet challenging activities around the Little Red Dot that are sure to give you an adrenaline rush. Here are some options.

1. Take that bungy plunge

Falling from the edge of a bridge 47m above ground is sure to make even the most daring daredevil’s knees buckle. Good thing there’s a jaw-dropping view of Palawan Beach to distract you before taking the 15-second plunge – which could feel much longer on your way down – at Skypark Sentosa Bungy Jump. You also have the option to preserve the experience with a high-definition camera installed to capture your best (we hope) angle on your fearless descent for an envy-worthy IG story.

bungy jumping sentosa
A jaw-dropping view of Palawan Beach as you take the 15-second plunge

2. Ride into the flow at the city’s oldest trail

If getting muddy is more your speed, the 6.5km Bukit Timah Mountain Bike Trail includes steep climbs, sharp descents and black diamond obstacles to challenge even the more experienced trail enthusiasts. At Singapore’s oldest mountain biking trail, keep your eyes peeled for rare and endangered flora such as the Velvet Tamarind Tree and Petaling Jaya’s Namesake as well as fauna like long-tailed macaques and flying lemur. While Singapore has many cycling trails and most of the island is linked though park connectors, if it is adventure and thrills that you crave, Bukit Timah’s trail will deliver where the others cannot.

mountain biking in singapore
Singapore’s oldest mountain biking trail promises black diamond obstacles to challenge even the more experienced trail enthusiasts Photo: NParks

3. Fly atop a canopy of trees

From a soaring height of 70m – about 25 storeys high – fly over a gorgeous canopy of coastal trees such as angsana, broad-leafed mahogany and sea apples while taking in a view of the white sands of Siloso Beach on Sentosa. Mega Adventure’s Cruisy Treetop Zipline to the Sea is a 450m-long ride that cruises up to 60kph and takes about 30 seconds. That may sound like a short flight, but trust us, it can feel like minutes once the adrenaline kicks in.

Zipline Singapore
This 30-second ride cruises up to 60kph and rewards you with a gorgeous view of trees and the beach

4. Get your bounce on at a trampoline park

Located in Singapore’s shopping district, the trampoline park at Bounce will lift your spirit and put a spring in your step. Beyond the basic thrill of defying gravity by jumping on a bounce mat, there are tons of different options. Head to a free-jump area that makes free running and parkour look easy or flex your muscles in the X-Park, an obstacle course that will test your nimbleness and speed – a must try for Ninja Warrior fans! Ballers can channel their inner Michael Jordan in the dunk basketball zone, all while bouncing.

5. Defy gravity at a wind tunnel by the beach

Seeking the thrill of skydiving without having to jump off from a moving aircraft? iFly Singapore‘s transparent wind tunnel on Sentosa Island will give you the exhilarating feeling of free-falling for 45 seconds while admiring a view of Siloso Beach through the establishment’s clear acrylic windows. You can continue defying gravity for another 45 seconds by topping up $10.

indoor sky diving singapore
Free-fall for 45 seconds while admiring a view of Siloso Beach at iFly

6. Scale heights at Singapore’s tallest indoor rock face

Suitable for both beginner and seasoned wall climbers, Climb Central boasts Singapore’s tallest indoor air-conditioned rock face. Featuring 45 climbing lanes, challenge yourself on towering walls that range from four to 16m. Head to the outpost at Kallang Wave Mall, then explore the rest of Singapore Sports Hub, a 35ha development that is also home to a bike museum, a giant indoor running track spanning the entire National Stadium as well as an elevated skatepark overlooking a highway.

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7. Jump and twirl in a cable-ski park

Perfect for those seeking a thrill on waters without having to go out in the open sea, Singapore Wake Park occupies a  lagoon in East Coast Park and has three cable systems – one for advanced wakeboarders and two for beginners. Instead of being dragged by a motorboat, the cable lines are pulled by a machine that gently increases the speed to leave you time to adjust your pace. After jumping and twirling over obstacles, head to nearby East Coast Lagoon Food Village and reward yourself with hearty hawker food.

wakeboarding singapore
Instead of being dragged by a motorboat, wakeboarders at Singapore Wake Park are pulled by a machine in an artificial lagoon

Please check the establishments’ respective websites for opening hours as well as booking requirements before visiting, and remember to adhere to safe-distancing measures while out and about. The information is accurate as of press time.

For the latest travel advisory updates, please refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website. To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights, visit singaporeair.com. To join us in protecting the environment by offsetting your carbon emissions on your future flights, visit the following websites to learn more: carbonoffset.singaporeair.com.sg and carbonoffset.flyscoot.com

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Tuesday, 8 February 2022

10 Valentine’s Day gift ideas from Singapore Airlines’ Upcycling Project

The day of hearts is just around the corner and this year you can make a difference by choosing from thoughtful gifts that are not only sustainable – they also carry a special piece of Singapore Airlines history.

Since the airline launched The Upcycling Project in August last year, with the hope of breathing new life into parts and materials from retired commercial aircraft, its creative collaborators have come up with many clever ideas and repurposed them into products such as bags, furniture, fashion apparels and accessories.

From a kimono fashioned out of bed linen to a wallet using materials from a life vest, here are one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day gift ideas to show your special someone how much you care for them.

Kimono

This beautiful kimono, upcycled from Singapore Airlines’ bed linen by fashion brand Photo Phactory, will feel like a warm hug on your partner’s body. Perfect for lounging at home or covering up on a beach honeymoon, the robe’s design is inspired by the Little Red Dot’s cultural heritage, with printed motifs and patterns of Peranakan tiles.

kimono using singapore airlines linen
Showing printed motifs and patterns of Peranakan tiles, this kimono is made from a retired SIA bed linen

Passport and book sleeve

Look forward to future travel adventures with your special someone with this A6-size field note and passport sleeve that can hold both a passport and boarding pass, as well as cards and paper bills. Handmade by the Society for the Physically Disabled artisans, it is made with upcycled leather from retired Business Class seats and can be customised with hot-stamped names in gold or silver foil, so you can make it his and hers. Make it a grand gesture by pairing your purchase with an accompanying soft-cover, A5-size leather book sleeve.

leather passport cover singapore
Made with upcycled leather from retired Business Class seats and handmade by SPD artisans

Long wallet

Make your sweetheart – and their valuables – feel secure with this long wallet upcycled from actual Singapore Airlines life vests. Created by Singapore brand Tocco Toscano, this bright and cheerful accessory has plenty of spacious compartments and card slots to store cash, keys and more. Lined with vegan leather derived from apple pomace and peel, it also has a magnetic pull tab to secure the zipper.

toscano wallet made with life vests
This wallet made from SIA life vests has enough compartments and card slots to fit your valuables

Hugger headrest

A good partner is always there to comfort and support their main squeeze whenever it’s needed – just like this hugger headrest by design firm ipse ipsa ipsum. Originally used on Singapore Airlines Economy Class cabins, this headrest has been given a new lease on life by reupholstering it with genuine leather. Added elastic bands help attach it to an office chair.

airline head rest
Upcycled headrest previously used on SIA’s Economy Class cabins is reupholstered in genuine leather and outfitted with elastic straps from behind

Waist pouch

Plan a slow and leisurely walk to catch the sunset with your partner this love month, and stash a miniature bottle of bubbly and a flower in this beautiful upcycled waist pouch that has been created from Singapore Airlines life vests. A collaboration with Singapore Fashion Runway, a social enterprise that assists both young people with special needs and disadvantaged groups, a purchase of this item will truly be a gift that keeps on giving.

upcycled waist pouch
Gift with a conscience with this bag made by a social enterprise

Stylo Milo Cart

Raise a glass to love with this stylish bar cart that’s been upcycled from a Singapore Airlines galley cart by design firm ipse ipsa ipsum. Available in half size and full size, both have hanging glass racks and shelves that can be adjusted to fit any bottle height. Decorated in Peranakan-inspired bone in-lay, the Stylo Milo Cart also doubles up as a stylish design piece to brighten up any love nest.

mini bar upcycled from airline trolley
Originally an SIA galley cart and now a stylish bar cart

Tableware

Surprise your darling with a candlelit dinner at home and serve your homecooked meal on this minimalist plate by lifestyle store Supermama. Originally launched with the inaugural A380 flight in 2007, items in collection will be released in phases and includes bowls, plates, cups, saucers and mugs, with designs ranging from an airline seat map to the window view from inside the aircraft.

plate with airline design
A round plate depicting the passenger’s point of view from within an SIA aircraft as it prepares for take-off from Changi Airport

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Placemats, coasters and table napkins

Brighten up your table – and your soulmate’s mood – with these colourful placemats upcycled from retired table linen from Singapore Airlines. Make your own sweet Sunday brunch at home and pair this placemat with a separate purchase of mandarin orange coasters and table napkins – all made by souvenir designers Photo Phactory.

placemats
Pretty things that add a pop of colour to your table, upcycled from retired table linen from SIA

Tunic Dress

Is your spouse a practical woman? Then she would love this reversible dress that can be worn from the front or the back, in the style of a tunic neckline or Sabrina neckline. This loose-fitting, free-size dress by fashion brand Ans.Ein uses lurik, a traditional hand-woven fabric from Southeast Asia, and features puff sleeves with ruffles made from the Singapore Airlines life vests.

tunic dress
Reversible dress featuring ruffles gathered from retired SIA life vests

Tote bag

If you and your sweetheart enjoy weekends on the beach, she will love this chic and reversible tote bag by souvenir designers Photo Phactory. It is upcycled using retired passenger seat covers from Singapore Airlines, which helps keep it dry in case of rain. Inspired by the cultural heritage of Singapore, the design on one side pays homage to the motifs and patterns of Peranakan tiles while the other side showcases the design of the seat cover.

tote bag made of airline seat cover
Reversible tote bag using retired seat covers from SIA

Check out the entire range of unique products available on sale from The Upcycling Project on KrisShop here.

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