Singapore!

dsc06448(This is part of a trip report to the South Pacific, flying Singapore Airlines and Etihad first class and Lufthansa business class home)!

You can’t talk about Singapore without mentioning the airport! Changi Airport in Singapore is unbelievable – here are just a few of the amenities you can find: free rest areas with beds, free tours to Singapore, butterfly garden, cactus garden, enchanted garden, children’s playground, multimedia entertainment, internet stations, and a clinic if you are not feeling well! Here are some pictures to show it off.dsc06369dsc06371dsc06365dsc06366dsc06367dsc06370

 

We stayed at the Intercontinental using points and were able to get early check-in. We did upgrade for a small fee, so we could use the lounge club for afternoon tea, snacks, and breakfast. And the next day we had late check out, which was perfect for flying out in the evening.dsc06431dsc06372dsc06377dsc06379dsc06380dsc06381dsc06382dsc06383dsc06384dsc06386dsc06389dsc06391dsc06393

 

dsc06433dsc06436dsc06430What can I say about Singapore? Singapore, the “Lion City,” is the world’s only island city-state. It’s very progressive, modern, and a financial and transportation hub. And it’s against the law to chew gum, which is strictly enforced! It’s a tiny country, but also very tidy, with most people speaking English.dsc06396

 

dsc06397dsc06400dsc06408dsc06407dsc06412dsc06411dsc06413dsc06476We went to the Ritz to see the art work, specifically work by Chihuly!dsc06480dsc06481

 

Chinatown in Singapore…dsc06414dsc06415

 

Raffles Hotel is a very famous landmark and represents colonial style luxury! dsc06418

 

dsc06420dsc06421dsc06422dsc06423dsc06424We didn’t go on the Singapore Flyer, the world’s tallest ferris wheel! And the Marina Bay Sands is three towers, with what looks like a cruise ship on top, which is the Skywalk, which we just saw from afar.dsc06401

 

dsc06403dsc06440Gardens by the Bay was my favorite…we stayed until the Supertree Grove lit up and did the Skywalk among the trees! dsc06438dsc06439dsc06442dsc06453dsc06450dsc06449dsc06461dsc06466dsc06454dsc06472dsc06467dsc06468

 

The next day we started our long journey to the South Pacific. We flew via Singapore Airlines business class to Auckland, then on to Rarotonga, and at last Aitutaki ~ the most beautiful island destination I’ve ever seen! And it’s next…

Singapore Airlines 1st Class SUITES!

dsc06347(This is part of a trip report to the South Pacific, flying Singapore Airlines and Etihad first class and Lufthansa business class home)!

I can’t believe it’s been two months since my last blog post! We have had a super busy fall, with lots of family visits and the start of a new school year for me! Sorry for the long delay, thanks for reading, and here goes on my summer trip report to Singapore, South Pacific islands, Sydney, Abu Dhabi, Frankfurt, and finally home!

We were able to fly Singapore Airlines first class suites from JFK to Frankfurt, then on to Singapore. We used Thank You points from the Citi card, which transferred to Singapore Airlines, ie, Kris Flyer miles. We were continuing on to Auckland for the South Pacific Islands, when we realized we could have done a stopover in Singapore for $100 on the same itinerary. SO, we “waitlisted” that flight for first/business class seats AND we got them! My friend got first class and I got business, but more on that later.

The cost of this JFK to Singapore flight was $7,881 and we paid 93,500 points and $240! It was an unbelievable value for an unforgettable experience! Here are some pictures of the lounge in JFK…dsc06293dsc06296

dsc06298dsc06297What can I say about the flight? Stellar service, white table cloth, lie flat double bed with a door, what more could you want? The center console you see in the pictures retracts to make a double bed. They had extra seats, so I spent some time in a window seat after a nap! dsc06316dsc06321

dsc06299dsc06302dsc06333dsc06320dsc06340dsc06326dsc06334dsc06336dsc06337dsc06338During our two hour stop in Frankfurt, we were led to the lounge there and escorted back, with a new flight crew to continue on to Singapore.dsc06346

dsc06345dsc06343Back to the plane for more pampering and posh service! dsc06348

 

We landed in Singapore early in the morning and wanted to have breakfast in “The Private Room,” which is only available to those flying first class suites. So we did that before going to our hotel. dsc06358

dsc06359dsc06352dsc06353Next up, Singapore Changi Airport and the IHG, Singapore…

P.S. I want one of those flight attendant outfits!  (:

SW to Savannah…

DSC06124My hubby and I used the fantastic Southwest Companion Pass to fly to Savannah for a long weekend earlier this summer. (Actually, we flew to Charleston and drove to Savannah because SW doesn’t fly into Savannah). We used our two free Hyatt nights to stay at the Hyatt Andaz in the historic district and one free IHG night at the Hotel Indigo, which was across the street from the Hyatt! The total airfare cost was $22.40 and the rental car was around $50 because of another discount! So it was a wonderful way to spend an essentially free weekend! Here are some photos…DSC06040DSC06045DSC06156DSC06160DSC06163DSC06162

 

DSC06046DSC06054DSC06056One day was rainy, so we went to the National Mighty Eighth Museum. It’s the only museum dedicated to the Eighth Air Force, and welcomes 20,000 students a year! It was very interesting, even for someone like me, not that interested in military stuff!DSC06068DSC06070DSC06084DSC06086

 

The weather changed and the next day was beautiful, with bright sunshine, and we walked the historic district and went to some of the twenty-two historic squares in Savannah! Each square is a little greenery surrounded by homes, churches, and museums.DSC06093DSC06091DSC06101DSC06102DSC06105DSC06122DSC06125DSC06136DSC06147DSC06164

 

We had trouble on the way home – a HUGE storm was in Dallas and our flight was cancelled, so we rented a car and drove home. Our cost ended up being more than was mentioned above, but it was still a fun getaway weekend!

Next up, my summer trip!

Summer trip preview…

WHEW! I’ve had a very busy summer and have been gone lots, but here’s a preview of my big summer trip to Singapore, South Pacific, Sydney, plus more! Details later on how we booked a $33,996 trip for $3,996! I don’t teach math, but I am NOT making up these numbers, I promise! (These photos are not in chronological order). Next up, a long weekend to Savannah, using my SW companion pass! DSC07731DSC07869DSC07907DSC08001DSC06466DSC06409DSC06526DSC06542DSC06591DSC06697DSC06749DSC06804DSC06956DSC07037DSC07069DSC07284DSC07356DSC07453DSC07465DSC07503DSC07551DSC07604DSC07683DSC06357