I have been following CRI since I came to Shanghai. The quality of the programs is getting better and better. They hire better radio DJs and show hosts. I like China Drive (morning show and evening show) best. My bold prediction is that CRI is going to be one of the most important bilingual radio stations in China. There is a market (becoming larger with some of this huge Chinese population western-educated) for this kind of broadcasting.
EasyFm (http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/ce_easyfm/)
Two things impressed me on China Drive tonight:
http://www.sleepinginairports.net/ and some animal researchers say when dogs are panting, they are actually laughing.
There is this website for budget travellers worldwide. Singapore is given the GOLDEN PILLOW AWARD. I have been travelling through Changi Airport a couple of times so I know how comfortable it is to sleep in one of the airport couches and reconnect with your friends using the free internet services there inside the airport. Now why don't you just read some of the stories told by some travellers:
SINGAPORE (Contributed by ?)
August 2003 (Boarding Gate / In Transit) - "I can't believe all the great stories about Singapore airport. We were in transit from Auckland to Malaysia and the place was crowded with not even 1 seat spare, toilets were constantly being cleaned but obviously not by experienced cleaners (if I'm unfortunate to be there again, I'll bring a clothes peg for my nose).
The few food places that were open late at night served up last week's food and there wasn't a newspaper to be found in any shop." Added 31 Dec 05
SINGAPORE (Contributed by DGworldwide)
January 2003 (Main Lobby / Check-in counters / Boarding Gate / In Transit) - "I was returning from a wedding in India to the US, and spent 21 hours in Singapore between my flights. On the outbound, I stayed at the day room hotel in the airport. but on the inbound, I decided to save my money and just sleep in the airport. Wow, what an amazing experience. I dozed off while watching a movie in the movie theatre. Then I went out to the sunflower garden for a smoke and passed out there. The seats were all so comfortable, everywhere I went. There was free internet for a few hours, so I got on AIM and reconnected with some friends in the US. The food was relatively cheap, and they all took credit cards (found that the credit card transaction fee for international transactions was less than the amount you lose on the exchange rate in the airports). I even went to the beach in the afternoon on a free tour. The free Singapore tours are an absolute MUST for anyone going through the airport. If you have four hours, then either go to the beach or go to Mt. Siloso (I've been on both tours). Singapore is a tourist friendly airport with plenty of shopping (which I could only look at on my student budget) and plenty of things to do. The airport is beautiful - so much tropical plants everywhere. Also, they are very very helpful to tourists. When my elderly grandmother flew through the airport, the airlines arranged for someone to assist her that spoke her language. This is an amazing airport, not only for a stopover, but to sleep in. I will continue to fly through Changi and continue to sleep there as long as they won't kick me out!" Added 31 Dec 05
SINGAPORE (Contributed by Jess)
"February 2005 (Terminal 2 - Boarding Gates / In-Transit Area) - I had an 8 hour stopover at changi, and found it to be a fantastic airport. There was endless amenities, plenty of shopping, the food courts had a good range of food and there is free internet. I had a shower for $8 and had an awsome sleep in the free movie theatre, there are armrests, so you can't lie down, but its dark 24hrs and pretty quiet. There were also recliners, but they were all full and next to floor to ceiling windows so it was pretty bright in there. The Movie theatre is the go, I'll be sleeping there again on my way home." Added 16 Oct 05
SINGAPORE (Contributed by kathy harrison)
"July 2005 (Main Lobby / Check-in Counters) - Decided to stay in airport (the smaller terminal i think - maybe 1?) to save the effort and money of going to a hotel. Problem was everyone else was doing the same and all the good sleeping spots were gone. If you get there early and can get the comfie chairs in the coffee lounge then it's alright. We slept behind the pool table in the pub. The canteen is open 24 hrs and no one bothered us but it is really cold and gets very loud very early. If you can check in early and get to the comfie side of the airport then it's ok (they have carpet, internet, tv, etc) but if you're stuck in the departure hall like us then it kind of sucks. However the coffee shop has free internet and were quite happy to let us hang out there all day although someone stole my hoodie while my back was turned! So not luxury but ok." Added 23 Sep 05
SINGAPORE (Changi) (Contributed by Laura)
"2005 (International Terminal 1 and 2) - This is my absolute favourite airport in the world. I used to live in Singapore and so was at the airport almost every month for one reason or another. The security is a bit daunting... guys standing around with ak-47's can be a bit intimidating if you're not used to it, but they never approached me, mostly just looks scary. There is a fantastic indian restraunt on the second floor in terminal 1, has the best Dosai (Indian pancake with a yummy potato filling) and its pretty cheap too. there is also timezone and a movie theatre... and tv's with comfy chairs showing sports and the news. Check out the "Quiet Areas" with relclined couchy chairs, dimmed lights and little noise... perfect for sleeping! " Added 13 August 2005
SINGAPORE (Contributed by E. Mallari)
"January 2005 - I have slept in this airport two years ago. This year I was accompanied by my wife on a trip to Asia from California. We arrived in Singapore after 1 a.m. and our next flight was not scheduled to depart until 9 a.m. So just like my last transit at Singapore's Changi Airport, we headed to the Premier Lounge located on the second floor of the terminal, and for a reasonable fee, we were able to take a refreshing hot shower, enjoy the all-you-can-eat delicious snacks and drinks, free use of the internet, and have very comfortable soft seats to relax or take a nap. Massages were avilable, and if you so desire, pay extra for a bed so you can sleep for a few hours in a quiet section before your next flight. The place is well maintained, the restrooms and shower areas are spotlessly clean. The shops inside the airport are world class, restaurants offer a wide range of food choices and prices, the public restrooms are very clean, and when I used the public address system to locate my wife 30 mins. before our flight, I saw the operator talking to me via an LCD screen in front of the telephone. Security check before the flights are professionally and politely done." Added 17 Jul 2005
SINGAPORE (Contributed by aj)
"March 2003 - On a flight (direct from London to New Zealand) I had 13 hours stopover, I decided to use the sauna in the gym area (sorry can't remember the cost but was not too expensive) - this was great for relaxing and getting clean, you also get the use of a shower which was nice and roomy. Highly recommend it as a time waster with a feel good factor.
Just another wee note about Singapore airport is the availability of all the Tiger Balm which was great as I had managed to sprain my ankle whilst walking to my flight from Auckland, New Zealand (there's a ten minute walk between the domestic and international terminals) so after 12 hours of pain I brought some Tiger Balm pads which sorted the pain for the next 12 hours to London. " Added 20 Nov 04
SINGAPORE (Contributed by W. Lee)
"December 2001 (Terminal 2) - Transit in Changi on my way back to Indonesia from US, landed by 1:30 am with sorethroat, my next flight to Surabaya is 10:00am! Can't talk to anyone because of sorethroat..
Tried to get to the hostel first on the 3rd floor, but another 10-15 people in front of the recep table, no room if no reservation.
So, decided to get cozy couch in the downstair, very quite, but some fast food is still open (nobody sell the ciggarete, darn!)... Money changer still open, so exchange some US to SGD.
Found the free internet and free TV, but did choose the free internet first to get me sleepy... for another 1 hour. Tried to sleep in the couch afterwards, up to 4:30 am. Looked for a shower, near the hostel in the 3rd floor, pay SGD5, so make myself as confortable as I can ^_^ Finished everything by 5:30 am, looking around the neat airport, the internet is not free anymore, lucky me!
Breakfast for SGD 8, pretty good tough and another sleep in front of the gate until 9:00 am, starting crowded but it's a nice airport..." Added 16 OCT 2004
SINGAPORE (Contributed by Matthew Choon)
"June 2004 (Terminal 2) - Since in June of 2004 and I transit the flight in Singapore to Paris, when I arrive the Singapore airport and I feel like arrive the 5 stars hotel. Very very good. All is red carpet and the airlines counter staff very helpful and friendly. Good." Added October 10, 2004
SINGAPORE (Changi) (Contributed by Keith)
"August 2004 (Terminal 2) - About 2 weeks ago I had was in Singapore Changi Airport waiting for my connection from Sydney to Amsterdam. On the way out I had had a four hour layover that passed by with chatting with a fellow passenger for 2 hours and sleeping in the corner next to a departure gate for 2 hours.
This time I was able to get a bed for 6 hours (40 Singapore Dollars) and had a good 3.5 hours sleep followed by a bit of tv and a good long hot shower. My total layover time of 11 hours went by relatively quickly and painlessly before boarding my second long flight in 24 hours." Added 19 Sep 2004
SINGAPORE (Contributed by Ian)
"July 2004 (Terminal 2) - I flew into Singapore airport yesterday and flew out this morning, so decided for a bit of fun and money saving to spend the night sleeping at the airport. The entire airport is a very smart, new place and very relaxing with gentle piped music, however the comfort and facilities go right up when you go through check-in to the 'air side'. Luckily Singapore Airlines (and I believe one other airline) allows you to check in up to 48 hours in advance and up till 1am, so I checked my bag in and headed out into the city. Alternatively, there is a luggage storage point in the 'land side' of the airport if you don't want to or can't check your luggage in; it's next to Swensens Restaurant on the ground floor, is open 24 hours-a-day and charges about 4 Singapore Dollars per bag per 24 hours.
Returning to the airport at 12.30am I waltzed through a sleepy but helpful check-in, and I was set for the night. The 'air side' offers a swimming pool open till 11pm, a free cinema open till about 3am, a Sports TV area showing the usual sports channels till about 3am as well as a host of shops, bars and cafes open till about 1am. In addition there is a 24hr food court upstairs serving the usual burgers, rice and sandwiches as well as 24hr internet pc's for free. There is a 'rest area' which offers contoured chairs, and though they're not great they are preferable to sleeping on the floor. If you want a chair, get in early as there's only about a dozen and they'd all gone by the time I arrived. The whole airport quietens down around 1am and you can get some peaceful sleep through to about 5am when the crowds start arriving.
In the morning I showered upstairs (8 Singpore Dollars), but you need to get in early - by 8am there was an hours' wait for the showers - and got some relatively cheap breakfast at one of the cafes.
All in all, Singapore airport was one of the nicest airports you could choose to sleep at, and you got the feeling they almost provided for the sleeping tourist, what with the 24hr cafes and contoured chairs. In addition, the couple of staff I spoke to seemed to act as though sleeping at the airport was nothing they weren't used to. Especially with Singapore's hotel prices, I thoroughly recommend spending a night at the airport's convenience. " Added 08 Aug 04
SINGAPORE (Contributed by ?)
"July 2004 (Terminal 2) - Very tight security, overall a very nice airport. Got nudged with the tip of a machine gun in mid sleep and had to show my passport. " Added 08 Aug 04
SINGAPORE (Contributed by a)
"15 May 2004 (non secure area) - Well my first experience at the Singapore airport was amazing-better then my house- free internet, video games..what else could a lone 19 yr old american girl traveler ask for?
so on my way back from sri lanka, I hadnt been home in 8 months, I was looking forward to those comfy seats, the relaxing pool area, and cozy, clean vibes of the sing. airport again, I had a 14 hour layover, almost no money, singapore is perfect...or so I thought.
It was about 9 at night when I got off my plane, awaiting my layover- but I had to go through customs, get stamped, and claim my bags! (gasp!!) so there I was, trapped out in the insecure part of the airport. at this time it was pretty desolate-clean and shiny but no one there, and 1 fast food resturant. no comfy seats. i was pretty delirious at this point from not sleeping in about 2 days, and there i was...broken cd player...no money to spare for magazines...freezing cold with no jacket..and the night to kill on plastic chairs! but i did it, and if it doesnt kill ya, it makes u stronger.. somehow looking back i find this sleeping in airports thing strangly exciting. is that strange?" Added 08 Aug 04
SINGAPORE (Contributed by Lei)
"July 2004 (Terminal 1) - My airplane was delayed to 2am (actually 2:30am), and I was very sleepy ... after explored the 3rd level I saw cozy sofas inside the check-in region. Looks very good but later I found it belongs to the coffee shop outside Macdonald. I bought a cup of mochachinno at S$ 3.80 and doze at the sofa for 1 and half hours. The only problem is that the aircon is very cold.
After I left the place I found there are some banana seats just a few steps away, and it's free! And my plane was delayed again so I returned and sleep on the seats for another hour ... when I wake up the cleaning staffs remind me avoid catching cold, and my bag is still there, untouched.
Thanks J, thank you for providing the good suggestion and the guide (from this website). It really helps a lot. :)" Added 09 Jul 04
"June 18, 2004 - My friends n I arrived in Singapore after midnight directly from Australia. We tried a hostels but they were full, and one hotel charged the 3 of us $40 ea to stay one night. Being so tired we relented and stayed. Next day we tried hostels again but same result-full. So on a group consensus we checked into the airport nearly 24hrs early, packed some clean clothes in our hand luggage and checked our huge backpacks in. We found the Terminal 2 24hr restaurants which are great. And ended up sleeping on the Beer Bar Black sofas which are coushioned but are tiny, so ur in foetal position to sleep. I also recommend sleeping in the chairs at the movie theatre, it gets the job done. We tried the arrival lounge near immigration, they have banana lounges but some old man a pilot i think kicked us out. Theres free internet, lots of duty free shops, free alcohol tasting(i recommend the baileys) Xbox console games, computer games and even a chance to bid, which was great i won a back scratcher. Look just try it and have a plan B. cause we didn't so the last 24hrs we've been here, waiting to fly on to Penang. Just go for it! email me if u want more info. Girls dont wear revealing tops." Contributed by Danielle (Added 01 July 04)
"November 2003 - I was travelling from thailand to australia flying from changi and was WAY too cheap to pay for a hotel in singapore so me and a mate spent the night in the airport. they do extra early checkins there (we were like 13 hours early i think and we got checked in). there's free internet at nice sit down computers after 11pm. and upstairs in the food court and some good comfy sofas to sleep on. i was woken in the morning by some guy who worked in the food court asking me to move (they had to "open" or something... heh!) but it was time for the flight then and the airport was filling up. nice quiet place, highly reccomended!" Contributed by rod (Added 14 MAY 04)
"March 2004 (Terminal 2) - Had a connecting flight to London, but realised my flight from Auckland flew in early. And I do not regret a single bit camping out at this airport. I could grab my daypack, snuggle in one corner next to the glass panels and fall asleep while having a great view of the planes parked. Cleaners were cleaning the airport at about 3am, but didn't disturb me at all, they went about doing their stuff discreetly. However, I did wake up to go to the toilet, and the cleaning staff asked me if I was comfortable!!! I just love the lush and clean carpeting, no need for the couches which were available anyway. Food was cheap, grabbed a sumptous breakfast before catching my flight to London. Free movies were screened 24 hours round the clock, free internet, telephones for local calls, news, sports channels were available... this airport is simply immaculate." Contributed by Jack Miller (Added 02 APR 04)
"November 2003 - If you have to crash @ sin go to the second floor, and by the pub there is a pool table (go figure) sleep on the floor, has comfy carpet, quiet, and the cleaners cleaned around me. In the morning it can be a lil noisy, so ear plugs do the trick. dan" Contributed by danpeterca (Added 02 APR 04)
"March 2004 (Terminals 1 & 2) - The amenities at the airport is great. FANTASTIC. The airport is quiet, safe, and it has an extremely warm welcoming atmosphere." Contributed by Shawn (Added 13 MAR 04)
"October 2002 - I was supposed to catch a flight out in the evening to Bali, but due to the bombings there a few weeks earlier, I was told at the last moment that my flight was rescheduled to the next morning. By this time I did not have enough cash left to spring for a hotel, so I decided to spend the night in the airport. Boy am I happy I did! From midnight to 6am they had free internet (perfect for catching up with family and friends), free movie theatre, free arcade games, comfortable reclined seats with vibrating alarms in a darkened area of the airport. Even if you have the cash to spring on a hotel room in Singapore, I would recommend a night in the airport. It was by far one of the most spectacular airports I have ever slept in. Not to mention that they allowed you into the secure area as many hours prior to your flight as you wanted, as opposed to many airports that just let you in a couple of hours prior, leaving you to sleep on the uncomfortable benches in the non-secure areas." Contributed by josh (Added 06 FEB 04)
Extra reading for the New Year http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/01/29/lunar.newyear.reut/
Deadly fireworks mar Chinese New Year
