As in most other facilities and services Singapore’s Changi airport is a cut above the rest. Changi’s designers have gone to great lengths to consider the needs and comfort of its transiting passengers.
Connecting with Nature
Connecting with nature is a great de-stressor and is beneficial to well being. With this in mind Changi’s Terminal 3 has a wonderful green area that contains the most gentle of all wildlife – butterflies. The butterfly garden is on level 3 of the terminal and is just one of the airport’s six gardens. The Butterfly Garden is designed to imitate a tropical butterfly natural habitat.
Butterfly Garden
This unique feature is will captivate and charm every visitor, the butterflies are not afraid of human interaction and may well settle on a hand or arm or even a head or two. There are 47 different species of butterflies in the farm where they go about their natural life-cycle. Watch them feed from nectar-rich flowers and wonder at their transformation from caterpillar to chrysalis to adult butterflies; one of the true wonders of the natural world.
The butterfly garden is open 24 hours and is free.
Heliconia Garden
With their strong and tall stalks, highly coloured and distinctive “blooms” heliconias are amongst the most striking of plants. For travel weary passengers who need to refresh their eyes and senses Changi has the perfect answer a Heliconia Garden. The garden has over 20 species of this brightly-coloured architectural plant. It is a joy to visit the lushly green and richly-hued garden and a wonderful way to calm the inner person.
Koi Carp Pond
The people of the Far East have a traditional affinity with aquatic life and particularly fish. The Koi Pond at the airport’s Terminal 3 is a must visit. The fish with their vivacious colours gently swimming in the fresh water pond is worth a visit. Add to this the sound of running water and the antics of the fish will sooth nerves and set the mood for the onward journey.
Sugnei Buloh Wetland
If the transit time is longer than five hours why not take one of the special trips into green Singapore? For a small fee visit the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserves, this is ASEAN’s first Heritage Park.
Here it is possible to observe a mangrove eco-system in its natural state, more than this the mangrove is home to a large number of indigenous and visiting wildlife. Watch for crocodiles, mudskippers, egrets and otters amongst others. In the cold northern winter months the reserve plays host to migrating birds from Siberia who escape the harsh winter conditions.
The reserve is open from 7.30 am to 7 pm on weekdays and from 7 am to 7 pm at weekends and public holidays. Entrance is a very reasonable Singapore $1 (70c US, 50€ cents)
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Kids will enjoy visiting the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden at the Singapore Botanic Garden, a stone’s throw from Orchard Road. Kids will run wild discovering the garden’s features designed to develop an appreciation for plants and the environment.
The little ones will enjoy the playful experience of discovering century-old trees, learning about the miracle of photosynthesis and splashing around in the Waterplay area. The Garden is designed to allow children to learn and appreciate plants and nature through the medium of play.
Opening times 8 am to 7 pm daily but is closed on Monday and public holidays. Entrance to the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden is free.
Just a few of the delights of transiting through one of theworld’s best airports, as confirmed by the BBC Travel Website.
John Howe - John Howe is a qualified nurse, lecturer and journalist, he has written extensively on health, travel and lifestyle in Asia and Europe.
