Scooting to Singapore

[GarrettM]

Just as advertised this one.
We're heading off on Sunday night for four nights of food, drink, architecture, food, street art, drink, gadget shopping, food, zoo and wildlife adventures, drink, and general tourism.

Plus maybe some food and drink.

Flights were booked on a Scoot (yes I can hear the gasps) promo in October. Initially I was highly dubious, but 3 pax for $600 return or thereabouts is pretty solid value. Pity the ongoing flight departs at 9pm.

Itin: 13/5 PER-SIN TR17 2110 to arrive 14/5 0230

We have a late check in at the Grand Mercure Roxy, and will recover from the journey here, before moving to the ParkRoyal on Kitchener in Little India for the rest of the week.

Depart: 18/5 SIN - PER TR16 1500 to arrive 2005

I know heaps of people are familiar with Singapore, but I enjoy sharing some of our travels and no one is forced to read along.
One huge disappointment I have learnt today is the Changi Museum closed last month until January 2019. I was really looking forward to that.

 

[oobi doobi]

Look forward to your Singapore adventures GarrettM. We have been to Singers many times and will be back there in 3 weeks after a trip to Canada. Never tire of Singapore.

cheers

 

[moa999]

Nothing wrong with Scoot at that pr8xe, though definitely a nasty arrival time, though at least will be a quick taxi to hotel

 

[NoName]

Nothing wrong with Scoot at that pr8xe, though definitely a nasty arrival time, though at least will be a quick taxi to hotel

Agree. Mrs NoName & I went Scoot to SIN in 2013 and there were no issues. Day flight from OOL was fine and we upgraded to Scoot Biz for the night flight on the return.

 

[OZDUCK]

Also looking forward to this report and as a fan of Singapore will happily read along. We are trying ScootBiz, one way, on the same route in September after a couple of disappointing SQ flights in Y.

 

[GarrettM]

Now at the airport. Oddly enough the flight is departing at 2020.
My booking still says 2110.

Figure that out.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Now at the airport. Oddly enough the flight is departing at 2020.
My booking still says 2110.

Figure that out.

Maybe you should check the return time then as well!

 

[OZDUCK]

Now at the airport. Oddly enough the flight is departing at 2020.
My booking still says 2110.

Figure that out.

The Perth Airport Schedules also show departure at 2020 as does my, amended from an earlier departure time, booking for later this year.

 

[GarrettM]

The Perth Airport Schedules also show departure at 2020 as does my, amended from an earlier departure time, booking for later this year.

In my Manage Booking page it still said 2110. Absolutely no mention of a change.
Oh well we're in Singapore now. Much more interesting things to occupy my mind ☺

 

[Major]

I will be interested in your opinion of Scoot

 

[GarrettM]

I will be interested in your opinion of Scoot

I did offer some thoughts in my last TR from our trip to Vietnam.
I'll add more at the end of this one.

 

[GarrettM]

So...
Flight in was smooth enough, but not without some talking points.
We were in 11ABC, behind the bulkhead row (10).
The bulkhead middle row is 9DEF, and this row was unoccupied and evidently earmarked for crew rest which seems reasonable.
But not to the fellow from the subcontinent in 10K. Before we even took off he engaged in an argument with an attendant about how it was not fair that he couldn't relocate to the empty row.
He was told it would not be possible, and the issue was escalated to the CSM. He angrily warned her that he'd be sending a letter of complaint to the airline, but she naturally held her ground and kept him in his place.
What he was expecting to achieve I do not know.
By the by this is not the last time I'll be telling stories of unbelievable rude people from India.

Landed without incident in Singapore, into a taxi and straight to the Grand Mercure Roxy for some much needed rest.

 

[GarrettM]

Superior room at the Grand Mercure Roxy was quite comfortable. The three of us shared the one bed.
Location is ok, although there's so much construction going on in the neighbourhood I wouldn't say it's the most family friendly spot.
We had breakfast down at the hotel cafe. S$13 for bacon, egg, sausage, baked beans, hash browns, toast and coffee. Not too bad.
And then because we were close to East Coast Park we decided to head that way to let the child expend some energy.
Lots of ships out there.

 

[Denali]

S........ but she naturally held her ground and kept him in his place.....

I once had a CSM say about a seat poacher (rear of Y to J), "He will sit in that seat if its the last thing I do!".

 

[GarrettM]

I do like a Singapore taxi. Super clean and super cheap.
Booked one to get back our hotel and it showed up promptly and got us back for less than $10.

We relaxed for a bit as we still were feeling the effects of the overnight flight.
And then went for a walk around to see some of the old Peranakan Houses.
Very colourful.

By this point the child had fallen fast asleep in her pram thank goodness. So we were able to take our time without the endless complaints of "I'm hungry".
Our check out was set for 2pm, so on our way bac we stopped for some lunch at Tim Howan. The only pic I managed from here was of our soursops. Quite refreshing.

 

[GarrettM]

We checked out of the Roxy at 2pm, and taxied to the ParkRoyal on Kitchener straight away.
And here begins a long and difficult check in process.

Check in here is officially at 3.
There is a clearly marked queue for service, with two or three people handling the process.
There are also dozens of travellers from India, both families and solo, who have no interst in doing things in an orderly fashion. Nor do they respect any non-Indian person who is trying to do things the right way.
Number of non-Indian people trying to check in?

Just one.

Me.

I line up in the queue, to be second in line. Other people are just milling about, walking up to the counter demanding service as they please. Someone just walks up from behind me and takes position in front.
I'm too engrossed in the conversation at the desk to be really bothered.
A woman is berating the male clerk for his inability to provide her a room before 3pm. In fairness it's about 2.40pm so you'd think maybe they'd have something ready. But it's super busy so I'm not surprised.
She's angry though. And not inclined to give in. Again what she expects to accomplish I can't quite say.
But it's amusing in a way.
I've let the line usurper go now, because I fully intend to get to this male clerk - Kazim - next. He's having a rough time and I want to make sure he gets to serve someone next who might actually be polite and respectful in conversation.

 

[GarrettM]

Angry woman and her husband are eventually soothed away. Not to rooms though. They'll have to wait like the rest of us.
I'm up next, but as I get to the desk here comes another random trying to get in from nowhere.
I don't think so. I position myself to start to block him out, before Kazim puts up his hand to the bloke and says "I'm serving this gentleman sir you will have to wait."
Kazim is my man.
Our dialogue is calm and patient. I know I can check in but won't have a room. And we can head across the road for a drink before we come back to collect room cards.
Easy as. Except my request for a fold out bed does not seem to have come through.
Kazim says he will see what can be done, and to spek to him when we return.
We shall see....

 

[GarrettM]

To kill time we head across the road to City Square, and enjoy a Boost juice.
When we get back things still haven't quite settled down.
Kazim spots me but is still busy, so he directs me over to Vanessa. Our room is ready, but if we want the rollaway it's going to cost us another $70/night.
This is not ideal. But Vanessa has another option. We can upgrade to a larger room with a fixed single as well as a king for an extra $40/night.
Let's do that we say.
Sure, says Vanessa. But that room is not ready yet.
Ugh.
As I am standing there speaking to Vanessa, a new angry Indian woman ignores the queue, walks up to the counter, and yells at Kazim demanding to speak to his manager.
She's right next to me and I know she's itching to just shove me out of the way so she can have the whole desk to herself.
That's not going to happen though. I am not moving an inch for this broad or any other person.
Vanessa is doing her best to ignore all of this, and says she'll run up to check if the room is ready.
Off she goes and back she comes, and politely asks us to wait five minutes.
We can do that, although to be honest we are hot and sweaty and keen to get ourselves away from this drama.
But adding more tension to this cauldron isn't going to help anyone.
Thankfully the wait is only five minutes, and Kazim comes over to us with our card keys, an apology, and a thanks for your polite patience.
Kazim is my man.

 

[OZDUCK]

This is becoming exciting now - when does the riot break out?

(I have often considered this Parkroyal but have never been quite convinced to book it.)

 

[GarrettM]

So here we are. Room 919.
Large but extremely utilitarian. Note the child is not part of the room. Although we may choose to leave her here.


The hotel has seen better days really. Room decor is a bit dated. Bathrooms are a little meh.
It's all a bit 1970s.
But as a base for our daily activities it will do.