January 27, 2016

How to Get Wi-Fi ALL DAY LONG in Singapore! | Changi Recommends Wifi Router Review

If there is one thing we could grant as the Best Invention Ever, it would be the one and only: Internet. Whether or not you agree with us, we think it's safe to say that each and everyone of us know how useful internet really is, how it makes our life so much easier (and lazier, ha!)
Now, when it comes to Travel -which is one of our most enjoyable things in life, internet also comes in handy. Jess has described about this on her ask.fm:
Long story short, internet always helps us before we travel AND during the trip itself. And of course, beside for using all the helpful apps up there during our trip, we need it to keep in touch with our family, clients, customers and employees. PLUS, internet is die die needed for us to share anything on our social media accounts. #firstworldproblem #buthey #aproblemisaproblem

Question is, HOW do we get internet connection while traveling?
Most popular options would be to:
- get a local sim card and apply for data package,
- borrow a cafe's or your friend's internet connection OR
- our favorite option: get a Portable Wifi
As Jess mentioned up there (on her ask.fm post), we prefer Portable Wifi because it's a lot simpler and one router can be used by many devices at the same time. So you can use it with your family and friends (and share the fee as well :b ), OR you can connect it to your phone, laptop, iPad at the same... ah, you geddit.

Okay, so, without further ado, let us introduce you to:
Our internet hero in Singapore!


How To Use?

Steps to Connect to the Internet using the Wifi Router
1. Turn on the router: Press and hold the button until the screen lights up
2. Proceed to Settings on your mobile device and ensure that your Wi-Fi function is on
3. Connect to the network that matched the router's SSID and enter the Wi-Fi key (password):
Both the Wifi SSID and Key are on the back side of the router.

...And that's it, you're connected to the world!
Chat / call / work / play / browse anything, anytime, anywhere!

Dunno where to go? Just browse leh.
Got high speed 4G internet connection for what? *pls excuse our sudden singlish*
Google Search - TripAdvisor - Google Maps... All checked, all connected nice and steady. Seriously, the internet connection is really good (fast and stable), at least compared to Indonesian internet. It's no big surprise, though. According to this rating system, out of 167 countries rated, Singapore is the 19th country with best internet connection while Indonesia is the 108th. *silent cry*

Found a nice spot on the road and want to update it live to Snapchat?
No problem, thanks to Changi Recommends Wifi Router!
The small router is very lightweight, you can put it in your pocket or simply carry it in your bag.

Need to check on your bank account immediately?
Even with 'No Service' sign, you get the full Wifi signal, so just do it loh. ^^


Tips n Trick

When you collect the router, you will be given this maroon bag.
Inside it is a plug-in charger with a usb cable, and the router itself.
P.S. If you're reading this, you're welcome, Priscilla! We really enjoy the router, thanks! :D

Do note that if you use the router non-stop (like we did), the battery tends to run out pretty fast.
Now with the plug-in charger, you can use it to charge the router when you stay for a pretty long time in a cafe, restaurant, salon, massage parlour, etc. We also recommend you to charge your router overnight so you can use it the next day with full battery.

We bring our own powerbank (which is a crucial stuff for us) with its own cable, so we left the charger at the hotel and use this instead to charge the router when needed.

Or if you bring your own laptop like Elle did, and all you wanna do is to watch a movie in a cafe, well, you can simply charge the router by plugging in the USB cable to the laptop. And yes, the unlimited, high speed Wifi also means that you can binge streaming online, undisturbed. ^^


How To Collect

You can easily spot Changi Recommends booths when you step outside the Arrival Hall at Changi Airport's Terminal 1, 2 and 3:
↑ Changi Recommends Booth at Terminal 2 
You can rent the router directly at the booth, or even better, you can RESERVE 3 days in advance via their website (use code 'ELLEJESSSGWIFI' to get a special online rate of SGD9/day if you travel by end of June 2016. The reservation form is here and have to be made at least 3 working days (72 hours) prior to departure date):
...and collect it at the booth when you arrive at the airport, hassle-free:

↑ Changi Recommends Booth near the check-in area at Terminal 2. 
You can return the router here before going to the Departure Hall. :D


Anyway ^^

During our last trip to Singapore to visit the Trick Eye Museum (before this one), we already used this router actually! So when Changi Recommends contacted us to review this super useful thing, we said yes immediately! #SatisfiedCustomer

BUT.
(Jess) At the end of that trip, when I wanted to return the router, I FORGOT THE MAROON BAG!!! The bag was inside my big suitcase which was already checked in to the flight - before I got into the departure hall. T_______T Got too convenient using it til I almost forgot to return EVEN THE ROUTER when my flight was ALREADY BOARDING... T__________________T

So what happened next was, I rushed to the nearest Changi Recommends booth (which is the one at the Terminal 1 Departure Hall, near Omega Watch), returned the router to the girl in the booth and told her about my situation (forgot about the maroon bag + charger AND my flight was already boarding). She was very helpful and quickly let me know that I need to pay SGD 50 for the replacement cost of the charger. She said that I can claim the SGD 50 back when I return the charger later (she also told me that I can ship it to their address if I prefer to, but I told her that I would be back to Singapore, so I'll return it by that time, which I fortunately did ^^;). So I paid SGD 50 in cash, got the printed receipts, and managed to catch my flight. *phew*

Fast forward to the picture above , I returned the maroon bag and the charger, and the girl (different with the one who helped me before, but she was also very helpful and fast ^^) asked me to fill in a form, and now I just have to wait for the refunded SGD 50.

So, in case you forgot to return the items like I did, you know what to do. ^^;;;;;; Overall, the collecting-returning process is hassle-free and we are very satisfied with both Changi Recommends' service and product!
 Booth locations and opening hours 

For more information about the Wi-Fi router and Changi Recommends, click here.



Special for our readers

RESERVE 3 days in advance here via their website and use code 'ELLEJESSSGWIFI' to get a special online rate of SGD9/day (normal rate = SGD10)!! This code is valid until June 30, 2016. The reservation form is here and have to be made at least 3 working days (72 hours) prior to departure date.

Okay guys, we hope you find this post useful. Til next time! :D

January 22, 2016

Cloud Forest and Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore


So, as you already know, we went to Gardens by the Bay last December (if you haven't read our post about it, click here). The place is actually much bigger than what we showed on that post, and it has a lot of attractions too! Like Children's Garden, Lakes, Skyway, etc. But, today's post is not about ALL of the them, because we didn't have enough time to explore the whole place. We only visited their two conservatories, Cloud Forest and Flower Dome!


CLOUD FOREST

Once you enter Cloud Forest, you will see this breath-taking waterfall right in front of you. It's the world's largest indoor waterfall! Spend some time here to enjoy the refreshing mist. 
Of course we had to take pictures next to it. Don't do this, unless you're okay getting slightly wet.
Cloud Forest is actually a 35-metre tall mountain surrounded by diverse vegetation from tropical highlands up to 2,000 metres above sea level.

There was a quite long queue pole before the lift, but luckily it was empty when we reached there!

And next to the queue pole, we saw this cool plants and spider made out of LEGO! 

There are 9 parts inside the Cloud Forest that you can explore, and one of them is the Lost World. It's the highest point of the mountain (you need to take the lift to get here) 
↑ Beautiful reflection.
↑ You can also find Carnivorous Plants at the Lost World, such as pitcher plants and the Venus Fly-catcher.
↑ View from the top.
↑ The Lost World showcases vegetation typically found at around 2,000 above sea level. Such as these pretty flowers. 
↑ If we are not mistaken, this one is Primrose. Yes, as in Primrose Everdeen. :D

Making our way down through the Cloud Walk. 
Stopped for a wefie, lol.

During your way down, you can see a close-up view of various epiphytes plant species (a plant that grows on another plant) on the side of the mountain. 
↑ Love the misty effect! xD
↑ Every time we want to capture our brother, we will distract him by telling him to look at this side, or that side, or just tell him to laugh. We think his candid pose is way better than his planned pose hahahah
↑ One of the unique plants here.
↑ More about Elle's outfit on the previous post: bit.ly/latutto

↑ The last part of Cloud Forest: Secret Garden. Jess was wearing GOWIGASA Feline Bow Midi Skirt in cream and ZARA Top.

We ended up spending 1-2 hours here, loved it!! This place reminded us so much of the movie 'Avatar'! 


FLOWER DOME


Unlike the cool-moist Cloud Forest, Flower Dome is more of a cool-dry conservatory. Here you can find interesting plants from the Mediterranean and semi-arid (dry) subtropical regions. But, the best part of our visit was, it was surrounded by Christmas decorations because it was near the Christmas!! :D


If you turn to the right after you step in Flower Dome, you will find Succulent Garden which displays desert plants (one of the 8 parts inside the Dome). 
↑ Elle's outfit: Forever21 Denim Shirt | H&M Denim Shorts | 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Medium Satchel | ASOS Hat | Peter Keiza Slip-Ons | Topshop Necklace
↑ Cute miniature!!
↑ The lilac colour tho. 
↑ Found a not-so-hiding lion! :D
↑ So many beautiful flowers here.
↑ View from the top.
↑ Mediterranean Garden
↑ Met these cute girls wearing bean sprouts hair clips! Thanks for posing for us :D
↑ Hey, there's a wooden dragon!
 Daisy 
↑ No idea what this is, but it's pretty cool.

 Probably the coolest among all, Helichrysum splendidum! Look at that silver foliage!

↑ So tiny, so pretty.
✿ A wallflower. 
 Remember to touch the plants to know their textures! It's interesting! Like this one above, it felt like gummy bear :3
↑ And this has got to be our favourite! Sooo soft and pillowy! Don't worry, no harm done to the plants ^^
↑ We wish we could shrink ourselves and lay down on it. Or find a big garden fully covered by it. ∩(︶▽︶)∩

↓ Anyway, it was pretty crowded at the Flower Dome, maybe people wanted to see the Christmas decorations or the fact that it was Sunday. Either way, if you want to avoid that, we suggest you to come earlier! ^^
↑ Don't forget to stop by Conservatory Cafe (located between Flower Dome and Cloud Forest) to buy some ice cream! Jess tried the Durian flavour, and the taste was very rich and not too sweet. It felt like eating a durian in a form of ice cream!! Besides ice cream, they also offer light snacks and hot/cold drinks. :D
Mao Shan Wang Durian

CLOUD FOREST & FLOWER DOME
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Opening Hours: Daily 9am - 9pm
Last ticket sale: 8pm
Last admission: 8.30pm

Local Resident Rate - One Conservatory:
Adult: $12
Senior (>60 years old): $8
Child (3-12 years old): $8

Local Resident Rate - Two Conservatories:
Adult: $20
Senior (>60 years old): $15
Child (3-12 years old): $12

Standard Rate - Two Conservatories:
Adult: $28 >> This was our rate/person
Senior (>60 years old): $28
Child (3-12 years old): $15

p.s. If you can only go to one conservatory, we suggest you go for Cloud Forest.

By the way, we went there on Sunday and reached the ticket booth at around 11am and the queue was very short! Then, when we were going back at around 3pm, it was already this crowded!!  Better be early, guys! Especially on weekends.

Ending this post with Gardens by the Bay's iconic Supertree Grove and awesome Christmas tree:


XOXO