Terminal 3 Departure Hall
Singapore Changi Airport is a mere 10-minutes drive from my house. Besides ferrying visiting guests to and from the airport, I enjoy visiting it for recreation.
This morning I was there for breakfast and to find out if it is accessible to the wheel-chair bound who travels alone.
The car park of T3 is spacious and wide enough to allow me to use my wheel-chair. I was at Marina Mandarin Shopping Centre on Sunday and my husband has to let me alight first before parking the car as there is not enough space to navigate my wheel-chair among the parked vehicles.
We saw two handicapped lots but we didn't dare to park there as they are reserved for handicapped drivers. I didn't have a permit to use the handicapped lot, our car would be wheel clamped and we would have to pay a release fee of S$100. Better don't play play. :P
I have difficulty using the ramp shown above. I have to control my wheel-chair from rolling down the slope and not find myself in the way of moving vehicles, while trying several times to press the button. My arms were tired from this exercise.
It was 8 am, the dimsum restaurant which I was going to was not opened until 10.30 am. This directory was a great help because it showed us which eateries were opened for business at that early hour.
We decided to go to the Kopitiam Food Court at Basement 2. I like the wide spaces which allow me to navigate my wheel-chair with ease. The only problem was I am not able to buy hot steaming noodles nor a cup of hot tea by myself as it is self-service and I am not prepared to scald myself.
The food stalls serve a wide range of dishes, some of them yummy. The prices are slightly higher than in the city.
Local sauces of Singapore
There are a few cool shops at T3. CHNG Kee's Spice of Life is a local gourmet store selling the famous and yummy Chng Kee premix sauces like Kung Bo, Laksa Paste and Hainanese Chicken Rice Mix. I always gift these sauces to my foreign visitors and without fail, they would ask me to send them the sauces whenever they crave for Singapore food. :)
My 24-hour air-con coffee/tea shop which also serves local toast with their speciality coconut jam.
Shop for grocery before I head home.......
Checking the departure time.....
Wordless Wednesday
Over heer, the handicapped parking; even at big malls are always misused by able bodied drviers. :(
ReplyDeleteECL I'm sure your friends and fans here are proud at how you are handling your present physical condition.Instead of sitting at home in front of the TV or whining you are up and about investigating and exploring facilities for wheelchair bound victims.Bravo to you and your hubby.
ReplyDeleteWho knows...your newfound knowledge might help matters one day.What we learn in life is never lost.Take care my dear.
Lina,
ReplyDeleteSingapore has some strict rules and our pockets will burn a hole or we could be charged in court if we break one. So it is better to stick to rules. :P
jean,
ReplyDeleteI've been told to rest at home and put up my foot but I just cannot sit at home and grow mouldy. :P
It is only in my disabled condition that I realize there is inadequate facilities for the handicapped. And most of the facilities which are planned and built by able-bodied people have flaws.
I'm really frustrated that the wheel-chair bound have difficulty getting around and gaining access to public places. We'll be forced to stay home. So sad that the handicapped who are healthy mentally are trapped in their own homes.
I'm capable of leading a normal life without needing a helper if only Singapore has the required facilities for the physically challenged. I'll fight for that.
I am impressed to know that when you are out on the wheelchair, you are evaluating the accessibility of our public spaces for users of wheelchair. This will help raise greater awareness to designers, architects and the general public on this aspect.
ReplyDeleteHeal well, and cheer you on.
Throw a durian at me, will ya? Well, I'm gonna make my way back to Singapore and tickle you until you cry! lol
ReplyDeleteI think you have to be in a wheelchair yourself to realize how careless some architects think ! In Belgium only new buildings have wheelchair access, but no way to take a bus or a train without help. Most of the stations are not equipped at all for disabled people. It's really horrible.
ReplyDeleteI can understand that you get crazy only staying home, I would too !
glad to see you up and about, sort of. nice to really see you going about your daily life.
ReplyDeletechangi airport (2 &3) are places i would go for eating and shopping. it's filled with a lot of good restaurants and the choices are endless it seems.
it's good to see you going out of the house despite your physical condition. it shows how much you don't want your inability to walk hinder you from exploring places. but i still hope you will have a speedy recovery. thanks for sharing all the photos with us.
ReplyDeleteAmazing post! Thank-you for having the courage to share your trials, tribulations and photos with your readers!
ReplyDeleteWow you are still up and about even on wheelchair, you are amazing woman!
ReplyDeleteMs. ECL, you did good with that wheel chair.
ReplyDeleteOne item about getting the a cup of hot tea by yourself, in the U.S. because of your disability they would have to carry your food for you. Everything on your tray.
I think that large red item at the terminal entrance with the crowd around it is a black jack table.
Happy RT, I hope the ankle mends soon.
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Not many places here are wheelchair friendly. Those without own transport sure have a hard time getting on the public transportation.
ReplyDeleteBravo! fren, never thought u cld still be on the go in this condition. Good review of the airport. Next time i know where to head for food at tha airport.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post....around here in America, what ticks me off is that some individual that has NO handicap uses the parking spaces for those in need.
ReplyDeleteMy R T today is A Ruby Ship's Bollard This is my invitation for you to come pay me a visit if you can find time!!
Have a super, great day!
I admire you for being strong and your determinations. Good luck and Jiayou, ECL!
ReplyDeleteIn Malacca...a lot of people abuse the parking lots for those with special needs. What a shame! :(
ReplyDeletehi ecl, hope is all well, I read about your predicament I think from Fb,I admire your positivity...keep it up, you're doing real good and I love how you still put up your blog! Viel spaß! (Much fun!)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are getting around pretty well, that's fantastic. We always have problems here with misused handicapped signs etc...
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of coconut jam. Might have to come to Singapore just for that.
ReplyDeleteHoping your leg heals soon.
aww sorry about your legs :( hope it will heal really soon! thanks for the trip!
ReplyDeleteu may view mine here
I enjoyed traveling with you through the mall. It's amazing how able-bodied people seemingly fail to consult those whom they are supposedly trying to help. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI also think Singapore is not very handicapped-friendly.
ReplyDeleteYou have done a great review and I am sure it will help others who are trying to travel who are in wheelchairs. Well done!
ReplyDeletenot the usual post. quite great and honorable to do that. i only passed by terminal 2.
ReplyDeleteHi ECL i'm back! aiyoooo what happened to u???
ReplyDeletewell at least it is more accessible there compared to in malaysia.. and the people's attitude here, parking in disabled section when they have no disabled sticker and act like they're innocent.. and STILL their cars are not clamped.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you are getting around pretty good. I hope you have a speedy recovery!
ReplyDeleteI love that I can see places that I would never get to see from your blog. Hope you are feeling better!
ReplyDeleteow you have a paparazzi around =)
ReplyDeleteyou look well...