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Tuesday Tips: 11 EUROPE THRIFT HACKS You Should Know

Travelling around Europe has always been a dream since I started exploring places in 2012. Every year, I will always plan to make this dream Europe trip for the following year. It took 7 years for this dream trip to happen. Last October 2019, I flew to Europe (via Singapore) alone & explored the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark for 19 days. It was not a cheap trip but not too expensive as well. Every Euro, Czech Koruna & Danish Krone I spent was worth it. You may check out my posts about this Europe trip of a lifetime under the Going Solo in Europe category.

Some of you know that no matter how trips, like this trip to Europe, sound expensive, I always find a way to make it affordable. I shared with you in my past posts how I went to Fukuoka, Japan for a weekend & spent less than ₱12,500 including plane tickets & accommodation, how I booked international return tickets from Manila for as low as ₱1,300+ & so on. I also posted under my Tuesday Tips section how I applied DIY visas for Schengen Territory (Europe), China, Australia & Japan.

Allow me to share with you how I managed to save money & spend lesser than the usual. Here are 11 thrift hacks I found useful in my Euro trip last year.

Take Advantage of Airline & Credit Card Deals

Right before the Covid-19 pandemic, major airlines & banks offered credit card exclusive airfares & deals to the airlines’ network. These promotions happen throughout the year but the best ones are offered in the 1^st quarter (January to March) of every year. Some people recommend to book plane tickets after getting your visa. Tickets at these times are already expensive. If you have an extensive travel record & good trip intention, I tell you to risk it.

I booked my plane ticket to Europe from Singapore Airlines & BPI’s Online Travel Fair. I paid US$ 719.23 for a return trip with Singapore Airlines on this route – Manila to Singapore, Singapore to Amsterdam, Copenhagen to Singapore & Singapore to Manila. I paid ₱37,669.40 in peso, including foreign currency transaction charges for a full-service experience on a 5-star premium airline. It was worth the risk.

Book Accommodations Early

Booking accommodations early give you access to the nicer & cheaper options. Booking platforms also offer early bird discounts which you shouldn’t let go of. One thing to note here –always go for the option with flexible booking terms such as free cancellation, no pre-payment or pay at the hotel / hostel. I booked my hostels a bit late for my trip & the cost has almost doubled. If only I booked my hostels earlier, I could’ve saved more. I tried booking for an ~~upcoming~~ / cancelled trip to Europe 9 months away & imagine, I’ll only pay around ₱11,000 for 12 nights around Germany, Austria & Hungary. Yes, it can be that cheap!

I previously wrote a set of Tuesday Tips about the pattern in getting the best accommodation deals – check out the post here. Hope you find it helpful.

Apply For Your Own Visa

It may take some research & a physical appointment with VFS but applying for your own Schengen tourist visa will save you the handling fees charged by travel agencies. Read blogs & posts on how to apply for a Schengen tourist visa. Next thing you’ll know, it’s already your appointment day. Don’t worry about getting the visa on its release. You can arrange delivery by courier for a few hundreds.

I applied for my own Schengen tourist visa & I wrote how I did it. Check out my Tuesday Tip on this DIY Schengen visa application process.

Invest In An Internet Sim Card

Our generation is very dependent on internet connection. I think it’s a good & bad thing – but more of a good thing when you’re travelling around Europe. It’s easier to find places through maps, to book online tickets last-minute, to get online recommendations & to keep contact with loved ones back home at any time of the day. It’ll save you cost because you won’t take unnecessary taxi trips & you won’t get lost. Make sure to always check the sim card features & its coverage. Also, it’s always better to buy a sim card here in the Philippines than in the airport of your arrival. Internet sim cards in Europe area freaking expensive.

I bought my internet sim card from Pinoy Traveler’s Unlimited Data Sim Card on Facebook. I paid ₱1,600 for a plug & play 30-day UK-Europe-World data sim card which had 12 GB of 3G/4G data & unlimited call & text in Europe & UK & 9 GB of 3G/4G data outside Europe & UK. The data sim card worked well throughout the trip – in Singapore, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark. The sim card automatically connected to the network partner in every country. It was a good product with an extensive coverage.

Check For Online Ticket & Tour Discounts

It pays to check the museum or online tour websites for discounted tickets. Most companies offer discounted early bird tickets or last-minute promotions to those who want to join on the spot. Believe it or not, I got my Heineken Experience ticket for €18, from the usual €20 ticket bought on site. I also got a discounted guided day tour trip to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken from Get Your Guide. The tour was originally priced at €35 to but I only got it for only €28. I booked the tour last-minute, the night before the tour itself.

Here’s the Heineken Experience ticket I bought online for €18, instead of the usual €20.

Got this Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken guided tour for €28 at Get Your Guide website.

My friends told me that some tour companies & museums even have more discounted tickets if you book your tickets earlier. Ultimately, weigh in the cost of doing it by yourself through public transportation or by private guide versus the cost of joining a guided tour. Go for the guided group tour as long as you get a good deal out of it.

Enjoy Hostel Buffet Breakfasts

Food in Europe, in general, is expensive. An affordable meal can cost you around €10 without drinks. One thing I did on this trip is to enjoy hostel buffet breakfasts. Some hostels in Europe offer their buffet spread for affordable rates. These buffet spreads include bread, cereals, cold cuts, cheese, & drinks such as coffee, tea or juice. Generator Amsterdam offered their buffet breakfast for €7,5 while Dream Hostel Prague has them for €4,5. Sleep Well Youth Hostel Brussels guests have access to free buffet breakfast (which was really nice) while Steel House Copenhagen sold breakfast bags (with bun, juice & energy bar) for around €6,5.

Avail of any breakfast promotion or offering your hostel has – it’s way cheaper (unless you have time to cook your own food) than what’s outside. It’ll also help you kick start your day right.

The Supermarket Is Your Best Friend

One of the things I always do when I am in a new place is to go to supermarkets. I mentioned these in my blogs about the things I miss doing in Japan, tips in saving money in Melbourne & going around Singapore on a budget. These groceries sell everything for a better price – cheaper than what you pay in specialty shops, food stalls & restaurants. It is also the best place to buy bottled water & beer.

This bottle of juice + 4 croissants cost me only €2.90-ish in Albert Heijn. Awesome breakfast deal!!

I didn’t avail of the hostel’s breakfast one morning because I left early for a group tour. I dropped by an Albert Heijn supermarket & got myself 4 croissants & 1 big bottle of juice for less than €3. Great deal, right?

Set A Daily Budget

It helps to set a daily budget for long trips like this. It helps you control your day-to-day expenses & stretch your pocket money. Daily budgets vary from one country to the other, depending on how expensive the country is.

I set a daily budget of €40 per day for my 2019 Europe trip. That daily budget doesn’t include the accommodation costs which I already paid days before the trip. Believe it or not, it worked! I usually avail the hostel’s breakfast in the morning, then have late lunch somewhere (mostly local food) and have street food & beers for dinner. The daily budget also included transportation costs & if possible, museum entrance fees. I spent more than €40 on some days, but I was at €30-€35 in most days.

Join Walking Tours

Free, or should I say, tip-based walking tours are popular in Europe. Various companies run daily walking tours around the city through independent & professional tour guides. At the end of every walking tour, the joiner can give any amount (no specific amount required by the guides) on what he / she thinks is the value of the tour. Typical tip is €5 to €10 per tour. Joining these walking tours will save you from joining overpriced private or city group tours priced at €20 to €25 per person.

I joined a number of walking tours on this trip – Amsterdam, Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Prague, Český Krumlov & Copenhagen. All the guides are friendly & they speak good English. They also give recommendations on where to go & what to do in the city.

Take Buses Instead of Intercity Trains

European cities & countries are well-connected by intercity (IC) trains. One can literally hop on a train in Amsterdam & arrive in Paris after a few hours. One can also board a train in Paris & wake up in Vienna the following day. However, fares on these trains are expensive. A 2-hour IC train trip from Amsterdam to Brussels can cost up to €60 if you buy it last-minute.

Good thing Europe has a wider network of buses that run in between cities. Bus companies such as FlixBus, BlaBlaBus, Eurolines, RegioJet & National Express run trips between cities at affordable cost. The same 2-hour Amsterdam to Brussels trip on FlixBus only cost me €12. It can even be cheaper if you book tickets earlier & not last-minute. These buses guarantee each passenger a seat & even has 20-kilogram allowance for luggage.

Walk & Enjoy The Feeling of Getting Lost

The best way to explore every city in Europe is by walking. Most cities have local tram networks & subways but nothing will beat the feeling of walking around & getting lost in an unknown place. You’ll see many beautiful historic buildings, walk through preserved parks & see the daily lives of locals. You’ll learn to appreciate each place more when you walk around it at your own pace. There’s no need to spend extra euros for these tram, subway & bus rides.

I never walked as much as I did in this trip to Europe. I would usually skip taking the tram, bus & subway rides & instead walk 2-3 kilometres per way at my pace, while enjoying the local scene. The cold weather helped me not get exhausted easily. I got lost a lot of times but I enjoyed it & I let my foot take me to wherever it’ll take me. I ended up seeing hidden beautiful streets, peaceful & preserved reserves & picturesque landmarks.

These hacks helped me a lot throughout my 19 days trip around Europe. It saved me euros, spared me from expensive tour deals & prevented me from spending too much on one thing. At the end of the day, it all falls to extensive research & careful trip planning. Having been to Europe & spending less compared to what a usual tourist still proves my point that no matter how expensive one place is, there will always be ways to make it affordable.

What personal travel hacks can you share to me? Do you also book your tickets & accommodations way in advance? How do you go about planning your itinerary & your modes of transportation? Share some of your travel hacks in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about those mentioned above? You may also post them in the comments below or you can also send them to me via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I’ll answer them as soon as I can.

Thank you for joining me in today’s set of Tuesday Tips. I hope you also find time to check my posts about the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark under the Going Solo in Europe category. Keep up-to-date with thrift hacks like this & promotional fares by following me on my social media pages – Facebook & Instagram. Until the next set of Tuesday Tips!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

P’s List: 7 Interesting Observations About Denmark

Going around Copenhagen with a friend made my Denmark experience a unique one. I learn a lot from walking tour guides, hostel staff & co-travelers but I believe nothing beats learning from someone who actually lives in the same city or country, showing around their own culture from his or her personal experiences. I spent 2 full days around Copenhagen with my Danish friend, Mads. This good friend is based in Aalborg, one of the smaller cities up north of Copenhagen but he flew all the way to the capital to show me around.

In case you missed it, I also wrote about the places I saw in Copenhagen, the 7 Danish delicacies one must not miss & the luxury hostel I stayed with during my stay – Steel House Copenhagen.

Today’s P’s List will show 7 interesting observations or learning I had about Danish people, Copenhagen & Denmark during my stay in the country. Please note that these are all personal observations & learning & that they not reflect or represent anyone.

Danish people use bicycle a lot.

Danish people are like Dutch people – they use bicycle a lot. They use it to go to work, to go to the supermarket, to go to the park or to go wherever they need to go. Most roads in Copenhagen & in the other cities have dedicated bicycle lanes.

Danish architecture is unique & beautiful.

Danish architecture evolved from its Viking-inspired style to the usual baroque, gothic & renaissance styles to functionalism & then now to its contemporary unique style. Their neo-futuristic style taps more on the proper use of natural elements, sustainable energy & people comfort.

Copenhill from afar – a cheese wedge-like building that serves as a power plant & a ski slope! 🧀

Copenhagen has notable buildings like Copenhill, a cheese-like structure which operates as a power plant & an artificial ski slope designed by Bjarke Ingels Group & the ‘toaster-like’ Copenhagen Opera House designed by Henning Larsen. Denmark produced architects that has worked on many iconic & world-famous architectural masterpieces including the Sydney Opera House designed by Jørn Utzon.

Axel Towers Copenhagen is a mixed-use building designed by Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects 🇩🇰

Closer look at Axel Towers Copenhagen. Look at the curvy design – unique & beautiful element! 😍

You can go out in a day without bringing cash.

Yes, majority of the stores in Denmark accept mobile or cards as form of payment. My friend Mads even said that the locals know if the person buying is a tourist if they pay their goods in cash. Almost all establishments, including hotdog stands & food stalls, use a cashless mode of payment. Train stations don’t have ‘cash counters’ – all tickets must be paid by card.

Tap water in Denmark is safe to drink.

Tap water is Denmark is potable. It has one of the world’s cleanest tap water. Their tap water undergoes strict quality controls up to the point where it is as safe as the bottled water you buy from the stores. The canals & rivers in Copenhagen also has clear & very clean waters. Impressive!

Steel House Copenhagen had this water-refilling section in the hostel common area. Free water!!!

Danish people like getting cozy.

Danish people love being cozy, comfortable & contented. This ‘hygge’ culture is popular among Danes where they slow down a certain time of the day or week, feel contented about life & enjoy the simple things it has to offer.

Look at how cozy these couches are. Perfect places in Steel House Copenhagen to practice hygge 🥰

Danish people value equality.

Like other Scandinavian countries, Denmark values equality in all aspects. Danish people follow the Law of Jante where they don’t think they’re better than the other. The government does everything to lessen the gap between men & women in jobs, wages & societal benefits. Danish people also don’t care about people’s sexuality. They respect people regardless of their preference.

Denmark is a happy country with happy people.

Denmark is a consistent placer in the yearly world’s happiest countries list. Why? The Danish welfare state works. Danish people pay higher taxes than most in the world & get more social services (free healthcare, free education & unemployment subsidy) out of it. As mentioned above, Danish people respect each other & value equality. They also have work-life balance. I remember Mads told me they only work less than 35 hours a week; while in the Philippines, we work 40 hours a week on a regular job. Their ‘hygge’ culture also plays a big part in making them happy & contented.

Denmark is a safe country to visit.

Never have I felt unsecured in those 4 days of walking around in Denmark, be it in day time or late at night. Copenhagen, in particular, felt to safe at any time of the day. Danish people are nice & friendly. People respect each other. Neighborhoods are clean & quiet. It just feels like a perfect place to visit.

Denmark is a wonderful country to visit. It may be more expensive than the other ones I’ve been to but it’s a country that I easily fell in love with. It may not have the stunning canal houses of Amsterdam, the beautiful Grote Markt of Brussels or the picturesque buildings of Prague but it surely has the most modern & unique buildings & the warmest & happiest people. Everything about Copenhagen felt right at the moment. I didn’t regret spending the last days of my Going Solo in Europe 2019 trip in this happy country. I know most Filipinos first go to France, Italy, Spain & Netherlands but I hope people start visiting Denmark too.

Which of the 7 interesting observations above hit you the most? Have you been to Copenhagen or any other Danish city before? How did you find it? If you haven’t been to Denmark, what’s that one thing you look forward to seeing in the country? Share your responses in the comment section below. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above, about Copenhagen or Denmark in general? You may send them via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining in me today’s P’s List! Check out my Going Solo in Europe 2019 series where I talk everything about my first ever solo trip to Europe – from flights, to hostels to day trips. Also, be on alert for cheap fares & fun posts like this by following by my social media pages – Facebook & Instagram.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

P’s List: 7 Danish Delicacies Not To Miss

In the last few weeks, I shared with you lists based from my personal experiences in random places I’ve been to. These lists include 6 budget-friendly & favorite things I do in Japan, 5 Belgian food everyone should try, 6 Dutch delis I enjoyed, 4 Czech eats I tried & 12 Taiwanese treats worth lining up for. Most of them, if not all, are related to food. I love eating, I love street food & I love trying other places’ delicacies. Today, I’ll add another food-related content to this growing P’s List; something about Danish food & drinks!

After walking around Copenhagen for a day with SANDEMANs New Europe, I took the time to slow down & relax for 2 days before flying back home. I met up with my buddy Mads, who flew from Aalborg to Copenhagen to go around the city with me. He took me to some interesting sights around the city, introduced me to their local culture & asked me to try Danish delicacies. Yes, I lived like a Dane for 2 days. Check out the 7 Danish delicacies we tried in my last 2 full days in Copenhagen.

Flødeboller

Known as Danish dream puffs, Flødeboller are chocolate-covered marshmallow puffs. It’s a traditional dessert served in parties & gatherings. It’s also the go-to dessert of locals who want something sweet & delicious. We tried flødeboller from one of the stalls in the Nyhavn Christmas market.

Gløgg

Gløgg is a traditional Scandinavian winter or Christmas drink. It is usually made of spiced, mulled wine or spirit. It’s always served hot. It tasted different at first but I enjoyed how the wine or spirit blended well with the spices. The small stalls in Nyhavn’s Christmas market offered a free taste of gløgg. We tried it from there.

Æbleskiver

Æbleskiver is the Denmark’s version of pancakes. The word itself means apple slices in local language with the snack traditionally mixed with apple bits or apple sauce inside. Nowadays, these Danish pancakes are made of the usual batter & cooked into spherical bite-size pieces. It’s usually sprinkled with powdered sugar & served with fruit jam (strawberry, raspberry, black currant or blackberry) dips. Like the flødeboller, we bought this from one of the stalls in Nyhavn’s Christmas market.

Hakkebøf Med Bløde Løg

Mads & I ate at Frk. Barners Kaelder on my last night in Copenhagen. This restaurant is known for service authentic & classic Danish cuisine. I had Hakkebøf Med Bløde Løg (Danish minced beef steak) for this last full meal in Denmark. This 300-gram beef steak meal is usually served with fried egg, soft onions, pickled cucumber, brown sauce (tasty one!) & boiled potatoes. This meal was really good – one of the best beef dishes I had in the trip. The dish itself cost 159 DKK – around ₱1,200 in our currency. Expensive (for me) but it was damn good.

Pølser

Pølser, or gourmet hotdog in English, is a popular Danish snack bought in pølsevogn, or sausage wagons, found around the city. The traditional Danish hotdog is served in a not-so-long bun with mustard, ketchup & rémoulade plus fried onions, fresh onions, pickles & sometimes cucumber slices on top. Each hot dog cost 37 DKK, around ₱280 in Philippine currency. We had this traditional hotdog snack in the stall near Rundetårn (Round Tower) – the same stall featured in Somebody Feed Phil’s Copenhagen episode.

Smørrebrød

Smørrebrød is a traditional Danish open-faced sandwich made from buttered sour-dough rye bread, fish (usually pickled herring or salmon) or meat (usually roast pork, roast beef or cold cuts) toppings, spreads & spices. Torvehallerne is a famous place to have smørrebrød.

Mads reserved seats at Skagen Fiskerestaurant in ILLUM Rooftop for lunch. We both ordered their smørrebrød (forgot the exact name in the menu) & were shocked by the size of the fried herring. It completely covered the rye bread! They served the meal with fresh greens, perfectly fried herring on top of the bread & tasty rémoulade-based spread. I paid 185 DKK (around ₱1,400) from the usual less than 100 DKK price for that open-faced sandwich but it was worth it. I’ll take friends & family for a meal in that restaurant!

Danish Beer

One of the things I try in every place I visit is their local beer. I tried Heineken (duh) in the Netherlands; Floris, Barbe D’Or, Brugse Zot, Duvel, De Garre & Delirium Tremens in Belgium; Pilsner Urquell, Holba, Kozel, Krumlov Light & Kutná Hora Lager in Czech Republic. I did the same thing when I was in Denmark. I tried their famous beers Carlsberg Pilsner, Grøn Tuborg & Royal Pilsner. All these beers originated locally in Denmark has been part of their culture & everyday lives.

These beers are found everywhere in the country – from supermarkets, to hostels, restaurants & even convenience stores. We had these beers in the The Old Irish Pub, Skagen Fiskerestaurant, Frk. Barners Kaelder & in my hostel – Steel House Copenhagen. Good times!

And that’s it for today! The Danish cuisine still has a lot of delicacies to try but I didn’t have enough time & money to try the others. Their food is not cheap like those from Czech Republic & even more expensive than those from Netherlands & Belgium. I am still thankful I had the chance to try those included in the list above. I didn’t have regrets splurging a bit for the smørrebrød & beef steak; these meals were really good.

Didn’t mind splurging more than the usual for these 2 meals – minced beef steak & smørrebrød 🇩🇰

Which snack or meal appealed to you most? Which one are you going to try & which one will you avoid? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about those listed above? You may also send the questions to me via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Make sure to check out my blogs about my Europe visit last year. You’ll surely love everything about as much as I did. All these posts are under the Going Solo in Europe category. Please follow my social media pages to get details on cheap fares & fun posts like this – Facebook & Instagram. Thank you for joining me in today’s P’s List! See you next time.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Flight Report: SINGAPORE AIRLINES SQ 912 – Singapore to Manila – 3-Hour Remarkable Economy Class Experience Aboard A 15-Year Old Aircraft

After 12.5 hours with Singapore Airlines on SQ 351 from Copenhagen, we finally touched down in Singapore Changi Airport, the world’s best airport. I had 4 hours of layover to spare until my last flight home – Singapore Airlines SQ 912 from Singapore to Manila on a Boeing 777-300 aircraft. Join me in today’s flight report as I walk you through this remarkable 3-hour economy experience on a 15-year old aircraft.

Now that I am on my last flight to Manila, let me walk you through my 19-day European trip last October to November 2019. I started my journey in the Netherlands, around Amsterdam, Utrecht & North Holland. After a few days, I took the bus & went down to Belgium & explored the cities of Brussels, Bruges & Ghent. I flew to Czech Republic & spent 4 days walking around Prague, Kutná Hora & Český Krumlov. Then, I flew to Copenhagen where I spent my last days in Europe. I shared my experiences in these cities in this blog & I placed it under the Going Solo in Europe category.

I also shared by previous flights with Singapore Airlines on my flights from Manila to Singapore, Singapore to Amsterdam & Copenhagen to Singapore under the flight report category. Make sure to check them out! Let’s jump back to this last flight to Manila.

Singapore Airlines

As mentioned in my previous SQ flight report, Singapore Airlines is Singapore’s national carrier. The airline is based in the world’s best airport, Changi Airport in Singapore. This multi-awarded 5-star airline flies to over 60 destinations in more than 30 countries across 5 continents. They are one of the leading carriers in the Southeast Asian Region with the help of their subsidiaries – Silk Air (which operates to some regional destinations) & Scoot (which operates on a low-cost business model). The airline flies both Airbus & Boeing jets & boasts a young fleet of new generation aircraft.

Singapore Airlines is a full-service carrier. They offer free 30-kilogram check-in baggage allowance, in-flight meals & have personal entertainment screens in all of their flights. Please note that their subsidiaries, Silk Air & Scoot, do not offer the same services as the mother airline. The airline is a member of the Star Alliance & has a loyalty program called Krisflyer.

Airfare & Inclusions

As mentioned in my Copenhagen to Singapore flight report, I got this promotional ticket from Manila to Europe via Amsterdam, Netherlands & back from Copenhagen, Denmark for $719.23. My bank charged me ₱37,669.40 for the ticket, including foreign currency conversion charges.

The $720 ticket includes 30-kilograms baggage allowance for all flights, meals (up to 2 in long flights) & snacks on all legs & personal entertainment screen with movies, series & songs on all aircraft. Flying 3 hours each from & to Manila & 12+ hours each to & from Europe for ₱38,000 pesos with an airline like Singapore Airlines was definitely a steal!

Flight & Aircraft Information

This flight from Singapore (SIN) Changi Airport to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila, Philippines took 3 hours & 27 minutes. It flew 2,377 kilometers non-stop to Manila. We left Singapore Changi Airport 7 minutes early & arrived Manila Airport 20 minutes earlier than the scheduled arrival time.

This flight was operated by a 15.3-year old (that time) Boeing 777-300 aircraft. It was delivered to Singapore Airlines in 2004 & consistently has been in their fleet. It has 284 seats in total – 8 seats in first class suites (old layout), 50 lie-flat seats in business class (their old game-changer design) on a 1-2-1 layout & 226 economy class seats on a 3-3-3 configuration. Singapore Airlines uses this aircraft only in their short-haul Asian market.

Airport & Transit Experience

Unlike my Copenhagen to Singapore flight, I didn’t have to go through check-in process & immigration again. I already checked-in for this flight when I was in Copenhagen & I was only in Singapore as a transit passenger. Singapore Changi Airport is an excellent airport to transit on. It has facilities & amenities which passengers can enjoy while waiting for their onward flights. Upon arrival, I took the train to Terminal 3 to check Jewel. It was unfortunately not yet operational that day. I went back to Terminal 2 & sat in one of those comfortable chairs with charging outlets & a watched football in the big screen. I fell asleep for an hour & woke up in time for boarding.

Our flight boarded from Gate E26 in Terminal 2. All gates in this terminal have their own final security check before entering the boarding area. Business class, Krisflyer & Star Alliance status holders boarded the plane first. The passengers in the rear economy cabin came next & those in the forward economy section boarded last. Boarding process took about 30 minutes.

In-Flight Product

Seat – Economy class seats on this Boeing 777-300 aircraft are 1 inch bigger than those from the Airbus A350-900 ones at 19 inches. Seat pitch is at 32 inches. Seat recline is generous. Each seat features an adjustable headrest. All economy class seats have the old-style personal entertainment screen with the old-generation remote control. These seats also have a fold-able table with the signature mirror, individual reading light, separate cup holder, coat hook, USB charging outlet & seat pockets full of in-flight literature. The seat was alright for me – the space is great but the ‘look & feel’ is better on the new generation economy class seat.

Meal – Singapore Airlines served a full meal on this 3-hour flight. There were 2 options – fish & chicken meal; I went for the chicken one. This chicken with mashed potato came with tuna salad, bread roll with butter, chocolate mousse for dessert, a cup of water, coffee / tea with milk & another drink of choice – red wine for me. Before I forget, the meal service started with hot towels, crackers & drink of choice (wine again for me) for all passengers.

In-flight Entertainment – All seats on this 15-year old Boeing 777-300 aircraft feature the old-generation 10.6 inches touch-screen personal entertainment screens. The IFE features the old-layout thus hard to navigate. The content (music, movies, series & features) are the same with that of from the Airbus A350-900. I had the flight map open throughout the flight.

Flight Amenities – All economy class passengers were given pillows & earphones for this 3.5-hour flight. Blankets are available upon request. The airline doesn’t give out menu cards & amenity kits for this short-haul flight but has the complete amenities in the toilets.

Cabin Crew Service

Singapore Airline assigned a hospitable set of cabin crew on this flight. They welcomed all passengers with all smiles & made sure everyone is having a great flight. The crew offered snacks after take off & then started with the meal service about an hour into the flight. I didn’t have any issues with the crew on this flight.

Flight Experience

It was another remarkable flight with Singapore Airlines. I was tired from that 12.5-hour journey from Copenhagen to Singapore yet I didn’t mind taking another 3-hour flight with them. Transit & airport experience in Singapore Changi Airport was excellent – no wonder they’re the world’s best airport for a few years now.

This flight was operated by a 15-year old (that time) Boeing 777-300 aircraft. Due to its old age, some of the seat features didn’t work up until the engine was turned on. The entertainment screens were still off & the IFE system was also hot. The seats didn’t have individual air vents. It was hot inside the plane during boarding process. It took a while for the cabin temperature to reach the bearable ‘cold’ point.

These aircraft shortcomings were then overturned by the amazing cabin crew hospitality & the onboard service. Meal service was quick. It started off with hot towels, followed by crackers & drink of choice & then the full meal – all done in 1.5 hours after take-off. It was a full flight so the crew did a great job there. I asked for another round of their signature Singapore Sling drink after the meal service & I was served by the flight crew with his best smile.

The seat was great as always – legroom was good, recline was generous. The personal entertainment system was outdated but its contents were up-to-date. I don’t see the point of refurbishing these seats / IFEs if this aircraft won’t be used in the next 10 years or so. I just prefer the entertainment systems in the newer planes.

No doubt, it was a lovely flight with Singapore Airlines. I didn’t feel I was tired from that 12.5-hour Copenhagen to Singapore flight. Everything, except the aircraft’s age & features (which were inevitable), was great. I look forward to flying with the airline again in the future; I just don’t know where will that be.

For those of you who want to know the technical details of the flight, please see below:

Airline: Singapore Airlines
Flight Date: 10 November 2019
Flight Number: SQ 921
Route: Singapore (SIN) to Manila (MNL) Philippines
Duration: 3:27 hours
Seat Number: 51K
Aircraft: Boeing 777-312
Aircraft Registration: 9V-SYI
Aircraft Engine: 2 x Rolls-Royce Trent 892
Age: 15.3 years old (on the day of the flight)
Year Delivered: 2004

Have you ever flown with Singapore Airlines in the past? How was your experience? Which type of aircraft do you prefer flying with them? Share you thoughts & experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about the flight or the on-board service? You may also send them to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I’ll answer them as soon as I can.

Stay up-to-date with all my recent posts & blogs by following my social media pages – Facebook & Instagram. Thank you for joining me in today’s flight report. I know we are all grounded at this time but I hope we all go back to the skies in the future. Please stay safe!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

P’s List: 12 Taiwanese Treats Worth Lining Up For

Time flies so fast. I can’t believe it’s already a year since our family trip to Taiwan. We spent the Father’s Day weekend going to Taichung’s picturesque places, walking around the beautiful city of Taipei & exploring the northern countryside towns of Yehliu, Jiufen & Shifen. I’ve been to Taiwan twice before that trip – first time in 2015 with my 2 high school buddies & second time in 207 with my colleagues.

I’ve been to Taiwan thrice & I will always go back there for their efficient transportation system, lovely & accommodation people, great city vibe, wonderful countryside & food. Yes, food! I am in for a short weekend trip to Taiwan just to eat. The country has a long list of treats & street food to try in markets, food halls & local restaurants.

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced us to stay in our own countries & homes for months. Leisure travel is still not allowed & there’s no definite time frame when things will go back to normal. We can’t do anything but to stay home, keep safe & look back at memories gained in previous trips. Join me in today’s P’s List as I share with you 12 Taiwanese treats I tried in my previous trips which are worth lining up for.

SPOILER: NAKAKAGUTOM!

In case you missed it, I wrote about our Taipei to Manila flight on EVA Air on flight BR 277. Check out my EVA Air flight report here. I also shared my experience in our hostel for this weekend trip. Check out my hostel of the day feature for Uinn Travel Hostel here.

Pork Sausage

Taiwanese pork sausage is one of the most common street foods in the country. This pinkish-red grilled sausage is served in a stick. It’s made of relatively bigger chunks of meat, garlic & spices.

Chicken Chops

Taiwan is also famous for big (bigger than your face) chicken chops by Hot Star Chicken. These spiced & breaded chicken chops are cooked in smoking hot oil. We bought our chicken chops in their Ximending branch & we enjoyed it.

Stuffed Chicken Wings

The country also became popular for their fried rice stuffed chicken wings. Brilliant idea, right? Imagine having a chicken wings with already rice in it – so good!

Hujiao Bing (Pork Pepper Bun)

Hujiao bing, or pork pepper bun in English, is a freshly cooked sesame bun filled with tasty layers of peppered pork & green onions. The snack originated in Fuzhou, China & has been adopted in Taiwan as a popular street food. The most popular pork pepper bun stall is in Raohe Night Market’s entrance near Songshan MRT Station.

Chou Doufu (Stinky Tofu)

Stinky tofu is another famous street food in Taiwan; it’s made of tofu fermented in a mix of milk, vegetable, fish & meat brine. It is fried in oil & served with soy sauce & chili. Yes, it stinks but it tastes alright. I tried it once but I won’t try it again. I added the dish in this list as it is a must-try especially for first-timers.

Lu Rou Fan (Braised Pork Rice Bowl)

Braised pork rice bowl is a popular meal to locals. The pork meat is sliced into small pieces & braised with spices until it creates a savory & aromatic sauce. It is usually served with a boiled egg. This dish is hard to spot in night market stalls but is something that worth-trying. I met with a friend who was also in town & we had this braised pork rice bowl in Jin Feng, a small open-air restaurant outside exit 2 of Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Station.

Niu Rou Mian (Beef Noodle Soup)

Beef noodle soup is one of Taiwan’s staple food. This dish is composed of tender stewed beef portions, fresh noodles in a rich & mild spicy broth with bok choy & other greens. This beef noodle dish is found everywhere but the famous ones are Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles in Zhongshan District & Yong Kang Beef Noodles in Da’an District.

Deep Fried Milk

Deep fried milk is one of my favorite snacks in Taiwan. This is made from chilled thickened milk dipped in batter & fried in oil. I loved the deep-fried milk from the stall in the other end of Raohe Night Market.

Peanut Ice Cream Roll

Did it ever come to your mind that you can put an ice cream in a roll? Never, right? Apparently, it can! Taiwan has a dessert called peanut ice cream roll. It is made of 2-3 scoops of ice cream, shaved peanut brittle & coriander or cilantro (optional) wrapped in a handmade roll wrap or crepe. I tried this in one of the random stalls in Shifen & I thought I enjoyed it.

Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodles

Ay-Chung flour-rice noodles is one thing you must not miss when in Taiwan. This flour-rice noodles cooked with pig intestines in a thick brown tasty broth & served with cilantro is a perfect snack when you are in Ximending. This popular stall is along Emei Street & is usually full of people.

Xiao Long Bao (Taiwanese Soup Dumplings)

The xiao long bao I had in one of the restaurants in Jiufen in 2017. The next best to Din Tai Fung!

A visit in Taiwan is not complete without having the world-famous xiao long bao. I know Din Tai Fung has branches in many cities around the world but having it from where it came from is something. There are a lot of xiao long bao places all over Taipei & Taiwan in general. I think nothing beats Din Tai Fung. The xiao long bao in that random Jiufen restaurant I tried in 2017 comes next.

Nothing beats the Din Tai Fung – it’s still the best xiao long bao for me. Aahhh I want some now!!

Bubble Tea

Taiwan is the land of bubble tea or pearl milk tea or whatever you want to call it. Nothing further.

That’s it for today’s P’s List. I’m sure I’ve tried more Taiwanese treats before but I can’t remember all of them before. Apologies, I can’t find photos for the beef noodles & Hot Star’s chicken chops. Have you been to Taiwan before? Which treat / street food / meal did you enjoy most? Planning to go there once the pandemic is over? Which one are you looking forward to try first? Are you ready to drown yourself with bubble tea? You should be excited then! Do you have any questions about the treats mentioned above? Feel free to put them in the comments section below. You can also send them to me via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Let me end this P’s List with another photo of Din Tai Fung’s Xiao Long Bao. It’s just so good!! 😋

Thank you for joining me in today’s P’s List! Check out the posts under the Taiwan category if you want to check out my other Taiwan blogs in this website. Can I ask for a favor from you? Please follow my social media pages to get details on cheap fares & fun posts like this – Facebook & Instagram. Thanks again. Have a nice day ahead! 🙂

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.