Apart from this order, SQ is due received its 13th A380 in France and is due to receive another next month, complete delivery of all 19 ordered is expected to be complete by 2014.

SQ may further order an unspecified number of either Boeing's 777-300ER or Airbus A350-1000 but are still waiting for more details on Boeing's plane.

Airlines are in the news a lot lately due to aggressive long term expansion plans and positive outlook of the future. Just this week, Cebu Pacific also announced its fleet expansion and the recent enormous order from Air Asia as well. The one thing we can conclude, the future is bright in aviation.

It would seem that factors such as growth of the middle class in emerging countries especially in Asia and the rise of Asian tiger economies lead to growth also in the aviation industry aside of course from tourism.

Increase in long haul and regional flights are to be expect for tourism across the region and over continents due to business from the west coming to the east as what appears to be the trend now a days with IPOs in HK and massive expansions of European and American companies in Singapore and China.

SQ has about 107 aircraft's in its fleet, a good mix of Airbus and Boeing planes but majority of the planes are from Boeing as there are only 36 Airbus planes with the rest from Boeing. Although, 5 747's are due to be decomissioned in 20124 777-300 are to be returned to the leasing company. Also to note, base on orders, SQ will get 41 new planes from Airbus while there are only 8 firm orders from Boeing.

Road Warriors going to or coming from Australia or New Zealand would most likely transit through Hong Kong or Singapore. This is also is the same for anybody needing to go to the secondary and tertiary cities in Southeast Asia, Singapore would be the jumping of point.

Business is growing and multinationals are building up presence in Asia, Singapore is the choice for most. This City state has long been attracting expats and business travelers and the recent attention only helps the country grow more.

Singapore also has one of the best airports in the world, Changi Airport has been awarded the best in recent years and this only adds to the positive reasons why a transit here would be the choice.

Road Warriors frequently coming to Singapore would know most do's and dont's as most would apply to any country one is going to but there would be some distinct differences for each country.

The Law

Singapore is a very strict country and majority obey the law, from as simple as waiting for the green man to light before crossing to do not bring in chewing gums. It would be best to just avoid the hassle and don't bring anything, most important requirements can be bought here anyways.

When crossing the road, even if there is no vehicle, best just to wait for the green man to light up. When smoking, look out for designated smoking areas, best not to light if you are not sure. You'll also know if its ok to smoke as smokers will be gathered wherever it is allowed.

Smokes are very expensive here and don't be tempted to bring in more than what is allowed by customs, there are agents walking around in plain clothes looking for offenders.

Escalator

When taking the escalator, stay on the left if you plan to be stationary, the right side is for people who are in a hurry or want to walk up or down.

Chopping tables

On hawker centers or local food shops, chopping tables is done before ordering. To know if a table has been chopped or reserved by someone, there will be a tissue, hanky, newspaper, id or umbrella on the table or the chair. There might be other items to indicate it's already chopped by the list prior are the common, the most popular way to chop is to use the tissue, its packed in handy containers of about 10 or so sheets.

Eating at hawker centers or coffee shops is a good local way to dine.

Crossing the Road

For road warriors from left hand drive countries, Singapore drives on the right and therefore when crossing the road look right first or better yet look both ways.  Although drivers follow the law and would stop and let pedestrians cross first, there will always be some who will disregard such.

Tourist Traps

There are tourist traps around the city, so be sure to avoid such. Avoid Lucky Plaza and Sim Lim. If you plan to purchase electronics, head on to Funan IT Mall. For other big name brands and such, head on to Takashimaya, Paragon, ION, Wisma Atria and Tangs on Orchard road or Vivo City and Harbourfront. Best shopping I think would be at the airport, no 7% GST.

Taxi

Taking the taxi is safe and without stress but it would sometimes be hard to hail one during peak hours, trying to call one would also be hard during peak. You can hail one from almost anywhere but not always, look for signs of taxi stands first as they will almost always be one nearby, especially in the CBD. During peak, there will be a snaking que so be patient.

Aside from the fare, there will be surcharges depending on different criterias, some of which are if you are ride from or alight in the CBD area, Sentosa or Marina Sands, use of Boot surcharge, after midnight Surcharge and ride from Airport surcharge. So don't be surprised when the driver presses the meter and the fare increases instantly. You can always ask for a receipt and it is rare to find a driver who will cheat you.

MRT or Bus

Taking the MRT or Bus is just like when you are in any other developed nation, might even be better is some aspect. Get the E-Zlink card from MRT stations or bus interchanges and you can use it in all buses, MRT and LRT.

Let alighting passengers get out first before boarding and once inside go towards the rear of the bus or at the middle of the train between train doors. Give up your seats to elderly, injured, children or pregnant especially seats marked with reserved.

Eating

Singaporeans are spoiled with so many options to eat, there is always someplace nearby to eat and eating is a national past time and passion. Hawker centers and coffee shops would be the regular places locals eat from, meal usually are from 3 to 7 dollars without drinks. Cafes and Fast food are also abundant with the international brands having presence all over the city. Restaurants would usually charge 7% GST and 10% Service Charge on top of the bill in contrast to Hawkers, Coffee Shops, Cafes and fastfood, which display the final price you can expect on the bill.

If you see a shop with a long que, it does not always mean its gonna be good so look first and decide if it is worth the wait.

English Singlish

English is the primary language of communication but together with Mandarin, Malay and Tamil are the 4 official language of the Country. No problem communicating in English here, but you might encounter Singlish which is a local variation of English mixed with the local cultural flavor.

When you are asked, what time will you go back, that mean what time you go home.

When they say can or can can, that means yes.

There is also almost always lah, leh or wat at the end of a sentence. It would be a bit hard to catch-on at the start but you'll get a hang of it.

I'm very thankful that she accepted my request to feature her for this series.

"I don't think there's really enough words to put it all together how I feel every time I'm traveling. Every moment counts. The thrill of discovering or re-discovering something excites me. I wouldn't trade off with anything else in this world those experiences I've had on each of my travel. To travel makes me dream more. To dream more makes me feel more alive." 

How often do you travel: This year I must have travelled at least twice in every quarter. If only I could travel more than that, I would. Hehe

Where do you usually travel to: Everywhere the Universe takes me. *wink* I've only been to 9 countries so far (U.S.A, Singapore, Hongkong, Macau, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Taipei (stop-overs should count haha) & Japan.

Preferred carrier: PAL & SilkAir (if only I can afford all the time)

Frequent-flier membership: PAL

Best journey from airport to city: So far, I'm picking journey within Japan, because God knows I love that place so much!

Best Airport: I guess Singapore Changi Airport has been the cleanest one I've been to.

Best food in the air: I'd pick fish -first, beef -2nd, and chicken -last, if those were the choices.

Most comfortable airline seats: So far, I liked PAL's airbus seats.

Best luggage: No particular favorite yet. Anything that just fits is fine with me.

Best tip for staying fit while travelling: Funny, I keep forgetting to bring along little snacks before a trip. I make sure I eat though before a flight. Otherwise, I end up buying something in the plane, which can be costly. So, yeah -- my tip is to not forget.

Essential travel gadgets: My camera bag, mobile phone, a book, and an ipod.

Best City/Country to travel to: Japan, Japan, Japan!!!! It's been a lifetime experience for me to be there and I would love to go back every year!

Best drink on the ground: I seemed to always crave jamba juice in California

Best food on the ground: Aside from our own Filipino cuisine, I love sushi, sashimi & everything Japanese. Next would be mexican and italian.

What to wear while travelling: Mix & match tops, I bring 3 shorts + 1-2 pants most of the time, leather coat/sweater + scarf + tights (for spring/winter) + any comfortable shoes + 1 pair of slippers. I never go without my booties. Honestly, I have yet to really practice travelling lgiht.

What not to forget: Forget anything else but not your camera, passport & mobile phone

Tips when in the airport: Checked in earlier so there's time to settle things for emergency cases (like excess baggages or when you forgot something)

Experience the awesome photographs by Josephine at http://josephinesicadphotography.com.

Maggie Goreng from Akbar's is the best in town. There was a time when my colleague Ed and I ate it almost everyday that I stayed away from it for a month or so. So know, it's every so often, so that the taste remains really good and the craving stays.

You can get it with Ayam(Chicken) or Mutton, but I think its best with ayam. We've also added papadum to the meal and its a good complement. The taste is unique and distinct and so I cannot compare it with anything else. The flavor is far from the normal nasi goreng, probably because of the added Maggie mixture, the noodles are fried which gives it a different fresh taste to the normal maggie noodles.

Mixed with ayam, chilli, scrambled egg, spring onions and I think I see taugi(bean sprouts), topped with fried egg, it's just absolutely satisfying and fulfilling. From how it looks, it's not that enticing, but give it a try and be surprised.

We've tried heading there for dinner and it somehow taste a bit more spicy than during lunch, must be a different chef, but since I like it spicy it just makes it a lot more satisfying for me.

And one of the best things is not about the food, the the guy who seems to be managing the place, he speaks Filipino really well and Mandarin, that aside from Bahasa(I think). Makes the experience a lot more fun.

Hawker Center : N.A
Stall Name : Akbar 24 Hrs. Restaurant
Location: Lim Teck Kim Rd., Tanjong Pagar
Nearest MRT Station: Tanjong Pagar or Outram Park
Specialty : Maggie Goreng (Ayam or Mutton)