Singapore's TidbiTs

Have you ever wondered where the fragrant green colour in your kaya toast comes from? Or what gives rojak that unique zing? Often referred to as the 'Vanilla of the East', the pandan is a tropical plant commonly found across Southeast Asia and of course Singapore. It is an upright, green shrub with woody aerial roots and fan-shaped sprays of blade-like leaves. Traditionally, these leaves were woven into baskets used for cooking rice and meats. Popular local coconut milk rice dish, nasi lemak, has pandan-ish fragrance, with the pandan leaves tied into knots and cooked together with the rice. Putu piring, a Malay snack, also use small pieces of pandan leaves as garnish. And we all know the fluffy and greenish pandan chiffon cake! Wild pandan Botanically called pandanus amarylifolius from the pandanus family, the pandan leaves have been used to flavour or colour desserts such as cakes and sweet beverages. The leaves are pounded and strained (or blended with a little water) to y...

A standalone destination to the world's best airport Most airports all over the world are purely functional—places to endure before your holiday begins. Changi Airport breaks that mould entirely. Over the years, it has transformed from a transit hub into a genuine lifestyle destination where locals go to eat, shop, watch free movies, and marvel at a 40-metre indoor waterfall. No boarding pass required. With the MRT and buses connecting the airport to the rest of Singapore, a trip to Changi is surprisingly convenient, especially for those of us living in the east. A half-day is usually enough to soak in the highlights, though you can easily stretch it to a full day if you include the outdoor trails. Getting Around: The Terminal Layout Changi has four passenger terminals. You can walk between T1, T2, T3, and Jewel via covered linkways or use the Skytrain. T4 is the exception —budget an extra 10–15 minutes for the shuttle bus...