We did not want to do anymore red-eye flight after our South Korea Trip. Thus, an alternative would be the more expensive Singapore Airlines flight to Shanghai early in the morning. Due to the short distance, we would reach there in 5h 25m. There would still be enough time to visit a day-attraction for a few hours.
As mentioned before in my “Why Visit China” post, this was our first flight into China and we picked Shanghai as the entry point because the attractions there were more suitable for our current family status: a 28-months-old toddler and a 9-yr old child.
Flight. Singapore Airlines
A few things happened on the plane which made us feel that Singapore Airlines is still the best airline to fly. The service provided to us was impeccable! Flying with a toddler is not easy but we felt really comfortable every time. She slept during the later part of the flight so I could even watch movies undisturbed.
1. Special Meals
I had started requesting gluten-free meal on full-fledged airlines since Korean Air. They are served earlier together with the kid’s meals while other adult’s meals are served later. If Ling needed help, her Daddy could help her while I eat.
This was my special gluten-free meal on Singapore Airlines: I quite enjoyed it.
We ordered a Kid’s Meal for Ling this time since she does not eat baby meals anymore. However, the portion of the Kid’s meal was too much for her. There were so many different kinds of food!
For Dar, we ordered an adult’s meal instead. After the meals came however, I realised we should have just ordered a kid’s meal for him as there were more children’s snacks.
If we could not finish now, we could keep in the bag for later. I did give him some of Ling’s food but he had enough himself. Even though the adult meals were served later, they noted Dar as a child and still served him the adult meal earlier, together with our special meals.
2. Juice Accident
I learnt never to use something new on a flight with a toddler. I ordered orange juice from the air stewardess and a cup of water. Mixing half of the juice with the water (so it would not be too sweet), I placed it into a sippy cup she rarely use. I did not want to use her straw milk bottle because we only had one and it was used for milk earlier.
Somehow, I thought she would drink well from the sippy cup since she drinks from a cup at home too. Alas, I discovered it too late when she tore off her bib after she did not want to drink anymore. Immediately, all the juice that had accumulated into the bib during drinking (leakage) trickled down! The juice splashed onto her pants, socks and air plane seat! It was a nightmare in an instant.
Attempt to Clean Up
My mind started racing on how to get her out without creating more watery mess. I passed her over to her Daddy seated across the aisle from us.
Then, I asked for help immediately and the air-stewardess quickly came back with lots of napkins to soak up the juice on the seat. I wondered how Ling could sit back on the wet seat and she suggested to cover the seat with the airline blanket. We tried it and yes, it was thick enough to block the wetness! Phew!
As her spare pants was kept in our hands-on luggage and the luggage was tucked inside a compartment far from our seats, we could not change her. In the end, Ling’s pants dried up and we decided not to change. Fortunately, it was a warm-lined pant, thick and slightly water-proof, so the leaked juice did not reach the inside of her legs (thanks to Uniqlo lined pants!).
3. Toy Model
We did not manage to get the Singapore Airlines Model Plane from our last flight with Singapore Airlines. Thus, when we requested for a toy model again and she said, there’s no more, he was so disappointed yet again!
Imagine our surprise when after a while, the air stewardess appeared with the plane model! She did not give up on us and went in search of the model in other parts of the plane and found one! Dar was so happy to finally get his wish.
4. Space for Toddler’s Sleep
By the way, my 28-month-old was able to sleep across her own seat with her legs towards Dar (Dar still has ample space in his seat). Her head was on the small pillow provided, crossing a little to my side. I still buckle her with the seat belt but loosely.
Arrival in China Shanghai
We left customs and walked into the luggage area. Soon, we walked by the counter selling China Sim and data cards. I was surprised that it was so conveniently located! (Usually we have to go out to the main arrival area first). We planned to use Singtel’s roaming data plan so I did not think of buying.
Look for Airport Taxi Stand
We looked for the taxi stand after collecting our luggage and coming out of the customs. It was easy as the signboards written in English and Chinese showed the direction to “出租车”, the Chinese Word for China Taxis.
At the taxi stand, we found a nice decoration of 2018 welcoming us to China. It was just after the Chinese New Year and the beginning of spring season in March.
When some airline staff passed by, we quickly requested for one of them to help us take a family photo. She was friendly and stopped in her tracks to help us while the rest waited for her. That gave us good vibes about our journey onward. (Indeed later on, we met many friendly locals who helped us in our self-guided tour of China).
It was 1.40pm when we boarded the taxi. There was not a need to queue and we got on a taxi almost immediately at the airport taxi stand. The driver knew where our hotel was too, after showing him the name. It seemed that we picked a rather prominent or well-known one.
Taxi Journey
The rest of the journey was smooth and we arrived at our hotel – SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund, after about 50 minutes.
For more details of our hotel stay, read our next post:
“Shanghai Accommodation: SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund“
Shanghai: Day 1 Itinerary
- Departure from Singapore to Shanghai
- Arrival in Shanghai
- Taxi to SSAW Boutique Hotel Shanghai Bund
- Yu Yuan or Yu Garden 豫园
- Yuyuan Bazaar / Lunch at Nanxiang Steamed Bun 南翔小笼包
- The Bund
- Nanjing East Road / Dinner
- Back to Hotel
Read More of our China 2018 Trip: 9-Day Family Travel Itinerary in China Shanghai, Suzhou & Hangzhou
Tips For Travelling in China: “Essential Tips for Safe Family Travel in China“
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