If you are visiting or residing in Holland Village area, here's a directory with Safe Entry QR links to enable quick access and allow safe distancing (avoid crowding at entrance 😷).  Let's boost the economy in a safe manner.  Have a safe dining, shopping time!
N.B. If you are going to Daiso, click here for crowd status.

Area/Building

• Chip Bee Gardens
• Raffles Medical Centre
• Holland Village MRT Station
• Holland Road Shopping Centre
• Holland Avenue
• Lorong Mambong
• Holland Village Market and Food Centre
• Holland Piazza
• Lorong Liput
• Holland Drive

Chip Bee Gardens (MRT Exit A) ↑ Back to Top

【This post is my little effort to help promote the economy, please wear a mask properly and follow social distancing rules when visit.  Have fun while remain safe!
这是我的小小回馈，希望大家在促进经济时，也要戴好口罩，保持社交距离。自己安全、大家安全！】

There are nearly 300 dine and shop units within Jewel, while most shops operate from 10am to 10pm, many eateries serve longer hours and a handful round the clock 24 hours.  This post summarises all units by level, a handy guide to all visitors of Jewel Changi.  Those with Ⓗ are Halal certified dining places.  Info last updated on July 10, 2019 September 27, 2019 March 10, 2020.
星耀樟宜内有接近300间餐饮场所、购物商店、休闲措施，多数营业时间是上午10点到晚上10点，也有许多餐饮场所是延长营业时间，还有几家是24小时营业。以下资料是以楼层列出。Ⓗ标志的是清真回教认证的餐饮场所。资料最后更新于2020年3月10日。

Promotion 促销活动

BASEMENT 2 地下二楼

I did a Swab Test!  If you were skeptical, anxious about seeing a doctor in fear of COVID-19, the Swab Test process is one of the last thing to worry.

[Updating in progress...  Recently downloaded and installed Windows 10, version 2004 and ended with a hung PC! Took more than half a day to revive.  Please do a full backup before installation of this latest feature update of Windows 10!]

With the whole world battling against COVID-19, here's a post that records the situation in Singapore.  There's also a similar post written in Chinese, please share it with those who prefer to read in Chinese.

Case Counts
Singapore: (Source: MOH News)
As of 2020 June 16, noon, there are cumulative 40,969 cases, 31,163 discharged*, 2 in ICU and 26 deaths (aged 41~97).  Among the cases, over 90% (38,587 cases) are migrant workers from dormitories, 581 imported and 1,801 within local community.
*Includes Recovered, Completed isolation & Death not-related to COVID-19
Global: (Source: Johns Hopkins University)
As of 2020 June 17, 0433, there are cumulative 8,096,403 cases, 438,843 deaths; of which >26% happened in USA with 2,130,569 cases, 116,726 deaths, and New York City alone has 30,882 deaths!

[ 近期更新微软Windows10版本2004，不但没安装成还电脑当机，花了近一天来拯救电脑，吓出我一身冷汗！这里小提醒，切记做备份才更新Windows10喔！谢谢阅读，我还在整理资料 ^-^！]

2019年尾中国武汉发生病疫时，谁都没想到这新冠肺炎会殃及全球！我写这篇文章的本意是做记录及分享资讯。新加坡多数的官方内容都是以英文书写，身边就有一些家人朋友不是很清楚内容，又或是不知道从哪里可得正确的资讯。反正我有查询这些内容，现在就尽量翻译、添加所有影响到新加坡的冠病内容，万一有写错的又或是您有其他资讯要分享，请写在留言板。同时请分享文章给身边的亲朋戚友喔！谢谢。

星耀是新加坡樟宜机场最新增设的建筑。不是一座新航厦，而是一栋面积过13万平方公尺，高10层楼 (5层上，5层地下)，聚集航空设施、景观花园、住宿餐饮、购物休闲、游乐项目等多功能于一体的综合大楼。地点是第一航厦以前的露天停车场。2014年停车场关闭后，由设计新加坡滨海湾金沙酒店的著名建筑师萨夫迪(Moshe Safdie)带领，樟宜机场集团(Changi Airport Group)与凯德集团(CapitaLand)合资开发，耗资17亿新元，在2019年4月17日正式开幕！

Miniso first started in Singapore during late 2015, to-date it has more than 30 stores all over Singapore.  On October 5, 2019, it opens the first Miniso Outlet, a different concept S$2 shop, at Harbourfront Centre (fka World Trade Centre).  This Outlet sells everything at S$2!  We had a pleasant shopping experience and here's some info.

Over the 1st 2 opening days, there were some very limited (as few as 3 pieces) electrical appliances, sold at S$2!

Some high value items were displayed at a corner, these products have restricted purchase quantity where each customer can only buy 2 pieces of any kind.  The products are categorised "high value items" cos they are currently selling at Miniso Stores and Miniso Online Mall at usual prices like S$24.90 but at S$2 in this Outlet.

Here are some restricted quantity high value items (on sale till stock ends).

• Bluetooth selfie stick (usual S$24.90)
• Wireless mouse & keyboard set (usual S$24.90) - online store
• Glass thermos (usual S$20.90)
• Mini moisturizing portable facial sprayer (usual S$14.90) - online store
• Stick diffuser (usual S$14.90) - online store
• Tumbler (usual S$14.90) - online store

And good value items which have no purchase quantity restriction.

• Hanging organizer, big or small (usual S$14.90) - online store
• Solar slimming face and body massager (usual S$11.90) - online store
• & many more...

A little sharing of its opening day...

• There was some repair works and started operation at about half hour past its official 10am
• Aircon didn't seem to work well, I was perspiring after 10 minutes in store
• Some misinterpretation on restricted quantity on high value items, it wasn't each type can buy 2 but each customer could only buy 2 pieces of any high value items
• Some high value items were not unpacked and displayed

Despite that, we had a pleasant shopping time...

• Store isn't big but it's comfortable to walk around
• Crowd was well controlled and managed
• Staff were friendly and helpful
• Products were constantly replenished
• A good range of products where several are of quality worth way more than S$2
• Genuine priority Q draw and freebies to 1st 100 shoppers

I was told the store will include some high value items from time to time, to be fair to other shoppers, such high value items may have a restricted purchase quantity.  Buyers may always revisit store to buy more.  Also, take note of its sales policy [once sold, no exchange, no refund].  A little advise, check or test item prior to payment, especially electrical products.

We were fortunate to join the priorty Q, got 10 items for S$16 (after a one-time 20% off) and 4 freebies (a small hanging organizer and a Halloween toy per goodie bag)!

Note: This is not a sponsored post.  It is a sharing of personal experience and a worthwhile retail place.  Please like, share and follow on 40/50 Facebook 😉. Happy shopping! 🛒

【There will soon be another S$2 Miniso Outlet, opening at Jurong East's IMM.  Don't miss this chance to grab some good deals!】

Official Store: Miniso shopee.sg
Facebook: @minisosingapore
Outlet Operating Hours: 10am to 10pm, daily
Outlet Address: 1 Maritime Square #02-15/16 Harbourfront Centre Singapore 099253 (near to Singapore Cruise Centre, along linkway to Vivo City)

Miniso名创优品自2015年尾以低价优质品模式在新加坡营业，至今已有超过30家店铺。今年10月5日在港湾中心 (以前的新加坡世贸中心) 以另一个营业模式开了第一间S$2廉价店，店里所有商品都以2新元出售。有许多顾客不知道这个廉价营业模式，以为只是几天的促销活动。这里和大家分享我的购物体验。

Another 2 years has passed and it's again time to renew fibre broadband.

M1 still has 500Mbps or 1Gbps fibre broadband.  This round when renew contract, the main difference will be the ongoing charges after contract ends.  There won't be those extremely high charges when subscribers forget to renew.  In other words, fibre broadband contracts will work similarly as mobile plan contracts, subscribers will enjoy same plan structure at same cost when contract expires.

In line with Comex 2019 during early September, M1 has also put up some fibre broadband promotions.  For a 2 years 1Gbps contract, the current price, inclusive of 7% GST, is S$39.90 per month.  Whereas promotion is 1st year S$29.90 + S$10 (WiFi mesh), 2nd year returns to usual price, S$39.90 + S$10.  Do not take promotion contract if you don't need WiFi mesh cos it'll end up cost more.

Also, if you wish to transfer your fibre broadband from another account, it cannot be done.  Unlike mobile plans, M1 doesn't give option to transfer fibre broadband account.  For example, my brother's fibre broadband is under my account, if he wish to put it under his name, he'll have to apply for a new one, that is, to go through all the installation process and costs.

Again, I'm highly satisfied with M1 CSOs.  This round it was Ms Stella who had, over the phone, provided me with lots info.  And Jourdan Ng at M1 Paragon, who'd patiently and politely served us.  I'll be sharing more on mobile plans in another article.

Thanks for reading! 😉

[Below article was published 2 years ago, on September 24, 2017]
We have been subscribers to M1 services since 1997.  Over these 20 years, we have been mostly satisfied with its services and had enjoyed quite a fair bit of perks.  One of which is Multi-Line Saver (see MLS Terms & Conditions) where subscriber enjoys a discount on subscription charges of eligible plans at 25% (3 lines), 30% (4 lines) or 35% (5 lines or more).

However, with effect from March 1, 2013, M1 no longer accepts customers into the MLS while existing MLS customers can choose to remain on the MLS or switch to Multi-Service Saver (see MSS FAQ).  Further, with effect from December 7, 2013, all new line sign-ups will not be eligible for MLS discount and line count.

I was not aware of the above changes till my recent conversation with M1.  Fortunately it was October 2013 when my brother's mobile line and home broadband were included under my account, so we had all enjoyed lower charges for a few years.

Lately, for personal reasons, my brother has decided to switch to SingTel.  In order to ensure smooth transfer and to port over his mobile number and home number (this number has been our family line since the early 80s), I had called M1 hotline at 1627 (24 hours) to inquire on the procedures.

Here was what I had found out:-
Installation - Two Fibre Broadband Services
The OpenNet Termination Point (TP) has 2 ports that allow 2 fibre broadband services running at the same time.  It may be 2 services from the same telco or 1 service from 2 service providers.

My brother's M1 Broadband contracts will expire in 2 weeks time, and from what I know, SingTel's new installation on 1st port takes around 1-2 weeks while installation on the 2nd port will take longer time, around 2-3 weeks.  To avoid any downtime, the M1 customer service officer (CSO) had advised not to terminate the M1 Home Broadband service yet and to install SingTel's service at the 2nd port.

This way, it will also give time for SingTel to port-in my mum's home number.

Renewal of Home Broadband contract
Home Broadband plans work differently from mobile plans.  Home Broadband plans without a contract are rather costly, for example, a 1Gbps fibre broadband without contract is S$99/month while with a 24-months contract, it's S$39/month.  Because of this "reduced" rate, subscriber is unable to upgrade the service plan at any time.  That is, if one were contracted to a 300Mbps fibre broadband and finds that this speed is too slow, have to bear with it for 2 years (contract period) or pay an early termination fee to end this contract and take up another, or to simply subscribe for another fibre broadband service.  Once completed 20 months of contract, one may recontract, at no penalty, via M1 hotline or at one of the M1 shops.  Do note that all telcos often update their broadband service plans, so always inquire about the latest eligible plans before signing the 2-years contract.

Termination of Home Broadband contract
This has to be done 7 days before the contract ends.  Taking my brother's example where the contract will end on October 7, 2017, I'll need to call M1 Hotline on October 1, 2017, so that the fibre broadband service will terminate on October 8, 2017.  This is to ensure there will be no early termination penalty and no new subscription charge.  Even if the customer were to terminate one day late, for example, to call M1 Hotline on October 2, 2017, the service will terminate on October 9, 2017 and there will be prorated charge under no contract rate.

Under our current contracts (charges inclusive of GST), M1 HomePac 1Gbps (fibre) is S$39/month (about S$1.28/day) and M1 HomePac 300Mbps (fibre) is S$29/month (about S$0.95/day).  Without a contract, M1 HomePac 1Gbps (fibre) costs S$99/month (about S$3.25/day) while HomePac 300Mbps (fibre) costs S$139/month (about S$4.57/day).  A vast difference!

Free Bundles with Home Broadband contract
Usually there will be some free services that come along with the 2-years contract on Home Broadband, these services will mostly become chargeable once the contract ends, while some are only free for 1 year.  Do ask about the details or read the contract, there was once I was "forced" to hold on to a free service because it charged a fee if terminate within 12 months.  For all these free bundled services, if not in used, better terminate it immediately, to save the trouble to monitor its expiry and to later call in to terminate.  However, there are some very useful services too.

Free Bundle - Mobile Broadband and Data

[On April 17, 2019, Jewel Changi is open to public, free admission, no ticket required!  For those who prefer to read in Chinese, please see 新加坡，星耀樟宜 (Jewel Changi Singapore]

My earlier article was on Getting Preview Tickets, this article shares info on Jewel Changi after our visit on the first Preview day.  Here's a quick guide to make the most out of the Preview visit.

Photo courtesy of Changi Airport Group

[On April 17, 2019, Jewel Changi is open to public, free admission, no ticket required!  For those who prefer to read in Chinese, please see 新加坡，星耀樟宜 (Jewel Changi Singapore)]

We had a great time at T4 Open House by Changi Airport.  This morning I'd received an email to be one of the first to preview the new Jewel!

On August 8, 2017, while browsing my mobile, a LINE/gvMrPopcorn contest message popped up, since the entry process was simple, I took part in it.  Surprisingly, it turned out to be my first lucky drawn by Golden Village (GV), 2 tickets to preview The Hitman's Bodyguard.

新加坡樟宜机场的四号航站楼 (Terminal 4)，将于2017年末正式运作，运作前有一项公众参观活动。

If you are attending the event, please read T4 Open House - Guide to Visitors.  This article focuses on T4 Open House Event application, games, freebies and lucky draws.

Date: August 1, 2017, Tuesday
Time: 7pm
Admission/person: S$8.50 (HSBC Black Prepaid Card)
Venue: Golden Village, VivoCity (level 2)

Whenever it comes to watching movie at a cinema, Golden Village (GV) has always been our first choice.  However, it had been 5 years since we last watched a movie at Golden Village VivoCity, there were so many changes!