Learn, Play and Explore Exotic Turkey at Changi Airport

Last Saturday, we went to check out one of our favourite places in Singapore – yay for #freeplay! This March holidays, Changi Airport (T3, departure hall, near Toast Box) is bustling with fun and excitement, with an interesting school holiday event featuring the beauty and culture of Turkey – one of Changi’s destinations.

In the Horse Riding Town*, against a backdrop depicting Turkey’s ancient ruins, kids can go on a fun horse ride (on cute electronic ponies) through the Bosphorus Bridge that connects Europe to Asia.

Getting ready!

And off they go!

Families can climb onto a four-metre high Trojan Horse for a great photo opportunity,

Scaling the Trojan Horse

and enjoy an interesting fishing game next to the bridge.

They fish for treats!

On weekends, there are special Turkish activities at the event site:

(1) Sufi Whirling performances (a customary Turkish dance),

Getting ready for the whirl! 🙂

(2) free tasting of traditional Turkish sweet treats and ice- cream!

Turkish delight – contains pistachio so not suitable for those with tree nut allergy like me

There’s apple tea and pomegranate tea

Hubby had to try very hard to get his ice-cream! 😀

(3) Ebru painting (the unique skill of painting on water)

A few examples of his work:

Here’re two videos documenting how it’s done (the second video is a continuation of the first because my camera takes videos of max. duration of 1.5min):

I was so touched that he’d prepared a painting (complete with calligraphy!) specially for me as a meeting gift!

And he also let my girl have a go at painting – ok, I was supposed to be the one with the opportunity to try, but since my little one loves art (and is developing her passion at HeART  Studio) AND she’d stood there and waited for him for over an hour, I just had to let her try in place. 🙂

Turkey is a unique country with a dynamic mix of cultures from both the East and West. From the dome-and-minaret filled skyline of Istanbul, Roman ruins to the Trojan Horse, Turkey is a must-visit destination this March school holidays. No flight tickets are needed this time round though, as the cities of Istabul, Ephesus and Aspendos have been recreated at Changi Airport Terminal 3 in fun and interesting ways for us to explore!

Airport visitors will be able to learn about the transcontinental country at the exhibition area. Step into the former imperial mosque (now a museum) of Hagia Sophia

and learn about Turkey’s culture, including the spices,

Smell the spices!

daily food supplies and handicraft.

Board the Beyoglu tram (a public transport in Turkey) and find out more about the main attractions in Turkey.

The ‘Exotic Turkey’ event is open from 12 noon to 10pm daily from 14 March to 13 April 2014. On top of the activities at the Horse Riding Town and the interactive exhibition, visitors can enjoy exclusive travel deals to Turkey offered by travel agent partners at the event on weekends. Shoppers and diners at Changi Airport can also participate in a lucky draw to win two pairs of return tickets to Turkey.

For more details, please refer here.

*Simply spend a minimum of S$40 (S$30 for Changi Rewards members) at Changi Airport‘s retail or dining outlets to redeem one activity pass. The Horse Riding Town is operational from 15 – 23, 29 – 30 March and 5 – 6, 12 –13 April 2014

Disclosure: I was invited to explore the exhibition by the Changi Airport Group. No monetary compensation was received.