Plane spotting takes off, thanks to the Internet

Author’s Note: Here’s an article of mine that was published in The New Paper in Singapore last year.
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THERE are not many leisure activities you can do that doesn’t require you to fork out some money – whether it is going to a club, swimming at a public pool, taking up golf lessons, or going to the cinema or bowling alley.

But thankfully, some still exist, including spending a day just lazing by the beach – if you don’t factor in the cost of whipping up picnic goodies or rentingbicycles.

At Changi Beach, a time-honoured pastime is still going strong – if not getting a revival, thanks to the Internet. Together with Tanah Merah Coast Road and Laguna Golf Course, this place in the eastern past of Singapore is popular with plane enthusiasts. Or, as they are called, plane spotters.

From all of these locations, you can get close to planes during their landing or take-offs at Changi Airport.