The invitation
I had barely emerged from the post-winter blues when a phone call from my editor-in-chief came, asking if I’d be available to head to Singapore mid-week returning in time for Labour weekend. A more youthful iteration of myself wouldn’t have batted a lash before committing to a last-minute international jaunt but with a heavily stacked to-do list and my aforementioned seasonal affect disorder waiting in the wings, I disconcertingly replied “if I have to.”
That evening, the flights appeared in my Air New Zealand app and I dissolved onto my bedroom floor scanning the Samsonite website on my phone for a suitably larger suitcase. That’s the thing about burnout, it casts a cynical filter on your outlook, making it increasingly difficult to discern obligation from opportunity.
The trip was generously hosted by OPPO, the brand known for cementing flip phones on the wishlists of all the It-girls (and also me). They were set to launch their latest innovations in a keynote at the Changi Exhibition Centre. Think: United Nations but for the tech persuasion.
My weather app indicated that Singapore’s temperatures were 32 degrees with light rain and thunderstorms – more than double the highs we were currently experiencing in Auckland. I hauled my summer capsule out of retirement and started rifling through my seersucker separates, swimsuits, silk scarfs, and sandals. Wearing a heavy-weight Wynn Hamlyn sweater at the time, it felt almost unimaginable that I would soon be subbing in layers for linens.
The journey
The flight times were at reasonable hours – the first of many glimmers to unfold over the course of my journey – which ensured a smooth check-in, security check, and priority boarding. The privilege of flying premium economy for my 10-something hour journey in my fragile mental state was not lost on me. I reclined into my generous seat, tapped away on my laptop, and when 5pm New Zealand time came around, I settled into a deep nap waking only for meals (which, and I cannot stress this enough, were remarkably good). I landed in Singapore, an airport I know all too well as a stopover but rarely the destination, and high-tailed it through to baggage claim. My suitcase was first on the belt with newly acquired battle scratches, and I was greeted warmly by a representative of OPPO who escorted me to my private transfer to the JW Marriott South Beach. The city was beautiful. The tropical gardens were vibrant and luscious, and the streets and road markings orderly and clean. By the time I had checked-in, it was approaching 6 pm in Singapore (and approximately two hours past my New Zealand bed time). Feeling full and fatigued from my flight, I took the opportunity to go for a swim in the hotel’s sky-high infinity pool before getting a much needed sleep.
The stay
I woke at 3 am local time, which gave me three hours to get on top of some work before the hotel’s gym opened. Inside the gym located on the 18th floor, I ran on a treadmill facing outwards towards the city’s skyline. As I took strides, I watched the velvety blue sky glistening with multi-coloured lights transition into a warm hazy glow as the sun rose. I stepped out of the gym, my body enveloped by the warm humid air. It was time for a cold shower. Back at my room, I dressed for the day and took my book down to breakfast in the Beach Road Kitchen. A spectacle in itself, the offering was pure abundance. Pantries, corners and stations for every genre of breakfast woven into the restaurant’s layout. A dessert station, pastries, omelettes, fruit, artisanal cheeses, noodles, smoothies, premium charcuterie – there was even ham on the bone being carved. The options extended beyond my imagination.
Turning the pages of Jay Shetty’s 8 Rules for Love, my table for one soon swelled to eight with guests of OPPO trickling in a little worse for wear from their entertaining night out. Putting faces to names of some of Australasia’s brightest and wittiest journalists and a few key team members from OPPO, we chatted and took turns for second, third, and even fourth helpings of the breakfast options. Across from the hotel, a skybridge connected us to the entry of a large mall. Thankfully, many of the stores hadn’t opened yet which meant that I couldn’t be tempted with retail therapy. There was, however, a chemist open. Whether it’s K-Beauty or a French pharmacy, any beauty aficionado knows a foreign chemist is a gateway to new and interesting products. I swaddled some of my favourites to the self-checkout and made the trip back to the hotel. As midday approached, we all reconvened by the pool for cocktails, comparing notes of our impressions and experiences of OPPO in anticipation for the keynote we were bound for later that day.
The event
Hundreds of people from all over the world, mainly those in the tech industries, had bused out to Changi Exhibition Centre to witness OPPO’s newest innovations. The room was blacked out with all focus towards enormous screens which looped two OPPO commercials teasing the new mobile phones. The atmosphere hummed with excitement for the keynote to commence. There was a countdown, a huge applause, and two hours of presentation focussing on the new OPPO Find N3 and Find N3 Flip. We learned about each device’s advancements, increased usability, and incredible photo capabilities. They addressed some really interesting misconceptions around screen size (bigger is not always better, btw), and how they’re future-proofing their phones to keep them relevant, secure, and performing for longer. Once the presentation drew to a close, we had the opportunity to interview the designers and interact with the devices. Personally, I’ve always wanted to bring back the flip phone purely for the satisfying action of closing or opening a call with a tangible gesture. I had all but placed my pre-order having experienced the life-changing magic of the OPPO’s portrait mode and selfie countdown features (it detects your palm faced up when you want to start the timer, think Hi-5 circa 1999). Hands down – no pun intended – the best mobile phone images I’ve ever seen. And we were in some very poor lit conditions.
The after party
We collectively used what spare time we had for a quick outfit change or some pre-party nosh at a small Mexican cantina downstairs before making our way to Marina Bay Sands where we had a private area reserved at CÉ LA VI. The famous skybar, which cantilevers across three high rise buildings, overlooks the city and Gardens by the Bay – an absolute must if you can muster access when in Singapore. Seemingly endless canapés and champagne were being served as we took in the incredible views. Later joined by Elvis Zhou, OPPO Overseas CMO, and Arne Herkelmann, Head of Product Management, we had some really interesting discussions about the devices and continued to capture the night with them. Following some questionable TikTok filming, I summoned a dirty martini and reeled the group towards the dancefloor. A few euphoric hours passed and it was time to haul and uber and head back to the JW Marriot. I did a manic pre-emptive pack, conscious of my 5 am shuttle to the airport before descending into a short but deep sleep. I’m no mathematician, but between the time difference and my early start, I calculated that I had been awake for almost 24 hours straight. Something a woman my age has no business doing.
The farewell
Admittedly, it was a long way to go for 32 hours. Did I find the flight back to New Zealand hard? Yes. Do I regret staying out as late as I did? No. Have I seen the TikToks that I made a cameo in yet? Also no. It was the perfect day from start to finish. I made some fleeting yet fabulous acquaintances and pocketed some clout-worthy core memories. My perception of Singapore has been forever changed from a stopover to a destination. It’s a day’s flight and a world away from the modalities of modern life. Not to mention the much-needed shake-up I needed to break me out of my winter slump and get me looking ahead to summer.
Words: Louise Dunn
Photography: Supplied.
