One thing’s for sure, Singaporeans are highly adaptable. With many of us now back to working from home full time while Phase 2 Heightened Alert is ongoing, it’s almost like slipping back into an old pair of shoes. Our workstations are already set up, and so too are the kids’ desks for home-based learning. For those of us who can’t head to the gym, we find other ways to keep fit at home, or in the great outdoors.

The same can be said for our cars too. As machines that are made to move, the lack of movement can create more problems than regular use might. Fortunately, there are alternative solutions that can tide your car through long, stationary periods. Here are some tips to keep your car in shape, and in the meantime, why not get it to shine too?

Charge your car’s battery

Batteries, including car ones, self-discharge over time. This means that in the long run, not moving your car for a long time would result in the battery draining completely. There is, however, a very simple solution to this. By taking your car out for a short spin weekly, this helps the battery maintain a level of charge. Should it drop too low, your car may need jump-starting.

What’s the worst that could happen? Go too long without charging your battery, and you may need to replace it altogether.

Over-inflate your tyres slightly

Much like balloons that deflate over time, tyres too lose air gradually. An under-inflated tyre can cause a myriad of problems, from seemingly minor ones like shortening your tyres’ lifespan, to losing control of the car. Flat spots could also occur, and result in extra vibrations and noise.

If you know that your car will not be moving for an extended period, over-inflate them slightly by about ten percent. This will kerb the deflation until you are ready to drive again. 

Keep your car covered

For our next tip, drivers with access to a covered carpark can count themselves lucky. Cars exposed to the external environment for extended periods are subject to more than just bird poo. Harsh sunlight breaks down the components in your paintwork over time, leaving it looking dull. Acid rain, bird poo and tree sap too can damage your car’s paint.

If covered carparks are not immediately available, consider investing in a car cover to help guard your ride from the elements.

Give it the ‘blow-dry’ treatment after washing

If you didn’t manage to get that car cover, your car is probably due for a wash. Whether you’ve brought it for a quick rinse at the petrol station, or laboured a few hours for a deep clean, take it for a spin after to thoroughly dry the brakes. A wipe-down might not be sufficient and parking the car while the brakes are wet will cause rust to form. 

After giving your car’s ‘legs’ some much needed stretching, how about laying on some TLC next? 

Start with your wheels

Nothing mismatches a well-groomed car more than grimy, mud-caked wheels. But, this is easily solved in just three steps:

1. Spray on some wheel cleaner and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes.
2. Use a brush to loosen and remove the dirt.
3. Rinse the tyres, and repeat from step 1 if necessary.

Pro tip: Don’t let the wheel cleaner dry on the wheels!

Wash your car

Before polishing or waxing, any dirt or contaminants on your car should be removed.

1. Rinse your car.
2. Mix car shampoo into a bucket of water, and begin washing, rinsing your wash mitt occasionally.
3. Work on your car section by section, washing off the shampoo at the end of each panel.
4. Once completed, dry the car with a microfibre cloth.

Remove contaminants

A simple wash alone won’t be enough to get rid of all the contaminants. Here’s an extra step you can take to be doubly sure.

1. Tear off a small chunk from a clay bar, and flatten it into a patty.
2. Spray wax directly on to one section of the patty.
3. Move the clay back and forth on the car’s surface in straight-line strokes until there is little to no resistance.
4. Wipe dry with a microfibre cloth and move on to the next section.

Polish your car

Now that all the contaminants are off your car, you can work on getting rid of fine scratches and swirls by polishing.

1. Cover delicate areas like rubber moulding with masking tape.
2. Centre an applicator pad on your orbital polisher, and add some one-step polishing compound to the applicator.
3. Beginning at a low speed, spread the compound on the area you are working on before adjusting to a higher speed.
4. Use back-and-forth strokes until there is an even coat of the polishing compound, and wipe clean with a microfibre cloth.

Wax the surface

You’re almost done! Give your car that smooth shine with a round of waxing. 

1. Using the orbital polisher or a hand-wax applicator pad, apply a small amount of wax and rub the wax onto the surface.
2. Remove any excess wax with a microfibre cloth before moving on to the next section.

Shine your tyres

For your final step, leave no stone unturned and add that gleam to your tyres too!

1. Add a small amount of tyre shine gel to an applicator pad, and rub it into the sidewall of the tyres. 

And, you’re done! Pampering your car can be laborious, but the result will surely be rewarding when your car looks spick and span. Of course, if you prefer to get it done professionally, AutoApp is here to help!

In need of maintenance help, or thinking of a grooming session? Download AutoApp to book your services! 

With the amount of COVID-19 community cases on the rise and the government’s recent move to tighten measures regarding social gatherings, it almost feels like we’re back in the crazy ole’ days of the Circuit Breaker once again.

But you know what, been there, done that.

So now armed with first-hand experience of being cooped up in a HDB flat with a baby boss of my own making, let me share what I think are some useful skills you’ll need to survive (and thrive!) during the next lockdown.

Smart shopping

Yes, some physical shops will still be open in Phase 2. But why mingle outside unnecessarily when you have a full retail experience at your fingertips? To stop yourself from falling prey to impulse purchases and endlessly browsing online shops, make lists of the different websites you can visit for all your purchase needs. Familiarising yourself with their usual estimated delivery timings and costs will also help you better plan out your purchases. Thankfully, it’s highly likely that most of your favourite brands would have online shopping platforms of their own.

That said, being a smart shopper doesn’t mean going all out and stocking up for the next zombie apocalypse. It just means making better decisions with your purchases. Why not try picking up some smart shopping tips here?

Plant mummy-ing or daddy-ing

Okay, so you’re starting to get the feeling that your spouse isn’t really listening to your umpteenth complaint about that annoying colleague at work. And maybe your friends are too busy looking after their kids at home to entertain your stream of memes over WhatsApp. But you know who will ALWAYS be there for you no matter what? Your plants. Das right. #theygotyoubruh

A useful skill to have during these trying times, is plant rearing, or being a green thumb! Afterall, plants love when you talk to them and care for them. Plus, they’re pretty and make the air better! If you’re new to the game though, some easy plants to start with include gorgeous indoor plants like the Monstera plant that humidifies dry air or the rubber plant that’s even safe for those with pollen allergies. But don’t just take it from me, check out what this plant mama has to say!

Hairdressing

As far as we know, hair salons will remain open during this period of ‘heightened measures’. But, if you recall during the Circuit Breaker, salons were only open for haircuts. During the time, some of you may have fiddled cautiously with a pair of scissors or electric clippers, trying to trim the luscious locks of a loved one. This time around, stay ahead of the curve and pick up some hairdressing tips to keep yourselves and your fam groomed without having to leave home. Thankfully, there are useful tips on home hairdressing for men, women, and kids on YouTube. Once you’ve got that snazzy new haircut, the only thing left to do is to change out of your PJs before your next Zoom meeting. Come on now, one leg at a time.

Arts and crafting

If you struggle with doing anything remotely artistic, brace yourself for parenthood – if that’s your jam anyway. If you have some kids of your own, chances are you’ve already started helping them out with art projects they’ve bought home. So a great way to keep the little ones occupied during this pseudo-Circuit Breaker is by coming up with some arts and craft activities for them at home. And in the name of recycling and sustainable living, you’d be surprised at what you can create from items you would have otherwise disposed of. For instance, you could make tin can wind chimes, tissue box creatures or even potato stamps! For more ideas, check this out.

Home baking and cooking

The last Circuit Breaker turned many a Singaporean into a home baker or chef. This time around, we say get a head start and try out all the adventurous recipes you’ve been thinking about! Apart from boosting your confidence and gaining a valuable life skill, you’ll also save a lot more money than if you were to get takeaway or have food delivered. Short of ideas? This list of creative recipes should help you along your way.  

Car maintenance

With Work-from-Home arrangements back in place in Phase 2, you probably won’t be travelling out much. But if you own a car, you’ll likely be using your trusty steed for groceries or school runs. So the last thing you need is for it to be making weird noises or for the air-conditioning to start malfunctioning when you’re on these essential trips. As such, a truly useful skill to have would be to learn how to care for your car on your own. One good place to start is by browsing these useful car maintenance guides. But of course, if all that auto talk and gibberish is giving you a headache, then maybe play cheat a bit and use this app lah. You can thank me later.  

Back to Phase 2? Better check out this useful guide to sanitisers and learn how you can book a sanitisation service for your car here.

You know that one friend who’s suddenly become a health expert/logistics specialist because of the COVID-19 pandemic? It’s always, “Wow, you paid $8 for that face mask? Do you know I got it for $7.99 on Shopee?” or “Have you heard of X? It’s a rare herb from the Himalayas that boosts immunity!” And then came the day she heard you were shopping for sanitisers and it was all, “Why are you buying that? That’s not going to work on your car, you know. Don’t you know anything about choosing the best sanitisers and disinfectants?”

Well sorry, Karen. It’s not like everyone spends half their life knee-deep in health articles on Google.

But… she does have a point. Sanitisers and disinfectants have been in the spotlight since the increased emphasis on maintaining good hygiene due to the pandemic. But how much do you actually know about them? If you’ve been too embarrassed to ask know-it-all ‘friends’, or too tired to comb through the sea of articles on the interwebs, read on to find out more. We promise we won’t tell.

Is a sanitiser what I want, what I really, really want?

Ah, perhaps the most important question of all! Before you check out your online shopping cart or wheel a physical one to the supermarket counter, make sure you’ve only stocked up on what you need. Are you looking for something to keep your hands clean, disinfect your living room, or get rid of that ketchup stain on your car seat? Just remember that the serious looking bottle of transparent liquid with a huge 90%-alcohol label stamped on the front won’t solve all your problems.

So let’s start. Sanitisers, disinfectants and cleaning products.

They’re all different – although some do boast a combination of the three. Cleaning sprays and products (the most common of the group) get rid of dirt, debris, and food residue but don’t remove or ‘kill’ any bacteria. They’re also mainly for use on surfaces as opposed to your hands and body.

Then there’s sanitisers and disinfectants. Sanitisers reduce contamination or bacteria to a safe level while disinfectants get rid of everything on a particular surface. Disinfectants are made up of many powerful chemicals as compared to sanitisers, which are thought to be gentler. This is likely why you’ve heard of hand sanitisers and surface sanitisers, but you’ve probably never heard of a hand disinfectant.

Disinfectants are also used for much bigger messes (which is why they’re frequently used in hospitals). In a way, they’re kinda like more powerful sanitisers. Because of their strong chemicals, you wouldn’t want to use disinfectants on surfaces that come in contact with food, toys for children, or other places where it could be ingested.   

On a scale of 1 to potent Russian vodka, how much alcohol should sanitisers have?

Okay, so you’ve decided that what you really need is the perfect bottle of sanitiser. If you’ve been browsing social media enough or paying attention to COVID-19 related news, you’ve probably heard that sanitisers made up of at least 60% alcohol are most effective in getting rid of coronaviruses.

It’s true.

Sanitisers come in alcohol-based and alcohol-free versions, with the alcohol-based ones ranging from 60-95% alcohol and often containing isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, or n-propanol. Sounds cheem, right?

Long story short, alcohol-based sanitisers are sought after because alcohol can attack and destroy the envelope of protein around certain viruses. Once destroyed, it makes it tougher for the virus to survive and multiply.

Alcohol-free sanitisers on the other hand contain (brace yourself) quarternary ammonium compounds like benzalkonium chloride. These help reduce microbes but are believed to not be as effective as alcohol when fighting viruses and bacteria.

Some sanitisers smell so good, and some smell so… sterile. Why don’t people just buy the nice smelling stuff?

If you’re a serial sniffer and can’t walk past a Bath and Body Works outlet without buying at least one thing, you’ve probably been dying to ask this question. As tempting as that Lavender Blossom Marshmallow with Coffee Beans Sanitiser might seem, hold your horses. Some sanitisers with fragrances may actually be harsher on your skin.

Companies don’t usually list the ingredients that make up their signature scents, so you probably won’t spot any red flags on the product label. As such, you’ll never know what chemicals go into heavily fragranced sanitisers. But that said, there are some brands that use essential oils which keep their sanitisers smelling great and you feeling refreshed.

Okay, but does matter matter?

There are three main types of sanitisers on the market – gel, foam and spray sanitisers. Should you really be fussed over the difference? Well, not really.

But if we were to nit-pick, foam sanitisers cling to your hands easier than gel ones. If you’re not careful, gel sanitisers can slide off onto the floor and leave unsightly marks on it – especially on waxed floors. #proauntytip Also, foam sanitisers are kinda fun in the same way bubble baths are.

On the other hand, because they help spread droplets better over wide areas, spray type sanitisers are best for use on surfaces or objects (though there are some you can find specifically for hands).     

So what’s up with ‘food-grade’ sanitisers then?

Food-grade sanitisers are sanitisers that can be used on surfaces that come in contact with food. As such, they’re normally used in restaurants or kitchens at home. Some food-grade sanitisers are also suited for children and their toys/belongings (seeing as little ones sometimes put anything in their mouths)! Food-grade sanitisers are generally alcohol-free, though there are some that contain food-grade alcohol such as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol.   

Will my skin stay as smooth as a baby’s bottom after using sanitiser?

If you’re likely to be using sanitiser on your hands frequently, then you’ll want one that won’t dry up your skin. Alcohol-based sanitisers, though effective in eliminating bacteria, can be harmful to your skin when overused. Alcohol deprives the skin of important proteins and lipids which lead to skin dryness and irritation. To prevent this, look out for sanitisers that have moisturising ingredients such as aloe vera or water. Afterall, no one wants prunes for hands!

There’s loads of sanitisers on online shopping platforms and in stores. If they’re bottled, look pretty decent and are priced reasonably, they’re probably safe… right?

Never judge a sanitiser by its cover. Instead, check out its product label.

Knowing where your sanitiser comes from and everything that goes into it will stop you from being a victim of scalpers. If it doesn’t have a product label, stay 1 metre away from it. If its product label lists potentially toxic chemicals including sulphates, EDTA or parabens, safe distancing rules also apply. Prolonged use of sanitisers with these ingredients could be harmful to the body. And remember, just because the price is high, it doesn’t make a sanitiser legit.

Instead, choose a sanitiser or disinfectant from this list of products effective against coronaviruses collated by the National Environment Agency of Singapore. Still confused? Why not just try making your own here?

So… are there any specific sanitisers or disinfectants that will keep viruses away from my car?

There are a number of great sanitisers and disinfectants on the market but we love the Aeris Active hospital-grade disinfectant cleaner. Not only is it on the NEA-approved list, it works just as well in your car as it would in your home. Plus, tests have also shown that it can kill coronaviruses in under 60 seconds! It removes mould and mildew, and leaves behind an invisible film to prevent recolonisation on the surface. That way, it keeps germs away for longer after use. Most importantly, it’s compatible with a majority of surfaces so it won’t damage your car’s interior.

At the risk of sounding a wee bit lazy… is there someone I could call to sanitise my car?

We were hoping you’d ask! Come next month, AutoApp will be coming up with special packages that’ll help with cleaning, disinfecting and protecting your ride. Plus, early adopters of our app will have a special treat to look out for too. Follow us on Facebook to stay in the loop!

When all’s said and done, remember that sanitisers aren’t the solution to everything. Maintaining good hygiene by washing your hands regularly and keeping a safe distance from others will help protect you and your loved ones during these trying times. Stay safe!

Need tips on cleaning, disinfecting and protecting your vehicle? Check out some tips here or watch this video for special advice:

Many of us are probably feeling positive about the good news that Phase Two will soon commence. We begin to prepare to return to work while we relish the good mood. Some of our favourite facilities are also gearing up to reopen, while others are not as fortunate. Most of all, many will look forward to reconnecting with friends and family again. As we start to make plans for the future, it’s also an ideal time to step back and reflect. Spending the last two months adapting to a new norm was certainly not easy for many. Work-from-home arrangements were, and still are, especially tricky.

You probably would have read many articles preaching the best ways to work from home effectively. You might have also discovered that following these hacks to a T is not as easy as it sounds. These nifty tips and tricks are hardly one-size-fits-all, and may not pan out as intended even with our best efforts.

Everyone’s work-from-home experience is different, and it goes beyond just having flexible hours or a more rigid and straightforward schedule. Maybe you’ve had your family accidentally walk in on your conference call. Perhaps you have difficulty tearing yourself away from work instead of clocking out promptly.

Working from home is often a double-edged sword, especially for women. For some mothers, few other things hold a candle to their young child’s affectionate demands for attention. For others, the sheer nature of their job means having to adapt to vastly different styles of working. We asked several women to share their work-from-home experiences in the last two months. Here are the lessons we’ve learnt from their reflections. With these first-hand accounts, we can work towards better coping with long-term work-from-home stints.

Note: Due to the sensitive nature of these women’s jobs, their identities have been kept anonymous.

Reflection #1: Bend but don’t break; be flexible

Especially if you’re married with children, flexibility is key to achieving a good work-from-home routine. Ironically, that might mean not being able to stick to the 9-to-5 kind of day you are used to.

They want our attention constantly and interrupt our work for everything… It certainly affected my ability to work my ‘normal’ hours of 8:30AM to 5:30PM. I found myself working early mornings and later in the evenings so that I could make up for the interruptions throughout the day.

— P, mum of two (4 and 6)

P, who works in the publishing industry, managed a workable compromise thanks to her employers. Flexible hours and time saved from commuting give her more time with her energetic toddlers, whom she keeps entertained with homemade forts, obstacle courses and puppet theatres.

T, who works as a teacher, prepares and records her lessons late at night while her young son is asleep. Her flexible schedule allows her to monitor her son while her husband also works from home during the day. The couple take turns watching their son when either of them has virtual meetings or calls.

Reflection #2: Human interaction is more important than we realise

“While we could still progress with various projects, other aspects of our work that relied on human interaction such as counselling and intervention were replaced with alternatives that honestly do not compare.”

— Q, social worker

You might have felt lonely working from home in the last two months. Maybe you’ve sensed that some of your relationships have evolved (for better or worse) with the physical distance. For many of these women, not interacting with their colleagues like before has affected their cohesion as a team. Aside from colleagues, clients too, in some industries, are severely impacted.

For Q especially, face-to-face interaction is key in her line of work in the social service industry. The two-month-long Circuit Breaker has greatly affected how she works with her clients. Unfortunately, the technology-driven alternatives still pale in comparison to live counselling sessions.

A, who works in a similar capacity, echoed the same concerns for her clients. “It’s extremely difficult to gauge a vulnerable person‘s safety when I can’t physically see them. And having everyone indoors means a higher chance of conflict and abuse,” she notes.

Reflection #3: Accountability doesn’t need to be inefficient

“I’m so tired of filling out daily reports.”

— S, preschool teacher

For S, a teacher who works with young children, her day begins at 8:00 AM. She chimes in to her work WhatsApp group and ‘clocks in’ for the day. Before the school holidays, she conducted her lessons with preschoolers over Zoom, and did her lesson preparation between classes.

While the schedule bears resemblance to a normal workday, additional paperwork is one responsibility she would rather do without. “Together with teaching classes over Zoom, additional screen time means I can barely keep my eyes open by the end of the day,” S sighs.

Remote working is a different kind of hell for many supervisors when it comes to keeping staff accountable. For S, her manager relied on daily reports. Perhaps you’ve had daily video calls, or surprise phone calls from your boss, who is ‘just checking in and touching base’ with you. While ensuring that staff continue to fulfil their obligations is important, monitoring them like a hawk may inadvertently affect productivity.

Reflection #4: The best of both worlds?

“Having the chance to take the kids to school and back, being there to have lunch and dinner with them, is too precious. I’d hate to go back to the office!”

— P, mum of two (4 and 6)

We recognise that working from home has its fair share of downsides. Blurring work and personal boundaries, and the more sedentary lifestyle are just a couple of them. And as many of these women have reflected, working from home is also not always ideal for their jobs.

However, if there is one thing they could all agree on, it is finding a balance between office and home working. With the flexibility of their new work routines, they’ve also found some freedom. Spending time with their children and cooking for their family are some of the ways. Others appreciate the additional hours of sleep, or being able to spend more time with their cat.

K, who works in human resources, believes four days in the office is enough. “Work-from-home has somewhat shown that it is still possible for work to be done remotely. With proper scheduling, keeping one day for remote working would not upset the work dynamics that much,” she suggests. And certainly, a day of not having to wake up earlier to commute saves more time to accomplish other things.

P, on the other hand, prefers more time at home so that she can be with the children. “I just don’t see the need to be in the office every day,” she says. “I’d like to get into the office to see colleagues for meetings and to socialise, maybe once or twice a week at the most.”

Food for thought

The experiences of these women are probably not unfamiliar to many of us. This gives us an opportunity to re-evaluate many things. Employers can consider ways to make work arrangements more flexible. Couples can work together to provide care for their children, without compromising on work quality or family time. For jobs where direct interaction is essential, perhaps new arrangements can be made to facilitate a safe environment for both worker and client.

As we look to the future, shed old habits and embrace new ones, let us continue to reflect on the way we work and constantly seek improvements that benefit not only ourselves, but the people around us.

Interested in more parenting tips? Check out these best-kept secrets from mums themselves here.

Fathers’ Day is coming! Read our article for gift ideas, or join our Fathers’ Day giveaway here!

Earlier this month, we highlighted a list of makan places offering kerbside takeaways. Extremely convenient, they allowed you to pull up and collect your food, without leaving your car.

Much as it is great for us consumers, there wasn’t a huge number of eating establishments with this service. This was largely due to manpower constraints, as staff had to leave the premises to pass us our orders.

However, we’ve still got the option of doing things the good ol’ fashioned way; parking and walking to buy our food. In a perfect world, we’d be able to park right in front of the stores we’re dabao-ing from, but that just isn’t possible due to how densely populated Singapore is.

At AutoApp, we’re all about making life easier. Just any old way of dabao isn’t going to cut it. It has be convenient! The next best alternative – takeaways with easy parking. Really, as a driver, is there anything better than having a parking spot waiting for you at your destination?

The AutoApp team has put together this map of dining establishments that still require you to get out of the car and place your order (first world problems, right?) but at least the parking is easy. Our criteria for this list is parking right outside the establishment, or just behind the premises. At these eateries, it’ll take less than a minute to go from car to counter. You’ll be on your way home with your meal earlier than you expect.

If you’re befuddled by the sheer number of choices available, we’ve highlighted three spots below that are personal favourites of the AutoApp team! Some are hidden gems you might not have heard about – there’s zi char in Simpang Bedok, fishball noodles in Redhill, and dim sum in Sembawang. Bon appétit!

Hong Kong Street Family Restaurant Bedok

For Chinese families, zi char is often the default choice when dining out. Not only does it fit the traditional ‘three dish one soup’ (三菜一汤) ideal, zi char stalls usually have a massive variety of dishes to choose from. It’s got dishes to fit all budgets, too – be it a simple yang chow fried rice for one, or a chili crab and seafood feast for the family.

Unfortunately, most zi char places are located within non-air-conditioned coffeeshops, and that usually doesn’t go well with Singapore’s muggy weather. On that front, Hong Kong Street Family Restaurant marries a comfortable air-conditioned environment with tasty dishes served up at coffeeshop prices. It’s the best of both worlds!

A must-try here is their Prawn Paste Chicken, which is a near-perfect rendition of the classic zi char dish. Coated in an airy batter and deep-fried to perfection, the taste profile balances flawlessly between regular fried chicken and prawn paste.

For a single-dish meal, try the Sum Lor Hor Fun (三捞河粉), which pairs thickly-sliced snakehead fish, beansprouts, and a generous helping of aromatic, wok-hei laden horfun. If you prefer something soupy, you can’t go wrong with the Fried Fish Bee Hoon, serving up fresh chunks of fried fish and thick bee hoon in a flavourful broth.

Address:
430 Upper Changi Road
#01-67, East Village Mall
Singapore 487048
Phone:
6245 3881 (Pre-orders via phone available)
Parking:
An open-air URA car park (EPS parking) is located directly in front of the restaurant.

Block 58 Lengkok Bahru Minced Meat Noodle

Fishball noodles are an overwhelmingly Southeast Asian thing, where you’ll find (slightly differing) versions in each country. In Singapore, fishball noodles are somewhat of a comfort food. You can have it in soup or dry-tossed in sauce, with chili or tomato ketchup, and with a variety of noodles from thin mee kia to kuay teow.

Then, there’s the fishballs. Some foodies insist that a good fishball noodle must include handmade fishballs, and not the factory produced versions. Others though, argue that factory-made fishballs are just as good if made with fresh yellowtail fish.

At the rather simply named Block 58 Lengkok Bahru Minced Meat Noodle, fishballs are of the factory-made variety. However, when paired with its bowl-mates of fishcake, minced pork, and pork slices, its origin becomes slightly less significant.

Over here, the combination of the soup base and the ingredients make an extremely homely and comforting meal, especially when served with the al dente dry mee pok. With an egg added to the soup, the taste-to-value ratio is hard to beat, at just $3.50 a bowl.

Address:
58 Lengkok Bahru
#01-521
Singapore 150058
Phone:
N/A
Parking:
An open-air HDB car park (EPS parking) is located directly in front of the coffee shop.

East Bistro

“Har gow, siu mai, char siu bao!” This is the chant you’ll commonly hear at traditional dim sum joints, where waitresses will push a trolley or carry a tray full of steamed treats. Thanks to COVID-19, however, it might be ages before we get to hear these dim sum ladies again.

Dim sum is an extremely ‘dangerous’ meal to go out for. You look at the long list of dishes, twiddle your fingers a bit, and inadvertently end up ordering enough food to feed double the dining party. I don’t blame you – because that’s usually what happens when I go for dim sum with friends.

At East Bistro, the alluring pieces of har gow (shrimp dumplings) and siu mai (steamed dumplings) and perfectly sized to pop in to your mouth in one bite. Stuffed with fresh shrimp and pork respectively, they burst in your mouth with a pleasant sweetness as you bite in.

Helmed by the former head chef of acclaimed Cantonese restaurant Lei Garden, Chef Tony Wong, you can’t really go wrong with any of the dim sum dishes over at East Bistro. Although, if you’re (gasp) not in the mood for dim sum, try their pao fan (泡饭) which is a rice porridge served in a hearty broth.

Address:
10 Jalan Tampang
Singapore 758954
Phone:
6634 2998 (Pre-orders via phone available)
Parking:
URA street parking (coupon parking) is available right next to the restaurant.

Feeling a bit pudgy after all that eating? Try this four-week workout plan put together in collaboration with Fitness Core’s JQ Chew!

Do you know of a stall that’s got easy parking, but isn’t featured in our map? Send us a message on Facebook at www.facebook.com/autoappsg, and we’ll add it in so everyone can share the joy!

We are still open! Find out about the available AutoApp services at https://www.facebook.com/autoappsg/.

A third of the year is already done and dusted, and 2020 is turning out to be quite the year so far. Amidst adapting to changes and reorganising ourselves, some of us might have forgotten the new year resolutions we had made for 2020. That’s completely understandable, and if your resolution had been to lead a healthier lifestyle and exercise regularly, don’t fret! It’s never too late to start working towards your fitness goals, and our four-week workout plan is the perfect place to begin.

In collaboration with Fitness Core’s JQ Chew, this four-week workout plan covers a range of exercises that will help you build and tone different parts of your body while ensuring you have sufficient rest in between.

If exercise was never quite your thing, don’t worry, because we’ve made sure that the workouts start simple and gradually increase in difficulty. At the end of the four weeks, you’ll not only feel fitter, but also find that exercising regularly comes more naturally than before. So, don’t wait any longer to achieve those fitness goals, and get started on this workout plan with your family and friends in the comfort of your own home!

Before beginning your workout, remember to dress in comfortable clothing that do not inhibit movement, and to warm up and stretch.

Exercises

We’ve introduced to you some exercises in our first workout article, where you can read more about push-ups, mountain climbers, oblique crunches, planking, lunges and squats. 

Here, we’ve included some additional exercises that you can try. If some of these exercises are new to you, check out the tips below to help you avoid straining yourself and causing injury.

Jumping jacks

Begin by standing with your feet together, hands by your sides.
1 rep consists of 4 counts:
1 – Jump and move your arms and legs simultaneously; your arms stretched out to the side, and your feet shoulder-width apart.
2 – Jump and return to your starting position.
3 – Jump and raise your arms, clapping your hands above your head, feet shoulder-width apart.
4 – Jump and return to the starting position.

Leg raises

Lie on your back. Place your hands beneath your buttocks to support your lower back.
Raise your legs perpendicular above the floor.
While keeping your legs straight, lower them slowly towards the ground. Let your legs hover over the floor instead of dropping it down completely.
Raise your legs back up to the starting position, and repeat the exercise.

High plank

Lie on your belly, and place your hands beneath your shoulders.
Tuck your toes, and push yourself up into a high plank position.
Ensure that your shoulders are directly above your hands.
Engage your core muscles, and ensure your belly does not dip towards the floor.

High knees

Stand straight with legs shoulder-width apart.
Lift your right knee up so that your legs form a 90-degree angle, before switching quickly to your left knee to complete 1 rep.

Russian twists

Sit with your knees bent. Ensure your weight is rested on your sit bones and lean back slightly. You should not feel any pressure on your tailbone.
Keep your knees bent and lift your feet off the ground.
With your hands clasped in front of you, begin twisting your upper body from side to side.
1 rep consists of one twist to the left and right.

Burpees

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.
1 full burpee rep consists of the following steps:
1 – Squat and place your hands on the floor in front of you.
2 – Kick your both legs back, so that you are now in a high plank position.
3 – Bring your legs back in so that you are squatting again.
4 – Jump up with your arms raised towards the ceiling.

To challenge yourself, perform an additional push-up after step 2.

Four-week Workout Plan

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Great job completing the four-week workout! Keep up the good work by repeating the workout outlined in Week 4, or continue challenging yourself by increasing the number of exercise reps, or workout sets. Let’s all stay healthy and safe as we see through the second circuit breaker round!

For more ideas on how to keep busy during the circuit breaker period, check out our other articles here.

SINGAPORE – Medical staff are the true heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many industries are showing their support and appreciation of them in various ways. BMW Financial Services and Sime Darby (the parent company of authorised dealer Performance Motors) for example, are offering substantial discounts on their subscription platform, Access by BMW.

This service, which has been described as a sort of “Netflix for car subscription”, allows users to get behind the wheel of a BMW without the heavy commitment of a purchase or lease; the service may be used for periods as short as a week or a month at a time.

Stay safe with personal mobility

Personal mobility is an effective form of social distancing. The car subscription service by Access by BMW makes it possible to stay safe without big, long term financial commitments. As healthcare workers may be exposed more than those in other industries, commuting in their own car greatly minimises any risks especially during the Circuit Breaker period.

With this promotion, healthcare workers can subscribe to a BMW 1 Series hatchback (above) for $1,500 per month. This works out to about $50 per day – not much more than a day’s commute via taxi or private-hire car. The regular full price for normal users is $2,388 per month.

The newly facelifted BMW X1 is also part of the Access fleet. Find out what it’s like to drive here

To everyone else, BMW is also waiving the $1,000 sign-up fee to all new users who sign up during the Circuit Breaker period.

Gesture of support

“As a small token of our appreciation, we wanted to support [frontline healthcare workers] by providing them with hassle-free access to our fleet of BMWs so they can safely commute to work”, said Ritu Chandy, Regional CEO, BMW Financial Services, Asia Pacific.

“There are no hidden fees and no long-term commitments. Hopefully, this will provide healthcare professionals with peace of mind during their daily commute. This would allow them to focus on what is most important – saving lives”, Ms Chandy continued.

To qualify for the special offer for, they would have to show a form of verification of healthcare worker status (e.g. work pass, hospital pass, etc.). After verification, a promo code will be sent to enjoy the special rates.

Those with differing needs may choose from a range of BMW models:
116d
118i
216i Active Tourer
216i Gran Tourer
520d
520i
X1 sDrive 18i
X2 sDrive 20i
X3 sDrive20i

Regardless of the model, subscription fees include insurance, maintenance, road tax, 24-hour roadside assistance, as well as unlimited mileage. Delivery and collection of the cars are all done at the user’s home or other specified location.

More details on Access by BMW can be found here.

Here is a list of the best racing films to binge on during the Circuit Breaker.

At AutoApp, we love cars. We also love movies. Naturally, nothing combines our passions better than a good car movie. An action-packed car chase is the perfect vehicle (ahem) to inject a jolt of excitement. However, the best racing films are like war movies on wheels. They often also educate the uninitiated on historical motorsport milestones.

That said, having cars or racing as the core of a feature-length film isn’t always successful. This is due in part to some rather cringeworthy duds over the years. Here are three favourites of the AutoApp team that are some of the best examples of this genre.

Beware potential spoilers ahead!

Grand Prix (1966)

The Blurb: Nine races. One champion. James Garner, Yves Montand, Brian Bedford and Antonio Sabato portray Formula One drivers competing to be the best, in this slam-you-into-the-driver’s seat tale of speed, spectacle and intertwined personal lives. Eva Marie Saint and Toshiro Mifune also star. John Frankenheimer directs this winner of three Academy Awards – crafting split-screen images to capture the overlapping drama and orchestrating POV camerawork that puts you in the hot seat to intensify the hard-driving thrills. Nearly 30 top drivers take part in the excitement, so buckle up, movie fans. Race with the best to the head of the pack.

Why we love it: It set the template for just about every car chase scene on film to this day. Where would the Fast & Furious or James Bond movies be like without John Frankenheimer’s ground-breaking vision?

In 1966, Frankenheimer quite literally redefined the way action scenes were filmed with Grand Prix. As keen racing enthusiast, he sought to capture the thrills, danger, and glamour of motor racing as authentically as possible.

This involved going to real locations for starters. He also refused to film cars pottering around, then speeding up the footage. Most importantly, Frankenheimer pioneered the use of cameras affixed to the car itself to bring audiences into the thick of the action, including from the driver’s own POV.

Such action is integral given the film’s premise. It follows four drivers as they battle for the Formula One world championship, while juggling romantic relationships and ghosts of their pasts. The plot itself is a bit melodramatic off-track, but the racing scenes are properly enthralling – which helps to reduce the weariness of its gruelling three-hour run time.

Fun fact: Grand Prix not only features Formula One, but the production actually followed the series across Europe during the 1966 season and filmed on-location during multiple race weekends.

Going further than simply capturing footage of the races from the sidelines as they happened, Grand Prix went so far as to have the camera-equipped replica race cars actually on track during the practice and qualifying sessions, and took over the circuits for the filming of its own scenes during gaps in the schedule. All the crowds you see in the back of shot? Those were the same spectators who were there for the actual racing.

To facilitate all this, over two dozen contemporary race drivers were engaged to help out. They either coached the actors, pilot the race cars for scenes, or drove the Ford GT40 camera car (refer to Ford v Ferrari below). You might recognise such legendary names as Juan Manuel Fangio, Phil Hill, Bruce McLaren, and Jack Brabham to name a few…

To put it in context, could you imagine the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo doing the same today?

Rush (2013)

The Blurb: From Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard comes Rush, a fast-paced and spectacular re-creation of the merciless and legendary 1970s Formula One rivalry between English playboy James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and his Austrian opponent, Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl). Set against the sexy and glamorous golden age of racing, Rush portrays the exhilarating true story of the charismatic Hunt and the methodically brilliant Lauda, two of the greatest rivals the world of sport has ever witnessed. Taking us into their personal lives and clashes on and off the Grand Prix racetrack, Rush follows the two drivers as they push themselves to the breaking point of physical and psychological endurance, where there is no shortcut to victory and no margin for error.

Why we love it: Because at the time it was the most convincing motorsports movie to appear in a long time. Several had been attempted in the past, but often they were stymied by tired cliches, an unambitious plot off the track, and unconvincing action on the track – usually looking too forced or staged. Rush was one of the exceptions.

Besides, who doesn’t enjoy an epic rivalry? Especially when the two heroes, both at the peak of their careers, are so closely matched despite being polar opposites in terms of character? The film revolves around the 1976 Formula One season, the year James Hunt clinched his sole championship, a championship Niki Lauda lost by only a single point despite suffering his near-deadly crash at the Nurburgring.

The filmmakers ultimately did a brilliant job in telling the story of both men: devoting plenty of time  to exploring Hunt’s and Launda’s personalities, the resulting tale balanced and sympathetic in equal measure. Despite the fierce rivalry, there’s a deep undercurrent of mutual respect, and you get a deep appreciation for the psychological fortitude required of a driver to deal with the immense risks of the time and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with each race outing.

Possibly even better than the dedication to historical accuracy, the nuanced scriptwriting, and intense action though, was Daniel Bruhl’s incredibly accurate portrayal of Lauda; his excruciatingly convincing depiction of Lauda’s hospital recovery alone should have been worthy of an Oscar mention at least.

Fun fact: Although the film portrays Hunt’s and Lauda’s rivalry (for the first half of the film at least) as intense and antagonistic, in reality the two had actually been friends for years, having known each other since their days rising up the ranks in Formula Three.

The real Niki Lauda was also heavily involved in the making of the film, giving input and sharing memories with the scriptwriter, and spending lots of time with Daniel Bruhl to help him perfect his mannerisms and Austrian accent (Bruhl is German). Lauda was so impressed with the final product that he has been quoted as saying “When I first saw the movie, I said, ‘Shit! That’s really me!’”

Finally, in a special advance screening for arguably the film’s toughest critics, today’s F1 circus (which included drivers, team bosses, and ex-supremo Bernie Ecclestone), Rush received a standing ovation. What greater approval can there be than that?

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

The Blurb: Based on the remarkable story of visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon), and the fearless British-born driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale). Together, they battled corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and take on the dominating race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.

Why we love it: We’ve saved the best for last, but don’t just take our word for it – Ford v Ferrari won two Oscars (for Film as well as Sound Editing), and was also nominated for Best Picture. Like Rush, Ford v Ferrari tells the story of one of the most intense rivalries in motorsports, but more than that it also celebrates probably the best racing driver you’ve never heard of, Ken Miles, and finally gives him the recognition and credit he so richly deserves.

Premise and tribute to historical figures aside though, the reason why Ford v Ferrari has cemented itself as one of the AutoApp team’s favourite films of all time, is because in addition to the accuracy and attention to detail in telling the story, the film also delves deep into the psyche of a racing driver, providing an insight to non-car lovers into the existentialist reasons behind why we love to race. It’s not just about beating the competition; it’s also about feeling and taming a beast that’s more animal than machine while in search of – as Ken explains to his son in the movie – “the perfect lap”.

Fun fact: The Circuit de la Sarthe of today looks significantly different to what it was during the film’s setting, so the crew had to get creative to portray the legendary race track as it was in the ‘60s. Filming for the climactic Le Mans race scene actually took place at opposite ends of the USA: the start/finish line, grandstands and pit building were built on an airport runway in southern California, while various locations in Georgia depicted the Mulsanne Straight, the Dunlop Bridge, the Esses, and the dozen other corners of the Le Mans circuit. Serious coordination and of course, editing, was required to correctly sync up car positions, dirt and damage, weather conditions, and lighting that are seconds apart on screen, but possibly hundreds of miles apart in real life.

Following up from our controversial article, we tell you where the best kerbside takeaways are for essential driving.

What’s the worst part of the Circuit Breaker? Some might argue that it’s the incessant (but necessary) need to take your temperature when going grocery shopping. Others though, might take issue with having to wear a mask that impedes airflow when trying to breathe. 

Here at AutoApp though, we’re typical Singaporeans through and through. All of us have cravings for one food or the other – chicken rice, wanton mee, roti prata, or just good old zi char! Channelling our inner Masterchefs just doesn’t quite cut it sometimes – cooking over a huge roaring fire just makes food taste a little bit better.

Getting your fix the easy way requires just an app – a couple of clicks, and the delivery heroes in green or pink will be at your door with dinner. Convenient as this is, there are, unfortunately some limitations. Perhaps there isn’t a stall on the app that offers your comfort food. Or, our delivery heroes are all occupied and the next delivery slot is in (gasp!) two hours.

This leaves you with just one option – takeaway, or dabao. Besides, your car needs some exercise too. To satisfy your cravings and keep your car in tip-top condition, we’ve put together this map of dining establishments that now offer kerbside takeaways during the Circuit Breaker period! All you need to do is call ahead and place your order, and you’ll be able to rock up and collect your food, without leaving the driver’s seat.

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Young or old, everyone loves chicken rice. It’s an ubiquitous Singaporean dish that can be found islandwide, from hawker centres to food courts and even to hotel restaurants. It’s so popular, that some might say it’s Singapore’s national dish – and honestly, we find it hard to disagree.

You’ve got the option of having your chicken roasted, with a crispy brown skin, or poached and served with a sprinkling of soya sauce. For everyone, there’s a different component of the chicken rice that makes or breaks the dish. Some place an emphasis on the way the chicken is roasted, some demand perfectly fluffy rice, and some need chili that packs a punch.

Whatever your preference, you’re sure to find a chicken rice you like from our map. As the dish with the most entries, we’ve chosen two stalls that have received positive reviews. With prices beginning at just $2.50 a pack, you get to save some money too! 

Seng Heng Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice
Address: 117 Aljunied Avenue 2, Singapore 380117 (Map)
Operating Hours: 10:00AM to 4:00PM daily
Contact: 6747 7617

Five Star Kampung Chicken Rice & Kitchen
Address: 7 Cheong Chin Nam Rd, Singapore 599732 (Map)
Operating Hours: 10.30AM to 12:00AM daily
Contact: 6466 3000

Zi Char / Seafood

There’s just something about zi char (directly translated as ‘cook fry’) that brings on a warm feeling. Maybe it’s just your tummy letting you know it’s empty – but I personally feel it’s the huge variety of food and aromatic wok-hei that does it for me.

The beauty of zi char stalls is that whatever your craving, whatever the budget, there’s something on the menu for you. From a simple yang chow fried rice, to crispy prawn paste chicken wings, to a decadent chilli crab with mantou, they have it. If you ask me, I’d say there are few things better than a well-executed horfun with a thick egg gravy and perfect wok-hei.

We’ve got a massive number of zi char stalls on our map, so there’s probably one close to you! Here’s two of our picks which offer great ease of collection – both are situated right next to the road in less busy areas.

Le Xiao Chu 楽小厨
Address: 470 MacPherson Road, Singapore 368188 (Map)
Operating Hours: 11:00AM to 11:00PM daily
Contact: 6920 3863 or 9042 2836

Hotpot Dynasty Tze Cha
Address: 50 Serangoon North Ave 4, Singapore 555856 (Map)
Operating Hours: 11:00AM to 10:00PM daily
Contact: 8312 3483

Wanton Noodles

Like chicken rice, wanton noodles is yet another dish that seems to be a perennial favourite with all Singaporeans. There are so many local variations of the dish, and recently, international versions have begun to appear. As such, it’s nigh on impossible to deem a specific wanton noodle stall the ‘best’ – lest the hardcore fans brandish their torches and pitchforks.

The variations are endless, but the most common version of wanton noodles in Singapore is the old-school local type. A bed of dry noodles tossed in a little dollop of dark sauce, accompanied by smaller wantons and topped with thin slices of char siew and leafy vegetables. It’s nearly universally agreed that in a plate of wanton noodles, the noodles need to be springy and al dente, and the wantons firm and savoury.

Here, we’ve picked out two popular wanton noodle stalls that you should try. Both are highly raved about, but Bei-Ing Wanton Noodles is a personal favourite of the AutoApp team. Bon appetit!

Bei-Ing Wanton Noodles
Address: 50 East Coast Road, Singapore 428769 (Map)
Operating Hours: 9:00AM to 3:00PM daily
Contact: 6440 9511 / 9046 7176

Eng’s Char Siew Wantan Mee
Address: 321 Clementi Avenue 3, Singapore 129905 (Map)
Operating Hours: 11:00AM to 10:00PM daily
Contact: 9838 7103 

While you’re sitting at home chomping down on your favourite hawker grub, why not watch a movie? Check out our list of favourite car-centric heist films here!

Know of a stall that offers drive-thru collection, but isn’t featured in our map? Send us a message on Facebook at www.facebook.com/autoappsg, and we’ll add it in so everyone can share the joy!

We are still open! Find out about the available AutoApp services at https://www.facebook.com/autoappsg/.

(Remember to observe all social distancing rules. Just to be clear, you’re meant to stay in your car on this drive and not jalan-jalan.)

As just about all of us have been more or less confined to our homes since 7 April, it’s understandable to get a little fidgety by now. After all, there’s only that many shows to watch on Netflix and playlists to listen to on Spotify, right?

Just like you, your car needs to get out every now and then as well. It’s likely that since this started, the furthest your car has been is to the nearest supermarket.

Like we mentioned in our other article, you should drive your car at least once a week to recharge its battery. If you’ve got a backup battery for your dashcam, that takes even longer to charge – over half an hour!

So for both the car and your mental well-being, we’ve put together a driving route around Singapore, starting and ending at the AutoApp office (naturally). Along the route, we’ve identified places you can grab a drink or bite without leaving your car, as well as some nice scenic places you can stop to chill at. Some of the waypoints here may be closed so best to stay in your car and keep driving.

Leg #1 | Tampines to Holland

START POINT: T-Space, 1 Tampines North Drive 1, Singapore 528559

We begin our drive at the AutoApp office in Tampines. Head directly onto the KPE, where the open road will let our cars stretch its legs a bit. Carry on till you see the sign for Exit 3 towards PIE (Tuas), then take the exit to merge onto the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) heading westbound.

Turn off the PIE onto Adam Road and head down to Farrer Road. You’ll soon arrive at Holland Village for the first refreshment pit stop! You might have heard of independent coffee joint Craftsmen Specialty Coffee, well known for their coffee and confectioneries. During the Circuit Breaker, they are offering a drive through takeaway service to help with social distancing. You’ll need to give them a heads-up via phone at 6463 1715 with your order, and their staff will bring your coffee to your car once it’s ready.

END POINT: Craftsmen Specialty Coffee, 275 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278993

Leg #2 | Holland to Buona Vista

START POINT: Craftsmen Specialty Coffee, 275 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278993

Coffee safely in the cup holder, it’s now time to find a spot to sip it in peace or better yet, during your drive. Head down North Buona Vista Road and onto South Buona Vista Road. Near the end of South Buona Vista road, take the left turn up Vigilante Drive and you’ll find yourself at the top of Kent Ridge Park, if the road is still open to public access.

Sitting 65 metres above sea level, Kent Ridge Park offers a great view of the port and Singapore Strait. Surrounded by greenery, it’s also worth noting that this was where one of the last battles for Singapore was fought during World War II.

END POINT: Kent Ridge Park, Vigilante Drive

Leg #3 | Buona Vista to Bukit Timah

START POINT: Kent Ridge Park, Vigilante Drive

Now that you’ve gotten your daily caffeine intake, it’s now time to head off and get some lunch! Head back down the twisty South Buona Vista Road and onto the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE). Through Clementi Avenue 6, head for the Beauty World shopping and makan enclave where lunch is waiting.

To give their customers a smoother takeaway experience, popular local chain Five Star Chicken Rice offers a kerbside takeaway service that allows you to drive up and pick up your food in a matter of seconds.

It was an initiative that originally started to deal with customers’ parking woes along Cheong Chin Nam Road. Here, diners of nearly 30 eating establishments had to jostle for parking space at just one carpark! It’s a simple system – give them a ring at 6466 3000 to place an order, and their staff will be on standby at the side of the road for a quick and smooth pickup.

END POINT: Five Star Kampung Chicken Rice & Kitchen, 7 Cheong Chin Nam Road, Singapore 599732

Leg #4 | Bukit Timah to Woodlands

START POINT: Five Star Kampung Chicken Rice & Kitchen, 7 Cheong Chin Nam Road, Singapore 599732

With lunch settled, head up North on the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) toward Woodlands Checkpoint. No, we’re not going to Malaysia – but it’s as close as it gets! Take the final exit on the BKE, Exit 10B, and turn right at the junction going to Woodlands Centre Road. Cut through the HDB estate around Marsiling Drive and Marsiling Lane, and you’ll catch a glimpse of the Causeway as you go around the corner.

You’ve arrived at Admiralty Road West, where you can take a cruise along the waterfront facing the Johor city skyline. At the end of the road is our destination, the Woodlands Waterfront Park. Offering not just a scenic view of the Straits of Johor, you’ll also be able to access Woodlands Jetty, which is one of the longest jetties in Singapore at 400m!

END POINT: Woodlands Waterfront Park, 21 Admiralty Road West, Singapore 757698

Leg #5 | Woodlands to Punggol

START POINT: Woodlands Waterfront Park, 21 Admiralty Road West, Singapore 757698

Tummy filled. It’s now time to give your car a workout with a 30-minute drive back toward the eastern part of Singapore. Thread your way through the Woodlands housing estate and get onto the Seletar Expressway (SLE) heading toward the CTE/TPE split. When you get to the split, keep left and merge onto the Tampines Expressway (TPE). About five minutes later, take Exit 7, then make a left and a right.

Take the right-turn pocket beneath the LRT tracks. You’ll arrive at the compound housing KFC Punggol East and its drive-thru. One of two KFC drive-thrus in Singapore (the other in Kallang). It is situated in a standalone building next to a golf driving range. Being a drive-thru, there’s no need to call ahead here – just pull up and place your order at the counter.

END POINT: KFC Punggol East, 60 Punggol East, Singapore 828825

START POINT: KFC Punggol East, 60 Punggol East, Singapore 828825

Grab yourself a pack of chicken tenders or popcorn chicken to go. Then take a short drive along Punggol Central and Punggol Way. Thread through the upcoming housing developments along Northshore Drive, and you’ll find yourself at Punggol Point Park.

Home to makan cluster The Punggol Settlement, this area is typically packed full of families and cyclists on weekends. These days however, an eerie silence has now fallen upon the area as Circuit Breaker measures kicked in. Those who grew up in the 1970s and 80s might recall the original Ponggol Hock Kee Seafood Restaurant for its fresh chilli crab and fragrant mee goreng in nearly the exact same spot!

END POINT: Punggol Point Park, 3 Punggol Point Road, Singapore 828694

Leg #6 | Punggol to Tampines

START POINT: Punggol Point Park, 3 Punggol Point Road, Singapore 828694

For the final leg of the drive, head back down Punggol Way toward the TPE. Merge on to the TPE towards KPE and PIE, then take Exit 5 to Tampines Avenue 10. After making a right turn underneath the TPE, take the left turn pocket. You’ll be back at Tampines Retail Park.

Thanks for coming along for the drive! If you need more ideas on what you can do to keep busy during the circuit breaker, check out our other articles at https://autoapp.sg/tag/covid-19/.

END POINT: T-Space, 1 Tampines North Drive 1, Singapore 528559

We are still open! Find out about the available AutoApp services at https://www.facebook.com/autoappsg/.