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20 Guys Share Their Insecurities (Cause Society Has Ridiculous Expectations Of Men Too)

Today is not an easy society to survive in.

From fierce job competition and the volatile nature of job stability, to the fear of being judged on both the superficial and personal levels, society today is a brutally tough crowd.

While women may find it easy to talk about their insecurities, the same unfortunately, cannot be said for the opposite gender. Males are stereotypically perceived as more ‘dominant’, and emotional insecurity can be unfairly judged as weakness. But that is not the case. We reached out to 20 local males to find out about their worries.

*All names have been changed.

1. The Future

This was one of the most common fears shared by the men we spoke to.

Amin shared that he worried because the future looked unclear, and that the idea of not knowing what was coming or what he would be doing in 5 years frightened him.

This thought was shared by Darren, who while sharing about the having secured a job not long after graduation, the volatility of the job landscape and the constant need to up-skill himself worried him.

“There is no guarantee anymore nowadays. The market is so bad that anything can happen to anyone.”

2. Self-Worth

Alastair, who was married, talked about his fears of not being good enough for his partner. He wanted to ensure that she would always get the best so there would be no regrets later on.

“We only live once and she decided to choose me as her partner so if I cannot give her the best then I feel that I failed,” he reflects.

Speaking to Isaac, he also touched on the value of his self-worth, and that he often felt like he needed to “go above and beyond to prove his worth, and even then he rarely feel that he was ever good enough.”

“There are moments when I don’t think I am worth much. Maybe it’s the standards I set for myself or maybe it’s just feeling inferior to all those high flyers or scholars. So these things fuel my desire to achieve.. more.” 

3. Body Type

“I guess I feel insecure when I am in a situation where I’m not good enough, or I feel that I’m not good enough. Like when I go to a beach, I feel insecure cause I don’t have the figure of a hot guy,” shares Ang.

Kevin also shares these thoughts, as he talks about hitting the gym extensively during his university days as he always felt insecure about his figure.

“Some of my friends were really athletic with 6 packs, and that affected the way I saw myself, especially around our female friends. There was once I even exercised so much that I tore my ligament.”

Going to the gym can be highly damaging to the body if not enough care is given to your safety, so for those for whom sweating it out is not particularly attractive, aesthetic treatments can also do the trick.

The Amaris B. Clinic’s VO2 Weight Loss Therapy combines non-invasive fat reduction technology to target and address problem areas on the body. When these treatments are coupled with meal management, it can also guarantee long lasting weight loss results.

4. Facial Appearance

“I used to have very bad acne when I was younger, and that led to me having really bad pockmarks on my face. I’m quite a social person too, and I like going out, but sometimes I get overly worried about what people think when they look at me.”

“Medicines didn’t seem to help either,” shared Justin.

“For me, my friends pointed out to me that I was starting to show wrinkles when I entered university,” Raj revealed. “I figure it was just the stress and that it’d go away after my exam periods were over, but they didn’t.”

He teases that while he still has wrinkles, he sometimes tries to hide them with a bit of make-up. “This makes me worried sometimes that my friends would catch on!”

Since makeup might not be everyone’s cup of tea, why not take a visit at what the Amaris B. Clinic has to offer?

Aesthetic treatment are no longer just for the fairer sex, and the clinic also has Image Credit: stauntonrescue[/caption]

Amaris B. Clinic is an award-winning clinic where Dr. Ivan Puah specialises in aesthetic treatments, and among them is surgery for male boobs. Although surgery might sound like a drastic solution, it is actually a highly accepted solution in countries such as the US. Other surgery benefits also include his story of the surgery, and how it has really helped his situation.

Insecurities Aren’t Trivial Fears

And when someone shares about their insecurities, the worst thing that you could do is write it off as something insignificant. However, these fears do not need to be forever either, and there are definitely ways to work around and at least, alleviate them.

Featured Image Credit: @shazbyshaz / Vulcan Post

Have A Burning Late Night Thought? Have It Answered At After Hours!

Let’s face it. When it comes to love and relationship, mention the word sex and everyone starts to get really uptight, sweaty palms and flashes the “sshh, that’s a taboo” look.

We tend to avoid talking about the hush hush and you have to look twice to make sure no one is peeping behind you to see what hanky panky you’re about to Google. *clears search history*

The Elephant In The Room

You probably have a couple of sexy tips bookmarked from Cosmo or Men’s Health but how many of us Singaporeans can actually relate to the materials found online?

Sometimes we just have too many questions about the topic and wish to talk about it with our peers in a healthy and inspiring perspective. Yet, something so natural, essential to our survival and a complement to a romantic relationship is often conceived with negative associations.

So what do you do with these late night thoughts? Address it After Hours!

After Hours

Addressing The Taboo

After Hours is an online production where four Singaporean social influencers – Eunice Annabel, Audrey, Dew, and Johnathan, discuss anything to do with love, sex and relationship. All those conversations that society has been trying to keep in inside the closet, they take it online.

According to After Hours to get the conversation going. They have discussed various topics such as Dating Apps, Bro Codes, and even Sexual Fetishes where some sounds really out of this world.

They recently wrapped up Season One of the series and will be back with a new Season Two some time soon. But if you need some advice or have a question, you can always leave them a comment and get it answered by them (or even a wise passer by).

So what have we learnt from watching After Hours? Singaporeans, though seemingly prudish and traditional, are rather open-minded! Well, at least for most of the millennial who are trying to break free from the cultural norms.

Watch After Hours for a different perspective on topics we usually keep quiet about, and you might even have your burning questions about virginity, fetishes, and even friends with benefits answered.

Lastly, as wise man Dew says, it’s always safer to keep a Durex in your wallet. You never know when your partner might be feeling the heat.

After Hours
YouTube
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Also, read 5 Adult Playgrounds That Will Make You Feel Like A Child Again

These Whiskey Bars Feature The Most Expansive Collections – And Even Some Rare Finds!

Whiskey lovers, this one’s just for you!

The stereotype of whiskey being only a gentleman’s drink is long gone. From the casual drinker to the zealous malt connoisseur, there are enough varieties of whiskey to satisfy everyone.

We give you the top 7 places in Singapore for the best whiskey drinking experience!

1. The Auld Alliance

One of the largest whiskey selections in the world (not just Singapore!), The Auld Alliance, carries over 1,500 whiskies, impressively stocking scotches from every distillery in Scotland.

Their dark timber furnishings and distinguished leather couches, together with towering shelves where the bar’s spirits are displayed, give the place an old world charm.

2. Highlander

With 2 locations now, Highlander carries a vast selections of over 200 whiskies from different regions in Scotland. They offer the finest labels from the Speyside to Islay regions, as well as international whiskies such as Australian, Canadian, Irish, American, and Japanese whiskey.

[caption id="attachment_24817" align="alignnone" width="1960"] Image Credit: 3. Fine Spirits by La Maison du Whisky

One of the largest whiskey distributors in the world, La Maison du Whisky’s first store was opened in Paris in 1968. Fine Spirits is their 3rd outlet in the world (the 2nd is in Madagascar), bringing the same rare and collectible products to our shores.

[caption id="attachment_24816" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Image Credit: Mike Trent[/caption]

By day, they are a dedicated whiskey retailer, and by night, they transform into a swanky bar!

Their selection is outstanding with over 400 varieties of light and dark spirits by the glass, and this extends to their cocktail making too, guaranteeing you a delicious drink whatever you choose.

And if you’re interested in taking home a whole bottle, knock yourself out and choose from 700 varieties of whiskies!

La Maison du Whisky
Address: The Pier @ Robertson Quay, 80 Mohamed Sultan Road #01-10, Singapore 239013
Contact no.: 6733 0059
Opening hours: Mon – Thu, 6pm – 12am; Fri – Sat, 6pm – 1am; Sun, 6pm – 9pm
Website

4. Urban Saloon

Urban Saloon is Singapore’s modern take on the classic western saloon. A one-stop drinking and dining destination, Urban Saloon is a bar and restaurant at the Red Dot Traffic Building promising the “ultimate bourbon whisky experience”.

5. The Flagship

Self-proclaimed ‘Home of the Old Fashioned’, The Flagship is a whiskey-centric bar that takes its inspiration from 1960s American dive bars. From whiskey fanatics to first-timers, there’s something for everyone here!

[caption id="attachment_24126" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Image Credit: Website

6. The WoW

WoW, also known as World of Whisky, certainly lives up to its name! While not necessarily the largest selection in Singapore, they offer well over 200 varieties, the majority of which are unique and of single cask or cask strength bottling, allowing for plenty of exploration.

[caption id="attachment_24128" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: 5 Best Craft Beer Bars For True Blue Beer Lovers In Singapore

(Top Image Credit:

These 8 Soundbites Will Have You Rethinking About The ‘Future Of Jobs’ In Singapore

Being a millennial is no easy feat. We have to balance work, play and family all whilst answering life’s toughest question (“what am I doing with my life?!”). Truth of the matter is, most of us have or will go through a quarter-life crisis where we get pretty panic stricken on what we have achieved and where our future lies.

While questions about who we are and if our life is heading in the right direction can be pretty difficult to answer, we picked up some pretty good advice (and a wee bit of fortune telling) when we headed down to the ‘Future Of Jobs Discussion Panel’ earlier in the week.

The session, organised by Young NTUC, was aimed at equipping youth in navigating the job landscape as well as preparing them for the workplace of tomorrow by giving an insight into how it will evolve.

The panel discussion saw Labour chip in on discussions, giving their candid thoughts on how workers need to stay relevant and stay ahead.

Here are some pretty insightful nuggets of wisdom we picked up:

1. “In about 20 years’ time…jobs that are outside of making music or art are going to be computer programs. Everybody else is going to  be pretty much obsolete “
   – Pulkit Jaiswal 

With disruptions abound, the job landscape in Singapore is ever evolving and becoming increasingly tech heavy. It certainly bodes well to mull over future prospects and continually upskill to be able to plug the gaps in the future economy.

If the recent Committee on the Future Economy report is anything to go by, Singapore is looking ahead to chart the next phase of growth and you definitely do not want to get left behind.

2. “Even in very tech-heavy companies…what you really want to see from a good employee…is somebody who can translate high  technology into something that I can understand”
   – MP Desmond Choo

While we can’t argue that jobs in Singapore’s future are going to be more tech heavy, we still have to keep in mind that to climb the ranks at a company you have to establish soft skills.

In his recent Budget Debate speech, Labour MP Desmond Choo quipped that “being nimble and adaptable to change are the names of the new game.” Knowledge can be passed on but honing your soft skills will be what makes you more indispensable to the company.

3. “In my opinion, what is going to take off in the next 10 to 20 years is this thing I call GRAI. Genetics, robotics and AI technology. I believe that these fields will generate the most amount of revenue“
   – Pulkit Jaiswal

No surprises that industries that will likely see a jump in revenue and investment are tech-heavy. With huge leaps in tech advancements such as self-driving cars, we will very likely continue to see tech companies and start-ups breaking new grounds. As Singapore charts the way forward, it is necessary for workers to “keep up” and harness this technology rather than be replaced by it.

4. “As a society that promotes entrepreneurship, we must be able to embrace people who fail ”
   – MP Baey Yam Keng

Aspiring entrepreneurs are a dime a dozen and while it may sound very tempting to start your own company (your own rules and you answer only to yourself!), it takes a variety of skills, a lot of grit and just a bit of luck. A lot of startups often see themselves shutting its doors even before taking off.

Failure isn’t an easy pill to swallow especially in a competitive country like Singapore. While we are becoming increasingly encouraging of innovation and

entrepreneurship, we also have to be mindful to embrace failure as well.

5. “If you’re starting a business… go out of Singapore and work for a startup… When you’re in Singapore… it’s very easy to get trapped solving very specific problems but when you go out… you’ll actually see a spectrum of problems you never thought could generate not only jobs but revenue”
   – Pulkit Jaiswal

“Go forth, see the world, conquer the world” so that we can gain experience and exposure – two attributes that MNCs value. These #wisewords were told to participants of the Future Leaders Summit by NTUC’s Labour Chief Chan Chun Sing who encouraged PMEs to gain exposure and a global perspective through working beyond Singapore’s shores.

Doing stints overseas can help broaden one’s horizons and encourage thinking out of the box, giving you an edge in the corporate world.

6. “Most of the people who are sitting in a very successful place… were at one point looking for opportunities as well…”
   – Pulkit Jaiswal
   

Every successful person you know of from Bill Gates to Jack Ma have failed at one point or another. Successful entrepreneurs too started from the bottom, looking for investors and opportunities.

Having a successful career may seem like a long shot for someone who has just entered the working world. But, keep in mind that everyone starts from the bottom and that it’s normal to struggle to get to the top.

(Which is what makes achievements taste so sweet!)

7. “No young person coming out of school has a network….”
    – MP Desmond Choo 

While one should always be resourceful in trying to tap on your networks when job hunting, many fresh graduates still require a stepping stone into the corporate world.

This was an issue that prompted Young NTUC to kickstart their Youth Career Network programme to help fresh graduates and first jobbers navigate the working world by linking them up with mentors in the field of work they are thinking of pursuing.

8. “All of you out there the young and the not-so-young, go find somebody to talk to, expand your networks, ask questions…and look for mentors”
   – MP Amrin Amin 

While Amrim Amin joked candidly that the “not-so-young” should also expand their networks and look for mentors, there is some truth to this. And the upcoming Source: Nanyang Polytechnic[/caption]

While such sessions give us a look into the crystal ball at how the workplace of the future is shaping up to be, the onus falls on the individual to proactively seek out opportunities to reskill or upskill as well as expand your networks.

Also read, Everything You Need To Know Before You Take That ‘Easy Money’ Freelance Job

This article was written in collaboration with the NTUC.

7 Oozy Choux Pastries That Will Have You Scrambling To Lick Everything Up

Is there anything better than sinking your teeth into a creamy, oozy choux pastry? No matter the shape or size, they’re a guaranteed flavour bomb!

For all you sweet tooths out there, we’ve put together a list of 7 places where you can get your hands (and lips!) on these tasty cream puffs!

1. Châteraisé Singapore

Originally from Japan, the immensely popular Châteraisé patisserie opened up in Singapore in April 2015. The outlets offer a huge variety of cakes and pastries, including their famed Double Fantasy Cream Puff ($1.90).

Filled with Hokkaido cream and egg custard, they occasionally offer flavours like sweet potato and matcha. This palm-sized pastry is possibly the best thing you can get for under $2!

Châteraisé
Outlets: Jurong East, Shaw House, Novena Square 2, Serangoon Nex, City Square Mall, CityLink, Chinatown Point
Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 10pm
Website

2. Pulse Patisserie

Combining the classic French pastry with the local passion for salted egg yolk, the Salted Egg Yolk Cream Puff ($12 for a half dozen) was born. Pulse Patisserie’s bite-sized creations have a cookie crust top that gives it a crisp texture, perfectly complementing the unique sweet-savoury filling inside.

It’ll probably get messy, but where good food is concerned, who cares! These pretty, petite golden puffs are perfect for a snack, especially when accompanied with a hot cuppa.

Pulse Patisserie 
Address: 180 Depot Road #01-06, The Interlace, Singapore 109684
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed – Fri, 11am – 7pm; Sat, 9am – 7pm; Sun, 9am – 5pm
Website

3. Angela May Food Chapters

Among other sweet treats, you’ll find a range of sweet and savoury choux pastries at Angela May Food Chapters. Not afraid to push the boundaries of pastry, the puffs here contain unconventional ingredients like cucumber, jasmine, mint, sesame, ricotta, and even prawns!

[caption id="attachment_23746" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Image Credit: 6. Les Délices

Translating into “The Delights” in French,  choux pastries are the specialty of Les Délices. Crisp on the outside and hollow and chewy in the middle, it’s perfect for filling up with their delicious pastry creams.

[caption id="attachment_24786" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Image Source: Burpple[/caption]

Their signature puffs come in 3 different flavours – Valrhona Guanaja Choux, Matcha Choux, Earl Grey Choux ($5.90 each). Topped with a crunchy cookie layer, it’s definitely a treat for both the eyes and the tastebuds.

Les Délices
Address: 333 Kreta Ayer Road, Singapore 080333
Opening hours: Mon, 12.30pm – 5.30pm; Tue – Thu, 12.30pm – 10pm; Fri – Sat, 12.30pm – 10.30pm
Image Credit: Website

If any of these delicate creations grab your fancy, head down to these top spots for one (or more) delicious choux pastry to sweeten up your day!

Also read 10 Uniquely Singaporean Cocktails You Can’t Find Anywhere Else In The World

(Top Image Credit: Anakjajan)

Discover SG Ambassador Highlights #8 – Sarawak Noodles, Toys, Virtual Reality & More!

With March coming to an end, DiscoverSG has been bustling with more life than ever! Our lovely DiscoverSG ambassadors have been dropping in on a whole slew of exciting events.

This month’s highlights were full of fun new experiences and homey eats!

1. MINT Museum Of Toys

You’re never too old to play with toys!

The MINT Museum of Toys proves just that. Entering the museum is like stepping into a time capsule of old vintage toys and collectible items.

She was impressed by the collection originating from over 40 countries, including Japan Germany, UK, and Bulgaria. All of them have come a long way in terms of time too, with toys dating all the way back to the 1840s!

You can expect the familiar Batman, Dan Dare, Japanese characters, Mobo horses and pedal cars. In case you were wondering, the whole collection is valued at over S$5million–surely not an amount to play around with.

Come drop by to rekindle that Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys (MINT)!

MINT Museum of Toys
Where: 26 Seah St, Singapore 188382
When: Daily, 9:30AM – 6:30PM
Contact no.: 6339 0660
Wondering where to head to after school?

The Tea Party is our favourite chill out place catering to youngsters.

[caption id="attachment_24695" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: The Tea Party Cafe[/caption]

This cafe serves up fusion-style cuisine in their chillout setting, serving pizza, sandwiches and burgers.

You don’t have to worry about burning a hole in your wallet–all its local and western fare are very reasonably priced.

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BSTacaNhTzS/?taken-by=vaneszs.h[/embed]

Our ambassador Vanessa headed down to The Tea Party Cafe for a laidback meal, and she was pleasantly surprised at how yummy and affordable it all was!

Don’t forget dessert and a cuppa at the end of your meal! We must say, the cakes and scones here are as splendid as the mains.

[caption id="attachment_24698" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: The Tea Party Cafe[/caption]

The cafe is also pet-friendly, so you can de-stress by petting some furry friends. It’s really the perfect place to hang out with friends after a busy week!

The Tea Party Cafe
Where:
Bukit Timah
805 Bukit Timah Road #01-07 Sixth Avenue Centre Singapore 279883
Contact no.: +65 6462 3563

Singapore Management University School of Economics (The Tea Party Express)
90 Stamford Road #01-75 Singapore 178903
Contact no.: +65 68372137

Pasir Panjang
103 Pasir Panjang Road Singapore 118531
Contact no.: +65 96991655
When: Sunday-Thursday: 11:30AM – 11:30PM, Friday-Saturday 11:30AM – 1:30AM
Facebook

3. Armin Only – Embrace Pre-Party

Armin Embrace World Tour is just about to reach our shores!

We don’t know about you, but we’re getting hyped up.

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BR0hQdEh4YB/?taken-by=shivonchua[/embed]

That’s why we were super psyched to get tickets to Armin Van Buuren’s exclusive pre-party at CÉ LA VI!

We sent our ambassadors Vanessa and Shivon down to the official pre-party to get the vibes going. They had a great time partying the night away with DJ Suren and Andrew T!

[caption id="attachment_24697" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Image Credit: If you weren’t there for the pre-party, you can still catch Armin at his Embrace concert!

There’s even an after-party to look forward to, where this 5 time #1 DJ in the world will helm the decks at CÉ LA VI’s Club lounge.

We can’t wait to get up close and personal with the man himself, and revel in his signature brand of electronic synths and chart topping hits, high up in the clouds.

Armin Only Embrace World Tour
Where: The Meadow, Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
When: 1 April,  4.00pm-11.50pm
CÉ LA VI, SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands, Tower 3, 1 Bayfront Avenue Singapore 018971
When: 1st April, 10PM till late
Contact no.: +65 6508 2188
Need a break from the real world?

Enter V-Room SG! It’s the newest kid on the block when it comes to virtual reality (VR) gaming arcades.

[caption id="attachment_24696" align="aligncenter" width="1898"] Image Credit: VRoom SG[/caption]

V-Room brings you into the VR game world using the best VR systems in the world.

Let yourself be visually, physically and emotionally amazed by new virtual worlds filled with awe-inspiring characters, sights and sounds. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BR-w6DagA60/?taken-by=piinkmasquerade

Ambassador Stephanie took a much needed break from her hectic lifestyle recently and had such a blast here! The virtual reality games were so realistic, she found herself lost in that world for a moment.

You too can escape reality and take a step into the future!

VRoom Singapore
Where: 2 Jurong East Central 1, JCube, #02-11, Singapore 609731
When: Daily from 11am to 10pm
Price: VR Room (for 3 pax) priced at $30/hr (weekdays) and $36/hr (weekends)
Contact no.: +65 6904 4045
Website

5. Capella Hotels

Ready to indulge?

Take it from us, there’s no better way to wind down for the week than at Capella Singapore.

[caption id="attachment_24699" align="aligncenter" width="2592"] Image Credit: Our ambassador Diana was treated like royalty when she visited recently! She was served delicious food and drinks, with an amazing classical band playing in the background.

What’s more, Capella is having a promotion now with drinks going at only $20! We’d suggest you check in immediately!

Capella Singapore
Where: Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098297
Contact no.: +65 6377 8888
Website

6. Face To Face Noodle House

Authentic Sarawak cuisine isn’t easy to find in Singapore… at all.

Thanks to Face To Face Noodle House, that’s no longer the case!

[caption id="attachment_24705" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: Face To Face Noodle House[/caption]

Their special noodle recipe traces its roots to Sarawak over 100 years ago. The story begins when the founder’s great grandfather mastered the art of making Jook Sing noodles, one of the rarest forms of noodle-making in existence.

The fresh homemade noodles that he served quickly captured the hearts and stomachs of many Sarawakians.

And Singaporeans too, once they set up shop here in 2015!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSI7DfOAPgx/?taken-by=piinkmasquerade

Our ambassador, Stephanie, was hosted to a sumptuous dinner just the other night!

We dug into delish bowls of Sarawak Laksa and Sarawak Traditional Noodles. Their secret family recipe definitely delighted our tastebuds!

[caption id="attachment_24704" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: Face To Face Noodle House[/caption]

You can also enjoy unique Pan Mee creations that are crafted to suit Singaporeans’ taste.

Come on down and try this Sarawakian secret family recipe!

Face To Face Noodle House

Where: 180 Kitchener Rd, #02-23/24 City Square Mall, Singapore 398628
When: Daily, 11:00AM – 10:00PM
Contact no.: 6509 0182
Website

7. Wanton, Seng’s Noodle Bar

Feeling some time-perfected wanton noodles?

Wanton is a noodle bar on Amoy Street that serves just that!

[caption id="attachment_24703" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: You must have heard of the famous Seng’s Wanton Mee at Dunman Food Centre. Wanton hails from there!

Our ambassador, Grayce, headed down to dig into some bouncy wantons!

[caption id="attachment_24702" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Image Credit: 52 Amoy Street Singapore 069878
When: Lunch Menu: 11.30am – 2.30pm Weekdays (Walk-in Only) Dinner: 6.00pm – 10.00pm (Mon – Thu & Sat), 6pm – 11pm (Sat)
Contact no.: +65 6221 1336

It’s been such a fabulous month with so much happening! We can’t wait to dive into even more events going on in April!

If you’re looking to increase your brand’s awareness and want to introduce products or services both old and new to more Singaporeans, drop us an email at [email protected]. We would love to work with you!

We’re also on the lookout for more ambassadors who are on a mission to discover the fun and exciting things in Singapore. If you love eating, shopping, and discovering new places in Singapore, drop us an email at [email protected].

Also, read 10 Awesome Activities To Kick Start Your April [1-15 April]