Mainland on weekdays, Pulau Ubin on weekends: Poly student helps run grandparents' 100-year-old provision shop
In a city filled with towering buildings, bustling streets and the constant hum of activity, a slower way of life still exists just a short boat ride from mainland Singapore.On Pulau Ubin, where visitors can trade traffic jams for cycling trails and concrete landscapes for lush greenery, 18-year-old Isaac spends his weekends and school holidays with his grandparents, helping out at their provision shop that has been standing for more than a century.The Republic Polytechnic student, who lives with his parents on the mainland during the weekdays, shared a glimpse into his life on the island in an episode of Mediacorp's Gen Z Crash Course, posted on YouTube.Pulau Ubin offers Isaac a quiet retreat from city life, though living there also comes with its share of challenges.Helping out at a century-old provision shopThe provision shop sells snacks, drinks, coconuts and ice cream to tourists, and it also serves as a mini-mart for island residents, stocking everyday necessities such as rice, canned food and soap.His grandmother's coffee is another draw for customers.