How I Take My Photos When Solo Traveling? | Day 2 in Singapore: Peranakan Houses, Kampong Glam, Muji Cafe&Meal, National Museum

On Instagram, people asked me how I took my photos when traveling alone. 

I've tried so many solo traveling photo hacks, but my favorite is using this tripod with discreet camera remote: https://tinyurl.com/mtmzybpc. For phone photography, this realme tripod is perfect: compact, lightweight so it won't make your bag heavy, and it feels sturdy too. 

You can also use it as a selfie stick, although I like my travel photos to focus more on the sights than my face hehe. Remote can be connected to your phone via bluetooth, and is detachable from the tripod--working at 10m distance range (para hindi na need mag habol ng self-timer). Price is also midrange, currently at Php 840 from Php 1190.

On my 2nd full day in Singapore, I was so lazy to get up. I had a long day 1, coming from the airport, getting lost while navigating Singapore without internet, and then meeting my cousin at night. I just wanted to stay in bed, but I know it's a short trip and if there's a day that I needed to maximize it was this!

The day before, I had a series of unfortunate events that I didn't want to attract even more so I did not take to heart, so I get giddy over little things that went well. Example, to me my 2nd day started off great. I had the good decision to buy breakfast (egg sandwich) the night before, which I had with the instant coffee provided in my room. By around 9am I was already out and about. I think it was a good call too, since it's already past the train station rush hour. 

Quick breakfast in my room to wake myself up:

I was deciding where to go for the day. I realized that although I've planned an itinerary for this trip, super sabog pa nya. So many places to visit in just 2 full days. But also, so many places I've already been to in Singapore that I am trying to avoid (para maiba naman). Since I wasn't able to achieve last night's goal of seeing the Peranakan Houses in my cousin's area, I decided to just go there first--then just play it by ear.

Peranakan Houses 

As expected, it was easier to spot the rows of pastel houses with an internet. While taking pictures across the busy road, I wondered how travelers took photos here and why people go here aside from being cute and very Instagram worthy. So I consulted Google (lol). 

The colorful Peranakan architecture turned out to be an almost lost art with lots of history, so Singapore made sure to preserve them. Peranakan families are businessmen, and these vibrant houses with floral tiles are their shophouses decorated to bring wealth and prosperity to their family. To this day, these shophouses are utilized as homes, cafes, and small boutiques.  

It was my cousin's flight that day, but she recommended that I also try Tigerlily Bakery while in Joo Chiat. It was a hot day, so I stopped by for iced coffee and an almond croissant. I feel so happy whenever the food looks this pretty.

Kampong Glam 

Second stop of the day was in Kampong Glam or Kampong Gelam, the Muslim center of Singapore. Popular dining and shopping areas here include Haji Lane and Arab Street. For this day though, it was too hot out so I preferred to stay indoors and bought a ticket to their museum via Klook during my bus ride. 

Saw the Masjid Sultan (or Sultan Mosque) while walking towards the museum. It looks majestic! At the Malay Heritage Center I was told that the entrance is FREE that day! Buti nalang ang bilis mag refund ng Klook. 

Muji Cafe and Meal - Raffles City

I decided to have late lunch / snack / early dinner (lol) in a Muji Cafe&Meal in Raffles City Shopping Centre. On my way, I passed by CHIJMES which is said to be a former church converted into a commercial space. Sabi nila it's also the shooting location for Crazy Rich Asians. Lots of restaurants inside, but I decided to still go for my original plan. 

I walked and walked till I reached Raffles City. From cultural to the mall, haha! Mapapa Mall-Sweet-Mall talaga the city girl in me! Went straight to Muji, and almost got lured by shopping. Pumila muna ako sa cafe.

I ordered the 2 deli set where you can choose 1 hot and 1 cold dish, 16 Grain Rice, White Rice, or Bread, Miso Soup or Cumin Carrot Soup, Onsen Egg or Hijiki. I also got a seasonal drink, which is very Japanese. 

Prior going, I already checked their website for the menu to be sure that they have vegetarian offerings and also para alam ko na din yung expected price range. Super happy with it, and also got to shop in Muji before leaving.

What I had:

2 Deli Set
🍴Tofu Patty with Shiitake Mushroom Sauce
🍴Orecchiette Pasta and Mushroom Salad in Truffle Ranch Dressing
🍴 16 Grain Rice
🍴 Cumin Carrot Soup
🍴 Hijiki

🍹 Iced Houjicha Passionfruit Tea

Total = PHP 773

National Museum of Singapore

Last stop, I went to the National Museum of Singapore to catch an exhibit before he museum closes for the day. Again, museum entrance turned out to be FREE that day too! I checked the galleries, and saw a limited time only exhibit called DISLOCATIONS: MEMORY AND MEANING OF THE FALL OF SINGAPORE, 1942.

There is a section in the exhibit called the Student Archivist Project, wherein mismong youth nila nag compile ng stories about the fall of Singapore from Japan. "Never forget" is real for them!

Actual things and newspaper during the 1940s:

Back in my hotel, tinamad na ako mag dinner and feeling ko busog pa ako from Muji. I just bought chips in 7eleven, and had it with my favorite White Chocolate Coated Freeze-Dried Strawberry that I got in Muji. Sharing my little haul for the day! :)

To be continued....