Hii Local Guides 
Returning for my 2nd Connect Live felt like a warm homecoming! There is honestly nothing quite like giving real-life hugs to old friends from Connect Live '25 and finally matching faces to avatars with friends I’ve only ever known through Local Guides Connect.
Throughout the entire journey, my Local Guide mode was automatically ON, taking photos, observing venue accessibility, facility features, and checking map details. It’s in my nature: anywhere, anytime! 
Unofficial Photo on Day-1
Unofficial Photo ID team on Day-2
What a whirlwind of community, and here’s how my SG trip went down:
**Day -2: Changi Arrival, First MRT Adventure, & City Navigation **
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The Public Transit Voyage: This is not the first time visiting Singapore, but the first time ever I navigated all the way from Changi Airport to the hotel using public transportation, and I enjoyed it a lot!
Gemini was my ultimate co-pilot, helping me plan my Changi & Jewel itinerary down to the exact details, like what time the Rain Vortex light show starts and where to find the best halal food options, until the detailed plan to reach my hotel without hassle! -
Seamless Luggage Transit: Since I was traveling with a big luggage bag, I got step-by-step guidance on the best MRT routes and station options designed for easy wheeling. Paired with Google Maps, the whole trip from airport to hotel was completely seamless!
It was hot yet so much fun, solo traveling through walkable Singapore! -
Artsy Stay & Solo Chill: Checked in smoothly at lyf Hotel, super artsy, modern, and accessible! It instantly brought back fond memories of staying at lyf in Tokyo for Connect Live 2025!. I was supposed to meet up with an ex-coworker, but since she fell sick, I decided to just chill in my artsy room, catch up on sleep, and plan my next itinerary using Gemini.
- Food Corner: Waking up from my nap, I realized I hadn’t eaten lunch yet! I headed down to a halal food corner at a shopping center right next to lyf that I had noticed earlier. A plate of nasi lemak along with iced tea is heaven while in Singapore on a sunny day! The uniqueness of this store is that we were not the only ones occupying the tables, but “long bean and kangkong” did! It literally covered two tables!
The business owner noticed I was “Malay”, and they suddenly switched to speaking Malay with me! Absolute bliss and such a fun local connection.
Caption: Can you spot the veggies that occupied the tables?
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Rainy Henderson Waves Mission: I was planning to do some jogging and photo hunting at Henderson Waves. Gemini suggested visiting in the afternoon as the best time to go, but just as I was heading out, the sky turned dark and heavy rain poured down.
Determined, I stuck to my plan anyway! But I ended up getting completely lost, even with Google Maps. 
I realized I might be good at writing reviews, but apparently not as great at reading them in real time, especially while checking my phone too much and missing the suggested stop! 
But hey, that’s just a spontaneous mapping exercise, right? I finally arrived at the right destination, which required a hike up Mount Faber. While the path access was great and I loved the trek, it was wet, slippery, and already getting dark. Since night had fallen, I decided it was best to head back to the hotel. I ended up with totally soaked shoes, but it was quite the adventure! 
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Transit Accessibility in Action: On my way back to the hotel, I witnessed a wonderful example of inclusive design in Singapore! An elderly commuter on an electric three-wheeled mobility scooter boarded our bus. The driver immediately stepped out to deploy the portable ramp, allowing her to roll on smoothly and park securely in the dedicated wheelchair space. Seeing seamless accessibility like this integrated so naturally into daily public transit is truly inspiring!
Wheelchair-accessible public buses are standard across the island, making independent urban travel remarkably smooth for everyone. -
Mustafa shop in the evening: Ended the night with the ultimate Singapore rite of passage, an evening shopping spree at the endless maze of Mustafa Center!
While I bought something here, I also did the map editing by adding accessibility features here.
Day -1: Culture, Edits, & Good Company
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Exploring Kampong Glam: Started the morning strolling around the vibrant walls of Haji Lane and rich heritage spots, capped off with a very late brunch at Malay Resto with Nasi Lemak again
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Map Editing on the Go: Adding venue updates, real-time edits, and accessibility features during my exploration walk. I did some review of stores, added some photos, and also added missing facilities within the Sultan Mosque, for example, the vending machine, waste drop-off station, and mom pod (for breastfed); some got approved, and some are still pending to date
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Community Time: Later in the day, I continued enjoying a lovely scientific walk with @Velvel visiting the Art Science Museum that has a special theme “Flesh and Bone”
Caption: ArtScience Museum: Entry & Exhibition Guide 
Just before the scientific walk, I did an accessibility walk around the hotel with @Globe_trotter_Ish also @Velvel and some other local guides who joined us. Look at that happy face; we were so happy, as this was the first day we met almost everyone before the official day of Connect Live. 
Caption: Checking out accessibility features around the hotel: smooth ramps, tactile paving, and pedestrian crossing buttons featuring Braille and touchless wave sensors! 
And finally reconnected with the Indonesian Local Guides (ID LG) team, explored the Marina Bay Sands area with @Velvel @inadwiana @ns_septi and @AndiBrata
Caption: MBS walk and photo
Shared stories over 
a group dinner. and ate tempeh bacem that was brought from East Java to Singapore by @ISAIKBALULSURUR, made with a special recipe by @doni_hariadi - Thank you! It was delicious 
Caption: Indonesia Team Dinner
Indonesia delegation - from front left around to front right (clockwise): @MasJon @ns_septi @Andhyka @ISAIKBALULSURUR @Fahmi10 @Fachry_MyID @iyudhi @AnisaAe @renyraynada21 @sejuta_pelangi @doc_dells @Velvel @Dinithea @NunungAfuah @irulmusmus - photo by @AndiBrata
THE D - DAY!
Day 1: Contribution Walk, Community Team Priorities, Community Panel, Public Karaoke, & Kebab Discovery
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Morning Walk: Before the Exploration Walk started, some ID friends and I had an energetic morning walk to CapitaSpring, the place that went viral on social media.
We took photos in the spring oasis and vertical garden on the top floors! Thanks @NunungAfuah for getting the ticket for us @sejuta_pelangi @inadwiana and, of course, our cool photographer @irulmusmus. So happy we got this photo after finding the best angle.
Caption: CapitaSpring photo
- Then the official CL started with the Exploration walk! It was a sunny day, but it was still fun . We are group 9
@iyudhi @Sarbland @NasimJ @curatorofmemory
Caption: Group 9
Google Office & Community Talk:
- Beyond proud and honored to be selected as one of the panelists for the Community Panel Discussion alongside 4 incredible fellow LGs: @SophatCHY @Trishatishu @NasimJ @SharmaK
Caption: Community Panel
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We shared stories about our personal LG journeys, the typical review, the fun side of being a Local Guide (I really hope my talk was fun!
), and our personal expectations and wish lists for new features on Google Maps! With a medical background, my focus is Human, Health, and Planet. I also highlighted accessibility beyond ramp! -
Special Launch & Acknowledgment: Just before closing our panel, I requested a short moment to officially launch and acknowledge the Tempeh Team as an Indonesian identity, inspired by the iconic Taco Team! @LightRich Big shoutouts to my Tempeh collaborator Velvel and our tempeh designer @irulmusmus !
Caption: Tempeh key chain from @ns_septi !
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Community & Local Impact: Incorporating the unofficial CL design created by Chrystal’s @PennyChristie daughter along with local Tempeh design actually created a real ripple effect back home; local small businesses helped prepare customized small gifts and T-shirts for our delegation. It might seem small, but we are immensely proud to have supported local makers along the way! #SupportLocalBusiness
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Diversity & Inclusion in Action: Between sessions, a few of us had a prayer in the Google office, guided by thoughtful Google SG staff up to the 6th-floor room with a stunning city view
. Although the dedicated ablution facility was under renovation and we adapted using the restroom area, I deeply valued Google’s commitment to accommodating spiritual diversity, bringing back fond memories of a similar welcoming experience at the Google Shibuya office! 
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Welcome Dinner (Mindful Style!): Even with plenty of food options laid out, I wasn’t all that hungry yet! Just nibbled on a few items, enjoyed the specially made Local Guide cookies, tried some drinks, and carefully read through ingredients to ensure everything fit what I could eat. Did the "Take One, Give One" so busy like bazaar
took (too) many photos and videos.
Caption: Busy session of the day!
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Post-Dinner Fuel Run: After the welcome dinner, everyone went back to the hotel and continued with their personal plans for the day. I don’t have specific plans. Since the dinner wrapped up still early evening, my body suddenly decided it needed more protein, carbs, and fresh fruit! Then I planned to cross the street to a FairPrice store alongside some great halal food stalls while doing the accessibility in the morning.
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The Kebab Encounter & Investigation: That’s where I stumbled upon a friendly halal street food Kebab stall (with very charming service from the business owner!
). Naturally, I became a loyal regular on the spot! True to being a Local Guide, I immediately started investigating whether his stall was permanent so I could add it to Google Maps. And yes, for the record, I asked the neighboring stalls too, not just his!
Caption: Al Pasha Kebab Foodstall at Tanjong Pagar Shopping Center
- Once my kebab and fruit hunting was completed, I went back to my room suddenly @iyudhi shared with our ID group that he went to Chinatown and shared the short recording of people doing karaoke in public! As I was already comfortable in my chill room, I wasn’t sure whether I would go down or stay in my room. However, long story short, I was triggered and finally decided to join Ivan, and some ID friends @renyraynada21 and ISA were also there too. Boom! We had public karaoke with a local aunty and her friends, live on TikTok! Here’s a screenshot from the stream; ISA and Ivan were recording us!
Caption: Karaoke in public
It was an interesting evening; we went back and prepared for tomorrow’s agenda!
Day 2: Workshops, Custom Merch Photos, Halal Sushi, & Kebab Loyalty
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Learning & Lunch: Deep dive into Session 2 workshops, sharing big ideas. Those cute Local Guides cookies served during lunch!
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Custom Outfit Photoshoot: Took super fun group photos wearing our custom printed Connect Live outfits together, as well as showing off our new Tempeh T-shirts with pride!
Caption: Tempeh Team
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Speaking of tempeh, as promised to @Kumaarsantosh I brought him crispy tempeh from the tempeh artisan we visited during our MONOLOGUE challenge last June! Extra 1 pack I shared with Vikas.
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The Signature Hunt: I wanted to maximize every single memory from the event, so I set out on a personal mission to collect signatures from all the CL 2026 attendees using the list printed by @SharmaK huge thanks for that! And of course, thank you to everyone who happily signed. My main objective was fully achieved: meeting every single person in real life! @TusharSuradkar was the first to sign, using red ink! Sorry about that
I clicked the wrong button on my pen since I was without my glasses that day.
Caption: completed signatures sheet
Caption: Collecting memories through signatures
Plot twist: I ended up doing the entire day’s signature hunt and everything else, from walking to the hotel lobby, riding the bus, participating in workshops, and even playing ping pong completely without my glasses 
because I had misplaced them in my room 
! So it was a temporary disability for me; I was practically guessing faces and navigating through a blur, but with the sweet help of others, I pulled it off and felt 100% honored to meet every single person! To top it all off, the lovely hotel housekeeper found my glasses and placed them safely on my desk by the time I got back. Talk about a happy ending!
Did you know? That uncorrected refractive errors- like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism- fall directly within the scope of visual impairment?
Without corrective lenses, basic daily tasks like facial recognition and spatial navigation can become significant challenges. Eyeglasses and contact lenses act as essential assistive technologies. The moment we put them on, our vision is corrected! This is why accessibility isn’t just about physical ramps or digital screen readers; access to proper eyewear and clear visual environments is a fundamental part of inclusive design for millions of people worldwide.
- Dinner Day 2: For our Muslim friends, we were treated to halal-certified sushi! Yayyy!
So deeply appreciated having certified halal options provided so thoughtfully. The server also carefully provided the drinks in different glasses as they mentioned it while handing them over to me. Thanks, Google, for this! 
Caption: Halal Sushi
- Ping Pong & Pins: You wouldn’t find a setup like this anywhere else: playing 1-1, then suddenly 2-2, and somehow ending up 2-3 with the number of players @Trishatishu, @Globe_trotter_Ish @deepakjhic @StephenAbraham @NareshDarji @KetanChhaniyara and another local guide; can’t remember it, too many changes of the players! Total chaos, totally didn’t make sense, but it was just so much FUN. Not sure, did anyone take a picture of that unique match?
Caption: Ping Pong Match
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Another sweet surprise from Googlers: received extra Local Guides pins! Plan to use them for the small token of our meet-ups
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Planned night Karaoke totally failed
@Stphn it means we have to meet again soon with other LGs! -
Loyal Customer Returns: Returned to my favorite kebab stall for another round after our sessions as a loyal customer!
Day +1: Rain Swims, Chinatown, Ice Cream with Girls, & Homeward Bound
- Swimming in the Rain: Started our last day with a morning swim right as the rain poured down. So refreshing, and so much fun!
Met with @TinaWill at the pool
Caption: Does anyone remember this sock?
- Ice Cream Walk with the Girls: Met with @Latika_Malhotra while walking to hunt the “viral gellato” with these lovely ladies, @Velvel and @Globe_trotter_Ish soaking in the street-level vibrancy one last time! And ended up stopping at 2 historical buildings for quick visits to the Thian Hock Keng Temple, Singapore’s oldest and most significant Chinese temple, and Nagore Dargah Heritage Center along Telok Ayer Street, a beautiful piece of Indian Muslim history and architectural heritage in Singapore!
And the (very) final destination was Chinatown for (another) quick shopping and Tanjong Pagar Shopping Mall for (another) map editing
Caption: Ladies’ Day Out
Caption: Spotted Gelato that looks like the former Local Guides logo 
- Final Kebab & Heading Home: Made one last trip to my favorite kebab stall before packing up then off to Changi Airport with a full heart, hundreds of photos, and fresh energy to keep mapping and giving back to the community!
Caption: Taking my favorite kebab all the way to Changi!
A Heartfelt Thank You! 
Lastly, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the incredible Google team for making Connect Live 2026 possible! Bringing Local Guides together from every corner of the world and our APAC group was just super great- it’s truly magical. I know I speak for our entire community when I say that this opportunity means the world to all of us.
A huge, special thank you to @Kristen_NYC, @TiffanyBnyc, @TinaWill, @Latika_Malhotra, and @KevinKwok for all the behind-the-scenes work, care, and energy you poured into making this event so special for all of us. Until next time, keep exploring, editing, and mapping! 
