Best of travel
didn't even have to leave the state for the best beige meal of the year
Lately with the sun setting in the afternoon, the midnight oil feels especially scarce. It’s late no matter what time it is.
This week, I’ve been thinking ahead to the end of the year already, the holiday season and what not. I’m constructing my year-end Best Of lists to fill out my publishing schedule in December and can’t wait to do that review for y’all and for my own inventory.
In that vein of reflection, I’ve also been thinking back fondly on the trips I’ve taken this year and have for you today this listicle of highlight travel moments that couldn’t belong anywhere else but here.
Best snack
The squiggly, starchy krupuk (Javanese deep fried crackers) specifically in this giant tub at Dwike’s parents’ house were truly an elite munchie.
Best blacklight mini golf course
If you ever find yourself in the town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, promise me you will stop by the Mothman themed mini golf course. They went all out on the set decoration and the actual golfing is a blast (peep the loop-de-loop track in the bottom right of this picture).
Best journaling purchase
This handmade, handbound journal from the Grassroots Art Center in Lucas, Kansas was a great find. For only having a population of about 350 people, this place pops up everywhere on lists of best small towns in the country for arts.
Best underrated National Park from the few I went to during my first ever trip to Utah
Capitol Reef National Park. You’ll get the beautiful red rocks you crave, a pie shack within park grounds, and 1000-year-old petroglyphs carved into cliff sides, all with significantly less traffic than Zion or Bryce Canyon.
Best beige meal
This diner haul the girls and I grabbed after traveling across the whole state of Pennsylvania to make it to the path of totality in time for the solar eclipse in May HIT DIFFERENT.
Best nighttime at 3:17pm
Best nap
On wedding day in Indonesia, I woke up before 5am to get dressed for the day, make sure the bride ate, and socially prepare myself for the event that is a big Asian wedding all before things kicked off at 8am. From 1-3:30 that afternoon, when the wedding party moved from the home to the reception venue, I knocked out harder than I have anytime in recent memory.
Best cute little statue
This lion at Prambanan Temple had the goofiest eyes but since it sits in shadow this just did not come out that well in pictures, you’ll have to take my word.
Best kindness from strangers
The birthday cake and song the hotel staff gave me at my resort in Yogyakarta still make me smile.
It’s not all bests out on the road, but I’m so grateful for many amazing moments out there this year.
What have you been reading, listening to, and watching this year? Reply to this email or comment below to submit your picks for the Best Of media editions out this December! Whether it’s a podcast episode that blew your mind, a beach read that perfectly fit a summer afternoon, or commentary on whatever they did with Netflix’s 3 Body Problem, send a quick message with your Best Of for this year. No need to explain yourself, or you can write a small essay. All submissions will be shared anonymously!