Top Ten Countries

Hi Friends,

I may only be 12, but I have been fortunate to travel the world. Speaking of #travel, Prodigy Strats has only been around a month and has already been read in 15 countries and 18 U.S. states! That's epic, thank you! Today I will share my top ten favorite countries I've visited, all of which are amazing. Without further ado, let's hop on board Prodigy Strats Airways and get going!

Photo by Dad. Animated with ChatGPT.

India

I last went to India when I was five, but I am excited to go back someday. At the end of the day, India is a large part of who I am. My culture, my family, my religion, the best food of all time, and so much more. It's a great place to visit and I'm sure it would move even higher up my list if I went again. If I had to recommend a spot to visit, it'd be Kerala, on the southwestern tip. There are beautiful trees and waterways, and coconuts for days!

Canada

I live north of Seattle and can get to Canada in two hours driving (well I don't drive legally quite yet)! I go to Vancouver, BC often for the fantastic food, great chess, and the city as a whole is so beautiful. Stanley Park is a gem to walk around, and you should catch a Whitecaps game at BC Place or Canucks game at Rogers Arena! As for restaurant reccos, Saravanaa Bhavan for authentic south Indian and Happy Singh Street Eats for fusion vibes can't be beat.

Singapore

Not going to lie, it's been a minute. I still distinctly remember the Gardens by the Bay as a completely unique experience that's a must see. Also, Singapore Changi Airport is probably my favorite airport in the world with incredible gardens, waterfalls, restaurants and entertainment. Singapore Airlines is also my favorite airline and has many direct flights from the USA. Also, I think the nicest hotel I've ever stayed in was there, Shangri-La!

Belize

Belize is a hidden Central American and Caribbean gem. You can drive the entire country but be ready for speed humps and potholes everywhere! The people are super nice and you get the perfect blend of beach luxury with natural beauty. You can glamp in a jungalow in Belmopan, enjoy beach vibes in Placencia, and fabulous coconuts in Corozal. You can learn about chocolate and coconut farming and have amazing food at places like La Piccola Pizzeria and Shekar Indian Restaurant.

Belgium

Breakfast. Comics. Chocolate. Manneken Pis. Y'all, this is the most irreverent and fun place. Take a comic strip walk around Brussels and experience incredible enormous building side art! The waffles are legit the best in the world. Have fun and don't take yourself too seriously.

Iceland

I've been to this beautiful nation twice. It's truly one of the most beautiful places in the world. Honestly, it's number one in my book for natural beauty. Icelandair is awesome and has incredible deals from the USA to Europe. Ngl it's cold so pack some merino wool! There's great chess here (shoutout Reykjavík Open), incredible museums (shoutout Perlan Wonders of Iceland), and fabulous food (Hafnartorg). Geothermally heated walkways, underground passages, and the best water in the world only make it more incredible.

United Kingdom

I love the UK. I went very recently so maybe this has a bit of recency bias. I share my experiences from my epic choir trip here: Travel Intro. From the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland to Conwy Castle in Conwy, Wales, to the Chester Cathedral in Chester, England, this place is living history.

France

The best breads, pastries, and cheeses in the world. Need I say more? We were there for the Paris 2024 Olympics which was super fun. We got to play outdoor chess at Jardin du Luxembourg, which I highly recommend. Check out spectacular city views from the Tour Montparnasse, including the Eiffel Tower. Splurge for a river cruise on the Seine River. We went on a private cruise there with the fam that I'll never forget!

United States of America

Home, sweet home. I've been to over half the states in my beautiful homeland. Some highlights include the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the Garden of 1000 Buddhas in Montana, Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the National Videogame Museum in Texas, and Chihuly Garden and Glass in my home state of Washington. If you're coming to visit, give yourself some time, there's so much to see!

Japan

Japan can't be beat. Everything about it is perfection. I love the language, the trains, the vibes, the cities, the natural beauty, the kindest and cleanest people, and so much more. Universal Studios Japan is the best theme park in the world. Tokyo is the best city in the world. There's Pokémon everywhere, and everyone commits to doing everything to the fullest. From skyscrapers to floating gardens to bullet trains to cherry blossoms to great cuisine, Japan truly has it all. I highly recommend the themed Mimaru hotels. We stayed at a Pokémon hotel in Ueno, Tokyo and a board gaming/escape room hotel in Osaka and I can honestly say, they were some of the coolest hotel experiences I ever had. One more thing: Konbini! These are little convenience stores that pack a punch! You can get everything at a Konbini! We need to get these in the USA!

Before I let you go, top secret info coming at you: New Zealand 2027 is in the works! I wonder if it'll crack my top ten?! If you have any recommendations for places I should visit in the future, please drop them in the comments so everyone can see them too!

That's all for today! See y'all next time! Sarang out.