Join Me on a Blind Date with the World

Are you an adventurous traveler?  Do you like having new experiences wherever you travel, yet have grown accustomed to the creature comforts of a nice bed and place to sleep?  Do you have a sense of competitiveness belying that ever-so-cool traveler facade?

If so, the Global Scavenger Hunt ‘09 could be just the travel adventure that you’re looking for!

The scavenger hunt, or A Blind Date with the World as it’s also called, is a real round-the-world travel adventure and competition.  This is not a scripted television event, it’s about real people and real experiences.

The Global Scavenger Hunt is all about allowing real travelers to compete in a real travel adventure competition, for all the right reasons–the love of travel, trusting strangers in strange lands and giving something back to the planet.”

Here’s how it works:

The 2-person teams will be given a list of things to find, do, or experience.  You’ll have to solve riddles, follow clues, answer trivia questions.  It’s just like the scavenger hunts that you may have had as a kid.  Only in this version you’ll be in exotic destinations immersing yourself in local culture.  It’s the ultimate travel game – and the world is your game board.

But it’s not really a race – it’s a rally, too.  Some contests will be based on racing and speed, while others will be rally based.  The rally part of the adventure will be like a to-do list of experiences, with points award for each that you accomplish.  Teams will have to devise a strategy to go for the big point experiences or multiple lower point ones. 

In other words, it’s just like real travel.  You’ll never be able to do everything on your list, so you have to devise a strategy as to what you can to based on your time available.

The race/rally combination of adventurers means that you won’t miss the world as you race through.  You’ll also have time to appreciate the places you’re visiting.  There is also free time and downtime worked into the schedule.

The one thing that grabbed me about this competition is that it is a First Class experience.  You’ll stay in First Class accommodations, eat delicious meals, and attend great events.  You’ll need a daypack, but you can leave your bulky backpack at home and just bring your roller bag.

Of course, luxury doesn’t come cheap.  In this case it comes with a $9.900 price tag, which includes all international airfare to and from the beginning and ending cities, First Class hotels, some special events and group banquets, some ground transportation, and some goody bags.  Additionally, you’ll also want to plan for some day-to-day expenses, both for scavenger and personal purchases.  $125 per day per team is probably a good budget.

I’d love to do this trip, but with the January 17th application deadline looming, and without a spare 10k laying around, it’s not in the cards for this year.  (Unless I can find sponsors or figure out a way to raise that kind of cash in two weeks.) 

But — as soon as this year’s event is over, I’m going to go looking for a partner and start raising some money because in 2010 I want to go on a Blind Date with the World. 

Anyone want to join me?  Come on, I know there are some great travelers out there and we could put together a dynamite team.  Who’s willing to step up and say "Yeah, let’s do it!”

Note:  The Global Scavenger Hunt is more than just a competition.  It’s also about raising a million dollars for its charitable foundation and the many organizations that it helps to fund (including Kiva, Free the Children, Doctors without Borders, and CARE).

Photo credit:  SXC