Category: News

All the latest news from the world of geocaching.

/ Carly /

A Guide to Geocaching in Thailand

Colorful is one word that perfectly sums up this unique and beautiful Southeast Asian country. Elephants and noodle soups, white-sand beaches and blue waters, Buddhist temples and ancient ruins, Thailand captivates the hearts of visitors from all corners of the world and leaves everyone with everlasting “Thai smiles” glued to their faces.

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Like attending a Muay Thai boxing match, geocaching has joined the list of fun activities to participate in while in Thailand. There are currently over 1,300 active geocaches hidden throughout the country, all waiting to be discovered by visitors and locals alike. And to make things more exciting, *Thailand is the newest country to receive a Geocaching souvenir!

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Although we all wish we could jump on a plane and head there now, this list of 5 amazing geocaches will have to do the trick. Enjoy!

 

1. GC2JDFG — Grand Palace
Cache Owner: JamieZel
Type: Traditional
D/T Rating: 1.5/1.5

PicMonkey Collage

There’s no place quite like the sprawling and bustling city of Bangkok. Golden Buddhist temples collide with large megamalls festooned with bright neon lights. And there’s no city quite as hot. Bangkok has an annual mean air temperature of 28°C. When geocaching, dress for the intense humidity and be on the lookout for muggles. This traditional cache was placed near the ornate Grand Palace which is a must-see attraction in the city. Afterwards, eat your heart out at any local food stand, as the street cuisine in Bangkok is phenomenal.

Be on the lookout for Siamese kitties as you wander the streets. They are native to Thailand.

 

2. GC24XKT — Ko Phi Phi Lee – (Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park)
Cache Owner: Calico-Jack
Type: EarthCache
D/T rating: 3.5/1.5

Thebeach

What’s a trip to Thailand without visiting the insanely famous island of Ko Phi Phi? This island served as the backdrop to the 2000 cult classic “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Although  the island is no longer uninhabited as it was in the film, it’s still just as breathtaking.

 

3. GC5G9N0 — Up and down! (Railay Lagoon)
Cache Owner: ChrisA33 & Damonstah
Type: Traditional
D/T Rating: 3/4.5

lagoon

Rumor has it that the best cache in all of Thailand is located in the rock climbing paradise island of Railay. If they attempt it, geocachers are sent on an exciting and challenging adventure to a hidden blue lagoon. It’s no easy task, though. Bring good hiking boots and a friend you can lean on (literally).

 

4. GC932A — Thailand’s Highest Point
Cache Owner: Steve (Licorice)
Type: Virtual
D/T rating: 1/1

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Thailand is home to some incredible mountainous regions. If you head up north towards Chiang Mai, also known as the “Rose of the North”, you’ll encounter these areas, all of which have been transformed into National Parks. This virtual cache is the location of Thailand’s highest point and the views are breathtaking. After exploring the area, spend some time wandering through the night markets and delicious restaurants in Chiang Mai.

 

5. GC48FEJ — Wat Mahathat
Cache Owner: thorshammers
Type: Traditional
D/T rating: 1.5/1.5

north

Located about five hours north of Bangkok, Sukhothai was the first ancient capital of Thailand (known as Kingdom of Siam at the time) from 1238 to 1438. The Sukhothai Historical Park is now a great place to explore. There are several geocaches hidden throughout the park including this well-placed micro. If time allows, explore some of the local rice fields. Thailand is the largest exporter of rice in the world!

 

*Thailand is the fifth and final Geocaching country souvenir to be released this year! Souvenirs are virtual pieces of art that are displayed on your Geocaching profile page when you find a geocache in certain locations. A list of of currently available Geocaching souvenirs and even the ones you’ve already earned can be found on Geocaching.com. And, if you’ve already found a geocache in Thailand, we will retroactively add this souvenir to your profile in December 2015.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or right here on our Blog to find out out more.

What geocaches are on your Thailand geocaching trip bucket list?

 

/ Paige Edmiston

Das neueste Ländersouvenir: Türkei!

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Um dieses Souvenir zu erhalten, kannst Du entweder in Osteuropa oder Asien einen Geocache finden – die Türkei erstreckt sich über zwei Kontinente. Wenn Du die Türkei besuchst, solltest Du auf keinen Fall verpassen:

  • Dieser Mystery-Geocache befindet sich in Istanbul, der fünftgrößten Stadt der Welt und bekannt dafür, Europa und Asien zu verbinden.
  • Die Burg von Bodrum bietet Dir die Gelegenheit, die Geschichte des 15. Jahrhunderts zu entdecken, den Seeblick zu genießen und Deiner Fundliste einen weiteren Smiley hinzuzufügen.
  • Die Düden-Wasserfälle und dieser EarthCache lassen sich am besten vom Boot aus erkunden – aber stelle Dich darauf ein, dabei nass zu werden!

Erfahre mehr über Geocaching in der Türkei und andere Länder-Souvenirs im Geocaching-Blog.

Du kannst außerdem auf zwei weitere Länder-Souvenirs gespannt sein, die in den kommenden Wochen veröffentlicht werden.

Hier sind die Geocaches in der Türkei mit den meisten Favoritenpunkten.

/ Paige Edmiston

3 Tipps für eine fantastische Neujahrs-Geocaching-Party!

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Das neue Jahr steht vor der Tür – genauso wie zwei neue Souvenirs: Tschüß-2015 und Hallo-2016! Du kannst diese Souvenirs am 31. Dezember und 1. Januar verdienen, indem Du an einem Event teilnimmst oder einen Geocache findest.

Event-Listings müssen spätestens am 17. Dezember eingereicht werden. Das bedeutet, dass es Zeit ist, mit der Planung zu beginnen! Um Dir den Anfang zu erleichtern, kannst Du hier 3 Tipps erfahren, wie Du eine fantastische Neujahrs-Geocaching-Party veranstalten kannst:

1. Wähle ein tolles Thema aus. Zwei Klassiker sind: “DNF-Vergebungs-Party” oder “Muggle-Einführung”.
2. Organisiere eine Fotokabine. Gäste können Fotos mit ihren Geocaching-Vorsätzen machen. Hier kannst Du Vorlagen herunterladen, die dafür verwendet werden können.
3. Plane Aktivitäten, die allen Spaß machen. Lies diesen Blog-Eintrag, um Dich von den Ideen inspirieren zu lassen.

 

/ Janelle /

Our Newest Geocaching Country Souvenir: Türkiye

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The Republic of Turkey is transcontinental—spread across Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is surrounded by three seas: The Mediterranean, Black Sea, and the Aegean Sea. The unique geographic location and varied landscape give Turkey a diverse cultural richness that is evident in every region of the country. You’d be hard pressed to find a more passionate, fun, and cosmopolitan group of geocachers anywhere in the world.

And here’s the big news: Turkey is the newest Geocaching country souvenir to be released this year! Souvenirs are virtual pieces of art that are displayed on your Geocaching profile page when you find a geocache in certain locations.

5 Wonderful geocache you can find in Turkey
Just five of the many wonderful geocache you can find in Turkey

To celebrate, we are also highlighting five must-see geocaches from this marvelous land. Come with us, won’t you?

 

First stop: Istanbul. A gorgeous city that straddles two continents, ranks as the world’s 5th-largest city proper, and is the largest European city.

Istanbul is an enormous city that connects Europe and Asia, East and West

GC43K3Y – TOP 10 POI Istanbul

GC43K3Y - TOP 10 POI Istanbul
GC43K3Y – TOP 10 POI Istanbul

This Mystery Cache acts as a tour guide for the Sultanahmet district—a must see for any visitor. Framed as a mystery, this geocache leads you through the center of the Old City of Istanbul and many of the city’s points of interest (POI). You’ll need at least two days to solve this Mystery, but you’ll experience Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia/Ayasofia Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, and Basilica Cistern so it is definitely worth it.

 

GCG3W3 – Pure Pearl

GCG3W3 - Pure Pearl
GCG3W3 – Pure Pearl

This Virtual Cache is found at the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, also known as the Second Bosphorus Bridge, which crosses the Bosphorus strait and connects Europe with Asia. You’ll need to visit by automobile (on top) or boat (underneath). No pedestrians and certainly no stopping on the bridge allowed!

 

GC42RCW – TAG you are it !! – OMActivities

GC42RCW - TAG you are it !! - OMActivities
GC42RCW – TAG you are it !! – OMActivities

Enjoy the 24-hour hustle and bustle of Istiklal Street, bursting with shops, cafes, bars, and nightlife. No cars are allowed in this area, and the streets are full of locals and tourists alike looking for some fun. Find this beloved Traditional cache full of great Trackables and SWAG, then write a heartfelt log from a lovely street cafe over wine or coffee.

 

Next stop: Bodrum. Previously a simple fishing village, Bodrum has become a tourist mecca with idyllic beaches, boutique hotels, and a shining marina over the last few decades.

Bodrum is located in the southwest Aegean Region of Turkey
Bodrum is located in the southwest Aegean Region of Turkey

GC1HN97 – Gokart15 [Bodrum Castle]

GC1HN97 - Gokart15 [Bodrum Castle]
GC1HN97 – Gokart15 [Bodrum Castle]
Site of a long ago Turkish invasion, construction began in the 14th century with the  Knights Hospitaller and has continued into the 20th century. Bodrum Castle is a stunning array of English, French, Spanish, and German-influenced Medieval architecture. The cache is a small tin box that you’ll find between a rock and a hard place.

 

Final stop: Antalya. Antalya is full of beaches, mosques, churches, Turkish baths, and museums.

Antalya is the largest Turkish city on the Mediterranean coast
Antalya is the largest Turkish city on the Mediterranean coast

GC1FG1A – Duden Waterfalls

GC1FG1A - Duden Waterfalls
GC1FG1A – Duden Waterfalls

This EarthCache is a series of several waterfalls created from two large karstic sources that merge, go underground, and then resurface to form the falls. This geocache is best experienced from a boat for a truly spectacular view. But if you decide to take a boat, make sure you’re alright with the possibility of getting soaked.

 

Inspired yet? Turkey has so much to offer in terms of scenery, culture, and geocaching.

We’ll unveil one new souvenir every week until all FIVE are officially released and awarded by mid December. Souvenirs that are currently available can be found here. A list of of currently available Geocaching souvenirs and even the ones you’ve already earned can be found on Geocaching.com. And, if you’ve already found a geocache in Turkey, we will retroactively add this souvenir to your profile after all five country souvenirs are announced.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or right here on our Blog to find out which countries are next.

Do you live in Turkey, have you ever been, or will you travel there in the future? Tell us your experience in the comments below!

/ Guest Writer /

Join the hunt to discover lost treasures from The Revenant

Does travel to extreme locations, facing the unknown, and surviving harsh winter wilderness sound like you? Join the hunt to discover lost treasures from The Revenant.

This winter, in association with Geocaching HQ, Twentieth Century Fox Filmed Entertainment has hidden a series of twenty limited edition movie props — as Trackables! Launching in select cities across the United States, Mexico, Europe, and Australia, the movie props will travel from location to location as geocachers log their finds and place them in a new geocache to continue the artifact’s journey. Share your find via social media by posting a photo using #TheRevenant. Check out more details on the Fox Movies page (scroll to the middle). 

The authentic movie props range from leather bags to ceramic pots to ropes.
The authentic movie props range from leather bags to ceramic pots to ropes.

About the movie: Inspired by true events, The Revenant is an immersive and visceral cinematic experience capturing one man’s epic adventure of survival and the extraordinary power of the human spirit. In an expedition of the uncharted American wilderness, legendary explorer Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is brutally attacked by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team. In a quest to survive, Glass endures unimaginable grief as well as the betrayal of his confidant John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). Guided by sheer will and the love of his family, Glass must navigate a vicious winter in a relentless pursuit to live and find redemption. The Revenant is directed and co-written by renowned filmmaker, Academy Award winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman, Babel).

There are even several geocaches out there (predating this movie) about Hugh Glass, including “Legendary Hunters – Hugh Glass” in Pennsylvania and “Old West #9 Hugh Glass” in Utah.

 

 

We can’t wait to see the adventures unfold as these Trackables travel to incredible places and continue to be discovered! Do you see your favorite movie prop trackable in this trailer?

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