The Secret of Monkey Island is a 1990 point-and-click graphic adventure game. It takes place in a fantastic version of the Caribbean during the age of piracy. The player assumes the role of Guybrush Threepwood, a young man who dreams of becoming a pirate and explores fictional islands while solving puzzles. Filled with unlikely characters and oddball humour, the game is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of the genre.
At the beginning of the game, Guybrush arrives on the fictional Mêlée Island, with the desire to become a pirate. He seeks out the island's pirate leaders, who set him three trials that he must complete in order to fulfill his ambition. The third of these trials is THE ART OF TREASURE, er, HUNTERY. Of course.
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But before we continue, let me tell you something. This puzzle cache is in two parts: the at-home part and the on-site part. You need to solve the at-home part before solving the on-site part. And for the at-home part, I need to take a brief diversion from our storyline. Here goes:
A basic element of point-n-click adventure games, like Monkey Island, is picking up every random object you can find, as it may allow you to overcome an obstacle in a different part of the game, and thus make progress. A code can unlock a box; a chicken can get you across the sea.
So let’s assume you’re playing an adventure game, and you find a locked treasure chest. You are carrying a 1960s gramophone record single, a business card from Denmark, a sapphire ring, and a Colt pistol. You try using each item on the chest, but you still can’t open it. You look closer, and there’s a lock requiring a number. Have a think ... The key is in your hands …
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OK, back to the adventures of Guybrush (the on-site part).
The pirate leaders tell Guybrush that he must find the legendary lost treasure of Mêlée Island, but treasure hunting proves a challenge for Guybrush. He procures a map from a dubious street vendor, only to find that it looks more like dance moves: left, right, or back. Here it is:
The treasure is buried deep in a maze-like jungle. In at every crossroads of the jungle, there are exits: to the left, right, or at the back. Hmm.
For this cache, you will seek the treasure too — but since this is Hong Kong, you will be seeking it in the urban jungle. The given coordinates are at a crossroads. This is your starting point. You are facing NW, looking down Ormsby Street. Can you find your way to the treasure of Mêlée Island?
Here are some extra tips for your hunt:
- Surrounding buildings affect GPS reception. Check the photo to be sure you have the right starting point.
- ‘Back’ actually means 'straight ahead' — just like in Monkey Island.
- Stop and consider your next move at every turn and junction.
- All paths are good to use — not just roads for cars. But don’t go into private property.
- The treasure map will lead you to another crossroads (an intersection of two roads).
- Search all corners of this crossroads carefully. Like all pirate treasure, X marks the spot!
Important notes:
- You must solve the at-home puzzle before you do the on-site puzzle. You will need the answer to the at-home puzzle to get the treasure. You can check your answer to the at-home puzzle below.
- There is a path all the way to the final.
- Please return and reset everything exactly how you found it for the next cacher.
- Absolutely NO SPOILERS about any part of this cache. Please let the next cacher enjoy this puzzle in full, thank you!
- There is a keyword inside the logbook. Make a note of it for later.
- The other caches in this series so far are Monkey Island: 1. The Art of the Sword and Monkey Island: 2. The Art of Thievery.
You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.