Summary

The website content describes the creation and execution of a DIY treasure hunt project in a hostel in Varna, Bulgaria, by the authors Jill and Chris, which includes a series of clues leading to a treasure chest filled with foreign currencies and trinkets for travelers to exchange or contribute to.

Abstract

In response to a call for submissions by Amanda Laughtland for the publication "DIY Diaries," Jill and Chris detail their favorite creative project of 2022: a treasure hunt they designed and implemented in a hostel. The project was inspired by the theme of boats and pirates, fitting for the seafaring city of Varna, and utilized a collection of foreign currencies accumulated over five years of travel. The treasure hunt features a series of creative clues painted on canvases, leading participants through the hostel to find the treasure chest. This chest, once adorned with Marilyn Monroe's image, was repurposed and decorated to hold the treasure. The project not only engaged travelers but also encouraged them to contribute their own currencies, making it an interactive and evolving experience. The authors also provide a link to a YouTube video showcasing the entire treasure hunt.

Opinions

The authors express that the treasure hunt project was their most enjoyable and challenging creative endeavor of the year.
They believe that the treasure chest, filled with foreign currencies and small items, is an actual treasure that can be both taken from and contributed to by other travelers.
The project is described as fun and engaging, with the hostel's guests excited and intrigued by the treasure hunt.
The authors are pleased to report that other travelers have already begun to add their extra currencies to the treasure chest, indicating the project's success in fostering a sense of community and shared experience among travelers.
The authors encourage readers to subscribe to Medium through their referral link for full access to their articles and to follow their nomadic journey through various social media platforms.

DIY | TREASURE HUNT | CREATIVITY

Creating a Treasure Hunt From Scratch

My favorite creative project in 2022.

Clue #1 is placed behind the front desk in easy view. Photo Credit: Author

This article is a response to Amanda Laughtland’s request for us to report on our favorite DIY project from 2022.

While our creativity carries us around the world, and we are constantly creating things, I have to say that this project was the most fun this year and a bit challenging.

Chris and I recently finished a mural project in Bulgaria that had the theme of boats and pirates. It was in a hostel in Varna, a city that lies on the edge of the Black Sea. Of course, being a seafaring city, stories of boats and pirates are common.

While painting the mural, I thought that we should make a treasure hunt around the hostel. Making the clues and creating the hunt was a challenge in itself, but what could the treasure possibly be?

Then I had an epiphany.

Since we have been traveling full-time now for five years, we have collected a stockpile of random coins and currencies from many of the countries that we had visited. Each time we don’t use up all of the currency when we leave a country, we would put it in our passport wallet’s zippered pocket. This pocket was getting increasingly full, and it was starting to get really heavy.

Before we left Africa in August 2022, we declared that we needed to find a way to leave our currency someplace that we stayed.

We claimed that we would find a a way to create an art project that we could put it into somehow.

Well, it seemed that the art project had presented itself. We decided that the treasure chest would be a collection of foreign currencies (paper money and coins), and it would be something that people could add to if they wish, or take from if needed. If they found the currency of the next country they were going to, then they were free to take it.

This makes it an actual treasure!

I also had a few single earrings and some pieces of jewelry that I didn’t want anymore that we added to the mix. And our host had some beads and other knick knacks that she threw in.

Right away, other travelers started adding their extra currencies to the pot as well, and in short order, we had quite the treasure on our hands!

A real treasure trove! Photo Credit: Author

I knew that we would need to create clues, and one day while shopping at the supermarket I saw a stack of four small painting canvases that were on sale, so I quickly bought them with the idea to make them into the clues of the hunt.

I knew I could paint on the front of them, then write clues on the back. So that is just what I did.

The clues

As you can see in the lead photo, this image provides the first clue to the hunt. It is now framed and hangs just behind the reception counter making it easy to see.

Clue #1: Everyone knows that a compass will point them in the right direction. Check behind it to find your way.

The compass clue hangs on the wall just past reception. Photo Credits: Author

On the back of the compass is clue #2.

Clue #2: She sells seashells on the western seashore. Head west to find your next clue.

Following the western arrow will take people to the next clue.

Clue #3: Setting an anchor is necessary before we can search for the treasure.

Anchor painting holds the next clue. Photo Credits: Author

Clue #4: Sparkly rings and shiny things await you at the end of the hunt.

Ring painting by Jill and Chris. Photos by Author.

Clue #5: A painting of a ring is not a real treasure! The treasure chest holds the valuable loot.

See what you can find and take what is useful, or leave something behind for the next ones!

At this point, the participants have to find the treasure chest which is really not that difficult. But it is sitting higher up on a shelf, so it depends on where they are looking.

The treasure chest! Photo credit: Author

Inside the chest is another message:

Congratulations! You are a super treasure hunter! 
If there is anything here that you can use, please take it! 
You can also leave currencies that you no longer us for others to take.

The treasure chest is full of goodies! Photo Credit: Author

I should also show how the treasure chest evolved. Originally it had Marilyn Monroe on it!

We simply covered it in paint and added some gold details. Photo Credits: Author

So yeah, this was a really fun project in general, and the people staying at the hostel were excited and intrigued by it as well. I’m happy to say that other travelers were already contributing their extra currencies to the pot!

We did make a short YouTube video that shows the whole hunt from beginning to end. Watch it here if you are interested:

Thank you Amanda for encouraging us to share our DIY projects in your publication DIY Diaries.

Dear Diary (2022): A Call for Submissions

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