The much-anticipated time has arrived: after 30 days by train from Lisbon to Saigon, we three have amassed quite a list of Scavenger Hunt items. We’re going to summarize them all here, and let YOU decide who should win!
As a refresher, here were the items up for “grabs”:
- photo of Russian train attendant giving you a hug or kiss
- photo of you with someone in a military or police uniform
- ticket to a museum
- karoyke video
- video of you doing shots of alcohol with Russians on a train
- video of you dancing a local/native dance with a local
- menu printed in foreign language — multiples count in other languages/countries
- hospital gown
- business card from some government official — bonus for accompanying picture
- picture of you in train engine car
- bottle of French, German or Italian wine, bought in one of those countries
- photos of you in funny hats, different locations, bonus for actual hat at finish line
- pictures of cans of Coca-Cola in multiple languages
- picture with a bride
- picture of you riding an animal
- Russian nesting dolls — babushka dolls
- postcard (points for every country you get)
- photos with locals eating meals in their home
Michael
Belgium – Hats and Cops
photo with someone in military or police uniform
photos of you in funny hats, different locations, bonus for actual hat at finish line
hat #2
hat #3
hat #4
hat #5
hat #6 - arguably the best
hat #7
hat #8
China – Coca Cola
- pictures of cans of Coca-Cola in multiple languages
Vietnam – Bridefest
Michael doesn’t do anything in small measures. Similar to his hat extravaganza, he went bonkers with brides during our 12 hours in Hanoi!
Line 'em Up! Bride #1
Bride #2
Bride #3
Bride #4
Bride #5
Finish Line – Postcards
Michael’s Scavenger Hunt bounty was nicely capped off at the finish line with 3 postcards.
3 postcards
Nora
Nora’s Scavenger Hunt Tally isn’t nearly as numerous in count, but maybe(?) you’ll give her some extra weight for getting some pretty difficult catches.
Spain – Brides and Dinners
Nora started out hot, nabbing two tricky items within the first few days.
Bride in Granada
photos with locals eating meals in their home
Somewhere in France – Engine Car Victory
Then she did something we all thought impossible but worthy of the list as a token item. Who knew she’d actually do it?! She weaselled her way into the Engine Car of a train!
picture of you in train engine car
extra proof; the train engineer was happy to do a photo expose
Ukraine – Back on Track
After a bit of a dry spell, Nora turned on the heat again in Ukraine:
Russian nesting dolls — babushka dolls
it's not a can, and the "Coca-Cola" part is in English....passable?
Another dinner in a local's home - sweet! (literally)
China – Hat Trick
This one’s a trick – Nora managed a photo shoot in a train conductor’s hat.
photos of you in funny hats, different locations
Vietnam – Brides again
And Michael’s luck with brides wasn’t isolated.
wild and windblown - with a bride
Nora & Jeannie
Before we move on to Jeannie’s findings, please take into consideration some Scavenger Hunt victories that Nora and Jeannie got together. One of them was a fluke, but something they’re particularly proud of:
China – Coke
pictures of cans of Coca-Cola in multiple languages
Russia – Train Conductor Romance
While shooting Nora’s daily diary experience on the Trans-Manchurian train, the Russian train conductor took a fancy to Jeannie and Nora, and on hearing they were Canadian, he couldn’t resist kissing both of them. Watch this video for proof – which you’ll see about 1 minute and 10 seconds into it!
Click here to watch the video on Youtube if you can’t view it here.
Jeannie
Spain – Postcard
Jeannie loved southern Spain, so it stands to reason she scored a postcard there:
postcard from Sevilla
Italy – Hats and Wine
Jeannie gets bonus points for producing her Milano “pimp hat” at the finish line!
photos of you in funny hats, different locations, bonus for actual hat at finish line
bottle of French, German or Italian wine, bought in one of those countries
Ukraine – Dolls
Nora wasn’t the only one with babushka dolls on the brain in Ukraine…
Russian nesting dolls — babushka dolls
Hungary – Karaoke Stardom
We were unable to determine the amount of alcohol required for this Scavenger Hunt coup – maybe it was the entire bottle of Italian wine (which, mysteriously, didn’t make it to the finish line…hmm….). Either way, Jeannie gets some serious bonus points for this seriously funny rendition of “Like a Virgin”!
Click here to watch on Youtube if you can’t see it here.
Vietnam – Bride
We told you it was a bride-fest in Vietnam! We each scored (at least) one picture with a bride during our day of wandering around Hanoi.
picture with a bride
Points for Consideration
Item for item, Michael collected the most Scavenger Hunt loot. BUT: his funny hats were all collected in the same place, which is technically against the rules, which stipulated “different locations”. Should he be penalized?
And Jeannie and Nora did well to capture a russian train attendant giving them a kiss BUT: the rules stipulate a photo. They produced video. Should they be penalized?
Nora scored a photo of Coca-Cola in another language. BUT: It’s not a can, and the “Coca-Cola” part is still in English. Does it still count?
And Jeannie got a shot with an Italian wine. BUT: With no evidence of the wine in question at the finish line, did she just stage the photo in a shop? Does it still count?
Time for You To Vote!
It’s time for you to decide who the winner of the Ultimate Train Challenge Scavenger Hunt is!
Hmm, tough call. Michael has the quantity and Nora seems to have the variety, but I have to go with Jeannie because of the karaoke. I love karaoke, but I’ve always done it with at least a few friends around. To do that shit solo.. takes some guts.
Phil recently posted..I Have a Plane Ticket
I think you’ve all done equally well in different ways and kept us (at least me) entertained throughout your adventure…well done folks and congratulations on this milestone
Baron’s recently posted..Mechanics like to deal with women
I have to vote Canadian but I’m torn between Nora and Jeannie…
I vote Jeannie because I could never sing.
ayngelina recently posted..Bad news at home
Not only can Nora sing, but she can dance up a storm too! It’s not her fault she’s from Canadia…
I think it’s a toss-up between Michael’s bride #4 and Nora’s Vietnamese bride. One of them should clearly take all!
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Voted! Now, which one of the Canucks will win?
Raymond @ Man On The Lam recently posted..It Ain’t Dirty, It Just Looks That Way
@Abby… are you saying that Nora got married to a woman in VietNam? If this is how Nora wants to live her life, well, i”m all for that… It’s strictly her decision and nobody should not vote for her because of her belief system…
Personally, I’m against gay marriage, but I’m all for it when both chicks are hot, which is clearly the case for Nore and her new Bride…
CONGRAULATIONS Nora, you are doing well… unfortunately, I’m in the stage of looking for my fourth soon to be ex-wife currently, but not having much luck… Maybe I should hit the VietNamese mail order bride catalogues, even though my tastes run more towards occidentals…
I may have been swayed by Jeannie’s karaoke rendition of Like A Virgin… haha
Audrey recently posted..Montreal, Je t’aime
How do I choose? I love all 3 of you. Having met each one of you, I think your all the best and want you all to win! Thanks for the points for consideration, that did help with the decision process. You all did so well and it looks like you had a great time! Good luck and may the best blogger win!
Congrats to all of you on the completion of their train journey!
Although I assumed that sneaking in a shot with a bride would be tricky, you all manage to make it look quite easy. I had no idea there would be so may weddings taking place!
Cassandra recently posted..Ábrete Sésamo
Awww, aren’t you guys nice? This karaoke video will go down in infamy, but remember it was all in pursuit of the top prize!
I can’t decide! But I LOVE these pictures. Looks like an amazing trip!
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