I'm a treasure hunter

This is so exciting I don't know where to start. We actually got ourselves a placing in the NST PMG FIZ Langkawi Merdeka Hunt 2007!!

The prizes that night
Champion: RM1500, Runner-up: RM1200, 2nd Runner-up: RM800, 4th place: RM500, 5th place: RM300, 6th to 10th place: RM200, 11th to 23rd place: RM100, 24th to 30th place: RM80

It all started on Saturday morning, I woke up at 4.45am to prepare myself. I had to fetch Daniel by 5.20am and Jessica and his hubby by 5.30am. We're meeting other Altera gang at 6am at the pit stop right after Penang Bridge and will board the ferry to Langkawi from Kuala Kedah.

We went there in 3 cars consisting of 4 teams where 87.5% of them are from Altera Layout Deparment. My team worked together with another Alterian team hoping to get better results with combination of 8 brains. For my team alone, 2 members from Layout except me (not from layout) and Jessica's hubby, Alex (from Jabil). Actually, the 12.5% non-altera layout is contributed by me and Alex. :)

It took us 1 and a half hours to reach Kuala Kedah from Penang. We boarded 8am ferry to Langkawi, I was very tired but only manage to get about 20mins sleep on the ferry. The seat was narrow and small, I couldn't moved around. I was clamp from 4 corners; in between my seat and the seat in front, and also between 2 other person beside me. Not that the person sitting beside me is big size, but the seat provided is just too small, if Asian thinks it is squeezy, how can a bigger size European fit?! Mind you, it was not any short ride, the ride could last anywhere between 1.5hrs to 1.75hrs depending on water condition. It was very uncomfortable. Visit Malaysia year konon!?...Reach Langkawi at about 9.45am.

A sea of yellow people, which makes me think of Digi. I will follow you~

Not everyone starts the treasure hunting at the same time, because if 81 cars were to start from the same place, heading the same direction, it would caused big jam all over Langkawi. Those who reach early can start early, and those who are a bit late can start later. Cars available for rental were either Wira or Iswara, we had to draw to see which car we get. Haih, we got ourselves Iswara, an old and dirty car. But still ok la, at least it didn't breakdown during the hunt. ;)

I don't have any picture taken during the hunt, that time very kan cheong, scared not enough time to finish on time. Marks will be deducted every 5mins if we were late. The hunt lasted 5 and a half hours. We communicate with the other team through walkie talkie, and sometimes when we're out of the car looking for answers we had short discussions.

There were different categories of questions, the lowest marks of all (2points) is the sector questions, where the answers are found in only certain sector. Next is the treasure questions (5points) where we were given clues and we will need to buy the item and submit it together with the answer sheet. Next type of question is the i-spy question (also 5points) where the answers are available throughout the whole treasure hunt journey, this is mostly landmark along the way. Last but not least is the NST bonus question. This is real easy, we were given cutout symbols from Friday's NST paper and just need to find which page it is on. It is bonus questions, the catch is we need to have the Friday NST paper with us. (FYI, NST is one of the big sponsors)

It was tiring climbing in and out of the car, with the hot sun glaring down on us we were sweating profusely. Some questions were really hard, we don't even know how to interpret what the question wants.

At the end of the treasure hunt, we were to gather at Awana Porto Malai. We reach there right on time, 1 to 2 minutes before the 5.5hrs given time end.

Arriving at Awana Porto Malai

It was a relieve after submitting the answers and the treasures. Although it was our first time, we had a big dream in mind. We aimed for the first prize..haha..guess we aimed too high.

Swimming pool view from my hotel room

It was already about 4.30pm when we finish the hunt. Check-in hotel, take a bath and wait for dinner at 7.30pm.

Photo taking time while waiting for dinner

A group photo for the 2 teams who worked together (Diana holding the camera)

Dinner time

At dinner, we were entertained by a band brought all the way from Penang, singing English, Chinese and Malay songs..not bad though. After dinner, they reveal answers to the questions. I brought along our copy of question sheet to check answers. We shout and clap happily and excitedly for every correct answers we got, thinking what prize we will be getting. We attracted so much attention that at one point, a friend of Alex actually came over and ask if we get all correct..haha..guess we were loud that night.

After they announces all the answers, we calculate the marks and found out that we got 93marks out of 116, meaning we scored 80.17%. The announcement of winner starts from the 30th placing. The team at 30th placing got 75marks. Knowing that we'll be getting something (30th placing 75points, we got 93), we were so excited awaiting which placing we actually get. At 10th placing, the mark had already shoot up to 80. Our team numbers were finally being called at the 7th placing, and the team who works together with us got the 6th placing (I guess they submitted a few second before us).

A team photo with the money in hand..yay!!

Aih, how nice if we were able to get the RM1500. The champion of the day were actually a combination of members from 4 different company. Out of the 45 total questions, they only answered 1 wrongly. I really respect them man! Shh tak sam fook hao fook

I'm really happy that we were able to get something from the treasure hunt. Even though it is not enough to fully covered the expenses, at least it helps to reduce some cost. I guess all that discussion the night before really paid off, and having a leader who actually leads and prepare all the necessary things make a difference. We were fully prepared and everyone knows their role to play on that day.

Hehe...one more thing I'm very happy that night is that I was lucky to won the lucky draw. I got myself a very beautiful number that night, 070707077. The date that night was 7th July 2007, my team get the 7th placing and I actually won a lucky draw with the number full of zero and seven!! It had been a long time since I've won any lucky draw prizes, many years never win anything ledi. Wana know what prize I won? Not branded stuff though, some unheard brand. Lucky draw prizes were all sponsored by Giant.

Before I end this post, I'd like to present one of the treasure questions to my dear reader :)
(We were about to give up on this question, was planning to simply buy something to pass it up, eventually, at the very last minute something came to mind and we tried our luck, and we got it right!)

This treasure's for eating, I have no doubt.
Spoils when its in its in its original state
And also out of this world - its taste
Sure to sweeten your mouth!
Just one, please, so marks wont go to waste

Coming up in the next post will be activities in Langkawi for the next day.

Reference for future visitors to Langkawi (as of July 2007):
Return ferry from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi - RM30.78 (after group discount)
Covered parking - RM10 per day (a 2days 1 night park is consider 2 days)
Ferry travel time - 1.5hrs to 1.75hrs (depending on wave)
Tol rate from Butterworth to Kuala Kedah - RM11.40