1. The Tulips
The “tulips” are a set of directions that tell the competitor where to go, that is, to “navigate” through the route as set by the Huntmaster. (The Huntmaster is the person who sets the course: in other events, he/she may be referred to as the ‘Clerk-of- course’ or ‘COC’). Tulips are so called because of their resemblance to the flower, especially back in the old days when they were drawn by hand. Tulips are widely used throughout the world as alternatives to maps, as they can include more details than maps. In motor sports, tulips are still used for rallying. A set of tulips is actually a map that has been broken up into parts, and placed in sequence. Each of the parts is actually a drawing of a particular key junction or an identifiable point on the route. A set of tulips will take you on a journey through a set route, from the start to the end, going through it intersection by intersection. Each key intersection is drawn out in plan form, and distances between intersections are stated. The overall distance is also stated. Thus, if you follow the instructions carefully, while noting the relevant distances between intersections, you will be able to navigate through the entire route.
cars.
 USEFUL TIP: Zero trip your meter at every tulip. In other words, you can ignore the total distance readings. In every treasure hunt, there will be occasion for you to back-track to look for answers to clues, and if you use the total distance reading (i.e. by not tripping the meter at each tulip, and using the total reading) you may have trouble when you back-track because the readings get all messed up. |
| USEFUL TIP: Remember that the driver cannot see the tulips. It is the navigator’s job to convey the tulips to the driver in a clear and concise manner. |
You may wish to use calls like “Straight on at roundabout” or if you like, you may use the hands of a clock as an indicator, such as “take the 12 o’clock at roundabout”. The following are a list of suggested calls:-
- Over/under flyover
- Over bridge
- Y - left, or Y right
- T- Junction left, or T-Junction right
- Check Left, or Check right.
| USEFUL TIP: Use descriptive words, which best describe the shape of the intersection or feature that you want to describe. Before you start on the event, the driver and navigator should go through and agree on a set of “calls”. |
Be very careful when answering the questions. The Huntmaster can be very tricky. The questions can be in CRYPTIC form, ANAGRAM form, or DIRECT. Some HIDDEN words may also be present. Some Huntmasters also use a combination of cryptic and anagram clues to make CRYPTOGRAMS.
CRYPTIC questions are like those used in crossword puzzles, and usually use word play.
An example of a cryptic question:- “The limb is not on time.”
Answer : LEGISLATE
Explanation : “the limb” meaning LEG
“is” added as IS,
“not on time” meaning LATE,
= LEGISLATE
ANAGRAM questions are those in which the letters of a word are jumbled up, and there is usually an “anagram” indicator which helps to tell you that an anagram is present. ANAGRAM INDICATOR words used are PERHAPS, MAYBE, CONCOCTION, COCKTAIL, MIXED, SHAKEN, STRANGE, RESORT, TERRIBLE, etc.
An example of an ANAGRAM question :-
Mothers perhaps, use this to keep things warm for baby.
Answer : Thermos (made from the letters m-o-t-h-e-r-s)
An example of a CRYPTOGRAM question:-
“Hot coin heated up the audio equipment”
Answer: PANASONIC
Explanation:- Hot, when translated into Bahasa, means PANAS, “Coin” anagrams into ONIC, the anagram indicator being “heated up”. Additional cryptic clue “audio equipment” points you to Panasonic as the answer.
An example of a HIDDEN WORD question:-
“The computer brand may be found in the steps on the staircase”
Answer: EPSON (part of STEPS ON)
5. Solving the Treasures
As part of the treasure hunt, you are also required to submit TREASURES. These treasures qualify you for points that count towards your overall position. Clues are usually on a separate “TREASURE LIST”. Read carefully through the clues provided, and after figuring out what is required, get the treasures for submission at the finish control of the hunt.
Enjoy your hunting activities.......lol
