Siem Reap’s first treasure hunt will be held on May 5, in aid of Angkor Hospital for Children.

The treasure hunt is the brainchild of semi-retired British expat Stephen McMurray, a long-time quiz-master both in his native Isle of Man and here in Temple Town where he regularly runs the Rosy Guesthouse music quiz. Since his arrival ten months ago, he has helped raise over $1500 for local organisations including the Green Gecko Project, Honour Village Cambodia and ABCs and Rice.

McMurray was inspired to create a treasure hunt after spotting some tourists at Temple Bar on Pub St.

“A group of Koreans came along and took a photograph of the entrance and then they all tootled off,” he says. “Then a tuk tuk turned up with another four or five who did exactly the same thing, but they had on matching t-shirts. They all jumped back in the tuk tuk and went off again and that’s when it clicked, it must be a treasure hunt of some sort.”  

To put the pressure on his hunt, McMurray is setting a two hour time limit during which teams – maximum four people in each – must collect information, photos and objects from all over town. Cryptic clues will direct players to each venue. Entry tickets cost $5 and there will also be a raffle held afterwards.

“Half the questions are going to be photographic ones,” says McMurray. “So for example you go to Angkor Wat Miniature, stand outside, get your photograph taken and that’s two points. All the others are worth one point. So contestants will be going here, there and everywhere. I’m looking at between 30 and 40 questions in all.”

In order to give cyclists a fair chance against those with faster transport, all bike-riders will automatically get points for the furthest locations, whether they reach them or not.

Bonus points will also be awarded for contestants getting their photo snapped standing next to a Batman tuk tuk, the Playboy tuk tuk or the Transformers tuk tuk.

Finally, Reapers will have to collect around ten assorted items, which could be anything from a toothpick to a 10 baht coin.

The treasure hunt is already generating quite a buzz around town with many local businesses donating prizes including Navutu Dreams Resort, Atelier Coiffure, Il Forno and Three Seasons boutique.

Contact Stephen McMurray at: [email protected]