NPC ASTRO MAXIS TREASURE HUNT - THE GOOD

KUANTAN, 8 May 2010: Overall I would rate the NPC-Astro-Maxis Treasure Hunt a darn good hunt. The level of difficulty was raised a notch (thanks to the RM1000 carrot offered to the team that achieves a perfect score). Hunting time was adequate. And thanks to the generosity of the sponsors, the prizes were out of this world. The top 5 winners in both the Media and Open cateogries took home a lucrative combined sum of RM30,000 in cash. Not forgetting the fantastic lucky draw prizes - a dozen lucky hunters walked away with either an Apple iPhone or a Black Berry, while half of the participants received at least a Maxis Hotlink top-up card worth RM60.

The R (Roses) of HRU

Only disappointment was that half the treasure riddles were not riddles per se but simple tasks to accomplish in exchange for the points. Yet a few regular teams found out the hard way that it pays to pay close attention during the briefing.

The Maxis Finder 301, a Maxis innovation, is basically a directory service that provides a list of recommendations nearest to ones' location based on the <keyword> provided. Interestingly enough as some teams found out (to their disappointment) a mere 200 metres made a whole world of difference. Teams were instructed to execute the task at the 2nd overhead bridge after passing the KL General Hospital. Unfortunately for those teams that submitted their SMS too early (at the 1st overhead bridge) or too late (after the 2nd overhead bridge), they were given incorrect destinations.

T4:

Type <burger> on your Maxis Mobile phone and SMS to 301.

When the three options of burger outlets are sent to you, reply <1> to 301.

Submit a photograph (printed on paper) of the outlet, the address of which appears in response to your reply.

Ans: Photo of McDonalds @ Jalan Pahang

Except for a handful of questions which I couldn't stomach, the rest were pretty good (challenging even). Here are a couple that stood out:

Q32 was a beautiful craft with an oxymoron theme .....

Q32: When one does build here, one only destroys.

Ans: Pasaraya Borong Sakan Sdn Bhd.

...... while Q11 was a knowledge question that involved an anagram of numbers. Nicely done!

Q11. A disorderly segment of a World War II resistance group.
Ans: Restoran 163.

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NPC-Astro-Maxis Treasure Hunt

(Maximum possible score: 130)

1st: Sin Yoong Leong, Claire Chin, Julie Tan, Goh Teck Koon (126)

2nd: Chai Koh Khai, Margaret Sha, Furn Quah, Chong Voon Kiat (126)

3rd: Garyguna Segar, Muhammad Razif, Darmahtaksiah Abai, Hanna Hamizah (122)

4th: Ramesh Rajaratnam, Liew Kok Seng, Chong Foo Seong, Teoh Cheow Teong (120)

5th: Pavananthan, Fuad Dahlan, Hamidah Kassim, Shandra Dass (120)

6th: Hagi Suhaimi, Kheirul Nazib, Mazri Muda & team (118)

7th: Vincent Tan & team (118)

8th: Simon Matthew, Venkateswaran Nagappan, Eeswaran, Buvanes (118)

9th: Ruben Enbasegaram, Lenny Wan, Yeong Kig Siew & team (113)

10th: Rajj Melambaran, Shirley Hoe, Pirabakaran, Navamalar (112)