In my backyard |

Geocaching across the world

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You’d never think you’d find a cache in here! (©MRandin)

‘Geocaching’, a nine-letter word that has captured the interest of millions of people around the world, is described as follows:

Geocaching is a real-world outdoor treasure hunting game. Players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices and then share their experiences online.

When Geocaching.com was launched in September 2000 there were only 75 known geocaches in the world. Today, there are a staggering 1,542,703 active geocaches with more than 5 million geocachers in the community to which M. and I now belong.

Geocaching has given me a reason to stop watching re-runs of Desperate Housewives on a Tuesday evening (there I’ve said it…) and get out of the house for some air after a long day at work.

It is an activity that M. and I enjoy doing together, especially because it has given us a more entertaining use of our beloved I-Phones. This game is the reason why we often get dirt under our nails and mud on our shoes as we follow the flashing blue dot on our I-Phones to locate the hidden container.

But why does geocaching merit mention on a travel blog?

Geocaching is a unique way to discover our region, which up until now we both thought we knew pretty well. Since my colleague Stefan introduced me to the joys of geocaching in August, we have discovered a park in Lausanne that ironically enough, M. drives past practically everyday. Just this afternoon, I was introduced to the Major Davel monument, a mere 500 metres away from where I worked for over two years.

The monument to Major Davel, a major figure in the history of the Canton of Vaud. This spot in Vidy, Lausanne, is where he was decapitated in 1723. We found the cache nearby. (©MRandin)

You may be surprised to find, as we did in Canada, that people have hidden geocaches in your back yard – literally! And as Stefan has shown me, it’s a novel activity to engage in when travelling to other parts of the world.

Interestingly, there are a number of people in our entourage who already know about the game and have some experience finding these caches.

Others, like my brother-in-law to be Darren, are the type of geocachers who prefer the use of a compass and map rather than the facility of a GPS device. According to Darren, a GPS takes all the fun out of geocaching. (He hasn’t been in the family long enough to know about my legendary inability to read even the simplest of maps.)

If you have an I-Phone and want to try out a fun new activity, then this might be it. It’s a good way to involve the children and meet and interact with a new set of people.

Should you decide to try it out, write and let me know about your experience!

In my backyard: A little bit of Colorado in the Canton of Vaud?

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Should I be writing about La Tine de Conflens? I think I may be about to let the best guarded secret in the canton of Vaud out of the bag. But it was such a pleasant find that I think it would be a crime to keep it to myself.

(©MRandin)

I don’t think I’m exaggerating about this being a secret. It isn’t a well advertised walking trail and so far I’ve only seen a thumbnail image of the waterfalls on one tourist brochure. M. and I would have probably never known about if not for the coffee table book at a local fair.

I remember that the photos looked heavily edited and seemed too ‘tropical’ to be Switzerland. So the young lad, managing the stall, looked somewhat puzzled when I asked him a second time for the exact location. “It’s in Switzerland” he repeated slowly “and not too far from here” he added. Continue reading →

In my backyard (part 4)

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Do you have a picture of your “backyard” that you would like to share on Chickstravelflicks? If so, send a picture, with a short caption, to the following address: chickstravelflicks@hotmail.com

In my backyard (Part 3)

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The “Pierre de la Piax” translated literally as the “Rock of Peace” can be found on the walking trail between St. Croix and the village of Vuiteboeuf in the Canton of Vaud. It is a 5 minute walk from “l’hôtel du Chasseron” the mountain top resting point for hikers and day trippers. The rock is said to be full of positive energies, which is transmitted to all those who lay their hands on it. Even if you don’t believe it the view from the top is well worth the hike! (©MRandin)

In my backyard (Part 2)

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La Liberté, the brain child of a gentleman named Jean-Pierre Hirt, is a familiar sight on the waters of Lake Léman near the town of Morges. It was constructed over a period of 5 years and brought together experienced craftsmen who had found themselves out of work during the recession in the 1990s. In all there were 600 people who contributed to the construction of this magnificent ship. ©MRandin

In my backyard (Part 1)

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A lazy summer evening along the boardwalk near the town of Morges situated on Lake Léman. What makes it all worthwhile is the exquiste view of Mont Blanc in the background. (©MRandin)