US Territorial Souvenirs

[+LilPJ]

So not that I have been to any of the five overseas territories of the United States, but considering that there is a souvenir for all 50 states and Washington, DC, and that there are separate souvenirs for the territories of Canada and Australia, there really should be souvenirs for finding caches in the US's territories, especially considering the great lengths most individuals would have to go to visit these places in the first place. It's one thing for me to drive a few hours to Nebraska to get a cache and a souvenir, but its something entirely different for me to fly to Guam.

[+Great Scott!]

You flew all they way to Guam just to get a geocache?

[+The Leprechauns]

Recently, Puerto Rico got its own souvenir. There are lots of caches there, and an active and growing local community. That seems to be the criteria used when deciding on new region-based souvenirs.

 

I have no idea whether there's a growing local geocaching community in the Northern Marianas Islands. Assume that there isn't. Despite the consistency argument that all US territories should be recognized first, 'cause Yukon and Nunavut already did, in all likelihood Geocaching HQ will continue allocating souvenirs based on impact. There are still plenty of countries with good geocaching communities and cache counts left to go. Personally, I'm waiting for Israel but there are many other good candidates in South America, Asia and elsewhere. These countries ought to get souvenirs before one is given to the Northern Marianas Islands.

[+NYPaddleCacher]

Recently, Puerto Rico got its own souvenir. There are lots of caches there, and an active and growing local community. That seems to be the criteria used when deciding on new region-based souvenirs.

 

I have no idea whether there's a growing local geocaching community in the Northern Marianas Islands. Assume that there isn't. Despite the consistency argument that all US territories should be recognized first, 'cause Yukon and Nunavut already did, in all likelihood Geocaching HQ will continue allocating souvenirs based on impact. There are still plenty of countries with good geocaching communities and cache counts left to go. Personally, I'm waiting for Israel but there are many other good candidates in South America, Asia and elsewhere. These countries ought to get souvenirs before one is given to the Northern Marianas Islands.

 

Agreed. Just for kicks I found a site where one can click on countries on a world map to create a "countries visited" map. I put in the countries regions which currently have souvenirs. Looking closely, one can see that South America, Central America, and Africa are under represented.

 

 

 

[+hzoi]

Agreed. Just for kicks I found a site where one can click on countries on a world map to create a "countries visited" map. I put in the countries regions which currently have souvenirs. Looking closely, one can see that South America, Central America, and Africa are under represented.

 

I think that goes for more ways than just geocaching souvenirs. The lack of a souvenir, which likely springs from a dearth of geocaches and geocachers, is a symptom, not a solution.

[+SeattleWayne]

You flew all they way to Guam just to get a geocache?

 

You wouldn't?

[+NYPaddleCacher]

You flew all they way to Guam just to get a geocache?

 

You wouldn't?

 

I wouldn't.

 

I've found caches in 25 countries but have never flown anywhere specifically to find a geocache. However, a long international trip usually requires a layover somewhere and as long as it doesn't involved a much of an increase in airfare I might choose a layover someplace I've never visited, and may even try to schedule an overnight layover to give me some time to see a little of that country, and perhaps find a couple of caches. For example, there's a good chance I'll be going to Australia in June for a work related trip. There are lots of different itineraries available and I'm looking at maybe stopping in New Zealand overnight on the way home. Other options include a layover in South Korea, China, or Hawaii. I probably would't choose the layover in China because I've already been to China three times (and i would require paying for a visa).

[+hzoi]

I flew all the way to Iwo Jima for a FTF.

 

(OK, you got me, there were a couple other reasons I went. And I was already in Japan when I flew down for the day.)

Edited March 9, 2017 by hzoi

[+FunnyNose]

You flew all they way to Guam just to get a geocache?

 

I'm flying to Romania and Bulgaria later this year to get some of the last country Souvis I need.

[+redsox_mark]

You flew all they way to Guam just to get a geocache?

 

You wouldn't?

 

I see this as a somewhat rhetorical question.

 

For me, it is always exciting to go to a new country (or territory) and find a cache there. Like the PaddleCacher I have chosen a layover (which otherwise would not have been needed) for the main reason of finding a cache. I did that in Brunei. But while there I also saw some sights, ate some food. It is never JUST about geocaching (for me).

 

I've found caches in most of Western Europe, but not Austria. I've never been to Austria. I might arrange a vacation there. I'll want to find some caches for sure. But I'll also do non-caching things.

 

I suppose if someone offered me free tickets to Guam, with the condition that all I was allowed to do was find one geocache then return home, I would do it.

[+CanadianRockies]

I suppose if someone offered me free tickets to Guam, with the condition that all I was allowed to do was find one geocache then return home, I would do it.

Personally, I'd decline the offer. The "opportunity costs" are just too high. There are many other things I'd prefer to do with that time.

[+NYPaddleCacher]

I suppose if someone offered me free tickets to Guam, with the condition that all I was allowed to do was find one geocache then return home, I would do it.

Personally, I'd decline the offer. The "opportunity costs" are just too high. There are many other things I'd prefer to do with that time.

 

I might do it if I got to pick the cache. I wouldn't do it if it meant finding one of the caches near the airport.

For me, a r/t flight would cost between 1750 and 2100 and, with layovers involve 37 hours of travel time. I can think of a lot of other places that I'd rather go that take that long and cost as much.

If all my travel expenses were covered to go anywhere in the world where I could only find one cache I'd probably go to Antarctica or maybe to Kenya to find "Rift Valley". The existence of a souvenir wouldn't impact my choice at all.