Geocaching and Other Odd Activities

[JDGreenlee]

Am preparing to cruise. Looking for unusual "collection" activities en route. Considering geocaching (see Geocaching). Other suggestions?

Traditional collections have included, for example, logging the Earth's magnetic field/solar energy influx, collecting/photographing/logging observed species, collecting/logging indigenous foods/recipes/remedies, logging types of consumed beverages (bottle labels/corks), numismatics/philately, collecting phrases like "A beer, please" in each local language, collecting matchbooks/coasters/T-shirts/baseball hats/etc. from each bar, collecting plates/spoons/etc. from each inhabited locale, collecting local political posters/lapel pins/bumper stickers/etc. ... Other ideas that don't take up a lot of space? No shrunken heads or penis sheaths, please.

P.S. Already saw other lists of activities on this forum - scuba diving, bicycling, hiking, reading, writing, raising kids, repairing boat, etc. ... but these are not necessarily "collecting" activities.

[thinwater]

A small aquarium. About 2-3 gallons with a filter and pump (the little hex kits work). Great for observing small things for a few days before repatriating them. Even if it is only used at anchor, it's worth it.

Tip: cut the air lift tube down about 2-3 inches so that it will work properly with a lower water level, when sailing.

[JDGreenlee]

Cool! Hadn't heard of that yet. Sounds easy, too.

[Kalinka1]

We do the geo caching thing and have a lot of fun at it. Most of the caches are somewhere interesting and in places you wouldn't normaly go or see. Besides it's free!!

[sarafina]

careful geocaching can be addictive...

[SaltyMonkey]

Take up speed chess. You will always collect kibitzers and players around the table no matter where you are in the world.

Failing that, bring some cards or some other social game (like a ping pong table =)

[Starbuck]

Maybe you could do what Desi and Lucy did in The Long, Long Trailer, and collect a nice, big rock from every place you visit.

[Pato]

Sounds like time to invent a new activity maybe something based on cruisers

[JDGreenlee]

Specifically for cruisers? How about collecting air freight invoices? LOL! I guess every cruiser intends to collect sunset photos and sea shells. How about collecting burgees? Coffee table books? I'm almost convinced that geocaching has the most merit as an "additional" activity simply because you don't have to bulk up the boat.

[pistolen08]

This is probably going to start a whole debate but,
What about skeet shooting? If you carry a shotgun, you can mount a clay pigeon launcher on your transom and practice while out at sea.
Also, learning projects like a new language!

[Starbuck]

The OP seems to be more of the collector/cataloguer sort.

[JDGreenlee]

Post script: Made it all the way around. Got back 2014. Despite curiosity, geocaching didn't take root. No aquarium either, but we observed several critters up close. No skeet either. Collected experiences and invoices. Lost weight. Headed back to Caribbean after hurricane season 2019.

[TheSarahTonin]

I like to metal detect. It gets you into the history of the area and a real feel for the land.