There's still time, but just barely, to apply for a spot on a three-week, around-the-world scavenger hunt offering $100,000 (amounts in U.S. dollars) in prizes and what organizers claim will be the "The World's Greatest Traveller" crown.
Twenty-five teams of two will travel more than 64,000 kilometres and touch down on four continents as they circumnavigate the globe from Los Angeles or San Francisco to New York.
The teams will travel together, but at each destination they will be on their own to collect points while solving riddles, unravelling cryptic clues and hints while visiting sacred sites, famous museums, exotic locales and cultural events.
The entry fee for what's being billed as GreatEscape2001 is $22,000 a team, including air fare and hotels.
First prize is $50,000, second $25,000 and third is $15,000 a team. Smaller prizes will be distributed along the way. At the end of last week, there were spots for five teams still available.
So far, aside from an Australian couple and a team from Japan, the rest of the travellers are from the U.S.
Countries currently on the itinerary include Japan, China, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Nepal, India, Egypt, Turkey, Czech Republic, Italy, and France. Organizer William D. Chalmers says the exact destination in those countries will not be revealed to the teams until they're flying over the International Dateline.
For more information as well as terms and conditions: (310) 478-3391 or see the Web site http://www.GreatEscape2001.com.

