Revision as of 10:56, 23 September 2008

Hatchie Haven - Finding your way around

A Shopping Opportunity

The walk begins from Limbo Market. Standing at:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Limbo/35/158/28

facing West, we can see two blue pennants that mark the entrance to Hatchie Haven. We walk throuugh a arched tunnel, and then up a ranop to find ourselves facing the sign welcoming us to Hatchie Haven. From here on in, less is definately more, so step out of your Wyrm or Wyrmling and slip into something more playful - be a Hatchie! Things are looking good already, a row of freebies waits below the welcome sign, and you can make a donation to the upkeep of the sim here as well.

Now here comes the most dangerous part of our tour. A mall of shops will lure us to spend our Lindens. Just when we think we are safe, we notice a second floor above us. There is a great range of items for sale here, from Tiny horses to Tiny top hats (and lots of other things). Have a good look round and wonder to yourself about the ingenuity of Second Life people. The upper floor of the ball has an incredibly handy 3D map of the sim, which we soon discover is even handier becuase it contains a teleport! However, because the teleport only works in one direction, this will be a walking tour. Hatchie Haven is packed with things to see and do, has two of the IoW's best eateries as well, so it's as well to work up an appetite.

The Gazebo

After the hurly-burly of shopping, a pause here at the Gazebo seems appropriate, It lies just to the West of the mall at:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Hatchie%20Haven/189/151/39

You will see a sign that gives an information car to the sim, I suggest you take it as it is very complete and will make sure you miss nothing. I will describe the features of the sim in the same order as theis card, for simplicity.

You will also receive a copy of the sim rules, and you are asked to respect them.

Community Centre

Well this makes a mess of my announcement that we will walk everwhere - it's only accessible if you fly up to it at;

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Hatchie%20Haven/186/140/40

The building is not complete and open at the time of writing. A short flight down in a NNW direction will return you to the gazebo.

Sandbox and Playpen

Residents only, I'm afraid.

Pirates Cove

An utterly spectacular part of Hatchie Haven. We'll start from the Gazebo, and leave by its little bridge. Ir we tirn to the NW we will see the start od a stone path, and we walk towards it. The sharper eyed will soon notice a pirate flag on the horizon, confirmation we are on the right path. A sign halfburied in a handsome fern plant confirms this. We climb a slight rise, looking at theremarkable housing on our right, hobbit holes for Hatchies!

Wlaking on, we find ourselves looking bown into the Cove, with a mighty ship at anchor as a central feature. This is the Black Sparrow - take care to keep out of line of her cannon!

The path descends steeply to a wooden platform, where rwe can stop for a good look round. The cove is ringed by cabins. In the background a hguge waterfall cascades into the cove. WE will turn to our left to walk around the cove and take in its features. ~Sopme of the wooden decking is rather old and slippery - watch your step!

Many of the cabins are available to rent. Number 2 is a little Buddhist shrine, open to all, and a refuge from piratyness. There's a barrel to sit on; 7Seas fans might be pleasantly surprised if they dip a rod in the cove from here. A path leads up to a cabin on the hillside, with a cannon on a platform. Don't fire it - oh, too late, never mind!

A hammerhead shark circles in the Cove below. We carry obn round, past the foot of the waterfall, to see a welcoming looking establishment. Red checked tableclothes and great cooking smells draw us in. We are at the Gumbo Shack! Click on the cooking pot over the fire to what's cooking - looks yummy! Take your bowl onf gumbo outside, and cast a line. You might catch yourself a catfish.

Walk a little futher and resist the temptation to fire the cannon - oh, you couldn't? (Neither could I!)Ever wanted to jetski? You can here. Sailors can launch a vessel here and sail to Limbo through the gorge - a testing trip.

Wlakers will find themself at Madame Zephyr's Voodoo Shop - scary stuff. There are stories about Madame Zephyr - some say she is scary and a witch, others that she isn't a witch. You could walk past and not buy something - but you might want to ask yourself if you think that is wise.

We carry on and startr to climb up a flimsy looking ladder. We wonder if we should turn back, but a wonderful smell fills the air. Caramel, cinnamon, apples, honey ,all waft past our noses or muzzles (as appropriate). We pass a Hatchie diving board (go on - you know you want to!). When you've dried off, we will continue up the steps, wondering about the glorious smell.

A final bridge, even more shaky looking than its predecessors, takes us across a dizzying gap. We find ourself in a Hatchie's dream come true. Mom's Cookie Factory!

Now, many a Hatchie would decide to never leave this spot. However, if you can tear yourself away, a bridge leads you back to the point where we entered the Cove, another gives access to a cabin. But, you go ahead without me, whilst I try these new oatmeal cookies....