Hatchie Haven - A Guide

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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 through an arched tunnel, and then up a ramp 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, and 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 card for the sim, I suggest you take it as it is very complete and will make sure you miss nothing.

You will also receive a copy of the sim rules, and you are asked to respect them. Aradia and Apollo have created a wonderful land for Hatchies here.

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.

Pirates Cove

An utterly spectacular part of Hatchie Haven. We'll start from the Gazebo, and leave by its little bridge. If we turn to the NW we will see the start of 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 half buried in a handsome fern plant confirms this. We climb a slight rise, looking at the remarkable housing on our right, hobbit holes for Hatchies!

Walking on, we find ourselves looking down into the Cove, with a mighty ship at anchor as a central feature, the flag we saw before flying from its mast. This is the Black Sparrow - take care to keep out of line of her cannon!

The path descends steeply to a wooden platform, where we can stop for a good look round. The cove is ringed by cabins. In the background a huge waterfall cascades into the cove. We will turn to our left to walk around the cove and take in its features. Some 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, at least you missed the ship!

A hammerhead shark circles in the Cove below. We carry on 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 of gumbo outside, and cast a line. You might catch yourself a catfish whilst you eat.

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.

Walkers 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. No-one said she isn't scary!

We carry on and start 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....

Temple of Peng-Ra

This is a strange, remote, difficult-to-reach location. You'll need patience and a head for heights for this trip. Begin as for the Pirate Cove trip, and walk the Cove's boardwalk as far as :

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Hatchie%20Haven/77/183/23

Turn right onto the dock with the lamp standard, and then climb the frail looking walkway. Climb up past the cannon to the tatty looking shack. Wlak around the back of the shack, past the picnic table. You'll see Route 66 to your left - we're hip for that kind of trip today. Past the crash barrier before us, we see a little bridge. Cross it at your peril! We head on down the highway instead - UK readers - keep right! When the crash barrier ends, turn right. Don't look down as you cross the bridge, the gators are busy looking up at you! In a while, the footsore will see a teleport to the temple altar. The true walker will of course ignore this and continue the climb, up steps, and across small bridges.

The temple itself is a mysterious structure. Visitors often report very different experiences. There are rumours of hidden chambers, and many other tales. Explore, leaving things as you found them, and if you escape, return by the route that brought you here.

Remember to explore the monastery on the heights as well whilst you are up there!

Route 66 and the Hatchie Haven Roadhouse

The best stretch of tarmac in the isles, Route 66 runs from the bluff above Pirates Cove described in the route to the Temple of Peng-Ra, to Greeble Grove. It's dead straight, but on an incline. It's ideal for Hatchie drag-racing, and for showing off your wheels to an admiring crowd. Perhaps it hasn't much to attract the walker, but there are some seriously interesting sights along the way. You'll get your kicks, on Route 66. Look out for the lemonade stall, and the only fuel pump in the isles. Fill up now! Service and repairs also available. Opposite the garage is a picnic area, and then up the hill from there is a (Following section censored - Departmant of Dragon Secuity).

Opposite, at the top of the hill, is the Road House. Leather wearing, tattooed Hell's Hatchies flock here. There's often a boisterous mood. It does have good toilet facilities though!

There are juke boxes at the tables, and you can go upstairs to a barbecue deck.

Pony Valley

Hatchie equestrians will want to visit this spot. From the Gazebo, take the path that leads South - it's signposted. Eventually, you come to a junction, just before the Murble Gardens Playground, turn right and follow the trail down the hill to Pony Valley.

You'll find a stable offering Zephyr Pennell's Lone Star tiny Ponies for sale. Nearby is the fabulous Gnarlee Forest - a residential area.

Playpen

Also signed from the Gazebo, the Playpen lies to its North East. An open spce that is used for a range of purposes, there are also teleports for the residents to reach areas reserved for them. If you go to the North of the area, and go through the little pass in the hills, you'll find a path. As soon as you set foot on it, you 'll find you are in another sim - Tir na Nog. A bridge will take you across another of the dizzying gorges so common hereabouts, into the centre of Tir na Nog, and a way through to the Cathedral Circular Walk.

Enjoy Hatchie Haven first though - where less is more!

Residential areas

You will pass by and through a number of residential areas. If one takes your fancy, speak to the sim management. Leave the residents undisturbed as you look around , please!