Around Neopia in 80 Days - Part One

The world of Neopia contains many different lands, each of them with its own distinctive geography and community, and its own must-see tourist attractions. For a traveller, it can be hard to know where to turn; there are so many amazing places you could visit. So why not visit them all?

I have put together this itinerary for a journey around Neopia: a journey that will allow you to experience the best of every land. Over the space of eighty days, this journey will take you to each land in turn and show you the bustling cities, the stunning landscapes, the great activities, and the rich history of Neopia. You'll need to have plenty of Neopoints saved up before you set off on this long vacation, which includes luxury accommodation, fine dining, guided tours of iconic locations, and all the best places to shop for souvenirs.

The itinerary is too long to fit in a single article, so has been divided into four sections. This first part of the voyage starts, of course, at the very centre of all activity in the world of Neopia.

***

NEOPIA CENTRAL

DAY 1 - High Street

This is the ideal place to start if you're setting off on a Neopian grand tour. Not only is it the most famous location in the world of Neopets, but the main shops are also the perfect place to prepare for a journey through all the provinces of Neopia.

Naturally, you should start by withdrawing a good quantity of NP from the National Neopian Bank, but don't succumb to the temptation to spend them all in short order. It would be a waste not to see the sights - one highlight is the Deep Catacombs, which still holds the archives of citizens' works for the Art Gallery and the Poetry and Storytelling Contests, as well as a library of Neopian Times issues, all of which date back from before the new Art District on Roo Island was constructed. As well as the masterpieces of artists and writers, there is a coffee shop where you can enjoy some relaxing refreshments, and a Coin Shop for keen collectors. In the Coin Shop, there is a series of displays containing all the wares they sell. The Post Office also has a complete set of stamp albums framed on the walls.

Other highlights in the main shops are the Food Store, which possesses the largest and most varied menu of any restaurant in Neopia (if you're prepared to wait for the meal to be prepared; there are obviously a lot of customers), and the NC Mall, whose gorgeous galleries of premium clothing and furniture make it worth a visit even if you have no NeoCash. You can also enjoy participating in the Neopian Auctions, although you must be cautious about how much you're prepared to spend: bidding in auctions can be so much fun that it's easy to get carried away. The Money Tree, although it may seem tempting, is a waste of time because it is usually only used as a dumping ground for worthless items. A visit to the Petpet Store is best left until the end of the day when there are fewer customers, but it's worth the trouble because the creatures there are lovely to see, even if you aren't buying one. (Since you still have 79 days of travel ahead of you, definitely don't buy a Petpet until the journey is over.)

DAY 2 - Neopian Bazaar and Neopian Plaza

Ahh... start the morning with the irresistible smell of freshly cooked bread from the Bakery, and you'll want to go straight in for breakfast. It would be a fitting start to a day which is packed with entertainment.

The Neopian Bazaar and the Neopian Plaza are teeming with great places to visit. The Grooming Parlour, for instance, contains a fabulous spa where you can enjoy a relaxing foot massage (or paw, or hoof, or fins or flippers). The Toy Shop is a popular spot for youngsters, although it can be extremely noisy with the usual chorus of small children's voices begging for purchases. Usuki Land is not to be missed by fans of Usuki dolls - its crowning glory is a museum containing all its products, including clothing and accessories modelled on different Usukis - although again you have to be wary of high levels of noise. Collectors will love the Trading Card Store, where you can browse through a catalogue containing images of every NeoDeck card; fans of the Battledome will enjoy the twin stores selling armour and weapons, both of which also have wall-mounted displays of the most impressive weapons (although for safety reasons, these displays are only models, not real battle equipment). The Chocolate Factory should not be visited by anyone who is only window-shopping, since the decadent smell of rich, creamy chocolate is enough to make all the Neopoints fall out of your pockets. It is recommended to drop in on Hubert's Hot Dog stand for lunch, and perhaps the Smoothie Store to quench your thirst before moving on.

Surprisingly, one of the biggest attractions is the Furniture Superstore. It has so many great displays of sample rooms and furniture sets that many visitors say they could live in there permanently, and the Gardening Centre at its rear offers a lovely chance to stroll through beautiful stands of trees and vibrant flowerbeds (although anyone susceptible to Pollenitus should steer well clear). The Neopian Plaza offers far fewer attractions, although it is worth visiting the Plushie Shop if you are a fan of soft toys, and Pizzaroo is a great place to enjoy a filling dinner. You may make a wish at the Wishing Well, but whatever you do, don't go anywhere near the Kadoatery!

DAY 3 - Tour the Defenders of Neopia Headquarters

This is the real highlight of the Neopian Plaza: the headquarters of Neopia's best-known peacekeeping force - the Defenders of Neopia. It takes a full day to make the most of a visit to the Headquarters building, so the whole of Day 3 is devoted to the tour.

The Headquarters' lobby is free for anybody to visit, but to go on a full tour you need to part with some Neopoints. (These will, of course, be invested by the Defenders of Neopia to fund their continuing efforts to maintain order and justice.) You have to undergo an obligatory security check, to make sure you're not a secret agent for a supervillain - but don't be put off: the tour of the Headquarters is more than good enough to make the security checks worth the hassle, even though it doesn't include the Defenders' main office. The western hall is the first part of the tour; it contains finely carved statues of each of the members of the DoN, dressed in duplicates of their uniforms, as well as information panels displaying details of their powers. These panels make for fascinating and riveting reading.

In the north-western corner of the building is a workshop containing a set of looms and other machinery for producing the special Defenders outfits, and the tour guide will explain how they tailor the fabrics to suit each of the Defenders: specially elastic material for Dr. Flexo, fireproof clothing for Torchio, and a uniform for Blackwing that can disappear and reappear as he does. Next stop is the training rooms along the northern side of the Headquarters building: there are special chambers devoted to fitness activities and sharpening the Defenders' superpowers. Here, you get to learn how the Defenders maintain their strength and hone their skills, and if you feel like it you can try your hand with some of the training equipment! After a lunch break in the building's cafe (which sells only healthy meals, of course), the eastern wing is home to the best part of the tour: a museum devoted to the Defenders of Neopia's greatest battles with evildoers. You can see film re-creations of the most epic clashes, and learn about the villains the Defenders have vanquished. It's a good appetiser for a visit to the Battledome next morning.

DAY 4 - The Battledome

This is the most popular attraction for many Neopians: the majestic facility built for one-on-one stoushes, either between a Neopet and a single-player opponent, or between two Neopets. A key location in many, if not most, of the major events in Neopia's history, it ranks among the best-known features of the world of Neopets.

The Battledome possesses many different chambers for combat, but despite being based on many different Neopian lands (ranging from Maraqua to the Virtupets Space Station) they are all part of the one complex, which is located not far from the shopping complex in Neopia Central. There are a number of different tours available, but you could save yourself some Neopoints and show yourself around if you'd like. Take your time: there is a lot to see, but don't waste the opportunity to watch the action from the spectator stands. The most active area is the Ugga Dome, which plays host to the battles between the various factions who clash over the rights to the boons granted by the Oracle of the Tyrannian Obelisk; but it must be noted that things are quieter during periods of truce. Other than the Ugga Dome, which is packed with combatants during the regular factional contests, the Neocola Centre and the Dome of the Deep are popular spots for prize-earning, so you're likely to see many Neopets slugging it out against the regular contestants: the opponents in one-player matches. Since bottled faeries are a common prize for winning a match, the participants in single-player battles are sometimes seen moving back and forth between the arena and Aethia's Ability Academy, where the blessings obtained by releasing bottled faeries are used to learn powerful spells that can give an edge in combat.

There are no dining areas in the Battledome itself, so for lunch you will need to either leave for a while and eat at a nearby cafe, or bring your own meal with you when you arrive. After a lunch break, it's worth staying on, because the one-player battles are only the beginning: the most spectacular feature of the Battledome is the two-player arena, where one Neopet faces off against another. Fans of the Battledome hold tournaments with strict rules designed to keep the contest close, resulting in extremely tense and exciting matches.

DAY 5 - The Marketplace

Ah, the user shops. No visit to Neopia is complete without at least taking a quick look at the wares offered for sale by ordinary Neopians... but it is all too easy to become lost in the Marketplace for an entire day, so for that reason, an entire day has been devoted to it.

The trouble with including the entire Marketplace in this itinerary is that for any given type of merchandise - food, clothing, toys, Petpets, collectibles, training items, battle items, paint brushes, school supplies, treasure maps, and more - it is extremely difficult to find an ideal store. The number of shops owned by Neopian citizens is so massive that it would make your brain hurt, and the shops themselves range from the largest in the Marketplace, which are typically overpriced, to tiny premises owned by poor Neopians where a handful of useless items may be bought at a pittance. What you're looking for is something in the middle: a store that's large enough to be well-stocked, but small enough not to charge extravagant prices. These can be difficult to find, but help is at hand: the Shop Wizard can find the best prices in the market for any given item, and when he directs you to a supplier who has several of a common item in stock for a low cost, you may be in luck.

As it happens, there are many vendors who cooperate with each other to build what's known as a Mall: a series of shops that offer good ranges at competitive prices, each store specialising in a different type of item. When you find a good mall, it can be a far better place than the main shops for stocking up on supplies. Not all the prices here will be as reasonable as others, since these vendors are in business to make a profit; so be sure to drop in on the Shop Wizard again if you aren't sure, especially if the item in question is a bit pricy. No user-owned shop is permitted to stock items at prices of more than 99,999 Neopoints, so the Marketplace is not the location to purchase very expensive wares (known as "unbuyable" items). The Auctions in the main shops and the Trading Post on Mystery Island are the places to go if you really want to splurge your Neopoints. For now though, you should save most of your Neopoints for the remaining 75 days of the journey.

KIKO LAKE

DAY 6 - Shoreline Village

Just south of Neopia Central is a vast saltwater lake, the natural home of the Kiko species. Cut off from the nearby ocean strait by a narrow wall of rock which floods during the highest tides, the lake is teeming with small fish, corals, and little dome-shaped huts where the native Kikos live.

The star attraction of Kiko Lake, the Glass-Bottom Boat Tour, will be covered tomorrow, but for now you'll want to enjoy the shores of the lake. Kiko Lake is a quiet spot, great for taking a peaceful stroll in the morning - relax, savour the salty tang of the breeze and take in the views. In all of Neopia, there are few better places to unwind. Also, from the beaches you can see a wide variety of avian Petpet species that gather on or near the lake, so birdwatchers will love taking a holiday here. For relaxation, the best location is the shore opposite the main village because that's where it is quietest: it's also very beautiful and a great spot for a picnic. It's best that you prepare a packed lunch, though, since the only major food shop in the area specialises in hard candies which are really only suitable as snacks or souvenirs. If you want a more lasting memento, you'll want to head to Kiko Lake Carpentry, which sells furniture and trinkets crafted from corals, sea shells, and magically unbreakable bubbles. Many of these are small enough to take with you, so you can do some shopping if you'd like.

If you feel like a little more noise and action, the main village is the place to go. Besides the boat tour, which sets off from the little dock on the north shore of the lake, there is also a great time to be had to the west, where a river from further inland feeds into the lake through a series of churning rapids: home to the Tubular Kiko Races. For most species of Neopet, it would be incredibly dangerous to ride the rapids on an inner tube - legs, ears, tails and long hair can be caught up in the sharp rocks, but since Kikos have none of these features, the sport is perfectly safe for them. The rest of us can only enjoy watching, while the competitors jostle to avoid colliding with each other or piercing their inflatable tubes on stones and branches... okay, maybe the inner-tube races aren't completely safe, even for Kikos.

DAY 7 - Glass-bottom Boat Tour

This is the most famous feature of Kiko Lake: the glass-bottom boat that allows tourists to admire the spectacular corals and aquatic life that dwells in the shallows of Kiko Lake, without even needing to get their fur wet. Of course, it is also possible to enjoy the scenery below the waterline by swimming, so that has been incorporated into the itinerary as well.

Most of the Kikos' homes are underwater, but it's the coral beds and the marine Petpets that make the best viewing. The glass-bottom boat sets off in the morning at 10:30 a.m - and if you're worried about the trip turning into a game of Barf Boat, don't worry: you'll be given seasickness medicine before the boat sets off. The route it takes is the same every time, and follows the coral reef and the rock formations where animal life gathers. The spectacular colours and shapes of the corals are stunning, and better observed here in Kiko Lake than in deeper, darker oceanic waters. As the glass-bottom boat traces a course over the submerged scenery, a tour guide will talk you through the features of the underwater world and invite you to keep your eyes peeled for saltwater Petpets. Shoals of Ghoti, Peo and Frillabon are often spotted close to the shoreline, whereas Pfish and Pepito are common in deeper water. Jawshells are nestled among the corals, but they can be difficult to spot as their colour allows them to blend in; Kelpflakes can be easily seen just about everywhere. Food is provided during the cruise; the boat drops anchor during the lunch break so you won't miss any of the scenery.

However, some of the sights of Kiko Lake's waters can only be observed by diving. The boat tour will end at 3 p.m. (as long as there hasn't been an engine malfunction), which allows a few more hours of sightseeing before moving on. For snorkellers, there are Catamara, Soreen and Bubblisaurs lurking in the quietest lake waters, away from the noise of the glass-bottom boat's engine - you can even feed them if you bring some bait along, but fishing is prohibited. Everyone who visits Kiko Lake is required to respect its wildlife.

HAUNTED WOODS

DAY 8 - Haunted House

Perhaps the quintessential image of the Haunted Woods, a rickety and spooky old manor house lies just off the road that leads into the Haunted Woods from the east. The estate it sits on is surrounded by a tangle of dark trees and weeds, and the house is draped with countless cobwebs. Despite appearances though, it is no longer home to any horrifying monsters and it is quite entertaining to visit.

The house was built around 100 BN and was originally home to a very wealthy family. It is three storeys high and incorporates a spacious entrance hall, a vast library in the stone basement, nine large bedrooms, four bathrooms, a sprawling lawn bordered by flowerbeds, and a grove of trees in the grounds through which a narrow path winds. However, this once-grand mansion fell into disrepair after its residents moved away. The timber floorboards now creak with almost every step, wild Spyders scuttle through the corridors, and the torn tapestries on the walls occasionally rustle with no provocation, so the Haunted House is not a place for the faint of heart. However, it is safe for tourists to visit, and it's a popular spot for those who enjoy a good scare.

Further down the road from the Haunted House lies the centre of the woods. The Brain Tree, if you approach him in his dark grove, will demand information from you which can only be provided by the Esophagor, who will go to the trouble of finding it out in exchange for a two-course meal delivered to his dank clearing. This may be a rewarding exercise if you wish to meet these two beasts, but you must remember to visit the Brain Tree first. Other denizens of the woods include Eliv Thade, an anagram enthusiast who will test your prowess as a wordsmith if you are brave enough to enter his vast castle, and Edna the Witch, who is always in need of potion ingredients and grants rather meagre rewards to those who help her. In terms of activities, there is a poor Blumaroo who could use your assistance running errands in Fetch!, but far more rewarding is the Game Graveyard, where you can visit memory lane and play your favourite retired games. There is also a shop which sells Petpets native to the Haunted Woods.

DAY 9 - Deserted Fairground

Along with the Haunted House, the Deserted Fairground ranks as one of the most frightening and iconic locations in the Haunted Woods. Not only because there's nothing spookier than an abandoned and ruined carnival ground, but also because it has clowns. Clowns are terrifying!

The ferris wheel and roller-coaster have long since been torn down, but there is still fun to be had in the Fairground, despite the desperately eerie atmosphere. Since the demolition of the carnival rides, a few shops have opened, including a weapon stall and a furniture shop. These are worth a visit, but only for window-shopping since none of the items you can purchase there are really suitable as souvenirs. The main feature of the fairground is the game stands: Test Your Strength, Coconut Shy, Bagatelle, the Cork Gun Gallery and the Wheel of Misfortune. Be wary of these games, though, because all of them are horribly rigged (despite what their hosts will tell you) and you're bound to be unlucky if you play. If you are determined to win a prize, you will burn through far more Neopoints than it would cost to simply buy the item from a fellow Neopian, so if you participate in the games, you should carefully limit your spending and, most of all, expect to lose. (The same goes for buying scratchcards from Sidney.) When you've had enough of playing these punishing carnival games, you can take a break at the Spooky Food stall - but be careful of what you choose to buy, because some of the dishes are rather unfriendly and will not take kindly to being consumed.

There are other frights to be found in the Fairground, too. Most famous of all is the Carnival of Terror, which lives up to its name and then some: the area near the ruined roller coaster is teeming with Chia Clown robots who set upon visitors and pelt them with cream pies. Like most creamy confections, these pies are not good for your health, so to defend yourself it is essential to bring a weapon, which you can use to shoot down the pies before they reach you - and take out the robot clowns as well. Be warned though, if you accidentally hit the circuitry of one of the robots, the results can be quite explosive!

DAY 10 - Tour Castle Nox

This impressive stone fortress once served as the base of operations for the wicked warlock Hubrid Nox, before his untimely demise at the hands of the sorceress Xandra. Advertised to potential new owners as a "slightly used evil castle", it was snapped up by the Haunted Woods' tourist board who predicted, accurately, that it would bring in flocks of fans from all around Neopia.

Hubrid Nox survived as a ghost thanks to his dark magic, but no longer dwells in the castle. His various minions, who include many different breeds of undead monsters, have recovered from their brainwashing curse and now serve as helpful tour guides, although their demeanour is naturally rather cold. Tours of the castle begin at ten in the morning and visitors are first shown to the correct entrance - there are many apparent ways in, but all except one will lead you into a near-impenetrable maze full of devious traps. After entering, you will be led into the immense entrance hall, whose walls are decorated with grand portraits and statues of Hubrid himself. The first storey rooms are mostly residential areas for Hubrid's former armies, including the ghost Scorchios who now run the tours, and a horde of now-friendly zombies. The exception to this is the Corridor of Chance: the Transfabulator device within was originally intended to mutate its targets, but an error in its construction resulted in the device only affecting a pet's clothing. Some time ago, you could purchase keys to the corridor if you felt like trying out the device, but it is now inactive and serves only as a novelty for tourists. The kitchens are on the first floor too, and the tour includes lunch.

The upper storeys and towers of Castle Nox were Hubrid's private rooms, including the study where he concocted his plans for Neopian domination, a library where he kept his vast collection of spellbooks (all of which are padlocked to prevent anybody else from getting any evil ideas), a laboratory where potions were brewed, a secure room containing several precious magical artefacts, and Hubrid's living areas. You will also get the chance to see the hidden control room for the myriad of traps around the fortress, but nobody is allowed to touch the control panel.

DAY 11 - Gypsy Camp

This travelling caravan moves up and down the narrow path that connects Neovia to the Haunted Woods' central clearing, and is home to a motley collection of fortune tellers, nomads, and mages who like nothing better than telling a good yarn. Bring along some marshmallows to toast on the fire, because it's worth spending a whole day here.

Many Neopians hold a false impression of the gypsies who live here, fearing that their choice to settle in the Haunted Woods bodes ill; but the fact is that the vast majority of them are friendly, just like any other community. It's always fun to have your fortune told by one of the locals here - some use the crystal ball, others are palm-readers and still others prefer to use fortune-telling cards. These mystics operate from dark tents; they speak in hushed voices and tell you your future by candlelight: a truly atmospheric experience. If you choose to have your fortune told multiple times by different mystics, it can consume most of the morning, after which it will be time for lunch: fire-baked vegetables, roasted marshmallows and the local specialty - soft damper, made with simple wheat flour and water, cooked lightly over the fire and then slathered with butter or honey. Delicious!

After lunch, if you feel like a spot of shopping you can purchase souvenirs such as shawls and jewellery in some of the carriages. Later, it's time to settle down and hear a good story from the locals. A few of them have fantastic personal adventures to share; Archos and Megan, who always travel together, will give you a ripping yarn about the Wand of Wishing and their battles to retrieve it. Another fascinating gypsy's tale relates to the legendary Portal City, which has never been proven to exist, and yet its story is rich in depth and detail. Learn about its rulers, its landmarks, its citizens, heroes and villains: it takes hours to soak up the city's history. Who knows... if the portals ever reopen, it might turn out to be a real place!

DAY 12 - The Town of Neovia

Some time ago, the small and secluded town of Neovia was placed under a curse and almost destroyed, but thanks to the efforts of a trio of heroes, the Neovian citizens were restored and their town has since been rebuilt. It is known as one of the more peaceful and quiet places in the otherwise hazardous Haunted Woods.

The story of Neovia's past, of the two different spells that afflicted its populace and the eventual lifting of both enchantments, is one of the stories told around the campfire in the Gypsy Camp. It is also recorded for posterity in the Library of Brightvale, which you will visit later in your travels. For now, though, it's time to enjoy some sightseeing and shopping. If it's close to Halloween, the Haunted Faire is held not far from Neovia, but otherwise you will be able to find Vandebart Biggsby and his Apple Bobbing stand in the town square. Try your luck if you like, but bear in mind you may end up with something less pleasant than apples - the loss of an item, a case of Blurred Vision, and a mouthful of Spyders are among the other possibilities. If you're more fond of gossip than apples, a trip to the Neovian Printing Press is worthwhile: among many other things, they sell the travel brochures that inspired this itinerary. At midday the town will still be shrouded in a light fog, and it will be time for lunch at the Crumpetmonger Cafe, which serves many delicious pastries: the steak and kidney pie is fantastic as a main course, but leave room for a couple of mouthwatering lemon tarts.

After lunch, it is time to visit the shops which best demonstrate the craftsmanship of the Neovian citizenry. For those who enjoy dressing up smart, the selection of classical Neovian clothing on sale at the Prigpants & Swolthy tailor's shop is rewarding to browse. But the best of the local retailers is Chesterdrawers' Antiques, where there are many displays of exquisitely hand-carved furniture. Fans of antiques can become lost in here, but there's little room to move inside, so don't bring in any bulky backpacks or handbags because they're likely to knock things over. It is highly recommended to pick up a souvenir at Chesterdrawers' - a framed photo of Alice is an excellent choice.

LOST DESERT

DAY 13 - Valley of Kings

Bring your shades, sunblock, and plenty of water - the solar rays are harsh in the Lost Desert, especially after leaving the Haunted Woods where even the days are dark. The Valley of Kings is the central region of the desert, and is home to its iconic pyramids (or more accurately, Gebmids) along with the Lost Desert's most famous tourist attractions.

By far and away, the most popular location in the Lost Desert is the shrine dedicated to the late King Coltzan III; most travellers in the desert are only there to visit the shrine. Approach the shrine and you may gain a blessing such as a stat point or a handful of Neopoints, or if you're lucky you may get an exclusive souvenir such as a Serf Lens or Coltzans Gem - but most of the time nothing will happen, apart from a strange sound or your hands briefly glowing blue. Legend has it that on extremely rare occasions, the shrine grants a million Neopoints or a super-expensive item like the coveted Kings Lens, but definitely don't hold your breath for that. Even if the King's ghost doesn't visit you, the shrine is worth admiring simply for its beauty.

From Coltzan's Shrine, it's a long walk through the desert sands to reach the Gebmids. Here, you can rest and relax with the Pyramids card game or, if you're a fan of match-three puzzles, you can visit the tomb of Sutek, an ingenious Geb who is said to have concealed wealth beyond imagining inside his crypt. To open the door you must clear as many symbols as there are Neopoints inside, all before your moves run out; a new set of symbols will then be generated and the count reset. (Just play for fun; don't bother trying to open the door of Sutek's Tomb because it'll probably take several centuries.) The nearby tomb of Sobek the Wise was once open for visitors in a game called Mummy Maze, but is now closed due to collapsed passageways. Enjoy the sunset over the silhouetted pyramids before heading across to the gates of Sakhmet City.

DAY 14 - Sakhmet City

Sakhmet is the largest and best-known city in the Lost Desert, and is considered a kingdom in its own right. The centre of the city is quite distinct from the suburbs; it is home to the wealthier citizens of Sakhmet as well as the stunning Royal Palace.

The palace is where you should start, but don't think for a moment that you'll be allowed on a tour of the interior; the palace guards will throw you out unless you've received a summons from a member of Princess Amira's court. However, you are free to wander around the perimeter wall, which is well worth doing because the building itself is spectacularly beautiful, sporting white marble walls, tall arched windows and golden sandstone minarets. Surrounding the palace are neat rows of desert palm trees, and fresh clean water in the form of small fountains from which you can drink in case you get thirsty, which you definitely will. There are several monuments in the square outside the palace which are worth a look, especially for their inscriptions if you can read them. One statue depicts Brucey B, who defeated Dr. Sloth and his Rock Beast, and his friends Capara and Princess Fernypoo. Also present is a monument to the Qasalan royals Nabile and Jazan, whose combined efforts saved Sakhmet from destruction by the monstrous Razul.

When you're done sightseeing in the main square, it's time to explore the rest of the city. Here, the buildings are large and handsome; important institutes have adjoining shops. The library is bizarrely named "Palatial Papyrus Repository" and plays host to Sutek's Scrolls, where they sell spare copies of desert documents, most of which are written in hieroglyphs. The Sakhmet Gallery is home to any number of ancient artifacts and sand sculptures, but you can also buy pottery from Osiri, a famous Sakhmetian sculptor. Needless to say, the city's army base is not open for visitors, but you can pick up a distinctive desert weapon at the Battle Supplies surplus shop.

DAY 15 - Sakhmet Suburbs

Outside the centre of Sakhmet are the crowded suburbs where the majority of the Sakhmetian populace lives; most are peasants, but Princess Vyssa occasionally visits the suburbs to mingle with the civilians. Even beyond the grandeur of the city centre there are a lot of sights to see, but keep your wits about you because there are street urchins about - watch out for the Desert Scarabs!

The architecture here is strictly functional: the houses are small and square, made of mud bricks, and shops and stalls are set up on simple tables under the shelter of fabric awnings. It can be difficult to find your way around because the streets are a maze. It is best to stick to the main roads in order to avoid getting lost; also, the market stalls are all erected along the main roads, and they are the biggest attraction. Of course, you'll want to visit the food stall to sample the local delicacies such as Tchea Fruit, dried Bagguss, Tut Trout and Ummagines... but you should avoid the sand foods, because they'll leave grit in your mouth. Peopatra's Petpet Stall is worth a visit too, but don't buy; just look. There is a scratchcard shop here like the one in the Deserted Fairground, but it sells different cards and may be worth a try. The Emergency Supplies shop is a tent where you can pick up local medicines, which won't work all the time, but even if you're feeling fantastic you should still pay a visit because they sell delicious lozenges, which are worth the Neopoints just for the taste.

There are games here, too. Be sure to give the Fruit Machine a spin, because it's totally free and a winning spin will provide a nice reward. Sakhmet Solitaire is great fun if you like card games, and if you get a lucky deal and win a game, you may receive items as well as Neopoints; another card game here is Scarab 21, which will resonate with fans of Blackjack. If you would prefer an activity you can watch rather than participate in, find a village square and you can see one of the Cobrall Charming shows that take place daily in the Sakhmet suburbs.

DAY 16 - The Oasis

There are two paths connecting Sakhmet to the recently restored city of Qasala: the one leading through the arid Valley of Kings, the other following a river that winds through the desert from the mountains above. Since Qasala will be your next stop, it would be a missed opportunity not to take both roads.

This part of the desert has very little in the way of civilisation, but there are still several points of interest. Neopian Protection Zone 6b is situated not far from this road, but unfortunately it attracts vast plagues of green scarab beetles seeking shelter from the hot sun; if you feel like a bit of pest-control playtime, you can man one of the Wocky Tanks and zap the critters away. The championships of the Tug o' War competition take place along this river too, but of course the highlight is the oasis itself - a gorgeous crystal-clear pool of fresh water sheltered by a canopy of palm fronds. The luxurious Presidential Palace summer resort is located beside the lake: the perfect place to enjoy a fresh fruit smoothie and go for a swim. The swimming pool here is among the best in all of Neopia; a sublime place to cool off in the searing desert sun.

Further along the same river, closer to Qasala, lies a ruined palace half-buried in the sand. This is the infamous Temple of 1,000 Tombs, which is still open for visitors (and still not entirely safe). If you are feeling brave - very brave - you can venture in, try to navigate the labyrinth of passages inside, and perhaps take a peek behind some of the doors. Be warned, most of the doors will have traps behind them: try not to fall into a spike pit or be swallowed by a Gelatinous Non-Cube as you explore. You may come across a dusty repository of old scrolls, but the scrolls themselves have long since been removed and transferred into the Qasalan library. A statue of Nuria the Fire Faerie is here too, for reasons unknown, but you'd be very lucky to find it before sunset. As evening descends, it's best to return to the Presidential Palace for a fabulous dinner and a comfortable night's rest.

DAY 17 - Province of Qasala

This ancient city was once the capital of a vast empire that encompassed the now very dangerous Mentu region, but its territory has contracted over the years and now includes only Qasala itself. King Jazan and his queen Nabile have brought the city back to its former glory after it was ravaged by a curse laid by Jazan's father, the mighty and merciless Emperor Razul.

The first thing you'll notice about the city is that it is much smaller, but somehow grander than Sakhmet. There are fewer citizens here, they live in larger houses, and on average they are wealthier than Sakhmetians. While the architecture and fashions here are somewhat reminiscent of the centre of Sakhmet, the food is very distinctive. Qasalan cuisine is centred around the local fruits, Queela and Qando, whose juices are often used in the local pastries and cake recipes as well as in beverages. Be warned, Queela flesh is very spicy, so to alleviate any afterburn you should wash down your lunch with a Qasalan Cone, the specialty ice-cream.

As well as a weapon shop similar to the one in Sakhmet, and an ancient collection of scrolls and tablets written in the Qasalan dialect (which is read from right to left, unlike Sakhmetian hieroglyphs and normal Neopian words), there is a sensational gallery of large dioramas in a huge underground network of rooms. Each room is cubic with three-metre square walls, lavishly decorated with exquisitely detailed recreations of plants and trees, rocks, sculptures, crates and boxes, interiors of many kinds of rooms, and many other things besides. The sides of the display rooms are painted to resemble the sky or a distant wall. This gallery is called Mystical Surroundings, and its chambers (along with similar rooms in the NC Mall complex) are designed for use as backgrounds when customising Neopets: all dressed up in their favourite outfit, a Neopet can have their official picture taken in one of these rooms in exchange for an appropriate fee. When you've finished admiring the scenery chambers, take a Qasalan chariot across the nearby ranges to reach the Mountain Lodge motel on the other side.

ALTADOR

DAY 18 - The Colosseum

Welcome to the majestic land of Altador... and of course, when in Altador, do as the Altadorians do. For very obvious reasons, the Colosseum where the Altador Cup tournament is held each year is the biggest attraction for tourists, as well as being very popular with the locals, so head over there right away.

If it's Yooyuball season, the stadium will be packed with screaming fans from all over Neopia, as well as Kreludor and the Space Station, and it'll be very difficult to get tickets to see a game. But in the lead-up to the tournament, and during the break times between official matches, you may be able to catch one of the pro Yooyuball teams engaged in a practise game against their usual training opponents, the Jelly Chia Squad. During these practise sessions, you can watch from the stands and cheer your head off if you'd like. Shooting for goal is the most important part of Yooyuball, so the Jelly Chia goalie is usually busy even when his teammates are resting - if he has time, he may allow you to take a few penalty shots of your own, just for fun. Refreshments are available in the Slushie Shop in the spectator stands; as well as quenching your thirst, you can also earn a few Neopoints by volunteering to help the Tuskaninny waitress serve the other customers.

If it isn't Yooyuball season, you can still purchase Altador Cup souvenirs such as official team merchandise, replica Championship trophies, and plush Yooyu toys; you can also learn about the tournament's history in the inbuilt Yooyuball Museum. But the stadium itself will be devoted to other pursuits, including training the Yooyus themselves for a starring role in the sport, and also for the second-biggest spectator sport in Altador: chariot racing. These races are very unpredictable because, although all the chariots are identically constructed and the Alabriss who pull them are well-trained, steering the chariots at speed is very difficult. All this activity provides plenty of entertainment whatever the season, especially with the addition of a delicious Altador Dog.

DAY 19 - Altadorian City Square

The central region of the city of Altador is pentagonal and surrounded by tall stone walls. The finest of the kingdom's architecture can be admired tomorrow in the Hall of Heroes, but for now, the time is ripe to enjoy other aspects of Altador's exquisite culture.

Magical Marvels, the first of the weaponry shops, is an excellent place to pick up a souvenir. Two recommendations are the Sun Ring and the Golden Laurel Circlet, because although they won't do much good in the Battledome they are inexpensive and their styling is perfectly symbolic of the land of Altador. The other weapon store is called Illustrious Armoury; for the life of me I can't tell why it is separate from Magical Marvels, but it too is worth a look. Ironically, it is here in the armoury that the locally made blades are stocked, despite these weapons not being defensive in nature. There is a Petpet store where you can admire the Altadorian fauna, including the Alabriss that provide the "horsepower" for the chariot races - but the famous Yooyu does not stock here, since these Petpets are only available as prizes for Altador Cup participants after they are retired from the sport. The real jewel of the local retailers is the Exquisite Ambrosia restaurant. Leave room for a big lunch, because you will want the opportunity to enjoy the traditional Altadorian buffet: star-shaped bread rolls, hummus with pita chips, stuffed figs and olives, cheese platters, and various fresh salads, accompanied by a cool glass of fresh fruit nectar. Yum!

With your belly bulging, it is time to visit the Altadorian Archives to learn the city's recently-restored history. The Council of Twelve who founded the city once included the Darkest Faerie, who was then known as the Sleeper and had yet to turn to true evil; when she betrayed the Council and planned to take over the kingdom, the sorceress Jerdana was forced to erase the populace's memories of its past until such time as the Darkest Faerie was vanquished. Since her defeat, Altador's history has been released from the grip of Jerdana's protective spell, and now it is possible to learn of the formation of the Council of Twelve and the leadership qualities with which they brought together their new kingdom. Visiting their statues, however, will have to wait until the morning.

DAY 20 - Hall of Heroes

Situated in the very centre of the city square, the Hall of Heroes is the most magnificent and most characteristic piece of architecture in Altador. It is here in this grand building that the Council of Twelve (which now numbers only eleven) holds its regular meetings, and where each of them is honoured with a granite statue in the vast Atrium.

Before entering the Hall, take a leisurely stroll around the outside of the building to behold its beauty. The whole thing was built by hand from smooth white stone; four tall square columns, the city's main watchtowers, rise from the corners of the structure, and the centre of the building is crowned with a fifteen-storey domed tower. On the ground floor, which is itself four storeys high, the exterior walls are draped with flags bearing the colours of Altador. The Hall of Heroes is open to all comers; once you have finished admiring the outside, feel free to wander in. The Atrium is enormous, lit by large arched windows, and is dominated by twelve huge statues of the Heroes of Altador; although the statue of the Darkest Faerie has now been destroyed and only its base remains. The Yurble janitor is sometimes seen chasing muddy-footed Petpets with a wet mop, or else raging about something completely random. Behind the statue of Kendall the Thief is the door to the Council Chamber, which (like the doors to the watchtowers) is closed to visitors.

Behind the statue of Psellia the Dreamer is the staircase that leads up into the central tower, so head that way now. It's quite a climb just to reach the roof of the Atrium, but it's worth it because the view is impressive. You can look through the windows for a bird's-eye view of the city, gaze down on the Atrium from above, and admire the ionic columns holding up the stone ceiling. But if you have "energy legs" (or wings, for that matter), you may wish to ascend to the top of the tower for an even better view of Altador, and a brief visit to the Observatory on the top floor. There you can pick up a guide to the constellations, which will be useful tomorrow. Be sure to do your stretches after coming back down!

DAY 21 - Coastline Walk and Stargazing

Altador is one of those places that has plenty of sights to see beyond the city centre. Surrounding the walls of the city are several places worth visiting, so if your legs aren't too weary from yesterday's visit to the Altadorian Observatory, pack for a picnic and set off.

Not far from Altador's western gates is the Perfectly Flat Rock Quarry. (The quarry itself is not perfectly flat, but the rocks are.) While it's not terribly interesting to explore, it's worth remembering as you pass through it that the stones quarried here comprise most of Altador's buildings. Follow the path through the quarry and along the southern wall to reach the docks; from here you can enjoy a pleasant walk north along Sunrise Beach to one of the best picnic spots in all of Neopia. Fresh, cool sea breezes, stunning views of the mountains and the ocean, and a quiet grassy hillside dotted with trees make this area a wonderful place to settle down for lunch. Bring a selection of savoury snacks from Exquisite Ambrosia, and spend an hour or two relaxing and soaking up the surroundings. It is advised that you don't go swimming at Sunrise Beach because while the water may look very inviting, the current from Neopia's south pole makes it freezing cold!

Further north is Old Follies Farm; tourists are allowed to visit, but you needn't bother unless you're passionate about wheat and windmills. Instead, head back into Altador City through its northern gates and book in for an evening hike on the Restive Cliffs, from whence it is possible to enjoy an exceptionally clear view of the night sky. (Don't worry; if your legs are worn out by now, you get to the top of the cliffs in a chariot.) The clifftops are above the clouds, so it rarely rains here. You'll be given a three-course dinner to eat under the stars, before receiving a pair of binoculars to find the twelve famous constellations named after the twelve founders of Altador. You can also have fun looking for asteroids, shooting stars (which might actually be the Space Faerie) and orbiting spacecraft such as the Coincidence. When the stargazing session is over, rest for the night in the nearby Mountain Lodge - the same one you stayed in before your first day in Altador.

***

The journey continues next week: your next destination will be the wondrous land of Shenkuu. Your voyage around Neopia is only just getting started!