Not-So-Obvious Mystery Island - A Travel Log

      Neopian Times - Around the World Section

     Hello dear Neopian Times readers! Today our travel log will be on Mystery Island - one of the oldest places in Neopia. In case you don't know, Mystery Island is located in what we call the Maraquan Circle because its location surrounds an area comprising Mystery Island itself, Krawk Island, and Maraqua. It's also cool for you to know that Mystery Island is the region of Neopia that shelters the most Kougras. They are considered a good luck species by the natives here.

     Access to Mystery Island is made exclusively by ferries coming from Neopian Central, and they drop us off at The Harbour. The vessels run during the day, and there are ferries going back and forth every thirty minutes. The most natural path here to the Island is to reach Neopian Central and take these vessels from there. This is generally an area where you will find many tourists, and tourism is what moves the Island the most today. What tourists look for most here on Mystery Island is enjoying the beaches, playing volleyball, and relaxing. After the beach, many people take advantage of the east side of the Island to visit the Trading Post, play Tombola, and taste the spices of the Underwater Chef. Mystery Island also comprises two islets to the North where you can visit the Island Mystic and the Rock Pool, where there is a very famous Petpet shop.

     There is a part of the Island that is the famous Lost City of Geraptiku. Because the trails are harder, requiring more training and time, it isn't usually as touristy, but you still see some Neopians adventuring through the Deserted Tombs. Many come here, everyone, believing they can find treasure, but it won't be that uncommon to see Neopians leaving hurt because they accidentally fell into one of these Tombs' traps.

     Today I want to invite you, dear Neopian, to discover places on the Island that aren't so touristy. I set out to do a day of adventure across the Island, and my main goal was to explore the Techo Mountain region. My day started early, when I caught the first boat leaving Neopian Central, and we docked at Mystery Island while it was still morning.

      The Harbour

     The harbour area is one of the busiest here on Mystery Island. That's because as soon as we step off the harbour, we come face to face with Tiki Tack, which is the shop where you'll find all kinds of island merchandise. Here we find many keychains, bottles of sand, and local crafts. Some are very interesting. I personally am not a big fan of souvenirs, but I ended up buying a Bottle of Bubbles Sand that caught my attention for having these colours and a different shape, and I was very lucky because there was only one left in the shop. Did I get lucky?

     Next to the harbour, we have the beach. The water here is a turquoise colour, and I believe it is one of the most beautiful in all of Neopia. It is rarely spoken about, but given its proximity to Maraqua, you have unique opportunities to practice Snorkeling. Some Maraquan corals break off, and the currents bring them here. Since the water is very clear, you have the opportunity to see a lot of things and don't even need to go that deep. It is an activity that any species of Neopet can practice. It's worth remembering, everyone, that the water here is quite chilly, but the heat here definitely makes up for it! It is very refreshing to come here to the beach, and you can understand the number of tourists who visit this region.

      Tiki Tours

     Near the harbour, I found several Coconut JubJubs offering tours around the island. I made friends with one of them, and we talked a lot about the island. He commented that tourists usually stop at the volleyball court in the beach area, as I registered earlier, and that they usually only observe the mountain from afar. I asked him if he could take us to the Techo Mountain region, if there was a path to get closer, and he agreed. During our journey, besides telling stories, he made two very interesting stops before our final destination, which would be the base of Techo Mountain.

           Haiku

     During the trail to Techo Mountain, we stopped here at the house of a native resident of the island named Rorru. Rorru, everyone composes a Haiku every day. They explained to me that a Haiku is a three-line poem where the first line has five syllables, the second line has seven syllables, and the third line closes with five syllables. I asked Rorru how this tradition arose, and she told me:

     "Mystery Island is in the path of many other places. Once, travellers from a distant land that we later found out to be Shenkuu stopped by here, and they taught this poem structure to the natives. The natives were amazed and passed the teachings of Haiku forward, from generation to generation. I actively work so that Haiku isn't forgotten here on the island, so every day I write a different Haiku."

     Rorru invited me to write a Haiku. I don't know if it turned out very good, but I'll leave it here for you too:

     "Mystic Island path

     Coconut guide to Techo

     secrets found at last"

     I don't know if it turned out very good, but Rorru said I did very well for a first Haiku.

     After leaving Rorru's house, the Coconut JubJub took us to the base of the mountain where we entered the Mystery Island Training School.

      Mystery Island Training School

     The Training School is one of the only places in Neopia where Neopians can be trained, become stronger, more resistant, and consequently wiser. Ryshu is one of the masters and instructors here. He was directly trained by the Techo Master from a very young age. The Coconut JubJub gave me some Codestones, and I was able to do a few hours of training with Ryshu. It was one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had.

     I asked him about the Codestones, and Ryshu promptly told me:

     "I feel you have a purpose, Rio. You travel the world, record it, and share it with thousands of Neopian Times readers. Purpose calms you; having your place in the world sets you at peace. Codestones also have a purpose. Even if they are just stones, they belong to a place. Thousands of years ago, various volcanoes, winds, tides... many events carried the stones far away. But they have a place. They belong here, to Mystery Island. When students hand them over, they shake. But when we take them to the codestone garden, they find their purpose and calm down. It is as the Techo Master taught me — When we find our place, even the hardest tasks become easy. My place is here. And my mission is to return the codestones to their place too. I hope you enjoyed your training. The only path to the top of Techo Mountain is a trail. The Coconut JubJub can wait for you down here, but this is a path you will have to walk alone. It is not a very common trip for tourists, so we don't have a guide, but don't worry, the trail is well marked."

     Ryshu took a set of ten codestones and handed them to me.

     "I see that you are quite strong. There are places that can train you beyond your current strength. If you climb the mountain with ten codestones, you will have a way to be trained."

      Mystery Island Volcano

     The trail up Techo Mountain is long, a bit steep, and definitely not recommended for beginners. That being said, we reached the volcano, and I was greeted by a Kougra who instructed me to throw the ten codestones into the volcano.

     Upon doing this, the volcano made a strange noise and impressively spat out a red codestone. I asked the Kougra how this would get me trained.

     "At the foot of the mountain, pay attention. You will find a way to use that red codestone."

     With that, everyone, I want to share an incredible and definitely secret (or maybe not so secret) log!

      Secret Ninja Training School

     Extremely hidden, at the base of Techo Mountain, it is possible to find a passage. Upon getting close, the door opened, and I found masked Ninjas. It was a lot of information; upon entering, I was greeted by Ninjas in black attire who also offered training. The payment was precisely a red codestone, and I had the opportunity to have an incredible martial arts lesson. Ryshu really was right. The ninjas told me that I was able to enter because I am indeed a very well-trained Neopian. They told me that people need to train to the limit of what Ryshu can offer so that they can find the entrance. If you are not wise enough, you might even find the entrance, but the door will not open.

     As it was already getting dark, I went down the mountain and met up again with the Coconut JubJub, who dropped me off back at the harbour area. Perhaps it was time to return to Neopian Central, but I won't forget Rorru, Ryshu, or the Coconut JubJub. The island's natives are fantastic Neopians, just like the Island itself. I will definitely return more times to discover more secrets.

     So keep an eye out for the next logs!

     Rio A. Nomaroots directly for Neopian Times!

      Rio A. Nomaroots has been travelling across Neopia for years, discovering secrets, not-so-obvious tourism, and bringing interesting places with exclusive information to the Neopian Times reader.