2002: Magincia
Note: This was originally posted on the short-lived uo-europa.com official page, rather than on uo.com.
Asked to do another travel guide, I felt my spirits rise. Nothing like experiencing the far flung corners of the world for pepping up a girl. Polar bear spotting in icey mountains? Lakeland views? A holiday on board the best boat money can buy? I collected my tickets and excitably checked my new destination.
But Alas! My heart sank. How can I be sent to review a weekend break in the town of magic and love, without feeling a tinge of regret at my single lifestyle? Magincia you see, is a town for lovers. If only..
I`ve lost count of the postcards I`ve been sent from wedded friends, yet I`ve never been. Never seen for myself the views of the golden sandstone arches, plunging cliffs, white beaches and temperate climate flooding the sky with shots of deep deep blues.
Well, being as I`m not paying - it`s my chance to go see the place for myself and be confident!
I arrived in Magincia late in last night, too sleepy to do anything but check into my room at the Great Horn`s Tavern and rest up till this morning. Oh, and when dawn broke, it was everything I`d been led to believe. Streaks of silver glistened from the sea, waves crashing against the cliffs. It`s out of season here, so the streets are pretty quiet, only the even paced wandering of servants, mages and merchants. A simple and wholesome breakfast later, I`m ready to face the Town as a single woman in search of relaxation. I`ve got my sense of wonder and am going to step into the sunshine!
I recommend a viewing of the Parliament Building - guided tours don`t start again until high season, but at this time of year there is no jostling to view the finery. Olden time solitude and reverence spill from the red carpets and ornate benches and after a morning there I`m ready for a bit of lunch. Solitude is character building. I can do this.
Following the locals, I headed to the Bakery to choose from some wonderfully made bread, honey, cheese, muffins and cakes. All perfect picnic food, and armed with my fresh goodies, I went to relax on the beach towards the north of the town. I recommend a cookie or two! Delicious. The white sands of the beach are so close to town, even sun-seekers who get a bit bored with acquiring a tan will find something to do.
Oh. Standing in quiet desperation at the entrance to the Magincia Wedding Chapel. One day I`ll be the white wearing bride, but until that day - whenever it may be - I`ve got to steel myself for what would seem to be a fantastic wedding venue, if you want to run away and get married without the parents! No eloping couples so far, thankfully, otherwise I might have to throw myself from the imposing cliffs. But being single is the life of an Adventurer!
I need a drink.
Knowing I had to turn away from weddings and honeymoons before I got even more unstable emotionally, I checked out the other Inn in town, The Stag and Lion Inn.
History does not dictate why this Inn has been named as such, but I can safely say I didn`t see either a Stag OR a Lion. Old Albert, sitting drinking at the bar, told me it was due to an ancient curse involving a Princess, her magical Zoo, and an accident, but I`m not entirely sure this is accurate and we were drinking rather heavily by this point.
My head hurts. OwOwOwOw.
I`ve taken my hangover to the Botanical Gardens, and slumped attractively on a bench near the trickling water feature. Lillies and their flowers added to the smell of paradise. The stray cats and dogs, unfortunately, didn`t. Ew. Maybe abitofasleepnow.
Woo! Shopping in Magincia is pretty fun. Lots magical scrolls and potions and reagents and potions an of jewels and rings an necklaces an rings and rings an... Engagement rings a plenty. Not that I`ve got any need for one of those. No, no flowers and champagne and honeymoons for me, just fishing. With Tremain the sodding master fisherman. I`ve got to meet him later to FISH. I got waders instead of presents. I got fish. Fish and lobsters. Not even cooked lobster.
Can’t..write..anymore.
Magincia. S`great. *sniffle*
