ARCHIVED: State visits
- Thread starter mcmasterdonia
- Start date
Yes, it is -- but not all that detail has to be included!
It just gives McMasterdonia something to work with -- he can pick and choose what he wishes to emphasize. After all, it's hard to coordinate mutual press releases without a common ground to work from.
I'm hoping this makes it easier for him; after all, he was gracious enough to start a regional tour to begin with.
>^,,^<
Alunya
It just gives McMasterdonia something to work with -- he can pick and choose what he wishes to emphasize. After all, it's hard to coordinate mutual press releases without a common ground to work from.
I'm hoping this makes it easier for him; after all, he was gracious enough to start a regional tour to begin with.
>^,,^<
Alunya
- TNP Nation
- McMasterdonia
We're falling a bit behind schedule.. but that was bound to happen. Andrew - can you please post the first part of the tour asap? It looked like you had it finished yesterday.
Thank you to everyone who has submitted schedules - Alunya I will be in touch about the prior history between McMasterdonia and Alunya.
Thank you to everyone who has submitted schedules - Alunya I will be in touch about the prior history between McMasterdonia and Alunya.
Andrew
TNPer
Sorry, i was making edits. its up nowmcmasterdonia:
The Constitutional Monarchy of Aurora Orb
Special press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the visit of Queen Matilda II of the Kingdom of McMasterdonia, August 3rd to August 4th.
The Royal Delegation arrives at Stanley Airport
Royal Welcome
Queen Matilda gives a quick smile to the onlooking Press
Government Notice: The Government of Aurora Orb is pleased to welcome Her Royal Majesty, Queen Matilda, and her Royal Delegation to the Country as a part of their Grand Tour of The North Pacific. We they will enjoy their visit
The Royal Delegation arrived at the International Stanley Airport several minutes after seven o'clock in the morning, and was greeted by Chancellor Jonathan Butler and other senior government representatives. A large crowd of royalist fans and political onlookers endured the cold spring night and the bitterly mild spring morning to get a view of the visiting Royal Delegation. Before making their way to the Motorcade, the Royal Delegation stopped briefly to speak to the press reporters, who were anxious to interview Her Majesty, Queen Matilda.
Queen Matilda:
Queen Matilda is honored by the Red Regiment
Long live the Queen!
Atten-shun!
Shortly before nine o'clock, Chancellor Jonathan Butler escorted members of the Royal Delegation to St. Peters Park in the central districts of Titanium City. The Royal delegation was warmly welcomed by the crowd of over 8000 citizens, who came to see the internationally famous royals. Children from the local community presented gifts of historic and cultural importance to Her Royal Majesty. Among the most significant was a diamond tiara worn by the Queen-Mother of the Emperor; containing 1333 diamonds, weighing 325.75 carats (65.150 g), and 169 pearls along its base.
Chancellor Jonathan Butler opened the ceremony, with a well-built and vigorous speech about the two countries compatible histories; the tribulations both nations have endured; how far each has progressed since then, and the optimism of better diplomatic relations in the future. The Chancellor praised Queen Matilda and her governing of Mcmasterdonia. He also congratulated her on her calm management when her rule was questioned. This resulted in a warm-hearted cheer from the crowd, in a strong sign of the public approval of the Jonathan Government and their firm admiration of Queen Matilda.
Following the Opening Speech, the crowd stood at attention as the Red Band played the National Anthems of Mcmasterdonia and Aurora Orb. This progressed into the main military procession, lead by Lt. Col Mike Bronson.
Queen Matilda is clearly moved by the Chancellor's speech
Cruise on River Maximus
River Maximus
Several minutes before one o'clock, the Royal Delegation joined Chancellor Jonathan and Foreign Secretary Jack Conners for a river cruise ,along the River Maximus, to the Royal Estates. The River Cruise covered a substantial area in the north, which extends from the border areas of the nation to the famous fortress-city of Luthadel.
Senior members of the Royal Delegation wave to riverside residents
In spite of the drizzling weather, her Royal Majesty cherished the majestic surroundings and riverside communities who came to view the Delegations procession. Meanwhile the Chancellor was more attentive to matters of state, and held a conference between the representatives of the two nations about potential agreements in trade and military co-operation to further strengthen relations.
State Diner at Eltham
The Royal Residence of Eltham Palace
The Royal Delegation is taken to Eltham Palace, VIP style
Several minutes after three o'clock in the afternoon, a Motorcade escorted The Royal Delegation to Eltham Palace where Queen Matilda II joined Emperor Andrew and Chancellor Jonathan Butler, in a private meeting while the rest of the Imperial Family entertained the rest of the Royal Delegation. The three government leaders discussed the future relations between the two kingdoms, mainly relating to military cooperation and commerce.
The Chancellor's strong, patriotic views lead him to encourage joint-military training maneuvers and tactical operations between the Mcmasterdonian and Auroranian Forces, as well as a commerce alliance to give both Kingdoms superiority in the North Pacifican Trade Market. These discussion continued throughout the evening; most vigorously throughout the State Diner.
The State Dinner: Queen Matilda II (far left), Chancellor Jonathan Butler (left), Mcmasterdonian Minister of Foreign Affairs (right), the Queen-Mother (far right)
Finally, to end the day, the Royal Delegation was invited to the Imperial Banquet, attended by the Chancellor, cabinet secretaries, the leaders of Parliament, top-ranking military officials, the Chief Justice and foreign diplomats. A source from inside the Palace Staff had this to say
Palace Source:
Tomorrow, the Royal Delegation will join the Imperial Family for a hunting expedition in Eltham Woods and Queen Matilda will be invited to address both houses of Parliament. The official visit to the Kingdom of Aurora Orb will conclude tomorrow
The Kingdom hopes that relations with McMasterdonia will be further advanced after the visit. The Emperor wishes the royal delegation well, and hopes to be able to visit the Mcmasterdonia soon.
Official Press Release:
[c]
The Kingdom of Alunya
Liverfool, Alunya -- The Kingdom of Alunya was honored on Monday, August 11th, with the first official state visit by a monarch of the Kingdom of McMasterdonia since the 1974 visit of the late King Johnslo, when relations were strained over the McMasterdonian Canal. King Guglielmo of the House of Olivotto welcomed Her Royal Majesty Queen Matilda II of the House of McMaster upon her arrival at the Aeroporto Militare Rovelli near Liverfool.
Among those accompanying Her Royal Majesty was Foreign Minister Richard Narles. King Guglielmo was accompanied by Crown Princess Fiona of the House of Olivotto. Crown Prince Pasquale of the House of Olivotto, and grandson to King Guglielmo, was in attendance as the sole representative of the Constitutional Monarchy of Alunya.
Upon deplaning, the two monarchs greeted each other with mice and slow blinks. King Guglielmo welcomed Her Royal Majesty, stating, "J'ai l'honneur de vous offrir cette souris presque complement mort. Veuillez agreer l'expression de mes salutations les plus distinguees" Queen Matilda, nonplussed by the diplomatically correct use of French, replied "Merci beaucoup. J'accepte cette souris au nom du Royaume de McMasterdonia. Il s'agit de la premiere souris que j'ai recu." Both then reverted to English after the formal preliminaries were concluded.
A brief inspection of the troops was held, while in the background the hushed whine of the auxiliary power unit upon the McMasterdonian state aircraft could be heard. Her Majesty remarked that the troops seemed well disciplined, seemingly executing their inspection drill with nary a word. King Guglielmo explained that commands were given by the briefest of hand signals, saying, "If we were to shout out commands like other forces, we would be scaring the cats." The admission also served to explain both the lack of any gun salute to honor Her Majesty or the presence of a military band.
[c]
The Royal Alunyan Air Force Honor Guard stands at attention to welcome Queen Mathilda of the House of Masterdon to the Kingdom of Alunya.
The Royal Motorcade then departed for downtown Liverfool for a breakfast and tour of the Royal Alunyan Museum of Steam and Energy Sciences. Her Majesty dined upon a breakfast of sweet potato pancakes topped with aguaymanto jam imported from San Martin de Porres, a Danish and coffee. Foreign Minister Narles had a variety of wheat, rye and barley rolls with octothorpe , goat and llama cheeses. King Guglielmo had raga idli and dosa topped with fresh McMasterdonian strawberries and double clotted cream. Crown Princess Fiona had millet idiyappam with a glass of grapefruit juice, while Crown Prince Pasquale had pidi kolukattai, fresh McMasterdonian canteloupe and a bowl of linguini topped with butter and parmesan cheese.
After breakfast a docent led the royal party through the museum. Foreign Minister Narles commented that many of the older railway locomotives seemed to be on the 1136 mm railway gauge used on the tow paths of the McMasterdonian Canal. Crown Princess Fiona informed the Minister that was so because of the role Alunyans had constructing the waterway. She also explained that it was an older gauge sometimes found on private industrial railways, but that Alunya had converted by-and-large to a 1514 mm broad gauge.
Her Majesty was particularly struck by the size of the power-plant boiler which was toured from the inside. The guide led them from one of the sub-basements upwards, explaining how steam was generated, and the party emerged on the museum's rooftop three floors above grade.
[c]
Proper lighting lends effect to the Steam Generator walk-through boiler at the Royal Alunyan Museum of Steam and Energy Sciences (RAMSES).
Queen Matilda also remarked that such a relic could probably be found at Coaling and Auxiliary Terminal (CAT) Hayres, the old Alunyan naval base located on McMasterdonia's inland Tyrell Sea. King Guglielmo suggested that she would be welcome to use it for her own museum if she so wished. "Oh, the site is quite the museum," she replied, at which point Foreign Minister Narles remarked that perhaps it was best for both parties to enjoy the RAMSES in the present and concern themselves about the naval base later and in private.
The monarchs and their entourage then proceeded through the halls highlighting Alunya's initial attempts at nuclear power, starting with the Uranium-235 fuel cycle and the Logharipurr nuclear power station melt-down disaster. The exhibit pointed out the decade-long hiatus in nuclear power development as a systemic overhaul was implemented, and nuclear disarmament completed. The atomic energy hall concluded with the triumph of the Thorium-232 fuel cycle molten salt fast breeder reactor programs, and emphasized how Alunya is now well-positioned to consume-to-completion the spent fuel used in the discontinued uranium fuel cycles.
Her Majesty was heard to remark in the Energy Research hall that Alunyans had made great strides in developing batteries and the electric car. With a bit of a thaw, King Guglielmo also pointed out that Alunya was well-advanced in refrigeration as well as traction and electric motor control. He admitted that while more efficient coal power plants were still being built, and older ones not coming offline as rapidly as had been hoped, the country was well on its way to reducing emissions. But it was agreed that Alunyans were not in the vanguard on solar and wind powered technologies.
Foreign Minister Narles commented that Alunya's choice of 149 volts, 58.32 Hertz single phase alternating current seemed at odds with most of the world. Crown Prince Pasquale explained that it made more sense when seen in Alunyan units. King Guglielmo interjected that although it meant extra tooling for Alunyan manufacturers to compete internationally, it also served to protect the local markets. "Standardization always helps promote commerce, but it can also stifle creativity and begs the question of whose standards to adopt," the King added.
At the conclusion of the tour, the party proceeded to the parade grounds northeast of the Regia Palacio Pirouetti Royal Palace. There, Her Majesty and Foreign Minister Narles watched the Royal Llama Guard (the King's Own), stand down at noon in the presence of the Royal 322 Fusiliers, which answer to the King's daughter, Queen Junia. With the day complete, King Guglielmo and Crown Princess Fiona bid farewell to Queen Matilda and Foreign Minister Narles as sovereign power was transferred from the Kingdom to the Constitutional Monarchy of Alunya.
A military honor guard escorted Her Majesty and the Foreign Minister into Pirouetti Royal Palace for an official welcome by Queen Junia and the Government of the Constitutional Monarchy.
[c]
The Royal Llama Guard (The King's Own) returns to barracks after standing guard to ensure that the Constitutional Monarchy of Alunya does not convene on an odd-numbered day per the Alunyan calendar, as stipulated in the Treaty of Pusseldorf.
Official Press Release:
[c]The Constitutional Monarchy
of
Alunya
Liverfool, Alunya -- Queen and Regent Matilda II of the House of McMaster, Kingdom of McMasterdonia, made her first official state visit to the Constitutional Monarchy of Alunya today. Queen Matilda was welcomed at the Pirouetti Royal Palace in Liverfool by Her Royal Majesty, Queen Junia of the House of Olivotto. The two heads of state, both presiding over liberal democracies as constitutional monarchs, exchanged mice and slow blinks in a manner of greeting.
Queen Matilda was the first foreign head of state ever invited to address the newly formed Parliament of the Constitutional Monarchy of Alunya. Although the constitutional government itself is relatively new, and shares sovereignty with the Kingdom of Alunya on alternating days, the McMasterdonian monarch did not mince words when addressing long standing grievances between the two nations.
[c]
Queen Matilda II of McMasterdonia as she is introduced by Queen Junia for the first address of a foreign head of state to the Alunyan Parliament.
While acknowledging the cooperative effort between McMasterdonia and Alunya in their respective lead roles in the construction of the McMasterdonian Canal, Queen Matilda addressed more recent concerns that allegedly are the result of errors in the canal's planning and design. Her Royal Majesty informed the Members of Parliament that the increased salinity resulting from the sea-level design had an adverse impact on many native species, As an example, she pointed out the likely extinction of Hansonn's Fishing Cat, a subspecies that was particularly dependent on the now extinct Tyrellian Barking Frog which was native to the McMasterdonian inland sea when it was only slightly briny. She informed her audience that a locked canal would have done much to moderate the salinity.
[c]
Her Majesty Queen Junia (center), perplexed, looks to Minister for Foreign Affairs Giovanni Lobianco (right) for guidance as Queen Matilda of Masterdon speaks on environmental responsibility in an address to the Alunyan Parliament. Crown Prince Pasquale is seated at left.
The address continued with an admonishment over the abandonment of Coaling and Auxiliary Terminal Hayres, a former naval base leased to Alunya upon the completion of the canal. Queen Matilda advised parliament that much equipment and many structures had been abandoned in place. These were not only a concern as point sources of pollutants and an eyesore, but also a haven for fugitives from McMasterdonian justice. As the site was still under lease and therefore under the sovereign jurisdiction of Alunya, the Kingdom of McMasterdonia was powerless to do much about it.
Her Majesty did have the good grace to mention that there were still significant business ties between the two states, and many more opportunities as well. She offered the hands of McMasterdonians in a partnership to address these matters. Queen Matilda stated that only nations on friendly terms could feel comfortable enough to speak so honestly about such issues, and that she looked forward to resolving them to a mutual benefit.
The speech was lukewarmly received with subdued purrs. Spirits picked up considerably after a luncheon held in Queen Matilda's honor in Parliamentary Celebration Hall. Members of Parliament used the opportunity to digest the McMasterdonian monarch's words, and by the conclusion of the meal were in a sufficiently bouyant word to congratulate the Queen on speaking so frankly.
Upon return to the palace, Prime Minister Dottoressa Valeria Petrini had a private audience with Her Majesty Queen Matilda. The McMasterdonian monarch then had a private meeting with Queen Junia, attended by Crown Prince Pasquale and several cats. Both the Prime Minister and the Queen refused to elaborate on the discussions, calling them frank and insightful.
[c]
Prime Minister Dottoressa Valeria Petrini, left, and Queen Junia Olivotto, right, in a courtyard of the Regia Palacio Pirouetti Royal Palace, comparing notes on their respective private conversations with Queen Matilda of McMasterdonia.
The subsequent televised press conference was more illuminating. Qeeen Matilda reiterated that there have always been strong business ties between the two countries. She pointed out that, as an example, McMasterdonia imported screws, bolts, nails and nuts as manufactured products, grains as agricultural products, and coal, kaolin and cement as extracted products. In exchange, Alunya imports paper, plastic pellets and sheeting, aluminum, and furniture; beans, fruits and truck vegetables; and natural gas, iron ore and lumber.
Queen Junia touched upon the controversy surrounding CAT Hayres, the abandoned Alunya naval base in McMasterdonia's inland waters. Her Majesty stressed that while talks would also need to include the Kingdom of Alunya, Queen Matilda had suggested that the former base be remediated and repurposed. "Queen Matilda has suggested that CAT Hayres may be an ideal location for a regional disaster relief organization," Queen Junia said. "I have suggested it be called Mass Emergency Relief Mutual Aid, or MERMAID, but any name will be up to the charter member states."
Her Royal Majesty Queen Matilda added, "Queen Junia had suggested the base's use for a regional coordinating centre of police. But we agreed that this may be better implemented in a decentralized structure, with each nation responsible for coordinating some area of law enforcement, such as financial crimes, narcotics trafficking, human exploitation or art theft." She added quickly, "I understand Alunyans are particularly concerned with criminal international animal trafficking and petnapping, for instance."
[c]
Queen Matilda answers questions about commerce and international policing during a televised press conference in a courtyard of the Regia Palacio Pirouetti Royal Palace in Liverfool, Alunya. Her Majesty addressed concerns including the MERMAID organization, catnapping, and Alunya's nuts.
In other matters, Queen Matilda stressed that McMasterdonia shows no favor in cable landing rights, and that Alunyan companies interested in this will have to file the necessary paperwork required of any other company. Her Majesty added that this point had come up in her conversations with Prime Minister Petrini.
Also discussed with the Prime Minister was the Hansonn's Fishing Cat, as Queen Matilda had mentioned it before parliament. It was tentatively agreed that the Small Cat Research and Preservation Society in Ronronne would be welcome to conduct a field survey in McMasterdonia to see if the subspecies was still extant.
As to joint military training exercises, it is a matter that will require input from the heads of the various military branches on both sides. She noted that Alunya, possessing a unique system of weights and measures, had armaments that were not compatible with most nations of the North Pacific, including McMasterdonia, and that this greatly complicated logistics.
Queen Junia added that the Constitutional Monarchy was interested in standardization, having already adopted international standards for some areas of production and for containerization. She acknowledged that the armaments question could make exercises difficult, but that much could be learned from each other.
[c]
The lower salon of the Royal Banquet Hall of the Regia Palacio Pirouetti Royal Palace in Liverfool is prepared for the State Dinner featuring Queen Matilda of McMasterdonia as the guest of Qheen Junia.
Upon the conclusion of the press conference, the two Monarchs left to prepare for the formal State Dinner, to which only select guests and some cabinet ministers were invited. In the interests of open discussion among those attending, the press was specifically excluded.
The following morning, at the press conference at the airport prior to departure, Queen Matilda publicly thanked Queen Junia for the hospitality shown to Her Majesty and to Foreign Minister Narles on behlaf of the Constitutional Monarchy of Alunya. "We wish to have you convey our thanks also to your father, King Guglielmo, whom we look forward to meeting in three of your days and two of our own," the McMasterdonian monarch stated. "It has been a very productive visit, and we believe that we can only strengthen our ties from this point forward."
Queen Junia thanked her guest for her kind words, saying, "There is little doubt that although there has been some unpleasantness in our mutual past, that better times await us. I personally look forward to seeing you again at my father's twenty-first coronation anniversary. Until we may meet again, may God have you in wise keeping."
Select Editorial Letters:
[c]The Constitutional Monarchy and Kingdom of Alunya
Select Editorial Letters, 08 August 2014
Nice Dog
It is too bad that Queen Matilda of McMasterdonia is arriving in Liverfool first. I would have liked to see her land in Ronronne and greet His Majesty King Guglielmo there instead.
Then, when he puts his cat on a leash and escorts Her Royal Majesty to the rooftop terrace to enjoy the Grand Tattoo on the Royal Parade, perhaps she would be kind enough to open the door for him. Given the more liberalized policies of her country, she could say, "Nice dog!" as King and Feline make their way outside.
I can imagine our King's indignation as he sputters, "This is the Royal Cat!" and the reddening of his face as she replies, "I know. I was talking to the Cat."
Guiseppe Floraroma
Ronronne, Alunya
Ministry of Death
I can't help but be saddened upon the arrival of Queen Matilda. I have visited McMasterdonia and traveled by rail up the western coast of their inland sea. While both the railroad and the waterway are feats of engineering of a first order, there was such a high cost in their development.
There are thousands of graves scattered along the railway, and very few of them are marked. While only some of them are Alunyans, and there are many more McMasterdonians, there are also numerous graves of other laborers from The North Pacific.
But the McMasterdonians cannot read the grave registration records as they were recorded in our native Mrao tongue. Furthermore, they have no Ministry of Death to oversee the management of even their current hospices, coroners, funeral parlors, crematories and cemeteries. How can they look after the long-dead when they can neither identify or locate them?
I hope our own (Constitutional Monarchy) Minister of Death, Dottore Damiano Arsenico (MP), will be afforded an opportunity to speak with McMasterdonian Foreign Minister Richard Narles about this. It would be nice if the McMasterdonians would establish their own Ministry of Death, and that our nations can work on giving the care and recognition to all who died in the Grand Projects that serve McMasterdonia so well.
Tomaso Brunetta
Kittipurranamnam, Alunya
Attica Tocca
While your [The Catabrian Letterbox's] reporting of the upcoming visit of the McMasterdonian Queen Matilda has been thorough, I cannot help but notice that your reporter [Michele Gimballino] has made a major oversight. Not once did he mention that Her Majesty has erred in planning her arrivals and departures for dawn and dusk.
If a new page has been turned in the relations between our two countries, it is not evident in the flight schedules. Arrivals after, and departures before, noon would have indicated respect for Alunyan time-reckoning. This is no Happy Hour, just an ordinary Alunyan Happy RattoTocca, some forty McMasterdonian minutes long.
Patrizia Sembertino
Catabria, Alunya
Work in Progress
Preliminary notes for the McMasterdonian visit to Alunya, 14 August 2014.
Arrival at Giovanni Martinelli International Airport, Ronronne, Alunya at 08:13:22 local. Greetings with Queen Junia on behalf of the Constitutional Monarchy of Alunya. No troop review but a brief press and photo opportunity. Crown Prince Pasquale (official) and Crown Princess Fiona (unofficial) in attendance.
Then there will be 3 possible options (McMasterdonia, choose one):
Preliminary notes for the McMasterdonian visit to Alunya, 14 August 2014.
Arrival at Giovanni Martinelli International Airport, Ronronne, Alunya at 08:13:22 local. Greetings with Queen Junia on behalf of the Constitutional Monarchy of Alunya. No troop review but a brief press and photo opportunity. Crown Prince Pasquale (official) and Crown Princess Fiona (unofficial) in attendance.
Then there will be 3 possible options (McMasterdonia, choose one):
Queen Junia and Queen Matilda will part ways. Crown Princess Fiona will accompany HRM, Minister Narles, and others of the McMasterdonian delegation to waiting helicopters. They will proceed to the Royal Lawn at Castello Gandolfini in the (very flat) countryside west of the capitol of Ronronne. King Guglielmo is an accomplished balloonist-pilot, and (if this option is chosen) the weather is beautiful this morning with clear, cool skies and only the faintest of breezes -- a perfect early spring day.
HRM will join King Guglielmo in the Royal Yurt for a brief Light Breakfast in the Field, with any of HRM's dietary needs met in full., while the hot air balloons are inflated. Then "Call to the Post" shall be sounded by trumpet, and the cry "Pilots, Up" shall be issued. King Guglielmo, his military attache (and also personal bodyguard), HRM and her personal bodyguard shall climb into the King's Basket on his personal balloon. The King's balloon will be the Mouse Balloon for the Mouse and Cats Competition of the Mass Ascension, but the King's balloon looks like this:
Mouse and Cats
Competitors follow a mouse balloon and attempt to drop a marker close to a target displayed by the mouse no more than two meters upwind of the basket after landing. The result is the distance from the mark to the target. Smallest result is best.
As for the Mass Ascension of Hot Air Balloons that shall be playing Mouse and Cats, at the start they will look like this:
(Feel free to use any other balloon photos, keeping in mind that Alunya is typically hot, dry and very, very flat. Mountains, forests, jungles or high rises would be inappropriate. And avoid SpongeBob SquarePants -- that balloon was heroically lost in the war against the Republic of Bolidor and has been permanently retired.)
The flight shall cross the capitol of Ronronne and land somewhere to the east. Upon landing, an accompanying helicopter will land, pick up the Royals, and proceed Regia Palacio Olivotto Royal Palace in Ronronne. The balloon competition will continue.
The Ex-Urban Environment
This option gives HRM some time to speak privately with King Guglielmo. It also allows her to admire the scenery. She would note that the land is flat. Land patterns are based on the hexagon but are seen as 6 equilateral triangles, which are delineated from each other by roads. Think hex-grid.
The roads are very broad, made with thick concrete and in the countryside have aircraft runway markings. They are about 4.4 km long and are built so that just about every one of them serves as an emergency landing strip. Local power lines are set well back from the road for this purpose and when they cross the RoW (right of way) it is as buried cables. Roundabouts are at each vertex, usually with six roads enjoined; Alunya has hardly any traffic lights or signs because of this.
The limited access motorways, railways, and high Potenza (voltage) power lines proceed straight from point to point without reference to the grid. They stand out when seen from the air as a result.
There are almost no lakes or ponds, and most watercourses are dry. Alunyans have become very adept at drip irrigation, tunneling for underground aqueducts, waste water recovery and gray water usage, sand filter cistern construction, and water well drilling. The land naturally has a beige color when bare, and either a grassy green appearance shortly after rains or a golden wheat color when grasses are dry.
Grain silos will be seen near railway tracks. Farms are within the large equilateral triangles. Most farms grow wheat, oats, rye, barley, sorghum and other grains; water intensive crops do not fare well in Alunya. Beans, soybeans, alfalfa, hay, hops, some grapes and peanuts are also harvested. Orchards include a variety of olives, pecans, other nuts, dates and select varieties of lemons, limes and tangerines where water usage permits.
Any cows that are seen are dairy cows -- have to get that cream -- and will be on a dairy farm. Horses, donkeys, llamas, alpacas, sheep, ampersandalas (like bighorn sheep in appearance), octothorpes (like the dik-dik) and goats are other livestock options. Alunyans raise some for riding and portage, others for their (sheared) coat fibres, and a few for specialty milk and cheeses. HRM may also notice what appear to be enclosed chicken coops on a specialty farm; this is where mice, rats and songbirds are raised for the cat food industry.
The Urban Environment
In the urban environment the same equilateral pattern of blocks continues, except that each of the three sides of a block is somewhat shorter than 736 meters. Buildings are anywhere from two to four stories tall, with most being three. Each is arranged around its own private enclosed outdoor space (like an internal patio). Shared walls and exterior walls almost never have windows, balconies or terraces (the exception being roof-top terraces). Concrete is widely used, covered in brown stucco, either in dun, beige or khaki colors. From street level, especially on the broad boulevards, the city appear drab, empty and hostile with its back turned to the motorist. Within each home or office, however, it is centered around an oasis of serene calm, with flowing water fountains and shade from the shorter varieties of palm and date trees (can't be having those cats climb out). Her Majesty would notice this from the air.
She would also see small alley ways (a car to a car and a half wide) within each block and lots of little bridges criss-crossing the alleys one floor higher. The ground is for cars and entrances to underground. parking garages. Within a block, most pedestrian activity is on the first (to Americans who somehow cannot start a count with zero, the second) floor, above street level. Covered passage ways run between and within private buildings so as to provide relief from the sun. (Likewise, within each building, much smaller tunnels are used by cats to go from room to room.)
If she asks why people aren't seen on the streets in Alunya, King Guglielmo might mention the extensive subway system, located not far below the first underground floor of each building. Each block usually has a station. (The palace is an exception, though there are rumors of either a secret subway spur or a separate subway system.)
Other observations
On this flight HRM would not see the Royal Palace or the Alunyan Calendar Stones just south of the palace. She will observe these from the ground at the finish of the morning's activities. She will overfly the Regia Accademia di Medecina Veterinaria d'Alunya, or the Royal Academy of Veterinary Medicine of Alunya, one of the most prestigious colleges in the land. This will give her an opportunity to talk about cats, education and scientific cooperation.
HRM will join King Guglielmo in the Royal Yurt for a brief Light Breakfast in the Field, with any of HRM's dietary needs met in full., while the hot air balloons are inflated. Then "Call to the Post" shall be sounded by trumpet, and the cry "Pilots, Up" shall be issued. King Guglielmo, his military attache (and also personal bodyguard), HRM and her personal bodyguard shall climb into the King's Basket on his personal balloon. The King's balloon will be the Mouse Balloon for the Mouse and Cats Competition of the Mass Ascension, but the King's balloon looks like this:
Mouse and Cats
Competitors follow a mouse balloon and attempt to drop a marker close to a target displayed by the mouse no more than two meters upwind of the basket after landing. The result is the distance from the mark to the target. Smallest result is best.
As for the Mass Ascension of Hot Air Balloons that shall be playing Mouse and Cats, at the start they will look like this:
(Feel free to use any other balloon photos, keeping in mind that Alunya is typically hot, dry and very, very flat. Mountains, forests, jungles or high rises would be inappropriate. And avoid SpongeBob SquarePants -- that balloon was heroically lost in the war against the Republic of Bolidor and has been permanently retired.)
The flight shall cross the capitol of Ronronne and land somewhere to the east. Upon landing, an accompanying helicopter will land, pick up the Royals, and proceed Regia Palacio Olivotto Royal Palace in Ronronne. The balloon competition will continue.
The Ex-Urban Environment
This option gives HRM some time to speak privately with King Guglielmo. It also allows her to admire the scenery. She would note that the land is flat. Land patterns are based on the hexagon but are seen as 6 equilateral triangles, which are delineated from each other by roads. Think hex-grid.
The roads are very broad, made with thick concrete and in the countryside have aircraft runway markings. They are about 4.4 km long and are built so that just about every one of them serves as an emergency landing strip. Local power lines are set well back from the road for this purpose and when they cross the RoW (right of way) it is as buried cables. Roundabouts are at each vertex, usually with six roads enjoined; Alunya has hardly any traffic lights or signs because of this.
The limited access motorways, railways, and high Potenza (voltage) power lines proceed straight from point to point without reference to the grid. They stand out when seen from the air as a result.
There are almost no lakes or ponds, and most watercourses are dry. Alunyans have become very adept at drip irrigation, tunneling for underground aqueducts, waste water recovery and gray water usage, sand filter cistern construction, and water well drilling. The land naturally has a beige color when bare, and either a grassy green appearance shortly after rains or a golden wheat color when grasses are dry.
Grain silos will be seen near railway tracks. Farms are within the large equilateral triangles. Most farms grow wheat, oats, rye, barley, sorghum and other grains; water intensive crops do not fare well in Alunya. Beans, soybeans, alfalfa, hay, hops, some grapes and peanuts are also harvested. Orchards include a variety of olives, pecans, other nuts, dates and select varieties of lemons, limes and tangerines where water usage permits.
Any cows that are seen are dairy cows -- have to get that cream -- and will be on a dairy farm. Horses, donkeys, llamas, alpacas, sheep, ampersandalas (like bighorn sheep in appearance), octothorpes (like the dik-dik) and goats are other livestock options. Alunyans raise some for riding and portage, others for their (sheared) coat fibres, and a few for specialty milk and cheeses. HRM may also notice what appear to be enclosed chicken coops on a specialty farm; this is where mice, rats and songbirds are raised for the cat food industry.
The Urban Environment
In the urban environment the same equilateral pattern of blocks continues, except that each of the three sides of a block is somewhat shorter than 736 meters. Buildings are anywhere from two to four stories tall, with most being three. Each is arranged around its own private enclosed outdoor space (like an internal patio). Shared walls and exterior walls almost never have windows, balconies or terraces (the exception being roof-top terraces). Concrete is widely used, covered in brown stucco, either in dun, beige or khaki colors. From street level, especially on the broad boulevards, the city appear drab, empty and hostile with its back turned to the motorist. Within each home or office, however, it is centered around an oasis of serene calm, with flowing water fountains and shade from the shorter varieties of palm and date trees (can't be having those cats climb out). Her Majesty would notice this from the air.
She would also see small alley ways (a car to a car and a half wide) within each block and lots of little bridges criss-crossing the alleys one floor higher. The ground is for cars and entrances to underground. parking garages. Within a block, most pedestrian activity is on the first (to Americans who somehow cannot start a count with zero, the second) floor, above street level. Covered passage ways run between and within private buildings so as to provide relief from the sun. (Likewise, within each building, much smaller tunnels are used by cats to go from room to room.)
If she asks why people aren't seen on the streets in Alunya, King Guglielmo might mention the extensive subway system, located not far below the first underground floor of each building. Each block usually has a station. (The palace is an exception, though there are rumors of either a secret subway spur or a separate subway system.)
Other observations
On this flight HRM would not see the Royal Palace or the Alunyan Calendar Stones just south of the palace. She will observe these from the ground at the finish of the morning's activities. She will overfly the Regia Accademia di Medecina Veterinaria d'Alunya, or the Royal Academy of Veterinary Medicine of Alunya, one of the most prestigious colleges in the land. This will give her an opportunity to talk about cats, education and scientific cooperation.
Supposing the weather sucks, or HRM is afraid of heights, she would accompany Queen Junia, Crown Prince Pasquale, and Crown Princess Fiona by motorcade to the districts near the Regia Palacio Olivotto Royal Palace in Ronronne. The motorcade will enter into one of the city blocks (see above in Option 1 for description of typical layout) and enter an underground parking garage. They will then enter an elevator for the first (American second) floor (only parking garages usually have elevators -- expect lots of stairs.) From there they will go shopping at various stores and in the bazaar.
This will give HRM the opportunity to see and acquire items from Alunya; Queen Junia is likely to insist on making the purchases for her guest, and will actually haggle with the local merchants in the Mrao language. Sometimes the Queen will be successful and sometimes not -- each shopkeeper is sovereign within their own store, which is considered a private space. (Be sure to scratch the short wooden stick affixed to any open door frame before entering a store or home. it is kind of like a combination of ringing a door bell, marking a scratching post, and touching a mezuzah.) Don't try to speak Mrao yourself, not even in greeting; every inflection, pitch, tone, change of volume, and glisse has meaning, and the plethora of tenses not found elsewhere make it nigh impossible for foreigners to master. (And cats don't understand it either; they just prefer the soothing sounds while the humans get to say something meaningful for once.)
Breakfast
Of course, you will likely eat first at a local breakfast establishment. Except by prior arrangement, the fare is likely to be vegetarian. (Alunyan food has strong Indian and Italian influences; it isn't for everyone, unless you like cold half-day old marinara over penne pasta and three-bean curry for breakfast, with a pilsener or a red wine vinegar as a beverage to boot.)
Dichroic Glass
One item that HRM may be interested in is Alunya's famed dichroic glassware. For millenia Alunyan artisans have been experts in the micro-doping of glass. This, combined with more recent in bulk metallic glasses (which are glass-like in composition but are strictly metals, though not of the traditional types of alloys), has resulted in some interesting fusions of the two materials. Dichroic glass was originally developed by ancient Alunyans so that the rulers would be able to detect if some had poisoned their drinks, especially with arsenic. They reflect a different light color when poison doping has occurred. This would be a particularly appropriate gift for another monarch. You will see these glasses (and likely saw them on your earlier visit) at State Dinners and Luncheons.
A good example would be this one, under different lighting conditions:
Fine China and Land Mines
Alunyans also produce very fine bone china dinnerware. The best often have gold or platinum based bulk metallic glass undersides. Some other bulk metallic glasses look like tin or pewter. Crown Prince Pasquale is likely to turn a plate upside down so that HRM may observe the three metal protrusions, rounded and filleted, that support the plate. These, he'll point out, are the same small, unobtrusive size that appear as firing switch contact bars on top of the Royal Alunyan Army's anti-tank landmines. Flip any Alunyan plate over, put it on top of a round Alunyan grain threshing basket, side-handled skillet, or hat box lid, and you have something that looks very similar. Urban defense at its best -- no enemy soldier wants to crawl out of an armored vehicle to determine which mines are real and which ones aren't, especially with the stopping power of an Alunyan 15.78 mm (0.62 caliber) sniper rifle in the vicinity.
HRM could use this opportunity to remind the young prince that wars seldom work to anyone's benefit and are best avoided. He will be billeted on a naval minehunter, with his formal military training starting in November upon his university graduation. (He majored in Public Administration, a requirement, and oceanography, his desire.) She could, however, admire the plates and inquire as to ones with a different footing, just to make her point. There are some, mostly for the foreign market, and those may have patterns more to her taste.
Fashion in Vogue
Alunyans also have very fine alpaca and llama wool coats, blankets and clothing (though the very best are imports from San Martin De Porres). There are also similar wool items from sheep and ampersandalas (see option #1). Fine goat hair, cat hair and octothorpe (option #1 again) hair is used for mittens, sweaters and scarves. Flax and synthetics are used in lighter clothes. HRM will find that faux leather is available for belts, shoes, coats and the like, but that actual leather is very scarce. It is a fashion faux pas to don the real leathers, and only snake skin is commonly used (mainly for purses, sometimes for shoes and watch bands.)
Cottons tend to be imported now, with Alunyan land too valuable for growing it. A great deal of foreign fashions, including silks, tend to be imported from India, Italy and France. Women in Alunya prefer bright colors and floral patterns, though some follow the latest trends. Seasons are opposite of the European continent. Most Alunyan men wear either black or dark blue suits, slacks and shirts. Children (or at least on behalf of their parents) also wear bright colors. Of course, boys will be boys and when playing soldier they prefer the light beige and sand colors preferred by the Army. Her Royal Majesty should avoid light brown wnenever possible.
Clothing, shoe and hat sizes are all very different from those found elsewhere, a result of Alunya' unique system of Weights and Measures.
A Time to Buy
A clock store should be most fascinating. Alunyans divide the day into 46,656 units called a Tocca. A Tocca is nearly 50/27ths (~1.85) of a second. A HectoTocca is 36 Tocca, or a little over a minute, and a RattoTocca is 36 HectoTocca, or 40 minutes. There are, of course, 36 RattoTocca in a day. Clocks in Alunya have 36 divisions (about 10 degrees) and use senary numbers (00, 01, ..., 05, 20, ..., 45, 50, ... 54, 55). The hands of the clocks are as you expect, but sweep anti-clockwise, covering one complete round every day like a 24-hour clock. There are also World Clocks that show all 36 Alunyan time zones with the zero meridian centered on Ronronne. Remember that Alunyans start each new day at noon.
For the Cat
There are many small stores that sell tinned, frozen, freeze-dried and fresh cat food. You can also buy live mice, rats, canaries, lizards and fish. There are a few folks who keep those as pets. Prince Albert is a particularly prominent brand of tinned mouse for cats. These stores feature all sorts of cat accessories and toys. You will be hard pressed to find dog-related items.
Art and Jewelry
Some artists have studios where you can purchase sculpture. Stone working is a very traditional art form, although Alunya has almost no quarries. Some carve out of coal and others prefer hard salts, both of which are in abundance.. There are a lot more potteries, however, with both artistic items and useful containers and plates. Calico colored ordinary dinner plates are always a unique gift.
Alunyan artisans work with the precious metal bulk metal glasses and with silver wire when fashioning jewelry. The lost wax technique is used with cast-to-finish bulk metallic glass rings, bracelets and bangles. Silver is used in earrings. Gold work in patterns reminiscent of India, and surprisingly, Celtic Ireland, is considered fashionable, and almost all of it is imported.
Much of the trade in precious stones originates with India and Ceylon, almost all as imports to Alunya. Alexandrite, emeralds, rubies and sapphires are prized, while diamonds are held in disdain. Natural pearls are strongly preferred over the cultured variety. and although considered declasse elsewhere, both genders in Alunya covet Baltic amber; it is said that the Alunyan maritime expeditions of 1300 BC to 900 BC that so terrorized the Mediterranean basin arose out of Alunyan efforts to find the source. The Sea People as they came to be known, were searching for the Northern Sea and never realized that this referred to a sea even further north than the Mediterranean. (Isqalunya, now modern day Ashkelon, was one of their colonial city-states during this era, and is the origin of the name Alunya.)
On Sales Taxes
It should be noted that in Alunya shopping can be written off against taxes as a legitimate business expense, much like a business luncheon or dinner. Golf, however, cannot be written of in a like manner; that sport is too wasteful of land and the pesticides used for the greens are harmful to cats.
This will give HRM the opportunity to see and acquire items from Alunya; Queen Junia is likely to insist on making the purchases for her guest, and will actually haggle with the local merchants in the Mrao language. Sometimes the Queen will be successful and sometimes not -- each shopkeeper is sovereign within their own store, which is considered a private space. (Be sure to scratch the short wooden stick affixed to any open door frame before entering a store or home. it is kind of like a combination of ringing a door bell, marking a scratching post, and touching a mezuzah.) Don't try to speak Mrao yourself, not even in greeting; every inflection, pitch, tone, change of volume, and glisse has meaning, and the plethora of tenses not found elsewhere make it nigh impossible for foreigners to master. (And cats don't understand it either; they just prefer the soothing sounds while the humans get to say something meaningful for once.)
Breakfast
Of course, you will likely eat first at a local breakfast establishment. Except by prior arrangement, the fare is likely to be vegetarian. (Alunyan food has strong Indian and Italian influences; it isn't for everyone, unless you like cold half-day old marinara over penne pasta and three-bean curry for breakfast, with a pilsener or a red wine vinegar as a beverage to boot.)
Dichroic Glass
One item that HRM may be interested in is Alunya's famed dichroic glassware. For millenia Alunyan artisans have been experts in the micro-doping of glass. This, combined with more recent in bulk metallic glasses (which are glass-like in composition but are strictly metals, though not of the traditional types of alloys), has resulted in some interesting fusions of the two materials. Dichroic glass was originally developed by ancient Alunyans so that the rulers would be able to detect if some had poisoned their drinks, especially with arsenic. They reflect a different light color when poison doping has occurred. This would be a particularly appropriate gift for another monarch. You will see these glasses (and likely saw them on your earlier visit) at State Dinners and Luncheons.
A good example would be this one, under different lighting conditions:
Fine China and Land Mines
Alunyans also produce very fine bone china dinnerware. The best often have gold or platinum based bulk metallic glass undersides. Some other bulk metallic glasses look like tin or pewter. Crown Prince Pasquale is likely to turn a plate upside down so that HRM may observe the three metal protrusions, rounded and filleted, that support the plate. These, he'll point out, are the same small, unobtrusive size that appear as firing switch contact bars on top of the Royal Alunyan Army's anti-tank landmines. Flip any Alunyan plate over, put it on top of a round Alunyan grain threshing basket, side-handled skillet, or hat box lid, and you have something that looks very similar. Urban defense at its best -- no enemy soldier wants to crawl out of an armored vehicle to determine which mines are real and which ones aren't, especially with the stopping power of an Alunyan 15.78 mm (0.62 caliber) sniper rifle in the vicinity.
HRM could use this opportunity to remind the young prince that wars seldom work to anyone's benefit and are best avoided. He will be billeted on a naval minehunter, with his formal military training starting in November upon his university graduation. (He majored in Public Administration, a requirement, and oceanography, his desire.) She could, however, admire the plates and inquire as to ones with a different footing, just to make her point. There are some, mostly for the foreign market, and those may have patterns more to her taste.
Fashion in Vogue
Alunyans also have very fine alpaca and llama wool coats, blankets and clothing (though the very best are imports from San Martin De Porres). There are also similar wool items from sheep and ampersandalas (see option #1). Fine goat hair, cat hair and octothorpe (option #1 again) hair is used for mittens, sweaters and scarves. Flax and synthetics are used in lighter clothes. HRM will find that faux leather is available for belts, shoes, coats and the like, but that actual leather is very scarce. It is a fashion faux pas to don the real leathers, and only snake skin is commonly used (mainly for purses, sometimes for shoes and watch bands.)
Cottons tend to be imported now, with Alunyan land too valuable for growing it. A great deal of foreign fashions, including silks, tend to be imported from India, Italy and France. Women in Alunya prefer bright colors and floral patterns, though some follow the latest trends. Seasons are opposite of the European continent. Most Alunyan men wear either black or dark blue suits, slacks and shirts. Children (or at least on behalf of their parents) also wear bright colors. Of course, boys will be boys and when playing soldier they prefer the light beige and sand colors preferred by the Army. Her Royal Majesty should avoid light brown wnenever possible.
Clothing, shoe and hat sizes are all very different from those found elsewhere, a result of Alunya' unique system of Weights and Measures.
A Time to Buy
A clock store should be most fascinating. Alunyans divide the day into 46,656 units called a Tocca. A Tocca is nearly 50/27ths (~1.85) of a second. A HectoTocca is 36 Tocca, or a little over a minute, and a RattoTocca is 36 HectoTocca, or 40 minutes. There are, of course, 36 RattoTocca in a day. Clocks in Alunya have 36 divisions (about 10 degrees) and use senary numbers (00, 01, ..., 05, 20, ..., 45, 50, ... 54, 55). The hands of the clocks are as you expect, but sweep anti-clockwise, covering one complete round every day like a 24-hour clock. There are also World Clocks that show all 36 Alunyan time zones with the zero meridian centered on Ronronne. Remember that Alunyans start each new day at noon.
For the Cat
There are many small stores that sell tinned, frozen, freeze-dried and fresh cat food. You can also buy live mice, rats, canaries, lizards and fish. There are a few folks who keep those as pets. Prince Albert is a particularly prominent brand of tinned mouse for cats. These stores feature all sorts of cat accessories and toys. You will be hard pressed to find dog-related items.
Art and Jewelry
Some artists have studios where you can purchase sculpture. Stone working is a very traditional art form, although Alunya has almost no quarries. Some carve out of coal and others prefer hard salts, both of which are in abundance.. There are a lot more potteries, however, with both artistic items and useful containers and plates. Calico colored ordinary dinner plates are always a unique gift.
Alunyan artisans work with the precious metal bulk metal glasses and with silver wire when fashioning jewelry. The lost wax technique is used with cast-to-finish bulk metallic glass rings, bracelets and bangles. Silver is used in earrings. Gold work in patterns reminiscent of India, and surprisingly, Celtic Ireland, is considered fashionable, and almost all of it is imported.
Much of the trade in precious stones originates with India and Ceylon, almost all as imports to Alunya. Alexandrite, emeralds, rubies and sapphires are prized, while diamonds are held in disdain. Natural pearls are strongly preferred over the cultured variety. and although considered declasse elsewhere, both genders in Alunya covet Baltic amber; it is said that the Alunyan maritime expeditions of 1300 BC to 900 BC that so terrorized the Mediterranean basin arose out of Alunyan efforts to find the source. The Sea People as they came to be known, were searching for the Northern Sea and never realized that this referred to a sea even further north than the Mediterranean. (Isqalunya, now modern day Ashkelon, was one of their colonial city-states during this era, and is the origin of the name Alunya.)
On Sales Taxes
It should be noted that in Alunya shopping can be written off against taxes as a legitimate business expense, much like a business luncheon or dinner. Golf, however, cannot be written of in a like manner; that sport is too wasteful of land and the pesticides used for the greens are harmful to cats.
- TNP Nation
- McMasterdonia
I normally like to post the schedule before hand, but that's cool. Been busy this weekend. Thanks Alunya - I pick option one.
- TNP Nation
- McMasterdonia
Oops, I realised we missed a few stop overs. I should say that I didn't intend for us to completely stick to the original dates.. It is too hard with everyone having different committments at different times.
I think that after Alunya posts his last one or two things, I will visit The Principality of Legington next. Followed by Paul Wall Libertarian Land. I hope that is acceptable to all involved.
I think that after Alunya posts his last one or two things, I will visit The Principality of Legington next. Followed by Paul Wall Libertarian Land. I hope that is acceptable to all involved.