You didn’t plan this trip. Not exactly. Scrolling through travel deals one night, you saw the banner: ISLA VEYRA - Hidden Gem of the Tropics - All-Inclusive, All Yours, All For Less. The price was a joke. Round-trip flight, beachfront lodging, meals, activities… cheaper than a weekend back home. The photos looked almost too good - sunsets pouring molten gold over white sand, clear water curling like glass around fishing boats, and smiling locals in bright clothes. Every review said the same thing in different words: “Best trip of my life - I came back… different.” You told yourself that was just marketing fluff.

The flight was long enough for the cheap champagne to lose its charm. You landed just after noon, the air thick and warm, smelling faintly of salt and something floral. The tiny airport had one terminal, one luggage carousel, and one smiling clerk who already knew your name before you reached the desk. A bus ride later, you’re standing at the entrance of the resort - and it’s far more luxurious than you expected for the price. The bungalows gleam in the afternoon light, their whitewashed walls spotless, the thatched roofs woven in intricate patterns. The beach curves in a perfect crescent of powdery sand, and every palm tree looks as though it was placed with intention. The sound of the waves is soft, steady, like a heartbeat. But beneath it, there’s another sound too… faint music drifting from somewhere inland, too distant to place yet just clear enough to notice. The driver gives you a polite nod, then pulls away without a word.

Inside, the reception is cool and airy, ceiling fans turning lazily overhead. The receptionist greets you with a flawless smile, sliding a polished brass key across the marble counter. “Welcome to Isla Veyra. We hope you’ll make the most of your time here.” Her eyes linger on you a moment longer than feels natural. Your bag thumps onto the bed in your room - a surprisingly spacious suite with shuttered windows, carved wooden furniture, and a faint scent of something herbal hanging in the air. The ceiling fan hums above, pushing back the heat. Outside, sunlight ripples off the glassy water, and the whole island hums with life.

From here, you can…

[A] Go explore the massage pavilion you spotted on the way in - a long, open-air hut shaded with palm leaves.

[B] Follow the path down to a small, secluded beach tucked behind black rocks.

[C] Ask the receptionist about guided island tours - she mentioned a “wild trip” this evening.

[D] Check the Hotel Attractions - gym, bar, pool, and all other things.

[E] Head into town to see the nightlife - clubs, bars, and whatever else the locals get up to after dark.

[F] Check the community board for events - there’s a movie screening tonight in the open-air plaza.

[G] Go to the City at day - old buildings, locals, souvenirs shops, maybe a city parade.