When I ask for directions in a major city I never get the response I need and it never shows me where they are.  Has anyone else run into this problem?

Yes, I've noticed that as well in the latest version.  Can't trust the guards to give you proper directions.

Yeah, I ask for the gryphon master and get some crap about a fantastic druid teacher.

Seems to be a problem that comes and goes with releases.  In the version immediately before this one, that wasn't an issue.  Oh well.  A little exploration never hurt nobody.  Unless you're being chased by ten or so persistent nasties that just won't give up, and are slightly faster than you.

I noticed that creatures are NOT that persistant like before.  Which is good!

Unless you're shabadu.  

Actually to test this I ran past a slew of nasties to get them chasing me and ran towards town.. I was able to get most of them to leave me before I hit town and none of them followed me into town.

Oh Trar-sy.. how the hell do I get off the damned Elf island?  I waited around and waited around and no damned boat showed up... it felt like I waited 10 minutes but I'm sure it was more like 4 or 5 minutes and no boat.. and I can't fly off until I have another contact to fly to!  Gimme some help?

If the boat ain't coming by, then I'll have to catch you online some time and teleport you off the island.

Yah that's what I figured would be the case... damn.
Okay well I will probably come on tonight at some point, so if you see me say hi and help me remove myself from the island.  Thanks.

Yeah, once you've got the flight points then you'll be fine.  So, you finally, thoroughly searched the island did you?  Are you sure you didn't miss anything?

Quoted from Shabadu_SMH

how the hell do I get off the damned Elf island?  I waited around and waited around and no damned boat showed up... it felt like I waited 10 minutes but I'm sure it was more like 4 or 5 minutes and no boat.. and I can't fly off until I have another contact to fly to!  Gimme some help?

Waited ten minutes did ya?  I think your clocks are running a little fast.  Just to verify there was a problem, I went to that launch point, and for some strange reason, the boat just keeps showing up.  I even rode it back and forth a few times.  Are you sure you waited ten minutes?

Yup, just timed it.  Exactly 10 minutes between arrivals.