the valley of repose is the first area in pikmin 2! you find two pikmin types here, but only one onion
to the right of the first branching path is a spot where a bulborb lies. beyond that is the emergence cave, and a pool of water that has a gate in it
there is a way to drain the water... but not on the first day. you'll need blue pikmin :)
after you drain the water, you will need to bring blue pikmin to the other side of... yet another body of water, so that you can build a bridge. but be careful! theres canon larve on the side with the bridge twigs! you don't want them to kill anyone, do you!!!!!
to the left of this bridge is an area with a few treasures. in front of the bridge is an area with the subterranean complex and frontier cavern. watch out for the withering blowhogs :)