Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld

I recently received an invitation from Robin Lobo to visit Shamone Beach and Shamone Surf, two regions within the estate operated by Sharon (Sharon Twist) under the Veteran’s Network banner.

Designed by Robin, the two regions – Shamone Beach being a full Private region leverage the available Land Capacity bonus and the Shamone Surf a Homestead – present a tropical archipelago neatly melding with off-region islands and the remaining regions in the estate (which fall outside of this article, although the SLurl to the main regions is supplied at the end; I’m uncertain if the islands in the remaining regions are public or private) to give a sense of wide open waters as might be found in a South Pacific cluster of islands.

The largest island in the group takes up most of the north-west of Shamone Beach, presenting a rocky setting crowned by a private residence (clearly marked), with the rest of the island open to public exploration, complete with signs to help guide the way and avoid trespass.

To the east of the main island is a second island split between a rocky, tree-crowned hill and a humpbacked beach of golden sands. This neatly straddles the boundary between Shamone Beach and Shamone Surf, and provides access to the main physical attraction within the archipelago: surfing.

Completing the group are three more islands marching across the southern extent of Shamone Beach, one of which is a sandy events and social space, able to keep its head above any tides long enough to grow a crown of stubby, grassy hair into which acacia trees have been able to transplant themselves.

The second of these three islands is dominated by the tall cone of a volcano. It is separated from the main This may have once been a part of the main island given the closeness and similarity of the rock formations, but if so, the sea has long since cut a channel between them. However, there’s no danger of the volcano upsetting the beauty of the setting with a rude eruption as it appears long extinct and its crater flooded. Between it and the events island a little round hump of sand pokes its head above the open waters as an island-beach retreat.

The waters between the islands are relatively shallow – doubtless the reason why surfing can be enjoyed here as the waves coming in from deeper waters shoal and raise themselves up. However, the waters are far from deserted: orca, shark and stingrays are to be found swimming around and through them (so those opting to take a swim themselves might want to take a little care!), and alligators seem to be looking for a snack on the low hump of the events sand bar!

Passage between the three largest islands in the group is facilitated by a rope slide and footbridge for those who prefer not getting their feet wet, whilst bubble rezzers are to be found here and there for those wishing to drift around on the winds when passing between them – or when trying to reach the smaller isles.

This is a place where relaxation and having fun are carefully stirred together to meet the needs of anyone seeking to just relax and share time under a warm Sun or who might wish to have some fun with various activities – surfing, riding a jet ski, swimming, dancing…

Places to sit and chill are to be found right across all of the islands; some are obvious (particularly along the beaches) others might take a little finding. Some spots might come as a surprise (I had no idea Hobbits enjoyed tropical holidays! 😀 ), and some might challenge those prone to vertigo! Those seeking the jet skis will find them moored in a little cover on the main island (keep inside the marker buoys when departing), or alongside the tiki house on the volcano island – the dock there also gives with opportunity to go swimming with a dolphin!

I’m not really one for beaches and the like – not for holidays in the physical world, at least; I prefer to get out and about and explore 🙂 . This perhaps leaves me with an unfair bias against beachside resorts and the like in Second Life (whilst also perhaps explaining why I do spend a fair amount of time in-world exploring!).

However, when it comes to Shamone Beach and its surroundings, I really did enjoy wandering, poking, photographing and generally having fun. Robin has put a lot of care and attention into making the islands both relaxing and fun – and to ensure visitors can do both without ever feeling like they might be intruding on the privacy of the house on the top of the main island.

The is genuinely a place offering something to see at pretty much every turn, be it a little place to sit and pass the time somewhere or the surprise of coming across a cosy hobbit hole or suddenly realising the shadow passing by you whilst swimming belongs to a gentle stingray, happy to leave you in peace if you do the same.

Do, however, mind the coconuts when wandering some of the beaches, as some of them can be very energetic. Some don’t so much fall from from their tree as they do launch themelves from it with gusto – as I found out whilst paddling in the shallows! 😀

My thanks again to Robin for the invite – and for the delay in getting this piece written up; and also to Sharon for a brief chat during my more recent visit and before the Tuesday Restart Monster chased us both off of the islands!

Slurl Details

All regions rated Moderate

• Shamone Beach
• Shamone Surf
• Shamone Landing Point

Kio Zen Garden occupies roughly a quarter of a Full private region boosted by the Land Capacity bonus from LL. The work of Truebow Magic, it is a remarkable garden-temple-venue setting melding ancient Japanese architectural styling and modern aesthetics into a genuinely unique location.

This is a place very much a place of two halves: the ground-level areas, and the upper gardens. The latter sit on massive slabs of rock just above the former, extending out across the parcel from the cliffs which curtain off Kio Zen Garden from the rest of the region on two sides, supported by huge columns of rock like giant table legs.

This is a design approach which can often come across as unnatural, giving rise as it does to large cavern-like spaces which are simply too regular to have any sense of having been naturally formed. However, that’s not the case here; such is Truebow’s design – including her choice of rock materials – that it is possible to travel through the entire setting without being aware of any sense of artificiality in its design.

Before going any further, I will note that Kio Zen uses a dedicated Shared Environment, and this really should be used when visiting, as it really brings out the depth of care which has been taken to blend materials, colour and form into the design. Given the nature of the region as a whole, I’d also suggest that a high draw distance is not required (particularly given Kio Zen is nicely screened from the rest of the region), nor is the use of shadows particularly required in order to see the setting at its best.

The upper level, reached via two sets of wooden stairs, is split into three distinct areas. The largest of thee is a broad, flat Zen garden focused around a shallow body of water and given a sense of peace by a mix of surrounding high rocky cliffs, wooden curtain walls and the strategic use of bamboo.

Paths circle the outer reaches of this garden, with stone walkways providing the means to cross the central body of water, connecting several areas in which visitors might sit and pass the time. Wind chimes hang from frames and a mix of pagoda and paper lanterns illuminate paths and dapple the waters with light.

The second elevated area is reached via a wooden walkway stretching across the northern side of the parcel close to the high cliff wall. Here the Zen garden theme continues, although the focus is very much on the temple occupying this space.

Crossing the walkway from garden to temple does reveal part of the lower elements of the setting and might give a hint of the unnaturalness of the base elements of both garden and temple if one is given to seeking them out – but the reality is, such is the work Truebow has put it blending rock with treetops, gardens (upper and lower), waterfalls and wooden walkways, everything does flow together naturally.

The lower garden space between these two raised platforms forms one of four areas occupying the ground level of the parcel, with the focus within them being a mix of social spaces and the celebration of music. It is also where, for me, the magic of the setting is revealed.

These four areas can be broadly split into the aforementioned garden space, running north from the beach Landing Point, the Landing Point itself (where a teleport board might also be found), a second open garden space with the third upper section of the setting occupying its south-west corner, and a quite magnificent series of venue spaces and walks underneath and extended to either side of the rock table supporting the Zen garden.

It is here that the sense of ancient-meets-modern permeates Kio Zen to great effect. Whilst home to spaces intended for music events, the structures under the rock are built in the shinden-zukuri style from Japanese classical history. This design emphasised open-sided geometric spaces linked by similarly open-sided walkways, the use of natural materials such a cedar wood for roof tiles rather than ceramics, and a minimalist approach to furnishings.

All of this is very much in evidence through these main structures, the high, sloping ceiling of which do much to hide the overhead rock (also helped by the clever use of large drapes over the overwise open-to-the sky roof ribs in places which both give the impression of being inside a building whilst further disguising the flat rock face above).

Painted cloth and wooden side panels are also used, working with waterfalls and well-placed trees and plants to prevent the rock walls and columns from heavily intruding into the spaces and gardens spaced around the main sturctures.

Open to the sea at one end, and with side paths and walks stepping own off of the wooden halls and rooms, this area is genuinely stunning in its blending of styles, forms, architecture, nature, lighting, water and ancient and modern – but I’ll leave you to find “secret” lounge space tucked away within it!

The remaining lower garden space can be reached directly from the Landing Point. It offers an outdoor event area in the form of a cannabis garden (whether grown for recreational use or in reflection of the plant’s use in fibre production and Shinto rituals, I’ll leave you to decide!) and a further cavern topped by a garden space.

The cavern forms a further music space and hangout complete with outdoor deck seating at one end, just beyond a small jazz lounge which appears to be awaiting the arrival of the musicians. Above this, the flat garden space is crowned by an eye-catching ring of arched bridges spanning the tall columns of rock supporting the roof of the hangout. These are open to circumnavigation as well as connecting this corner of the setting with the paths leading to the Zen garden.

There is much more that might be said about Kio Zen Garden, but the truth is it should be seen for itself. Every aspect of its design has been carefully considered, and it comes together as a physical work of art.

Slurl Details

• KIO Zen Garden (Shopping City, rated Moderate)

Located in the sky over Project Hope Island is the simply named Japanese Garden, the work of the wonderfully named Sharpy Fhang. It’s a place perfectly described by its name, sitting as it does cupped within the palm of surrounding hills above which a morning Sun is casting its rays to create an aurora-like treetop haze before falling across a Zen garden winding between the trees and through torii gates.

Walk and explore the Japanese Garden at Project Hope. Come and explore, sit and reflect, visit the music garden, or just enjoy the sounds of the waterfalls and feel the serenity at this inspirational garden of peace and happiness.

– Japanese Garden at Project Hope Destination Guide description

This is a place of sublime peace and beauty, where the sound of water bubbling along little brooks and streams harmonises with the call of birdsong whilst lanterns and lamps illuminate the many paths, silent guides for visitors ready to explore the garden and all it has tucked within it.

These paths are all unhurried in the directions they take or in the time they takes to reach anywhere in particular; there is no reason to hurry; places to sit are plentiful, pools of gravel set aside of gentle dancing contrast with the large central body of water spanned by a large bridge alongside of with lanterns gently float. The land climbs gently as it moves further away from the Landing Point, flattened stone steps placed in little groups as if easing the ascent further.

Fed by streams the bubble down to it through narrow channels, sometimes ducking under rocks before reappearing the central large pond reflects natural and artificial light in gentle ripples, koi carp swimming just under the its surface. The paths loop gently around it, whilst red crowned crane wads its shallows, content to share the water with the fish below rather than trying to make a meal of them.

A small hot spring borders the pond for those who feel the need to soothe tired muscles, whilst at its upper end where water from one of the garden’s streams enters it, a further sign of harmony can be found as cats and songbirds share a little plank bridge, content to sit and sleep together as the water trips over stones and rocks below them.

Whichever branch of the paths visitors take from the Landing Point, they all eventually meet with one another, allowing the waters of the garden to be circumnavigated and the gentle climb up to the northern end of the gardens to be completed.

Take the path offered by the red bridge and it will pass by way of a pagoda-like bell tower and a gated entrance and a cobblestone path reaching out to a bench overlooked by a tall waterfall. Skirt the edge of the pond in the other, and you might find yourself passing little shelters, shrines and a place to enjoy steaming delicacies (just don’t disturb the cats!).

The most northern end of the garden is the preserve of a large single-floored house. Open to the public, it features two large wings of two rooms apiece, a linking hallway passing over waters flowing out from the falls just behind the house.

It is here that the music retreat in the Garden’s description can be found, complete with a koto for those who wish to play it. For those who might find the hot springs a little too much like broiling themselves, there is a large cold water pool sitting between the house and the cobbled path out to the waterfall overlook.

There is one little quirk within the setting which may not be immediately obvious. It sits overhead as if watching over the gardens and appears accessible to anyone visiting, although I didn’t spot any obvious means of getting up to it other than a sit TP. It’s a quirky little addition to the garden below, yet somehow it still “fits”.

With plenty of opportunities for wandering or spending time in solo contemplation or with a friend, Japanese Garden at Project Hope is a peaceful and engaging setting – an ideal spot for recharging one’s batteries.

Slurl Details

• Japanese Garden at Project Hope (Project Hope Island, rated Moderate)