Les Reves Perdus – click on any image for full size
Miro Collas drew my attention to Les Reves Perdus (“Dreams Lost”). It’s a place we’ve enjoyed visiting in the past and which I’ve previously written about here and here, so we were more that happy to make a return visit. Designed by Cathy (zaziaa), she relocated to a new Homestead region in November 2017, and with the move offers a design with a distinctly oriental flavour that also encompasses a nice use of water.
Visitors arrive before a memorial gate, lit by floating lanterns. A trail of firefly-like lights float just above the water, leading the way to the largest of three islands in the region, which rise from the water on sheer cliffs to form a table-like top. Water tumbles from a series of falls on the west side of the island, alongside a set of stone steps rising from the water to provide a way to the top.
A small temple sits on the island, a formal walled garden beyond it, reach by a couple of bridges that span two small channels cutting into the rock. While the garden and temple have a distinct Japanese look to them, there is bamboo growing alongside the wall of the garden which has attracted an embarrassment of pandas, giving the setting a Chinese flavour. More waterfalls tumble from the north side of the island, while around the cliffs can be found rock carvings, a Buddha and floating candles, all of which add subtle touches to the setting.
To the south-east of this large island is a second. Again flat-topped and with sheer cliffs, it is home a large Japanese-style house, sitting over a body of water which doesn’t quite feed the falls tumbling from the rocks – at least, not on the surface. The steps leading up to the house also link it with an avenue of trees running to the beach at the base of the region’s third island. Follow this and you’ll find an ancient pier pointing out to sea, facing a path winding up the side of the island’s cliffs, with the entrance to a cavern at its base.
All of this just scratches the surface of the region’s beauty. Near to the arrival gate is pavilion where Chinese drums and Zheng can be played, all under the watchful eyes of a dragon. Candles float over the water alongside the pavilion, while plants hug the waters at the base of the islands. as well as the drums and Zheng, the pavilion offers the opportunity to enjoy Tai Chi, while the house on the “middle” of the three islands offers a place to relax and simply enjoy the setting. There are a couple of adult elements in the caverns under one of the islands – but there are not anything that should give offence.
One of the delights in visiting Les Reves Perdus is that each iteration is entirely difference to the previous, making every visit after a redesign both a pleasure and an opportunity for discovery. This latest build is no exception; it is wonderfully tranquil, with a subtle sound scape and, for those so minds, a reflective audio stream courtesy of Chouchou.
As someone who delights in oriental themes and a considered use of water in a region build, I admit to thoroughly enjoying reacquainting myself with Les Reves Perdux in its new home, as did Caitlyn. We both look forward to future visits.
SLurl Details
- Les Reves Perdux (Miss C, rated: Adult)
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