In February 2025, I visited the always enticing Buddha Garden, designed by Gian (GianArt Clip), with the support of Viola Blackwood (see More time within a Buddha Garden in Second Life). This is a truly beautiful setting utilising the Land Capacity bonus available to Full private regions to present a place that is largely public in nature, with some private residences available for rent as well.
Given the sheer beauty of the region and the creative talent poured into it, I actually hadn’t expected it to be changing again in the short-to-medium term, so I was surprised to receive a message from Gian indicating further changes have been made, and inviting me to pop along to take a look. Understandably curious (and admittedly a little worried that the designed I’ve visited in February had vanished), I jumped across to have a look.
My fears were totally unfounded: the majority of the region remains very much as it appeared back in February, its beauty intact. What has changed is hidden by the waters sitting to the south-east of the setting, specifically those separating Frog Island (the flat-topped island of private residences I mentioned in my February article) from the main bulk of the region. It is here, under the waves, that Gian has added a marvellous set of of what I’ll call drowned gardens, including an Ancient Dragon Theatre.
A direct SLurl is offered above as finding your way to these new features from the region’s main Landing Point is perhaps not obvious (perhaps intentionally). Should you wish to try, take the steps down from the main Landing Point building and then make a left turn, following the coast and trail under the stone archway guarded by two tall carved figures of Buddha. From here, cross the field of Sakura blossoms and go over the bridge beyond, before following the coast along the south side of the region as it passes between open water on one side and waterfalls on the other.
Here the path passes over a shoulder of rock where more water drops into a bathing pool, before dropping down to a golden meadow watched over by a golden Buddha. A little stone bridge on the far side of this meadow offers the public way forward, but if you walk out into the waters before the bridge, you’ll find yourself slipping underwater and coming across the submerged path linking the two undersea elements, marked by tall fronds of seaweed and passing giant turtles and glowing jellyfish.
The first of these, the “drowned gardens”, are reached either by the direct SLurl given above or by turning left on reaching the submerged path – two more Buddha figures with pulsing orange eyes mark the steps leading down to the gardens in the case of the latter.
Sitting within a natural amphitheatre, the drowned gardens are enclosed by ancient walls. Patrolled by fish of all sizes, including a large marlin, together with mantra rays and giant turtles, they feature a large shrine to Buddha, guarded by dragons and offering a place of meditation before it. Also within the gardens, seahorses dance amidst the brightly coloured seaweed and kelp growths clinging to the aged walls and the rocks of the seabed. It’s a small but tranquil setting.
The Ancient Dragon Theatre, meanwhile lies west and south of the drowned gardens, at the far end of the underwater trail. For those who teleport directly to the garden, the steps up to the trail can be found beyond the stone gateway directly behind the Landing Point.
Following the trail brings you close to the water’s surface before dipping down to reveal a narrow cleft in the rock. Here, fish once again swim and dance and bright strands of kelp mark the way down into the cleft to its “carpet” of coral. However, the most eye-catching aspects of the cleft are two vividly coloured and ornate Chinese celestial dragons. Standing atop of carved columns, they guard the way forward, their expressions as fierce as the the bladed weapons they hold.
Beyond these dragons the cleft broadens, coral giving way to a floor carpeted with fungal undergrowth rich in colour as it points the way between two more wardens, this time great wingless dragons. Passing these bring you finally to the Dragon Theatre, where its host is holding court amidst a circle of stone-carved Buddha figures. The theatre itself is almost completely obscured by the surrounding rock until one enters it, the central opening above the stage and its occupant allowing sunlight and moonlight take their turns illuminating the scene within.
Mystical and attractive, these underwater elements are a fitting addition to what was already a must-see destination, further elevating its status.
SLurl Details
- Buddha Garden (Ahimsa, rated Moderate)
- Underwater gardens
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 