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
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 