Category: Exploring Second Life

I first visited Astoria, a Homestead region held by Eromara Vita and Dots (Dotties Stoop), in December 2024 (see: Astoria’s wintertime in Second Life), and had intended to make a return view a lot sooner. However, things have been what they were, so to speak, and so May 2026 marks my first opportunity to make good on that hope of a revisit; and it turns out that being able to do so now is rather serendipitous for me, as the region had, for spring 2026, been redressed as a most pleasant Zen environment – oriental themes for region designs being a favourite for me.

Step into a sanctuary of stillness, where nature and serenity meet. Whether you seek meditation, a yoga session, or a moment of silence away from the noise of daily life, this tranquil space offers the perfect escape. Come as you are. Leave renewed.

– Astoria’a About Land description

In this iteration, the region stands as a series of six small islands, each of which features Alex Bader’s excellent Zen Garden building kit (a personal favourite of mine) as the foundation for their overall look. Arranged in a rough circle, the islands are in turn surrounded by an off-region range of rugged, forested hills which enfold them in a gentle hold, cutting them off from the rest of the world somewhat and adding to their sense of tranquillity.

Separated by deep, clear waters, five of the six islands are connected one to another by a mix of bridges and stepping stones, allowing visitors to move between them without getting wet. However, the sixth is somewhat separated from the others in that no stepping stones or bridge runs across to it.

This separation appears to be by intent rather than any oversight in providing either a bridge or stepping stones, as it stands as a venue for music events (the next being May 15th and featuring Bsukmet – click the information board on the island for a direct Landmark). Given this use, the island is also a little different in appearance to the others, being formed as a stage, with a dancefloor of stones floating before it on the water for dancing.

The Landing Point for the region is located on the tallest of the six islands. This is topped by a small teahouse offering views out over the other islands. A short gravel path with seating links the teahouse with steps leading down to the water’s edge. Here, stepping stone branch out from the island to provide the means to get to two more of the islands.

One of these island is home to a shrine which has suffered some external damage. However, Buddha still sits serenely inside while a statue of Bishamonten (a Japanese form of the Indian god Vaisravana) outside, keeping his proper place and guarding Buddha. A short bridge connects the shine island with a small, flat island topped by a gravel circle with a place to sit and a bamboo fountain.

Buddha is also to be found on the other island which can be reached via the stepping stones from the Landing Point. Here, he resides outdoors in the lee of a tall rock. A pillow is placed before him for those wishing to meditate with him, while a yoga mat on the other side of the rock offers the opportunity for exercise. The entire island takes the form of a small Zen garden looped by gravel paths with water features and places to sit.

A long span of a bridge allows the Zen garden walk to continue on the last of the larger island in the group. This is again low-lying and offers places to sit and contemplate, the peace only broken by the slow clunk of another bamboo fountain as its arm fills with water before dropping to deposit the water into another little stream.

As well as the islands and their walks, the waters here also present points of interest for photographers: lanterns float on the water under a bridge and among lilies; a small dragon fountain sits on a rock rising from the waters, whilst a large water dragon appears to be keeping an eye on the Landing Point and teahouse. The gardens also have lots of little touches to bring them to life without every breaking from their sense of serenity.

In all, another engaging and pleasant design from Dots and Ero.

SLurl Details

• Astoria (Ironia, rated Moderate)

It’s been nigh-on three years since I last dropped into Missing Melody, the always eye-catching Full region held by Bambi (NorahBrent), with its regularly changing settings. As such, I felt it was high time for I reacquainted myself with the region to see what Spring and Summer 2026 have brought forth.

What is a Missing Melody? It’s that song in your head that you can’t get out but not sure how it really goes. It’s that temptation you want to have in your life so you can fight to resist. It’s that place in your heart that is always waiting.

– Missing Melody About Land / Destination Guide description

For this iteration, the region presents a small island lying to its eastern side and with an east-west orientation. In fact, such was the body of water within the region’s boundaries, I did wonder if Bambi had taken a dive underwater to present an aquatic garden or similar. But this is not the case; the island is presented on its own as a place ideal for photography and scene-setting.

On arrival, the Landing Point one is surrounded by the sound of bees going about their business among the flowers growing tall on either side of the footpath running through the Landing Point. Following the orientation of the island, this path is also lined on one side by a line of powerline poles, although these now seem to serve as a means of draping hanging plants along the side of the path to add a further touch of overhead colour.

The eastern end of the path provides access to a small teahouse formed from a converted greenhouse. Noticeboards at the gateway provide information on The Nature Collective and an opportunity to join the local Missing Melody group for rezzing rights which can be used for photography props. The teahouse itself is a cosy little setting, a small semi-wild garden growing outside and plenty of little treats to be found inside.

The teahouse and Landing Point lie on something of a grassy, shoulder on a hill which continues to rise to the south. Heavily wooded, the hill, together with the trees on the north side of the path, serves to give a sense of seclusion to the treehouse.

The ground on three sides of these uplands drops away sharply to the waters below. However, at the western end of the path, the land slopes away more gently, dropping down past white dry stone walls to where Sakura tress mark the path down to a coastal stretch of lowlands rich in flowers and where someone has established a little artistic retreat.

Close by this little retreat stands a small cabin on the edge of a little southern inlet.  It has the look and feel of a single-room accommodation – perhaps where the artist rests when not painting, and a couple of small rowing boats (one in somewhat better condition than the other!) sit on the waters of the little inlet, watched over by the local deer.

Overall, this is a very modest design when compared to past iterations of Missing Melody – but that is not to say it is without merit. It is as picturesque as past designs, and finished in a rich soundscape that is not overbearing. As noted, opportunities for photography await discovery and the tea house and cabin offer quiet retreats for those looking for somewhere to simply pass the time.

As always, Missing Melody makes for a gentle, unhurried and pleasing visit.

SLurl Details

• Missing Melody (Missing Melody, rated General)

As I continue to try to get back into the swing of blogging – health things are finally showing improvement on a more solid footing – I dived into the Destination Guide to see what was new and / or interesting. And thus I came across Varna in Bloom, a setting created by AmyElle Atheria.

Varna in Bloom is a blooming fantasy destination where flowers and stories grow side by side. Books are woven throughout the landscape alongside flowering paths, hidden portals, and details that reward the curious explorer. It sits at the edge of a story: beautiful, a little dreamlike, and worth getting lost in. Popular with photographers, couples, and anyone who has ever wanted to fall into a good book.

– Varna in Bloom Destination Guide entry

I’ve no idea if the setting has in some way been inspired by Bulgarian city of Varna and its locale as it sits on the Black Sea coast. On the one hand, there are references to Bulgaria and Varna in the setting’s About Land description and within AmyElle’s Profile; however, whether this is in reference to the actual place or the setting in SL, I’ve no idea. Certainly, the majority of the setting appears to be drawn more from the imagination than being offered as a direct homage to a physical world location, so I’ll put that thought to one side.

Covering slightly less than the full 65,000+ sq metres of a region, Varna in Bloom sits within a Full Mainland region towards the western end of Corsica, and at an altitude of 1466 metres. A Landing Point is enforced (so no TP hoping around!) and sits towards the northern edge of the setting.

As the Destination Guide indicates, this a setting designed for relaxation, photography, spending time with others (or someone special) – and which contains some secrets of its own. Given this, the setting is unsurprisingly largely rural in design, and while paths do lead away from the Landing Point, visitors are left to their own devices as to where they wander.

Sitting within the glades and meadows and along the coastline of the setting are numerous points of interest – vignettes, as I like to call them – where visitors might like to tarry. These carry within them various motifs or themes as it were – notably those of books and on reading – whilst remaining varied and independent of one another.

One of these vignettes sits a little to the south of the Landing Pont and emphasises Varna’s over-arching themes of restfulness, harmony and reading. Guarded by two large mushrooms, it presents a place to sit back and relax with the crescent Moon, pull out a book or cuddle with a loved one and simply be.

Further afield, visitors might also come across a little garden space offering a homage to Alice and her Adventures, complete with an Alice-like little figure dressed as the Queen of Hearts at the gate (an interesting combination!) and reference to that famous tea party within the garden together with other references to the stories, watched over by a more familiar take on Alice.

The setting is not entirely without buildings. To the south there is a large cloister-like structure built around three sides of a rain-soaked stone square – the rain falling as heavy inside the covered walkways as outside of them. Away to the north and sitting with its back to an off-shore island and lighthouse, sits an open-sided wood-built pavilion where couples might dance (touch the statue for dance poseballs).

The above are not the only structures to be found, but by virtue of their size, they are the most prominent. Elsewhere to be found are tree houses, a VW camper van and even half a subway train car tidily converted into a haven from the rest of the world. As well as these, there are plenty of other spots where visitors and couples can sit and pass the time, both on land and on the various waters within and around the setting.

As to the “secrets” contained within Varna, these take the form of Experienced-based teleport portals (labelled by hovertext to aide in their discovery) leading to further skybox-style locations or islands floating overhead. You will have to accept the Experience when encountering one of the portals for the very first time, thereafter all teleports are automatic. Each of these destinations offers a bookish theme (one carrying you from a garden featuring Alice et al, to a room focused in part on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 novel The Secret Garden (I’ll not mention the little Tolkien references also waiting to be found here and there!).

Whether you are seeking a place to explore, a place to spend time with a loved one, a place to photograph or simply somewhere you can wander and catch your breath, Varna in Bloom could well be the destination you’re looking for. So why not pay it a visit?

Slurl Details

• Varna in Bloom (Phersom, rated Moderate)

Occupying a Homestead region, Marina di Luna is the work of Miri (SilentChloe). It is a beautiful minimalist region design which mixes a sense of history with a twist of the modern. Highly photogenic, the setting offers much to see without overloading itself or the visitor’s senses, and offers opportunities for the romantics at heart.

Marina di Luna is a breath-taking island where modern architecture meets ancient charm. Surrounded by olive trees and a carpet of flowers, the air is fragrant with herbs and the salty sea. It’s a perfect place to relax and enjoy a romantic day out.

– Marina di Luna’s Destination Guide description

The region is split into a main island to the east and with a north-south major orientation, and two smaller isles, each home to its own structure, of which more anon.

When seen on the map, the main island carries something of a left-pointing sock look to it, the lower part of the sock – from “toe” to “heel”, forms an open meadow, curving gently upwards from the rocky coastline on three sides, and running north towards the island’s main structures.

This gently humpbacked meadow is home to the region’s Landing Point, the lush flowering grass coating it home to toppled columns and guarded by patient red-crowns cranes.

The “toe” of this sock-like island points towards the smaller of the two other isles, while the rocks on the coast at this point offer a place to sit and a flat “table” on which an artist has set up their easel to paint the larger of the two islands  as it sits further to the north.

The smaller isle is home to a partially-ruined stone gazebo topped by a copper (or possible iron) domed roof which shares the damage as the stone of the gazebo. With its steps dipping their toes into the water, the gazebo has been turned into a little romantic niche, complete with cosy sofa, champagne and flowers.

The larger of these own isles is home to a large circular bath house. This shares some commonality with the gazebo, hinting at their joint age and Greco-Roman heritage.

Like the gazebo, the bath house has a copper / iron roof, this one intact but suffering signs of rusting on its iron panels. Inside, the bath house is pristine and its waters clear, the walls split between four points of access and four small alcoves. Outside, the bath house is surrounded by a small garden space on the flat-topped island, where shaded loungers await, whiles a small beach of warm sand offers its own attraction.

Both of the islands can be reached via little motorboats which can be rezzed from lifebuoys to be found on the main island, with the boat house island having its own boat rezzer to aid in a return to the main island (I didn’t see a rezzer on the gazebo island).

Back on the main island, the northern end is given over to a modern building built in a reflection of ancient Greek designs, and with what appears to be a garden terrace of much greater age, mirroring that of the bath house and gazebo.

Places to sit can be found around this terrace, dominated as it is by a large fountain and smaller fish pond. Broad steps connect terrace and the open waters below, where one of the boat rezzers can be found, whilst to one side, a raised deck offers a place for private dining.

The front of the main building – a museum and gallery – is guarded by an infinity pool overlooking the open waters below. The museum houses a number of exhibits and a collection of photographs by – I admittedly assume – Miri herself. The museum is also home to a little café and a wine cellar below, complete with its own secret. The For both the exhibits and the “hidden” spaces, the museum is well worth taking the time to explore and appreciate.

All of the above – I hope – draws an outline of Marina di Luna; however, to fully appreciate the naturalness of its beauty, the attractive nature present in its simplicity of design, and to fill in all of the colours it presents, it is a place deserving of a visit; just be sure to take your camera with you. Should you need props when taking photos, rezzing in the region is open – just do please be sure to pick your things up afterwards.

In all, a recommended destination.

SLurl Details

• Marina di Luna (Forever Love, rated Moderate)

Spring has come to Lam Erin’s Cherishville for 2026, and with it the region has evolved into a new setting for visitors to enjoy.

With this iteration of the region we are offered a truly pastoral location; a place of farming, outbuildings, a meandering stream, gently rolling hills crowned by trees and flowers, and a scattering of animals together with little touches of humour for those with a keen eye..

The Landing Point sits to the north-west of the region, in the lee of an aged, bent-backed tree. This tree appears to suggest that strong winds can at times visit themselves across the island, although the upright poise of the other trees across the setting appear to say otherwise, and suggest the curved nature of this tree’s back is perhaps due to some other factor.

Sitting on a stubby headland, the Landing Point looks both east and south over the region, the eastern view encompassing the tall form of what might be taken to be a lighthouse on the far horizon when first seen, but which is in fact a clock tower, its belfry sitting in place of any lamp room.  Between these stubby headlands is a sweep of beach which is separated from the clock tower by the mouth of the region’s stream.

Southwards, the landing point overlooks a rutted track leading inland, a small stretch of shingle shoreline and a further trail passing some old vehicles on its way south. This rutted track forms a junction with the one leading inland from the Landing Point whilst also pointing east, where it becomes sandwiched between the beach and a pair of Tuscany-style outhouses, one of which has been turned into a patisserie and the other a residence-come-coffeehouse.

With outside seating, a large rectangular pond that has become the home of water lilies and swans and a separate fountain, the coffeehouse makes for a pleasant place to stop, itself sitting between track and the sharp curve of the stream behind it which leave it and the patisserie effectively sitting on a finger of land.  The patisserie offers more limited seating, but is still a pleasant visit and also holds an element of the humour I alluded to earlier.

To the south of the setting and sitting on a hill is a large farmhouse, in the grounds of which chickens squawk and cluck among the flowers – fortunately leaving the vegetable garden at the front of the house alone; a goose watching over her brood as they learn to swim, and a family of birds has taken over the mailbox – the property sitting, appropriately, on Bird Lane. With lavender and fruit trees being cultivated to one side of the house, with the lavender extending to encompass two more sides, the farmhouse is welcoming in a shabby-chic kind of look.

The best way to reach this farmhouse is to follow the track down the west side of the region from the Landing Point. This takes people past the old vehicles, one of which – an old truck – has become something of an apiary, with hives established outside its blocky form, and more hives apparently mounted along either side of its rear chassis.

A second vehicle has been turned into someone of a psychedelic piece of graffiti art as it sits at the side of the track. Beyond this, the track then rises up a slope to pass another outbuilding / shack where horses and sheep graze, to meet the stone built bridge spanning the region’s stream. The track then curls along the slope of the farmhouse hill before passing between the fencing surrounding the farmhouse. As it does so, it passes a signboard explaining the art of trail blazing and referencing the Slovene cartographer and trail blazer, Alojz Knafelc.

High photogenic, calming and rich in colour, sound and with an ideal EEP setting, Cherishville Spring is another excellent design by Lam Erin.

SLurl Details

• Cherishville Spring (Tuscan Hills, rated Moderate)

Since opening their Homestead region of Natthimmel as a destination in Second Life in 2024, I’ve become an avid follower of Konrad Rune (formerly Kaiju Kohime) and Saskia Rieko, through their many region designs over the last three years. Frequently drawing on locations from the physical world – such as Göbekli Tepe, which formed the basis for their first build (of which I wrote about in 2023), or more recently, the paired lighthouses of St. Joseph, Michigan (which I covered in late 2025).

However, some of Konrad and Saskia’s designs are drawn purely from the realms of the imagination, such as with 2025’s  Ythari – The echo of silent stars (see here for more). This is also the case for their first design for 2026, which actually opened over a month ago in late February, but with personal things being what they are, I only recently managed to visit.

Entitled The Array, this build is an engaging mix of fantasy and the imagination. A place which, in many respects, defies logical description but which weaves a tale all of its own within one’s head, the notes accompanying the setting helping to open the door to imaging.

Then the vision came.

Not a dream—visions in The Array were never dreams. They were memories, borrowed from the Primordium itself.

Lira saw a vast ocean, black and endless. She saw the Primordium as it once was: a drifting seed, searching for a place to anchor. She felt its loneliness, its hunger, its ancient purpose. And then she saw something else—something rising from the deep, something that made the Choir’s harmonics tremble with fear. The vision snapped away.

The Choir scattered, their lights dimming as they drifted back into the fog. The Veins beneath Lira’s hands throbbed once, sharply, like a heartbeat skipping. Abyssara was preparing for something. Lira stood alone on the terrace, the Mist swirling around her, the echoes of the Choir fading into silence. She didn’t know what the Primordium had shown her—or why it had chosen her—but she knew one thing with absolute certainty.

The city was waking up.

– Natthimmel description, February 2026

For some reason, this description put me in mind of assorted Arthur C. Clarke short stories, including The City and the Stars. I’ve no idea why, as there is little in the way of any form of connection between Natthimmel’s The Array and that story, or indeed, The Nine Billion Names of God, another of Clarke’s stories which for some reason dropped into my thinking = although the idea of something long asleep waking to make a dramatic change in the status quo does sort-of track (with The Array having a City wakening, Clarke’s story having a deity).

To be clear, The Array owes nothing to Clarke so far as I’m aware; it was to his shorter stories to which my mind flowed for some subconscious reason. Rather, The Array is a place of glorious mystery; a city of geometric shapes bought together in a manner that is both familiar an alien, interspersed with organic growths peppered with bioluminescent stands and ripples, some of which appear connected to the buildings. Bioluminescence is also much in evidence in the plants growing from the wetland from which the city appears to be rising, the plants both familiar and also somewhat alien as well.

Some of the buildings in the city can be entered, revealing more exotic growths, whilst stairways offer routes to upper levels – although some might be a little difficult to reach, whilst deep in the city is an events space. Very little here seems to be static, lights and shapes roll across walls and floors and while they don’t move themselves, the strands and trails of bioluminescence etched into many of the walls and the twinkling of luminescence among the trees further adds to the sense of motion and life.

Lifeforms and some very Earthly technology can be found within the setting. In the case of the former, fish float in the air whilst fantasy-like gossamer creatures float and “swim” through the air in and around the city’ towers. These latter creatures seem to take two forms – one fish-like, the other more plant-like. Some are blue, some are orange, all drift apparently without a care for those who visit the city and explore, ethereally aloof in their drifting. Elsewhere, dragon-like creatures might be found, both near the Landing Point and within the city itself.

In all, a place very much worth visiting for its mystery and ability to suggest stories and tales as to its origins and future.

SLurl Details

• Natthimmel: The Array (NewMoon, rated Moderate)