Category: Exploring Second Life

The Isle of Cezanne is a 1/4 Full region that has been designed and landscaped by ElenaMicheals Core. Occupying the south-east quarter of a region that has the full region land capacity bonus applied, the setting has something of a riverside feel to it, thanks to the use of two off-sim elements sitting off of the water-facing south and east sides.

Offering in a summertime setting, The Isle of Cezanne presents a rich countryside look and feel, but one with little touches of sci-fi fantasy that are just enough to add a twist to any visit without looking at all out of place. Rather, they add to the setting’s appeal for photography – which is a core theme for the location overall.

The landing point is tucked away in the north-western corner of the parcel. It is here, among the stones of an ancient ruin that visitors can find the teleport boards leading to three further photography locations in the sky over the region. Two of these are cosy studio-style settings (the Artist Studio and the Dressmaker Attic), and the third a more open winter setting for those seeking snowbound settings for avatar photography.

From the landing point, the ruins point southwards towards a tall house that has a little hint of Provence about it and which has been cosily furnished, including – at the time of our visit – hints of the season. This sits on a broad table of grassy rock (the entire landscape here is mesh, the terrain having been pushed below water level) looking south across the “river”. The land before the house slopes gently down to the water’s edge, pointing the way to where a wooden deck stretches out of the the water, offering a place to sit and admire the view while cormorants perch and flap their wings and the water’s edge, watched by black swans.

A second pier extends out into the water from between the house and the landing point ruins, but given a pair of brown bears are patrolling alongside of it, caution might be required when trying to reach it. However, it is the north side of the parcel that offers the sci-fi fantasy feel – although at first glance, it appears to be a natural setting: a further rocky landscape that ends with a barn and shed with cattle grazing on the wild grass, suggesting the house to the south is owner by a farmer.

To reach the barn and cattle, visitors can take a choice of routes. One goes part-way through the old ruins and then down the stone steps from the and past a little camping site sitting above the water. The other is to go directly east from the landing point and over the rugged terrain.

This latter route will take visitors past a “UFO house” sitting on concrete legs. It Sits as a strange little hideaway with and very eclectic set of contents, including toys, a laptop, a bomb, a crate of ammunition and – well, other interesting items. Outside this house are two large plants, with eyes at the centre of their flowers and a curiosity of their own, fixing any passers-by with a glassy, unblinking stare.

Throughout the parcel are numerous opportunities for avatar photography – the house, the wooden deck with its seating below it, the camp site, the “UFO house”, and so on. Also waiting to be found are multiple little touches of detail: deer in the shade of trees, sculptures, cranes dancing over the the water and so on,  all of which add depth to the parcel  for explorers.

Those wishing to rez props for their photographs can join the local group (no charge), and photos are welcome in the parcel’s Flickr group. Those who enjoy a rounded setting should ensure they have local sounds enabled during a visit to appreciate the local sound scape.

SLurl Details

• The Isle of Cezanne (Shameless Island, rated Adult)

I received an invitation from MarkTwain White to visit Honah Lee Wave, a new public homestead region in to Honah Lee estate to the south-east of Blake Sea, and forming a part of the United Sailing Sims.

A Homestead region, Honah Lee Wave has a lot to offer visitors, whether they TP in, or arrive by boat or air. There’s surfing, a beach, for sunbathing, moorings for small boats (emphasis on “small”, as in not the “two mansions and gardens” variety), an airstrip – again suitable for smaller aircraft, and a helipad. There’s also a GTFO (get The Freight Out – see An inside look at Get the Freight Out in Second Life and GTFO: Getting Started) terminal, and I understand the island will become the setting for assorted competitions (presumably surfing and the like).

The region comes with something of a back-story:

Honah Lee Wave is a place where small sail boats and motor boats can do some business; a place where HLW-made surf jewellery can be obtained, and the local delicacy HLW lobster, can be enjoyed. These are sought all over the world at around $100 wholesale, thanks in part to the high rum content in the waters around the island. When the local islanders realised there was a market for Lobster with a naturally acquired rum flavour, they began soaking the lobsters in the spirit before shipping them live to overseas markets. Visitors to the island can find an added attraction in being able to pick the drunkest lobster to be prepared fresh for their meal. 

– MarkTwain White offering some of Honah Lee Wave’s back-story

South-facing, the island forms a broad, open U, a natural cove into which the tide flows, the two arms of the island helping to raise the waves to a height suitable for surfing. They are faced by a beach backed by huts that will – I understand – be available as small market places, and the island’s surf shop where demo boards can be obtained by those wishing to try a little surfing, and board purchases made by those who want to take up the sport on a more regular basis.

The south-east arm of the island is home to the local airstrip, where lines of palm trees on either side make it clear this airstrip is only suitable for smaller aircraft; anything to large is going to have issues with wing spans and the trees. The best way to approach the airstrip is from the south, coming in over Scuttle, which – for those with the draw distance – offers the opportunity to take in the SS Galaxy. Take-offs are also made to the south, the northern end of the airstrip being blocked by the island’s helipad.

The latter sits atop a flat-topped bank of compacted sand. It looks both south over the airstrip and west over the the beach towards’s the islands hills. It is in the lee of these that the boat moorings lie, complete with a GTFO warehouse delivery / collection point, which includes an information board and vendor for those wishing to join the GTFO community. A wooden board walk climbs up the hills from the moorings, leading the way to a small camp site for those who fancy it.

Honah Lee Wave offers a new attraction for those who enjoy flying, sailing and exploring the Blake Sea and surrounding regions – and offers the potential for new fun and socialising within the Honah Lee estate. When visiting, do keep in mind that as a Moderate region, topless bathing / tanning is allowed – but adult activities are not. Also, the region currently has open rezzing, with Auto Return set to 30 minutes. Other than that – the island is open to visitors and a worthwhile destination. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to try out the surfing!

SLurl Details

• Hona Lee Wave (rated Moderate)

Occupying a quarter Full region that has the full region land capacity bonus, Snowed in at Zom’s has been design by Exde and LexxiHudson on behalf of parcel holder Zomborg Vollmar. Originally intended to be a private space, Zom notes:

After being told this was too pretty to keep all to myself I have decided to share my winter wonderland with everyone for a limited time! Plenty of hang out spots, and perfect set-up for winter photography! Hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.

– Zomborg Vollmar

The parcel is beautifully decorated as a winter setting – but this can come at something of a performance hit for some due to the volume of mesh snow within the setting. As such, some might find it easier to disable shadows for ease of walking around, but this is the only issue that might be found here.

That point aside, the snow and the parcel’s sound scape really make this a place where on arrival, you physically feel you need to wrap up warm in order to explore. Not only is the snow falling, there is also what seems to be on first hearing, the sound of a cold wind blowing  through the dense woodland of the setting and over / around the rocky backdrop to the parcel.

From the landing point with its steam locomotive, a single path winds towards a cabin sitting on elevated ground. The cabin connects what appear to be the only obvious paths through the setting, so don’t be afraid to step inside whilst exploring. With a north-to-south line, the cabin includes an large wooden deck overlooking a river gorge and snowbound beach (reached via stone steps leading down from the deck), while on its east side, a second path runs between the trees to where more stone steps climb a broad table of rock overlooking the train sitting on its tracks.

The cabin is delightfully decorated and offers a warm, welcoming feeling. A fire burns in the modern fireplace tucked into a cosy lounge space, the kitchen is filled with food, complete with freshly made toast in the toaster, while a large picture window overlooks the deck and the cold river below, adding to the sense of warmth and comfort of being indoors.

The path to the steps climbing up to the top of the rocky table will also take you past a little garden gazebo, while the plateau itself is home to a rectangular ice rink, complete with the offer of hot chocolate, although as far as well could tell, no ice skates are offered to visitors, which is perhaps a shame.

Elsewhere waiting to be found, is a little outdoor sitting area that can be accessed via a stone arch alongside the waiting train. It is set as an outdoor film space, complete with brazier keeping a meal and drinks hot (and which is also the reason for the wind-like sound that can be heard when first arriving, and is in fact the hissing of liquids being heated and the first itself). Walk out among the trees close to the cabin, and you might also find an old cable car re-purposed as a blanket-laden cosy snug, while the snow-covered beach offers a place to wrap up warm and watch the icy waters of the river flow by.

I’ve no idea how long Snowed in at Zom’s will remain open to the public – but while it is available, I do suggest those who like seeing and photographing winter settings take the time to drop in sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.  It is more than worth the time – and our thanks once again for the pointer from Shawn and Maxie.

SLurl Details

• Snowed in at Zom’s (Delphinus, taed Adult)

Recollection is a 1/4 Full region designed by Edge Shabazz with HanaFairy that offers those who seek it, a summery place of rest, peace and  – if they choose – reflection.

As one might expect from the description above, as well as from its name, the parcel offers a relaxing, gentle setting that is easy to explore and appreciate. It is also a place that hides a secret for people to discover. That said, at the time of our visit in late November, the landing point had a decidedly Halloween feel to it, with a tiny Japanese style cemetery complete with ghost, skeleton and pumpkin. This feeling is increased by the somewhat gloomy default parcel-level windlight – I’d actually recommend flicking this to something a little brighter to fully appreciate the setting.

On arrival, it’s clear this is a place where free roaming is encouraged – while there is a “path” running through the landing point, it is not necessary to follow it; there is more than enough to see beyond it. For those who opt to use it, it links a small island to the south and the bridge stretching over the water to it, to a central (to the parcel) pond or lake, the way marked by tumbled drystone walls.

To the west of this path is a small beach and to the east the ruins of an old tower. both offer places to sit and enjoy the location, as do the grasslands connecting them: benches midst the grass and sings hanging from tree branches.

Across the parcel are touches of fantasy, starting with the old tower mentioned above and continuing across the little brook that lies just over the little hillock from the tower, where colourful ‘Shrooms and a fairy ring can be found on the way to the central lake.

The sense of fantasy continues with the lake itself. Rich with a carpet of spider lilies, this is home to koi swimming serenely and quite naturally above the lilies and water as a flying boat is suspended overhead on a pair of balloons. Elsewhere, awaiting discovery is a summer greenhouse, an open air picnic bench and an ancient piano playing softly. Nor is that all that is to be found.

However, it is across the lake that the parcel’s secret can be found. Marked by a Torii gate and surrounded by a circle of rocks young trees, is a pond-within-a-lake. Step into the waters here and you’ll find them considerably deeper than those surrounding the ring, however, hiding as they do the entrance to a set of underwater caves and chambers within which can be found a hidden shrine.

Filled with oriental touches, Recollection is a delightful place to visit, finished with an appropriate sound scape. It is a place for photography or spending time with someone close or alone and reminiscing, and is very much a worthwhile visit.

SLurl Details

• Recollection (Red Lines, rated Adult)

If you’re feeling ready for your close-up or you’re a film buff, then you’re likely to enjoy the latest region design by Lotus Mastroianni and frecoi (who have been responsible for A Little Havana, The Missing Whale, Kun-Tei-Ner, Hope, and most recently ChatuChak (read here, here, here, here and here for more).

Replacing the last of that list – ChatuChak – is RioSisco Studio Pictures, a homage to the great American film studios complete with nods to a range of films, genres and periods – and with multiple opportunities for photography and to be immersed in the magic of film-making. It is a setting that reproduces all the major elements of a film studio and studio tour, and presents some outstanding opportunities for geeting involved with all that is on offer – as the region’s Flickr stream already reveals.

Set out as a studio lot, the region features everything from prop warehouses to back lot façades to green screen sets and miniatures, all the way through to a studio’s public commissary to offices and a screening room. With it comes some of the bustle of a working studio – a set under construction, visitors touring and eating, and studio execs keeping an eye on things. Even the name of the region carries with it echoes of the silver screen: “RioSisco” offers a suggestion of the Cisco Kid, a film series made in the early decades of motion pictures through until the immediate post-World War 2 period.

The attention to detail poured into the region is astonishing; the nods to films and franchises are both large and small and numerous – and so are the touches of humour. Literally everywhere you look, there is something of a homage to be found. The treats start right next to the landing point, which sits outside sound stage 25. Look inside the building and you’ll see a city backdrop, a short street façade and a marvellous miniature of a street scene in which you can make yourself feel like a latter-day Gulliver visiting a modern-day Lilliput.

However, this is easy to overlook simply because, just down the road from the landing point Godzilla is out for a stroll among the buildings – and tend to capture the attention as a result. He’s passing a rooftop billboard celebrating the Star Trek franchise’s first foray onto the silver screen (Star Trek: The Motion Picture, 1979), and is apparently in pursuit of Ecto-1 (disguised as a MadPea prop). The block of buildings to the right of both Godzilla and Ecto-1 reveals one of the more famous aspects of outdoor film lots: the building façade – the entire block is little more that plywood supported by scaffold – as visitors can see when they step inside or peep through the windows.

The centre of the region is where a new set is under construction, and some of the humour can be found. I’m not entirely sure how much protection a paper hat gives against falling timber, but the chap wearing it seems happy enough!

It is the inclusion of these construction figures and others throughout the region that give life to the region and the feel of it being a living studio that encourages visitors – just step into the commissary on the ground floor of the building across the construction site from Godzilla to see what I mean. And while there, be sure to take-in the various nods to a range of famous films along the back wall. Or you can pop across you Stage 34 and participated in a small stage / green screen shoot.

Take the steps to the upper floor of the building next door to the commissary and more treats await. Here can be found characters from the original Star Wars films, together with concept art and storyboards from a number of films – how many can you recognise?

Nor is this all; echoes of the Jurassic Park franchise abound throughout the location, and have already offered multiple opportunities for photography. Off to the south of the lot sits a homage to another franchise and the Universal Studios ride it gave birth to, while another iconic character from Hollywood’s monster movies pounds his chest from a rooftop.

Be sure, as well, to check out the warehouse in Stage 38, which has a range of props and vehicles, including some that might again be recognised by film fans, with one in particular likely to raise a smile; where else might you come across Chucky piloting a Mech walker from (I think) Avatar?

From an opportunity to stage your own version of Singing in the Rain or a scene from Blade Runner’s wet alleyways to getting chased by zombies or simply kicking back in the viewing room, RioSisco Studio Pictures offers a great visit with plenty to see and appreciate. Definitely one not to miss.

SLurl Details

• RioSisco Studio Pictures (Dfine Island, rated Adult)

 

 

Currently open for group members to enjoy, and shortly to open to the general public, are the 2019 Calas Christmas regions. Once again, Ty Tenk and Truck Meredith and the Calas team bring a Christmas winter delight for all Second Life residents to enjoy, spend across two regions of snow-bound fun.

The regions once again feature all that we’ve come to love about a Calas Christmas: the Christmas Pavilion, entertainment, sleigh rides, skating, and balloon and reindeer tours. However, this year introduces some new twists to things.

Rather than being at the ground level, the landing point is located high over the regions., on an icy, snowbound plain where polar bear play with their young and a snowman dances in greeting. Follow the candy striped arrows to where the mouth of a tunnel beckons (be sure to pick up a note card of landmarks from the candy cane at the cave entrance – you can use them to return directly to points of interest in the regions). The tunnel leads the way down to what might seem to be a shallow cavern – but be careful as you step forward into it; the floor is not what it seems!

The cavern is in fact the entrance to a series of tunnel s that lead you through (and past) other caverns (including Santa’s grotto) and, in reflection to past Calas holiday builds, to a portal that will deliver you to the ground level of the regions. This sits with a snowy tunnel of rock, the traditional automated sleigh rides to one side. These offer a choice of rides for couples or for up to four people to share, and we thoroughly recommend them, as they provide an easy way to discover the sights of the regions, which can then be visited on foot or via horseback.

If you prefer not to take the sleigh rides, you can either opt to follow the path they take  northwards out of the tunnel, and thus around the northernmost of the two regions, or they can take the southern exit from the tunnel, and a more direct path to the Christmas Pavilion and the ice skating.

Those who have wearable horses might want to wear them when exploring the northern region – although there are horse rezzers to be found that will provide you with a marvellous Shire horse to ride, and with kit in keeping with the season; just click the sign, accept the attachments, and you’ll be ready to go – use your usual movement keys to direct the horse (turn off your own AO!), and use double taps on your forward key to cycle through the walk, trot, canter and gallop option (your “backwards” key will step down through them).

As well as the sleigh rides, there are also flying reindeer tours (located along the trail of the sleigh tours) and a balloon ride (located to one side of the Christmas pavilion, just above the ice skating lake). All of the tours drop people off at the Calas Polar Express, where a meal and drinks can be had within the carriages – but don’t expect a ride home – not until “sometime after Christmas”, at least!.

A brisk walk down the slopes from the station will bring you to the lake and the pavilion. The latter is perhaps the most noticeable change from previous years, being of a new design for the regions.  The main hall offers a stage and dance floor (look for the golden deer on two of the pillars for dances), while the two wings offer the traditional lounges and Christmas tree, but in a brighter finish than past years. I believe the Pavilion will be home to this year’s entertainment within the regions. Nor is this the only place to enjoy a dance – a smaller pavilion sits on the far side of the lake, also waiting for visitors.

As is always the way with the Calas holiday regions, there are a lot of little details to be discovered: a nativity scene here, penguins sliding and skating on the ice, reindeer awaiting riders  – look far enough, and you might even spot a yeti / abominable snowman and a nod towards the Calas Halloween region designs! Group members should also keep an eye out for the group gifts (one per avatar).

The Calas team always bring us visual treats to enjoy through December to the New Year, and have done so again for 2019. However, when visiting, there are some rules and notes to keep in mind:

• To help lighten the load on resources, it is requested that active scripts are kept below 100Kb. So please, do remove unnecessary HUDs and accessories.
• The regions can get very popular – and avatars can place the heaviest load on the viewer – so your own experience may be affected in terms of performance, by the number of other visitors in the regions (there is also a lot within the regions to render, so other than for photos, you may want to reduce your Draw Distance and turn off render-heavy options like shadows.
• Given there can be a lot of people wanting to visit, be aware that if you go afk for more than a few minutes while visiting the regions and one is particularly busy, you may be asked to make your way to the other, or sent home if there is no response.

SLurl Details

• Calas Galadhon Christmas 2019 (Sea Myst, rated: Moderate)