Category: Exploring Second Life

I try very hard not to let my ego lead me in things (honest! – In fact I try to make sure it remains trapped in the bottom drawer of a locked filing cabinet with a sign on front saying “beware of the leopard – so to speak” 🙂 ).

However, when I learned that I’ve recently been on the mind of a kitsune guardian of a mainland shine, I have to admit I was more than a little curious, so I had to bounce in-world and discover more.

The Kitsune in question – Tamamo – watches over the Imari Okami Jinja shrine. Sitting high on the side of a southern Corsica mountain in-world, the shrine forms part of the Excellens Prefecture, developed and overseen by Deefer Doge and Petros Aabye.

Roughly half a Full region in size, the Prefecture draws inspiration from the Yamadera temple and surrounds in Japan, but folds so much into itself as to be entirely unique. It extends from the small coastal Slendai Harbour up through the Yamadera hills and on up the mountain to reach Inari Okami Jinja. Along the way, the lands present the most engaging of Mainland visits.

However, it’s not a simple case of following the path upwards as if on a pilgrimage: there is a lot to see and appreciate along the way as one explores, complete with paths to outer farmlands and looping trails with features of their own to discover.

This build started as a harbour, my place to sail from plus I wanted a garden, so the onsen was developed. I love building on Mainland, with all its constraints of terrain, I would like to see more of our wonderful SL world nurtured. I also like to explore and with that in mind I always keep my land open to public to use & explore, I do live here but I think I can share 🙂 .

– Deefer Doge on Inari Okami Jinja – Yamadera & Slendai Harbour

Given the size of the Prefecture, there are several points of entry, but the SLurl I’m using here is for Slendai Harbour down on the coast. To help in finding your way around, there is an information board at the harbour (and which is twinned elsewhere in the setting) which will give a map HUD and notecard to arriving visitors (just click the board if these don’t arrive), and the map outlines the major paths and trails.

There is also an Experience-based teleport system available – look for the kuguri rings which have been strategically located around the various locations within the Prefecture. Simply step through one (and accept the Experience the very first time you do so) to be teleported. However I strongly recommend exploring on foot.

The onsen Deefer mentions in her comment above sits just beyond the gates from the harbour to the main trail. Bathing is permitted, and to help keep things personal, it – like a number of places within the Prefecture – resides within its own parcel with Privacy enable.

The onsen also forms part of a looping trail around the back of the harbour -just follow the path over the red bridge spanning the channels feeding water into it – with the route up into the hill resuming via the torii gate alongside of the bridge.

I’m not going to go blow-by blow through everything to see along the way as that will spoil things. However, here are some things to look out for / make note of on your initial climb:

• Slendai Harbour is open to the South Corsica waterway, and so can be reached by boat & has open rezzing should you wish to visit by boat and that sail away after (do mind the wreck partially submerged in the harbour tho!). A jet ski rezzer is also available
• Don’t miss the eastward path just after the first two Torii gates climbing the hill from the onsen. It has a garden surprise tucked away along it and offers a path to the farmlands.
• The Yamadera Shukubo Lodge overlooks the path up, sitting just above misty low-level cloud. Deefer’s former home, it is also open to the public.
• The Admin centre is where Goshuin stamp collectors can collect their stamp – Deefer puts out a new one each month. It’s an area watched over by Miyone (do be sure to chat with her!). There’s also a lookout point to be found here and another route out to the farmlands and rice fields.

However, do be sure to keep an eye out for a small gate just to the left of the Sanman Gatehouse (itself alongside the lodge). Going through this smaller gate will lead you to the Tea House. Tucked away below the Admin centre, it is a lovely haven for peace and quiet – even meditation, given the way the outdoor seating is arranged.

This is actually one of my favourite parts of the setting, and potentially easily overlooked if the main path is followed without paying attention. If travelling with a friend or three, you can also enjoy a board game under the roof the Tea House.

But it is the Imari Okami Jinja shrine, which sits as the ultimate destination. Home to Tamamo, mentioned at the top of this article, it provides a view back down over the Prefecture to the harbour to one side and out over the gardens and trees to the rice fields on the other.

The red torii gates marching up the escarpment to the shrine offer their own guardianship against unwanted spirits making the climb (and a little rest area offers water to thirsty pilgrims as it faces one of the many small shrines to be found throughout the lands here).

Do be sure to respond to Tamamo when she greets you; she is very conversational and can tell you more about the shrine, the Imari, and the prefecture in general. She is both knowledgeable and at times very poetic.

This place is called Inari Okami Jinja. A shrine to Inari – the great kami of foxes, rice, fertility, prosperity, and… well, many things. Inari is generous that way, refusing to be pinned down to just one domain. I watch over it and keep the energy clean. Chase away things that should not linger near sacred ground. Sometimes I guide visitors.

– Tamamo, in conversation with me about Imari Okami Jinja.

The beauty of this setting cannot be overstated, nor can the sense of peace and age; there is so much more to be seen than I have allowed here (see if you find your way to the stone hand and the photo opportunities there). The sense of age is communicated by the mix of torii gates, the way paths and steps branch but then go nowhere, as if overgrown and their purpose forgotten.

From Slendai Harbour through Yamadera to Inari Okami Jinja, this is a perfect part of the Mainland to visit; rich in detail and utterly idea for viewing under a wide range of environment settings as well as its own default. And, needless to say, it is thoroughly photogenic throughout.

My thanks to Deefer for the opportunity to visit and for spending time with me when I did – and again to Tamano for her kind words and our conversations 🙂 .

Slurl Details

• Slendai Harbour (Excellens, rated Moderate)

Back in January 2025 I visited Poetic Moon, a homestead region held by Anu Papp and which she and Dandy Warhlol (Terry Fotherington) had created as a stunning setting – and you can read about it here.

So when Anu invited me to pop over and preview a new make-over for her Full region of Ravenmere, which she has also developed in collaboration with Dandy to create the quite magnificent Ravenmere Redwoods.

I got this region from LL back in 2009, so I have been its keeper a very long time. Its name used be Ravenhart, but today it’s the most beautiful. I live in Northern California, which inspired this build.

– Anu Papp discussing Ravenmere Redwoods

From Anu’s comment and the design’s name, it should be obvious that the region offers a celebration of the California’s mighty Sequoia tree. However, this is more than just a place of the imagination: Anu used data from the physical world to create the terrain maps used in the design to give the region its overall towering appearance.

As regulars to these pages know, I love settings in SL which bring with them a twist of somewhere in the physical world, shaped by the creating minds behind them, and Ravenmere Redwoods totally fits this. There is so much packed into its – literally towering – design.

The landing Point sits some 80 metres above sea level, the region lies surrounded by high forested peaks, some with snow sitting within shadowed sculpts and dips in their sides, immediately mindful of the Sierra Nevada, where the mighty redwood can be found.

However, the land also drops away to one side, providing steps for giants (and trails and paths for us lesser folk!) down to an eastern coastline. This comes complete with a rocky cove that has perhaps seen better days as a focus for commercial fishing, but which also sits as a reminder of all the hidden bays and little coastal centres of activity which once hugged (and still do hug, in some cases) the coastlines of California and Oregon.

Between these two upper and lower extremes is a setting utterly rich in detail, perfectly conceived and photogenic to the point of being a work of art.

This is a place for people to come to and relax. It’s not for business, there are no rentals.  I disabled fly within the region and I’d like people to explore carefully; there are so many hidden areas. All I ask is that people keep activities PG.

– Anu Papp discussing Ravenmere Redwoods

One of those details might be easily missed by visitors on arrival should they be tempted to set out along the path leading away from the Landing Point. However, by turning around and walking just past the fence behind them, they will find a trio of heady walkways stretched out between some of the huge trees, presenting bird’s eye viewing of the rugged and misty lands below.

There’s also a path to be found here as well, running down through the mists and past a fire look-out point, twisting its way to come by turn and and corner to where three redwoods stand guard over a covered a wooden bridge.

Here again, the temptation might be to simply walk on by and over the bridge – which is a route that should be taken as a part of overall exploration, as it will carry visitors on along the eastern shoulder of the setting where more redwoods tower over more regularly-sized trees and a superb view down over the coast can be obtained.

But those paying attention as they reach the covered bridge might spot a sign Some Place Else. It offers a path of discovery to another mountain lake and a grand overlook.

Similarly, just beyond the bridge the path splits again, this time offering a way down to a further overlook above a quite magnificent ribbon lake, complete with a café perched above it to one end, and further trails running around and over it for further exploration.

The two eastward paths eventually join up to point people towards an unexpected – but still fitting perfectly within he region – location: a henge out on a headland. Here, again, keep an eye out for a rocky secret: a crafty little path perhaps originally cut by the passage of water, now offering and alternative means to reach the coastal bay.

Across the region are multiple places to sit and relax. Many are nicely tucked away to give a sense of natural privacy. Some are bobbing on the waters of the lakes and tucked away on the waterfront.

Those following the highland path from the Landing Point will eventually come to an old summer house straddling the path (passing another route down the mountainside along the way!). Beyond this is a large open deck space. This is the Ravenmere BREATHE Meditation Centre.

Breathe Meditation is a place to gather in stillness, breathe together, and remember that our individual practice becomes more powerful when shared in community. It’s a place for people to find peace. On Sundays, I’ll be hosting 30-minute meditation sessions there for those who wish to join me at 7:00am SLT.  Please wear white attire if attending!

– Anu Papp discussing BREATHE at Ravenmere Redwoods

Those who can’t join Anu on Sundays can still nevertheless partake of the opportunity for meditation on their own or with friends – or simply use the space for a quiet time of conversation of contemplation.

That said, wherever you wander within the region, you’re going to feel nothing but peace and harmony.

Rich in wildlife and a fitting soundscape and captured until a Shared Environment ideal for viewing it (although it does lend itself equally to others), Ravenmere Redwoods is genuinely beautiful – a work of art, as I’ve already noted.

When visiting, please do keep in mind the following:

• The region will only be open to full public access for a period of one month from August 15, 2026, after which it will return to Group access only.
• Group access will provide rezzing rights for photo props, etc., – but as always, do please remember to pick things up again.

My sincere thanks to Ana for the invitation to visit ahead of time and for taking the time to chat with me about Ravenmere Redwoods; it was greatly appreciated. Also, my congratulations, to her and to Dandy for creating such an outstanding place of beauty in Second Life.

Slurl Details

Ravenmere is rated Moderate

• Ravenmere Redwoods Landing Point
• Ravenmere Redwood Breathe Meditation Centre

The start of the week saw an invitation arrive from Nomore (Manoji Yachvili) to visit her homestead region and latest art exhibition, Cellophane.

Whilst I was unable to make the opening due to pressures elsewhere, I was extremely pleased and surprised to receive it; earlier in 2026 Nomore had closed her Homestead region to public access, and had also offered what looked like being a final exhibition of her art, hosted by Dido Haas at Nitroglobus Roof Gallery (see: Of Inventory, art and the artist in Second Life). I was therefore keen to hop along and see both the region and the exhibition.

I’ve covered past iterations of Fading Shadows numerous times in this blog, and have always enjoyed how Nomore has blended natural setting, architecture and art to create a flowing sense of space and environment.

This is very much in evidence with this iteration for mid- 2026. Entitled The PALM, it presents a minimalist, windswept coastal area of sand and dunes into which the rolling tide has sculpted inlets and bays, and the slopes of the dunes and hills have been smoothed and rounded by the passage of the wind.

There is a sense of age to the setting, both in the way the sands have been so shaped, and in the fact that that an old stone watchtower guards one corner of the setting, the wreck of sailing ship caught on the shoals below it, guarded by an orca.

Across the region, to the north-east, the land becomes rockier, the sands rising to cleave to a table of rock on which sits Nomore’s private home, and the only part of the region off-limits to visitors.

These are not the only structures present within the region; Nomore has a captivating means of incorporating various architectural styles into her region designs which both perfectly fit the aesthetic and which can serve as a home to her art exhibitions. The PALM is no exception.

Scattered across the landscape are four modern building designs, each home to a themed exhibition of Nomore’s Second Life and physical world art. As with many of her past region designs, these have been blended into the setting through the use of texturing and materials – something perhaps most apparent here within the cliff house gallery on the north side of the setting.

Cellophane, Nomore’s latest exhibition is housed with Cory Edo’s Jura Cottage, a building I’ve oft considered playing with myself (still might!), which here again Nomore has superbly blended into the setting through careful retexturing of the base and some of the outer walls

The exhibition is – like many for Nomore – something of a reflection of personal feelings and outlook and accessible commentary designed to prod us into thinking about life and the planet around us. For me, this always makes Nomore’s exhibitions especially attractive; they are both visually and mentally engaging and multi-layered.

Cellophane offers food for thought on modern society and its outlook on a range of matters from global warming through to questioning the purpose of art, whilst gently reminding us that we are all stewards of this planet, and we all have a responsibility for actively caring for it.

In this the use of cellophane / plastic particularly layered; its convenience makes it both ideal for simple preservation, whilst at the same time it is one of the most ecologically damaging materials we can use and which we often so carelessly dispose. It is also a perfect metaphor for our willingness to be inactive participants (if you will) in expressing concern for the directions the world around us seems to be taking.

These thoughts and ideas have helped shape The PALM as a whole; reading the artist’s reflection on the exhibition sheds light on the nature of the region’s form and the idea of slow erosion. Thus landscape and art further come together.

In this, there is perhaps a wider contrast hidden without the quiet beauty of the region; particularly in the contrast between the flotsam and jetsam of human vacationing scattered over the sands and the quiet reminders of the beauty of life in all its forms in our oceans, and which can be glimpsed as we explore the landscape.

Which is not to say the PALM is all about Deep Thinking. Its minimalist beauty is captivating and photogenic; there are multiple places to sit and simply chat or enjoy the passing time; there are opportunities for padding out on the waters via little boats or have a little fun on a springboard.

Nor is the art within the region confined to the gallery spaces or even the ground. Elements of art have been carefully folded into the setting in the form of sculptures, whilst an active Experience operating within the region can be used to hop between the ground-level galleries and those up in the air over the region, which house Nomore’s personal collections of art.

In short, there are multiple reasons for visiting The PALM – and I very much hope that after reading this, you will hop over and see for yourself. My thanks to Nomore for the invitation, and apologies for no making the opening event!

Slurl Details

• The PALM (Fading shadows, rated Moderate)

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

• Shamone Beach
• Shamone Surf
• Shamone Landing Point

Kio Zen Garden occupies roughly a quarter of a Full private region boosted by the Land Capacity bonus from LL. The work of Truebow Magic, it is a remarkable garden-temple-venue setting melding ancient Japanese architectural styling and modern aesthetics into a genuinely unique location.

This is a place very much a place of two halves: the ground-level areas, and the upper gardens. The latter sit on massive slabs of rock just above the former, extending out across the parcel from the cliffs which curtain off Kio Zen Garden from the rest of the region on two sides, supported by huge columns of rock like giant table legs.

This is a design approach which can often come across as unnatural, giving rise as it does to large cavern-like spaces which are simply too regular to have any sense of having been naturally formed. However, that’s not the case here; such is Truebow’s design – including her choice of rock materials – that it is possible to travel through the entire setting without being aware of any sense of artificiality in its design.

Before going any further, I will note that Kio Zen uses a dedicated Shared Environment, and this really should be used when visiting, as it really brings out the depth of care which has been taken to blend materials, colour and form into the design. Given the nature of the region as a whole, I’d also suggest that a high draw distance is not required (particularly given Kio Zen is nicely screened from the rest of the region), nor is the use of shadows particularly required in order to see the setting at its best.

The upper level, reached via two sets of wooden stairs, is split into three distinct areas. The largest of thee is a broad, flat Zen garden focused around a shallow body of water and given a sense of peace by a mix of surrounding high rocky cliffs, wooden curtain walls and the strategic use of bamboo.

Paths circle the outer reaches of this garden, with stone walkways providing the means to cross the central body of water, connecting several areas in which visitors might sit and pass the time. Wind chimes hang from frames and a mix of pagoda and paper lanterns illuminate paths and dapple the waters with light.

The second elevated area is reached via a wooden walkway stretching across the northern side of the parcel close to the high cliff wall. Here the Zen garden theme continues, although the focus is very much on the temple occupying this space.

Crossing the walkway from garden to temple does reveal part of the lower elements of the setting and might give a hint of the unnaturalness of the base elements of both garden and temple if one is given to seeking them out – but the reality is, such is the work Truebow has put it blending rock with treetops, gardens (upper and lower), waterfalls and wooden walkways, everything does flow together naturally.

The lower garden space between these two raised platforms forms one of four areas occupying the ground level of the parcel, with the focus within them being a mix of social spaces and the celebration of music. It is also where, for me, the magic of the setting is revealed.

These four areas can be broadly split into the aforementioned garden space, running north from the beach Landing Point, the Landing Point itself (where a teleport board might also be found), a second open garden space with the third upper section of the setting occupying its south-west corner, and a quite magnificent series of venue spaces and walks underneath and extended to either side of the rock table supporting the Zen garden.

It is here that the sense of ancient-meets-modern permeates Kio Zen to great effect. Whilst home to spaces intended for music events, the structures under the rock are built in the shinden-zukuri style from Japanese classical history. This design emphasised open-sided geometric spaces linked by similarly open-sided walkways, the use of natural materials such a cedar wood for roof tiles rather than ceramics, and a minimalist approach to furnishings.

All of this is very much in evidence through these main structures, the high, sloping ceiling of which do much to hide the overhead rock (also helped by the clever use of large drapes over the overwise open-to-the sky roof ribs in places which both give the impression of being inside a building whilst further disguising the flat rock face above).

Painted cloth and wooden side panels are also used, working with waterfalls and well-placed trees and plants to prevent the rock walls and columns from heavily intruding into the spaces and gardens spaced around the main sturctures.

Open to the sea at one end, and with side paths and walks stepping own off of the wooden halls and rooms, this area is genuinely stunning in its blending of styles, forms, architecture, nature, lighting, water and ancient and modern – but I’ll leave you to find “secret” lounge space tucked away within it!

The remaining lower garden space can be reached directly from the Landing Point. It offers an outdoor event area in the form of a cannabis garden (whether grown for recreational use or in reflection of the plant’s use in fibre production and Shinto rituals, I’ll leave you to decide!) and a further cavern topped by a garden space.

The cavern forms a further music space and hangout complete with outdoor deck seating at one end, just beyond a small jazz lounge which appears to be awaiting the arrival of the musicians. Above this, the flat garden space is crowned by an eye-catching ring of arched bridges spanning the tall columns of rock supporting the roof of the hangout. These are open to circumnavigation as well as connecting this corner of the setting with the paths leading to the Zen garden.

There is much more that might be said about Kio Zen Garden, but the truth is it should be seen for itself. Every aspect of its design has been carefully considered, and it comes together as a physical work of art.

Slurl Details

• KIO Zen Garden (Shopping City, rated Moderate)