Category: Exploring Second Life

There is a theme running through many of the locations in Second Life that I’ve visited and blogged about. It may not be obvious to some, but it is there all the same; so much so, that I thought it was about time I blogged about it. Or the person behind it. Or his own regions. OK – all three.

The theme is not that I tend to opt for more rural / country-like regions over urban developments or that water and trees feature rather a lot (although the latter are somewhat closer to it than the former). The clue is actually in the picture below.

See the bridge? Does it seem familiar? Well, possibly because you’ve seen it here, or here, or here, to mention just three of its appearances in this blog. It is the work of Alex Bader and while he is probably best known for his stunning and evocative castles, is also perhaps deserving of the title, “landscaper to the sims” because the chances are than when you are visiting one of the many picturesque regions across Second Life, you’re going to be seeing / walking on / crossing / standing under one of his creations – and more than likely passing many of them.

The home for Alex’s works are his twin regions (one full, one homestead) of Skye Elgol and Skye Neist Point. Both are nome to Alex’s Skye Studios and his range of landscaping accessories and impressive castles.

I’ve previously written about the value of in-world shopping in terms of the opportunities it brings to experience some truly marvellous regions.  Both of Alex’s regions are further proof of that – although I suspect people will be more drawn towards the somewhat less developed (in terms of castles) Skye Neist Point.

These are both regions which have been creatively designed as showcases for Alex’s work. In fact, it’s fair to say that while exploring them, and outside of the castles themselves – all of which are quite magnificent – it would be very easy to overlook the fact that just about all that is on display has been crafted by Alex.

Because it is a homestead, Skye Neist Point is the more natural of the two, with the focus on woodlands, walks, Alex’s distinctive bridges, and coastal scenes (which again will be instantly familiar to the seasoned SL traveller).  Here lay deep gorges, winding paths leading up hillsides, all of which offer breathtaking vistas and viewer guaranteed to delight and get cameras working.

Things are a little more crowded in Skye Elgol – but this is to be expected, given it is primarily the home of Alex’s castles, as mentioned; but even here there are places to wander and explore and vistas worthy of the camera’s eye.

Both Skye Elgol and Skye Neist Point stand as stunning examples of what can be achieved in 16 acres of virtual land given time and a sprinkling of imagination. As such both serve as excellent demonstrations as to what can be achieved when seeking to landscape a region and present something which is going to enthrall and delight.

Whether or not you’re into castles makes no difference; I cannot overstate the value in visiting Alex’s regions and taking time to explore them. You don’t have to buy a castle – although I’m sure he’d appreciate it were that to happen! – but there is more than enough here to tempt the eye and pocket, from the bridge featured at the top of this article through to Alex’s marvellous rutted tracks and his oh-so-life-like trees.

It’s hard to imagine anyone not enjoying these two regions – again with the emphasis possibly on Skye Neist Point. However, you don’t have to take my word for it: go see Alex’s work for yourself!

Related Links

• Skye Neist Point SLurl (Rated: Moderate)
• Skye Elgol SLurl (Rated Moderate)
• Studio Skye website
• SL Destinations in this blog

(view slideshow full-screen)

Isle of Myrth is the home of The Noble Storybook, an homage to the tales of Beatrix Potter and the work of members of the Noble Family group in Second Life.

Now, while it may draw its share of hisses and boos my way, I have to confess that the tales of Beatrix Potter are not – and never were – a favourite read; either as a child or in reading bedtime stories to my godchildren. However, when it comes to The Noble Storybook, such a lack doesn’t really matter; this is quite simply a stunning and beautiful build from which nothing is lost if you’re unfamiliar with Peter Rabbit et al, and which richly rewards the Second Life explorer.

Superlatives tend to get used a lot when it comes to SL builds – but this really is one which is deserving of them; everything has been put together with an eye for detail and placement, making the entire region a delight to explore and photograph. Just be aware that the house atop the hill is a private residence and home to the Noble Family – so please respect their privacy.

The rest of the region, however, is open to meandering explorers and camera-happy snappers, and there is more than enough here to keep the most addicted snapper clicking away contentedly for hours.

The initial arrival point for visitors is some way up in the air. Here you get a hint of the region’s theme before teleporting down to the ground itself. There are no greeters passing out notecards, so it’s best to read the description in the Destination Guide if you want to get a feel for the place – not that it really takes much; as I’ve said, this is a beautiful sim which will enchant right from the time you pop-up outside the lighthouse above the beach.

Wooden steps lead down from the cozy lighthouse to the bach and the more “public” areas of the region – the Noble Cafe, a little quay and boat, shops and deck chairs. Footpaths and wooden bridges also lead around, over and along the hillside, offering shaded walks under trees and across open fields.

As you wander, you may well come across characters and creations from Potter’s books; you’ll also come across some stunning scenery. I’m not always a fan of sim surrounds – or at least my GPU isn’t; a combination of sim surround and active shadows tends to send it into paroxysms of flashing and stern NOT RESPONDING messages. However, I have to say that the surrounds used here are used to great effect and add enormous ambience to the region.

The real problem with a region of this kind is that words aren’t enough. There is only one way to really appreciate it – and that’s to go visit it for yourself.

So don’t let me keep you – go! 🙂

SLurl Details

• Isle of Myrth SLurl (Rated Moderate)

As regular readers will know, I love very natural and / or whimsical regions. I also love to see the amount of artistic expression store owners put into the region / parcel surrounding their store. It’s for this reason I was originally drawn to Cours, the home of Vitamingirl’s “🙂 BCC” – although I’m ashamed to admit that after my first visit, I didn’t actually get around to writing-up a post.

Well, now spring has arrived, and with it Cours has had something of a redesign which again demonstrates Vitamingirl’s creativity. The store now sits at the top of a hill and is reached by stone steps leading up from the arrival point. Heading off across a watery landscape is an old, broken railway track, inviting you to explore the region.

Follow the track across the watery landscape and you’ll find a locomotive, seemingly determined to make its way off across the Linden Sea. Elsewhere is a Romany caravan and a table set for tea where you can sit and chat or simply watch the world go by. Not far from the locomotive sits a windmill.

This is a minimalist build which is extraordinarily picturesque. The waterlogged areas, bright with yellow rapeseed-like flowers, both frame and separate the “islands” scattered across the region into a series of linked visual vignettes which beckon to the newly arrived traveller.

As well as the 🙂 BCC store itself, Cours is also home to the three house-like shops of Adelia, ADTL, and Honey Pang, all of which offer the window-shopper even more reason to drop into the region.

All-in-all, 🙂 BCC offers an enjoyable and very photogenic destination.

Related Links

• “🙂 BCC” at Cours SLurl (Rated: Moderate)
• SL destinations reviewed in this blog

Sunday April 7th marks the last opportunity for people to enjoy Neva Crystall’s beautiful Neva River for a while – at the end of the day, the region will once again be closed to public access. This does not mean the region is going away – just that it is Neva’s home, and she understandably deserves some peace any quiet to enjoy it with her friends.

Since my last visit in March, the region has gained an enchanted forest, made by Alex Bader, down in the south-west corner, close to one of the beaches. Here paths wind between a variety of trees, a now-shaded bridge crosses the river, and people can wander and enjoy or simply sit on the beach and admire.

If you have not yet visited Neva River in its current form, I really urge that you do before the end of the day; once it is closed, it may not re-open until after Neva has once more remodelled it at some point in the future. so why bot make a little time and pay a visit; it’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed.

Related Links

• Neva River: where thoughts drift (July 2012)
• Neva again! (March 2013)