Svarga is a place of legend among those who have been active within Second Life for more than four or so years. Created by Laukosargas Svarog in 2006, in a time before sculpts – or even flexiprims – Svarga was a place of mystery and beauty; a must-see destination within SL.

In its heyday, Svarga was famous for its rich design and unique artificial ecosystem, as well as a number of other features which allowed for a very immersive experience. Then, in 2009, the region became unreachable in-world and remained that way for some time. In March 2010 the sim made a “return” after Linden Lab had apparently purchased it from Laukosargas Svarog in a move “To provide a way for this high-quality experience to live on in the ever-changing world of Second Life.” At the time, the move was largely welcomed within the community, simply because Svarga was – and is – regarded as so unique among “early” builds, although some did express a certain discomfort at the idea of the Lab stepping-in to preserve regions in this way and where it might lead.

When Svarga initially returned, elements were missing: the ecosystem was only partially restored, the tour system had gone, as had the ambipod and light show. Since then, a new tour system has been added – using giant wasps, which is entirely in keeping with the feel of the region, and Svarga remains very much a testament to all that could be achieved just through the use of the humble prim.

Nor does what has been lost in any way detract from one’s visit; the spires and walkways remain, complete with torches, flags and the small library of old books referencing SL. The offshore glade still provides a rich lavender carpet of flowers where you can sit and think alone, or share time with a friend or loved one. For the keen-eyed, the underground caverns lie waiting to be explored, and birds and bees can still be seen among the flora as footpaths lead you between the strange plants and trees and over rope bridges, or to the door of the hexagonal house where you can sit among the cushions or play the waiting drums. Take the wasp tour, and you can learn more about the history of the region, and its roots in old Slavic mythology.

If you’ve never visited Svarga before, I recommend you do. It has a mystique and mystery that makes any visit worthwhile. As it came at a time before Windlight, it doesn’t utilise any special presets of its own – and thus presents itself as an open canvas for the imaginative SL photographer, as there is nothing to influence the choice of sky and water presets. For the romantic or those seeking a place to sit and share company with a friend or small group of friends, Svargat offers a calming, gentle environment in which to spend time and perhaps reminisce about the “good old days”.

Related Links

• Svarga teleport point (Rated General)
• SL Destinations in this blog

Update: Neva River is currently closed to public access

I’ve previously written about Wendy Xeno’s work in Second Life, having covered both Hazardous and Humanoid in these places. So I was intrigued to learn that she had helped with the design of Neva River, owned by Atteris Amarth and Neva Crystall.

Those who visited Humanoid will find Neva River somewhat familiar in terms of broad themes and tones: the same use of water and warm colours. The region offers a contemplative setting, with two houses designed by yacchan Clip and interior fittings by Neva Crystall which are open to exploration. Visitors are welcome to wander around the ground level areas and the houses, take photographs and simply pause and reflect in the last rays of a setting sun as clouds skitter overhead and birds wheels around the tree-tops before settling as the night draws in.

Use the local Windlight environment settings and enjoy.

Related Links

• Neva River
• In-world destination reviews in this blog

Wanderstill (Flickr)

Veiled in a dream, Romance dances through a wild meadow overlooking a sparkling sea. Inspired, a lone jeweller plies her craft,  immortalizing the magic of Love’s kiss in prims. Art, friendship, and passion beckon. Embrace the possibilities!

This is the description given to Wanderstill in the region of Ode, a place that I’ve read about in a number of places and from where Honour McMillan took a series of pictures that caught my eye (albeit in a post dealing with a particular SL problem). It is the creation of Elizabeth Tinsley and it is simply stunning.

Teleporting to the region via search delivers you to the Frippery store and a charming welcome:

*~Welcome to Wanderstill~*~: You have found your way to a tiny cottage in the middle of a wild meadow. This is the home of Frippery, a jewellery shop for imaginative minds. You are warmly welcome. Come in, make yourself comfortable, peruse the baubles, take a gift, and leave a message.

Wanderstill (Flickr)

The store itself is genuinely charming, and creates a relaxed atmosphere that continues out into the meadows surrounding it. Where you roam is up to you – but there is plenty to explore and to discover – and be sure to look down as well as up! There are places to sit and relax, places where you can dance – and places where you can get a little exercise!

Wanderstill (Flickr)

When exploring, I recommend you have the audio stream on – the music from sky FM matches the idyllic surroundings beautifully.

Related Links

• Wanderstill SLurl (Rated Moderate)

I’m going to start by saying that this isn’t a destination review per se; the subject of the article is a private residential estate – hence no landmark in this piece. Visiting and writing about such estates is not something I’m liable to make any kind of feature out of for this blog. While there are doubtless many beautiful sims and estates throughout Second Life, I do regard Matanzas as special both because it was highly recommended to me by people I respect within SL for their judgement and observation, and it is provided by someone I’ve come to know via Twitter over the last year and who is now becoming an in-world friend as well. So this post is a little indulgent – but then, this is my blog, so I’m entitled to indulge myself now and again :).

Matanzas started life as a residential sim some time back, with those lucky enough to rent there finding it a pleasant – and long-term – home. When the sim holder announced that he was leaving SL in January 2009 and that the sim would therefore be dissolved, there was understandable upset. So much so that Skate Foss, herself a  Matanzas resident since 2007, stepped into the breach and offered to take over the running of the sim.

Since then, she’s worked tirelessly with two of the nine other residents on the sim to create a stunning tropical environment open to all of her tenants to share in and enjoy – and which captures the hearts of those who visit.

The care that has gone into the sim is evident from the moment one is invited to visit: the arrival point is a wooden quay, with sail-boats moored nearby or pulled up under the shade of the palm trees. From here it is a short walk to the community dance floor and newly added cafe, where Skate and I later sat and chatted about all things SL. Both the dance floor and cafe – together with an open-air lounge beyond, are open to the residents of the sim to use and enjoy, and occasional events are held at them as well. The open spaces are appreciated by tenants and form a central part of the appeal of the place and why people come – and stay.

“There are ten lots here,” Skate tells me as we saunter past the dance floor, “But only six tenants – not that there are four empty lots; my tenants grab up any lot that is available, so the island is fully rented.” The lots themselves are all landscaped to fit with the theme of the sim, and the houses blend perfectly with the flora. Boundaries between parcels are indicated through the subtle use of “Private” notices set along the paths between them and wandering the sim, one has the strong impression that this is a close, friendly community sharing a common bond of trust and respect for one another.

The lounge itself overlooks a waterfall with flows down from the central heights of the island, where stands a rain forest, complete with parakeets, tropical rain and the odd dash of lightning. This offers various views of the island, walks to follow and places to sit.  Also close to the lounge are two more facets of Matanzas that make it special – the greenhouse and the chapel.

The greenhouse, located by a small lake, cunningly hides the parcel rent boxes (tucked away inside cupboards!) while also providing a venue for events – such as a wedding reception Skate tells me about, the wedding ceremony itself being held out at the waterfalls.

The chapel is a short walk further on, and is the latest addition to the island. “One of my tenants lost his RL son,” Skate explains as we reach it. “I thought we should have a place on the island, to go, if we need to.” The chapel is tasteful in its design – whitewashed walls, sun-faded timber roof, with a simple but effective memorial inside.

Wandering across the island, the degree of care that has been taken with it is clearly apparent – be it with the sun-bleached wooden steps leading up to vantage points or linking houses to beach, the wind chimes hanging from tree branches or the careful selection of birds and flora to give the entire sim a rich and vibrant feel. If I’m honest, our tour left me feeling not a little regretful that I’m not myself a tenant there; it’s exactly the kind of place I could happily “retire” to in SL!

Skate and I finished our walk back at the cafe area, where we were joined by a parakeet while we talked about Matanzas’ development – Skate is constantly seeking ways to tweak and enhance the island as both the cafe itself and the chapel show – and Second Life in general. As we do, and as I take the opportunity to snap some more shots of the island, I’m struck by the one word that sums up Matanzas perfectly.

Idyllic.

ETA: Skate has sent me details on Lalo Telling’s write-up on a TweetUp party that was held on Matanzas two years ago. Read about it here.