Category: Exploring Second Life

Located in the sky over Project Hope Island is the simply named Japanese Garden, the work of the wonderfully named Sharpy Fhang. It’s a place perfectly described by its name, sitting as it does cupped within the palm of surrounding hills above which a morning Sun is casting its rays to create an aurora-like treetop haze before falling across a Zen garden winding between the trees and through torii gates.

Walk and explore the Japanese Garden at Project Hope. Come and explore, sit and reflect, visit the music garden, or just enjoy the sounds of the waterfalls and feel the serenity at this inspirational garden of peace and happiness.

– Japanese Garden at Project Hope Destination Guide description

This is a place of sublime peace and beauty, where the sound of water bubbling along little brooks and streams harmonises with the call of birdsong whilst lanterns and lamps illuminate the many paths, silent guides for visitors ready to explore the garden and all it has tucked within it.

These paths are all unhurried in the directions they take or in the time they takes to reach anywhere in particular; there is no reason to hurry; places to sit are plentiful, pools of gravel set aside of gentle dancing contrast with the large central body of water spanned by a large bridge alongside of with lanterns gently float. The land climbs gently as it moves further away from the Landing Point, flattened stone steps placed in little groups as if easing the ascent further.

Fed by streams the bubble down to it through narrow channels, sometimes ducking under rocks before reappearing the central large pond reflects natural and artificial light in gentle ripples, koi carp swimming just under the its surface. The paths loop gently around it, whilst red crowned crane wads its shallows, content to share the water with the fish below rather than trying to make a meal of them.

A small hot spring borders the pond for those who feel the need to soothe tired muscles, whilst at its upper end where water from one of the garden’s streams enters it, a further sign of harmony can be found as cats and songbirds share a little plank bridge, content to sit and sleep together as the water trips over stones and rocks below them.

Whichever branch of the paths visitors take from the Landing Point, they all eventually meet with one another, allowing the waters of the garden to be circumnavigated and the gentle climb up to the northern end of the gardens to be completed.

Take the path offered by the red bridge and it will pass by way of a pagoda-like bell tower and a gated entrance and a cobblestone path reaching out to a bench overlooked by a tall waterfall. Skirt the edge of the pond in the other, and you might find yourself passing little shelters, shrines and a place to enjoy steaming delicacies (just don’t disturb the cats!).

The most northern end of the garden is the preserve of a large single-floored house. Open to the public, it features two large wings of two rooms apiece, a linking hallway passing over waters flowing out from the falls just behind the house.

It is here that the music retreat in the Garden’s description can be found, complete with a koto for those who wish to play it. For those who might find the hot springs a little too much like broiling themselves, there is a large cold water pool sitting between the house and the cobbled path out to the waterfall overlook.

There is one little quirk within the setting which may not be immediately obvious. It sits overhead as if watching over the gardens and appears accessible to anyone visiting, although I didn’t spot any obvious means of getting up to it other than a sit TP. It’s a quirky little addition to the garden below, yet somehow it still “fits”.

With plenty of opportunities for wandering or spending time in solo contemplation or with a friend, Japanese Garden at Project Hope is a peaceful and engaging setting – an ideal spot for recharging one’s batteries.

Slurl Details

• Japanese Garden at Project Hope (Project Hope Island, rated Moderate)

It has been a decade(!) since I last visited The Looking Glass, the stunning region that is home to creative genius of Marcus Inkpen and Sharni Azalee, supported by ColeMarie Soleil.

It’s been a place which has captured imaginations time and again down the years, and has been on my list of places to revisit for a fair while, particularly since the more recent graphical and performance improvements made to the viewer.

For those who may not be familiar with the work of Marcus (aka artist, musician, writer and actor J. Matthew Root) and Sharni, they are two long-time Second Life creators with a focus on fantasy designs.

Those who participate in the annual Fantasy Faire will likely be more than familiar with their work; between them they have over a decade and more, produced marvellous regions for that event.

For his part, Marcus specialises on architecture, while Sharni creates everything from furnishings and décor items to plants and flora to mystical and fantasy elements, many of which are used to bring life to their designs, as is amply demonstrated in the Fantasy Faire worlds and within The Looking Glass.

Both are incredibly talented artists, and I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing their work in the past as both a reviewer and judge of University of Western Australia art events (now sadly gone from SL), in which Sharni’s work has been justifiably the recipient of multiple awards.

The Looking Glass offers a truly marvellous means of immersion into their combined work. Almost everything within the region has been created by either Sharni or Marcus, and can be found in The Looking Glass (TLG) store, which is perfectly blended into the setting, residing as it does within a number of buildings.

However, the region isn’t merely a showcase of designs; it is a world to be explored from its waterfront Landing Point through to the islands serenely floating in the sky. Within it can be found places of romance such as the ballroom, places to share in the company of someone close, gardens of fae and magical delights, places for celebrating dance and music, corners of mystical goings-on – there is even a hidden crystal chamber awaiting discovery (among other hidden places).

And, of course, there is the citadel climbing nigh-on 200 metres into a sky slowly brightening in response to a rising Sun.

With hundreds of windows lit from within and staring all around, the citadel alone is a place of wonder in its design and size and as a place of exploration and discovery. Not only does it feature the core of The Looking Glass store (with more to be found within the Basilica and the Feed your Head store close by), it houses an art gallery recalling Fantasy Faire Builds by Marcus and Sharni from times past, together with an exhibition of Marcus.

To help people find their way around, there are teleport stations, but for initial explorations, I really recommend stating on foot; the stations are plentiful enough to be easily found during on-foot explorations.

That said, there are areas within the region which do require the teleport system to reach them. Chief among these are the upper reaches of the citadel, which include a Library with an outdoor space and neighbouring room However, the teleports do not connect to all the points of interest; some, such as the floating islands and upper reaches of the citadel (which I believe are open to the public) appear to require flying to reach them.

Stretching out from the citadel tower and diagonally across the region is a great bridge, its arches taller than any of the buildings clustered to either side of it. Easily spanning woodland at water channels, the bridge extends out to the events amphitheatre whilst  offering a magnificent, lantern-lit look back at the great tower.

With its own dome of stars twinkling under the lavender-tinged sky and cross which blazing meteors arc, this is another magical place. As well a offer a stunning view at the citadel, the bridge offers an excellent vantage point to look out over the town and lands below, providing a marvellous view of the great open-air ballroom in its ring of ruins.

A ramp curls around the tor on which the amphitheatre stands, providing access both to and from the ground. I do suggest walking up (or down, if you come to the amphitheatre from the citadel) it and through its tunnel.

Keep your eyes peeled as you do, and you might find the entrance to one of the hidden secrets of The Looking Glass. Another is to be found here as well, just be prepared to get a little wet when accessing it J .

The Looking Glass is a place of great beauty and a huge attention to detail. Tucked away throughout are corners presenting places of retreats along with the floating islands. There are also touches of whimsy to be found as well – who knew hobbits drove VW Beetle convertibles, for example!

There are also more semi-hidden places to steal away to, some of which add a certain sense of character and life to the setting. Several of the buildings, far from being mere display pieces are furnished, with one or two heightening the sense of mysticism present throughout.

Even some of those which are not furnished have been set to enhance the feeling that this is a place where times and life passes: lights shining from windows, fires visible in hearths – even a bureau tucked into the small bay of a house, topped by an ornate Moroccan tea set and softly lit by a lamp, gives the impression someone is at home.

To summarise – a genuine work of art from the tallest tower to the most hidden of chambers. Timeless, it sits as a song to the creative potential of Second Life.

Slurl Details

• The Looking Glass (Horizon Dream, rated Moderate)