Category: Exploring Second Life

Mystical Fae Forest – click any image for full size

Update, July 2019: Zuma has closed Elvenshire and moved Fae Forest to a new location (see A new (fae forest) in Second Life for more). Because of this, SLurls have been removed from this article.

Mystical Fae Forest, occupying the Homestead region of Elvenshire, is precisely what the name implies: a mystical realm caught in time and wrapped in the soft light of a winter’s eve. It’s a place those who love things fae and whimsical should appreciate; a place where magic floats in the air and a surprise awaits at very turn.

Designed by Zuma Fae Dust (Zuma Jupiter), the region’s timelessness is immediately felt on entering. The predominant shade is white, as if the trees are frosted and the ground covered in snow. But among the white flowers lay flashes, pools and sprinkles of colour, while fireflies drift on the air and tiny lights sparkle from branches. Beside the landing point, giant roses sit, their petals glowing a soft, translucent pink as if spun from glass, their stems links of silver chain.

Mystical Fae Forest

Paths wind through the flowers, leading away from the arched circle of the landing point. It matters not which you take and the wind between the tress and frequently fork. All of them will lead you somewhere, and often to the quite unexpected, while birds sing from branches overhead.

From the name of the region, you might expect the locals to be faerie folk, or perhaps have a touch of the elvish or hobbit about them. While the folk might definitely be on the small side, they are most certainly not hobbits; nor are they elves or fae folk. Rather, most are a mix of rabbits, raccoons, teddy bears and others, all going about their business or at play in the hazy light.

Mystical Fae Forest

Some are gathered along a little hamlet street, playing games, gathering around an ice cream stand or simply walking along the footpath. Some sit together as couples, one or two wander alone – two even hold up a banner directing people to a party. These scenes are scattered across the region, allowing visitors to come upon them by chance as they walk along the paths and under the trees.

I said “most” above, because there are others here to be found. This is a place where you can see a pink elephant if you choose the right path, or come across a delightful little scene featuring visitors from afar who have decided to drop in on the home of a flying saucer aficionado. I’m not sure they mean whoever it is any harm; going by the looks of three of them they appear to be on a sightseeing tour!

Mystical Fae Forest

Vignettes such as this add to the magic of the region, making a visit a genuine exploration. You’ll want to spend more time here than might otherwise be imagined, wandering the paths and making sure you’ve not missed anything. And in case you need a little rest or become enwrapped in the region’s enchantment, there are several cosy nests where you can sit or  curl up and enjoy time alone, or with a friend or share a cuddle or two – but again, I recommend taking the time to seek all of them out!

Mystical Fae Forest is a joy to wander, and I recommending seeing it under the default region windlight to truly capture the magic. Should you enjoy your visit, please consider a donation to help preserve the region for the others to enjoy: look for the magic tree roots along the footpaths as you explore (there’s one near the landing point, for example).

Mystical Fae Forest

With thanks, as always, to Shakespeare for the pointer 🙂 .

NorderNey – click any image for full size

I was surprised to note that it’s been getting towards three years since I last visited NorderNey, Jacky Macpherson’s homestead design (see here for more). A lot has happened since then, not the least of which is Jacky has moved, so that the region now has a sim of its own bearing the same name, although visitors will need Payment Information On File in order to access it.

Back in 2014, NorderNey was decidedly a rural scene, rich in the feel and colours of late summer. Now, while still bathed in warmth and sunlight, NorderNey is now far more tropical in look and feel; a sandy island over which seagulls wheel soar while sailing boats lie anchored offshore.

NorderNey

It can be a windy place – as some of the trees, their trunks bent and branches set like streamers, can attest – but you’ll likely find conditions calm during your visit.  And just as the waters of the sea surround it, so does the coral white sand lap around islands of grass and trees, where can be found three cabins.

Two of these, at opposite ends of the island, are flat-topped and as white as the sand. The third sits between them, far enough from each to be a comfortable walk. Its sloped roof is made of corrugated iron sheets while the brown of its unpainted walls contrasts with the white finish of the others. If you’re using Firestorm when you visit, you’ll find that all three have a local parcel windlight, which sets the sun on the horizon, casting an end-of-day glow across the sea.

NorderNey

The cabin at the north end of the island has a homely feel to it. Chickens and geese are in the garden, a cat hungrily eyeing chicks from the back of a scooter while another washes itself, oblivious to the wandering morsels. Scooters, bikes and motorcycles are something of a theme here, with several leaning against fences or parked on their stands, a shed offering a place to service them and keep them dry when the weather turns.

The other cabins have the look of being retreats from the world; perhaps the boats anchored offshore belong to those using them. All three of the buildings are watched over – in a disinterested way – by horses and sheep which roam freeing across the island, free to wander across the island and graze on the grass.

NorderNey

There is a wonderful sense of peace about NorderNey. The wind may keen occasionally, the gulls offer plaintive cries as it does, but the sense of peace cannot be easily shattered. If anything, it is increased by the presence of a kite caught in the breeze and a pelican sitting contentedly on a breakwater. It’s the kind of place you can easily imagine sailing to and spending a quiet week or so living in one of the cabins, strolling the beach barefoot, or going for leisurely trips on the water, or swimming in the cove formed by the island’s curve.

With little places to sit, chat, share or just ponder, NorderNey is a wonderful escape from everything, and remains a recommended visit. Should you enjoy your time there, please consider leaving a donation as a show of appreciation.

NorderNey

SLurl Details

• NorderNey (NorderNey, rated: Moderate)

“We got bored!” Ty Tenk of Calas Galadhon fame laughed, passing me an invite for Caitlyn and I to visit the Calas Skate-o-Rama. “Rolling skating in the middle of the desert. But be careful crossing the highway!”

It actually took us a couple of days to get the opportunity to visit, but with Friday night sitting with us, we hopped over to find out more – and in Typical Ty and Truck style, the venue is fetchingly presented and a lot of fun.

Visitors arrive at a roadside stop on Route 66. The moon hovers low in the sky, and sandstone mesas break-up the horizon. Across the road, resplendent in neon and  art deco styling, sits the Calas Skate–O-Rama, searchlights sweeping the darkening skies. This is a poplar place: the asphalt car park is almost full. Once across the road, the deco style doors to the arena beckon – and hide a secret. Step through them, and far from leaving the desert skies behind and you going indoors, you enter an open-air rink, a 50’s style diner to one side, and a live performance stage on the other.

Between them sits the skating floor, and it is built to take a fair few! Roller skates can be obtained from the giver just inside the arena entrance – you just need to join the Calas Announcements Group if you’re not already a member. Swap your shoes for the skates, turn off your AO and you are all set.  You can then free skate or – using the pose and dance system (instructions supplied in the air over them) – you can skate and dance.

It’s surprisingly a lot of fun, particularly if there are a number of you; and as is always the case at the Calas regions (the arena is on the Calas special events region of Erebor), the music is superbly selected. There are regular live music events planned throughout March as well, so check the Calas Galadhon blog for details.

Should you need a break from the dancing, you can enjoy a burger at the bar (or have it delivered to you by one of the roller skating staff 🙂 ), or take a seat on the couches to the side of the skating floor. And if you fancy a wander, the desert is worth seeing, and has one or two surprises!

As we skated, I asked Ty what would be happening at the end of March. “Oh, we have a few things planned for over the summer!” he said with a smile and a wink, but without saying more. We look forward to finding out – and to hopping back to the Skate-O-Rama well before then!

SLurl Details

• Calas Skate-O-Rama (Erebor, rated: Moderate)

Long Journey – click any image for full size

Update: Long Journey has relocated, and I have a new blog post about it.

Creativity in Second Life doesn’t always require an entire region – Full or Homestead – in order to be realised. This is something I’ve said in the past, and will doubtless say again in the future. All it needs is sufficient room in which the imagination can breathe; and if you want proof of this, then I can recommend you take a trip over to Long Journey.

Covering a little under 7,000 square metres, Long Journey is an absolute delight. Designed by Yang (Sun2idea), it packs a lot into the space without ever feeling crowded or losing its sense of rural-edged peace.  Visitors arrive at a little coffee-house and bar; to the rear is a cosy walled terrace with tables tucked between tall wine racks and the bar; to the front sits a paved street, the nearby end of which slips into a tunnel.

Long Journey

Along this street, bathed in the soft glow of a setting sun, lit by tiny LEDs strung along the curbstones and clusters of street lights, are a number of eateries with a decidedly oriental flavour to them. Vending machines line the wall of the building across the street from the coffee-house,  while alongside it sits another cosy little café. Close by, a converted tram offers teas and cakes to patrons who can sit at tables occupying a tidy square of grass, one of several outdoor eating areas.

Just beyond the tram, the street ends, and a wooden board walk takes over, running alongside a small body of water. To one side of it is an old warehouse, one of its walls long since collapsed, exposing its metal frame. It is now home to a curious and eclectic mix of things. On the opposite side of the board walk, most of the water is taken up by an old house boat, its square prow abutting the whitewashed building forming the southern boundary to the street.

Long Journey

Nor is this all. At the point where the street gives way board walk, a tiled path points the way to one side. It runs between tram café and water to a little platform, where a steam train is just pulling in, its carriages slowly emerging from another tunnel. Alongside the track, the sheer wall of an old factory rises like a great brick cliff. Roofless, its windowless flank rich in graffiti and drawings, it invites exploration.

But to describe everything to be found here – the little house, what lies inside the old factory or the warehouse with its broken wall, the field of sunflowers marching into the scene and more – is really a waste. This is a place which really does deserve to be seen  – to be savoured – to really be appreciated.

Long Journey

The level of detail packed into it is exquisite, from the richness of the trees, shrubs and plants, to the little vignettes such as the lilies and rowing boats, to the cats which sit in indifference to the world or watch from roof or corner, all the way to the many little touches which bring this scene to life in so many ways.

If you are looks for a photo location with a personality of its own, or a place where you can while away the time with a friend or loved one – then take a Long Journey, I promise you will not be disappointed. Our thanks to Shakespeare (once again! 🙂 ).

SLurl Details

• Long Journey (Nightshark, rated Moderate)