Category: Second Life

The Isle of Cezanne is a 1/4 Full region that has been designed and landscaped by ElenaMicheals Core. Occupying the south-east quarter of a region that has the full region land capacity bonus applied, the setting has something of a riverside feel to it, thanks to the use of two off-sim elements sitting off of the water-facing south and east sides.

Offering in a summertime setting, The Isle of Cezanne presents a rich countryside look and feel, but one with little touches of sci-fi fantasy that are just enough to add a twist to any visit without looking at all out of place. Rather, they add to the setting’s appeal for photography – which is a core theme for the location overall.

The landing point is tucked away in the north-western corner of the parcel. It is here, among the stones of an ancient ruin that visitors can find the teleport boards leading to three further photography locations in the sky over the region. Two of these are cosy studio-style settings (the Artist Studio and the Dressmaker Attic), and the third a more open winter setting for those seeking snowbound settings for avatar photography.

From the landing point, the ruins point southwards towards a tall house that has a little hint of Provence about it and which has been cosily furnished, including – at the time of our visit – hints of the season. This sits on a broad table of grassy rock (the entire landscape here is mesh, the terrain having been pushed below water level) looking south across the “river”. The land before the house slopes gently down to the water’s edge, pointing the way to where a wooden deck stretches out of the the water, offering a place to sit and admire the view while cormorants perch and flap their wings and the water’s edge, watched by black swans.

A second pier extends out into the water from between the house and the landing point ruins, but given a pair of brown bears are patrolling alongside of it, caution might be required when trying to reach it. However, it is the north side of the parcel that offers the sci-fi fantasy feel – although at first glance, it appears to be a natural setting: a further rocky landscape that ends with a barn and shed with cattle grazing on the wild grass, suggesting the house to the south is owner by a farmer.

To reach the barn and cattle, visitors can take a choice of routes. One goes part-way through the old ruins and then down the stone steps from the and past a little camping site sitting above the water. The other is to go directly east from the landing point and over the rugged terrain.

This latter route will take visitors past a “UFO house” sitting on concrete legs. It Sits as a strange little hideaway with and very eclectic set of contents, including toys, a laptop, a bomb, a crate of ammunition and – well, other interesting items. Outside this house are two large plants, with eyes at the centre of their flowers and a curiosity of their own, fixing any passers-by with a glassy, unblinking stare.

Throughout the parcel are numerous opportunities for avatar photography – the house, the wooden deck with its seating below it, the camp site, the “UFO house”, and so on. Also waiting to be found are multiple little touches of detail: deer in the shade of trees, sculptures, cranes dancing over the the water and so on,  all of which add depth to the parcel  for explorers.

Those wishing to rez props for their photographs can join the local group (no charge), and photos are welcome in the parcel’s Flickr group. Those who enjoy a rounded setting should ensure they have local sounds enabled during a visit to appreciate the local sound scape.

SLurl Details

• The Isle of Cezanne (Shameless Island, rated Adult)

I received an invitation from MarkTwain White to visit Honah Lee Wave, a new public homestead region in to Honah Lee estate to the south-east of Blake Sea, and forming a part of the United Sailing Sims.

A Homestead region, Honah Lee Wave has a lot to offer visitors, whether they TP in, or arrive by boat or air. There’s surfing, a beach, for sunbathing, moorings for small boats (emphasis on “small”, as in not the “two mansions and gardens” variety), an airstrip – again suitable for smaller aircraft, and a helipad. There’s also a GTFO (get The Freight Out – see An inside look at Get the Freight Out in Second Life and GTFO: Getting Started) terminal, and I understand the island will become the setting for assorted competitions (presumably surfing and the like).

The region comes with something of a back-story:

Honah Lee Wave is a place where small sail boats and motor boats can do some business; a place where HLW-made surf jewellery can be obtained, and the local delicacy HLW lobster, can be enjoyed. These are sought all over the world at around $100 wholesale, thanks in part to the high rum content in the waters around the island. When the local islanders realised there was a market for Lobster with a naturally acquired rum flavour, they began soaking the lobsters in the spirit before shipping them live to overseas markets. Visitors to the island can find an added attraction in being able to pick the drunkest lobster to be prepared fresh for their meal. 

– MarkTwain White offering some of Honah Lee Wave’s back-story

South-facing, the island forms a broad, open U, a natural cove into which the tide flows, the two arms of the island helping to raise the waves to a height suitable for surfing. They are faced by a beach backed by huts that will – I understand – be available as small market places, and the island’s surf shop where demo boards can be obtained by those wishing to try a little surfing, and board purchases made by those who want to take up the sport on a more regular basis.

The south-east arm of the island is home to the local airstrip, where lines of palm trees on either side make it clear this airstrip is only suitable for smaller aircraft; anything to large is going to have issues with wing spans and the trees. The best way to approach the airstrip is from the south, coming in over Scuttle, which – for those with the draw distance – offers the opportunity to take in the SS Galaxy. Take-offs are also made to the south, the northern end of the airstrip being blocked by the island’s helipad.

The latter sits atop a flat-topped bank of compacted sand. It looks both south over the airstrip and west over the the beach towards’s the islands hills. It is in the lee of these that the boat moorings lie, complete with a GTFO warehouse delivery / collection point, which includes an information board and vendor for those wishing to join the GTFO community. A wooden board walk climbs up the hills from the moorings, leading the way to a small camp site for those who fancy it.

Honah Lee Wave offers a new attraction for those who enjoy flying, sailing and exploring the Blake Sea and surrounding regions – and offers the potential for new fun and socialising within the Honah Lee estate. When visiting, do keep in mind that as a Moderate region, topless bathing / tanning is allowed – but adult activities are not. Also, the region currently has open rezzing, with Auto Return set to 30 minutes. Other than that – the island is open to visitors and a worthwhile destination. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to try out the surfing!

SLurl Details

• Hona Lee Wave (rated Moderate)