Category: Second Life

Occupying a quarter Full region that has the full region land capacity bonus, Snowed in at Zom’s has been design by Exde and LexxiHudson on behalf of parcel holder Zomborg Vollmar. Originally intended to be a private space, Zom notes:

After being told this was too pretty to keep all to myself I have decided to share my winter wonderland with everyone for a limited time! Plenty of hang out spots, and perfect set-up for winter photography! Hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.

– Zomborg Vollmar

The parcel is beautifully decorated as a winter setting – but this can come at something of a performance hit for some due to the volume of mesh snow within the setting. As such, some might find it easier to disable shadows for ease of walking around, but this is the only issue that might be found here.

That point aside, the snow and the parcel’s sound scape really make this a place where on arrival, you physically feel you need to wrap up warm in order to explore. Not only is the snow falling, there is also what seems to be on first hearing, the sound of a cold wind blowing  through the dense woodland of the setting and over / around the rocky backdrop to the parcel.

From the landing point with its steam locomotive, a single path winds towards a cabin sitting on elevated ground. The cabin connects what appear to be the only obvious paths through the setting, so don’t be afraid to step inside whilst exploring. With a north-to-south line, the cabin includes an large wooden deck overlooking a river gorge and snowbound beach (reached via stone steps leading down from the deck), while on its east side, a second path runs between the trees to where more stone steps climb a broad table of rock overlooking the train sitting on its tracks.

The cabin is delightfully decorated and offers a warm, welcoming feeling. A fire burns in the modern fireplace tucked into a cosy lounge space, the kitchen is filled with food, complete with freshly made toast in the toaster, while a large picture window overlooks the deck and the cold river below, adding to the sense of warmth and comfort of being indoors.

The path to the steps climbing up to the top of the rocky table will also take you past a little garden gazebo, while the plateau itself is home to a rectangular ice rink, complete with the offer of hot chocolate, although as far as well could tell, no ice skates are offered to visitors, which is perhaps a shame.

Elsewhere waiting to be found, is a little outdoor sitting area that can be accessed via a stone arch alongside the waiting train. It is set as an outdoor film space, complete with brazier keeping a meal and drinks hot (and which is also the reason for the wind-like sound that can be heard when first arriving, and is in fact the hissing of liquids being heated and the first itself). Walk out among the trees close to the cabin, and you might also find an old cable car re-purposed as a blanket-laden cosy snug, while the snow-covered beach offers a place to wrap up warm and watch the icy waters of the river flow by.

I’ve no idea how long Snowed in at Zom’s will remain open to the public – but while it is available, I do suggest those who like seeing and photographing winter settings take the time to drop in sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.  It is more than worth the time – and our thanks once again for the pointer from Shawn and Maxie.

SLurl Details

• Snowed in at Zom’s (Delphinus, taed Adult)

Recollection is a 1/4 Full region designed by Edge Shabazz with HanaFairy that offers those who seek it, a summery place of rest, peace and  – if they choose – reflection.

As one might expect from the description above, as well as from its name, the parcel offers a relaxing, gentle setting that is easy to explore and appreciate. It is also a place that hides a secret for people to discover. That said, at the time of our visit in late November, the landing point had a decidedly Halloween feel to it, with a tiny Japanese style cemetery complete with ghost, skeleton and pumpkin. This feeling is increased by the somewhat gloomy default parcel-level windlight – I’d actually recommend flicking this to something a little brighter to fully appreciate the setting.

On arrival, it’s clear this is a place where free roaming is encouraged – while there is a “path” running through the landing point, it is not necessary to follow it; there is more than enough to see beyond it. For those who opt to use it, it links a small island to the south and the bridge stretching over the water to it, to a central (to the parcel) pond or lake, the way marked by tumbled drystone walls.

To the west of this path is a small beach and to the east the ruins of an old tower. both offer places to sit and enjoy the location, as do the grasslands connecting them: benches midst the grass and sings hanging from tree branches.

Across the parcel are touches of fantasy, starting with the old tower mentioned above and continuing across the little brook that lies just over the little hillock from the tower, where colourful ‘Shrooms and a fairy ring can be found on the way to the central lake.

The sense of fantasy continues with the lake itself. Rich with a carpet of spider lilies, this is home to koi swimming serenely and quite naturally above the lilies and water as a flying boat is suspended overhead on a pair of balloons. Elsewhere, awaiting discovery is a summer greenhouse, an open air picnic bench and an ancient piano playing softly. Nor is that all that is to be found.

However, it is across the lake that the parcel’s secret can be found. Marked by a Torii gate and surrounded by a circle of rocks young trees, is a pond-within-a-lake. Step into the waters here and you’ll find them considerably deeper than those surrounding the ring, however, hiding as they do the entrance to a set of underwater caves and chambers within which can be found a hidden shrine.

Filled with oriental touches, Recollection is a delightful place to visit, finished with an appropriate sound scape. It is a place for photography or spending time with someone close or alone and reminiscing, and is very much a worthwhile visit.

SLurl Details

• Recollection (Red Lines, rated Adult)