Category: Exploring Second Life

Witchwood, June 2019

Witchwood is the name give to the Full region home of the Petite Mort and Oubliette stores, both of which are owned by Melora Frost (insilvermoonlight). It’s a location I’ve been aware of for a while, the region also being the home of the RMS Titanic dance venue (a quite separate build), which has been a semi-regular destination for us for a good while.

As well as being the home of the two stores, one to the east and the other to the west, the half of the region they occupy has been landscaped by Melora to provide a place of exploration, relaxation and photography – and it is very beautifully laid out.

Witchwood, June 2019

The landing point occupies the middle ground between the two stores: a low-lying paved area crowned by a fountain that overlooks a small lake backed against high cliffs to the north. This space, with a deck built out over the water and falls dropping from on high, can be a restful place unto itself, with swans swimming on the water from which ornate lotus lilies rise, and places to sit and enjoy the sounds of the falls and the ripples of the water. However, signs close by suggest it might also be the location for occasional flash sales, so there may be times when it is a little less restful!

Three paved paths exit the landing point, those pointing east and west, marked as they are by arches, lead the way to the stores as they sit on higher ground fronted by small formal gardens. The third points south, offering access to a cosy little beach by way of a slightly more distant arch.

Witchwood, June 2019

But it is the ground between the stores, sitting beneath the boughs of tress and within small glades in the mists of their green canopy, that the magic of the setting resides. Here, on one side of the path pointing to the beach, and just off the route up to Petite Mort, is a marvellous wild garden sitting among ancient ruins. Flagstones still lie in place on the ground, while ancient walls divide the space under the tall arms of trees into the suggestions of former rooms or halls.

Plants appear to grow wild here, but it is evident from the lay of the grass and the cared-for waters of the koi pond deep among the ruins, that these spaces are actually well tended, the feeling of wild growth carefully cultivated.

Witchwood, June 2019

Within this garden are many points of interest, from the chaise lounge sitting atop an one stone stairway that perhaps once climbed much higher inside whatever building the ruins once were, the shaded soda close by, or the chaise and chair finished in imperial purple and standing guard either side of an old gramophone player in space clearly intended for photography.

Just off of the path leading to Oubliette is a slightly darker themed, but no less engaging, scene: that of an old graveyard. A single path spotted by flagstones runs between headstones, tombs and mausoleum, many lit by candles, to reach an old stone ring of arches that fold within their arms the statue of an angel.

Witchwood, June 2019

Stone benches are placed along the path for those who wish to rest in solitude here, and I have to admit that during our visit an aged piano sitting on the path to the beach happened to be playing the adagio sostenuto from Beethoven’s evocative Moonlight Sonata, which added a certain depth to exploring here.

As well as being beautifully laid-out, there is a wonderful juxtaposition within this setting that might be easily overlooked, but which  – to me at least – adds a further poetic depth to the design. Sitting below Petite Mort (“little death” (or dead, if you prefer)), are old ruins that many or may have once been a castle or fortress – places that may well once have had an oubliette (a dungeon with an opening only at the top) deep within them. Then, just below Oubliette there sits a small graveyard, a place one might say of a “little death”. Thus, the stores are cross-linked by the themes of the settings over which they respectively stand.

Witchwood, June 2019

Captivating throughout, Witchwood offers a place to visit and appreciate in its own right, even if you are not specifically shopping there. opportunities for photography lie throughout, either using the default windlight (found within the About Land description) or by setting one of your own. For those visiting purely for the opportunity to explore and who are minded to show their appreciation for such an engaging environment, tip jars are provided in a number of places.

SLurl Details

• Witchwood (Desolate, rated Moderate)

Small Town Green, June 2019 – click any image for full size

Update: Small Town Green has closed and the host region is now home to a club / hangout.

Miro Collas gave us the nudge about visiting Small Town Green, the Homestead region design by Mido (Doli3).

A few years back there was a region also by the name of Small Town Green, but whether this build is a continuation / renewal of that, I honestly cannot say. However, I can say that Mido has in the past been responsible for Small Town Café (see A visit to a Small Town Café), and we did hop over to an earlier iteration of her Small Town Green roughly six months ago, prior to it popping up in its current location, but I didn’t blog about it at that time.

Small Town Green, June 2019

The current iteration of Small Town Green is an eclectic build in three parts defined by three separate islands. One of these, tucked into the south-west corner of the region appears to be a private home (ban lines denote it is certainly off-limits to casual visitors). The second island is to the north-west, and is certainly open to the public, as is the largest of the three, sitting on the region’s east side.

This large island contains the region’s landing point – or rather, it is the closest of the three major landmasses in the region to the landing point, given the latter sits under pouring rain on a flooded section of roadway, a submerged railway line paralleling it as they point towards the ruins of a town on the island.

Small Town Green, June 2019

It would appear that something has happened here at some point; not only are the road and track submerged, they are partially blocked by large boulders, and while the wreck of a car and a train respectively sit on or against them, the car has been around long enough to become festooned with flowers while the tracks from which the train has toppled is similarly overgrown with flowers sprouting out of the water.

Follow the road “inland” and you’ll start to discover the eclectic novelty of the region that makes it so attractive: koi carp slowly circle around the entrance to a subway station, rain falling around them as they bring a new perspective to the term “flying fish”. More fish – but somewhat smaller – can be found idly circling within and old British telephone box close by.

Small Town Green, June 2019

Take the stairs down to the subway and more surprises await.  While it might be under water, the station nevertheless has a train awaiting passengers – although the tree growing on that platform is probably not the kind of “passenger” you might expect to encounter in an underground station! Across the road sits the ruin of a school, the upper floor of which is still occupied by surprisingly pristine looking desks, the building itself long overgrown and roofless. More shells of buildings and skyscrapers, equally overgrown, mark the eastern extreme of the town, suggesting this place has been long deserted.

Across the water, and beyond the small island with its broken lighthouse that lies close to the road, the second public island is similarly overgrown and offers curios of its own. There is a gabled avenue of trees, for example, pointing the way to where an old manor house lies in ruin, the trees growing around and through are festooned with lights. Then there is the old tram car converted into a diner and accompanied by its odd little menagerie of giraffe, zebra and raccoon, it’s entrance long blocked by a wild garden despite the apparent freshness of the meals placed at the tables.

Small Town Green, June 2019

Not far from the tramcar is a little café, a trifle overgrown, perhaps, but cosy nonetheless, while between them is a delightful little curio of a corner, stacked with books and more, and just beyond it a cosy little hideaway perfect for cuddles. It is these contrasts: ruin and little snuggle spaces, the rain and the little, perfectly-detailed dioramas, the open waters and the wild, yet someone cultivated islands, that make this Small Town green a genuine pleasure to explore (although some might find the rain around the landing point and island a little hard going).

Amenable to a wide range of windlight settings, Small Town Green makes for an ideal photographic study, and an engaging opportunity for exploration.

Small Town Green, June 2019

SLurl Details

• Small Town Green (Baroque, rated: Moderate)

Tyraina, June 2019 – click any image for full size

Tyraina is the name given to a recently opened Homestead region design by Vince (VinceStriker) on behalf of the region holder Dessi Tyraina (Dessi Tyran). Featuring an open and rugged landscape, it is another region that does exactly what the description says of it, presenting:

A quiet photogenic scenic sim where you can hang out with friends, cuddle, dance and take pictures.

Tyraina, June 2019

From the landing point located towards the north-east of the region, it is clear that this is a place of gentle beauty cut by channels of water that proceed outward from the high plateau  than extends from the centre of the region towards its western extreme, the slice of an open-ended canyon separating it from the narrow table of another plateau that drops sharply into the sea.

The water channels help to give the landscape something of a maze-like feel, slicing the land into a series of islets connected by bridges. One of these little isles, just to the north and east of the landing point and reached via a little open-sided arch of a wooden bridge, is the site of a private residence (as noted in the introductory note card) – so do please take care to respect privacy when travelling in that direction (a security orb will offer a warning should you get too close. The more public areas of the region, including the western plateaus, can be reached via track and stone stair or twisting rocky path, while further bridges, both open-sided and box walled, span the waterways where required.

Tyraina, June 2019

Which route you opt to take when exploring is entirely up to you; each and every path around and through the region will reveal places to sit, opportunities for photography and the option to simply while away a little time either on your own or with a friend or loved one. These seating spots take a number of forms: little summer houses, sings, benches, beds, open decks, and one the water, rowing boats – and even, when you find it (it’s not too hard to see!) a cuddle bubble floating serenely in the air. And keep an eye open for the wooden dance tokens that are scattered around as well!

For the more energetic, the plateaus offer climbs to reach them, either by the stairs or the switch-back path mentioned above. Climbing them offers various rewards, from finding further places suitable for photography or for sitting or dancing, to the region’s little element of mystery: a series of underground caverns that offer their own rewards to those willing to slip down into them and explore (there is also a ground-level access point to them as well, should you follow the right path).

Tyraina, June 2019

If you have a wearable horse for riding, Tyraina is an excellent place to explore, offering as it does trails to follow and open spaces for the odd canter if not a short gallop or two.

A wonderfully restful region, filled with the sounds of nature throughout, Tyraina makes for a ideal visit at the end of a busy day. Yes, one or two items do appear more than once around the region, giving odd feelings of déjà-vu as you explore, but these don’t detract for the overall impact of the design; it’s a place where unwinding comes easy. Those taking photographs are invited to share with the region’s Flickr group – for a fee of L$150, photographers can join the land group and obtain rezzing rights for props (do please clean-up afterwards!), and those who enjoy their visit might like to make a donation towards the region’s upkeep at the landing point.

Tyraina, June 2019

SLurl Details

• Tyraina (Rockaway Isle, rated Moderate)

Summer Edge, June 2019 – click any image for full size

Update: Summer Edge has closed and the region is now under private ownership. SLurl have therefore been removed from this article.

Funky Banana (FunkyBananas) is back with another new Homestead region design, Summer Edge. This is a wonderfully simple design, one that doesn’t need much in the way of description, and is delightfully restful to explore. As Funky himself states, the region offers:

A remote island with no inhabitants, perfect for an escape from everyday life. Beaches, cliffs and fields.

Summer Edge, June 2019

Set with a north-south orientation, the island sits between two beaches, the one to the east including the landing point, the one to the west broader and offering marvellous views out over the ocean that are ideal for romantic sunsets. A single solid structure sits above the island’s low cliffs, brick-built and with its roof broken, it resembles an old lighthouse that at some point was re-purposed, a wooden dome replacing the lantern that might have sit on it.

Cinder paths cross the island’s top, providing easy access to the tower, to the beaches and to the wooden platforms that have been built out from the cliffs. These latter provide places to sit and relax, while others might be found on the sands or along the cliff-tops.

Summer Edge, June 2019

Funky has resisted the possible temptation to scatter sheep or deer on the island – although there are gulls are on the wing. This absence of animals gives the island even more of a natural look and feel. Why would sheep be grazing on an island that’s clearly not inhabited? Similarly, how would animals survive more than a few generations?

Instead, what we’re left with is a small, wild rising of rock, grass and hardy trees that all have a feel about them of north northerly latitudes and a definite untamed feeling. Wandering it, I felt like I was exploring a small island off the coast of Scotland, protected from the mainland by the unpredictable swells of the North Sea.

Summer Edge, June 2019

Funky has a reputation for region designs that captivate (see The sands of Banana Bay in Second Life, A Butterfly Beach in Second Life and A Wild Edge in Second Life), and this is no exception. Summer Edge is a beautifully natural design that is highly photogenic.

Summer Edge, June 2019

Our thanks to Shawn for the pointer!

56578 Go Wild Blvd, Watery Cove, IS 245785, June 2019 – click any image for full size

Zoos can often generate mixed reactions. On the one hand, there are questions of proper animal husbandry and welfare; on the other, there’s the fact that some zoos and zoological parks can play a role in helping with matters of conservation, research, breeding, and the re-introduction of animals into the wild.

I admit to having mixed feelings on the subject myself, although it is not unreasonable to say that – while there are still significant issues around holding wild animals in captivity in multiple places around the globe – the presentation of zoos has changed in many parts of the world in the last 50 years, with the old “cage and hay” approach long since replaced by larger spaces for housing animals that are more reflective of their natural habitat, with much improved care and encouragement to live and breed more naturally.

56578 Go Wild Blvd, Watery Cove, IS 245785, June 2019

Update: the zoological gardens have closed, and the host region repurposed, possibly not for public use. SLurls hve therefore been removed from this article.

The unusually named 56578 Go Wild Blvd, Watery Cove, IS 245785 is something of a reflection of this more modern approach to zoological gardens. Occupying a sky platform above a Full region (and utilising the additional 10K land capacity available to full private regions) this is a group build, led by Sergio Castellanos Sr. (Seriouslly) that we were pointed towards by Shawn and Max, and one that makes for an interesting visit, even for that pricking of the conscience that may be felt should thoughts of animal welfare tickle the back of the mind.

The layout comes across as something of a cross between a zoological garden and theme park, comprising an entrance area, complete with turnstiles, ticket booths, and aviary, car park and refreshments, and three major zoological areas: Asia, Africa and a “sea world” style of environment.

56578 Go Wild Blvd, Watery Cove, IS 245785, June 2019

Sitting with these are two “islands” – Fantasy Island and Discovery Island, which give the setting that theme park feel. The former is home to creatures one would not normally expect to find in a zoological garden: mermaids, unicorns and dragons; but this is Second Life after all, and it’s not as if these creatures are unknown to us here! Discovery island, meanwhile, presents a children’s petting zoo, a learning centre that appears to be for special events (unfortunately, the connected information page for it sits behind the Facebook log-in so I couldn’t take a peek to see how frequent events might be, or their nature), and children’s rides.

All of these areas are connected by paved footpaths radiating out from the main entrance, and also by wooden walkways, while cliff-like walls help break up the setting, giving it a more natural as well as helping to very naturally divide it into the various “theme” areas without anything feeling remotely forced.

56578 Go Wild Blvd, Watery Cove, IS 245785, June 2019

The wildlife within the “zoo” areas of the park might be as expected: tiger and pandas leading the way in the Asian section, both with large enclosures reflective of their habitat, while wild boar and flamingos occupy smaller enclosures  before Asia folds its way into Fantasy Island. For those interested in the animals and creatures, information boards alongside each enclosure are ready to provide note cards.

Africa, meanwhile – and also as might be expected – offers open-air enclosures for elephants and rhinos, giraffe and zebra, and lions, all built around the park’s main café, sitting on a little rocky plateau. Also to be found here are the enclosed primate areas and walkways leading up to the upper level of the “sea world” area, home to dolphins and Orca. This area is split on two levels – the lower accessed by way of the children’s corner and petting zoo (and passing by way of a little Jurassic display),  and providing and “underwater” view of the dolphins and Orca. I admit that this area particularly left me with a slight feeling of discomfiture, as I am uneasy around attractions where creatures are expected to perform, no matter how “happy” they may appear to be.

56578 Go Wild Blvd, Watery Cove, IS 245785, June 2019

I’ll also admit to having one or two niggles with the size / re-sizing of some of the animals and with the slight alpha issues the tigers can exhibit under some windlight settings (which suggest they might fair better if they were to be switched to Alpha Mask if they are Modify). However, these weren’t enough to put me off appreciating how well the gardens have been put together, and the care taken to give them a logical structure.  While “56578 Go Wild Blvd, Watery Cove, IS 245785” might be a handful to type, there is no denying it has more than enough to keep visitors engaged (particularly around Discovery Island), marking it as an interesting and diverting visit.

Lotus Bay, June 2019 – click any image for full size

Update: Lotus Bay may no longer be open to public access.

Lotus Bay is a new homestead region design by the combined talents of Maria Kobaiernen (Dreamy Lebed) and Aydenn Palazzo (Aaydenn29) that recently slipped into the Destination Guide, and in doing so caught our attention.

Described as “a luxurious tropical island with a hedonistic resort vibe”, this is a quite marvellous design rich in content and detail. Admittedly, the amount of mesh and texture present can take something of a toll on a computer if you happen to like running with a lot of the viewer’s options active; however, this does not mean Lotus Bay should be avoided by the keen SL traveller, as doing so would rick missing out on seeing a very special place.

Lotus Bay, June 2019

Rising from the sea with beaches to the west and east offering a buffer between land and water, Lotus Bay sits atop a magnificent table of rock. Sheer cliffs on all sides seem at first to rebuff visitors. However, the stone steps carefully cut into them just a short walk from the landing point give the lie to this.

Winding upwards and slightly inland from the beach, these steps lead the way to a lush plateau, rich in foliage and colour, and home to a large, whitewashed house with a distinctly colonial look to it.  Old and with its walls patched and the home to strands of vines, it is nonetheless furnished inside, witnessing its occupancy while the presence of the piano in the wooden-floored courtyard perhaps gives an indication that the rainy season here is very predictable.

Lotus Bay, June 2019

While open to visitors, this house nevertheless raises questions: is it a primary residence or a holiday home? Certainly the nature of the island suggests it was never the centre of something like a working plantation. The log marked trails that extend away from the house at various points to make their way through the foliage and between rocks, suggest that the house is a vacation retreat, a Second Life Necker Island, if you will.

These paths, running snake-like and often branching to offer choices of route, provide access to swimming pools and  open-air decks where people can relax and sit or dance. They offer the way to other steps leading back down to the golden sands of the beaches below, or to where a hot tub sits under the shade of rocks and palms. However, all of these little touches, each beautifully executed and presented, also speak to the idea that this is a resort more than a private location; a secret getaway for the well-informed.

Lotus Bay, June 2019

This feeling of paradise delight is furthered down on the sweep of the east-side beach, where a deck awaits those wishing to partake of a Second Life wedding. There is also a little cluster of cabins built over the water, each one offered for rent by those wishing to extend their stay on the island as a vacation away from the rest of SL. Rates for both cabins and weddings can, I understand, be obtained by contacting Maria.

The care put into the design of Lotus Bay is evident throughout. The use of space, the placement of rocks, trees, paths, buildings, and so on has a perfectly natural feel that greatly enhances the sense of immersion; Lotus Bay feels like a place in which the building and structures have been placed to both take advantage of the landscape and utilise available spaces, rather than the landscape feeling it has been designed to fit around the buildings and locations within it.

Lotus Bay, June 2019

The landscaping itself also has a wonderful eclectic feel to it: temperate shrubs and bushes mix with Junipers and cacti and palm trees in a glorious mix that gives Lotus Bay no fixed location, but the ability for it to be anywhere we might wish to imagine it – off the coast of central America, or an Indonesian island, or somewhere sitting off the coast of Vietnam or China, and so on.

For me, and despite the differences in local plant life, I was put in mind of the forests in Dambulla region of Sri Lanka and the Sinharaja Forest Reserve further to the south of that country. While there is nothing specific to the landscape at Lotus Bay to align it with Sri Lanka, I was nevertheless put in mind of walking through forest trails there, and reminded of the care with which some resort spaces in those places have been blended into their surroundings.

Lotus Bay, June 2019

But wherever you might wish to place this setting, the important thing is that you go and see it, because it is a true delight for the eyes. Photographers can obtain rezzing rights for props by joining the local group. Photographs themselves can also be submitted to the region’s Flickr group.

SLurl Details

• Lotus Bay (Lotus Bay, rated Adult)