Category: Exploring Second Life

We last visited On The Other Side in February 2019, when the region – designed by xxMichelle20xx and Indrielx – was all set for spring (see: Back On The Other Side in Second Life). But given it does change with the seasons, we decided to go and see what the winter months might have brought forth – and it turns out that the region has been transformed into a marvellous rural winter wonderland.

Surrounded by a range of mountains, On The Other Side forms a little coastal area or island setting, watched over by a red brick lighthouse and within which the buildings are few and far between, the majority of the landscape being a haven for assorted wildlife. Even so, there are some echoes of past designs to be found, some of which might be easy to spot by returning visitors, while others might require a little searching out.

As with past designs, the landing point is underground – in this case a wintry cavern decorated as a (perhaps chilly) reading room. From here the way out into the region gets a trifle foreboding – a drop down to a lower cave via ladder brings visitors to the remains of five unfortunates lying in the snow and a ghostly figure, palms aflame, apparently pressed against the frosted exit to the cave. Step through this into the region proper, and then next surprise awaits: a large bear, angrily rearing up on his hind legs at you.

While all this sounds menacing, once you’re past the bear (who is actually quite harmless, giving rise to the temptation to comment “Why, Paddington! What big teeth you’ve got!” when passing him), you’ll find yourself in a marvellous winter landscape where admirable restraint has been shown in putting out falling snow (often a performance killer) and which keeps itself predominantly as a landscape in winter, rather than a frame for all the usual seasonal trappings for the end of December.

Most of the region looks open to the public, although there is a high table of rock to the south-east topped by a small cabin that might well be private: there is no obvious path up to this, and we weren’t going to start forcing our way up the one obvious slope to reach it for fear of trespass were it to prove to be so.

The cabin looks out across a gently curving bay, its sand dusted in snow, to where that lighthouse rises from the north-eastern headland. Both cabin and lighthouse have a little comic reflection of Santa on roof and chimney, while the lighthouse is open to the public as the region’s Christmas hang out.

But it is the lands between and to the west of these headlands that holds the attractions of the region. Marked by rocky uplands with snowy trails winding around and between them, and in places marked by paths and steps climbing their slopes, the region here feels more expansive than its 65,536 sq metres. This is a landscape blanketed in snow and home to a mix of fir trees and naked oak, birch and maple, their trunks an boughs well whitened with hoarfrost.

Across the setting there is much to be found, with the animal life mixing domesticated cows and sheep with horses, wildfowl, deer, reindeer, wolves, seals, penguins, raccoons, otters, jaguars, pandas – even a giant turtle!. Most of these form scenes-within-scenes across the region, awaiting discovery and photographs, gathered together in a little vignette that stands both on its own and as a natural part of the whole. More are set out quite naturally – although the pandas clearly have the right idea for dealing with the cold!

Everywhere across the region, from the southern seal cove to the northern cave (home to Ganesh, who has also featured in past iterations of the region) are places to sit and spend time. These range from chairs set out on decks or along the eastern beach (which offers surfing for those feeling like they need a cold dip!), to a cosy huts and blanket-laden carts and sleighs people and huddle and cuddle within to keep warm. For those wanting to escape the snow and cold, a barn and the Christmas Hangout offer more places to sit and enjoy the warmth of a fire (we were also appreciative of the hot cider as we explored!).

Previous versions of On The Other Side have included more eclectic elements to them, aspects that offer a little twist of fantasy. This is also this case with this build: anchored to the ground by a stout rope and held aloft by magical runes circling below it, floats a tiny island. Reached by climbing the rope, it offers another place to sit – and quite the high point to view the region as a whole; however, getting back to ground level in head-first descent can be a little dizzying!

Beautifully designed, accompanied by an ideal sound scape and filled with detail, On The Other Side once again offers a delightful, highly photogenic region that should not be missed.

SLurl Details

• On The Other Side (The Horizon, rated Moderate)

On Sunday, December 8th, 2019 Elvira Kytori opened Northern Shore, a Full region forming part of her White Dunes estate. Primarily a residential region, it offers some waterfront public spaces.

Normally I’d be hesitant in blogging a region like this, simply because the public areas are so localised, and there is a risk of visitors accidentally intruding into tenant’s homes. However, Northern Shore  – as is often the way with Elvira’s designs – offers something just that little bit different.

To get directly to the point, Northern Shore is inspired by Stockholms skärgård, the Stockholm archipelago. The largest archipelago in Sweden, comprising approximately 24,000 islands and islets. Many are home to private houses, villages and small towns, and during the winter, the sea between come of the islands can freeze over. Most interestingly, all the the isles in the chain are subject to Allemansrätt (or “everyman’s right”), a law which gives anyone the right to go ashore or anchor on any ground not in the direct vicinity of buildings.

It is the rich diversity of islands within the archipelago that Elvira has sought to capture within the confines of a single region – and she has done so exceptionally well. Scattered across Northern Shore in such a way as to look entirely natural, is a series of islands and islets of varying sizes with rocky outcrops spaces around them. Some of these islands – notably the larger ones – have the rental properties on them, others off tributes to the fishing and formed a part of Skärgården’s history.

The landing point is to be found on one of the largest two islands in the group. It faces a broad, iced-over channel to face the waterfront of the other large island. Both offer working wharves for fishing boats – although none will be putting to sea given the presence of the ice. Wharves extend out into the waters, while boathouses, cabins, and places of business line the shore, although the paths and walks linking them are few: visitors must pick their way over the rocks in places.

Inland from these lie the rental houses, all of which are wooden built, their exterior boards painted in what might be seen as a “typical” Scandinavian look. These sit within their own parcels, many of which can be distinguished by gate and fence or line of trees; others may not be so obviously demarked – hence the need for care when exploring.

Travelling between islands is a matter of walking on the ice – or, if you prefer, by skating (which is welcomed) by those with skates. But again, be aware that several of the smaller, outer islands are also given over to rentals and may not offer much in the way of public spaces.

For those interested in living within this northern winter setting, the parcels in the region can be rented via the mail boxes on their walls. For those who enjoy photography, images can be submitted to the White Dunes estate Flickr group. While for those who enjoy exploring Second Life, the region makes for an engaging visit.

With thanks to Shawn for the pointer!

SLurl Details

• Northern Shore (rated Moderate)

Occupying a quarter full region held by Belle Onedin and Blue Blauvelt that they’ve opened to the public as a winter setting for photography and appreciation. Using the title Let it Snow. It’s a charming, highly photogenic setting suggestive of a coastal village with a slight fairytale look to it.

It’s a setting that doesn’t need an extensive amount of description. centred on a small square of over-sized cobbles, it features two snow-bound cottages and a towered house, all of which are in various states of readiness for the holiday season. Trees are decorated, presents are wrapped and snowmen are waiting to greet visitors in gardens surrounded by dry stone walls while paths wind their way between and around the homes.

Around them, the snow falls steadily (which can impact viewer performance, but adds depth to the setting), encouraging visitors to wrap up and look the part – and the sense of frigid air is increased by the the off-sim snowy islands that have been placed off-shore.

Opportunities for photography in this setting are manifold, indoors and out – and even on the icy water on a rowing boat (although the snow can make touching it to sit on it a little difficult).

There are also charming little touches to be found that help give life to the setting without making it appear twee. These include an Saint Bernard and her pups making the most of a igloo kennel, the shell of an old greenhouse turned into a cosy snug tucked away in the lee of an old wall and under the shelter of snow-laden trees and a wolf howls from a snow-covered hill, while pheasants fuss around a truck that seems to be filling-in for Santa, given the sack and gifts that has fallen from its flatbed.

I could wax lyrical over this setting – but really, it is a place that that deserves to be seen (just do give things an opportunity and load and render). There is something decidedly delightful about the location, which also avoids a fair few of the props and items that tend to appear in multiple winter regions, and so offers a visit  that is very worthwhile. Those taking photos are also invited to submit them to the parcel’s Flickr group.

Do be sure to drop in and see for yourself.

SLurl Details

• B&B ‘Let it Snow’ (Clarke, rated Moderate)

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)