Category: Exploring Second Life

While introducing Maya to sailing in Second Life recently, I took us out on Exotix 2, heading south across Blake Sea with no particular destination in mind. As we headed down the coastal regions towards Honah Lee (see my write-up here),  I found myself asking, “ever seen the SS Galaxy?”

“No,” Maya replied. “What is that?” And with that, our course was set.

I mention this by way of introduction, because I frequently meet people unaware of the Queen of the Sagittarian Sea, more properly known as the SS Galaxy, which tend to surprise me, as she is quite unique and one of the sights of the platform. At almost three full regions in length and about 1/4 of of a region wide, she is quite probably probably the largest vessel afloat in any gird-based virtual world. “Launched” in mid-2007, she is a hugely impressive sight (and build), with an unladen primmage in excess of 32,000.

Obviously, at that size, the Galaxy isn’t a mobile vessel, but that doesn’t matter, because what it has always offered Second Life residents is a destination with broad range of activities and a calendar of events in a very unique setting.  It also offers over 100 suites, cabins and mall spots to rent by those looking for a place to live or in which to establish a shop front.

I first visited the Galaxy in 2008, and became a semi-regular visitor over the years, first blogging about it in 2011.  I’ve continued to pay the occasional visit since then in as much as since taking up flying, I’ve often used the Galaxy as a way point for my solo flights when I’ve no particular destination in mind, and have very occasionally sailed around her. However, it’s actually been a few years since I last explored her decks and facilities, so the sailing trip with Maya turned into an unexpected opportunity to re-familiarise myself with this massive ship.

If you are going to explore the liner, the best place to start is the aft embarkation landing. From here you can peruse the ship’s deck plan and determine points of interest you might like to visit. The list of these includes the Zodiac Ballroom, Constellation Lounge, shopping mall, art galleries, swimming pools (indoor and out), ice skating rink, health spa, restaurants, nightclub, conference facilities, and more. Decks can largely be wandered at will, with both staircases and elevators linking them, making getting around easy.

The upper deck offers the greatest concentration of attractions. It is here you’ll find the Zodiac Ballroom, sitting under a huge glass dome, the main dining room and bar, the ice skating rink, coral lagoon pool and the wedding chapel and reception area. A couple of public helipads offer those flying in a place to land, but be aware that auto-return in set to 15 minutes, and rezzing is disabled.

The upper deck also offers a couple of attractions I used to enjoy years ago with friends, but again haven’t played in a long time: the miniature putting green and the skeet / clay pigeon shoot. These are located at the aft end of the deck, close to the dome of the Zodiac Ballroom,  along with the skydiving launcher and landing point, where I was able to introduce Strawberry Singh to the joys of skydiving in 2014.

As one would expect aboard a cruise ship, live events and music are a regular part of the Galaxy’s calendar, and details of music / dancing events can be found on the ship’s events calendar, also reproduced on the on the Galaxy’s blog which also includes general news and information about the ship.

The Galaxy may be an all prim build and perhaps lack more recent innovations introduced to SL such as the use of materials as a part of interior texturing, but it would be a mistake to dismiss her as “old school” because of this. What she may lack in terms of modern day build options she more than makes up for in terms of facilities and things to do; as such she still stands as a worthwhile destination for those who like exploring Second Life. What’s more, as she approaches her eighth anniversary, the SS Galaxy stands as a part of the history of Second Life, and her presence in-world is testament of how the platform has always been a springboard to our imaginations and creativity.

Related Links

• SS Galaxy embarkation SLurl (Rated: Moderate)
• SS Galaxy blog

 

 

Leka, Nordan om Jorden (Flickr) – click any image for full size

Leka is the new name for Kate Bergdorf’s freshly re-worked and re-opened homestead region of Nordan om Jorden. The last time I visited, the region presented a rural landscape deep in the grip of winter. Now all that has changed, and visitors are presented with a rugged island, aligned in an east-west orientation, with a smaller island just off the southern shoreline.

The first thing that struck me when I arrived for a visit at Kate’s invitation, is that Leka has something of a Hebridian feel to it, although the name is suggestive of a more Nordic origin.  From the landing point, it is possible to teleport directly to various points of interest on the island. However, I strongly recommend you forego these, and explore the island either on foot or via the bicycles that Kate has provided.

Leka, Nordan om Jorden (Flickr)

A dirt track across a wooden bridge from the landing point offers the most convenient choice of routes for explorers. In one direction, it climbs the rocky flank of the island to it tree-covered upper reaches, while in the other, it winds its way around the coast, turning north to quickly disappear from view, inviting people to follow it.

Take the latter, and you’ll find yourself on a pleasant walk (or ride, if you take a bicycle) around the island to one of its more prominent features: a large bath house, open to all to enjoy. Wander on westward, and through the gates on the far side of the meadow by which the bath house sits, and a tree-lined avenue will take you to the rocky western end of the island and a small beach offering the chance of views of sunsets of the open seas, and where horses graze on the tough grass growing up through the sand.

Leka, Nordan om Jorden (Flickr)

Wander inland, and you’ll likely find you way to the upper slopes, where a small venue for live entertainment can be found, a simple little each with speakers, an amp, a microphone, guitar and upright piano, all presided over by a ginger cat.Further to the east sit a couple of greenhouses, one of which has been converted into a comfy seating area, no doubt nicely warmed by the sunlight striking its glass roof.

Seaward, the smaller island, perhaps once low-lying part of the main island, but now separated and slowly being drowned by an encroaching sea, offers a different environment. Thunder rumbles overhead, rain falls hard on the bear rock while a broken iron rail fence and tumbledown ruin of a house speak to what might one have been here.

Leka, Nordan om Jorden (Flickr)

Leka is currently featured in the SL Destination Guide, and deservedly so.  It is a visual and photogenic treat, with much to see and appreciate, and plenty of opportunities to simply sit and admire. Auto-return is set to 20 minutes, should you need any props for photography – but do please clean up behind you. A Flickr group  is available available for those wishing to share any images they take of the isalnd, and if you do enjoy your visit, please consider making a donation at one of the post boxes around the island so that Kate can continue to offer the region for everyone’s enjoyment.

Related Links

• Leka, Nordan om Jorden SLurl (rated: Moderate)

Less Than Three, Special One (Flickr) – click any image for full size

Less than Three ♥ is the homestead region held by Kess and Bjorn Folkesson, which is now featured in the Photogenic Spots section of the Destination Guide. Kess, who might be better known to some as Kess Crystal, MadPea’s PR and marketing magician, appears to be largely responsible for the look and feel to the region, which has been both dedicated to nature and offers visitors a lot of see and enjoy.

With the exception of the private residence belonging to Bjorn and Kess, which sits on its own island in the south-east corner, Less Than Three ♥ is entirely open to the public, and the couple encourage visitors and photographers to come and enjoy themselves while exploring the remaining three large islands of the region.

Less Than Three, Special One (Flickr)

Between them, these offer a varied landscape ranging from low-lying grasslands, through rich woodlands to a high rocky island, topped with a single tree,and all with their own distinct attractions. For example, on the grassy island, which is also home to the main landing point, you can find and enjoy the vineyard and winery, while just over a stone bridge sits a watermill restaurant offering both indoor and outdoor seating.

Cross another bridge to the wooded isle, and paths will lead you through an open-air ballroom and to ancient ruins, waterfalls and a little “drive-in” theatre. Reached by another bridge. the rough rocky flanks and rolling slopes of the highest island in the group offers attractions of its own, both above and below ground.

Less Than Three, Special One (Flickr)

There are a couple of smaller islands among the group as well. On one of these sits an old wooden lighthouse and on the other, an equally old oak tree with a swing suspended from one of its boughs. Both can be reached via the rowing boats offered at the wooden jetty near the region’s main landing point, which also allow those so inclined to explore the waters separating the islands and perhaps enjoy a cuddle as the water gently laps against the boat’s hull.

With the sound of chimes floating in the breeze and birds singing among the trees, together with the slanting of sunbeams through high branches and the sight of deer through the trees, Less Than Three ♥ has more than enough to entice the SL traveller into visiting – and into staying for a while.

Less Than Three, Special One (Flickr)

Related Links

• Less Than Three ♥ SLurl (Rated: Moderate)

Crystal Garden Estates, operated by Sandi and Mikal Beaumont, is a full region offering visitors live music venues, fishing, boating, a taste of the outdoors and a touch of art as well.

Surrounded by tall mountains, the region is neatly divided into four island areas, one per corner, separated one from another by wide channels of water. Three of the island are connected by bridges spanning the channels, whilst the last sits on its own, the home of Dimi’s Digital Designs.

The main landing point for visitors offers a large open-air venue for music, with a cosy café just at the top of the steps behind it. Here one can rest a while on the terrace overlooking the stage and dance area or take  a walk across a little bridge and climb the path winding up the cliffs to one side of the region, or head off in the opposite direction, taking a winding trail past wild flowers and grazing deer to a bridge linking the venue with the next island in the group.

Here sits is little cottage, complete with farmer’s garden, offering plenty of places to sit and relax. Sheep may well graze here, watched over by an attentive collie, but it seems that if this was once a farm, the owner has found it more engaging to provide the place as a setting for weddings and receptions, with the big barn one passes while walking to the cottage tastefully decorated and laid-out for that special event.

It is also here that you can find a little pier, complete with motor boat, which you can use to putter about on the water and reach the other islands in the group, if you so wish. Should you continue on foot, a further bridge allows access to Temprus, landscaped by Ilyra Chardin, and which presents an opportunity to see art by Ilyra and other SL artists in an open-air gallery space with a dance floor above, and which sits alongside a small farm.

Dimi’s Digital Designs, the remaining island in the region, requires a motor boat or the power of flight to reach it. Offering an curious and interesting mix of rural bordering on bayou, it is the home of photographer and musician DimiVan Ludwig, and features his studio  overhead, and his live music venue on the ground.

Currently featured in the Editor’s Picks section of the Destination Guide, Crystal Gardens Estates offers visitors a range of locations to explore, which offer an interesting mix of music and art, as well as opportunities to simply hang-out or take photos.

Related Links

• Crystal Garden Estates SLurl (Rated: Adult)

Keisei (Flickr) – click any image for full size

I last wrote about Keisei in May 2013 (see here), and while it is a place I’ve often enjoyed dropping-in to, I’ve actually not set aside time to write about it since. Which is a little lax of me, as Daddio Dow’s region, with its rich mix of oriental themes and activities, is always a visually attractive place to visit.

I was actually put in mind of Keisei while writing about the Chinese New Year. While the region  admittedly leans more towards a Japanese theme than Chinese, there is some cross-over in places, and writing about Chinese themed builds in SL got me thinking about other oriental locations I’ve visited over the years. Coincidentally, Daddio himself dropped me a little line asking after me, and mentioning that there had been some recent changes, so I decided to hop over to Keisei and rectify my lack of recent blogging.

Keisei (Flickr) – click any image for full size

The overall oriental theme to the region, coupled with the use of water – there are waterfall-fed streams running through the landscape – are primarily why I’m attracted to Keisei. With the streams spanned by bridges, the careful use of flora, a mix of grassy paths and cobbled streets, coupled with a rich ambient soundscape, everything combines to present a place ripe for photography, inviting exploration. And while the buildings might be suggestive of a specific period setting, the reality is that the region exists in its own time, easily mixing the use of stone lanterns perhaps of a bygone era with more recent electric lights.

Parcels within the region offer their own windlights, which may vary, depending upon who is occupying them (several of the parcels are open to rent through Daddio), but given the continuous theme through Keisei, the entire region lends itself to almost any windlight you might choose to use.

Keisei (Flickr) – click any image for full size

From the landing point, with the nearby Shinto shrine, pagoda and grand mansion, you can find follow the paths through the region to the bath houses, shopping area, tea house and onwards out to the palace and other buildings closer to the edge of the region, some of which are operated by those renting land from Daddio. So far as I’m aware, all of the buildings are open to visitors with the exception of the White Lotus Retreat in the north-west corner of the region, which has no bridge linking it to the rest of the region, signifying it is a private residence.

As an adult rated region, there are some activities of an adult nature (you might note the opium den and shibari house on the teleport map at the arrival point), but you shouldn’t let this put you off; everything is quite discrete (the shibari house is up in the sky, for example, and well out of sight) and the region can easily be enjoyed whatever your outlook on life.

Keisei (Flickr) – click any image for full size

So why not hop over and take a look for yourself; you might even find the onsen calling to you!

Related Links

• Keisei SLurl (Rated: Adult)