Category: Exploring Second Life

For the last several years, The Abyss Observatory has been a collaborative project formulated by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) and involving the support of a number of organisations including the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), who host the core elements of Abyss Observatory, the Open University in the UK, and the Digital Hollywood University, Tokyo.

At the start of May, Vick Forcella nudged me about Abyss, and the fact that it will be going offline in early June. I actually hopped over to have a look around then, but it has taken me a while to get this article sorted and written. My apologies to Vick and to the organisers of the Abyss that this has been the case.

The Observatory grew out of work initially started as the Abyss Museum of Ocean Science, which closed in May 2009, and two follow-on projects. The first of these projects was Vi and Yan’s Undersea Lab, founded by the current co-creator of The Abyss Observatory (August 2009), Yan Lauria from JAMSTEC, and Vianka Scorfield, one of the creators of the exhibits at the Observatory; the second project was the Ocean Observation Museum (November 2009), which saw Rezago Kokorin, one of the creators of the original Abyss museum join the team as co-curator, and Comet Morigi join as Artistic Advisor.

The focus of the Observatory is presenting information on Earth sciences in an immersive, informative manner. As such, it covers multiple levels, extended both under the water and into the skies overhead and is also linked to a number of “external” regions, including a related Earth studies facility located at Farwell.

Finding your way around the facilities can take a little time; I personally recommend starting at the arrival hub, and taking the ground level / underwater walks which can be accessed via the beach, and which will take you under the waves, introducing you to marine life, marine monitoring, conservation and studies.

As well as meeting various members of our marine populace, the underwater walks take you through various information areas, with display models, infographics and information boards covering a wide range of subjects, including the unique Tektite Habitat, which in 1969 / 70 was the centre of research into reef ecosystems and human physiology studies related to both saturation diving and possible long-duration space missions.  The Abyss facilities provide an overview of the Tektite studies, together with a cutaway model of the habitat (shown above).

Close to the Tektite habitat, visitors can find models of the bathyscaphe Triseste, which reached a record maximum depth of some 10,911 metres (35,797 ft), in the deepest known part of the ocean,  the Challenger Deep, in the Mariana Trench in the Pacific in 1960. Alongside this sits Jacques Cousteau’s famous yellow underwater “flying saucer”, exploring the deeps while the Calypso is moored nearby. This part of the Observatory also includes a model of Ictineo I, a wooden hulled submarine dating from 1858.

However, the Observatory is not all about ships and submarines – as noted, there is plenty of information on marine life and on marine conservation, and there are skyborne exhibits which offer opportunities to experience very deep sea diving. There’s even the option of relaxing in an underwater bar!

The Abyss Earth studies exhibit at Farwell is entitled Only One Earth, and presents the visitor with a tour of the Earth, starting with a basic introduction to the planet on the lowest level, progressing onwards and upwards through a history of the planet measured by the geological ages, which traces the development of life on Earth. This is a fairly interactive exhibit, with information boards, info givers visitors are encouraged to click on (which display information in local chat), and buttons underneath graphics and images that reveal further information – and of course, links to assorted web pages, as with the main Abyss Observatory displays.

Unfortunately, as I am getting to this write-up a little late, some of the exhibition spaces created for the Abyss Observatory appear to have already been dismantled. The very excellent climate studies are that was once at Farwell (see above) no longer seems to be available, for example; teleports to it simply return the visitor to ground level.

When visiting the Abyss Observatory, it would be easy to dismiss it as being “old school” – the builds are prim, there is little or no mesh in evidence, etc. It’s also true that some sections of the observatory never seem to have been entirely finished. However, this doesn’t mean that the information which is presented is lacking; there is much on offer here. With a final guided tour of the facilities coming up on Saturday, May 30th at 07:30 PDT, I do recommend that anyone with an interest in marine ecology and / or the history of Earth consider paying the Observatory a visit.

SLurl Links

• Abyss Observatory main SLurl (Rated: General)
• Abyss Observatory Only One Earth, Farwell (rated: General)

Xin (Flickr)

Xin is the home region for the store of the same name, a place I was drawn to it after seeing images by Goizane Latzo. It is one of a number of regions which have taken a theme of disaster / apocalypse as a theme – perhaps the most notable (in terms of bloggers) being Sera Bellic’s The End of the World As We Know it, which I visited last month, although I’ve yet to blog about it.  

In the case of Xin, designed and built be Alice Pvke (although apparently, ” Jaix helped for like nine seconds”! 🙂 ) it’s unclear as to precisely what has happened; the arriving visitor is presented with a town surrounded by mountains, and which is in a state of ruin. High-rise building stand broken or have toppled over to crash into their neighbours, while down below, the streets are slowly decaying, and the local freeway overpass is in a state of collapse.

Xin (Flickr)

Has there been an earthquake or some other natural disaster? Or is the destruction the result of a war or some other man-made catastrophe? Whatever the cause, it would appear it left the local citizens in a state of turmoil; while the streets are now deserted, there are signs of city-wide violence; vehicle sit riddled with bullets, and even one of the city’s fire trucks appears to have been the target of deliberate assault, its once pristine bodywork battered and dented, its windscreens and side windows smashed-in.

Across town sits an old amusement park, the bumper cars sitting pathetically amidst the ruin of their track, while a once proud Ferris wheel lies broken across the street, its cars sitting in a jumbled heap.

Xin (Flickr)

Everything about this town speaks to a once thriving metropolis; now humanity appears to have fled, and slowly, but surely, nature is gradually reclaiming the neighbourhood. Grass, the seeds of which no doubt carried by the wind, has started to lay claim to the flat roofs of some of the smaller buildings, while vines and creepers climb the sides of others, and to spread themselves along the old power lines that connect some of the skyscrapers. The streets themselves are starting to crack and break-up as roots and grass force their way up through ever-widening gaps in the ageing tarmac.

For those seeking an atmospheric backdrop for photos, Xin might provide a useful option – although admittedly, rezzing is disabled. Those looking for the store should take a look underground near the landing point.

Xin (Flickr)

Additional Links

• Xin SLurl (Rated: General)

France Portnawak, Dreamworld Volcano (Flickr) – click any image to enlarge

There are times, no matter how you try, when the words you want to put into an article refuse to either run from fingers through keyboard to screen, or when on the screen, simply don’t want to order themselves in the way you’d like.

When this happens, you can really only do one of two things; wrestle with the words in the hope of getting them to submit and line-up the way you’d like – or go seek respite by doing something else entirely. For me, the latter generally involves a bath full of hot water and bubbles, music and a book (and perhaps a glass of wine on the side). Today however, I decided to find respite from my block by jumping into SL, albeit with no clear idea of where I Might go or what I might do.  Fortunately, there are plenty of places in-world to captivate us and carry us far from the roubles of the physical world – and even the worries of what to do.

France Portnawak, Dreamworld Volcano (Flickr)

Places like Leico Arado’s region of France Portnawak, which has recently undergone one of its regular make-overs, and has been given the theme name of Terracotta.

The last time I visited, autumn was just settling-in for a stay; now it is the turn of a balmy, semi-tropical summer evening, the sun casting a golden glow across the sky and the sea from the west, the haze in the sky all but masking shadows on the ground (see the images that top and tail this article).

The region has been crafted into a west-facing island that is intriguing in its mix of tropical and deciduous flora; groups of palms standing amidst or close to trees from more temperate climates. Scattered around the landscape, which varies from low-lying sands and grass to rocky outcrops, can be found a number of houses and outbuildings, each with its own ambience and story.

France Portnawak, Dreamworld Volcano (Flickr)

One of the houses sits out on the water on stilts, reached by a meandering path of stones which forms something of a breakwater. Within the rough circle formed by the stones, fishing nets awaited attendance, marsh plants float idly and long grass marches out from the shore, claiming a large part of the watery enclosure. Motor boats apparently offer a means to shuffle back and forth between the shore and the house in place of walking; but be warned – the enclosed water is bounded by a number of submerged physical invisiprims which tend to interfere with navigation.

The house on stilts appears to be the lodge of a hunter / fisherman – at least going by the wall decor. The other houses also have a particular character of their own; the one on the coast closest to the stone path, for example, suggests a woman’s touch and the presence of children. Not far from this, behind steep sand dunes, sits what might be a den used by teenagers, sitting under the metal roof of an open-sided hut.

France Portnawak, Dreamworld Volcano (Flickr)

Quite what the stories are to these and the other places to be found on the island is up to you as the visitor to decide – and there’s more than enough scattered around each of them to get the imagination rolling with narratives. But, if dwelling on possible stories isn’t to your mindset, there are also plenty of places to simply sit and while away the time, either on your own or with a friend, while a climb up to the highest point on the island will bring you to a rather interesting little temple.

In its latest iteration, France Portnawak offers a curious juxtaposition of looks and styles which somehow simply works, with everything flowing together to present visitors with a chance to wander, wonder and simply relax.

Which is just what I needed to do.

France Portnawak, Dreamworld Volcano (Flickr)

Related Links

• France Portnawak SLurl (Rated: Moderate)

Windwept (Moderate) May 2015 (Flickr) – click any image for full size

In 2014, Starfall’s Twiight’s Edge proved to be a popular stopover for Second Life travellers. Both a destination and a venue for performance art, it was a captivating place to see; a beautiful use of water on which to build some captivating scenes (my own initial visit is recorded here). So much so, that its closure was met with a fair degree of lamentation.

Such ws the love of the place, that the news that Nezzy (Inez Pennell) and Imp (Cinderr Resident) had created a new location in Second Life filled a fair few people with delight – including myself; although I admit it’s taken me a little time to work my way around to making a  visit. And I have to say, Windwept, the new region, doesn’t disappoint, at all.

Windwept (Moderate) May 2015 (Flickr) – click any image for full size

Windwept provides a watery environment surrounded by gently undulating hills which encompass a place rich in echoes of Starfall while evoking a look and feel entirely of its own. Those familiar with the latter will doubtless recognise some of the art and elements placed within Windwept, all of which helps generate a comforting déjà vu like feeling that while one might well be visiting for the first time, there is something comfortingly familiar about the region.

Scattered across the water are a series of rocky vignettes, each inviting exploration. The largest of these is a high plateau which offers both a commanding view of the region and its surrounding hills, and a cosy little coffee shop in which to relax. Equally cosy, thanks to it being chock full of bric-a-brac, is a converted shipping container, sitting on the water a little apart from everything else; while right across the region are places to sit and be cosy with a friend or friends.

Windwept (Moderate) May 2015 (Flickr) – click any image for full size

But like Starfall, Windwept is a little deceptive in nature; what you see is not necessarily all that there is; towards the centre of the region is a wooden pier with a small stone-walled garden at one end, bounded on three sides by windows floating in the air. Here sits the top of a ladder, descending into a watery hole – the first indicator of hidden delights waiting to be found; in this case, an underwater room, and little hideaway tucked out-of-sight.

And there is more. Touch the windows (three were active at the time of my visit), and you can be transported to other locations, high overhead, which offer an interesting mix of themes and a touch of whimsy – including one which looks like it may well be intended for live events.

Windwept (General) May 2015 (Flickr) – click any image for full size

It’s good to see Nezzy and Imp open a region like this again; Starfall always had a wonderfully tranquil fee to it, and the skyborne areas for art and contemplation were always a pleasure to visit. Windwept captures so much of Starfall’s spirit, but offer something this is also wonderful in it own right.  The winter’s morning look and feel to the region is ideal for photography, but as can hopefully be seen in the images here, the region offers itself to a range of windlight settings.

But don’t take my work for it – go see for yourself!

Related Links

• Windwept SLurl (Rated: Moderate)
• Windwept Flickr group

Miyagi (General) May 2015 (Flickr) – click any image for full size

Update: Miyagi is closed.

It’s Honour’s fault. But then it always is, isn’t it? 😉 .

She recently posted about an oriental region called Miyagi. As regulars here know, anything involving an oriental feel tends to pique my interest. Then Honour mentioned something about racing cars as well, and as I’m currently having Formula 1 withdrawals (hey, three weeks between races this time!), so I had to go take a look…

Miyagi is truly a place with two different faces to present to the world – and with a few secrets waiting to be found as well, making it the ideal place for gentle (in an adrenalin-fuelled way) explorations.

The first face Miyagi offers the world, for those unfamiliar with it at least, is that of a rural Japanese setting with paved footpaths mixing with shrines, little houses, bamboo walks, a castle and even its own Yumedono (hall of dreams). Away from the arrival point with its modern commercial premises and teleport board (which reveals some of Miyagi’s other face), this is an almost tranquil setting. You can wander the footpaths, visits the shrines, wander over bridges crossing the waterways which divide the land and find plenty of opportunities for taking photos.  make your way across the region, beyond the castle, and you can climb torii-spanned steps leading up to a mountain-top shrine.

Miyagi (General), May 2015 (Flickr)

In fact, so picturesque is the the place, it’s easy to forget there’s more here than meets the eye. As noted above, the teleport board gives some of it away – you can use it to reach a number of skyborne raceways – rezzing is permitted, so you can try them for yourself. Or you can test your skills at simball (that’s a kind of full contact football played on hoverboards, for want of a better description), although you will need at least one other player for this to work. The teleport board will also give you access to the local nightclub, Gao (after all every racing driver likes to let-off steam).

But this is far from all Miyagi has to offer. Explore carefully enough, and you might find your way to the river boat tour which will take singles and couples on a ride around and through the region, revealing things you might otherwise miss. Further afield lies a path leading up to an onsen sitting over a lava flow – bringing a whole new meaning to the term hot springs. Higher still, on another peak, sits the hang gliding and bungee jumping platforms (the latter with some delightful animations”) – although you may need a little time to find the elevator up to them! Even the castle offers a rope slide of its own, while closer to the arrival point, there are opportunities to fly a hot air balloon or a wooden helicopter!

Miyagi (General), May 2015 (Flickr)

And the secrets of Miyagi? Well, not everything at ground level is at it seems. Take the little shrines scattered around the place, for example, or the kago you’ll find at the start of the path leading to the Miku shrine. Are they all that they seem? Perhaps you might want to open the doors and find out.

Should you feel particularly daring, look for the trap door in the floor of castle. it’ll reveal a rope ladder leading downwards to a subterranean maze, complete with several traps, hidden passages and more. Just be aware that there’s only one way out (teleporting doesn’t count 🙂 ), and you’ll need the code from a certain nice young lady stuck down there if you’re to get past the final barrier. Then you can take the train car back to safety – well, assuming you find the ladders back up to ground level! And if you find the ladders before going to the castle, do remember that without the code mentioned above, your journey underground will be kept a little short.

Miyagi is a place that manages to cram a lot into itself without feeling the slightest bit overcrowded. With places to wander, rides to enjoy, opportunities to sit and contemplate and the chance for some sporting fun all mixed with a little underground adventure, there is enough on offer to keep almost anyone happy during a visit. Keep an eye out, as well, for the Show Pub Puppet theatre (shows Saturdays / Sundays?) on neighbouring NonStop, where a music store can also be found.

Miyagi (General), May 2015 (Flickr)