Category: Exploring Second Life

As might be apparent from some of the coverage of events and activities in this this blog, I enjoy literature and the arts. Reading in particular is a passion of mine, and I have a voracious appetite for both non-fiction and fiction across a broad range of subjects and genres. So it’s a little surprising that it has taken me a while to find my way to writing about Luminaux and Oceanea.

Luminaux is home to the Illumination Library, founded by Librarian & Bookmaker, Farzaneh Eel. Here, set within a garden designed by Xinoxi Han, can be found an intriguing collection of in-world interactive books designed and created by Farzaneh, available in a range of languages and covering a wide range of topics – fiction, non-fiction, biographical studies, religious works, and so on.

The library is housed in two buildings, both by Xinoxi Han, and both in a somewhat 18th or 19th style. The primary (and, I would guess, older) of the two buildings offers three floors to explore, each of which offers numerous interactive books (and audio books) which can be enjoyed from the comfort of armchairs and sofas. works on offer here focus on the 19th Century, although are by no means exclusive to that time.

The annex building, facing the main library from across the region, has the feel of a more recent style about it.. Featuring three large halls, complete with gallery spaces, it is focused on religious tests, the works of William Blake and those of William Shakespeare, all beautifully bound and presented.

As well as the main library building, the gardens contain the library’s Biblio Shop, where interactive books can be purchased, and the garden gallery, a room offering visitors the chance to enjoy a game of chess or the chance to simply sit and chat.

Connected to Luminaux via a pair of stone bridges, Oceanea is the home to the Wilanow Palace and Gardens, the Royal Opera House and Ritz Ballroom.

Covering one half the the region, the palace may not be as expansive as somewhere like Angel Manor, but it nevertheless offers period rooms and a former garden for visitors to explore, and welcomes those who wish to do so – complete with opportunities to dance using the Intan systems scattered around the property.

Facing the palace across a further bridge spanning a deep cut in the land, sit the Royal Opera House and the Ritz Ballroom. Both bear the distinctive hallmarks of Kaya Angel (of Angel Manor fame), and have been positioned by Xinoxi Han, who designed the overall setting in which they are located, and who was also one of several contributors to the design of the palace and it gardens, along with Andy Loon, Xen Oller and 1Selene2012.

The Opera House is intended to “encourage, educate and support the best in classical arts (Music, Dance, Art, Opera, Theatre) throughout Second Life and beyond. To be informed of all the best classical events join Second Life”, and it is certainly a sumptuous building inside, with an imposing exterior which suits its surrounding perfectly. Productions are routinely held here, and those interested in keeping abreast of productions and performances can join the Second Life Opera Society group. The Ballroom, facing the Opera House across a fountained courtyard, presents a venue for live performances and dances.

Both Luminaux and Oceanea offering an interesting change for those who enjoy exploring Second Life, particularly if one has an interest in either literature (Farzaneh Eel’s books really are a delight – I could spend hours looking through her Shakespeare collection) or the performing arts. With the Wilanow Palace and Gardens just across the stream from the Royal Opera House, a visit to see a performance at the later can be enhanced by a wander around the former, particularly if accompanied by a friend.

Related Links

• The Illumination Library, Luminaux SLurl (Rated: Moderate)
• The Royal Opera House and Ritz Ballroom, Oceanea SLurl (Rated: Moderate)

 

 

 

The Bay, Cats (Flickr)

Mz Marville is perhaps best know for her work with Matoluta Sanctuary, which has been the focus of articles in this blog on more than one occasion, my last visit there being in September 2014.

However, in November, she opened the doors on a new venture: The Bay, located on the region of Cats, and it is a place I’ve been meaning to take a look at since it opened, but have only just managed to get my head sufficiently above water to do so properly.

The Bay, Cats (Flickr)

Now, the first things to note is that The Bay is Adult rated, and that Adult activities do take place on the island. Although there is a Members Only area in the centre of the island (group membership required to access), which may keep most adult activities out of sight from casual visitors, do be aware that adult-themed role-play and socialising are permitted throughout the island, so long as everything meets The Bay’s rules.

Aside from the Members Only area, the island is open to the public and offers a tropical locale with an interesting mixing of wildlife – African elephants can be found here as well as their Indian cousins, alongside tigers and monkeys. There are plenty of casual cuddle spots / meeting places to be found in the public areas – rafts and boats on the water, beach houses and cabins up on the rocks and hills. The landscape offers plenty of opportunities for photography, and opportunities to explore around the coastal areas.

The Bay, Cats (Flickr)

The most prominent landmark is perhaps that of an old brigantine (a design by Eduardos Ducatillon and which is seeing some popularity among region designers at the moment).  This is where the main landing point is located, with information boards on the island and the activities taking place there. It also gives the island something of a piratical feel, which is itself in modest ways, carried through to other areas of the region.

Group membership can be obtained for a one-off L$350 payment, and this grants you access to all of the members’ areas on the ground and in the air. These can be found in the centre of the island, where heavy wooden doors guard the entrance to a deep mine (and a security system guards against non-group member access, with a reasonable 90-second warning). Down in the mines lay private areas, while close to the doors sits a teleport disc providing access to member’s facilities up in the sky, centred on a very plush bath house, all of which have something of a pirate theme to them.

The Bay, Cats (Flickr)

Note that in a recent move by The Bay’s management, group members can also request temporary access to the Members Areas for friends, should they wish to show them around.

Music events are also a feature of The Bay, with events taking place between 14:00-16:00 once a week, although days on which they occur may vary; there will also be special Premier Events, only open to group members.

To celebrate its opening, The Bay is running a photography competition with some impressive prizes: L$8,000 and a gift card courtesy of the region’s sponsor,  CerberusXing (who is also responsible for the interior designs in the region) for the first place prize;  L$3,500 and 2 weeks use of a 1/4 region with 800 LI for the second prize and a L$2,500 third place prize.

Participants can submit up to three photos of The Bay to the The Bay Flickr pool to enter. These must be original photos for the competition (e.g. not used elsewhere), and entrants are encouraged  to utilise adult themes and membership to The Bay VIP group. Entrants should also be away that submission of entries to the competition gives The Bay permission to modify and display photographs on The Bay’s website and in any future marketing/advertising. The closing date for entries is Tuesday, December 23rd, 2014.

Related Links

• The Bay SLurl (Rated: Adult)
• The Bay web pages
• The Bay Flickr pool

Let it Snow! Isles of Lyonesse (Flickr)

I was drawn to Let It Snow! after Xiola Linden tweeted about it and I the region’s description in the Destination guide Entry:

The fire is slowly dying, and my dear, we’re still goodbye-ing. But as long as you love me so, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! At Let It Snow, enjoy dancing, romancing, exploring, meeting, ice-skating, snow and winter cheer. Merry Christmas.

As any music lover will know, the first line of this description is from Sammy Cahn and Julie Styne’s seasonal classic, Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! For me, as someone who enjoys the Great American Songbook, it’s an added reason for going exploring. And I have to say, Let it Snow! is more than worth a visit.

Let it Snow! Isles of Lyonesse (Flickr)

Owned and designed by well-known SL artist, Milly Sharple, the region is a seasonal delight, offering precisely what the description on the label promises: dancing, romancing, exploring, meeting, ice-skating and winter cheer.  Intan dance systems are available right from the landing point, an open-air dance floor complete with a musical sextet,  and across the region, indoors and out.

Given the region’s name, the fact that snaow is falling across most of it should come as no surprise; everything is covered in a deep, white  blanket. A handful of cottages are scattered across the land, the largest of which offers cosy hideaway with Christmas tree and roaring fire to toast toes. Other cosy spots can be found around the island for those looking for snuggles, and skating can be enjoyed in a couple of places.

Let it Snow! Isles of Lyonesse (Flickr)

There are some lovely little touches that should bring a smile to every face – particularly the snow children playing outside one of the cottages, having a snowball fight, floating on a balloon or getting quite caught-up in making a snowman of their own.

I could wax lyrical about Let it Snow, but given the name is taken from a set of lyrics, I thought why not simply let the region tell its own story? So here are some of the pictures I took while visiting (some of which have been post-processed to (hopefully) give a painted “Christmas card” look), set to the one and only Dean Martin singing the song. Enjoy!

(As I’ve been a tad naughty and used copyrighted material in the video, it may be blocked in some countries. If so, I offer my Flickr album for the region for those interested!)

Related Links

• Let it Snow! SLurl (Rated: Moderate)

Kittens Heaven, Demented Love (Flickr)

The end of another year draws ever nearer, and in the northern hemisphere this means thoughts turn to those of winter landscapes and cold, crisp mornings, something which tends to be carried into Second Life as well. Many regions are estates have already welcomed the soft cover of snow and winter scenes are starting to appear appear the blogsphere.

With December on our doorstep, I decided to head away to Kitten’s Heaven, Isabelli Anatine Hak’s homestead region, which offers a place for people to visit and relax and enjoy a spot of photography if they wish. Freshly remodelled for the winter months, Isabelli was putting the finishing touches to the region in its new look when I arrived, as she completed furnishing the main house.

Kittens Heaven, Demented Love (Flickr)

Surrounded by icy waters which are in turn surrounded by snow-capped and dusted craggy cliffs and peaks, Kitten’s Heaven offers a picturesque scene of frost coated trees raising bare branches to the sky, under which can be found reindeer, bears, foxes – and even a penguin or two. There are skis available for those feeling active (snowboards may also be added), and a large frozen lake offers plenty of space for skating – but do mind the cats as they enjoy their own little bit of ice boarding!

A sliver of unfrozen water separates the lake from two rocky outcrops. Upon one of these sits the main house, a large Tudor-style building, reached by a rocky, snow-covered path. Here visitors will find refreshments to fortify them against the cold, and fully furnished rooms upstairs to explore. A snow-covered span of  rock bridges the gap to the second plateau, where an outdoor café offers hot soup and mulled wine to those of a hardy disposition who enjoy the bracing outdoor air.

“Wot’s going on over there, then?” Kittens Heaven, Demented Love (Flickr)

There are numerous places to sit down and enjoy the surroundings, be in on a sleigh or next to a blazing camp fire  or in the little cottage where more of Isabelli’s love of cats can be found. As noted above, wildlife abounds, and there is also a mysterious little man with his lantern taking a peek at what’s going on – but I doubt he means any mischief!

Kitten’s Heaven always offers an eye-catching and warm welcome to visitors, and even though snow may lay heavy on the ground right now, that hasn’t changed with this make-over. So why not hop over and take a look for yourself?

Kittens Heaven, Demented Love (Flickr)

Related Links

• Kittens Heaven SLurl (Rated: Moderate)

 

 

Pinoy Hideout, Lions Hill (Flickr)

Pinoy Hideout is a full region designed by Neva Crystall for Kate Gavin and the Pinoy Hideout group. Open to the public (group membership by invitation), It offers visitors something of everything: discovery, dancing, shopping, relaxing, music, romance…

Given this is a Neva Crystall design, it goes without saying that the island is immediately eye-catching. Two rocky plateaus nestle a handful of boutique shops and the Pinoy Hideout café bar between them. The tops of these plateaus are occupied by a cosy house (open to the public) and a large wooden deck respectively, the latter offering a place to dance and enjoy any entertainments which might be laid-on – although dance systems can be found throughout the island.

Pinoy Hideout, Lions Hill (Flickr)

Below the plateaus, beaches and low-lying grassland encircle the island, offering plenty of opportunity for walking, taking photos, and simply letting feet and mind wander free. A waterfront chapel looks ready to host a wedding, while further around the coast is one of the more intriguing hideouts: the hulk of an ageing ship-of the-line or old privateer, propped up on rocks.

Offshore sit two smaller islands, one a mix of sand and rock, the other rich with foliage and marked by the ruins of an ancient stone tower, another cosy spot held with the curve of the broken walls. Elsewhere, an oriental bath house sits above a bridge leading to a small tea house, the curve of a small inlet sitting between them.

Pinoy Hideout, Lions Hill (Flickr)

I’ve no idea if the “pinoy” is the name is a deliberate Filipino reference, but Piony Hideout offers a pleasing melding of tropical, western and oriental influences stirred and teased into a gorgeous island design which is crying out to be photographed. In fact, there is a photographic contest under way as I write this – information can be found at the teleport landing  point.

All told, a delightful addition to the Second Life landscape; I look forward to popping back again and again – as I’m sure you will as well. Just be sure to explore carefully, as there really is a lot to see – both above and under the waves!

Pinoy Hideout, Lions Hill (Flickr)

Related Links

• Pinoy Hidedout (Rated: Moderate)
• Piony Hideout Flickr group

With thanks to Honour McMillan for the pointer.