Category: Reviews

Given that as I write this, February 14th is but a small handful of days away – and despite the fact I’m generally about as romantic as a cup of coffee – I thought I’d poke the Destination Guide to see what was going on by way of photogenic spots leaning towards the romantic. Among them I found Island of Kalokairi, a name that for some reason rang a bell, although I wasn’t entirely sure why, so off I hopped on what turned out to be a pleasing series of visits.

Of course, those who are fans of the film Mama Mia, the name is likely familiar as having temporarily been bestowed onto the very real Greek islands of Skopelos and Skiathos so that between them, they might represent the film’s major setting. This is probably why the region’s name rang a bell for me; I’d endured a portion of that film over Christmas (and still shudder at the thought of Pierce Brosnan’s brutal slaying of Abba’s SOS). However, for those – like me – who shudder at the thought of that film, fear not; kalokairi here is used as intended, being the Greek for “summer” (as in “island of summer”).

The work of Ella.Marie (0o0EllaMarie0o0), the region is – in keeping with its name – a summertime haven and a place where romance might flow and where those already involved with one another can express themselves over champagne or by sitting by peaceful waters. For explorers and photographers, meanwhile, it is a place for wandering, taking pictures and for appreciating its natural beauty, with the hills of offshore islands and the nearby region of Prem, also held by Ella.Marie and her SL partner, Mike Chandra (MauiMike). A private setting on the ground level, this is also home to their art galleries and businesses, of which more anon.

Island of Kalokairi is itself split into two low-lying isles linked by a single bridge spanning the water channel between them. The northern isle is home the the region’s Landing Point, located within a large greenhouse-like structure. From here, a sea of flowers flows over the grasslands, encouraging visits to drift out into the open and start their explorations. This greenhouse is balanced by circular one on the southern island, the home to dancing and music. Between them, the these two greenhouses form the only enclosed structures within the region.

Between these two greenhouses is a richness of pastoral and natural beauty awaiting discovery. Sheep and deer wander and graze, rabbits play and butterflies weave and fly, whilst cranes and herons keep an eye on the channel’s water, awaiting an unwary fish swimming out from under the water lilies, possibly disturbed by frogs or swans. All of this makes for peaceful wandering and well and multiple opportunities for photography.

Whilst the greenhouses are only two enclosed structures on the land, they are not alone; close to the circular greenhouse is an open-air deck dancing and event space. A further place for dancing can be found on the northern island, a short walk from the Landing Point and surrounded by the poles of a large tent. In addition, white pianos scattered around the landscape further the sense that this is a centre of music as well as romance.

Four decks can be found stretching out over the the surrounding waters. Three offer places to sit and socialise, the fourth is screened by trees and offers a place of meditative retreat for those seeking peace and an sense of tranquillity. A large barge is additionally moored close to south isle’s round greenhouse; it forms a wedding venue, with details provided by the sign alongside the boarding ramp.

Kalokairi Where the sun always shines the blue sea glitters and nature blooms, capture its vibrant sunsets whilst dancing in the Ancient Ballroom or the outdoor Venue under the stars, Life is always better on the Island.

Kalokairi About Land

Throughout all of this are scattered places to sit in addition to the decks noted above; from metal chairs with side tables offering pink champagne to cosy sofas and floating basket seats and benches and rocking chairs. All are just a short and pleasant walk away – or, for those with a wearable horse – a little ride away.

Earlier I mentioned the businesses over the neighbouring region. One of these is Simcaster, the couple’s streaming service – complete with plenty of advice for those wishing to stream audio and / or video in-world. A demonstration  – if that’s the right word – of the streaming capabilities Mike offers can be heard within Island of Kalokairi, which has a custom audio stream very much in keeping with the ideas of love and romance for those who wish to listen.

Rounded out by a natural sound scape for those who like to explore without music, Island of Kalokairi lends itself to personal EEP settings for those who prefer (I used one of my own fixed skies for the photos here) and makes for a rewarding visit. And don’t forget the neighbouring sky galleries, featuring art by both Ella and Mike.

SLurl Details

• Island of Kalokairi (Prema, rated Moderate)

Update: Tide Haven has closed, so SLurl have been removed from this article.

I was one of a number of bloggers in receipt of a welcome invitation from Frank Atisso to visit his latest endeavour in Second Life: Tide Haven.

Frank is perhaps best known in SL as the originator of the Artsville, one of the foremost art galleries in Second Life, and which I routinely feature in these pages (and which he now runs with Vitoria Galli), and as both an artist in his own right, and as a Second Life DJ.  However, Tide Haven sees him move into a new area of expression: that of region design; and as one would instantly expect, given Frank’s artistic eye, this Homestead region design resonates as a highly visual, richly ambient and engagingly photogenic location.

Forming a rugged ribbon of land mixing uplands and coastline runs of sand and rock, Tide Haven could be just about anywhere in the world. The main landmass curves in a open C-shape facing south, a broad bay caught within its arms offering something of a sheltered – if potentially hazardous to the unwary skipper – place for boats to seek harbour. At one time, it may even have been a place for fishing vessels to off-load some of their catch.

The latter is attested to by the comprehensive set of wharves, decks and wooden huts built out over the the water along the innermost sweep of the bay. Meanwhile, the hazardous nature of parts of the bay are witnessed by eddying whitecaps suggestive of dangerous shallows, and the wreck of a trawler stuck fast to the rocks in the midst of the bay’s waters, despite the presence of a lighthouse close by.

Just how many fishing boats still come to the island is difficult to judge; what might have been working buildings for the the fishing trade built along the wharf now appear to have been converted (or replaced) by vacation cabins, the piers and decks themselves, whilst a little careworn in places, more a waterfront boardwalk than a place of work. The fish drying on lines along a section of them perhaps speak to more casual offshore and on-shore angling – the latter also witnessed to by the presence of little fishing camps dotted around the coast – than any concerted effort at fishing, while the surfboards and rowing boats stacked up on one of the piers add to the more vacation-like use of the place.

The uplands to the island lie mostly to the north-east and north-west, the land between them dipping down to a point where the sea looks to have invaded in an attempt to cut through the main island. The result is a wetland rich in swamp moss and stunted foliage through which narrow boardwalks have been laid on wooden piles. These allow passage across the wetlands, passing by way of a sandbar on which sits a fishing shack offering kayaks for rent.

It is the two upland areas that actually help Frank’s inspiration for the setting, as he explained to me.

My starting point was the church on the hill [to the north-west]. It’s inspired by a real life location in New Zealand, the Church of the Good Shepherd, and the caves are inspired by the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Then I sort-of stuck to the New Zealand theme using stuff from there, but I didn’t want to name it as New Zealand as such, because I’ve taken liberties to deviate in spots!

– Frank Atisso

The Church of the Good Shepherd is located on the southern shore of Lake Tekapo (Māori: Takapō) within New Zealand’s South Island. It sits on a headland created by the lake’s shoreline and the inflow to it of Tekapo River. The area around the lake is famous for its seasonal displays of lupins that bloom from around Mid November until the end of December. The sea of colours created by the lupins have – together with its dramatic and romantic views over the lake and towards the surrounding mountains – made the church one of the most photographed in the world, further elevating Lake Tekapo as a popular destination for domestic and international tourists.

However, despite the annual influx of tourists, the southern end of the lake bordering the town and church is a protected regional park, and the lake as a whole and its surroundings are a designated as the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, the largest dark-sky reserve in the southern hemisphere. This also marks the mountains around the lake as an important centre for astronomy, with a number of observatories located there, including the Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics (MOA), atop Mount John, a place often involved in seeking and studying worlds beyond our own solar system.

Located on New Zealand’s North Island, the Waitomo (from the Māori for “water” and “hole” or “shaft”) Glowworm Caves, known for its population of a species of glowworm exclusive to New Zealand, and which is also home to albino ants, giant crickets and – in the bodies of water within the cave system – longfin eels. However, it is the glowworms which attract visitors because of the stunning light displays “30 million years in the making” they provide to those taking the carefully monitored tours through the caves. With romantic names like Pipe Organ, Banquet Chamber, Catacombs and Cathedral (where Dame Kiri Jeanette Claire Te Kanawa once sang!), these caves are regarded as one of the spectacles of the world.

Situated on a north-western plateau rich in flowers (including lupins!), Frank’s little chapel captures the spirit of Church of the Good Shepherd, including its rich photogenic nature. Meanwhile, off to the north-east, and under another rocky plateau, Frank’s homage to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves offers a small take on their uniqueness which can be reached on foot (and provides access to one of the setting’s lovely hideaway seating areas.

Throughout all of this is an attention to detail that brings Tide Haven to life, including very personal touches by Frank. There are multiple places to sit and pass the time, indoors and out, much to explore on foot and – most obviously – photograph. When visiting do take your time exploring to appreciate everything in full – and do be sure to both use the local Shared Environment and have local sounds enabled.

And with all that said, and leaving you with things to find and appreciate for yourself when visiting (like the coffee bar out on its own rocky outcrop!), I’ll close with thanks to Frank for the invitation, and by saying to you – in keeping with some of the region’s inspiration – nau mai haere mai ki Tide Haven!