Category: Reviews

Yuki No Yume, Sand Bar Island (Flickr) – click an image for full size

Wherever Jac Mornington builds, I follow. It’s an immutable law of Second Life. True, I may not be right behind him (fortunately for him!), and in following him, I may well be treading where others have trod ahead of me (because his builds are to SL photographers as magnets are to iron filings: an irresistible force). Nevertheless, wherever he builds, I will surely gravitate.

Already this year I’ve covered three of his region-wide builds: Black Basalt Beach,  Baja Norte and Sol Existence, all of which have been stunning in their presentation, look and feel.

Yuki No Yume, Sand Bar Island (Flickr)

Now comes Yuki No Yume – A Dream of Snow. A homestead region, it presents to the visitor a winter scene of rural Japan, which is both simple in style and stunning in execution, with some marvellous attention to detail and lots of opportunities for the SL photographer.

The arrival point is located in the north-east corner of the region, atop a rocky outcrop, upon which sits the ruins of an old temple. with a forlorn bell, the rafters from which it was once suspended having long since split and collapsed, walls holed and partially boarded-up and with doors broken , one might think the temple deserted but for the lamp burning outside and the game of ban-sugoroku apparently in progress inside the temple shell.

Yuki No Yume, Sand Bar Island (Flickr) – click an image for full size

A path winds its way down the side of the rock face and past a small shine, down a snow-covered slope to the temple gate. Here sits a small spring, doubtless a place where pilgrims travelling up to the temple would have once stopped to refresh themselves in warmer days before starting on the steep climb. Now the water is frozen, and the gate stands as the entrance to the rest of the region.

Three other buildings occupy the land; a hot spring bathhouse and two small, traditional houses, neither of which is used as a residence so visitors need have no fear of invading anyone’s privacy. All three sit amidst a snow-covered landscape of trees, rocky outcrops, winding paths, streams, waterfalls and lakes (both frozen and with open water), all arranged to create a very natural environment surrounded by tall mountains, so suggestive of a highland rural region in Japan.

Yuki No Yume, Sand Bar Island (Flickr) – click an image for full size

Where the visitor goes from the temple gate is entirely up to their own muse; paths are available, but most of the region is open land, inviting people to wander where they will. There is plenty to occupy the eye here, both indoors and out, so it’s worth taking time in any exploratory and picture-snapping forays into Yuki No Yumi.

If you follow the stream up towards the waterfall, you’ll likely come across a group of Japanese macaques, otherwise known as snow monkeys, doing what they do best: sitting in a hot spring bath as the snow falls around them. Elsewhere, deer take advantage of an overturned crate of apples, seals sit on a snow-covered sand bank, apparently wondering who the hell has been messing the with water to make it solid, and red-crown cranes dance upon the partially frozen lake; all of which make for some excellent photograph opportunities.

Step into one of the houses, and you’ll find an opportunity to play a hand of Hanafuda (koi koi), listen to music on an old gramophone,  sit and warm yourself by an open fire, enjoy a cup of tea or rest for a while on a bed – assume the fox and rabbit will allow you!

Yuki No Yume, Sand Bar Island (Flickr) – click an image for full size

This really is another wonderful build from Jac and his partner, Rie Silverfall, one which is every bit worth the time taken to visit as his other in-world creations. For those who like taking photographs of the places they visit, there is also a Flickr group where images of Yuki No Yumi can be shared.

And as I mentioned Japanese macaques earlier, here’s little film of them in real life :).

Related Links

• Yuki No Yumi SLurl (Rated: Moderate)
• Yuki No Yumi Flickr group

Crystal Oak Falls, Tobias (Flickr)

Melinda Palianta recently revamped her private home with an autumnal build and graciously opened it to the public for a short period. I’m glad she did (open it, that is!); it’s one of the most stunning and natural builds I’ve seen in Second Life; a perfect blending of season, landscape, influences and more.

The essence of the build may well be New England in the fall, but there is also an oriental theme and look running through it, touched here and there with and almost English country feel, all of which is beautifully blended into a whole which really is marvellous to witness. It is also perfectly framed through the use of water to create streams and rocky channels which cleverly and very naturally break the garden into individual areas that flow into one another via footpath and bridge, providing a feeling of continuity as you wander and explore while also allowing the various aspects of the garden to exist on their own as more intimate, quiet spots one can enjoy in their own right.

Crystal Oak Falls, Tobias (Flickr)

Crystal Oak Falls is another tour-de-force demonstration that one doesn’t need to own an entire region in order to produce something really amazing. Yes, the parcel may be a little larger than the average offerings supplied by estates, but it’s still well under a 1/4 region in size and has a lower land capacity than a Homestead. Nevertheless Melinda has packed an incredible amount into it, and with nary a hint of lag for the visitor.

From the ocean side arrival point at the front of the house, you can explore the garden at will; simply let the paths, bridges and steps lead you around, and drink in the settings. Part of what makes Melinda’s design so alive and rich is the way in which the garden changes as you wander through it; rather than being entirely pristine and looking like every minute available is spent tending it, this is a garden where  – just like in real life – things can get a little wild if left alone for a while. There are tall wild flowers growing near the stables; further towards the back of the garden, the steps leading up to the tent and camp are looking mossy and starting to get a trifle over-grown, all of which adds to the charm and realism of the build.

Crystal Oak Falls, Tobias (Flickr)

With its oriental touches and use of water, this is obviously a place which very much appeals to my personal sensibilities, something which might be taken to mean I’m a tad biased in my point-of-view. However, I’ll wager a pound to a Linden dollar than Crystal Oak Falls is a place that can capture the eye and imagination of all but the hardest of hearts, and is a place that SL photographers will delight in seeing and snapping.

However, those who wish to see for themselves will have to move quickly; Melinda will be closing her land to public access on December 8th, after which she will be working on her winter build. I hope she’ll consider opening that to the public for at least a few days as well – it is bound to be as equally as gorgeous.

Crystal Oak Falls, Tobias (Flickr)

If you do visit Crystal Oak Falls, do keep in mind that it is a private home;  while the gardens are free to explore, the house may not necessarily be so.  If you do enjoy your visit, consider leaving a small donation at the arrival point.

Related Links

• Crystal Oak Falls SLurl (Rated: Moderate) – open until December 8th
• Melinda’s blog post on the design

Crystal Oak Falls, Tobias (Flickr)