Category: Reviews

Asalia House (Flickr) – click any image for full size

Eddie Haskill pointed me towards Asalia House when he blogged about it recently, describing it as “magical”. He’s right.

A Homestead region, Asalia House comprises three islands set in an ocean suggestive of a coral sea. Two of the islands, on the west side of the region, are resplendent in the rich autumnal colours of the northern hemisphere, while eastward, the third is a Moon-like tropical crescent of sand, palm trees and beach bars, all of which offer a strong contrast in theme and look when compared with the other two islands, and yet works with them to create a complete picture.

Asalia House (Flickr)

The entire region is primarily the work of Ryu Asalia, Kyo Asalia and Lonco, with Ryu and Kyo responsible for the look and feel of one of the temperate islands and Lonco the other, and all three sharing in the creation of the sandy islet.

All three islands offer a simple, natural setting which is both ripe for photography and welcoming to visitors who wish to come and sit a while. Ryu and Kyo’s island, to the north-west offers a small café flanked by the towers of a water tank and a windmill, surrounded by trees and with a small seating area outside.

Across the bridge and to the south-west, Lonco’s island offers a more rural scene, with an artist’s caravan and encampment sitting amidst silver birch and other trees in a leafy, grassy glade.

Asalia House (Flickr)

There are delightful touches of whimsy to both islands; a tall “apple picking chair” sits in the water just offshore from one, with a number of apples conveniently suspended on strings from the outstretched branches of a tree; elsewhere sits a giant birdcage precariously balanced on the bank of a small inlet of water over which large soap bubbles float, while between the two islands and alongside the wooden bridge sits a large bottle, inviting passers-by to jump into it, genie-style.

There’s also some lovely attention to detail to be found as well, so it’s worth taking your time when looking around both of the islands, whether you’re exploring or camming for a look-see.

Across the water, the tropical islet is very different, as noted above. Here sits a rough-and-ready beachcomber’s bar and a more upmarket cocktail / coffee bar. Surfboards nuzzle the sand, offering places to sit, and a large tiki-style hammock is suspended between tall palm trees.  Here one can wander the sand, enjoy a drink or two, sit and chat, or dance, or float on the water and forget the rest of the world. For those who get hungry, an enticing table of snacks beckons.

Asalia House (Flickr)

The region comes with its own windlight preset, providing the feel of a hazy morning which suits both the temperate western isles and the eastern tropical island, and which blends perfectly with the default water windlight for the region. Oh, and with regards to the latter, it’s worth taking a look down on the region from overhead (you may need to tweak your sky windlight if you’ve accepted the default) or taking a peek at the world map – you’ll see the entire region is actually heart-shaped under the water, a reflection of a general theme of love and openness which is also carried through the design.

This is a phenomenal setting for the SL photographer, beautifully suited to range of lighting options which could well keep you occupied with the camera for some time. When you’ve finished you explorations, why not pop into Ryu’s cafe and leave a comment in the guest book and perhaps a sign of your appreciation in the tip jar?

Related Links

• Asalia House SLurl (Rated: Moderate)

Earlier in 2013 I happened upon Garden of Eden, an exquisite parcel created by Liara Okiddo.  Just 8192 sq m in size, the parcel was a veritable tour de force of design and presentation, demonstrating just what could be achieved in a small space, given a keen eye and patience.

Garden of Eden is now sadly gone; not because Liara has moved from Second Life, but because she and her partner Lucy have moved to a Homestead region, where they’ve been establishing a new home and new art studio and gallery.

Liara kindly offered me a preview look at Isla Okiddo ahead of the formal opening, and while real life prevented me from being able to take up the offer when first extended, I’m pleased to say that Liara kept the invitation open, and it was my privilege recently to have a tour of the island and spend time photographing it, and I can say hand-on-heart, that it is an incredible build.

As Isla Okiddo is not yet open, I’m not providing a SLurl here; I’m saving that for when I can fully review it. However, those wishing to show their interest in seeing the island Liara has established a unique way for them to do so via another build.

As well as working on Isla Okiddo, Liara has also been developing a small airport. As with Garden of Eden, it is once again a very creative use of space, buildings, and windlight. Should you visit it, I really do recommend you accept the parcel windlight to experience the setting as intended. Liara has put considerable effort in bring the scene together, and the selected windlight really brings the setting to life.

Here you can enjoy a period setting, with a silver Douglas DC-3 sitting on the tarmac in the early morning light, waiting for the inaugural flight to Isla Okiddo. This is to be a first class flight, as the champagne on ice alongside the steps up into the plane demonstrates. Alongside the champers sits a guest book where those wishing to join the flight – registering their interest in seeing Isla Okiddo – can do so.

The airfield offers an excellent location for those wanting something a little different as a backdrop for their photoshoots – just make sure you drop word to Liara about your intent beforehand and make sure she’s OK with things.

I’ll be bringing more news on Isla Okiddo in the future; in the meantime, and rather than my usual Flickr slide show, here’s a little preview video I put together to help whet your appetite.

Related Links

• Scotland – Okiddo airfield SLurl (Rated: Moderate)

I came across Asa Vordun’s Caprice and Easy A entirely by chance, the happy circumstance of flipping through Flickr and bouncing around Second Life. Call it is case of SL serendipity, as I couldn’t have come across both at a better time, thanks to a number of stresses crowding me somewhat of late. Both shooed those worries away and left me smiling.

Caprice is perhaps best defined by the description given in About Land:

Once upon a time in Caprice …a place of whimsy and wonder…beauty and peace…of tales and fairytales…what is real what is imaginary …do you trust what you see…

It’s a beautiful little corner of a Second Life, featuring houses by Kayle Matzerath, who provided the fabulous Lumenaria at the 2013 Fantasy Faire, arranged around a small square and fountain.

When I first visited, Caprice was enjoying a bright autumn, with the leaves on the trees a golden brown, the air crisp and the sun still warm enough for one to forsake a coat when stepping outdoors. Since then, I gather the time as moved on, and winter is gradually encroaching, the trees now denuded of their foliage and snow drifts laying claim to corners and to the sides of roads. Just as well, then, that a café offering coffee and hot chocolate stands on one side of the square, facing another offering filling snacks and warm drinks over on the other side. Or, if one prefers, apples and hot cider can be had from a wooden stall.

This is place where friends can meet and spend time seated around the fountain or at the cafés or – if the weather gets too nippy – inside the delightful library. By day or by night, Caprice offers the warmest of welcomes and its whimsical looks and feel encourage you to tarry and forget the bustle and call of the rest of the grid.

From the arch of the arrival point, looking out over a seafront scene with jetty, lighthouse and sail boat, you can meander along the footpaths and the road which catches the square in a paved lasso, wander past the cafés and the library and cider stand until you come to the arch of a narrow tunnel. Here, beside a sign inviting you to breathe, you might want to slip on a coat before continuing through the tunnel and into Easy A.

Here is a place where winter has truly arrived. Asa has done a fabulous  job in creating a wonderful winter tableau photographers could likely have a lot of fun with – and to really capture the atmosphere, I do suggest you try a night / low lighting level with your time-of-day / windlight.

Cottages by Cory Edo and Van Auster sit by the side of a road which circles a high mesa. As the snow falls, a lone truck rumbles along the street, passing under the roadside lamps, headlights picking out the road ahead – you can see why I said Easy A needs a night-time setting to really be appreciated :).

As with Caprice, the attention to detail here means you’re going to need to keep a sharp eye open to appreciate everything on offer, particularly where the cottages are concerned, each of which offers a place to sit and reflect, or chat. Or if you prefer, you can find your way to the top of the tall pillar of rock, crowned as it is by a ring of fir trees, themselves topped and hung about with lights and which surround a secret place to sit and share while coffee and soup bubble on an open fire.

Both Caprice and Easy A offer a small slice of magic well worth taking the time to visit, particularly if you enjoy taking photos in SL.

I have no idea as to how frequently Asa giver her parcels a make-over, but I have to admit that outside of changing them to suit the seasons, I rather hope they don’t often go through too drastic an overhaul – at least not Caprice, given that Easy A is a little more in keeping with the onset of winter in the northern hemisphere and so may change more dramatically as the year passes. As it is, both offer charm, warmth (despite the weather :)) and individual beauty to the passing traveller. Be sure not to miss either of them!

Related Links

• Caprice / Easy A SLurl (Rated: Moderate)

And as winter is the theme, here’s another piece by Chris de Burgh to mark the time of year.