Category: Reviews

It is said that the greatest mystery surrounding the Lindens is that of the disappearance of Magellan Linden, the great explorer of these lands. However, Magellan isn’t the only Linden to vanish under mysterious circumstances while exploring these lands – there is another. His name is – or was – Professor Linden.

“Who?” I hear you say – and not without reason; for compared to the great Magellan Linden, the good Professor is rarely, if ever, mentioned. There are many reasons for this: Magellan, of course, opened up the continents for settlement and was ever pushing at the boundaries of the world to discover new places to explore and claim them in the name of the Lindens. He was a Hero (and as some might have it, a bit of a rogue with innocent young women), and many expeditions have been launched to try to discover his whereabouts (or fate).

Professor Linden, on the other hand, was always of a much lower public profile – or as his fellow Lindens prefer to put it, “completely barking mad”. This is because of his persistently stated belief that these lands were once the realm of a great and benevolent dragon, who was to many a friend, and a guardian to all before changes to the world led to his passing. Such was his conviction on this that the good Professor actually vanished while attempting to find what was left of the great dragon.

Some say he actually found it.

But how much truth is there behind the Professor’s belief and his disappearance? Did he really find the evidence he sought, or is he even now hidden in a cosy, padded room in the Battery Street basement? I decided to set out to find the truth.

My investigations led me to what had once been an untamed island far to the south and east of the great continents. On this island, in more recent times, the Moles had raised up a huge development of Linden Homes, leaving only the northernmost parts of the island untouched,  preserved as a protected wilderness. And it was in these northern reaches, my sources informed me, that the Moles had uncovered part of an  ancient road.

So it was that I travelled to Cape Ekim, where I found this ancient road – although “path” might now be a better description – its stones worn smooth with age, as they lead the way through a strangely rolling grassy landscape towards a distant tower which raised a battered head above the low hills and ridges bordering the winding path.

At length the road brought me to a strange a wonderful coastline, complete with standing stones which reminded me of the Giant’s Causeway, beyond which lay that lonely and battered tower, connected to the land by a great stone bridge.

Continue reading “Of forgotten explorers, dragons and mysteries” →

OK, so maybe the Eagles didn’t sing it quite that way, but Baja Norte, modelled on the northern Baja California coast is an eye-catching place to visit and for some reason did cause the Eagle’s song to pop into my head; possibly because at the end of my explorations, I didn’t want to leave…

The region wasn’t actually on my current list of places to visit, but I do keep an eye on the Destination Guide from time to time to see what is going on, and I was curious to note that the number of Photogenic Spots had increased by one at some point recently. Delving a little deeper into the listing saw my curiosity increase as I read the description of Baja Norte and saw the photo, and so off I toddled to take a look.

I don’t really tend to be one for the beach, either in RL or SL; in RL a beach-focused holiday / vacation leaves me cold. I much prefer going somewhere and exploring – which might explain my rambles across Second Life as well. However, with Baja Norte, Jac Mornington has created something very special.

Here one will find three islands, the largest of which could easily have been lifted from a section of rugged coastline anywhere in the world and dropped neatly into SL. Two houses can be found here – one rather ramshackle and weather-worn – and a small quay for sailing boats. A long beach follows the line of the island on its western side, offering panoramic views out to sea and past the lighthouse on the smallest of the islands, as an old fishing boat chugs across the horizon.

From the arrival point, one can stroll along the sand, or follow the board walks (yet again, Alex Bader’s presence is felt!) around the island or inland – and upward – to the house on the hill. Walk far enough around the northern headland and you’ll find another set of wooden steps leading upwards to the top of the cliffs above.

The remaining island in the region is also reached by a board walk which spans a stretch of sea and from which some magnificent views along the beach can be obtained. On the island itself are places to sit (and cuddle) with a friend or loved one, and a tree platform to reach via ladder and rope.

Once again, this is a wonderful region in which to twiddle with windlight, particularly if you’re into photography and love sunsets. There is a lot of wildlife scattered around the region as well, which can make for interesting snapshot subjects (and I’m not talking about the avatar variety who might be availing themselves of the various cuddle spots!).

If I’m totally honest, the waves in the bay don’t really work for me, but this is purely a personal thing, and their timing is such that they can easily be avoided if you don’t want them in your pictures. They certainly don’t detract from the overall visual appeal of the region, which has clearly been developed with a keen eye for detail and with some very imaginative sculpting of the land which draws one in very naturally, presenting an environment which is both attractive and which welcomes both the explorers and those content to sit and watch the world tick by.

Definitely one for the album  – and the landmark folder!

Related Links

• Baja Norte SLurl (Rated: Moderate)
• SL Destinations in this blog