Tag: Exploring Second life 2015

Less Than Three, Special One (Flickr) – click any image for full size

Less than Three ♥ is the homestead region held by Kess and Bjorn Folkesson, which is now featured in the Photogenic Spots section of the Destination Guide. Kess, who might be better known to some as Kess Crystal, MadPea’s PR and marketing magician, appears to be largely responsible for the look and feel to the region, which has been both dedicated to nature and offers visitors a lot of see and enjoy.

With the exception of the private residence belonging to Bjorn and Kess, which sits on its own island in the south-east corner, Less Than Three ♥ is entirely open to the public, and the couple encourage visitors and photographers to come and enjoy themselves while exploring the remaining three large islands of the region.

Less Than Three, Special One (Flickr)

Between them, these offer a varied landscape ranging from low-lying grasslands, through rich woodlands to a high rocky island, topped with a single tree,and all with their own distinct attractions. For example, on the grassy island, which is also home to the main landing point, you can find and enjoy the vineyard and winery, while just over a stone bridge sits a watermill restaurant offering both indoor and outdoor seating.

Cross another bridge to the wooded isle, and paths will lead you through an open-air ballroom and to ancient ruins, waterfalls and a little “drive-in” theatre. Reached by another bridge. the rough rocky flanks and rolling slopes of the highest island in the group offers attractions of its own, both above and below ground.

Less Than Three, Special One (Flickr)

There are a couple of smaller islands among the group as well. On one of these sits an old wooden lighthouse and on the other, an equally old oak tree with a swing suspended from one of its boughs. Both can be reached via the rowing boats offered at the wooden jetty near the region’s main landing point, which also allow those so inclined to explore the waters separating the islands and perhaps enjoy a cuddle as the water gently laps against the boat’s hull.

With the sound of chimes floating in the breeze and birds singing among the trees, together with the slanting of sunbeams through high branches and the sight of deer through the trees, Less Than Three ♥ has more than enough to entice the SL traveller into visiting – and into staying for a while.

Less Than Three, Special One (Flickr)

Related Links

• Less Than Three ♥ SLurl (Rated: Moderate)

Crystal Garden Estates, operated by Sandi and Mikal Beaumont, is a full region offering visitors live music venues, fishing, boating, a taste of the outdoors and a touch of art as well.

Surrounded by tall mountains, the region is neatly divided into four island areas, one per corner, separated one from another by wide channels of water. Three of the island are connected by bridges spanning the channels, whilst the last sits on its own, the home of Dimi’s Digital Designs.

The main landing point for visitors offers a large open-air venue for music, with a cosy café just at the top of the steps behind it. Here one can rest a while on the terrace overlooking the stage and dance area or take  a walk across a little bridge and climb the path winding up the cliffs to one side of the region, or head off in the opposite direction, taking a winding trail past wild flowers and grazing deer to a bridge linking the venue with the next island in the group.

Here sits is little cottage, complete with farmer’s garden, offering plenty of places to sit and relax. Sheep may well graze here, watched over by an attentive collie, but it seems that if this was once a farm, the owner has found it more engaging to provide the place as a setting for weddings and receptions, with the big barn one passes while walking to the cottage tastefully decorated and laid-out for that special event.

It is also here that you can find a little pier, complete with motor boat, which you can use to putter about on the water and reach the other islands in the group, if you so wish. Should you continue on foot, a further bridge allows access to Temprus, landscaped by Ilyra Chardin, and which presents an opportunity to see art by Ilyra and other SL artists in an open-air gallery space with a dance floor above, and which sits alongside a small farm.

Dimi’s Digital Designs, the remaining island in the region, requires a motor boat or the power of flight to reach it. Offering an curious and interesting mix of rural bordering on bayou, it is the home of photographer and musician DimiVan Ludwig, and features his studio  overhead, and his live music venue on the ground.

Currently featured in the Editor’s Picks section of the Destination Guide, Crystal Gardens Estates offers visitors a range of locations to explore, which offer an interesting mix of music and art, as well as opportunities to simply hang-out or take photos.

Related Links

• Crystal Garden Estates SLurl (Rated: Adult)

Keisei (Flickr) – click any image for full size

I last wrote about Keisei in May 2013 (see here), and while it is a place I’ve often enjoyed dropping-in to, I’ve actually not set aside time to write about it since. Which is a little lax of me, as Daddio Dow’s region, with its rich mix of oriental themes and activities, is always a visually attractive place to visit.

I was actually put in mind of Keisei while writing about the Chinese New Year. While the region  admittedly leans more towards a Japanese theme than Chinese, there is some cross-over in places, and writing about Chinese themed builds in SL got me thinking about other oriental locations I’ve visited over the years. Coincidentally, Daddio himself dropped me a little line asking after me, and mentioning that there had been some recent changes, so I decided to hop over to Keisei and rectify my lack of recent blogging.

Keisei (Flickr) – click any image for full size

The overall oriental theme to the region, coupled with the use of water – there are waterfall-fed streams running through the landscape – are primarily why I’m attracted to Keisei. With the streams spanned by bridges, the careful use of flora, a mix of grassy paths and cobbled streets, coupled with a rich ambient soundscape, everything combines to present a place ripe for photography, inviting exploration. And while the buildings might be suggestive of a specific period setting, the reality is that the region exists in its own time, easily mixing the use of stone lanterns perhaps of a bygone era with more recent electric lights.

Parcels within the region offer their own windlights, which may vary, depending upon who is occupying them (several of the parcels are open to rent through Daddio), but given the continuous theme through Keisei, the entire region lends itself to almost any windlight you might choose to use.

Keisei (Flickr) – click any image for full size

From the landing point, with the nearby Shinto shrine, pagoda and grand mansion, you can find follow the paths through the region to the bath houses, shopping area, tea house and onwards out to the palace and other buildings closer to the edge of the region, some of which are operated by those renting land from Daddio. So far as I’m aware, all of the buildings are open to visitors with the exception of the White Lotus Retreat in the north-west corner of the region, which has no bridge linking it to the rest of the region, signifying it is a private residence.

As an adult rated region, there are some activities of an adult nature (you might note the opium den and shibari house on the teleport map at the arrival point), but you shouldn’t let this put you off; everything is quite discrete (the shibari house is up in the sky, for example, and well out of sight) and the region can easily be enjoyed whatever your outlook on life.

Keisei (Flickr) – click any image for full size

So why not hop over and take a look for yourself; you might even find the onsen calling to you!

Related Links

• Keisei SLurl (Rated: Adult)

February 19th, 2015 sees the start of the new year – the Chinese New Year, that is. With it, we say goodbye for now to the horse, and hello to the goat. It’s a time for celebrations, with lanterns, firecrackers, colour, Lions Dances and more; and doubtless, there will be lots of celebrations taking place across the weekend to mark the Festival.

For those wanting to get a feel for China – ancient China in particular –  there are lots of Chinese-themed locations to be found in Second Life. Some associated with role-play, others offered as places to visit and enjoy, some which offer a gateway to shopping in SL, and some which mix Chinese and Japanese elements into a happy blend of the ancient oriental, reflective of their past histories and interactions. Others offer what might seem more curious mixes.

China Grove, for example, describes itself as offering a beachfront location with private accommodation, jet skis, swimming, and even topless bathing. But above an behind it sits a beautiful Chinese palace. The work of Selene Nirvana, and featuring creations by designers such as Ryu 竜, the palace sits atop a great rocky outcrop rising about the surrounding lands, protected by broad, strong walls and guarded by its very own terracotta army, complete with chariot-riding warlords.

Reached via a small waterfront village sitting in the protective arms of the palace walls and watched over by dragon canon, the place offers a wealth of colour and opportunities to wander through its cobbled terraces and courtyards, and through its great halls. Tai Chi is offered for those wishing to clear their minds, while a dragon atop a tall tower keeps a vigilant watch towards more open waters, his fire perhaps a beacon for ships trying to find their way to the docks below his high perch.

For another feel of ancient China, one can also visit Jomo, the home of Xiaoduo Abbot’s store, is set amidst a glorious build I wrote about in November 2013. With walls, gardens, places to relax and stages for entertainment, it encourages the visitor not only to shop, but to tarry awhile and explore.

Or, for a different flavour and feel, you can hop over to Aston Leisen’s artful and slightly surreal design called, simply, China, which has been a delight to visitors for several years now, sometimes moving up or down in the sky, but always offering a visual treat and a place were hanging-out and AFKing is welcomed.

I’m barely scratching the surface of things in mentioning these three; but hopefully they’ll be enough to whet your appetite and get you searching things oriental in your SL explorations this weekend, and perhaps enjoying the New Year celebrations.

And while we’ve already seen Yuandan for this particular New Year, if you are worried about bumping into Nian while you’re out and about, just make sure you’re wearing red and carrying a firecracker or two before you leave home!

Kung hei fat choi!

Related Links

• China Grove SLurl (Rated: Moderate)
• Jomo SLurl (Rated: Moderdate)
• China SLurl (Rated: Moderate)

 

 

The Pines at Jacob’s Pond (Flickr) – click any image for full size

Spring has come once more to The Pines at Jacob’s Pond, and with it another beautiful make-over by region holder Holly  (Dacotah Longfall). It is Holly’s well-planned seasonal changes that keep bringing me back to what she disarmingly calls her “backyard”, which forms part of the End of Time family of regions, because every time she reworks the region, something extraordinary appears.

With the snows of winter long gone, Holly presents visitors with her take on a part of the world she loves: the Black Hills of Dakota. Drawing inspiration from Custer State Park in South Dakota, she has created a place of gently undulating countryside through which a trail winds  over grassy plains and under tall trees, looping past a lake and onwards towards her white-painted house (at which visitors are kindly requested to observe her privacy via a polite sign at the gate.

The Pines at Jacob’s Pond (Flickr) – click any image for full size

Throughout the region wildlife can be found, offering some wonderful opportunities for photography. Elk graze within the shade of tall conifers while American bison roam the grasslands, carefully avoiding the gopher holes as geese pass overhead. Elsewhere, behind strung wire, domestic cattle also graze peacefully and horses meander towards Holly’s house, perhaps seeking their barn for the night. There’s a lot more in the way of animals to be discovered, but I’m not going to catalogue them all here; that would spoil an actual visit.

This is a place where hiking boots are perhaps best required, together with a jacket and hiking stick to really feel the part, because Holly has done a wonderful job in creating the look and feel of the Great Outdoors. Those seeking a lot of things to “do” might be a tad disappointed. Those who enjoy photography, and still getting away from it all most likely won’t; there’s enough simple beauty here to capture the heart and eye that the visitor is naturally drawn-into the region, gently and enticing encouraged to follow the trail and discover all there is to be seen.

The Pines at Jacob’s Pond (Flickr) – click any image for full size

If you’ve never been to The Pines at Jacob’s Pond before, I really do urge you to do so; It’s always a place of beauty and delight. And when you do, don’t forget to hop over the water to visit the rest of the End of Time regions.

Related Links

• The Pines at Jacob’s Pond SLurl (Rated: Moderate)

“”” oporuto””” (Flickr) – click any image for full size

“”” Oporuto “”” is one of those places in Second life that can defy definition. Designed by ダックスフンド (Dachshunds), this homestead region is a curious blending of intent and motifs. There is a small mall here, to be sure, offering avatars, household items and more from a number of creators; but finding it might take a little time, as there are curios visible on your arrival which offer distraction and demand investigation as you wade through the ankle-deep water, heavy with a blanket of low-lying mist.

Aside from the store area, ringed by trees and quite hidden from view behind ancient walls, four island-like areas present themselves to visitors, scattered between which are individual pieces of sculpture and other items that give the place something of a feel of being an art display.

“”” oporuto””” (Flickr) – click any image for full size

There are dark elements to be found here; graveyards rise from the mist, shadowy forms floating through them, and cages and sharply-pointed instruments can be found. But so to are themes of love, and hints of fairy-tale memories.

Charm and menace can also be found intertwined, perhaps most noticeably through the tiny figure peeking through the window of a shattered house at an empty bed. Depending on one’s mood, the painted smile on the little face can at first give a poignant feel to the tableau before perhaps turning a little more sinister  – or can do exactly the reverse: first appear sinister and threatening before become gentler and more caring.

“”” oporuto””” (Flickr) – click any image for full size

There are elements of whimsy to be discovered as well, such as with the oversized cats frolicking around a rowing boat with translucent fish. For those of a contemplative mood, and snowbound window opens out onto a warm summer sky from the pages of a fairytale book, offering a place for one to sit and ponder.

All told, this is a strange place, rich in imagery and not above odd little contradictions in tone, as noted. Rezzing is closed, but the opportunities for photography are many, although I would perhaps warn that there is a lot going on in places in terms of particle effects, etc., that I found my GTX660 labouring at times. Wandering the region is a little like wandering through a landscape shaded by the memories of dreams and nightmares; what can be found here might not appeal to everyone, but that doesn’t make it any the less captivating.

“”” oporuto””” (Flickr)

Related Links

• “”” oporuto “”” SLurl (Rated: Moderate)