Tag: Exploring Second Life 2024

I first visited Astoria, a Homestead region held by Eromara Vita and Dots (Dotties Stoop), in December 2024 (see: Astoria’s wintertime in Second Life), and had intended to make a return view a lot sooner. However, things have been what they were, so to speak, and so May 2026 marks my first opportunity to make good on that hope of a revisit; and it turns out that being able to do so now is rather serendipitous for me, as the region had, for spring 2026, been redressed as a most pleasant Zen environment – oriental themes for region designs being a favourite for me.

Step into a sanctuary of stillness, where nature and serenity meet. Whether you seek meditation, a yoga session, or a moment of silence away from the noise of daily life, this tranquil space offers the perfect escape. Come as you are. Leave renewed.

– Astoria’a About Land description

In this iteration, the region stands as a series of six small islands, each of which features Alex Bader’s excellent Zen Garden building kit (a personal favourite of mine) as the foundation for their overall look. Arranged in a rough circle, the islands are in turn surrounded by an off-region range of rugged, forested hills which enfold them in a gentle hold, cutting them off from the rest of the world somewhat and adding to their sense of tranquillity.

Separated by deep, clear waters, five of the six islands are connected one to another by a mix of bridges and stepping stones, allowing visitors to move between them without getting wet. However, the sixth is somewhat separated from the others in that no stepping stones or bridge runs across to it.

This separation appears to be by intent rather than any oversight in providing either a bridge or stepping stones, as it stands as a venue for music events (the next being May 15th and featuring Bsukmet – click the information board on the island for a direct Landmark). Given this use, the island is also a little different in appearance to the others, being formed as a stage, with a dancefloor of stones floating before it on the water for dancing.

The Landing Point for the region is located on the tallest of the six islands. This is topped by a small teahouse offering views out over the other islands. A short gravel path with seating links the teahouse with steps leading down to the water’s edge. Here, stepping stone branch out from the island to provide the means to get to two more of the islands.

One of these island is home to a shrine which has suffered some external damage. However, Buddha still sits serenely inside while a statue of Bishamonten (a Japanese form of the Indian god Vaisravana) outside, keeping his proper place and guarding Buddha. A short bridge connects the shine island with a small, flat island topped by a gravel circle with a place to sit and a bamboo fountain.

Buddha is also to be found on the other island which can be reached via the stepping stones from the Landing Point. Here, he resides outdoors in the lee of a tall rock. A pillow is placed before him for those wishing to meditate with him, while a yoga mat on the other side of the rock offers the opportunity for exercise. The entire island takes the form of a small Zen garden looped by gravel paths with water features and places to sit.

A long span of a bridge allows the Zen garden walk to continue on the last of the larger island in the group. This is again low-lying and offers places to sit and contemplate, the peace only broken by the slow clunk of another bamboo fountain as its arm fills with water before dropping to deposit the water into another little stream.

As well as the islands and their walks, the waters here also present points of interest for photographers: lanterns float on the water under a bridge and among lilies; a small dragon fountain sits on a rock rising from the waters, whilst a large water dragon appears to be keeping an eye on the Landing Point and teahouse. The gardens also have lots of little touches to bring them to life without every breaking from their sense of serenity.

In all, another engaging and pleasant design from Dots and Ero.

SLurl Details

• Astoria (Ironia, rated Moderate)

In May 2024, I visited  TheNest: Sunbird, a Full region design leveraging the available Land Capacity bonus, brought together by Second Life partners Adam Cayden and Lya Seerose with the assistance of Tessa (Tessalie). Offering a mix of public spaces and private rental properties, I found the setting photogenic and engaging (see: A Sunbird’s Nest in Second Life).

Since then, a year has come and gone, and Lya and Adam have most recently been engaged in re-working the public spaces within the setting, and they extended an invitation to me to hop back to the region  – now called TheNest: Sunbird Featherwish – and have a wander.

Visit our serene town nestled in the mountains. Enjoy the peaceful streets and their enchanting views, explore our cosy rentals, and marvel at the natural beauty surrounding you, from the smallest blossom to the tallest tree. Come immerse yourself to the tranquillity of a rural paradise, where every corner is alive with the vibrant colours and scents of spring.

– Adam Cayden writing about TheNest : Sunbird Featherwish About Land

The broad design of the region remains as it was during my May 204 visit: the lowland areas open to the public, gradually climbing back to the highlands where the private rentals sit, all nice and clearly separated from the public areas to help avoid accidental trespass.

Within this design, the township presented at the time of my previous visit has been beautifully supplanted by a location rolling multiple ideas and themes together to present a genuinely delightful sense of small village /town intimacy which could so easily be found almost anywhere in Europe.

As with the previous iteration of the setting, the village / town is pedestrianised – but that’s as far as the similarities go. Now split between elevations linked by broad cobbled footpaths and sweeping steps and stairways, the town presents at its lower extremities access to a cosy beach with the local tram station sitting alongside it. From here, the steps rise under the arches of a high bridge buttressed at either end by hexagonal towers topped by small formal garden / sitting spaces.

Continuing up the steps and under the bridge brings visitors to a local ice cream parlour and its outdoor seating overlooking the tramway below, as the tracks departs the station to pass overland along the edge of of the region before vanishing into a tunnel. Also across from the ice cream parlour sits a little bakery offering treats and its own outdoor seating area, this overlooking small gorge fed by tumbling falls with open meadowlands beyond.

Between ice cream parlour and bakery, the path rises and sweeps past the local tea house, then rises again to arrive at the village / town square – or rather, circle! Here there is so much to see – as there is on the way up (including the local feline welcome committee tucked away and keeping an eye on things), so time dallying and exploring is recommended.

From the town it is possible to join the country walk as it arcs around the woodlands directly below the private rentals sitting up on their clifftop perches offering grand views of all that les below. This path eventually descends down to the meadowlands mentioned above, and which themselves can be reached from one end of the bridge also previously mentioned.

However, my descriptions of the setting are beside the point: such is the love and care that has been poured into the region, a visit is mandatory by anyone appreciating SL region designs. The detail is simply exquisite throughout  – from the cats watching over things and all the easily-missed details tucked into some of the public buildings and in the little alleys and gaps between some of them, to the details scatter along the countryside pathways and trails parks and walks. Throughout everything, there are multiple paces to sit and pass the time and several romantic little points for people to enjoy.

Perhaps the best way to appreciate the setting is to click the Scenic Route sign at the Landing Point and take the teleport down to the tram station. From here, you can work your way up through the town much as I have described – but with the option of turning left on climbing the steps up from the ice cream parlour, then following the signed path around to one of the hexagonal towers and then over the bridge. Just be sure that, whichever route you choose – up through the town or over the bridge to the meadowlands, take your time and keep your eyes open lest you miss something along the way!

A genuine delight to visit – and if you’re looking for a home it SL, it might just be the place to tickle your fancy. either way, why not take a look for yourself?

SLurl Details

• TheNest : Sunbird Featherwish (Pyxee Hollows, rated Moderate)

Loch Tredach Inn & Retreat is a Full region leveraging the Land Capacity bonus offered by Linden Lab. It is held by Isabelle Larkspur, who is largely responsible for the region’s design and for most of it being available as a public venue. I caveat things here because most of the north-eastern quarter of the region is given over to a private home and extensive grounds, which means it is both private and the landscape is their own.

Given that this part of the region is a private residence, it will play no further role in this article, other than to note it is possible to accidently wander into the property from the north side of the rest of the region – which is open to the public throughout – without spotting the signs warning of the private property. Should you witness a change in the local environment as you explore the ruins beyond the Aviary, you will know you have crossed the property boundary and at risk of trespass.

But that said, even in respecting the privacy of those living in the region, the rest of the setting offers a lot to see and appreciate, bringing together as it does a mix of wild countryside, mystical locations, romance and opportunities for skating, dancing and simply relaxing. At the time of my visit, the region was dressed for winter, and as it was my first visit, I have no idea if only the seasons change here through the year, or if the majority of the region goes through periodic re-dressing; that’s something I’ll have to find out in the future!

Welcome to the enchanting Loch Tredach Inn and Retreat – a place where romance, vibrancy, and magic come together to create unforgettable memories. Step into a realm where every corner is a canvas waiting to be painted with the hues of love and joy. Capture the essence of the season. Every nook and cranny offers a picturesque backdrop for your lens to capture candid moments, from secluded gardens to the mystical ruins.

– from the Loch Tredach Inn & Retreat Destination Guide entry

The Landing Point sits towards the centre of the region, on the west bank of a frozen lake where snow falls in mist-like sheets, and a pavilion sits out over the frozen water, held up by stout wooden legs oblivious to the cold, and a fire in the hearth awaits the opportunity to warm cold fingers as it provides  further cosiness to the pavilion’s genteel comfort. A somewhat Dwarven-looking Santa stand stands at the pavilion’s  boardwalk, ready to offer skates to those wising to take to the ice.

From here, it is a short walk south and over a bridge spanning the bubbling stream that feed the lake to reach the inn of the setting’s title, its red timbers announcing the promise of warmth and comfort inside. Nestled between the inn and a shoulder of the curtain walls of rock that run from here to the west and then northward along the coast sits another pavilion, this one fully enclosed by tall glass windows and doors, the home of a hot tub ready for use by guests at the inn.

A path from here runs towards the western rocks, and following it gives explorers the choice of crossing another bridge and heading north, or turning south over the snow and into the arms of the cliffs, where a romantic little hideaway overlooks the stream’s high falls, the tumbling waters offering a rainbow to visitors.

Meanwhile, the route north passes steps leading down to snowy shelf of rock with chairs drawn close against a blazing brazier, and onwards to where a folly presents a bookworm’s retreat – although the weather might be a tad cold for wintertime use; just as well, then, that another pavilion stands close by with a fire of its own, and comfortable seating where books might be reasonably carried and read.

Beyond this, the path passes through a rocky hallway to arrive back close to the Landing Point. A round folly stands close by, looking down on the lake as it guards the entrance to the setting’s more mystical elements. Here, trees bend their backs to present an aisled walkway passing between rock wall and gentle slope to arrive at a beautiful venue suitable for a range of events – and which I believe I’m correct in saying is available for hire by those seeking somewhere special for a party or wedding or similar.  Stone steps climb from the terrace overlooking this space to reach a mirror pond surrounded by crystal walls, within which more steps rise upwards through the clouds, presenting if not a stairway to heaven, then certainly one to a floating garden.

Overlooking the main venue with its flagstones serenely floating on the waters beneath and its beckoning ruins, sits the Aviary. Reached either by climbing another stairway rising up to it from the venue space or by climbing the slopes of the hill on which it sits from the Landing Point, the Aviary offers an indoor space suitable for a special events such as a wedding reception or more formal / romantic dance, and includes a terraced space outdoors with seating.

As noted above, it is beyond the Aviary that the land belonging to the private residence commences, so explorers should proceed from it with caution.  This residence can also be reached via the trails on the south side of the island as they cross a high bridge to the east of the in.

Here the boundary between public spaces is more obvious, a pond and fast-flowing stream (which also tumbles its way down to the lake below) marking it for all eyes to see. Prior to reaching the stream, however, the path offers a chance to visit the local café and lighthouse.

With Itan dancing columns throughout, multiple places to sit  – not all of which are mentioned here – plus the general beauty of the setting, Loch Tredach Inn & Retreat makes for an ideal visit.

SLurl Details

• Loch Tredach Inn & Retreat (Tredach, rated Moderate)