Tag: Exploring Second Life 2025

Jim Garand and his SL partner PaleLily have re-developed Jim’s Homestead region of Grauland to present another photogenic setting with hints of mystery and story to tickle the imagination.

This iteration of the setting offers no themed title. However, the overall look of the setting blends characteristics seen within past builds to offer what might be called industrial-artistic, bringing together multiple elements into a unified whole. In places it comes across as familiar, but when taken as a whole is new and unique to itself.

For this iteration, the region has been split into two, north-to-south, the larger western portion of the setting home to the Landing Point and a large, abandoned industrial facility, part of which straddles the waterway and appears to have once been used to load / off-load barges.

The smaller and lower eastern side of the setting is dominated by the remnants of a brick-built lighthouse which presumably once helped guide vessels into the channel between the two landmasses. With most of the steel lantern house now gone and holes blasted in tits sides, the ruin look as if it at some point faced a bombardment of some sort, making the lighthouse an interesting feature.

Also on this smaller spit of land are concrete cubes, some solid and some hollow and with large holes cut into their sides. Those familiar with past Grauland builds may well recognise them as a familiar artistic piece; they do the same here, whilst mixing in one of those elements of mystery narrative the imagination might want to chase: who set them there and why?

Then there is the question of quite what was manufactured in the industrial units – or what they have may have been used for, and why does the warehouse still appear to be in use?

However, among the larger settings are smaller vignettes which tickle the imagination. What are the cars in field, and who brought them to this isolated place? Why does one have a windscreen that looks like some tried to shoot the driver? Who is using the “club room” on the ground floor of one of the buildings – and who has turned the upper floor into an adult-like film set? Is it s one-off use, or is the place now a sight for illicit film-making? The more you explore the more the opportunities to ask questions of yourself and create little stories.

Right across the island there are dozens of opportunities for photography, together with plenty of places to set and pass the time – and again, contemplate suitable back stories for all you can find. The places to sit are widely varies, from the wooden deck with its sun loungers and the pool rings and floats inviting people to try the water, to the chairs up on the catwalk over the big tanks.

Another fascinating and engaging build from Jim and PaleLily.

SLurl Details

• Grauland (Liberia Isle, rated Adult)

It’s been a little under eight months since my last visit to Silent Melody, held by Celtic McDaniels (Celtic3147), and as the region recently re-opened to the public, I felt it due time I hopped over and wandered around. During my last visit, the region offered an engaging mix of settings – mostly open landscape – all perfectly put together by Semina (Semiiina), as I noted in Return to a Silent Melody in Second Life.

Semina’s hand is still present within the latest iteration of the region’s design. The setting continues to offer various open spaces, but is now dominated by a large built-up area close to its heart. The default environment setting is strongly suggestive of a misty morning near the coast, and the way the larger buildings within this built-up area – notably the hotel and theatre – loom out of the surrounding mist when exploring is particularly satisfying.

The Landing Point sits to the eastern side of the buildings, occupying a broad terrace laid out at the feet of steps providing access to the imposing bulk of a large conservatory. The latter is home to the Da Capo – an engaging fusion of café and library / reading rooms.

A signpost at the foot of the steps points the way to various locations, each with its own musical names (reflecting Semina’s musical talents as a singer-songwriter – see: To the Moon and Back: a musical experience with Semina in Second Life): Clef City, Legato Beach, Fusion Farm, Staccato Forest, Harmony Lake and Sonata pier.

Behind the terrace, an open gateway provides access to a broad pier extending over one end of Legato Beach. However, if it is the beach you wish to visit, you’ll have to follow the signpost’s directions and take the wooden steps down from near to where the covered walkway leads to a large gazebo.

The main part of the beach looks out towards a pair of little islets where houseboats have been moored.  Reached by using the life ring boat rezzer on the beach, the two islands appear open to the public, while the houseboats are available for rent on a daily basis.

Following the sign for the beach will also reveal one of the two the archways marking the main access points into the built-up area of Clef City. However, the main street of the city can also be reached more directly through the Da Capo Café.

With old tram rails running down its main street, Clef City has a careworn look and feel to it. Most of the buildings are shells, including the imposing bulk of the hotel, but within some – notably the local, err, “herbal” store, the pub and the theatre – you will find décor and dressing. The theatre has window displays mindful of Semina’s musical experience noted above, and appears to be designed for indoor music events.

One thing to look for when exploring around the city, is the ladders. These provide access to (and in one case, between) rooftop spaces which have been delightfully put together, with music again part-and-parcel of the theme within some of them.

The southern end of the city is elevated above the main street, a cobbled path curling around the apartment houses here to reach another terrace with pizza might be enjoyed al fresco, with both it and a smaller terrace to one side of the footpath also including their own musical motifs. The road up to them also overlooks Fusion Farm with its meadow, scarecrow-guarded field, horses and meandering brook. For those who enjoy horse riding, the Farm offers a horse rezzer. Again, follow the sign posts to reach it from the Landing Point.

To the north, the city quickly gives way to more rural looks, complete with Harmony Lake (“lake” might be a little grandiose, but it does sound better than “pond”:) ), the entire area serving as a captivating retreat with numerous places to sit, cuddle, pass the time – or photograph!

Also on the north-east side of the region, but down on the coast, is another open venue for music and dancing. It sits beneath the raised finger of a lighthouse and can be reached via several means, and I’ll let you discover them.

All of this is bound together by paths and trails and the Staccato Forest, which wraps around the west side of the region from north to south, embracing in its arc a path allowing visitors to completely circumnavigate the setting. It’s a route I thoroughly recommend taking, as it brings to the eye even more of the region’s beauty, and Semina’s attention to detail, including plants, flowers, critters, wildlife, statues, and more.

As with my past visits to Silent Melody, this latest iteration is an absolute delight.

SLurl Details

• Silent Melody (Silent Melody 2, rated Moderate)

In September I wrote about Dutch Pavilion and Ameland, a pair of shared locations design by Sorcha Tyles, occupying the same Homestead region (see: Tea, coffee and pancakes with Sorcha in Second Life). Both shared similarities in looks and style (both being sandy temperate islands) and offers a lot to see and do.

Since then, things have changed. Ameland closed in March 2025. Dutch Pavilion, Sorcha’s first public setting, meanwhile, has relocated. Now occupying a south-west corner parcel of a Full private region, Dutch Pavilion retains all of its visual and photographic appeal.

Enjoy the friendly atmosphere at Dutch Pavilion, a serene park with a windmill, where you can escape, dance, chat, have breakfast & coffee and hangout. Listen to the sound of the meandering river and the chatty geese.

– Dutch Pavilion About Land description

The Landing Point sits at the western end of the parcel, raised up on a bluff overlooking open water to one side and the gardens to the other. A signpost alongside the Landing Point provides access to a Dressing Room for those wishing to change their looks for photography (or sunbathing, etc.), and an outdoor photo studio set.

The step down from the Landing Point to the stairs leading on down to the garden is a bit of a big one (well, it’s more of a jump than a step 🙂 ), with a loose-laid gravel path providing the way forward from the bottom of the broad stairs.

To either side of this path are garden spaces mostly given over to grass, one with a Tuscany style lean-to propped against an old Tuscany-style gateway, allowing it to serve as a little shelter for a donkey and its hay. To the other side, a Spanish style caravan and outdoor seating form a welcoming little vignette with butterflies circling and a rabbit keeping an eye on things.

Further along the path the grass becomes an outdoor seating area for the little café which has taken over part of the mill house attached to the windmill tower. Still with its sales turning, the mill tower is now a studio for designing clothing, complete with large rolls of fabric awaiting use.

The stream mentioned in the About Land description runs parallel to the gardens for a part of their length, running from the eastern boundary of the parcel before turning out to the sea at the western end of the beach, lying on the far side of the stream relative to the gardens.

The stream can be crossed via a single bridge, which accesses the boardwalk running along the back of the back and offering places to sit – as does the beach.

All of this is extremely picturesque whilst being easy to explore. However, what makes the setting enchanting is Sorcha’s attention to detail throughout. This comes in a myriad of forms: the dress of the interior of the café, the outdoor spaces with the café and the caravan; the flower vases on the tables; the rabbits and otter, the bicycles – the list goes on.

I particularly appreciated the touches of the everyday – such as the hosepipe on its little cart and the sign and bag giver warning against allowing pet dogs to foul the grass, together with a convenient bin for dumping used bags.

Small it might be, but Dutch Pavilion is perfectly formed and a genuinely engaging visit – be sure to look around everywhere, including behind the windmill!

SLurl Details

• Dutch Pavilion (Main Beach, rated Moderate)

Almost two years ago, I was introduced to Viper Heaven and Viper Hell by Cube Republic. The work of Markarius Viper, I found both to be immersive and visually engaging, with Viper Heaven in particular captivating me (see: A Viper Heaven in Second Life).

Well, two years on, and Markarius extended a warm invite for me to visit Viper Isles – An Elysian Paradise, a huge expansion on the concepts and designs found within Viper Heaven, and quite possibly the most magnificent fantasy-surreal-mysterious-mystical setting within Second Life.

Covering a Full Region leveraging the available land capacity bonus, the depth and breadth of Viper Isles – An Elysian Paradise has to be experienced in order to be properly appreciated. After wandering through it across two days – each visit lasting hours – I am utterly in awe of the creativity displayed within the setting’s myriad locations.

PanEden is the best of both worlds. Pandora and a little Eden; you have to experience it to believe it.

– Markarius Viper

Explore it all, you’ll be glad you did.

In fact, “setting” and “locations” are too mild to be applied here; Viper Isles – An Elysian Paradise is a bringing together of realms in miniature; vibrant places on the ground, over the ground and under the water. Each exists on its own whilst also joining with its neighbours and a harmonious flow of themes and ideas, elements and environments.

The Landing Point is perhaps the best place to start your explorations – not that any teleport routing is set; but it is here that you will receive the Viper Isles teleport HUD (you may be asked to accept the local experience on first using it, for seamless teleports).

Opening the HUD immediately shows the extent of the realms on offer: sixteen destinations (Viper Club doesn’t appear to lead anywhere – or didn’t on my visits, but the region is evolving!), with exotic names like Titan’s Waterfall, Celestial Cathedral, Dragon’s Lair, Magical Waters… Also on the HUD, located on the second page, are teleports for Viper Hell and Viper Heaven.

The HUD offers a direct means of point-to-point transfer between realms (and might be the easiest way of reaching some). However, I strongly recommend you explore on foot – and do be sure of have your viewer set to Used Shared Environment (Menu → World → Environment), as many of the settings within the region have their own EEP settings.

Another reason for exploring on foot is that not only does this bring home the full beauty of the region, it also reveals places to sit, activities to enjoy (descending by rope, riding a zip line, taking a dragon tour, etc.).

Travelling on foot also allows you to come across portals to move you from realm-to-realm (acceptance of the local experience on a first use, unless already accepted). Some of these are easy to spot, once encountered; at least one is a little harder to fine and a little more mysterious!

I’m not going to describe all the realms and spaces here; as I said, the entire region should be seen first-hand – although Markarius has also produced a video, which he has allowed me to embed at the end of this article.

That said, what you will find here are giants holding up a part of the world; exotic flowers; a perfect fusion of Japanese and Indo-Chinese elements; gardens; places of rest; places of reverie; fountains of light; gardens of beauty; Ents; dragons; sea drakes; an underwater kingdom; giant flying Koi – and so much more besides.  Wherever you turn there is something new and enchanting to see.

This, quite genuinely, is an experience is Second Life not to be missed. And when you have seen Viper Isles – An Elysian Paradise, do not forget to return to visit Viper Heaven and Viper Hell.

My thanks to Markarius for the invitation, and for taking the time to walk with me during one of my visits.

SLurl Details

• Viper Isles – An Elysian Paradise (Viper Isles, rated Adult)