Tag: GiaArt Clip

In February 2025, I visited the always enticing Buddha Garden, designed by Gian (GianArt Clip), with the support of Viola Blackwood (see More time within a Buddha Garden in Second Life). This is a truly beautiful setting utilising the Land Capacity bonus available to Full private regions to present a place that is largely public in nature, with some private residences available for rent as well.

Given the sheer beauty of the region and the creative talent poured into it, I actually hadn’t expected it to be changing again in the short-to-medium term, so I was surprised to receive a message from Gian indicating further changes have been made, and inviting me to pop along to take a look. Understandably curious (and admittedly a little worried that the designed I’ve visited in February had vanished), I jumped across to have a look.

My fears were totally unfounded: the majority of the region remains very much as it appeared back in February, its beauty intact. What has changed is hidden by the waters sitting to the south-east of the setting, specifically those separating Frog Island (the flat-topped island of private residences I mentioned in my February article) from the main bulk of the region. It is here, under the waves, that Gian has added a marvellous set of of what I’ll call drowned gardens, including an Ancient Dragon Theatre.

A direct SLurl is offered above as finding your way to these new features from the region’s main Landing Point is perhaps not obvious (perhaps intentionally). Should you wish to try, take the steps down from the main Landing Point building and then make a left turn, following the coast and trail under the stone archway guarded by two tall carved figures of Buddha. From here, cross the field of Sakura blossoms and go over the bridge beyond, before following the coast along the south side of the region as it passes between open water on one side and waterfalls on the other.

Here the path passes over a shoulder of rock where more water drops into a bathing pool, before dropping down to a golden meadow watched over by a golden Buddha. A little stone bridge on the far side of this meadow offers the public way forward, but if you walk out into the waters before the bridge, you’ll find yourself slipping underwater and coming across the submerged path linking the two undersea elements, marked by tall fronds of seaweed and passing giant turtles and glowing jellyfish.

The first of these, the “drowned gardens”, are reached either by the direct SLurl given above or by turning left on reaching the submerged path – two more Buddha figures with pulsing orange eyes mark the steps leading down to the gardens in the case of the latter.

Sitting within a natural amphitheatre, the drowned gardens are enclosed by ancient walls. Patrolled by fish of all sizes, including a large marlin, together with mantra rays and giant turtles, they feature a large shrine to Buddha, guarded by dragons and offering a place of meditation before it. Also within the gardens, seahorses dance amidst the brightly coloured seaweed and kelp growths clinging to the aged walls and the rocks of the seabed. It’s a small but tranquil setting.

The Ancient Dragon Theatre, meanwhile lies west and south of the drowned gardens, at the far end of the underwater trail. For those who teleport directly to the garden, the steps  up to the trail can be found beyond the stone gateway directly behind the Landing Point.

Following the trail brings you close to the water’s surface before dipping down to reveal a narrow cleft in the rock. Here, fish once again swim and dance and bright strands of kelp mark the way down into the cleft to its “carpet” of coral. However, the most eye-catching aspects of the cleft are two vividly coloured and ornate Chinese celestial dragons. Standing atop of carved columns, they guard the way forward, their expressions as fierce as the the bladed weapons they hold.

Beyond these dragons the cleft broadens, coral giving way to a floor carpeted with fungal undergrowth rich in colour as it points the way between two more wardens, this time great wingless dragons. Passing these bring you finally to the Dragon Theatre, where its host is holding court amidst a circle of stone-carved Buddha figures. The theatre itself is almost completely obscured by the surrounding rock until one enters it, the central opening above the stage and its occupant allowing sunlight and moonlight take their turns illuminating the scene within.

Mystical and attractive, these underwater elements are a fitting addition to what was already a must-see destination, further elevating its status.

SLurl Details

• Buddha Garden (Ahimsa, rated Moderate)
• Underwater gardens

I was surprised to release, on receiving a personal invitation from Gian (GiaArt Clip) to do so, that three years have passed since my last visit to his Buddha Garden (see A Return to Buddha Garden in Second Life). As such, and having logged-in as the invitation arrived, I decided to leap over to see what the new iteration of Gian’s always impressive region setting holds for visitors – and the the answer is, a heck of a lot.

Most notably, the setting has increased to a Full private region leveraging the Land Capacity bonus (whilst retaining its grid location). Presented as a large mountain island rising from coral-blue waters and caught in the arms of surrounding snow-spotted peaks, the setting expands on its East Asian heritage, adding Thai and Korean to the Sino-Japanese elements, whilst also growing its Buddhist, Taoist and Dharma influences.

A further change with this iteration of the setting is that it includes a number of small rental homes in keeping with the theme. Most of these are located to the lowlands on the north side of the region, whilst tucked into south-west is a small headland forming a little island, thanks to a narrow channel of water cutting through it which has two further rental houses – so do keep these in mind when exploring, as they do border the public spaces as you pass through them. Those interested in renting can find information in the rental kiosk just up the hill behind the Landing Point.

The latter sits to the west side of the region, alongside the coast and the deep cut of an wide inlet served by waterfalls dropping from on high at its deepest extent. Here is where the genius of the design begins in that the routes of exploration are such that it is possible to both circumnavigate the island and climb the shoulders and slopes of the mountain largely without having to retrace your steps along the way (getting to the table top of the mountain perhaps being the exception!).

Whilst the mouth of the inlet is narrow enough to be crossed via stepping stones, by taking the steps down from the Landing point and turning left, you can pass through an archway guarded by the stone-carved fives of two enormous Buddha figures and into a meadow where the blossom of Sakura trees falls like snow to blanket the grass, and then either continue one through a Torii gate and on to the headland noted above, or continue across a humped bridge to explore the lowlands a the base of the mountain beyond.

The latter will lead you around to the south, passing by rock pools fed by more waterfalls, steps leading to secluded meditation spots, and a further meadow where a golden Buddha sits. A bridge spans the water to a large flat island here, but please note it is a private residence, and not a place to be explored; instead the way onward lies across the meadow past the Buddha and across the hunched stone bridge just beyond him.

Here the path branches, one arm leading to one of the hidden wonders within the the island, and the other  passing by way of a swampy wade to reach another meditative garden space at the foot of the Khin Tower Art Gallery, featuring pieces by Gian, and with places to rest top and around it. From here, the route continues across the surrounding waters by way of board walks and rocks to where one might look inland towards waters falling from the high cliffs into the artificial pool formed by the wooden walkways and rocks. Fed by a great bronze dragon coiled around  a finger of rock, the waters split part way through their fall, courtesy of an out-thrust of rock against which Confucius stands carved in stone, giving them impression the gods have diverted the waters so that he might not be caught in a deluge.

Reaching the shore again, the path once more branches again, one route continuing along the tip of an outstretched foot of rock, where seven buddha sit, to reach the rentals mentioned earlier, as they in turn point the way to a small  coastal market and thence to the mouth of the inlet and the stepping stones leading back to the Landing Point.

The other branch of the path rises by way of steps to the top of the low plateau to where another watchtower rises and tai chi is offered on the grass. While further stone steps carved into the stone climb back down to the main path, others rise to where two temples sit on tiered gardens and  a shrine lies within another cave From here,  wooden platforms rise to the very peak of the mountain. This is home to a temple / resource centre and pagoda. The lower floor of this temple will be used for teaching, as Gian explained to me:

Seten Tomh (damian.glendullen) spiritual director of the Buddha Centre in Mieum, and his co-worker Ankh (jos.joszpe) will be presenting Fundamental View. based on Bhikkhu Bodhi’s anthology of authentic Buddhist texts, Seten Tomh discusses the teachings of the Buddha from a comprehensive, comparative, universal and non-sectarian perspective. These talks explore the underlying pattens of meaning of the Buddhist texts as a basis for the Dharma Transmission to the West, the next great epoch in Buddhist understanding.

– Gian

The first of these sessions will take place from 11:00 SLT on Sunday, March 2nd, 2025. Upstairs, the temple takes on a surprising fusion of the techno-modern edged with the spiritual – but I’ll let you find this, together with the further opportunities for tai chi on the broad balcony.

The mountain is home to several more locations, paired on either side of the deep inlet, and reached by paths I’ll leave you to discover. In the side of the inlet with the Landing Point, the path climbs by way of the rental office and a large square pergola sheltering a meditative Buddha as he guards the path up to where an inn clinging to the side of the cliffs. Across the water a small pergola houses a similar buddha figure, this one marking the way up to an armoury house and martial arts exercise terrace.

Throughout all of this are marvellous touches reflective of Dharma, Buddhism and Taoism in a setting that carries with it elements those familiar with past iterations of Buddha Garden will recognise – such as a high “Buddha Falls”, the great head semi-submerged, Buddha in the field, and so on – all of which imbue the expanded setting with a sense of continuity flowing into it from earlier iterations.

I’ve not covered everything the region has to offer here (including one unusual little vignette clinging to the side of the mountain!), as it deserves to be visited and carefully explored. What I will say is the Gian has again excelled with the region design, bringing together an engaging mix of themes and philosophies, with Viola Blackwood providing superb additional detail with the inn, the armoury, fashion display and more.

A must-see destination.

SLurl Details

• Buddha Garden (Ahimsa, rated Moderate)

I recently received an invitation from Gian (GiaArt Clip) – together with some very gracious words, thank you, Gian! – to visit Infinite Darkness, their latest region design. Having previously visited and written about Gian’s Buddha Garden (see here and here) and Monkey Island (see here), I hopped over at the earliest opportunity to explore.

Anyone who visited either of these two past designs is going to find Infinite Darkness very different – and yet, equally rich in the kind of detail that made both Buddha Garden and Monkey Island so notable as places to visit – and places with a story to tell. A clue to that story lies within the About Land description for the setting:

Good and evil, water and fire, light and dark, are the essence of Infinite Darkness. The majesty of the gothic style, the occult symbolism and the dark powers of the vampires will immerse you on a hellish journey.

– Infinite Darkness About Land description

So it is that visitors find themselves arriving within the ruins of a chapel on the proverbial Dark and Stormy Night – and if not already set, it is at this point for the viewer to be checked to Use Shared Environment. These ruins (the marvellous Chapel Ruins by Marcus Inkpen, whose structures Gian has used throughout the region, giving them all a subtle connection of style and look, thus allowing them to become a natural part of the whole) sit upon an island, and give the first hints of the Light and Dark theme. To one side of the the chapel is a tombstone draped with a weeping angel. Facing it across the chapel’s worn floor is a stone plinth topped by an empty-eyed skull staring at the angel, as if mocking it and the idea of life after death.

A long and narrow bridge crosses the water to link the landing point. It is lined with further motifs conveying the ideas of light and dark, good and evil. These start on the left with a reproduction of Le génie du mal just outside the chapel, with its depiction of Lucifer becoming Satan, his crown held limply in one hand as his other feels the horns growing from his head even as his angelic wings have become demonic, bat-like membranes. Meanwhile, at the far end of the bridge is what might be seen as depiction of the corruption of innocence in the form of a naked woman giving herself over to the predations of a demon.

These motifs continue at the top of the stone stairway climbing up the steep side of the isle at the far end of the bridge, and the stone figure of an angel holding out a golden apple, a serpent wrapped around its torso. A clearer depiction of the Lucifer / Satan mythology and its link to the “fall of Man” I’ve yet to see; with the statue also underscoring the idea that both good (aka light) and evil (aka darkness) are spawned from the same roots.

It is before this figure that the adventure of discovery truly begins; one that I do not want to write above in great depth, as doing so would spoil anyone’s visit. Instead I’ll endeavour to offer some pointers for explorers.

The pool over which the statue of Lucifer/Satan sits is backed from a high waterfall, tumbling from beneath the shadowed for of a house occupying the island’s central peak. A stream exits the pools and curves around the north side of the peak to eventually tumble down into the cleft hewn between this island and an even taller one to the east. A path follows the course of the stream, providing access to both a tall bridge pointing north over the surrounding waters to another plateau of an island. Demons line the bridge, which is watched over by the decaying hulk of a stone gazebo, the demons giving a clue to what might be found on the far side of the bridge.

Neither bridge nor gazebo forms the path of the path however; instead, it crosses the stream as it takes the first step in its downward tumble by means of an old tree trunk, prior to continuing on by means of steps cut into the living rock that lead to the darkened maw of a tunnel as it beckons the adventurous inside.

A second path runs southwards from in front of Lucifer / Satan and around that side of the island’s peak, using a weathered board walk and mossy path to guide people to where a mix of ancient steps and wooden ladder provide access to the shadowy house above. In doing so, the path also provides access to yet another high bridge, tis one stretching its arm out to the south to touch another flat-topped island, this one home to the darkened bulk of a church, whilst the bridge and path are again watched over by a stone gazebo, thus one in far better condition than its northern cousin.

Straddling the flattened top of the rocky pinnacle, the house sits above two waterfalls to west and east, the latter also falling down into the cleft separating this island from the one rising even higher beyond it. A bridge spans this deep, narrow gap between these two isles, linking the front door of the house with a switchback path leading up to where the top of the taller island gives way to a the impressive bulk of a Gothic house built in the style of a castle. Shrouded in a veil of heavy rain as if trying to conceal itself from view and with thunder rumbling overhead, this house, with its towers and giant figure raised against its west face, appears to be a foreboding place.

Both of the houses offers a rich mix of ideas and motifs, with both leaning into the ideas of the occult and vampirism mentioned in the About Land description. With interiors by ViolaBlackwood, both should be explored fully, offering as they do their own details and sense of narrative for the imagination to explore – and I’ll say no more about them here so as not to spoil things, as noted above. However, they are not all that awaits; there are the aforementioned islands to the north and south to witness as well; and all I will say about these is that they are both very individual whilst together then further the theme of light/dark / good/evil.

Meanwhile, for others who do follow the tunnel below the smaller house and mentioned above, a further motif awaits in the form of a skeletal boatman standing in his vessel like Charon waiting to ferry the dead across the Styx. fortunately, the living do not have to take his boat across the misty waters: a rickety bridge spans them to provide access to another tunnel and caverns awaiting exploration.

Whether or not you are – like me – fascinated by the visual motifs and prompts neatly woven into the setting or simply love places that stir the imagination and represent time well-spent in exploration – or have a love of things occult / vampire -, Infinite Darkness offers a lot to see and appreciate, all of which is beautifully executed. For those who do share my fascination for symbols and motifs, I will in closing suggest you cam overhead and look down on the setting from above using your camera.

If you do, you might sport the region design, with it’s west-to-east orientation looks remarkably like the layout of a cathedral. To the west lay the entrance (the landing point), with its long bridge forming the nave, whilst the tall island with its Gothic house/castle sit as the chancel with its quire (or choir, if you prefer), ambulatory and apse. Meanwhile, the island to the north and south form the two transepts, their aisles and that of the nave coming together at the island with the smaller house to form the crossing.

Thus within its form, the region offers a further juxtaposition of “light” and “dark”: in form it resembles the “light” of Christian mythology, whilst the further into it one progresses, the more one is surrounded by the the “dark” of the occult and ideas of vampire and demons, with the latter form what might be seen as the most holy elements of a Christian cathedral, sitting as they do over the what might be seen as the location of a cathedral’s chancel, again giving focus to the idea that what we regard as “good” and “evil” are born of the same roots (our own imaginations).

All told, a superb setting and one deserving of time and thought when visiting.

Addendum

As pointed out to me by Gian, I did actually miss a detail within the build that is worth pointing out. Those who do delve into the tunnels and caverns should mouse-over the items they find within them carefully, as one has a hidden teleport. Those who find it will be transported to what I’ll call the layer of the vampire; a place which contains a sense of the ruins of Whitby and Bram Stoker (without actually being so), and carries with it a further element of the occult. With a vortex-like opening at one end, it also suggests it might be a further entrance to hell.  I’ll say no more here, and leave it to visitors to discover.

SLurl Details

• Infinite Darkness (rated: Moderate)

Gian (GiaArt Clip) is an artist, photographer and region designer whose work – in the form of Buddha Garden – I’ve covered twice within this blog (in February and December 2022, so is itself overdue for a return visit on my part!) and who has now presented us with a new setting to explore and enjoy in the form of Monkey Island, which I was recently able to visit.

Described as “an island in the Caribbean”, Monkey Island offers opportunities for exploration – including a treasure hunt -, photography, relaxing, and simply enjoying the setting with its mix of major and minor islands as they edge towards a theme of pirates whilst also offer a number of potential twists which take the mind in other directions.

The Landing Point is located on the largest of the islands, upon which sit a little village presenting an interesting mix of themes and places to visit. There is a small house, for example, which is neatly kept and carries with it a sense of refinement one might not usually associate with piratical leanings; paintings apparently from the European Renaissance period adorn the walls along with framed wooden fretwork; the kitchen area is well-cared for and the bed made with comfortable sheets, while behind a screen and offering a further twist, sits a bath complete with plumbing and shower head!

Meanwhile, the smithy next door harkens back more towards medieval times in terms of the majority of the weaponry and protection being made (although admittedly, there are canon and shot on the upper floor); and while the tavern has a look suited to almost any period, medieval, renaissance or the “golden age” of piracy (mid-17th through early 18th centuries), the meals being served would not necessarily look out-of-place in a modern gastro-pub.

This is not to criticise in any way; the mixing of themes and ideas works very well, serving to give the setting a sense of history and mystery. This continues up to the rocky nub forming the highest point on this island, where sits a little art gallery selling pieces by Gian, several of which offer a glimpse of the pirate era and one of its most famous sons – Edward Teach.

More direct hints that this is an enclave for pirates can also be found scattered around the place, both indoors and out, whilst those interested in the treasure hunt can obtain their first clue from the proprietress of the tavern (be sure to give the chimp playing outside a little pet). She’ll set hunters on a route of exploration through the village and elsewhere – but to succeed, patience and a code will be required – I will say no more!

A sandbar curls out from the village island, pointing towards the second of the setting’s large islands; a place which is probably going to attract the eye anyway. given its most obvious feature. Apparently carved our of the peak’s rock, this feature might will put some in mind of an island with another name; a place if not associated with monkeys, then certainly known for being the home of one titan of an ape.

The sandbar doesn’t actually connect to this second island, but it does offer protection for a small bay and wharves where a boat might be found to carry you across the water. But don’t be in a hurry to find the boat rezzer and set off over the water – there is much to find around and below the village; and a walk out along the sandbar (where many of the monkey that presumably give the islands their name also roam) is worth it, if only to better appreciate what lay its its far end.

Sitting on the rocks which mark the end of the sandy finger at the end of the sand sits an oversized chimp atop of a pile of books. He appears to have been cast from bronze or similar, rather than being carved from the rock and is quite a striking figure as he holds in one hand a human skull he appears to be thoughtfully pondering. Looking at him, I was instantly put in mind of two things: the famous speech from Act 5, Scene 1 of Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, and the infinite monkey theorem – and I’m sure I’ve not been alone in reacting this way!

Whether the placement of the chimp is intended to set thoughts wandering along such paths or not, I’ve no idea; but certainly the Hamlet-esque element is not entirely out-of-place, with its themes of death and burial: the pirate’s life tended to have violent ways and ends whilst including the idea of buried treasures; and it is fair to say that Edward Teach saw he head and body part ways following his death, so perhaps the chimp is contemplating the skull of a pirate more than a court jester…

As to the tall island itself, this offers much to explore and discover, with paths, wooden stairways, climbing ropes and zip lines presenting the means of getting around. One of the latter in fact crosses the water to one of the smaller islands as it sits in the lee of the mountain, a pirate ship anchored in its shallows, and if you seek the hidden treasure, you’ll need to take the ride down it to the little island as it holds the key (figuratively speaking) to the final part of the hunt – but again, I’ll leave you to find that out for yourself. All I will say here is that even if you’re not interested in unlocking the treasure, you will still most likely want to visit this little island and take the plunge to find its secrets.

One other thing I would note as a well in talking about the smaller islands, is that there is one is home to a small stone cottage with a round tower at one end. This might well look inviting to the curious, but it is in fact a private residence and not open to uninvited guests or wanderers, so do please keep that in mind when visiting.

Richly detailed, fun to explore and finished with a subtle, natural sound scape, Monkey Island is a fun place to visit with much to discover (I’ve not even mentioned the hidden grotto with its upright piano within until now, for example!). Recommended.

SLurl Details

• Monkey Island (rated: Moderate)

In February 2002, I visited Buddha Garden, a “paradise of pleasure” put together by Gian (GiaArt Clip) and Havih. As I noted at the time, it was tucked into the north-west quadrant of a Full region and formed a place deserving of its description, as I noted in A Buddha Garden in Second Life.

So when co-creator of that iteration of the setting, Gian, dropped me a line to say that Buddha Garden has relocated to a Homestead region, I knew I’d have to hop over an take a look for myself. Now working with the assistance of Ella (Shaye Suki), Gian has produce a setting that builds on the original, keeping much of what made it a pleasure to visit back in early 2022 whilst offering an entirely new take on the original vision.

The main part of the setting retains its highlands feel in the form of a west-facing arc of cliffs from which great falls tumble into a round lagoon embraced within the arms if low sand banks and rocky outliers. The landing point for the region sits on the southern of these arms, alongside little wood-built café-cum-teahouse. Japanese in tone, this sits across open waters from a small island which is home to a small Onsen style bathhouse and accompanying cabin reached via  a ridge of sand sitting just under the waves.

Follow the sand of the beach towards the cliffs, and you’ll find a pool sitting at the base of alone waterfall. Steps on either side of it respectively offer paths up to a hideaway overlooking the pool and also up around the east side of the main island. Here a further set of falls drops through a series of natural steps linking rocks and pools guarded by carved statues of Buddha sitting in quiet meditation despite the roar of water.

Two further pools set at the base of this falls, one clearly man-made and with a hideaway behind it (and another cooled by a curtain of water sitting above it and reached by its own steps); the second pool forming a natural body of water bordering the inland side of a grassy field. A paved path marks the outer edge of the field, passing a garden camp site warmed by a blazing fire and an old fence separating the garden from the field,

More fence posts march out into the open waters. They mark another submerged path, this one leading to another off-shore island topped by a stone tower. This is the home of the Khin Tower Art Gallery, offered by Gian as a place for artists to display their work free-of charge for between a week and four weeks total.

2D SL images digital art, paintings and illustrations are welcome (but no nudity), and there is some potential for 3D pieces to be displayed. Those interested should contact Gian in-world for further details (the sign at the foot of the path leading up to the island also offers information on the gallery).

Back on the island proper, the stone bridge arches over a small stream fed by a low-lying waterfall issuing from under the crossed legs of one of the cliff-side Buddhas. Beyond the bridge, the path passes onwards through a copse of trees to a clearing where a monk in the traditional orange robes signifying peace sits reverently in meditation before a further, aged, statue of Buddha, watched over by young wolves.

A horseshoe pool sits beyond the clearing and trees, fed by yet another waterfall tumbling from the lip of an out-thrust of rock mid-way up the side of the main cliffs. This high lip is home to another location carried over from the original Buddha Garden; a retreat reached only by ascending the wooden steps climbing the face of the sheer rocks on the far side of the wide pool.

The base of these stairs and platforms also points to where people can pass by way of makeshift bridges, sandy beach and tall rock arch to the second arm of the west-facing lagoon. At their top, meanwhile, the stairs only provide the means to reach the retreat, but also to way further up the cliffs past the butterfly cave from the original build, and on up by way of more platforms to where an ancient ruin stands in wait of visitors and lovers of tai chi.

All of the above still only scratches all that is available within Buddha Garden; within its expanded beauty are multiple places to sit and relax or engage in meditation and / or enjoy the company of a close friend or loved one. There are hidden details I’ve intentionally not mentioned here – they deserve to be found by the keen-eyed and focused explorer. As such, I’ll leave it to you to explore the island for yourself – you won’t be disappointed!

My thanks to Gian for the invitation to re-visit.

SLurl Details

• Buddha Garden (Ahimsa, rated Moderate)

Update, December 29th, 2002: Buddha Garden has relocated – please read A Return to Buddha Garden in Second Life for more.

Tucked into the north-west quadrant of a Full region using the private island LI bonus, lies Buddha Garden, a “paradise of pleasure” put together by Gian (GiaArt Clip) and Havih – and a place deserving of its description.

It sits as a quarter-region parcel very much of two parts. To the north and west sits a lowland area, separated from the rest of the land by two channels of water. It forms a broad, flat sandbar of a beach that offers the kind of activities and opportunities one might expect of a tropical beach resort: there’s a beach bar (serving as the parcel’s unenforced landing point), complete with a wooden path that winds its way to where a dance floor sits over the sand. Nearby a deck extends over the shallows, while boats are moored within wading distance of the golden sands. All of which is watched over by the patient form of Buddha sitting in meditation.

On the landward side of the beach, the water channels join at the mouth of a river that runs westwards from where it starts as a series of waterfalls that step their way down from the eastern heights. This river is braced on either side by high rocky plateaux that extend outwards from these eastern and the southern highlands.

These plateaux, together with the grassy lowlands that sit below the southern curtain of cliffs, present a very different atmosphere to the sense of fun, music and dance found on the sandbar beach. Reached via a pair of bridges, these lands are more peaceful and introspective in nature and offer hints of ancient places of worship, and for spiritual activities.

To the south, a further series of waterfalls drop down from the cliffs to reach pools below. Their passage down the rock is watched over by a series of carved seated figures of Buddha, where the pools at their feet are open to visitors. Steps lead up to both, and while one remains in its natural state (and includes a place to sit and meditate), the other has been built out into a place to bathe within the crystal waters falling from above which in turn provide shimmering curtains that front a couple of shallow cavern hideaways.

Between both pools, and tucked against the base of the cliffs sit both a little cuddle spot set beneath the blooms and boughs of a plum tree and – perhaps not so noticeable but worth discovering – a well-like teleport. The latter will carry those who find it up to a skybox gallery hosting Gian’s art, a mix of images and paintings from both the virtual and the physical worlds.

Back on the ground, the tops of the tall plateaux can be reached by winding path and / or stairs, one path marked by a Torii gate, the other leading past more of the secrets within the region – the entrances to tunnels and caverns that run and sit below one plateau and reach back behind the waterfalls that feed the river. I’ll leave you to explore these and what lies within them, and instead turn my attention to the plateaux tops.

Follow the path upwards marked by the Torii gate, and it will lead you by twist and turn up to where a second gate stands in greeting and the gardens continue with blossoming trees, a place of levitating meditation. Beyond it, steps climb upward to a place of refreshment together a small pagoda sitting over a koi pond and further places of meditation and relaxation, all of which sit beneath the blanket of a tropical rain shower.

To the west, beyond the waterfalls and their short river, the lower plateau sits as the home to a further retreat located on its grassy top. Complete with pools of calming water indoors and out, places to meditate or to sit and cuddle – and even a hot tub in which to relax, it makes for a peaceful retreat as it overlooks the beach.

Should the plateaux prove a little too giddy to climb, visitors can take the stepping stones that run up the middle of the river from the beach. They end in another round flagstone offering a levitating experience, whilst on the southern bank of the river a further sanctuary sits, with an outdoor tub and shower and refreshments waiting to be shared within.

Finished with a rich ambient soundscape and with birds and wildlife also awaiting discovery (as well as cats and dogs!), Buddha Garden offers a lot to see and appreciate, complete with secrets and touches to keep a visit entertaining. My thanks to Shawn for the LM and pointer!

SLurl Details

• Buddha Garden (Hanging Gardens, rated Moderate)