Tag: Luane’s World

Life has been pretty hectic over the last few months for me in the physical world, with much of it coming to a head over March 2024 (hence the lack of blogging most recently). Fortunately, things are now getting back to normal, so it’s time to resume my SL travels once more – and where better to start than my annual springtime trip to Luane’s World and the always picturesque Le Monde Perdu (The Lost World), the public Full region designed by LuaneMeo and Gorba McMahon.

Sitting at the southern extreme of the six private residential regions of Luane’s World, Le Monde Perdu always offers a sense of openness and nature’s warm embrace to visitors. A Full private region boasting the additional Land Capacity afforded such regions, Le Monde Perdu is open to visitors from across Second Life as well as those who opt to live within the estate’s rental regions.

For this iteration, the landing point sits well to the north-east, close to where the region connects to the rest of the estate via a wooden footbridge. Note that visitors are free to wander the paths and tracks of the rental regions, but as asked not to trespass onto the actual homes and gardens therein.

The landing point sits on a shady, grassy knoll overlooking the footbridge to one side, and which is home to a greenhouse converted into an information kiosk on the estate’s available rentals. Two clearly marked paths descend from the knoll, one to the footbridge and the other, longer path gently riding the slope down to the southern half of the region. Both paths have horse rezzers located close to their respective ends, offering visitors the chance to hitch a ride around the setting if they prefer not to walk.

A third route away from the landing point takes the form of a boardwalk stepping down the hill on its west side, presenting visitors with a choice of route onwards as they reach its lower half. One of these leads by way of a clematis-draped wall, to the shaded banks of the region’s lake, which can be easily circumnavigated on foot, with various waypoints on the route around it taking the form of various places to sit and pass the time. These include a little boat out on the water itself, a deck extending out over the waters and a charming little shoreline cottage. A deck adjacent to the latter provides access to a swan boat pedalo rezzer for those who fancy a little ride out on the water under their own power.

Behind the little lakeside cottage, the land rises to a broad, flat-topped hill, home to a much more substantial house that offers itself as a faux watermill. If the wheel once drove any machinery, it’s long been removed and the room it occupied converted for more modern living than a place of work, whilst the water channel the wheel dips itself into looks to be now more decorative than functional, running as it does around three sides of the house. Which is not to say the structure is not in any way graceful or delightful – it most assuredly is, thanks to both the décor and its inherent multi-level design within its two main floors.

Whilst the house is raised above both the lake to its north and curving beach to its west and south, it is not sitting on the highest point within the region; that honour goes to a little greenhouse and garden area located on the flat head of the island’s almost central plateau, which rises above the shoulder of land on which the house sits. It is easily reached from the house on foot, the greenhouse and garden looking as if they are intended for little spring / summer time soirees, once the heat of the day has dissipated a little.

The path leading to the little plateau also offers access to the region’s south-eastern headland by way of a broad, stout bridge. The lighthouse on the headland appears justified, given the bleached bones of a wrecked ship lying of the shoreline below, whilst the placement of the bridge and the small size of the lighthouse in turn suggest whoever lives at the big house has a responsibility for maintaining the latter.

The bridge is required as the lighthouse is separated from the house by a narrow, sheer-sided gorge which forms one end of a finger-like inlet pointing inland almost as far as the southern path down from the landing point. Here again, the water’s edge is marked by multiple places to sit and pass the time, whilst a little canoe presents the opportunity to sit out on the water and enjoy the peace and quiet.

In fact, if there is one thing that this iteration of Le Monde Perdu is not short of, it is in places to sit and tarry – and rightfully so. They are scattered across the setting with a care that ensures they do not feel they are trying to crowd one another out, but to rather encourage people who visit to spend a little time decompressing and just enjoying the natural lie of the land and watch to local wildlife (and the various cats and dogs waiting to be found!). In fact, such is the bucolic peace evoked within the setting, you might spot one or two of the wildlife citizens of the region also chilling out and catching a few Zees!

Finished with a subtle sound scape and offering multiple opportunities for photography, Le Monde Perdu remains one of the must-see / re-visit regions within Second Life. And don’t forget, there’s also Le Monde Magique – Magical World – sitting overhead and wating to be explored as well! I’ll be heading there once more in the near future.

But for now, given all the hustle and strife of the last few weeks in the physical world, Le Monde Perdu is exactly what the doctor ordered by way of recuperation and a return to my SL explorations 🙂 .

SLurl Details

• Le Monde Perdu (rated Moderate)

It might not seem that long since I last wrote about LuaneMeo’s Luane’s World – largely because it isn’t; I covered the spring look to the region just a couple of months back, in May 2022 (see Spring 2022 at Le Monde Perdu in Second Life).

However, I have good reason for returning so quickly to the region of Le Monde Perdu (The Lost World), because Laune, again working with Gorba McMahon, has made the Summer 2022 build a place to be enjoyed by both land lovers and those who enjoy dipping under the waves in either human form or as merfolk, as she presents Luane’s Underwater World.

With this iteration, the setting presents a south-facing arc of land sitting with its back to the rest of Luane’s estate, which embraces a wide and relatively deep bay within its protective arms. The south-facing arc of the land forms a sweeping curve of sun-bleached sand with many places set across it for people to sit or cuddle as gulls wheel and turn overhead, and waves break gently against the sloping sand.

Behind the beach, the land rises sharply but not precipitously or to great height; just enough to present stepped uplands sliced into from the north by a tight inlet, and whose grassy hills carry a suggestion of this being a Mediterranean setting, courtesy of the Tuscan style villas, houses and outlands scattered across them. Furnished within and showing outward signs of being occupied, these are actually public spaces as well, offering further places to sit and pass the time – and, as with the beach, plenty of opportunities for photos.

However, do be aware that behind the villa occupying the north-east lowlands, there is a trail and bridge leading into the neighbouring regions of the estate. These regions do have private residences scattered across them, so do please take care to avoid trespassing when wandering in that direction.

Throughout the landscape, there is a gentle sense of peace and of time passing slowly; a vibe that this is a place where nothing seems to happen as the minutes and days tick one to the next. But dive into the waters of the bay, and it becomes apparent something has happened here at some point. Caught in the arms of the land and sheltered under the waves is a world which at one time lay above the waters that now guards it.

This is a place rich in colour, with corals and anemones bloom, oysters hold great pearls, shark, fish, dolphin and turtle swim – and the ruins of an ancient civilisation stand in silence, the wooden wreck of a once proud sailing ship close to hand.

Exactly what caused this place to drown and when it happened is unclear – and actually unimportant; for who is to say this place was ever once above the waters of that bay? Perhaps the ruins and statues here were not carved by human hand, but by those of the merfolk they appear to celebrate?

What is clear is that here, among the corals and anemone, watched over by sea creatures great and small, are many more hiding places where lovers can rest in one another’s arms, photographers can find ready to be used within their arts, and those who simply want to sit and pass a little time can find peace. Some of these may well be out in the open and easy to spot, but others are tucked away and may require a little effort to find – but it will be time well spent, and are welcoming to both human and merfolk.

As always, Laune’s World offers much to see and appreciate with this Summer 2022 build, and I recommend that rather than reading my twaddle, you go see for yourselves!

SLurl Details

• Luane’s Underwater World (Le Monde Perdu, rated Adult)

There are a number of places to which I enjoy making repeat visits as each year unfolds. One of these is Luane’s World, and within it, Le Monde Perdu (The Lost World), the public Full region by LuaneMeo and Gorba McMahon, which at the time of my May 2022 visit, was dressed for spring.

I’ve visited the region a number of times over the years, and have always enjoyed my time there. For Spring 2022, the design offers a setting that mixes an outer swirl of land with beaches on two of its seaward sides, which encompasses a central island sitting within waters that can reach more open waters through two narrow channels.

On my arrival, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the Summer 2021 design for the region, thanks to the open nature of the landscaping, the presence of the beaches and the northern view out over water to the private residences that form part of the overall estate. There’s a sense of continuity between the two, despite this being very different in look and content – something I always enjoy when visiting an evolving region, as it gives its designs a sense of history.

The landing point includes horse and bicycle rezzers for those who fancy a ride, and teleport signs to reach the estate’s rental office, Luane’s store and the region’s second public space, Luane’s Magical World, located high overhead. I’ll also point out here that as well as the bicycles and horses, there is a little motor boat on the region’s inner waters that can be used to putter around the channels and out into the northern waters.

There are two bridges relatively close to the landing point. To the east, a small humpbacked bridge spans one of the two channels leading out from the the heart of the region, providing access to a meadow where horses graze. To the south, the second bridge reaches over the water to the central island with its more formal garden and gazebo retreat (and a further bridge that reaches the far side of the outer curl of land.

As well as this gazebo, there are several other structures scattered across the region. These take the form of a little café offering a view across the the island as it sits with its back to the landing point, a little shrine sitting in the shade of giant oaks, an old fort sitting up on a hill, another gazebo just down below it and ruins close by, the remains of an old church (the TLG Chapel Ruins that are a personal favourite) that occupies another hill across the region from the fort, and a pavilion where more refreshments might be had.

The paths around and through the region are grassy for the most part, natural flower-lined avenues ideal for walking or horse riding (although there are some using stepping stones or marked by trimmed logs. Given this is Luane’s World, there are multiple places to sit and pass the time. These can be found everywhere: on the beaches, in and on the roof of the fort, along the routes of the grassy paths, on and over the waters – and even in the air, courtesy of the region’s hot air balloon.

And, obviously, there are multiple opportunities for photography, whilst touches of art in the form of statues can also be found as you explore.

Luane’s World has always been a place in which wandering and losing oneself comes easy thanks to its rich, natural beauty and matching soundscapes. With this Spring 2022 rendition, this is all very much still true; whilst up in the sky, Luane’s Magical World retains its sense of winter fantasy for those who already miss snow-heavy scenes (and which I’ll likely visit later in 2022!).

So why not hop over and see for yourself?

SLurl Details

• Le Monde Perdu (rated Adult)

Luane’s World is a region I’ve oft visited over the years, it being a popular destination that is always rich in detail and visually impressive through every iteration, thanks to the care region holder LuaneMeo pours into it. However, I have to admit it has been a few years since I last visited when it has been dressed for winter. Hopefully, this post helps rectify that fact.

For 2021, Luane presents a rural setting centred on a frozen body of water bordered by lowlands to the south, west and north and highland to the east, the latter also forming the region’s landing point, safely fenced off from the cliff edges and risk of falling to the lake below, while two routes of exploration extend away from it.

The first is via a high bridge spanning one of the three channels into the lake; the second takes a set of steps down the eastern slope to where the path splits north and south. The northern arm of the path points the way out for the region and into the adjoining residential regions Luane also operates, and which sit outside of this article. The southern arm of the path offers a route around the lands surrounding the lake, eventually meeting the path away from the landing point and the high bridge by the landing point.

The highlands across the bridge are home to an open air café presided over by bulldog riding mini Santas while their “little” helpers (who are a good deal taller than the Santas, if shorter than us!) take care of stuffing sacks with goodies. Alongside of them a long, snowy slope runs westwards to join the path circling the lake.

A relatively gentle incline, the slope can be walked down (or up), but for those making the descent, a sign board at the lip of the slope offers the chance to take a sled down the hill – just watch out for the gentle curve in the slope   and the slight risk of hitting some low stone marking the far side of the snowy trail!

Being frozen, the lake is ideal for skating, as proven by the penguins zipping and dancing across it (plus one Emperor Penguin who appears to have decided skis are a much better option!). Those who wish to join them ca find skates available at the little pier on the western shore, close to the box bridge crossing another of the channel leading into / out of the lake.

This pier is also home to a  – wait for it – bumper car rezzer. While this may at first sound odd, allowing for some unevenness in some the ice elements on the lake, the cars can be a lot of fun for scooting around the lake and offer three different modes of driving, depending on whether you want a quiet pootle or engage in a little friendly competition with friends – just do be aware of any skaters (including the penguins!) also on the ice.

For those seek a little respite from the cold, the lowland offer a number of places visitors can retreat into; a total of five cabins and cottages are available, all furnished and ready to offer a touch of warmth to counter the snow – although one might take a little bit of locating 🙂 . Also awaiting discovery is a cave with a touch of Christmas spirit hidden within it.

Beautifully laid out, easy to explore, rich in opportunities for photos, Luane’s World remains a delightful place to visit.

SLurl Details

• Luane’s World – Le Monde Perdu – Winter (Le Monde Perdu, rated Moderate)