Tag: [REN]

I last visited [REN], the engaging parcel designed and held by Noa (Noa Cloud) in May 2023 (see here for more), so a return visit has been well overdue. At the time I last dropped in, the setting covered a little under 13,000 square metres within a Full Mainland region. Whilst still in the same location, [REN] has expanded to a touch over 19,000 square metres and has gained a further sky setting as well.

One of the things I’ve always enjoyed with Noa’s work is the blending of ideas and influences he brings to [REN], and this was much in evidence when I made my return in August 2024. This is evident from the moment one touches down at the landing point.

Overlooking the western coastline of the setting from the top of a high shoulder of rock, the landing point looks north across a shallow bay to where a castle with a Norman look and feel sits on a high promontory of rock being slowly eaten into by the sea far below, whilst immediately to the south, Torri gates mark the presence of a rope bridge spanning a narrow but deep gorge to reach a neatly laid-out garden area front a Japanese shrine, complete with a little gift shop where actual gifts can be obtained.

The gorge appears to have been cut by a mix of the tide working its way inland against the rock and waterfalls cutting their way towards the sea. Deep and narrow, it contains a little secret spot of its own – although I’m not sure entirely how to reach it directly; while a ladder descends into the gorge at one end, it didn’t appear climbable and I didn’t spot a direct TP or anything (but could’ve missed it!), so just did a double-click TP hop.

Northwards from the landing point (I leave you to wander the little woodland on the landward side of the landing point) stairways descend to the lowlands behind the by, offering a route to the castle up on its high perch and also further inland to the gardens proper. The castle can be reached in one of two ways: via the steps up to the courtyard, or for the keen-eyed, via the entrance to what might otherwise be the entrance to catacombs (the latter may require acceptance of the local teleport experience).

The castle gives an opportunity to explore its rooms, enjoy music and a dance or indulge in a game of Wanderlust (although the drinks trolley might make playing interesting! Music is very much a theme throughout the setting (no pun intended!); opportunities to dance can be found throughout, pianos are to be found throughout, together with other instruments awaiting discovery.

A second stairway provides a way up to the setting’s expansive gardens. These offer a captivating mix of locations, starting with the pavilion-like greenhouse where more the aforementioned music can be heard and dances enjoyed. Walks meander through the gardens and the trees. Following any of these will bring visitors to at least one point of interest – if not more – and the potential to find more semi-hidden teleports.

Some of the points of interest include 3D art elements, delightful waterfalls, a small lake, picnic spots and places to sit and places to sit and pass the time. Also awaiting visitors are the teleport boards (again, requiring acceptance of the local experience, if you haven’t already) waiting to carry visitors to the sky platforms within the setting.

One of these is the Gallery and its courtyard café. As I’ve also mentioned in the past, Noa is a gifted landscape photographer, and the gallery presents people with the opportunity to appreciate his work and collect his his gifts if so minded. Spread across the two floors of the gallery, the art is laid out in such a way as to offer a relaxing walk whilst enjoying it.

The second sky destination is the cinema salon and gardens. Caught under a glowing full Moon, this space offers exactly what its name suggests: a salon-style cinema showing a film recorded within the main gardens and, along side it, a formal garden space laid out around and over water features and with a fine dining area on its far side from the cinema. Also tucked away here, and possibly private given its location is an outdoor photo studio.

One of the many aspects of the setting I like is the way in which Noa has used the rocky curtain around three sides of the garden and cinema. These closely match the rocks and cliffs down on the ground level, helping to give the impression that – night-time ambience aside – the sky platform is still part of the ground-level setting.

[REN] is always a delight to visit, and this iteration is no exception. Whether you wish to capture it in photographs, want a place to enjoy a romantic time with some close, or simply enjoy time exploring all the setting has to offer.

SLurl Details

• [REN] (Strutter rated Moderate)

Tucked away on a finger of land extending out into the sea on the north-west coast of Nautilus, is the idyllic retreat of [REN], designed and held by Noa (Noa Cloud). Occupying a touch under 13,000 square metres on a Full Mainland region, it is another example of how less can be more when creating a public environment, as well as presenting a fusion of ideas to offer a captivating setting for people to visit.

According to the teleport board at the landing point, the setting has four areas to which visitors can be transported; however, three are within easy walking distance of one another, meaning it is really only the gallery space which requires a teleport assist in order to be reached. Plus, there is a little secret within the location awaiting discovery.

 

The teleport station sits between two of the ground-level locations: the Japanese Garden and the Salon Garden. The former is the largest element of the build, sitting above the Salon Garden and connected to it by a stone stairway descending from the landing point. Loosely split into two parts, the Japanese Garden offers loosely paved paths flowing around a summer house largely furnished with western sensibilities but offering a Japanese tearoom. Across the path from this sits a massage table / bench fronts a waterfall – the first of several in the gardens.

A wisteria draped arch alongside the falls provides access to an “inner” garden bounded to one side by more waterfalls. Rich with flower in bloom, pools of water and a smaller summer house set ready for a music recital, this “inner” garden is rich in the sound of bird song. It is a place where one can come to relax and unwind. The paths winding through this garden lead the way to where a second, smaller Zen garden and gravel path run down one side of the little summer house and under the shade of trees, leading the way back to the main house.

As well as offering walks around the garden, one of the paths alongside the main house points the way to where a grassy slope drops down to a broad ledge overlooking a small beach, a set of steps completing the way down to the sands.  The beach curves around the coastline of the setting, skirting the cliffs and passing by a boardwalk leading out over the water to where a pavilion sits surrounded by the waves, awaiting couples who might enjoy a dance.

Two further set of stone steps climb back up from the beach. The first rises to face the front of the salon itself, the two separated by a wide paved path. Outdoor seating provides light refreshment, whilst inside the salon is the opportunity for more music and a touch of afternoon tea or an aperitif, depending on your preference.

Sitting behind the salon is a garden of roses and tulips where deer and a hare roam (or float!) whilst an owl watches over an outdoor reading nook. Steps alongside the nook lead up to the Japanese garden, while a second set of steps rise from an archway to a further small garden, complete with waterfalls of its own, providing an additional quiet retreat.

Throughout all of this there are numerous places to sit and pass the time, and – as if it needs stating – lots of opportunities for photography. There is also, should you find it, the opportunity for a romantic (and literally candle-lit) dinner tucked out-of-sight from the rest of the world. Finding your way too it is not hard – but I’m saying no more about it her; the clue is in the setting’s About Land description. After that, you just need to look behind the curtain – so to speak.

The gallery mentioned above is home to Noa’s own Second Life photography, which is itself engaging and representative of the natural look of Second Life locations. Also as noted earlier, it requires teleporting to reach it – just accept the location’s Experience when touching any board for the first time (subsequent teleports within the setting will be automatic).

Beautifully presented and a joy to visit, [REN] is finished with a subtle sounds cape and presents both restful and engaging to the eye. My thanks to Shawn Shakespeare for the pointer!

SLurl Details

• [REN] (Strutter rated Moderate)