Simploring 2020 (16) Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot :)

02 Mar 2020 2 Comments

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , ,

For my simploring tour on Thursday, February 27th, I picked “Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot” from scoop.it SL Destinations and I read Maddy Gynoid’s Simtipp (read here in German). The landmark description gives an idea about what to expect “An Abandoned Vacation Spot in the 30s. Sometimes you can still see the glamor of the past….Beaches, Romantic, Photographers…Some attractions for the whole family. Everyone is welcome. Enjoy your stay“

Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot is a moderate homestead owned and designed by Dya OHare. Lam Erin has helped designing it.

Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot – bird eye overview

The landing is in the first floor of a building named “Gatcha House”. Here you find information about the town, there’s a teleport board, information about rezzing rights with a group membership, pictures of Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot and a guest book. The 2nd floor is occupied by the Gatcha shop.

Dya gives us the background story for her sim:
“This place was a rich vacation spot in the 1930s. But a lot was destroyed in the war and the place has been deserted ever since. You can still see the glamour of the past. In this season it is raining here a lit, the roads are wet, many treed are old and partly broken. The shops and the hotels are empty. A few people left some things behind. Ivy is growing on the walls of the houses.
THe old harbour with its beautiful piers also saw better times. Earlier the fischermen and many visitors came here to go fishing. The boats are old and the fisher huts need a new coat of paint.
There used to be a well-functioning small container ship port on the left side of the alley. But since the place has left, there is only an empty tea factory.
The beaches are very natural in meantime and many animals have settled in the deserted island the past years. Some visitors are now coming to the island again. It is said that renovations are going on here to bring back the former glamour of the place. The house by the sea seems to be inhabited. Unfortunately the beautiful hotel on the slope is only a ruin. But who knows how the island looks like in Spring when everything is blooming and some houses have been renovated.”

Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot – the Background story / information and pictures at the landing in the Gatcha house

Stepping out of the Gatcha house you see the picturesque fishing habour. With the regional windlight everything is grey in grey though. Nonetheless the place has it’s very own attraction. There are many many details to discover. I roamed around the harbour and took many pictures before is followed the road that leads all around the island and started my further simploring tour.

Impressions of Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot (1) – the fishing habour

I came to a beach first. Many birds have occupied it. There’s an old boat rental that looks abandonned for the season yet not for many decades. And you find a lovely spot to sit and enjoy the atmosphere there – if it just were not that cold, wet and rainy.

Impressions of Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot (2) – the fishing habour / at the beach

On the hill almost in the center of the island is the ruin of an hotel. The hotel sign is stil partly illuminated but the rest of the builing is already quite destroyed by time. Inside it is heavily leaking through the roof respectively the rain pours down unrestricted as there’s no roof anymore. I continued walking along the road and came to the lighthouse.

Impressions of Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot (3) – the hotel ruin and the lighthouse

At the following beach there’s the above mentioned residential house that is obviously inhabited. It is furnished inside and looks as if the owner will return every minute. At the beach you find a scene with a child, a dog and a tricycle. Farer away a few seals relax on a swimming platform. The hut at the beach is used to renting loungers – but it is closed for the season.

Impressions of Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot (4) – the other beach / the residential house

The road led me to a long wooden pier with 2 benches next. From here you have a good view to the industrial harbour with the old tea factory and a submarine in the dock. At this poin of my simploring tour I decided to change the windlight to see Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot in another, more sunny light. Quite a change! Let us assume that after all the rain the sun came out *winks*

Impressions of Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot (5) – the wooden pier and the industrial harbour

And with the sun the island changes at lot. The hotel ruin looks total different and the fishing harbour with all its townhouses looks almost inviting for a walk along the promenade. I also got a nice view from the road above the fishing harbour down to the harbour.

Impressions of Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot (6) – the hotel ruin and the fishing habour when the sun comes out

Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot is a particular place. It doesn’t make you feel sad at all to see it. As opposed to the travel back in time is very enjoyable and there’s a lot to discover – way more that I could see during the one hour that I spent there. I can imagine how this spot comes to life again, how investors revive it, how people we occupy the beach again and rent boats and lounger, how the warm sun will change it. And when I understand Dya’s story right, then she plans to make this change coming true in Spring. Therefore you might have to go there soon if you want to see it like it was during my visit.

Thank you very much Dya for sharing your place publicly. I enjoyed my visit a lot!

Landmark to Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot
https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Phantos/62/72/27
Maddy Gynoid’s Simtipp: Dya’s Abandoned Vacation Spot
http://echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2020/02/simtipp-dyas-abandoned-vacation-spot.html

Simploring 2020 (15) Florence At Low Tide

24 Feb 2020 Leave a comment

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

In March 2019 I visited Florence Bay (Simploring 2019 (34) Florence Bay). When I looked for a destination for simploring at scoop.it SL Destinations on Saturday, February 8th, I came across Maddy Gynoid’s blog post about “Florence At Low Tide” – and the name rang a bell.

Florence Bay was a moderate homestead owned by Gnaaah Xeltentat and Tomaso Franizzi. It was originally designed, created and landscaped by Minnie Atlass. I learned in Maddy’s blogpost that Florence Bay was taken over by it’s designer Minnie Atlass in August 2019 and Minnie integrated it into her sims under the name “Soul2Soul Rapids”.

Florence At Low Tide is the new home of Gnaaah Xeltentat and Tomaso Franizzi. It has been designed and landscaped by Iska (sablina). I have visited quite some sims designed by Iska (sablina), my last visit to one of her creations was La Digue (Simploring 2019 (119) La Digue – an Autumn walk).

Florence At Low Tide – overview

Florence At Low Tide is a moderate homestead, a quiet, peaceful spot somewhere in the Mediterranean, I’d say somwhere in South France (although there’re no tides as far as I know). The landing point is at the shore that has been revealed by the the retreating water during tide. Boats are laying on the ground and some nice citizens have brought loungers and other seating opportunities to the shore.

Impressions of Florence At Low Tide (1) – around the landing point

Impressions of Florence At Low Tide (3) – house with backyard / Bar and event area (lower pictures)

I explored the village that really has a Mediterranean touch. A large villa with pool is close to the landing point. The houses at Florence At Low Tide are typical for the region, most of them are not furnished though. Quite close to the landing is a bar and an event area. I sat down and enjoyed the atmosphere before I walked to the lighthouse. Also on this side of FLorence At Low Tide the tide caused boats to lay on the ground. I peeked inside of a smaller hut and discovered a piano and a nice polstered lounger, hence I called it “Piano hut”

Impressions of Florence At Low Tide (4) – around the lighthouse / the “Piano hut”

Quite outstanding for a Mediterranean setting is the big mountain in the Northeast with a high waterfall. The waterfall feeds a creek that flows into the sea. There’s a balloon hovering above of the waterfall – and you can sit in its gondola and enjoy the view from up there.

Impressions of Florence At Low Tide (5) – upper left shows the mountain with the waterfall / lower left the Villa close to the landing

What I loved most is the area around a small church as it offers all what remembers me of my trips to South France in RL. Lavender, wine and sun flowers and the typical architecture of the houses. Just beautiful. I had the impression I almost could smell the lavender.

Impressions of Florence At Low Tide (6) – Memories of South France – Lavender, wine, sun flowers and the typical architecture

Florence At Low Tide is a beautiful sim, perfect for taking pictures and perfect to wind down and let your mind wander. Thank you Iska (sablina) for the design, thank you Gnaaah Xeltentat and Tomaso Franizzi for sharing your home with the public! I enjoyed my short trip to South France.

Landmark to Florence At Low Tide
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Florence/152/64/22
Flickr group
https://www.flickr.com/groups/florenceatlowtide/
Maddy Gynoid’s blog post Simtipp: “Florence At Low Tide”
http://echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2020/02/simtipp-florence-at-low-tide.html

Simploring 2020 (14) Alpha Moon

22 Feb 2020 1 Comment

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , , ,

When I looked for a destination for my simploring tour on Tuesday, January 28th, I came across Maddy Gynoid’s “Simtipp: Alpha Moon” on scoop.it SL Destinations.

Alpha Moon is a moderate full region owned by Zel Colton (zeldonix). Zel Colton is the owner of Colton Design, a shop offering poses and animations. Zel also offers terraforming, landscaping and sim designing. I assume that Alpha Moon is also kind of a showcase for Zel’s service – to start with Alpha Moon is a beautiful sim full of great views, nice spots to sit, cuddle and enjoy and with a lot to explore and discover.

Alpha Moon – overview

I read in Zel’s profile that he’s also involved in Bloodlines (a quite popular roleplay about vampires), but you won’t see anything of it at Alpha Moon (at least I didn’t see anything). According to Maddy Gynoid’s blogpost the Bloodline acitivities have moved to a sky platform at Alpha Moon.

Impressions of Alpha Moon (1) – at the Landing Point / the old ship / the Stonehedge circle of stones

Alpha Moon‘s landmark description gives away what to expect: “Nature, Woodland, Romance, Hangout, Dancing, Cuddle spot, Alpha Moon, Beach, Parks & Nature, Newcomer friendly, Outdoor, Bar, Lake, Relax, Photography Spot, 7Seas fishing, Greedy“.
Alpha Moon consists of several connected islands which are all close together. At the landing point is an area with games. A trail leads around the whole sim and I followed it.

Impressions of Alpha Moon (2) – the Retreat “1” and the Gazebo “1”

My tour began with the old ship. You should have a look inside, it is furnished. I saw a Stonehedge circle of stones and had a look at the gazebo 1 (as there’s a second gazebo I numbered them. You find a bubble in that gazebo and you can sit in it. My next stop was a smaller hut, which I called Retreat 1 (again, there’re more buildings that invite to retreat, to sit and enjoy.

Impressions of Alpha Moon (3) – the Retreat “2” and “3” by the pond

The trial led me to a pond with just beautiful views. There’re two more houses inviting you to sit as well as a lovely wooden terrace reaching out to the pond. I came to a clearing and saw some horses grazing peacfully in front of a manor. As there’s no private sign nor any other indication that you shouldn’t visit I had a peek inside. The manor is not (yet?) fully furnished but some rooms are.
Not far from the manor is the Colton Design store. It fits well into the sim design. In the center of the store is an exhibition room with pictures most probably taken at Alpha Moon. And of course you can buy poses and animations there.

Impressions of Alpha Moon (4) – the Colton Desgin store and the manor

I visited the Bar&Dance place and on my way to the lighthouse I found the second gazebo hidden in the forest. A great place to retreat. From there I followed the river, enjoyed more really beautiful views and came to the church. Again you should have a look inside sa it is furnished and looks quite real inside. Close to the church is a nice place for couple, a heart that you can use to cuddle while enjoying the views.

Impressions of Alpha Moon (5) – at the Pond / the Bar&Dance / the Gazebo “2”

Almost at the end of my tour I came to a large outdoor event area surrounded by ruins. And before I returned to the landing point I found another 2 love nests.

Impressions of Alpha Moon (6) – the church / the event area and one of the love nests

Alpha Moon is a beautiful romantic place, it offers innumerable opportunities to retreat, sit and cuddle. It offers great views and perfect backgrounds to taking outdoor pictures in a almost perfect environment. I really enjoyed my visit a lot (and took many pictures). Thank you Zel Colton (zeldonix) for creating and in particular for sharing your place with the public.

Landmark to Alpha Moon
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Alpha%20Moon/52/158/22
Colton Design
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Alpha%20Moon/219/36/32
Colton Design Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/groups/4036396@N20/
Zel Colton Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/157404768@N02/
Maddy Gynoid’s “Simtipp: Alpha Moon”
echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2020/01/simtipp-alpha-moon.html

Simploring 2020 (5) SS Galaxy

19 Jan 2020 2 Comments

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , ,

Wednesday January 15th, I saw several posts popping up about the SS Galaxy. I read Maddy Gynoid’s post “Die SS Galasxy ankert jetzt vor Bellisseria” (blogpost is in German) and decided to have a quick visit there. Most of the information I got is from Maddy’s post.

The SS Galaxy was built in 2007 and contains no single mesh object. The ship is 650 meters (!) long and extends over more than 2 regions. In total the ship consists of 32.000 prims (wow). In April 2015 the then owners considered to give up the ship due to the high costs for maintaining 3 regions. There’s also a website for the SS Galaxy that isn’t kept updated anymore. Finally Linden Labs took over the ship and reopened it in August 2015 as kind of a virtual museum ship in a virtual reality. The ship was now moved to the coast of Bellisseria, the new continent for Linden homes, where Jenny and I got our new (half secret) retreat just a few weeks ago.

SS Galaxy – Ship Directory Map

When I visited the huge SS Galaxy on Thursday, January 16th, I first had some problems to get it fully on my screen. It is simple too large and I had to extend my drawing range. It was worth it! The ship is incredible large.

SS Galaxy – almost too large to fit on a picture

I visited the big pool on the upper deck with the giant water slide, walked seemingly endlessly along the ship and visited the big zodiac ballroom /dinning room & bar. From here you have a great view on the houseboats and the Lighthouse of Bellisseria. I went a bit inside and had a look on the humongous hallways inside.

SS Galaxy – the zodiac ballroom / a view inside (lower left)

Finally I searched the bridge of the SS Galaxy. On my way I came along the glacier cafe & skating room and saw the indoor pool in the front of the SS Galaxy. The bridge itself was impressive not only because of the view from inside to the outside. The room is large, has several control desks, a map of the continent of Bellisseria with the position of the ship, and a meeting corner. Most importantly there’s a ship directory map, that contains the major points of interest and can be used as a teleporter. Hence the landmark I provide along with this blogpost leads to the ship directory map.

SS Galaxy – Control room at the bridge (upper left and right) / front indoor pool (lower left) / glacier cafe & skating room (lower right)

I personally think that moving the SS Galaxy to Belliseria further increases the popularity of the new continent. I look forward to what LL might offer around this new landmark. I strongly recommend to have a look yourself.

Landmark to the SS Galaxy bridge
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Galaxy%20FORWARD/147/170/49
SS Galaxy website
http://www.ssgalaxy.net/
Maddy Gynoid’s post “Die SS Galasxy ankert jetzt vor Bellisseria”
http://echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2020/01/die-ss-galaxy-ankert-jetzt-vor.html

Simploring 2019 (121) A NYC Christmas

07 Dec 2019 1 Comment

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , , , ,

For my simploring tour on Friday, December 6th, I picked “A NYC Christmas” from scoop.it SL Destinations . There I found the link to Maddy Gynoid’s blogpost “Simtipp: A NYC Christmas – Winter 2019” which I read before visiting myself.

A NYC Christmas is a full moderate region owned by Absinthe Holloway (sinontherocks). The sim was mainly designed by Tye De Roca-Dynasti (Tye Dinzel) and Gabriel De Roca-Dynasti (Wassup Bruh). As she name implies it is a seasonal sim most probably available until the end of the year.

A NYC Christmas – overview

The sim offers Winter scenes of New York City around the Central Park. And it is very well built! The landing is in a subway station. Some mesh statues liven up the scene. On the platform is a drunken Santa and it is fun listening to him:
Drunken Santa: Hey look its Diomita
Drunken Santa: Ok damnit, who took my sleigh Diomita?
Drunken Santa: Buy me Drink and i wont tell anyone what you did last night… Diomita?
Drunken Santa: Diomita …my Reindeer kicked my Ass …now i have to walk home

Once you leave the subway station you enter into the metropol city of New York. I felt like being in NYC immediately. The streets are full of cars and trucks, where ever you look your view is limited by some skyscrapers. You need to focus to look at what is in front of you. Instinctively I was careful before I crossed the street. Yet I can assure, that you’re safe in Second Life *winks*

Impressions of “A NYC Christmas” (1) – arriving in the subway station and the first view leaving the station

I first tried the Zip line that ends near the subway entrance and starts at the top of the skycraper that rises above the Macy’s store. Back at the subway entrance I walked along the Central Park N where you find some nicely decorated residential blocks, a great background for taking pictures.

Impressions of “A NYC Christmas” (2) – The zip line / residential houses at Central Park N

In the central park itself I found several nice places to sit and enjoy the environment. I had a coffee in an outdoor restaurant. In the middle of the park is a large ice skating area. But there’s more. At the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park N is a building that I named casino as there are two game tables inside beside that it is also decorated with love for the design.
In particular I liked the outdoor dinning in a covered bridge and I had fun dancing with a pinocchio-ish funny person. And if you like you could also start a snowball fight.

Impressions of “A NYC Christmas” (3) – The Central Park

Impressions of “A NYC Christmas” (4) – The Central Park

At the Fifth Avenue you can also start a sleigh tour with Santa and 4 rendeers. The tour leads not only around the central park but also into some streets you might miss otherwise. I had fun, in particular as we got into a traffic jam cause be two cabs blocking the street. Santa tried to simply ride over the cabs and we got stuck. After a while I left the sleigh and Santa and the rendeers disappeared by SL magic. But the street where I left was not in the best quarter of NYC. Is it really a coincidence that I got stucked with Santa at a night club? *winks*. At least a police station was nearby.

Impressions of “A NYC Christmas” (5) – The sleigh ride with Santa and where it ended

There’s really a lot to do and to discover at A NYC Christmas. I recommend looking into the shops, like Macy. The feeling of beeing in NYC is quite well done, with all the Christmas trees, the train running around the foot of the trees, all the red bows and the many lights. That is how it looks like! I also had my difficulties taking picture as it is not easy to find the right position. There’s always somthing blocking the view, be it trucks, cabs, power lines, decoration or buildings. That’s also like in NYC!

Impressions of “A NYC Christmas” (6) – Enjoying my visit

I was about to return home when I found a great motif for a selfie at Central Park W with a Christmas tree as background. Now I have a souvenr from “my” NYC Christmas. As opposed to Maddy Gynoid’s experience I had to fight with some lag during my visit and textures took long to wait – but it was worth waiting!

Thank you Absinthe Holloway (sinontherocks) for providing your sim for this great seasonal event. Thank you Tye De Roca-Dynasti (Tye Dinzel) and Gabriel De Roca-Dynasti (Wassup Bruh) for the design. I enjoyed and really appreciate what you all created.

Landmark to “A NYC Christmas”
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Surreal%20Blue/248/198/23
Flickr group
https://bit.ly/2LhnZcp
Maddy’s echtvirtuell blogpost “Simtipp: A NYC Christmas – Winter 2019”
http://echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2019/12/simtipp-nyc-christmas-winter-2019.html

Simploring 2019 (119) La Digue – an Autumn walk

01 Dec 2019 2 Comments

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , , , , ,

For my simploring tour on Tuesday, November 12th, I picked “La Digue” from scoop.it SL Destinations. There are already some reports about La Digue. Inara Pey reported about it (Visiting La Digue in Second Life) as well as Maddy Gynoid (Simtipp: La Digue). And after reading these post I had to see it myself.

La Digue – overview

La Digue is owned and created by Iska (sablina), who writes about herself “I love creating landscapes and dreaming inside“. That’s something you can sense visiting her sims. I saw already L’intangible & Field of dreams (read here) in 2017, La virevolte (read here) in 2018 and early this year I reported about my visit to Ponto Cabana (read here)

Impressions of La Digue (1) – around the landing point and around the gateway tower

La Digue is a very photogenic sim for those who love the Autumn atmosphere – I love it! It consits of several islands which are seperated by canals and mostly connected by small bridges. Off the coast are two longer islands which serve as a natural shield for the other islands, a dam or dyke or in French “La Digue”. And between these two islands and the others there’s a protected bay, a natural harbour.

Impressions of La Digue (2) – an Autumn walk

There’re several elements that define La Digue. There’s first of all the gateway tower in the center of the main island. This island is surrounded by a stone wall and it has a stony landing stage. The gateway tower is surrounded by high dry grass, admist of it an old pink limosine catches the eye. If you walk up the tower you can strike the tower’s bell.

Impressions of La Digue (3) – the cafe, the railway station, the lighthouse and the campside with an old caravan

Walking around and exploring the islands of La Digue is fun. Where ever you go you have fantastic views. The few houses are not furnished but fit perfectly into the environment. I encountered some cows, I saw a deer and a pair of foxes. In particular the brich trees glow in mayn colours.

But there’re more outstanding elements and motifs. I want to mention the railway station without railroad tracks. It is raining at this spot of the sim. Quite outstanding is also the long road with powerlines, a great background for taking pictures.

Impressions of La Digue (4) – time for a short rest and the long road with the power lines

The 2 landing stages with the many small boats are another element defining La Digue. Besides being another great motif for pictures they do offer the oppotunity to sit alone or as a couple. The only furnished house is kind of a bar or cafe on the larger dyke island. There’re some tables and chairs to sit and watch. I found some more cosy places but for sure not all.

What made me smile is the way cows are transported at La Digue – with ships. I saw at least two boats with cows as passengers.

Impressions of La Digue (5) – in the light of the Autumn sun

For my pictures I used the preset windlight. But at the end of my simploring tour I switched on the sun to see this lovely place lightend by the Autumn sun. That gave very different pictures, almost too beautiful.
I really enjoyed my Autumn walk exploring La Digue. Thank you Iska (sablina) for creating this corner of Second Life and for sharing it with the public.

Landmark to La Digue
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sparrow%20Springs/115/133/22
Inara Pey’s blogpost “Visiting La Digue in Second Life”
https://modemworld.me/2019/11/10/visiting-la-digue-in-second-life/
Maddy Gynoid’s blogpost “Simtipp: La Digue”
http://echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2019/11/simtipp-la-digue.html

Simploring 2019 (116) Hotel California – Off the Grid

18 Nov 2019 7 Comments

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

In April 2019 I visited Hotel California, an adult sim owned by Lex Machine (schmexysbuddy) (see Simploring 2019 (46) Hotel California). When I looked for a place to visit at scoop.it SL Destinations for my simploring tour Sunday, November 17th, I came across Hotel California again, this time with the subtitle “Off the Grid” and the pictures indicated that it is about art. I read Maddy Gynoid’s blogpost “Simtipp: Hotel California ‘Off the Grid’” before going there myself. Maddy wrote that he visits Hotel California regularly and that the sim is changed every 4 weeks. He also wrote that it is not only owned by Lex Machine (schmexysbuddy) but also by Racey Boom (Raceyy). The name rang a bell. I visited Skull Creek, just last month (see Simploring 2019 (106) Autumn @ Skull Creek) and Skull Creek is owned by Racey Boom (Raceyy).

The current installation is described in the landmark description with “When the power goes out, you’re left with nothing but what’s inside your head” and is tagged with “Space, cyber, apocalyptic, photography, photo, art sim, art, photography sim“

Hotel California – Off the Grid: bird eye views

Hotel California – Off the Grid has absolutely nothing to do with the sim I visited back in April, the only combining element is that by then also some art was displayed. And now the whole sim is packed with art. Hotel California is an artifical island in the endless sea. It is quite flat, the ground is made of steel panels and 8 highrise buildings grow into the sky. You see power poles and some single trees growing through the steel panels (I counted 6 trees) – and art objects that are spread all over the place.

Each single object including the skyscrapers is worth a detailed look. Now the landmark description makes sense: “When the power goes out, you’re left with nothing but what’s inside your head“.

Impressions of Hotel California – Off the Grid: The horses from Wasabi Yuki (wassaabii) did remind me of Mistero Hifeng. The woman laying on stairs is also created by Wasabi Yuki (wassaabii). The old coach nearby is from danielitosway

Impressions of Hotel California – Off the Grid: Another laying woman by Wasabi Yuki (wassaabii), the “elefants” with the long stilt legs are from Paco Pooley, the tree stumps with the hearts are created by Cica Ghost.

Impressions of Hotel California – Off the Grid: The prison court with the watch tower is created by DRD (deathrowdesigns), the tied hulk of a man is created by Holy (Qutsal Alex), the couple is from Wasabi Yuki (wassaabii)

Impressions of Hotel California – Off the Grid: The phone is from danielitosway, the gear wheels from Noke Yuitza and the hourglass is created by Zelest (Zelest Fall) , the skyscrapers are designed by Nite Row (nitergloom) and look at the hands at 2 of the skyscrapers, these are from Groll (Groll Greggan)

Hotel California – Off the Grid is a thoughtfully installation of art objects together with objects usually used for other purposes. These objects were all created for the Second Life grid (from the grid). They are, I assume, a personal art collection of Lex Machine (schmexysbuddy) and Racey Boom (Raceyy). The power poles refer to the Landmark description …. when the power goes out…

Thank you Lex and Racey for making your this collection available for us all.

Landmark to Hotel California – Off the Grid
https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hotel%20California/128/114/22/
Maddy Gynoid’s blogpost “Simtipp: Hotel California ‘Off the Grid'”
http://echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2019/11/simtipp-hotel-california-off-grid.html

Simploring 2019 (111) Last Dove

06 Nov 2019 2 Comments

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, November 5th, I visited “Last Dove“, a moderate homestead sim owned by Erythro Isback (erythro).  It has been created by Erythro with full collaboration of shannon Cardalines. I got the landmark by following scoop.it SL Destinations and I read Maddy (Maddy Gynoid)’s blogpost about Last Dove in his blog Echt Virtuell – “Simtipp: The Last Dove” (the blog is in German) before I visited myself. And I’m really happy that I did!

Erythro Isback (erythro) wrote into the landmark’s decription:
“Created with love in the spirit of West Texas honoring those that came before, those with us and our future.
“Let the cowboys be cowboy bound.””

First impressions of Last Dove – upper left is an overview

Last Dove looks like the background of a movie – and it feels as if you’re a part of a movie. There’re bots dressed like cowboys that walk around and liven up the scenery. Dust is blown through the village that consists of a saloon, an abandoned chapel and a few houses. There’s a ranch, a barn, a small ranch house and a corall …. beside of that you’re in the wide open. The sim background is just amazing as it make the plains endless. A group of wild horses is drinking at the shore, a group of buffalos is close to the ranch.

Impressions of Last Dove (1) – Inara Pey entering the town (upper left)

While I was exploring Last Dove I saw Inara Pey riding a horse. I grabbed a horse myself (as far as I experienced it you can only grab and ride the horses that are in the corral, the others who haven’t found their way back can’t be ridden) and rode to her and we had a nice chat. Inara told me that the whole setting is based on Lonesome Dove, “a 1985 Western novel by American writer Larry McMurtry. It is the first published book of the Lonesome Dove series but the third installment in the series chronologically (source Wikipedia)“.
The bots that I saw are characters from the novel Captain Woodrow F. Call , Captain Augustus “Gus” McCrae, Pea Eye Parker and others. In 1989 a TV mini series with 4 Episodes was broadcasted that featured renowed actors like Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Diane Lane and Anjelica Huston.

Impressions of Last Dove (2) – Inara Pey and Diomita (upper right)

I had fun exploring the “Last Dove” the right way: riding a horse. And I took many pictures, the background is simply too outstanding.
And I decided to be lazy and to refer to Maddy Gynoid’s “Simtipp: The Last Dove” and to Inara Pey’s post “Last Dove: a western homage in Second Life” instead of further research about the novel and the TV series. In addition, my pictures tell more than a thousand words could do.

Impressions of Last Dove (3) – Inara Pey and Diomita (upper left)

Don’t miss this great sim. Thank you Erythro Isback (erythro) and shannon Cardalines for creating this masterpiece of virtual immersion and for sharing Last Dove with the public.

P.S.: I had a nice chat with Erythro later. He asked me to give credit to corrade bots, an essential piece of the sim. Here’s the link.

Landmark to Last Dove
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Droomeiland/158/64/26
Maddy Gynoid’s “Simtipp: The Last Dove”
http://echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2019/11/simtipp-last-dove.html
Inara Pey’s post “Last Dove: a western homage in Second Life”
https://modemworld.me/2019/11/05/last-dove-a-western-homage-in-second-life/
corrade bots
http://grimore.org/secondlife/scripted_agents/corrade

Simploring 2019 (109) {Unconditional}

03 Nov 2019 Leave a comment

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , , , ,

For my simploring tour on Sunday, October 6th, I picked “{Unconditional}” from scoop.it SL Destinations. {Unconditional} is an adult homestead owned by Chavy (Chavonne Mcauley). According to Maddy Gynoid’s blogpost “Simtipp: {Unconditional}“, besides Chavy also Tomis (Tomisnotaboy Resident) and Moonsoul Resident helped creating {Unconditional}.

The name of the sim is related to love, unconditional love. The landmarks description provides a definition of it “Unconditional love — in its most simplest form — means appreciating someone else for who they truly are. It means loving them when they are unlovable, and in spite of their imperfections and mistakes.”
The sim is open to the public yet although it is an adult place you’re asked to refrain from nudity.

{Unconditional} – overview

{Unconditional} consists of 4 islands. I named them Beach island, Swamp island, Mill island and Community island. All islands are connected by bridges. The landing point is on Beach Island next to a small shelter. Walking along the shore of the island I came across several very nice places to sit down, to chill or simply enjoy the surrounding. Some trees on Beach Island are glowing in the colours of Autumn.

Impressions of {Unconditional} (1) – Beach island

Impressions of {Unconditional} (2) – Beach island

From the Beach island your get to the Swamp island by a path and by walking through a hollowed tree trunk. The Swamp island might be the most photogenic island of the four islands. An elevated wooden path lead through the swamp to a nice and cosy hut from where you have a nice view. Another great place to make a stop is at the pond in the center of the Swamp island. And I found a nice elevated place to sit just at the end of my visit on this island.

Impressions of {Unconditional} (3) – Swamp island

The Mill island is outstanding because of its waterfalls. The wooden path along the falls is really well done. I also want to point out the alley of twisted trees that looks just beautiful with its red leaves. At Mill island there’re again several nice spots to sit … and some great backgrounds. The house on Mill island is private and not accessible.

Impressions of {Unconditional} (4) – Mill island

A stone bridge connects Mills island with Community island. It is raining on the bridge.. with another windlight setting you might get some great pictures there. In front of the villa on Community island are several tables and chairs, there’s a stand for hot chocolate and a fountain. To me it looked like a place to meet friends and hence I named this island Community island. The villa is not furnished by the way (or not yet).

Impressions of {Unconditional} (5) – Community island

{Unconditional} offers some really nice Autumn views, particularly when using the regions windlight setting. I decided to use another windlight setting as the picture get a bit dark using the regions settings. But {Unconditional} is not a sim just for the Autumn. I like the Beach island with its cosy places and I enjoyed the views on the Swamp island. I think the alley of trees and the waterfalls as also outstanding.

Thank you Chavy (Chavonne Mcauley) for creating your place and for sharing it with the public!

Landmark to {Unconditional}
https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Passionata/214/93/26
Flickr group
https://www.flickr.com/groups/14667150@N21/
Maddy Gynoid’s blogpost “Simtipp: {Unconditional}”
http://echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2019/10/simtipp-unconditional.html

Simploring 2019 (106) Autumn @ Skull Creek

21 Oct 2019 1 Comment

by diomitamaurer in Exploring sims in Second Life Tags: , , , , ,

For my simploring tour on Thursday, October 3rd, I picked Skull Creek, or more precisely Autumn @ Skull Creek, from scoop.it SL Destinations and I read Maddy Gynoid’s report about it on his blog “Echt Virtuell” – Simtipp: Autumn @Skull Creek (the post is written in German). Maddy’s pictures and his report were tempting to visit myself.

Autumn @ Skull Creek – overview and around the landing point

Skull Creek is a moderate full sim owned by Racey Boom (Raceyy Resident). Right next where you land is the headquarter of a group called Ghost Bullys 1% MC. The Ghost Bully 1% MC is a SecondLife motorcycle club that dedicates themselves to rescuing abused and abandoned animals. Racey Boom is heading the group. In the skies of Skull Creek is a huge race track. A part of Skull Creek is private. According to Maddy’s blogpost, the sim is changing with the season and I can confirm that its Autumn appearance is simply great.

Impressions of Autumn @ Skull Creek – trailer park, Roady’s and the dancing chosts

As mentioned above the landing is in front of a huge barn, that seems to be the headquarter of the Motorclub and also provides space for indoor events. Right next to it is a large outdoor event area. Already at the landing point you can almost smell the Autumn. The sim is literally glowing in red, green and yellow. The ground is coverd with leaves and while I was exploring I could see more leaves falling.

Autumn @ Skull Creek – the haunted house and the graveyard

A road is leading around the sim and besides the beach everything can be explored following the road. Skull Creek is also a bit weired, in a positive way. You will find some oddities. I came along trailer park, an ufo, an haunted house with a graveyard (it’s the season for that!) and a motel. I visited the beach and I rezzed a horse, right next to the motel and continued simploring riding a horse.

Autumn @ Skull Creek – the Ufo and the cows, the bear hut, the motel and the horse rezz

There are for sure more oddities, that I might have missed, but make sure to see the Ufo hoovering over a group of cows. I also think the 3 huge dogs next to the headqurter look a bit odd due to their size but considering that the group is engaged in rescueing animals they have another meaning. Or I think of the dancing couple of Ghosts. These elements add a funny and personal touch to Skull Creek.

Autumn @ Skull Creek – the 3 dogs, the beach and other impressions

I really enjoyed the Autumn at Skull Creek. Racey succeeded to make it almost perfect. For me it felt like a short visit to the Northeast of America during the foliage. And riding in this environment was simply fun. I enjoyed my visit a lot and took many pictures.

Thank you Racey for creating and sharing this spectacle of colours with the public.

Landmark to Skull Creek
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Skull%20Creek/192/115/22
Maddy Gynoid’s blogpost “Simtipp: Autumn @ Sull Creek”
http://echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2019/09/simtipp-autumn-skull-creek.html
Skull Crrek Flickr group
https://www.flickr.com/groups/3357917@N24/

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