Simploring 2020 (67) Snuggles Forest

10 Oct 2020 1 Comment

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

For my simploring tour on Wednesday/Thursday, September 16/17th, I picked Snuggles Forest form scoop.it SL Destinations. The entry led me to post of Maddy Gynoid “Simtipp: Snuggles Forest“, which I read before visiting. The landmark profile is quite fitting to what I was going to see: “Enjoy a beautiful stroll, relax on the beaches, hold your sweetheart close, cuddle, and dance, sit in one of many romantic spots, explore, propose, even get married in the chapels, with a automated service.“

Snuggles Forest Overview and orientation map

Snuggles Forest is a moderate homestead owned by Teagan Parnas. It is one of five regions that are connected. All 5 sims belong to Teagan. She owns a chain of shops with the label “Snuggles“, that sells Baby Animesh Clothes, furniture, and gifts and everything else for SL babies, cards and seasonal decorations. I could see large buildings on the other regions, but there’s no shop at Snuggles Forest.

Impressions of Snuggles Forest (1)

Snuggles Forest is a sim just to enjoy and to wind down. It is mainly a forest. The landing is on a trail next to a big board with teleport destination on the sim itself and to the shops on the neighbourhood sims. The trail leads you around the sim mostly close along the shore. In the center is a large mountain with a high plateau. The selected windlight is a but hazy, but with this windlight the pictures look a bit like watercolour paintings and I like that.

Impressions of Snuggles Forest (2)

Impressions of Snuggles Forest (3)

Also quite close to the landing is a horse rezzer if you don’t want to walk on foot. I decided to walk this time. Along my way I saw many places to sit and enjoy. Close to most of the cuddle places are intan dance poles making Snuggles Forest a place for lovers. The selected trees and plants provide a natural atmosphere. I came to the beach with the lighthouse and to small hut where a few cows were grazing. Walking along the river you can see two waterfalls … and of course more places to cuddle and snuggle.

Impressions of Snuggles Forest (4)

The trail led me to the second beach and to the wedding chapel. There are several opportunities to walk up on the mountain with it large forested high plateau. In the forest you find again these nice spots to sit and watch.

Impressions of Snuggles Forest (5) – lower left shows the wedding chapel

And that’s it about Snuggles Forest. If you seek a quiet place to wind down, if you enjoy forests and nature, or if you like taking pictures then Snuggles Forest is a great place to visit. I always appreciate it when shop owners combine their business with giving something back to the community like Teagan did with this sim. Thank you very much, I enjoy my visit a lot.

Landmark to Snuggles Forest
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snuggles%20Forest/208/168/26
Maddy Gynoid’s “Simtipp: Snuggles Forest”
http://echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2020/09/simtipp-snuggles-forest.html
Snuggles Forest flickr
https://www.flickr.com/groups/snugglesforest/pool/
Snuggles on marketplace
https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/29481

Simploring 2020 (66) Coasta Verde

08 Oct 2020 Leave a comment

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

For my simploring tour Monday, September 28th, I picked Coasta Verde from scoop.it SL Desinations. It led to a post from Susann Decuir “Simtipp: Coasta Verde (Moderat)” (in German) and that was really a teaser for going there on the spot.

The landmark description is short and doesn’t fully reveal what you can expect there (a lot!): “Coasta Verde. Visitors are welcome, beach, hangout, relax, explore“

Coasta Verde – overview and orientation map

Coasta Verde is a moderate homestead owned and designed by Night (Nightwatcher Stormcrow). And it is incredible what Night made with less than 5000 prims – Chapeau!

The landing is in the center of a long promenade at the beach. Your first view goes over the large beach to the lighthouse. The scenery is hazy, it almost feels a bit cold and damp. Well it is Autumn. If you turn around you see a fair with a ferris wheel and a large fall tower (Madfall). Behind the fair is a mountain ridge that melts into the high mountains of the sim surround.

Impressions of Coasta Verde (1) – around the landing point / the beach / the lighthouse

I first went on the beach with its many opportunities to sit and watch, just the cold and damp weather doesn’t really invit to sit – that’s how many beaches look like at this time of the year. I walked along the beach and went to the lighthouse first. Below the lighthouse you find two cosy places, one tent and one campfire. Above the campfire is a balloon. Try sitting on it to have a nece view over the whole place.

Impressions of Coasta Verde (2) – the campfire with the balloon / Irish pub / a view on the fair

I went back to the promenade, visited the Irish pub and enjoyed the view on the fair, which is for sure one of the hightlights of Coasta Verde. I had fun! I tried out the fall tower (Madfall), which is quite well made, I tried out the swingboat (that offers only different seating poses for pictures) and I tried the ferris wheel. The ferris wheel is fully operational. It stops at the highest point so that you can have a view and take pictures. Just great!

Impressions of Coasta Verde (3) – fair fun: Madfall / swingboat / ferris wheel

I finally tried out the carousel (Shell Shocked) – another fun ride. Next to the carousel is the source for the scary noises that I heard all the time in the background – a graveyard. And fitting to the season some scary zombies were around, seemingly trying to catch me.
No fair without food and drinks. At the other end of the fair is a bar and restaurant offering places for a break after all the fun.

Impressions of Coasta Verde (4) – the crousel (Shell Shocked) / graveyard with zombies / bar and restaurant

I visited the next highlight – the Wolf Ridge Asylum. You can grab a notecard in the entry hall when you dare to step close to the wall: “Welcome to the Wolf Ridge Asylum. Closed and abandoned in the late 1970s, former residents have recounted tales of ghastly trials and demented attempts to cure the mentally disturbed. One in particular, a nurse of the facility spoke …. ”
I recommend to get the full text and to enjoy your scary visit. Ghosts are round and the above mentioned nurse. You can gat a flashlight at the wall as well ….. I managed to take on picture with a ghost.

Impressions of Coasta Verde (5) – Wolf Ridge Asylum

Finally I went to Bates Motel and to the Psycho house. Have a look into the rooms of the motel. Every room showcases another scary scene – bloody, scary, just great. Of course the Psycho house is home for ghosts, one welcomes you already on at the entrance stairs. And those inside seem to be quite alive. Next to the Psycho house is another graveyard and two more ghosts.

Impressions of Coasta Verde (6) – Bates Motel and Psycho House

Coasta Verde is a very well made place. It offers a lot of fun as there’s so much to explore and to discover. The fair is really well made. Beside of all this fun, Coasta Verde is excellent built with a lot of fitting details. And for the Halloween season, it is just perfect. I will return for sure and enjoy this place.
Thank you, Night, for sharing this place publicly. I had fun on my first visit!

Landmark to Coasta Verde
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Serena%20Cay%20Verde/147/129/28
Susann Decuir’s Simtipp: Coasta Verde (Moderat)
https://mein-zweites-leben.blogspot.com/2020/09/simtipp-coasta-verde-moderat.html

Art in Second Life 2020 (62) Isolation’s Passengers

02 Oct 2020 5 Comments

by diomitamaurer in Art in Second Life Tags: , , , , , ,

Scrolling through scoop.it SL destinations for my simploring tour on Sunday, September 13th, I came across Isolation’s Passengers. The entry led me to another post of Maddy Gynoid – Simtipp: Isolation’s Passengers (in German), which was very interesting and tempted me to visit right away.

Impressions of Isolation’s Passengers (1)

Isolation’s Passengers is a full moderate sim, group owned by “Shutter Thugs”, a group founded by Archetype11 Nova, who owns the sim. Archetype11 Nova was formerly known as Schmexysbuddy Resident and created the Hotel California sims, which I visited in 2019 (read here and here).

Impressions of Isolation’s Passengers (2)

Isolation Passenger’s is an art installation and deals with the corona virus. The landmark description provides the overall thought “When isolation becomes a religion, the living trade places with the damned.“

Impressions of Isolation’s Passengers (3)

The landing is just in front of a large church. Scattered around the whole sim you find interpretations and elements that refer to the virus, to the quarantine time, to social distancing, to the fear of dead, to dead itself, to religion and to loneliness and the halt of all life as we know it.

Impressions of Isolation’s Passengers (4)

The single sculptures and scenes are impressive and inspire to think, to make a connection between them. And there’s really a lot to discover. I took many pictures here and they speak for themselves. Hence I retrain from further words and interpreations. Art and it’s effect on us is different for each of us anyway.

Impressions of Isolation’s Passengers (5)

I can only say, impressive art work! Isolation’s Passengers is an art installation you shouldn’t miss. Thank you, Archetype11!

Landmark to Isolation’s Passengers
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Solveig/100/112/21
Archetype11 Nova’s flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/189657005@N08/
Shutter Thugs’ flickr
https://www.flickr.com/groups/3808663@N25/
Maddy Gynoid’s blogpost “Simtipp: Isolation’s Passengers”
http://echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2020/09/simtipp-isolations-passengers.html

Simploring 2020 (64) A Thousand Windows

21 Sep 2020 2 Comments

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

I wasn’t really up for a simploring tour this morning, I just looked up scoop.it SL Desinations to check if there’s something new and interesting. The second newest entry was named “A Thousand Windows” and was just referring to a flickr picture of RioSisco Flickr group. RioSisco Productions that are Fred Hamilton (frecoi) and Lotus Mastroianni, the builders of many very exciting sims. The last one was “Summer in the City”, which I visted several times (read here)

I decided to go there on the spot. The landmark description gives an idea of the intention for this new installation: “There is a huge world out there, but what happens behind all those windows? what lives and worlds are hiding there? How many eyes peer into the fleeting reflections of so many lights? How life is going … obs….try night time“

A Thousand Windows – overview

A Thousand Windows is built in a skybox belonging to an adult reagion. It is made up of just about 5,000 prims. After I landed at “A Thousand Windows” I first zoomed out to get an overiew. I made the overview from several angles so that you can see how the installation is made up. Once again Fred and Lotus used the possibilities of Second Life to create a real urban feeling. They do this by selecting perfect background textures and enhancing them.

Impressions of “A Thousand Windows” (1)

I begin exploring “A Thousand Windows” and was soon lost. Only the ground level and in some areas the 2nd and maybe 3rd level are accessible. There are many entrances, even with stairs, but they are just facade. Mainly your wander around on the ground level and you can look up. But you get really enough to see here!

Impressions of “A Thousand Windows” (2) – The 2 pictures on the left were taken 2 different windlights “midnight” and “midday”

It is a dirty town, waste and garbage tons and dirt is everywhere. Many raceways and advertisings distract your view. There are shops, restaurants, tea houses, barbers, food stores and all what you’d expect in a town. Some of them are accessible, others are just furnished to provide the 3D feeling. The main upside of all thes advertisings is that they offer orientation. Getting lost in all the passages and backyards I went countless times to the same spots … the advertisings gave me a bit of orientation.

Impressions of “A Thousand Windows” (3) – some corners are really not inviting to stay long

“A Thousand Windows” … Well I didn’t count but there might be a thousand windows, at least on the background (I guess a bit less though). The background is not just a texture. Fred and Lotus enhanced it with mesh objects, mainly drying clothes, balconies and awnings. And you find also many windows inside of the town at higher floors of the buildings. A few windows on lower floors are opened and you can look inside. Again these rooms are furnished for the effect but not accessible.

Impressions of “A Thousand Windows” (4) – looking inside

I managed to get beind the facade of one building and to get a view from inside of a flat to the town. That’s funny at least for the picture where you can see me behind the window.

Impressions of “A Thousand Windows” (5)

As mentioned exploring “A Thousand Windows” is mainly done by wandering on the ground level and by looking at all the different stores and details. You get into very dirty backyards, places you wouldn’t feel safe at all (at least I would never go to such places in RL!). But exploring it and seeing all the little details is great fun.

Impressions of “A Thousand Windows” (6)

Of course I also turned the windlight to “midnight” and yes, it does change the experience a lot. I can only recommend to try that. But for taking pictures that provide an impression of what you can see here, the daylight is simply better – for the atmosphere “midnight” is the better choice.

I’m pretty sure that this visit to “A Thousand Windows” was just a first peek at it for me and I will return to it. Once again Fred and Lotus created a masterpiece of creativity. Thank you a lot!

Landmark to A Thousand Windows
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/You%20and%20me/29/18/1352
flickr group
https://www.flickr.com/groups/riosisco/
My pictures of “A Thousand Windows” on flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/188414948@N07/albums/72157716058842368

Simploring 2020 (63) Arkon

19 Sep 2020 Leave a comment

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

For my simploring tour on Tuesday, August 25th, I picked Arkon from scoop.it SL Destinations. The entry was based on a picture published on fickr and showed two zebras. It tempted me as the picture promised something very different compared to my usual simploring tours,

Arkon is a moderate homestead owned by Atlan (Atlan Bade) and Stella (Stellastern7) and is their home.

Arkon overiew and orientation map / around the landing point

The landing is admist some animals, the ground is dry and sandy, the selected windlight with a clear sky and red tones provides the feeling of heat. As can be seen on the overview picture of Arkon, it is a quite flat island, two smaller islands are located at the shore. Right at the landing point I saw an ostrich and two rhinos.

I first went to one of the smaller islands. You get wet feet going there but you can do it on foot as a sandbank connects the island with the main island. There’re two simple single round huts, and an African man sitting at a campfire. I like the use of these static non-player characters (NPCs) as they liven up the secenery. Some chicken run around on the island and you can hear them gaggle. That’s why I named this island “Chicken island” in the overview picture.

Impressions of Arkon (1) chicken island / elephants / the waterfall

I went back to the main island and to visited the waterfall next. Two Elefants enjoy the water and one of them is blowing out the water trough it’s trunk, perfect for a picture. At the waterfall I noticed a statue integrated into the waterfall, that holds a bowl in its hand from which the water pours into the fall.

There’re some more oddities, like the little teddy bear close the the waterfalls, which certainly doesn’t belong into the scene. And even more I smiled seeing Yoda from Star wars at the waterfall – funny.

Impressions of Arkon (2) Yoda, the tree house and the Arkon Fashion store hut

I had a look at the tree house and walked to the only house at Arkon. Again a science fiction figure guards this house. Inside is Atlan (Atlan Bade) and Stella (Stellastern7)’s fashion store, named Arkon Fashion.

Time for a Safari. I walked back towards the landing point and watched animals. There are many and quite some of them are moving around. I noticed an elephant with two seats on its back and tried to sit on it. YAY. I continued my simploring tour riding this elephant. I saw Zebras, giraffes, hippos, apes and African buffalos. And I had fun!

Impressions of Arkon (3) Diomita’s Safari

The second island holds a particular suprise – a lion who watches the surrounding from the top of a rock. The Lion moves and roars and tries to catch a vulture that flies around its head. Another NPC livens up the scene, a photographer taking pcitures of the lion – just like I did. If you have a closer look you can also see an hyaena at the foot of the rock. A really amazing scene! at the end of my simploring tour I came across another piece of art at the shores of Arkon – a statue holding the globe on his shoulder.

Impressions of Arkon (4) The lion island and Atlas holding the globe on his shoulders

During my visit I noticed two teleport pads, one of them is close to the landing point, another is in the Arkon Fashion store. The teleporter leads to 4 more destinations in the skies of Arkon: Arkon Space, Lights of Arkon, Blue Tinkler, Time of Music. I had a quick look a all of them, but I ran out of time for a more detailled look. But the “Blue Tinkler” is fun – you become a dwarf there and get a new perspective for a normal room.

Impressions of Arkon (5) More destinations – Time of Music (upper left), Lights of Arkon (lower left) and Blue Tinkler (upper and lower right)

Arkon offers particular backgrounds for taking pictures, it is fun to explore with its oddities (and I’m sure there’re many more that I just didn’t see yet) and it is for people who want to immerse into the African fauna. Thank you very much, Atlan and Stella, for providing your home publicly. I appreciate it a lot when shop owners give something back to the community by creating a nice place around their store. I had a great time at Arkon.

Landmark to Arkon
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gemini%20Paradise/130/123/17
Arkon flickr
https://www.flickr.com/groups/arkon
Arkon Fashion on SL Marketplace
https://marketplace.secondlife.com/de-DE/stores/212408

Simploring 2020 (62) Boulder

14 Sep 2020 1 Comment

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

I had in mind to make a short simploring tour on Sunday, August 23rd. It turned out to become a longer and really great Sunday morning tour. I picked Boulder from scoop.it SL Destinations because the name of the owner caught my attention immediately.

Boulder – overview

Boulder is a moderate full region owned by Vally (Valium Lavender). I saw already several places of Vally. In 2020 I saw Valium Creek (read here) and Valium Sea (read here).
Boulder was (once again) designed by Dandy Warhlol (Terry Fotherington). Boulder is a beautiful photogenic coastal land inspired by the African Penguins of South Africa and intended to bring attention to this endangered species.

Impressions of Boulder (1) – at the landing point

At the landing poit I had a view to the town, named “Simon’s town” and had to decide where to go first. There’s a sign post with 3 directions: Art gallery, Simon’s town and Penguin Colony. I decided to walk to the penguins first. One of their colonies is at the beach not far from the landing point.

Impressions of Boulder (2) – a green oasis above Boulder

At the colony I saw another sign post “Follow the Stairs” and I began walking up the large rock. The higher I got the better was the view over Boulder. Finally I reached a beautiful place for a first break. At the end of the stairs you find several small huts offering beer and coffee admist a green oasis. The place can also be used for small parties.

Impressions of Boulder (3) – the open hole / the waterfalls

I continued my simploring tour walking through a passage in the rock that led to another beautiful spot with a waterfall and a bench to enjoy the view. At one end of this spot it a big sign “Danger – Open Hole”. In Second Life that’s more or less an order to take the risk and I stepped forward to see the hole. But I didn’t see it – instead the stone I was stepping on became instable and I fall down …. finding myself at the foot of a large waterfall. Luckily in Second Life you don’t get injured *winks*. From where I landed I could see the beach through another passage and was back at the penguin colony.

Impressions of Boulder (4) – Blurred views by Fred Hamilton (frecoi) and Lotus Mastroianni at Boulder Art Gallery

I went to the art gallery next. I don’t know if the exhibtion there is permanent or will change. At the time of my visit the gallery presented “Blurred Vibes” by Fred Hamilton (frecoi) and Lotus Mastroianni. I know them both as creators of great places in Second Life. Just recently I saw their sim “Summer in the City” (read here). The exhibtion is not very large but would have been worth a seperate blogpost. Fred and Lotus play with the artistic effect of blurring. Several texts accompany the pictures: “Blurring and focus are powerfl photographic deveices. Not arbitrary, because the theme chosen to focus on, regardless of the apparent irrelevance, makes the observer reflect on its meaning“. I strongly recommend not to miss this great small exhibit.
Remark: Lotus Mastroianni told me that the exhibtion will be available until End of September 2020 …. hence hurry up, if you want to see it.

Impressions of Boulder (5) – whale watching / the lighthosue languet

After my visit of the art gallery I went down to the beach again for another look at the penguins and at a whale which was just jumping out of the sea. And I was not alone watching this spectacle, as there was one of several NPC’s (static non-player characters) spread on the whole sim – a photographer.
From here I could see the lighthouse and I went there next. The lighthouse is at a languet right opposite of the penguin colonies. To get there you either have to walk along the beach and the town or you have to swim. Again I took advantage of the possibilities in Second Life and swam over there. The lighthouse and its surrounding is another beautiful spot at Boulder. I enjoyed another short break at the campfire close to the lighthouse. Several birds are around there and invite to just watch or take more pictures. Next to the lighthouse are a few huts. You can get fresh fish here.

Impressions of Boulder (6) – Simon’s town farmer market and sun beach

Acutally Boulder is two sims in one – one is the nature part with the beaches, the penguins, the waterfall and the languet with the lighthouse, the other part is Simon’s town. A special feature is that two different windlights are used for these parts. The windlight for the nature part is quite natural and couldy while the windlight used for Simon’s town is sunny with a clear deep blue sky. This windlight makes the town look a bit Mediterrean although the penguins live in South Africa. The town itself is really picturesque. I visisted the market and the sun beach on the backside of the town.

Impressions of Boulder (6) – Simon’s town waterfront promenade

The waterfront of Simon’s town offers many places to sit and is a perfect background for pictures. And of course there’s a lot to discover here. I really had fun looking at all the details and took many pictures.

Boulder is really a great sim and I fully enjoyed my Sunday morning immersing into another world. Vally intended to bring attention to the endangered penguis of South Africa, hence my last pictures shall reflect that. At the landing point are two pictures of these penguins and a reference to the “Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds”. You can read more about the foundation here.

Impressions of Boulder (7) – support the preservation of Southern Africa penguins

Thank you Vally for sharing your place publicly and thank you Dandy Warhlol (Terry Fotherington) for another great sim.

Landmark to Boulder
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Boulder/182/131/22
Boulder flickr
https://www.flickr.com/groups/valium/
Vally’s blog
https://www.vallystyle.com/
Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds
https://sanccob.co.za/

Simploring 2020 (61) Eterea

12 Sep 2020 Leave a comment

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

Scrolling through scoop.it SL Destinations for a new place to simplore several pictures of Eterea caught my attention and I picked it for my simploring tour on Saturday, August 22nd.

Eterea is a moderate homestead owned by five people: Coqueta Georgia, khronoz, Marissa (mariselaa), dietriech and SeKarou. It was designed by Coqueta Georgia. The sim description fits perfectly as I found out soon after I arrived: “A little magic piece of art in Second Life – photography, surrealistic, magic, art, friends“. Eterea is a sim for taking pictures, it has surrealistic and fantasy parts.

Eterea – overview and landing point

The landing is next to a roofed terrace where you could join the group for rezz rights. Stairs lead up to a big glass dome, that is really worth visiting. Besides offering seating to meet or cuddle there’re many of seemingly randomly collected items. You could spend a lot of time just by exploring all the little details and of course by taking pictures.

Impressions of Eterea (1) – the glass dome

The meeting dome is at the highest part of an island that is full of romatic places, huts, lougers and benches. The selected windlight dives the whole island into a romantic atmosphere. It’s not pure fantasy though, many place are simply beautiful and the decoration is placed thoughtfully. For myself I named the island “Romantic fantasy island”. Opposed to the island is a smaller island with just an old boat and a pond that is full of fishes – another great motif for pictures.

Impressions of Eterea (2) – romantic and beautiful spots

Impressions of Eterea (3) – at the beach and at the fish pond

But that is only one part of Eterea. The other part is a bit farer away and surreal. Following some power cable posts that lead into the nothing, you come across some statues and then you immerse into another world. Flying boats, ballons, umbrellas, swarms of birds and three stone stairs leading to doors, leading to paths in the sky, stairs built of stools – just surreal. You can walk on the paths and get new impressions ….

Impressions of Eterea (4) – a surreal world

You can sit on a chair becoming an angel (perfect for me as I’m all but an angel). I lost myself in this strange world and I’m pretty sure that I didn’t discover all. A great place for taking outstanding (art) pictures.

Impressions of Eterea (5) – a surreal world

I had fun exploring Eterea and taking pictures. The mixture of surrealistic art and a romantic fantasy island makes it an outstanding place to visit. I don’t get tired of seeing all the creativity in Second Life. Many thanks to Coqueta Georgia, khronoz, Marissa (mariselaa), dietriech, and SeKarou for sharing their place publicly, and many thanks also to Coqueta Georgia for designing it. I had an enjoyable time.

Addendum: I had a conversation with Coqueta Georgia after publishing my simploring report. Coqueta told me about the owners of Eterea and she also told me that Eterea has been listed in the SL Destination guide here. There you can find also this short video about Eterea.

 

Landmark to Eterea
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sexy%20Isle/160/94/33
Eterea video on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21FaS_bxReo

Simploring 2020 (60) Conall-Vika

10 Sep 2020 Leave a comment

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

For my simploring tour on Thursday, August 20th, I picked Conall-Vika from scoop.it SLDestinations. Conall-Vika is an adult homestead owned by Aurelia (Trin Adasia) and Mad (madflex). The name was derived from the celtic words for strong wolf “Conall” and for flowing water “Vika”.

The landing is on a little high plateau next to a big abandoned white villa, which I have seen in Second Life a few times. The court of this villa is this still used as it offers a nice place to sit and enjoy. What caught my eye immediately is the romantic atmosphere created by the selected windlight and by the selection of plants.

Impressions of Conall-Vika (1) – around the landing point

From the high plateau you can walk down a path if you take the way through the gates. The path contiunes and leads around the whole island. You will find really romantic places to sit and enjoy almost everywhere. I saw some sheep, deers and dogs. I saw sky lanterns and glowing particles that enhance the atmosphere of this lovely place.

Impressions of Conall-Vika (2)

At one end of the island is a café named Babba’s Café. Close to it I saw a statue from Mistero Hifeng. It seems that his art is quite popular and displayed in many sims (also in our own sim by the way). In the center of the island is a big modern residential villa, presumably used by the owners. I camed inside but didn’t go in, although there’s no “private” sign.

Impressions of Conall-Vika (3) – around Babba’s Café

Conall-Vika is a great place for taking pictures and it is a great place to retreat with your loved one. There’re really many nice spots to sit down and to cuddle, be it in tents, in little huts, under a stone arc or at the pier with the sailing boat. I had fun trying out some of these places but being alone on my simploring tour it was just half of the fun. But I enjoyed exploring.

Impressions of Conall-Vika (4)

There’s not much I can add. Conall-Vika is just a great sim to spend an hour or more as a couple. Or for a romantic background when you like taking pictures.

Impressions of Conall-Vika (5)

Thank you Aurelia (Trin Adasia) and Mad (madflex) for sharing your sim with the public. I spent a nice hour exploring it!

Landmark to Conall-Vika
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Zamal/166/205/33
Conall-Vika Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/groups/conall-vika/

Simploring 2020 (59) Serenity Reborn

06 Sep 2020 Leave a comment

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

For my simploring tour on Monday, August 3rd, I picked Serentiy Reborn from scoop.it SL Destinations. The entry led me to a post of Maddy Gynoid again “Simtipp: Serenity Reborn“.
Serenity Reborn is an adult homestead. The landmark description just consists of a few tags in English and French: “french, international, photography, swamp, forest, nature, abandoned, cemetery, beach, lake, meeting, relaxation, furry friendly”

Serenity Reborn – overview and orientation map

Upon landing you get a bit of basic information about Serenity Reborn. It is not a community and residential sim. It is open to visit for everyone (including those of non-human shape). Although it is an adult place, it is not a sex place and “You’re here on an island inhabited by four people, who wished to share this charming, almost nature overrun place with everyone”. There are 2 private residences, the Mountain Villa and the Swamp Villa, you’re asked to respect privacy.
Serenity Reborn is owned by Vladislav Azarov (aleexkh) and his partner Elara Azarov (Enila Carpathia). Siron (Sinedd Landfall), Katarina Chatalov (abbbysciuto) and A.D.I (Adelaiide Fairlady) are residents. A.D.I is also the builder of the group.

Impressions of Serenity Reborn (1) – around the landing point, in- and outside of the diner

I began my visit at the pier, next to a fisher boat and to a run down, dirty diner. I even dared to step inside of the diner, but you wouldn’t want to eat a burger there, believe me. It is not just dirty inside, it is also dirty outside. I went aland the road and saw a beach that I explored next. The default windlight at Serenity Reborn is dusty and hence i used Annan Adored Dusty for my pictures. That works well and fits to the place mostly, but for some pictures I switched to the way lighter Annan Adored Realistic windlight. The beach is a nice place and the lighthouse building is furnished with love. For sure the beach is one of the best places to be at Serenity Reborn.

Impressions of Serenity Reborn (2) – the beach and the lighthouse

Following the road I reached the Lake and Recreation area. There’s a rustic shop that sells about everything. More importantly there are some opportunities to sit and enjoy and there’s even a romantic “geo dome”.

Impressions of Serenity Reborn (3) – the lake and recreation area

From the parking you can take a few steps and get to the ghost town. Here the dusty windlight really fits best! It is a great background for taking pictures or maybe a place for roleplaying. I liked in particular the graveyard with the three mausoleums, the place is decorated for Halloween throughout the year.

Impressions of Serenity Reborn (4) – the ghost town

At one side are the ruins of a larger chathedral. I continued my simploring tour walking along the road and came to a scrapyard and finally had a view on the Mountain villa. The scrapyard fits into the vintage / rund down theme of Serenity Reborn. It seems that time stood still here. And most probably not many tourits are visiting it anymore.

Impressions of Serenity Reborn (5) – the mountain villa (upper left), the cathedral ruins (lower left), the scrapyard (upper and lower right)

I returned to the road and visited the swamp wiht the 2nd private residence. In the swamps I found one single clearly adult item, a cage. And of course I couldn’t refrain from posing in it for a picture! Finally I returned to the landing which is not only close to a (dirty) diner, but also close to a run down motel. Although the rooms were not accessible I suspect it is not a place to stay overnight for me. Luckily we’re in Second Life and can travel home by simply teleporting home *winks*

Impressions of Serenity Reborn (6) – the swamp and the swamp villa (upper and lower left), the motel next to the landing point (upper and lower right)

Serenity Reborn is a quite different sim and that makes it interesting. It offers great background for taking pictures in particular when you seek a run down and dirty background, but it also offers some nice views into nature. I think in particular the ghost town makes Serenity Reborn outstanding.
Thank you Vladislav, Elara, Siron, Katarina and A.D.I for creating Serenity Reborn and for sharing it publicly. I enjoyed my visit!

Landmark to Serentiy Reborn
https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Palace/251/141/22
Serenity Reborn Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/groups/serenity_reborn/pool/
Maddy Gynoid’s Simtipp: Serenity Reborn
http://echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2020/08/simtipp-serenity-reborn.html

Simploring 2020 (58) A Touch of Scotland ~ Bluebell Coast ~

02 Sep 2020 1 Comment

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

For my simploring tour on Friday, August 14th, I selected “A Touch of Scotland ~ Bluebell Coast ~” from scop.it SL Destinations. The entry led me to another post from Maddy Gynoid “Simtipp: A Touch of Scotland ~ Bluebell Coast ~” (in German).

“A Touch of Scotland ~ Bluebell Coast ~“, furtheron just Bluebell Coast, is an adult homestead owned by Christina (Christina Hammerer). The sim was designed by her and by John Dee (johnmcfluff). Bluebell Coast is part of the Scottish Lowlands. The landmark description lists the points of interest and some tags: “Photographic sim with Kilt Falls, Stag Rock, The Tower, Rabbies Burn, Loudoun Ruins, Hammy’s Cottage, Inventors corner. Campsite, Adult, naughty, nude, photography, couple, dance, forest, hang out, beach, Wedding venue“

A Touch of Scotland ~ Bluebell Coast ~ – Overview

Bluebell Coast is quite flat. You land almost in the center of the sim on a flat stone. Here you cen join the group for 50L$ and can get rez rights, you can rent a bike or rezz a horse for exploring. I started my simploring tour with the tower that is quite close to the landing. On the ground level of the tower you find the “Inventor’s corner”.

Impressions of “A Touch of Scotland ~ Bluebell Coast ~” (1) Landing / Inventor’s corner

There’re 3 big boards, one is an ad for Johnny Walker and when you click it you get a notecard with some information about Johnny Walker: “Johnnie Walker was born on July 25, 1805, on Todriggs Farm, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland.”
The notecard contains a collection of links for more information.
The second board is a picture of Alexander Fleming. Again you get a notecard with more information and links: “Alexander Fleming was born on 6 August 1881 at Lochfield farm near Darvel, in Ayrshire, Scotland (my hometown)“. Latest now we know that the sim owner Christina (Christina Hammerer) is from the Scotish Lowlands, or more specific she’s from Ayrshire, which’s map is shown on the 3rd board.
When you click the map you get a notecard with a link that provides information of the history of Ayrshire and many pictures from the area. Ayrshire is roughly crescent-shaped and is a predominantly flat county with areas of low hills located in the South-West of Scotland (see also on wikipedia)

 

Impressions of “A Touch of Scotland ~ Bluebell Coast ~” (2) Hammy’s Cottage / Loudoun Ruins

Back to Bluebell Coast. I rezzed a horse explored the sim. Riding is fun as it is flat. There are not many buildings , just Hammy’s Cottage and the Loudoun Ruins. I looked it up …. “Loudoun Castle is a ruined 19th-century country house near Galston, in the Loudoun area of Ayrshire, Scotland.” (source Wikipedia). In the preset windlight the Loudoun Ruins make a great background in particular in combination with the wide blue blooming meadow in front of it. Just lovely!!

 

Impressions of “A Touch of Scotland ~ Bluebell Coast ~” (3) At the beach / Loudoun Ruins / Kilt Falls with The Cave Inn

I went to the beach and enjoyed the views. I visited the Kilt Falls and went into the Cave Inn, which entrance is just next to the waterfall. And I visited the Stag Rock, another waterfall nearby. There are two stags standing about the waterfall, hence the name is fitting.

I also looked around but I did not find “Rabbies Burn”. As I had learned Bluebell Coast is about the Scotish Lowlands and in particular about Ayrshire I looked up Rabbies Burn on wikipedia – bingo, here we go: “Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796), also known familiarly as Rabbie Burns, the National Bard, Bard of Ayrshire and the Ploughman Poet and various other names and epithets, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide” (source wikipedia).
Perhaps he lived in Hammy’s Cottage?

Impressions of “A Touch of Scotland ~ Bluebell Coast ~” (4) Stag Rock and other corners

Bluebell Coast is a lovely place to be, to explore, to ride and to enjoy. There are many places to sit and cuddle, in particular at the beaches. Everywhere around you find dancing animations be it for males or females in seagulls or for couples in stumps or spare tyres. I got an impression of the beauty of the Scotish Lowlands, It must be a great place to be! And Christina built her own little world in Second Life. Thank you so much for sharing it publicly. I enjoyed my visit a lot!

Landmark to “A Touch of Scotland ~ Bluebell Coast ~”
https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Chandrakala/169/154/29
Flickr Group
https://www.flickr.com/groups/14696470@N24/
Maddy Gynoid’s blogpost “Simtipp: A Touch of Scotland ~ Bluebell Coast ~”
http://echtvirtuell.blogspot.com/2020/08/simtipp-touch-of-scotland-bluebell-coast.html

 

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