Take a stroll through Le Jardin Des Tuileries, a virtual garden inspired by the Tuileries Garden located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde in Paris. While there, you may want to grab a selfie with the Eiffel Tower for our Famous Landmarks Challenge.

Owner of the Made in Paris region, Morganeparis Parx, is influenced by Paris architecture when creating his place and would love it if Residents found it beautiful enough to make them want to take pictures there. 

A Resident since 2008, Morgane shares what Second Life means to him:
“What does Second Life mean to me? A lot! I was born in SL in June, 2008 so I've been on Second Life for 14 years now. If it were boring here, believe me, I wouldn't have stayed.

When I discovered SL, I was playing  “The Sims” game all day, and I didn’t go outside my home a lot. My therapist told me that he heard about Second Life. He didn’t test it, but told me that maybe I could build a house like in The Sims, and create characters, but I’ll be able to have interactions with other people. 

I decided to test Second Life and after learning about moving my avatar and camera, and watching Torley Linden’s videos, I quickly found an area where I was allowed to build. After a while, people in the sandboxes started to talk to me. 

Month after month, I  improved my skills in Photoshop, started to learn Blender, I improved my English, and now I have relationships with people again.

Second Life helped me in so many ways. Being immersed in the world keeps me healthy and allows me to have social interaction with a lot less stress than IRL.

SL changed me a lot, for the better, it helped me to interact with people again, and allowed me to regain my self-confidence, and to develop relationships.

Second Life is what you want it to be: SL will be just a game, if you want it this way. But if you want SL to be a real second life, it will be that too.”

While exploring the region, you may want to grab a bear and take an image similar to those in the "Bears Around The World" contest, which encourages Residents to travel more. Creator Gabryel Lamplight, who held this contest this past summer, shares more about it, “This is a collection of cute bears combined with a photo contest. The bear is for many a symbol of childhood, a period during which everything seems possible. On SL, it seems to me that we come to find a part of this magic or carelessness. That's why through this contest we invite people to travel on SL and bring back beautiful photos with their favorite bears. Although the  contest is now closed, an exhibition will be organized at the Puerto Banana destination during the fall of 2022. The bear collection will still be available after the contest in the B.GAB store.”

Make memorable moments with teddy bear selfies in a virtual Parisian garden!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Le Jardin des Tuileries

Welcome to "Le Jardin des Tuileriess" a realistic French garden located on the "Made in Paris" region. It is inspired by an authentic French garden you can find in Paris. Enjoy the lush greenery and the romantic atmosphere with a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower. Don't forget to capture your memories with snapshots and add them to the Made in paris Flickr group: flickr.com/groups/made-in-paris

Visit in Second Life

Premier Wrestling is a pro wrestling federation in Second Life, where wrestling fans can be just as much a part of the crowd as the superstars themselves!

Premier Wrestling is shaping a new era of wrestling, by developing compelling characters and weaving them into dynamic storylines that combine physical and emotional sentiments. This is as real as it gets in the virtual world of Second Life! 

According to Premier Wrestling Co Owner Vince Aftermath: 

"Second Life Wrestling is magic, the virtual action element is not supposed to happen but we are doing it. Our athletes are a mixture of veteran wrestlers and rookies both male and female all who want to see Premier Wrestling succeed every week by giving our fans a great experience.

Premier Wrestling in particular has something for everyone. You have the fighting, you have the dancing, you have the voice action, you have the tables, you have the ladders, I could go on! Premier Wrestling is a buffet of entertainment. We hit every mark for you and send you home happy!

Want to see someone lay the smackdown in your own backyard? Well you're in luck! Premier Wrestling travels around the grid to different locations. Going sim to sim with our wrestling crews is a favorite among our sponsors and partners. And we stream our shows on YouTube as well.”

Let's say you don’t want to be a fan and are tired of watching from the sidelines. Let's say you want to jump into the action today. Do you get paid? Is it hard to do? What does getting into the wrestling business look like?

Senior Executive Director at Premiere Wrestling, LG, explains how easy it is to go from fan to pro: 

“Contact us in-world, on Discord or Twitter, fill out the application and someone will contact you almost immediately. We are always hiring. We are the only wrestling federation to this day that pays the staff for their hard work. You can even get a free home to live in. The benefits of being a professional Second Life wrestler in Premier Wrestling is unbelievable.”

Premier Wrestling has over 70 active staff members on the team from all over the world from Brazil, to Canada, to even Egypt. A diverse community of global wrestling fans, who embrace their cultural uniqueness as they only can in a virtual world without borders.

And what does Second Life mean to the folks who run this vibrant wrestling operation?
"Second Life is a gateway to a world with no restrictions. You're not held down by anyone and the opportunities of being a creator or being a performer are endless. Being a Second Life performer has given me a purpose to want to log in every day. I love performing for our fans who may not want to leave their home due to COVID concerns or those who have a SL family and need a different type of entertainment." says Vince Aftermath.

"A chance to be creative, Make the unbelievable happen and help people escape reality even if just for a brief moment. Second Life has no limitations." says LG.

Now’s your chance to get behind the ropes with Premier Wrestling's hard-hitting action!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Premier Wrestling Studios

Premier Wrestling is an organization based in Second Life. Premier Wrestling has hard-hitting action to voice drama, featuring some of the best virtual wrestlers in the world! Premier Wrestling is a one-stop-shop for all your entertainment needs! They are filmed on location, then later the show is placed on their YouTube page.

Visit in Second Life

Experience a vibrant metropolis at Urban City, where you can enjoy exciting clubs, endless shopping, apartments for rent, and more!

An urban neighborhood in the Humboldt County region, Urban City has residential areas where you can enjoy real city living by renting apartments or a whole parcel. With a town square, pubs, and many shopping areas you will always feel you are at the heart of downtown. 

Adjacent to Urban City is the Urban Neighborhood, in the Laurel Canyon region (see a California theme here? We do!), where the expansive Fantasy Pixels store is facing the waterfront. For the more spacious rentals, Urban Neighborhood has you covered with - ironically? - suburban size plots.

If you want to roam the streets, engage in moderate roleplay, hang out with your friends and witness how the various construction sites quickly transform into exciting new parts of the neighborhood, hop on over to Urban City now.

And if you like the effort Ѳѕzч Ͼʰᵘ Ͼѳййаllч and crew put into this place, you can donate to the parking meter. Find the hungry little object right next to the food truck, the one that sells “Little Monster Skull Ice Cream” as you look out over the water and contemplate if a downtown penthouse or a white-picket fence enclosed Victorian is the right crib for you.

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Urban City

Welcome to Urban City. They have Resident homes, stores, clubs, motel, train station, cafes, pubs, events, games, and so much more with lots of photogenic areas. Come have fun at Urban City!

Visit in Second Life

Roleplay at New Frontiers, a SciFi community set in the year 2822 CC on the world of Onia!

Whether you are a roleplayer or just a casual explorer, New Frontiers invites everyone to join their community, create a character, engage in combat, or just wander around and explore a foreign and exciting world. 

Via their Discord, community members keep in close contact and share ideas, lore, as well as resolve conflict the old-fashioned way, should armed combat fail to achieve the desired results: through diplomacy. The vast world of New Frontiers, with its myriad of different races and classes, is governed by clear rules and a comprehensive HUD system.  

According to New Frontiers management: 

"New Frontiers is a passion project. An attempt to deliver the science fiction roleplay experience we've always wanted to partake in. To give our players a place to tell their own stories. To signal boost and show off our amazing content creators. To provide the community of a giant bunch of nerds with material to argue the differences in faster than light technology until the early hours of the morning.

New Frontiers is not the work of any one person. Nor any single team. It is the blood, sweat and tears of dozens, if not hundreds of players, staff, artists, and photographers who all have come together to tell stories in a random, eclectic world where on one day you can be raiding some ancient tomb, the next you are going for a walk in the park."

Explore today and be fascinated by the level of work, detail, and community that has gone into creating this world! 

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

New Frontiers

New Frontiers is a sci-fi roleplaying region set on the final frontier, a hostile planet in distant and unfamiliar space. Start a new life in the White Belt! Discover the mysteries of precursor civilisation out in the frontier, fight in a sprawling shadow war or enjoy your free time in a seedy undercity bar. Learn more at newfrontiers.co

Visit in Second Life

Hamster avatars take center stage at Hamster Bar, home of a fun summer Hamster Festival every August.

If you’re looking for some wacky fun, you'd be hard-pressed to find a virtual world that offers more of that than Second Life! 

Azuran, owner of the Hamster Bar and creator of the incredibly adorable Hamster Festival, also runs a Hamster blog all about the wheel turning activities taking place at the bar. The blog may be in Japanese and most avatars may be of the furry kind, but human avatars are more than welcome and many of the participants also speak English. 

This two week festival runs until August 20th and includes a live DJ event and a shopping mall where you can pick up all your hamster accessories. Follow Hamster Fest on Twitter for updates.

One of the Hamsters featured in the video is Sanny Yoshikawa, who can usually be found in a squirrel or cat avatar but also enjoys being a hamster. The Hamster Festival is one of Sanny’s favorite events in Second Life.

Sanny has been a Second Life Resident for many years and tells us, “I am Japanese and have lived in Australia for 20 years. I joined SL when I saw the news about Japanese towns being created in SL. Now I live in a Sakura Linden Home. 

My main project in SL is translating and making a summary of Wagner James AU's New World Notes monthly. I believe that it helps Japanese users to get information about SL and other virtual worlds. We can use DeepL to read foreign blogs nowadays, but I think the real problem for someone who doesn't use English is "how to reach information". If you don't know English you can't use google search, then you can't reach articles that you should read.”

Don't have a Hamster avatar and want to pick one up? Find them at Sue's Mall, home of the Beetlebones store in Second Life by Suetabulous Yootz.

Take a moment to connect with an adorable new community and teleport over to Hamster Festival today!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Hamster Bar

Hamster Bar is where hamster lovers gather. Once a year in August, they hold a festival called "Hamster Festival" focusing on hamsters. This festival is enjoyed not only by hamsters but also by many other people. It is crowded with many hamster fans and shopping malls with fun items. A very casual DJ event is held every year on August 6 at 6 AM (SLT). Visit for a fun-filled summer!

Visit in Second Life

Valiant Wrestling is a Second Life based furry wrestling federation that brings high octane live action wrestling to the grid every Wednesday.

Co-founded by CEOs Dylan Mattel and Charlie Covfefe, Valiant Wrestling offers plenty of fun and excitement at their weekly live events as well as a great community for longtime wrestling fans. Residents looking for a way to live out their wrestling fantasies in the safety of an online community, can find this form of wrestling roleplay both rewarding and interesting. CEO Charlie says, “I have a slight heart issue so I can not pursue a wrestling career IRL. But here in SL I can live out my dream!”

With over 20 furry wrestlers currently active in the federation, the fights include ring announcers, referees, and sometimes even agents that play a part in the proceedings. It is a fully immersive roleplay experience!

This whole endeavor is a team effort with photography, branding and public relations made possible by Ring of Fire Productions. 

Says Helios Eusebio, who creates all the custom posters and graphics: “We need new posters every week and new graphics whenever there's the possibility of a title change or new contender. And when you average 100+ photos of all the matches, that adds up to quite a bit!” 

The wrestling choreography is directed by a sophisticated HUD system, made by Team Wildfire with Kenia la Gatita Escarlata at the helm. And the colorful merch (nail extension for special furry paws, hats, shirts, banners and posters, ringside gestures, ice cream bars) is made by, among others, Lyra Phoenix, Revel McLochlan and Paradox H. Fade, and can be purchased on location. 

See a lot more of the action on their YouTube channel and Twitter and grab that teleport on Wednesday at 6pm SLT to be present at their next show!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Valiant Wrestling

Valiant is a wrestling federation with a world-class roster of diverse male and female furry wrestlers giving you a new wrestling experience in Second Life! Attend their events every Wednesday at 6pm PT.

Visit in Second Life

Explore Puerto Banana, an eclectic little fishing harbor, inspired by the wonderful creativity of Second Life Residents.

After being involved with other artistic venues and ventures in Second Life, Louna Perl and Boro decided they wanted to create their own space based around fun, creativity, and nice chance encounters with other Second Life residents. Louna shares, “We do think SL is a wonderful way to unleash creativity, whether you're extremely talented or simply a normal human being with ideas that have not been realized yet.” 

With no technical skills and an immense admiration for other Creators in Second Life, they dove right into creating Puerto Banana. Louna explains their process: “I'm a collector and I love pictures and paintings, but I also have a passion for objects. And in SL, there are absolutely fantastic creators of objects. From sculptures to simple tea cups, I'm often amazed by the details, the technical skills, beauty and inventiveness.”  

“We do try to mix the atmospheres in what remains a small place, with the harbor full of surprises, a small gallery and a warehouse where we can gather with a few people to listen to music streamed by music lovers, without dancing, just to lie on a couch or a comfy chair and chat about music.”

This quaint little fishing harbor is not the only thing keeping them busy this summer together, and in collaboration with Gabryel Lamplight, they have started a new project called “Bears around the World” project. You can grab a bear and go on a photography adventure for a chance to win some prizes, but also have a lot of fun!

Take a stroll through this eclectic fishing harbor, participate in the bears around the world project and get your creative juices flowing!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Puerto Banana

Puerto Banana is a little fishing harbour with a core business based around fun, creativity, and nice encounters. An eclectic place inspired by the wonderful creativity of Second Life Residents. Sometimes there are featured art exhibits.

Visit in Second Life

For fans of virtual pets and breedables in Second Life, meet Daemon Blackflag, co-owner of Kreatures, a game that's fun, social, and open-ended in which players can design and trade their own pets.

Known as a “Jack of all trades” Daemon is a long-time Resident of Second Life and has been involved with breedables for over a decade. Starting his journey as an average breeder of other creator’s brands, he has now co-founded several breedable ventures of his own and created many breedable HUDs and services. 

With a lot of fanfare and assistance from his team, Daemon launched Fennux in 2012. The Fawns was their next launch into the breedables market in 2017, and now in 2022 they have added Kreatures to their collection of breedable pet games. The small team around Daemon will continue to release content for Fennux, Fawns and Kreatures, with big plans for Kreatures in the near future, including a Battle System which they expect even non-breeders to be interested in.

When asked what he’s learned from his journey into the breedable world, Daemon shares “I learned that the breedable games we create are points of interest on the SL grid. Users will be making new social connections. Each breedable creates a sizable community that users take with them even years after a breedable has died down in popularity.”

What has he learned from the Residents that enjoy breedable games? “The breeders have taught me many things as well, like what kind of quality of life improvements would help them in their day to day breedings. We take in that feedback and push out a more refined product because of it. We still take risks with new feature ideas - but we usually know what will and won't work in this space.”

If you’re a breeder that likes variety in their breedables, Kreatures offers three different animals to breed, and options for you to intermix between the different species. Who wouldn’t want a Tiger Bear or Polar Lion? 

What does Second Life mean to Daemon? “To me Second Life is a platform for creativity in the entrepreneur space. I can come up with an idea, build it with my associates and then test it out live in front of thousands of users. Within hours I can usually tell if it's going to be a hit or if it's back to the drawing board.

SL has enabled me to have tens of thousands of different people using my products. There are not many platforms that I can show up to, use real-world marketing strategies, and start learning if I'm failing or succeeding. SL also has a reliable way to turn virtual currency into USD, and they aren't taking 30-50% like some other platforms. 

Overall, SL is a great way for me to be a successful business entrepreneur without all of the real world headaches.”

Take your plunge into this creative breedable game and create your own unique species today!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Kreatures

Brought to you by the creators of The Fennux and Fawns Breedables, Kreatures is a breedable pet game like no other. You'll find lion cubs, wolf pups, and bear cubs in this brand new breedable. Come check them out at the official Kreatures region today! More info at kreatures.net

Visit in Second Life

Step into the distant future and find yourself amidst a dystopian fueled world at Club Hexnetic, an LGBTQ owned and operated music venue in Second Life.

Hexnetic is a combination of futuristic hi-tech and underground hideaway - a truly unique club for music lovers. Owner Ulysses Hexem, also known as DJ Cursed, has gathered creative contributions from all over Second Life to imagine a uniquely themed music venue making the atmosphere at Hexnetic truly electric. With experience in building roleplay destinations and other venues, Ulysses says, “Hexnetic is all about the music. Many of our DJ's are very talented, have been in Second Life for a very long time, and some work as DJs in Real Life as well. But we all share the same vision: we want to keep music alive in Second Life, through sharing many different genres of music from around the world.”

When asked what Second Life means to him, Ulysses shares, “Second Life to me is the people. The community. I have met so many amazing people here. I have made many friends and consider those family. We are very tight knit. We are there for each other, online and offline. Connections are very important to people. Even more so during trying times. Being of the LGBTQ community, I bring that with me. Open arms, everyone is welcome and accepted. There are no barriers. I have found here what often I have failed to find in Real Life. That may sound like a bad thing, but the truth is that it is often hard to find those with shared interests. Whereas Second Life gives people the opportunity to meet and converse with a vast array of people from all walks of life. It truly opens you up to new knowledge and experiences.”

If you're looking for a place to cut loose without anyone judging you for being yourself, this is definitely the destination for you!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Club Hexnetic

Hexnetic is a unique underground music venue with an unparalleled theme. Step somewhere into the distant future and find yourself amongst a dystopian fueled world. LGBTQ owned and operated, it is a safe space with a chill atmosphere and awesome tunes of various genres played by live DJs!

Visit in Second Life

Seraphim will be holding its annual SeraPride event on June 18th, starting at 11:30am PT in support of the LGBTQI+ community.

Founded in 2011, Seraphim is the biggest Second Life shopping destination aggregator reporting over 2 million page views per month. They are the experts in helping SL shopping addicts find their fix! Covering all the biggest shopping events and sales running on the grid, the co-owners Kess Crystal and Delicate Flower have also added livestreaming and podcasting to their repertoire. Check out their weekly Outlet Live and Seracast videos on the Seraphim YouTube channel. 

Serasim is the home of Seraphim HQ inworld where all kinds of events are held throughout the year, including Blogger Panels, Holiday Events, and SeraPride! 

SeraPride is their annual one day fundraising event. Last year the event raised well over $3000 USD. Hoping to raise even more this year, the festivities will start on June 18th at 11:30am PT and throughout the day there will be DJs, a Drag Race, SeraPride Idol, Raffles, Giveaways, and more! All proceeds will benefit Rainbow Railroad, a small Canadian based organization that helps LGBTQI+ people threatened for their lives to relocate to a safe place. 

Both Del and Kess share a passion for raising awareness for this cause. Del says, “This event is a fun way to raise awareness, bring in some donations and help some people survive. At the end of the day we as humans are driven to help one another.”

Kess shares her sentiments, “The situation for LGBTQ folks is dire at the moment. Be it in Afghanistan or many states in the United States. We are trying to provide a colorful environment, that we are custom building, for a really vibrant event that will be a lot of fun! Second Life has always been a place that attracts people who are curious to explore their identity to the fullest and it has become for many a place that feels safe to be who you are.”

So grab your rainbow gear and head on down to SeraPride on June 18th for some fun community engagement while contributing to an important cause. 

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

SeraSim // Seraphimsl.com

Home of Seraphim HQ, 70L SeraSim Sundays, The Outlet, and a robust shopping district featuring over 20 of the most loved brands. Find out more by visiting: www.seraphimsl.com

Visit in Second Life

Christopher Street in Second Life is a safe place for the LGBTQ+ community to come together, connect, and be themselves.

In June of 1969, in a part of NYC known as the West Village, police officers raided one of the most popular gay bars on Christopher Street named the Stonewall Inn. They began beating members of the transgender community, which led to a backlash from those who were present and fed up with what had been happening for years. That was the beginning of the Stonewall Riots that started on Christopher Street and continued all over the Village area of NYC for the next few days. They are the reason you can call yourself Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Pansexual, Trangender, Non-Binary, Queer and anything else you prefer to identify with, without being arrested for doing so. 

The virtual Christopher Street in Second Life is inspired by these events. It is a place of love where Residents can feel safe and learn about each other and explore their sexuality and gender with people like themselves, who care and understand. 

Tabitha Littlepaws, the owner of Christopher Street, gave the streets similar names as those from the neighborhood in Greenwich Village. She tells us why she chose this place, “not just because this was where the LGBT movement was said to have begun, but because we want to show the people of Second Life that we too can rise above the hate and start a community of individuals that believe in similar ideals.

Like the people that were involved in the peaceful protests that occurred after the uprising, we too can bring together a movement in our virtual world that will show everyone we can be strong and overcome our differences to live together in peace. We are creators, we are builders, we are dancers, we are artists, we are poets, we are philosophers, we are gamers, we are doctors, we are whatever we choose to be. We are gay, we are lesbian, we are bisexual, we are asexual, we are transgender, we are straight but not narrow, we are whatever we choose to be. We are feelings behind the pixels, we are love!”

What Tabitha offers the community is a place to call home. She says, “There are very few if any communities in SL that provide basic housing for free. There are very few if any communities that will provide a new creator the chance to have a storefront to display their talents for free. We want to give everyone a chance to be part of a community no matter what their financial status might be. We only ask our residents and shop owners for a donation that they can afford, whether this is $1L or many more, we do not log or let other residents know how much anyone gives to our community.”

Tabitha’s partner, Penny Cobalt, lives in a part of the world where the LGBTQ community faces a lot of hate and she can only be safe as long as she keeps a low profile. Penny owns a LGBTQ dating site in Second Life, Love Me Tender, that is located in Christopher Street.

Find your home at Christopher Street where diversity is welcomed with open arms and no judgment exists!

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Christopher Street

Christopher Street is a friendly place to meet like-minded people. A great place to call home, it has free apartments and free storefronts, inquire within! It is a safe place for the LGBTQ+ Community to come together, connect, and be themselves.

Visit in Second Life

Ready for adventure? The Citadel in Second Life offers roleplay and SciFi enthusiasts a place to call home.

Citadel, the Legion Chronicles, has gone through many transformations since 2009, but at the heart has always been a role-play destination for lovers of science fiction. 

Aywin Dragonblood started off her metaverse journey on the teen grid in Second Life, learning how to dabble in the art of roleplay. Moving on to the adult grid, she taught herself how to build with prims, mesh, script, texture, and also design websites, all by getting tips from friends in Second Life and tinkering with things on her own. 

Adding writing to her many talents, Aywin shares “The Citadel that exists today uses lore I spent 9 years writing. It started on a piece of paper, then a notebook, then a computer. Creating the story of a vast galaxy that had fallen into chaos, then rebuilt itself into this scattered and vastly different galaxy in which each world had to adapt on its own, was a lot of fun.”

As to why Aywin created the Citadel, she says “I wanted a place that is a fun, inviting place to roleplay. A place where we all worked together for our passion of SciFi. I wanted The Citadel to operate like a small mom and pop business. I or my admins greet each person when we can and work with newcomers one on one if needed.” 

Encouraging participants to use the destination to host events, shows, concerts, parties, businesses, and more, Aywin has created an engaging community worth joining. 

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Citadel - The Legion Chronicles

The Citadel is a Sci-Fi / Fantasy roleplay destination with a unique and vivid storyline that gives so much possibility for players to really explore and create their own unique characters. They have deep and lasting events that can take place over several days. Each event with its own story fills in part of the bigger story of the Citadel. The RP at the Citadel is meant to be easy for players to jump right in. For more information, visit citadellegionchron.wixsite.com/citadel

Visit in Second Life

Wander into Lost Lagoon, home to whimsical waterfalls and just the place for you to relax and get away from it all.

Ever walked around Second Life and found yourself lost in contemplation? The Lost Lagoon is one of those spots where you can indulge in some solitude while exploring all the hidden gems it has to offer. Make sure to turn up your sounds to hear the relaxing waves. 

Alternatively, it can also be a place to meet or rather randomly bump into fellow explorers and strike up a conversation with someone who may come from a very different corner of the physical world than you.

The island is what you make it, just as you do with your avatar. The video proves that humans, furries, and the occasional teddy bear, can all hang out and play together. 

As you explore, find a big hall with an astrology map serving as its roof on top of one of the hills on the island. Imagine the soft sounds of the old piano, slightly out of tune perhaps. Travel downhill to the beach, where strange artifacts from the distant past are overgrown with flowers and weeds alike. Walk the connected wooden walkways that safeguard the visitor from falling into the swampy water - but beware of possible alligators!

Built by Mark Knight and administered by Jana Guyot, Lost Lagoon is a quintessential Second Life destination that brings beauty and a sense of calm. Lose yourself in the serenity of this little island.

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Lost Lagoon

Lost Lagoon is an isolated paradise in the South Seas. This beautiful jewel of a destination is a great place to explore, get in touch with nature, relax and cuddle. Everyone is welcome to find their piece of paradise at the Lost Lagoon.

Visit in Second Life

Our “Made in Second Life” series continues with artist JudiLynn India, an abstract painter in the physical world who has combined her love of art with Second Life. The latter has helped her be more productive as she has fully embraced the identity of digital artist and virtual gallery owner in the Metaverse to her resume.

Trained in graphic design and drawing at the Tyler School of Art, JudiLynn puts her creativity to work on paintings that are both created in ways traditional as well as digital; using brush and paint in the physical world, combining vivid colors with earthy tones, she imports high quality images into SL. JudiLynn does not seem to be afraid - as some in the art world are - to use digital technology to manipulate some images that nonetheless originate in the “brick and mortar” realm to create visceral art that feels both alive and serene.

She tells us, “Though school assignments focused on realism, I later found myself drawn to intuitive painting as I find it more interesting to create what my spirit dictates than try to reproduce the real world.” Her interest in abstract painting peaked when she saw a senior art student throwing paint at a canvas and found it to be empowering. 

In 2009, when she discovered Second Life through a magazine article, her exploration of digital art began. Since then, she has been sharing her digital illustrations and traditional paintings while building relationships within the Second Life art community. “I was set up in a small storefront where I was discovered by 3D sculptor Binary Quandry and introduced to the Life Stream Gallery. I soon met many other painters and visual artists from around the globe,” she shares. “I was offered land, by Luchenpur Darwin, to build a gallery at Center Ground region and have been there since 2012.” 

Creativity runs in the family as JudiLynn’s father, John Staples, was a prolific oil painter and graphic artist himself. And JudiLynn reveals this about her mother: “After viewing the theater debut of TRON in 1982, she called me to say that she could see me combining artwork with computers some day. Mom was clairvoyant.” 

At the Center Ground Gallery of Art you can see digital copies of JudiLynn’s abstract art on the walls, and socialize with other art aficionados at the Alpha Jazz Cafe. Prints of some of her physical world abstract art can be found at judilynnart.com.

Jump into creating your own virtual abstract art with “The Splasher” available for free on the SL marketplace, created by veteran Second Life content creator Arduen Schwartzman who helped envision JudiLynn’s story about her art school days - as seen in the video - with his generous creation. 

Art by others seen in the video inside JudiLynn’s Second Life home:

"EASTBOUND" and "PAISLEY HAZE II" by Erin Ashley 
 "Ashanti" by Karen Dupre 
"2309" by Edith Konrad 
"Swans and Toucan" by Amanda Tomasoa
"Numachi" and "Sundown Serenade" by LuAnn Ostergaard

Video Production by Draxtor Despres

Center Ground Gallery of Art

The Center Ground Gallery of Art presents the artwork of Real Life artist Judilynn India. Owned and curated by JudiLynn India, they occasionally host the work of other great RL painters. Feel free to browse the gallery and relax in the gallery gardens where you'll also find space to dance or bike ride through the Center Ground region.

Visit in Second Life

Visit the Lupus Awareness Fair at Blue Orchid District throughout the month of May to see the bright spirit of SL that connects people through troubling times.

The Blue Orchid is run by the sorority Sigma Upsilon Nu, and they have had a presence in SL since 2010. The main contributors to this event are Big Sister Cleopatra Kellman and Shanina Chenaux.

This virtual event raises awareness and makes a real impact with donations. Cleopatra and Shanina tell us, “Since 2010, Lupus Awareness has been Sigma Upsilon Nu's charity of choice. We have unselfishly dedicated our time in raising funds and awareness throughout the full month of May. With the help of our SL sponsors, designers, and supporters we raised $1,766.00 last year. As promised, all proceeds were donated to Lupus of America and Lupus of UK.”

For those unfamiliar with lupus, it is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in many parts of the body. Common symptoms include painful and swollen joints, fever, chest pain, hair loss, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, feeling tired, and a red rash which is most commonly on the face. There are often periods of illness, called flares, and periods of remission during which symptoms are less severe or absent.

Research shows that Black women are disproportionately affected by lupus and that they also experience more rapid progression and worse outcomes compared with other groups.

This month-long event is an opportunity for people to learn something new and show support for a warm and inviting community. Enjoy a stroll through manicured courtyards while taking breaks to read posters with information on lupus, as knowledge is the power we need to dismantle stigmas and bring about equitable care for all.
 
One street is emblazoned with letters that spell out BLACK LIVES MATTER, with each letter bearing a colorful mural that supports the theme of civil rights. It is reminiscent of Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C. and is powerful to behold.

With a fully staffed restaurant, monthly lupus support group meetings, live poetry night, and many more special events taking place this month, we hope that you check it out.

Video Production Credits: 
Draxtor Despres

Lupus Awareness Fair at Blue Orchid District

The Blue Orchid District is home of Sigma Upsilon Nu Sorority, a RL non-profit organization dedicated to sisterhood and education. The beautifully landscaped region has a fully staffed restaurant, monthly group Lupus Meetings, Live Poetry Night, and much more! Their Annual Lupus Awareness Fair runs from May 1st to 31st for Lupus Awareness Month. The event begins on Sunday, May 1st at 11am PT with an opening ceremony and a Start/Finish Walk. For more info, visit sigmaupsilonnusl.wixsite.com/slsorority

Visit in Second Life

Come experience a perfect spring day at Whimberly, a photogenic oasis where visitors can hang out while admiring the beauty of nature.

Creator Staubi Reilig tells us, “Whimberly was created as a photogenic spot to give SL {Residents} the opportunity to use a {region} for their photos free of charge and without group membership fees.” One lap around Whimberly makes it clear that this place was definitely built with photography in mind; the landscape is absolutely stunning but in an unimposing manner that serves to complement a photo’s subject without distraction. Staubi adds, “The {region} quickly became a popular destination for spending time with my friends too… At regular intervals we switch the design from spring to autumn and vice versa.” So take advantage of the vast field of tall yellow flowers while you can, and be sure to come back later this year!

Whimberly’s layout has a sense of openness, which adds a sense of safety and tranquility. Explorers can find hidden nooks like a set of wooden chairs with a small campfire ablaze, or a comfy swing hanging from a tree. Staubi would like to give credit to Ethan Reilig, who "takes care of the terraforming and the details," as building in SL can be a team effort.

Something extra special about Whimberly is that it was built with user-friendliness in mind at the technical level. Staubi explains that, “When designing, it is important to me that everybody, regardless of the technical requirements, can admire the {region} and feel comfortable. For example, I always build with the windlight at "noon" and without the advanced lighting model switched on, so that I know how everything looks for someone who wanders through SL with low-graphic settings or for new users who don't even know how to adjust their settings.” We appreciate that! (For those interested, check out this video on Viewer Basics.)

Featured in the video is blogger Charlotte Chisolm, who tells us “Second Life is my creative outlet and enables me to explore and learn about photography and photo editing, which I use daily to relax from the grind of real life. SL is a wonderfully social and creative world in which one can become anything they want to be… Some of my closest friends were once random avatars I met while out exploring.”

Visit Whimberly today, whether alone or with friends, as this serene location is truly welcome to everybody. Who knows what you’ll discover?

Video Productions Credits:
Draxtor Despres

Whimberly

Come and explore the "forest" themed location called "Whimberly". Enjoy your stay, take lots of pictures, meet friends and above all have fun! To all the amazing Vloggers out there, you are allowed to take videos.

Visit in Second Life

Inspired by works like The Great Gatsby, One More Light is a portal to the New York glitz and glamor of the 1920s.

Owner Abigail Lemongrass has been a Resident for years, finding that the virtual world provided accessible relaxation and fulfillment: “I worked long hours as a nurse and getting out of the house wasn't always a feasible option for me. Through pictures and building, SL offered that bit of solace that a weary soul needs. What I have found is a world of people who very much like myself just needed a spot to land and escape the real world for a while.”

Upon landing, visitors are given instructions to rez a stylish classic car, enter the estate, and immerse themselves in the posh atmosphere. There’s nothing like a grand staircase to make you feel like you’re on a luxurious getaway!

Mark your calendars, as there will be an event series at the big Gatsby Mansion from May 5th through May 15th. The One More Light team is hosting this “to raise money and awareness for Relay for Life in Second Life. There will be musicians, theater performances, a gallery exhibit, a kind of Kentucky Derby, {a screening of} The Great Gatsby, and a big fireworks finale.”

Abigail tells us, “We really loved the DRD Hotel when we saw it and knew right away that we'd use it for an event. The whole idea of going back to the 1920's was one we all jumped on because it's so much fun to dress up in Second Life.”

You don’t want to miss this, as Abigail has mentioned “The hotel will be here until May 15th and then we'll be off to a new build. We already have plans on making it an annual event though.” So grab your formal wear and head over for a cocktail at the swanky bar and restaurant before it’s too late!

Abigail wants us to know that this labor of love took a village of brilliant creatives, sharing, “SL offered an opportunity that would not have been afforded to me otherwise… Building {One More Light} was a collaboration of ideas among us all. I had the vision and our designer was able to create it like she could see into my mind.”

Team Members:
https://my.secondlife.com/Lily.Cloud
https://my.secondlife.com/Baylinerbob73
https://my.secondlife.com/haggis.firehawk
https://my.secondlife.com/Moira.Macarthur
https://my.secondlife.com/kasslinamoonglow
https://my.secondlife.com/moira.tristan
https://my.secondlife.com/montanaskies
https://my.secondlife.com/zarah.coronet
https://my.secondlife.com/braxtonryker
https://my.secondlife.com/photodoll77
https://my.secondlife.com/lene.float
https://my.secondlife.com/moniquenl
https://my.secondlife.com/sly.dawg
https://my.secondlife.com/saradawn2018
https://my.secondlife.com/river041

Music Credit: Freesound Music

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

One More Light

The One More Light destination provides immediate immersion back to the roaring 1920s to a romantic and historical era of the U.S. with a region themed around The Great Gatsby. You will immediately be immersed from your car ride to the Gatsby estate with period architecture, rolling gardens, and stone paths. With indoor and outdoor pools, theater, art gallery, bar/restaurant, and an incredible hotel, you will be swept back in time to old New York glitz and glamor.

Visit in Second Life

Creator Jenaia Morane describes Braided Lives as “a multimedia, multiplatform initiative designed to bring people from around the planet together to create, collaborate, and build community.” It currently features a music installation called Songs for Ukraine.

Jenaia has been a Resident for over 14 years, telling us, “the most important lesson I’ve learned is that people are people wherever and however they choose to appear, and virtual reality has a lot to teach us about what it means to be human.”

As a response to the overwhelming emotions that many of us feel these days as a result of chaotic global events and uncertainty about the future, Jenaia applied those values to Braided Lives. As one of countless people who saw the devastation of the Ukrainian invasion and felt a frustrating sense of powerlessness, Jenaia realized “What I am, however, is a storyteller who has learned that sharing our stories through song is one of the best ways to open hearts and keep hope and courage alive in the world.”

Jenaia goes into great detail on the various goals of the Songs for Ukraine project:

• Entertain, Educate, and Inspire: “Bring people from around the world together to enjoy live music that supports and celebrates Ukraine. The concerts are held in recreations of places in Ukraine - e.g., the subways where people are living to escape the Russian bombs. These spaces are meant to give attendees a sense of what the Ukrainians are experiencing, including the hope and courage they’re displaying through their music. (Each live concert is broadcast in both SL and on the web so that anyone, anywhere with an internet connection can enjoy them. They are also recorded and archived so those unable to attend the live shows can listen later.)”
• Support and Educate: “Though we do not collect money, the “Songs for Ukraine” concerts provide information on more than 14 organizations that are offering aid to Ukraine. We also share poetry by Ukrainian poets and are starting to interview and post the work of Ukrainian artists and musicians.”
• Build Bridges: “To be effective, the work being done in virtual spaces needs to become readily available, easily accessible, and seen as relevant to the rest of the world. This is where music has a vital role to play: it crosses any and all boundaries, opens hearts, and reminds us that what we have in common far outweighs our differences.”

Walking through the region feels like an episodic journey through space and time, as each section has a unique aesthetic and feels insulated in a comforting manner. The air of serenity makes it easy to relax, and art pieces are perfectly balanced with the natural beauty of the outdoors. Eventually Residents happen upon a seating area on an enclosed square of sand, reminiscent of a zen garden. Just past that, a literal approach to the concept of a word tree that provokes visitors to think about familiar concepts in a new light.

Jenaia’s endeavor to foster resilience, hope, and connection features banners with inspiring quotes at the entrance and multiple stages for speaking and/or performing. There is also ample room for quiet contemplation, as one can see at a memorial for Ebbe Altberg, who many Residents remember as the CEO of Linden Lab until his passing last year. The poem “Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep” encourages the reader to live in the present moment and not be focused on the past or weighed down by grief for those lost.

All are welcome to visit Braided Lives. In a world that teaches us to be constantly moving, allow yourself to rest. You deserve it, maybe more than you know.

Video Production Credits: Draxtor Despres
Musicians in order of appearance: Cylindrian Rutabaga, Frogg Marlowe, and Raspbury Rearwin.

Braided Lives

Braided Lives is a multi-platform initiative designed to bring people from all walks of life together to tell their stories and collaborate on the creation of a more equitable and sustainable future. The concept was born in response to the isolation, stress, anger, and frustration that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing racial tensions. For more info, visit braidedlives.com

Visit in Second Life

Swim among Jurassic era dinosaurs and plant life dappled with hints of fantasy at Isla del Mar.

It’s time for your avatar to see what’s happening below the surface: the water is a surreal cyan body that feels very much alive, filled with glowing seaweed and moving with gusto.

Creator Saer Genosse is a 3D modeling aficionado, saying it all started when “I became obsessed with building and doing terrain work back in ActiveWorlds in 1995…” Saer tells us that eight years later, “a coworker showed me Second Life and it was like starting all over again! The SL terrain program is sooo much faster than it was in AW, and it is my favorite thing to do in 3D!”

Fly over an active volcano to see a thick river of magma, one of many terrifying yet beautiful natural phenomena that Residents get to experience in SL. For Saer, “a world build is like a painting. I pick the color scheme, decide on the theme, and it becomes a process of creation. The fun part about SL is you can tinker with it endlessly, and that is where I am today.” Isla del Mar blends the past and present to make a magical paradise featuring orcas, sharks, and many other majestic creatures that we know only from what they left behind. 

Building in Second Life is engaging, fulfilling, and sometimes delightfully unpredictable. Saer shares, “Creating an environment that avatars enjoy has just been icing on the cake. Sometimes the theme of a world doesn't hit me until I start throwing terrain around. Some builds have even come to me in dreams! In the case of our newest {region} Isla del Mer, my RL husband and SL partner asked me a few years ago to build a volcano, so I finally have!”

The majority of the region is aquatic, and underwater exploration has a special way of providing the illusion of infinity. While all avatars are welcome to explore Isla del Mar, there is something spectacular about being able to glide through water with a fin. According to Saer, “We discovered Mer bodies a few years ago, and can't seem to go back to being 'leggers.' The fluidity and relaxing nature of swimming underwater is the most satisfying way I have found to spend my time online. Everyone should at least try it!”

Sears admits “I'm officially retired in RL and SL, but world building is in my blood and I can't imagine not doing it. I guess when I finally fall off the computer chair I'll quit.” Well, they say if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Sounds like Saer has really gotten that figured out.

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

Isla del Mer

Isla del Mer is a land of volcanoes - home to Dinosaurs and an Underwater world full of sea creatures! Whales, sharks, fish and beautiful corals, caves and crater gardens offer places for calm reflection. They are Mer, and invite all Aquatic enthusiasts to visit this Moderate destination.

Visit in Second Life

Feel the thrill of exploring an abandoned theme park on a rainy night at The Lost Wonderland.

This region is an ode to a nostalgia that many Residents may relate to. Creator Litani Istmal was having a conversation with some friends, reminiscing about “our years of meeting up at the small arcade in our mall before it shut down. It was our favorite meet up spot, the spot to meet someone new, and to just relax after a long week stuck in classes. For me, the whole experience is like going back in time to a place where happy memories were created.” The theme of the arcade is both literal and meta here; while you explore the grounds, given the the element of roleplay, it can also feel like you are inside of a game.

The landing point gives you the option of going in two directions, towards the outdoors portion with rides, or a covered area that bears similarities to the urban underground of an Asian neighborhood. Empty shops, a laundromat, and bright lights add an air of playful mystery.

The outdoor area is a dilapidated theme park with a ferris wheel, game booths, and other rides in a rusty state of decay. The once bright colors have now faded into garish shades under the dim light. Remnants of a wooden roller coaster sit at the edge, where riders once enjoyed a panoramic view of the surroundings. Walk into a dark cave and you’ll be teleported to another location, so visitors should be up for anything.

Since SL has been around for so long, Litani’s relationship to SL had time to grow and evolve. This might be encouraging for newer Residents or for those who are ready to try something new but don’t know where to start. Litani actually went through a creative block for a period, but tells us, “When the pandemic hit and the lockdowns followed, I found myself signing into SL again. I started exploring a bustling neighborhood style community and there I rediscovered my love for roleplay while COVID continued to turn every place in the real world into a ghost town.” 

Following this renewed interest in virtual creation and connection, Litani adds, “The pandemic definitely changed Second Life for me. I became more social and also made new friends that introduced me to activities like the weekly grid drives. That’s when I started to really explore and discover what all the Mainland had to offer.”

For those unfamiliar with the Mainland, Litani says “Mainland is a vital artery of SL. It offers plenty of amazing places created by Residents to explore and discover. Some of these amazing experiences include working railroads, subway stations, airports, and my favorite, sailing the open seas.  To the new explorer who may feel overwhelmed, there are pod stations that take you on tours. There are also great groups like Passengers of SL, where you can catch multiple plane rides and Drivers of SL, with their weekly guided grid drives.”

Visit The Lost Wonderland today to get your fix of good-natured mischief. Who knows where it will lead?

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

The Lost Wonderland

Magic exists within this abandoned theme park. Find the lost wonderland and get transported back to an era where arcades ruled the social scene. Climb to the rooftop to kick back and relax or try some competitive paintball and bumper cars. There's plenty to do with an amusement park right outside the doors. Grab some friends, meet someone new, and most important of all... have fun!

Visit in Second Life

Something is amiss at The Endless Graveyard. Explore the tranquil, yet eerie forest and you may stumble upon a doorway to the supernatural.

Creator Lady Death Valknut started with a story, and as this narrative became more elaborate, this vast and mysterious place came together. 

According to Lady Death, 

As you walk around, subtle hints make it increasingly apparent that a macabre otherworldliness has enveloped this place. The dappled light that squeezes in from above is tinged with unnatural hues. Lanterns are shrouded in huge horns from animals that must look terrifying. Or are they carved bones?

Lady Death tells us, “For me, Second Life has always been a creativity outlet. It's the perfect place to combine my love of writing with my love of design. I have hundreds of stories in my head, and worlds to go with each of them. The theme of The Endless Graveyard is just one of those stories, and I chose it because it was one of the environments that best suited my character as Death.” As intricate as this region is, it is actually still being worked on and a full website will be available soon.

With SL, jumping right in and teleporting from place to place is a great way to get your bearings. This approach certainly worked for Lady Death: “I began Second Life by exploring places, getting lost in them, and finding hidden places. That is what made me fall in love with Second Life in the first place, and now I seek to create an environment destined to be explored, with hidden places that can only be found if one looks hard enough. I wish to pass on the joys I experienced in my newer days to the future Residents, something that sparks their imaginations and makes them think deeper about what they see on the surface.”

Do you dare face the dark presence that lurks in The Endless Graveyard? Discover hidden spots off the beaten path today.

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

The Endless Graveyard

The Endless Graveyard is a forest in Sweden that exists at the edge of the land of the living. Can you find the hidden doorway to the realm of the dead? Add your images to their Flickr group: flickr.com/groups/legioamorte

Visit in Second Life

Endless summer awaits at Rainbow Reef, a surfing destination with everything you need to relax.

Creators Love Repine and Ghost Mannequin know Second Life pretty well, having been Residents for about 15 years. Love tells us, “My motivation to create in SL has always been around beach {regions}. Building an environment based on movement, ambience and sound, a place where people can really immerse themselves in a true beach experience. A place to call home and a bolthole to escape.” 

Trade in skyscrapers for palm trees and hop into a wetsuit. Regarding the beach theme, Love adds, “I’ve been lucky to have had some amazing sims like Laguna Beach Club, Mojo Beach and now Rainbow Reef, that have attracted amazing people, which at the end of the day completes the circle.” A solar panel on one end of the beach gives it a modern touch.

A casual bar appears to be made of locally repurposed wood, providing a dance floor right on the water. Music was another factor that had to be just right, as Love mentions, “At Rainbow Reef we have hooked up with Dublab, an L.A.-based radio station that plays an eclectic mix of music which streams across the {region} 24/7 and brings in an extra dimension.” A cabana nearby would be a great spot to catch your breath after catching some waves, and the string lights make it great for day or night.

Regions that honor the beauty of nature and offer a virtual way to interact with it are great for virtual vacations when life doesn’t make it easy to take a day off. Love adds, “Recently at the height of the pandemic when people were restricted with travel, working from home, and often isolated in {the physical world}, Second Life gave people that channel to reach out and still feel connected.” 

However, Love feels that this magical draw to connection is not unique to the last two years, citing it as “just one example of why people have consistently used Second Life and will continue to do so, creating wonderful experiences for others, and for themselves, to spend time in.” Plus, don’t miss your chance to grab a pic with an adorable stray beach cat.

As you can see in the video, Rainbow Reef is a melting pot of Residents ready to kick off their shoes and live in the moment. As a reminder that at any given moment in SL you can meet someone from another part of the world, one of the Residents in the video is Jetcat Despres, hailing from Japan. Drax tells us that “we had to use translators to communicate but we all felt very connected and had a sense of presence, as Love mentions above. However the ingenious decision of LL early on to create a sense of family via last names was awesome. I had forgotten about this amazing aspect of the SL Metaverse!”

Who knows, maybe you’ll run into a long lost virtual relative as well! Find out by visiting Rainbow Reef today.

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

Rainbow Reef

Come and surf the waves at Rainbow Reef! Hang out at the beach club and taste the cold beers or soak up the sunshine. Rainbow Reef is the surfing beach you have been looking for!

Visit in Second Life

The Desire Realm pays homage to Roro Jonggrang, a Javanese fairy tale of love and betrayal, set in a gorgeous Hindu temple with a tropical monsoon climate.

Creator Aryluke tells us that this region was originally something else, and over time evolved into Candi Roro Jonggrang - Prambanan. Prambanan is an 8th-century Hindu temple compound in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, that is dedicated to the Trimūrti, the expression of God as the Creator (Brahma), the Preserver (Vishnu), and the Destroyer (Shiva).

Aryluke explains, “I love building in Second Life, so my {region} and its concept will most likely always change a lot. However, it will still be about my home here in Central Java, Indonesia and all the monuments and temples we have here in {the physical world}. I will keep them rezzed to share with everyone all over the world.”

The sky and water bear an interesting palette of sepia and taupe; this shields visitors from the harsh tropical sun while giving the region a peaceful golden hour tone. It also makes the green of the palm trees and plant life pop. This is a tranquil region untouched by industrialization, made in honor of natural beauty and its sacred soundscape.

The setting has great spiritual value, as Aryluke tells us, “The Desire Realm or Karma Vhibangga Level as it stands now on my {region} is the lowest level of The Borobudur, which features 160 relief panels all telling stories about moral and ethical questions and interactions between people in a variety of social settings, so they - as Buddhists - can become better humans, while in the physical realm.” Perfectly preserved ancient structures provide a sense of timelessness, and sculptures of Hindu deities are immensely humbling. If you are lucky enough to find a horse, riding it over the water is pure magic, imbuing visitors with a profound sense of gratitude. 

Aryluke’s creative process involved the following: “I used some pictures from the museum in Borobudur and textured them on those giant prims surrounding the top level of the Borobudur. This way people who visit can actually view them, which they could not do in RL because they are too high up.”

Aryluke’s approach to SL is multifaceted, illustrating the numerous ways that Residents can find fulfillment here: “I joined SL to have more creativity, friends, and fun. It has been a wonderful world for me, {I’m} so glad to see what people build here from all over the world. A lot is about nature, education, art, culture, etc. I spend my time in SL exploring places. There is a lot to learn here, if you want to.”

Regarding what sets Second Life apart from other virtual worlds, Aryluke tells us, “Considering everything we have in SL: the variety of {regions}, quality of avatars, business/marketplace, virtual currency, land/property, and social life… SL is still the best metaverse for me.”

We each have a unique perspective on the culture we grew up in, and experiencing different cultures with the guidance of someone within the community provides invaluable authenticity, with little details you can’t always find through your own research. Like many others, Aryluke explains, “I have been a heritage enthusiast since I was very young, and so when I discovered SL and had a chance to build things we have here in Indonesia, it became very interesting for me.”

Immerse yourself in ancient history and international culture the Second Life way, and visit The Desire Realm today.

Aryluke's Flickr

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

The Desire Realm

The Desire Realm brings the beauty of a tropical landscape surrounded by temples and monuments. Offering some interesting gifts, free for visitors and newbies. It's a great place to hang out, meditate, and take some water reflection photography. Everyone is welcome!

Visit in Second Life

A peaceful fog rolls over the hills of The Forgotten Gardens, where fantasy roleplayers and curious explorers can spend hours writing their own story.

This expansive region feels like a slice of English countryside cloaked in elements of high fantasy. Creator Eloise Lionheart explains, “I've always been drawn to the fantasy side of avatars. Fairies, elves, and other mythical creatures. That combined with my love of nature, I felt a need, a pull towards something more fantasy in theme, more an escape into the imagination, an escape from reality.” It certainly is, with glowing specks floating in the air giving the entire region a very magical touch.

Upon arrival, visitors walk out into tall grass where a creek flows nearby. On the other side is a gazebo overgrown with vines, flowers, and thick roots wrapped around the fountain in the center. The lush plant life makes it feel as if the whole place is alive. In addition to the fantasy genre, Eloise tells us of a particularly influential book: “The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson is a childhood memory and building a secret garden filled with fantasy and wonder became a must.” Quirky frog sculptures and plants with bulbous flowers the size of your head add a whimsical flair. The English undertones are visible yet again with none other than a sweet Corgi sitting in a wagon. 

Eloise proclaims, “For me, one of the many joys of the Second Life Metaverse is that region creators can bring to life fantasy, roleplay or real life destinations.” However, building was not on their radar at first. “I never once thought I would have the ability to create regions people enjoy so much. I knew nothing about landscaping or creating a scene. I spent a long time browsing Flickr in wonder at the way bloggers, creators, and landscapers would display content and make it look so realistic and thought provoking.”

So, to newer Residents or those interested in building but are scared to try, Eloise says, “When you are looking at that flat square of terrain, it can be close to impossible to imagine it can be developed into your thoughts. That first step is to believe in yourself and if I can do this, anyone can!”

Each section of this region feels like a chapter of a story. In one corner, a small cemetery is adorned with wildflowers, under the careful watch of some stoic deer. If you dare to cross into the more dense fog, sculptures of two rearing unicorns form an arch at the entrance of a bridge. Of the twists and turns of the creative process, Eloise says, “That is the magical part of learning on this journey. Each failure has been a lesson and each lesson another idea, and from that idea has grown a new thought to share. Best of all, a small piece of land can be the start of great things and this ability to grow is open to everyone, it just takes some belief in yourself…”

A mansion or castle lies just beyond, with halls bearing trails of white rose petals. This place could even be a wedding venue, with a regal ceremony room and playful modern touches like a rec room offering billiard and ping pong tables. It gives The Forgotten Gardens an air of unpredictability, proving again that in Second Life, anything is possible.

“I truly believe that Second Life and the 3D world is an extension to books or films. You can lose yourself in a book, the hours pass and you crave the ending, to know the full story, to see if your theory was right. That creativity of writing carries over into this world we all share: as books fill our minds with words, those words become pictures, and from those pictures we form ideas. It pushes your need to create it in another form, and that is the beauty of Second Life. People bring stories to life virtually as their imagination is stirred. It's a never-ending flow that brings inspiration to the wanderer…”

Wander through The Forgotten Gardens today to see what kind of story you’ll leave with. Post on the region’s Flickr to share with others, and maybe your story will evolve into an epic tale!

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

The Forgotten Gardens

Paths in moonlight, tread with care. Fairies sleeping, please don't stare! A towering stag guards his home, explorers are welcome to rest or roam. The Forgotten Gardens is a walk in moonlight, along abandoned paths each taking you to something old but magical. Please use shared region environment. Welcome to all!

Visit in Second Life

Step into the surreal otherworldliness of Black Kite, where the serenity of a lily pond meets the comfort of your coolest friend’s living room.

Black Kite is sort of a patchwork of inventive resting places connected by long piers that extend deep out into the water. This adds a fun hint of surprise as you approach each station, as you have no idea what is about to rez. Creator Cloudy tells us, “Second Life is this magical world of creativity and expression; you can do just about anything and be just about anyone. I love how it connects so many people from all over the world and different backgrounds, enriching your life in ways one might never have expected.” 

This region is ripe for exploration, with sights like floating fish and cozy pieces of furniture strewn about the corners. What at first looks like a small shack turns out to be an industrial chic lounging area with water lilies sprouting through the cracks in the floor. Cloudy explains that this imaginative creation is a way of giving back to SL, saying, “I would spend countless hours at places, just enjoying what other creators made… I decided I wanted to give back, like so many others did before me, and create a little spot where people could think, dream, and just have a special little place to call their home if they didn't have one. I wanted to add my own little bit of magic to this magical place.” 

This photogenic region shows the vibrant intersections of fantasy, art, and self-expression that take place in our virtual world everyday. The glistening water gives a sense of timelessness while other elements, like a whirlwind of butterflies around a tree, are perfectly frozen. Black Kite has an aura of self-acceptance that Cloudy also appears to possess, stating, “I take Second Life just like real life, one day at a time… so who knows what the future may bring. Perhaps working with others on projects, maybe creating a new project myself or just continuing to enjoy seeing people come to Black Kite after all these long years.” A dilapidated phone booth, a symbol of travel or transformation in many works of fiction, is adorned with tree branches and golden buttercups. Nature gracefully reclaiming human creations is a predominant theme of this whimsical dreamscape. 

On what may come of other “metaverse” platforms, Cloudy tells us, “I've tried just about every single virtual world that has come out and yet I'm still here in Second Life. All these other worlds come and go.”

There is also a corner where you can buy home and garden items made in the same fantastical style, for those inspired to create their own dreamy getaway. Flowers as tall as an avatar play with size distortion, adding childlike wonder and playfulness. “Second Life means a lot to me, it's more than just a game or hobby, as it allowed me to meet so many people I would never have; I've made wonderful friendships and bonds that make me feel very blessed.”

Join the Flickr group today to share your adventures!

Video Production Credits:
Draxtor Despres

Black Kite

Black Kite has been placed with care by Black Cloud. It is blogger, photographer, and explorer friendly with an auto-return set to 60 minutes. Share your pictures in their Flickr group: flickr.com/groups/black-kite

Visit in Second Life