The London Sims

My SL wandering recently took me to The London Sims. Based on RL London there is something here for everyone.

Take a look at the famous sites such as the Marble Arch or

the Big Ben clock tower where you can explore different levels inside the tower.

Go for a relaxing boat ride on the lake.

Have a drink in the tradition pub, Coach & Horses then on to The Under-Ground Club.

There are plenty of shops too if those Lindens are burning a hole in your virtual pocket.

Currently there is a Star Wars theme photo contest running until the end of May.

Residential and commercial properties are available to rent on The London Sims. There are a number of jobs vacancies which may be of interest to some of you (displayed on a board at the social hub, Hyde Park) plus a newcomer area.

More information can be found here on the Virtual London site.

The London Sims :

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/London%20England%20UK/223/111/21

Butterfly Conservatory

Today I went to the kind of place I love to visit in RL, a butterfly conservatory. (No steamed up camera lens in here though)

Lots of information about butterflies and the different species.

A bug exhibit. Information can be delivered on note cards by clicking on the signs.

An exhibit on the decline of bees and bee preservation. Planting more bee friendly flowers is something we have been more conscious of over the past few years.

The build is very detailed, lots of information available, a lovely tranquil place to pass the time. Plus I got to bring home my own little butterfly.

Butterfly Conservatory : http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden%20Sunny%20Island/98/173/3501

Time Portal - 1950's & 60's Zone

Today I traveled back in time to the 1950's and 60's. 

I arrived outside a cinema which is next to a train station. Entering the station I spied a photo booth and tried it out. I picked up my strip of photograph's and found it is a cool Polaroid HUD that you can drop photo's in to.

On the other side of the cinema is Sonatta Morales. A great vintage clothes shop which also sells some retro hairstyles and accessories. While there I picked up the group gift which is this lovely full skirt 1950's style dress.

I headed off out to have a nosey around the other shops. 

The sounds of animals in the local pet shop drifted out in to the street.

My next stop was the pizza parlour where I munched away on a burger while listening to Chubby Checker 'Let's Twist Again' then on to the Dive club next door for a quick martini.

Look at this fabulous apartment that I found. I could quite happily live here in RL. This is a model home but there is an apartment across the landing which is available to rent. The retro style furniture is actually for sale in a shop beneath the apartments.

Across from the apartments is The Pink Flamingo Diner where I grabbed myself a soda before returning home.

Time Portal 1950s & 60s Zone : http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife//154/36/1930

Blake Deeps

Today I headed underwater to explore Blake Deeps. 

Blake Deeps is a beautiful underwater region which caters for merfolk and undersea explorers. 

Wander through kelp forests, walk around the ruins, explore the underwater caverns and ship wrecks (keeping an eye on the circling sharks)

Grab a chariot and race the hippocampus in the Hippodrome.

Look around the underwater observatory.

Blake Deeps is huge and I only managed to see a small part. You can teleport to the different areas via a map.

Blake Deeps : http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Union%20Passage/231/215/1

The Marvelous Moomintoog Circus

While looking for retro places to visit I came across The Marvelous Moomintoog Circus. A circus wasn't quite what I had in mind but I teleported over to check it out.

I instantly fell in love with the vintage feel of the build plus the swing and big band music playing was lovely to listen to while looking around.

I tried my hand at being a bearded lady then headed to the big top.

Look at me being ever so graceful ... though those ankles look quite painful. 

It's a great place to take photo's as there are quite a few props to try out. Some don't have animations built in but if you are anything like me you will have a stash of poses in your inventory which could be used.

The stage has changeable scenery which you can move about ready for your big performance. The scenery actually reminded me of The Smashing Pumpkins 'Tonight' video.

Even though The Marvelous Moomintoog Circus is not a large place to explore it is still worth checking out, I loved it.

The Marvelous Moomintoog Circus : http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Boa%20Dream%20Beach/37/171/21

Falmouth Hotel

In the mood to visit somewhere spooky I found Falmouth Hotel listed in the SL destination guide. A now derelict building where a number of people have gone missing since its closure. Intrigued I thought I'd go and check it out. I was delighted to find I had arrived outside a grand Art Deco style building. Opening the ornate doors, I stepped inside ready to explore. Walking along the corridor I had the feeling that I was not alone when I spied a shadow creep along the wall. 

Entering the bar my first thought was that I'd come across a sweet teddy bears tea party but on closer inspection I saw that it wasn't tea they were drinking at all but something that looked very much like blood. Then noticing that the bears weren't as cute as they first appeared but were bloodstained and seemed intent on watching my every move I quickly left.

Entering the ballroom, the doors eerily closed behind me. The ballroom was beautiful (if you can ignore the bloodstains). I wasn't too keen on hanging around in here as I'm sure I was catching glimpses of something in corner of my eye which looked to me like skeletons.

I think I'll wait until I get home.

Wanting to go further up the hotel I took the lift only to end up in the basement and here lay some clues as to where the missing people may have met their demise.

I thoroughly enjoyed exploring Falmouth Hotel. The creepy music, screams and creaking doors added to the atmosphere. I loved the build and the textures used are very keeping with the design period.

Oh and I got to bring home my own little creepy cuddly.

Builders Brewery

Well after an extremely long break I seem to have found my way back on SL. My return is due to a RL friend discovering Second Life and I just popped on to help out (though I really don't know how helpful I have been considering how much things have changed). 

The subject of building came up in conversation which is how I discovered Builders Brewery. 

Builders Brewery offer free classes in building, scripting, mesh, etc. All of the classes are listed on the information board. Just click on the lesson you are interested in for more details.

You will find different areas in which you can build with sandboxes, dressing rooms and ground to practise terraforming being available.

Also every Sunday they host a show and tell event where builders can show their creations.

Builders Brewery : http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife//127/195/23