A New Intercontinental Route for Pod Riders

By Klaus Bereznyak

In an exciting announcement last week, Yavanna Llanfair announced to the Pod Rider's Group that a new pod route was being trialed between the Corfeld pod station on Corsica and the DeMorgan pod station on Gaeta V.

Yavanna said, "At the moment, the pod is running in the Route Maintenance livery, as this route is a long way from completion! It will remain on-demand only unless we can get LL to change parcel flags in the channel between continents."

Any extension to the network of yavascript pod tours, created and maintained by Yavanna, is great news for mainland explorers in Second Life. That this one rides across and between two continents is particular cause for celebration. The route passes through some fascinating areas with much to see and, of course, includes a tranquil boat ride through open waters.

The tour currently runs only in one direction, starting at Corfeld, and taking in part of the Circuit de Corse, Corsica's famous, island-wide racetrack.

Speed can be adjusted by pressing the [Page Up] or [Page Down] keys. My preference is to go at about 40% speed, which gives time for the scenery to rez and be enjoyed. At this pace the whole trip took about an hour and a half.

Shortly after departing Corfeld, the tour passes through Laika's Village and wild animals can be seen in enclosures on both sides of the road. A long slope then leads to a shopping complex in Brendon, where the skyline is dominated by an enormous GRAM robot.

On the bridge at Fisher's Rest, the pod turns into a boat and this was the only point on the route where a little jump was experienced, presumably to get round a local obstacle. Apart from that there was really no sense that the tour was in beta.

With environment set to local default, however, throughout the route it was obvious that the introduction of EEP (the Environmental Enhancement Project, which gives region and parcel owners more control over windlight settings) has given rise to inconsistencies in the time of day from sim to sim, and this messes with the natural immersiveness of mainland travel.

The next leg of the journey is a lovely ride out into the bay and between the headlands at Jemmica. There are views of the seaboard communities that are rarely glimpsed except by sailors.

The lighthouse at Debelox is virtually the last glimpse of Corsican mainland before open waters are reached.

The western coast of Gaeta V comes into sight after a short crossing, but the pod skirts north and follows it for a bit, eventually coming in to a narrow channel at Zeord. This is actually an open water canal segment of Route 7, served by various docks maintained by LDPW. Waterside residences crowd the shores of the channel up to Sunspiral Rez Zone, where the pod turns into a road vehicle again and continues on Route 7.

There's not a lot of abandoned land on this side of Gaeta, but plenty of evidence of ongoing development in the characteristically chaotic style of Second Life Mainland.

Traffic cones narrowing the road around Putnam suggest that LDPW is also active in the area  as well as signaling the approach of the end of the tour in DeMorgan.

On alighting at the Yavascript Pod Station in Demorgan you are right alongside an intriguing, brand new citadel that announces itself as the New Home of the leSabre Press Blogs. Built on land acquired on the 15th of February this year, this looks like an extensive work in progress worth exploring.

This pod route will be a marvellous addition to the variety of scripted vehicle experiences in Second Life and will hopefully open up some unsung corners of the mainland to more exploration and development. Many thanks to Yavanna!

Corfeld Pod Station: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Corfeld/248/62/71

For more on the Yava Script Pods: http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Yava_Script_Pods

Klaus Bereznyak

Update on Montecito Bay

By Bixyl Shuftan

A few weeks after the disaster that wrecked the southeast corner of Montecito Bay, the affected area is getting closer to being back to normal. The majority of the rubble has been cleaned up, and the rebuilding will presumably begin shortly.

The cause of the disaster remains unclear, and other than what appeared to be a photograph with a flying saucer in the corner, no other evidence has been forthcoming. The city will only say investigations are continuing.

But it's not just in the southeast that the repairs are being done. A look at the Oceanside Galleria building where in December a strange saucer-shaped craft crashed showed it had been torn down and the steel skeleton for a new building going up. The saucer was on the ground. Although there were still surveillance vehicles around, the first time I dropped by, there didn't seem to be anyone around. On lunch break perhaps?

I got closer to the strange craft, and there didn't seem to be any sign of a cockpit on the damage craft. Either it had been removed, or the craft was a drone of some kind. If the later, was it some kind of military experiment, or something else?

I took a quick peek inside one of the surveillance vehicles in which the door was left open. But there was no information out in the open and the computers were locked. There was still some rubble that was around the building, but I didn't pay much attention to it, at first.

Taking a few pictures, and showing them to local resident Moff, he thanked me, saying this was more than the authorities investigating the craft were telling him. Gin Ghostraven, who was nearby, told me he got close enough to take some pictures. He showed me a picture of the rubble from a different angle, and there was a car with what looked like a hand sticking out. What looked a little like a body could be seen inside. Curious, I went back for a closer look.

The result was the most startling thing I'd seen in my Montecito Bay investigations since the slime monsters. Inside the wrecked car was what looked like a body all right. But it was neither human or furry. It was a bald, green-skinned humanoid in a space suit with three fingers per hand. But this time, the place wasn't quite empty as I thought I heard shouts to get away. Deciding discretion was the better part of valor when it came to UFO crash sites and investigators, I made my exit.

What the clues gathered point to is obvious. But big claims require big proof. The UFO and the "body," the latter of which could easily have been a mannequin of some kind, are in the hands of Federal investigators and the military. And they frankly aren't talking. If it's a military experiment, why would they be trying a design that a few decades ago had failed? It's possible this was some rich man's prank that went awry when it crashed. And neither explanation covers the "street circles" and the Groundhog Day incident.

Presumably what happens next is rebuilding. There's already a "Flying Pickle Park" at Montecito Bay (171/30/24) which leads to the humorously-themed club of Sheba Metaluna. And with the big piece of evidence down from the old Galleria, it will likely be gone soon as well as the body (or mannequin). And with them the chance for the town authorities for solid answers. But as it doesn't seem to take long for something else weird to happen around here, it's likely the town will move on and residents can pick and choose from the official exploration, and that made from the few clues gathered from townsfolk and media.

Stay tuned for further details.

Note: The preceding is a fun article based on goings-on by the people of Montecito Bay themselves and not the actions of any griefer.

Bixyl Shuftan

Frannydj's Mardi Gras Parade

By Gemma Cleanslate

Message from Frannydj!  “This Mardi Gras parade has 100+ floats to ride on, plus many other fun things to see and enjoy. Come soon, and often, so you can see and ride on all the floats and invite your friends to join in too. Bead up and get down NOW!”

Hooray !  Laissez les bons temps rouler!!!  This region is so amazing . It is filled with New Orleans fun from border to border. Frannydj has opened her marvelous parade in Second Life and the floats and bands will come down the street until Fat Tuesday. Not only do they come down the street they invite you to climb on board and join in.

When you land next to the French Market drop in to taste the king cake, pick up bread, crawfish chowder and beads.  You will be at the end of the parade so I suggest walking up the street to see the marvelous floats and check out the shops and restaurants.

On the left sidewalk there is a Teddy bear passing out more beads . I always stop in to the restaurants as I walk along.

They are serving good food and drinks . Each has its own flavor.

When I reach the head of the parade I cross the street and walk back down.

On the way back you will find  a great voodoo shop that contains other parade freebies so look for that.

At the foot of the street is a park on the right that will take you over to the Carnival area which is so much fun. Games and rides and more food and drinks. After all that commotion it is good to walk the back streets of the town lined with lovely homes. There is a lovely garden behind the French Market too.

Don’t miss the marvelous Steam boat at the foot of the street where the parade ends . The upper deck is all set for fun

Mardi Gras parties and lots more food.  There is a great view of the parade route from the upper deck too so enjoy it from there .

Many thanks to Frannydj and the sponsors and contributors who provide all you see here.

Grab the notecard that tells you who has helped in this massive effort and all the places to visit.  Here is your entrance.  See you at the parade!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Wicked%20Mountains/41/182/1163

Gemma Cleanslate

Valentine Town and Isle of View

By Gemma Cleanslate and Deaflegacy

Valentine day is approaching quickly. Sweethearts are looking for gifts and places to visit before or on that day to be ready. I  took a look to see places where one could find everything you want . My first visit was to Valentine Town that is the creation of Laura Liberty of Townies.

Laura stays on top of the holidays that people love to celebrate. To not miss all her offerings join the Townies group.

What a sweet and lovely venue Valentine Town is. The cute shops are so filled with anything and everything you could wish for. The clothing goes from cute and funny to gorgeous gowns in the Valentine mode but can be worn anywhere at any time.

Across the way the other shops have all kinds of decor and even dinner tables for the special romantic dinner. Candy boxes , cakes and other treats. Bouquets and cards..and banners to carpets. How about  a hot air balloon to take a long ride over the grid. It is all there and so much more! Go see.  As in the Christmas village there is the Make your own card offering with directions

For enjoyment and entertainment there is a delightful dance floor with dance balls.  For the crowning glory there is a Tunnel of Love. Settle into the boat with your honey and glide through the tunnels and around the region on the canal.  I ran into greenbeangirl and tina (tanyja Resident) co managers of the sim for Laura hanging out at the entrance to the Tunnel . There is a cute heart dartboard backpack  gift for the members of Townies. Plan an early visit to pick up your decor and clothing to be ready for the special day.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Townies/130/153/7

One place you will love to visit and spend time roaming and taking pictures is the Isle of View. Bixyl told you about the history.  I took a trip over to check that it is ready and landed at the Love Pavilion. That is ready. Gifts are available for delivery just follow the directions . There are little Hugging booths for photos.

I spied a dunking booth. It looks like perhaps there will be a dunking going on .. perhaps with some Lindens sitting above the water,, We shall see. I tried to take a walk around the lovely grounds but not sure the whole island is open yet.because I landed at home!

There is a long canal that I think will have a swan boat if I remember correctly. Well one can get to the pavilion right now at least .. Sent that gift! 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Isle%20of%20View%202/79/76/107

Gemma Cleanslate

*  *  *  *  *

When I arrived at the landing point, http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Townies/153/84/7, I found out that I arrived at a heart shaped landing point.  It is beautiful.  My next step is to go to the town, which is what I did.

I went down to the bridge, and saw a gorgeous town nearly right away.  It is colorful, and full of different houses.  I took a look around, and was impressed by what's in the houses.  What's in the houses would be a store in houses that are linked together.  You would go in one house and go to the other house through an entrance in the wall in the house.

But that's not all.  That's not what I'm really here for.  I went across the bridge again, and down to the heart shaped landing point.  I saw another building, and boats coming out it.  This must be the love boat that I'd like to try, I thought.  So I went to the building.  I got in the boat, and the trip got started.

Wow!  I'm not going to spill any detail because I don't want to give it away.  I'd like you to give it a try, by yourself or with someone, because the trip is amazing!  Every minute I spent in the boat, I did not regret it.  At one point, it took my breath away.  Wow!

For any one of you who would like to visit Valentine's Town, I would encourage you to go visit that amazing place.  The houses are gorgeous, the trip on the love boat is amazing, and so much more.  Why not give it a try?

Deaflegacy