Calas Ghaladon And Yosemite At Christmas

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

 

There are so many varied Christmas and holiday installations all over the grid to explore . I managed to get to a few of them and plan to continue until December 31. Many will stay around for the winter months so I can continue visiting. Here are some that you really should not miss that may be gone at the end of the month.

One I make sure I get to several times for all the various interactive fun is the Midwinter of  Calas Ghaladon. Every year the installation is the familiar which is wonderful since the basics are so charming. It is like visiting a vacation spot you go back to often, but every year there are additions to see and enjoy. The enchantment of the season is all over the regions. One can explore in a carriage ride over the snowy woodlands . Or the balloon ride that gives you a view from above.

The Pavilion is at the top of the hill above the massive skating area that always has couples and single skaters on the ice.There is nothing like dancing in the hall with your honey.

 

All around the frozen lake below  are little relaxing areas for chatting with friends and people you meet just hanging out. Look for a gift there near the refreshment stand too.

There are several other smaller pavilions to visit also and Santa may be around so look for him. Enjoy a dinner by they fireplace. Events will be every day until December 31. Do not miss this.! 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/MIDWINTER%202/247/10/3001

Yosemite is in winter mode and has a beautiful Christmas Giving Tree loaded with gifts. It is a great place to just go take a walk with your friends or your dog. The horses love having visitors take a ride through the woods or along the trails by the water.

The wall of the visitor center is a climbing wall and there is a fat jolly man climbing it now. Sit by the fire and make smores and have cocoa and watch him.. better yet climb with him!! This is the landing area by the visitor center . There is an explorer hud there and other items to help you find your way to all the interesting areas of the park.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Yosemite/154/58/22

Reminder that the delightful Macy Day Parade is working its way down the street now ! Hop on a float and be part of the celebration!  

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Enchanted%20Isles/23/63/23

Gemma Cleanslate

More Christmas Places: The Grove and Kringle County

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

With all the Christmas shopping that is going on including Shop and Hop I was so impressed with one I almost missed. I saw a poster at another Christmas place and went over to check it out. It is sponsored by THE GROVE, KAERRI & SURPLUS and is gorgeous! So many of my favorite designers had shops there.

Each shop has a gift box with lovely gifts in them. Crito Galtier of The Grove said “There are 123 shops filled with holiday items and every store has a free gift for you. 123 FREE gifts, people! 123!” It looked like more than 123 to me! It is massive in scope. One can find anything there from buildings to furniture to food, and outfits and classy cars and so much more!

While I was checking everything out floats were passing by on the roads. That make it more fun. I happened to come at the right time on my second visit . Crito was having a fireworks display over the beautiful bridge and I had a chance to see some of it. There are events going on until the 23rd of December .  

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Grove%20Event/22/128/23

There are so many gorgeous installations for the Christmas holidays it is impossible to get to all of them. Check the second life destinations. I chose a few to write about that caught my attention when I visited them. Kringle County was one that I really brought me back several times to visit This is where I went after a notice to come see Santa and have a photo taken with him. I got all dressed up and arrived to be one adult among lots of little tots having their pictures taken and telling Santa what they wanted. Santa was live and was asking what they wanted in voice. When I sat I told Santa I wanted more prims. Living on Bellisseria we get just so many for our Linden homes and of course always want more! I also got a gift from Santa.

Santa also is taking people around in his sleigh so I did take a ride. There is also elegant train ride to hop on and get to see the décor from the land level. Near the entrance there is a portal that takes one up to a their marvelous amusement park. I bet the parents took their tots up there after the picture taking.

There is a third level to visit … a massive racetrack for those who love that activity!

Take a walk on the streets and check out the houses as you go along. In front of each there is a gift box.
Pick out your favorite and vote for it in the mail box. Check out the shops for cute items to buy for the kiddies. Don’t miss the snowtube tour! Stop by the Beauty Shop if you feel the need to be pampered. I sure do! I stopped at the Diner and found a family having breakfast. Lovɛღ ɮɛʟǟɨʀɛ ღÅddɨcƬɨvɛ亗 (LoveAkiesha Resident) was having pancakes. 

 

I reminded them to come back to have her picture taken with Santa and get a gift . Hope they remember!

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Destination%20Dilly/97/208/23

Gemma Cleanslate

The Thanksgiving Parade And Some Xmas Shopping Places

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

I was so happy to learn the DJ Franny Dean’s Thanksgiving Parade is going to continue with the help of her sl friends who are keeping her legacy alive. They also plan to have the Christmas Parade beginning after right after. It will be held at Dreamville. This spot is the beginning of the parade. You might want to walk down the street a bit for a great view . Hop on a float and become part of the parade! Some flying floats come by also.. look up!! Enjoy! 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Amazing%20World/30/30/23

Are you ready for it? Lights are on. Some trees are up, but not decorated yet. Most stores are filled with colorful décor already. It sounds early but it really is not. Now that the scary stuff is packed away we really need to think about what we are going to do for decorating our own little or huge spaces in second life. I will take you to a few of the places I love to go exploring every year to find decorations that you might like . I try hard not to shop myself but always end up adding to my own collection that I pack away from year to year.

Let’s go shopping!!! My first stop every year is at Dench . Outside the huge store you will find all kinds of décor for your region or lawn. Inside also. There is an advent calendar all ready set up on the upper level with Bargain Countdowns nearby. The bargain corner up there has cute little decorations for only 5L . Don’t miss that!!

If you like wanderers you have your choice from penguins to Santa If you like dancing animesh partners stop on the lower level and take your pick by testing your choice of dances with one. I love them! I have several. Check out all the wreathes and trees. There is a delightful Piano playing Santa with Mrs. Claus standing by and some elves listening intently for an amazing low price.. Here is your landing point among the snowmen, elves and bike riding Santas.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Rookery/13/32/222 

My next stop is always Snuggles Holidays because I love the name. It is enormous and takes time to walk the areas and look at all the goodies there. I like the organization and check the directory showing the offerings.

There is so much that they need a special place for Christmas cards and trees with its own teleport.The card selection amazes me! Across the way is a huge array of gift boxes and in the same building cute gift bears and snow globes that I try to ignore. I can’t resist them! Sigh ... wish we would all get a Christmas gift from the Lab…..more prims!!! Check out the Snuggle Baby for toys for the tots in your life. 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snuggles%20Holidays/5/161/26

A little bird told me to hop over to Love Superstore to the winter area and take a look for bargains all love the place. There are many, some need group and some do not. I found a couple of cute freebies and so much décor is on sale for 50L . The place is huge and there is a good tp system to help you . The outdoor items are arranged in a nice fashion highlighting each with vendors.

The outdoor tree with lights collections are beautiful for region décor.

I did join the group because I saw how lovely the group gifts were and got them all. This is their 15th year so you know they are doing well . They have a lovely fashion section also. Don’t miss it. Plan time there is a lot to see!! Like Snuggle this is more than one region!! I saw a couple setups for New Year Parties at good prices too.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/NESWNGI/106/104/2491

Gemma Cleanslate

Merrymount And Cesa Gallery

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

  

Saturday the BBB and Intercontinental passport groups held a new addition to services by instituting the first tour to obtain special stamps and introduce more residents to lovely places on the Bellisseria continent. We gathered near the office on Swordfish and went down to the rezz zone where there were two large and comfortable helicopters waiting to take us on a flight to Victorian Merrymount, one of the community regions . Two experienced pilots, Brian and Kevin made us feel comfortable and safe on the trip. For several this was their first helicopter ride and they loved it. We did lose two or three along the way but they were rescued and joined us later . We won’t blame the pilots though.

Merrymount is a beautiful region on Bellisseria. It offers a place to relax and enjoy games or just hanging around with friends. The Atrium is gorgeous and stands on a hill .It is open for visitors 24 hours with food and drink. There were six special stamps placed at various sites around the region and we had fun roaming to find them. For those who missed the trip they will remain until December 3.

On the way back we stopped off at Pegleg Lighthouse where one more stamp waited for us. After the tour ended we all flew back to the headquarters for a party in the garden with DJ Stephanie. I am looking forward to the next tour event. I hope you can join us. Stamp collecting is great fun and introduces one to all sorts of venues across the whole grid.

For those who need a passport

“If you don't already have a passport, you can get an Intercontinental one almost instantly. But it still takes about 15-20 minutes to set up... so come early! Click the white and yellow terminal that says "Intercontinental Passport Citizen of Second Life." It will give you a folder with a passport in it. You will need to rez it to the ground to set it up and the BBB HQ is a no-rez area. You can either TP home to set the passport up and then return, or you can go the rez zone near the BBB HQ. The terminal to get the passport is located here:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Swordfish/215/58/35

Sunday my friend Stevie Basavi opened her new gallery. She has shown art at various galleries but now has her own at Cesa. She says of her art .”I love art very much and want to make photos that I can feel, and that bring out emotions in others. I want to be able to put on virtual canvas the things that I have hidden inside, and to capture magic using layers of creativity, meaning I build my own sets, and create multi media pieces, using light and music in my creations when I am able”.

Her landscapes are varied and reflect her love of the beauty created across the sl grid. She also has lovely portraits. Her pieces are for sale at the gallery. It was a delight to walk around at the opening which had a large attendance and look at the variety of landscapes . Take a trip over to view the new installation on Pride Island. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Pride%20Island/106/111/3361

 

Gemma Cleanslate

Places From 2006 That Are Still Around

 

By Wol (Wolwaner Jervil)

 

These are what remains out of many places that existed in 2006, when I joined SL.Many of them have their own tour systems which I recommend to use.

SVARGA - a self growing environment. One of the first places I visited when I was new. Take a tour with the bee and then buy some food and feed the birds.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Svarga/7/124/22

The Blarney Stone Irish Pub
- an old pub always having lots of visitors

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dublin/81/81/25

The Botanical Gardens
- wonderful nature with hidden places

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Botanical%20Gardens/189/207/22

Paris 1900
- Paris at the beginning of 20th century - travel through history when Eiffel tower was new.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Paris%201900/9/166/24

Roma
- Rome at time of Caesar. If you want to see how they lived join the roleplay group.
 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA/215/24/22

Amsterdam
- a great rebuild of the city, including the red light district

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Amsterdam/128/128/25

Grendels Children
- Great Avatars

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Avaria%20Tor/133/135/305


Freebies
- Free Dove existed long before I came to SL - and still has good freebies

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Gallii/140/88/33

Spaceport Alpha
- all NASA rockets at one place - and a space trip is included

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spaceport%20Alpha/128/128/22

Isle of Wyrms
- Wyrms and dragons at their best on a new place with different look.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cathedral/76/215/22

The upside down room
- everything is reversed, but don't worry - sit on everything.

.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Olive/79/114/59

Luskwood
- oldest home of the furries since 2003

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lusk/216/169/62

*******************************************
Brought to you by SL Guided Tours

checked: Oct 2023 Wol

We try to keep up with the ever changing environment of Secondlife and do regular checking of our travel destinations.
Join the group "SL Guided Tours" to receive latest information and tour tips - membership is free

However, if  you have an issue with a location we've recommended, please write a notecard and drop it to Wolwaner Jervil

Have a pleasant journey! 

Wol (And your SL Guided Tours Team)

 

Love Valley Halloween And The Bradbury Project

 

 By Gemma Cleanslate

Witchy laughter greets you when you arrive at Love Valley Halloween. It is dark and foreboding so “the deeps of the night, under the bright moon lays an abandoned park. A place close to an village, where folks singing happily "Trick or treat!". But they never visit the park, as they are afraid of the dark that lives there. Are you afraid of the dark”

This is Evely Heartsong’s game park you will love to visit . The games are scary but fun, perfect for Halloween lovers . Hop on ‘Shiver me Timbers ‘and listen to the nearby bones of past pirates as they ride the rowboat to nowhere. Shell Shocked is another fun ride . Go see how many more you can find ,

There is a photo contest with a prize of 5000L that extends into the Christmas region opening November 1 for those who love contests. Take the different paths to find different experiences like Masquerade of Murder .

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fricken/129/139/12

Seanchai Library that presents the wonderful Dickens Project every Christmas has a new project ,The Bradbury Project with Mr. Lurky everywhere. The town on the first level looks peaceful enough with quaint homes and a park. You are offered refreshments at one home with an open door and the ticking of a grandfather invites one in. No one is home.

I took a tp to Moundshroud’s House. The creaky door opens and then you understand what this is all about! Here you find a library with Ray Bradbury’s book displayed on every shelf. Touch anyone for information.

Explore the house , every corner has is an oddity to check out. The sounds enhance the experience so be sure to listen. You should look for Mr. Lurky in your travels ,- “everywhere from the main landing in Town, to the Kite Barn and The Halloween Tree. 

 

Look for the funny little black guy with the grinning purple face as you explore, and keep count. “. There is a notecard with instructions at the entrance so you will know what to do with your find. He is not easy since he is lurking . Have fun!!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/203/43/26

Gemma Cleanslate

Reader Submitted: Halloween on Caledon Downs

 

By Cynthia Farshore

 

 

On Tuesday October 10th the Duchy of Caledon Downs opened the month long Halloween festivities with a dance at the Goblin Cave Community Center. The dance which started at 6pm SLT lasted till 8pm marked the beginning of events.

The main event is the Ghost Hunt. Two version of a ghost figures appear for very short periods in various locations across the region. The idea is to use a prim firing weapon to hit the image before it vanishes. The great thing is you don't need to sign up or anything and can use your own gun. Your score is automatically sensed and recorded at the score pole inside the Goblin Cave.

A smaller hunt is the Jack O' Lantern Hunt. There are 5 hidden across the region. Touching it will give you a prize but don't be greedy a second touch will give you something regrettable. An information panel with a list of hints is located in the Goblin Cave next to the Ghost Hunt panel. Both panels you touch for a notecard.

This year's Ghost Train Ride is double in length with more gruesome and gory sights. You head to the high ground over at the train station and touch the little coffin on the tracks.

Ride as many times as you dare. Some who have slower rezz I suggest that you do so as this will load your cache, plus you can have another chance to see what you missed when you closed your eyes the first time, MAhahaha.

Caledon is open to ALL, it is not a hardcore roleplay community, and you don't have to dress Victorian to enjoy our land. Come to the Goblin Cave Community Center and bring a friend along, enjoy the music from the 50s to the 80s classic rock.

 

,,, and talk your friend to death, literally.

Cynthia Farshore
 

Neverland

 

 By Gemma Cleanslate

Raven Frostwych (Ravenstarr), with her team of Morph Group, has her new installation where Peter Pan lives. “Welcome to Neverland, where dreams are born, and time is never planned”. It is a delightful scene to land and see the dancing figure that I assume is the Tinker Bell hidden in a black outline. The woods are lovely and fun to walk about looking at little resting places. You are invited to join the Morph group and collect treasures hidden above and below the ground”.

A wonderful system of teleports will aid you to find sites around the island so you don’t miss any but just wandering is delightful. Sitting at the edge of the Mermaid lagoon and imagining is enchanting. You might find Peter Pan above the lagoon on a hill sitting on top of a bridge or lying on the grass below dangling his legs and day dreaming. There is a pirate hide-a -way but be careful...hope they are not about! Also take care at the Indian camp. Try to sneak in when no one is there.

The Lost boys, and some girls, have a hide-away just follow the stairs! There is a trap door to get to the rooms where they have a comfortable home set up with plenty of food for themselves and visitors, Wendy’s house is darling but I never did see her. Perhaps she has returned home for a visit? Or perhaps she is hiding in the hide-away not revealing her identity. Above, when they feel safe I am sure the children have a great time playing with interactive locations, like riding the crocodile, or climbing to the tree houses, Maybe they play hide and seek or tag.

If you are not familiar with the story of Peter Pan and Wendy check this page about J M Barrie https://www.gosh.org/about-us/peter-pan/history/#:~:text=Discover%20more%20about%20JM%20Barrie,in%20Great%20Ormond%20Street%20Hospital.

In her “spare time” Ravenstarr also created a Halloween Cafe and invites all to drop in and visit with Sage who says “Welcome to Mystic Moon Cafe, dearie. Help yourself to the many spooky treats and drinks I've brewed for you. Do make yourself comfortable and stay awhile. If you seek it, I'm always ready to share a bit of witchy advice.” Remember to address her as Sage when you ask a question.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tethea/202/223/76

To learn more about Raven visit the interview in the Community Blog. I have written about many of her past installations that are discussed here. https://community.secondlife.com/blogs/entry/14049-second-life-spotlight-ravenstarr/

Gemma Cleanslate

 

A Few Halloween Shopping Places

By Gemma Cleanslate

Halloween seems far away but it is closer than we think. So many stores are full of fun decorations and I went to a few of my favorites and some new ones(to me) checking out the wares out for those who love decorating for the ghoulish holiday. One that is always lots of fun to explore is Dench ..

Amanda Dench is always opening in early September . She has terrific animesh figures and puts out a trial area where you can rezz and check them out. Her decorations are great for either region décor or home décor and the prices are great.

If you want a whole cemetery take a look at that. Go visit and check out all the goodies.

My next visit was over to Snuggles . I love visiting here for all holidays. It is a large place full of indoor and outdoor items. Move from one side to the other to get a good look at what is there . Check all the cute items inside the store too after you finish outside. You can find autumn décor that will take you up to change over for Christmas. 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Snuggles%20Holidays/37/161/26

Never You Mind is the place for little critters that roam your area. The gifts for group members always get a chuckle and I grab them every time. Halloween critters are all around and have a different look than other critters you will find anywhere. A tip gets you little shoulder pet too. Take a walk to see all the different little guys and gals Harley (Harleywan Haggwood) makes for all times of the year.

Halloween Delights has an array of decorations to choose from always. Loads of pumpkins of all sorts , even pumpkin trees can be found here. One long wall is studded with Halo vendors.I love the flying witches

Another wall has a myriad of costumes to please anyone looking for any style. By the way Delights not only has Halloween but also many lovely fall decorations . Several other places do also.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ragdoll/186/196/2006

Khargo is another market I love to see at Halloween time as well as Christmas. There are so many choices there for large scenery as above. Beach scenes with skeletons lying around can decorate your own beach. The store is filled with small décor for the house. It is a large place to explore.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Yellowstone%20Falls/237/5/22

There are many more shopping places to explore but I am running out of time! Have fun and check the Places in search or Halloween in Destinations. Have fun!!

Gemma Cleanslate