Three Underwater Places: Mad Mines, Pacifique, Nightgarden

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

 

 There's plenty of places to explore in Second Life. But recently, I decided to check out "what lies beneath," in this case beneath the ocean surface. So I took a look at the Destination Guide for a few underwater areas. One got my curiosity, a game. So I stopped by Madpea's Mad Mines.

Welcome to Mad Mines: MadPea is searching for brave underwater adventurers to search for a long lost treasure! It’s a dangerous job as the dark and murky waters are filled with sharks and piranhas that will eat you alive. The area is also surrounded by sea mines that will explode if you end up too close to them. If you survive and find the treasure, you will be rewarded very generously.

So I plunked down fifty Lindens for a temporary HUD, which would vanish if I ran out of air or took too much damage, and took the plunge. I went into a cavern of twisty passages and rusty iron doors. I came across a few sea creatures such as octopuses, but they seemed harmless. But my air supply was going down in a hurry. While there were some air bubbles, I couldn't get to them in time.

And well, the deeper I got, the further the surface was. Not able to get to the bubbles, I kept having to double back. And eventually I couldn't get back in time.  While it stated I'd get a new and free HUD before the 30 minutes were up, this wasn't the case. Maybe I needed to be in the group or something. Still, it was a fun little game.

 

For those wanting to take the plunge, head to -

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/MadPea%20Base/84/126/27

For those wanting a few hints, check -

https://madpeagames.com/how-to-play/mad-mines-how-to-play/

Moving on, I decided to check out another place with an underwater area: Pacifique.

 

 For some reason while reading the sign, I slid off the pier and into the water. Guess more people randomly exploring find out about the underwater area this way.

There was quite a bit to see around.

And some wildlife, such as octopi and seals. 

There were also some structures underwater as well. I would also find an underwater club area, great for merfolk and friends of.

There was plenty to see above the water as well. The place boasts some dancing areas, waterfalls, a hang glider to fly around in, and more.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Pacifique/98/102/23

Earlier this month, I wrote on the Nightgarden area. But I didn't bother to check what was under the water's surface. Seeing it was listed in the Destination Guide as an underwater area, I went back and dove right in. I was pleasantly surprised. 

While perhaps not as large as Pacifique's underwater area, it was attractive and pretty.

A great addition to an already picturesque place in Second Life.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Club%20of%20Friends/146/108/22

That's all for now. To check out more underwater areas in Second Life, check out the Destination Guide.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Spark Project's Olympus And Bellissaria's Splash Adventure

 

 By Gemma Cleanslate

Raven Frostwych (RavenStarr) and her team,the Spark Project have again taken another view of the universe. Her futuristic Nova, will be closing soon but her newest Olympus installation reaches far back into time to the Greek deities. It is a demonstration of the historical view of what Olympus was visioned in antiquity and the stories still entice people to study and learn their origins.

On arrival one finds a teleport to make it easy to get to the major sites so easily, just click each location. But walk a bit to get a good look around to see all the beautiful statues around the steps of the arena. By hovering my cursor on the statues I was able to see the names of those they represented.

The gathering of statuary of so many deities are scattered over the whole build which is held up, emerging from the clouds by three massive titans. One can get a good look at the titans from the Ring of Orion. Following the stairs will bring you around to each teleport destination with enticing areas along the way.

Athena , Neptune, Demeter, Dionysus some of the major deities have their own place. Each will offer different aspect of those days of old in the myths of Greece. They all loved to have water baths in their homes it seems. There are so many levels of these gods and goddess and offspring that I have forgotten but was happy to go back and see some of them and do a little research to remember how many myths are connected to them all. Then there are the offspring of the gods and humans to complicate all the stories. Go see if Olympus will reinvigorate your knowledge of the interesting stories. 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spark/136/117/135

I also visited a very different activity location going. The Bellisserian Hammies have done it again. I say so often.

For the 3rd year they built the marvelous water park called the Splash Adventure, The Oasis Water Park. It will be on the Bellisseria Fairgrounds until the end of August.

There are water slides from a great height. I tried one and made it! Look for a life saver TP near the exit from the slide to get to the top.

A number of fun games are placed around the site as well as food vendors. Or you can choose a cabana and just sit and read of chat with friends. Parties take place almost every day with DJs on the stage.

 It will be going on until the end of August. Make time for a visit.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bellisseria%20Fairgrounds/151/237/24

Gemma Cleanslate

 

Nightgarden

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

 I recently heard about a fantasy-themed area that sounded like it would be an interesting visit: Nightgarden.

Welcome to the Nightgarden, a mystical world of starlit serenity.

Follow the paths, explore the phosphorescent flora, bask in the waterfalls from the floating islands, and discover the portals that  lead you into even more discoveries.  

 

Dropping by, the place got my attention right away (at least after the several seconds it took for the landscape to rezz). Setting the environment to local, the place was stunningly beautiful, with it's grasses, flowers, trees, rippling waters, and more.

 

On a nearby tree, a sign had been hung, "Welcome to the Nightgarden." 

 

I noticed an entrance to a cave nearby, and going inside, I saw a small waterfall with one of the mentioned portals.

 

Stepping through, there was a long tunnel that was well lit with crystals and glowing plants. 

Some parts of the sim were off limits to the public, private areas. 

 

But there was plenty of places to explore around in.

There was a pier with some kind of magical boat docked to it. 

Boarding it will take you to inside a large treehouse-like structure.

I found a couple spots couples can sit together for a while.

While looking around, I found a guestbook.

A great place to spend a few minutes or an hour or two exploring around.

UPDATE: As it turns out, the waters of Nightgarden have much to explore under the surface.

So be sure to check what lies beneath as well for more to explore.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Club%20of%20Friends/146/108/22

Bixyl Shuftan