King Kong's Skull Island at LEA9

By Gemma Cleanslate

I was sorry to miss the big opening event at Lea9 where King Kong reigns anew and a few after that. Skull Island is the home of the mighty ape where he was discovered over a century ago. For those who don’t know King Kong and his history, “King Kong is a giant movie monster, resembling a colossal ape, that has appeared in various media since 1933. The character first appeared in the 1933 film King Kong, which received universal acclaim upon its initial release and re-releases. The film was remade in 1976 and once again in 2005. The character has become one of the world's most famous movie icons, having inspired countless sequels, remakes, spin-offs, imitators, parodies, cartoons, books, comics, video games, theme park rides, and even a stage play. His role in the different narratives varies, ranging from a rampaging monster to a tragic antihero.

 

The Skull Island in Second Life is described as lush and it is. It is the ultimate tropical land in SL. I walked the trails and paths and saw more flora and fauna and insect life than I have seen in one location in Second Life in my nine plus years. It is really gorgeous.  It is very easy to move around. One has options , teleports are located in main sites , or walking is a great option. I took the teleport on my first visit just to orient myself and make sure I did not miss any of the sites mentioned. On my second visit I decided to walk all of the winding paths and watch the signs leading to the sites .
The first creatures I met were  from the dark ancient Mesozoic age. On Skull Island they have survived and mixed with more modern animals (including human). I knew the mighty gorilla was somewhere here. 

 

On my walk as I left the visitor center I encountered an old friend that I had not seen since my camping days almost nine years ago. It was nice to see her as she sat surrounded by little friendly creatures that approached from the surrounding jungle. After our reunion and conversation I started to roam. The vibrant flora is striking and deserves a second look. In the recommended windlight it is almost ethereal against the sky that warns of volcanic activity somewhere in the far distance. I stopped at the well protected native village which was deserted at the time and checked out the huts. 

 

Outside the walls of the village  I visited a friendly Orangutan group and played some drums which they seemed to like. My next stop was at the Crocodile Lake where I watched as a croc came out of the water, grabbed a monkey and headed back to his rock....hard to watch but all a part of nature. I did not stay very long after that. I passed by a waterfall cave where a whole family of dinosaurs lived. 

 

Next I took a tour of the Caves that extended in different branches , each with its own surprise . Take care! There is one with no exit . Running in the other direction  I emerged to meet a Komodo Dragon! I ran on by and did a circle to the other side and found the entrance to an open glass tunnel that gives one a lovely view of the underwater river. At the end there is a surprise .

There are more nooks and crannies to view if you leave the paths and I will let you find them. On my teleport journey my first visit was to the bird viewing platform . There I found not only pterodactyls but parrots and other colorful and interesting birds . By the way while you are wandering you can do a hunt for lost eggs. 

 

I ran through a  tunnel and found myself facing the king in his home! I was able to jump a raptor that was protecting him and get close to him. It was an amazing sight! I sat in his hand knowing I could get away. Don’t miss that opportunity!

My last teleport visit was to the final downfall of the mighty King Kong. New York city is the last place poor Kong lived and died. It is a fitting ending to the installation. At least I was able to go back to see him in his home again in  Lea 9. 

This whole installation is the work of Mrs MistyRose Lex (MistyRose Poindexter) and Mr.Lex (oldlex Resident). I applaud their work. 

There are activities going on at Skull Island and you can see them at http://lindenarts.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/lea9-king-kong-experience-new-schedule.html

 

Begin your journey to the past here before the end of the month. I do know Mr. Lex already has a new project in mind.   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA9/113/103/30

A Day in New York City Block (2008)

By Bixyl Shuftan

This article was originally published in April 2008. It had been several months since I first met Cheri Bing, a Brooklin lady whom build a place close in detail to part of her home, which she called New York City Block. Me and a few friends would check out the place on occasion. This time, things were a bit more active than usual.

*  *  *  *  *


It had been a while since I gave my friend in New York City, Cheri Bing, a visit. So I dropped by. Looking around, I found her beside an apartment complex, and we had a cheerful hello. She introduced me to a couple local friends of hers, and we talked about recent goings on.

While we were talking came an odd sight. A guy in a dark suit was being chased by a neko catgirl armed with a baseball bat. At one point, she caught up with him and whacked him hard enough for a spray of blood to fly. It wasn't enough to impede him, but only spurred him to run faster. We just starred at the odd sight, Cheri commenting this behavior wasn't that unusual here.

Then came another sight. A pegasus came down to join Cheri and I. Cheri chuckled, commenting earlier a unicorn had walked down the streets, and it allowed her to get on and ride it. "I think it was feeling horny," she punned. The winged horse was soon joined by a gryphon, then they flew off. Then a walking tree, a treant, began lumbering down the road. Cheri commented she had wanted more trees down the street, but this wasn't exactly what she had in mind.

The walking tree soon waddled away, but them came a dark lizard-like monster, about ten feet high and twenty feet long. It got up on someone's car, and stood there on it's four feet. After a minute, a stout middle-aged man in a jumpsuit, angry and brandishing another bat stormed out of the apartment, yelling "GET THE F@#% OFF OF MY CAR!! " The monster just belched a jet of flame his way, but it passed harmlessly over his head. "Maybe you should politely tell him," one girl suggested. "Okay," he told her, then looked back at the monster, "Get the f@#% off of my car! Hey, I was polite, no shouting."

It was amazing that this man was facing this fire-breathing creature with only a baseball bat. Then again, maybe after decades from being invaded by King Kong, Godzilla, and other huge monsters, twenty feet just didn't cut it with intimidating New Yorkers.

Just about as amazing, it worked. The monster got off the car, and walked off. Then something else got on the car, the neko catgirl. She proceeded to dance around on it. The man didn't get mad this time. Instead, he got up with her, looking at the sight before him. Apparently, New Yorkers can be charmed just like anyone else by a shapely catgirl.

They soon got off the car, going back into the apartment complex, and Cheri had to go in herself to take care of something. While waiting, I saw a vampire bat guy walk down the street. He saw a blood stain at the spot where the catgirl had earlier whacked a guy. "I'll probably get blamed for that." he muttered to himself. When a couple of girls came onto the street, he took off a few feet. Instead of being scared, the girls just cheered him on, "Yeah baby, shake those hips!" one shouted as his lower body maneuvered to hover. He continued to hover about them, apparently amused, until something else got the girls attention. He then flew off.

One of the girls saw me, and invited me into her apartment to chat. So we went in. We were soon joined by her pet mini-dragon, gnawing on a hot dog. Cheri came by, and we chatted for a while.

A calmer end to an interesting day in this New York City block.

*  *  *  *  *

New York City Block would continue on for a few more years, best known for it's 9-11 memorial events. But then Cheri became busy with real life matters, and so she had to depart Second Life, and without her the sim soon faded away. Although there were other New York sims, this one was for people to make their virtual homes in.

Bixyl Shuftan