Calas Christmas

 

By Gemma Cleanslate

If you have not been to the spectacular Calas Christmas yet you are missing a must. Those of us who are group members wait with high expectation the opening day of any of Calas Galadhon holiday builds. Join the group for wonderful activities all year long at their many home regions. This is the 17th year of this Christmas installation where special events take place and is also a magical experience every time you visit.

 

Many of the familiar sites are from the very beginning but there are new additions every year to be explored. At the portal pick up the notecard with many landmarks of sites on the regions that you won’t want to miss.

 

But then, enter the portal and move through and follow the peppermint signs and prepare yourself for wonders!

Later you can come back and take a ski tour if you like but this tour is a must especially if you come with a sweetheart or friend or alone. Other modes of transport are a fun reindeer ride that carries you along the snow then into the air . Another great way to see the regions is from the balloon ride. Both are enjoyable.

The principal hangouts are the skating lake always filled with skaters using their own huds or the available skating balls. A group member can receive a set of skates one time .
 

 

Along the edges of the lake one finds many resting opportunities at a fireside seating or a coffee stand. If you love eating in a train dining car you can. Several smaller pavilions are also available for eating or sitting by a fireplace sipping champagne.

 

 

One cannot pass by without stopping to gaze at the tall shining Christmas tree with all the gifts and decorations underneath. Nearby is the Disney island with a castle and Mickey and Minny waving and Cinderella and her prince by the coach. Look closely and see the many other characters in various places on the land. Check the tower.

And now back to the stunning breathtaking Pavilion. Enter and gasp at the scenery from the dance floor to the tree room to the right and the little cafe with bar to the right. Dancers use the floor when there is no party going on at all hours. You will visit often. The notecard in your pocket will give you other options for photos and activities and hints to make your visit pleasurable. Have your cameras ready and prepare by dressing warmly for the outside frost but elegantly for the Pavilion. 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/MIDWINTER%202/249/13/3001

I had time to stop over to the Lindens Winterwonderland. Don’t forget to make a visit to explore the regions which are filled with gifts , games and so much more.A teleport will take you where you want to go on this region There is a snowflake hunt going on and you will find the necessary hud and information at the entrance. Next to that is the Swaginator hud. This gives an exploration of the Bellisseria public regions to find more gifts . . I love the first one which is a wearable bulldog  that I love.( No more hints!!) Good luck . On the skating pond get the free ice skates with various account types getting different ice skates. They know who we are lol! 

 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Winter%20Wonderland%204/182/79/46

Gemma Cleanslate 

 

Last-Minute Halloween Places

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

 

As I write this, Halloween is gone. It was a blast, but all good things must come to an end. But I had a little time this weekend to see a few Halloween-themed places. Keep in mind that they won't be up much longer. In fact, one or two may be gone by the time you read this. 

 

Checking out the Destinations Guide, one place caught my attention:  "Inspire Space Park - Shadows of the Mist." Inspire Space Park has always been a cool place to visit (article). But this promised to give the picturesque attraction a new look.

An eerie mist has rolled into Inspire Space Park, cloaking the asteroids in shadow. The park is haunted, and whispers tell of secret treasures hidden in the dark. The hunt begins here; dare you step into the mist? But the adventure doesn’t end there. Stick around, float in zero gravity, and enjoy the custom radio mix of eerie, soothing Halloween sounds while you celebrate among friends. 

 

 Dropping by, the place had a darkly beautiful feel to it. The music was described for reading a Gothic horror story. And to my surprise there was a hunt

 

 Welcome to Inspire Space Park's Shadows of the Mist Hunt! Start your adventure by finding the Haunted Places hunt bag on the other side of the arch. Follow the clue to your first prize! Further instructions will be available there.

Head there at https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shinda/98/208/1559

 

 I also decided to check out a place called "The Ratking's Sewer."

 

The endless tunnels of the Ratking's sewers in the town of Northbridge will have you lost in a maze of wonder and adventure. Each passage may lead you to new and exciting worlds, but beware of the Ratking's experimental subjects.

 This place was, dark. I ended up going around in mouselook at times as I was worried about being taken by surprise unless I could see right in front of me.

 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Vigdorova/148/228/2958

 

 I'd heard about "Firestorm Ghost Town," and decided to check it out. 

 

 Nothing super terrifying. This was an old-fashioned carnival ride. 

 

 https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Firestorm%20Ghost%20Town/171/72/505

 

 And what's Halloween without a good vampire story? I went and checked out " Castle Dracula - Gothic Horror Experience."

Castle Dracula offers a chilling Gothic Horror experience, blending immersive storytelling with Victorian gothic legends. Enter the eerie halls of Count Dracula's castle, uncovering haunted secrets of vampires, ghosts, and werewolves. New in 2024, the Frankenstein expansion deepens the horror, inviting visitors to explore a spine-tingling journey through the heart of Transylvania.

The starting location let's you know you're in for an experience that isn't kid stuff and some flashing lights, and you'll need to accept experiences. You'll find a HUD attached going through. 

 

The story begins on a train, in which a train is taking you to Transylvania. A friend of yours went there to conduct a real-estate deal with Count Dracula, and vanished, and you've taken it upon yourself to find him. You get a letter from the Count himself inviting you to his castle, so head over, stopping at the tavern first.

Outside the tavern, a dark carriage is waiting to take you there, the coachman greeting, ""My master the Count bids thee welcome to the Carpathians. He awaits your coming eagerly...." And he gives you a ride to the castle, talking some along the way, "A land of wolves and ghosts...? Such is often said of this land by those abroad...

I haven't checked out the game very far, but it looks great for those who have the time. 

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fort%20Nowhere/21/240/1401

Be sure to check out more haunts in the Destination Guide: https://secondlife.com/destinations/haunted

 

That's all for now for spooky sights. 

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

Montecito Bay's New Community Pool

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

It's been some time since I dropped by Montecito Bay for an event. Real life has kept me from the times they have parties. But the other day, I had the chance when they had a special occasion, the opening of their new Community Pool.

 

by Becky Nosferatu

The pool wasn't just a basin, but had a circular track, developed by Becky Nosferatu. She would announce her project in May.

 

 ...this project I have building for months now. Something that has taken blood, sweat and tears from me, which has been one of the biggest nightmare I've ever had building. I see why creators make super simple, boring small pools. ... This will be open for public around mid-July. We still have a few things we have to work with, IE: more floaties for the lazy river as well as the swimmer, which will take an Experience to cause you to swim, and it will be feral friendly.

 

Finally on July 19, she announced it was ready:

 

The Community Pool, the FOUR HOUR PARTY to commemorate it's grand opening has begin! Join us for live tunes, chill off in the pool and we hope to see you all here! There will be prizes and gifts, hope to see you here! 

 

The pool was in the Crux sim next to Montecito Bay. Montecito Island, Crux (120, 121, 2001). I passed a front desk, placed for show, and a small avatar shop where I saw some landwalker shark avies. 

 

 And into the pool area, a fancy one with an "island" in the middle, and slides and other attractions all around.

 

 I noticed a food stand, though with everyone at the pool, only someone's pet kitty was behind the counter. 

 

 Becky was there, sporting a "gummy" shark avatar of her design. After I arrived, I heard her say to someone, "You are HORRIBLY overdressed for a pool." I don't know if she meant me or not. 

 

 Playing the tunes was Moffettmephit, aka DJ "Magic" Moff. He would play some beach music, and some tunes appropriate for a party around a pool, "Walk, Don't Run." 

 

With all the sharks, nobody requested the "Jaws" theme. 

 

 I would hear Becky say, "In case you guys missed it, the swimmer is active! Just walk over to the sign by the entrance that says 'Wanna swim' then just make your AOs are turned off and jump in!" But when I looked, a pool noodle fight had broken out, "One of you turds is about to get smacked in the mouth!"

 

 And Emmy found herself the target of a vicious shark attack. 

 

 There were some four-footed or feral avies. Some were dancing (which can't really be shown on still pictures).

 

One lady just avoided the bustle in the main area and soaked in a smaller side pool.

 

"If you wanna just chill here and lay down you're welcome." And some would just enjoy Becky's pool ride, hopping in and coasting along. 

 

 

 "Now we're sharkin' it up."

 

 It was good chaotic fun. 

 

Crux (120, 121, 2001)

 

Bixyl Shuftan 

 

New Genisis Bay Riding Sim

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

For those looking for a long racetack with a lot of scenery, there's one over the Kinder der Nacht sim you'll want to check out. Called the Kinder der Nacht New Genisis Bay Riding Sim, this racetrack was really, really, really long. It was the biggest I'd ever seen, and many times longer than any previous one I'd ever gone through.

 

Charlee and I found it by accident looking for a place to ride our new horses. Heading to Kinder der Nacht (180/199/992). It started off in an urban setting, with the beginning of a track, going up. The place would have the following description: "25 tracks, 2 Speed tracks, hour long ride. Cars welcome when bikes not present, Horse rezzers. Open to everyone and MC neutral. Bike vendors for test drives." There was also a red warning sign that this was not the place to settle disputes and to take any problems elsewhere.

 

 

We saddled up on a couple horses, and went up on roads and bridges, and passing urban buildings, that looked like they'd seen better days.

After a while, we'd gotten onto another section of track, going down a dusty road in some dry terrain.

Then on a cobblestone road where the vegetation was more lush and there weer a few waterfalls.

Then a roadside rest area next to some forest, one with a lot of flags.

There was a memorial to someone.

Going up further, the scenery began to get a little surreal, like something out of a painter's imagination.

Then a wooden road through what looked like some swampland.

Then the road was asphalt again, and things turned wintry.

A glance at some of the twists and turns.

Then we went through a place that looked musical.

It wasn't just the rubber hitting the road, but the rubber was the road.

Panning out, there seemed to be no end to these track sections. 

Then the scenery changed to the road looking like made from the wood of a weathered ocean pier, complete with stormy skies.

Then passing through forest, with a rideable horse.

Further confirmation the place was intended for more than just cars and motorbikes.

One of the more interesting levels was the pirate island one.

Yo ho ho!

We never did go searching for the hidden treasure.

The next section of track had an Irish feel to it.

With plenty of farmland.

The next part looked out of this world.

The track section next, well, "everything was just ducky."

And more normal in the next one.

Then things looked a bit Viking.

 

 Then a trip to a desert road.

Things were looking a bit "down under."

Then back in forest.

This section of track reminded me of this year's Relay theme.

Every so often, there was a stop with a sign with a saying.

The next section had a Japanese look to it.

Back to a meadow.

 

 We were joined by a friend, and at one point took a short break at a rest stop. 

Then the track turned into asphalt again.

We'd finally reached the end of the road.

It was here our journey finally ended.

Panning out, with the viewer at 1064 meters, it could only show the very top of this long, long track.

Riding at slow speed, it had taken Charlee and I hours over a few days to make our way to the top, just relaxing and enjoying the scenery. By car or motorbike, it would probably take about an hour as the maker claims. 

It's my impression one track can cost quite a bunch of Linden dollars. So the owner, or owners, spent quite a lot of cash on this massive track. Even if you're not a racing fan, the scenery in itself is worth a casual drive, or ride, through. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kinder%20der%20Nacht/180/199/992

 

Bixyl Shuftan