Explore Black Kite

Visit here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Black%20Kite/128/124/21 or direct link here:  BlackKiteHere

This is a must see sim for explorers and people who like to see cool things and take photos.  I had visited before but I'm not sure if they added things or I was in a hurry and missed some spots, and I'm really glad fellow blogger Ziki Questi posted some photos in Flickr that got me headed over there, as I just keep finding more and more cool looking spots that I feel warrant preserving in pictures.   I hope you enjoy it as much as I am.

I touched base with sim owner, theblackcloud Oh, and she was very kind and generous in offering her sim to share with others.  She explained it's been around for about a year now and has been getting a lot of good traffic lately. 

And clearly it's a magical sim as in this pic I got both shadows and reflections which I previously never had.  This pic is untouched and all I did was pose and put on coastal sunset windlight.   Gotta love SL. : )

LEA27, Symbiont Host by Sea Mizen

Visit here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/LEA27/187/148/23

This is a very cool interactive exhibit rich in color, details, and meaning.  I won't give away the fun, but be sure to pick up a note card with explanations to each section and click things to get fun freebies.  This exhibit just opened this weekend and made for a great explore.  I also ran into Sea Mizin the creator and Gina Broono, so got some good photos.  Be sure to check this one out.

Some fun sections to explore include the main landing which has a beautiful overall lookout view and the freebies to pick up such as skin, note cards, head cold, and other items.  Next there are the Safe Zone Tunnel, the Sertoli Cells, the Blue Virus Top, the Blue Virus Interior, ERVborn tree of life and the Gears of Evolution landing points. Have fun.

Explore SL-A Few More Cool Explores

Just a few more random SL explores I've been enjoying. Sorry to bore my Flickr friends who have seen most these pics and SLurls there before. I even left out most of the narcissistic self photos in lieu of more scenery for a change.
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Bewitched at Elven Mist
Visit here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Elven%20Mist/134/23/22 or direct link here: BewitchedHere.
This is a super cool fantasy realm loaded with huge colorful mushrooms amid the forest foliage including somewhat creepy areas, etc. Very nice sim and great for photos. Usually there are awesome looking avatars hanging around too.
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NaNoBoSqUe
Visit here:http://slurl.com/secondlife/0 0 Auspicious/128/128/2
or direct link here: NaNoBoSqUeAuspiciousHere.
This interesting sim is loaded with beautiful colors and shapes and tubes to walk through and OMG I can't even tell what all it is. It's sort of like a painting in some places with wild plants of various design etc., Just check it out for yourself if you want a interesting explore. There is a big research center in the middle. Some things there are by By Romy Nayar, but I never got full details. I've heard this is made for the cancer-battling Istituto Catalan de Nanotecnologia, but that may be Papermakis/Metalas I previously blogged briefly about which has build connections. I'll have to check out info. on this sim a little more later. (Yeah, yeah, I'm not REALLY a reporter so details could be confused at times just take the link and see for yourself if interested)
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Innsmouth a Lovecraft sim
Visit here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Innsmouth/14/245/13 or direct link here: InnsmouthHere.
This one should be at the top it is sooo amazing, but not specifically new. It is loaded with dark buildings including underground places, creepy monsters and modeled after a mysterious Lovecraft story. It is a RP sim, but I didn't' see that a observer tag was needed any time I've ever been in there. You can purchase the monsters and other cool associated things. Check it out, and you will NOT be disappointed on this one. My friend Sonicity Fitzroy wrote an article for the August Retropolitan magazine.... take this link to see one of Soni's many cool photos,: www.flickr.com/photos/simplysoni/5996798269/in/photostream.. go there or nab a copy inworld to get all the details and check out the magazine here. Retropolitan.org/Retropolitan_Magazine/Home.html
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Ebony Coast
Visit here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Ebony%20Coast/65/75/21 or direct link here: EbonyCoastHere. This is a beautiful Everglade type looking sim that is just fun to explore and take wonderful photos of.
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Artbox
Visit here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Klaw/10/21/25 or direct link here: ArtboxHere. This is a fun place to play with many many preset photo stations or scenes to chose from. The two owners have developed prop sets of famous paintings, movies, etc for visitors to select, rez below and jump on predetermined pose spot and some even include free boxes of coordinating props or clothes to complete the photos. All this for free, but I would recommend hitting the donation box, as they have done a ton of work and it really is an amazing place. This is one of thier more whimsical scenes I posed in, but they have some very classy scenes to chose from as well. The selection just keeps growing and growing. Check it out some time.
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Darkness Falls at Benthan Hollow
Visit here:http://slurl.com/secondlife/Bentham%20Hollow/112/128/21 or direct link here: DarknessBenthamHere.
Are you ready for Halloween? This sim should get you in the mood with all it's creepy scenery that is great for photos and just playing around in. It's the latest Bentham build.
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Magic
Visit here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Magic/68/89/22 or direct link here: MagicHere.
This is just a really cute (mostly shopping) area loaded with cool stuff and clothes and like the pic shows some fun play areas.
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Explore Crommhold

My Movie Maker hasn't been working for me for about a week and so today I cleared out some old footage and it seems to have helped some and I was able to render a short video of the fairy mushroom garden in Crommhold, a beautiful sim that is a "must see" for magic lovers in SL. This is one tiny piece of the large scenic sim of beauty to explore which includes this area as well as caves, flower fields, dance areas, animated poses, giant ants, bees that do chase and sting, huge waterfalls, tree houses with a wonderful library, statues, many stray lights, butterflies, and even a few creepy places, etc. Some things are somewhat hidden which makes the explore all the better. Anyway.., this is an adorable sim called Crommhold at: slurl.com/secondlife/Gift%20of%20Love/191/142/22
The music is one of my favs, Selena Gomez's Magic that I often use for my SL magic : )

Explore Second Life

Periodically I post some explores I have really enjoyed. Here are a few more.


Crommhold, vitis here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gift%20of%20Love/191/142/22 or direct link here: CrommholdHere. This sim may become one of my favs and I wish I had more pics readily available to show the many beautiful places that appeal to my inner fairy. There are caves, one filled with huge sparkling multi-colored mushrooms, plenty of cozy corners, romantic areas, dancing, tree and mountain top hangouts, tons of great scenery, flowers, stray lights, etc, some active angry bees and giant ants and just a lot of cool things to see and enjoy.
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Daytime Dreams Slurl here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Daytime%20Dreams/162/71/1974 Direct link here: DaytimeDreamsHere. This sim starts with a black/white checkerboard ground, with some fantsy colorful mushroomy aurora areas, giant chess board that is playable, various bits of large immersive art bits including the mechanical horse by Bryn Oh, that is also in Anna's Murders previously blogged. There is a shop, but the most interesting part is found once the magic door is entered. From there you topple down an Alice in Wonderland area full of floating things including the tea party you can sit at if you can catch a spot before falling to the floor where there is another magic door leading to this twirling clock tunnel in my photo that leads to one place after another. Click everything as you dont' want to miss going through the fireplace or falling underground to the dot room, etc. Fun place.
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Cadeling Garden Visit http://slurl.com/secondlife/Karazhan/76/67/21 or direct link here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Karazhan/76/67/21">Cadeling GardenHere. This place is a photographer's dream that works well with all windlights. It's based on water and has separate pretty scenes for hanging out or photography I guess, including a beautiful swing set, gazebo type area, this cute sculpture with posing deer, and others. There are a couple of shops in the area including one that has some fun art that is for sale.

**********So after I posted this I went blog hopping and found info. about this sim on the Art and Entertainment blog about a grand opening here today at 1:30SLT TODAY __ Rather than repeat, if interested just check it out here: http://justexploringart.blogspot.com/ or direct link here: CadelingArtandEntertaimentHere.
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Bama Breeze check it out here: O, crud I don't have the SLurl atm, as I'm on work lunch break, but it can be easily found in search and I'll try to add it later. Trasc McAllen, one of the original owners of "It's 5 o'clock Somewhere", put a lot of love into this exceptional beach themed sim. There is a lot to see and do and plenty of pretty, cozy quiet spots too. They have live music each Monday evening. Don't miss going inside the active volcano and be sure to click on things all around.

GreenBurg, A Cool Sim to Explore

I've been popping in and out of GreenBurg the past week or two and find great new things upon each return trip.


Check it out here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/GreenBurg/128/128/24 or direct link here: GreenBurgHere.
The sim is gorgeous with a fantasy like atomoshpere that works wonders in the windlight for my photos. There is a moon and star with hanging swing at a decorated platform build that is loaded with poses and dances, there are dandelion fluffs you can rez and ride around, a double deep huge beautiful cave area loaded with romantic pose balls and props (don't think they were all pg) whimsical dragons, statues, frog prince, singing ram trio visuals along the way, multiple dance pavillions and sky islands, the dancing sea drykes, small buildings of various design to explore and so much more. This is another must visit sim and it's even better with a date or friends.

Explore Second Life

I've been finding some cool new and updated explores.


Nordari has been around for a while, but it's updated and it's simply beautiful for pictures. Explore here:http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lusiadas/228/132/21 or direct link here: NordariHere.


Tableau is a fun sim with beautiful detail, fun shops and also great for taking pics. Check it out here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Tableau/193/149/23 or direct link here: TableauHere.


Darkmoon slurl.com/secondlife/Dark%20Moon/181/159/21 Another amazing place to explore. I wanted to show as much of the sim as possible.. but didn't get all the cool stuff in a shot to do it justice. There are hidden places and pose balls and the landing spot sign provides a helpful notecard. The ground is way more beautiful than this shows, but I had to focus lights on the sky or ground so went with the sky for this shot because of the weird floating plant island thingys. Check this place out.


Roan, owned by my Flickr friend Wildangel, is updated with upper garden type areas and lower water and underwater areas to enjoy. This sim is gorgeous with tons of poses, dances, and things to see and do. Check it out here: ROAN (36, 96, 21)
(I'll have to add the SLurl or direct link later but you can find it with that if you like)Here it is: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROAN/146/141/26 or direct link here: RoanHere



Cap Estel has turned Safari so be sure to take the giraffe ride tour then drop into the gorge in the middle to find a super cool area filled with hippos in water and some gorillas by a very cute cafe. Visit here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Cap%20Estel/29 or direct link here: CapEstelHere.

UWA, The Other World

I jumped into SL this morning for just a moment and had a note card about UWA's "The Other World" that sounded intriguing, so I ran over, glanced around and took a couple of quick photos with full intent of going back after work tonight for a nice long explore. What I did see was very surreal. My photo is raw, and so you can see the place is very blue with a LOT of unusual looking creatures. I didn't have time to read any notes or even look around, but today over my lunch I ran across the info. on the UWA site (http://uwainsl.blogspot.com/ direct link here:
UWAHere. which reads as follows:

"The 3rd installment of the UWA FULL SIM ART series sees the amazing 'Other World', created by the triple French treat of Cherry Manga, Anley Piers and Elfe Imako!
It is best left to be described in their words:
Mankind created the machine and always wanted to improve it, adding abilities, and even gave the machine artificial intelligence.

The machine had its own evolution, once it gained artificial intelligence it grew to possess artificial consciousness then the collective consciousness. The machine grew up through many aeons, learned from its own mistakes.

The machine is now in the other world, all parts of the machine are closely bounded, if a little robot cuts itself, the sadness is shared by the entire machine. The machine lives in harmony in the environment it is set, all energy needs are calculated to keep and preserve the world, nothing is taken freely from nature, the machine looks after nature, conscious that its energy depends on the global health of its natural environment.

This way of living is what humankind could call utopia or eden.

This exhibition shows the irony of machine beings, supposed to be heartless and without emotional feelings able to live in respect of its environment, and in harmony with all members of its community ... and the sad conclusion that human beings in 2011 are still fighting for power, for money, for religion, not able to think of the future of our children, continuously draining all that earth can give.

The SIM is open to all till the 31st of March 2011. Keep your eyes peeled for the party they will throw soon though!"

Be sure to check this place out: http://slurl.com/secondlife/UWA%20VIRTLANTIS/110/125/22 or direct link here: UWAOtherWorldHere.

Happy Valentines Day-Explore the Grid for Extra Valentine Fun

The grid is loaded with Valentine specials this week. 2-14-11 SL offers many clothing and novelty freebies, sales, sim specials, and Valentine entertainment specials. One of my favorite annual Valentine things to do is visit the Isle of View 1 & 2 to kiss the Lindens and get their free Linden bears from them and cute photos. Visit here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Isle%20of%20ViewToo/123/163/45 or direct link here: KissHere.




A friend of mine, Patrick Thorkveld compiled a list of some of his favorite SL places to visit for Valentines day and gave me a copy to share here. Have fun!

Romantic Dancing and Beautiful Landscapes:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Calas%20Galadhon/164/232/2523
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Inis%20Caiseal/89/131/21
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Midsomer%20Isle/42/121/79
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Avilion%20Grove/97/124/41
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Apollo/130/32/39

Romantic Gardens:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/PickleSong/90/205/21
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Nude/126/71/22 (note-not nude)
http://slurl.com/secondlife/ARTISFACTA/40/194/21
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Loch%20Haven/200/187/24
http://slurl.com/secondlife//145/201/27

Adventure:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kalepa/211/148/50
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lawst%20Paradise/141/191/6
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Macbeth/46/50/57
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Shinda/82/185/25

Art Galleries:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Animations%20Rising/37/153/26
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lawst%20Paradise/239/155/22

Gifts:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Midsomer%20Meadows/191/157/22
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rockje/150/186/25

Pubs:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Dublin/81/81/25


SPIRITFIRE'S LIVE ROMANTIC MUSIC PROGRAM ALL DAY
DIGBY: 1P THE BREEZE
CHRIS: 4P A TOUCH OF CLASS
TBA: 4P RED RIVER SALOON
LIGHT:4P THALIA FASHION DANCE VENUE
LIGHT: 5P ZHORA FALLS
BLUE: 6P PANNIE'S
AE: 6P SWEET WHISPERS
DIGBY: 7P SWEET WHISPERS
LOUIS:7PM FLEURE'S
GAVIN: 8P KEY WEST
CHRIS: 8P GDK - THE HEARTLAND
LOUIS: 9P FOREVER ROSES

ZERBIE WILL BE PERFORMING AT TOUCH OF CLASS AS WELL.

Explore Picklesong, Pickleflower, Picklemoon, and Picklefish

Direct links to the sims located at the bottom of this post. For more photos including the snail and dragon check out my Flickr here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/karatrapdoor/ or direct link here: KTFickrHere.


The Pickles are here. Hurry over to explore these wonderful sims. I first found Picklesong thanks to the Photohunt group on Wednesday, as this was the location for their hunt. There is so much to see and do, such as ride the giant snail around, dance and pose on the many poseballs, explore gorgeous caves filled with magical flowers, mushrooms, trees and dragons, exclusive fish/ing, Unicorns, watch the flying gargoyles soar overhead, and roam the pretty impressive haunted house. Picklesong seems to be the darkest themed of them all. There are magic doors if needed but I enjoy walking and seeing all the sites. From there I found links to the also impressive associated Pickelflower and Pickelfish sims. Check them out if you enjoy a good fantasy sim, like to take cool pictures, enjoy playing on things, or just want to enjoy a scenic dance with a friend. Picklefish Island is home to the Secret Squirrel Cafe, a shooting gallery, an aquarium, and many other cool things mostly set into a winter themed island. All have many wonderful poses, dances, and nooks and crannies. Each is very unique to the others and very worth checking out.


http://slurl.com/secondlife/PickleSong/26/56/36 direct link here: PSongHere.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pickleflower/124/168/23 direct link here: PFlowerHere.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Picklemoon/59/23/48 direct link here: PMoonHere.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/PickleSong/90/205/21 direct link here: PSongHere.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Picklefish%20Island/57/103/31 direct link here: FishHere.

I can't emphasize enough how much there is to play on if you look closely. Enjoy!

Roche-A Very Cool Sim to Explore

http://slurl.com/secondlife/ROCHE/149/99/22 or direct link here; RocheHere. Check out this cute sim by ddSm2 Mathy. Lots to discover and enjoy.