Tried and True Sim Explores

I started this blog post on Thursday and was going to call it a Throwback Thursday post for Thanksgiving.  I thought I'd post some of my fave long lasting explore sims in appreciation for the joy they've consistently brought me in a world where many places come and go.  These have been around a long time and I'm sure I've blogged them all at some point or another in the past but are worthy of a new post for new residents or some that don't get around much.  Some have changed a little making further exploring a new experience. I might even add a few more later.  Enjoy

Black Kite: Great for exploring, posing, pictures, relaxing: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Black%20Kite/97/233/21

Winter Wonderland the annual Linden Labs winter sim. There are two sides one for skiing, and various activities and other other is the snowball fight area with fireworks at the top of the hour, snowball launchers and so much more:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Winter%20Wonderland%205/128/128/22





Tempura Island in Japan, beautiful romantic sim with lot of hidden places and scenery to enjoy http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/tempura%20island/128/128/21



Ocho Tango, tango dance club, art sculptures, : http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/tempura%20island/128/128/21




Shinda Inspire Space Park: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shinda/128/128/15




The Wastelands  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Wastelands/128/128/76




ChouChou: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Wastelands/128/128/76

Winter Wonderland, Linden Lab's Winter Sim Open Now and Annual Community Snowball Fight Monday

Visit Linden Lab's Winter Wonderland open to the general public here:http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Winter%20Wonderland%205/128/128/22


See Xiola Linden's official Linden Lab blog about Winter Wonderland, the Linden Lab community snowball fight, premium half off special and premium Portal Park here:  https://community.secondlife.com/t5/Featured-News/Joy-to-the-Grid-Exclusive-Gifts-the-Magic-of-Winter-Wonderland/ba-p/3088250



I started out in the brand new LL Portal Park which was a very cool entryway into the LL premium member special areas around the grid (see pics below) then entered the annual Winter Wonderland area that is now open to the general public.  (The direct link above is to the Winter Wonderland area open to all residents)

This year's Winter Wonderland has many of the same features as last year but with added features, and includes the huge play area with tracks for skiing, snowboarding, (free loaner boards, snowmobiles, skates and supplies available for use on site)  skating, a ferris wheel, etc.  The Snowball Arena and snow track area is bisected by the quaint City of Lights that houses a gift for visitors and is a perfect segue between the two areas.  Paths lead to the snowball arena that is home to the giant ice castle and frozen magical light changing tundra where visitors can explore, enjoy fireworks at the top of each hour, free snowball shooters, and a monster that rises from the depths of the ice pond at seemingly random time frames for only just a moment before diving back to it's icy home.

When visiting the snowball arena chose your free weapon to lug around while exploring as you can nail your friends, strangers or enemies around any corner possibly briefly shooting them sky high if your aim is true.  Watch out for avalanches, fellow players, and some ground areas that seem to want to bounce a person around for no apparent reason.  This is truly and beautiful and magical area.

The big event comes this Monday, 12-19-16 at 10am SLT.  The Lindens are hosting a snowball crawl this year for residents to join them.  (Alas, I will be at work as usual during this time frame so enjoy this without me) You can read about the details here: https://community.secondlife.com/t5/Featured-News/Jolly-Holiday-Crawl-amp-Snowball-Showdown-at-10-am-SLT-Monday/ba-p/3087782  The tour will visit some of SL's finest winter sims culminating at the WW snowball arena for the annual LL community snowball fight between noon and 2pm SLT.  So if you ever wanted to hobnob with some Lindens, here is your chance.  There are also gifts and freebies around (including a Blueberry special ladies) and even more gifts for premium members so be sure to check out her blog posts for more info.
 
(Portal Park below)
 

Top 3 Holiday Sims to Explore-Hurry Before They are Gone!

My top 3 Picks
 Christmas/Holiday Sims to Explore

Visit Christmas Town by Laura Liberty here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Townies/110/126/148
(Be SURE to skate through the castle.. it's SO much more than it appears which you will soon see!) I blog most her "towns" as they are excellent always. Will close the day after New Years Day.. don't miss out!



Visit LL Winter Wonderland here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Winter%20Wonderland%203/128/128/28
Previously blogged here: http://karasecondlife.blogspot.com/2015/12/winter-wonderland-by-linden-labs.html



Visit Calas Galahdon's "White Christmas here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Lost%20Stars/128/128/22 previously blogged here: http://karasecondlife.blogspot.com/2015/11/white-christmas-at-calas-galahdon-open.html

Winter Wonderland by Linden Labs

Visit here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Winter%20Wonderland%205/128/128/22

Tonight I checked out the Linden Lab featured news regarding LL's annual Winter Wonderland, home of the LL snowball fight and fun winter park area. https://community.secondlife.com/t5/Featured-News/Winter-Treats-for-All-50-Off-Your-First-Premium-Subscription/ba-p/2987199  be sure to note their discount on premium membership and benefits.



First I went to Linden Portal Park (for premium members only) to find really cool landscaping and teleport areas to the places they run and picked up my free premium member gifts.   Visit here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Portal%20Park%202/132/134/23

Then on to LL Winter Wonderland where the scenery and sounds are as impressive as the things to play in which include skiing, snowboard and snowmobile riding, free gifts, ferris wheel, many amazing sights, a village with free gifts and a glowy colored ice place at the base of the snowball fight castle area.  Beware of the rock avalanche, bouncy ice, a random giant ice lake moster, and a special fireworks display at the top of each hour.  Well worth a visit....or many, so be sure to check it out.  When I stopped in I saw Crap Mariner, then later I hung out to blog and tped in a bunch of friends and got some pics with my good friend Kathy Nikolaidis, Blake Ripley and of course the ice lake monster.

Santa's Workshop and Winter Wonderland

Visit here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kalia%20Island/111/98/25 or direct link here: SantasHere.


Kathy showed me this super super cool Christmas sim. It has just about everything and then some for Christmas. Skiing, snowmobile riding, snowball fights, ice skating and tons of cool sites to see from Santa's house to Santa's workshop and more. Large fun area... check it out. I was excited to see the Rudolph sets and whole island of misfit toys then found Santa Claus Is Coming to town heat miser and ice miser sets ups and a bunch of cute elves all around and even the elves house where they were all asleep and dreaming too. Very cool!