Utopian Renewal in Second Life

 

It is always quietly thrilling to find yourself looking at a world you know well but have never seen from such an angle before.

Bill Bryson

 

          Here we are, hardly into the New Year when already a major event is happening in Second Life (SL).  My good friends at the Utopia Naked Isle Resort are staging a major reopening of their VIP section after extensive renovations over the Christmas Holidays.

          Utopia is noted for its impressive building programs as evidenced by its Winter Wonderland sim not to mention the elaborate redecorating that occurs weekly as they prepare for their Tuesday Pack the Bar (PTB) revelries.  My good friend, Lisah Lorefield,  is the driving force behind much of this work and Utopia’s latest makeover is probably her most impressive work yet.

          While Utopia Naked Isle Resort is open to all and supported by visitors’ donations, (Hint: Tier fees aren’t cheap so please contribute if you like what you see.) the VIP area is for paying members and offers privacy for those seeking a more intimate setting surrounded by fields and beaches.  The design is of a very high quality.  As with the main area, it is clothing optional.

Recently, I dropped by to meet with Lori, one of Utopia’s owners about the construction effort and the upcoming grand reopening. 

          After exchanging greetings, Lori and I begin talking about the newly renovated VIP area.  I ask why the renovations were necessary.  Lori replies that Utopia’s owners weren’t happy with it because it didn’t offer enough things for its members to do particularly of a non-sexual nature.  (Get your mind out of the gutter, this is a serious review!)

          Lori continues saying that new caves, hang gliding, sky diving, floating rocks, a mer area (underwater zone) will be available when the facility reopens on January 18^th.  The intention is to have a place where people will want to come and hang out with their friends so the non-sexual activities were added to diversify the activities. 

          The VIP area will be open to all for the first twenty-four hours on Saturday, January 18^th.  At the opening party on the same day, live musician Tukso Okey will play at noon SLT.  There will also be a week long scavenger hunt for that twenty-four period to help visitors familiarize themselves with the new features.  The first person to send in the twenty scavenger hunt items will receive a prize of 2,500L.  The VIP membership will be reduced to 150L during this period.  (Which is a bargain BTW.) 

          Lori drops hints of hidden themed rooms in the caves for visitors to find and even I with my press pass am not given any more clues.  But, she did tell me a few skeletons might be found in cave walls near the hot tubs.  (They seemed like such nice people here compared to where I grew up but these days, who knows?)

          Lori has to leave for her Real Life (RL) responsibilities and I thank her for her time.  Later, when I return for pictures for this story, I learn about the canoeing which is new and stumble onto the new orgy room. (Nice to know, some folks still respect tradition.)   

          While with Lori, I also learned that Utopia will now have more weekly events on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in addition to Tuesday’s PTB function.  Events can be found posted at the Utopia LZ. 

          The renovations did not harm the VIP area’s original inherent charm but have only added new features.  Lisah does an outstanding job of creating the effect of more space while still working within the confines of the original sim.  She accomplishes this by building up and digging down.  (Lisah is also showing a fascination with rope bridges in her recent builds.  I have to ask her what this is all about the next time I run into her.) 

          The grand reopening of the Utopia VIP area will take place on Saturday, January 18^th and will be open to all.  Utopia has planned many activities as Lori describes to make this a fun filled time for all.

          I can speak from personal experience that it is very difficult not to enjoy one’s self at a Utopia party.  Staff, members, and guests are always very friendly and inclusive.  After all, they let me hang around.  (Significant Other thinks someone probably just lost a bet.)

          More information about Utopia can be found at their recently established website.

Please come if you can and maybe I’ll see you there! 

One more item!  Utopia’s first anniversary is fast approaching in the spring.  I have it on good authority that there will be much celebrating and merry making for a week at that time.  Watch this blog or Utopia’s notice boards and website for more details! 

          I’ve included links below to pictures of the new VIP site.  These do not do it justice.  Come and see for yourselves!   

My Twitter handle is @webspelunker.  Please feel free to follow me and I’d be happy to follow you.

As always, I’m grateful to all inworld for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was passing through their lives.    

I welcome feedback from readers, please either comment on my blog or e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com . 

          If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.

 

Photo No. 1 VIP Area Entrance

Photo No. 2 Rope Bridge to VIP Area   

Photo No. 3 Ocean View I

Photo No. 4 Hang Glider Location

Photo No. 5 Sunset

Photo No. 6 Orgy Room

Photo No. 7 Gazebo in the Rain

Photo No. 8 Ocean View II

Photo No. 9 Waterfalls

Photo No. 10 Field

Photo No. 11 Flora

Photo No. 12 Picnic Spot

Photo No. 13 Pond

Photo No. 14 Underground Caves  

Photo No. 15 Skyboxes TP’s

Photo No. 16 Overview

 

Winter Wonderland in Second Life

Snow flurries began to fall and they swirled around people's legs like house cats. It was magical, this snow globe world.

Sarah Addison Allen

 

          Seems that no sooner did I blog about the Holidays in Second Life (SL) then I ran into my good friend, Lisah Lorefield, inworld who gave me an update on some of the things happening over at Utopia Naked Isle Resort where she resides mainly when she’s in SL. 

          One big, new project recently completed and which will open to the general public shortly is the Utopia Winter Wonderland.   

          Management at Utopia is always looking to improve and expand their sim to enhance the experience for their guests.  Winter Wonderland is no exception as I discovered when Lisah gave me a sneak peek at what’s to come.  (I just wish I could get these perqs in Real Life (RL)!) 

          Lisah TP’s into Winter Wonderland for my tour.  She is dressed in a lovely fur jacket (Remember this is SL, no animals were harmed in the production of this story.  For the record, I’m animal friendly.) and a matching pant suit.

          Me?

          Well, since I was at a nudist sim, I figured I should go nude, right?  That’s the nice thing about SL sometimes, no weather.  (Significant Other is beginning to worry that I’m starting to enjoy running around in my birthday suit too much.)  Fortunately, Lisah is nonplussed about these sartorial gaffes of mine and we proceed. 

          We’re standing in front of the Pavilion.  An imposing, open air (Remember, no weather!) structure intended for ice skating, dancing, and large functions like concerts.  It dwarfs many such creations inworld and is worth the trip for this view alone. 

          Lisah guides me through the rest of Winter Wonderland and I’m impressed.

          Facilities are included for skiing, sledding, and other winter activities.  Free skis, skates, and sleds are available.  (Although, I personally find skiing inworld as difficult and embarrassing as it is for me in RL.)  Lisah shows off her skills effortlessly.  Show off!  However, since her typist comes from Holland, I believe she had an unfair advantage on the ice skating rink.  (Apologies to any Dutch who may be offended by my politically incorrect and insensitive reference to Hans Brinker.  Stereotypes die hard for Americans.  (And apologies to my fellow Americans who… You get the picture.)) 

          As we walk through the sim, I notice just the right amount of Christmas decorations and wintery effects.  Winter Wonderland is not overdone like some sims where everything that is not nailed down, and a few things that are, are covered in either holly or decorations. 

          Realism is high.  Our feet sink into the snow as we walk.  Flora and fauna are lifelike and the ecosystem doesn’t threaten all other forms of life in the sim. 

          Another noticeable feature is the large scale of just about everything.  For example, the ski lift and runs are impressive.  Some RL ski resorts aren’t as good. Also, activities like skating and skiing are readily available and don’t involve hoofing across the Great Plains to get anywhere.  Rope bridges facilitate moving from one peak to another.

          A circular walk through the woods and snow gives us a nice tour of Winter Wonderland in a reasonable amount of time. 

          Of course, let’s not forget that Winter Wonderland is part of Utopia Naked Isle Resort.  Besides nudity (Just to be fair and for full disclosure, it is clothing optional.)  there are many opportunities for those so inclined to go off privately and enjoy themselves in a more intimate fashion.  Cabins, gazebos, fire pits, and even pup tents abound for such folks.  (Somebody must be using these or they wouldn’t be building them, would they now?)

           I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Naughty Santa Korner.  (I won’t go into details, I’m still not that kind of blog.)  There are also a few hidden corners away from the maddening crowd where visitors can go for even more private, intimate moments.  (No, I won’t tell you where they are.  I do this for two reasons and none of them are cruel.  First, it’ll good for you to go out and explore on your own – ideally with someone else.  Second, if I do tell then Lisah is going to get mad at me and, trust me on this, we don’t want that.) 

Lisah and I come to the end of the tour.  I know she’s busy working on all the last minute details so I thank her and take my leave. 

For anyone who is looking for a Holiday themed sim to visit at this time, I can heartily recommend Utopia Winter Wonderland.  The sim is enjoyable and realistic.  As past visitors will already know, the team and guests are always welcoming to newcomers and inappropriate behavior is frowned upon.  Their sims are always being modified and enhanced so visiting frequently is a good idea to stay current. 

The official opening to the general public will be on December 7, 2013 at 2:00PM SLT.  Wayne Davis, the singer, will be headlining the entertainment. 

Winter Wonderland will only be open for a couple of months so I encourage you to get there soon and don’t miss all the Holiday festivities.  I know I’ll be there and maybe I’ll run into you!

For anyone who may be visiting regularly, I recommend joining the Utopia VIP Group whereby you can attend the members only function like the private party for Winter Wonderland’s opening. 

I would like to thank Lisah for once again giving me a tour and answering my oftimes naïve if not dumb questions.  She does a wonderful job and is a great representative for Utopia. 

I’ve included a few pictures from my tour around Winter Wonderland.  But, please go and see the sim for yourselves and have a good time!  You’ll be glad you did.

As always, I’m grateful to all inworld for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was passing through their lives.    

I welcome feedback from readers, please either comment on my blog or e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com . 

          If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.

  

Photo No. 1  Utopia Winter Wonderland Landing Zone

Photo No. 2  Fire Pit

Photo No. 3  Naughty Santa Korner

Photo No. 4  Naughty Santa Korner Signpost

Photo No. 5  Pavilion in the Distance

Photo No. 6  Ski Lift

Photo No. 7  Free Skis and Sledding Saucers Available

Photo No. 8  Ice Skating Rink

Photo No. 9  Cabin Interior

Photo No. 10 Gazebo

Photo No. 11 Igloo

Photo No. 12 One of the Hidden Places!

Photo No. 13 Camping Out

Photo No. 14 The Pavilion