Diomita Maurer’s Blog

I had in mind to make a short simploring tour on Sunday, August 23rd. It turned out to become a longer and really great Sunday morning tour. I picked Boulder from scoop.it SL Destinations because the name of the owner caught my attention immediately.

Boulder – overview

Boulder is a moderate full region owned by Vally (Valium Lavender). I saw already several places of Vally. In 2020 I saw Valium Creek (read here) and Valium Sea (read here).
Boulder was (once again) designed by Dandy Warhlol (Terry Fotherington). Boulder is a beautiful photogenic coastal land inspired by the African Penguins of South Africa and intended to bring attention to this endangered species.

Impressions of Boulder (1) – at the landing point

At the landing poit I had a view to the town, named “Simon’s town” and had to decide where to go first. There’s a sign post with 3 directions: Art gallery, Simon’s town and Penguin Colony. I decided to walk to the penguins first. One of their colonies is at the beach not far from the landing point.

Impressions of Boulder (2) – a green oasis above Boulder

At the colony I saw another sign post “Follow the Stairs” and I began walking up the large rock. The higher I got the better was the view over Boulder. Finally I reached a beautiful place for a first break. At the end of the stairs you find several small huts offering beer and coffee admist a green oasis. The place can also be used for small parties.

Impressions of Boulder (3) – the open hole / the waterfalls

I continued my simploring tour walking through a passage in the rock that led to another beautiful spot with a waterfall and a bench to enjoy the view. At one end of this spot it a big sign “Danger – Open Hole”. In Second Life that’s more or less an order to take the risk and I stepped forward to see the hole. But I didn’t see it – instead the stone I was stepping on became instable and I fall down …. finding myself at the foot of a large waterfall. Luckily in Second Life you don’t get injured *winks*. From where I landed I could see the beach through another passage and was back at the penguin colony.

Impressions of Boulder (4) – Blurred views by Fred Hamilton (frecoi) and Lotus Mastroianni at Boulder Art Gallery

I went to the art gallery next. I don’t know if the exhibtion there is permanent or will change. At the time of my visit the gallery presented “Blurred Vibes” by Fred Hamilton (frecoi) and Lotus Mastroianni. I know them both as creators of great places in Second Life. Just recently I saw their sim “Summer in the City” (read here). The exhibtion is not very large but would have been worth a seperate blogpost. Fred and Lotus play with the artistic effect of blurring. Several texts accompany the pictures: “Blurring and focus are powerfl photographic deveices. Not arbitrary, because the theme chosen to focus on, regardless of the apparent irrelevance, makes the observer reflect on its meaning“. I strongly recommend not to miss this great small exhibit.
Remark: Lotus Mastroianni told me that the exhibtion will be available until End of September 2020 …. hence hurry up, if you want to see it.

Impressions of Boulder (5) – whale watching / the lighthosue languet

After my visit of the art gallery I went down to the beach again for another look at the penguins and at a whale which was just jumping out of the sea. And I was not alone watching this spectacle, as there was one of several NPC’s (static non-player characters) spread on the whole sim – a photographer.
From here I could see the lighthouse and I went there next. The lighthouse is at a languet right opposite of the penguin colonies. To get there you either have to walk along the beach and the town or you have to swim. Again I took advantage of the possibilities in Second Life and swam over there. The lighthouse and its surrounding is another beautiful spot at Boulder. I enjoyed another short break at the campfire close to the lighthouse. Several birds are around there and invite to just watch or take more pictures. Next to the lighthouse are a few huts. You can get fresh fish here.

Impressions of Boulder (6) – Simon’s town farmer market and sun beach

Acutally Boulder is two sims in one – one is the nature part with the beaches, the penguins, the waterfall and the languet with the lighthouse, the other part is Simon’s town. A special feature is that two different windlights are used for these parts. The windlight for the nature part is quite natural and couldy while the windlight used for Simon’s town is sunny with a clear deep blue sky. This windlight makes the town look a bit Mediterrean although the penguins live in South Africa. The town itself is really picturesque. I visisted the market and the sun beach on the backside of the town.

Impressions of Boulder (6) – Simon’s town waterfront promenade

The waterfront of Simon’s town offers many places to sit and is a perfect background for pictures. And of course there’s a lot to discover here. I really had fun looking at all the details and took many pictures.

Boulder is really a great sim and I fully enjoyed my Sunday morning immersing into another world. Vally intended to bring attention to the endangered penguis of South Africa, hence my last pictures shall reflect that. At the landing point are two pictures of these penguins and a reference to the “Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds”. You can read more about the foundation here.

Impressions of Boulder (7) – support the preservation of Southern Africa penguins

Thank you Vally for sharing your place publicly and thank you Dandy Warhlol (Terry Fotherington) for another great sim.

Landmark to Boulder
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Boulder/182/131/22
Boulder flickr
https://www.flickr.com/groups/valium/
Vally’s blog
https://www.vallystyle.com/
Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds
https://sanccob.co.za/