Aero Pines Park - Summer Carnival

All the fun of the fair! It is currently (until the end of August 2013) Carnival time at Aero Pines Park and so we recruited a couple of friends and sent them off for a day of exploring this (currently) 5 region park which is based on Aero Pines Air Park in the Northern California Sierra Foothills. Throughout  the year Aero Pines Park holds many themed events and so off to celebrate summer we go.

There are so many things to do at the Areo Pines Park that I am just going to cover a few.

With a multitude of fairground rides you need plenty of time and lots of candyfloss to get through it all.

I recommend using one of the many rezzers placed about to travel around the regions.  You can pick from jeeps, horses with or without buggies, golf carts, motorcycles, canoes and many more.

It really is a fun way to explore.

Of course no carnival would be complete without the rodeo.

Or make your way to Roxie's Roadhouse to take some time out for a much needed rest or a romantic champagne balloon ride located on the roof.

Can you find the underwater area too?

Jump into the tube and whizz down the waterside.

From rides to beautiful countryside there is something for everyone at Aero Pines Park.  I think the region is changing in September to prepare for autumn so get yourself over there quick and watch this space for updates of new events.










You can find plenty of shopping too for those who want it but no in your face hard sell which suits me fine. The Aero Pines community is welcoming to all ages, role play and avatar choices as long as you stick to the few simple rules: No nudity, weapons, begging, group recruiting or biting and leave other guests out of your role play.  Great place, great fun but you need a few hours to appreciate it and don't forget to go back often to see what new themes appear once the carnival has left town.

Teleport to Aero Pines Park - Summer Carnival

The Secret Garden

I was getting a little fed up of the destination guide and seemed to be finding too many places that were the same so decided to just throw a word into search and see if I could find a hidden gem and I did!

Set on a small mainland parcel, this is a little haven of peace and tranquility with plenty of little areas to sit and relax and listen to the birds and other ambient sounds.

You all know by now I love my little secret spots for chilling and cuddles and although it is a small parcel they manage that really well here.

Float in one of the pools and turn on your music and just let your mind wander.















It was really nice to sit and just relax and I will definitely use this place more often.

















It is a perfect spot to take some time out and be alone with your thoughts.  (oops maybe not those thoughts Cind).












Tinkle the ivories..

or take the teleport up to a sky island with tai chi and meditation animations.

I enjoyed this little garden immensely. Great photo opportunities and just right for hanging out alone or with a friend or loved one. If there was one thing I could add to make it perfect, it would be somewhere to dance.
Oh and I almost forgot to mention, they use one of my favorite radio streams Nirvana Meditation.

So what are you waiting for tp to The Secret Garden. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Valhal

With a promise of being transported to viking times, I was excited to explore Valhal but I have to say, if I wanted to go shopping and not exploring then I would have done.  I was disappointed to find the castle that the sim is centered around was in fact a store housing roleplay clothes.

Well onwards and upwards.. so bypassing the store I flew upwards to a formal garden area set higher up the  castle levels. This was a nice area to sit or maybe dance, had there been a bench or danceballs to do so.

There were more, mostly empty rooms above this level leading on up to the very top tower.














So down to the ground level and here I did find a nice dance area on top of the cliffs overlooking a shipwreck but there was no music set to land so I am out of luck.

Wandering through the forest I come upon what looks like an abandoned settlement. Playing with your windlight works really well on this sim to add to the atmosphere.

Turn up your ambient sound and enjoy the waves crashing on the rocks below the standing stones.
















Not to mention the ghostly sounds around the forest at the foot of the castle.

Follow the signs to the Stonehenge Caves for some great photo opportunities of those dangerous seas the vikings faced.  (I really should start dressing appropriately for the sim I am visiting in future).

So my final thoughts on Valhal:  Once I got over my initial annoyance of being forced to land at a store entrance when I had chosen to explore castles and ruins in the Destination Guide, the rest of the sim was a nice build with lots of well thought out areas for role play, photo opportunities and hanging out.  It is a shame there was no working radio stream but that could be a one off and down to many things.  Personally I would have preferred more animations to use in each area but overall I recommend a visit.

Teleport to Vahhal

Mysterious Wave

Mysterious wave is an  art installation taking you back to your childhood.

Here we are transported back to a simple time of carousels, windmills, bubbles  and the simplicity of play.

Hopscotch and climbing trees. Those innocent and fun long days of summer.

Bubbles and dreams.  This places gives you the chance to reflect and remember what it was like to be a child before technology took over.

Jumping in puddles and dirty knees.

Chalking hopscotch on the pavement and paddling pools in the garden.

I enjoyed this art installation very much. It made me think a lot about my own children and wonder if they are missing these simple things which create your memories of childhood but all in all I don't think so. We have kites and paddling pools and mad long walks with picnics in the woods but it did make me think, maybe we don't do it enough. Such a short moment in life when we have the pleasures of these simple things and it is up to me to build their memories.

Teleport to Mysterious Wave

Metaigahn Maze

A-maze-ing this was not. I really wasn't going to slate places if at all possible on this blog and was trying to find something nice to say. I can't. This build was ugly, there was nothing welcoming at all on arrival.

The maze was straight walls, made from just prims. There were no clear instructions at all. I found the exit door in about 2 mins flat but it wouldn't open. I cammed around a little, and then found there was a texture giver at the central fountain

I figured out that I had to click 3 pictures on the wall to open the door. Mission accomplished.

The door opened and I walked down into a basement and a letter congratulating me on my achievement. It also said I needed to get out another door. Still no clear instructions. I was bored and left. Total length of visit - less than 10 minutes. If Ki had been with me, that would probably have been 2 minutes or however long it took him to rez once he saw this place.

This build could be so much better with clear instructions at the start, a visually more exciting maze and better textures. The central fountain area could be improved with a nicer fountain and a bench that actually had sits in it.



I am sorry but this is one for the "don't bother" list but if you do want to bother then teleport to Metaighan Maze