"I Live In A Labyrinth Under the Sea"

Today we will head to the Sea of Fables in search of some underwater adventure! Located in the heart of Sansara, this sparkling blue sea contains a great number of islands named after Greek gods and legends. In addition to exploring the small towns and temples on each island, the waters surrounding the islands are perfect for diving adventures; they are filled with ancient ruins, shipwrecks, coral reefs, and even sea monsters! We are going to start by picking up some diving gear on the docks of Poseidon Island, pictured below.

Poseidon Island has a fixed landing point, so when you arrive, face south and make your way down to the docks. There, you will find some free diving gear (although I prefer Arcadia Asylum's suit, which I mentioned in my recent Jules Verne Museum post). Once you have your gear, step off the edge of the docks and continue walking south. Soon you'll spot the remains of a shipwreck on the ocean floor (pictured below) and in front of the wreck, some tumbled columns and an opening with a set of stairs that leads down into the earth. Directly in front of the stairs is a ball of twine — take this and wear it. It is a HUD which will help you on your journey.

The ball of twine might clue you into the fact that you are descending into a labyrinth, like Theseus venturing in to slay the Minotaur. Long, dark passageways spiral in on each other, and you will need your HUD to find your way to the center. Each time you reach a place where several passageways converge, clicking on the ball of twine will illuminate a map (pictured below) to help you choose your direction. There will be a marker on the floor at each crossroads, indicating your position on the map.

If you choose well, you'll eventually find yourself at the center of the labyrinth. Look around for the Minotaur, pick up a copy of Theseus' sword, and maybe even take an impromptu ride on an octopus, as Ziki is doing below. Now you just have to decide how to exit the maze — do you go back out the way you came in, or is there an easier way? Look all around you and see if you can find another exit. The last picture might give you a hint as to where it is.

If you enjoyed this adventure, you might want to set out to discover what else lies hidden on the ocean floor in the Sea of Fables. You could spot the wreck of King Midas, or a Siren's Grotto, where ancient statues of mysterious goddesses lure sailors under the waves. While you are exploring, enjoy this fascinating video set to The Incredible String Band's "The Minotaur Song." Happy diving!

"I live in a labyrinth under the sea
Down in the dark as dark as can be
I like the dark as dark as can be
He likes the dark as dark as can be"
 

"Got A Whale Of A Tale To Tell Ya, Lads"

Jules Verne, often referred to as the father of science fiction, was a French novelist and playwright famous for such wild, imaginative adventures as Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1873). In Second Life, Veritas Raymaker has created a museum in the Sea of Fables to honor the life and works of Verne called "St. Michel", named after a series of boats that Verne owned during his life. Before visiting, since some of the museum is located on the sea floor, you may want to pick up the free Nautilus diving suit I'm wearing in the photo below. Designed by Aley (Arcadia Asylum), it emits bubbles from the helmet, bounces and kicks up sand from the sea floor when you walk, and is simply full of old-school awesome. Just the thing for a visit to the Jules Verne Museum.

From the landing point, you can either catch a zip line ride down to the water or walk up the hill to the brick building. Inside the building is a simulated moon surface; cam in and sit on one of the floating jet packs for an immersive experience. Outside the building's front door is a small blue cone which will rez a vehicle (pictured on left, below) to take you to various other destinations within the build, including a fanciful floating skybase (pictured on the far right, below). According to Veritas, "the original site of the Museum was featured in the March 2008 issue of Deja Vu International magazine. That site was used from July 2007 to August 2008. The Museum is presently situated in the sim of Lily, and was opened in January 2009. Spread over 0.7 hectares and comprising self-paced informational experiences, it is hoped that the variations in type and scale of the exhibits will convey some sense of the sheer breadth of Verne's genius."

One of the destinations within the build is a large submarine (interior control room pictured below) which sits on the surface of the Sea of Fables. Under the sub, a series of interconnected underwater rooms allows visitors to observe the sea life while remaining comfortably dry. At each destination, a set of slideshows gives visitors information about the builds and the books on which they are based. Like Leonardo da Vinci, Jules Verne imagined creations which became reality hundreds of years later. See this National Geographic photo-essay about ten of his inventions which actually exist today.

States Veritas, "I am very happy to have been able to keep the museum open at Lily these many years. The affordances of Second Life align so well with Verne's imagination. The doors of the museum will continue to remain open and all are very welcome :-)" The tales imagined and written down by Verne are still capturing the imagination of readers today, and this museum is a good introduction — and homage to — his works. Come visit, dive in and explore the grand adventures for yourself, and perhaps take home some inspiration for your own adventures. Let's follow the advice of Jules Verne, who said, "Ah! Young people, travel if you can, and if you cannot, travel just the same!"

"Got a whale of a tale to tell ya, lads

A whale of a tale or two'

Bout the flappin' fish and the girls I've loved

On nights like this with the moon above

A whale of a tale and it's all true

I swear by my tattoo"

Kirk Douglas in "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"

Lauk's Nest

Created in 2005 by resident Laukosargas Svarog (who also designed the beautiful sim, Svarga), Lauk's Nest is located just north of the Snowlands of Sansara, but in much warmer climes. Constructed as Mayan temple ruins surrounded by a rain forest, this impressive, historic build sits on a large island (pictured below) in the wonderful Sea of Fables. While the build has changed hands many times since Lauk created it, it still retains a large portion of her original design, including some interesting attempts to script life. There are flowers which change color when bees land on them, beehives from which bees emerge several times a day to pollinate the flowers, and carnivorous plants and birds which occasionally eat the bees. In Svarga, which was designed in 2006, Lauk took this experiment a step further, creating clouds that rained and essentially a dynamic ecosystem in which plants grew and multiplied. Built in a time before sculpted or flexible prims were available, both Svarga and Lauk's Nest are marvelous examples of the beauty that can be created with the basic SL prim.

Eliana Zaytsev (pictured in front of the island map, below) took ownership in 2010, and has done her best to preserve Lauk's original vision. "I found that i was having a hard time figuring out what was original to Lauk's Nest and what was added after she sold it," remarked Eli. "I cannot believe it has been six years now that i have had it! I rented a home and took part in events here when I was new to Second Life. This will always feel like home." Touching the map at the landing point will provide visitors with a notecard containing information about the build and a listing of landmarks for the area. There are still three rentals on the land; contact Eli for more information if you are interested in living there.

Exploring on foot, there are plenty of things to see on the island. You can circle the entire island on a wooden walkway that hugs the mountain, winding your way up to the top. You can drum at the base of a giant tree, or find your way up above the drums to the original "nest". Investigate the inside of the pyramid, or relax in the hippo pool (pictured below), which is located at the top of the cascading set of waterfalls that flow down the moutainside. At the base of the mountain, you can find a cave, or walk along the water and observe the rumblings of the active volcano in nearby Orwood.

A two-level sunset treehouse overlooks the neighborhood area where you can find rental information as well as a small art gallery. There is a temporary dance floor at the landing point which can be rezzed and rented for small parties. But I think my favorite part of the build, perhaps because it was a place I visited during my first few days in Second Life, is the meditation circle, pictured below. Once an avatar enters the circle, the white particles appear, arching overhead. "I still love this place," exclaimed Eli, "and think it should never go away!" Visitors who are interested in helping to preserve this fascinating and historic build can leave a contribution at the landing point.