The Tunnel of Light: Into the Shimmering Depths

Windlight is one of Second Life's most interesting and exciting new features, having been introduced to widespread interest and appeal. Many designers throughout the massive grid utilize Windlight to create products which shimmer or glow, catching the eye of anyone passing by and making them stop, if just for a moment, to check it out. However, up until I was dispatched to go to the Tunnel of Light, I had never seen any product or place that had utilized Windlight so well, and so absolutely, to create something a bit off the beaten path. Both housing a store, and housing two trippy, twisted and altogether interesting rides, Tunnel of Light is the sort of place you want to go and spend a great deal of time at, somewhere you just want to stare at the pretty, pretty lights…

 

The Store:
When you first arrive, Tunnel of Light seems quiet, almost unassuming. There is a forest, with trees, a darkened sky and a dirt path leading up towards a building in the distance. There are hints of something more, a shiny sign, and then the store itself, which sells products entirely enhanced with Windlight. Before diving into the insanity that is the ride, I thought I’d stop by and poke my head around to see what could be seen. Every item in the Shop of Light, as previously mentioned, is Windlight enhanced. To be honest, they look very much like they’re made out of Windlight itself, hewn from the shiny, glowy stratosphere and crafted into things more mundane for us to wear. Having decided to wait until my next article to get my animal side on, I slipped into the Angel Wings, which burned with a fire I could only attribute to Uriel, the infamous Archangel wreathed in flame. The twisted, swirly, fiery glow wreathes me in flames. Beneath it, I decided to wear the Death Rattle set from Sn@tch, which seemed to fit the raver-angel look that I was going for. Further to compliment this look, I put on the Infra-Red goggles from Abyss, making me look very much like I was ready for a night out on the town. Which I was. A fiery angel of wrath has gotta have fun sometimes, you know? Now clad in the appropriate gear, I set out back down the dirt path, to a dock overlooking a placid lake, full of cattails. On it, a tiny paper ship waits to take me off to my destiny. My God, it’s full of win!

The Tunnel of Light:
Friends or Couples, it says. Friends or Couples. Seeing as I’m alone, and without anyone to sit and enjoy it with me, I go into the Friends line, which will allow me to ride through the whole tunnel by myself. Out from my right comes a teacup, my chariot, which will ferry me through what is to come. Everything down here, and I mean everything, glows. The railing, the floor, the walkway, the signs. Only the solitary teacup is exempt from this, most likely to contrast its surroundings. Through a giant heart I go, into a tunnel of various colors, drawn into the maw of one of the most unique visual experiences I have ever been shown. Each area you enter is distinct, starting with a pond full of lillypads, an echo of the very same pond you approached to get down here. Above, in the air, massive glowing dragonflies hang suspended, frozen in time. Next comes the forest, a continuation of the pond, and another callback to the area you started in prior to your descent. And then comes the solar system, where you’re taken around a large room bristling with planets and stars. Then down, down, down, into the final room, a mess of conflicting colors, fighting an eternal war for dominance. The first ride, the titular Tunnel of Light, is complete. Through the final room, you can access the club, Haze, where live DJs and various events take place at intervals. It is a purple affair, a mess of light, just like the rest of the place. Gorgeous. Behind that is the Neon Lounge, another area to chill and party, with designs covering the walls and a unique twist in its décor. After the ride you just went on, a little relaxation can go a long way.

Light at the End of the Tunnel:
There you have it, my first look at Tunnel of Light! Next week I will continue with a look at the infamous Eat the Worm, and will show off more fashions you can obtain in the Store of Light. For now, I suggest coming down and checking it out yourself and enjoying what can be had. The ride itself is gorgeous, and you can access any of the rooms in the ride again through teleporters, which makes taking in all of it easy as a simple click. Until next time, stay shiny.