Virtual Holiday

This post is a virtual response to my earlier post about my dream holiday. Since my dream won't be realised til im older, I thought visiting Amsterdam using Secondlife was an interesting idea. Secondlife allows its users to instantly teleport to places they want to go to, including there is such a virtual world created. I can conveniently teleport and tour around the simulated version of Amsterdam, checking out their famous sites and lifestyles.

Sports car and an ATV off-road bike? If only this was purchasable.

Breast Cancer aid in a virtual world? Users can use their online currency to make donations to this foundation.

A couple of structural buildings I saw while touring around Amsterdam in Secondlife. I wonder if there really are places like this in real life Amsterdam. If there is, the moderators and creators have really done a good job in constructing these structural beauty's.

Dozens of shops situated by the famous canal in Amsterdam, running along its path that covers a full quarter of the city. Avatars can walk around the pathways, enjoying the scenery and purchasable items in these little stalls.

The famous canal of Amsterdam. Who says these boats are only decorative? Players can hop into these 'couple' boats and glide across the watery canals around the city, enjoying the scenery and some alone time.

Just like in real life, players actually put up rooms and spaces for rent. With a settled amount of online currency, other players can use this space to set up their own stalls or virtual homes.

THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT. I never knew they would have one in virtual life. This proves the realism of Secondlife, where the traditions and cultures of real life are implemented to its most realistic ways.

There is even a small informative stall that educates players of famous figures and role models of the past, examples like Mahatma Ghandi and his accomplishments are spewed across the wall. A list of FAQ's can be access as well, establishing a firm foundation of information in Secondlife.

Unfortunately, however realistic Secondlife may get, it can never be personal experience. Secondlife may be able to recreate animated structures and buildings, but it can never create a bond of unexplainable emotions and feelings that people obtain when experiencing something first-hand. I'd praise Secondlife for its futile attempt in recreating a simulated world, but nothing beats personal and first hand experience.