When I ventured into Second Life, I was overwhelmed at all the choices that lay before me - the many creatures that I (my avatar) could become, the perpoderance of stores that I could shop, the various gadgets and items with which I could entertain myself and the multitudes of places that I could visit.

After a few hours in that virtual world, I meet a girl - or at least the avatar was female in appearance. She showed me around to a number of different places.

We went to NASA's presence in Second Life then to a club, to a nice shopping mall and then a club. Though the new-found friend was very nice and friendly, it became quickly apparent that she was more interested in the club scene. That was interesting in and of itself, but there was one place that she took me that I would find myself returning again and again. There I found beauty, soothing music, solitude and rest for my weary virtual soul.

Today, many months after I had gained my footing in Second Life, I still find that I return to that place again and again.

Many places, especially corporate entities that have dollar signs in their eye as they attempt to market and advertise to Second Life's residents, are beautifully built but empty edifices to the corporate name. Seems that the Second Life residents are wise to their schemes. However, THE LOST GARDEN OF APOLLO continues to attract the deepest part of my being - a longing for peace, beauty and soiltude. In the virtual world, I find it there in abundance.

Dane Zander, the creator and owner of Apollo, designed the sim to be a romantic destination - a place to go on a virtual date or even a virtual wedding. However, as a single, unattached individual, it has an equally powerful draw upon my soul, as well.

Dane's design work is nothing short of amazing. His use of textures is striking - very detailed. Here are a few examples of this amazing build.