I could have spent thousands of dollars to get to the Zwinger, a magnificent Baroque complex in Dresden, and wander through the neo-Renaissance style building.

In Second Life, it’s one teleport click away.

All the rooms of the museum have been reconstructed true to scale in the SL Dresden Gallery and all of the 750 masterpieces in this permanent exhibition are on display. Apart from the truly beautiful art, the building itself is superb. The textures are the best I’ve seen anywhere. Maybe they are all carefully created from photographs? That’s enough work for 3 graphic artists, and half a dozen top notch SL builders.

In any case, it’s a work of art in itself.

Click the images to view a larger picture and you’ll see what I mean. (And read on further for Sleeping Venus)

Rembrandt, Vermeer, Canaletto, Poussin, Watteau, Duerer, Titian — they’re all here.

My favourite (if it’s possible to have a favourite among the marvels of European art history) is the Sleeping Venus by Giorgione. All my life I have absolutely loved that painting.
The power of Sleeping Venus is in its perfect inner harmony. Some of the typical qualities of Greek sculpture are here, the idealised, regular face and long, graceful bodily contours, but not made regular to the point of becoming abstract, nor hard and stone-like, or sharply linear.

I love the warm, blended tints which add reality and decorative richness, contrasted with the textures of crimson and silver-gray draperies, and the soft green landscape. And I love the beautiful body in an attitude of modest concealment, the broad, rolling landscape, drawing the eye over long flights that expand our imaginary reach, the feathery trees reaching into the air, the rich literary associations of Greek mythology. Overall, there is that lulling, quieting air of brooding peace, safety and serenity.

No wonder I was lost for hours in contemplation!

SLURL : Dresden Gallery

Even a wild Taureg would have admired my derring-do, and approved of my sombre black garb.

But, as I turned the corner of a sand dune, I spotted this. A Quinquereme!

Though what it’s doing in the middle of the desert is beyond me.

Quinquereme of Nineveh from distant Ophir,
Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine,
With a cargo of ivory,
And apes and peacocks,
Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine

Fortunately someone has dug a canal of sorts to moor this magnificent ship. With a whole half sim for it to sit in.

The Sahara is an amazing space. It truly is a desert (apart from the aforementioned ancient war galley). Nothing but sand, sand and lots more sand.

Not a camel caravan in sight.

I was told there was an oasis somewhere, and date palms. A small tent prepared for guests with soft many-tasseled cushions, red gelatinous sweets, chilled orange water and a hookah.

No such luck. All I could see was sand.

You can click on the pictures for larger images.

SLURL : Sahara

There was a lot of gambling in those days.

Maybe getting $5 a night from a greenhorn doesn’t seem like much, but you multiply that 100 or 200 times, (some clubs had 500 people through every day of the week), and that adds up to a lot of cash. Solid US dollars.

Fortunately, the gambling was jumped on and banned from the grid leaving the real residents (as opposed to the rip-off merchants) cheering with relief.

But you can still find clubs of course. Good clubs, clubs for dancing, clubs where like-minded people gather for their favourite music and friendly chat.

Phat Cat’s Jazz Club is such a place.

At Phat’s you must observe the Dress Code and behave accordingly or you won’t even get a foot in the door. So, best togs on! That means formal gowns for the ladies and evening wear, or tuxedos, for the gentlemen.

Sometimes I’m able to get away from the nervy brides and fretting grooms to relax a little myself. Off I go to Phat’s and have a little slow swing dance or just sit and listen to the music of the Dorseys, Billie Holiday or Ella Fitzgerald.

The photo is of Phat Cat’s popular hostess and hot-jazz trumpet player. Twinkle Littlething.

Slurl : Phat Cat’s Jazz Club