D#004: Cheri Noel (Winter 2020)

                           The French district 


This is the first winter destination of 2020 that is only here for Christmas that I had the pleasure of visiting together with my partner, Dirk.

Cheri Noel , translated "Dear Christmas" in English, is a Christmas-themed European destination with strong French and German influences. The French part is a small reproduction of the city of Strasbourg while the German part resembles, from my personal point of view, one of the many small towns in the Bavaria region, in Southern Germany.

                            The entrance to the German district

The owner, Jasmine Kiyori, surely spared no effort in building this sim which is absolutely beautifully landscaped, rich in details and decorations not only in all the public areas but also inside every house and apartment for rent and every shop. Everywhere you look, Christmas is in the air!

The first thing I checked was the beautiful Christmas market in the middle of the sim. It made me recall those lovely Christmas markets typical of the Alps region (Northern Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Southern Germany) that I keep promising myself to visit every year and have never managed to do so far. This year, I can say that I finally succeeded, at least in Second Life!

                                Glühwein stall

I took my time strolling among the lovely market stalls where you can find literally everything from the famous Glühwein (hot beverage typical of many middle-european countries made of wine mixed with sugar and spices) to hot chocolate - another must of the cold season, delicious donuts and pretzels, decorations, gifts and more. In the heart of the market, a frozen pond will allow you to ice-skate around a huge Christmas tree.

                                    Rum bar and Pretzels stall


                                  One of the many hot chocolate stalls


The huge Christmas tree and the skating pond

Close to the Christmas market, just across one of the many bridges that characterize the look of the sim, there is a majestic castle that Dirk and me have re-named Hogwarts as it looks a lot like the famous school of the Harry Potter saga, that can be rented.


                                 The "Hogwarts" Castle

Like all the rentals on sim, you are not allowed to enter it - an orb would kick you out in no more than 20 seconds if you try - unless you have rented it so I was only able to cam from the outside. The Castle, like all the other apartments and houses, is fully furnished and you could play hide and seek inside it so many are the rooms available.

Rumors say the Castle might be haunted.

Tip: look at the sky while nearby the Castle. You might be able to spot Santa's sleigh flying over the roof's chimneys.


                                Santa's sleigh

When Santa is not flying on his sleigh, you can meet him at his house and workshop. Bring some food for the reindeers and something for Santa too. Who knows, maybe you can convince him to bring you the gifts you want for Christmas. Me? I did not ask for anything because I had an early present this year, someone special who was standing right next to me :)


                                 Santa's workshop

Walking through the streets, there are so many small but lovely shops which are worth a visit. Very popular - and oh my so tempting! - are chocolate shops and bakeries but in the French district you can also find a very rare-to-see clock shop while in the German district there is a candle shop that kept me busy for a while given my passion for everything that is colourful and scented.

                                   A bakery in the German district

                                        Behind the bakery's counter

                                         Bar in the German district

Cheri Noel is a family friendly sim which means kids are welcome, too! There is a lovely carousel not far from the Christmas market and, apart from Santa's workshop that every kid should visit, there is a lovely toy store in the German district, the best one I have seen in Second Life.


                                     Toy store 

Not to be missed is a small but lovely gingerbread village and its bakery - which seems to be Hansel & Gretel's nanny house... so kids - be careful!


                                         The gingerbread village

Only those who rent one of the houses or apartments available on sim have access to a private Club House located in the German district. 

The club is a two storey house and includes a kids playroom - yes, kids are welcome there too - and a classy restaurant and bar. On the second floor, another family room and also a - adult only - spa. Be careful not to use the spa if kids are around ;) A lovely ballroom can be found in the garden behind the Club.


The sim is open until the 6th January, so I highly suggest you take your loved ones and go there before it's gone. It's one of the 2020 winter destinations you might not want to miss.


The French district

Keep in mind that you might encounter some issues in moving around as the sim is highly decorated and full of details but, unless you go there only for photography reasons, you will fully enjoy the place even at lower graphic settings!


SIM INFO

Sim name: Cheri Noel

Owner: Jasmine Kiyori

URL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Noel/59/243/24

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KiyoriEstates/

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/groups/cherinoel


SPECIAL THANKS TO:

My partner Dirk for making me discover another amazing destination ❤

Follow him on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kirkusmaximus/

His website: https://www.theslhotelinspector.com/

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