Welcome to Melanosia

[sirgeoj2 1]

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//melanosia-banner.gif align=baseline>

 

Hello everyone and Welcome to my second City Journal, Melanosia!

My first CJ never really got off the ground, I was only able to make one post and I wasn't able to continue on with it.  I have had plenty of time for this one however and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I enjoy putting it together!

---

UPDATE 1

 

 

SirGeoJ's Travel Journal

July 24

 

I have been planning my trip to Melanosia for quite some time now and the day is finally here!  I am writing this on the plane as we make our approach to Contella Intl. Airport.  It is about three in the morning local time....I can't sleep cause I am still on my time which is around one in the afternoon. I am going to be staying at the Contella Doubletree Airport Hotel overnight and then taking a connecting flight in the morning to the capitol city of Marinaldo.  As I planned my trip to Melanosia I used the Geopedia to find more information about the region and it's people and places to see and things to do. 

 

This is a screenshot of a page of information I have used to find out more about about Melanosia

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//geopedia%20melan.geog..jpg align=baseline>

 

This is a picture I took from the plane looking out toward the airport as we make a pass on our approach, I forgot to take the flash off.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Contellaplanenightcopy.jpg align=baseline> 

 

The landing was nice and smooth, landing and taking off are my favorite parts of flying.  I was amazed at how clean and efficient the airport was.  Everything was so easy to find.  I took the shuttle bus to my hotel and checked in.  They were very nice.  I am writing this as I sit in my hotel room, it is a very comfortable room, not too big, but cozy.  Most important of all the bed is real comfortable, I think I will get a good night's sleep. 

  

This is a postcard I picked up at the airport

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Contella-Oct.%2018,%20011122246091%20copy.jpg align=baseline>

 

This is a postcard I picked up in the lobby of the hotel

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//contella%20doubletree%20postcard.jpg align=baseline>

 

---

That is all for update 1, I hope you like it so far,comments are appreciated, come back and visit for update 2 as we will find out more information about the city of Contella and see some more pictures as well as find out more about my travel to the

[bienefeldt 3]

Great start! I like the encyclopedia!

 

[jacqulina 162]

great start

[sloppet 3]

good one! very interesting start! love the foto pic!

[aasim45 1]

Cool Start!!

[Traffic_Jam 0]

Awesome start!

[Mikeaut1 261]

Wow, awesome work so far! The postcard is a great idea, along with the encyclopedia!  Very nice work!!

[sirgeoj2 1]

---

Message to my readers:

Thankyou bienefeldt, jacqulina, sloppet, aasim45, Traffic_Jam, and Mikeaut1 for your supportive comments, I hope you all come back for my next updates! 

---

 

 

UPDATE 2

 

 

SirGeoJ's Travel Journal

July 25

 

I got a good night's sleep last night, I was expecting to hear alot of noise from the airport seeing as how the hotel is in such close proximity but I was suprised at how quiet my room was.  The complimentary breakfast was great, they had a nice selection of international and domestic foods.  I'm looking forward to my trip to the capitol city, there seems to be alot of interesting things to see there and alot of history to explore.  I am sitting in my room right now on my laptop finding out more about the city of Contella, the economy of the city seems to pretty much revolve around the airport. 

 

A page from the Geopedia with information on the city of Contella

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//geopedia%20civic%20contella.jpg align=baseline>

 

Some random pictures of the city of Contella from the article.

Most of the residential areas of Contella are low density middle class housing, blue collar workers mainly working in the industrial sector or at the airport. 

Much of the air freight is shipped to and from the airport by rail.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//contella%20freight%20station%20cargo%20planes.jpg align=baseline border=4>

Interstate 35 as it runs under the airport.  On the left are a few restaurants at which 75 percent of their patronage consists of people coming to or leaving the airport.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//contella%20interstate%2035.jpg align=baseline border=4>

 

 

A page from the Geopedia with information on the airport

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//geopedia%20contella%20airport%20copy.jpg align=baseline>

Here are some more pictures from the article of the airport.

Interstate 35 runs under the airport through a tunnle for over a mile.

The three main terminals service all domestic and international carriers.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//contella%20airport%20term123.jpg align=baseline border=4>
 The airport tram station in the lower left corner services all terminals of the airport.
https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//contella%20airport%20airfreight.jpg align=baseline border=4>

The airport hotel circle at night

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//above%20airhotels%20contella%20night.jpg align=baseline border=4>

Above the airport with a closeup of a plane docked at a gate.

Well, I must say Contella was an exciting place with all the busy travelers coming and going, it was interesting watching people as I sat and waited for my flight.  I would try and imagine what each person was doing, where they were going, what kind of business they were in.  I am writing this portion as I am on the plane headed toward the capitol city, Marinaldo.  It is a short flight, only twenty minutes, I am flying on a 737 this time, the one I arrived to Melanosia on was one of the big overseas 747 planes.  I am really looking forward to my stay in Marinaldo, I will be staying there for at least two days, mabey more if I really enjoy it there!

 

Here are some more pictures I took from the plane as I left Contella on the way to Marinaldo

Looking out toward the airport as we are taking off.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Contella%20leaving%20air%20hotel%20upper%20right.jpg align=baseline>

Looking down at all the industrial buildings as we pass the end of the runway.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Contella%20leaving%20air%20industry.jpg align=baseline>

Looking down as we climb higher and over the Gande river to circle south toward Marnialdo.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Contella%20leaving%20air%20over%20river.jpg align=baseline>

---

Well, that is all for update 2.  I hope you all have enjoyed it!  Thankyou to those of you who are returning and welcome to those of you who are just now joining me!

I hope you all come back for update 3 as we explore the capitol city of Marinaldo and learn more about the region of Melanosia! 

---

[Dark_Jedi06 13]

Lucky you, you're getting my first post.

Anyway, I really like the idea of the post cards and Geopedia, also I like the way you're taking us through the cities as if you're on a trip. As for the cities, they're beautiful and well organized, I especially like the shot of the highway.

 

Keep up the good work, I want to see more.

[jacqulina 162]

excellent presentation you are doing great detail,fantastic pics

[Alabaster 0]

Your CJ is fresh, original, and unique. I admire all the small details that you put into your updates (the 'airplane window' in your 'photographs' makes a huge effect). I really hope that you keep updating as often as you can, because I will be checking in frequently!

 

Great start on what promises to be an excellent CJ

[utora 0]

Great start!! Very original, and pleasing! This is a journal I'll keep an eye on!!

[bienefeldt 3]

Nice update. The motorwaytunnel under your airport is cool. Any chance of a transportation map?

[Deathtoall 28]

nice start can't wait for more

[Traffic_Jam 0]

Wow!

 

Great update!

[sloppet 3]

nice, interesting and original, thats all I have to say about the first page, and it isn't finished yet.. (the page..)

[sandroalexis 2]

Nice and origional city journal. Can you show some regional shots?

[Mikeaut1 261]

Awesome work! Love the airplane shots the most... really remind me of when I'm at the window seat on an airplane taking off from JFK

[MasterPlanMan 1]

Very nicely done! Your presentation is outstanding!

Just a quick suggestion for the avenue over hwy 35.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//contell%20airport%20commuter.jpg align=baseline>

 

If you converted to one-way roads you could use the NAM slope puzzles to illiminate that knarly dip you have going on there.

[sirgeoj2 1]

---

Message to my readers:

---

Dark_Jedi06:  Im honored to be your first post!  Thankyou for your nice comments, I have alot more updates on the way! 

 

jacqulina:  Thankyou for coming back and your nice comments, hope to see you again!

 

Alabaster:  Thankyou very much, I really appreciate that.  I'm having alot of fun with this CJ.  The airplane window is actually a real window from a picture I took while flying into India a year ago, I just extracted it in Photoshop.

utora:  Thankyou for stopping in and commenting, I appreciate it!  I'm happy to hear you will be returning. 

 

bienefeldt, Traffic_Jam, and sloppet: Thankyou for coming back and for your nice comments, and bienefeldt I am planning on getting a transportation map in very soon....it will probablly be another page in the Geopedia.

 

Deathtoall: Thanks for stopping by!  I hope to see you back!

 

sandroalexis:  Thankyou!  I will be getting some regional shots in the next update or so.

 

Mikeaut1:  Thanks!  I love the window seat on airplanes too, just awesome to look down at everything from so high and see the lay of the land and how insignificant everything looks! 

 

MasterPlanMan:  Thankyou very much for the great comment and advice!  I had not even thought of that..DOH!  I'm really glad you mentioned that because I was pretty upset with that myself. 

Thankyou all for coming in and for your support.  My next update will be sometime within the next day or so.  Hope to see you there! 

---

 

 

 

[____----____ 37]

wow you really got off to a great start with this cj

 

ALek

[Deathtoall 28]

nice work keep it up

 

[choco1 4]

Fantastic Start to a cj! Really good work. It a beautiful city. I like how you've used many small grass parks across your city, it works well. And the airport is really realistic. The enclclopedia idea is great.

[sirgeoj2 1]

---

Message to my readers:

---

Thankyou aleking, Deathtoall, and chocolatemax285 thankyou for the nice comments.  I'm sorry it has been a few days since my last update but here it is, Update 3....I hope you enjoy it!!

---

UPDATE 3

 

 

SirGeoJ's Travel Journal

July 25

 

Well, I have had a very interesting few hours.  The plane ride that was only supposed to be ten to twenty minutes to the capitol city of Marinaldo ended up being almost an hour flight to the city of Gaden!  It turns out that the wind had picked up drastically in Marinaldo and heavy rainfall had just begun a few minutes after our takeoff, so we were temorarily redirected further inland to the city of Gaden.  I am in my complimentary hotel room at the Holiday Inn right now, waiting out the storm.  Well, at least this will give me more time to find out more about the region of Melanosia. 

 

Here are a few pages that I found on the government and culture of Melanosia.

 

Here is a page on the culture of Melanosia

 

Here are some pictures I took while landing in Gaden.

 

It was beggining to rain harder as we landed.

The rain was getting so hard you could hardly see out the window anymore.

 

As soon as I got my luggage I took a shuttle to my hotel room at the Holiday Inn by the airport.  Wasn't much to do but wait till the rain stopped.  I guess they closed this airport down as well, right after we landed.  I hope this rain stops by morning.

 

July 26

 

Well, the rain had stopped finally this morning.  I called the airport and they said the next flight is not until two this afternoon.  I think I am going to change my travel plans a bit.  I think I am going to see a little more of this region than just it's capitol city.  There seems to be so many interesting things here to see and do and the people are really interesting.  I want to learn more about this place and the best way to do that is to experience everything.  I picked up this flyer in the lobby of the hotel.  I think I am going to go there tommorow and do that. 

 

In the meantime I think I will see more of this interesting looking city.  I havn't seen much of it yet but from what little information I have heard and read so far it seems to be a very interesting place.  It is also growing very rapidly.  I think I will take a little walk down the street a ways and see what there is to do.

 

Here is my hotel.

I walked to borders book store and bought a new book to read later when I fly back home.

Then I walked down to the seafood restaurant and had fish for lunch.

 

Well, that is all for update 3!  I hope you all have enjoyed it and we will see alot more of Gaden in the next update, and I will be showing region and transportation maps soon as well.  There is alot more to come, I hope you all continue to come back and join me!

[sloppet 3]

good one!!

please store your pics outside the simtropolis server. It would be better for us and you to have your pics uploaden on www.imageshack.us  - remember to register there first! . were you can get pic. miniatures.. keep up the good work!!

[utora 0]

Excellent update Sirgeoj2! I like the Geopedia background information, very useful The photoshop effects to resemble rain are just marvelous! And that wine-taste flyer is even more impressive You've done an impressive job on the city-layouts as well: the lush farmlands, and the hotel looks very realistic, with the big parking lot besides it. It kind of reminds me of a hotel I stayed at last summer, when I was in Copenhagen for a few days

Look forward to more!

[Alabaster 0]

Simply amazing.......

 

Sorry about your delayed flight, but it looks like you found something to do while you wait! Very imaginative!

[jacqulina 162]

looking really great

[Traffic_Jam 0]

Very, Very excellent update!

[sirgeoj2 1]

---

Message to my readers:

---

sloppet:  Welcome back!  Thankyou for the advice, I will be doing that within the next update or so.

utora:  Thankyou very much!    I'm glad to see you continue to enjoy this CJ!

Alabaster: Im glad to see you again!  I think that these new travel plans are going to work out for the better, besides..I think I will be saving the best for last anyway...The capitol city should be quite an adventure! 

jacqulina: Thankyou again for returning and for your support!  btw I just noticed that you graduated to simtropolis geek!  what post # did that happen at?

Traffic_Jam: Thankyou for returning as well and for your supportive comments

---

UPDATE 4

 

SirGeoJ's Travel Journal

July 26

 

After eating lunch at the seafood restaurant across the way from my hotel I went back to my room and picked up a few things and rented a car.  I bought a little map of the area and decided to just take a little drive. 

 

Here are some photos of my drive to a little view park in the central south area of the city.

Leaving my hotel

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive1.jpg align=baseline>

About a block down the street from hotel.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive2.jpg align=baseline>

A couple more blocks down the street, this street is Fairline St. that I have been traveling from hotel.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive3.jpg align=baseline>

Still on Fairline St. headed west from hotel.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive4.jpg align=baseline>

Fairline St. train station.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive5.jpg align=baseline>

Now I have turned North onto Highland Ave. and passing over Hwy 84.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive6.jpg align=baseline>

Highland Ave.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive7.jpg align=baseline>

Heading through an industrial area on Highland Ave.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive8.jpg align=baseline>

Heading through an industrial area on Highland Ave.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive9.jpg align=baseline>

Heading through an industrial area on Highland Ave.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive10.jpg align=baseline>

Headed up the hill into a residential area on Highland.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive11.jpg align=baseline>

Highland Ave.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive12.jpg align=baseline>

Highland Ave. going over a bridge over gorge.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive13.jpg align=baseline>

Highland Ave. passing the Highland High

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive14.jpg align=baseline>

Highland Ave.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive15.jpg align=baseline>

Now I have turned onto Vine St.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive16.jpg align=baseline>

Vine St.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive17.jpg align=baseline>

Here I am parking at the Highland park and trails view point area.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//gaden%20update%204%20drive18.jpg align=baseline>

Here is another page from the Geopedia that tells a little about the transportation network in Melanosia.

 

Well, It sure is a very pretty view from up here at the view point.  I am writing this as I am sitting in my rental car before I head on to the trail and see more of the city and this nice trail park.

---

That is all I have time for tonight, I hope you all enjoyed it!  A big thankyou to all of my loyal readers and welcome to those of you who just joined me!   See you again soon!