The Robinson of Our Time: Brandon Grimshaw lived 40 years on a desert island
The Robinson of Our Time: Brandon Grimshaw lived 40 years on a desert island

Video: The Robinson of Our Time: Brandon Grimshaw lived 40 years on a desert island

Video: The Robinson of Our Time: Brandon Grimshaw lived 40 years on a desert island
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Brandon Grimshaw lived 40 years on a desert island
Brandon Grimshaw lived 40 years on a desert island

Who among us in childhood did not read the novel by D. Defoe, dreaming at least for a moment to find ourselves on a desert island and experience a small part of the adventures that befell Robinson Crusoe? Brandon Grimshaw, an Englishman from Yorkshire, knows dreams must be turned into reality. About 40 years ago, he settled in Muayen Island in the Indian Ocean and has dedicated himself to nature ever since!

Brandon Grimshaw lived 40 years on a desert island
Brandon Grimshaw lived 40 years on a desert island
The dog is the faithful companion of Brandon Grimshaw
The dog is the faithful companion of Brandon Grimshaw

In the early 1960s. Brandon was on one of his business trips for the first time in the Seychelles and realized that he wanted to stay here to live. Then the laws allowed buying entire islands (now only long-term rent is possible), and an enterprising Englishman bought out the island of Muaen, which was of little use for life at that time! Having moved, Brandon set out to find those who previously lived on this island. He managed to find the Creole Rene Lafortune, who lived on Muaenne until he was 10 years old. Newly-born Friday was so carried away by communication with an Englishman that he abandoned his wife and children and returned to live in his historical homeland!

Brandon Grimshaw lived 40 years on a desert island
Brandon Grimshaw lived 40 years on a desert island

Brandon and Rene have made every effort to preserve and enhance the flora and fauna of the island. Both planted approximately 16,000 trees each. In addition, Brandon bought several endangered giant turtles on a neighboring island, now there are 120 tortillas on Muaen. Each of them has a red mark on their shells, which helps to track their movements, and also protects them from poachers. But the main achievement of Robinson is birds! During the time that he and Friday live on the island, about 2,000 of them appeared here: in order for the birds to settle here, Brandon brought water to Muaen!

Giant turtles breeding Brendon Grimshaw on a desert island
Giant turtles breeding Brendon Grimshaw on a desert island

Brandon's efforts were appreciated: the island acquired the status of a national park in 2008. Today, a lot is written and known about Grimshaw, a large number of curious tourists come to Muaen, and the island is becoming inhabited again. Of course, modern Robinson gets tired of visitors, but he founded a charitable foundation, to which money is transferred to maintain the island. But a reminder of that wonderful time, when the Robinsonade had just started, remained a book written by Brandon himself "The Story of a Man and His Island" with a touching dedication inscription: "Rene Antonio Lafortune, more than just Friday."

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