In the early 1960s, a British journalist decided to do what others only dream about -- throw away everything and start a new life on a faraway island.

Brendon Grimshaw purchased a tiny island called Moyenne in Seychelles for meager 8,000 pounds ($13,000), and has been living there since, according to the Daily Mail.

To date, he remains the sole permanent resident of Moyenne, although visitors occasionally drop by to enjoy the remarkable scenery.

When Grimshaw first came to the island -- which had been abandoned for 50 years -- the overgrown plants prevented coconuts from falling to the ground, he claims.

Of course, the 20th century Robinson Crusoe was not without his own “Friday.” Grimshaw hired a Seychellois native called Rene Latortune, and together they set on making the island habitable.

“There were only four trees in this area, four!” said Grimshaw. “I brought in altogether 16,000 trees.”

He also introduced about 2,000 birds, and brought back indigenous giant tortoises which were being killed off in other parts of the country.

Now, Grimshaw looks after 120 tortoises.

For the visitors, he hung a sign saying “Please respect the tortoises. They are probably older than you!”

The tortoises on the island have been known to survive for more than 180 years.

“But no tortoise is older than me!” said 86-year-old Grimshaw.

He said he is never lonely here, and the only time he was miserable was when he lived in busy streets of London.

Several rich visitors have been fascinated by the reclusive island but Grimshaw is firm on his ownership of his very own Eden.

The “modern day Robinson Crusoe” continues to works tirelessly to preserve the serenity and beauty of his unique home.



By Yoon Min-sik
(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)