'Elsewhere' dates back to 1886 when Anjelo
Zeferino Sequeira bought 80,000 sq. mts of land for the total
sum of Rs 2,000. Later, after inheriting the property it was divided
in half between Anjelo's two sons - Dr. Francisco Joseph Sequeira,
a Gynecologist, and Luis Gonzaga de Santana Sequeira, a priest who
lived in the neighboring house until the late 1950s. Father Sequeira
had his own canoe, which he used to cross the creek and say mass
in the Mandrem church. His gravestone can be seen in the Mandrem
Church.
The 12 year old Great, Great Grandson of Anjelo Zeferino Sequeira,
who will inherit 'Elsewhere' is the son of a prominent fashion photographer
in Bombay. His Father remembers idyllic happy family holidays:
"In the days before electricity, fans and air-conditioning 'Elsewhere'
was a heaven naturally cooled by the evaporation of the river on
the east and the constant sea breeze from the west. I recollect
stories from my childhood about the family spending the summer in
Mandrem. Great big baskets of clams were boiled in copper vessels
filled with toddy from the coconut trees to feast on after long
swims. Fish from the sea was so abundant that nets used to be bursting
and it took hours to pull them in. Baskets of fish were used to
manure the coconut trees, which still stand on the property. Moonlit
nights were spent on the beach waiting to catch a glimpse of the
turtles, which came regularly to nest on the beach."
His desire to recreate
happy times at 'Elsewhere' has resulted in a lovingly and carefully
transformed, sumptuous but simple beach house. Now with electricity,
running water, cooker and fridge for comfort 'Elsewhere' still offers
you the opportunity to cook fish over a fire, sit for hours transfixed
watching the ocean and be delighted by the night sky unspoiled by
the neon glow of street lights. Simple yet comfortable, 'Elsewhere'
is a house full of character, meant for those who appreciate the
things that time does not change . . . .
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The whole area is a nature lovers dream with an
abundance of birds and river life including Otters that nest only
a few meters upstream from the tents and can be seen swimming past
the tents if you are lucky. If your visit coincides with the nesting
of a Marine Turtle on the beach or the hatching of marine turtles,
you may witness one of the most memorable wonders of nature.
SIMON the fisherman & THE CATCH OF THE DAY- Simon, the local fisherman
and his two sons Elvis and Savio have a fishing boat. Elvis and
Savio usually go out to sea, on their fishing trips before daybreak.
They return soon after sunrise and would be happy to show you the
catch of the day. It will be sold at market rates and the staff
will be happy to help you with the barbecue.
ELSEWHERE protects and guards turtles and
their nests and can provide information about the approximate date
of hatching turtle nests to coincide with your visit.
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