Your typical tourism fare offered by the Goa Tourism Department and most stakeholders in the industry is relegated to the odd cultural experience, some scenic spots to test your photography skills, places to party, and consume “Indianised” Goan cuisine and copious amounts alcohol.
But Goa has far more to offer.
MUSEOTEL, A NEW CONCEPT
So, where does the discerning tourist go to experience Goa authentically? A museotel may be a fairly new concept to Goa with the first one being The Three Waters Museotel - Marine Biodiversity Museum and Hotel, which opened on November 2, 2018, in Betul.
This non-hotel, aiming to preserve Goa’s heritage for posterity, is the brainchild of Victor Hugo Gomes and is currently being run by Neemrana Hotels. The hotel brand’s goal is to restore and conserve historical and cultural heritage to present the true picture of India’s history, tradition and culture to tourists.
PASSIONATE CONSERVATIONIST
Victor Hugo Gomes is noted for his drive to collect and conserve pieces of Goa’s history and culture for the last 15 years. He has to his credit the Goa Chitra Ethnographic Museum (November 2, 2009); the Goa Chakra Transportation Museum (November 2, 2014) and the Goa Cruthi Museum, dedicated to Goa’s Colonial Past (November 2, 2016).
ON TO A NEW VENTURE
From a museum of Goa’s marine biodiversity and fishing community, Victor has now moved to a guest house that features and preserves photos of Panjim and the River Mandovi from years gone by.
The Ferry Cross Historical Photo Archive and Guest House in Betim, Reis Magos, Bardez, is a cosy set up, with walls lined with photographs that will bring back memories for those that lived in the times and help younger people envision what Goa once was.
“As you know all these projects are self-funded. So, I have to constantly think of ideas to sustain them. I started with Betul, my first project. It’s a nine-room boutique property with a museum dedicated to the fishing community and marine biodiversity,” says Victor.
The museotel boasts of 9000 rare shells at the villa and corals and fossils at the restaurant Sea Horse.
Talking about The Ferry Cross, he continues, “This place is dedicated to historical photo archives. Whoever is staying here will have the pleasure of knowing what Goa was and what Goa is now. My first set of photos deals entirely with the Mandovi. So people can compare them to the Mandovi they see now.”
THROWBACK TO A BYGONE ERA
The guest house has 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room and a kitchen with heating facilities of a microwave oven and induction stove (cooking is not allowed), a fridge and a kettle.
The colour scheme is a lively yellow and the furniture is reminiscent of old-time Goa. The rooms open out into a common gallery with seating to take in the River Mandovi and its surroundings.
THEMED PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAYS
The photographs will change every three months, revolving around a particular theme. The next set to be displayed will be family photographs, says Victor, so that people have an idea of the costumes, jewellery, etc of that era. Other upcoming themes are professions of Goa and markets.
These displays have their photographs from Victor’s collection of over 10,000 photographs.
The previously displayed photos will be transferred to albums accessible to guests and visitors. The new photographs will be shown in the same frames to be cost effective.
These displays have their photographs from Victor’s collection of over 10,000 photographs.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
The guest house will be open to the public twice a week. Victor will be present to guide visitors on those days. Visits can be arranged by prior appointment through Whatsapp on 9850466165.
Other plans for the guest house are to invite representatives of older photo studios, such as Lorenz & Son and others, to engage with the public and give them a picture of the Goa of the past. Victor also plans to have book readings and documentary screenings – all related to Goa.
The Ferry Cross Historical Photo Archive and Guest House in Betim is at the moment displaying the original panels by Dom Martin of the 1974 St Francis Xavier exposition.
The Ferry Cross Historical Photo Archive and Guest House in Betim, which at the moment is displaying the original panels by Dom Martin of the 1974 St Francis Xavier exposition, will be opening officially to guests in January 2025.
DETAILS
WHAT: The Ferry Cross Historical Photo Archive and Guest House
WHERE: Betim, Reis Magos, Bardez, Goa
WHEN: Opening to guests in January 2025
FOR VISITS: Make an appointment through Whatsapp on 9850466165