Amboli is around 2 hours from Goa in the southern range of the Sahayadri hills. As we curved up the lush hills, the air became more chilled and pungent with the mountain air. Passing by Sawantwadi, we announced our arrival into Amboli town, located about 700 metres high from the sea level. Xekes and his wife welcomed us into their house, a sprawling bungalow in splendid isolation located in the middle of nowhere. A magnificent Labrador sniffed and smelt the visitors, with an air of a veteran who has fought a hundred battles.
A garden surrounded the back with sprawling beds and durees where you could watch the sun go down and see the birds flying home. We settled down to our rooms and some quiet moment of tea. A small bed with some medicine chests lay around in the corridor, where patients came from neighbouring villages to be attended by Dr. Saab. Arnav, my son, fascinated, tentatively stroked the labrador looking at his father for approval with a slight smile of victory.
Early next day, we ventured out into the shrubs near the jungle which broadened into a ring of hills at the back of the house. We listed to the gurgle of the mountain stream and followed the water. An hour later, we were back and settled down to listen to Xeke's stories of his life in the Army and later till he decided to retire and come to his current home.
