Delhi Musings

Delhi was nice and sunny when we reached over the weekend. The morning had a mild chill in the air, and the evenings cool and windy.

We spent 3 days lazing around; early morning saw us in the Army Racing course, where Cdr Saha goes for regular practice. Managed to learn some of the basics, myself. The days saw us cruising around Lutyen's Delhi, a fresh breath of air compared to the cities of today. There was still hope, it looked like. Lunch was at the Army Golf Course, leisurely and mellow.

Arnav saw his first motorcycle and he rode it like his power rangers, zooming up the accelerator with Cdr covering him from the back. It was a fascinating monster for him, he even had his lunch sitting on it with his indulgent grandmother.

Rana, Lopa and their 2 boys came over to visit us for lunch on one of the days. It was just the other day when they got married, it seemed; which was 13 years back. Time flies faster as you get older, they say.

Then it was time to come back, a small but happy break.

Amboli Jottings

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.

Goan Vacation

Driving down the winding roads of South Goa, we reached Casa de Mendonca, a quaint cottage located in the idyillic village of Velim. Built in portuguese style, it exudes charm and warmth with rich brown wooden doors and windows, neatly arranged Goan tiles on the roof and a splash of yellow and white colors on the walls.

A long open balcony opened up to the front porch. At the back was a garden area which opened up to lush green fields. Allen and Sandhya welcomed us with warm Goan style hospitality. Arnav, my son went around to explore the large bacony and strut around the house. On one side of the property stood a small whitewashed church, giving it a feeling of serenity. There was the smell of a lazy Goan afternoon.

In the afternoon, we drove down to Betul at the Sal river edge for a lunch of prawns, calamari and fish washed down by chilled beer. Evening saw us taking the ferry to the peaceful Mobor beach to walk around in the evening and watch the sun going down. 

The evening party was warming up as we returned. A pile of wood crackled in the back yard and the stars came slowly alive as night fell.

Two local musicians started playing the guitar to english, hindi and Goan numbers. Allen's part time care taker, Caitano started frying fish Richado smeared with freshly ground local spices. Drinks smoothened the conversation as the night flew on. Soon it was time to say good bye and we drove towards Panjim, our thoughts still on the party and the lovely setting we left behind…..we decided we should go back…soon….