The Bentota Diaries - Day 1

So Naresh offered me a trip to Sri Lanka and I said yes. We took off from his house at 830 am, got to the Shamshabad airport by 930, did the immigration, security and all that and went into the lounge where he has some privileges. We decided to indulge ourselves with a beer to set things off. Flight was at 12.

It's a 2 hour flight to Colombo and the captain pointed to the Ram Setu which we could see. Some people in the back got excited and shouted Jai Shri Ram. Anyways flight landed around 2. Our driver Mendis was around with a placard and two small garlands with orchids.

Then we took off towards Bentota town which is by the sea, 65 kms from Colombo and a two hour drive almost. Stopped for lunch at Sashas and then headed off. Reached Bentota by 5ish and checked into Hotel Eden Beruwala which was quite nice. A massive swimming pool, direct access to the beach and a stunning sunset. Naresh swam a bit while I walked along the beach before it started to pour.

We headed to the sports bar and had a beer, listened to music and watched the rain pelt down for two hours. Then we headed off for a lovely dinner - a really good spread.

The place is full of foreigners, just the opposite of Goa. The locals are sweet and gentle. 

Hoping to explore more of the beach tomorrow and perhaps the Buddhist temple in town. 

So far so good. Way better than expectations.

Victory Song - Chitra Banerjee Divakurani

I find this slim children's book in Anjali's shelf and have been planning to read it for a while. Mainly because A's book shelf always always more interesting and then it is a Divakarani book. And it's slim.

It's 1939. The story is set in Shonu Gram in a farmer's house. Preparations are on for the marriage of his eldest daughter. The younger daughter Neela is the rebellious one. At the wedding feast a bunch of freedom fighters show up and ask the congregation to give up something for the cause. Encouraged by a baoul (who also teaches Neela how to sing 'Vande Mataram') the guests give up money and jewellery. Neela gives away her gold chain.

Neela's father leaves home to join the freedom movement and goes to Calcutta. One of the freedom fighters, a 16 year old called Samar, comes to hide at Neela's house after being injured. Neela goes to Calcutta to search for her father. With the help of Samar and other freedom fighters, she finds her injured father and has to somehow get home while escaping the police who are looking for them. Will she or won't she? Will she and Samar meet? And marry? 

It's a children's book so they make it home. She sings Vande Mataram as Samar leaves and he says he will come back. I'm sure that's good enough for a child to sleep happily at night. 

Can't believe I picked a book which has a theme of Vande Mataram at a time when there's so much discussion going on about it. Can't also believe that there's so much discussion going on between people who probably can use their time better in building the nation.

Anjali - Orpheus Wins Third Prize at IIT, Delhi Fest

Miranda House Acapella troupe Orpheus won the third prize at the IIT, Delhi Festival. Good start. 

Let Go - Daisuke Yosumi

This book gives 50 lessons from Japanese minimalism. Yosumi was a successful music producer who worked with some of the biggest names before giving it all up to live near a lake in New Zealand, fishing and growing his own food, while writing bestsellers. His idea is that life gets richer by letting go and that one can experience freedom of letting go instead of the pain of loss. 

Yosumi gives out his principles in various areas such a 'Money and Belongings' to start with. He talks of the importance of clearing things now instead of postponing, letting go of what we're not using, not stocking up and using only what we need, being generous, stop making small unnecessary purchases, stop impulse shopping, buying exactly what you need, not buying to impress, choosing your own lifestyle, buying clothes you'll like. 

In 'Work' he advocates letting go of work one is not good at, multi tasking, do what you love, trust your intuition and not follow majority, eat even hungry and not stick to routine, let Go of assumptions, do what feels right, start and keep going instead of procrastinating, instead of balancing do one thing no one can do.

In 'Health' he advocates sleeping early, going to sleep when you feel hungry, not to overeat, making each day your best day, embrace each moment, be alone, create instead of feeling judged, use words that empower, slow down, you do better when you enjoy the process, learn what matters, look within and be silent. 

In 'Relationships' let Go of networks, make plans you wouldn't miss for anything instead of being available all the time, leave comfort zones and letting go of the past, do new stuff instead of taking the usual holidays, express yourself freely, call only the people you love most instead of everyone, give in to tradition and greet people, be well mannered, polite, shut yourself from the phone, tell people you'll contact them instead of them contacting you, compete with yourself, don't defend - take responsibility, apologise whole heartedly, don't hold yourself back, make mistakes. 

In 'Lifestyle' he says, let Go of fear of lack, take less stuff, go to places that spark joy, choose few or just one, don't fear being foolish and do what you love, stop being online, feel free to run away and do stuff that matters to you.

In 'Company Loyalty' he says, find ways to be useful to the world not just the company, never let Go of your dreams, don't leave your freedom, don't get stuck in past successes, stay present. He says we must work in freedom, protect our true selves, and bring our most important dream to life. 

I liked all his ideas. Things I'll take to practice is the stuff about tradition (greeting, being polite etc), getting rid of unnecessary stuff, do what you love and cut out all the rest, let Go of the past and be present. I can see many things falling off which means there will be space for the new.

Yosumi for example does not write articles, he focuses only on his books. And they become bestsellers. 

The Goa Diaries - Day 5

Have to head back so I decided on a shorter walk. Headed right towards Baga. Found a whole bunch of people on the beach. One thing you notice now is that there are hardly any foreigners - it's Indians all over. Getting off buses, cars, scooters, wearing clothes they would never wear elsewhere, holding beers etc, cameras, video stands and what not. 

On the beach there are families, couples, groups of boys and men, loners. As I walked I found pieces of glass from broken beer bottles and started collecting them in a plastic bag. Next time on I think I'll carry a bag and pick up garbage - should make for good exercise. 

Back at Pine Tree I ordered a water melon, read a bit, wrote a bit and waited until Vidyuth arrived. We headed back to our place, freshened up and started back on the drive back home. 

Realised that it's been five days without TV, without tea or coffee, maybe a few more things that I normally do otherwise. The road was lined with a convoy of cars heading back after a holiday in Goa.

Good fun. Until next time.

The Goa Diaries - Day 4

Started the day with another barefoot walk, this time towards Fort Aguada. The crowd had really picked up being a long weekend and the beaches were full of brightly coloured clothes, reel makers, bathers etc. I walked past Candolim beach, Sinquerim and on and on till I reached the Fort Aguada wall. It took me a whole hour one way. 

Then then slow trek back. After a two hour walk, settled down at Pine Tree and got Satya to bring me a nice coconut. Read a bit, wrote a bit, ate breakfast and waited for Vidyuth to arrive. 

We decided to go to Panjim and check out the Latin Quarter or Fontainhas, which is the oldest Latin Quarter in India. It's in good shape and brightly coloured thanks to a law that says all houses must be painted every year after monsoon. 

Any bright coloured background attracts reel makers and the streets were full of tourists. It looked like a set out of Ramoji Studio. 

The place has beautiful Portuguese houses, little cafes, bars, and is just a pleasure to walk around. The number of tourists and their photographs have irritated the locals and there are many boards saying photography is prohibited. 

I read somewhere that there was a residence of Vasco da Gama somewhere there. It definitely needs a half day walk, stops at various bars and cafes. 

From there we headed to Dona Paula where I wanted a couple of pictures related to my novel 'If You Love Someone...'. Much of the story is set around Dona Paula. We parked near Sandalwood hotel and then I walked down to the beach behind it where I got some pictures - pure nostalgia. Great memories. It's a novel close to my heart and if I write a sequel I need better research than I did the first time.

Then a long drive back to Pine Tree shack. I headed out to the beach to catch the sunset and just about did. Was a lovely sight.  I sat looking out at the sea when Satya came and asked if I wanted a beer - he has this knack of asking need at just the right moment. I think I must have had 3-4 beers only because of him. 

And then Vidyuth came and we sat and chatted. A nice evening under the stars. Towards the end we saw Gopal heading back with a hookah and asked if we could try it. Gopal got me a filter and I smoked in a bit of some apple galleries flavoured stuff. Another out of comfort zone stuff.

The Goa Diaries - Day 3

I got up early and went for a walk, this time choosing to go right towards Baga. I somehow thought it would be shorter but it was not. Today's also Anjali's birthday so I kept her in my mind as I walked.

 The holiday crowd had started coming in because of the long weekend and I could see a lot of garbage. Worse, I saw many broken bottles, glass pieces and started picking them up. It became a palm sized bunch soon. Luckily there were garbage bins every here and there so I could dispose of them safely. Why do people have this need to break beer bottles I wonder. 

I walked for 50 mts and almost reached Baga and the sun was sharp so I headed back. It took me close to two hours and I sat back at our good old Pine Tree shack and ordered a nice fat coconut served in a jiffy by Gopal. Enjoyed the sweet refreshing drink and waited for Vidyuth to call. He came over for breakfast and after a nice breakfast we decided to head to the northern most beach of Goa, Keri or Querim. It was a beautiful 75 minute drive, especially towards the north. 

We passed a really quiet Qwerim village and found the beach. Small, new shacks coming up, tall casuarina trees, very few people. 

On one side there were jagged rocks from where people were coming and I went to explore it. I was told that there was this famous Querim cave there and I hoped over some dangerous looking rocks to the cave. There were a bunch of youngsters making reels, all queued up for their turn. Since I didn't have the time or patience i just clicked a picture and came away. The beach front has a long walkway which is unusual in Goa. Very nice. 

From Querim we headed to Arambol beach which I've never been to. The entry to the village, the crowd, the flea shops, all reminded me of Baga of the olden days. There's a pay and park facility, and then a walk down to the beach. Vidyuth told me there was a sweet water lake on the other side of the hill and we decided to check it out. 

We had to climb on to the side of the hill which was lined with flea shops, restaurants, etc. I was amazed at the number of people flocking to that place - seemed like a pilgrimage. At the end of the path, it just dropped on to some rocks which are not the easiest to navigate. I went across, Vidyuth decided to hang back. The lake was there behind a small beach, made exclusive by the climb and walk. Maybe that's why everyone, mostly youngsters, were heading there. I clicked a picture and headed back. 

Vidyuth was sitting in a lovely little restaurant overlooking the sea. We sat there for a bit, ate some snacks, lime juice etc before heading back.

 I was hoping to catch the sunset at Calangute but heavy traffic delayed us and we got there only by 740. We freshened up and headed to good old Pine Tree and spent the rest of the evening there. 

Rather hectic but completely worth it.