It happened ! The early morning appointment with the kids and the sea and the jet ski’s. They were ready before me ! I thought they would sleep over, having travelled all the way from Phuket, Bankok and Mumbai to get here the previous day. But no ! The kids are on some other energy !

So off we went into the tempting waters and powerful jet ski’s - Navya driving by herself and a trainer behind her, and me taking Agastya for a ride first and then giving him the ropes later. Brother and sister are keen competitors. Each wanting to outdo the other. The basics were in place - ride the wave head on, steady on them that come from the side, slow down as you turn, switch off when approaching land beach. Among yelps and screams of speed and excitement, touching almost 60 kmph the freedom of space and endless water horizon is inviting to say the least.

Media and crowds landing up made us do a hurried exit. The little fellow getting very conscious and shy of them showed his discomfort, so had to abort sooner than what they may have wanted to. Pity. Perhaps tomorrow an earlier attempt and departure would be more appropriate at the jets !

Agastya’s idea of a holiday is to be in bed tucked in watching a movie. That is his expression, not mine. And so it was. Bundled him into my duvet, pillows all about him and a movie ahead. He remained there for most of the day, finger chips about him. The lady Navya, a more sober version of the brother is in the middle of a biography she is penning on her iPad. And so was content to be under the umbrella and with her thoughts. She writes well and has some unique ideas. The genes speak up ! I told her she had inherited that from my Father, her ‘parNana’, the great grand father. She smiled self consciously, happy that finally her braces were out !!

As I went off to do some chores within central Goa, they remained back and ‘chilled’. The President of India, Pratibha Patil ji is on a holiday in Goa and had lunch at the Hotel. An elegant little area was set up in the lawns overlooking the sea, where she and her husband entertained themselves. The area was just in front of our own room facility and Jaya sought an audience which she graciously agreed. She has always been most courteous and kind in all our meetings with her.

I am now in altered disposition - my body and face burnt black, or so the family says, from my hours of ’sunbathing’. I enjoy it, getting the sun inside me and flushing me with healthy tan. Pity there are no pictures taken. The fancy camera that I pulled out after ages of healthily wrapped storage refused to work. Sometimes the most complex and so called ultra sophisticated instrumentation falls short of the job which an ordinary can do. Shall give it a  shot again tomorrow morning !

And so it endeth that which has begun. Tomorrow its back to the grind. But the solace is that the ‘bachcha’s’ are with us. And will be for some time. Happiness and joy …

But it has been a great revelation this trip. I think its the longest I have stayed here, without work and any pre determined commitment. And the extent of pleasure and discovery has been amazing. I know now why so many migrate to this heaven. I know now why so many lounge in bohemian, carefree environs, without a care, without a worry. It is the nonchalance of the air that breathes inside you, the easy going demeanor of the locals, the beauty of the finest, within the unconventional, and the strength of good times. Thank you Goa. Our association must grow and build even more. It will, I am certain ….

Love and more tomorrow … early finish again … the young man threatens to be up for the ski early ..!!!

Amitabh Bachchan