Wandergliding: Hilight Tribe & Indira’s 4th Birthday

A month or so ago I met a vibrant woman in her mid 20s who hails from Ireland although she was born in India. Sumana and her family moved to Ireland when she was seven years old and therefore she considers that her home and speaks English with an Irish accent. This was her first time returning to India. Sumana has a lovely young girl named Indira whose father is Irish. We’ve spent a number of afternoons and evenings in the Olive Garden restaurant, making paper airplanes and boats (with Panna who is one of the managers of the restaurant), blowing bubbles and just generally having a good time. Indira’s a sweet little girl.

Sumana and Indira:

Now enter Belle and Brett. I decided to attend a free Hindi lesson at a place called Woodstock located behind the Olive Garden. It was just a one hour, very basic class and of the six people there, I was the “advanced kid”...not that I have a handle on Hindi yet but it’s slowly getting there. After the class ended I hung out for half an hour chatting with this young Australian couple, Brett and Belinda, from Darwin. Both in their mid-20s with Belle being three years older than Brett, they have decided to quit their jobs back home and travel for a year or two. Previously Brett was working in the mines while Belle was performing administrative work in a prison. We ended up having a sunset beer at the Olive Garden and over the next couple of weeks we hung out here and there. That evening I introduced them to Martin as well as Sumana and Indira and a nice circle of friends emanated from these new connections.

Brett and Belle:

One Sunday night Sumana told us of a concert at Vagator, a beach about 25 minutes south of Arambol, featuring a band called “Hilight Tribe” at a venue called Hilltop. Martin, Belle & Brett, Sumana, Indira, an American woman Lisa and I decided to check it out. I hadn’t been to the Hilltop before and it was a large open air site with a bar and basic food services lining one side, an area selling chai with a chill out zone on the other and a large dance floor in front of the large raised stage.

Brett, Martin and me pre-lubricating before the band starts:

Indira, who was turning 4 the next day, was super excited to come along for the concert. I was under the impression that she had seen the band before but I think she had just heard her mom play them at home. There were a few other young kids at the concert but none of them rocked it like Indira. The band was a mixture of various drums, didgeridoos, bass guitar and other rhythmic instruments that pumped out a high energy tribal beat.

Not soon after they started playing, we made our way to the front of the stage, me with Indira up on my shoulders so that she could see above the gyrating masses. As I was dancing around with Indira up there, she kept yelling out “C’mon Hilight...C’mon!” as if she was egging them on to play with more intensity than they already were. There was a small platform in front of the stage where Indira was able to get her groove on and be able to see the band at the same time so she rocked it out. After the concert she was able to go back stage, meet the band and get her photo taken with them...a true groupie! It was a super fun evening and a good time was had by all...that’s for sure.

Indira rockin' on my shoulders:

Now it's Belle's turn:

Hilight Tribe:

Indira up on stage:

Indira and Sue with the band backstage:

The next day was Indira’s 4th birthday and Sumana had arranged a party at the Olive Garden. It was most of the usual suspects again and Sumana generously put on a large spread of food which we couldn’t finish. Cute Indira was showered with presents and love but did have a few “moments” at the party...a bit of a hangover from last night’s concert I think.

The birthday girl arrives:

Yummy pizza:

It's my party and I can cry if I want to!

Brett and Martin enjoying a laugh:

Opening presents:

Indira with her birthday cake:

Through this group we also met a fun and interesting character from England named Marco. At the Olive Garden I’ve talked to another English fellow Phillip who likes to play a little ukulele out on the beach. Martin and I invited this whole crew to our guesthouse, affectionately known as the “Magic Villa”, for a few sunset drinks one evening and once again, a good time was had by all.

Magic Villa night:

Brett pretending to enjoy his homeland's Foster beer...nope, he didn't like it:

Unfortunately a week or so later Belle and Brett left to Mumbai to continue their travels while Sumana and Indira departed soon after to start their journey back home to Ireland.

Martin and Brett in the Cocks Town restaurant: