To Shillong, in the abode of the clouds

Last October, I went for a trip to Shillong. This was my first travel to the north-east and I couldn't think of a better way to start.
From Kolkata, I flew to Guwahati, spent about a day checking out the sights and sounds of the city, with the plan of traveling up to Shillong by road the following day.

Evening in Guwahati: Sunset over the storied Brahmaputra river. Misty blue hues, the glistening silver of the waters and the lengthening shadows made for a magical sight indeed.












En route to Shillong: A 3.5 hour ride. Greeted by blue autumnal skies, verdant green hills, great roads and copious amounts of unadulterated, fresh air.


















Day 1 in Shillong: Relishing the beauty of this picturesque town nestled in the hills.
The first stop was the Shillong View Point, a particular area within the Air Force base, which is open to the public and offers spectacular views of the rolling hills around and the city of Shillong spread out in the foothills.


 


Next stop: Elephant Falls - The unique beauty of this waterfall is that it is a sort of three-tier waterfall. As you approach it from the road, what you see is only the top section of the falls. So you're in the top storey of the building, so to say.



Then as you climb down the railing-bound stairs that twists its way down alongside the waterfall, you are treated to gorgeous views of the lower sections of the waterfall.



Next stop: Mary Help of Christians Cathedral
Painted in a beautiful shade of blue that mirrored the sky, the cathedral presented an atmosphere of blissful serenity and calm.



Next stop: Ward's Lake - A soothing spot of green right in the heart of the city. This artificial lake set amidst beautifully maintained gardens is an extremely popular haunt for residents and tourists alike. 
The live music playing here makes a walk in these gardens a doubly pleasing experience.



























Day 2: Trip to Cherrapunji - Another 3 hour drive brought us to Cherrapunji which once held the title of the wettest place on earth, till nearby Mawsynram usurped it in recent times.
Cherrapunji is at its gorgeous best post-monsoon when the many waterfalls come roaring back to life. When we visited in October, most had dried up or had been reduced to trickles of water getting lost amidst the rocks. However, the magnificent Nohkalikai falls were still cascading down the hills in a thunderous roar, and the emerald pool of water at its bottom made for a stunning sight indeed.























A trip to Cherrapunji would have been incomplete without paying a visit to the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama there which was set up as long back as 1931 for the welfare and upliftment of the region.

























Day 3: Laitlum: The pristine beauty of this off-the-beaten-track destination is not to be missed at any cost. Laitlum is, as yet, untouched by the overt effects of urbanization and commercialization brought on by tourism.
Before starting for Laitlum, first, a quick stop at the adorably named Sweet Falls.











Next attraction on the way to Laitlum - the ceremonial residence of the tribal ruler at Smit village. Set in the midst of a small arena, it is a beautiful, wooden house of the traditional mode. It was exciting to imagine the ways of the royal household and the festivities that take place at the arena.


Finally...Laitlum...translated to "end of hills"...
The hidden wonder of Meghalaya, and might I add, of the north-east. It is a sight to behold, to be seen and cherished. Imagine being at the same level as the clouds and looking down at the expanse below. You are in a whole new world as the breathtakingly beautiful gorges stretch out hundreds of feet beneath. Down down below, you can see a tiny village and a river making its way through this enchanting landscape. Photos fail to capture or express the ethereal beauty of this place, sunlight streaming through a cover of clouds like a magical spotlight on some grand amphitheater.
The beauty of Laitlum is unreal, indescribable. It is like the scenery from some distant, mythical land.
I will definitely return to Meghalaya; if only to see Laitlum again.















All along my trip through Meghalaya, I was accompanied by vast blue skies specked with cotton-puff clouds and undulating green hills, making it amply clear why Shillong had earned its moniker 'Scotland of the East'. The expanse of the green hills stretching far away into the horizons had reminded the Scottish missionaries who had settled here in the 19th century of their beloved highlands back home.

Go visit Meghalaya, the poetic name (abode of the clouds) truly does it justice.

Comments

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