Escape into the Scotland of East Shillong Northeast India- to rekindle the bond of love with your loved ones!
Escape into the Scotland of East Shillong Northeast India – to rekindle the bond of love with your loved ones.
Shillong is one of the most beautiful and charming destinations in northeast India because of its abodes of clouds which creates a serene environment, picturesque landscapes which is a treat to eyes, and fascinating waterfalls which rejuvenates our mind with the feeling of freshness.
I made this trip towards the end of January to avoid the freezing cold of December where the temperature comes as low as 10 to 15 degrees .This is not the first time that I am visiting Shillong. So to break the monotony this time the motto of the trip and itinerary were different to the new emerging spots.
The motto of the trip- So I was independent with no liabilities and so is the best time to create memories with my loved ones in my late 20s to rekindle the bond of love.
Itinerary
Day 1:
It was a family trip with my mother and brother which we started early morning from new Bongaigaon. We took the road and reached Guwahati in next 4 hours drive. There I had the privilege of
my aunt’s house and halted where we kept our car to gear up for Shillong. After an hour of relatives chit chats I booked an OLA outstation and headed to the mesmerizing road trip through the lush greenery into the abode of clouds Shillong.
Crossing through the serenity of the hills for nearly 3 hours we reached Shillong by evening 4.30pm. I was happy to see the name of our organization in the top of guest house as soon as we reached and was guided by the caretaker towards our room.
After the evening tea in the room, I and my brother decided to take the evening stroll in the bone chilling evening Shillong to grab some hot momos. Yummies!!! Chilling Cold and the hot Momos- the deadliest combination of taste and the brother sister moment we had.
After reaching guesthouse, I googled and booked a cab online from NE Taxi service for the next day. Thanks to internet and the Google which gave me the opportunity to book a cab from my cozy stay without rushing to the travel agents.
2- Dawki- Mawlynong Asia cleanest village – Single Decker living root bridge
As suggested by the driver, We started early morning 6.30am and was really excited to begin the journey to the Dawki. The drive through the hillocks were sights to behold with lush greenery and foggy hills with the rejuvenating breeze in the morning.
On the way we halted at Dhaba to have our breakfast. As soon as I stepped out from the car, that feeling when chilling breeze rushes through me with the morning sunlight was so pure and serene. We could see many other tourists like us in the Dhaba who came from different places to see the magical clarity of the Dawki Lake.
Without delaying much we headed back to reach the destination, as we were approaching closer the roads were wavy, curvy and bumpy was an experience in itself. I could see zero tower in my network as the place is near the Bangladesh Border. The place is the escape from your busy schedule and a break from the virtual world into the reality of nature’s lap.
From the top of the hill here the driver shows us the glimpse of the river which serves as the border between India and Bangladesh. We learnt that Bangladesh is nearby and can see the one of the friendliest borders. As we reached there, driver told us we needed to walk by our-self to see the border. So leaving the car behind we headed to the border with the skeptical feeling of the border’s friendliness. Here I could see few BSFs and asked if we can head towards the Border. He smiled at my naive query and said offcourse you can just donot cross that stone as the borderline.
Naivest was my mom when me and my brother were capturing few clicks she kept us reminding that donot touch that line. She was scared what if we get trapped in Bangladesh permanently if we cross that line. There was nothing as such, as the line says one of the friendliest borders, one such icecream seller crossed the border and offered icecreams to the tourist who came there to make his daily living.
When we reached the Dawki Lake we could see several boats lined up to give us the ride into the magical water. So here we booked one for us and sat for the ride. The water was so clear we could actually see through the water. The wonder of the God’s creation still do exist in this untouched land of northeast India. So pure! so serene! Our eyes were glued to the water till we reached the other end. We could see people camping there, diving into the water, fishing for fun and many other activities to add memories to their trip.
People come to this place just for camping whole day, but we had other places to see on the same day so we left the place after an hour and headed to our next destination that is the Mawlynong village Asia’s cleanest village.
By afternoon we reached the Asia’s cleanest village which bragged this title in 2013 by Discover India. As the name suggests God’s own garden is truly a heavens places as we witnessed. The lush green and clean road of village was simply mesmerizing. The village looked so beautiful and well disciplined. All the houses have dustbins made of bamboo which they decompose and make their own manure out of which organic vegetables are being produced. One can book homestay within the village and get the experience of locales of the village life of khasi tribe.
This village also has single decker living root bridge which is the natural bridge from the roots of the trees and has been declared as the UNESCO world heritage site. After having lunch, we treked down to the living root bridge which has the entry pass of Rs 10/- each. Once we reached the bridge we were not allowed to stand in the bridge we have to keep walking as there were security people for the saftey of the natural bridge so that it won’t get damaged.
I was happy to walk through the natural bridge and could experience it from so close. I wonder at the nature’s creation and was an experience for life time. Here we called it a day and headed to the guest house.
Day 3- Cherapunji Double Decker living root bridge -Mawsynram Cave-Police bazaar.
Early morning 6.30am we started our journey towards cherrapunji through the breathtaking landscapes of the hills and the chilling breeze of winter. On the way, the driver halted at the highway dhaba where we grabbed our morning breakfast. The hot Maggie and the Chai is the favorite among the tourist and so was ours.
After 2hours drive we reached at the place from where we can trek down to double decker living root bridge. On the way from the driver we learnt that we have to take a guide to reach the bridge if you’re visiting for the first time as you have to walk through the stiff 3500 stairs one way down the hill to reach the destination.
Me and my mother could not complete the trek. We quit in between, one needs a strong heart and mind to finish the trek. Leaving us behind brother moved towards along with the guide to complete the trek.
From the experience of my brother, it test ones limit how far you can stretch yourself and how fit you are. It was a tedious job till he finishes all the 3500 stairs to reach the living root bridge. But it was worth the experience when he completes his trek and a sense of accomplishment. Even the taste of simple Maggie down the living root bridge is Heaven when you finish the trek.
After an hour and half, me and mother could see returning my brother and the guide all sweaty and shirts in their hands despite the chilling weather covering total of 7000 steps with the sense of completeness and the smile in their faces.
Next the driver took us to have our lunch and chucked out all the waterfall spots as it was January and all the waterfalls were dried up.
Then we geared to mawsynram cave – a natural cave which we gives you an experience of cave if have read only in the books and haven’t yet experienced it for real.
We reached Shillong by 5pm and leaving my brother behind to take rest in the guest house after the tedious trek me and my mother decided to take a evening stroll at police bazaar. It is the place to satiate your shopaholic desires with lovely collection of items. Also it is a place to taste the mouth smacking momos and noodles. Me and my mother had the best evening with the most delicious momo of the Shillong. To avoid the chilling night we booked a taxi and returned to our cozy guest house.
Day 4- The strawberry village-Sohliya Village
The last day of our trip, we decided to visit Sohliya Village in to the land of juicy and delicious strawberry which is situated approx 35km from Shillong and which comes on the way to Guwahati.
I was very interested to visit this place as I want to witness this village from very close. This village has become the 3rd largest strawberry producer in India after Maharashtra and Punjab which is the life changing experience for the people of this small hamlet village . This is the new emerging tourist spot and has got the new name as Strawberry Village. The best time to visit this place is Valentine’s Day which organizes strawberry festival to showcase the products of strawberries.
We started early morning and headed to this village. As we were approaching near we took a turn from highway and entered towards the village road. After few kilometers drive we could see a board written welcome to Sohliya Village which gave us the motivation to move further with the excitement in my mind to see those lovely heart shaped fruit.
As the driver was new with the place and no clue how much to head further in the hilly road, then I stepped out of the car and asked the local that if he can tell us the way. How friendly and welcoming the local was, he instantly said off course why not and came along with us till the strawberry farm and introduced with the farm owner.
I was happy like child to see those lovely red colored strawberries and the farmer taught me how to pluck those yummiest fruits.
With the beautiful experiences and memories of untouched land I returned which was an experience for lifetime and will cherish every time I remember this epic escape to reconnect the bond of love those into the heaven northeast India.
Happy Travel! Happy Shillong! Happy Northeast India!
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