Meghalaya: For the love of Rain 

Tripoto
14th Apr 2016
Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  1/26 by anila
The little hamlet down there
Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  2/26 by anila
encounter with the clouds
Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  3/26 by anila
For the love of nature
Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  4/26 by anila
Double Decker Living Root Bridge
Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  5/26 by anila
There's Nohsngithiang Falls hidden in the clouds
Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  6/26 by anila
Joy of tea plucking
Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  7/26 by anila
Some cooking experiment on streets
Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  8/26 by anila
With some new friends

Meghalaya: my dream destination. A place I have always wanted to be, a place where I can touch the clouds, feel the air, romance with the rain and smell the sand.

AN OVERVIEW:

Day 1: Guwahati to Shillong (3 hrs drive)

Booked cab via Meghalaya Tourism kiosk, charged: Rs 2200/-

Stay : Hotel Pine Borough , Police Bazaar. Just a budget hotel.

We started off from Kolkata to Guwahati , a pleasant flight. It is always advisable to check with the state tourism kiosk, they guided us with booklets and few contacts around. They were the ones who booked a taxi for us and soon we were on road running at the borders of Assam and Meghalaya. On way we saw the little ones dressed traditionally and dancing and celebrating as it was their New Year, a good day for us to travel.

This place has a lot to offer regarding nature wonders, culture, the fresh air, lush green hills and the happy faces. As we entered Meghalaya first thing that took my attention was the vast Umiam Lake. For those who have a fascination for the water sports and boating can visit this place or one can skip it and enjoy the view from the view points on road. We made our choice; we were eager to explore beyond Shillong and there were lot more surprises to come.

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  9/26 by anila

At the border of Assam and Meghalaya

By 4:00 pm we reached Shillong , the taxi dropped us at Police Bazaar, which is the center on the city. We had no prior booking done for the stay so we took half an hour to look for it. Its good if one can book YMCA rooms but the only demerit is it is a little off the center and to move to any place you need to come to the taxi stand. As we had no plans to move around in Shillong and we were more interested in the rural trip we decided to stay at Police Bazaar so that we can move early morning. Finally we got a room at Hotel Pine Borough. That evening we spent at the market walking around having some ethnic food and talking to few people who seemed to be friendly. What a delicious food they have, rice: jado , barbeque chicken , salads, momo, and many more. They even shared their recipe. We even made a friend Sylvester at the food stall. His stall is just opposite to Purbashree Emporium, Police Bazaar .I’d love to visit his stall sooner

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  10/26 by anila

The traditional platter

In a land far, cultures apart and language unknown we had one thing in common a friendly gesture and a welcome smile. As we shared our cultures I realized even though far we still have similarities in eating habits, beliefs, lifestyle, culture, etc.

What an evening we spent there, it was chilling and we enjoyed all the delicacies on the streets of the Police Bazaar. The streets are so vibrant full of umbrellas, shawls, bags, accessories, etc.

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  11/26 by anila

An umbrella store

Note: move to the lower side of the market area one can get good and cheaper hotels. One at the market area is fancy and expensive for budget travelers.

Day 2: Shillong to Mawlynnong

Started at 8:00 am did some off route site seeing and visited few villages and rivers unknown to the tourists.

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  12/26 by anila

Some place else

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  13/26 by anila

A river on way to Mawlynnong

Reached Mawlynnong (cleanest village in Asia) by 1:00 pm

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  14/26 by anila

The river flowing by the river, this place is yet another world. Calm and peaceful.

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  15/26 by anila

Cleanliness is the culture here.

No high raised boundaries , just bushes and rocks define their campus, it explains the human values of the people here.

Stay :Ha-La Tyngkong Homestay (very homely and comfortable). Per night charge Rs. 1500 . they had the restaurant in there.

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  16/26 by anila

The home stay.

We also visited Dawki at Bangladesh boarder and took a boat ride. This is considered to be a India's cleanest river.

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  17/26 by anila

Somewhere around Mawlynnong... the untouched part

Day 3: went around Mawlynnong and moved to Cherrapunji

Left for Cherrapunjee at 12:00 and reached at around 3:30 pm. We spent more time at unknown places and villages. Made our own viewpoints on way. That day we went around a little as it was raining heavily. Did a little local site seeing.

Stay: Phatang Homestay. (Rs. 1000/’ per night) ph. No – 9774485910. A very beautiful location, 100m away from the market and beautiful view of the falls in front.

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  18/26 by anila

A perfect location from where you see the Seven Sisters Waterfalls in front of it. The viewpoint is just 10 minutes walk.

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  19/26 by anila

The Nohsngithiang Falls

Day 4: at Cherrapunjee. The weather is unpredictable.

1st site – Norkhalika falls, one of its own kind. We spent 3 hours there.

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  20/26 by anila

2nd site: Double Decker Living root bridge. 'Unique in the World'

We took 1 hour 10 minutes to reach and while returning it was 1 hour 40 minutes. This is a place for all the enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  21/26 by anila

Day 5: to Shillong again on way back visited few more places.

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  22/26 by anila

Tea garden, Shillong

At Shillong we visited Don Bosco Indigenous people’s museum. You need more than an hour for this place and it’s very unique. You’ll love it if you are a culture lover and keen about the various lifestyles and traditions.

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  23/26 by anila

At the museum

Enjoyed the street food as before.

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  24/26 by anila

A little cooking on streets

That evening we did a little shopping and ended with a cup of coffee.

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  25/26 by anila

Day 6: early morning we left for Guwahati.

Note:There is the helicopter service Shillong to Guwahati, we missed it so better do the advanced booking.

Take the cab from Shillong to any place you want to start with and then take the local cab to move around at that place. As few drivers are not very familiar with the local sites and roads.

We had a great time in this place and was wondering if I could come back any time sooner only for the love of the rain.

Photo of Meghalaya: For the love of Rain  26/26 by anila

Finally.....The curious wandering squad !!!

Picture Credit:Bikram Khalkho

Visit his page @ https://www.facebook.com/picturespeaks/

A market place and the center of the town. There are many hotels here and the taxi stand too. So for travellers who just need a night to stay , this is the best place. Along with that the market is beautiful and lots of things available.

Photo of Police Bazar, Shillong, Meghalaya, India by anila
Photo of Police Bazar, Shillong, Meghalaya, India by anila

The 'cleanest village in Asia'. One of the most beautiful experience I had here. Walking bare foot on the roads when it was raining at night was way far touching than I can write. We walked to another close by village which was untouched and wonderful. This place is just a little hamlet so close to nature and yes truly said 'God's own Garden'.

Small and very comfortable place. Rooms were clean with a very homely setting.This homstay is not on the main center of the village a little inner stretch and is very calm.

We went for a boat ride and enjoyed the rain while the ride on Umngot River .And at the India- Bangladesh border this place has its own essence.

If you love the rain, this is the place. A place far from all the hustle of the city and close to the clouds. Carry an umbrella , the weather is unpredictable but you will definitely love this place. Best place for the nature lovers.Norkhalika falls , one of the best scenic beauty.Double Decker Living Root Bridge, a must visit for adventurers.

Photo of Cherrapunji‎, Meghalaya, India by anila
Photo of Cherrapunji‎, Meghalaya, India by anila
Photo of Cherrapunji‎, Meghalaya, India by anila
Photo of Cherrapunji‎, Meghalaya, India by anila

Good stay. The place is clean and comfortable for a halt.

Frequent Searches Leading To This Page:-

trip to sikkim and meghalaya, meghalaya to sikkim, meghalaya holiday packages, meghalaya tour package from ahmedabad, meghalaya tourism tour packages