Shillong-Cherra Jaunt

Our drive to Upper Shillong(a hill station in north east India) (see previous post of Shillong Sojourn)was always a heavenly experience with fresh cool mountain air sweeping past our face,birds twittering,azure blue sky,clouds flowing inside our car,swaying pines and startling greenery all around.

It all felt like a dream,until we were stopped at a check gate to provide our identity cards before heading to Shillong Peak through defence area.The highest point in town which offers a panoramic view of entire Shillong. Fresh roasted corn sprayed with spices is every tourists delight.But better not bargain for souvenirs or other snacks which are almost double their prices than in the lowlands.

The undulating terrain near the peak is the perfect spot to buy some fresh grown vegetables on your way back.

A few kms of drive from there took us to the gorgeous Elephant Falls.The park there is a favourite picnic spot for Shillongites.

As you drive farther upwards the Khasi hills,you will reach the wettest spot on planet Earth. Perched on a limestone plateau,Cherrapunji or Sohra as it is locally called is famed for creating 2 Guinness records,for receiving the maximum amount of rainfall in a single year and for receiving the maximum amount of rainfall in a single month.

One of the most picturesque roads I have ever explored,where I captured some stunning pictures of meandering lakes,foaming waterfalls,asperous hills and verdant greenery,the pictures of which you can see both here and in my prior post of Shillong Sojourn.

If you have enough time on hand,a diversion to Jowai( in the Jaintia hills),a scenic spot on a plateau encircled by a river bordering Bangladesh would be worth while.

A thrilling experience of getting squeezed through narrow openings at the Stalactite and Stalagmite Mawsmai Caves in Sohra Village should never be overlooked,followed by a glimpse of the magnificent Seven sisters Falls.

Since the Cherrapunji Holiday Resort is the only place of accommodation in Sohra,it is better to return to the lowlands before dusk as driving on the misty and winding roads may not be safe.

However,if you wish to stay overnight ,in Cherrapunji,to explore the unique living root bridge or go trekking,it is better to book beforehand.The Cherra resort organises trek to the amazing Double Decker root bridge which is an astonishing produce of the villagers who have embedded the secondary roots of trees across a river to transform them into an exotic bridge.

There may be hundreds of hill resorts in India,but the dwelling of clouds-Meghalaya, is one such place which I would choose over and over again to bring back not just a monochrome but a rainbow of experiences.