Why Meghalaya should be on your travel bucket list

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This trip was a result of our angst,of not being able to travel anywhere for almost a year and a half and we chose a place we knew would blow all our angst, worries, monotony away for good. 

We landed in Meghalaya on 10th May, 2022 unknown that we would come back with a bag filled with memories, adventure, unprecedented rains leaving us drenched from tip to toe but nevertheless happy and above all, content.


Shillong is quaint hillstation located in Meghalaya, located in the north eastern part of India and it took us no time to fall in love with the place. Carrying an umbrella, a backpack we left each morning, in the hopes that it wouldn't rain and hinder our plans. We found ourselves munching on local berries(called sophphie), which we devoured to the last packet we stored for several days after.


We visited all the touristy places like Ward's lake, Lady Hydari park, The Don Bosco Museum and St Cathedral church.  We shopped, ate street food and came home exhausted each day, only to revise our plan for the next day accompanied by the loud flashes of thunder from the sky.



What I will cherish for a long time is the time we spent on our pent house setting up dinner, wrapping ourselves in blankets but still choosing to sit out, stare at the sky full of stars and come in and feel our cold hands almost turn numb.

We didn't pack each day of our trip with a motive to tick off a place, which left us with some days to just relax, take it slow and explore the city on our own time and we ended up tasting the most delicious delicacies, narrow roads leading to a place only locals knew off  (and sometimes getting lost) There was no proper internet and we always resorted to conversing with locals and finding our way back.


The next place we went to was Cherrapunji. The day we went Cherrpunji was probably when the worst of the rains struck us. Our umbrellas going haywire, getting drenched but at least we found comfort in the scenic view with a cup of chai in the hopes that the sky would clear out by noon.







The view from the 7 sisters waterfall was unreal to say the least. It was a waterfall amidst the mountains and clouds and to just be present in the epitome of nature and greenery. We then headed to Mawsmai caves, which we managed to walk through in LONG skirts which was an adventure in itself but so worth the trouble.





Spending the day admist valleys, mountains with waterfalls on either sides. It felt right out of a fairytale.

The next day, we visited Mawlnnyong (The cleanest village of Asia) and Dawki. We took a bus to Dawki and headed to watch waterfalls, trekked to The living root bridge- which is a bridge made out of bamboo roots and NO SURPRISE witnessed the most beautiful waterfall. The water was so fresh and clean, I couldn't stop myself from taking a sip and it tasted like what ambrosia must taste like. it was divine and refreshing.

We then visited the Mawlnnyong village, which I instantly fell in love with and mentally planned living there in a tiny cottage away from pollution, the hustle culture and just live life like it was meant to be lived. The village was planned, no surprise- spotless and picturesque.






On our last day, we went to Marwrynkhang trek in Wankhen Village, about 50 kms away from the city. The trek was a path made of bamboo sticks, rocky steps all while trekking through waterfalls. It truly was an experience of a lifetime. 





On my way back home, I was ruminating on how you associate certain songs, foods, experiences, even smells to a certain place. For Shillong, here's my quick listicle


Song- Dariya by Arko

Food- Berries and Momos

Experiences- waterfalls, rain and umbrellas

Smell- petrichor: the smell of rain


The recipe for a perfect trip to Meghalaya-

1) Spend one day exploring Shillong (All touristy places)

2) Head to Cherrapunji (one night stay)

3) Next day, head to Mawlnnyong and visit all nearby places(Dawki River) and an overnight stay

4) Return to Shillong and experience the trek in wankhen village


Meghalaya was truly like a breath of fresh air, freedom and adventure.


I can't wait for my next trip

XOXO




Location: Meghalaya, India

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