Hello! I’m Amanpreet Singh, and after conquering the dust of Rajasthan and the snows of Uttarakhand, my heart craved something different: the deep greens, misty air, and unique rhythm of the Northeast. That’s how my crew and I landed in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, the “Abode of Clouds.”
Forget what you know about Indian cities; Shillong hits you with a cool breeze and a guitar riff. It feels more like a town nestled in the Scottish highlands—complete with gentle slopes, pine trees, and perpetual drizzle. This trip wasn’t just scenic; it was a soulful escape.
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Chapter 1: The Soulful Vibe of the City (The Music & The Markets)
Shillong is known as the Music Capital of India, and you feel it everywhere. We started our trip exploring the city itself.
- Ward’s Lake & Police Bazaar: We began with a peaceful morning walk around Ward’s Lake, admiring the colonial architecture. But the real energy was at Police Bazaar. It’s chaotic, colorful, and the perfect place to grab local Khasi spices and unique bamboo crafts.
- The Sound of the Hills: Our best evening was spent finding a local café with live music. The talent here is phenomenal! Sitting there, sipping strong local tea, listening to incredible bands play everything from blues to rock—it’s an experience totally unique to the Northeast. It felt like the perfect background score for our entire adventure.
Chapter 2: Chasing Waterfalls and the Wettest Spot on Earth (Cherrapunjee)
No trip to Shillong is complete without a drive to Cherrapunjee (Sohra), one of the wettest places on the planet. This is where Meghalaya truly lives up to its name, “Abode of Clouds.”
The drive itself was spectacular—we were literally driving through the clouds. The views are dramatic, with sheer cliffs plunging into deep gorges.
Incident: Getting Loved by the Rain
We visited Nohkalikai Falls—one of the tallest and most powerful waterfalls in India. The sheer force of the water and the deep blue plunge pool were mesmerizing. We thought we were safe under our raincoats, but within minutes, a classic Cherrapunjee downpour hit us.
We were soaked to the bone in five seconds flat! We had to run and squeeze into a tiny, local maggi stall, laughing hysterically at how ridiculous we looked. The vendor, completely unfazed, just handed us piping hot cups of coffee and smiled. That moment—huddled together, dripping wet, sipping hot coffee, and watching the rain hammer the valley—was pure joy. It reminded us that the best travel memories are often unplanned and slightly chaotic.
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Chapter 3: Cleanest Village & Crystal Clear Water (Mawlynnong & Dawki)
For our final days, we headed east to see two absolute gems.
- Mawlynnong (Asia’s Cleanest Village): We were stunned by the cleanliness and organization here. The local Khasi community has a beautiful sense of pride in their environment. We spent time walking across a Living Root Bridge nearby—a fantastic, natural architectural wonder that really grounds you in the region’s incredible relationship with nature.
- Dawki River: Seeing the Umngot River near the Bangladesh border was the perfect finale. The water is so crystal clear that, on a sunny day, the boats look like they are floating in the air. We took a boat ride, gliding silently over the rocks visible metres below the surface. It was pure, quiet magic.
Farewell, Meghalaya
Shillong offered us a trip unlike any other. It gave us the warmth of its music, the stunning drama of its rain, and the quiet dignity of its people. We left with our jackets still slightly damp, our camera rolls full, and a profound sense of peace. If you want an adventure that sings to your soul, you must listen to the call of the Meghalayan hills.
