Samyami's Magical Meghalaya Adventure with Her Best Friend
“Can you believe we’re finally here?” I asked as I gazed out at the lush green hills of Meghalaya, the mist swirling around the mountains like a dreamscape. I turned to my best friend, Arya, who was standing beside me with the widest grin on her face.
“Nope! I’ve been dreaming of this moment for years!” Arya said, her voice bubbling with excitement. We were finally in the land of clouds, a place we had been talking about for what felt like…forever.
Shillong: The Scotland of the East
Our adventure started in Shillong, often called the "Scotland of the East". As we drove through the pine forests, I could almost hear the wind whispering, like it had a story to tell. "It feels so surreal," I said, mesmerised by the rolling hills and the serene beauty of the landscape. I leaned back on the seat of the car, allowing the cool breeze to wash over me.
On the way, we stopped at Ward’s Lake and tried boating there. The whole atmosphere of the place was quite rejuvenating. Then, after lunch we wandered through the Shillong Peak, the highest point in the city. The entire city was spread out below us like a beautiful canvas, the mist swirling in and out, adding to the magic of the scenery. Arya laughed, “We should’ve brought a camera to capture this, but I think it’s better to witness it with our own eyes.”
I agreed, knowing that some things are better experienced, not just photographed.
Cherrapunji: The Land of Waterfalls
The next morning, we set off for Cherrapunji, famed for being one of the wettest places on earth. We couldn’t wait to experience the waterfalls that dotted the landscape. Our first stop was Nohkalikai Falls, one of the tallest in India. As we stood at the viewpoint, the thundering sound of water crashing down to the ground created a mystic ambience. The mist rising like smoke from the sheer power of the falls made the view all the more enchanting.
"It’s like nature's power on display," I said, my eyes wide with awe. Arya, who was always more of an adventurer, suggested, “What if we took a trek to get closer to the base of the falls? I bet the view would be epic!” I hesitated for a moment but then, swept up in her enthusiasm, agreed.
The trek was steep and challenging, but it was also one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. When we reached the base, the view took my breath away—the water plummeted down from a great height, and the mist covered us in a fine spray. "We made it!" Arya exclaimed, her face shining with accomplishment. We laughed and clicked pictures, each of our eyes sparkling with joy, knowing we would always remember this moment.
Living Root Bridges: Nature’s Marvel
One of the highlights of Meghalaya was undoubtedly the Living Root Bridges of Nongriat. These bridges, made from the hanging roots of rubber trees, are perfect examples of humans living harmoniously with nature. “Can you believe these bridges are hundreds of years old?” I asked Arya as we carefully crossed one of the bridges, the roots twisting and weaving together to form a sturdy path. Our guide informed, “The bridges grow stronger each year. They serve as important links between villages situated in these hilly forests.”
It was a beautiful, surreal experience, walking across these natural wonders, with nothing but the sound of leaves rustling in the wind and the distant calls of birds to keep us company. After a while, we stopped at a nearby stream, our feet dipped in the cool water and talked for hours about everything and nothing, feeling completely at peace in this magical place.
Dawki: The Crystal Clear Waters
After Nongriat, we headed to Dawki- a small town near the Bangladesh border that is famous for its crystal-clear Dawki River (also known as the Umngot River, our guide had told us). "This is insane! It’s like we’re floating on liquid glass, the water is so clear!" Arya said, her voice full of wonder as she looked down at the pebbles visible below the water.
The sunlight filtered through the trees and reflected off the water in a million tiny sparkles. We both sat by the river bank, soaking it all in silently. There was something so peaceful about the place, and I couldn’t help but feel incredibly lucky to experience it with my best friend.
Mawlynnong: Asia's Cleanest Village
Our next stop was Mawlynnong, often referred to as Asia’s cleanest village. “This place is so perfect and beautiful!” Arya said as we walked through the village, admiring the gardens and the spotless pathways. We visited the Sky View, a bamboo structure that provided a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. From the top, we could see the entire village, and it felt like we were looking at a postcard come to life.
As we sat there, we talked about how thoughtful it was that people here cared so much about preserving the natural beauty of their homeland. “If only every place could be as clean as this,” I mused. Arya nodded. “A simple act of cleanliness can make such a powerful impact”
Elephant Falls: A Grand Finale
Our last stop was Elephant Falls, one of the most famous waterfalls in Meghalaya. The beauty of the falls, with its three distinct stages, was simply marvellous. We climbed down to the lower level, the mist from the falls cooling our faces as we watched the water crash down on the rocks. "This is the perfect way to end our trip," Arya said, her voice filled with contentment.
We stood there, taking in the grandeur of the falls and the surrounding greenery, not saying much but letting the peace of the place settle into our hearts.
It felt nice, it felt good.
And we both would want to remember this trip just like this.
Read More: Thrillophilia Meghalaya Reviews