This time it’s not only we 7. It was a big bunch of people
on a tour to Shillong and Cherrapunji. We
didn’t bother much this time in making list of places to visit, stay and travel
plan etc. Everything was handled by other associates who had been in ILP center
with us. After the entire plan was set, the big group including people from
Karnataka, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh started journey from national games
village, Guwahati on 10th November, 2012 early in the morning in two
pre-booked tempo traveller to Shillong.
The journey in the mist covered road was really good. The
plan was to go to Cherrapunji first day and second day to Shillong and back to
Guwahati. So, after we crossed Shillong, gave a stop in some hotel to have breakfast.
Since the group was big, we wasted lot of time in having breakfast. By that
time we 7 had realized that the plan was going to be a flop and not going to
happen the way we expected it to be. So, we decided not to waste much time on
thinking what was going on around us and started having fun being in group of
7.
Finally, after travelling for long time we stopped for
sightseeing. It was a valley view point. It was very beautiful; we took lot of
snaps, enjoyed the nature and continued our journey towards Cherrapunji. To
stress upon, the journey was nice. We were travelling in a valley, beautiful scenery to look at. Truly nature was at its best.
It was mid noon when we reached Cherrapunji. After wasting 2hrs
in front of a hotel in Cherrapunji, the place to stay was decided. Not really a
waste of time for seven of us. There was small stream flowing down, we happily
jumped into the water, started taking snaps around and enjoyed the time we had.
We all got some time to freshen up, had lunch and started to
travel towards seven sister’s falls. It was too much to travel from Cherrapunji
city to seven sister’s falls. We could see Bangladesh down the valley. The place was in India Bangladesh border.
We were able to see the seven waterfalls
falling from top mountain ranges after travelling for some time long and
finally some place on the road side we stopped where one of the seven sister’s
falls’ was seen. We happily jumped into
the water, played for some time, took snaps and started our journey back to
Cherrapunji. As expected, it was not even 4:30 pm in the evening and it was
completely dark. We were tired of travelling and chilling weather did not let
us enjoy outside the room much.
A campfire was planned. After taking rest for some time, all
of us got ready and went behind the hotel, where campfire was set. We enjoyed
the heat of firewood, played few games. Finally had dinner and since the plan
was to start our journey early in the morning, went to bed without wasting time
in a hope that we will get to see more places at least next day.
Early in the morning we all got ready and went to Mawsmai
caves. It was a very nice place which brought out the adventure hidden inside
us. We readily started exploring the cave. It was dark inside, with help of
mobile torch lights we entered deep inside the cave. Water dripping from the
walls glistening in the interior of the cave, it’s difficult to imagine, how a
force of nature so insignificant can dictate the forms of such hard stones. It
was a splendid display of the force of nature. Various shapes and forms of
limestone jutting out from the roof of the cave, the rock formation that looked
like the feet of animals and faces of ghosts and Natural light sieving inside
the cave from the forest above were really beautiful. All these filled us with the
enthusiasm and joy that we had lost the previous day. After enjoying the beauty
of caves for long time we had breakfast and went Eco Park.
Eco Park is located in the east Khasi hills district in
Cherrapunji, it was established by Meghalaya Government. It offers a breath
taking view of Sylhet Plains of neighbouring Bangladesh. We had amazing
time seeing the waterfalls, beautiful lush green landscapes. It’s starting
point of the waterfall, the way the calm water falls into a gusty flow of
water. The whole ambiance is mixed with beautiful roar of waterfalls. A must
see site. After enjoying the view of Sylhet plains we headed back to Shillong.
After we reached Shillong, we went to Elephant falls. It’s a
three stepped waterfalls. The first fall is broad and hidden between trees. The
second fall is tamed and almost negligible in winter, when the water level
recedes. The last and the third waterfall is the tallest. Elephant Falls is
characterized by clear water flowing over dark jutting rocks with no particular
forms. After enjoying for some time in waterfalls, we decided to go Shillong
city market to do some shopping.
It was almost evening when we reached Shillong city. We
rushed readily to Madras Café restaurant, to fill our appetite. Truly it was
home away from home. Every south Indian if missing Dosas in north east, must
visit Madras café. The best dosas you can have in North eastern states. After
enjoying the city life of Shillong and ethnicity we started our journey back to
Guwahati.
Map :
