India Vacation

Mentioned very often as the Scotland of the East, Shillong, is a an amazingly beautiful place with sights and sound, flora and fauna. All of us planning a vacation with a limited budget but keen on spending some quality time must give Shillong a shot. Personally speaking, it made me feel what Bob Dylan sang 'a complete unknown...with no direction home' (Like a rolling stone) when I visited this pearl in the oyster of the North East. Roaming around on your own on the streets of Shillong in the cold mysterious evening is sure to take you somewhere else from this morbid world.

Rich in wildlife beauty and gorgeous locations, Shillong equally carries a bit of history as well. But not much before, it served Assam as its capital. It is only after 1974 when Meghalaya was formed and Assam got a new capital, Shillong was made the capital of Meghalaya.

My stay in Shillong allowed me to explore some of its most popular and most enchanting tourist destinations. I have to start with Shillong Peak that is located near to the city. Shillong Peak happens to be the highest point in Meghalaya. A tourist guide book said it is 1965 m above sea level. However, lets keep the numbers away for some time, but the fact is the view from there is simply awesome!

Visiting Shillong and not going to Cherrapunjee? Well, that can't be! All of us know why it is famous. No prize for guessing..yes, you will find a lot, lot and lot of rain fall here and believe me, people go there to see rain. No matter how queer it sounds, but I have to confess, I also did the same. Anyways, apart from rain, Cherrapunjee is home to the famous Limestone caves and the Presbyterian Church.

One of my friends from Assam asked me to visit Umiam Khwan (best known as Borapani Lake) when I am in Shillong. It offers the ideal lake outing with some water sports like sailing, water skiing and so on. The list of my adventure in Shillong does not end here. I paid brief visits to the Sohpetbneng Peak (a very significant place as par the Khasi mythology with scenic background) State Museum (it offers an authentic testimony of the life and people of Meghalaya); Elephant Falls; Crinoline Falls and the renowned Golf Course (this golf course is the third oldest of its category in the country); Ward's Lake (situated in the middle of the city, joggers love it)

The north eastern region of our country is something that tickles our curiosity. But why not pack your bags and set out to see what lies than to just sit back and wonder. Take off to Shillong and spend some days in the midst of mist, cloud, rain drops and music (Shillong flaunts its status as the favourite destination for music groups coming to perform in India).

NB: Don't forget to bring along your guitar.