Shillong at its best
- Umiam Lake : Wish a boat ride watching
the beauty of the hills - this is the place to go for. Look at the
beauty of the nature from this view.
- Bara Bazar and Police Bazar : For all
those shopping freaks this is the best place around. Shop for all
that is exquisite and is of the himalayan nature. You will find it
all in abundance here spreaded out with all its wings.
Where and Why
Also known as the Scotland of East its an interesting place to be
in.Contact your tour operator and get a room booked. If possible at the
Hotel Polo Towers - the only four star hotel in the town (Tariff - Rs
1,195 - 4,000). If you are interested for a game of Polo, its the best
choice - the Polo Ground is just next to the Hotel.
Take a direct flight from Kolkatta by Alliance Air. Take the route to
Shillong via NH-40(By Road).It was around evening by the time you reach
Shillong. Curvy roads, Light wind, sherpas with their goats and the
sceneric beauty of the mountains will follow you to the end of the hotel
road.
Its a little tiring ride so its good to have a look around the hotel
premises sipping tea and a light polo game at the nearby Polo ground. On
your way back to the hotel, add a visit to the Spread Eagle Falls near
the Polo Ground. It is a magnificent view as the fall looks.
On returning from the polo ground take a little rest and have dinner at
the hotel. Its a wonderful hotel serving all varieties of cuisine -
Chinese, Indian and Continental. Try out the non- veg food like chicken
at your own risk as they have a peculiar gourment in this hilly area. If
you are a meat eater you can also go for Tumrumbai - a popular stinky
pork delicacy cooked with fermented soya beans. Also is the Ja-Doh - a
rice dish cooked with blood drawn from pig intestine. Adding to the
local taste go for the Local rice beer.
Catch up the sight from the Shillong Peak. Its a splendid view from the
top - a panaromic view of the city and countryside from a height of
about 6,433 ft. Don't forget to take your camera with you to take this
view.Downhill you can see the Lady Haydari Park near the Pine Mountain
School. The park has a mini zoo with lots and lots of hilly birds and
animals.
A light breakfast of omelettes, juice, toast and muffins - splendidly
served should warm you up for the day. After the breakfast, get ready to
see the world famous Elephant Falls and the Umiam alais Barapani Lake.
Don't forget to take your camera as there are loads you can save in your
camera (something which I did). There are also the Butterfly Museum and
the Orchdarium and the boating at the Ward Lake. The serene silence
falls on you as you take the trip around the lake.
Bara Bazar is the next place to head for. Handmade knives, cotton bags,
shawls, bamboo cutlery all are there. Nearby is the famous Police Bazar
filled with Global products ranging from modern attire to taped music. I
took my pick of the famous home some honey, the knife which never rusts
and the Jayan-Sayem - the traditional dressy affair for women. Do take
one for yourself from this colorful dress as its made of pure silk
(though it might sound a bit pricy to some of you but its worth it).
About 58kms from Shillong is Cherrapunji - famed for the highest
rainfall every year. Do take a trip to this part of India as the last
stop of my visit to Shillong. The road is filled with lavish greenery
and beauty; it might also start dripping , so be wary of it!
