Tag: traveller

Posted in Nomad's Diary

Saga of Shillong (4.1)

Posted on by Oindri_I

Chapter 4: We became cavemen (Part 1)

It is day 2. We left for Cherrapunji without umbrellas, of course. The weather was clear. My uncle was still wondering if these trees bear the edible cherry fruits or not. My maa and masi were busy in chatting about kinds of stuff like their father, mom’s school etc. Father was busy with the newspaper and I was half asleep and thinking about eating something better than potato chips. The name of our driver was Moon Deka.

He was smiling all the time and he seemed to be amused by my masi. In short, it was a pleasant day. He planned the tour for us. Our first point was to go to Cherrapunji and its waterfalls. Then he would take us to Mawsmai Cave. Then covering the Seven Sister Falls we will visit the eco-park. After covering all the points, he would take us back to Shillong. My father’s only worry was to find a good place for lunch. Moon said, “That’s my responsibility. But we will first take a short break at a nearby viewpoint.” As soon as we stopped, I, the official photographer of my ma prepared my phone.

Mawkdok Dympep Valley View Point

It was a beautiful journey. You know, though the whole world knows China invented it and the British made it so popular. But what the world does not know that we Indians are the silent Romeo of this beauty. Yes. Tea. We love tea. Forget coffee, that is for imprudent youngsters. But to us, the Bengalis, tea is next to the Amrit (The divine elixir of immortality). We can debate hour after hour over the cup of tea. Falling in love with each other over the cup of tea is a classic Bengali romantic move. If I ever dare to make a bad tea my parents declares that I am a big rascal. (Which I never deny.) So like thirst vampire at twilight mom said, “Moon, I want some tea, Please take a break.” Suddenly I also felt the same thirst. Thus we took our first break.

On the way of Garden of Caves

Mawkdok Dympep Valley was that place. Unfortunately, the stall was closed at that time. Moon said, “I am sorry but take some photos if you want.” At that instance, mom posed and said, “Take good photos. I have to post it online.” Damn this social networking.
Soon after we reached the location. So, do you see that small valley between the hills?
Yeah, that’s the spot where we went. When we get off the car, I was quite disappointed. It is in a deserted place. It doesn’t feel like a popular tourist spot. Moon said, “It is a new spot that government has sponsored.”
My masi said, “Again stairs? My knees will not be in their places. Honey, did you forget that I had knee replacement surgery?” I mumbled, “That was 1 and half year ago.” Anyway, Moon gave us sticks to walk on and we set in.

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Posted in Nomad's Diary

Saga of Shillong (3.0)

Posted on by Oindri_I

Chapter 3 : The Cherry Blossom Festival

Shillong’s airport is not a big airport. It is a small airport sitting at the lap of Shivalik Himalaya. Hardly 3 or 4 aeroplanes take off daily. Even it’s terminal area was also empty. There was no rush, no extra security; as if it’s a temporary movie set. Maa and Masi couldn’t stop laughing in amusement. Maa Said, ” Looks like the playground of my old school.”
While collecting the luggage, I saw there was a labrador dog sitting sadly at the entrance. It was an on-duty sniffer dog. But its eyes melted me. I was thinking about putting its head or say ‘hello’. But Later I dropped the idea. Who knows if it barks at me, who will guarantee that I won’t be put to jail under the suspicion of smuggling? After all, it was an on-duty sniffer dog.

Shillong’s Welcome

The road from the airport to the main city is 20 kilometres long. The hotel manager already sent us a driver. At first, the man-child of our group (my father) conquered the back seat. And my mother scolded him, “Just get down. I will sit on that seat. You will start vomiting when the car starts climbing up the hill.” Oh, my poor father!!
I already grabbed the front seat, my favourite one. He said, “Please let me in.” Trust me I was not willing to let him. But who will dare to cross my mother?
That 20 kilometre was really mesmerising. The wind was no so chilly as the temperature was nearly 20-degree celsius. The cherry trees started from the point we just crossed the Umium Lake. It was a huge lake. I have never seen such a big water body. Looking at the cherry trees it really felt as if someone has put a pink cover to block the sunlight.


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Posted in Nomad's Diary

Saga of Shillong (2.0)

Posted on by Oindri_I

Chapter 2: The Journey

In my previous chapter, I stated the unique amalgam of five different people. Now in this chapter, I shall enlighten you about the journey to the Shillong.
Let me tell you, we Bengalis are very peculiar people. If we plan to travel, even if it is the next city; our suitcase must contain the following things:
Torch and candles(For power cuts in a new area)
Rope and clips (To dry our clothes)
Borolin (A multipurpose ointment)
Stack of Pantacid-40 (Because we are the permanent patients of gastric)
A knife and portable dinner set and bedsheets (We don’t trust the housekeeping service)
All of the sweaters and Jackets and Shawls in our closet (What if we catch a cold in an unknown place).

The list would go on but let me stop right here. But I was more unfortunate.
Since my childhood my mother made me carry books for competitive exams and homework in my vacations. And books were kept closed because who the hell studies in vacations? But she never forgot to tell me the tales of the prodigies whose mothers were her close friends. Hence after every lecture, dad concluded I was born worthless.

This time it was no different. I had to carry study materials of two subjects of GATE. An exam which was next to impossible for me to crack. But please don’t ask how many chapters I covered on that trip.

CLouds in Meghalya

Our Packing started in October. Within 15 days I witnessed the discoveries of so many sweaters and jackets and scarfs and what not. Each day my parents opened their suitcases. Then maa sat on the sofa and dad started to pack. Like a wise married man he never dared to cross his wife.
Well, two suitcases were packed; mine and theirs and they were weighted according to the airline’s rule. Yeah, we have a weighing machine at home which shows each month that I have not lost even one kilo. I doubt its accuracy. Along with two suitcases, there were one big bag and four handbags. Well, we were prepared for the battle.
Ah!! We didn’t forget the borolin.

On 12th November we reached Kolkata. From 13th November the festival was going to be inaugurated. That’s why getting a hotel around that time was nearly impossible. Different travel websites showed many hotels and homestays. But as we started to book in September, the price has skyrocketed. If anyone wants to attend the festival I would suggest that you better book rooms earlier. Keeping the convenience of my maasi, me and Uncle started to find hotels who have lift facilities. But those hotels had gone too expensive by then. Finally, we found a good guest house, called The White Orchid. They said, “We have one three-bedroom and Two-bedroom available.” Then we just booked it. They were a lifesaver.

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