Shaking Up the Routine: Ajay’s Thrillophilia Review of a Meghalaya Trip
It was one of those days when it became impossible to resist your wanderlust. So we decided to sit together for tea every day and discuss the possible destinations we'd like to explore. It's funny how things work sometimes - we made a routine to break out of a routine. After about a week of reading several travel blogs, websites, and Instagram posts, we finally decided on our destination: Meghalaya. My wife and I had been longing for a destination that would allow us an escape from urban life.
'Check out the Living Root Bridges, we have to explore these!' she said, charged with excitement.
And just like that, our plans for a much-needed vacation started to take shape. Visiting a place full of lush green landscapes and scenic waterfalls seemed like the perfect idea for a trip. I had heard about Thrillophilia from a friend earlier, so we reached out to them and their destination experts helped us in finalizing an ideal itinerary that perfectly suited our needs. And soon, we were out and about, exploring the magical lands of North Eastern India.
Stairway to a Hidden Paradise
Our short trek to the Double Decker Root Bridge in Nongriat felt as if we were wandering in a fantasyland. The air carried the fragrance of damp soil and the sounds of birds chirping nearby. It took us quite some time to descend along an endless series of stairs, but when we finally reached the bridge - the sight was mesmerizing. The complex bridge woven from the roots of ancient rubber trees, felt almost unreal.
“I didn't know nature could be so creative with architecture,” I remarked, taking in the scenic views.
"How about we click a couple of pictures here, the background would look stunning," my wife suggested.
We stood together on the bridge, amazed by the lush green scenery all around us. It felt as if we were part of something magical. The sun shined its light on the bridge, making it look more enchanting.
We also had a great time trekking back from the forest. While climbing the stairs, we came across a few locals, and they turned out to be one of the most welcoming people we had ever met. They were really fascinated by the idea of travelers coming from places far off to explore the root bridges. They shared several stories about their lives in Meghalaya, and how they feel strongly connected to the land. After a while, they also explained how the root bridges symbolize their community’s bond with nature. In that moment I realized how travel is as much about the people as it is about the places.
Echoes of Flavors
Cherrapunjee, in my opinion, was a place that keeps calling you back for more. We had read about it, heard stories, and even seen so many pictures of it on the web. But the moment we reached it, we realized it was way more beautiful than we had originally expected it to be. We began our sightseeing tour with a visit to the scenic Nohkalikai Falls.
Our guide told us that it was one of the tallest waterfalls in India. As we listened to the sound of cascading waters, we thought about the power of nature's grandeur. After exploring the falls, we went to explore the Garden of Caves, which was a complex network of limestone caves. We had a great time venturing deep into the caves, where the air was cold and our voices echoed.
"Doesn't this feel like something right out of a movie?" my wife asked.
"Keep looking, you might find a huge chest of treasure here!" I joked.
After a day full of exploration, we made a stop at a cozy eatery where we enjoyed a delicious meal. I struck up a conversation with the eatery owner, who proudly shared the story behind the food items we tried.
“These recipes have been in my family for generations,” he remarked, serving us a piping hot bowl of Jadoh. As we tried the food, we realized why the place was so popular for its cuisine.
Each experience, from exploring the limestone caves to trying traditional recipes, our time in Meghalaya deepened our appreciation for North East India's rich heritage.
Golden Sunsets and Local Finds
It's not every day that you find a destination that offers you a perfect balance of exploration and relaxation. As we settled into our hotel in Shillong, we took some time off to unwind and stayed back in the comforts of our room. After some time, we decided to check out the local markets and visited several local stalls that were selling handmade crafts.
“I could spend days here just browsing through these beautiful items.” My wife remarked.
We found ourselves particularly drawn to a stall selling traditional Khasi textiles. The patterns looked stunning and we thought it would be a great idea to buy a few to remember the trip by. After some friendly bargaining, we purchased some beautiful shawls that would become a perfect bookmark for the memories of our adventure in Meghalaya.
Later in the evening, we also paid a visit to the popular Umiam Lake. We sat by the lakeside and watched the sun dip into the horizon, throwing a golden glow all over the sky. We took a deep breath of the cool breeze, as the serenity of the ambiance washed over us.
Both of us felt a deep sense of gratitude for the experiences we shared during our vacation in Meghalaya. Each moment - from trekking through the forest, visiting waterfalls, or enjoying the traditional cuisine - brought us closer together. This trip was a celebration of our love and stood as a reminder of the beauty that exists in both nature and human connection.
Read More: Thrillophilia Meghalaya Reviews