Suraj’s Thrillophilia Review of Misty Hills, Romantic Thrills and Meghalaya Bliss
One evening, I was chatting with my partner about how my business has flourished in the last few years. I hadn’t reached the pinnacle of my business journey yet but I was content with what I had.
My partner gave me an idea that I should celebrate this success. I liked what she proposed and then our conversation shifted to how and where we should celebrate it.
Just then, an Instagram ad caught my eye as if the universe was sending me a sign. It was about a tour package of Meghalaya by Thrillophilia. It displayed a breathtaking scenery where a man was standing on a summit and a soft blanket of clouds was floating beneath him.
I have always wanted to visit a place like this. I wanted to be on top of the clouds, exactly how I was feeling at the moment. Without any second thoughts, I decided that I want to visit Meghalaya and that would be the perfect way of celebrating my journey.
More than anything, I simply wanted to take her on this trip, the one who has stood by me from day one, believing in me even on the days when I couldn't.
A Dive into the Cultural Tapestry
One thing that striked me the most was how amazing the people, their culture, local customs, food and hospitality were. Believe me when I say, they are the kindest and most genuine people I have had the pleasure of meeting.
Starting with their food, “Absolutely Yum!” Honestly, their food did not win me over right away but now that I am back from the trip, I am craving every bite I had there. I guess I’ll just have to plan a second trip to enjoy the exotic flavours of Meghalaya.
My top favourite has to be Jadoh which I got to know is like a Meghalayan Biryani. Every grain of rice was so flavourful and the succulent meat literally melted in my mouth- I urge all the non-veg lovers to give this dish a go. I also enjoyed the finest momo of my life there- soft, juicy and with a filling that was simply divine. Some other local dishes that I would highly recommend are Sakin Gata, Minil Songa and Dohkehlieh.
We got to witness another fascinating feature when we visited the Police Bazaar for shopping. I was amazed to see that the majority of the shopkeepers were women there. We purchased a lot of handmade items from there which were simply too beautiful to resist.
Golden Skies & Majestic Waterfalls
I would say that a cherry on top for this trip would be the dreamlike sunsets and the remarkable waterfalls that we got to witness.
With each passing day, the sunset became more and more surreal than the previous one. Whether we were travelling in a car, exploring a new attraction, standing on a hilltop or simply relaxing in our room, luckily we did not skip a single sunset during the entire trip.
Exploring the scenic waterfalls of Meghalaya was as relaxing and rejuvenating as watching the sunsets. Although all the waterfalls we visited were equally charming, I particularly loved the Krang Suri Waterfalls. Not only was it extremely beautiful, we also enjoyed a refreshing bath in its calm and crystal clear waters.
Discovering the Iconic Living Root Bridges
Of course, my review of Meghalaya is incomplete without mentioning its iconic attraction, the Double Decker Living Root Bridges.
So, unlike other travellers who completed the trek in two and a half hours, we took more than three hours to reach the Double Decker Root Bridge. I believe the majority of the travellers just wanted to reach the bridge as fast as they could, whereas, I was enjoying the journey more. We stopped in between to get a closer look of the unique birds, take pictures, admire the diverse flora and soak in the greenery around us.
But let me tell you, the Living Root Bridge is truly extraordinary. When I glanced at it first, it became clear to me what all the fuss was about. The fact that nature is supreme and the best creation of God has always amazed me and here was a living testament right before my eyes.
We also got to learn some amazing facts about this bridge from our guide like it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and very rightfully so. Also, it took around 10-15 years to shape this bridge and can sustain for 500 years more.
On Cloud 9!
I was on cloud 9, both literally and figuratively!
At last, I stood before the very scenery that caught my attention in the advertisement, and in person, it was a hundred times more stunning.
We were at Laitlum Canyon which is a picturesque location with lush green hills, cascading waterfalls and winding roads. We reached the Shillong Peak by car which is the highest one in Laitlum to experience a once in a lifetime moment- standing above the clouds!
With each turn on those winding roads, we were gaining height and even more spectacular views were unfolding before our eyes. There was a moment where we literally drove right through the clouds. That feeling of touching and smelling them for the very first time is truly indescribable.
And then finally, we were at an altitude of 6,450 ft, at the summit of the Shillong Peak. Everything beneath was enveloped in the sea of clouds, with a few green mountain tops emerging from the mist like islands. I was left in awe as I had never witnessed anything quite like it.
The world up there was so calm and quiet that I did not want to leave. I held my partner’s hand, embraced the serenity and simply thanked God for everything he has given me.
Standing up there, I understood why Meghalaya is also known as the “Halfway to Heaven!”
Read More: Thrillophilia Meghalaya Reviews