48 hours in...an abode amidst the misty clouds

Hola peeps! We’re back with yet another edition of the ‘in 48 hours’ series and this time we've made it to the place which is known to be the 'wettest' on Earth, but, bestowed with bountiful beauty all around which makes it the perfect place for the adventure seekers and peace lovers alike.

Day 1

1:30 P.M: After a 2 and a half hour long journey from the Shillong Airport we finally reached the rustic–style Polo Orchid resort set in Cherrapunji, “the land of Oranges”. (P.S – The best time to come here is Oct-May as these are the most pleasant months; wuhoo, we’ve made it during the perfect time to visit Cherrapunji.)

2:00 P.M: Checking-in post our mini road trip we were quite famished. Post handing our luggage to the room service team, we rushed to grab some quick bites in the Rain Café Restaurant. Behold! We could literally enjoy the breathtaking view of the valley to its core while gorging on a sumptuous fare. It was a unique restaurant having umbrellas hanging from its ceiling which added to the vibrancy of the menu.

3:00 P.M: Enough of the views! We rushed to our rooms to take a power nap as we were exhausted after such a long journey. We were awestruck after seeing the room. It was a mystical wood cabin built on the top of the hills which offers unparalleled views of the ‘Seven sister falls’. The cabin is built of Canadian Spruce Wood and dressed up in eclectic furniture which adds to its old world charm.

4:00 P.M: We woke up engulfed in excitement that we have so much to explore in 2 days, but, we wanted to keep our day light so we went ahead with bird watching around the property. Much to our bewilderment, we encountered different breeds of birds and enjoyed viewing flocks of rare species- the black-breasted Parrotbill Black Storks and Asian Openbills.

5:30 P.M: After the short-stroll we decided to see the caves which are formed from torrential rain which takes place here all year around. These caves are the home for adventure activities by the tourist from all across the world. The most impressive thing which made them worth visiting is the formations in the limestone rocks. Oh! There is really so much to see and we have limited time.

8:00 P.M: Dinner time. We headed to an open-air dining area which is aptly named, the Sky Grill. At this restaurant, the luxurious diner which is perched upon the edge of a cliff offers a marvelous view which at times makes you forget the delicacies in front of you. It was a one of a kind experience in itself.

10:00 P.M: We’re ready to call our day to an end. Being at such a lovely place the dreams can’t get much merrier than ever.

Day 2

6:30 A.M: Waking up to the fresh breeze of air left us in a dilemma- is it all in real or are we still in our dreams? Mornings like these are really rare amidst the hustle-bustle of the city life.

6:45 A.M: We quickly jumped out of our bed to enjoy the scenic view from our balcony sipping our morning tea. Ah! Perfect it was..

7:30 A.M: We were so mesmerized by the view that we decided to pick the bicycle and go for mountain biking. Sounds interesting, ain’t it? (P.S: Carry your water bottle along.)

10:00 A.M: Post our tryst with biking, we quickly returned to our cabin. Our heart was filled with merriment on seeing the pool and the view ahead- our heart did skip a beat. We don’t mind spending the whole day dipped in the plunge pool with such views.

10:30 A.M: We quickly headed for the Rain Café to quench our hunger pangs and recharge our batteries. A long day awaits us!

11:00 A.M: Pause. Ahead of us was a thrilling experience waiting; zip-lining across the valleys. In this activity a superior equipment helps one navigate through the outdoor setup and view the scenic wonders of Cherrapunji while gliding on gleefully. Sounds like a kindergarten kid on his first school trip? (PS: not for the weak-hearted. So man-up.)

12:30 P.M: Cherrapunji is filled with trekking trails. The trek to the Living Root Bridge takes a duration of about 3 to 4 hours, walking almost 3000 steps down to the Nongriat village. It is a double-decker living root bridge- a natural marvel. Next to two of the hanging bridges there was a natural pool with crystal-clear water. The environment is soothing and perfect for the nature-lovers and trek-enthusiasts.

5:45 P.M: It is always a good idea to learn about the new culture, lifestyle and traditional ways of survival at a new place. So, post our trek, we decided to head to the Cherra Bazaar which is filled with stalls offering daily necessities, food items, handicrafts, show-items and more. We indulged ourselves in binge eating as we wanted to try the local authentic dishes of the North-East.

8:00 P.M: We’re finally back to our place post a hectic day. We then decided to enjoy our evening with drinks at the Polo Irish Pub. This pub offers a wide variety of mocktails and cocktails for its guests. One can enjoy the classic ambience and great snacks that they offer.

10:00 P.M: To end this tiring day we needed to wrap our self in our blanket and bid adieu to one of the most memorable day.

Day 3

7:30 A.M: *beep beep*. Still in bed. We don’t want to wake up as we know that we’re left with the last few hours at this enchanting abode of clouds.

8:00 A.M: We went out to stroll around the place and take in as much as we can while we still can.

9:30 A.M: We went back to our rooms as we had to pack our bags and needed to have a quick shower. Post freshening up, we quickly headed on for a delightful breakfast at the café.

11:00 A.M: Adios! It was time to say good-bye and, always true that some good-byes are hard to say as we don’t want to leave the place so early. Such serene and pure was the feel here.