Shillong was a blessing in disguise, that I realize now. 

Everybody calls Shillong the Scotland of the East, but I think it has a certain charm of its own. You can expect an enigmatic vibe, hard to understand yet easy to love. Like the city’s roller-coaster and hairpin roads, we feel the joy of aimlessly walking up and down the secluded alleyways, titled pedestrians and rock-cut staircases dotted with trees and windowless building corners. 

The blissful sights are everywhere, you don't need to go very far from the city to get that one perfect shot of the skyline. Some places are such that it’ll just make you sit down and ponder. Shillong is all that and more. You'll fall in love with the capital of Meghalaya right from the moment you put your feet on the ground.

My stay in Shillong was brief, so most of the time I spent exploring the city with my family and friends. Although I wished to go further outside the city limits, the rains didn't permit me to go. Yet, I rented a scooter and scooted around the city. Let me segregate my three days stay in Shillong for you and how you can also spend a weekend amid rain, sun, nature and misty mornings.

Day One: Wards Lake and Police Bazaar

My day was sorted and well planned in my head - Go to the park, hit the market, head down to meet a few friends and have dinner with family. But the Shillong rains that poured down washed away my plans. Yet I could do the minimum with one of my friends Anita. She and I walked from Nongrim Hills to the Wards Lake. It was a steep climb, I almost thought I will need a rope to pull myself. We somehow reached the park but shortly the dark clouds started to hover and soon it started pouring. We took shelter from a nearby shed only to find couples engrossed in some explicit PDA.  

After the rain stopped, Anita and I went our separate ways. I toggled down towards Police Bazar to meet my cousin sister, Trishna. She had a lot going on with her unfitted jeans and exchanging was the first thing we did. We entered the narrow passages of one of the market complexes to find the shop. It took us a while but the exchange finally happened. After the intense action, we needed some sweet to boost the day and that's when a bakery outside Eee Cee Cafe came to our rescue. It was okish!

Day Two: Shillong View-Point and Golf Course

The cold wind had my nose almost red and eyes watery as I went through the zig-zag roads of Shillong highway to the viewpoint only to find I was taking the wrong route. I was told by one of the army personnel to take the same route back towards Cherrapunji. You’ll find an exit for the viewpoint. But I was so tired from all the travels that I ended up not visiting at all. Besides, the rain didn't permit me to travel and also I got a call from Trishna Di who asked me to join her for lunch. How could I pass on that? So I went to N.E.H.U (North-Eastern Hill University) to pick her up. 

Our lunch was fixed in City Hut Family Dhaba. But before lunch, we visited the Golf Course. We wandered cheerfully towards the large ground, I saw a lovely church on top of the hill, it was magical. After running around the open space, we rushed to the City Hut Family Dhaba. Many of the locals say this is one of the best places to find delicious food. The exteriors of the restaurant took me by surprise, it gave a warm cottage vibe with an artificial pond, waterfall, and many statues. After a few clicks around the restaurant, we visited my aunt's place in Nongrim Hills for a warm and relaxing evening tea.

Day Three: City Exploring and Farewell to my Stay

Ok, the morning was a bit dull and it drizzled a bit. But soon after the sky shone bright and I walked almost everywhere. Anita and I went for cafe hunting, trying to see which coffee shop is less expensive and it can offer delicious meals and it has fewer people too. The city is blooming with so many new and idyllic restaurants and cafes where people like-minded sit jam-packed but we somehow managed to find a cute cafe just opposite the road. I was so hungry, I literally stuffed my mouth with momos and coffee. I also visited one of the iconic attractions here, Mary Help of Christians Cathedral. Although I didn't get time to go inside, the exterior itself was calming. 

I expected Shillong to be lively even at night but didn't know how thriving their bars could be. I got the first-hand experience to the city’s nightlife and it was magical. I went out with my cousin and her husband, Mark and Aishisha Di (Shillong's dynamic duo) at Hotel Poinisuk. Their rooftop lounge was a hit with live music and gastronomic food. I continued smoking and sipping wine with every performance by some of the gifted singers. No matter how dull, rainy and warm, sunny Shillong was through my stay, the city is strangely missed. I am definitely visiting Shillong again.