[ringoism]

Thank you for this, just wonderful, what a place! I've spent quite a bit of time in Mizoram by now, which is also beautiful, but in what you've put forth, what would seem to set Meghalaya apart would be the more "watery" aspects and places. And it all looks so pristine. And your photography is just superb. Wish we normally lived nearer that region... starting to feel as though I've been just about everyplace there is to go in H.P. more than once, the Northeast is such a fresh, clean, and relatively untouched place, a little better protected, geographically and otherwise, from the hordes of the north Indian plains.

-Eric

[gearhead_mait]

Beautiful travelogue as always, straight from the heart! Loved the pictures as well, specially the crystal clear Umngot river photos.

The narration of the Dawki shortcut episode was funny. But these roads really takes a toll on the emotions, specially for the ones not behind the wheels. Reminded me of the shortcut I took to Kaluk and the related incidents that followed.

From Sevoke, any particular reason for not taking Peshok road to Darjeeling?

Rated 5*, deservedly!

[balderash_12]

Superb travelogue! The opening picture looks like a million bucks. The descriptions of food were awesome. But I wonder how did you complete the highway runs in the Thar? It is not very good for highway performance.

[dip27in]

Reading your travelogue is as good as traveling with you. Your photographs and writing skill complements each other so well, it makes me feel that I have already been there.

I would suggest please restrict yourself from sharing yummilicious photographs of such " Momos" in your future travelogues, its a torture especially during office hours.

Keep traveling and sharing.

[DriveTrain]

Absolutely stunning photographs matched with your legendary driving and writing skills. It seems that you need a visit to the area at least twice - once during monsoons and the other during the winter months . How landslide prone are those parts during the rainy season ?

[BlackPearl]

Originally Posted by boniver

Loved the pictures of your Thar conquering the mountains, it's one of my favourite vehicles. Thank you once again for this visual treat!

Thank you boniver!

Originally Posted by gunin

Thank you Blackpearl for this wonderful log. I don't know what is wrong with the waterfalls of Cherrapunjee. Almost everyone reports less water in any season. Do give me a holler when you come during monsoons, I would like to join you .

Thanks gunin. The less water might be due to the climate change that is affecting a lot of places. Will surely let you know the next time we visit Meghalaya. Hopefully it will be with the LX this time and we will have a mini LX meet

Originally Posted by gunin

I have fond memories of trekking to the double decker root bridge with my friends and staying there for two nights. We also went to the Rainbow Falls (Blue lagoon!) from there. Trekking up and down those steps in a single day like you guys did takes some level of fitness .

So the rainbow falls and blue lagoon are at the same place? What is the name of the place where we went? The guide told us that the rainbow falls would be another 1.5 hours hike from that pool.

Originally Posted by gunin

I am sharing a few pictures of the same. I hope you don't mind.

Not at all. The pictures are lovely. It is so much more green during the monsoons.

Originally Posted by Red Panda

Read the entire travelogue in one go. Brilliant writeup and love the photographs you all have taken. Btw, please give some info on the Malda bypass. Is the construction work complete, is it open to public?

Thanks Avishek. The Malda bypass is connected but the black top is not completed. There are a few patches left. Hopefully it will be done in another month. If you need the exact coordinates I will send you the GPX files over email or PM you the latitude and longitude of the starting point.

Originally Posted by SVK Rider

Wow..
Just one word to describe the travelogue. I would definitely like to pay visit this place in monsoon. will take this as the reference.
Again after all the marvelous pictures again Kanchenjunga took my heart, Man what a majestic view.
Superb pics and as usual very informative and great write up, rated 5 stars.

Thanks Souvik!

Originally Posted by Samba

Nice read and great pics. The full-frame Nikon has found the right home! You have portrayed Meghalaya beautifully.

Thanks Samba! But I feel that I am not doing justice to such a good camera. Previously when I looked at stunning pictures, I used to convince myself that I am not able to take such pictures because of lack of a good camera. Now I don't have that option I am planning to go for photography classes, but they are frightfully expensive. So every time I think of doing it, a road trip looks more enticing!

Originally Posted by Samba

Missed a pic of the Duster with the Thar at Tonglu!

Surely it will happen someday.

Originally Posted by AnishD

Beautiful pictures and an amazing read.

Thanks Anish!

Originally Posted by ringoism

Thank you for this, just wonderful, what a place! I've spent quite a bit of time in Mizoram by now, which is also beautiful, but in what you've put forth, what would seem to set Meghalaya apart would be the more "watery" aspects and places. And it all looks so pristine. And your photography is just superb. Wish we normally lived nearer that region... starting to feel as though I've been just about everyplace there is to go in H.P. more than once, the Northeast is such a fresh, clean, and relatively untouched place, a little better protected, geographically and otherwise, from the hordes of the north Indian plains.

-Eric

Thanks Eric! Yes, North East in general sees a lot less visitors and I wish it remains that way.

Originally Posted by gearhead_mait

Beautiful travelogue as always, straight from the heart! Loved the pictures as well, specially the crystal clear Umngot river photos.

Thanks Soumyajit!

Originally Posted by gearhead_mait

The narration of the Dawki shortcut episode was funny. But these roads really takes a toll on the emotions, specially for the ones not behind the wheels. Reminded me of the shortcut I took to Kaluk and the related incidents that followed.

Yes I had read that in your travelogue. Hats off to you for taking the little Eon to such places. If I had travelled with you I might have got down and started walking.

Originally Posted by gearhead_mait

From Sevoke, any particular reason for not taking Peshok road to Darjeeling?

Yes, 2 reasons - 1. the Peshok road is longer. 2. I had to go to Siliguri to fill up diesel.

Originally Posted by balderash_12

Superb travelogue! The opening picture looks like a million bucks. The descriptions of food were awesome. But I wonder how did you complete the highway runs in the Thar? It is not very good for highway performance.

Thanks balderdash_12! I have done innumerable long distance trips with the Thar and I have driven quite fast on the highways. I find the performance more than adequate because I had not bought it for its highway performance. I just wish it was a bit more safe and had better brakes.

Originally Posted by dip27in

Reading your travelogue is as good as traveling with you. Your photographs and writing skill complements each other so well, it makes me feel that I have already been there.

I would suggest please restrict yourself from sharing yummilicious photographs of such " Momos" in your future travelogues, its a torture especially during office hours.

Keep traveling and sharing.

Thanks Debdeep!

Originally Posted by DriveTrain

Absolutely stunning photographs matched with your legendary driving and writing skills. It seems that you need a visit to the area at least twice - once during monsoons and the other during the winter months . How landslide prone are those parts during the rainy season ?

Thanks Drivetrain. Monsoon is the best time for Meghalaya and that is when most of the people visit. I chose to go in winter just to see the clear Umngot rivier. So if that is not the priority, it is better to go during the rainy season. I don't think Meghalaya is landslide prone like Darjeeling or Sikkim during the rainy season.

[blackwasp]

Originally Posted by BlackPearl

It had been a very long time since our last visit to the Himalayas. In fact cannot remember the last time there was such a long gap!

Man, one more of your epic trip reports. Along with those awesome pictures you have made us, those sitting in office, actually trace to Meghalaya.

A teaser photo, as is the trend nowadays. Don't know whether it increases viewership or not, but worth a try

Haha! On the contrary, seeing such pics makes us (atleast me for that matter) wanting to get out and explore

Once again great report there and I'm sure I'll be bookmarking this for if (or when) I go to the North East. I think that is the only one pristine place left in India, where one is so close to the nature. Hopefully it stays that way for a long long time.

[sayakc]

This travelogue has again proved that when you and Pawan travel, you set new benchmarks - in terms of the detailing and the distances covered. By the way, which resort did you stay in Chel Chittong? Google search of that place throws your travelogue as the first result.

I too, am planning to visit Shillong. But with the kid, the trek to the pool is not going to be possible.

And...needed a couple of suggestions sir!

1. Do you advice taking the Malda Bypass in a hatchback? I mean, previously it was all dusty/muddy and the bypass back then, used to divert the cars back to the city traffic.

2. Did you get a chance to check out the Tripura Castle in Shillong? Also if you have reco about any restaurants pls.

Rated 5*


Best Regards,
Sayak

[gunin]

Originally Posted by BlackPearl

So the rainbow falls and blue lagoon are at the same place? What is the name of the place where we went? The guide told us that the rainbow falls would be another 1.5 hours hike from that pool.

Oh I thought you went up to Rainbow falls. The place where you guys took a dip is similar to the pools at Rainbow falls. The guide is right- it takes around 2 hours to reach the falls from the double decker root bridge . Rating the thread 5 stars!

[SJM1214]

Great to see BlackPearl is back with one another travelogue.

Thanks for the detailed travelogue with amazing photographs. Read the entire travelogue in one go. Rated five stars.

[Vikram Arya]

Just finished reading your beautifully put together travelogue. Great job BlackPearl!

I have never had a chance to visit North East, though many of friends in the engineering college were from Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim & Arunachal Pradesh. It is one beautiful part of our country that still retains a lot of old world charm and unspoilt locales. Hopefully sometime in the future, even I could gather the courage to do a trip to that part of the country.

I gave up carrying my DSLR long back on these trips; the extra lenses & the body of the camera are sometimes not worth the effort (no offence to photography aficionados for I’m one myself) especially if you have to hike and carry other stuff as well. I have just invested in a mirrorless camera (APS-C format) and am quite impressed by the results; the weight of the body and the 18-105mm lens is less than half of what my stock DSLR weighs. Some food for thought there..

I have never had the opportunity to drive a Thar however I learnt to drive on a gasoline CJ-3B back in the day so have a special fondness for the “Jeep”. It’s just that these have become so much more expansive lately.

You’re indeed one brave fella, however even more kudos to your better half for undertaking these long road trips in the Thar. By the way how many kilometers do you have on the odometer by now?

[karthi.stark]

A Great travelogue, BlackPearl sir!

Those pictures reminded me of our trip to Meghalaya back in 2014. We too checked out the living root bridge. I must say, those efforts put by us were well worth it in the end. The double decker living root bridge is one of the best sights one can ask for!

I still remember, we started out early in the morning (6 A.M) and had come back by two in the afternoon. On the way back, everyone was eager to know how far they still have to travel. We just replied that they still had miles to go. They were also surprised to find out that my brother (who was around 6) at the time had gone and come back and they were struggling in the beginning itself!

I so wish I could go back there once again for another look at the bridge.

Regards,
Karthi.stark

[catchdoon]

What a Time to go through this Travelogue! My Trip to Shillong is due next month [April 27 - May 4]. I will be stationed at Shillong as my Dad is posted there currently. So each day will be 'From Shillong & Back'
My Itinerary is pretty exhaustive & I'm looking forward to tick all the places I've planned. This shall be my 2nd Meghalaya Trip since 2013

An amazing read with so many beautiful photographs. Pretty neat & crisp Write-up.

I hope to write my 1st ever travelogue after coming back [Now that I've given up on 7 others in Pipeline which God knows will be completed when]

[Jude300]

Wow wow wow!!! I just can't stop with one. Simply superb!

Nice crisp travelogue with great pictures. Got me glued to it till the end. Meghalaya has been in wishlist for quite some time but hasn't happened. Need to start planning with atleast a week to explore this awesome place.

[BlackPearl]

Originally Posted by blackwasp

Man, one more of your epic trip reports. Along with those awesome pictures you have made us, those sitting in office, actually trace to Meghalaya.

Thanks blackwasp!

Originally Posted by sayakc

This travelogue has again proved that when you and Pawan travel, you set new benchmarks - in terms of the detailing and the distances covered. By the way, which resort did you stay in Chel Chittong? Google search of that place throws your travelogue as the first result.

Thanks Sayak! You can contact Chel Chitong via their Facebook page -

https://www.facebook.com/pages/categ...0249842331590/

Originally Posted by sayakc

1. Do you advice taking the Malda Bypass in a hatchback? I mean, previously it was all dusty/muddy and the bypass back then, used to divert the cars back to the city traffic.

2. Did you get a chance to check out the Tripura Castle in Shillong? Also if you have reco about any restaurants pls.

1. Yes you can take Malda bypass in a hatchback unless it rains. But I think the laying of tarmac will be completed in a month or so if it has not been already done. It was a bit dusty in places when we took it, but it is still worth it provided the time it saves during the busy hours. If you are crossing Malda early in the morning then there is no need to take the bypass, but I think you already know it.

2. No we did not see Tripura Castle in Shillong. As we did not spend much time in Shillong there is hardly any restaurant that we can suggest :-( Sorry for that.

Originally Posted by gunin

Oh I thought you went up to Rainbow falls. The place where you guys took a dip is similar to the pools at Rainbow falls. The guide is right- it takes around 2 hours to reach the falls from the double decker root bridge . Rating the thread 5 stars!

I think we need to do it again just to clear the confusion Thanks once again gunin!

Originally Posted by SJM1214

Great to see BlackPearl is back with one another travelogue.

Thanks for the detailed travelogue with amazing photographs. Read the entire travelogue in one go. Rated five stars.

Thanks SJM1214!

Originally Posted by Vikram Arya

Just finished reading your beautifully put together travelogue. Great job BlackPearl!

I have never had a chance to visit North East, though many of friends in the engineering college were from Nagaland, Mizoram, Sikkim & Arunachal Pradesh. It is one beautiful part of our country that still retains a lot of old world charm and unspoilt locales. Hopefully sometime in the future, even I could gather the courage to do a trip to that part of the country.

Thanks Vikram Arya! Yes, North East is a must if you want see untouched non-commercialised beauty! You should visit with your lovely white Gypsy and post some stunning pictures

Originally Posted by Vikram Arya

I gave up carrying my DSLR long back on these trips; the extra lenses & the body of the camera are sometimes not worth the effort (no offence to photography aficionados for I’m one myself) especially if you have to hike and carry other stuff as well. I have just invested in a mirrorless camera (APS-C format) and am quite impressed by the results; the weight of the body and the 18-105mm lens is less than half of what my stock DSLR weighs. Some food for thought there..

I used a Nikon D80 for 10 years, but always wanted to buy a full frame camera. Did a lot of studying before buying the D810. It is a very good camera, but I am not the right person to use it. By the way, which APS-C format camera did you buy?

Originally Posted by Vikram Arya

You’re indeed one brave fella, however even more kudos to your better half for undertaking these long road trips in the Thar. By the way how many kilometers do you have on the odometer by now?

My better half is also on this forum and she loves the Thar more than me! The Thar has done close to 60K Kilometers.

Originally Posted by karthi.stark

A Great travelogue, BlackPearl sir!

Those pictures reminded me of our trip to Meghalaya back in 2014. We too checked out the living root bridge. I must say, those efforts put by us were well worth it in the end. The double decker living root bridge is one of the best sights one can ask for!

I still remember, we started out early in the morning (6 A.M) and had come back by two in the afternoon. On the way back, everyone was eager to know how far they still have to travel. We just replied that they still had miles to go. They were also surprised to find out that my brother (who was around 6) at the time had gone and come back and they were struggling in the beginning itself!

I so wish I could go back there once again for another look at the bridge.

Regards,
Karthi.stark

Thanks karthi.stark! Yes, those stairs are relentless and pretty unnerving to look at.

Originally Posted by catchdoon

What a Time to go through this Travelogue! My Trip to Shillong is due next month [April 27 - May 4]. I will be stationed at Shillong as my Dad is posted there currently. So each day will be 'From Shillong & Back'
My Itinerary is pretty exhaustive & I'm looking forward to tick all the places I've planned. This shall be my 2nd Meghalaya Trip since 2013

An amazing read with so many beautiful photographs. Pretty neat & crisp Write-up.

I hope to write my 1st ever travelogue after coming back [Now that I've given up on 7 others in Pipeline which God knows will be completed when]

Thanks catchdoon! Wish you a wonderful stay in Meghalaya and will wait for your travelogue.

Originally Posted by Jude300

Wow wow wow!!! I just can't stop with one. Simply superb!

Nice crisp travelogue with great pictures. Got me glued to it till the end. Meghalaya has been in wishlist for quite some time but hasn't happened. Need to start planning with atleast a week to explore this awesome place.

Thanks Jude300! yes, at least a week is mandatory in Meghalaya. I will definitely go back as there are a lot of places left to see.