November 27, 2024 to November 30, 2024
Meghalaya mountainous or mountains..
After spending time working and learning at Warmshower's primary school, I finally decided to climb some mountains and explore more of the breathtaking beauty of Meghalaya.
As fate would have it, my neighbor from South India had arrived the previous day on his motorbike. The previous day, we rode together. So, today's route would not be entirely new to me. However, the thought of climbing a mountain after descending into a steep valley filled me with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
Despite my nerves, I packed MotaaCycle and set off, eager yet slightly uneasy about the challenging terrain ahead. The scenery was mesmerizing.
Along the way, a curious motorcyclist followed me for quite a distance before asking what I was riding. We chatted briefly, and he asked if he could take a picture with MotaaCycle.
Afterward, I rode down the mountain to the bridge spanning blue waters, where I saw villagers collecting sand from the riverbed and carrying it on their backs to the delivery point.
From there, I began riding uphill and came across a set of winding stairs that seemed to disappear into the valley below.
I parked my bike by the roadside and followed the stairs, which led me to a stunning waterfall/stream. This was my first glimpse of Meghalaya’s famous blue waters, and it was magical.
After exploring the falls, I climbed the steep stairs back up and visited a nearby viewpoint. What a sight it was! I was fortunate to enjoy a sunny afternoon there, even managing to nap for an hour or two.
While the idea of spending the night at such a scenic spot tempted me, I hesitated, wary of the possibility of encountering drunkards or drug addicts in the area. Instead, I called a number I’d seen in an advertisement for camping by a waterfall. That call led me to a village community guesthouse, where I ended up staying for the next 3 days.
During my stay, I worked closely with the village headman/teacher, who was striving to promote a nearby waterfall. And, that waterfall turned out to be a beauty.
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So, I biked to the waterfall the next day. After leaving Motaacycle at the parking lot, I hiked to the waterfall. Because this was a weekday and this falls was still not on GoogleMaps, I was the only one there.
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That evening, I had the pleasure of visiting his brother, who bakes local tribe's (Khasi) unique red rice cakes, So Paw.
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Over the next couple of days, we collaborated by the waterfall, dismantling and rebuilding a storage shed. Working with the locals—some of whom didn’t speak a word of English—was an enriching experience, and I even picked up a few new Khasi words.
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During my last evening here in Mawranglang, Meghalaya, the guesthouse caretakers invited me to their home to share some local rice. This rice is almost unpolished and tastes and looks more like grains than traditional rice.
Today's ride: 48 km (30 miles)
Total: 1,435 km (891 miles)
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