2.13 The Longest Day

14/3/24 Thursday

We started quite early from Umiam towards Cherrapunji as we knew that today was the longest drive of our trip so far.

We stopped for breakfast at the peculiarly named “Ka Bri War” restaurant on our way to Riwai village to view the iconic living root bridges of Meghalaya. 

A living root bridge is a type of simple suspension bridge formed of living plant roots by tree shaping. They are handmade from the roots of trees by the Khasi and Jaiñtia tribes. As long as the tree from which it is formed remains healthy, the roots in the bridge can naturally grow thick and strengthen. Once mature, some bridges can have as many as 50 or more people crossing, and have a lifespan of several hundred years.

Our next stop was the cleanest village in Asia, Mawlynnong. We walked through the village and were amazed at the way in which the people of the village had maintained the place. There were paved pathways, tree houses and lots of flowering shrubs and trees. It seemed that cleanliness was not a habit but a way of life.

The small town of Dawki is one of the few road border crossings between India and Bangladesh.

A beautiful suspension bridge over the Umngot river is the last frontier on our side that takes you into Bangladesh. We took a boat ride on the river whose waters are so clear that you can see the bottom quite clearly. 

The sun sets here by around 5.30 in the evening and as we continue our journey towards Cherrapunji it is very dark. All of a sudden a dense fog enveloped the road and for several miles, the visibility was less than five meters. The road markings were non-existent. It is to the credit of the driver of the first car of our convoy who navigated the path with precision, his skill a testament to years of experience of driving on the hills in these types of conditions. Every twist and turn of the road became a test of nerves as we drove by just looking at the blinking lights of the car in front of us. Although there was an undeniable thrill, it was the most dangerous drive I have ever undertaken.

Finally, as the fog lifted, we reached our hotel in Cherrapunji after being on the road for more than twelve hours. 

The figures:

7.15 am Hotel Ri Shat Sngi, Umiam

9.40 am Breakfast at Ka Bri War resort - 74 kms

11.00 am Living Root bridge at Riwai village - 15 kms

2.00 pm Boat ride on Umngot river, Dawki - 29 kms

4.30 pm Lunch break at Ka Bri War resort - 18 kms

7.45 pm Resort Polo Orchid, Cherrapunji - 68 kms

Traveled today : 204 kms

Total distance covered : 4723 kms