Canadian World Traveller Fallr 2016 issue American World Traveler Fall 2016 issue | Page 90

90

ine island” in the world - Peacock Island.
Boats are available from the mainland of
Brahmaputra to take the visitors to the
island. A trek up Bhasmacala mountain
and there you are. Assamese craftsmen
have created amazing rock-cut figures,
sculptures showing how the worshippers
here followed all the principal Hindu
gods.

Shillong, state of Meghalaya
Throughout the trip we were treated to
wonderful side trips that would pop up
along the roads we were travelling. One
such treat was on the way to Shillong,
when we stopped to visit ‘Elephant falls’, a
beautiful natural wonder, and had freshly
brewed tea afterwards.
Before entering the hill top city, we went to
a look out, where a magnificent view was
had. We even saw some high school girls
posing there for what looked like graduation pictures – an idyllic photo-op!

British Influence, part 2
We started with a souvenir hunt among a
lively pedestrian street in Shillong, it was
great for people watching and picking up
anything you can think of. I bought very
beautiful hand-made jewellery for my
family and the price was unbelievably
cheap.
This region is very Christian, which was
not something I expected in India. The
western influence is quite pronounced,
and we even saw Indian children dressed
as if they were in England attending private schools.
Our visit started with the old churches
found in this lovely city. The ‘All Saints
Cathedral’ was built in 1876, and has a
distinctly European look to it as did the
new Cathedral of Mary Help of
Christians’.
Later on we went to the surprising Don
Bosco Museum. I was not sure what to
expect, but the museum offers something
from the many different cultures that exist
in the Northeast. The museum is known as
a great example of how to preserve tradition in a changing India. A must see if visiting the area.
The Northeast is certainly not the India
people relate to or expect, but it was a wonderful trip to the seven sisters region!

www.incredibleindia.org
American World Traveler / Fall 2016