Mesmerising Meghalaya – III

I have always been a water baby! I would wait for monsoon in my city because it always meant holidays and obviously opportunities to play in the rain! As I grew this love for water only grew bigger. I would travel to places and always seek out hidden waterfalls. Be it Rishikesh, Bali or Indonesia, I always went off the beaten path to find hidden waterfalls.If you are like me and find waterfalls enchanting, you must visit the Wei Sawdong waterfalls in Meghalaya. It is a three-tiered cascade of magic, and honestly, at first sight, it reminded me of Aishwarya Rai’s eyes. Google it if you don’t believe me, and I am sure even with just the image you will agree it is the most surreal waterfall in India.Just like seeing Aishwarya Rai is not easy, witnessing the falls, which is beautiful beyond expression, is also a challenge. You need to trek a 200-metre stretch of nearly a 75 to 90-degree angle. And though 200 meters doesn’t sound like much, when it is an uphill climb, it takes at least 20 to 30 minutes, peppered with many moments of contemplation on why you chose a path that was sure to be the cause of your death!.You see the 90 degree climbs are full of ladders of bamboo with no railing. So you are literally clambering up hanging on to roots and rock bits whilst your entire body weight rests on small planks on wood that are hollow! As I climbed, I reminded myself that every step is an opportunity to sing Hanuman Chalisa. I started chanting in my mind. When I slipped and my heart stopped for a few seconds, I started muttering and chanting louder. I looked down from the ladder I was on, only to find my students looking up at me with a look that could kill! I hid my fear, smiled and pretended to climb up confidently, till I slipped again. ‘Who decided to go see this stupid waterfall!’ I thought, only to remember it was my idea.As I sat contemplating my choices, I heard a soft voice saying ‘Excuse me’. I looked up to find four Meghalian girls climbing up in high heels! My jaw dropped. Here I was struggling with shoes on and these girls were climbing up in skirts and stilettos. So much for being a yoga teacher, I thought to myself as I made way and watched them jump from bamboo step to bamboo step with the grace of a gazelle..In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.John Muir