Off beaten track

Tranquility Swirling fog, reflections of bare trees in the water, the cry of birds in the distance, placid Nilgai and Chital feeding in the swamp, a lonely Indian Rock Python by the side of the road; all haunting images of a beautiful bird sanctuary.  This placid and almost utopian image was shattered by gunfire in the past and today by loud music, groups of people drowning out the jabber of jungle babblers with human cacophony; the careless flick of a tourist wrist throwing a plastic wrapper destined to choke an unwary bird to a very unpleasant death.  Jungle Babblers and Indian Magpie beg the passerby for a morsel, having lost the art of foraging as they've grown used to eating 'fast food' thrown at them by visitors. On a holiday it is obvious that most people come here to see and do everything except watch the birds or enjoy the placidity of nature. I saw couples and groups, most here just for the sake of being here, "Bharatpur dekha".  Jungle Babbler begging t...

The abode of the clouds, so aptly named.    Do not go to Meghalaya with a plan for a hectic �been there done that� kind of schedule crammed with plans for sight seeing.    This is a state which you have to just soak in ( pun intended); rambling through verdant hills, waterfalls and lakes.    The beauty here is a vivid green kaleidoscope of forested hills, water and clouds. One can arrive at Guwahati by train or plane and then motor up to  Shillong , the capital of the state.    This town used to be the capital of  Assam  in the old days and the layout and buildings are still redolent of the Raj. Using  Shillong  as a base one should motor around the state as far afield as one desires.    There is plenty of accommodation in  Shillong  ranging from the budget friendly to the exotic and expensive. The three hour drive up from Guwahati is a precursor of scenes to come, lush green rain forests, and quaint vi...