Three Years Later, Back to the Hills I Love
You never know how much you missed home until the landscape and the air brings back all the memories, along with the feeling of nostalgia. That’s how I felt as the aircraft began its descent into Assam, the beginning of this month. Living in Toronto has its own rhythm—fast, efficient, global—but somewhere between deadlines and dinners, I was craving something slower, something more home.
So finally, after three long years, I was back. And almost instinctively after arriving, I knew where I wanted to go first: Shillong.
The Road That Always at Home
The drive from Guwahati to Shillong isn’t just a route—it’s a ritual.
As we climbed higher, the air shifted. Cooler, softer, scented with pine. I rolled down the window and let the wind hit my face. It felt oddly familiar, like a memory I didn’t know I had stored so preciously.
I’ve travelled to many places over the last few years, but this… this felt grounding.
Food, Memory, and That Perfect Plate
Ri-Shat by Umiam Lake
If there’s one thing I’ve become over the years, it’s a serious food explorer. And so, our first stop was at the idyllic Ri-Shat Resort Resort at Bora Pani.
Overlooking the Umiam Lake, the food felt sumptuous and yummy — local Khasi flavours, smoked meats, bamboo shoots—but presented with a finesse that could easily belong anywhere in the world.
It wasn’t just delicious, it became a memory to carry forward.
Our Little Shillong Tradition
Every family has its own traditions. Ours, apparently, is staying at Blueberry Inn.
Tucked right next to the historic Pinewood Hotel, this place is everything I missed—quiet, warm, and deeply personal.
Coming from Toronto’s high-rises and glass towers, this felt so human. The kind of place where mornings are slow and evenings don’t rush you.
Laitlum Canyon: Where the World Just… Stops
The next day we went out on a little impromptu exploration, and went all the way to a hidden gem, the Laitlum Canyon—and honestly, nothing prepares you for it.
I’ve seen skylines, mountains, lakes — but standing here, looking into the endless canyon with clouds drifting below eye level, I felt something a rare inexplicable stillness.
No urge to take photos. No need to say anything.
Just… pause.
Dinner at Centre Point
On the second day, dinner at Centre Point’s Skye Asia Restaurant brought a completely different vibe. Urban, aesthetic and some sprawling views of police bazar complemented by some delectable food was the perfect way to spend the last day at my favorite corner of the world, Shillong.
Great food, great conversations, and that rare feeling of being exactly where I was supposed to be.
A Hidden Gem: Mini Pahalgam
On our way back, we made an unplanned stop at Mini Pahalgam.
And I’m glad we did. Wide open greens, quiet surroundings, the lake stretching endlessly—it didn’t feel like a “tourist spot.” It felt like a secret.
We didn’t do much there. Just walked, sat, took it all in.
Sometimes, that’s enough.
What This Trip Really Meant
This wasn’t just a hurried getaway. It was my way of reconnecting—with my roots, with my parents, and with a version of myself that doesn’t exist in busy city schedules.
Shillong has always been one of my favourite destinations. But this time, it felt different.
More personal.
More memorable.
More… home.
And as I head back to Toronto soon, I know one thing for sure—
I certainly won’t wait another three years to come back.