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Monday, December 15, 2008

Ah, Shillong!

104 kms away from Guwahati lies Shillong, the capital of
the state of Meghalaya. The drive to this beautiful place
is scenic. There are rows and rows of terraced pineapple
cultivation before the landscape changes into forests of
pine. With a climate that's in the mid-twenties Celsius
in summer and winters between 4 to 8 degrees it is unlike
the heat and the dust that is generally associated with
India.

And that goes for so many other hill towns and cities
situated in altitudes ranging from 3000ft above sea
level to 8000ft. Where the summers are kinder and milder
and many flowers that thrive well in temperate zones
flourish in these cooler places. In spring the meadows
are full of wild daisies...


Just as summers mean plums and peaches, winters are for
oranges galore. The rest of my family was there this week-
end for a rock concert.The American bands 'White Lions' and
'Firehouse' were in Shillong and the response was great!
My sons clicked several pictures from the car. Big Daddy
was at the wheel manoeuvering the steep inclines. Some more
photos can be viewed at my my other blog yaoglai


Pine trees on the banks of Barapani, also known as Umiam Lake.
This is a popular tourist destination.


Oranges and pointsettias are so characteristic of cooler climes.

A view of the hotel's potted area. Some flowers blooming were
carnations and verbenas.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Kanak, what interesting photos and a variety of things growing. I hope the fellows enjoyed the concert and thank them for the pictures!

Unknown said...

Glad to, Mildred. They did have a good trip and loved Firehouse! They actually took MY kind of photos for me to post!!

Susie said...

Kanak-I left you an award on my blog. Don't feel like you have to participate if you don't want to.

Linda Lunda said...

So Lovely Kanak!
I can se why you like it so mutsh!
Linda
I do love your poem to!

tina said...

Sounds like a very fun trip. Love the orange tree-yum!

Susie said...

Kanak-That orange tree is amazing at how loaded it is and the poinsettias are so pretty and vibrant.In the potted plants it looks like there was an orchid in bloom too.

TYRA Hallsénius Lindhe said...

Hello Kanak and thank you for a bit of sightseeing and to see the Piontsettias like that is fantastic. The Piontsettias here is a typical Christmas flower it is actually called just that 'Julblomma' Christmas flower.
/ Tyra

Victoria Summerley said...

Shillong looks gorgeous. Nice to see a poinsettia in its natural state too

Femin Susan said...

Hi,
Congratulations....Your posting is very interesting...Keep writing.. Welcome to my blog...
Wishing you in advance "A Merry X'Mas and A Happy New Year''

walk2write said...

I tried your link to your other blog, but it didn't connect for some reason. Said it was unavailable and sent me back to Blogger. Your trip looks like it was fun, if the hotel is any indication. The area looks a little like So. Cal.

Chandramouli S said...

I see you had fun with our green siblings and your family too at the concert! A Perfect outing!

Unknown said...

Thanks Linda!

Glad you do, Tina.

Susie, I honestly didn't notice the blooming orchids when I posted it. But I checked and wow, quite a lot of blooms there!

Tyra, glad to know the Swedish word. It's called the Christmas flower here too but it doesn't grow everywhere in India. In cooler climes its growth is lush and is often used in hedges too.

Victoria, thanks for stopping by.

Thank you so much Susan. Wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year too!!

W2W, I've got a link on my sidebar too. It takes time for me to figure out this kind of stuff so I'll just let it be.

I didn't go this time but yes, it's a place worth several visits.

Thanks Chandramouli...the kids did have a whale of a time!

marmee said...

very cool last few posts. i like why you garden and how you presented it. your trip sounds like fun did you go to concert with your whole family>?
the blooms a few back are wonderful.

Anonymous said...

So neat to see what you find on your travels around your own city or farther afield. Love the idea that oranges and poinsettas grow outdoors in "cooler" places than yours! :) Here they would all be dead of frost, it's been under freezing for days.

Unknown said...

Thanks Marmee, I stayed back but the spouse and the boys with another cousin and nephew loved the show! Glad to read your comment. Shillong IS a place where you never run out of blooms. Thanks for mentioning my previous posts too!

Karen, guess what! You're very much on my mind when I go around the city taking pics in public places! I'm happy that my blog isn't restricted to my yard only!
I can't imagine that kind of cold that northerners are posting right now. I hope once the snow clears, your bulbs will 'take off'!

Jan said...

Like many others who commented, I was in awe when I saw the orange trees and the poinsettias! To think they (poinsettias) actually have a natural environment where they thrive outdoors is amazing to me, since we only get them at Christmas-time around here:) Take care, Jan

Unknown said...

Jan, I'm surprised to know this, really! I thought most gardens in temperate climes had them. Thanks for commenting on this.
Cheers!

emmat said...

Victoria told me I had to come and look at your outdoor poinsettias! I love it

Unknown said...

Emmat, thank you so much! Glad you dropped by...