Mawkdok/Sohra: Visitors to Shillong have always wondered why they are either served North Indian, South Indian or Chinese food here. Some think that the staple food of the Khasi people is noodles or momos (dim-sum). That’s because Khasi food is only served to guest at home. It’s hard to find a good Khasi eatery around. It’s easier to find a Naga food joint.
To meet the culinary tastes of visitors from abroad the promoter of Cafe Cherrapunjee, Alan West is introducing the concept of fine dining to people from the city who come out for a drive to the outback in the weekends and to all those who have a penchant for trying out something different and less oily and spicy.
Alan West has taken a place that was once a dilapidated government building but which has since been renovated by the Tourism Department. Adorning the different rooms in this home turned restaurant are pictures of the late Syiem of Hima Sohra, Join Manik Syiem and his investiture ceremony and also pictures of Freeman Syiem – all taken a long time ago.
The adventurous can spend the night at the venue and sleep in four tents spread out in the meadows nearby. The place has been attracting a lot of tourists but ever since the agitation programmes have started, the tourist traffic has dwindled. Alan West says there is a drop of about 75 per cent inflow of tourists after the road blocks and bandhs have started.
Interestingly the local populace seem to have developed a very strong stake in the place. They visit mainly to taste the food and their favourite is “chow,” says Alan. Chow is boiled noodles fried with vegetables and meat and spiced up with Chinese sauces. It was introduced to the Khasis and other residents of Shillong by the early Chinese residents here. Now it has become a favourite dish of the people of this State when they eat out.
“Sohra is a place that sells. It’s already known and there are a lot of tourists who visit this place. What we need is for some regulations. There is too much littering even near the important waterfalls like the Dainthlen and Nohkalikai,” Alan West observed.
Many who visit these tourist spots however are appalled by the obsession of the people here for cement. Says a visitor, “ I wonder why when there is such greenery around,people want to cement up all the open spaces or to construct obnoxious concrete facilities that do not blend with the ambiance.”
Tourism is picking up in Meghalaya and there is much to learn about packaging a place and giving it the unique selling point (USP). Those who run food joints and eateries say that tourists should know they cannot come in with packed lunches. They visit a place and are expected to spend money there. That’s the sin qua non of tourism but there’s not enough understanding of this fundamental rule as yet rue the tour providers.
Alan West says the setting up of the Zip-lining adventure sports activity by Pioneer Adventures started by JJ Lamare and company at Mawkdok has drawn several visitors from far and near to the place. “Those who come for Zip-lining also stop by for a meal and vice versa so there is mutual benefit to be shared,” Alan West informed.
At Mawkdok, Lamare and his team of young professionals had busy time strapping visitors who dare to do the Zip-lining exercise which involves wearing a gear and helmet and then sliding across from one point to the other on a pulley suspended on a cable, usually made of stainless steel, mounted on an incline.
It is designed to enable a user propelled by gravity to travel from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable by holding on to, or attaching to, the freely moving pulley.
Who would have thought Meghalaya would offer such exhilarating adventure sports!