I had always wanted to explore the Northeast, a part of India that felt both familiar and wonderfully distant at the same time. There was something especially exciting about travelling to a place whose landscapes, traditions and way of life were so different from what I had grown up seeing. So, when the opportunity came for the four of us to travel from Odisha to Mizoram, we were filled with a quiet excitement about what we would discover.
The journey from Odisha to Mizoram itself felt like the beginning of an adventure. As we travelled further east, the landscape slowly began to change, and by the time we reached Mizoram, we found ourselves surrounded by rolling green hills, forests and mountain views that seemed to stretch endlessly. Aizawl, perched amidst the hills, had its own charm. Everywhere we looked, there was another beautiful view waiting for us. Our guides were also wonderfully hospitable and kind, making us feel comfortable and welcome throughout our time there.
What struck us just as much, though, was the people and the way everyday life seemed to have its own quiet sense of discipline. We noticed it almost immediately, even in small things. People waited patiently while deboarding the plane, without the usual rush to get ahead. On the roads, there was a remarkable sense of lane discipline, and the absence of unnecessary honking made travelling through the city feel particularly pleasant. There was a sense that people were conscious of sharing public spaces with consideration for one another. Even in the way traffic moved and people went about their day, there seemed to be an understated respect for rules and for those around them. These may seem like small details, but when you are travelling, it is often these everyday observations that tell you something about a place. For us, they became a memorable part of experiencing Mizoram and its people.
What excited us most was the opportunity to experience Mizo culture closely. We wanted to understand the place beyond its scenery, to listen, participate and experience some of the traditions that make Mizoram unique. The Cheraw dance became one of our happiest memories. We had seen cultural performances before, but experiencing the rhythm of the bamboo poles up close was something else. Before long, the four of us were laughing, trying to
follow the movements and becoming part of the moment rather than simply watching from the side. None of us was particularly concerned about getting every step right. It was the music, the energy and the joy of participating that mattered. For those few moments, we felt connected to a tradition that was completely new to us.
Rainbows playing hide n seek next to the fall
Food naturally became an important part of our conversations too. We enjoyed discovering local flavours and trying dishes that were different from what we usually eat. Some meals became longer than planned because there was always something to discuss. We would talk about what we had seen, the people we had met, or simply which dish we had enjoyed the most. Looking back, those conversations around the table are just as much a part of the journey as the sightseeing.
Nature was everywhere. The forests, waterfalls and mountain roads gave us a chance to experience Mizoram beyond the city. Vantawng Falls, surrounded by dense greenery, was particularly memorable. Standing there and looking at the water cascading through the forest made us appreciate the scale and beauty of the landscape around us.
We also enjoyed exploring Aizawl at a more leisurely pace. One of the experiences we particularly remember was the Aizawl Skywalk, where we could take in the city and the hills from above. Walking there, stopping to look at the views and taking photographs became a simple pleasure. The visit to Aizawl Peak and the Skywalk gave us another perspective of the city and its beautiful surroundings.
What I remember most now is how naturally everything seemed to come together. The hills introduced us to the landscape, the forests and waterfalls showed us its natural beauty, the food gave us a taste of the region, and the cultural experiences gave us a glimpse into the
traditions and spirit of Mizoram. But equally memorable were the little things we noticed along the way, the kindness of our guides, the courtesy of the people and the sense of order in everyday life.
The four of us returned with photographs, of course, but the photographs are not really what bring Mizoram back to me. It is the sound of laughter during the Cheraw dance. It is the sight of green hills disappearing into the distance. It is the taste of something new, the conversations over meals, the kindness of the people who guided us and those quiet moments when we simply stopped to look around. It is also the memory of roads without constant honking, people patiently waiting their turn and a place where simple acts of courtesy seemed to come naturally.
Mizoram gave us the kind of memories that become warmer with time. We went there curious about a part of the Northeast we had not known well. We came back feeling that we had, in our own small way, experienced its culture, its people and its extraordinary landscape. And for the four of us, that made the journey from Odisha to Mizoram much more than a trip. It became a memory we will continue to carry with us.
