Australian traveller praises hospitality of Northeast India after 3 weeks in Meghalaya: ‘Wouldn't take any money’

Aussie traveller Lewis Pullman’s 'warning' video about Meghalaya’s ‘unreal’ hospitality takes a heartwarming twist – you won't believe the ending.

Lewis Pullman, a 23-year-old travel content creator from Australia, took to Instagram on April 16 to issue a ‘warning’ about his three-week journey through Northeast India. In the video, titled 'Northeast is full of scams', Lewis said that the state of Meghalaya was an 'absolute scamming state', before listing the 'three biggest scams' he encountered.

Lewis Pullman, an Australian travel creator, praised Meghalaya for its hospitality. His video highlights the warmth of locals, showcasing experiences that defy typical tourist norms. (Instagram/ lewispullman_)

However, as viewers quickly realised, Lewis’ use of the word 'scam' was a tongue-in-cheek tribute to the local people's overwhelming, ‘unreal’ hospitality.

The 'scams' of Meghalaya

Lewis, whose Instagram bio describes him as an 'Aussie hitchhiking the world', detailed three specific experiences that defied his expectations of typical tourist interactions: from the refusal of payment to the 'captive' hospitality.

Lewis said that he hired a trekking guide with a pre-arranged fee. "Firstly, agreed on a price for a trekking guide, ₹2,000. He (the guide) spent seven hours with me, invited me into his family home for dinner... and then when I tried to pay him, he didn't accept any cash, wouldn't take my money," Lewis explained.

While hitchhiking, Lewis shared that he was invited for a quick drink that turned into a multi-day stay: "Got picked up by this couple while hitchhiking, 10 minutes in, they said, 'Oh, why don't you come for a cup of tea?'... Three days later, mate, they finally let me go after feeding me the most delicious meals I've ever had and giving me a bed for two nights."

Lewis’ final 'complaint' focused on the ease of travel in the region. "The one that pisses me off the most, mate: hitchhiking. Can't even get any time in my own thoughts. Can't even struggle with it because the first car to go past always stops for me, mate," he said.

'Meghalaya, you're bloody unreal'

Despite the provocative title of his video, Lewis’ caption made his true feelings clear. He wrote, “Meghalaya, a place I knew nothing about prior to visiting but is now high on my favourites list!” He further added that the region offered 'some of the best hospitality I’ve ever experienced'. The video concluded with Lewis beaming at the camera, stating, "Tell you what, Meghalaya, you're bloody unreal. I love it. I love you."

'People from the northeast are the kindest people'

The post sparked a wave of positive engagement from both locals and international travellers. One Instagram user pointed out the high-profile nature of Lewis' hosts, noting, "The man who invited you home is one of the ministers of Meghalaya."

Others echoed Lewis’ sentiments about the region's culture. "People from the northeast are the kindest people I have met," one Instagram user wrote, while another joked, "Glad you were scammed well. Keep travelling, brother."

Lewis' video served as a testament to the unique tourism culture of northeast India, where traditional hospitality often overrides commercial transactions. For Lewis, the 'scam' wasn't about losing money — it was about losing his heart to a place he never expected to visit.

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