March 2011

Mulu World Heritage – Day 2: Lang & Deer Cave

30

March

It really took me a lot of time to finish up my travelogue. It’s getting near to April, and I’m still blogging the back dated travel. Anyway, I still have to finish up the post, no matter how. For those who missed out the previous posting, then follow the below links.

Mulu World Heritage – Day 1: Getting There
Mulu World Heritage – Day 1: Moonmilk Cave
Mulu World Heritage – Day 2: Penan Settlement
Mulu World Heritage – Day 2: Wind Cave
Mulu World Heritage – Day 2: Clear Water Cave

So today, let’s bring you all to the Lang & Deer Cave.

I believe most of you are quite family with the name of these caves, as its the most popular bat watching caves in Mulu.

This is stick insect. Watch it closely, it moves slowly.

Lang Caves and Deer Caves are just next to each other.  It tooks around 1 hour of walking distance from the park to reach the cave entrance.

The first cave that we went to was Lang Cave.

I would say that although Lang Cave is consider a small cave, but the rocks are quite amazing.

It’s amazing in a way.. you can see a “penis” inside the cave.

Really…  Have some wild imaginations =)

Ok that’s not the main attraction to the cave.  Lang cave is actually popular of its beautiful rock’s formation. Some say it looks like a human’s brain.  What do you say?

The founder of this cave is actually one of the cave explorer back in 70s. And today, our tour guide, Mr. Lang which the surname is the same as the cave , is the son of the founder of the cave. Our tour guide educate all of the tourist to love the nature and not to pollute the caves. He even take up any single rubbish as he seen on the way to the caves.

Next. We are going to Deer Cave.

Before entering the cave, the tour guide give us a quiz question.

What is the name of the deer with no eyes?

If you can’t get the answer, you are not allow to enter the cave. Har!

Deer Cave is known to be the longest cave passage in the world.

But to me, this is also the darkest cave and the smelliest cave in the world!  It’s the home for millions of BATs lives in this cave, we get the chance to access to free natural perfume of the Bat’s shit! So friendly reminder, get a bottle of “Minyak Kapak” before you enter the cave. =)

And of course, the landmark of Mulu. Rock formation and turns to Abraham Lincoln’s face. Awesome right?

Hey, it took me some time to actually realize of the shape. So enjoy the picture despite of standing there and smelling the natural perfumes.

Rocks in Deer Cave

Sometimes I think those founder of the caves are brilliant. You know what do they name these thing ? It is call the shower head. Har!

You will get more version of story if you closely listen to what the tour guide says.

We spent almost an hour plus inside this cave, there’a a lot of things to watch, a lot of stairs to climb, and of course I can’t take too much pictures. Why? I’ve to watch out for the bat’s shit first of all. Second, it’s too dark, my little compact camera can’t do much work here.  ;)

We were back at the Bat Observatory Deck around 5pm. Sky is getting dark, and it’s raining cats and dog.

As it was Christmas Eve, all the tour guide needs to leave earlier for the celebrations. Hence, we were told to walk back to the hostel on our own. We were not alone, because hundreds of tourist will be here sitting and waiting for bats to come out.

While waiting, let’s have the candid cam!

5.30pm..

It seems like the bats are not coming out today.  It’s better we depart early to the park. The sky is getting darker as the rain getting heavier and yet its an hour walk back to the park.

To overcome my sadness and regretfulness, I pamper myself by searching the videos from Youtube. Haha, here you go, to conclude this post, I present you the Bat’s from Deer Cave!
Hope you enjoy this post as its almost complete my Mulu travelogue.

Oh ya, before that, the answer for the quiz above is, “No Idea“. =) Have Fun!


Gotake – Environment Friendly Food Packings

29

March

I was sitting by the coffee shop, taking my late lunch. Then I saw 2 ladies carrying her own box of paper containers to buy some Nyonya Kuih.  I was wondering, since when Miri people has start to practice to use own container rather than wasting plastic bags or the hazardous polystyrene food packing?


Source

We all know that polystyrene or styrofoam is really bad for the whole environment, harmful for you and me. But did you really start prevent using them?

As a consumer, we only want conveniences. If you ask me to bring a container to buy some food, I might end up not buying the food but to eat there instead.  Somehow, in certain situation you still need to take away or tapao the food.

Great thing that I found out from my take away chicken rice , they use the paper container. This is more environmental friendly. I like it. I’m not too sure about the cost of this packing but one thing for sure, it’s better than Styrofoam. Right?

Somehow, this could only use to put some dry food. Imagine you put some food that consist of gravy or soupy type,  I don’t think the paper container can support.

=) I’m happy with this kind of new invention.  Hoping that there will be more eatery place start using this kind of packaging.


Goolooloo try mobile blogging!

25

March

I’m just trying to blog from my iPhone. Sometimes not that every post need to be long, but some good things must be shared instantly.

Have been using mobile Internet for a few years but never fully utilise it on my blog. Since I’ve install this app on my iPhone , I hope it works!

Let’s make it simple, with a picture of the day….



Mulu World Heritage – Day 2: Clear water cave

22

March

Previous related links:

Mulu World Heritage – Day 1: Getting There
Mulu World Heritage – Day 1: Moonmilk Cave

Mulu World Heritage – Day 2: Penan Settlement
Mulu World Heritage – Day 2: Wind Cave

Right after the Wind Cave, we are eagerly waiting for the Clear Water Cave.  As told by my friends who ever came here, the water are very cold and very nice to swim. I’ve put some expectations looking forward this cave, not for the cave but for the river.

The long boat will be parked aside waiting for the tourist to finish the tour.

The barrier after the boat are the safety zone for swimming.

Before we could proceed to swim, we need to take 200 steps upward to the clear water caves. 200 only… but it’s really tiring too.

I was here , at Clear Water Cave =)

The view from top of the cave, and we need to walk down into down the stairs again. Really , this time I feel that my legs getting heavier taking every steps.

I’m not sure how these rocks are form, but they are very unique.

Views from from the inner side of the cave.

Sunlight inside the cave

In the clearwater cave, it is link to Lady Cave.

Some people thing some of the formations here look like ladies. :)

Seriously, the shadow looks like a lady!

And this lady, finish her tour in the Clear Water Cave.:P

I did not manage to get much pictures in the cave as I did not bring my DSLR , yet my compact not giving me a nice exposure.

Let’s put the highlight into the clear water!

They warn us, not to drink the water!

There’s a group of Spain family who were here for vacation. They are bravo, the whole family just jump into the water without second thought.

But for us, we were freezing and feels reluctant to go down. Now you see the difference. Haha!

By looking at this water level, it looks like the water are quite shallow, but for the real, it’s deeper than my height.

We stay there until 12 pm and we proceed back to the hostel. Took a short nap before we continue our afternoon tour.

Coming up next, Deer Cave & Lang Cave.


Mulu World Heritage – Day 2: Wind Cave

21

March

Previous related links:

Mulu World Heritage – Day 1: Getting There
Mulu World Heritage – Day 1: Moonmilk Cave

Mulu World Heritage – Day 2: Penan Settlement

Getting on the track, here we continue the boat ride from the Penan Settlement to the Cave of the Winds.

For the morning tour, we were being arranged for the Clear Water Cave & Wind Cave. Both of this cave are located next to each other which are categorised under the same clear water system.

Turn left, to clear water cave and take right to Wind Cave.

Entrance at the Wind Cave

Take a picture here for remembrance, to let my grand children know that the ah gong and ah ma ever “WALK” to wind cave.

At this standing point,  was actually where the winds come from. In fact, it’s just a small cool breeze but the cave was name after these.

Inside the cave, you get to see all kinds of rock formation, I’m poor in my geography so sorry I can’t give a  comprehensive explanations on it . :p

Let my pictures tell you the whole story of stalagmite and stalactites, how they meet each other. One from top, One from bottom.

We walked around the stair case, and the tour guide will explain to us on the formation of stalagmite and stalactites.

These are the “huge” one. It almost meet each other. If it’s meet, it forms columns.

Our tour guide for the morning session, Sandra, was a local lady who can speak some simple English.

You can only enter the park with their assigned tour guide.

Inside the cave, we are not suppose to make too much sound or shouting at each others name. Like I told you before, either you believe it or not, the spirit of the ancestors were all there. Somehow the facilities at Mulu National Park are indeed very organized. There are spotlights along the path, handles on stair case and some information board for the tourist to understand more about the caves.

I took too much pictures here, and my battery went exhausted. Coming up next,  Clear Water Cave!


Remarkable Moment

19

March

Not again, another random post! Still not in the mood to continue my travelogue, and lately didn’t dine out at any interesting place so I’ve gotta continue it with my so random craps.

The weekend is here again, another week is spent unmeaning-fully. Why? Other than work, eat then sleep i can’t think of any special things I’ve done to make myself happy.

Oh ya, yesterday I was still doubting about the coming outstation week, but My passport were sent for Visa application so I can’t go anywhere but stay at Miri. Okay, another week for me to continue my day dreaming. :D

Went to site checking on the house renovation progress.  Everything looks so confusing and messy, I don’t even have the mood to plan it how I actually want it to be. Probably it takes another 2 weeks for them to finish up the interior then only they will start the car porch and my gate. Initially, we thought everything should be simple and control within our budget. Phew, it’s really a big project in the end.

Now I have thousands of things to do in my list, but everything cost a lot of money!

IMG_1338

This is the wall near to the dining room.  Took down the existing tiles, as we found it not so matching =)

IMG_1336

This is the ceiling , dont panic looking at it, cos I’ve fainted once when I saw it at first. Due to some extension work are done, therefore the ceiling have to be cracked. Not a big problem, it can be conceal back.

Both of us were really stress up during this moment, can’t really concentrate on the work due to the thousands of miscellaneous thing to plan and do.  But for our future lovely and comfy home.. it’s worth to sacrifice this much <3.

Alright, I should finish up my work and pamper myself at the hair salon. :p

XoXo


Grateful

18

March

Feeling a bit emo today, not because of my tummy cramp but perhaps there’s too much things to get ready for our new house.  In fact, even during my sleeping time, the brain is still worrying about lil’ this and that. Somehow going through all these steps makes me get to know him even better, I mean Alex. At least , I know he don’t likes to have fancy lighting at home but prefer all the flat kind down lights. These are men. While women will start to worry this and that, which for him is nothing to worry about or to say it’s too early to worry?

So that is Mars vs Venus? :D

Eventually, time is passing real fast. I mean, I’ve finish March 2011 in 15 days. Cos the remaining weeks I will be going outstation for 1 week, by the time I’m back I gotta rush for month end report. See, 123.. it’s the end of March… and after that I’ll be having my H.O.L.I.D.A.Y.  Yeah, I’m going to Shanghai, and please pray for me that it’s gonna be a smooth & pleasant trip!

Alright.

So just a moment for thought today…

IMG_1309

I think I don’t need further explanation on this picture by looking at today’s topic.

The little boy stay in the rubbish bin, looking for leftover foods and drinks and dine inside the bin with his mate.

Treasure & be grateful for what you have. :(


Mulu World Heritage – Day 2: The Penan Settlement

17

March

Previous related links:
Mulu World Heritage – Day 1: Getting There
Mulu World Heritage – Day 1: Moonmilk Cave

First of all, sorry for the delays of the my Mulu Travelogue. In fact, the travelogue does need to have enough “wind” in order to write a long winded post. So by looking back at the previous post on top, I’ve covered how to get there and the most adventure ever , Moonmilk Cave.

Coming up this post, I’ll be covering the Penan Settlement in Mulu.

So what is Penan? Basically, they are the nomadic aboriginal people who lives in Sarawak. To know it more, Mr. Wiki tells you more. To be simple, before you and I landed in Sarawak, they’ve already exist. Correct me if I’m wrong.

On Day 2, the tour begins at 9am. We were asked to gathered at the Jetty.

Somehow, due to the adventures we’ve taken yesterday, we lodge a complain at the information counter to ensure there’s no other group of tourist who encounter the same problem like us. Also, we have to tripple comfirm that for the entire tour, there’s gonna be a “tour guide” accompany since we’ve paid that in our package.

Are you ready? Yup, Alex and I were ready to conquer the World Heritage!


Here you go, the total of 12 of us. Wheeee! Everyone looks so energetic ya?


Safety first.
So we gathered at Jetty, the tour guide will guide us which boat to take, and put on the life jacket.


6 person in a boat ! Everyone seems so happy.. some of them were taking this kind of long boat for the very first time.

Alex and I getting on boat. We’re going for a Football fight! Hehe.. Germany vs Brazil.


And definitely you can see the excitement on my face.
I tried touching the water and splash in on my face, its so cold and fresh! No pollution eh? Sure?


This is the river that we are crossing.
It takes around 10 minutes for us to reach the Penan Settlement.

Some of the area that we were crossing were quite shallow so the boat driver will try to avoid some rocks. They are skillful enough to protect our safety.


Happy. Happy. Happy.

Why was I so happy at that time? Maybe its due to I didn’t had a holiday or short break for a long time. So taking this great opportunity, back to the mother nature, I think it does helps to regulate my mood and hormones. :p


The first long boat arrive earlier than us, and waving to our arrival. Hehehe….

The penan settlement will be the 1st stop for every tourist and I think it’s worth for you to get closer with them. You will get to know more their histories, way of living and of course giving them a little support.

Leon & Alex.

The houses behind are belongs to the Penan’s. They live by the river, everything settle by the river.

Breathtaking views but that was their Long House which were burnt few months back.

The longhouse are the place where the Penan stay, which consist of few living quarters for each family and they have one common halls for everyone.  Too bad, it’s burnt and hopefully it will be built up soon.

So this is the Penan Folks who are mostly Christian here. Their common identical looks, the long ear’s tribe.

Meanwhile, this old lady is performing some kind of music by blowing a flute. To be exact, a bamboo flute.  But that’s not her main business, she’s actually selling handicraft.  By making the music, people would get attracted to her and visit her stalls. What a good marketing gimmick!

Every stall are selling almost the same thing, Handicraft.

Mostly made of beads or “manik” and thread into key chain or necklace.

So talking of support, you could just get some souvenirs from them and bring back home.  Still, try not to bargain a too hard, that’s their hard work and performance.

These key-chain will only cost you 3 for RM10.  If you are willing to pay more, they are even happy =) Com’n show them your support and don’t buy at the gift shops.

The tourism board did put on some information board about the Penan Settlement. So to know more about their true story, drop by here during your trip and tapao some souvenirs!

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