MULU NATIONAL PARK - LANG AND DEER CAVES

After lunch, I joined a group of hotel guests to Gunung Mulu National Park. This World Heritage Site is just 5 minutes drive from the Royal Mulu Resort. It is the largest national park in Sarawak, covering 52,865 hectares of primary rainforest. Mulu is dominated by three mountains - Gunung Mulu (2,376 m), Gunung Api (1,750 m) and Gunung Benarat (1,585 m). However. the greatest attractions lie deep below the surface, hidden underneath the forested slopes of these mountains is one of the largest limestone cave system in the world.
As no visitor is allowed to enter the Park without an official park guide, all tours into the rainforest and the caves are guided tours.

Crossing a suspension bridge as we entered the Park area.

It's about 3.5 kms from this point to the caves - an hour walk.

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The trail leading to the caves offered some of the most fantastic natural wonders of the primary rain forest. I did not expect to see any wildlife as the place was swarming with visitors. Wild animals usually stay away from people.

The amazing creeping trees - hurdled together. Jungle river Walking under the canopy of the rainforest was shady but very humid. A rock formation

Beautiful plants such as these grew along some parts of the trail.

Approaching the caves area.

We were guided to the first cave - Gua Lang or Lang cave which is the smallest of the four major caves in Mulu National Park.

Lang Cave, a deep and narrow cave is known for its fabulous limestone stalactites. As we entered the cave, our guide reminded us to be careful when walking on the walkways as some parts could be slippery since the cave was humid with water dripping from above.

Some of the pictures taken inside Lang cave.

The spectacular limestone formation.

An opening of the cave.

Next to the Lang cave is the Deer cave, the world's largest cave passage and home to millions of cave swiftlets and bats. It is the largest known cave with a size of of more than two kilometres long and 90 metres high and wide. We were told that this cave could hold over 40 jumbo jets.

Some vegetation inside the first 100 meters of the cave

Huge rocks in the cave.

As we proceeded further into the cave, I could see people ahead of us.

The upper entrance of deer cave.

Plenty of space for 40 jumbo jets. After emerging from the Deer cave, we headed for the bat observatory platform for the last attraction of the day - watching free-tailed bats storming out of the caves for their nightly actitivies.

3 millions of bats were expected to fly out from this Deer cave mouth.

It was amazing to see so many bats snaking and weaving across the sky as they were emerging from the cave in groups. One after another and following in succession. Some flying high while others flew low and fast and all maintained their long snaking line.

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It was a tiring but enjoyable day - the return trip to Royal Mulu resort took us another hour +. Just in time for a quick shower and the buffet dinner at the Resort.

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I was supposed to join the upriver tour to see the Penan settlement (Long house), Clearwater cave and Wind cave on the next day but I had to cancel the trip because of my flight schedule back to kota kinabalu. I plan to return to Mulu National Park in a couple of months to complete my tour.

ROYAL MULU RESORT

I check-in this Royal Mulu Resort for a 2D/1N stay. This is an eco-friendly Resort - a nature and adventure destination. A few kms away is the Gunung Mulu National Park where rainforest and some of the most amazing caves are found in the world. The Resort - just before the aircraft touched down Mulu airport.

The bridge linking to the Resort. This Melinau river running next to Resort is the gateway to the "Penan settlement" (longhouse) and other caves.
These "Thai tuk tuk(s)" are used to shuttle guests to/from the airport.
All meals are served in this restaurant including the Ethnic Cultural Shows every evening.
Recreation facilities include karaoke lounge and a swiming pool.
Plank walk from the check-in lobby to the roomsI spotted this rhinocerous beetle resting among the leaves.
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Royal Mulu Resort is built on stilts which are about 3 metres above the ground. A unique way in conserving the natural rainforest.

The Resort has a total of 118 rooms complete with air conditioning, television, telephone and shower with hot and cold water.

For a trip to Mulu, the 3D/2N stay will be ideal to explore the rainforest and the caves in Mulu National Park.

JAPAN TRIP - DOWN MEMORY LANE

It has been almost 11 years since we left Fukouka. My wife and daughter were excited to return to this beautiful city.

Luxo Condominium, Nishi Koen, where our rented home was then. Entrance to Nishi Koen (West Park). This park is located on the hill near the Hakata Bay with about 3,000 sakura trees and it's the best place for cherry blossoms in Fukuoka-city in Spring time. Pictures taken during Cherry blossom season back in 90's. Back to the Nishi Koen oberservation deck - Hakata Futo (Port) in the back ground.

The Ohori Park nearby was another favouriteThis Ohori Park is a beautiful city park with a large lake in the center. My son and daughter at the park in 1991.

The "Mister Donut" near Ohori park was our usual stop-over for snacks.

Tojin machi - A wet market 10 minutes walk from Nishi koen. We were surprised to see that this same fruit stall was still in business in Tojin Machi after so many years.

Fukuoka Tower, the land mark of Fukuoka is in the Momochi seaside.

The JAL hotel (formally known as the Sea Hawk hotel). Next to the hotel is the Fukuoka Dome.

I used to drive through this riverside road almost every weekend - taking my family to our favourite supermarket.

This building near the river remained unchange all these years. The Gorilla was still hanging there.

This is Daiei Department store and Supermarket in Fukushige area - Our weekend shopping placeGlad to be back - my daughter was happily shopping.

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There were still many places to visit,but because of our short stay we were unable to do so. We hope to return maybe in 2 years time.