After my Fulbright grant ended at the beginning of November, I spent the next several weeks traveling. One of the highlights was going to Mulu National Park in Sarawak on Easy Malaysia. I traveled with another ETA and we met a new friend who traveled with us for several days in the Park. Here's a photo blog of our adventures.
Initially, Brian and I flew into Kota Kinabalu, spending a day exploring the city and the markets and watching a lovely sunset over the water.
After flying to Mulu National Park and settling in at our park hostel, we ate lunch at a family run restaurant on the river. The son, after being incredibly shy at first, quickly warmed up to us. He would run down the hall and playfully hit his head on the wall, fall down, then turn around to make sure we were watching.
Once our stomachs were fully satisfied, we went on a hike to the Deer Cave. This is one of the largest caves in the world. Every evening, around dusk, there is a four million bat exodus that is truly remarkable to watch.
Along the way, we saw many interesting fauna and flora.
Deer Cave is very expansive. Since there are so many bats, the ground is covered in guano. Let's just say I'm glad I was wearing a hat!
Abe Lincoln can be found in the cave too. The bats greet him as they exit the cave every night.
See you later bats! Have a good breakfast!
In the evening, we went on a Night Trek finding many unique critters, including this stick insect...
and this fuzzy caterpillar.
The next day, we began our three day, two night adventure to the Pinnacles. Hopping in a little motor boat, we rode several kilometers up the river...
stopping at a Handicraft Village to learn about the local indigenous groups and to see all the crafts they make.
We also stopped at a few more caves that were just as impressive as the ones the day before. (This is the King's Chamber in the Clearwater Cave.)
Arriving at the end of the boat ride, we were dropped off at the start of the trail. Just follow the signs, it's clearly marked. And the boat left. Brian, Dougal, and I successfully made the 9km hike through the rainforest alone, carrying all the supplies and food we needed for the next couple days.
Two hours later, we arrived at Base Camp Five and met the other hikers with whom we would trek to the Pinnacles the following day. We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the scenery, cooking dinner, and playing card games with our guide.
The Pinnacles is a very chalenging trek. Although it is only 2.4km in distance, the increase in elevation is 1.2km.
Of the seven people who started the trek, we were the only three to make it all the way to the top.
Finally, after climbing 17 ladders and walking along several boards, we reached the Pinnacles, limestone karsts jutting out of the surrounding hills.
Well worth the effort!
There were many plants and animals at the top as well.
Pitcher plants, also known as Monkey Pots
Lizards who jumped from tree to tree
And even sleeping humans!
Back at camp, we took a group photo to remember this momentous occasion.
The next morning, we once again made the 9km trek back to the boat,
crossing two swinging bridges
wading across swollen rivers
and enjoying the sounds of the rainforest around us.
But at some point, all wonderful holidays must come to an end
Sometimes, you just have to accept it and walk on to the next great adventure.
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