Day 3 - Visit local village & the caves

Today after having our breakfast at Gunung Mulu National Park Cafe, we take a 15 minute boat ride to the local Penan Village, most of the local 'Orang Penan' work in the national park. The local 'Orang Penan' sell their handy craft there mostly made from rotan, and colourful beads. They sell bracelets, necklaces, baskets, purse, bags, wood carving... Was very colourful & the group bought some from them.

There is an older Penan lady with her long earlobes and big loops of skin that has been stretched The elongated earlobes symbolize great beauty among the community, hence their looks. Traditionally, parents starts starts to perforate and stretch their one month old baby's ear by hanging heavy brass earrings. As earlobes stretch, a new ring is added to make it bigger, Gradually, the heavy earrings  extend the earlobes, often down to shoulders! the more attractive the person is. Like any other old tribal tradition, it is now rarely praised by the younger generation - the group were amazed by her long ears! 

Later on we continued our boat ride to visit the Wind Cave, which is a burial cave. Many years ago the locals buried their ancestor bodies in the cave is to prevent from the rain and animals. The Wind Cave is beautifully lit up and it's very windy and cool in the cave. On our way to the Clear Water Cave and Lady Cave, we saw mini pinnacles, which made the group excited about tomorrows climb. 

Inside Wind Cave

Wind Cave formation

Outside Clear water Cave, here you can swim with school of small fish

 

On the way to Lady Cave

Lady Cave

Mini Pinnacles

Leaf with purpose- built holes

Just before arriving to the Clear Water Cave, we saw beautiful a lot of 'Raja broke butterflies'. The clear water Cave is the longest cave system in South East Asia. It's primary attraction is it's cool underground stream, rated as one of the best underground rivers of the world.

Raja Brooke butterfly

 
After having our lunch at Clear Water Cave, we continued our boat ride to Kuala Berar where we get off the boat and walk 8.7KM to Camp 5. Inbetween the walk, we walk pass two big bridges over the river and saw two unique insects.

Below is juvenile shield bug. The adults are dull in color

Pill Millipedes 

When we reached Camp 5, we have a nice cold shower instead of bath in the river because it was raining and the current was very strong that time. At night we had dinner and an early night, ready for the BIG climb tomorrow!

Picture below is the view of Gunung Beranat just in front of Camp 5. It's the 2nd tallest 'Gunung' mountain in Gunung Mulu National Park

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