Gunung Mulu: caves in a rainforest

So, I finally left Sepilok behind (snif :´(, I miss you guys!!!) and took a flight to Mulu National Park, which is famous for it's amazing, huge, I mean HUGE caves and the untouched rainforest, recognized also by UNESCO.

I had pre-booked the accommodation in the park headquarters and a trip to pinnacle formations in the middle of the rainforest. The flight from Miri to Mulu (luckily there's no roads to this paradise) was already more than promising, the sights from the plane were breathtaking, forests (not oil palm plantations), a snake-look-alike river and clouded mountains. I literarily landed in the lost world. I took it easy on the first eve, did only a 2 km walk to Moonmilk cave. Early on the 2nd day our group headed with a boat towards Camp 5 in the rainforest.

On the way we stopped on 2 caves, the Clearwater and Cave of the Wind. There would also have been a possibility for caving but had to skip this time, I hadn't planned enough days :( But that's a reason to come back! What I for sure will do!

The boat ride from the caves took us along a clear river maybe 45 minutes to a river bench from where we had to walk good 8 km to the camp. I was expecting a very basic, shaggy place with basically no facilities but nope, even the toilets were superb. I had booked the cheapest, most simple trip meaning I had to cook myself and also carry the food to the camp. So I had instant noodles/pasta and crackers for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yummy...?

We climbed/trekked to the pinnacles on the 2nd day. The guides told us it'll take about 5-6 hours return but it also might take up to 10-11 hours. Half of our group was quite fit and after 1 hour we divided it into 2 groups. Okay, the climb was not easy but also not as hard as I was told in beforehand. It is a trek on a steep mountain, through a jungle and the path is muddy and very slippery. So yes, you have to be fit if you want to make it before it gets dark again. Our group left the camp at 6 am and came back 1 pm with taking long breaks in between. We spent maybe 45 minutes in the top admiring the rock formations while the other trekkers were still on the way up. And that was really rewarding. Absolutely out of this world! Sharp rock formation popping up from the rainforest everywhere! Surreal!

And back in the camp I basically run to the river. I might have been sweating “a bit”. Like in the last 2 months all the time.

On my last day in Mulu one of the guides who was hanging out with us most of time took us to a hill to from where were fantastic views to the mountains as it was full moon. And of course it's more fun to hang out in the darkness when you have loads of beer with you :) I just have to love this country and it's people! How am I supposed to be able to leave? If things go on like this I might just skip Indonesia and stay here. I <3 Borneo. Now I just came to Kuching and the first impressions of this town are really positive. I'm gonna like it here I'm sure.

Btw I'm out of salmiakki!!! I might have to make a trip to Ikea quite soon, though the nearest one is in Singapore... :/ Unless some of you is coming over and can bring me some supplies???