Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
leisureTalk<br />
Wind Cave Fairy Cave<br />
Wind & Fairy Cave Nature Reserves<br />
Some 35km by road from Kuching, is<br />
the site of numerous caves that <strong>for</strong>m<br />
part of the Bau Formation. It lies in a<br />
narrow belt which extends from the<br />
Kalimantan border to the southwest<br />
of the town of Bau. Covering<br />
approximately 155.4 square kilometers,<br />
it is the largest most accessible cave<br />
region in Sarawak with the highest<br />
number of recorded caves. Among the<br />
most well-known of these is the Wind<br />
Cave, <strong>for</strong>med during the Jurrassic-<br />
Cretaceous period. Excavations have<br />
shown that people once inhabited the<br />
cave until recent times. Also, deep pits<br />
within the cave may have been made<br />
by gold prospectors in the 1930’s.<br />
Fairy Cave<br />
Wind Cave<br />
Today the Wind Cave is a very popular<br />
destination <strong>for</strong> local tourist. The cave<br />
probably got its name from the air<br />
passing through the passage leading to<br />
the Sungai Sarawak Kanan. It is also<br />
called “Cave of Winds” by the locals.<br />
At the western entrance of the cave is<br />
a small beach adjacent to the Sarawak<br />
River. This is a favourite picnic and<br />
swimming spot. A little stream flows<br />
through the caves out to the river. The<br />
more adventurous will of course<br />
enter the caves to explore its many<br />
passages. There are proper boardwalks<br />
throughout the caves. Make sure<br />
to bring a torchlight though as it<br />
will get very dark inside. There are<br />
breathtaking chambers filled with<br />
swiftlet nests and bats hanging upside<br />
down. On returning, a refreshing dip<br />
in the river is highly recommended.<br />
There are also toilet and changing<br />
room facilities at the site. The entrance<br />
fee is RM5.<br />
A further 6km down the road is the<br />
Fairy Cave. There is a tower that leads<br />
straight into the entrance of this cave.<br />
A lot more stair climbing is involved,<br />
and in some sections a torchlight<br />
must be used. The main chamber of<br />
the cave is huge and impressive, with<br />
plenty of light permeating in. This has<br />
led to the growth of plant <strong>life</strong> inside<br />
part of the chamber. There are lots<br />
of bats, swiftlets, cave frogs, and<br />
numerous bizarre insects and even cave<br />
crabs. Higher up into the chamber<br />
(opposite from the bright area) is<br />
where the real fun begins. Total<br />
darkness greets the intrepid explorer.<br />
Boardwalks and stairs can only be<br />
found near the majestic viewing<br />
points. Entrance is free.<br />
There is so much to explore in both<br />
caves. The major features include<br />
stalagmites and stalactites, and pillars<br />
which <strong>for</strong>m when they join together.<br />
The limestone is pale grey or blue in<br />
colour. Those into hiking can even<br />
follow the tracks that run beyond the<br />
boardwalk and climb to the top of<br />
the caves and explore the vegetation<br />
outside it. The trip can be an arduous<br />
one, but the trail is well marked, and<br />
there is no possibility of getting lost on<br />
the hike up to the summit. The paths<br />
are rather steep but the jungle vistas<br />
are worth the ef<strong>for</strong>t. Do wear suitable<br />
hiking shoes and bring water just in<br />
case of dehydration. It is also prudent<br />
to go in a group.<br />
For further in<strong>for</strong>mation, please call<br />
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB)<br />
at (6) 082 423600, fax: (6) 082 416700 or<br />
email to stb@sarawaktourism.com<br />
Oct-Dec2008BorneoTalk | 37
Change language