Monday, May 06, 2024 | Today's Newsletter | Login
Sarawak, a land of superlatives
Mulu riverine trip
Sarawak is a land of superlatives and nowhere more than in Mulu National Park can one experience some of world’s best tropical wonders.
It is in Mulu, you will find the world’s longest cave passage, the widest limestone cave system, the largest unsupported cave chamber, the oldest rainforest and the world’s longest tree-based canopy skywalk.
The canopy skywalk allows park visitors to see the jungle the way the apes see it, from the midst of leafy green. It is nearly half a kilometre long, suspended 20 metres above the forest floor.
The gently swaying canopy walk consists of a series of plank bridges, safely fenced in with netting and held by stout cables. Each bridge is anchored between two tall trees surrounded by a platform where skywalkers can stop, catch their breath, and peer into the lush jungle canopy.
While walking, most keep their eyes on the planks ahead and refrain from looking downwards. On the platform, however, they can enjoy a view of Paku River, the limestone cliffs bordering its steep valley, and such birds as are prepared to show themselves to curious humans.
The canopy walk takes about half an hour to complete, allowing for frequent nature observation stops. Visitors are only admitted in small groups, at staggered intervals. This, the park ranger will explain, is partly for the guests’ safety, and partly to protect the wildlife from too much disturbance.
The walk from the Park HQ to the Skywalk entrance takes approximately 30 minutes, more if visitors have the sense to take their time and look around at ground level too.
A set of informative signages describing the flora, fauna and geology of this unique park are discreetly dotted in strategic locations such as rain shelters along the paths. Near the Park HQ the Mulu mascot – a crocodile in Nikes! – may be seen pushing a shopping cart full of fresh vegetables to point park visitors to the “jungle supermarket.”
The “supermarket” is a short trail, called Plants for Life, around the area of the HQ and accommodation chalets. Plants are identified and described. .The Penans, formerly rainforest nomads, did live off the land, and still do when they go on foraging expeditions.
Much of the information displayed in the Plants for Life trail is drawn from Penan jungle lore. A number of them are settled around the perimeter of Mulu National Park, where many are employed as forest guards, boat-men and guides. Their village of Batu Bungan, is very much part of the “Mulu trail,” popular with visitors who want to buy locally produced handicrafts and souvenirs.
Opened in 1974, Mulu National Park was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in November 2000, said a report in the Straits Times.
Leave a comment
