A Walk To Remember

Last June, when love of my life came over to Miri, we decided to go to Niah Caves. Why? Because we are both Sarawakian and have yet to set foot on the infamous cave whom travelers around the world cross oceans to visit, so we were a little bit embarassed by that fact. Especially me since i now reside in Miri. Besides, Miri has nothing better to offer to tourist except Niah and Mulu Caves. I AM SERIOUS, unless you count Esplanade Beach at Luak but that beach is not for swimming!

Anyways, after much negotiations, we managed to haul ourselves out of bed and get out of the house by 11am. A short stop for bfast at Kaya and Toast, still deliberating if we should make the trip since it's already late. On my part, the hesitation is because i really dont know how to get there (but HE doesnt know this =)), after a few phone calls for directions, we were on our way!! FINALLY...


With utter confidence, trust me, the directions were pretty easy, we managed to reach Niah Park Entrance by 1:30pm. Only to be told we have to head back by 5pm. After paying the entance fee, we were told to head to the boat jetty for the boat ride. Not before being accosted by torchlight renter a.k.a boat ticket vendor..its rm5/ per torchlight (note to self..must bring own torchlight) , cant remember how much was the boat ride. Prepare for a reallyyyyyyyyyyy SHORT boat ride. Puhleaseeeeeeeeeee....reading ths entry probably takes you longer than crossing that short strip.



After the short short boat ride.....u will have to walk on timber planks walkway + cement paveways for 45mins before u reach a small souveneir stall that also sell drinks/tidbits. Note to selve no.2...bring own water...as u will be thirsty by the time u reach here...if u r like me growing up in Borneo, the scenic walk through the forest is nothing out of ordinary but i guess those who likes nature would appreciate the multitude of floras..no faunas to be seen, mostly heard...chirp chirp in the bushes...



Me and LOML actually had a very lengthy discussion thoughout this walk...very deep intense discussion on options...not share options... =)) it was indeed a Walk to Remember...Back to real world and sore legs from sudden lengthy walks, we reach the entrance of the caves and voila...the early settler's cave called Trader's Cave...it's all authentic until u stumbled on a powerpoint on the cave's floor..that kinda of threw me off the charm...how they hell did SESCO service the early settlers when they screw up the city's supply at times




A few more hikes gets you to the main cave, where supposedly you can line multiple 747s or something like that...i am the worst tour guide ever...if you think the walk to the entrance was killing you..wait till you see the stairs you have to climb here... =)) but its dark and you get to play with your rm5/- torch...be aware of bats droppings...they also lurk on the ceiling..u can hear them but cant really see them...smell them indefinitely...



After the longgggggggggg climb up and then down a few flights of stair, you will reach the underground passage to reach the painter's cave. Now it's slippery here so mind your steps. For those expecting to see grafiiti of old age, brace yourself for 21st century art as you will mostly find scribbling of 'Mike was here' or Rita loves Johnny' and the likes.

The end of the underground passageways leads to an open walkway that will eventually lead you to Painter's Cave which would be the final accessible cave. Forget about touching the murals...they are 10ft away and enclosed behind a steel fence..but for those tourist who ventured across the world fear not..there are pictures and some explanations provided for each pictures clamped on the fence.