Mulu National Park July 2- 8 2019

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Destination Miri->Mulu ( Show caves and Pinnacles)

Miri is the gateway to Mulu and interiors area like highland Bario and etc. Singapore> Miri 2 hrs flight

We have visited Miri on several occasions so Tusan Beach, oil well #1 on Canada Hill, Lambir National park were skipped. This trip is solely for the Pinnacles and Mulu's show cave which I have seen several years ago. I have the opportunities to meet up my fellow classmates though. 

We stayed in OYO 901 Hotel Miri amazingly cheap S$20 per night!! Laundry shop and Sheraton eating house just nearby. 

First thing after landed in Miri is to go hunt for kolo mee. Any stall will do..

Desert - Cendol

Rojak see no 'yew tiao' unlike in Singapore

Our destination is well covered in this overlaid map and Deer's Cave Lincoln profile taken from Miri tourist Information Centre. 

 Miri>Mulu a 20-30 minutes flight on propeller ATR-500 series plane. The show caves - Clearwater, Lang, Deer and wind will be visited. Camp 5 is a one-hour boat trip and 3 hours trekking 9km.  I have Celcom but no signal in any part of the  Mulu. No wifi here either. 

The picturesque  Miri Tourist Information Centre  wall murals 

Love to come here to check any interesting native fruits or vegetables. Seahorse is the Miri's emblem. I never saw a live seahorse here.

Breadfruit where you sliced it thickly battered and deep fried them

Tarap season is kicking off I was told.  THREE fruits you are not allowed to bring into a hotel - Durian, Tarab, Cempetak/Jack fruit some banned Mangosteen as it stains the carpet. 

Fruits of the torch ginger never occur to me after the flowers wilted what happens next?

You find these garnishing your rojak 

This will take us to Mulu -  ATR-72-xxx

The "Twin humps " of Mulu airport. In the hay days, I recalled tiny 6-seaters flew over it

12:27 we started the boat journey

Not that plain sailing. On many occasions, you have to get off to lessen the load and help push the boat through shallow water

The mountain peak shrouded in clouds prompted me to take this shoot

Clearwater Cave

The mammoth Clearwater cave system

Underground River

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The 9-km walk crossing two suspension bridges.

It was a 30-45 degree uphill all the way.  Some ropes in a certain location and you have to pick a rock protrusion or roots to climb up

Mini pinnacles

1.2 KM where you left half of your water supply here

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I was at ladder #2 when the guide says I have to stop.  Not enough time for me to get to the top and will be dark in the forest on my way home. The total time is 4 hours up and 4 hours down. Shoes got pinched between rocks a couple of time and knees knocked into sharp rock too. Luckily the weather was dry.  The cold shower was the next best time in life. 

Light Pollution Map.  At Camp#5 the pristine sky was dark. Cotton ball- like view of the Milkyway. Scorpion was out and the Galaxy Core rise above the mountain/tree lines. We were lucky. The first night was clouded out.

Huawei P30 Pro single shot with iso 3200, 25 s manual infinity focus.  Milkyway has risen. Jasen helped to turn off the toilet/dining hall light.

Milkyway was still horizontal around 9pm.   A durian tree silhouetted on the left.  

Camp 5 is surrounded by mountains. No phone signal is ever going to be received.

Trekking shoes line the verandah of the dorm room

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Back at the HQ x4 pax hut with aircon and comfort bed. When night descends we wander around and finding spots to capture the Milkyway visible here. Light pollution came from the chalet hut and lamp posts PLUS the unexpected walking ang-mohs with a head torch hunting for nocturnal animal or lizard etc