Beautiful Borneo - Gomantong Cave

Swallow nesting

After an early morning jungle trek, followed by breakfast, we departed for the Gomantong Cave, the  largest cave and main producer of bird's nests used in bird's nest soup.

We drove through primary jungle and had to walk over several board walks to get to the mouth of the cave. As we walked we saw many interesting trees and  the red monkey native of Borneo.

At the mouth of the cave Mr Aji gave us lime leaves as he said that they would mask the smell.

It was certainly smelly!!
 

Interesting tripod roots




Palms with ferns growing on trunks

Bird's Nest for making soup



View through cave

Hibiscus National Flower of Malaysia 

Cockroaches on cave wall

In the centre there was a black mound which turned out to be cockroaches all scuttling around and near our feet. Mr Aji showed us swallows nesting in the rocks, the nest of the swallow made from spittle, a beautiful blue bat hanging from a rail and more cockroaches. The cave was beautiful as the light filtered through the stalactites and stalagmites.

The only slightly disconcerting feeling was treading through so much pooh which was tacky and soft -yum not!!!!!