I never thought I’d be able to walk some 7 to 10km, half of it in pouring rain, get back, clean up, put on four inch heels and really dress up for the evening (for me, that means two coats of mascara), then get up before 7 the next morning to climb 200 steps and do some more walking. It’s practically a weight-loss expedition. But it was so totally worth it. Mulu is stunning.
The Mulu Canopy Skywalk is 480m long and the longest tree-based walkway in the world. It hangs 15m to 20m above ground and only two people are allowed to get on any one section (ie. between trees) at a time.
Some places get a bit wobbly, which only adds to the fun.
You can’t really tell, but I’m dripping wet because it had been raining. It was the first of four sometimes-really-heavy showers that afternoon. The rainforest was living up to its name.
The procession making our way into Deer Cave. This is the world’s largest natural rock chamber, said to be able to contain 40 Boeing 747s side by side. We’re told that every day at 5pm, millions of bats fly out of the cave to look for food. Too bad we didn’t get to witness that famous spectacle, because – you guessed – it was absolutely pouring.
This is called the Abraham Lincoln. I have no pics of the interior of the cave because it was too dark and my point-and-shoot wasn’t good enough.
Taking the longboat out. Definitely one of my favourite bits of the trip. I love water more than I do rocks and forests.
The view along Sungai Melinau. This is around 8.34am and you can still see the mist over the mountaintops.
Limestone cliffs. Plenty of these in Mulu.
Climbing all those stairs to see this was worth it. Clearwater Cave is really spectacular.
You’re looking at part of Asia’s longest cave system, measuring some 107km at last count.
The water here is so clear you can see right to the bottom. I wished I’d brought my swimmers.
Meet three very wet but happy campers. That’s Doc, the boss, and his lovely wife, Nene. Check out the size of that tree.
And of course, the reason we were even in Mulu in the first place – HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. All in all, His Highness was a pretty good sport, walking all that way in the rain (but with an umbrella) and even performing a cultural dance during dinner. I came away liking the guy, even though I didn’t so much as shake his hand. Royal protocol and media don’t exactly mix.
