Bau Travelogue Day 2: Reach for the stars, grasp the night skies in Wind Cave

Sparkling water droplets resembling stars in the Wind Cave, Bau. Photo taken on May 20, 2024.

By D’Diggers Team

BAU, May 20: Experience the night skies of galaxies and twinkling stars in Wind Cave, Bau, all within reach of your fingertips, without the need for a rocket ship or worrying about the disorienting weightlessness of space.

The ceilings of Wind Cave, Bau, sparkle in the darkness akin to a starry night sky that resembled distant galaxies, filled with countless shimmering points of light, creating an otherworldly, cosmic landscape.

Who would’ve known that Earth’s dark caverns could offer a taste of the boundless expanse of space?

Despite its cosmic wonder, there is a scientific explanation for this celestial landscape as a 59-year-old Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) ranger by the name of Michael explained the cause of the shimmering lights that emulated stars within the cave.

“The sparkling lights that you see are reflections of the water droplets when you shine the light on them,” he said to the D’Diggers Team as he showed us around the area.

While understanding the cause of the ‘stars’ added some depth to the experience, it didn’t diminish the magical charm of the landscape, although touching the ‘night sky’ did leave behind a wet sensation on the fingertips.

Ceiling of the Wind Cave.

Water droplets that caused the starlight sparkles.

Upon coming across mollusca fossils, Michael said that these relics were evidence that the limestone within the cave had once been submerged under the sea before the cave gradually ascended to the surface.

The evidence of the cave’s submersion in water is particularly obvious along the Riverview Trail, where visitors can observe distinct layers of erosion, varying in intensity based on the strength of past water currents.

Much to our surprise, we later learned that the limestone in Wind Cave dates back to the Jurassic era, making it older than the limestone found in the Mulu Caves.

Twenty-four species of bats call the area home, with 11 exclusively residing within the cave and the remaining 13 inhabiting the surrounding forest. During the exploration, the D’Diggers Team stumbled upon many Fawn Roundleaf Bat species, capturing close-up snapshots as they hung near the trail.

There were swiftlets, too, of course, but Michael informed us that the swiftlet species found in Wind Cave were not the sought-after ones known for their prized bird nests.

The Wind Cave charges a fee of RM1 for local adults, while foreigners are charged RM3. However, children under 12, senior citizens, and disabled individuals can enter for free. Those who prefer a guided tour can arrange one by contacting the Wind Cave SFC at least one to two days in advance of the visit.

There are four trails within the Wind Cave, namely the Cave Bat Trail, Riverview Trail, Jungle Trail, and Fossil Trail, each taking between 10 to 25 minutes to complete.

Mollusca fossil found by the Fossil Trail at Wind Cave.

Fawn Roundleaf bats were found near the walkway of the Cave Bat Trail.

Swiftlet in its nest.

Wonderful evening reflections at Siniawan Night Market

The D’Diggers Team spent yesterday (May 19) evening at Siniawan Night Market, exploring the variety of stalls within its charming, old-world atmosphere. Each stall offered unique delights, from tantalising local food such as ‘ayam pansoh’ (bamboo chicken) to international treats like the Taiwanese luncheon sausage.

While waiting for dinnertime, we indulged in a curious delicacy: fried milk from one of the many stalls in Siniawan. The notion of ‘frying’ milk might seem perplexing, but this vendor worked magic, transforming it into crispy, golden pieces of milk that looked like fried tofu.

The fried milk makes a delightful sweet snack, and we imagined it would pair perfectly with a scoop of ice cream, creating a mix of crunch and cream. It also provides visitors with some sweet indulgence to complement the savoury options throughout the Siniawan Night Market.

Stall in Siniawan Night Market selling fried milk.

After meandering through the bustling night market, the D’Diggers Team concluded our evening with a scrumptious dinner at The Post, a perfect finale where gastronomic delights mingled with cherished memories, creating an unforgettable experience.

Siniawan has undergone a remarkable transformation, blossoming with vitality after the upgrade from an asphalt road to a smooth, inviting stone walkway for visitors as they stroll along the night market.

Its journey is one of resilience, having emerged from the shadows of a ghost town in the 1980s and pulsating back to life by 2010. Since its comeback in 2010 with 20 stalls, the Siniawan Night Market has blossomed, now featuring 48 shoplots and over 60 stalls. — DayakDaily

Newly paved stone walkway at Siniawan Night Market.