Summary

The web content describes a visit to the Fairy Caves in Sarawak, Malaysia, detailing the geological and ecological features of the cave and the surrounding nature reserve.

Abstract

The article recounts a day trip to the Fairy Caves in the Wind Cave & Fairy Cave Nature Reserve near Kuching, Sarawak, managed by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation. The author, accompanied by a driver named Drika and a companion named Gerad, explores the Twilight Trail within the cave, noting the Jurassic-era limestone formations, the flora and fauna thriving in the unique cave environment, and the breathtaking light effects created by sunlight filtering through the cave's openings. The narrative includes personal reflections on the cave's geological history, the importance of conservation, and the beauty of the natural scenery, captured in numerous photographs taken during the visit.

Opinions

The author expresses admiration for the natural beauty of the Fairy Cave, particularly the light effects and the green algae covering the cave formations.
There is a clear appreciation for the conservation efforts by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation in managing the Totally Protected Areas and biodiversity of Sarawak.
The author finds the geological history of the cave, such as the ancient sea creatures' shells and skeletons forming the limestone, to be fascinating.
The author values the safety and accessibility provided by the concrete steps and signage within the cave, which made the exploration easier, especially given their vision impairment in the dark.
The author regrets not being able to visit the Wind Cave due to time constraints but is overall satisfied with the experience at the Fairy Cave.
The author conveys a sense of awe and respect for the natural processes that shaped the cave, including the earth's movements and the resulting cracks in the limestone.

Exploring Fairy Caves in Sarawak

The Best of Geology and Ecology and Scenery

On the afternoon of Day 2 of our tour of the area around Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, our driver Drika took us to view the Fairy Caves.

The caves are part of the Wind Cave & Fairy Cave Nature Reserve which are managed by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation. The purpose of the Forestry Corporation: “to manage Totally Protected Areas (TPAs) and to conserve Biodiversity of Sarawak.”

Drika handed us each a flashlight, made sure we were carrying water to drink to stay hydrated, helped us pay the entry fee, and wished us well.

Gerad and I started walking up the flight of concrete steps external to the cave to reach the entrance to the cave. We stopped to view the map of the trails inside. My vision is a problem in the dark, so we decided to only try the Twilight Trail.

Happily, the steps that you see carved in the entryway extend throughout the Twilight Trail so we were walking on smooth and regular surfaces. A sign at the entrance indicated not to touch any of the formations because moisture from hands damages the formations. The steps were steep in some areas and some sections were without handrails, so we had to walk slowly and carefully without touching rock surfaces.

Gerad Carrier waits for me while I take yet another photo before starting up the stairs. (photo by author)

The cave is made of limestone from the Jurassic era. Limestone is formed from the accumulation of shells and skeletons and ancient sea creatures in warm shallow seas. Earth movement over the years pushed this limestone hill above the water level. As the limestone hill was pushed up, breaks in the limestone created the cave.

Breaks in this section of the cave close to the surface allow light to enter. The beautiful filtered light on the limestone formation was breathtaking, so of course I had to take loads of photos of the light, the cave formations, and the plants.

Sunlight filters through sections of the cave. (photo by author)

Plants take advantage of the light, moisture in the cave, warm temperatures, and calcium from the limestone, resulting in a delicate layer of green algae covering vertical layers of cave formations.

Fairy Cave Twilight Walk (photo by author)

The more horizontal layers of limestone had plants with leaves and very shallow roots anchoring the plants in place.

As we climbed it was interesting to see the limestone formations and the large cracks running through them from the earth’s movement. I asked Drika, our driver later if there were frequent earthquakes in the area now as there obviously had been in the past, and his reply was in his memory there were only small tremors now and then.

It took about an hour to reach the top of the steps in this section of the cave and then we started down. Of course, I continued to take photos even on the way down. So beautiful.

Gerad Carrier waiting for me to take yet another photo but enjoying the view while he waits. (photo by author)

When we reached the bottom of the steps and emerged from the cave, our driver Drika was waiting. He said we were too late to enter the Wind Cave. Too bad, but we were happy to have seen the Fairy Cave.

It had been a long day. We visited the Semenggoh Wildlife Center to see the orangutans, the Annah Rais Bidayah Longhouse Village, and the Fairy Cave all in one day. It was time to return to Kuching.

Read about visits earlier in the day: Orangutans and a Longhouse Village.

Read about our visit the previous day to Bako Nature Park, Kuching, Sarawak