Adventure in the Wild: Camping, Caves, and Culinary Delights in Klingkang Ran, Borneo

I went to Sri Aman area to explore a waterfall inside a cave, we start off our hike from an abandon farm. Two of my friends and my brother are carrying backpacks, hiking in front. The trail is lined with tall grasses, ferns, and various types of trees and shrubs. The sky is overcast, it was a cloudy day that day.  

The my friend and brother are in the midst of a challenging hike, making their way up a slope. The forest around them is thick and alive, with a variety of plants and trees creating a dense canopy. 

We descended deeper into the wilderness, where the forest seemed to hold its breath, guiding us toward a hidden marvel. 

Our journey led us to a narrow entrance, barely visible through the dense undergrowth. It was the mouth of a cave, shrouded in shadows and mystery. Inside, we could hear the distant echo of water, calling us forward. With each step, the sound grew louder, more compelling...

Not long after, we were greeted by a breathtaking sight—a waterfall cascading from a hole high in the cave's ceiling, where a stream from the outside world had found its way through the rock. The water tumbled down in a silvery curtain, splashing into a clear, inviting pool below. It was a moment of pure awe, witnessing such a natural wonder hidden deep within the earth.

Without hesitation, our friends stripped off their shirts and plunged into the cozy waters, their laughter echoing off the cave walls. They swam under the waterfall, letting the cool, refreshing water wash over them as they played and splashed around, fully immersed in the joy of the moment. The cave, with its secret waterfall, became our own private oasis, a place where we could truly appreciate the beauty and wonder of nature.

To our surprise, we noticed a group of bats clinging to the ceiling of the cave. They were small, delicate creatures, huddled closely together in tight clusters. It was as if they were sharing each other's warmth, creating a living blanket of tiny bodies, perfectly adapted to the cave’s cool, dark environment. 

Their presence added an unexpected layer of enchantment to the experience, a reminder of the hidden life that thrives in these secluded spaces. Watching them, I couldn’t help but wonder at their quiet, communal existence, so different from our own, yet perfectly in harmony with the mysterious world they called home.

This was our campsite, a peaceful haven nestled in the wilderness where we spent the night under the stars. As evening fell, our guide worked his magic, preparing a feast that perfectly captured the spirit of the jungle. He cooked bamboo chicken and rice over the open fire, the aroma filling the air and making our mouths water. To our delight, he also prepared fresh shrimp, caught just hours earlier from the nearby stream—a true taste of the wild.

But the most unexpected catch was a frog. I secretly hoped they would spare its life and return it to the forest, letting it continue its journey in the natural world. After all, that tiny creature was a part of the ecosystem we had come to admire and respect. 

See you in my next adventure.