Mulu: Deer Cave

Right next to Lang Cave is Deer Cave; which, at 100m wide and 120m high, is believed to be the highest cave entrance in the world. The size is liken to fit St. Paul's Cathedral five times over! It was thus named because the salty water (after mixing with guano) that flowed out of the cave attracted deers to the cave and became a favorite hunting ground for the locals.

The passage way inside the cave. The strays of light are water droplets from the ceiling. As we moved on, Andy asked us to turn around and we caught a glimpse of Abraham Lincoln guarding the entrance. Adventure cavers trek through the stream and walk on cave floor instead of the common pathway to Garden of Eden. Though the trekkers would be covered with guano from the trek, they would enjoy a refreshing dip in the stream on their way out.

Due to its massive size, Deer Cave was an ideal home for bats as there are lesser opportunities of knocking on stalactites, blind as they are. But the millions of bats also meant the stench can be quite overwhelming. Andy made us rub eucalyptus oil under our nostrils before we passed through ... ahem ... the bats' restroom!

Garden of Eden was located at the east entrance of the cave. Not long ago, the cave roof collapsed causing a huge sinkhole and created a new cave called Green Cave. Green Cave is not assessible even to the adventure cavers. Garden of Eden was thus named as it features Adam's and Eve's showers .. no prize for guessing which one.