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One of the
most distinctive caves in Malaysia is a 370-metre long
limestone cave near the small town of Kaki Bukit
(literally 'foot hill') called Gua Kelam (Cave of
Darkness). Located about 33km north of Kangar, the state
capital, Gua Kelam Recreational Park is popular for its
enchanting 'cave walk' where you can enter from one end
of the cave and come out at a different location.
The only
path to the cave is via an eight-foot wide wooden
suspension bridge. This bridge links Kaki Bukit to the
Wan Tangga Valley, a valley on the opposite end of Gua
Kelam. Back in 1935, an Englishman saw the water pathway
as a brilliant method to transport tin ore from a mine
located near the stream entrance through the underground
cavern to Kaki Bukit.
Now,
locals and tourists make their way through the cave via
a brightly lit wooden walkway inside the cave. You can
still find remnants of the tin mine operation within the
cave. As you make your way through the cave, the
whispers of a swirling dark subterranean stream,
together with the squeaking bats and dripping water from
the stalactites, form a concerto of natural sounds. It
sounds a bit spooky, but adds to the mystery of a cave
that was was once the home of Stone Age men. |
