|
Situated on
the banks of Sungai Sepulot (Sepulot River) in the
remote interior of southern Sabah, not far from the
Kalimantan border, Batu Punggul is a limestone massif
with amazing views over the jungle from above and with
caves below. Accommodation is available at a rustic
resort nearby which offers anything from a Murut
longhouse or native huts (called sulap), to a hostel or
guesthouses, complete with modern facilities.
Cave
exploration is an exciting treat of unusual stalactites,
stalagmites and bats. The Rafflesia, the world's largest
flower, can be found about 25-minutes' walk from the
caves. The area is also home to wild orchids. It is
possible to climb to the top of the massif for panoramic
views of the surrounding forest. At night, there is
impressive music coming from the 'jungle symphony'.
As
limestone massifs are normally found in coastal areas,
the existence of Batu Punggul deep in the interior of
Borneo is a source of geological wonder to scientists
visiting the area. |
