"God gives every birds its food, but He does not throw it into the nest."
- Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819 - 1881); United States novelist and poet.
- Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819 - 1881); United States novelist and poet.
GOMANTONG CAVELOWER KINABATANGAN, SANDAKAN
With Hisyam infront of the cave's entranceKinabatangan, a district located in Sandakan division. The size of this district is bigger than the size of the state of Pahang (the largest state in Peninsular). The name of Kinabatang famous for - 1 : the second longest river in Malaysia after Rajang, the river runs 560 kilometers from its headwaters in the mountains of southwest Sabah, to its outlet at the Sulu Sea, east of Sandakan. 2 : Who would forget the outspoken Member of Parliament represented Kinabatangan - Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin with his controversial remarks in the Parliament such as "bocor", "bigfoot of Kinabatangan" and quarrel with Karpal Singh.
From left : the main office, here it stated the fees for the cave's entrance (not including special permit for Gua Sumud Putih)
Rattan ladders that used for the bird nests collection - so high and a high-risk job to do. I'm not sure whether any insurance company able to cover them!
The other will be the Gomantong cave - famous for it's swiftlet nests. The cave system consisted of 2 main caves : Gua Sumud Hitam and Gua Sumud Putih based on the colour of saliva produced to make the swiftlet nests. Gua Sumud Hitam is easily access while Sumud Putih required special permit as it located higher and quite dangerous to climb-up.
The birds' nest collection is an ancient tradition, and the trading of these nests has been done since at least 500 AD. Twice a year, from February to April and July to September, locals with licenses climb to the roof of the caves, using only rattan ladders, ropes, and bamboo poles, and collect the nests.
The birds' nest collection is an ancient tradition, and the trading of these nests has been done since at least 500 AD. Twice a year, from February to April and July to September, locals with licenses climb to the roof of the caves, using only rattan ladders, ropes, and bamboo poles, and collect the nests.
The caves not just home to the swiftlets but it contains million of bats and massive amount of cockroaches! Watch your feet when you walk inside the cave - you might step on them. For those who're phobia to cockroach or Katsaridaphobia- do not light the floor as you might scream to death with the amount of cockroach you can see. Trust me as I too a Katsaridaphobia. 
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