The completion of the tar-sealed road to Serikin, a bustling border markettown famed for weekend bargaining, has made the option to visit the twin attractions of  Wind Caves and  Fairy Caves an attractive side trip or picnic outing.

The two caves are actually kilometres apart and unless one is interested in groping in dark dank hollows, a visit to  either one will usually be enough for a day trip. However, the Wind Caves have an added attraction of being located near a shallow river with pebble banks and rest areas, making a picnic outing a decidely attractive proposition.

But what Fairy Caves lacks in swimming facilities, it makes up by being a larger cave system than its nearby rival. These caves are so called because of the stalagmite formations inside which resemble ancient Chinese figurines of robed fairies. As the entrance to the caves is high up on the hill face, access is via a flight of concrete steps rising to about the height of a five-storey building. Then a series of almost vertical wooden stairs  winding through cool but dark interior will take the climbers to a large cavern with a natural hole in the roof acting somewhat like an air well. Daylight of the sky shines through and illuminate the whole cavern, which otherwise would be engulfed in darkness. Do bring along a powerful torchlight along for the dark section of the way up.

There are more steps in this main cavern, and an exploration to the myriad openings of the place shows up many interesting stalagmites and stalactites, some of which form grotesque figurines and statues. Surprisingly it is quite humid in the interior of this limestone outcrop, and the  climbing of the steps and stairways drenched many visitors in sweat! However a certain level of fitness is required to complete the climb to the top, but the enthusiastic couch potatoes can take their time and do it longer as the experience is quite rewarding.

The Wind Caves is a slightly different proposal altogether. There is minimal gradient thus the unfit is spared the strenuous climbing. But unfortunately there is not much to see inside this caves except dark dank interiors. But the  cool wind gently rustling your leisurely walk is totally refreshing compared to the humidity of Fairy Caves. A powerful torchlight is an absolute must as the trekkers would be blind as bats in the total darkness all along the way, speaking of which, there are no visible wildlife to see here either. What Wind Caves offers is the experience in trekking in breezy total darkness in the heart of limestone hills, and perhaps a chance for you to tell your friends you have “been there, done that” as far as cave exploration is concerned.

Emerging from the other end of the tunnel of this cave, one can take the return trip to the car park by the same dark hollow, or take a bright sunny walk of about two hundred metres along the road leading to the cave entrance. Nearby the car park is a shallow river about fifty feet across. Depending on the whether is is a rainy or dry season, the current varies from a lazy flow with crystal clear water where the pebbles are visible in the river bed to raging torrent of murky silt-filled water.

There is a viewing platform on the river bank with splendid view of the flowing river below where picnickers gather.  Barbecue pits are also provided for those taking the trouble to lug even more food for their enjoyment. Wash rooms with showers are also provided. This is indeed an enjoyable place for a weekend family outings.

For those dying for a dip in the cool water of the river, a word of caution is in order. If the current is too swift, common sense would suggest avoiding swimming to the middle of the river. In any case, the pebbled lined river bed with clear water near the edge with knee deep water should be a safer environment to enjoy this pleasure of nature. Huge trees and the rock wall of the limestone hills provide the much needed shade on sunny days doing away the need to bring tents and umbrellas.

Fact box:

• How to get there: Take the Batu Kawa-Tondong Highway towards Bau. On reaching the traffic lights near Bau, turn right and continue driving. The t-junction to Wind Caves is on the right. If you are heading for Fairy Caves, ignore the sign for Wind Caves and continue driving where you will see another junction, turn right and drive straight on to reach Fairy Caves.
• When to go: The caves are open all seven days a week.
• What to bring: Do bring a powerful torchlight preferably one to each person. And spare batteries!

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