Harvesting edible bird’s nests at Niah National Park, Miri Sarawak
Recently, a Gala TV Taiwan crew with their well-known host, Lin Chia Pei visited ‘Gua Perintah’ a swiftlet breeding cave located within the Niah Cave system. The trip was part of Sarawak Tourism Board’s visiting journalist programme (VJP).
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Lin Chia Pei, the TV host pointing the way to ‘Gua Perintah’ |
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The trail to Gua Perintah |
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The steep step to Gua Perintah entrance |
‘Gua Perintah’ is a project managed by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation to showcase, create awareness and enhance knowledge on the importance of sustainable swiftlet conservation n Sarawak.
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Wrapping a strap round both feet increases the foot grip |
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A unprocessed edible nest |
Edible bird’s nest are prepared for consumption by just stewing the processed nest with water and rock sugar; preferably in a double-boiler
At the park one can also visit the Niah National Park museum where the replica of the oldest human skull in South East Asia (40,000 years old), found in the Great Cave, can be seen.
Getting To Niah National Park
Taxi
The most convenient way to get to Niah National Park is by taxi which takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to reach from Miri city. Cost of a one-way fare is about RM150.00
Bus
Take Bus No.33A from city centre to Pujut Corner Bus Terminal. From here, one can take any bus that goes to either Bintulu, Sibu or Kuching. Get off at the Niah Rest Stop. Bus fare is RM15.00 per person. From the here, take private taxi (about RM30 one-way) to reach Niah National Park HQ.