Franz ElizIn 2016, my family and I visited our relatives in Kampung Git. The road there is small. So, we parked our vehicle in a way that wouldn’t cause traffic. My aunt wanted to take a picture and as I was helping her, we noticed a lady smiling at us. My aunt, being the friendly person she is, waved back and said hi. Before we knew it, we were already standing outside the stranger’s gate, starting a conversation.
The nice lady invited us into her house and the first question we asked was, “Do you have a toilet”? That still makes us chuckle to this day. She introduced herself and so did we. Her name is Lichy. We couldn’t help but mention how similar her name was to the lychee – yes, the fruit.
Talking to Madam Lichy was easy. She was warm and friendly. One thing led to another and we ended up making plans to visit a cave nearby. The cave is in her grandfather’s land. Wow, how convenient.
We then invited other members of our family to join us. Voila, there was a group of us all set up for a mission to a cave we had never heard of. Today, it’s known as Penot Cave.
Travelling by Speedboat to Madam Lichy’s Homestay
Before getting to Penot Cave, we had to walk for about 15 to 20 minutes. Madam Lichy’s husband joined us during this trip. He had a weapon with him. I asked him what he needed it for. He said it would be useful in the jungle – you never know what you might find in the jungle, after all. The first thing that came to my mind was creepy crawlies and reptiles. Yikes!
After arriving at the jetty, we sat in the boat for the next 10 minutes or so. The water was brown. You know what they say about chocolate water in Borneo – there might be crocodiles. Don’t worry; crocodiles tend to avoid speed boats for safety reasons. Speedboats are also too noisy for their liking.
After exiting the boat, we walked up a hill until we arrived at Madam Lichy’s homestay. The homestay looked nice although there was still much work in progress. There were many plants and flowers around. We cleaned our shoes with the water from the water tap just outside her homestay. After that, we stayed for a while to relax and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.
Fun fact: Many people would move to a rural area (or anywhere isolated) after retirement. Country life is peaceful, and many find joy in doing agricultural activities and embracing slow living.
Exploring Madam Lichy’s Life Stories
Madam Lichy explained to us about her project – what the homestay meant to her and how she started it in the first place. It was interesting to be able to listen to her stories.
She was a teacher but retired early. After retirement, she spent a lot of time in the jungle, sometimes on her own. She explained how therapeutic and beneficial (health-wise) it was for her. Some days she would spend the night in her homestay. At the time, her homestay was rather basic. However, it was where she found the peace she needed.
Exploring Penot Cave
After having visited the homestay, we walked for another 15–20 minutes. Since it rained earlier, the ground was quite muddy. Oh, my. My sneakers were heavily covered in mud. My family advised me to put on what’s locally known as “Adidas Kampung” next time. They’re basically cheap black rubber boots typically found in Malaysia.
Along the way, we saw small insects and creepy crawlies like centipedes. As there was much vegetation growing around us, carrying a machete was ideal. Before reaching the cave, we came across a small stream. The water was clear. Wild mushrooms could also be seen on tree branches.
Big Cave Entrances With Small Streams
We were amazed by the sight of the cave. It was beautiful. In general, it’s not a very big cave. The cave’s main entrance is big, allowing wind to pass through easily. I suppose that was why the cave wasn’t as smelly as many caves I’ve been to. The main entrance is also the exit.
Note that Penot Cave is not like Fairy Cave or Wind Cave. It’s a pretty straightforward cave that requires no caving experience whatsoever. I would say it’s not nearly as creepy as some of the caves I’ve visited.
But like any cave, Penot Cave is very dark, so a torch light or headlight is essential. With your lights, you’ll also be able to see vampire bats hanging upside down. Be careful when walking in the cave as the surface can get pretty slippery. There are small streams within the cave with prawns and fishes.
At the other end of the cave, we could see the jungle. We spent around 30 minutes in the cave. As discussed, it’s not a very big cave.
Thanking Madam Lichy for Her Hospitality
After having explored the cave, we returned to Madam Lichy’s home. We hung around for a little while before wishing each other goodbye.
Just before leaving, we bought some local wine (known as ‘tuak’) from her. Her homemade wines came in a few varieties. I remember liking the roselle and mango options. Her wines were affordable. They only cost RM15.
Overall, it was a fun trip – a random one, too.
Returning to Penot Cave in 2020
In 2020, I returned to Kampung Git with relatives and friends. During this time, Penot Cave has become even more well-known among local visitors. We joined a tour organised by Madam Lichy and her husband. Another group joined us, too. The tour (food included) cost RM60/person.
On our way to Penot Cave, Madam Lichy showed us her homestay. There are more rooms now. I was very impressed by the work she and her family have done. Hopefully, her tour and homestay will gain more exposure be it among local or international tourists. As for Penot Cave, it still looks the same. Just as beautiful as ever!
Homestay and Tuak
It was great to revisit Madam Lichy’s home in 2020. Many things have changed since my visit in 2016. Madam Lichy’s cave tour and homestay business seem to be picking up. There is a small pool at her place, too. Upstairs, she has displays of beautiful decorations. There is also a bar next to the pool.
After a tiring time in the jungle, everyone returned to Madam Lichy’s home. We had our local-style lunch. Yummy. After lunch, some of us hung around the bar. Madam Lichy had some music on and poured tuak (with Zapple) for us to try. I always bought tuak from Madam Lichy whenever I had the chance.
Promoting Penot Cave Adventure
Initially, I was supposed to feature Penot Cave in my travel blog. However, I didn’t find the time to write an article on Penot Cave due to my hectic schedule in Indonesia’s leading hotel and flight booking platform in 2016. I travelled a lot, too.
Seeing how much the tour has grown over the years, I can say that I’m very proud of Madam Lichy and her family! Know that my article is based on my positive experience in 2016 and 2020. I highly recommend Penot Cave Adventure to any outdoor enthusiast out there.
For booking, please contact Madam Lichy. I left her contact number on my YouTube channel.
Final Thoughts
Should you consider Penot Cave Adventure? Yes, absolutely. It’s a good reason to explore the outdoors and burn some calories. Plus, you’ll get to meet other people, too, especially if you come during the weekend or public holidays. There’s a lovely river nearby where you can swim and enjoy a picnic during the dry season.
