Baliem - There is a hidden cave in Baliem Valley, Jayawijaya regency, Papua. Lokale, so the local people call it, until now has not found its end. Mysterious and untouched!
"This is one of the longest cave in the world," says Mr. Boa, landowners around Lokale. I may not believe it. Basically what? Who are researching? What year did the declaration?
Various questions directly passed on the head. That day, Thursday (08/09/2012), I was with a group of journalists who covered the Baliem Valley Cultural Festival 2012 taking the time to visit there. Local people call Lokale. Located not far from where the festival takes place, namely in the village Wosilimo, Jayawijaya District, Papua.
Before entering the cave, I heard the explanation of Mr. Boa while imagining the possibilities. Is it true that Mr Boa said, Lokale is one of the longest cave in the world?
"This cave was opened in 1992. In 1996, a cave of Americans come here. He entered Lokale at 6 am, coming out at 6 pm the next day. We are all people here thought he died in there," said Mr Boa, his index leading to the location of the cave.
When asked what is the name of the cave expert, Mr. Boa claimed forget. But he said the cave expert once said, if Lokale could be the longest cave in the world.
"He said, this cave is the pride of Indonesia. It should be kept well. Until now, have not yet found where the edges. No one dared to go deeper," added Mr Boa
Cash, our interest towards the cave more real. Curiosity getting bigger. Soon we will enter the cave, although doubt, whether we will be successful until a distance of 2 kilometers as the expert.
"In there there are two large halls. Hall first 850 meters away from the entrance of the cave. The second hall, 2 kilometers," continued Mr. Boa.
Armed with that information, we began to enter the cave. Each one must be willing flashlight, because there is no light at all in it. Lucky I had Power Bank equipped mini flashlight, enough for 2 meters visibility.
Warning sign posted on a wooden board near the entrance of the cave. Some points include a ban trash, waste water, take any of the cave, grasp the natural formation, the prohibition of capture or disturb the cave animals. Animal of the cave?
Question premature re-emerged in the head. Curious, I immediately asked Mr. Boa. He replied, in a distance of 800 meters there is a pool of fish and shrimp. But it should not be taken, he said.
Darkness burst from inside the cave. Just a few steps, the existing stairs down to the lower surface. At this point I've been under the surface of the ground. Go deeper, increasingly tense atmosphere. Only light comes from flashlights mini ours.
Stalactite and stalagmite welcome from all directions. But I still dominated soil surface are quite comfortable dipijak. The walls of the cave was moist, but still convenient for us to breathe. When shining a flashlight into the ceiling, water point looks like the grains
At one time, Mr. Boa stop running and banging on one of the walls of the cave. Blow it produces a unique sound, much like a drum, but louder. Sounds like a musical instrument that stop us in that place.
Due to time constraints, we decided to go back to the surface. Not until 10 minutes I had reached the door of the cave, welcomes the afternoon sunlight being carefree. In my heart I thought, there must be an expert on Indonesian cave ever here. But who? When?
Hopefully there will be more research on Lokale. If it's true this cave one of the longest in the world, certainly a pride for Indonesia, especially Papua. We were leaving the location Lokale with curiosity that is still smoldering.