12 
X. COMMUKICATIONS. 
The commonly-used line of comniimi cation between Sandakan and Gomaatong 
is by way of Bilit on the left bank of the Kinabatangan Etver. 
First day. Tlie time of departure from Sandakan depends on the state of the 
tide in the Trusan (a narrow waterway connecting Sandakan Bay and the 
Kinalmtangan liiver) unk^ss it is preferred to go round to the mouth of the 
Kinabatangan by sea. In any case it is necessary to sleep the night at Bilit, a 
kampong on the left bank of the river. 
Second day. The second stage of the journey begins with a short walk 
across a fairly steep ridge at the back of Bilit and then down to a point (Pintasan) 
on the River Menungal. The Menungal is a stream flowing approximately 
parallel to and north of the Kinabatangan which it enters between Melapi and Sukau. 
The time taken for the journey along the narrow ^lenungal in small Ixjats 
(gobangs) depends entirely on the state of the river. The record time from 
Pintasan to Pangkalan, the landing place for Gomantong Hil! is five and three 
(juarter hours but if the river is very low it may take four or five days and the 
boats have to be hauled most of the way. It is usual and convenient to spend the 
night at Pangkalan. 
Third day. The distance from Pangkalan to the caves is about three miles 
or a little less and takes between one and two hours, according to the state of the 
path. In an official re^wrt "30 minutes" is given as the time bnt this is pheno- 
menally fast travelling. The caves can be inspected, the hill climbed and the 
return journey to Pangkalan made, in comfort, on the third day. 
If conditions on the Menungal are exceptionally favourable the whole jomuey 
from Bilit to the caves can be made in one day but the following must be regarded 
as a normal itinerai-y lor a visit to (Tomantong from Sandakan. 
1st day. From Sandakan to Bilit by launch. 
2od day. To Gomantong Pangkalan by "gobang." 
3rd day. To the caves and back to Pangkalan by foot. 
4th day. To Bilit. 
5th day. To Sandakan. 
The following points may be noted in connection with this line of communication. 
Above Bilit the Menungal soon narrows down to a small shallow stream much 
overhung by branches, full of fallen trees and other obstructions. Except when 
the water is favourably high, the boatmen ai-e constantly getting out of the boat 
to drag it over shallow places and to clear the stream with their parangs. 
It seems curious that the inhabitants of Bilit have not, for their own 
advantage, cleared a ijermanent route to the caves. 
Local opinion holds that such a course would be useless, that periodic floods 
inevitably block the stream, and that the very nature of the stream and its banks 
necessitates the clearing process ahnost as many times as the waterway is used. 
A brief survey of the ground indicates that local opinion is well substantiated. 
There is a shelter at Bilit Pintasan and a halting bimgalow and cooly lines 
at Gomantong Pangkalan. At the foot of Gonjantong Hill is a well built store 
