Side Trip: Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia

The original image may be viewed at TravelFair.
If it's your first time to visit Malaysia and if you're in Kuala Lumpur, I am 99% sure that Batu Caves is one of the places that you'd want to see. I read a lot of travel forums and have checked out blog posts from travelers who have been to KL and everyone recommended going to Batu Caves. Surprisingly, Malaysian friends that P and I hung out with have not been to Batu Caves; some of them first learned about this popular tourist attraction from us. I remember P asking our friends how to go to Batu Caves and one of them said it was too far from our hotel, Wolo Bukit Bintang.

One of the boys gave a suggestion to talk to a cab driver and book him for the whole day. He'll bring us to Batu Caves and wherever it is that we wanted to go. Their rates, which I think is ridiculous, usually range from 250RM ( approx. PHP3,000 or USD68 ) to 350RM. One can also take the bus or the train going to Batu Caves, but for some reason, when we were there and after we heard 'stuff' from our friends, P and I decided to not go to Batu Caves. Or at least, that was Plan B — because our friend, Elson, had Plan C.

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I was not prepared for Batu Caves that day. I've set my mind that Batu Caves was never going to happen so my OOTD when we had lunch with Elson and his wife, Summer, were my usual top and a pair of skorts. The weather in Malaysia in February is like summer in the Philippines. It was scorching hot. But anyways, to cut my long story short, Elson surprised us. After lunch, he took us Batu Caves. Yup, that was Plan C.Ü And, at first, I wasn't allowed to go up because I was wearing skorts. Good thing, there are sarongs for rent at 5RM ( approx. PHP65 or USD1.47 ). When you return the sarong, they give you back 2RM.


The tallest statue ( almost colossal ) in the world of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of War.

Batu Caves quick facts
Batu Caves is one of Malaysia's most famous tourist destination. "Batu Caves Kuala Lumpur is a series of caves that are located approximately 13 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur. The caves got their name from the river that flows nearby, "Sungei Batu" (Malay for "Stone River"). Coincidentally the nearby village is also known as Batu Caves. The caves are one of the most revered Hindu shrines that are found outside of India. Dedicated to the Hindu deity, Lord Murugan or Kartikeya, it is the spot where a million Hindus converge each year during the Thaipusam Festival." [ Read More: Malaysia Travel Guide ]

"In 1891 the first temple was built in the cave. The large stairway to the temple was built in 1920. The Cathedral Cave is the largest cave, and is filled with altars. In 2006 the construction of a 42 meters high statue of Lord Murugan was completed, when we were there the construction had just started. Currently a cable car is being built that will transport visitors and temple devotees to the top of Batu Caves without having to walk up the  272 steps ." [ Read More: Wonderful Malaysia ]





Stalls selling souvenirs inside the caves.

Monkey Business
I wasn't bothered at all by the 272 steps, but geez, the monkeys. I knew that  Macaque monkeys  were free to roam in Batu Caves. Half the time, I was wildly terrified of the monkeys and was insanely worried that they might snatch one of my things. Yes, they are cute and lovely to look at but I was so scared of getting bitten by one. I'm usually game and adventurous, but when I was at Batu Caves, I was so afraid of the monkeys that I dared not take a photo of one AND I made Elson + P my human shields. I read in one of the blogs that if a monkey gets one of your things, just let it go and don't even attempt play tug-o-war with it unless of course, you'd want to get bitten by a monkey.

When I was in Batu Caves, a Korean lady who was walking in front of me was attacked by one of the monkeys. The poor lady screamed like it was the end-of-the-world. I saw the monkey 'rob' her bag and opened it then it took the bottle of water. While it's cute that this smart little monkey knew how to open the bottle of water ( and it even drank from it! ), I think that was a scary experience. So, I would like to share a few things that you need to keep in mind if you'd decide to visit Batu Caves in one of your future trips.

1) These monkeys are sly, so leave your bag in the car. Leave your things in the car.
2) But, if you must have something with you, bring an umbrella.
3) The umbrella may have a dual purpose: it's your protection from the sun & you can use it to shoo the monkeys away.
4) Just shoo the monkeys, not hit. You're not allowed to hit the monkeys.
5) Don't stare at the monkeys.
6) Wear a hat or a cap or anything that you can use to cover your head because it's very hot.
7) Wear your sunglasses. Again, it's hot.
8) Bring a small bottle of water. Again, it's hot.
9) Bring a hand towel, some wipes, and an extra shirt because you'd look like you did a 10K run after Batu Caves.




That's Elson ( with the umbrella ). Check out the monkey that's being photographed on the right.

I was really freaked out with the Macaque monkeys. I remember how I almost flaked out on Batu Caves but my determination won over being a sissy. P and Elson + his wife would have been disappointed if I asked to be left behind especially after the traffic and long drive from Bukit Bintang to Selangor. Of course, I didn't want Elson to feel bad.

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A day in a different city and I discovered that I am scared of monkeys. Putting that aside, Batu Caves was a new experience to me because it was the first Hindu temple I have ever been to. It gave me a glimpse of the Malay-Indian culture and at the same time, in the few hours that I was there, I've learned to be more tolerant, more open, and that it's always worth facing your fears ... all part of the beauty of traveling. ☮..Peace + ❥_Love + Don't let the monkeys bite. RUSS.