Towering Caves and Tasty Tea

10 miles north of Kuala Lumpur a towering gold statue of a Hindu God can be seen from miles away. Finished in 2007, the friendly face was erected and dedicated to the pilgrims and all who come see the Batu Caves.

The Batu caves are 130 million years old but were only first discovered 120 years ago by American naturalist, Wiliam Hornaday.
Shortly after that the Hindus found them to be the perfect place to build a shine for their religion. Each year, in late January, nearly a million pilgrims visit here during a holy event called Thaipusam. They light candles, pray and worship the deities for 3 days.

There are 272 steps leading up to the Temple Cave with mischievous monkeys rolling about on the concrete for your entertainment. Several wer curious for a closer look at my camera and tore at my spongy microphone as if it were a ripe banana.

Beyond the first cave, called the Temple Cave, the space opens up on an atrium where stalagmites and stalactites grow like weeds. There are several that look awkwardly phallic - though that might be my dirty imagination getting the best of me (smile). Moisture falls from the ceiling creating pools in dark corners and the steps are slippery and narrow so you have to be careful. A snake handler enticed me to wrap the Burmese Python around my neck for a few pictures. I don't mind a snake or two squirming around me, it's spiders that push me over the edge. I gave the young Indian entrepreneur a $3 tip for training his dangerous snake not to choke off my circulation.


Following the heady climb up and down the Batu Caves, Sara ordered me a tasty dish from a sit-down stall called Rani Vilas Restoran Vegetarian. I have an Indian neighbor by the name of Rani who makes the most delicious roti but this roti was just as yummy. The roti canai dish was garnished with 2 small sides of coconut sauce, vegetable curry and dhal (lentils and ghee). For refreshments I ordered up a cup of teh tarik or chai latte. The perfect end to a perfect climb.