Exploring Batu Caves, Near Kuala Lumpur
Growing Old In Style
It’s time to do something other than engage in rampant consumerism. Time to head to The Batu Caves.
In this mammoth trip report (note, headings subject to change)
- Yes. I’m that old. Next.
- Off to Heathrow, Terminal 3 and Cathay Pacific Lounge
- BA768 London Heathrow to Oslo Airport (Club Europe)
- The Best Laid Oslo Plans, and the OSL Lounge
- TK1754 Oslo Airport to Istanbul Airport (Business Class)
- Welcome to Istanbul Airport… Wait, where’s my passport?
- TK054 Istanbul Airport to Singapore Changi (Business Class)
- Welcome back to Changi and the Ibis Budget Ruby, Geylang
- Back to Changi Terminal 4 and AirAsia AK710 Singapore to Kuala Lumpur International
- Into Malaysia and the Holiday Inn Express KLCC
- Exploring the Batu Caves
- Exploring Kuala Lumpur in the Dry, Wet and Night
- Back to KLIA, The Golden Circle Lounge
- MH627 Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Changi (Economy Class)
- HOTEL: Intercontinental Singapore, Bugis
- For the love of Nasi Lemak and Hawker Markets
- Exploring Singapore, whilst avoiding Rain
- Glasses in a Rush
- Pokémon Centre Singapore
- Back to Changi, and the Lounge
- TK209 Singapore Changi to Istanbul Airport (Business Class)
- Into Istanbul and the Sheraton Levant, Istanbul
- Back to Istanbul Airport and the Turkish Airlines Lounge
- TK1753 Istanbul Airport to Oslo Airport
- A leisurely Oslo transit
- SK815 Oslo Airport to London Heathrow (Economy Classes)
- Homeward
- Older, Never Wiser
Time to enrich my soul or mind. And maybe cool down a little. I fancied a trip up to the Batu Caves.
When I was planning this, I was debating taking public transport to the caves – and yes, there is a train that will take you from KL Sentral to the Batu Caves.
Except for one little issue. Its an hourly service. So if your timing sucks, you’re stuck. Thankfully, Grabs are plentiful and cheap enough to access, with fares at low prices that will please the wallet, if not the planet.
There’s a specific drop-off point for taxis and Grab, which is next to the train station and near the back entrance to the Batu Caves.
From there, it’s a matter of exploring.
For the unaware visitor, when arriving via the Public Transport/Grab drop-off point, turn right if you want to head to the big set of steps. Otherwise, if you want to pay to explore the Ramayana Cave is RM5, or the Cave Villa is RM15, you can (it’s not going to bankrupt you).
I went into the Ramayana Cave to explore. It was dark and lit with full of LED lights for highlight lighting. At least the internal waterfalls were nice, and there were some interesting bits to explore.
There were also a few blow-fans installed to help move air around, too. Which, when you’ve climbed up stairs, and it’s still Malaysian heat outside… you’ll appreciate places to sit, and places to cool down.
Going back into the blazing heat again, it was time to face the 227-step sheer climb, as I passed a temple and the Cave Villa (Yours to explore for another RM 10).
You’re going to pass some local traffic on the way, too. A bit of Monkey Magic.
Eventually, you’ll reach the steps. And if you think your leg days at the gym have prepared you, they haven’t. It’s a steep climb – with plenty of reset points.
On the day I went, traffic slowed to one set of stairs going up, the other going down as they were doing maintenance work on other stairs, adding handrails and such…
That’s good to see, as you drag yourself up those stairs.
And if you’ve done time in a starimaster or anything like that… you won’t be prepared for the climb, as it’s pretty steep.
Yes, it is that steep.
With a breath, I began my ascent.
Looking back
The only way is forward; there is no turning back.
At the top.
With my knee, I call this a win.
Flower offerings
I took multiple breaks, making up the stairs, but in the end, I made it into the first cave. And it’s.. Inspiring.
What didn’t inspire me was the next step of the stairs. With climbing around the Ramayana caves, taking my first wind, and the 227 steps up taking the second, it was a matter of how much jelly my legs were in.
And boy, jelly was the term.
With the knee issue I have, going any higher than that day was going to be a no-go, unless I slowed down to a crawl. And I had other things to get on with whilst in KL.
I therefore cooled in the cave and used my S$5 fan I brought the day before in Singapore.
Best. Purchase. Ever. Even if it is charged via MicroUSB.
I looked at the lower level for a bit before turning tail for the hot walk down that steep 227 steps.
To the downsteps!
It’s steep. Be careful and use the handrail if you need to.
At least the health app would be happy with me.
Closing in on the base – the statue is under renovation.
There are some jobs that have to be done… but 227 steps with that much water on your head….
Light fight.
Making it downstairs, I idly considered looking at the shops, but turned tail and headed towards the station and the Grab pick-up area.
It was time to rejoin civilisation.
Next:
Exploring more of Kuala Lumpur, in the dry, the wet and at night.
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