Batu Caves, Malaysia

Written by Narelle

2004/5

We visited the Batu Caves to see the wild monkeys in this amazing shrine to Hinduism. There are 272 steps up to the limestone caves, each one numbered for your counting convenience. When we went, the floor of the caves was being concreted and at the bottom of the steps were buckets of concrete mix and a sign requesting visitors to please help the workers by being good Hindus and carrying a bucket up to the top. It was a hell of a hot day, and we were sweating just contemplating the climb to the top whilst sitting in the shade, so we weren't feeling particularly religious enough to help them out -- besides, shouldn't it be a crime to concrete the floor of such a naturally beautiful place?

Further reading about the caves.

Wild monkey eating a yellow flower

Wild monkey, eating a stolen garland of flowers

Wild monkey carrying its baby

Wild monkey and her baby

Surprised wild monkey holding a stolen garland of flowers

Surprised wild monkey with his stolen goods

Sculpture of a female god with a peacock beside her and the limestone rock formations of the cave in the background

One of the gods

Monkey perched on the side of a cliff, half of him in a dark shadow, the other half in brilliant sunlight.

Monkey perching on a cliff

A monkey perched on the side of a cliff, clutching a coconut and eating it while another monkey looks on.

Monkey eating a coconut

 

Narelle and Yves' Photojournal