Photo Reflections: Daylight in KL, and the Batu Caves

As many who visit KL know, the Batu Caves, a huge historic Hindu center, is one of the top spots for tourists in the city. I was hesitant when we originally had the idea to go, since a lot of people/sources said “skip it” and a lot of people said “you have to go.” The main issue is the tourism: it’s so crowded that there’s little-to-no spirituality still within it. Which is fine. I’m used to touristy places. I’ve been to Disney in California, which is perhaps in the top ten “tourist” destinations in the world (after all the lovely European spots, of course, and Bangkok). But still, I was told that Batu was “disgusting.” And it is. It’s quite sad. From the introductory monkey antics, to the vendors you may or may not be hallucinating in the heat, to the stampede of people up and down the steps, which are littered with litter, there’s really hardly any charm in it. The swath of the grotesque holds its pinnacle when you actually come to the walls within the caves, which have been, quite literally, decimated by tourists tagging and scratching their names and every other possible thing you could imagine into Batu’s core.  But, as you’ll see down below, there is a certain degree of beauty to it, right? I’ll leave that up to you. Also, it should be stated that getting to the actual caves involves a very steep 272 steps, which climbing feels quite challenging. You’ll see. Before the caves, though, you’ll see some delicious banana leaf Indian indulgence, and a few other quirky sights.

“Listen! Listen! Listen!”

If you look closely, you can see the mannequin busts in the windows, staring out like prisoners . . .

“SM House of Fashion.”

Kim and Jason:

Nick and Jason:

Nick eyeing everything before we all devour it with our hands and mouths:

The train to get to the caves is phenomenally comfortable. For Muslim reasons or otherwise, there is a car for ladies only:

Apparently kissing is indecent behavior:

At least lesbians are allowed.

Commence with the monkey bonanza:

The graffiti:

The above toys are indeed available for purchase within the Caves. Amazing.

Funky stairs:

Either a pigeon or another animal of the air flashes through interrupting my picture.

I’m not sure what Matza Clownz are, but they sound fantastic. Below: lots and lots of water bottles.

“No stick.”

Thanks go out to the Cave Management Group. Great work. Below: one of my favorite pictures.

Twitter reference? Fashion statement? You tell me. Below: more monkey business.

Unfortunately the Batu Caves Library was not open.

The BRC (Batu ___ Caves?) “Achieve” (which I think means “Archive”) was not open, per se, but had a table outside with some men selling tourist knick-knacks.

Jason and Kim, after our adventure into the heat and darkness:

Bayon Bem Attempt #2

A couple old shots of me at Angkor Wat and an ancient library at the Bayon in Angkor Thom.

And a shot of me with a monkey friend outside the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur.