I signed us up for an Airbnb Experience (a.k.a. tour) to Batu Caves. Jeff (our host) picks us up at 10:30 and we join Ketan, a chef from Chicago for the tour. On the 30 minute drive to the caves Jeff gives us some background on Indonesia, talks about the resignation of the Prime Minister which occurred over the weekend and answers our questions.
As we arrive we learn that the caves are in a limestone hill. The caves contain Hindu shrines and are dedicated to Lord Murugan. To prove it a huge gold-colored statue of Lord Murugan is at the base of the 272 colorful steps leading to the caves. We go through the temples at the base, even receiving blessings from the priests who place and red and white dots on our foreheads.
As we arrive we learn that the caves are in a limestone hill. The caves contain Hindu shrines and are dedicated to Lord Murugan. To prove it a huge gold-colored statue of Lord Murugan is at the base of the 272 colorful steps leading to the caves. We go through the temples at the base, even receiving blessings from the priests who place and red and white dots on our foreheads.
Jeff provides us with bottles of water, warns us about the monkeys stealing shiny objects and food, and we begin the climb up the steps. There’s a landing area after each section of steps which allows us to catch our breath as needed. The monkeys also like to entertain (or steal) along the steps.
At the top we walk into the largest cave, appropriately called Cathedral Cave or Temple Cave. There are a number of temples on the floor of the cave then another set of stairs to reach the upper temple. We take our time walking around and learn from Jeff that the temples are the site of the Thaipusam Festival which draws Hindu pilgrims from Indonesia and across the world. The monkeys who occupy the cave seem to be as big of a draw for tourists as the temples.
Following the caves Jeff drives us to a restaurant/coffee shop. This is a very local place - we appear to be the only “outsiders”, but we are greeted with wide smiles by the staff and patrons. Jeff orders hot coffee for William and Ketan and a tea for me. All come with some amount of evaporated milk in the cup. Oh well. Jeff also orders us “toasts”, a typical KL breakfast or snack. They are tasty bread slices which have been toasted and a liberal amount of butter and jam spread in the middle. Mmmm.
On the drive back we learn a little more about Jeff. He completed his first degree, worked for a while and now is in school to be a construction estimator. He runs these Airbnb tours on weekends and during his school breaks. Brilliant! William and I comment that we wish that it would have been a possibility for us when we were in school, especially when William returned to school for his second degree.
The entire tour took 3 - 3.5 hours, with an hour of it in transit. It was interesting, and good to get out of the KL city center, but it was nothing like our temple experience in Cambodia.
Following the caves Jeff drives us to a restaurant/coffee shop. This is a very local place - we appear to be the only “outsiders”, but we are greeted with wide smiles by the staff and patrons. Jeff orders hot coffee for William and Ketan and a tea for me. All come with some amount of evaporated milk in the cup. Oh well. Jeff also orders us “toasts”, a typical KL breakfast or snack. They are tasty bread slices which have been toasted and a liberal amount of butter and jam spread in the middle. Mmmm.
On the drive back we learn a little more about Jeff. He completed his first degree, worked for a while and now is in school to be a construction estimator. He runs these Airbnb tours on weekends and during his school breaks. Brilliant! William and I comment that we wish that it would have been a possibility for us when we were in school, especially when William returned to school for his second degree.
The entire tour took 3 - 3.5 hours, with an hour of it in transit. It was interesting, and good to get out of the KL city center, but it was nothing like our temple experience in Cambodia.
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