The Batu caves, Kuala Lumpa.

Some places you visit are more memorable than others. I particularly enjoy visiting places that have a totally different culture and landscape to Britain. And it doesn’t come more different than Kuala Lumpar.

Being a lover of caves, I found the Batu caves to be utterly magnificent! Photo’s don’t really do them justice, their sheer size and scale are breathtaking. To actually reach the caves 272 sheer steps have to be climbed which is no mean feat in scorching temperatures. I was gasping when I reached the top and my thighs were screaming at me.

The steps are the favourite haunt of the long tailed macaque and you really do have to run the gauntlet to avoid being robbed of your possessions by them as they are bold and aggressive, not to mention noisy. The long tailed macaque is one of the most successful primate species in Southeast Asia, and are found in a wide range of habitats including forests, mangroves and plantations. Thay often travel in groups of up to 30.

Their success is due to their varied diet of fruit, flowers, leaves, small mammals, birds and shellfish, as well as human leftovers.

The Batu caves consist of three large caves and many smaller ones embedded in a limestone hill. The main cave is 400 metres long and 100 metres high. It is a stunningly beautiful place to visit and literally takes your breath away.

The roof of the cave has a huge hole in it allowing daylight in. The caves were discovered in 1892 and are now one of the most revered shrines in Malasia, having the worlds tallest statue of Murugan, a Hindu deity.

Every year over 800 thousand Hindu’s gather to celebrate Thaipusam, a Hindu festival…I wonder how the macaque cope….I expect many are attacked and bitten as we witnessed many a person being removed of their food and drink….bold as brass they are but incredibly intelligent and entertaining…eeriely like us!