Alright, good morning guys.
We are in Kuala Lumpur and today we're taking a little half day trip to go visit the Batu
Caves (பத்து மலை - 黑風洞) which are just outside the city.
Yeah, this is something we've done before and it is a very fond and familiar trip.
So we can't wait to check it out again today.
Yes and we're purposely up early but Sam is grumbling because apparently we're late.
It is not that early.
It is seven forty five.
I wanted to leave at least an hour before this time.
So this is the main thoroughfare here in Chinatown and it is completely empty.
No one has setup yet.
If Chinatown is not open it is early.
The nice thing about being out this early is that the heat and humidity hasn't quite
set in and it is also an overcast day so I think it is going to be a little cooler than
usual which I can appreciate.
And here we are at the terminal.
Okay so Sam is playing the role of navigator today.
Yes, so we've got a fairly easy trip.
We're taking the LRT starting from Pasar Seni which is in the Chinatown area of the historic
district of Kuala Lumpur and we're taking it to KL Sentral and then we're transferring
to a commuter train which will take us to the Batu Caves (பத்து மலை
- 黑風洞).
So KL Sentral is only one stop.
Yeah.
And I'm glad you remembered the way because I didn't bother looking it up.
We are at KL Sentral now we're going to take the KTM Komuter to the Batu Caves (பத்து
மலை - 黑風洞).
Well, we are here.
Yeah.
That journey was faster than I remember it.
I think like maybe it was thirty minutes?
It took.
About it.
About that.
We're already here.
It is still before nine.
It is quarter to nine so it is time to go explore.
The caves are there yonder.
Let's go.
So we are here.
Sam is busy filming.
Getting some b-roll for us and as soon as he's done we're going to start climbing the
steps.
It is over two hundred steps to the top so it might take us a little bit and also I'm
noticing there is a lot of new construction here since the last time we visited.
They've expanded the staircase and there is also a new entrance.
So yeah, it'll be interesting to see if there is any differences inside.
Time for introductions.
Who are we looking at over here?
So we are looking at Lord Murugan (முருகன்) over there.
And it is one of the most imposing statues you can ever see.
It is just massive.
I think you can only really get a sense of its scale if you're here in person or if you
get a zoomed out shot and you're seeing people like scurrying up and down the steps like
little ants.
It is huge.
So yeah, this is a Hindu Shrine and this is the largest statue of Lord Murugan in the
whole world.
And I was reading online apparently it took three hundred liters of gold paint to cover
him.
That is a lot of paint.
When you see how big he is.
It is very massive.
Yeah.
My first question is why is there fire on this steps.
We're going up this way.
This is odd.
So I'm noticing that they've changed the colors of the staircase.
This used to be red, blue, white and yellow and now we've got some metallics happening
over here.
Metallic teals and fuscia and bronze and silver.
And oh man I'm out of breathe.
Sam is leading the pack.
Actually there is no pack.
It is just me following.
Haha.
Another thing we are noticing is that lack of monkeys.
They used to have these macques that were like scrambling up the stairs trying to steal
food from you.
They're gone.
We made it!
So we finally made it to the top.
It is a bit of sweat fest.
Oh my gosh.
And there are a few good reasons why you should come early in the morning like we did.
First off it is going to get way too hot by midday.
And secondly you're going to want to beat all of the tourist buses.
Yes, and those aren't here yet so we're in luck.
Let's go explore.
I don't know if you can hear the sound of water dripping but it is quite wet inside
the cave.
It is kind of like rain.
Limestone rain.
So what do you think?
I think it is pretty cool.
But the one thing that I've really noticed is there is no monkeys anymore.
I know the monkeys are gone.
I have no idea what happened to them.
If they were relocated or culled or whatever but they are no longer here.
And they were a big part of the Batu Caves (பத்து மலை - 黑風洞) experience
in the past.
Yeah, they were so entertaining.
They were so silly and they were not afraid of people.
They would try to steal your food or your cameras.
Sometimes people would give them coke and pepsi which is obviously wrong but it is ridiculous
seeing a monkey drinking a coke.
I have to way.
Alright, more stairs ahead.
Let's go see the inner part of the cave.
So it would appear there still are a few monkeys hiding deep inside the cave but not as many
as in years past.
We have just finished visiting the caves and neither of us had breakfast today because
you know we were running late.
We needed to hit the road.
Um, so we're going to go eat now.
Pigeons.
The attack of the pigeons.
But yeah, they have a lot of vegetarian restaurants here.
Urgh.
A bird nearly pooped on my foot right now.
Um, let's go get food.
Well hello there.
So after climbing up and down all of those steps I kind of feel like we deserve a little
food.
What do you think?
Yes.
We do.
I would agree.
So we've popped into an Indian restaurant over here.
It is a vegetarian Indian restaurant.
Yeah.
And it is only nine forty in the morning so technically it is slotting in between breakfast
and lunch for us.
It is kind of a big brunch.
So we've ordered a lot of food and now we're just waiting for it to arrive.
So still waiting for the drinks but the food is here.
First up we're having samosas.
We ordered two of these.
And they're vegetarian so it is probably going to be potato.
And then we've got out Masala Dosa.
Oh man.
Which is huge.
That is massive.
And the best part of all.
Look at all of these.
Yeah, so we're going to take a little bit of everything.
Different kind of curries and it is self serve over here.
And you know what is cool about this restaurant is they specialize both in North and South
Indian cuisine.
So you can get whatever you want here.
I think there are more south Indian cuisine options though.
Let's see.
So a little bit of everything then?
A little bit of everything.
I wish I knew the names for everything but I don't.
So I'm just grabbing a little bit of each and we'll see which one we like best.
I have to say I'm not totally convinced by the look of this one.
It just looks currdled but maybe that is just the way it is supposed to be.
Let's put a little bit there.
And I think we're good.
I think we're ready to dig in.
So let's just use our hands.
I'm going to break this in half since we're going to share.
And as you can see.
Wow.
This one is filled with potato.
Yeah, so this is the masala one I think it has got all of the different ingredients.
Oh, look at all of the potato in there.
Yeah, seriously.
That is awesome.
Potato, carrot, some other veggies, lentils, corn.
And we'll just dip it in these sauces.
How is that?
Good stuff.
Nice way to start the day huh?
Nice breakfast.
She's going in for round two that is how I know it is good.
Sam's going in for the samosa.
Yeah, so these are really cool samosas.
I mean I can tell already that they're very dense.
They're heavy in the hand.
They're plump.
So I don't know what this sauce is.
It looks like ketchup.
It looks like it doesn't look like North American ketchup though.
It is a lot brighter red.
I'm guessing it is going to be sweeter and maybe chili flavored.
Ooh.
Ah, thank you.
Mmmm.
And more food has just arrived.
Oh my gosh, this is so good.
And it is potato filling.
It is really spicy too.
Oh man.
You're losing your voice.
I know.
I wasn't anticipating the spice that was kind of stuck in my throat.
Sam has become a little high pitched over here.
They're so good.
Oh my gosh these are delicious.
You're going to love this one.
And while Sam was having samosa our other order arrived.
I had completely forgotten about this one.
I'm just going to break this one in half to show you guys.
This is the cheese one.
So you can actually see the outline of a processed slice of cheese.
And that is really all it is.
Yummy.
So they took away our sauces.
But I'll take a bit of that and try it.
So just put it in.
Oh yeah.
Yeah?
I probably shouldn't like processed cheese slices but I do!
And the dosai itself is really nice and flakey.
Light.
Crispy.
Really nice breakfast here.
So the drinks are here but Sam's hands are dirty so he can't film.
So he's going to be sampling my drink for us.
So trying them both here.
So I've got the Masala Chai.
Yeah, and I'm so excited about this.
I love the Indian style tea.
With spices.
Yeah, I've been having it in KL and Singapore but I haven't had the Masala one with all
of the different spices so this should be really good.
Oh, man.
Oh man.
Just all of those spices.
How can you drink normal tea after that.
That's all I've got to say about that.
And I got a pineapple smoothie.
I got first drink.
Is it good?
Yeah, you're really going to like that.
Yeah, it is really thick.
It has got.
I mean it is mostly mostly fruit but it has definitely got a bit of sugar added to it.
That is really sweet.
Sounds good to me.
Alright, let's enjoy our meal.
Yeah.
Bellies full.
Bellies very full.
So that was an awesome feast.
It only came to 33 Ringgit which at current exchange is only seven US dollars.
And I ordered myself an extra tea so that was three drinks and three plates of food.
So yeah, really good value we're stuffed.
Guys, we found the monkeys.
We found the monkeys.
Look at them.
Look at you feasting.
Hello.
So what are we doing Audrey?
We're going to get some Henna done.
Woo hoo!
So which one can you choose.
Um, I like this one with the design on the fingers.
So what color?
Black color or red colour.
Look at all of the different ones.
So you have all of the different ones and you can choose the different prices too.
Red color.
Traditional colour.
I think how many weeks will it last?
Two weeks.
Two weeks?
Black color just ten days.
Okay.
Maybe red.
Red sounds fun.
So just as we were leaving we saw they had a Henna stand so I got some art done.
And this is the final result.
I've been told not to move, not to touch anything for the next twenty minutes while it dries.
And this is red henna so it should last me about two weeks.
Yeah, it was like what twenty five Ringgit?
25 Ringgits.
Which is just under six US dollars.
So cheap and look awesome.
Artwork on the hand.
For two more weeks.
Alright, so wrapping things up.
Yeah, so that was another cool visit to the Batu Caves (பத்து மலை - 黑風洞).
Like I've been here now maybe three or four times.
I can't remember if it is four or three times.
But anyways it is just always fun to come back here.
And a couple of tips to keep in mind is that the temple does open at six in the morning
so you can come really early and also it is completely free so there is no admission whatsoever.
Just come and enjoy it.