BATU CAVE

Going to Batu Cave was "on-our-own" itinerary. We tried to follow the directions on the Lonely Planet guide, so we tried the public bus but unfortunately we spent our precious time wandering. Thus, we just decided to get a taxicab.

Batu Cave is located about 13 km. to the north of Kuala Lumpur. They are the sacred place for the Hindu's in Malaysia.

It took us roughly 20 minutes. When we arrived, we saw this large wooden frame posted at the main entrance arch...



The main ground of Batu Cave... there are many restaurants and souvenir shops around the area.

Batu Cave consist of three main caves and a number of smaller ones. The caves are made of limestone and 400 meters long and 100 meter high.

An Audio tour is available to visitors. At the base of the hill are two more cave templed, Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave, both of which are full of Hindu statues and paintings.

The highlight of festivities held in Batu Caves is the annual Hindu Festival of Thaipusam, which attracts devotees and the curious tourist and spectator to the caves. Many devotees carry kavadis, large frameworks with various metal skewers and hooks, which are used to pierce the skin, cheeks and toungue. So, if you're feeling adventurous and fearless, go visit this place during the festival.

A sign is posted to alert the visitors (Beware of Monkeys)...



To reach the cave, we completed the 272 steps. Phew!


And I got quite nervous of all the long tailed-macaque monkeys greeting everybody at the staircase. I stopped frequently when I suddenly caught sight of a monkey looking at me intensely (as if he has a devilish plan ticking in his head). But thank God, his attention was diverted when someone came up. And I got the chance to fast snap shot some photos ( I was really holding my breath hoping he won't notice me, hehehe). Fortunately, this long-tailed brat was too busy munching...


and too busy looking for food...


These monkeys are very aggressive and a little mischievous, so be careful!


The best known and biggest cave is the Temple Cave or Cathedral Cave.



When we entered into the dark cavern, we suddenly saw a long vibrant streaks of light coming down from the cave ceiling.



There were several Hindu shrines and idols lining the cave walls on both sides, beneath its 100m vaulted ceiling. I saw Hindu couples carrying their child for some sort of religious ceremony or possibly a part of a purification ritual. And there were also many Hindus offering prayers to their revered dieties.

We climbed for another short flight of stairs to see the inner cave...



Address:
Batu Caves
13 km. to the north of Kuala Lumpur

NEXT: Hawkers in Bukit Bintang Area >>>

Our Sohoton Adventure

After we took our breakfast, we went directly to Basey/Basay Tourism Office, just at the back of Celbalor Lodging house. When we got there, the pump boats were not yet ready.

So, we waited for almost 30 minutes and the day tour kicked off at 10:00 am.

As we navigate along the river, we had a good sightseeing. We passed by a large vegetation of trees, some houses along the riverbank and three picturesque barrios.

There is a riverside barrio called "RAWIS" that houses the still unexplored Rawis Cave, which, according to the locals, is even better than Sohoton. There were children swimming, playing and some were waving to us. True enough, you really sometimes can be a real foreigner in your own native land. After almost 45 minutes to 1 hour of sailing, we reached the enchanting Sohoton Natural Park.

The long trip was worth it and we headed straight to the bridge.

The Sohoton Natural Bridge and National Park is one of the most extensive cave system rich of cultural findings form Paleolithic, Neolithic and Stone Ages. It is one of the of the popular tourist destinations in Region VIII. It also focused in Biodiversity Conservation Program.

More pics...

Cool Slideshows

SOHOTON CAVE

Our family was divided into three groups. After a few minutes of briefing Manong Dong, our tour guide led us the way to the cave. But before we enter, he knocked first three times and said a little prayer. Maybe to pay respects for the 'spirits' that linger around the caves, since this place has ancient beginnings.


Our batch was the only one that brought two video cameras. Unfortunately, the rest of the group didn't have video footages.

While inside the cave exploring, we had to crawl twice in a single file through a narrow passage...

and there's a path that you had to squeeze yourself through sideways technique.

But I don't think my nieces recapture the feeling of physical inflexibility. Why? Because most of them are petite. Just as I am..... before. :)

The Unforgettable Organ Story:
The most laugh trip of all was that, Manong Dong asked us,

"Have you SEEN AN ARTIFICIAL MUSICAL ORGAN?

Of course everyone was curious and we chorused... "NOT YET"

Manong Dong informed us...

"YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU CAN'T FIND THIS ORGAN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. YOU CAN ONLY SEE IT HERE."

And my reaction was... "Wow! Really?" So, I eagerly got my digital camera ready.

Then Manong Dong said,

"LIGHT PLEEEASE...".

Then another manong holding with a 'gasera' lightened the dim area.

One, Two, Three... BUWALAAAH!!!

There we saw the grandeur of...

THE BIGGEST MAN'S SEX ORGAN SHAPE
attached to the ceiling.
Oooops... CENSORED!

Hahaha... It was a laugh a minute for all of us.

More Sohoton adventure... (please wait while the pictures load and click to expand it)

Cool Slideshows

Sohoton Cave

Sohoton Cave is a very large cave situated in the eastern portion of the natural bridge. It has a high cathedral-like dome with a parabolic arch-type entrance about 15 meters high.

On its ceiling hangs spike-shaped crytalline stalactites and rustic and cavernous walls and stalagmites on the cave's floor.

Inside are spectacular limestone formations that approximate the shapes of the following...

eagle's claw

Pig head,

Elephant

Alien hand shape

Stairway to Heaven,

Fanglike structure,

Bibingka (Rice cake),

St. Michael the Archangel,

Jellyfish,

the Natural Musical Organ,

OUR SOHOTON ADVENTURE >>>

Sohoton Natural Bridge & National Park

Basay is rich with historic past and beautiful spots, such as the renowned The Sohoton Natural Bridge and National Park . It is a 8km² karst area with Caves, a subterranean river, waterfall, unique limestone formations and a picnic grove. Traces of early habitation date back to the Stone Age which were believed to have been used as burial sites. The caves were also used as a hideout of Filipino insurrectos during the Spanish-American War.

A magnificent bridge over the Sohoton River. The handrails are made of steel and floors made of wood. This bridge is the jewel in the crown of the Sohoton's park.

The surrounding scenery...

It was established as a national park on July 19, 1935 by virtue of Proclamation No. 831 primarily to preserve its geological features and natural wonders. It is one of the popular destinations now in Region 8.

Bohol Part VIII: Hinagdanan Cave

After shopping, we proceeded to Panglao Island. Panglao Island is adjacent to some of the country's dive site and has white beaches, including Alona Beach which has shade tag of the next Boracay. We just wanted to roam around the vicinity and plan our island hopping the next day.

We stopped by first in Panglao Island Nature Resort. PINR is the most expensive resort in Panglao. Prices ranges from $130-$240 per night. Regular entrance rate is P300 per head. But if you're staying in Metrocenter Hotel (sister company), you can get a 50% discount of the entrance fee.

At that time, the rain poured down so hard. We were lazy to get out of the van. We never really had an ample time to see the place, not even to take pictures. So, we decided to just go to Hinagdanan Cave.

HINAGDANAN CAVE is situated 15 kilometers west of Tagbilaran City. Entrance Fee is P15 per person. This is my second tour inside a cave. My first was in Batu Cave, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. All I know, these two caves are small and have been renovated and transformed for tourist attraction.

Once you enter and have gone down the stairs, the cave has a stingy smell. Maybe because of the lurking bats. The place is dark and it's hot! You will find stalactites and stalagmites ...

The place is dimly lighted by fluorescent lamps along a strip ushering visitors to a reservoir of crystal seawater.

You can't really see what is on the wall. I was just taking pictures everywhere when I realized that I captured some of these images.

Stairs inside the cave that leads into a large pool area.

There's a streaks of light coming from the upper left corner of the ceiling that brightens the obscure part of the cave, luring visitors and residents alike to take a dip into the pool. Sad to say, my pics are too dark. You cant' see the pool area.

An open stair leading to the exit...