One note: Don't take a taxi to Batu Caves -- they'll rip you off. The bus is much more affordable. Also, a trip to the Caves can be combined with a trip to the Forestry Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), where there is a rainforest canopy walk. Take a taxi from FRIM to the Caves (or vice versa) -- they're not that far apart.

Getting to Batu Caves is pretty straightforward - city buses drive past on regular basis, taxis are readily avaliable and a newly-opened LRT station nearby makes the transport a lot faster (you'll still have to change to a bus after the railway). Driving north on the Ipoh freeway will also get you to the area, or (as was our case) straight past it, if you're not observant enough. How hard is it to miss a 300-meters tall limestone rocks? Apparently, pretty easy.

The square in front of the cave steps is surrounded by small indian restaurants, shops and stalls selling religious paraphenalia, souvenirs and suchlike and covered in tourists, sellers, taxi drivers and local citizens excercising by running up and down Batu Cave stairs. A fresh drink of coconut water at the stall is an excellent idea before the climb. You can also get some excellent grub there or visit the toilets, should the need arise.

To the left of the main stairs is an entrance to a side-area, where a walkway over a pond populated by a multitude of fish and turtles leads to a small cave-temple, filled with statues of Hindi gods. A small entrance fee is charged, but the visit is well worth the money.

Standing at the bottom of the main stairs, you get an magnificent impression of the cave entrance high above you, the limestone formations reminescent in odd way of a cathedral thoursands of miles away - the Sangrada Familia in Barcelona, a masterpiece of Gaudi. This masterpiece is entirely by the free hand of nature. Climbing up, you're likely to be hustled by the local monkey population, especially if you're carrying anything even remotely edible. A crowd of pigeons stands by to finish you after the monkeys are through with your bag.

The caves themselves are to be experienced rather than read about. They're simply magnificent. The man-made constructions inside the rock cathedral are dwarfed by massive limestone columns and stalactites. Light filters through an opening high in the central cave, lending the place a weak glow and leaving you feeling utterly and absolutely insignificant.

You'll probably need that coconut drink on your way down after all.