day three, trip two

This morning was spent listening to tales of everything from geological expeditions in Asia, to views on Chinese politics, all the time with BBC radio 3 blaring out classical music in the background. When I wasn't doing that, I was lying in the sun while my uncle revised one of his old books.

I was quite happy to do nothing all day but he insisted that I hadn't really been to KL unless I had been to the Batu Caves. So off we went.

It was all well and good for him as he he used his bad hip as an excuse to wait at a coffee shop at the bottom of the mountain, sending me off to climb the hundreds of steps up and into the caves.
So much for doing nothing all day.

It wasn't that bad but the steps were pretty steep and monkeys kept surprising me by running across my path.

The caves are made of lime stone and full of impressive stalactites. You walk through the first cave and up more steps to another cave where the roof has caved in a little, shedding light on the wonders within. The mountain is sacred for Hindus, and in the second cave is a small temple holding a priest who blesses people. It was quite fascinating to watch people leaving with third eye spots, or babies with yellow paste on their heads.

Later we headed out to a local shopping centre for dinner.

I think it's quite funny, cos I'm happy to do nothing, (fry in the sun reading old Rudyard Kipling stories I found hidden in a dusty bookcase, and listening to my uncles tales) but keep getting taken to places regardless. It's so nice. I'm really grateful to have such a welcoming family.