Batu Caves - KL Part II

My favorite stop in KL were the Batu Caves.  Apparently, it is one of the most popular Hindu shrines located outside of India, at least according to Wikipedia.  There were lots of monkeys around and even a monkeyesque statue as we entered.  It was a short 30 minute train ride from KL Sentral and definitely worth the trip.  It was nice to get out of the city for a bit and see a new place.  It was quite a hike up to the caves so make sure you taking your walking shoes.  In face, my thighs and calves were burning.  However, there were lots of temples that didn't require climbing.  Overall, I would recommend it if you have an extra half day to kill in KL.  

 (Half monkey and half man god)

(Inside the monkey man shrine)

 (Giant Golden Statue)

(This is just to give you an idea of how big it really was.  Also, you can see the steps leading up to the caves.)  

 (Let the journey begin)

(Monkey grabbing a bite to eat)

 (A quick view from inside the caves)

(A few items for sale once you reach the top)

(Katrina with the caves behind her)

(Hindu Temple with things on the top)

(Entrance to one of the shrines)

 (A shrine within the cave)

 (View as we headed down the steps.  I saw one lady touch every step with her hand as she was climbing to the top.)

(Katrina outside one of the other temples that didn't require much climbing.  You can see the monkey man in the background.)

Gangwondo

I achieved my goal for the month - I am now able to solve a Rubik's cube. We had a lot of time on the bus since it was a holiday weekend. We played a game of Scrabble, Monopoly, and Spenser was able to teach me the final few steps in the Rubik's cube. This was the first one I solved, by accident, I admit, but I now can do it on my own. Don't get me wrong, it's no 5 seconds like the world record, but I can do it.

As for the trip, we arrived in Gangwondo in the afternoon, went to the beach for a little, saw mirror lake, ate some homemade tofu, saw the houses of the woman on the 50,000 won bill as well as her son's, who is on the 5,000 won bill, met Ellen's family (including Honey), went and got coffee with them, ate a delicious meal, ate a second delicious meal, came back and played some Wii and relaxed. On Sunday, we ate breakfast, went to another water side temple, and got to hang out on the beach for a bit. We had to come back for work on Monday while most other people had it off for Independence Day. All in all it was a fantastic weekend!

(First one, by accident, but still the first one)


(Sculpture at the beach)


(Myself, Katrina, Amy, and Spenser)


(Katrina at mirror lake)


(Katrina eating tofu)


(Jump shot for the trip)


(Black bamboo, my first time seeing it)


(More temple shots)


(A nice artsy shot by Katrina)


(Possible kim-chi pots, I'm not sure)


(Guy on the Korean 5 dollar bill - 5,000 won)


(Woman on the Korean 50 dollar bill - 50,000 won)


(Spenser hanging with honey and Katrina)


(Honey and Katrina)


(Me being a kid and trying ti fill up a broken squirt gun I found on the beach so I could squirt someone with it.)


(Fireworks on the beach at night)


(Myself, Katrina, and Honey)


(Touching the Fat Buddha at the waterside temple)


(Giant statues)


(Amy, Ellen, and myself)


(Sweet dragon motif on the side of the building)


(Hanging on the rocks)


(Katrina refreshing herself)


(If you look in the bottom right, you can barely see Katrina. Hopefully, that gives you an idea of just how large the statues are.)


(Katrina again)


(Sweet gold statue with 108 gold hands)


(Found some more of the Buddha action figures at this temple)


(A sweet cave like structure)


(Inside the main sanctuary of the cave)


(A wall shot)


(A ceiling shot in the cave)


(Last day, hanging on the beach, Ellen with her life jacket on)


(A shot of Spenser and I)