Day 2 - Monkey Magic (4/7/06)
Jul. 20th, 2006 12:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gemfyreNote - I used a different memory card in my camera this day, and now the computer and camera don't want to read it. The photos from today are all my mum's.
First went to Batu Caves then Dark Cave. Steps weren’t too bad, didn’t get badly harassed by monkeys. Interesting to see how these caves have had people around before conservation was heard of so they are highly degraded. Dogs and cats roaming everywhere. There is a line of “cave dogs” in Dark Cave. Grandma dog who apparently has a tendency to get her head stuck in bottles, Mama dog, who recently died after falling into a hole in the cave, and Daughter dog who was recently dubbed Barking Deer by a cave warden. Barking Deer apparently eats coconuts and this is the reason she has a shiny coat. Apparently these dogs eat whatever they can get – birds, bats, scraps, whatever people throw the monkeys. Also saw some monkeys with someone’s handbag – sucks to be the owner of the bag.
Then went to the hot springs, pretty darn hot but not bad once you’re used to it. Found a yellow-vented bulbul here. You can tell when you’re getting out of the city because the bird species increase. Also saw a Hirundid swallow here, Pacific or Barn? Didn’t get a good enough look.
Next stop, Templar’s Park. Bananas! And mango slices. :) More cheeky monkeys, one stole a coke bottle and proceeded to chew it open and dip it’s hand in for the coke. Bins aren’t monkey proof so there is rubbish everywhere, and people have no clue – doing things like washing their hair in a natural waterfall. Didn’t climb all the way to the top and didn’t see any exciting birds apart from a white-rumped shama near the parking lot of all places.
Returned to hotel and discovered the pool isn’t heated. Trying to fit 4.5 days worth of activities into 3 days. So headed back out into town for shopping and dinner.
Tried some proper Malaysian food from a cart. A spring roll which was nice, a BBQ chicken bun thing which was really yummy, and a weird tapioca donut which was… weird, but certainly edible.
Bought a cute little watch too. Dinner at a Middle Eastern restaurant was disappointing. Got the lamb chops and they were tiny, mostly bone, fat and gristle, and burnt.
More photos can be found here - http://pics.livejournal.com/gemfyre/gallery/0000e72b
First went to Batu Caves then Dark Cave. Steps weren’t too bad, didn’t get badly harassed by monkeys. Interesting to see how these caves have had people around before conservation was heard of so they are highly degraded. Dogs and cats roaming everywhere. There is a line of “cave dogs” in Dark Cave. Grandma dog who apparently has a tendency to get her head stuck in bottles, Mama dog, who recently died after falling into a hole in the cave, and Daughter dog who was recently dubbed Barking Deer by a cave warden. Barking Deer apparently eats coconuts and this is the reason she has a shiny coat. Apparently these dogs eat whatever they can get – birds, bats, scraps, whatever people throw the monkeys. Also saw some monkeys with someone’s handbag – sucks to be the owner of the bag.
| Hindu Statue A huge golden statue of a Hindu God that stands outside the caves. |
 |
Then went to the hot springs, pretty darn hot but not bad once you’re used to it. Found a yellow-vented bulbul here. You can tell when you’re getting out of the city because the bird species increase. Also saw a Hirundid swallow here, Pacific or Barn? Didn’t get a good enough look.
Next stop, Templar’s Park. Bananas! And mango slices. :) More cheeky monkeys, one stole a coke bottle and proceeded to chew it open and dip it’s hand in for the coke. Bins aren’t monkey proof so there is rubbish everywhere, and people have no clue – doing things like washing their hair in a natural waterfall. Didn’t climb all the way to the top and didn’t see any exciting birds apart from a white-rumped shama near the parking lot of all places.
Returned to hotel and discovered the pool isn’t heated. Trying to fit 4.5 days worth of activities into 3 days. So headed back out into town for shopping and dinner.
Tried some proper Malaysian food from a cart. A spring roll which was nice, a BBQ chicken bun thing which was really yummy, and a weird tapioca donut which was… weird, but certainly edible.
Bought a cute little watch too. Dinner at a Middle Eastern restaurant was disappointing. Got the lamb chops and they were tiny, mostly bone, fat and gristle, and burnt.
More photos can be found here - http://pics.livejournal.com/gemfyre/gallery/0000e72b
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no subject
Date: 2006-07-20 04:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-20 05:14 am (UTC)Ahh, I've been to that cave. I should put up my photos of the place. Including several cheeky monkeys.
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Date: 2006-07-20 06:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-20 01:54 pm (UTC)Be safe, and have a blast.
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Date: 2006-07-20 01:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-20 02:44 pm (UTC)Well, I'm still impressed, darnit!