Batu Caves is one of the tourist attractions which located not far away from KL city centre. But most of us only visit the temple cave and didn’t notice the Dark Cave, which the entrance is located at step number 204 of the 272 steps leading to the temple cave. I decided to organize a trip to the dark cave after hearing Lai’s interesting experience. I browsed through some websites and sent the enquiry email. Eventually, I got the reply from Patricia, the marketing manager of Speleotrend Enterprise. They organized the dark tour together with MNS ( Malaysia Nature Society ). 2 types of tours are offered: educational trip and adventure trip. I would like to go for the adventure trip that sounds more exciting.
Next, I will have to get enough persons to join the trip together. The cost of the tour is RM50 per pax with minimum 8 persons. After broadcasting the idea via email, I had finally got 15 persons that signed up for the trip. 3 persons joined at the last minutes, so altogether there are 18 persons in our group. Although I didn’t know all of the participants, it’s always nice to meet new friends. :)
17th June 07, all of us gathered at Batu Cave by 10.30am. Helmet, headlamp and Wellington boots were provided. Jaya was our cave warden. The tour began at 11.30am. We walked at the passageway that leads into the dark cave. I felt clumsy to walk with the boots and could hardly see the way as the light was very dim. Jaya brief us on the history of the dark cave and a little bit knowledge of the formation inside the cave. He warned us not to touch the formation in the cave. This is because the stalactite and stalagmite in the cave took thousands or even million years to form. We have to learn to appreciate and preserve it. Besides, he also demonstrated how we should crawl inside the tiny adventure path later.
We saw a white snake while we were on the way to the adventure tunnel. It lie there didn’t seem want to move. So, we bypassed it quickly. When we reached at an open space, Jaya asked all of us to switch off our headlamp and then closed the eyes. Then, he switched off his light and asked all of us to open the eyes. It’s totally dark!! We couldn’t even see our fingers. The cave warden, Jaya told us that this was the real dark cave environment. All of the creatures inside the cave live in the dark. If we encounter any creature, try not to disturb them as we are only the visitor to the cave.
I couldn’t wait to check out the adventure path that Jaya mentioned earlier. But just before we want to enter into that 1 feet high tunnel, a guy was crawling out from the tunnel. This is another group that also went for the adventure tour, but followed the path in opposite direction. When all of the members of the other group finally out from the tunnel, it’s our turn to get wet and dirty. The floor was wet and muddy. But we had to do the army crawl to get through the tunnel. At some point, the hole is very small. So, we had to turn the head on one side in order to get through. Foong Kiew took the pictures for when we were in the cave. She was the only person that brought camera in because her camera has the underwater casing.
After crawling for a short distance, I reached the part where ceiling is a big high up. We rested there for a while before proceed for the 2nd part crawling. Once we went out from the tunnel, it’s turn for us to climb up the wall and slide down to a pool. Jaya went down first to the pool and helped us when we were sliding down one by one. The water level is above my waist. We waded through the water and climbed up the wall again. Then, we came to an open space – a place where the light came in from the top of the cave. The exit was not far away from this open space. Our adventure tour ended at 2.15pm.
Our clothes were dirty, wet and smelly. So, we paid RM1 to took shower at the bathroom which provided by temple. Then, we took our late lunch at Air Panas, Setapak. The food there is delicious. It’s a nice weekend with exciting trip and nice food.
p/s: I am receiving the feedback from some of the members after the trip. I am really glad that everyone did enjoy themselves. :)
Thursday, June 28, 2007
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Yes.. I really enjoy this trip. This is more adventure than the Gua Tempurung Grand Tour... coz this cave is smaller, narrower and more challenging. But big size ppl don't have to worry too much, our warden - Jaya is not small size also. Since he can get through, so do u.... (but not more than 200 pound la) :P Hahahha
ReplyDeleteThanks Jing Yee for organising this...
hi jingyee, can u email me this MNS/jaya contact? looks like an interesting outing.....
ReplyDeleteJacky, you may contact Patricia at 016-6305547 if you interested for the dark cave tour.
ReplyDelete