The Road To Cameron: Caves

The next meeting point is at Sam Poh Tong (cave with a temple), but I make a detour to Gua Tempurung, for a look at some (other) pretty amazing caves. Along the way I try and marvel at the scenery (whilst keeping an eye on the road, of course): it's beautiful - the landscape is very dramatic with limestone hills sprouting up all over the place covered in lush green vegetation… pretty amazing.

Gua Tempurung is a caving / adventure spot and unfortunately we are not able to just wander about the place ourselves, but instead have to join a tour to get inside the cave (would you believe they quoted Health and Safety – fucking do-gooders get everywhere). Actually this is fine, and the tour guide suggests that we just tag along the back of the rest of the group. It’s amazing what nature can do: millions of years in the making, the stalactites and stalagmites are incredible – and they’d have to be to distract you from the stink of bat shit and body odour that fills the caves!

After this minor detour, we head back towards Ipoh to meet the others at Sam Poh Tong, another set of caves, but this time with a Chinese temple inside. It’s on the main road into Ipoh from the highway, so is quite touristy here and pretty crowded, so after a refreshing fresh coconut drink,  we head off to – Kek Look Tong, which is far less crowded as it's off the beaten track a bit (well, through a residential area that you wouldn’t stumble across) – it’s great to have someone local as a guide!


It’s pretty impressive here too and the temple has been built in amongst the limestone caverns and the golden buddha is very imposing...