Kuching, Malaysia, ZIP Code: 93150
I have been staying in Green Road, Kuching for the last five years. My husband teaches in a local college here. Kuching is the capital city of the state of Sarawak in Malaysia. The place meets my expectations of life due to its vibrant culture and beautiful surroundings. But what appeals me the most is that it is famous as the ‘Cat City.’
Cat statues in Kuching
When I had first landed here I was so intrigued by the fact that it’s called the ‘Cat City’ that I tried to find out the reason behind it by speaking to the local community. They gave different theories behind it. The most interesting of all is – The first Ruler of Sarawak pointed at the city and asked what is it called? Since a cat was there when he asked, a local thought he was referring to a cat and said, “It’s called Kuching,” the local word for cat and hence it became the name of the city.
Street art with cat graffiti in Kuching
The felines are more than just animals which live here in huge numbers. It’s a part of the culture in Sarawak. The city of Kuching has cat graffiti sprayed on the walls, shops lined with cat souvenir, a cat museum dedicated to feline exhibits and artifacts, cat statues, and even a Meow Meow Cat Café! All this showcases Kuching’s affinity to cats.
Inside the Cat Museum
However, Kuching has more to offer than just cats. It is a melting pot of different ethnicities – Malay, Chinese, and indigenous groups such as the Iban, Orang Ulu and Bidayuh. The fun of this is that I get a taste of various festivals, traditions and cuisines in a single place.
I find Kuching a livable city due to a relaxed pace of life, balance between urban conveniences and natural beauty. There is a semblance of modern infrastructure healthcare facilities, educational institutions and a range of recreational activities for residents to enjoy.
I was never a feline lover before but while living in this city, I have sort of fallen in love with cats. After all, the place you stay in rubs off on you.
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