Kuching in bronze

At the Kuching waterfront is seen this bronze sculpture of a group of local cats. The city's named has been accredited to cats. One theory suggests that it derived its name from the spot where there were plenty of trees the locals here called 'mata kuching' that have seeds like cat's eyes. This spot close to where the city now is was a natural gathering place of ships and boats that came in to town to trade. Overtime the town was described by the river spot where the trading ships or boats berthed albeit by the shade of the 'mata kuching' trees. Another theory suggests that the prevalence of cats around the town had made people adopt the name 'Kuching' ( malay word for cat) to better describe the locality. Whatever theory you are inclined to follow it all boiled down to cats, cats,cats. Kuching is for cats.

A group of local cats in bronze in playful mood. Location: Kuching waterfront area.

Kuching's Cat Museum

We took time to visit the Cat Museum at DBKU( Dewan BandarayaKuching Utara = Kuching North City Council) Building today. This is the entrance to the museum, located at the ground floor of the Kuching North City Council's Building. The Kuching North City Council's emblem also carries cats as icons.

The DBKU Headquarters with cats as part of the emblem.

BTW, Kuching = Cat in Malay.

Part of the models and relief sculpture of the big cat family of the animal kingdom.

A Cat Burglar at Work.

Stuffed Civet Cats and Spotted Leopard Cats ( in the background)

Cats, cats everywhere.

Children photo fitting...in cats costume.

Big poster of a theatretical play featuring... Human Cats.

View of Kuching City from the Cat Museum.

T-Shirts of 'Kuching'

The T-shirt says it all. Kuching is the capital of Sarawak. Coincidentally Kuching is also the local Malay word for cat. The story goes that when the early British traders set up shop in Sarawak in the middle of the nineteenth century, they used to park their ships and goods at a small river close to the existing Main Bazaar Road. Along this river were found numerous 'Mata Kuching' trees ( Dimocarpus longan malesianus) which bear fruits very much like the longan but smaller in size. These fruits have dark brown seeds that look like cat's eyes. The name 'Kuching' was chosen to refer to this early trading post area and slowly became vogue when the Rajah of Sarawak ( Ruler of Sarawak) built his palace or astana across it.

Today, as I went around Satok to do a little shopping I came across T-shirts marketing those lovable Kuching icons - yes, cats and of course the name of the city itself.

Still interested to know more about Kuching cats? Then you're welcome to visit my special blog about them here.

Watching Einstein Sleep

Today Einstein is seven months old. He is the best sleeper among my cats .Once he sleeps, he is totally cut off from the world. Likes long afternoon nap. Inul's puppy doll tries hard to bark him out of his slumber,but to no avail. I wonder!

Cats for Sale

A wall of cats ready to be bought... tall cats,tiny cats, white cats, red cats, brown cats, yellow cats are trying to get attention from passers by and shoppers along this Kuching waterfront souvenir shop.

A closer view of the wooden cats that are beautifully painted with their outstretched necks and lovely eyes. It's cats at first sight.

Playful cats

At the Kuching waterfront a group of cats are seen on the open space displaying their playful behaviour.

Playful cats

A group of cats are seen here in front of the Holiday Inn Hotel, Kuching. A favourite site for visitors to snap a little bit of Kuching's original history. Kuching derived its name from a tree that bears seeds like cat's eyes. The local name for the fruit is 'buah mata kuching'.

Sisters at Play

On this second trip to Kuching, we had lots of fun together. Here's Kuching Hitler with sisters at play. Bigger sister is called 'Messy Gray' and youngest sister is named 'Inul' ,after an Indonesian dangdut diva.

Kuching Hitler

Kuching is a local word for cat. According to one theory, the city of Kuching derived its name from a local fruit called 'mata kuching' which bears seeds very much like a cat's eyes. My cat has dark eyes and a handsome moustache. For that matter, he is indeed a Kuching Hitler!
Born on 25th January,2008 at Bintulu, he has since travelled twice by road to Kuching.