Chasing Adventure in the Cat City

Chasing Adventure in the Cat City

There are times when I would often wonder how life is as a cat.

Just the thought of leisurely walking the world with no haste or importance was always a willing premise especially against a backdrop of constant movement.

Basking in the warm ambiance that causes time to dwindle in a swiveling halt, staring at anyone with those mysteriously insightful eyes is something your average feline friend would do to anyone.

Although incorporating the way a cat spends their nine lives is usually not a good idea, however, there are always some places that would remind people of how it is to live like them.

Take Kuching, the capital city of the state of Sarawak in Malaysia for example. Despite its status as a slowly developing city, it displays most of the characteristics that a cat would have.

Like an ideal getaway, Kuching exudes a feeling of being lost in time as you can tour its streets languidly, or just whisk the day away as you enjoy the view of the Sarawak River or the city itself in their civic center to see their growth or go down to several communities to embrace their culture.

Named for the Malay term for a cat, Kuching incidentally acquires those feats. However, it also has diverse treasures that define Malaysian culture and history. Yet despite the developments economically, they remain conservative of the ways of the old. Like the mysterious eyes of a cat, despite such displays are a slew of natural resources on display as well.

Of Cats and Crafts

Aside from sharing the same name, Kuching's affinity for cats is certainly well known. Various monuments and structures depicting cats are littered all around the city capital. The most notable ones are found in the north and south city councils.

It doesn't end there as they also devoted a museum for cats that serves as a statement to the city's nickname.

A few kilometers from the Cat Museum is the Sarakraf Pavillion, where some of their most notable handicrafts are on display. The pavilion also serves as a mini-museum with the rooms capturing the feel of an original workhouse.

The actual making of these handicrafts is also made there-from pottery to various sizes of musical instruments. Some of the crafts made here are also sold.

Aside from the pavilion, some of Sarawak's local products can also be found at the main bazaar located near the riverfront. These rows of specialty stores offer almost everything, ranging from native clothing to their spices. And true to the feeling of walking into Divisoria, minus all the clutter, they offer them at affordable prices, plus you can also practice your best persuasion tactics in any of the stores you come across.

All in One House

As the capital city of the state, Kuching houses many symbols, both cultural and historical, that molded Sarawak throughout the years. It seems like every corner of their streets is filled with so many stories that give anyone an idea of what it felt like back then.

Old buildings, from city halls to temples, give people a glimpse of their ties to history and religion. From across the river lies their version of Malacañang Palace, the place where the first Rajah of Sarawak, Sir James Brook resided.

From their old buildings, some communities also resided here. Go on a trip to their Chinatown and it becomes a steady reminder of walking in Binondo, where their philosophies in maintaining their stores remain to this day. True to their strong Chinese influence, temples built by early settlers can still be seen from any part of the city.

Sarawak Museum is also a place to understand their olden ways; from there you get to see a summary of their wildlife, their old traditions, and some of their earliest tribes. From intricate art forms to various artifacts spanning from different timelines, this museum, although small, gathers a comprehensive understanding of the state.

Also, if you are looking for immersion, a trip to the Bidayuh Longhouse is a must. Since it is a tribal custom to live in a longhouse with many rooms, this tribal community remains active today, with their traditions, such as weaving, rubber manufacturing, and some remnants of headhunting practices are still intact.

Visitors who come in can also interact with the locals while you tour the place.

Aside from the longhouses here in Annah Rais, functional longhouses can still be found in their Cultural Village, in Santubong. The longhouses here serve different functions, from dining places to accommodations.

The cultural village was also given life as it was the venue for the recent edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival where locals and concertgoers were treated to a party and the occasional rain which, in my opinion, made things interesting.

Home to Other Furry Animals

Although Kuching has been the home to many of our feline friends, some of Malaysia's notable animals also find their home here.

Two primates, namely the proboscis monkey and the orangutan find refuge in Kuching's many municipalities. A National Park in Bako and the Semmengoh Nature Reserve are the best places to spot most of them in their habitat.

The Orangutan is one of the most intelligent creatures in the animal kingdom and is commonly found around Malaysia. The Semmengoh Rehabilitation center was built to ensure that the species will reach the next generation.

It also serves as a breeding center. Being able to walk in the lush forest and experience watching them minus the radiation of the tube felt like National Geographic.

Towards the north, is Bako National Park. It is the state's first is the smallest national park spanning only 27 kilometers.

However, it has the richest ecosystems in Sarawak with various species of plants and animals. The most famous resident is the endangered proboscis monkey which is endemic to Borneo.

The twenty-minute ride to access the park is an appetizer where you're treated to some amazing rock formations before reaching their lush garden of mangroves, where most of the proboscis monkeys can be commonly spotted.

Several species of birds, other mammals, and other species of monkeys can be found around the traversing trails of mountains against a backdrop of the sea. This can be a perfect way to cap off your adventure by basking in the sun or a refreshing dip.