The cat city vacation

Origin of name

Latest holiday destination we visited is the cat city..The cat in Malay Language is KUCHING. Kuching is the State capital of Sarawak in East Malaysia.This is a place described as one of the most attractive cities in Southeast Asia. It is always interesting to find out how such name is acquired. Nevertheless, there are a number stories or sayings as to how this beautiful place got its name.

There is a local legend that James Brooke(the first White Rajah of Sarawak) was pointing towards the settlement across the river,and asking what place it was called. However, he was mistakenly thought he was pointing to a passing cat.

There is a separate theory whereby it may actually be a variation of the Indian name for "port" - "Cochin". Kuching was first settled by Indian traders who set up base at Santubong. Some museum pieces/Artifacts of Hindu origin can still be be seen at the State Museum today.

Another theory is that the city was named after the "mata kucing" or "cat's eye" fruit. Trees bearing this fruit used to grow in abundance by the river banks - where the city's commercial heart, is located. There is a hill in the heart of the modern city called Bukit Mata Kuching, and was named after the fruit. Also, at the foot of the hill, there was once a stream called the Kuching River.

There is another more credible theory and that Kuching actually means "Ku" - Old and "Ching" - Well or "old well" in Chinese. During the Brooke's rule, there was no proper water supply and water-borne diseases were common. Evidence of the well is still found at China Street.

The city has never been noted for having a significantly large population of cats. Although we do sometimes see a couple of cats roaming around here and there..In fact, the many cat statues, the Kuching Cat Museum and other association with cats have been largely a recent phenomenon, part of a modern effort of tourism. Many travel brochures refer to Kuching as "Cat City" or the "City of Cats".
Nice place to visit and love the slow moving pattern of life style compared to over here in Kuala Lumpur (West Malaysia).