Taipei // Stray Cats Cafe

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4p5GwmTZZEDCYpCWfq5Q9onuc3NH04HMxiEMoLnzZE4LlBxgIu1IjujUwUFjJVytS8dwd8SutoAswsCs4ucypH5k3hKOv6CN0hrmotvc48zH2Sn7wO2FuHVbwDElv6TUuQ6fPP_MJbO8i/s1600/straycatscafe-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4p5GwmTZZEDCYpCWfq5Q9onuc3NH04HMxiEMoLnzZE4LlBxgIu1IjujUwUFjJVytS8dwd8SutoAswsCs4ucypH5k3hKOv6CN0hrmotvc48zH2Sn7wO2FuHVbwDElv6TUuQ6fPP_MJbO8i/s1600/straycatscafe-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I love cats. and I especially love kittens. leaving our two cats behind when we moved abroad was one of the hardest parts of becoming an expat. so when my brother came to Taiwan and said he wanted to visit a cat cafe - a place where you can sit and play with kittens for as long as you like - I was all in.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwY1LmYekgn1WsKaOu-kID_9mgLPFxB8SwhlFuD8I5TIevVH7GViHWdG6n00W7J2jylg7IqI1U4GA-Wg8Ed-oDd28H8HqDOUcaM9M_hvpNP22hKvSYhroDRTnT-rCs2xLuNFkgX4mRRHi8/s1600/straycatscafe-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwY1LmYekgn1WsKaOu-kID_9mgLPFxB8SwhlFuD8I5TIevVH7GViHWdG6n00W7J2jylg7IqI1U4GA-Wg8Ed-oDd28H8HqDOUcaM9M_hvpNP22hKvSYhroDRTnT-rCs2xLuNFkgX4mRRHi8/s1600/straycatscafe-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosFoP-Hm8axyPU36mOjsqJpOwa1azfZ07UHifeYlpwzDB8D2dMOt9wUrI6JGmZ50Wv0gY5ye7d6sDjw79EguOxlANsDQoBsOCxZA9VE8HeS42hoRSBMw33lK7uU-iulAqiunM-POrAO_J/s1600/straycatscafe-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosFoP-Hm8axyPU36mOjsqJpOwa1azfZ07UHifeYlpwzDB8D2dMOt9wUrI6JGmZ50Wv0gY5ye7d6sDjw79EguOxlANsDQoBsOCxZA9VE8HeS42hoRSBMw33lK7uU-iulAqiunM-POrAO_J/s1600/straycatscafe-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-AIuLDRK3DBMYcpBQR9P4CEmet1yRw_nMGCyWBrxQjSw_WKJrU8LgIVE9jzSjGtoWIzXVHNsNL2NdZ3xABuZLZZEYv_vrxmcCClXE6BOVaPXIX27Kz-ZSg-0t2fMSrNG2Z9am94b8X0-/s1600/straycatscafe-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-AIuLDRK3DBMYcpBQR9P4CEmet1yRw_nMGCyWBrxQjSw_WKJrU8LgIVE9jzSjGtoWIzXVHNsNL2NdZ3xABuZLZZEYv_vrxmcCClXE6BOVaPXIX27Kz-ZSg-0t2fMSrNG2Z9am94b8X0-/s1600/straycatscafe-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />the concept of cats and coffee might seems a little strange, even more so the concept of cats and eating. but cat cafes are a big deal in Asia, where many people don't have pets. you can come to the cafe and play with animals, sip a latte, read a book, and just hang out.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PaphB229iA2FO3Vr7ePKfo3K_3E4d7PM5qd0LHDzoGAm51GtuRxUHaAPzU6-aec8nRdz5OuF_qbZJ3MfC4jzdBLB1j_4KKFhDM8pmawnTZ0Maq8O4p1k5cHQpIbZF0IH2RRsrgk_6E2o/s1600/straycatscafe-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PaphB229iA2FO3Vr7ePKfo3K_3E4d7PM5qd0LHDzoGAm51GtuRxUHaAPzU6-aec8nRdz5OuF_qbZJ3MfC4jzdBLB1j_4KKFhDM8pmawnTZ0Maq8O4p1k5cHQpIbZF0IH2RRsrgk_6E2o/s1600/straycatscafe-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mqvV0gQbAbgiUTFOAsJ3gBffW2TsZigjF6aM6fQjWFEIFXIF5rEOkUtNby6npMvnrf47Ma0cQ_fh5ybwcwMxf8PFibPh3mzIsy9RiM7ktfALe4vFRhTwo7xps7Y32GXI8q1oHYqoTa3a/s1600/straycatscafe-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mqvV0gQbAbgiUTFOAsJ3gBffW2TsZigjF6aM6fQjWFEIFXIF5rEOkUtNby6npMvnrf47Ma0cQ_fh5ybwcwMxf8PFibPh3mzIsy9RiM7ktfALe4vFRhTwo7xps7Y32GXI8q1oHYqoTa3a/s1600/straycatscafe-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />we selected the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MeowtCafe" target="_blank">Stray Cats Cafe in Taipei</a> to visit, since I had found a <a href="http://taipeicatcafes.wordpress.com/2014/05/20/stray-cats-cafe-%E9%87%8E%E5%96%B5%E4%B8%AD%E9%80%94%E5%92%96%E5%95%A1/" target="_blank">blog post recommending it</a> and stating that most of their cats were still kittens. this cafe is also great because all their kittens are up for adoption! they take in strays and then help to find them homes. a few of the cats are older, and act as mothers for the little ones.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AJrSPm_EYfX-WKTniTGx3fqMSHlvwjX-B9c5sS0H-zUUbhkYrcklgCyMX-iB3c0xkrrhg9621kTUPRHdUm13SajzaoQimAIScGfiQ7ZZ9GAnhf8UdNBE4V6CeoX3AMnilXGsqybM2CPz/s1600/straycatscafe-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AJrSPm_EYfX-WKTniTGx3fqMSHlvwjX-B9c5sS0H-zUUbhkYrcklgCyMX-iB3c0xkrrhg9621kTUPRHdUm13SajzaoQimAIScGfiQ7ZZ9GAnhf8UdNBE4V6CeoX3AMnilXGsqybM2CPz/s1600/straycatscafe-18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR9PuIhpUoY9T1gLxWiqB1ExSNuWgnVG6AyHvQaJj7TXDGwGuIexQSYksqk6DAkCEJV6I5fvaFKrnYgCx7pStiRIcnxmay3kJIjhLjjg_0tipg5C-cJA_WGScq-SmHnkbVtMBAer9TLqt/s1600/straycatscafe-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR9PuIhpUoY9T1gLxWiqB1ExSNuWgnVG6AyHvQaJj7TXDGwGuIexQSYksqk6DAkCEJV6I5fvaFKrnYgCx7pStiRIcnxmay3kJIjhLjjg_0tipg5C-cJA_WGScq-SmHnkbVtMBAer9TLqt/s1600/straycatscafe-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3EbsfhigvZyd4gWihSDRXcrE1AJfbzVyLDVUHKlJ44ZbKeAbdxsNvxVsOQoqFrxuHzI_GcE42AdnauA0fbQFmn5hKN1i82n4RTn6BaxwoHXYg6Op7vmvE8U_gR1u8Map8TSJQP28iVx7/s1600/straycatscafe-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3EbsfhigvZyd4gWihSDRXcrE1AJfbzVyLDVUHKlJ44ZbKeAbdxsNvxVsOQoqFrxuHzI_GcE42AdnauA0fbQFmn5hKN1i82n4RTn6BaxwoHXYg6Op7vmvE8U_gR1u8Map8TSJQP28iVx7/s1600/straycatscafe-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmv8-OHlLVKvHr8WjkUQ8TInmpt0IqmdVg1-m_y0AommY3XXXMs37MWB0k2n7dWtRP8caFQI2gjENfr4ezd4YHLRFm6EVC3eCFkUrsgMRu06ogXLBZapMMZnwn-tueQfc1_TG6-851FJ07/s1600/straycatscafe-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmv8-OHlLVKvHr8WjkUQ8TInmpt0IqmdVg1-m_y0AommY3XXXMs37MWB0k2n7dWtRP8caFQI2gjENfr4ezd4YHLRFm6EVC3eCFkUrsgMRu06ogXLBZapMMZnwn-tueQfc1_TG6-851FJ07/s1600/straycatscafe-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQJY30s_-RFMb9JqMRAPlwzUOkfSN8qlw9V7PT-MEctJKnDNra3z2JUFnUQlG8A8oNsD2PmD523KP7DNgJCBrzeYcVvvtc0javkm6o4s9dWGjuCWib2wXOtcSOghI9Y1uATCvQcadyfAT/s1600/straycatscafe-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQJY30s_-RFMb9JqMRAPlwzUOkfSN8qlw9V7PT-MEctJKnDNra3z2JUFnUQlG8A8oNsD2PmD523KP7DNgJCBrzeYcVvvtc0javkm6o4s9dWGjuCWib2wXOtcSOghI9Y1uATCvQcadyfAT/s1600/straycatscafe-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />we arrived to find a crowd of children <strike>chasing around</strike> playing with the kittens. there are plenty of cat towers and feathery wands and toys to keep them occupied, and they are all very friendly with the cafe visitors. soon the kittens were tired out and realized they could come <strike>hide</strike> sleep on/near our table. we didn't mind.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumNt1eJ_XS4Texr1DI3NTT-Hw8eueVM_FhERBUqLvIvjtWq83KsxkiPswSZOGG8esWQvGHC8cQe2CnwgL3XUJz3_y_qbVQ4F7qsNErs512PJjeN0c9AlUo6fEKOSRkDIGu-4jvLBWz7ZJ/s1600/straycatscafe-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumNt1eJ_XS4Texr1DI3NTT-Hw8eueVM_FhERBUqLvIvjtWq83KsxkiPswSZOGG8esWQvGHC8cQe2CnwgL3XUJz3_y_qbVQ4F7qsNErs512PJjeN0c9AlUo6fEKOSRkDIGu-4jvLBWz7ZJ/s1600/straycatscafe-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKUWSXS7a3Ipt7NwlUIpN0g3wqj2f5LQhyphenhyphenuY_5g89u9ll69k8l4ksyxJfzgg5owCVaQlwVpRnPEPGPl3WxRV0Ub3BBRtSEPg-JjUD7RPNkA44_feir5EzEQ6Gr3DaTv0cBKYlxc9hpsH-/s1600/straycatscafe-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKUWSXS7a3Ipt7NwlUIpN0g3wqj2f5LQhyphenhyphenuY_5g89u9ll69k8l4ksyxJfzgg5owCVaQlwVpRnPEPGPl3WxRV0Ub3BBRtSEPg-JjUD7RPNkA44_feir5EzEQ6Gr3DaTv0cBKYlxc9hpsH-/s1600/straycatscafe-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I pretty much didn't want to leave... ever. but dumplings were calling my name, and we had other things to see in Taipei. a cat cafe was the perfect place to sit [in air conditioning] and have a drink while enjoying some serious adorableness. I'm planning to head back soon to get my kitten fix!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;">linking up with <a href="http://bonnieroseblog.co.uk/category/traveltuesday">Bonnie</a>, <a href="http://thethingsiamcrazyfor.wordpress.com/">Camila</a>, <a href="http://www.twofeet-oneworld.com/">Jessi</a>, and <a href="http://www.amyandthegreatworld.com/">Amy</a> for Travel Tuesday.</div></span>

Taipei // Stray Cats Cafe

I love cats. and I especially love kittens. leaving our two cats behind when we moved abroad was one of the hardest parts of becoming an exp...

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cats + creatures of Bali

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQnWspmmL62lzew6gNauWH4H99nG81SeIhNeQWBVbgOxe9UFjo9iEOvJ-4Ewbf601ZbKBAuIy-BQEl0Rz-SG98gd1CrgMejRRt61dOcw_FYRDFV8GpulsQ1VkHbvazDySnYJE32zf5vfs/s1600/calicokitten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQnWspmmL62lzew6gNauWH4H99nG81SeIhNeQWBVbgOxe9UFjo9iEOvJ-4Ewbf601ZbKBAuIy-BQEl0Rz-SG98gd1CrgMejRRt61dOcw_FYRDFV8GpulsQ1VkHbvazDySnYJE32zf5vfs/s1600/calicokitten.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />if you've been reading for the past year or so, you know that I've posted three installations of "<a href="http://inkandadventure.blogspot.tw/2013/09/cats-of-thailand-part-3.html" target="_blank">the cats of Thailand</a>." Bali, it seems, does not have as many cats as they do <a href="http://inkandadventure.blogspot.tw/2014/02/monkey-forest-ubud-bali.html" target="_blank">monkeys</a> running around. but there were still enough kittens and other creatures that I felt it necessary to write this post.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo19k8pSuwwmCKMjxID-bruf9PmHRfUnWyr8y2kTiq9A4zwKdc-NDAmNeZM3-qElUxqBK0Pqag8z_6hDSR018LBMURKNBTjei4xiuicMbRqpfpvzFY9HlgsiRmGtfg_BsEAYvk-tfXIPA/s1600/calicokitten1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo19k8pSuwwmCKMjxID-bruf9PmHRfUnWyr8y2kTiq9A4zwKdc-NDAmNeZM3-qElUxqBK0Pqag8z_6hDSR018LBMURKNBTjei4xiuicMbRqpfpvzFY9HlgsiRmGtfg_BsEAYvk-tfXIPA/s1600/calicokitten1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />this little one was perhaps the most cooperative in having his picture taken. he had a friend which refused to come out of the bright light and let me focus on him. they were hanging out near the entrance to the water temple [which I'll show you later] which leads me to believe that yes, Bali does have temple cats.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7ekwxwBcvQnqz3R95LN43CYIHnNSkqw811WCkyWuVpQ0rB7AauHm0pOQ_m8iImNZyfimZnqtjQ49wCt6t8ODarQTjRnDBrAWCNko2e0grVqm3IZvZyZBOkAJZqbzcs_OkPQ7VD5Zsr-M/s1600/bali_templecat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7ekwxwBcvQnqz3R95LN43CYIHnNSkqw811WCkyWuVpQ0rB7AauHm0pOQ_m8iImNZyfimZnqtjQ49wCt6t8ODarQTjRnDBrAWCNko2e0grVqm3IZvZyZBOkAJZqbzcs_OkPQ7VD5Zsr-M/s1600/bali_templecat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />further evidence. we didn't see any cats at <a href="http://inkandadventure.blogspot.tw/2014/03/bali-tanah-lot-managing-expectations.html" target="_blank">Tanah Lot</a>, but it was so crowded I assume they would be in hiding until night. there were also a few cats who frequented the small shrine and our hotel grounds, but they proved to be elusive [and only came out when I didn't have one of my three cameras on hand]<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaPPMn5ZQqYVWsMFF6jg9ljv-Ph0fWXfuDL3vkJfQOtocD8SCx6JWkhUtCcuSunRyaXOwyzT9g2ExD52SwtLbun0gEvmPSuBqvJIgd7sxDVzx1DBTfLxyP0JYRRcOZnokgM5dBJGCVqTo/s1600/birdcage_bali1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaPPMn5ZQqYVWsMFF6jg9ljv-Ph0fWXfuDL3vkJfQOtocD8SCx6JWkhUtCcuSunRyaXOwyzT9g2ExD52SwtLbun0gEvmPSuBqvJIgd7sxDVzx1DBTfLxyP0JYRRcOZnokgM5dBJGCVqTo/s1600/birdcage_bali1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEiIiZTIcXA53X9OxYJ5RO98Zt-PcDZMsanzCNW_Ou49v7Sw5jgHktpWwqAnh-TSErnqf78_d4tk8JDX0JY2pQ1bSgIP9kbAN3Al_yglBfOIKU2IFuqqXgqtn0yDGrTN8XlS177U0ER_q/s1600/birdcage_bali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEiIiZTIcXA53X9OxYJ5RO98Zt-PcDZMsanzCNW_Ou49v7Sw5jgHktpWwqAnh-TSErnqf78_d4tk8JDX0JY2pQ1bSgIP9kbAN3Al_yglBfOIKU2IFuqqXgqtn0yDGrTN8XlS177U0ER_q/s1600/birdcage_bali.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />this bird was hanging out at the place where we had our <a href="http://inkandadventure.blogspot.tw/2014/02/bali-luwak-coffee-tasting.html" target="_blank">mongoose poop coffee tasting</a>. he was trained to sing and repeat phrases, which was neat but also kindof freaky. I've never really been a bird person.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqR9hhkRf7E_ibMJLfihYVYf1Gb3BnWPahQ7ZUednDBjpLDRS_-Ih94nQsgi4GHSsuCDEY0UxHqIcbrxI45z5lzCB9J2av6XTSiyUhNs8hrCgn81B_FlO64zVDqEaS2BYG-IAK4N8pRXcL/s1600/roosterchicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqR9hhkRf7E_ibMJLfihYVYf1Gb3BnWPahQ7ZUednDBjpLDRS_-Ih94nQsgi4GHSsuCDEY0UxHqIcbrxI45z5lzCB9J2av6XTSiyUhNs8hrCgn81B_FlO64zVDqEaS2BYG-IAK4N8pRXcL/s1600/roosterchicken.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />which may be why this rooster freaked me out. he was chained up outside one of the small shops we walked past on our way to Mexican food. I was completely terrified he would fly at me and pluck my eyes out, but he didn't. luckily my eyes were safe behind the camera.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4l7r9eRpO6prtIspKfnBKKMtGusNNhWJAPClBDivLR8JpDi8gKWAHQ1_oWYGWZvB7yTykzfqJJXfvcCtbCaR6vhZ-YN54rlNBntnTVjim9gJn4MSamsXaW_hTU_KrhG15owZ4f9dohMz/s1600/ants_bali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4l7r9eRpO6prtIspKfnBKKMtGusNNhWJAPClBDivLR8JpDi8gKWAHQ1_oWYGWZvB7yTykzfqJJXfvcCtbCaR6vhZ-YN54rlNBntnTVjim9gJn4MSamsXaW_hTU_KrhG15owZ4f9dohMz/s1600/ants_bali.jpg" /></a></div><br />ok. I have the heebie jeebies just looking at this picture.<br /><br />obviously when you travel to a tropical climate there will be bugs. I must be extra sweet because bugs tend to like me, as in like to bite me. I spent a few very itchy days after being chomped by ants. let's move on to something more cuddly because I'm getting itchy just thinking about it...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijb5x4eH1FZVgZHxJfRd6Pz9zPKsd5jPcEfYM3I0H5uzbFFXID1LTWPv0FQArgiDUJ6gqQgI0MOGZM8qo3Bv4bdJPOWkA5JTYG-NdbdpVh20w5t9e2mU75ZEwh-euz7WJJNLOWCB6p-DcO/s1600/grey_whitecat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijb5x4eH1FZVgZHxJfRd6Pz9zPKsd5jPcEfYM3I0H5uzbFFXID1LTWPv0FQArgiDUJ6gqQgI0MOGZM8qo3Bv4bdJPOWkA5JTYG-NdbdpVh20w5t9e2mU75ZEwh-euz7WJJNLOWCB6p-DcO/s1600/grey_whitecat1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j2OkKBTbFVmg83W17TRGv1mWkoVIt7Ysab9yo6Kr3Fjhqo29qVdpcA5E6gymNShkrmbEo1FeBan4s9HDM8H5uESm71097Ap1l1Nt0I0FpenHeYsqs6mKhdBUbzcJ8F04s56jgGXMErPU/s1600/grey_whitecat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j2OkKBTbFVmg83W17TRGv1mWkoVIt7Ysab9yo6Kr3Fjhqo29qVdpcA5E6gymNShkrmbEo1FeBan4s9HDM8H5uESm71097Ap1l1Nt0I0FpenHeYsqs6mKhdBUbzcJ8F04s56jgGXMErPU/s1600/grey_whitecat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />this poor cat - I followed him to take his picture and thought I lucked out when he just sat down. then Husband and our friends were laughing at me [I couldn't figure out why, maybe because I take so many cat pictures?] but no, they were cracking up because as I was taking its picture the cat was pooping. <i>sorry to invade your privacy, cat.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8w1VGSE3kYcuU5rjj0wAyDWwtdGhIHPxj9gXlqWdrSqhRVmAorLht2x3vhuQG7H7WoMswL2w4AcnNv0B2Z6KEE7Tt-IZVh0qiELHlyajk7sNH3152I6dXVV50lXJU08VdWCrYbSvBQo2M/s1600/bunnyrabbit_bali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8w1VGSE3kYcuU5rjj0wAyDWwtdGhIHPxj9gXlqWdrSqhRVmAorLht2x3vhuQG7H7WoMswL2w4AcnNv0B2Z6KEE7Tt-IZVh0qiELHlyajk7sNH3152I6dXVV50lXJU08VdWCrYbSvBQo2M/s1600/bunnyrabbit_bali.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></span></i><br /><i><br /></i>and I leave you with this fluffy bunny that was also hopping round the coffee tasting place. I'm partial to kittens, but he was pretty darn cute.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><i>no animals were harmed in the making of this post.</i></div>

cats + creatures of Bali

if you've been reading for the past year or so, you know that I've posted three installations of " the cats of Thailand ."...

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toaster oven recipes// baked spinach artichoke dip

welcome to the first installation [of what I hope will be many] of: <b>toaster oven recipes.</b><br /><br />many of you know that in a previous life I was an avid baker, and even had a <a href="http://bakedwithloveandbutter.blogspot.tw/" target="_blank">blog full of sweets + recipes</a>. then a few things hapened: I became gluten intolerant and I moved to Taiwan, without all my kitchen gadgets.<br /><br /><i>so what is a toaster oven recipe?</i> these recipes will include things that I bake - yes - in my toaster oven. but also things you can make with a simply equipped kitchen. the tools I have at my disposal will be all that are needed. namely: gas burners, a microwave, a crock pot, and of course the toaster oven. no fancy gadgets and no rare ingredients.<br /><br />most of the measurements won't be precise. I do own a measuring cup, but not measuring spoons. I use literal teaspoons and tablespoons. if something is too dry, I add more liquid. if I'm short an egg, I improvise. one time I made pie crust using a cheese grater to cut the butter and a wine bottle as a rolling pin. [100% serious] this may not be the best way to communicate a recipe... but this is what life in my expat kitchen is like.<br /><br />I hope that you will be able to enjoy these recipes in your own home, though they may require some experimentation on your part. but that, my friends, is the true joy of cooking.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYNIn-vf21bu6EQ_s0c5LykxQ4zZQmCP0bwfbDUxLnInTzOu__Fep_TUcnSc-cSrq9UGCkZSjx_ncvxPzmeE5bQFc9BvmPEDGcnoJYRh3xd7n-98DnU1e7u_yIh7z3nNaPGRw0_4wYNuT/s1600/bakedspinachartichokedip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYNIn-vf21bu6EQ_s0c5LykxQ4zZQmCP0bwfbDUxLnInTzOu__Fep_TUcnSc-cSrq9UGCkZSjx_ncvxPzmeE5bQFc9BvmPEDGcnoJYRh3xd7n-98DnU1e7u_yIh7z3nNaPGRw0_4wYNuT/s1600/bakedspinachartichokedip.jpg" /></a></div><br />ok, let's talk spinach artichoke dip. there are 456,874 other recipes out there on the internet. but once upon a time I had <b>the. best. recipe</b>. given to me as a christmas gift. it was a handwritten copy and if it still exists at all, it's taped inside the cover of one of my cookbooks packed away with the rest of my kitchen back in the states. I could NOT find this recipe online anywhere, so I did my best to recreate it from memory.<br /><br /><b>8oz cream cheese, softened</b><br /><b>1 cup shredded mozzerella</b><br /><b>1 cup shredded parmesan</b><br /><b>1/2 cup mayonaise</b><br /><b>16 oz can artichoke hearts, chopped</b><br /><b>12 oz frozen spinach, defrosted</b><br /><b>2 cloves fresh garlic</b><br /><b>paprika, nutmeg</b><br /><b>salt + pepper to taste</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvv-eW4UTguOHwHPnN3UIf4qIHw-tXkDhDyafD_bpjAZX7hUM7l04wHQiO2Hvcb3duO7klaQZQ1JEKL5ftpLFsjRKjFo1t7EZHYV-Goq-d5artlUgMVvppTtFPxKIrA1ZCumTSLWOOyEN/s1600/bakedspinachartichokedip1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvv-eW4UTguOHwHPnN3UIf4qIHw-tXkDhDyafD_bpjAZX7hUM7l04wHQiO2Hvcb3duO7klaQZQ1JEKL5ftpLFsjRKjFo1t7EZHYV-Goq-d5artlUgMVvppTtFPxKIrA1ZCumTSLWOOyEN/s1600/bakedspinachartichokedip1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />let me state loud and clear that this is NOT a healthy version of this recipe. I found plenty that called for greek yogurt or even pureed white beans, but if I'm going to eat spinach dip it's going to be the good [aka the really bad for you] stuff.<br /><br />start by mixing together your cream cheese, mayo, minced garlic and spices. I never measure spices, but I would guess about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of paprika and nutmeg each. you could also use garlic powder if you don't have fresh on hand. then mix in your shredded cheeses.<br /><br />we actually buy our spinach fresh here and freeze it ourselves... so I'm guessing I used about the same as your standard box of frozen spinach. if you want more spinach, just add more. I like to crunch up the spinach while it's still frozen to break it into smaller pieces. defrost your spinach in the microwave, squeeze it dry between paper towel, and add to the mixture.<br /><br />chop your artichoke hearts into bits as big or small as you like and add to the mixture as well. canned or marinated in a jar will both work. spread the dip into a glass baking dish. the dip will melt best if it's about 1 inch thick, so use a larger dish or split into two smaller dishes if you need to. you can cover the dip at this point and keep in the fridge overnight, just let it sit at room temp for a while before popping in the oven.<br /><br />bake the dip at 350F/175C until the cheese is melted and it's nice and bubbly. mine took 20-30 minutes in the toaster oven. if the top starts to get too brown you can cover it with foil for a bit.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrH0j8ETss43zHXfP7smaEkW65HDaL8_v2EPtlrS9MJYORn0fOv3trEmKKCPE__2HMnV0B9YeUFTgiafuob9ly9ZgHOBWJts4RCGzVdweYZHLrg_z9S3viw5zRj09VbrbaCLhyphenhyphenxl7yJ5u/s1600/cat+invades+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrH0j8ETss43zHXfP7smaEkW65HDaL8_v2EPtlrS9MJYORn0fOv3trEmKKCPE__2HMnV0B9YeUFTgiafuob9ly9ZgHOBWJts4RCGzVdweYZHLrg_z9S3viw5zRj09VbrbaCLhyphenhyphenxl7yJ5u/s1600/cat+invades+kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEMHIa0flr7AFEdqJlWMnjrI7vm9fqSqVmRRAHG1uFV0OE5GxLP2gcPD_Pf54L4nLXmbxVJUPYEOPrHpJIRm5A_C13vd_vv4UPAuk1sH3GSO-UV_ZTZbYwwQkEF4Nrx46Uzx5FyebaUfk/s1600/asiancatwithbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEMHIa0flr7AFEdqJlWMnjrI7vm9fqSqVmRRAHG1uFV0OE5GxLP2gcPD_Pf54L4nLXmbxVJUPYEOPrHpJIRm5A_C13vd_vv4UPAuk1sH3GSO-UV_ZTZbYwwQkEF4Nrx46Uzx5FyebaUfk/s1600/asiancatwithbow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I made this dip for our superbowl brunch and even my friend's cat, Blanca, couldn't resist.<br /><br />[and I couldn't resist sharing this beautiful fuzzball. can you tell I miss my cats? anyway...]<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfHOk72EEpwGeRd7p-4ZgwZdJis0FaVfBAG8STSjMolrcYxyUlW6Ap3PQjdGdLp4wOxLPhBqoFF948aSle6zY148Z2FIyNMcMau72D1u-TRH-B4JEmCK0UxxR7ZGANH_Jj83mp6xVl9Ns/s1600/bakedspinachartichokedip2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfHOk72EEpwGeRd7p-4ZgwZdJis0FaVfBAG8STSjMolrcYxyUlW6Ap3PQjdGdLp4wOxLPhBqoFF948aSle6zY148Z2FIyNMcMau72D1u-TRH-B4JEmCK0UxxR7ZGANH_Jj83mp6xVl9Ns/s1600/bakedspinachartichokedip2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />spinach artichoke dip is one of my favorites, and this recipe is full of creamy melty and garlicky goodness. serve the dip with tortilla chips or pita crisps and watch it disappear. leftovers can be reheated in the microwave... if you have any, that is.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><b>enjoy!</b></div>

toaster oven recipes// baked spinach artichoke dip

welcome to the first installation [of what I hope will be many] of:  toaster oven recipes. many of you know that in a previous life I was an...

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weekly wishes #6

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHLL6SHxWQ5ZMZ_CER2MhNEpelmi-CQBLi3SWDBnT4KUjPjG1pPaIOXEVMOaLHXLk43WcqMZ329nmm_Z9YSTbeCmXhgurnnBUjQ-RStTN7E4H8APTKPch6gg9R5CAq_1FfhLdFUf_QfRp/s1600/weeklywishes6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHLL6SHxWQ5ZMZ_CER2MhNEpelmi-CQBLi3SWDBnT4KUjPjG1pPaIOXEVMOaLHXLk43WcqMZ329nmm_Z9YSTbeCmXhgurnnBUjQ-RStTN7E4H8APTKPch6gg9R5CAq_1FfhLdFUf_QfRp/s640/weeklywishes6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />since it's getting all festive up in here and this week's photo theme is animals, I have an excuse to trot this gem out once again. my cat Beaumont, looking grumpy in reindeer antlers circa 2010. because who doesn't love grumpy cat photos, or photos of cats in costume, or really just cat photos in general?<br /><br />I'm going to keep myself from entering into a I-miss-my-kittens ramble, and instead assure you that Beau is plenty fat + happy living with my parents back in Michigan. [I'm pretty sure my parents are just glad that he hasn't tried to climb the tree this year... yet.] and our other fur baby Rocky is living the country life with my Mother-in-law, busy chasing mice and attacking her sewing projects.<br /><br />but I said I wasn't going to ramble about cats...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZYVF5tdaHWKDKO3MrxMzYqPP5f9kL6ZV2p7Wa4RFqFHuJBZXDzXofgRRJgmxaAHmDXY07aKRctcD0rL3Pol5KW2_FmrMZYrbz2eJ7JnOoTwy4ldeShDLaaFeYP5fe7yc9J0jJH5SNztv/s1600/IMG_2629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZYVF5tdaHWKDKO3MrxMzYqPP5f9kL6ZV2p7Wa4RFqFHuJBZXDzXofgRRJgmxaAHmDXY07aKRctcD0rL3Pol5KW2_FmrMZYrbz2eJ7JnOoTwy4ldeShDLaaFeYP5fe7yc9J0jJH5SNztv/s1600/IMG_2629.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cYoftqvT-VmQkVlJkogLndvsp_FESl4F9vodZOZ93TR45InjzibYG0gHVkx3p2RywIlaBeh5vWAkQLWkAech_GkhJuIFhBtr8QUOjIbwYYSlrg5ka60LJ6I_6vDkPFdnurvYWbS3Ii5A/s1600/IMG_2639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cYoftqvT-VmQkVlJkogLndvsp_FESl4F9vodZOZ93TR45InjzibYG0gHVkx3p2RywIlaBeh5vWAkQLWkAech_GkhJuIFhBtr8QUOjIbwYYSlrg5ka60LJ6I_6vDkPFdnurvYWbS3Ii5A/s640/IMG_2639.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />which brings us to to weekly wishes. I crushed all 3 of <a href="http://inkandadventure.blogspot.tw/2013/11/life-lately-ww-5.html" target="_blank">last week's goals</a>:<br /><strike style="font-weight: bold;">1. hang up the new curtains.</strike> 3M hooks got the trick done! I swear, I'm not sponsored by them.<br /><strike style="font-weight: bold;">2. have an awesome time at the Thanksgiving potluck.</strike> so much so, that <a href="http://inkandadventure.blogspot.tw/2013/12/thankful.html" target="_blank">I didn't take any pictures</a>.<br /><strike style="font-weight: bold;">3. start decorating for Christmas.</strike> note tiny snowflake tree + mini ornaments above.<br /><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAgcq0gP5T3_gJo1sfTfPW0enAYn1Bc6rW5Y3tlNMSBCsDZPCEMOIRq3RNZtbkFRewH2uZ-qF3tRDSdHQHW-FPuzJkAP8eh9Qq-5ceJagVS7k2DSodfzlSYIlaxXxFpLoQ0k-GBdrwIcI/s1600/IMG_2622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAgcq0gP5T3_gJo1sfTfPW0enAYn1Bc6rW5Y3tlNMSBCsDZPCEMOIRq3RNZtbkFRewH2uZ-qF3tRDSdHQHW-FPuzJkAP8eh9Qq-5ceJagVS7k2DSodfzlSYIlaxXxFpLoQ0k-GBdrwIcI/s640/IMG_2622.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>and this next week I want to:</div><div><b>1.</b><b> transfer my life to Husband's old iPhone.</b> a sad thing happened this morning. I dropped my iPhone [which doesn't get service in Taiwan but I still use with wi-fi] and the screen shattered. I've dropped this thing a billion times and for the past year have been living with one small crack. but this morning I was [as usual] trying to carry too many things at once and bam. thankfully Husband will let me use his [also now-defunct] phone so I can still instagram. because let's be honest, I might not survive otherwise.</div><div><b>2. post a new font download.</b> you see the text on my weekly wishes photo? that's the latest font I've been cooking up. I think I've decided on a name, and you can expect a post with the download later this week. it's not strictly a holiday font, but I'm totally envisioning using it on my Christmas cards. and maybe a blog redesign. I'm really excited for this one!</div><div><b>3. have a tree decorating/Christmas movie date. </b>growing up, we always used to put up our tree while watching the Muppet's Christmas Carol. while that is still on my to-watch list I would settle for Love Actually or even Die Hard [totally a Christmas movie] so long as there's a Husband and hot chocolate involved.</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://thenectarcollective.com/tags/weekly-wishes/" target="_blank" title="The Nectar Collective"><img alt="The Nectar Collective" src="http://thenectarcollective.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/weekly-wishes-button-yellow.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><i>happy monday!</i></div></div>

weekly wishes #6

since it's getting all festive up in here and this week's photo theme is animals, I have an excuse to trot this gem out once again. ...

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cats of Thailand, part 3

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwzSlrF1PEAI8KTY4P15pg2kxNONacPXqMVEtmXYvES3llB51aGteJDIh21oYrbQIbVrE5udaTBKiI9-hddd77aCjy7AISBs6EcavjISf1UR-ZHatDuMik7R_pLKwJWX3Ct_M8uBSC2eW/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwzSlrF1PEAI8KTY4P15pg2kxNONacPXqMVEtmXYvES3llB51aGteJDIh21oYrbQIbVrE5udaTBKiI9-hddd77aCjy7AISBs6EcavjISf1UR-ZHatDuMik7R_pLKwJWX3Ct_M8uBSC2eW/s640/IMG_1196.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />here's a light and fluffy post for you: more cat pictures from Thailand. because, who doesn't love kittens? [also, is it sad this is my third post about cats from Thailand? wait... don't answer that.]<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oO3KHALEGR_gf66Rwm0UNpCyOxpWRdaz_NRhN0BbpsCUoQSBRLNCtywLr9Q4yBPnpoqFvBnm7bJAdfQX7FdddUwZkhhrFKTLKKmiUATctSsz9DV9JuqgPQGAcM4Ungb10ZuXFak4LuJ-/s1600/IMG_1134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oO3KHALEGR_gf66Rwm0UNpCyOxpWRdaz_NRhN0BbpsCUoQSBRLNCtywLr9Q4yBPnpoqFvBnm7bJAdfQX7FdddUwZkhhrFKTLKKmiUATctSsz9DV9JuqgPQGAcM4Ungb10ZuXFak4LuJ-/s640/IMG_1134.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">we came across this guy during our last visit to Railay and he looked really familiar... maybe <a href="http://inkandadventure.blogspot.tw/2013/02/the-cats-of-thailand.html" target="_blank">from this post</a>?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJwZZPj3cppYI4I9cz5h8lC6F9GVAi_a9EtoFkSbSBkzzWIWwWEfgECMGTHpAl_4H6wYfxqejlFk_vqZAoDRGLYgCFr9iKydzDNYCKO921h3NeS-8U38AcYApnVDNqeiZs2SfftfoY7tx/s1600/IMG_4079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJwZZPj3cppYI4I9cz5h8lC6F9GVAi_a9EtoFkSbSBkzzWIWwWEfgECMGTHpAl_4H6wYfxqejlFk_vqZAoDRGLYgCFr9iKydzDNYCKO921h3NeS-8U38AcYApnVDNqeiZs2SfftfoY7tx/s640/IMG_4079.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">he was just a baby last time we saw him! I have to say seeing him all grown up and healthy made me really really happy. he was sitting on the stoop of the mini mart that I had seen him in before, so obviously the owner is taking care of him.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JK4X5U7pwImXUpeAlx-QdysCdVIX4MwyCQBNjWhQQpBnTw_-fRjv9ltj2QXLRgF7YvJgz3tTZtFhKd8M3oo1Q5ux6wMYELNDqBT5Be2aNpm70dUjPD8vq5jA11MptwbQi5DJmgwsjNV1/s1600/IMG_1137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JK4X5U7pwImXUpeAlx-QdysCdVIX4MwyCQBNjWhQQpBnTw_-fRjv9ltj2QXLRgF7YvJgz3tTZtFhKd8M3oo1Q5ux6wMYELNDqBT5Be2aNpm70dUjPD8vq5jA11MptwbQi5DJmgwsjNV1/s640/IMG_1137.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />this little one was so sweet. she followed us for a bit and ran right up to be pet. I contemplated scooping her up and taking her with us... but I don't think customs would have been cool with it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWVf7k8mu2txd-lkBJQe2qpZz-LvlN01XMCpWmFg7D6yqv8uxP4nL6pgLWO9ApbtK2PLClV6gW_VTFOpaaHBeexDUINBooRSP5ggmTqgH3WPE1440Vah-dVaW9bu9TcTAu-XI9ag86Hne/s1600/IMG_1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWVf7k8mu2txd-lkBJQe2qpZz-LvlN01XMCpWmFg7D6yqv8uxP4nL6pgLWO9ApbtK2PLClV6gW_VTFOpaaHBeexDUINBooRSP5ggmTqgH3WPE1440Vah-dVaW9bu9TcTAu-XI9ag86Hne/s640/IMG_1138.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQJI1h4QpFBJTE7lltN__z9WanK6Ul80EvHh62IqqKSSKySXOZbXjaIvwieVWQ9R29aDJiPL8_zMbDy3F8K3LqtWlpAlP2FgRNzq2wkWhPf_X9gp2rYeMfa1FV_jp3MAJArA8C7IoEm6n/s1600/IMG_1139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQJI1h4QpFBJTE7lltN__z9WanK6Ul80EvHh62IqqKSSKySXOZbXjaIvwieVWQ9R29aDJiPL8_zMbDy3F8K3LqtWlpAlP2FgRNzq2wkWhPf_X9gp2rYeMfa1FV_jp3MAJArA8C7IoEm6n/s640/IMG_1139.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />also, please note that while I love cats and will occasionally pet stray ones I see... I always wash my hands thoroughly afterwards and NEVER approach a cat who looks hurt, scared, or mean. mostly, I just take pictures.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpEUg7wab43pYIUhz1YLhDiMoadJ6Syxsob1ULWfxekMaH9MlfKrpzN5povXDyVvkKb7ODGw0RTrF_y0EsbvYhEagwzQucFiGdBLIVPtZ3ysgbqaxUXC3iUG2mPEBb12zYUq2O5TRrTxh/s1600/IMG_1197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpEUg7wab43pYIUhz1YLhDiMoadJ6Syxsob1ULWfxekMaH9MlfKrpzN5povXDyVvkKb7ODGw0RTrF_y0EsbvYhEagwzQucFiGdBLIVPtZ3ysgbqaxUXC3iUG2mPEBb12zYUq2O5TRrTxh/s640/IMG_1197.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I mean... how do you resist taking a picture when you come across cats cuddling? answer: you don't.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">[for more cats <a href="http://inkandadventure.blogspot.com/2013/08/touring-ayutthaya-temple-cats-taxi.html" target="_blank">click this post</a> and <a href="http://inkandadventure.blogspot.tw/2013/02/the-cats-of-thailand.html" target="_blank">this post</a>]</div>

cats of Thailand, part 3

here's a light and fluffy post for you: more cat pictures from Thailand. because, who doesn't love kittens? [also, is it sad this is...

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touring Ayutthaya : temple cats + taxi drivers

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh248AF1nh4czGEySAs9C-lkI-m3vP3THvc7d5fy4W0_NNUej3Yc92T0Fgy3zey72Tz8GPtBOIp9TheSu_kOJewHJGL76tydw6cgaZRSoZsm284DhskwIM3Xx0jCMeXaetJyYm6HTtU914h/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh248AF1nh4czGEySAs9C-lkI-m3vP3THvc7d5fy4W0_NNUej3Yc92T0Fgy3zey72Tz8GPtBOIp9TheSu_kOJewHJGL76tydw6cgaZRSoZsm284DhskwIM3Xx0jCMeXaetJyYm6HTtU914h/s640/IMG_1321.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />last time I went to Thailand I wrote <a href="http://inkandadventure.blogspot.tw/2013/02/the-cats-of-thailand.html" target="_blank">an entire post on cats</a>. this post doesn't have much to do with cats, at least not directly, but I didn't get a picture with our taxi driver so I figured... why not?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9Kbv8HG7NZ1GEkKkLTqDOMW0XxiYkvw_Y-G98IIoYLySxHUeB8x8TE2cHwRXhcmReYjyV-TZEPhkuVN0wCY9lD3hJjwHre2y9mdpbo1ouwOUJMYkNK_gnMQjScDn4-fXAnPjTiuFLbAq/s1600/IMG_1318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9Kbv8HG7NZ1GEkKkLTqDOMW0XxiYkvw_Y-G98IIoYLySxHUeB8x8TE2cHwRXhcmReYjyV-TZEPhkuVN0wCY9lD3hJjwHre2y9mdpbo1ouwOUJMYkNK_gnMQjScDn4-fXAnPjTiuFLbAq/s640/IMG_1318.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />last time we stayed in Bangkok we didn't have much time to tour around. coming back, we knew we wanted to get up north of the city to see the ruins of Ayutthaya. there are a lot of ways to get there -trains, buses, boats - but a friend of ours recommended hiring a cab for the day.<br /><br />Ayutthaya was once the capital of Thailand [then Siam], but it was sacked and burned in 1767 when it was invaded by the Burmese army. there are at least a dozen separate ruined Wats [temples/monestaries] spread out through the area. to get between them some people will rent bikes or cars, take tour buses, or in our case: private taxis.<br /><br />we asked the concierge at our hotel to book a driver and he was ours for the entire day. we left at 7am to beat the heat and the crowds. our taxi took us an hour north of the city, drove us to all the various temple ruins in Ayutthaya we wanted to see [he would just hang out and chat with the other cab drivers while we did our sightseeing], stopped at a friends place for lunch, took us back to Bangkok to see the Royal Palace, and dropped us at our hotel around 4 pm.<br /><br />all of this for the low low price of 2500 baht [about $80 US]<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFU2_ZKfbD-7smlRwqIJQw5PmHNmYfp_-AhnxD_qtuEoRkDVl1Dgjb-LeT1xWvnwLzUpl_J2uUdKz1TF4Os9k_lEz9Nzh1QUqfDH9WmP9l8N5RXSsaPuHhQSrEa4kcjFNIhG5Nh4fZGiOJ/s1600/IMG_1324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFU2_ZKfbD-7smlRwqIJQw5PmHNmYfp_-AhnxD_qtuEoRkDVl1Dgjb-LeT1xWvnwLzUpl_J2uUdKz1TF4Os9k_lEz9Nzh1QUqfDH9WmP9l8N5RXSsaPuHhQSrEa4kcjFNIhG5Nh4fZGiOJ/s1600/IMG_1324.JPG" /></a></div><br />we really lucked out with our driver. I wish I had his card so I could tell you all to call him if you go to Bangkok, that's how highly I would recommend him. Mr Mongkol was his name. he was<i> not</i> a crazy driver, spoke very good English, and made great conversation. he even loaned us small bills for buying snacks when the street vendors at the temple wouldn't take our 1000.<br /><br />Mr Mongkol grew up in the farming country to the north of Bangkok, one of ten kids in a poor family. he was not university educated, but learned English on his own time to put himself ahead in life. he married a "city girl", moved to Bangkok, and had three children. he was very proud to tell us that all three went to university. one of his daughters works at a bank, the other is a school teacher. his son will graduate university next year.<br /><br />and for twenty-six years he's been driving a taxi.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9j5LAMIHjm6ap0XSFAmE22w_3xeoV7jx9GT8z3hpOY93rX4fDAddD2lQZFCrx2utTT7dpeEZmKKrftv68QMAo4eek0dYb3gCgwvG2hcc7322SUagKrmi0MZ6yVzIuZP4CuDEB_zFt5STg/s1600/IMG_1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9j5LAMIHjm6ap0XSFAmE22w_3xeoV7jx9GT8z3hpOY93rX4fDAddD2lQZFCrx2utTT7dpeEZmKKrftv68QMAo4eek0dYb3gCgwvG2hcc7322SUagKrmi0MZ6yVzIuZP4CuDEB_zFt5STg/s640/IMG_1322.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I'll share all the photos of the temple ruins with you [not just the cats] but I really wanted to share the story of Mr Mongkol. it was an incredible day of sightseeing and having someone like him as our driver really made it the great experience that it was. meeting him and hearing his story makes me feel - first - thankful for where I come from and the opportunities I've had, but also that no matter where on the globe you go, humans are human. [and, well... cats are cats.]

touring Ayutthaya : temple cats + taxi drivers

last time I went to Thailand I wrote an entire post on cats . this post doesn't have much to do with cats, at least not directly, but I ...

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the cats of Thailand

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_foMZhciVFoMLcPOcUQ-5qN0J5OslS0-FGOhYGBM-jR_-3eA7ijxZp1ZtbGQlMNOC7TdfvfwbBpkRV87T4gT4RF4PDyVzqutsTWziBEoZ97GSRxhWAURTif2Lt9gzu_3SBYGMpWd_Q48j/s1600/IMG_7464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_foMZhciVFoMLcPOcUQ-5qN0J5OslS0-FGOhYGBM-jR_-3eA7ijxZp1ZtbGQlMNOC7TdfvfwbBpkRV87T4gT4RF4PDyVzqutsTWziBEoZ97GSRxhWAURTif2Lt9gzu_3SBYGMpWd_Q48j/s640/IMG_7464.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />we encountered a lot of cats in Thailand.<i> a lot</i>. and being a cat person, I of course stopped to go "awww" whenever a furry feline happened to cross my path. and occasionally whipped out my camera. this first one, we encountered one morning while walking through the night market in Bangkok. [morning in a night market = empty] this cat, like many others, hangs out around restaurants and food stalls, eating scraps from the kitchen and friendly travelers.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOhwgRxxxeDafKz3B4-7Knl_kIDd_dG1pK_uHq_zjtKOHImNVfbpt4I45gj2Qqpy5x2LM3Dj2z2RPYknGw4D2BFcvmfFEL3_mT4XoDgesccgODb-qbQcM2FY9pNmvec4N2Q_ePzXILR-X/s1600/IMG_7825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOhwgRxxxeDafKz3B4-7Knl_kIDd_dG1pK_uHq_zjtKOHImNVfbpt4I45gj2Qqpy5x2LM3Dj2z2RPYknGw4D2BFcvmfFEL3_mT4XoDgesccgODb-qbQcM2FY9pNmvec4N2Q_ePzXILR-X/s640/IMG_7825.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMC2lS7Tnr9thMLc6M61BGvrt2uY9Qb5geZWSt-4t7CSFxJO32r_XC4BonUp-ZtUOkxxlPl_DOMjYp1stBoFAxIBrg65FohFfva68fId1A48j6rBVQf7TwlfhxM9taW7-iVNevjAMZeK2/s640/IMG_7824.JPG" width="640" /></div><br />pizza cat. our first night in Railay, we were eating dinner and having a few beverages beachside. there were a few cats wandering around in the sand, including this one. and then this girl [who I assumed was drunk, sorry if you weren't] walked up to one of them with a slice of pizza. I thought no way was the cat going to be interested... but I was wrong. this cat <i>devoured</i> that pizza. it batted at it a little, but mostly just chomped on the cheese and gnawed on the crust like a sauced-up college student at 3am.<br /><br />you may also have noticed that pizza cat has a stubby little tail. well. one unfortunate thing we discovered about Thailand, is that some people believe that having a cat's tail is good luck. which means... they chop off the tails of wild cats. it kindof makes me sick to think about, but all the tail-less cats I saw seemed to be adjusting ok. I did see plenty of cats <i>with</i> tails, so hopefully this isn't a common custom.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXuEN1TR8zGM3TpYjPjiZn5-RMHoR3A3J2-kaw8i3GhfL9Pg1fSCVDFGsKcPotfu6WtSXQ7IsjEM4sR54A_hGUF0I9hhfbfQqzpXbzXxh00ygJbYkRaZNRSluPFjWccWU8SXVQxaOJm-h/s1600/IMG_4079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXuEN1TR8zGM3TpYjPjiZn5-RMHoR3A3J2-kaw8i3GhfL9Pg1fSCVDFGsKcPotfu6WtSXQ7IsjEM4sR54A_hGUF0I9hhfbfQqzpXbzXxh00ygJbYkRaZNRSluPFjWccWU8SXVQxaOJm-h/s640/IMG_4079.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />market cats. this kitten and it's momma live in one of the mini-marts on east Railay. the first time I saw them [I swear, I have kitten radar] they were hanging out under a food stand by the market. I was a little concerned seeing how small the kitten was and thinking it was wild, but was relieved to stumble upon them when I was making a shopping run for some wine + rosemary potato chips. it looks like they live a comfy life in the mini-mart... I spotted some food bowls in the back room.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlOqYZfUoxCdAWHQkFHmDj87kb67hUW8wNInUaTvfcak_jtSC-xc5j9N_wEWvtBl7aZm-ZCTrGmr2PBTYgY3424TVJjLL4vBltPDr89hjXvZzl17HjwcbrGXIMXsBGNlzsUGnvYua1TXN/s1600/IMG_8106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlOqYZfUoxCdAWHQkFHmDj87kb67hUW8wNInUaTvfcak_jtSC-xc5j9N_wEWvtBl7aZm-ZCTrGmr2PBTYgY3424TVJjLL4vBltPDr89hjXvZzl17HjwcbrGXIMXsBGNlzsUGnvYua1TXN/s640/IMG_8106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />zebra cat. we spotted this guy our last night in Railay, walking down the path from the east beach to the west. I've never seen a cat with these markings before... maybe some kind of bengal? but he looks more tiger than leopard. he clearly belongs to someone, as he has a collar and some kind of red charm or bell. <i>and</i> he's still got his tail, so bonus points to him.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRar1tPqK2II2Yy-PS4k6-h27hLnJmmTe4pRdiRcejR6SRKI5kcnrO7HwoFc0B3BQOLf6uIdzaWekjKQxddSs0D2kdPOTyroARf009mVc0N8c42QlbScnxq9SjnOvWDytagzZVHUwxXV6/s1600/IMG_8340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRar1tPqK2II2Yy-PS4k6-h27hLnJmmTe4pRdiRcejR6SRKI5kcnrO7HwoFc0B3BQOLf6uIdzaWekjKQxddSs0D2kdPOTyroARf009mVc0N8c42QlbScnxq9SjnOvWDytagzZVHUwxXV6/s640/IMG_8340.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />restaurant cat. ok, so this one is actually from Boracay. but nearly every restaurant we ate in on our trip had a cat or two wandering through the tables as we ate [especially the beachside places]. our hotel in Railay had a cat that I think lived in the open-air lobby... he was there every morning for breakfast and snoozing on the front steps each afternoon.<br /><br />so, there you have the cats of [mostly] Thailand. I wasn't sure where to start with these vacation posts, and cats just seemed the easiest thing to tackle. sorry if you aren't a cat person. next time I'll give you some pad thai or temples or sunsets, ok? ok.

the cats of Thailand

we encountered a lot of cats in Thailand. a lot . and being a cat person, I of course stopped to go "awww" whenever a furry felin...

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