Sign outside Hello Kitty theme park |
This should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me even slightly: I have a “cat-themed” bucket list. What might that be, you ask? Well, it’s a detailed list of all the cat-themed places I want to visit before my demise. Lest you think that would be a really short list, I assure you it isn’t. There are, in fact, so many fabulous feline-inspired things to see worldwide, that I would need to live (at least) several hundred years to cross them all off.
The wildly popular cat-obsessed blog, Catsparella, only contributed to my longing by featuring some purrfect pussycat travel destinations in a series of great posts called Around the World in 80 Cats. Every day for months I salivated worse than Pavlov’s Dog, and sulked that my pink leopard suitcase and I wouldn’t be heading to the airport any time soon. Here are just a few of the feline-themed destinations on my bucket list:
Hello Kitty boat ride |
It takes a special kind of bravery for a middle-aged woman to admit that she (still) likes Hello Kitty. But I do. And despite the fact that the target audience for Sanrio Puroland is 3-6 year olds, I would go there in a heartbeat, and I would have a wonderful time. Never mind that the reviews on Trip Advisor range from “Every Hello Kitty fan’s dream come true” to “A complete waste of time and money.” Besides, Wikipedia claims that “the park has become one of Japan's most popular attractions.” So there! The park is run by the Sanrio company, creators of Hello Kitty, and features live musicals, restaurants, attractions, parades, fireworks and rides, including an “It’s a Small World” type boat ride. For diehard Kitty fans, the extensive gift shop offerings alone would be worth the trip.
Catskill, New York: Cat n’ Around Festival
Yes, it makes perfect sense that a tiny town called Catskill would find a way to celebrate the divine feline. Every summer since 2007, 40+ fiberglass cats take up residence along Catskill’s Historic Main Street, adding a healthy dose of charm to an already quaint place. The larger-than-life decorative cat statues are handmade by local artists, and each year there is a new, original litter. The kitties are on display from May to September, and then auctioned off to raise money for charity. I became aware of this unique cat-themed travel destination a few years ago after it was featured on the awesome – but alas, short lived – TV show Must Love Cats. I can’t think of a better reason to visit upstate New York, can you?
The Kuching Cat Museum in Malaysia
Kuching Cat Museum entrance |
The Hemingway Home/Museum in Key West, Florida
Cat chillaxing at Hemingway Home |
Cat inside the Hemingway home |
Have you ever been to any of these places?
Hello Kitty photos courtesy of Catsparella
Kuching Cat Museum courtesy of virtualmalaysia.com
Hemingway Home photos by James Willamor
Read more articles by Julia Williams
I haven't been to any of these but Hemingway's would have to be tops on my list!
ReplyDeleteSince I am not a fan at all of Hello Kitty, I would pass on that one, but the others sound interesting, especially the one in Malaysia!
One of the Colehaus Cats top secret wishes is to bring one of the Hemmingway cats home here...which is probably why our mom and dad have never visited the Hemmingway Home. Every piece of baggage would need to be checked along with every purse, pocket and sleeve!
ReplyDeleteMy Dad and Mom have visited the Hemingway cats. Have a nice weekend!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is one great post. Who knew there were so many cat places to visit. I sure would like to see the Hemingway place. I would love to see all those cats but all those places seems like a fun thing to do. Don't think I will ever get there but it is great fun hearing about them.
ReplyDeleteWe'd love to see the Hello Kitty theme park. We do plan to go to Japan someday, so we'll be sure to work it in to our itinerary. The Catskill Cat n' Around Festival and the Hemingway Cats are much closer, and we'd like to see those, too! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend!
Now the mom is adding all those places to her bucket list! :)
ReplyDeleteWell Mom has been to the Key West cat place - it was fun!
ReplyDeletecats of wildcat woods
Wow ! my mom will love to go to all those places !!!
ReplyDeletemom has been in Japan once but at that time, she was 10 and didn't know she is a cat pawson yet. so she didn't go to Sanrio Puroland but disneyland. Seen the mousies instead ; )
A great bucket list. Would love to see them all but particularly the Hemingway home!!!
ReplyDeleteHysterical! Do one for dog-lovers!
ReplyDeleteJulia - I would be more than happy to pack my leopard suitcase and go to the Hello Kitty park with you! I have been to Hemingway house and really enjoyed it and I used to live near the Catskills, but unfortunately I moved to Florida before I could visit the fiberglass cats!
ReplyDeleteThe next time I teleport over to visit Tutu, maybe I'll check out the Malaysia Place. The Human would like to see the Hemingway house--not only does she luff the extra toes, but she's an English teacher too.
ReplyDelete