There are many ways to enjoy traveling, but for me, one of the essentials is finding cats and taking their photos.
It feels as natural as pausing for coffee at a cafe, and it quietly enriches my time on the road.
Meeting Cats in Houtong, Taiwan
Houtong Cat Village in Taiwan is exactly what its name suggests — a place overflowing with cats.
Not only in the alleys, but even around the station you’ll stumble upon them.
On the landing of a stairway, one cat was quietly resting.
It caught me by surprise at first, but at the same time I felt a small joy — enough to make me reach for my camera right away.
Unexpected encounters like this remind me that this village truly belongs to both cats and people, making photography here all the more delightful.
A Hidden Alley in Penang
In Penang, Malaysia, cat encounters arrive when you least expect them.
Once, a local child asked me, “Do you like cats?” and led me into a narrow alley.
There, more than ten cats had gathered as if waiting to be found.
It felt like stumbling upon a hidden treasure — one of those delightful moments travel gives you when you least expect it.
A Cafe in Bali
In Bali, while working at a cafe just off a busy street, a cat curled up under my table.
It was such a simple thing, yet it made me smile.
Sometimes, it’s these quiet encounters that turn an ordinary day of travel into something memorable.
The Fun of Recording
But when I look back at my photos later, I often catch myself wondering,
“Where exactly did I take this picture?”
The cats are vivid in my memory, but the places themselves tend to fade.
That’s why I began dropping pins on Google Maps — saving each spot as a favorite whenever I came across a cat.
Looking back at the map, the pins bring the memories rushing back:
“Oh right, that cat was at this street corner.”
Watching those pins multiply feels like building my own personal travel map.
And for me, that’s one of the best ways to enjoy a journey twice over.
Capturing Small Miracles
Encounters with cats are tiny miracles of chance.
By photographing them, I get to hold onto those moments, to revisit them again and again.
Each pin on the map becomes more than just a marker — it’s a quiet reminder that these small encounters can make travel feel richer, softer, and unforgettable.
