Cat from San Salvador {El Salvador}

Most cats are homebodies. Cezar, however, is an adventure cat. This Maine Coon from Sweden has currently more than 14 countries on his travel resumé and no intention of stopping anytime soon.

One of his latest adventures was a trip to El Salvador. “We met a fellow traveler from San Salvador when we did volunteering work on a farm on Crete, Greece, in 2016,” says Cezar's human, Carla. “She invited us to come and visit her, which we did at the beginning of 2017.”

“I rented a car for a week, so Cezar and I could explore the country, especially the national parks and the volcanoes,” Carla explains.

Cezar became quite popular in El Salvador, and everyone wanted to take a picture with him. “They were amazed because he is quite big compared to the local cats - 3,5 y.o. 100 cm long and about 7-8 kg.”

On the pictures above and below, you can see Cezar at a place called The Devil's Door (Puerta del Diablo), which is the highest point of San Salvador.

Cezar and Carla also loved hanging by the swimming pool, having lunch or enjoying the company of friends.

Cezar's human believes that any cat can become accustomed to adventure.

“Since we lived in an apartment in the city, he started out to be an indoor cat as a kitten, but I was used to outdoor cats, and I wanted him to feel free,” Carla explains. “So every weekend I put him in a backpack and went to my father's place in the countryside where he could run around as he pleased. Now and then, I put Cezar on a leash and walked him around the block to get a little bit of fresh air. I guess that's why he adapts so well when we travel. Usually, there aren't any problems. But maybe it was a little too hot for him in San Salvador. Maine Coons are “winter” cats. That didn’t suit him too well with 30-35 degrees (Celsius).”

You can follow Cezar's adventures on Instagram.

Do you take your cat on adventures? Does he enjoy traveling in a backpack or on a leash?

Cat from Paris {France}

Rumor has it each time Woody Allen visits Paris, he books a room in his favorite hotel: Le Bristol. He even shot Midnight in Paris there.

It's no surprise that this five-star hotel, which is part of the Oetker Collection, is in demand with the greats of fashion, politics, movies, and finance. Since it opened in 1925, it is known for its historic architecture, luxurious interior, impeccable service, and fine dining experiences.

But there's another reason why this hotel attracts raving fans the world over – Le Bristol has a resident cat: Fa-raon (French for pharaoh).

With its silky soft fur groomed to perfection, this Birman kitty oozes luxury and reflects the high standards of Le Bristol.

Didier Le Calvez, the hotel's CEO, adopted Fa-raon in 2010. He picked the Birman breed for its gentleness and because its creamy coat matched the hotel's interiors.

Fa-raon has been roaming Le Bristol ever since. He loves to meander down the luxurious corridors, greet entering customers from the stairs near the entrance, or nap in the garden if the Parisian weather permits. His favorite hobby: perching on the glass showcases in the lobby. However, he knows he is not allowed to go to inside the restaurants or near the swimming pool overlooking the Sacré-Coeur.

The cat also has his little hiding spots. He loves to tuck himself away behind desks and screens or under a chair, particularly at the Standard or behind the reception desk. The Castellane lounge is one of his favorite places for a siesta.

He possesses a room of his own which he can enter at all times through a cat door and which contains his litter box, cat bed, and food bowl. The walls in this room are decorated with drawings of Fa-raon made by the children who have visited Le Bristol.

Ever since Fa-raon arrived at the hotel, journalists have been enquiring about him and photographers have been requesting shoots, thus turning Fa-raon into one of the most mediatized cats in the world.

This fluffy feline is famous, and the staff knows it. Meeting and photographing Fa-raon happens similarly as interviewing a Hollywood star. I was given no more than 10 minutes to catch this feline celebrity on camera, all the while being supervised at all times. When I asked about some funny anecdotes, the press officer answered, "That is confidential information."

He surely knew how to pose. He stayed calm and showed his best profile, obviously used to the attention.

And not only the media love him. Regular clients of Le Bristol often bring him kibble and other presents.

“Fa-raon is a true member of the Bristol family,” the press officer said.

In case you've visited Le Bristol before, you may have been wondering what happened to the second cat.

There used to be a second Birman cat at Le Bristol in Paris: Kleopatre. She lived there for several years, but early 2017 she moved to Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden in Germany.

The Brenners Hotel & Spa and Le Bristol are the only hotels of the Oetker Collection that have resident cats.

You can find more pictures and information about Le Bristol here, and if you want to book a stay at Fa-raon's palace, you can do so here.

Le Bristol is not the type of hotel where you can just walk in and out to see the cat. However, you are welcome to enjoy an afternoon tea at Café Antonia (and in the Jardin Français if the weather allows) or have a drink at the Bar du Bristol. Also, all their restaurants are open to the audience for breakfast (Epicure *** & Café Antonia) and lunch/dinner (Epicure ***, 114 Faubourg * and Café Antonia), so you have plenty of opportunities to meet Fa-raon.

Address: 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris, France (8th arrondissement)

Cats of San Juan {Puerto Rico}

"I’m a sucker for animals. Especially soft and fluffy ones," says photographer Emily Wang. "While wandering the colorful streets of San Juan, we happened upon tons of feline friends, some shyer than others. I snapped as many photos as I could of my new furry friends."

"My favorite is the lazy cat pictured from the top. She had such a sweet personality and let me get right up in her face as she basked in the afternoon sun. Just look at those little peets!"

"In case you were wondering, peets = paws + feet, an adorable term taken from one of my favorite YouTubers, Big Cat Derek."

"When I traveled to Taiwan, I wished I could help every single stray dog I saw on the streets find a loving and forever home. This time I wished I could give each of these kitties tons of yummy proteins to munch on and take them back with me to my non-existent animal sanctuary where we’d all live happily ever after. Wishful thinking… maybe one day."

"Until then, sweet kitties of San Juan!"

Text and cat pictures by Emily Wang

Cats from Tokyo {Japan}

In the middle of a new residential district in Tokyo, you'll find an abandoned house with dense vegetation coming from the garden and a rusty pickup truck sitting in front.

 A little further, in another street, there's a second home that is just as ramshackle, but this one is inhabited. Here, a dozen cats spend their days taking naps in the middle of the street.

Because of the humid climate, the iron structures rust very quickly. Many cats in this neighborhood have the perfect color for an urban camouflage.

The signpost below reads: "Are you willing to take care of them all the way? Simply feeding them causes a proliferation of cats. Spay and neuter them and take all the necessary precautions to avoid that they give birth to poor kittens whom no one will take care of."

Text and cat pictures: Neko Land: Une Vie de Chat Au Japon

Cats from Venice {Italy}

This is a guest post by Marianna Zampieri from Cats in Venice

You've probably heard of the Library of High Water or Acqua Alta Libreria in Venice, a mythical place where tons of old books, maps, and magazines are stacked in gondolas, bathtubs, and waterproof bins in case the canals would flood. To complete the look, the library is also home to several cats.

The library is only fifteen years old, so it's not as ancient as many people claim. About twelve years ago, two female kittens occupied the library. When they became pregnant, the owner, Mr. Luigi, gave away the cats but kept the mom, Tigre, and two of her daughters, Dominique and Mussipull. One of them, Pirro, came back but was unfortunately stolen a few years later.

Tigre, Dominique, and Missipull are always present at the Library of High Water, except for the winter, because then they prefer the warmth of a home.

Tigre is very fond of Mr. Luigi. She's like his shadow. If he moves, she follows him. If he talks, she looks at him with love. It's a real treat to witness their relationship.

So, if you can't find Tigre, you have to look for Mr. Luigi first because they're bound to be together. And if you still can't find her, you have to look inside a box on one of the shelves because she's usually hidden.

Sometimes, Tigre can also be found in the "erotic corner" of the library, which is, of course, forbidden to kittens. Adult cats only!

Dominique is a real hunter. She often brings back presents such as mice and pigeons.

Mussipull is nicknamed “machine” because once he starts purring, there's no stopping him.

There are two newcomers at the library - Ziggy and Cocó. Mr. Luigi decided to adopt them because he was so heartbroken after three of his cats, especially Pirro (son of Tigre), were stolen. Originally from Vicenza, Ziggy and Cocó are hard to tell apart because they're almost identical. For the moment, they “work” only part-time at the library because they still need to get used to the long working hours.

By the way, their three pictures are now on sale in the library as magnets.

For more cats in Venice, make sure to like Marianna Zampieri on Facebook.

You can find the Library of High Water (Libreria Acqua Alta) on Calle Longa Santa Maria Formosa (Campiello del Trinidor) 5176 in Venice, Italy. 

Cats from Tashirojima {Japan}

“The island of Tashirojima is situated in the north of Japan, at the same height as the city of Sendaï. Tashirojima is known for its population of approximately 150 cats. They are the principal attraction of this island that counted over 1,000 inhabitants in the eighties. There was even a school, now in ruins. Today, only a few fishermen, of whom the average age is 60 years old, are left. 

To get to the island, a single boat departs from the city of Ishinomaki. Unfortunately, the tsunami has severely touched Ishinomaki, both on a material and human level, and its port has been destroyed. Tashirojima, too, underwent material damage, cutting it off from the rest of the world for quite some time. The American army even refueled the cats of kibble by helicopter. 

After the tsunami, fishing was suspended for several months as the infrastructures on the port were damaged. Nowadays, there are only three or four boats left and only one trawler in use.” 

Tashirojima was once a major producer of silk worms. As mice were its biggest enemy, cats were introduced onto the island to hunt the mice. The silk production has stopped, but the cats are still there.

Around five o'clock in the morning, the fishermen come back and unload their nets to sort the fish. The cats never miss their appointment to try their luck at receiving fish in poor condition that will not be sold.

Text and cat photos: Neko Land: Une vie de chat au Japon

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