Sunday 5 April 2009

Ginger cats @ Shuyuan Hostel


The Shuyuan Hostel, Xian, boasts two of the most spoilt, adored and photographed cats in China. This adorable little creamy ginger cat decided to sleep in the tourist information bookshelf, much to everyone's delight. He was more timid than his companion, but loved being stroked and generally worshipped when he was laying about in the lobby. He also seemd to enjoy prancing amongst the flowerpots in the courtyard.

This is the big fluffy boss cat, snoozing on a chair in the lobby. The weird red light is caused by the red lightshades. One of his favourite hobbies was trying to get his face into the hostel workers' bowls of noodles! Followed by doing the same sort of pathetic, I'm-in-terrible-pain wailing that one of our cats at home does, when there is nothing at all wrong.

He loved to drink water from the tap. When three of us came up from the bar and saw him waiting for someone to turn the tap on, there was almost a fight to see who would have the honour! He has the humans very well trained.
It's a great idea for a hostel to have animals that they can love and look after, as the staff obviously adore them, and so many people travelling or living abroad miss their pets terribly.

Camera Critters 1st Anniversary

12 comments:

  1. What cute cats, I have one cat in my office but she is a bit shy so runs and hides when people come in.She was a stray feral cat that i call Momma Cat who gave birth in extreme cold weather and brought them to me.
    Thanks for the stop over

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  2. The cat drinking from the tap is hysterical.
    Love it.

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  3. It is always wonderful to have companionship of the furry kind.
    I love the first picture where he has his arms wrapped around his face.
    My cat would never drink from the tap like that. If she gets to close to the sink when I'm around she runs. I guess she's afraid I'll give her a bath. Ha, been there. Done that. I'm a pretty fast learner:o)

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  4. I remember reading about him Sandy

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  5. What a wonderful idea for a hotel! I'd love to find a place like that stateside!

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  6. A lovely post and your photos are wonderful.

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  7. You know? My eyes were stuck at the basin. It is soooo beautiful.

    Lovely post!

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  8. what wonderful hosts they are :)
    I love the effect of the red light, very dreamy

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  9. Interesting to see that pets are as popular and loved in China as elsewhere in the world.
    You asked awhile ago if we still have Native Americans in our area. Yes, we have a Ute reservation in northern Utah, a Goshute reservation in eastern Utah, and a large Navaho reservation in northern Arizona, the state just south of Utah. They don't have to stay on the reservation, but many choose to stay because of financial advantages, health care, and a cultural affinity.

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  10. What lovely cats they are! They have such cute personalities.

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  11. Yes, it seems that they have a very good life (and have everyone trained too hehe). What a neat post!

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