It’s a cat-affair for Japanese tourists, who search high and low for a cuddle with the island's cat population.
With plenty of sun to bask in, friendly locals to keep them fed and watered, and the odd cuddle session with a passer by, the Maltese Islands are basically cat heaven! And Maltese stray cats have now become an attraction, with Japanese tourists heading all the way to the islands to give them some tender loving care.
This Japanese site from the Malta Tourism Authority gives all sorts of information for intrepid cat-lovers looking to discover the joys of our feline friends.
The site, which is written in Japanese, notes that “whimsical” cats cannot be found everywhere on the island, and meeting them is “dependent on luck, the weather and the mood of the cat.” But, it lists the key areas, such as the Lower and Upper Barakka gardens, San Anton Gardens, and the Citadel in Gozo as top areas for a spot of feline watching.
It also gives sensible advice on what to do when you meet a cat, recommending that you shouldn't touch it unnecessarily (and, if you do, to always wash your hands with soap!)
There is even a cat-map of the islands, with a cat-stamp marking those areas of particular interest. Makes us want to go out and pet some right now! Kawai!