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Seifer V., Guatemala: "If you travel through Indonesia, you will notice the widespread occurrence of borderline dementia in children, and of emotional disorders in adults. This is mostly related to the fact that fish is a staple diet. Indonesian fish is so heavily polluted with organic mercury that it is unsafe for human consumption. But not only fish is unsafe but also chicken, as fish meal is a common constituent of chicken feeds."

Sarawak / Kuching

Cat Statue in Kuching
Photo: Cat Statue in Kuching

Kuching is also known as the "Cat City". The word "kuching" is said to mean "cat" in the Malay language although the local Malay word for cat is "pusa". Some people believe the capital city's name is really derived from "kuchin" which is said to mean "harbour" in Chinese.

It matters not one of Kuching's landmarks is a giant plaster cat sitting at the end of Jalan Padungan with one front paw raised and its backside turned toward the city. More to the point, Kuching is believed to have the world's only cat museum, in suburban Petra Jaya.

Kuching seems bigger than its 330,000 residents. It is spread out, with big parks and recreation areas and some distinct ethnic enclaves.

The main city, on the western side, has markets, hotels, nightclubs and the waterfront. A newish waterside promenade runs along the river to the clean white lines of the Kuching Hilton at the southern end, with other major hotels clustered nearby.

The broad waterfront promenade is the city's most popular meeting place now, with cafes and live entertainment, benches for watching the passing parade and restored old buildings including the Square Tower, which is now a tourist information centre.

Behind the waterfront are the main bazaar with everything from good tour operators to antique shops, a clock tower and the court house, with its obelisk remembering Charles, the second of three of English Brookes - the White Rajahs - who ruled Sarawak for for more than 100 years.


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Furthermore, in some cultures, parents and the society put more value on education than in others.