Of Cats and Kings

Last seen taking her beloved brown Burmese cat Claudius on a final tour of the United States in "I & Claudius", Clare de Vries now searches for the perfect replacement in Burma and Thailand. In Burma, whilst learning the basic Buddhist tenets and being liberally doused during the annual Thingyan celebrations, Clare encounters brave and dignified people from all walks of life, struggling in this beautiful yet politically oppressed country. But no cats. Instead, she finds nats at Mount Popa, temple-strewn plains in Bagan and a monastery full of jumping cats in Inle. In Thailand, whilst veering from nasty dives to luxurious spas, from white beaches to the smoggy lanes of Bangkok, from lecherous cat-breeders to ruthless elephant-trainers, Clare learns the history of the precious Siamese/Burmese cats and the royals that nurtured them. Finally, she discovers the perfect kittens, hidden in a remote temple. All she has to do is give a donation to the monk who owns them, or so she thinks.