By the 4th time Cosmo had gotten
used to traveling in the carrier
By the 4th time Cosmo had gotten
used to traveling in the carrier
Getting into Hanoi I needed to get a visa-on-arrival so I walked past the long lines at immigration and was directed around the corner to the visa application desk. It was pretty dead with three guys sitting around a desk chatting. I flagged them down and gave them my information. It took awhile to issue, maybe 15-20 minutes so by the time I got out it was pretty late (after 8:30pm) and the airport was almost empty. My lone bag and Cosmo in his carrier were all that was left from the day's flights. As I wheeled out in the "nothing to declare" line, the lady barely looked up from reading and waved me through. So this time, no $40 "coffee money" tip!
By the time I got my visa on arrival, the huge line at immigration was gone
I saw a giant line so had to get
in it to try the product
I spent most of the evening packing to get everything into Cosmo's carrier and my suitcase, which I was checking. Though I still had to bring my electronics, Cosmo's litter and litterbox, and the flight attendant gifts in my personal backpack, along with Cosmo's backpack. We got a late checkout for 1pm (20 minutes of that was coaxing Cosmo out from under the bed as he had had enough travel), stored our bags at the hotel, and hit the city for one last hurrah. We walked to the Old Quarter to do a little last minute shopping but they weren't open yet. On the way I got myself a delicious banh mi, and then couldn't resist the long line at Roti King to get a matcha roti (think warm bun with buttery matcha flavored spread inside). Yum! Definitely worth the wait. We walked towards the lake and there were tons of people out celebrating the Tet holiday (lunar new year). Vendors were selling giant balloons, bubble blowers, and other toys, as well as various foods. I bought a sausage and walked around to the side of the lake as it was a bit busy and loud for Cosmo's liking. 
Delicious matcha roti
was worth the wait!
Great sausages in The Old Quarter
near the lake in Hanoi
The first cat on leash Cosmo
and I have encountered
We relaxed by the lake for a couple hours. Then a man walked by walking a cat on a leash! Cosmo had never seen one in person before so it was quite the experience. The friendly cat poked its head in towards Cosmo but he was still feeling nervous so he just hunkered down in his backpack. The guy said his cat was 6 years old and Cosmo would get less scared as he got older. I hope so! Actually, shortly after they left, Cosmo got his courage up to hop out and explore a bit in the leafy ground cover. However, two screaming children came along and he ducked his head down and hid. This brings up my game of "Where's Cosmo?" You can only really see his eye, but the leash line might give you a hint. I'll post another pic at the end of the post with a closeup.
Beautiful cat we met by the lake
Cosmo is a little scared of this tiny cat on leash
Where's Cosmo? you can only see his eye. Hint: Follow his leash to narrow it down
Cosmo was more willing to say
hello to his second visitor
We headed back to the hotel, and at the corner of the lake we saw yet another cat on leash! This one was posing for pics with her family. They saw Cosmo and came over to say hello. This time my brave boy did a little nose to nose greeting! When I commented on seeing two cats on leashes here, a man simply said "Cats are popular here." After googling at home, I later found out that they have been walking cats on leash in Hanoi for 15 years since stray cats were not very safe wandering around at that time.
Crowds gather near the lake in
the Old Quarter to celebrate
someone waving at Cosmo near
the crowded celebration area
Here's Cosmo! or at least his eye
A Hanoi cat on leash taking lunar new years pictures
Cosmo found a great place
to hang out at the hotel
Back at the hotel, Cosmo found an excellent place to hang out in the mini garden/swing area outside the hotel. It was very relaxing. Unfortunately our flight to Seoul was much less relaxing. Takeoff was rocky, one of the worst I've experienced. I thought there was equipment failure of some kind. Cosmo was not happy. It settled down and so did he. Luckily it was a nearly empty flight and we had a row to ourselves, because after an hour or two he woke up and really wanted out of the bag. Then started the constant meowing. I opened his carrier enough for him to stick his head out which shut him up, but eventually he would try to get all the way out and I'd have to stuff him back into the bag and zip it. Then he would cry again. It was a very long tiring 2 hours. I'm pretty sure some of my fellow passengers wanted to toss him off the plane!
Cosmo was very very popular with the
folks at Jeju airlines in Hanoi
Cosmo exploring as we wait
to board at Hanoi airport
Another great meal at the
lounge at Hanoi airport
Cosmo wandering into the restricted area near our gate
A tired but curious Cosmo at one of the airports
Getting into Seoul, an airline representative met me and showed me a text saying I had to pass through immigration and quarantine, collect my bags, and recheck at the United desk. I had been forewarned about this in Hanoi, but was still really tired at this point. After giving Cosmo the chance to use his litterbox, I followed the remaining passengers towards immigration. I filled out a quarantine form, but it only asked how I was feeling. Then I followed the only other passengers I saw through the quarantine area and immigration to the baggage area. My bags weren't there, but they had been checked through to SFO so I hoped they would just show up there. Once out, I navigated to the United check in area where they asked for my quarantine papers, but I had none. They were very surprised I got through immigration without anyone saying anything about my cat or me asking anyone about my cat. I didn't have the energy to explain that I was dead on my feet and while it was 8am their time, it was 6am my time and I only got an hour of sleep.
wonderful lounge in Seoul
She gave me my ticket and pointed out a 11:55 boarding time and 12:10 time as well. I got through security and found the Matika Lounge. It was like a little oasis. The front desk lady explained that they don't allow pets. Uh oh! But she could keep him here at the front desk with her. Wow! Then I got the key for the shower and washed away all my stress of a meowing cat, trudging through immigration, and back through security. The food was pretty good too! 12:10 came and i checked the board. My flight was boarding. Not last call so I felt okay. Brushed my teeth, got Cosmo and walked to the gate. It was far. Very far. and my backpacks were heavy. I snagged a cart and proceeded down the terminal, finally getting to the turnoff for gates 36-50.
blessed shower!
Hot food section at the Seoul airport lounge
amazing breads and desserts
salad bar
fresh fruit and desserts
Cosmo waiting for me best the front desk of the lounge without making a peep!
Rushing to the gate in Seoul airport
Almost immediately I was met with 2 United people who said I was the last person to board and asked me to hurry, so I started to jog with my cart. Halfway down, I passed 2 more United people and one of them joined me and asked me to get out my boarding pass, offering to push my cart. I handed it to her as we neared the gate and she rushed off to check me in, then grabbed my backpack and had me take Cosmo's backpack. She led me all the way down the gangplank, onto the plane and to the back of the plane to my seat. We got to my seat by 12:30, which seemed a bit tight but not unreasonable for a 12:45 departure. I checked my ticket. Uh oh, it said 12:25 departure. I checked my original ticket issued in Hanoi. That one said 12:45 as did the screen in the airport. Strange.
Cosmo chilling happily on
the seat next to me
Cosmo nosed open backpack and popped his head out, out a lot this flight to keep him quiet. Then one of the flight attendants stopped by to thank me for the gifts. He saw Cosmo and insisted on moving us to our own row. We got there and the legroom was bigger. This was an upgrade! Nice! I looked around. Everyone had their own row. I guess most people don’t do the expensive seats. I know I don’t!
Before we took off we stopped for 20 minutes to de-ice the wings. Now I understood why they wanted to leave 20 minutes early. My bad. In retrospect, I think it may have helped that I had Cosmo and had not come through quarantine correctly as they did not want to leave me off the flight and deal with all the paperwork needed.
Home at last!
Much to my surprise (and relief) Cosmo was completely silent the whole flight. It was a very smooth flight and I felt comfortable putting Cosmo’s backpack on the seat next to me for about an hour so I could pet him. At least the long trip home ended on an easy note!
This featured blog entry was written by nutmeg2000 from the blog My Semester off for travel 2025.
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