HAWAII – Baloo and Suki

It's no secret that this idea of traveling to all corners of the world with our group started with Scott. People were so curious about how we take them on our adventures that it ended up giving rise to the Instagram page: LESVOYAGEURS22.

Now, imagine how shocked everyone was when they found out that Baloo and Suki were packing their bags for Hawaii! This triggered a barrage of questions, like: 'Will they need to quarantine?' So, get ready, because I'm going to tell you about the true epic of organizing this whole process.

Let's start with the basics of international travel with pets. First of all, your pet needs to undergo a blood test, known as serology, to prove that it is free of rabies. This document only needs to be issued once and is valid for life, as long as you are a superhero and never miss the due date for your vaccinations. One simple delay and you will have to start all over again. A microchip is another essential item — basically your pet's ID. In addition, for each trip, you need to obtain a health certificate from the Brazilian authorities. That's it! Now all you have to do is… pack your bags? Almost.

Hawaii has its own rules, entirely focused on protecting its delicate ecosystem of flora and fauna from any pests that might threaten this paradisiacal archipelago. As you might expect, they have a manual detailing each step of the process. When I first came across it, I confess, I was intimidated. The first time I read it, I didn't understand a thing. The second time, I started to grasp something. It took several readings to finally understand what needed to be done. I confess, I was really discouraged.

The saga begins with the requirement for a serology test just for them, valid for 12 months, so there went Baloo and Suki, for the blood collection. Now, since they behave like two wild little tigers (or perhaps untamed lions), it was necessary to use inhalation anesthesia to keep them calm for a few minutes. Because, without it, not even the bravest veterinarian in the world would have the chance to get close to them!

With the results in hand, the lab in charge needs to take the necessary steps to ensure that the two are officially registered in the Honolulu Department of Agriculture's system as 'serology negative'. In other words, rabies-free and ready for paradise! Because, of course, nothing in Hawaii is simple — even cats need digital approval to be able to relax on the beach.

Meanwhile, I'm running on the sidelines, and since the whole process is a real marathon, I need to start at least eight months in advance. The first mission: since we're going to enter via the Big Island, and there's no health department at the airport, I need to hire a local veterinarian to be responsible for our triumphant arrival, ensuring that Baloo and Suki are fit to disembark in this paradise. With this step completed, the collection of documents begins – and when I say 'collection', imagine a truckload of papers! Original certificate of rabies vaccinations from the last four years, airline tickets, a copy of my passport, a copy of the serological test, forms of all types and colors, and so on... the pile of documents just kept growing.

All in all, I think I went through about a hundred pages. And, of course, since everything has to be different with these people: I can't use the Brazilian Post Office, no! The paperwork has to arrive via FedEx, with all the pomp and ceremony. There I go, facing yet another bureaucratic step. With them, there's no such thing as casual mailings; you have to be registered and have an account. Yet another layer of formality! But, finally, everything was ready: in less than 48 hours, the authorities in Honolulu had my mountain of documents in their hands.

After checking all the paperwork I sent, I am finally given permission to proceed with the payment and issue the certificate that will guarantee the two of them the right to fly. But there is a catch: this certificate is only valid for the exact date of the ticket purchase. If there is any change, I have to start all over again! The insanity of the requirements doesn't stop there: payment must be made by cashier's check.

Since I don't have a bank account in the United States, the solution is to use a credit card. Simple, right? Wrong! I have to write a handwritten statement with my details, authorizing the debit on my card. But then comes the cherry on top that almost gave me a nervous breakdown: they only accept this authorization via FAX. That's right, FAX! Does anyone here still remember what that is? Where was I going to find this museum relic? I turned the internet upside down and nothing. Finally, I discovered that there is a virtual fax app on your cell phone. No comments!

Did you think my Mexican soap opera was over? NOT AT ALL!

As we approach boarding, we head off for another round: a visit to the vet to make sure the two are in good shape. Only after that can we request the issuance of health certificates from the Brazilian authorities. Without these documents, we are not allowed to leave the land of samba, football… more bureaucracy, of course!

One week before boarding, another visit to the doctor's office. This time, to get another certificate confirming that they were properly treated for internal parasites, in addition to the traditional flea and tick treatments. Baloo takes it in stride, Suki never misses the opportunity to say a few words of displeasure to Dr. Denis, she needs to make her dissatisfaction very clear, but everything is under control... for now.

Finally, the long-awaited D-Day arrives! And with it, the internal stress festival begins. Nothing can go wrong! Every paper, every detail of the endless list of requirements has to be impeccable. Because, let's be honest, forgetting anything at this point in the game would be a disaster of epic proportions.

The airline attendant, although very friendly, never missed a chance to scare us every now and then. As she analyzed everything, she generated more documents. But finally, after the HELLISH ADMINISTRATIVE JOURNEY, the kitties were officially approved to board the plane to Hawaii. Phew, almost impossible mission accomplished!

Did you think that now was the happy ending? No way! Remember the Hawaiian vet I hired at the beginning of this saga? Well, he will greet us upon arrival. Only he has the power to grant us the long-awaited 'release permit'. Without it, neither humans nor cats can set foot on hula-hula soil. Now, imagine: after endless hours of flying, he decides to stop us? It would be the cruelest twist in history!

If you think this text is long, just imagine my days organizing all of this! It seemed like a never-ending mission. But I decided to adopt a more philosophical perspective… Life is full of challenges, right? Or at least that’s what I kept repeating to convince myself! After all, everyone can delude themselves as best they can.

The vet was waiting for us at the airport. Her portable clinic was, let's say, a bit unusual: a tiny camping tent set up right in the middle of the arrivals area. Quite a spectacle! One cat at a time entered the 'cabin', microchip checked, documents read with an attention that would make any auditor envious, and then it was my turn to shine: I signed some terms. I don't even know what was written — I just kept handing out signatures as if my freedom depended on it. And maybe it did!

Finally, the long-awaited green light: Baloo and Suki are free to surf and hula dance in Hawaii!

Now tell me, after this ordeal, is anyone out there excited to take their pets to Hawaii?