Molly Swindall’s love for the baby pygmy hippo, Moo Deng, led her to make multiple trips around the world to see her. Swindall described Moo Deng as a fun and lighthearted animal with a strong personality that brings joy to everyone who watches her. The baby hippo became a viral sensation, drawing people in with her funny moments and adorable antics, including being the subject of memes and even a skit on “Saturday Night Live.”
Swindall traveled a total of 21 hours on her first trip to Thailand, spending only 30 hours there to see Moo Deng. Despite the short trip and the cost of about $1,100, Swindall felt that seeing Moo Deng was worth it, especially during a time of uncertainty when people needed joy in their lives. Her experiences with Moo Deng were captured on her TikTok account, where she has a large following and millions of likes.
Swindall’s passion for animals and adventure led her to make the decision to travel to see Moo Deng in person. She chronicled her journey to see the baby hippo on social media and shared that it was incredible to witness Moo Deng’s personality and energy up close. While Moo Deng was the main attraction, Swindall also enjoyed seeing her interact with her mother, Jona, during her first trip.
In addition to seeing Moo Deng, Swindall also made a trip to Melbourne, Australia, to see another internet sensation, the baby penguin Pesto. She eventually returned to Bangkok for a second visit with Moo Deng, where she was able to spend more time with the hippo thanks to the zookeeper. Despite the cost of both trips, Swindall felt lucky to have airline points she could use to offset some of the expenses and found the experience magical and surreal.
Swindall spent a total of 50½ hours traveling to see Moo Deng and Pesto, enjoying the opportunity to explore Bangkok in between her animal encounters. While her trips were emotional and bittersweet, Swindall was grateful for the chance to see these viral animals in person and have unforgettable experiences. Although it was difficult to leave, she cherished the memories and looked forward to potential future visits to see Moo Deng as she grows.
