Episode 18 | From Toronto to Jersey
Greetings, fellow wanderers! Andru here, taking you on the first chapter of my UK summer series of Aimlessly Wandering. Packed with photos, stories, and videos, this series is bound to satiate your travel cravings.
Our journey begins at Toronto Pearson (YYZ), where we were set to embark on an Air Canada flight to London Heathrow (LHR).
Before departure, my father and I found refuge in the Air Canada International Departures Signature Suite. A buffet filled to the brim with a variety of offerings, from delightful mini sliders (with an ingenious dollop of thousand island dressing as a substitute for Big Mac Sauce) to hearty pasta dishes, provided the perfect pre-flight feast. To accompany the fare, I savored a few glasses of a white wine aptly named 'Studio'.
The surprises didn't stop there. Boarding the plane, my father revealed he'd secured a business class/signature class seat for me on our YYZ-LHR flight. A lay-flat bed in first class on the Dreamliner 787-9 awaited - my first time experiencing first class on an international overnight flight. After settling in, a warm toilette, a glass of champagne, and warm nuts were my welcoming committee.
Before I took my much-needed rest, my evening meal was served. I started with a rustic Panzanella salad with fresh mozzarella, followed by AAA beef tenderloin steak. To finish, a passionfruit coconut tart marked the sweet end to a delectable dining experience. Satiated and relaxed, I set my seat to 'lay-flat' mode, turned on 'The Office', and slipped into a deep sleep.
When I awoke, there was a steaming cup of coffee waiting for me. Much needed, I must admit. Then, it was time for breakfast. While it was supposed to be a full course, I was only served fresh seasonal fruit and a croissant. I still wonder why, but hey, travel is all about the unexpected, right?
We landed in London after 6 hours and 28 minutes, where we were greeted by the hustle and bustle of Heathrow. Our next mission: make the connecting flight to Jersey (JER).
Clearing UK customs was a breeze, thanks to our Canadian citizenship and biometric passports. Using the automated 'e-gate' was quite futuristic. Soon enough, we found ourselves in terminal 5 for local departures, reaching there via the London Underground.
After a 1 hour and 30 minutes hike, we checked in to our British Airways flight and soon found ourselves boarding for Jersey, a flight that took just over one hour door to door.
After travelling for nearly 30 hours total, we arrived in St. Helier, deplaning right on the tarmac - an experience I've always found charming due to its raw authenticity. Now, the adventures could finally begin!
Stay tuned, fellow wanderers, the journey has just begun. More tales, photos, and soon videos, await you in the coming weeks. Until then, keep wandering!
