The sun beamed https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_IN.html through our Toronto to Hong Kong cabin all afternoon, we counted cloud shadows like chapters. Then silence fell on the night – flight to Chennai – every exhale became its own quiet reckoning, every landing a new beginning. Welcome to “Cloud Surfing To Chennai : A Sleep Deprived Arrival”

We clocked 14 hours of daylight from TO to HK – snapped pics of cloud shadows and called it “work“. Then boarded the sleep deprived eye to Chennai, where family and sleep are mandatory.

To know the deets of two summers, two winters, one vacation to India, click on Two Summers Two Winters : One Vacay to India – Wander, Feast & Thrive

A Sleep Deprived Arrival : Cloud Surfing To Chennai

We booked our journey with Cathay Pacific and left our hotel at 7:00 am, speeding to Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport in a 20-minute Uber ride. Amidst the morning rush, we felt excitement mixed with doubt: would our heavy bags meet the 23kg limit? Thankfully, they did—ignoring our checklist just added to the thrill.

After check-in and security, we enjoyed duty-free shopping, letting the colors and aromas ease our travel jitters. With bags in hand, we approached our gate, where the A350-1000 awaited for our 14-hour journey to Hong Kong. Each seat was ready with food, pillows, blankets, and headsets, making the cabin feel like a temporary home for our sky-high adventure.

Boarding commenced in order—priority passengers first, then business class, followed by premium economy and finally economy. Inside, the cramped rows reminded us of long-haul travel challenges. We settled into our seats, buckled up, and felt anticipation build as the aircraft pushed back and taxied. With a rolling start, the plane ascended into the clouds, soon cruising at 41,000 feet.

The flight was punctuated by intermittent bolts of turbulence, – some severe, some gentle, – though we were gifted with a solid four to five hours of serene flight. Food was served, and our choice of an Asian Hindu Vegetarian Meal proved satisfying amid the discomfort, while stolen moments of sleep and videos on our devices helped the hours pass.

Arrival & Second Leg : A Sleep Deprived Arrival

In the dry moments of the afternoon, we arrived at Hong Kong International Airport, an hour ahead of schedule. The landing was spectacular, framed by the Pacific Ocean and lush mountains — a beautiful arrival that did little to ease our jet lag. We spent a long seven-hour transit in the premium lounge, each moment a mix of weariness and anticipation for the final leg of our journey.

The flight from Hong Kong on the A350-900 was less cramped than before, but still packed and took off a few minutes late due to minor delays. Dinner was served, but the nearly five-hour journey felt endless, each minute dragging like a long confession of fatigue. Finally, we landed smoothly at Chennai International Airport at 00:35 Indian time.

Even the slow-moving immigration queue and delayed baggage claim did little to dampen our excitement. Each step with our trolley carts loaded with bags brought us closer to our long-awaited family gathering. We kicked off our homecoming with a trip to Burger King—a joyful start to an unforgettable journey. Now, amidst the haze of jetlag, every detail pulses with raw emotion and vivid memory.