We departed Heathrow in the late afternoon, so soon after we took off it was time for dinner. We opted for premium economy tickets to have bigger chairs and more leg room – it was definitely worth it. I don’t think I’d have enjoyed 9 hours in economy. Alongside a more spacious seat, our dinner was served on real plates, with real glasses and real cutlery. My brother enquired this morning if we had ‘pocketed it’ – absolutely not! 

As vegans, it always feels like a gamble as to whether your pre-ordered meal will turn up. Fortunately they did, although there was a moment when Michael’s came and I was left waiting for a while (the other vegan meal was stacked at the back of the trolley). For plane food, dinner was ok. A pea pasta with accompanying bean salad, followed by a lovely coconut rice pudding with fresh mango. To avoid spilling my dinner down myself (an Aunty Janet speciality) I tucked my linen napkin firmly into my shirt. The shirt was saved, but annoyingly I managed to drop some dinner on my trousers – but nothing a handy wet wipe couldn’t clean up.

It’s a strange feeling when you fly between time zones, it was barely any time from when we took off to it being dark outside. Although it was really still late afternoon it suddenly felt like the middle of the night. I did my best (with help of earplugs and an eye mask) to get some sleep so that when we arrived in Chennai early in the morning, I wouldn’t be completely wasted. It worked to a degree, I got at least 4 hours. When I woke it was time for our vegan breakfast to be served and then in no time we were ready to land. 

Slightly sleepy, we’d arrived. Getting through visa/passport control took a little while as they took photos and finger print scans, but we were soon out of the airport with our bags, taking a short stroll to the metro station. As we stood on the platform the dawn was starting to break and the first glimpses of Chennai were revealed.