Around the World Leg #1: YYZ --> ORD --> NRT

We got to Toronto Pearson Airport very early to catch our United flight into Chicago O'Hare international airport. First time getting priority tags on our luggage!

Our business class flight was on united from YYZ --> ORD. The seats were quite large and lots of leg room.  As expected on a short haul flight.

As most of you might know, or to whom that doesn't know, Toronto is notorious for their horrifying winters. Planes have to line up to get de-iced on the Tarmac. We were in queue for almost 1/2 before we could actually line up for take off.

Overlooking the clouds of Toronto

Once we landed, we rushed to the United Club lounge to check out if it was any better than the Maple Leaf Lounge. 

Nothing spectacular, as expected of North American lounges. Quite busy actually as it is shared between all Star Alliance companies. 

We did see a 787 close up at the lounge - not our plane!  

Soon, we headed over to board our flight from ORD --> NRT. Here is the first glimpse of the luxuriously seat of mine for the next 13.5 hours.

My home for the next 13.5 hours

Amazed by the leg room. I am barely tall enough to reach the other end. Also, the touch screen is absolutely amazing, you can use it like whatsapp with fellow passengers.  

ANA's amenity kit by L'Occitane 

Here is the Japanese Menu - which I obviously choice as a true fanatic of all Japanese food

 

My husband chose the International (Western) menu

In between the flight at any time, you are welcome to order anything from the light snack menu

This is the breakfast menu

Here is their extensive wine & champagne list 

This is their Sake list, I have to say their Junmai is excellent - very refreshing 

This is their complimentary drinks list

First drink of the ride, an iced green tea & a Gin & Tonic 

Since I am a all Winnie the Pooh & Disney fanatic, how can I not have brought some friends along. 

 

Dinner Time - Japanese Menu: Amuse
Vegetable a la grecque
Prosciutto and Melon
Smoked salmon and scallop tartar in tart cup

Japanese menu: Zensai
Braised abalone
Marinated gizzard shad and half-dried daikon radish in a bonito-vinegared sauce
Grilled vegetable rolled with beef sweetened egg & fishcake roll 

Japanese menu:
Nimono - Simmered vegetables in soy-based sauce
Shusai - Grilled Spanish mackerel Japanese sake lees taste
Streamed rice, miso soup and assorted Japanese pickles

Desserts:
Raspberry mousse
Cheese & Fruits 

Turn down service after dinner. This is my comfy bed for the next 9 hours.  

Lots of cute Japanese drinks for you to grab at your convenience - I chose Oolong Tea & Veggie juice

After sleeping for maybe 5-6 hours or so (I have a bad cough and the air wasn't the best), I decided to get some snacks.
Grilled chicken with salt-flavoured sauce over steam rice 

Garden salad with tomato dressing
ANA original soup (spicy - quite lovely as your taste bud gets dull on a long-haul flight)
Hagan-daz vanilla ice cream (A MUST!!)

About an hour before landing, we were served Breakfast. I chose the Japanese option again and was feeling quite satisfied with the simmered mackerel. I actually found this piece of fish better cooked than the dinner one. 

After 13 odd hours, finally arriving in NRT. I feel well rested and is ready for the food galore to come. 

Before we hop on the train, I decided to buy drinks from my favourite vending machines. They literally have this in every corner of everywhere in Japan.

Overall (ANA Business class):
Service 4/5
Quality 4/5
Food 4.5/5

Buisness Class Anyone?

Just this past January, my husband & I decided to trade in 150,000 (per person) of Aeroplan points to literally go around the world once on business class, and paid less than $300CAD in taxes. Below is our flight itinerary, and Yes, it seems crazy for the amount of flights we took within 12 days spanning 3 cities - Tokyo, Singapore, and Istanbul. But on Business class, you absolutely feel refreshed after. 

Tokyo

 Singapore

 Istanbul

We flew Business class with ANA, Singapore airlines, and Turkish airlines for a total of 8 legs (including connecting flights). I am happy to share with everyone the different business class products, and how we felt about it in details.

A little Introduction

Hi Everyone!

I am a 27 year old currently living in Toronto who is absolutely obsess with travelling, eating, and collecting anything Winnie the Pooh. The name Team M.E. originates from the initials of my husband and me, and most of our friends refer to us as that. We have travelled to many places, locally and internationally, indulging in local delicacies, and our goal is eat our way around the world.

I have been asked by many of my friends to write a blog of places we recommend have ate and have travelled to. On top of that, we are an have an obsession for all things points. We have travelled to many places without paying for much of an airfare, thanks to my wonderful husband's passion with collecting points.

 Hopefully with Team M.E. adventures, we can share our love for food & travel with everyone of you out there. With this little intro to our crazy life, may the blogging begin!!