BHE_ORIENTAL_EXPRESS
2
I ’VE ALWAYS LIKED TRAIN JOURNEYS – there’s something rather nice about being able to watch the world go by from the comfort of a rolling carriage and my last journey by train was one I’ll never forget. Steeped in glamour, the Orient-Express runs a number of itineraries across the world, with the Thai Explorer on the Eastern & Oriental-Express providing a six-stop tour from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and back. I joined the train in the sticky heat of Bangkok. The station was a sprawling mass of travelers, clutching sacks of produce, suitcases, pets and children, with line upon line of trains packed full of people heading out of the city. In the middle of the bustle, the Eastern & Oriental- Express stood like a gleaming vision, its team of elegant stewards lining up outside to greet us aboard. It was like stepping into another world. Outside, it was hot and busy, inside, deep carpet, a sense of hush and absolute luxury awaited. Shown to my cabin, I was offered chilled mango juice and the chance to soak up my surroundings before lunch. My cabin was a real feast for the eyes, with en-suite shower room and WC, inlaid wooden furniture, a delicate tiffany lamp, deep cushions, a monogrammed bathrobe in the wardrobe, fresh flowers and the finest fixtures and fittings imaginable. And then there was lunch, a three-course gourmet experience magically cooked up by the on-board team of chefs, a fusion of Thai and European cuisine served on the best china and sparkling glass, with views of passing houses and fields, towns and villages rushing past the windows as we dined. The Eastern & Oriental Express crossing Kanchanaburi Bridge, Thailand Photographer: Ian Lloyd Presidential Compartment (night configuration) on the Eastern & Oriental Express Photographer: Eddie Buay 41 40 The great thing about the Eastern & Oriental Express is that it makes regular stops along its route, allowing you to take in key sights at each place. Our three-night trip took in an ancient Buddhist monastery in Chiang Mai where we received a traditional blessing from the monks and a visit to breathtaking Si Satchanalai, part of the northernmost citadel of the ancient Khmer Empire and a World Heritage site. We toured 13th century temples and arrived in horse drawn carriages at The House of Many Pillars for afternoon tea at Baan Sao Nok, enjoying the sort of hospitality usually reserved for visiting VIPs. The day-to-day sights from the train were equally impressive, with the open-air observation car providing views of hidden Thailand as the railway track rattled away behind us. From early morning sun-rise over remote villages to waving children running out from ramshackle huts in the outskirts of Bangkok, each day brought something new. After dark, the train took on something of a colonial feel, its elegant lounge car animated with elegant guests in all their finery. G&Ts in hand, there was much banter before dinner, then an evening of Thai dancing and an impromptu sing-along at the IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THE JOURNEY IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE DESTINATION, THEN THE PERFECT WAY TO TRAVEL MUST BE BY RAIL. LIZ KAVANAGH TAKES A MAGICAL TRIP ON THE EASTERN & ORIENTAL-EXPRESS A JOURNEY FULL OF East ern promise
-
Upload
liz-kavanagh -
Category
Documents
-
view
84 -
download
3
Transcript of BHE_ORIENTAL_EXPRESS
I’VE ALWAYS LIKED TRAIN JOURNEYS – there’s something rather nice about being able
to watch the world go by from the comfort of a rolling carriage and my last journey by
train was one I’ll never forget.
Steeped in glamour, the Orient-Express runs a number of itineraries across the world,
with the Thai Explorer on the Eastern & Oriental-Express providing a six-stop tour from Bangkok
to Chiang Mai and back.
I joined the train in the sticky heat of Bangkok. The station was a sprawling mass of travelers,
clutching sacks of produce, suitcases, pets and children, with line upon line of trains packed
full of people heading out of the city. In the middle of the bustle, the Eastern & Oriental-
Express stood like a gleaming vision, its team of elegant stewards lining up outside to greet
us aboard.
It was like stepping into another world. Outside, it was hot and busy, inside, deep carpet, a
sense of hush and absolute luxury awaited. Shown to my cabin, I was offered chilled mango
juice and the chance to soak up my surroundings before lunch.
My cabin was a real feast for the eyes, with en-suite shower room and WC, inlaid wooden
furniture, a delicate tiffany lamp, deep cushions, a monogrammed bathrobe in the wardrobe,
fresh flowers and the finest fixtures and fittings imaginable.
And then there was lunch, a three-course gourmet experience magically cooked up by the
on-board team of chefs, a fusion of Thai and European cuisine served on the best china and
sparkling glass, with views of passing houses and fields, towns and villages rushing past the
windows as we dined.The Eastern & Oriental Express crossing Kanchanaburi Bridge, Thailand
Photographer: Ian Lloyd
Presidential Compartment (night configuration) on the Eastern & Oriental Express
Photographer: Eddie Buay
4140
The great thing about the Eastern & Oriental Express is that
it makes regular stops along its route, allowing you to take in
key sights at each place. Our three-night trip took in an ancient
Buddhist monastery in Chiang Mai where we received a traditional
blessing from the monks and a visit to breathtaking Si Satchanalai,
part of the northernmost citadel of the ancient Khmer Empire and
a World Heritage site.
We toured 13th century temples and arrived in horse drawn
carriages at The House of Many Pillars for afternoon tea at Baan
Sao Nok, enjoying the sort of hospitality usually reserved for
visiting VIPs.
The day-to-day sights from the train were equally impressive,
with the open-air observation car providing views of hidden
Thailand as the railway track rattled away behind us. From early
morning sun-rise over remote villages to waving children running
out from ramshackle huts in the outskirts of Bangkok, each day
brought something new.
After dark, the train took on something of a colonial feel, its
elegant lounge car animated with elegant guests in all their finery.
G&Ts in hand, there was much banter before dinner, then an
evening of Thai dancing and an impromptu sing-along at the
IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THE JOURNEY IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE DESTINATION, THEN THE PERFECT WAY TO TRAVEL MUST BE BY RAIL. LIZ KAVANAGH TAKES A MAGICAL TRIP ON THE EASTERN & ORIENTAL-EXPRESS
A JOURNEY FULL OF
Easternpromise
piano before gradually the party, as that was what it was by then,
made its way to bed.
It’s this house-party feel about the Eastern & Oriental Express
which makes it so memorable, as guests of all nationalities and
backgrounds become more like old friends by the end of the trip.
There is so much to marvel at from the windows, such a wealth of
culture and history to be taken in on the tours and so much fun to
be had on-board, that it almost encourages you to share it all with
someone else.
Watching the sun go down over lush forest in remote countryside
in the middle of no-where from the observation car was every bit
as memorable as the decadent luxury that left you wanting much
more. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, this is one trip that just
has to be taken.
42 43
The Thai Explorer tour on The Eastern & Oriental Express costs from £970 and includes all table d’hôte meals and sightseeing. Orient Express can be contacted on Tel. 0845 077 2222. www.orient-express.com
The Eastern & Oriental Express crossing Tha Chompu Bridge
Photographer: Ron Bambridge
Enjoying the passing scenery from a State compartment
Photographer: Ian Lloyd
Enjoying the passing scenery from the observation deck
Photographer: Ian Lloyd
Relaxing over lunch
Photographer: Ron Bambridge
The Observation Car
Photographer: Willy Tang
Enjoying the passing scenery from the observation deck
Photographer: Ron Bambridge
It was like stepping into another world. Outside, it was hot and busy, inside, deep carpet, a sense of hush and absolute luxury awaited.
