Iconic Elegance & Style

Checking in was simple and streamlined, and we were escorted by our elegantly dressed cabin steward to our cabins. Thensien who was to look after me during my journey explained the workings of my room, breakfast and dining times, and where to find everything I needed and let me settle in.  My cabin was delightful, welcoming and comfortable.  It was such a pleasure just to sit and relax while more people boarded.  

Soon after the train started to roll its way out of Bangkok and the gentle rocking of the carriages felt comforting as we wandered around the train exploring all the different carriages.  Every carriage beautiful and slightly different, the rear of the train was the open Observation carriage; sitting here watching the world pass by in the tropical breeze would become one of my favourite pastimes and so very relaxing.  The bar/café attached to the Observation carriage was a great place for tea, hot chocolate or an alcoholic beverage any time of the day and always had one or two people relaxing and enjoying the view over a beverage.  

The library was beautifully appointed with many different books to read and super comfy couches to relax in and read your book or have a reflexology session which was superb.  Also a clairvoyant was on hand to read your palms if you so desired.

The dining carriages were beyond elegant, gleaming crystal, gold embossed plates and exquisite silverware.  Beautiful luxurious tapestry inlaid chairs that invited you to sit, relax and enjoy the delicious menu as the train meanders along its tracks to the next destination. 

Every meal was a fine affair, scrumptious 3 course meals served with perfection.  I still can remember the meals as if they were pieces of art, too beautiful to eat, but once you got a taste of the amazing flavours you had to eat it all.  The cuisine on board is an experience in itself, served by joyous waiters and cooked in one of the tiniest kitchens. It astonishing how delicious all the food is and the tight space that Chef Yannis and his team work to create the delicious menu.  The food is definitely a treat and the selection of wines to accompany each meal is superb.

Dinner is such an experience, one desert I cannot forgot is a beautiful sphere of dark chocolate that  arrived with a beautiful design on the plate. Soon the waiter came and poured a raspberry sauce over the sphere which started to melt to reveal a dark chocolate ice cream cake inside.  Delicious…  It was superb and very decadent, but an inclination of what was to come as no two meals were every the same and each offering something unique and brilliant both visually and taste.

I never want this to end, it’s wonderful and when I think back to this night I get goosebumps. It’s almost surreal like a distant dream but it’s happening and you’re in the middle of it.  I cannot wait to return it’s one of the best experiences of my life.

After dinner we relaxed in the Piano bar, where Peter who is said to have a repertoire of over a 1000 songs, will sing and play like a well-seasoned showman inviting the passengers to name a song and join in with their voices.  It’s a lot of fun and a few beverages got the crowd up dancing.

Heading back to my cabin, my belly full and feeling content, I am welcomed by a perfectly made bed, my steward Thensien has made my room so warm and inviting, the lights are dimmed, the sheets have hand embroidered E&OS logo and the pillow is just perfect to rest my head.   I’m cosy and suitably comfortable and the gentle rocking of the train sends me off to a peaceful sleep.  Its morning before I know it and I’m up and about well rested, the shower is hot with plenty of pressure and I’m dressed and off to the observation carriage for a quick look at the day before I head back to my cabin for my breakfast. A gentle knock on my door and Thensien brings me breakfast plate of fruits, and hand made delicious pastries, hand squeezed orange juice and a lovely hot pot of Earl Grey tea, all served on the same beautiful dinner wear.  Its so very relaxing having your breakfast brought to you as you sit in your cabin watching the world glide by. 

This morning we stop at Kanchanburi and we disembark for our morning tour of choice, we are off to the market and then a cooking class on a barge as we float down the River Kwai.  What a lot of fun, the market is brimming with local produce and people; we sample local produce and wander among the stalls talking to the locals as our guide explains the ingredients for the cooking class.  On the barge we are set, the chefs teach us how to make the thai curry & the Tom Yum Soup and then it’s out turn to cook our own! It was a great tour and I’ve even cooked the curry since returning home. Back on board it’s time to freshen up as lunch is soon called.  Again, a complete silver service experience this time in the saloon carriage, and again delicious, interesting & beautifully served meals. 

After a lovely lunch its time just to relax, have a read, talk to other passengers or a little nap in you cabin!  I for one headed to the observation carriage for scenery and to watch the villages and countryside change as we headed towards Malaysia. It’s quite mesmerising watching the tropical landscape of farms and quaint villages from the carriage.  Mid-afternoon, I head back to my cabin for afternoon tea, little cakes & pastries with Earl Grey tea just enough sweetness without too much.   A nap was then on the cards and the gentle rocking took less than 5 minutes of reading to send me to sleep.  So calming and relaxing I slept deeply for an hour.  Dinner time came up again so fast and yet another scrumptious meal, beautiful wine, desert and petit fours, followed by tea and coffee.   Back up to the piano bar for a nightcap and it’s not long and I’m heading back to my delightful cabin for a comfortable night’s sleep.  

Early rise, breakfast in my cabin, hot cuppa in the observation deck and a relaxing morning on the train, catching up with other passengers and having a  chat about their experiences on the train, and it seems that many people have been on this journey 2 or 3 times and every time it has been special and never the same.  I can clearly understand why you would do this journey time and time again; it’s the romanticism, the beauty of the train and the exotic destination that the train is part of.  

After yet another delectable lunch, we disembark for a morning tour to a local village for a cultural experience.  Interesting and unique and great to see their handicrafts sample their food and have a wander amongst the fields and plantations learning about the different plant species that support their livelihood. Back on board and its afternoon tea time and its welcome after a busy afternoon.   its seems like there is so much to experience and do on this journey and although completely relaxing, there is never a dull moment.  It’s our last night on this historic journey and dinner is suitably spectacular, as dark falls and the lights turn on and the service begins, I feel like I’m on a movie set its too perfect to explain, the conversations are low but laughter is real, the scents of the meals waft from the kitchen as the waiters busy around serving delicious wines and food.  I never want this to end, it’s wonderful and when I think back to this night I get goosebumps. It’s almost surreal like a distant dream but it’s happening and you’re in the middle of it.  I cannot wait to return it’s one of the best experiences of my life.