On the right track
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The Eastern and Oriental Express (E&O) has long been a symbol of luxurious travel in the Far East – utterly unique as products, providing overland travel with lavish colonial styling. Now E&O Express has added a new route to its portfolio - a 3-day journey from Bangkok to Vientiane. Travel Daily Asia’s Mark Elliott took to the rails to try it out.
The slow journey out of Bangkok provides a good opportunity to inspect the room (in my case, the Pullman Compartment) and explore the ornate train. The elegant compartment is small without feeling cramped, with ample room to relax, work or just watch the passing scenery. The bathroom contains a shower unit, and all the other extras you’d expect are in place including free bottled water, fruit, bathrobes and designer toiletries.
There are 2 bar cars, one a piano bar which hosts traditional Thai dancing in the evenings and where the resident pianist provides entertainment. The other is attached to the observation deck - a semi-enclosed car where passengers can sit and watch the countryside whirl by. Although by its nature the train can feel cramped, with the corridors barely wide enough for two people to pass, these bar areas create a relaxed, informal atmosphere while the dining cars provide exquisite 4-course menus. On the evening of the first day guests enjoy sunset over Mae Nam Mun reservoir from the O&E Express observation deck – stunning way to end the day.
The excursions on day 2 take in the ancient Khmer temples at Phi Mai – a stunning complex of intricate architecture and artefacts – plus the vineyards of Khao Yai, including wine-tasting. All excursions are well-organised with informed, English-speaking local guides. On the morning of day 3, the train arrives in Nong Khai, on the border with Laos. We disembark the train to catch a bus over the Mekong River to Vientiane. Rails have now been laid across the Friendship Bridge and by the next journey in October the train will be able to cross straight into Laos. E&O Express make the border formalities painless, with passengers no even needing to leave the bus to stamp passports.
The train staff cannot do enough to help and make life on the train an utter pleasure. The atmosphere on the train is one of camaraderie, where lasting friendships can be made. For the last word in luxurious travel, I would recommend this trip to anybody.
www.easternorientalexpress.com
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