Day Five - Thursday 9th Feb - Gum Valley Patchwork

Oops I forgot to include the special Dill of the Day for yesterday's post.......it wasn't until I was talking with Michelle in the Shop this afternoon that I realised I didn't include it. So this is for yesterday....... DotD : All of the'trendy' young ones who choose to wear glasses frames with no lens in them. Is this so they look cool and smart.....I don't think it works!

Now onto Day Five:

Today is the day we said Goodbye to Singapore and joined a larger group of travellers (about 100). We were picked up from our Hotel by Juliet and taken to the magnificent Regent Hotel. Here we joined a queue to confirm our details and await our departure (by bus again) to travel immigration control just in Malaysia. There we boarded this:

Yes it is the Orient Express ......... Eastern version. Run by the same company with all of the luxuries you would expect. We were in Cabin 4 in 'H' carriage and our carriage steward for our 3 day journey was Woody. Our cabin during the day was like a cosy sitting room (with ensuite) which was then transformed by Woody into our bedroom with bunk beds whilst we were at dinner. Not long after the train left the station for our 2,030km trip to Bangkok, we were summoned to one of the three restaurant carriages for lunch. We selected the first sitting option for lunch (12.15) and dinner (6.45) as opposed to the late sitting which was at 1.45 and 9.15. The menu greeted us along with silverware, crystal wine glasses and all of the trimmings. This was our four course lunch menu, cooked by the French Chef and served with 4 different types of bread.

The duck was divine

and I loved the dessert too.......what's not to love about any dessert! Actually it was all beautiful. We shared our table with a young couple from Perth who had only arrived in Singapore early this morning after their flight had been cancelled......every travellers nightmare!

We spent the afternoon relaxing and watching the world go by.....well the southern part of Malaysia anyway......

interrupted only by Woody delivering our afternoon tea......which included a small chicken pie and 2 cakes each.......yummy.......

a wobbly stroll down to the observation car at the rear of the train......passing through the bar car of course!

Chatting with other travellers and finding out where everyone was from......Barbara and Page are from New York, there is also a German Film Crew on board as well as lots of European, UK and USA travellers.......and even a few Australians.

It wasn't long before we had to get dressed for dinner....and I mean dressed. Before we left Australia we received the information about the Eastern & Oriental Express which included the Dress Code for the train. This is what it read......word for word........ "During the day, casual but smart clothing is appropriate. In the evenings, gentlemen will feel comfortable with a minimum of jacket and tie (or local equivalent). However, the ambience of the train provides the chance to display glamour and style". Yes I kid you not. It was now our turn to attempt glamour and style! Russell pulled it off pretty good.......

but no photos of moi to show you. And of course it was a five course dinner with our choice of which main meal we would like......and don't forget the 4 types of bread again!

After another stop in the bar car to enjoy the pianist and also a nightcap, it was time to head back to our transformed cabin. I selected the top bunk.......hoping that I wouldn't fall out during the night!

Dill of the Day: The guy who left his suit in the Hotel and then asked them to deliver it to the Regent. One and a half hours later and $120 less in his pocket his suit was delivered. Would have been cheaper and quicker to get a taxi there and back.......and no it wasn't Russell!!!

Linda :)

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Wow this is some trip and doesn't Russell look pleased to be wearing a suit on holidays.....but that's not the tie I thought he was going to wear !!! lol

Posted by: Carol | February 23, 2012 at 07:15 PM