The strange adventure on board Eastern & Oriental Express from Malaysia to Singapore

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The rainbow appeared shortly about SingaporeAlthough I was the only person who saw that, he is standing and only in the open car Trained While traveling north through the Strait of Johour, leaving behind the city of Al -Aswad. It was just a short vision. A dam was formed from the dark clouds, and soon it reached us Go to MalaysiaAnother launch Rain and lightning flow They cut the embarrassing heat and raised the smell of straight dirt.

About 94 years ago, Henry Fuconer, French writer and rubber baron, described Malaysia as a place, although “the sky is leaking, abundant tears, dark days and depression unknown.” This was true this day, because, despite time, note Passengers who started in Eastern & Oriental Express (E & O Express)All of them smile and anxiety on our journey to the depths of the Malaysian peninsula.

The only train that is still working in Malaysia

First, we went through the central heights of the forest to Taman Nagara National ParkThen on the West Coast to the colonial parking in Buterworth and Georgetown, on Penang Island. Finally, within four days and three nights, we will return to the magic of Swampy in Singapore.

In the past, E & O Express toured the entire trip between Singapore and Bangkuk, before it disappeared in 2020. In 2024, Belmond recovered it for a trip and forth journey for several days across Malaysia, and it is now the only one Night train He continues to work In Malaysia (Intercontinental Express is still working during the night from the border between Thailand and Malaysia to the north to Bangkok).

And like everything about Belundand, the price About $ 4,650 (4.110 eurosIt is amazing, amazingly higher than the national KTMB trains that revolve in the same way, but it seeks a more luxurious level of comfort and service that any Malay Sultan in history was lucky enough to experience.

Circums with Water panels warm And welcoming, and cabinets with bathroomSpacious and comfortable. I had a cabin of my chair and Deck That has become an individual bed, a bathroom, a marble basin and Shower With his waiter, sweet and charming.

While we were moving away, many characters were joined on the monitoring platform (Australian financial lawyers, investors, American artists, and the Malaysian construction group) that were found In the bar Neighborhood (one of the two on the train). Wearing everyone emptyBecause E & or Express inspired some stickers among their passengers. “A atmosphere of comfortable improvement”“It requires unofficial clothes with a touch of secret elegance.”

Malaysia It is a nation consisting of the cultures of Malay, China and India, and Food, wide and deliciousMix these diverse local kitchens with a Sovinal touch. Our first lunch was Kimchi Newses with Galile Odon Crumach, and a white coconut okay with a cold New Donia.

Every day there were recreational activities (Magic, jazz trio, a night of kareuki in the bar) Anyone can take advantage of the spa on the plane or Mahmoud. However, the majority preferred to meet on the surface surface, allow the winds to take heat, the scent of soaked roots and the forest smoke.

Elephants, tigers and bears in Taman Nagara National Park

In the morning we got to EvenWhere the great gray rock hills are highlighted from the forest; Region Famous with their caves. While some passengers made a cave, others went to photograph them and others went to a resort on Riferside, I joined a small group that entered the Taman Negara National Park Shook.

At the back of a truck, I sat next to the local guide Nizam Khairun, a Bird loversThis phone taught me pictures of Cálaos, águilas, a red and blue bird called Pitta Garnet. He told me that his phone approached me: “Bird monitors come from all over the world to see this.”

We were walking under a green umbrella, the fronds gathered on us like eyelashes on the road, The armed borders of palm trees as green sources. Soon we crossed with a herd of photographers who expected a great argus.

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“Holds”, a regime said, leaving the truck and entered the weeds. After a minute, he returned to appear, follow him closely. Decinysian peacock is like a birdWith his long brown tail. “I am calling this brother,” a regime said while photographers fired the fire. “I know him since I left the shell.”.

Taman thick herbs and It is difficult to see. Between tree tree and booms, There are elephants And Gaur with the appearance of livestock, tapirs and SunbAnd some few Malaysian tigers This remains. We were not fortunate to see any of them, but there was no shortage of the distant screaming of Jibones, the effects of the elephant printed in red mud and a shattered tree with a solar bear tried to reach the bee nest inside.

George Town, Cultural Capital

That afternoon, we left Mirabwah and our promise to the south, and our passing Palm oil and rubber trees. At some point at night, we passed through Kuala Lumpur (less worse, given that a wonderful central railway station is no longer used), and while we had breakfast, we saw how the outskirts of Petrores were the city itself.

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The phrase plan was waiting for us to transfer us to Penang Island, where we spent the morning to explore The colonial Bario From Georgetown. We rented “Trishaws” (a wheel taxi with pedals) with a driver, and we all received a map of the city and freedom to do what we would like.

George Town has moved from the colonial administrative center to become Cultural and Technical Center in Malaysia. I have devoted my time to a tour of the art of local street, every wall of a mural and crucifixion that shows some scene from the past from the island: Coolies in vehicles, clearance, imperial police and sultans transmitted in literature.

At dusk, we slide like a dew drop of its western coast, heading to Singapore. It seems too early to return; This journey has passed through the country with comfort and good humor, but very quickly. But again, everything The wonderful trains arrive very soon.

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The author was a guest at Belmond Eastern and Oriental Express.