When I was young, we could not afford to fly to Bangkok to see my mother’s sister (this was before the days of cheap air travel). Therefore we will make the long trip from KL to Bangkok by train, which would have taken 2 nights and a day. The train schedule is still the same 40 years on. In fact, the train I was on 2 nights ago looked like it was in service 40 years ago too!!!
First class on a Malaysian train is nowhere near first class travel on British Airways! Don’t even mention the state of the loo. Must adjust expectations!
I must say, sadly, reality did not match to my memories either… the highly anticipated “gently rocking to sleep” on board the train did not quite work out that way after all. In reality, the train screeched rather loudly on braking, followed by loud thumps when the carriages collided with one another when they stopped. The boys, of course, slept through all that – “Noise? What noise?”
In the old days, train windows are like sash windows which can be pulled down to stick your head out. Picture a dog with its head out of a car window and its tongue hanging out happily – that is exactly what I would have done. I loved the wind in my face and my hair flying wildly behind me. I probably had my tongue out too. These type of windows probably no longer exists with air-conditioning and Health & Safety.
I shall find out tomorrow when we start the second leg of our 23 hour journey from Butterworth to Bangkok. Must ensure all mobiles, iPads and laptops are fully charged. We have many hours to kill without killing each other.
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