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Day 1: USA -
Singapore
Board your
overnight flight to Singapore.
Day 2: Arrival -
Singapore
Arrive in
Singapore and transfer to your
deluxe hotel near the marina.
Hotel: The
Oriental
Day 3: Singapore
After breakfast
your half city tour starts
with a drive by City Hall, the Supreme Court and the waterfront of the
World’s busiest port.
Continue to
Chinatown with a stop at Sri Mariamman Temple. Drive up Mount Faber for
a panoramic view of the city. Proceed to the Botanic Gardens for a
stroll through the famous orchid
house, viewing, the ‘Vanda
Miss Joaquim’ and other rare hybrids. Visit a gem handicraft
centre to see a unique picture gem before returning to hotel. This
evening ejnoy dinner at the Alkaff Mansion. (B,D)
Day 4: Singapore
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Enjoy the
morning at leisure before your
transfer to the Keppel Road Railway Station. Board the gleaming
carriages of the fabulous Eastern & Oriental Express and settle
into your compartment. Watch the passing scenery as the train crosses
to Malaysia via the causeway over the Straits of Johor. Lunch is served
in one of the opulent dining cars. Dress for dinner and spend a
relaxing evening in the Bar Car in the company of our resident pianist.
During the evening, the E&O pauses at Kuala Lumpur’s
magnificent Moorish-style station where you may disembark for a stroll. Retire
to your compartment which has been transformed into a cosy bedroom.
(B,L,D)
Day 5: Malaysia
- Thailand Border
Breakfast is
taken in your compartment
before arriving in Butterworth. The morning’s guided
excursion takes you to colonial Georgetown, Penang, for a tour of this
historic town. The labyrinth of narrow streets reveals colorful
colonial architecture and lively markets. Disembark the coach for a
stroll through one of Penang’s oldest wet markets with its
variety of food on display before boarding a fleet of trishaws for a
ride through the colorful narrow streets to the ferry terminal. Board
the waiting coaches for the short ferry ride back to Butterworth and
the Eastern & Oriental Express for lunch. As the train crosses
into Thailand spend the afternoon watching the changing scenery from
the open deck of the observation car or relax in the comfort of the
saloon car. Dinner is served in the sumptuous dining car. (B,L,D)
Day 6: River
Kwai - Bangkok
After breakfast
E&O arrives at the
River Kwai where you disembark to visit the infamous Bridge. The first
version of the bridge, completed in 1943, was of wood and was situated
700 feet upstream. Later the same year, in April 1943, a second steel
bridge was built.
The bridge was
bombed several times during 1945 and was only rebuilt after the
conclusion of the war. The curved portions of today’s bridge
are original. Pierre Boulle’s novel and subsequent film gave
the bridge particular international awareness. A good photo opportunity
is provided as the train proceeds over the Bridge. Disembark the train
and board a traditional floating barge for a cruise along the
“Kwai Yoi” and “Kwai Noi”
rivers.
During the
hour-long sailing observe the many splendid Thai teakwood houses amidst
peaceful scenery. Disembark the raft for a short visit to the Chung Kai
cemetery.
Honoring World
War II soldiers, this cemetery is well preserved and peaceful. It is
full of frangipani trees, which Thais plant only at temples or
cemeteries and do not allow in their homes. A short coach ride takes
you past sugar cane fields, the North Temple, Vietnamese temple,
Chinese cemetery and Don Rak war cemetery to rejoin the train at
Kanchanaburi main station, from where your E&O journey
continues with lunch. Arrive in Bangkok’s Hualampong Railway
Station in mid afternoon and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of
the day is at leisure. This evening, enjoy a delicious Thai dinner in a
delightful restaurant accompanied by Thai classical music and dances.
(B,L,D)
Hotel:
Shangri-La Bangkok
Day 7: Bangkok
Breakfast at the
hotel before embarking on
your morning tour of Bangkok. The many canals of the Chao Phya River
give Bangkok the name “Venice of the East”. Enjoy a
boat cruise along the Thonburi Klongs (canals) for a first hand
impression of life along the city’s waterways. Visit the
Royal Barges Museum, the Temple of Dawn, and the Grand Palace
– one of the most beautiful examples of Siamese court
architecture. See the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne
Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the beautiful
Emerald Buddha Temple. Remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
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Your beautiful Pullman cabin abord
the E&O Express
Dine
in style aboard the E&O Express
Day 8: Bangkok -
USA
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet and
transfer to Bangkok’s Don Muang domestic airport to board
your home bound flight. (B)
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