Overnight To Bangkok

Thursday, November 1, 2:30pm. On the train and on the move - north through Malaysia, then into Thailand to Bangkok. Tonight the seats we're in will convert to beds. We're traveling what's called Second Class, which seems to be the only class offered. We're ten minutes into the ride and it seems plenty comfortable. Twenty hours from now, when we arrive, I wonder if I'll still believe that.

9pm. All the seats on this car are now being converted to beds. Marty and I both have lower berths, which are substantially wider than the ones above us. Very comfortable and big enough to stash my pack at the end of the bed to protect it from theft, though that seems unlikely. We're scheduled to get into Bangkok at 10am. But this car will be buzzing with activity by 6. So far, it's been a very nice ride. Marty's prepared for sleep in a way known to experienced third world travelers - he's saved a plastic bottle so he can pee in it in the night, rather than stagger to the toilet at the end of the car.

6am. Nice night's sleep. People moving around now. We get into Bangkok at noon, give or take. Marty's been there many, many times, so he'll lead a day-long sightseeing tour before we head to our hotel out at the airport. We need to be there since our flight leaves at 5:55am tomorrow morning.

The Malaysian and Thai trains are what's called narrow gauge trains. The wheels appear to be set substantially in from the side of the cars on what are clearly narrower tracks than I've seen in the States and in Europe. I wondered if that would affect the ride. Not at all. In fact, it feels smoother. Why?

Looking out the window during these last few hours on the train has been very special. Beautiful agricultural land. I can't remember ever seeing landscape this green and lush. Towns and villages in the early morning sun. People starting the day.

Noon. The train's pulling in to the station. Now we'll find lockers, stash our stuff and look around the Bangkok.

5pm. We've quickly toured the Rattanakosin area (for those few of you who may be Googling the sites we're visiting), focusing on the Grand Palace. We lucked into an amazing sight - countless barges, including the Royal Barge, in some sort of ceremonial event on the Chao Phraya River. That's it for today. Dinner, airport, hotel, sleep, early flight out.