Irene & Chris' Travel

TRAIN TRIP

THAILAND, MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE

April 2 – 15, 2012

This train trip takes us from Chiang Mai to Singapore with stops in Bangkok, Georgetown Penang and Kuala Lumpur.

to BANGKOK .......

We took a tuk-tuk in Chiang Mai to the railway station and the train left on time at 9am (a 12 hour trip) but was 2 hours late when arriving in Bangkok. The train was not in the best condition as it has seen lots of use. It was very interesting to sit and watch the scenery go by. South of Chiang Mai there were a lot of rice paddies with lots of birds present (mainly Asian Openbills) and then the topography changed to more tropical and rugged hills before Bangkok.

Train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok

Our hotel (Bangkok Centre Hotel) was just across the street from the main train station. We later found that we could go through the subway tunnel directly to the station and no need for taxi or tuk-tuk. We were also within walking distance to the Golden Buddha, which is 5 1/2 tons of pure gold. We stayed here only 2 nights and the next day toured the City and to the Grand Palace. This is an unbelievable place! The intricacy of the carvings, paintings and buildings. It took some time to visit the site. There were loads of tourists and sometimes it was difficult to get a good picture. Since this was near the river we took a river public boat to our area and then our usual tuk-tuk to the hotel. We did stop at River City for a beer and some supper, but it was quite expensive. We did enjoy a view of the river and all the traffic on it which made up for the higher price.

Grand Palace, Bangkok

at the Grand Palace

River taxis

Wat Arun from the river taxi

Wat Tramit or Temple of the Golden Buddha

Golden Buddha weighs 5 1/2 tons

to Butterworth, Malaysia and ferry to GEORGETOWN, PENANG ..........

Our overnight train (23 hours trip) left in the afternoon and this was in much better shape than the first one. We had 2 bottom berths and it was quite comfortable. The car was full and there was a number of families and younger people going to the Malaysian border. They visited early and were quiet when the beds were made up. One family was going to Georgetown to get the fathers visa extended. He was Irish and the mother was Thai from the Karen tribe and was teaching the small children English. Georgetown is popular for the visa runs by the expats.

An attendant came through and took orders for our supper and for breakfast the next morning. This was quite efficient. When we arrived at the Malaysian border we were transferred to a bus as the train was late again and would not be able to get back to Bangkok in time for its next run. The bus was very good and fast. When we arrived in Butterworth we had to manoeuvre our suitcases up 3 flights of stairs and then down again to get to the Ferry for Georgetown. An English fellow helped us which was very kind and he also had coins for the ferry so we did not have to stand in line. The ferry took 20 minutes to cross the strait.

Scenery from the train south of Bangkok

Car and passenger ferry from Butterworth to Georgetown

We have a very nice hotel (Bayview Hotel). The first thing we did was to take the Free Bus around town to acquaint ourselves with the smaller city. We walked to the Historic Area, Little India and just walked the area.

We spotted a 2 meter long Komodo Dragon in the sea – what a neat animal to see. Our only excursion was to the lovely Botanical Gardens. We stayed here 3 nights – we would often go to the Convenience Store and buy noodle dishes and take back to the hotel for dinner.

Panorama of Georgetown, Penang

Little India

Delicious Indian good

Komtar Shopping Plaza

to KUALA LUMPUR ...........

We got the first ferry across to catch the train (8 hour trip) for Kuala Lumpur. We again had to go up down the many flights of stairs with our luggage but this time we were more prepared for it. We again arrived 2 hours late but our hotel (Hotel Sentral) is very close to the train and subway line. The scenery was lush and tropical with a small area of rice paddies and pineapple fields.

We took a great city tour which included the Kings Palace, views of the Petronas Towers, a Wat, a pewter factory and general driving around the city. Our street was filled with ethnic restaurants, coffee shops and close to Little India and a very colorful and active street.

Waiting for the ferr to Butterworth from Georgetown

View from our hotel window, Kuala Lumpur

Street view from our hotel window

Kings Palace

English Royal Selangor Club

City view of Kuala Lumpur amd Petronas Towers

Little India

to SINGAPORE...............

Another eventful train trip ( 7 hour trip)– the train left on time but again was late and we were told that the tracks were not in good shape so at Kluang we were transferred to a bus and we reboarded the train in Jahor.

We were not happy with our room (it smelled) and we were given a different room right away. The hotel (Riverview Hotel) was in a great location by the Singapore River and the river walk with hotels, condos and sidewalk restaurants. We walked to the unbelievable downtown area. What a city! Enjoyed Canning Park, the local Mall for great dinners, shopping and internet and the Botanical Gardens.