As the bright lights of Singapore slowly fade from view, it feels as if almost the smoke of a by-gone age could disappear, revealing the linked chain of forest-green and cream carriages picked out in brilliant golden stripes. Evoking the grandeur of an earlier epoch, the iconic Eastern & Oriental Express conveys a revitalised step in luxury travel, as it thunders from the futuristic surrounds of Singapore through the wilds of the Malaysian jungle and its tropical island shores.
Reservations Specialist, Thomas, recently returned from his FAM trip to Singapore and Malaysia, including an opportunity to travel onboard the Eastern & Oriental Express. Revelling in the luxury of the experience, he remarks how fitting it is for the E&O’s emblem to be a sinuous tiger arching in mid-spring. Akin to a tiger perpetually ready to pounce, the train takes bouncing strides along the tree-lined tracks, as confident and proud as any big cat. Read on to discover more about this once-in-a-lifetime journey onboard the Eastern & Oriental Express.
Beyond the dark-green carriages and open-air observation car, sumptuous interiors take cues from Southeast Asian traditions and artistry. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows, rosewood panelling, polished bronze fittings, and silk-embroidered upholstery all enhance the decadence of the journey as well as reflect the train’s storied past and the regions it travels through. Lavish golds feature in the full carriage Presidential Suite, whereas rich jungle-greens and oceanic blues embellish the State Cabins providing a nod to the landscapes of Penang, and peacock blues and burgundy reds adorn the Pullman Cabins, referencing Malaysia’s bustling capital of Kuala Lumpur.
Alongside the eight sleeping cars, there are two restaurants, a piano bar, and a spa operated by Dior. Everything about the wood-panelled carriages feels cinematic, and the film plots could easily write themselves. As guests recline on the canary-yellow crushed velvet couches, barmen vigorously shake gin martinis as couples glide through the gangways in impeccable couture. “With a feeling of stepping back in time”, you can’t help but imagine who would play each role and how sequences throughout the film would unfold.
Harking back to the golden age of leisure travel, on the E&O, cocktails and dinner are glamourous, diamond-studded affairs. Where each evening, women float by in elegant flowing silk dresses while men don their dinner jackets, all ready for the evening soirée ahead.
Three Michelin-starred Taiwanese chef, André Chiang is the master behind the E&O’s irresistible gastronomic journey. Chiang’s spins on Malaysian and Southeast Asian cuisine tell the story of the region’s rich heritage. Innovative dishes feature seasonal, sustainably sourced ingredients which celebrate a kaleidoscope of cultures, where “wine glasses are never empty” remarks Thomas.
The evening atmosphere lingers after dinner in the velvety Piano Bar, which gleams in hues of gold and exudes a jazz club ambience. Sultry songs accompanied by piano and saxophone fill the air, while a cornucopia of vintage champagnes, signature cocktails, and digestifs flow freely late into the night.
“One of the joys of travelling by rail is the opportunity to travel where everyday roads cannot, and the E&O truly takes this to the next level”, Thomas accounts of his voyage into the jade-green jungles of Malaysia across the Straits of Johor. Along the way, E&O offers passengers special access into Malaysia’s diverse ecosystems and cultural gems. Accompanied by expert guides, jeeps journey through the forests wreathed in mist, looking for signs of dusky leaf monkeys or barking deer. Elevated walkways also allow for the opportunity to view the jungle from a unique perspective, taking you close to the tree-top canopies. Other daytime excursions include an opportunity to visit George Town, a colonial port on the island of Penang, famed for its twisting lanes, vibrant street murals, and artistic shops.
However, one of the greatest pleasures is finding a quiet corner by the large windows adorned in tasselled curtains and simply surrendering to the views of the unfolding landscapes. The journey affords glimpses into the small towns of rural Malaysia, with their candy-coloured homes and tin-roofed stalls, and in between, there are rice fields, limestone outcroppings, and oil palms that stretch as far as the eye can see. Thomas can attest that this is “truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be treasured forever”.