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FireFlyz | 47
What aspect of the job brings you
greatest pleasure?
The most pleasurable part of the job is
meeting our guests, hearing why they
are travelling with us and how much
they have enjoyed the experience. Many
of our guests are celebrating milestones
in their lives when travelling on the
train, so it is our job to help them make
memories that will last a lifetime.
Malaysia forms a key part of the
journey – what are the highlights for
passengers?
Besides beautiful views of paddy fields
and villages that can be seen from the
train, the excursion to the royal town
of Kuala Kangsar is surely a highlight.
It remains as Malaysia used to be –
not much traffic, very quiet, beautiful
scenery and very interesting mix of
architecture.
What is one thing people do not realise
about the railway and the journey?
People do not realise that rail travel
and shorter train journeys are not
only a mode of transport but also an
experience. The team at the Eastern &
Oriental express showcase what each destination has to offer via cultural excursions
so customers can not only enjoy the luxury of their mode of transport, but also
the journeys surroundings. On board the train there is a whole team dedicated to
making this happen, including an executive chef Yannis Martineau, who offers
a mixture of French and Asian cuisine, and also includes local dishes, mostly
Malaysian and Thai cuisine.
Could you sum up the experience of the E&O Express in five words?
A luxurious yet culturally immersive experience.
Why do people continue to find travelling by train so attractive despite the faster/
more modern forms of transport and travel?
I think around the world we are seeing a growth of luxury train travel as people
re-discover the charm of slow luxury, and the fact that trains allow people to
explore countries rather than always fly over. On board
the trains, you will always find interesting characters.
Part of the enduring charm and memories our guests
take away are the friends from all over the world
that they meet on board. Our trains offer guests the
chance to indulge in a bit of glamour, experience
exceptional service and incredible cuisine served
throughout the journey, as well as the chance to
travel through locations hard to get to
other than by train.
The train has two dining cars, two
bars, a saloon and a library
The train crossing the
Kanchanaburi bridge in Thailand