Maiden Voyage: No Sleep on the Sleeper Train!

Day 6. 8^th February 17…No sleep on the sleeper train!!

I pick up a tuk tuk and head off to the train station. The driver is very friendly. His name is ‘Mr Nordod’ (Nordod is his first name)….He laughs as I clearly pronounce this wrong. Its 6pm and he’s very grateful for my custom, advising it’s been a slow day for him, I’m only his second customer! He’s very cheerful and gave me lots of tips on how to travel Thailand. I liked him. The journey took about 50 mins and he talked the whole way grinning brightly at me through his rear view mirror. You can see the toll the unhealthy dusty atmosphere has taken on Mr Nordod.. deep set wrinkles, leathered skin and an uncomfortably noticeable squint. He told me he used to work for Madame Tussauds in Bangkok but didn’t like the ‘office hours’ lol so went back to the roads, he liked the freedom and this is where his heart lies. I think Mr Nordod will end his days on the roads of Bangkok.

Mr Nordad smiling in his rear view mirror

My train leaves at 7.35pm, the station is very organised and the system is straightforward. I’m waiting on platform 6. There’s a drunk passed out, his sprawled limbs scatter the dirty tiled floor. A guard marches over after a short while and drags him by one leg (which upset me) ranting at him to get up. This man has absolutely no idea what day it is, let alone comprehend standing....I had to turn away, I couldn't bear to watch.

This is something I admire though about the Thai people they do not like displays of inappropriate behaviour, they are patriotic, humble, proud, gracious and dignified in their manner.

The train blows in and I board in search of my carriage. I'm pleasantly surprised...my compartment is actually quite cosy and the whole set up is like a well-oiled machine. You sit initially for the first 2 hours with your fellow upper bunker, the staff then come along and convert it all to sleeping accommodation – very impressive indeed.

There she is in all her purple glory...Train No.13

Our little lounge and note my backpack sensibly locked to the luggage rail!

Carriage No.3

My comfy little sleeping compartment...excuse the mess, breakfast in bed!!

Our carriage was impressively quiet and the rocking motion and clatter of the rails below is quite soothing. Unfortunately I couldn’t sleep though, I spent the night star gazing and avoiding consuming too much water as the earlier experience of the wash facilities scarred me.....

Consisting of stainless steel clad walls/floor and institutionalised sanitaryware the stench of urine is overwhelming and i have the debate with myself whether to breath through my nose or mouth....neither was appealing. My eyes are immediately drawn to the hole in the floor …..you know....where a toilet would normally be! Through the 100mm diameter hole I can see the sleepers passing by on the tracks below. I consider my options ….oh yeah …there aren’t any…..so when in Rome as they say……the rest is history.

On a positive note* it has loo roll :-)

Other than the aforementioned, the experience was fantastic and views spectacular, undulating ground and mountenous terrain is a welcoming contrast to a very flat Bangkok…….I’ve got a feeling oooh whoooo!!