Image : http://www.flickr.com
If you don't want to have a backpacking experience in south-east Asia then you may want to consider taking rail tours as a way of travelling in luxury in the region. For an experience more akin to the Orient Express than a packed bus full of people, you should look into booking a berth on the Eastern Oriental Express. You can journey from Bangkok in Thailand to Singapore at the tip of Malaysia in the utmost comfort when you decide to travel by rail.
Along the way, you will have the opportunity to stop off and discover a few of the vibrant and historic cities that Thailand and Malaysia have to offer. If you decide to take a grand tour of this nature, you should certainly make sure that you have time to spend in Bangkok, your starting point. The Thai capital is an exciting destination to visit and you can enjoy viewing beautiful temples and monuments, as well as sampling some delicious street food and haggling for a bargain at one of the city's many markets.
Among the sights that you should not miss on a visit to Bangkok are Wat Pho - otherwise known as the temple of the reclining Buddha - and Wat Traimit temple. Wat Traimit is home to the world's largest seated golden Buddha - in fact the statue of the deity is made out of more than five tonnes of solid gold and is almost ten feet tall. The Grand Palace is another landmark that should not be missed, with the complex boasting temples and government buildings built in an ornate and beautiful style.
Enjoy a drink or a meal by the river and gaze at the imposing structure as you relax and begin your journey. From the Thai capital you will travel to one of the country's best-known sights - the bridge over the River Kwai. Your train will drop you at the Kwai Bridge station and from here you can choose to take to the water and view the bridge in all its glory.
Once back on dry land, you may want to spend some time at the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, where you can learn more about the construction of the railway along which you have been travelling.
After your stop by the river, your train will journey on and pass over the Malaysian border, bringing you to the town of Butterworth. From here, you will be able to catch a ferry to the island of Penang, where you can spend a day seeing the sights of its capital, George Town. The city was granted Unesco World Heritage status due to the fine examples of different architectural and cultural styles that still exist here. Take in some of the sights at your leisure and be sure to find a restaurant to try the local cuisine, which has been influenced by various different nations.
A great way to get a view across the whole city is to take the cable car to the top of Penang hill - as long as the clouds don't close in! When you board your train again, you will be starting the final section of your journey which takes you to Singapore. This island state has much to offer visitors from its beautiful Botanic Gardens to its astounding array of shopping malls and various museums. The Singapore Art Museum could be ideal if you want to round off your holiday with a bit of culture.
Alternatively, you may prefer to investigate some of Singapore's history by visiting the Changi Prison Museum, which was constructed in memory of the former prisoner of war camp that was situated here. For some relaxation, you may want to hit the shops and pick up some souvenirs or just treat yourself at one of the many malls. Another thing that you should certainly do before leaving the city is visit Raffles for a Singapore Sling.
The gin-based cocktail was invented at the hotel and although you can find it served on almost any bar menu in the city, for an authentic experience you should head here.
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น