Sunday, 1 January 2012

Premier Classe – it certainly was!

After a night in Jo’burg (where I made sure to test the quality of several cold white South African wines), I made my way to the train station for my train journey from Jo’burg to Cape Town.  I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect but the blurb sounded promising...5 course meals, fluffy bath robes.  So, I arrived 3 hours before departure and decided I would see if it was possible to sit in the lounge.  It most certainly was and my bag was taken from me and “checked in” with my berth number attached to it.  I was then instructed to sit down and relax and enjoy the food and drink on offer.  It’s a tough world.   I had a couple of sandwiches and lots of cake and some wine as I read my book and some of the magazines on offer.  30mins before departure, we were all led down to the platform in groups of about 15.  We were shown to our berths.  I was greeted by a typed name card on the door and a personalised letter with the journey itinerary set out on the table.  And my bag waiting for me too - a  good start. 

The train left on time and a steward called us all to the bar car where we were greeted with a glass of bubbly and some snacks (just in case there was a remote chance of us still being hungry!).  We then had an introduction to all the staff on board and the programme for our journey and there was an opportunity to book in for a beauty treatment (I had a foot massage).  In the early stages of the journey we passed through towns and cities and areas of farm land.  We passed commuters waiting on train platforms.  Then dusk came and all we could see from then on were twinkling lights in the distance.  So to the bar car to wait for dinner.  I had a drink with a couple of other passengers and then we were seated.  We shared a table.  The 5 courses were quite scrumptious and I was stuffed as I staggered back to my berth.  I arrived to discover that during my absence, a bed had been made up in my berth and the covers turned down.  I climbed in and was soon rocked to sleep by the gentle motion of the train.  I woke a couple of times in the night when the train made a of stops at various stations along the way.  I was up early for a HOT shower. 

During breakfast the scenery began to change and gave way to brown and yellow bush and scrub.  It was vast plains of nothingness.  I returned to my berth to find my bed tidied away.  Occasional vehicles raced alongside us on the roads and a couple of Ostrich ran with us for a while.  Sheep were lying around on hummocks and the blue sky provided a beautiful back drop to it all.  Then the scenery changed again to dramatic hills and mountains with vineyards nestled in amongst them. 

I sat and watched it all pass by during lunch – another beautiful offering.  I spent the last couple of hours in my berth enjoying watching it all pass by.  The staff on the train were wonderful and they couldn’t do enough to help.  The food was delicious and the whole experience was incredible.  I think when you consider value for money – a night of accommodation, transport to Cape Town and all that food it is superb value.  I am only left to wonder what on earth they offer on the ten times more expensive Blue Train?!

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