We opted to be adventurous and take the train.

We arrived at the rundown, non-air-conditioned KTM terminal in Singapore at 6:45 a.m. to catch the 7:50 a.m. train. At 7:00 a.m. they opened the gates and we went through Singapore exit immigration and then Malaysian entrance immigration and Customs. It was painless and Customs didn't even look at the two large suitcases and two carry-on bags we had with us. Either that, or we misunderstood the custom officer's direction, "Pass on through" and they will be waiting for us in KL.

The train departed 15 minutes late due to oncoming traffic. The train is composed of about ten cars. The two first class cars are at the end of the train and we are in the last car. We have reserved, airline business-class type seats in an air-conditioned, "no smoking" car. The seats and carpet are worn and could use a good cleaning but are otherwise acceptable. In our car 85% of the seats are occupied. The passengers are a very mixed group of nationalities. Judging from appearances there are business people, foreign tourists and locals returning home. Everybody seems friendly and courteous with a little bit of the "manana" attitude.

After we departed the station a porter took our order for coffee or tea. He came back 20 minutes later with Styrofoam cups with lids with the beverage of your choice and a slice of pound cake in plastic wrap. Liquid was spilled down the sides of the containers and the lids weren't on tight or straight. Not the white glove treatment that "first class" would mean in a Singaporian operation, for instance.

There is a T.V. monitor in the front of our car that plays videos from the train company, KTM, complete with commercials. They showed an English language movie and a biography on an Italian carmaker. Each show was preceded by a rating, in our case a "U" which is "universally acceptable to all levels of society".

The second car up is the food car. Half of the car is devoted to 6-8 tables with chairs and the rest of car is devoted to a kitchen and sales area. The sales shelves are half filled with bags of chips and nuts, brands that I am not familiar with from the States. Like the other cars, a brush and a bottle of Lysol could have been put to good use here. The lines are long and the service is slow.

The countryside is beautiful and well worth the trip. Everywhere you look are orchards of palm and banana trees and other trees and shrubs growing wild. The foliage is lush and green. Ninety-five percent of the scenery is forest and green fields with a village or shopping center thrown in for good measure. We've only stopped 3 or 4 times, since this is an express train.

The train itself really "rocks and rolls". Whether it's because we are the last car, or the speed of the train or the tracks need repair, this train sways back and forth and bounces up and down. Trying to move between cars while the train is moving is a risk worthy of the "flying Wallenda's" and their high wire act.

Our adventure concluded around 1:30 p.m. as we chugged into the station at Kuala Lumpur. We never did find anything worth eating in the "dining car". We found a broken down luggage cart and made our way to the taxi line. Here's the deal . . . you buy a ticket (5 Ringet, or about $2 US) and wait in line. You give the ticket to the taxi driver who cashes in the ticket to get paid. The taxi driver can also charge you 1 Ringet for each suitcase that is put in the trunk (boot). Now can't you imagine how eager the drivers are to pick up a "fare" at the train station??? Well, it only took an hour in line to get a taxi.