The Orient Express

[dnjan]

The size looks fine, and I won't complain about the number of pictures until you hit something over 200 or so ...

 

[MarkJohn]

Maybe avoid Photobucket... pictures hosted there seem to vanish very quickly. Imageshack, though not perfect, do not seem to expire in the same way.

 

[olive bleu]

So enjoying your pictures and your account of the trip. Sounds marvellous! And what a wonderful way to celebrate 2 wonderful occasions: your long happy marriage, and your wifes recovery! Congratualations! I hope you share many wonderful years of adventure together

 

[GHT]

Others getting into the spirit of things.


One of the lady herself.

Michael, The Maitre 'D'

Vera, our particular carriage, they are all named. Some tradition that I must look up.

It was quite pleasing to see elderly gents climbing up onto the footplate and going all misty eyed over it.

 

[GHT]

I am only allowed ten images, here's the rest of the post.


I adore that dress, and the hat and glove accessories, set it off perfectly. So many times that day, both on the OE and
on the commuter trains, people would approach her and compliment her on her hair and dress style.
She certainly stood out, but it's not difficult to stand out when the norm is T-shirt, jeans & trainers.

Same siut as in the avatar, but this time the guy is actually smiling.

Note the cardboard vending cups.
Thank you all for your kind remarks, we had such a memorable day, what to do to top that next year?
Suggestions?

 

[MarkJohn]

Wonderful pictures!... the train really is stunning, and you both look impeccable... thank you for sharing it with us.

As for next year... how about some '30s glamour at The Burgh Island Hotel.

 

[jonniangel]

Thank you for the lovely pictures! What a beautiful train, it looks like you had an amazing day. It must have made your wife's day to have so many people stop and compliment her.

 

[Mr. Godfrey]

Super photos. you must have a great day out. I went on one a few years ago to Cambridge and Ely, sadly, I did not have vintage/period clothing on and no steam so I am green with envy of your super little trip

Would be cool to tie it with a pleasure flight in the Dragon Rapide up at Cambridge.

Well done to you both for living the dream.

 

[Tomasso]

"To travel by train is to see nature and human beings, towns and churches and rivers....in fact, to see life."



Agatha Christie

 

[Two Types]

From what I read on the website, the Orient Express still does trips in Europe, but from what I could see - they do not do the traditional Vienna to Istanbul run. Can someone confirm or correct this??

Some years ago I found myself in Vienna waiting for a train and was confused to find 'The Orient Express' on the timetable. I thought it was the posh train but it turns out it was simply the name they used for the Paris to Istanbul service. We got on it. Not very glamorous but we did cross the border between Hungary and Romania drinking home brewed Tuica (plum brandy) with some locals. So it was good enough for me.

 

[GHT]

Is it really a year? I once heard that when you are a child, Christmas takes five years to come round, but as you reach your dotage, it comes round five times a year. In a couple of weeks we shall be celebrating 46 years together.
Perhaps the Orient Express just totally seduced us, but I didn't remember to reply to all your compliments. A very belated thank you very much. This year we are being treated, by our dance friends, to a couple of venues. On the Saturday, we shall be at a table in the heart of London's West End, at The Cafe de Paris: Playing host to the very best performers of circus, burlesque, music, magic, cabaret and jazz acts, Café de Paris never fails to provide guests with a night to remember.(so says the splurge on their website.)Look up their website and see the Titanic Ballroom.
Sunday will see us at The Rivoli Ballroom for the swingjive, afternoon tea dance. Hopefully my new suit will have arrived by then, so watch this space for photos.

 

[Auld Edwardian]

Dear GHT,
What a wonderful endearing love story you have shared. A real example of "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh." Genesis 2:23 Please accept this Jack Hylton video of his famous 1931 recording of "Choo Choo," played on a period gramophone no less, as a belated anniversary present. I hope you are blessed with many more years together, and perhaps another chance to take this journey again in the future.
[video=youtube;BjPv4DWuLLw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjPv4DWuLLw[/video]

 

[Auld Edwardian]

As long as we're sticking with Jack Hylton. Here is another 78 spun in your honour. And I have little doubt that you will approve of the sartorial standards displayed Cheers again too both. Hope you have many more happy years.
[video=youtube;tFS758_rmtg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFS758_rmtg&index=2&list=RDj5AS_ny_MQU[/video]

 

[Auld Edwardian]

Yet another period dedication for you folks! I'm sure you will not mind some Glenn Miller from this side of the pond. Cheers again.
[video=youtube;Dssiu8guuuU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dssiu8guuuU[/video]

 

[Dennis Young]

I am only allowed ten images, here's the rest of the post.


I adore that dress, and the hat and glove accessories, set it off perfectly. So many times that day, both on the OE and
on the commuter trains, people would approach her and compliment her on her hair and dress style.
She certainly stood out, but it's not difficult to stand out when the norm is T-shirt, jeans & trainers.

Same siut as in the avatar, but this time the guy is actually smiling.

Note the cardboard vending cups.
Thank you all for your kind remarks, we had such a memorable day, what to do to top that next year?
Suggestions?

Ohmygosh! I would LOVE to take a trip like this! I wonder if there is anything like tis in the States???

 

[dnjan]

As far as I can tell, nothing close.

You can take a train (like the empire builder, from Chicago to Seattle) that has overnight accommodations and a true sit-down dining car, but the difference is like flying coach versus flying first class. No impeccable service. No 1930's cars with decorative wood inlays.

Having done both (empire builder and Venice-Simplon Orient Express), I can honestly say that the difference is at least as much as my above comment related to flying coach versus first class.

There is a train (or possibly more than one) that goes across part of Canada, but I have not done that so I don't know what the level of service is.

 

[ChiTownScion]

If you're looking for something nicer in a rail trip in the US, try this:

http://www.travelpullman.com/

 

[Dennis Young]

Oh that looks wonderful!!! New Orleans to Chicago! That would be a fun journey!

 

[dnjan]

So how long have they been running the "City of NewOrleans" as a deluxe Pullman?
I remember taking that train back and forth to college in the late 70's.
Nothing luxurious about it then ...

 

[Vornholt]

Surely this isn't Amtrak's "City of New Orleans"? I've ridden that one. Worst service in the system.