Torla International takes the residents of
Moove on an all-inclusive vacation on the
Road to Mandalay
Photos by Mela and
Staff and Article
by Tory
and Mela Don't forget to move your mouse over pictures
for a description
Before embarking on our trek into Southeast Asia, we would like to let you know about the
train that made our once-in-a-lifetime experience
so very purrrfect - The Orient Express. When one hears of the Orient Express, visions
of a steam powered
beast of steel chugging
through exotic locations
dance in your head. Or maybe you think of a twisted tale of murder
complete with Chinese
Detectives and shifty
criminals lurking
in in the shadows. While the Orient Express has wonderful history
in books by Agatha Christy and classic black and white movies, the
Orient Express of today is more than a just
a train. The Orient Express of today offers cruises,
hotels, spas, all-inclusive
vacations and
of course wonderfully
luxurious train rides
through the most
exotic places on earth.
While it was not difficult to choose the
Orient Express for our Moove summer vacation,
it was very difficult for Mela and I to choose
which of their vacation offerings to enjoy.
After careful consideration and realizing
that we could go pretty much anywhere with
our Moove friends and family, we chose a
two part Asian getaway. The first segment of our all-inclusive vacation
would take us from
Bangkok to Singapore aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express on a journey called, "Colors of Asia". During the day we enjoyed visits to Tham
Kasae, the River Kwai, and Penang Island
while at night, passing villages aglow with
illuminated temples put us all in a mystical
mood. The second part of our Asian journey took
us from Laos and Luang Prabang through Yangon and on
to Mandalay aboard
the small cruise ship,
"The Road to Mandalay" - and eventually to Cambodia. As we left the Asian-Western mixed influences
which define Tokyo and Hong Kong for the traditional and cultural delights
of Thailand, Laos, Burma, and Cambodia, the
Avatars of Moove fell in love with the simplicity
and beauty of this ancient land and its peoples. With Mela and I fairly exausted from the
Hong Kong and Tokyo
trips, we recruited
a
team of hosts and
hostesses to help
us make
sure that every Moove
resident had the
time
of their life. Our top-notch crack team consisted of of
Delicious Enigma, Stacia, Angie, and Brett
- and they could not have done a finer job.
With the exception of losing our friend Dark
Embrace, we came back with everyone, healthy
and happy. Mela and I had reserved the finest cabins
available for the
residents of Moove
and
although both Mela
and I have had our
share
of luxury, the E&O
was the very definition
of pampering and
style. The Eastern & Oriental Express offers
three types of beautifully
appointed compartments:
Pullman Compartments,
State Compartments
and Presidential
Suites. The interior
walls
are cherry wood and
elm burr paneled,
adorned
with decorative marquetry
and intricate inlays. Each compartment is fully air-conditioned
with an en suite
shower, washbasin
and private
bath and features
large picture windows.
Continued Below
Mela and I had a Presidential Suites located
in the center of the train which measured
125 square feet. Our suite was styled as
a private lounge during the day with banquette
style sofa and fixed chair, plus two moveable
chairs. Fixed daytime seating converts to
two single beds at night. A separate en suite
shower, washbasin and private bath is provided,
as is a full bar.
While guests dine at night, the steward transforms
the compartment from
a living room to
a bedroom.
The Chefs on board the Eastern & Oriental
Express are internationally
famous for their
ability to create
a tantalizing variety
of
Eastern and European
dishes, using the
finest
fresh seasonal ingredients
available. Service
equals the world's
finest restaurants.
Lunch
and dinner are served
in the two Restaurant
Cars, each lavishly
decorated with rosewood
and elm panelling.
Each morning a breakfast of freshly baked
croissants, coffee
or tea, juice and
fruit
is delivered to your
compartment. Mela
and
I enjoyed rising
early and having
coffee
on the Observation
Deck so we would
not miss
one moment of the
beautiful scenery.
The Observation Car is located at the very
end of the train.
Its interior section
was
one of the favorite
places for Moove
residents
to enjoy cocktails
- with its colonial
‘veranda’
ambience, teak wood
flooring, paneled
walls,
rattan furniture
and potted plants One-third of the Observation Car is an outdoor
observation area decorated with teakwood.
This deck was hugely popular with the photographers
from Moove, due to its panoramic scenery
and it was a wonderful place to sit and watch
the jungle pass by. My favorite activity throughout the train
ride was inviting over Auntie Red, Craftie
Lady, Razz, MysteryMan, or Auntie JoJo to
my cabin for afternoon tea. In true colonial
style, aromatic Earl Grey tea and tea cakes
are served daily to your compartment.
Continued Below
At the end of each day of our train trip,
most Moove residents would relax and socialize
with thier fellow passengers in the Bar Car
and listen to the sounds of the piano from
the pianist. The bar is also open throughout
the day and late into the night for the service
of cocktails, aperitifs and liqueurs to the
thirsty and festive Moove guests. It was in this "bar car", Mela
and I discoverd the relaxing and exotic drink
known as a Shanghai Express - a delicious
cocktail of Bourbon, Amaretto, Southern Comfort,
Orange and Lime Juice and Grenadine Syrup. The E&O also has a delightful small boutique
on board, and although
I did not see any
Moove designs, I
could not resist purchasing
a stylish mirror
compact with Eastern &
Oriental Express
logo set in green enamel,
for Mela. For Auntie
JoJo (as a late birthday
present) I bought
a
Sterling Silver Bracelet with Pearl, Tiger
& Elephants. It featured the Eastern
& Oriental Express tiger together with
elephants and fresh water pearls, and was
simply gorgeous. In the following articles, you will travel
to places that no
Avatar from Moove
has ever
visted - from visiting
and learning with
Buddist Monks, to
foolish stunts like
jumping
off a moving train,
to a disturbing realization
that we all have
so much to be grateful
and
thankful for.
Each segment of our journey is sponsored
by a great Moove
designer and we ask that
you show your thanks
by visiting their shops
or web sites....
or just stop by for a visit
and say thanks. They
work so very hard to
make sure we all
look pretty darn good. So, we welcome you to our adventure. Sit
back, relax turn
up your speakers
and journey
with your friends
and family deep into
a
world of mystery,
beauty, grace and
challenges.
And if you are up
at sunrise, meet
Mela and
I on the Observation
Deck for morning
coffee
and a smile.
Peace and Love
Mela and Tory
Before embarking on our trek into 
the 
Grenadine Syrup. 
