I have a nephew who loves trains and this post is for him. I hope you enjoy Rob.

Today was mainly a day of travel and orientation. A train would take me from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, a centrally located town in northern Laos that is fully designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Luang Prabang, I was to meet a new guide, Nom, who would look after me until Sunday morning, when I move to the next stage of my Laos trip.

One of the most notable things about the trip so far has been how quiet everywhere is. I cant really account for this. In another 30-room hotel this morning, I breakfasted alone. Similarly, when Tony dropped me off at the station this morning (after a fond farewell) I found myself almost alone in the huge cavenous station (main pic). That was alone…..until I wasn’t….About 15 minutes before the slick new train was due to roll into the station, a small part of the population of China suddenly arrived, and although everyone had an allotted seat, there was still a joyous little tussle to get on the train. But then I think this is part of everyday life for commuters worldwide.

This superdooper new train line has been financed and built (literally) by the Chinese at a cost of 6 billion USD . To date the line goes from Vientiane to Laung Prabang , but four further stages will finally link the Laos / Chinese border to the port of Bangkok. Known for having a long-term vision it is interesting to think what the Chinese plan could be here. Maybe opening up another front should the South China Sea ports get blocked for some reason? For now though the train is clearly a huge sense of pride to the Laos people. A symbol of modernity with 30 percent of revenue staying in Laos, 70 percent going back to China and a planned final handover to Laos in 50 years time. Gosh, a lot can happen in 50 years!

It was really great to travel on and I love train journeys. An hour’s journey replacing a 10 hour road journey in this case. What’s not to love! Travelling at 160 km/hr was very comfortable although I did wonder why so slow, when the same train in China would be hurtling at 350 km/hr?

The only disappointment was the view from my window seat. I am guessing that for three quarters of the trip, the train was in tunnels and my ‘screen’ was blank. But wow, you have to marvel at their engineering. Otherwise, just a few snatches of the Laos countryside.

Two days in Luang Prabang to come, but I already have a sense of a very special place. I walked up the hill in the centre of town to take a sunset picture. It bodes very well for the next few days, and I am so excited.