Sealink
Service Attendant
In two parts due to posting limits.
PART ONE
After arriving in a sunny Johnanneburg, I had one day with my friend before catching the train to Cape Town.
Oh the howls of disbelief from my South African friends in the UK and there, when they heard my news. "It's too dangerous! Why aren't you flying? Are you sure?" was the refrain.
Thanks to the superb information on Seat 61 I was more than reassured by the safety of the trip I was making.
I'll admit, it was with a certain trepidation that I approached Johannesburg station. The area around train stations in any country can sometimes be dodgy (think Kings Cross in times past) but Johannesburg does come with a reputation.
Lugging my two suitcases from my friends car, I was clearly signposted as a tourist, and indeed we were approached by a beggar. My friend told him to go away, politely, and he did.
The station itself reminded me of a shopping centre, but with a handful of shops - quite modern and tidy.
I walked down the escalator which was out of order and found the Premier Classe lounge and 'check-in'. My two suitcases were labelled and I was invited to sit down for a hot or cold drink and a snack while waiting for boarding.
The lounge was more like a waiting room, but away from the main station so much more private. By this time my excitement level was off the scale! A 25 hour rail journey about to commence!!!!
The train manager introduced himself and announced that boarding would start at 2.30pm. It was a short walk down to the platform and there was our train! Painted purple!
I was invited to join everyone in the dining car at 2.55pm for welcome drinks, so in the meantime I went to my cabin.
Four fluffy pillows - check!
Bottled water - check!
Newspaper - check!
Itinerary - check!
Telephone - check!
Toiletries - check!
Towels - check!
Slippers - check!
Bathrobes - check!
The seats were very comfortable - and of course, the price is for the whole cabin.
PART ONE
After arriving in a sunny Johnanneburg, I had one day with my friend before catching the train to Cape Town.
Oh the howls of disbelief from my South African friends in the UK and there, when they heard my news. "It's too dangerous! Why aren't you flying? Are you sure?" was the refrain.
Thanks to the superb information on Seat 61 I was more than reassured by the safety of the trip I was making.
I'll admit, it was with a certain trepidation that I approached Johannesburg station. The area around train stations in any country can sometimes be dodgy (think Kings Cross in times past) but Johannesburg does come with a reputation.
Lugging my two suitcases from my friends car, I was clearly signposted as a tourist, and indeed we were approached by a beggar. My friend told him to go away, politely, and he did.
The station itself reminded me of a shopping centre, but with a handful of shops - quite modern and tidy.
I walked down the escalator which was out of order and found the Premier Classe lounge and 'check-in'. My two suitcases were labelled and I was invited to sit down for a hot or cold drink and a snack while waiting for boarding.
The lounge was more like a waiting room, but away from the main station so much more private. By this time my excitement level was off the scale! A 25 hour rail journey about to commence!!!!
The train manager introduced himself and announced that boarding would start at 2.30pm. It was a short walk down to the platform and there was our train! Painted purple!
I was invited to join everyone in the dining car at 2.55pm for welcome drinks, so in the meantime I went to my cabin.
Four fluffy pillows - check!
Bottled water - check!
Newspaper - check!
Itinerary - check!
Telephone - check!
Toiletries - check!
Towels - check!
Slippers - check!
Bathrobes - check!
The seats were very comfortable - and of course, the price is for the whole cabin.
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