WHY I FIND JOY IN SLOW TRAVEL
Her World Singapore|December 2023
Writer Clara Lim waxes lyrical on why she enjoys spending hours doing nothing on a train ride, when most people travel to see popular attractions or eat fabulous food.
WHY I FIND JOY IN SLOW TRAVEL

My name is Clara and I am a train nerd. I've taken the train around Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka and, most recently, England and Scotland.

Most people I know don't "get" train travel. Why would anyone choose to take the train for three days to get from Singapore to Bangkok, when the Thai capital is less than three hours away by plane? And who wants to spend their holidays trying to line up complicated train schedules rather than sit back and relax?

Train rides seem romantic in books and movies. But in reality, they're a whole lot of nothing. The train is slow. It's boring. There is no Internet. Sometimes, there's no food.

In the age of the one-click check-out, train travel is anathema to most, but the inefficiency of train travel is exactly why I love it. It forces you to pay attention to the most mundane things.

Food is always a highlight of any long train journey. On a 20-hour train from Bangkok to Padang Besar, I was fed a hearty Thai spread for dinner: At 6pm, an attendant smartly folded down my seat table and laid out a nine-dish banquet complete with tom yam soup, green and red curry with a choice of protein, salad, fresh fruit, and cake. After a food-induced night's sleep, I woke up to a similar breakfast as the train chugged towards the Thai-Malaysian border. It was 20 hours of pampering for just under 1,000 baht ($38).

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HER WORLD SINGAPOREView all
Is My Adult Acne Caused By Hormonal Changes?
Her World Singapore

Is My Adult Acne Caused By Hormonal Changes?

Quinn Chen answers.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Is It Ever A Good Idea To Engage In Online Discourse?
Her World Singapore

Is It Ever A Good Idea To Engage In Online Discourse?

Sarah Bagharib answers.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Breaking Down The Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid
Her World Singapore

Breaking Down The Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid

Here's why this popular skincare ingredient is a potent fix for dehydrated complexions.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Heritage in a Bottle
Her World Singapore

Heritage in a Bottle

Crafted by Swiss perfumer Christine Nagel, Barenia is the first chypre fragrance from Hermes, a seductive scent that is a dance between the delicate butterfly lily and the vibrant burst of miracle berry.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
BEST IN CLASS
Her World Singapore

BEST IN CLASS

MOVING AWAY FROM INTRODUCING ENTIRELY NEW PRODUCTS, BRANDS SUCH AS SHISEIDO, CLE DE PEAU BEAUTE AND SULWHASOO HAVE CHOSEN TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD TO ELEVATE TRIED-AND-TRUE FORMULAS. THESE ICONIC CLASSICS ARE MORE EFFICACIOUS AND LUXURIOUS THAN BEFORE.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Sneak Peek
Her World Singapore

Sneak Peek

We've got our sights set on these new must-haves that promise to breathe new life into tired-looking eyes.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
ACTS OF SERVICE
Her World Singapore

ACTS OF SERVICE

Beauty brands are enticing customers with a range of in-store treatments and services that offer expert tips, demonstrations and pampering.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
November favourites
Her World Singapore

November favourites

Here are some of the must-haves you will not regret adding to your beauty shelf.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Against the rules
Her World Singapore

Against the rules

Step into the dark side with grunge-inspired moody tones and smoky, smudgy eyes.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
GO WITH THE FLOW
Her World Singapore

GO WITH THE FLOW

Half a month in Mongolia living with nomadic families and exploring the country's storied beauty taught senior advertising strategist Uli Chan the beauty of impermanence.

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024