THE DAWN OF A GOLDEN AGE

Chasing the sun with Veuve Clicquot onboard the Eastern & Oriental Express brought the spectacular to a journey across Malaysia, where opulence is redefined within a flute of champagne.

- KELLY LEWI

I CAN NAME, off the top of my head, the few instances I have experienced a romanticised ideal of life. Granted, a little over two decades is barely any time to fully comprehend the concept of celebrating human sentiments, but I would like to think that I have somewhat understood vestiges of it. Sometimes, romance lies within blooming flowers in the midst of spring, or an aged book enjoyed alongside a glass of negroni. The pinnacle of romance, for someone who is barely an adult, is Solaire Journey, and it is a bar set so high that I doubt it will change for many years to come.

For me, who has only ever seen trains in popular media, the Belmond train has always been mystical, more ethereal than corporeal.

Picture the scenario: a large group of strangers, spending prolonged time together housed in carriages, only bound by the same destination. It is quite romantic to think that the last stop is forever stationary, but the journey varies. The stories vary.

The journey I embarked on was a notch more special. Hosted by the luxury champagne label Veuve Clicquot, it is aptly called the Solaire Journey. Beyond the glistening golden hue of the aged bubbles, the title seems befitting for a house that honours the spirit of its founder, Madame Clicquot herself. After all, what better way to celebrate such an audacious and innovative woman than the pursuit of the sun itself? Much like the star, Madame Clicquot is emblematic of the brand, with a legacy surpassing generations of winemakers. The journey with Eastern & Oriental Express is a fine reflection of her: bold, creative, and magnificent.