Once at the station William our tour escort suggested that we stock up on some supplies before boarding the train for our 8 hour ride. The Contiki group headed to Hungry Jacks and I went to a small super market to pick our "just add hot water" supplies. Cup a Noodles for food and Coffee, that is also called Milk Tea, that comes complete with straw and a baggie full of those pearls that are becoming so popular... you will take note that the straw is wide enough for these little jelly's of sweetness to fit through.
Hot water dispensers are situated through out the train and if game, a lady walks up and town the aisle with a food trolley selling hot meals.
With bags at the ready it is a race against time to board the train once it pulls up and you hope that you are standing at the right end of the platform. There is a small luggage storage cupboard at each end of the carriages but overhead shelves are large enough as long as you haven't brought your big 85cm suitcase. You face the same challenge when you disembark, but lucky we had William to have us all inplace when we came to a stop.
Wondering why I headed this the "claytons" bullet train, that is because this route would be one of the slowest in the country. Because of the height of the tracks trains can't go as fast as those in other parts ( I think that was the reason ) plus as you get closer to Yichang it gets quite mountainous, so you want to be "coming round the mountain", not over shooting it .... well it sounds good.The rain didn't let up today and it was fascinating to watch the ever changing landscape passing us by.
Whilst I miserably tried to take pictures through rain spattered windows the kids managed a game of sidewards Phase 10 to help pass the time away.
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