[On the train to China]
I love trains. And one day, I hope I can travel to China from Singapore. It is not something that is impossible.

I was reading about the first Thailand-Laos rail link today in The Straits Times. Having tried to travel by train from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur in December, I am game to go a little further - to Thailand first. It was a long ride of about seven to eight hours but still enjoyable for the budget conscious.

Within the mainland areas of South East Asia, there are some disconnects too. There are no links Myanmar, Thailand to Cambodia and Vietnam.

Going beyond South East Asia, an ever greater dream awaits - the dream towards a pan-Asian railway. Travelling to Turkey, Russia and South Korea by rail may eventually become a reality.