TGV ... PARIS TO LYON

Our trip starts with a ride on the famed TGV, First Class, from Paris To Lyon where we board our Barge, the Napoleon, under the Belmond flag. We love trains and recent development worldwide in this mode of transport, especially in China, has created conversation and hype. We harbor visions of uniformed multi-lingual porters, luxurious reclining seats, white table cloth service, welcome champagne, drinks along the way and even though it is a 2-hour journey that does not warrant a meal, we thought a few choice canapes is the least they can do. Is there be a dining car, by the way?

Well, are you ready for this?  We had none of the above. The 2 First Class cars were way at the front which meant we had to walk all the way with our carry-on, grateful someone drove our luggage. 11 of us took over the eerily empty upper section. We had to show our tickets to a glum conductor-look-alike and that was that, we did not see anyone else after that. Aside from taking us there at warp speed TGV offered nothing, absolutely nothing else. Shocking! There were no greeting, no 'Hello Welcome Aboard', no food and drinks of course, not even a bottle of water. It was incredulous, almost surreal. Spending extra money on First Class seats must made us look so stupid. One thing is clear, so much for French hospitality.

Next time you travel on TGV, think carefully before you commit,