Surviving the KTM: a guide

If I don't post this now, it will never get published.
You are on your first Malaysian night train trip. you have purchased your sleeping bunk ticket, which nets you this if you chose the lower bunks.
(and no, this is not my bunk, it is the one opposite mine)








and this if you chose the upper bunks, more head room but tighter space to cramp into.













Now this is my bunk (after 10 seconds of renovation). Note that it does have enough space for 2 people to do privy things but not enough privacy to do it anyway. (At least the sound of train tracks will muffle the sound of it anyway, unless your legs stick out at the wrong angle through the curtain)







As you can also see from the follow up picture. It is also right next to the doorway. If you have to choose a doorway bunk, choose the number closer to 1 because the door is automatic and will close itself, sparing you the torture of listening to the train tracks all night long. If you get something closer to 40, then bring along earplugs to prepare yourself for the monotony of train tracks when the door stays opens (Unless you are the kind soul who gets up and opens that door every 20 minutes to go the lavatory in the next coach)

This is roughly what the train corridor looks like. Curtains for privacy but they won't hide the fact that you will have a big luggage that you cannot fit into your bunk (Although I have seen a lot of people actually do that and sleep with their legs propped up. Probably let's the brain gets more blood circulation, but I digress)










Your wonderful window that you can open to let in the cool night breeze (or to let out that freezing aircon blast, whichever way you want to use it). Just be prepared for pesky mosquitos when the train makes their stop. (Also convenient to dispense of your condom)








Normally, most people sleeping on the lower bunks would store their shoes beneath their bunks. But this is a no-no, in my opinion, because anyone can walk off with your spanking new Hushpuppies or Jimmy Wongs. (but then again, the person wearing those shouldn't even be travelling on the second class sleeping bunk). So, the alternative is....





Storing them in your bunk as well (at the other end of the bunk, so you won't smell your days old foot odour).










And what do you do to prevent people from rummaging your knapsnack if you are a sound sleeper like I am (most of the time).















Adopt the X leg posture. Make sure your bag pouches and zippers are facing the wall of the bunk. String one leg through the straps and cross the other leg above it. Any attempt to move or open the bag will result in one of your legs flying through the air at the curious actor.