![]() Anton’s gift was to be both a teacher and a learner – he as interested to learn what we had to offer as imparting what he knew to us. A teacher and a studentĪnton’s smiling face would appear at our carriage door at some point each day, teapot in hand, to offer perfectly brewed fine teas (on which he was an authority) and to sit and chat. He added to our vocabulary along the way, but more than that, he educated us on the local various customs and culture. Anton’s Russian lessons meant we could all say Добрый день (“Good day”) – or make a Russian toast. Sometimes during our briefings we were 13 people crammed into one carriage, but we bonded as a group from the start. He proved to be knowledgeable on a huge range of subjects and well-informed on every aspect of the trip, and managed our expectations every inch of the way. We saw him build those same warm relationships with each new train attendant and everyone we met and, of course, with all of us. Anton is easy-going, charming and natural, and there was no hiding the fondness the local guides and contacts have for him. The tour itinerary was impressive in itself, but Anton brought his own extra personal qualities to it all. ![]() I think we all recognised that Anton was going to be a terrific leader and an all-round great guy to hang out with for two weeks on a train. Numbering eight different nationalities within the group we were an interesting and diverse mix, and that first meal was the perfect way to start – one long table, chop sticks and dishes of food to share. ![]() Here he ordered a delicious array of provincial dishes to share, dispensing with the need for choices and letting us concentrate on getting to know each other. He kicked things off by taking us to an award-winning restaurant called Little Yunnan. ![]()
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