China Romance

General Discussion and Useful Links => Newbies Corner => Topic started by: KevinHi on November 20, 2011, 06:03:30 pm

Title: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: KevinHi on November 20, 2011, 06:03:30 pm
First off I'd like to say thank you to all the great people here!

I've been lurking for quite a long while. Finally signed up for a username about 6 weeks ago, and still remained silent. Absorbing the massive amounts of information available here, enjoying the stories people share of finding their true love.

My name's Kevin and my journey is only beginning.

I'm hoping to use this thread to detail my background, how my search started, and catch up to the present day.

My past has included two marriages and divorces (well, the second one is still pending, but should be done soon!)... Finding myself single again at 40 years of age after being with the same person for 10 years was pretty disheartening. Looking around places like Match.com did not make me feel any better. I realized there were not many American women with whom I could see myself with. Either they'd let themselves go too much, or have some very strange personal issues, or combinations of the above.

Now I've always had a strong interest in asian cultures in general, and even as a boy had a crush on a nice young chinese girl, who unfortunately ended up moving away. These things combined with my dissatisfaction with American women brought me to the conclusion that I should search beyond the confines of the USA. Eventually I found myself at Chnlove.com a few months ago, as many people here did when looking for love...

To be continued...  :)








Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Willy The Londoner on November 20, 2011, 08:47:41 pm
Good on you Kevin,
I was single for 40 years before finding my way here at first I thought of it as a new stomping ground but very soon I decided to stay. Gave up my batchelor life when I  found a delightful women who treats me like a Emporer incarnate.

Been here since June 2009 and never intend to leave.

I am sure I speak for all when we look forward to hearing of your adventures.

Willy
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Scottish_Robbie on November 20, 2011, 08:52:47 pm
welcome to the minefield of information mate :D
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: shaun on November 20, 2011, 08:53:00 pm
Welcome Kevin.  Your reasons sound like many here and even some of mine.  I hope you find good fortune in this adventure.  I know I have and am still doing.



Willy, How is it possible to have been single for 40 years when you are only 38?


Shaun
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Willy The Londoner on November 20, 2011, 09:07:46 pm

Willy, How is it possible to have been single for 40 years when you are only 38?


Shaun
If only, if only :'(

Still it would mean that I was going to bed with an older women.  That was every youngsters dream. 

Well it was until I got to china then I find most men are going for women much younger than themselves.

Toooooo young in many cases.  I know how my capabilties are starting to diminish at my advanced age. 

Willy



Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: KevinHi on November 21, 2011, 08:08:53 am
Willy, Scottish_Robbie, Shaun- Thanks for the welcome! So many great people here, it's been a pleasure to read all of your stories. I hope that I can contribute some of my own, and perhaps even a little bit of useful knowledge to others someday...

Like I said, this thread will act as a record of my experience. Maybe it will help someone out, or at least entertain them!


So, as I left off yesterday... I found Chnlove.com a few months ago, early September 2011. I decided since it was free to browse the ladies I'd do just that. Anyone familiar with the site knows that there are tons of studio taken, photoshopped young ladies there. But as a total newbie I was floored. Signed up, created my profile, and bought some credits.

Within 48 hours on Chnlove I'd received well over 100 admirer letters. My big brain had already figured out that it was likely a lot of these women were not what they appeared, well before I started to read about it in forums. Still, I chose to write to a couple of women from the mass of admirer letters, based on a combination of their appearance and what was said in the letters. I also sent ONE cupid note, to a girl who had used real photos rather than studio shots.

Results?
1) Cupid note girl. May have been real. But the translation was poorly done, with lots of "hehe" and other fluff. The girl supposedly knew english at a good level, and worked with computers in her office during the day. But I could never get her to send me an e-mail outside of the website EMFs, and attempts to get her to talk elsewhere were met with "my computer is broken", and things like that. I gave up on her.

2) Admirer letter. Seemed to be quite real enough. Much better translation, communicated with more information about herself and questions, and not much "fluff" at all. She had a camera phone, so there were new pictures attached regularly. Actually she was a model as a side job in addition to a normal day job, very attractive girl. But in my heart I knew that it wasn't meant to be. She was only 24 years old. The physical connection would have been great, but I feared that would fade once I got older, and then what we had left wouldn't be enough. I wished her well.

3) Admirer letter. This one I felt more strongly about from the beginning. A very nice admirer letter which seemed to open herself up more than most of the ones I saw... 

My story continues, more about this Admirer letter and the events that followed it are coming up next  ;)


Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: RobertBfrom aust on November 21, 2011, 08:58:05 am
Welcome Kevin , apart from already being wise about emf's if you haven't already hook yourself into the Chinese site Tencent qq as that is the system most of the ladies are familiar with and it has a total videocam option , we will enjoy reading more of your words as you continue to write , regards Sujuan and Robert .
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Arnold on November 21, 2011, 12:14:26 pm
A big Mod's Welcome Kevin ! Nice to have you join us and bring to us your Experience from start to hopefully the finish also .
So thanks again for your detailed begin of YOUR adventure .
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Martin on November 21, 2011, 02:03:10 pm
Hello Kevin, and welcome aboard.  I am enjoying reading your posts so far.  It sounds like you have a pretty good grasp on what you are doing.  Enjoy the ride.
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Chong on November 22, 2011, 08:12:47 am
Welcome,

There are other sites than ChnLove as well.

If you have the time & money, visit China for a vacation. Women will flock to you.

Most admirer letters are send to you by the ladies' translator without the lady's knowledge, so be careful about this. Look for 'substance' in letters instead of fluff. Ask her very specific questions regarding family, work, etc etc. Send your daily life photos and ask for her 'real' photos in return. Like Robert suggested, best to start using "QQ" and try to communicate with that.

Start taking Mandarin language courses.

Best of luck.
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: KevinHi on November 22, 2011, 04:00:10 pm
Arnold, Martin, Chong, thanks for the warm moderator's welcome! Some of my posts will be getting right into topics you (and RobertBfrom aust- thanks as well!) are mentioning. I am glad to hear that my beginnings are entertaining at least  :)

Last post I'd left off with my 3rd attempt at contact. Answering another admirer letter on Chnlove, I bravely tried again knowing that I may well be throwing money into a bottomless pit. That old saying goes "third time's the charm". Plus I still had unused credits  :)

This third woman, in her mid 30s, had a very nice admirer letter. While not really specifically targeted at me, at least she sounded very sincere, and gave some details of her childhood, family, and what she was looking for. It grabbed my interest much better than a lot of the admirer mail I had received that simply regurgitated a few sentences pulled from their profile, and then said "tell me about yourself!".

I started writing to her.  From that first day's EMF, I received a reply within the same day (not immediately of course, but a reasonable time later based on the time zone difference). The translation was good, not too fluffy, and attention paid to my questions, as well as asking some of her own. This continued with me writing and her replying, using 2 credits per day, every day. I sure was burning up the credits! But I was really enjoying communicating with her, and hoped the feeling was mutual.

A stumble occurred after the first week of this daily back-and-forth exchange. There was a request in a newly arrived EMF to be able to make an expensive "love call"... but I know this girl speaks almost no English. A small alarm bell goes off in my head! I wrote back, with a special preface for the translator.  I told the translator that I appreciated the good work she had been doing with these letters, and that I really liked this girl a lot. Then told the translator I would be very sad if I found out that my girl didn't exist, if this was only a scam to make money. In that same EMF, I requested other forms of communication...

This is a good segue... I had been reading both the official Chnlove forums and had just begun reading these forums. I had learned a lot already about potential scams with some agencies. This forum also told me about the ubiquitous Chinese chat system, QQ. I signed up for QQ and got a user number. Maybe I'd never use it, but darn it I would be prepared if the opportunity arose!

Anyway, when requesting other forms of communication I politely asked if my QQ number could be given to the lady (and supplied it in the letter), so I could share additional photos with her (since the website only allows 3 per EMF). Basically we would still need to use EMFs for a long time due to lack of much common language ability. I told the translator she could share my "for the translator" section with my lady, because I had nothing to hide, and nothing but compliments for the lady in it.

Once I was satisfied with my letter to the lady and my "for the translator" section, I held my breath, crossed fingers, and hit send...
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Arnold on November 22, 2011, 04:10:08 pm
Is it still " Sending " ?

Now you got me holding my Breath for the next installment ! :P
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: KevinHi on November 22, 2011, 04:22:37 pm
Is it still " Sending " ?

Now you got me holding my Breath for the next installment ! :P

Haha! I had wondered if my ongoing story was worth posting about... so it's encouraging to know that you're interested!   

Thankfully I do have more to tell, but I've been taking my time trying to compose my thoughts for each installment.

I promise not to keep people in suspense too long  ;)
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Pillow on November 22, 2011, 05:31:55 pm
Hey another new guy here and first post.  I actually lurked around for several months reading all the great advice and stories before recently making a profile.  Complements to everyone here you have all been a lot of help to me so far and much enjoyment in reading the stories and advice.  I am anxiously waiting to here more of the story Kevin, and always hope for the best for you in your search.  I might get around to my search in a topic in the near future, but I have not had much luck with ChnLove to be honest.  Another great place to meet Chinese women of all ages and women from around the world is a language site Livemocha.com.  Basic account is free and you can chat up other members for no cost and even webcam available through the site.  I have many different friends through there and many Chinese women I have chatted with and learned some Chinese language and much more than ever through ChnLove.  Many very nice and chatted on webcam although quite a few in early 20's so for myself at age 49 they seem more like my 3 daughters in age.  My daughters are between 21 and 25 in ages.  I find myself warning the young ones about predators on the interwebs, I guess still the father of daughters kicking in.  ;D

Anyways, good luck and waiting for more story,
Pillow
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Arnold on November 22, 2011, 05:35:53 pm
Kevin , of course "ALL" stories are welcomed here ! This is one reason we are here .. along with helping People through all this Hoopla .
It gives Members time away from being sad/lonely while they wait for progress of their Ongoings . If it wasn't for those exact interesting Adventures of each of us , this would be a still/sad/and only hard facts ( which are good when needed ) it definitely be quite around here . We sometimes have that problem .. as it is now .
Thus .. please do keep us reading and on the Edge .

Welcome Pillow , as mentioned .. all are welcomed to add to our Pool of info. and don't let anything/anybody stop you .
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Martin on November 22, 2011, 05:54:09 pm
OK, I am starting to dislike Kevin now.  Dang it...leaving us in suspense like this...not nice!  hahaha  Liking your story so far, and looking forward to reading more.  Pillow, welcome aboard, and feel free to chat with us here.  It helps us get to know you.
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: RobertBfrom aust on November 23, 2011, 05:22:51 am
Kevin , we are WAITING < WAITING < WAITING , haha ,  ;D regards Sujuan and Robert .
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: KevinHi on November 23, 2011, 02:12:19 pm
Thank you everyone for the encouragement! I agree that the stories people share are some of the best parts of this forum. Pillow- I hope you decide to post your story too!

I guess I'm obligated to continue now   ;D

So the EMF was sent, and yes a reply did come! I believed from the response that at least some of the message had been passed on. Of course I told myself it could have just been written that way by the translator... but I felt good about it. The lady applauded my caution and assured me she was real, and said any time I wanted to see for myself, to come to China! I learned that she did not have a computer (hmm, PC excuses again?)... I let it go, because the lady was very sweet.

The glaring omission was any acknowledgement of my QQ number (or e-mail address, which I'd also offered). I let this go as well. No use banging my head against a wall.

Our daily communication with EMF went along well after that for another week. No more mention of "love calls" or anything like that. Just good conversation at the same pace we'd been carrying on for a while. Until one day... I was unable to write to her for the day (business travel and other emergencies came up). So I couldn't sit down at a computer and reply as usual.

The next day I wrote an EMF, and apologized for my delayed reply and explained what had occurred, and also took time to answer her pending questions. When I received her reply I was quite surprised! She was very relieved to hear from me, the previous day she had become quite anxious due to the lack of reply, apparently to the point of calling the agency translator a few times during the day to see if anything had arrived yet! Honestly I was floored, it was great to know that my letter every day was that important to her.

After reading that, I felt great! I decided I had to learn more about QQ in case I could talk to her someday. I fired up the QQ program (did not leave it running because I had no friends on it) and saw a "validation request" that someone had requested to add me to their contact list. I pasted the chinese characters into Google Translate to see who it was, and it was her! The request was made at the end of the previous day, when I was unavailable to write. She must have pestered the translator so much that they decided to give her my QQ number!  ;D

She was not online at the time I accepted the request, but it appeared that the number was really hers! I went back to the Chnlove website to write another reply to her in thanks for the QQ request. While there I opened her profile for a few minutes to browse her pictures again. That is when I see she was "online" for chat at the Chnlove website. I thought it was strange, would have been in the middle of the night in China. But what the heck, if it was her I could "live chat" for a few minutes to say hello...

*sounds of collective forum breath being held again*

I will continue the tale in my next post, but alleviate a bit of suspense with a word of caution... This is the day I discovered "Live chats" through Chnlove may not actually be with the woman you are writing to. Maybe it is most of the time? Who knows.  In my one-try experience this was not the case!  :(

 
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Martin on November 23, 2011, 04:11:58 pm
HAHAHA...Mike, that's how I feel too.  I dont think we have ever had a more suspenseful member!
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: KevinHi on November 23, 2011, 05:21:55 pm
HAHAHA...Mike, that's how I feel too.  I dont think we have ever had a more suspenseful member!

Bwwwaahahah!  ;D

I seriously had no idea that my thread would become popular, but many thanks for the continued support! I tried to cut some of the suspense with my closing statements this time. Now that I re-read it maybe that had the opposite effect. Sorry guys (and girls)!

Promise I'll gather my thoughts and post another section of my story soon, definitely before Turkey-time tomorrow  ;)


Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: shaun on November 23, 2011, 05:25:20 pm
Blue man crew?      can't be...
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Rhonald on November 23, 2011, 07:54:03 pm
Was Once upon a time I was known to wear suspenders, but my tale was always told post trip. This journal ..... live from the front lines makes the vicarious reading even more delightful. Great writing keeping us adrift in a sea of suspense. I am waiting for your next installment so please don't be A Shy Man & Post every Night your M. Night Shyamalan twist.  8)
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Martin on November 23, 2011, 08:05:22 pm
Great, we have a King of Suspense, and a King of Puns.  What's next?
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Scottish_Robbie on November 23, 2011, 09:57:29 pm
someone looking for me? ;)
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Rhonald on November 23, 2011, 10:20:24 pm
Great, we have a King of Suspense, and a King of Puns.  What's next?

Me thinketh King be to high a rank, rather less smelly BaRon of Pun so I can mingle with the commoners.  8)
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: RobertBfrom aust on November 24, 2011, 12:18:22 am
I will wait for your spin on the live chats Kevin , but it was whispered to me that they punch up a picture from there files and it is just a translator who answers , quite simple really as 9 out of 10 ladies could not hold an English conversation , so just another mug punter exercise by we know who , regards Sujuan and Robert .
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: KevinHi on November 24, 2011, 10:47:11 am
Rhonald, its true I had considered telling my tale later, but I wanted to start while memories of the beginning are fresh. Also, this will allow me to ask some questions about future plans!

Just imagine the suspense I was in, living through this each day... Nail-biting suspense, highs and lows, I went through a lot! Everyone here gets the benefit of the condensed story, several months of activity condensed into several days of posts  ;)

Sujuan and Robert, I'm glad that you helped to confirm what I suspect was true. I'll continue my tale...

Seeing my girl "online" and ready for chat at the website, I joined in and pulled up the chat window. I get a simple greeting of "hello kevin" and some generic questions. Within a minute or two it became clear this person was not entirely familiar with me. I mention that I had received her QQ request and had added her as a friend. The person on the other side of the chat says "hehe OK I must go now" and then disconnects from the chat! Total time was less than 5 minutes!

This event brought me down quickly from my previous elated high to a new low, all in one swoop. Immediately I think, perhaps the QQ request I received was a decoy account, to appease me so I keep writing to this girl. I wonder if she is real at all. From things I had been reading in this forum, it seemed very possible I was being played. Ok, don't panic. I recall the 24 hour rule posting (good stuff here guys)!

I didn't wait 24 hours. But I did take some time to think. Opening up QQ, I sent a few chat messages to say hello and briefly explain my displeasure with her agency games. I did this using Google and Yahoo to translate to Chinese, and retranslate back to English to confirm my intended words. I figured if she was a real lady... QQ would be the only way to tell her my experience (they would surely edit anything I said in EMF). Closed down QQ and went to sleep on it.

The next day I received an EMF, where they tried to explain away the experience I had via chat! It said she was nervous, and did not know how to use the chat programs, and so on. I knew it was a load of garbage at that point. I did not respond to that EMF.

However, this is not the end of the story! I also received a response of several chat messages on QQ that day, while I was offline. The girl asked some questions and seemed to know mostly where we'd left off in previous EMF discussion. I translated and typed a few responses, then closed down QQ again.

The next day, EMFs had stopped coming from her end as well. But new chat responses in QQ did appear. After a few days of missing each other's "online" time I finally happened to open up QQ when she was online! Before I realize what happened we had chatted that day for SIX HOURS straight! Of course it was a bit slow going... I had to translate her messages to me, then write a response and do the double-translate (English->Chinese->English again) so I can be reasonably sure I didn't say anything stupid.  :P

I learned more about her in this one chat than I did in weeks of EMFs! ;D

In my next post, I'll try to catch up my experiences to the present day and supply some other interesting info.  Then I can start begging for answers to questions  ;)

Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Chong on November 24, 2011, 03:09:49 pm
Find out from her via QQ if it was her doing that Chnlove chat session. If it wasn't her, demand a refund from ChnLove for that chat cost ( and the following EMF ) ... and file a complaint against the agency.

If, and only if, you ever get marry, screw the agency by not paying the marriage fee.
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Arnold on November 24, 2011, 04:15:48 pm
Talking about High and Lows .. wow . This is almost like Water Torture , but I'm happy for you that it came to an surprising but welcomed six hour Chat . So do take         breath's now , just in case it's back into the Water .
                                                                        DEEP
Remember , your taking all of us on this same Ride of yours .. feel somewhaat sorry for us too  :-\ hehe
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: KevinHi on November 25, 2011, 11:29:06 am
Chong, I definitely know it was not my girl in the "live chat" but honestly it's not worth fighting over the 0.5 credit that I lost.

I worry a bit about sharing my story here in this much detail... You'll note that I have not mentioned the agency or my girl's name. This is because of a post I tried to make at the Chnlove forum. My post was deleted before it was ever visible, but its obvious that someone over there took my complaint and forwarded it. My girl was harassed by her agency after that, I assume because they feel she is circumventing the system by communicating directly with me. I do not want her to have any more trouble.

Also, I apologize to everyone for the suspense in storytelling! The convenient breakpoints ended up being a little more dramatic than I'd intended  ;D

Maybe it's better if I wrap up the tale for now, so that people know where I'm at.

After this very long first chat my girl and I shared, we have been steadily getting to know each other better. No more EMFs. Entirely through QQ chat and some mail sent between our QQ mailboxes. I do all of the translating back and forth for now, and she is starting to learn more English. I think we've probably only missed a couple of days in the past 6 weeks! Usually we chat for at least 2 hours per day, I'd say once or twice a week we'll get into a marathon 4 to 6 hour chat session.

It is surprising how the dynamic changes once you get into real-time communication! There is a much greater level of sharing, the ability to joke around some, flirt, and just let the conversation flow anywhere it wants to go. Some of the details occasionally get lost in translation. And we've had a few particularly bad translation errors that required patience and understanding from us both in order to not be upset until we could determine the true intentions of the other person!

I doubt I would have kept communicating with this incredible girl for so long if we had been kept locked behind the barrier of EMFs. We have learned so much about each other through chat. Little details of daily life in China and the USA. Likes and dislikes. Personality. I think its helped her too. She has opened up a lot. She was actually the first to ask about many difficult or potentially embarrassing subjects, like s-e-x (in a very cute and shy manner that was absolutely adorable to me!)

The only downer is I've not been able to see many real photos of her. I have seen a few, she is definitely attractive but they certainly tweaked her studio photos! Unfortunately she does not own a camera or computer. Our chats take place on her cell phone or her computer at work using QQ. I know what the experienced guys among you are probably thinking- get her to an internet cafe and try to video chat there! Well, I tried that! Actually she was very happy to try, despite hating all the smokers in the internet cafes, she went to one...
 
That day, we met up for our daily chat. Before I can even try it myself, she starts stabbing the video connect button! Unfortunately, the video connection failed! I received error messages when I tried it as well. It turns out the version of QQ running at the internet cafe is incompatible with the version I run on my MacBook, as far as video transmission goes.  A new version of QQ was released for the Mac a few days ago. Maybe we will try it again soon. Honestly I'm about ready to just and send her an iPod Touch or iPad so we can use it for video  :P


There! I've managed to condense things down without another cliffhanger... Yes, I am still talking to her now. Actually just got done saying goodnight to her about 30 minutes ago! I've been through quite a bit so far, but I am optimistic about my future potential with this girl!


Over the next few days and weeks I'm going to have some more info to share... I hope to talk about our future plans. And I know I have a lot of questions for everyone here!


Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Vince G on November 25, 2011, 11:42:02 am
Mmmm I had a problem with QQ on my Macbook (Pro) as well? There has ben 2 updates since but haven't tried it. From QQ went to Yahoo IM. The cam worked but she couldn't hear me, but I could hear her?

Anyway you write a good story and chat with her is better then EMF's.
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: KevinHi on November 28, 2011, 11:09:06 pm
Vince, I am glad to know I'm not the only one with trouble using QQ video chat with a Mac! My girl is pretty computer illiterate, beyond the simple use of programs that are pre-installed at her workplace or the internet cafe I don't think I can ask for much more. I have heard that the latest QQ for iPad might be compatible with the PC video chat. I might try that soon.


Sorry I kind of dropped off the map after my last post. At least nobody was left holding their breath!  ;)


This week I'm away on a business trip but I hope to fill everyone in with some more details soon. I am also looking to travel to China early next year to see my girl and explore the area, so I will need advice and help on many topics relating to that  ;D
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: maxx on November 29, 2011, 12:15:27 am
Kevin I have a question for you.When you say next year.Are you talking maybe Jan.First part of Feb?The reason I ask is because you do not wantthis relationship to become a expensive pen pal.Make the move while it id still fresh and exciting.
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Willy The Londoner on November 29, 2011, 05:32:59 am
But try to avoid travelling in China late January early February2012  as 300 plus millions of Chinese will be doing that.

Willy
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: 2hip on November 29, 2011, 09:41:37 am
Willy, if I hadn't been reading this blog I wouldn't have known that.  I was playing with the idea of going to Harbin to see the Ice Festival.  Not a good idea during Feb, huh?
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Neil on November 29, 2011, 09:57:47 am
February's fine.  You might have to book your travel a day or so in advance.  You might have to stand in line for an hour or so for tickets.  Busses and trains will be crowded beyond capacity, but travel is available and accessible, though not always comfortable. 
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Willy The Londoner on November 29, 2011, 10:16:31 am
February's fine.  You might have to book your travel a day or so in advance.  You might have to stand in line for an hour or so for tickets.  Busses and trains will be crowded beyond capacity, but travel is available and accessible, though not always comfortable.
Dont forget Neil that with Chinese New year being on 23rd Jan there will be many travelling back from home for at least a week into February.

Willy
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Vince G on November 29, 2011, 11:49:11 am
There are reasons I wanted to get there before winter and if I can make it before January? I will try and then return after like in March? I don't like the cold and not only in my brain but my body doesn't either. Any weather below 67 degrees (F) and my nose starts running. I'm not kidding right on the 67 mark. I always know the temp. because of this and not about to go to China looking sickly because of it.

Besides you may have the Ice Festival right in your hotel room. The chinese have no problem sleeping in their clothes and coats because the heat is off.
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: KevinHi on November 29, 2011, 06:45:51 pm
Maxx, I absolutely agree that I need to go visit her while we're fresh and enjoying it! She wanted me to come to China sooner, but November and December have lined up non-stop business trips for me... not enough time in between to make a journey of this sort. I want to spend two or three weeks at least on this first trip.

So to get to the unfortunate point that Willy started with, and everyone else has made... Yes I had planned on being there in late January and the beginning of February! She will have a few weeks off work, and said that would be a great time to visit with the festivals and all.

Now that I hear the travel issues from everyone its a bit discouraging. I'd planned to fly into Hong Kong, and take the train or whatever method works quickly over to Shenzhen. Spend some number of days there, then if all was going very well with us, she wanted to take me to Hunan to introduce me to her family.

If I was to fly into Hong Kong, what's the best method to reach Shenzhen?

If you had to travel during this, would it be better to arrive sometime before January 23rd, and stay until February 10th or so? 

Exactly how crazy do I need to be to throw myself into the middle of Chinese New Year travel?  :P

Recommendations are welcome! I need to start making my travel plans  ;D

Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Neil on November 29, 2011, 07:31:44 pm
I was in China for Spring Festival last year.  We took the train from Xiamen to my wife's home town.  We stood in line for about an hour, and waited another hour or two for our train.  It wasn't the most comfortable train, but it wasn't overloaded.  During the middle of Spring Festival, we took a bus to Fuzhou, then an overnight bus to Guangzhou, then another overnighter back to Fuzhou.  There were lots of busses available, but expect long line ups and waits.  I could see it being more expensive too. 

I enjoy people watching, like Willy does.  Heck, I enjoyed most of my train and bus trips.  It's fun to get in there with the people.  Everyone is friendly and in good spirits.  I'd say Spring Festival is the best time to visit China.  You'll never see anything like it in the west. 
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Willy The Londoner on November 29, 2011, 07:50:23 pm
Now you know why she is having a few weeks off at the end of January. About a 750 million people will be on holiday for that period!

But no problem if she is in Shenzhen. That makes a difference. It is almost a walk from Hong Kong into Shenzhen!! or there are ferries that leave direct from the airport for places like Zhuhai and Zhongshan as well. 

The only travel problem you will have is if you want to go too far from Shenzhen then travelling wont be so easy.

 There is a high speed train from Guangzhou to Hunan. But she may have to book it early to get tickets. Maybe thats why she wants a answer from you sooner rather than later. The new high speed train stations are less crowded than the older slow train stations more pricey but much faster and will be fully booked but with Chinese trains you get a seat number and that is your seat.

This is the scene at Guangzhou slow train station two years ago on approach to Chinese New Year.  This was on the forecourt before they go onto station.

Where's Willy?

Well if you look carefully you can just see me being carried along to the train by the crowd and off to Shanghai. And I only stopped by for a Soda!

Willy
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Clayton on November 29, 2011, 08:32:36 pm
Giday KevinHi
I think most of us can relate to your stories and I'm glad it's working out for you.  There's just one thing i would like to touch on, and I'd be interested to hear if anyone els uses this translator as well.

I use the QQ translator simply because it automatically back translates for you and that saves a hell of a lot of time, I sometimes have google running in the back ground so i can get a verbal translation.
Does anyone els use this QQ translator?

http://qq.bur.st/qqtranslator.php (http://qq.bur.st/qqtranslator.php)

Cheers
Leeroy
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: maxx on November 29, 2011, 10:53:50 pm
Kevin fly into Hong Kong.Then just take a taxi,Bus,or train to Shenzen.You will have to go threw customs again at the border.Of Hong Kong and Shenzen.But it isn't no big deal.Your lady can meet you at the border crossing.Or meet you at your hotel.
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Pandora on January 15, 2012, 04:41:07 am
Haha  interesting!
Welcome Kevin.  Your reasons sound like many here and even some of mine.  I hope you find good fortune in this adventure.  I know I have and am still doing.



Willy, How is it possible to have been single for 40 years when you are only 38?


Shaun
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Scottish_Robbie on January 15, 2012, 07:37:00 am
YES I DO... :D :D AND KEEP MY IM ONE FROM GOOGLE IN BOOKMARKS
 
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Willy The Londoner on January 15, 2012, 08:29:14 am
Haha  interesting!




Willy, How is it possible to have been single for 40 years when you are only 38?


Shaun

Interesting! Not really. Complete senility comes and goes - it depends on the weather as to what age I feel on any particularv day!

Willy
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Martin on January 15, 2012, 08:38:25 am
Oh joy...the things that some of us get to look forward to.  heehee
Title: Re: Experiences of Yet Another New Guy
Post by: Scottish_Robbie on January 15, 2012, 12:45:31 pm
Welcome to the site Pandora ;D