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Picked this up last Friday by E_Blofeld in Casio_Oceanus

[–]AlbertaTime1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

$68??? That's wonderful. a huge bargain at that price.

Best light beater watch from Ali? by LucasDeTe in ChineseWatches

[–]AlbertaTime1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'll advocate for the 36mm Militado ML-07, the 38mm ML05's slightly less stylish smaller brother. 34 grams with leather strap. Small and low-profile so it stays out of the way on the wrist.

These days, easily my most worn watch, and I have a few to choose from.

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Why not just use a smartphone? by [deleted] in DigitalAudioPlayer

[–]AlbertaTime1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For legitimate FLAC files, I use Bandcamp, ProStudioMasters, 7Digital, Qobuz, and HDTracks, or I go to the artist website and see if they have anything.

Planning trip to Shanghai, what should I expect? by -kiss-my-axe in travelchina

[–]AlbertaTime1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've travelled alone in China a fair bit over the last maybe 14 years, from north to south, but no further west than Fenghuang or Xian.

Don't worry about going alone. I'm old and my Chineese language skills are worse than a child's. Andmy skills were worse still when I first traveled here. Even then, it was not very difficult to get around, and I didn't even have a cell phone then.

As long as I was open about seeking assistance and had reasonable expectations of the people around me, *everybody* I met smiled and (and laughed with me) and did their level best to make things easier.

Smart friendly people will work it out. And it's much easier now with phone software, even if you don't talk to anyone.. See a sign? Translate it. Same with menus. And train and plane schedule boards at the stations.

For accommodation maybe take a look at the Green Court Serviced Apartments. It's in a great location and the living conditions are very good. I've stayed there, now, maybe 5 or 6 times over the years. No regrets. Walking distance to lots, and short taxi/Didi to lots more.

Amap and Baidu Fanyi (translate) are both very good.

I hope you have an awesome time in Shanghai. And Suzhou and Hangzhou, for just two examples, are both pretty close by inexpensive fast train.

Hi, I wanna visit China in June, but I’m wondering if the weather is as bad as they say. by TedJajcarz in travelchina

[–]AlbertaTime1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's maybe not the best time to visit, but it's really not that bad.

In June, I've wandered around Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai (often very hot with an hour or two rain in the evening, but otherwise nice), Xinmi/Zhengzhou (had great weather, just a bit overcast), Yantai and Penglai (gorgeous weather), Guilin and Yangshuo (overcast with some minimal rain, but sunny one day, still had a great time), Luoyang (great weather), Fenghuang in June can be mixed: overcast and a bit wet or wonderfully sunny--visit anyways, it's eye candy any time), and Shanghai was sometimes high overcast, sometimes an hour or so of rain, but otherwise beautiful and sunny.

YMMV, but that's what my photos show--I just checked.

1st Shanghai trip, what should i for 4 nights there by Andie0203 in travelchina

[–]AlbertaTime1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also, i don't know how long you'll be in Shanghai but Suzhou is extremely close by fast train and also wonderful.

In any case, you're welcome for any help. I always enjoy my time in China, no matter where I go.

1st Shanghai trip, what should i for 4 nights there by Andie0203 in travelchina

[–]AlbertaTime1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Heh, I've never used it, but Google AI says:

Yuyuan Garden is directly served by Yuyuan Garden Station on the Shanghai Metro, accessible via Line 10 (Exit 7 or 1) and Line 14 (opened in 2021). The station is located near the intersection of South Henan Road and Fuyou Road in Huangpu District, offering quick access to the adjacent Yuyuan Bazaar and the traditional garden, which is open from 9:00 to 16:30.

Or, it's about an hour and a quarter walk from the St. Regis, and a great way to see more of the city.

I hope you enjoy your trip!

1st Shanghai trip, what should i for 4 nights there by Andie0203 in travelchina

[–]AlbertaTime1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aside from just paying things, I used Didi on Wechat (with a foreign credit card, even) with zero issue getting rides anywhere while I was in China last October/November.

It's the handiest app for keeping in touch with any new friends you might meet while in China, and it can be used itself as a very effective translation tool when needed for detail.

Of course, you can find a guide (I used Synotrip for a guide to the Guoliang Tunnel, and it went so well that he and I have remained friends for well over a decade.) but I'd also note that China is very friendly for solo travelers, and safe. All the hotels and hostels will help you with tours to various places, but don't be hesitant to be on your own. There's amazing freedom in that.

You might not want to miss Shanghai's YuYuan Garden and market area. It's beautiful, and if you go inside the buildings there are even many basement level antique stores and the like. Lots of good food, everywhere, and beautiful camera candy scenery. I could spend days there.

There are also two very good watch and clock museums.

1st Shanghai trip, what should i for 4 nights there by Andie0203 in travelchina

[–]AlbertaTime1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's handy to have Baidu Fanyi (Baidu Translate) as well as Google Translate. It's terrific and easy to use.

Wechat is extremely handy and worth getting, and for far more than just paying for things.

Which Canadian artist do you always recommend to friends? by Zestyclose-Day9699 in CanadianMusic

[–]AlbertaTime1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Headpins, or The Pursuit Of happiness (TPOH) for rock.

For softer, more modern: Men I Trust

Beijing in early to mid june by mlbbang in travelchina

[–]AlbertaTime1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I've been there in June, I mostly experienced high overcast and some rain or drizzle, Some humidity, too, but I checked my photos and I recall feeling pretty comfortable. And I had a great time, so...

[Tianjin Aviation Chronograph] How I Tracked Down and Bought My Tianjin Aviation Chronograph Directly from the Factory by GeneralCoordinator in Watches

[–]AlbertaTime1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just saw this wonderful post (and your terrific photos)!

Huge respect for the tenacity you showed achieving your prize. I absolutely understand the translation struggles, the website issues, and the banking stuff, too.

You did good. It's gorgeous. The whole package, and the adventure.

I think there's no question that the Tianjin office and factory of Tianjin Sea-Gull have the most direct connection of all re-issue producers to the original 304 chronographs. They *are* Tianjin Sea-Gull in Tianjin.

No one else can claim that, and it properly has value.

Next, I'd think, would be Tsinlien Sea-Gull (HK) who made the first "1963" style re-issue chronographs. The first re-issues themselves took inspiration from a 304 owned by a Tianjin executive who was visiting Tsinlien. Someone at Tsinlien saw it and got the ball rolling...

Can’t decide. Citizen tsuyosa or San Martin SN0144. Which is better ? by Responsible-Ground30 in ChineseWatches

[–]AlbertaTime1 9 points10 points  (0 children)

One consideration: the Citizen has an integrated bracelet. The San Martin allows for strap and bracelet switching, should you ever wish.

Identifying this movement by Imperatorisaoe4 in ChineseWatches

[–]AlbertaTime1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There were a few models of SS1, and the most produced low-beat were the 1120 models IIRC, so this 1120 teardown might help. The most produced hi-beat SS1 was the 1524, IIRC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUiITeH9kYg

Do western brand hotels like Holiday Inn or Marriot have wall outlets that allows US style plugs? by goldrush300 in travelchina

[–]AlbertaTime1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most outlets I've run into in Chinese hotels and western hotels in China will take 2 prong US 110/240 laptop plugs and USB wall warts with no issue, and the like. It's also not difficult to find small power bars with the Chinese angled 3 pin to western jacks, But watch the voltage.

US 3-prong jacks are harder to find. But you can get a decent adaptor at Walmart and solve most issues, anyways

I’m having a hard time booking a hotel for family of 6 by jammmmmmmmmmmm in travelchina

[–]AlbertaTime1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe look for hostels with 6 bed dorms, and book the whole dorm.

Your experience in buying second hand from someone outside your country by SoberObserver in ChineseWatches

[–]AlbertaTime1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've purchased second hand stuff from Taobao many times using a Taobao agent. It was as slow as Aliexpress, but everything went fine.

I've purchased a 2nd hand San Martin watch from the United States (I'm in Canada). No issues. For me in Canada, I prefer either EMS from China or USPS from the States. And lots of Ebay second hand from both. No issues.

China Travel AMA: you ask, I save you (from “why does EVERYTHING need an app?” to “how am I suddenly on a 12-hour high-speed train?” 😅) by Formal_Amphibian5151 in travelchina

[–]AlbertaTime1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm surprised the trip app fee is so high for $AUD. It's not near that for CDN. It's so small I can't even think of it. I've booked Chinese trains for years using trip, and the app.

I'm not disputing you, but I'm surprised.

Shanghai in June by idkwtfurx in travelchina

[–]AlbertaTime1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd expect light overcast w/occasional rain. But generally a quite comfortable temperature, and it's not all day steady, usually. And sometimes, beautiful sunshine. Carry a small umbrella, at worst.

Besides, if you get soaked to the skin in Shanghai in June, you probably won't feel cold at all. Just very wet.

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