My Experience.

The two questions people always ask me:

Why did I marry a Chinese lady?

What is China like?

To answer the first one why did I marry a Chinese lady? I will have to take you back in time to when my first marriage of 29 years collapsed, without going into detail it was a terrible experience. I sold my business and moved down from Lancashire to Norfolk to try and start a new life which wasn't easy, after meeting many Englishwomen and having two relationships which didn't go anywhere.

To find the right woman seemed impossible to me, so I took the decision to spend the rest of my life on my own.

I would talk to people all around the world on my computer mainly through e-mails which started my interests in learning about different cultures passing the time away. There was one particular woman I was e-mailing who lived in China; there was no way I'd be going there. I felt really safe, how wrong I was after exchanging roughly 150 e-mails, Li-Ping invited me to the city of Nanning, Guangxi, China . I accepted, why because in her e-mails to me she was so honest and understanding, not saying what she wanted or demanded, which the majority of women did with me, but what we could do together, from friendship it was turning into something much more.

After finding out how to apply for a visa and booking my hotel for two weeks along with my flight to Beijing which was quite a new experience. I have never been on an airplane before, spending one night in Beijing. The next morning I flew on to Nanning, it was 30th November 2003 , Friday morning 11:30am. Meeting Li-Ping was an experience I shall never forget within one week I asked Li-Ping to marry me to which she agreed.

This was a truly magical experience and to put it into words would mean me writing all day. Many people from around the world have experienced the same for themselves.

The second question what is Nanning or China like? From leaving the airport and traveling along a dual carriageway towards Nanning city which is just like any dual carriageway anywhere in the world. You start to come to the suburbs of Nanning where you see Chinese writing on many buildings and shops and trying to work out what it says.

As we all know China has a vast population but Nanning to me is not over populated, it is a very clean city. You do not see any vandalism or graffiti, you do not feel threatened to walk in city at 2 o'clock in the morning you feel relaxed, not as you may do in many western cities.

Shopping in Nanning is quite an experience, when you ask the price it's always trebled to what you actually pay in the smaller shops. The large department stores you will pay what is on the ticket, the department stores in Nanning are just like Western department stores selling many Western goods which are cheaper, for example buying DVDs for prices between 40p and 90p, for instance the latest DVD in English like James Bond, Harry Potter etc etc. Clothing is very cheap; don't forget to make room in your suitcase. Supermarkets are very similar to a Western equivalent there are many outdoor markets in Nanning which is a greater experienced to walk around and view the many different vegetables and fruits you do not see back home.

Eating in the restaurants for two people for just £5, you can have a wonderful meal. The most expensive meal was at the International Hotel Nanning, which is a five-star hotel, a T-bone steak with all the trimmings was £7-50. The local cafe for a bowl of noodles 20p it is not like Chinese cooking you have back home. Chinese like to have their meat always on the bone so you spend time spitting out bones, which is part of experience of eating in China . My wife's friend is a manager of a restaurant; I asked him, would it be possible, could you do me steak and chips? After eating my steak and chips, I couldn't believe it, when I looked around four tables of local Chinese were all having steak and chips and using knives and forks.

The traffic in Nanning is a bit confusing. When you cross a road you just walk very slowly, all the vehicles will slow down and go around you. If you're driving a vehicle (not recommended) or in a taxi you will notice nobody gives way to you. In rush hour traffic do not be surprised to find many motorbikes riding on the pavement which is quite a surprise to see as many as four people riding on one motorbike.

There's nothing more enjoyable than just sitting at a roadside cafe watching the world go by Chinese are a very fascinating people.

There are many wonderful parks in Nanning there's over 3000 different plants flowers and trees, it is a gardeners' delight, and they don't call Nanning the Green City for nothing.

The people of Nanning are really friendly and very helpful, you will notice when you're out and about many Chinese will stare at you because they have never seen a westerner before, given time you get used to this. They will always look away if you stare back at them they don't want you thinking they're rude which they certainly are not.

Nanning is truly a fascinating city with its many modern buildings, you will find very few old ones. Its truly a city of the 21st century, and a very lively integrated city. I have had the opportunity of visiting

We have been married for nearly five years. Li-Ping has given me many wonderful experiences. Do I have any regrets? Only one. I wish I had done it 30 years earlier.