New Member From Limerick / In China

[soconnell27]

Howdy Chaps,

Series 80 fan living in China here, but from Limerick - introduced to lcoc.ie by Gary (Cheers Gary !)

My Series 80 is in Ireland and the plan is to spend the next year readying it for a trip to Morocco and beyond in 2014.

Have become obsessed with overlanding in the last few years although experience to date has been restricted to China. Not a bad place to start - big country out here ! Just back from a 3 week round trip to north west China from Shenzhen in my trusty 1996 Nissan Paladin (that's a Navara that's not a pick-up to you guys ! or a USA Xterra). When I say trusty - I had to replace the transfer box while up there - 4000km's from home.. :(

Anyway..

Good to meet you guys ! Looking forward to being a member !

[Garfieldus]

Welcome. Good to see you got registered. Nailer is your man for the 80 series. We're thinking of doing Morocco again in 2014. Not sure what time of year yet but we might be able to meet up.

[Nailer]

Welcome to the Forum

[BOB]

Welcome along.

[ADAM J]

Welcome to lcoc

[Redd]

yep, got any pics of China, can you just cruise around without a government guide? sorry pardon my ignorance

[soconnell27]

To drive here you must have a Chinese driving license. US/EU/etc driving licenses are not recognized on the mainland, nor are International driving licenses. As a visitor you can arrange a temporary license, and rent a car here or bring in your own car (be it complicated) but you do need a guide. i.e. you're not allowed drive around on your own unaccompanied. In some cities you don't need a guide if you rent, but cannot leave the city limits. As a resident you can get a permanent chinese driving license & drive wherever you like on the mainland. Permits are required however to drive from the mainland into Hong Kong, Macau & Tibet. I've been here over 8 years and have clocked up over 20,000 Kms on road-trips alone, driving into the wilds. Outside the cities there is spectacular scenery. Mountains, Deserts, Jungles etc. Will try to put up a gallery with pics from various trips.

[soconnell27]

This is my trusty chariot out here (i managed to save the spotlight...)

4548

[Redd]

that would be great, lucky man. was Chinese hard to learn, culture hard to adapt to? ive been working with a guy in Beijing for the last month (online, software development) and he's bang on. i think i had an impression of China in a kinda negative light because the media just loove to feed us horror stories of the place.

[BJ74]

Welcome. Looking forward to pics of China.

[lenny]

Welcome to lcoc, It's great place for stealing advice and knowledge.