Oh no. I thought my train from Shanghai left at about 4:30pm, so I had planned to leave Hangzhou between 11:00 and 1:00. The journey takes about two hours. I woke at around 9:00am, packed, and checked the ticket. “Oh, @!#$%!”

“What?”

“I am in serious trouble. The train leaves Shanghai at 11:24!”

For anyone not doing the arithmetic, it was already 9:30 and I was at least two hours from Shanghai, before even accounting for the trip to the station. There was little chance I would catch the train, but because I had to, I was not giving up. I checked out of the hostel and jumped into a taxi to the station.

I would have just enough time and planned to rely on looking like a confused foreign traveller: “I didn’t know I couldn’t do it!”

I asked the railway staff about changing my tickets to the next day, but they said this could be done only in Shanghai because the train had not technically departed. The next train to Shanghai was at 1:00; did I want a ticket? After considering my options, I decided to take a different train to a city two hours down the line, where the train from Shanghai would also stop. I would have just enough time and planned to rely on looking like a confused foreign traveller: “I didn’t know I couldn’t do it!” The staff warned, “They won’t even let you on the train.”

The two-hour journey was a little depressing. I was heading to a city where I knew nobody and had no accommodation in mind if the railway staff rejected me. But this is what defines an adventure, right?

When I arrived, I hurried across the city to find a China Mobile shop. I realised my passport could not reach China before my flight, so I needed to change the booking. Both my calling card and mobile phone were out of credit, so I had to buy another prepaid card before boarding the train.

Back at the station, I had 30 minutes until the train arrived and began planning my approach. The information clerk said he could exchange my tickets, but suggested that I speak directly to the conductor, who might give me two beds. A note for anyone travelling in China: in my experience, railway staff in smaller cities are much friendlier than those in larger ones.

When the train arrived, I hurried through the security checkpoint and deliberately covered the departure city on my ticket. A staff member took it from my hand, looked puzzled, and began to say something, but I retrieved it and continued through the door. Looking back, concealing that information and relying on confusion was irresponsible; I should have arranged a valid replacement ticket.

Next, I went to the conductor’s carriage. Assuming my bed had already been given away, I knew I would need some charm to talk my way onto the train. The conductor examined my ticket and began speaking to me. I adopted my most innocent, confused expression and hoped for the best. After some smooth talking, I was given two beds. What luck!

After a small celebratory dance, I settled in and met my cabinmates: a mother, grandparents, and two children from Australia and Shanghai. The mother and children spoke Australian English and seemed entertained by my story. More rummy followed.

During the night, I called my mother and received good news. My passport was ready for collection, and my cousin Morgan had picked it up but had not yet sent it because he lacked the address. I immediately gave my mother an address and texted the same details to Morgan. I might be able to make it home!