When you travel with family, something unexpected is bound to happen. Whether it’s a kid’s sudden craving for milk tea, a missing slipper, or someone “accidentally” buying 5 packs of diapers, we’ve been through it all. 😅 But on our recent China trip, we had our biggest travel oops yet:
My husband, Noah, lost his phone… inside China’s high-speed rail.
Yup. The train that travels over 300 km/h. That one.
So how did it happen? And more importantly… did we get it back?! 👀 Let me take you through the chaos.
From Noodles to the Railway Station
After our Canton Fair visit, the day was pretty chill. Afterward, we made our way to Guangzhou South Railway Station to catch our train and enjoyed some noodles as our early dinner. If you’ve never been there, it looks more like an airport than a train station. Super modern and massive!
We were early, so we grabbed an early dinner, got our bags settled, made sure the kid had her snacks, and made our way to the platform. All seemed well…
Panic Mode: Phone is Missing!
Then it happened. While waiting for the next leg of our journey, my husband checked his pockets, and realized…
His phone was missing. 😳
Our brains did a quick rewind. Was it at the restaurant? The metro? Somewhere at the station? Or…
Was it left inside the train? 😩
Cue the deep sighs, awkward silence, and the slight panic creeping in. We couldn’t afford to lose that phone, not just because it’s expensive, but because it had his SIM card, his work messages, his contacts, and yes, all the OTP codes we use for literally everything. 🤦♀️
The Lost and Found Adventure Begins
With no time to waste, my husband went straight to the railway police office to report the lost phone. The officers were very kind and guided him through the Lost & Found process.
Because our stop wasn’t the last station on the train’s route, they told him that all items left behind are collected at the final station. He was given a form to fill out, along with contact details for the terminal’s Lost & Found office.
Honestly, we didn’t expect much. With thousands of passengers every day, we were already preparing ourselves emotionally to say goodbye to that phone forever.
A Quiet, Sad Evening 😔
We headed back to our hotel a little quieter than usual that night. There was no blaming, just a shared feeling of, “Well… it is what it is.” My husband said he didn’t have anything important on the phone and that we could just block the SIM and move on.
But I know him. It bothered him.
The real weight of travel isn’t the heavy luggage, it’s those unexpected, stressful moments that make you want to fast-forward time and wake up already at your destination with no problems at all.
The Next Day: A Message from a Police Officer
The following day, just when we were about to leave for another adventure in Shenzhen Safari, we received a message from a police officer in Fushan.
THEY FOUND THE PHONE.
Yes. You read that right.
The train conductor discovered it and turned it in to the Lost & Found at Guangzhou South Railway Station. We were stunned. Speechless. And so, so grateful.
Restored Faith in Humanity
In a world where people often expect the worst, this was such a beautiful reminder that goodness still exists. The conductor could’ve ignored the phone. The next passenger could’ve taken it. But instead, it went through the proper process, and now it’s waiting for us to pick it up.
We always hear about honesty and integrity in other countries, and now we’ve experienced it firsthand. To the train conductor, the police officers, and the entire staff who made this possible, thank you. Truly.
What We Learned (And Will Never Forget)
If you’re ever traveling, especially by high-speed rail, please remember:
- Double-check your seats, pockets, bags, and tray tables before getting off. Always.
- Keep your valuables in one place and make a habit of doing a “checklist” before leaving.
- Don’t underestimate the power of reporting to the Lost & Found. Systems do work, especially in countries like China.
- And finally, stay hopeful. You never know when the universe will surprise you with good news. 💫
This story had a happy ending, and we hope your future trips will too. But if things go sideways, just remember: breathe, stay calm, and trust the process.
Love lots 💜,
Princess Joem “happy ending in Shenzhen”
P.S. Planning your next travel adventure? I can help you book packages to China! Let’s make travel magical (and hopefully, no lost phones next time 😅). Message me anytime! ✈️💼🌍
