Life On Lantau June/ July 2021

ISL AND -WIDE NEWS

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LOCAL INFLUENCERS

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L ANTAU DESTINATIONS

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COMMUNIT Y SNAPS

SUMMER CAMPS ROUND-UP

J U N E / J U LY 2 0 21

A COASTER CHALLENGE THE SILVER IN

SILVER VILLAGE AND INTRODUCING

DEBBIE BAILEY

LAZY DAYS IN

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Publishers in Lantau since 2002

TONG FUK

- WHAT’S HAPPENING | ISLAND WIDE -

CONTENTS JUNE/ JULY 2021

FEATURES 14

PERSONA

18

TUNG FUK SUPPLEMENT

30

HOME CHEF

Tung Chung resident Debbie Bailey reveals how she pays it forward

09

36

Where to eat, sleep, shop and hangout

Eastern Mediterranean dips for your picnic hamper

36

DESTINATION

18

30

Visit Silvermine Cave, in Pak Ngan Heung

SUMMER CAMPS RUNDOWN - PAGE 26

REGULARS 08

EVENT ROUND-UP

12

GIVEAWAYS

13

LANTAU FACES

AGENDA 04

ISLAND-WIDE NEWS

33

CLASSIFIEDS

34

LOCAL NUMBERS 18 ON THE COVER Wild and deserted Tong Fuk Beach

PHOTO BY Rachel Sadler WE ALSO PUBLISH TH

FR

5

YOUR GUIDE TO HONG KONG’S ‘GREEN JEWEL’

YE

RU

EE

AR

NN

IN G

2019 / 2020

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FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF FOOD & DRINK • LIVING • PETS • SPORTS • PASTIMES • EDUCATION • HEALTH • BEAUTY • SERVICES • TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS • COMMUNITY

The well-being of our students is our top priority.

We help students to develop their Character Strengths and Growth Mindset through engaging learning activities.

MMES FEATURED PROGRAogramme

ng Pr • Cutting-Edge Codi udies Programme • Outdoor Nature St

A Lantau Private Primary School From Reception To Year 6 British Curriculum and Daily Mandarin Classes Please contact us to schedule a school visit T: +852 2984 0006 | E: office@silverminebayschool.edu.hk | www.silverminebayschool.edu.hk Units A & B, 1/F Silver Centre Building, 10 Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, New Territories silverminebayschool EDB Reg No: 579009

WHAT’S HAPPENING |

FROM FARM TO TABLE

CONTACT US @ BAY MEDIA GRO U P P:

+852 2987 0167

E:

info@baymedia.com.hk

W:

www.arounddb.com

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PHI LIP JAY Publisher/ Owner RACHE L A I NS L E Y Managing editor rachel@baymedia.com.hk

MEET T HE FARM ERS WHO PROD UC E YOUR FOOD

E

D E B BY M EY E RS

very weekend in June, Cafe Lantau, at the Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung, is taking the farm to table concept to the next level, enabling diners to meet the local farmers who produce their food.

Art director debby@baymedia.com.hk PAR NE L L C H A N

As part of the promotion, guests are invited to take their pick from a selection of locally grown organic produce on display at Cafe Lantau, and pay whatever they think it is worth. Proceeds from the Organic Produce Honesty Box will be donated to two local charities – Hong Kong Council of Early Childhood Education and Services and Hong Kong Organic Association.

IT/Graphic designer parnell@baymedia.com.hk SARA H MU I R H EAD Digital manager sarah@baymedia.com.hk

“Our philosophy as a team is to use the highest quality ingredients, which have a low carbon footprint, to create clean, honest and tasty organic dishes,” says executive chef David Parkin. To book a table at Cafe Lantau and chat to a farmer, call 2535 0021. [PHOTO COURTESY OF

A MBE R KA H U Operations manager amber@baymedia.com.hk

C ON T RIB UTO RS

Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung.]

RAY AU , E L I Z A B E T H K E R R , RAC H E L SA D L E R , SA M A N T H A WO N G

PH OT OGRAP HERS RIC H A R D G O R DON www.richardgordonphotography.com RACHE L SA D L ER TA L S H A H A R www.magnificent-hkg.com

PRI N T & PR O DUCTI O N C H A M PI O N D E SI G N & PROD UCT I O N Flat C & D, 9/F Sing Teck Factory Bldg, 44 Wong Chuk Hang Rd, Hong Kong

B A Y ME DIA GRO UP Flat 6E Elegance Court, Hillgrove Village, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island

DI SC LAIME R

DB ON ICE

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he ice-rink-in-a-mall formula has been proven to work in Hong Kong, and Discovery Bay’s latest attraction – an international-standard indoor ice rink in the South Plaza – is already a hit. The largest rink in Hong Kong, DB Ice Rink promises fun on the ice for everyone, whether you’re perfecting your Elsa impression or training for serious competitions.

The rink is manned by a team of seven professional ice-skating coaches, and ice-skating sessions are already available, with ice-hockey and leisure skating sessions coming soon. The ice-skating classes follow Ice Skating Institute Asia guidelines, taking skaters from beginner to competition level. Classes for kids aged three years and up are on offer, with coaches focusing on fun, technique and stamina. To find out more, visit the DB Ice Rink Facebook page. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF DB Ice rink.]

The views expressed in Life on Lantau are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or contributors. The publisher and editor cannot be held responsible for differences of opinion or statements published in good faith. The publisher, contributors, their employees and partners are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors or omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication and expressly disclaim all and any liability for any such action of any person. The mention of specific companies or products in articles or advertisements does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by this magazine or its publisher in preference to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without permission. © BAY MEDIA GROUP 2021 4 LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/JULY 2021

T HE L A RG ES T IC E RIN K IN HON G KON G

ISLAND-WIDE NEWS |

COASTEER LANTAU CHALLENGE

L

ooking for a new way to explore the Lantau coastline, Mui Wo residents Charmian Woodhouse and Cathy Cole decided to coasteer (swim, wade, climb, scramble and boulder) their way around it. The pair, both experienced open-water swimmers, broke up the 126-kilometre loop into 13 sections, with each section taking eight to 10 hours to complete. Starting and finishing in Mui Wo, the Coasteer Lantau Challenge kicked off in March and ended in May this year.

“We’ve had an amazing time, using the ocean currents, working with the tides and weather and discovering how beautiful these inaccessible coastlines are,” Charmian opens. “One of our favourite sections was the area around Shek Pik. The rocks are fascinating and really beautiful with incredible colours and patterns. The water was clear and refreshing and the currents moved us along so we could enjoy the views of the mountains.”

ON T HE ROC K S

OPEN WATER On their journey, Charmian and Cathy were surprised to find ropes and bridges already in place in areas that were difficult to climb, and they met, and in turn surprised, many local fishermen. Encounters with marine life – bristle worms, mudskippers, crabs, bright green mussels, oysters, barnacles and fish – were another highlight. “So many interesting animals live in the intertidal areas,” says Charmian, “and because we were on the coast, we also saw wonderful birds, butterflies and other insects.”

Marine pollution – plastic, polystyrene, life jackets, bamboo frames, tanker tyres and mannequin parts – was inevitably a factor. “There were also areas with rotting meat, which we moved quickly through,” Cathy says.

“Seeing all this really made us think about eco-solutions.”

C HARM IAN AN D C AT HY

SAFETY FIRST It’s important to know that few people coasteer in Lantau – it’s a high-risk sport especially if you go to remote areas.

“You need to have good knowledge of how the waves and sea swell work, be aware of the weather and be focused when you are on the rocks,” Cathy advises. “Go with a friend and stay within your ability.

“Some areas were easy and fun but there were some places where the rocks were too steep to climb or where the sea currents were too fast to swim against. The oyster shells are extremely sharp so we wore gloves, pants, long-sleeved tops and shoes. We used swimmer buoys to make us visible to boats too.” [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Charmian AT SHEK P IK

Woodhouse & Cathy Cole.]

LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021 5

ISLAND-WIDE NEWS |

BUFFALO’S LONG BATH

A struggles to find his way home in the dark. Can his ears, fter languishing in a mud bath, a young water buffalo

his instincts and his friend the egret help to guide him?

Anna Iles, a Luk Tei Tong resident of two years, wrote (and illustrated) Buffalo’s Long Bath for her son Jacob, 15 months.

Through the compelling story, Anna aims to support early child development, encouraging kids, aged 0 to 5, to value friendship and the natural world, and to understand their emotions.

Anna is the author of Jacob and the Dust Sprite, and two books on innovation and design thinking: The InnovationFriendly Organization and The Brand Strategist’s Guide to Desire. Buffalo’s Long Bath is available at VIBE Book and Music Shop, The Humble Room and Amazon.com. [PHOTO

dleifsnarD k cirtaP fo ysetruoc otohP

COURTESY OF Anna Iles.]

L ABOUR OF LOVE

THE SNAKES OF HONG KONG

W of content, The Snakes of Hong Kong is a field guide ith hundreds of photographs and nearly 200 pages

like no other, and a must for all those who hike the Lantau trails. Author and photographer Adam Francis spent nearly three years locating and documenting the local snake population, and his book is based almost entirely on firsthand experience.

There are an incredible 40 species of snake in Hong Kong including bright red mountain racers, vibrant yellow beauty snakes, giant pythons and even king cobras. In this guidebook, you will learn not only how to identify them but also more about them. The Snakes of Hong Kong is available at VIBE Book and Music Shop and www.hongkongsnakeid.com.

A M U S T FOR L A NTA U T R A I L RU N N E RS

[PHOTO COURTESY OF Adam Francis.]

PORRIDGE WITH HONEY

F with Honey for his granddaughters, in order to share with

ive-year Mui Wo resident Martyn Ludlow wrote Porridge

them the wisdom he has gained through the years. Brimming with inspiration and advice on how to be the best version of yourself, and referencing great thinkers like the Dali Lama, Martyn brings it all together in a direct way that’s easy for young readers to understand. The result? A roadmap to a happy and successful life for everyone who reads it.

What advice will you leave the next generation? Porridge with Honey is available at VIBE Book and Music Shop and Amazon.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Martyn Ludlow.]

6 LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021

IN SIGHT S FROM GRAN DAD

ISLAND-WIDE NEWS |

COLLECTIVE PORTRAITS

T Collective Portraits of South Lantau Pet Owners. In

hirty-one pet owning families feature in Mihaela Tudor’s

putting the collection together Mihaela, a professional photographer based in Mui Wo, says she was inspired by the beauty of Hong Kong’s natural landscape and its people – and the fact that every other family in Lantau has a pet.

“I have been lucky enough to spend the pandemic in a happy bubble, in Hong Kong’s countryside, a place that has experienced very few COVID-19 cases,” Mihaela says.

“My intention for this series is to show a lesser-known part of Hong Kong and to share the stories of the people in my community. In a year when we spent much more time at home with our families, I wanted to celebrate togetherness, love and simple joy.”

Photo cour tesy of Pat r ic k Dr an s f i el d

EVERY O TH ER FAM ILY I N L A N TA U HA S A PE T

You can view Collective Portraits of South Lantau Pet Owners at mihaelatudor.com/special-projects. [PHOTOS BY Mihaela Tudor.]

LANTAU CRICKET CLUB: U11S

C Club (LCC) U11 team who won the Cricket Hong

ongratulations are in order for the Lantau Cricket

Kong U11 Junior League Championship on April 24.

The LCC U13s also had a great season, making it to the semi-finals on May 23.

The LCC is the home of The Buffalos – children aged six years and up train year-round in Tung Chung on Friday afternoons, and the club has a kids’ cricket camp planned for the first two weeks of August. To find out more, call Coach Nafe on 6019 5169 or visit the Lantau Cricket Club Instagram or Facebook page. [PHOTO

COURTESY OF Amanda Carrick.]

T HE WIN N IN G T EAM

GREEN@ MUI WO

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REEN @ COMMUNITY stores have been popping up across Hong Kong, and you’ll now find one in the Silver Centre Building in Mui Wo. GREEN @ MUI WO is open daily from 9am to 7pm, and it takes in eight types of recyclables including papers, metals, plastics, glass bottles, regulated electrical equipment, small electrical appliances, rechargeable batteries and fluorescent lamps and tubes.

You can even drop your recyclables at night, through a mailer box located at the entrance of the store, as long as they are pre-sorted, clean and dry. [PHOTO COURTESY OF www.wastereduction.gov.hk.]

DROP YOU R RECYCL A B LE S DA Y O R N I G HT LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021 7

EVENT ROUND-UP |

HIKE FOR FREEDOM PHO T OS BY Tal Sh ah ar - w w w.magn i f i c e nt - hkg . c om

On March 28, Lantau residents

Catherine Cormack and Jo Lodder completed a four-day hike across the Hong Kong trails covering a distance of 300 kilometres, with 18,600 metres of elevation – the equivalent of climbing Everest, Kilimanjaro and The Eiger. The pair raised over HK$75,000 for two Hong Kong charities: Stop Trafficking Of People (STOP) and Team for Animals in Lantau South (TAILS).

INTER-ISLAND FESTIVAL PHO T O S BY D u ey Ta m

From March 26 to 28, outlying

islanders enjoyed events in Mui Wo, Chi Ma Wan, Peng Chau and Cheung Chau as part of the Interisland Festival. With more than 50 event collaborators, the festival celebrated the unique culture of the places that are connected by Hong Kong’s inter-island ferry service.

8 LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021

Baking Science Summer Camp

Discovery Bay July 12 - 16 Junior bakers, age 4+ learn about science through fun baking and science experiments! Bake and decorate delicious desserts and other savoury treats. For more information, contact Ms. Hong:

www.facebook.com/flourhk Email: flourhk@hotmail.com

EVENT ROUND-UP |

VIRTUAL TRAIL RACES PHO T O S COUR T E S Y O F C o u n t r y o f Or ig in & Tr ans Lant au

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oth the Country of Origin and TransLantau have turned virtual this year due to ongoing social distancing regulations. On Saturdays throughout May, trail runners tackled the 23-kilometre TransLantau Hybrid 25. For the Country of Origin Virtual, extended through May 30, teams of three ran a 30-kilometre trail loop, starting and finishing at Lantau Base Camp in Mui Wo.

10 LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021

EVENT ROUND-UP |

MUI WO POP-UP FOOD FAIR P HO T O S BY Tal S h ah ar - w w w. m ag nif icent-hkg .co m

The Mui Wo Pop-Up Food Fair, hosted

by Marcy’s Lantau on April 3, enjoyed a good turnout. Vendors included All Things Sweet by Rizka, Lantau Bakes, Lee’s Minimart, Summer’s Yummy Chicken and Salonga’s Home-Cooked Island Delicacies.

LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021 11

TREASURE ISLAND GROUP IS OFFERING ONE READER A PLACE ON A SUMMER SURF & ADVENTURE CAMP (WORTH HK$4,480) Join the next generation of Hong Kong wave riders at one of Treasure Island Group’s (TIG) award-winning Summer Surf & Adventure Camps, now in their 25th year. From June 21 to August 27, children aged five to 16 years have the opportunity to learn surf skills and ocean safety at beautiful Pui O Beach, and join in other adventure sport activities. Lunch and snacks are included.

HOW TO WIN! Life on Lantau prizes are incredibly easy to get your hands on, and you have until June 10 to apply.

Simply scan the barcode, select the giveaway you want, and enter your details into the online form.

TIG offers children and youths unforgettable fun and personal development through a series of adventure, community and environmental programmes. TIG camps are inclusive and place a high value on respect and care for self, others and the environment. To find out more and enrol, visit www.treasureislandhk.com.

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST ISSUE’S WINNER Jane Hyde received a four-class training package from Fitness in Motion, Tung Chung

COMMUNITY SNAPS FAMILIAR FACES FROM ACROSS LANTAU

P HO T O S BY Tal S h ah ar w w w. m agn i f i c e n t - h kg. c o m

WHAT’S HAPPENING |

If you wanted to send a message out into the world, what would it be?

- DEBBIE BAILEY

14 LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021

PERSONA |

FREE SPIRIT Hospitality pro, artist, amateur historian… DEBBIE BAILEY is reshaping and remembering Hong Kong in her own third culture way. Elizabeth Kerr reports P HO T O S BY R i ch ar d G o r do n - www.r ichar dg o r do np hoto gr aphy.co m & CO UR TES Y OF Debbi e Bai l ey

D

ebbie Bailey has a lot on her mind. It’s not that she’s particularly troubled or incensed by anything specifically – though there’s plenty going around for both – but as an astute observer of human nature, with an artistic streak and a career in teaching others how to relate to people, she’s got plenty to say.

Sitting in the 61st floor Tung Chung flat she shares with her pilot husband and 13-yearold daughter, and looking out over the unsettlingly still airport in the distance, Debbie is comfortable talking about art, trade unions, gender dynamics, the beauty of wet markets, Sicily, challenging hotel guests, the future of travel, the future of work and, a subject near and dear to her heart, documenting the quickly vanishing heritage that makes Hong Kong what it is. She’s got the best kind of snarky streak, the kind that points out nonsense and, being a textbook third culture kid, you get the impression she could throw down some epic trash talk – in three languages.

A LITTLE HOSPITALITY A resident of Lantau since 2002, Hong Kong native Debbie has watched the Tung Chung area grow from sleepy suburb, when a seat on the MTR was guaranteed, to the city’s Next Big Thing.

“Before all this was built, there was only Tung Chung Crescent. This was all being developed,” she recalls, gesturing at the landfill now dotted with hotels. “The mall you came through, there was a KFC and Park n Shop. That was it. It was really quiet and I loved it,” she adds with a chuckle. Still, it’s relatively peaceful and open; her parents live in a nearby tower, her grandfather is across the road, and an aunt is downstairs.

After dropping out of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (“I was a bit of a rebel. I was having too much fun.”), Debbie went to work in the hotel industry at 18 and found her career, working until recently with a multinational hospitality consultant across Asia-Pacific. Last year she struck out with her own business, Hospitality Impact, helping companies in service culture and leadership training.

But there’s more to it than that. Debbie also signed up to study emotional intelligence with Six Seconds and EQ World and she’s thrown her weight behind the COVID-devastated hospitality and airline industries.

“I loved my job, and the company, but I just thought there’s got to be more to giving back to this industry than telling them how to manage revenue and make more money.”

Convincing cabin crews that have had their worlds suddenly upended they have transferable skills has kept Debbie busy, as has preparing the hospitality industry for a new world travel order.

“Anyone can give you great service, but hospitality is not something you can ‘give,’” she says. “Hospitality is providing positive emotional responses during a service.”

MESSAGE IN A SHELL Though Debbie questions the link, EQ is baked into the DNA of her current side projects (fulltime jobs for most of us). First is the ongoing #messageinashellhk (find it on Facebook and Instagram), which stemmed from her efforts to comfort her mother in the wake of her artist LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021 15

PERSONA |

brother Derek’s death in 2017. She picked up a shell on the beach, painted it and gifted it.

The project kicked into gear in January last year, when Debbie decided to start leaving painted shells, complete with uplifting messages, across Hong Kong for people to find. Dropped around the city, they were a surprise hit. She posts shell locations on social media, and if you are lucky enough to find one, you can keep it or leave it for someone else.

The scallop shells are donated by Tung Chung seafood vendors, and while Debbie has personally painted and placed over 150, she’s been joined by a network of likeminded friends. “I’ve expanded to include local artists, and this gives them a platform to show their work. They use the shells as canvasses, and also leave a message on the back,” Debbie says. She’s so far featured 22 artists, eight of whom are from Lantau.

“These artists are from different cultures, different age groups and genders,” Debbie explains, “and the idea was to consider, ‘If you wanted to send a message out into the world, what would it be?’

“I like talking to people, and I carry shells with me, so when I’m in, say, Sham Shui Po, I ask what they would say. I want to include Gurkhas, the Nepalese community, the Indian community. They get the gift of a shell and they share their message with me. That’s how the book kind of happened. These stories are what make Hong Kong what it is.”

post boxes on Tung Street, in the fabric sellers in Western Market, in the traditional Chinese slipper maker in North Point, and the chop maker who, it turns out, once designed a note for Standard Chartered. That’s what Debbie’s trying to capture in the book. “This isn’t about making money,” she says. “I just want to share it.”

Debbie’s shells and the book are ultimately a way to give back to a world that is in desperate need of some giving. This despite how resistant many of us are to simple courtesies. Remembering an elderly lady she gave a painted shell to, Debbie describes her kindness as met with suspicion. “She made me wonder why we’re not receptive to kindness.

Society has created barriers that create a tit-for-tat mentality. If I do this for you, what do I get? That’s not how it should work.”

More often than not, Debbie’s determination to make time for people and spread a little happiness is appreciated, and she’s certainly not giving up her shells – dozens of which are tucked in cupboards, cabinets and on the balcony. She’s confident the EQ of it all will catch on, pointing out how a shell she placed on Lantau wound up in Sai Kung. Word gets around. “[Kindness] doesn’t cost me anything except the intention,” Debbie concludes. “The shells cost me nothing to paint. It’s paying it forward in a way.

And the result is a great experience.”

PAYING IT FORWARD That book, Debbie’s second labour of love, will be a chronicle of the city’s hidden artisans and purveyors of traditional culture. As an explanation, she tells a story about life on now tony High Street (in Sai Ying Pun), where she spent time as a kid with her Chinese grandmother. The doors were always open, and there was a community philosophy that’s getting harder and harder to find.

“I call it heung gong yahn ching mei, the ‘Hong Kong spirit,’ which is something I grew up with,” she says. “I didn’t start speaking English until about seven and that spirit was always there. We were lucky enough to have a TV and neighbours used to come by with their stools around 7.30pm and watch the news.”

That spirit is also found in 95-year-old Mr Lai, who’s still pounding out classic Hong Kong-style 16 LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021

HON G KO N G SPI RI T

Interviewees in Debbie’s book

TONG FUK SUPPLEMENT |

TONG FUK

Where to eat, sleep, shop and hangout R E P OR TING BY Ra y Au PHO T O S BY Ra ch e l S adl e r

H

op off a bus at Tong Fuk and you’ll find there’s not much there, which is basically the point. People are drawn to this tiny village on Lantau’s southern coast because it’s sleepy and remote – firmly off the beaten track – but still an easy commute down the South Lantau Road to Tung Chung and beyond.

For the most part, the village homes local families, many of whom have lived there for decades, but over recent years, non-islanders have started to move in, drawn to the rural lifestyle and the possibility of living in a tight-knit, old-style community. The opportunity to live in a traditional three-storey village house (turn to page 23 to find out more) with 2,800 square feet of living space at your disposal is also, of course, appealing to many.

You won’t find a Wellcome or even a 7-Eleven in Tong Fuk but there are two basic mom-and-pop stores selling snacks and fizzy drinks. Tong Fuk Beach Store, meanwhile, is a bit of a social hub.

Easy to spot on the South Lantau Road, and a minute’s walk from the beach, it has a covered outdoor seating area and is a great place to grab a cold beer or an ice lolly – in addition to all manner of rubber rings, water pistols and sun umbrellas.

If you’re in Tong Fuk to go to the beach, and let’s face it, you probably are, you’ll want to stock up at the beach store before heading out. People talk a lot about Lantau’s unspoilt beaches – and this one (turn to page 21) is the real deal – there are no beach bars, tuck shops or barbecuing facilities.

Perhaps for this reason, it’s nearly always deserted.

Even in the height of summer, when Hongkongers in the know head to Tong Fuk for a long weekend (turn to page 22), you don’t have to fight for a space on the sand.

OU T IN TH E S TIC K S The main store; The sleepy village; The inviting beach

At the end of a long day’s sun worshiping, you have two options for eats. The Gallery, bang opposite the track leading to the beach, is a Lantau landmark, best known for its steak, salad and pizza. Or you can hang with the locals at cheap and cheerful Tak Po Restaurant, also on the South Lantau Road. At both restaurants, you can choose to dine indoors or out. Enjoy!

LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021 19

TONG FUK SUPPLEMENT |

AT A GLANCE

R E P O R TI NG BY Ra y Au I LL U S T R AT I O N BY D ebby Meyer s P HO T OS BY Rachel S adler

LOCATION Best known for its glorious beach, Tong Fuk is snugly positioned on Lantau’s southern coast, slap bang between Cheung Sha to the east and Shui Hau to the west. It’s 11 kilometres from Mui Wo and 13 kilometres from Tung Chung.

The Lantau Trail (Section 10) passes through the village, and there are many other hiking routes and mountain-biking tracks in the vicinity.

VILL AGE LIFE Tong Fuk villagers live on and around the South Lantau Road, and that’s where you’ll find a couple of basic convenience stores selling not much, and a beach shop, selling everything you’d expect. On the ‘main strip,’ you’ll also find no-frills Tak Po Restaurant, that serves up great ‘chicken rice,’ and The Gallery, still one of South Lantau’s top Western restaurants. Lantau International School’s lower primary campus is located in Tong Fuk.

GETTING THERE Buses pass through Tong Fuk on the South Lantau Road.

From Tung Chung, catch the New Lantao 11, 11A or 23 Bus to Tong Fuk village bus stop (journey time around 30 minutes). From Mui Wo, take the New Lantao 1, 2 or A35 Bus – the trip takes about 35 minutes.

LO C AL OR WE S TE RN?

Tak Po Restaurant; The Gallery 20 LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021

- TAI O SUPPLEMENT | STILT HOUSES -

TONG WHAT’S FUK SUPPLEMENT HAPPENING |

BESIDE THE SEASIDE R E P O R TI NG BY Ra y Au PHO T OS BY Ra ch e l Sadl e r

T

ong Fuk Beach, like the village that homes it, is resolutely low key. At 200 metres, it’s a lot shorter than Cheung Cha, its flashier cousin a little further to the east; its sand is slate grey, without a glimmer of gold, and there are few amenities. But that’s the way we like it.

A path from the village (by a bus stop on the South Lantau Road) takes you through abandoned fields to the beach, which is wild and windswept, and as often as not near deserted. Tourists tend to bypass Tong Fuk altogether, and most day-trippers stick to the beaches at Pui O and Cheung Sha, which are closer to the ferry pier.

There are basic changing rooms and lifeguards are on duty during summer but that’s about as ‘commercial’ as Tong Fuk Beach gets. Bring everything you need for the day because there are no beach bars or tuck shops; there’s nowhere to barbeque and there’s not even a campsite. This beach is yours to enjoy in its natural state; it’s raw and unspoilt.

Tong Fuk Beach provides expansive views across the South China Sea, and you can expect spectacular sunsets. The view inland encompasses densely wooded slopes and the Lantau hills above, and the trees that line the beach provide plenty of shade at midday. The water is clean, at least by Hong Kong standards. And that slate-grey sand? It’s fine and smooth, and soothing on bare feet as it slopes invitingly towards the shore.

D ESER T ISL AND DI SCS

As often or not, the beach is deserted; The slate-gray sand is surprisingly soft

LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021 21

BUCKET-AND-SPADE MINIBREAK TONG FUK SUPPLEMENT |

R E P OR TING BY Ra y Au PHO T O S BY Ra ch e l S adl e r

T

ong Fuk has long been an under-the-radar staycation spot for Hongkongers looking for a radical change of pace. Places to stay are limited, so those in the know rent a village house. This is easy enough to do either through word-of-mouth, Airbnb, or by responding to an advert posted in one of the local shops.

If you’re ready to rough it a little there’s also the option to stay at The Cove Hostel, just two minutes’ walk from Tong Fuk Beach. Small and somewhat rundown, this hostel has no pretentions though the eight ensuite bedrooms all have free wi-fi, a kitchenette and a balcony. Guests are welcome to barbecue in the backyard.

The caravan camping ground near Tong Fuk Beach closed down not so long ago but you can rent a caravan at nearby Welcome Beach, which is a mere 15-minute walk away.

W E E KE N D G E TA W A Y

Stay at The Cove Hostel or rent a village house; The perfect summer getaway

DOING UP A VILLAGE HOUSE

TONG FUK SUPPLEMENT |

RE P O R TI NG BY Ra y Au P HO T O S BY Ra ch e l S adl e r

A

rranged across three floors, each of 700 square feet, plus a 700-square-foot roof, one of the big draws of a village house is the living space it provides. More than one family can live in the same house with separate entrances to their homes but these days, most people prefer to lease or buy a whole village house, gaining 2,800 square feet and often a small garden for their exclusive use.

Built to home extended families, village house interiors were originally broken into multiple small rooms but there is the option to open them up by removing interior walls and many village houses in Tong Fuk have already been updated in this way.

The good news is that you are not required to apply to the government for permission to make changes to a village house interior. This means that families have the luxury to personalise their space to suit their needs, often removing nonstructural walls to maximise floor-plan potential and replacing existing windows and doors. While this will create more space and improve the flow of light, renovating dollars are also well spent on

modernising the kitchens and bathrooms, and installing split-type air conditioners that both heat and cool rooms.

You need to be aware that the government no longer allows residents to create additional living spaces on the roof or in the garden. At this time, no new rooftop structures are being approved by the government, and non-declared structures are officially illegal.

Previously, the government allowed homeowners to declare any additional spaces built and have them inspected by structural engineers every five years to qualify for a grey area of legality. If you rent or buy a house with structures that have been properly declared, you may keep the spaces as long as they continue to meet safety requirements.

As a tenant, be sure to ask permission from your landlord prior to making any renovations. If you’re a homeowner in doubt, chat with the village chief to ensure his approval and support, and always review the current building and government policy for each home.

ON GOIN G GEN T RIFIC AT ION More and more village houses are being updated; 2,800 square feet to play with

LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021 23

WHAT’S HAPPENING | WHAT’S HAPPENING |

THE CHANGEMAKER REPOR TING BY El i z abet h Ker r PHO T OS BY Duey Tam

“W

e are interested in connecting busy Hong Kong people and businesses with nature,” opens Keilem Ng, the Tong Fuk-based founder of Eco Marine HK. “Our activities are open to all and they range from beach and underwater clean-ups to nature walks and upcycling projects.”

Eco Marine is familiar to anyone who cares about Lantau’s beaches and the overabundance of plastic on them and in the water. The non-profit community organisation has had a hand in more than a few beach clean-ups since its launch in 2012, and for Keilem, it’s the perfect way to make change and raise awareness.

“There are different ways for everyone to help and make change – from moms to politicians to artists to single consumers,” she says. “I enjoy working with people on a more personal level.”

Keilem is one of those disarmingly gentle types – soft-spoken, polite, obviously listening when others talk. But that first impression envelops a steely dedication to telling you what she thinks if you ask her opinion – say, of the government’s unshakeable determination to reclaim land around Lantau.

L EAD IN G BY EX A MPLE

Founder of Eco Marine HK Keilem Ng; Beach clean-up, anyone?

The 30 for 30 Challenge 24 LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021

“I understand the political agenda… but I don’t think we need to keep growing to compete with Shanghai or Shenzhen,” she says.

“We’re never going to be 20 or 30 million… There’s this thing about ‘competing,’ that we need the biggest airport and the biggest

TONG FUK SUPPLEMENT |

port. I don’t think we need to compete like that, and that’s the model we have right now. But that’s just me.”

There’s no doubt that Keilem leads by example, and never more so than with her month-long 30 for 30 Challenge back in June 2017, when she decided to dedicate 30 minutes each day to cleaning Tong Fuk pebble beach. She documented her project on the Eco Marine Facebook page, sharing photos of the items she found washed up on the shore in order to highlight just how damaging our ‘single use’ lifestyle can be to the environment. “I wanted to give back to nature that has been so kind to me and also to explore the power of one individual’s actions and habits,’’ Keilem says.

The 30 for 30 Challenge garnered a lot of attention, inspiring people across Hong Kong to get involved in the conservation effort. These days, over the course of an average Eco Marine beach clean-up, Keilem is ready to educate participants about the dangers of marine pollution (ghost nets, polystyrene, micro plastics etc) but overall, she prefers to stand back and let the environment do the talking. If a picture speaks a thousand words, then plastic detritus washing up on the beaches speaks millions.

“Eliminating plastic straws is just one small step.

But it’s a start. One thing’s for sure, now that I’ve tried to reduce my plastic, I eat a lot less potato chips,” she cracks.

Eco Marine is hands-on activism, and it’s become a stalwart on Hong Kong’s ecological landscape because Keilem’s realistic approach simply asks that we consider what we truly value – be that clean water, reducing waste or general wellness.

“We need to live in the world,” she says. “Go ahead and live on a commune in an undeveloped area,

Eliminating plastic straws is just one small step. But it’s a start but plenty of good has come from progress and technology… I know people who’ve come close to nervous breakdowns because they’ve gone to extremes and have had to say ‘No’ to every single activity. It’s about making change in your own way.”

So ahead of the next Eco Marine clean-up, what three things would Keilem recommend anyone interested do to get greener?

She suggests starting by going outside and experiencing nature on some level to get a grip on what we’re losing. Then pick something you can personally change with little effort. Maybe that means cutting back on meat or actively avoiding plastic bags. Finally, spread the word, which is why Keilem’s three steps came so fast. “That’s an easy question for me,” she finishes. “It’s what I tell people every day.”

Eco Marine HK envisions a society where nature and modern urban life thrive. Its mission is to inspire greater appreciation and guardianship of nature and to catalyse action for integrating this mindset into all aspects of contemporary urban life. To get involved, visit the Eco Marine HK Facebook page or www.ecomarinehongkong.org.

LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021 25

LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE 2021 25

Activites Guide for Lantau Kids BAKING ART

B&S ART GALLERY w w w.bsar tgaller ystudio.com B&S Ar t Galler y + Studio’s kids summer programme runs from June 1 to August 31 at T- Bay, Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung. The 60 - minute ar t classes for kids aged 3 to 5, 6 to 9, and 10 to 14 are for a maximum of five students.

Classes focus on creativit y and technical skill, and all materials are provided.

Tel: 2493 8895 WhatsApp: 6085 3715 Email: info@bsar tgaller ystudio.com

FLOUR w w w.facebook.com/flourhk From July 12-16, FLOUR cake designer and primar y school teacher Lan Hee Hong is bringing her popular Baking Science Summer Camp to DB. Junior bakers (aged 4 and up) bake and decorate delicious desser ts and savour y treats to share with their family – and they learn about science through fun baking experiments at the same time.

Tel: 9386 5696 Email: flourhk@hotmail.com

CODING CREATIVE CODING w w w.creativecoding.hk Creative Coding’s fun five-day Summer Camps are held at Discovery Montessori Academy in DB and Code Studio in Tung Chung. Kids, aged 6 to 12, choose from Minecraft STEM & CODE Camp, ROBLOX Code & Create Camp, Fun S.T.E.A.M Maker Camp and EDCREATE Lego & Robotics Code Camp. The camps run from June 28 to August 6 for three hours a day. Kids need to bring their own device.

Tel: 2707 6577 Email: info@creativecoding.hk

DANCE ISLAND DANCE w w w.islanddance.com.hk

DANCE

DRAMA FAUST

DANCE FOR JOY

w w w.faust world.com

Held in Tung Chung, Dance for Joy’s summer programme comprises fun, energising performing ar ts classes for kids aged 2 and up. Students learn choreography and technique, while developing their understanding of rhythm, body awareness and selfexpression. Each week, from July 2 to August 28, students learn a new set of dance routines and combinations. All levels are welcome.

Faust’s summer programmes (Summer Theatre, Creative Writing and Musical Theatre) run from June 21 to August 27 in seven locations across Hong Kong, including Summer Theatre in DB and Mui Wo. The week- long camps, for children aged 3 to 16, offer a fun filled learning experience to boost creativit y and confidence. Halfday Saturday workshops are also available for kids, aged 4 to 16, in Sheung Wan.

Tel: 2987 1571 WhatsApp: 9159 0663 Email: info@islanddance.com.hk

Tel: 9264 8597 Email: info@danceforjoyhk.com

Tel: 2547 9114 Email: info@faust world.com

FITNESS

FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL

w w w.thebeat.com.hk

HK DRAGONS

The Beat’s DB Summer Camp for children aged 6 and up provides an exciting mix of Latin dance, boxing, yoga and fitness. Kids wind down at the end of each session with some mindfulness, educational group talks and quiet time. Week One star ts July 5, and Week Two July 19. Each session runs from 2pm to 4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

VIKINGS FOOTBALL CLUB

dragons.hk/camps - 3

w w w.vikings.hk

HK Dragons Summer Camps, U4 (2017) to U11 (2010) and U12 (2009)+, run from July 5 - 30 in Pui O, Stanley and at Discover y Bay Nor th Plaza Pitch. The five - day camps, led by experienced coaches, are open to players of all abilities. Fun training sessions are based on daily themes like dribbling, passing, receiving, finishing and possession.

Vikings Football Club’s summer programme, for children aged 3 to 12, runs from July 12 to August 2 at the Discover y College pitch in DB. Professional, cer tified football coaches encourage children to hone their physical skills, have fun and develop a lifelong love of the beautiful game.

Tel: 6417 3303 Email: theoffice@dragons.hk

Email: enquir y@vikings.hk

Island Dance is running t wo weeks of Dance Intensives at Club Siena from July 5 -16 for dancers aged 5+ (2.30pm to 4.30pm) and 9+ (4.30pm to 6.30pm). Dancers learn technique, conditioning and choreography from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, there are Jazz and Contemporar y open workshops for dancers aged 10+ with new choreography taught by different teachers.

w w w.danceforjoyhk.com

THE BEAT

Tel: 5721 3000 Email: info@thebeat.com.hk

Tel: 9367 7243

LANGUAGES

YIFAN MANDARIN w w w.yifancamps.com

LANGUAGES

MIXED

HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGES

DMPS

w w w.hklanguages.com

At Yifan Mandarin’s weekly Mandarin immersion programmes, children learn Mandarin through fun, hands- on activities with varied, daily themes. The DB camps for kids aged 3 to 8 run from 9.30am to 12.30pm, starting July 5.

From August 2-13, Yifan is also running a Mandarin Theatre Camp for kids aged 7 to 11 at Discover y College, DB – a great way to boost kids’ confidence and teamworking skills.

From July 5 to August 27, the school is offering immersive language workshops in French, German, Spanish, and Mandarin for kids aged 4 to 12. Fun and educational, the language workshops are culturally enriching with an emphasis on the spoken language to encourage children to express themselves and become actively involved in the lessons. Contact them today for an Early Bird discount!

Tel: 2486 9012 Email: learn@yifanmandarin.com

Tel: 2877 6160 WhatsApp: 5421 0288 Email: info@hklanguages.com

w w w.discover ymind.edu.hk/ summercamp Discover y Mind Primar y School’s Kids Summer Programme runs from June 28 to July 16 at its Tung Chung campus. Kids aged 5 to 12 enjoy fun classes that build self- esteem, develop social skills and ensure learning oppor tunities continue throughout the holiday.

Tel: 2915 0666 Email: primary_tc@discoverymind.edu.hk

MIXED

OUTDOOR

OUTDOOR

ESF

TREASURE ISLAND

ASIA PACIFIC ADVENTURE

w w w.esf.org.hk/camps

w w w.treasureislandhk.com

w w w.asiapacificadventure.com

At Treasure Island’s award -winning Summer Surf and Adventure Camps, children, aged 5 to 16, have the oppor tunit y to learn surf skills and ocean safet y at beautiful Pui O Beach, and join in other adventure spor t activities. The camps run from June 21 to August 27, with lunch and snacks included.

Asia Pacific Adventure’s Hong Kong wide summer programme, Camp APA, runs from June 21 to August 13.

Four themed day camps – explorer, adventurer, navigator and ecology – are on offer, plus three overnight camps. The adventure activities, such as kayaking and snorkelling, give children, aged 7 to 15, the oppor tunit y to make new friends and learn useful life skills.

Tel: 52367016 Email: enquires@treasureisland.com.hk

Tel: 2792 7160 Email: camp@apa.co

Open to kids aged 3 to 16, ESF summer camps are held at Discover y College in July and August. At the Swim Clinics, kids experience a positive introduction to water and swimming as a spor t. The Multi - Spor ts Camps aim to establish a core range of skills and introduce children to many different t ypes of spor ting activities.

Tel: 2711 1280 Email: spor ts@esf.org.h k

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HUMMUS Serves 8 800g can chickpeas, drained 160ml extra virgin olive oil 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 2 lemons, juiced then ½ zested 6tbsp tahini 3tsp cayenne pepper 2tbsp fresh parsley, chopped fine Rinse the chickpeas in a colander under cold running water. Tip into a food processor along with 140 millilitres of the oil and blitz until almost smooth.

Add the garlic, lemon and tahini along with 60 millilitres of water.

Blitz again for about 5 minutes, or until the houmous is smooth and silky. Add up to 40 millilitres of water, a little at a time, if it looks too thick.

Season and drizzle over the remaining oil. Scatter with cayenne pepper and finely chopped parsley.

Serve with warm flatbread.

30 LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021

SUMMER SPREADS! Perfect for barbeques and picnics, buffets and appetisers, Eastern Mediterranean dips are tastier – and far cheaper – than the store-bought kind LIFE ON LANTAU | APRIL/MAY 2021

31

P HO T O S CO U R T E S Y O F Ad ob e S t oc k

HOME CHEF |

MOUTABEL Serves 8 3 large aubergines 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 lemon, juice only 3tbsp tahini 4tbsp extra virgin olive oil 4tsp pomegranate seeds 2tbsp fresh parsley, chopped Pierce the skins of the aubergines and grill them until the skin is charred and crispy all over and the flesh is very hot. Cool, then discard the tops and peel off the skin.

Place the flesh and any juices in a bowl and beat by hand until almost smooth.

Stir in the garlic, lemon juice, tahini and olive oil, and season well. Scatter with pomegranate seeds and parsley. Serve with warm flatbread. .

TARAMASALATA Serves 8 8oz smoked cod roe ½ lemon, juice only 150ml extra virgin olive oil 150ml groundnut oil 1 clove garlic, crushed Handful of fresh parsley Handful of olives Soak the cod roe in cold water for a couple of hours, then rinse it, drain it and pull off the skin. Mash it to a pulp with a fork, then blitz it in a food processor. Pour in the lemon juice. Add the oils a drop at a time while you continue whisking. Once the mixture is dry and solid, beat in up to 55 millilitres of water to form a soft mousse.

Add the garlic, 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley and, if you like your taramasalta pink, a drop of red food colouring. Season and blitz again.

Garnish with a sprig of parsley and a few olives. Serve with warm flatbread.

32 LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021

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LOCAL NUMBERS TUNG CHUNG EMERGENCY SERVICES 999 Tung Chung Ambulance Depot Tung Chung Fire Station Tung Chung Police Station

2988 8282 2988 1898 3661 1999

HOME & REPAIRS Mega Power Engineering/Locksmiths Mr Chan 24-Hour Handyman New Look Design Shun Yu Engineering So Nice Technologies

2109 2330 9343 3718 9783 5840 2988 1488 6206 3497

HOTELS Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Novotel Citygate Hong Kong Regal Airport Hotel Sheraton Tung Chung

3969 1888 3602 8888 2286 8888 2535 0000

LEARNING CENTRES Clement Art School 9757 9157 Discovery Mind International Play Centre 2987 8070 Discovery Mind Primary School 2915 0666 Greenfield International Kindergarten 2162 5538 Han Xuan Language Education Centre 2666 5905 KidznJoy 6273 7347 Little Stars Playgroup 6479 0390 Sakura Kid’s Preschool 6674 6194 Salala Kid’s House 2611 9193 Soundwaves English Education Centre 2164 7210 Sun Island Education Foundation 2420 1068 Sunshine House International Preschool 2109 3873 Tung Chung Catholic School 2121 0884 YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College 2988 8123 MEDICAL Bayside Dental Essential Health Family Clinic Human Health Medical Centre North Lantau Hospital North Lantau Physiotherapy Quality Health Medical Quality Health Physiotherapy Raffles Medical Raffles Medical Emergency Skyline Physiotherapy

2185 6550 2109 9396 2109 2288 3467 7000 2194 0020 2403 6623 2403 6328 2261 2626 2261 0999 2194 4038

REALTORS HomeSolutions 3483 5003 REMOVALS & RELOCATION Akash Removals 2421 8088 FTC Relocations 2814 1658 ReloSmart 2561 3030 SwiftRelo 2363 4008 RESIDENTIAL SERVICES Caribbean Coast Clubhouse Caribbean Coast Management Office

34 LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021

2109 9277 2109 9288

Coastal Skyline Clubhouse Coastal Skyline Management Office Seaview Crescent Clubhouse Seaview Crescent Management Office Tung Chung Crescent Clubhouse Tung Chung Crescent Management Office

2179 6678 2179 6621 3473 8700 3473 8833 2403 6770 2109 1222

RESTAURANTS & FOOD DELIVERY A Tavola Bar & Grill 2321 5500 Curry Lounge 2960 1977 Essence, Novotel Citygate 3602 8808 Handi Indian Restaurant 2988 8674 McDonald’s Delivery 2338 2338 Melody Thai 2988 8129 Moccato Coffee Shop 3602 8838 My Thai 2907 6918 Olea, Novotel Citygate 3602 8818 Pizza Hut Delivery 2330 0000 Resto 2886 3156 Skycity Bistro, SkyCity Marriott 3969 2500 Sunset Grill, Sheraton Tung Chung 2535 0025 Velocity Bar & Grill, Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott 3969 1888 RETAIL FTC Apparel 2428 2566 Lantau Balloons 9733 5483 SPORT & RECREATION 4 Dimensions+ 9446 6013 Aqua Gym 2914 0658 Asia Pacific Soccer Schools 2385 9677 Dance for Joy 9264 8597 Edge ’n Pointe Dance Centre 6688 2167 ESF Sports 2711 1280 Fitness in Motion 9744 4736 HK Dragons 2987 4274 Kinder Kicks Soccer 2385 9677 KipMovin 6180 3256 Perun Fitness 6443 6597 Rugbytots 5307 6677 Sparrow Soccer School 6051 8196 Tung Chung Public Swimming Pool 2109 9107 Tung Chung Rugby Club 6079 0825 Tung Chung Sports Centre 2109 2421 VETERINARY SERVICES & PETS Bon’s Mobile Pet Grooming Royal Pets (Pet Sitting) Tung Chung Animal Clinic Tung Chung Vet Centre

9099 9959 6314 9887 2988 1534 2328 7282

WELLBEING & BEAUTY Max Beauty Spa OM Spa, Regal Airport Hotel Quan Spa, Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Tung Chung Nail Ninjas

2162 5752 2286 6266 969 21888 9551 6468

LOCAL NUMBERS |

SOUTH LANTAU EMERGENCY SERVICES 999 Lantau South Police Mui Wo Fire Department

36611696 2984 1570

HOME & REPAIRS New Look Design 9783 5840 Unitek 9156 0360 HOTELS Silvermine Beach Resort Tai O Heritage Hotel

6810 0111 2985 8383

LEARNING CENTRES Ashville International Buddhist Fat Ho College Lantau International Kindergarten Lantau International School Little Lantau Montessori Kindergarten Silvermine Bay School

2109 9886 2985 5365 2984 0302 2980 3676 3689 6709 2984 0006

MEDICAL North Lantau Hospital

3467 7000

REALTORS Findley Leung HomeSolutions

2984 8334 3483 5003

RESTAURANTS & FOOD DELIVERY Bahçe Turkish Restaurant 2984 0222 Bathers 2504 4788

Cafe Isara Caffe Paradiso China Bear Deer Horn Restaurant & Bar Kebab Korner La Pizzeria Lantana Italian Bistro Le Jardin de Sophie Long Island Mucho Gusto Robert’s Market Solo Café The Gallery The Kitchen The Stoep @ High Tide The Water Buffalo Treasure Island Beach Club

2470 1966 2984 0498 2984 9720 3484 3095 6429 3507 2984 8933 5465 5511 2997 9070 2320 2001 6422 5009 9193 2937 9153 7453 2980 2582 5991 6292 2980 2699 2109 3331 5236 7013

REMOVALS & RELOCATION Akash Removals 2421 8088 FTC Relocations 2814 1658 Hon Kee Transportation 2984 8494 Lee Hing Loong 2984 2268 ReloSmart 2561 3030 SwiftRelo 2363 4008 RETAIL Lantau Base Camp Garden Plus Greenstyle Organic & Healthcare

Lantau Grocer Loi Chan Frozen Meat Co. Quay House Value Vigilantes VIBE Book & Music Shop

2702 0050 2984 8346 2882 8710 6132 9120 9088 2370

SPORT & RECREATION Long Coast Seasports Mui Wo Sports Centre Pause by the River Treasure Island Beach Club

2980 3222 2984 2334 9708 0187 2546 3543

VETERINARY SERVICES & PETS SPCA Mui Wo

2984 0060

WELLBEING & BEAUTY Pause by the Banyan Spa Ambiance Spa Puretouch Thai Palin Massage Thai Sa Baai

9708 0187 2984 2488 2984 0088 9062 0148 5228 6552

5463 6060 6547 2233 9802 0553

DISCOVERY BAY EMERGENCY SERVICES 999 DB Fire & Ambulance DB Lost & Found DB Management

2987 7502 3651 2345 2238 3601

HOME & REPAIRS Good Luck Engineering May’s Furniture & Curtain Design Rich Point Hardware Materials Well Supreme Laundry

2987 1313 2987 0222 2987 0789 2987 5151

HOTELS Auberge Discovery Bay

2295 8288

LEARNING CENTRES DBIS 2987 7331 DBIS Kindergarten 2914 2142 Discovery College 3969 1000 Discovery Mind International Play Centre 2987 8088 Discovery Mind Kindergarten 2987 8088 Discovery Mind Primary School 2914 2202 Discovery Montessori Academy 2812 9206 Discovery Montessori School 2987 1201 Epic Adventurers 2441 0098 Eye Level Education Learning Centre 9366 0000 Lingostars 6375 2015 Mandarin for Munchkins 2480 3909 Mathemagic (home tutoring) 9135 4724 Mathnasium 2628 3362 SKH Wei Lun Primary School 2987 8608 Sunshine House International Preschool 2987 8143 REMOVALS & RELOCATION Akash Removals 2421 8088 FTC Relocations 2814 1658 ReloSmart 2561 3030 SwiftRelo 2363 4008

MEDICAL Bayside Dental Practice Health & Care Dental Clinic Island Health North Lantau Hospital Quality Health Medical Centre Quality Health Physiotherapy

2987 0855 2666 6183 2987 7575 3467 7000 2987 5633 2473 6200

REALTORS Headland Homes 2987 2088 Okay.com 2102 0888 Savills 2987 1919 RESTAURANTS & FOOD DELIVERY 22˚ North 2987 2298 Bones & Blades 2383 0792 Coyote Mexican Cantina 2987 2848 Epic Foods 2172 6111 Hemingway’s 2987 8855 Lekker Laa

6857 1620 McSorley’s Ale House 2987 8280 The Pier Bar 2520 2166 Uncle Russ 2840 1188 RETAIL Bookazine 2987 1373 P-Solution 2987 1777 Wing On 2987 9268 Star Mart 2366 6534 SPORT & RECREATION BMSE Community Centre Club Siena DB Golf Club DB Ice Rink DB Pirates DB Recreation Club

DMR School of Ballet 2987 4338 Future Stars Dance Academy 2987 6867 Greenwich Yoga School 9685 8366 HK Dragons Football Club 5322 5556 Harry Wright International 2575 6279 Island Dance 2987 1571 Kapuhala Train-in-Space 6101 8434 Tekkerz 9770 4548 The Beat Dance & Fitness Studio 5721 3000 Yoga Bay 6704 9851 YogaUP 6805 4996 Yogika 6749 7836 VETERINARY SERVICES & PETS Island Veterinary Services My Pet Shop

2987 9003 2987 8873

WELLBEING & BEAUTY Afflatus Hair Workshop Bay Spa Freeda’s Ingredients of Wellness Maximum Care Nailed It! Sophia Essentials

2987 0283 9837 0969 2987 4555 9048 5425 2987 2060 2987 2266 2527 0118

2259 3422 2987 7382 2987 7273 2234 0187 9255 6133 2987 7381

LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021 35

DESTINATION |

PAK N GAN HEUN G The waterfall; The cave; The fruit bats

SILVER VILLAGE, MUI WO REPOR TING BY Ra y Au PHO T OS BY Duey Tam & Debby Meyer s

Y

ou’ll have heard, however vaguely, that Mui Wo was a centre for silver production in the late 19th century hence the name of its glorious bay, waterfall and ‘cave.’ In the late 1880s, at the height of the silver rush, people flocked to Mui Wo to work the mine, and the surrounding area was developed into a village called Pak Ngan Heung, literally translated as ‘Silver Village.’

The main entrance to the mine, now called Silvermine Cave, remains a local attraction. Today, the tunnel extends just 10 metres or so, having been sealed for safety reasons, but it reveals something of the large-scale silver mine, which was developed and owned by Ho A Mei, a local entrepreneur and social activist, and in operation from 1886 to 1896.

These days, with the miners long gone, Silvermine Cave has been taken over by a large colony of indigenous bats – Cynopterus Sphinx Short-nosed Fruit Bats to be precise.

They’ve made their home in the dark, disused shafts and tunnels of the old mine, and their stay is secured under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

The ‘bat cave’ sits just a few steps up the hill from Silvermine Waterfall, which is one of the most easily accessible in Hong Kong. Walking up from Silvermine Bay, simply follow the path along the Islands Nature Heritage Trail – Mui Wo Section, and the Olympic Trail. It’s an easy 20-minute stroll through sleepy villages and there are no hills to climb.

Be sure to stop at Silvermine Waterfall on your way down from the cave. It’s at its tumultuous best in the rainy season but there’s enough water to fill the stream and surrounding rockpools year-round.

36 LIFE ON L ANTAU | JUNE/ JULY 2021

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