Sai Kung October 2012

October 2012

People-watching in the square

Hebe Haven’s nauti calendar

165 things to do in the sunshine

Island hopping Day trips around Hong Kong

New bug

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The really useful magazine OCTOBER 2012

THE PLANNER 4 Happening in October Fireworks, spooks and other goings-on.

LETTERS 8 Have your say NEWS 9 What’s going on?

Recycling scheme launches and a new kindie for Sai Kung. Plus meet the beekeeper.

LOCAL 12 Calendar buoys A nauti-but-nice charity calendar from Hebe Haven Yacht Club.

INTERVIEW 13 Rob Allen Hello sailor!

VINES IN SAI KUNG 14 LegCo confidential Sai Kung’s eccentric LegCo choices – and a word about headgear.

FEATURE 16 Island hopping Day trips to Hong Kong’s islands.

WINE 22 Drink like a fish Pairing wine and seafood.

PROPERTY 34 Shopping spree What $30 million can buy around the world.

MOTORING 36 The new black Road testing Mercedes C63 Black.

PETS

EDUCATION 26 The other place Harrow International School Hong Kong opens. Plus deadlines for school admissions.

FAMILY 30 How to Halloween The gory details.

HEALTH & BEAUTY 32 Booby prizes Support for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

38 Restraining order Learning to love a muzzle.

TRAVEL 40 Insider guides Chengdu and Dalian tips from people who lived there.

GARDENING 42 Tips from the top Jane Ram takes inspiration from Kadoorie Farm.

MARKETPLACE 44 Guide to shops and services Cool stuff to buy and do.

ON PATROL 47 Daylight robbery How to prevent burglaries.

BIRD AT MY WINDOW 49 Common Tailorbird David Diskin on Hong Kong birds.

CLASSIFIEDS 50 Local property, holiday lets And loads of other random stuff.

ULTIMATE GUIDE 54 All you need to know Numbers that make life easier.

PEOPLE 56 Stray dogs rock People around town.

LAST ORDERS 58 Make my day Plus photo competition.

"Music in the soul can be heard by the universe." – Lao Tzu

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planner

happening in october

Oct 5-19

ANIMAL LIFE BY SASCHA CAMILLE HOWARD An exhibition of dreamy ink paintings of Sai Kung’s feral cows and other animals. Sai Kung Gallery, 2/F, 14A1 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2792 3939, www.saikunggallery.com

Oct 1 NATIONAL DAY FIREWORKS

Oct 4 SAI KUNG SAMPLER

Oct 4-6 FAUST AUDITIONS

Public holiday – always the best way to start the month. Fireworks blast off in Victoria Harbour at 9pm.

The monthly market night at Steamers – shop and sip. 6pm-10pm, 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung.

Children aged 8-18 are invited to audition for roles in Faust’s upcoming productions The Snow Queen and Kensuke’s Kingdom.

For details, call 2547 9114, email info@ FaustWorld.com or visit www.FaustWorld.com.

Oct 2 PUBLIC HOLIDAY Do fun things.

Oct 3, 17, 31 QUIZ NIGHTS They’ll be popping the questions at Hebe One O One. A special Halloween-themed quiz on October 31 includes scary cocktails and prizes for best costume. $600 vouchers available for the winning team.

112 Pak Sha Wan, 2335 5515.

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Oct 5-31 HAUNTINGLY HIP HALLOWEEN Ocean Park’s annual Halloween Bash has a fashion theme, eight haunted houses, 14 street shows and 500 chic freaks. For tickets and dates of event nights, visit www.halloweenbash.com.hk or call 2552 0291.

ENDS Oct 6 HONG KONG COMEDY FESTIVAL One of the largest comedy festivals in Asia. For schedules and tickets, visit www. hkcomedyfestival.com.

Oct 4-31 HAUNTED HALLOWEEN A laser show, Glow-In-The-Park parade, zombie dance, and Jack Skellington?

Count us in. 6pm-11pm. Night tickets $228 (age three and up) from www.park.hongkongdisneyland.com, 1830 830.

october Oct 6-7 24HR CHARITY DINGHY RACE The biggest weekend on the local sailing calendar with local and international teams racing non-stop, while their supporters party at Hebe Haven Yacht Club. Stalls, games, food and drink, capsizes, silly races and more. All welcome. HHYC, Pak Sha Wan, 2719 9682, www.hhyc.org.hk.

Oct 12-14 THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE Children’s show based on the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffer book.

Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai.

Tickets $195-$395 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Oct 17-28 BURN THE FLOOR Ballroom dancing reinvented in a show described by the New York Times as “dazzling!”

Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $350$850 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Oct 8-31 SCREAM @ FRANKENSTEIN’S LAB Madame Tussauds’ monster waxworks is more chilling than ever. Muahahaha. 2.30pm-9pm.

Tickets $160/adult, $90/child, The Peak Tower, 128 Peak Road, www.madametussauds.com, 2849 6966.

Oct 27-28 HONG KONG CRICKET SIXES The 18th annual international competition returns to the Kowloon Cricket Club for a world-class weekend of leather on willow. KCC, Cox’s Road, Kowloon. Tickets are $180$800 from www.cricket.com.hk.

Oct 28 PINK WALK Putting one foot in front of the other in aid of the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation. Dress code: pink. 8.15am1pm, The Peak.

Enroll by October 21 at www.hkbcf.org.

Oct 17-21 WAITING FOR GODOT Samuel Beckett’s iconic play comes to Hong Kong direct from Dublin. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $220-$495 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Oct 18 SATURDAY HASH Join the monthly hare around Sai Kung’s lesstravelled paths. All welcome. Details at sites. google.com/site/saikungsaturdayh3.

Oct 23 CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL

Oct 9-16 THE MOUSETRAP Now in its 60th year, Agatha Christie’s whodunnit is the world’s longest-running play. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $330-$850 from www. hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Oct 12 STEAMERS GOLF DAY Fore! Join the golfers for a round or two.

For details, email team captain Sarah Henderson at golf@steamerssaikung.com or visit www.steamerssaikung.com.

Fetch the broom for the grave-sweeping festival, when families across Hong Kong pay their respects to their ancestors. Mind those flames, people.

Oct 24 PINK LUNCH

Oct 29 Halloween Charity Parade Games stalls, face-painting, drinks and candy from 3pm below the HSBC Building, Central, followed by a parade of ghosts and ghouls to Star Ferry at 5pm. To register, make a minimum $100 donation to the Hong Kong Cancer Fund at www.cancerfund.org before October 28.

Oct 31 HALLOWEEN

Australian Association lunch in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness. Dress code: pink. Just Another Restaurant, 2/F, 8 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central.

Tickets and reservations via office@ozhongkong.com.

If you have an event in Sai Kung, please email the details to editor@saikung.com

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It’s a spook-fest, with the usual ghastly goings-on, sugar-crazed trick-ortreaters running riot, and pumpkins everywhere.

Lan Kwai Fong, anyone?

october

Book now Nov 3 Leapfrog Halloween Party Games, BBQ, raffle and more.

3pm, Leapfrog Kindergarten, 11 Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung Country Park, 2791 1540, www.leapfrogkindergarten.org.

Nov 1-4 The Bootleg Beatles

Dec 4 Elton John

The next best thing to the Fab Four themselves, still touring after 33 years. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $350$850 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

It’s been a long, long time... the Rocket Man cometh. HKCEC, Wan Chai. Tickets $488-$1,888 from www.hkticketing.com.

Nov 20 KGV Christmas Fair Tis the season to buy presents, tra-la-la-lala... Fun and games and lots of carols at King George V School’s annual fair. 2 Tin Kwong Road, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, www.kgv.edu.hk.

Dec 8 WINTER GARAGE SALE It’s back! Book your tables for this twice-yearly bonanza of pre-loved goodies by calling 9045 5942 or emailing gujean@ ust.hk. The sale takes place at 9.30am-1.30pm, LG3 car park, HK University of Science & Technology, Clearwater Bay.

Jan 16-Feb 9 KIDSFEST 2013 Stage productions of children’s favourites: “Horrible Histories” (“Barmy Britain” and “Ruthless Romans”), “Mr Benn”, “Room on the Broom” and “The Gruffalo”. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Details and tickets from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Nov 24 CWBS Christmas Fair Clearwater Bay School’s fabulous annual fair, with games, shopping and more. To book a stall, please contact cwbspta@cwbs.edu.hk or call 3458 3286.

Dec 2 Sting: Back to Bass Tour It’s back to basics for Sting, who performs with a strippeddown five-man band. HKCEC, Wan Chai. Tickets $488$1,388 from www.hkticketing. com, 3128 8288.

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letters Debenture debate I am writing in regards to your article “What is a debenture?” (Sai Kung Magazine, September 2012). Myself and my husband moved to Hong Kong two years ago with our four-year-old and had a tough time finding a space at an international school for her. We experienced the entire debenture process.

The article does not clearly specify the trading of “secondhand market” debentures.

When we looked into the matter, we were told by various agencies that they don't take a cut; they add a fee of 1-1.5 per cent based on the face value of the debenture. And not all schools accept or sell their debentures secondhand.

Our child attends Kellett School, which is strict about this. (We were allocated a corporate debenture through my husband's company.) Canadian International and Chinese

have your say International School (CIS) do not accept secondhand debentures.

Also, these debentures – like corporate debentures – do not guarantee automatic entry. A friend’s child did not pass the assessment at CIS and was not offered a place even though he was under a debenture. Parents need to know this.

Schools including Kellett, Canadian, ISF Academy and CIS give families an opportunity to purchase a debenture if an employee leaves the company and their child is under that company's debenture.

I have learned a lot in the process and an article with more information would have been of great help to me.

Barbara

Clarification Readers voted Hebe One O One as Best Restaurant in 2011, not Jaspas as we incorrectly implied in our Readers’ Choice Awards results issue (Sai Kung Magazine, September 2012). Jaspas won the Best Restaurant Award in 2012 and 2010, and Most Child-friendly Restaurant in 2011. Congratulations to both restaurants.

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Reality bites Bring back Dr Carmel Taylor! Dr Carmel's columns were hilarious and the main reason I picked up Sai Kung Magazine. Please also get rid of the double-page-spread infomercials on ridiculously overpriced mansions. How about more realistic homes in Sai Kung with the mould, leaking internal walls, rattling windows and odd sewerage-y smell?

Sorry to the super-rich, but I'm also not interested in bespoke Ferraris. Hello? Am I the only person driving around in a shonky Volvo bought secondhand (who can afford the tax on new cars?) from a dealer who taught me the true meaning of caveat emptor?

Trudi Charlesworth, Sai Kung

Thanks for the help I am new to Hong Kong and have just moved to Clearwater Bay from Bangkok. Just wanted to let you know that Sai Kung Magazine is a great publication, which has been very useful for me as a newcomer.

Polly McGovern, Clearwater Bay

news

in the know

Green scheme Hong Kong does many things well, but recycling waste is not one of them. Until now. HK Recycles is a new company founded by Brian Mak and husband-and-wife duo Mike and Mika Shum. For $20 a month, HK Recycles will collect glass, plastic, paper and other recyclables from the doorstep of registered households once a week.

Currently available only on Hong Kong Island, Mak plans to increase the scheme to Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay next year if enough homes register. Hong Kong produces more than six million tonnes of solid waste a year. At this rate, the city will need an additional 400 hectares of landfill sites just to make it to 2030. However, much of this waste is recyclable.

“Hong Kong will run out of landfill space by 2018,” Mak said. “Our goal is to recycle one million pounds [of waste] by the end of 2013, after 15 months of operation.”

To register for the service, please visit www.hkrecycles.com.

Hip hop in the park

Learn to paint like Lorette Renowned watercolour artist Lorette E. Roberts is holding a series of workshops and talks this month. The artist, who is known for her stunning sketchbooks of Hong Kong – including “Sketches of Sai Kung” – will cover working in watercolours, as well as a session dedicated to sketchbooks, scrapbooks, journals and travelogues. At the end of each session, participants will be invited to submit a piece of work for an exhibition planned for the end of the tour. A panel of judges will choose their favourite painting and the winning artist will be invited to enjoy a night at Hullett House, including breakfast.

The workshops are to be held from October 4-9 in Hullett House, Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. For bookings, prices and details, please visit www.loretteroberts.com.

Leading Japanese street dance troupe, Wrecking Crew Orchestra, is bringing world-class hip hop to Sai Kung, with a performance at the Waterfront Park on November 11.

Described by The Huffington Post as “mesmerising”, the dancers will wear hi-tech costumes that include electro-luminescent technology. The effect is like a scene from Tron. That should startle the Sunday-afternoon dog walkers. For details, call the LCSD Entertainment Office at 2591 1340, or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/eo.

Bilingual kindie opens Hello, ni hao. A new bilingual pre-school opened last month in Floral Villas, Sai Kung, in the premises formerly used by New Song. Adeona International Kindergarten offers a dual-language – Mandarin and English – play-based teaching approach designed to make learning both natural and fun. The nursery school (9am-noon) began in September. The preschool (half or full day), and the full-day kindergarten begin in January.

For details, visit www.adeonakg.com.

Opening August 2013 in Sai Kung...

Hong Kong Academy Small School. Big Ideas.

Register for our Sai Kung information session to see what we are all about.

Thursday, 6 December, 9:30 a.m.

Call 2655 1112 to reserve your seat. Space is limited.

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news

Rights debate English Schools Foundation (ESF) made a surprise announcement last month that it would be charging a $500,000 debenture for priority placement in its application process.

The new Nomination Rights scheme replaces its existing Corporate Surety effective October 3. Children whose parents apply under the NR scheme now have the option of paying a non-refundable $500,000 debenture for priority placement in the application process.

As with the previous scheme, the number of NR spaces offered will be limited to 150 across

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all 14 ESF primary and secondary schools. It is entirely optional and can be applied to any year group, including years one and seven. Anyone can apply. It is neither mandatory for all new applicants, nor applicable to families whose children are already in the ESF system.

Under the NR scheme, parents make an initial $50,000 deposit on applying, and join a wait list ordered by both date and time stamp for the applicant’s choice of three schools. If none of the 150 NR scheme spaces remain, the application is placed on a “central interest list” and the cheque is returned.

If space is available on the scheme, the child will be interviewed and, if successful, invited to attend the school to which he or she applied. The $450,000 balance would be due at this time. (If the applicant is unsuccessful at interview, the $50,000 cheque is returned.)

“The ESF Nomination Rights Scheme has the potential to raise up to $75 million a year,” said ESF treasurer Robert Gazzi.

The money will be used to renovate ESF’s 14 primary and secondary schools.

Ticket winners Congratulations to Carey Chan, winner of two A-Reserve tickets to The Mousetrap, and to Alison Cooke, winner of two A-Reserve tickets to Burn The Floor.

Adopt a dog In the wake of its successful fundraiser last month, Sai Kung Stray Friends is holding a series of Adoption Weekends at its new premises in Tam Lam Wu, near Ho Chung.

Meet the dogs, take them for walks – and maybe take your favourite Fido home for good. All the rescue dogs have been desexed, vaccinated and are healthy. The Adoption Weekends will be held at 11am-4pm, September 29-30 and November 10-11, at 151 Tai Lam Wu, Sai Kung, 2335 1126, saikungstrayfriends@gmail.com.

(Drive up Ho Chung Road, turning left near the top of the hill across a bridge. Continue through Tai Lam Wu to the end of the road; Sai Kung Stray Friends is behind the large grey gates.)

people

Morning, honey Retiree Kong Kwok-hung, 54, is all about the honey.

Eric Kong meets the Lung Mei beekeeper.

Why did you start keeping bees?

About six years ago, just after I retired, I found I had a lot of spare time on my hands.

One day, a friend of mine told me he raised bees as a hobby, which sounded pretty interesting. A few weeks later he helped me set up a few hives and I’ve been raising them ever since.

How many hives do you own?

I have about five in use, each with about 10,000 bees. I used to have 16 hives, but for the past few years the weather’s been poor for the bees and many have swarmed [abandoned a hive to establish a new one] to find better grounds. Swarming is a natural instinct for bees – there’s not too much you can do to stop it.

Nothing tastes sweeter than honey you’ve made yourself.

How much honey do your bees produce?

With most of my hives I could produce six or seven kilogrammes of honey a year, but at the moment I can get about two or three kilogrammes.

The lack of honey isn’t just in the Sai Kung area: friends who harvest all over Hong Kong and China have said the conditions aren’t as good.

What are the best conditions for bees?

Bees are quite fussy: they need a lot of space near lots of flowers or blossom trees for the colony to survive. It’s also best to keep them out of the way of traffic and people, since these disrupt their flight paths. Another major thing to look out for are insects and predators such as wasps or lizards, which try to take root in the hive or eat the bees.

It sounds high maintenance.

Bees take a bit of work. I have to clean out the hives about once a month. You have to be careful: it takes about an hour to clean each one. Cleaning all 16 takes a day or two. You have to feed the bees if they’re starting a new colony or if there’s been a bad year. Usually some sugar water does the trick.

Does your honey taste better than the supermarket brands?

Of course! Nothing tastes sweeter than honey you’ve made yourself. There’s a trick to test the quality of honey: if it’s a light colour and not very thick, it has a higher concentration of water and will be less sweet. If it’s thick and dark, there is a lower concentration of water, which means that the honey is more mature. The older the honey, the sweeter the flavour.

For more details about local honey, visit www.hkhoney.org or email hello@hkhoney.org.

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local

hello sailors

Senior Consulting Editor Jane Steer Jane@saikung.com Managing Editor Coco Marett Coco@fastmedia.com.hk Art Director Sammy Ko Sammy@fastmedia.com.hk Graphic Designer Carly Tonna Sales Manager Nobel Cho Nobel@fastmedia.com.hk Accounts Manager Clara Chan accounts@fastmedia.com.hk Publisher Tom Hilditch Tom@fastmedia.com.hk This month’s contributors Graham Uden Carolynne Dear Iain Lafferty David Diskin Jane Ram Robby Nimmo Stephen Vines Cynthia Smillie Eric Kong Aaron Lai Kevin Yeung Alasdair Nicol Printer Gear Printing 1/F, Express Industrial Bldg 43 Heung Yip Road Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong Published by Fast Media Limited Floor LG1 222, Queens Road Central Hong Kong Give us a call!

Editorial: 2776 2773 Advertising: 2776 2772 Sai Kung Magazine is published by Fast Media Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Fast Media Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors.

The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any way, part or format without written permission from the publisher.

w w w. f a s t m e d i a . c o m . h k

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Initial reactions to the nude calendar.

Hebe’s pin-up boys Hebe Haven Yacht Club puts its male members on show in the new Nauti-buoys Calendar.

Not all the talent will be on the water at this month’s 24hr Charity Dinghy Race at Hebe Haven Yacht Club.

Keep a weather eye out for the new 2012-13 Nautibuoys Calendar, featuring 26 of the club’s male staff and members. In the nude.

We’re assured the members’ privates will remain that way with strategic placement of marine equipment – blocks and tackle, perhaps – and other suitably salty trappings.

The idea is based on the “Calendar Girls” story of the Yorkshire Women’s Institute that raised money for charity by producing a nude calendar, and was dreamed up by four lady sailors who wanted to do something “a bit different” to mark the race’s 10th anniversary. Photographer (and Sai Kung Magazine contributor) Jackie Peers was roped in to take the pictures, which are fun and only mildly risqué.

“We wanted to make sure you could put the calendar up in the kitchen and still eat breakfast with the family,” says co-organiser Fiona Price.

Stephanie Hestler was put in charge of recruiting the models for several photo shoots during the summer.

“A couple of people were a little apprehensive, but I had enough models for half a year within the first week,” she says. “We thought summer was a quieter time of year, but one of the funniest things was how

many times we would set up in a nice quiet area, and people would appear from nowhere. Some of the looks we got from passers-by were priceless.”

Posing was a new and not always comfortable experience for the models. Mr March, vice commodore Mark Newman, recalls his photo session: “Once it started my mind went blank… as did my bum. I had to sit on a metal bar for 50 minutes.”

More than 300 shots were whittled down to a final 15 (the calendar runs October 2012 to December 2013) with minimal Photoshopping, according to Marie Jenkins and her touchup team of Brian Leung and Alex Mak of SGS Asia Pacific.

Although the public won’t see the results until the calendar goes on sale at the 24hr Charity Dinghy Race on October 6-7, the 26 models had a sneak preview at a private pre-launch party. One model, a former commodore, was overheard to say: “I thought, as the oldest person in the calendar, I was looking pretty good – until I saw the muscles on Mr June.”

Thanks to the models and production team donating their time for free, and Laithwaites Wines sponsoring the printing costs, 100 per cent of the proceeds will go to charity. The Nauti-buoys Calendar costs $120, or $100 each for two or more.

Available from October 6 at Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Pak Sha Wan, www.hhyc.org.hk.

interview

salty

Rob Allen On the eve of the 10th 24hr Charity Dinghy Race, Hebe Haven Yacht Club’s sailing centre manager talks to Robby Nimmo about the cut of his jib.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the 24hr Charity Dinghy Race. It’s a huge sailing festival, with a carnival atmosphere, games, books, shopping and food stalls, and live music as teams of eight to 80 people sail continuously around a 1.2 kilometre course just off the club’s pontoons. The main beneficiary is the Children’s Cancer Fund, and we also donate to Ideal (Intellectually Disabled Education & Advocacy League), Treats – a charity for underprivileged children – and Enlighten action for Epilepsy. Part of the stallholders’ profits also goes to charity.

It’s Le Mans-style racing as crews change continuously through the event. It’s like hot bedding, only it’s hot boating.

For the third year, Sailability’s less-abled sailors also join us in Access dinghies, donated by companies and sponsors throughout Hong Kong.

One of the perceptions with Hong Kong yacht clubs is that you need to be a member to do the sailing courses – you don’t. We have people doing our courses up to their 50s, but you can learn to sail at any age. We run WOW (Women on Water) courses midweek. We also have keelboat and dinghy courses. On a keelboat people usually have one specific role; with dinghy sailing, there are a lot more jobs to do and people often feel they get more freedom.

I got into water sports by luck. We used to go on family holidays to the Caribbean every year and I loved the water sports. I took to it like a duck to water.

Instead of uni, I became a windsurfing instructor.

In Cowes, I trained to teach dinghy sailing and kayaks. And in Barbados I trained in windsurfing and diving. My watersports career began with three seasons in the Med at expensive resorts.

In winter, I’d go back to my parents’ hotel in Torquay, which was a bit like working for Basil and Sybil at Fawlty Towers.

I went to Plas Menai in North Wales and did a Royal Yachting Association Senior Sailing Instructor’s course in November in the freezing cold, and applied for a job at Hebe Haven Yacht Club. I arrived in April 2004, wondering how I was going to sail in Hong Kong harbour and instead I was brought to Hebe Haven by then general manager Lisa Kealty.

Allen (back right) with Hebe's young sailors.

When a person is suddenly able to sail a small boat on their own, it’s like turning on a light.

I was blown away by the scenery. But there was a tin shack and a few dinghies and not much else. I worked for two years to build it up.

I was bitten by the Caribbean bug and I left after two years to take a post at the Bitter End Yacht Club in the British Virgin Islands, and then another post in the Maldives.

The grass is not always greener. I got a call from the club in 2008 and I came back.

I had strong feelings for the club and the area and I wanted to help grow the sailing centre.

We now have hundreds of kids sailing several times a week.

It’s great to see young sailors come through our Assistant Instructors programme – a paid

job for school kids. Young people who learned to sail here help little kids like they once were.

Many go onto become RYA-qualified dinghy instructors, and in their holidays they help us teach children to sail.

I really like taking people outside their comfort zone; building confidence on the water tends to build confidence off the water. When a person is suddenly able to sail a small boat on their own, it’s like turning on a light.

When I am not sailing, I am often at the Spurs In Hong Kong supporters’ club, who I play football for. My favourite hike is to Long Ke Wan. It’s a great beach.

I rarely go to Hong Kong Island. Everything I need is in Sai Kung. I don’t want to see it turn into some suburban enclave. It’s built up enough and has a unique village atmosphere. There are not many places in the world that are this terrific and have cows meandering down the main street.

The 24hr Charity Dinghy Race takes place on October 6-7 from 2pm at Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Pak Sha Wan. 2719 9682, www.hhyc.org.hk. Everybody welcome.

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vines in sai kung

stephen says

Poll positions Stephen Vines on Long Hair, daft hats and the hill-burning festival Sai Kung’s “interesting” contribution to democracy Well, well, well, it seems that Sai Kung residents are living in Hong Kong’s most interesting geographical election constituency – New Territories East. In the September Legco poll, electors gave the largest number of votes to Leung Kwok-hung, better known as Long Hair, the only Marxist ideologue to have been elected.

We have also elected Hong Kong’s only openly gay legislator, Raymond Chan, and another big vote winner was Fernando Cheung of the newly formed Labour Party, which campaigned on an unswerving pro-working class platform.

The Labour Party has brought a whiff of class politics to the election but it should not be forgotten that our constituency also selected the only legislator standing on a class platform from the other side of the fence. James Tien of the Liberal Party is a firm advocate for the middle class.

Although radicals did pretty well in this constituency, the traditional democrats, primarily the Democratic Party, saw their share of votes shrink while the pro-China DAB maintained its strong showing, benefiting from impressive organizational abilities and contacts with influential people.

Only three candidates in this constituency made much of an effort to communicate in English, the language spoken by a sizeable proportion of voters in Sai Kung. Gary Fan of the new Neo Democrats did most to convey his message in English and, despite coming from a brand new party with a relatively low profile, managed to get elected. Tien also made a linguistic effort, which may have added to his tally. However, the indefatigable Christine Fong,

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who sits on the local council and is a refugee from Tien’s party, narrowly missed getting elected although she too made some effort to contact English-language speakers.

Of course, Hong Kong’s election system is deliberately designed to confuse and deprive those with the biggest number of votes from getting the lion’s share of the seats but if other districts were as politically diverse as New Territories East, the Legislative Council would be much more interesting. Or is the word I’m looking for… confusing?

If you are determined to look stupid, does it have to be done in public?

The problem with hats Not that many miles away from politics is the subject of absurdity. After wading through a really hot summer I was often urged to wear a hat while walking in the big outside. The problem is I look plain daft in all manner of headgear and desist from wearing any. Very few people look good in hats, yet Sai Kung has been awash with absurd head coverings. There are the really big hats, sufficient not just to cover their wearers but those adjacent to them. And then there are a variety of straw offerings, none of which look as rustic as their wearers assume.

We have some exotic scarf arrangements and the ubiquitous baseball caps turned backwards.

This sort of works for black rap stars but does few favours for anyone else.

As for more exotic concoctions such as cowboy hats, hats with fluffy animals embedded, slogans declaring the wearer loves this, that or the other, or designed to imitate the headgear of the armed forces... well, what I can say. If you are determined to look stupid, does it have to be done in public? I really would like to see the expression “hats off” taken more literally.

Time to tackle the arsonists The Chung Yeung Festival falls on October 23 and, as night follows day, we will again see our hillsides burning with fires initiated by the careless activities of people who are supposed to be honouring dead relatives by sweeping graves and burning candles and incense in their memory. It does not take much to extinguish live flames before leaving gravesides, but this extra effort seems to be beyond some more selfish people. Either they don’t care what happens when they depart or cannot be bothered to do what needs to be done.

More of an effort should be made to prosecute these arsonists. They can cause considerable damage and it is hard to see how honouring the dead is compatible with burning the countryside. Yet there is a marked reluctance to act in what is perceived to be a sensitive area connected to the observance of local rituals. Why so?

Stephen Vines is a journalist, broadcaster and entrepreneur.

He is the former editor of the Eastern Express and Southeast Asia correspondent for The Observer.

feature

Island hopping The humidity is down and energy levels are up. Get out there and explore Hong Kong’s islands.

Lamma Known for its seafood, laidback lifestyle and friendly community, Lamma is like an island version of Sai Kung – minus the traffic. No wonder we feel right at home there.

Visitors arriving by ferry have a couple of options. Yung Shue Wan, in the northwest, is the main “town”, with alleyways bursting with trinket shops, restaurants, bars and organic shops.

Try the famous Bookworm Cafe for all things healthy; flop on a couch, pull a book from the shelves, and while away the afternoon with a soy cappuccino and tofu burger. It’s a short walk to two beaches: Power Station Beach – home to the island’s infamous Full Moon Parties – and the busier Hung Shing Yeh Beach, with lifeguards.

Option two is Sok Kwu Wan, on the east coast, with its famous strip of seafood restaurants thronging with junk-trippers. Turn a blind eye to the old quarry on the other side of the bay and focus on the food. The large Rainbow Seafood Restaurant is a safe bet – it even runs a Fishermen’s Village tourist experience on fishing rafts out in the bay for

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a fun diversion. Or try old stalwart the Lamma Hilton for superb black-pepper prawns. After lunch, try the easy 10-minute trail across a narrow neck of land to pretty Lo Shing Beach on the west coast, or the 45-minute walk over the hill to Yung Shue Wan. More serious hikers might consider tackling Mount Stenhouse, Lamma’s highest peak at 353 metres.

Need to know: Catch a ferry from Central Pier 4 to either Yung Shue Wan or Sok Kwu Wan, (timetable at www.td.gov.hk) or a wooden kaido from Aberdeen (the last pier before the fish market) to Sok Kwu Wan. For timetables visit www.ferry.com.hk. For details of the Full Moon Parties and other goings on, visit www.lamma. com.hk. Bookworm Cafe, 79 Yung Shue Wan Main Street, 2982 4838. Rainbow Seafood Restaurant, 2982 8100. Lamma Hilton Shum Kee Restaurant, 2982 8290.

Po Toi Island Po Toi is the southernmost island in Hong Kong waters, where foaming waves crash against

rugged cliffs and hikers enjoy invigorating coastal trails with glorious views across the South China Sea. This is a popular junk-trip destination, not least for its seafood restaurants; Ming Kee serves world-class black-pepper squid. The restaurant is built beachside on a huge wooden deck open on three sides. Enjoy the steamed scallops, calamari or just an ice cream while the kids frolic on the sand.

Old ruined buildings across the island are testament to the attractions of a booming city just across the water. Don’t miss Old Mo’s House, also known as the Ghost House, where Japanese soldiers allegedly stayed during the second world war, as well as Tin Hau Temple, Turtle Rock, Monk Rock and Palm Rock on the southern headland. It takes a leap of imagination to see the shapes.

Need to know: Catch a ferry from Stanley or Aberdeen piers. Visit www.traway.com.hk for timetables. Ming Kee Seafood Restaurant, 2849 7038.

day tripping

Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma's famous seafood strip.

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 17

feature Lantau At 147 square kilometres, Lantau is Hong Kong’s biggest island and one of its most diverse. There is, of course, Hong Kong Disneyland, the Big Buddha and the Ngong Ping 360 cable car. But there are also less commercial attractions such as Cheung Sha Beach, one of Hong Kong’s longest at almost 3km (if you ignore the low headland splitting the upper and lower beaches).

Rarely crowded, the beach is perfect for a relaxing day of sun, sand and sea.

On the lower beach, Long Coast Seasports rents water-sports equipment for sailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing and kayaking. It even offers accommodation for a weekend getaway. Alternatively, rent an airconditioned teepee on a grassy plot at Palm Beach for a five-star camping adventure.

After sunset, check out the Stoep, a beachfront restaurant with tables on the sand that serves South African barbecue with a beautiful view – often of the resident herd of feral cows romping along the beach. It’s a nice way to close the day. And if you’ve been there, done that, we’ve heard good things about neighbouring Italian restaurant, Lantana. Great food and same amazing setting create a vibe that's hard to beat.

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Cheung Sha Beach helps make a trip to Lantau worth the effort.

For something a bit more rural, Pui O Beach boasts hiking and mountain-biking trails, and the Treasure Island camp – a great place for structured outdoors activities for children. Or make a day of it by taking the Ngong Ping 360 cable car from Tung Chung to the Big Buddha, then a bus or taxi to Cheung Sha, Pui O or out to Tai O for stilted houses, temples and a colonial boutique hotel.

Need to know: Catch a ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo and buses throughout the island.

Or travel to Tung Chung by MTR or car (private vehicles need a permit to drive in southern Lantau) then catch a bus or cable car. Long Coast Seasports, www.longcoast.hk. Palm Beach, www.palmbeach.com.hk. Treasure Island, www.treasureislandhk.com. The Stoep, 32 Lower Cheung Sha Village, 2980 2699. Lantana, 40 Lower Cheung Sha Village, 5465 5511.

feature Tap Mun

Jackie Peers

Also known as Grass Island, this is a peaceful outpost in Mirs Bay, half an hour from Wong Shek Pier in Sai Kung Country Park. Everything about it whispers “relax”, from the easy ferry ride to the springy turf that begs to be tested by bare toes. (Just mind the cowpats.) Even on the

Tranquil Tap Mun.

hottest day, there seems to be a breeze on Tap Mun – and the views are simply stunning.

Once a lively fishing village with a population of 2,000, today Tap Mun is a sleepy sort of place. It’s busier come the weekend, when day-trippers and overnight campers arrive and villagers return to open the little stores and seafood restaurants. From the pier, turn left and amble through the village, past the drying fish (a whiff of old Hong Kong) and hanging washing.

Detour to the ornate Tin Hau Temple, which sits on top of a pirates’ cave – word is that 18thcentury fishermen, who knew a thing or two about wind, could tell the weather conditions on the other side of the island by the whistling sounds from the underground channels.

From here, there’s an hour-long paved walk around the southern half of the island, passing curiously balanced rocks and the local cemetery. If you’ve had the foresight to pack a kite, simply head uphill to Tap Mun’s grassy summit and let it fly.

Need to know: Take bus 94 or 96R (weekends) from Sai Kung to Wong Shek Pier in Sai Kung Country Park for the ferry to Tap Mun (every two hours from 8.30am to 6.30pm; www.traway. com.hk). If you miss it, haggle for an exhilarating speedboat trip across.

Cheung Chau Dumbbell-shaped Cheung Chau is a quirky island with a bustling village occupying the low ground, a couple of lovely temples, the unique Bun Festival in May and loads of little restaurants serving up seafood fresh off the boats in the busy harbour. There’s good walking in the wild hills, a (disappointing) pirates’ cave, cracking beaches and a windsurfing centre run by the uncle of Lee Lai-shan, Hong Kong’s only Olympic gold medallist.

One of Hong Kong’s most popular local tourist destinations, Cheung Chau has an easy charm. Experience it by bicycle from one of the many hire places. There’s a wide, flat promenade running the length of the harbour front perfect for peddling or wend through the back alleys to the far side of the island – a horseshoe bay with a long golden beach, hotel, holiday homes and the windsurfing centre.

Hungry? Choose from one of the many seafood places near the harbour front. Steamed clams at sunset? Yes, please.

Need to know: Catch a ferry from Central Pier 5 for a 30-minute journey through the shipping lanes and past the rugged coastline of Lantau Island (timetables at www.nwff.com.hk).

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feature Shek O Set around a rocky headland between two beaches, Shek O is an eccentric, laidback seaside town about as far from the city madness as it is possible to get on Hong Kong Island.

It serves as the backdrop to many Canto-pop videos and movies such as the “King of Comedy”.

...sunkissed locals walking barefoot with surfboards tucked under their arms, hidden rasta bars and alfresco shacklike restaurants.

They’re drawn by vibrantly painted houses surrounded by shrubs and vines, sunkissed locals walking barefoot with surfboards tucked under their arms, hidden rasta bars and alfresco shack-like restaurants. The legendary Shek O Chinese and Thai is an all-time favourite; ignore the plastic chairs, tables and toilet-paper napkins and focus on delicious dishes and fresh seafood at dirt-cheap prices. Keep the Tsingtao flowing while the kids play mini golf two doors down or run amok at the beach less than a minute away.

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But our favourite Shek O “secret” is Ben’s Back Beach Bar on the far side of the village, overlooking a second, smaller beach used by the Shek O sailing club. The casual bar is little more than a brick-lined hole in the wall, with a few stools and pictures of movie stars taking a break from all that filming. Ben’s is a chilled-out spot for a cold beer, some reggae and a chat

with the locals away from the weekend madness of the main beach. We hear the Brooklyn Lager goes down particularly well.

Need to know: Take bus no.9 from Shau Kei Wan MTR. Shek O Chinese and Thai, 303 Shek O Village, 2809 4426. Ben’s Back Beach Bar, 273 Shek O Village, 2809 2268.

Shek O from the Dragon's Back trail.

The Back Beach is on the left.

feature Colonial curries The entire Southside of Hong Kong has an island-holiday vibe. Make the most of it by booking a table at one of these iconic restaurants.

Vietnamese restaurant Saigon, on the first floor of Stanley’s historic Murray House, enjoys great views from its breezy colonnaded balcony.

The menu is wide-ranging, the staff attentive and the final bill a welcome surprise. Steamed

scallops and asparagus with garlic and Asian herbs was a particular delight, washed down with a good Margaret River sauvignon blanc. The pineapple-stuffed pancakes are not to be missed.

For a touch of history and a fabulous Asianinspired buffet, Spices in Repulse Bay retains all the charm of its colonial past. The restaurant is on the site of the former Repulse Bay Hotel, a favourite with the likes of George Bernard Shaw, Noel Coward and assorted royals before it was

demolished in 1982, then rebuilt a few years later as the replica The Repulse Bay. Dinner begins with a smorgasbord of Asian appetizers, a selection of main course dishes and a dessert buffet. Best of all is its large terrace – perfect at this time of year.

Need to know: Saigon, 1/F, Murray House, Stanley. Call 2899 0999. Spices, 2292 2821, spicestrb@peninsula.com.

Spices in Repulse Bay is not to be missed.

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wine

lobster rosé

Something fishy

Wine events Oct 4 Masi Wine Tasting The Italian producer holds a tasting of wines and Amarone. $188, The ASC Wine Gallery, 22/F, 11 Stanley Street, Central, 3923 6797, euniceso@asc-wines.com.

Alasdair Nicol recommends wines to go with Sai Kung’s favourite seafood dishes.

Seafood and wine are one of the great pairings of the world, and Hong Kong is blessed with both in abundance.

The city’s wet markets offer an ocean of choice of seafood, most of it so fresh that it is still wriggling: fish, prawns, crab, lobster, sea urchin, scallops... a bounty of marine life both strange and familiar. And since import duty on wine was abolished in 2008, we also have an enviable variety of wine to choose from.

One of Hong Kong’s great pleasures is to head down to the waterfront and drink a bottle of the latest vintage of New Zealand sauvignon blanc with chilli- and garlic-fried mantis prawn, or unoaked chardonnay with steamed fish.

White and sparkling wines are especially good with seafood.

The wines are crisp, cool and refreshing and complement rather than interrupt the delicate flavours of the seafood. Reds, on the other hand, pair less well with seafood owing to their bigger structure, tannins that null the taste buds and an intensity that overrides subtle ocean flavours.

Oct 5 Sotheby’s Fine Wine Auction Auction Room 1, Hall 3, HK Convention Centre, Wan Chai. www.sothebys.com.

Oct 6-7 Cyberport Farmers’ Market The House Of Fine Wine.

11am-6pm, The Podium, L4, Cyberport 2, Pok Fu Lam. For wine details contact info@houseoffinewines.com.

Classic pairings include sparkling wine with oysters and riesling with chilli crab, but Hong Kong’s diversity of wine and seafood allows diners to experiment a little. Why not try a viura from Spain or a viognier from France with seared scallops or steamed prawns? The wines are available, the foods are available, we just need to bring a spirit of adventure and get out there.

So next time you head to a Chinese seafood restaurant, take

a couple of bottles of white wine to drink with your food. Corkage charges are negligible so don’t pass up the possibility to find the wine and seafood pairing of a lifetime.

Alasdair Nicol blogs about wine in Hong Kong at www.winetimeshk. blogspot.com Contact him at agsnicol@gmail.com

Oct 10 Louis Jadot En Primeur Tasting Wine tasting with a Burgundy producer. For details, contact euniceso@asc-wines.com.

Oct 18 Paul Dolan Californian Wine Tasting With owner Kate Thornhill. $275, including canapés, 7pm-9pm, Jaa Kitchen, 61-63 Hollywood Road (entrance Off Peel Street), Sheung Wan. Details from Invinity Ltd, invinity.limited@gmail.com.

Recommended wines Astoria 9.5 Cold Wine This sparkling wine from Italy is a Prosecco with 10 per cent of chardonnay added. Refreshing and well balanced, it has light, delicate bubbles that tickle the palate. It pairs well with seafood, particularly oysters. $177, Liquid Assets, LG/F, Jardine House, Connaught Road Central, 3101 2962.

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Two Rivers Convergence Sauvignon Blanc From New Zealand’s iconic sauvignon blanc area of Marlborough, this is refined with a little bit of body, a creamy texture on the palate and subtle but evident tropical fruit flavours.

One of the best value for money, and best drinking, New Zealand sauvignon blancs on the market. $95, Corks, www.corks.com.hk.

Baron de Ley Viura Blanco This Spanish Rioja is a firm favourite and a great wine with octopus and squid. Crisp and clean, it has delicate flavours and exotic aromas alongside the traditional cut-grass nuances. It has great structure and a fine balance between alcohol, sweetness and acidity.

Jebsen Fine Wine Club, marcovazquez@jebsen.com.

eating

Nibbles Relish Overlooking Steamers’ patio terrace, stylish new coffee bar Relish is big, bright and cheerful. Baristas use a nifty Japanesestyle infrared coffee roaster to brew eight delicious types of coffee personally for each customer. This is no Starbucks; the coffee doesn’t come quick, but it’s mighty fine when it arrives. There’s an array of cakes to choose from, with more food choices coming soon. It also sells coffee beans and accessories – plungers, presses, grinders and tampers – as well as an assortment of fashion accessories in one corner. They’ll even charge your smartphone battery for you.

UG/F, Section A, 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2628 1893.

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Tenkin Ramen Sushi Tenku’s new sister restaurant, Tenkin Ramen is a simple noodle joint in a prime location on Po Tung Road. It’s being run by James Bennett, general manager of next door Agua Plus, part of the same group. It’s a pleasant, wood-themed space with simple tables and an uncomplicated menu of ramen and skewers. Three different soup flavours can be seasoned with various spices and meats, including Kobe beef, while the skewer menu includes unusual offerings such as asparagus and eel. And we hear there’s talk of converting the upstairs into a karaoke space.

74 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2791 2030.

Revolution Part of the old town’s continuing gentrification, the one-time electrical goods store near Steamers has been reborn as a good-looking new restaurant, Revolution. The theme of the decor is distinctly Chinese, with red lanterns, carved antique window screens, and retro wooden chairs and tables. It even has mainlandchic thermos flasks on each table. But the menu is Middle Eastern, via India, which jars a little.

Run by the former owner of the successful

Red Door dim sum restaurant in Melbourne, we’ve heard some good things about the food – particularly the melt-in-the-mouth lamb tagine ($185) and the mezze platter.

Sai Kung Tai Street, Sai Kung.

Hebe One O One Things traditionally get pretty beery in October, thanks to Germany’s world-conquering Oktoberfest. At Hebe One O One, this translates as German specialities on the menu, including Currywurst with French fries and salad, and veal bratwurst with German fried potatoes and salad ($128 each, including a free German beer). And look for guest beers from the Arcobräu Brewery in Munich, home to the original festival.

112 Pak Sha Wan, 2335 5515.

Hebe One O One

recipe

South Stream's parmesan-crusted lamb racks

By South Stream Seafoods

The story of South Stream

Mark Mowday

Ingredients

Preparation time: 15-20 minutes Cooking time: 25 minutes Serves: 6 12 tbs honey 2 tbs wholegrain mustard 2 NZ lamb racks (8 cutlets on each rack), French-trimmed (available as natural or organic raised lamb Directions from South Stream Seafoods) 1 Combine the honey and mustard in a 2 slices day-old bread, coarsely torn small bowl and spread evenly over the 40g (1/2 cup) finely grated parmesan 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped lamb. Season with salt and pepper.

1 tbs fresh rosemary, chopped 1 egg, lightly whisked 2 Process the bread, parmesan, garlic and Olive oil spray rosemary in a food processor to form breadcrumbs.

Transfer to a bowl. Stir in the egg and season with salt and pepper. Press firmly over the lamb racks to coat evenly.

3 Place the lamb racks, crust-side up, in a large baking dish. Spray with oil.

Bake for 25 minutes for medium or until cooked to your liking. Transfer to a large plate. Cover loosely with foil and set aside for five minutes to rest.

Cook's tip: To prevent the crusts from overbrowning before the meat is cooked, cover the tops of the lamb racks with foil if necessary.

Buy Online!

Fast Fresh Fantastic

“South Stream’s focus has always been on quality, wholesome food from sustainable resources ” explains company director Mark Mowday. “We count ourselves lucky to be able to source good food from New Zealand and Australia. These two countries are at the forefront of sustained resource management and we know the sustainable biomass will not only be there for years to come but for generations to come”.

South Stream practices what it preaches as well. “We operate in as clean and green a manner as possible” says Mark. “We use the least polluting vehicles possible and reuse and recycle as many packaging materials as we can. When packing our seafood and meat we try our best to minimize waste and reduce plastic consumption”.

Gourmet food, clean, green and fantastic – From South Stream.

Browse the shop: south-stream-seafoods.com

We've got years of experience in timely, delicious, to-door delivery to homes across Hong Kong.

See our shop: south-stream-seafoods.com WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 25

education

New school ties Harrow International School in Hong Kong is this year’s new bug.

Sai Kung checks out the venerable British public school’s latest campus.

On the surface, it’s nothing new. Pressed trousers, navy skirts, school ties, book bags, pencil cases, and laughter – business as usual at a place like Harrow International School in Hong Kong. Except that HIS:HK did not exist until a month ago.

Its campus is gorgeous – a 400,000 sq ft site nestled between mountain and harbour in a beautiful location near Tuen Mun. Its main building is modelled on the Georgian proportions of the Royal Crescent in Bath, England. It's a grand structure that cradles football fields and tennis courts and is large enough to house facilities for more than 400 boarders, a full teaching staff, and classroom facilities for about 1,500 students.

As Head Master Mel Mrowiec writes in an open letter on the school’s website, “Our aim is for Harrow International to enhance the educational choice available to parents in Hong Kong and to become a leading, prestigious, internationally recognised day and boarding school under the Harrow name.”

By all accounts, Harrow in Hong Kong should succeed with flying colours. It has two successful Asian sibling institutions in Bangkok and Beijing.

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In this year’s A-Level examinations, 20 per cent of Harrow International School Bangkok students scored A* and 50 per cent scored A*-A; at Harrow in Beijing, 16 per cent scored A* and 46 per cent scored A* -A. And last year at Harrow School for boys – the more than 400-year-old London public school that lends the Asian schools its name – 72 per cent of A-Level students received A* or A, with 30.7 per cent achieving A*.

It’s a familiar story to Jennifer Chung, general manager at ITS Educational Services. Although this is the school’s first year, she says the Harrow International School system has a powerful reputation for producing inquisitive and intelligent young leaders.

“There’s an expectation of high academics because of its strong ties with other international schools in the Harrow system,” she says. “But at the end of the day, [HIS:HK] is a new school and nobody is sure that it’ll be able to deliver 100 per cent of its academic expectations.”

Ruth Benny, head girl at school placement firm Top Schools, agrees. “It’s unproven and untested,” she says simply. She feels HIS:HK needs to operate for three to five years to establish a track record.

It’s a fact of which Harrow administrators are acutely aware. Every educator at the school, including Head Master Mrowiec, has a degree from a respected university – including the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong – and many years’ experience at a similar school. (Mrowiec studied at Oxford University and was deputy head master at Harrow School in London prior to his appointment.) All of the school’s foreign language teachers are native speakers of that language.

It is an English-medium school that follow Britain’s National Curriculum. This means students take IGCSEs and A-Levels – dreaded exams in their own right – instead of the International Baccalaureate (IB) now typically offered at Hong Kong’s international schools. It offers both boarding or day-school attendance.

Jennifer Chung says it best: “It’s popular because of its brand name, but it’s all wait and see at this point.”

Harrow International School in Hong Kong opened on September 3, offering education from reception through sixth form.

For details, visit www.harrowschool.hk.

the other place

An artist's impression of Harrow International School's Hong Kong campus.

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 27

sponsored column

Admission days ITS Education Services rounds up the deadlines for international-school applications.

Parents across Hong Kong are scrambling to meet admission deadlines for international schools for the next academic year. Don’t miss these dates for children seeking entry in August, 2013 (unless otherwise stated).

Australian International School: applications open in December 2012 for reception entry in January 2014 (eligible for children born from May 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010).

Kellett School: Applications accepted from birth, and year round with no deadline.

Chinese International School: applications close October 15 for reception entry (children born from September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009). Closes February 28 for applications for years 1 to 6.

ESF kindergartens: applications from October 1 to 31 for K1 entry (children born in 2010).

ESF schools (including

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Renaissance College): central application process closed on September 30 for Year 1 and Year 7 entry. Late applications will be put on a waiting list. For other year groups, apply through central applications.

Hong Kong International School: closes March 1 for all year groups. Applications are accepted two years in advance for reception entry – apply early.

Hong Kong Academy: Applications accepted all year round with no deadline. Applications accepted one year before entry for pre-kindergarten 1 (children aged three on August 31).

When it comes to applications, some schools judge on pure academics while others are more holistic and consider family backgrounds. Almost all schools request children to attend a group assessment for the younger years, with a written assessment for older

children. Some schools may call students back for a second round of face-to-face interviews.

Do your research and apply early. Some schools only accept online payment for the registration fee so attach receipts to your application. Submit only what schools request. There’s no need to compile portfolios for international schools.

Follow up with schools a week after you submit applications to make sure everything is in order.

Demonstrate to a school that it is your first choice and the best fit for your child.

Don’t lie about your child’s first language. This will only prove difficult for your child on the day of assessments.

Apply to several schools that fit your educational values and your child’s character and academic ability. Don’t just file one application and put all your eggs in one basket.

ITS School Placements has a team of professional, experienced educational consultants who provide knowledge and objectivity to help you decide on an appropriate school placement.

Their new book, The Unique Hong Kong and Singapore School Guide 2012-2013, is out now and available for purchase at www.tuition.com.hk/ education-consultants.htm, es@tuition.com.hk.

family The gory details Spooky things to do, costumes to wear and places to go at Halloween.

Nail it Book manicure and pedicure for your little witch or wizard ($320) and receive 10 per cent off your own mani-pedi (original price, $450).

Go green, orange, black, or opt for a spooky spa manicure or shadowy shellac manicure (each discounted to $300). Sense of Touch, 77 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2791 2278.

Scary Halloween Party The famous Leapfrog Halloween Party is back with games for the children, a barbecue, bar, raffle, auction, face painting, prizes for best costume and even a disco. Heaps of fun for the whole family. 3pm, November 3, Leapfrog Kindergarten, 11 Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung Country Park, 2791 1540, www.leapfrogkindergarten.org.

Ocean Park is a scream This year’s annual Halloween Bash at Ocean Park plunders the fashion runway for inspiration for its Hauntingly Hip theme. That translates into eight haunted houses including one with 5-D technology (we don’t know what that means but we like the sound of it), 14 street shows and 500 ghouls wandering the park at 24 event nights in the run up to October 31.

“Ocean Park is the Halloween capital, much like Milan and Paris are fashion capitals,” says fashion designer Wyman Wong, who is designing creepy-chic outfits for the wandering players. “I am honoured to be the first local fashionista to collaborate with the park.”

New this year are Halloween Bash Lite night tickets ($180-$210 for adults, $90-$105 for

children), which are 35 per cent cheaper than the standard night ticket, and aimed at guests who want to soak up the atmosphere without entering the haunted houses. For details, visit www.halloweenbash.com.hk, 2552 0291.

Scream Corner If terrifying adventures are your thing, get along to Madame Tussauds. There will be freaky face painting and fun face stickers, but the main event is the Scream Corner, about which Tussauds is remaining tight-lipped. If it’s anything like last year, watch out for random frights as you journey down dark corridors past coffins and corpses. Open until October 31, 2.30pm-9pm, Tickets are $160/adult, $90/child and senior citizens from www.madametussauds.com, 2849 6966.

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30 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

9/19/2012 11:21:44 AM

fright night

Party time Halloween is the biggest night of the year for Lan Kwai Fong, with the possible exception of New Year’s Eve. This is no kids’ party, but a full-on adult fright night. Throw on a costume – no look is too outlandish – and join the throng for a big haunted street party.

Expect ghoulish street entertainment and bars and restaurants dressed up for the spookiest event of the year. October 30-31, from 6pm. For details about individual bars and restaurants, see www.ilovelkf.hk.

Costumes and cocktails Steamers will be decked out in full spooky regalia for Halloween and will be handing out free cocktails to anyone dressed in a

Shades of Disney Hong Kong Disneyland is pulling out all the stops for Haunted Halloween. Be wowed by the Glow-in-the-Park Parade, ooh and aah at the Laserman light show, join the zombie dance in Ghost Town, get a spray tattoo at the Boo-tique (geddit?), or enter the Cursed Jungle... if you dare.

There’s even a yo-yo display.

Stock up on spooky souvenirs and finish the night with Halloweeninspired menus and snacks.

Pumpkin pizza, anyone?

Haunted Halloween runs nightly until October 31, 6pm-11pm. Night tickets are $228 (age three and up) from www.park. hongkongdisneyland.com, 1830 830.

Hong Kong Disneyland

scary costume on October 31. It also promises to have a supply of yummy goodies behind the bar for (under-age) trick-or-treaters.

66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6991.

offering mothers the ultimate one-stop shopping experience

4 Established over 10 years ago with 32 trained staff 4 The trusted and authoritative voice for new parents and growing families 4 Exclusive ranges from around the world for ages 0-8 years at competitive prices 4 Open 7 days a week and public holidays • Discounts to regular customers with ‘Bumps to Babes Privilege Card’ • ‘Buying Guides’ and ‘Buying for Baby’ checklist available instore • Baby changing and nursing rooms • Delivery service • Gift vouchers

www.bumpstobabes.com Pedder Building Store 5/F Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central T: 2522 7112 Horizon Plaza Store 21/F Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau T: 2552 5000

foods & healthy snacks for all ages • comprehensive range of infant milk • children’s bunk beds, trundles, single beds, high sleepers & co-ordinating

furniture • 1000’s of toys • arts & crafts • books • bikes, scooters, rocking horses & ride-ons.

Hong Kong’s largest mother and baby superstores

safety gates • feeding equipment, toiletries, suncreams, diapers, monitors, first aid • organic

7 maternity wear ranges • over 25 pushchairs • 20 car seats • 18 cots • 14 high chairs • 12 baby carriers • changing tables & mats • bedding • baths •

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Do your bit for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Pink Walk 2012 The Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation’s eighth annual walkathon will be held at the Peak on October 28. Round up friends and family to hike one of Hong Kong’s most pleasant trails, take in the stunning views and help raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Money raised will go towards better breast health education, patient support services, local breast cancer research and advocacy. Don’t forget to wear something pink. Enroll by October 21. For forms and details, visit www.hkbcf.org.

Curves From October 8 to November 11, sign up at women-only gym Curves for just $240 when you present proof of a female exam. The sign up fee is usually $1,376, so it’s a bargain. The $240 goes to Curves and anything extra added at your discretion will go towards the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation. Curves will also be holding a Girls’ Night In silent auction, a party night with games and (light) snacks, on November 7. Tickets are $100, which will be donated to HKBCF. Hiram’s Highway, Sai Kung, 2234 9800.

The Mandarin Oriental The Mandarin Salon is doing its bit for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the Tickled Pink ManiCURE. Sit back with a glass of chilled rosé or cup of hot rose tea and admire the harbour while your hands and nails get some five-star lovin’. The manicure is $350, including a $100 donation to the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, a Life Token and complimentary I Think in Pink or You Glitter Be Good to Me OPI nail varnish.

Because good deeds shouldn’t go unrewarded, take your newly polished mitts upstairs to M Bar for a Pink Whisper cocktail – a delicious mixture of vodka, elderflower liqueur, peach puree and lime juice ($188, including a $100 donation to HKBCF).

The hotel will be selling Life Tokens in the spa, salon and barber throughout October at $100 a pop, and it will donate an additional $100 for each one sold.

“We are very excited to be supporting once again breast cancer research and October Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” says Spa director Lynsey Hughes. “With more than 130 women diagnosed with breast cancer every day, we must make every effort to raise money for this important cause.”

The Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road, Central.

The Mandarin Salon, 24/F, 2825 4800. M Bar, 25/F, 2522 0011.

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booby prizes

Sense of Touch Just in case you needed one, here’s an excuse to book yourself in for an award-winning treatment at Sense of Touch. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sense of Touch will be donating five per cent of its revenue to the Hong Kong Cancer Fund. And as an added bonus, it is giving away a rejuvenating gift set (worth $170) with reservations for its Murad PomPower hydrating facial in October.

Using a pomegranate extract that acts as a potent antioxidant, the facial balances the skin, clears clogged pores and invigorates tired complexions. 77 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2791 2278, www.senseoftouch.com.hk.

For Breast Cancer Awareness, women should do more lymphatic massage and gentle body scrubs to detox and help get rid of waste in the body to feel lighter, cleaner, smoother.

Linda Chuen, Sabai Day Spa

Beauty spot Marmalade’s a winner Melo Spa picked up an award for Most Creative Body Treatment of the Year at last month’s SpaChina Awards for its Melo Marmalade Body Polish. The treatment uses a freshly prepared blend of dried and chopped Sha Tin pomelo rind, brown sugar, orange, grapefruit, honey and citrus oils to exfoliate and rejuvenate skin.

In celebration, Melo Spa is offering complimentary body wrap and 30-minute back massages for guests who book the 60-minute Melo Marmalade Body Polish appointment until the end of the month.

Hyatt Regency Sha Tin, 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, 3723 7684, melospa@hyatt.com.

Soothing feet The spanking new Tranquility Foot Spa opened last month in the heart of Sai Kung. Located near Sha Tsui Playground with a view of the sea, it offers a menu of manicures, pedicures and body massages. This includes an oil massage ($272 for 45 minutes), lymphatic drainage ($400 for 60 minutes), as well as its signature foot treatments. Try it at 1/F, 11 King Man Street (near the minibus station), Sai Kung, 2792 0821.

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property What $30m can buy With local property still cocooned in its bubble, we find out what you can get overseas for the price of a village house.

It’s the Sai Kung dream: a 2,100 sq ft village house in a good location with a nice garden, a decent view and maybe a pool. But with property prices soaring, how much can you expect to pay? “$30 million might get you two of the three,” says Catherine Giblin, director of boutique real-estate company The Property Shop. “But for the ‘dream’ nowadays you’re looking at the mid-to-high 30s.” Throw in a private pool or a good view, she adds, and it’s a solid $40 million.

That’s a lot of cash. Elsewhere, that amount of money could buy so much more. We went shopping around to find out what.

Where: Clearwater Bay Price: $32,000,000 Size: 2,100 sq ft Features: renovated, open-plan detached house with four bedrooms in a popular village. Lawned garden, sea views.

Parking for two cars.

Contact: www.thepropertyshop.com.hk

Where: Beaconsfield, near London, Britain Price: $31,431,600 Size: 4,533 sq ft, 0.5 acres Features: a glass and timber German-designed Huf House in a prestigious area. Five/six bedrooms, five bathrooms, media room, large garden.

Contact: www.fine.co.uk

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Where: Trocadero, Paris, France Price: $30,116,000 Size: 2,583 sq ft Features: an apartment in an elegant central Paris townhouse, with five bedrooms, one bathroom, two half-bathrooms and two wine cellars.

Web: coldwellbankerpreviews.com

Where: South Bay, Hong Kong Island Price: $29,800,000 Size: 1,698 sq ft Features: three bedrooms, two bathrooms and one of the most prestigious address in Hong Kong, with sea views to match. Maid's quarters, one car park.

Contact: www.executivehomeshk.com

Where: Loma Bonita, Dominican Republic Price: $29,471,000 Size: 21,527 sq ft Features: a four-storey home with seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, dance studio, massage room, private infinity pool and unobstructed sea views.

Web: coldwellbankerpreviews.com

Where: Casa Barana, Thompson Cove, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands Price: $30,759,045 Size: 4,354 sq ft, 1.63 acres Features: six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, courtyard with private pool and 155ft private beach.

Contact: Grace Bay Realty, USA +1 (602) 324-9400

dream homes Where: Teardrop Island, Palawan, Philippines Price: $27,133,000 Size: 74 acres Features: regarded as the most beautiful island in Palawan, Teardrop has white sand beaches, clear waters, coral reefs, rolling hills and forest-clad mountains. Half the island may be developed.

Contact: www.privateislandsonline.com

Where: Villa Santa Chiara, nr Asolo, Veneto, Italy Price: $35,537,000 Size: 17,800 sq ft, five acres Features: a 46-room, 16th-century manor house with 15 bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a porticoed barchessa (rural villa) and outbuildings in an architect-designed 19th-century garden. Needs some renovation.

Contact: www.casait.it Where: Nai Thon, Phuket, Thailand Price: $28,720,000 Size: 17,300 sq ft (plot: 26,199 sq ft) Features: a split-level villa in a five-star resort with three bedrooms (including two master suites separated by terrace), four bathrooms, sea views, garden, private pool.

Contact: www.sothebysrealty.com

Where: Florence, Italy Price: $29,036,000 Size: 8,608 sq ft Features: former convent built in 1200, near the Duomo in central Florence. Four bedrooms, three baths, sunroof loft, quiet terrace, approval for pool, sauna and Turkish bath.

Contact: www.coldwellbankerpreviews.com

clearance sale

october 27th and 28th only singles, discontinued items and damaged stock all reduced to clear

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motoring

head out on the highway

Black diamond Kevin Yeung tests the Mercedes-Benz C63 Black – and his wife falls in love.

Poetry in motion: the C63 Black.

The first thing you notice is the stance: aggressive and menacing. Then the shape: theatrical but athletic. The Mercedes-Benz C63 Black Series has a veracity of purpose and clarity that resonates with any car enthusiast.

Just as exercise improves the human silhouette, so cars inspired by motorsport never fail to appeal. They are emphatically purposeful.

What’s the big deal? Well, the C63 Black lapped Germany’s Nürburgring in seven minutes and 43 seconds. It sold out almost as quickly, becoming the first Mercedes in history to sell out its entire production run of 1,000 units immediately after it was announced. Journalists raved about it. Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson claimed, “The C63 Black is the best thing to come out of Germany since Eva Padberg.”

I was curious to find out what all the fuss was about – especially given the C63 Black costs twice as much as the accomplished "regular" model, the C63 AMG. Despite its exotic exterior, the Black’s cabin is pure Mercedes. Everything is intuitive and setting up a perfect driving position is super easy. I hit the starter button and the V8 engine

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bursts into life, accompanied by a glorious eruption of sound. As the revs settle, I select Sport Plus, prod the gear lever to D and I’m off.

Threading along Stubbs Road, I note the lightness and precision of the steering, while constantly aware of the gargling 6.2-litre 517bhp engine. It makes its presence felt with a useful 457 lb/ft of torque as I ascend the Peak.

Once the traffic clears, I experience the revised M156 engine (the same power plant as the SLS – lighter crankshaft and forged pistons and connecting rods). Its power corrupts: devastating acceleration is coupled with a soundtrack straight out of Le Mans. This car has soul.

The paddle-operated Speedshift MCT 7 transmission allows rapid gear changes in 100 milliseconds while the Black’s supremely tactile chassis encourages me to enjoy its capabilities with total confidence. The C63 Black Series is one of the most potent road cars ever – a bona fide DTM racer with license plates.

When I return home, my wife wants to give it a try. And when she does, she wants one – more than anything. This presents a problem

as Hong Kong’s entire allocation is already sold out, with the exception of this registered demo model with 120km on the clock. I call Zung Fu, Mercedes' retailer in Hong Kong.

Two days later, the Black is ours. Equipped with a baby seat for our son, it now serves as possibly Hong Kong’s fastest school bus.

Who said diamonds are a girl’s best friend?

Not my wife.

Kevin Yeung is a founder of Feeding Hong Kong, a Council Member of Unicef — and a motoring enthusiast.

pets Restraining order Cynthia Smillie explains how to teach your dog to love a muzzle.

I recently called in at the SPCA to buy some dog food and witnessed a common situation seen at vet practices everywhere: an owner trying to muzzle his dog prior to going into the examination room. And failing.

The dog was spinning on its lead, lunging and snapping at the owner every time he tried to put the muzzle on. When I passed by 10 minutes later, the owner had moved outside to the square where he was still desperately trying to muzzle the dog, which was just as desperately trying to avoid it. At this point the owner was in serious danger of being bitten.

All dogs have the potential to bite and, therefore, all dogs should be muzzle trained. For example, it might be advantageous for a dog to be muzzled during painful medical procedures or in situations where you are unsure how your dog will respond, particularly if it has snapped or growled at people, or shown aggression towards other dogs.

However, most people only try to jam a muzzle onto a dog when it is already stressed or anxious. And then they wonder why the dog either becomes aggressive or does everything it can to tear it off. If the muzzle is to have an appropriate effect it is important your dog is happy to accept it and does not regard it as a threat.

Muzzle training involves making a positive association with the muzzle and teaching the dog to anticipate a reward when it is worn. I recommend

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she nose

a basket-type muzzle as these allow your dog to breathe and pant freely, an important consideration in Hong Kong's heat. Dogs can also drink and you can "post" small treats through the basket-weave, enabling you to reward your dog while it is wearing the muzzle. To fit the muzzle, ensure it is high enough to allow your dog to open its mouth to pant and the long enough to clear the end of its nose by at least 1cm.

A muzzle should be introduced gradually so that your dog learns to not only accept it but to look forward to it, perceiving it as a dispenser of tasty treats. Start by placing a snack on the inside rim of the muzzle with the straps folded back, and allow your dog to take the treat. Then progressively place the treat further and further into the muzzle so the dog has to put his nose deeper to retrieve the treat.

Once the dog is happily taking treats from the bottom, squash peanut butter, Marmite or liver pate into the spaces at the end of the muzzle. Your dog will then have to spend longer in the muzzle in order to lick these out.

The next stage involves gently clipping the straps over the dog's head but removing the muzzle as soon as the treat has been eaten, leaving the muzzle on for a little longer each time. Training should be carried out in a variety of locations and times so the dog learns to accept it in all situations.

This process should never be rushed and may take days or even weeks.

Some people are reluctant to use a muzzle, fearing their dog will be perceived as vicious while others believe muzzling is cruel.

However, it is a useful tool if introduced and used appropriately.

I am sure both the owner and the dog in the square would agree.

Dr. Cynthia Smillie BVM&S PG DIp CABC MRCVS is a veterinary behaviourist and deals solely with behaviour problems in companion animals. For appointments please call 9618 2475 or visit www.petbehaviourhk.com

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travel The inside track Expat residents of Chengdu and Dalian give us the lowdown on the mainland hotspots.

Chengdu American expat Abigail Brown spent six months in the panda-crazy Sichuan capital.

What was your first impression of Chengdu?

I came by plane, but I was so tired I can’t remember the airport.

I do remember it was crowded. I have this vivid memory of waiting to cross the street, and suddenly there were 40 people on either side of me. I’d been to Tokyo, but this was surreal.

What was your favourite thing to eat?

Chengdu is a big place for “mala” – the tonguenumbing Sichuan peppercorn and chilli pepper sauce. I’d never heard of it, so when I was sitting in a hotpot restaurant and my mouth went numb, I thought I was going to die. Now Sichuan food is my favourite Chinese food, particularly hotpot.

What was your favourite day trip?

Mount Emei was my favourite place. It looks like Chinese scroll paintings of green mountains and fog. Those paintings weren’t imagined or stylized, this is simply what beautiful Chinese mountains look like. The mountain is a bus ride from the city, and you can hike, explore temples, sleepover and watch the sunrise through the mountains.

Mount Emei, Chengdu

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What was your favourite weekend getaway?

I never did this. Why didn’t I do this? Chongqing is the nearest city, but I went hiking instead.

What does the city feel like at street level?

It’s bustling and lively and there are people everywhere. And in the style of other major Chinese cities, there are more restaurants on a given street than you know what to do with. It was great.

What was a uniquely Chengdu experience?

Pandas! There are pandas everywhere. Particularly red pandas. I heard them referred to as lesser pandas a couple of times, but they are so cute. They’re like a cartoon. They are in every zoo I’ve been to in China. There’s also the Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding, where you can pay to hold a baby giant panda.

There is so much panda gear there, it is crazy. Hats, chopsticks, ear muffs, boots, candles, panda china... everything panda.

How has the city transformed since you were there?

A subway has been added that was supposed to help with crowds and traffic. And a brand new airport terminal is scheduled to open in October.

How to get there Air China flies direct from Hong Kong to Chengdu and Dalian.

Visit www.webjet.com.hk for deals, details and booking information.

city breaks

Dalian Malaysian Brian Ang lived in the northeastern city for a year.

What was your first impression of Dalian?

The airport was very convenient and not far from the city. As for my impression of the city, Dalian seemed quite clean compared to the big cities in China because it’s not as developed. But that means the air quality is among the best.

Can you recommend a hike?

I liked jogging along Tiger Beach.

There’s a 12-kilometre hillside road above the sea – clean air and gorgeous scenery. I would go on weekends, particularly in the spring and autumn. Not winter though – it can get really cold, like minus 10 degrees Celsius.

Any uniquely Dalian experiences?

The Dalian marathon. Each year more than 1,000 people participate.

It tours, so it takes place in a different Chinese city each time.

I did it in 2.5 hours.

Anything else you can tell us about Dalian?

It is similar to Qingdao. I've been an expat in China for three years, in Qingdao, Tianjin and Dalian.

The climate and living environment are similar in Qingdao and Dalian.

People say they are the best cities in China to live. They're both famous for seafood. They’re both very clean. And their environments are both very nice.

The Dalian waterfront.

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gardening A garden like Kadoorie’s Jane Ram is inspired by Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden.

Every gardener (and non-gardeners too, for that matter) will surely find inspiration somewhere within the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG). An improvised container, a sturdy planter full of colour, a wall or tree trunk colonised by orchids and bromeliads or a square-foot plot filled with healthy green herbs and vegetables can set the imagination soaring.

About 20 minutes by bus from the nearest railway station (Tai Po Market), KFBG is wonderfully accessible. This dramatic, 148-hectare hillside site has been beautifully landscaped over the past 55 years to make it a garden for enjoyment as well as for learning. It soars in steep terraces from 122 metres above sea level at the entrance to more than 600 metres at the summit of Kwun Yam Shan, one of the foothills of Tai Mo Shan. Over the past 40 years, I have visited the place many times and find it like re-visiting old friends and making new friends in the process.

In late August I made a useful new friend, the benign Ganesh, the elephant god who sits in a secluded nook a few metres from the Sunshine Café. Next time I must look for Ganesh’s colleagues, Nandi (the bull) and Varaha (the boar), but meanwhile, I am relying on him to help with my own modest-scale gardening. Lord of Success, destroyer of evils and obstacles, who could be more appropriate as a gardener’s presiding deity?

The lower areas of KFBG were ablaze with “Summer Torch” bromeliads on tree trunks, in the ground and anywhere that provided a foothold. After Typhoon Vicente take your pick of fallen branches to create a comparable show, and select a spot with good filtered light. Your branch can be freestanding if it is the right shape (you can anchor it in a cement base) or suspend it from a wall or fence in a suitable place. Just remember that as the plant flourishes it will become heavier, so it will need a sturdy support.

Wrap some pre-soaked sphagnum moss around the bottom of the bromeliad, tie the bundle to the new prop and leave nature to do the rest. Keep the plant’s central reservoir topped up with water and in time “pups” will sprout and put out their own roots to cling to the bark of their own accord.

Gardening events • There will be a group visit to KFBG on December 5 to explore the entire farm.

Special attractions of the itinerary include introductions to compost making and bee-keeping.

• The festive season is closer than you think. Sign up for a late October workshop and learn to create living table centrepieces and other arrangements as gifts and decorations.

• Following the pictures of spectacular gingers in August, Tom Wood, curator of the ginger garden in the South China Botanical Garden, will give an illustrated talk on November 21 about this fascinating family and his role in raising Guangzhou’s collection to a world-class attraction. The venue is the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, 7A Kennedy Road, Central.

For details and reservations for any of these events, please contact Jane Ram at janetaipeng@gmail.com.

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go pro

October garden tasks Why don’t my seeds sprout? What am I doing wrong?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions and there is no simple answer. Maybe your seeds dried out before they could germinate. Next time, try a thin top layer of fine vermiculite: this holds the moisture without too much risk of rot and if the vermiculite stirs when you blow gently on it, then you know that the pot needs water.

Maybe you are too impatient: if the seed packet does not indicate an approximate germination time, look online. Commercial seeds are usually treated to ensure they will start germinating as soon as they are sown. Wait perhaps an extra couple of weeks – parsley, for instance, is popularly believed to go “three times to the devil and back” before it will sprout. But, as I know all too well, stale seeds will never germinate. Start all over again with fresh seed from a reliable source.

Last call for bulbs This is your last chance to plant freesia bulbs in pots or in the ground for spring fragrance. They should be pointed end upwards, covered by about 5cm of potting mix. And they need full sun.

Christmas Showtime To ensure a good show of colour, move poinsettias and Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera) to a place where they will receive 12 hours of darkness every night. If you have bright light sources nearby, improvise covers (be sure to uncover them each morning) and give Sai Kung 190x120_ad.pdf 1 24/09/2012 3:57 PM them a weekly dose of high-potassium fertiliser.

Jane Ram is a professional writer with a passion for plants. She has been gardening in Hong Kong for over 30 years and is still learning. Please email Janetaipeng@gmail.com with comments and queries, and to be kept informed of occasional workshops and excursions for gardeners.

ts in r tp ng o i o it g!

F is n u y V in is i K T a S

Wednesday 17th October • 10am to 4pm Jaspa's Sai Kung • G/F 13 Sha Tsui Path Toys

Huge

Books

Summer

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marketplace

To advertise, email: ads@saikung.com

STRESSED BY YOUR PET?!!!

PET BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS? Hong Kong’s first and only Behavioural Veterinary Practice can help resolve aggression, fear, anxiety, separation related problems, compulsive disorders, inappropriate toileting, noise phobias etc.

Not all behavioural problems are simply training issues.

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Tel: 9618 2475 cynthia@petbehaviourhk.com

www.petbehaviourhk.com

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NEW SIZE Open day SK ad 125. 57.5.pdf 9/21/2012 10:33:56 AM

HONG LOK YUEN

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

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HLYIS

OPEN MORNING

Wednesday 10th October 2012, 8.30–10.30 Come and visit our school and the classrooms to experience the learning and teaching.

ADDRESS: 20th Street, Hong Lok Yuen, Tai Po, New Territories.

TIMES: 8.30-8.45am Hall- Tea & Coffee and Introduction to morning Prospective parents please arrive at 8.30am for a whole school tour 9.45-10.00am Open classrooms 10.00 -10.30am Hall- Tea and Coffee, questions and answers ADDRESS: 20th Street, Hong Lok Yuen, Tai Po, New Territories.

Website: www.hlyis.edu.hk or email: info@hlyis.edu.hk

KH. 60 x 178.5mm.pdf

7/17/2012

1:53:15 PM telephone: 2658 6935

SCHOOL FAIR

HONG LOK YUEN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

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Come join our S CHOOL IESTA OF CULT FAIR Lots to see, “F RES” and enjoy!. Bus lots to do. PlentyUto eat Service from Ta i Wo Near Tai PoM. TNRT.,

SATURDAY 3rd NOVEMBER 11am-4pm

20TH STREET, HONG LOK YUEN, TAI PO, NT us.

Vendors interested in hiring tables please contact6935 www.hlyis.edu.hk email: fair@hlyis.edu.hk tel: 2658

COUNCIL of INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

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COUNCIL of INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

marketplace

on patrol...

top cop

Daylight robbery Tim Sharpe reveals (low) figures for burglaries in Sai Kung.

Keep burglars at bay Being burgled is a distressing experience that can have a lasting effect. It is a violation of your privacy, your home and your humanity. Strangers breaking into your home, stealing your personal items is deeply disturbing and we in the Sai Kung Police Station are determined to combat this.

Burglaries are our top priority and will continue to be so.

The good news is that Sai Kung has a low rate of burglaries with just 33 reported from January to June this year, compared with 51 cases for the same period last year. Although these figures show a downward trend, it is cold comfort if you are one of these statistics.

A closer look reveals there are no “crime hot spots”, with no particular village being targeted. Standalone ground-floor

village homes in isolated hamlets and daytime burglaries are favoured. Weekends, particularly Sundays, are targeted when helpers and families are likely to be out.

Property stolen is mostly small, high-value items such as watches and wallets. There is a trend for standalone safes to be taken.

We are taking proactive measures to curb burglaries, including enhanced anti-crime patrols in the villages, targeted Police Tactical Unit deployment as well as increased road blocks and vehicle snap checks.

Even if your house is like Fort Knox, your hound could belong to the Baskervilles, and there’s a security guard at your front door, nothing beats a friendly neighbourhood.

Building up good relations with fellow villagers is crucial in protecting your home, especially when you are absent for long periods. Tell your neighbours your movements

and ask them to keep an eye out. And if something is not quite right, contact the Police immediately.

Lost boy Hats off, please, for Sergeant Ng Kwok-tung and Sai Kung Police Station for dealing with a recent missing-child report. On one of the hottest days of the year, a five-year-old special-needs boy went walkabout in Sai Kung town centre. Sweeping parties were organised covering the whole town. Sergeant Ng led one of the search units and after a short but intense search, he found the boy safe and unharmed in Wai Man Road Car Park.

He was reunited with his relieved mum and dad. Congratulations to Sergeant Ng and all participating officers for a job well done.

Tim Sharpe is the Police DVC for Sai Kung.

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bird at my window

Common Tailorbird aka Orthotomus sutorius

The common tailorbird is one of the most abundant and widespread of Hong Kong’s resident birds. It is found throughout the territory except for the highest mountain peaks and built-up areas lacking in any greenery. It can be identified by its green mantle and rufous fore crown, but its most distinctive feature is a long tail, often cocked. Although not shy, it tends to keep to the undergrowth where its presence is indicated by its voice – it is a noisy bird for its size and utters a loud, repetitive chip chip.

The common tailorbird is the most widespread of the 13 tailorbird species in South and Southeast Asia. It can be found from Pakistan to Fujian province. Tailorbirds get their name from their nest-building technique. They stitch two leaves together – making small holes with their beaks and then pulling natural fibres, such as spider’s webs, through the holes to sew them together – and build the nest in the space between the leaves.

Common tailorbirds have been known to use man-made fibres, including cotton thread, in this process. Up to 200 stitches have been counted in a single nest. It is the female that sews the leaves together and builds the nest – a deep downy cup lined with fibres. The male supplies the material for the nest. Three eggs are usually laid and both sexes take turns to incubate them in the 12 days they take to hatch.

David Diskin is the author of Hong Kong Nature Walks: The New Territories. Visit www.hknaturewalks.com or accipiterpress.com for more information.

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s

classifieds LOCAL Property SAIKUNG COASTAL PROPERTY 360o panoramic sea and mountain views in an area of outstanding natural beauty – Cha’Am Chuk Wan. House excess 2100sq ft. Terrace with swp and Jacuzzi. Delightful garden with numerous mature trees, mostly fruit. Gated front parking many cars, very safe for pets, could keep a horse.

No management fees. $25M With immediate leaseback by current owner if required. 9488 0282 – Owner

Birchwood 96 Macdonnell Road) 2018' /3 brs/Fabulous harbour view/110K/52M Ray 6997 6987

Build your dream house Sai kung. High privacy.

Old schedule house lot.3 storeys 2100'.

Potential huge garden.Pool.Golf and tennis court.

Sale$11M @ Owner melvin 6338 9382

HEART OF SILVERSTRAND HK$65 K – Clearwater Bay – CWB366 3 Bed Family Home with Terrace & Roof Garden.

Spacious Floor Plan, Fitted Kitchen. Popular Location, Convenient for Beach, Shops & Public Transport.

Sea Views, Shared Pool, Garage, Good Management. www.thepropertyshop.com.hk 2719 3977 C-027656

ARCHITECT DESIGN HK$16 M – Sai Kung – SK395 SOLE AGENT – Bright and Airy, Detached Family Home. 4 Beds, Open Plan Fitted Kitchen. Green and Sea Views. Convenient for Transport. www.thepropertyshop.com.hk 2719 3977 C-027656

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Circle Lodge (79 Repulse Bay Road) 4000' detached roof and garden, 4 brs, 2 cp,280K Ray 6997 6987

Mackenny Court (65-73 Macdonnell Road) 1400' 1 ensuites,contemporary design,roof,55K Ray 6997 6987

Las Pinadas (31-35 Shouson Hill Road) 3495' 4 brs,elegant dec., green, 2 cp,200K Ray 69976987

random but interesting

Regent on the Park (9A Kennedy Road) 2720' duplex,sea,4 brs,cp,123K Ray 6997 6987

Soho 38 (38 Shelley Street) 690' 2 brs,chic interior, high fl, 37K Ray 6997 6987

N EW O N TI C SE

MOTORING

BMW 323IA Hardtop Cabriolet for sale Metallic Gold exterior, beige leather and walnut wood finishing, mint condition, NO accidents 0 owner, HK BMW Dealer Car, Full service records from HK BMW, 32,xxxKM, need a bigger car Asking $289,000 HKD 6901-9596

09/10 Mercedes Benz E350 Coupe (Avantgarde) AMG 7800km, Driven on weekends Obsidian Black (Metallic), Black Interior 0 Owner before me Panoramic sunroof, Phone and Ipod connect, Memory Electric Seats Full Service Records from Zung Fu HK$658,000 Tel: 9758 2277

Spyglass Hill (96 Repulse Bay Road) 1800' 3 brs,fully furnished, nice dec,2 cp 70K 6997 6987

2009 Lexus Convertible IS250C — HKD289,000 *Four-seat retractable hard-top convertible *Registered until February 2013 *4 brand new tires *Full service history record with Lexus warranty booklet *Mileage 57,xxx kms Contact Fanny at fanny.wong@originred. com or tel: 2312 0612

Overseas Property

Lexus RX350 (Facelift) 3456 CC V6 engine, 5 Seater, 2008, Black Colour, 0 Owner, 53,000 km, Mark Levinson sound system, excellent condition. Price $278,000 (Mr. Chan 9863 7746)

Luxury Beach Villa in Cebu Island Philippines for rent.

(Fully Staffed) 4 double rooms all with bath. 3 direct flights per day from HK. We have a Private chef, New 50ft sailing yacht, 2speedboats, Hobie Cat and more... www.cebubeach.net or contact owner +852 91625321

NEED A HOLIDAY? PHUKET VILLA FOR RENT! Luxury 5 beds villa with swimming pool located in Surin area.

Walking distance to beaches.

Reasonable rates!

Website: www.phuketvilla4rent.com Email the owner: info@ phuketvilla4rent.com

BMW 323IA CABRIOLET – GREY COLOUR (CONVERTIBLE) Accident Free, beautifully maintained.

Serviced by BMW. Year of Manufacture: 2008 First Registration: 16th October 2008 Mileage: 35,000 KM RM300,000 negotiable Please call Elaine: 6905 8183

Up for sale is a 2008 Jaguar XKR, 0 owner 4.2 V8 SUpercharged 420hp, 0-60mph in 4.9 secs Accident free, reliable Regular maintainess at dealer.

Asking for HK$ 720,000 Serious buyers only!

No dealer please!

Please Whatsapp Shane @ 9426-0897

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classifieds N EW O N TI C SE

BOAT

Tuition & Courses Spanish lessons by native speaker with high qualifications.

Please contact sylvia.marti@ hotmail.com or 5184 0045.

Liveaboard package in Discovery Bay Marina 2010 Paceboat, 60ft with 4 bedrooms, 2 offices, laundry, 3 bathrooms, big lounge with balcony, top deck function room, fully furnished with appliances and furniture. HK$6.7m including debenture.

Call Ian 9169 4246.

Liveaboard in Aberdeen swing mooring 2003 Bondway, 55ft with 3 bedrooms, office convertible to bedroom, 2 bathrooms, big lounge with balcony, fully furnished with appliances.

Power & water available.

HK$2.1m and mooring fee HK$6k/mth. Call Ian 9169 4246.

Liveaboard package in Gold Coast Marina 2010 Loftbarge, 65ft with 4 bedrooms, office, laundry, 3 bathrooms, big lounge with balcony, high ceiling, fully furnished with appliances and furniture. HK$6.6m including debenture. Call Ian 9169 4246.

Classified classifieds@saikung.com

2776 2772

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Tennis Performance Asia Limited Lessons/Training : Private, Groups – Adult, children, Ladies Coaching Kowloon, NT, HK Island HK, Australian, USTPA Qualified Coaches Contact Senior Coach Todd Hooper – 9733 5197: todd@ tennisperformanceasia.com www.tennisperformanceasia.com Director/Coach – Ray Kelly

My Music Wonderland Piano VIANNE'S MUSIC WONDERLAND PRIVATE PIANO COURSE @ YOUR HOME ﹣www.mymusicwonderland. com ﹣Experienced tutor accept students aged 3 and over.

Student Annual Recital/ Practical Examination/ Competition/ Theory/ Accompaniment/ T:6014 - 9389 for Trial lesson/ mschanpiano@yahoo.com

PRIVATE VOICE LESSONS IN SAI KUNG Conservatory-trained professional Soprano, recently relocated to Hong Kong offers lessons to students 12 years old and up.

All experience levels welcome. angela.hodgins@gmail.com 6295 6266

CAPOEIRA BRASIL Brazillian martial art/sport/dance has come to Sai Kung!

Adults and Kids Classes available Call Canjiquinha for further details 9225 8924

MUSIC TUITION AT HOMES. Individual lessons for Piano Repertoire / Music Theory / Piano accompaniment and Aural practice for other instruments' exams/competitions. English/ Chinese instruction. Holder of LTCL with Distinction of Trinity College London. Years of teaching experience. Member of professional charity choir. Please call 9336 8059 for details.

Jesse Taekwondo & Hapkido Korea Kukkiwon Black-belt 5th Dan International Instructor Provide One-on-One personal training, Group training & Family classes. http://www.supra.com.hk/jessetkd Master Chow 9467-7787

Piano Lesson @ HOME in English/ Cantonese by professional and qualified teachers. Annual Recital in Cityhall.

Trial lessons available, visit www.grandpiano.hk for details.

Health & Well Being YOGA with Yoyo Asana, Pranayam, Meditation Small size classes within 8 persons location: Sai Kung Town Center, Man Nin St email: info@yoyoyoga.net tel: 9302 3931 website: www.yoyoyoga.net

Massage @ Home, Hotel Body massage, Chinese Tui Na, Swedish Massage, lymphatic drainage & aromatherapy massage. Our therapists offer mobile (outcall, housecall) service $700/2hrs (text in Chinese Address & speak in Chinese 66903658) www.ablemassage.com

Recruitment Jewellery Construction Position with equal opportunities employer.

Local business needs experienced person to make fashion jewellery.

Part-time, short-term contract.

Interested parties email resume or queries to info@ bangconsortium.com.hk.

Travelling Need a car in Europe?

Peugeot Open Europe offers the best package: - brand new cars - unlimited mileage - full cover insurance - roadside assistance service contact: fm@netvigator.com www.eurocardrives.com

classifieds

Advertise your business and get great results!

Email classifieds@saikung.com for classifieds booking or call 2776 2772

Services PetProject.HK is the online store for all your pets needs, with the best food, treats and toys, home delivered. Get $50 off your first order with discount code 'saikung'. Visit www.petproject.hk or call 3008 5650

PHOENIX CARPET CARE LTD for 20 years Hong Kong’s premier cleaner of carpets & upholstery. Phoenix ensure true quality workmanship at reasonable cost. Hand cleaning of Oriental rugs. Steam extraction of fitted carpets. Upholstery cleaning. Scotchgard Protection. Call 2328 2287 or 9517 5436 for free quote/inspection.

ShenZhen DayTrip Shopping Hk 2,000. with 7-Seaters Lighting Mall Furniture Mall Art village Homedecoration , Carpet and Rugs.

Franki (90362128) happyday2128@netvigator.com

GERMAN HANDYMAN. If you are looking for: curtain, picture, mirror and shelf hanging, assembling and disassembling of furniture, wall painting, wall repair and patch, floor covering, tiling (floor&wall), bathroom & kitchen repair and much more... just give me a call! Mobile: 61411766 germanhandyman@ymail.com

CAPOEIRA BRASIL Brazillian martial art/sport/dance has come to Sai Kung!

Adults and Kids Classes available Call Canjiquinha for further details 9225 8924

Charities / Community 2896 0000 The Samaritans 24 hour Multilingual Suicide Prevention Hotline.

Problems? Depressed? Lonely?

Desperate? Need an empathic, non-judgemental listening ear in complete confidence? Bereaved

by Suicide? We facilitate an English speaking monthly support group. Please call 2896 0000 or email: jo@samaritans.org.hk

German Kids in Sai Kung Provide your children and toddlers with German language activities for their age, contact our Sai Kung German parents community for playgroups, lessons, and more. Contact: Uli, u.gast@egdshk.org

Enthusiastic tennis players of all abilities sort!

Mondays and Wednesdays 9-10 at Sai Kung courts-near the swimming pool.

Keep fit and meet new people at the same time.

Just turn up and have fun!

URGENT! DOG FOOD SPONSORS Sai Kung Stray Friends We have approximately 35 dogs on our daily "meal supply".

The cost is $2,222 every 8 days. If you would like to donate to help please deposit directly into our a/c: HSBC 004640085486001 Receipts can be issued. Much appreciated!

REGISTER AS A VOLUNTEER Give a few hours of your time to Sai Kung Stray Friends. If you want to do something worthwhile come and help at our holding facility in Sai Kung. Any day or time suitable to you. Various tasks, sweeping, cleaning, dog walking, paddock Mum or just providing some love to the dogs.

Dads are welcome too for mowing duty!

Email: saikungstrayfriendshk@gmail.com Call Narelle: 9199.2340 (English) Jessie: 9097.4591 (Chinese)

VOLUNTARY POSITIONS NEEDED Sai Kung Stray Friends *Kennel Carer - 1 or 2 days per week *Weekend Sai Kung Homing Team *Fundraising Director *Website director *Daily Meals on Wheels delivery roster *Rescue & Desexing Join us in our local community initiative to help our beautiful animals.

Email: saikungstrayfriendshk@gmail.com Call Narelle: 9199.2340 (English) Jessie: 9097.4591 (Chinese)

DONATE OLD BABY CLOTHES, toys and equipment to mothers in need. Small toys, wraps, bottles and teething toys are desperately needed by Pathfinders, a charity that helps migrant mothers find a safe and legal home. Call Kylie: 9460 1450 or Luna (Chinese speaking): 5135 3015.

DONATE CLOTHES, SHOES, BOOKS, toys and electrical appliances in good condition.

Reach out to help the poor and disadvantaged men, women and children in our communities.

All profits help the needy in Hong Kong and mainland China. Collection hotline: 2716 8778.

Donation hotline: 2716 8862. Website: www. christian-action.org.hk Blog: http://siewmei.cahk. org Email: ca@christian-action.org.hk

SAI KUNG SOCIETY: Locations around Sai Kung town, villages and country park.

Watercolour, drawing, or other medium. All levels welcome. Free, just bring your own equipment. Meetings will mostly take place on Saturday mornings once or twice a month.

Please see www.hkcolours.typepad.com or contact Laetitia at saikungcolours@gmail.com

GUIDE LEADERS WANTED Calling all former Brownies! The Sai Kung Guide Unit in Pak Sha Wan is looking for guides (girls aged 10 and above) and new voluntary leaders for this enthusiastic group that encourages girls to be responsible and reliable through skills such as camping, first aid, crafts and more. Sign up and save the unit from closure! For details, please email to guidesinsaikung@gmail.com.

ADOPTION CENTRE Sai Kung Lifestyle Park for Dogs Come and visit our facility at No. 151 Tai Lam Wu, Sai Kung. We encourage adoption by taking time to build a relationship. We want our dogs to go to good homes. 7 Days per week.

Call 2335.1128 or Narelle 9199.2340 (SKSF)

Email classifieds@saikung.com for classifieds booking or call

2776 2772 WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 53

the ultimate guide to sai kung COMMUNITY & HEALTH Hang Hau Community Hall 3740 5328/ 3740 5346 Li Pang Tat Chinese Medicine Practitioners 2328 9913 Resurrection Church 2358 3232 www.resurrection.org.hk Sai Kung District Community Centre 2792 1762 Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre 2792 3828 The Sai Kung Jockey Club Town Hall 3740 5328 / 2792 1487

DAILY NECESSITIES City Lifestyle 2791 5485 Mannings 2791 4432 Market Place by Jasons 2358 0542 ParknShop 2791 0471 Wellcome 2791 1841

FINANCIAL SERVICES Bank Of China (Hong Kong) 2792 1465 HSBC 2233 3000 Pacific Prime (Kiwisure) 3113 1331 christian@kwiksure.com www.kwiksure.com Standard Chartered Bank 2792 1351

TRANSPORT SERVICES Webjet HK

Unit 1706, BEA Tower, Millennium City 5, 418 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong, Kln, Hong Kong 2313 9779 Onlinetravel@webjet.com.hk www.webjet.com.hk Hebe Haven Yacht Club pr_mgr@hhyc.org.hk www.hhyc.org.hk Kwong Hing Motors Ltd 2791 4949 http://khmwhk.com Expert-Transport & Relocations Warehouse 2566 4799 www.expertmover.hk Scorpion RIBS Hong Kong 2511 8337 scorpionribshk@gmail.com www.scorpionribs.com

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HOME Box Design

2573 3323 info@boxdesign.com.hk www.boxdesign.com.hk

AFSCO / Security Electrified Fence 2880 0512 marco afscohk@gmail.com www.sprintlocks.com Box Design 2573 3323 info@boxdesign.com.hk www.boxdesign.com.hk Best United Eng. Ltd. / lawnings, roll shutter & insect screen 2344 9028 info@bestunited.com.hk www.bestunited.com.hk Brooks Thompson Ltd 2851 3665 iqbalhk@netvigator.com Chez Uno 2791 9662 / 2723 8990 www.chezuno.com COMODO Interior & Furniture Design 2808 0991 info@comododesign.com www.comododesign.com Oriental Rugs 2543 4565 rugshop@biznetvigator.com TREE 2792 3828 | www.tree.com.hk Unitek HK Contracts Ltd. Empire Land & Commercial Centre,81-85 Lockhart Rd, Wanchai, Hong Kong 2984 9381/ 9491 2605 (Tony) www.unitekhk.com Marco Electrician, Plumber, House painting 6190 8051 marco_yenug000@hotmail.com Studio Annetta 9849 1216 suzy@studioannetta.com www.studioannetta.com

TOYS, ACCESSORIES & KIDS' PARTIES Bumps to Babes

2552 5000 (Ap Lei Chau Main Store) 2522 7112 (Pedder Building Branch) www.bumpstobabes.com

Babushka 2791 9070 Hazel Ltd saleshazel@biznetvigator.com Hong Kong Toy Club 8216 3870 support@HongKongToyClub.com www.HongKongToyClub.com

LEARNING CENTRES Antsmart Learning Centre / Playgroup, Math 2335 1261 tangfrancis@hotmail.com www.playgroup.com.hk Craft Box 9014 3262 simone@craftbox.asia www.craftbox.asia Grand Piano www.grandpiano.hk La Petite France 3403-9887 info@lapetitefrance.com.hk www.lapetitefrance.com.hk Hong Kong Academy 2655 1111 www.hkacademy.edu.hk Hong Kong International Tennis Academy 9048 2810 lea.lai@hkita.com www.hkita.com Hong Lok Yuen International School 2658 6935 info@hlyis.edu.hk www.hlyis.edu.hk ITS 3188 3946 jennifer.c@tuition.com.hk Jumpstart Mandarin Learning Centre 2791 4838 jumpstart@netvigator.com www.jumpstartmlc.com Leapfrog Kindergarten 2791 1540 / 6413 8247 admin@leapfrogkindergarten.org www.leapfrogkindergarten.org Little Hands Workshop 5431 3122 info@littlehands.com.hk www.littlehands.com.hk My Music Wonderland Piano 6014 9389 mschanpiano@yahoo.com New Song Christian Kindergarten (Sai Kung) 2791 2472 newsong@netvigator.com | www.newsonghk.com Sai Kung Tutors 6907 2514 info@saikungtutors.com | www.saikungtutors.com RugBees Ltd 2117 3055 nicepeople@rugbees.com | www.rugbees.com Russian Ballet School 9505 9305 info@russianballetschool-hk.com www.russianballetschool-hk.com Woodland Pre-Schools 2559 4855 enquiry@woodlandschools.com www.woodlandschools.com

Get listed call 2776 2772 email marketing@saikung.com

directory MULTIMEDIA

2/F., 14A1 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, NT, Hong Kong 2792 3939 | saikung.gallery@gmail.com www.saikunggallery.com

The Reading Room (Sai Kung)

21 Sai Kung Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung, New Territories 9199 5900 | seasidereadingroom@gmail.com HJ Seich Photography 9229 2407 heidi@hjselchphotography.com www.hjselchphotography.com Jackie Peers 9121 1470 jackie@jackiepeers.com | www.jackiepeers.com

PETS & VETS

REAL-ESTATE AGENCIES

Animal Behaviour Vet Practice 9618 2475 cynthia@petbehaviourhk.com www.petbehaviourhk.com Animal Emergency Centre 2915 7979 trilby@animalemergency.com.hk b dog Tokyo(Grooming, spa, hotel) 2791 6555 b-dog@hotmail.co.jp www.facebook.com/bdog.tokyo Ferndale Kennel 2792 4642 boarding@ferndalekennels.com www.ferndalekennels.com Vet2Pet 6999 1003 vet2pet@yahoo.com www.vet2pet.com.hk

Vega Suites 3963 7888 enquiries@vegasuites.com.hk www.vegasuites.com.hk Sino Group 8207 7608 www.sino-homes.com

SOCIAL, SPORTS & EQUIPMENT Curves

2234 9000 www.curves.com

WELL-BEING B Two Hair Salon 3194 4181 / 2861 2638 | btwohairsalon@gmail.com Sabai Day Spa 2791 2259 sabaidspa@sabaidayspa.com www.sabaidayspa.com Sense of Touch 2791 2278 ask@senseoftouchhk.com www.senseoftouch.com.hk Tala’s Health and Beauty Centre 2335 1694 info@talashairandbeautycentre.com www.talashairandbeautycentre.com Wellness & birth, pre & postnatal home care 9022 1779 www.wellnessandbirth.com info@wellnessandbirth.com

UTILITIES, SERVICES & EMERGENCY China Light & Power Emergency Services 2728 8333 China Light & Power Customer Info Line 2678 2678 Electrical Appliance Repair Hong Kong Mr Ho 9846 8082 Sai Kung District Council 3740 5200 Sai Kung Fire Station 2792 1553 Sai Kung Police Station 3661 1630 / 2791 5129 Sai Kung Post Office 2792 2243 Typhoon Emergency Centre 2773 2222 Water Fault Reports 2811 0788 Water Supplies Department 2824 5000

Seasons Fitness

3/F, ICBC Tower, Citibank Plaza, No.3 Garden Road, Central, HK 2878 6288 | customerservice@seasonsfitness.com www.seasonsfitness.com Blue Sky Sports Club 2791 0806 www.bluesky-sc.com Cambridge Weight Plan Hong Kong 2525 7165 www.cambridgeweightplan.hk IMPACT fitness 6902 2250 fitness@impactfitness.com.hk www.impactfitness.com.hk OKU Oxygen Limited 6904 3093 okuoxygen@gmail.com Outdoor Fitness 9043 4674 www.outdoorfitness.hk dayle@outdoorfitness.hk RugBees Ltd 2117 3055 nicepeople@rugbees.com www.rugbees.com Weight Watcher 2813 0814 tpaulsen@weightwatchers.com.hk www.weightwatchers.com.hk

Food Delivery South Stream Seafoods

Units 202-204, Lai Sun Yuen Long Centre, 27 Wang Yip St East, Yuen Long, N.T. Hong Kong 2555 6200 sh@south-stream-seafoods.com www.south-stream-seafoods.com Fusion 2335 5506 Hebe One O One 2335 5515 info@101.com.hk | www.hebe101.com Kaorisabo 9531 0353 | www.kaorisabohk.com Laithwaites Wine 3071 5085 info@laithwaiteswine.hk | www.laithwaiteswine.hk La Petite France 3403 9887 info@lapetitefrance.com.hk www.lapetitefrance.com.hk Natural Springs 2484 1388 | www.naturalsprings.hk Pacific Rich Resources (HK) Ltd 2316 7290 | office1@pacificrichresources.com Paisano’s Pizzeria (Sai Kung) 2791 4445 www.paisanos.com.hk Pizza Express (Hong Kong) 2123 1083 | info@pizzaexpress.com.hk www.pizzaexpress.com.hk Steamers Cafe & Bar 2792 6991 gm@steamerssaikung.com http://steamerssaikung.com Organic Experience Management Group 2981 2888 www.organicxp.com

OTHER SERVICES Biocycle 3575 2575 info@biocycle.hk | www.biocycle.com.hk Christian Environmental Health 2370 9236 a-s-a-p@ceh.com.hk | www.ceh.com.hk Crowne Plaza (Hotel) 3980 3980 www.cphongkong.com Grand Hyatt Hong Kong 2956 1234 http://hongkong.grand.hyatt.com Lunchbox Theatrical Productions 8203 0299

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people

snap!

Around town Pictures: Aaron Lai

A day in the life of Sai Kung

Selina Lai and Katie Lam with children Sophie, Harry, Sam, Sasha and Alanna.

Imi, Alex and Kate at Jaspas.

Kathryn and Derek Barton at Piccolo.

Candy Sweet, Alana Miller and Jackie Henderson at Anthony's Ranch.

Pictures: Jamie Scuffins

Sai Kung Stray Friends' fundraiser at Hebe Haven Yacht Club

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Sing Lai and Chris Parsonson.

Max Hansson and Pisa Cheung at Poets.

back page

Last orders Make my day Had the 14th-century Scottish brigand, William Wallace, been standing in last month’s Legislative Council elections, it would have been an understatement to simply describe him as a pro-democracy candidate. His uncompromising views on the right of self-determination would have made him stand out from almost all his other potential LegCo colleagues. Well, that and the blue face.

As a concept, democracy has been kicking around for more than 2,000 years but its modern interpretation says more about individual national obsessions than its classical Greek definition.

Hong Kong’s version of parliament-lite, with its complex mixture of appointed and elected legislators, is designed to favour the politically connected. It attracts would-be public officials more concerned with their own vested interests, illegal structures and property speculations than advancing the state of government.

And then there’s China. This month in Beijing, the Chinese Communist Party’s 18th National Congress will kick off with all the glamour and excitement of a totalitarian health and safety meeting. This transition of power affecting 1.3 billion anxious Chinese will be performed without the inconvenience of polling stations. Even Russia’s recent “election” seemed relatively fair by comparison, up to the moment when some Kremlin bureaucrat added

a couple of extra zeros onto the number of votes for that Putin guy.

Western governments convinced by their own propaganda continue to forcibly export their flawed political systems to every untapped oil resource around the world. But regime change and democracy on their terms don’t necessarily add up to freedom and equality. Just ask an Afghan schoolgirl or an Iraqi shopkeeper.

Like a gruelling series of American Idol, the latest round of US presidential elections has already provided bizarre and entertaining episodes. Having given up smoking, Barack Obama seems to have begun to question his own “grass”-roots appeal. So in an attempt to

reaffirm the Homer Simpson vote, the White House released the president’s recipe for homebrew beer. In retaliation, an ageing Clint Eastwood was wheeled out at the Republican Party conference to deliver an endorsement of the sober Mitt Romney ticket. But the ad libs and autocue misfired and he ended up sounding like a senile Dirty Harry talking to himself on a park bench.

Although the political argument seems to be a clear choice between common sense and nonsense, the polls show an uncomfortably close race. To become president of the United States, a candidate must be born within its sprawling borders but doesn’t necessarily need to win the popular vote – as Adams, Hayes, Harrison and Dubya all proved. Gerald Ford was never even elected. But of greater concern is that the winner is usually the guy with access to the most money.

Regardless of which political system you find yourself living under, you will be at the mercy of the whims of humourless professional politicians. But don’t take them seriously and they’ll never take your freedom. Iain Lafferty

photo competition

shoot for it

Submit your shots Here at the Sai Kung Magazine office, we love receiving beautiful pictures of Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay from our readers. Each month we publish our favourite. To enter, simply email your best shots of Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay, along with a brief description, to photo@saikung.com. Happy snapping!

This month’s winner: Annette Steadson Clearwater Bay from High Junk Peak.

“What a cracker!”

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