Expat Parent Magazine August 2015

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August 2015

summer with a sailing class

Four kids and counting We meet two big families Graduation dinners Where to celebrate Little yogis A bit of a stretch

BACK TO SCHOOL! We’ve got you covered

PLUS: A peek inside Peak School Adventure bike rides through Asia

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Peekaboo!

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CONTENTS

Fill those tummies - it’s Hong Kong Restaurant Week

What’s on Dates for your diary

10

News

14

Back to school essentials

Family matters 18

Cover by Kelvin Lau

The broody bunch We speak to parents raising big families in the city

22

The back to school checklist Term starts soon - get prepped with our handy guide

Really useful 52

Diamond geezer Nissan Perla opens his wallet

School’s In 28

Peak School

35

Principal’s office

Regulars 2

Editor’s letter

12

Giveaways

16

The Mummy

Set sail on a boating course

54

Marketplace

Me & my hobby

56

The Daddy

Stuff to do 36 38 44

Money & Me

Get jibby with it

Yoga for tweens

14

Stuff for school

Travel Bike rides through Asia not for the faint-hearted

40

Big day out We hike four Sai Kung beaches in a day

6

Inside Peak School

Let’s eat 52

A celebration of graduation Where to go to toast exam results

18

Four kids?

Mama mia!

40

A wheelie challenging adventure

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Edito

r’s p

ick

Editorial

editorial@fastmedia.com.hk Editor Adele Brunner Senior Consultant Editor Jane Steer Contributing Editor Sarah Fung

I’m a sucker for teeny tiny baby shoes, and this pair from Italian brand Gusella are just too cute. p.16.

Staff Writer Callum Wiggins Digital Editor Annie Wong Contributor Shreena Patel

Design

design@fastmedia.com.hk Art Director Kelvin Lau Senior Graphic Designer Jack Yip

Sales & Marketing

ads@fastmedia.com.hk Head of Sales & Marketing Karman So

Sales Manager Oliver Simons

Sales & Marketing Executive Alastair Grigg

Sales & Marketing Executive John Lee

Accounts Manager Connie Lam connie@fastmedia.com.hk

Office Security Cat the dog

Publisher Tom Hilditch tom@fastmedia.com.hk

T

he summer holidays are almost over, and it’s time to go back to school. My own little one isn’t quite old enough yet for formal education, but if my own memory serves, the feeling is a mixture of disappointment that the long summer holidays are over, and excitement about a fresh new term and seeing all your friends again. For parents? I’m guessing it’s a little bit of sadness that your kids are growing up before your eyes, coupled with a large dose of relief that they’re no longer under your feet constantly and demanding to be entertained.

For me, a hugely exciting part of going back to school was going to the shops to pick out a new backpack and shoes for that first trip back through the school gates. That’s why we’ve pulled together all the information you need to know for an easy, breezy transition back to school (p.22). To make sure you don’t leave it all until the last minute, we’ve put it all in a handy timeline, too.

If your children are older and sat big exams this year, you might want to celebrate their results with a posh, grown-up meal.

We’ve rounded up some swanky venues where you can dine out in style - check it out on p.48.

I have nothing but starry-eyed admiration for the parents we’ve profiled this issue. As a mum of one my hands are already full, so I simply can’t imagine adding four or even five children to the mix. Flip to p.18 to find out how they do it.

Here’s to a fresh new school term. Good luck to you all!

Sarah Fung (Adele Brunner is away)

I’m not sure how compatible a 1,000foot slip-n-slide is with a 1-year-old, but the big kid in me is dying to try it out! p.7.

Contributors Arshia Bhatia Evie Burrows-Taylor Humphrey Wilson Rory Mackay Helen Scott Simon Parry Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 Editorial: 2776 2773 Advertising: 2776 2772

Published by Fast Media Ltd LG1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong

Printer Apex Print, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong

www.fastmedia .com . h k Expat Parent is published by Fast Media Limited. 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. Expat Parent 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 without written permission from the publisher.

Expatparenthk

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PEEKABOO!

f you need this month. uf st d an s w ne s, te da l ia nt se Es

A smashing time Got a toddler birthday coming up? Commemorate the occasion with a cake smash photo shoot from Venture Studios photography and Sweet Secrets cake shop. The package starts at $10,000 and includes a pink, blue or yellow cake from Sweet Secrets, a photoshoot of your little tyke smashing up said cake with gleeful abandon, and your choice of either a medium-sized framed image and 10 shareable images, or an 8-by-8 customised album containing 20 photos from the shoot.

Find out more at venturephotography.com.hk

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? n o s ’ t a h W for Our top picks

August

UNTIL AUG 30 Ocean Park Summer Splash 2015 Pack a change of clothes and get ready to get wet at Ocean Park’s Summer Splash. Think a big foam party, dancing fountains, a water slide, soaker swings and a water fight zone, plus merch from event partner LINE Friends. That’s one way to cool down this summer. Ocean Park, Aberdeen, www.oceanpark.com.hk, 3923 2323.

Date night

AUG 6-9 International Baby/ Children products Expo Hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of products make this the perfect time for mums-to-be to stock up on the essentials and the products you never even thought you would need. The baby crawling contest is adorable too. Tickets at the door from $25 ($20 for children), Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. www.eugenegroup.com.hk.

AUG 8 The Global Run 2015

UNTIL AUG 9 Hong Kong Restaurant Week Prepare your taste buds for special discounted menus at 73 restaurants across Hong Kong, including Azure, Wooloomooloo Steakhouse, Nanhai No.1 (pictured) and more. www.restaurantweek.hk.

Don’t miss...

Hic!

AUG 8-9 Lan Kwai Fong Beer & Music Festival

AUG 14-16 Concert by Asian Youth Orchestra

Food, music, interactive games and (of course) fine beers take the streets of Lan Kwai Fong by storm over a weekend. Details at www.lankwaifong.com.

The Asian Youth Orchestra comes to Hong Kong this August together with Cantopop legend Alan Tam. Tickets $100-$350 from www.urbtix.hk, 2866 1623.

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Lace up your trainers: the Amazing Maasai Global Run returns to Hong Kong for its 2nd year this August with a 10k run (or walk). Free entry, donations welcome. Register at www.eventbrite.com.

UNTIL AUG 16 International Arts Carnival See out the last of the summer holidays at the Arts Carnival, which is showcasing an eclectic array of music, dance, drama, magic and acrobatic performances. Details at www.hkiac.gov.hk. Tickets from www.urbtix.hk, 2111 5999.

Kid columnists

AUG 15-16 Hi-5 House of Dreams

What are you most looking forward to when you go back to school?

Join the Hi-5 gang for wild and wacky dream adventures.

Shows at 11am, 2.30pm and 6pm. AsiaWorld-Expo, Runway 11. Tickets $250-$688 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Christine, age 8 I’m most excited to see my friends and play games during playtime.

My favourite activity is going on the monkey bars.

Chris, age 11

AUG 13-17 Hong Kong Food Expo 2015 Food and drink from around the world, plus cooking demos and a night market. Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, www. hktdc.com.

AUG 21-23 International Design Furniture Fair Hong Kong

I’m excited to have new teachers. My favourite subjects are English and science and I’m excited about those classes.

Asia’s biggest furniture fair. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. One-day ticket from $190 at www.hkticketing.com.

Purple, age 7 My favourite thing to do is play games on the iPad, I’m excited to hang out with my friends so we can all exchange games.

Ann, age 12 I’m excited to see all my friends and hear about everyone’s summer holidays.

Elsie, age 10 My favourite class is music and I’m excited to sing with all my friends at school.

One for the kids AUG 19-23 DisneyLive! - Mickey’s Music Festival Mickey Mouse and friends will rock the show with a remix of your favorite Disney hits.

Tickets $180-$680 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Nicole, age 10 I’m excited to hang out and eat food with my friends on our school’s rooftop.

AUG 17 Back to School :( Autumn term begins at ESF schools.

Want to be a kid columnist?

Next month’s question: What would you buy with $100? Email answers to editorial@fastmedia. expat-parent.com com.hk.

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Let it gooo

AUG 22-24 Slide The City Ever imagined Hong Kong as a giant water park? Come experience the “slide of your life” at Hong Kong’s first Slide The City event with a 1,000-foot slip n’ slide! Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, www.slidethecity.hk/events/hong-kong.

AUG 28-30 and SEP 4-6 Pinocchio Ballet The Hong Kong Ballet presents the renowned tale of one of fiction’s biggest fibbers, Pinocchio. It’s going to be great, we wouldn’t lie.

Tickets $140-$1,000 from www.hkballet.com, 3761 6661.

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UNTIL AUG 30 Welcome to the “Frozen” Village Disneyland is bringing “Frozen” to life with this temporary winter wonderland. Be sure to catch Queen Elsa for a sing-song, play in the snow with Olaf and enjoy the coolest summer in Hong Kong yet.

Hong Kong Disneyland, www.hongkongdisneyland.com, 3550 3388.

w o n k o o B SEP 25-26 Bon Jovi Live In Macao 2015 American rock music icon Bon Jovi will be performing for two nights in Macau this Autumn. CotaiArena, The Venetian Macao, 8pm. Tickets $580-$3,688 from www.cotaiticketing. com, 6333 6660.

SEP 25-OCT 11 Singin’ in the Rain Catch this classic West End production, complete with brollies, buckets of rain and soggy coppers. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $445-$995 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Alas, poor Yorick

OCT 5 Al Murray One Man, One Guvnor

SEP 4-6 Shakespeare’s Globe: Hamlet

Stand-up comedy from the Pub Landlord. Rotunda 3, KITEC, Kowloon Bay. Tickets $488-$788 from www.hkticketing. com, 3128 8288.

The London theatre company is performing Hamlet in every country on Earth.

This is Hong Kong’s turn. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $395-$795 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

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NEWS Schools celebrate top marks in Baccalaureate exams Hong Kong schools continue to outperform schools worldwide in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. out of 141,800 students who sat the exams, just 160 were awarded a perfect score of 45. Of these top scorers, 14 of them came from ESF schools (where a further 24 students received 44 points), one from French International and one from Victoria Shanghai Academy.) That means that 10 percent of the world’s perfect IB scores came from Hong Kong. Well done guys!

ESF students celebrate their perfect marks

Primary school set to raise $200 million from hopeful parents Two-hundred parents, eager to secure a place for their children at St. Stephen’s College Preparatory School, have shelled out $1 million each to gain priority in the school’s admissions process for 2016-17.

The school’s fixed term note programme is now oversubscribed, despite the debentures being non-interest-bearing, non-transferable and unsecured. It is understood that the funds raised will be used to build a new teaching block within the school’s campus at Stanley Peninsula.

Purchasing the debenture does not guarantee a place for one’s child in Primary 1, but those who pass the second round interview (there are three interviews in total) will be given priority to enter the final round in mid-October, for which there are 32 places. Those whose parents did not purchase FTNs will compete for another 100 openings in November. If the child ultimatley fails the interview, however, you can get your money back, less redemption charges.

Established in 1938, the private school admits around 130 students to Primary 1 each year, from an average of 1,700 applicants.

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Monster Kid opens new store in Landmark Prince Specialising in crafted wooden toys from Europe, Monster Kid opens its new store in Central. We love the wooden fruit and veg selection, perfect for little budding chefs, as well as the selection of musical instruments, including drum kits and guitars. Shop 220, 2/F, Landmark Prince’s Building, Central, 2110 4510.

New Woodland Preschool openings Woodland Beachside Pre­school is opening in Repulse Bay on August 26. With a “sun, sand and sea” theme, the centre caters for children aged from six months to six years, with English, Mandarin and bilingual classes all available. The 8,000-square-foot space has parking as well as lovely indoor and outdoor playgrounds. For something a little closer to the city, Woodland Preschool’s Kennedy Town location is now open for enrollment. This centre has an “old Hong Kong” theme and has two indoor playgrounds.

For information on how to enroll, contact enquiry@woodlandschools.com, www. woodlandschools.com.

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NEWS

What are some easy, fail-safe lunchbox ideas that my kids will actually eat?

Ham roll-ups Take a large slice of cold ham or turkey, place some spinach or lettuce leaves flat on top along with blobs of cream cheese, and roll up. Cut each in half lengthways. These should stay intact until lunchtime, but you can always secure them with a cocktail stick.

Kiddy dance classes at Cyberport New in town and providing fun dance classes and party entertainment to children aged one to eight is NattyBop, run by dancer Natalie Jones. Natalie says, "When my youngest son reached a year-and-a-half, I decided to put all my experience into a new dance venture. - the classes are all about having fun, games, props and most importantly, smiles and laughter."

Each 45-minute session explores a combination of styles, from “King and Queen” ballet with crowns and tiaras to modern upbeat grooves with pom-poms and ribbons. Classes are held at Delaney's at Cyberport on Monday afternoons but will also be offered at Little Yogis at One Island South in Aberdeen from September 4, with free trials being offered on the day. NattyBop also offers private classes in the convenience of your own home or clubhouse for a minimum of six children, as well as a variety of tailor-made entertainment for children's parties. Classes cost $170 each ($200 for private classes) and customers pay for one month at a time.

For more details, see www.nattybop.com.

Safari Kid’s new programmes

Leftovers salad Don’t waste last night’s leftovers! Grab that cold rice or noodles and add some pre-cooked protein (shredded pork, chicken, steak or salmon), ribbons of raw carrot, or sticks of cucumber, then apply a dressing of two tablespoons of olive oil, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, one teaspoon honey, one teaspoon of mustard and seasoning.

Hummus Drain a can of chickpeas and blend it with one minced clove of garlic, juice of one lemon, one third of a cup of your finest olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Chop some crunchy raw cauliflower, red pepper and other crudités to accompany it, along with a handful of crackers.

Smoked mackerel pate on rice crackers Remove the skin of a smoked mackerel fillet and mash with a dollop of Greek yoghurt or sour cream, then add a squeeze of lemon juice and season to taste. There shouldn’t be any bones but do check.

Smear on rice crackers with slices of cucumber.

Maple sesame tofu wraps – drizzle a large piece of extra firm tofu with maple syrup, soy sauce, a dash of orange juice and a pinch of sesame seeds. Bake for around 20 minutes at 190C then slice and wrap up in coconut wraps with fresh, raw crunchy vegetables (beansprouts, bell peppers, sugarsnap peas). Glutenfree, vegan coconut wraps are available from Green Vitamin (www.greenvitamin.hk).

Mango Menus is a Hong Kong based foodie website created by Helen Scott. It has a comprehensive food shopping directory and menu planning aids, including downloadable lunchbox planners. Check it out at www.mangomenus.com.

Safari Kid international preschool will launch eight brand new enrichment programmes for babies aged six months to two-and-a-half years to help prepare them for school. Covering language and arts, creativity and self-expression as well as physical, social and emotional development, Safari Kid’s new classes will

allow parents to tailor-make a programme for their child. In addition, Safari Kid’s four playgroups for babies six to 15 months include Baby Music and Movement, Baby Massage, Baby Yoga and Baby Gym. To register visit www.safarikidasia.com. L101 Chi Fu Landmark, Chi Fu Fa Yuen, Pok Fu Lam, 2177 0001.

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WIN!

GIVEAWAYS

Enter at www.e xpat-parent.com Sugar HK Sugar is a city discovery app that will help you to find find deals from unique F&B and lifestyle spots around Hong Kong. This month, Sugar is giving away $50 to all new users, plus an extra $100 credit to all Expat Parent readers, which you can spend at their carefully curated list of over 150 venues, including The Butchers Club, Little Burro and Munchies, to name just a few.

Download on the App store or Google Play store or visit www.hk.wewantsugar.com Deadline: August 31

To enter, click the Giveaways tab on our website, www.expat-parent.com

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GIVEAWAYS Pirata + Sugar HK Pirata, the cosy Italian restaurant in Wan Chai, takes pride in being true to the Italian philosophy of food, emphasising fresh ingredients and simple recipes. This month, in partnership with Sugar, Pirata is offering a dinner for two valued up to $1,000 (note: booking must be made 10 days in advance). pirata.hk Deadline: August 20

Squarestreet The Social Place + Sugar HK Social Place offers contemporary Chinese dim sum and dishes that feature fresh, quality ingredients. This month, in partnership with Sugar, Social Place is offering a degustation dinner for two people, valued at $1,000. socialplace.hk Deadline: August 20

Local brand Squarestreet offers Scandinavian-influenced products that emphasise simplicity, functionality and quality. This month we’ve got three sets of their signature handmade sunglasses, valued at $600 each. These sunglasses are a blend of classic references and fresh thinking, giving a subtle nod to early 80s Ray-Ban frames but with a fresh, colourful twist. www.15squarestreet.com Deadline: August 24

To enter, click the Giveaways tab on our website, www.expat-parent.com

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STUFF

Crocodile Creek backpack $275 from Bumps to Babes, 21/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, 2552 5000, www.bumpstobabes.com.

A3 magnetic planner $119 from Typo, 2/F, Lee Theatre Plaza, 99 Percival Street, Causeway Bay, 2557 1110, www.cottonon.com.

Back to school

Stationery and supplies to start the new term

Stationery set and notebook $150 from Kikki.K, Shop 411, L/4, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2110 4520, www.kikki-k.com.

Bow shoes $758-$958 from Fiona’s Prince, The Peak Tower, 128 Peak Road, www.fionasprince.com.

Bird cage pencil case $39 from The Every Little Thing, www.etsy.com

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Leather luggage tags $179 each from Indigo Living, 6/F Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, 2555 0540, www.indigo-living.com.

STUFF

Set of 12 Elmer coloured pencils $77 from Monster Kid, 7/F, V Plus, 68-70 Wellington Street, Central, 2110 4508, www.facebook.com/ monsterkidhk.

Kid Zinger bottle $190 from CitySuper, L/1, Shop 10411049, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, www.citysuper.com.hk.

Personalised Tools for School kit $299 from StuckOnYou, www.stuckonyou.hk.

Butterfly backpack $199 from Little Whale, Shop B, Basement, 61 Caine Road, Mid-Levels, 6310 7074, www.littlewhale.com.hk.

Tyrrell Katz lunch box $140 from Toys Club, 5/F, On Hing Building, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central, 2167 8474, www.itoysclub.com.

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COLUMN

Sarah Fung braces herself for her daughter’s first birthday.

T

he Baby Pak Choi is turning one this month, a milestone that’s both exciting and a little bit sad.

I no longer have a baby, but a soon-tobe toddler, inhabiting that space between knowing how to walk and understanding that they can’t just walk straight over the edge of a swimming pool. It’s going to be an exhausting, frustrating and hopefully hilarious time.

The first birthday party is a big milestone. One that, as a friend not-so-delicately put it, celebrates that fact that the parents are still together and the baby is still alive. Clearly it’s a cause for celebration, but one that’s not particularly enjoyed by the guests, the parents or indeed the birthday girl.

The unwritten social contract of first birthdays states that you have to invite all your friends with kids. I don’t know who made this rule, seeing as first birthday parties are generally a bit of an endurance trial for all concerned.

The invited parents mourn another weekend lost to the endless birthday parties circuit in which they spend all afternoon trying to corral a flock of under-fives hopped up on corn syrup. The hosts have to cater for 20-plus children of varying ages (not forgetting age- and gender-appropriate party bags), plus enough beer, prosecco and cheese to tide the mums and dads over.

The birthday boy or girl is totally overwhelmed by the attention and they end up having a meltdown just before the cake arrives and all the photos of the cake-cutting are of mum and dad grimacing as they try to restrain a tiny, weeping whirling dervish in a pointy party hat. Roll on birthday parties two through ten, in

The birthday boy or girl, overwhelmed by all the attention, ends up having a meltdown just before the cake arrives.

which the children are allowed just two guests for their second birthday, three guests for their third, and so on.

Then there’s the competitive edge to it - and here I’m talking about mums being in competition with themselves, rather than each other. There’s the Pinterest-worthy bunting, the homemade rainbow cakes and the tasteful gifts for all the guests. There’s the perfectly coordinating party plates, the gold foil helium balloons and the smiley face (organic, glutenfree) sandwiches.

If you have a Chinese family, there’s the bonus event of a big celebratory family dinner, which will take at least three hours - one hour for eating and two for photo-taking in every possible family configuration. Baby with parents, baby with grandparents, baby with great-grandma, baby with the aunties, baby with the uncles, baby with first auntie, second auntie, third auntie, cousins, obscure relations in town from Canada, the waitress... the list is endless.

I’ve come to the conclusion that if I even attempt to score all these perfect parenting points I’ll only be setting up the Pak Choi for a lifetime of disappointment. So her birthday cake will be what I always had as a child: a couple of Sara Lee pound cakes iced with Betty Crocker instant frosting and dotted with Smarties. Honestly, kids love it way more than anything fancy you can buy from Hong Kong’s posh baking ateliers, and while a 3D pirate ship cake may be cool to look at, no one likes to eat fondant that’s been dyed brown. If we’re feeling fancy, we may blow up some balloons.

OK, I’m being a little bit negative about the whole first birthday thing.

The truth is that I’m really excited to celebrate this milestone with our nearest and dearest, and relish the fact that we’ve not royally messed up this whole parenting thing just yet. Just keep the booze flowing and we’ll be just fine. Now where’s that prosecco?

Writer and editor Sarah Fung is the first-time mum to a baby girl. She blogs about parenthood at babypakchoi.tumblr.com, twitter @sarahefung.

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MEET THE PARENTS

Bigger is better In a city where the average family size is just 1.2 children, we find out what it’s like to raise a big brood. By Sarah Fung.

The Fischer family Nealy and Seth Fischer are parents to Ben, 13; Eitan, 11; Ayla, 7; and Liam, 2.

Have you always wanted a big family?

My husband and I both come from big families, I am the oldest of five and my husband, Seth, is the oldest of four. So yes, we always had the vision of bringing up a lot of kids.

What’s the best thing about having four children in Hong Kong?

Even on the days when work or day-to-day

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stressors bog me down, I get to come home to more important things that put the rest in perspective. My kids keep me young and help keep me focused on my priorities in life.

What’s the biggest challenge?

Space and spontaneity. Even after 11 years in the city I miss being able to send the kids outdoors to just throw a ball around. And our

MEET THE PARENTS life is planned and structured so we can’t just knock on a neighbour’s door - playdates have to be set up weeks in advance.

My kids keep me young and help keep me focused on my priorities in life

How do you manage so many schedules?

Any tips and tricks you can share?

This is my greatest challenge! I use Evernote to manage their big ongoing schedules for the year and I colour-code my calendar and set reminders. My 11- and 13-year-olds manage their own schedules - I encourage parents to make older kids responsible for when and where they have to be - it fosters independence and responsibility.

How does having multiple siblings change the household dynamics for your children?

Multiple siblings mean that they both fight a lot and support each other a lot depending on the hour and the day!

How do you and your husband divide up child care? Who’s responsible for what?

We like to think of marriage like co-piloting.

One pilot is in charge at any given time and the other is there to help but takes a back seat.

We divide up responsibilities based on our time and skill sets. We weren’t always very good at this and there was a time we both felt that we had to drive, but now we both know how to take the backseat when necessary.

What kind of support do you get at home?

I just wrote a big blog post on my website (mayyamomvement.com) deconstructing the superwoman, where I acknowledge that in order for us to achieve our greatest dreams we all have to ask for help. My household help affords me tremendous freedom. Plus my kids all help out and my husband is fantastic. I could never do what I do without such tremendous help.

Would you consider having more children?

Did my husband put you up to this question?

Hah, no seriously. We don’t have plans for now.

I’m just grateful to be blessed with the ones we have!

What advice would you give to parents who are thinking about growing their family?

They say that at the end of one’s life women wish they had more kids and men wish they had spent fewer of their days in the office.

My kids are the greatest joy of my everyday.

Advice? Don’t overthink it. Just do it.

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MEET THE PARENTS The Owen-Gear family Emma Owen and Steve Gear are parents to Jamie, 12; Tyra, 11; Zac, 9; Kody, 5; and Carter, five weeks.

Did you always want a big family?

I did. I always said that I would have either two or four. I’m one of three so there was always an odd number. I’ve got an odd number now though so hopefully it’ll be a two and a three, and not four against one! We balanced it out a bit having Carter so we’ve got another male thrown into the mix. It could have put a spanner in the works for poor Zac if it was another girl.

What’s the best thing about raising a big family?

There’s always noise, there’s lots of fun, and there’s always something going on. The big ones help the little ones, so even if people think wow, there are five children and that I must be really busy, I’m actually less busy with five than I was when I had two young ones.

What are some of the biggest challenges?

Luckily I have lots of energy so I find that part OK. The biggest challenge is probably going into a supermarket or a shopping centre with them all as they all go in five different directions - well, four directions at the moment.

Before we go somewhere, I have to sort of - not read them the riot act exactly - but give them a list of rules of what they can or can’t do and how they’re expected to behave.

With so many schedules to manage, how do you stay on top of things?

Everything’s in my phone - I often worry that I’m going to lose it - and there’s a wall in the kitchen where I stick

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up appointments and activities. Now that the older ones are that bit older they can go on the MTR on their own, which they were desperate to do. They’ve got their phones and luckily Hong Kong is pretty safe. Sometimes one of them might have to miss an activity and they have to learn to compromise - that’s just the logistics of having quite a few children.

How do you and your husband divide up child-raising?

Luckily Steve is a teacher so we do have him for holidays and weekends, which makes a big difference, especially when I talk to friends whose husbands are businessmen or who travel a lot. It sounds much harder for them because with Steve I have another set of eyes and another set of hands. Sometimes he’s like a big kid though so it’s like adding number six into the mix.

How does it affect the kids, having multiple siblings?

There are pros and cons. They’re more tolerant and they don’t expect as much - they know there are not so many holidays, not so many shoes, clothes or toys. It probably makes them a bit more humble and appreciative.

They’ve learned how to pick their fights and

MEET THE PARENTS some things they wouldn’t bother arguing about - they’re used to sharing things and giving way to the younger ones.

What kind of support do you get?

My mum and dad are here. My mum really loves the little ones; as they get older she finds it a bit more challenging. We have had helpers and that makes life a lot easier as you can just spend your time with the children.

Right now we are trying without one [Emma left her teaching job in July]. We are doing quite well - in the beginning it was a new experience for us but now we’ve divided up all the jobs on a rotational basis so the kids all get up in the morning and look for what they have to do. It’s also nice to have the house to ourselves.

Left: Kody with newborn Carter; Right: a first photo will all five Owen-Gear children

What kind of reactions do you get when you’re all out together?

We quite often hear local people go, “yat, yee, sam, sei, mm!” and then ask if they’re all ours. All our kids have golden hair so they do stand out, so I tell them that they have to behave themselves because they draw a lot of attention.

What advice would you give to parents thinking about growing their family?

In many ways, Hong Kong is a great place to have a big family because you can get home help for a reasonable price - especially when my sister tells me what she pays for nursery in London. In that sense, Hong Kong is the place to do it, especially when they’re small.

Would you have another?

I would have as many as I could - although I think I’m very lucky to have five healthy ones now so I think we’re done. Although when I went in to the delivery room to have Carter, the nurses did ask if I’d be back for number six.

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FEATURE

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FEATURE

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(Sponsored Feature)

Summer

Hot Picks @the arcade, cyberport

Mama’s Dear Cyberport Showroom

This summer, lifestyle and furniture stores throughout The Arcade, Cyberport are offering great summer deals to inspire families. Whether it’s a new piece of furniture for children’s bedrooms or a stylish focal item for the communal living area, discover exciting new solutions for your home.

Be sure not to miss out on the KIDS SUMMER LAB at the Ocean View Court. Fun experiments and cool games will go down a treat with little scientists.

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Summer Hot Picks @cyberport

Indigo Living

Shop 316

Mama’s Dear

2989 6557

Lovers of design and with a flair for creating unique home interiors, Indigo’s range of summer promotion items aims to add a retro touch to your living space. The Miramar L-shape sofa, now $8,495, is inspired by classic designs of 50’s America with subtle white piping on blue fabric.

Shop 405 2543 4565

Oriental Rugs

Stepping into Oriental Rugs you may be forgiven for feeling slightly overwhelmed at the array of stunning rugs. The store displays only a fraction of the 4000 rugs available to purchase.

The expert in-store team will guide you through the intricate details and patterns of rugs from regions including Iran, Pakistan and Kashmir to help you make the right choice for your home. The featured rugs from Pakistan are an ideal addition for Hong Kong family apartments due to their durability and easiness to clean.

Oriental Rugs also offers a professional cleaning service should any mishaps occur.

Shop 105-108 2989 9290

Summe Hot Pi @the a cyberp

Ko JMStyle Furniture & Gallery Shop 312 2377 9592

JMStyle Furniture & Gallery features furniture from some of the 20th century’s most iconic designs. During the summer promotion period customers can find great discounts of up to 50% off on display items and 20% off new items including the featured genuine Italian A+ leather. The flagship store features a range of sofas, tables, chairs and home accessories.

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8

(Sponsored Feature) Kids’ furniture brand Kukuu combines simple elegance and functionality with its sloped line design and is now available this summer at Mama’s Dear. The Bird and Berry collection has an exclusive 15% discount over summer.

The collection exudes a modern style with a high quality finish.

Indigo Kids

Shop 317 2989 6551

Add a touch of joy and colour to kid’s bedrooms with the Jolly Lorry bean bag now at $449.5.

Perfect for after-school get-togethers. The Miller Junior single bed, now $4,867.5, has throwbacks to 50’s Scandinavian design features with prominent warm timber tones. Simple yet functional and durable.

Ulferts

er icks arcade, port

Shop 205 2651 3398

Ulferts knows a thing or two about European furniture. Established in 1975, Ulferts has been selling luxury European furniture in Hong Kong for 40 years. The summer promotion period sees a number of Italian fabric and leather sofas with up to a 50% discount. The featured Amarcord 35 with high density foam is designed with summer floral patterns in mind. Now at $16,500 with 50% discount. Meanwhile the Astor 35 three-seater leather sofa comes with adjustable headrests for maximum comfort and support. Now at $26,100 with 25% discount.

QISIMU

okoon For Kids

Shop 401 2518 8382

If your child’s bedroom is in need of freshening up this summer then Kokoon For Kids has the solution. The store is home to a range of 100% solid natural wood children’s furniture including modular beds, bunk beds, tables, chairs and bookshelves. The timber from which the furniture is made is all sourced from fast growing sustainable pine forests in Northern Europe. Enjoy a 15% discount on selected adjustable children’s desks and chairs throughout August.

Shop 311 3618 6598

QISIMU is home to stunning examples of Chinese classical rosewood furniture. The featured Folding Horseshoe-backed Chair from classical Chinese design was reserved for only the most esteemed individuals and emporers. This table with ‘Guaizi’ carving features a rectangular spiral carving which reflects both simplistic beauty and delicate elegance. Bold new additions to any home.

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Summer Hot Picks @cyberport

(Sponsored Feature)

Summer EventS @the arcade, cyberport featured workshops fun institute 2pm-4pm

diy 3D google cardboard glasses 2pm-4pm

kids summer lab August 8/9/15/16 Science-based experiments and demonstrations will inspire young minds at the KIDS SUMMER LAB at the The Arcade, Cyberport over the weekends of August 8 & 9, 15 & 16.

A number of hands-on science experiments will be set up for children to try as well as live onstage science experiment demonstrations to be held each day. Kids more at home with playing on their smart phones will have no problems getting up to speed with the mobile-app car racers. Pick up a pre-loaded smartphone and burn some rubber. Step into virtual reality with the Google Cardboard viewer workshop. Kids can make their own Google Cardboard certified viewers to experience virtual reality on their smartphones.

Take it home and share with friends and family.

Edison’s Creative Academy Battery Workshop: 2:15pm – 3:00pm Electric Dragonfly DIY Workshop: 3:15pm – 4:00pm

handicraft fair August 29

app racer 2pm-4pm

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science demonstration zone 2pm-4pm

The Aberdeen Kai-fong welfare association will welcome young people to sell handmade handicraft items. Stalls will be open from 2pm-6pm on August 29. All activities are free for parents and families to enjoy.

OPEN DAY

Peak School Nestled away on The Peak, this intimate ESF primary school offers a well-rounded education that prioritises creative and social development as well as academics. By Evie Burrows-Taylor.

Peak School students at Sports Day

For more than a century, Peak School has provided a warm and familial environment for its primary aged students. For the last 60, the school has looked out over the city from what is arguably one of its most prestigious addresses.

A member of the English Schools Foundation (ESF), the school maintains a philosophy that emphasises the importance of helping its students to become good communicators, critical thinkers and lifelong learners, an approach consistent with the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum that the school follows. And with only 360 students, pupils are able to experience early learning in a safe and caring community, where every face is a familiar one.

“We’re a lovely size and it allows us to

With only 360 students, pupils are able to experience early learning in a safe and caring community foster a community spirit,” says principal Bill Garnett. “There are opportunities for the younger students to work with the older ones throughout the year, which creates a family feeling.”

Even with just 60 students in each year group, the school consistently triumphs at Hong Kong’s interschool competitions. For

the past two years, Peak School has won the annual Gecko Maths competition, where its pupils are pitted against students that are sometimes a whole year group older than them.

The school’s focus on producing wellrounded students is evident throughout the campus. Artwork lines the corridors; the impressive playground, big enough for all years to play in together, is brand new; and the music rooms are decorated with creative flair. Children fill the bright corridors, happily greeting each other, as well as the teachers.

“When it comes to teaching you have to recognise the whole child,” the principal says.

“It’s about the emotional and social side for the children, as well as academics. You have to take all of those things into consideration.”

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OPEN DAY

Left: Students clamber up the climbing frame with principal Bill Garnett; Right top and bottom: Science experiments foster teamwork

The staff charged with this responsibility hail from countries all over the world, including Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia and the UK, as well as Hong Kong and China, representing a range of nationalities as diverse as the school’s students. Even so, 70 per cent of pupils are permanent residents of Hong Kong.

A passion for the city can be seen in the exhibition that takes place at the end of year 6, an integral part of the IB programme. Each student is responsible for choosing an issue and presenting it to the community, many opting for Hong Kong-related topics, such as the pressure put on children, academic achievement versus playtime, girls’ rights and poverty in the city. The school is also closely linked to several of the city’s NGOs, many of which contribute to, and attend, the exhibition.

The school’s relationship with local NGOs doesn’t stop there. Earlier this year, year 4 raised $40,000 for Crossroads, a Hong Kongbased charity, devoted to helping people in need at home and internationally.

The school’s love of Hong Kong can also

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As well as the garden club, students are able to test their creative limit in the school’s annual talent show

be seen in its eco-friendly initiatives. Surrounded by nature, the green fingered members of the school community have a garden where they can grow vegetables, herbs and plants. “We are very passionate about the environment and are keen to establish a permaculture at Peak School in the next three years,” Garnett says.

“The children are so engaged with our greening project - which includes a garden club - that next year we will be able to compost all our food waste and then use this for our gardens,” Garnett adds.

As well as the garden club, students are able to test their creative limits in the school’s

annual talent show, one of the many events held throughout the year. Another popular event is the Lantern Festival, which takes place at the beginning of each academic year.

Around 750-800 people attend, including alumni, who make a special trip back to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival at their old school.

The school also takes part in the ESF choral concert and holds its own performance - last year’s was Macbeth.

Budding sports fanatics also have a chance to see where their talents lie, by getting involved in the school’s football, hockey, tag rugby and cricket teams, competing against other ESF and international schools in tournaments.

Like other ESF schools, the Peak School takes a modern approach to homework, with children expected to complete basic tasks, such as reading, spelling and maths, without experiencing unnecessary pressure. “We are definitely of the opinion that children need time to play, to experience other things, and we’re aware that homework causes tension between

OPEN DAY children and parents, and that’s something that we want to avoid,” Garnett says.

Instead of giving pupils a long list of tasks to complete, the Peak School provides a grid system, asking them to do things including cook with Mum and Dad, or have a photo taken of them playing sports. “Research shows that the impact of homework in primary schools is negative. There is some positive impact at high school level, so we try and establish a routine to prepare them for that,” Garnett adds.

ESF schools do not offer debentures, but students joining Peak School from 2015-16 onwards will be charged a one-off, nonrefundable capital levy (NCL). The amount for pupils joining in year 1 will be HK$38,000, with the amount reducing on a sliding scale for students joining in higher year groups. There is currently a waiting list of around 2,000 students across the foundation’s primary schools.

Peak School is undoubtedly a unique place for children to start their education. Big enough for exploring but small enough for them to feel secure, it is a safe, progressive place for little ones to prepare for the challenges that await them in secondary school.

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PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE

Bill Garnett Principal What do you like about Hong Kong?

People are very friendly, open and honest, and I like the diversity. It’s a great place to enjoy the outdoors too - I play hockey and cricket. I just got my permanent residency and was very excited about that. I definitely call Hong Kong home, and have done for some time, it’s just that sort of place.

When you were young, what did you want to be?

It was either a doctor, policeman or teacher, and I went with teacher. In a way, there are days when you put on your policeman hat and days when you put on your teacher hat. I get the best of both worlds.

Principal Garnett sits down with students

Why did you become a teacher?

Probably because of the teachers I had. I had some great ones growing up and I could see the impact they were making and that’s why I decided to do the same.

How long have you been a teacher?

I’ve been the principal here for four years and I’ve been in teaching almost 20 years. It’s gone very quickly.

What are some of the challenges of being a principal?

The challenge is in the multi-faceted nature of the role. You have to have strengths in strategic planning, but also be a teacher and have the ability to work closely with your peers, as well as young children. It always comes back to what’s best for the children.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

The contact with the children. Also, the fact

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Every day is different and there’s no time to be bored

that every day is different and there’s no time to be bored.

Are there any memorable moments from your career?

Being appointed here was a very proud moment. The school has such a strong reputation and long history, so I was very proud to be given the responsibility of leading it. Also, back in New Zealand, I was nominated by the parents of the children I worked with for a national teaching award, so that was very special.

What is the best advice you were given by a teacher?

One of my teachers convinced me I should pursue a teaching career. That was really good advice and I’m very happy I listened to her. The other was, don’t spread yourself too thin. When I was at school, I liked to be in all the groups and different sporting teams, debating and cultural things as well, and I found I was doing too much. Now I give the same advice to students and staff.

If you could have any talent which would it be?

I’d love the ability to time travel. My grandmother passed away at the age of 101, and I’d just love to be able to go back and re-live some of my moments with her. Also, I look at our children here, and the fact that so many of our children speak more than one language makes me wish I did too. Also I’d like to have musical ability; the talent we have here is so impressive.

Which quality to you value most in people?

Integrity. It’s really important and when I arrived at the Peak School “integrity” was in the mission statement.

Did you have a favourite subject?

It was, and still is, maths. I’ve always found maths fun. I like that there are different ways of approaching the same problem.

s po

d co nsore

lu m n

How to ace a school interview Part one of ITS Education Asia’s scoop on primary-school interviews for five-year-olds.

School interviews are a concern for parents.

They are unsure what to expect and knowing there are more children interviewed than there are spaces can cause extra anxiety.

For many children, the unfamiliar environment and talking to “strangers” for the first time can make the procedure frightening.

How can they be expected to show a deeper side of themselves within a 40- to 45-minute interview? Well, schools use a range of techniques to ease children into their interview.

It is important to know if there are one or two rounds of interviews.

At the first round, six to eight children are invited for a “group interview” in which the children are asked to interact with one or two teachers and each another, and are usually asked to perform some tasks.

Some schools narrow down the pool of applicants for a second round that is more likely to involve either an individual interview or an interview with two to four children. Other schools jump right in and interview children just

once, whether in a small group or individually.

Either way, it helps to have a basic idea of what might happen so you can feel more relaxed about your child being immersed in a new group with new children and a new teacher.

Some parents and educators argue the best preparation for school interviews is no preparation at all. That way, the child’s personality, talents and temperament will shine naturally.

However, this is not the time to hope for the best. We are not advocating sending your child to interview boot camp, but a bit of low-key preparation may help. Extra playdates, for instance, and maybe drama or storytelling classes would be helpful if a child is quite shy.

Even chatty and sociable children may be quite withdrawn when they first meet a group of new children, preferring to sit back and scout things out before participating. In a 40-minute group interview there’s no time for this.

It is important to prepare your child without

creating unnecessary anxiety. You’ll know if it’s best to discuss specifics about the interview with your child, who they will meet, what they will do, and how long it will take. Don’t overprepare your child – a simple conversation a day or two before will be appropriate.

Also it’s important to not anticipate your child’s behaviour during a school interview or assume he or she will respond in the same way you have observed in the past. The last few weeks prior to an interview should be the time of revision for your child, not a period of learning.

Next month, we will cover what really happens in an interview.

ITS Education Asia offers numerous services to families who are looking for entrance to international schools. These range from school advice, school assessment preparation, intensive English courses for entry into mainstream schools and consultancy support for entrance to universities. For details, email anne.m@itseducation.asia.

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AFTER SCHOOL

A sail of a time Ride out the last days of summer on a boating course. Calvin Cragg finds his sea legs.

Set sail with the Aberdeen Boat Club

Aberdeen Boat Club Since the launch of its youth sailing courses over eight years ago, more than 2,000 children have learned how to sail at the wildly popular ABC. Courses cater to all experience levels, from novices to veteran sailors aged seven to 11 and 12 to 18 years. First-time sailors will start off in Optimist dinghies, but can progress onto boats requiring more experience such as Toppers, Picos, Lasers and RS Fevas. You had better move fast if you want to get on these popular courses, as the deadline for signing up is August 7. The courses themselves take place on Middle Island over five half-days on August 17-21 and August 24-28. Members of ABC pay the discounted price of $864 while for non-members it’s $1,300. Details and sign up at 2812 2086, www.abclubhk.com.

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Float your boat Always wanted a boat but dread the expense? What if we told you there’s a seaworthy vessel you can transport in the back of a taxi? The Tiwal 3.2 is an inflatable boat from France that’s recently arrived in Hong Kong. The compact sailing dinghy can be packed away in a bag and assembled in less than 20 minutes - No license, mooring or yacht club membership needed. The dinghy comes with various attachable sails, ideal for newbies and veteran sailors alike - it’s even been given the

seal of approval by celebrity macho man Bear Grylls.

Prices start from $39,000. Full details can be found at www.tiwal.hk.

AFTER SCHOOL

The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club The Yacht Club provides a comprehensive five-day course for kids aged six to 10 and 11 to 18, covering everything from theoretical knowledge to dinghy control for all experience levels. Beginners can sail about the sheltered cove around Middle Island, while more experienced sailors can venture out and face the chop of the sea. The two remaining courses for the summer will be held at Middle Island on August 10-14 and 17-21. The five-day courses start at $1,655 for members and $2,155 for non-members.

Details and sign-up at 2812 7063, www.rhkyc.org.hk.

Hebe Haven Yacht Club The adventure-packed multi-activity week at Hebe Haven is all about fun in the sun, incorporating the key basics of sailing alongside a variety of other entertaining water sports. Located on the east coast of the New Territories, the opportunity to venture out and visit outlying islands is a lovely geographic bonus, with a new adventure and scenery each day. As one of the three main Yacht Clubs in Hong Kong, sailing instructors are experienced in helping develop youth sailing skills, while getting across the important theoretical knowledge in a simple, constructive and fun manner.

The course costs $3,500, with the summer’s remaining courses held on August 10-14, 17-21 and 24-28. Details and sign-up at 2719 0926, www.hhyc.org.hk.

Serious sailors at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club

Explore Sai Kung with Hebe Haven

St Stephen’s Located near the southern tip of Hong Kong Island in Stanley, this government centre offers two-day sailing courses for unbeatable subsidised prices starting at just $70. Beginners will be taught to sail Optimist dinghies in smaller groups of six, while more advanced courses increase in group size as each sailor becomes more competent.

Courses take up a full day from 9am to 7pm so be sure to bring a packed lunch and a water bottle. The remaining courses are normally held on back-to-back Thursdays and Fridays or on weekends. Note that participants must be 14 or older to sign up.

Details and sign-up at 2813 5407, www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/watersport.

Cheap and cheerful at St. Stephen’s beach

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ME & MY HOBBY

The big stretch Yoga enthusiasts Freya Boerner, 12, and Alice Bai, 11, who both go to the Canadian International School, strike a pose.

Freya: I started practising yoga when I was six because at the time I was unhappy although now I can’t remember why. Yoga was a way to escape the pain of the world.

Alice: I started going to yoga once a week last year when I was about 10. I felt that yoga was a nice way to let stress out and exercise my body at the same time..

F and A: We go to a yoga class once a week.

It is run by Gecko Yoga (www.geckoyoga. com) and has been specially created for children and teens. The age range varies from five to 12 and we love it.

F: In a typical yoga class, we do traditional yoga poses but sometimes we play concentration games to help us to control our breathing. I also try and find time to practise on my own at home. I wear flexible clothing that lets my skin breathe. I try to wear short sleeves because I prefer to feel the air on my arms.

I like the feeling of calm - that is, when there aren’t fiveto eight-year-olds running aroung screaming A: Usually, we start with a fun warm-up, where we do some gentle twists and move around to get our energy up. The class varies because we can request poses we want to do or yoga games we want to play. We also do concentration exercises and pass a “grateful ball” around. The class always ends with five to 10 minutes of relaxation, where we lie in Shavasana pose.

F: My favourite pose is the Pretzel or Lotus pose. The Pretzel/Lotus is basically when you sit cross-legged but with both of your legs on top of each other. I like this pose because all you have to do is put yourself in that position and feel the stretch.

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Freya and Alice feel the stretch

A: I like to do the Dancer’s Pose, where you have to stretch out your arm and raise up your leg behind you. It’s a full body stretch and helps me with my balance, which is why I like it.

F: What I like most about practising yoga is the feeling of calm - that is, when there aren’t five- to eight-year-olds running around screaming.

A: I like that most of the stretches correspond to animals and thoroughly warm up your body. I also feel like I can deal with stress a little better because of the meditation we do and I am definitely more flexible.

F: Yoga has changed the way I am. I am

definitely more flexible and stronger. As for calm... I’m not sure.

F: My biggest challenge in yoga is doing Dead Man’s pose (Shavasana), which we do at the end of every class. You have to lie on the floor and try to clear your mind of all thoughts while the yoga teacher guides you through a meditation.

A: I want to keep doing yoga as a hobby, but don’t think I’d like to do it as a profession.

F: At the moment, I think I would like to keep yoga as a hobby. I would rather not teach it because I do not have the mental stamina to deal with a bunch of little kids who talk over you.

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TRAVEL

On yer bike

After cycling from London to Hong Kong, Humphrey Wilson started Mad Dogs, running epic adventure cycling trips through Asia. He tells Expat Parent how he helps clients realise their once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

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TRAVEL

In 2009, I completed an epic bicycle ride from Buckingham Palace, London, to Government House, Hong Kong, via 22 countries, six deserts, five mountain ranges and 11,000 miles.

Before the trip, I had never cycled in my life.

Afterwards, I was struck by the paradox of how accessible the journey had been for me, yet how inaccessible it had seemed to most people.

There are two main factors that stop people from undertaking a once-in-a-lifetime journey like this: a lack of time, and a lack of support. I set up Mad Dogs to give people all the support and planning they need to successfully complete a life-changing cycling trip with us in their limited free time. Given enough determination, ordinary people can perform extraordinary feats in a day, and incredible ones in a week.

Mad dogs and Englishmen We organise a series of adventure cycling events, or “Mad Dog Challenges” across Asia, allowing participants to experience countries in the most intimate way. The challenges take

The challenges are tough but nothing worthwhile was ever easy

flung destinations. We make no apologies - the challenges are tough - but nothing worthwhile was ever easy and we have had many people successfully complete a challenge as firsttimers to adventure cycling.

Set your pace

one to eight days, with riders cycling 150 to 200 kilometres a day.

On my own ride, a large part of each day was spent worrying about what to eat and where to sleep, not to mention fixing punctures and other mechanical problems. On a Mad Dog Challenge, all these matters are taken care of. We keep the adventurous upside, while eliminating the downside. Our trips include hotels, breakfast, lunch, support vehicles, interpreter, mechanic and, of course, routes.

We even have Garmin GPS units for hire for those who don’t have their own.

Any true adventure must have a purpose, and on a Mad Dog Challenge, this is clear: to cycle every metre overland between two far-

Key to the notion of adventure is that we purposefully don’t minutely choreograph each detail of every day - it’s essential that participants feel a high degree of ownership over their personal adventure through these lands. A large part of this is spontaneity - we don’t force people to stay together in big groups. This allows people to make brief stops wherever they fancy. Many feel that a great highlight is the personal interactions they have with local people at these times.

I based these challenges on parts of my own long ride. The first was Hong Kong to Hanoi, and after the success of this, the rest followed. I’m often asked which is my favourite challenge, but they are so vastly varied in terms of culture, cuisine, terrain and scenery, that it’s utterly impossible to choose.

Pedal power: Mad Dog Challenges take you through rural Asia on a gruelling yet exhilarating trip

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TRAVEL A day on the road The routes Each morning, the participants meet for an early breakfast - the rules state that you must be finished each day before dusk (or else you need to be collected by a vehicle) therefore we like to get people started about half an hour after first light. Usually hotels won’t accommodate breakfast this early so the support team will lay on a great spread - eggs, oatmeal, bacon, coffee, sliced fruit - to get you set up for the day.

Hong Kong to Hanoi is splendid for starting at home, and adventuring through undiscovered parts of China, not to mention lush tea plantations in Vietnam.

Hanoi to Bangkok, our longest challenge is a veritable odyssey through three different countries - there are three cuisines and three alphabets in a week that feels like a month!

Singapore to Krabi is real sensory overload with Malaysia’s three main cultures of Chinese, Malay and Indian, before heading to the Thailand and finishing on the beach!

Tokyo to Sapporo is truly the best way of seeing the REAL Japan - stunning backroads, small towns, mountains, volcanic lakes, rivers and rugged coastlines.

Macau to Guilin is adventure cycling in its truest form and gives a splendid insight into some of rural China’s most remote places.

Angkor to Phnom Penh Challenge is a fascinating window into this extraordinary country - with a charitable element supporting Village Focus International against human trafficking. Taipei to Kenting is extraordinarily varied for one island - mountains, rice fields, coastal roads and aboriginal villages.

We also have 2 one-day “dashes”: The Kaiping Dash not far from Hong Kong goes into the heart of one of China’s most fascinating places, and The Dash from Phuket connects Phuket and Krabi through coastal routes, lush hills, back roads and karst scenery before finishing on Ao Nang beach.

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TRAVEL Many people say that if they were feeling a little tired waking early after a long day, it’s uplifting to see the others first thing, share some banter and get some food into the system. While you eat, you also skim over the day’s direction sheet to familiarise yourself with the route. If you have any issues with the bike, now is the time to collar the bike mechanic to get it looked at.

You hand in the room keys, put your bag on the support vehicle, and then select the route map on the handlebar-mounted GPS that you’ve hired from Mad Dogs. And at 6.45am, it’s time to start. You feel a surge of adrenaline as you taste the morning air and the early kilometres seem to breeze by. You stop at a sugar cane stall after 30 minutes for a quick breather and exchange some banter with the locals. An hour later you see the support team waiting for you with some snacks.

After another couple of hours on the road, you see the Mad Dogs banners and hear a voice call you off the road. It’s the checkpoint and time for some food at a local roadside restaurant.

You’re getting tired into the afternoon session and there’s another problem with

your gears. You contact the support team and they’re with you within 15 minutes - the mechanic sorts the problem in five and you’re off again, having recharged with snacks and topped up your water bottle. You exchange waves with schoolchildren cycling their way home. It’s time to dig deep; the kilometres don’t seem to fly past quite as quickly now, but the scenery is interesting, and there are plenty of things to see.

You arrive at the hotel in the evening, noting your time of arrival with the support team (this will feed into your completion certificate and Hall of Fame entry, if you complete the challenge). You’re thrilled to still be in the running! You enjoy a nice long shower and decide to join the support team and many of the other guests at a local restaurant for a supper. It’s great to share the stories of the day over a few beers. You receive the directions sheet for tomorrow and everyone’s happy that it’s 15 kilometres shorter than today!

On returning to the hotel room, you share some tired jokes with your roommate before turning out the light. It’s only 9pm, but it feels like midnight. Nine glorious hours of slumber before the adventure continues…

Upcoming challenges Sep 5, 2015: The Dash from Phuket Sep 26-Oct 2, 2015: The Hong Kong to Hanoi Challenge Oct 17-25, 2015: The Hanoi to Bangkok Challenge Nov 7-10, 2015: The Taipei to Kenting Challenge Nov 21, 2015: The Kaiping Dash Dec 5-8 or 6-8, 2015: The Angkor to Phnom Penh Challenge (Dec 5 includes the optional Bike4Kids, an event around Angkor Wat) Feb 7-13, 2016: The Singapore to Krabi Challenge TKTKTK: The Macau to Guilin Challenge Jun 5-11, 2016: The Tokyo to Sapporo Challenge

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BIG DAY OUT

Enter sandman Rory Mackay hikes to four of your favourite Sai Kung beaches in one salty day.

Overlooking lovely Long Ke Wan from Sai Wan Shan.

Hikers venturing into the wilds of Sai Kung have an astounding plethora of options, including some of Hong Kong’s finest beaches at Long Ke and Tai Long Wan. Few people manage to get the sand of both beaches on their feet in a single visit.

However, it is possible.

Part of Stage 2 of the MacLehose Trail, this route is the optimal way to see four of the region’s finest beaches, long swathes of powdery white sand starting with Long Ke in the south then over Sai Wan Shan to Sai Wan, Ham Tin and Tai Long Wan. Getting there is hassle-free. Catch a cab to the East Dam of High Island Reservoir (about

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Long swathes of powdery white sand, starting with Long Ke in the south $100 from Sai Kung town). Tell the taxi driver to head towards Long Ke and the dam marks the end of the road.

It’s a scenic drive next to the turquoise waters of High Island Reservoir and the East Dam is worth a look before charging up the trail. As part of the Hong Kong Global

Geopark, the columnar jointing and other natural rock formations in the area are pretty special and make a fun detour.

From the turning circle, leave the paved road and follow a footpath up and over the hill.

Before long you will see sweeping Long Ke, the first beach on our route. The path leads straight down to some of the whitest sands and clearest waters in Hong Kong. Often on weekdays, you will have this slice of paradise all to yourself.

Treat yourself to a swim before biting into the heart of this route, the hike up and over Sai Wan Shan. Climbing the 314-metre summit is hard work on a summer’s day, but it is worth

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BIG DAY OUT

Top and left: during the week, you (and your dogs) may have Long Ke all to yourselves. Right: Ham Tin is one of the jewels in Sai Kung’s crown.

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BIG DAY OUT it for what awaits on the other side.

The views from the top are so good it’s silly. The peak overlooks the entire eastern Sai Kung peninsula, with its lovely beaches, piercing peaks and rugged headlands. The contrasts between the surreal-coloured waters of High Island Reservoir and the South China Sea are particularly easy on the eye.

months, but in winter it makes a truly jawdropping day. Instead, venture as far north as you feel comfortable with. Ham Tin has a couple of little restaurants offering cold drinks and noodles and renting tents and surfboards (Hoi Fung Store, tel: 2328 2315). From either beach, return to Sai Wan and hike up to the road or catch a speedboat back to Sai Kung (try Edward Shek, tel: 5127 3053). If hiking back

remember to call for a taxi in advance (tel: 2729 1199 or 2383 0168), as mobile reception in the area can be fickle.

Rory Mackay runs adventure company Wild Hong Kong.

For details, visit www.wildhongkong.com.

The views from the top are so good it’s silly From the summit, the route drops down into a shady valley and follows the MacLehose Trail to Sai Wan, where calm waters and cooling refreshments await.

From there, hikers have a choice: follow the paved footpath uphill for 45 minutes to reach the Sai Wan access road and cab back to Sai Kung, or continue on to Ham Tin (about 40 minutes) and Tai Long Wan (15 minutes from Ham Tin), where the beaches are even more expansive and the surf is fine.

The long walk to Wong Shek Pier is better left to the more intrepid during the warmer

Take a break at Sai Wan.

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A-grade meals The exam results are out, and whether you are celebrating or commiserating, it’s time to mark this milestone with a big family meal. Shreena Patel finds out where families can celebrate in style, whatever the time of day.

Sevva

Dinner

Set on top of Prince’s Building in the heart of Central, Sevva is pricey but perfect for a special occasion. The restaurant’s sizeable outdoor terrace is furnished with tables and comfortable sofas and live music plays here every night.

As the sun sets, enjoy sitting in among the skyscrapers as the lights flicker on. The interior of the restaurant, where food is served, is split into Bankside and Harbourside: decide which view you’d like before booking. Don’t leave without trying one of Ms B’s signature cakes: the Original Crunch Cake (vanilla chiffon sponge cake with layers of homemade caramel toffee crunch) is particularly good. Book in advance (private areas can be arranged on the terrace) and dress smart.

25/F, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central, 2537 1388, www.sevva.hk.

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FOOD HIGH TE A

Work hard, play hard In charge of planning a spectacular graduation dinner? We’ve got some options to help you plan a party to remember.

The Hong Kong Parkview clubhouse restaurant offers a special graduation dinner package (minimum 50 people) which includes free shuttle bus tickets for guests between Hong Kong Parkview and Admiralty or Central. There are two menus available priced at $360 and $420 per head. www.hongkongparkview.com.

The Clipper Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental A favourite among Hongkongers, the Clipper Lounge is best known for its afternoon tea, which includes such delights as grilled cheese and truffle sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and raspberry éclairs, all presented on silver stands. Several options are available; try the Weekend Rosé Afternoon Tea Menu, which includes a glass of Moët & Chandon Rosé

Impérial for each person. Available every first full weekend of each month, 2-4pm and 4:156:15pm (Saturday); 3:30-6pm (Sunday). $428 per head or $788 for two.

Mezzanine, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 5 Connaught Road, Central, 2825 4007, www.mandarinoriental.com.

DINNER

The Harbour Plaza’s graduation package runs until December 31 and includes complimentary valet parking (subject to availability). The lunch buffet is priced from $288 per head, and the dinner buffet from $338. www.harbour-plaza.com.

The Harbour Grand is offering its graduation package until August 31 (minimum 80 people; complimentary banner for photo-taking with 150 people or more).

The package is $448 per head, which includes unlimited soft drinks and orange juice for three hours, a western buffet menu, fresh flower centerpieces and more. www.hongkong.harbourgrand.com.

The Island Pacific Hotel’s graduation dinner buffet menu includes both a hot and cold selection as well as a range of desserts for $398 per head for a minimum 24). Request a proposal online at www.sino-hotels.com/hk/island-pacific.

The Mira Hotel is offering graduation dinner packages starting at $490 per head until August 31 (minimum of 50 people required).

Packages include props for photos, raffle prizes, karaoke and more. www.themirahotel.com.

Jumbo Floating Restaurant Having operated in Hong Kong for decades (a feat in itself), Jumbo is an iconic restaurant for a splashy celebratory evening. The restaurant serves Cantonese food in ornate surroundings, and has been graced by the likes of Tom Cruise, Chow Yun-fat and Queen Elizabeth II. The decor here is in in the traditional imperial Chinese style, meaning lots of red and gold, pagodas and dragons (representing prosperity and good fortune) - fitting surroundings for a

family dinner to celebrate past achievements and the year ahead. It also makes for a great photo backdrop. A quick tip: if taking a taxi, ask for a receipt. Fares of up to $80 can be redeemed against bills of more than $600 (one receipt per table).

Shum Wan Pier Drive, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, 2553 9111, www.jumbokingdom.com.

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FOOD

BRUNC H

Lupa Head to Lupa (by New York celebrity chef Mario Batali) for an Italian-inspired celebratory Sunday brunch. If you don’t want to opt for the free-flow drinks package, you can buy a bottle of Veuve Cliquot for the table to make a special toast. The restaurant has an impressive 2,500-square-foot open terrace - perfect for al fresco dining if you fancy it - and a live jazz band plays throughout the meal.

Brunch is $388 per head (food only); $188 for children under 12.

3/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queens Road Central, 2796 6500, www.diningconcepts.com.hk.

Gold by Harlan Goldstein This swanky Michelin-starred restaurant offers both a set menu ($580 per person) and an a-la-carte menu filled with European favourites, including a selection of pasta, steaks and meat and fish. The restaurant has both an indoor dining area and outdoor terrace and, unsurprisingly, gold features heavily in the decor. Be prepared to splash out on a family meal here, but to sweeten the deal, you can enjoy 15 percent off your total dinner bill until August 31 (conditions apply). Call 2869 9986 to make a reservation.

2/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, www.gold-dining.com.

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DINNER

FOOD A SPECIA TOAST L

How I celebrated

Christopher Balaam, student at French International School

The Champagne Bar at the Grand Hyatt If you are all of drinking age, why not celebrate in style with a pre-dinner toast at one of the city’s favourite champagne bars? The decor here is inspired by 1920s Paris and the circular bar - lit by a huge chandelier - takes centre stage. There is an array of champagnes to choose from, as well as a selection of wine and cocktails and canapés in case you get peckish.

Think smoked salmon, foie gras and caviar.

Live jazz, cabaret and blues performances take place from 6.15-8pm and 9:15pm-1am (MondaySaturday).

Lobby, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, 2588 7722, www.hongkong.grand.hyatt.com.

BRUNCH

Zuma One of Hong Kong’s best-loved brunches, Zuma’s all-you-can-eat weekend feast provides delicious Japanese cuisine in upscale surroundings. The buffet runs the length of the restaurant and contains a range of beautifully presented sushi and sashimi, as well as grilled meat and seafood. A terrace provides diners with an al fresco option and there is even a kid’s corner with toys for families with very young children. Even without the free-flow alcohol option, this is something special.

Children under the age of 10 eat for free (one child per adult). Available Saturdays and Sundays 11am-1pm and 2-4pm ($590 with free flow alcohol; $490 without).

At the end of this school year we had a few things to celebrate: my exam results, my admission to university and a great year in general. Being French, such occasions are often celebrated with food, whether fine dining or a homemade aperitif.

For my admission to university, I was rewarded with my first high-end, gastronomical experience. To mark this rite of passage my family and I had a four-course meal at the renowned Caprice restaurant at the Four Seasons. The food was delicious, but what really made this experience unique was the apparatus that surrounded the dining. White gloves, a cheese cellar and sparkling silverware gave the meal an importance that was both solemn and festive. It was a perfect way to celebrate a new chapter in my life.

We also feted my Baccalaureate results with my friends and their families. After a celebratory cocktail, we headed out to the Pawn. This venue was particularly well adapted to this situation. Its wide terrace could cater for many guests, and the varied menu satisfied everyone.

It was not a luxurious experience like Caprice, but a social meal with which we celebrated our achievements. Finally, with an aperitif dinatoire (drinks and nibbles) and champagne at home, we toasted both my university admission and my brother’s exam results. Which meal I preferred I couldn’t say, but it does prove one thing: there is no better way to celebrate than with great food and even better company.

The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central, 3657 6388, www.zumarestaurant.com.hk.

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MONEY & ME

Nissan Perla The president of the Diamond Registry shares his clear-cut advice.

By Callum Wiggins years and still growing every day. These inspirational people are focusing on the future, and always trying to innovate.

What is the most extravagant thing you have ever bought?

You would think the most extravagant thing I’ve bought is a piece of jewelry but I have to admit that it’s my H1 armoured Hummer - I love it. People who see me stepping out of the Hummer raise their eyebrows. I am not sure whether it’s the Hummer or the fact that I’m stepping out of it wearing a full suit that catches their attention?

Are you a spender or a saver?

(Smiling) I am a mix.

Tell us about the Diamond Registry.

The Diamond Registry was the first and only original service to give transparency in diamond pricing. The founder, my dear friend Joseph Schlussel, started the Diamond Registry way back in 1961, initially as a monthly printed newsletter dedicated to closing the gap between the diamond wholesale industry and the public. The newsletter became a website in the 90s. After Joseph passed away, his family asked me to continue his legacy. Since then, the Diamond Registry has continued to be the foremost online source for diamond education, price information, industry news, trends and more. Nowadays I divide my time between New York, Israel, United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.

When were you poorest?

I can remember when I first went to America as a student in 1979, I did not have much.

I had no education in business and it was just by coincidence that I was introduced to the diamond industry. I learned so much but most remarkably I realised that in this industry everything is based on trust. Milliondollar deals were made without meeting people face-to-face. I’ve built my business in

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a way so that customers can put their trust in us.

What was your best investment?

My best investment was a very special rare coloured diamond.

You would think the most extravagant think I’ve bought is a piece of jewelry but it’s my H1 armoured Hummer

What was your worst investment?

My worst investment was unfortunately also a diamond when I was still green and didn’t pay attention to the details of its characteristics. I thought I had bought a good diamond, but when I wanted to sell it I was hugely disappointed.

Since then, I’ve always said, “value isn’t what you buy it for, but what you sell it for”.

Who is your inspiration?

People who are in business for many, many

Do you have any advice on how to teach children to save money?

The advice that I have given to my children is to tell them to save for themselves. In this way they feel proud about how it feels to save their own money instead of just spending from their parents’ pockets each time. Also, they will feel much better if they can use their own money when they want to buy anything.

Do you play the Mark 6?

No, but I wouldn’t mind starting. Is it fun?

What steps are you taking to ensure a financially comfortable retirement?

By not putting all my eggs into one basket. I try to ensure my retirement is a good one by staying healthy, diversifying and putting a bit in real estate, art, stock, diamonds and cash.

Any last pieces of advice?

Make sure you stay flexible in life, and place a portion of your wealth in moveable, liquid assets. You have to leave yourself some room to wiggle in case there are any changes in the market. Life is too short to be stuck financially, right? Another thing, some say it is a cliché but it is very true so let me add this piece of advice - you have to be passionate about the work you do and believe in what you are doing. I’ve learned that if you believe and feel comfortable in what you are doing, you can help your customers much better.

marketplace

To advertise, email ads@fastmedia.com.hk or call 2776 2772.

marketplace

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marketplace

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To advertise, email ads@fastmedia.com.hk or call 2776 2772.

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COLUMN

With his wife and children back in the UK, Simon Parry ponders his new role of Astronaut Dad.

T

hey’ve only gone and bloody left me. After 18 years of the messy mayhem of family life, my wife and our four children have packed up their bags and set up home back in the UK, leaving me here on my own: Alone.

Abandoned. Un-Dad-ed, even.

They still love me, I think, and it was actually my idea. We realised last year that no matter how hard we worked into the twilight of the newspaper industry, there was no way we were going to be able to come out at the end of ESF schooling with enough money to pay for our children to go away one-by-one to university as overseas students.

So we rented a house in Lancashire and got three of them into very good (free) state schools while our oldest Georgie takes a year out between school and university to acclimatise to the culture of northern England (and to learn the language of course).

Meanwhile, I’ve been left behind in a 600-square-foot house in Hong Kong (named the Sad Dad Pad by the children) to keep the business going here while using Air Miles and ingenuity to pop back and visit them in the UK every couple of months.

The plan made perfect sense.

But that didn’t make me feel any less wretched when I waved them off on one-way flights to Manchester.

Whichever way I looked at it, it seemed I was somehow copping out and taking early retirement from fatherhood.

Logically, things should work out. After all – let’s be honest – fathers only have a peripheral role in parenting, especially those of us who travel a lot. We are bit-part players, walking shadows that pop in and out of key scenes, say something inappropriate and crass, yell at the cat and disappear again.

All the same, I found it profoundly discombobulating to be suddenly, rudely stripped of my role as an inadequate father to disinterested teens – and, on a typically selfish note, to come home from overseas assignments with no one to bore with colourfully embellished tales about my exotic escapades.

Instead, the Sad Dad Pad is an echoing place of empty shelves and reheated chilli con carne, a cavernous fridge with strange green things growing in the corners, and only Radio 4 online and my old vinyl collection to drown out the post-dusk silence. It’s like being 29 and single again only without the looks, the inclination or the libido.

I am no longer a Dad but instead a Parachute Dad or an Astronaut Dad – one who drops in from time to time. The one consolation I have (apart from no longer having to pay eye-watering fees for mediocre education) is that there are a lot of us about, floating aimlessly around like a lost legion of Major Toms.

As soon as I announced my plans, I discovered at least one other journalist Dad I know is about to see his family split up in the same way.

Another friend is looking at doing something similar soon for practical, economic reasons.

That gave me an idea. We should set up a Sad Dad commune: a spacious shared flat for abandoned middle-aged Dads with a large central living area dominated by a big-screen TV with all the sports channels and a massive foodfree fridge.

It would be empowering for us to reflect together on how helpers, technology and paternal role models like Peter Andre have reduced us ordinary modern fathers to impotent, redundant and pointless entities: distant, semi-forgotten breadwinners.

As we reflect on the cruelty of our collective plight of an evening, we’d sigh slowly and sadly, shake our heads and spend a moment gazing nostalgically and dewy-eyed at wallet photos of our loved ones far away.

Then we’d put our feet up, crack open a few ice-cold Tsingtaos, and settle down to watch the 100 Greatest World Cup Goals with silly grins on our faces and no annoying little people to burst in and demand to switch channels and watch Glee.

We should set up a Sad Dad commune: a spacious shared flat for abandoned middle-aged dads

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Simon Parry is a jaded, middle-aged journalist and father of four. He lives in Hong Kong.