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October 2015
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the really useful magazine
Hello, hong kong! 20 ideas to entertain your guests Beachside dining
Six of the best
Meet the mumpreneurs
Saving the world one baby at a time
225
things to do
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CONTENTs 2
Editor’s letter
24
ISSUE 016
46 Mumpreneurs
4 Contributors
Baby Hero founders Samar Shaheryar and Allie Wieser.
7
50
What’s on
Big day out
Dates for your diary.
Day at the museum.
12 News
54 Food
What’s happening on the parent scene.
Beachside dining.
14 Giveaways Free stuff.
Charitable Choice founder Cheryl Wilson.
16 Stuff
60 Travel
Halloween parties sorted.
Singapore’s wild side.
18
58
Baby Pak Choi
32
Sarah Fung has something to confess.
20
68
Money & Me
Bald truths
Simon Parry may have met his match.
Meet the parents
Computer whiz kids.
24 Top 20 places to take guests
60
Impress them with the best of Hong Kong.
32
Open day
Quarry Bay School.
36
Principal’s office
Quarry Bay School Principal Mina Dunstan.
38
After school
Tech classes for creative kids.
44
Me & my hobby
Plié perfect with ballet dancer Nicole Assaad.
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16
54
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editor’s message
who’s in charge? Editorial editorial@fastmedia.com.hk Editor Mawgan Batt
Managing Editor Callum Wiggins
Sub-editor Shreena Patel
Digital Editor Annie Wong
Design kelvin@fastmedia.com.hk Senior Graphic Designer Jack Yip
Art Director Kelvin Lau
Sales & Marketing ads@fastmedia.com.hk
O
pportunities present themselves at the most unexpected moments. A passing comment or random connection can result in something exciting, and unexpected. This is certainly the case for me as I find myself writing my first editor’s letter for Expat Parent magazine. As someone who tries to say yes far more than I say no, I now find myself part of a wonderful team of people with the aim of continuing to develop this magazine into a really useful and interesting resource for Hong Kong parents. Please let me know what is important to you and what you want to see in future issues - feel free to drop me a line and I’ll see what I can do! So with summer fading and the cooler days approaching, visitor season has begun. For many of us, the run-up to the end of the year is frenetic with school commitments, family visits and holiday planning. Let us take away the headache of planning for your visitors with our 20 inspiring destinations that every visitor to Hong Kong must experience. We know you’ve walked the loop around the Peak hundreds of times and grabbed the obligatory selfie with skyscrapers in the background, so we’ve picked out ideas to keep even the longest dwelling Hong Konger entertained (pg.24). If you are in need of some new ideas for the weekends, we’ve tried and tested six of Hong Kong’s most interesting museums. There’s something for the whole family with interactive exhibits, history, art and even insights into Hong Kong’s prison system (pg.50). Now that the humid, sticky days are disappearing, it’s the best time of year for some alfresco dining. We’ve picked out six top beachside restaurants where you can enjoy sea views, sun downers and of course, great food (pg.54). And finally with Halloween merely weeks away, if you need some help in creating a stylish spooky feast, we have the coolest table decorations and party accessories (pg.16). No cheesy costumes in sight, we promise!
Head of Sales & Marketing Karman So
Sales Manager Oliver Simons
Sales & Marketing Executive Alastair Grigg
Sales & Marketing Executive John Lee
Accounting connie@fastmedia.com.hk Accounting Manager Connie Lam
Office Security
Accounting Assistant Jason To
Peace Keepers
Cat the dog
Fish & Chips
Publisher Tom Hilditch tom@fastmedia.com.hk
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.hk 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.
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contributors
Kate Springer
Simon Parry
Rebecca Keiller
Kate Springer is a freelance writer and editor who focuses on travel, dining and culture reporting. In addition to working with Fast Media, Kate has contributed to BBC Travel, Forbes Travel Guide, TIME, Fodor’s, Hong Kong Tourism Board, and many others. When she’s not ambling around Asia, Kate is most likely Instagramming soon-to-be consumed xiaolongbao. This month she meets the parents on page 20.
Simon Parry is a British newspaper journalist and father of four children, all of them raised and schooled in Hong Kong. He was a reporter and news editor on regional and national titles in the UK for 12 years before moving to Asia where he was news editor of the South China Morning Post before setting up the news and features agency Red Door News with journalist wife Hazel in 2003. Simon is currently Asia correspondent for the Mail on Sunday newspaper in the UK and a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong and overseas.
Rebecca Keiller is the Editor & Community Manager for local travel startup Klook. Luckily for her, part of the job description entails discovering cool travel activities around Asia. When she’s not exploring undiscovered parts of Hong Kong, Rebecca is ardently pursuing her passion for travel. She recently made it her mission to challenge Singapore’s reputation as “boring” with a three-day adventurous outdoor getaway; trying out paddle boarding at night, treetop walks and mangrove kayaking. Discover Rebecca’s adventure on page 60.
Want to write for Expat Parent Magazine? Contact editorial@fastmedia.com.hk
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what’s on
Boom!
OCT 1
National Day Watch the fireworks, it’s free. Victoria Harbour at 9pm.
OCT 1-18 Singin’ in the rain Glorious songs, dances and gallons of water. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai, Tickets $445-995 from www.hkticketing.com.
OCT 2-10 Hong Kong Beer Week Beer events at various restaurants around the city, including Chilli Fagara, Crafty Cow and Aberdeen Street. It all ends in a craft beer tsunami, Beertopia. Tickets from $280, www.beerweek.hk.
One Guvnor”. Tickets $488-$788. 8pm, Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre. www.hkticketing.com.hk.
OCT 8-11 Asia Contemporary Art Show Photography, paintings and sculptures displayed around the Conrad hotel. Under 16s free if accompanied by an adult. Tickets $220 from www.hkticketing.com.hk, 3128 8288.
OCT 9 - 11 Charlie & Lola’s Best Bestest Play Join Charlie and Lola and all their friends in the hit show featuring puppetry, visual effects and lots of audience interaction. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $225-$435 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.
OCT 4-7 Fine Art Asia 2015 Fine antiques and contemporary art spanning more than 5000 years of history. Tickets $50$200 on the door. 11am-7pm, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, 3107 0681.
OCT 5 Al Murray Pub Landlord Britain’s favourite publican in “One Man, expat-parent.com 7
what’s on
Happy Again!
OCT 9-11 Hong Kong Classic The classic car show returns to celebrate all things automotive. Car simulators, children’s games, live bands and even a retro hair and beauty salon. Tickets $50-$100 from www.hkticketing.com.hk. Oct 10, 11am-10pm; Oct 11, 11am-7pm, Central Harbourfront Event Space, www.hkclassicccars.com.
OCT 10 Foreign Correspondents’ Club Charity Ball Fabulous dinner, drinks and live music from 1980s faves Tears for Fears. Tickets from $2,888 per person. www.fcchkcharityfund.org.
OCT 10-18 OCT 9-10 Beertopia 2015 The city’s largest craft beer festival returns for a fourth year. With over 500 beers from breweries across the world as well as an array of stomach-lining snacks, games (including giant beer pong), live bands and DJs. Friday, October 9 (6-11pm); Saturday, October 10 (12-11pm). Central Harbourfront Event Space. Tickets start at $280. www.beertopiahk.com. 8 expat-parent.com
Hong Kong Tennis Open Female tennis greats, including Venus Williams, battle it out. Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, Causeway Bay. Free tickets for qualifying matches from Oct 10-12. For more information, www.hktennisopen.hk. Tickets $160-$880 from www.cityline.com, 2111 5333.
OCT 16 - 18 Secret Island Party Stay for the day or sleepover at this weekend
of art, music and performance. Tickets $250$750 from www.hushup.hk.
OCT 17 100 Years of Sister Acts The Hayward sisters return to Hong Kong performing the best hits by girl groups throughout the decades. Grappa’s Cellar, 1 Connaught Place, Central. Tickets $228 from www.ticketflap.com, 2521 2322.
what’s on OCT 25
The race is on!
Central Rat Race An obstacle-filled race and lifestyle metaphor; this popular charity event starts at Chater Road. www.centralratrace.com.
Until OCT 27
OCT 18
OCT 22-25
Harbour Race 2015 Watch thousands brave the waters of Victoria Harbour. Watch them dive in from 8.30am. www.hkharbourrace.com, 2572 8594.
HK Wine and Dine Festival Head down to the harbour for great wine, food and amazing views. Tickets $15-$30. Central Harbourfront Event Space.
Boo! Halloween.
NOV 1
OCT 9-19
Pumpkins and Pooches sponsored dog walk Work off those treats from the night before whilst helping a good cause on Halloween weekend by participating in Kirsten’s Zoo Charity’s sponsored walk. Help raise money for abandoned and neglected animals; there are even prizes for best costumes (for children and dogs) and most money raised. Aberdeen Country Park, Magazine Gap Road. Download your sponsorship form at www.kirstenszoo.com.
Drink for Pink Some of Hong Kong’s best bars will be serving up special pink tipples to raise money for Hong Kong Cancer Fund.
Hong Kong International Literary Festival Workshops, book signings, and readings with local and overseas authors. Tickets available at www.festival.org.hk.
OCT 31
Chung Yeung Holiday Public holiday!
OCT 22-25 Hong Kong Golf Open Championship 2015 Hong Kong's oldest sporting event is back with a rare opportunity for the public to watch some of the world's best golfers. The Hong Kong Golf Club, Lot no 1, Fan Kam Road, Sheung Shui. Tickets $300-$400 from www.cityline.com.
Until OCT 31 Shop for Pink Shops, restaurants, spas and hotels will be offering special deals to raise funds for Pink Revolution, Cancer Fund’s annual cancer awareness and fundraising campaign. Pink deals can be found at Nude Beautique, Sense of Touch, Hard Rock and Chow Sang Sang plus many more. Full details can be found at www.cancer-fund.org/pink.
OCT 30-NOV 8
OCT 21
Think Pink Charity Art Exhibition To coincide with the annual international “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”, the works of more than 30 local and international artists will be exhibited at the Clipper Lounge, Mandarin Oriental. An auction will be held in the evening of Oct 29 at The Space (210 Hollywood Road). Funds raised will be donated to the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation. www.thinkpink.hk
OCT 9 Pink Ladies Long Lunch The long lunch at Jaspas in Sai Kung will feature a summer-inspired three-course menu. 12pm-3pm. Tickets $500, contact skpinkladies@yahoo.com for enquiries and bookings.
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Book now! NOV 27, 28, 29 Roald Dahl, The Witches One of our all time favourite books comes to life. Great for children five years and up (plus brave grown ups). Lyric Theatre, HKAPA. Tickets $295-$595. www.hkticketing.com.hk.
NOV 27-29 Clockenflap Clean Bandit and Flying Lotus headline Hong Kong’s funkiest music festival plus art, film cabaret and a silent disco on grass at West Kowloon Cultural District. Tickets $580-$1,940 from www.clockenflap.com.
DEC 22-JAN 3 Cirque Adrenaline Adrenalin and death-defying performances from a troop of 50 trapeze artists, mixing clowns, and acrobats. Tickets $295-$895 from www.hkticketing.com.hk, 3128 8288.
FEB 16 Madonna Madge touches down in Hong Kong for the very first time. AsiaWorld-Arena. Tickets $688$11,888. www.hkticketing.com.hk.
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news
Mom’s the word
Pre- and post-natal workouts have arrived in Hong Kong thanks to Petra Klerken and Mom In Balance. Launched in the Netherlands in 2008 and now in over 30 locations across the world, Mom In Balance helps mums and mums-to-be to keep fit during pregnancy and the first years of motherhood. “As a mother I know how important it is to look after yourself yet how easy it is to forget” says Petra. “Life moves fast, before you know it another week without exercise has passed. Working out with other mums and
Think Pink hosts art exhibition at Mandarin Oriental
mums-to-be really makes the difference as we all encourage each other to keep at it.” Offering three programs: Pregnancy, Back in Shape and Mom in Shape, all workouts are done in small groups with a maximum of 15 people per class. Classes take place across the city, from Victoria Park to the Botanical Gardens. For more information contact Petra Klerken on 9478 3364 or email petra@mominbalance.com. www.mominbalance.com.hk
Think Pink returns for its second annual fundraiser for Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, this time with an art exhibition at the Mandarin Oriental. The exhibition, which coincides with the international Breast Cancer Awareness Month, focuses on the themes of “love”, “pink”, and “women” and features work donated by over 30 artists and galleries, both local and international. Also available is a special “Think Pink” afternoon tea set created by Executive Pastry Chef Yves Matthey. An online auction will be held throughout the month, culminating in a pink-themed auction evening at The Space at 210 Hollywood Road on the evening of October 29. Funds raised from the auction will be donated to the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation. From September 29 to October 27 at the Mandarin Oriental Clipper Lounge. The Think Pink Afternoon Tea is available seven days a week, though times vary depending on the day. Guests can also enjoy the same tea set at Café Causette during the promotion period. www.thinkpink.hk.
ESF half-term sports camps No need for the kids to be stuck indoors over the half-term holidays, as ESF will be once again running their popular multi sports camp. The camps will include a whole host of sports and games including relay races, obstacle courses and even swimming at Renaissance College and South Island School. Specialist clinics in football, gymnastics, netball, tennis and swimming are also available. For full details on prices, locations and enrolment visit www.esf.org.hk.
New street market in Quarry Bay Starting Sunday, October 4, and co-presented by Taikoo Place and Honestly Green, the city’s online guide to green living, the new Tong Chong street market is all about food and drink. With plenty of music and seating and 40 stalls selling everything from meat and preserves to baked goods, organic fruit and vegetables, be sure to go on an empty stomach. Look out for signature dishes and cocktails developed exclusively for the market by 10 of the city’s 12 expat-parent.com
homegrown restaurants and cafes, including 3/3rds, Boomshack, Bread & Beast, Common Ground, Grassroots Pantry, Pololi, Teakha, The Woods, Via Tokyo, and TAP - The Ale Project. The market will also feature the successful candidates of a two-month executive chef boot camp aiming to train the city’s next group of street-food pioneers. Every Sunday until December 27, 11am-5pm, Taikoo Place, Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay.
Scandi style for kids Molo, the popular Scandinavian children’s clothing brand, has opened its first store in Hong Kong. Showcasing upbeat designs and strong coloured prints, Molo offers exciting ranges for children to explore their individuality. The new Autumn/Winter 2015 range promises some funky designs and we loved the ‘glamrock’ inspired range for both boys and girls. Molo stocks collections for children from baby to 14 years. Shop 1063, Level 1, IFC, Central, www.molo.com.
HALLOWEEN is coming!
Disneyland Hong Kong Visit Disneyland for hair-raising celebrations this Halloween. The outdoor Halloween spectacular, “Dare to get lost in ghost town”, is taking place throughout the park, with several themed attractions including a mystic time warp, spooky puppet shows, and the Jungle River Cruise. Halloween-themed delicacies are available at Tahitian Terrace and Mystic Point’s Explorer’s Club Restaurant, as well as candy floss and popcorn. Also available are guided tours for groups of six or more - conducted in English, Cantonese and Mandarin - and over 70 pieces of Halloween merchandise for guests to take home. Halloween nights start October 2-31, every Friday to Sunday, from 6pm-11pm. Early bird tickets are $349, available now till September 30. Regular tickets are $399. Book online at www.park. hongkongdisneyland.com.
Ocean Park Hong Kong
Super Hero vs. Princess Halloween Party at Miles ELP International Academy Ocean Park has upped its scare-level for its 15th year of Halloween celebrations. The park is running day and night time activities with booths and games for the whole family. Attractions include a haunted house, the Puppet Master’s Deadly Workshop, Mutant Escape, replica scenes from the popular TV drama ‘The Walking Dead’ and a replay of the most haunting attractions from the last 15
years of Halloween fest. There are plenty of photo opportunities with Doraemon and the rest of the gang, and Neptune’s Restaurant and Tuxedos Restaurant are celebrating by creating Halloween-themed dishes and snacks. Halloween fest runs from September 18 to November 1. Tickets are $345 for adults and $173 for children (aged three to 11), available at www.oceanpark.com.hk.
It’s all about super powers and fairy tales at Miles ELP International Academy’s Super Hero vs. Princess Halloween Party. Children will be able to harness their superpowers to create and learn while playing games to celebrate Halloween. Enjoy live music performances and games for the whole family to join in. The Halloween party will be held from 3.30pm-5pm, October 24. The event is free and no registration is required. B102, the pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, www.miacademy.com.hk. expat-parent.com 13
giveaways WIN HERE! Click the Giveaways tab on our website: www.expat-parent.com
Hong Kong Classic Following its roaring debut last year, the Hong Kong Classic returns for a celebration of classic cars, motorcycles and all things vintage. The festival is expected to feature over 100 classic automobiles and motorcycles from collectors and aficionados in Hong Kong and overseas. We’re giving away 10 pairs of tickets to lucky readers. The Central Harbourfront Event Space, October 10-11. www.hkclassiccars.com Deadline: Oct 5
good show old chap
GuavaPass
PAKT
In need of a new fitness regime? GuavaPass is a monthly fitness membership which gives members access to a community of fitness studios, classes, healthy-living experts and other perks from premium healthy-living partners across Hong Kong. We’re giving three readers a one-month GuavaPass valued at $899. www.guavapass.com Deadline: Oct 30
Who doesn’t need more wardrobe space? PAKT is an online ‘wardrobe at your fingertips’ that keeps your apparel in a climate-controlled facility. Perfect for keeping all those summer outfits safe until next year. Equipped with an individual garment tracking system, items can be requested for retrieval at a moment’s notice. We have three bronze memberships for two months valued at $1798 each to give away. www.pakt.hk Deadline: Oct 30
Seedling Take flight and soar with Seedling’s ‘Design your own Butterfly Wings’ kit. The kit contains butterfly wings, craft markers, glitter glue and instructions. We’ve got three kits to give away. www.seedling.com.hk Deadline: Oct 28
Subscribe to our e-newsletter to get all our giveaways delivered straight to your inbox: expat-parent.com/subscribe 14 expat-parent.com
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stuff Halloween 3D skeleton hanging mobile $48 from Simply Love, 7A, 38 D’Aguilar Street, Central, 2810 6223, www.simplylove.com.hk.
Pumpkin candy bowl holder $540 from Matteo Party, 3/F, 530 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay, 2342 8887, www.matteoparty.com.
Happy Halloween centrepiece $220 from Eezy Peezy Parties, www.eezypeezyparties.com.
Boo!
Spooky sweets and Halloween treats Halloween cookies $45 each from Complete Deelite, 2/F, On Lan Centre, 11-15 On Lan Street, Central, 3167 7022, www.completedeelite.com.
Halloween party picks $65 from Swoon Soirees, www.swoonxoxo.com.
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stuff
Personalised trick or treat party bag $169 from Stuck On You, www.stuckonyou.hk.
Become your own animal mask $239 from Seedling, www.seedling.com.hk.
Halloween lollipops $40 per piece from Sim’s Sweetshop, www.simssweetshop.com.
Halloween cupcake kit $100 from Swoon Soirees, www.swoonxoxo.com.
Halloween coffin silverware caddy $38 from Simply Love, 7A, 38 D’Aguilar Street, Central, 2810 6223, www.simplylove.com.hk. expat-parent.com 17
Baby pak choi
i must confess... Sarah Fung counts her failings.
T
oday I am donning the spit-up-covered yoga pants of truth. I am putting a pin in Pinterest. And tearing down that carefully curated Facebook wall. The gorgeous world you see on my social media stream may not be entirely true. There may just be a teensy wincy gap between the parenting I show the world and the parenting Baby Pak Choi actually gets. In my defense, I’m under pressure. Getting up to speed with the latest apps and learning photoshop and managing Pinterest is eating into my baby minding schedule. But it’s got to be done. If only to keep up with the neighbours. And, perhaps, to one day convince Baby Pak Choi that her toddlerhood was not as she remembers it, but as I say it was. (“Look teenage Pak Choi at your perfectly-pressed, glutten-free childhood!.. Look how mummy got the lighting just right!”) It’s going to be hard to argue mummy failed her, in the face of so many Facebook likes? But fail I sometimes do. And today I’ve turned this column into a bad mum confessional. Here are just some of my shortcomings: • When the Baby Pak Choi was first learning to stand, I was trying to put a pair of trousers on her one day. I lifted her foot up and she toppled to the floor. That’s bad enough, but then, rather than pick her up and cuddle her, I took her wipeout as an opportunity to finally get those damn trousers on.
I’ve turned this column into a bad mum confessional
• Right now she is basically living off congee and saltine crackers. I try halfheartedly to get her to at least not eat stuff off the floor. Most of the time I fail. • While we’re on the whole food thing, yes she has had refined sugar. And gluten. And jars of puree. And leaves. And almost a small garden snail once, but we managed to catch that one just in time. •T he baby books recommend that when your baby wakes up, you leap out of bed, full of beans, and sing a “good morning” song to start the day. Our morning ritual is that the Baby Pak Choi comes into bed with us and then we hand her increasingly contraband items from the nightstand (a tub of nappy cream, followed by the aircon remote, culminating in daddy’s iPhone) to keep her quietly occupied so we can keep our eyes closed for a few more precious minutes.
Writer and editor, Sarah is the firsttime mum to a baby girl. She blogs about parenthood at babypakchoi.tumblr.com, twitter @sarahefung.
•T he YouTube video of Baby Jake’s Yacki Yoggi song on a 10-hour loop has come in handy on more than one occasion.
• I don’t warm her milk. Ever. In my defense, she has never complained.
•M y “baby’s first year” book is not filled out past “going to the hospital”.
•O ne night, when her nappy had sprung a leak at 3am, I seriously contemplated just leaving her, seeing as it hadn’t actually woken her up. Of course my mummy guilt kicked in and I dutifully changed her into a nice dry sleeping bag. How was I rewarded? I accidentally woke her up and she didn’t go back to sleep for an hour and a half.
• When she got her leg stuck in the baby gate, my first instinct was to laugh. Same with getting stuck between the sofa and the arm chair.
•W e have a tangle of phone and laptop chargers just sitting in the living room, and right now the extent of our baby-proofing is putting an ottoman in front of them.
And lastly, I write a magazine column where - for the amusement of others - I am paid to detail all the different ways I’m failing her as a parent. Oops.
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meet the parents
Up to code Kate Springer talks with two families about their computer whiz kids.
(from left): Sebastien and Lorna with their daughters Paloma and Celeste.
Sebastien and Lorna Manenc The Manencs have called Hong Kong home for over a decade. Sebastien and Lorna’s daughter Celeste, 15, took to computers at an early age and is now a top student at First Code Academy. When did you realise Celeste was into computers? Celeste’s generation grew up with computers. If we let them, they’d treat computers just like their more traditional baby toys. At two years old, Celeste would go on our desktop computer, press the on button, open the DVD drawer, insert the disc, and start watching Barney and playing the associated games. It seemed so easy and natural 20 expat-parent.com
When did Celeste begin coding classes? Celeste got interested in computer languages like HTML around 11 or 12 years old, when they began talking about coding in school. She borrowed a book about JavaScript from her IT teacher, and tried to learn the rest from YouTube and other websites. When she was 13, I enrolled her in a summer course run by First Code Academy. How did you decide on a class? I found First Code Academy online. It seemed interesting and had classes by age group, with the option to progress along successive stages. It also had a three-week summer programme, which I felt was a good way to start. Three weeks is a good amount of time as it allows the kids to learn something but also
to confirm their interest. Of course with Google and Apple making headlines daily, we looked to programmes related to app creation. How would you describe Celeste’s progress? Celeste learnt a lot during the summer class and then decided to continue during the school year, every Saturday morning. She quickly made progress in coding, but the course is also great for social interaction, creativity and confidence building, all of which we observed during the AppJamming Summit, where the students presented their creations. What kinds of things has Celeste learnt to code? Celeste has learnt many things, from making apps for Android phones to creating simple to
meet the parents our passwords. She’s thinking about studying computer science in the future. I think the skills she’s gained are giving her an idea of the possibilities. How is the world different now to when you were growing up? Information is everywhere and things are much faster. People stay in touch and are much more aware of their surroundings. And of course, as a teenager you now have 500 friends on Facebook.
The course is great for social interaction, creativity and confidence building
more complex websites. She’s always excited to learn something new in the classroom, and that shows in her work. How do you think these skills will help Celeste later in life? Celeste has already begun looking into more specific sectors in computer science. Over the summer, she went to the US and took a threeweek course at the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth on cryptology, which is very important for encrypting our data and securing
What advice would you give to fellow parents of computer-savvy kids? Teach them to manage their time, and encourage them to be well-rounded rather than spend all their time on the computer. Kids need to learn to use their time wisely online as well as without electronics in the old-fashioned way: spending time interacting with people face to face. We try to make sure Celeste spends time doing sports as well, like football, dance and scuba diving on holiday. She’s also studying Mandarin, Japanese and painting. And of course, she needs time to herself and leisure time with her friends.
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meet the parents
(from left): Matthew and his younger brother with proud parents Judith and Michael.
Judith and Michael Wong
How did Matthew react to coding initially? He immediately loved it! He was just so happy. The first class he joined was last summer, and it was a pretty intensive programme. I remember he went every day for a couple of hours, and he couldn’t stop talking about the class when he got home.
Parents of 10-year-old Matthew, Judith and Michael Wong have watched their son become a star student in his coding classes at Koding Kingdom. When did Matthew start showing interest in computers? When he was five, Matthew could operate a first-generation iPad; he learnt to play all kinds of games just by observing. I remember when he was still very young, he could already search so many things by himself on Google. How old was Matthew when you enrolled him in coding classes? We started him in coding classes when he was nine, during the summer of 2014. There weren’t many available at the time – maybe only three options came up on Google. I went with Koding Kingdom as I thought [founder] John Huen was really genuine and enthusiastic. He puts a lot of thought and time into designing the programme and finding the best way to teach the kids. 22 expat-parent.com
Does Matthew’s tech talent run in the family? I am not an IT person – I’m actually the opposite and am really bad with computers. My husband is a little better, but we can’t keep up with Matthew. Sometimes I have no clue what he’s doing, and can’t understand the numbers and symbols. I often have to tell him to ask his teacher because I can’t help him with the homework.
How does the curriculum work? At the very beginning they use a video game called Minecraft, so a lot of kids think they’re just playing all day. But it’s actually teaching them the building blocks of coding, and later you have to use your coding knowledge or else it isn’t fun to play. You can either build up blocks one by one, which takes a long time, or code 1,000 blocks at a time, which is more fun and satisfying. Matthew thinks it’s so cool – he thinks it’s like magic. Did you know much about coding before? I did a lot of research, and some Western countries have made coding compulsory in schools – I guess because they see it as an essential component of education today.
meet the parents In Hong Kong the syllabus doesn’t change as easily, so I don’t think we’ll be there for a few years. The education system here focuses so much on academics, and doesn’t make time for things like technology, so if kids want to learn then it has to be during an extracurricular class.
interested in the tech industry. Coding is just a foundation though, and if later he decides he wants to be an accountant, he can still do that. I have no clue what he’ll want to do when he grows up: ask him today and it’s one thing; next year it could be something completely different.
How would you describe Matthew’s progress? He’s progressed from playing Minecraft to doing some serious coding now. He’s made apps, websites and even a few mobile games. He puts them on his phone and loves to show me how to play. They’re simple games, but he’s so proud that he made them by himself. Even if it’s a ping-pong game that simply involves hitting the ball from side to side, understanding the technique behind creating it is really empowering.
What advice would you give to fellow parents of computer-savvy kids? Let your child try a coding class. You’ll be surprised at how fast children can learn! There are many short courses throughout the year that provide a taste, and if they like it or they’re talented, then they can enrol in something more long term.
How do you think these skills will help Matthew later in life? With almost everything internet-based nowadays, coding skills will definitely help him in the future. In my day people wanted to be a doctor, lawyer or banker, but now if you ask university graduates, many of them are more
The education system here focuses so much on academics and doesn’t make time for things like technology
What’s the biggest misconception you hear about coding? Many parents think coding equates to playing games. But for young children, the easiest way to hold their attention and enable them to learn basic coding is through enjoyable apps like Minecraft, which is simultaneously a game and a programming exercise. I actually had the same reservations at first, but I’ve seen the progress, and he’s come much farther than I ever expected.
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Feature
Bored of taking your visitors to the same old Hong Kong haunts? Go a little off the beaten track, and discover that Hong Kong has far more to offer overseas guests than malls and theme parks. With the weather cooling down, the humidity dropping, and dare we say it, Christmas fast approaching, visitor season is upon us. Showing the sights can get a little repetitive, so keep things interesting and fresh with our 20 distinctly Hong Kong experiences that should be included in every visitor’s itinerary.
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Feature
Go on an adventure to an outlying island.
1. Dragon’s Back This trail is one of Hong Kong’s most iconic hikes, and for good reason. Taking in panoramic views of Hong Kong Island’s grandest mansions, and overlooking the south side with its stunning beaches, Dragon’s Back gives visitors the opportunity to stretch their legs, enjoy the sea air, and escape the skyscrapers. End the hike at Shek O or Big Wave Bay for a dip in the sea or a beer overlooking the waves. The hike is reasonably steep at points, and although doable for children, is one to avoid if you have Great-Grandma visiting. Take bus no.9 from Shau Kei Wan bus terminus (exit A3). 2. ICC observation deck Any visit to Hong Kong, with our deservedly world-famous skyline, has to include the iconic selfie with skyscrapers in the background. For one of the most spectacular views of Hong Kong Island, head to the observation deck on the 100th floor of the ICC. It offers
360-degree views of the skyline and harbour, as well as interactive activities for children, and insights into the city’s history. Continue to soak up the views while savouring the highest of high teas at the Lounge & Bar, on the 102nd floor of the Ritz-Carlton. Adults access the observation deck for $168, children and senior citizens $118. Austin Road West, West Kowloon, 2613 3888, www.sky100.com.hk
3. Island hopping Whether enjoying a seafood feast on Lamma or strolling through old fishing villages, a trip to one of Hong Kong’s Outlying Islands will give your guests a chance to relax and unwind. Hop on a ferry to Peng Chau to experience one of the territory’s sleepiest islands, or head over to Cheung Sha (South Lantau) for buffalos, beachside dining and stunning sunsets. Hong Kong is a place of contrasts; make sure your guests don’t miss out on experiencing the island lifestyle. Central to Peng Chau and Mui Wo ferries from Central pier no.6. 4. Chop chopper! If your visitors are in the mood to splash out, there’s no better way to see Hong Kong than from a helicopter. Get a bird’seye view of the city’s skyline, peaks and coastlines – and snap some breathtaking shots while you’re up there. Heliservices offer private and shared tours, with prices starting at around HK$2,000 per seat on a shared tour. www.heliservices.com.hk expat-parent.com 25
Feature
For something out of the ordinary book a container port tour.
5. Pavement pounding
6. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
WALKING TOURS With the cooler weather comes the opportunity to really explore the sights, sounds and streets of Hong Kong. The best way to do this, and an ideal way for your visitors to entertain themselves for a few hours, is to organise a walking tour. From history-focused tours to food walks offering the chance to immerse oneself in the best of local cuisine. If you have older guests or young children in town, the hop-on-hop-off bus tours are great fun. 1. Get to know this eclectic city through a variety of tours by boat, tram or on foot with Hello Hong Kong. Their four-hour, small-group food tours (maximum eight people) run every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, offering a delicious opportunity to sample Hong Kong favourites like milk tea and egg tarts. Adults $650, children under 15 $525. www.hellohongkong.com.hk 2. Offering daily public and private tours, Big Foot Tour guides promise to show you Hong Kong by travelling around like a local. Their Real Hong Kong public tour (maximum eight people) runs every Tuesday at 9am, with other tours available on request. $650. www.bigfoottour.com 3. Amy of Hong Kong Greeters will show you around the city, promising to pack in as much as possible. The three-hour public walking tour held on most Wednesdays is a good fit for families, couples or solo travellers, offering an authentic Hong Kong experience with visits to temples, wet markets and other points of interest. $475. www.hkgreeters.com 4. While the city centre may not be equipped for cycling, the landscape of the New Territories is perfect for seeing Hong Kong in a different light, while pedalling through scenic spots like the Nam Sang Wai Peninsula and the Hong Kong Wetland Park. International Cyclists to Asia organises tours varying in length from three to eight hours, with bikes and helmets provided. $500 up. www.mountainbikingasia.com 5. Sam the Local could be anyone. The concept here is simple: visit the website and scroll through a long list of expert guides for details of their areas of expertise, places in the city they know well, and languages they speak. Your chosen local will then create a customised itinerary based on your interests, with prices and group sizes varying depending on the guide. www.samthelocal.com
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The steep climb up the steps of Sha Tin’s Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery may not be for the faint-hearted, but it’s well worth the effort. The hundreds (if not 10,000) Buddhas that line the steps all have their own pose, making this a great photo spot. At the top of the steps are a pagoda and small complex worthy of exploration. Tai Po Road, Sha Tin. 7. Container-port tour Impress your guests with your insider knowledge by booking a tour of Hong Kong’s container port. More appealing than it sounds, the tour will have you aboard a luxury yacht, winding your way through channels and under bridges for an upclose-and-personal experience – with plenty of fun facts from a marine expert. Tours run monthly from September to May. Adults $900, children $760; including breakfast muffins, lunch sausage sizzle, salads, afternoon tea, dessert, wine, beer and soft drinks. www.hongkongyachting.com 8. Race night Nothing beats the thrill of the races at Happy Valley Racecourse, held on Wednesday nights in the heart of Hong Kong. Horse racing first became a fixture in Hong Kong in 1841; today, from September to July, thousands flock to the floodlit arena for fun and frivolity at one of the world’s best racetracks, set amid the looming
skyscrapers. Guests will love the atmosphere, the sound of pounding hooves, and the chance to win a few dollars! Happy Valley Racecourse, 2 Sports Road, Happy Valley. 9. Pink-dolphin cruise Take your guests on a tour to see Hong Kong’s Chinese white dolphins – which are actually pink in colour – with Hong Kong Dolphinwatch. Sadly, these intelligent mammals are under threat from encroaching land reclamation and shipping traffic, with Hong Kong Dolphinwatch the only tour operator working to raise awareness and funds to protect the territory’s dolphin population. Tours last three to four hours; adults $420, children under 12 $210, babies under three $50. www.hkdolphinwatch.com 10. Evening harbour cruise Victoria Harbour is stunning at night; so take your guests on a night harbour cruise, and catch the Symphony of Lights show, drink in hand, aboard one of the city’s last remaining authentic junks. Visitors will savour the opportunity to capture photographs of the skyline at night – and in any case, seeing the lights of the city from the water never gets old, even for native Hongkongers.Adult: $170 Child (3-12 years old) / senior (aged 65 or above) / disabled person: $153 www.starferry.com.hk/ harbourtour.
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Feature 11. Sham Shui Po Shopping in Hong Kong isn’t just about malls packed with luxury labels: the city’s markets offer the chance for visitors to pick up bargains and souvenirs, as well as practise their haggling skills. Sham Shui Po is a market lover’s heaven, with street after street packed with everything from fabrics to electronics, accessories and phones. Find out from your guests what they’re after, or simply enjoy the experience of wandering the streets and seeing the vast array of goods on offer. MTR Sham Shui Po 12. Ladies’ Market If your guests are determined to take home “designer” bags, wallets and watches, then Ladies’ Market in Mong Kok is the place to go. The market gets going around 4pm, and as well as providing shopping opportunities, this is a great place to experience street food at a local restaurant. Encourage visitors to haggle – prices are definitely negotiable! Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok 13. The traditional-medicine shops of Sheung Wan Take your guests for a stroll around the
fascinating medicine and herb shops in and around Sheung Wan. Discover obscure dried plants, fish and other barely distinguishable creatures, and give your visitors an authentic experience of traditional Hong Kong culture. Most shop owners are happy to show you their wares and help you understand their uses – all you have to do is ask.
15. PMQ A flagship site of local design talent, PMQ (so named for its location at the former Police Married Quarters) is packed with interesting boutiques, cafes and culture. The historical site on Hollywood Road has been transformed into a design hub, and your guests will find endless examples of cutting-edge, uniquely Hong Kong clothing, jewellery and accessories. A number of coffee shops and restaurants within the complex and surrounding streets make PMQ an ideal spot to while away a few hours. PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central. www.pmq.org.hk
14. The Jade Market Jade is associated with good health and longevity in Chinese culture; it would be wrong for your guests to leave the city without their own good-luck charm. The Jade Market in Yau Ma Tei is one place where you can find collections of jade in every shape, size and colour. Junction of Kansu Street and Battery Street, Yau Ma Tei.
Find some gems at the Jade Market.
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Feature
Dine in style at a private kitchen.
Do-it-yourself at one of Hong Kong’s great hot pot spots.
16. Dim sum at City Hall No visit to Hong Kong is complete without dim sum. There’s an abundance of decent dim sum restaurants throughout the city, but for an authentic experience, lead visitors to City Hall in Central. Get there around 11, particularly on weekends, as it fills up fast; and let your guests gorge themselves from the vast selection of dim sum wheeled around the restaurant on traditional trolleys. Edinburgh Place, Central, 2521 1303. 17. Cheap-and-cheerful Michelin-starred cuisine As one of the world’s most affordable restaurants with a Michelin star, and with branches throughout Hong Kong, Tim Ho Wan serves incredible dim sum at even more
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incredible prices. Aim to go either after the lunchtime rush or before dinner to avoid the queues, and have more time to enjoy the food. Make sure you order enough baked char siu buns – everyone will want one. Various locations including Central, Sham Shui Po, North Point and Tseung Kwan O. www.timhowan.com 18. Private-kitchen dining Impress your visitors by arranging an evening at one of the city’s private kitchens. With every possible cuisine on offer, and settings including yachts, warehouses and private homes, your guests will surely have a dining experience to remember. We recommend Pomegranate Kitchen, 4B, 44 Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, 2580 0663
cuisine. Choose your soup base and a choice of meats, veggies, tofu and other treats and you’re good to go. We’ve heard no complaints from diners at Together Pot, Third Street, 168, Sai Ying Pun, 2559 6779
19. Hot pot Immerse your guests in a Cantonese culinary feast at one of the city’s many hot pot spots. With a myriad of possible flavours to enjoy, make sure it’s not the middle of summer to really appreciate this truly heartwarming
20. Jello shots in Lan Kwai Fong You’ve introduced your visitors to the most important sights, sounds and smells of this great city. Time for a farewell trip to LKF and a few jello shots to send them on their way in style!
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open day
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open day
Quarry Bay School Mawgan Batt takes a tour.
I
t’s playtime, and the playground at Quarry Bay School (QBS) is a sea of hats trimmed in red, yellow, green or blue. Located at the top of Braemar Hill and sharing a quiet street with several international schools, QBS is one of nine primary schools operated by the English Schools Foundation (ESF). The students, aged five to 11, are enjoying some fun before lessons resume, with a small group intensely involved in a chess game; others learning to play their brand-new recorders; while some of the younger children run around laughing during a game of tag. Watching over this scene is school Principal Mina Dunstan, a familiar sight to the students of QBS. Whether in the playground at break or lunchtime, or on one of her daily visits to see the students in their classrooms, Dunstan places strong emphasis on being visible and available to the students at QBS. A part of the school for three and a half years, Dunstan was previously Vice Principal at Sha Tin Junior School, following her move to Hong Kong from Australia nine years ago. QBS is a school with an interesting history. Originally located on King’s Road in North
We strongly believe that if they are not happy the learning will not happen
Point, and founded in 1926, the school’s been in its current location, and part of the ESF stable, since 1985. Connections with former students are seen throughout the school body, in both parents and teachers. It’s a school that prides itself on its continued associations with past students, parents and staff. “I no longer raise an eyebrow when I discover an adult connection to the school,” says Dunstan. “There’s a really good attachment to the school from former parents and staff.” Most notably: the current School Council Chair is a former alumnus of the original school in North Point, as
was his mother. His continued involvement with QBS highlights the school’s strong community connections. The ever-present Hong Kong challenge of space has been an issue at QBS, particularly with 720 students enrolled. A three-year renovation plan, funded by ESF, is now coming to an end, and has seen the internal and external parts of buildings upgraded, new contemporary learning spaces integrated, and a new playground opened. These improvements have all had the objective of maximising space for the students and the investment has paid dividends. In the case of QBS the intake is based on catchment area, stretching from Happy Valley to Shek O, including areas such as Chai Wan and Tai Tam. With over 40 nationalities represented, the school exemplifies the diverse nature of Hong Kong. “The ethos of the school is about community,” says Dunstan. “We’re an inclusive, family-oriented school with a diverse student body, and all our decisions come from putting the children first and focusing on what matters to them.” The staff are also comprised of numerous
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open day
nationalities and experiences including longterm QBS teachers, those at the beginning of their career, as well as teachers who have taught all over the world. “I count my blessings every day to work with such a professional group of people who are serious about giving children what they absolutely need,” says Dunstan. So what can prospective QBS parents expect from the school? “Children that are happy,” Mina states emphatically. “We strongly believe that if they are not happy the learning will not happen.” Parent involvement is crucial in the ongoing connection between a student’s school and homelife. Parents are regularly seen at the school in a number of capacities; be it imparting their gardening skills to students in the new micro gardens; participating in reading sessions or helping in the learning centre. “Our door is always open,” emphasises Dunstan. “We want parents to be involved in the school and we see parents as partners.” For those students who have additional learning needs, QBS has fully integrated learning support, with specialist teachers who work to allow all children to access the curriculum. These children remain part of the classroom setting, and also receive specific 34 expat-parent.com
small group support where appropriate, but inclusion is encouraged and diversity is celebrated. One recent initiative that the school is looking to develop over the coming year is its connection with an old people’s home in Chai Wan. The children visit the centre, and residents have also been invited into the school to read with the children and engage in their learning. “Many children don’t have grandparents in Hong Kong,” says Dunstan, “And it’s important to us that our students can make meaningful connections with our local community.” In addition to a dedicated body of teaching staff, the school has a supportive PTA which raises funds for the school through fairs and events that take place over the course of the academic year. The PTA is very active, and in addition to their fund raising activities, is also responsible for coordinating the school’s bus services and uniform sales. With the three year building and playground renovation project coming to an end, QBS is looking forward to its next chapter. Principal Mina Dunstan wants the school to become a beacon of both visual and performing arts, to further grow its sporting participation and to continue with its emphasis on prioritising the
children in all decisions. If the smiling faces in the playground and the engaged students in the classrooms are anything to go by, the school is certainly fulfilling its goals.
School Report Quarry Bay School Established: 1926 Number of students: 720 Class size: 30 Curriculum: International Baccalaureate PYP Fees 2015/2016: $78,700 Non refundable capital levy: $38,000 Address: 6 Hau Yuen Path, Braemar Hill, North Point Tel: 2566 4242
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principal’s office
Mina Dunstan Principal of Quarry Bay School. By Mawgan Batt.
What are some of the biggest challenges in your role? It’s about getting the balance right. I have to know when to push certain things and when to take a step back. It’s important to be listening, looking and gleaning feedback from parents, teachers and students.
How did you become principal of Quarry Bay School? I was on maternity leave from my Principal role at a school in Australia when my husband saw an advertisement for a Vice Principal position at Sha Tin Junior School. Initially I’d intended to take a two year maternity break to spend time with my daughter, and was not even considering a move overseas but with my husband’s encouragement, I applied for the role, and within months had moved to Hong Kong. I stayed at Sha Tin for four years and then took on the Principal role at QBS just over three years ago.
What are the most significant changes that you have implemented? I hope that it’s the mindset that is present in families, children and staff that the most important people here are the children. Parents feel that they can always contact the teachers and we encourage parents to get in touch with us by email with questions or concerns and we will always respond. They can also arrange to meet us to discuss any issues that they have this open door policy is crucial to the school.
When did you know that you wanted to become a teacher? Even when I was young, my sister and I loved to play schools, and I enjoyed playing the role of a teacher. I then went on to do some work experience in a school, and subsequently chose teaching as a career. From that moment I’ve never looked back. Did you have an inspirational teacher? When I was in Year 4, I had a teacher named Mr MacDougall. He was a gentle giant, warm and caring and he really stands out as a special teacher. When I was a principal in Australia, he was at the end of his career but I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with him when he came into the school as a supply teacher. What were your goals when you joined the school? Firstly it was to get to know people. My first task was to learn the children’s names and to get to know the community and staff. I had 100 days of listening and learning to discover more about the context of the school. Three years later, I now feel that I understand the complexities, nuances and layers of the school and its community.
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What do you enjoy most about your job? The children. What the children do, say, and just being around them. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing the distance that the children travel in their learning. I am also privileged to work with a great team of people.
I see as many classes as I can in one day because if I’m not in the classroom, I’m not connected to the students Do you miss being in the classroom? Yes I do. As a rule, I see as many classes as I can in one day because if I’m not in the classroom then I’m not connected to the students.
How do you see the relationship between student and principal? It’s important to be visible and present throughout the school in a variety of contexts. I go out of my way to follow up with pastoral matters and ensure that I’m always accessible and available to students. What has been the most memorable event in your career? Being appointed into a post with ESF and taking the step from teaching in Australia into international education. How do you switch off and relax? I walk, fast! It depends on what type of day I’ve had, but I have two daughters who quickly level me when I get home. That family time allows me to leave it all behind.
Sponsored Column
Year One admissions and interviews Preparation is key to secure those all-important places.
One of the biggest tasks for parents is getting their children admitted to a school of their choice – this is far from easy. There is no shortage of international schools in Hong Kong but there is a shortage of spaces. Admission at Year One is generally based on an interview. The main objective of the interview is to observe children’s character, age-appropriate skills, English ability and overall readiness for ‘big school’. Schools put a strong emphasis on previous academic reports and comments from teachers on prospective student’s behaviour, strengths and overall academic ability. Try to stimulate their curiosity about their environment, in order to develop interest and knowledge. Be sure to provide children with every opportunity to develop their creativity – never try to curb their urge to learn new things, or to learn more about something that interests them. Help your children develop morally, mentally and
physically through gentle encouragement. Focus on developing good habits, social attitudes and manners. A large number of parents who clamour for their children’s admission to a popular school do not stop to think about what they are actually looking for. Research has shown that character is determined by early education, so an institution which puts an emphasis on character building may well be preferable to one known to produce bookworms. It is impossible to find a school which will impart all the qualities of character to children in full measure. Select a school which you feel comfortable with and remember that a great school is one which inspires children and broadens their outlook on life. Finally, don’t miss deadlines. Finding out that application deadlines have passed can be quite disheartening. You feel bad
because you were unable to provide your child with a chance of even being offered an interview never mind a school place. Make sure to put a structured plan in place for the next academic year. Contact all your preferred schools and make sure to set up a calendar alert in your diary for when the application opens. Do it on the first day, so you don’t have the urge to procrastinate. Have copies of all the documentation you need for the application in order and in separate folders for each school. ITS Education Asia provides an education consulting service that works with families and employers to find the right schools for individual children in Hong Kong, from nursery to secondary schools. ITS also offers research, policy and advisory services for corporations. For more details, contact es@itseducation.asia, 3188 3940 or www.itseducation.asia.
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after school
Master builders Tech classes for curious creatives. By Callum Wiggins
(Above): Young coders are shown how it’s done at First Code Academy. (Below): At TLC Kids, Micecraft is used to teach coding and computer skills.
Koding Kingdom Coding is essential in creating computer software, apps and websites. Koding Kingdom aims to empower young people with the knowledge to understand and create their own animations, apps and games. Courses are structured to suit different ages and levels of experience with plenty of challenges for novice coders and those with prior coding experience. A special Minecraft class allows coders to immerse themselves in an unlimited world of size and number of blocks where they are able to create any structure their imaginations can muster. Classes are held in a number of locations including Cyberport, Tin Hau and Prince Edward. For full details visit www.kodingkingdom.com or call 3706 8918. 38 expat-parent.com
First Code Academy Kids these days aren’t just experts at using technology, they are now becoming experts
at creating technology. First Code Academy, founded by former Silicon Valley software engineer Michelle Sun, aims to equip students with the knowledge of digital literacy and the goal of enabling young people to be creators of technology. First Code Tinker (ages six- to eight) and First Code Explorer (ages nine- to 11) classes dive straight into creating and customising a series of fun mobile apps. First Code Creator (ages 12 and above) students will get to grips with programming and use algorithms to create and manipulate advanced software. Each term has 12 weekly classes up to two hours long and cost from $6,360$10,680. Full details can be found at www. firstcodeacademy.com or call 2772 2108.
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after school
(Left): fun LEGO building activities at Bricks 4 Kidz; A coding class at TLC Kids
Bricks 4 Kidz Universally popular with kids and adults alike, LEGO has been a staple in children’s toy boxes since its creation over 60 years ago. Recognising its potential to be more than a simple toy, Bricks 4 Kidz has become a global franchise introducing the colourful bricks to thousands of youngsters around the world. At Bricks 4 Kidz, students construct a new model each week based on different themes,
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from space and sports to amusement parks and animals. Young builders will learn about the concepts of design and develop their creative side with experienced model builders. Each model has two difficulty levels so kids in need of a challenge can get to grips with axles, gears and motors and push themselves to master remote controls and gear ratios. Classes take place at Bricks 4 Kidz Creativity Centres in Wan Chai and Sai Kung as well as
at a number of international schools around the city. Full details can be found at www.bricks4kidz.com.hk. TLC Kids Taking the world by storm since its release earlier this decade, the virtual construction game Minecraft has become a useful learning tool to teach children about a whole range of academic topics. Using the popular game,
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after school kids can explore, create and develop essential computer and ICT skills. Fun themes to explore include Fantasy World, Medieval Adventure and CSI Detective. Classes take place at a number of locations. Full details can be found at www.tlckids.com.hk or call 2606 2770.
Brainchild founder Jimmy Choy with his DIY robotics
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The Genius Workshop Since 2004 The Genius Workshop (previously Children’s Technology Workshop Hong Kong) has been improving children’s science-related knowledge with their popular courses including LEGO Engineering and Mechanic Workshop. The Genius Workshop has now expanded to offer a range of after school classes to satisfy any young tech enthusiast. The Mechanic Workshop, Robotic Division, Engineering Workshop, Animation Academy, Green Zone and Architecture Unit all use LEGO to create a series of challenges to teach about the most up-to-date science and technology concepts. Classes start for children aged from three to 14 years and take place in either the Happy Valley or Prince Edward centres. Full details can be found at www.g-workshop.com or call 2591 0100.
Brainchild Company founder Jimmy Choy, who has worked as a lecturer, engineer, lawyer and even as a chef in the family restaurant, established Brainchild 10 years ago to help his son, who has ADHD, progress with his learning. The concept has flourished and Choy now runs DIY robotics and technology workshops for kids who appreciate a very hands-on and interactive learning experience. Choy uses existing robotic toys, powered by batteries and remotely controlled, as a starting point. He teaches children to modify them to run on solar power and operate more efficiently, making them faster and even programmable. Choy has even created his own wind tunnel in the workshop, where students can check the streamlining of their models and measure air resistance. The models are not limited to bugs and robots. Aerial enthusiasts can sign up for special classes to explore how to make planes and other things that fly. App jamming, where students can develop their own games and apps for Android devices is sure to prove popular. Full details can be found at www.brainchildltd.com or call 2528 6862.
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me & my hobby
Plié perfect How Nicole Assaad danced her way into the Hong Kong Ballet. By Callum Wiggins.
How did you land the part of dancing in the Pinocchio show? I auditioned for a company position at the Hong Kong Ballet in the United States. I was fortunate enough to be granted a corps de ballet position. As soon as I joined the company, I was cast in the Pinocchio Ballet.
can be quite frustrating to realise that I won’t improve dramatically over night. It takes time, muscle memory and hard work to reach that level of mastery. Do you get nervous on stage and how do you cope with that? I used to get very nervous on stage when I was younger until my mum taught me to meditate before going on stage. Meditation and focus have been my key to reach complete zen on stage. Once I achieve that level of relaxation, I feel nothing but joy.
How long have you been a ballet dancer and why did you take up ballet? I have been dancing ballet for nine years since I was nine years old. Before I started ballet, I played soccer. I have always been athletic. When I discovered that ballet incorporated big movements and still combined fluidity and grace, something clicked for me and I fell in love.
Would you like to continue being a ballet dancer when you become an adult? I really can’t see myself doing anything other than dancing. I will continue dancing for as long as my body can withstand.
What do you enjoy about ballet? I love the level of depth that ballet has. It uses movements and lines that transform into meaning and leads to a story. With proper skill, it can move an audience and stay with them. I also love the physical and mental challenge that ballet involves. Dancers must use their artistry to bring the story to life.
Is it hard to balance practice with school? It is quite difficult to manage both school and dance at the same time, as both are full-time activities. It takes a great amount of discipline and determination to keep both in check. And finally... I believe that the mind must be trained equally as the body. It gives the dancer depth and it is expressed in their dancing.
Where do you dance? I am currently a member of the corps de ballet at the Hong Kong Ballet. Tell me about a typical ballet class, what kind of activities do you do? In a typical ballet class, we start at the barre with pliés to warm up our muscles and joints. We transition to movements that get faster and more complex, lifting the legs higher, changing the dynamics of the body and balancing at the end of combinations so that we can prepare for the centre (without the barre). By the time we start centre, we are ready to dance without support. We begin with a slow adagio or tendus and work our way into turns and jumps. I love ending the class with a “grand allegro” which are big jumps across the floor. By the 44 expat-parent.com
Get dancing Twinkle Dance Company Ballet for children and adults as well as jazz, funk and and tap classes. 6608 6689, www.twinkledance.com
end of class, we are full of energy, warmed up and ready for a day of rehearsals. What is the hardest thing about being a ballet dancer? The hardest part of being a ballet dancer is the need to have patience. Ballet is a skill that is not acquired in a few hours, not even months. It takes years to reach a great level of skill. It
Island Dance Ballet classes from 18 months to adults at more than 14 venues across Hong Kong. 2987 1571, www.islanddance.com.hk Lynne Ballet School Small group ballet classes leading to RAD examination options. 9777 5393, www.lynneballetschool.com
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Mumpreneurs
Baby Hero: Mumpreneurs on a Mission Give a gift and save a life. By Mawgan Batt.
S
amar Shaheryar and Allie Wieser first met in Tokyo in 2010 but have both called Hong Kong home for over four years now. After leaving successful investment banking careers, they launched their own baby clothing range Baby Hero two years ago. They share what it means to juggle motherhood with building an ethical and socially responsible brand. Tell us about your families Samar: My husband is Irish. I was born in Pakistan but raised primarily on the east coast of the USA. We have three children: Anaia, four, Isha, two, and Kiyan, three months, so our hands are full! Allie: My husband and I are from the USA and we have two children: Cooper, three-and-a-
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half, and Adriana, one-and-a-half, both born in Hong Kong. Prior to moving here we lived in Tokyo, where I met Samar, and New York. What were your roles before launching Baby Hero? Samar: I was an investment banker for 10 years at JPMorgan in New York where I also co-founded and ran Youth Outreach, Developments in Literacy, an organization dedicated to funding education for girls in rural and impoverished parts of Pakistan. In Tokyo I co-founded and ran Tokyo Helps, fundraising for emergency disaster relief. Allie: I was in equities at Bear Stearns and JPMorgan in New York. After moving to Tokyo, I became Head of Client Services for Asia for Primary Insight, LLC. I joined Samar’s charity
organization, Tokyo Helps, to run events; that’s how we met. Where did the idea for Baby Hero come from? Allie: After each having our first child, Samar and I became acutely aware of the vulnerability of both mother and child during childbirth. We both had complicated deliveries that required medical intervention and if we didn’t live in a developed city like Hong Kong, the outcomes could have been very different. We did some research and found the statistics staggering: two million babies die every year in their first month of life from preventable causes like diarrhea or infection from unhygienic medical tools. The vast majority of these deaths can be prevented
expat-parent.com 47
Mumpreneurs
through low cost, high impact, and selfadministered medical supplies. A US$2 bottle of antiseptic that keeps a newborn’s umbilical cord stump free from infection could save 600,000 babies every year. With that in mind, we set out to create a product every new mother needs that harnesses the power of consumers to fight the global epidemic of maternal and infant health. Baby onesies make the list of essentials for nearly every mother so these became our focal point for product development. We spent months putting the right collection together, sourcing the safest and softest organic fabric with the durability to last endless hours of play. The result is a product that new parents and babies love that funds a life-saving Neonatal Survival Kit with every purchase. How did you translate it from concept to reality? Allie: A lot of sweat equity. We cold called hundreds of factories before finding the wonderful one with which we now work. It’s run by women, employs disadvantaged women and men in its community in Southern India, and funds a cancer hospital and HIV clinic with its profits. Whilst searching for a partner on the infant and maternal health side we fortuitously met Dr. Shaun Morris, who created the Neonatal Survival Kit and heads the medical trials being run in Pakistan and Kenya. We aim to make a sustainable impact this means measuring the effectiveness of what we are doing, educating, being culturally acceptable, and carrying out the initiatives in 48 expat-parent.com
a way that can continue without us in the future. We are proud to have built a 360 degrees ethical company. How has the concept been received? Parents and gift-givers have rallied behind it. They know that happiness is holding a healthy baby in their arms and improving maternal and infant health. As a result, we ship orders via our website all over the world. What has been your biggest challenge to date? Allie: There are a ton. Some days the biggest challenge is figuring out how to meet a deadline and get a child to the doctor; other days it’s leaving my children for an international business trip. Samar: We design, manufacture and sell our clothes (all as ethically as we can) and also run a non-profit foundation. Prioritising and doing justice to all those functions is always a juggling act. What do you love most about what you do? Allie: I love the impact. I love proving we can scale a business while doing good. Seeing the number of Neonatal Kits we fund grow each week is one of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of Baby Hero. Samar: I am proud of the fact that we have chosen to make a positive impact in all aspects of our company. It should be easier to source responsibly and ethically, but it still takes a lot of effort and commitment. I sleep so much better at night knowing that Baby Hero is a force for good in the world.
How do you juggle the business and your children? Allie: I try to have set times to work every day and set times with the children. A routine helps the household run more smoothly. I also try to be ruthless in my priorities, with family at the top, of course. Samar: As long as I take some time each day to really connect separately with each of my three children, I find I’m able to juggle things more successfully and be happier. Allie and I have set up the business so we can work from home, allowing us to maximize time with our kids. I love being able to emerge from the office after a work session to have lunch and a play with my kids. What advice would you give to other working parents? Allie: In the digital age, it is becoming harder to set boundaries but it’s imperative to do so. Try as much as possible to have an ‘off switch’ with work when you are with your family. Easier said than done, I know. Samar: This I’ve learned from my husband who makes parenthood look easy – don’t feel guilty. It is a waste of time and makes parenting so much harder. If we don’t take care of ourselves and cut ourselves some slack, how will we teach our children to do the same when they need to? What’s next for Baby Hero? What are your plans and aspirations for the business? Allie: We are expanding our product offerings this Autumn and are very excited about the new designs. Check out www.babyhe.ro to see the new product launches coming soon.
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big day out
Day at the museum
Get a change of perspective at the Trick Eye Museum.
Shreena Patel unearths what Hong Kong’s museums have to offer.
M
useums aren’t just for rainy days and school trips, and not all of them are stuffy and full of old objects (and curators) gathering dust. The majority of Hong Kong’s museums are bilingual, easily accessible by train or ferry and offer cheap admission and an air-conditioned break from the outdoors as well as educational insights. Many offer free admission one day a week (typically Wednesdays) and interactive exhibits that are great for children. They cover a surprising range of fields, from history and art to considerably more niche interests such as 3D art and correctional services. We’ve picked out six of the best for you to explore. Hong Kong Museum of History What: The museum’s permanent exhibition, The Hong Kong Story, brings to life thousands of years of Hong Kong history, from the prehistoric era to the Opium War to the handover to China, through dioramas and lifesize exhibits. Look out for a tram, a fishing junk 50 expat-parent.com
Contact: 2724 9042, hk.history.museum. Admission: $10 standard; $5 concession; free for under-fours. Free on Wednesdays, except for some special exhibitions. Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Fri: 10am-6pm; Sat, Sun and public holidays: 10am-7pm; closed Tue (except public holidays) and the first two days of Chinese New Year.
A fishing junk at the History Museum.
and a street scene complete with barber, bank, post office and grocer. There is even a Chinese medicine shop which was relocated from its original location stone by stone. The special exhibition on the Han Dynasty runs until October 5 and features a number of exhibits on loan from the mainland, including a jade suit sewn with gold thread from the mausoleum of King Chu at Xuzhou. Where: 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum What: Formerly accommodation for married staff, the building now houses 10 galleries displaying the evolution of Hong Kong’s penal system over the last 160 years. Exhibits include prison records, two reconstructed cells and an array of gruesome equipment used for corporal punishment, including a mock gallows and rattan cane known as “the cat of nine tails”. Where: 45 Tung Tau Wan Road, Stanley Contact: 2147 3199, www.csd.gov.hk/emuseum. Admission: Free. Opening hours: Tue-Sun: 10am-5pm; closed Mon and public holidays.
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big day out Hong Kong Heritage Museum What: Permanent exhibitions include the Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall, which showcases a reconstructed bamboo theatre as well as items once used by famous Cantonese opera artists. The Children’s Discovery Gallery features eight play-zones which transport little ones to the depths of the sea, the Mai Po Marshes, archaeological digs and a traditional New Territories village in search of wildlife, ancient artefacts and cultural heritage. A special exhibition on Hong Kong Kung Fu legend Bruce Lee runs until 2018. Where: 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin. Contact: 2180 8188, www.heritagemuseum. gov.hk. Admission: $10 standard; $5 concession; free for underfours. Free on Wednesdays. Opening hours: Mon, WedFri: 10am-6pm; Sun and public holidays: 10am-7pm; closed Tue
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(except public holidays) and the first two days of Chinese New Year. Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence What: Set in a British fort now over a century old with beautiful views of the Lei Yue Mun channel, this museum offers a fascinating insight into Hong Kong’s military past, from the Ming and Qing period, to the British colonial era and the Japanese occupation. Take the historical trail through the casemates and passageways to the sea, and explore the array of artefacts on display, including uniforms, maps, cannons, replica torpedos and guns. Where: 175 Tung Hei Road, Shau Kei Wan
Contact: 2569 1500, hk.coastaldefence.museum. Admission: $10 standard; $5 concession; free for under-fours. Free on Wednesdays. Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun: 10am5pm (until 6pm from March to September), closed Thu (except public holidays) and the first two days of Chinese New Year. Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum What: Discovered by workmen during a construction project 60 years ago, this 2,000-year-old tomb dates back to the Eastern Han dynasty. Peer inside the tomb and learn about the period from which it dates through
big day out Photo by Marco Repola
3D museums
(from left): a replica disappearing gun at the Museum of Coastal Defence; Lei Cheng Uk Han tomb; the Museum of Medical Sciences.
videos, maps and photos. A gallery features the objects found during the excavation, including pottery and bronze wares. Interestingly, the site of the tomb once overlooked the seashore, but after a series of land reclamations, now lies almost 2km from the sea. Where: 41 Tonkin Street, Sham Shui Po. Contact: 2386 2863, www.lcsd.gov.hk. Admission: Free. Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun: 10am6pm, closed Thu (except public holidays) and the first two days of Chinese New Year. Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences What: Housed in the Old Pathological Institute,
this was the battleground of the city’s fight against infectious diseases, including the plague, smallpox and malaria. Explore Hong Kong’s first clinical and public health laboratory, and see a reconstruction of students dissecting rats for plague surveillance. Visit the Herbalist Shop in the basement to find out about traditional Chinese medicine. Also keep an eye out for the x-ray of a bound foot. Where: 2 Caine Lane, Mid-Levels. Contact: 2549 5123, www.hkmms.org.hk. Admission: $20 adult; $10 concession. Opening hours: Tue-Sat: 10am-5pm; Sun and public holidays: 1pm-5pm; closed Mon and the first three days of Chinese New Year.
Need a change of perspective? Take a closer look at these museums which showcases the art of optical illusion through 3D artwork and interactive exhibits. Repulse Bay Visual Art Museum The largest 3D museum in Hong Kong. Shop B104 on Basement 1 and Shop 305 on 1/F, the pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, 2617 0008, www.vamuseum.com.hk. Trick Eye Museum Part of a global chain first launched in South Korea. Shop No. 1, 3/F, The Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Road, The Peak, 2813 1686, www.trickeye.com. Hong Kong 3D Museum The first 3D museum in Hong Kong. 1/F Hilton Place, 96 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, 2721 9720, www.hk3dm.com.hk.
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food
Beach eats Now that the weather is cooling down, sitting outdoors has become bearable again. Annie Wong discovers Hong Kong’s best beachside restaurants. 54 expat-parent.com
Mavericks Tucked away on Lantau’s quiet Pui O beach, Mavericks has the relaxed vibe of a surf shack-inspired restaurant. There’s good reason to make the trip: the restaurant serves a mean burger, tuna platters and wonton nachos. Plus, good tunes from live DJs, artsy wall murals and craft beers by the likes of Kona brew from Hawaii. If you’re just back from catching a wave, you’ll appreciate the “no shirt, no shoes” attitude. The open-air restaurant is right next to the Pui O campsite should you want to pitch a tent for an overnighter. Only open weekends. Pui O Beach, South Lantau Road, 5402 4154, www.mavericks.hk.
food Cococabana Mediterranean Restaurant With a panoramic terrace and seaside vibe, the beachfront restaurant is a lovely spot to linger over a French-Mediterranean meal after a day on Shek O beach. Chef Jean Paul Gauci’s menu features predominantly fresh seafood, including bouillabaisse, scallops St Jacques, whole grilled French sea bass and standout piri-piri king prawns. For a heartier meal, meat options include rib-eye steak, roast chicken, Corsican pork-knuckle stew and slow-cooked ox tongue. Vegetarians haven’t been forgotten, the ratatouille gratin is a popular order. There’s also a crowdpleasing kids’ menu. The set menu is $398 for three courses. Take your time and enjoy the seaside views right from your table. Open daily, noon-11pm. G/F Shek O Beach Building, Shek O Beach, 2812 2226, www.toptables.com.hk/coco.
Limewood Repulse Bay has been on the upswing ever since the pulse opened. Among the top newcomers is Limewood from Maximal Concepts. The menu features a mixture of South American, Caribbean and Southeast Asian cuisines, with a sprinkling of Hawaiian thrown in for good measure. Scratching your head? Barbecued, charred and roasted seafood and meats are brought to life with zippy seasonings – chimichurri sauce, ginger, orange, pineapple, guacamole, jalapeno, coconut, and lime. Lots of lime. One of our favourite aspects of the restaurant is the 180-degree front-row view of Repulse Bay Beach. Shop 103-104, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, 2866 8668, www.limewood.hk. expat-parent.com 55
food
Meen & Rice Situated on the waterfront at the pulse, Meen & Rice opened earlier this year and has struck up a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. The interior has a modern touch, with top to bottom doors and Chinese characters on the walls. It serves a modern take on home-style Chinese cuisine and, as the name suggests, the menu consists mainly of noodles and rice. Look out for traditional favourites such as cheung fan rice noodles, barbecue pork and salt-and-pepper deep-fried squid. Shop 113, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, 2566 8886, www.facebook.com/meenandrice.
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The Beach House Perched on Lantau Beach, The Beach House is home to great views and mouth-watering food. The relaxed beach restaurant has won the hearts of many in the area as well as drawing visitors from afar. A new breakfast is starting mid October; on the menu are a full English breakfast, spinach omelette with a green salad and french toast with mixed berry compote and mascarpone cream. Don’t miss the Chilean sea bass with a pineapple and pepper salsa and the banoffee pie. Several draught and craft beers wash things down nicely. Open 8am-9.30pm, Wednesday to Sunday and public holidays. 32 Lower Cheung Sha Village, South Lantau, 2504 4788, www.thebeachhousehk.com.
food Lantana Serving Italian cuisine, Lantana is a hidden gem located on the lower end of Cheung Sha Beach. With a spacious seating area, Lantana is a popular destination for families and it is perfect after a hike around the area. Furnished with wooden tables and chairs, the chilled ambience can be felt from the restaurant’s sizeable outdoor terrace which gives a great view and puts you right at the doorstep of the beach. The beachside restaurant is family- and petfriendly. Lantana’s signature handmade pizzas are popular and kiddy size portions of pasta are available. Lantana only accepts cash and takes reservations. Open from 12pm-8pm, closed Mondays. 40 Cheung Sha Lower Village, Lantau Island, 5465 5511.
expat-parent.com 57
money & me
Cheryl Wilson Charitable Choice’s founder donates some helpful advice. By Callum Wiggins. Tell us about your organisation. Charitable Choice is a registered charity organisation promoting charitable gifting for a better Hong Kong. We provide an interactive website that enables selected charities to raise funding towards projects that address pressing social needs. Our flagship product - the first and only Charity Gift Card for Hong Kong - allows you to make a donation on behalf of another person who may then choose the charity that benefits. Using the Charitable Choice website, users may also set up personalised giving pages to raise funds to support up to three local charities. What was your inspiration? When I had my first child I was overwhelmed by the generosity of family and friends. We received so many lovely gifts celebrating the arrival of our daughter. Shortly after that, I read an article about income disparity in Hong Kong and came across some startling figures about poverty. I remember it was quite a confronting moment as I was feeling so blessed and grateful for the generosity of those around us, yet there were so many other people who were struggling for just the basics in life. In that moment I decided to do something about it and started thinking of creative, interactive and innovative ways to raise funds to help those in need. Hong Kong has a strong gifting culture and I wanted to channel some of that generosity towards charitable causes. 18 months later, I registered Charitable Choice, providing an alternative to traditional gifting. Are you a spender or a saver? A saver. I am not a shopper by any stretch of the imagination and prefer the simple things in life. How much is in your wallet? I tend to visit the ATM sporadically so my wallet is either quite full or completely empty. I am overdue for an ATM visit as I don’t have much in my wallet at the moment. 58 expat-parent.com
What was your best investment? Putting my savings into setting up Charitable Choice. The comparatively small investment to bring the concept to reality through the webbased platform has enabled us to raise over $1.4 million for local Hong Kong charities: A fantastic return on investment over the course of the last four years. What was your worst investment? A friend of mine at university convinced me to buy stocks in a random IT company during the tech bubble just as it was about to burst. That was by far my worst investment. I am still good friends with him despite his bad investment advice all those years ago! Do you play Mark Six? No, although last week the winning numbers were all numbers I would have chosen so maybe I should start.
Hong Kong has a strong gifting culture and I wanted to channel some of that generosity towards charitable causes What credit cards do you use? Primarily AMEX but I have a backup VISA card in case AMEX is not accepted, which occasionally happens. When were you poorest? I was poorest when I was studying at university. I had moved out of home and was working two part time jobs to make ends meet. It was a tough few years but it taught me to have a strong work ethic and to manage my finances well.
Do you invest in stocks? No, please refer to my worst investment experience! I find the stock market volatility very stressful and prefer not to invest in stocks. How much pocket money do you give your children? While on holiday in the US last month, my husband allocated US$20 to our six year old as pocket money and it was wonderful to see her be so careful with her budget. It took her over a week to agonise over what she really needed and make price comparisons. She ended up saving a portion too so I think she is ready for a small weekly allowance this school year. Our younger child still thinks coins are more valuable than notes.
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travel
A SLINGBACK TO NATURE IN SINGAPORE Rebecca Keiller leaves the city behind. 60 expat-parent.com
travel
W
hen you think of Singapore, nature might not be the first thing that springs to mind. You’ve probably been to Sentosa, experienced all the delights of Universal Studios, and jostled for position on Siloso beach. Presumably you’ve experienced the downtown buzz, paid a visit to the Merlion and sipped a Singapore Sling at Raffles. But what about the rest of Singapore? The areas of rugged nature, outdoor activities and wildlife trails? For a city synonymous with sleek architecture, squeakyclean streets and a slight shopping obsession, you might find it a challenge to get out of the CBD and into the countryside. On a recent three-day getaway in Singapore, I made it my mission to explore beyond the comforts of the city and get out into nature. First stop was the MacRitchie Reservoir, a nature reserve popular with locals for hikes, running trails, picnics and monkey spotting. Colour-coded walking trails weave through the park and a boardwalk skirts the edge of the reservoir, but the main attraction is definitely the TreeTop Walk, a free standing suspension bridge connecting the park’s two highest points, raising you as high as 25 meters off the forest floor. Next stop: something more active. Stand Up Paddle Boarding seems to be the newest craze in watersports. Boards and beginner lessons are available along the beaches near East Coast Park. Even better, the Beach Club welcomes weary parents with a refreshing drink while the kids are at play. But what really piqued my curiosity was SUP After Dark, an instructor-led 30-minute activity where LED lights illuminate the tropical waters beneath your board. Many visitors are unaware of the number of beautiful islands Singapore has to offer (and no, I’m not referring to Sentosa). Clean beaches, blue shores, picturesque treks and an array of flora, fauna and animal species draw city slickers in the hundreds every weekend. Pulau Hantu, St. John’s Island, Lazarus Island and Kusu Island are all well worth checking out with boats departing from Marina South Pier most days. By far the most popular (and the most
Kayaking through the mangroves on Pulau Ubin island
expat-parent.com 61
travel frequented) island is Pulau Ubin. This largely untouched island off the east coast of Singapore, is a little gem and easily accessible from the city. Just a 15-minute bumboat ride from the mainland and you’re thrown into a 1960s Singapore time warp. Walk, bike or kayak around this boomerang-shaped island for a feel of old Singapore. Glimpse the city’s version of a simpler life: wooden kampong houses, rustic trails, swaying coconut palms and tropical mangroves. If you have time, indulge in seafood, refresh with coconuts, wander the wetlands and slow to the island pace, a welcome contrast from a Singapore that is rocketing into the future. Two popular outdoor activities to do on the island are biking and kayaking which take you away from the island’s weekend crowds. Make a beeline for the East coast and experience kayaking through the mangroves. There is a choice of two kayaking adventures: Mangrove Kayaking, a four-hour kayaking trip for all levels, or Ubin Bisect Kayaking, which cuts through the island’s middle for more adventurous types. I opted for the shorter route as I wanted the chance to explore Pulau Ubin and make time for a local meal too. Taking a bumboat from Changi Point Ferry
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(clockwise from top): a rustic beach on Pulau Ubin; a TreeTop walk at MacRitchie reservoir; a traditional home in laidback Pulau Ubin.
travel Terminal, I arrived at Pulau Ubin after a leisurely 15-minute ride. Turning left at the end of the pier, I passed numerous bicycle rental shops before arriving at one of the larger huts on the right to meet my kayaking guide Fadil and an American family. As an Ubin native, Fadil grew up on the island and knows its nature and mangroves like the back of his hand. Throughout the trip he was eager to share his knowledge of the island and introduce the local way of life. First, we paddled along the coastline and through the offshore fish farms while the wind stirred up choppy seas, which only heightened the serenity once we entered the mangroves. We then glided gently past houseboats and entered deeper into the mangroves. As we reached a tranquil clearing, Fadil was keen to get us on our feet and play games in the kayaks. Pulau Ubin is home to an abundance of wildlife, so sightings of monkeys, iguanas, dolphins and wild boars are not uncommon. We managed to spot a number of monitor lizards on our journey and Fadil pointed out all the different types of mangrove plant (red, black and white depending on their age and location) but unfortunately no dolphins or wild boars on this occasion. Something to leave for next time.
My Singapore itinerary Mangrove Kayaking is HK$364 per person and Ubin Bisect Kayaking is HK$576 per person. Children must be at least 5 years old to participate and children up to 12 years old must be accompanied by at least one adult. Beginner SUP Lessons are HK$710 for 90 minutes, Kayak and SUP rental is HK$219 for 90 minutes, SUP After Dark is HK$191 for 30 minutes with equipment and instructor. Ubin Biking Adventure is HK$364 per person for a 4 hour guided ride. I booked my activities through Klook at www.klook.com. For enquiries, call 3462 6208 or email support@klook.com.
expat-parent.com 63
marketplace
marketplace
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marketplace
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bald truths
A sporting chance Simon Parry meets his match.
I
have just helped a successful and highly ambitious Hong Kong business colleague to write a CV. If you ever feel tempted to do something similar, here’s my advice: don’t do it, unless you want to be filled with self-loathing and reminded how empty and underwhelming your own existence is. Every syllable of this glowing CV mocked me with its litany of milestones I have singularly failed to reach throughout my adolescence and adult life: academic brilliance, social grace and popularity, musical excellence, the ability to speak more than three languages fluently – all combined with a selfless commitment to charity work on behalf of the underprivileged. The worst thing about it was that the CV wasn’t even for the high-flying Hong Kong business colleague herself: it was for her fiveyear-old daughter in support of an application for a certain elite school her doting parents hoped she would attend. Yes, five-year-olds in Hong Kong have their own CVs. And read them at your peril. Because you can be 10 times their age but still find they’ve achieved a greater level of maturity and sophistication than you have by the time they finish kindergarten. If CVs like this make us adults look dim, they also do a pretty good job of belittling our own expat brat children. While the average Hong Kong child has a grasp of quantum physics and two volumes of published poetry to their names by the time they start primary school, most expat children of the same age have just about mastered the arts of blowing raspberries and flicking tomato ketchup at their siblings with a plastic spoon. And while Hong Kong Tiger Mums relentlessly drive their stressed-out children to ever higher levels of achievements, Pussycat Expat Mums coo indulgently over hilarious antics of their adorable but developmentallychallenged offspring and exclaim how they’re expressing themselves creatively even if they are being rude and making a mess. Which is all fine of course until they hit 68 expat-parent.com
Simon Parry is a jaded, middleaged journalist and father of four. He lives in Hong Kong.
There is an embarrassing academic mismatch and it’s amazing how well these children from different backgrounds get on together five and suddenly find themselves in the same class of an ESF or international primary school, where the Hong Kong children split the atom and fill out Oxbridge application forms in the front row, stopping only occasionally to wonder where the strange farting noises behind them are coming from and how they ended up with tomato ketchup in their hair. There is an embarrassing academic mismatch and it’s amazing how well these
children from different backgrounds get on together. But that may be because there is one part of school life in Hong Kong that unites them – one realm in which they are all equal and where they can stand shoulder to shoulder, and then fall side by side. I’m talking about sports. They are all absolutely rubbish at it. So little attention is given to it in Hong Kong that local and expat children alike have any nugget of sporting ability or athletic prowess sucked out of them from an early age. The (presumably ironically named) Sports Day at our children’s ESF primary school used to be hilarious. Once a year, we would traipse out to a rugby pitch sports field borrowed for the day from a local university where bemused children would be forced to compete in a range of activities they had clearly never attempted before and had no aptitude for. It was tremendous entertainment. How we would roar with laughter as chubby, pastyfaced, bespectacled six- and seven-yearolds would flounder and stumble over their bright new unused sports shoes and end up in crumpled, tearful piles on the ground. The comedy factor was only heightened by the occasional sight of a freak child of Antipodean origin (whose rugby and fresh-air obsessed parents actually make them do exercise at weekends) sprinting past, gazelle-like. Sport is the great leveller. So rather than burning with impotent rage over the fact that a five-year-old child is better than me at everything – including writing columns about parenthood I expect – I’ll just turn up at her next annual school sports day. There, among the huddle of fretting parents and paramedics, a sombre, solitary figure will laugh darkly at the sight of gifted schoolchildren conforming painfully to the laws of physics and gravity. Then – after flicking tomato ketchup at the pile of young geniuses on the ground and blowing a long, low raspberry – I will melt away into the crowd with a faint smile on my bitter, thin lips.
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