Sai Kung Magazine May 2016

FAMILY | FOOD | HOME | SPORT | LIVING

May 2016

I spot Clearwater Bay’s adventure kayaker P.22

Sing along with the Soul Sisters Concert P.8 Try an alternative summer workout...

P.50

I have a complaint for PCCW P.24

Happy birthday, Sense of Touch Sai Kung!

P.16 ...or feast out at the Science Park P.36

Don’t forget Mother’s Day! P.12

Your guide to getting on the water + funny stories from the deck

The really useful magazine MAY 2016

PEOPLE

NEWS FROM THE GREENS

4 Snapped!

Sai Kung’s social life.

THE PLANNER 8 Happening in May What’s on.

FAMILY 12 Mum’s the word Gift ideas for Mother’s Day. NEWS 16 What’s going on?

In your backyard.

GIVEAWAYS

23 Hong Kong’s biodiversity under threat Paul Zimmerman questions the Government’s consultation.

LOCAL 24 Taking the PCCW Sai Kung’s lagging broadband connection.

VILLAGE FOCUS 26 Welcome to Tai Lam Wu A village boasting movie stardom and a tragic past.

INTERVIEW

21 Free stuff Fab things to win.

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

22 Mark Western Clearwater Bay’s adventure kayaker.

28 Kay McArdle PathFinders CEO on protecting Hong Kong’s vulnerable migrant workers.

FEATURE 30 All that junk Your guide to getting on the water and funny stories from the deck.

EATING 36 Food for every mood Eating at Hong Kong Science and Technology Park. Plus nibbles.

EDUCATION 40 Japanese International School Behind the scenes.

BIG DAY OUT 46 Tsing Yi The isle of bridges.

HEALTH & BEAUTY 50 Let’s get physical Alternative workouts for a bikiniready bod.

PETS 54 To pee or not to pee Cats with urination problems.

HONG KONG CREATURES 54 The Green Turtle Hong Kong’s sunbathing turtles.

VINES IN SAI KUNG 60 It’s a dog’s world Sai Kung’s secret prison camp, disappearing booksellers and new fancy notice boards.

TRAVEL 48 Eat, pray, selfie Alila’s family-friendly hotel in Bali.

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“THE SEA, ONCE IT CASTS ITS SPELL, HOLDS ONE IN ITS NET OF WONDER FOREVER.” — JACQUES YVES COUSTEAU

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contributors

Simon Parry

Rebecca Simpson

Rory Mackay

Simon Parry is a British newspaper journalist and father of four children. He was a reporter and news editor on regional and national titles in the UK for 12 years before moving to Asia.

He set up the news and features agency Red Door News with journalist wife Hazel in 2003.

Simon is a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong and overseas.

He takes on PCCW this month on page 24.

Originally from Australia, Rebecca now calls Hong Kong home. Arriving in Asia years ago, she delighted in spending much of her time flying around the region and getting paid to talk about beauty products. After having two daughters, Rebecca now works from their floating family home on Lantau. She visits Japanese International School on page 40.

New dad to twin daughters, Skye and Siena, Rory is no stranger to adventure. Whether sailing to the North Pole or cycling solo across Africa, he loves to explore new places. Get inspired by his latest Hong Kong adventure as he visits Tsing Yi on page 46.

Want to write for Sai Kung Magazine? Contact editorial@fastmedia.com.hk

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people Snaps from Sai Kung

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say cheese

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people

Snaps from Sai Kung

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people

National Geographic Channel Earth Day Run Hong Kong 2016

Share your event photos with us at editorial@fastmedia.com.hk. Get snapping!

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planner

MAY 21-22

Sai Kung Sports Carnival

Two days of sporting activities, including miniature golf and tennis, bubble soccer, hosted by the Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy and the Sai Kung District Community Centre. Free, 11am-5pm. District Community Centre, Mei Yuen Street, Sai Kung, www.hkgtafoundation.org

MAY 1 Sai Kung Sunday Market

MAY 7 Garden House School Open Day

Browse through over 60 stalls of food vendors and artisans at this well-established indoor market. Children can enjoy face painting and cuddles with adorable puppies, while you eat, browse and shop. 11am-5pm, Hong Kong Academy, 33 Wai Man Road, Sai Kung.

An open day will be held at Garden House School’s Silverstrand Campus. There will be a school tour, craft sale, refreshments and activities on the day. Educational talks and Q&A will be held at noon. 10.30am-1pm, 7 Silverstrand Beach Road, Clearwater Bay. For more information, email info@gardenhouse. edu.hk or visit www.gardenhouse.edu.hk.

MAY 1 3rd Championship of Dragon Boat Lovers 2016 The 3rd Championship of Dragon Boat Lovers featuring mixed, open, women and senior races.

8.30am-2pm, Sha Ha Road, Sai Kung. For participation details, visit www.bluesky-sc.com

MAY 2 Labour Day Public Holiday Put your feet up, it’s a public holiday.

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UNTIL MAY 2 Hong Kong Gold Coast Boat Show 2016 Back for its 16th edition, the four-day event features the latest cruisers, yachts and watersports equipment on the market, as well as live entertainment for the family. Visit www. hkgcboatshow.com for the event’s schedule.

happening in May

UNTIL MAY 8 Swan Lake on Ice

MAY 13-15 Affordable Art Fair

The classic love story told on ice from the award-winning Imperial Ice Stars troupe. Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tickets $395$995 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

The Affordable Art Fair returns once again with a fresh mix of artworks featuring over 100 galleries from around the world.

All artworks range from $1,000 to $100,000. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. Tickets from www.affordableartfair.com

MAY 8 Mother’s Day Mums, sit back, relax and enjoy your special day. (See pg.12 for gift ideas).

MAY 11-15 Cheung Chau Bun Festival Bun towers, colourful parades and lion dance performances, plus don’t miss the bun scrambling contest at midnight on the last day of the festival. Pak Tai Temple, Cheung Chau, www.cheungchau.org

MAY 14 Buddha’s birthday Public holiday (although this one falls on a Saturday).

MAY 14 Stanley Dragon Boat Warm-up Races Get ready for Dragon Boat season at the 250m pre-races. The deadline for signing up a team is 30th April. 8am-5pm, Stanley Main Beach, www.dragonboat.org.hk

MAY 14 & 15 Peppa Pig Live!

Treasure Hunt Peppa Pig and her friends are making their debut on stage with sing-a-longs, new adventures and snorts of laughter. Star Hall, KITEC, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay. Tickets from $280-$580, www. hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

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planner MAY 28-29 Italian Market 2016 The Italian Chamber of Commerce brings an event dedicated to good food and drink, hand crafts and music all the way from Italy. Ocean View Court and Sea View Terrace, The Arcade, Cyberport. 12-9pm on 28 May, 12-8pm on May 29. $50 entrance fee, www.icc.org.hk/en/italianmarket-2016

MAY 28 Sai Kung Saturday Hash MAY 15 Junior Sailing Family Fun Day Young sailors can get a taste of Hebe Haven Yacht Club’s sailing sessions at the Junior Sailing Family Fun Day. Participants are taken out on dinghies and will be introduced to basic skills, games and a friendly race. Suitable for children aged 4-10. Children must be accompanied by one adult. 10am-1pm and 2-5pm. $365 for members; $525 for nonmembers, includes child and adult. To register, email sailadmin@hhyc.org.hk

MAY 19 Opera Fever 4ever A charity concert and opera education

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programme by The Opera Society of Hong Kong to showcase young professional singers singing French operatic arias and excerpts. 8pm, Hong Kong City Hall Theatre, 5 Edinburgh Place, Central. Tickets from $100 at www.tinyurl.com/ operafever4ever

MAY 25-JUN 3 Asia Week Hong Kong Appetite for art still going strong? A week long series of events showcasing and promoting Asian art, through collaborations with galleries, museums, auction houses and cultural institutions. For the full programme of events and to buy tickets, go to www.asiaweekhk.com

Join the monthly hare around the Sai Kung countryside. Child and dog-friendly, 8km, $10 attendance fee. Starting at Tiu Keng Leng Sports Centre at 4pm. Details at sites.google.com/site/ saikungsaturdayh3

MAY 28 Soul Sister Spring Concert The Hong Kong Women’s Choir are raising their voices for a number of good causes with the ‘Soul Sisters’ gala event at Grappa’s Cellar at Jardine House. The divas will run through a medley of soul hits throughout the night which also includes a three-course dinner and lucky draws. Doors open from 6.30pm. Grappa’s Cellar at Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central. Tickets $528 from Ticketflap, www.ticketflap.com

planner

BOOK NOW JUN 4 Boogie by the Bay

JUN 12-19 Sai Kung Theatre Festival

JUL 22-AUG 7 Shrek the Musical

Boogie the night away at Hebe Haven Yacht Club’s fundraising event. Enjoy games, live entertainment and dancing. All proceeds go to The Dragon Development Fund, which assists young sailors to develop their sailing skills and to support them at a competitive level. Starts at 6pm, Garden Bar at Hebe Haven. Tickets $150 (includes one drink), $500 for four tickets. Email sailing@hhyc.org.hk or call 2719 0926 for more information.

STAGE RIGHT is bringing its third theatre festival with eight performances to Sai Kung’s Hong Kong Academy. Youngsters will be learning a script, taking on a character and bringing some of their favorite stories to life.

Register online at www.stagerighthk.com or call 9225 8924.

JUN 7-19 Faust Festival

Mister Maker’s first ever live theatre tour in Hong Kong with only eight shows. Lots of audience participation and kids can share the fun of singing and dancing with a fabulous supporting cast. Play Mat zone available for children. Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre, HKAPA, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. Tickets start at $225, www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

The live adaptation of everyone’s favourite ogre from a faraway land comes to Macau. Featuring over a dozen fairytale misfits including donkey and a not so handsome prince. The Venetian Theatre, The Venetian Macau.

Tickets start from $180 from Cotai Ticketing, www. cotaiticketing. com, 6333 6660.

The annual celebration of live theatre returns for a 17th triumphant season. Two weeks of a variety of shows all performed by Faust’s budding young actors. Y Square, 238 Chai Wan Road, Chai Wan. Tickets $125 from URBTIX, www.urbtix.com, 2111 5999.

JUN 17-19 Mister Maker and The Shapes Live on Stage

AUG 27-28 Hi-5 Fairytale Your favourite fairytale stories told with a Hi-5 twist. The popular gang return once again to Hong Kong with their high-energy show. Star Hall, KITEC, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay. Tickets $250-$688 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Got an event? We can publish the details for free. Email editorial@fastmedia.com.hk.

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family

SunnyJim Moroccan Cotton Towel $465 from Mirth, Shop 12, 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2750 4800, www.mirthhome.com

Greenwich Rose Frame Cosmetic Bag $290 from Cath Kidston, Shop 406, 4/F, New Town Plaza, Phase I, Sha Tin, www.cathkidston.hk

Mum's the word Gorgeous gifts to make her smile

Home Blue and White Porcelain Stools $1,490 from Bowerbird Home, bowerbird-home.com

Words of Wisdom Stunder Med Mama $150 from kikki.K, Shop 411, 4/F, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, 2110 4520, www.kikki-k.com

2XU Patterned Compression Tights $998 from 2XU, www.2xu.com.hk

Jungle Lily Backpack $1,500 from Louella Odie, louellaodie.com

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family

World Scratch Map $200 from Purser Decor, www.purserdecor.com

Aqua Fragrant Candle $300 from Maven, G/F, 37 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung, 6388 4398, mavenhk.com

Linen cushions $795-$895 from TREE, 116 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2791 2802, tree.com.hk

Nathan Road Stick Umbrella $280 from G.O.D, G/F, 2 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2791 7122, god.com.hk

Behind Every Successful Mother...

Is A Whole Lot Of Vino Mother's Day Card $32 (excludes shipping) from Nocturnal Paper, www.nocturnalpaper.com

Goldfish padded photo frame $325 from G.O.D, G/F, 2 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2791 7122, god.com.hk

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family

Treat mum to...

Mother’s Day deals

Sense of Touch Sai Kung Available throughout May, Sense of Touch Sai Kung will be offering a Mother’s Day Indulgence package ($1,580 for 2.5 hours). It includes a back and shoulder massage, hydrating facial, an express manicure and pedicure, as well as a complimentary skincare product. G/F, 77 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2791 2278, www.senseoftouch.com.hk Grand Hyatt Sha Tin Treat mum to Melo Spa’s special ELEMIS spa package. The standard package ($1,199) includes an ELEMIS Botanical Touch, British Botanical Body Glow and a Garden of England Rose Restore Massage. For an added touch, enjoy a Botanical Afternoon Tea Set at Cafe after your spa experience for $1,368. 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, 3723 7684, melospa@ hyatt.com, hongkong.shatin.hyatt.com JIN Cuisine JIN Cuisine’s Michelin-star chef Terry Law presents some of his celebrated dishes for Mother’s Day. On the menu is stir-fried

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barbecued pork and dried shrimps with mixed vegetable, deep-fried rock oyster with green peppercorn sauce or delight mum with their classic dim sum selection. Holiday Inn, 2/F, 3 Tong Tak Street, Tseung Kwan O, 2623 2333, www.ihg.com

Spoil mum at The Peninsula Hong Kong.

The Peninsula Hong Kong The “Simply Peninsula - Spa-cation” ($4,400) includes consultations and treatments designed to revitalise both mother and daughter. The package includes poolside breakfast or lunch and full use of The Peninsula Spa facilities.

Package available from May 1- August 31.

Book by emailing spaphk@peninsula.com or call 2696 6682. Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, www.peninsula.com Tai Tai Pie Pies Tai Tai Pie Pies is offering two special pies for Mother’s Day, the new Ruby Raspberry Rhubarb Crumble Pie ($350 for 9” in a regular aluminium tin; $650 for 9.5” in a traditional deep dish) and their classic Country Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Pie ($300 for 9”; $600 for 9.5”). Counter available at the Great Food Hall at Pacific Place or order online, delivery to Sai Kung available. www.taitaipiepies.com The Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Four Seasons Hotel has partnered with luxury British perfume house Penhaligon's to create a Mother’s Day afternoon tea buffet with dessert items inspired from Penhaligon’s new fragrance Equinox Bloom. $385 per person (additional $180 for a glass of Champagne Ruinart Blanc de Blancs), available on May 8 from 3pm-5pm.

Lobby, 8 Finance Street, Central, 3196 8888, www.fourseasons.com

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news Summer opening for new club

Following years of speculation, the Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy (HKGTA) in Pak Kong has finally announced a “soft” opening for summer. It has also released details of its facilities on the 76,000sqm site.

Since fourteen large metal towers were first erected two years ago in the once-peaceful valley, Sai Kung residents have been left largely in the dark about the construction project. It quickly transpired the towers were hold nets for a golf-driving range which was to be part of a club development. But no further information was forth-coming from developers New World Development.

However, HKGTA has now announced that the club, as its name suggests, will be home to both a Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf and the first Bruguera Tennis Academy outside of Barcelona.

HKGTA announces soft opening for summer.

The club’s Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf.

The Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf will make use of 75 hitting bays, three coaching studios, a six-hole short game, nine-hole putting and practice greens and bunker. The golf programme will be led by Director of Golf, Billy Martin, and will provide golf training courses for juniors and adults in both individual and group programmes.

The Bruguera Tennis Academy will have seven outdoor courts, one indoor court as well as two mini-tennis courts for children. Its programme will be led by Belgian professional coach, Bastien Liveriou.

Speaking to Sai Kung magazine, Hubert Aw, general manager of HKGTA, says the Academy will address a shortage of world class golf and tennis training and facilities in Hong Kong.

“We hope local residents, schools and sports groups will come to train in and enjoy our facilities, so we can support them to reach their

sporting potential.”

The Academy will also house an indoor and outdoor pool, fitness centre and kids’ zone. Eighty-four apartments will be used as accommodation for those training at the academy on a short-term basis.

Community training programmes will be available for NGOs and schools during off-peak hours for an undetermined fee.

In addressing its environmental credentials, the Academy says it will make use of rainwater recycling, food waste composting as well as providing an electric bus - for staff only - from Tiu Keng Leng MTR station.

Fees for the private club have not yet been revealed.

The Academy can be contacted at enquiry@hkgta.com for more information about its programmes and facilities.

Pets Central Sai Kung’s adoption drive

Pets Central Sai Kung’s adoption drive.

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Pets Central will be hosting their Pets Central Open House-Doption Day at 2pm on May 14 at their newly renovated Sai Kung clinic, which has now become their flagship store.

The open day will be kicked off with a lion dance, fun and games, as well as speeches and introductions by Pets Central vets Dr Mike Muir and Dr Pauline Taylor. There will be plenty of food and beer and wine for the adults throughout the day.

Pets Central Sai Kung has gone under a revamp. Along with extended operating hours, an added 2,000 sq ft of space has been added to the veterinary hospital and superstore. The

much loved clinic has welcomed five new vets, Dr Anders, Wyborn, Alex, Jossie and Angeline.

Added retail services include an online retail store with home deliveries and online pharmacy from Pets Central Express Pharmacy in California. Opening hours for the Tseung Kwan O clinic have also been extended.

Sai Kung: Shop 4, 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung.

Tseung Kwan O: Shop B01A, Park Central, 9 Tong Tak Street, Tseung Kwan O.

in your backyard

Above Hong Kong Island Ever wondered what Hong Kong looks like from above? Wonder no more. Five years after publishing the sellout book of aerial photography Above Sai Kung & Clearwater Bay, award-winning photographer Graham Uden and the team at Fast Media have again joined forces to produce a second book, Above Hong Kong Island.

Above Hong Kong Island, a high-quality photographic book is now available to buy.

Featuring stunning aerial photography over Hong Kong Island, shot by award-winning photographer Graham Uden in conjunction with Heliservices, the book captures the wonders of Hong Kong Island, from Victoria Harbour up to The Peak and around to the Southside. The book captures Hong Kong’s mountains, beaches, country parks, reservoirs, fishing ports, theme parks, container ships, floating restaurants, skyscrapers, luxury condos and winding roads. A perfect souvenir or addition to your coffee table, the book is available to buy at www.abovehongkong.com.

Copies are limited!

OUT NOW!

A snippet of aerial photography book, Above Hong Kong Island.

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news

New ventures from Sai Kung locals All at sea with Purser Decor Two Sai Kung locals have launched Purser Decor, an online, eco-friendly, furniture and wine business. James Kay and David Pettit, a food and beverage specialist and a yacht repairman, were both raised in Sai Kung and have spent much of their lives in or around the sea.

“Whether we were diving or sailing, the sea has moulded who we are, so we decided to set up a company selling products with a subtle nautical theme,” said Kay and Pettit.

The pair will also shortly be launching their range of eco-furniture, made from recycled timber left lying around. “We realised there’s tables, cupboards and chairs left on the side of the road, so we thought why not use our wood-working skills and try and make a difference,” said Kay. The wines have been sourced from out-of-theway vineyards in New Zealand, Australia and France and come with very competitive price tags.

Check out our picks for Mother’s Day from Purser Decor on page 12. To view the product range, see www.purserdecor.com James Kay and David Pettit opens Purser Decor.

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Baby blankets from Henry and Brothers Sai Kung mother of three, Jennie Peterson, has recently kickstarted Henry and Brothers. Resistant to piling, the baby blankets are made of 100% cotton and uses a three-dimensional weaving technique that allows the fabric to be light and breathable. “I have made these blankets to fit my own life, living in a hot, humid Hong Kong,” says Peterson, “I had the background and connections to make affordable, lovely blankies - something babies and children cherish.” New range of products, including baby and toddler duvet and pillowcase bedding sets to come. Available from www.henryandbros. com and Bumps to Babes in Sai Kung and Tiny Footprints in Central.

Jennie Peterson launches Henry and Brothers.

news

Birthday bubbles at Sense of Touch Sense of Touch Sai Kung turns five this month and to celebrate, the spa will be offering clients a complimentary glass of prosecco with all week-day nail treatments.

“I’m very happy and proud to be celebrating this special milestone,” said franchise owner Angela McGlynn. “Over the last five years, myself and my wonderful team have worked hard to provide top quality spa and beauty services. A huge thank you to our lovely clients for their loyalty and support. It’s great to be part of the Sai Kung community”.

The spa will also be offering various “fifth birthday bargains”, including a special “$555” price tag for a range of treatments, including a 60 minute hydrating facial, a 60 minute aromatherapy experience or fusion massage and a shellac pedicure and traditional manicure.

G/F, 77 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, ask@senseoftouchhk.com

Sense of Touch Sai Kung celebrate its fifth birthday.

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news

School gears up for green campaign Cars burnt out, villagers evacuated in Shek Kok Mei explosion Clearwater Bay School has participated in the World Advanced Vehicle Expedition (WAVE). Founded by Louis Palmer, who circumnavigated the globe twice with a solar powered vehicle, WAVE is a people’s movement offering practical, environmentally sustainable actions following the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change.

Last month, all 720 students wrote commitments to fight against global warming. These were collected in electric vehicles (EVs) to be transported by ship to Germany. In June, 100 EVs will pick up the cards that have been sent from coastal cities all over the world to deliver a message to the United Nations in Switzerland. The intention is to create the world’s largest greeting card mosaic to enter the Guinness Book of Records. The mosaic will be photographed with a drone and children will be able to find their card amongst hundreds of thousands of others online. www.wave.earth

Buddy Reading comes to Tseung Kwan O

Four private cars and a truck were set on fire in the car park of Sai Kung village Shek Kok Mei last month in what is believed to be a deliberate attack that arose from a housing construction conflict between residents in the village. Two saloon cars were completely burned out, a people mover and another car were badly damaged, and the cabin of a truck was also extensively damaged. Residents were evacuated until the fires were brought under control. The incident is being investigated by the Organised Crime & Triad Bureau.

Get scribbling In a move that will no doubt keep thousands of children across Hong Kong “smiling and giggling”, popular Australian-based stationery brand Smiggle will be opening its first Hong Kong store this month at Telford Plaza in Kowloon Bay. Smiggle is offering a 20% discount on your first purchase if you sign up online, smiggle.hk

Fashion forward Kids4Kids, a Hong Kong-based non-profit organisation, is seeking volunteers for its new Buddy Reading Programme in Tseung Kwan O. The organisation currently has over 15,000 students involved in its literacy development programme throughout the territory. Buddy Reading aims to encourage literacy development in English in kids from low income families.

Volunteers must be aged between eight-17

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years old and are expected to read ageappropriate stories to children, in English. The planned sessions are led by an adult volunteer and include games as well as reading aloud.

They last for approximately two hours. New Buddy Reading volunteers are also asked to attend a two-hour training workshop. Please contact brp@kids4kids.org.hk for location details and further info.

Buying something special for babies and young children to wear just got much easier with the launch of Retykle. The online platform allows parents to buy second-hand designer children’s fashion from brands including Bonpoint, Ralph Lauren and Chloé from parents whose children have since outgrown the clothes. “I started Retykle to improve our ability as parents to carry on the lifecycle of outgrown kids’ clothes. I want parents to save time, reduce the environmental impact and improve sustainability through the shared economy,” says founder Sarah Garner. www.retykle.com

free stuff

win at www.saikung.com

Skin Laundry

Henry and Brothers

Skin Laundry’s 15-minute ‘Laser and Light’ treatment goes deep into pores to remove dirt and acne-causing bacteria, leaving skin cleaner, clearer, tighter and brighter.

We’re giving away ten $750 mask-and-treatment sets which includes a ‘Laser and Light’ treatment, beauty mask, Skin Laundry tote bag and face towel. www.skinlaundry.hk

Beautiful 100% cotton blankets for active families in hot and humid climates.

We’re giving away two ‘Rainbow’ blanket sets worth $520 each. Each set contains a Henry and Brothers Rainbow Toddler Blanket and a Rainbow Travel Blanket. www.henryandbros.com Deadline: May 30

Deadline: May 31

Coffee Roasters Asia

Fitbit

This premium speciality coffee roaster is now open in Aberdeen. Their Classic Black collection features strong and robust blends from Brazil, India and Columbia. Add a dash of milk to help accentuate the flavours of dark chocolate, caramel sweetness and nutty overtones.

We’re giving away ten 200g Classic Black packs worth $107 each. www.coffeeroasters.com.hk

As wearable fitness products become all the range, we have a teal-coloured Fitbit worth $998 to giveaway. The Fitbit Alta is a slim, sleek fitness wristband that can be personalised to suit your style. Advanced health and fitness features make tracking workouts effortless and deliver positive motivation to keep you moving. www.fitbit.com

Deadline: May 26

Deadline: May 25

OtterBox OtterBox is the number one selling smartphone case in the US. Its new Strada Series is designed for protection. The drop-proof, soft-touch sleek leather phone case also features an easy slip-on-and-off case clip with a slot to keep all your cards together.

We’re giving away a ‘Night Cannon’ Samsung Galaxy S7 phone case worth $348. www.otterbox.asia Deadline: May 27

Subscribe to our e-newsletter to get all our giveaways delivered straight to your inbox: saikung.com/subscribe

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five minutes with...

going solo

Editorial Managing Editor Callum Wiggins callum@fastmedia.com.hk Editor Annie Wong annie@fastmedia.com.hk News Editor Carolynne Dear carolynne@fastmedia.com.hk Contributing Editor Shreena Patel shreena@fastmedia.com.hk

Design

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

Digital

Digital Market Manager Charmaine Mirandilla charmaine@fastmedia.com.hk

Thanks to

Sara Hopkirk Dr. Anders Kulhavy Rory Mackay Simon Parry Rebecca Simpson Stephen Vines Kristy Wong Steffi Yuen Paul Zimmerman

Publisher

Tom Hilditch tom@fastmedia.com.hk

Published by

Fast Media Floor LG1, 222 Queens Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Photo from: Michelangelo

Mark will turn 50 years old during the challenge.

Mark Western

Circumnavigating Hong Kong by sea kayak to raise funds for the Fred Hollows Foundation, Callum Wiggins talks to Hong Kong’s adventure kayaker.

At the age of 13, my parents sold our house in Canada and we moved onto a 40 foot sailboat that my dad built himself. We spent a year sailing from Toronto, down the east coast of the U.S. and across to The Bahamas. The trip ignited my passion for the ocean and adventure.

In June I will attempt to complete the first solo circumnavigation of Hong Kong by sea kayak to raise funds for the Fred Hollows Foundation. Taking seven to eight days, I will paddle 250km by sea and cover 25km by land during which time I shall be pulling the kayak behind me.

My early life was filled with canoeing, camping and exploring the outdoors.

The main challenge, without a doubt, will be crossing the main shipping channels. In total, I’ll have to cross up to six busy channels – filled with high-speed ferries, container ships, fishing boats, motor boats, local ferries, tugboats and sailboats.

I have been in Hong Kong for almost 10 years and I currently live in Clearwater Bay. My day job is as a school head for Woodland Pre-Schools.

About 12 years ago, I got into sea kayaking. At the same time, I was involved in charity work volunteering with orphans and children with special needs.

The idea to start organising adventure-based fundraisers seemed like a natural fit.

My first fundraiser involved me walking 1,000 km around the coast of Taiwan. A few years later, I completed the first solo circumnavigation of Taiwan by sea kayak which took me 34 days.

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The danger with a sea kayak is you’re sitting very low in the water, which makes it almost impossible for big boats to see you.

In the end, it all comes down to timing and a bit of luck.

People often ask me how you go to the toilet in a kayak out at sea. I answer, you have two options - hold it in or use a spare water bottle.

My training involves kayaking in as many different locations as possible. I need to become

familiar with the channel crossings, currents, ocean conditions and winds. At the same time I’m trying to build up my strength. Last week I paddled around Lantau - about 80km - over two days. It’s all about putting in the mileage.

During the challenge I will turn 50. I figured it’s a good way to start the second chapter of my life. In terms of strength, I don’t feel a day over 25. In fact, I’m sure that I am stronger now both mentally and physically.

It’s astonishing to think that for just $150 you can restore a person’s eyesight. The Fred Hollows Foundation is a global organisation which is determined to end avoidable blindness. By supporting eye surgeries and treatments, training doctors and nurses, and constructing medical facilities, the Foundation has helped restore sight for over two million people.

To find out more information about the Kayak 150 Project and to support the Fred Hollows Foundation, visit www.kayak150.com.

news from the greens

City’s biodiversity under threat

Paul Zimmerman thinks the Government’s consultation on a biodiversity action plan leaves too much unsaid.

I

n 1992, world leaders signed the “Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)”, promising to conserve biodiversity and share the benefits. China joined the CBD in 1993; Hong Kong in 2011. The next step to meet our United Nations obligation is to create a Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) for Hong Kong. Actions are to be implemented by 2020. The strategies are long term.

Early in 2013, the Government convened a Steering Committee – which I was asked to join - to assist with the process. Over a hundred experts and opinion leaders were brought in. They proposed over 400 specific actions summarized into 33 broad actions and formulated 11 guiding principles together with a vision and mission statement on biodiversity for Hong Kong.

However, government departments stood on the sidelines. The failure of the Development Bureau and the Transport and Housing Bureau to participate was a missed opportunity to strengthen the actions and ensure they are implementable.

Earlier this year, the Government consulted the public on the much needed BSAP. Unfortunately, the consultation only includes the recommended vision and mission statements and four focus areas – Conservation, Mainstreaming, Knowledge and Community Involvement.

It fails to identify either the Convention’s strategic goal to “reduce direct pressures on biodiversity” or the global target: “By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and where feasible brought to zero…”

Worse, the consultation suggests all is hunky-dory: on page 37, the Government states, “we do not intend to initiate major changes at this stage, such as changing existing policies and legislation.” None of the threats to Hong Kong’s biodiversity is identified: not green belt development, land supply strategy, small houses in country park enclaves, airport expansion... There is also no acknowledgement of the lack of enforcement powers over the ongoing destruction of biodiversity and valuable ecological habitats on private land.

The most important debate – how to safeguard Hong Kong’s outstanding biodiversity while meeting the demands for development – has been shamefully ducked. The consultation suggests that “our efforts should focus on enhancing our existing strengths, mainstreaming biodiversity, increasing the understanding and engaging different sectors in the dialogue.” The best way to do this is to put the land supply strategy Paul Zimmerman is the CEO and biodiversity discussion in one of Designing Hong Kong, a room. Without a high-level consensus Southern District Councillor and the the community is left fighting every co-convenor of Save Our Country project by tooth and nail. And that is in Parks alliance. no one’s interest.

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local

access denied

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Accounting

Accounting Executive Jason To jason@fastmedia.com.hk

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GIVE US A CALL! Admin: 3568 3722 Editorial: 2776 2773 Advertising: 2776 2772, 3563 9755 Sai Kung Magazine is published by Fast Media Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication.

The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Fast Media Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any way, part or format without written permission from the publisher.

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Taking the PCCW

Simon Parry invites Sai Kung residents to unleash their frustration on PCCW’s dropping broadband connection.

A

Third World service at a First World price: that’s one of the more publishable verdicts from Sai Kung residents fed up with the costly but infuriatingly slow internet service provided

by PCCW’s broadband arm HKT (slogan – Here To Serve).

While Hong Kong boasts some of the world’s fastest internet speeds with an average peak speed of 92.6 megabytes per second (Mbps), the swiftest you can hope to achieve in much of Sai Kung is around 6.8 Mbps with a maximum achievable speed of 8 Mbps.

Compare that to average peak internet speeds last year, reported by an Akamai State of the Internet report, of 50.6 Mbps in Thailand, 30.8 Mbps per in Sri Lanka, 21.3

Mbps in Vietnam, 20.3 Mbps in the Philippines and 17.5 Mbps in Indonesia and you’ll see why the Third World grumble rings true.

With only PCCW HKT offering internet in the area, the monthly price of being connected to the internet in Sai Kung at around $300 is as much if not higher than the rest of Hong Kong, where customers enjoy speeds of up to 100 Mbps, as well as a choice of service providers. So Sai Kungers are paying as much or more for a service that is at best 15 times slower.

Many customers are prepared to shell out more to hook up to high-speed fibre optic lines – but these are limited in availability and customers have to get their neighbours together to make it

viable then pay five-figure sums to fund the connection before their first monthly bill.

Sai Kung Magazine took up the cudgels on behalf of its readers and got PCCW HKT officials to agree to a meeting. A day before, we invited comments and complaints through the popular Sai Kung Dirty Laundry and Sai Kung Marketplace Facebook forums.

The response was overwhelming. What follows is a tiny sample of scores of individual cases aired in 18 A4 pages of edited responses handed to PCCW HKT. (We decided to take the dossier in person rather than send it from Sai Kung by email, as reader reaction suggested it might be quicker).

local “PCCW in Sai Kung run a monopoly on internet provision, and refuse to invest in decent infrastructure to provide for customers in the area. There are too few lines running to various villages which can leave people without any internet service completely. Even when there is provision, it is only to an extremely low speed – advertised at 8 Mbps compared to 100 Mbps in town. We end up being priced-gouged for a service very few Sai Kung residents would pay for if given a reasonable choice.”

Prachish Chakravorty “When I moved to Sai Kung, from a 1GB line to 8MB, I asked why my new substandard connection costs almost the same as my premium 1GB connection. PCCW’s answer was that they were trying to move people from low bandwidth packages to faster packages. 8MB is the fastest line (apparently) that is available here. So we’re paying a penalty for using a service that they have no alternative for.”

Jonathan Fung “I have to download scientific research papers for my work or download large files from my offices in the UK and it takes over an hour to download a typical report. This is so frustrating I have considered moving away from Sai Kung.”

Nam Shan

they have a moral, if not legal obligation to supply a decent service to customers.”

Adrian Mosse “We have had eight years of hell. Someone said they had better Wi-Fi and TV connections when they lived in central Africa. Sadly, that sums up PCCW in a nutshell.”

Marcia Brione Thomas

Simon Parry meets with PCCW.

“The Wi-Fi in our house in Ha Yeung Village is so slow we have to use 3G. I have even now bought a pocket Wi-Fi for my son to do his homework.”

Fiona Overton “The bandwidth is always incredibly low and nowhere near the 6-8 Mbps they quote. Nothing changes. There is a large expat and local community living in Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay that PCCW just does not seem to care about.

We are supposedly in a First World territory and yet half the landmass of Hong Kong still does not have high-speed internet. As a telecom company

“We live at Seaview Villa in Chuk Yeung Road.

There are 42 houses in our complex. To install fibre optics, PCCW is insisting that we fulfil a minimum number of sign-ups, each paying around $14,000. The problem is that lots of houses are on sale and not owner occupied affecting those who want faster internet connection.”

Melanie Veronica “Can (PCCW founder) Richard Li please stop buying expensive yachts and spend the money on investing in decent technology?”

Fed-up PCCW HKT customer Next month in Sai Kung Magazine: Defiant PCCW hits the ‘REPLY ALL’ button – how broadband officials responded to your complaints, and what they’ve done since.

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village focus

village people

Welcome to Tai Lam Wu

Carolynne Dear speaks to local resident Sara Hopkirk about Tai Lam Wu, a village that is full of surprises.

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Tai Lam Wu is a tranquil place in the week, but weekend visitors bring parking issues.

estled roughly beneath Razor Hill and Fei Ngo Shan is the tiny village of Tai Lam Wu, or Big Blue Lake. Boasting just 18 village houses, six of which are still inhabited by the indigenous Wan family, the village boasts movie stardom and has appeared in its very own Cantonese indie movie, Big Blue Lake, which came out in 2011. Partautobiographical, it traces the story of former resident Lai-yee as she returns to the village of her childhood in the Ho Chung Valley after a failed stint as an actor in Beijing.

These days there is no trace of a lake, big, blue or otherwise. The land around Tai Lam Wu was originally used for sugarcane crops and typical of many New Territories villages, the housing lots are strange shapes, which reflects their original use as agricultural lots.

The village has had a tragic past, and played a significant role during World War II as it is situated in the hills separating Kowloon from the New Territories. This was the main line of defence during the Japanese invasion in 1941. In fact, at the end of Ho Chung Road as you approach the village you can still see a pillbox, a concrete dugin guard post.

Tragically, during the Japanese occupation, a member of the indigenous Wan Family was shot by the occupying army and other village members were bayoneted and raped. On the

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mountain that lies behind the village there are huge boulders lying near the source of the mountain water - during the war, the villagers taught their children to run up here and hide in the holes under the boulders. It is often said that at dusk you can feel the lingering spirits of the deceased villagers.

These days it’s a very peaceful village, popular for its accessibility to wonderful trails. Frequented by hikers passing through to access stage four of the Wilson Trail, Tai Lam Wu Road is a dead-end, with stairs reaching up to the hiking track.

It is also host to a wide variety of tropical flora fauna as well as wild animals and its very own troll (a 12ft long python) living under the blue bridge. There’s also a resident owl, a Mouse deer, lots of bullfrogs, monkeys, wild pigs, king cobras, Asian porcupines and Civic cats.Ornithologists flock to the village for its wide range of butterflies and birds.

Tucked well away from the hurly burly of Sai Kung, and with no public transport reaching Tai Lam Wu, the only traffic tends to be residential.

However, on the weekends there have been issues with hikers’ cars blocking the road.

Parking is very limited; many of the houses do not have adjacent parking and rely on parking along the fence and as such there is a certain village etiquette.

Issues sometimes arise when visitors or

The infamous Blue Bridge.

weekend hikers arrive without realising this, and park in passing places causing road blocks.

One solution to improve access would be to extend the road to meet Fei Ngo Shan Road and make it one-way, something some villagers are keen to see happen.

The only other disturbance to the tranquility is the wild pigs snuffling in the bins for food.

Getting there • No buses run along Tai Lam Wu Road so a certain amount of effort is involved.

• Take a No. 2 mini bus from outside Steamers in Sai Kung to Kai Ham Village (just before the blue bridge - look out for the python) and walk up to the village.

• From Choi Hung, take the No. 1A green minibus which will drop you at the bottom of Ho Chung Road. Again, you will need to walk up and along Tai Lam Wu Road.

• Alternatively there is a back “jungle path” that takes you from Ho Chung up through the nurseries and into the bottom of the village.

Want to have your village featured?

Email editorial@fastmedia.com.hk to find out more.

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 27

interview

a good cause

Kay McArdle

The CEO of PathFinders talks to Callum Wiggins about protecting the most vulnerable children born in Hong Kong.

What is PathFinders?

PathFinders was set up following the discovery of two babies and their migrant mothers in extreme poverty in Chungking Mansions. The women had been fired because they were pregnant and were homeless, penniless and reduced to feeding their babies the leftover water from boiled rice. What started as a critical intervention quickly paved the way for an organisation to help those who had fallen between the cracks of Hong Kong’s otherwise worldclass social and legal safety nets.

We support an underserved population of babies, children and their migrant mothers through crisis intervention and assistance with basic human rights. Once they are removed from danger, we work to ensure they receive counselling and access to medical care and

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Based on the volume of cases we see at Pathfinders, we think we are seeing just the tip of the iceberg

legal advice, and help them work towards a sustainable future.

To date, PathFinders has helped over 3,500 babies, children and women.

How did you join PathFinders?

I joined PathFinders as its first CEO in October 2013. At the time, I was not planning to change jobs. I was working at law firm Mayer Brown JSM and planned on staying until my youngest child went to school. However, I was inspired

by PathFinders’ co-founders, Melissa Mowbrayd’Arbela and Kylie Uebergang, so I thought I would find out more.

I applied for the role, was interviewed by the board and liked what I saw. I knew that working at PathFinders would be a major challenge but the cause resonated strongly with me.

What is your role?

As CEO I am responsible for the overall strategic development of PathFinders with a special focus on government and inter-agency

interview

relations, in particular the development of our Access to Justice Programme.

We have 18 staff, 13 consultants, four board members, wonderful volunteers, interns and community partners including businesses, private clinics and hospitals, universities, schools and other NGOs. We actively encourage flexible working and employ several women who have returned to work after a career break caring for children or elders.

My own work varies. It is impossible to be bored! From urgent case discussions, pitching to donors, visiting our shelters, presenting at conferences, and meeting with lawyers, doctors, consular and government officials to preparing board reports.

The work is fast-paced, addictive, intense, exhilarating and challenging. What keeps everyone going is the fact that we are improving lives, one life at a time.

regularly reports cases of newborn babies being abandoned or dumped, but based on the volume of cases we see at PathFinders, we think we are seeing just the tip of the iceberg.

Will the work of the charity ever be considered complete?

We remain optimistic. We have to. Hong Kong should care for its population. They should not have to rely on donations and an NGO to protect and provide their basic humanitarian needs.

Hong Kong can do better than this. We are working on putting ourselves out of business.

How can we get involved and help PathFinders?

We need funding. We currently receive no government funding and rely on the generosity of remarkable individuals, foundations and the corporate community. The demographic we

serve is not a popular cause in Hong Kong – we frequently hear that our cases are too difficult, too risky and just not a Hong Kong issue.

Of course this is a Hong Kong issue – these extremely vulnerable babies, children and women are right here among us and deserve our compassion and our support.

This is not about citizenship, it is far more fundamental. These children would not have any identity without PathFinders’ work. They need an identity and all that comes with it, including immunisations, a nationality, a family, housing, food and education.

Right now we also need doctors, midwives, lawyers and other volunteers, especially those with policy, technology, media, operations and event skills to support us.

Please visit the donations, volunteering and supplies pages at www.pathfinders.org.hk or drop us an email at info@pathfinders.org.hk

Why is PathFinders needed in Hong Kong?

PathFinders is the only organisation working to ensure that the most vulnerable children in Hong Kong and their migrant mothers are respected and protected. That is our mission statement.

Often the children and mothers PathFinders serves do not have access to health care services, identity documents and may not be able to exercise their basic legal rights. With a birth certificate, a baby will be able to apply for a passport, receive child immunisations and go to school in the future.

Last year, there was a tragic case of a young girl, aged 15, who died falling from her apartment block in Repulse Bay. She and her sister never received a birth certificate, formal education or access to a public hospital. Since then, further cases of undocumented children living in Hong Kong have come to light. The media

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 29

feature

ALL THAT JUNK Take a boat out for the day and bask in a glorious boating hotspot.

By Annie Wong.

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feature

HIRE A BOAT Michelangelo Hop on board the 80ft, sleek and superstylish Michelangelo. The Michelangelo can accommodate up to 59 guests in total and sports mahogany wood panelling, large sunbeds and several guest cabins. With 30 years experience, Captain A On, can take you on different routes around the boating hotspots like Sai Kung, South Bay and Lamma with a pick up point of your choice. On board buffet and cocktail party menus and beverages available. Hire starts from $32,000 to sail around Sai Kung and $24,000 for four hours in Central. Prices vary during peak season. 6621 1691, www. luxuryjunk.com.hk Breakaway mini junk for Breakaway offers customisable kids junk trips as well as their allinclusive packages like ‘a day at sea’, ‘dinner junk’ and ‘mini junk trip for kids’. The 48ft motor yacht is equipped with an ensuite bedroom, fully-fitted galleys and a swimming platform. Packages start at $14,850 for 15 people and come with inflatable toys, kayak, and free-flow soft drinks and wine. Add on services include massage therapist and speedboat options.

6180 5059, www.breakawayhk.com Koh Thai Junks Experience junks the Thai way with Koh Thai Junks. Cruise around Sai Kung and Hong Kong Island in one of their seven boats. Add on services include water sport activities like banana boating, wakeboarding, water skiing and extreme body surfing. On board catering available, including a colourful Thai buffet with drinks. Visit www.kohthai.com. hk or call 2668 1468 for special promotions and packages.

Onboard the Wildkat with Hello Hong Kong.

iconic Aqua Luna red sail Sail across Victoria Harbour in one of Hong Kong’s iconic and few remaining red-sail Chinese junk boats. Aqua Luna’s 45-minute evening cruise (starts from $195) takes you across Hong Kong Harbour where guests can watch the Symphony of Lights and enjoy a complimentary drink. Alternatively, enjoy a 90-minute Stanley Cruise which takes you around the southside of Hong Kong island. For parties and corporate events, private charters can accommodate up to 80 people and start at $10,000 per hour (excluding service charge).

Departure points vary. Visit www. aqualuna.com.hk or call 2116 8821 for more details.

and evening charters, dinner cruises and party junks. If you’re looking to cruise in the Sai Kung area, Hello Hong Kong offers a catamaran Sai Kung expedition which can accommodate up to 23 guests and pulls up directly onto the beach. Prices vary depending on destination: $11,500 to one of Sai Kung’s secluded beaches, $13,500 to Tai Long Wan and $15,000 to the Geo Park. Half-day trips start at $8,500. Other boat hire starts at $7,700 for a six-hour (day) or four-hour (evening) charter for up to 30 people. Check out the different tours on offer and book online at www. hellohongkong.com.hk, 9704 4108.

Hello Hong Kong Hello Hong Kong has five boats and a variety of cruises to choose from including day

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 31

Watch the sunset with family and friends.

Hong Kong Junks Onboard Offering junks for all occasions, DJ Hong Kong Junks has three teak junks with the largest boat able to accommodate up to 40 people. Pick up points in Clearwater Bay and throughout Hong Kong Island. Different catering options available or select from three speciallyprepared Butchers Club menus. Amp up your junk trip with extras like face painting, wake boarding, banana boats and even an onboard DJ. Boat only rates start from $200 per person and all inclusive packages start from $450 per person. Call 2840 1588 or visit www.hongkongjunks.com.hk Hong Kong Yachting Choose from four traditional junks, six sailing boats and six Western-style cruisers including Jungle Jane and Tarzan which has roughed the seas from Australia to Hong Kong. Junk boat hire starts from $8,000 and accommodates 30-40 people and $25,000 for day charters on the Jungle Jane. Various catering options available, including a picnic menu, island seafood lunch, sausage sizzle and canapes. Speedboats, water slides and waiters at extra cost. 2526 0151, www.hongkongyachting.com

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Jaspas Party Junks Travel out to Sai Kung’s scenic beaches with Jaspas’ Party Junks which operate a number of teak junks with a maximum capacity for 40 people. Prices start at $9,800 for a daytime junk with a minimum of 14 adults and includes an array of hot starters, main meals, desserts and freeflow wines, cocktails and soft drinks.

Optional extras at an additional cost.

Pick up available from Pak Sha Wan Pier and Causeway Bay. 2792 6001, www. casteloconcepts.com

Lazy Days Cruise in style with one of Lazy Days’ luxury junks. Equipped with loungers, sound system, water inflatables, books and magazines, guests can customise their experience by adding spa and nail treatments, massages and even wakeboarding lessons. Catering packages start from $940 per person. Boat only hire starts from $15,000 with a maximum of 32 guests. 3488 1534, www.lazydays.com.hk

Vikings Charter Vikings Charter offers a range of various fleets, for up to 30 guests, of catered or non-catered junks. Pick-up points include Causeway Bay, Central and Aberdeen.

Speedboats for banana boating, waterskiing and wakeboarding at an extra cost.

Vikings Charter offers ten catering menus, including buffets and a la carte options.

2814 9899, www.vikingscharters.com.hk Island Junks A fleet of Chinese junks able to accommodate up to 50 people which come equipped with fully-fitted kitchens, iPodcompatible sound systems, as well as a huge sun-canopy on the top deck. Island junks sail to several locations including Tai Long Wan, Stanley and Lantau. For

an elevated junk experience, extras like massages, kayaks and snorkels available on request. Add on regular and premium catering food and beverage options. Prices start at $350 per adult and $200 per child for a full-day boat-only cruise. A minimum of 10 adults applies. 2877 5222, www.islandjunks. com.hk

and are equipped with all the standard amenities. Day trips start from $1,000 per person. Pick up at Clearwater Bay Golf Club Marina. Minimum number required. hkdeepseafishing.com, 8192 7092.

HK Deep Sea Fishing This is boating with a difference. HK Deep Sea Fishing offers fixed and tailored day charters on their two boats, ‘Thai Lady’ and ‘Fortuna’ with an added deep sea fishing adventure. Smaller boats travel out to Sai Kung and the surrounding islands, whereas larger boats are taken out to the South China Sea. Their boats are able to accommodate up to 30 people, Cruise the waters with Hong Kong Yachting

WHAT TO EAT Lunch on land

surf shack

Mavericks Decked out with wooden furniture, artsy wall murals and countless surfboards, the surf shack-inspired restaurant is located on Lantau’s tranquil Pui O Beach. The grub on the menu is up to the task as well, serving generous burgers, tuna platters and wonton nachos. Kick back with a beer in hand and enjoy the sunset. Only open weekends. Pui O Beach, South Lantau Road, 5402 4154, www.mavericks.hk.

The Beach House The Beach House uses sustainable seafood and local organic vegetables where possible to serve up some great dishes like Chilean sea bass with pineapple and pepper salsa and pulled chicken salad. Alternatively, enjoy sunset cocktails with a beautiful backdrop of the South China Sea. Check website for opening hours. 32 Lower Cheung Sha Village, South Lantau, 2504 4788, www.thebeachhousehk.com Cococabana Mediterranean Restaurant Resting on Shek O Beach, Cococabana serves up a delicious fare of FrenchMediterranean cuisine using fresh seafood.

The menu features French classics like bouillabaisse, pan-fried duck liver and baked seabass fillet. Vegetarian options and kids’ menu available. G/F Shek O Beach Building, Shek O Beach, 2812 1826 , www.toptables.com.hk/coco.

Enjoy sunset cocktails at The Beach House in South Lantau.

Junk catering Cali-Mex If you’re taco crazy, customise your own or choose from one of Cali-Mex’s catering packages, The San Jose ($98 per person), The Palm Springs ($128 per person), The Hollywood Boulevard ($168 per person) and The Rodeo Drive ($208 per person). cali-mex.com Little Burro Suitable for parties of any size, Little Burro’s special junk packages will have your catering needs covered. Choose from Fiesta Junk ($93 per person), Fiesta Junk + Guac ($112 per person) and Grande Junk ($134 per person). Beer and margaritas extra. www.little-burro.com NOSH by Secret Ingredient NOSH by Secret Ingredient is a healthy catering option. Choose from NOSH’s 10-person junk

healthy catering

bundle ($150 per person) for small parties or the 20-person bundle for bigger groups ($135 per person). Mains, sides and beverages available. order.nosh.hk Chicken on the Run Free-range rotisserie chicken, sandwich plates and salads for 12 people or more (starts at $1,590) or opt for a tailor-made package. A range of Australian snacks and beverages available. 2537 8285, www. chickenontherun.com Invisible Kitchen Invisible Kitchen’s junk catering packages includes salads, sandwiches, pastas and dessert. The classic package starts from $250 per head for a minimum order of 20 people or level up to their deluxe package which is priced at $350 per head. 2711 5788, www.invisiblekitchen.com

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feature

HOTSPOTS

Junk season with Hello Hong Kong.

NEW TERRITORIES

SOUTHSIDE

OUTLYING ISLANDS

Ninepin group (Kwo Chau Islands) Located 15km southeast from Sai Kung Town Centre, the Ninepin group consists of 29 islands - South, North and East Ninepin Island and other islets. The group is known for its steep cliffs, sea arches and oddlyshaped rocks (due to weather and erosion).

The trip is considered relatively safe, however as the islands are situated outside of sheltered waters, it is exposed to intense winds and big waves. Boat tours only, no land excursions.

South Bay Fabulous views and plenty of sand and sea.

The Southern coast of Hong Kong includes the more secluded, quiet and less restricted South Bay, located within walking distance of Repulse Bay and not accessible by public transport. South Bay Beach is family-friendly and a great place to catch the sunset.

Cheung Chau A popular island retreat with a traditional village lifestyle and also famous for the abundance of seafood. Take a dip in one of the island’s golden sandy beaches like Tung Wan Beach and Kwun Yam Wan Beach.

Long Ke Wan Serene beaches, crystal clear water and peaceful surroundings make Long Ke Wan a popular pit stop for boat tours. Situated in Sai Kung East Country Park, travellers can try the MacLehose Trail or stay at the nearby campsite.

Po Toi Island Located approximately 30 minutes from Stanley and known as ‘the South Pole of Hong Kong’, Po Toi Island has coastal scenery and is a hiking hotspot.

Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island A pleasant spot to drift to. Situated on the east coast of Lamma Island and famous for its seafood strip near the ferry pier.

Nam Fung Wan (Millionaire’s Beach) Millionaire’s Beach in Sai Kung Country Park, draws in big crowds and has become a popular junk destination. The area is ideal for snorkelling, exploring lagoons and coves.

Soak up the sun aboard the Michelangelo.

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feature

Skipper stories

What’s the weirdest experience you’ve had on a boat?

Jenny Kuo General Manager, Breakaway

“We were out on a junk and had anchored at South Bay. Our customers were playing around in the water with our kayak, when fish started to jump into it. Not just one or two, but 20 to 30!

They quickly paddled back to the boat and asked for a bucket so they could go out ‘fishing’ again. Wherever they paddled to, the same thing happened.

They called it ‘fish rain’.”

Ryan Mann Local Hero Skipper, Hello Hong Kong “We had a group of men on a stag do and we were way out past Nine Pins. On our way back, all of the guests were convinced we had passed a dog treading water way out in the middle of the ocean. Deciding to rescue it, we started to circle back. As we approached it, one of the guys stripped down to his underpants ready to jump in when we realised it was a log.”

James Bettle Wildkat Skipper, Hello Hong Kong “We had a group of 20 over-excited 50-year-old ladies determined to enjoy themselves on a day out to Tai Long Wan. They drank bubbles throughout and the infighting over the toilet queue resulted in several stops for light relief in the sea on the return journey. The normal 40-minute ride from TLW to the harbour lasted an hour and a half!”

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eating

eat and cycle

Food for every mood Known for its serene environment and cycling track, the Science Park in Tai Po has restaurants to satisfy every craving. By Annie Wong.

Healthy eating

Healthy dishes served fresh on Food Lab’s outdoor terrace.

Great steaks

Food Lab Using farm-fresh and natural ingredients, ‘farm-to-fork’ restaurant, Food Lab, brings a refreshing taste of contemporary Asian and Western cuisine. Popular dishes include grilled New Zealand lamb chops and pan-fried sole fillet with creamy mushroom sauce. Don’t miss the New York cheesecake for dessert. Located on the Pak Shek Kok promenade, the restaurant is surrounded by lush greenery and has a stream running alongside the restaurant. With both indoor and alfresco seating, Food Lab, is perfect for family days out. Regular workshops and cooking classes available.

S067-069, 12 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, 2676 6900, www.foodlab-restaurant.com

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Tom Bar and Grill at Hong Kong Science and Technology Park.

Tom Bar and Grill Originally located on Sai Sha Road in Sai Kung, Tom Bar and Grill has made Hong Kong Science and Technology Park its new home.

Although the seating area is small, the interior sports moody, dark-wood interiors, complete with an electronic darts arcade. The lunch menu sees a range of dishes including Thai favourites, classic Chinese and traditional Western plates, whereas the evening menu features soups,

pastas and enticing steaks including the char-grilled U.S prime rib-eye steak and 8oz Australian Kobe Sirloin Steak.

Alternatively, Tom Bar and Grill is an ideal spot to wind down with a glass of wine and enjoy the views from their outdoor terrace.

S088-089, G/F, Harbour View 2, 12 Science Park East Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, 2210 7071, www.tombargrill.com

Meraviglia Thanks to its floor to ceiling window panels, Meraviglia is a modern spacious restaurant that’s flooded with natural light and transforms into a romantic setting come evening time. Meraviglia serves up a hearty Italian fare featuring pizzas, pastas, as well as salads, antipasti and dishes from the grill. The set lunch menu is served with a daily organic soup or salad and tea or coffee.

The restaurant uses organic ingredients from Italy where possible, including its flour and tomatoes used to make its own homemade tomato sauce.

Adults can enjoy Meraviglia’s happy hour on weekdays from 4pm to 8pm. Children don’t miss out either as the indoor play area is filled with toys and books while the outdoor playground has lots of apparatus to play on where parents can keep on eye on from inside. Open daily from noon to 10pm.

S040, G/F, Lakeside 2, 10 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Phase 2, Pak Shek Kok, 2210 7168, www.meraviglia.hk

Just Japanese

YaYoi There’s something for everyone at Japanese dining room, YaYoi. The restaurant has high ceilings and shared tables perfect for large-groups to dine together. The menu features Japanese

Hearty Italian

eating

Hearty italian meals at Meraviglia.

classics like Tsukiji trio sashimi rice bowl ($138), assorted sushi and udon in soup ($116) and pork bone soup with clams and chashu ramen.

Located within the same space is a café which offers a more casual dining experience and serves up more reasonably-priced dishes

including donburi (rice bowls), udon and salads as well as a range of speciality tea and coffees.

S036, G/F, Lakeside 1, 12 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, 2827 8188, www.facebook.com/ yayoidiningroom

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eating Ron’s Kitchen and Bar Spread across the waterfront, Ron’s Kitchen and Bar rests above the cycling track, making it a popular pit stop for cyclists. The fine dining restaurant has a semi-buffet lunch which includes salad, soup and main meal options like pan fried scallop with spinach mushroom risotto ($128) and roasted beef rib-eye ($148). The restaurant sports mismatched decor so make sure you grab a seat on their outdoor terrace which boasts a spacious outdoor patio with views of Tolo Harbour.

S081-S082, G/F, Harbour View 1, 12 Science Park East Avenue, Phase 2, Hong Kong Science Park, Pak Shek Kok, 2210 5080, www.facebook.com/ronskitchenhk

Alfresco dining

Dine alfresco at Ron’s Kitchen and Bar.

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eating

Nibbles Casa revamped Casa Sai Kung has moved into the vacant space previously occupied by Sauce in the square. “We get the full restaurant license that comes with it, which means we can legally serve outside”, says Elliot Beese, Casa’s Marketing and Media Director. The menu will comprise a combination of dishes from the recently reopened sister bar, Cellar Door in Kennedy Town and the improved classics from the current Sai Kung Casa, as well as new dishes including slow-cooked lamb ragout and beef rendang. The beverage menu will place a stronger emphasis on wine. As for the current Casa, the space will be transformed into a Mexican and craft beer bar with a rustic Mexican-themed menu. Shop 1 & 2, Sui Yat Building, Sai Kung Hoi Pong Square, 2440 9288.

Circle Muffin opens in Sai Kung Circle Muffin has soft opened on Fuk Man Street. You’ll find muffins, ice cream sandwiches and handmade cookies and snowballs. Tasty muffin flavours include caramel cheesecake and banana chocolate

Asian tapas, including lots of skewers, grilled fish, fried chicken and build your own laksa and fried rice. On top of that, there are four exclusive craft beers on tap from West Brewery in Glasgow as well as a selection of wines.

G/F, 21 Catchick Street, Kennedy town, 2817 7377, www.facebook.com/fugazi21catchick Sha Tin 18’s Spring menu In preparation for the warmer weather Circle Muffin has soft opened in Sai Kung. and taking with sauce and custard cream on the inside. inspiration from Can’t decide between the muffins and ice fresh seasonal cream? Choose the Circle Muffin Ice Cream - a Sha Tin 18’s Spring favourites. ingredients, muffin topped with ice cream and extras of your Chef Ngai Hong-kin has designed an exciting choice. Grand opening is planned for June. selection of Chinese dishes. The Spring menu G/F, Shop 63, 22-40 Fuk Man Street, Sai Kung, features steamed Chinese rice rolls, garoupa 5693 5937, www.facebook.com/circlemuffin belly and chopped chilli, double-boiled soup topped with fish maw, and a selection of New restaurant from Hebe One O One desserts like sun-dried tomato and potato Hebe One O One has expanded their horizons soufflé and young ginger homemade sherbet. and will open Fugazi in Kennedy Town early 4/F, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin, 18 May. The owners describe it as ‘inspired by Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, but not a Japanese izakaya’. There will be hongkong.shatin.hyatt.com

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education

At JIS, there is only one class per year group.

Japanese International School Rebecca Simpson takes a tour.

I

t seems I have found what many parents consider the holy grail of international primary schools in Hong Kong – a very small and authentic community school with creativity at the core, sharing an impressive campus and the facilities of a school ten times its size.

‘Impossible!’ I hear your cry. But it’s real, I’ve been there. There’s even an artist-inresidence working with the kids on a schoolwide creative project. Here’s the real score - there’s no debenture.

The Japanese International School (JIS) is a single-form entry school, meaning there is one small class of 25 students for each year level. This village-sized Primary School in Tai Po

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offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP), and is led by PYP trainer and experienced long-term Hong Kong educator, Mr. Simon Walton.

Principal Walton leads a happy student body and a passionate, close-knit teaching staff with a kindness and patience that is unique in our bustling and overstimulated city.

A small school with big ideas With a maximum capacity of a mere 170 children, JIS is a very small international school

by Hong Kong standards. “We are a single-form entry school, which makes for a very nice and cosy community”, says Walton. “It’s ideal for parents who don’t want their child in a facility of 900 kids, but prefer to be in a school where

everybody is on a first name basis”.

That sense of authentic community is prevalent as he walks through the school, greeting each and every child by name.

We’re stopped along our tour to receive an update from the Student Council as they cleverly deal with a change in lunchtime sports plans. These are confident, resourceful and polite students.

“My mandate with the JIS staff is that relationships count”, explains Walton. “We are a small school with big ideas – there’s nothing we can’t do. Over the past few years we’ve taken the nucleus of a very small international school, and nurtured our positive values to grow into a unique school that is now on the map”.

education Facilities galore nestled at the edge of a country park Surrounded by lush greenery, JIS is located in a beautiful setting. Wild visitors occasionally infiltrate the school playground from the neighbouring country park so the school has an official protocol for students when they find a monkey in the playground. Pretty cool stuff if you’re 10 years old. While the thought of a monkey stealing morning tea isn’t exactly heart-warming, it’s a welcome alternative to the concrete jungles which surround many Hong Kong schools.

“We are an authentic community school but we are not compromised by having to be in a small building tucked away somewhere”, says Walton. “We’re in a building that has every facility that a proper international school should have, and more, because we have a shared campus with twenty square kilometres of country park across the road. If we want to put on a drama performance we have a lovely auditorium; we have a pool, a field and a gym.

We’ve got all the bells and whistles.”

So how does such a small school find themselves swimming in such impressive facilities? There are currently four Japanese schools in Hong Kong. The JIS Tai Po campus is the most recent to be allocated by the Hong Kong government (1997). When the land was

allocated for the school, the Japanese Ministry of Education - which supplies education for Japanese nationals living overseas - also agreed to host an international school. Thus, JIS Tai Po was born alongside the traditional Japanese primary school on the same campus.

While the schools are remarkably different in their approach to education, they are graced with the same world-class facilities.

Wild visitors occasionally infiltrate the school playground from the neighbouring country park

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education Leading with creativity Creativity is at the core of JIS and a personal passion of Principal Walton. The school hosts an annual artist-in-residence who works with the children on a creative arts project. “We run a yearly artist-in-residence program - the arts is huge on my agenda”, says Walton. “In the past we’ve had artists that did sculpture, typography and calligraphy. This year, we have Jacqueline Nilsen, who started the ‘Paint the Music’ movement in Hong Kong. Put simply, she plays music to kids and invites them to let go and paint, to explore their mood and their own creativity. Using this approach, Jacqueline is working with the students on a personalised furniture project.”

The arts in all their forms are embraced by the school, with authors visiting for the Hong Kong Children’s Literary Festival and the P6 class hosting a ‘Poetry Café’ event on the morning after my visit. Not only do the students enjoy this creative approach to learning, but the class teachers are also on board.

“We’ve been doing the PYP longer than most schools and we do it very well”, explains Walton. “The staff are here because of the type of school that it is. We have positive and like-minded staff, they work in an environment where resourcing, space and support is

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probably second-to-none.”

JIS also offers a huge extracurricular program that covers martial arts, dance, drama, computers, maths, music, an array of sports and more; arranged by a company offshoot of the main school – Sports International Services Ltd. A conscious and caring community Like all PYP schools, JIS is committed to teaching students about the importance of

Wild visitors occasionally infiltrate the school playground from the neighbouring country park

education with a Hong Kong-based charity to identify their most pressing needs. “We’ve rebuilt the school bit by bit”, says Walton, who has visited the school on numerous occasions. “The children are very supportive of the school. They organise crazy hair days, popcorn days and other sponsored events to raise money.”

What is unique and very appealing about JIS is the chance for student-initiated action.

Each student has the opportunity to address the school assembly and share the stories of their home countries and regions. Two student siblings who previously lived in Fiji shared the news of the Fiji typhoon and how it had affected their friends. These types of personal interactions among the entire student body are encouraged and happen naturally as part of life at JIS. community. Understanding this sense of community, and the students’ role in helping others, plays out very practically at the school.

JIS has an established history with a less fortunate school in rural China: Guojiashan Friendship Primary School, in Gansu Province.

Each new school year, the children inherit an obligation to work with the students in China and help them with facilities and funds. This is a legacy and connection they are very proud of.

JIS teachers visit Guojiashan School and liaise

Beyond primary One concern for parents interested in this school would be placement for secondary school. JIS is, however, a feeder school into International College Hong Kong (ICHK). The team at JIS was an active part of the creation of ICHK and the schools retain an innate link.

For those looking at alternative secondary schools, the team at JIS works with parents to help with the admissions process at other schools too.

School Report The Japanese International School Established: 1997 Number of students: 168 Class size: 25 Curriculum: PYP (I.B.) Fees 2015/2016: $91,900 Non refundable capital levy: $14,000 (No debenture currently required) Address: 4663 Tai Po Road, Tai Po Tel: 2834 3531

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sponsored column

Prepare for school admissions during the summer Preparation for competitive school admissions is a process which requires careful planning.

From application deadlines to mandatory interviews, there is a lot to keep track of and get done in a short period of time. It is advisable not to cut corners during this process, as it is essential to meet application deadlines and to apply to the right schools on time. Therefore, it is a good idea to use the summer to get a head start on all that accompanies applying to schools in Hong Kong.

All schools invite prospective students for an interview and from Year 2, students are expected to complete an entrance test in numeracy and literacy while older students are expected to complete an entrance test as well as an oral interview. The Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) is broken into three levels depending on the age of the student - lower for students in the 4th and 5th grade, middle for grades 6 and 7 and upper for those in grades 8 through 11. Each of these levels is divided into three sections that measure test takers’ learning capability,

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reading comprehension, maths skills and essay abilities. While taking entrance tests can be stressful, it is important for parents and students to remember that schools also consider reports and teacher reference forms to be of high importance when choosing a student.

The summer is an ideal time to enrol your child in enrichment programmes and tutorial classes, especially in the case of teenagers who may be moving on to Year 7 or applying for higher secondary places at another school.

Particularly for older pupils, principals and teachers like to read about the commitment to voluntary work or other worthy activities by students during their summer break. Students can show the schools to which they are applying that they used their holiday to gain new experiences.

During the summer months, families can make plans to visit the schools that they are interested in and put a timeline in place so that applications are submitted on time and all necessary documentation is up-to-date and

ready to go. The summer is also an excellent time to review materials on the various schools you are considering but most importantly the applications. It is the perfect time to prepare appropriate answers for the application questions without rushing through each question when the applications officially open.

Preparation for school admissions can seem daunting. However, careful planning will ensure that you move through the process successfully and find the school which best suits your child’s needs.

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.

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 45

big day out

Tsing Yi

Rory Mackay makes a trip to the isle of bridges.

O

nce remote and untouched, the island of Tsing Yi is now anything but. Located to the northwest of Hong Kong Island and south of Tsuen Wan, it has become a major transport hub and commuter base. Many of us pass through on a regular basis, but most overlook the island as a destination due to its urban appearance.

Despite the feats of civil engineering that dominate Tsing Yi, it still possesses some surprisingly secluded areas, peppered with nature walks and stunning viewpoints to accompany them.

Tsing Yi’s name literally means “green clothes”, but the island actually got its name from a type of fish once abundant in nearby waters. Before the Tsing Yi South Bridge was built in 1974, the old Tsing Yi Pier was the only link between the island and the outside world. Fast-forward to today, the island is now home to about 200,000 people and is connected by eight bridges all around the island. This includes the Tsing Yi and Stonecutters Bridges, respectively the largest and third largest of their kinds in the world.

There are a couple of fantastic short to mid length walks around the rural parts of the island, offering a range of experiences from an easy-going family stroll, to challenging ascents. Either way, you’re guaranteed a peaceful retreat from city life, epic bridge vistas and fresh air.

Option 1, Tsing Yi Nature Trail (easy) Covering the western hills of the island, the Tsing Yi Nature Trail offers an easy-going, family-friendly option. The network of paved paths is well mapped

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and signposted throughout. Peppered with exercise areas, pavilions and viewpoints, it suits those who want an accessible and flexible route. From end to end, the trail is approximately three kilometres in length and can be completed within an hour if you stay on the move. I recommend taking time to follow some of the detours along the way and admire the stunning views over the Tsing Ma Bridge and out to Lantau. The most convenient way to reach the trailhead via public transport is to hop off the MTR at Tsing Yi Station and ride the 248M bus to the last stop, from there it’s a 10 minute stroll up Liu To Road to the start of the trail network. Alternatively, you can walk straight to the trails from the MTR; this will take around half an hour.

Option 2, Sam Chi Heung (more challenging) For the more adventurous folks out there, climbing up Sam Chi Heung is an awesome option. The route is direct and prominent, gaining a few hundred meters of elevation above all the surrounding areas. The three summits of Sam Chi Heung are not as heavily forested as the Tsing Yi Nature Trail, thus providing uninhibited panoramas over Tsuen Wan, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Undoubtedly, the main attraction of climbing Sam Chi Heung is the unique vantage point it provides looking over Stonecutters Bridge and Hong Kong Port. Find the trailhead located beside Cheung Ching Bus Terminus and follow it past some football pitches. You will start to ascend and reach a large burial area scattered across the hillsides. Once at the top of the first peak, it’s worth continuing along the trail until you reach the third peak for

big day out

the best views. The simplest way down is a return to Cheung Ching Bus Terminus. However, for the really adventurous folks out there, keep an eye out for ribbon marked alternate routes down.

If you ever wish to stop and take in views of the Tsing Ma Bridge without having to go hiking, the Lantau Link Visitor Centre is worth a visit. Open every day apart from Wednesdays, the centre can be reached by public transport via the 308M minibus from Tsing Yi MTR, or it’s easy to reach by car or taxi.

If you’re really enthusiastic, both walks can be completed in one day.

What is great about all of these itineraries is the ease in returning to public transport and other amenities. Accessibility is one of Tsing Yi’s main draws: it’s a tremendous place to visit on a whim without too much pre-planning.

But once you have arrived and gotten under the skin of this dramatic island, the rugged hillsides and ‘bridgetastic’ vistas will sell themselves. Once you’ve come to truly appreciate this underrated area of Hong Kong, a trip through Tsing Yi will never feel the same.

Rory Mackay runs adventure company Wild Hong Kong. For details, visit www.wildhongkong.com.

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travel

Eat, pray, selfie Tom Hilditch checks in to the family-friendly Alila Seminyak Bali hotel.

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travel

A

lila’s uber-chic resorts are famous among the party set for awakening their inner child. But would they be any good with actual children?

The new Alila Seminyak Bali is the group’s first hotel aimed at families with young children as well as couples. And it shows that their concept of “experience first” plays equally well with the Peppa Pig crowd.

Alila’s secret is they make their hotels fun and photogenic.

First off, the building is a zen den triumph. It’s really just a collection of boxes that frame mother nature and give you a series of sudden and stunning views. It’s impossible to move from your room to the pool without taking at least three selfies. This place was built for social media. And photobombing every picture is the sun, the real star of this hotel. Bali’s southwest coast has some of the world’s most stunning sunsets and Alila frames them perfectly. The lobby has no wall and opens straight onto the beach - so the exploding dusk sun can blow the minds of arriving guests.

Everyone gets a balcony. And everyone gets a view. But the best place to enjoy the sunset is down at the beach bar. Here, Alila make the end of each day an almost theatrical event, with the DJ and the tiki torches, the free shooters and the beautiful people sprawling on beanbags.

Another ingredient that Alila has got right is the staff. They go beyond the call of duty, chasing after your kids, taking photos and making sure you enjoy your stay.

Here’s some of the things we loved: The hotel has three infinity pools. Yup. Three. No battle for sunloungers here.

Plus, there’s a pool for families, a pool for laps and a pool for just lazing around.

The rooms all face the ocean, with balconies and giant sliding doors that bring in the fresh sea breeze. But when you are done with all that, you can seal the room, black-out the windows, crank up the aircon and snuggle under crisp white duvets.

The lady who manages the children’s playroom goes beyond the call of duty.

We loved the breakfast buffet with its fresh baked breads, a la carte treats and myriad fresh juice cocktails.

Top tip. Try to be at Alila when it’s your birthday… Free cake! And Indonesians take their cake seriously…

Top tip 2. Try to be at Alila when it’s your child’s birthday, Then you get a free a toy and a cake.

Bathtime. Someone at Alila is seriously into bubble baths. All the rooms have giant baths and all the baths have ocean views.

Romantic experience. “We prefer spiritual experiences to souvenirs,” goes the Alila mantra. To this end, guests can choose from a wonderful variety of missions, including temple experiences, beach dining, picnics, bicycling and more.

Free water by the pool.

Morning Yoga is at 7am and 9am. The teacher is really good.

Walks on the beach.

In the end, a holiday by the sea is all about the ocean. Seminyak’s long, white sand beach is a microcosm of Bali… surfers… lovers… dog walkers… pensioners… hipsters… father and sons… all walking the line where the land meets the sea, kind waves rolling out, cleaning the sand, smoothing it down, and then erasing their footsteps endlessly and forever.

For more information visit www.alilahotels.com/seminyak. Garuda, Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines fly daily to Bali.

Alila Seminyak, Taman Ganesha No.9, Kerobokan, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia. +62 (0)361 3021 888.

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health & beauty

health & beauty

change it up

Let’s get physical Alternative workouts for tired gym bunnies.

Jazz up your workout with Pole Paradise.

Pole Paradise Working out doesn’t have to be boring - and classes at Pole Paradise’s Sai Kung and Sheung Wan studios are anything but. “Pole dancing at its best is a combination of dance, gymnastics and acrobatics”, says Symone Dolai, Founder of Pole Paradise Studio. “It doesn’t mean that you have be good at all three elements but you’ll learn the basics and how to combine them into fluid combinations as you take the classes”.

Suitable for young children as well as

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adults, the classes are also ideal for groups of friends to enjoy working out together. “Many people have ideas of what our classes are like without actually attending one”, says Dolai, “rather than reading about it, come and check out a class for yourself!”.

Pole classes in the Sai Kung Studio take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays while aerial acrobatic and fitness classes run throughout the week. 2/F, Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, poleparadisestudio.com, 2603 2618.

Hydro 1.0 Recovering from an injury or need a form of exercise which is easier on the joints? Hydro 1.0 is a hydrotherapy and hydro training facility with underwater treadmills and bicycles offering high resistance training with a low risk of injury.

Workout classes include spinning and aerobics as well as individual and team dragon boat paddling sessions. Parent and Me swim classes are ideal for young children to learn how to swim in a small class environment. 28 Praya, Kennedy Town, www.hydro1hk.com, 9475 0737.

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health & beauty DNAFit

Surf without getting wet with SURFSET Fitness HK.

SURFSET Fitness HK The SURFSET workout is a surfing fitness programme that provides all the thrill of surfing in the ocean but without having to get wet.

SURFSET combines elements of aerobic fat burning, lean muscle building, balance and core training all performed on top of a custom-

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made moving surfboard. The board is easily adjustable meaning workouts can be adapted - perfect for complete beginners or more advanced athletes. A single class starts from $250. 13/F Unit A, Kaiser Estate, Phase 1, 48 Man Yue Street, Hung Hom, www.surfset.hk, 2362 3665.

If traditional workouts aren’t giving you the results you’re hoping for, let science give you an added edge. DNAFit is a genetic test which examines how individuals respond to training and nutrition. A simple cheek swab is sent to the UK for analysis and within a month a report is sent back to Hong Kong. A consultation with the team at Absolute DNA - the company who administers the test in Hong Kong - will advise you on training and nutrition recommendations tailored to your genetic make-up. The results of the report include information on your genetic disposition to recovery speeds, optimal diet types, aerobic potential and response to gluten, caffeine and alcohol and other key indicators. The DNAFit package starts from $5,000 which includes the test and an in-depth consultation to interpret all the results. Visit www.absolutedna.hk to find out more information.

health & beauty

Stimulate your muscles with BodyExpress.

BodyExpress A 20 minute weekly workout at BodyExpress is equivalent to four to five hours of conventional gym work. Too good to be true? Judge for yourself at the BodyExpress clinics in Central, Wan Chai and soon-to-open Tsim Sha Tsui.

EMS - Electro Muscular Stimulation - is a fullbody training exercise which uses electrical impulses to control muscle action. A special suit with electrodes is placed over targeted muscle areas and worn during the workout.

The electrical impulses increase as the

workout progresses which results in a tiring but satisfying workout. Workouts can be tailored to the individual by working out specific problem areas or avoid over stressing parts of the body which may be weaker due to past injuries.

Although the moves are low-impact, the resistance created by the electrical impulses works deep into the muscles and leaves you dripping in sweat by the end. Expect to feel the effects for at least two to three days after your first session. www.bodyexpress.hk, 2801 6897.

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pets

a wee problem

To pee or not to pee

Trouble urinating can mean big trouble for male cats. Pets Central’s Dr. Anders gives his advice.

Urethral obstruction is a common ailment for male cats to present to a veterinarian on emergency. Symptoms include frequent trips to the litter box, crying during urination, excessive licking, and - in severe cases - vomiting.

Older cats are more prone to urinary tract infections. This is easily diagnosed and treatment consists of antibiotic therapy. However, the inflammation that develops can clog the urethra which is only one millimeter in size.

Crystals, typically composed of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate, can also build up and clog the urethra. A prescription diet will prevent future crystals from developing.

Bladder stones can range from less than one millimetre to over four centimetres in size. In fact, the smallest ones can cause the biggest problems as they tend to get stuck in the urethra. They can be pushed back into the bladder where surgery can be performed easily.

In about 50 per cent of cases we cannot determine the cause of blockage. One theory is that cats manifest stress in the bladder.

Stress at home can result in inflammation of the bladder and spasming of the urethra. Treatment includes enrichment of the environment with

toys, pheromones and medication to reduce anxiety and relax the urethra.

Regardless of the cause of the blockage, the results are the same. If your cat cannot urinate then he will be in pain and - if not treated promptly - it could become life threatening. All

obstructions involve passing a urinary catheter under anesthesia and then leaving it in place for several days to allow the inflammation to subside.

If your cat is showing any of the above symptoms, consult a vet as soon as possible.

hong kong creatures

The green turtle The green turtle is one of the largest and heaviest sea turtles in the world. The largest known weighed 395kg and measured 153 cm in carapace length. Some might think the turtle was named after its broad oval-shaped shell, but in fact it was named for its greenish brown body. It has large eyes on its comparatively small head, which is non-retractable. The shell of the younger turtle is slightly toothed on the margin while that of the adult gradually becomes smoother. The male is slightly larger than the female and has a longer tail.

These sea turtles are herbivores and feed on sea grasses and algae. However, the young also feed on invertebrates like crabs, jellyfish, and sponges. Unlike other sea turtles, they warm themselves on land by basking in the sun rather

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Photo by Brocken Inaglory

aka Chelonia mydas. By Steffi Yuen.

than swimming close to the surface of shallow waters.

They travel far from feeding sites to nesting grounds, usually on sandy beaches. Mating occurs every two to four years, typically in shallow waters close to the shore. Females choose an area to nest, often on the same beach used by their mothers. They dig a pit in

the sand with their flippers, fill it with clutches of 100 to 200 eggs, cover it and return to the sea, leaving the eggs to hatch after two months or so. The most perilous time of a green turtle’s life is as a hatchling, when it makes the short journey from its nest to the sea. It is prey for many predators.

Green turtles are found in tropical and subtropical warm coastal waters around the world including Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean. Listed as endangered species, they are killed for their meat and eggs but also threatened by boat propeller accidents, fishing nets and destruction of their nesting grounds by humans.

Where to find them in Hong Kong: the southern and eastern parts of local waters Sham Wan, Lamma Island.

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vines in sai kung

stephen says...

It’s a dog’s world.

Sai Kung’s rehabilitation centre, disappearing booksellers, and the ongoing saga of Sai Kung District Office’s noticeboards, writes Stephen Vines. withdrawal of Dymocks from Hong Kong would deal a crippling blow to its local franchisees, however the owners of the Sai Kung branch have transformed their store into a place called Kidnapped, given recent events this a highly unfortunate name for a Hong Kong bookseller.

Luckily in some ways this store has a strong emphasis on children’s books, which, at least till now, appear not to worry the mainland authorities.

Fingers crossed for Kidnapped. It would be really nice to see another place selling books but it’s a tough old business, however it is making a comeback, even Amazon has discovered the joys of bookstores and is plunging into the physical book trade.

Kidnapped in Sai Kung.

Sai Kung’s secret prison camp Did you know Sai Kung was home to a prison camp with dire conditions? It’s ‘only’ for dogs and in certain people’s eyes it does not matter, however it matters a hell of a lot to some of us.

The camp is called the Christian New Day Fellowship, and, as far as I can work out it is a rehabilitation centre for young drug users.

Inside the camp you can see a mini-farm, sports facilities and a stack of small cages piled on top of each other housing quite large dogs.

It’s hard to count exactly how many dogs are housed here but I guess the number amounts to around 40. The dogs barely have space to turn around and are clearly troubled as can be seen by their high pitched and prolonged barking which is easily triggered. Some of the dogs have that very worrying vacant look that is characteristic of abused dogs although this abuse appears to be confined to the way they are locked up in tiny cages. Although I have observed these dogs on numerous occasions I have never seen them outside the cages, however it is quite possible that they are taken out at other times.

Presumably part of the treatment for the inmates of this centre consists of interacting with animals. The dogs do not appear to be

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malnourished and so it is fair to assume that they are fed and watered regularly however dogs, especially dogs of this size, need space as they are highly sociable animals, they need a lot of interaction both with other dogs and humans.

The centre is located in the Sai Kung Country Park, close to the Lady Maclehose Camp near Pak Tam Chung.

It is heart rendering to pass this place and quite extraordinary that the authorities seem to turn a blind eye to what’s going on there.

Disappearing booksellers Booksellers in Hong Kong are much in the news these days and for all the wrong reasons.

To the best of my knowledge there are no instances of Sai Kung booksellers being hustled across the border to face questioning from the security authorities. However we have recently seen the demise of the long-standing Leisure Book Shop, which specialized in used books and CDs. It moved from Chan Man Street in Sai Kung town to Po Tung Road in search of a lower rent but it has now closed its doors.

Another second hand bookseller gave up the ghost a while back.

Meanwhile there were fears that the

Something to notice Finally, readers who have had sufficient patience to follow the amusing and ludicrous saga of the Sai Kung District Office’s decision to spend public money on a gleaming new fancy notice board on the path to Sheung Yiu village in Pak Tam Chung will be gratified to learn that after months of neglect a brave decision has been taken to use this new structure. Passerbys can now marvel at the presence of a clutch of tatty notices that have been affixed to the new board.

There is some genius here because the placement of the new notices has been achieved by removing notices from what I had previously thought were two other notice boards that stand side by side with new structure. However I must apologise and correct my error because there are in fact another three notice boards here, bringing the total to four. I only realized this, as I stood for a while puzzling over why the new board had suddenly been put into use. It was then I realized that there was another board in the zone and that it had been stripped of notices so that the new board could play its unique role in the cause of public information. My, oh my, are these upstanding officials in the Sai Kung District Office brilliant or what?

Stephen Vines is a journalist, broadcaster and entrepreneur.

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