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the really useful magazine July 2016
sundaes in soho Ice creams on the Island - the full scoop HOT IN THE CITY! Great days out when the heat is on
Running Laos
Marathons by the Mekong
Book review Great holiday reads
3 HOUR FUN FILLED PARTY
INCLUDING: Invitations | Decorations | Video Wall Announcement | Balloons | Party Favours | Pinata | Occasion Cake | Birthday Song | Loot Bag EXTRAS AVAILABLE: Transportation | Balloon Sculpturing | Face Painting | Clowns | Character Actors | Puppet Show | Other Entertainment
CONTACT: SALES@URBAN-ENT.COM Includes 3 hours free parking | Package available for 12 partygoers+ Prices subject to 10% service charge | This offer is subject to change | 30 days advance booking required
4/F, Centro, 1A Chui Tong Road, Sai2 expat-parent.com Kung, N.T., Hong Kong
WWW.TIKITIKI.HK
tikitikibowlingbar tikitikibowlingbar tikitikihk
CONTENTs 2
Editor’s letter
ISSUE 027 42
Me & my hobby
4 Contributors
On stage with young actress Sophie Connell.
6
44
School photos
Big Day Out
All the fun from schools across Hong Kong.
On the monkey trail at Kam Shan Country Park.
8
46
Food news
Dates for your diary. Plus mum about town shares her plans for July.
What’s on
Eat up the latest dining news.
12 News
Hong Kong Island’s top ice cream parlours.
48 Food
What’s happening on the parent scene.
16 Giveaways Lots of free stuff.
18
Debate of the month
Designer handbags - worth the tag or a waste of money?
20
Things we’d buy
48
6
Food news
Eat up the latest dining news.
52
24
Travel news
Our pick of hotel, resort and travel news.
54 Travel
Lao’s laid-back half marathon.
All you need for a day out at the beach.
60
Bald truths
22
Simon Parry reminisces about teenage summers.
Book review
26
Great summer reads.
24
The Big Interview
20
Meet the team behind Hong Kong charity PathFinders.
26 Feature Where to go and what to do with the kids this summer.
32
School news
The latest school news to keep you in the know.
38
Meet the parents
44
We meet the mums building and funding schools in rural Cambodia.
Scan and visit our website expat-parent.com
54
expat-parent.com 1
editor’s message
who’s in charge? Editorial editorial@fastmedia.com.hk Managing Editor Callum Wiggins
Editor Carolynne Dear
Contributing editor Shreena Patel
Contributing editor Annie Wong
Design cindy@fastmedia.com.hk Senior Graphic Designer Sérgio Marçal
Senior Graphic Designer Cindy Suen
Sales & Marketing ads@fastmedia.com.hk Sales Manager Oliver Simons
Sales and Marketing Executive Maria Jones
Sales and Marketing Executive Egbert Cheung
Sales and Marketing Executive Bonnie Li
Accounting Executive Jason To
Digital Marketing charmaine@fastmedia.com.hk
H
ong Kong summers rock in my book. By July the Territory has emptied out quite nicely, freeing up parking spaces at the beaches, sun loungers at the pools and there are empty junks up for hire all over the place. A far cry from spring. This year I have gently removed the tech and dug out the “old style” toys and books, buried deep in cupboards and piled away in boxes. It might take a little patience and a few tantrums, but I am determined to encourage some creative play. Failing that, there’s always summer camp. I shall also be checking out a few of the events featured in our Urban Adventures feature this month - from museums and exhibitions to special tours and workshops, there’s a lot on offer for those hanging in Honkers over July. Summer is also a time for kicking back and ignoring the usual schedules and regimes of the rest of the year. So I will also be allowing the kids to ditch the fruit and veg for a bit and indulge with an ice cream or two - the parlours featured in our Food section just look too good to miss out on. I also pay a visit this month to our nominated charity, PathFinders. Regardless of the sunny weather, the team is flat out helping helpers who find themselves in need or distress. It was a sobering experience hearing about the “other” side of Hong Kong, the side where illegally terminated workers slip through the cracks of our society. Please take a look on page 46. We also have loads of great book recommendations on page 20, including the hotly anticipated script to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the eighth installment in the series and a major West End play. So with all the comings and goings of the school holidays, I just hope you find a spare five minutes to enjoy this issue. Maybe an hour or two of Minecraft isn’t such a bad idea after all…
Digital Marketing Manager Charmaine Mirandilla
Digital Marketing Divya Parekh
Digital Marketing Stephanie Kim
Digital Marketing Allison Nacino
Office Security
Peace Keepers
Cat the dog
Fish & Chips
Publisher Tom Hilditch tom@fastmedia.com.hk
Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 | Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Fast Media Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong
www.fastmedia.com.hk Expat Parent is published by Fast Media Limited. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Expat Parent cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
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Voyager of the Seas® Tonnage: 138,000 Revitalization date: Nov 2014
Royal Caribbean introduces the ultimate fun holiday for the whole family The Adventure Ocean® program An award-winning initiative by Royal Caribbean cruises to ensure that guests, no matter how young, have a fantastic time on-board. It provides educational, adventurous, and age appropriate games and activities that enable kids to interact with other junior cruisers of similar age and our cruise staff from all over the world.
Royal Baby and Tots (for 6 months to 3 years old) Tots - Exploration, cognitive skills and discovery are trained through playing toys. Parents will be encouraged to join in and witness their child's talents. Baby-sitting services* - Available at the Babies and Tots Nursery after 6pm. Includes a Royal Bed Time Story for a truly worry-free family holiday!
royal Kids (aged 3 to 11) Go on adventures and explore the world of science with games and activities including the eye-patched pirate game and Wacky Olympics! Other awesome activities include: · Pirate Night · Pyjama Party · Musical Play Parents can also join in on the fun with their kids through child-parent cupcake decorating classes* and make-your-own-stuffed-Pet-at-Sea workshops*!
The DreamWorks® Experience, an absolutely unforgettable adventure Exclusive on all Royal Caribbean’s Asian itineraries including Voyager of the Seas®. Guests can meet their favourite DreamWorks characters during parades and dancing shows orhaving breakfast* with them Promotion Offer: where everyone can join the fun. Book directly online on or
before 31 Jul 2016 to enjoy US$100 Onboard credit per stateroom Promotion Code: OBC0716
Departure date 10-Jul-16 (Sun) 17-Jul-16 (Sun) 21-Jul-16 (Thu) 26-Jul-16 (Tue) 31-Jul-16 (Sun) 5-Aug-16 (Fri) 9-Aug-16 (Tue) 14-Aug-16 (Sun) 19-Aug-16 (Fri)
Depart from and Arrive at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal
Number of Nights 7 4 5 5 5 4 5 5 8
Itinerary Xiamen (CN) , Nagasaki, Okinawa (JP) Sanya, Chan May (VN) Kaohsiung, Taipei, Hualien (TW) Nah Trang, Chan May (VN) Okinawa Overnight (JP) Sanya, Chan May (VN) Okinawa Overnight (JP) Nah Trang, Chan May (VN) Kochi, Hiroshima, Beppu (JP)
Cruise Fare from (HK$/pax) $6,068 up $5,118 up $5,918 up $6,418 up $6,918 up $5,268 up $6,918 up $6,168 up $7,898 up
Cruise fares include NCCF, accommodation, complimentary meals, snacks and drinks in selected dining venues; exclude service charges and gratuities, taxes, fees and port expenses and are quoted per pax on twin-sharing basis in Hong Kong dollars. * Extra cost applied and subject to availability
Unique facilities: FlowRider®, the RockWall®, mini-golf, and ice-skating, plus Broadway style entertainment.
Royal Caribbean Hong Kong www.royalcaribbean.com.hk
+(852) 3189 3200
expat-parent.com 3
contributors
Margie, Lissy, Holly & Kayla
Simon Parry
Rory Mackay
...spent an extremely hot Saturday tastetesting ice creams in Soho for this month’s Food section. The girls are all good friends and when they’re not playing netball, horse riding, dancing and swimming they study together at the Australian International School. Their best things about Hong Kong are junks, Bounce trampoline park and hanging at the beach.
Simon Parry is a British newspaper journalist and father of four children, all of them raised and schooled in Hong Kong. He was a reporter and news editor on regional and national titles in the UK for 12 years before moving to Asia where he was news editor of the South China Morning Post. Simon is currently Asia correspondent for the Mail on Sunday newspaper in the UK and a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong and overseas.
...contributed this month’s Big Day out on Monkey Mountain. Dad to twin daughters Skye and Siena, he grew up between Hong Kong and Scotland and is no stranger to danger. Whether scaling munros in the Scottish Highlands, sailing to the North Pole or cycling solo across Africa, he loves to explore new places. Find out about his latest Hong Kong adventure in the Kowloon ranges on page 44.
Want to write for Expat Parent Magazine? Contact editorial@fastmedia.com.hk
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PIPS Hong Kong
Address: 1/F, Tower 18 Parkview, 88 Tai Tam Reservoir Road, HK T: 2812 6023 E: pipinfo@pips.edu.hk www.pips.edu.hk/hk/
PIPS Kowloon
Address: Podium Level, Kowloon Station, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon T: 2812 6801 E: pipsinfo-‐kln@pips.edu.hk www.pips.edu.hk/kln/
expat-parent.com 5
school photos ESF Glenealy School
Year Four students learning how to build rafts and survival shelters at Tai Tam Camp.
ESF Quarry Bay School
Year 5 Museum day. 6 expat-parent.com
school photos Harrow School
Recent events at Harrow School have included a Year 4 Victorian Day, a school production of Aladdin Trouble and Upper School Sports Day.
ESF Island School
(clockwise from top left); Two students present their Cartoon Cake business during Year 8 Tech Day; students created a picture that embodied the issues of human slavery for a school art competition; the Island School Social Justice group organised Pride Week to spread a greater understanding of diversity. expat-parent.com 7
what’s on
Hong Kong is host to more coral species than the Caribbean Sea. Discover more at Corals: Our Underwater Living Treasures, until Sep 18.
UNTIL SEP 18 Corals: Our Underwater Living Treasures Exhibition at Hong Kong Maritime Museum (HKMM) in conjunction with Hong Kong University’s Swire Institute of Marine Science. Loads of info to raise awareness of the richness of corals in our own backyard, with engaging displays, samples of species, talks and workshops. HKMM, Central Pier 8, Central, hkmaritimemuseum.org.
JUL 13 - AUG 9 We’re All Smurfs art exhibition The Ocean Terminal forecourt at Harbour City will be transformed into an enormous smurf village, along with a debut exhibition featuring original artwork from Smurfs creator, Belgian comic artist Peyo. Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, harbourcity.com.hk.
JUL 1 - SEP 12 Harmonic Motion Hand knitted textile playground for kids created 8 expat-parent.com
by Japanese textile artist Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam, Oval Atrium, 1/F, IFC Mall, Hong Kong, ifc.com.hk/en/mall/ for pre-registration.
JUL 4-7 Hong Kong Fashion Week Exhibitors from all over the world, including Spring/Summer catwalk presentations and fashion forecasts. For free admission, register online before the event. Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, hkfashionweekss.hktdc.com.
JUL 8 - AUG 7 International Arts Carnival A host of fun productions throughout Hong Kong, including the International Chidren’s Film Carnival. Performances include The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Spot the dog, plus comedy, concerts, acrobatics and theatre. hkiac.gov.hk.
JUL 9 Royale International Kayak n Run
In teams of two, join the adult 4km kayak and 6km run; or the family 2km kayak and 4km run. 7.30am (family teams) or 8.30am (adults), Tai Tam Tuk, Tai Tam Bay, Hong Kong, actionasiaevents.com.
JUL 9 Shek O Challenge 12th anniversary event and the first event in the world’s Open Water Swimming Series (wowss.org). Swim the 2.2km course from Big Wave Bay to Shek O Back Beach, following by running and paddling event. For the first time there will also be a 600m Kids Swim for ten-17 year olds. Also water polo, BBQ, DJ and prize presentation. 2pm, Big Wave Bay, Hong Kong, openwaterasia.com.
JUL 15 - AUG 7 Lai Yuen Super Summer 2016 Loads of fun with a 650m car race track, craft and science workshops, inflatable obstacle courses, bumper cars and more. For kids aged four and up,
tell me more
Mum about town
The Smurfs’ world tour drops in at Ocean Terminal this month.
AsiaWorld Expo, Cheong Wing Rd, Chek Lap Kok, laiyuen.hk or email ticketing@ laiyuen1949.com.
JUL 15 Fatboy Slim at Pacha Macau Re-live those ‘90s Ibiza nights when British DJ legend Fatboy Slim, aka Norman Cook, lands at Pacha Macau. 9pm-late, early bird tickets $200 until Jul 5, $250 Jul 6-15, pachamacau.com.
JUL 20-26 Hong Kong Book Fair Over 600 exhibitors from 30 countries come together to cultivate a love of reading. This year’s theme will be Reading the World - Heroism and Romance of the Chinese Martial World, with over 300 events planned for the week-long fair. $25/adult, $10/child, 10am-10pm, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, hkbookfair.hktdc.com.
JUL 22 - AUG 7 Shrek The Musical The first ever international tour for everyone’s favourite green ogre. In a faraway kingdom, things get ugly when Shrek - not a handsome prince - turns up to rescue a feisty princess. The Venetian Theatre Macau, for tickets go to cotaiticketing.com. Shrek comes to town
JUL 30-31 Lan Kwai Fong Beer & Music Festival Over 100 beer brands, with unlimited supply from participating bars, restaurants and street booths. Plus live performances from up-andcoming rock, guitar and R&B bands. See lankwaifong.com for more info.
JUL 31 Harry Potter Dawn Release Party Bookazine will be celebrating the release of the eighth Harry Potter story in the series - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts I & II: The Official Script Book of the Original West End Production by J K Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany (see page 20 for book details). 7.01-10am, Bookazine, Prince’s Building, Central, bookazine.com.hk.
Temporary knitted playground in IFC.
Knitty, knotty fun As a secret knitter, I will be rushing the kids over to the fabulous textile play structure at IFC that opens this month. Created by Japanese textile artist Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam, the temporary playground is made entirely by hand using crocheted and knotted nylon. MacAdam is renowned for her colourful play areas - each one is an original, with the weight of the yarn, gravity and the construction technique working together to create natural forms. She’s also a strong believer in creating spaces for kids to play - “it’s essential they use their bodies, challenge themselves, have fun,” she says. Until Sep 12, IFC Mall, ifc. com.hk. Summer shenanigans Another fun event on my radar is Summerfest on Central Harbourfront. Running until Aug 21, Summerfest will transform the harbour-side area into a pop-up park for the public to enjoy for free. There will be more than 25 events, including an arts carnival, a puppet theatre, a NERF battlezone and Hong Kong’s largest outdoor simultaneous chess competition. Visit the Central Harbourfront Event Space website for more details at www.cvm.com.hk. Nocturnal adventures It’s firefly season apparently, and I think the kids are going to love this night-time escapade. Adventure Tours is running a Bats and Fireflies Tour on selected evenings throughout the summer for kids aged three + (Jul 15 and 29 this month). The gentle, two-and-a-half hour walking tour starts near Hok Tau village in the New Territories, ending up at the abandoned village of Sha Lo Tung, home to the fireflies. Thanks to a special bat detector, we should also spot a few of the winged creatures as they patrol the night skies over Tolo Harbour. $130/adult, $90/child, see adventuretours.hk for details.
expat-parent.com 9
what’s on AUG 16
DEC 8 - JAN 1
Suede Live in Hong Kong British rock band Suede is appearing for one night in Hong Kong as part of a world tour following the release of their new album, Night Thoughts. They will be performing at AsiaWorld Expo, tickets on sale from hkticketing. com.
Wicked The spellbinding musical, which has cast its magic on more than 50 million theatre goers worldwide, will take to the stage at the Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts. Inspired by L. Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz, find out how the wicked witch of the west became so wonderfully wicked. Tickets from $445 at hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.
Perfect nonsense with Jeeves and Wooster.
AUG 24-29
SEP 13-25
Slide the City The largest outdoor water slide returns to Hong Kong. Slip and slide at the Central Harbourfront Event Space. This year promises more live music, food and drinks - and hopefully shorter queues than last year. 9am - 11pm. Tickets from $162 at www.slidethecity.hk. Central Harbourfront Event Space
Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense Following a sell-out year in London’s West End, three successful UK tours and a season in Mumbai, the charmingly incompetent English gentlemen Bertie Wooster and his unflappable valet Jeeves are packing their bags for a trip to Hong Kong. The double act will be appearing at the Drama Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Wan Chai.
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Tickets are available from hkticketing.com.
NOV 25-27 Roald Dahl’s The Twits Mr Twit has a hairy face and his beard is spiky and smells of sardines. Mrs Twit is just as awful. Earthworms as spaghetti and more revolting tricks from the gruesome couple. Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Lyric Theatre, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. Tickets from $295 from hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.
expat-parent.com 11
news
Sailing tall The Hong Kong Maritime Museum will be hosting Sorlandet this month, an 89-year old Norwegian tall ship. The 57-metre ship berthed at Central Pier 8 last month as part of its first-ever circumnavigation with high school students on board. The trip began in Norway, travelling on to Portugal and Morocco via the Caribbean, and through the South Pacific Sea to Surabaya in Indonesia. It then stopped at Singapore
before heading to Hong Kong, which is the last stop before it heads back to Norway. The students on board have been getting stuck into Maths, Calculus, Physics, History, Mandarin and English during the year-long voyage, as well as learning first-hand about the world they live in. The ship will be open to the public on Sat July 2 at the Maritime Museum at Pier 8, see hkmaritimemusuem.org for more info.
Adventures on the high seas
Pre-school principal Mark Western has paddled 258km around Hong Kong.
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Mark Western, principal of Woodland pre-school Pok Fu Lam, has successfully kayaked and walked a mammoth 258km around the whole of Hong Kong. Western first hit the water at the Victoria Recreation Club in Deepwater Bay, paddling 44km to Clearwater Bay. Day two saw him cover 27km from Sheung Sze Wan village in Clearwater Bay to Wong Mau Chau, an island off Sai Kung East Country Park. Back in the boat on day three, he travelled 45km from Wong Mau Chau to Starling Inlet (just south of the Chinese border). He then spent day four walking and dragging his kayak 22km the length of the border to Fairview Park on the western side. Back in the kayak on day five, he paddled 45km to Butterfly Beach on the Gold Coast, and day 6 took him 43km past
the airport, Tai O, the Soko Islands and on to Tong Fuk Beach on South Lantau. On the final day he paddled his way back to Deepwater Bay, dodging ferries, fishing boats and other vessels. “Day three was my most challenging - it rained constantly and I had no support team or mobile coverage. It was also windy, and I ended up paddling off course and adding 4-5kms to the journey,” he said. “Avoiding high speed ferries crossing some of the channels was also challenging.” This enormous achievement has so far raised $26,000 for The Fred Hollows Foundation. Please go to hollows.org to make a donation. Western’s blog documenting the full challenge is at kayak150.com/blog.
news
In brief…
Junking around in Hong Kong in milliner Bella Blu’s new range of Panama hats.
Shady ladies Milliner Bella Blu has launched its debut range of hats ready for the summer season. All designed by Bella Blu founder Jo Dixon, the toquilla straw hats are hand-made in Ecuador by artisan craftsmen using traditional hatmaking techniques. Ecuadorian hat-makers are considered the best in the world, taking up to six weeks to create the finely woven head pieces. The moniker “Panama” was bestowed on them when Theodore Roosevelt
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was pictured wearing one while visiting the construction of the Panama canal in the early 1900s. The striking hats come in a range of vibrant colours and brim sizes, with a selection of more muted colours for men. “We have been so pleased with the feedback so far,” said Dixon. “We’re still in the launch phase but demand has been phenomenal.” The hats will be available at pop-up stores throughout the summer, see facebook.com/ BellaBluDesignHats.
...Kowloon Bay trampoline park, Bounce, is launching Get Bounce Fit classes for adults this month. According to NASA studies, ten minutes of jumping up and down on a trampoline is a better cardiovascular workout than 30 minutes of running. Not only that, it improves muscle toning, balance and coordination and the tramp absorbs up to 80% of the shock - making it ideal for almost everyone. A free trial is available by booking at bounceinc.com.hk. ...Following May’s red rain debacle as reported in Expat Parent last month (“Rainstorm wranglings prompt policy change”), the government has announced that from now on all schools will be suspended for a full day if the red or black warning is raised before 8am. If issued after 8am, classes are to continue as normal. The new arrangement has been reached following heavy public criticism of the suspension of classes on May 10.
news
Busy bees Local charity Lizzie Bee Foundation has launched monthly Bizzie Bee craft kits for kids. The kits contain all the materials, tools and instructions needed to complete a small craft project. They are suitable for children age five+ years and are available as a monthly subscription delivered to your door; from the Lizzie Bee website; or from local markets and events. The Lizzie Bee Foundation was set-up by Liz Avern-Briers and for the last six years she has been using art and craft to bring together and empower disadvantaged members of the Hong Kong community. “We believe in community building as a positive solution to many social issues. Art can bring people together, enable social impact and enrich families and communities, regardless of socio-economic or educational background,” she said. The kits she has been using in these workshops have proved so popular she has decided to make them available to the wider Hong Kong community. 100% of net profit
Tell us a story from the kits will be ploughed back into the charity. For more information or to purchase craft kits, see lizziebee.org.
Expat Parent is supporting this year’s Kids4Kids Writing For A Cause competition. Now in its ninth year, the event is open to primary-aged students who are invited to submit a story of around 500 words (in English, 800 words in Chinese). The stories will be judged by a panel or professional authors, illustrators and publishers - including the editor of Expat Parent - and the top ten entries will be published into a Treasury, which will then be available online or from outlets around Hong Kong. The winning story will be published as an e-book. 100% of all proceeds will be ploughed back into the charity’s Literacy Development Programmes. The Open category (individuals) is open for entries until Aug 31. For tips on writing interesting stories and more information about submissions deadlines, go to kids4kids.org. hk/en/writing-for-a-cause.
All you need to make a monkey.
expat-parent.com 15
giveaways WIN HERE! Click the Giveaways tab on our website: www.expat-parent.com
Benefit
Benefit’s New Brow Collection is here to give you a helping hand to magically transform your brows with a collection of easy to use products. The complete kit comes with over $1,000 worth of products. www.benefitcosmetics.com/hk Deadline: July 28
Ciao Chow
Ciao Chow specialises in creating authentic Neapolitan pizza using its specially-imported ovens and the finest seasonal ingredients. As Sundays are made for families, we’re giving away a family brunch for two adults and one child worth over $1,200. www.ciaochow.com.hk Deadline: July 22
Mazu Swimwear
Mazu pays homage to Hong Kong’s rich maritime heritage. In a bid to raise awareness about the plight of pink dolphins and their struggle to survive, Mazu has dedicated this unique pattern to the endangered species. Proceeds from every pair of pink dolphin swim shorts will benefit the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society. We are giving away a Father and Son Pink Dolphin Mazu swimsuit shorts set worth $2200. www.mazuswimwear.com Deadline: July 26
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hypoxi
Hypoxi is a targeted weight loss system which helps to shape specific areas of your body. With summer vacations on the horizon, we have six Hypoxi training sessions worth nearly $4,000 to giveaway to help you get in those last-minute workouts. Deadline: July 25
expat-parent.com 17
debate of the month
Designer handbags Worth the tag, or an appalling waste of money?
-
“Maybe they’re bought as an investment? Hermes performs better than the stock market and gold right now.” Jasmin, Causeway Bay Lisa, Loula’s mum.
Let’s give some thought to the factory workers and the farmers selling the leather hide - how much are they being paid? I don’t think any bag is worth the designer price. Kristine, Sai Kung
It’s nobody’s business how someone else spends their money. If a person can afford a couple of million on a bag, they may already be donating plenty to charity. Kate, Discovery Bay
“Utterly ridiculous… it’s a handbag that will be used a few times. Try helping the needy instead!” Peta, Pok Fu Lam
Give me groovy over Givenchy any day - there’s no imagination in designer bags. Jennifer, Clearwater Bay
+
It depends who’s doing the designing! Laila, Repulse Bay (handbag designer)
“All I can think of is how many kids’ education one bag would pay for in my home town in South India.” Lisa, Pok Fu Lam
If you’ve worked hard to earn your money, you should be free to do with it as you please. Christy, Stanley
“I have a very expensive Louis Vuitton bag that I paid US$2,000 for. But I’ve been using it every day of my life for eight years. It was worth the tag.” Pauline, Kowloon Lisa, Loula’s mum.
We want to hear from you! Next month: Sports lessons for pre-schoolers, an essential part of a child’s development, or an expensive babysitting service? Email your views to editorial@fastmedia.com.hk or go to www.expat-parent.com 18 expat-parent.com
expat-parent.com 19
things we’d buy Camo drawstring bag $108 from Smiggle, 1/F, Telford Plaza, Kowloon Bay
Round Beach Towel by The Beach People $940 from Mirth Home, mirthhome.com Beach pouch by Makaron $299 from makaronfashion.com
Life’s a beach Hit the sand in style this summer.
Authentic Panama hats prices on request from Bella Blu, info@bellabludesign.com
Melamine picnic bowls by Rice $489/set of four from Mirth Home, mirthhome.com
Hong Kong embroidered Turkish towels $230 from zestofasia.com
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things we’d buy
Fair Trade Beach Bags $180, Smateria, from inspiredcollection.com and Mirth Home, mirthhome.com
Cooler bags, Rice from $255 from Mirth Home, mirthhome.com
Children’s Paradise Tee-shirt $290 from GOD, god.com.hk
Light blue scarf $480, House of Folklore, folklorehk.com
Beer flip flops $228 from GOD, god.com.hk
Cuppi, a shovel, sieve and a ball, Quut $89 from Mirth Home, mirthhome.com
expat-parent.com 21
book review
Out this month
Stories to stash in your beach bag these holidays.
This Must Be The Place Maggie O’Farrell (Headline) If you thought your expat life was complicated - meet Daniel Walker, a New Yorker living in Ireland. He has children he never sees in California, a father he loathes in Brooklyn, and a reclusive, ex-film star wife. Walker’s life spins dramatically off course when he discovers something about a woman he lost touch with 20 years ago.
Flood of Fire
After You
Amitav Ghosh (John Murray)
Jojo Moyes (Penguin Books)
The climax to the Ibis trilogy. It is 1839 and tension has been mounting between China and British India. The colonial government declares war and one of the requisitioned vessels, the Hind, sails from Bengal to China and into the First Opium War. The novel follows the tumultuous stories of the diverse group of travellers on board, each with their own agenda..
The eagerly anticipated sequel to Me Before You, After You takes up the story of Lou Clark who is wondering how she has ended up working in a dead-end job in an airport bar and whether her close-knit family has forgiven her for what happened eighteen months ago. When a stranger appears on her doorstep, she must decide whether to continue her safe, ordered existence or risk it all.
Foodie Shu Han Lee talks us through her new cookbook, Chicken and Rice. What’s in the book? Chicken and Rice is a collection of Southeast Asian recipes with a strong focus on local seasonal ingredients - which is basically the way I cook. I grew up in Asia but have been living in London for six years now, so I have learnt to adapt traditional recipes with the best of what is available locally. My agent convinced me I should put all of this into a book, so I wrote and shot some recipes and wrote a proposal to the publishers. To my surprise, I got an excited call the very next day from a commissioning editor at Fig Tree Penguin.
Lee hard at work in her kitchen.
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What inspires your cooking? I grew up on - and am still heavily biased towards - the punchy, spicy flavours of Southeast Asia. I grew up in Singapore and my mother is Hokkein Chinese. Hokkein cuisine includes lots of stews using rice wine, and
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child J K Rowling, Jack Thorne & John Tiffany Special rehearsal edition of the official script for Rowling’s eighth story in the Harry Potter series. Potter, now a husband and father of three schoolage children, is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic. While he grapples with his past, his son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. Available from Jul 31.
stir-fries heavy on garlic and fish sauce. Roast duck and dim sum, while still delicious, tends to be viewed as “Chinese food”, but it only represents the Cantonese style. There is so much more to Chinese cuisine. Do you have a favourite recipe in the book? It’s hard to pick and really depends on my appetite and what the weather’s doing. At the moment it’s probably congee - it’s best on a wet, grey day or after a holiday when you’ve eaten over-indulgently. What was your favourite dish growing up? All sorts of noodles!
Chicken and Rice: Fresh and Easy Southeast Asian Recipes from a London Kitchen by Shu Han Lee is published by Fig Tree Penguin.
Book-seller Ursula Huber tells us about her passion for print. Tell us about your bookshop… Kidnapped is a family-run bookshop in Sai Kung. For six years we have been offering novels, cookbooks, biographies, magazine, stationery and gift items. The books we offer are all our own choices. The name Kidnapped refers to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure “Kidnapped” and the idea that reading will draw you into another world.
What was your favourite book growing up? Books were always precious in our family. We received a book for Christmas, for birthdays and for special occasions. My favourite was a copy of Astrid Lindgren’s Emil stories - I loved everything about it and still remember the beautiful yellow cover.
Why the passion for books? I have always loved to read. I attained a masters degree in literature and then worked as an editor and book producer. After moving to Hong Kong, I grabbed the opportunity to achieve a long-held dream of opening my very own bookshop.
Do you have a favourite on your shelves right now? Anita Shreve’s Fortune’s Rocks. It’s a modern classic about an impossible love affair between a married doctor in his 40s and a 14 year old at the beginning of the last century.
What’s on your bedside table now? My nightstand is full of books I plan to read. I manage to get through about 75% of them. If I haven’t read one within a few months, I replace it with a more recent publication. I like to keep up to date with the new releases that we have in the shop. I’m currently reading The Missing by C L Taylor - it’s a captivating thriller about a missing teenager and how the family copes with his disappearance.
What future plans do you have for Kidnapped? I’d love to attend more school fairs - since bookshops are becoming so rare in Hong Kong, students are often delighted when we come to their schools and show them our full range of books. School librarians are most welcome to contact me. And what will you be stretching out with this summer? My non-fiction books are Mindset by Carol S Dweck and Calmer Easier Happier Screentime by Noel Janis-Norton. The first looks into the “growth mindset” as compared to the “fixed mindset”, which has been discussed recently in schools. The second deals with that perennial question “can I play on my ipad now?” - great timing with the school holidays upon us. I’m also hoping to get through Shtum by Jem Lester and Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale, which has been on my wishlist for a long time. Kidnapped is at 7 Man Nin St. Sai Kung.
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THE big interview
On the right path
This year, Expat Parent is supporting Hong Kong charity, PathFinders. Carolynne Dear went along to meet the team.
Midwife Hanna Emanuelsson cradles a newborn - as head of Healthcare she provides a vital service for terminated helpers with no access to medical care in Hong Kong.
What’s the low-down? Pathfinders was established in 2007. It is a non-government organisation that provides support for vulnerable, pregnant, migrant workers. The team provides legal assistance; emergency shelter; food and clothing and medical support for workers who have been illegally terminated from their jobs or are victims of abuse.
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A
t eight months pregnant and sleeping on a hard floor at a friend’s place, former domestic helper Arti* was in dire straights. She was fired from her job when her employer found out she was pregnant and was too scared to return to her village in Indonesia. After a serious fall while eight months pregnant, a friend offered to put her up but could only offer her some floor space to sleep on, not even a mattress. Arti’s story is not uncommon, according to Pathfinders communications manager Rachel Ganly. “Unfortunately once a domestic helper
has her position terminated, her visa also expires, meaning she no longer has access to any kind of social services in Hong Kong. She is essentially living here illegally.” There are many reasons helpers do not return home having been fired. Sometimes they are too scared about returning home pregnant and in disgrace, often they just don’t have the money for the airfare. Fortunately for Arti, her friend had heard about the charity and PathFinders was able to offer her safe shelter, emotional support and assist her with ante-natal care. Terrified
THE big interview
Social worker Lia Ngatini advises a terminated helper of her options. She heads up the Country Integration Programme, paving the way home for impoverished domestic workers with nowhere to turn in Hong Kong.
of telling her husband about her pregnancy, she eventually decided to put her baby up for adoption in Hong Kong and PathFinders ensured she received proper counselling. “There is so much ignorance and fear about helper rights, on boths sides of the fence,” says Ganly. “It is illegal to terminate a migrant worker just because she is pregnant, and sometimes if we are able to talk things through with the employer, issues can be resolved.” However, many helpers suddenly find themselves on the street and alone, with no idea where to turn for help. It’s a desperate situation to be in, let alone with a newborn to care for, too. One former helper was discovered at rockbottom eeking out an existence in a rundown room in a New Territories village house. She was struggling to survive with her two young children, having overstayed her visa by several years. Neither child had a birth certificate nor had ever received any medical care or attended school. Eventually the terrified mother discovered PathFinders though an advert in an Indonesian newspaper and she was immediately moved to a shelter and provided with food and essential supplies. She received counselling and advice and was eventually able to move forward and, with financial support, return to Indonesia. “We tend to see more Indonesian helpers than any other nationality come forward for help,” explains Ganly. “They make up a large percentage of overall helpers working in Hong Kong, but don’t have a similar support network
that the Filipino population has developed.” While it is theoretically illegal to fire helpers just because they are pregnant, in practice it takes time for those terminated to process a legal claim, and without a work visa these women tend to fall through the cracks of Hong Kong society. PathFinders works hard to tailor their response to the needs of each individual. “The personal service has really impressed me,” says gap-year intern Linny Ng. A former Canadian International School student, Ng has been gaining invaluable work experience with the charity before starting a law degree at London School of Economics later this year. “I’ve seen some lows, but also experienced some great highs with PathFinders. Many of these women are in such desperate circumstances. I’ve been really shocked by the level of poverty in Hong Kong - in some areas you could blink and think you were in the developing world,” she says. PathFinders is also working closely with Hong Kong’s Legislative Council to bring the plight of these helpers to the attention of the government, making suggestions for policies and long-term solutions. The charity also provides a Sunday outreach programme to spread the word. “Every child deserves a fair start in life, no matter the circumstances behind their birth,” says Ganly.
How can you help? If you have professional experience in medicine; law; communication; events management or administration and also have some spare time, Pathfinders is constantly looking for pro bono volunteers. PathFinders is always in need of clothing (mother and baby); toys; books; nappies and toiletries. Give office manager Rebecca a call on 5500 5486 to find out what is needed and where to drop off. The charity is holding a fundraising gala dinner on Nov 19. Book a table or help with donations for the auction. Volunteers skilled in events management are also needed. Cold hard cash can always be put to good use - please consider donating at pathfinders.org.hk. Employers can access advice on their own legal responsibilities by downloading Fairapp, provided by Hong Kong employment agency Fair Foundation. PathFinders is happy to speak with anybody confused about their position as an employer in any of the circumstances brought up in this article.
*names have been changed to protect the identity of mother and baby. expat-parent.com 25
Fe at ur e
Urban adventures
Don’t let soaring temperatures stop the fun. Carolynne Dear rounds up what’s cool for kids in the city this summer.
Sonny, 8, and Harry, 7, are gearing
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e ur at Fe
Indoor action
Leap, run and play in air conditioned bliss.
Trampoline fun in Kowloon Bay.
Tramp camps Beat the heat in air conditioned bliss at this Kowloon Baybased trampoline park. The centre is running special daily Tramp Camps this month for kids aged six-eight and nine-12 years. The fully-supervised, two-hour sessions will see them developing their aerial skills, throwing some dodgeball, launching themselves into giant airbags and joining the freejumping revolution. Sessions run every morning Monday - Thursday, $500/ session, or $450/session if booking for a complete four-day week. Bookings must be made a minimum of 24-hours in advance. Entrance fee covers grip socks, refreshments, certificates and prize giveaways. Bounce, EMAX, KITEC, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay, bounceinc.com.hk.
Mini madness With three venues across Hong Kong, Funzone is a great way to keep littlies amused while the day heats up. The air conditioned venues all feature fun play structures, dedicated toddler areas for three years and under, playgroup sessions on scheduled mornings and cafes for mums and dads to fuel up with some welcome caffeine. The parks are open to children under 12 years and are located in Kennedy Town, Ma On Shan and Island East. For more details on venue locations and opening hours, see funzone.com.hk.
up for a fun-packed summer in the city.
Walking on air They’ll be swinging from the rafters (quite literally) at Hong Kong’s largest indoor family entertainment venue. Boasting the largest slides in Asia, plus an air trek obstacle course, rock climbing, laser tag, mini golf, soft play climbing frames and a separate toddler area, Epicland really does cater for more than just littlies. It’s open 365 days a year on Discovery Bay’s North Plaza, and surrounded by loads of kid-friendly restaurant options - this is a venue you really can make a day of. Epicland, G/F, 31 North Plaza, Family Recreation Centre, 96 Siena Avenue, Discovery Bay North, Lantau, epiclandhk.com.
Beat the Ninjas Dare to conquer Ryze Trampoline Park’s brand new “Ultimate Ninja course” - a custom designed ultimate obstacle course, all up and running just in time for the summer holidays. Not only that, this indoor, fully air conditioned park boasts 7,000 square feet of connected trampolines, including angled wall tramps and launching decks. Try your hand at trapeze, aerial silks and bounce boards, or attempt a slam dunk in the bounce basketball area. Between 9 and 10am on weekday mornings the park is reserved for kids aged six and under, at the special rate of $95/jumper with free entry onto the trampoline field for an accompanying adult. Ryze Ultimate Trampoline Park, 3/F Kodak House 1, 321 Java Rd, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong, ryzehongkong.com. expat-parent.com 27
Fe at ur e
In the swim
Cool off at the best pools in town.
Funtastic days out at HK’s public pools.
Water park splash-down Ocean Park will again be running its popular Summer Splash attraction, including loads of cool water rides along the Waterfront Plaza. Soaker Swings, Mega Bucket, Water War, Dancing Fountain and a three-storey Slide Racer will keep them cool as the mercury soars. Summer Splash runs until Aug 31, for more info go to oceanpark.com.hk.
Swim, lounge and dine Le Meridien in Cyberport is running a “splash ‘n’ lunch combo” offer throughout the summer. The special seasonal deal includes pool access and a set lunch until 5pm, on any weekday (excluding public holidays), $250 +10%. Call Prompt at Le Meridien on 2980 7417 for more details. Offer open until end of October. The Hyatt Regency in Sha Tin is also offering a swim and dine package until Jul 10. The offer includes use of the pool for four hours plus a $300 dining credit for the Pool Bar’s a la carte menu. $390/person Mon-Fri; $450/ person Sat, Sun and public holidays (free for under threes); Contact 3723 1234 or hongkong.shatin.hyatt. com. Swim and dine at the Sha Tin Hyatt Regency.
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Wet ‘n’ wild fun for all Hong Kong’s public pools have to be the bargain of the summer, at just $9 per session for children. Hong Kong has 43 pools in total, including nine on the Island in locations including Aberdeen (Pao Yue Kong), Morrison Hill, Kennedy Town, Wan Chai and Island East. Most have extensive children’s play equipment, including toddler slides and climbing equipment, flumes for older kids (height restrictions apply), diving boards and water guns. Swimming facilities usually include olympic length lane pools and shallower training pools for littlies. Opening hours are generally 6.30am-noon; 1pm6pm; and 7-10pm, with one full-day closure per week for cleaning. All pools are open throughout the summer Apr 1 until Oct 31. Entry is by Octopus or tokens that can be purchased at the gate. For more information and individual opening times, check lcsd.gov.hk.
Summer staycations Forget Chek Lap Kok this summer, chill out heaven is just a short taxi ride away with the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong’s Family Summer Getaway package. The package includes one night’s accommodation, one kid-friendly activity at Camp Hyatt, breakfast, drinks, complimentary parking and bicycle hire, at the Sha Tin-based hotel. Kids activities include “Little Chef” and tennis for beginners classes, while parents can bliss out by the pool, or enjoy an Elemis skincare treatment at a special rate from just $298. From $1,280/room/night, the offer is valid Fri, Sat and Sun until Jul 10, and all dates from July 11 to Aug 31. Contact 3723 1234 or hongkong. shatin.hyatt.com.
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Fe at ur e
Culture vultures
From special exhibitions to hands-on workshops, Hong Kong’s museums are pulling out all the stops. Hong Kong Science Museum Slimy monsters? Vomit-munchers? Animal poop? Guaranteed to grab their attention this summer is the Science Museum’s Grossology exhibition, which provides an unusual view of the animal kingdom. As well as all the permanent fun sciencey stuff and hands-on exhibits, the museum is taking a look at all that is gross in the animal world, introducing the world’s most disgusting animals and their importance in ecology and nature. With 16 interactive exhibits, activity stations and giant animatronic animals, this is a fun and fascinating way to while away a hot day. And on 1, 2 and 9 July, theatre professionals will be dropping in to arrange some special animal-related fun and games. Grossology runs until Nov 2, 2 Science Museum Rd, TST East, Kowloon, hk.science.musuem.
National Maritime Museum
Top of the plops - HK Science Museum’s Grossology exhibition runs all summer..
Hong Kong Heritage Museum Don’t miss Claude Monet, The Spirit of Place, a stunning exhibition of Monet’s best-loved artworks conserved in French public collections. The impressionist master spent 70 years depicting different places, to eventually become one of the greatest landscape artists in the history of Western art. There are loads of hands on exhibits to get kids involved, and younger kids will also love the permanent hands-on Children’s Discovery Gallery, aimed at four-10 year olds. The Spirit of Place runs until Jul 11, 1 Man Lam Rd, Sha Tin, NT, heritagemusuem.gov.hk.
The harbourside museum is running a hands-on Navigation Workshop (eight years and up, 3.30-5pm, Jul 9) using antique navigation instruments. It promises to be a fascinating afternoon - although the museum does not recommend your budding Columbus circumnavigate Hong Kong Island on the basis of techniques learnt here! NMM will also be holding Family Craft Corners (three years and up, 2.30-5.30pm, Jul 10 and 31) and a Family Trail (four years and up, 3-5pm, Jul 24) around the museum learning fun and secret facts along the way. There are also loads of other permanent hands-on exhibits to keep kids interested, covering 3,000 years of maritime history in Hong Kong and the South China Sea. Perfectly situated overlooking busy Victoria Harbour, the museum was painstakingly moved from its original location in Stanley and put back together at Pier 8. And don’t forget to pop upstairs to Cafe 8 to to re-fuel. Central Ferry Pier No 8, Man Kwong St, Central, hkmaritimemuseum.org.
Foodie fun and other adventures PMQ is running a Summer Microadventures programme this summer with a heap of fun and creative workshops to fire little imaginations. Themes include rice, bamboo, grass fields and trees, combining excursions and interactive workshops for kids aged seven-11 years. Parents are welcome to join in too. In July, “Little Rice Cooker” takes kids on a cultural culinary history adventure with a talk from PMQ Taste Library curator Craig Au-Yeung followed by a walk through Sheung Wan discovering local rice shops. “Island & Tree; City & Wood” takes place on Lamma Island on Jul 24; and “Lamma Corner” with local artist Wong Tin-yan is being held at PMQ on Jul 31. PMQ, 35 Aberdeen St, Central, more info at marketing@pmq.org.hk.
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PMQ is leading cooking workshops and urban tours for littlies.
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school scene
School news New nurseries and New York concerts are all happening this month.
Nursery first for Hong Kong
Safari Kid believes there is a demand for unaccompanied nurseries in Hong Kong.
Safari Kid is set to open a daycare centre that will be the first of its kind in Hong Kong - offering unaccompanied daycare for one to two-and-a-half year olds. The international group currently operates a pre-school in Pok Fu Lam. According to Safari Kid managing director Aniruddh Gupta, “While Hong Kong is a domestic helper-driven childcare market, we’ve had several parent requests for short and long unaccompanied classes for the under-two age group. There are an increasing number of working expat couples with young children who are not necessarily comfortable leaving their children with domestic helpers for the entire day,” he said. “We offer a specialised early childhood environment, with trained staff and quality care.” While Hong Kong laws stipulate a ratio of one caregiver to every eight children
under the age of two, the Happy Valleybased nursery will provide one caregiver for every three children. Nursery staff aim to work closely with parents to customise each child’s routine with regard nap-times, feedtimes and so forth. The centre will offer two hour, four hour and full day (eight hour) options, either daily, or two or three days per week. The Nursery will be filled with toys and play equipment curated and imported from the UK - further facilities include an indoor play and activity area as well as a small outdoor area for messy play and outdoor activities. Fee structures will be available from the end of this month and the new nursery will open its doors in September. Contact infohk@safarikidasia.com for more information.
West Island student wins press award A West Island School student has walked away with the High School Journalism prize at this year’s Human Rights Press Awards this year. She is a year 12 student and was competing against a year 4 university student. Xaviera Artaza’s winning article, “Disenfranchised: education for non-Chinese-speaking children in Hong Kong”, examines the struggles faced by non-ethnic Chinese trying to achieve a quality education in Hong Kong. Artaza says she is inspired by her her father, Mario Ignacio Artaza, a former journalist who is now consul general of Chile in Hong Kong. The Human Rights Press Awards is run by the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Amnesty International Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Journalists Association. Artaza’s winning entry can be viewed at harbourtimes. com/2015/07/23/disenfranchised-education-for-nonchinese-speaking-children-in-hong-kong/ 32 expat-parent.com
Xaviera Artaza with Andrew Work, publisher of Harbour Times which first printed her award-winning story.
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school scene
NA makes music with NY Nord Anglia International School is teaming up with the renowned Juilliard School of Music in New York to enhance its performing arts curriculum. The Juilliard is one of the world’s top universities for studying performing arts and it will now be supporting Nord Anglia’s own performing arts programme. The school is hoping the partnership will engage students more deeply with music, dance and drama and will enrich the teaching skills already in place. According to Nord Anglia principal Brian Cooklin, the programme has been designed for all students and aims to nurture cultural literacy and confidence. The school’s music faculty will use the Juilliard Creative Classroom, an online resource of teaching materials, recordings and videos, which can be incorporated into lesson-time. The school has also set-up a Juilliard Music Lab with a suite of electric pianos. “The keyboard acts an an entry point for music
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theory,” explained Naomi Rowan, Director of Music and Curriculum Fellow. “From the age of five, every child will use the keyboard to explore the fundamentals of music and notation. “We will also be receiving visits from Juilliard alumni, who will come into the school to run workshops, perform to the students and inspire them with a phenomenal level of music,” added Rowan. For more information, see nais.hk.
Nord Anglia student Kimmy Kwok rehearsing in the school’s music department.
Calling all young scientists International chemistry company BASF has launched a science comp for Hong Kong’s secondary school scientists. 2016 Experiment Challenge - Let Kids Love Science invites kids aged 14-19 to come up with fun experiments for children aged six-12 years. The winning idea will have the chance to become part of the regional BASF Kids’ Lab programme in Asia Pacific. Entries for the Challenge can be submitted from this month until 28 September. Participants are required to form teams of two and applications will be reviewed by an expert panel from BASF and official partner, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Six pairs of shortlisted candidates will then be invited to present their idea to the panel on 19 November. Entries should be submitted to challenge@basf.com with more information at basf.com.
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Sponsored Column
Costs of International Schools in Hong Kong The transition from Kindergarten to Year One is more than just a shift between grades. Primary school will present new challenges. The day’s activities will be more structured than they were in Kindergarten, but there should still be time for spontaneous learning activities. If you’re wondering whether your child is ready, it’s helpful to think about ‘readiness’. Readiness addresses a child’s physical, cognitive, social and emotional development at a particular time. Readiness is not something a child does or does not have. It is a process of growth and children grow in different ways and at different times. Think about the following questions and how your child is progressing. Remember, no child should be expected to accomplish all of these items perfectly before Year One and teachers are well aware of this. The important thing is to support your child during each stage of his/her development. Can your child: Pay attention to a short story when it is read and answer questions about it? Create things with paper, colors, scissors, markers and glue? (It is not important to stay within the
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lines!) Tie a knot, bow or scarf? Repeat simple messages? Remember instructions and carry out two or three tasks after being told once? Put a simple puzzle together? Draw a picture of a person which includes the head, body, arms and legs? Draw or copy shapes? Know his/her address, birthday? Identify several colors? Try to write or copy letters and numbers? Admit he/she doesn’t know or needs help? Assessing Your Child You know your child best. If you are concerned about whether your child is ready for Year One, ask for additional information from your current Kindergarten teacher. More serious concerns may be addressed by having your child evaluated. An evaluation assesses readiness skills and behavior such as language, independence, impulse control, interpersonal skills, experiential background, and physical and mental health. It is not a test
your child will pass or fail. It simply gives you more information. You can then ask for extra support your child may need to develop certain skills. When your child starts Year One, keep in regular contact with teachers about his/her progress and attend any workshops or conferences conducted at the school. It’s important to keep up-to-date on new teaching practices so you can practice with your child at home. Things are very different nowadays than when we went to schoolfrom when we were going to school and as such it’s essential all the new learning methods for literacy and numeracy so you can practice with your child at home. 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.
OUT NOW
From the team behind the sellout Above Sai Kung & Clearwater Bay comes Above Hong Kong Island.
Order your copy online now at www.abovehongkong.com *First 100 copies signed by photographer Graham Uden
www.fastmedia.com.hk www.heliservices.com.hk
w w w. g r a h a m u d e n . c o m
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meet the parents
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meet the parents
Sewing seeds of hope
Six Hong Kong mums and their children have just returned from rural Cambodia, where they have built - and are funding - a primary and secondary school. Expat Parent went to find out how they did it.
T
he two schools are located in Roong Village, an impoverished rural area around 60km outside of Phnom Penh. The group of mums first became involved with the village in 2012 following a chance encounter between Sai Kung-based mum Grazia Luciani and the director of Italian non-profit charity Missione Possibile (MP), Gerry Testori. Luciani met Testori during a trip to
Cambodia with another charity and she suggested he stop by in Hong Kong to spread the word about the Roong village school project. Luciani gathered together friends and neighbours, and after an informal introduction evening at her home, Missione Possibile Hong Kong (MPHK) was born. Testori himself had been invited by village chiefs in Roong village back in 2005 to discuss the possibility of the village selling land to MP
in order to start a school. The village is in an extremely impoverished rural area and most adults are illiterate. Using local materials, the building was opened in 2006 with four classrooms. In 2012, land adjacent to the primary was bought to create a secondary school and enable the children to continue their education. Eight years of civil war, followed by the four year long “Cambodian Genocide� at the hands expat-parent.com 39
meet the parents
School children show off their new football strip.
of the Khmer Rouge, absolutely decimated the country. The resulting statistics make for gut wrenching reading. It is estimated four million Cambodians were killed by the Khmer Rouge, including around 85% of the country’s teachers. Nearly half of the population now lives under the national poverty line and children are commonly required to work in rice fields or factories to help feed their families. Around 70% of girls are forced to leave school after Year 6 (about 10 or 11 years old) to start work, and just 10% of Cambodian villages currently have a secondary school. “It is hard to comprehend the effect on the country of having almost a whole generation wiped out,” admits Jack. And so it was with determination that the group fundraised to complete the secondary school, and then set out to Cambodia to meet the village and deliver much needed school supplies - including stationery, uniforms, textbooks, medical supplies and teaching salaries. “My first visit to the school was such a positive experience,” says Jack. “Four expat ladies delivering over 120kg of donated school supplies, before spending three days teaching and playing with these beautiful children in their new classrooms. It was such a contrast to our privileged lives in Hong Kong, and so rewarding on every level.” “When Charlotte (aged eight) came with me this year, I had no idea what the reaction would be,” admitted Jack. “She’s a blonde, blue-eyed child and stuck out like a sore thumb, but she was accepted by the children in such an amazing way. I looked on, shocked by her maturity - I really hope I am planting the seeds of charity in her mind.” “I was so excited when mummy said I 40 expat-parent.com
could go with her on this trip,” said eight-yearold Charlotte. “I was surprised by how many school children there were, but also by how empty the playground was - it was just mud and a few trees. I spent most of my time doing craft activities with the year fives in the library. I also played games at break-time, like elastics, skipping and ball games, and they taught me a few games, too. When I got back I presented my experiences to my own class in Hong Kong. The trip made me realise how lucky I am.” Tilly Bates, aged 10, also got to join the trip with mum, Jenny. “I taught arts and crafts lessons and maths lessons with my mum in the primary school, and a Chinese lesson in the secondary school,” she explained. “The best bit was getting to meet the kids and see their smiles - they were just so excited to meet us. But I was sad when I saw that the water coming out of the school taps was muddy and not clean. The trip taught me that I’m really lucky - and to think about the amount of water I use and the food that goes to waste at home.”
I learnt more than I thought I would. These children do not get an education easily. (Luca Tagliente, 13)
Carlo Cico, aged 13, delivered vital pairs of glasses to students with poor eyesight. “I wear glasses myself, so I explained how to look after them. They were the first villagers ever to receive glasses and they felt a bit weird wearing them, so I told them not to be ashamed,” he said.
Mum Birgitta Carter believes the experience has changed both her own and her daughter’s perspectives on life. “It was hot and tiring work but the joy on the children’s faces made it all worth it,” she said. “My daughter’s understanding of things that are merely “wanted” and things that are really “needed” has totally changed since this trip. Personally, I am coming to the end of a teacher training course in Hong Kong, and to watch the Cambodians teaching with so little in the way of resources has made me reflect on my own teaching methods,” she said. “At one point I was teaching syllables to the children - so we made simple shakers out of discarded water bottles and shells collected outside to shake out a word. So different from what is available to me in Hong Kong.” Her eleven-year-old daughter Thea agreed that the trip has taught her to be grateful for what she has. “I noticed that all the children were happy, even though they had so little,” she reflected. Funding two schools is a huge, on-going project. The MPHK team are all volunteers and work tirelessly to ensure that as near to 100% of donations as possible reach the schools. If you have a skill or ability that you would be able to share with the school children, MPHK is running another trip in October this year. Skillsets do not have to be academic they could be based around music, drama, sport or art. And if you’re a social media whizz, MPHK is also looking for volunteers to help them launch and maintain a social media platform. It is also planning two high profile fundraising events over the next 12 months and would love to hear from events organisers. For more information, see www.justgiving.com/missione-possibilehk, or contact Jack at missionepossibilehk@ gmail.com
Missione Possibile HK (expat mums Grazia Luciani, Paola de Antonellis, Audrey Jack, Rohini Thoma, Sam Saxena and Olivia Crooke) and friends outside the new secondary school.
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me & my hobby
Show girl
All the world’s a stage for young star Sophie Connell. Mawgan Batt caught up with her between shows. What is it that you love about performing? The feeling of being in front of thousands of people on stage is indescribable. It doesn’t feel like work, and I just love being able to share my passion for performing with others.
Young Sophie treading the boards as Annie.
How did it all begin? I had my first dance lesson when I was two years old. Mum said I literally dragged her into the studio and then cried and refused to leave at the end. I have been dancing ever since. I did my first big stage show, Annie, at nine years old. I was really nervous, so when a few weeks later my mum got a phone call to say I had won the lead role I was really shocked, but also incredibly excited. That was the year that I decided that I wanted a career on the stage, and I have been doing shows ever since. What have been the highlights of your career so far? I have been fortunate to have performed in two big West end shows when they came to Hong Kong. I played one of the Von Trapp children in the Sound of Music last year. I have learnt so much being a part of these shows. Other favorites have been Hairspray with Face productions where I played Tracey, the lead role. That was really fun. I also recently played Little Red Riding hood in Into The Woods with Face Productions which turned out to be really challenging - I really had to step up as Little Red becomes a completely different character in the second act. I was the youngest in the cast, so I pushed myself hard to keep up with the amazingly 42 expat-parent.com
talented adult cast. I also enjoyed playing Alice in Wonderland a few years ago with AFTEC. It was an immersive theatre experience, so the audience was actually on the set and walked through the scenes and interacted with us. I have never done anything like it before. We did something like 80 shows, so I was exhausted by the end. Luckily I shared the role with another girl, which often happens when they put a child actor in a big role. I have also just come back from LA where I was dancing in an international competition. It was a phenomenal experience being amongst so many talented dancers from all over the world. My dance school – Red Shoe Dance Academy - did really well and I was very proud to be part of it. Tell us about your film work... I have been in various TV commercials and even a small movie. I was also part of a music video a few years ago where I had to sing in Mandarin. My favourites shoots to date have been with Disney and Cartoon Network. Being filmed is completely different to being in front of a live audience. The days can be long with many takes for small scenes. I recently spent an eight hour day filming a toy commercial, only to find it had been cut to about 30 seconds in production!
How do you juggle all of this with your school work? I have to prioritise - two awesome roles came up for me this year, but I had to say no to both of them as my school work was starting to suffer. It can be difficult to come down to earth after a big show. Math exams and English assessments still have to be completed regardless, it can be tough. Unfortunately the long hours in my last show - Into The Woods - meant I had to temporarily give up one of my ballet classes for the year and miss the exam for that grade. That was tough. Any tips for other budding performers? Just be yourself and believe that you can do it. Be the child who wants to be there more than anyone else, I think directors can sense that. Also always listen to the director carefully and try your best. Of course talent is important, but hard work, and being able to take direction is equally as important. It is also imperative to be able to take constructive criticism and learn from it. Sometimes it can be really hard to hear. It’s part of being a performer though, so I try to use it to better myself, and not take it personally.
Resume of a stage star Sophie studies RAD ballet, ADAPT jazz, contemporary, lyrical and musical theatre with Red Shoe Dance Studio (redshoedance. com). She also takes musical theory classes with a private tutor to support her singing. She has performed in shows for Face Productions (faceproductions.com.hk), The Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection (aftec.hk), Lunchbox Productions (lunchboxproductions.com) and Faust (faustworld. com.hk), as well as Kennedy and West Island Schools.
expat-parent.com 43
big day out
Monkey business
Rory Mackay hikes over to Kam Shan Country Park, home to Monkey Hill and a plethora of friendly wildlife.
Kam Shan Country Park boasts much wildlife and a host of sparkling reservoirs.
Hong Kong’s wildlife. For the more intrepid explorer, there are many exciting hiking and mountain biking trails that run out of Kam Shan. One superb Nature trails and hikes thread the area. aspect of Kam Shan ucked away in the hills behind Country Park is its proximity to the city and Kowloon lies a hidden wealth of accessibility. The most common way to get picturesque landscapes shrouded in into the area is by catching the No. 81 KMB thick jungle, interspersed with azure bus from Nathan Road (this bus can also be lakes. This is the domain of Hong Kong’s ridden in the opposite direction from Tai Wai) wild chiefs. This is Kam Shan, realm of the and disembarking at Shek Lei Pui Reservoir monkey. stop. Those who have a private vehicle Located between northwestern Kowloon at their disposal can venture into the the and Sha Tin, Kam Shan Country Park is country park by car. Drive up Tai Po Road named after its populations of wild monkeys. and turn off at Kowloon Reservoir, then head However, the area has plenty of other across the reservoir dam wall and into the attractions to offer. For the more relaxed heart of the park. Make sure to wind up your visitor, several custom-made nature and windows though, or else you may incur a family trails showcase the very best of the few extra passengers, especially if you have region’s scenery and the great diversity of food!
T
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If you take the bus, once you arrive at the bus stop you will soon be confronted by many monkeys, invariably a troop of Rhesus Macaques. Although the Rhesus species is native to Hong Kong, the macaques found today are believed to be re-introduced. In the 1910’s during the construction of Kowloon Reservoir, the apes were deployed to the surrounding areas in order to combat the spread of a fruit that tainted the water supply. They roam in large numbers and enjoy the area around Tai Po Road, as the rubbish bins and increased human presence improves the chance of finding a meal. There are signs at the park entrance spelling out the dos and don’ts in regards to the monkeys. From experience, be relaxed. Don’t approach the monkeys with food and they will mind their own monkey business. Direct eye contact and sudden movements won’t endear you to them. With that out of the way, the monkeys are great fun to watch and can be extremely photogenic.
big day out
Heading into Kam Shan Country Park, follow the concrete access road into the woods, then across the Kowloon reservoir dam wall. From here there are several options to choose from, the most enjoyable one being a walk up to the monkey mountain. Follow the road up the hillside for twenty minutes or so until you reach a picnic area, usually full of macaques. The monkeys here are a little less feisty than those on Tai Po road and seeing them in their natural treetop habitat is a delight. You’re not supposed to feed the animals, but some people do. As a result, the monkeys will approach you if you have food. There are also many wild boar in the area. They are harmless and a real treat to spot. On the way to the top of the monkey mountain the Kam Shan Family Trail makes for a pleasant detour. Back down beside the Kowloon Reservoir, you can also leave the road to explore the Kam Shan Tree Walk. This well signposted pathway leads to Shek Lei Pui and back, highlighting many different types
of flora and fauna along the way. For those who wish to head further afield, there are extensive networks of mountain biking trails running out of Kowloon reservoir to the west. If you’re a hiker, there is a lot on offer in many directions. In my opinion, the best route is to follow the MacLehose Trail eastwards and hike up towards Lion Rock. Heading back from the country park is as simple as finding your way in. In addition to taking the bus or driving, there are plenty of taxis on Tai Po Road to flag down. You’ll very quickly descend back into the city and the monkey mountain will seem a million miles away. A world of dense rainforests guarded by troops of charismatic macaques.
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light bites
Food news
Cafe Deco bids farewell to The Peak Cafe Deco will serve customers for the final time on July 24 as it closes its doors after 22 years on The Peak. A family favourite for out-of-town visitors to The Peak as well as longtime Hong Kong dwellers, Cafe Deco will be serving up some its most-loved dishes until final service. Cafe Deco Group has already announced a new location for the restaurant in The ONE in Tsim Sha Tsui. Occupying the entire 20th floor, the restaurant will still enjoy stunning panoramic views of Hong Kong albeit from the other side of Victoria Harbour.
Newly opened
Black Sheep Restaurants have opened their latest venture in the city with Buenos Aires Polo Club. The Argentinian steakhouse is inspired by the South American country’s love of polo and its world famous grilling culture. The menu features signature beef cuts sourced from Argentina’s open range cattle station, General Pico, where cattle are allowed to graze freely under the watchful eyes of the renowned gauchos. A wine cellar comprised of exclusively Argentinian wines adds to the authentic Buenos Aires feel. 7/F LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, 2321 8681.
Gourmet barbecue catering Elevate your summer barbecues with Invisible Kitchen’s new gourmet barbecue catering packages. Head chef Tom Burney has cooked up a winning menu with a range of options to suit all budgets. Looking for an easy life? The full-service package comes complete with a chef and waiter meaning you can sit back, relax and eat! The Beach BBQ Pack ($547 per person for 15 people) includes use of beachside charcoal pits and the City BBQ Pack ($1,105 per person for 15 people) includes use of the cozy terrace at Rosie Jean’s Cafe on Caine Road in Central. Enough space at home? The Deluxe BBQ Menu ($540 per person for minimum 15 people) will see a chef and waiter cook up a storm in your own backyard. The barbecue menu includes succulent New Zealand cutlets, Jamaican Jerk chicken, UK Cumberland sausages and an array of salad and veggie options. Visit www.invisiblekitchen.com for more details.
Independence Day Dessert Celebrate the 4th of July in true American style at Burger Circus. Available for one day only, the Burger Circus Banana Split ($68) is made with house churned strawberry, vanilla and blueberry ice cream topped with whipped cream and a cherry. God bless America! Burger Circus, 22 Hollywood Road. burgercircus.com.hk 46 expat-parent.com
Family recipe book A handy recipe book in both Tagalog and English has been launched in Hong Kong. Written by Singapore-based expat, Frog Michaels, A Helping Hand cleverly displays all recipes in both English and Tagalog. “While most helpers across Asia have learnt some English, descriptions such as “blind bake”, “braise”, “blanche” and “bain-marie” leave a lot of room for confusion,” she says. Following a couple of hilarious incidents with her own helper (such as serving the breakfast eggs with baking powder rather than bacon), Michaels has put together a collection of classic, uncomplicated European and Asian dishes, complete with serving suggestions and tips and remedies to give hard-working helpers a heads up. Copies of the book are available from blondemedia.asia.
light bites
Free food Ciao Chow is offering free-flow pizza to any children under 10 during Sunday brunch. The four-course adult menu features Antipasti and Insalata starters while main course options include either pizza or pasta, think traditional Margherita or a Fettuccine alla Bolognese. Dessert is the classic, house-made Tiramisu. Sunday brunch is $298 per person and one child per couple of adults receives free-flow pizza, $100 for every additional child.
Reinventing the salad In search of Hong Kong’s finest salads, seven restaurants will battle it out during July to be crowned the winner of ‘best salad’. Chefs from restaurants including Linguini Fini, The Restaurant by the Kinnet and Beef & Liberty will each design their own unique take on the humble salad. Each salad will be priced at $120 and the restaurant with the most purchases will win.
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food
Holly, Lissy, Kayla and Margie, all 12 years old, put their taste-buds to the test.
Munchies A range of sophisticated and organic flavours - Earl Grey, vanilla, Japanese matcha, mocca and salted caramel - were perhaps too adult in taste for the girls, although the vanilla went down well. The girls were more taken with the glossy array of doughnuts - but when you’re 12, sugar rules the day. Overall they rated it a cute cafe/ice cream parlour tucked away in a shady lane. 4 Shin Hing Street, Sheung Wan, hungry@munchies.hk. 48 expat-parent.com
Happy Cow If you like your ice cream with an ethical twist, Happy Cow serves it up dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free, using natural and organic ingredients - and all without compromising on flavour. The tweens were sceptical about the healthy aspect, but a huge range of tempting flavours drew favourable comments chocolate chilli, strawberry shortcake, lime ‘n’ pineapple and Pina Colada were just for starters. The name Happy Cow
was apparently inspired by HK’s feral herds. Available throughout Hong Kong, happycowhk.com Lab Made We ventured off the SoHo trail for this one, but the lure of Asia’s first liquid nitrogen ice cream lab was too tempting to ignore. Made from scratch and frozen to order using fresh ingredients This ice cream is pretty cool. The tweens were shivering in their Yeezys when they found out it’s frozen
food
to a bone-chilling -196 deg C with super cold liquid nitrogen - this also means less cream is needed to produce the super smooth texture. G/F 6 Brown Street, Tai Hang, 9355 4476.
Venchi Suave and sophisticated Venchi boasts a luxurious range of Italian flavours. A rather adult affair, the tweens were nevertheless blown away by the pineapple gelato. “This is the BEST gelato I’ve ever tasted,” enthused Kayla. More of a takeaway joint, the parlour has just a couple of bar seats if you want to take advantage of the air con. Also doubling as a chocolatier, it has a constantly flowing chocolate tap which seriously impressed the tweens. “I wonder if dad would install one at home?” wondered Lissy. G/F Shop, The Pottinger, 21 Stanley St, Central, 2868 0336. expat-parent.com 49
food
Emack & Bolio serving up a sugar feast.
The girls check out Holly Brown’s waffle cones.
Elephant Grounds Takes ice cream sandwiches to the next level. Daily flavours are made in limited quantities, so get in fast. The day we went along a creamy blueberry and vanilla was the taste of the day, sandwiched between waffle-style biscuits and decorated with Fruit Loops. By this stage the tweens were reaching ice cream overload and our waitress kindly offered to quarter the sandwiches. They gamely finished a square each and wished they had room for more. We also loved the cute outdoor balcony over-looking a sunny square. 11 Gough Street, Sheung Wan, 2253 1313. Odies Foodies East meets West with Italian soft-serve gelatos mixed with local, streetmade Eggettes. The combination of smooth, cool ice cream and warm egg waffles had the tweens hooked. There are loads of different flavours if you just want a scoop in a cone or cup, and if you like your sundaes a bit lighter, try the yoghurt or fruit 50 expat-parent.com
Cheerios, marshmallow, ice cream - what more could you want?
gelatos. And for a treat with a difference, ask for a “Jar-leto” - gelato plus toppings layered separately in a jar. This newly-opened Central parlour went straight to the top of the tweens list. 45 Gough Street, Sheung Wan, 9551 7972. XTC Gelato Local hero XTC serves up all-natural, artisan gelato using seasonal ingredients. Everything is homemade from scratch - from grinding the Italian-grown pistachios to peeling the fresh, local fruit. “This is GREAT gelato,” enthused all the girls - lemon came out as a particular favourite. Other flavours with more of a HK twist include milk-tea gelato. XTC also uses Australian low-fat milk and less cream. A big thumbs up from everyone. Shop B, 45 Cochrane St, Central, 2540 0105. Holly Brown The “blue vanilla” was a hit, along with pink bubble gum and the waffle cups. The tweens experimented with a variety of
toppings and particularly liked the frozen raspberries. Our photographer loved the coffee and the well air conditioned, spacious parlour. The portions were generous and the girls did start to struggle. “I’d like to finish it, but I’m a bit full,” said Margie. Definitely one to come back to. 22 Stanley Street, Central, 2869 9008. Emack & Bolio There was no beating the selfstyled “rock star” of the ice cream world. Multi-award winning parlour Emack & Bolio threw open its doors in Hong Kong a couple of summers ago and now has a loyal following of fans, all hungry for its outrageously good sundaes, funky cones, cool cakes, super scoops and smashing smoothies. The tweens couldn’t believe their luck with the supersweet cones, decorated with Fruit Loops glued on with marshmallow. Watch out for that sugar rush. 26 Cochrane Street, Central, 2505 6626.
food
It’s Stanley’s man with a van that win’s the day.
expat-parent.com 51
travel news
Travel news
Family fun at Club Med Maldives
Premium all-inclusive resort specialists, Club Med, is offering children staying at a number of resorts a true French style summer camp. From July 1 until August 31, kids staying at resorts including Bali, Phuket, Maldives, China and Malaysia can take part in cooking lessons, fashion shows and sport workshops. Club Med will even congratulate all participants at the end of their camp with a certificate from the Hong Kong French Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www.clubmed.com.hk
New luxury resort in Shanghai Aman resorts are launching their first property in Shanghai due to open in 2017. Marking the luxury hotel group’s fourth property in China, the property will comprise a village of historic dwellings surrounded by a camphor tree forest. Within easy reach of Shanghai and set on over 100 acres of land, the resort will have an Aman Spa with two swimming pools, six dining venues and Nan Shu Fang - a serene garden for visitors to relax and unwind. Accommodation is made up of 24 restored antique villas complete with contemporary interiors and private pools as well as a number of new suites and villas. For more information on the 2017 opening, visit www.aman.com/shanghai
Fun for all the family at Club Med this summer.
Royal Caribbean cruises Royal Caribbean’s state of the art 138,000-tonne Voyager of the Seas will be based in Hong Kong once again over the summer until October. Voyager of the Seas offers 25 cruises of different lengths and itineraries departing from Hong Kong to destinations including Japan, Taiwan, China and Vietnam. Families won’t run out of on-board entertainment with swimming pools, rock climbing, mini-golf, ice skating plus live entertainment and activities hosted by the ship’s crew. A Baby and Tots programme lets even the tiniest guests enjoy a range of fun activities run by early-childhood experts and the Babies and Tots nursery lets parents enjoy some quality time safe in the knowledge the kids are being well looked after. Cruises range from two- to eight nights with plenty of on-shore time to allow guests to explore the local sights. For more information, visit www. royalcaribbean.com.hk or call 3189 3200.
Join your favourite characters onboard Royal Caribbean Cruises departing from Hong Kong.
Airport Construction Fee
Aman resorts new luxury resort in Shanghai
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Flying in and out of Hong Kong International Airport will be more expensive from August 1.
Starting from August travellers will pay up to $180 to help fund the construction of a third runway as part of plans for expansion at Hong Kong International Airport. The fee will be collected on tickets issued on or after August 1. Flyers travelling on long haul flights in first or business class will pay the full $180 fee while passengers on short haul flights and in economy class will pay a reduced fee.
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travel
Mekong meanderings Rusty runner Carolynne Dear flies to Laos to complete the most laid-back half marathon of her career.
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Photo courtesy of Theresa Briscoe
travel
S
educed by a trip to a country I had never been to before and the promise of some great restaurants, interesting night markets and a massage, I bravely signed up for the Luang Prabang half marathon last summer. After months of drawing up training schedules, discussing training schedules and occasionally actually getting out and actioning a training schedule, a group of us - all friends
from Hong Kong but now living across Asia and Australia - nervously met at Chek Lap Kok one October morning, each clutching a pair of Asics running shoes and a Laos Lonely Planet guide. First stop was Bangkok. There are no direct flights from Hong Kong to Luang Prabang - the options offered by Cathay were changes in Hanoi or the Thai capital. We opted for Bangkok and spent a night carb-loading and pretending not to drink alcohol (one beer
couldn’t hurt, surely?) at the Hotel Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport. The next morning we were up bright and early and nervously sipping lattes at the breakfast bar. Too late now to regret not going on that final training run. We jumped onto a two-hour Bangkok Airways flight to the Laotian capital, which afforded gorgeous views as it jetted over the hills of northern Thailand. expat-parent.com 55
travel
The stunning Tat Kuang Si waterfalls are a must-see from Luang Prabang.
Runners gear up for “La Procession” through the Laotian capital.
Walking across the baking apron to the airport terminal in the midday heat, I did wonder what I’d signed up for, but as we arrived at our boutique hotel, all fears temporarily evaporated at the site of a sparkling pool, landscaped gardens and a fabulous French colonial-inspired guest room. Luang Prabang is variously described in the guidebooks as “languid and lovely”, “a unique place where time seems to stands still” and “a Unesco-protected gem… that has gained mythical status as a travellers’ Shangri-La”. It turned out to be all of those things and more. Our gorgeous hotel, the Apsara Rive Droite, was located on the banks of the fast-flowing Nam Khan - Luang Prabang is at the sacred confluence of the Nam Khan and the mighty Mekong River. The quickest way into town turned out to be on a tiny little motor-powered boat that spluttered against the current until it reached the opposite bank. It was quite a feat crawling in and out of the tiny vessel (particularly when you’ve just run 21kms), but it was also fun, and only broke down once during our visit. The run itself is a relatively tiny event, organised by local volunteers, both Laotian and expat. There were just 17 participants registered in my category, five in another, which meant that some of us were guaranteed a podium position before we’d even started - not something we could say about most other running events we’d attended. This year, monies raised are going towards Friends Without A Border, a nonprofit organisation committed to providing free healthcare to children. Last year it built and
opened a hospital in Luang Prabang, the Lao Friends Hospital for children, which has so far treated over 15,000 children. There are three run distance options, as the course cleverly weaves through the town in 7km loops. Some of our group ran just one loop, some did 14km, but I had committed to 21km. We began at 6am after a cool and cloudy night, so conditions weren’t as hot as I had been fearing. The course took us past crowds of cheering school children, bar owners proffering trays of drinks, beautiful old buildings and the swirling waters of the Nam Khan. It was hugely enjoyable with a really local vibe. It felt as if the whole town had turned out for the event, with middle-aged expat ladies frantically re-directing rickshaws and shop owners touting their wares on the roadside. There were gentle inclines and downward slopes to break the monotony and all in all it was a pleasure to run. A couple of hours later we crawled back onto our river boat and were met on the other side by our cheery hotel manager. A beautiful al fresco breakfast table had been laid out for us overlooking the pool, with warm Laotian omelettes, baskets of French pastries, and yummy homemade papaya jam. Later that morning and after a short snooze, the hotel arranged a car to take us up to the dramatic, menthol-coloured waterfalls of Tat Kuang Si. We enjoyed lunch back in town at the Victoria Hotel overlooking the Mekong River and then it was time for our well deserved massages at the Dhammada spa. That evening we staggered back across
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the Nam Khan for a delicious “mod Lao” dinner at chic eatery Tamarind and a wander around the Handicraft Night Market. When you’ve been used to haggling cut-throat discounts on Temple Street, the Laotian stallholders are positively dreamy in comparison - I had to patiently explain to one young girl that she had given me too much change. But it’s a very gentle, sleepy town overall. Life ambles its way calmly along the dusty streets, the food was fabulous (and amazing value) and the locals very friendly. And the town’s Indochinese architecture is entirely deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage status. There was just time the following morning to quietly regard the monks taking alms at sunrise and then we were back on a flight to Bangkok. Luang Prabang is one of those unusual places that lives up to expectations and to all that is written about it in guides and brochures. I might have been cursing having to change flights initially, but part of me hopes this stunning town stays off the well-beaten tourist trail a while longer. It is absolutely charming and I shall definitely be back - possibly without my Asics next time though.
Time to relax by the pool at the Apsara Rive Droite boutique hotel.
Run stats This year’s half marathon takes place on Sunday Oct 23. Sign up at luangprabanghalfmarathon.com. Monies raised this year will be going towards the Lao Friends Hospital for Children, fwab.org. The Apsara Rive Droite boutique hotel can be contacted at theapsara.com. Bangkok Airways flies from Hanoi and Bangkok to Luang Prabang, bangkokair.com. Laotian restaurant Tamarind can be booked at tamarindlaos.com. The Victoria XiengThong Palace Hotel can be contacted at xiengthongpalace.com. The Dhammada is among one of the best massage spas in town, dhammada.com.
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Kids Name Labels, Gifts & More
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bald truths
Summer Lovin’ … Simon Parry re-finds the love.
I
t was the summer of 82. I had pimples, chubby cheeks, drainpipe jeans, a 30-inch waist, 10 O’ Levels, a 12-speed Raleigh Record racing bike and a full head of hair. I was young, I was foolish, and I was in love. Her name was Fiona and she was as cool and foxy and mysterious as that summer was sultry and seductive and endless. I was into The Jam, soccer and cloudy cider. She liked Roxy Music, ballet and Martini Rosso. She was out of my league and our love was clearly doomed from the start. But for a few brief heady weeks in June and July our teenage passion sparked and fizzled like a Worcestershire hill fire. We held hands sheepishly in the Sixth Form common room, watched Rocky III side by side at the Malvern Winter Gardens and snogged outside her front door before I cycled home, pedalling uphill feeling invincible in eighth gear all the way on a brilliant starlit night. Inevitably, in the petty jealousies and tantrums of teenage-hood, it turned sour. We squabbled and stopped talking and neither of us could bring ourselves to say sorry. In any case, I was about to go away for to Germany for a month on a school exchange – an impossibly long exile and a kiss of death in the context of young love. For days before my departure I stayed at home waiting in vain for her to call. She never did. Then, on the very last night, I went out and played soccer on a glorious June evening and forgot about her completely for two hours. It was the longest she’d been off my mind all summer. When I got home I found she’d not only phoned but she’d called by to leave me a crushing goodbye note and copy of her favourite LP – Avalon by Roxy Music. It was too late to call her back and say let’s try again. By daybreak, I was in the car and on my melancholy way to European exile on a British Midlands flight. Inside my tear-splashed suitcase I packed two brand new LPs with me to Germany to offset the horrors of the Euro techno-pop my Bavarian friend Dirk would inflict on me:
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Simon Parry is a jaded, middleaged journalist and father of four. He lives in Hong Kong.
Inside my tear-splashed suitcase I packed two brand new LPs to offset the horrors of Euro techno-pop
Avalon, of course, and The Lexicon of Love by ABC. The songs on those two albums were the tracks of my tears that summer as I pined away in a state of exquisite heartbreak. No one had ever felt the way I felt before or since. Even Bryan Ferry with Take a Chance With Me and While My Heart is Still Beating couldn’t quite tap my emotions. Instead, the only person who really
seemed to understand me was ABC’s frontman Martin Fry, a Stockport singersongwriter with a preposterous gold lame suit and a brilliant turn of phrase. This was a man who summed up the elation of new romance by rhyming ‘Hip hip hooray’ with ‘Yippee-ai-ay-ay’ in the Look of Love, and who summed up the wasted time of a mismatched relationship in the lines: “If you gave me a pound for the moments I missed/ And I got dancing lessons for all the lips I should have kissed/I’d be a millionaire/I’d be a Fred Astaire.” The Lexicon of Love was simultaneously the naffest and the greatest pop album of the 80s – as overblown and melodramatic and ultimately inconsequential as my own teenage existence – and I played it over and over on those long nights of German exile. That was then, of course, and this is now. Today, Martin Fry is a 58-year-old father of two of fuller figure much in the same way that I’m a 50-year-old father of four of fuller figure. But he still has his dreams and this summer, he’s released a new album. The Lexicon of Love II. Thirty-four years on, he’s back with the same intoxicating blend of lush orchestration and incisive pop ballads. It’s quite superb and as one reviewer put it with jaw-dropping hyperbole if ABC had released this as the follow-up to the 1982 album instead of Beauty Stab, the history of pop might have been different. For those of us who have long ago forgotten our Fionas and realised that she cared enough to know she could never love us, it’s a wonderful slice of nostalgia: The sound of a young man’s raw emotions with the voice of a wiser, older man. For our teenage children, who will be relentlessly subjected to the album throughout the summer, it could be the soundtrack of their own first romantic misadventures. And why not? If they’re going to suffer, they might as well do it to some decent music. As a contemporary of Martin Fry once sang: Are you ready to be heartbroken?
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