Mid-level Oct 2016

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Mid-levels Think Pink

magazine

October 2016

Meet the women taking on breast cancer

UNCOVER SOHO

Walk the streets that almost vanished

Westside story Behind the scenes at West Island School

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Mid-levels magazine

The really useful magazine October 2016

PEOPLE 4 Snapped!

Life around Mid-levels.

THE PLANNER 8 Happeningi n October Events for your diary.

NEWS 12 What’s going on?

In your backyard.

GIVEAWAYS 14 Giveaways Fab things to win.

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

16 Kim Robinson Hair stylist to the stars.

LOCAL 18 Brick by brick The sole remains of Hong Kong’s once-ubiquitous back to back tenements are facing demolition.

THINK PINK 20 In the Pink We speak to three women raising awareness of breast cancer in Hong Kong.

EATING 28 A breath of fresh air The best alfresco dining spots in town. Plus, the latest dining news.

ARTS & CULTURE 32 Danh Vo in Hong Kong The artist’s first solo exhibition at White Cube Gallery. Plus, find out more about Pink Season.

HEALTH & WELLNESS 38 #FITSPO Mid-levels’ popular health gurus on Instagram.

YOGA YODA 40 Lost in translation Columnist Victor Chau decodes yogi-speak.

BEAUTY 42 Fragrant attraction Handmade perfumes on Star Street.

PETS 56 Pets Walkies! And an SPCA adoption story.

SECRETS 60 Cursed statues Beware the curse at University Hall.

HOME & LIVING 44 Family planning A Mid-levels apartment designed for a growing family.

EDUCATION 48 West Island School Behind the scenes at West Island School.

TRAVEL 52 A weekend in Bangkok A luxury break in Thailand’s capital.

“YOU GAIN STRENGTH, COURAGE, AND CONFIDENCE BY EVERY EXPERIENCE IN WHICH YOU REALLY STOP TO LOOK FEAR IN THE FACE” - ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

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contributors

Sean Bayliss

Anna Cummins

Esther Chan

Our cover photographer Sean was given a Kodak 124 Instamatic camera for his fifth birthday, and the rest is history! His passion for photographing the world around us spans some 40 years, and over that time has developed into his dedicated profession. See more of our photo shoot with the cover stars from page 20.

Originally from Birmingham, U.K, Anna previously worked as the editor of Time Out Hong Kong magazine and now contributes to a range of publications around the world. Anna spoke with the activists looking to preserve a part of Mid-levels’ history. Find out more on page 18.

Curious about everything from arts to current affairs, fitness to fashion, Esther is an avid journalist after enjoying a brief stint in the fine art world. Esther pays a visit to Le Labo perfumery on Star Street to find her perfect fragrance, read more on page 42.

Want to write for Mid-levels magazine? Contact editorial@fastmedia.com.hk

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people Snaps from Mid-levels

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say cheese Snaps from Mid-levels

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people Snaps from Mid-levels

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

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planner

OCT 16

Harbour Race

First held in 1906, the Cross Harbour Race has seen thousands of participants swim across the harbour over the years. Resumed in 2011 after a 30 year absence, the race this year will see around 3,000 swimmers tackle the 1.8km crossing from Lei Yue Mun Sam Ka Tsuen public pier in Kowloon to Quarry Bay park public pier. Entries now closed. For the best views, spectators should grab a space on the promenade at Quarry Bay park.

Races start from 8.30am. www.hkharbourrace.com

OCT 1 National Day

If you’re unlucky enough to work on a Saturday then enjoy the public holiday.

OCT 2-5 Fine Art Asia

Showcasing asian and western pieces from the world’s most renowned galleries. Last year’s fair displayed over 6,500 works of art worth $2.8 billion. Standard tickets $200 and concession tickets $50 available at the door. 11am-7pm, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, 3107 0681.

OCT 7-9 A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Shakespeare’s classic tale of lovers, fairies and mischief under the moonlight by the Royal New

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Zealand Ballet. Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall, 1 Yuen Wo Road. Tickets $160-$420 from www.urbtix.hk

OCT 8-16 Hong Kong Tennis Open

More than 50 stars of Women’s tennis will descend upon Hong Kong as part of the Women’s Tennis Association tour. Returning for its third year, the tournament features singles and doubles matches and sees players battling it out for a grand prize of USD$250,000. The first three days of the tournament are free to the public on a first

come, first serve basis - tickets thereafter start from $160.

Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, Causeway Bay.

OCT 9 Chung Yeung Festival

Watch some of the world’s best women’s tennis players at the Hong Kong Tennis Open

Also referred to as the Double Ninth Festival due to the date falling on the ninth day of the ninth month in the Lunar calendar. Similar to Ching Ming festival, this is a day of remembrance and many people journey up the hills to visit graves. The following day is a public holiday.

happening in October

OCT 8-9

2016 FIA Formula E HKT Hong Kong ePrix Get revved up for the very first Formula E race to hit the streets of Hong Kong. The electric-powered race cars will burn up the tarmac on a specially designed street circuit around the Central Harbourfront. The two-day event treats audiences to a number of non- qualifying and qualifying races before the main ePrix on Sunday. The eVillage will feature electric car displays, racing simulators as well as food and drinks stalls to recharge. Adult tickets for the eVillage start from $300 and adult Observation Wheel Grandstand tickets from $1,190. Tickets can be purchased from www.ticketflap.com

OCT 22 - 23 Hong Kong Beach Festival

A weekend packed full of beach sporting events, including water polo, dodgeball and crossfit.

Teams of four to 10. Don’t miss the friends and family barbeque on the Saturday. Tickets to participate in the events range from $120-$530 from www.ticketflap.com. Spectate for free.

Repulse Bay beach.

OCT 22 American Women’s Association of Hong Kong (AWA) 60th Anniversary

Founded by just 53 women with a budget of a few thousand dollars, AWA now boasts over 650 members from 35 countries. Through a combination of social and service activities, AWA gives over $1million to charity annually.

Help to celebrate these accomplishments at the AWA’s 60th Anniversary Gala this year, which

features a silent and live auction. Open to the public. 6:30pm-9pm, the Aberdeen Marina Club Ballroom. Tickets at www.awa.org.hk

music from Bach to the Beatles. Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tickets at www.pphk.org

OCT 23 MTR Hong Kong Race Walking 2016

OCT 27-30 Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival

The annual walk to raise money for the Hospital Authority’s Health InfoWorld takes place along Chater Road. Remember, one foot must be on the ground at all times, and no running! 8am1.30pm, Chater Garden, Central. www.mtr.com.hk

Head down to Central Harbourfront for worldclass food, drinks and amazing views. Over 400 booths will feature everything from fine wines to single malts and creative cocktails. See www.discoverhongkong.com for opening times.

Central Harbourfront Event Space.

OCT 30

OCT 24 Miloš - Bach to Beatles!

Sunday Times called him “The hottest guitarist in the world” - Miloš Karadaglić returns to Hong Kong to once again to serenade audiences with his classical guitar. He will be performing in a seven-piece string ensemble, playing a range of

caption

Sedan Chair Race The 42nd Sedan Chair Race sees teams of eight runners and one lucky passenger race along the 2.1km route on Mount Kellett Road to raise money for a number all small local charities. Look out for an array of colourful costumes and elaborate chair designs.

Races start from 10am. Matilda International Hospital, Mount Kellett Road, The Peak.

Relax at Central Harbourfront with fine food and drinks during Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival

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planner

BOOK NOW NOV 18-19 Beertopia

Hong Kong’s biggest craft beer festival is back, with over 500 different beers from around the world. Not a beer lover? Don’t worry there’s plenty of food to choose from as well with 20 different restaurants serving up food. Tickets start at $285 from beertopiahk.com

NOV 25-27 Clockenflap

The annual music festival changes location to Central this year, after five years at the West Kowloon Cultural District. The line-up includes Icelandic post-rockers Sigur Rós, reggae Kiwi band Fat Freddy’s Drop and Swedish indie folk singer-songwriter and guitarist José González.

Tickets from $850 from www.clockenflap.com.

Concessions available.

DEC 14 Bill Bailey, Larks in Transit

British comedian, musician and actor Bill Bailey performs his brand new show - Larks in Transit - in Hong Kong. Larks in Transit delves into Bill’s 20 years of life as a travelling comedian and all the shenanigans along the way. 8pm at Kitec Rotunda 3, Kowloon Bay. Tickets from $488 at hkticketing.com

DEC 8 - JAN 8 Wicked

The spellbinding musical, which has cast its magic on more than 50 million theatre goers worldwide, takes 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 www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Bill Bailey brings his new live show to Hong Kong

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planner

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news

This is Sparta!

Spartan Race, the biggest mass obstacle course to hit Hong Kong, makes its debut on November 5 and 6 at Kam Tin Country Park in Yuen Long. Featuring both an elite and open races, the Spartan Race has already seen more than eight million people worldwide tackle the gruelling courses.

While the elite races will see competitive athletes battle it out for prize money, the open races welcome participants of all abilities to

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challenge themselves and take on over 20 obstacles during the 6km course. Swinging ropes, spear throwing and crawling through muddy trenches are just the start for potential Spartans to overcome on the day.

Participants for the open races can sign up for the morning, early or late afternoon race.

Tickets for the open race start from $790 and full details of the Spartan Race can be found at www.spartanrace.com.hk

news

Ain’t no mountain high enough

Members of the Hong Kong Pistons Cycling Club

On October 1, six ESF (English Schools Foundation) teachers will attempt to summit the equivalent of Mount Everest by climbing Hong Kong Island’s Mount Butler 44 times by bike.

Facing a total distance of 227 kilometers and an elevation of 8,848 metres, the team of teachers from West Island School and Kennedy Primary School have been inspired by Hells 500, an Australian-based group of cyclists who coined the term ‘Everesting’.

The hardy cyclists from the Hong Kong Pistons Cycling Club are hoping to raise money for one of ESF’s newest community partner projects: United World School Cambodia (UWS). UWS builds schools and supports communities by providing a free basic education for children living in the poorest parts

Box of hope

New term at PEKiP PEKiP, or the Prague Eltern Kind Programme, is a child development course for babies from six to eight weeks to a year old. Run by Anne Knetch-Boyer, mums and caregivers can meet regularly with their babies for interaction, support and fun. A new term will start from October 18 for babies born in June, July and August running for eight lessons. Helper and baby crawler sessions are also starting up in October running every Tuesday at 2.30pm.

of the world. The funds raised will go towards building a school in the remote regions of northern Cambodia.

The rules for the challenge allow the cyclists to stop for breaks but not sleep, no loops allowed and all climbing must be done out-andback on a single route. “I am looking forward to the day but I am apprehensive”, says Daniel Betteridge, a maths teacher at West Island School. “Sleep deprivation, boredom, hydration and sore bums are going to be some of the biggest challenges that we face. Many people are supporting us so we just have to go out and do it now.” Good luck to all the riders!

You can support their events by donating at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ ChasingEverestHK

Register online at www.pekip.com.hk or call 2573 6623.

Dee Dances Box of hope, the annual charity drive encouraging children to think about charitable donations, returns for another year of gift giving. Filling boxes with thoughtful gifts like books, crayons, stickers, teddies and toys, the boxes are distributed to children in need in Hong Kong, China, Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia. “Box of Hope demonstrates to our children that you really can make a direct difference to other people’s’ lives”, says Nicole Woodhouse, who founded Box of hope nine years ago. “Every year the volunteers are simply overwhelmed by the generosity, thoughtfulness and kindness of Hong Kong’s schoolchildren”.

This year the charity is hoping to fill 25,000 boxes, a huge increase from the 1,200 boxes sent to children back in 2008. The campaign launches on October 31 and details of how to donate can be found at www.boxofhope.org.

To volunteer or sponsor Box of hope, email Nicole at nicole@boxofhope.org

A new community-based boutique dance studio, Dee Dances, is offering dance classes to suit all budgets. Operating in dance room facilities in government-run sports centres including those in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Park and Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park in Sai Ying Pun, founder Dee Oh is specialising in Zumba fitness classes before expanding to other dance

forms later in the year. “Fitness and fun should be affordable and accessible to everyone in Hong Kong”, says Founder Dee Oh. “I left my career in investment banking to do work that directly impacts people’s lives. Dancing is a great way to keep healthy, fit and happy”.

To find out more about Dee Dances visit www.deedances.com

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win at www.mid-levels.co

free stuff GIVEAWAYS

enter to win!

Thriller Live

Le Bistro Winebeast

To celebrate the world’s King of Pop, Michael Jackson, the newly opened Parisian Macao is bringing West End production Thriller Live to Macau. Now in its eighth year, this electrifying show is sure to make you sing and try a cheeky moonwalk We have a pair of A Reserve tickets, worth $480 each, along with roundtrip ferry tickets to give away!

WineBeast started off as a humble wine shop in a small Wan Chai space — a 3000 square-foot bistro aptly named Le Bistro Winebeast shortly followed.

We’re giving away a brunch for four adults and two kids, perfect for a two-family date!

Deadline: October 24

Deadline: October 25

Benefit

Simply Shoes

Founded in 1976 by twin sisters Jane and Jean Ford, Benefit Cosmetics has been all about giving each gal the perfect make up look, and that includes picture-perfect brows. The new Lyndhurst Terrace Brows-A-Go-Go spot is just for — you guessed it — brows! One lucky reader and their friend will get a brow and lip waxing, plus one brow product of their choice.

Simply Shoes makes selecting the ideal shoe, well, simple.

With a range of children’s shoes from Italy and stylish footwear from Brazil for ladies, Simply Shoes helps you to make the most of getting out and about in Hong Kong.

We have 12 pairs of comfy Italian children’s shoes and 12 pairs of women’s shoes to give away.

Deadline: October 26

Deadline: October 27

Subscribe to our e-newsletter to get all our giveaways delivered straight to your inbox: www.mid-levels.co/subscribe

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

The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Southside Magazine 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 pubishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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Activists are working to preserve the historical ruins between Gutzlaff and Cochrane Streets.

Brick by brick

Lurking unnoticed in the middle of Gutzlaff Street for 130 years, the sole remains of Hong Kong’s once-ubiquitous back to back tenements are facing removal. Anna Cummins meets the activists fighting to save them.

T

here’s not much in modern Soho that reveals the area’s century-long history as a commercial and residential hub, aside from the handful of graded buildings and structures that have survived the area’s insatiable thirst for development in recent decades.

This makes it all the more surprising that a set of ruins, dating from the mid 1800s, has been sitting slap bang in the middle of Soho, on some of the city’s most prime real estate, and was essentially undiscovered until earlier this year.

“This plot has been vacant since the early 90s,” says Katty Law, convenor of Central and Western Concern Group, which promotes heritage conservation in the area. “The site was resumed

originally to build the [Mid-levels] escalator. We’re always curious about old sites, so around a year ago we decided to find out more. We knew if we didn’t find out more about it, it would be pulled down.” The site is part of the Urban Renewal Authority’s (URA) upcoming Peel and Graham Street renovation plans and, at an Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB) meeting in March this year, the site was not given a grading, making it likely that it would be cleared.

The small plot, which sits nestled between Gutzlaff and Cochrane Streets, is certainly easy to overlook. It’s fenced off, is somewhat overgrown and is frequently cluttered with pots, pans and offcuts of meat from a nearby restaurant. But, upon closer inspection, it became clear

to Law and her fellow volunteers that it was more than just another vacant patch of concrete awaiting renovation.

“You can tell it is so different from the surroundings,” Law explains, pointing out the granite foundations underneath the walls.

The walls’ traditional grey bricks gave Law an early clue of the site’s significance: red bricks became popular somewhat later in Hong Kong’s history.

Determined to find out more, Law and other volunteers began to investigate, digging out old maps and housing records from the Public Records Office (the Buildings Department had no plans of the original site -- the remnants are too old). Law deduced that the buildings are back to back tenement houses dating from

1879, a year after the Great Fire of Hong Kong.

This style of house was outlawed on health grounds after the bubonic plague outbreak of 1894, and these ruins are the sole surviving example of such houses. That’s impressive enough. But there was more.

“One of these houses, 8-10 Gutzlaff Street, was the home of a colourful character, Ng Akew,” Law explains. “Akew had five children with James Bridges Endicott, an American captain. He gave her the plot of land as trust in 1852, before he got married to a western woman.” Akew was known for her tenaciousness. “She used to live on a boat. At one time she bought opium from Endicott with a view to profit, and was subsequently robbed by pirates. But she confronted them and asked for it back!” laughs Law. “They compensated her with some other goods… it made the newspapers at the time.”

Akew invested in property and brothels: a rarity for a woman during this era. She became known as the leader of the city’s ‘protected women’, a term applied to the local partners of foreign, wealthy men who provided them with financial support.

Gutzlaff Street has long been known in Cantonese as hung mo kew gai [red haired kew street]. It was assumed this came from the fact it used to be home to brothels run by European,

‘red haired’, women, but Law tells us she has changed her mind. “Hung mo kew actually is Akew!” Law says. “She was so prominent, it seems the whole street was named after her.”

Armed with this new information, Law and other members of the Central and Western Concern group asked the AAB to reconsider, and presented to them their findings on

This style of house was outlawed on health grounds after the bubonic plague outbreak of 1894, and these ruins are the sole surviving example of such houses August 15, along with suggestions for how the area could be developed sensitively. The presentation drew comparisons to the way the foundations of Central School are preserved and displayed underneath PMQ. Law tells us the presentation was received positively by the members present, who will now consider the new evidence. The URA has been invited to attend the next AAB meeting to present its plan

for the conservation of the site.

But why did it take research by activists, rather than the AAB, to get this far? Ko Tim-keung, a local history expert and former member of the AAB tells us that, “In general, most presentations done to the AAB [by AMO] are not comprehensive … One of the reasons for this, I think, is that many of the AAB members just don’t have any background in conservation or local history. They are often more interested in technical details. The AMO also may not have sufficient manpower to do their job properly … it may not be totally fair to blame them. The problem lies with the attitude of the government in dealing with heritage.”

Ko continues “It’s almost unbelievable that such an old site survived in the heart of Central and Sheung Wan. Its development was even earlier than Central and Sheung Wan, starting within months after the British landed. Many early Eurasians were brought up there, too.

Unfortunately, these people are almost totally forgotten now.”

Hopefully, thanks to the efforts of Law and her colleagues, that is about to change. M

Keep up to date with Central and Western Concern Group at centralandwestern.org

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think pink

In the

PINK October is breast cancer awareness month.

Callum Wiggins and Carolynne Dear speak with three women who are in their own way taking on the fight against breast cancer, raising much needed funds and ultimately saving lives.

Photography by Sean Bayliss.

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interview

Janice Tsang

Specialist in Medical Oncology

I

work as a Specialist in Medical Oncology taking care of cancer patients, especially breast cancer patients. I would say that 90 per cent of my patients are suffering from breast cancer.

I also work at The University of Hong Kong as an Honorary Faculty member to help teach the Medical Humanities programme. This is the first and foremost humanities programme incorporated into the formal medical curriculum in South East Asia.

After completing my medical training at the Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong, my supervisors told me that the hospital had plans to develop a new dedicated medical oncology institution. I was to be the first female home-grown oncologist at the institution. I’m very thankful that I chose to take this route and I wouldn’t hesitate to make the decision again.

As our patients have to come in on a regular basis, we have the privilege to get to know them well and be there for every step of their journey. Each day I am inspired by stories from our patients and their carers.

The hardest part of my job is breaking bad news to patients and their family members. If the disease is recurring or the patient is not responding to the treatment, those

discussions become even more difficult. I have to be realistic with patients when explaining their disease status. In the worst of cases I have to know when to start discussions about palliative treatment and making sure that the patient is as comfortable as we can make them.

The current provision for cancer care in Hong Kong is quite good, but with an ageing population and an increasing number of cancer patients, the demand for more oncologists and cancer care specialists is only going to increase. More funding for research and development in Hong Kong would be nice too.

One in 17 women face being diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 75 I am so grateful that over the years key opinion leaders in the breast oncology field have worked closely with each other. The Hong Kong Breast Oncology Group was formally established in February 2014 with support from world renowned breast cancer oncologists.

The aim of the group is to maintain a standard of care for breast cancer patients, set research priorities and offer public health education on breast cancer.

The Pink Revolution initiated and hosted by the Hong Kong Cancer Fund this time every year is really important to help increase public awareness of breast cancer. According to the latest data from the Hong Kong Cancer Registry, there are more than 3,500 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in Hong Kong each year. One in 17 women face being diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 75. This being said, it is a very treatable disease with recent advances in the multidisciplinary care of the disease.

Although working as an oncologist can be tough, I am very mindful about making sure I don’t burn myself out. I always have “switch off” time by playing music and I am an amateur organist and chorister. Spending quality time with my husband and daughter also helps me to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Breast cancer is fairly common and there is a strong chance that we will encounter it at some point in our lives, whether that’s in family members, friends or colleagues. But we must remember to be positive and that there is always hope for cancer patients and their carers.

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interview

Sally Lo

CEO and founder of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund

I

n the mid-1980s my dear friend Nickie was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I experienced first-hand the colossal impact cancer can have, and the difficulty of coping with the death of a close friend when she passed away only months later.

I had been heavily involved in community work in the territory at the encouragement of my mother-in-law when I arrived here from London in the late ‘60s, and shortly after Nickie’s death I was approached with a request to start a cancer support group.

Cancer affects not only a person’s health, it casts a significant emotional burden on entire families and can have huge financial ramifications. We started as an English support group offering peer support and information.

The very first funding we received came unexpectedly in the form of $30,000 left over from the kitty of an oncology conference I was helping to organise.

I suggested we use the money to establish a fund to provide cancer support and information, and the Cancer Fund was born.

CanSurvive was the first support group I set-up, working out of a doctor’s dining room. I was subsequently asked by oncologist Dr Jonathan Sham Shun-tong how I would use space in a public hospital if I had the chance. From this conversation the first Cancer Patient Resource Centre was opened in Queen Mary Hospital.

We were able to provide expertise and information, working in collaboration with Back Up UK publications, from the moment of diagnosis. From humble beginnings, we have now mushroomed into a professional care and services network throughout Hong Kong. We aim to meet the psychological, emotional, practical and educational needs of anyone touched by cancer.

I remember one of my first ever cases, a husband with two children whose wife had been diagnosed with cancer of the tongue. She was refusing treatment and the two boys were behaving

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very badly with all the change. I spoke with him and recommended family therapy - six months later, the boys were feeling calmer, the family was more connected and the wife was receiving treatment.

This story has stayed with me because it shows how cancer affects everybody, not just the patient. And healing doesn’t come in a onesize-fits-all package; counselling, workshops and complementary therapies such as reiki, yoga and art, can all help.

These days, more people are surviving cancer and going on to live with long-term side effects, so there is increasing need for supportive care in the community. We complement the medical care, providing the missing link that ensures cancer survivors are well-supported both during and after treatment.

We aim to ensure that no-one faces cancer alone.

We aim to ensure that no-one faces cancer alone

We have a network of seven Cancer Patient Resource Centres within hospitals and four CancerLink support centres under Hong Kong Cancer Fund. They offer face-to-face consultation, peer support and workshops.

Last year we received over 100,000 visits to our CancerLink centres and in excess of 13,000 calls to our cancer support hotline.

As CEO and founder, I am just as involved and committed to the Cancer Fund today as I was 30 years ago. We are busier than ever and looking to expand to meet Hong Kong’s growing cancer needs.

Our CancerLink centre in Central is relocating to North Point and we are currently recruiting and developing service plans.

We face many challenges in sourcing funding for our services, and are looking for qualified and experienced oncology care professionals able to understand our clients’ needs.

Survivorship is a growing area of interest in the oncology field and we are working hard to ensure we can continue to support people as they move beyond their cancer to a good quality of life in survival.

feature

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interview

Catriona Rogers Breast cancer survivor

I

n 2013 I went for a medical checkup.

Overall I was feeling fine, maybe a little tired, but that’s fairly normal in Hong Kong.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My mother died of breast cancer and it’s always been there in the back of my mind that it is something that could happen to me, but honestly speaking, I was really shocked. I didn’t hear that I had cancer, I heard that I was going to die.

I was devastated having to tell my sons that I had cancer. Every time that I had to tell someone I would cry. I was very lucky to have the support of my husband who came to every medical appointment with me. It’s important to have someone you can rely on to come with you whether to act as a scribe or simply for some moral support. The meetings can be tough and scary at times and all the while you are being reminded that you have cancer.

I’m so grateful to have discovered this resilient attitude that I never knew I had

The treatment process happened very quickly. It took only about three weeks from diagnosis to surgery - a full mastectomy.

Within 10 days of the surgery, however, I was out and about climbing the hill above my house.

The chemotherapy treatment started not long after but that was a completely different story.

The first round of treatment was very strong and I simply couldn’t take it. The subsequent treatments were more spread out to aid my recovery time but my body didn’t cope well.

The chemotherapy treatment lasted for about five months at which point I crawled over the finish line. There was then a six week gap between the chemotherapy and the radiation.

I was overwhelmed by the generosity and the love that I experienced from people. Some people do choose not to tell others of their diagnosis but I think it’s important to be open about what you are going through and to reach

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out for help and support.

Expats in Hong Kong often don’t have much immediate family support that they can turn to, so friends and support groups become even more important.

One thing that people don’t often consider is how tough the role of the carer can be.

CancerLink by the Hong Kong Cancer Fund was a good source of support for my husband.

The carer role can be very lonely as they feel they can’t always talk to their spouse, the person they must be strong for. I know that even just a few counselling sessions for carers at CancerLink was beneficial for my husband.

Since having cancer, I’ve been asked to speak with those going through something similar. During one of my first talks with a lady suffering from cancer, I wasn’t too sure what exactly I could say and I wondered at the end of our chat whether I had been very helpful.

She told me that as soon as I had walked through the door, looking healthy and happy, that was all the hope she needed.

I consider myself completely on the road of recovery now. There are times during any day when I think about cancer but the way I relate to those thoughts is different now. It no longer strikes fear in me in the same way as before.

I think having cancer has changed me as a person. I’m so grateful to have discovered this resilient attitude that I never knew I had. I’ve also learnt that love heals. You must allow love in from family and friends and most importantly you’ve got to love yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in the medical process that it is all about the physical but I personally believe that in order to heal you must approach it considering the mind, body and spirit.

My advice to anyone who may be going through something similar to my experience is that while cancer is a big thing to face, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Listen to your own body and remember that life is wonderful. M

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October is...

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Show your support at these events around the city.

B

reast cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting women in Hong Kong. On average, nine women in Hong Kong are diagnosed with breast cancer every day. It is estimated that one in every 17 women in Hong Kong will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.

This month is a good reminder for us all to be breast cancer aware – both in support of our own health and of those currently affected by the disease. The events below are just a few of the ways you can show your support.

Most importantly, don’t forget to check yourself regularly. Regular screening facilitates early detection which saves lives.

OCT 8 Karma Yoga: Vinyasa Flow with Pure Yoga teacher Wendy Wyvill Practise a vinyasa flow class with Wendy in support of the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation (HKBCF). Open to the public - all levels welcome. To reserve your mat, contact any Pure Yoga Studio. A minimum donation of $300 is required upon registration. All donations go to HKBCF. 2pm-4pm, The Centrium, www.pure-yoga.com

OCT 10 Pink Walk for Breast Health Gather your friends, families and colleagues and get involved in HKBCF’s annual flagship fundraising walk around The Peak. 8:15am1pm, meet at the Peak Road Garden (the open space between The Peak Galleria and The Peak Tower). Minimum donation required per participant. Don’t forget to dress in pink. Enrol online at www.hkbcf.org/pinkwalk/en by midnight, October 2.

OCT 24 Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre x Tayma

OCT 21 Dress Pink Day Dress in pink and join The Hong Kong Cancer Fund’s Pink Revolution. All funds raised go directly towards HKCF’s free breast cancer care services for patients and their families.

For $120, you can sponsor a Pink Recovery Pack - these packs are sent to the bedsides of breast cancer patients who have just undergone surgery. Each pack contains an information booklet, soft pillow, temporary breast prosthesis, comforting pink bear and other essential items to facilitate the physical and mental healing process after surgery. Go one step further and set up an online fundraising platform. For more information, visit pink.cancer-fund.org

Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre and Tayma Fine Jewellery are joining forces for a day, with a share of the proceeds from the day’s sales going to Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre in Tuen Mun. Tayma herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 and has actively fundraised every International Dress Pink day since. Prices of jewellery start at $500. Tayma has even designed a piece especially for the event. While you’re browsing, enjoy champagne, cupcakes and the lucky dip. 11am-7pm, Tayma flagship store, Princes Building, Central.

UNTIL OCTOBER 31 Shop For Pink 27 high street retailers, including Shanghai Tang, Pandora, Pure Apparel and Le Creuset, are offering a range of special pink items to buy throughout October, with a portion of the income donated to support Hong Kong Cancer Fund’s free breast cancer services. For a list of retailers, visit www.cancer-fund.org/pink

NOV 13 Race with Pink Heels Don a pair of heels and run for charity at Stanley’s annual race in aid of breast cancer awareness. This year’s event includes a Pink 5K Run in the morning. Stanley Main Street.

Enrol by October 14 at www.pinkheels.hk

If you would like to help, a monthly donation of just $100 can make a huge impact. The ongoing operation of Cancer Fund’s free support services relies on heavily this vital funding. To find out more about this and October’s Pink Revolution, see cancer-fund.org If you or a family member is affected by cancer, the Hong Kong Cancer Fund hotline is 3667 3000.

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Even pooches can get involved in Stanley’s Race with Pink Heels.

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eating

Breath of fresh air

Snag a seat at one of these alfresco favourites.

By Kate Springer.

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take it outside

Aberdeen Street Social Conveniently located inside PMQ design hub, Aberdeen Street Social is a two-in-one modern British restaurant from celebrated chef Chef Jason Atherton, with a casual bar and bistro downstairs and a more formal dining space upstairs. It’s all beautifully done up with retained heritage features like the stair banister and window frames. Adjacent to the upstairs dining room is a lovely terrace that hold a handful of tables and overlooks the PMQ gardens. Reserve an outdoor space ahead of time, especially during busy lunch hours and weekend brunch.

Aberdeen Street Social. JPC G/F, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, 2866 0300; www.aberdeenstreetsocial.hk.

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eating Hotshot If laidback surrounds, craft beer, fresh food and alfresco dining sounds like a winning combination, then you’re sure to love Hotshot.

This beachfront beauty is as cool as they come, with its surf-skater vibes. Vintage photos, games and surfboards line the walls, adding loads of colour and attitude. On the tables, the 60s California feel continues, with old-school ketchup and mustard containers, alongside retro napkin dispensers. The food follows suit with a west-coast-inspired menu that includes the likes of chunky guac, tacos, fried chicken, burgers and lobster rolls.

Shop 114-115, G/F, the pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, 2515 1661, www.hotshot.hk

MANA! Cafe From the same folks behind MANA! Fast Slow Food, this little cafe in PoHo feels like a home away from home. A smattering of outdoor tables enables diners to enjoy vegan coffee, open-faced flatbreads, salads, fries, dips, and raw bowls in the fresh air. Eco warriors will love the zero food waste concept, which is central to

all the MANA! outlets. Essentially, the restaurant group promises clean and sustainable operations, employing biodegradable containers, locally sourced ingredients and local composting.

8 Tai On Terrace, Pound Lane, Sheung Wan, 2347 8555, www.mana.hk/cafe

Shelter Italian Bar & Restaurant Smack in the middle of Causeway Bay, Shelter Italian Bar & Restaurant feels like a private retreat far from the buzzing crowds below. As soon as you sit down, the warm Italian atmosphere and organic ingredients will effectively transport you to northern Italy.

The menu reflects the atmosphere, featuring homemade tagliolini, fresh seafood, prime ribeye, fresh salads, and long wine list to go along with. While you’re there, you can’t miss the terrace where tipplers and diners are surrounded by neon-lit skyscrapers for a unique city view.

7/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, 2778 8398, www.shelterhk.com

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eating Maison Libanaise A relatively new addition to SoHo, Maison Libanaise took the place of Life Cafe in spring of 2016. Though no longer a vegan haunt, the three-storey Lebanese eatery serves up fresh, healthy dishes in an alfresco environment.

The three-in-one concept features a takeout counter downstairs, a colourful sitdown restaurant on the second floor, and an open-air rooftop for drinking and dining upstairs. The menu is packed full of character thanks to the imagination and execution of chef James Harrison, who was trained by Michelinstarred Chef Greg Malouf.

Come with a few friends so you can try a bit of everything and don’t miss the almond falafel, hummus, pulled lamb shoulder, spicy roasted cauliflower, freshly baked pita bread and olive oil rose cake.

10 Shelley Street, Central, 2111 2284, www.maisonlibanaise.com.hk

Urban Park Urban Park has set out to inject some green space into busy Tsim Sha Tsui. Stretching across 3,000 square feet, the European restaurant doubles as an entertainment venue, and the outdoor terrace can be used for intimate picnics, DJ sets or even sunset yoga.

On the menu it’s a mix of sharing plates and contemporary European dishes, such as duck ravioli and scallop ceviche.

Urban Park. 4/F, Attitude Hotel, 20-22 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2751 1999, urbanparkhk.com.

Fresh air tipples Cheers to Autumn with delicious drinks at these alfresco watering holes.

Crisp G&Ts: La Paloma Put the Hendricks down and try something new at Paloma, where a host of Spanish G&Ts await. Try Jodhpur gin with juniper and lemon; Gin Xoriguer with soda lemon; or Gin Mare with basil and lime. Take it on the outdoor terrace for a quiet night out and, while you’re there, indulge in a Asador-roasted suckling pig or a crispy paella.

1/F, 189 Queen's Road West, Sai Ying Pun, 2291 6161, lapaloma.hk

Cull 'N Pistol It’s off to Sai Wan Ho for fresh air and fresh seafood. New-to-town Cull ‘N Pistol opened up its alfresco spot in March of this year, bringing with it a New England vibe and excellent weekend brunches to boot. The maritime-inspired interiors combine contemporary wooden furniture, an open kitchen and fitting blue-and-white colour palette.

As you might expect, it is all about seafood: so look for a raw bar with oysters, as well as signatures such as New England clam chowder, white wine mussels, seafood platters, a family-style clam bake, and more.

Shop GA 1-3, G/F, Site A, 55 Tai Hong Street, Lei King Wan, 2513 0199, www.cullnpistol.com.hk

Fresh Spritz: Stazione Novella Walk into Stazione Novella on Staunton Street and you’ll be wondering, are we in Florence... or Hong Kong? The cool Italian spot serves wine, of course, but more refreshing are the various types of spritz cocktails. Look for a refreshing Aperol Spritz, Limoncello Spritz, or a Sgroppino al Limone, made with Prosecco, vodka, lemon sorbet and fresh mint.

52-56 Staunton Street, 2559 0559, www.stazionenovella.com

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dining news

H

idden down an alleyway just off Hollywood Road, new bar (or cocktail space being the preferred term) J. Boroski is making a stir in Hong Kong’s cocktail scene.

Helmed by acclaimed mixologist Joseph Boroski, the bar features no menu and no walk-ins. Instead, a cocktail concierge service creates bespoke cocktails based on customers favourite tastes and tipples. The team behind the bar uses an endless range of fresh fruits, herbs, spices, blowtorches and even smoking machines to concoct the perfect drink to please your palate. Drinks are charged based only on the spirit used so that customers can be as adventurous as they like. Prices usually start from around the $100 mark.

The surprisingly large space has been designed by the same team behind newlyopened Ophelia, the exotic bar in Wan Chai.

The focal point of J.Boroski is the venue’s long bar which runs the entire length of the space.

Intimate and comfortable seating areas invite guests to sit back and relax and take in the whole experience of the bar. We loved the level of detail and sophistication, while the scarab

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beetles which adorned leather panels over the ceiling around the bar are a nice touch to Joseph’s passion for science and entomology.

For an evening of imaginative cocktails and a unique bespoke experience, a night spent with a small group of friends at J.Boroski is a

nice break from the usual bar scene in Central.

We’ve already sent our next invitation request.

To receive an invitation, simply send an email to hk@jboroski.com or call 2603 6020.

Location details are given in the booking. M

Joseph Boroski (centre) and his team of trendy mixologists.

dining news Monster munch Ocean Park is cooking up some spooky food for its annual Halloween Fest. Inspired by Hong Kong’s history of haunted schools, the Mortuary set menu ($288 per person) will have you drinking tomato ox-tail soup from a toilet, eating meat laid out as human organs and devouring a chalkboard eraser. Ghostbusters will also be making its way into Ocean Park this year, so look out for Slimer and Marshmallow Man making an appearance in your food.

Marine World I Summit, Ocean Park, 3923 2323.

Super Jamie Jamie’s Italian has refreshed its a la carte menu with new ‘Super Food’ offerings. Coinciding with the launch of Jamie Oliver’s new cookbook Super Food Family Classics, the new menu features a selection of recipes from the book.

Tasty additions include a gluten-free fusilli bolognese made with slow-cooked beef and pork ragu topped with parmesan as well as the ‘make your own super food wrap’ which comes

Chachawan chef opens new restaurant From Adam Cliff, the chef behind popular Thai eatery Chachawan, comes Samsen - an authentic Thai street food shophouse. Located in Wan Chai, the modest 35-seat restaurant is inspired by the street dining scene of Bangkok and the vintage Thai-Chinese shophouses dotted around the city. The restaurant features an open kitchen, plants hanging from the ceiling and large wooden doors (the most expensive things in the restaurant). The menu is simple - diners can choose from a selection of wok fried dishes, snacks, noodle soups, drinks and sweets. We loved the Wagyu Beef Boat Noodle (served in a rich broth with crispy pork rinds) and the Fried Marinated Pork Collar, served with a tomato and chilli dip. “For me, Thai food shines best when prepared with minimal pomp, like the traditional soup noodle and street eats found at any time all over the streets of Bangkok”, says Chef Adam. We couldn’t agree more.

Open Monday - Saturday, 6pm–11pm.

68 Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai, 2234 0001.

No reservations.

loaded with roasted vegetables, green olives, avocado and a yoghurt quinoa. Diners inspired by the recipes can pick up a copy of the Naked Chef’s book from the restaurant for $298 and enjoy a 10 per cent discount.

Jamie’s Italian has restaurants in Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui. Find out more at www.jamiesitalian.hk

Meals on wheels Featuring two Citroën vans from 1966 and 1972, newly-opened The Garage Bar at Cordis Hotel in Mong Kok has its own take on the food truck craze. Located above the hustle and bustle of the streets below, the outdoor patio and bar have been renovated to create extra space and seating while also accommodating the two static vans which serve up the burgers and booze.

Combining Western and Asian flavours, the Hongkongese burger features a New Zealand steak burger in a bamboo charcoal pineapple burger while the Iberico meatball sandwich and crispy tofu caesar wrap continues the East meets West theme. Wash it all down with a selection of over 40 local and international craft beers.

Open from 5pm to late, Monday to Sunday. Cordis Hotel, 555 Shanghai Street, Mongkok, 3552 3028.

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arts & culture

Danh Vo in Hong Kong

Amanda Sheppard previews the latest exhibition at White Cube art gallery.

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new exhibition

T

he city’s cultural offerings this month are perfectly timed to coincide with Halloween, and Danh Vō‘s installation at White Cube, which remains open until November 12th, proves to be no exception. The installation draws its name from an excerpt from William Friedkin’s 1973 cult classic The Exorcist, though for the exhibition’s full title, we suggest you head to the gallery’s website, heeding warnings that it is not for the faint of heart.

In the artist’s first exhibition at White Cube and first solo show in the city, more than 450 mammoth fossils are installed throughout the gallery, hanging from the ceiling. The installation also features an ivory carving of Christ on a crucifix, dating back to the 17th Century.

The installation was previously shown in Madrid at the Crystal Palace, Museo Nacional Centro de Reina Sofia – an aptly named space which encased the hanging pieces in a glass prism – as part of a wider exhibition titled Banish the Faceless, I Reward Your Grace, last year. Its new location and context in Hong Kong presents the pieces in a different light, allowing for a new adaptation and focus; the ivory sculpture, for example, now bringing to the fore issues of ivory trafficking amid an intensely consumerist culture.

Family has long held a strong influence upon Vo, a Vietnamese born artist who escaped with his family

in 1979 on a Danish freighter. With this in mind, a collaboration with his father seems only natural. One of the first pieces in the installation is a reprinted letter by a French monk in Vietnam, dated 1861. The letter, addressed to the monk’s father, was written before his execution, and the harrowing content was reproduced by hand by Vō’s own father. Additional hand printed reproductions, of which there exist approximately 1,000, are being sold for €300, with proceeds shared between the gallery, Danh Vō, and his father, respectively.

Curated by the gallery’s director, Mathieu Paris, Danh Vō’s installation addresses key themes impacting Hong Kong society – those of disconnect, and the dynamic between the historical and the contemporary, to name but a few.

While this may be the first Hong Kong has seen of Danh Vō, it is unlikely to be the last – the 2015 ARKEN Art Prize winner, who represented Denmark at the Venice Biennale that same year, continues to make an impression on art critics, patrons and audiences alike, and won’t be stopping any time soon. M The exhibition runs until November 12 at White Cube, 50 Connaught Road, Central. For more information, visit whitecube.com/hongkong

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arts & culture

Pink Season Callum Wiggins meets the Director of Pink Season, Philip Howell-Williams, to find out more about this year’s event.

P

ink Season, Hong Kong’s biggest LGBTI festival, returns during October and the first week of November. The festival, which celebrates acceptance, inclusion and awareness through a programme of arts, education, entertainment and sports, is adding a number of new events to this year’s calendar.

“We’ve made quite a few changes to the concept of Pink Season this year”, says Philip Howell-Williams, Director of Pink Season and taking charge of proceedings for the first time. “We have added a lot of new events as family-based and educational events have been lacking from the lineup in the past”.

First held in 2011, the idea for Pink Season came from discussions between Pink Alliance - a non-profit voluntary organisation which promotes equal rights for LGBTI people - and the Hong Kong Tourism Board, in the hope of making Hong Kong an LGBTI-friendly destination for travellers and prospective expatriates.

The expanded educational events at this year’s Pink Season include a discussion panel in collaboration with Rainbow Connection and

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Standard Chartered Bank on how same-sex couples can start their own family in Hong Kong. AIDS Concern and Queer Straight Alliance are also teaming up to provide a group discussion on sex education for young people in Hong Kong. “I’m really proud to have added some high quality educational seminars to this year’s lineup”, says Howell-Williams. “I hope they can add some value and benefit the community”.

Looking to engage all members of the LGBTI community and beyond, organisers have made a conscious effort to reach a wider spectrum of people than ever before. “We really want to engage the local community this year”, says Howell-Williams. “Those in the local community may be in a position where they are hiding their identity at work or in the family home. Perhaps the only time that they can be themselves is when they are out at the weekend with friends where they are one of many in a crowd”.

This effort has resulted in the decision to hold a number of events outside the traditional LGBTI-centric areas of Central and Sheung Wan. An Amazing Race style ‘Urban Race’

Philip Howell-Williams Director of Pink Season

where teams will solve clues and take on challenges will be held in Sha Tin. A Variety Show will also be held Kowloon-side at Boo Bar in Tsim Sha Tsui as well as a fun-focused Sports Day to be held in the New Territories.

Although Hong Kong is slowly catching up with other nations concerning LGBTI rights, issues ranging from a lack of anti-discrimination legislation to the grey area surrounding spousal visas for married same-sex couples mean that Hong Kong still has far to go. “I think events like Pink Season, especially in Hong Kong, keep the LGBTI discussion alive”, says Howell-Williams. “If events like Pink Season didn’t take place, then things would fall silent and never move forward. It’s important to have a variety of events, from those for enjoyment and celebration of the community to discussion panels and family events. The ultimate aim though for all involved is to bring true equality to everyone in Hong Kong”. M Full details of the Pink Season calendar can be found at pinkseason.hk and tickets can be booked from www.eventbrite.hk.

xxxx

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health & wellness

HEALTH GURUS TO

Despite its endless stream of selfies, Instagram is a great platform to get motivated for the gym and make nutritious choices. Angela Tufvesson meets three Hong Kong women sharing workout tips and healthy food ideas.

764 posts

@thewelldressedworkout

9,591 followers

Morgan Guth | yoga, barre and cycle instructor

For yoga, barre and cycle instructor Morgan Guth, looking good during a workout is an important source of inspiration, and there’s no doubt her oh-so-trendy athleisure gear adds to the appeal of her popular Instagram feed.

“For me, being fashionably fit aids my motivation,” she says. “I just got some Jordans in Mongkok because I started doing circuit training and thought they would help. If the latest Stella McCartney sweat pants get you to the gym, why not?”

Guth’s feed is punctuated by seriously bendy yoga poses in her favourite studios and outdoor spots in Hong Kong, as well as around Asia and in her native Australia. Fashionable friends, spin classes and canine friends make cameo appearances.

She says exercising first thing in the morning, at lunchtime or straight after work, is the easiest way to fit fitness into a busy Hong Kong schedule. “I

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don’t believe anyone is too busy for exercising – it’s about creating the time,” says Guth. “Checking out of work and into your body and exercise creates a healthier work life in the end and a more productive day.”

If scrolling through her Instagram feed isn’t motivating enough, Guth – who also blogs at The Well Dressed Workout – says making exercise social can aid motivation to get moving. “Catching up with friends for a coffee or cocktail could easily be a spin class or Peak walk instead,” she says. “Saturday and Sunday brunch could be a group yoga session or private boot camp.”

As for the secret to her stunning photos, Guth says using a self-timer and remote make yoga shots possible.

And her top spots in Mid-levels to get snap happy? “I love any of the back streets – Rednaxela Terrace is one of my favourites,” she says.

on Instagram

#likeforlikes

@e_ting

1234 posts

8,070 followers

Janice Leung Hayes | food writer and blogger

Even though most food in Hong Kong is imported, food writer and blogger Janice Leung Hayes says developing an awareness of where food comes from and eating local produce whenever possible is a healthier way to eat – and key to staying motivated to eat well.

“As a densely populated place, Hong Kong can never be self-sufficient from a food production perspective, but I do hope that Hong Kongers will never be deprived of the choice to consume local products, where you can easily visit a farm in a matter of minutes,” she says. “Seriously, from Mid-Levels you can get to any farm in Hong Kong within 90 minutes, tops.”

Her Instagram feed is loaded with stunning photos of some of Hong Kong’s best produce – Leung Hayes also runs Tong Chong Street Market in Tai Koo, which sells produce from local organic farmers – and restaurant dishes. But for every perfectly photographed fresh vegetable stand at a local market there are cheese tarts and ice-cream, which Leung Hayes says is because she’s a firm believer in the old adage, “everything in moderation, including moderation”.

Her photos suggest otherwise, but Leung Hayes says she’s “no photography expert” and that natural light and basic composition are what makes her pics look so mouth-wateringly good.

“There are certain Instagram photography styles – high saturation, bright and white, flatlays – but I don’t really follow any of them religiously,” she says. “I love the way natural light makes everything look crisp and gorgeous, so I try and look for a window seat or at least even lighting at a restaurant. There’s also the classic ‘thirds’ rule of using gridlines that split the frame into thirds and placing your subject along those gridlines.”

@fitfabxash

1234 posts

3,143 followers

Ashley Pang | Fashion PR

Instagram isn’t only about gorgeous images. Fashion PR Ashley Pang tells the story of her health journey with words as well as pictures and is refreshingly honest about her quest to exercise regularly and eat well. “I love knowing and challenging my body,” she tells her followers. “Despite all my weaknesses, I know I am going to be better and healthier because my body will reward me once I start taking care of it.”

She says eating a plant-based diet is an easy way to make healthy food choices when you’re dining out. “If I eat out alone, I normally go for a vegetarian or organic restaurant, but if I eat out with friends I would normally go for salad, vegetables and fish, and I try to pick the least greasy choices,” says Pang.

If you’re especially pushed for time to be healthy after work, Pang recommends eating and exercising at home. “When I have no time for the gym I go home, prepare food for the next day – I take a lunchbox most days – and do a simple 15- to 20-minute workout while watching TV or listening to music.”

Pang’s feed documents her adventures at the gym, in her kitchen and striking a pose in front of iconic Hong Kong landscapes. She says her boyfriend and friends take much of the credit for the images they take of her, and recommends natural light to achieve that classic Instagram look.

“Natural light on a sunny day is the key for good photos – it makes everything stand out so much more,” says Pang. “How you frame photos is important, too. I normally put the object in the middle so that I have more flexibility when putting the photos on Instagram. Also, I feel like people tend to like natural, authentic photos, so I don’t edit my photos much.”

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yoga yoda

Y

oga is suitable for all ages, cultures and health conditions, but teaching methods differ widely. Some teachers like to use anatomical jargon straight from a biology textbook; others prefer to deliver their classes in a Mother Earth-ish, tree-hugging tongue, comprehensible only to the highly spiritually evolved. If this is why you don’t like yoga, I get it. Let me help you decode.

Namaste everyone. Come into child’s pose and allow your body to melt like water.

Translation: Hello everyone. Rest in child’s pose and relax the whole body and soften the joints.

Visualise your breath, breathe into your kidneys.

Breathe fully and consciously so that the whole rib cage and back expand.

Ground the four corners of your feet and shine your heart to the divine.

Stand up tall and firmly ground your feet on the floor. Lift and extend your chest up to the ceiling.

Align the seven chakras as you stand so your collar bones smile as you breathe in the prana.

Keep the spine straight and upright, raise the collar bones as you inhale deeply.

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From standing, hinge at your hips and bow down. Allow Mother Earth to receive the contents of your brain.

Fold forward from a standing position.

Completely relax the neck and let the head hang heavy. Let go of your stress and random thoughts.

When seated, allow your buttocks to blossom and bring the anus closer to the earth.

Engage your mula bandha.

In a seated position, use your hands to widen your glutes to bring the seat bones closer to your yoga mat. Lift your pelvic floor, which feels a bit like when you need to go for a wee but you’re holding it in.

Now in Virabhadrasana 2 on the right side, externally rotate the femur of the right leg and pull the patella up in the left leg. At the same time hug the legs in towards each other.

When doing Warrior 2 on the right hand side, turn the front (right) foot and move the thigh bone out to the right slightly, squeeze the thigh in the back (left) leg to lift the knee cap up. Drag your feet back towards the midline of your yoga mat, without actually moving your feet.

To come into ardha chandrasana, take a block under your right hand. Lift the heart towards heaven, while shining the hip bones to the left.

Coming into half moon pose, support your right hand with a block on the ground and lift the chest and left arm up into the sky. Stack your left hip over your right hip.

Relax every single muscle and joint in your body and stay still in savasana.

Relax every single muscle and joint in your body in corpse pose - the pose that really, really matters in a yoga class. So lie down quietly as you’re told, focus on your breathing and don’t even think about getting up and leaving the room. Namaste!

Sit up tall and allow your kundalini energy to uncoil. To seal the practice we chant together Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

Sit upright so energy can flow freely up the spine.

We chant the universal sound of Om, Peace, Peace, Peace to honour our yoga practice together.

N

TRANSLATION

Victor Chau decodes yogi-speak.

OUT NOW

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Order your copy online now at www.abovehongkong.com *First 100 copies signed by photographer Graham Uden

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beauty

Fragarttarnatction

Esther Chan spends an intoxicating afternoon at Le Labo’s boutique perfumery.

I Marco is mixing my fragrance!!!

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watched intently as little by little my bottle transformed into a fully-fledged Le Labo perfume. My mood lifted as my sense of smell was stimulated. My visit to the perfumery was, by any account, an enchanting experience.

Le Labo’s Star Street store in Wan Chai has a refreshingly simple interior design where natural wood fixtures and fittings and leather chairs give the impression of a modest laboratory or apothecary from days of old.

Founded in 2006 in New York, Le Labo has become renowned around the world for its collection of handmade perfumes. Each step of making a bottle goes through what the brand calls the “soulful power of thoughtful hands”.

I got the chance to witness the ‘thoughtful hands’ in action on my afternoon visit.

beauty The experimental nature of Le The various bottles have very simple Labo sparked my interest in trying labels to derive their contents - the my hand at making my own perfumes are named after jasmine flower perfume. While I was slightly ylang ylang their principal essence disappointed to learn that with a number customers are not able to illustrating the request a bespoke formula, number of ingredients.

I quickly understood Le Labo has also why – experts spend designed nine years testing ingredients perfumes that make and developing scent up its “City Exclusive” combinations to find collection. These fragrances winning formulas. And it are only available in the Le Labo must be said: not being able store of that country and not at any of its to create your own original perfume certainly other stores worldwide. doesn’t mean you On my visit, Le Labo’s Brand Ambassador, can’t have fun!

Marco, showed me how to make a bottle of signature scent Rose 31. From an almightily stocked fridge, Marco uses a pipette to extract the right amount of essence from each bottle to a large flask, one drop at a time. The weighing of each scent was precise and an exact measure of water and alcohol followed before the container was sealed and spun lila iris - an essential step to ensure the ingredients red rose settle properly. Et voilà, a perfect bottle of The “souls”, Rose 31 is born. a cute word for the store’s This so-called “formulateperfumers, encourage customers to-order” perfume takes five days to put aside any assumptions for all of its ingredients to blend and preferences and “play with before use, but the wait seems the juices”, which essentially well worth it given the fragrance means having a good sniff of has a three year use-by date. sandalwood orange flower every bottle and taking in the I was amazed by the unique scents. complexity of each scent and The perfumes in Le Labo’s classic ingredient that I tested. The top each customer can request a personalised label collection are built around main ingredients and base notes could differ substantially, and a printed on the spot with the production date, including bergamot, rose, vetiver, neroli, orange perfume tester strip from six hours earlier gave location and even a specific name and short blossom, patchouli, iris, ambrette, jasmine, a noticeably deeper and elegant aroma. message. On my visit, a customer purchased labdanum, agarwood, While customers are not able to a bottle of Vetiver 46 as an anniversary present sandalwood, ylang make their own concoctions, with a thoughtful personalised label. ylang and lily.

As impressed as I was by Le Labo’s unique perfumes, I was also heartened by the human touch offered by the team. Witnessing the handwritten cards personally prepared by the “souls” added to each customer’s purchase, it’s gratifying to see that some good old fashioned customer care hasn’t completely been lost in our busy city. M

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home & living

Family planning

Adele Brunner discovers how one family apartment maintained its sense of style while accommodating four children.

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home & living

(clockwise from left); the breakfast bar; the living room; the enlarged kitchen area.

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hile you might have to shelve grand plans for white carpets and fragile designer accessories, having children doesn’t necessarily mean that you abandon all sense of interior style and allow your home to be overrun by plastic. The owners of this 1,350-square-foot apartment on Robinson Road, Mid-levels, are a case in point. With four young children to accommodate, their design priorities included the need for a stylish space that worked well for their family but was adult-friendly too. They called on designer Clifton Leung of Clifton Leung Design Workshop to help them out.

“The apartment then was not like it is now,” says Leung. “The living room was an

odd diamond shape, the kitchen was a tiny triangle, and there was a lot of wasted space.

We needed to make even the smallest area work so it was a bit like a jigsaw puzzle, getting everything to fit exactly.”

He began by building a wall to square off the living room. He created a small study in the wedge-shaped space behind the new wall (on which the television is currently mounted), and borrowed redundant corridor space in order to enlarge the kitchen and reconfigure it. He also built a breakfast bar in part of the corridor for casual meals, with a nifty hatch through to the kitchen, framed by cupboards. Together with a proper dining area, which features bench seats and a pendant light that looks like a shelf of

candles, it has the distinct feel of a modern café.

“We wanted to make the communal spaces inviting and cosy, like one of those cool but casual bistros that serves great home-cooked food - a place that you’d want to come back to,” says Leung. “The kitchen/ counter/study area is almost a separate, selfcontained space in the house but it is also partially open plan. Anyone working in the kitchen can keep an eye on the children in the study and living areas.”

The adult members of the family are also fans of hotel décor, which is particularly evident in the master bedroom. Neat, functional and comfortable, it has a couple of props, such as the multi-coloured clock,

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home & living

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(from top); the master bedroom; the faux wardrobe leads to a hidden en-suite bathroom

to lift the style and make it more personal than a hotel suite. Leung knocked down the dividing wall between the master bedroom and one of the children’s rooms and replaced it with a wall of cupboards. As it was felt that the children had more stuff to stow away, the wardrobe is narrower on the parents’ side and, among other possessions, houses a television. Keeping the facades the same, the “wardrobe” on the other side of the bedroom is actually a door leading to a hidden en-suite bathroom.

In all but the children’s rooms, the colour palette is neutral to achieve the desired modern classic look. Understated it may be but not boring thanks to well-thought-out details such as a feature wall in every room.

home & living Instead of using a different shade in the living room, however, Leung kept the exposed bricks and painted them white to add texture, visual interest and the contemporary feel of a New York loft.

“I created feature walls as a focal point in every room,” says Leung. “However, these walls are behind furniture such as the beds and couches so you don’t have to stare at them all the time. That way, you don’t get bored of them.”

The children’s rooms are bold and

The trick is to immediately get rid of anything you’ve finished with or not used in a year beautiful – a fabulous hot pink for the two girls and a grass green for the two boys.

Simple but clever design ideas come into play here too. Electric sockets and cables are hidden in special compartments in the desks. The built-in bunk beds feature trundle beds for sleepover guests and individual wall lamps so nighttime reading doesn’t become a nuisance for anyone who wants to go to sleep.

The girls’ bedroom

“I deliberately designed and built the bunk-bed steps in the girls’ room to serve a dual purpose,” explains Leung. “As well as leading up to the top bunk, they also act as open shelving for the children to display and store their things beneath each one.”

As most of the built-in furniture was custom designed by Leung and his team, it incorporates a lot of storage, which is key to keeping the apartment clutter free. But even Leung was surprised by how neat the home was when he visited several months ago.

“The trick is to immediately get rid of anything you’ve finished with or not used in a year,” says Leung. “But the family have lived in the apartment for two years now and even I was amazed at how clean and tidy it is. It really does look just like the photographs (taken soon after the renovation was complete) on a daily basis.”

Clifton Leung of Clifton Leung Design Workshop can be contacted on 3106 8384 or via www.cliftonleungdesignworkshop. com. M The boys’ bedroom featuring custom-made furniture

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education

school visit

Westside story

West Island School boasts impressive credentials. Rebecca Simpson speaks to new head Chris Sammons about taking on one of Hong Kong’s top tier schools.

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est Island has been renowned in Hong Kong for a strong academic and sporting record for over twenty years. This year, it welcomes a new a new head-of-school, Chris Sammons, who replaces popular former principal, Jane Foxglove.

Situated on Victoria Road, Pok Fu Lam, with the steep slopes of Mount Davis to one side and the East Lamma Channel to the other, the school was originally founded in 1991. At that stage it housed its initial 80-odd students in the old military hospital on Borrett Road, Mid-levels, moving to the purpose-built campus in Pok Fu Lam in 1994.

Sammons, fresh from the UK, has inherited a legacy of excellence - West Island School boasts an impressive average IB score six points ahead of the world average and a 98% success rate for

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its students’ first choice of university destination.

Lesser men would be nervous, but he seems energised rather than intimidated while he speaks about his new role, gazing out beyond the Pok Fu Lam cemetery and across the water. He may have big shoes to fill, but this new challenge comes with an impressive view, so it’s not all bad.

“My vision for West Island School is for it to become world-leading,” he muses. “There’s no magic to that, it’s about relationships between staff and students, about high quality pastoral care, about the high aspiration and having the best teachers - the best-trained teachers in the world who can enable students to take on their own learning.”

Currently, West Island School (WIS) is an ESF secondary school providing an enquiry-based

education for children aged 11-19 years old. The school offers students an IGSCE (year 10) and IB Diploma (year 13) qualification upon graduation.

Like so many Hong Kong schools, WIS has a waiting list for all year levels, but in positive news, the wait list does see active movement and those seeking places are usually accommodated in good time.

Academic excellence has fast become the calling card of so many Hong Kong schools, WIS is another addition to that list. The school has consistently delivered superior IB results. Those math-challenged parents among us will need two hands to count the number of perfect IB scorers the school has produced each year.

Perfect scores are very impressive, but it’s the university acceptance rate that really speaks to the power of the school’s relationship-centric

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education

approach - 98% of WIS students are accepted into their first University choice.

It’s very important to note that perfect IB scores aren’t the be-all-and-end-all of University acceptance. In fact, there’s discussion about the weight academics is playing in the application process. There’s a wind of change affecting foreign student applications – perfect grades, while always influential, are becoming less important to selectors.

So, how does WIS achieve results like this?

The short answer is: Relationships.

“That achievement comes from really knowing our learners well, and building on the relationships we have with them so they can perform to their best,” explains Sammons. He also credits the team at the school’s dedicated careers centre.

All schools would claim to have a relationship with each student, so what makes the WIS approach so unique and effective? It’s a combination of getting to know students before they enter the school system, and the intimate in-school tutor group system that ensures each student is given ample personal time with a single, dedicated teacher throughout each school year.

“We get to know the learners even before they join us,” explains Sammons. “That’s about relationships with the primary schools (most learners come from Kennedy school),

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understanding them in Year six, knowing where their skills and talents are.”

Once the school year has started, each child is afforded personal time with a dedicated teacher on a regular basis. This happens in two formats – daily in the student’s tutor group, a small session of up to 16 students that starts each school day. And, in regular 1:1 sessions with their tutor who then becomes a single point of contact for that student. Principal Sammons shares, “There’s a daily conversation being had with each student about the things they need to do and even about what happened overnight. Are

WIS has welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo’s first Hong Kong Football School.

they prepared for the day? This gets them set up for the day.”

This is supported by a 1:1 program in which young people will have three or four individual, structured conversations with their tutor on a

Monday afternoon. “It’s a thorough conversation that takes over an hour. The tutor will talk about their learning, where their strengths are, talk about any difficulties. They also receive information from subject teachers.”

From this ongoing, structured monitoring, each student is challenged with his or her own “high challenge, easy access learning path”, ensuring their needs are being met and their best results are being achieved. WIS also offers a learning centre for additional learning support to those who need special resources. The school has resources for over 20 students with moderate learning difficulties.

Those parents who shudder at the thought of tests will be happy to know that school assessments have evolved since ‘the olden days’ when we were at school. WIS is no exception, they’ve moved well away from the formal assessment structure once embraced by schools and now offer ongoing, individual assessments for each learner.

“The school has moved away from this sense of you get assessed at the end of term, each of the faculties assess the child when it needs to be done,” explains Sammons. While this might seem unconventional to some parents, he assures that WIS parents are very well informed.

“As a parent, you have an ongoing report that happens via our website throughout the whole year.”

education This ongoing information builds into a significant portfolio of information about each child, “At the end of the year, you might have up to forty pieces of information that have come to you. It’s a much more formative conversation that’s happening,” he concludes.

In terms of technology in the classroom, the school uses Google Drive, Google Classroom and Google Apps which allows teachers to collaboratively set tasks, then monitor children as they build up their knowledge, interrupting or extending the students where necessary.

“There’s been a huge investment in technology” says Sammons, sharing the school has sighted a sweet spot for the future curriculum where technology, the arts and ICT computing meet, in a space where design concepts of the future can be explored.

For this year, many of the science and tech facilities at WIS have been given a refresh over the summer of 2016, ready to inspire an eager new generation of WIS students.

“The arts also have a very long tradition at West Island School. We have a performance group called Circle in the Water. Drama delivers some of the best results in the school, we believe the arts has a central importance – they develop confidence, communications skills, but most importantly it’s about the creativity.”

Sammons believes strongly in the power of a liberal arts education for success, explaining that WIS is one of few schools with a unique policy that mandates students participate in an arts subjects for their IB studies (with some student exceptions). “We expect our students to choose a subject in the arts. Other schools don’t expect that, but we do. It’s of central importance to the curriculum”. He cites a UK study that shows the vast majority (80%) of arts graduates go on to leadership positions in business, “It’s about development of creative skills and effective communication,” he says.

WIS is also renowned for its sporting success. Facilities include an indoor swimming pool that hosts a 7am WIS swimming club session frequented by visiting alumni; three outdoor facilities; a dance studio and an established relationship with neighbouring Hong Kong University that generously allow WIS students access to its own sporting facilities.

WIS has proudly brought home the city’s coveted BOCHK Bauhinia Bowl prize, a series of sports accolades bestowed to students and schools by the Hong Kong School Sports Federation. WIS footballing families are now very excited that the school has welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo’s, Ronaldo Football Academy, the first one to come to Hong Kong. M

School Report

Established: 1991 Number of students: 1220 Class size: Year 7-9: 25-30, GCSE 16 and Post 16: 3-12 Curriculum: 1WIS Diploma Year 7-9, iGCSE Year 10-11, IB Year 12-13 Fees 2016/2017: $115,700 Year 7-11 and $121,500 Year 12-13 Non refundable capital levy: For a student joining in Year 7: $26,000 For a student joining in Year 12: $7,500 Address: West Island School, 250 Victoria Road, Pok Fu Lam Tel: 2819 1962

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travel

Bangkok Shreena Patel ditches her backpack in search of luxury in the City of Angels.

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travel

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travel

B

angkok. A classic stop on the Southeast Asia backpacking tour with cheap and delicious street food, numerous budget bars and plentiful low-cost accommodation in the form of hostels and guesthouses.

But Bangkok isn’t just for backpackers and students on their gap year. If you prefer to holiday with wheeled luggage and without shared dormitories, read on.

In the heart of the city’s Thonburi area, beside the Chao Phraya River, at the end of a long driveway lined with trees and flowers, lies one of the most luxurious hotels in the city.

“Welcome to The Peninsula Bangkok,” white-gloved bellhops greet us with smiles as we step out of the heat and into the cool, perfumed, marble-clad lobby. Looking around at the high ceilings and dark marble floors, I suddenly feel a little unpolished, but I straighten my dress and head over to the front desk to check in.

The hotel was first opened in 1998 and has retained prominence in the city thanks to its classic elegance, five-star facilities, and excellent service. Recently awarded the prestigious five-star hospitality rating by the 2016 Forbes Travel Guide, it has 370 rooms (all with river views) including five themed suites, an 88-metre three-tier outdoor pool, a 14-room spa, fitness centre, several restaurants and last, but not least, a helipad.

We’re booked into a Grand Deluxe room - elegant and spacious, with teak and makha wood furnishings, a walk-in closet area, sofa, TV (with international channels) and large writing desk. A V-shaped floor-to-ceiling window offers panoramic views of the river (balcony rooms are also available, but in summer it might be too hot and humid to enjoy sitting outside for long). Every afternoon, Thai treats magically appear on the coffee table along with a selection of local fruits: mangoes, rambutans and bananas. The bed is cosy and comfortable but most spectacular is the marble bathroom with twin vanities, a large shower and a deep bathtub with an in-built TV.

Welcome to The Peninsula Bangkok!

sents e r p e r budduhdadha into g n i n i l c e Thee rentry of B th rvana.

Ni

t he marke t m o r f Cat

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The pool opens early every morning so we go for a quick dip to build up an appetite before breakfast - the temperature of the water is perfect and pool attendants regularly bring round ice cold face towels and water. Just behind the pool is the spa - prices here are much higher than outside of the hotel, but the massages are great and you get your own suite which houses a private steam room, sauna and jacuzzi.

You can eat breakfast out on the river terrace or indoors - I recommend foregoing the air conditioning in exchange for the lovely river views.

The spread is excellent, with Western and Asian delights, fresh juices and fruit. Top tip: try the French toast.

For dinner, choose between Mei Jiang (indoor Cantonese fine dining), Thiptara (homestyle Thai food served al fresco in a tropical garden) and The River Cafe & Terrace or Lobby (gourmet international

Wat Pho

Bangkok isn’t just for backpackers and students on their gap year.

Eating breakfast by the river

a Lazing by the pool on sunny afternoon

Dinner at Thiptara, in traditional k Thai houses from ChiangteaMa i

fare). For us it’s a no brainer: we dine at Thiptara for a taste of Thai cuisine and the spectacular night time river views. The setting is beautiful and our waitress, Beer, is friendly and attentive with good recommendations.

We opt for the set menu - standout dishes include the Laab Mou (spicy minced pork salad with shallots and mint leaves), Tom Yum Goong (traditional spicy soup with tiger prawns and lemongrass) and Khao-Niew Ma-Muang (Thai mango and sticky rice with coconut cream). After

travel

At the ket with before oumrarco oking claCsshef

Giant beans!

ad with Making papaya sal Chef Chamnam e?would this fit in my suitcas dinner, we head to the lobby to enjoy some live music.

The next day we attempt to recreate some of these dishes - plus new ones - in an outdoor cooking class under the guidance of Thiptara’s cheerful Chef Chamnam. This class is one of many offered by The Peninsula Academy - see the hotel website for details. It includes an optional trip to the market at 9am to check out local ingredients. We travel there in the hotel tuk tuk, an upgraded version of Thailand’s famous three-wheeled taxi. Upon our return, fresh ingredients are laid out for us to cook our own lunch (four courses in total). With the benefit of hindsight, I suggest going easy at breakfast if you’re doing this class, or at least requesting to move the cooking part to later in the day so you have enough room to eat everything.

As for sightseeing, Bangkok is famous for its

All aboard The Peninsula ferry!

View is whefrreomthtehe room...this Hangover Par y filmed The t II!

vibrant street life, cultural landmarks, notorious red-light districts and shopping malls (in fact, down the road from the hotel but out of earshot, construction is underway on IconSiam, a ninestorey waterfront mega shopping mall).

The Peninsula is located on the west bank of the river, which is more peaceful but across from most of the main attractions. The hotel does have a fleet of small teakwood ferries which shuttle guests back and forth to the Skytrain Station and the east bank every 10 minutes. There’s no charge and no need to book - ferries operate between 6am and midnight. Top tip: when it rains, traffic on the bridge can get particularly bad.

Rather than taking a taxi to sites like the Grand Palace, hop on a ferry to the east bank and catch the river taxi - it’s fast, cheap and an experience in itself. Pay the conductor after you get on.

Bangkok is a fun but hectic city, so it’s a relief to arrive back at the end of each day in the calm and luxurious surroundings of the Peninsula.

As for when to visit, I’m told that Bangkok has three seasons: hot, hotter and hottest. Peak season is December to February (hot).

Rates may be lower at other times of year, including rainy season (July to November). M

Khao Sa oad - th e famous ban ckRpa cker street Essential Info A Deluxe room at The Peninsula Bangkok starts at THB 18,000++ per night for two people, including breakfast.

The hotel is located 50 minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport. A one-way taxi fare costs around THB 500, including express way fee; or book a hotel limousine from THB 2,800.

The Joy of Thai Cooking Class - THB 5,000 per person (including market visit; THB 4,000 without). Book in advance.

Hong Kong

Cooking icken skewer the strech et - smells deslicion ous!

Bangkok

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pets

WALKIES We go for walkies with our Sales Manager Olly Q: How many dogs do you have and what are their names?

We have two - Cat who is nearly two years and Rocky who is just six months old.

Thomas with his new family.

Rooftop rescue

Thomas with his new family.

How one phonecall saved the life of Thomas the dog.

Two years ago amidst a downpour, a soaking wet and emaciated mongrel named Thomas was locked on a coverless rooftop of a village house in Yuen Long. He was suffering from serious skin diseases, open and infected wounds and critical hunger when rescued by SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals) inspectors.

His life was spared thanks to a neighbour who spoke up and reported to the SPCA. Upon medical examination, it was believed that the two doublepalm-sized wounds on his back had been caused by burning or corrosive liquid. The owner, who had gravely abused him, was charged and sentenced to two months of imprisonment and a $3,000 fine.

Following months of medical treatment, behavioural training and rehabilitation at the SPCA, Thomas regained his strength.

Whenever volunteer dog walkers took him for a park run, his sunny personality shone through and he quickly learnt to socialize with other animals.

For a long time, his paw prints

were without a pet owner’s footprints alongside them. But for a dog who had endured lengthy abuse, his trust in humans remained strong and he longed for a home.

Finally last January, a family decided to give Thomas a forever home.

They were hoping to adopt a puppy at first but changed their mind after receiving advice from the SPCA staff that mature dogs like Thomas are easier to handle for first-time pet owners.

Even as new pet owners, they are compassionate and understand that thunderstorms scare Thomas due to his past. They nurture his love for the outdoors and take him to a grassy park each week.

Now Thomas is happily settled in his new home. In the end, love triumphs all!

a es c sp fil e s ca

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Q: How did they come into your family?

We got Cat through the lovely folk down at Hong Kong Dog Rescue. We attended their weekly puppy adoption day at Whiskers and Paws in Horizon Plaza. Nathan instantly fell in love with Cat’s tenacious nature so we took her home that day. Rocky was a private adoption from someone who had rescued him and his six siblings from a construction site in Yuen Long.

We have a thing for black and white dogs so we instantly fell in love with him. His other siblings are, however, still looking for a new home!

Q: Favourite walk?

The Morning Trail from Hatton Road to The Peak with a long stop off at Pinewood Battery.

Q: Best place for doggie accessories and products?

Whiskers and Paws are great for variety.

Q: Who looks after your dogs when you leave Hong Kong?

We have a great lady called TIna Leung who boards just one or two dogs at a time from her place near HKU. She’s also a dog walker and takes Rocky for long walks every day. I have never met a lady who cares more about dogs and I know they are in the safest of hands.

If you suspect an animal is in distress and might need assistance, call the SPCA hotline on 2711 1000.

Olly and Nathan with their dogs, Cat and Rocky.

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marketplace

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

marketplace

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

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secrets

The cursed statues

Callum Wiggins finds cures and castles at University Hall.

University Hall, currently a residence for students at the University of Hong Kong, has a history which predates the university itself.

Built in 1864 by wealthy Scottish trader Douglas Lapraik as his residence, the building was first known as Douglas Castle. With the newly constructed Pok Fu Lam reservoir providing a fresh water supply, 360 degree panoramic views and its close proximity to the booming trade of the docks, Douglas Castle should have been a residence of great comfort and splendour.

Lapraik, however, was not a well man and subsequently returned to Britain shortly after its completion. Douglas Castle was handed over to French missionaries 30 years later, after Hong Kong was declared to be an infected port of the bubonic plague, and many made a hasty retreat. Renamed the Nazareth by the French Mission, the building underwent many changes and new wings were added. In 1954, as foreign

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missionaries were declining, the government decided to grant the building to the University of Hong Kong. Now named University Hall, the building again underwent major renovations to facilitate its purpose as a student residence.

While little remains of the original Douglas Castle, perhaps University Hall’s most striking features are the statues guarding its entrance.

Part-elephant, part-lion, the mythical creatures are rumoured to be malevolent towards the Hall’s students: allegedly, students who touch the ‘cursed’ statues fail to graduate. The threat of academic misery doesn’t seem to be putting too many students off from choosing University Hall as their residence, however, as the colonial relic is still one of the most popular halls of residence amongst prospective students.

University Hall, 144 Pok Fu Lam Road, Pok Fu Lam.

University Hall is one of the most popular halls of residence amongst prospective HKU students.

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