Mid-levels Feb 2017

FAMILY | FOOD | HOME | HEALTH | TRAVEL

Mid-levels magazine

February 2017

A cut above

The best barber shops in town

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Mid-levels magazine

The really useful magazine February 2017

PEOPLE 4 Snapped!

Life around Mid-levels.

THE PLANNER 6 Happening in February Events for your diary.

NEWS 10 What’s going on?

In your backyard.

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

12 Chung Kin Leung The former Government House head chef.

LOCAL 14 Stairway to heaven?

Residents voice their concern over new plans for a Mid-levels escalator.

COVER STORY 16 A cut above The best barber shops in the neighbourhood.

EATING 22 Reaching new heights The latest on Pacific Place’s new restaurants. Plus, news from the dining scene.

ARTS & CULTURE 28 Western district on canvas Florence Traissac reveals her daily inspiration from living in Mid-levels.

Plus, Amnesty International’s upcoming charity exhibition.

HOME & LIVING 32 Euro style Inside a Happy Valley home’s renovation with a distinct European flair.

EDUCATION 38 Kellett School Behind the scenes at our featured school.

HOROSCOPE 52 Signs from the stars Your astrological predictions for February.

PETS 56 Pets Dr. Pauline answers your pet problems. Plus, walkies with Robyn Ma.

BIG DAY OUT 44 Castle Peak Rory Mackay ventures to Hong Kong’s far west.

TRAVEL 46 Bespoke travel How to create a tailor-made holiday.

“YOU’RE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR LAST HAIRCUT” - FRAN LEBOWITZ

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contributors

Andrea Lo

Kate Davies

... K at e Dav ie s lo ve s a ch al m ay no t be a m ore cra le ng e a nd th ere and t lis a rn u jo ce zy, a m azin g or n … is a free la in g en liv te rta ty ci in in in g g jo ur in ne lis y th a n brin gi ng up a tra n sl at or. Spe ci little pe op le. W he n he r ti m e he s d en sp e r two- ye ar-o ld isn ’t sh a n d cu lt u re, g K on g ke ep in g he r on he r to on H s g in th t es es, sh e’s w rit in g, ex plorin g th e b hi ki ng or on th e hu nt n d re a A th on m s hi fo T r a great gl ass of h a s to of fe r. me bu ho bb a le s. ew K vi at e to vi y sit s lle vi sits H a ppy Va n d ly tw ist. K ellet Scho ol on pa ge 38. ie fr oec n a h it re n ovat io n w

eppard

Amanda Sh

W h en ee la n ce w rite r. fr a is a d n ra l a Am th e city ’s cu lt u t ou g in op sc sh e’ s n ot u nt fo r d a is on th e h n a m A , te a ng clim n d a g ood, st ro a s ie it os ri cu hi d d en p re vi ew s onth A m a n d a m s hi T . ee ff co rity n ati on a l’s ch a A m n e st y I nt er 30. ge ex hibit io n on pa

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

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17/1/2017 12:21:58

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people Mid-levels snaps

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say cheese Mid-levels snaps

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

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Photo by Wilfred Hösl

planner

FEB 16-MAR 18

Hong Kong Arts Festival

The 45th Hong Kong Arts Festival presents over 1,600 of the world’s top artists and stars of tomorrow in 149 performances. Audiences are treated to a wide ranging programme including theatre, music, chamber opera and contemporary dance during the month long festival. Visit www.hk.artsfestival.org for more information or visit www.urbtix.hk to buy tickets.

FEB 3-5 Legends in Concert The live celebrity tribute show features an allstar cast of Elvis Presley, Adele, David Bowie and Madonna direct from Las Vegas to The Parisian, Macau. Running for 33 years, Legends in Concert is Las Vegas’ longest-running live entertainment show. Tickets $180-$480 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

FEB 12 Standard Chartered Marathon Hong Kong’s annual marathon is back with a marathon, half and 10km races, plus 3km and

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10km wheelchair races. Starts on Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. First races start at 5.45am. www.hkmarathon.com

UNTIL FEB 12 KidsFest 2017 The biggest children’s theatre festival returns for another year of fun-filled performances at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. One production not to miss is Gruffalos, Ladybirds and other Beasts which will feature Julia Donaldson herself live on stage. Tickets available at www.hkticketing.com or call 3128 8288.

Eddie Izzard live

happening in February

FEB 23

Comedy genius Eddy Izzard brings his mammoth ‘Force Majeure’ tour to Hong Kong as part of more than 30 stops around the world.

Academy Community Hall, Hong Kong Baptist University. Tickets $488-$988 from www.hkticketing.com or call 3128 8288.

Photo by Amanda Searle

Run for your life and raise awareness for the ocean’s creatures

FEB 10-12 Longines Masters Hong Kong The third stop of the prestigious equestrian events arrives in Hong Kong spotlighting the best show jumpers in the world. Tickets start from $200 up to $4,000 for premium suite access. Visit www.longinesmaster.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

FEB 24 - MAR 4 Hansel & Gretel

FEB 26 Run For Survival

A living diorama of spectacle, song and puppets, inspired by the classic fairytale opera by Engelbert Humperdinck. The HKU Black Box, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus, The University of Hong Kong. Tickets from $150 from www.ticketflap.com

Take on the role of threatened marine animals and avoid myriad obstacles on your path to survival. The event incorporates a 3km family fun run and a 10km timed challenge at Hong Kong Science Park. Individual registration starts from $350 ($250 for under 12s) and $800 for a family of up to four people. For more information, visit www.opcf.org.hk

FEB 25-26 Dragonland Music Festival Hong Kong’s first outdoor concert combining pop and electronic dance music with some of the world’s chart-topping artists like Black Eyed Peas, Zedd, Iggy Azalea and Redfoo. Hong Kong favourite, Leon Lai will be holding a special concert during the festival. Central Harbourfront.

Tickets from www.hotdogtix.com

FEB 26 Hike for Hospice Hike for Hospice raises much-needed funds for the Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care (SPHC). Now in its 25th year, the 2017 route will see hikers walk through Tai Lam Country Park.

For registration and fundraising information, visit hike.hospicecare.org.hk

FEB 14 Valentine’s Day Will you be my valentine?

FEB 17-25 India by the Bay A week-long cultural programme of events including music, theatre and guest speakers celebrates India’s cultural diversity. Visit asiasociety.org/hong-kong for full programme information.

FEB 19 The Hills X SPCA Dogathon 2017 Hong Kong Disneyland is set to throw the city’s largest dog party of the year. Doggie games and treats await with onstage performances and a goodie bag for every pooch. Tickets from $589 for two adults and one dog. Email dogathon@ spca.org.hk or call 2232 5579 for details.

Giddy up! The Longines Masters returns to Hong Kong

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planner

BOOK NOW MAR 16-19 Taste of Hong Kong

MAR 20-25 Art Central

A food lover’s paradise. Sample signature dishes from some of Hong Kong’s top restaurants and artisan producers at the festival. Central Harbourfront. For more information, visit hongkong.tastefestivals.com

Art Central returns to Central Harbourfront for its third edition, featuring over 100 leading international galleries. Large-scale installations, performances, talks and panel discussions await Hong Kong’s growing art

community. Tickets start from $230 from www.ticketflap.com

APR 7-9 Rugby 7s Three days of beer, singing, dodgy dancing, fancy dress and not to forget the worldclass rugby. Tickets are on sale for the city’s biggest sporting event, starting at $350-750 each and can be purchased at www.viagogo.com. Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, hksevens.com

APR 12-16 UCI Track Cycling World Championships The world’s best cyclists battle it out at Hong Kong velodrome to become champions of the world. It’s guaranteed to be a fast and furious few days. Hong Kong Velodrome, 105-107 Ho Pong Road, Tseung Kwan O, www.trackworldcup.hk

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

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news

The Mixing Bowl moves Hosting baking and cooking workshops for kids and adults for the past three years, owners Victor and Kyle have moved to new premises in The Pemberton on Bonham Strand. The big new space means the baking duo are able to hold bigger classes with more variety. Look out for new classes including cake decorating,

french pastry and a wider selection of bread workshops. The space is also available for private hire and makes for an ideal kids party venue.

23/F, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, www.themixingbowlhk.com, 2524 0001.

Student-led charity concert

New yoga studio Situated in the quaint PoHo area, Kita Yoga has opened its doors and is welcoming the neighbourhood’s yogis to come down and join a class. The cosy studio caps all classes at 12 students to make sure everyone receives as much individual attention as possible.

“The idea is that yoga is fun, practical and accessible and is not just the time spent on the mat”, says owner Nikita Ramchandani. “I want to create a beautiful space which builds the wellness community and brings like-minded people together”.

1 U Lam Terrace, www.kita-yoga.com, 5323 1978.

Students of German Swiss International School are organising a charity concert on February 7 to raise funds for underprivileged girls in Hong Kong to access S.T.E.M (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics) classes. The charity concert, MindMuse, will be held at Hong Kong City Hall Theatre and is open to the public with proceeds supporting The Women’s Foundation’s ‘Girls Go Tech’ after-school programmes.

Musician and Year 11 Student Misha Fischer is looking forward to using her musical

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talents to raise funds. “I have always seen science and technology as a platform to drive innovation. Women are consistently left behind in this race to innovate, often due to social barriers discouraging girls from going into S.T.E.M. fields from a young age. I decided that the best way to raise funds is through a medium which can reach everyone, regardless of whether they are science-minded or artoriented: music”.

The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets are $200 from URBTIX, www.urbtix.hk

news

A good yarn A hip new wool shop in Sheung Wan is attempting to knit the local community together, writes Adele Brunner.

Over-zealous shop assistants can often kill a leisurely browse, so it’s a breath of fresh air to come across a little store that actively encourages you to take you time, and even sit down and have a chat.

Welcome to Yarn In The Works - Hong Kong’s newest, and arguably coolest, wool boutique. Looking like somewhere you might find in London or New York, the captivating space in Sheung Wan is jam-packed with utterly fabulous yarns that are guaranteed to excite ardent yarnistas and get creative juices flowing.

What’s more, it has such a warm and appealing ambience that once inside you’ll find you don’t want to leave.

“That’s the whole point of the shop - to create a space that has a real community feel and offers people an escape from their busy routine,” says Scottish-born Nicola Robb, who opened up just before Christmas 2016. “You don’t have to know the lingo, you don’t even have to know how to knit or crochet - although we do run regular workshops where you can learn. You can simply have a look around or have a coffee. Obviously the retail aspect is important, but I don’t want people to feel they have an obligation to buy.”

Robb first got into knitting when she was living in New York, pregnant with one of her four boys and eager to meet people. Not only did the knitting sessions she eventually joined make her feel at home, she also enjoyed the whole ethos of the craft and became interested in the history of it. After leaving the US with her family and coming to Hong Kong, she worked as an editor at Asia Art Archive, but before long decided to give the art world a break and do what she was passionate about.

“I hope other people get as excited about coming here as I do,” she says. “I have always loved textiles and I learnt to sew at an early age.”

Wool aficionados will find themselves in seventh heaven. Although Robb stocks familiar brand names such as Debbie Bliss and the entire range of KPC Yarns, her luxurious inventory is anything but run-of-the-mill. Think super-thick wool by US brand Loopy Mango, the softest, finest bamboo and yarn streaked with silver thread and dotted with little flowers, hand-sewn by former Hong Kong resident Amy Small.

There’s a hand-dyed collection by Chappy Yarns, made exclusively for Yarn In The Works, with colours themed around different Hong Kong festivals; products by Ronda Lam of Knitter Knutter, who is a store assistant and teacher; and beautiful vibrantly coloured balls of recycle

sari silk from ethical brand Yarn Yarn.

“Groups of impoverished women in small rural communities in India collect scraps of sari silk from the factory floor, which would otherwise have been thrown away, and spin them into silk ribbon and yarn. They set up cooperatives and are able to support their families and fund schools for their children,” explains Robb, who is championing small, local businesses and the handmade industry.

In addition to weekend workshops that have so far targeted beginners, Yarn In The Works hosts Knit Nights on Thursday evenings from 7pm-9pm. These are free, drop-in sessions, to which you can bring your own project, try out

some extreme knitting on giant-sized needles from Australian brand Little Dandelion, or have a play with different yarns that Robb keeps for people to experiment with before they commit to buying.

“Our tagline is “Touch. Dream. Create”,” says Robb. “Of course, you can buy wool online, but it’s much more than that. It’s all about coming in, touching the yarn and being inspired.”

Yarn In The Works, 28 Pound Lane, Sheung Wan, 2914 8211, yarnintheworks.com. Open 11am-7pm, Tuesdays to Fridays; also 7-9pm, Thursdays; 11am-5pm, Saturdays. The next workshop, Crochet for Beginners, will be on Saturday February 11, 2-4pm. Book online.

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five minutes with

Mid-levels Chung Kin Leung magazine

Publisher

Tom Hilditch tom@fastmedia.com.hk

From escaping China and swimming into Hong Kong to becoming head chef at Government House, Robyn Or meets the Cantonese fine-dining master.

Editorial

Editor-in-Chief Shreena Patel shreena@fastmedia.com.hk Editor Callum Wiggins callum@fastmedia.com.hk Contributing Editor Annie Wong annie@fastmedia.com.hk Carolynne Dear carolynne@fastmedia.com.hk Senior Staff Writer Eric Ho eric@fastmedia.com.hk

Design

Design Manager Cindy Suen cindy@fastmedia.com.hk Graphic Designer Anna Schulteisz anna@fastmedia.com.hk

Thanks to

Adele Brunner Amanda Sheppard Andrea Lo Dr Pauline Taylor Kate Davies Natalie Lee Robyn Ma Robyn Or Rory Mackay Sarah McGlynn

Published by

Fast Media Floor LG1, 222 Queens Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Photo by Eric Ho. Thanks to Fox and the Barber for helping with our cover photo.

I was born and raised in Guangzhou, China. In the summer of 1979, when I was 18, three of my best friends and I smuggled ourselves into Hong Kong by swimming from the Mainland. We wanted to leave Guangzhou for better job opportunities and living conditions.

We walked seven days to Shenzhen and swam for two hours to the Hong Kong border.

I didn’t tell my family that I was leaving. I wrote a letter to them a month after arriving in Hong Kong.

My father was an accountant.

He was killed during the Cultural Revolution which took over China from 1966 to 1976. When my mother found out that I was in Hong Kong she cried, but I had seven other siblings who could take care of her. I could only return to Guangzhou after obtaining my

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permanent residency during my second year in Hong Kong.

I met my wife the day before my flight to Los Angeles, so I decided not to go

I didn’t know anyone in Hong Kong. I managed to get a job with Wah Lok Banquet Restaurant in Sai Ying Pun, where I worked for more than 20 years until they closed down. Meals and accommodation were provided and I made $400 a month of which I sent most of it to my mother. When I got a day off

I liked to watch action movies at Tai Ping Theatre for $1.5, but the theatre is now long gone.

During the 1980s there was a trend for chefs to migrate to the USA. Dramatically, I met my wife the day before my flight to Los Angeles, so I decided not to go.

We have been married for over 30 years and we have a daughter living in Australia.

While working as a chef at a dried seafood shop in Des Voeux Road, I saw a government recruitment advert in a newspaper. The position was for a home chef in the house of the financial secretary, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen. I beat more than 1000 applicants thanks to my experience as a banquet chef.

I had to pass a cooking test in which we had to cook three main

masterchef courses within half an hour. Seven judges were ready to taste our dishes and we were marked on our cutting and cooking skills, taste and decoration.

Four years later when Mr. Tsang became the Chief Executive of Hong Kong in 2005, he took me to Government House to work for him.

The biggest challenge wasn’t the cooking but getting to know the personal taste of the officials. The process was very much trial and error. I was shy at the beginning but as time went by I knew that I had to ask for their feedback in order to be a good home chef.

and cooked an eight-course dinner including shark maws, abalone, and fish, must-have items when serving foreign guests.

In 2014 I was invited to work as head chef at Lai Bun Fu in Central, a fine dining traditional Chinese restaurant. Time is the key difference between working at Government House and a restaurant. Working as a home chef allowed more time to prepare meals

while it is more challenging to keep up the quality due to the frenetic pace in a restaurant kitchen. Plus, Hong Kong diners are notorious for their pickiness.

The essence of being a good chef comes down to cutting skills. The way you hold a knife, change the form of the food and mastering the proper gestures and the basic yet critical foundations which must be learnt. M

The officials ate like normal Chinese families do - four courses with fish, meat, vegetables and soup. Donald Tsang loved traditional steamed fish with preserved cabbage. The Tsang family was very thrifty, they even ate the leftover food.

It was an honour to serve a number of world leaders like Margaret Thatcher and George Bush. When former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa invited George Bush for dinner at his holiday house in Shouson Hill, I prepared brand new tablewares from Shanghai Street Chef Cheung at Central restaurant Lai Bun Fu

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local

Mid-levels magazine

Digital

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

Sales & Marketing Sales Director Oliver Simons oliver@fastmedia.com.hk

Sales & Marketing Executive Egbert Cheung egbert@fastmedia.com.hk Maria Jones maria@fastmedia.com.hk Bonnie Li bonnie@fastmedia.com.hk

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PA to the Publisher Amanda Chia amanda@fastmedia.com.hk Office Security Cat the dog

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

Centre Street escalator extension. Proposal one (blue), Proposal two (red) and Proposal three (purple).

(Routes are drawn up for illustrative purposes only, for up-to-date official plans please visit the Central and Western District Council’s website: www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/central)

Stairway to heaven?

Proposals for an extension of the Centre Street outdoor escalator system have Mid-levels residents concerned, reports Callum Wiggins.

M M

www.mid-levels.co ads@fastmedia.com.hk

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. Mid-levels 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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id-levels residents are readying themselves for a fight once again as proposals to extend the Centre Street outdoor escalator system from Bonham Road to Conduit Road resurface.

The proposals, put forward

by District Councillor Stephen Chan Chit-kwai of University constituency, outline three possible routes for the extension (see information box for details).

At the time of writing, a public consultation is underway. A public forum for residents to share their thoughts has also been promised but a date has not yet been set.

Further developments would require approval to be sought by the Department for Transport and Housing.

Surveys distributed by the District Council to gauge public interest have so far received a disappointing response, according to Chan. While 70 per cent of respondents are said to have indicated a positive response to the proposal, only a

few hundred surveys have been returned.

Chan is hoping that an extended period for the public to return their views to the District Council will give a more comprehensive overview of public opinion. “I want to receive more feedback from the community. I don’t have a personal stance but my job is to represent the views of the majority. Many people have to wait for public transport during morning peak times, having an escalator system to link these areas to the MTR would reduce the need for public transport on the roads. Many people have requested the footbridges and escalators”.

Meanwhile, many residents remain unconvinced by claims that the escalator will help reduce traffic congestion in the area or make it easier for residents to access public transport. “I think the idea that the escalator will solve transportation problems falls short”, says Lyttelton Road resident Andrea Richey. “Public

transport in this area of Mid-levels is very good and convenient. The proposed escalators don’t reach areas where public transport doesn’t already go”.

Peter Gilham, a resident on Bonham Road for the past seven years, echoes the opinion that public transportation in the area is not a cause for concern. “There are already sufficient bus routes that service the area and bring people directly from Mid-levels to the wet market in Sai Ying Pun. The Centre Street escalator is already a very disjointed mish mash, {the escalators} are an eyesore and no effort has been made to beautify them”.

Completed in 2013, the Centre Street escalator system from Third Street to Bonham Road has not been without problems. Parts of the escalator are prone to breaking down and certain sections are turned off in the early evening.

Some question whether the motive for the escalator extension is financial. The Sai Ying Pun area

escalating situation has undergone a transformation - including a new MTR station - in the past decade. As a result, home and shop prices have increased substantially and many older residents and local businesses have been forced to vacate the area. “No doubt there will be a few who vote for such a scheme in the belief it will raise property values”, says Gilham, “but if that is the only true benefit of the scheme it seems wrong that public money be spent to financially benefit such a small part of the community. Sai Ying Pun is a growing younger area and more facilities for children such as improving the spartan playground and sporting facilities would be more beneficial”.

With many areas of Sai Ying Pun and Mid-levels already suffering from prolonged construction projects, there are concerns about the impact of any further large-scale works.

Bernice Lee, a resident of Hoover Mansion on Oaklands Path, is one of a number of people anxious about any construction on her doorstep. “If the escalator is built then it will be right outside my front door”, she says.

“The noise and disruption would have a major impact on the residents in my building and the surrounding area”.

Neighbour Jenny Ho shares her opposition to the escalator and is disappointed that

the proposals are resurfacing. “This issue was raised in 2010 when District Councillor Stephen Chan proposed an extension to the Centre Street escalator which would extend through Oaklands Path. Residents indicated their objections in the survey and Mr Chan agreed not to pursue the plans. Unfortunately he did not keep his promise and further public surveys were conducted in 2015 to which we again stated our objections. This seems to have fallen on deaf ears”.

The impact on the environment and local wildlife is also high on the list of concerns.

“West End Park is a habitat for many birds and squirrels”, says Ho. “The small but precious park is the only place in the area where people can relax and is a favourite area for elderly residents and students to walk and exercise”.

While the proposals are a long way from becoming reality and would require a number of consultations and feasibility studies to be carried out, it seems unlikely that Chan’s proposals will go through without a fight.

“I want to see the District Council properly canvas public opinion and hold a public forum”, says Richey. “From a financial, environmental and aesthetic point of view the escalator proposals just don’t add up”. M

Proposed routes Proposal one: runs through Oaklands Path and Oaklands Avenue before connecting Lyttelton Road by an elevator with Robinson Road and through to Kotewall Road and Conduit Road; Proposal two: runs along Oaklands Path and over West End Park to Lyttelton Road using an escalator and footbridge before linking with Robinson Road, Kotewall Road and Conduit Road; Proposal three: runs from Babington Path to Lyttelton Road using an escalator and footbridge before finally connecting to Robinson Road with an escalator.

Have your say The District Council is keen to hear more views from the public regarding the proposal. You can email District Councillor Stephen Chan at sckchanjp@yahoo.com.hk or call 2858 9122. Written responses can be mailed to Shop B3, G/F, Ning Yeung Terrace, 78 Bonham Road.

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cover story

The cut: Six of the best barber shops Got a face full of fuzz or a mop in need of a buzz?

Here’s your guide to the best barber shops in the neighbourhood.

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a close shave For Hong Kong’s most discerning gentlemen, Attire House introduces a modern take on classic men’s tailoring and grooming. A menswear outfitter, barbershop and cocktail bar are all housed under one roof in the splendid setting on the 29th and 30th floor of 8 Wyndham Street, showcasing panoramic views above Mid-levels and beyond.

Founders Brandon Chau and Roger Chan have brought their passion for sartorial elegance to Hong Kong where customers can browse a curated selection of menswear brands from around the world. From bespoke Japanese handmade shoes to quintessential Savile Row tailored suits from Anderson & Sheppard, Attire House welcomes customers to browse readyto-wear clothes as well as consult with the inhouse team to order bespoke handmade items.

“We know that our customers are looking to invest in quality”, says Head of House Ben Allen on our visit to Attire House. “The craftsmen that we work with have a passion for what they do, they are true artisans. Some of our customers visit us with an extensive knowledge of these brands whereas others are just beginning their journey and looking for guidance”.

The gentlemen’s barbers is helmed by famed HERR from Seoul, Korea. With undoubtedly the best views of any barbers in town, the small team offers a classic

barbershop experience including haircuts, wet shaves and facial massages. A haircut is priced at $550 and a traditional shave at $470. With just a couple of seats it’s advised to call ahead.

29th and 30th Floor, 8 Wyndham Street, Central, attire-house.com, 2619 9007.

Sarah McGlynn’s top tips for the best barber shop experience: Owner Sarah McGlynn opened Fox and the Barber in 2015 to offer a high-end men’s grooming shop in bustling Graham Street. With its stylish interiors and knowledgeable staff it’s quickly become a tried-and-trusted barbers for Hong Kong’s urban gentlemen. A wet cut and finish is priced at $580 while a classic shave starts from $380. Customers can also browse a range of men’s grooming products and accessories and pick up some top tips from Sarah and her team for maintaining your new look at home.

41-43 Graham Street, Central, 2405 6880, www.foxandthebarber.com

1. Find a barber you feel you can trust, this may take two or three haircuts to build so be patient.

2. Allow plenty of time for your haircut.

If you’re in a rush you won’t get the cut you’re after.

3. Take advice from your barber as to what style would suit your hair type and lifestyle.

4. Ask your barber to show you how to apply the correct grooming products and the amount of product you will need for the chosen style.

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cover story Growing up visiting traditional Shanghai-style barber shops with his father, Adam Chan was won over by their charming atmosphere from a young age. Initially becoming a hair “stylist”, memories of his childhood visits to the barber shop persisted until he opened his own business in 2013.

Offering only a classic gentlemen’s cut and shave, Chan finds that most customers visit on a regular basis every two to three weeks in order to achieve the perfect ‘fade’. “The silhouette of my signature cut is masculine and square so people come from far away to get a proper fade. Even after 16 years of cutting hair I still don’t feel bored, I love making my clients look sharp and feel great”.

A classic men’s cut starts from $320 while a traditional wet shave with hot towel and straight razor is $240. Come for the haircut and stay for a drink while taking in the very Hong Kong tradition of well-regarded Shanghai-style barber shops.

2/F, 20 D’Aguilar Street, Central, 5598 9965.

Originating in Mayfair, London, Gentlemen’s Tonic has been spreading its brand of luxury men’s barber shops since 2004 and opened in Hong Kong in 2011. Relocating to its current home on Wellington Street a few years ago, Gentlemen’s Tonic offers a traditional barber shop setting as well as a full range of grooming and massage treatments to leave you feeling in tip-top shape.

A standard haircut and finish starts from $585 which includes a wash, conditioning treatment and scalp massage followed by a bespoke haircut and finish. Combine your haircut with a traditional wet shave for $910.

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Facials range from the 30-minute booster facial ($500) which helps to cleanse, tone, soothe and hydrate the skin up to the antiaging 90-minute facial ($1,200) which claims to dramatically lift, tighten and firm the skin.

If you’re looking to shave a little of your wallet too then opt for an afternoon of ultimate pampering with the ‘Rubio’ package ($2,100); a 180-minute session which includes haircut, wet shave, express facial, hand treatment and neck, scalp and shoulder massage.

43-49 Wellington Street, Central, 2525 2455 www.gentlemenstonic.com.

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cover story

Look for the quaint little red shop on Pottinger Street with tourists grabbing a selfie out front and you’ve found Era Barbers. The feel-good factor continues on the inside with walls decorated with posters, shelves adorned with barbering antiques and bopping tunes from the 50s and 60s in the background mixed with lively banter from the barbers.

With over 50 years of combined experience between them, resident barbers Lee Stephens and Mauro Manocchio have been cutting hair, shaving and grooming gentlemen all over the

world before bringing their talents to Hong Kong.

Lee happily shared with us that he believes barbering is the best job in the world and he likes to spend around 45 minutes of uninterrupted time with each client to get to know their style and personalise each haircut. With service like that it’s no wonder Era Barbers have been doing a booming trade since opening back in 2014. A haircut starts from $550 and an Era traditional wet shave from $390.

36 Pottinger Street, Central, www.erabarbers.com, 2577 3080.

With a team who have been welcoming loyal clientele for years, the Mandarin Barber has been the barber of choice for discerning gentlemen since 1963. With interiors inspired by the Art Deco chic of 1930s Shanghai, the gentlemen’s urban retreat has retained many of its original furnishings since it very first opened. For those preferring the privacy of a solitary shave and trim, a VIP room has been incorporated into the space. Lifestyle massages, waxing treatments and facials are performed in a private treatment room and the hotel’s legendary Shanghainese pedicures are offered by in-barber resident pedicurist Ben Cheung which can be enjoyed from the comfort of the dedicated pedicure room.

A haircut at The Mandarin Barber starts from $440 and a wet shave from $380 while packages combining cut, shave and massage or manicure start from $1,500.

2/F, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road, Central, mandarinoriental.com/hongkong, 2825 4088.

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eating

Reaching new heights

Not been to Pacific Place in a while? With a number of new openings brightening up the dining scene, here are our pick of the best restaurants.

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what’s for dinner?

Dim Sum Library

Dim sum aficionados take note, the library is open and its collection is well worth checking out. Offering a contemporary twist on many of our dim sum favourites rather than a journey of dim sum through the ages, Dim Sum Library serves up some winning combinations in its wellthought-out menu.

Chef Wah combines international ingredients including Iberico pork, foie gras and 24-hour slow-cooked wagyu beef with traditional Chinese recipes to present classic dim sum dishes

in a new light. Highlights include ‘dan dan’ xiaolongbao which feature a spicy soup and pork filling suspended in the delicately steamed dumplings and black truffle filled ‘har gau’ shrimp dumplings.

Aside from dim sum baskets, main dishes include foie gras and wagyu beef stone pot fried rice; Yunnan black truffle chicken with crispy skin; and crispy aubergine fried sticks tossed with salted fish and Chinese chives. Expect to pay around $250 per person for a dim sum lunch and $350 for dinner.

Unlike a normal dim sum restaurant, Dim Sum Library is fronted by a Chinoiserie-style cocktail bar with a range of Chinese tea-inspired cocktails in-keeping with the restaurant’s vibe. A signature ‘Blackened Rose Buds’ cocktail features an infusion of vodka with jasmine tea, a dash of lemon and rose cordial.

In the mood for mahjong after all that food? Mahjong tables in the rear of the restaurant can be requested for you to while away the afternoon.

124 Level One, Pacific Place, Admiralty, www.dimsumlibrary.com.hk, 3643 0088.

Commissary Grab a seat on the outdoor terrace and snuggle under the heaters at Yenn Wong’s latest concept, Commissary. Connecting Hong Kongers to the warmth and hospitality of California’s cooking, Commissary offers a relaxed all-day dining venue with plenty of fan favourites on the menu. Signature dishes include the double cheeseburger which comes loaded with melted cheese and wedged between freshly baked buns served with a side of seasoned fries; the fried fish tacos come served on house-made tacos topped with an addictive ‘Green Goddess’ sauce and veggies.

Grab some of the freshly-made pastries before they sell out, the cheese and jalapeno stuffed savoury croissant comes highly recommended.

Level Four, Pacific Place, Admiralty, www.commissary.hk, 2602 0707.

Snag a seat on Commissary’s outdoor terrace.

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eating Peking Garden With many accolades under its belt, including a Michelin star, Peking Garden has gained recognition stretching beyond Hong Kong.

The red hanging lights over the dark timber walls adds a touch of Chinese elegance to the restaurant while the open design gives diners a comfortable dining atmosphere. Serving up authentic Peking cuisine since 1978, winning dishes include deep-fried prawns in chilli sauce, deep-fried fish with sweet and sour sauce with pine nuts and their famous barbecued peking

estab lished duck. During dinner, guests are favou rite in for a treat as chefs show off their skills with duck slicing demonstrations, a clay-breaking ceremony of another signature dish ‘beggar’s chicken’ where a whole chicken is baked in a mound of clay, as well as noodle-making presentations.

Peking Garden is a perfect choice for group dining or a treat for out-of-town guests.

Shop 005, Level 1, Pacific Place, 2845 8452.

Apinara Founded by the team behind Bangkok’s award-winning Nara Thai Cuisine, Apinara marks restaurateur Pearl Shek and culinary mastermind Khun Yuki’s first venture outside Thailand. Spicing up Hong Kong’s Thai offerings, diners are encouraged to dive straight into the signature pork balls appetiser served with a tangy chilli sauce which hails from Thailand’s northeastern region. For diners whose go-to Thai dish is Pad Thai, Apinara’s version uses shredded papaya noodles in place of traditional rice noodles for a low-carb option without losing any of the classic flavour. A selection of homemade Thai inspired icecreams are real winners too with flavours including Thai tea and durian.

Shop 205, Level 2, Pacific Place, 3107 1888.

BIZOU BIZOU, a new restaurant by the ever expanding Dining Concepts Group, serves up a menu helmed by world-renowned chef Magnus Hansson. Although coined as an American brasserie, the menu goes beyond any traditional American fare with a focus on fresh and simple ingredients in a welcoming and casual setting.

There is a creative selection of salads with beetroot and avocado and mains come in the

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shape of filet steak, wagyu burgers and herbmarinated whole chicken.

Famed mixologist J. Boroski adds his touch to yet another bar in Hong Kong by creating a cocktail menu especially for BIZOU. Shop 132, Level One, Pacific Place, Admiralty, 2871 0775. M

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dining news

Valentine’s pizza If food-themed romantic gestures are more your thing on Valentine’s Day then Motorino’s heart-shaped pizzas may be the ticket. All of Motorino’s authentic Neapolitan pizzas can be heart-shaped upon request whether you’re eating in the restaurant or ordering for take away. While we don’t recommend this be your only romantic gesture come February 14, a margherita loaded vessel of love is a good place to start. The Valentine’s Day deal runs from February 11 until 17.

14 Shelley Street, Central, motorinopizza.com, 2520 0690.

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eat it up New Japanese cocktail bar Attire House, a new haven for men’s tailoring and grooming at 8 Wyndham street, has opened its in-store Japanese cocktail bar - Bar De Luxe. The 1,500 sq-ft bar has been brought to life thanks to Hidetsugu Ueno of famed Tokyo cocktail mecca, BAR HIGH FIVE. Signature cocktails from Bar De Luxe include the ‘Hidden Gem’ ($168) with Nikka from the Barrel whisky, Japanese Yomogi herb liqueur, Averna Amaro and sugar cane syrup. Light bar bites include cold cuts, cheese and olives.

The bar is open for drinks and snacks every day from noon onwards.

Bar De Luxe, 29F-30F, 8 Wyndham Street, Central, attire-house.com/bar, 3706 5716.

Intercontinental cocktails Literally drink in the view thanks to InterContinental Lobby Lounge’s new range of Hong Kong-themed cocktails. Inspired by Hong Kong’s unique history and culture, the quirky cocktails capture the essence of our home city by featuring a number of local ingredients and flavours. Indulge in Hong Kongers love for afternoon tea with the ‘Tea Time’ cocktail, a butter rum, pineapple, local honey and pineapple bun-fused concoction or visit the dark side with the ‘New Territories’, a gin and tonic with citrus, cucumber and bitter melon.

The #852TAILS of Hong Kong start from $165 and a range of non-alcoholic cocktails from $125.

InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Picnic in the park Treat your loved ones to a picnic in the park with Invisible Kitchen’s various Valentine’s Day hampers. Choose from Tickled Pink Picnic Hamper ($1,350), Bubbles and Brownies ($725) Red Wine and Brownies ($350) and Prosecco, Macarons, Choc & Love ($318). Delivery charges vary depending on location and size. Available till April 30. Order by calling 2711 5788 or email office@invisiblekitchen.com

Prendiamo un caffè?

Lucky Hong Kong Island dwellers are now even more spoilt for choice when grabbing their next cup of coffee thanks to the recent opening of Caffé Diemme. Founded in 1927 Padua, Italy, the third-generation family company has launched its boutique coffee shop in the Sheung Wan area of Des Voeux Road. Caffé Diemme’s coffee comes prepared in a number of different ways from the classic espresso to pour over, syphon and cold brew coffee while more adventurous coffee drinkers might want to try the special ginger beer coffee or rosemary coffee tonic prepared in-house.

Feel like something sweet? Don’t miss the Gelato Panino; a fresh toasted brioche bun with an oozing chocolate gelato inside.

G/F, FWD Financial Centre, 308-320 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, 2115 9887. M

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arts & culture

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local inspiration

Western district on canvas

Callum Wiggins talks to Mid-levels-based artist Florence Traissac about her upcoming first exhibition.

I

’ve always drawn since I was a child. I was born in Italy and grew up in Milan where I attended a French international school. At 18 years old I moved to Paris to study graphic design. I’ve worked as a graphic designer, a teacher and also in the fashion industry.

When I moved to Hong Kong five years ago, I found it really inspiring and immediately began to draw again. Little by little, I increased the amount that I was drawing and the size of my drawings. My friends told me that they were good and that I should keep at it.

I did a very small exhibition in a private kitchen with my first drawings and it went really well. I then did a drawing for Metropolitain restaurant on Sai Ying Pun High Street. It all took off quite quickly and I found that every time I made a new painting it would sell straight away.

My artwork is illustrative and colourful.

I am inspired by the area in which I live. I like the markets, all the hanging objects, the little shops, hidden places, there is always something happening in the streets.

I like to take pictures of the scenes that I find inspiring and try to find interesting angles.

If there is an exact scene then I try to recreate that as much as possible but otherwise I tend to view the pieces as patchworks. I use my imagination and mix things around a bit. It

helps me to find the atmosphere I am trying to create. I start with the background and wait for that to dry and then I use chalk to sketch rough ideas of my basic outline. There is always a phase during the painting when I think that it’s not going well but it usually turns out well in the end.

So far I have focussed on the traditional aspects of my surroundings in my paintings.

The Sai Ying Pun and Mid-levels areas are changing but in many ways staying quite traditional.

My first exhibition will be held at Cawah Arts Gallery on Square Street in Sheung Wan. I became friendly with the owner and he asked me if I would like to do an exhibition. Usually he only exhibits Chinese artists so I am the first European artist to exhibit. It’s a lovely little gallery and I love that area of Sheung Wan so it should be a nice place to have my first exhibition. It’s something new for him and me.

I am lucky to have had some preorders of my work before they are even finished.

Sometimes the clients give me complete carte blanche to do whatever I feel like or they tell me what kind of colours they prefer, small things like that.

I used to be a full-time French teacher at a school here in Hong Kong as well as giving private French and Italian lessons. I started to

get very busy and I thought that if I really want to give this a go then I need to make more time for my artwork.

It’s always been a dream of mine to become a full-time artist but I never thought it would be possible. Some days are harder than others and I never know how things might go month to month and I think maybe I should go back to having a full-time job, but I am really enjoying what I’m doing right now and I’m determined to make it work.

I feel like more is possible in Hong Kong and that it is easier to make things happen.

Surprisingly I have sold half of my paintings to people in Europe, some have previously lived in Hong Kong and others have never even been to Asia! I didn’t expect so much of a demand from outside of Hong Kong.

After going on holiday with a friend whose job involves using social media, she encouraged me to start using it more. Being active on social media has really helped me to reach a wider audience and spread the word of my artwork. It’s a really exciting time and I am thoroughly enjoying the journey.

Florence Traissac’s exhibition will be held at Cawah Arts Gallery from February 17-27.

23 Square Street, Sheung Wan, www.cawahart.com, 2803 2669. M

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arts & culture

It starts with heART

Local artist Chow Chun Fai is one of 50 artists involved in Carnival.

Amanda Sheppard previews Amnesty International’s latest campaign advocating and protecting freedom of speech in Hong Kong.

Mabel Au, Director of Amnesty International in Hong Kong

“

Art is ubiquitous in daily life”, says Mabel Au, Director of Amnesty International in Hong Kong. .’

“To create art freely, freedom of expression needs to be guarded. Art is used as a means to talk about social issues in both implicit and explicit ways”. This month, Au and the team behind the human rights-focused non-governmental organisation embark upon a new endeavour in an effort to continue the battles they have waged since their founding, some 55 years ago. Held at KONG Art Space from February 16-26, Carnival is a creative campaign comprising an auction, exhibition, and educational workshops, all in the name of advocating and protecting freedom of expression in Hong Kong (by no means an easy feat, given the controversy surrounding the

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city’s current political climate).

While Amnesty’s Hong Kong chapter is somewhat younger (having opened in 1982), the challenges they face are by no means new. Au focuses on one such issue, media censorship in the city, and how it has become a worsening problem. Hong Kong recently fell 51 places down to 69th in the World Press Freedom Index rankings. A shrinking media industry only serves to worsen matters. “There are limited channels to address the issue of rights”, explains Au. “Marginalised groups have fewer ways to express their views and needs in publications.

When their voices cannot be heard, there rights cannot be protected, even when there is need”.

There are, thankfully, organisations in place with people poised to oppose these challenges and to create a dialogue and communication channels. But to truly create a greater public awareness, Amnesty is attempting something beyond the tried and tested advocacy programmes. “We decided to do something different from our previous efforts; it needed to be creative, approachable, and embrace diversity”, explains Au. “We hope to spread the message that everyone should enjoy their right to express themselves through different mediums to the wider public”.

Carnival, curated by Caroline Ha Thuc,

features newly commissioned and existing pieces from established Hong Kong-based artists. The pieces vary not only in terms of their medium, but also the wide interpretations on the theme. Some make reference to Hong Kong’s open dialogue surrounding democratic processes and freedoms. Au Hoi Lam’s works, for instance, explore the physical and political changes and challenges undertaken by Hong Kong and its projected future. Others, including Movana Chen and her unique knitted map series, draw upon their own personal journeys, while broader interpretations of the theme are represented by the likes of Chow Chun Fai, who emphasises the fragility of civil liberties and freedoms with delicately blown bubbles floating above the innocence of youth.

“We believe that art can connect people; it brings the creativity and passion of people together”, says Au. A visual approach to advocacy will, it is hoped, allow people to draw their own conclusions and to pose their own questions – a premise at the very centre of this campaign.

Visit www.amnesty.org.hk for more information. Carnival exhibits at KONG Art Space, 3 Staunton Street, Central, from February 16-27. M

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home & living

Euro style

Andrea Lo finds out how one couple turned their home into a stylish, colourful space with European flair in the heart of Happy Valley.

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eurovision

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home & living

B

eing in Hong Kong doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the aesthetics of European-style living and environmentally friendly features. Just ask the owners of this 1,400 sq-ft apartment in Happy Valley, who worked with Liquid Interiors to do an overhaul of their property.

The two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment incorporates elements of western décor with lots of colours thrown in for good measure.

“As well as wanting a place that they could come back and feel happy in, the clients wanted different areas of their home to remind them of their travels,” says Victoria Potter, a designer at Liquid Interiors, who took on the project more than a year ago. “It’s a fusion of European styles and contemporary elements.”

The home had not been refurbished in a long time prior to the project. The couple were very much part of the creative process, and Potter says they were filled to the brim with ideas on what they wanted for their home.

Their personalities, too, were part of the inspiration. “They really do have a zest for life,” Potter says. Rowena Gonzales, founder of Liquid Interiors, agrees. “We’re inspired by the couple’s love for colours and happiness.”

To complete the clients’ specifications, Liquid Interiors carried out a full refurb of the property. The colour palettes throughout the home have a neutral tone, although there are bright, vibrant accents at every turn.

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“We’ve whitewashed the apartment. The walls and the exterior of the balcony are painted white, with a European-style finish in features like the architrave and the doors,” Potter explains. “Meanwhile, we’ve injected the contrast in the furniture and artwork.”

Changing the layout of the apartment completely, the team knocked down walls to accommodate an open-plan living and dining area, providing ample space for entertaining friends and family - an important aspect of the

couple’s lives. Plenty of natural light pour into the home - a main requirement for the clients.

“In Hong Kong, you want the whole area to feel bright and open.”

Entering through the front door, a sliding glass door that leads to the kitchen comes into view. Though fully equipped and has plenty of storage space, the kitchen’s pièce de résistance is its bright yellow island, bringing a pop of colour and added practical space.

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home & living

A corridor leads into the living area, the walls of which are lined with vibrant photographs of the homeowners’ friends and family as well as their travels. In the lounge and dining area, a wine bar serves as a focal point, while a walk-in wardrobe is accessible from the large entertainment space. “The walk-in wardrobe is lined with a comfortable lilac-coloured carpet, which feels like a lounge you might find in a trendy bar.” Indeed, the walk-in wardrobe comes complete with a bar-height island, “We joked about this being Kardashian-inspired because one of the homeowners wanted this to be the envy of her girlfriends,” Potter remembers.

The centrepieces of the living area come in the form of candy-coloured ottomans.

These custom-made pieces combine form and function, with hidden compartments that serve as storage space. “These ottomans have wheels and can be moved around in the space,” Potter adds.

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Just by the large entertainment space is a lounge, with an inviting blue velvet sofa and custom-made cabinet that is equipped with multiple compartments that accommodate the owners’ needs. Electronics and other items are hidden out of sight, while again, colourful photographs are hung on the walls.

eurovision

One of the biggest adjustments of the layout, however, is the creation of an outdoor terrace. Reducing some of the living space, the balcony is an extension of the living and dining areas. Decked out with a Santorini-inspired theme, the spacious balcony comes complete with Greek-style tiles. “The idea came from the owners’ love of travelling to Greece.” A gradient effect on the glass panel is a feng shui feature - although it still allows the couple’s two dogs to take a peek of the streets below.

Beyond aesthetic touches, the home has many eco-conscious ideas in place something that Liquid Interiors is known for. Responsible design throughout the property means that there are solutions to environmental issues such as reducing energy consumption and improving air quality and waste management.

A master switch that turns off all electricity in the home, except for certain designated appliances, is hidden just by the front door.

Air purification systems are installed in the bedrooms, and purified water is available in the kitchen. Energy-efficient lighting systems are installed throughout. Both bathrooms employ low-flow fixtures in dual-flush toilets, which drastically reduce water usage. Low VOC materials - paint products that do not contain harmful chemicals - were used during the construction process throughout the apartment. “Even if clients don’t automatically come to us with these requirements, it’s what makes the firm stand out,” Potter says proudly.

Beyond aesthetic touches, the home has many ecoconcious ideas

Then there are features that combine style and substance. In the master bedroom, circadian lighting systems are installed under the bed, and behind the mirror in the ensuite bathroom. Mimicking natural lights throughout the day by tracking the rhythm of the sun, circadian lighting is believed to improve sleep quality and general health as well as reduce stress, among other benefits.

For eco-conscious Liquid Interiors, this was a no-brainer. “In an environment where we are always used to artificial light, our eyes should be adjusting to natural light throughout the day,” Potter explains. “In the morning, it can be put on a vibrant setting with bright, white light. Throughout the day, the light can change, and in the evening, there’s a warm, red glow.”

The couple have been putting the new home to good use - particularly the dining and entertainment area. For Carley, one of the homeowners, it’s hard to choose which part of the newly refurbed apartment is her favourite.

She loves sitting down and relaxing near the bar, although the balcony, with its breezy views of the Happy Valley neighbourhood, is another top pick. M To find out more about Liquid Interiors, visit www.liquid-interiors.com or call 3526 0901.

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education

Best of British

Kate Davies visits the Kowloon Bay campus of Hong Kong’s oldest independent British school, Kellett.

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record breakers

O

n November 5 2016, Hong Kong’s Kellett School broke a Guinness Book of Records title. 1325 students, parents, alumni and friends gathered on the school’s Sky Pitch rooftop dressed in red to form what would be crowned the largest human image of a boat. Reminiscent of a mini Aqua Luna, it was a homage to the city in which the school was established and has since blossomed. The image struck me as particularly fitting for an institution firmly entrenched in and committed to respecting the richness of Hong Kong life, while offering the city’s English-speaking children a highly valued British education from a not-for-profit, independent establishment.

Principal Ann McDonald is an expatriate herself. Hailing from Gloucestershire in the U.K., she came to Hong Kong for work in the late seventies and after a stint at home she returned to Hong Kong to take up her role at Kellett in 1996. She has been with the school now for some 20 years, “It’s such a privilege leading this school I tell you. I think it’s a special community. I’m biased of course.” During that time she has seen some major developments:

Kellett’s students are world record breakers

the refurbishment of the original Pok Fu Lam site, the conception and realization of the now 4-year-old Kowloon Bay campus and the addition of a senior school to Kellett in 2007. For all of these she and the school worked closely with the board, “All the board are parents which is very unusual. For some people, a parent board is quite daunting, but for some reason there’s magic dust on the Kellett model.”

I meet Principal McDonald in her office in a quiet corner of the school where she explains that the basis of the curriculum here is that a child should be able to enter from or leave to either a British or British international school without stagger. Reception (or pre-primary) begins in the academic year that a child turns four while preparatory begins at five years old.

Both the preparatory and the senior school follow the English National Curriculum. In senior school a child enters in the September of the academic year they turn 11 and graduates after completing A-levels. Currently they offer around 17 A-levels plus a home language program and an extended essay. There have been just two year groups to have graduated A-levels at Kellett so far, seeing some students go on to places in high ranking universities in Britain and beyond.

Kellett School’s campus is bright and airy by design

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education

World class auditorium facilities

“In our very first year of graduates, one of our girls got a place at Girton College at Cambridge.”

Principal McDonald tells me, clearly beaming with pride. This is made even more special she explains because Girton College is synonymous with pioneering women’s education, and sex aside, the symbolism of a graduate from their inaugural graduating year being accepted by a historically progressive educational institute is not lost on her.

Principal McDonald’s heart is undoubtedly entwined with the success of the school and the children of all ages. She tells me that the most exciting thing about working at Kellett is working with kids from four-years-old, all the way to 18. Teaching is at the heart of good schools she explains to me and teaching styles at the school are “consistent and consistently high quality”, with a view to sending off graduates with the skills to learn independently. Principal McDonald calls it “scaffolding our students to independence”, and admits that is going to look very different at seven-years-old to 12-yearsold to 17. They encourage students to compete against themselves, “We talk about personal journeys and Kellett is very much based on ‘personal bests’”. Class sizes generally consist of about 23 students but as the kids grow older the numbers change and some A-level classes can be as small as 4 students depending on the subject. Students requiring learning support are also well taken care of with individualised programmes.

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The campuses are another aspect of the school that Principal McDonald is visibly proud of. The Pok Fu Lam campus was built in the 80’s and sits between Kellett Bay and Mount Kellett. It has undergone huge refurbishment and has access to almost all of the facilities that the Kowloon Bay campus does, bar the swimming pool and the Sky Pitch, but uses nearby facilities to supplement these. It houses preparatory students and is “a tardis” I’m told; while it looks tiny on the outside, there’s enormous space inside.

Principal McDonald’s heart is undoubtedly entwined with the success of the school

The Kowloon Bay campus, however, is big, outside and in. Unlike its counterpart, it is not surrounded by green but rather sits on an entire block, smack-bang in the bustling commercial district of

Kowloon Bay. Principal McDonald tells me they were presented with many traditional ‘L’ shaped models at the design stage but they were finally approached by a local architect who, after first presenting an ‘L’ shape building design, eventually suggested they go with a different approach. “Light, bright and open”, she says were the goals as these features promote quality learning, allow children to feel safe and creates a more spacious environment. Skylights, windows and glass are in abundance while the two atriums can be walked around and looked down on by people on higher floors. The classrooms, library, multi-purpose Sky Pitch, theatre, gym and pool are all state-of-the-art and while they can be self-sufficient, there are outside sports facilities nearby if they need.

The available facilities are especially important given the emphasis on clubs and extracurricular activities.

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education

Principal McDonald tells me there are more than 100 student clubs across an array of sports from rugby to cricket to sailing and horse-riding among others, not to mention music and the arts. She adds that they have a lot of students representing Hong Kong in a lot

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of sport as well. These extra-curricular activities for her are especially important, “If students are doing heavy academic programs it gives them a release and makes them well rounded people”. This is underlined by telling me that P.E. is mandatory in 6th form, further highlighting the

point that a balance between health, academia and creativity is highly valued here.

As I leave the Kowloon Bay campus I see the topline of the school’s mission statement emblazoned in large red letters: ‘A love of learning and confidence for life’. It appears to be

record breakers

School Report

a parting reminder to all those leaving of what Kellett school represents and what they want you to take with you when you go.

While Principal McDonald tells me that even at 40 years old they are “just a baby” in comparison to some other long standing

international schools, they believe they are the oldest independent British school in Hong Kong. “We see ourselves as a stakeholder in Hong Kong. We’ve been through the ups and downs in Hong Kong, lots of them, and we still continue to thrive.” M

Established: 1976 Class size: 23 Curriculum: English National Curriculum to IGCSEs & A-levels Fees 2016/2017: Prep: $150,000; Senior (Y7-11): $187,000; Sixth Form (Y12-13): $192,500 Non-refundable capital levy: $20,000 ($40,000 for Year 12 & 13; if no debenture) Address: Pok Fu Lam Preparatory: 2 Wah Lok Path, Wah Fu, Pok Fu Lam; Kowloon Bay Preparatory & Senior: 7 Lam Hing Street, Kowloon Bay Tel: 3120 0700

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big day out

Castle Peak

Rory Mackay conquers the ranges of Hong Kong’s far west.

T

he hills of far western Hong Kong may not be so well known compared to other areas, but Castle Peak (Tsing Shan) and its surroundings are as dramatic as any other Hong Kong landscape and ought to receive more recognition.

Conquer this rugged range of hills and one will witness some of the territory’s finest views, gazing down upon Tuen Mun and absorbing the immense sprawl of Shenzhen behind. Meanwhile a gaze around the other side reveals Lantau Island and the expansive

waters of the Pearl River Delta. Not only is arriving at the mountain top exhilarating but the walking to be had either side of it is most enjoyable.

Early afternoons make for an ideal time to set off, ensuring pleasant temperatures and sunset vistas from the summit. The route up is easily accessed from Siu Hong MTR Station.

Once at Siu Hong Station, one can walk across to the trailhead or what I recommend doing is hopping onto the light rail to shorten this walk.

Catch either the 505 or 615 bus to Leung King

Rory takes in the views from Castle Peak.

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Station and from here, it is a five-minute walk through the housing estate to the trailhead.

The trailhead is best described as a singletrack concrete road with a grassy paddock on its right hand side at the junction with Leung King Estate. Follow this road and it will quickly climb up through banana palms and tall eucalyptus trees. After a few hairpin bends and 20-30 minutes of walking from Leung King, the road reaches a plateau spanning the hills above Tuen Mun. At this point the vegetation rapidly diminishes to grassland and a few small shrubs, allowing views of the surrounding area.

At this juncture there are a few options for route selection and the adventure really begins. One could spend an entire afternoon exploring the myriad of eroded ridgelines, gullies and canyons amongst the hills in and around where the road is. Some of the canyons that are currently forming here are stunning and truly rugged. They are created due to the lack of afforestation that has occurred elsewhere in Hong Kong in the last century, the hillsides have been gouged out revealing the red clay within. As amazing as this landscape is, for the more enthusiastic hikers it’s worth pursuing the summit of Castle

the wild west

A view from the summit of Castle Peak.

The footpath emerges from the radio towers to reveal unrivaled panoramas of Tuen Mun. unrivaled panoramas of Tuen Mun. Pose for dramatic photos above large granite outcrops dating back to the Jurassic Period.

Alternatively, take a perch and soak up the relaxing vibes as skies darken and the vibrant

Photo by Exploringlife

Peak. As you traverse the undulating ridgeline towards the mountain in a southerly direction, the views really open up. At first it is more of an overview of your immediate surroundings, but before long you’re the surveyor of all things in western Hong Kong and on clear days, the views of Shenzhen are simply jaw dropping.

The sheer size and scale of this city become evident from this vantage point, as you see all the way from Lo Wu in the east to Nanshan in the west. To think that 30 years ago there was next to nothing there defies logic.

Upon reaching the steep-sided summit at 583 meters above sea level, the footpath emerges from the radio towers to reveal

Tsing Shan Monastery.

lights from the millions of inhabitants below come to life.

Only a few mountains in Hong Kong offer a 360-degree panorama of such variety, from the mountains of Lantau and South China Sea around to the mass development of Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Shenzhen.

The return route down is fairly simple.

Keep following the hiking trail directly downwards and you’ll be back to civilisation in around an hour. Compared to the route up, the return trail is well-made and maintained but does include a lot of steps. If you have a spare moment, near the bottom of the mountain poke your head into the beautiful Tsing Shan Monastery. One of Hong Kong’s oldest temples, Tsing Shan Monastery serves up a lovely dose of zen to end the hike before returning to the eclectic racket of Tuen Mun. The simplest way back to the MTR is to walk across a few city blocks to Tuen Mun Station.

Alternatively, board the Light Rail, although it’s a much shorter ride than at the start of the day so I personally wouldn’t bother.

Castle Peak is a classic winter route.

Almost anyone can have a go, yet it’s a route that keeps even the most seasoned of hikers honest. Although the western New Territories may not be especially well known amongst hikers, the area has a few nice little surprises for those who venture out. Its enchanted forests below and spectacular vistas above will no doubt leave you anticipating a return visit for another go. M Rory Mackay runs adventure company Wild Hong Kong.

For details, visit www.wildhongkong.com.

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Image courtesy of Blueflower Travel

travel

Bespoke travel

Annapurna base camp, Nepal.

Just like a custom-tailored suit, a bespoke holiday is designed to be a better fit.

Shreena Patel finds out more.

M

ost of us buy our clothes off the rack, and while they might fit us fine, a custom-tailored suit or dress fits better. The same goes for travel.

Whether you want to dine in the best local restaurants or satisfy your personal interests from taphophilia (an enthusiasm for cemeteries) to diving, there are people who can make it happen.

One of those people is Eldi Lau, Lifestyle Travel Sales Manager at Quintessentially Travel.

“Our saying is: ‘The answer is yes. Now what’s the question?’”, says Lau. “Among our more unusual requests, we’ve arranged a private viewing and tour of the Taj Mahal, a Sydney Harbour island dinner with a private Sydney Symphony Orchestra recital and a private banquet on The Great Wall of China. We’ve even booked an entire island.”

But grandiose requests aren’t the only reason to go bespoke. Booking a customtailored holiday could save you time and effort, enrich your experience and ensure your stress levels remain low throughout your trip.

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Saving time and effort...and relationships Picture the scene. You’ve just spent hours staring at a laptop screen, combing through booking websites and online reviews to plan an upcoming trip. You present the fruits of your labour to your travel companion who swiftly remarks, “Hmmm I’m not sure...maybe we should keep looking.” Cue frayed tempers and last-minute searching for an alternative, before settling for something similar but more expensive because everything is now fully booked. Sound familiar?

“There’s an overwhelming amount of choice available at the touch of a button,” says Lau. “Our clients appreciate having a personal, dedicated travel specialist who can cut through the noise and offer a carefully considered itinerary, tailor-made for them. This need for time-saving, high-quality guidance is why bespoke travel is becoming more popular and we’ll see a lot more growth in above-and-beyond services like these.”

Founder, Blueflower Travel Best travel experience: Engaging with lions on foot in Zimbabwe.

Worst travel experience: Being stranded for three days in a Nepali airport, unable to reach the wondrous Himalayas.

Favourite travel book: Old Beasts, Men and Gods by Ferdinand Ossendowski (1924).

Where would you like to go next on holiday? To experience a world class conservation initiative for gorillas in Rwanda.

“I never travel without…”

My Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones.

Andrea Os

chetti

tailor made Enriching your experience

Image courtesy of Blueflower Travel

Besides, saving you time, bespoke travel specialists claim to have access to in-depth knowledge, local connections and expertise to help you plan a much more fulfilling trip.

“Planning is an important part of the travel experience. It allows us to travel with our imagination,” says Andrea Oschetti, former travel journalist, chef and founder of Blueflower Travel, a bespoke travel company launched in Hong Kong last year.

“Alas, it’s often the opposite. With a full time job and a family, we lack the time to make sure we get the most out of holidays. Without connections and lots of research, travellers miss the most powerful experiences. At Blueflower, we work hard to take away the complexity of planning an elaborate trip. But we are not just another travel agent; we act as travel mentors.”

Hiking to Tiger Nest Monastery or Taktsang Lhakhang - Bhutan.

Planning...allows us to travel with our imagination.

The first step in planning a holiday with Blueflower is to meet your dedicated “travel mentor”. Clients are invited to Blueflower’s 2,500 sq.ft. travel salon in Wong Chuk Hang - also Oschetti’s home - to meet “over a large map and a bottle of wine”, surrounded by cultural artefacts, maps and photographs from his trips abroad. The company also hosts regular talks and practical workshops to encourage clients to do something different with their holidays.

Doing something different doesn’t have to mean a hard slog around historical monuments and obscure villages, as Alex Malcolm, founder of bespoke luxury travel specialist Jacada Travel, points out. “There’s a lot more to travelling than

just sightseeing,” he says. “It’s about allowing you to explore a destination in a way that speaks to your particular interests. Some clients might just wish to explore off-the-beaten-track hikes; others might want to discover the best spots for wine and dine. Everyone has a different agenda.”

Of course, some things are permanently off the menu. “We say no to hunting,” Malcolm explains. “Wherever your opinion lies, it’s not something any of us at Ja cada got into the travel industry for.”

Malcolm was inspired to launch Jacada Travel in 2008, after living in Rio. Like Oschetti, he believes people need to get more out of their time away. “Living in a well-off city like Hong Kong can narrow your view. Family travel is great for broadening children’s horizons,” he says.

Each of Jacada Travel’s “travel designers” has recent, in-depth experience in Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe, Australasia or the polar regions. The company also has local guides in all its destinations.

The best-laid plans of mice and men...

Travel is an operations business with moving parts and sometimes things go wrong. Usually when this happens, it’s up to you to sort it out which can be stressful and involve a lot of wasted time. However, if you’ve arranged your holiday through a bespoke travel specialist, there should be someone monitoring your journey, ready to handle any problems should they arise.

Jacada Travel is particularly well-prepared for such situations, with offices in multiple continents and a concierge in each region.

“Recently we had a US client whose flight to South Africa was delayed by nearly 24 hours, resulting in him missing a train that runs only twice a month,” says Malcolm. “We spoke to train operator and got the train to stop just outside the city, where the client - whom we collected from the airport in a car - caught up with it and jumped on. It was like Mission Impossible!”

Image courtesy of Jacada Travel

Founder, Jacada Travel

olm

alc Alex M

Best travel experience: Going on holiday with my mum and sister for the first time in 20 years - it made mum very happy. We rode horses in Patagonia.

Worst travel experience: Watching people throwing rubbish in the water off the coast of Brazil, home to some beautiful coral.

Favourite travel book: Old Patagonian Express by Paul Theroux.

Where would you like to go next on holiday? Mongolia.

“I never travel without…” A comfy pair of sweatpants.

On the Rovos Rail, travelling through the Kalahari Desert to Namibia.

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Image courtesy of Jacada Travel

travel

Chile.

Money, money, money Of course, this kind of service doesn’t come cheap. Jacada Travel’s clients typically spend around US$8,000-10,000 per person on a trip, and some spend significantly more.

Quintessentially Travel is also focused on the luxury end of the market, though Lau points out that clients do get cheaper rates and better access because of the company’s extensive network. “Our clients are high net worth individuals with busy lives. Many are business executives with families looking for stand-out holidays,” she says. “But we have over 36,000 partnerships in over 100 destinations, so we can secure 4-5* hotels at reduced prices as well as access to amenities, upgrades and unadvertised excursions, so the entire experience becomes much more affordable than you might think.”

Bespoke travel: a rich man’s world?

“Absolutely not,” says Adrian Bottomley, founder of Whistling Arrow, which creates and manages intrepid adventures for families and friends.

By their nature, these trips often take place in remote and inaccessible locations that lack any luxury travel infrastructure.

“For example, just over a year ago we were contacted by a group of friends interested in a unique, immersive cultural adventure in Tibet,” says Bottomley. “And so, in November 2015, they stayed with Khampa nomads in their large black yak-wool tents and joined them at their annual spiritual festival on the Tibetan grasslands. They also spent time with a family of renowned Tibetan bronze statue-makers in their remote valley home and photographed Cham dancers performing in a nearby hilltop village: home to a stunning 12th Century Sakya-sect monastery. There, they witnessed one of the most extraordinary and esoteric tantric rituals - a Vajrakila sand mandala ceremony. This two-week adventure cost about $28,000* per person; not cheap but hardly in the realms of the super-rich either.”

Every year, Whistling Arrow offers at least one “first foray” expedition. Despite the company’s extensive experience operating in remote locations, things sometimes do go wrong. “Most of the time, given many of our trips explore remote Himalayan and Tibetan peaks, client problems are related to acclimatization,” explains Bottomley. “But every so often, a seatof-your-pants adventure tests us to the limit.

Founder, Whistling Arrow Best travel experience: A solo expedition to forge a new trekking route around the three spectacular and sacred Adrian Bot tomley peaks of Yading, in eastern Tibet.

Worst travel experience: Being robbed at arrow point, in the remote Papuan jungle, at night.

Favourite travel book: The Way of the White Clouds by Anagarika Govinda.

Where would you like to go next on holiday? The Pamir mountains in Central Asia - many such remote areas are becoming more accessible with the recent ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative by the Chinese government. I’d also love to swim with humpback whales in Tonga!

“I never travel without…” a tub of talcum powder.

Best travel experience: A trip to Peru’s Lake Titicaca - it was like being in a dream. We also visited the Uros tribe on their floating island which was incredible.

Worst travel experience: A trip to Sweden where my luggage was lost in transit from London. It got there eventually but it wasn’t the best start..

Favourite travel book: The Art of Travel by Alain De Botton.

Where would you like to go next on holiday? Rapa Nui in Chile and Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives.

“I never travel without…” My camera.

Eldi Lau

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Image courtesy of Whistling Arrow

Lifestyle Travel Sales Manager at Quintessentially Travel

Tibetan monks performing a rotary Cham dance at a festival near Tagong, eastern Tibet.

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Image courtesy of Whistling Arrow

travel

With a local nomadic family near Litang, eastern Tibet.

In April 2016, on a private expedition to document and photograph the towering treehouses of the Stone Korowai tribe in Indonesian Papua, our party was robbed at arrow point. But we dealt with it, and I’m glad to say both our clients and I are still here to tell the story!”

Amongst its more challenging requests, the team at Whistling Arrow has arranged a private trekking trip into the wilds of eastern Tibet to hunt for the fabled Himalayan Blue Poppy, a rhododendron based trekking trip to northern Yunnan, and a private expedition to one of the last remaining villages in eastern Nepal that produces traditional, hand-woven, natural-dyed Tibetan rugs.

CEO and Co-founder, Afini Best travel experience: Growing up we moved every two years: my father was a Bolivian civil engineer and was sent around the world on various jobs. I lived in the outback in NW Australia where I passed kangaroos and aborigines daily on my way to school - the nearby sheep station held emu races on weekends. Dad was also involved in building a hydroelectric dam in the Amazon - once the area was drained, 25 anacondas were left on river bed and they created a snake zoo for the kids.

Worst travel experience: Years ago, a friend and I were driving to Belgium to go climbing. At the border, the guard’s cocker spaniel started going crazy. We were stopped and stripsearched.

Favourite travel book: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway.

Where would you like to go next on holiday? Mongolia - the Trans Siberian Railway “I never travel without…” A photo of my kids and a gin and tonic.

nco

John Bla

In Indonesian Papua, our party was robbed at arrow point. But we dealt with it.

Afini residence at Menau, Koh Samui.

Join the club Launched in Hong Kong at the end of last year, Afini brings yet another perspective to the bespoke travel concept. CEO and co-founder John Blanco explains, “Afini was designed as a solution for my personal - and a common regional - travel problem. My wife and I have four children, plus a helper. We often holiday with friends too. Usual hotel bookings just ended up being a few boxes in a bigger box - not conducive to spending time together.”

Blanco invested in a holiday home in Portugal, but going to the same place every year became boring and a maintenance headache.

So, together with other well-known names in the luxury business (investors include the founder of Potatohead and Smailing Tour, members of the founding management team of US-based luxury destination club Inspirato and the ex-CEO of Indonesian airline company Garuda), Blanco set up Afini, a luxury destination club for Asia.

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“Afini has over 25 luxury properties around the world, accessible only to our members at up to 60 percent below comparable villa rates. We also layer in our own staff in each destination to ensure a level of service and familiarity. Each residence has a destination concierge, available 24/7, who oversees the itinerary and can offer expert guidance on the local area,” says Blanco.

Specifically, 90 percent of Afini’s properties are residences. The remaining 10 percent are “iconic hotel partners”, such as The Upper House in Hong Kong. “We secure our residences through long term leases so the nightly rates that we charge clients are very low,” explains Blanco.

Afini members are assigned a dedicated “lifestyle consultant” who plans everything, from arrival to departure, excluding flights. “It’s about anticipation to the nth degree,” explains Blanco, “whether it’s finding your favourite wine waiting for you in the kitchen, to specially arranged morning yoga classes.”

Member privileges include exclusive access to other clubs, curated experiences and luxury services, such as private tours at Art Basel,

access to Simpson yachts, Aqua expeditions on the Mekong and the Amazon and complimentary airline club membership (platinum for Garuda Indonesia, gold for Etihad).

There are 100 founder memberships available (for an auspicious US$8,888 each).

Annual dues are US$2,000. “ 40 memberships have been taken so far.

Afini residence at Naam Sawan, Phuket.

tailor made

Image courtesy of TravelLocal

Co-founder, TravelLocal Best travel experience: Seeing mountain gorillas in the wild in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, western Uganda.

Worst travel experience: Probably my honeymoon! We went to Spain for a few days but our tour operator (big, international) didn’t get things quite right.

Favourite travel book: Foreign Devils On the Silk Road by Peter Hopkirk.

Where would you like to go next on holiday? A repeat trip to Georgia - amazing scenery, fantastic wine and food and some old friends I have to catch up with. I would also love to take my family on a safari and spend time on some really remote beaches - maybe the Togean Islands in Indonesia.

“I never travel without…” A compass. It sounds a bit old fashioned, but they are incredibly useful, especially in old cities.

en

Huw Ow

Lake Mutanda, Uganda.

Going online Bespoke travel is also going online. Global web platform TravelLocal connects travellers with local companies in their chosen destinations.

Everything is done online, from the initial query, to booking to payment.

“The travel industry has become a sort of gigantic assembly line factory, churning out generic and instantly forgettable trips,” says co-founder Huw Owen, who used to run a local travel company in Cambodia. “We sensed that travellers were fed up and looking for more knowledge and insight. When you think about it it’s absurd to ask a company in the UK or Hong Kong about travel to Cambodia. It makes far more sense to ask a local expert. We created TravelLocal to help travellers do exactly that.

Our local partner companies are chosen for their amazing local knowledge and contacts.”

TravelLocal’s customers range from 20 to 86 years old and book everything from homestays

to luxury resorts. “Typically we see families and couples spending $15,000 - 30,000 per person for a two week trip to countries such as Tanzania, Morocco and Uzbekistan. But we’ve also had bookings for $4,000 to Costa Rica and $300,000 to China,” says Owen. “Hong Kong is one of our key areas. Hong Kongers love to travel but they’re also savvy buyers and we dovetail nicely with that outlook.”

Owen admits that although requests are rarely declined, it does happen occasionally.

“We once had a request from two expats in Hong Kong who wanted to visit the Pamir Highway in Tajikistan - possible but not exactly easy. Someone also asked to go to Afghanistan - but we had to say no. I had a request at my former company from someone who wanted to travel from China to Japan by train. ‘I’m terribly sorry, Sir, but there’s 800km of ocean between them....’”

Trends for 2017 “Costa Rica has gone crazy. Iran is heading that way. We get a lot of bookings for Myanmar and Vietna m is an old favourite. We’re also seeing a lot more fa mily safaris. If you like the idea the Caribbean, go to Nicaragua (look up the Corn Islands) or Colombia. For safari, try Uganda - it has the Big 5 plus mountain gorillas. If you love the desert then you must see Na mibia where you can stargaze under some of the darkest skies on earth. If you’re a bucket-lister, try the Silk Route (Beijing-to-Tashkent), the Serengeti, Patagonia and the incredible cities of Iran.”

“ The Maldives is very popular at the moment, as well as Japan and Seoul in Korea. London and Paris continue to be top destinations, but we are also seeing a lot more requests for off-the-beaten track experiences.

Private islands are on the rise, as well as eco-friendly resorts. I would recommend a trip to the vastly under-explored continent of South America. Colonial and native history have intermingled and produced some of the most vibrant cultural landscapes in the world.”

- Eldi Lau

Contact information Quintessentially Travel 2/F Teda Building, 87 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan. Call 3752 2076 or email info@quintessentiallytravel.com, www.quintessentiallytravel.com

Jacada Travel 17/F, Oriental Crystal Commercial Building, 46 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central. Call 2110 0537 or email travel@jacadatravel.com​, www.jacadatravel.com

TravelLocal Enquire, book and pay online at www.travellocal.com

Afini For enquiries and bookings contact Emma Symonds, Director of Sales at esymonds@afini.com, 5801 9974, www.afini.com

Blueflower Travel Call 3975 8193 or email hello@blueflower.la, www.blueflower.la

Whistling Arrow Call 2811 8892 or email adrian@whistlingarrow.com, www.whistlingarrow.com

* All prices in Hong Kong Dollars unless otherwise stated. M

- Huw Owen

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Horoscopes

hong kong horoscopes

AQUARIUS Jan 21 – Feb 19

PISCES Feb 20 – Mar 20

ARIES Mar 21 – Apr 20

TAURUS Apr 21 – May 21

You will meet a tall dark stranger in a Lan Kwai Fong club. They might promise you the earth: You can start with a vodka lime soda. They’ll ask you to head back to their place, but think before accepting.

Sure, they’re looking good on the neon-lit dancefloor, but will that translate to long-term happiness? In love, as in life, discretion is the better part of Volar.

Life is a hotpot, and we are but the ingredients. It bubbles and simmers along, buffeting us around. But what kind of ingredient are you, Scorpio?

Are you a piece of beef, oh-so-quick to change with your surroundings? Are you a noodle strand, always sliding to the bottom? Or are you a humble fishball, seemingly unremarkable – but always bobbing to the top? Try to be a fishball, Pisces.

The latest hip Hong Kong restaurant has just opened, and you’re desperate for a table. Chill out, Aries. When a restaurant first opens, everything’s a mess. The kitchen’s not a team, the serving staff doesn’t know the dishes, and chaos reigns.

Doesn’t sound like the nextlevel dining experience of your dreams, does it? Things take time to come together, and sometimes you just have to let them happen. Just don’t leave it too late. Chances are, that hip new eatery will be closed in six months.

Is your commute to work getting you down? In this city of convenience, even a 10-minute ride on the MidLevels escalator can start to drag. Taurus, keep those spirits bullish by turning your commute into time for yourself. We have to grab our meditation where we may. If that’s five minutes in a cab, so be it. Here’s your mantra: Hommm Kommm, Hommm Kommm….

LEO Jul 23 – Aug 22

VIRGO Aug 23 – Sep 23

LIBRA Sep 24 – Oct 23

SCORPIO Oct 24 – Nov 22

Here is a limerick for you to take to heart, Leo: A young man of Wellington Street / Bought a flat of some 20 square feet / When asked “How’d you squeeze?”/ He said: “With great ease: / I sleep where I shave where I eat.” Be like the man of Wellington Street, and strive to be more adaptable in the face of adversity. Use the tools you’re given not just to make do, but come out on top.

Did you watch the Chinese New Year fireworks? If you watched them in public, then you’ll have heard the universal Hong Kong sound of firework appreciation: “Wahhhhhh!”

It’s a satisfying noise, Virgo.

Try it out! Let it roll out of your lungs in a single breath.

Take it, practice it, and then apply it to your life. Ask yourself: What should you be wahhhhing about more?

Your mission this month, Libra: Get out of that insulated bubble. Seek Hong Kong’s far-flung. Jump on a ferry to somewhere unusual.

Ride the MTR to the end of the line. Go camping in the wilderness. See what’s hidden in the corners of the city. You’re bound to discover something interesting. And if not, then a French toast and an iced lemon tea will have made the whole thing worthwhile anyway.

Causeway Bay on a Sunday afternoon is a seething mass of humanity. Shoppers, wanderers and tourists all come together in the very heart of the city. In Cantonese, they use the phrase “people mountain people sea” to describe the press of people. It can be overwhelming, sure. But it’s also worth going to celebrate the sheer rush of humanity.

Just have a coffee shop in mind for when you need to chill out again.

As transmitted to Adam White, writer, editor and occasional soothsayer 52 | WWW.MID-LEVELS.CO

GEMINI May 22 – Jun 21

CANCER Jun 22 – Jul 22

Gemini, how long is it since you last sat down and had a heart-to-heart with yourselves? It’s easy in Hong Kong to concentrate on the outward pleasures, but sometimes you’ve got to step away from the champagne brunch buffet and tend to your inner life. Make like a Trappist monk and retreat inside yourself, or you could be entering the long dark cha chaan teng of the soul.

The year of the rooster has arrived. Why not show solidarity with the Chinese zodiac by giving up chicken for a month? Not on ethical grounds – just because it’s a boringly safe choice. Skip your next chicken meal and order lamb, beef, beetroot, quinoa – anything as long as it’s not chicken. Or crab.

You’ll be living a more adventurous life – and the roosters will thank you.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 – Dec 21

CAPRICORN Dec 22 – Jan 20

Times of trouble may lay ahead, Sagittarius. If they come about, I want you to ask yourself: WWCYD? It stands for “What Would CY Do?” Ask it, then just go ahead and do the exact opposite. The solutions to your problems lie in opening up, not shutting down. As the Chief Executive could learn, you can’t keep everyone happy – but at least you can be true to your self.

Money worries getting your goat, Capricorn? Maybe you didn’t haul in as much lai see as you thought you would this CNY, or your annual bonus has come up short. Take heart, friend.

You might not be scooping up Mark Six-style cash – but then again, no one else does either. Don’t worry: there’s wealth in your future, and it’ll appear like a typhoon 8 on a Monday – just when you need it most.

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Woof!

pets

We go for walkies with Robyn Ma.

Dr. Pauline Pets Central veterinarian Dr. Pauline Taylor answers your questions.

Q: Tell us about your dog A: M y dog’s name is Ringo. I adopted him from HKDR in 2014.

He will turn three in May. He’s a very active dog who loves going on long hikes and swims. Ringo’s really clever as well - he can learn a trick in just one day and even figured out how to swim and climb the stairs all by himself! He responds to his name really well and knows when you’re talking to him. He has his quirky habits as well, like when he lays on his back with his legs up in the air like a dead chicken. Ringo loves the heater during the winter, when it’s cold outside, and he knows when we have it on so he’ll come over and sit right in front of it whenever it’s on.

Q: Favourite walk?

A: T he forested trail from Tai Tam Reservoir Park to Repulse Bay. It’s around a two hour hike but there are a few small rivers throughout so Ringo gets to go for a quick dip whenever it gets too hot. After the hike, it’s always nice to grab a quick bite at The Pulse as well.

Q: What makes Ringo so special?

A: H is nose! Ringo has a very unique nose - it’s what caught my attention in the first place. He has a “butterfly nose” which is a mix of pink and black shades, with the black parts shaped like a butterfly.

Eating, grass, great walks, & poop! by, staff writers

Ask a vet...

Q: Best place for doggie supplies?

A: W hiskers ‘n’ Paws at South Horizon Plaza in Ap Lei Chau.

They have a dog adoption event there every Sunday for HKDR - it’s where I got Ringo. It’s quite convenient because they have a nice outdoor terrace for dogs to roam around while you get the supplies.

Q: To you Ringo is...

A: … not just a companion, but a part of our family. We all love him so much because of how quirky, lovable, friendly and intelligent he is. He makes you feel so special when he chooses to cuddle up next to you. I honestly can’t imagine how life would be without him. I will miss him a lot when I leave for college.

Would you and your pet pooch like to be featured in our Walkies column? Email editorial@fastmedia.com.hk

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Q: “My dog as a tendency to “roll” in mud and poo.

Why does he do this?”

- Samantha, The Peak A: To be perfectly honest no one, including scientists and animal behaviourists, really know why dogs do this but they definitely do! They also seem to delight in this pastime much to most people’s disgust.

Dogs have a much better sense of smell than humans.

It is reckoned that some breeds like bloodhounds and bassets, those dogs humans train to use their noses to work for us, have around 500-600,000 times more cells than us in their nasal passages that detect smells.

Can you imagine if you were a dog what it would be like to walk along the beach and suddenly smell a delicious dead fish? It appears dogs do not like nice smells like we humans. It is well documented how many dogs, given the chance after a nice bubble bath, will immediately go and roll in the nearest piece of sand or grass, and get dirty again.

Wolves roll in earth and animal matter to disguise their own smell. This helps them in the hunt for prey, to get closer to it before they start the hunt for dinner. Dogs are 98% similar in genetic matter to wolves, their common ancestor, so it is probably acceptable that (given the chance) a dog rolling in mud and poo is an inherited behaviour that in modern dogs has not yet been bred out.

Q: “Why does my dog eat grass?”

- Emily Jones, Sai Kung A: The jury is out on this. Your dog may have an upset stomach, and eats grass blades to help him vomit and purge his system. Another theory is that the dogs are eating grass to mimic a “lost nutrient” of their ancestors found usually by hunting and then eating the contents of the stomachs of herbivores. A third theory is that dogs just do it because to them, it’s fun and they can.

Got a question for Dr. Pauline?

Email editorial@fastmedia.com.hk

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