Sai Kung Jun 2017

FAMILY | FOOD | OUTDOORS | TRAVEL

June 2017

r e m m Su splash ide e spotting gu

The snak

Holiday camps for kids

ad d r o f s t f i g thers Day

Fa

A trip to Tap

Mun

SPECI INTER AL VIEW ith Waynw e Parfi tt

The really useful magazine June 2017

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52 PEOPLE 4 Snapped!

Sai Kung’s social life THE PLANNER 8 Happening in June What’s on FAMILY 12 Top of the pops Gift ideas for Father’s Day NEWS 14 What’s going on?

In your backyard GIVEAWAYS 16 Free stuff Fab things to win LETTERS 17 Save the pangolin A letter from HKA students

42 FIVE MINUTES WITH...

18 Rev. Dominic Chan, V.G. The Vicar General of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese LOCAL 20 Waste of time Is Sai Kung recyclable waste heading to the wrong location?

ON PATROL 21 Police blotter Sai Kung Police updates VILLAGE FOCUS 22 Tap Mun The grassy island with two names COVER STORY 24 School’s out!

The best camps for kids and teens this summer

38 OUTDOOR 32 The sssnake ssspotting guide We speak to government snake catcher William Sargent READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 40 Vote to win Have your say in our annual Sai Kung awards EATING 42 The wonder from Down Under Big interview with Wayne Parfitt.

Plus Nibbles EDUCATION 48 ESF Clearwater Bay Celebrating its Silver Jubilee TRAVEL 50 The Anam A new luxury resort in Cam Ranh, Vietnam

“NOT ALL TREASURE IS SILVER AND GOLD, MATE.” - JACK SPARROW

ZIM CITY 54 Paul Zimmerman on...

‘Park’n Walk’ schemes for the city HOROSCOPE 56 Signs from the stars Adam White predicts your future PETS 58 Ask Dr. Pauline Pet eccentricities and abnormalities explained. Plus Walkies GARDENING 61 Gardening in Hong Kong What to plant in June VINES IN SAI KUNG 64 Park life Stephen Vines weighs in

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contributors

William Sargeorgnatniser

g ba sed events ... is a Hon g K on r he rpet olog ist. Fo r th e eu a n d a vi d a m at ia m ha s ke pt, ca u g ht ill W , rs a he lp s la st 25 ye wild sn a ke s. H e r ed ph ra og ot ph d fo n a rs nt ed sn a ke vi sito to re m ove u n wa ty. F in d hi s g ui d e to u ni th e loca l co m m s on pa g e 36. a ke Hon g K on g ’s sn

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H on g p lo ri n g … h a s lived in of h er ti m e ex , ch u m s d en sp g and is n ot out hi k in e sh en h W g.

Sa i K u n m ily, h er d og s fa er h of re ca n in g sh e is ta k in g a s well a s ru n s; ig p ea in u g h er a n d h er ra h ea d s out on a il on a T p. oo Tr ut co aS W u Tr a lk a lo n g L ok fa vo u rite d og w pa g e 58.

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

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people Snaps from Sai Kung

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say cheese 2017 Bonaqua LIFEPROOF Action Run

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people Window to my soul

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say cheese

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

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planner

JUN 17 & 25

STAGE RIGHT! Youth Theatre Festival 2017

STAGE RIGHT are back with their fourth theatre festival with four shows spread across two dates. The children will be performing titles such as Alice in Wonderland and The Princess and the Frog at the Hong Kong Academy. For both dates, shows start at 4:30pm. For more information call 9225 8924 or visit stagerighthk.com

JUN 1

JUN 2-4

JUN 2-4

A ballroom full of homeware, fashion , accessories, food, gifts and kids’ stuff. Free entry. Open 10am-7pm at the Grand Ballroom, The Conrad Hotel, 88 Queensway, Admiralty.

A heartwarming tale about a tea-guzzling tiger. Expect oodles of magic, sing-along songs and clumsy chaos.

The 55-minute production is recommended for kids aged 3+. Tickets from $195-435 at hkticketing.com or call 2547 7150.

Three days of festivities and racing. The races take place on Victoria Harbour, with spectator viewing along the waterfront and the Promenade Event Space, near the Observation Wheel. Plus, enjoy beer at the San Miguel BeerFest, live music, a fleet of food trucks and activities and entertainment for kids. Free entry and a family-friendly atmosphere. For more information visit discoverhongkong.com

Summer gift & lifestyle fair

JUN 1-8

Father’s Day workshop Make dad a stylish leather mouse pad for his desk at 513 Paint Shop, using the store’s eco-friendly paints and metallic foil. $300 per person (workshop lasts 2 hours). Sessions available from 12-7pm. To reserve a space, email shop@513paintshop.com. S513, 5/F PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, 2155 2282, 513paintshop.com

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The Tiger Who Came To Tea

Dragon Boat Carnival

JUN 3

Sting - 57th & 9th tour The music legend tours his latest album, 57th & 9th. See him perform live at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with a threepiece band. Tickets from $588 at hkticketing.com

Sai Kung Live

happening in June

JUN 3

A new monthly music event will be rocking Sai Kung’s waterfront this month. The inaugural event will kickoff with Sai Kung based The Village Dogs, an acoustic duo, and Levelling Out, a classic rock band. Free admission, 8-11pm. S2 Waterfront, G/F, Waterfront Park, 1 Wai Man Road, Sai Kung. For more information visit facebook.com/ groups/220195051804462

Pop up shops at CENA

JUN 5

World environment day

JUN 8 JUN 3

ESF Language & Learning Parents Workshop Sleep Training Solutions A workshop on sleep training for new babies, with information on feeding, nap and bedtime schedules. Tickets are $150. 4-5pm, ESF Language & Learning Centre 2/F Prime Mansion 183-187 Johnston Road, Wan Chai.

Book your space at eventbrite.hk

JUN 3

Yoga & Bubbles for Angels For Orphans Slip on your yoga pants and head down to the Hive for a charity yoga class. The Hive Sai Kung, The Yoga House and Cena have all come together to support three Sai Kung teams taking part in the Angels For Orphans Fitness Challenge. A $200 donation towards Angels For Orphans is required to join.

10.45am-noon. the Hive Sai Kung, 5 Tai Mong Tsai Road, Sai Kung. To reserve a spot, email Olivia at olivia.crooke@smallprint.com

Pop up shop A range of local businesses showcase their products in this day-long pop up shop, including Gifts in a Tin, Not Only Olives, Ladies Who Lunch (dresses), Sai Kung First Aid and Bella Blu Design (hats). 11am-5pm, CENA in the square. For further details, call Claire Brownless on 6100 0253.

JUN 10

Introduction to Hong Kong snakes Snake catcher William Sargent is coming to town to hold an educational talk on Hong Kong snakes. The talk will introduce snake types, behaviours, risks and responses. There will also be the opportunity to meet some of the locally found native specimens. Tickets available at Victoria Recreation Club: adults ($120), children under 14 ($80). 10-11:15am at Victoria Recreation Club, Emerald Bay. wsargent88@yahoo.com

Evolution Asia Yoga Conference

JUN 8-11

The Evolution Asia Yoga Conference celebrates its 10th anniversary with a spectacular lineup of over 160 classes, workshops and events. Entry is free if you want to check out the stalls and do some shopping, but you must register if you want to participate in the classes (there’s something for all levels, bodies and minds). Sign up before June 7 at asiayogaconference.com. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai.

JUN 4

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

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planner JUN 11

SCREENAGERS: growing up in the digital age Are you watching your kids scroll through life, with their rapid-fire thumbs and a six-second attention span? Physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston realised she was and decided to find out how it might impact their development. In this film, she explores struggles with social media, video games, academics and internet addiction and offers solutions on how adults can empower their kids to navigate the digital world. 3:30-5:30pm, Character Education Foundation, 4/F, Hong Kong China Tower, 8-12 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai. Tickets are $161.50 from eventbrite.com

JUN 14

Clearwater Bay School’s 25th anniversary Clearwater Bay School will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this month. The event will include school tours conducted by members of Years 5 and 6, a photographic timeline of the school’s history, student displays and an afternoon tea for visitors. 1:30-5:30pm, Clearwater Bay School, Clearwater Bay Road.

RSVP at martina.chiu@cwbs.edu.hk.

JUN 15-17

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s A Grand Night For Singing A romantic and family-friendly musical revue showcasing the exhilarating music of Richard Rodgers and lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein II. The show explores the various stages of love, from young infatuation to courtship to

Nude

A Grand Night for Singing

commitment and the challenges and pain of enduring love. Featuring popular songs from Allegro, Me and Juliet, Flower Drum Song, Carousel, Oklahoma!, The King and I, Cinderella and The Sound of Music.

The Fringe Underground, Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central. Tickets are $280 (including one drink); $224 for members from ticketflap.com

JUN 18

by ‘The Triplejacks’ a new, high energy rockabilly band with members from Australia, UK and Hong Kong. The DJ’s from UK include Dave (Wobbly) Ross and CJ the DJ, who will both be playing tunes from the 50’s to now, from psychobilly to swing and all things in between. Tickets $300 from ticketflap.com/ bopfest2017. Orange Peel Music Lounge, 2/F, 38-44 D’Aguilar Street, Ho Lee Commercial Building, Central.

JUN 27

Father’s Day

Britney Spears Live in Hong Kong

See page 12 for gift ideas.

JUN 24

Bopfest Hong Kong 2017 Hong Kong’s international rockabilly event. Trix ‘O’ Treat, from Bangkok, will be rocking up a storm, supported

JU 17-2N2

That’s right, Britney’s in town for one night only. The ‘90s pop icon will be performing her hit “Piece of Me” show in Hong Kong as part of an international tour, before she ends her four-year Las Vegas residency in December.

Tickets from $588 at hkticketing.com. Arena, AsiaWorld-Expo, Cheong Wing Road, Chek Lap Kok.

A drawing exhibition featuring Sai Kung residents will be held at H Studio Gallery.

On display will be artwork from three different life drawing groups run by Sai Kung artist Helen Boyd. The exhibition celebrates the artistic community which has formed and part of the proceeds from sales will go to a local Sai Kung animal shelter. The opening party will have free refreshments, affordable art and a chance to meet the artists. Free admission, 6-8:30pm for opening party and noon-4pm every day after. Closed Wednesday and Friday. H Studio Gallery, 1/1 Wan King Path, Sai Kung. For more information call 9123 8664.

UNTIL JUN 30

Bubble football on ice Playing football on ice inside a bubble sounds like fun to us. Hire the ice rink for half an hour as a group of three to five for $2,000.

All players must be above the age of 15.

Cityplaza, Quarry Bay. Email icepalace@swireproperties.com or call 2844 8688.

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happening in June

BOOK NOW JUL 23 Standard Chartered Family Run Held in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and to raise funds for three charitable causes: Seeing is Believing – Orbis, Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled and Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society. On the day, a free-admission family carnival at the finish line in Tamar Park will feature live band performances, splash games, family portrait on the lawn, drum circle, face painting, balloon twisting, workshops and more. Two distances: 2km and 400m. Register online at putyourself.in/sc. Participants aged 6 or above

must donate a minimum of $200. All proceeds go to the official charity partners, all donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar. Registration closes on June 9.

UNTIL SEP 3 THRILLER Live Back by popular demand, this high-energy explosion of pop, rock, soul and disco takes the audience on a journey through Michael Jackson’s 45-year musical legacy. It has been performed close to 5,500 times in over 30 countries. Tickets from $180 at hkticketing.com. The Parisian, Macau.

NOV 27 Michael McIntyre’s Big World Tour The UK comedian is to perform in Hong Kong for the first time, entertaining audiences with his trademark observational comedy. Tickets from $488 at hkticketing.com or call 3128 8288.

Show starts at 8pm. Star Hall, Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

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

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family Father’s Day cards $37 each from kikki.K kikki-k.com Shop 203, Second Floor, Cityplaza, 18 Taikoo Shing Road, Taikoo Shing

Hydrate & protect $300 from Selvedge Grooming selvedgegrooming.com

Father’s Day Fabulous Father’s Day gifts for dad

Power Plus (10,000 mAh) $150 from DOMA Lifestyle doma.com.hk MegaBox, 38 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay

Saint Laurent Slim square-frame sunglasses $2,260 available to purchase at Harvey Nichols harveynichols.com Pacific Place, Harvey Nichols Pacific Place, 88 Queensway

Whiskey Stones $269 from Gifts Less Ordinary giftslessordinary.com

‘HongKonger’ Flip flops (red) 228 from G.O.D $ god.com.hk G/F, 2 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung Town

Men’s Deluxe Hamper $1,696 from Maven mavenhk.com G/F, 37 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung

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Fibit - Charge 2 $1,298 available to purchase at Escapade escapade.com.hk 1/F, Yee Hing Building, 19 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay

top of the pops

Kami swimming trunks $1,400 from MAZU Resortwear mazuresortwear.com

Gram Shoes 365g $1,950 available to purchase at squarestreet 15squarestreet.com 15 Square St, Tai Ping Shan

Duo Complice keychain $1,330 each from Christofle christofle.com Central, Chater Road, Prince's Building, 117

QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones $2,888 from Bose bose.hk, 8 Yan King Road, Tseung Kwan O

La Via Lattea cheese cutlery set (soft cheese knives) $2,995 from Town House townhouse.com.hk Wing On Yau Ma Tei, 345 Nathan Road, Kowloon

Gentlemen’s Club 24K Gold Leaf Soap $120 each from Maven mavenhk.com G/F, 37 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung

UE Wonderboom $899 from Ultimate Ears ultimateears.com

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news

Date announced for Great Hong Kong Cleanup Day

The community coming together for beach cleanups

The Great Hong Kong Cleanup Day will take place on September 23, part of the 17th annual Hong Kong Cleanup Challenge (on now until December 1).

Every summer, many Hongkongers express their frustration with the copious amounts of plastic and waste washing up on our shores. The Hong Kong Cleanup aims to give local individuals, communities, schools

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and businesses an opportunity to have a fun, fulfilling day out together while removing harmful plastic and debris from our beaches and, most importantly, collecting data. This data is used to compile the Global Trash Index and Trash Free Seas Alliance – providing an international snapshot of what’s polluting our oceans so work can be done to prevent specific items from reaching the water.

Since 2000, it has mobilised almost half a million people in over 25,000 groups to collect thousands of tonnes of rubbish.

Want to get involved? There are three ways to participate: sponsorship, hiring the team to organise a cleanup event, or signing up a team for the challenge. Cleanup sites are first-come, first-served so register now at www.hkcleanup.org

news Last month there were two separate cases of cattle hit by cars in Sai Kung. The first was a hit and run which occurred on May 2 at Tsam Tuk Wan along Tai Mong Tsai Road. Ell Tam, Founder of Sai Kung Cattle’s Angel, was alerted to the incident by a passerby.

“When I arrived, a cattle had already died from the injuries,” said Tam. “We assume the vehicle involved was a green taxi as there was leftover green paint on the scene and a side mirror which was later identified to belong to a taxi.” As volunteers began searching the area for damaged vehicles, a second cattle was discovered to be injured. It is believed to have been involved in the earlier incident. AFCD have taken the cattle away to have stitches and is now on the road to recovery.

On May 19, another cattle was hit on Sai Sha Road - this time by a red taxi. On scene,

Photo bySai Kung Cattle’s of Angel

Cattle on the road

Cattle hit on Tai Mong Tsai Road

Tam was able to speak to the driver involved.

“He saw the cattle on the pavement but claims one had suddenly rushed out onto the road. I asked whether he had been speeding and he answered no. Though no one ever admits they do.” The cattle sustained a broken leg and serious injuries and was later euthanized.

New music event to rock Sai Kung waterfront

New Family Support service Acorn Care has opened in Sai Kung offering education consultation, educational therapy, special educational needs and more. Sarah O’Connor, a Sai Kung resident and Special Needs teacher, launched the company after noticing a gap in the industry. “As an educator in Hong Kong for over 16 years, I have come to realize that sometimes these options don’t fit, or reach all families. Generically the government has long waiting lists for its services. Similarly, their educational reports are often brief and offer few recommendations. Private centers can complement these services, but they tend to be financially inaccessible to many families who need them the most. Sometimes it is just that a family new to HK doesn’t know where to look to being seeking support.”

The services are aimed at families with children aged 4-19, but can accomodate university students if needed. The dates, times and location of the services will also be flexible to the clients needs. Prices for Acorn Care services are not standardized, O’Connor explains, “Fees are low and not listed deliberately as standardized as I will be happy to work with each family and negotiate a price that works for both parties. I want to be available to families who find it hard to access other services.” For information visit acorncare.com.hk

Swedish fun

Curran and his band performing at S2 Waterfront Restaurant

Musicians and Sai Kung residents, Jason Curran and Jim Lewis, have come together to organise Sai Kung Live, a new monthly Sai Kung music event featuring full band live shows.

“Myself and Jim, have shared some shows at S2 Waterfront on an irregular basis and all shows have been met with a very positive response. Amidst the shows, there was a common curiosity amongst Saikungers in the audience, why doesn’t this happen all the time?

Our goal is to provide a proper full band live experience, so that Saikungers don’t need to go to the city”, said Curran.

The Swedish School is pending to open in Sai Kung this September, offering an afternoon language club for local young residents.

Already established in Discovery Bay and on Hong Kong Island, the school caters for children aged from six years and up for two hours a week. Sai Kung classes will be held every Monday afternoon (Tuesdays in Discovery Bay and Thursdays on the Island). Teachers will nurture a grasp of the Swedish language as well as Swedish cultural heritage.

For more information, see svenskaskolan.hk

The inaugural event will kickoff with Village Dogs, an acoustic duo, and Levelling Out, a classic rock band, both based in Sai Kung.

“Music will be different every month, anything from Americana-roots, to Celtic folk, to traditional rock. There will often be two bands per night, so expect a blend of two different styles within one evening”, said Curran. Sai Kung live will be held at S2 waterfront restaurant on the first Saturday of every month. 8-11pm, free admission.

For more information visit facebook.com/ groups/220195051804462

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giveaways

win at www.saikung.com

Italian Market

BoConcept

Viva Italia! Stuff yourself with Italian goodies at this year’s Italian Market!

Celebrate the best of Italy with Italian specialties, fine wines, handcrafts, music and entertainment.

The Italian Market has teamed up with Sai Kung Magazine to exclusively give Sai Kung Magazine readers free tickets to enjoy this fair June 10-11.

Add elegance to your bedroom table with BoConcept’s Shelter Table Lamp. Beautifully curved in a combination of brass and black metal, it makes the perfect home accessory.

We’re giving away one lamp valued at $3,169.

Sense of Touch Give your body the loving attention it deserves with the Sense of Touch Ultimate Pampering Package. Included is the signature Fresh Collagen Infusion Facial (80 minutes), Cellu M6® full Body Wellness Lipomassage (60 minutes) and Fusion Massage (60 minutes).

We’re giving away one Ultimate Pampering Package valued at $3,090.

Gifts Less Ordinary

Le Bistro Winebeast

Gift your best friend the perfect luxury gift of an Agama Sparkle Friendship Bangle.

Featuring the Agama design in black against an 18 carat gold plated curved bar, this chic enamel bracelet has been embedded with crystals that truly reflect the light and genuinely sparkle. Wear it individually or stack it with other bangles for extra statement accessorising. We’re giving away one bangle worth $1,106.

Learn to cook a 3-course sophisticated French meal at Le Bistro Winebeast.

In celebration of Le French GourMay, participants will learn from globe-trotting foodie, Chef Johan Ducroquet and will feast on their creations when finished. We’re giving away two winners two spots (yourself and a plus one) to a cooking class, worth $900 each.

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

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letters

Save the pangolin

H

ave you ever heard of the the strange and wonderful pangolin? It is an endangered mammal protected by the law. They look like armadillos, and play an important ecological role, providing ‘pest’ control by eating ants and termites with their long sticky tongues. Pangolins also vary in size and are one of two mammals with scales in the world. The Pokemon called Sandslash was inspired by the pangolin.

We want to protect the pangolins because they are hunted for their keratin scales. People use the scales, which are made of the same material as human fingernails, to make Chinese medicine, but there is no reason to kill these innocent ant eaters because the scales do nothing.

It is illegal to poach endangered animals and those who do so will be arrested. Pangolins are worth a lot of money to poachers and some continue to disobey the law for their pricey

scales. In 2014, a large shipment, seized by authorities, from Africa had about $17million worth of scales onboard.

Poachers will rely on the money from selling pangolins until they are extinct. Once extinct, they’re gone forever. Another point to address is eating pangolins to display one’s wealth. If we eat all the pangolins we’ll just go and eat another endangered animal out of existence.

We strongly believe that the pangolins should not be poached for their scales. Would you kill this harmless animal to earn money or to show your wealth? Would you want to buy pangolin jewellry or leather? Would you use useless medicine? We definitely wouldn’t. This species is very important to the ecosystem and we need to save it. You can support the pangolin by spreading the word and donating to WWF or other charities. Let’s work together to save the Pangolin.

For more information visit worldwildlife.org, savepangolins.org, facebook.com/ACEfoundation Kind regards, Luna, Ben, Nick, Andrew, Vincent, Austin and our mentor Mr. Dean (the Endangered Animal group from Grade 5 Hong Kong Academy)

Email your photos or letters to editorial@fastmedia.com.hk. We may edit for length.

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five minutes with

Publisher

Tom Hilditch tom@fastmedia.com.hk

Editorial

Rev. Dominic Chan, V.G. Rev. Dominic Chan, V.G. talks to Robyn Or about joining the priesthood and revitalising Yim Tin Tsai.

Editor-in-Chief Shreena Patel shreena@fastmedia.com.hk Contributing Editor Carolynne Dear carolynne@fastmedia.com.hk Acting Editor Eric Ho eric@fastmedia.com.hk Editorial Assistant Trisha Harjani trisha@fastmedia.com.hk

Design

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

Thanks to

Adam White Adele Brunner Cora Chan Dr. Pauline Taylor Max Yip Millie Dicken Paul Zimmerman Robyn Or Sam Edwards Stephen Vines

Published by

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

Rev. Chan is the eighth generation of Yim Tin Tsai’s Hakka Clan

I am the eighth generation of Yim Tin Tsai’s Hakka Chan clan.

My ancestors came from Yim Tin in Shenzhen and settled in Yim Tin Tsai 270 years ago. They lived on farming, fishing and salt-making.

Before I was born in 1952, my parents moved to Taikoo House in Pok Fu Lam. It was a catholic community with a church. This French village like community was simple and close. We shared food together outside our homes and kept our doors open while we slept at night.

At 14, I decided to prepare for priesthood. At first, my mum was not supportive. She worried that the 13-year monasticism was too long and that if I failed to complete it, people might think I was just asking for free education and accommodation. Rev. Chevalier talked to her as he knew my wish.

In the seminary, people called me “Kung Fu Chan” and “Little Frédéric Chopin” as I had learnt Tai Chi and Hung Ka Kuen since I was young and I’m good at

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playing the piano and orchestral conducting. I learnt Kung Fu because it is an exercise that I could practice alone, regardless of weather and location.

In 1992, I became the Vicar General of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese. Accepting such an honour meant becoming responsible for Hong Kong, not just one particular town. During the handover of Hong Kong in 1997, Cardinal John Wu Cheng-chung and I focused on preparing for the new era and to comfort those Catholics who worried about the uncertainties after the handover. We never thought of leaving.

I spent two years studying for a Master’s in spiritual theology in Rome. I worked very hard and by the end of the second semester my thesis was almost done so I travelled a lot in my spare time. I visited many of Rome’s museums and churches, I also tried most of the Chinese restaurants. I love travelling - encountering different cultures and ways of thinking humbles me.

I return to Yim Yin Tsai Village at least once a month. It is a quiet place where I can be surrounded by nature. Recently I hosted spiritual camp there for married couples, during which they did nothing but listen and talk face to face, sharing the words they hide in their hearts.

In 2002, I attended a meeting on the revitalisation of Yim Tin Tsai.

At that time, St. Joseph’s Chapel was abandoned and tattered, despite being an important symbol to everyone in Yim Tin Tsai - since its construction in 1890, it is where all the villagers have married. My parents themselves got married there 77 years ago.

To re-introduce Yim Tin Tsai to the public, we have set up four tourism routes based on religion, ecosystem, Hakka culture and sightseeing. 52 of the 56 types of mangrove in Hong Kong are to be found in Yim Tin Tsai. Historical farming tools and daily utensils are displayed in the Hakka museum, with the help of students from the University of Science and Technology.

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local

A waste of time Sales & Marketing Sales Director Oliver Simons oliver@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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www.saikung.com ads@fastmedia.com.hk @saikungmag facebook.com/SaiKungMagazine GIVE US A CALL! Admin: 3568 3722 Editorial: 2776 2773 Advertising: 2776 2772, 3563 9755 Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay Magazine is published by Fast Media Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication.

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

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Is Sai Kung recyclable waste heading to the wrong location?

Trisha Harjani reports

S

ai Kung residents have expressed growing concerns over sightings and reports of recyclable waste allegedly being lumped in with normal trash.

One report came from a resident from Ho Chung, “I noticed the staff and the rubbish trucks dispose of the items in the recycling bins with the regular rubbish. I approached them but they ignored me”. Carol Biddell, Environment Officer at Friends of Sai Kung (FSK) has shared a similar experience, “We packed the recyclable waste neatly and placed it on top of the recycling bins, as they were full.

30 minutes later, I walked past and saw the bag had gone. Collection of recyclable waste was not due that day. The same thing happened the next day”, she said.

Understandably, this raises suspicions and fuels the rumours of many angered residents who take the time to actively reduce their carbon footprint. “I am growing very frustrated as I have contacted the relevant government departments responsible who haven’t been able to rectify the situation”, said the same Ho Chung resident. Likewise, Biddell has made explicit efforts to contact local municipalities who confirmed this is not a systematic or deliberate measure. “On behalf of FSK I have been in discussion with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and Environmental Protection Department (EPD) who have assured us that the workers (and subcontractors) are instructed not to take the recycle materials”, said Biddell. In response, the FEHD has “had meetings with all contractors regarding my complaint and have been given a serious warning to all workers not to take items put for recycling”, Biddell followed up.

A spokesperson from EPD confirmed that the FEHD are responsible for hiring subcontractors to collect the recyclable and non-recyclable

refuse. We asked the FEHD what contractors were instructed to do with overflow rubbish, a spokesperson responded, “If the staff did take the recyclable rubbish we would pass this back to EPD”.

Although they refused to elaborate how this procedure would unfold.

The problem seems to stem from a systematic problem of inadequately sized bins and a sheer lack of bins in some villages. This creates an overflow of recyclables which has been chucked in with the normal trash.

EPD seem to be aware of the issue and have future developments to increase ecofriendliness and improve the efficiency of Hong Kong’s recycling.

An EPD spokesperson confirmed the government’s plan to increase bin sizes and bin frequency in addition to a Municipal Solid Waste Charging plan for 2019 that requires citizens to pay for the collection bags for all types of non-recyclable refuse. The idea is to encourage recycling and “pay for what we dump.” The citywide initiative is outlined in more detail at legco.gov.hk If you’ve experienced or witnessed something similar, contact either the FEHD at 2868 0000, enquiries@fehd.gov.hk or Caroll Biddell, Environment Officer at Friends of Sai Kung at carolfsk@gmail.com

on patrol

Police blotter Senior Inspector Max Yip reports on the recent cases in Sai Kung - A dispute occurred in Sai Wan after a village

chief accused a speedboat operator of damaging a fishnet. The net was setup to prevent boats from picking up customers from the beach. The police were called on scene to prevent breach of the peace. The net was later taken down as a permit was not provided from the marine department. Police officers have now been deployed on site to deter any further incidents from occurring.

- Around 4am, a resident of Tso Wo Hang Village

heard some loud noises outside his house.

Upon checking he found 4 or 5 men holding a tree branch. They fled once they were spotted.

No valuables were stolen but an incense tree was damaged during the incident. The informant could not provide a description of the men due to the lack of light.

- The police ran a publicity event to enhance

the safety awareness of hikers. Officers and volunteers distributed leaflets at Pak Tam Chung Car Park, Sheung Yiu Country Trail and Tsak Yue Wu Country Trail.

- Throughout May, the police dealt with 20 cases of noise complaint.

- A female, aged 32, was hit by a car whilst

crossing Clearwater Bay Road. She has been admitted to hospital and is said to be in critical condition. There has been a total of 51 cases of road accidents in May.

- A dispute was reported to the police in the

evening of May 17. The incident was between a tenant and a landlord over the repair of window frame of the house. The dispute was later settled without further escalations.

- A motorbike parked near Sai Kung Market has gone missing. The missing motorbike is a red Super Joyride 2001, Type: X Solo.

- A flat along Tak Lung Bak Street was burgled.

The family returned to find the doors and windows prized open. Altogether they lost $10,000 cash, $3,000 in foreign currencies and jewelry valued at $24,000. No arrests have been made so far.

- A father, aged 39, and his daughter and son,

aged 6 and 4 respectively, went hiking in the evening, starting at Hoi Ha and heading to Wong Shek Pier. However, they got lost along the way and called the police for help. Officers were able to locate the family at Tai Tan safe.

For more information, contact Sai Kung Police Station, 1 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 3661 1630

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village focus

Tap Mun

Eric Ho visits the grassy island with two names.

The grassy slopes of Tap Mun

T

ap Mun is located off the northeastern corner of the Sai Kung Peninsula, sat within the opening of Long Harbour. Tap Mun was renamed Grass Island in 1898, after the New Territories was incorporated into the British Crown colony. Its English name provides a hint to its terrain. Today, the two names are used interchangeably, but most locals still refer to the island by its original Chinese name.

With no roads or bridges connecting the island, your only choice of transport is by boat. Head to Wong Shek Pier and board a ferry over to Tap Mun, the journey should take no longer than 35 minutes.

The ferry draws into a small village, past rows of docked fishing boats and floating

Choice Awards

2017

fish farms. Many of the buildings clustered near the pier are vacant and shuttered. Tap Mun once had a thriving fishing industry and homed 5,000 Hakka or Tanka fishermen - now it has a population of about 100. The drastic decrease in the village’s population also led to the abandonment of King Lam School in 2003, Tap Mun’s one and only school. It has become a Grade III historic building and still stands just behind the village.

Diminishing hauls and the trawling ban means tourism is now the main source of income but remnants of Tap Mun’s former fishing industry is still very visible today.

At weekends, numerous stalls pop up along the waterfront selling dried seafood, including squid, fish and prawns. Navigate

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Tell us by voting in our Readers’ Choice Awards. Vote now at saikung.com

22 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

down the narrow village alley to find some some unassuming seafood restaurants. No visit to Tap Mun would be complete without tasting the famous uni (sea urchin) fried rice, rumoured to be the best in Hong Kong.

Ahead, the rows of buildings open up to a small set of steps leading towards the beautifully ornate temple to Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea, said to protect seafarers and fishermen. The temple was constructed

evergreen

Tap Mun's fishing village

about 400 years ago and has been wellmaintained. Legend has it that a tunnel connects the altar to a hidden pirate cave on the other side of the island, and if you keep quiet, they say you can hear the sound of waves crashing on the shore.

Most visitors make the trip out to Tap Mun to enjoy the island’s large grassy slope. The hilltop provides a grand view of the South China Sea, the unmistakable profile of Sharp

Peak and, in the far distance, mainland China.

The unobstructed horizon yields some of the most beautiful sunrises in Hong Kong, leading locals to call this “Sunrise Pavilion”. At night, the lack of light pollution also makes this one of the territory’s best stargazing spots. With no sheltering islands or mountains in the way, this grassy hill is almost always swept by wind – usually a gentle sea breeze – making it a hotspot for kite flyers.

Tin Hau temple

Did you know?

Despite having less than 100 residents, in 1991, Tap Mun had over 100,000 registered television sets, destined to be smuggled into China.

Want to be village correspondent? Email editorial@fastmedia.com.hk

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cover story

School’s out!

Trisha Harjani rounds up the best camps for kids and teens this summer.

Academic Anglo Academy

The only local summer boarding experience in Hong Kong; a week long prestigious preparatory course for students to get a taste of traditional British schooling. Based in Harrow International School and United World College of Hong Kong, The course emphasises academics, sports and characterbuilding skills. Accepting students 7-18 years old.

Priced at $11,050. angloacademy.com

Canadian International School CDNIS offers a diverse selection of immersive summer courses from iOS app development to inline skating.

Presented by the the likes of University of Cambridge,

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Summer Music Academy, Vienna Boys Choir and Camp Biz Smart. Suitable for kids from 3-18 years old, the camp runs from June 12 to August 4 at CDNIS at Wong Chuk Hang. Starts at $3,960 for non-CDNIS. Bus services are available from Central Pier No.4 to CDNIS via Central Post Office, Admiralty MTR and Leighton Road, Causeway Bay. activities@cdnis.edu.hk, cdnis. edu.hk

readers, these one-week workshops aim to instil the foundations of good storytelling and creative writing. Themed classes allow students to try something totally new or deepen their love for a particular genre. Running from June 19 to August 25 in Central. Aimed at 4-14 year olds.

3487 3153, elephantcommunitypress.com

Coast to Coast Making lives easier for young students, this preparatory, UK-based boarding school camp facilitates the transition from Hong Kong private school to British boarding schools or universities. Get to know your second home by spending one month in the scapes of Surrey Hills at Belmont Prep School, only an hour’s drive from London. Promotes confidence in the English language and provides a comprehensive introduction to boarding life in England. £2,200. Running from July 11 to August 8. coastschools.com

Elephant Community Press Shaping budding authors and avid young

Mini masterpieces at Elephant Community Press

ESF Language & Learning Summer Camp Never has learning been more fun as Commander Earth invites you on his time-travelling cosmic quest. Training students in reading, writing, English speaking and listening, this programme is an immersive experience designed to improve children’s confidence in their communication skills. Additional camps feature primary school

summer lovin’

Interactive learning at ESF Summer Camp

science, playgroup, Spanish and theatre learning.

Full day camps available at Renaissance College and South Island School. Language courses in the morning. Running from July 10 to August 25.

Starts at $6,300. 2711 1280, www.esf.org.hk

ESF Sports Summer Camp & Clinics Get moving with ESF’s summer sports camps designed for sport novices and experts alike.

Choose from the specialist gymnastic, tennis and swimming clinics or opt for the Multi Sport Camp that promotes a wider active skill set by playing a range of sports and engaging in team-building and developmental activities. Specialist clinics target one sport, cultivating specific skills and developing children’s love for the sport. Available at Renaissance College and South Island School.

Sports camps in the afternoon. Camps run from July 3 to August 11. Starts at $6,300 2711 1280, www.esf.org.hk

First Code Academy Go geeky this summer and discover your inner computer whiz with one of First Code Academy’s five-day programmes. Whether it’s building an app or a computer that you fancy, their comprehensive range of courses are

suitable for kids 5-18 years old, at all experience levels. Standout courses include robotics, 3D printing, scratch programming and minecraft modding. Classes are located in Sheung Wan, Yau Ma Tei, HKFYG Island South and Kwun Tong. Begins June 12. Starts at $4,680 hk.firstcodeacademy.com

GAIA Language Geared for children looking to polish their bilingual fluency, this program encourages a holistic learning experience with a reading, listening and comprehension or writing focus.

With both Spanish and Mandarin on offer, the GAIA language summer course also includes a parallel science or music class and field trips.

Running for two weeks beginning on July 3 in Central. $3,500 and up gaialanguage.com

Mini Mandarins To build confidence in speaking Mandarin, these summer camps immerse children in everyday activities such as cooking, arts, crafts, music and science. Based in Causeway Bay, summer classes run from June 12 to August 31 including a Green Monday special, educating kids in food nutrition. Open to ages 2.5-10. minimandarins.com

Sai Kung Montessori The wholesome Montessori program provides little ones with additional holiday academic training in an enjoyable and exciting atmosphere.

With opportunities to garden, cook and craft, this

Kiddy coders at First Code Academy

school encourages a healthy and active learning process. Each camp is led by certified AMI instructors and lasts for two weeks. Camps are split between ages 3-4 (8-11am) and 4-5 (12:303:30pm), as well as Math (July 3-14) and English (July 17-28). Priced at $3,750. 5369 8587, info@saikungmontessori.com, saikungmontessori.com

OWN Prometheus Summer Camp 2017 Prime your child for success this summer with entrepreneurial, programming and public speaking skills. Bringing together award-winning mentors and highly qualified scholars, this program preps children for further study and a solid career. OWN takes kids to different parts of the city everyday with a drop-off and pick up service in Central/ Sheung Wan. Suitable for ages 14-18. The programme runs from July 10-23 and costs upwards of $30,000. ownacademy.co

The Edge Use the summer to fill in the gaps with The Edge’s academic training in SATs, TOEFL, ACTs, IELTs, IB and Pre-IB. They offer curriculumbased courses in English Literature and Language, Biology, Physics, Economics and Maths or training in standardised aptitude tests for university admissions. Aimed at secondary school students aged 15 to 16, the course is an ideal component of college preparation. Centers in Causeway Bay and Mong Kok. Starts at $6,750. theedge.com.hk

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cover story

Performing Arts Colour My World

Targeting artists across all fields, the Sheung Wan-based Visual & Performing studio is a great step forward for striving artists and actors. Get the little ones trained in speech communication, creative writing, visual arts and performance from June 19-30. Open to ages 3-16. Starts at $2,200. colour-my-world.com

Behind the scenes at Junior Snappers

Faust World

Junior Snappers

Fire up your creative potential with a week-long creative writing or theatre programme located at Sheung Wan, King George V School and Discovery Bay. Faust creates a fun-filled environment for students to engage with the art of theatre and the creative process of writing. Useful for confidence building, teamwork and developing interpersonal skills. Workshops begin June 26 and run until August 25. Suitable for ages 3-14, starting at $2,960. faustworld.com

A filmmaking summer camp where kids independently create a short film project from start to finish. The five-day workshop involves learning how to create characters, write a script, plan a plot, direct and produce a short film. Open to kids aged 8-15 years old. Runs June 26-30 and August 7-11 in Central. Priced at $3,500. juniorsnappers.com

International Academy of Film and Television Lights, Camera, Action. These summer courses instil aspiring actors with creativity, confidence and collaborative skills and teach budding directors the fundamentals of camera work, audio recording and storyboard planning.

Open to ages 11 and up. Located in Wan Chai. Starts at $3,980 with 10 per cent discount for referrals from IAFT-HK Teen Alumnis and 15 per cent for IAFT Teen Alumnis. Iaft.net

Twinkle Dance Company Sway and spin your pointy toes and whip out your mini tutus for a summer of ballet. Aimed at ages 5 plus, these workshops not only teach ballet but also offer a chance for kids to choreograph their own proud masterpiece. From July 2 to August 31 on Queen’s Road Central. A variety of packages available starting at $2,240. twinkledance.com

Starlit Voice Indulge in a summer of creativity with Starlit Voice offering drama, acting and musical theatre weekly workshops. Various locations across Hong Kong including Sheung Wan, Central, Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau, the summer program encourages kids to get in touch with their artistic

Creative play at Starlit Voice

side. Open to ages 4-11. Starts at $1,600. starlitvoice.com

Stage Right Youth Theatre Six weeks of theatrical thunder encouraging youths to build confidence and interpersonal skills by learning acting skills and playing drama games. Culminates in a performance each week.

Available in Sai Kung and Hang Hau from July until Mid-August. Prices start at $1,850. stagerighthk.com

All-rounders YWCA

Challenge the mind, brain and body in one of YWCA’s camps for little ones. Opportunities range from shooting hoops to playing junior scientist. With over 400 options to choose from YWCA has one of the most comprehensive lists around. Running throughout July and August for various age groups. Starting at $180 per basketball or soccer session. Based mostly at YWCA in Central. More specialised camps such as fencing and ice skating are located elsewhere including Causeway Bay and Tai Koo. clle.ywca.org.hk

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cover story

Sport

Asia Pacific Soccer School Take to the field this summer with mini soccer, basketball and multi-sport sessions dotted around Hong Kong. From Sai Kung to Jordan, summer classes run every weekday through July and August. $190 for an hour session. apsoccer.hk

Brazilian Football Academy Improve your footwork with BFA’s themed football classes, which include drills, games and a mini football tournament. Aimed at 5- to 14-year-olds, the camp develops kids social skills, promotes healthy competition and improves physical fitness. Training runs from July 3 to August 26, Monday to Saturday at 9:30-11:30am at Stanley Ho Sports Centre in Sandy Bay, Pok Fu Lam. bfa.hk

Ronaldo Academy Up your football skills and learn to score like Brazilian legend Ronaldo this summer. Head coach Paulo Reis will be drilling the Ronaldo Academy methodology football training from Monday to Friday at Hong Kong Academy. The Academy’s Phenomenal Shirt will be provided to all participating students and those who complete the course will be awarded with a certificate of achievement. Camps for ages 5-8 run Jun 19-23 or Jul 31 to Aug 4. For ages 9-11, camps run Jul 17-21. Priced at $2,250. ronaldoacademy.hk

Hebe Haven Yacht Club This summer, Hebe Haven Yacht Club in Sai Kung offers a range of watersports including sailing, kayaking, riding sea biscuits, beach games and day trips to islands on motor and sail. All kids need is a packed lunch, change of clothes and sun protection. It’s an all-day, fiveday programme running each week from June 26 until October 6. Priced at $2,625 for members and $3,675 for non-members. hhyc.org.hk

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Dribble, dribble with HKBA

Hong Kong Basketball Academy

Mindful Wing Chun

Shoot some hoops with HKBA’s weekly summer basketball camp for boys and girls of all ages. Emphasising teamwork, characterbuilding and technical skills, this Stanley-based programme is designed to bump up your game and provide valuable leadership experience. Age groups range from under 8 to under 19. Prices start at $1,500. Runs from June 19 to August 12. hkbaallday.com

Designed to improve kids’ focus, Mindful Wing Chun offers a range of traditional martial arts classes for kids. Get 3-13 year olds one step closer to Bruce Lee with Kung Fu, Chi Sau or Wing Chun basics. Priced at $275 per class, numerous packages are available throughout the months of July and August.

Mindfulwingchun.com.hk

Hong Kong Parkview

Offering a diverse range of sport oriented summer camps including basketball, gymnastics, football, and swimming. Camps take place at various locations across Hong Kong. Highlights include a swimming course at Deep Water Bay, mini-sports camp at The American Country Club in Tai Tam and multi-sports camps at South Horizons and Box Hill Kindergarten, Ma On Shan. sport4kids.hk

This summer, members, residents and guests can all play sport in the lush greenery of Hong Kong Parkview. Choose to develop skills in one specialised sport or enroll in a multi-sport camp.

Sports on offer include gymnastics, hockey, mini rugby, tennis, basketball, rock climbing and more. Camps will run from June 26 to August 18 and prices start at $660 for guests. Early birds get 10 per cent off before June 11. hongkongparkview.com

Sport4Kids

summer lovin’

The Great Outdoors Blue Sky Sports Club Catch some of the gorgeous summer sun and go kayaking, stand-up-paddleboarding, dragon boating, wake boarding, snorkeling or surfing along the Sha Ha coastline. Programmes run throughout the summer months, Monday to Friday. For ages 8 and above. Priced at $4,000. bluesky-sc.com

Ark Eden Get wet and wild in the forests of Mui Wo and Lantau with this multi-activity exploration camp.

Little ones get to swim in waterfalls, build tree houses, plant crops and climb through Ark Eden’s forest playground. Single-day camps as well as three- and five-day packages available. Prices start from $750 and run from July 3 until August 11. Pick up and drop off at Central and Mui Wo Ferry Pier. Email jasmine@ arkedenonlantau.com, arkeden.com.hk Stretching it out at Flex HK

Flex HK Flex HK is hosting one-week summer camps for ages 6-11 and 12 plus. The Flexteen and Flexikids programs are designed to keep young ones fit with a range of activities including aerial fitness, jazz funk dance, yoga, pilates allegro and aerial yoga. Located on Wyndham Street, Central, the camps run from June 19 until July 7. Prices start at $1,400 for a week and $280 for a drop-in session. Enroll before June 10 for a 10 per cent discount. flexhk.com

Mini Sport Stay active with Mini Sport’s wide selection of sports including rugby, tennis, beach games, athletics and even party games. Located throughout Hong Kong, these camps employ high-quality school facilities and also give kids the option to play outdoors.

One-week camps take place at Woodland PreSchool, West Island School in Pok Fu Lam, French

Surf Hong Kong Activity-packed water sports camps with surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, canyoning and slack-lining. Camps are held at the beautiful Tai Long Sai Wan beach and run from June 12 until August 28. Price is $3,500 per camper, open to ages 8-18 years old. Family adventure programmes also available.

Surf Hong Hong is part of A-Team Edventures Limited, an experiential learning and leadership programme provider to schools and universities. ateamedventures.com

Hong Kong International Tennis Academy Improve your tennis game by enrolling on the Monster Tennis programme. Lessons available in Sai Kung, Po Tsui, Ma on Shan, Causeway Bay, Morse Park and Sha Tin. The programme is designed for ages 3-18 to train their way to the top.

Runs throughout July and August. Starts at $200/ class Email benny.lin@hkita.com, monstertennis.hk

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Art, Crafts and Baking Active Kids For three months this summer, Active Kids is running six different themed camps coaching little ones in culinary arts, chess, robotics and more. Inviting kids aged 3-17, the camps run from June to August in Kennedy Town and Mong Kok. Prices on request. activekidshk.com

Anastassia’s Art House Learn to draw, paint and sculpt from the créme de la créme at Anastassia’s Art House, an awardwinning Russian art academy with locations in Sai Kung, Repulse Bay and Happy Valley.

Qualified specialists are flown in from around the world promoting globalised, multicultural, artistic training. Starting at $280 for a one-hour session. Runs from July 2 to August 12. arthouse-hk.com

Banana Art Club Make your mark with a brush, pencil, crayon or ink. The creative courses teach the basics of sketching, manga and cartoons, crafts, painting and more. Classes suitable for kids aged 3-17. Courses run from June 29 until September 2 in Causeway Bay, Discovery Bay and Kennedy School. bananaartclub.com

The Picassos and Monets of tomorrow at Anastassia’s Art House

and celebrating at Complete Deelite in Central. Courses include making unicorn cake pops, safari cupcakes and ice cream drip cakes. These fun and funky courses start at only $650 with all supplies and tools provided. From July 5 until August 9. completedeelite.com

Fairchild Junior Academy

Drop your kids off for an entire day of creative exploration at Sai Kung’s lego hub with camps inspired by superheroes, ninjas, olympics, robotics and comics. Striving to educate in a fun way, the camps run throughout July and August and are aimed at 4-12 year olds.

Prices start at $550, get 5 per cent off if you register and pay before June 16. bricks4kidz.com.hk

Calling all infants, toddlers and preschoolers who like to run, play and sing.

Fairchild Junior Academy will run weekly themed camps throughout the summer. Pick from a number of themes including animals, creative construction, simple science and more. Located in Tin Hau, the camp runs from July 3 to August 11. Prices start from $950 for two days per week.

Email camps@fairchild.academy, bit.ly/ FairchildSummerCamp2017

Complete Deelite

HK Kidz

Instead of getting baked in the summer heat, get baking, decorating

Develop your English, German, Spanish, French or Mandarin this summer while cooking, playing music, performing science experiments and more. Targeting 1.5-12 year olds, the program runs in Sai Kung, Central and Wong Chuk Hang.

Bricks4Kidz

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Begins July 3 until end of August. Various price packages available, book before June 9 to get the early bird discount. 2877 6160, infokidz@hklanguages.com, hkkidz.com

Hong Kong Art Tutoring Have some messy fun with sculpting, painting, printmaking and drawing in North Point this summer. Suitable for all kids above the age of 9, Hong Kong Art Tutoring is offering weeklong courses training students in the basics of art. From June 12 to August 18, courses are priced at $1,500 per week. hkarttutoring.com

SKIP (Sai Kung International Pre-School) Get your hands dirty with paint, goop, slime and sand. Paint & Play is suited for ages 1-5 accompanied by an adult.

Whether you’re rolling around on the grass or crafting indoors, the sessions are relaxed, enjoyable and cooling for toddlers.

Tickets on sale now at $180 per session per child. From July 17 to August 11. skip.edu.hk

summer lovin’

Littlies Baumhaus

An indoor, age-specific summer camp designed to encourage a productive and enjoyable learning experience for kids, from newborns to 6-yearolds. It’s a flexible programme with unlimited playroom access, free pop-up playroom activities and a pass to one free summer event. Runs for eight weeks from July 11. Available at both Wan Chai and Harbour City locations. baumhaus.com.hk

Garden House Pre-School & Kindergarten An opportunity for little ones to walk, run, stretch and play, Garden House brings you an exciting and diverse choice of activity including yoga, gardening, crafts and nature walks. Aimed at kids aged 1-7 years old, the programme runs through July 10 to August 25 at Clear Water Bay. Prices start at $780. gardenhouse.edu.hk

Lighthouse Playroom Fastrack your little one’s bilinguality with English and Cantonese classes for 1-6 year olds. Super Tot’s preparatory classes are useful for pre-

kindergarten kids while the bilingual summer camps are aimed at older kids. Fridays are full of cooking, art jamming and themed parties. Book before June 4 for 15 per cent off. Fees range from $180-350 per class. Located in Sai Kung. lighthouseplayroom.com

Woodlands Pre-school A six-week, rotational programme for children from 6 months to 7 years, this summer school is the place for children to discover their niche. With musical activities, fitness, pure Mandarin classes and much more. Runs across various locations including Kennedy Town, Pokfulam, Aberdeen,

Kids having fun at Woodlands Pre-school

Happy Valley and Sai Kung. Starts at $2,600. woodlandschools.com

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outdoor

THE SSSNAKE SSSPOTTING GUIDE Snake season is here, but what should you do if you see one?

Snake catcher William Sargent is here to help 32 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

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outdoor

S

nake season is upon us (May September), so if you’re planning on going for a hike in Hong Kong’s countryside over the next five months, be prepared to encounter one of these limbless reptiles.

Here at Sai Kung Magazine, we’ve heard (and reported on) lots of snake stories, but how much do we really know about these creatures?

William Sargent, Government-appointed snake catcher and founder of Facebook group Hong Kong Snakes is here to shed some light upon the subject. “My message is always about education. Snakes are often portrayed as some kind of evil deity, but in terms of nature, they are no stranger than a frog or a gecko,” he says. “Snakes are simply part of our ecology - and an important part too. I find it a contradiction if people say they like nature and the outdoors, but hate snakes.”

Hong Kong has wide variety of different reptiles (snakes, turtles and lizards). Snakes, which have scales, come in many different forms and are highly adapted to their environment.

Most snakes are egg layers (oviparous) with some, like the Bamboo Pit Viper, giving birth to fully formed live snakes (viviparous). All snakes are carnivores, and hunt a variety of different prey including other snakes, frogs, fish, mammals, insects and worms.

The vast majority of snakes pose little or no risk to humans. Hong Kong has about half a dozen snakes that can be considered potentially dangerous, however, if left alone, they are extremely unlikely to cause any issues to humans. Most snake bites are the result of humans trying to catch or kill snakes, or

accidentally stepping on or near them. Over 90 per cent of snake bites come from one species (Bamboo Pit Viper).

Some Hong Kong snakes are fully grown at 10cm (such as the Blind Snake), others (such as the Burmese Python) can reach up to five metres. Mountain Pit Vipers can only be found on our highest peaks, whereas Cobras can be found in a large variety of habitats and locations.

Snakes are present where there is food.

Although they may venture into human areas, snakes are far more common in our country parks, especially on hills and near streams.

Snakes are cold-blooded and rely on the sun

to warm themselves. They are mostly dormant during the colder months and most active from May to September.

(Left): teaching the next generation; (Above): handling a Burmese Python and photographing a Chinese Cobra.

What should you do if you come across a snake?

• Remain calm. Snakes have no interest in confrontation.

• Keep pets and children away.

• Move away slowly and give the snake space to flee.

• If the snake does not move, find an alternative route.

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outdoor

HONG KONG SNAKES There are around 55 snake species around Hong Kong, not including the six species of sea snake that are mostly absent from our seas nowadays. Although venomous snakes are common in all 24 of Hong Kong’s country parks (including Sai Kung, Clearwater Bay and Ma On Shan), the last recorded snakebite death in Hong Kong occurred over 20 years ago.

Here’s our guide to the most common snakes in Hong Kong and what to do if you encounter them.

Red-necked Keelback Bamboo Snake (White-Lipped Pit Viper) Scientific name: trimeresurus albolabris Venomous: yes Appearance: bright green, yellow eyes, with distinctive reddish-brown tail, triangular head Size: average 50cm, can grow up to 90cm Habitat: shrubland, grassland The Bamboo Snake is responsible for over 90 per cent of all snake bites in Hong Kong but with no recorded fatalities. The snake is nocturnal and is an ambush hunter, relying on its camouflage and waiting for unsuspecting prey, which explains why the majority of snake bites come from this species.

Scientific name: rhabdophis subminiatus helleri Venomous: yes Appearance: olive green, with a red patch behind the head Size: average 1m Habitat: near streams or locations where their favourite prey (common toad) is common.

One of Hong Kong’s most common venomous snakes, the Red-necked Keelback has a highly toxic venom. However, it lacks true fangs and can only deliver a venomous bite through its enlarged rear teeth which makes envenomation very unlikely (it would bite and hold on for several seconds to produce a venomous bite).

Burmese Python Scientific name: python bivittatus Venomous: no Appearance: yellow with large brown spots Size: average 3-4m, maximum size in Hong Kong is 5m Habitat: shrubland, woodland and mangrove swamps The Burmese Python is Hong Kong’s largest snake and can be found in a variety of locations, but more commonly in areas of thicker jungle.

It typically eats birds and small mammals, but if hungry may attempt larger prey such as dogs, deer or boar. The Burmese Python does not prey on humans, but there have been isolated cases where pythons have bitten passing hikers.

The Burmese Python is a protected species in Hong Kong and interfering with or killing one may result in a fine and/or imprisonment.

Many Banded Krait Greater Green Scientific name: cyclophiops major Venomous: no Appearance: bright green, often mistaken for the Bamboo Snake.

Size: average 75-90cm, sometimes up to 120cm Habitat: humid forests, shrubland, woodland, grassland The Greater Green eats mainly earthworms, insect larvae, and other soft-bodied invertebrates. It’s mild-mannered and rarely bites, moving slowly unless alarmed. It’s common throughout Hong Kong.

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Scientific name: bungarus multicinctus Venomous: yes Appearance: alternating black and white bands Size: average 1-1.2m Habitat: marshland, shrubland, woodland, catch waters A highly venomous species with a potent neurotoxic venom that targets the nervous system. Bites from the Many Banded Krait may at first be relatively painless, but can develop into critical organ failure if treatment is not sought. The Many Banded Krait has a flexible neck that can twist and bite even when held behind the neck.

snake charmer

Indo Chinese Ratsnake Scientific name: ptyas korros Venomous: no Appearance: olive-brown with a long tail and large eyes Size: average 1.2-1.5m (can reach nearly 2m) Habitat: found in open, low lying areas such as grassy banks of streams and reservoirs, edges of cultivated fields and ponds, dry shrubland and woodland.

The Indo Chinese Ratsnake is a very common snake and feeds largely on frogs, but also rodents and lizards. It is most active during the daytime and common throughout Hong Kong, including many islands. This species of snake is very fast and will usually dart off if approached unless it is agitated, in which case it will bite quickly and vigorously. It’s commonly sold in snake shops for its gall bladder and meat and, as a result, is considered endangered in China.

Common Rat Snake (Oriental Rat Snake) Scientific name: ptyas mucosus Venomous: no Appearance: light brown Size: average 2-2.2m Habitat: shrubland, grassland, gardens The largest of Hong Kong’s four ratsnake species (third longest snake overall) and common throughout Hong Kong. The Common Rat snake is very fast, feeds on frogs and mammals and is quick to defend itself when feeling threatened.

Chinese Cobra Scientific name: naja atra Venomous: yes Appearance: hooded with a distinct white marking (usually a monocle shape) on its neck.

Black but sometimes grey or, in rarer cases, light brown.

Size: average 1.1m Habitat: grassland, shrubland, woodland, mangrove swamps Of the highly-toxic snakes in Hong Kong, Chinese Cobras are the most common. They feed on a large variety of prey including other reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Chinese Cobras are responsible for a few bites in Hong Kong each year, but due to modern medical access, there have not been any reported fatalities in over 20 years.

King Cobra Scientific name: ophiophagus hannah Venomous: yes Appearance: hooded, black with yellow bands (varies by individual and age).

Size: average 4m, can grow up to 6m Habitat: grassland, shrubland, woodland, mangrove swamps The King Cobra is the world’s longest venomous snake and can be found throughout the New Territories. It has a toxic venom and can inject large quantities due to its sheer size.

The King Cobra is a very shy creature and will avoid humans unless approached whilst guarding its nest of eggs, in which case it may become very defensive. These snakes have caused human fatalities in Hong Kong in the past, but are now very rare (possibly non-existent) on Hong Kong Island.

Common Blind Snake (Flowerpot Snake) Scientific name: ramphotyphlops braminus Venomous: no Appearance: dark brown or black Size: average 10cm Habitat: almost any terrestrial habitat Possibly Hong Kong’s (and the world’s) most abundant snake. This tiny snake looks similar to an earthworm and often the only way to tell the difference is by the flickering of its tongue. The Common Blind snake is often found burrowed underground. If handled or threatened, it can use its tail to cause a harmless prick.

What should you do if you’re bitten by a snake?

• Remain calm.

• Move away from the snake.

• Make careful note of the snake’s appearance, ideally take a picture if you can.

• Call for emergency help, or if quicker to do so, go directly to the nearest major hospital.

• Remove restrictive jewellery.

• Apply a pressure bandage to the affected area.

• Call 999 (or if nearby, go straight to hospital).

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outdoor

Talking snakes with William Sargent Tell me about yourself.

I live on Lantau and run my own sporting events business.

My parents moved to Hong Kong when I was 2. My father was a civil engineer working on the first MTR line.

Shortly after moving here my parents bought a small weekend place on Lantau Island with another family. In those days, Lantau was much more of a frontier/camping type place for weekend trips and hikes, and a lot less busy than now.

My brother and his good friend Dave Willot (who became and still is, a snake catcher for the police) used to go out looking for snakes and would bring them home. By the time I was 10, I was in charge of my first pet - a small Greater Green (grass snake) - and I was hooked.

Later, my parents moved us to Lantau full time. it was - and still is - a great place to find all kinds of wildlife, but my passion has always been snakes.

By the time I was 14, I was allowed to go off by myself (well, that’s how I remember it) and that’s when I really started to learn just how many types of snake there are in Hong Kong and that each one behaves completely differently. I learnt that the character of each species dictates their behaviour, and in turn, how best to handle them.

I’ve had no formal training to handle snakes; most of what I’ve learnt is by simple trial and error, with a few bumps along the way!

How did you become a snake catcher?

I have always helped to remove snakes from the houses and gardens of friends (or friends of friends) and tried to educate people about the true nature and risk of snakes.

A few years ago we moved back to Lantau (to my own place) and I started working from home. This gave me the flexibility to start catching snakes in a more formal way.

The final kick to apply to the police for the snake catcher job was after seeing a group of six police in our village waiting for a snake catcher to arrive - they wouldn’t let me get involved as I wasn’t officially approved. Instead, they waited three hours for the snake catcher to come from Chai Wan, just to move a python. I saw this as an opportunity to help, so I applied and I got approved.

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William holding a python

How often do you remove snakes during snake season?

It varies depending on the month and the weather, but in the summer I am contacted pretty much every day, often more than once.

Most of time I can calm people down just by talking to them, but I will go out and remove the snake if necessary. I only cover Lantau Island.

I am also the only Lantau based snake catcher for the Lantau Police. They call me two or three times a week in the busier months. For the police jobs, they pay me which is a bonus!

Snakes have a bad reputation - in literature they are often cast as villains. Why do you think this is?

Fear stems from the unknown. Horror films, children’s scary stories, the boogeyman...they all usually contain some unknown entity that can do you harm. It’s the same with snakes: many people know that snakes have the potential to be dangerous, but they don’t know much more than that so their mind fills in the gaps.

Education removes the mystery and replaces it with an understanding of the behaviour of snakes, the risks and how they are likely to respond, thereby taking away a lot of unnecessary worry.

What’s your favourite snake and why?

We have an amazing diversity within the 50+ species of snakes that Hong Kong enjoys. We have some of the largest, smallest, most toxic snakes in the world. Of all the snakes we have here, I think I would have to say the Burmese Python is my favourite. They are stunning and can be huge. We are so lucky in Hong Kong to have a healthy population of these predators.

It was one of the first pet snakes I ever had.

snake charmer

Have you ever been bitten?

What happened?

Once, when I was a teenager, I was putting a bamboo snake into a plastic container and noticed it had got me with one fang. I waited for a while and realised it was a dry bite, so carried on with our hike. That’s the only real close call I’ve had. I’ve been bitten many times by non-venomous snakes, which is like being scratched by a rose bush twig. I’ve also been bitten a couple of times by larger Pythons (10+ft), but again, it didn’t do much more damage than a scratch. I was lucky as the bigger pythons can give you a nastier bite.

What have been your strangest and most dangerous encounters?

Last summer I was called to a closed prison in Chi Ma Wan, near where I grew up. I loved it, as I had wanted to see what the inside of the place looks like since I was a kid!

The summer before that, I was called to move a large python from another operating prison - it had eaten the prison cats. That was unusual.

A 12 ft. python William caught for the police in the summer of 2015 - it had just eaten a cat

Another time, I had a call from a lady who couldn’t enter her house (and had been waiting outside for a couple of hours) because of a snake in her doorway. When I arrived, the lady was terrified and pointed to the shoe rack...I “bravely” removed the 10cm baby checkered keelback (a harmless stream snake) from her property. That still makes me laugh.

In terms of dangerous situations, I try to be as safe as possible and these days I use professional grade equipment. In my twenties there was a lot more bare hands, bravado and adrenaline and I took more risks. A couple of years ago I caught a Fer-de-lance in the Peruvian Amazon with my bare hands as I didn’t have any equipment with me at the time - that was a bit scary. They are responsible for the majority of snake deaths in South America and can give an extremely unpleasant bite. We were a long way from the nearest medical facility.

What do you hope to achieve through your Facebook group and educational talks?

I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing how I can affect change. Many people have never had anyone challenge their views or give them a calm and considered view on snakes. I’ve had people who’ve gone from being so scared that they can’t hike on natural trails, to becoming

snake champions simply because they made the effort to learn a bit more.

I set up the Hong Kong Snakes Facebook page, to help people identify snakes and become desensitised. When they see pictures from other members of various snake encounters and how they responded, it offers them a different way to react themselves. For my friends and many snake experts, it is a fantastic resource to find out what snakes are being seen where and when.

Photos courtesy of William Sargent. Additional photography by Tontan Travel www.tontantravel.com, Kevin Messenger, Thomas Brown and Rushen via wikicommons.

Want more information?

William is holding an educational snake talk on June 10, 10-11:15am at Victoria Recreation Club (VRC), Emerald Bay. Admission: adults ($120), children under 14 ($80). wsargent88@yahoo.com

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 39

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Entry deadline:

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eating

The wonder from Down Under

Six junks and 36 restaurants put restaurateur Wayne Parfitt firmly on Hong Kong’s fickle food map.

Carolynne Dear sat down for a coffee and a chat in his latest venue.

T

o be honest, my Hong Kong experience would be completely different without Wayne Parfitt. His Castelo Concepts chain of uniquely named restaurants has been peppering the background of my social life since the day I arrived here. I celebrated my 40th at Oolaa, my first junk was a Jaspas, my very first “Hong Kong ladies lunch” was in Wagyu - at the time I was a harassed young mother of very small children fresh off the boat from Sydney and was extremely flattered to have a bottle of champagne sent to our table by a group of guys in the corner. “Oh, that’s Wayne, the owner,” my new Bel Air buddies airily informed me. “Enjoy your lunch, ladies,” he called over. I have never forgotten it.

It’s a social business, that’s why I love it

But that’s the kind of guy he is - great fun and he likes a drink and he likes a yarn. His restaurants reflect this - they’re not gourmet or Michelin-starred or trying too hard. We’re talking laid back, easy going venues serving generous portions of enjoyable food alongside large glasses of easy-on-the-palate wines. And when you’re looking for somewhere to kick back with your mates and have a laugh after a hard week at the office or at home with the kids, they absolutely hit the mark.

“It’s a social business, that’s why I enjoy it,” he tells me as we catch up at St Barts, his brand new restaurant in Clearwater Bay. “People come and go, and then when expats realise all their friends have gone, they leave too. Not me, I’m constantly socialising, meeting people. It’s good,” he says.

An Aussie, he grew up on Queensland’s Gold Coast working in his parents pubs with his brother and business partner, Brian. He reckons the largest, Fisherman’s Wharf, took the equivalent of around HK$1million a day in today’s money over each weekend. “At 5pm we used to have to turn the beer taps off - we couldn’t keep up with demand. The girls used to count the money in the backroom with a guy with a shotgun standing at the door. They were good times,” he chuckles.

42 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

Wayne Parfitt and staff at St Barts Clearwater Bay (top) and restaurant interior (bottom)

He met his wife Andrea in Australia although Australian she grew up in Hong Kong, she was working for American Express at the time - and they came to the territory for “a couple of weeks to visit her mum and dad” in 1991.

Wayne enjoys a pizza at Pepperonis

During the trip she was offered a job by a former boss, Wayne fell in love with the place, and the rest, as they say, is history. “And I’ll never leave,” he swears. “They can bury me in Sai Kung!”

His first foray into the Hong Kong hospitality

Wayne’s world

Jaspas junks Pepperonis before (top) and now (bottom)

business was Pepperoni’s, which opened to huge local fanfare in Sai Kung in 1992. “There really wasn’t anything western in the area at that time, so we stuck to a pretty simple menu,” he recalls. “Pizza, pasta, wine, beer, you can’t go wrong.”

Local expats living in Clearwater Bay at the time recall dashing into Sai Kung with the family the night it opened, the kids bouncing around excitedly in the back of the car as they bucketed along Hiram’s Highway.

A further restaurant, Al Fresco’s (now defunct), quickly opened opposite, as well as the first Jaspas, on Sai Kung “square” (still going strong and regularly booked out on weekends). He opened a Pepperoni’s in Stanley in 1993 and another in Central shortly afterwards.

It was at this time that he decided to venture into Vietnamese territory. “I was having lunch with eight mates, including my brother, and yeah, we were a bit pissed. Anyway, one said, hey, what about Vietnam? There’s nothing western over there. So the following week we all flew out to Hanoi. And he was right, there was nothing western, I don’t think you could even get cheese in those days. Mind you, by this point we’d sort of decided to give the idea the flick, but this guy was persistent so I thought, alright, why not? So I got all eight guys from the lunch to put in US$8,000 each and we took it from there.”

Today, Castelo Concepts owns 65 venues throughout the country.

The junk business came about equally as casually. “As a family, we love the water,” he explains. “My wife was brought up in Sai

Kung and we all love messing about on boats, mucking around on the beach. So in ‘96 I bought a junk for the family. Anyway, I wanted to put a BBQ out the back on the top deck and everyone said, no, it couldn’t be done. So I said, bugger that, and put one in anyway. I wanted to be able to cook and socialise and have a drink with my mates. Well, we used to have these awesome parties and I thought maybe there’d be some traction in renting junks commercially with drinks and a BBQ. By now the global financial crisis had hit so I put in a tender for HSBC’s fleet of boats - the corporates were all selling stuff off at that time - and I ended up with six of them at $50,000 per boat. And that’s what became the junk business.”

They can bury me in Sai Kung!

A genuinely fun guy to be around, there’s also no doubting Parfitt’s business acumen - you don’t survive 25 years restaurateur in Hong Kong without a bit of nouse. Not content with renting out junks - and a Jaspas junk is a reliably epic affair, always plenty of booze, food and fun - he has now acquired a vacant lot on Pak Sha Wan pier in Sai Kung, from where his (and other) junks leave and return which he plans to turn into a restaurant. The Boatyard is on schedule for a summer opening - “it’s a bit on the back burner at the moment due to the new Queens Road venue” (more about that in

a minute) - and will serve as an office for his wife’s new catering business - think high-end foodie solutions for weddings, parties and kids birthdays - as well as a breakfast and burger joint for junkers embarking from and landing at Pak Sha Wan. Located in a quiet area on the way to Sai Kung, the Pak Sha Wan venue will cannily only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and its raison d’etre pure and simple is to capture the junk market. Customers will be able to moor up and have food and drink delivered to their boats or hired vessels (just on the off-chance you’ve booked a non-Jaspas boat) and there will be “a cheap, straight forward, good quality restaurant and bar menu” for people either wanting to grab some breakfast at the beginning of the day, or drop in for a bite to eat or more drinks on their way home.

“I think people land, they’ve had a great day, but they wouldn’t say no to another drink, and they need to feed the kids.” Again, he seems to have nailed his market. As journalist and fellow restaurateur Steve Vines pointed out, if anyone can make a venue work in sleepy Pak Sha Wan, Wayne can.

In other moves, St Barts in Clearwater Bay has launched to great local acclaim and Zaks in Discovery Bay has just re-opened following a massive renovation - Parfitt describes it as “a gourmet, seaside pub”, with space for 450 people, “we take around 4,000 covers on Saturdays and Sundays,” he adds with a hint of pride. Echoes of the Fisherman’s Wharf days, maybe? “Perhaps,” he laughs. “But without the shotgun!”

Jaspas in Discovery Bay will close and reopen this summer as an Asian-inspired Mr Chow’s, Wagyu on Wyndham Street is receiving a full facelift in July, and Tai Hang Bar & Grill opened

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 43

eating in mid-May. This last venture is his oldest son Jack’s project - he says his three kids, now all in their twenties, have always been involved in and enthusiastic about the business.

Educated at ESF Clearwater Bay primary and then the Australian International School HK until they were sent to Australia to board, they are now back in Hong Kong.

But the project that’s consuming his time at the moment is the intriguingly named Mr Wolf on Queen’s Road Central. He’s in the process of converting the space over Zara in the old Lane Crawford building into a 6,000 sq ft gastro pub with outdoor balcony.

“Listen, the names don’t mean anything,” he

says. “We just make them up, keep them generic and then we’re not tied to a food-type. If you go to a Luigi’s, you expect Italian, but if you go to a Mr Wolf’s, well, you don’t know what you’re going to get.”

He’s also beavering away on a second Feather & Bone deli and a wine shop, both of which will be going in over the Clearwater Bay St Barts venue and currently slated for an end-of-May opening (at time of going to press). He’s also in the midst of negotiations over the former Cafe Deco space on The Peak - “if it goes ahead, we’re looking at an opening early next year,” he says. So how does he keep a track on his empire? My pencil is already blunt attempting to list the line-up of new and

Alfresco dining at Zaks

The Parfitt timeline Wayne is born

Brian is born

1963

Wayne’s first child, Jess, is born

Wayne’s wedding

1965

1989

Pepperonis opens in Sai Kung

Wayne eats his first egg tart 1991 Wayne moves to Hong Kong

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Wayne’s second child, Jack, is born

Sing, legendary manager joins Castelo 1992

Brian moves to Hong Kong

Wayne’s third child, Mick, is born

1993

1995

Pepperonis opens in Stanley - first Castelo restaurant outside Sai Kung

Opens first restaurant in Vietnam

First Jaspas opens in the square

1996

Wayne buys his first junk

Wayne’s world

Wagyu along Wyndham Street

After the Asian Financial crisis, Wayne buys HSBC’s fleet of junks Pepperonis opens in Central

1998

renovated venues being fired at me.

“Look, it’s not all plain sailing. Every day is a challenge. We’re fortunate in that we’ve got great people working for us, some have been with us since day one” - the current employee tally across both Hong Kong and Vietnam is over 2,800 - “2016 was probably our most bruising year to date. Rents were sky high, expats were leaving and retail was falling off. Thankfully rents are easing now. And for all the openings, we have also had to close venues over the years, some just didn’t work out.

But I think there is still massive growth potential in Hong Kong. New areas that weren’t viable before are popping up everywhere - Tai Po, Kwun Tong, Kowloon Bay, the Gold Coast. Would I ever move

Wayne buys a Wagyu beef farm in Australia

Wagyu opens in Central

1999

2006

Zaks re-opens in Discovery Bay

Jaspas Beach Club opens in Sai Kung

2008

2011

into China? Maybe, but I’d have to have the right partner first.”

Keeping tabs on changing tastes has also kept Castelo ahead of the game. The group’s beef comes from a herd of cattle Parfitt owns back in Queensland, milk is imported from farms in Adelaide, South Australia, and he has just developed a coffee blend unique to Castelo with a coffee company in Hong Kong.

“The Hong Kong market is definitely changing, when we started out I’d say it was a 60/40 western to Chinese clientele, now it’s probably 30/70.

Without a doubt expat numbers are dwindling, but the young, driven, cashed up Chinese returning to Hong Kong after an overseas education is the

Tai Hang Bar & Grill The boatyard opening in opens in Causeway Bay Pak Sha Wan

A coffee blend unique to Castelo is developed

St Barts opens in Clearwater Bay

2016

2017

Today

New restaurant opening at the Peak 2018

Jaspas in Discovery Bay to re-open as Mr Chow’s

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eating driver. They’ve acquired western tastes, which is good news for our business. I also think that’s why demand for residences in areas like Clearwater Bay is so huge - they’ve come back from this western way of life with houses with gardens and cars and a bit of space and greenery and they don’t want to live in a walk-up in Mong Kok.” St Barts Clearwater Bay is a case in point - on a sunny Thursday afternoon the modern, brightly lit restaurant is peopled mainly by locals in their 20s and 30s, sipping lattes and tapping on their phones having viewed the brand new adjacent residential complex, Mount Pavilia, currently selling units at

It’s not all plain sailing.

Every day is a challenge

upwards of $17,000/sq ft. Local estate agents confirm demand for the low-rise, lush and luxe complex has been huge - apartments have been “leaping” off the books. Opening a sophisticated western restaurant inside the complex has been another canny Parfitt manoeuvre, it seems.

Never one to sit still for long - “my office is wherever my phone is,” he says - he concludes the interview, standing to leave. This afternoon he’s off on his boat to check on Jaspas Beach Club, his private venue on High Island off Sai Kung.

“So do you want a photo?” he asks on our way out. Well yes, I say, I’ll contact your office, speak to your marketing team. This is the usual drill. “Are you serious? Why don’t you just take one now?” he asks incredulously. Because

Choice Awards

2017

The Jaspas Sai Kung team - the restaurant, Parfitt’s third, is still going strong after 24 years

on-the-spot photography requests are always and unequivocally turned down in favour of professional, groomed shots, usually procured via a PR department.

“Oh my god,” he laughs. “Look, you’ve got your phone, do you want a shot or not?” he asks, grabbing a couple of waiters.

And that’s the way Wayne rolls, never misses an opportunity, never takes his eye off the ball, always enthusiastic, no airs and graces. I tell him I’m dining at Oolaa the following day, an annual Mother’s Day lunch organised by my children’s

school. “Fantastic!” he laughs. “That’s a great event. I think I’m going to come along for a couple of hours. See you there!”

I’m already looking forward to it.

Got a favourite restaurant or dish?

Tell us by voting in our Readers’ Choice Awards. Vote now at saikung.com

46 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

Oola in Central

nom news

NIBBLES

TC Deli is here

TC Deli opens a new branch along Yi Chun Street in Sai Kung town. The new store offers the same high quality produce from the much loved Tseung Kwan O store, including fresh and frozen meat, fish and poultry, charcuterie, cheeses, fresh vegetables and fruit, and their famous bread and patisserie products. Opens 9:30am-6:30pm.

G/F 14 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2353 5055, tcdeli.com

Sainsbury’s comes to Hong Kong The UK’s second biggest supermarket chain, Sainsbury’s, is now exporting to Hong Kong. Over 200 Sainsbury’s products are now available at Market Place by Jasons and selected Wellcome, ThreeSixty and Jasons stores throughout the city - from cheeses, cereals and coffee, to frozen vegetables and tinned foods. The products

have all been tested in the UK and are GMO free. There are four different product lines to choose from: “by Sainsbury’s”, “Taste the Difference”, “SO Organic” and “freefrom”.

Grill time with invisible kitchen The invisible Kitchen BBQ catering packages are here just in time for the summer sun. Chow down on Australian lamb, British Cumberland sausages, Australian rib-eye burgers and natural, hormone-free chickens. Get the whole shebang with the full service Deluxe BBQ Package ($540 per head) for minimum 15 people or opt for the recently added Essential BBQ Menu Delivery ($250 per head) for 15 people. All BBQ packages will be delivered with compostable or biodegradable plates, cutlery and napkins. Add-on drinks and dessert packages are also available. For those who don’t have their own outdoor BBQ pit, invisible kitchen are able to offer a selection of venues including outdoor

beaches, rooftops and clubhouses. 2711 5788, invisiblekitchen.com

A juicy murder Newly launched entertainment events company Harbour Secrets specialises in murder mystery dinners and mystery-themed events for private and corporate clients in Hong Kong. The company has partnered with various dining venues around the city from Causeway Bay to Mong Kok to Soho to The Peak. Its events offer flexibility with a range of add-ons including personalised venue set-up, costumes, make-up artists, video and audio recordings of hostages.

A thrilling addition to Hong Kong’s dining scene. harboursecrets.com.

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 47

education

ESF Clearwater Bay

Principal Chris Hamilton gives Adele Brunner a history lesson.

A

birthday is always a good excuse for a party and a significant milestone means even more cause for a celebration. This year, as the ESF marks its 50-year anniversary, the ESF Clearwater Bay School is dusting off its party clothes and commemorating its Silver Jubilee, with a special Silver Week from 1216 June.

Comprising five days of celebrations and activities, the highlight will be an open afternoon on Wednesday 14 June to mark the day that Lady Wilson opened the school back in 1992. As well as the current school community, ex-students, staff and families will be invited back to join in the fun. The event will include school tours conducted by members of Years 5 and 6, a photographic timeline of the school’s history, student displays and an afternoon tea for visitors.

“We aren’t staging huge events [for our anniversary] but we wanted to mark the occasion somehow and involve people with ties to the school as well as the wider community,” says incumbent principal Chris Hamilton, who has been at the helm since 2012. “The focus is of course on the children but we also wanted to celebrate the community we are part of.”

A strong sense of community, he continues, is what makes the school such a great place, a sentiment echoed by teaching staff and parents alike. There are currently 720 students from over 30 countries (at the recent Story Bazaar during Book Week, stories in 28 different languages were read), which makes for a wonderfully diverse cultural mix that promotes racial acceptance.

CWBS actually started life 41 years ago as Boundary Junior School, situated on Rose Street in Kowloon. The school was originally planned to meet the expected demand from people involved in the construction of the MTR. There was a demand - but it came from Hong Kong Island. The Rose Street campus was meant to be a temporary site while the government was looking for more permanent premises to house the school – but it took 16 years to find somewhere suitable that ticked all the boxes. A new wing was subsequently added as the school increased from three to four classes per year group and, more recently, many of the classes, multi-purpose

48 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

Year 5 students sharing their reading books

Students enjoy the new playground

rooms and the football roof were given a much-needed makeover. The school is now gearing up to renovate its assembly hall, which some might say is the icing on the 25th birthday cake.

In addition to the celebrations, school librarian Angela Barwell is compiling a coffee table book, featuring school photos, anecdotes and memories from Boundary Junior and CWBS.

“One of our teachers Kay Baddeley and our PTA administrator Kate Baldwin were both Boundary Junior alumni and another teacher Emma Watkins was a former CWBS student. Other teachers have been here since CWBS’ early years so we have an oral history that we are keen to record before they retire or move away,” says Hamilton.

“All in all, this is a really special year for us and I’m proud to be part of it.”

happy birthday Blast from the past

CWBS opening in 1992

If you are an ex-student, staff member, parent or community member and wish to attend CWBS’ 25th anniversary celebration from 1.30pm-5.30pm on Wednesday 14 June, please RSVP martina.chiu@cwbs.edu.hk. If you have any photos or memories that you wish to include in the commemorative book, please contact angela.barwell@cwbs.edu.hk.

“I went to CWBS from age 5 to 11, and then 14 years later I was lucky enough to return here for work. At first it was strange to walk through the staffroom door to the other side!

A lot has changed since I left in 1999, but a lot has remained the same too. I still love going to the library - although now it’s filled with computers and i-pads! My classes always love looking at the old yearbooks with me in them and talking about my time here as a student. I had some lovely teachers here as a child, and now I have a group of lovely, friendly and supportive work colleagues.” Emma Watkins, former CWBS pupil and current CWBS P3 teacher.

“I have many fond memories of children and staff at CWBS. The most unique is from 2005. There is only one school, anywhere in the world, that has gone in its entirety to Disneyland - and that school is CWBS. Soon after the park opened we organised a trip where

Governor’s wife Lady Wilson opens the new school

every child, together with many of the parents and school staff, spent the day at the new theme park. The logistics of organising such a trip were monumental, but a wonderful day was had by all. We were the talk of the town, with many schools jealousy suggesting such a trip could not have much educational value.

We even had a cartoon in the SCMP, which showed teachers with CWBS badges running to be the first into the park and leaving the children miles behind. Proudly, I can say we never leave the children behind at CWBS - they come first!” Mark Mahoney, former CWBS vice principal.

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travel

The Anam, Cam Ranh Shreena Patel heads to one of South Vietnam’s newest resorts.

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F

R&R

ancy a relaxing break but tight on time?

If soft sandy beaches, clear blue ombre seas and sunshine are what you’re after, look no further than The Anam, Cam Ranh.

Located along the southeastern coast of Vietnam, travelling to Cam Ranh from Hong Kong used to entail at least two flights (typically with a stopover in Ho Chi Minh), but since HK Express introduced Hong Kong’s first and only direct route to Cam Ranh International Airport last November, all that has changed.

The area’s idyllic beaches, fresh seafood and jungle clad mountains are now just a two-hour flight away.

The Anam is a five-star resort situated on Long Beach, a 15-minute drive from the airport.

Noise is not a problem at all: once inside the resort, the occasional sighting of a plane in the distance is the only clue to your proximity to runways and terminals.

Just outside the walls of the resort, the dry, bare landscape – a stark contrast to the lush green gardens and residences of The Anam impresses upon me the scale of this development and the effort required to maintain it in this environment.

Rooms The 12-hectare resort began its soft opening last September and celebrated its grand opening last month. Comprising two parts: The Anam Villas (117 villas, from one- to three-bedrooms) and The Anam Deluxe Collection (a hotel with 96 rooms), it overlooks 300 metres of beachfront on Vietnam’s scenic Cam Ranh peninsula.

The resort is elegantly designed, with dark woods, blue-and-white mosaic tiles and imperial rooftops amid green lawns and cobbled stone paths. Villas have a garden, pool or ocean view; 27 have their own private swimming pools.

They range from 50-267 square metres in size, and all premium villas have a living room with a sofa that can be converted into a daybed.

The Anam Beach Club Pool.

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travel

Each of the 12 three-bedroom villas has an ocean view, private swimming pool, living room and kitchen – ideal for families and groups. Two of the private pool villas feature exclusive spa therapy areas with a steam room and Jacuzzi – guests staying at these villas get two complimentary spa treatments per day.

Worth a special mention are the beds: I have the king-sized Sealy mattresses, 300-thread count cotton Irish bed linen and goose down pillows to thank for the best night’s sleep I’ve had in months.

Activities Relaxing doesn’t have to mean doing nothing – and the resort has plenty to keep guests busy.

Facilities include a tennis court, beach club with pool and fussball tables, yoga studio and gym, three large swimming pools (the Beach Club pool is for adults only), spa and beauty salon (with 10 private treatment rooms and a range of traditional Balinese treatments) and a 3D movie theatre – though in an area that averages over 300 sunny days per year, you may not want to be stuck inside for long. There’s also a kids’ club and complimentary supervised activities for children. Behind the beach, a large green lawn provides glorious views of the sea and plenty of space for yoga, volleyball, badminton, football and frisbee games and sepak takraw (known as ‘kick volleyball’, native to southeast Asia).

Alternatively, put your feet up on a hammock with a good book, beneath the shade of one of the resort’s 3,000 palm trees. There’s a wonderful warm breeze down by the beach and The Anam’s water sports centre has a selection of equipment for hire, from kayaks, to snorkels, sailboats and body boards. For a larger and cheaper selection of equipment (but more crowded waters), turn

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left out of the resort and onto the beach, keep walking until you reach the row of huts. We rented a SUP from The Shack for VND200,000 per hour.

The Anam can also organise a fishing excursion in a Vietnamese coracle boat and diving with Sailing Club Divers, Vietnam’s longest running PADI Five Star Dive Centre.

Golf enthusiasts will be pleased to hear The Anam is a few minutes from Long Beach’s 27hold Cam Ranh Links Golf Resort, due to open in September this year.

Eating The Indochine restaurant, near the lobby, offers all day dining (including a delicious buffet breakfast). A Vietnamese set lunch menu is available here on demand and the restaurant also hosts a range of buffet dinners to themes that change daily. Don’t miss the seafood BBQ buffet (freshly caught and barbecued tiger prawns, lobsters, crabs and more). Meanwhile, the Indochine Grill specializes in European fine dining

(no children allowed).

For pre-dinner drinks, head to The Saigon Bar. Its outdoor terrace overlooks one of The Anam’s three pools and there is live music here each night. The bar has a small a la carte menu and is also open during the day for lunch and afternoon tea. GM (general manager) drinks are held just outside on the lawn every Friday night from 6pm with free-flow wine and beer, a chance for guests and management to mingle before dinner.

For magnificent ocean views while you dine, head to the Beach Club which has an outdoor terrace overlooking the sea. The food will take a little longer to arrive as it has to be transported from the main kitchen, but the views are worth it. A great spot for lunch or dinner. The Sports Bar by the ocean offers drinks and finger food during the afternoon.

Couples who want something romantic should consider the dining experience for two: a candle-lit table on the lawn by the beach and

R&R and Nui Church. Sightseeing shouldn’t take more than a few hours – if you’re looking for something to eat afterwards, Yen’s is a popular choice for Vietnamese food. Later in the evening try The Sailing Club – located on the beachfront, it has a range of Vietnamese and international food, a live DJ in the evenings and plenty of seating from where you can watch the sun set over the ocean.

A shuttle bus operates from the resort to Nha Trang town twice per day in both directions (the last bus back to the resort is at 6:30pm; a metered taxi-ride will cost VND350-400,000 each way). a five-course BBQ dinner with a private waiter and chef. Only one table is available nightly, so book in advance.

In-room dining is also available and private BBQs are possible if you are in one of the pool villas.

What’s around?

Prior to Vietnam’s expansion southward from the Red River Delta in the 15th century, Cam Ranh was part of the Kingdom of Champa. If you can tear yourself away from the resort for a day, you may wish to visit nearby Nha Trang, where the Po Nagar Towers – the remains of an ancient Champa temple built between the seventh and 12th century - still stand. Other sights include Long Son Pagoda, Dam Market

When to go Cam Ranh has a tropical climate, averaging about 27oC year round. As for The Anam, the best time to go is now, while the resort is not at full capacity and the beach is still relatively undeveloped (A number of other hotels are being built along the road back to the airport but are not yet complete).

The Anam is still ironing out a few issues, mainly with communications, but it is a blissful place and the staff are friendly and try their best to be helpful. There seems to be a mixture of couples, friends and families - many from China and Russia with an increasing number from Hong Kong, Australia and Singapore.

Essentials Nightly rates start at USD200 for the Balcony Garden View Room and rise to USD800 for the singular Anam Ocean View Pool Villa (three bedrooms).

The Anam Long Beach, Northern Peninsula Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam +84 583 989 499 Email reservations@theanam.com www.theanam.com

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The latest green issues affecting our city.

L

et me explore the fracas surrounding the closure of Murray Road Car Park, to show why we need a ‘Park’n Walk’ strategy.

The government closed Central’s Murray Road Car Park in April and sold the site in May. The tender price hit a record high of $23.28 bn.

It will become a commercial tower with 40,000 square metres of Grade A office space. The sale is part of a policy to increase commercial floor area in core business districts. Next up are Queensway Plaza and the government’s offices in Wan Chai.

Not everyone is happy with the closure of the car park. The loss of the 388 parking spaces is expected to be a disaster for traffic conditions. The many chauffeur driven cars that used the car park are now expected to roam the streets of Central, blocking traffic to wait for their employers.

The Transport Department counters that, save for motorbikes, there is sufficient space in nearby carparks. But there is a snag. The available spaces are in Cheung Kong Centre.

Those familiar with traffic flows in Central will see the foolishness here. The queue of traffic to go down the ramp in front of Bank of China onto Queen’s Road Central regularly causes back ups all the way to Wan Chai.

More vehicles leaving Cheung Kong Centre car park will further immobilize the Ice House and Pedder Street junctions.

This is why we at Designing Hong Kong asked the government to delay the closure and sale of Murray Car Park, and first redevelop City Hall Car Park into a large multi-storey structure, connected via footbridge to the AIA Central building.

Let’s be clear – we’re not asking for more car parking spaces. We urge to reduce the number of parking spaces planned for the redevelopment of Murray Car Park and Hutchison House.

Instead, we recommend rethinking where we locate car parking spaces. If we rebuild City Hall Car Park, we could effectively shift

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Photo by Baycrest - Wikipedia user - CC-BY-SA-2.5.

Park’n Walk

zim city

the parking spaces from the south to the north of Connaught Road. This would stop vehicles circulating in congested areas and allow direct access from the main roads. From there, we would need footbridges and tunnels to make it easy to walk to the rest of Central.

This is a ‘Park’n Walk’ strategy. It requires joinedup thinking by the Development Bureau, which wants to sell land; the Transport Department, which wants to reduce congestion; the Planning Department, which determines where parking spaces are added; and the LCSD, which wants to expand City Hall by removing the car park. Not only does the LCSD’s plan make it harder to implement the proposed strategy, it flies in the face of decisions by the West Kowloon Cultural District to introduce new venue spaces such as the Medium Theatre II, Multi Performance Venue and Centre for Contemporary Performance.

What we propose is nothing new. Rumsey Street Car Park fulfills exactly this ‘Park’n Walk’ strategy for Sheung Wan. And the Star Ferry Car Park and underpass facilitate ‘Park’n Walk’ for the area near Pedder Street. Let’s recognize what works and expand the coverage in Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and older urban areas in Kowloon and the New Territories before opening our borders to more vehicles.

Paul Zimmerman is the CEO of Designing Hong Kong, a Southern District Councillor and the co-convenor of Save Our Country Parks alliance.

Horoscopes

hong kong horoscopes

AQUARIUS Jan 21–Feb 19

PISCES Feb 20–Mar 20

ARIES Mar 21–Apr 20

TAURUS Apr 21–May 21

This month is looking like a good one for you, Aquarius. I predict that you’ll never get caught at taxi changeover time, you’ll always get a seat on the MTR, and your bus won’t get stuck in traffic. OK, maybe these are impossibilities. But I maintain that your transport woes will be lesser this month, which means that your stress levels will be similarly lowered.

Romer’s Tree Frog is a tiny, unremarkable brown frog with one special characteristic: it’s endemic to Hong Kong. In other words, this endangered and protected species is native to the territory and isn’t found anywhere else in the world. What’s endemic to you, Pisces? What do you have that no one else on the planet has? That’s also something worth protecting, wouldn’t you agree?

Drinks are expensive these days, everybody knows that.

A beer at a bar will cost you upwards of $60. A cocktail? $120, if you’re lucky. So when’s the last time you had a night out… at Club 7-Eleven?

After all, it’s a Hong Kong institution. Grab a few brews, pay by Octopus, and hang out on the street watching the world go past. You’ll thank yourself, Aries – and so will your bank balance.

A favourite Cantonese phrase of mine is siu seen yuk, “little fresh meat” – it means a young, inexperienced pretty-boy.

You couldn’t ask for a more evocative, more objectifying phrase. But why not objectify the guy for a change, Taurus?

Your mission this month: flip your assumptions and stereotypes – even if it’s just the object of your lust.

LEO Jul 23–Aug 22

VIRGO Aug 23–Sep 23

LIBRA Sep 24–Oct 23

SCORPIO Oct 24–Nov 22

Lantau’s Big Buddha is the world’s largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha.

That’s a lot of adjectives just make a world record, isn’t it? By that logic, I’m the world’s greatest half-Chinese Hong Kongbased English-language soothsaying mystic.

Probably. Leo, sometimes we protest just a little too much. You don’t have to be the world’s best: It’s OK just to be good.

Virgo, do you have any Chinese aunties? If you do, you’ll know that they’re always interested in your health, your career… and your love life. It might seem irritating sometimes, but it always comes from a place of love. I encourage you to embrace their attention. And if you don’t have any Chinese aunties, let me help. Are you eating enough? Are you making enough money? When are you going to settle down?

If you speak to some, Chungking Mansions is a wretched hive of scum and villainy. Speak to others, and it’s a great place to get a curry. Speak to still more, and it’s as close to home as they get in this overwhelming city. Libra, this your a reminder that perspective is key: everyone sees things a little differently. Remember Chungking Mansions the next time you get frustrated.

Do you remember when the purple plastic $10 note was introduced, Scorpio?

Everyone thought that it looked like silly toy money, more like a fairground ticket than legal tender. Now, of course, we use them without thinking twice (although I still have a soft spot for the old green notes). Plastic notes have even been introduced in London. The lesson?

Sometimes, a small change is just small change.

As transmitted to Adam White, writer, editor and occasional soothsayer.

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GEMINI May 22–Jun 21

CANCER Jun 22–Jul 22

Gemini, visualize the ice lemon tea. Simple, but elegant. Sweet, but a little tart. Cool, but not icy. That’s how I want you to see yourself this month. As a perfect combination of contrasts, made all the more unique because you combine them so well. Cast your eyes down that cha chaan teng menu… and then cast yourself as an ice lemon tea.

Junk season is approaching, and with that comes plenty of insecurity.

Here’s one question: Are you bikini-body ready?

Here’s another question: Who cares? When you’re on a junk, everyone’s chugging beers in swimsuits. Your six-pack, or lack thereof, will pass unnoticed. There’s no need to be so selfconscious: Embrace your body, crack a brew, and dive right in.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23–Dec 21

CAPRICORN Dec 22–Jan 20

Andy Lau is one of the “Four Heavenly Kings” – the gods of 90s Cantopop. He doesn’t seem to have aged at all since those days. What’s his secret? Does he bathe in the blood of the innocent?

Is his body 90% botox? Is it just a LOT of moisturiser?

Sagittarius, these questions don’t matter. What matters is keeping your heart and soul young. Then it’s Andy Lau who’ll be asking for YOUR secret.

Sai Ying Pun was one of the first districts of Hong Kong, originally settled by the British army. In recent years it’s become more popular and gentrified, with plenty of trendy restaurants.

Some worry that the neighborhood is losing its identity. Do you find yourself changing to suit others, Capricorn? Try not to be like Sai Ying Pun, no matter how nice it feels to fit in with the hip crowd.

Woof!

pets

Sai Kung residents share their favourite dog walks

With Tara Smyth

T

he walk is 11 kilometre and takes in huge varieties of track, terrain, views and flora - excellent for trail -runners with fit doggies! I like to walk this trail and enjoy the nature with my best friend, Foxy Loxy!

Starting at the Pak Tam Chung gates, walk 500 metres along Tai Mong Tsai Road before turning left into Pak Tam Road. Continue for 800 metres and you will see a Pak Tam Chung path signposted “Luk Wu Country Trail”.

Follow the boulder path uphill for 800 metres until you reach the Water Department service road.

Turn right and follow the road around, and once you hit the dam, follow the steps up to the left. Enjoy this natural trail as it rises up and towards sweeping views of the ocean. Take a rest and get your camera out as the views are stunning.

Take the steep steps down to a junction. At the bottom, once you reach the junction, take the left hand turn, signposted toward Chek Keng. The natural trail continues to head down until you finally reach Chek Keng.

On the way you will cross a few small streams, see an array of distant landslips and negotiate the ‘ravines’ carved in the red clay by the summer rains.

Just before you reach Chek Keng you will cross a beautiful large stream with many rocks worthy of a rest-stop. Let your dogs swim and refresh themselves in the clear waters before continuing on. Head through the shaded woods until you reach the familiar concrete path that is Maclehose Stage 2 (at Chek Keng). Here you should turn left and continue up Maclehose Stage 2, with the sea on your right.

After about 2 kilometre you are faced with two choices - either continue on the (somewhat dull) concrete path of Maclehose Stage 2 and finish your hike at Pak Tam Au, or take a right turn where you see the signpost directing you to Wong Shek Pier, which leads you to the “Wong Shek Family Trail”.

I highly recommend the latter choice as this path winds its way through first a forest, past a deserted village, then mangroves skirting the coastline, until it finally takes you through more woods before you end up at Wong Shek Pier. Here you can take a taxi out back to the gate (if you are with your doggies) or the KMB Bus no. 94.

What’s your favourite dog walk?

Choice Awards

2017

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Tell us by voting in our Readers’ Choice Awards. Vote now at saikung.com

Ask a vet...

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

Q: “How do I get my dog to stop whining when he begs for food at the table?”

A: Ignore your dog when he whines at you. Do not speak to him and never give him food as that will only make the whining worse. Either (1) don’t allow your dog near the table when you are eating, shut him in another area of your house, or (2) train him not to beg/whine. Training involves rewarding good behaviour. Check out You Tube for step-by-step instructions on how to tackle this problem.

Q: “My cat has a smelly, light brown discharge from her ears. What could this be?”

A: This should be checked out by your vet. It indicates irritation in the external ear canals. Cats normally produce ear wax similar to our own. If the wax is discoloured it means something is wrong. The colour change is due to biological debris or broken down blood cells in the normal wax, the result of trauma caused by your cat scratching the ears, head shaking or both. Common causes of light brown discharge include parasites, bacterial and/or yeast ear infections, other irritants or a foreign body, but that would be rare in both ears at the same time.

Q: “My dog keeps sniffing the rear ends of other dogs when we go to the park. Why?” A: It is perfectly normal. Dogs have an extremely sensitive sense of smell. Each dog also has its own unique odour, linked to things like internal and environmental influences, diet, genetic makeup and microflora. Dogs can detect odours at 1/100 of the concentration required for humans to detect the same smell. Sniffing another dog’s rear is an indication that the “sniffer dog” is reading a message/ odour produced by the other dog. The information gained from that sniff is a combination of the dog’s physical, physiological and behavioural characteristics (individual identity, age, wellbeing and social status).

Got a question for Dr. Pauline?

Email editorial@fastmedia.com.hk

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marketplace The Hong Kong gardening column

T

he month of June will keep Hong Kong gardeners on their toes with hot temperatures, high humidity, occasional downpours and possible typhoons. The average low and high temperatures are 23°C (73 °F) and 33°C (91 °F).

Now to slip on those cotton gloves and off to work! In June, seeds of the following flowers may be sown: Celosias, Chinese Balsam, Torenia Fournieri, Sunflower, Moonflower, Pentapetes, Ipomoea Quamoclit, Amaranthus globosus and Cockscombs.

Some things to keep in mind when sowing: soil is too wet, soil is too dry, sown too deep, sown not deep enough, sown at the wrong season and sown in the wrong situation. One can see that to ensure success it is paramount to give particular attention to the operation of seed sowing.

Don’t forget to place Callas under cover from rain. Let them remain dry until the beginning of October, then take them out of the pots and re-pot. As soon as they begin to make new growth give them a rather sunny situation.

Hydrangeas propagated in January last, may now be now be moved from sixinch to seven-inch pots. Once re-potted, they make pleasant table decorations within the home. It is known that certain substances such as iron, potash and alum if added to the soil, will cause the flowers to assume a blue colour.

For vegetables, the following seeds may be sown in June: Mustard and Cress, Cucumber, Lettuce, Sweet Corn, Chinese Long and Short Beans, Chinese Green, White Cabbage and Chinese Spinach.

Chinese Spinach is a vegetable that always comes in useful through the summer. It is practice in some gardens to transplant seedlings, but I think this unnecessary. The young plants from the seed bed are more tender than those which are transplanted. If transplanting is preferred, the seedlings may be put in at distances of one foot apart each way.

Provide Brinjals with attention as they will be better if they have some of their leaves taken off. They will continue to bear much longer, especially if they are given a little more manure at the roots.

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By William James Tutcher F.L.S (1867-1920) Superintendent of Hong Kong Botanical Gardens.

Paraphrased from his seminal 1906 work Gardening for Hong Kong.

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Park life

stephen says...

Country park, noise, history and more by, Stephen Vines.

A

victory in the battle for the country parks but the war continues Thanks to the most recent decision of the High Court, important areas of the Sai Kung Country Park have, at least for now, been saved from redevelopment. Unfortunately the Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department, at the time of writing is considering an appeal.

Mr. Justice Thomas Au ruled that six country park enclaves including Hoi Ha and Pak Lap were wrongly not included within the country park zone by the Country and Marine Parks Authority when applications were made to rezone these areas for property development.

The most important part of Justice Au’s ruling is that the Authority had paid insufficient regard to the needs of conservation, landscape and aesthetic values as laid down in new guidelines requiring these considerations to be taken into account when considering whether or not enclaves could remain outside the country park zone and therefore be amenable to property developments. There are a total of 77 country park enclaves, so there is much to play for here.

This ruling is an important victory for the Save Our Country Parks campaigners who initiated the court action but, unfortunately, this is not the end of the matter given the government’s repeatedly stated intention to use areas of the parks for housing.

Just listen to that noise Advances in preserving the country parks are all very well but the officially sanctioned level of noise pollution in the parks seems to be getting worse. I am not talking about the continuing use of helicopters broadcasting safety warnings at high levels, but the permission given to organisers of events in the parks to set up large loudspeaker systems to blast out both music and prolonged speech that stray way beyond, for example, the need to give a countdown.

On May 1, starting at around 7:30am two emcees, embarked on an endless dialogue, punctuated by sending race contestants on their way. Two days later, local residents were treated to a long recital of bagpipe playing, which is very much an acquired taste. It is not the first time that the peace has been shattered but the noise pollution seems to be getting longer.

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Why has Sai Kung been singled out?

Meanwhile, back in Sai Kung town, the war on pleasure waged by the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) continues apace. The clipboard wielding bureaucrats are still cracking down on Hong Kong’s most serious crime problem – people sitting outside restaurants eating and drinking without showing any sign of remorse and bringing their pets.

It occurred to me that this might be a territorywide problem so on a recent weekend I set out to investigate another location (I am giving no names because it could be tantamount to an invitation for another invasion of the bureaucrats) famous for outdoor dining. Were restaurateurs in this area having the same problems? The answer was no, so why is Sai Kung singled out for this kind of treatment by the FEHD? An answer would be nice.

Will history be re-written at Rennie’s Mill?

News that the last remaining building from the Kuomintang stronghold at Rennie’s Mill is to be preserved as a heritage conservation site raises several interesting questions. When the area was cleared back in 1996, it was widely believed that the clearance was mainly politically motivated – an attempt to expunge the public face of the KMT in the year before the handover of power. Many people do not even know that this part of Tiu Keng Leng served as a KMT stronghold because the history of this place has been suppressed. It was an important centre for the defeated Nationalists, who used to have a stronger presence in Hong Kong. So, the question is: will the building be identified by its place in history and will the government be prepared to address the legacy of a place that was once famous for housing former soldiers who fought on the Nationalist side of the civil war with the Chinese Communist Party?

Stephen Vines is a journalist, broadcaster and entrepreneur.

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