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September 2017

Happy in Hong Kong!

New ideas for a new term

Rocking Kota Kinabalu Luxe family fun in the sun

Out with the old

Declutter advice from the experts

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CONTENTs

ISSUE 041

2

Editor’s letter

36

Here comes autumn

New principals and more exam results

4 Contributors

Meet the team

6

What’s on

New adventures for a new term

10

Things you need to know

Festival of the Hungry Ghost

12 News

Loads of free stuff

18

Debate of the month

What’s in your lunch box?

20

Me & My Big Idea

Fresh stuff online

22

My Hong Kong

At home with Mirth

24

Book review

New releases plus brand new children’s books

26

The big interview

Restaurateur Kim Minards

6

Open day

American dreams in Tai Po

48

Life & style

Starting afresh

50

Things We’d Buy

Keeping it tidy

20

Out and about in Sai Kung

56

Big day out

Fishy business

58 Travel

Short-haul in Borneo

64

Flailing spouse

How not to re-decorate

22

30 Cover story

42

52 Food

Goings on this month

16 Giveaways

School news

50

Welcome to Hong Kong

49

Scan and visit our website expat-parent.com

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editor’s message

who’s in charge?

Publisher Tom Hilditch tom@hongkongliving.com

Editorial editorial@hongkongliving.com Editor-in-Chief Shreena Patel

Editor Carolynne Dear

Acting Editor Eric Ho

Editorial Assistant Catharina Cheung

Editorial Assistant Jai Rane

Editorial Assistant Jesse Yeung

Design cindy@hongkongliving.com Design Manager Cindy Suen

Graphic Designer Anna Schulteisz

Design Assistant Julia Poon

Sales & Marketing ads@hongkongliving.com

W

elcome back to normality! After a busy summer, the kids are finally back at school, summer is coming to an end and usual service is resumed. Writing the September issue is always a tough gig, given that most of the editorial work is done in August when Hong Kong empties out.

Despite this, I’ve enjoyed a fun month having my home analysed by a professional de-clutterer (find out what she found on page 48), catching up with various vacationing school principals (see our Schools section on page 36) and meeting a number of newbies to find out how they are adapting to life Hong Kong-side (find out what they revealed in our cover story on page 30).

It was also wonderful to catch up with restaurateur and mum-of-two Kim Minards for our Bit Interview story. With partner Rob she founded the Enoteca food group six years ago and is in the throes of opening a brand new venue in Sai Kung with an unusual heritage. As I was ‘up north’, I also had a good nose around all the new family restaurants that seem to be mushrooming all over Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay at the moment, see page 52.

But the biggest challenge was photographing this month’s cover. Two brave ten-year-old girls gamely posed for one of our regular photographers in close to 40 degree heat to keep the magazine looking as attractive as ever. I think you’ll agree they did a great job!

Happy reading…

about the cover

Sales and Marketing Executive Venus Man

Sales and Marketing Executive Kiran Hiranandani

Sales and Marketing Executive Isamonia Chui

Digital cora@hongkongliving.com Digital Assistant Cora Chan

Office Manager amanda@hongkongliving.com Office Manager Amanda Chia

Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 | Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong

Our thanks to AISHK students Abbie and Scarlet, both ten, who braved the heat and gave up an afternoon of their holidays for this month’s cover. After a couple of hours ‘hanging out’ on the ladder streets of SoHo, they were handsomely rewarded with a large sundae from Oddies Foodies on Gough Street. Photographer Hannah Grogan did a great job keeping the girls enthusiastic and entertained on a scorchingly hot August day.

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Sales Director Hilda Chan

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

HONG KONG hongkongliving.com Expat Parent is published by Hong Kong Living 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. Expat Parent cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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contributors

Hannah Grogan...

Kate Davies…

Jerome Barty-Taylor…

… snapped our fantastic cover this month.

She was previously managing editor at Hong Kong Living. She now covers Hong Kong as a freelance writer and photographer, working for publications including the South China Morning Post, Squarefoot and online magazine Honeycombers. Despite being at ease in the city, her hometown of Sai Kung is where she loves the most.

...toured the American School in Tai Po. Now going into its second year, it opens a secondary section this month. Kate loves to write and is a regular contributor to Expat Parent. Her other passion is hiking, and when she’s not chasing her lively two-year-old she can often be found up a Hong Kong mountain. She’s also partial to the odd glass of bubbly...

...shares his thoughts on tutoring in a timely column in our Schools section this month.

Jerome is the founder of tutoring company BartyED which provides development for gifted children and support for students with learning differences. As most of the territory heads back to campus this month, learning support is on the minds of many parents this term.

Want to write for Expat Parent Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com

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what’s on

Paddles up at Deepwater Bay, Sept 2

UNTIL SEPT 29

On Sharks and Humanity Exhibition Launched in partnership with Parkview Arts Action and WildAid, Hong Kong Maritime Museum is presenting a special exhibition showcasing the importance of shark preservation. Tickets cost $30, Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Central Ferry Pier No 8, Man Kwong Street, Central.

seasonal produce to the city. Support the local farming community, open Monday to Friday, noon till 6pm.

9am-12pm Sept 2, Maggie & Rose, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay.

SEPT 1

CATCH Pamper & Playdate at Maggie & Rose Tailored for non-members of Maggie & Rose, this playdate is an opportunity to trial the activities and play areas at the Repulse Bay-based family club. Enjoy a massage and browse wellness and children’s brands over a glass of wine, while your kids attend cooking and play classes. $450/parent+child; $50/each additional child, catchapp.com.hk/ maggieandroseaug2017.

SEPT 1-2

Retykle ‘Back to School’ pop up

UNTIL SEPT 29

Pop-Up Farmers’ Market Farmers are gathering at Tong Chong Street Market in Taikoo Place to bring locally grown 6 expat-parent.com

Back by popular demand, Retykle returns to Maggie & Rose for a two day ‘Back to School’ pop up. Over 250 designer brands for kids aged 0-8 at up to 90% off the original retail price and 10% of sales from single transactions over $1,010 will be donated to environmental NGO Redress. 2-8pm Sept 1,

Designer brands at Retykle, Sept 1-2

SEPT 1-8

Fabric pop-up sale Fabulous fabric lengths from Altfield’s top decorative brands at up to 50% off. 10am-

tell me more 6pm (Mon–Fri); 10am–5pm (Sat), Altfield Interiors HK Central showroom, Shop 1101, 9 Queen’s Road Central, 2525 2738, altfield.com.hk.

SEPT 1-30

mum about town

Kin Hong Seafood Festival The second seafood festival organised by Ocean Recovery Alliance aimed at raising public awareness of sustainable seafood. Over 100 participating restaurants, retailers, and F&B groups plus a panel discussion event “Behind the Scenes with Sustainable Seafood” on September 21 at Metta, California Tower, Lan Kwai Fong, oceanrecov.org.

SEPT 2

Deep Water Bay Kayak n Run Enjoy some family fun on this action-packed course around Middle Island and Deep Water Bay. Minimum age six years.

Children under 11 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

Kayaks, paddles, and lifejackets provided. 7.30am start, tickets at actionasiaevents.com.

SEPT 2

Glam Fest Kowloon Bazaar Local and overseas vendors offering thousands of products including designerwear, homewares, lifestyle accessories and jewellery. 11am to 8pm, Regal Kowloon Hotel, TST, Kowloon, kowloonbazaar.com

SEPT 5

The Yu Lan Hungry Ghost Festival According to traditional beliefs, the seventh lunar month is when restless spirits come out to wander the earth. The Federation of Hong Kong Chiu Chow Organisations is holding a series of events from September 1-3, including a Yu Lan Festival exhibition and a ‘Hong Kong Blessings’ ceremony, Soccer Pitch 1, Victoria Park.

SEPT 8

Wine Rally at The Bay Head down to the Repulse Bay’s annual wine fair and spend the evening enjoying fine wines and culinary delights, with over 80 wines to try, as well as oyster shucking and foie gras stations from 7-8pm. $528/person, 7-10pm, The Marquee and Spices Terrace, 109 Repulse Bay Road, reservations at verandah@therepulsebay.com or 2292 2822.

SEPT 10

Handmade Hong Kong Discovery Bay Market Discover treasures from crafters all over Hong Kong, with stalls throughout Discovery Bay plaza. Free, 11am-6pm, Discovery Bay Main Plaza, Discovery Bay, Lantau, handmadehongkong.com.

SEPT 15

International Day of Democracy

SEPT 16

Variety Hong Kong Gala Dinner 2017 Charity dinner to raise funds for physically, mentally and socially disadvantaged children in the city. $2,100/person, black tie, cocktails at 7pm, dinner at 7.30pm. Ladies Recreation Club, 10 Old Peak Road, Mid-

Mums come out to play again, Sept 22

Candlelit suppers I’m not a great cook but I do enjoy a good dinner party, especially at the end of the summer when we’re all a bit junked and beached out.

Putting together a fancy-looking, candle-lit table with this season’s most gorgeous homewares is great fun. And when it’s all for a good cause - well, it’s even more enjoyable. Missione Possible Hong Kong (MPHK), a charity that runs and maintains schools in rural Cambodia, are this month asking Hong Kongers to organise a dinner party and to ask guests to contribute to the charity. Donations can be made directly to MPHK, or you can create a dinner party fundraising page. The charity is hoping to raise $20,000 by the end of the September. Set up your page at simplygiving.com/event/SocialSeptember2017 and see mphongkong.com for details about the charity. Bon appetit!

Photography pop-up This month’s fabulous cover photographer, Hannah Grogan, will be holding her first exhibition. A Colour Collection features stunning images of Hong Kong in all its rainbow-hued glory. Opening night starts at 6.30pm on September 2 and the exhibition runs until September 7, from noon to 4pm. Hannah’s secured a fabulous location at H Studio Gallery, 1/1 Wan King Path, Sai Kung - so pop up for a gaze and be inspired.

Roll up, roll up!

Got a business? Looking for customers? The popular Mums @ PLAY Bazaar is back after a well-deserved summer break and is open to vendors looking for a great event to showcase their wares. The bazaar takes place on September 22 and is run ‘for mums by mums’ and is held in fun Mexican cantina El Charro in Cyberport. The last event included authentic Turkish ceramics, essential oils, handmade baby accessories, book stalls and even Maths tutors. If you’re interested, get in touch with the lovely Mehroo at mehroo@mumsatplay.com.

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what’s on levels, info@variety.org.hk or donhesshk@gmail.com.

SEPT 16-17

Netball Festival 2017 Organised by Hong Kong Netball Association, youngsters are invited to submit a team and participate in the two-day event, with divisions for seven aside and Fast 5s.

Matches will take place at Fa Hui Park, Prince Edward, netball.org.hk.

SEPT 17

Clean Pak Sha Wan Day Hebe Haven Yacht Club is hosting its annual event to beautify Pak Sha Wan and Port Shelter, Sai Kung. Transportation and beach cleaning equipment provided, with drinks, a free buffet dinner and prize giving at the end of the day. Non-members and all ages welcome, hhyc.org.hk.

photography by mid-career and up-andcoming artists. $240 on the door or register early and bring a friend for free, Conrad Hotel, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, asiacontemporaryart.com.

Step Out for Children Treasure Hunt and Carnival

SEPT 23

SEPT 25

Create a feeding, nap and bedtime schedule for your infant with registered nurse and first aid instructor, Joyce Edmondson. 4-5pm, ESF Language & Learning Centre, 2/F Prime Mansion, 183 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, esf.org.hk.

A course hosted by Ingredients of Wellness showing youngsters how to be consciously attentive and present with what is happening now, without stressing about the past or worrying about the future. 5-6pm, Balance Health, 2705, 27/F, Universal Trade Centre, 3-5 Arbuthnot Road, Central, ingredientsofwellness.com.

Sleep Training Solutions

SEPT 23-24

Pinky Fest @ Central Harbourfront

Mindfulness for Teenagers

Two-day carnival for women showcasing lifestyle, beauty and fashion brands. Make up classes, aerial yoga demonstrations and pole dancing taster classes. A percentage of proceeds will be donated to Hong Kong Hereditary Breast Cancer Family Registry. $90/day, $160/two days, cityline.com or pinkyfest.com.

SEPT 27

SEPT 24

Rainbow Snowy Mooncake class

Head down to Repulse Bay Beach to take part in this charity swim for all levels.

Participants can join under different categories with different race courses.

There will also be beach games booths for

Squash Angels Tournament

SEPT 24

Hosted by the Society for the Relief of Disabled Children, participants can play games that promotes awareness of mitochondrial disease in Ocean View Court, with a treasure hunt in Waterfront Park. The first 800 participants will receive a gift bag.

10am-4pm, Ocean View Court, The Arcade, Cyberport. Register at fringebacker.com or hkday.com.hk/product/10284.

Swim for Millions

SEPT 15-17

non-participants. Registration and details at commchest.org.hk.

Ladies, Lads & Lassies Race A 3.5km event for runners aged seven and up.

Children six and under can join the Fun Run. Registration ranges from $85-$120, entry deadline is Sept 18. Race starts at 8.30am, Peak Road, hklrrc.org.hk.

SEPT 30

Learn how to create your own snowy mooncakes in rainbow hues. All supplies and tools provided to create six cakes. 10am12pm, 2/F On Lan Centre, 11-15 On Lan Street, Central, $550/adult, bring a child for $100, completedeelite.com.

Swim for Millions, Sept 24

As part of the global Women’s Squash Week, a new women’s open squash tournament is premiering in Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Cricket Club. All females aged 10 to 60+ are welcome to join. Match play runs from Friday to Sunday, with a Saturday social where players can meet award-winning players and coaches, squashangels.com

SEPT 21-24

Asia Contemporary Art Show A diverse lineup of over 25,000 unique artworks spread around 80 living spaces.

Browse original paintings, sculpture and 8 expat-parent.com

Fascinators and fun at Melbourne Cup, Nov 7

BOOK NOW NOV 7

including a gourmet dinner, free-flow drinks and a concert

by World Classic Rockers. Black tie, cocktails at 6pm, dinner at 8pm, Convention Hall, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, ticketflap.com/hkrucharityball.

Farmer’s Market Melbourne Cup Charity Long Lunch Hats at the ready for one of the most anticipated dates in horse racing. Farmer’s Market is teaming up with local charity Angels for Orphans to host a long lunch at the Aberdeen Marina Club for Melbourne Cup. Following the racing from Flemington, there will be free-flow drinks and canapés, a three course meal and transport to The Butcher’s Club Secret Kitchen for an after party. Funds raised from the event will go directly to Angels for Orphans to support their work with underprivileged children.

10am-2pm, and 2:30-10pm for the after party, Aberdeen Marina Club, 8 Shum Wan Road. Early bird tickets cost $920 per person until September 24, farmersmarket.com. hk/collections/melbourne-cup.

DEC 9-17

Stanley Plaza Christmas Seaside Market

NOV 11

Hong Kong Rugby Union Charity Ball Enjoy a night of classic rock for a good cause. Funds raised

will be donated to Po Leung Kuk to support Hong Kong’s underpriveleged children through various education and rugby programmes. $2,488/person,

For two weekends in early December, Stanley Plaza will be transformed into a Finnish Christmas market. Applications are now open for food and beverage or retails vendors interested in renting stall space, with early bird prices for applications submitted by 5pm on September 4.

All applications will close on October 9. Visit hkmarkets. typeform.com/to/cAAiA3 for more booking and details.

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things to know

1

What is the festival? Well, it’s a two-week Buddhist and Taoist event celebrated all over Asia. This year the spooky goings on culminate on September 5 in Hong Kong when the ghosts drop by to be fed.

d an ist ots h d Bud oist ro Ta

3 2

It’s generally considered a bad time to get married, start a business or move house.

?

It’s believed the gates of hell are opened and the restless spirits of deceased ancestors come out from the underworld and visit their living relatives. But these ghosts ain’t happy - after two weeks of wandering the earth, they’re hungry and tired and need to be appeased.

?

4

Leave tea and fruit on your pavement for the ghosts - this will bring good luck into your home.

Things you need to know Festival of the Hungry Ghost e r th o f st fea spirits

5

On the eve of Ghost Day, families get together to prepare a large feast for the ghosts so they will be left in peace.

It’s not a public holiday, but feeding those phantoms is an important diary date this month

6

Offerings such as ‘Hell’ banknotes, incense and even paper cars, mobile phones and other material possessions, are burnt for the ghosts.

Expect to see small fires in tin cans on pavements across town.

7

Singing, whistling and wearing red should be avoided as it might attract a hungry ghost. And don’t leave external doors open at night you don’t want any unwanted spirits roaming your home.

8 10 expat-parent.com

ll ou' y r is o osts! o th e gh d 't th don ract t at

Look out for temporary bamboo opera houses and Chinese opera performances across the territory.

expat-parent.com 11

news

Reduce your fork-print Let’s face it, over the summer months, it’s difficult to find a single beach in Hong Kong that doesn’t have plastic forks, takeaway containers and straws littering the sand. In response to the increasing amount of plastic washing up in oceans, food delivery service Deliveroo has introduced an ‘opt-in only’ for cutlery service with many of its restaurant partners.

Over 1,000 restaurants have so far agreed to partner with Deliveroo in the hope of reducing the

overall ‘fork-print’ of plastic waste. In a reversal of what has been the norm until now, disposable forks, spoons, knives and chopsticks will not automatically be provided.

Based on calculations of the number of cutlery sets saved over the past month, Deliveroo forecasts that under this initiative, their customers are on track to save over nine tonnes of plastic over the next 12 months.

“People are increasingly aware of the

importance of sustainable consumption,” said Deliveroo general manager Brian Lo. “I’m extremely pleased to be taking the initiative to promote more sustainable practices.”

Plastic is hard to break down when it reaches the ocean and it poses a large threat to animals such as fish and seabirds. Any changes that are made, says Deliveroo, even if they are only on an individual scale like this, can have an impact towards preserving the ocean.

The annual Pak Sha Wan beach cleanup which takes place on September 17 this year

Top of the class Healthy eating guru Ifat Hindes has relaunched her popular cooking classes this month.

Specialising in fresh ingredients, the classes will introduce students to new skills and foods, with the opportunity to make new friends in the process. The Eat Healthy, Live Healthy classes are being held at KOKO, 5/F 77 Wyndham Street, Central, sister establishment to private members club KEE. Hindes is promising mouthwatering but guiltfree food, improved creativity in the kitchen and vegan, vegetarian and food-sensitive ideas.

“Great cooking isn’t just about recipes,” she explains. “It’s about gaining confidence and making healthy accessible. There will be recipes, cooking and lots of amazing fresh food to learn about and sample!”

The courses run on Thursdays, each class costs $600, with a maximum of 12 students per class. Email hello@ifatkafryhindes.com.

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Schools shut as Hato whistles through

Little gems

Trees uprooted in Sai Kung

Typhoon Hato roared into town last month, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. All Hong Kong schools were ordered to close when the number 8 signal was raised in the early hours of the morning. Many had returned after the summer break just days before.

Over the course of the morning, the signal was raised to a nine and finally a ten - Hong Kong’s most severe typhoon warning - as Hato blew itself into a frenzy of rain and high winds.

This was the first time a signal ten had been

raised since Typhoon Vicente hit town in 2012.

Public transport was suspended, flights cancelled, businesses closed and even the stock exchange was temporarily shut. Analysts are putting the economic cost to the city at anywhere between $4 and $8 billion.

Macau took even more of a hit, with eight people reported to have lost their lives either through falling trees or flooding. Three further deaths were reported in Zhuhai.

news

L’Ecole School of Jewellery Arts is running creative workshops for adults and kids.

Founded in Paris in 1912, the school is based in Paris but with ‘nomadic outposts’, offering the general public across the globe the chance to have a go at jewellery and watchmaking.

High-end jeweller Van Cleef & Arpels is a dedicated patron of the school.

This month, the school and Van Cleef & Arpels will be flying 13 of its Parisian professors into Hong Kong to share their expertise. The include gemologists, art historians and watchmakers. They will be in town offering exclusive workshops at Qube, PMQ, Aberdeen Street, from September 16 until October 1.

As well as courses covering art history, savoir-faire, and the Universe of Gemstones, the school will also be offering a number of children’s courses for five to 16 year olds. Kids courses include Create Your Jewel, Crowns and Swords, Create your Precious Clock, Make Your Treasure Chest and Discovering the World of Stones.

To sign up for a course or to find out more, go to hk.lecolevancleefarpels.com.

In brief… ...Youth football club footballbydesign has re-branded to HK Phoenix FC. The school offers training in Sai Kung and Kowloon with sessions specifically geared towards girls’ football. According to the club, it will be focusing on improving the standard of female football programmes in Hong Kong, entering teams in various age groups of the HK Junior Football League and organising tours across Asia. Open trials will be held on September 21 at 4.30pm at Morse Park for its new girls programme - all ages are welcome. Give coaches Dan or Oli a call on 5264 7752. ....Pure Yoga has opened a brand new venue in Pacific Place. It will also be launching a brand new Yoga for Office Workers class which is being run exclusively

in the new location. The 10,000 squarefoot studio aims to bring holistic wellness with a comprehensive class list, activewear from Pure Apparel and a Nood Food cafe.

Pure Yoga Pacific Place is at Shop 101, L1 Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. ...Woolly Pig restaurant group is opening a new venue in SoHo next month. Following success with Madam S’ate in Kowloon, Bathers on Lantau and 12,000 Francs, also in SoHo, the group is currently putting the final touches to the yet-to-benamed restaurant. It has been designed in collaboration with Young Master Brewery and will feature a bespoke craft beer programme with local and imported brews.

G/F, Staunton Suites, Staunton Street, Central.

National day dining National Day is just around the corner on October 1 and Morton’s Steakhouse is offering a family feast with a view this year.

Watch the fireworks explode over the harbour as you feast on a variety of sharing platters, including the all-American Baked platter - think sea scallops wrapped in bacon, jumbo lump crab cakes, grilled oyster with herb butter and jumbo shrimp Alexander the ‘Ocean’ platter or the ‘Chilled’ platter.

Whole lobster and perfectly grilled steaks complete the picture, with heaps of sides and sundaes for dessert. Morton’s of Chicago, The Sheraton, Level 4, 20 Nathan Road, Kowloon, mortons.com.

news

Ocean Park launches club for kids Ocean Park is launching its first ever year-long education programme, the Young Explorers Club, which encourages learning through hands-on experiences and play.

The teaching programme aims to enhance sensory development, problem-solving and interpersonal skills, as well as foster an appreciation for nature and conservation.

Unlike other one-off programmes, the Club offers a comprehensive curriculum which runs progressively throughout the year.

The young explorers will be split into three ages groups (two-three year olds, three-five year olds, and five-six year olds), with two streams in each group. Both the Art & Sensory Play and Communication & Creative Expression streams will have nature exploration as their core element.

Under supervised conditions, Ocean Park’s various resident animals will be readily available to complement learning. “We believe children can learn deeply about nature through encountering all sorts of animals, and by understanding more about mother nature they

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Hands-on learning at Ocean Park

can learn to respect and appreciate each other more,” says Isabel Li, director of Discovery & Education.

The Club’s weekly sessions run from October 2017 to June 2018. As a taster of sorts for the Young Explorers Club, Ocean Park will also run one-off playdays for children aged two to six starting late September.

SmartFun Annual Pass holders have priority booking for the Young Explorers Club programme. For enrolment and more information on both the weekend and weekly engagement sessions, visit oceanpark.com. hk/en/park-experience/young-explorersclub.

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giveaways WIN HERE! Click the Giveaways tab on our website: expat-parent.com

The Zookeeper’s Wife

Two-time Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain stars as Antonina Żabińska in The Zookeeper’s Wife, a real-life working wife and mother who became a hero to hundreds during WWII. This film about an unheralded female heroine was written and directed by women.

We’re giving away 10 vouchers to screenings of The Zookeeper’s Wife, valued at $1,050 in total.

Halloween Streetathon 2017 Back by popular demand, Runourcity is hosting a new Halloween Streetathon at Kowloon East on October 29. Participants are encouraged to show up in wacky costumes and can choose to partake in the 3km-, 5km-,

10km- or Half-Marathon race. Visit runour. city/hs17reg for more information. We’re giving away 10 individual tickets, valued at $2,000 in total.

Enter by Sept 14.

Gaucho

Gaucho, Hong Kong’s premier Argentinian steakhouse, celebrates Mid-Autumn festival by taking one of its most popular desserts, the Dulce de Leche cheesecake, and adding a mooncake twist, for the ultimate gift set. The delicious treat includes seasonal ingredients such as lotus seed paste, egg and golden syrup alongside the tasty Dulce de Leche flavours it is known for. Valued at $1,152 in total, we have four sets to give away.

Organic Modernism

Founded in Brooklyn, New York in 2009 Organic Modernism is a mid-century inspired furniture label dedicated to enhancing living spaces. The brand offers a large selection of iconic cabinets, chairs, tables, sofas, lighting and home goods, some of which have become instant classics throughout the US. We’re giving away four trendy blue enamel ceiling lamps with Edison light bulbs, each one valued at $1,195.

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Reytkle

Win a personal shopping experience and $3,000 to spend at Retykle!

To help busy mums prepare for the new school year, preloved designer childrenswear store Retykle is offering a free personal shopping experience with $3,000 to spend.

Shop from over 250+ of the best children’s brands from across the globe in brand new to gently used condition at up to 90 per cent off.

Shop online at retykle.com or enjoy personal shopping at Retykle’s Wong Chuk Hang studio.

expat-parent.com 17

debate of the month

In the (lunch) box

Healthy homemade treats, or a marmite sandwich and a packet of crisps?

“I start the new school year with good intentions, and then it all goes downhill from about week three. Lack of time, lack of willpower, lack of enthusiasm from kids.”

Mon, HK Island

“Hot school meals for my kids. Much more nutritious than anything you can pack in a lunchbox.” Jodie, New Territories

“I tend to over-cater the night before and re-jig the leftovers - roast chicken in sandwiches, rice into a salad, etc. Even things like leftover bolognese sauce tucked into a filo pastry roll work quite well, or mini quiches with leftover bacon and cheese or veggies.” Jen, Southside

“I think the kids swap it all anyway. You can’t fight the junk, so I just put in what they ask for plus a bit of fruit.” Kelly, Southside

No junk, no sugar, it’s not hard to pack a nutritional lunch. It just requires a bit of foresight.

Jody, Southside

“It’s difficult because there are no fridges to store the food at school, so by lunchtime it’s gone a bit limp. I avoid ham, yoghurts and chocolate for that reason at this time of year.”

Lucy, New Territories

“Pasta salads seem to go down well - they’re easy to prepare and tick the carb and fresh veggie boxes. I just add whatever’s in the fridge - cucumber, peppers, tomatoes.”

Kate, HK Island

Whatever I put in, it comes home uneaten, so I stick to a good old vegemite sandwich most days.

Rachel, Kowloon

“Monday is a good day, lots of veggies and homemade dips. By Friday I’m resorting to a good old fashioned sandwich and a pack of crisps” Joanne, Kowloon

Get your containers right and it’s easy. I love bento boxes as they’re perfect for storing little bits and pieces, perfect for tiny tums.

Sally, Kowloon

We want to hear from you! Next month: Independence day - when to launch them onto public transport?

Email your views to editorial@hongkongliving.com or go to expat-parent.com 18 expat-parent.com

expat-parent.com 19

me & my big idea

Fresh start

Local online grocer Jou Sun is bringing the world’s first virtual farmers’ market to Hong Kong. Expat Parent dug out the details from co-founder Hinz Pak

Jou Sun delivery team

So what’s the big idea?

Jou Sun was born when founders Jessica, Chris and I decided that the best way to get the freshest food in Hong Kong to your table was by going direct to the farms themselves.

So we spent two years coming up with a system that allows customers to buy directly from curated farms and importers.

We differentiate ourselves by keeping zero stock - everything that customers order is picked at the farm or prepared by the butcher on the morning of delivery. It’s a true farm-to-table business.

And by cutting out the middlemen, customers are able to save up to 50% and farmers earn more than wholesale. Our model also minimizes food wastage and increases information flow between customers and producers.

our organic farmers - switching from plastic to paper wrapping.

And from what we can see, a direct ‘farmer to consumer’ model is the best way to reduce food waste. Each time a product changes hands, from exporter to importer to wholesaler to retailer, if loses shelf-life, nutrition, maybe gets a bit bruised. Our products retain their freshness. And often, perfectly good products with superficial blemishes are rejected by retail chains - we can reduce that waste.

All our vendors carry the necessary food factory licenses and organic food licences.

We also regularly visit suppliers to check their farms and conditions meet our product quality standards. After we list a vendor on our platform, we listen carefully to customer feedback.

What prompted it?

Our mission is to make healthier and higher quality food more accessible.

Customers want to be more in touch with what they are eating and the food producers they are supporting. We want to be that link.

And on the flip side, customers can feed-back to producers about the food they receive, the packaging options and even suggest new products. Customer pressure recently resulted in Farmer’s Choice - one of

How long did it take for the project to go live?

A little over two years. At first launch we were a personal shopping service in wet markets.

After listening to customers, we realised we needed to move beyond the retailers.

It took us a long time to find the right contacts and then to build the foundations for lasting partnerships. Our resulting vendors include everything from Tas’Mania that flies in fresh salmon each week, Honkin Square that

20 expat-parent.com

raises the famous Ka Mei chicken, the Fish Marketing Organisation that specialises in locally farmed fish, French baker Eric Kayser and certified organic farms.

How are you different from other online food delivery services?

We work with 40 vendors, offering more than 1,000 products, at a price point we believe ensures you’re getting the best value for every dollar.

Our delivery partner DHL uses chilled boxes to keep your groceries at safe temperatures during transport. And if you’re not home, select our ‘doorstop’ delivery and vendors will make sure your products are packed with ice-packs.

Most other services are an online version of an existing shop or shopping service and in our experience, these models can’t make radical improvements on cost, quality of experience. We are creating a whole new eco-system that connects customers directly with farmers and food specialists who really understand food.

How can we sign up?

Go to jousun.com, select your twohour delivery timeslot, enter the coupon ‘hotsummer80’ for $80 off… And wait for your farm fresh groceries.

expat-parent.com 21

PEOPLE

My Hong Kong the homewares guru

Photograph by Hannah Grogan

Mirth Home is Hong Kong’s answer to Aladdin’s cave when it comes to fabulous finds for beautiful homes. Owner Kylie Platt reveals how a concept store in a little-known part of town has gone from strength to strength

Mirth founder Kylie Platt inside Mirth Home

I arrived in Hong Kong 18 years ago with my now-husband, Daryl. I’d been travelling and working as a speech pathologist in the UK when he was offered a job here. I worked at The Matilda hospital for out first ten years - three children and nearly two decades later and we’re still here.

We started out in Mid-levels next to the escalators, which was fabulous. But after our first child was born we moved out to the ‘burbs - well, Shouson Hill - and have been there ever since. We like it because it’s close to Central, the beaches, great hikes and of 22 expat-parent.com

We were the only business in the building - it was just factories and warehouses

course Wong Chuk Hang, where Mirth is located. We’ve been lucky with landlords and so far we’re only in our third place after 18 years, which is unusual for Hong Kong.

I love the Southside, but Kennedy Town and Sheung Wan come a close second.

Wong Chuk Hang has also now been labelled as Hong Kong’s newest ‘hipster’ neighbourhood, which is nice!

I started Mirth six years ago with my then business partner, Alex. She has since left Hong Kong, but back then we both owned

PEOPLE our own children’s labels and shared a design space on the top floor of the building where Mirth is now. We’d been watching a space downstairs, an old stool factory, and thought it would be fantastic for a concept store. And the next thing we knew Mirth was born.

Initially we had to work hard to get people to find us, as Wong Chuk Hang then is definitely not what it is today. It was more of a case of ‘Wong Chuk where?’

We were the only business in the building at first. The area was really just factories and warehouses. I’ve loved seeing the neighbourhood evolve. And two years ago I opened a second, smaller store in Sai Kung.

Unfortunately the bi-product of local gentrification means we are now looking for a new home. Our building is due to be knocked down for a new development. We love where we are now, but I’m confident we’ll find something even better.

I love stumbling across rare gems. I found the most divine little handbag repair shop the other day My favourite part of the job is sourcing and designing. I would love to spend my entire day doing this, but unfortunately running a business and the ensuing paperwork does get in the way. I attend trade shows a couple of times a year and I’m off to Maison d’objet in Paris next month, which in one of my favourite places.

I’m planning on spending a couple of days walking the Parisian streets for inspiration and then I’m off to Denmark. Often Mirth products come out of a great find from a small independent designer on Pinterest or Instagram, or just on my travels. My family do get a bit annoyed with me on holiday as I’m always on the lookout for my next ‘find’.

I love Nordic and Australian design. I also design specifically for Mirth and get items made in small quantities, especially if it’s a product I really want but is not available anywhere else. Our Clearwater Bay and Southside beach towels are a good example.

Platt with her children, all born in Hong Kong

I think we’ve stood the test of time in a transient city because we’re a concept store in a very large space. With sky-high rents this is unusual in Hong Kong. We offer affordable design and unique pieces - we’re your neighbourhood ‘go to’ homewares store for everything from children’s parties, to gifts, your first dining table, art for your walls or just a vase for your coffee table. And we also have coffee!

This autumn we’re introducing a great range of prints and cushions from Australia and new items from Danish brand Bloomingville. We’re also planning more workshops - I can’t reveal too much just yet, but watch this space.

I enjoy shopping in Sham Shui Po when I’m in Hong Kong - I like stumbling across those rare gems. I came across the most divine little handbag repair shop the other day.

I don’t drink coffee, but if I’m ‘doing coffee’ with friends or colleagues, I like Elephant Grounds in Wong Chuk Hang.

We also offer Kimbo coffee for customers in Mirth. Pomegranate Kitchen is great for lunch locally, it does the best Mediterranean food, even better when it’s washed down with something crisp and white.

Top of the kids’ dining list is The Diner on Arbuthnot Road. I think it has something to do with the milkshakes. We live close to Hong Kong Cricket Club, so that tends to be our ‘go-to’ quick family dinner place.

Our favourite family day out is of course on a junk. We’ve just bought one and as an extension to Daryl’s My Wine Man and My Meat Man businesses we are looking at launching My Junk Man. We’ve been very busy over the summer testing the concept out.

I am still constantly amazed and excited about Hong Kong. From the cows roaming the main street of Sai Kung to discovering a new laneway that looks like it’s stepped back in time, as a family we love Hong Kong and it’s home. I’d love to open a couple more stores and spread the Mirth love, but unfortunately high rents make this restrictive. expat-parent.com 23

book review

Out this month Book club picks for autumn

The Golden House

Sourdough

A Column of Fire

The Break

Salman Rushdie (Vintage)

Robin Sloan (Atlantic Books)

Ken Follett (Pan MacMillan)

Marian Keyes (Penguin)

Real-estate tycoon Nero Golden and his three children assume new identities when they emigrate to the US under mysterious circumstances.

They arrive shortly after the inauguration of Barack Obama and quickly establish themselves at the apex of New York society. The story of the powerful Golden family is told by Manhattanite neighbour and confidante, Rene. Covering the high life of money, art and fashion, plus betrayal, rivalry and murder, Rushdie spins the story of the American zeitgeist over the last eight years.

An unusual story about a female software engineer who works for a robotics company in San Francisco.

Lois Clary codes all day, every day, and her only human contact is the two brothers who run the local takeaway.

But following visa issues, the brothers have to close up shop, and their last delivery to Lois is the sourdough starter used to bake their bread. No chef, Lois learns to feed it and bake with it and is soon selling the bread to colleagues. With ambitions to gear up to the local farmers’ market, she comes up against a close-knit club with no appetite for new members...

The continuation of Follett’s sweeping historical trilogy which began with The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. It’s Christmas 1558 and Ned Willard returns home to Kingsbridge to find his world has changed. The city is torn apart by religious hatred and Willard finds himself on the opposite side from the girl he wants to marry, Margery Fitzgerald. With Elizabeth I clinging precariously to the throne, it becomes clear that, like today, the real enemies are not rival religions, but the tyrants who impose their ideas on everyone, no matter the cost.

Amy’s husband Hugh isn’t leaving her, he’s just ‘taking a break’ - from their marriage, from their children and from their life together. He still loves her, but he’s off to lose himself in south-east Asia for six months and Amy can do nothing about it. But if he’s on a break, by default isn’t she too? Gossips and troublemakeres from the extended family predict he won’t be the same man when he returns, but then she might have changed too… A story about staying in love, rather than falling in love.

New for littlies Curl up with a fun tale

Chocolate Cake

I Really Want The Cake

Sofa Dog

Thank You, Mr Panda

Michael Rosen (Penguin)

Simon Philip (Templar)

Leonie Lord (Scholastic)

Steve Antony (Hodder)

Who can resist a yummy chocolate cake? This is a funny love letter, with lots of silly noises, to everyone’s favourite treat, a chocolate cake. With delicious illustrations by Kevin Waldron.

Sticking with the food theme, how do you resist the most amazing cake ever?

And to add insult to injury, your mum’s left a note saying you must NOT eat it! A rhyming story from the author of You Must Bring A Hat and illustrated by Lucia Gaggiotti..

Love your couch? So does Sofa Dog, and while he’s stretched out there is NO ROOM FOR ANYONE ELSE! Many characters try their luck - from aunties and rabbits to orangutans and even a horse. Join the chaos and see how much can be squeezed on.

A great book if you’re trying to teach little ones to mind their Ps and Qs. Mr Panda is happy to help his friend, but only if they remember to say thank you. This is the third in author Steve Antony’s fun series focusing on good manners.

24 expat-parent.com

The Kicking The Bucket List Cathy Hopkins (Harper)

P THE ICK OF MON TH

A surprisingly warm, funny and original take on what is essentially quite a morbid topic - the death of one’s mother. ‘Flower’ daughters Fleur, Rose and Daisy all enjoyed a relaxed and comfortable upbringing in a rambling Hampstead house, but following one too many childhood squabbles, they drift apart as adults. When their vivacious mum Iris dies, they are brought together via the wishes of her unusual will. In order to inherit her not inconsiderable savings, they must spend a series of weekends together and carry out their mother’s ‘bucket list’. All are reluctant and all have their own personal issues and problems - so is it a case of mother always knowing best, or has Iris overstepped the mark this time? An interesting and entertaining read.

Out now for teens Keep the pages turning with these new releases

The Rasputin Dagger by Theresa Breslin (Random House) is set in Russia in 1916 and follows the story of Nina Ivanovna, a young girl who is hoping to escape her past by travelling to St Petersburg. In the chaos of a city mid-Russian revolution, she meets idealistic medical student Stefan Kolodin. But Ivanovna is drawn into the lavish lives of the Russian royal family - will a ruby-studded dagger save her and Stefan from a cursed life, or condemn them to it?

Back to modern day, there’s no escaping social media, particularly in Editing Emma by Chloe Seager (HarperCollins). Emma Nash has fallen for love of her life, Leon Naylor. But then she suddenly sees he has marked himself ‘in a relationship’ on Facebook and this spurs her into action. Instead of stalking Naylor, she vows to use the internet for good, chronicling her adventures on her Editing Emma blog. But incidents such as stumbling across her mum’s Tinder profile and accidentally telling the world why Leon Naylor is worth no girl’s virginity mean things don’t go quite to plan.

In Thornhill (written by Pam Smy for David Fickling Books), our heroine Ella has recently moved into a new home. But she can’t help noticing a big old derelict house out of her bedroom window. Not very inviting, it’s surrounded by barbed wire, overgrown plants and ‘Keep Out!’ placards. One night, a light is switched on in one of the windows and the following day Ella sees a girl in the grounds. She’s sure this house has a story to tell. The house is known as Thornhill, Institute for Children - but once inside, will you ever escape? expat-parent.com 25

THE big interview

Sharing the love

With eight restaurants under its belt, Enoteca Group is a Hong Kong success story.

Co-founder Kim Minards tells Carolynne Dear how small plates mean big business

Enoteca founders Rob Cooper and Kim Minards

26 expat-parent.com

THE big interview

W

hen the sun’s shining, not much makes me smile more than a sunny terrace, a nice crisp glass of something cold and a sharing plate or two. And in an area of the world fraught with excessive rents, limited outdoor space and strict al fresco licensing, restaurant group Enoteca has done well to achieve this happy hat-trick in many of its venues.

And so on a sunny August morning I find myself in Sai Kung enjoying a flat white with Enoteca co-founder Kim Minards chatting about the group’s latest acquisition.

A sociology graduate, she arrived in the territory as a backpacker 22 years ago but these days co-helms the expanding restaurant group as well as being mum to children Jack, eight, and Summer, six.

“I’m British but moved to South Africa when I was seven, so I guess I enjoyed a sort of expat upbringing. After university I packed my rucksack, hit the road, and when I ran out

Oh my god, the rent!

Yes, I did lose sleep over it

of money, pitched up in Hong Kong.”

Pre-handover, there were no working visa restrictions for British passport holders and Minards found herself managing Stauntons in SoHo, which was where she met her husband and business partner, Rob Cooper, who was managing the (nowdefunct) restaurant Bayou.

“SoHo was different then, in that there weren’t so many high street restaurants, it was more hotel dining,” she says. “When we opened our first restaurant, Enoteca, we wanted to serve good quality wine by the glass, as there seemed to be a bit of a gap in the market. We opened with 32 different wines and sharing plates of Spanish tapasstyle food and it was an instant hit.”

Despite the success, Minards admits to several sleepless nights. “Oh my god, the rent! Back then we were being charged $68,000/month and we didn’t know if things would take off, so yes, I did lose sleep over it,” she laughs. Today, the rent has

Goodbye Steamers, hello Enoteca Group - Sai Kung’s newest family eatery opens on October 1

sky-rocketed to more than four times that amount, but despite this, she’s sleeping better.

“These days not much keeps me up at night. Fortunately the restaurants worked out” - Enoteca on Elgin was swiftly followed locally by The Phoenix, Bacau, Cicada, Iberico and an Enoteca in Quarry Bay - “But to be honest, I wouldn’t open another venue in SoHo now, I don’t think the rents are worth it. Even Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun don’t convince me.”

Instead, Minards attention has turned north to Sai Kung. Last summer the pair opened The Conservatory to great local

acclaim, and have just announced they will be taking over local stalwart, Steamers.

“It’s a totally different market up here,” she admits. “The expat market is strong, and seems increasingly so with all the new schools opening.”

Locals themselves (they moved to Clearwater Bay five years ago) Minards says they are still viewed as ‘newbies’ by the local expat population. “There are a lot of oldtimers up here,” she says. “We really wanted to respect the fact that they have been using Steamers for many years. Originally we wanted to re-open as The Botanist, as it sort of tied in with The Conservatory vibe, expat-parent.com 27

Photograph courtesy of The University of Hong Kong Libraries

THE big interview

The Steamers building back in the mid-twentieth century. Before reclamation it was a waterfront theatre

but we’ve since changed our minds. We don’t want this to become a hipster gastro-pub, it’s always been a down-to-earth ‘cold beer and pub grub’ kind of place, so we’re looking for a moniker that’s a bit more grounded and reflects this.”

It turns out the Yi Chun Street building used to be a theatre in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, but opened as Steamers in 2008 when the pub moved over the road from Sai Kung’s infamous ‘square’. Mid-twentieth century photos show a venue on the watersedge subsequent reclamation now puts it around 500m from the Sai Kung waterfront.

“We were in Sri Lanka over the summer where we discovered a great place called The Old Lady By the Sea, so a name similar to that might fit the bill, but maybe something a bit shorter and snappier. It seems the building is a bit of a Sai Kung ‘grande dame’. Basically the jury’s still out, so answers on a postcard!”

Minards explains they’re sticking with the British pub feel, but are completely gutting and updating the interior. On the day I meet with her, the builders have just gone in. The venue comes with an outdoor licence and a terrace area, adding an all-important pub garden.

“We’re keeping the pub theme, but lightening up the interiors,” she says. “We won’t be serving tapas or sharing plates, it will be proper pub food with a roast on weekends.”

The Conservatory, rented from the owners of Big Fish two doors away and previously operating as western-style bistro Grande Restaurant, was given a clean sweep of paint before it opened last summer. Portuguesestyle tiles were laid on the floor and beautiful swathes of leaf-green wallpaper fixed to the far wall. It’s light and airy and also benefits from an outdoor seating licence.

28 expat-parent.com

We’re the newbies up here, but I think Sai Kung was ready for something a bit more grown up “Yes, it’s worked really well,” Minards smiles. “Again, we’re the newbies up here, but I do think Sai Kung was ready for something a bit more grown up.” It does a roaring trade in Enoteca- style tapas sharing plates and platters and quality wines by the glass for lunch and dinner and the brunch trade has also been brisk. Of course all sittings are complemented by kids menus.

“Seriously, you’d be mad in a place like Sai Kung not to offer children’s food,” she says.

The Conservatory is situated on Sai Kung’s ‘square’, enclosed on two sides by casual dining venues and with a children’s play area in the far corner.

Minards also admits to recently hiring somebody to manage their social media.

“Facebook comments can be harsh,” she says.

“We’ve seen neighbouring venues really suffer from negative comments on local groups” (Sai Kung is home to the notorious, no-holdsbarred, Sai Kung Dirty Laundry Facebook group) “- frustratingly these experiences are often not followed up with diners actually approaching the management. If they did, we could do something to rectify the problem.

When we first opened The Conservatory, we

were fastidious about having either myself or Rob around all of the time to efficiently mop up any problems and receive customer feedback.

We couldn’t afford to let the ball drop for a minute.”

Locals are faithful in their followings, as Minards has noted. Jaspas has been operating for over 20 years in the square and is seen as something of a benchmark.

“It can be intimidating, but I think we’ve proved ourselves with The Conservatory.

“We’ve also been lucky in that we’ve retained a lot of our staff over the years, which helps us with a continuous, quality service,” Minards continues. “The children have grown up with them. When Jack was tiny he used to come to work with me in SoHo all the time, and the girls used to whisk him out for lunch and dinner. I really enjoy staff training. In the old days it was all British backpackers, but now we hire more Filipinos, Nepalese and Chinese. I also work closely with the chefs.

Do I have a favourite venue? I think The Conservatory, I love the decor, although I tend to move around a lot. Iberico recently opened in Yuen Long and sometimes I go up there for a buffet lunch. I also like the Asian vibe at Cicada - when we were forced to close a few years ago (the building on Cochrane Street was being renovated into apartments) locals asked us to bring it back, so we re-opened on Elgin Street. It’s funny, it turned out it was a real favourite locally, but people hadn’t made the connection that we also owned other venues.”

It seems Hong Kongers are a loyal lot.

Here’s hoping the new ‘Steamers’ will make the grade..

expat-parent.com 29

C ST OV O ER RY 30 expat-parent.com

R VE Y O R C TO S

Life in a new territory Just moved in? Carolynne Dear finds out how expats handle life as a newbie

Photograph by Graham Uden

“

It was very cold,” admits mum-of-two and Pok Fu Lam resident Alison on her arrival in Hong Kong several years ago. “We’d come up from Australia and I just remember thinking, oh my god, what have we done? There was smog everywhere, no heating in the apartment and to add insult to injury, we’d cancelled a glorious summer holiday back in Australia in order for the boys to start at their new “English” school on time.”

Culture shock comes in many forms. “‘Amazed’ is the word I think,” reminisces Nicola. “I’d travelled up a month before the move in October to choose an apartment.

Fast forward to November and we landed at night so went to bed in the dark. The next morning I opened the curtains in our oceanside apartment and just went - ‘where’s the bloody view gone?!’ We’d chosen the flat on the basis of its amazing vistas over the South China Sea, but the whole of the southside seemed to be coated in a dense fog. Or smog. Three months later, roundabout Easter, we glimpsed Lamma again.”

But even a summer arrival is not without its challenges. “I’d say it took about six months to settle in properly,” admits Jen, a mum-of-four. “The children were tiny when we arrived (in July). It was extremely hot, which was lovely as we had a serviced apartment at Park View with its fantastic resort pool. But getting around was awful - lugging strollers, toddlers, car seats for the taxi and two reluctant schoolies in the oppressive heat was incredibly hard. We found ourselves almost completely apartment-bound until we bought a car and the heat began to ease a couple of months later.”

Moving countries is a big deal, no two ways about it. And even more so when children are involved. The prep is huge securing school places, hunting for suitable accommodation within your budget (no easy task in an area with some of the most expensive real estate in the world), tracking down a removalist - and that’s before you’ve even set foot on the plane. Culture shock, jet lag and just trying to figure out the lie of

Lugging strollers, toddlers and car seats for taxis around in the heat was tough

a foreign land compound the process at the other end.

Hit the ground running in the advice of one mother, who moves on average once every two years. “It’s quite tough, but my husband’s job is what it is. These days arrival in a new country is a finely-tuned machine, my biggest issue is how to make friends fast.

I tend to join any morning teas or groups offered by the school to new arrivals - there are usually welcome sessions and class parent meet-ups. I also try to join any local associations or clubs that are easy to do so.

In Hong Kong, the Australian Association has been great value, they organise a childfriendly morning coffee each week and once the kids were in school and pre-school I also joined a couple of their lunches and walks.

People in overseas locations tend to be pretty friendly - the life of an expat is a bit of a revolving door with friends coming and going.”

“The internet has been incredibly helpful,” commented mum-of-two Ruth, who arrived this summer from the UK. “The Facebook page for expat employees of my husband’s

life in the 852 expat-parent.com 31

C ST OV O ER RY

Jou Sun

with a friendly helping hand. The department offers year-round courses, including Chinese cooking and language, but the most popular has been its ‘At Home’ programme where newcomers can make new friends and learn more about Hong Kong culture. ywca.org.hk

American Women’s Association

AWA members enjoying life in Hong Kong

company was really useful in getting a feel for things before we arrived. Now we’re here, the British Mums In HK page has been excellent for finding places that sell British groceries, useful tips, chat and some British flavoured light relief when it’s all seeming a bit daunting!

“My biggest concern is how the children will settle but at the moment they both seem to be taking things in their stride. They’ve

Clubs for bubs If you’re looking to meet other families, Maggie & Rose in Repulse Bay is a private family members’ club with some imaginative classes, camps, parties and courses for both adults and children (hk. maggieandrose.com).

St Stephens Chapel in Stanley runs a regular Parents & Toddlers group at 9.15am on Mondays and Thursdays (ststephen.org.hk), St John’s Cathedral in Central has a weekly playgroup for parents and children from birth to two years. It’s held from 2.30 to 4.30pm every Thursday (stjohnscathedral.org.hk).

been able to FaceTime friends back in the UK which is nice and hopefully will be able to practice their writing and keyboard skills with letters and emails.”

Despite initial trials and tribulations, most people settle into life on the ‘rock’ fairly quickly. “We’re really looking forward to life in Hong Kong,” says Ruth. “I am anticipating a few ups and downs in the road but we’re all looking forward to the adventure and are determined to make the most of our time here!”s it is multi-cultural and open to all.

Join the club Ladies Circle Hong Kong Whether you’re new, have been here a while or have lived here your whole life, Ladies Circle offers opportunities to volunteer, raise funds for local charities or try out a range of social activities. Dinner meetings are held once a month at Aberdeen Boat Club, the next one is on September 14. ladiescircle.com

YWCA Provides services for expatriate women living in Hong Kong and was established in 1946 when its was felt the many English-speaking expat wives moving to the territory could do 32 expat-parent.com

A community of international women looking to connect and contribute to the community of Hong Kong. With over 650 members, a 60 year history and a packed and diverse events programme, the AWA is a great way to meet new people. awa.org.hk

Australian Association ‘A great mate in Hong Kong’, the Australian Association was established in 1953 for antipodeans venturing to the territory and is the longest standing Australian club in Hong Kong - it pre-dates even the Australian Consulate-General. Regular events include Cooee Coffee, Book Club, Ladies Golf, Morning Tennis, Mahjong and Mums & Bubs. ozhongkong.com

The Helena May This private club for women on Garden Road celebrated its centenary last year. It was established by Lady Helena May, wife of then governor Sir Henry May, and still plays an important role in Hong Kong society supporting local charities. It also benefits from a large English-language family library, dining room and active events calendar. helenamay.com

Italian Women’s Association, iwa.org.hk A non-profit organization operating in the field of charity. The group welcomes all nationalities, with a wide range of activities each week including playgroups, coffee mornings and excursions. Each Christmas a major charitable fair is organized in Sandy Bay. iwa.org.hk

expat-parent.com 33

C ST OV O ER RY

Useful Hong Kong apps

Food

Foodpanda

Food delivery on the go, with live status updates, foodpanda exclusive deals and a half hour delivery guarantee.

Deliveroo Food delivery from quality gourmet restaurants with a 32 minute delivery guarantee.

Honestbee Shop for groceries and get them delivered, or even get your laundry picked up. Free delivery with no minimum spend on some services.

Feedme Guru Exclusive tasting menus created with partner restaurants that feature signature dishes and off-menu creations.

Out & about The Entertainer

Find your tribe on Facebook By nation...

Hong Kong American Moms (100+ members) ‘A forum for American moms in Hong Kong to exchange information, ask questions and get to know each other.’

HK Aussie Mums (900+ members) ‘A forum for Australian mums who are making HK their home away from home.’

British Mums in HK (1,000+ members) Closed group.

Canadian Moms in Hong Kong (400+ members) ‘Are you a Canadian mother in Hong Kong? This is a group to share information, ideas, tips and questions among Canadians. We can’t wait to meet with you!’

French HK Moms (2,000+ members) ‘A forum for French Hong Kong mamas to share information… ANY tips you want to share, such as where to find something, how to get somewhere, what classes to take, recommendations for restaurants and make lovely meeting :).’

German Mums in HK (100+ members) Closed group.

Indian Mums in HK (2,000+ members) ‘For all us Indian mums in Hong Kong - our own space where we can ask and answer questions, share our anxieties and happiness, promote our home-run business and most important make lots of new friends.’

non-profitable and completely free of charge.’

HK Repulse Bay Mums (40+ members) ‘This forum is for Mums living in Repulse Bay.’ Hong Kong Mamas and Papas Network (2,000+ members) Closed group.

Hong Kong Moms (48,000+ members) ‘A forum for Hong Kong moms to share information that will only be visible to other members. Tips such as where to find something, how to get somewhere, what classes to take, recommendations for restaurants, etc.’

HK Mums (3,000+ members) Closed group.

MOST Mothers (Ma On Shan, Sha Tin and Tai Wai) (600+ members) Closed group.

Pokfulam Mums (200+ members) ‘This space is dedicated to bringing Pokfulam Mums together! Our neighbours K-Town, Aberdeen, Ap Lei Chau Mums are also most welcome! Feel free to post anything from local discoveries, concerns, new finds, meet ups, popups, playdates, fitness, buy/sell items, events, etc.

Let’s build and nurture our small local community by being positive and respectful to each other.

Feel free to add your friends in this circle!’

Sai Kung Mummies (3,000+ members) Closed group.

Buy one get one free offers for restaurants, beauty salons, health and fitness, leisure activities, and more.

By district...

DB Mums (4,000+ members) Closed group.

Southside Mums (2,000+ members) Closed group.

Meetup

DB Mums Network (for mums of babies aged 0-3) (100+ members) ‘We are a friendly community which helps mums to connect with other mums in DB, allowing them to organise baby playgroups, share information and make friends. It encourages mutual support and is

Wan Chai & Happy Valley Families, HK ‘An English community page for the Wan Chai & Happy Valley crowd. Please share good restaurants in this area, Local Events, Charity help needed & any helpful tips for our community.’

A networking app centred around bringing people together to do and share their common interests. For example, plan a charity marathon using running Meetups, or start a book club with reading Meetups.

Klook Book travel deals at up to 60% off, ticketing for popular attractions, with paperless etickets, all available to purchase seamlessly with Apple Play.

Kidhop An activity booker that provides access to multiple activities for young children for a monthly subscription fee.

Transport

Citymapper

Get yourself from A to B with ease using inapp transit maps, real-time departures, line

34 expat-parent.com

statuses and disruption alerts. Also includes bike routing and live bike share info.

with information on available shops and facilities in stations.

HKTaxi

HKeTransport

In the absence of Uber, use HKTaxi to book cabs. Features pin-drop pick up marking and real-time driver location.

Search service for railway, buses, green minibuses, ferries, trams and cross boundary coaches, including real-time traffic information.

Hong Kong Taxi Translator A must for non-Canto speakers, easily create flashcards in Chinese characters to show cab drivers your destination, or use the phonetic Cantonese system to say it yourself

MTR Mobile Train trip planner including fare information, recommended routing, train schedules and traffic news updates. Also helpfully comes

Uber Hong Kong Despite not having legal status, the ridesharing business still retains popularity.

Simply tap to request a ride and pay directly in-app. Additionally, carpool with UberPOOL or travel in a more luxurious vehicle with UberBLACK. For more ideas see expat-parent.com

expat-parent.com 35

schools

School news

Preschool perfection

Karrie Dietz moves in as head of Stamford

New head for new school Stamford American School Hong Kong (SAIS) has announced the appointment of Karrie Dietz as head of school.

Dietz has 20 years teaching experience, of which nine have been in senior leadership roles. At SAIS she will be responsible for leading the school’s educational programme as well as managing day-to-day proceedings.

She was previously lower elementary principal at Stamford’s sister campus in Singapore.

The school hopes her experience managing 800 students in Singapore and her familiarity with the Stamford culture and curriculum will bring “immense value” to the new Hong Kong campus, which is due to open on September

4 in Ho Man Tin. Dietz began her career in the USA, and has since worked in international schools across the globe, including Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Thailand and Singapore.

“I have worked with Karrie for a number of years at our Stamford campus in Singapore,” commented superintendent Malcolm Kay. “It will be an honour to work with her as we seek to provide a truly outstanding school in Hong Kong.”

SAIS is open to students aged five to 18 years. For more information about admissions see sais.edu.hk.

Australian appoints head of school The Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK) has announced the appointment of Mark Hemphill as new head of school.

Currently head of Knox Grammar Preparatory School in Sydney, Australia, Hemphill will take the reigns at the AISHK campus in Kowloon Tong at the beginning of 36 expat-parent.com

its next academic year in January 2018. He takes over from David Shirley, interim head of primary, and Howard West, interim head of secondary.

AISHK educates children from reception through to year 12, offering the Australian High School Certificate (HSC) and IB Diploma in years 11 and 12 aishk.edu.hk.

Woodland Preschools has announced its re-accreditation as an official Montessori preschool for a further four years at its Woodland Montessori Academy and Repulse Bay Montessori schools.

The Montessori Evaluation and Accreditation Board (MEAB) accredits schools throughout the world.

Representatives from the board spent a four-day period in the preschools, assessing Woodland’s Montessori practice and practitioners from playgroup through to pre-school. It said it was “very pleased” with the integrity of the schools’ Montessori practice, the continued improvements being made and the clear, ongoing commitment to the methodology. According to Woodland, its Montessori schools are the only group of preschools accredited by MEAB in Hong Kong.

Woodland’s non-Montessori schools have also completed their re-accreditation with the Preschool Learning Alliance. The Alliance supports schools and parents to ensure families receive high quality early learning in a safe and secure space.

Study time Beginning this month education specialists Aegis Advisors will be offering dedicated study spaces. Students can reserve a space to work in a proctored environment with tutors on-hand to help in core subjects such as English, Maths and science subjects. The group will also be spearheading intensive SAT, ACT and SSAT (testing for US college admission) boot camps, along with UCAS (British university application process) personal statement workshops.

Tutors also provide advice and support for US and UK boarding schools and universities (including Ivy League and Oxbridge), and tutoring in International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), General Certificate of Education (GCSE) and A-level curriculums.For more information, contact aegis-advisors.com

schools

Change at top for Harrow Harrow International School Hong Kong has welcomed Ann Haydon as the school’s new head this term. She succeeds founding head Mel Mrowiec, who retired at the end of last term following five years in Hong Kong and a 30 year career with the Harrow family.

Haydon is a geography graduate from the University of Surrey, UK, and will be joining Harrow from Surbiton High School, UK. She holds teaching qualifications from the University of Nottingham, UK, and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) from the National College of School Leadership. In 2015 Surbiton was rated by independent school inspectors as ‘excellent’ in every aspect, and pupil achievement as ‘exceptional’.

Haydon admitted she was excited to be taking up the headship at Harrow and was “looking forward to joining the Harrow family of schools and to meeting parents, pupils and staff.”

“As governors, we are delighted to have appointed Ann as the new head of Harrow,” said Jack So, chairman of the board of governors. “We are confident she will uphold

Diary dates Sept 1

ESF applications open Applications open for English Schools Foundation (ESF), for children requiring places in K1 and Years 1 & 7 starting August 2018. K1 students must be born in 2015, Year 1 in 2013 and Year 7 in 2007.

Applications must be made online at esf. edu.hk/application-form.

SEPT 13

ESF Language & Learning Centre Parent Information Session ESF Language & Learning Centre is holding information sessions to introduce parents to its facilities and programmes. 7pm-10pm.

2/F Prime Mansion, 183/187 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, esf.edu.hk.

Sept 16

International Schools Festival Hosted by the South China Morning Post and Education Post for parents wanting to

Weaving an education Woodland Preschools has launched Tapestry, a developmental tracking programme across all nine of its schools.

The programme is UK-based and is widely used to provide individual children with an online journal that parents can securely access. The journal features photographs and information about the child’s school day and information is sent directly into parents inbox accounts.

Exam success

Ann Haydon takes over as head of Harrow

and enhance Harrow’s proud tradition of excellence across all areas of school life.”

find out more about education opportunities in Hong Kong for children from kindergarten through to secondary school. 9.30am4pm, JW Marriott Hotel, Level 3 Ballroom, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, $40/person, more details from internationalschoolsfestival.com.

Sept 16

Woodland Preschools Open Day Parents are invited to walk through its Pok Fu Lam campus and meet teaching staff, while children explore the campus. No RSVP is required, just turn up on the day.

9am-12pm, G/F Commercial Complex, Wah Fu (II), Wah Fu Road, Pok Fu Lam, woodlandschools.com.

Sept 23

Kellett School Open Day If you’re interested in your child attending Hong Kong’s British school, Kellett’s Pok Fu Lam prep campus will be open from 10am to 1pm, and its Kowloon Bay prep and senior campus is open 11am to 2pm.

Register at kellettschool.com.

Following a successful batch of International Baccalaureate results this summer, Hong Kong schools are now in receipt of the British International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams results.

IGCSE students typically sit exams in around nine subjects, with testing of fifteen and sixteen year olds in Year 11 following a two year study course. Maths, science, English language and literature, a minimum of one language, one humanities-based subject and one arts-based subject is compulsory for every student.

At French International School (FIS), 57% of students achieved eight A* or A grades, with over half receiving nine or more A* or A grades. Three students managed nine straight A* grades, one achieved nine A* as well as one A grade, and one student scooped 11 A* and one A grade. A commendable 97% of students achieved grades A*-C - the UK average is 69%.

Ian Clayton, head of the International Stream, congratulated students, adding that their “dedication” and “hard work” over the two year programme, as well as the support of teachers, had produced such “excellent results”.

Meanwhile, at Yew Chung International, three students scooped straight As (A* and A grades) in 11 IGCSE subjects, while two more received straight As in ten subjects.

Three students achieved straight As in nine subjects.

In IB Diploma results released earlier in the summer, two Yew Chung students received ‘perfect’ scores of 45 points.

expat-parent.com 37

schools

First day dramas

Whether it’s pre-school or ‘big’ school, day one is big news both for parents and children. Carolynne Dear asks the experts how to ensure everything runs smoothly

First day at school can be a giant leap for littlies

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schools

I

can remember my own first day at school vividly. I cried and cried when it was time for the parents to leave, so lovely Mrs Carter stood and held me at the window so I could wave at my departing mother as she briskly pushed my two-year old sister out of the playground and down the lane.

I don’t think there was much in the way of child psychology or student mental wellness back in the 1970s, but I must have been ok because I hold only happy memories of my primary school years.

When I became a mother myself, after the hectic years of entertaining a baby, then a toddler, then a pre-schooler, I approached the first day of school with a mix of emotions.

I was hopeful that it might lead to slightly less frenetic weekdays - the bliss of a grocery shop without a tiny dictator demanding lollies at every turn - but also sad that I was losing the small person who had been the focus of my life for the last four years.

In the event, she ran off with her new friends, turning momentarily to let me know that I could “go home now” if I wanted. And that was that. She was gone. And that made me cry too as I was secretly a bit gutted that she had been so keen to move on. There’s no pleasing some mums.

But it turns out a range of emotions is perfectly normal, both from parents and students.

“They are often shy and quiet,” admits Abigail Carr, head of Mount Kelly preschool which opened in Hong Kong earlier this year.

“Many confidently walk into a classroom holding their parent’s hand, but when it becomes clear they will be staying without mummy or daddy, there are often tears.

Experienced teachers come to expect a few days of upset in their classrooms.”

And many students will be entering a Hong Kong school as a newbie from somewhere else. As far as older children are concerned, “we see everything from excitement to apprehension and anxiety,” says Lisa Kipfer, lower school vice principal at the Canadian International School (CDNIS).

“There can even be some confusion as the returning students know the routines, the building and the teachers and already have friends. For a new student, these things are challenging to learn and earn. Yet most will follow the social cues of their classmates…

The more confident the child, the easier they will adjust and feel comfortable.”

Carr adds that the range of emotions from parents is just as noteworthy. “This first day may well also be the first day for

a parent to leave a child. We often need to comfort and reassure parents as much as the children.”

And if you do end up with a weeping child? Malvern College Pre-School principal Jacqueline McNalty empathizes with parents.

“As a mother myself with two young boys, I know that it can be very difficult to leave your child when they are crying, but rest assured, children do normally settle very quickly once parents have departed.”

Malvern, which opened in Hong Kong this summer, offers an orientation programme to smooth out any jitters.

Give them a kiss, say I love you - and walk away smiling

“Children and parents are gently introduced to the pre-school, the resources and the learning environment,” she says. “But it is very normal for children to cry and they usually settle very quickly. Parents are encouraged to discuss a transition process and strategies that meets their child’s individual needs. Some children may need their parent to stay for a slightly longer orientation period, or bring a toy from home.

Music and songs are often an effective tool used by our educators to engage children and distract them from any tears.”

According to Carr, formulating a routine is the order of the day. “This could include helping the child put away their school bags and books and take their jacket off, then telling them it’s time for mummy or daddy to go and that you will see them when they have finished playing at school. Give them a kiss, say ‘I love you’ with a smile, and then allow the teacher to take over. And walk away still smiling - if your child sees that you are anxious, they will feel anxious too.”

Carr adds that if parents stay too long, or linger outside the classroom, it’s harder for the child to adjust. “Teachers will use distraction techniques and we usually find children settle once they are immersed in an activity. There’s no magic length of time for adjustment to take place, I have seen children

walk in on day one without a care in the world, and some children still sniffing when they come into school six months down the line. If parents have any doubts, talk to the teacher. But it’s important to remember that all children settle eventually.”

“Parents shouldn’t become frustrated or angry if it seems to be taking a long time for the child to settle,” warns McNalty. “Instead, talk openly with the child and reassure them that their feelings are normal. Be patient and empathize. Support the process with playdates at home or in the local park to help the child make new friends.”

Kipfer agrees. “In terms of preparation leading up to the day, parents need to calm themselves and be comfortable with their child attending school. Children take cues from parents and tend to ‘sense’ their feelings, so the more a parent is calm, excited and encouraging, the easier it is for the child. At CDNIS we provide an Open House before the first day of school so parents and students can meet the teacher and see the school. On the first day, we have staggered starts so just nine or ten children at a time get to meet the teacher and educational assistant.”

Other tips to get your children ship-shape for the big day include reading storybooks about starting school, spend time playing with the school bag and school items if there are any, talking about the uniform and practising opening and eating from a lunch box if that is how they will be consuming lunch.

“Parents often say they need to change their routine because of school timings and school buses,” says Carr. “Parents should slowly change the routines over the summer to get children used to getting up, eating or napping at different times, so it’s not a big shock all at once. Most schools offer a progressive start so parent and child can orientate themselves with the school and timetable - this is a very important time and I highly recommend parents listen to the advice from the school about this.”

Other preparation tips include introducing activities likely to take place at school - like cutting or drawing or reading a story with questions - and sharing a positive memory of your own first day. “And make sure you do join your child on their first day to help them to settle,” adds Kipfer.

But above all, try and enjoy these moments. “Your child will only start school once,” points out Carr. “It is a very special time!”

expat-parent.com 39

schools

Study notes

Don’t just set a goal, achieve it, says specialist tutor Jerome Barty-Taylor

G

oal-setting for kids and teenagers can be a frustrating process.

I speak with many parents who have devoted time to helping their child set a goal, broken it down into manageable action points, and yet the child shows negligible if any improvement.

Schools succeed in teaching how to set goals; but if you want to help your child in the new academic year, focus instead on the best-practice for executing them.

It does not help that contemporary education teaches our children to ape the language of self-development. When little Jimmy gets a C on his Algebra test, he may explain persuasively how he feels about it, reflect on the strategies he chose when preparing for the test and write some

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Kids need self-discipline to improve their grades.

An obsession with ‘reflective learning’ and ‘how children feel’ has replaced the requirement to knuckle down and correct one’s work goals for next time. Don’t be taken in by this seeming proficiency. Children are now rewarded for being “reflective learners” from early primary onwards and this obsession with how children feel has unfortunately replaced - in too many schools - the

requirement to knuckle down and correct one’s work. In consequence, Jimmy lacks the self-discipline and self-actualization skills to improve his score and the algebra remains unlearned. It is this lack of followthrough which is so frustrating to parents and precisely what prevents young people from achieving success.

First, a reminder. The frontal lobe, which controls impulses, reasoning and planning, is one of the last parts of the juvenile brain to develop. Thus students aged 10-16 find it difficult to associate the process of learning, the hard-work and perseverance with the completion of the goal and the delayed gratification this brings.

As parents and mentors, our responsibility is to teach children this important step. I encourage you to work

schools through the following exercise with your children in term one, myself having used it successfully with students young as eight.

Invite the child to come up with their own academic goals for term one. But don’t accept half-hearted ones. For a reluctant reader, the goal might be one book a fortnight throughout term-time. For high-school, most students should be able to achieve a B on tests or at least ‘6’ within the MYP framework. These are not unduly demanding targets. Type the goals up, print them out, stick them up. The physical reminder is important. Next comes the plan.

Most young people need help to come up with this themselves the first time.

Most children will find such a regimen hard work in the beginning. However, any initial kickback will be forgotten when the satisfaction of improved grade and goal completion is met.

Helicopter parenting, this is not - it’s the opposite. You’re not solving the child’s problems and you don’t get involved directly with their teachers. Instead you’re helping them to develop the discipline of following through. You’re teaching

Jerome’s tips: Ask the child to come up with their own goals - but don’t accept half-hearted ones

Jerome Barty-Taylor is the founder of tutoring company BartyED, which provides mentoring and development for gifted children as well as support for students with learning differences.

your child how to execute their goals and actualize their own self-improvement, a powerful lesson indeed.

• I recommend setting aside two, weekly, 25 minute timeslots. These should be sacrosanct so they’re not pushed for other activities.

• It’s best if these times are totally screen free with notes and or exercises completed manually; even a child with dysgraphia can work in shorthand.

Instead of reaching for Google, the student should get a textbook from the school library or take ownership and email their teacher to ask for a recommendation.

• Explain that your role during this time is not an enforcer. You are there to help preserve the space and have your own work or reading to complete.

• Remind the student that this is their goal and that this completion process is finite – you’re only doing this for twelve weeks, then term is over.

• Spend ten minutes at the end of each session testing concepts or vocabulary as required based on their notes.

expat-parent.com 41

schools

The eagle has landed

The American School opens its middle school this month

Kate Davies takes a tour of the American School, Tai Po

P

rincipal John Jalsevac is not afraid of a new beginning. He’s been a part of kick-starting three schools; Canada-based Mary Ward Secondary School, Mission Hills International School in Shenzhen and now the American School in Tai Po. “There’s a sense of a pioneer spirit in building a new school. You’re all here for the first time. It’s like you’ve got a block of clay that you can mould in any way you like. It’s really special.”

His latest venture is most definitely in its infancy, complete with freshly painted white walls, brand new furniture and floors of empty classrooms. The classrooms that are used, are filled with smiling, confident

42 expat-parent.com

young children, welcoming teachers and walls peppered with multicoloured learning apparatus and students’ work.

Principal Jalsevac’s office is tucked away at the end of the administrative wing of the school and yet we can still hear the sounds of children laughing and jostling in the playground.

“We opened in September 2016 with 106 students,” he begins, “Kindergarten to Grade Six.” He goes on to explain that they only moved into the building from an office in Central just two months before that; the building itself is not new, it was built in the early nineties. When the Education Board

granted the location for the American School, Jalsevac and his team had the existing building retrofitted. They kept the footprint of the original school but everything has been refurbished with new floors, ceilings, walls, plumbing, electrical and millwork. It’s

schools

designed to accommodate one thousand students with six floors of classrooms and specialty classrooms, an elementary library, a cafeteria plus a covered and an open playground. Their brand new state-of-theart gymnasium is now open and plans for

There’s a sense of pioneer spirit in building a new school

a swimming pool are being discussed. The 150-million-dollar revamp is still ongoing but the remaining work is done during school holidays so as not to disturb classes.

While “new” remains the overriding feeling here, the school is owned by the world’s largest operator of International American Schools, ESOL (Education Services Overseas Limited). American School Hong Kong is its newest addition and its first foray into Southeast Asia. So far the 106 attending students are spread over two kindergarten classes (which begin at approximately 5 years old) and one class per grade from one (age 6) through to grade six (age 11). This month, they will be opening their doors and new classrooms to Grade Seven and Eight,

A day in the life of the American School

which will complete the American School’s Middle School. Finally, the High School will be added a year later with Grade 9.

“Our enrollment last [academic] year was 106 and our target was 100. Next year we are projecting 250 students and we are well on the way to getting that.” Jalsevac is clearly confident that, now the school is open and people are coming to see for themselves what they are creating, enrolment numbers will rise, but he’s been here before and is aware of the challenges. “You’ve got to work hard as a new school, because the established schools have earned the

reputations they enjoy.” He is aware that many parents will chose an established school over a new one and this is part of the challenge. “I’m familiar with best practice. I know what good schools look like but that doesn’t mean in [the parents’] eyes that in only months [of being open] we have been able to demonstrate that we are a highly selective, top tier school.”

Their aim as set out in the brochure is ‘To deliver a rigorous curriculum, focused on developing well-rounded, motivated, open-minded and thoughtful global citizens.’

To do this, they have chosen to use the US expat-parent.com 43

schools Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards for the Elementary and Middle Schools while the High School will teach the International Baccalaureate or IB Diploma programme.

They intend to teach the material by following the ‘STEAM’ (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) approach where teaching is done through units of enquiry, in groups, where topics across subjects intersect. The idea is to approach teaching in a way that reflects the world and the workplace that students will graduate into.

Jalsevac explains that mathematics, art, science, engineering and technology do not exist in silos in real life nor do we work only in isolation in the workplace, so it makes sense to teach children to work in groups and learn these subjects in conjunction with one another. “We chose not to do the Primary Years Programme (the International Baccalaurate’s answer to Elementary and Middle School education) which has a lot of similarities to STEAM in that students are engaged in units of inquiry.

“We guide them through essential questions [but] we don’t spoon feed them.

We get them to develop ownership and responsibility for their education.”

The curriculum is just one part of the holistic education Jalsevac is intent on giving his students. He sees academic excellence as larger than marks and performance but inclusive of social, physical and creative development. That in turn goes hand in hand with extra-curricular activities that cater not just for sports and arts but service learning, leadership and next generation science. At the base of all this for him though is a sense of community. “It’s the old ‘school spirit’

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The primary school follows the STEAM approach rather than the IB Primary Years Programme

thing and I don’t think it’s hokey. I think it’s really important.”

As I speak to him he is hours away from flying out to recruit new teachers. For him, his staff need to operate ‘In Loco Parentis’, which basically translates to ‘how a good parent would in absence of a parent’ and when hiring new staff, he actively looks for that in addition to qualifications. “I never apologise for having high expectations and standards in a school. There’s a huge body of evidence that says schools should have several things; strong teachers, outstanding leadership, but high expectations and high standards is always on top.”

For a man with a long ‘to do’ list Jalsevac is very calm.

“I think we go backwards and forwards as staff thinking there’s some hardship because everything we do is new.” Despite this, it’s clear he’s ready to forge forward, “Even with all of that,” he smiles, “I wouldn’t trade it for a minute”.

School Report

Established: 2016 Class size: 23 Curriculum: KG1 teacher + 1 EA for 18 students, G1-2: 1 teacher + 1 EA for no more than 20 students, G3-G8: 24 students Max Fees 2016/2017: See website for details Non refundable capital levy: HK$20,000 Address: 6 Ma Chung Road, Tai Po, New Territories Tel: 3919 4111

expat-parent.com 45

schools

Bend it like Tatum

ESF South Island School student Tatum Sadler talks goals for the girls afford them. It was nice to meet other women football players and to see how they train.

And we were really happy to win the tournament plate.

How do you think playing football has benefited you as a person?

I've become more physically fit and I have more friends because everybody is quite close on the team. The team relationship forms a strong bond. Football has also helped me with my stamina. I am also a triathlete so football has been great for building my endurance.

Tatum Sadler with teammates

How long have you been playing football?

Eight years, since I was four.

How often do you play?

I play one and a half hours a week. I’m in the Hong Kong Football Club’s Under 14s team and also the South Island School team.

How did you get started playing?

My dad encouraged me to try football when I was little. There weren’t enough girls teams then so I would play with the boys. It was really fun and I feel that I’ve become stronger and tougher because of it.

Are there girls on your team now?

Yes, these days the number of girls at Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) is increasing three years ago there were only nine of us and now there are over 120. I do wish there were more girls teams in my division because there are 10 boys teams and we only have three or four girls'. All the teams at the HKFC are of different levels so it would be good to have more girls teams up for matches. Sometimes when there aren't enough girls for my school football team we get girls from local schools to join.

What do you like about football?

I like scoring and saving goals, and making close friends with the rest of my team. When you watch TV you might think that the players are just standing around a lot of the time, but when you are on the pitch there is actually 46 expat-parent.com

a lot of pressure. We are not just standing around. We encourage our teammates and try to support each other.

Do you have a favourite position you like playing?

I don't have a favourite position because we tend to switch around a lot but I do like being a defender. The great thing about it is you get to kick the ball off the field. If you miss it doesn't really matter because you can always try again and do better next time.

What’s it like having your dad as your coach?

Sometimes I don't realise that my dad is my coach but I admit there have been times when he hasn’t told me off like the others.

He pushes me hard to do my best and to reach my full potential because he has high expectations of me.

What’s been your most memorable football moment so far?

This year we played against the Hong Kong Women's National Team for an exhibition match and it was quite an amazing experience - not everybody gets opportunities like that.

And we very nearly won. We lost by just one goal and we even won the penalty shootout.

Also in June I had the opportunity to play in a tournament in Cambodia with the Indo StarFish Foundation. It was great because we got to learn a bit of the local language and provide football boots for children who can’t

Do you have a favourite football team or player?

Jodie Taylor from the Arsenal women's team.

She's on the English national team as well.

She just recently scored a hat trick at the European championships and is the first female to do so in history.

What are the challenges?

There is definitely the fear of letting the team down. There are times when we feel like we worked really hard and we thought we performed really well but we don't end up winning. When I was younger I used to get angry when we lost but now I have learned to stand by what the referee says and just try harder next time. I have learned that even if the opposition are taller, stronger or more experienced I can always use my own skills to do my best. For instance, I know I have a very strong kick so I have a good shot at the penalty shoot outs.

Do you want to continue football when you grow up?

I wouldn't mind doing football professionally as a coach or playing for the Hong Kong or English teams. As long as I am playing in some way I will be happy. There are some 15-16 year olds who help out with coaching at the HKFC so I might do that when I'm older.

What advice would you give girls thinking giving football a try?

Just have a go! You might not be as good as the others at the start but if you keep going your confidence will grow and you will come to really enjoy it.

expat-parent.com 47

life & style

A clean slate

With the kids finally back at school, it’s the perfect time to straighten up your home, says Carolynne Dear

A

fter weeks of tiny people trailing toys throughout your pad, autumn is ideal for re-assessing your home storage needs.

Which were my thoughts exactly as I struggled to cram dress ups back into boxes and wondered where on earth I was going to stash this summer’s numerous Lego creations. And at the back of my mind lurked the frightening thought that very soon the kids were going to start coming home from school and art club with yet more precious possessions demanding space.

Enter Donna Simchison, professional organiser and “de-clutterer”. A Canadian by birth, she has recently made the move to Hong

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Reduce, reorganize, rotate and reconnect is the name of the game

Kong to be closer to extended family and is bringing her highly successful home organising business with her.

Personally, I can’t think of anything more dull than re-structuring my children’s overloaded playroom, but Simchison admits to loving what she does.

“It’s a beautiful room,” she enthuses as I lead her up to our eight and ten-year-olds’ den. “Oh,” she falters. “I was feeling relaxed with that great view, but then I noticed this in the corner…” (she points to a vast array of suitcases squeezed between the window and the cupboard) “and now I’m feeling slightly less breezy. Do those Trunkis have to block your amazing views, or could they be stored

elsewhere in the house?”

It’s a very good point, and of course they could. Those views are costing us a small fortune and were what initially attracted us to the house - but a proper clean-up is just one of many things I haven’t quite got around to over the last six years.

And it’s not just ill-positioned luggage. The shelves are squeezed so tightly with books the kids can no longer pull one out; the numerous (and not inexpensive) craft kits are squashed to the back of units, unseen, unloved and completely forgotten about; and the cupboards are stuffed so tightly with bed linen, old Brownie uniforms and broken schoolbags that they no longer close properly.

life & style “Look, you are not alone,” she laughs.

“I mean really, we all lead busy lives, stuff accumulates and I totally understand that clearing out an old closet doesn’t bring others quite the satisfaction it affords me.

Clutter happens when you’re busy.”

It’s a classic situation. We moved in, unpacked some stuff, I kept promising myself I’d get back to it and stash it away properly, then the kids accumulated a few more games, and a few more books, and birthday presents, and Christmas presents and I never quite got around to either sorting out the room properly or relieving it of all the old stuff. And so here we are with the shelves groaning and the views obstructed.

“My first thought,” admits Simchison, gazing at all the clutter, “is why don’t you move those two wardrobes to the centre of that far wall, then the bedside tables, then the beds? That way you’ve created a nice partition for the children.”

She then spends the next twenty minutes taking notes, snapping photos and coming up with more great solutions. “It’s like a jigsaw puzzle,” she says. “Everything has a home, I just need to find it.”

Her mantra is “reduce, reorganise, rotate and reconnect”. The reduce basically involves purging your stuff - have bins or large bags handy to separate each object into “sell, donate, bin or keep”. Simchison says she’s happy to help me with this onerous task, but I think it’s something I should do together with the children.

If you’re finding it tough to throw out, she recommends to keep asking yourself, is the object worth the space it’s taking up? “And keep a memory box handy, any sentimental items you really don’t want to part with, you can put them in there. I’d recommend maybe a box for each child.”

Then comes the reorganise. Everything should be categorised - “it’s best to keep like objects together - building blocks, craft items, farm animals, dolls, and so forth”. This is also when you can start to assess your storage needs properly.

“Look, I can work to any budget,” says Simchison. “If you’re looking for advice on big pieces of furniture, I can help with that.

But relatively cheap, transparent storage containers could be all you need. Now you’ve purged, you will have a much better idea of what you actually need to store what’s left.”

With toys, she recommends categorising and placing in transparent containers on low shelving so children can see where everything is. She also recommends holding

Where to buy

playthings back - “more is less in my book,” she advises.

This is where the rotate and reconnect comes in. “Make a few toy selections available - for example, a container of dolls, a container of Lego or whatever. The kids can easily see what it is, pull it out, play with it and put it away afterwards. But also stash a few toys out of sight, and then rotate. If everything is available, children can end up overloaded.”

She advises against deep boxes or tubs for toys, as items end up buried at the bottom and forgotten.

For clothing that is being retained for younger siblings to grow into, she advises labelling shelving with the age range of the clothing stacked there - 12 to 18 months; two to three years, and so on. “That way it’s categorised and easy to grab when the child comes of age.”

To be honest, I can see a whole lot of purging on the calendar this weekend.

Simchison has gently given me the enthusiasm to block off a day and devote it to the room. I would love to see the children’s desks cleared properly and them up here scribbling away at their homework rather than on the kitchen table downstairs, likewise I would love to be able to get rid of all the old, scratched, pre-schooler DVDs to provide a whole drawer of extra storage

• “Muji, Japan Home Centre and Pricerite offer a multitude of reasonably priced and clear containers and boxes in a variety of sizes.

• “BoConcept has some great wall units and IKEA has heaps of multi-use furniture.”

• Local hardware and stationery stores are loaded with assorted storage goods.

• Too much artwork? Artkive is an app that stores and organizes artwork.

• Littlebug Prints transforms artwork into sleek prints, www.littlebugprints.com, info@littlebugprints.com.

• Corkboards are available from most stationery shops, great for displaying and rotating artwork.

• “I love a chalkboard wall or door hours of entertainment and it takes up no space.”

• “Embrace your children throughout your home. For example, with coffee tables, don’t go for an all-glass top that can easily be scratched. Look for models with shelving and drawers underneath, great for sliding away stray games and jigsaws.

• “Keep attractive storage baskets close to sofas for additional toy storage.

TREE, Mirth Home and IKEA have some great options.”

Where to recycle • Give clothes a new lease of life via second-hand children’s store, Retykle, retykle.com. Retykle will be holding a pop-up shop at Maggie & Rose at 2pm, September 1 and 12pm, September 2, 301 The Pulse (Lobby D), 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay. • Gift unwanted furniture, games and toys to others in your local neighbourhood via the app Enrich others, developed by a Hong Kong dad.

• DB Mothers & Friends is a social enterprise that provides a collection service throughout Hong Kong, donating unwanted furniture, toys, clothes and books to the charity Crossroads. Pick-ups are Hong Kong-wide, join the Facebook page DB Mothers & Friends or see 2ndhanditem.wordpress.com to find out more. space. And I would also very much like my views back.

Contact Simchison at dclutterinternational@gmail.com, or call 6323 1417.

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life & style Small square raffia basket with painted letters $350 from Mirth, available in six assorted designs Stores in two locations including B T Centre, 23 Wong Chuk Hang Road, mirthhome.com

Bespoke children’s art prints Prices start from $500 for framed prints from Little Bug Prints, various customisable options littlebugprints.com

Clutter begone Time to embrace storage solutions, says Catharina Cheung

Ginghamgiant storage bucket (in red pink or blue) $399 from Bumps to Babes bumpstobabes.com

Oki tray $679 from BoConcept 73 Wyndham Street, Central and HomeSquare, Shatin, boconcept.com

Rhinoceros storage ottoman and stool $990 from Decor8, also available in dark grey and beige grey Stores in two locations including 5-11 Thomson Road, Wanchai, decor8.com.hk

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Fendy 6 door locker $14,950 from TREE Tree.com.hk

life & style

Shelfie versatile storage system Prices start from $3,240 from FLEXA, various combinations and add-ons available Stores across Hong Kong including 261 Queen’s Road East and CityPlaza, flexa.com.hk

Secrets storage box $340 from iDecorate Times Square, idecorateshop.com Rosy storage bag $237 from iDecorate Times Square, idecorateshop.com

Mint half circle wire baskets $825 for set of two from Mirth Stores in two locations including B T Centre, 23 Wong Chuk Hang Road, mirthhome.com

Navy Leather Charging Clutch $810 from kikki.K, available in other colours Stores in four locations including Times Square, kikki-k.com

A4 Storage Box $185 from kikki.K, available in six other colours Stores in four locations including Times Square, kikki-k.com

FLYTTBAR trunk $169.90 from IKEA, also available in blue Stores in three locations including 310 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, ikea.com

Fabric storage basket with animal print $699 for set of two from Mirth Stores in two locations including B T Centre, 23 Wong Chuk Hang Road, mirthhome.com

expat-parent.com 51

food

Day tripper

It’s all change in Sai Kung where the family dining options are getting tastier and tastier

Burger business and sweet shakes at The Diner

The Diner “Hooray!” cried every tween and teen from Clearwater Bay to Sai Kung when The Diner rolled into town last month. Already a popular hang-out on Arbuthnot Road, Central, The Diner is thick-shake and burger heaven. For littlies, burgers come attractively presented in a cardboard car and the kids activities on the back of the menu are some of the most interesting we’ve seen - we had to take the Sudoku challenge home (answers on a postcard, please). If you’re not craving a juicy patty, there are plenty of salads, as well as a tasty “hippy” veggie burger option. The chips 52 expat-parent.com

are entirely moorish, sprinkled with sea-salt and rosemary, and if you value your figure, it’s probably best not to get started on the milkshakes - our tiny diners loved the M&M and Malted Malteser versions.

The restaurant replicates a 1950s American diner with “car” seating, banquettes, authentic US carplates on the walls and is a lot of fun - although a little dark towards the back of the space. We’re already gearing up for our next visit. 72-74 Po Tung Road, Mon-Thurs 7am-11pm, Fri 7-12am, Sat 7.30-12am, Sun 7.30am-11pm, 2725 2899, thediner.com.hk

food The Conservatory This smart addition to Sai Kung’s popular ‘square’ opened earlier this year and has been a welcome arrival to the area. It’s owned by the Enoteca Group and these guys know their stuff, with established restaurants already plying a fine trade in Quarry Bay and Central (The Phoenix, Iberico, Cicada and Enoteca).

The owners, Rob Cooper and Kim Minards, live locally and had been on the look-out for the perfect pad on their own stomping ground for some time. It appears they have found it. Their specialist area is Spanish tapas and they’ve created a menu groaning with Mediterranean favourites including potatas bravas, calamari, snapper chunks in coconut milk, meatballs and arancini balls - not to mention the fabulous antipasti platters and homemade pizzas. Kids will be wowed with the carefully thought-out tiffin tins - restaurant owner and mum-of-two Kim Minards has successfully translated her own kids likes and dislikes into a well-rounded kids menu.

There’s also a varied breakfast menu which also comes with kid-friendly alternatives (the dippy eggs and soldiers are great for tiny tums), as well as a variety of wine-friendly lunch and dinner platters if you don’t fancy a full meal. The location means kids can wander off to the play-park in the Square (in view of the restaurant), which is usually busy with scooters and skateboards on weekends. There’s shaded al fresco dining, but if you’re after some air con, the interior has been beautifully decorated in relaxing greens and beiges with stunning Portuguese floor tiles. 26 Wan King Path, Mon-Fri 10am-12am, Sat & Sun 8am11pm, 2792 1105, enotecagroup.com

Mediterranean dining in the square

Padstow

Sharing plates at The Conservatory

Formally known as Hebe 101, Padstow occupies a prime position on Hiram’s Highway between Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay, overlooking the Inner Port Shelter and Hebe Haven Yacht Club. The three-storey, colonial-style building closed earlier this year for a refurb and re-opened with a fresh new look and name - Padstow is a pretty Cornish fishing port on England’s west coast. The kids menu features the usual favourites - fish ‘n’ chips, burgers and mac and cheese. A nod to its English pub provenance includes national classics such as scotch eggs and sticky toffee pudding, as well as great pies, lots of fish and seafood options (the whole Boston lobster

comes recommended) with daily specials - such as half-price steaks on Mondays weekend roasts and breakfast on weekends.

Downstairs there’s a selection of board games for eager kids, although the dartboard has gone (maybe for the best, children and flying arrows is not always the best combo). Perfectly situated for a re-fuel after a trip to Trio Beach (sampans run from Pak Sha Wan pier opposite) and with a panoramic roof terrace for cooler days, Padstow is worth the trip.

112 Pak Sha Wan, Mon-Thurs 11.30am11pm, Fri 11.30-12am, Sat 11-12am, Sun 11am-11pm, 2355 5515, padstow.hk

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food St Barts and Feather & Bone A Castelo production (owners Brian and Wayne Parfitt both live locally), smart St Barts occupies a prime position on the ground floor of the swish new Mount Pavilia complex at Tai Po Tsai, Clearwater Bay. The large, white and brightly lit interior segues into a garden space via giant floor-to-ceiling bi-fold glass doors (there’s even a lawn), with dining views over the emerald green mountains on the other side of Clearwater Bay Road. The food is up to the usual Castelo standards - tasty and plentiful. Naturally there is an easy-eats kids menu, while adults will enjoy breakfast highlights including Egyptian Eggs (Turkish bread, avocado, rocket, poached eggs, beetroot hummus, feta and pistachio dukkah), along with a weekly changing set lunch menu, and a la carte (if you’re looking for a light lunch, standouts are the Vietnamese beef and chicken mango salads). The coffee is good Castelo now grind their own label, Kim & Co,

Jaspas in Hong Kong, and it’s difficult to walk past the churros on the dessert menu. Laid back, kidfriendly dining at its best.

Upstairs, high-end deli Feather & Bone has also recently moved in offering a butcher, charcuterie, cheese counter and specialist condiments such as crackers, biscuits, chocolates, fine wines and other treats. In partnership with St Barts downstairs, diners can opt to buy their preferred cut of steak from the butcher counter here, and for an additional $100 the St Barts staff will cook it and add two sides of your choice.

St Barts, G/F Retail Block of Mount Pavilia, 663 Clearwater Bay Road, 7.30am-10pm, 2791 1189, casteloconcepts.com Feather & Bone, Mount Pavilia, 1/F Retail Block of Mount Pavilia, 663 Clearwater Bay Road, 8am-9pm, 2791 1680, featherandbone.com.hk

An oldie but a goodie, Jaspas has occupied a prime position in the Square for over twenty years. Restaurant manager Sing is well known locally and goes all out to ensure diners enjoy their Jaspas experience.

Top menu picks include the sizzling fajitas and the breakfast menu has recently enjoyed a complete overhaul to include hipster favourites coconut chia, fresh fruit as well as smashed avocado, eggs and sourdough combinations.

The coffee is much improved - Castelo is now brewing its own - and there is a full kids menu.

Portions are on the large size - you won’t go hungry - and one of the better options if you’re dining as a group is to share a number of tasting plates from the entree menu. Drinks servings are generous, and our kids can’t walk past the coke and lemonade spiders.

This is another ‘Square’ located restaurant in full view of the kids play area, so littlies can wander off when they’ve had their fill. Jaspas is traditionally the buzziest area of the Square - although stiff competition has entered the fray this year and last - so you’re guaranteed a fun lunch or night out. The interior was re-freshed earlier this year and is now much lighter and brighter. The al fresco area is large and served with fans in summer and mushroom heaters in winter.

13 Sha Tsui Path, 8am-10.30pm, 2792 6388, casteloconcepts.com

Sleek dining at St Barts, Clearwater Bay

Prime cuts at Feather & Bone

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Jaspas manager Sing (left) and staff know how to keep diners happy

expat-parent.com 55

big day out

A fishy business Getting down and dirty at Aberdeen Fish Market with the kids.

H

ongkongers often swear by their local wet markets, where they can choose their dinner from styrofoam containers of live fish and tanks of swimming shrimp. These markets are packed with fresh seafood and are a beloved part of Hong Kong culture. But how does the seafood get here and where does it come from?

In most cases, Aberdeen Fish Market.

Every day at 4am, while the city sleeps, Aberdeen Fish Market (“the Market”) comes to life with people, trucks, boats and, of course, fish. This is the biggest and longestrunning wholesale fish market in Hong Kong.

At one time, it only supplied seafood to the Tai Pak Floating Restaurant and the Jumbo Floating Restaurant; but now, over 70 percent of live seafood in the city is traded here, from small middleneck clams to king crabs and Napoleon fish.

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Despite the Market’s pivotal role in supplying Hongkongers with their beloved seafood, many residents know little about it. But that’s about to change. As part of the 2017 Southern District Tourism and Culture Festival, people will have a chance to explore this local gem and enjoy some of the best seafood in Hong Kong.

The Market’s rich history began in the 19th century, harking back to Hong Kong’s origins as a fishing village. Aberdeen Harbour has always served as an important fishing port and is home to generations of fishermen.

Over the years, the Market’s popularity grew.

The trading of live fish is one of the Market’s distinguishing features. In the predawn hours, the place is a flurry of activity, with buyers selecting fish from sellers and fishermen unloading goods - they have to act quickly to preserve freshness.

The fish come mainly from the Dongsha

Islands, the South China Sea, Hainan and the Philippines. Upon their arrival at the Market, the first batches are immediately loaded onto trucks, fully equipped with seawater buckets and oxygenated tanks, and transported to wet markets and restaurants all over Hong Kong. Live seafood used to be transported to Jordan, Lei Yue Mun and Tai Kok Tsui by motorboat, but trucks started being used following construction of the Aberdeen Tunnel in the 1970s.

It takes only around 10 hours for fish caught in the Philippines to arrive live at wet market stalls. How’s that for fresh? “Most locals like to buy live fish in the wet market, so I ensure all the fish that arrive at my stall in Kowloon are live and active” says Mr. Lau, a wet market fish stall owner.

As part of the 2017 Southern District Tourism and Culture Festival, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has organized a series of

big day out

tours of the Market, to be held every Saturday morning this mointh. The tours will be held mostly in Cantonese, with a special English session on September 9.

There are three segments to the tour.

First, in “Learn More About Seafood”, market merchandisers will share their veteran knowledge with guests: which species are most popular, what telltale signs determine a good or bad specimen, how to best cook fish and other tricks to the trade. In the second part of the tour, “Exploring the Aberdeen Fish Market”, guests will get the chance to wander the Market and see the action first-hand. The best is saved for last: the tour ends with an optional lunch at the Aberdeen Fish Market Seafood Restaurant. Usually, the restaurant is so busy and the catch so fresh that there is no set menu and visitors must book in advance to secure a meal. As part of the tour, the finest seafood of the day will be

Try the catch of the day at the Aberdeen Fish Market Seafood Restaurant

selected straight from the boats and served Cantonese-style. The first two segments of the tour are free of charge; visitors can join the meal at their own expense (highly recommended).

After the tour, there’s plenty left to explore in Aberdeen. It’s a curious mixture of the modern and the traditional, a touch of old Hong Kong amidst the skyscraper-lined harbour. Take a sampan ride or stroll along the Aberdeen Promenade next to classic junk

boats salt-processing the catch of the day.

One tip: wear sensible, waterproof shoes.

Booking info The English-speaking tour is scheduled for September 9. The tour is free, but the optional seafood lunch is $350-400 per head. Download the registration form at travelsouth.hk

expat-parent.com 57

travel

Beautiful Borneo

With a mid-term break looming, an easy week in the sunshine was just what Carolynne Dear and family were looking for 58 expat-parent.com

travel

I

t was that time of year again. The kids were heading towards mid-term break and with four children aged between eight and 14 to entertain, plus Nanny and Grandad visiting from the UK, the Shangri La Rasa Ria resort in Kota Kinabalu was looking like a no-brainer.

We’ve been enjoying short breaks at this beachside hotel since 2011, so knew what to expect. Great pool – tick; good quality on-site restaurants – tick; plenty of “cocktails with sunset” opportunities – tick; kids club – tick; short flight – tick (it’s just 2hrs30 from Chek Lap Kok, although a fifty minute shuttle bus run from Kota Kinabalu airport to the hotel).

But this time we decided to upgrade to the Ocean Wing, and wow, it was worth it.

Although we have loved our little holidays in the Garden Wing in the past, the kids have grown over the years and a water slide and proximity to the kids club is no longer such a priority.

We had a lot of fun and returned home with another stash of great family memories

The Ocean Wing is a separate wing, boasting bigger rooms, huge balconies complete with spa baths, a separate reception, and a much larger pool. It’s also quieter than the Garden Wing with a surfeit of loungers (no sneaking beach towels onto beds before breakfast) and plenty of staff on-hand with complimentary fresh fruit treats, cooler boxes of water bottles and poolside menus, we soon relaxed into our break.

One issue we have had with the hotel over the years was its relatively isolated location. The draw card for many used to be the adjacent orangutan reserve, however the lease on the reserve has now expired and the orangutans have been moved to a larger park on the far side of Borneo.

However, since our last trip about three years ago, the hotel does seem to have upped its game in terms of activities. There is now a climbing wall, horse riding on the beach and a teen activity programme. The gorgeous kids club is still very much there (think gentle staff plus lots of games and fun activities around the resort), and we still love the huge games room with Mahjong, pool tables, ping pong, Jenga,

The Rasa Ria resort, Kota Kinabalu

backgammon and chess (not a computer game or screen in site, which makes my heart sing).

There are also tennis courts and myself and my husband did indulge one evening with a massage at the spa. If you’re travelling with tiny tots, bear in mind that the kid’s club only takes children aged five and over independently, under fives must be accompanied by an adult babysitters can be booked through reception.

There are also regular shuttle buses running into the most popular shopping spots in Kota Kinabalu. I took this option one morning with my shop-starved teenage girls – the drawcard was a Sephora and Bath & Bodyworks – and contrary to my expectations, we did spend a very happy morning in the brand new mall at Imago Times Square - gleaming, but without the high-end glitz overkill that is so often the case in Hong Kong. We shopped pocket money favourites including H&M, Cotton On, Esprit, Victoria’s Secret, Uniqlo, Giordano, various sporting franchises, plus Boost Juice for the bus-ride home.

While we were gone, my husband had taken my young son “adventuring” to a beach adjacent to the resort, made a bivouac with driftwood, clambered through a patch of jungle and discovered two snakes. “Best day ever!” said my son.

All in all, the holiday went better than expected (after 15 years as an expat entertaining various visiting family members

while balancing the needs of my four rambunctious children I am nothing if not a realist when it comes to “luxury” and “breaks”). We ate well, had a lot of fun and returned home with another stash of great family memories.

Diving adventure In between lounging by the pool and shopping, we also booked a lunch trip on the North Borneo Railway and a day’s snorkelling in the marine park. For the more adventurous among you, or those with older children, other activities include a 250m inter-island zipline in the and Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, and of course Mount Kinabalu, a two-day climb.

An early morning bus sped us to our dive resort in the marine park. Speedboats leave early - 7.30am - from Jesselton Pier, Kota Kinabalu (close to the airport) - arriving at your dive island within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park around twenty minutes later.

We’d opted for a snorkelling day which we’d booked through our hotel.

Our guide, a likeable English chap on a gap year, spent an hour or so at the tiny island resort showing the kids how to adjust their snorkels and what sort of fish they were likely to spot, and then we were in the boat and off to the first of our four dive locations around the reef. There were around ten people in our group and our guide was very patient, expat-parent.com 59

travel providing buoyancy aids for our youngest two so they could float quite happily while gazing at the marine-life. After completing two “dives”, we headed back to the resort for lunch and a rest. The kids had fun playing on the beach and chatting with the rest of the group. The second two dives were equally spectacular, but we really lucked out at the last site of the day when a beautiful turtle floated right past my 13-year-old, rendering her momentarily speechless.

It was a long day - we arrived back at the hotel around 7pm - but one that had everybody talking. And I really felt I deserved my lounger the following day.

Train trip Nanny and Grandad decided to join us for our lunch on the North Borneo Railway a couple of days later and we set off again, this time for the station at Tanjung Aru. We had booked this independently of the hotel through the Sutera Harbour Resort which owns the railway, and used the hotel to book taxis into and out of Tanjung Aru. Friendly staff ushered us into our extremely comfortable carriage, complete with bathroom and our own waitress who worked tirelessly bringing us drinks and food throughout the day. With a toot and a whistle and a great puff of smoke, the British ‘Vulcan’ steam locomotive rolled out of the station.

The kids were kept busy waving at the locals waving back at them as we steamed our way to Putatan and then to Kinarut.

Construction of the historical railway started in the 1880s, in an effort to pave the way for the opening up of the untapped natural resources of Borneo for commercial cultivation.

Naturally the scheme was dreamt up by those sturdy Brits, who never knowingly let a hot and humid jungle get in the way of a trading opportunity.

And so the director of the British North Borneo Chartered Company, a William Clark Cowie, initiated the building of the first railway in Sabah. In 1903 the rail-link was extended 90km to include Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu).

Land between here and Beaufort was cleared of forests for the cultivation of rice, tobacco, sago, tapioca, soya beans and pineapples.

These crops were then hauled down by rail to the port at Jesselton and exported, no doubt for the delectation of all those Downton-esque Lady Crawleys the length and breadth of Britain. One can only guess what they made of the first pineapples to be off-loaded.

Unfortunately the entire railway system was paralysed during World War II under Japanese occupation, when rails, bridges and 60 expat-parent.com

Three generations relax by the pool

locomotives were all damaged. A programme of reconstruction was implemented post-war, when North Borneo became a Crown Colony.

After Malaysia was formed in 1963, the railway service was managed by the Sabah State Railway Department, with diesel quickly replacing the steam engine. The North Borneo Railway was thankfully re-launched by Sutera Harbour Resort and the Sabah State Railway Department, initiating what is today a delightful experience.

A nice touch was the ‘passport’ we were given on departure, and our waitress rushed around to ‘visa’ stamp it every time we passed through a station. En route we enjoyed a delightfully presented brunch of curry puffs, toast and coconut jam, steamed cassava parcels and a local cake made of rice flour and coconut milk. It was all very convivial.

We disembarked at Kinarut for a quick tour of the local Chinese temple, and then it was onto Papar, passing through jungle, fruit orchards and the odd herd of water buffalo. We had a 20 minute stop at Papar and a wander around the local markets while the locomotive was de-coupled and the train turned around. When we re-boarded, it was rather gorgeous to discover the tables

had been neatly laid for lunch with tiffin tins containing fish curry, steamed vegetables, chicken fried rice and fresh fruit.

We puffed our way back to Tanjung Aru, arriving mid-afternoon. It had been a thoroughly enjoyable day, which kept four kids entertained and four adults very happy while soaking up a bit of the local culture. The trip lasts around five hours.

Book it up Diving the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park was booked through the hotel, departing from Jesselton Pier, Kota Kinabalu (near the airport). It’s a twenty minute speedboat ride out to the school, located on one of the islands in the park.

The North Borneo Railway operates on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Bookings should be made through the Sutera Harbour Hotel, suteraharbour.com Coral Flyer, Borneo’s longest island-to-island zipline from Gaya Island to Sapi Island (250m).

Managed by Ropeskills Rigging. Contact naz@ropeskills.com.my or coralflyer.com.

We stayed at Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort, shangri-la.com.

expat-parent.com 61

marketplace

marketplace

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

marketplace

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

expat-parent.com 63

flailing spouse

Style challenge(d)

The secret to creating a beautiful home

I

nspired by the beginning of a new school year, I am attempting to “re-vamp” our home. I’ve had the walls repainted and we are now all systems go.

Interior design has never been my strong point, so my first port of call is my friend Liz who is amazing with this sort of thing and runs her own interiors business. So I buzz over to her Peak home to enjoy a cup of coffee on her pristine Italian couches and glean some tips.

“So what look are you hoping to achieve?” she asks, placing a beautifully presented plate of home-baked biscuits on the marble coffee table.

“Well,” I falter. “Um, I just had the walls painted…”

“Great!” she enthuses. “Which colour palette did you opt for?”

“Um, a sort of white colour, yes a white palette of colour,” I say, my confidence rising.

Lots of nice houses are white, right?

“What tone of white - blues, pinks, yellows?”

Oh my god, It’s been five minutes, I haven’t even finished my latte and I’m already out of my depth.

“Um, a sort of white white? White and with a hint of… white… Well maybe a bit blue-y, or pink-y...” I stammer.

Actually it was a bucket of paint offered to me at cost by a Cantonese builder who had litres of the stuff. He’d been renovating a house at the bottom of the road and gave me a very good deal on the leftovers. I mean seriously, how was I to know that white isn’t always white? But that’s not the sort of thing you read in Vogue Home. Or mention to highflying interiors type people.

“Um, it was a locally sourced product that I selected because of it’s… um, whiteness.”

This isn’t going well.

“That’s ok,” smiles Liz. “We can work with that! It’s just easier to chose complementing fabrics when they match the tone of the room.”

“Oh, great!” I say, helping myself to another cookie. Phew.

“Actually,” I add, “No need to bother too much with fabrics as I have some couches on order already.” I think I’m starting to sound a bit more like I know what the hell I’m talking about.

“Oh great,” she says. “Which colour?

There’s nothing like a bright sofa to really add some interest and lift a room.”

64 expat-parent.com

Our columnist is a long suffering expat wife, and mother to several energetic, third culture children.

She lives in Hong Kong.

“Um, well ‘oatmeal’,” I admit, inwardly groaning as I so nearly went for the much more interesting turquoise, and then defaulted back to a nice safe beige at the last minute.

“Ok,” she murmurs to herself. “White and beige. Right, let’s see what we can do with that. Curtains or window drapes?”

“Um, I had blinds re-fitted last year, so I wouldn’t mind leaving them as they’re new.”

“And what colour are they?”

“Ur, sort of… white,” I mumble. “But when the sun’s shining through they turn a nice kind of, ur, well, oatmeal,” I finish lamely.

“It’s no problem!” says Liz gamely. “You can brighten up a room in all sorts of ways.

Take these cupboards,” she continues, leading me into the hall where two gorgeously colourful - and huge - oriental wardrobes serenely sit either side of the double doors leading to the dining room. “Something like this is perfect for adding height to a room and for stashing stray school bags and other paraphernalia that you

don’t want to be seen.”

I think of my own hallway, choc-a-block with sports bags, odd socks and backpacks.

It had actually never occurred to me that this stuff could be stored away.

“I love them!” I say. “Where are they from?”

“Well these particular examples were discovered on one of my sourcing trips to central Asia last year. They’re hand-painted by a group of monks using paint made from the crushed petals of local flowers.“ Oh,” I say, rather lamely. “And how much might they cost, you know, sort of ballpark?”

“They worked out at around HK$100,000 per cupboard, and then of course I had to fly them back. But you can probably get at least $50,000 knocked off that price if you shop locally - although they wouldn’t have that hand-made touch, of course.”

“No,” I stutter, thinking of my IKEA wardrobes.

“How else were you thinking of accessorising the room?” she asks.

My mind wanders to the Lego creations covering the tv unit, the wobbling pile of cracked and mismatched ginger jars I bought on a trip to Shenzhen six years ago, and the enormous papier mache crocodile on the sideboard that the Boy Child created for his Aussie wildlife project last year and nobody has the heart to throw out.

“Oh, you know, with this and that. Bits and pieces that I’ve, you know, sourced, over the years,” I say airily.

And an hour later, having viewed the cleverly hung paintings, the inventively arranged vases and jars and the handwoven Tibetan rug, I’m back in the car and heading back to my bland, beige home.

Wearily I let myself in through the front door, trip over a school shoe and am greeted with the information that the dog has vomited on the rug. Again.

And then I brighten up. Thank god I don’t have a handwoven Tibetan rug, I think, thank goodness our rug is old and worn and it doesn’t matter if the kids drop chocolate milkshake all over it.

Actually, the thought of owning all of those precious one-off pieces of artistic endeavour makes me feel quite weak. And to be honest, I’m secretly quite fond of cardboard Australian reptiles.

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