FREE EVERY MONTH
FAMILY
|
EDUCATION
|
BAUBLES
|
TRAVEL
the really useful magazine expat-parent.com
December 2018
2 expat-parent.com
CONTENTs 2
Editor’s letter
Hello from the hot desk
4
Contributors
Meet this month’s team
7
What’s on
A whole lot of Christmas sparkle
10
Christmas fairs
Expat Parent’s exclusive guide
14
Things you should know
Operation Santa Claus is go!
16
News
Posh play and puds
20
Book review
Festive tales for kids
24
My Hong Kong
Bookazine co-founder reveals all
26
My big idea
Bling health
28
Cover story
Meeting Mrs Clausen
ISSUE 055
28
7
36
33 Schools Woodland overhaul and Mount Kelly update
42
Life & style
Gift guide extraordinaire
48
Dining
Top spots Christmas lunch
58
Travel
New York New York
64
Happy Christmas from the EP team!
Scan and visit our website expat-parent.com
11
58
42
expat-parent.com 1
editor’s message
who’s in charge? Editorial editorial@hongkongliving.com Editor Carolynne Dear
Managing Editor Gemma Shaw
Contributing Editor Nicole Slater
Editorial Assistant Becky Love
Digital Editor Apple Lee
Design anna@hongkongliving.com Graphic Designer Anna Schulteisz
Graphic Designer Sonia Khatwani
Sales & Marketing talk@hongkongliving.com
A
s an avid consumer of royal gossip, I was a little disheartened to read in the UK’s ‘red top’ tabloids last month that no less than three of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s household team have recently left their posts. Now I don’t wish to cast aspersions as I’m sure the departures were all for perfectly reasonable reasons, but it did remind me that the way you treat the people who work for you is important. Rudeness to the staff? It’s just not cool. I try to operate each day under the old adage ‘work hard and be kind’ - towards my domestic help just as much as the office team. Because, let’s face it, I would be struggling without them all. The octogenarian mother of a good childhood friend still insists on inviting her former cleaner to the annual extended-family Christmas party. She enjoyed a spick and span household throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, and sees no reason why the relationship with her ‘help’ should be dropped just because she no longer requires her services. My own domestic helper has been with us for nine years and, quite frankly, the house wouldn’t stand up without her. While I flap around in a most ineffectual way, she ensures there is a solid dinner on the table every evening and library bags and PE kits are washed, dried and never forgotten. Let’s hope she’s with us for another nine. So as we gather gifts and spread goodwill and good cheer, let’s not forget our support teams. For us expats, family members aren’t just the long-distance uncles and cousins and brothers and sisters back ‘home’, they’re also the individuals that are solidly there for us on the other 364 days of the year. The entire Expat Parent team wishes you a very Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you again in 2019!
about the cover
@beyondthehighrise
Tara J Smyth of Nitty Gritty Images shot our cover image this month. She was on Lower Cheung Sha beach on Lantau Island with our model and December’s interviewee, Natasha Clausen. Make-up and hair by Glow Spa & Salon, glowspa.hk. Dresses by So Amazing Couture, facebook.com/SoAmazingCouture
Sales Director Hilda Chan
Sales and Marketing Executive Isamonia Chui
Sales and Marketing Executive Corrie Tang
Sales and Marketing Executive Johnny Wong
Accounting charles@hongkongliving.com Assistant Operations Manager Charles Lau
Publisher Tom Hilditch tom@hongkongliving.com
Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 | Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong 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.
2 expat-parent.com
expat-parent.com 3
contributors
Becky Love
Tara J Smyth
Marianne Rogerson
Our editorial assistant put together our gorgeous gift and dining pages this month.
Tara snapped this month’s stunning cover shot of Natasha Clausen on Lantau.
Our freelance travel writer reports back on a festive family break in the Big Apple.
This year I will be spending Christmas… either in Hong Kong or down in Perth; I’m still deciding. Either way I’ll be sharing good food and wine with people I love.
This year I will be spending Christmas…in our villa on Koh Lanta in Thailand. Santa comes, the champagne is popped, we eat a long, lazy, festive breakfast and spend the day by the pool.
This year I will be spending Christmas… on the beach in Sydney with good friends and family.
My Christmas preparation is… now underway. On December 1 the tree goes up and the festive movie viewing commences. Everything else is last minute.
My Christmas preparation is… sporadic, unplanned, scatty and with no real focus. I usually end up on the M&S website ordering hampers for the rellies at home.
@heyheyitsbeckyj
My Christmas preparation is… sampling lots of Hunter Valley wines after a recent trip to see which ones will go best with the turkey.
@nitty_gritty_images
Want to write for Expat Parent Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com
4 expat-parent.com
@hungrymaz
expat-parent.com 5
6 expat-parent.com
what’s on
Diary dates
DEC 1
Father Christmas
This heart-warming stage show is full of merry touches with live music and playful puppetry. Various times. From $329. The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. viagogo.com
expat-parent.com 7
what’s on UNTIL DEC 2
GetRedressed Charity Pop-Up Shop Hong Kong-based environmental charity Redress invites you to snap up preloved bargains including womenswear, accessories, menswear and more. 9am - 6pm daily. Free. OnTheList, 6 Duddell Street, Central. redress.com.hk
UNTIL DEC 31 Run for a Cure
Walk, run or make a donation throughout December; Hong Kong Cancer Fund is aiming to raise $3 million. cancer-fund.org
UNTIL JAN 1
Santa Academy at IFC This seasonal installation comprises of six interactive checkpoints - from learning Santa’s signature ‘Ho Ho Ho’ belly laugh to postcard writing. Free. 9am - 10.30pm daily. 8 Finance Street, Central. ifc.com.hk/xmas2018
A Disney Christmas, until Jan 1
the Hong Kong Pulse Light Show. Free admission. Event locations and times vary. discoverhongkong.com
UNTIL JAN 1
Cocoa Monsters at Landmark Giant Christmas tree plus installation featuring a cocoa forest, chocolate river and chocolate factory that bursts into life every 30 minutes. Free, 9am-10.30pm daily. 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central. landmark.hk
UNTIL JAN 1
Pacific Place Wonderland The Pacific Place Christmas wonderland includes the usual tree and installation, plus interactive decorations and workshops and photo opportunities with Santa. 9am-10.30pm daily. 88 Queensway, Admiralty. pacificplace.com.hk
UNTIL JAN 1
Hong Kong WinterFest WinterFest consists of a range of seasonal displays spread across several landmark buildings. Worthy of note is the Christmas tree at North Statue Square in Central, and
UNTIL JAN 1
A Disney Christmas Be transported to a stunning winter wonderland, filled with yuletide carols, glittering lights, shimmering snowflakes, magical performances and more. Prices vary. hongkongdisneyland.com
UNTIL JAN 20
Weber Pop-Up Kiosk Receive a free grilling grate, wok and steamer set worth $1,638 when you purchase any E310 or E330 Spirit Grill. Free Smokey Joe portable charcoal grill worth $849 with any purchase of E210 Spirit grill. Kiosk 18, Level 2, The Pulse, Repulse Bay. weber.com/hk
UNTIL FEB
AIA The Great European Carnival This year’s carnival brings with it fun skill games, great prizes, European street entertainers, fabulous international food & beverage, and some of the most thrilling rides in the world. Central Harbourfront. Tickets available on-site or via tgec.asia
DEC 1
Yoga Flash Mob Join The Yoga House in Sai Kung ‘square’ for 108 sun salutations to raise money for Operation Santa Claus. $250 per person. 11am-12.30pm, Sai Kung Square, 23 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung. facebook.com/theyogahouse.hk
DEC 1 - 15
Angels for Children Secret Santa Bring some Christmas joy to the children of Po Leung Kuk and the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO) by signing up to become a child’s Secret Santa. Sign up at angels-forchildren.org
DEC 2 & 9
Classics for Kids Christmas Concert The SAR Philharmonic Orchestra’s 17th annual interactive concert introduces children to classical music and lets them try out the instruments. 2.15pm and 5pm. Tickets from $350. Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Wan Chai. hkticketing.com
DEC 4
Matilda Hospital - Carols by Candlelight Listen to school choirs and enjoy game and 8 expat-parent.com
what’s on sales stalls, mulled wine and food delights. Money raised goes towards the Matilda Children Foundation. 6 - 8pm. Free admission. Matilda Hospital, 41 Mount Kellett Road, The Peak. matilda.org
DEC 6 - 8
DesignInspire Expo Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), DesignInspire is an international exhibition showcasing Hong Kong and global innovation and creativity. 9.30am-7pm, Dec 6-7;. 9.30am-6.30pm, Dec 8. Free. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. designinspire.com.hk
Light Up A Life Christmas Concert
DEC 5
Southside magazine Charity Christmas Lunch and Christmas Pop-up market
Enjoy lunch at El Charro Mexican Cantina and browse over 20+ pop-up stalls - perfect for Christmas shopping. 11am - 3pm. $550 per ticket, $500 per ticket when you book a table with min 6 persons. EL Charro Mexican Cantina, Cyberport. hongkongliving.com/shop
DEC 5, 12 & 19
Han Academy Introductory Meetings Every Wednesday, interested parents can find out more about the school’s development, curriculum, teachers, textbooks and more. 8am - 10am. Free. G/F-2/F, No. 33-35 Wong Chuk Hang Rd, Aberdeen. hanacademy.edu.hk
Christmas Carol Concert Appeal Join in the celebrations of the 7th annual carol concert with drinks, canapés and carols to benefit the Society for Community Organization. 6.30 - 8.30pm. Tickets $600. Helena May, 35 Garden Road, Central. ticketflap.com/ carolconcert2018
The Nutcracker
DEC 15
World Wildlife Fund Flag Day
DEC 6 - 9
Nutcracker - The Play Faust International Youth Theatre proudly presents Nutcracker - The Play. This unique version of captures the magic and fantasy of the original story through movement and music. Various times. From $210. McAulay Arts Studio, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. urbtix.hk
A volunteer opportunity for kids and families to sign up to raise funds for WWF’s ocean conservation programs. Volunteers must be aged 14 and over. Register to volunteer at wwf.org.hk
DEC 22 & 23
Peninsula Christmas Enjoy performances by the Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir. 12pm, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. hkwmvc.com
DEC 8
DEC 23
This months event supports the 24 Hour Race, a student-led organization raising funds to combat human trafficking and modern day slavery. 6.30 - 9pm. $300 includes free flow drinks. Cafe 8, Hong Kong Maritime Museum Rooftop, Central Pier 8, Central. drinkforjustice.org
City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong performs both stories based on the classic Raymond Briggs children’s tales. Suitable for children aged three and above. 4.30 & 7.30pm, Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium, 1 Yuen Wo Road, Sha Tin. urbtix.hk
DEC 8 - 9
DEC 24
Drink for Justice
CapitaLand Vietnam New Project – De La Sol (Phase II) Seminar Discover the potential of De La Sol by CapitaLand – the first international development in District 4 of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam adjacent to the traditional CBD in District 1.12:30 - 2pm. Free to attend. The Park Lane Hong Kong 27/F, 310 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay asiabankersclub.com
DEC 6
DEC 14 - 26
Brought to you by the Hong Kong Ballet. Follow the magical adventures of Clara, Fritz and the heroic Nutcracker in their quest to defeat the evil Rat King and reunite true love. Various times. Prices from $180. Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Grand Theatre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. hkballet.com
DEC 4
Charity tree lighting ceremony with a performance by the Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir. 7.30pm, St John’s Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Central. stjohnscathedral.org.hk
Enjoy a live performance, afternoon tea, five children’s craft activities and meet Santa. $150 per adult, $250 per child (includes craft and a photo with Santa). 3pm. Li Sing Tai Hang School, 73 Wun She Road, Causeway Bay. All profits to Impact HK. thkwc.org
DEC 8 - 9
Sai Kung Bulldogs Christmas Football Trials
The Snowman & The Bear
Christingle Service Arrive early to grab a seat at this popular annual event. 4.30pm, St John’s Anglican Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Road, Central. stjohnscathedral.org.hk
DEC 25
Christmas Day Merry Christmas! Public holiday.
DEC 26
Boxing Day Another public holiday.
Free football trials for youngsters aged two to four years; five to nine years; and ten to 17 years. saikungbulldogs.com
DEC 31
DEC 9
Join hundreds at the harbourfront to watch the fireworks display and welcome in 2019.
A Family Christmas Concert
New Year’s Eve
expat-parent.com 9
10 expat-parent.com
expat-parent.com 11
BOOK NOW
JAN 16 - 27
Mamma Mia! Mamma Mia! returns to Hong Kong - a tale of love, friendship and identity narrated through the timeless hits of ABBA. Times vary. Tickets from $195. Lyric Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. mamma-mia.com
12 expat-parent.com
JAN 20
Gammon China Coast Marathon and Half Marathon Registration is open for Hong Kong’s oldest marathon and half marathon. Start and finish at Pak Tam Chung. 8am. Earlybird $400 on or before 16 December. $500 on or after 17 December. avohk.org
Mamma Mia, Jan 16-27
FEB 21-24
Peter Pan & Wendy Faust Hong Kong brings to life the classic children’s tale by JM Barrie. Performed by youngsters aged from eight to 18 years, the performance follows the story of
mischievous Peter Pan and the Lost Boys of Neverland. Ticket prices vary. Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. urbtix.hk
expat-parent.com 13
things to know
1
2
Operation Santa Claus (OSC) is an annual campaign organised jointly by South China Morning Post and Radio Television Hong Kong. This year’s event was launched last month at the Tai Kwun complex in Central by Hong Kong chief secretary, Matthew Cheung and supported by ambassadors including singing duo Robynn & Kendy, the Diocesan Girls’ School Choir and the Hong Kong Police Silver Marching Band.
In its inaugural year back in 1988 it raised $100,000. Over the last 30 years, over $275 million has been donated to 264 charitable projects.
Things you need to know Operation Santa Claus The charitable annual Christmas event launches its 31st campaign
3
4
14 expat-parent.com
Throughout December, corporations, clubs, schools and individual donors organise a diverse range of fundraising events for Hong Kongers to show their support. Events include soccer and golf competitions, yoga activities and gift sales.
Last year, Operation Santa Claus raised more than $15 million.
5
6
Outstanding supporters will be recognised with awards, including Top Corporate Fundraiser, Top School Fundraiser, Most Creative Fundraiser and Most Creative School. The winners will be announced at the closing ceremony in January.
Find out how to support OSC or how to get involved at osc.scmp.com
expat-parent.com 15
news
Culture club Tour group Hong Kong Greeters has launched a ‘Grass Routes Vegetarian Food and Cultural Tour’. Responding to client-led demand for health conscious foodie tour options, Hong Kong Greeters’ founder Amy Overy and her team has put together the plant-based tour of Hong Kong’s Kowloon area and New Territories. “We’ve combined what this city does best,” says Overy. “Food and culture.” The tour’s historical, cultural and foodie destinations are sufficiently off-the-beaten track to interest even long-term residents, along with local-style vegetarian and vegan food options.
Posh play in the Bay Hip private family club Maggie & Rose is set to open a second venue. Currently located across two floors of The Pulse in Repulse Bay, the brand is now all set to move into space at Lee Gardens Two in Causeway Bay. London-based co-founder Maggie Bulger has been searching for space for a second venue after successfully bringing her club to Hong Kong three years ago. “Finding the right location is the toughest thing,” she admitted 16 expat-parent.com
Each stop, including temples, gardens and a redeveloped century-old colonial police station, has been painstakingly researched and guides are a treasure-trove of information (pictured is Chi Lin Nunnery, second stop on the tour). The tour lasts three-and-a-half to four hours and participants need bring no more than a topped up Octopus card and a desire to find out a bit more about their ‘home’. It meets and finishes within easy walking distance of MTR stations and is limited to groups of no more than six people. hkgreeters.com
on a venue-finding visit to the territory. Very much in the vein of the Repulse Bay club, the new space will offer a highend play experience for Hong Kong’s littlies. Imaginative, scandi-style soft play, a cosy cinema snug for movie nights, a ‘Splat’ art room, outdoor terrace, ‘grow your own’ veggie patch, and a breakout coffee lounge for adults are all on the cards. Members will also be able to take advantage of a packed social calendar, with foodie events, workshops and more for both adults and kids.
The space will also offer bespoke, Britishstyle classes and camps covering art, music, make believe and cooking. Customised birthday parties will also be available. Bulger co-founded Maggie & Rose with friend Rose Van Cutsem, opening their first space in Kensington and essentially providing a ‘nice’ venue for parents to socialise and children to play. Maggie & Rose Kensington was the UK’s first private, members-only family club. Maggie & Rose Causeway Bay is expected to open later this month. maggieandrose.com
expat-parent.com 17
news
A gift in time
For a more ethical Christmas gift idea, WatchBox is selling vintage and pre-owned luxury watches. Through its website, app, white glove concierge service and a bricks ‘n’ mortar showroom on Duddell Street, the company buys, sells and trades pre-loved timepieces from all over the world. WatchBox offers an authentication and warranty service as well as a wide range of watches, including hard-tosource and limited production models. Brands currently listed include Omega, Rolex, Cartier, Jaeger-Lecoultre and Hublot. And if the recipient decides the piece is not to their taste, the WatchBox team can trade the gift in and help replace it with an alternative timepiece. The WatchBox Hong Kong showroom can be found at 14/F, 1402, 1 Duddell Street, Central. thewatchbox.hk
Shop ‘n’ bop Grab some gifts, mingle and jingle and tuck into a three-course lunch with bubbles. It’s all going on at Southside magazine’s charity Christmas lunch on December 5. Come along and meet the editorial team and enjoy a three-course meal, free-flow wine plus bubbles. The event will be supporting local charities Box of Hope and Adoptive Families of Hong Kong with fun games and a raffle - fabulous prizes include dinner at Petrus at Four Seasons, dinner at Lobster Bar and Grill and Cafe TOO at Island Shangri-La, plus goodie bags for all guests. There’ll also be the chance to get a bit of Christmas shopping done with a specially curated pop-up shops. $550 per person,
or $500 per person if booking a table of six or eight, 11am-3pm, Dec 5, El Charro, Cyberport Arcade, 100 Cyberport Road, Pok Fu Lam. hongkongliving.com/shop
Ritzy launch for sweet treats
Top spot at ICA Island Christian Academy has welcomed new principal Jon Keelty to the school. Keelty has been in education for over 25 years, teaching in both primary and secondary schools in both his home country of New Zealand and in Hong Kong. He has lived in the territory for fifteen years and was previously head of primary in the international stream at German Swiss International School. He is passionate about innovation and rising to the challenges of 21st century education and is looking forward to developing ICA’s vision for service learning and impacting the local community. “The challenge of educating children in Hong Kong is not just about achieving academic goals,” he told Expat Parent. “It’s about being explicit and committed to valuing and truly embedding a more holistic philosophy and view of success. Leaders must look beyond the ‘quick-fixes’ of making popular additions such as coding, STEAM and extra-curricular activities to school programmes.” islandca.edu.hk 18 expat-parent.com
The new patisserie at The Ritz Carlton
Sweet Fashion House has opened a second location in Hong Kong at The Ritz Carlton. The new space follows the brand’s inaugural opening in Lee Gardens Three, Causeway Bay, and will offer its decadent dessert collection alongside quality coffees in collaboration with Hong Kong coffee house, Cupping Room. The hand-crafted chocolate, cake and macaron collections will be released in seasonal collections using fresh local ingredients and innovative flavour pairings. Cupping Room has developed an exclusive locally roasted blend for the partnership. ‘Kainamui’ features notes of redcurrant, rose
and maple candy for a sweet aromatic brew. Throughout the year, the coffee specialist will feature a seasonal blend or single origin coffee from around the world for the Sweet Fashion House espresso programme to complement the sweets on the menu. The boutique will also offer a selection of Inari teas. Inari specialises in teas grown in China, India, Japan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Taiwan and will feature a ‘tea of the month’. The boutique is open now at 9th Floor, Ritz Carlton Hotel, ICC Building, Kowloon. sweetfashionhouse.com
expat-parent.com 19
book review
Out this month
Ursula Huber of Sai Kung’s Kidnapped* bookshop reveals her top stocking stuffers this festive season
Kids’ classics
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Christmas Activity Book
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Christmas Library
The Night Before Christmas
Polly Dunbar
Eric Carle
Kes Gray & Claire Powell
Packed with Christmas craft activities, recipes and stickers galore - tons of fun for young readers.
A four-book slipcase to teach little ones all about Christmas counting, Christmas words, Christmas shapes and Christmas colours.
It’s the day before Christmas Eve and Santa is ever so busy. But has he forgotten anything? And will he be ready in time?
Little Leaders: Visionary Women Around The World
Mince Spies
Vashti Harrison
Who is destroying all the Christmas treats in the supermarket? Santa sends in his Mince Spies on a secret mission to uncover the culprit.
Did you know that WIFI was invented by a Hollywood star? Or that the first computer programmer was a woman? Amazing leaders that will inspire your daughters.
Mark Sperring & Sophie Corrigan
Science: A Children’s Encyclopedia
Peppa Pig Meets Father Christmas
Dorling Kindersley
Peppa Pig
Get the kids excited about science with this encyclopaedic introduction to physics, chemistry and biology. Images, simple graphics and straight-forward text are used to explain the answers to science-y questions.
Will Father Christmas make it in time to meet Peppa and her friends at the school Christmas play? A fun story with lots of sparkly illustrations.
*Kidnapped, G/F, 7 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, facebook.com/KidnappedBookshop
20 expat-parent.com
book review Festive food
Vegan Christmas Gaz Oakley The best of vegetarian and vegan festive fare - Oakley is renowned for his bold flavours, so nobody needs miss out on the most anticipated meal of the year.
Fortnum & Mason: Christmas & Other Winter Feasts Tom Parker Bowles Packed with info and inspo on everything you need to enjoy a delicious winter. Flavoursome recipes for Christmas, New Year, Burn’s Night and general party feasting.
Jamie Cooks Italy Jamie Oliver A celebration of the joys of Italian food. Featuring 140 recipes from across Italy, including chapters on antipasti, salads, meat, fish, pasta, dumplings, breads and pastries.
The Curious Bartender’s Guide to Gin Tristan Stephenson Join the gin craze with this captivating introduction to the world of gin. Includes recipes for perfect gin cocktails by this award-winning bartender and best-selling author.
Dangerous Experiments for After Dinner: 21 Daredevil Tricks
The Unappropriated Recipes
Wilson Kendra
A crowdfunded project to celebrate Hong Kong through contributions from artists, curators, supporters and collaborators. Each of them was invited to submit a personal recipe that includes an ingredient specific to Hong Kong.
Fed-up of discussing Hong Kong rental prices and international school waiting lists? Spice up your dinner parties with these hilarious - and sometimes slightly dangerous - after-dinner tricks. Step-by-step instructions for fun evenings at home.
Para Site
expat-parent.com 21
book review
Indian inspo Local author Bhakti Mathur tells Carolynne Dear about her two newest releases for kids You’re an established children’s writer. Tell us about your books... I’ve written two series for children called Amma Tell Me and Amma Take Me. The Amma Tell Me series is a set of picture books written in rhyme that introduce Indian festivals and mythology, such as Holi and Diwali, to young readers in a fun way. The second series, Amma Take Me, introduces readers to the history of the major Indian faiths through their important places of worship. The books are based on the conversations that I had with my own children as we visited these fascinating places. The two new additions are Amma Tell Me About Raksha Bandhan and Amma Take Me To The Dargah of Salim Christhi.
My December Expat Parent’s education editor, Amelia Sewell, tells us what she’s into this month What I’m reading
What inspired your stories? The motivation for writing the Amma Tell Me series was to share with my sons the fascinating stories from Indian mythology that I had grown up with. Back in December 2010 I was searching - in vain - for a good book to explain the festival of Holi to my then two-yearold son. When I couldn’t find anything, I went ahead and started writing the stories in a style that I thought kids would find fun and engaging. ‘Amma’ means ‘mother’ and my publishing company, Anjana Publishing, is named after the mother of my favourite god, the monkey god Hanuman. My editor at Penguin came up with the idea for the Amma Take Me series. It’s written for older children and is therefore a natural evolution for me not only as a writer, but also as a mother who has been dealing with questions about different religions and their places of worship as they have become part of my children’s school curriculum.
What did you enjoy reading when you were a child? One of the first books I remember listening to was Horton Hears a Who by Dr Seuss, read by my mother while I sat in her lap. She worked as a librarian and as a result I ended up spending many hours in the library as a child. I think that’s where my love affair with books first started. My other memory is of my nanny telling me stories from the Indian epics – the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, each day after school. That was the best part of my day and I think that’s where 22 expat-parent.com
my love for mythology was born. While growing up, many a lazy afternoon was spent reading Enid Blyton, the Nancy Drew series, Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes and JRR Tolkien. They took me into a different world, a world of fantasy and mystery.
Why is reading so important? Where else can you have a conversation with the finest minds, escape into another world, have an experience, widen your horizons and meet unknown friends? Most importantly reading stretches our imagination, helps us make sense of our own lives and make us reach out to people whose lives are different from our own. My favorite quote is by Adelaide Love – “A book, I think, is very like a little garden door, that takes me into places where I’ve never been before. It leads me into fairyland, or countries strange and far. And, best of all, the golden door, always stands ajar.”
What’s on your nightstand? A History of Hong Kong by Frank Welsh; Light On Life by the yoga maestro B.K.S. Iyengar and Where the Past Begins, A Writer’s Memoir by Amy Tan, the author of The Joy Luck Club and The Valley of Amazement. Mathur’s books are available from Bookazine, bhaktimathur.com
I’ve just finished two great books, After the Party by Cressida Connolly and This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay. But the best book I’ve read this year was A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles - find it and read it! The writing is beautiful.
What I’m listening to There is never a time when I’m not listening to power ballads. I am mortifyingly naff.
What I’m plugging into I will bore anyone stupid about the magic of the UK’s BBC Radio 4 Desert Island Discs podcast. The Desert Island Discs radio series has been running since 1942 - each week a guest, or ‘castaway’, is asked to choose eight of their favourite pieces of music whilst discussing their lives and the reasons for their choices. The archived and current programmes are now available via podcast. The last ones I listened to were interviews with British poet, comedian and presenter Pam Ayers, the singer Ed Sheeran and an archive recording of actress Emma Thompson.
What’s in my diary Deck the halls with boughs of holly, it’s Christmas carol concert season! I will go to as many as is humanly possible starting with SoCO at the Helen May on December 6.
expat-parent.com 23
PEOPLE
My Hong Kong - the bookseller Family-run store Bookazine opened in 1985. Arti Mirchandani tells Carolynne Dear how she and sister Shonee have grown it into the ten-store business that it is today Bookazine was born out of a passion for books. My dad (Mohan Mirchandani) was a voracious reader. He had worked in the book industry with his uncle in India and when he moved here in the 1970s, he reached out to his old connections to source books and magazines for the Hong Kong market. Both my mum and dad read almost every night and we used to chat about what we were reading at dinner time. My favourite books growing up were From Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and The Little Prince by Antoine de SaintExupery.
Hong Kong book shops have come and gone. We’ve just kept on doing what we love doing.
I was born in Hong Kong and went to Glenealy and Island schools. It’s funny, my daughter is now at Glenealy School and will also go to Island School next year. I’ve lived here my whole life, except for the three years I was in Melbourne for university. Hong Kong is definitely home. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I have very fond childhood memories of picnics on Victoria Peak and barbecues on Shek O beach with family and friends. Growing up, I used to work in the Bookazine stores during school holidays. My dad used to bring home the catalogues and I would sit next to him and watch him write out his book orders. One generation later, I do the same thing with my daughter sitting next to me sharing her thoughts about which toys and stationery to order. 24 expat-parent.com
Renu Malani (centre) with family in Hong Kong
Arti Mirchandani and daughter
I was a huge fan of Garfield growing up, so when creator Jim Davis did a signing at the Alexandra House store it was a real treat. The line went right around the building and I remember feeling very special that I got to meet Davis and stand next to him the whole time. I began working with the company in 2002. One of the first changes I made was to increase the amount of space that was allocated to children’s books in each shop. With every new store design, we make sure that the kids area is comfortable and easy to browse. We really want to encourage children to read.
For me, books are hugely important because they open your mind to new ideas, opinions and cultures. They allow us to travel to new places and times and to lose ourselves. I honestly can’t think of anything else that allows you to do that. And they’re so wonderful for children. Reading stimulates a child’s imagination and makes learning exciting. Finding the right locations and the right people to run our stores has been the biggest challenge as we’ve expanded the business. We have a great team so everything else runs pretty smoothly. We try and make the shopping experience as enjoyable as possible and have introduced toys, backpacks, lunchboxes & water bottles into our product mix to
PEOPLE make shopping for parents more convenient. I do all the buying for our three brands Bookazine, Partytime and Sweet World. It’s the best job - I basically get to go shopping every day. I enjoy discovering new products and get very excited when I’m in a store and see that customers like what we have on offer. Bookazine has been operating in Hong Kong for 33 years. During that time, other bookshops have come and gone. To be honest, we’ve just kept on doing what we love doing. And we’ve been lucky to have attracted such a loyal customer base. When I’m not working, I enjoy a hike. I also run three or four times a week; my favourite is Bowen Road. It really just helps me to clear my head. What I appreciate about Hong Kong is its accessibility. And it’s a safe space, so I’m loving raising my daughter here. What drives me nuts? Trying to catch a taxi on a rainy day!
Mirchandani recommends For grown-ups Becoming, Michelle Obama A powerful memoir from the United States’ former First Lady. Tin Hats & Rice, Barbara Anslow One hundred-year-old Anslow publishes her memoirs of second world war Hong Kong.
For kids The Ice Monster, David Walliams Comedy adventures when orphan Elsie meets a woolly mammoth from the North Pole. Our Hong Kong, Matthew Cooper A humorous look at the best - and worst that Hong Kong has to offer.
Milkman, Anna Burns The winner of this year’s Man Booker is set during ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland.
The Girl, The Bear and the Magic Shoes, Julia Donaldson A glittering adventure when Josephine buys a new pair of running shoes.
Nine Perfect Strangers, Liane Moriarty Nine stressed urbanites converge on a wellness resort. From the author of Big Little Lies.
I Am a Rebel Girl: A journal to start revolutions, Francesca Cavallo & Elena Favilli Activities for girls of all ages looking to explore their rebel spirit.
Brief Answers to Big Questions, Stephen Hawking Hawking’s final thoughts on the universe’s biggest questions.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, JK Rowling Wizard fun and derring dos in this follow-up novel to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
expat-parent.com 25
me & my big idea
Health check A simple bracelet aims to revolutionise women’s health. Ava co-founder Lea von Bidder explains how
So what’s the big idea? The Ava bracelet is a medical device that helps you track your monthly cycle. It’s worn only at night, while you’re sleeping, and it measures key physiological parameters including pulse rate, breathing rate, heart rate variability and temperature. Users simply wear the bracelet over night and sync it with the Ava app in the morning. Predictive algorithms then provide personalised data about menstrual cycle, fertile windows and pregnancy. There are only six days a month when it’s possible to conceive and Ava has been clinically proven by the University of Zurich to recognize 5.3 of these days with 89% accuracy.
Ava’s Lea von Bidder
its algorithm can then detect your fertile window, physiological stress level, sleep quality and more. Women in Hong Kong are willing to spend a lot of time and effort on beauty routines and we’d love to help raise their awareness of the importance of an indepth understanding of their female health.
Who is your target market? Aren’t there already apps for this? We’ve found that other female cycle tracking methods only rely on a single parameter so can’t provide a full picture of your cycle. Because Ava measures physiological parameters that are directly impacted by the reproductive hormones estradiol and progesterone, it is unlike any other cycle tracking device or app currently on the market. Sensors in the Ava bracelet collect data on key physiological parameters and 26 expat-parent.com
The bracelet is suitable for women of all ages who want to learn more about their body - whether they want customized data about their health, are trying to conceive, or are trying to monitor their pregnancy. (Please note though that Ava has not been tested with certain diagnosed conditions that interrupt normal ovulation such as polycystic ovary syndrome or hypothalamic amenorrhea).
Where else have you launched, apart from Hong Kong? We launched in the US in July 2016 and the bracelet is now sold in 34 countries across North America, Europe and Asia. Over that time, it has helped more than 16,000 women become pregnant. Since we launched in Hong Kong, we have received a lot of queries about how Ava can help measure physiological levels of stress. Hong Kong is such a fast-paced city and we really believe women here can benefit from the customized health insight that Ava offers.
Where can readers pick up a bracelet? Ava is currently available online at avawomen.com and we’re working with a number of Hong Kong retail outlets that we hope will be stocking the bracelet in the near future
expat-parent.com 27
C ST OV O ER RY 28 expat-parent.com
R VE Y O R C TO S
Lantau’s queen bee Natasha Clausen, this year’s Mrs Hong Kong, chats with Carolynne Dear about becoming Chinese and winning Mrs World 2019. Photography by Tara J Smyth
N
atasha Clausen, otherwise known as this year’s ‘Mrs Hong Kong World’, is currently gathering her gowns and polishing her pose for the 2019 Mrs World finals in Hunan, China in the new year. It’s a steamingly hot day when I catch up with her for lunch at Dear Lilly on IFC’s roof. Beauty crowns tend to be associated with young girls, but the Mrs World competition has the laudable aim of celebrating married women who are ‘devoted to community service’. It has its roots in the Mrs America contest that was set up in the 1970s and was the first pageant to celebrate the ‘uniqueness of the married woman’. The feminist in me is slightly wary of the ‘Mrs’ bit - surely we shouldn’t be celebrated for being legally attached to a man these days? - but I have to admit the sentiment behind the pageant is meritorious. As Clausen points out, just winning the title in Hong Kong has provided her with a much greater platform for promoting her community message of tolerance, environmentalism and inclusivity this year. If she takes the worldwide crown, there will be no stopping her. However, it is a beauty pageant and these nobler aspirations haven’t stopped the UK’s redoubtable tabloids from plastering their front covers with headlines such as ‘World’s HOTTEST wives compete’, followed by a selection of suitably suggestive selfies - those red-tops aren’t going to sell themselves, after all. But Clausen remains unruffled. Headturningly stunning in real life - as a woman of a similar age I feel myself wishing I’d maybe worn something slightly more glam for our meet - she’s utterly charming and proceeds to generously donate a large slice of her time to our interview. Where most interviewees are keen to escape once the main course is finished, Clausen orders more tea, more coffee and keeps chatting. As a born-and-bred South African, I wonder about her suitability to be representing Hong Kong. But she explains that love for adopted home led to her renouncing her South African citizenship in 2011. She is these days officially Chinese and a proud passport holder - “We (she and her South African husband) have committed everything to Hong Kong, heart, soul and finances,” she tells me. Her Chinese name - Ko Lai Ting - was gifted to her by a village neighbour. “I’m still not 100% on what it means, but I think it’s all good,” she laughs. expat-parent.com 29
C ST OV O ER RY Last year’s Mrs Hong Kong World, Alice Lee Giannetta, who went on to become the first Chinese woman to win the Mrs World title, was born in Taiwan, works in New York as a litigation attorney and describes herself as ‘Asian American’, so it would seem any criticism of Clausen’s credentials would be both unfounded and slightly unfair. Racial inclusivity is the name of the game after all, as Clausen points out. Now a long-term resident of Lantau, Clausen was born in South Africa in 1975 in the diamond-mining town of Namaqualand and raised in Cape Town. The only child of a single mum, Clausen says her mother instilled in her the values of hard work and kindness at an early age. She studied at Cape Peninsula Universiry of Technology, graduating with a marketing and communications degree, and went to work in a bank - but never felt entirely comfortable with her career choice. So she studied personal fitness training at night-school, which led to a career in pre- and post-natal yoga. It was at this point that she met her husband. Checking in at Cape Town airport for a flight, a young man offered to help her with her bags. “No thank you!” she briskly replied. Once on board, it turned out the chap in question had ensured he was seated next to the beautiful brunette. “And we immediately fell into conversation for the entire flight,” she says. “Within 30 minutes he’d jokingly proposed to me. I didn’t say yes - but I didn’t say no either,” she smiles. Eighteen months after meeting, they were married. In 2001, her husband was relocated to Hong Kong and they arrived, as many expats do, with just a couple of bags and a lot of ambition. She found work running prenatal yoga and baby massage classes at the YWCA and shortly afterwards gave birth herself; to daughter Savanna in 2003, and son Hunter in 2007. Not just a yogi with a pretty face, Clausen has many more strings to her bow. She is currently studying for an MBA in International Business and Social Enterprise and she’s also, rather unexpectedly, an apiarist. Along with her husband, she is one of Hong Kong’s go-to bee-experts and the couple is regularly called upon to humanely remove unwanted bees’ nests across the city. The colonies are brought back to the small family farm that the couple has cultivated in the middle of Lantau. I suggest a bee farm is a somewhat unusual direction to take. “We have a truffle farm in Italy,” she says. “Our neighbours, who are farmers and beekeepers, taught us about the importance of bees. So we decided to set-up a bee-rescue 30 expat-parent.com
Loving life with her family on Lantau
Clausen is, rather unexpectedly, an apiarist. Bee colonies are housed at the family’s Lantau farm. farm here in Hong Kong.” A true ‘wild heart’, her compassion extends to all animals, including a herd of goats that are a co-shared breeding project with a neighbouring farm recently introduced to the farm. “My son’s teacher wanted me to bring one of the baby goats in for show-and-tell,” she says. “So we spent several weeks practising leaving the farm for lengthening periods of time so the goat wouldn’t be too stressed.” Clausen last year set herself the challenge of rising before dawn every day of the year so she could witness all 365 sunrises over a beach close to her home. “And I nearly achieved it!” she laughs. Another year she shaved off all her hair and donated it to charity. “I wanted the monks to cut it off to make the action more meaningful, but when I went to the monastery and was trying to explain what I wanted them to do, they thought I was trying to become a nun.” Her husband rescued the situation by stepping in with the scissors. She says the Mrs Hong Kong entry came around completely by accident. Her daughter Savanna had been asked to model for an agency and Clausen went along to the shoot as chaperone. She got chatting to the photographer who was on her way to shoot Mrs World in New York and told Clausen all about the contest. “It wasn’t something that had been on my radar,” she says. “I didn’t really know what it was.”
The Mrs Hong Kong selection process turned out to be less catwalk and costumechanges and more powerpoint and presentations. It transpires the Mrs Hong Kong title is the perfect platform from which to spread the word about Clausen’s personal community platform, I CAN WORLD. It’s a movement dedicated to empowering kids and encouraging young people to explore the 17 global sustainable development goals created by the United Nations (UN) for countries to work towards by 2030. These goals include no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequality, responsible consumption, sustainable communities and peace and justice. It’s ambitiously far-reaching and Clausen is partnering locally to achieve at least some of the goals for Hong Kong. She has been working with family platforms mommydaddy. me and Love Powered Co and (at the time of our interview) was pitching to partner with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) to broadcast a series of radio shows addressing the environment. (She emails a few weeks after our interview to confirm that she won the contract, working alongside friend and former BBC journalist Helena Appio. The 13-part series will be called We Care About A Green Hong Kong and broadcast through RTHK’s community involvement service, CIBS. “The series aims to discuss how we, as Hong Kong citizens, can explore, share and put into action ideas for improving our environment,” she says. “Every single citizen can make a change, even a small one, in their daily life that will have a positive impact.”). From helping teen volunteers hand out supplies at homeless shelters, to lending her support to ethical brands, Clausen’s energy for
R VE Y O R C TO S
empowering positive change in the community is boundless. On top of this, she’s still instructing yoga, coaching wellness and working as brand ambassador for Glow Spa & Salon in Central. And of course there are the bees and goats to manage in her scraps of spare time, as well as being a mum. A typical week for Clausen includes a smattering of high profile promotional events (think product launches, store openings, media interviews, shoots and charity lunch presentations), plus meetings to support her I CAN WORLD campaign. Her Instagram grid is a happy montage of glamorous events,
inspirational quotes and getting down with the kids. I’m particularly enamoured of the image of her cheerfully painting a beehive; in a another she is in full ‘bee’ regalia, about to rescue a nest in somebody’s bathroom. She absolutely looks to be living her best life. “It’s important to stay positive,” she says. Each morning she has her kids recite a mantra about being kind and doing their best, which is something she strives to live her own day by, too. “And if I’m struggling, there are always shoes!” she laughs. “Oh my god, shoe shopping is my big vice!” She’s heading straight from our interview to a high glamour Bulgari event (hence the
Hard at work re-homing a bee colony towering heels and super slick outfit) but is more than happy to pose for a few shots at our lunch venue. “It’s very cool in here,” she says, as the waiters fall over themselves to take her i-phone for her. And with a big hug (“I always aim for 12 hugs a day!” she cheerfully informs me) and an enormous smile, she’s off. I wish her the best of luck next year. Mrs World 2019 takes place on March 6-17 in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, China. Forty countries and territories will be represented, including Hong Kong.
expat-parent.com 31
32 expat-parent.com
schools
School news
ALL BOXED UP Students from Australian International School Hong Kong display their donations for this year’s Box of Hope charity appeal. The boxes will be distributed to under-privileged children throughout Asia. aishk.edu.hk
expat-parent.com 33
schools
Woodland Pre-school Caine Road now boasts Splash waterpark
Shipshape and ready for play Woodland Pre-schools has had a refurb. Amelia Sewell checks out the newly renovated Caine Road campus
A
fter 40 years at the forefront of an industry, many places might have taken their foot off the pedal and switched to cruise control. But not the Woodland group. Fresh, modern and with every bell and whistle you can possibly imagine, its Caine Road campus is a school at the top of its game. Caine Road is the biggest of the Woodland pre-schools and it is has got to be in the running for the most impressive. Straddling two sides of Caine Road and seemingly in situ since time began, the school is something of a mid-levels landmark, and, after a summer of refurbishment, it could not be looking in better condition. The developments have been meticulously thought through and at the basis of every 34 expat-parent.com
change has been the question of what would benefit the children. “We sat back and asked: ‘What’s missing for Hong Kong children?’ And by and large, it’s outdoor play,” head of school Ellie O’Ready tells me. So the management team made an unprecedented call last year to convert a number of their classrooms into outdoor play areas. “We took a bold decision in the spring to take the roof off a third of our ground floor site, transforming what were indoor spaces into outdoor playgrounds,” explains O’Ready. Yes, you heard that correctly - they sacrificed classrooms in which bums-onseats equate to dollars-in-the-pot, for open air space. Considering that Hong Kong
occasionally has a reputation for viewing education as nothing but a cash cow, this is a pretty radical move. But it makes perfect sense because the school is a keen advocate of the concept that the time children spend outdoors benefits the time they spend indoors; that giving children opportunities to expend energy will help them
schools to focus for the time when they are required to be inside a classroom. So they decided to put their money where their mouth is and solve the problem. And the result is five different, spacious new playgrounds. Even more radical possibly than the decision to convert indoor space to out, is the vision of the project - because in addition to the more typical soccer pitch, basketball court and climbing frame is the opening of Splash, the waterpark. With the help of some specially installed unground plumbing, the children can now put on their rash vests and indulge in water games with levers and spouts, spurting fountains and misters, all without leaving the school perimeters. “We don’t shy away from ambitious,” says O’Ready, and it would be tough to disagree with her. It’s also encouraging to see a school investing so heavily back into its facilities. Corner cutting is not a thing at the Caine Road campus. All the play areas are used on a rota basis so that every class has the chance to use each one on a regular basis (I would stake a bet that the waterpark might be the favourite for most of the children). The same is the case for the indoor play areas, which are equally bright, creative and inviting. They include a sensory room that gives the pupils a change of scene from the classroom, but also is an aide in teaching early maths, patterns and predictability. But it’s not all about facilities; what about curriculum, timetables and all the other things that make up a school as a whole? The Caine Road campus is one of the Woodlands’ Montessori schools, catering for children from six months to six years (although the Montessori teaching officially starts in classes from two years and eight months). From 18 months, classes are taught either in English, bilingual or pure Mandarin (with the small exception of the Stepping Stones class which only has English or bilingual). From two years and four months, children can be unattended.
Enjoying the new outdoor playing area
The school allows a “pick and mix” approach to how frequently each pupil attends; full days, half days, a mix of the two, some mornings, some afternoons. There is no blanket policy that insists on a full week. Here, there is wriggle room, with parents free
to decide how often and how much is right for their child, which is a flexibility that many families need. “We want the children to have a sense of balance. Life doesn’t have to be about a full day of school at the age of three if that’s not what works for that child,” says O’Ready. Visiting Woodland’s Caine Road, you get the feeling that you are witnessing a well-oiled machine at work. In part, this is probably because of the length of time they have been established; they have had time to finely tune their procedures. The drop off and collection routine at their convenient but busy location is as efficient as Changing of the Guard. The summer’s developments are just the latest addition to a school that has spent 40 years at the top of its game and looks primed to do the same for the next 40. expat-parent.com 35
schools
Mount Kelly expands
Fun and games in the classroom
Amelia Sewell heads over to Kowloon to find out how the British-based school is bedding in
36 expat-parent.com
schools
M
ount Kelly has got off to a tremendous start to this academic year. With the EDB (Education Bureau) issues firmly behind them, the school is in full, busy swing. Now in its second year, pupil numbers have nearly doubled since June with year groups running from playgroup up to Year 8. The school has really settled into its Kowloon home, with the primary school and playgroup on Austin Road and the preschool just a short walk away. Despite a less-than-smooth arrival into Hong Kong, the school now finds itself having to expand its primary school space in order to accommodate growing demand. As such, it has now taken over a second floor in its Austin Tower location and is in the process of developing the space to full capacity. Half of this expansion has been completed, with the rest expected to be ready for the next school year.
Pupil numbers have doubled since the last academic year.
The expansion has also given Mount Kelly some onsite outdoor space, with a 2000 sq foot area for energy to be run off. This works in tandem with the school’s access to Kowloon Cricket Club, Kowloon Bowling Green Club, King’s Park and the YMCA where sports and swimming take place. Do not be fooled by the location – all the usual activities are on offer: there’s even the opportunity and facilities to take part in sailing. The additional space has also allowed the library to come to life, along with the science labs and further teaching space. So all in all, things are pretty busy over at Mount Kelly Hong Kong. The school’s ‘unique selling proposition’ is its direct line into UK schooling; it refers to a “seamless transition” which allows children from Hong Kong to transfer either to Mount Kelly in Devon or any other British public school. In order to help the children understand what this may involve, once a year the school takes any interested children to visit its UK counterpart. There they experience a ten-day taster of boarding school life, taking part in classes, sleeping in dorms and participating in extra-curricular activities. The first trip took place this September and was a resounding success, with a number of pupils returning to plead with their parents to be allowed to move immediately. While in the UK, the seventeen Hong Kong pupils took part in some hiking off the Devonshire coast, surfed in the English Channel and dressed in Tudor costumes as part of a history day. “It appeals to those parents who are perhaps thinking about transition to the UK school because it’s a trial,” explains principal Lisa Milanec. “But even for those not considering it, it’s a great opportunity to experience a little of what boarding school life is like.” As the two schools share an identical uniform, the children are able to integrate immediately so that they can swiftly get into the swing of things. For those keen to make the move, the most natural time to transfer is at the start of Year 9, although Mount Kelly is open to earlier or later dates depending on what suits each individual student. From an academic perspective, MKHK is firmly British leaning, using the Early Years Foundation Stage followed by the English National curriculum. As would be the case in the UK, from Years 5 upwards, classes have specialist teachers for each subject rather than general all-rounders, which allows greater depth of learning in all areas. expat-parent.com 37
schools
Mount Kelly uses the British National Curriculum
From Year 1, Mandarin is taught every day and the school has chosen to focus predominantly on traditional characters with some allowance for the simplified. “Our educators will teach the traditional character but will always explain how the simplified was derived from it so that the pupils can see both sides,” says Milanec.
Mount Kelly is proving to be an ideal hybrid of its UK and Hong Kong roots.
Classes are split into native and nonnative, which allows the teacher to adapt the content depending on the ability. In addition to Mandarin, French was introduced as well this year, lead by a native French teacher who also takes the Spanish 38 expat-parent.com
club. French will be of particular importance to those pupils hoping to transfer to the sister school, as this is the dominant foreign language taught in the UK. In this way, Mount Kelly is proving to be an ideal hybrid of both its UK and Hong Kong roots. On the one hand there is French and a very British focus on traditional skills such as reading – the pupils regularly have individual reading lessons to help them progress and gain confidence – and on the other, there are the crucial abilities which Asian schools teach so well, such as coding and IT lessons, using both tablets and computers. One of the reservations some parents may have about Mount Kelly is its location in a commercial building. But I tend to agree with Milanec when she says that a classroom is a classroom, no matter what type of building it is in; and they have found more than adequate ways to provide the right level of outdoor activities. In fact, Mount Kelly has found commendable tactics to navigate all the challenges that Hong Kong can throw at you; being in a commercial building, they are not
schools
School Report
Out-and-about for sport class
permitted to use gas so the Bunsen burners are electrically powered; without space for a full catering kitchen, hot lunches are brought in each day from a pre-ordered selection (the provider is the same one who serves the Kerry hotel so school provisions aren’t too shabby for these pupils). And of course,
the building categorisation has no effect on the quality of teaching or pastoral care. As Milanec quite rightly points out, it’s the quality of the teaching that matters most. All in all, Mount Kelly is on a high. Get in now, before the secret’s out. mountkelly.edu.hk
Curriculum: English National Curriculum and British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum Fees: Preparatory School $154,990$184,998, Preschool(Half Day) $95,700 Year group: (HK Campus) Playgroup, Prenursery, Preschool, Preparatory School and College School office: Shop 1, Upper G/F, Austin Tower, 152 Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: 2157 9557
expat-parent.com 39
schools
Principal’s office Mount Kelly principal Lisa Milanec takes the hot seat students. They joined regular lessons and took part in a variety of different activities with the students there. I think that is quite a unique opportunity for our students and provides them with a taster of what it would be like to study there in the senior school.
What role does technology play in the curriculum? I believe technology can most definitely be used to enhance the curriculum and a child’s learning. For example, using Augmented Reality in Science, where students can explore the human body – from the skeleton, to our internal organs and how muscles work. This is so much better than a 2D diagram in a book or on a large screen. Similarly, using Virtual Reality to aid writing can be a really powerful tool and provide a stimulus for the children.
What do you do when you’re not at work? If I have time I try and go to the gym a couple of times a week. I also love running outdoors. I really love walking and Hong Kong is a great place to do this, whether it is an urban walk through the city streets or hiking in the New Territories. “I’m proud of our teaching team and their support,” says principal Lisa Milanec
What’s new for Mount Kelly this year? This academic year we have welcomed new members of staff, including teachers, teaching assistants and learning support assistants. Due to an increase in numbers we have also opened new classes and new year groups. We now offer up to Year 8 at Mount Kelly and will continue to open a new group as this cohort move through the school. This has also resulted in a need for expansion and we are currently renovating a whole new floor with classrooms and specialist learning spaces.
What about Mount Kelly are you most proud of? That is really difficult to answer as everyone in the Mount Kelly community has had an important role to play in getting the school to where it is. I would have to say that I am proud of the teaching team and the additional work they have done to support the development 40 expat-parent.com
of the school over the last 18 months in addition to their regular role as a class teacher or teaching assistant. And, of course, we are all really proud of the children at our school, many of them experiencing a British education for the first time. It is amazing to see the progress made by the children who joined the school last year in terms of language ability, academics and their all-round confidence.
What sets your school apart from others? As much as possible we provide a traditional prep school structure, where students from Year 5 up receive specialist teaching for all subjects. This enables our students to transition smoothly, should they wish, to Mount Kelly School in the UK. This year our first cohort of students went to visit Mount Kelly School UK and spent a week living in the Boarding House with fellow Mount Kelly
Any favourite spots in HK? I’m actually a bit of a home-body and am really fortunate that I have a wonderful view of Victoria Harbour from my living room. That is definitely one of my favourite spots after a busy day.
Where is next on your list of travel destinations? Next on the travel list is Europe, for Christmas, to see our family. There are lot of exciting destinations I’d love to go to, but not a lot of time unfortunately.
Who would you invite to a celebrity dinner party? Ooh, that’s a difficult one. Anyone who can tell a good story and make me laugh is more than welcome at my dinner party, these are often the people you least expect. Even better if they bring something gooey and chocolatey for dessert!
expat-parent.com 41
life & style
Woodland Creature Medium Cracker Set $250 from Meri Meri lanecrawford.com.hk
Red Velvet Cotton Cat Handbag $1,445 from Bonpoint bonpoint.com
For kids
Pencil Case $2,480 from Bee Bee store.christofle.com/hk
Mini Alpaca Kids Pocket Money Purse $120 from Cath Kidston cathkidston.hk
Cereal Bowl Spoon and Fork Set $3,180 from Bee Bee store.christofle.com/hk
Gift guide
Circus Poster $1,490 from Indigo indigo-living.com
By Becky Love DokiWatch S $1,398 from Doki Technologies doki.com
Le Toy Van Popcorn machine $459 from Baby Basics BabyBasicHK.com
Personalised Photo Board Books From $240 from Bespoke Baby Books BespokeBabyBooks.com
Unicorn Head $890 from Indigo indigo-living.com
42 expat-parent.com
100 Piece Large Unit Bricks Set $299.95 from Unit Bricks unitbricks.com
Green Toys Fire Truck $289 from Baby Basics BabyBasicHK.com
life & style
Hong Kong Yum Cha Tea Set $380 from Lion Rock Press Thelionrockpress.com Happy Day Big Cooker $1,399 from Indigo indigo-living.com
Ruby Doll $570 from Meri Meri lanecrawford.com.hk
Zodiac Pig Bookend $1060 from Zuny Lanecrawford.com.hk
100% Organic Cotton Tiger Pajamas in Pink $350 From Badaboo badaboo.hk
100% Organic Cotton Tiger Pajamas in Blue $350 From Badaboo badaboo.hk
Money Box $2,480 from Bee Bee store.christofle.com/hk Kids Mini Novelty Superhero Rucksack $350 from Cath Kidston cathkidston.hk
Animal Tail Blanket $168 from Korean Corner koreancorner.co.kr
Pink Tent $1,490 from Indigo indigo-living.com
expat-parent.com 43
life & style
Blue Mandala Roundie Yoga Mat $650 from Rising Lotus shopohemia.com
For her
Nespresso Essenza Mini $988 from Nespresso nespresso.com/hk/en/
14K Diamond Shooting Star Earrings $8,360 from Kookii B shopohemia.com
The Stripey Baby Blanket $350 from The Knitting Room (free delivery in Hong Kong) knittingroomhk.com
Loro Piana Quadrata Rainbow Cashmere and Silk Soffio $6,600 from Lane Crawford ifc.com.hk Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Lips Set $225 from Lane Crawford charlottetilbury.com
The Everyday Scarf $290 from The Knitting Room (free delivery in Hong Kong) knittingroomhk.com Alessi Leaf Fragrance Diffuser in Hmm $799 from Landmark landmark.hk/shopping/alessi
Activated Charcoal & Pinetar soap $100 from Lhamour lhamourhk.com
Charlotte Tilbury ‘Stars in your Eyes’ Palette $670 from Lane Crawford charlottetilbury.com
Fein Measuring Spoons $740 from Establo establo.hk
Lhamour Hand Set $640 from Lhamour lhamourhk.com
Body butter with sea buckthorn oil $170 from Lhamour lhamourhk.com
44 expat-parent.com
Michelle Jewelry Box $1,290 from Indigo indigo-living.com Le Labo Tonka 25 Perfume $1,540 - 50ml, $2,260 - 100ml from Le Labo lelabofragrances.com Christian Louboutin Botty Double Veau Velours $9,800 from Lane Crawford ifc.com.hk
Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Universe $1,600 from Harbour City Cosmic Gift Shop from Dec 5-9 charlottetilbury.com
expat-parent.com 45
life & style
Nespresso Creatista $3,430 (original price $4,288) from Nespresso nespresso.com/hk/en/
For him
The Clardige Fisherman Cashmere Grey Sweater $4,550 from Dreyden lanecrawford.com.hk
Monochrome Tic Tac Toe $690 from Indigo indigo-living.com
The Continental Crewneck Cashmere Red Pullover $3,500 from Dreyden lanecrawford.com.hk
Wineware Gift Set $11,200 from Christofle store.christofle.com/hk
Wynd Smart Air Purifier $1,680 from Modus modus.com.hk/
Tourbillon Cufflinks $980 from La Sartoria Co Ltd lasartoriaco.com
Duo Complice / Madison Cufflinks $1,780 per pair (up to down) from Christofle store.christofle.com/hk
Aero Tripod Mixed Nickel $1,990 from Indigo indigo-living.com
Sahara Sculpture $1,290 from Indigo indigo-living.com
Tank Whiskey Decanter and Glasses Set $ 2,500 from Tom Dixon tomdixon.net
Neptune Table Lamp $4,490 from Indigo indigo-living.com
Light in the Darkness no.3 Runner From $11,952 from Carmen Kwok Studios carmenkwokstudio@gmail.com The Walton Floral Print Bow Tie $600 from Pocket Square Clothing lanecrawford.com.hk
50ml Eau de Toilette, Toscano $420 from Selvedge Grooming selvedgegrooming.com/eu
Berry Bros. & Rudd Christmas Dinner Set $1,500 from Berry Bros. & Rudd bbr.com/hk-home The Angelika Floral Print Tie $600 from Pocket Square Clothing (Global Exclusive) lanecrawford.com.hk 46 expat-parent.com
expat-parent.com 47
dining
48 expat-parent.com
dining
Christmas Day dining - it’s all about the family
Tuck in! Turkey and Santa? Here’s where to dine on December 25 Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Dive in at The Pier Lounge and Marina Kitchen and enjoy a huge appetizers and salad buffet, a fully-laden seafood counter, and a sushi and sashimi bar. Follow up with an a la carte main selections and dessert buffet with live waffle and crepe counter and customised kids sweet station. The Marina Kitchen offers a kids play space and there will be live entertainment in both venues, including Santa visits, balloon twisting, choir performances and magic shows. 11am-2.30pm; $788 per adult, $498 per child (includes free-flow soft drinks and juices); $1,088 per adult with free-flow Laurent Perrier Champagne, wine and beer. marriott.com
Jamie’s Italian Enjoy a fun Christmas brunch with dishes to suit all tastes. The two restaurants - in Tsim Sha Tsui and
Causeway Bay - are relaxed and with kids play areas, so you don’t have to worry about over-excited youngsters disturbing the peace. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a traditional turkey taster or like something a little bit different. Enjoy plates groaning with amazing Italian-style antipasti, a turkey carving station, a la carte mains and a dessert buffet. $328 per adult, $228 per child, free for under three years. jamieoliver.com
Ritz Carlton Dine on top of the world - well, on top of Hong Kong - and enjoy what is possibly the territory’s ultimate Christmas brunch. Tosca + The Lounge & Bar will be hosting a visit from Santa with a sackful of gifts as you soak up free-flow champagne ($1,388 per adult) and
tuck into a smorgasbord of varied cuisines, including a turkey carvery and the obligatory Brussels sprouts (natch). Children can enjoy the brunch and free-flow orange juice and soft drinks ($598 three to 12 years and $698 13 to 17 years). The brunch buffet runs from noon to 3pm. ritzcarlton.com
Kerry Hotel On the other side of Victoria Harbour, Kowloon’s Kerry Hotel will be pulling out all the stops with a winter wonderland. Santa will be dropping in on the big day with gifts, while diners at the Big Bay Cafe tuck into a huge festive buffet. Setting the Christmas scene, there will be mulled wine and choir performances in the lobby 2-4pm and 5.30-10pm. The buffet runs from noon to 3.30pm ($598 per adult, $419 per child aged five to 11 years) and the dinner buffet from 5.30 to 8pm ($908 per adult and $636 per child). Pre-pay before December 10 and enjoy a 10% discount. Shangri-la.com expat-parent.com 49
dining Christmas teas
Share the love
Treat the kids - or a special ‘plus one’
Keep the kids busy in the kitchen with this gloriously festive bake from Maria Bizri of Pomegranate Kitchen Persian Love Cake “I chose this recipe for both its name and the way it looks and tastes. It’s topped with pistachios and rose petals which makes it look quite festive and has a delicious softness to it as well with a lingering hint of red roses with every bite. It can be made in small muffin tins as well, however the cooking time will need to be adjusted.”
The Cakery The vegetarian-friendly Advent Calendar Tea Set for two features two cute mini cupcakes, a duet of chia puddings, two panettone bites with homemade marmalade, a pair of gingerbread babies, Impossible meat sliders, Impossible meatball dip and a selection of mixed fruits and nuts. Enjoy gifts from John Masters Organics, Regency Spice and Teapigs. $598 for two, $269 for one, reservations required. thecakery.com
Woo Bar @ W Hotel Cosy up for Together We Hygge, a teafor-two set in conjunction with Danish homewares brand BoConcept. Enjoy an assortment of Nordic flavoured open-face sandwiches on house-made rye bread, smoked reindeer with chicken liver and lingonberry jelly, plus sweet cardamom buns, mini blueberry princess cakes, traditional Swedish layer cake and roasted white chocolate mini cones. Available until Jan 1, $458 for two, or $588 with two glasses of Chandon sparkling wine. marriott.com
Conrad Hong Kong The Bubbly Perrier-Jouet Champagne afternoon tea set is as luxe as it sounds. Head to the Lobby Lounge and sit back with a glass of champers as you’re gifted a Perrier-Jouet Anemone bracelet - memories are made of this. Tuck into mini baked mushroom and artichoke quiches, lobster ragout vol-au-vents, braised wagyu beef short rib, turkey sandwiches and king crab salad on saffron toasts. If you’re still peckish for savouries, there are also foie gras terrines with black truffle and Parma ham with fresh figs. Follow up with kir royale jelly with Champagne, raspberry and chocolate Champagne mousse cake, mini chestnut Mont Blancs, homemade Christmas stollen and fresh scones. Available from Dec 1 to Jan 6; $538 for two or $318 per person. Conraddining.com
50 expat-parent.com
For the cake For the drizzle • 200g butter • Two tbsp caster sugar • 150g sugar • Juice of one Lemon • Four medium eggs • Half tbsp rose water • One-and-a-half teaspoons cardamom • 275g ground almonds For the icing • Zest and juice of one lemon • 25g of milk • One tbsp rose water • Five grams rosewater • 100g flour • 180-200g icing sugar • One tsp baking powder • Zest of one lemon • A generous pinch of fine sea salt 1. Preheat the oven to 160°C. 2. Butter a cake tin and line the bottom with a parchment round. 3. Use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment to beat the butter and sugar together, and then slowly add the eggs one at a time. 4. Add the cardamom, ground almonds, lemon zest and juice, and rose water, and beat together until completely mixed. 5. Mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt, and add to the wet ingredients. Fold everything together just until there are no more lumps — do not overmix. 6. Pour the cake batter into the cake tin, and bake for about 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out dry. Don’t overbake or the cake will dry out. 7. Let it cool for about five minutes in the pan, then carefully run a knife around the side, and remove from the pan. Place on a cooling rack. Combine the drizzle ingredients (below), and then drizzle them over the cake, and then let it cool. Drizzle the icing over the cake, letting it run down the sides a little. Immediately top it with pistachios and rose petals. The icing will harden as it sits.
expat-parent.com 51
52 expat-parent.com
travel
Travel news
SANTA HITS THE BEACH Jumeirah Vittaveli in the Maldives is hosting a Festive Circus this Christmas, along with an underwater coral tree, a ‘floating and glowing bicycle tree’, acrobats, magicians, a firework show and - of course - a visit from the Big Man himself. jumeirah.com
expat-parent.com 53
travel
One of the four resort pools at the hotel
Ocean Park welcomes Marriott Carolynne Dear heads southside to check out Hong Kong’s newest ‘resort’ hotel Southside’s much-anticipated Marriott hotel has now opened, boasting no less than four resort pools and dining spaces. Something of a game-changer for the local area, the Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott is the territory’s first true ‘resort’ hotel. Surrounded by mountains and described by management as “a green, urban retreat”, it is nevertheless wellconnected with the rest of Hong Kong via the Ocean Park MTR stop, which is directly connected to the hotel via a footbridge. The three hotel ‘towers’ offer 471 guest rooms, including 130 club rooms. This is the only hotel in Hong Kong, possibly in Asia, with an entire tower designated to ‘club’ facilities. The hotel has been built around a central, resort pool area, which boasts a fun-looking aqua playground for younger guests. The four restaurants all have al fresco dining areas overlooking the pool deck. They include the American-style grill house and cocktail bar Prohibition, Canton Bistro, the Pier Lounge and bar, and the all-day, buffetstyle dining Marina Kitchen, with an adjacent 54 expat-parent.com
fully-staffed tots play area. All four hotel restaurant outlets are open to walk-in guests. As you would expect, the hotel is very much family-oriented - panda-themed twinbed rooms include Ocean Park children’s gifts, junior robes and slippers and views over the park. The hotel will also be running various resort activities such as seashell art, scavenger hunts and special dining. But whether the ‘Meet the Animal’ hotel packages - including encounters with captive dolphins and sea-lions - meld or jar with the overall conservation message is something for guests to decide for themselves. Other eco-credentials that Marriott has taken into consideration with the build are commendable. Air, water and noise pollution was monitored and controlled from the very first construction stages. The building itself uses sustainable timber, non-ozone depleting insulation materials, rainwater collection and water recycling. The hotel has a recycling and waste reduction programme, an organic rooftop farm and has implemented energy saving initiatives to reduce load and thus keep the building cooler during the summer.
Vertical planting systems have also been installed. The restaurant outlets all serve Wild Wildlife Fund-certified sustainable seafood from approved suppliers. The hotel says it is targeting the local, staycation market as well as chasing the international market. The new Hong KongZhuhai-Macau bridge will no doubt play its role in upping tourist numbers. After a sluggish couple of the years, 41-year-old Ocean Park is certainly committed to raising its profile globally, with a $2.9 billion water park scheduled to open next year and a Fullerton hotel on track for a 2021 opening. It’s hoped that the Tai Shue Wan Water World, as it is to be known, will attract up to 1.5 million visitors in its first year of opening. Bookings are now being taken for the Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel, with guests taking up occupancy from last month. All restaurants are open for walk-in guests during the soft opening period; full opening is planned to take place early in the new year. The pool area is still awaiting licensing and is due to open in Spring 2019. marriott.com
expat-parent.com 55
travel
Ski news stateside Aspen Skiing Company in Colorado, United States, has opened a brand new, ski-in, ski-out hotel with a heap of amenities for kids. Limelight Hotel Snowmass launched last month and is located adjacent to Snowmass Mountain’s Elk Camp Gondola. Facilities include a five-storey climbing wall, restaurant and children’s games area, plus ski concierge and plenty of apres ski fun in the lounge. The hotel is also offering 228 memberships for its Snowmass Mountain Club. Club facilities at the hotel include ski valet, family locker rooms and apres ski in the club lounge, as well as admittance to the hotel’s fitness facilities and hot tubs. On-mountain experiences include first tracks and moonlight cross-country skiing. And for junior snow bunnies, Kids Mountain Explorers ski and snowboard school offers week-long adventure camps for similarly aged children. The hotel is located in the heart of Snowmass Base Village, a US$600 million
Grabbing a hot chocolate in Aspen, US
mountain-resort development. The first phase of the ten-year development was completed last month and along with Limelight Snowmass Hotel, includes the opening of a brand new Four Mountain Sports store located adjacent to the Elk Camp Gondola with ski and snowboard
Cruising Vietnam
Hokkaido powder power
Skiing up a storm in Kiroro, Japan
If you’re looking to escape the crowds this ski-season, the five-star Japanese resort of Kiroro has been named one of the country’s top emerging ski resorts. Set in the heart of the Hokkaido Golden Triangle but (for now) right off the tourist piste, Kiroro boasts some of the deepest snowfall in Japan, the lightest powder and more off-piste tree skiing than nearby Niseko. It also enjoys one of the longest ski seasons globally, running from November to May. And when you’re taking a break from the 22 groomed slopes, alternative activities include snowshoeing through the forests, 56 expat-parent.com
rentals as well as clothing and gear retail. Complimentary ski storage is available for rentals overnight. The village also boasts an outdoor ice rink and restaurant with al fresco dining. limelighthotels.com/ snowmass
guided forest night hikes, snowmobiling, the Kiroro onsen and the local ‘Ice Star Resort’ featuring an ice restaurant with Swiss fondue, ice skating and an ice cafe. Hotels in the area include the Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort and The Kiroro. Scheduled for a winter 2019 opening is the five-star Yu Kiroro ski-in, ski-out private development offering 108 freehold units for sale. The condominium development will include ski valet, indoor-outdoor onsen, 24hour concierge and a fitness centre. kiroro.co.jp
Halong Bay has welcomed its biggest cruise ship to date in the form of the first of two ‘President Cruises’ ships from Vietnamese luxury cruise ship operator, Lion Asia. The 46-cabin vessel will be followed by a sister ship that is due to hit the water next year. This first ship boasts an evening piano bar, spa, restaurant and two sun decks. Cruisegoers will be able to enjoy nightly on-board entertainment and a six-room Vietnamese inspired spa. A limousine transfer service connects Hanoi with Halong Bay on a new highway that has cut the drive time between the destinations in half to two hours. President Cruises offers one and twonight itineraries with a speed boat transporting passengers to destinations around the bay including caves, beaches, floating villages and a pearl farm. The ship also offers sunrise tai chi and cooking classes onboard. presidentcruiseshalong.com
expat-parent.com 57
travel
Big fun in the Big Apple Marianne Rogerson and family enjoy a festive season New York-side
58 expat-parent.com
T
here’s nothing more magical than Christmas in New York. Wandering down Fifth Avenue wrapped up in your scarf and gloves, admiring the Christmas lights, you feel like you’re on a movie set. There are people skating in Central Park, browsing the stalls of the holiday markets, queuing to meet Santa and generally embracing all the magic that the festive season brings. Visiting New York at Christmas-time had long been on our travel bucket list, and when two of our closest friends from Hong Kong relocated to the Big Apple last year, we decided to finally tick it off. So, loaded up with thermal underwear and winter woolies (it was -14 degrees when we touched down at JFK), we braved the 15-hour flight with our four year old and six year old. Our home for the holidays was the artsy boutique hotel The Quin. This luxury design hotel boasts an enviable location, just a short stroll from Central Park and around
travel
the corner from Bergdorf Goodman. It has large rooms with two queen beds, making it ideal for our family of four. There is a casual onsite restaurant, the Wayfarer, which is open throughout the day and was a welcome warm haven for us to fight off the jet-lag while we waited for our room to be ready on arrival. Most mornings however, you would find us tucking into huge plates of choc chip pancakes at the famous Brooklyn Diner up the road. The Quin is ideally located for taking in the sights of Manhattan. It is just a 10-minute walk to Rockefeller Plaza, where the famous Rockefeller Center tree has been part of the New York Christmas celebrations since December 1931. Back then, demolition workers clubbed together to buy a 20-foot high tree and
decorated it with handmade decorations from their families. Today it stands around 80-feet tall and is topped with a stunning Swarovski star studded with more than 25,000 crystals. Standing in awe and having your photo taken with this enormous extravagant tree has become a traditional part of a New York Christmas. And it’s not just the Rockefeller Christmas tree that shimmers and sparkles - the whole city gets in on the fun. The department stores boast ornate window displays: Bergdorf Goodman, Macy’s, Barney’s, Bloomingdales… no store is immune to over-the-top indulgence. And it doesn’t stop there – at Sak’s Fifth Avenue the whole building glistens from top to toe, with twinkling lights and LED projections all set to music.
Speaking of shopping… half the fun of Christmas in New York is hitting the aforementioned department stores. It’s a great way to keep warm, after all. Be sure to check out all the special offers that apply to tourists. International visitors to both Bloomingdales and Macy’s can pick up a 10% discount card from the visitor information counter. And of course, if you are visiting with kids, your shopping spree might also have to include a trip to the famous American Girl Doll Store; we spent at least an hour in here. But not to worry mums, Kate Spade is just around the corner! Rogerson and family flew Cathay Pacific to New York, cathaypacific.com. They stayed at The Quin, thequinhotel.com
expat-parent.com 59
travel How to embrace a New York family Christmas Ice skating Ice skating in New York during the festive season is so iconic, you just can’t miss it. There are a few places to choose from, the most famous being the rinks in Central Park, the Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park. While the backdrops of Central Park and ‘that’ tree at the Rockefeller Center are undeniably more impressive, we opted for Bryant Park. It was less chaotic, with shorter queues, and we loved the Christmas vibe coming from the Winter Village here. Plus, there is a café where mum and dad can watch the kids with a mulled wine to hand.
Christmas shows
Hitting the rink at the Rockefeller Centre
Taking in a show on Broadway should always be part of a New York trip, but even more so at Christmas when the shows fully embrace the festive season. We headed to Madison Square Gardens to watch ELF, which was full of laughs. This year Madison Square Gardens is hosting The Grinch who St ole Christmas, which promises to be every bit as fun. Another New York Christmas time institution is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes. This all-singing, alldancing extravaganza is guaranteed to leave you full of Christmas cheer.
Meet Santa at Macy’s Santaland Meeting the ‘real’ Santa at Macy’s is another New York Christmas institution, made famous by Hollywood’s Miracle on 34th Street. Macy’s Santaland has 13,000 square feet of festive cheer packed into the 8th floor of their flagship store. There are elves and snowmen at every turn, with plenty of twinkling lights, toy trains and moving reindeer to keep everyone entertained while you wait your turn 60 expat-parent.com
Family time with Santa at Macy’s (above); and high tea at the Plaza Hotel (right)
to meet Santa. Entrance is free but you need to book a slot ahead of time.
Eloise High Tea at the Plaza The Plaza Hotel has been a New York icon since it opened in 1907 and their high tea is served in the elegant Palm Court restaurant. It runs year round, but is even more special at Christmas time thanks to the gorgeous decorations and warm cozy feel of the magnificent hotel. Everything about this tea, from the service to the scones, is top notch. Order yourself a glass of pink bubbles to wash it all down and luxuriate in the elegant atmosphere. But the real excitement here is for the kids – the pink and pretty Eloise High Tea. Mischievous Eloise is the key protagonist in the book Eloise: a book for precocious grown ups and is a real favourite New York character. Her antics at the Plaza have
kept kids entertained since the 1950s. The Eloise tea is perfect for kids and celebrates everything pink – including pink lemonade, cotton candy and cakes. mumonthemove.com
expat-parent.com 61
marketplace
MArketplace
62 expat-parent.com
To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772.
marketplace
To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772.
GET LISTED! 2776 2772 talk@hongkongliving.com
expat-parent.com 63
HAppy holidays
We wish you a merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!
Charles Anna
Amelia
Carol
-the team at Expat parent (see you in 2019!)
64 expat-parent.com
Appl ynne
e
Beck
y
expat-parent.com 65
66 expat-parent.com