Expat Parent January 2019

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January 2019

Rocky Road

How to connect with your teen

Where we’ll be splashing down in 2019

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CONTENTs 2

Editor’s letter

Hello from the hot desk

ISSUE 056

24

4 Contributors

Meet this month’s team

9

What’s on

All the fun of the fair

12

Things you need to know

Custard tarts

14 News

The monthly round-up

17

Me & My Big Idea

Coffee stop in Sai Ying Pun

19

Book review

January’s new releases

22

My Hong Kong

Taking a Thai break

44

24 Cover story

Going on a summer holiday

17

31 Schools

Podcasts and Tai Po

38

Life & Style

Luxe-it-up

47

Big day out

Walking off the festive excesses

50 Travel

Fun in Fiji

56 Flailing spouse

51

Taking charge on the piste

40

22

Scan and visit our website expat-parent.com

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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 sonia@hongkongliving.com Design Coordinator Sonia Khatwani

Sales & Marketing talk@hongkongliving.com Director of Partnerships Hilda Chan

Sales and Marketing Executive Isamonia Chui

Sales and Marketing Executive Corrie Tang

Event Executive Ran Chan

Accounting charles@hongkongliving.com

W

elcome to 2019! After the usual Christmas frenzy it’s nice to be back at my desk with the kids safely ensconced at school. And breathe...

Resolutions have been the dominant office talking point this week and how we’re all going to tackle the new year. Personally I tend to forget all these good intentions by mid-January, so this year I’ve pared my goals down to a more realistic ‘be nice’, ‘work hard’ and ‘try and get out more’.

I’m also looking ahead to summer, when grey skies and ‘plummeting’ temperatures will be long forgotten. With teens, tweens and small boys in tow it’s becoming an increasingly tall order to keep everyone entertained. However, I have been both wowed and inspired by this year’s new resort openings. Turn to page 24 for our pick of 2019’s best new family resorts. It’s also apparently the year of the ‘micro-break’, so if you’re pushed for time, a city-break could be just what you’re looking for - check out our guide to 2019’s best hotel openings on page 27.

We have also launched our first Expat Parent podcast this month. Hosted by our education editor Ameila Sewell, this month we delve into the emotional well-being of teens. Thank you to our fantastic special guests and also to the indomitable Foreign Correspondents Club for hosting the talk. Check it out at hongkongliving.com Have a great month!

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

about the cover Australian international students Immy, Maddie and Bianca pose up a storm on the pool deck at The Seminyak Hotel, Bali. Find out what’s new for travel this year by turning to our cover story on page 24.

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

Amelia Sewell

Marianne Rogerson

Karin Bremer

… Amelia hosted our first education podcast this month looking at teen emotional wellness.

...Marianne flew to Fiji for the low-down on family fun in the sun this winter.

…Photographer Karin Bremer shot our stunning

‘Hygge’ or ‘hit the gym’ this January... Hopefully the former, but probably the latter.

‘Hygge’ or ‘hit the gym’ this January… definitely haul my butt to the gym. But I draw the line at ‘dry January’ post Christmas is depressing enough as it is.

‘Hygge’ or hit the gym… It’s the yoga studio for me.

I’m on a mission to touch my toes again.

My new year’s resolutions are… to get through the stack of books on my bedside table before buying any more. My book-buying obsession makes Elizabeth Taylor’s jewellery collection look tame.

My holiday plans for 2019 are… Bangkok post-New Year, Sri Lanka for Chinese New Year and hopefully Margaret River, Australia, later this year.

@bundlesewell

My new year’s resolutions are… I’ve given up on making resolutions, I never stick to them!

My holiday plans for 2019 are… exploring Australia’s Great Ocean Road and Mornington Peninsula this month. And I’ll be returning to Fiji for Easter as I fell in love with it so much.

life and style story in Mid-levels this month.

My new year’s resolutions are… to worry less and enjoy the little things more.

My holiday plans for 2019 are… snowboarding in Japan, a safari with my mother in Africa and spending the summer break camping in the south of France.

@hungrymaz

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

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@karinbremerphoto

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school photos

Festive fairs City Kids Christmas Fair

ESF Clearwater Bay School - ‘Think Green’ School fair

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school photos French International School - Winter Extravaganza

Southside Charity Christmas Lunch 2018

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what’s on

Diary dates UNTIL FEB 17

The AIA Great European Carnival All the fun of the fair on Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront. Fun activities, live performances and rides galore. Grab a piece of the action 11am -11pm, Central Harbourfront Event Space, Central. Please note the event will be closed on Jan 11. tgec.asia

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what’s on UNTIL JAN 12

Banana Art Club Christmas Camp For ages 3 - 17. Enjoy canvas painting, crafts, watercolour painting, sketching and more.

Various time slots. Two-hour sessions $398, three-hour session $590. Causeway Bay Centre, Flat 49, 14/F Eton Tower, 8 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay. bananaartclub.com/holiday-camp

Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay. facebook.com/ tongchongstreetmarket

Matheson Road, Causeway Bay. kidsgallery.com

JAN 6 - FEB 4

JAN 16

“CATS - The Musical” Experience one of the greatest musicals of all time. Times vary. From $445. Lyric Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. viagogo.com

JAN 11 - 13

Peppa Pig Live Join Peppa Pig and friends in this 85-minute live show, complete with lots of new songs and a giant bouncing ball. Times vary. Tickets from $295. Lyric Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. premier.hkticketing.com

Hong Kong Love Stories: Volume 1 - The Beginning of Us Can you really find true love in this city?

Presented by Sweet and Sour Productions Ltd. Part of the proceeds go to Hong Kong Dog Rescue. 7 - 9.15pm. From $300. Hong Kong Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central. ticketflap.com

JAN 16 - 24

Beare’s Premiere Music Festival 2019 Formerly the Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival, witness over 20 participating artists including Cho-Liang Lin (Artistic Director and violinist) and Joyce DiDonato (MezzoSoprano). Times and pricing varies. pphk.org/events

JAN 16 - 27

“Mamma Mia!” Getting jiggy at Peppa Pig Live, Jan 11-13

JAN 13 Banana Art Club Christmas Camp, until Jan 12

JAN 1

Dragon and Lion Dance Extravaganza: Performances and Parade Welcome the New Year with hundreds of colorful dragons, lions, acrobats and more.

11am - 5pm. Free admission. Parade starts at Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui. dragonlion.hk

Lantau Base Camp Ladies Trail Run The 20km/11km trail race can be fast walked, jogged or run. Afterward, load up on chocolate, and add the finisher crystal key chain to your annual Ladies Trail Running Race collection.

Starts 10am. From $290. Starts and finishes near Mui Wo Silvermine Beach. events.lantaubasecamp.com

Mamma Mia!, returns to Hong Kong - a tale of love, friendship and identity told 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

JAN 2 - 4

Woodland Christmas Camp - Elves Workshop

JAN 17 - 31

Continue the fun of Christmas, and join in the jingle bell dancing, singing along with Rudolf, baking Christmas cookies and more!

Workshops are three hour drop off sessions.

Suitable for ages 3 to 7. All welcome. 9am - 12 noon, various dates. $750 per day. Various campuses. Register at woodlandschools.com

A global yacht race held every three years. Kai Tak Runway Park will be transformed into an entertainment hub with sailing races, live music, interactive games, food, bars, and more! Free admission, except for Jan 26 event. Kai Tak Runway Park, Kai Tak. volvooceanracehk.com

The Volvo Ocean Race and Festival

JAN 6

Tong Chong Street Market Browse an exciting collection of upand-coming homegrown food stalls, unconventional packaged food and fresh seasonal produce that will introduce a new trend in the sustainable food scene. 11am - 5pm. Free admission. Tong Chong Street, 10 expat-parent.com

Woodland Christmas Camp, Jan 2-4

JAN 13

Kids’ Gallery Causeway Bay Open Day Celebrate Kids’ Gallery’s 22nd anniversary and the opening of their new centre in Causeway Bay. 2-6 pm. Free admission. 1-3/F 15A

JAN 19 - 20

“Once on This Island JR” Face Productions presents their next performance with their Face Academy cast – Once on This Island JR. $350 adults, $250 concessions. Jan 19: 3pm and 7pm, Jan 20: 7pm only. Y-Studio, Youth Square, Chai Wan. Tickets from tickets.urbtix.hk

what’s on 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. $500 (AVOHK members $450). avohk.org

JAN 26

India’s greatest legends through story-telling, dance and a powerful soundtrack. From $350. 7:30 - 10pm. Lyric Theater, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. premier.hkticketing.com

Fairchild Kindergarten New Year Bazaar and Open House Along with viewing the kindergarten, guests can browse the market stalls, enjoy a science workshop and dumpling making. 2 - 5.30pm. Information Session 3pm and 4pm. Free admission. G/F & 1/F Kong Chian Tower, Block 1, 351 Des Voeux Road West, Sai Ying Pun. fairchild.edu.hk

JAN 26

ESF Hong Kong Run 2019

JAN 21

Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon The 42km course starts at Tsim Sha Tsui and ends in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay. Starts 6.10am. Spectators free. Start Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. hkmarathon.com

Runners will take part in a 1km - 10km running course with a fun carnival post-race. 8.30am1pm. Spectators and carnival admission free.

Hong Kong Science Park, 2 Science Park West Avenue, Sha Tin. hkrun.esf.edu.hk

JAN 30

Hong Kong Living’s Fitness & Wellness Retreat A day of all things healthy including yoga and fitness workshops, with lunch provided by Mama Malouf. $180 includes a goodie bag (valued at $500). XPFitnessHub, 4/F Li Dong Building, No. 9 Li Yuen Street East, Central.

Tickets available at hongkongliving.com/shop

JAN 29

Mahabharat - The Rise of Dharma Presented by the The Hong Kong Chinmaya Foundation (HKCF), this show depicts one of

book now

FEB 15 - 17

FEB 21-24

One of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world. Admission to the Prestige Village is free. Tickets for competition sessions $200 - $980, family and concessionary tickets available as well as premium VIP packages.

AsiaWorld Expo, Airport Expo Blvd, Chek Lap Kok. longinesmasters.com/en

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 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

Longines Masters of Hong Kong

Photo credit: Dean Alexander

Peter Pan & Wendy

FEB 15 - 17

The Great Gatsby Performed by the Hong Kong Ballet, enter the glamorous world of New York high society.

Tickets from $140. Times vary. Lyric Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. hkballet.com

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things to know

1

The ‘dan tat’, or egg tart, is believed to have become a fixture on Hong Kong menus in the 1940s having been brought over from Portuguese-owned Macau.

English egg

custard tart

Hong Kong

Portugese Pastel

dan tat

de nata

3 2 4

5

Unlike English egg custards, dan tat are not sprinkled with cinnamon or nutmeg. There are many variations but main ingredients include egg white, milk, ginger and honey.

The Hong Kong ‘dan tat’ has its origins in both the English egg custard tart and the Portuguese ‘pastel de nata’ and is a mix of each.

Vegetarians beware.

Shortcrust pastry containing lard (an animal fat) instead of buttery puff pastry is traditionally used for the tart casing in Hong Kong. Back in the day, lard was much cheaper to get hold of than butter.

Things you need to know

Dan tat were traditionally sold through cha chaan tengs, but these days can be found in high street bakeries all over the territory.

Sweet treats

Brighten up winter mornings with a dan tat 6

One of the tart’s most famous fans was former Hong Kong governor, Chris Patten. His fondness for the sweet tarts led to him being affectionately known as ‘fat peng’ during his tenure here.

7

After extensive research, the Expat Parent team votes Sai Kung Bakery as best dan tat baker in Hong Kong - they arrive at your table warm from the oven with a crumbly pastry and a deliciously sweet and eggy middle. Bon appetit!

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news

Learning fun

Nord Anglia award nomination The Hong Kong-based campus of Nord Anglia International School (NAIS) is up for two awards this year, including The Strategic Leadership Initiative award and Initiative to Support School Wellbeing award. Out of a total of 200 nominations worldwide, NAIS is the only school in Hong Kong to be selected as a finalist. The awards are hosted by International School Leader Magazine with the support of ISC Research.

“We’re delighted and very excited to have been nominated,” said Naima Charlier, head of curriculum at the school. “Our two new campuses in Sai Kung and Tai Tam, opened in just three months and these awards celebrate how well we did that.” There are a total of 12 awards up for grabs and the winners will be announced in January at a ceremony in London. nordangliaeducation.com

Learning Time has launched a monthly play-and-learn subscription programme

Educational platform Learning Time has launched a learning subscription service for young children.

Each month, a selection of age-appropriate toys and activities are delivered to your door. These items are integrated with a teaching app and instructional videos for parents.

Learning Time has worked closely with preschool specialist Tutor Time International Nursery and Kindergarten to produce the monthly packs. The tutorial videos on the app offer stepby-step instructions for each activity and how to guide children to get the most out of them. Once

each month’s activities are completed, parents are invited to complete a feedback survey and a report with a summary of the child’s progress will be generated.

Four to eight toys are sent each month along with 24 instructional activity videos, all aimed at developing physical, cognitive, language and social-emotional skills. The packs include toys, DIY materials, storytelling activities and practising baby signs. A certificate is issued when a certain number of lessons have been completed. learningtime.com.hk

In brief… … Kiss x Whizpa Family Fun Festival returns on January 26. It promises to be a fun-filled day with plenty of activities, games and performances for kids and their families. There are four sessions, 9.30-11.30am; 12-2pm; 2.30-4.30pm; and 5-7pm. Tickets cost $180 for one adult and one child under 12 years and it all takes place at Verm City, 4/F, 321 Java Road, Quarry Bay. shop.whizpa.com

Academic scholarship opportunities Hong Kong’s Australian International School (AISHK) has launched scholarship opportunities for students entering years nine and ten. AISHK delivers an Australian and international curriculum which culminates with students sitting the New South Wales Higher School Certificate or the International Baccalaureate Diploma in Years 11 and 12. Applications are now being sought for a limited number of academic scholarships commencing in July 2019.

The school is looking for students with fluency in English, a high academic ability and a strong sense of community spirit. Applications must be submitted by January 25. Accepted candidates will take an exam on February 23. aishk.edu.hk AISHK is now offering scholarship opportunities

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news

Culture club Sign up for a heap of Chinese New Year camps hosted by the YWCA International Kids Club. Get the new lunar year off to a fun start with a heap of activities, from Lion Dance and Kung Fu to Kids Chinese Opera. The camps are aimed at children aged from three and up, check each camp for age-range. Along with messy play for littlies and a variety of sporty classes, there are also lots of opportunities to learn more about Chinese culture. Chinese Calligraphy and Painting looks at the inks, brushes and colour mixes of this ancient art.

There’s also an innovative Explore HK Series where children can learn about old Hong Kong through storytelling and craft activities such as Fire Dragon-making, bamboo crafting and traditional Hong Kong signage. Chinese New Year 2019 celebrates the incoming Year of the Pig and runs Feb 5 7. For camp details over this period, see clle.ywca.org.hk

A day on the green

Chinese calligraphy camps will be offered by YWCA

Members of the Canadian International School of Hong Kong community got together to enjoy a day on the links at the stunning Shek O Country Club in support of the school’s 3rd Annual Golf Day. Funds raised from this annual event continue to benefit students as part of CDNIS’ Annual Giving Campaign. The campaign itself accelerates the school’s strategic vision and enables CDNIS to offer children new ways to discover and learn. Throughout the years, parents of attending students have donated over $30 million to the school so that CDNIS can enhance academic and cocurricular activities including their Artist in Residence programme, athletics, visual and performing arts and more. cdnis.edu.hk/ways-give

giveaways WIN HERE! Click the Giveaways tab on our website: hongkongliving.com

Win a three-night stay at COMO The Treasury in Perth, Australia!

COMO The Treasury is a city retreat in the historic heart of Perth. Housed in the former 19th century State Buildings, it’s a sleek and modern space with traces of the Victorian-era facade.

The urban hotel includes 48 rooms and suites ranging from 55 to 120 square-meter.

Select units feature fireplaces and walk-out balconies overlooking Cathedral Square or Swan River. On the fourth floor you’ll find Wildflower - a spacious rooftop restaurant that offers sweeping views of the city and the river. Wildflower is helmed by executive chef Jed Gerrard and serves a farmer and forager driven menu that takes after the local indigenous tribe’s six seasons.

COMO Shambhala Urban Escape offers a healing retreat for city dwellers and specialises in Western and Eastern massage as well as holistic treatments including facials, personal training and yoga. COMO The Treasury is part of COMO Hotels and Resorts, which offers personalised luxury travel experiences at its urban hotels, island resorts, adventure retreats and wellness resorts.

We are giving away a 3-night stay at COMO The Treasury and a complimentary dinner for two at Wildflower to one lucky winner.

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Community relations

me & my big idea

Polygon Cafe’s Yuri Ezhkov pulls up a chair What were the challenges setting up in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is extremely transient, more so than any other city I’ve lived in. The hardest part has been seeing regular customers move on. On the flipside, a neighbourhood cafe is an art form and Hong Kong is one of the few places where we can still make that happen.

Tell us about your organic wine menu…

Wine is something I’ve always wanted to get into, but I wanted to find the right partner and the right angle. Which is where JeanLoup Thomazo of Natural Organics Wines & Spirits comes in. Jean-Loup’s expertise far surpasses any knowledge I might have and he’s the perfect person to curate our selection. We also wanted to pick a product people can have a good amount of and still feel great in the morning. It all boils down to a healthier choice. Lower sulfite levels mean less hangover!

How are you introducing the wines to customers?

We’re launching a series of talks this year to introduce customers to the concept of biodynamic and organic wines and also to let them explore specific regions and learn about the wines from that area. We’re aiming for a talk each month, led by JeanLoup.

Polygon Cafe’s Yuri Ezhkov (right) with organic wine connoisseur Jean-Loup Thomazo

So what’s the big idea?

Polygon was started as a communitybuilding project. It’s a family-friendly cafe that’s designed for the neighbourhood that it’s in, Sai Ying Pun. We value knowing our customers and being the friendly face in the morning as they rush off to work or in the afternoon if they need a quiet spot to sit with a laptop or a friend. As someone who values little hiding spots in big cities, I designed the space to have the same feel. I’m really proud of the backyard - a quiet outdoor space that’s a rarity in Hong Kong. We’re pet friendly and on weekends dogs and children often outnumber the adult clientele.

How is Polygon different from other local cafes?

Sai Ying Pun is a reminder that small neighbourhoods do exist. I equate it with New York’s West Village where tree-lined streets are peppered with small shops and cafes where staff remember your name and your order. That’s what I wanted to create with Polygon - a warm atmosphere and a welcoming environment. We’re also the only cafe in the city to sell Intelligentsia coffee (single origin coffees sourced from family-owned farms and smallholder co-ops in Central and South American and East Africa).

What do you recommend on the Polygon menu?

A latte’s always a good way to start the day.

But for non-coffee drinkers like myself we have a huge selection of teas - genmaicha is my personal morning go-to. And as a New Yorker, I can never pass up a classic bagel with cream cheese and lox combo. It’s a little bit of ‘home’ I’ve been able to recreate here in Hong Kong.

Polygon Cafe, G/F 14 Second Street, Sai Ying Pun. The 2019 wine series begins on Jan 24, $150 per person.

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Out this month

book review

For children Mary Poppins

BO THE OK OF MON TH

by Lauren Child

A History of Pictures for Children

The Book of Trees

David Hockney and Martin Gayford

Why are trees so important?

How many types are there?

How do they benefit the environment and wildlife? This book is written by awardwinning author Piotr Socha and answers these questions and more, tracking the history of trees from the time of the dinosaurs to the current day.

The children’s version of the bestselling adults book, A History of Pictures for Children is told through conversations between artist David Hockney and author Martin Gayford. Illustrations by Rose Blake bring the narratives to life to create an inspiring read for a young audience.

Piotr Socha

The Wizards of Once: Twice Magic

Where’s the Llama?

Cressida Cowell

A fun-puzzle book from the publishers of Where’s the Wookiee? Join the cheeky globe-trotting llamas in exotic locations with fun artwork, quirky characters and fun llama puns in a massive game of hide-andseek. The answers can be found at the back of the book and there are also ten bonus items to spot.

From the bestselling author of How To Train Your Dragon comes a tail of wizards, warriors, mythical creatures and powerful magic. Witches are creating havoc in the Wildwoods and danger lurks behind every tree trunk. Can Xar save the Wild Woods from the curse of the witches?

Paul Moran

This re-working of PL Travers’ children’s classic is by the UK’s children’s laureate, Lauren Child.

Fans of Charlie & Lola, Clarice Bean and Ruby Redfort will recognise Child’s distinctive illustrations in what is a visual delight. Child says she used the 1930s as her inspiration the book was first published in 1934 - with Mary dressed in an Edwardian style but with a contemporary twist.

The book was turned into a movie starring Julie Andrews in the 1970s and the end of last year saw the premier of Mary Poppins Returns with Emily Blunt in the lead role.

Child’s book is divided into the seven chapters and includes all the classic characters including the Match Man, the Bird Woman and the Banks family of Cherry Tree Lane.

All books are available with free shipping from bookdepository.com

For grown-ups

A Velocity of Being

An Anonymous Girl

Never Grow Up

Family Trust

Edited by Maria Popova and Claudia Bedrick

Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Jackie Chan

Kathy Wang

Some of today’s culture-makers – writers, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and philosophers – reflect on the joys of reading.

On the page facing each letter, an illustration by a celebrated illustrator or graphic artist presents that artist’s visual response. Among the diverse contributions are letters from Jane Goodall, Judy Blume and Lena Dunham, as well as a ninetyeight-year-old Holocaust survivor, a pioneering oceanographer, and Italy’s first woman in space.

The next novel of psychological suspense and obsession from the authors of the blockbuster bestseller The Wife Between Us. When Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study conducted by the mysterious Dr. Shields, she thinks all she’ll have to do is answer a few questions, collect her money, and leave. But things don’t go as expected. An Anonymous Girl is an electrifying new novel about doubt, passion, and just how much you can trust someone.

In Never Grow Up, one of Hong Kong’s most famous residents reflects on his early life, including his childhood years at the China Drama Academy, his big breaks in Hong Kong and Hollywood, his numerous brushes with death (both on and off film sets), and his life as a husband and father. Born in Hong Kong in 1954, Chan went on to become a martial artist, actor, film director, stuntman and singer. This is a candid memoir from one of the most recognizable and influential cinematic personalities in the world.

As Stanley Huang is diagnosed with cancer, his family is starting to fear that there’s a lot less in the pot than they thought. And that’s a problem when you’re living in one of the wealthiest parts of California...Spanning themes of culture, ambition, love and – most of all – family, this sparkling debut is a sharp, funny and loving portrait of modern Asian-American life.

All books are available from Bookazine stores, bookazine.com.hk

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book review

My January Expat Parent’s editorial assistant, Becky Love, tells us what she’s into this month What I’m reading I’m a big believer in morning routines and how they can set you up for a positive and productive day, so I’ve just finished My Morning Routine: How Successful People Start Every Day inspired by Benjamin Spall. It’s a great one for the new year, particularly if you struggle getting started every day.

What I’m listening to The Fleetwood Mac Rumours album has been on high rotation lately for me. It was released in 1977 and I had forgotten how great it is.

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What I’m plugging into To be honest I haven’t really downloaded or listened to a podcast since I moved to Hong Kong last year. But when I was back in Australia, I was obsessed with one called The James Altucher Show.

Altucher is an American hedge fund manager, venture capitalist, bestselling author and podcaster.

I love his honest interviews and stories of success and failure.

What’s in my diary My cousin - who is also my godfather - is getting married in Sydney. I can’t wait to fly down and have all of my family in one place again, there’s nothing I love more!

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PEOPLE

Tina Atkinson (left) with guests at Chai Talay Estate, Koh Samui

My Hong Kong the retreat specialist

Tina Atkinson risked everything on a dusty block of land in Koh Samui.

She now attracts a global clientele to her fitness and wellness weekends After university it was clear that my destiny was not in the UK. Inspired by a gap year in Asia, I felt unsettled back in London. But I needed money so I worked for a property developer for 18 months, launching a villa marketing business in Portugal. It was hard work and eventually a conglomerate of Portuguese villa owners - with equity - offered me the chance to set up and run new offices in Chelsea Harbour. The experience clarified to me that I wanted to travel and work overseas.

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The country with which I had most affiliation was Thailand. A work permit wasn’t a possibility so a job looked unlikely, but I decided to give it a go. My thenboyfriend (who I later married) was an Asian equity trader and had never considered an overseas posting. But a week before my departure he managed to wangle himself a transfer.

Bangkok was miserable. My only friend was my maid, we had no money to furnish our

apartment, there were no mobiles and we didn’t even have a landline. But I invested in a language course and was eventually offered a job with Saatchi and Saatchi looking after the British Airways Executive Club Account. We stayed four years.

In 1993 I moved to Hong Kong to launch Asia’s first frequent flyer programme. I’d met an environmental activist in Thailand who had a brother working for Cathay. I went along for a chat and came out with a job.

PEOPLE fitness and wellness retreats three times a year in March, June and November. People form amazing friendships and 70% of participants are returnees. Our clients are global, not just from Hong Kong, and want to take time out from their busy lives for themselves.

We’ve just completed an indoor-outdoor gym in an acre of organic gardens. But wellbeing isn’t simply about cardio and jumping around for 5+ hours per day, so over the years we’ve added an holistic stream to help create a safe and supportive space through mediation, TRE and other modalities.

Kicking back by one of the three estate pools

I have yet to fall out of love with Hong Kong.

My children were born here and I’ve never left. I fluttered between buying and renting, but eventually property roads led me back to Thailand and to a block of land on Koh Samui.

Due to Thai ownership laws and the political situation it wasn’t the wisest move. I had no background in design or build - actually I didn’t have a clue - but my father’s a developer so I kind of hoped it might be in the blood. To complicate matters further, I also decided it was worth offering the landowners on either side the opportunity to use the same architect and builder and then really threw caution to the wind and offered to project manage the whole process.

was born. After taking a group of friends over, I realised the property was amazing for groups.

The gardens and greenery, the white sands of the year-round swimming beach, the sunsets, the staff, the food, the unspoilt location and the direct flights to Hong Kong made it a fantastic potential getaway destination for multigenerational families and destination events.

Chai Talay has 18 rooms and can cater for up to 40 people.

It was a painful two years of bankrupt builders and run-ins with triads. But eventually Baan Kilee was built and the houses on either side shortly thereafter. It was only towards the end of the build that I realised what a monster I had created. The footprint was huge - I calculated that the ‘over-size’ flatscreen TV I had in Hong Kong would be barely visible in the TV room here. I ended up needing eight TVs, not to mention the seven staff.

In 2010 I took voluntary redundancy from Cathay. I was determined to leverage my Koh Samui investment and drive a sense of community there. I came up with the idea of a fitness retreat and partnered with Nathan Solia of Elite Personal Training in Hong Kong, whose own vision was simply to give back to his clients by offering them a stunning location for rest and relaxation each year. I didn’t have a gym, so we worked with nature, slinging equipment around coconut trees and using the beach and ocean. We also forged partnerships with Hong Kong’s Chrissy Denton Nutrition and Dayle Haigh Smith Outdoor Fitness and with local practitioners to offer yoga, Thai boxing and pilates.

I made a swift decision to transition the villa into a business venture. I mooted the idea with the other owners and Chai Talay Estate

Eight years and 16 residential retreats later and the programme has morphed into what it is today. We now run three-to-five day

Healthy and plenty of it - good food is integral to the weekends

Feedback suggested we were about more than just fitness and we found we were playing an important role in helping people manage their stress or other issues. People felt safe and relaxed with us and so wanted to open up.

I’ve now learnt to live my own life by the five ways to wellbeing - to connect, be active, take notice, to learn and to give back. Back in Hong Kong, I’ve joined SharedValueProject Hong Kong, a corporate-funded NGO, working with large companies to tackle societal issues in Hong Kong and aligning profit with purpose.

Our eight corporates all voted to tackle mental health as their number one priority in 2018/19 and I am leading that work.

This year we’re introducing parent-teen retreats for families. They’ve been designed with the help of our holistic practitioner and our trainers - all of whom have worked extensively with teens. It’s a ‘therapeutic retreat meets activity holiday’, exploring healthy ways for teens to manage stress and anxiety. And mum and/or dad can work on a simultaneous programme of activity and relaxation. chaitalay.com expat-parent.com 23

C ST OV O ER RY

Reasons to be cheerful This year’s most exciting new holiday destinations. Don’t forget your beach towel… By Carolynne Dear

24 expat-parent.com

R VE Y O R C TO S

Resorts

AVANI+ Samui, Thailand AVANI Hotels & Resorts launches into the Land of Smiles this month with an upscale resort at Taling Ngam Bay on the southwestern, ‘quiet’ coast of Koh Samui. Koh Samui is this year positioning itself as Thailand’s most luxurious holiday destination and is set to be a hot location for 2019.

The seaside retreat is aimed at families, with 25 guest rooms, 27 private pool villas and six beachfront pool villas tucked away in the secluded bay. The resort offers a range of activities, from beach yoga, to stand-up paddle boarding and mountain biking. The resort’s AVANISPA offers a wide menu of treatments that can be taken either at the spa or in the privacy of your villa.

“AVANI+ Samui also embraces an ecofriendly culture… such as no plastic straws, biodegradable materials and locally sourced ingredients,” added Dillip Rajakarier, chief executive officer of Minor Hotels, the owning company of AVANI Hotels & Resorts.

Waterfall trips, island hopping and snorkelling are all easily accessible activities from its location away from the island’s main tourist spots. The AVANI brand currently operates 24 hotels in 15 countries and recently debuted in Australia, New Zealand and Laos.

Fifteen further openings are in the pipeline, including Dubai, Bangkok and Busan. Watch this space. avani.com

Anantara Quy Nhon Villas, Vietnam Set to open later this month, Anantara Quy Nhon Villas is located in a secluded emerald

The sun sets over AVANI+ Samui, opening this month on Koh Samui

bay in south central Vietnam.

The luxury 26 one and two-bedroom ocean-facing villas are set amid seven hectares of landscaped tropical gardens and welcome both families and couples. Locally sourced materials and regional influences have been woven into the resort design - think sleek timber and granite sundecks, oversized bathtubs and private lap pools. Personal touches that take the resort to the highest level include customisable amenities - such as preferred room scent, an Anantara signature soap collection and an in-villa wine cellar - as well as in-room butler service and ‘Masters of Wellness’ private sessions with alternative therapists.

Dining outlets include signature restaurant Sea.Fire.Salt boasting its very own salt guru,

cocktails and Cuban cigars at the ocean-facing swim-up bar, plus in-villa dining covering everything from breakfast in bed, to poolside barbecues and castaway island picnics.

Surrounding Binh Dinh province offers plenty of cultural interest; the guided Quy Nhon Explorer tour takes guests on an early morning ride through the countryside before stopping at Mr Lan’s fifth generation Non La (conical hat) makers for a hat weaving workshop and lunch.

In the afternoon, tour the ruins of Champ towers, finishing up with a rice paper-making workshop before heading back to the resort.

The resort is a 40-minute drive from Quy Nhon airport with daily flights from Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. From April, the resort is launching a private Anantara train carriage for guests who would rather travel overland from Danang, taking in the stunning Vietnamese countryside as they travel. anantara.com

The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah, Maldives

Luxury awaits in Quy Nhon, central Vietnam

Cenizaro group’s second Maldivian property is on schedule for a summer opening and is located next to its original property, The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi, on the stunning Gaafu Alifu atoll. The two resorts will be connected by a bridge to form one of the largest resorts in the country. Dhigurah boasts 173 beach and water villas, each with a private pool. With families in mind, Dhigurah also has 12 two-bedroom beach and water villas and on-land options for those with younger children.

The resort’s Turtle Kids Club is open daily for three to 12 year olds and includes a huge playground stretching across the island.

Further children’s activities include yoga, expat-parent.com 25

R VE Y O R C TO S

Bookings are now open at the family-friendly Apurva Kempinski resort in Bali

Dhivehi language learning, arts and craft, beach games, cooking and scavenger hunts.

Babysitting is also available. “We wanted to create a hotel that’s… an ideal place for families to let loose and have fun,” said Gary Xie, director for Cenizaro Hotels & Resorts.

For adults, there’s a yoga deck, Clarins spa, 42-metre infinity pool, dive and watersports centre, reading room and gym.

Dining options include beachfront restaurant The Dining Room, Cantonese offering Li Bai, the sunset-facing Long Island for cocktails and light bites, Mediterranean tapas at Cafe del Sol, plus private dining and beach barbecues as well as castaway dinners on neighbouring private islands. cenizaro.com

Kempinski is Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group with a portfolio of 76 five-star hotels in over 30 countries. kempinski.com

Hotels

Rosewood Hong Kong Slated for a March 17 opening, the eagerly anticipated Rosewood Hong Kong is now open for bookings. It promises “an ultra-luxury property” on the harbourfront in the new Victoria Dockside district of Tsim Sha Tsui.

The 65-storey tower has been designed

by American architects Kohn Pedersen Fox and 43 of the floors will be dedicated to

the hotel. Views over Victoria Harbour will be “prominently showcased” from 80% of guest rooms; these include 322 rooms and 91 suites. The hotel will also be home to 18 signature suites, including the 1,000 square metre Harbour House and The Garden House with wraparound harbour views and from their private sky terraces (which come with private lap pools) on the 57th floor.

The property will eventually have eight food and beverage outlets, including Chinese tea house Holt’s Cafe, Cantonese speciality restaurant The Legacy House and cocktail bar DarkSide, all three of which will be open from the March launch day.

Rosewood Hong Kong will also the first urban outpost of Asaya, its signature wellness centre and spa. Asaya will be set over two floors and will include alternative therapies, fitness and lifestyle activities, nutrition advice, social spaces and a membership programme open to local residents.

Rosewood opening events will dovetail with the launch of Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District, both of which are due to open early this year. rosewoodhotels.com

Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, China This Beijing-located addition to Mandarin Oriental’s portfolio is poised to open its doors early this year. With roof-terrace views over the Forbidden City, the hotel is located in central Beijing, just minutes from Tiananmen Square and in an area dotted with the city’s historic hutongs. Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing is positioning itself as the city’s most luxurious boutique hotel, with ample dining facilities and a Spa at Mandarin Oriental. The 73-room hotel is

Apurva Kempinski, Bali

This ocean-front, family resort in Nusa Dua on the southern tip of Indonesia’s most popular holiday island opens in the first quarter of this year. Reservations are now open for bookings from February 1 onwards. The 475-room resort is 15 minutes from Bali’s international airport and top-of-the-range facilities include an ocean-facing spa and fitness centre, a 60-metre swimming pool, a children’s pool and a family club.

The five-star resort is dramatically located on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean. Sixty per cent of the accommodation - comprising rooms, suites and villas - boasts a private plunge pool. And no less than seven dining venues complete the picture. “We’re very excited to finally take the first steps towards our debut,” commented general manager Vincent Guironnet.

Hong Kong’s first Rosewood hotel is set for a Spring opening

expat-parent.com 27

C ST OV O ER RY located on the upper two floors of WF Central.

The remainder of the building will house over 130 retail outlets, including 20 brands debuting in Beijing or China.

Three food and beverage outlets include two restaurants and a rooftop MO Bar with a garden terrace. Cafe Zi will offer all-day Asianinspired dining with a signature lunchtime dim sum selection by Michelin-starred Hong Kong chef Wong Wing-Keung, while Mandarin Grill + Bar features grill-style dishes.

The spa will offer a menu of wellness experiences, a fitness centre and a 25m indoor lap pool with a sky roof. mandarinoriental.com

Water world Jumeirah Vittaveli’s overwater bungalows now boast the longest slides in the Maldives. The seven Infinity Pool Ocean Villas have been refurbished for 2019 with fun, 23-metre shoots, so guests can plunge straight from their room into the Indian Ocean.

The resort is a 20-minute luxury catamaran ride from Male. The Infinity Pool Ocean Villas also have glass bottom floors to better enjoy the marine life. jumeirah.com

St Regis, Hong Kong Another dramatic addition to Hong Kong’s skyline this spring is the 129-room St Regis.

This is the first time Marriott International has introduced the St Regis brand to Hong Kong.

The hotel is located in Wan Chai and within walking distance of the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. The interiors have been designed by renowned Hong Kong architect Andre Fu (his Hong Kong credits include The Upper House and Kerry Hotel) and many of the rooms will enjoy views over Victoria Harbour and out to Kowloon Bay. Further amenities include the St Regis Butler Service, Chinese and French restaurants and a heated pool.

St Regis Hotels & Resorts has more than doubled its footprint in recent years with more than 40 hotels worldwide and nine in the Greater China region. This is Marriott International’s second hotel launch in Hong Kong this year, with Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott on southside expected to complete its full opening next month. marriott.com

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit

Five-star moves in Bangkok as Hyatt Regency comes to town this Spring

28 expat-parent.com

The Thai capital’s fourth Hyatt-branded property is now open for bookings ahead of its early 2019 opening. The 273-room and 21-suite property has been designed as a traditional Thai house and is located in the Nana district of the city. The area was originally founded by Indian merchants who were granted the space to set up a marketplace, attracting traders from India, the Middle East and China. Remnants of that heritage can still be seen in areas such as Soi Arab, Little Korea and Little India. Dining options include the Market Cafe - a Thaiinspired all day dining restaurant, the two-level rooftop Spectrum Lounge & Bar and a Lobby Lounge Bar for cocktails and coffee. An openair pool and a 24-hour gym completes the picture. The hotel will be directly connected with Nana BTS station by a skybridge. hyatt.com

R VE Y O R C TO S

Azerai La Residence, Hue, Vietnam Hue is just north of Da Nang and is Vietnam’s former imperial capital. La Residence hotel and spa will be Azerai’s second property in the country, following the opening of the 60-room Azerai Can Tho on the Mekong Delta and in the waterside city of Can Tho early last year. Flagged for a February opening, Azerai La Residence will be located inside a 1930s mansion which has undergone the most extensive renovation in over a decade.

The 122-room hotel’s aesthetic is firmly rooted in Azerai’s calling card of simplicity and elegance, and promises “affordable luxury”.

The hotel boasts 200 metres of frontage along the fabled Perfume River - in autumn, flowers from orchards upriver from Hue fall into the water, giving the river a perfume-like aroma.

It enjoys views of Flagtower Bastion and the 1804-built Citadel on the river’s north bank.

The name Azerai comes from the initials of hospitality group founder Adrian Zecha and the Persian word caravanserai, which means resting place. Further Vietnam openings are planned by the group, watch this space. azerai.com

New openings in Vietnam’s former imperial capital

Micro-break inspo Grand Hyatt Taipei general manager Jan-Hendrik Meidinger explains why the Taiwanese capital should be on your 2019 bucket list

Why Taipei?

Taipei is an easy weekend escape from Hong Kong at just a two-hour flight-time. Having lived in Hong Kong previously with my wife and children, I would argue Taipei is a lot more family-friendly. It’s safe and clean, the sidewalks are wide and easy to navigate with strollers, public transport is affordable and efficient and the Taiwanese are really friendly.Taipei is renowned for its varied culinary offerings - from street-eats to Michelin-starred restaurants - so it’s the perfect ‘foodie’ destination.

We’re close to a number of family-oriented attractions, including Taipei Zoo and Maokong Gondola, Elephant Mountain, the observation deck at Taipei 101, Songshan Cultural & Creative Park and the riverside parks and night markets. The list of things to do for kids is endless.

How are you meeting current travel trends?

Guests want to have greater control over their stay experience. They like to be able to choose how they interact with our team either online, via social media or by popping up at the concierge counter. And when they do, responses need to be immediate. They’re looking for experiential recommendations, from new and diverse eateries, to hidden sightseeing spots, or the best route to explore the city by bike.

Hyatt now has global concierges who remain in contact via social media and respond to guest requests in real time. At the same time, we’re working on digital solutions and different forms of employee training.

Eco-tourism continues as a hot topic we’ve already banned the use of all plastic straws at Grand Hyatt Taipei, instead offering paper straws and biodegradable wooden take-away cutlery. This year we’ll be working on further reducing the number of plastic items being used. hyatt.com

In-room camping is a popular kids activity at Grand Hyatt Taipei

expat-parent.com 29

schools

School news

GREEN DREAMS AT NORWEGIAN INTERNATIONAL Kindergarten students at Hong Kong’s Norwegian International School got planting this winter following tree damage at the campus caused by typhoon Mangkhut. The school’s Tree Planting Day saw students learning about recycling and enjoying green craft projects. nis.edu.hk

expat-parent.com 31

schools

British boarding school headmaster Chris Townsend and life coach Tara Bennett recording their thoughts on raising happy teens at Hong Kong’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club.

Smooth run-ins

Amelia Sewell speaks with British boarding school headmaster Chris Townsend and Hong Kong-based life coach Tara Bennett about raising happy teens No one said that being a parent is easy.

The early years can feel like a battleground, constantly fending off worries about cognitive development, correct vegetable intake, finding a school place and why your child refuses to be potty trained.

As children head towards their teen years with greater maturity, and hopefully less inclination to piddle on the floor, one might hope that parental worries start to fade away. But apparently not - far from it in fact.

Instead, the transition from tweens to teens brings with it a whole new world of problems that have to be overcome; and whilst the physical changes are challenging enough, it’s the emotional ones that really require attention.

Teenage mental health in the 2019 Townsend’s first point was that the 32 expat-parent.com

challenges of teenage happiness require a deeper understanding from parents and teachers, and a real, concerted effort to address them early.

“It’s been a growing concern for schools over the last decade. We’ve had to come to terms with an increase in awareness with the issues that young people face [because] the services that are available really aren’t sufficient,” he says.

To tackle this, Townsend and his team at Felsted saw fit to open a centre entirely devoted to mental health where their students can go to unwind, unload or ask for help. The Felsted Wellbeing Centre opened earlier this year and has already proved a much-needed resource for day-to-day teenage life.

“It’s well used. Some people want to come and speak to somebody, some people just want a bit of a break. Life is increasing busy and high pressured for young people

and I think the opportunity just to step aside from that is really worthwhile.”

Tara Bennett, a life coach, is based in Hong Kong and through the Wild Heart Project runs various workshops aimed at helping teenagers transition from childhood to adulthood. The key, she feels, is to understand what the issues may be and equip children with strategies.

“You can’t teach someone to swim when they’re drowning,” she says.

With that in mind, Bennett’s courses focus on teaching teenagers – and their parents - how they can be prepared for what life is going to throw at you.

“We need to normalise some of the issues that kids have. They’re all experiencing similar things; academic pressure, social media pressure, friendship issues, body image issues. So we need to start building some resilience around that.”

Mobile phones

Social media

We moved onto the subject of mobiles and the use of technology, a divisive topic in many household and schools. Both Townsend and Bennett were in agreement that the first strategy is to establish a set of values that everyone abides by.

“It’s easy to criticise young people for their use of technology while adults continue to use technology really badly,” says Townsend. “We are terrible role models.

So with everything we do, we try to get the teachers to follow the same guidelines because otherwise it becomes ‘do what I say, not what I do’. And teenagers don’t like that.”

Basic agreements include things like not walking around school whilst using mobiles and not having them by the bed during the night. Bennett also advises parents to retain ownership of phones and use the concept that the phone is purely being lent to the child.

“You buy the phone and you lend it to your child,” she says. “It’s not their phone. So they understand that it can be removed whenever they misuse it.”

The topic of confiscating phones lead onto the concept of addiction, a word that is increasingly associated with use of social media.

Addiction to technology can play out in many ways. In the first instance, there is the genuine anxiety that teenagers often demonstrate when their phones are taken away from them. Then there is the fact that things such as ‘likes’ on Facebook and Instagram actually create a physical reaction in the brain that in itself is addictive: ‘likes’ result in a hit of the chemical dopamine, also known as the ‘reward molecule’; this hit creates a vicious circle, leaving users to chase more ‘likes’ in order to get more hits.

“Just like an alcoholic or someone who has a gambling addiction or even smoking, it’s the same dopamine hit,” says Bennett.

“There are strict age restrictions on those three things but there’s no guideline for social media. It’s really dangerous.”

Townsend is particularly disparaging towards the global social media providers and their lack of responsibility to tackle the addictive nature of their products.

schools “I don’t think that we’re being helped by the big social media companies. With something like Snapchat, it seems to be designed to work in a way that will be detrimental to young people’s well being and I don’t understand how that is able to carry on,” he says.

In particular, he references the addictive aspect of Snapchat’s ‘streaks’, messaging the same person for as many days as possible.

“That’s teaching addiction. The communication has become worthless.

Streaks are not about human interaction; they’re about repetition and I think this is very damaging.”

“Parents need to wake up and realise that they have to get tough,” Bennett agrees.

“If you’re having an argument with your kids about phones, they’re addicted.”

Chris Townsend is headmaster of Felsted School, UK. felsted.org Tara Bennett is co-founder of The Wild Heart Project. thewildheartproject.com To hear the full interview, download the podcast at hongkongliving.com

expat-parent.com 33

schools

Full STEAM ahead Amelia Sewell heads to Tai Po for a tour of the American School Hong Kong

34 expat-parent.com

schools

H

ong Kong is a Mecca for new schools and one question that parents rightly ask is, what sets each school apart from the next? When schools are able to start with a clean slate of an empty plot of land and a generous financial backer, it can be tricky to see past the impressive facilities and shiny brochure to understand what kind of education a child will receive.

In recent years, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and other variations of the acronym have been a particularly popular concept with schools keen to advertise their forward-thinking approach to innovative teaching and the 21st century. It is however important to determine which schools pay lip-service to the concept and which offer an in depth programme.

The American School Hong Kong (ASHK) is undoubtedly one of the schools that is faithful to the concept. In personalising their offering, they have chosen to pursue the route of STEAM (crucially with the addition of the A for Arts) and their bespoke course is one of the factors that helps to define the school’s overall curriculum.

Since opening in 2016, ASHK has worked hard to carve out a unique and considered programme that helps the modern-day learner combine the skills of a scientist with those of a designer. The school is keen to teach its pupils that there are no defined lines between subjects, but instead many interesting overlaps which can allow them to be studied as a whole.

“STEAM and STEM are similar philosophies that focus on integrating subjects in a meaningful way while promoting collaboration and problem solving,” the school explains. “STEAM is even more powerful because it intentionally exposes students to the arts to help them develop creativity, imagination and innovation.”

Ryan Yue is ASHK’s education technology director and designs the school’s programme. He explains that it falls into two parts. Firstly, there are the purebred tech classes that focus on coding and robotics. These start from Grade 6 (Year 7) and deal with programming concepts expat-parent.com 35

schools “Our kindergarten children are even using robotics to learn how to count.”

and help to challenge various skills such as critical thinking and problem solving.

The second part is where technology is integrated with the other subjects in order to enhance the students understanding and abilities. Yue works with grade level teachers, right through the school age groups, to find the best ways to bring technology into their learning.

“We have regular meetings with the

36 expat-parent.com

grade level teachers. We will discuss what they are preparing and we can decide how best a tech class can help,” he says.

The aim is to provide visual, hands-on lessons, that allow students an interactive experience (and far removed from the textbook and chalkboard system that most parents remember from their own school days). The school uses Bee Bot, Osmo Coding and Dash Robot to implement this.

“We even use robotics for the earlier years,” says Yue. “For example, for kindergarten children learning counting we utilise the Bee Bot. They draw a grid map and instruct the Bee Bot how many squares to move depending on their additions.”

The concept of being able to see one’s work manifested in physical form is widely appreciated to allow a deeper level of learning and, crucially, better retention of knowledge. This is something that ASHK promotes whenever possible.

“Once you have written a program, a very important concept every time is that you need to execute it. So the students see their work become a physical command.

They see their work in action.”

The other significant benefit of a handson STEAM programme is that students develop ownership of – and responsibility for - their own work in a way which is less likely to happen when the only output is writing in a text book. Seeing the fruits of one’s labour is a process that is much more rewarding.

ASHK is certainly reaping the rewards.

In particular, it is helping to break down the gender barriers that have long existed

schools

around science-based subjects: when I asked Yue whether he notices a stronger interest in STEAM from one gender or another in his coding classes, he tells me that the boys and girls share a similar level of enthusiasm for the content; there is no assumption that this is just for the boys.

Though ASHK is relatively new to Hong Kong, it is fortune to benefit from its association with Esol (formerly

known as ESOL - Educational Services Overseas Limited), which has a long history of academic excellence. With ten international schools around the globe and 10,000 students, Esol has over 40 years of experience in education. Being part of a broader network also means that ASHK has access to global schemes that would be harder for smaller schools to muscle in on. This autumn, Esol announced its

affiliation with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) App Inventor for middle school students. Created by a MIT professor, App Inventor helps students to develop apps that can have a significant, real-world impact before publishing them for use.

So this (currently) small school has some big ideas. And it won’t be small for long.

With capacity for nearly 1000 pupils, ASHK is organically growing through the years and will see its first cohort of graduates in 2023. For the moment, the year groups rise to Grade 8 with a focus on the American curriculum. However, as they reach Grades 11 and 12, they will be able to decide between staying with the US Common Core Curriculum and choosing to move to the International Baccalaureate (IB) for the diploma course.

ASHK is a very ambitious school; ambitious for what its students can achieve and ambitious for how it can deliver a worldclass education. In the two short years it has been open, it has already set out its stall for what it can bring to Hong Kong.

And nowhere is that more evident that in its enterprising STEAM programme. ashk.edu.hk

expat-parent.com 37

life & style

Sweet petite

Local designer Melanie Pauline talks to Carolynne Dear about Hong Kong apartments and making the most of small spaces.

Photography by Karin Bremer Pauline now runs the Hong Kong branch of international interiors company, The Hallmark, Abbey Hall Interiors, which was founded by its namesake, Abbey Hall, four years ago. Pauline joined the business in 2016 and when Hall returned to Australia last September, she handed the entire Hong Kong side of the business over to her.

While Pauline has been involved in fashion and design her entire career, Hall had jumped from the corporate world into interiors, having completed qualifications with The Insight School of Design in Hong Kong and Mercer School of Design in Australia. Developing her interior design consultancy, Hall saw a gap in the market for luxe yet practical furniture for small spaces and was inspired to design a collection of chic ottomans. The resultant Meet the Ottomans collection is a versatile range of pieces that can be used as side tables, coffee tables or even double-up as seats when needs demand. They were snapped up from the get-go and the pair has since moved into occasional chairs and cushions.

“I moan about the size of my apartment,” says Pauline. “But really it’s the perfect showroom. In Hong Kong it’s usually space that is the issue when designing a home, so it’s useful for clients to see the versatility of our pieces.” There are five ottomans in the lounge room, unobtrusively and carefully laid out as occasional and coffee tables. “They’re the ultimate multi-taskers,” she says, adding that there are no less than twelve ottomans across the 1,600 square foot space. Around

I

Melanie Pauline heads up international homewares specialist The Hallmark, Abbey Hall Interiors

t’s a steep and winding climb up to Melanie Pauline’s Mid-levels’ apartment.

Pauline has pre-warned me it won’t be up to parr as our shoot isn’t taking place until the following week. “And I’m in my daggy workout gear,” she tells me by text.

“There’s definitely no photography today?”

But of course, and as is so often the case 38 expat-parent.com

when you’re meeting with design-types, the presentation is flawless. The front door opens onto a gleaming apartment, oozing style and the kind of ‘chutzpah’ that you only really get with people who properly know what they’re doing with interiors. Pauline is looking equally polished.

A Kiwi-born ‘Aussie’, mum-of-three

life & style

Pauline’s striking ottoman designs take centre stage in the lounge area (above and below)

her dining table sits more of the current collection - six lavish, velvet-clad chairs, as well as a sleek, grey occasional chair that Pauline uses at her desk. If you have to work, you might as well do it in style. I’m seriously tempted.

The perfect complement to Hall’s eye for luxe, Pauline has always worked in high-end environments and is no stranger to plush lifestyles. She began her career in the marketing department for The Leading

Hotels of The World group, moving to The Savoy Group of Hotels in London shortly afterwards. Next came a stint as press secretary for Prada in Sydney and she then took over as event manager for ARIA Restaurant in Sydney, working alongside celebrity chef Matt Moran.

She admits a love for aesthetics was nurtured from an early age when she was given her first camera. These days she’s still a keen photographer, engaging in friendly

Velvet-heaven - Pauline takes inspiration from French designer India Mahdavi

competition with her husband. “Although he’s an architect with a very keen eye, so I struggle a bit,” she laughs. Friends describe her as the ultimate stylist. “You ask her to bring something mundane like a cheese platter to a barbecue and she’ll conjure up an offering that looks like it’s been in a Vogue Living shoot,” a friend tells me.

“She’s got an uncanny knack of making the everyday look gorgeous but accessible.”

“Career-wise, everything I’ve been involved with has always been about aesthetics and about high-end and about luxury,” admits Pauline. “My roles were largely client-facing, and that’s something I missed when I took time out for the children.”

Pauline arrived in Hong Kong from Beijing in 2008, where her husband had been contracted to work for the Beijing Olympics for three years.

“Beijing was amazing,” she enthuses.

“It was fun and it was crazy but when the Olympics contract ended it was time to move on.” And so, heavily-pregnant, she, her husband, plus their toddler daughter Chloe, moved to Hong Kong and into a tiny walk-up apartment in Sheung Wan. “Oh my god, I was so disappointed!” she laughs. “For me, Hong Kong was the bright, shiny diamond of Asia, I couldn’t wait to get here. But Sheung Wan ten years ago wasn’t expat-parent.com 39

life & style

The elegant dining chairs were designed by The Hallmark, Abbey Hall Interiors

exactly the glistening world I had in mind. I was like, where are the malls? Where are the gorgeous bits? It was more cubic zirconia than diamond.”

But after giving birth to her twins, things started to improve and Pauline slowly uncovered the Hong Kong she’d been looking forward to. A decade later and she wouldn’t be anywhere else. “I love the junks, I love the hiking, I love walking up Magazine Gap Road just at that moment when day turns to night and all the lights start switching on. Hong Kong is an amazing place,” she says.

Now very much back on her game career-wise, she’s busy sourcing new fabrics and researching new pieces from around the world, as well as showcasing the collections to clients in her Hong Kong home.

The furniture, unusually, is manufactured in Hong Kong as well as in China, and the fabrics are sourced globally, including lush Chinese velvets and stunning bolts from fabric houses in Italy, England and the US. Her design inspiration comes from strolls along Hollywood Road and popping into local art galleries, as well as big events like Hong Kong Art Week. “When Art Basel launched here I was there like a shot,” she says. “It’s fantastic. I love it.” (Art Basel is

back in Hong Kong from March 29 to 31).

Also on her lust list are designs by Iranian-born French architect India Mahdavi, who was most recently behind the stunning redesign of The Gallery Restaurant at Sketch, London, and Tod’s retail store on Sloane Street, also in the UK capital. Both spaces are velvet heaven. Further inspiration comes from Brisbane-based architects Richards & Spence and particularly their input into The Calile Hotel - “the result is harsh but soft,” says Pauline. “I like a bit of edginess.” A fan of twentieth-century American society photographer Slim Aarons, she has Poolside Gossip hanging in her lounge. She likes that it brings a bit of fun into the space.

Closer to home, she admires Aviva Duncan for her “amazing” rugs, online homewares boutique Apartment 49 and Eclectic Cool in Wan Chai. She rates Philippa Anderson of Little P for fabulous inspo for children’s rooms. “And I also spend hours searching out galleries and small design shops in Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun,” she says.

She has lived in her Mid-levels apartment for six years and appreciates the location for its proximity to the city. “It’s so convenient.

But of course the trouble with renting you expat-parent.com 41

life & style can never get the space exactly how you want it. If I’d had a crystal ball when we first took out the lease and known we’d be here for the medium-term, I’d have done much more - updating and re-tiling the bathrooms would have been good.”

As it is, Pauline has maximised the space that she has. A bedroom at the front of the apartment has been converted into a light and bright snug, with an eclectic mix of pieces including artwork from Byron Bay-based Ahoy Trader and a customised wooden dresser and wardrobe from her Beijing days. She has a storage area downstairs in the apartment building filled with Beijing pieces - “there’s just no space for them at the moment unfortunately,” she says.

The main living and dining area is a gleaming mix of monochromes, silvers and golds, with an accent of yellow throughout, inspired by the Slim Aarons piece. “I’m beginning to bring in more pops of colour,” she says. “I prefer to have a good neutral base for the big pieces of furniture - like the couches - and then accent the space with artwork, cushions and occasional chairs.”

Go-to brands include Tom Dixon, Georg Jensen, Missoni and Kartell. “I have a weakness for Lane Crawford,” she admits.

“And Jensen has always been a family favourite, my mother has pieces from way back. But you know what? No matter how high-end you go, there’s always room for a little bit of IKEA in your life.” The elegant

entrance table turns out to be just that, but fabulously accessorised with a pair of marble candle holders and a silver Georg Jensen vase.

“My role is new but constantly evolving,” she says. “I’m loving collaborating with Abbey (Hall). I’ve got lots of ideas for new

products - at the moment we’re looking into ottomans with storage options and in different shapes. And of course they’re already completely customisable in terms of fabric. If you need some advice coordinating one with your space, I’m here to help.” hallmarkinteriorshk.com

“I’m buzzing with new product ideas,” says Pauline, relaxing with samples from her cushion collection

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life & style Flower Cushion $599 from Bo Concept boconcept.com

CUT Long Pendant in Chrome $7,000 from Tom Dixon tomdixon.net

Bosa Rose Gold Hopebird Designed by Jaime Hayon $18,000 from Lane Crawford lanecrawford.com.hk

MELT Mini Pendant in Blue $5,000 from Tom Dixon tomdixon.net

SJĂ„LVSTĂ„NDIG rug, low pile, lilac, dark blue $799 from IKEA ikea.com/hk

Luxe up your lounge New ideas for a new year

Garden Handpainted Vase $2,990 from Indigo Living indigo-living.com Seaweed Cushion $599 from Bo Concept boconcept.com

Diamond Side Table $2,329 from Bo Concept boconcept.com 44 expat-parent.com

Peggy Small Candlestick $750 from Astier De Villatte lanecrawford.com.hk

life & style

Amor Angled Sofa $29,950 from TREE tree.com.hk

Maison: Parisian Chic At Home, Ines de la Fressange and Marin Montagut $390 from Bookazine bookazine.com.hk

Tyler Orange Velvet Chair $10,990 from Indigo Living indigo-living.com

Patterned Leather Pouf $4,490 from Indigo Living indigo-living.com

Bosa Sphere Small Sculpture Satin Cyan Blue or Matte Gold $1,380 from Lane Crawford lanecrawford.com.hk

Blacksmith Armchair $950 from TREE tree.com.hk expat-parent.com 45

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New year hiking

big day out

Tara Smyth and Foxy Loxy head for the hills of Sai Kung

S

tart 2019 as you mean to go on with a family hike. This trail takes you up to Yung Pak Corridor in Sai Kung Country Park and is great for a picnic when you reach the top.

Unfortunately it isn’t really suitable for littlies, but adventurous six-year-olds and above will certainly be able to manage it.

Super-fit grannies will be ok, but if you decide not to risk it, leave them at home with a nice box-set.

The hike starts just inside Sai Kung Country Park. You can leave the car in the car park at the gates or catch a minibus or taxi from Sai Kung town. Walk through the Country Park barrier, carry on for 500m along the road and take the first left turning, onto Pak Tam Road. After 250m you will see the beginning of a hiking trail - there is an information board, map and a sign-post saying Tsak Yue Wu. The trail is on your left.

Follow this path for a few short minutes until it splits. You will need to take the righthand fork, heading for Yung Shue O and Pak Tam. Continue along this concrete path

Tara and Foxy Loxy hit the trails

Relaxing at the summit

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big day out

Foxy Loxy enjoys the view

Pack a picnic •

Leftover turkey sandwiches

•

Mince pies

• Christmas cake •

Recycled water bottles

Don’t forget: • Cap • Sunglasses •

Hiking pole (if you have one)

•

The dog

until you reach the village of Pak Tam itself.

It’s a funny little place with well-managed allotments, a plethora of dogs (behind fences, don’t worry!) and cheerful rehabilitation inmates working on the crops. You’ll need to wheedle your way through the village, following signs to Yung Shue O the whole time.

Once out the other side, the path starts to incline and the concrete - thankfully disappears. At this point you are still heading towards Yung Shue O. You are now on a lovely wooded trail called the Yung Pak Corridor, with a few steps and boulders to tackle, which takes you all the way to Maclehose Stage 3. The distance for this section is about 1.5km and you will elevate about 200m. At the top of this ‘corridor’ there is a large crossroads with paths and signs heading off in all different directions.

Stop here for a snack and some water; the climb is nearly over. Now take the trail leading up to your left - this is the Maclehose Stage 3.

The path is probably at its steepest and most challenging here, however, you’ll only be on it

for 500m before it levels out. At this point you will see a small clearing, a triangular marker stone on the ground and a small trail heading up (almost behind you) to the left.

This path is slightly overgrown but easy to battle through (wear long trousers) and you can follow the brightly coloured ribbons hanging in the trees for 500m all the way to our end point.

You will know when you’ve reached the end as you will suddenly pop out and think you’ve arrived on the film set for The Sound of Music. Grassy fields and undulating hills present themselves before you and on a clear day, the views are breathtaking.

Having now completed a hearty 4.5km, it’s time to pat yourself on the back, unpack the picnic and watch the kids run around. Do bring a picnic blanket or similar as Hong Kong grass isn’t renowned for its putting green-like qualities - it can be a bit spikey in places!

When you’re rested, the route back is the same way that you came - maybe challenge the kids to remember the way.

Tara Smyth runs photography company Nitty Gritty Images.

For details, visit facebook.com/NittyGrittyImages

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travel

Sunshine and smiles

Swaying palms at the Outrigger Resort, Fiji

Marianne Rogerson discovers a warm welcome in Fiji

“

Bula! Bula! Bula!” This friendly greeting accompanied by a warm Fijian smile follows you wherever you go in Fiji.

This is my first time here; until now the closest I have come to the Pacific Island nation is sitting behind the blue-wigged supporters at the Hong Kong 7s. The exuberance and friendly demeanour of the North Stand fans is fully representative of the Fijian people as a whole, and the warm welcome and smiley faces remain my overwhelming memory of my trip.

My first glimpse of Fiji is the 90-minute drive to the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, which is located on the Coral Coast, an 80-kilometre stretch of beach on Viti Levu, the largest of Fiji’s 333 islands. We pass by sugar plantations, swathes of palm trees, piles of mangoes in the makeshift street side market stalls and rural villages with smiling, waving children.

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Floating around at Castaway Island

travel While the infrastructure and facilities of the Outrigger Fiji are reminiscent of many an Asian beach resort we have visited over the years, the feel is distinctly Fijian. Designed to resemble a local village, 47 of the 250 rooms here are individual ‘bures’ (villas) that are linked by meandering walkways that snake through the tropical gardens.

If you’re a family that can’t sit still on a beach holiday, then the Outrigger is ideal.

There is always something happening here, from guided reef walks and sarong painting to tennis tournaments, cocktail making, golf competitions, basketball shoot-outs and more.

The kids club has its own comprehensive programme of activities both during the day and evening, leaving parents free time to hang out in the adults-only areas, which include a tranquil swimming pool with swim-up bar, the hilltop Kalokalo bar and the heavenly Bebe spa.

Another highlight here is the food, which totally surpasses expectations. With the resort boasting Fiji’s Chef of the Year and Pastry Chef of the Year, you know you are not going to go hungry. Particular highlights include nibbling on seared scallops as the sun sinks into the ocean at Sundowner Bar & Grill, and a kokoda (raw fish salad) prepared tableside at the adults-only Ivi restaurant, recipient of the ‘Best Visitor Dining Experience’ prize at the 2017 Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards.

Time to relax on Castaway Island

The family pool at Outrigger Resort

Time for a sundowner at Outrigger

All too soon our time at Outrigger Fiji is up.

However, any disappointment we feel is soon alleviated by our arrival at our next destination, Castaway Island. Located in Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands, a 90-minute boat ride from the mainland, Castaway Island is the idyllic Fijian beach holiday you have dreamed of. Crystal clear turquoise water, white powdery sand, swaying palm trees… Castaway Island has it all.

With just 64 bures, Castaway Island has an intimate and exclusive air to it, while maintaining a rustic and laid back ambience. Barefoot luxury is the name of the game here, with shoes entirely optional at dinner and despite 90% occupancy during our visit, it is never hard to find a secluded spot from which to gaze at the ocean.

During our stay we help plant Coral as part of the Outrigger reef conservation program OZONE, and visit Modriki Island, location for the Tom Hanks movie Castaway for a picnic lunch.

Castaway Island is also just a short boat ride away from famous floating bar and restaurant Cloud 9.

The kids club is not much to look at, but that is almost the point. Kids aren’t expected to hang out here for long; they will be far too busy hunting for coconuts or crabs, making shell necklaces on the beach or learning a traditional

Sunset at Castaway Island

Fijian dance. Additionally, the PADI dive centre offers dive courses for children aged 10 and up.

Once again, evening activities keep the kids entertained while mum and dad can dine barefoot on the sand at 1808, the resort’s award-winning Fijian fusion restaurant, or prop up the bar, which stays open until the last person leaves. You can always find a secluded sun lounger to sleep on the next day. outrigger.com, castawayfiji.com Cathay Pacific flies four times a week between Hong Kong and Nadi, Fiji. cathaypacific.com

Fun with the kids Fiji-style Ecotrax Fiji EcoTrax Fiji is the most unique and fun way to take in the Fijian countryside. Cycling along a disused sugar plantation railway on redesigned electric bikes, you get to take in the beautiful Fijian scenery at leisure, traveling past local villages and high fiving the little kids who run along and shout “Bula!” to you. The track ends at the stunning Vinibua beach, where you have an hour to hang out on a deserted sandy cove, expat-parent.com 51

at this wildlife park, and admire a wide range of native Fiji birds in the aviary. But there’s much more fun to be had than that. There’s also Fiji’s only ziprail to whizz down, a fun water play splash pad and a super cool 100m water slide that cascades down through the rainforest.

Entrance tickets include unlimited rides. fijiwild.com Cycle fun at Ecotrax

swim in the warm ocean and sip on a fresh coconut before cycling back to base. ecotrax.com.fj

Kula Wild Adventure Park Located right next door to the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, kids can hold an iguana or snake

Sigatoka River Safari Possibly the most thrilling way to see the Fiji countryside, this adventure combines the excitement of a jet boat ride up the river, with a visit to a local village. Here you can try out some local cuisine, get involved with a kava ceremony, join in with some traditional dancing and learn about the local way of life. sigatokariver.com

Modriki Island

travel

Made famous by its starring role in the Tom Hanks movie Castaway, an afternoon on Modriki Island is the ultimate Robinson Crusoe experience. Except maybe not, as if you organize a picnic lunch here through Castaway Island, the package includes a sumptuous bento box lunch and champagne. But you will have the island practically to yourselves and can amuse yourselves with snorkeling, frolicking on the beach and taking fun photos with the “HELP ME” sign laid out in coconuts.

Community Tourism Outrigger does a huge amount to help the local Fijian community and if you stay at one of their resorts you can sign up to their community tourism programme. A recent project has included helping to build new facilities at a local village school. This is a fantastic opportunity to not only meet the wonderful local Fijian people, but also an important way in which you and your family can give back to the local community.

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marketplace

marketplace

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

marketplace

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

expat-parent.com 55

flailing spouse

Snow fun On the piste with mum (and some of) the kids

A

nd so it was decided that we would take the family skiing this winter.

Well, I say “we decided”, but to be honest my downtrodden husband didn’t really get much of a say. I acquired a week in a ski chalet in Niseko via a charity auction at a rugby ball back in the summer.

Obviously my bid was carefully considered and had nothing to do with the copious quantities of free-flow Dom Perignon being served at the time.

In fact, it was a bid so carefully considered that I made the very generous winning bid even though the Teen Child will be unable to join us because the dates fall right when she’s attempting her IGCSE mock exams.

Ok, so not my finest mothering moment, but I did offer to head into her school and see if I could get a few exams moved around for her. There then ensued an Absolutely Fabulous-worthy scene whereby she assured me that her exams were very important and I assured her that I could “sort it”. And then she got quite cross.

“Oh my god, mum! I DO NOT WANT TO GO SKIING! I WANT TO SIT MY EXAMS!” So it will be just the five of us flying to Sapporo next week.

To be honest it’s taken most of the summer and quite a lot of the autumn to prepare for the trip, which is probably why we’ve never hit the slopes before now.

I spent a lot of August, September and October quizzing other mums about snow gear and what the latest trends were, the merits of mittens over gloves and which were the best restaurants to book up. And then I forgot to follow up on any of it.

So November and December were a frazzled frenzy of racing to Decathlon and Stanley Market, mixed with frantic Christmas present buying and entertaining visiting relatives. All in all, I’m quite looking forward to hitting Hirafu village for a bit of a rest.

The sheer quantity of gear required has been quite mind-blowing. I spent my student years happily ‘chasse neige-ing’ my way down green slopes in the Alpine sunshine with my French boyfriend. And when it all got a bit tiring we used to head off to the bar at the bottom of the gondola for some apres

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and jackets and a rather nice faux fur Spyder jacket and pants (by the end of December research for my personal wardrobe was all coming good and I was deep into online skishop territory).

But what I’m really worried about are the ski-related injuries. My family does not have a good track record with A&E

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

She lives in Hong Kong. ski. By mid-afternoon it was usually warm enough for tee-shirts and sunnies.

Japan, it transpires, is slightly more hardcore. Blizzards and white-outs have cropped up in conversation. Somebody else mentioned ‘thermals’, so of course I headed straight to Marks & Spencer where they were selling kids’ long-johns and legging multipacks in a handy two-for-one deal.

“Ah yes, M&S, that world-renowned ski retailer,” says my husband sarcastically when I proudly showed him my haul. “I think they need to be proper ski thermals,” he adds unhelpfully.

“What are you talking about, proper thermals?” I retort. “M&S is VERY wellreputed for its thermal underwear!”

Anyway, the case is now full - fifteen sets of M&S thermal vests, a variety of Uniqlo tee-shirts, four pairs of Decathlon ski pants

But what I’m really worried about are the potential ski-related injuries. As a family, we don’t have a great track-record. Since arriving in Hong Kong we have notched up one broken wrist (the Tween Child falling off the school monkey bars); a broken collar bone (the Boy Child falling off the trampoline); two fractured wrists (the Tween Child tripping on the school steps and the Blonde Child also tripping on the school steps, but not at the same time); a broken arm (my husband playing soccer); and a broken front tooth (the Boy Child in a junkrelated incident involving a bottle of bubble mixture and a rough tide heading back from the Rainbow one afternoon). We’ve even managed a broken arm surfing at Millionaire’s Bay - I know, if any family was going to end up with a broken limb surfing off Hong Kong’s calmest beach, it was us.

And not to mention the Teen Child holding the dubious honour of being Ryze Hong Kong’s first ever broken bone incident when the trampoline park first opened a few years back. In a word, the odds for making it to Niseko and back without a trip to Kutchan Kosei hospital are slim - but I’m ever hopeful.

But whatever happens, it will be a holiday to remember. And if the skiing really does defeat us, there are always the onsens and a nice bottle of Dom Perignon. After all, it’s what got us there in the first place.

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