Mid-levels October 2019

FAMILY | EDUCATION | TRAVEL | HALLOWEEN

Mid-levels magazine

hongkongliving.com

October 2019

get outta town

autu campmn for h s alf -term

luxury staycation guide

Sherie Kong

Hong Kong’s first female jockey

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Mid-levels magazine

The really useful magazine October 2019

2 CONTRIBUTORS

What’s in store for you this month? Only the stars can tell

4 SNAPPED!

43 WHAT’S UP, DOC? ENT Specialist Dr SK Ng discusses salivary

Life around Mid-levels

6 WHAT’S ON

gland issues

What’s happening in October

12 NEWS

42 HOROSCOPES

Meet our team

44 PETS

Truly local news

Dr Pauline answers your pet questions.

Plus walkies

14 MUST HAVES THIS MONTH

48 ZIM CITY

Cooler evenings call for an outdoor overhaul

17 LOCAL

Paul Zimmerman on why we must improve pedestrian crossings

Circus Tram, a new social club

38

19 FIVE MINUTES WITH...

14

Letao the Kingdom Healer

20 COVER STORY

Meet Hong Kong’s first female jockey, Sherie Kong

22 NEIGHBOURHOOD GUIDE

Your guide to Tsim Sha Tsui

26

25 PROPERTY

Apartment-hunting tips for newcomers

26 DINING

22

20

Dining with a serial killer. Plus nibbles

30 HEALTH & WELLNESS

New beauty treatments to try around Central

33 EDUCATION

Autumn camps for October half-term

36 BIG DAY OUT

33

Rory Mackay walks on the wild side

38 TRAVEL

Stylish autumn staycations

“AUTUMN IS A SECOND SPRING WHEN EVERY LEAF IS A FLOWER.” - ALBERT CAMUS

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editor’s letter

W

Mid-levels

ith breezy days over the past few weeks and humidity levels down to around 40%, autumn is well under way.

And the winds blow many good things our way this year. Last month saw the start of racing season. We celebrate with Sherie Kong, Hong Kong’s first female jockey on the cover. Read about how she broke though in a male-dominated industry on page 20.

Secret Theatre has also arrived at Tai Kwun, I apprehensively checked out the preview late last month. After a delicious Thai meal at Aharn, we headed down to the old prison cells to meet the suspect and assess the murder scene before deciding on a verdict. What happened next still sends shivers down my spine. I absolutely recommend this latest show by Richard Crawford. Read our interview on page 26.

There are also some fantastic staycation deals in town at the moment. Fancy a weekend at The Peninsula or The Upper House, which turns 10 this year. Page 38 has all the details.

Have a great October and see you in November when no doubt we’ll be revving it up for Christmas festivities which are just around the corner!

magazine

Editorial Managing Editor Gemma Shaw, gemma@hongkongliving.com Contributing Editor Nicole Slater, nicole@hongkongliving.com Editorial Assistant Nicole Cooley, ncooley@hongkongliving.com Charmaine Ng, charmaineng@hongkongliving.com

Design Graphic Designer Alvin Cheng, alvin@hongkongliving.com Jeramy Lee, jeramy@hongkongliving.com

Sales & Marketing Director of Content Hilda Chan, hilda@hongkongliving.com Senior Partnership Manager Isamonia Chui, isamonia@hongkongliving.com Partnership Manager Mathew Cheung, mathew@hongkongliving.com Elaine Li, elaine@hongkongliving.com

Operations Management Trainee Isaac Ip, isaac@hongkongliving.com

Digital Digital Editor Apple Lee, apple@hongkongliving.com

Publisher Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com

contributors

Thanks to Kimberley Chan, Paul Zimmerman, Denis Leung, Dr Pauline, Rory Mackay

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

Nicole Cooley

Paul Zimmerman

Moved to Hong Kong from Darjeeling when she was just two months old, she loves asking questions. This month she sat down with our cover star, professional jockey Sherie Kong.

Read the interview on page 20.

Our Editorial Assistant lived in Mainland China before moving to Hong Kong last year. She loves exploring the city with her husband and two-yearold daughter. This month she hopped aboard the Circus Tram.

Read all about it on page 17.

Dutch-born Paul is a Hong Kong environmentalist, our Southern District Council and CEO of Designing Hong Kong. This month he outlines why more must be done to protect our pedestrians on page 48.

Want to write for Mid-levels Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com 2 | hongkongliving.com

HONG KONG hongkongliving.com

Mid-levels Magazine 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. Mid-levels Magazine cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

Credit: Vincent Chen Photography

Yasmin Hingun

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

people Mid-levels snaps

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say cheese

Pirates Ahoy! Summer Kids Carnival

We’re on Facebook

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planner

OCT 5 & 6

Hebe Haven Yacht Club 24 Hour Charity Dinghy Race The annual race is back for its 16th year, with sailors of all ages taking part in the only 24 hour endurance aquathon in South East Asia for charity. Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Hiram's Highway, Pak Sha Wan. hebehaven24hour.com

UNTIL OCT 31

artists. Admission times vary. $270.

Conrad Hotel, Pacific Place, Admiralty. asiacontemporaryart.com

Ocean Park Halloween Fest Visit Ocean Park this Halloween for haunted houses, ghost invasions and immersive frightful fun! Dates vary, 5pm. From $498.

Ocean Park, Wong Chuk Hang. oceanpark. com.hk

OCT 5

Au Soleil Summer Pool Party Celebrate the very best of Hong Kong in a beautiful outdoor pool with chilled drinks in hand. 2-8pm. From $400. Le Meridien Cyberport, 100 Cyberport Road, Telegraph Bay. ticketflap.com celebrations. Daily from 10.30am. From $639. Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau. hongkongdisneyland.com

OCT 1

National Day A public holiday. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

UNTIL OCT 31

OCT 4-7

All your favourite villains return to Disney as part of their spook-tastic Halloween

More than 1,500 pieces of modern art from the world’s most dynamic and promising

Disney Halloween Time

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Asia Contemporary Art Show

happening in October OCT 17

Sports for Women and Girls: The Untapped Commercial Opportunity A panel discussion exploring the growing business case for investing in sports for women and girls. 6.30-9pm. Free. KPMG, 8th Floor, Prince's Building, 10 Chater Road, Central. eventbrite.hk

OCT 5

Jazz on the Beach

OCT 19

Listen to international jazz performances on the beach. 2-11pm. From $120. Treasure Island Beach Club, Pui O Beach, Lantau Island. jazzonthebeach.com

TOTEM RUN 2019

OCT 19-20

Ideal for running enthusiasts of every ability, with the option to complete either the gruelling 57km Lion Tribe course or the (slightly) easier 16km Monkey Tribe route.

8-2.30am. $850. Race begins at Pak Tam Chung. totemrun.runourcity.org

Debuting the first ever two-day hip hop festival in Hong Kong! 2pm. Prices TBC. Art Park, West Kowloon. livenationelectronic.asia

Rolling Loud Hong Kong 2019

OCT 7-12

Autumn Adventure Camps A week of kayaking, gorging, raft building, hiking and more around Pui O Beach on Lantau. Times vary, see website for prices.

Treasure Island, Pui O Beach, Lantau Island. treasureislandhk.com

OCT 19

OCT 10

Get a sense of what it’s like to join the Mighty Oaks family! 9.30am-1pm. Free. Mighty Oaks Nursery & Kindergarten, 1/F, Lungga Mansion, 46A Belcher’s Street, Kennedy Town. mightyoaks.edu.hk

Get a head start on your Christmas shopping at this bazaar featuring over 50 stalls.

9.30am-5.30pm. $10. The Helena May, 35 Garden Road, Central. helenamay.com

Angels For Children Trivia Night The First Angels Charity Trivia Night at the new Rula Live in LKF. Enjoy happy hour prices and exciting prizes. Quiz starts at 7pm. $150 per person, $1,000 for teams of eight.

Rula Live, G/F, Grand Progress Building, 58-62 D'Aguilar Street, Central. angels-forchildren.org

Swan Lake

Enjoy the long weekend!

Charity Bazaar

OCT 22

OCT 25-27

OCT 7

Double Ninth Festival

Prepare for some 90s nostalgia and head back to Macau to catch the Backstreet Boys on the road for their largest world tour in 18 years. 8pm. From $688. Cotai Arena, The Venetian, Macau. venetianmacao.com

Mighty Oaks Open Day

The Hong Kong Ballet returns with the most romantic and celebrated classical ballet of all time, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. 2.30pm and 7.30pm. From $180.

Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui. hkballet.com Credit: Dancer: Wang Qingxin | Creative: Design Army | Photography: Dean Alexander | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet)

OCT 5-6

Backstreet Boys DNA World Tour

OCT 13

Shawn Mendes: The Tour 2019 Jump across to Macau for an unforgettable show by Grammy-nominated Canadian star Shawn Mendes. 7pm. From $480.

Cotai Arena, The Venetian, Macau. venetianmacao.com

OCT 26

WildAid Under the SEA Cocktail party Join WildAid for their first cocktail fundraiser

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planner

OC 26-2T7

in Hong Kong. Enjoy free flow drinks, canapés and live entertainment. 6.15pm-10pm. From $880. Loft 22, 22/F, California Tower, 30-32 D'Aguilar Street, Central. underthesea_ wildaidhk.eventbrite.hk

OCT 26

HK50 Trail Run & Hike

Photo Credit © Absolt

A great introductory run of 24km or 50km from The Peak to Wong Nai Chung Gap, part of the HK50 series. 7am. From $540 for 24km and from $790 for 50km. Peak Galleria, The Peak. actionasiaevents.com

Shi Fu Miz Festival The two-day music and art project at Cheng Chau from Hong Kong creative agency, FuFu is back! 1pm. Day pass from $480 and two-day pass from $680, excluding camping. Sai Yuen Farm, Cheung Chau Island. shifumiz.com

pink and bring a reusable bottle! 8.15am-1pm.

From $350. Peak Road Garden, The Peak. hkbcf.org

OCT 27

New World Harbour Race

OCT 26-27

Stan Group Hong Kong Beach Festival A fun, family-friendly beach carnival with events including International Beach Water Polo Tournament, Sandcastle Fun Day and booth games. 10am-6pm. Free. Repulse Bay Beach. openwaterasia.com

OCT 27

Pink Walk for Breast Health Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation is hosting a fundraising walk on the Peak to support International Breast Cancer Awareness month. Don’t forget to dress in

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Show your support as 10 representatives from Outward Bound Hong Kong swim across the harbour in this year’s New World Harbour Race. Funds raised will support the work at Outward Bound. 8am. Wan Chai Golden Bauhinia Square Public Pier. outwardbound.org.hk

OCT 30

AWA's Halloween Pub Quiz A spooktacular night raising money for people in need. Tickets include a welcome drink and nibbles. 7-10pm. $500. Little

Creatures, 5A New Praya Kennedy Town, Kennedy Town. awa.org.hk

OCT 31-NOV 1

International Gala of Stars Featuring acclaimed artists from our very own Hong Kong Ballet, this stunning showcase is guaranteed not to disappoint. 7.30pm. From $280. Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui. hkballet.com

OCT 31-NOV 3

Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival Calling all food and wine lovers, the 11th edition of Hong Kong’s premier gastronomic festival promises to be its best yet! Times vary. $30. Central Harbourfront, Central. hkwdf.discoverhongkong.com

hongkongliving.com | 9

book now

BOOK NOW

Got an event? We can publish the details. Email editorial@hongkongliving.com

NOV 1-2

that ends in a 5km or 10km for women only.

8am. From $390. Tai Tam Country Park, Tai Tam. womensfive.com

Paul Ogata Returns Paul Ogata is back in Hong Kong with his edgy, often-improvised and always-hilarious show! Friday 9pm and Saturday 8pm. From $388. Take Out Comedy, 34 Elgin Street, Soho and Cyberport 3, 100 Cyberport Road. ticketflap.com Races range from 19km to child-friendly distances of 1.5km. Tai Tam Country Park. runhk.org

NOV 9

Women’s Five A journey of fitness, health and inspiration

NOV 10

OneSky Charity Hike

NOV 9

RUN Charity Race A unique charity race in Hong Kong supporting vulnerable refugees in the city.

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OneSky’s 9th annual charity hike includes distances of 3.8km to 10.5km with proceeds used to help vulnerable children in Asia.

10.30am. Individual participation fee from $480 plus minimum fundraising amount.

Routes vary along the Maclehose Trail. onesky.org/charity-hike-2019

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news

Lush goes naked Pioneers of the fizzing bath ball and solid shampoo bars, Lush opened their first plasticfree packaging shop in Asia this September.

The new Naked shop pushes boundaries with innovative naked products and plastic packaging-free alternatives including brand new self-preserving vegan products exclusive to the Hong Kong store. The need for labels has also been reduced with the Lush Labs app which recognises individual products and displays information accordingly. “At a time when most people in Hong Kong have so much on their minds, we are delighted to invest in the city in an effort to relieve them of a little part of the worry caused by ocean plastics,” says Mark Constantine OBE, Lush Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lush.

Lush Naked Shop, Great George Street, Causeway Bay. hk.lush.com

Dolphins on the decline In mid-September, the official count of Chinese White Dolphins, known for their pink colour, around Tai O was taken by the Hong Kong Dolphinwatch. Only 32 dolphins were spotted, a 50 percent drop from five years ago due to the threat of overfishing, water traffic, land reclamation, the construction of the Zhuhai Bridge, sewage and chemical pollution. Hong Kong Dolphinwatch aims to raise awareness

of the plight of these dolphins and protect them via tours which generate revenue used towards research and eco-tourism. However, with reduced numbers in tourism, tours have been affected which in turn affects the support given to the dolphins. Tours are $370 per adult and run on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. hkdolphinwatch.com

Breakfast at Tiffany’s Beauty boost in Jordan September saw the opening of Tiffany & Co.’s largest flagship store in Asia at One Peking Road, while mid-October will see the soft opening of their infamous The Tiffany Blue Box Cafe. The cafe will be their second in the world, bringing a slice of the original New York venue to Asia for the first time. Guests will be able to make reservations through an online platform to experience the all-encompassing sensory experience of afternoon tea on crockery and utensils created by the famed jewellery house.

One Peking, No.1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. tiffany.com

Popular beauty clinic, Jolie Beaute & Aesthetic Centre has recently embarked on a new venture with the opening of Jolie Beaute & Aesthetic Centre, a state-of-the-art centre located directly opposite Jordan MTR, Exit A. The centre offers a range of medical cosmetic treatments including botox, fillers, laser treatments and chemical peels. Positioning themselves in a unique place

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in the market, the group offers affordable pricing while maintaining a high quality of products and services for their guests with European and USA imported products and equipment. 1209,12/F Champion Building, 301-309 Nathan Road, Kowloon. Facebook: Dr Jolie Beaute And Aesthetic Centre

in your backyard

K11’s nature discovery Newly opened K11 MUSEA presents Hong Kong’s first urban biodiversity museum and sustainability-themed education park, Nature Discovery Park. Inspired by Adrian Cheng, Founder of the K11 Group, the park aims to raise awareness of Hong Kong’s rich biodiversity through workshops, tours and urban farming experiences, echoing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Families can learn more about adopting eco-friendly

Southside gets spooky everyday habits, whilst wandering amongst tropical and native plants, an aquarium and butterflies. “At Nature Discovery Park, we want to encourage you to get closer to nature and “reconnect with what matters”, explains Ellie Tang, General Manager of Sustainability at K11 Concepts Limited and Head of Sustainability at New World Development Company Limited. k11musea.com

The most spooktacular time of the year has come around again, with Ocean Park hosting their annual Halloween Fest from now until November 3. The theme park will be taken over by ghosts with six haunted zones and houses and a limited edition range of themed menu items. For guests not looking for such a fright, Ocean Park has paired up with LINE FRIENDS for a halloween candy adventure.

The Halloween fest will take place on October 4, 11, 18-20, 24-27 and 31, between 5pm until 10.30pm. oceanpark.com.hk

Trailing on Last month, Kong Sin Wan village trail in Pok Fu Lam was finally reopened for public use.

The path runs from Victoria Road, close to the Sassoon Road roundabout, ending at Kong Sin Wan Road near The ISF Academy. Over the past decade, it had fallen into disrepair making it inaccessible to locals. Requests to repair the path by long-time residents were originally put to Southern District Councillor, Paul Zimmerman, back in 2010 with proposals for the works submitted in March 2011. However, due to bureaucratic hurdles, the works did not begin until March this year. Thankfully they were completed relatively quickly and the path is now open for all to enjoy.

Pinkies up at Fortnum’s In early November, luxury British brand Fortnum & Mason will open their doors at K11 MUSEA. The 7,000 square foot space consists of a shop, dining room and bar offering sweeping views of the harbour. The shop will feature Fortnum’s most iconic products, from tea and biscuits to Champagne and hampers, whilst diners can enjoy lunch, dinner and Fortnum’s famous afternoon tea, which replicates the menu of the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon in Fortnum’s Piccadilly. “For centuries, Fortnum’s has thrived on delivering a sense of pleasure for our customers and we are delighted to share that with a new audience in Hong Kong,” says Ewan Venters, CEO of Fortnum & Mason. fortnumandmason.com

Happy 10 years Sai Kung Magazine!

Mid-levels’ sister magazine turns 10 this month! Publisher Tom Hilditch founded Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay magazine in October 2009. Since then, the company has grown and Hong Kong Living has released three further monthly publications; Southside & The Peak in 2011, Expat Parent in 2014 and Mid-levels Magazine in 2016, as well as many annual guides and digital products including

hongkongliving.com and hongkongdining.com.

Managing Editor, Gemma Shaw is delighted to be with the company as they celebrate this milestone. “Each month we aim to create products that are useful, informative and above all, celebrate our readers and the fantastic things they are doing in Hong Kong. We’re so grateful for our readers and we’re excited to see where the next 10 years takes us!”

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must haves this month

Spruce up your outdoor space this autumn

Gold Dusk Floral Trinket Tray $1,790 from Indigo Living indigo-living.com

The Aurora Lightweight & Elegant Cantilever Umbrella $16,500 from Patiomart patiomart.co

Line Rope Lantern rom $790 from Tequila Kola F tequilakola.com

Bastille 2,080 from MyConcept $ myconcept.com.hk

Marshall TUFTON Bluetooth Speaker $3,479 from Fortress fortress.com.hk

Chair Spaghetti Nature 3,280 from Tequila Kola $ tequilakola.com

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ADELAIDE table (for in and outdoor use) $14,490 from BoConcept boconcept.com

cozy nights

Napoleon 425 3-Burner Gas BBQ 8,360 from Everything Under The Sun $ everythingunderthesun.com.hk

Extremis Hopper Picnic with Shade 126,238 from Everything Under The Sun $ everythingunderthesun.com.hk

Misting Fan on Wheels $5,490 from C'ESTKOOL cestkool.com

ROME Sunlounger 13,590 from BoConcept $ boconcept.com

Forest Glen Insects Cushion Cover $399 from Indigo Living indigo-living.com

PURO Lacquered Carved Wood Bar 12,980 from Tequila Kola $ tequilakola.com

Cane-line Peacock Daybed with Classic Parasol 66,371 from Everything Under The Sun $ everythingunderthesun.com.hk

Tribal Zen Dragon Egg Crystal Ornament $990 from Indigo Living indigo-living.com

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local

A social club on the move

Nicole Cooley takes in Hong Kong culture whilst going for a spin on Circus Tram

C

ircus Tram is the first-of-its-kind mobile social club, where members pay an annual fee and purchase pre-paid credits to be used towards food and cultural programmes. Members can use individual cabins or the entire tram to host up to 30 guests at one time.

The tram contains three unique cabins.

Chatham’s House is a room of classic British charm. Upstairs, Darwin’s Garden invokes an urban greenhouse with furniture created by local wood-rescue artisans. The Freudians sits towards the front of the tram and an open-air balcony offers unobstructed views

of the city. Novel facilities for a tram, include air-conditioning and a washroom.

Typically the cabins are used for business meetings, roving dining experiences, media sessions, educational tours, cultural programmes and even as a non-profit mobile classroom. This month, Circus Tram celebrates its one-year anniversary with a cultural programme which focuses on the theme, Tomorrow’s History. Those involved include a Martial Art connoisseur, a Cantonese opera singer, a stamp carver and an art critic.

The two-and-a-half-hour route typically starts and ends at the Western Market Terminus in Sheung Wan, passing through Central to complete the Happy Valley loop. Members can choose departure times of 11am, 2.30pm, 7pm or 9.30pm, or alternatively request use of the tram for longer periods.

Assigned as tram #18 in the Hong Kong Tramways’ fleet, Circus Tram was in fact constructed using older trams from the

fleet. The old wooden frame was taken from abandoned tram #48 and restored with 70 percent new superstructure, whilst the base was restored from old tram #68. The clever design uses a transparent facade to protect the wooden frame.

Circus Tram was built by a local team of young emerging talent and seasoned veterans, in collaboration with Hong Kong Tramways and Circus Ltd. Twice a month, Circus Tram runs an open house for non-members to experience the tram. For more details on Circus Tram, visit circustram.com

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five minutes with

Five minutes with

Letao the Kingdom Healer Nicole Slater talks with the spiritual counsellor and astrologer at The Healing Kingdom The first time I did a reading was while studying for my masters degree in Sydney. I came across a mysterious shop, I was curious. Inside I met a reader who eventually became my mentor.

It’s 70 percent solid knowledge and 30 percent intuition. Becoming a spiritual leader takes a lot of studying.

From a young age, the world teaches us not to be spiritual.

This preconceived notion makes it hard for people to give it a go.

Half of the things he said during my first reading were spot on.

The other half didn’t make sense.

However within three months everything came true.

A reading session is a bit like counselling.

There is happiness and success; and there can also be difficulties.

When I notice difficulties I work with my clients to analyse and figure out how they can overcome those challenges.

I went back.

I became a regular client and became more aware of my own spirituality and how a reading could help me. He wasn’t just making it up.

Two major topics people in Hong Kong tend to ask about are relationships and career. For example, they want to know about their career options and how to maintain a healthy relationship.

During one visit he said to me “Letao, I think you have the potential to become a great reader”.

I was conflicted because that was not how my parents or I had ever planned for my future.

Later on I began working in a bank.

It felt so wrong.

I wasn’t inspired or satisfied by my work, I wanted to help and inspire people in need.

Through reading I became able to help people. I felt joy that I’d never felt before, which took me on a life journey to become a professional spiritual counsellor.

Nowadays spiritual reading is still an unfamiliar concept. I believe that as a society we are becoming more open-minded; and I appreciate the love and trust my clients have been giving to me.

A reading can be a positive and life changing experience for you.

I’ve always been intuitive. To be a good reader, you have to be sensitive towards people’s energy.

It’s like learning a foreign language. Some people can pick it up in two years while others just can’t grasp it.

Letao offers spiritual readings at The Healing Kingdom in Tai Hang. For more information or to book a reading visit thehealingkingdom.com

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cover story cover story

Sherie Kong, Hong Kong’s first female jockey talks horses, health and inner strength with Yasmin Hingun

A STAR IN SILKS

T

his month, our city’s beloved Oktoberfest Wednesdays at the Happy Valley Racecourse are back in full swing - but how much do you really know about the stars of the show whom we bet on and watch as they race down the course?

Sherie Kong’s story is a perfect place to start. Aged 17, she became Hong Kong’s first-ever female to don horse-racing silks in 1993, going on to take 11 wins until she retired in 1998. Today she is a public figure, model, horse racing commentator and riding coach, as well as a proud mother of two.

Sherie shares her reflections on racing, independence and riding out the ups and downs of life.

Being a jockey is a unique profession.

How did you first get into riding?

Without riding, I wouldn’t have had the

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chance to get so close to my dad. I never used to see him from Monday to Saturday because of his work. But he started to ride because his doctor said it might treat his thyroid goiter. The day my father asked me if I wanted to join him, I did. After six months, my father was cured, but I continued my lessons. By the age of 15, I was riding three times a week.

You became Hong Kong’s first professional female jockey. How did you break into the sport?

When I was 16, the Hong Kong Jockey Club opened a programme to train up female jockeys. My mum had a big problem with me joining because she wanted me to have a good education. But my grandfather said - “let Sherie do it, she might not pass.” But I knew I would pass. So I trained with the programme for one and a half years. And at 17 I became the first female jockey in Hong

Kong to participate in a race.

What was your first race like?

Throughout my training, the dream was to wear the racing silks, to ride a real race.

I trained so hard and kept going because I wanted to know what it would be like. I made it, and I’ll never forget that first race.

There were flowers everywhere, people were screaming, and when I came out of the jockeys’ room all I saw were the flashing lights of the press. I felt so lucky.

A massive - and really unique - part of being a jockey is how closely you work with the horses. Can you tell us more about that?

All riders have to be connected with their horses. When you ride on a horse, you both become one; your horse will know when you are nervous, or when you’re feeling tough.

The challenge is when some horses have

hiking season the race is on

Have you ever felt in danger while racing?

During one race, my horse clipped the horse in front, stumbled, and brought me down.

I lost balance - one leg was gone from the stirrup, but the other was still hanging on. I was under the horse, stuck to it, and I could see its heels coming down above me. I had to release my leg - I did it and managed to roll away. I was lucky. Falling to the left or to the right can mean the difference between life or death. But two days after that, I was back on the horse. When something like that happens you need to get it out of your mind.

You need to come back fast. Wait too long and you’ll be scared forever.

You retired from racing in 1998 due to an illness that put you on steroid medication.

How did you handle that?

I had to lie low for a while. I started medical treatment. I tried to have a baby with my

then-husband but I couldn’t have one. I got depressed. Then I became a racing commentator and I had to bring myself back. I tried to forget about being sick, even though I was still taking medication. Life has ups and downs. From becoming a jockey and getting married, to getting sick and seeing my father go through a business problem; not being able to give birth, then, after three years and nine operations, finally succeeding; getting divorced, then marrying my now husband Jerome Lacorte in 2017. When I feel down, I remind myself that there are always better days and new experiences to come.

And when you think good thoughts, good things will come, good people will come.

What are your upcoming goals?

I am helping my husband with his new business in wellness. Recently, with his partner, they launched a new cardiovascular screening technology in Hong Kong. Used

by NASA for many years to monitor the astronaut’s health, this device is endowed with artificial intelligence and screens your cardiovascular system health in less than 10 minutes, painlessly. Last May, they opened Cardiax Lab in Lan Kwai Fong. They provide cardiovascular screenings with the goal to raise people’s awareness of their heart

health. They also built partnerships with cardiologists to help hypertension patients.

I am very supportive of all this and wish it benefits people’s wellness.

As a female pioneer, what words of advice do you have for other women in any industry?

When I got divorced in 2016, I realised that women need to be independent if they have the chance. Maybe you tell me, “I know nothing, or my kids have all grown up and I feel so useless.” Never lock yourself in like that. Life always gives you an option. Even if you’re a housewife you can do something.

I have some friends, maybe they didn’t get the best education. But one is a great artist.

Another friend used her attention to detail to start a cleaning company and it’s become really successful. Even just managing a family so well is a real skill you can use.

Remember, there’s always something you can do.

If you would like to contact Sherie for speaking, events or more please visit her Facebook page @KongPikWai. To learn more about Cardiax Lab, please visit cardiaxlab. com/mobile

credit: Vincent Chen Photography

strong characters. But you can’t fight with them - they’re 10 times our weight. And you need the guts to do this job. Horses can go at 70 km per hour. These animals fly. If you know a jockey they’ll break their collarbones, legs, arms, fingers, noses. To me, the danger is what makes racing exciting. Luckily I’ve never broken any bones!

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neighbourhood guide

Your guide to

Tsim Sha Tsui Nicole Slater hops aboard the Star Ferry for a day out in southern Kowloon

C

ommonly referred to as TST, this neighbourhood is one of the busiest in Hong Kong. With neon lights, heavy traffic, luxury shops and a huge selection of dining opportunities, you’ll never run out of things to do. Nicole Slater puts together a handy guide to navigate this iconic area next time you take a trip across the water.

W H E R E T O E AT The Delhi Club Don’t be afraid of stepping into Chungking

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tsim sha tsui serves a traditional afternoon tea with raisin scones, finger sandwiches, savoury pastries and delicate cakes on a three-tier silver platter with your selection of house blend tea. Arrive early to avoid queuing. G/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road. peninsula.com

Aqua Wow your guests with a lavish dinner on the top level of One Peking and prepare to be dazzled by the stunning, uninterrupted night scene of Victoria Harbour through the ceilingto-floor glass windows. Aqua serves both Italian and Japanese food so there’s something

Kowloon street eats Virginia Chan, founder of Humid with a Chance of Fishballs Tours shares her favourite local street food around Kowloon.

Fish Balls How could I not include the quintessential Hong Kong street food? Hong Kong was originally a fishing village and the little bits and bobs of the fish left behind were mixed with flour to make a fish paste. From there, fish balls were made, cooked with curry sauce for maximum flavour, and voila, you’ve got yourself Hong Kong’s history on a stick.

Where to get them: Tung Tat Food Shop 通 達食店, G/F, 172 Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok, 2392 3043 (no English on storefront).

Shumai

Mansions, because you will find the best value authentic Indian fare hidden upstairs. The Delhi Club is a warm and cheerful joint popular with both locals and tourists. Start your feast with freshly baked cheese-stuffed Naan, followed by savoury chicken tikka – sizzling succulent chicken and veggies with a hint of lime juice.

Room 3, 3/F, Block C, Chungking Mansion, 38-44 Nathan Road.

The Lobby at The Peninsula Hong Kong Sitting on the edge of Victoria Harbour, The Lobby of this historic luxury five-star hotel

Shumai (or yellow wrapper dumplings) on the street are fish dumplings versus the pork and shrimp variety you’ll find at dim sum.

The vast majority of shumai you’ll eat is bulk purchased, however there are still a handful of little snack shops worth highlighting as they insist on making their own shumai from scratch.

Where to get them: 呂仔記, Shop A, 121 Shau Kei Wan East Main Street, Shau Kei Wan, 2885 8590 (no English on storefront).

Egg Tarts There are some modern tart shops, such as Queen Sophie, that are pushing the boundaries to create more innovative tarts (hello chestnut and salted duck egg pastry tart); however, I am still very much partial to

traditional bakeries such as Hoover Bakery.

Hoover Bakery is one of Chow Yun Fat’s favourite haunts and has been around since 1975 baking in the tiny kitchen at the back of the shop.

Where to get them: Hoover Cake Shop 豪 華餅店 (no English on storefront), 136 Nga Tsin Wai Road, Kowloon City.

Rice Rolls Rice rolls bring back nostalgic memories of childhood when my mum would make (microwave) them after school to tide me over until dinner time. A traditionalist will turn away the hot sauce, but I’m firmly in the ‘hot sauce goes-with-everything’ camp.

Rice rolls are exactly what the name entails – they’re made from rice and water, and traditionally they’re steamed on top of a cloth and then pulled and rolled.

Where to get them: Hop Yik Tai 合益泰小食, G/F, 121 Kweilin Street, Sham Shui Po, 2720 0239 (no English on storefront).

Egg Waffles Egg puffs, bubble waffle, gai daan jai, egglets or however else you want to call them! They’re basically Hong Kong’s most marketable snack. My favourite waffles are crispy on the outside and chewy and fluffy on the inside. Usually there are a plethora of toppings you get choose from to put inside your egg waffle; however, Master Low-key Food Shop only does two varieties – the original one and a recent addition featuring half duck egg and half chicken egg waffles.

Where to get them: Master Low-key Food Shop, Shop B3, G/F, 76A Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, Shau Kei Wan.

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tsim sha tsui W H AT T O D O Avenue of Stars Designed by landscape architect James Corner, the Avenue of Stars reopened with a new face earlier this year. There are handprints and statues of movie stars, to guide you through the history of Hong Kong’s glamourous movie industry. Don’t forget to watch the iconic light show A Symphony of Lights, every day at 8pm. Waterfront Podium Garden. avenueofstars.com.hk for everyone. Enjoy a fresh sashimi platter, or go for handmade Italian pasta. Request a window seat for a prime view of the harbour.

29 & 30/F, One Peking. aqua.com.hk

Angelini at Kowloon Shangri-La Authentic Italian restaurant, Angelini at the Kowloon Shangri-La offers stunning views of the harbour and has just recently welcomed a new Chef de Cuisine, Andrea Burzio.

The Italian chef has experience working in Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy and his cooking is rooted in the philosophy of food being instrumental in creating relationships.

Book ahead for a delicious Italian feast, must-try dishes include the codfish ravioli and seared tuna. 64 Mody Road. shangri-la.com

Bird watching in Kowloon Park Located in the middle of the city, Kowloon Park is home to more than 100 species of birds, from large crowds of flamingos to swimming swans. Explore the Aviary, where you’ll find multi-coloured parrots and rhinoceros hornbill.

The park provides a morning bird watching tour every Friday at 7.30am. 22 Austin Road. lcsd.gov.hk

is the World Star Water Tour, which offers a scenic ride between Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong Disneyland. Star Ferry Pier. starferry. com.hk

Catch a show at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre The artistic Hong Kong Cultural Centre is a hub of orchestra concerts, European and Chinese Opera, dance and theatre. With top-notch facilities, including a two-tiered auditorium finished with high quality oak and the largest pipe organ in Asia, guests can enjoy a classy night out at the theatre. 10 Salisbury Road. hkculturalcentre.gov.hk

Sail on the Star Ferry Rated one of the ‘places of a lifetime’ by National Geographic, the charming Star Ferry journey is one of the best ways to travel across the harbour. Sail from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon on this iconic boat, which has been serving the city since 1888. Another alternative

Looking to rent? Tips for new arrivals in Hong Kong Finding the right home can be frustrating, especially when you are new to Hong Kong. Bonnie Chan, Associate Director of Residential Services at Colliers International, shares a few tips for newcomers: • Jot down your “must-have” items in terms of ideal spending budget, minimum size, number of bedrooms, facilities, views etc.

• Walk around different neighbourhoods to understand the transportation to work or to school, supermarkets, shops and restaurants nearby.

• Research the areas online. Speak to friends or co-workers who are living or have lived in Hong Kong.

• When conducting home viewings, take photos or videos as you may mix up the apartments after seeing a couple.

Take notes of what you like and what you don’t like about each apartment.

• Always go back to your favourite apartments. Walk through the apartment with your agent and highlight items you may want the landlord to fix or repair.

• Be opened-minded and explore all possible options. You may want

everything but in the end, it’s also about compromising and understanding your priorities.

For more information and further tips on renting in Hong Kong, please visit colliersresidential.hk

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dining

Secret Theatre descends on Tai Kwun this month. Nicole Cooley meets Founder and Artistic Director, Richard Crawford

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he global theatrical production, Secret Theatre has returned to Hong Kong for the fourth time. Beginning in 2008 with a production of Edward Scissorhands set in an abandoned factory in New York, Secret Theatre has travelled the world showing SE7EN Deadly Sins in London and Project Mayhem in Hong Kong. This year’s immersive thriller will be held in Tai Kwun, the former Central Police Station, where interactive art will come to life and the audience will play a part in choosing the outcome. Here, we speak with founder Richard Crawford ahead of the opening night.

What is the background behind Secret Theatre?

I was living in New York as a penniless artist. I found that Broadway was an expensive thing primarily aimed at tourists. If you speak to people who live in New York or London, they don’t always go to the West End shows, they’ll miss a lot because they’re busy working, hustling their life. So we wondered if we could do something a bit underground to market to people who aren’t tourists but want to do something in their city. Of course, New York was a good place to start. Our audience is the people that make up the fabric of the city.

What brings Secret Theatre to Hong Kong?

This is our fourth show in Hong Kong. I wanted to come back and do a show that could be universally enjoyed and comfortable, which the last show wasn’t. There wasn’t a lot of comfort, food options, well zero food options.

We’ve done this show in London and it was a success so when I was here looking for venues

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and Tai Kwun came up, it was fantastic perfect for this show!

Did you encounter any challenges in moving the production from London?

It’s difficult but I designed this show in London to be moved anywhere, as I’ve always done.

Since living in New York I love to travel so I make shows that can be transported. Now I regret it, because I’m old and it’s exhausting!

But I’ve got a big team now in Hong Kong and they’re all really helpful.

Secret Theatre Hong Kong Dates: Runs until November 10 Time: 6pm for pre-dinner; 7.30-9.45pm for show, 9.45pm for post-show dinner Location: Show at a secret location in Tai Kwun & dinner at Aaharn, both located in Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central Tickets: From $788 for early bird, from $1,288 for dinner and show, $1,788 for VIP experience ticket secrettheatres.com

secret theatre Has the show been adapted for a Hong Kong audience?

than food and theatre? In London, we had a restaurant onsite and people would have a sit-down after the show to discuss what had happened. As Hong Kong is a foodie town, it was important to think, can I offer food? I like the idea that the audience can have an amazing dinner before or after the show. We’re also utilising what Tai Kwun has.

All my shows have been set in the city in which they’re happening. This show is set in Tai Kwun, not in London and that’s reflected in the cast, the team and the dialogue. There were changes that needed to be made - for example, the cops work for Interpol not Her Majesty’s police service.

What’s the inspiration behind the dishes and in particular choosing Thai food?

What can theatre-goers expect from this show?

We’re partnering with Aaharn for food, so the audience can experience unreal food in a really comfortable and cool environment, and then be taken on a journey into a TV show thriller courtroom environment. I want it to be fun and thrilling, but comfortable. Even if it pushes buttons! And at some point, we’ll give the audience unbelievable amounts of responsibility!

How do you rehearse for multiple endings?

Well in this show, the audience decide whether the suspect is guilty or innocent. In London, loads of lawyers came to the show and would say err this isn’t what a lawyer does, so the next thing they know, they’ve got a seat in front of the audience and they are putting their money where their mouth is. The audience can

Dinner at Aaharn

physically do things in the show. It’s controlled to a certain degree but there are different outcomes so we rehearse and prepare for all of them.

Why combine food and theatre?

Are there any two better things in the world

I love Thai food. I also got engaged in Thailand - it’s one of my favourite places in the world.

The restauranter of Aaharn, David Thompson opened his first Thai restaurant in London and for me, it was better than any restaurant in Thailand. He now has restaurants in Thailand and a TV series, so you know you’re going to get good quality food and something a little different. If I could design an evening in Hong Kong that would blow me away, then this restaurant and show would be it!

Will you add in extra thriller elements during Halloween?

Absolutely, yes. Our show is set in real time.

A courtroom thriller, a guy that looks like Hannibal Lector and we’ll bring Halloween into every element with the restaurant too. As a Halloween night out - this will be amazing!

Founder and Artistic Director Richard Crawford

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nibbles

Mid-levels gets dishy Island Shangri-La In support of the Hong Kong Hereditary Breast Cancer Family Registry, Island Shangri-La will host a pink-themed afternoon tea until October 31. The set will include Norwegian smoked salmon and pink cream cheese on spinach bread; raspberry mint tart; berry compote and tiramisu mousse and raspberry rose flavoured scones. The set is priced at $558 for two with a percentage of the proceeds donated to the charity. Lobby Lounge, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central. shangri-la.com

Ooh la la Parisian Aude Camus swapped baguettes for dumplings and moved to Hong Kong in 2015. Here are her French dishes to try this autumn.

Le Jarret De Veau at L’Atelier De Joel Robuchon This homemade crispy veal sausage is oh-so French. Chef de cuisine Adriano Catteano has recently been appointed executive chef of the restaurant after the departure of chef David Alves. $320. Shop 401, Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central. robuchon.hk

L’Oeuf Fumé at Louise Newly opened restaurant Louise serves up L’Oeuf Fumé, a perfectly cooked organic egg in the most comforting yet ever so airy potato foam with a spicy twist of diced chorizo. $160. 35 Aberdeen Street, Central. louise.hk

Gunpowder brings explosive flavours to Ship Street

Jasmine at Citygate Outlets Newly opened contemporary Cantonese restaurant Jasmine invites guests to wind down whilst enjoying their new à la carte menu. The innovative restaurant at Citygate Outlets in Tung Chung offers a range of flavours, interpreting classic Cantonese recipes without the use of MSG, in dishes such as Seared Kurobuta Pork Belly in Truffle Sauce and Fried Canadian Lobster Milk. Unit 255 & 301, Citygate Outlets, 20 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung. citygateoutlets.com.hk

A trendy Indian restaurant and cocktail bar has landed on Wan Chai’s Ship Street. Named after the popular South Indian household condiment, Gunpowder delivers elevated, street food-inspired dishes that pack big flavours. The menu is designed for sharing, featuring bite-sized nibbles like the gunpowder popcorn chicken and spiced prawn shots with pumpkin seafood bisque that are best accompanied by the deliciously spicy cocktails on offer. Our favourites include the Rose Margarita or the Gunpowder Negroni made with house-blend spiced gin. Gunpowder is now open for lunch, weekend brunch, happy hour and dinner. G/F, 18 Ship Street, J Residence, Wan Chai. mayfare.com.hk

French Spring Chicken at Roots Served in a cocotte, this super tender and flavourful chicken comes with a tasty glutinous rice stuffing. An east-meets-west dish that is creatively executed. $308. 7 Sun Street, Wan Chai. rootseatery.com

Moules Marinières at La Crêperie Mussel season has arrived and I couldn’t wait to get my fix of fresh Brittany mussels, served the Breton way in white wine sauce.

G/F, 69 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan. Facebook: La Crêperie

Mama Royer at Louise Simple and yet so tasty, this lemon yogurt cake is the perfect balance between sweet and sour. It’s so good that I’d also have it for breakfast if I could. C’est si bon. $118.

35 Aberdeen Street, Central. louise.hk

Indigo Living x AMMO afternoon tea Celebrate 40 years of Indigo Living at AMMO with a one-of-a-kind afternoon tea for two for $528. Until November 4. Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty. ammo.com.hk

Aude Camus runs food and lifestyle website Hong Kong Madame. hongkongmadame.com

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health & beauty

Entering LifeHub

separate room where the technician asked about any hair problems before explaining the treatment. Although I declined a drip, this is recommended alongside the treatment to help improve wellness from the inside as well as out.

The treatment began with an in-depth analysis of my scalp, using a special camera to zoom in on the roots. Appearing on a screen in front of me, the technician compared images of my scalp to those of a healthy scalp. Fortunately, there wasn’t too much of a difference, but to encourage healthier level of hair oils and more hair growth, she advised massaging in a customised mixture of essential oils, followed by oxygen sprayed into the roots and then 20 minutes of infrared treatment.

Autumn indulgences Nicole Cooley and Gemma Shaw try out new treatments for stressed city workers

Hair treatment at the LifeHub The recently opened LifeHub is on a mission to make sure everyone is achieving optimal health, myself included! The new wellness centre, located at The Loop in Central, offers products and services designed by doctors to help improve common lifestyle conditions by looking into the cause of the problem.

Conditions can cover anything from stress, fatigue, low immunity and poor sleep with treatments combining lab tests, supplements, IV drips and therapies.

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Although I’m sure I suffer from more than just one lifestyle condition, my visit to the LifeHub was to get to the root of the problem - my scalp. On entering the hub, I was checked in and offered a warm drink, making me immediately feel calmer ahead of my treatment. Huge windows overlooking Wellington Street bring in lots of light, where a row of reclining chairs have been placed for clients to undergo IV treatments.

For my treatment, I was shown into a

Having never seen my scalp so close up, nor that of anyone else’s, it was fascinating to understand how our scalps need to be cared for. The treatment itself was relaxing - a mini massage followed by what felt like the warm sun on my head. Following the treatment, my scalp felt good and my hair looks shinier!

treat hair yourself stylists The Scalp Balancing Hair Treatment ($1,280) is one of many LifeHub treatments which include food intolerance testing, sleep therapies and acupuncture. Sitting in a prime position within Hong Kong’s most stressful square mile, LifeHub makes a convenient and enjoyable choice for those looking at improving their health and wellbeing. 1/F, The Loop, 33 Wellington Street, Central (enter from private entrance next to Interval Café). thelifehub.com

Signature Indulgence at elu. spa Recently opened on Lyndhurst Terrace, elu. spa exudes a type of calm and tranquillity that I simply didn’t know was possible to conjure up on the bustling streets below Soho.

On a hot Tuesday evening in September, I was invited to try their two-hour Signature Indulgence treatment which consists of a full body massage using Aromatherapy Associates’ therapeutic blends, followed by a non-invasive jadestone facial.

On entering, my shoes were removed and my feet bathed in salts, after which I was shown into a dedicated relaxation room which boasts Hermès blankets, Aromatherapy Associates scents and 15-year-old Macallan Scotch.

From the tea menu I selected a warming cup of lemongrass and ginger tea which promptly arrived alongside a bowl of fresh blueberries.

My holistic wellness journey began with an indulgent foot scrub and the stress of the day melted away in a matter of seconds. In the treatment room I settle down for what was

Discussing LifeHub treatments

elu. spa lounge

to become two of the most relaxing hours of my life. Natural essential oils and organic skincare products are at the heart of the elu. spa ethos. At the core of each tailored offering is a focus on top-of-the-line luxury skincare products and aromatherapy oils.

An aroma test determines the most suitable oil, which the therapist applies with a mix of Swedish and neuromuscular techniques to stimulate the nervous system, knead away knots, and promote healthy circulation.

The jadestone facial which uses Éminence products followed. My skin was cleansed, toned and moisturised, masks applied and my head, neck and shoulders massaged.

Back in the relaxation room I am offered an impressive selection of magazines and more tea, this time accompanied by petit fours to slowly immerse myself back into the real world.

For stressed-out city dwellers seeking a full head-to-toe relaxation treatment, I cannot recommend the Signature Indulgence ($3,000 for two hours) highly enough. As well as facials and massage, the spa also offer waxing, nails, men’s treatments and kid’s spa parties. By appointment only. 7/F, 46 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central. eluspa.com

The entrance of the elu. spa

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education

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autumn camps

Autumn activities

Nicole Cooley rounds up the best October half-term camps for tots and teens YWCA International Kids Club

ESF Sports

YCWA are offering a wide variety of activities to keep kids aged three to 10 busy this October half term. From drama with Helen O’Grady Drama Academy to comic illustration, cooking to science, and even fun with phonics, there’s something for every scamp to learn whilst having plenty of fun!

Classes run from October 8 to 11, times and prices vary. clle.ywca.org.hk

For fun activities to engage your kids in this October half-term, look no further than ESF Sports. Classes run mostly in the mornings and there is something for everyone with gymnastics, tennis, swimming, football, and basketball. Camps run from October 8 to 11 at various locations. esf.org.hk/camps

Faust’s Mid-Term Holiday Programmes From October 8-11, Faust are heading to the jungle through creative writing and drama workshops for kids aged 4-12. Get the safari gear out and encourage the little ones to immerse themselves in the jungle life. Play in a Day is a unique experience where kids can put on their very own performance in one day; on October 5 they will stage Pinocchio. faustworld.com

ActiveKids Hong Kong Keep the kids active with a whole range of

camps for ages three all the way up to 17.

Choices include hands-on science, chess, robotics and coding, arts and craft, and cooking. To prepare the kids for Halloween, sign up for the fashion camp for kids to design their very own Halloween costume!

Camps run from October 8-12 and 21-25. activekidshk.com

HK Dragons Football Camp For little ones who are football fanatics, this is the camp to sign up for! From October 8 to 11 in Discovery Bay, Pui O and Stanley, the kids will be exhausted after running around and kicking off energy, as well as mastering the fundamental values of team-work, fair play and competitive spirit. For ages three and above. dragons.hk

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education

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autumn camps a foreign language. Courses are available for children ages 3-12 in seven languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese, from foundation to advanced, as well as mother tongue support. The school also offers customised language courses for the whole family and provides face to face teaching with qualified native teachers. Small group classes and private lessons are available. hklanguages.com

Minisport HK

Maggie & Rose Get spooky with Maggie and Rose’s Halloween timetable which runs from October 21 to November 1. Little terrors, aged six months to eight years can run wild in these arts and crafts, cooking Make & Make Believe and music classes! Members can head to Repulse Bay to make the most of Maggie & Rose’s muchenvied spot at The Pulse, whilst non-members are welcome to join at their Causeway Bay location. maggieandrose.com.hk

First Code Academy For beginners to advanced coders, First Code Academy will be running camps from October 2 to 25. Kids aged four and above can learn the ins and outs of robotics, Lego Mindstorms, Minecraft modelling, AppJamming and more! hk.firstcodeacademy.com

Minisport camps help children aged two-anda-half to nine years old develop a love for sports whilst making new friends and happy memories. Sports including tennis, football, basketball, rugby, yoga, athletics as well as other fun activities such as treasure hunts and sandcastle building will be on offer. Morning and afternoon camps from October 8 to 24 will take place at West Island School, Victoria Park, Tseung Kwan O, West Kowloon, and Repulse Bay. sportsclassesforkidshk.com Between October 8 and 25, kids can refine their skills in computer science or just have a good time learning some new cool tech including robotics and Virtual Reality. kodingkingdom.com

Complete Deelite Founded by experienced cake decorator, Jacinta Yu, Complete Deelite offers a range of hands-on workshops for ages six and above.

Kids can get creative with ghoulishly delicious treats and monster surprises from October 7 to 25. completedeelite.com

Hong Kong Institute of Languages Hong Kong Institute of Languages, a registered education centre of 34 years, is offering a fun and engaging way to learn

Koding Kingdom Specialising in technology and multimedia design, Koding Kingdom provides coding courses for students aged four to 12.

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big day out

Life on the edge

Rory Mackay shares his top three wild adventures to embark on this autumn WILD FACTOR ★★★★☆ Ng Tung Chai (Tai Mo Shan Country Park) Best for: waterfalls Only a stones throw away from Tai Po, Ng Tung Chai waterfalls are one of Hong Kong’s best-hidden treasures. Climb into another world, a steep sided world enveloped in dense rainforest and peppered with ever-flowing cascades. Despite the areas accessibility, you’re likely to beat the worst of any weekend crowds coming here and on a weekday, this tropical wonderland is often solely yours to explore! Delve into an

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idyllic chasm entangled in vines and ferns, all clambering for a position on the rocks to soak up the ample moisture. The sunlight that manages to squeeze through the thick canopy does so in ethereal beams of radiance.

It feels more like a remote corner of Borneo than Hong Kong. The whole walk should take three to five hours, so bring some light snacks and plenty of water.

How to get there: The best way to reach Ng Tung Chai from Central is

by MTR to Tai Wo Station. From there, take a taxi or bus from underneath the station to Ng Tung Chai Village. The 64K bus runs every 15-20 minutes during the day, you can catch this to Ng Tung Chai and follow

autumn hikes sounds like biting off more than you can chew, there is always the option to hike either end of the trail as a shorter return from Shek Pik or Tai O to Fan Lau and Man Cheung Po/Yi O respectively.

WILD FACTOR ★★★★★

the sealed side road up the hill. However, I recommend hopping in a taxi on the way there as it enables you to whizz right up through the village and be deposited at the trailhead. A taxi ride will only set you back around $50.

WILD FACTOR ★★★★☆ Fan Lau (Lantau South Country Park) Best for: beaches and history There are many spots in Hong Kong that can feel far removed from the city, but are in fact, just round the corner or over the hill from town.

Then, there are those rare confines that are genuinely far removed from civilisation. The Southern tip of Lantau Island is such a place. Take the time to venture to this enclave and you will be rewarded with a trip back in time. An untarnished landscape bursting with deserted beaches, fertile valleys and lush jungles lie in wait.

How to get there: To reach the start of the trail, catch the number 11 bus from Tung Chung, or number 1 bus from Mui Wo to Tai O. Keep an eye out for Shek Pik Reservoir and disembark at the first bus stop immediately after crossing the dam wall. Take in the beautiful sights of Shek Pik Reservoir and Lantau Peak behind you before turning away and following the Lantau Trail south. Additionally, if hiking 15-17 kilometres

Ping Nam Stream (Pat Sin Leng Country Park) Best for: cliff jumping, river walks and waterfalls If you fancy exploring a natural world within Hong Kong that most folk don’t know about, then a day trip out to Luk Keng could be in order.

Located within the innermost depths of Pat Sin Leng Country Park, it is a region that is as much unknown as it is remote. However, the area is easily accessible via public transport and totally worth the effort. Nestled amongst rolling hills and the gateway to the northern parts of Pat Sin Leng Country Park, Luk Keng is truly rural. Life moves at a different pace here, the locals are as relaxed as they come in Hong Kong. It rubs off quickly and once there, you certainly won’t be in a rush to leave. From there one can venture towards the higher peaks of Pat Sin Leng and discover hidden gems that lie within, namely the Ping Nam Stream. This is a challenging route upstream with many dramatic cascades and pools along the way. However, beware of slippery rocks in the wet; the use of a guide would be strongly recommended.

How to get there: Make your way to Fanling MTR Station, take Exit A and hop on the KMB 78K bus. After 20-25 minutes or so, hop off at Nam Chung and cross the main road looking for Luk Keng Road. A further 20 minutes walk and you will reach a small village. Turn right here onto South Bay Road and keep going until you meet a dam wall of a small reservoir. Find the goat track on the right hand side, which will bypass the dam and lead you to Ping Nam Stream. On the way back, keep an eye out for a 56K minibus. Catch this back to the MTR if the opportunity arises.

Wild HK offers customised tours to all locations in the article. Visit wildhongkong.com for more details.

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travel

Eat, Sleep, Spa, Repeat

Charmaine Ng and Nicole Cooley scope out Hong Kong’s most luxurious staycations The Peninsula

St. Regis St. Regis Hong Kong opened its doors this April to wide anticipation and stands as one of the city’s most luxurious hotels today. The St. Regis brand was founded more than a century ago by John Jacob Astor IV, since then it has become a symbol of refinement and bespoke service.

Located on the Hong Kong waterfront in Wan Chai, the hotel was designed and curated by award-winning architect André Fu, who was inspired by the first St. Regis hotel built in New York by John Jacob Astor IV in 1904. The 27-storey tower fuses together the grandeur of New York City with the culture of historic Hong Kong.

For an ultra-luxe escape from everyday life, St. Regis offers 129 guest rooms and suites, each featuring warm, inviting touches for guests to experience the signature St. Regis style living. The brand’s famous Butler Service, for example, is a roundthe-clock service which allows guest’s stay to be customised according to their personal preferences – think private inroom check-in, packing and unpacking, complimentary hot beverage service and even garment pressing. Guests who are planning for special occasions are encouraged to inform their dedicated butler, who will then take care of all the details to ensure a momentous celebration.

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Lastly, St. Regis offers a variety of dining options. L’Envol, led by highly-acclaimed chef Olivier Elzer, presents a creative take on French haute cuisine using seasonal produce from France and Asia. Rùn, the signature Cantonese restaurant of the hotel, is led by chef Hung Chi-Kwong and offers modern interpretations of Cantonese cuisine. The Drawing Room serves up a reimagined afternoon tea experience and The St. Regis Bar is the dedicated venue for an after-hours digestif.

From now until the end of the month, St.

Regis is offering guests a chance to pamper themselves with an exquisite weekend stay from $4,000 per room per night, with an additional $1,000 hotel credit to indulge in culinary delights at the hotel’s restaurants or unwind with spa treatments by 001 Skincare London and 3LAB. St. Regis currently offers one package: the Weekend Retreat is available until October 31.

St. Regis Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Drive, Wan Chai. marriott.com

shenzhen staycations sling

The Upper House The Upper House Hong Kong needs no introduction. Now in its tenth year of operation, the highly individualised luxury hotel remains one of the city’s best. Award-winning architect and interior designer André Fu took on the design of The Upper House, transforming the space and redefining the concept of modern luxury. Since then, he has gone on to create a series of internationally recognised projects of all scales around the world.

The hotel is currently running three promotions. First up is this month’s exclusive October Delight package. Guests can book their stay for a special rate of $4,100 per room per night, which comes with complimentary breakfast for two in Café Gray Deluxe and $500 house credit. Bookings from Friday through Sunday can enjoy two room category upgrades with early check-in from 12pm and late check-out until 6pm.

For those who won’t be able to make it this October, there’s no need to fret – The Upper House has two more packages to enjoy. To celebrate their tenth anniversary, the luxury hotel is running the #OUR10YEARJOURNEY room package until the end of the year.

Guests can choose from a selection

of curated excursions led by a highly experienced in-house team who will show you around Hong Kong highlighting the sights, sounds and smells our city has to offer.

To top it off, The Upper House is also offering a special Wellness Retreat promotion. In need of a spa or a good ol’ massage? You can now rejuvenate body and mind with an array of pampering experiences and exclusive amenities from British wellness brand,

Bamford. The package is available for those who stay for two consecutive nights or more.

The Upper House currently offers three packages: October Delight is available until October 31, #OUR10YEARJOURNEY and Wellness Retreat with Bamford are available until December 31.

The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. upperhouse.com

Palm Court serves the signature Langham Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood in tribute to its namesake at The Langham, London where afternoon teas were first served in 1865.

For guests booking a suite, access to The Langham club lounge is complementary as is a kids’ room set up for any little ones in tow. The exclusive club lounge gives way to indulgence through continental and hot breakfasts, afternoon tea, evening cocktails and canapés as well as beverages throughout the day.

The Langham Located in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, The Langham Hong Kong does not disappoint.

Honoured with the Forbes Five-Star Award, this European-style sanctuary, surrounded by iconic attractions and designer boutiques, exudes charm and elegance.

Boasting 498 rooms and suites, The Langham’s spacious bedrooms overlook the

city and are complete with luxurious marble bathrooms and soft Langham robes. Guests can escape to the rooftop for a workout and a refreshing dip in the heated swimming pool or wind down and restore balance at the Chuan Body + Soul wellness sanctuary.

Mouthwatering dining options include three Michelin starred Cantonese restaurant T’ang Court, modern steakhouse Bostonian Seafood & Grill and New York style Main St. Deli.

Hong Kong residents can enjoy an exclusive room offer this month that includes buffet breakfast for two, early check-in and late check-out, a complimentary Langham Octopus Card and complimentary access to the rooftop wellness sanctuary, pool and fitness centre.

The Langham currently offers one package: the Hong Kong Residents Exclusive Room Offer is available for stays until October 31 when reserved by October 15.

The Langham, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. langhamhotels.com

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travel

The Peninsula For something special this autumn and winter, head over to The Peninsula Hong Kong for a one-of-a-kind experience featuring a unique partnership between the city’s Grande Dame and longbeloved Sanrio character, Hello Kitty.

The collaboration celebrates Hello Kitty’s newfound friendship with The Peninsula’s iconic mascot, Pen Bear, presenting guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the character’s charming world, at the

same time enjoying the elegance and luxury for which the hotel is known.

The luxury stay offer includes limitededition Hello Kitty and Pen Bear plush toys, as well as a specially themed amenity set that includes bathrobes and slippers for families and collectors to take home. Hello Kitty and Pen Bear will also appear during the designated promotion period, showering guests with gifts and Instagram-worthy photo opportunities.

Additionally, to commemorate their 90th birthday in December, The Peninsula is offering a special birthday package where guests who will celebrate their birthdays from now until December 11 can enjoy a Deluxe Room at an exceptional rate of $1,928 per night. Benefits include welcome birthday amenities and late check-out time at 4pm.

The Peninsula currently offers two packages: Our Birthday – Your Birthday is available until December 11 and Hello Kitty – Limited Edition Luxury Stay Offer is available until December 22.

The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. peninsula.com/hong-kong

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staycations

Grand Hyatt Sitting front and centre of Victoria Harbour, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong has assumed pride of place at this stunning harbourfront location since opening in 1989.

The five-star hotel offers 542 modern guests rooms and suites and is home to one of Hong Kong’s largest rooftop pools.

At 50-metres long the pool sits on the 11th floor alongside alfresco restaurant, The Grill and The Waterfall Bar. When it comes to dining, Grand Hyatt spoils its guests, with 10 uniquely designed restaurants and bars which serve up a range of cuisines. From an authentic Italian experience at the

recently reopened Grissini, to a traditional Japanese experience at Kaetsu.

The Grand Hyatt is offering an Escape 24 package to Hong Kong residents until December 29. The package includes one night in a luxury harbour view room for $2,680+10% with selection of two additional

extras including; $1,000 dining credit, buffet breakfast for two at Grand CafĂŠ, buyone-get-one Plateau Spa treatments and champagne and fresh strawberries on arrival.

Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. hyatt.com

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horoscope

Our mystical writer, editor and occasional soothsayer tells us what’s in store this month

Sep 24-Oct 23

Jan 21-Feb 19

May 22-Jun 21

There’s a legend behind the salted egg yolk at the centre of a mooncake. It’s said that Ming revolutionaries hid messages inside mooncakes, in order to coordinate a revolt against the Mongol rulers. A reminder that even the most unassuming packages can contain so much more.

The goddess Chang’e resides on the moon, alone save for a rabbit as a companion. Another legend has it that the woodcutter Wu Gang lives up there, chopping down an osmanthus tree. It must be a lonely life for them both: perhaps a moonlit night is the perfect time for a touch of matchmaking?

The Sea Ranch was a luxurious development on Lantau island constructed in the 1970s. Billed as a luxury resort for the wealthy, but nonexistent land links and lack of interest killed off the development. Sometimes an idea just needs to find its audience, Gemini.

Oct 24-Nov 22

Feb 20-Mar 20

Jun 22-Jul 22

Autumn approaches, and the leaves begin shifting hues, from green to golden oranges. Well, not in Hong Kong. Most trees here are evergreen.

Be like the evergreen, Scorpio: you don’t always have to change to suit the seasons, sometimes following your own path is the best course.

The Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail is, as its name suggests, ancient.

Originally the only path linking Yuen Long to Tsuen Wan, farmers would trudge along it daily. Today’s it’s a pleasant hike. Next time you’re hiking it, think about the thousands of footsteps taken before you—and be glad you’re not carrying a basketful of vegetables.

During the Chung Yeung Festival (otherwise known as as Double Ninth Festival), Hongkongers gather to fly kites. They’re said to be able to carry your bad luck up, up and away. You don’t have to go and buy a kite just for the festival, Cancer. But how about this: Send a mental kite up into the heavens, and let it float your worries away.

Nov 23-Dec 21

Mar 21-Apr 20

Jul 23-Aug 22

The sweltering summer is finally receding and hiking season is here at last! Good luck on the trails, Sagittarius. At some point, you will be overtaken by a troupe of grannies with thighs of steel. Don’t try to match pace or overtake them. Accept that sometimes, you won’t be able to beat everyone.

Li Bai was the greatest Tang Dynasty poet, and his “Quiet Night Thought” is his best-known work. It’s about him seeing the moon and realising that same light is shining on his hometown.

Where Li Bai feels homesickness, I’m heartened that the same light shines on us all. Share some moonlight with friends this month.

“Add oil!” This Cantonese saying is a phrase of encouragement, exhorting someone to step on the gas, to put in a little extra effort. You’ll hear it all over town, but I want to say it to you, Leo. What do you need an extra boost with? Your career, friendships, love life?

Whatever it is, Leo – add oil!

Dec 22-Jan 20

Apr 21-May 21

Aug 23-Sep 23

One of my favourite places is Tsui Wah restaurant on Wellington Street. Why? By day this 24hour, three-floor cha chaan teng is filled with workers getting lunch. In the evenings shoppers get dinner. And in the early hours, the clubbers of LKF come for much-needed sustenance. It’s flexible and adaptable. Is there a Tsui Wah in you, Capricorn?

The RMS Queen Elizabeth was the largest ocean liner in the world in 1939. After retiring she ended up in Hong Kong harbour, where she was planned to be used as a floating university.

In 1972, she caught fire under mysterious circumstances and sunk. A timely reminder that sometimes things don’t turn out great.

Did you know an indoor roller coaster runs around the top floor of Sham Shui Po’s Dragon Centre?

Sadly, it’s been out of use since the mid2000s, and now the rails lie untravelled.

What a shame! Find an aspect of your life that needs a roller coaster ride, and let yourself drop into it.

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what’s up, doc?

Hard to swallow ENT Specialist Dr SK Ng focuses on the salivary glands

M

any would be surprised to learn that we produce 0.5 to 1.5 liters of saliva every day. The saliva produced by the salivary glands flows along the salivary duct and reaches the oral cavity.

Saliva is important in a number of ways. It moistens and lubricates food to allow smooth swallowing. Saliva also contains an enzyme which is vital to the digestive process. In addition, it has a mild antiseptic function that is very important in maintaining oral hygiene.

Equally important, saliva keeps the mouth continuously moist which is imperative for comfort and speech.

Saliva production Saliva is mainly produced by three major pairs of salivary glands; the parotid glands, located behind the jaw, the submandibular glands which are found under the jaw and the sublingual glands, located under the tongue.

In addition, hundreds of tiny salivary glands are located within the mucous membrane of the mouth, nose and throat and contribute to a small portion of salivary production.

Associated diseases Salivary gland diseases include functional disturbance, tumors and obstructive ductal

1. Stone within the salivary duct

diseases. Salivary hypofunction causes a dry mouth and dental problems and is usually a result of systemic problems that will affect all of the salivary glands. Common causes include, dehydration, adverse effects of drugs and radiotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer. Another less-common disease is Sjogren syndrome, whereby the body mistakenly produces antibodies against its own salivary and lacrimal tissue.

Tumors can also affect the salivary glands, while the majority of these are benign, some are cancerous. Most require surgical excision for definitive diagnosis.

Obstructive ductal problems are mainly caused by salivary ductal stones and narrowing. At times, the salivary flow at the duct is blocked which causes a backflow of saliva to the glands.

Symptoms include recurrent painful salivary gland swelling associated with eating. We are not entirely sure what causes the formation of stones, but they appear to be associated with dehydration and factors such as drugs which reduce salivary flow. Treatment for this can be minimally invasive, often open surgery can be avoided. With the advancement of technology, we are better equipped to deal with the variety of diseases than ever before.

2. Stone captured by a basket

Dr Siu-Kwan NG (吳少君醫生) is a Hong Kong-based ENT Specialist

Nowadays... patients can be treated in a minimally invasive manner.

3. Stone taken out

hongkongliving.com | 43

woof

Ask a vet...

Paws for thought. Dr Pauline answers your pet questions My cat is on a diet but she constantly wants food, how can I get her out of the habit of eating?

Honestly you do not want to get your cat out of the habit of eating. However, what your describing could be a condition called ‘polyphagia’ “always eating but still always hungry”. There are medical causes that include diabetes mellitus, hormonal imbalances like hyperthyroidism, parasites and behavior problems leading to stress and anxiety that cause compulsive “over the top” eating disorders. Alternatively, it could be quite simply due to having the wrong type of diet food or inadequate amounts of it for your cat at her stage in life. I wouldn’t rush to change this habit but advise you to monitor her weight, get her checked out and, with veterinary advice, work out the reason for her over-indulgence and then tackle or treat the cause. Good luck!

Should I be worried about tear gas around my pets and how can I help them?

Tear gas irritates the mucous membranes and the lungs. It is something to be worried about

and best to keep your pets well away from.

Signs of contact include rubbing, runny eyes, coughing, difficulty breathing and if severe, retching or vomiting. Should this happen carefully handle your pet, using a wrap or gloves to avoid contact with the gas yourself.

If you are at home, reduce the impact of the gas by closing all windows, turning off air blowing fans and turn on extraction fans and AC units to circulate air and keep your pet cool. Immediately wash your pet with water and take special care to flush eyes. If your pet shows severe signs-like open mouth breathing seek veterinary help. Try to stay calm, this will help your pet to stay calm too. The Hong Kong Veterinary Association have released some guidelines: hkva.org/teargas.asp

and fat overload during the festive season.

Usually the problem lies with the pet parents overfeeding their pets. Sometimes, it can be sneaky pets stealing food that they really shouldn’t eat. Use your “common sense” and do not feed treats that are likely to make your pets ill, no matter how much they like them, or advertising promotions recommend that they you. I designed my own pets’ mooncake recipe many years ago but I’m lucky that my own dog loves lettuce and blueberries! M

With the festive season coming up there’s lots of treats for pets. How healthy are they?

What you feed your pets and ‘common sense’ must prevail every festive season. I have seen many animals with upset tummies, vomiting, diarrhoea, chocolate poisoning, foreign bodies

Got a question for Dr. Pauline? Email editorial@hongkongliving.com

Dr. Pauline Pets Central veterinarian answers your questions.

Walkies

Rex the dog explores the Lamma Island Family Trail the signs for the trail, where you’ll hike across the mountains and end up at Hung Shing Ye Beach. The trail takes around 45 minutes and can also be done in the opposite direction depending on which ferry you take. If a day trip is not quite long enough, you and your pooch can stay overnight at the dog-friendly Concerto Inn. Dogs are allowed aboard ordinary class of First Ferries at an extra cost, as long as they have a leash and muzzle.

How to get there: Take a ferry from Central Pier 4 to either Sok Kwu Wan or Yung Shue Wan. The journey takes around 45 minutes. M Treat your dog to their own big day out with a trip to Lamma Island. The Lamma Island Family Trail offers a tour around the

44 | hongkongliving.com

island complete with serene views and plenty of rest stops for you and your furry friend. Start from Sok Kwu Wan and follow

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FAMILY | FOOD | FINLAND | FLOATING AWAY

September 2018

Reach for the stars Stargazing in Sai Kung

Glow up Your guide to the Mid-Autumn Festival

Exploring Finland

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designing zim city hk

Crossing on Pok Fu Lam Road

Cars first, pedestrians last Paul Zimmerman on the dangers of Hong Kong’s crossings

S

he was 21 years old. The girl killed at a crossing in Pok Fu Lam. The message came across my screen while in a meeting. I recognised the crossing instantly. I knew that crossing. We had asked for changes here several times.

People cross Pok Fu Lam Road to catch the bus or to go hiking or to ride horses at the riding school along Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road. Traffic moves fast here. Two lanes north, two lanes south. It is on top of the knoll and bends in both directions limiting sightlines. It was said that the minibus driver in the near lane waited for her to cross. The franchise bus which overtook the minibus could not see the girl crossing. Hit hard she passed away in the hospital soon after. My heart goes out to her family, and the two bus drivers. Not so to the Transport Department.

Our latest attempt to improve that junction was just seven months earlier. A letter urging for push button traffic lights and speed cameras here. The Transport Department had replied that they are worried that it may impact traffic flow. Yes, that is exactly the purpose. We want traffic to stop when people need to cross.

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Hong Kong is strangely different from every other city in developed countries. We have hardly any zebra crossings. Because more people would get killed. At HKU I walked behind a professor who was nearly swept off his feet while on a zebra crossing.

His small case hit the car though. The driver jumped out and an angry exchange started with the driver claiming that there were no lights so he had the right of way. Another time I stopped at a cautionary crossing – the ones with ‘look left’ and ‘look right’ marked on the road. However, the driver behind me did not and nearly hit a female pedestrian at the crossing. Admittedly, it was my fault for leaving enough room for the vehicle to overtake me.

It was, after all, not the first time. It was a comical moment years earlier when I drove out of a car park and politely stopped and tried to wave the pedestrians on the pavement through. They refused. I urged again. They refused. Cars and their drivers are not to be trusted. In other countries people stop for pedestrians who arrive at a crossing. They certainly do when you have a foot on the road. ‘Cars first, pedestrians last’

is the general mentality in Hong Kong. To be safe, never trust drivers until we find a way to shift this paradigm.

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