HALLOWEEN | DINING | STAYCATIONS | 24-HOUR RACE
October 2019
T H A N K YO U T O O U R W O N D E R F U L R E A D E R S
The really useful magazine 40 October 2019 PEOPLE
BIG DAY OUT
4 Snapped! A look back at our launch day. Plus past editors THE PLANNER
30 Top 10 big days out 10 ways to explore Sai Kung like never before EDUCATION
6 What’s happening in October There’s spooktacular fun to be had this month NEWS
34 French International School FIS Tseung Kwan O campus turns two TRAVEL
12 What’s going on? In your backyard? MUST HAVES THIS MONTH 14 Go alfresco! Outdoor furniture and accessories CRIME 16 Police blotter A double page special! FIVE MINUTES WITH.. 19 Nivedita Ramanujam Founder of Inner Compass LOCAL 21 Sai Kung promenade revamp The saga continues COVER STORY 22 10 reasons we love Sai Kung Celebrating our town in all its glory! DINING 24 Top 10 Sai Kung restaurants Dining spots we love in the town. Plus nibbles
38 Stylish staycation Luxury escape at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
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COMMUNITY 40 HHYC 24-hour charity dinghy race Your guide to all the action
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VILLAGE FOCUS 41 Abandoned ATV building A spooky encounter indeed ZIM CITY
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42 Paul Zimmerman on Why we must improve pedestrian crossings PETS 44 Ask Dr. Pauline Pet questions answered. Plus walkies.
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GARDENING 47 In the garden What to plant in October VINES IN SAI KUNG 48 Property developers Stephen Vines reports on goings on around the town
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“THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SAI KUNG MAGAZINE FOR 10 WONDERFUL YEARS!” - THE HONG KONG LIVING TEAM
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editor’s letter
T
his month marks a very special milestone for Sai Kung & Clearwater Bay Magazine - it’s our 10th anniversary! Relive memories from our October 2009 launch party, meet the wonderful editors from over the years and see what they’re up to now on page 5. Enjoy a double whammy of our everso-popular police blotter, with two pages of traffic, hiking and other wild stories to keep you on the edge of your seat, starting on page 14. Find out what we’ve been munching on this decade with our top ten Sai Kung restaurant listing. From oldies but goldies to new and improved, see which restaurants made the cut on page 22. And last but not least, no trip to Sai Kung is complete without a big day out, we’ve rounded up our top ten places to go, things to see and adventures to embark on. Give them a go on page 28. We hope you enjoy this special edition. The Hong Kong Living team would like to thank you for your endless support throughout these 10 years. We couldn’t have made this milestone without you!
Editorial
Managing editor Gemma Shaw, gemma@hongkongliving.com Editor Nicole Slater, nicole@hongkongliving.com Contributing editor Becky Love, becky@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
Thanks to
contributors
Matt Chu Jane Steer Eric Ho
Annie Wong Hannah Grogan Adele Brunner
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
Amelia Sewell
Nicole Cooley
Stephen Vines
Our Education Editor and mum of two, Amelia headed over to the TKO campus of French International School this month to celebrate its second year in the New Territories, read her review on page 32.
Our British born and bred Editorial Assistant moved to Tseung Kwan O a year ago and has been exploring the city with her husband and daughter since. This month, she rounds up Sai Kung’s top 10 restaurants, see who made the cut on page 22.
Journalist, broadcaster and our monthly columnist, Stephen is a long-term Sai Kung resident who documents the ever-changing issues affecting the town. This month he discusses property developers, the police and our public pier. Read his musings on page 48.
saikung.com
talk@hongkongliving.com
@saikungmag
facebook.com/SaiKungMagazine
HONG KONG hongkongliving.com
Sai Kung & Clearwater Bay 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. Hong Kong Living Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any way, part or format without written permission from the publisher.
Want to write for Sai Kung Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com 2 | SAIKUNG.COM
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people Launch of Sai Kung magazine in 2009
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say cheese Sai Kung magazine’s past editors
Jane Steer
With us from day one What was your role at the magazine? At the start, it was just Tom, me and a designer. We worked somewhere different every month: on my kitchen table, in Tom’s living room, in my shared office and upstairs of Ali-Oli’s - that was the best. A lot of cake.
What do you miss about editing the magazine? The early days were chaotic but fun. We went on lots of reporting expeditions around Sai Kung, had a makeover at Tala’s, got locked in a Ho Chung car park.
What’s your fondest memory? Going with Tom and photographers, Graham Uden and Aani Andriani to shoot Above Sai Kung. We swooped over Sai Kung in a helicopter with no doors. That was a real blow-yourhair-back moment.
What do you miss and what don’t you miss about editing the magazine? I miss the buzz of being in a magazine office as well as interviewing Sai Kungers. I don’t miss the often hectic production days and trying to get the magazine off to the printers in time.
What do you love most about Sai Kung? I know it sounds clichéd but I love its laid-back vibe and friendly community. I live in Clearwater Bay and feel very lucky to have Sai Kung on my doorstep.
What’s your fondest memory? The year we did the Grinch in Sai Kung issue. Getting Harry Harrison for the illustrations, and then sitting around late in the office with Jane and Tom adapting the poem. Lots of laughs and some great puns.
What do you miss and what don’t you miss about editing the magazine? The wonderful sense of community I was able to live in and work with on a daily basis. I definitely don’t miss commuting to Sheung Wan from Sai Kung for production week!
What do you miss and what don’t you miss about editing the magazine? Going to Sai Kung regularly and speaking to the community. It can become quite chaotic in the last few days of going to print but I wouldn’t give it up - it’s tiring but a fulfilling experience.
What do you love about Sai Kung? The town square, the interesting personalities and the community spirit. There’s a strong sense of community that’s hard to find in Hong Kong. And of course, I can’t forget Sai Kung magazine!
What do you miss and what don’t you miss about editing the magazine? Meeting local residents from all walks of life. But I really don’t miss the bus journeys in and out of Sai Kung every morning (our office is in Sheung Wan).
What did you go on to do after? I went on to become a freelance photographer and content creator under the brand @chopsticksontheloose.
Adele Brunner
Editor from 2011-2013 What’s your fondest memory? Planning the magazine over coffee and cake in the room above Ali Oli. That was the office and it was all very low key, fun and exciting to be a part of shaping a new magazine.
Hannah Grogan
Editor from 2013-2015 How did you become editor of Sai Kung Magazine? It was a bit of right place, right time sort of scenario. I grew up in Sai Kung and liked the magazine. At the time they were looking for interns, I was offered a job afterwards and didn’t look back.
Annie Wong
Editor from 2016-2017 What’s your fondest memory? We had a group of people who were extremely close and worked well together. I’m happy to say I’ve made some lifelong friends from a job that I loved.
Eric Ho
Editor from 2017-2018 What’s your fondest memory? The article I wrote for the 100th issue. I decided on the story “How to live to 100” and interviewed elderly residents. I was able to interview my grandparents and meet a centenarian Saikunger!
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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. For more details check out page 40. Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Hiram’s Highway, Pak Sha Wan. hebehaven24hour.com
THROUGHOUT OCT
UNTIL OCT 6
An immersive chiller rebus where the audience has the power to decide the evening’s outcome. 6pm for Aaharn pretheatre dinner; show begins 7.30pm; Aaharn post-theatre dinner at 9.45pm. Early bird $788, dinner and show combination from $1,288. Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central. ticketflap.com
Bring your kids to this magical puppet musical from ABA Productions. Dates and times vary. From $215. Drama Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Wan Chai. hkticketing.com
Secret Theatre
Where is Peter Rabbit?
UNTIL OCT 31
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
UNTIL OCT 31
Disney Halloween Time All your favourite villains return to Disney as part of their spook-tastic Halloween celebrations. Daily from 10.30am. From $639. Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau. hongkongdisneyland.com
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OCT 1
National Day A public holiday. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.
OCT 4-7
Asia Contemporary Art Show More than 1,500 pieces of modern art from the world’s most dynamic and promising artists will be on show across 65 different art spaces. Admission times vary. $270.
happening in October Conrad Hotel, Pacific Place, Admiralty. asiacontemporaryart.com
OCT 5-6
TOTEM RUN 2019 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
OCT 7
Double Ninth Festival Enjoy the long weekend!
OCT 7
RunITALY An Italian-style family run with an 8km individual run and 1km family run. Participants and the public can also enjoy an Italian Market, live entertainment and music. Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Sha Tin. runitaly.italiamiafestival.com
OCT 8, 15, 22, 29
OCT 10
OCT 19
Listen to the story of Titanic and Jack and Rose alongside classic and original music. 3pm, 7.30pm and 8pm. From $385. The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Wan Chai. hkticketing.com
Get a sense of what it’s like to join the Mighty Oaks family! Play fun games, have a school tour and meet the professional team. 9.30am-1pm. Free. Mighty Oaks Nursery & Kindergarten, 1/F, Lungga Mansion, 46A Belcher’s Street, Kennedy Town. mightyoaks.edu.hk
TITANIC The Musical
OCT 11-12
Food’s Future Summit
Mighty Oaks Open Day
Two days of talks, panels, exclusive launches and meals to inspire and initiate change within the world of food. Friday from 8.30am and Saturday from 10am. From $600. Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty. foods-future.com
OCT 12
Shrewsbury Open House Families are invited to visit Shrewsbury Hong Kong to experience state-of-the-art facilities through hands-on activities. Be creative with arts and crafts, football or take a break by joining the storytelling activity. 10 Shek Kok Road, Tseung Kwan O. RSVP: admissions@shrewsbury.edu.hk
Her-Quest: Not your average women’s circle A space for women to discover, embrace and learn to lean into sisterhood. 7.309.30pm. $4,000. Tina’s Dance Studio, 2/F, 15 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung. growthquests.com
OCT 19
Hong Kong Live Have a chuckle at this standup comedy show featuring Hong Kong favourites including Maitreyi Karanth and Garron Chiu. From $250. Yuet Ming Auditorium, Hong Kong University. hongkonglive. eventbright.hk
OCT 19
Backstreet Boys DNA World Tour 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
OCT 26-27 OCT 10
Charity Bazaar Get a head start on your Christmas shopping at this bazaar featuring over 50 stalls selling handmade crafts, jewellery, accessories and books. 9.30am-5.30pm. $10. The Helena May, 35 Garden Road, Central. helenamay.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
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Credit: Dancer: Wang Qingxin | Creative: Design Army | Photography: Dean Alexander | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet)
happening in October & Exhibition Centre, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay. livenation.hk
OCT 25-27 Swan Lake
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
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
OCT 27
Pink Walk for Breast Health
OCT 25
Carly Rae Jepsen The Dedicated Tour Multi-platinum selling Canadian pop star returns to Hong Kong with her smash hits, Call Me Maybe, Good Time and I Really Like You. 8-9.30pm. From $850. Rotunda Hall 2, Kowloon Bay International Trade
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 pink and bring a reusable bottle! 8.15am1pm. Participant fee from $350. Peak Road Garden, The Peak. hkbcf.org
OCT 27
New World Harbour Race Show your support as 10 representatives from Outward Bound Hong Kong swim
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
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planner
BOOK NOW
Got an event? We can publish the details. Email editorial@hongkongliving.com
NOV 9
NOV 15-17
A magical, heart-warming Roald Dahl story brought to you by some of Faust’s finest young actors. Times vary. Students $250, adults $280. Drama Theatre, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Wan Chai. faustworld.com/shows/giantpeach.asp
Sign up as a team of four and tackle the 100km MacLehose Trail within a 48-hour time limit – all for a good cause! 8am. Minimum sponsorship $7,600. MacLehose Trail. oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk
James and the Giant Peach
Oxfam Trailwalker
NOV 9
NOV 9
A unique charity race in Hong Kong supporting vulnerable refugees in the city. Races range from 19km to child-friendly distances of 1.5km. Tai Tam Country Park. runhk.org
A journey of fitness, health and inspiration that ends in a 5km or 10km for women only. 8am. From $390. Tai Tam Country Park, Tai Tam. womensfive.com
RUN Charity Race
Women’s Five
NOV 10
OneSky Charity Hike OneSky’s 9th annual charity hike includes distances of 3.8km to 10.5km with proceeds used to help vulnerable children in Asia. Starts 10.30am. Individual participation fee from $480 plus minimum fundraising amount. Routes vary along the Maclehose Trail. onesky.org/charityhike-2019
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DEC 9
Dylan Moran live in Hong Kong Legendary Irish comedian performs his new show ‘Dr. Cosmos’. 8pm. From $488. Rotunda 3, Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Kowloon. hkticketing.com
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news
Happy 10 years Sai Kung Magazine! Our local magazine is turning 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. Editor, Nicole Slater states; “It’s an honor to celebrate this milestone with Sai Kung Magazine’s lovely readers, we couldn’t have done it without you! Each month we aim to create new and exciting
content to celebrate this wonderful place we call home - here’s to the next 10 years!”
Local artist joins Asia Contemporary Art Show Local resident and artist, Roberta Boffo will be exhibiting her work at the Asia Contemporary Art Show this October. The Italian born artist opened RAH Studio Gallery in Sai Kung last year and has created an impressive portfolio of work in her signature calligraphy style. Roberta gushes; “I still can’t quite believe it! It is such a milestone for me!” The show will take place from October 4 until October 7 and
Beauty boost in Jordan 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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will include artwork from a range of local and international artists. “I warmly invite all my lovely friends and my students in town and beyond to come, it would be wonderful to share this achievement with all of you” Roberta continues. Asia Contemporary Art Show, Conrad Hong Kong, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. asiacontemporaryart.com
Pinkies up at Fortnum’s 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 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
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 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
Breakfast at Tiffany’s 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.
matters”, explains Ellie Tang, General Manager of Sustainability at K11 Concepts Limited and Head of Sustainability at New World Development Company Limited. k11musea.com One Peking, No.1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. tiffany.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
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on patrol
Inspector Matt Chu reports on recent cases in Sai Kung
Garden patrol On the afternoon of August 20, officers were on patrol in the carpark at Lakeside Garden when they encountered a 35-year-old male. Upon requesting to see his identification documents they discovered he had overstayed his visitor permit. The case is currently under investigation.
Pak-ing up speed At 6pm on August 18, a private vehicle collided with a taxi on Pak Sha Wan Street. The taxi driver, a male in his 50s, suddenly picked up speed as he attempted to overtake the private vehicle. He sustained injuries and was taken to Tseung Kwan O Hospital for treatment.
Look out! During the early hours of August 26, a taxi was exiting Lunar House when it collided with a motorcycle. The taxi was being driven by a man in his 70s. The motorcycle was damaged and the motorcyclist, in his 30s received
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abrasions to his body and was taken to Tseung Kwan O Hospital for treatment.
and the victim was advised to go to the small claims tribunal.
Farewell little cow
Unhappy meal
Just after midnight on September 16, a motorcycle collided with a young calf that had suddenly rushed out from the pavement on Tai Mong Tsai Road, near the junction at Yan Yee Road. The 25-year-old male motorcyclist suffered abrasions to his hands and feet and the calf was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is under investigation by the Traffic Investigation Unit.
At 1am on August 17, a 50-year-old female customer complained about the food quality at McDonalds in Sai Kung Town. She requested a refund which was disputed by the 25-year-
Punching over pay Around midday on August 17, a dispute regarding outstanding payment broke out between a 60-year-old male owner of a renovation company and a 55-year-old male subcontractor on Yi Chung Street. The men moved into a restaurant in the town where the company owner punched the subcontractor several times. Police diffused the situation
on patrol old male manager. Another customer called the police fearing the woman was emotional. Police have advised the woman to seek assistance at the consumer council.
He attempted to contact the seller in vain. The case is still under investigation.
Only in Sai Kung... A look back at some memorable police blotters.
Hiking hell
Dec 2016
At 11am on September 6, a 45-year-old male and his wife set off on a hike from Chek Keng. Once they had walked over the hilltop towards Luk Wu Country trail, the male complained of dizziness and cramps. He was airlifted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in a conscious state.
On September 7, a 50-year-old female embarked on a hike with four friends. They left Sai Wan Pavilion at 8am and by 11.30am, they reached the Maclehose Trail where the female requested a break, she then vomited and fainted. She was airlifted in an unconscious state to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital where she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
A paraglider needed rescuing as he got caught in a tree whilst paragliding in Long Ke Wan. Luckily, he came away with only a few broken bones and scratches.
Shirt-less
Furniture squabbles
On August 19, a 22-year-old male reported online deception. The victim had attempted to purchase a $350 shirt on Carousell on July 22. The seller had requested a $1,150 guarantee. Once the victim had paid, the seller disappeared. The case in still under investigation.
On the evening of September 2, police were called to a family dispute at a house in Tai Tan Village. A 50-year-old mother and her 20-yearold son had argued over moving furniture. Police arrived at the scene and discovered that the son had gone for a walk to cool off. No further action was taken.
When husband goes hiking
Now you see me, now you don’t On August 24, a man aged 40 paid $640 for a NOW TV box and a 12-month sports package subscription to a seller on Carrousel. He received the box and documentation for the subscription but after checking with NOW TV, discovered that the subscription was invalid.
Breaking bread On the morning of September 12, a 65-yearold female and a 75-year-old male had a dispute at Wai Man Playground. The male had placed bread on the ground, reportedly to dry it out. The female was passing by and was unhappy with this action so called the police. The police arrived at the scene and resolved the matter. No further action was required.
March 2017 A report came in about a fight that had occurred amongst cows. The informant saw several cows at the Pak Tam Chung area and suspected they had been injured. However, the cows had left before the police arrived.
Aug 2017 In the early hours of June 11, a drunk victim walked into a 7-Eleven convenience store to buy a drink but ended up in a heated dispute with a non-intoxicated customer. In the heat of the dispute, the customer assaulted the victim with his bare hands before fleeing the scene.
Dec 2017 A large python was spotted in Tai Wan Village at the end of October after it had swallowed a villager’s cat. The police called in local snake catcher David Willott to safely capture the python. The snake regurgitated the dead cat at the Sai Kung Police Station before it was taken to Kadoorie Farm.
Aug 2018 On June 30, a tenant went to an apartment on Sai Kung main street after his lease ended to collect some items, including a TV. The landlord called the police, claiming the flat was being burgled, but police believe the TV actually belonged to the tenant.
Oct 2018 A restaurant manager reported a dispute between two males at different tables in his restaurant. The dispute was over a dessert, of which the restaurant only had one portion left. When police arrived, both tables paid their bill and left separately.
For more information, contact Sai Kung Police Station, 1 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 3661 1630
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five minutes with is the study of the interaction between psychological processes and the nervous and immune systems of the human body. Basically, PNI deals with how our emotions and thoughts impact our immune systems. PNI harnesses the brain’s neuroplasticity to create a state of mind which will help the body’s own defence systems to mobilise and combat the disease. Ultimately, this is the best way to deal with any illness rather than relying purely on medication and surgeries. At the same time, PNI can also help us reduce or eliminate the symptoms, whether it be pain, anxiety of invasive procedures and accelerate healing. I work with teenagers and adults from all walks of life. From CEOs, celebrities, homemakers, students, executives and corporations. I have worked with siblings, parents, artists, athletes, and clinicians as well. I offer individual therapy, couples therapy and corporate workshops. I typically treat teenagers and adults for various issues they face such as depression, phobias, confidence, trauma-based issues, bullying or workplace aggression, panic attacks, social and general anxiety and more. For couples, if there are issues with behavioural conflicts in the relationship, then I see them for relationship discord.
Five minutes with
Nivedita Ramanujam Charmaine Ng talks therapy and mindfulness with the founder of wellness centre, Inner Compass I am a ‘third culture individual’. I was born in India and raised in Hong Kong. I studied at Australian, British and US academic institutions and I’ve worked in Singapore, Hong Kong and India. Having grown up in Hong Kong, I always considered it home and wanted to return one day. Living in Sai Kung provides easy access to nature and the great outdoors. I am a psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, and founder of Inner Compass Hong Kong. I have over 20 years of experience treating expatriates in various countries. Apart from western psychological
training, I am also certified in mindfulness, meditation, and Buddhist psychology. My teenage daughter was diagnosed with chronic illnesses and subsequently, a brain tumour. I struggled to find ways to help my child deal with her surgeries. The period of waiting for her biopsy results was one of the most harrowing memories. The experience I gained in caring for my daughter finally convinced me that I could contribute more to society by helping others. Psychoneuroimmunotherapy (or PNI)
I believe I have a strong sense of compassion. I also have a deep meditative and creative practice which rejuvenates and inspires me to pursue this calling to help others. I paint, travel and sing as much as time allows, I find these very inspiring activities. The teachings of mindfulness, yogic and Buddhist philosophies inspire me deeply. Being a psychotherapist has been an incredibly rewarding journey as the connection and interactions are deep and meaningful. In 2020 I will be launching my new book. It’s called “Why do Panic Attacks Show Up in Your Life – How to Overcome Panic Attacks with Psychotherapy and Yogic Practice”. I will also be introducing selftapping EMDR workshops for restoring balance and accelerated healing in Sai Kung. To find out more, contact Inner Compass at zen-compass.com
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local
Rendering of the proposed development
Sai Kung promenade gets an upgrade
All you need to know about the new waterfront development. By Charmaine Ng
S
ai Kung’s iconic and scenic waterfront is one of the town’s defining features – it’s constantly filled with people parading their dogs around and pop up market stalls on a Sunday. So it makes sense that Sai Kung Promenade should be in tip-top shape, which is why the government’s Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) is conducting a study on the existing promenade and proposing a new design scheme for its upgrade. The last update to the waterfront took place in 2003 and saw the addition of paving blocks and railings. This new
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upgrade will take place along the walkway running from Man Nin Street to Sha Ha Road, spanning a total length of about one kilometre. Residents will be able to enjoy more greenery as the CEDD plan to integrate seating areas and greenery together. The commissioned landscape architect suggested an expansion on some flower beds and providing sufficient space for the trees to grow. Some aged facilities around the area will be replaced and nearby public facilities and walls will get a refresh, with painting projects to keep the promenade looking its best. The CEDD also plans to build new
landmarks with Sai Kung related themes such as fisheries and geological parks to add some additional educational and photo opportunities. The walkway will also be widened in order to cater to more pedestrians, especially during the busy weekends. Construction on the existing promenade is due to take place in mid-2020 onwards. Got a local story you’d like to share? Email us at editorial@hongkongliving.com
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cover story cover story
(and always will!)
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THE FRIENDLY COWS
Having become an iconic part of Sai Kung, our feral cows are the real stars of the town. Big shout out to Sai Kung Buffalo Watch for helping to keep them safe.
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THE BEACHES
We are lucky to have some of Hong Kong’s most beautiful beaches right on our doorstep, from Sai Wan to Millionaire’s Beach (otherwise known as Nam Fung Wan). You can just hop on a sampan and set sail to paradise!
OUR LOVE FOR ANIMALS
Dogs at the waterfront, cats roaming the playground and even the occasional parrot on a bike, there’s no denying that Sai Kung loves its animals. Another shout out, this time to Pets Central for keeping our furry friends happy and healthy!
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PINEAPPLE BUNS
It’s a known fact that Sai Kung Café and Bakery’s fresh-out-theoven pineapple buns are one of the best in Hong Kong! (Okay, maybe we’re being biased, but try and find somewhere better, we’ll be waiting!)
ITS CHARITABLE NATURE
Sai Kung is a community that gives back, making it one of the most charity-friendly places in Hong Kong, especially when it comes to animals. Thank you to Sai Kung Stray Friends, Hong Kong Cats and Catherine’s Puppies for helping our local strays.
OUR TOWN SQUARE The square is the heart and soul of Sai Kung, whether you’re dining, shopping, playing basketball or just walking through. There’s always a friendly face ready for conversation!
hk7s ever! best town
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9 FRIENDLY BUSINESSES
THE HIKES Much like our beloved beaches, hiking in Sai Kung is something people travel far and wide to experience. Lucky for us, the lush green mountain tops are right on our doorstep!
Sai Kung has a range of local business owners who know their customers on a first-name basis and go above and beyond to keep them coming back. Free glass of wine or an extra portion of chips, anyone?
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THE GOOD OL’ MINIBUS On those rare moments when we want to leave the town, the 101M bus is always there to teleport us back to the real world. (Please forgive the queues at rush hour though!)
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YOU!
All your friendly faces make Sai Kung a welcoming and safe place to live. We want to thank you for 10 years of support – we could not have reached this milestone without you!
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dining
Sai Kung’s 10 best restaurants
From wok-fried seafood to Mediterranean platters, Sai Kung has it all. Here are our top picks, by Nicole Cooley
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ai Kung is home to many independent restaurants, some of which have graced the town with their food and service for decades. Hongkongers travel far and wide to sample the fresh seafood and comfort food our town has to offer, but luckily for us, these restaurants are right on our doorstep. Here are our top 10.
The Conservatory Crowned the best restaurant in Sai Kung’s Readers’ Choice Awards three years in a row – we couldn’t possibly start a roundup without The Conservatory. Owned by Clearwater Bay-based couple Robert and Kim Cooper, the restaurant offers a range of Mediterranean dishes made for sharing, with an extensive list of small plates, including their crowd favourite, risotto balls. The restaurant also sits right on the square with abundant indoor and outdoor seating, making it the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine in the early evening. 26 Wan King Path. enotecagroup.com
Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant Chuen Kee is hard to miss along the waterfront, with large water tanks containing every type of fish you could dream of. Sit outside and soak in some local atmosphere while dining on fresh seafood, which you can pick out yourself from the tanks. The restaurant is a favourite amongst locals and tourists alike – their dim sum is a popular breakfast choice! 96 Man Nin Street.
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Momentai Enjoy an afternoon overlooking Sai Kung’s waterfront promenade with a cocktail in hand. With its array of colourful and unique chairs, a pool table and craft beer collection, it’s the perfect place to unwind after a long day. Momentai has become a firm favourite in the Sai Kung since it opened two years ago, serving up a mixture of healthy eats and comfort foods, including their ever-so-popular Momentai Burger. Kiosk 1, Sai Kung Waterfront, Wai Man Road. momentai-la.com
summer spice local favourites Ali Oli Ali Oli has called Sai Kung home since 1986 so they know a thing or two about the town’s dining scene. The well-known and loved bakery sits in a prime location in the square and serves up a range of savoury treats from gourmet pies to quiches, and every dessert under the sun including donuts, tarts and scones. The bakery also accepts made-toorder cake requests for those special occasions. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. G/F, 11 Sha Tsui Path. alioli.com.hk
Sawaddee Thailand A favourite amongst locals for their delicious Thai comfort food, Sawaddee Thailand’s formal restaurant on Chan Man Street and casual dining area on Fuk Man Road, also known as Ally Thai, always hits the spot! Spice dominants the menu with classics including Thai Green Curry and Fried Crab with Dry Chilli & Garlic. Wash the spice down with a fresh young coconut. No. 4, G/F, Sai Kung Garden, 16 Chan Man Street. sawaddeethailand.iyp.hk
Jaspas A classic Sai Kung favourite, Jaspas has been a part of the community for over 15 years. Located in Hoi Pong Square, the restaurant is ideal for families, with a range of hearty favourites such as pastas, pizzas and salads. It’s also a hotspot for weekend breakfasts, as parents can enjoy catching up while the kids burn off some energy running circles around the square. The seating area sits directly in front of the restaurant and is sheltered by a canopy. Make sure to book on weekends as the outdoor tables tend to get snapped up quickly. 13 Sha Tsui Path. casteloconcepts.com
One-Thirtyone For a more formal dining experience, One-Thirtyone sits just outside the town and is one of the more unique restaurants in the area. Plotted in a three-storey building in Tseng Tau Village, the restaurant is set in a picturesque location and gives diners a unique menu experience each Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant
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dining
time they visit. One-Thirtyone offers four-course lunch and six-course dinner menus, which can be tailored to the diner’s requirements. During the day, diners can sit outside on the large lawn and enjoy the sunshine. 131 Tseng Tau Village, Shap Sze Heung. one-thirtyone.com
Sai Kung Café & Bakery The perfect spot for a lunch or a sweet treat in the afternoon, Sai Kung Café & Bakery is full of freshly made pastries such as sausage buns and Portuguese egg tarts, and serves up homemade hot and cold drinks. The bakery has a small undercover seating area outside so if you’re lucky enough to get a seat, enjoy! Pineapple bun fans will love their famous fresh-out-of-the-oven buns – but be prepared to wait in line for them on weekends. G/F, 6-7 Kam Po Court, 2 Hoi Pong Square.
its journey in the old town in 2015 before branching out to Hoi Pong Square this year. This cosy sanctuary is incredibly popular with Sai Kung locals looking for healthy alternatives. It’s dark wood interiors contrast beautifully with the large open windows to provide the perfect backdrop for the café’s equally Instagrammable coffees and açaí bowls. Ingredients are thoughtfully sourced and the menu includes a range of organic and vegetarian dishes, including an all-day breakfast menu. Shop 1 and 2, G/F, Siu Yat Building, Hoi Pong Square. facebook.com/littlecoveespresso
Little Cove Espresso Tucked away next door to the bakery, Little Cove Espresso began
Padstow Restaurant & Bar After a big hike, Padstow hits the spot. Overlooking Hebe Haven Yacht Club, you can’t miss its blue exterior. The ground floor is decked in classic blue and white interiors, while the rooftop offers serene panoramic views of Pak Sha Wan View. Reminiscent of a British seaside pub, the menu delivers British classics such as fish and chips, steak, roast dinners and pies. For the more health conscious, there are also salads on the menu. 112 Pak Sha Wan. padstow.hk
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dining nibbles
Sai Kung gets dishy
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
Wolfgang Puck’s first Hong Kong restaurant touches down at the airport Frequently credited as the chef that refined modern Californian cuisine, Wolfgang Puck opened his first restaurant in Hong Kong at the arrivals hall of Hong Kong International Airport last month. Wolfgang Puck Kitchen is a fast-casual dining concept that serves LA-inspired comfort fare for busy travellers
on the go. The restaurant has soft-opened at the Hong Kong International Airport, with its grand opening scheduled for October 9. Shop 5T 150 Level 5 Terminal 1, Arrivals Hall, Hong Kong International Airport. wolfgangpuck. com/airports
Island Shangri-La
Tide turns for Pacific Rich Well-known fish expert, Pacific Rich has been supplying restaurateurs and retailers in Hong Kong for over 16 years. Now they have launched an online market which caters to individuals and delivers responsibly sourced seafood straight to your door (even in Sai Kung!) The market will include fresh or single frozen sockeye salmon, black cod and tuna. The fish offered will be from fish stock that is allowed to revitalise, survive and grow in order to protect the oceans. Founder of Pacific Rich, Chris Hanselman believes; “The world’s oceans are overfished with many species becoming extinct. The good news is that many countries have implemented legislation to control wild catch fishing and fish stocks are being replenished.” pacificrichresources.com
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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
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
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
Aude Camus runs food and lifestyle website Hong Kong Madame. hongkongmadame.com
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big day out
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Nicole Slater rounds up 10 of the best days out in Sai Kung
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top 10 Enjoy the catch of the day at Yau Ley This hidden seafood spot is one of Sai Kung’s best kept secrets. Spend the day hiking over the hilltops through Sai Kung Country Park or hop on a Sampan from Sai Kung waterfront and enjoy the delights of this family-owned restaurant.
Finding zen with Bamboo Yoga on the beach If beaches weren’t relaxing enough, take your trip to the next level with Bamboo Yoga’s popular beach aerial yoga workshop founded by Polish native Aleksandra Milewicz, Bamboo Yoga’s workshop starts with an aerial yoga
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s Hong Kong’s back garden, Sai Kung offers a range of outdoor activities to keep you busy all year long! We’ve rounded up our favourite days out to help you enjoy Sai Kung’s natural beauty.
Making a splash at Sheung Luk Stream Tucked away in the greenery of secluded Sai Wan Beach, lies Hong Kong’s most popular and Instagrammable waterfall, Sheung Luk Stream. Made up of three connecting pools the waterfall is magnificently large with fresh water gushing from the mountains, making a refreshing break in the summer months. The surrounding cliffs are popular for jumping off, although we do not recommend this as this waterfall has been the scene of tragic accidents. From Sai Kung take bus 29R or a 25-minute taxi ride to Sai Wan Pavilion and hike down to the beach.
Junk trip to Millionaires Beach Only accessible via boat or hike, Nam Fung Wan is a popular spot for many junk parties. Located in Sai Kung Country Park, the area holds fresh water lagoons and hidden coves, perfect for snorkelling. This beach can get quite crowded during the summer months with loud music and junk swapping, great for those looking to party. In the bay over from the beach you’ll find the popular seafood spot Yau Ley.
Hiking the MacLehose One of Hong Kong’s most challenging trails, The Maclehose spans 100 kilometres and links eight Country Parks from Sai Kung East Country Park all the way to Tai Lam Country Park. The trail was named after Sir Murray MacLehose, the longest serving governor of Hong Kong. Hike one of the trail’s 10 sections which varying from 5 to 16 kilometres or if you’re really up for a challenge, to take part in the Oxfam Trailwalker on November 15-17. oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk
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big day out class at Yoga Bam Bam in Central, followed by a hike to Tai Long Wan beach, where you can practice aerial yoga on bamboo tripods over the ocean, making for some fabulous Instagrams! bamboo-yoga.com
Stargazing at the Astropark For avid stargazers, the Astropark, located in Sai Kung East Country Park, is well worth a trip. Open 24 hours, the park is just a 10-minute walk from Chong Hing Water Sports Centre. Telescopes, binoculars and star dials are available. If you’d like to bring your own telescope, you can apply in advance for a power supply. You can also stay the night at the Sports Centre – book ahead and borrow camping equipment for free. lcsd.gov.hk
Paragliding over Long Kee Wan Conquer new heights and soar through the sky with Paraglide HK’s Level P1 and P2 courses. The day starts with a hike up to either Long Kee Wan or Ma On Shan before setting up equipment and preparing for your flight. Instructor Steven Yancey is part of the Hong Kong paragliding organisation and has 15 years gliding experience around the world, so you can be sure you’re in safe hands! The company also offers flights off Pat Sin Range and Cloudy Hill if you fancy of change of scenery. paraglidehk.homestead.com
Cycling around Tseung Kwan O Spend the day exploring the extensive network of cycle paths connecting Tseung Kwan O to Lohas Park, Hang Hau and Po Lam. With grassy areas, sea views and the Mega Playground at Po Hong Park along the route, you can pack a picnic and enjoy a refreshing break throughout the day. Dog owners can also walk their pooches in the pet garden. The area is great for novice riders and families and is best entered from Wan Lung Road.
Kayaking around Hoi Ha
credit: Kelvin Yuen
Nestled on the southern end of a stunning coastal inlet, Hoi Ha is a sanctuary for many
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top 10
types of marine life and is among the most pristine places to be found in Hong Kong. Along the way down to the beach from Hoi Ha village you’ll come across a couple of different vendors from whom you can rent kayaks, life vests and paddles. Once on the water, Hoi Ha inlet is a joy to explore. With abundant sea life, scattered coral beds and beaches, there is more than enough
to fill your day. If you’re eager to venture out further, navigate around the headland towards Wong Shek or Tap Mun Island and capture fantastic vistas of Sharp Peak.
Exploring the depths with Splash Hong Kong With Sai Kung’s clear waters and abundance of marine life, Scuba Diving is possible
despite many people’s beliefs. Splash Hong Kong offers the full range of PADI courses from Bubble Maker for children to Open Water Scuba Instructor for people looking to go professional. Splash also offer junk days where keen Scuba divers can practice their techniques while enjoying a day out on the water. Unit 5, 1/F, Ko Fu House, 58-72 Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung. splashhk.com
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education
French International School
As the TKO campus turns two, Amelia Sewell discovers there is never a dull moment at FIS
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’ve checked and apparently the phrase resting on your laurels translates directly into French. Yet it doesn’t appear to be a sentiment that the French recognise, at least not the team at FIS. Despite being a part of the furniture of Hong Kong education since 1963, the French International School is doing anything but resting. Instead, in recent years, FIS has set itself a series of ambitious goals. Launching the new campus at Tseung Kwan O, instigating an immersive bilingual primary school programme and working towards IPC and IEYC accreditation are just three of the recent projects that have kept FIS at the forefront of international education.
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Now in its second year, the TKO campus caters for primary children from both the international and French streams (and just the French stream for secondary). The building is a pretty dazzling addition to the Hong Kong landscape and is already something of an icon on the education skyline. If you haven’t seen photos of the white facade with umpteen multi-coloured box windows then where have you been? But this is not just a glittering new campus. Beyond aesthetics, building a primary school from scratch gave the leadership team a unique opportunity to rethink the type of curriculum they wanted to offer. And this is the real driving force behind the design:
Colourful grounds at FIS
creating a school that was able to fully embrace the immersive bilingual curriculum that they had put together. Ross Armitage, head of primary for the international stream, explains how it came about, “The feeling was that the two streams weren’t leveraging off each other. They were treated as completely separate and no one was making use of the fact that they could learn a lot from each other.” Each stream works from its own curriculum so the FIS team set about finding places where they could be brought together in order that specific topics could be taught in collaboration. The two streams therefore remain separate but they merge for certain projects. These collaborations happen once a week; students are divided into house groups rather than by stream so there is a blend of dominant languages amongst the children. Taught by a mix of teachers from both streams, some projects will be conducted in French, others in English. The result is that throughout the year, the students are given
FIS an even exposure to both languages when working on these integrated projects. “When selecting a school, there’s a lot of choice in Hong Kong. So we have to make sure that our curriculum really meets the parents and students needs. In the international stream at FIS, parents want to get the right amount of the British curriculum in terms of maths and English but they also want to buy in on a bilingual immersive curriculum and have different languages in their children’s day,” Armitage says. It is an element of the curriculum that has clearly taken a lot of time to develop, and it is propelled by the layout of the TKO classrooms, which have adaptable spaces that can be opened up or sectioned off. The primary campus in Jardine’s Lookout follows exactly the same curriculum and is being remodeled so that they benefit from the same flexible layout. FIS have chosen to use the same designers so that they can ensure everything that was achieved with the TKO campus is replicated at Jardine’s Lookout. Melissa Payne is deputy head of the international stream. “In terms of the curriculum, we’re ensuring that the pedagogical design is the same across both campuses, adapted to fit the needs of the building. However Jardine’s Lookout is being renovated, modeled on the success of the Tseung Kwan O layout. We’re making sure that the campuses do exactly the same things,” she says.
Burning off steam
The school has also developed a well thought out process for integrating new children without any knowledge of French into the higher year groups of primary school. Therefore the French element of the international stream is not a prohibitive element for those who have had little exposure thus far. Another concept that has been implemented with the new immersive bilingual programme is the idea of co-teaching. Looking at the international stream, previously French
lessons were taught entirely separately to other classes. With the new co-teaching method, students still have dedicated French lessons (for specific areas such as grammar) but the French teachers now also come into the classroom during thematic units and coteach alongside English teachers. “There’s the class teacher, the French language teacher and a teaching assistant. This means that the children are able to utilise their French in a natural environment in addition to what they learn in the dedicated lessons,” Payne says. Mandarin is the third language for the international stream and is another area that has been rethought to make sure that the delivery optimises the children’s learning. After researching what methods have benefitted other schools, the redesign now sees a lead teacher assisted by two Mandarin teaching assistants. With native and non-native students in each class, children are divided into small groups depending on their level, which means they benefit from bespoke sessions applicable to their standard. Take a deep breath though because that is not all. As if FIS weren’t busy enough, the primary team decided to apply for accreditation from not one but two educational bodies. This year the school has volunteered to be evaluated by the IPC
Classroom fun
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education Principal’s office
Ross Armitage Head of international primary stream Tell us about the TKO campus. We are lucky to have an amazing, brand new campus at Tseung Kwan O that was specifically designed for collaboration and bilingual teaching and learning. Each floor has a villa concept with classrooms centred around an agora, an expansive shared space where children across both streams can learn together. The campus is built around one building for primary students and one for secondary students (which is only French stream), with lots of natural light everywhere, outdoor space for everyone to run around, a beautiful auditorium and an indoor pool that will open in a few months. Can you sum up how your immersive bilingual curriculum works? Our immersive bilingual curriculum is based on co-teaching with teachers from
(International Primary Curriculum) and the IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum). If they are successful, they will be one of the first schools in the world to hold both accreditations, rubber-stamping the quality of their educational offering. One gets the impression that there’s never a dull or quiet moment at the French International School. This is a school that is conscious of the need to adapt to changing student requirements and parental requests, and does not shy away from breaking the mould, resetting it a way that better suits their ambitious aims. It’s going to be a busy year at FIS but it sounds like that’s just the way they like it. fis.edu.hk
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both streams being directly involved with the children. We also work around shared projects, where children across the international and French stream learn together. Shared projects link to IEYC/IPC and French stream units, and the adaptable and flexible layouts enable-shared Entry and Exit points. Ultimately the success of this approach is based on our entire school community collaborating - staff, students and parents - improving the teaching and learning of language and helping them become global citizens.
all our teachers have to be internationallyminded and value each other’s cultures.
What success have you seen from this teaching approach? Shared projects where teachers and students work together at each age range show significant results in terms of learning languages, with children being ultimately comfortable to switch from one language to the other, depending on the person they are speaking with. The other value to this approach is that parents from both streams are encouraged to attend joint French and international exit points, which has a positive effect on our community as a whole.
What role does technology have in the classroom? We use IT to enhance our curriculum and teaching and learning. For example, we use Google classrooms as they help students, staff and parents to collaborate efficiently. However more generally, our approach is to use IT to enhance rather than being dependent on IT alone.
And are there any particular challenges that teachers face with this method of teaching? Teachers across streams have risen to the challenge to plan and work together, despite the curricula ordinarily being based on different methods and cycles. It’s a joy to see how this collaboration ultimately enhances the students’ learning. At FIS,
What does this school year have in store? Beyond our upcoming dual IEYC/IPC accreditation, we have two joint events where the French and International Streams will get to collaborate: the TKO Campus Winter Fair, with a joint French/English concert and, later during the year is the Arts Walk where staff and students work together across the two streams to produce large scale art projects.
Away from teaching, what is your favourite hike in Hong Kong? When it comes to hikes, I would recommend something different like Rhyno Rock in Stanley or Suicide Cliff off Kowloon Peak. Favourite restaurant? One of my favourites is Mama San, for great food and experience. And beach? Shek O is the beach I like best with its white sand, cafes and restaurants.
FIS
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travel
A CITY ESCAPE Nicole Slater heads to Wan Chai to experience tranquillity amongst the bustling city at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
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guests with live piano music and fresh boutiques. The sweeping staircase whisks guests away to a range of restaurants, including the newly reopened Grissini and the popular Tiffin Lounge on the Mezzanine Floor.
The large and spacious lobby welcomes
The five-star location has kept on top of modernising each of their 542 guest
itting front and centre of Victoria Harbour, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong has had pride of place in its stunning harbourfront location since its opening in 1989. While the views are hard to beat, stepping inside the grand lobby is just as breathtaking.
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ROOMS
rooms and suites, with bathtubs which overlook the cityscape, a range of amenities are on offer including Nespresso coffee machines and deluxe pillow menu. Upon entering the harbour view room, guests are greeted with stunning panoramic skyline views through floor-to-ceiling windows which even impending rain during our stay couldn’t dampen.
staycations
SPA Located next to the pool you’ll find the calming Plateau Spa. Nominated Asia Spa Awards’ Urban Spa of the Year 2018, the location boasts lush gardens, water features and soft neutral tones. Each treatment is designed according to your current mood and begins with a brief conversation about stress levels and any particular areas you would like to focus on. All spa treatments end with a rejuvenating cup of tea, giving you time to re-adjust back into the real world.
DINING When it comes to dining, Grand Hyatt spoils its guests, with 10 uniquely designed restaurants and bars serving up a range of cuisines. Enjoy an authentic Italian experience at the recently renovated Grissini or indulge in traditional Japanese favourites at Kaetsu. For those who can’t make up their mind, The Tiffin Lounge’s dinner buffet caters to everyone’s needs with fresh seafood, roasted meats, a salad bar and live dessert station.
Grand Hyatt is offering an exclusive accommodation package designed for Hong Kong residents called Escape 24. The package includes a one night stay in one of the hotel’s luxury harbour view rooms for $2,680+10% per night with two of four additional promotions; $1,000 dining credit, buffet breakfast for two at Grand Café, buyone-get-one Plateau Spa treatments and champagne and fresh strawberries on arrival. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. hyatt.com
POOL Ascending to the 11th floor, guests are met with a tranquil oasis above the bustling city below, complete with palm trees and fresh mint mojitos. Boasting one of Hong Kong’s largest rooftop pools at 50-metres long, you can swim amongst the skyscrapers. The outdoor terrace is also home to alfresco restaurant, The Grill and The Waterfall Bar.
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community sport
Dock your dinghy Bridget Chan spills the beans on this year’s 24-hour Charity Dinghy Race
Join in on the fun at Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Hiram’s Highway, Pak Sha Wan, on October 5-6. hebehaven24hour.com
The annual Hebe Haven 24-hour endurance aquathon is back for its 16th year! This year’s race will be in the dedicated hands of Bridget Chan, a long term Hebe Haven Yacht Club member and avid sailor of ten years. “I have participated in the race for the past two years and realised just how meaningful the event is. It helps charities and you can’t find anything else like this in Hong Kong,” she gushes. Bridget has made a lot of changes to the event, including the addition of live performances and interactive games. “I’m trying hard to make the event more efficient. I’ve organised an online registration to make it easier for both the volunteers and teams to sign up.” Bridget adds. This year’s event is sure to be a success. Here’s our guide to all the action!
The race With over 40 teams signed up, the race to set to be the biggest one yet, with Hebe Haven celebrating the first local school,
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Evangel College entering as a team. The teams will race around a 1.2-kilometre course in Shelter Cove to complete the most laps in a 24-hour time period. With specially designed dinghies, everyone is welcome to join in the competition, including those with disabilities. This year’s race will also take into consideration the money raised by each team when awarding the winner, encouraging teams to support local charities. The race will take place at 2pm on Saturday and go on through the night until 2pm Sunday.
and lots of food and beverage options. Families can enjoy a fun day out in the sun while supporting the teams taking part.
Onshore Village While the teams battle it out to be crowned champion, supporters can enjoy a two-day carnival at Hebe Haven’s onshore village, complete with live entertainment including an aerial yoga performance over the ocean, Star War Stormtroopers, carnival games, stalls
Watersports trial Avid sailing fans or those who want to give the sport a go can enjoy free trials of all the watersports Hebe Haven offers. Try your hand at paddleboarding, kayaking and of course, dinghy sailing throughout the weekend for free.
Charities The event is in aid of the many charities that Hebe Haven Yacht Club supports, including Children’s Cancer Foundation, TREATS, IDEAL, Sailability Hong Kong and Sai Kung District Community Centre. The club has raised an impressive total of $10 million for charity since the event started in 2002.
village focus sport
Ho Chung’s Abandoned ATV Building In the spirit of Halloween, Nicole Slater investigates Sai Kung’s most spooky abandoned building
inside. The shocking find in our sleepy town led to nine arrests and a lock down.
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There is no denying the hollow floors and abandoned paperwork laying around the old TV studio is a little eerie, but the idea of ghosts might be a bit of a stretch.
he multi coloured building which sits on the corner of Hiram’s Highway has become an iconic feature for local paranormal fans over the years.
As one of the town’s largest structures the building, which is tucked away on Ho Chung Road, appears to be rather out of place. Originally built for use as one of Sai Kung’s many factories, it was used to produce everything from toys to electronics. However, when manufacturing was moved to the Mainland, the factory had to close its doors. A few years later, the building then went through a bit of an overhaul and was converted into a TV studio for ATV with many office spaces and filming rooms.
When ATV studio moved further out to Tai Po in 2007, the building was once again abandoned and fell into disrepair. Over the years, nature has taken over and now it resembles something out of an apocalyptic film set.
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The empty space became a giant canvas for graffiti artists. However in 2015, the building was back in the limelight when Sai Kung Police discovered explosive devices hidden
The building is located in Ho Chung, but the gates are now chained (not that chains are a challenge for any of the ghosts out there!)
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zim city
Cars first, pedestrians last
Crossing on Pok Fu Lam Road
Paul Zimmerman on the dangers of Hong Kong’s crossings
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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.
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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 signslike 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
foreign bodies, 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 do. I designed my own pets’ mooncake recipe many years ago but I’m lucky that my own dog loves lettuce and blueberries!
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,
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Dr. Pauline Pets Central veterinarian answers your questions.
Walkies
Rex the dog explores the Lamma Island Family Trail 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
island complete with serene views and plenty of rest stops for you and your furry friend. Start from Sok Kwu Wan and follow
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.
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marketplace
marketplace
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marketplace
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in marketplace the garden
What to plant in October
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or my years acting as superintendent of the Botanical Gardens, I found October the most pleasant of all months. Temperatures in this delightful month range from 23 °C to 28 °C. Air is relatively dry but not intolerably so, breeze is warm and mild. Ah, the browning of the leaves reminds me of my important duty. I shall now move on to the pressing question, as my helper always asks: Mister Tutcher, what shall I plant this month? October soil is the most nurturing of all, best used to grow nourishing vegetables. Seeds of the following may be sown: Mustard and Cress, delicious Lettuce and Radish, adorable Brussel Sprouts and flavourful Parsley, Sage and Thyme. You shall also plant out Cabbage, Cauliflower, Vegetable Marrow and Celery. If you find your dishes lack some sweetness, order Sweet Corn from the far depths of America and Australia, should you wish. Order them as soon as possible, as their journey from the West is long and miserable and the beautiful October days won’t wait forever. Flowers, whilst their life most fleeting, will dress your garden with magnificent colours. As October soil is the most desirable for your curation, let the flowers blossom in colours of your selection. Seeds of the following flowers are most preferable to plant: French and African Marigolds, Nicotianas, Sweet Alyssum, Daisy, Sunflowers and Pansy. Prune your roses and nourish them with a generous dressing of manure. Remember, you shall not sow your seeds too shallow nor too deep, water your plants too much, nor too little. Moderation is key. At last, I offer you advice of utmost importance for your craft. Plants demand care and love likened to our soul. Mere skill does not maketh a good gardener, but passion and heart. Take care of your plants with the care and attention you would give your children a motto every earnest gardener should keep at heart. By William James Tutcher F.L.S. (1867-1920) Superintendent of Hong Kong Botanical Gardens. Paraphrased from his seminal 1906 work Gardening for Hong Kong.
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stephen says... concern has cropped up for dog owners, it comes from City University’s newly established Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory which has identified an outbreak of leptospirosis, a potentially lethal bacterial disease which is usually contracted by dogs splashing around in tainted rivers, streams and puddles. It is generally derived from rat urine and can affect humans who in turn may be infected by contact with dog urine. And it’s very nasty indeed, potentially causing liver and kidney failure. Early treatment can avoid fatalities so be on the lookout for lethargy, fever, sore muscles, shivering, weakness, increased thirst and urination, vomiting, and runny noses, however some dogs may show no symptoms at all. Worse still there is currently no vaccine available in Hong Kong to counter this specific strain of the disease.
One of the abandoned factories in Sai Kung
Property developers descend on Sai Kung - again!
Stephen Vines reports on property development, contaminated water and other goings on around the town
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ai Kung’s next big property development has been a while in the making after a previous development plan was knocked back by the Town Planning Board two years ago. Now the two massive former paint factories which occupy the space between Hiram’s Highway and Hong Ting Road are again being touted for a 125,500 feet development dominated by, guess what, luxury residential apartments. In a move, presumably, to make this application more successful, the developers have also included residential care accommodation for the elderly in their plan. This site is currently used for storage but has also, rather unsuccessfully been used for a retail outlet, was sold by the CNT Group to the Stan Group last year for $900m in a complex cash and property swap deal. The Stan Group was founded by Tang Shing-bor, once known as the ‘Shop King’ because of his extensive retail property interests. The company is now heavily diversified and claims to have $50 billion of assets under management. By no coincidence whatsoever the chairman of the companies looking to make hay in Sai Kung is Tang’s 31 year old son Stan Tang.
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Stan Group likes employing buzz words such as ‘innovating’ and ‘caring’ to describe itself, other clichés are available at no cost whatsoever but one thing is absolutely sure, assuming that it gets its way and manages to build the planned five eight-story apartment blocks, they will come out of the standard issue ‘luxury’ design kit that celebrate uniformity in all its wondrous ways. Peerless pier activity Also in building mode is the Hong Kong government that has this thing about pier redevelopment, don’t ask me why but they really like tampering with public piers. All of them are now to be renovated, starting with a first batch of ten, three of which are in Sai Kung: Sham Chung, Lai Chi Chong and Kau Sai Chau. Secretary for Development Michael Wong says he believes that “the renovated piers will facilitate the promotion of green and cultural tourism, allowing citizens and tourists to know more about attractions in the countryside and natural heritage”. Who knows, maybe he’s right? Government officials have most definitely been saying way more daft things recently. Oh no, dogs at risk from water Meanwhile a new, and rather unexpected
As a dog owner, I know that most dogs like nothing better than a good old splash around in pools of water, especially after a bit of hiking. I had always assumed that as long as there was running water, the water quality would cause no harm but apparently this is not so. So, the advice is to keep your dogs away from these water courses but I’m not sure how I’m going to break that news to my small pack of hounds who just love water pools. Remembering when the words ‘police force’ were not controversial Given the turmoil in Hong Kong and the impossibility of ignoring what’s going on, nor the controversial role of the police in putting down the protests it comes as something of a relief to report that ten police and fireman based in Sai Kung were awarded bravery medals for their efforts during super-typhoon Mangkhut last September. They are a reminder of that golden age, not so long ago, when the role of the police was uncontroversial and they were welcomed in all sectors of the community. Among those to be recognised were the three police constables who rescued four men in a boat some 200 metres off Tsam Chuk Wan, in the process risking their lives in high seas and swirling winds. They managed to get the injured men out of the water, others less directly at risk, were also involved in the rescue and were awarded medals. Thank you, fellas. Stephen Vines is a journalist, broadcaster and entrepreneur. He is the former editor of the Eastern Express and Southeast Asia correspondent for The Observer.
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