Hong Kong Living February 2020

FA M ILY | P RO P E RT Y | SP O RT | L I VI N G

FEB 2020

hongkongliving.com

how to

eat, sleep & travel sustainably

Hike-arumba Our top trails for cooler months

Farm to table in Hong Kong (yes, we grow stuff here!)

T h e

f u t u r e

o f

s u s t a i n a b i l i t y

CHRISTINA DEAN Saving Hong Kong‌ one dress at a time

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CONTENTS — 0 2 / 2 0

22

COVER STORY Hong Kong Influencer Christina Dean’s vision for a sustainable city

2 Contributors Meet our team

18 Local

6 Snapped

40 Zim city

What to know about the new HKID cards

Life on Hong Kong Island

24 Lifestyle

8 THE PLANNER

42 Horoscopes

How to reduce your carbon footprint in Hong Kong

What’s happening in February

12 NEWS

A new lunar year is upon us...

27 Dining

Truly local news

43 Books & podcasts

Where to eat locally grown produce. Plus dining news

15 Must haves

32 Wellness

Valentine’s gifts we love...

Dr Nicolas Woodbridge on veterinary challenges

Hong Kong reads for February

44 Pets & gardening Monthly news on homely matters

Find zen in the city at these meditation classes

16 Hong Kong Practitioner

Queen Mary redevelopment plans lack vision

48 Backpage Nury Vittachi lightens the mood

34 Outdoors Seven Hong Kong hikes to tackle in February

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38 Travel

15

Medical tourism hotspots in Asia

36

16

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27 “There is no beauty in the finest cloth if it makes hunger and unhappiness.”

- Mahatma Gandhi

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EDITOR’S LETTER

hongkongliving.com talk@hongkongliving.com @hongkongliving facebook.com/hongkongliving852

Editorial Managing Editor Gemma Shaw, gemma@hongkongliving.com Contributing Editor Nicole Slater, nicole@hongkongliving.com Editorial Assistants Nicole Cooley, ncooley@hongkongliving.com Charmaine Ng, charmaineng@hongkongliving.com Design Graphic Designers Alvin Cheng, alvin@hongkongliving.com Jeramy Lee, jeramy@hongkongliving.com Vicky Lam, vicky@hongkongliving.com

This issue is dedicated to Hong Kong and the ways we can help our city progress as Asia’s leading environmentally sustainable city.

We’ll start with shopping. I’m a fanatic and frequent shopper. But a meeting with Redress founder Christina Dean in the lead up to her sustainability popup this month convinced me otherwise. I learnt that Hong Kong’s landfills receive an average of 392 tonnes of textiles a day, this includes factory overruns and throwaway consumer waste. Our immediate environment and the people here in Hong Kong and in Southern China pay a tremendous price. Christina shares her experiences after 12 years campaigning for a more conscious fashion industry on page 22.

Read our Hong Kong Living guide on how to navigate the city with a reduced carbon footprint on page 24. Meet restaurateur Todd Darling and find out how he’s paving the way for Hong Kong farmers to thrive and where to eat locally grown produce on page 27.

And while the weather is still cool get out and about at these meditation classes (page 32) and seven of our favourite hikes (page 34).

Want to write for Hong Kong Living Magazine?

Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com 2 | hongkongliving.com

Sales & Marketing Director of Content Hilda Chan, hilda@hongkongliving.com Head of Digital Content Isamonia Chui, isamonia@hongkongliving.com Partnership Managers Joey Ho, joey@hongkongliving.com Elaine Li, elaine@hongkongliving.com Operations Management Trainee Edwina Chan, edwina@hongkongliving.com Digital Digital Editor Apple Lee, apple@hongkongliving.com Publisher Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 | Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, Room 2B, LG1 floor, Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222-226 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Printer Apex Print Limited, TPTL 13 Dai Kwai St, Tai Po Ind Estate, Tai Po, Nt

Hong Kong Living 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.

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CONTRIBUTORS THANK YOU GUYS!

Nury Vittachi

Karin Bremer

Alvin Cheng

Nury Vittachi is the Hong Kong-based author of more than 40 books, several of which have been published internationally in multiple languages. His journalism has appeared in more than a dozen publications, including the New York Times and Reader’s Digest. nury@vittachi.com

Dutch-Australian photographer Karin runs photography company “Karin Bremer Photography” offering a range of photography services including family portraits, events and commercial product services. karinbremer.com

Alvin is an experienced graphic designer who has worked on Hong Kong publications including HK Magazine, New Travel Magazine and Kee Magazine. He’s also heavily involved in the fitness scene and is a NASM certified trainer. Using both sides of his brain helps Alvin maintain a balanced lifestyle.

Nicole Slater

Paul Zimmerman

Graham Uden

Hong Kong born and bred, Nicole studied journalism at university in England, but her love for the city’s vibrant lifestyle brought her back.

She is currently editor of Hong Kong Living’s sister publications Sai Kung and Southside Magazine.

Paul Zimmerman is the CEO of Designing Hong Kong, the co-convenor of Save Out Country Parks and the recently re-elected Southern District Councillor of Pok Fu Lam. In our cover story this month, Paul suggests ways to get around Hong Kong with a reduced carbon footprint.

British-born photographer Graham Uden arrived in Hong Kong in 1992. His work has involved being held up by AK-47 toting ex-Khmer Rouge soldiers in Cambodia and squatting metres from Taliban trenches in Afghanistan.

Graham currently specialises in corporate and commercial photography as well as reportage in the Asia region. grahamuden.com

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PEOPLE Snapped around Central

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SNAPPED

credit: Graham Uden

Hong Kong Living New Year Urban Retreat 2020 #awakenyourcity

We’re on Facebook

Scan here to view the full photo album hongkongliving.com | 7

PLANNER

Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. kidsfest.com.hk

FEB 2

Magnificent Mozart A musical portrayal of Mozart’s life performed by the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong.

2.30pm & 5pm. From $250. Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall, Central. lcsd.gov.hk

FEB 2

Women’s Five Hike and Breathwork with Respira Kick off Feb with a 4km hike and breathwork session. 9-11am. $250. Peak Galleria, The Peak. womensfive.com

FEB 8

Gold Coast GreenRace Choose from a 10km, 15km or 25km run hosted by The Green Race. 9am. From $400. Golden Beach, Tuen Mun. tgr.run

UNTIL FEB 16

The AIA Great European Carnival Hong Kong’s biggest winter fair. 11am-11pm.

Adults $130 (includes 10 tokens), concessions $90 (includes seven tokens). Central Harbourfront Event Space. tgec.asia

UNTIL FEB 23 KidsFest 2020

Enjoy favourites such as The Gruffalo and Mr Men and Little Miss. Times vary. $195. The

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WHAT’S ON

FEB 4-9

Hong Kong Race Week Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club hosts this regatta with over 230 boats competing. hongkongraceweek.com

FEB 6-9

Hong Kong Pet Show 2020 Join the 15th Anniversary of Hong Kong’s cutest pet show! Free entry for pets, owners $30. Times vary. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Hall 3. petshow.com.hk

FEB 9

Hong Kong Marathon 2020

Credit: Dancers (from left): Dong Ruixue, Henry Seldon | Creative: Design Army | Photographer: Dean Alexander | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

This annual marathon celebrates 24 years, options include a 10km run and a half marathon.

6.10am start. $450. Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. hkmarathon.com

FEB 13-MAR 14

Hong Kong Arts Festival A month-long performing arts festival. Times, prices and locations vary. hk.artsfestival.org/en

India by the Bay Celebrate Indian culture at this vibrant festival.

Times vary. Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty. indiabythebay.com

FEB 14-19 Mumz Talk

Don’t forget the roses!

FEB 14-16

FEB 15

Performed by the Hong Kong Shakespeare Performance Association. Fri & Sat 7pm, Sun 5pm. Free. Olympic Square, Amphitheatre,

Sign up for a 12km, 22km or 50km race around Sai Kung as part of Action Asia’s HK50 Series.

6am. $430. Pak Tam Chung Picnic Garden, Sai Kung. actionasiaevents.com

Valentine’s Day

Shakespeare in the Park presents Twelfth Night Sleeping Beauty

FEB 14-19

Four days of talks and workshops focusing on the issues faced by new mums. 11am7pm. From $100. Baby Basics Store, Lansing House, 41-47 Queen’s Road Central, Central. meetmumz.com

FEB 14

FEB 8-9

Hong Kong Park, 19 Cotton Tree Drive, Central. hkshakespeare.com

Sai Kung 50

Performed by the Hong Kong Ballet. From $200. Times vary. The Box, Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District. hkballet.com

FEB 8

Breakfast Meeting in Discovery Bay Join Malvern College Hong Kong (MCHK) for a dedicated breakfast meeting to learn more about holistic education and upcoming exchange programmes. 10.30am. Room I, Club Siena, Siena Park, Discovery Bay. malverncollege.org.hk/ infosession

FEB 8

Spring Lantern Carnival Night Cultural performances, lion dances, stage acts and fantastic lantern displays. 7.30-10pm.

Free. Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Tsim Sha Tsui

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PLANNER

FEB 15

Sai Kung Montessori Information Session Explore the Montessori approach and find out more about the early learning program in Sai Kung. 10am. Free. 787 Unit SB, Tan Cheung, Sai Kung. saikungmontessori.com

FEB 17-24

Wellness Week Hong Kong Hong Kong’s first ever Wellness Week, hosted by Liv Media presents special offers, discounts and events related to health and wellbeing in support of local mental health charity MIND HK. For more information, visit wellnessweek.hk

BOOK NOW

FEB 14-16

Longines Masters of Hong Kong A prestigious equestrian event. Highlights include an Asian Arabian Horse Show and a kid’s hobby horse competition. Times vary. $230. AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau. longinesmasters.com

FEB 19-23

Disney on Ice - Live Your Dreams

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. hkticketing.com

Disney heroes on ice skates. Times vary. $180.

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

MAR 8

International Women’s Day Celebrating women since 1975. Events across the city.

MAR 14

Flying Colours HK Trail A race from Tai Tam through Hong Kong Island in support of education of ethnic minority girls in the Guangxi province.

7am. $350. Tai Tam Country Park. flyingcolourshktrail.com

MAR 28

Sónar Music Festival Fancy some Spanish electronic music?

This is the place to be! Noon-10.45pm. $680. The Grand Hall, Building 12W, Hong Kong Science & Technology Park. sonarhongkong.com

APR 10-11

Peppa Pig Live - Perfect Rainy Day A musical adventure with plenty of muddy

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puddles. Times vary. $280. Star Hall, Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Kowloon. hkticketing.com

MAY 24

Avril Lavigne - Head Above Water World Tour She was a Sk8er girl… and she’s in Hong Kong for one night only. 8pm. Tickets from $488. AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau. hkticketing.com

WHAT’S ON

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NEWS

STUDENTS CASHING IN On January 8, the Education Bureau (EDB) announced a one-off Student Grant of $2,500 for day-school students in the 2019/20 school year.

The grant is estimated to benefit around 900,000 students attending secondary day-school, primary school and kindergarten in Hong Kong.

Parents should be able to collect and submit the application forms via their schools, for schools to submit by February 14. The EDB stated that they “expect to start disbursing the subsidy in about six weeks after receiving the applications.” They also stated that “the provision of the Student Grant will be regularised starting from the 2020/21 school year.” For more information on the grant and eligibility, visit info.gov.hk

HIGHS AND LOWS FOR OCEAN PARK Ocean Park has announced a $10.64 billion bail out from the Hong Kong Government after its Chairman, Leo Kung made an emotional plea for public support at the beginning of this year.

Both the park and the government consider the loan necessary in order to help the park develop further, and ultimately attract more visitors. The park already has a government loan of $3.67 billion which was used to build two hotels and a waterpark. This loan is due to be paid back to

the government in 2021. The new cash injection will be used to revamp the park in plans which include replacing 12 classic rides, including The Dragon and Raging River with 26 new rides.

The park has also announced plans to remove its controversial dolphin show which has come under criticism from animal rights activists over the years. Renovations are expected to be completed in 2027.

WELLNESS WEEK Liv Media has announced the launch of Hong Kong’s first ever Wellness Week from February 17 to 24. The event presents an entire week of special offers, discounts and events related to health and wellbeing, bringing together dozens of wellness brands, both large and small. Partnering with local mental health charity MIND HK, a portion of proceeds from the event will go towards supporting mental health in Hong Kong. For more information, visit wellnessweek.hk

HONG KONG AT A LOSS The Hong Kong Tourism Board has just announced yearly figures for visitors to the city for 2019. The stats show a decline of 14.2% compared to the previous year. A total of 56 million people crossed Hong Kong’s immigration gates last year, as the city saw a 13.9% increase in tourists during the first half of the year. From July onwards, the report details a staggering loss of 39.1% of visitors, with the number of mainland tourists and overnight travellers being hardest

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hit. Dr YK Pang, Chairman of The Hong Kong Tourism Board believes; “Hong Kong’s tourism industry has faced exceptional challenges over the past year, but I have every confidence in our resilience and appeal as a world-class travel destination.” The board has recently rolled out a new campaign, “Hong Kong is ON” which offers discounts on flights, hotels, restaurants and attractions, to encourage tourists back to the city. discoverhongkong.com

IN YOUR BACKYARD

NEW NOTES OF YUM CHA If you haven’t spotted already, new $50 and $20 notes were released into circulation on January 14, in time for Chinese New Year, by the Hong Kong Money Authority (HKMA). These two new notes are the last denominations of the 2018 Series issued by Hong Kong’s three note-issuing banks, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited and Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited. For the first time, these three banks have followed a unified theme of butterflies for $50 notes and yum cha for $20 notes. Featuring new security upgrades, other denominations depict the International Financial Centre ($1,000), the UNESCO Global Geopark ($500), and Catonese Opera ($100). Older series of banknotes in circulation still remain legal tender. hkma.gov.hk

Panelists Christina Dean and Denise Ho

REDRESS DESIGN AWARDS OPEN Now in its 10th year, the Redress Design Award 2020 competition opened to applicants on January 14. For the first time, the world’s largest sustainable fashion design competition will split the prize into two categories of mens and womenswear. Redress Founder and Board Chair, Christina Dean said, “We don’t have a moment to lose. The fashion industry is screaming for

change. Shockingly, the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is landfilled or incinerated every second - and this is set to worsen. Globally, we must galvanise designers to act urgently to redesign the future of fashion.” The competition is open until March 18 for emerging designers with less than four years of experience. For more information, visit redress.com.hk

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MUST HAVE

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MUST HAVES

Revitalizing Cream Cleanser $835 from RARE SkinFuel

Activating Mist $960 from RARE SkinFuel rareskinfuel.com

Twig Heart Wreath

The Valentina

$195 from Tree tree.com.hk

$2,000 from BYDEAU bydeau.com

L’amour Earring and Ring Set $35,000 from Kristina Rybaltchenko rybaltchenko.com

Heart Gift Box $475 from La Maison du Chocolat lamaisonduchocolat.hk

Mini Heart Charm Peachy Gift $225 from Lush

$890 from TUMI tumi-hk.com

Love Locket $130 from Lush hk.lush.com

Nicole Slater suggests Valentine’s Day gift ideas to woo your boo

Gold Sparkle Ear Climbers $482 from Karma Links karmalinksjewellery.com

The Ritual of Ayurveda Scented Candle $195 from Rituals rituals.com

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HK PRACTITIONER Following successful completion of this intensive training, I passed the European College of Veterinary Surgeons qualification examinations to become a European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery.

Only veterinarians who have completed this level of training are qualified to be called ‘specialists’, and there are still relatively few true veterinary specialists in Hong Kong.

Pets are referred to a specialist when a general practitioner sees a case they believe requires specialised expertise or equipment, or when a pet owner requests a specialist.

During a consultation with the specialist, the referring GP’s notes are read and the pet examined. A discussion regarding investigatory and treatment options then takes place with the pet owner before any further tests or procedures are performed.

I work mainly with dogs and cats. I’m interested in all types of surgery, ranging from routine to advanced orthopaedic, neurology and soft tissue procedures.

In general, Hong Kong owners care deeply for their pets. If problems arise, it is often best to get them treated as early as possible to give us the best chance of helping the animal.

Trust me, I’m a vet specialist

I have lived in Hong Kong with my family since 2015, my wife and I have two kids. In our free time, we enjoy family walks with our dog in the New Territories.

Charmaine Ng talks pet troubles with VSH Hong Kong’s veterinary small animal surgical specialist, Dr Nicolas Woodbridge A day at VSH begins at 8.30am. The team and I start by checking our inpatients, making sure that the animals are doing well and creating a plan for the day. This may include performing further investigations such as blood tests or CT scans.

After lunch, we start operating on the patients who have been admitted for surgery. We are often busy helping patients into the evening and sometimes late into the night.

I am a European Specialist in Small Animal

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Surgery, which means that I have undertaken significant extra training. In my case, I qualified as a veterinarian after five years of training at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), London, UK. I then undertook a Small Animal Internship at the RVC. After this, I worked in general practice for a year before completing a three-year Small Animal Surgical Residency at the state of the art referral centre, Dick White Referrals, Cambridgeshire, UK.

Dr Nicolas Woodbridge is a European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery at VSH Hong Kong, the only dedicated specialty referral and emergency practice in Hong Kong.

Using a North American model of referral practice, VSH provides specialised, expert veterinary care for complex medical and surgical problems. vsh.com.hk

HK PHILANTHROPIST

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LOCAL can head over to one of the nine Smart Identity Card Replacement Centres (SIDCCs), which are open from Monday to Saturday. The one on Hong Kong Island is located in Wan Chai near Immigration Tower and Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. All SIDCCs have a quota system, so applicants are advised to make an appointment before going to the offices to avoid waiting in line.

Around seven working days after applying for your new card at the SIDCCs, you should receive a notice to collect it within a specified timeframe. Make sure to bring along your existing card to be returned for cancellation when you collect your new one.

That’s it – after potentially years of waiting, you’re now the proud owner of a brand new smart identity card! Keep it in good condition and save yourself the trouble of replacing it again by safeguarding it in an appropriate protective holder and do not bend it, test it with a magnet, store it together with keys or remove the chip from it.

New security features The new smart identity card has a total of nine additional features to combat forgery.

• Hologram with wave and 3D effect.

Changes colour with a wave and 3D relief effect from different angles.

• Ink with variable properties. Changes colour from different angles.

Hong Kong resident Stephen Willshaw collected his new HKID card last year

A new identity

Making sense of the HKID card replacement initiative. By Charmaine Ng

Since 2003, Hong Kong identity cards have been issued in the form of a smart card. At the end of 2018, though, a new smart identity card system was implemented, meaning that residents have since been replacing their existing cards in batches. The new card is said to have an enhancement in security New to the city? If you’re arriving in Hong Kong with permission to stay more than 180 days, you can skip the SIDCCs and register for a new identity card in any one of the Registration of Persons Offices.

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features, card durability as well as chip technology on personal data protection.

The territory-wide identity card replacement programme covers all Hong Kong residents, regardless of whether they are Hong Kong permanent residents or residents for employment, investment or study. The programme is currently in its seventh phase, with Hong Kongers born in 1957, 1958 or 1959 replacing their existing cards.

When it’s your turn to replace your identity card (check online at smartid.gov.hk), you

• Rainbow printing. Combines two colours that change gradually from left to right.

• Tactile pattern. Can be felt easily by finger.

• See-through window. Intersected between the front and back opening with HKID number laser engraved on different layers of the see-through window.

• Multi-pattern background. Includes fineline patterns and guilloche.

• Stereo laser image with a portrait. The inclusion of a second smaller photograph of the cardholder.

• Full-colour image under UV. When the back of the card is illuminated under UV light, a full-colour image of fireworks in Hong Kong and major buildings comes into view.

• Micro Printed text. Requires a magnifying glass to read.

LOCAL

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COVER STORY

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INFLUENCER INTERVIEW

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COVER STORY

Slow your craving for fast fashion Gemma Shaw meets Christina Dean, sustainable fashion advocate and founder of Hong Kong charity Redress Clothes have simply become too cheap.

The price of fashion has dropped, due to globalisation. In contrast, the cost of raw materials; cotton, oil, water and polyester have remained fairly constant. Something has to give, that comes at the cost of human welfare and the environment.

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It was 2007 when I started Redress - the winds of opportunity were on our side.

Sustainability was blowing up across the world but there were no notable companies leading the way within Asia. We jumped at the chance to be that entity and first in line.

Around that time, I cycled from Hong Kong to Hanoi taking in some of the major manufacturing cities in Southern China. I had a cultural shock. The people on the streets, mainly factory workers, were grey, sad and depressed. This is the price of global manufacturing.

And I realised just how close the Pearl River Delta is, this where much of the pollution is concentrated. Our environment - the air, the water here in Hong Kong is directly affected.

I started Redress on a shoestring. I was frustrated with how so many suppliers seemed to make no conscious effort to think about the impact their products have on the environment and the working conditions of the people.

INFLUENCER INTERVIEW Redress events in 2020 The Get Redressed Secondhand Pop-up From February 3-12, this pop-up retails designer and highstreet menswear, womenswear and children’s clothes from just $50. THE ANNEX, Nan Fung Place 2F, 173 Des Voeux Road Central. Feb 3, 6-10pm; February 4-11, 10am-9pm; February 12, 10am-2pm.

How to dress sustainably in Hong Kong

The Redress Design Award Happening in September, this is the world’s largest sustainable fashion design competition, hosted by Redress in Hong Kong. The competition works to educate emerging fashion designers around the world about sustainable design theories and techniques. Call for entries is open now.

Get Redressed Month Hosted throughout October, this is Hong Kong’s largest annual clothing drive during which companies, schools and individuals donate their unwanted clothes. Mark it in your diary and have a clearout.

Christina on a mission to reduce factory waste

I used this frustration as a key driver to create what is now Redress. We do all we can to influence and create awareness of how damaging fast fashion is. And we find ways to educate consumers to value quality over quantity.

We are a registered charity and our mission is to reduce waste in the fashion industry. We do this by educating designers and consumers to love fashion in a more sustainable way.

Hong Kong’s landfills receive an average of 392 tonnes of textiles a day. The majority of this waste consists of unsold garments from numerous internationally recognised fast fashion brands. If you compared this figure to 2011, there’s been an 81 percent increase in waste.

People expect better quality, sustainably made clothes to cost the same as fast fashion. Look at it like this; do you want to go to a Michelin starred restaurant, or to McDonalds?

We don’t want to lose jobs, but we want to add quality and time. So in an ideal world, a garment would stay on the manufacturing line for longer and ultimately be better quality with stronger stitching and better finishing.

I was smacked in the face after 10 years of campaigning. Despite significantly increased awareness, waste, climate impact and consumption are on the rise. The fashion industry is in a tailspin of disaster.

In 2017, we founded The R Collective. A Hong Kong brand for consumers who want to buy fashion in a sustainable manner. It is a for-profit,

• Don’t buy fast fashion.

• Stop seeing clothes as throwaway.

• Keep clothes in your closet for as long as possible. Repair them, redesign them, clean them properly and reimagine them - how could you layer or style them differently.

• When you do shop… consider sustainable brands and secondhand. A few to note include The R Collective, Vestiaire and The Hula. Hong Kong also has a surprising number of charity shops.

• Host a swap party. Invite your friends over for drinks and nibbles, bring along the items you’re bored with and swap the night away.

social impact fashion brand. We reuse materials discarded by premium luxury brands and donate 25 percent of our profits to redress.

There really is no need to buy new in Hong Kong. We have Vestiaire, The Hula and there are a surprising number of charity shops.

Redress hosts pop-ups twice a year and you can swap clothes with friends too.

My wardrobe is big - too big. But I haven’t brought virgin materials for many years - except for the odd pair of pants, or shoes. Plus, I’m a dumping ground for many of my friends’ old clothes.

Dressing sustainably is about changing our own mindsets. Redress is not just the future of fashion but the future way of living.

Christina Dean is the founder of Hong Kong charity Redress. Follow her @drchristinadean. redress.com.hk

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LIFESTYLE

The future

casual eatery a favourite haunt for big groups and families alike. The restaurant partners with local farms to source organic produce that are incorporated into their flavourful dishes.They also have meat-free options for vegetarian diners and their menu boasts delicious cocktails and drinks that are not to be missed! 49 Elgin Street, Central. linguinifini.com

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to carve out an environmentally sustainable existence in Hong Kong. Here’s our guide to shopping, eating out and travelling around Hong Kong with a reduced carbon footprint.

SHOP Hong Kong may not be the most sustainable city, but things have improved greatly in recent years with greener shops popping up over the island.

Consider doing your shopping at one of these sustainable spots:

Edgar A bulk grocery store on Moon Street, Edgar stocks an impressive variety of nuts, dried fruit and freeze-dried vegetables which you can buy in bulk. An extensive collection of packaging-free products and body care items are also available for you to live your most sustainable life. 5 Moon Street, Wan Chai. edgar.hk

Locofama Lush opens first ‘naked’ store

Lush The Lush store in Causeway Bay is the brand’s first ‘naked’ store in Asia. It hosts an abundance of plastic-free alternatives to your everyday cosmetics. Shop bottle-free shower gels and lipsticks at this green mecca for all things health and beauty. Shop Q, G/F & M/F, Hong Kong Mansion, 2-10 Great George Street, Causeway Bay. hk.lush.com

E AT

Live Zero Live Zero is Hong Kong’s first zero-waste grocery store and stocks a range of eco-friendly and plastic-free products including beeswax food wraps and bamboo toothbrushes. You can also shop for your staple ingredients in bulk – the store has a range of food items such as wheat flour, pumpkin seeds, dried fruit, quinoa and more. G/F, 33 High Street, Sai Ying Pun. livezero.hk

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Many restaurants in Hong Kong strive to support locally-grown produce. Check out these dining hotspots to sample some of Hong Kong’s finest grown produce.

Fini’s Fini’s spread of Italian American dishes and its colourful location on Soho’s sidewalk makes the

By working closely with Hong Kong’s local farms, Locofama uses organic fruit and vegetables that are free from any pesticides and chemicals.

Their menu is designed for sharing and features a slew of small bites and fresh salads. The restaurant also offers a range of natural and biodynamic wine, which comes with probiotics and antioxidants, so you don’t have to feel guilty about that sneaky glass. 9-13 Fuk Sau Lane, Sai Ying Pun. locofama.com

Roganic Founded by celebrity chef Simon Rogan, Roganic impresses the city’s epicureans with its forwardthinking and elegant approach to seasonal farm-to-table dining. We love that the restaurant highlights sustainability and showcases produce from local farms with a member of staff whose sole job is to source high quality local supplies.

Shop 8, UG/F, Sino Plaza, 255 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay. roganic.com.hk

SUSTAINABILITY

of sustainability The Hong Kong Living guide to existing sustainably in Hong Kong

TRAV EL One of the biggest benefits of living in Hong Kong is its proximity to so many holiday destinations nearby. With countries such as Taiwan or Thailand just one to three hours plane-ride away, the urge to travel can be hard to resist. We understand that it is impossible to eliminate travel altogether – so here’s a checklist for ways to reduce your environmental footprint the next time you do so:

Choose your destination carefully Cities like Angkor Wat are consistently overcrowded from an excess of tourists straining the environment and infrastructure and driving locals out of the communities. Consider the road less travelled for your next trip – for example, Myanmar and Mongolia are opening up as tourist destinations - or just stay right here in Hong Kong where there are some fantastic staycation deals.

your homework and choose to stay in a place that holds itself to environmental standards. If you’re planning a staycation in Hong Kong, check out Hotel ICON or The Harbourview, both known for their eco-hospitality offerings.

Spend your money locally Make a positive impact by choosing to support small, local businesses. Eat at independent restaurants and buy locally made products. Let local people actually benefit from tourism in their country.

Travel by road or rail Air travel is known to wreak havoc in the environment, so if your destination is close by, consider travelling by bus, boat or train. How about an overnight trip to our sister city, Macau?

Or take the train to Yangshuo in mountainous Southern China.

Pack reusable items Pack light and purposeful – make it a standard practice to bring a reusable water bottle, a cloth shopping bag, toothpaste, your own cutlery and maybe a lunchbox or two for when you need to take home leftovers. Try to eliminate all single-use items!

Eco-friendly accommodation The good news is, more and more hotels are jumping on board with eco-friendly initiatives. Do

Take the tram when in Hong Kong

How to reduce carbon footprint in Hong Kong Paul Zimmerman is Southern District Councillor and CEO of Designing Hong Kong Private car ownership is low in Hong Kong compared with the USA, Europe and Australia.

However, unfortunately it is on the rise at an alarming rate. Every day over 80% of Hong Kong residents make a walking trip yet despite that, the city is tailored towards drivers with transport planners and many of our politicians favouring vehicle owners when it comes to designing our roads.

The easiest way to reduce carbon footprint when moving around Hong Kong is to take public transport, such as the tram, and to walk where possible. Where safe and suitable, consider cycling.

We must push harder to encourage improvements for our urban environment.

Demand better pedestrian facilities, widen footpaths, add bicycle facilities, penalise illegal parking, limit (un-)loading and ultimately restrict car access. This should be more than just a movement, it should be a revolution in Hong Kong.

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DINING

Grow local, eat local Todd Darling talks about supporting local farmers as a restaurant owner. By Apple Lee

Homegrown Foods make it easy for Hong Kong consumers to have access to high quality, local organic fruits and vegetables from farmers in the northern New Territories of Hong Kong and across the border in China. We sat down with Todd Darling, founder of Homegrown Foods and Red Sauce Hospitality Group (responsible for restaurants including Fini’s and Franks) to talk about supporting farmers in our city.

In Hong Kong, there are farmers working exceptionally hard to grow great produce just a few miles away, but the limited availability of land makes it hard for these growers to get to a point where they are reliably providing hotels and restaurants.

I started Homegrown Foods because I wanted to make sure that people had widespread access to local fruits and

vegetables. We work with Hong Kong farmers to learn what’s available on the ground and when it’ll be ready for picking so that we can supply establishments and consumers with fresh groceries consistently.

I want to smash the myth that the best ingredients have to be flown in. People seem to have this view that corners are cut, and it’s simply not true. I highly recommend visiting local farms and witnessing their hard work and dedication firsthand. It’s also important to acknowledge and support local farmers who may be struggling to compete with big label brands.

When we first started out, it took us a little while to earn the trust of local farmers, but once they knew I was serious about supporting them, things ran smoothly.

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DINING

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DINING now teenagers still appreciate the local and organic produce that I’ve introduced to them when they were kids and make it a part of their daily diet.

At Red Sauce Hospitality, we’re always experimenting to see where a local ingredient might improve a dish. At our original restaurant Posto Pubblico, you’ll always find seasonal vegetable dishes on the specials board. Right now, there’s a braised fennel dish that I can’t get enough of. At FINI’s, we do a creamy fettuccine pasta using local shiitake and oyster mushrooms. People talk a lot about our typhoon shelter crab pasta, which we make using locally grown pickled chillies, preserved black beans and a garlic scallion gremolata. Also at Frank’s, our latest venue, we prepare the pappardelle alla vodka using local shiitake mushrooms.

Todd at a farm in the New Territories

Nowadays, more Hongkongers are starting to take notice of local suppliers. It’s important that consumers ask questions about what they’re purchasing. There are online platforms through which you can calculate your carbon footprint – you’d be surprised by the impact that you’re having on the

environment and favouring local produce can reduce that impact significantly.

When I reconnect with young adults I met ten years ago, it’s great to see that I’ve made an impact – however small it may be – on the way they consume food. These

My three tips for adopting a healthier lifestyle are to develop strong routines, reevaluate your routines to make sure they are suited for your personal goals and to never stop learning and growing.

For more information, visit homegrownfoods. com.hk

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DINING

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DINING NEWS

Dining News

Kyoto Joe on the move Popular Japanese sushi bar and restaurant Kyoto Joe has bid adu to their streetside Lan Kwai Fong location and is heading up… to the 23rd floor of California Tower. Diners can now enjoy their authentic Japanese dishes while admiring Hong Kong’s iconic skyline. 23/f California Tower, Lan Kwai Fong. kyotojoe.com

The Pizza Project opens The trio behind Pirata Group’s ever-popular pasta bar Pici, namely chefs Andrea Viglione and Davide Borin and operations manager Nacho Lopez, rolled out an exciting new concept on January 14, The Pizza Project. Launching with a grand opening party offering free pizza, antipasti and drinks, the latest pizza concept drew in a crowd

of hungry punters. The Pizza Project follows the success formula of Pici and offers only a simple, single page menu – but with a focus on the chewy round dough. The casual eatery prepares fresh homemade pizzas daily along with various Italian starters and desserts. G/F, 26 Peel Street, Central. thepizzaproject.hk

CÉ LA VI is now SKYDECK On December 31, we bid a fond farewell to CÉ LA VI. However, there’s no need to feel sad, SKYDECK has popped up in its place! The bar serves up cocktails, wines and beers to sip on while enjoying panoramic views of the skyline. Ahhh… that’s better! 25/F, California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong. californiatower.com

New Samsen outpost in Sheung Wan Samsen Sheung Wan soft-opened its doors in Hong Kong’s foodie neighbourhood midJanuary. Chef Adam Cliff and Bella Kong’s new establishment is a continuation of their passion for exploring the bold flavours of traditional Thai street eats with a twist. The outpost will serve up new dishes including Khao Soi (curried beef with fresh egg noodles), best served alongside freshly made roti. Head here to experience authentic Thai street food in a nostalgic shophouse.

Facebook: SamsenHK

That’s cronuts!!!

The World’s Best Pastry Chef and creator of cronuts won’t be serving the famed croissantdoughnut crossover at his first-ever Hong Kong shop. “As a chef, I’ve always believed that we shouldn’t just copy and paste, but instead, create something that’s unique for guests and for the community,” says Dominique Ansel. Instead, you’ll find original, Hong Kong-only creations that pay tribute to the city’s culture and traditions.

These include the lemon juice box (a white chocolate cake with bergamot curd) and the coconut passion fruit pineapple bun (a coconut mousse “bun” filled with passion fruit jam). G/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. dangwenli.com

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WELLNESS

Malbert Lee riding the meditation wave

Bang a gong for Hong Kong Nicole Slater maintains inner calm at these meditation classes 32 | hongkongliving.com

MEDITATION muscles, rejuvenate energy and clear unnecessary clutter from the mind. red-doors.com

Red Door Studio gong bath

Y O GA NID R A Shan Studios

Dee Oh finds calm above the city

In Hectic Hong Kong, it can be difficult to find moments of stillness. Undoubtedly these moments are vital in helping us stay sane. Try out these meditation studios which offer weekly classes to help you schedule tranquility into your routine.

P RA N AYAMA M EDITAT I O N Dee Dream Life Dee Dream Life is a dance, fitness and yoga studio in Mid-levels that also holds specificallytailored meditation classes. Founder Dee Oh leads Pranayama (breathing) meditation sessions with the aim of helping students focus on techniques that enable them to draw in more pranic energy (positive and vital energy), be more energetic and feel calmness within. deedreamlife.com

SO U ND M E D ITAT IO N Malbert Lee “When everything flows in harmony, my mind, body and well-being improves” says Malbert who works with high-frequency sound vibration to elevate his students energy and encourage a higher state of mind. Enjoy deep relaxation experiences led by Malbert at Enhale or join him to learn the art of Tibetan singing bowls at The Yoga Room. malbertlee.com

Red Doors Studio Home to Asia’s largest personal collection of meditation gongs, Red Doors Studio, based in Wong Chuk Hang, offers a place for the community to come together. Their weekly gong relaxation sessions aim to alleviate stress, relax

Pure Yoga

Benefits of sound meditation

By Malbert Lee How does it work?

Sound meditation is an active listening practice in which the student uses sound and music to reach a deep, meditative state of consciousness.

What do your classes involve?

I use different instruments to create various sound frequencies for brainwave synchronisation. The vibration from the instruments promotes circulation and releases tension in the body.

What instruments do you use?

I have a collection of gongs, crystal and Himalayan singing bowls, tingsha, wind chimes, drum and other sound-effect instruments which create the soundscape for physical and mental relaxation and rejuvenation.

Pure Yoga locations are dotted across the city including in Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay. These relatively corporate studios are convenient due to the vast number of classes they host throughout the day. Look out for teacher Chuck Chan’s unique take on meditation in which he instills in his students a deep thinking about the universe. pure-yoga.com

How can Hongkongers connect more with their spirituality?

Find out what spirituality means to you - books, videos and podcasts can help.

Then, experiment with different mindfulness practices. Lastly, start taking care of your body by noticing the way you move, breathe, eat and the things you consume. When you start having more sense of ease and harmony your spirituality will grow stronger.

ART M EDITAT I O N Enhale Meditation Studio Mindfulness-based art is all the rage (or antirage!) Enhale Meditation Studio, based in Lan Kwai Fong, holds art meditation sessions that use different mediums of art to observe, reflect and listen. Techniques include drawing, colouring, cutting, collages and mindful calligraphy. No previous art skills required! enhalems.com

Encouraging students to find a healthy routine, Shan Studios offers tranquility high above the city. The Wong Chuk Hang studio offers a range of yoga and meditation classes for beginners and experienced yogis. Their 30-minute Yoga Nidra class leads students through a reclined meditation, designed to relax every part of the body and allow the mind to slip into a deep state. shanstudios.com

Enhale Meditation Studio

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GET OUTDOORS

Hike-arumba

Nicole Slater suggests seven hikes to tackle this February After an usually warm January, we can only guess that February is likely to be a little cooler. Either way, this time of year offers low humidity and little rain - perfect conditions to get out and enjoy Hong Kong’s vast outdoors. We’ve focused on Hong Kong hiking trails, our selection is by no means exhaustive, but whether you’re looking for an easy hike for visitors or a challenging thighburner of a climb, we’ve got you covered.

TAKE A VI SI T O R Dragon’s Back Spectacular views of Shek O mansions, beaches, and the South China Sea without a punishing climb. Named after its hilltop undulations, Dragon’s Back is ideal for visitors - you can do it in a morning or an afternoon. Busy on weekends, this section of the Hong Kong Trail is also popular with paragliders and owners of model aircraft.

The walk can drag on a little towards the end but ending up at Big Wave Bay (Tai Long Wan)

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is suitable compensation. There are a few cafes here, but for a larger meal head to Shek O, a few minutes down the road in a taxi - you can catch a cab in the car park. It’s possible to walk there but we wouldn’t advise it: there’s no pavement and vehicles travel fast along this stretch of road.

Take a taxi or, from Exit A3 at Shau Kei Wan MTR station, take bus 9 to To Tei Wan on Shek O Road.

The hike starts up the stairs as soon as you get off the bus.

T HIGH- B UR NE R Twin Peaks and Violet Hill For a workout packing a serious punch, look no further than Violet Hill and the Twin Peaks - also known as the Terrible Twins for its seemingly never ending series of steps (over 1,000, actually). This 4.8km trek from Wong Nai Chung Gap (Parkview) to Stanley is classified as “very

HIKING difficult” by the AFCD and gives any stair-climber at the gym a run for its money. The two- to threehour hike is hard work, but those who accept the challenge are rewarded with a great workout and incredible views of the outlying islands. We strongly advise doing the hike this way round (Parkview to Stanley) - when you’re halfway up the first peak, cursing whoever it was who invented the step, visions of Stanley’s food, drink and gentle ocean breeze will keep you going. Two things to remember. One: the hike starts with an ascent up Violet Hill. Don’t be fooled into thinking you’ve conquered the first peak with ease. Two: the first peak is much harder than the second.

Buses 6, 63 and 66 all go to Parkview and most taxi drivers are familiar with the start of the hike, signposted by a trail map and a set of stairs leading into the woods adjacent to Parkview.

Follow them up. The trail finishes on Stanley Gap Road at the Wilson Trail bus stop where you can catch a bus or taxi into Stanley.

F INIS H W IT H A S L A P - UP ME A L Po Toi Island

Tackling Dragon’s Back

Foaming waves crash against rugged cliffs on Hong Kong’s southernmost island, a criss-cross of hiking trails over granite hills with unmatched views over the South China Sea. Here, you’ll find Ming Kee restaurant, situated beachside on a huge wooden deck and widely known to serve the best black pepper squid in Hong Kong. The seafood is fresh and the excellent set meals are good value.

Thirty years ago, Po Toi was home to about a thousand people, most of whom lived around the main cove. Drawn by the booming city, all but a handful have since left. From Po Toi Public Pier, turn right for a one-hour stroll to the southern headland. For a longer adventure, head for the store run by Mr and Mrs Ng – who collect and sell seaweed (Porphyra suborbiculata), which is reportedly good for a range of ailments – at a junction near the pier. Turn right at the seaweed store onto a trail and follow it upwards. Along the way, you’ll pass Old Mo’s House, or the Ghost House, a ruin occupied by Japanese soldiers during World War II. Other attractions include Palm Rock, a Tin Hau temple, and rock formations resembling a turtle and a monk (you may need a good imagination to make the association).

Admiring the view from Twin Peaks

Ming Kee is open daily and busy on weekends, so book in advance (11.30am-10pm, 2849 7038).

Tsui Wah Ferries (2272 2022) operates services to Po Toi from Aberdeen on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays and from Stanley Blake Pier on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays ($40 return). traway.com.hk

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GET OUTDOORS Reservoir, followed by a short unpaved hike towards Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir. Eventually, you’ll arrive at Tai Tam Road, from where you can catch a bus or taxi to Stanley, or continue on to Stage 7.

To get to the starting point of Stage 5 of the Hong Kong Trail at Wong Nai Chung Gap, take CityBus No.6.

TA K E IT E A S Y Lamma Island Known for its seafood, laidback lifestyle and friendly community, Lamma Island is just 30 minutes and a world away from Central. There are separate ferry services from Central Pier 4 to both of the main villages on the island: Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan. Yung Shue Wan in the northwest, is the main “town” with alleyways bursting with trinket shops, restaurants, bars and organic shops. It’s a short walk to two beaches: Power Station Beach home to the island’s Full Moon Parties - and the busier Hung Shing Yeh Beach, with lifeguards.

Tranquility in Tai Tam

S TAY O N THE I SLAN D Tai Tam Country Park Tai Tam Country Park occupies one fifth of Hong Kong Island’s land area. Both the Hong Kong Trail (Stages 5 & 6) and the Wilson Trail (Stages 1 & 2) cut through the park, which contains four reservoirs as well as a variety of war remnants - Tai Tam was a battleground during World War II. During the war, most of its vegetation was severely damaged, but systematic reforestation has paid off, and today the park is full of life.

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Stage 5 of the Hong Kong Trail takes you to the summit of Jardine’s Lookout, from where you can enjoy a 180-degree panorama of Victoria Harbour.

You’ll also see the ruins of a bungalow, once the residence of James Matheson, the original Scottish founder of Jardine Matheson & Co. Ltd. Follow the trail eastward to ascend a second peak: Mount Butler. Stage 5 ends with a series of 599 steps down to Quarry Gap, where you’ll find a picnic and barbecue area and toilets. Stop for a quick rest before heading on to Stage 6 - an easier downhill walk towards Tai Tam Intermediate

Alternatively, embark on a 45-minute walk over the hill to Sok Kwu Wan on the east coast, famous for its strip of seafood restaurants.

Lamma Rainbow (previously Rainbow Seafood Restaurant) runs a Lamma Fisherfolks Village Tour on fishing rafts out in the bay for a fun diversion.

After lunch, take the easy 15-minute trail to pretty Lo Shing Beach on the west coast. More serious hikers might consider tackling Mount Stenhouse, Lamma’s highest peak at 353 metres.

Ferries run from Central Pier 4 and from Aberdeen on the south side of the island. There are two destinations on Lamma Island, Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan. From Central, ferries take 27 minutes to Yung Shue Wan and 30-40 minutes to Sok Kwu Wan.

Lamma Island

HIKING flowing cascades. Despite the area’s accessibility, it offers an escape from the crowds on weekends.

During the week, you’re likely to have this tropical wonderland all to yourself. Allow four to five hours for the moderately strenuous 6km walk to the three main falls, including swimming time (if it’s not too chilly.)

FOR M ON K EYS! Lion Rock At 495 metres, Lion Rock in north Kowloon is the 52nd highest mountain in Hong Kong and part of Stage 5 of the MacLehose trail. The first (relatively easy) section of the trail takes you along the Gin Drinker’s Line, where Commonwealth troops defended Hong Kong against the Japanese in World War II. The ascent up Lion Rock is more challenging and very steep in parts. Once at the top, look north to see the New Territories and south for views of the Kowloon Peninsula and Victoria Harbour. On a clear day you can see as far as Hong Kong Island. Other famous sites along the hike include Amah Rock and Beacon

Spectacular sunsets at Lion Rock

Hill. Watch out for the wild fauna including the Black-eared Kite and Long-tailed Macaque.

Catch a taxi or bus 64K from Tai Wo MTR Station (Exit A) to Ng Tung Chai Village, then follow the road uphill to the trailhead. Pass by Man Tak Monastery and head up the northern slopes of Tai Mo Shan – Hong Kong’s highest peak. It’s only a 45-minute walk from the Bottoms Falls to Lam Kam Road.

We recommend starting at Wong Tai Sin MTR station and heading up Shatin Pass Road until you reach the start of the trail. The most popular route (three-four hours) comes full circle and finishes back at the station.

ESC A P E T HE CR O W D S Ng Tung Chai waterfalls A stone’s throw from the high rises of Tai Po, the Ng Tung Chai waterfalls are one of Hong Kong’s best-kept secrets. Climb into a steep-sided world enveloped in dense rainforest and peppered with Ng Tung Chai

The Sai Kung & Clearwater Bay Hiking Guide A stunning collection of 12 Sai Kung hikes, all completed in 2017 for the most updated information.

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TRAVEL

Shopping for a new face Charmaine Ng explores Asia’s cosmetic treatment hotspots How far are you willing to go for beauty – literally?

Hong Kong may be known for its shopping and nightlife scene, but how do its beauty treatments and cosmetic procedures compare? The city’s high prices and strict laws mean that savvy women (and men!) have directed their attention elsewhere to get their beauty procedures.

Perhaps you’re looking for an affordable dental clinic for teeth whitening or a reputable hospital for lip fillers? Maybe you’ve decided to go all out and under the knife for a new face? Whatever you’re after, here are the most popular countries for cosmetic tourism in Asia.

H O N G KO N G Although there is no specific law in Hong Kong that regulates plastic surgery, the government has, in 2017, proposed a regulatory framework for medical devices including those used in cosmetic procedures, making our city a smidgen safer than many others. Registered plastic surgeons in Hong Kong also have to complete at least 12 years of schooling and training, ending with an examination. Hong Kong Sanatorium Hospital, Matilda International Hospital and OT&P Healthcare are amongst the few larger institutions that offer treatments and procedures in Hong Kong.

Advantages Hong Kongers are more familiar with the laws in Hong Kong compared to those in other countries.

Consultations with specialists can be done any time, with no need to rush into a procedure in a certain timeframe. Recovering at home, in a familiar setting, is also much easier than

Matilda International Hospital

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recovering overseas in a strange country after a procedure.

Disadvantages Hong Kong has a lack of specialists compared to other countries such as South Korea. Our city is good at many things, but plastic surgery isn’t one of them, so doctors here may not give the best results. The biggest disadvantage, though, is the high cost of treatments locally – and it’s exactly this that drives locals to neighbouring countries.

TA IWA N

point for expats, but one thing that everyone can enjoy in Taiwan is the affordable cost of beauty treatments and cosmetic surgeries.

Taiwan is also just a short plane ride away and with a climate similar to Hong Kong’s, it’s a practical weekend destination.

For Hongkongers, Taiwan is by far one of the most popular countries to go to for cosmetic treatments thanks to its close proximity, affordable pricing and ease of communication.

Apart from eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty, procedures undertaken in Taiwan mainly involve gel injections, skin tightening treatments and limited invasive surgery, which are well received by high-end Mainland Chinese travellers on a weekend trip.

Advantages The biggest advantage of surgery in Taiwan is the ease of communication. Most Hongkongers are able to speak Mandarin, which lessens the risk of miscommunication. This may not be a selling

Disadvantages Taiwan’s plastic surgery industry is essentially a toned-down version of South Korea’s – that is, riddled with false advertising and misleading messages through social media and fake online reviews. Some clinics even omit to relay the risks of surgery to their customers.

T HA IL A N D Medical tourism in Thailand has been on the rise in the last decade. The Southeast Asian country is traditionally known for tourists seeking gender selection IVF treatment or sex changes but has grown in popularity for general cosmetic procedures. After the Asian financial crisis, Thailand’s government began to market the country as a destination for cosmetic surgery,

MEDICAL TOURISM

which involves cutting and reshaping the bones to change the face shape. The country is also spearheading stem cell treatment and spine surgery.

which has helped bring in more than a million tourists overall.

Advantages Cosmetic procedures in Thailand are at a fraction of the costs of Hong Kong hospitals. Most note that the service is much better too, with most staff proficient in English.

After your surgery, you can even book yourself in for a beach holiday in the Land of Smiles!

Disadvantages Thailand’s hospitals are advertised for their high standards of hygiene, maintenance and post-surgery care, but this is not the case for all medical clinics. Some hospitals have been discovered to lack adequate infection control and hygiene measures. Perhaps more worrying, though, is that there is a lack of regulation in Thailand.

S O U TH KO R EA South Koreans have willingly gone under the knife for years, with girls still in school flocking to have eyelid operations. This operation, oftentimes a birthday or high school graduation present from family members, accounts for 80 to 90 percent of all operations in the country. Apart from eye surgery, South Korea is known for its rhinoplasty and facial contouring procedures, the latter of

Advantages High demand for facial and body surgery in South Korea has led to many cosmetic clinics popping up around the Gangnam area. If you’re heading to South Korea for surgery, then you’ll have plenty of choices at affordable prices.

Disadvantages The plastic surgery industry in South Korea is notorious for its shady practices, the mildest of which involve false advertising and fake reviews to mislead potential customers. In more serious cases, unqualified doctors have been caught practising as cosmetic surgeons and assistants have been found to be performing surgeries instead of the assigned surgeon – leading to disastrous results.

Treatment checklist What are you hoping to achieve?

Most people hope for an improvement in the shape of a particular body part and maybe even a self-esteem boost. Make sure to have realistic expectations and know the limitations of the procedure.

Is there a less invasive way?

If you are considering surgery, know that there may be other options for you to achieve your outcome. Could you change your diet or exercise more? Give alternatives an honest try first.

What are the risks?

Before you commit to a procedure, educate yourself on what could go wrong. From permanent nerve damage to even death, have it all laid out in front of you.

Will you be able to hide the scars?

Scarring occurs with all types of surgeries – there is no such thing as a ‘scarless surgery’.

Ask your practitioner about the location and size of the scar. Will you be able to hide it afterwards? How can you prepare to treat the wound so minimal scarring occurs?

Are you prepared for additional procedures?

You will need periodic top-ups for temporary treatments like botox or fillers. Even if you decide to go under the knife for a permanent solution, things could also go wrong and lead to revision surgery, which involves additional surgery to fix the mistakes of the first. One thing’s for sure – do your research and be prepared.

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ZIM CITY

over priority for new facilities have pushed out the mortuary and car parking from the New Block. This makes it difficult to redevelop the rest of QMH in the future. It also means that more vehicles will increasingly be found blocking access to QMH and the neighbourhood.

Why is it so hard to be a smart city?

Queen Mary Hospital parking lot

To address access problems, the government must consider fast tracking the Queen Mary Hospital MTR station of the South Island Line (West). Due to poor planning the site originally earmarked for the station - the former laundry is no longer available. The station will now have to be located next to Ebenezer School resulting in clumsy connections with the hospital.

The second requirement is that QMH expands its footprint. We have proposed to add land towards the north along Pok Fu Lam Road. A review of land uses along Pok Fu Lam Road and Sassoon Road including the hospital and university facilities is needed to come up with better solutions.

Paul Zimmerman discusses problems facing the Queen Mary A sustainable plan is needed which allows QMH Hospital Redevelopment Project The redevelopment of Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) is a mess. In more polite terms: The risk of sub-optimal outcomes of the QMH redevelopment process are becoming apparent: Lack of vision, lack of planning, lack of implementation controls.

The hospital has completely outgrown its small footprint on the slopes of Pok Fu Lam Road. The infrastructure is crumbling. Besides serious risks of outages and leakages, wards are overcrowded, doctors and nurses complain, parked vehicles are stacked risking delay of fire and rescue services, vehicles of all sorts block roads, and mortuary visitors paying their respect are left clambering up public roads. In medical terms - the hospital itself is a patient at acute risk of organ failure. That is bad news, as Hong Kong is already facing the challenge of an ageing population which puts tremendous pressure on the healthcare services.

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Established in 1937, QMH is a major acute hospital serving a population of over half a million in the Central and Western and Southern Districts. It is also a research and education centre. Being the teaching hospital of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong, QMH is responsible for providing clinical training, innovation, trials for new treatments as well as complex organ transplants, neonatal care, coronary care, burns, reconstructive surgery and neurosurgery for Hong Kong as a whole.

After long debates, a phased redevelopment plan commenced in 2014. The District Council is briefed regularly. Phase 1 is focused on redeveloping the north end of the QMH complex by first decanting existing services to the exSenior Staff Quarters (renamed Block T) and now constructing the New Block for completion in 2024. Academics and medical staff battling

to thrive as a premier teaching hospital, and a modern efficient environment for patients, medical staff, academics, students and residents.

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

ZIM CITY

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HOROSCOPE

Written in the stars

Our soothsayer reveals what’s in store for you this February

Jan 21 – Feb 19

May 22 – Jun 21

Sep 24 – Oct 23

What if I tell you, you will meet a tall dark stranger in a Lan Kwai Fong club. They will promise you the earth, starting with a vodka lime soda. They’ll ask you to head back to their place... but think before accepting. Sure, they’re looking good on the neon-lit dance floor, but will that translate to long-term happiness? In love, as in life, discretion is the better part of Volar.

Gemini, how long has it been since you last sat down and had a heart-to-heart with yourself?

It’s easy in Hong Kong to concentrate on the outward pleasures, but sometimes you’ve got to step away from the champagne brunch buffet and tend to your inner life. Make like a Trappist monk and retreat inside yourself...

Your mission this month, Libra: Get out of that insulated bubble. Seek Hong Kong’s far-flung.

Jump on a ferry to somewhere unusual. Ride the MTR to the end of the line. Go camping in the wilderness. See what’s hidden in the corners of the city. You’re bound to discover something interesting. And if not, then a French toast and an iced lemon tea will have made the whole thing worthwhile anyway.

Feb 20 – Mar 20

Jun 22 – Jul 22

Oct 24 – Nov 22

Life is a hotpot and we are but the ingredients.

It bubbles and simmers along, buffeting us around. But what kind of ingredient are you, Pisces? Are you a piece of beef, oh-so-quick to change with your surroundings? Are you a noodle strand, always sliding to the bottom?

Or are you a humble fishball, seemingly unremarkable – but always bobbing to the top? Try to be a fishball, Pisces.

Plant-based meats are all the rage this year.

Why not try your hand at vegetarianism by giving up meat for a month? Skip your next pork meal and order tofu, beetroot, quinoa – anything as long as it’s not meat. Or seafood.

You’ll be living a more adventurous life – and the animals will thank you.

Mong Kok on a Sunday afternoon is a seething mass of humanity. Shoppers, wanderers and tourists all come together in the very heart of the city. In Cantonese, they use the phrase “people mountain people sea” to describe the press of people. It can be overwhelming, sure.

But it’s also worth going to celebrate the sheer rush of humanity. Just have a coffee shop in mind for when you need to chill out again.

Mar 21 – Apr 20

Jul 23 – Aug 22

Nov 23 – Dec 21

The latest restaurant has just opened and you’re desperate for a table. Chill out, Aries.

When a restaurant first opens, everything’s a mess. The kitchen’s not a team, the serving staff don’t know the dishes and chaos reigns.

Things take time to come together and sometimes you just have to let them happen – just don’t leave it too late. Chances are, that hip new eatery will be closed in six months.

Here is a limerick for you to take to heart, Leo: A young man of Wellington Street / Bought a flat of some 20 square feet / When asked “How’d you squeeze?” / He said: “With great ease: / I sleep where I shave where I eat.” Be like the man of Wellington Street and strive to be more adaptable in the face of adversity.

Use the tools you’re given not just to make do, but come out on top.

Times of trouble may lay ahead, Sagittarius. If they come about, I want you to ask yourself: WWDTD? It stands for “What Would Donald Trump Do?” Ask it, then just go ahead and do the exact opposite. The solution to your problems lies in opening up, not shutting down. You can’t keep everyone happy – but at least you can be true to yourself.

Apr 21 – May 21

Aug 23 – Sep 23

Dec 22 – Jan 20

Is your commute to work getting you down? In this city of convenience, even a 10-minute ride on the Mid-levels escalator can start to drag.

Taurus, keep those spirits bullish by turning your commute into time for yourself. We have to grab our meditation where we may.

If that’s five minutes in a cab, so be it. Here’s your mantra: Hommm Kommm, Hommm Kommm...

You’re a chatty kind of person, but which kind? Are you the good natured wet market stall owner, ready with a kind word? Or are you like my neighbours, constantly yelling at each other after 20 years of marriage? Try to be the former if you can. And if it’s the latter, please don’t move in next to me.

One of my favourite places is Tsui Wah restaurant on Wellington Street. Why? By day this 24-hour, 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?

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BOOKS & PODCASTS

BO O K REVIEWS

Designing a Life: A Cross-Cultural Journey by Kai-Yin Lo

Fighting for Two Kings by Frode Z. Olsen

Hong Kong Letters by Gill Shaddick

Hongkonger Kai-Yin Lo was born wealthy but a change in her family’s fortune inspired her to build her own future. Determination took her from her first job at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong to New York where she became internationally renowned as a jewelry designer and historian. Her memoir gives us insight into her brand and the cross-culture of East meeting West. Available from $168 from book stores in Hong Kong or online at blacksmithbooks.com

Fighting for Two Kings is the tale of the small minority of Danish people living in Hong Kong in December 1941 when the Japanese attacked Hong Kong. The Danish consul in Shanghai forbade any Danes to swear allegiance to the British crown - a requirement when volunteering for the Hong Kong force, but some fought for the British King and Hong Kong, whilst others were moved to camps or sent to work in Japan.

The Danish survivors from this time share their heartbreaking stories through letters and interviews. Available online for $230 from earnshawbooks.com

Author Gill Shaddick takes readers back to the late 1960s as she shares her memoir and travelogue of the two years she spent in Hong Kong. As an attractive and naive 21-year-old, she falls in love with sailing, but a weekend trip goes awry and she ends up in the hands of Communist China. Named after the bunch of letters she sent almost daily to her father in the UK, this book will take you on a journey of unexpected twists. Available for $138 from books stores in Hong Kong or online at blacksmithbooks.com

For history buffs

For history buffs

For explorers

PO D C AS T REVIEWS

Hong Kong Stories

Better in Bed

Risky Women Radio

Storytellers share their true Hong Kong stories in this podcast. Recent episodes include real life stories on the difficulties of childcare help, conquering dreams and adapting to a new environment. Listeners are also invited to become storytellers via free monthly workshops or to attend a live show at the Fringe Club as an audience member.

Find out more at hongkongstories.com

Since February is the month of romance, listen to sex educator and coach Sara Tang talk about, well, being better in bed. Each episode invites different guests to open up about sex from playing the online dating game to mastering the art of tease. With plenty of juicy bits to laugh or cringe at, this honest and informative podcast aims to make the world a more sex-positive place. Listen online at sarasense.com

This global network of Risky Women connects women in governance, risk, and compliance. Although a niche subject, the podcast is definitely more exciting than it sounds with insights and advice from women all over the world as they share their career journeys and inspire other women to take risks. Listen at riskywomen.org

For listeners and storytellers

For lovers

For working women hongkongliving.com | 43

PETS

I smell a rat Dr Pauline Taylor celebrates rodents as we enter the Year of the Rat

Rats are known to be the most social of rodents. They live in large cooperative family communities.

Rats are thought to have originated in northern China and spread to every continent except Antarctica, making them the most successful mammal, alongside humans.

Brown rats generally live wherever humans live, especially in built up areas. Most people have seen wild rats but few people encounter pet or laboratory rats. Pet rats come in a variety of colours and are very interactive with their human keepers. Rats have been studied extensively by scientists and used and abused in laboratory experiments. Here are simple facts about the common rats we see on our streets:

Rat biology (John Hopkins University data) Lifespan 2.5-3.5 years Adult weight Males 300-500g, Females 250-300g Birth weight 5-6g Heart rate 330-480 beats per minute Respiratory rate 85 breaths per minute Body temperature 35.9-37.5ºC Blood volume 50-70 ml/kg Urine volume 3.3 ml/100g bwt/day Allergens Dander, urinary protein

Rats live to forage and mate. Most are nocturnal, though the brown rat is often awake day or night. They usually stick together in groups called packs. New packs are formed when a male and female go off on their own and nest in a new area.

The squeak is a rat’s scream; they squeak when they are frightened or in pain. They are extremely intelligent creatures, which makes training them a piece of cake. The reason why rats are used in scientific studies is because they have such high levels of emotional intelligence.

Finally, wild and pet rats can carry many diseases including Leptospirosis and Salmonella. Humans and other animals including dogs can catch these diseases through contact with rat urine, most commonly occurring through contaminated fresh water.

May I wish everyone a very happy, prosperous, peaceful and healthy Year of the Rat!

Got a question for Dr. Pauline?

Email editorial@hongkongliving.com 44 | hongkongliving.com

What to plant in

F

February

ebruary is a dry and mild month with average highs and lows of around 19°C / 14°C (66.2°F / 57.2°F). The numbers alone don’t deliver much hope but alas it’s not about the cards you’re dealt, but how you play the hand.

Are your winter beauties blooming?

Chrysanthemum are rarities in Hong Kong, but if you happen to have a pot or two, cuttings should now be put in. Heliotropes may still be potted on, as well as Crotons propagated last summer. Put pots and soil undercover for potting purposes next month. Clean pots and fresh soil are necessary for a successful and bountiful bloom. Prune and re-tie Bignonia Venusta once it has finished flowering. You can’t miss it - an admirable rich orangy colour that contrasts passive winter hues. Another sowing of Sunflowers may be made.

Seeds of Verbena Venosa may be sown the plants will flower in July.

If your green reserves are running low, now is a good timing to plant ahead and sow the following: Mustard and Cress, Radish, Turnip, Chinese Spinach, French Beans, Peas, Cucumber, Lettuce, Sweet Corn, Chinese Long Beans, Water Spinach, Ochroes and Sword Beans. Put out young plants of Lettuce, Vegetable Marrow, Tomato, Cucumber and Brinjal.

Plant Jerusalem Artichokes towards the end of the month. February is still relatively dry, so keep the tubers watered regularly. Asparagus beds may now be manured. Blanch Lettuce and Endive for succession, and earth up Celery for the same purpose as well.

Winter does not encourage gardening affairs, but in harsh conditions our love prevails. Once the work is done, sit back and think of the warmer Springtime days that lie ahead. Flowers wilt so a new sapling can grow. Your garden is actually tougher than you know.

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.

PETS

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MARKETPLACE

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MARKETPLACE

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Yes, BACKPAGE

Nury Vittachi can be contacted at nury@ vittachi.com or through his Facebook page

pets are children too Award-winning author Nury Vittachi looks back on the month MY WIFE SAYS DOGS are simple-minded, appetite-driven beasts which can be tamed with a strict system of treats and punishments.

No, wait, that’s what she says about men.

I forget what she says about dogs, which is a shame, since I need to send it to a reader who told me about a UK dog named Luce who tore away a large chunk of one side of her owner’s Aston Martin, a car that costs a fortune, equal to the GDP of a small country, or the price of a bottle of mineral water in Hong Kong.

The owner kept the car but gave away the dog.

It was one of those decisions that horrified UK people (a nation of dog-lovers) but would be seen as perfectly logical to most Asians.

Yet things are changing. It’s amazing how quickly those of us born in the East are picking up the West’s animal-loving habits, although I have to admit that one of my friends uses his cat mostly as a towel.

Pet ownership levels in Hong Kong have been wavering lately (dogs down this year, cats up) but could get a boost from discussions about linking them to tax liability.

You cannot YET claim a tax break on pets, which is ridiculous since they cost more than humans to look after these days. Really. Case in point: My household had two medical bills to pay: One for me for HK$50, and one for the dog for HK$2,000.

Like any sane person, I was tempted to eat the dogs’ pills and give her mine.

The good news is that it may not be long before pet owners ARE able to list their four-legged “children” as “dependent” family members, with all the tax benefits of that term. Hong Kong is becoming increasingly animal-friendly—as shown by the government’s increasing willingness to prosecute people who treat pets badly.

Inspector: “You claimed an exemption for a dog.

May we see the dog please?”

Taxpayer: “Er, it’s gone out.”

Inspector: “Without you?”

Taxpayer: “It’s a very independent dog.”

Evidence: I have a newspaper clipping which features a photograph of Black Hood Man being led away from a Hong Kong apartment block by police for accidentally killing a turtle. (This is one seriously bad dude, who seems to be at every crime scene.)

It was notable that there was more media coverage for this accidental pet death (the turtle tank was left near a window) than for much more shocking Hong Kong crimes, such murder, robbery, knowingly buying Cantopop CDs, etc.

The day before writing this I met two couples who have pets instead of children. That’s a hundred per cent of the people I met yesterday.

If we extrapolate these figures to the rest of the city (sorry, but as a journalist I am professionally obliged to do ridiculous things like this) that means NOBODY is having children.

Inspector: “May I wait?”

Taxpayer: “Actually, it’s on holiday and I don’t know when it’ll return. Dogs never tell you anything.”

And what happens when owners of pets other than cats and dogs start to demand exemptions?

What if you have ten hamsters, or 25 performing fleas? “Dear Tax Department, I wish to claim child benefit for the 10 million pet bacteria I keep on a furry gray pot of yoghurt in the fridge. Their names are attached.”

A person reading this article over my shoulder (GO AWAY) has just pointed out that some pets, such as guide dogs, are ALREADY tax-exempted in many countries, if they are owned by someone who has a “recognized disadvantage”.

After one generation, Hong Kong will be inhabited only by small white dogs called Fruffi. On the plus side, this should trigger a rise in the level of intellectual discourse about politics.

Interesting, although I suspect that the list of recognized disadvantages will not include any of the defects my family members and I have: fecklessness, brainlessness, laziness, etc.

But the fact is, Hong Kong will surely follow the US, where there are already powerful campaigns to have pets recognized as children for tax purposes. Regulating claims will be tricky.

Now I need to stop writing this and go and take my pill. Or the dog’s. After all, I paid for it.

Thanks for reading the Hong Kong Living Magazine.

If you would like to recycle the magazine, please scan the QR code.

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