Southside February 2020

FAMILY | TRAVEL | DINING | LAMMA ISLAND

February 2020

Bang a gong

for Hong Kong Where to meditate in the city

Eat local

Supporting Hong Kong farmers

The story of SCAD We tour the campus

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The really useful magazine February 2020

2 CONTRIBUTORS Say hello to the team 6 PEOPLE Southsiders out and about 8 THE PLANNER

34 BIG DAY OUT Alan Shaw explores Lamma Island 36 TRAVEL Medical tourism in Asia, read our guide 40 HOME & LIVING Wellness for the home, with interior

What’s on in February

designer Aaron Chin

12 NEWS

30

What’s happening in our backyard

42 PETS Dr Pauline answers your pet questions.

15 FIVE MINUTES WITH… Plus walkies Jewellery designer, Kristina Rybaltchenko 44 SOUTHSIDE SECRETS The secret past of Stanley Village Road’s 17 LOCAL The Aberdeen to Cheung Chau ferry is no Wellcome more 48 ZIM CITY 18 MUST HAVES THIS MONTH Lack of vision for the Queen Mary Valentine’s Day gifts to woo your boo Redevelopment Project 22 COVER STORY 18 Find your zen at these meditation classes 26 DINING Farm to table dining with Todd Darling 30 EDUCATION Adele Brunner visits the Savannah College

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of Art and Design

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12 ONLY I CAN CHANGE MY LIFE. NO ONE CAN DO IT FOR ME - CAROL BURNETT

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editor’s letter

W

elcome to the Year of The Rat! This year promises to bring progression and energy, making it the perfect time to start a new project or change up your life. Wherever your new endeavors may take you, I hope this issue can provide you with some much needed motivation for the new year.

Sound Alchemist, Malbert Lee graces our cover this month as we take a look into the world of meditation. Finding peace in this ever-changing city can be a challenge, turn to page 22 to discover the most zen spots in the city.

On the topic of wellness; your home is a sanctuary, a safe place to be yourself and relax.

Interior Designer, Aaron Chin shares tips on how to create harmony at home, without any major renovations, find out more on page 40.

Our Dining Editor, Apple Lee sat down with Todd Darling, founder of Homegrown Foods and Red Sauce Hospitality to talk about supporting local farmers and eating sustainably. Edit your shopping list to make a difference, see page 26.

And how could I forget, Happy Valentine’s Day Southsiders!

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

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

Sales & Marketing Director of Content Hilda Chan, hilda@hongkongliving.com Head of Digital Content Isamonia Chui, isamonia@hongkongliving.com Partnership Manager Joey Ho, joey@hongkongliving.com Elaine Li, elaine@hongkongliving.com

Operations Management Trainee Edwina Chan, edwina@hongkongliving.com

3 things we love this month...

Pompous burgers The Grand Hyatt pride themselves on having the most outrageous burgers in town. Head to The Steakhouse, located on the first floor, before February 29 to try their unique Wagyu burger combinations which include options of foie gras and poached lobster. hongkong.grand.hyattrestaurants.com

Digital Digital Editor Apple Lee, apple@hongkongliving.com

Publisher Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com

Thanks to Alan Shaw 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

852prints Founded by Krystal Tolani, 852prints creates t-shirts, accessories and cards featuring hand drawn images of Hong Kong elements, from taxis to soy sauce. Each item is produced in limited runs and environment-friendly practices in mind.

852prints.com

Valentine's Day There’s no better time to show the ones you love just how much they mean to you than on Valentine's Day. Whether you’re with your partner, family, friends or sitting at home with your cat, check out our guide to what’s happening across the city on page 6.

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

Photo credit: Malbert Lee

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

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contributors

Paul Zimmerman

Karin Bremer

Alan Shaw

Paul Zimmerman is the CEO of Designing Hong Kong, the co-convenor of Save Our Country Parks and the recently re-elected Southern District Councillor of Pok Fu Lam. In his column this month, he shares his thoughts on issues with the Queen Mary Hospital Redevelopment Project on page 48.

Dutch-Australian photographer Karin runs photography company Karin Bremer Photography offering a range of photography services including family portraits, events and commercial product services. This month she snapped some happy faces around Southside on page 6. karinbremer.com

Alan Shaw is an avid hiker and explorer of Hong Kong’s great outdoors. This month he ventured to Lamma Island, hiking from Sok Kwu Wan on the east coast to Yung Shue Wan on the west, stopping for a spot of lunch at Concerto Inn. Follow his footsteps on page 34.

Adele Brunner

Dr Pauline Taylor

Malbert Lee

Adele Brunner is a freelance editor and journalist who has lived and worked in Hong Kong for over 20 years and has contributed to publications including SCMP, Perspective magazine and many Hong Kong Living products. She writes about a range of topics including lifestyle, education and homes and lives in Clearwater Bay with her family.

Dr Pauline is a senior vet at Pets Central and specialises in small animal medicine. She graduated in Scotland and spent 10 years practicing in New Zealand before moving to Hong Kong with her various four-legged family members.

She is passionate about animal welfare and answers readers questions in our monthly pet column on page 42. pets-central.com

Our cover star this month is sound alchemist, Malbert Lee. Using crystal singing bowls and gongs, he produces sound waves to connect, relax and cleanse the mind. Turn to page 22 to learn more about sound meditation and where to practice in the city.

Want to write for Southside Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com 4 | hongkongliving.com

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people Snaps from Southside

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say cheese

credit: Graham Uden

Hong Kong Living New Year Urban Retreat 2020 #awakenyourcity

We’re on Facebook

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planner

FEB 2

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

FEB 8-9

Sleeping Beauty

UNTIL FEB 23 KidsFest 2020

Enjoy favourites such as The Gruffalo and Mr Men and Little Miss. Times vary. $195. The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. kidsfest.com.hk

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

FEB 9

Hong Kong Marathon 2020 This annual marathon celebrates 24 years,

what’s on 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

FEB 14-19

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

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

A month-long performing arts festival. Times, prices and locations vary. hk.artsfestival.org

FEB 14 Credit: Dancers (from left): Dong Ruixue, Henry Seldon | Creative: Design Army | Photographer: Dean Alexander | Courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

Valentine’s Day Don’t forget the roses!

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what’s on 5pm. Free. Olympic Square Amphitheatre, Hong Kong Park, 19 Cotton Tree Drive, Central. hkshakespeare.com

FEB 14-19 Mumz Talk

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 17-24

Wellness Week Hong Kong

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 14-16

Shakespeare in the Park presents Twelfth Night Performed by the Hong Kong Shakespeare Performance Association, in association with the Dove Tales Theatre Company. Bring a blanket and a picnic! Fri and Sat 7pm, Sun

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

FEB 19-23

Disney on Ice - Live Your Dreams Disney heroes on ice skates. Times vary. $180.

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

FEB 29

Batman Night Run Hong Kong Join this epic 4km run in your favourite Batman suit. 6-9pm. Adults $580 and children $480.

West Kowloon Cultural District, Kowloon. hybridticketing.com

FEB 29

Splash of Bay - HKU Sandy Bay RFC 30th Anniversary Ball Celebrate 30 years of friendships at this black tie event filled with food, free-flow and entertainment including Tess Collins and her band. 6.30-11.30pm. $14,250 for a table of 12. The Grand Ballroom, Harbour Grand Hotel, Fortress Hill. hkusandybayrfc.org

BOOK NOW MAR 8

International Women’s Day

Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Kowloon. hkticketing.com

Celebrating women since 1975. Events across the city.

MAY 24

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

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

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 puddles. Times vary. $280. Star Hall,

Got an event? We can publish the details for free. Email editorial@hongkongliving.com hongkongliving.com | 11

news

Highs and lows for Ocean Park

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

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. oceanpark.com.hk

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 dayschool, 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

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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

Panellists Denise Ho and Christina Dean

in your backyard

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 percent 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 percent increase in tourists during the first

half of the year. From July onwards, the report details a staggering loss of 39.1 percent of visitors, with the number of mainland tourists and overnight travellers being hardest 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

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

The shampoo bar revolution Since Lush opened its doors in the UK in 1995, they have opened more than 900 shops across 48 countries. Their pioneering beauty treatments include the revolutionary shampoo bar, created by Lush co-founder Mo Constantine and cosmetic chemist Stan Krysztal more than 20 years ago. The patented shampoo bar has kicked off a revolution, the naked revolution, saving around 30 million plastic bottles from landfill in the last five years alone and more than 2.5 million shampoo bars were sold in 2019 alone. Each naked, unpackaged shampoo bar from Lush lasts for up to 80 washes, roughly three times longer than an average 200ml bottle of shampoo. This positive impact on the environment is not the only reason to use a shampoo bar - they are also gentle on the scalp, can be taken in carry-on luggage, and don’t spill! hk.lush.com

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five minutes with

Five minutes with

Kristina hard at work

Kristina Rybaltchenko

Nicole Slater talks to the jewellery designer about diamonds and dreams I was born in Scandinavia, but I grew up in Antwerp, Belgium’s fashion capital and studied at Antwerp University.

After my master’s degree I moved to China, I always dreamt of coming to Hong Kong, so when I was offered a position buying and selling diamonds for a Belgian company here, I jumped at the chance!

My biggest inspiration is, and always will be, people. I feel so emotional when I see someone wearing my designs.

I care about each piece of jewellery I make as I would my own children. I consider how it will suit the wearer, how the diamonds shine, how the metal is polished - finishing touches are so important.

Diamonds are a girls’ best friend, but if it’s your first Valentine’s Day together- then beautiful

flowers or a nice card make a great present.

I designed the wedding rings worn by my husband and I. They are platinum, mine has diamonds on the outside and in contrast, my husband’s has diamonds on the inside.

Our first flat in Hong Kong was 17 floors up.

When I designed our wedding rings I added 18 diamonds, one for each floor, plus one diamond for luck!

I never switch off. Even while sitting around the pool, I think about which stones to buy, designs to finalise, where to travel, how to organise our next event.

Of all my designs, my favourite is a 14-carat amethyst heart pendant. It’s from my very first collection and the stone was unique. A Vietnamese client bought it for his mother-in-law.

Making custom jewellery is such a meaningful experience, clients are 100 percent involved in the creative process.

Most jewellery pieces take around a week to complete, but more detailed pieces can take much longer.

My pieces are high quality and reasonably priced. To be exclusive, you don’t need to overcharge.

Get in touch Kristina runs her own label, Kristina Rybaltchenko Jewellery & Design. To contact her visit, rybaltchenko.com

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local

Missed the boat

The Aberdeen to Cheung Chau ferry service ceases operation after five years.

Nicole Slater reports

T

he Aberdeen to Cheung Chau ferry service sadly stopped operation at the start of the new year, with Maris Ferry Service announcing a shutdown due to losses.

The route first began operation almost five years ago, on August 8, 2015. With 14 daily sails through the week and 24 sails during weekends, this service was a convenient way for Cheung Chau residents to travel to and from the south of Hong Kong Island.

As of 2016, Cheung Chau had over 20,000 residents, who enjoy its calmer, laid-back lifestyle. While many people reside on the island, they usually work inland in Central or Aberdeen and rely on the ferry to get to and

Aberdeen to Cheung Chau ferry

from work. Commuters will now need to travel via Central on the route operated by Fast Ferries to get to Aberdeen.

Maris Ferry Service, the operator in charge of the route, stated that they did not receive any expressions of interest by other ferry companies to operate this service, when the termination was first announced in October and again on December 23.

A spokesman for the transport department stated, “The Government understands that outlying island ferry services provide indispensable external links for residents, yet the business environment has been very difficult.�

The Chief Executive has proposed special helping measures for 14 ferry routes, in order to enhance the financial viability of the ferry services, along with a Vessel Subsidy Scheme that will replace over 11 ferry routes and introduce greener vessels, in order to reduce carbon emissions.

Other Aberdeen ferry services remain, including the Aberdeen to Lamma Island route.

For more information on ferry times visit: ferry.com.hk Got a local story? Have your say by emailing editorial@hongkongliving.com

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must haves this month

The Diane $2,200 from BYDEAU bydeau.com

DIY Card Holder $328 from KH Artistry & Design khartistrydesign.com

With love from..

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

Revitalizing Cream Cleanser $835 from RARE SkinFuel rareskinfuel.com Gold Sparkle Ear Climbers $482 from Karma Links karmalinksjewellery.com

Love Locket $130 from Lush hk.lush.com

Mini Heart Charm $890 from TUMI tumi-hk.com

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Activating Mist $960 from RARE SkinFuel rareskinfuel.com

lucky in love

St Valentine’s Tea $248 from Fortnum & Mason fortnumandmason.com

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

You’re my ride or die $35 each from 852prints 852prints.com

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

..

Twig Heart Wreath $195 from Tree tree.com.hk

Peachy Gift $225 from Lush hk.lush.com

Voja S $1500 from LOJEL lojel.com L’amour Earring and Ring Set $35,000 from Kristina Rybaltchenko rybaltchenko.com

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cover story

That s the spirit ’

Maintain calm amongst the hustle and bustle with these yoga and meditation classes.

By Nicole Slater

Dee Oh finding her inner calm

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ommm

W

hen the fast pace of Hong Kong life starts feeling more hectic than happy, it’s time to take a break. It can be difficult to find a quiet place to reconnect with your mind in the busy city. These meditation centres and studios offer an oasis of tranquility on your doorstep.

Yoga Yoga is much more than a great workout, it is a way of living that aims towards a healthy body and healthy mind. - Master Kamal

SambalaBhu Yoga A boutique yoga studio founded by Master Kamal who has been practicing yoga since the age of five. The studio offers traditional and modern yoga classes, based on the rhythm flow of the body, the melody of mind and the harmony of soul. 23/F, Tiffan Tower, 199 Wan Chai Road. sambalabhuyoga.hk

Flex Studio Co-directed by Pilates instructor and yoga guru, Heather Thomas Shalabi and former professional ballet dancer Anna Serafinas Luk, Flex Studio offers a variety of yoga and fitness classes. Styles include Vinyasa flow, detox flow and Hatha.

Flex also hosts rooftop yoga sessions at Above by Komune, Ovolo Southside.

308- 310, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road. flexhk.com

Pranayama meditation The practice of Pranayama breathing draws energy to stay active, alert and conscious Dee Oh

Dee Dream Life Dee Dream Life is a dance, fitness and yoga studio in Mid-levels that also holds specifically-tailored 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

Pure Yoga Idyllically located at The Pulse, this Pure Yoga location is just steps from the sandy shores of Repulse Bay. The fitness centre offers a range of yoga and meditation styles where students can practice yogic breathing and concentration exercises that lead to a meditative state. Level 1 The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay. pure-yoga.com

Sound meditation A whole body transformation occurs in the presence of gongs. Their sound calms the mind, while relaxing, renewing and rejuvenating the entire body - Martha Collard

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, drums and other sound-effect instruments which create the soundscape for physical and mental relaxation and rejuvenation.

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.

Rooftop yoga sessions at Ovolo

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cover story Malbert Lee “When everything flows in harmony, my mind, body and well-being improves,” says Malbert who works with highfrequency 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

Balance Health

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

Hypnotherapy You shouldn’t feel guilty just because you cannot switch it off. - Balance Health

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In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Central, you’ll find a calm oasis at Balance Health. From acupuncture and cupping to hypnotherapy, this natural health clinic uses a variety of alternative treatments for both medical and physical ailments. They specialise in a range of issues including allergies, insomnia, fertility, stress and anxiety. 7/F, Universal Trade Centre, 3-5 Arbuthnot Road, Central. balancehealth.com.hk

Deborah Dewey By approaching the conscious and subconscious mind hypnotherapist, Deborah Dewey is able to help clients safely and naturally address a wide variety of issues, from addiction to emotional stress. Her down-to-earth, open and empathic manner will put you at ease

from the moment you step inside. 2/F Corona Tower, 93 Caine Road, Central. deborahdewey.com

Reiki An energy healing modality used to reduce stress, heal physical, mental, emotional or spiritual issues and restore balance. - Corie Chu

ommm

Gong sound bath with Martha Collard

Corie Chu Healing Reiki Master, Corie left her career as a publicist in Hollywood to pursue her passion for spirituality. She has since dedicated her time to guiding those going through personal transformations. Corie focuses her energy on past and present experiences that her clients would like to heal from and uses a variety of Reiki tools to rebalance energy. 18-20 Lyndhurst Terrace, Car Po Commercial Building, Suite 1504, Central. coriechu.com

Central & Stanley Wellness With locations in Central and Stanley, this clinic offers unique individualised treatments which focus on the spiritual practice and the Japanese healing of Reiki. The centre offers full body healing through a sequence of hand movements at regular intervals across the head, body

and feet. G/F 120 Stanley Main Street, Stanley Market. stanleywellnesscentre.com

Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra allows you to access to your subconscious mind and opens the door to your inner world allowing insights to come forth Enhale

Shan Studios 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 Known as Hong Kong’s premier mindfulness meditation studio, Enhale offers traditional techniques for modern day living. Their Yoga Nidra takes the best part of a yoga session (the relaxing part) and encourages students into deep relaxation. Don’t worry if you fall asleep, that’s the whole point! 14th Floor, The Plaza, 21 D’Aguilar Street, Central. enhalems.com

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dining

Grow local, eat local

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

H

omegrown 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.

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grow local 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.

Farm-to-table Homegrown produce takes pride of place at these Hong Kong restaurants Fini’s Fini’s spread of Italian American dishes and its colourful location on Soho’s sidewalk makes the 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

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 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.

Locofama 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

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.

Roganic Founded by celebrity chef Simon Rogan, Roganic impresses the city’s epicureans with its forward-thinking 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

Posto Pubblico locally sourced ingredients

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nibbles

Dining news Cocktails at Fratelli

CÉ LA VI is now SKYDECK

Celebrate the end of dry January at Fratelli.

Their revamped cocktail menu of fruity concoctions includes Coco Breeze, Tamarind Paloma and Monkey Tea Sour. This is the perfect setting for sundowners with views across the sandy shores of Repulse Bay. Shop 112B, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay. fratelli.hk

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

New Belvedere brunch at Mo Bar New wine brunch at ThinkWine This recently opened Soho wine bar is rolling out a tipple-focused brunch series. Cheekily dubbed “ThinkBrunch”, guests are treated to a range of gourmet bites that are carefully curated to go along with the free-flowing wine – like artisanal cheese, Iberico ham and black truffle hotdog. $290 for food plus an additional $290 for two hours of free-flow.

Sundays from noon until late. ThinkWine, 2/F, LL Tower, 2 Shelley Street, Central. thinkwinehk.com

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental’s Mo Bar has introduced the Belvedere Brunch, which includes seasonal comforting dishes, Belvedere cocktails and Moët & Chandon Champagne.

The new brunch offers a choice of starters, main courses, sides and desserts, it features guest favourites and plant-based options. Not enough? Extend the weekend indulgence with the after-brunch free flow package in the stylish bar. $688 including free flow Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2012, add $418 for the after-brunch package. The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15

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. skydeckhk.com

Queen’s Road Central, Central. mandarinoriental.com

Slice, slice, baby!

Hot out the oven this month are Amalfitana’s delicious new pizza toppings! For a spicy spin on a classic favourite, opt for the Spicy Italia, or if you’re feeling in the mood for brunch their Bismark pizza contains pancetta and a poached egg. 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay. amalfitana.hk

Southside sundowners Take the edge of your weekday blues at Limewood in Repulse Bay. Every Monday through Thursday, enjoy $50 cocktails and $60 wines and beer during happy hour from 3–8pm. 103/104 The Pulse, 28 Beach Road. limewood.hk

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education

Get creative at SCAD Adele Brunner explores the Savannah College of Art and Design

W

hen Paula Wallace, founder of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), sold her Volkswagen Beetle to set up a school in 1978, little did she know that she would be paving the way for thousands of aspiring young creators to attain their dreams. Fast forward 40 years and SCAD has become one of the most well-recognised arts’ establishments in the world, with four locations – in Savannah and Atlanta, USA; Lacoste in France; and Hong Kong – plus an awardwinning global eLearning platform, which gives online students the same course structure and individual attention as their on-site peers.

SCAD enrolls nearly 15,000 students from more than 100 countries who are taught by

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a 700-strong professorial team as well as guest lecturers, such as fashion designer Tory Burch and Nicholas Morineaux, Vice President of Finance and Operations at LVMH Fashion Group and Nick Rodd, Vice President of Marketing and Menus at McDonald’s Asia.

“SCAD’s approach to design education aligns closely with my own belief, which is to not only educate students but to provide a profound and transformative experience for them,” says the university’s Vice President Khoi Vo, who has been in his current position since 2018.

Conserving cultural heritage Situated in Sham Shui Po, the Hong Kong campus, which SCAD took over a decade ago, was part of a government scheme to revitalise

old buildings. The former North Kowloon Magistracy has since been transformed into a hive of creativity but making it so special is the way original architectural features have been sensitively retained and incorporated into its modern incarnation. In fact, so successful were the renovations that SCAD Hong Kong was recognised by the UNESCO AsiaPacific Heritage Awards for culture heritage conservation.

The entirety of Courtroom no 1 has been preserved, for example, complete with prisoner’s dock, security bars, judge’s bench and public gallery but lectures rather than court cases are now conducted here. In place of strip lighting are striking knitted lampshades, created by SCAD alumni.

scad

SCAD resides in the former North Kowloon Magistracy

The library in Sham Shui Po

SCAD students busy at work

What used to be the juvenile court is now a homework lab while in another part of the building, a row of three prison cells are now home to SCAD Art Sales and offices, with a fourth kept deliberately empty to showcase its original purpose. Add explosions of colour and seriously brilliant talent in the form of artwork to this historic environment, with photography and installations almost everywhere you look, and you feel as though you’re in an uber-cool gallery rather than an educational establishment.

A choice of campuses SCAD is a private, non-profit and fully accredited university with a wide range of courses including Bachelor degrees in Arts and Fine Arts as well as Masters in Arts, Fine Arts, Urban Design and Architecture.

Offering more than 100 degree programs across the locations, with more than 40 major and 75 minor disciplines, there is an almost

overwhelming choice of alluring subjects to study such as advertising, visual effects, and interactive design and game development.

“SCAD is a global university that ensures students have the opportunity to study in all of our locations. We focus on providing opportunities to study in different cultural contexts, but at the same time, students will receive the same high quality education regardless if he/she studies in Savannah, Atlanta, Lacoste, Hong Kong or through eLearning,” explains Vo.

Turning passion into profession Glamorous though the world of SCAD might seem, its mission is grounded in reality and it prepares students for working life from day one as its motto “Turning passion into profession” attests. The university prides itself on its postgraduate employment rate and in 2018, 99 percent of alumni found jobs in their chosen field within 10 months of graduating.

In 2019 alone, there were 150 SCAD alumni credits in Oscar-nominated films. Global employers including Amazon, Disney, Nike and

Ralph Lauren recruit from SCAD; SCADpro is a student-led design studio, to which industry giants, who are constantly chasing fresh and imaginative ideas, frequently give design assignments and challenges.

“We recently completed a great project with Hasbro celebrating Monopoly’s 85th anniversary and we are working on some very cool collaborations with the financial services and fashion industries so stay tuned,” says Vo. The school offers undergraduates the ongoing support of a personal career coach; postgraduate opportunities (Après SCAD), where alumni engage with leading professionals; and access to the SCAD job portal with its global network of connections and alumni.

“The 360-degree approach that the SCAD faculty takes in educating students - from teaching them to be critical thinkers, training them to master the latest and most relevant technologies, and developing them as professionals - is how we should be educating artists and designers that will lead the industry when they graduate,” says Vo. scad.edu.hk

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education

PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE Meet SCAD Vice President Khoi Vo Can you tell us a bit about your career to date?

After many years working in architecture, I gravitated towards interior design work. To create functional, engaging and beautiful environments for people to use and enjoy was very rewarding but I also knew I eventually wanted to be involved in academia. I started at SCAD as a professor of interior design and was promoted to Department Chair. I led the interior design department in Savannah for many years before assuming the Vice President position in Hong Kong.

Throughout my career, as a designer, an educator and now as an administrator, the common thread that excites me the most is the opportunity to work with people and play a part in empowering them to reach their goals.

What about SCAD attracted you to this position?

I went into academia because I was passionate about educating the next generation of designers. I wanted to provide the students I was teaching with the same opportunities that my professors gave me. I wanted to play a part in the students’ education and how that would influence their practice.

How do you spend your day as Vice President at SCAD? I love this position because no two days

are the same. From working closely with staff and faculty to interacting with students in the classroom and on SCADpro projects, I enjoy every aspect of it. There are so many different approaches in art and design education that allow me to find creative new solutions to challenges and be innovative in how we develop new curriculum and programs to position our students to become leaders in their chosen professions. The other side of my job allows me to interact with the community and industry and meet incredible people throughout Hong Kong and other regions of Asia.

What does the university have in store for this academic year?

For SCAD Hong Kong, it marks the 10th anniversary of our time in Hong Kong and our presence in Asia. We have accomplished a lot in the past 10 years and we want to continue that success. Our academic departments continue to innovate and develop new ways of educating and preparing our students. Starting this year, we are increasing our commitment to ensure that SCAD students not only possess the best skills in their discipline but are experts in verbal and written communication, visualisation and networking.

Any new courses or collaborations?

The User Experience (UX) Design degree is the latest addition to our academic offering at SCAD Hong Kong. UX is such a critical

part of our world and we are excited about preparing our students for this amazing profession. SCAD worked closely with Google to develop this degree and it has been a huge success in our US campuses.

How much involvement do you have with the other SCAD campuses?

The short answer is quite a bit! We all work closely together regardless of where we may be physically. I spend a good percentage of my time communicating with colleagues around the world. We get to share our different perspectives but at the same time, we are all working towards the same goals.

Where are your favourite places to go in Hong Kong?

The amazing thing about Hong Kong is that you can be in the middle of Central, experiencing the energy of a global centre and then hike along beautiful trails overlooking unparalleled views of the landscape and the water. I’m also a foodie and there’s nowhere better than Hong Kong to experience local and international cuisines.

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education

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big day out

Life on L Alan Shaw takes a leisurely

Getting there Around half an hour by ferry from Central Pier 4, Lamma Island feels a million miles away from the bustling business district of Hong Kong. You can take a ferry to Sok Kwu Wan on the eastern side of the island or Yung Shue Wan in the northwest.

Ferries depart less frequently than to some of the other islands so be sure to check ferry schedules before you leave home. The most up to date schedule can be found at hkkf.com.hk.

From east to west

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Cheers from Alan and Sue!

Our route takes from Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan with plenty of rest stops along the way and a spot of lunch as we near the western side of the island. We disembarked at the seaside village of Sok Kwu Wan just in time for a morning coffee at one of the laid back bars around the bay.

There are also a variety of shops selling snacks, souvenirs and handmade clothing.

From Sok Kwu Wan, take the only path out of town, past a small temple on your left. The path turns right and continues uphill. From here you’ll take in stunning views across Hong Kong Island.

Look behind and you’ll see the harbour town of Sok Kwu Wan fading into the distance, look ahead and you’ll spy a couple of small sandy beaches. This is where you’re headed.

Lamma

stroll from Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan

lamma island villages and reach your destination of Yung Shue Wan Ferry Pier.

The walk from Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan isn’t too strenuous, provides numerous opportunities for pit stops and takes in a number of sandy beaches. All-in-all, a great day out!

Ferries run from Central Pier 4 and from Aberdeen. There are two ferry ports 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’s eight legged residents Golden orb weaver

Banded argiope

The path becomes shaded by overhanging tree branches and the odd spider’s web. Watch your face, you may be alarmed by the size of the spiders here; indeed they are a common talking point for hikers along this route.

To the beach…

After around 20 minutes, you’ll pass some public toilets which look oddly modern given the surroundings. You’ll also pass a sign for Lo So Shing Beach. For a refreshing break, head down to this pretty little beach for a rest and a swim.

Here, there are more public toilets along with showers and changing rooms. The water in this area is relatively clear, despite views of Lamma Island Power Station, just a few kilometres away.

After a cool off at the beach, retrace your steps back along the path you came for around 150 yards. One you rejoin the main path, turn left towards Yung Shue Wan. Here, you’ll find the gradient is predominantly uphill, but the incline is not steep and there is plenty of shade provided by overhead trees. By now you are very much in the midst of the Lamma jungle!

Frozen pineapple on sticks You’ll come across a couple of small, rural villages with stalls run by locals selling cold beers and

frozen pineapple on sticks. Keep on climbing and you’ll reach a beautiful pavilion jutting out over the sea. Take some time here to observe the route you have come from and take in more stunning views of Sok Kwu Wan. From here you have the option to return the way you have come but in my opinion, it’s far more interesting to take in something new. Continue uphill. The route will take you past another pavilion on the west coast from where you can enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding islands, the power station and two more beaches which lay in the bays ahead. Good news. From here onwards it’s mainly downhill. The path changes from smooth concrete to large granite cobbles and foot traffic picks up as you get closer to Yung Shue Wun.

Golden comb-footed spider

Spitting spider

Hung Shing Yeh Beach You’ll pass Hung Shing Yeh Beach, probably the busiest beach on the island. At the far end of this beach we stopped for lunch at Concerto Inn (concertoinn.com.hk). Daniel and the staff here are incredibly friendly and the food was delicious and filling (I’d recommend the fish and chips!)

After leaving Hung Shing Yeh Beach, the remainder of the walk should take around 20 minutes, you’ll continue through some seaside

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travel

Shopping for

a new face

Charmaine Ng explores Asia’s cosmetic treatment hotspots

H

ow 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

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the knife for a new face? Whatever you’re after, here are the most popular countries for cosmetic tourism in Asia.

Hong Kong 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 Hongkongers are more familiar with the laws in Hong Kong compared to those in other

medical tourism to Hong Kong’s, it’s a practical weekend destination.

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.

Matilda International Hospital

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 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

Thailand

Taipei, Taiwan

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

Bangkok, Thailand

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 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.

Taiwan For Hongkongers, Taiwan is by far one of

Botox injections

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travel

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.

Seoul, South Korea

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

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.

Going into surgery

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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.

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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home & living

Find your happy place

Artwork makes a great centerpiece

Transform your home for wellness with interior designer Aaron Chin

H

ome is where you start each morning.

So it’s really important to decorate it well, so it gives you a nudge to start each day off on the right foot. Here are five quick and easy tips to give your home a facelift.

That means - you pick a few items within that 20 percent of your room and fashion them with new colours from the same colour family (colours from the warm family include reds, yellows and oranges while cool family colours are blues, greens, purples.)

The 80/20 rule

Rock n’ roll rugs

Introducing new colours is a sure way to inject new energy into a tired space but this can often be overdone. When working with a colour palette apply the 80/20: Keep 80 percent of the room neutral and pick stronger colours for the other 20 percent.

A rug serves as more than just something to keep your feet warm. You can use rugs to section one room into smaller spaces. This is especially helpful in studio apartments where you can use a few smaller rugs to separate areas so it appears you have more than

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one space.

Another strategy to use a striped rug. Just like vertical stripes on clothing, a striped rug can make your room appear longer. Orient the stripes to go the length of the room that is the longest for optimal effect. In other words, you can make your room look longer or wider.

Living with art Art can be many things. A David Hockney painting, the H’mong textile you got in Vietnam last summer or the new creative family photo you took can all make for great wall art. A large picture can act as a centerpiece to elevate a

harmony at home room and serve as a focal point. You may also consider creating a “happy wall” - a gallery wall with multiple pieces that bring you joy and remind you of what’s truly important in your life. We recommend only three to six inches of wall space between the pieces so that the eyes consider it as one coherent piece. When choosing your art, it is helpful to remember the colour palette and the 80/20 rules mentioned.

Create harmony

Rugs lengthen a room

Rearranging your existing furniture does wonders for your home without having to buy anything new. It also helps to create a healthier flow through your home. Flow is a bit like chi (energy) in Feng Shui – a good flow at home generally means that people and energy can move through the room freely and harmoniously. Minimise the furniture and decorations that obstruct your sight and path to the walls, windows and doors. Your mind is instinctively at ease if you can see that you have a way through. Be sure to avoid “bowling alley syndrome”. This is when you line up all furniture against two walls, leaving a straight alleyway down the middle. Another super easy trick is to leave a few inches between your furniture and your wall. This

gives the illusion of spaciousness.

The Cantaloupe Rule The last easy tip is to remember the “Cantaloupe Rule”, a rule of thumb to follow when choosing what accessories and small items to display. According to Sabrina Soto, a home style expert from Target, “Decorative accents smaller than a cantaloupe crowd a room.” A room will look more spacious if you only display bigger accessories and do what you can to hide the small items.

Find out more Aaron Chin is founder of The Editors Company and former GM of BoConcept Hong Kong. The Editors Company is a Hong Kong-based online platform offering affordable home design and furniture shopping services for city dwellers. editorscompany.com Fancy a home makeover with help from professional interior stylists? Hong Kong Living is teaming up with The Editors Company to offer a free home design service for one lucky reader. To enter visit hongkongliving.com

Stick to the 80/20 rule

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pets

Ask a vet...

Dr. Pauline Taylor Pets Central veterinarian Got a question? Email editorial@hongkongliving.com

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!

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woof

Walkies

High Island Reservoir trail with Rex the short-haired Weimaraner High Island Reservoir Trail

Stretch your legs while taking in views across Hong Kong’s biggest reservoir, High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung. The walk begins with a short detour around Sheung Yiu Folk Museum, an old Hakka village, before joining the first stage of the MacLehose Trail towards East Dam. This dam is part of the Geopark and offers stunning views over the water, famous hexagonal rock columns and even a sea cave. (You can get great photos around this area) The hike is just under 13km and takes around four hours to complete. Make sure you bring plenty of water and snacks - for both you and the dog, and stay in the shade wherever possible. February with it’s cooler temperatures is the perfect month to tackle this relatively challenging hike. Since there are no water pools on the route it’s perhaps not as ideal for dogs during the hottest of summer months.

How to get there: Dogs are not allowed on public buses so take a taxi from Sai Kung

to Pak Tam Chung (around 10 minutes).

If you drive, the area offers free parking but spaces fill up fast on weekends.

Alternatively, if you don’t have a dog in tow, take minibus number 7, 9 or KMB bus 94 to

Pak Tam Chung.

Have a favourite walk? Email editorial@hongkongliving.com

High Island Reservoir

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southside secrets

Cop shop

Supermarket chain Wellcome have leased the building since 2003

The interesting heritage behind this Stanley supermarket

H

ave you ever shopped at the Wellcome on Stanley Village Road?

The building’s colonial facade, antique wooden floors and large vintage fireplaces are suggestive of a history more colourful than that of a grocery store.

In fact, the two-storey building was once a functioning police station. Constructed in 1859, it is the oldest surviving police station building in Hong Kong, and was declared a monument on January 15, 1984. The station was designed by Charles St. George Cleverly (Surveyor General 1845-65). He also designed Government House and St. John’s Cathedral.

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The station wasn’t only used by the police.

In the early years of the colonial era, the British Army also used the station from time to time because of its strategic location as the southernmost outpost on Hong Kong Island. During the invasion of Hong Kong in World War II (1941), it was the centre for one of the final battles before the surrender. During the Japanese Occupation between 1942 and 1945, the Japanese Gendarmerie used the building as a local headquarters and a mortuary was added to the building.

After the war, the building reverted to its original use as a police station until 1974 when a new, larger police station was erected

across the road. Since then the old station has been used as a sub-office of the Southern District Office and a restaurant. In 2003, the Government Property Agent leased the building to Dairy Farm to open a new outlet of local supermarket chain; Wellcome.

How to get there The Old Stanley Police Station is located at 88 Stanley Village Road, near Stanley Village Bus Terminus.

Citybus: 260, 973 New World First Bus: 14, 63, 65

marketplace

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marketplace

marketplace

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

BUY / SELL / RENT Hong Kong / China / Macau

Hotline: 2174 7880

GOLF, MARINA AND PRIVATE CLUBS

Aberdeen Marina Club Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club Discovery Bay Golf Club Hong Kong Cricket Club

SCHOOL DEBENTURE TRANSFER

Chinese International School Harrow International School Independent School Foundation Victoria Shanghai Academy

Everfine Membership Services Limited 永輝會籍服務有限公司

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www.evergolf.com.hk

marketplace

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zim city

Queen Mary Hospital

Why is it so hard to be a smart city?

Paul Zimmerman discusses problems facing the Queen Mary 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.

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,

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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 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.

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.

A sustainable plan is needed which allows QMH 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 co-convenor of Save Our Country Parks alliance.

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