Hong Kong Living September 2021

MOONCAKES | BEACHES | EDUCATION | DATING

hongkongliving.com

SEPT 2021

Inspiration is everywhere Creative classes for adults

Ain't no mountain high enough CONQUER HONG KONG’S HIGHEST PEAKS

Over the moon The fanciest mooncakes in town

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CONTENT S — 0 9 / 2 1

16 COVER STORY

Conquer Hong Kong’s top ten highest peaks

4 CONTRIBUTORS

Meet the team

6 PEOPLE

Out and about in Central

8 THE PLANNER

What’s on in September

10 NEWS

What’s happening in our backyard

13 LOCAL

21 DINING

34 PETS

27 EDUCATION

35 HONG KONG DATING

The best mooncakes to celebrate Mid- Autumn Festival

Creative classes for adults

36 BACKPAGE

Your kitchen essentials

32 HOROSCOPES

Here’s what’s written in the stars for you this month

Hong Kong’s water quality is on the up

15 FIVE MINUTES WITH

How to have a successful long distance relationship

31 MUST HAVES

Dr Pauline Taylor answers your pet questions

Nury Vittachi on the meaning behind public holidays

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Dee Oh, founder of Dee Dream Life

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27

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“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves” ~ Sir Edmund Hillary

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EDITOR’S LETTER The past month was very challenging for me personally but with every downhill there is always an up. Which is why I dedicated this issue to positivity.

Our cover story this month counts down Hong Kong’s top ten highest peaks (page 16), which despite the uphill battle, offer some of the city’s most beautiful views. You may be surprised to find that your favourite hikes didn’t make the cut.

For our interview this month we sat down with investment banker turned fitness leader Dee Oh (page 15) to talk about following your dreams and finding passion in everyday life.

With limited options for travel, many of us are getting bored of our everyday routines so why not challenge yourself with a new hobby? We’ve rounded up the best adult creative classes in town (page 27).

From glassblowing to pottery there really is something for everyone.

And who can forget about the MidAutumn Festival? As the streets become lined with lanterns, our dining editor shares her favourite luxurious mooncakes to feast on this season (page 21).

Wishing you a positive and happy start to autumn.

Editorial Editor-in-chief Nicole Slater, nicole@hongkongliving.com Features Editor Cheyelene Fontanilla, cheyelene@hongkongliving.com Senior Writer Charmaine Ng, charmaineng@hongkongliving.com Dining Editor Amber Lai, amber@hongkongliving.com

Design Senior Graphic Designer Vicky Lam, vicky@hongkongliving.com Graphic Designer Joyce Ma, joyce@hongkongliving.com

Sales & Marketing Director of Content Hilda Chan, hilda@hongkongliving.com Partnership Manager Debbie Ky, debbie@hongkongliving.com Elaine Li, elaine@hongkongliving.com Janessa Chan, janessa@hongkongliving.com Events Manager Pranali Gupta, pranali@hongkongliving.com

Things we love

Publisher Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com

Contact us Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong

hongkongliving.com talk@hongkongliving.com

CBD treatments

Chocolate mooncakes

The Oriental Spa at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental has introduced a CBD sleep treatment to restore balance and enhance sleep quality.

Combining the natural CBD ingredients with its signature products, the 90-minute treatment will help to promote a stress-free slumber. mandarinoriental.com

If you fancy an alternative treat to celebrate Mid-Autumn, La Maison Du Chocolat has launched a delicious Moonchocolate Collection featuring four unique flavour combinations including lychee and raspberry milk chocolate and fresh lemon zest and ginger. lamaisonduchocolat.com

Covid-19 update

As Hong Kong Living goes to print we have done our best to keep our content as accurate and up-to-date as possible, but life under Covid-19 regulations means things tend to change, often from day-to-day. Please check with local businesses for operation hours and services available and remember, stay safe.

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@hongkongliving @hongkongliving852

HONG KONG hongkongliving.com 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

Nury Vittachi

Valentina Tudose

Our monthly backpage columnist Nury Vittachi is a Hong Kong-based author of more than 40 books. His journalism has appeared in more than a dozen publications and is now editor of Friday magazine at fridayeveryday.com

Certified relationship coach and clinical hypnotherapist Valentina Tudose, shares her advice on long distance relationships in our monthly dating column.

Carmen Chan Carmen Chan is an Admissions Counsellor for Kaplan and uses her past experience to empower her students, striving to help them overcome weaknesses and break through obstacles with grit. This month she talks about the importance of teaching students about social media in our education column.

Dee Oh Founder of Dee Dream Life, Dee Oh left her career as an investment banker to pursue her dream of opening a fitness and life coaching studio. Read all about her journey and her positive outlook in our five minutes with interview.

Amber Lai Letao Wang Founder of the Healing Kingdom, Letao Wang has been practising professional astrology and spiritual counselling in Hong Kong for over seven years. He reveals what’s in store for each sign this year in our horoscope section.

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As our dining editor, Amber Lai keeps her finger on the pulse of Hong Kong’s ever-evolving F&B industry.

Head to our dining section for her top mooncakes this season.

Now’s the time your money could start going places.

With exclusive expat banking services from HSBC – including global financial expertise, your money could be working harder.

Apply for bank accounts and investments seamlessly online with HSBC Expat.

Now could be the best time to discuss and review your financial plans for long term success.

Talk to our Expat banking team today and discover a more rewarding banking relationship. hsbcexpat@hsbc.com.hk +852 2822 3225 expat.hsbc.com/wealth

Please remember that the value of investments, and any income received from them, can fall as well as rise, is not guaranteed and you may not get back the amount you invested. This could also happen as a result of changes in currency exchange rates, particularly where overseas securities are held or where investments are converted from one currency to another. We always recommend that any Investments held should be viewed as a medium to long-term investment, at least five years.

Issued by HSBC Expat which is a division of HSBC Bank plc, Jersey Branch: HSBC House, Esplanade, St. Helier, Jersey, JE1 1HS. HSBC Bank plc, Jersey Branch is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission for Banking, General Insurance Mediation, Investment and Fund Services Business. HSBC Bank plc is registered and incorporated in England and Wales with limited liability, number 14259. Registered office 8 Canada Square, London, E14 5HQ. HSBC Bank plc, Hong Kong Branch, is licensed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority as an authorised institution and registered with the Securities and Futures Commission to conduct Type 1 (dealing in securities) and Type 4 (advising on securities) regulated activities under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (central entity number: AFJ824). Deposits made with our office in Jersey are not protected deposits under the Hong Kong Deposit Protection Scheme and are not protected by such scheme. However, HSBC Expat is a participant in the Jersey Bank Depositors Compensation Scheme. The Scheme offers protection for eligible deposits of up to £50,000. The maximum total amount of compensation is capped at £100,000,000 in any 5 year period. Full details of the Scheme and banking groups covered are available on the States of Jersey website www.gov.je/dcs, or on request. 200910/GI/375.

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PEOPLE

RARE SkinFuel Age Delaying Body Collection Launch

Women of Hong Kong Business Blitz at Mr Wolf 6 | hongkongliving.com

SNAPPED

Summerfest 2021 at Central Harbourfront

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PLANNER

Mark your calendars for these September events

SEPT 21

Full Moon Charity Yoga Led by Sandra Chan, Outdoor Yoga HK welcomes everyone to connect with themselves through Forrest Yoga and meditation under the full moon to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. 7pm-8.30pm. Tamar Park, Harcourt Road, Admiralty. meetup.com/forrestyogahk

UNTIL 19 SEPT

Extended Figure: The Art and Inspiration of Lanlan Asia Society Hong Kong Centre celebrates artist Xie Jing-Lan’s significance as a pioneer of cross-disciplinary art. 11am-6pm. Free.

Chantal Miller Gallery, Asia Society Hong Kong Centre. asiasociety.org

UNTIL SEPT 30

Ocean Park Summer Nature Playground The waterfront theme park will transform into Hong Kong’s biggest nature playground, special missions for children to experience the wonders of nature. Free with general admission. Ocean Park, Aberdeen. oceanpark.com.hk

SEPT 4

Tamby Chan: CuteAnon Tamby Chan headlines Backstage Comedy with his new show: CuteAnon. $200. 8pm9.30pm. The Hub, 1F Fortune Building, 150-158 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai.​​ thebackstagehk.com

SEPT 8-12

The Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair Asia’s premier unique showcase for international watch brands. 10.30am-6pm.

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. hktdc.com

SEPT 14

Calligraphy Tasting A beginner level workshop for dip pen calligraphy. Learn basic dip pen writing techniques, gain knowledge of the pen and ink tools and practice words such as hello, thank you, happy birthday and more.

7-8.30pm. $700. Kalo Make Art studio, Ivy House, 18-20 Wyndham Street, Central. kalomakeart.com

SEPT 20-22 SEPT 2

Hungry Ghost Festival Appease the spirits of ancestors and other restless spirits who return to roam the earth or just enjoy the day off.

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Tai Hang Fire Dragon Parade Another example of Hong Kong’s traditional culture and a main part of the celebrations of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Free. 8.15pm10.30pm. Tai Hang, Causeway Bay.

SEPT 22

Mid-Autumn Festival Celebrate the harvest by lighting up a lanturn and tucking into a mooncake. Enjoy colourful and bright lantern displays across Hong Kong including the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade.

WHAT’S ON

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NEWS

STUDY SHOWS HONGKONGERS SPEND THE MOST ON HOME DECOR

HONG KONG SEVENS IS OFFICIALLY CANCELLED THIS YEAR The Hong Kong Sevens was scheduled to take place in the first weekend of November 2021.

For many Hongkongers, it was that light at the end of the tunnel–something to look forward to while we continue to batten down the hatches.

Unfortunately, according to a post by the Hong Kong Rugby Union, they’ve made the tough call to cancel this year’s games, citing safety

15 COUNTRIES ADDED TO THE ‘HIGH RISK’ LIST Following a recent surge in cases worldwide, the government is taking no chances, by raising alert levels to ensure that no infected passengers can enter the territory. On August 20 the Covid-19 risk level was raised from “medium” to “high risk” for a total of 15 nations. Other countries previously deemed low-level risk are also being revised upwards, as the government proceeds with extreme caution. All new arrivals from Bangladesh, Cambodia, France, Greece, Iran, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United States will be required to complete a mandatory 21-day quarantine at a designated hotel, before they can travel anywhere in Hong Kong. The rules apply even to travellers who have been fully vaccinated.

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Inspired by a little lockdown daydreaming, UKbased company, HouseholdQuotes decided to answer the question: “Which countries spend the most on interior design?” The study found that the average resident of Hong Kong spends a little over US$1,154 per year on renovations, which is equal to about 32.6 percent of a typical monthly salary in the city. “Space is at a premium in Hong Kong, but residents enjoy the 12th highest salaries in our study,” explains the report. “This means that many professionals can afford to pay for professional interior designers or invest in bespoke space-saving furniture and partitions.” Despite its size, Hong Kong is home to the second-largest community of billionaires in the world. But wherever you are on the property ladder, if you’re living in Hong Kong, chances are your home is no stranger to a stepladder and a lick of paint.

and uncertainty around travel restrictions.

“This follows detailed conversations with World Rugby, participating unions and the Hong Kong government, and has been taken with the health and wellbeing of the rugby community and our fans as top priority,” the Instagram post states, announcing the official cancellation. They are hoping to go ahead in April 2022.

THE REVITALISED CENTRAL MARKET IS NOW OPEN Marking a new milestone for the Grade 3 historic building, the revitalised Central Market celebrated its soft opening on August 23.

Phase one of the restoration and revitalisation work has reached completion, capturing and preserving many of the market’s historical elements. These details are integrated into the new open space floor plan, which provides over 100 leasable units for retail and F&B, green open space spanning 1,000 square metres and community spaces for art exhibitions and performances. One such vendor is Hexadoor, a fashion and accessories store featuring local brands including GINYU Design.

IN YOUR BACKYARD

HONG KONG CELEBRATES ITS MOST SUCCESSFUL OLYMPICS

WATER WORLD OCEAN PARK OPENS ON SEPTEMBER 21 Get ready to make a splash at Ocean Park’s long-awaited water park. Opening on September 21, the park is divided into five zones. The new feature has different themes per section with a total of 27 outdoor and indoor attractions. Best of all, it’s an all-weather attraction. Ticket sales to the grand opening began on August 9. Limited early-bird discount tickets are available, with general admission adult tickets starting at $320.

Children’s tickets (ages three to 11) are $225.

Hong Kong’s Olympiads are celebrating the territory’s biggest ever medal haul at a Summer Olympics, following success in cycling, fencing, karate, swimming and table tennis at Tokyo 2020. A total of 46 Hong Kong athletes took part in 14 competitions during the games. The Hong Kong team brought home a total of six medals; three bronze, two silver and one gold, making 2021 the most successful year ever. The games

had originally been scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 9 2020, but were postponed due to Covid-19. Hong Kong has now made 17 appearances at the Summer Olympics since the territory’s debut as a British colony at the Summer Olympics held in Helsinki in 1952. This year, Hong Kong’s athletes made history, winning more medals than in all previous Olympics combined.

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LOCAL

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LOCAL

Clear seas ahead EPD confirms upgrade in Hong Kong’s beach water quality. By Christopher Alexander

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has released the latest data related to water quality for 40 beaches across Hong Kong, and the results are promising.

This news will be music to the ears of swimmers, snorkelers and kayakers planning on heading out on the waves – in total, 17 beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), including Chung Hom Kok Beach, South Bay Beach, Discovery Bay and Turtle Cove.

In addition, 23 more beaches were graded as Fair (Grade 2). This list includes Anglers’ Beach, Deep Water Bay, Cheung Chau Tung Wan,

Cafeteria Old Beach and Tai Po Lung Mei.

The EPD releases its figures every week, following tests at 39 gazetted beaches and one non-gazetted beach (Discovery Bay). These tests measure the level of E.coli in the water, with “Grades” then calculated based on the five most recent samples.

The latest results show a positive trend, with two locations (Golden Beach and Tong Fuk Beach) being upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, although Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach was also downgraded from Grade 1 to Grade 2.

“The changes are generally within the normal

range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches,” said a spokesman from the EPD following publication of the new test results and safety grading.

According to EPD regulations, beaches are assigned one of four grades, according to the quality of the water in each location. The top grade is Good (Grade 1), followed by Fair (Grade 2), then Poor (Grade 3) and finally, Very Poor (Grade 4).

The latest results of water quality tests are published on EPD’s website every week. To get the latest data, head over to epd.gov.hk

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LOCAL

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FIVE MINUTES WITH

Five minutes with Dee Oh

Nicole Slater meets the founder of Dee Dream Life

After leaving a promising career as an investment banker in 2016, Dee Oh sought out a more meaningful profession that would add value to other people’s life, while maximising her own potential.

That journey led to founding Dee Dream Life, a fitness, yoga, dance and life coaching community with a focus on creating a positive and supportive place for all ages and social statuses.

“I love inspiring, motivating and encouraging others to achieve their maximum potential in life,” says Oh.

After experiencing mental health challenges and depression as a teenager, Oh turned to dance and meditation as a coping mechanism, which helped her through some difficult years.

“In hindsight, I see these challenges as the biggest inspiration behind my passion to help others. I struggled through many ups and downs but somehow always had the strength and guidance to push through and become a better

and stronger person.”

Oh’s road to success has been paved with lots of hard work, patience and persistence, she believes that her studio is something that Hong Kong really needs and has received overwhelming support from the community.

Dee Dream Life is more than just a platform to have fun and get fit. The studio centres around the need to fill a gap within society, providing a warm and safe place with community spirit for students from all walks of life to engage their body, mind and soul through enriching activities.

While Hong Kong’s wellness scene has been growing over the years, Oh believes there is still room for improvement, “to be very honest, the industry here could be infused with more soul and authenticity. A lot of services revolve around a setting that is still relatively commercially driven, materialistic, pretentious and appealing to a certain vibe/crowd that is not

very healthy. I would ideally like to bring more high quality, down to earth and community spirited services for adults and children to have as part of their wellness routines.”

The past year has forced many people to reflect on their life and become more self aware.

They have started to put in place more practices for themselves and their children to be able to cope with more unstable and unpredictable conditions. By continuously listening to what society needs, Oh has not only survived but thrived through the pandemic with online and international classes.

She hopes the next few years can further solidify her work in the wellness industry and keep on growing. “I want to keep growing awareness of the need for warm, loving community and spirited services in Hong Kong, continue to grow the Dee Dream Life team and hopefully acquire a new studio too.” deedreamlife.com

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COVER STORY

Ain’t no mountain high enough Nicole Slater conquers Hong Kong’s top ten highest peaks

10. Wo Tong Kong A sub-peak of Hong Kong’s highest peak (don’t look 702 just yet), Wo Tong Kong is metres situated in Tai Mo Shan Country Park and is considered one of the more challenging hikes with a 2.9 mile route overlooking Yuen Long District.

9. Yi Tung Shan Located on the east of Lantau Island, Yi Tung Shan is the fifth tallest mountain on the island standing at 749 metres. The second stage of the popular Lantau Trail runs along the north side of its peak.

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749 metres

COVER STORY

8. Nei Lak Shan

6. Lin Fa Shan

Heading towards the South of Lantau, Nei Lak Shan stands at 751 metres, just a mere two metres taller than its neighbour. This peak offers stunning views over Ngong Ping and the Big Buddha.

Translating to Lotus Flower Mountain in Cantonese, Lin Fa Shan is situated between Mui Wo and Sunset Peak standing tall in the centre of Lantau.

751 metres

7. Miu Ko Toi Another sub-peak of the tallest mountain is Miu Ko 765 Toi. Also located in Tai Mo metres Shan Country Park, this peak stands at 765 metres above sea level and is accessible via the Heung Shek Path.

4. Sze Fong Shan

766 metres

5. Wo Yeung Shan Onto the big mountains now! Taking home the prize for the fifth highest peak is Wo Yeung Shan.

Overlooking Tsuen Wan and Tai Po, this peak stands at 771 metres above sea level.

771 metres

Home to the MacLehose Trail Section 8 and translates to Square Mountain for its rather flat appearance.

But don’t be fooled, its peak stands at 785 metres making it the fourth highest peak in Hong Kong.

785 metres

3. Sunset Peak Heading back to Lantau now, the stunning Sunset Peak takes home the bronze medal. Standing at 869 metres above sea level, this peak is known for its

869 metres

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

gorgeous sunset views overlooking the Lantau coastline. Be sure to bring along a flashlight on this hike as descending from the peak after dark can be dangerous. If you are new to hiking, consider catching the sunrise instead.

2. Lantau Peak Located right next door to Sunset Peak, Lantau Peak 934 towers over its neighbour metres by 65 metres. Also referred to as Phoenix Mountain, this hike is the ultimate challenge. Many residents begin their assent at the crack of dawn to guarantee spectacular sunrise views (when it’s not covered by clouds).

1. Tai Mo Shan Translating to Big Hat Mountain in Cantonese, Tai Mo Shan takes home the award for Hong Kong’s high peak! Located on the MacLehose Trail Section 8, this hike stands at an impressive 957 metres above sea level and was once a volcano. It is not uncommon for temperatures to drop below freezing point during the winter, so if you’re missing the snow, venture up here during the winter months for a chance to catch some frost.

957 metres

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DINING

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DINING

Over the moon Amber Lai rounds up the classiest mooncakes to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival Fortnum & Mason

The traditional British store is debuting three new flavours to celebrate the festivities, each paired with a signature tea. Taking the classic egg custard filling and infusing it with earl grey, matcha and rose pouchong, these pastries offer a sweet alternative to the classic mooncake. fortnumandmason.com

Ralph’s Celebrating the Polo Bear’s 30th anniversary, Ralph’s has curated a Bear-ista mooncake in its classic style. The classic mooncake gets a delicious makeover with the addition of a coffee lava filling. Pair the pastry with a signature Ralph’s coffee for an indulgent snack. ralphlauren.com.hk

The Peninsula Well-known for its signature custard mooncakes, The Peninsula has curated a collection of special products and experiences to celebrate the occasion. Visit the hotel’s new boutique and café at the Peninsula Arcade for a seasonal afternoon tea. The tea set includes classic scones and jam along with 3D-printed dark chocolate lotus flowers filled with egg custard, mooncakes and Hokkaido soft serve ice-cream. These delicate chocolates are also available to buy in flavours of dark truffle or Brazil orange truffle. peninsulaboutique.com

Dang Wen Li by Dominque Ansel Inspired by the bright lights of the big apple, Dang Wen Li by Dominque Ansel’s mooncake gift box illuminates various New York icons in its clear dome. Each box contains six mooncakes, three classic custard and three earl grey custard with hints of earl grey tea. The sparkling LED lights will be the talk of your Mid-Autumn dinner. dangwenli.com

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DINING

Date by Tate Date by Tate has curated a box filled with an array of Michelin-starred seasonal goodies. The pastry box features various cookies and spreads along with its show-stopping dessert, a mooncake shaped chocolate mendiant with a hidden lychee marshmallow centre. datebytate.com

The Cakery A go-to spot for vegan and gluten-free goods, The Cakery has transformed mooncakes with four unique flavours this season. From jasmine

raspberry to black sesame lava, these mooncakes are both refreshing and colourful. thecakery.com

Häagen Dazs Everyone’s favourite ice-cream shop Häagen Dazs is one of the pioneers for ice cream mooncakes, wrapping its luscious ice cream with a chocolate shell for that perfect bite. This year the shop is offering various favourites including strawberry with white peach puree, summer berries and vanilla with a peanut chocolate shell. haagendazs.com.hk

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NIBBLES

Dining news Delicious dumplings

Dim Sum Library has introduced a series of creative dumpling flavours. Until October, the traditional dumpling will be transformed using a range of ingredients including dill and aged mandarin peel. dimsumlibrary.com.hk

Spanish fiesta Café 103 at the Ritz-Carlton has introduced a new buffet selection featuring the flavours and flair of

Spain. Throughout September diners can enjoy a hot carving station, premium seasonal seafood and burnt basque cheesecake. ritzcarlton.com

Italian delights Giamcomo’s executive chef, Keith Yam, has used his Michelin-star training to open a new Italian fine dining restaurant in Causeway Bay. Dishes include a Brittany blue lobster, sardinian gnocchi and Aveyron lamb saddle with winter black truffle sauce. cphongkong.com

Tea-inspired cakes

Handmade chocolates

The most instagrammable cake shop in town is getting a seasonal take over with the O’Heavenly collection by Vive Cake Boutique.

The collection features a range of tea-infused chiffon cakes featuring local favourites including milk tea, matcha and earl grey. order.vive.hk

Instagram chocolatier Munchkin handmakes artisanal chocolates in a range of flavours and styles. The customisable bars come with a variety of topping choices including pretzels, caramel, raspberry, nuts and dried fruits to give your a tailor made chocolate experience.

Instagram: munchin_chocolatier

Cheers to alcoholic ice-cream Ice-cream has gotten an R rated makeover this summer with an alcoholic collaboration between The Landmark Mandarin Oriental and Ice Age! The six boozy flavours, made with animal-free whey protein, include pina colada, espresso martini, New York sour and other cocktail-inspired scoops. mandarinoriental.com

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EDUCATION

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EDUCATION

It’s never too late to learn The best creative classes in town for adults GLASS BLOWING Glazden

From necklace charms to drinking glasses and sake bottles, this independent studio allows you to create one-of-a-kind glass creations.

Offering one-on-one classes, its team of four experienced artists will guide you step by step to make your personalised glass work. On top of glass blowing, Glazden also holds hot sculpting and lampworking classes for more creative fun. glazden.com

ARTJAMMING AND PAINTING Studio 83 Studio 83 is an incredible art space for all your artistic needs, offering a range of creative workshops and art courses for artists of all levels. There are classes covering acrylic and oil, sketching and mixed media. It also offers DIY painting sessions for anyone in need of the perfect atmosphere to create. The four-hour sessions use music to help relax the mind and awaken creativity. studio83.com.hk

Choco L’ART Studio Choco L’ART offers a variety of workshops and art classes. The drop-in paint jamming sessions are aimed at people who can’t commit to a regular painting course. The three-hour session allows you to work at your own pace as you learn basic techniques. You’ll be equipped with all the art materials and soft drinks you need as you embark on your painting, drawing or decoupage adventure. chocolart.com.hk

POTTERY

Studio Glass

Art Loft

Founded in 1993, Studio Glass is a pioneer of glass blowing workshops in Hong Kong. The studio’s works have been exhibited in Hong Kong and Taiwan, so there is no doubt that you will be in great hands. If you’re wondering what to do with a group of friends, discover your artsy self and explore the variety of glasswork. studioglass.hk

This boutique-style art studio offers a variety of art and design classes, workshops and seminars in both English and Chinese. The classes cover traditional techniques, a variety of painting media, illustration and sketching. Avid art fans can gain a comprehensive understanding of art through art history and theory classes, whilst those drawn to digital can take graphic design, photography or Adobe Creative Suite courses. If you’re going solo, there are also two-hour freestyle painting sessions available. artloft.com.hk

LUMP Studio A community of potters and ceramic makers of all levels. Inside LUMP studios workshop you will find dedicated areas and special equipment for pottery and stocks of different clays, glazes, oxides and slips. lumpstudio.com.hk

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EDUCATION

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EDUCATION FLORAL ARRANGING Hong Kong Academy of Flower Arrangement (HKAFA) Founded in 1989, the Hong Kong Academy of Flower Arrangement is the first flower school in Hong Kong to introduce international floral designs. With affiliations all over the world, it’s as legitimate as it gets. Students can choose from either a group course, which teaches at different levels and lengths, or gather friends for a fun private lesson to learn the basics of flower arrangement. The school also hosts group training for corporates to create their own masterpieces with flowers.

Stay social Carmen Chan, on teaching students about social media

Floristry by Art of Living This classy florist based in Wong Chuk Hang offers a contemporary approach to the floral design concept and stocks a modern edit of handcrafted bouquet sets. Whilst primarily a store, the owners also host floral jamming workshops from time to time. Each one-hour workshop allows you to experience the healing power of flowers through arranging your own bouquet or creating a mini flower jar. Each student can take home their own creatation to enjoy the art of flowers in their own home. floristrybyartofliving.com

WORKSHOPS Rosey Cloud Take a trip to Rosey Cloud to explore their range of adult workshops where you may create and take home beauty or homeware products.

Located in the heart of Central, on Hollywood Road, Rosey Cloud offers various relaxing, yet mindful workshops, ranging from one to three hours. You could design your very own aromatherapy candles, perfumes, or soaps. If time is tight, you could also join their “Mini” Make & Take workshops where they will show you how to make natural reed diffusers, room sprays, or blended essential oil roll-ons. These have been extremely popular for parties, corporate team building, or even just to take a break during the day. Private classes may also be arranged for groups of four or more. If you’d prefer to shop, rather than create, Rosey Cloud keeps a selection of their handmade products along with an extensive range of essential oils available for immediate purchase, including options to customize based on your skin type. The best part is that there is no need for memberships or minimum monthly spends. roseycloud.com

Screen-time, cyberbullying and social comparison were once hot topics in the debate about social media’s impacts. While these are important conversations, as an admissions counselor, I have a different perspective: we should teach students ways to leverage social media for self-discovery. Particularly, to guide students towards developing creativity, curiosity, and control.

Whether it be encouraging students to promote their passion online, helping them identify likeminded influencers as role models, or showing them what a healthy digital diet looks like, I believe that in addition to teaching students how to behave well online, it is just as important to impart them skills that can help them grow personally and professionally.

The truth is, we will always be catching up with new technological developments. Rather than simply studying the impact of social media, why not shift our focus to help students foster skills that will stay with and benefit them for a lifetime?

As an Admissions Counselor for Kaplan, Carmen Chan uses her past experience to empower her students, striving to help them overcome weaknesses and break through obstacles with grit.

Contact her via carmen.chan@kaplan.com

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MUST HAVES

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MUST HAVES Wesco Single Breadboy Bread Bin $698 from Homeless homeless.hk

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Kitchen essentials to make home cooking easier

Wok turner $55 from Meyer hk.meyer.com

6 piece Spark essential set $1,359 from Meyer hk.meyer.com

Bamboo salt and pepper keeper $215 from Baking Warehouse bakingwarehouse.com

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HOROSCOPE

Written in the stars Letao Wang, The Kingdom Healer shares his insights on what the stars hold for you this month AQUARIUS You will need to clean up and organise the different areas of your life. The planetary energies will encourage you to finish all pending tasks and plan the projects you want to carry out. After this period, you will work more efficiently and will have more time to enjoy yourself.

TAURUS Your intimate relationships will be very intense during this period, Taurus. The planetary atmosphere will help you to overcome certain taboos that you have been dragging along. You will notice that personal relationships will serve as inspiration for a deep transformation within yourself.

LEO Dedicate your time to sharing with your life partner, Leo. You will feel harmony and inner peace when relating to your loved ones. If you find yourself in an unfair situation, you will not hesitate to cooperate to help others overcome their problems.

SCORPIO The focus will be on your romantic relationships this time, Scorpio. Planetary energies can make you wary about the intentions of your romantic interest. Before you panic, keep in mind that this is a product of your insecurities. Try to recognize your fears before unnecessarily complaining to your partner.

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PISCES If you feel lost and are unsure about which path to take, this may be a product of the current planetary configuration. So don’t feel guilty about being uncertain. Use this time to close some chapters in your life. After this exercise, you’ll notice how things make sense again.

GEMINI Attention will be on your family matters, Gemini.

If there are any conflicts or misunderstandings, you can expect to work them out during this time. Communication will be fluid and will help to smooth things over and help harmony return to your home.

VIRGO This is not an appropriate time to undertake new projects, Virgo. The planetary configuration creates an uncertain environment, which can generate anxiety if you need to meet challenging goals. Therefore, don’t pressure yourself and trust your intuition rather than the advice of third parties.

SAGITTARIUS Social relationships during this period will bring you pleasant surprises, Sagittarius. You’ll have plenty of social events that will open the doors to profitable job opportunities. You may not have time to be alone during this time, but you will make the most of the new connections and friendships you build.

thehealingkingdom.com

ARIES Although you usually find it challenging to put yourself into the other person’s shoes, Aries, during this time, you will be understanding enough to respect opposing opinions. If you have any conflict, choose to listen to the other’s perspective. However, remember not to compromise the achievement of your goals out of complacency.

CANCER You will have the ideal opportunity to resume studies or academic projects that you had forgotten. The planetary configuration will promote curiosity, the desire to learn and rationality. Expect to meet new people and participate in stimulating conversations during this time.

LIBRA Unresolved situations from the past may resurface during this time. If there are conflicts in your current relationships that you have tried to avoid, they will become evident for you to confront. So, try to show patience, listen to what they have to say, and find a middle ground between the proposals presented.

CAPRICORN The astral configuration will promote the exchange of business ideas. Try to open yourself to what the new members of your work team have to say. Talking with the younger colleagues will give you a fresh and creative perspective to know what direction to follow.

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PETS

Ask a vet...

Dr Pauline Taylor answers your questions about pet dental hygiene Your fur friends can have dental problems and like us, a daily dental routine is important to contribute to overall good health. As your pet can’t tell you if there is a problem with their teeth, regular dental checkups at the vet and professional dental cleaning are important.

What is dental disease and how can I avoid my dog getting it?

Unlike what happens in humans, where there is tooth decay, this rarely happens in dogs. In dogs the most common dental disease is so called periodontal disease. An inflammation/infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth (like the gums and bone). It leads to mild gingivitis first. The best way to prevent this is daily dental care (brushing teeth or dental treats).

My dog has really bad breath, is this a result of bad dental health?

Chances are high that a bad breath is caused by dental disease. Very seldom there are other reasons (like an acidy stomach). Best is to get the

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teeth checked by a vet. As already mentioned dental disease in dogs is progressive so the earlier treated the better.

important: offer the absolute favourite treat after brushing so that teeth cleaning becomes a routine your dog will be looking forward to.

Should I be taking my pet to the vet for dental cleaning or should I do it at home?

Normal dental care should be done at home unless there are signs of dental disease. Tartar which causes dental disease is not only found on the surface but also hides under the gum line and needs to be removed which is rather unpleasant so its better done under an anaesthetic. Also, if you just remove the tartar without polishing the teeth afterwards you leave a rough surface and it will reappear very quickly.

How often should I be brushing my dog’s teeth and do you have any tips to make it easier?

Teeth should be brushed once a day (twice would be perfect). Do not try to brush teeth fully at the beginning, lift the muzzle first and then touch one tooth with the brush and proceed like that. Most

Dr Pauline, Pets Central veterinarian

DATING

Distance makes the heart grow fonder Valentina Tudose on making long distance relationships work

Our world is getting smaller and smaller every day. It’s a fact.

Modern technology has made it possible to be constantly in touch with people anywhere in the world – even during these challenging times. Distance has become less and less of a barrier to happiness.

People fall in love without ever meeting in person and go on to live happy lives starting from something as simple as a random Instagram Direct Message. It is amazing that we no longer have to limit the search for the ‘love of our life’ to the village, city or even the same continent we were born in.

This constant connectivity has created a culture of instant gratification, a need to immediately satisfy any desire which was often quoted as one of the main challenges of dating pre-pandemic. Covid changed that to a certain extent, as we can’t just jump on a plane and escape on a weekend getaway.

If you find yourself stuck in a LDR (Long Distance Relationship), here are some facts to bear in mind:

LDR’s offer a great opportunity for deeper connection, getting to know each other and rediscovering the joy of delayed gratification. Take this opportunity to take it slow and spend time focusing on working out how compatible you really are with each other. Explore if you have a common vision (ie. do you want the same things in life), share similar beliefs systems and if your expectations of each other and the relationship are aligned.

The distance between you is a gift that can help you avoid making relationship decisions based on physical attraction alone. It is also an opportunity to develop great communication skills and avoid setting unrealistic expectations for how things will be if/when you eventually get together. The need to express your feelings and keep the communication going provides a different context for love. With the right type and amount of communication, you can create a deeper sense of mental and emotional intimacy which is sometimes challenging when spending every moment together in those early days of intense chemistry.

One of the big issues in any relationship is

establishing trust and being confident the partner is true to their word. This is even more difficult when you are not in the same location and you don’t get to spend time in each other’s presence.

In LDRs that start online and partners have not met in real life, there is a danger a false sense of attraction and chemistry can lead to heartache and disappointments when that apparent connection doesn’t translate into real emotional and sexual compatibility. So make sure you keep your expectations low and don’t fall too deep before you meet for real.

In short, you could see LDRs like a waiting room for your life together. A waiting room in which you are able to test each other, determine if your individual requirements for an ideal relationship are being met and take the opportunity to create a powerful foundation for what is going to follow.

The secret to making an LDR work is in fact clarity: know exactly what kind of relationship and life you want, what are the non-negotiable criteria that make love work for you and what you need to change about yourself to ensure you can cocreate your ideal relationship with your partner.

Last but not least, having a clear deadline as to when and how the long distance status will end is a key factor to ensure the ultimate success.

Valentina Tudose is a relationship coach and founder of Happy Ever After and ambassador for YVEREST. For more information visit happyeverafter.asia

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BACKPAGE

We’re getting five more days off Nury Vittachi on the meaning behind public holidays Great news for people who like holidays. The Hong Kong government plans to add FIVE NEW statutory ones to the calendar, starting with Buddha’s Birthday in 2022. Woohoo!

We’ll end up with 17 compulsory holidays: still a long way away from my preferred calendar of 365 holidays a year but we’re getting there.

Why is the government choosing interfaith celebrations? They want to avoid political dates, which often become movements.

I once encountered an Albanian whose political party was called “The November 8 Communist Party”. This suggests every day of the year has its own communist party in Albania. Another good reason not to visit.

Turkey has, or used to have, a political group simply called “September 10” which published a magazine also called September 10. This was kind of weird, because every copy of the magazine carried that date on its cover, which must have given rise to lots of misunderstandings.

The same country is famous for having a political group called “June 16”. In theory there may be an election in which citizens choose whether they want to be ruled by “September 10” or “June 16”.

All this reminds me of the actress Tuesday Weld, who once dated a tycoon called Frederick March III. If she had married him, people no doubt would have called her Tuesday March the Third.

Some politicized folk in Hong Kong talk about the loss of iconic protest dates as this community integrates more with the rest of the country, but I don’t know. China itself has an iconic date when people specifically remember a batch of student protests, May 4, which of course became “The May 4 Movement”.

Actually, most countries seem to have dates which become groups. Germany has the “Movement 2 June”, Greece has the “Revolutionary Organization 17 November” and Spain has the “First of October AntiFascist Resistance Group.” Britain has the “November 9th Society”, but it’s ignored completely, because it is a neo-Nazi group, which is a bit embarrassing for such a politically correct nation.

In the annals of political movements,

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one group that went from having the coolest name(s) to having the dullest. It started in the United States as a pro-equality antiracist group called “the Weathermen”, then became “the Weather Underground”, evolved further to become “the Prairie Fire Organizing Committee”, and then seemed to run out of creativity entirely, ending up as the boring old “May 19th Communist Organization”.

Meanwhile, one can only be grateful that the supporters of Mackenzie Bowell, who won him the job of Canadian Prime Minister in 1894, never formed a group to mark their achievement. It would have been “the December 21 Bowell Movement”, a name which people who don’t like politics (I am one of them) might think was all too accurate.

In the meantime, there are still a few Hong Kong statutory holidays which are searching for dates. We could borrow some holidays.

One old tradition says that the last day of the school year in any community should be called “Ask a Stupid Question Day”, so that would be the end of June in Hong Kong.

But it seems to me that people celebrate that every day of the year.

Still, I know one informal American holiday that will never, never, never be adopted in Hong Kong. The Friday after Thanksgiving is Buy Nothing Day.

Nury Vittachi is an award-winning author and journalist based in Hong Kong. He is best known for his novel series, The Feng Shui Detective and is now editor of Friday Magazine. Contact him via nury@vittachi.com or through his public Facebook page.

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