Sai Kung & Clearwater Bay Magazine August 2012

August 2012

Face time

Hot new treatments hit the town

Summer Sports

Sports for budding Olympians Where to get organic goods

Home launches

Sai Kung entrepreneurs on being boss

The really useful magazine AUGUST 2012

PLANNER 4 Happening in August The London Olympics, Chinese opera, children’s arts carnival and more.

NEWS 8 What’s going on?

New this month: Sai Kung’s beaches get the nod, new sports centre and more.

LOCAL 12 Bamboo queen The woman behind it all.

VINES IN SAI KUNG 14 Altering the rules Stephen Vines on weekend tourists, illegal structures and redundant signs.

INTERVIEW

EDUCATION

15 Breaking the ice Icelandic honorary consul Hulda Thorey Gardarsdottir.

FEATURE

26 Good sport KGV maintain their reign.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

16 Cottage industries Sai Kung entrepreneurs on how to be your own boss.

EATING

28 Murad madness Plus top tips from Sai Kung Magazine’s resident PT. FAMILY

20 Eating green Plus a new wine column by Ali Nicol.

PROPERTY

30 Olympic kids Sai Kung sports for budding gold medalists.

TRAVEL

24 Less is more Clean-cut in Clearwater Bay.

32 Northward bound A swing into Beijing.

GARDENING 34 Going to market Jane Ram scopes out nurseries.

PETS 36 Puppy pals Dr Cynthia Smillie on petiquette.

MARKETPLACE 38 Your exclusive guide to shops and services Cool stuff to buy and do.

BIRD AT MY WINDOW 43 Black-collared starling David Diskin on Hong Kong birds.

CLASSIFIEDS 44 Local property, holiday lets And loads of other random stuff.

BACK PAGE 46 Last Orders Plus photo competition.

"The only way to do it, is to do it."

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planner

happening in august

Aug 5

Sports for all Day Gear up for the 2012 Olympics — enjoy a series of recreation and sports programme for free! All the 18 district sport centres will adopt an Olympic event as its signature sport in support of Hong Kong athletes at the London games. www.lcsd.gov.hk.

Aug 5 Hong Kong Scottish Day Beer, food and a Kids Zone — the Scottish Rugby Football Club officially kicks off the Hong Kong rugby season at Kings Park, Kowloon. For details, visit www.hongkongscottish.com.

Aug 2-5 MJ Relived 2

A chock-a-block week of races for young sailors, along with food and fun.

Visit www.hhyc.org.hk, 2719 9682.

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The 100-member orchestra will perform at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre as part of their nine-city concert tour. Tickets $125-$340 from www.urbix.hk. For details, visit www.asianyouthorchestra.com.

Aug 11 Summer Pop Live Concert

The King of Pop lives on. The production returns with more Michael Jackson chartbusters, plus guest performance from Grammy nominee Howard McCrary.

Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $170-$340 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Aug 6-10 Hebe Haven Yacht Club Race Week

Aug 10-11 Concert by Asian Youth Orchestra

Aug 8, 22 Quiz Nights 6 categories, 60 questions, $600 Bat Tab for the winning team at Hebe One O One. 112 Pak Sha Wan, 2335 5515, www.hebe101.com.

Bringing out the city’s local talent, this music extravaganza features top local artists performing live at the Hong Kong Coliseum.

Tickets $180-$480 from www.urbix.hk.

august Aug 11 Summer Magic Night

Aug 20-Sep 1 Man

A spectacular Vegas-style magic and juggling show with international performers. Auditorium, KITEC, Kowloon Bay. Tickets $150-$230 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

A story about a man seeking the philosophy and meaning of life. Have you already found yours?

Underground Theatre, Fringe Club, Central.

Tickets $50-$100 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Aug 12 The Saxophone Journey Concert A saxophone concert for both, amateurs and aficionados, it includes an ensemble with live rhythm section as well as a special guest BATSax Ensemble. 7.30pm, Auditorium, KITEC, Kowloon Bay. Tickets $120 from Parsons Music and www.cityline.com, 2111 5333.

Aug 14-28 Summer International Film Festival From Hollywood to Bollywood — it’s a celebration of films from around the world.

Tickets $40. For details, visit www.hkiff.org.hk.

Aug 25 Viva Elvis Worldwide impersonators, performances and fancy costumes — all for the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s 35th anniversary dinner. USRC, Jordan.

Tickets $480 from info@elvis.org.hk, 6032 1899.

Aug 22-26 DisneyLive! Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and company put on a talent show. Star Hall, KITEC, Kowloon Bay. Tickets $150-$600 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Aug 25 W Pool Party Non-stop entertainment on the Wet Deck by the pool, plus an after-party at Woobar. 8pm-3am, W Hotel, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon. Tickets $300-$850 (including free-flowing champagne) from wetparties.hk@whotels.com, 3717 2783.

Aug 24-26 Concert in the Dark Watch Hong Kong’s top artists perform — in complete darkness. Rotunda 3, KITEC, Kowloon Bay. Tickets $480-$1500 from HMV and www.concert-in-the-dark.hk.

Aug 16-18 Hong Kong International Tea Fair

Aug 24-27 Computer and Communications Festival

Tea leaves, tea-ware and tea products from around the globe. Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. For details, visit www.hkteafair.com.

Geek out at this one-stop shop for everything digital. Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. Tickets $20 from 7-Eleven and the venue.

Aug 16-20 Food Expo A melting pot of culinary delights from the world over, the fair also has spectacular prizes as well as performances from local artists.

Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

For details, visit hkfoodexpo.hktdc.com.

Aug 25 The Beach Boys Yes, those Beach Boys — still touring after 50 years. Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. Tickets $588-$1,888 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Ends Aug 26 Ocean Park Summer Splash Get ready for a cold summer at the park’s new Polar Adventure! Ocean Park, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, 3923 2323. For details, visit www.oceanpark.com.hk.

Aug 18-19 The Music Man The Opera Hong Kong Summer School returns with another musical hit this summer.

Y-Theatre, Youth Square, Chai Wan. Tickets $180-$250 from www.urbtix.hk.

For details, visit www.operahongkong.org.

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august Aug 31-Sep 2 Cinderella The iconic fairy tale, with a ballet twist. Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tickets $140-$1000 from www.urbtix.hk.

Aug 31-Oct 6 Urban Narratives A new perspective on contemporary Mongolian art.

Schoeni Art Gallery, Old Bailey Street, Central. For details, visit www.schoeniartgallery.com.

If you have an event in Sai Kung, email the details to editor@saikung.com

Book now Sep 6-Oct 6 HK International Comedy Festival

Sep 21 Maroon 5 Adam Levine leaves the spinning chair and takes the stage. AsiaWorldArena, Lantau. Tickets $888 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Comedians from East to West and one epic festival — all to make you Laugh Out Loud. TakeOut Comedy Club, Central. For full details, visit hkcomedyfestival.com.

Sep 18-30 Potted Potter The unauthorised Harry Potter experience.

All seven books and a quidditch game squished into 70 minutes. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $395-$550 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Sep 20 The Pretenders Chrissie Hynde and the “Brass in Pocket” boys perform live. Star Hall, KITEC, Kowloon Bay. Tickets $590-$990 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

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Sep 25 Noel Gallagher’s Flying Birds Songs from Gallagher’s latest album, plus some arena numbers from his Oasis days. Star Hall, KITEC, Kowloon Bay. Tickets $888 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Oct 5-9 Animal Life Sai Kung gallery presents an exhibition of new ink paintings by Sascha Camille Howard. 2/F, 14A1 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2792 3939, www.saikunggallery.com.

Oct 9-14 The Mousetrap Agatha Christie’s long-running murder mystery comes to Hong Kong for its 60th anniversary.

Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai.

Tickets $330-$850 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

news Typhoon Vincente Remembering the great storm of 2012. Pictures by Denise Tong.

Our Government Complex officially opens The Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex finally opened its doors on July 6, making way for more recreational, cultural and community facilities and services for residents in the district. Spread over 6,000 square metres, the complex is situated at 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O, and adjacent to the MTR station and bus terminus.

Among the facilities, the Hang Hau Sports Centre is the largest sports complex in Sai Kung. With its environmentally friendly design, the complex utilises natural lighting and energy saving features to good effect. The centre even has its own green rooftop.

The sports complex is equipped with a wide range of leisure and sports facilities, including a gymnasium, a children’s playroom, a fitness corner, table-tennis rooms, activity rooms and a multi-purpose arena with 1,200 spectator seats.

Featuring 37 advanced exercise machines, the gymnasium is sure to become popular among local residents. Happy gymming!

Oh, the weather outside...

Real-time weather photos at Sai Kung are now availble on the Hong Kong Observatory website. Weather photos captured by two cameras installed at the Sai Kung Marine East Station help to monitor weather conditions over Sai Kung Hoi, Port Shelter and surrounding areas, providing more information to local residents as well as city dwellers who visit the various ecological tourist spots in the area.

“People visiting the country parks and geoparks can readily check the weather conditions near Sai Kung through the Observatory’s webpage.” said Lam Yui-fong, Senior Country Parks Officer of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, “They will be able to make plans for various outdoor activities and reduce the impact brought by inclement weather.”

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in the know

Grading of beach water quality released

Trio Beach taken by Ferdinand Corpuz

The results are in! On July 20th, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) released their latest grading of water quality for 37 beaches across Hong Kong. Beaches are graded based on the geometric means of E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.

Of the 23 beaches that received a Grade One or “good� quality rating, five were in Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay. These were Clearwater Bay First Beach, Clearwater Bay Second Beach, Silverstrand Beach, Hap Mun Bay Beach and Trio Beach.

However, a spokesman for the EPD warned that beach-goers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rain, as many beaches are likely to be more polluted than their grades suggest during and after heavy rainfall.

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news

Pillow talk A big congratulations to the Hyatt Regency Sha Tin, which was recently recognized as “China’s Top 10 Most Popular Resort Hotels” at the 9th annual Golden Pillow Awards of China Hotels.

“We are honoured to receive this award and I am very proud of our team,” said Mr Robert Hamer, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin. “Since our hotel opened in 2009, we have always strived to be the preferred urban resort in Hong Kong.

We are now very pleased to know that our efforts have been recognised by the judges and our guests from China. We will continue to ensure a relaxing stay for our guests.”

Book a weekend getaway or visit one of their fabulous restaurants (pssst, Sha Tin 18 does one of the best Peking ducks in town).

Hyatt Regency Sha Tin, 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong, 3723 1234.

Pool Bar at Hyatt Regency Sha Tin

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local Editorial Jane Steer Jane@saikung.com Coco Marett Coco@fastmedia.com.hk Art Director Sammy Ko design@fastmedia.com.hk

Bamboo lady Sai Kung and Pak Sha Wan’s bamboo opera theatres are one-week wonders, courtesy of matshed master Cheung Shuet-ying.

Graphic Designer Heidi Lai Heidi@fastmedia.com.hk Sales Manager Nobel Cho ads@saikung.com Online Marketing & Distribution Michelle Lee Michelle@fastmedia.com.hk Accounts Manager Clara Chan accounts@fastmedia.com.hk CEO Tom Hilditch Tom@fastmedia.com.hk This month’s contributors Graham Uden Carolynne Dear Iain Lafferty David Diskin Jane Ram Robby Nimmo Stephen Vines Laura Tyson Heta Shah Cynthia Smilie Eric Kong Anna Bonar Printer Gear Printing 1/F, Express Industrial Bldg 43 Heung Yip Road Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong Published by Fast Media Floor LG1 222, Queens Road Central Hong Kong Give us a call!

Editorial: 2776 2773 Advertising: 2776 2772 Southside is published by Fast Media 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 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 pubishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

w w w. f a s t m e d i a . c o m . h k

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Cheung shows off one of her proudest creations.

Every year a giant bamboo and tin Chinese opera theatre appears apparently overnight in the middle of Sai Kung, complete with stage, changing rooms and seating for hundreds. A few days later, it’s gone.

It takes skill and experience to build these massive temporary structures, and the lady in charge is Sai Kung native Cheung Shuet-ying, who has been building modern matshed theatres for 40 years.

“Locals still prefer to go to the bamboo theatre,” explains Cheung Shuet-ying with a hint of nostalgia.

“They love watching Cantonese opera while eating their favourite local food and chatting with their neighbours.”

Cheung has dedicated more than 40 years of her life to the art of building these grand structures using traditional methods: bamboo lashed together with “string” made from thin, shaved pieces of bamboo. The only divergence from the old methods is the outer layer, instead of dried straw mats the bamboo structure is covered in far less flammable tin sheeting.

solid

“It works,” she says, simply.

Cheung learned the trade by building the theatres until time and age took their toll, and she moved into management. Today, she’s the managing director of Wai Yip Scaffolding Co. which builds bamboo structures for local festivals and operas. She is still heavily involved in the design and build.

“I’m old, but I will still take the bus, boat, train or ferry every day to wherever my projects are,” says Cheung. “I commit to each project wholeheartedly. I like to make sure everything is perfect.”

Does she ever feel sad when the structures are pulled down so quickly?

“No. Because I know I’ll be building another one soon,” she says.

Cheung imports bamboo from China, crossing the border to personally inspect the quality and make sure the bamboo has been cut to exactly 22 feet long. Each pole is

Cheung Shuet-ying — a local legend.

reused numerous times, making the technique sustainable and eco-friendly.

But it’s a dying art. Cheung says that during British rule, the government was more generous and supportive of ventures such as hers, encouraging development and industry.

Nowadays, it’s tougher to get support. Plus, it’s not a particularly lucrative industry and few people are willing to take on a role like Cheung’s.

“It’s taken a long time to build a reputation in the industry, to gain people’s trust and build relationships,” Cheung says. “It will take too long for someone new, especially when profits are not great. Young people feel like it’s not worth it.”

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vines in sai kung

stephen says

Smug over summer woes Steve Vines on transportation issues, illegal structures and unhelpful signposts.

two-way traffic is only reasonable.

Having said that, it begs the question of how it could be better organized. In places where the authorities take conservation seriously, it does not mean spitting out endless statistics claiming to have achieved nebulous targets.It also involves things like organising feeder car parks attached to bus services that bring people to places like Sai Kung without causing congestion. Many people visit the area on public transportation, but it is woefully inadequate at peak times. This could be rectified with relative ease.

In fact, this might be something for further examination for this week’s embarrassing Bureau Chief for Getting Things Done. Jokes apart, although no one in the government is in charge of getting things done, but they sure can launch some consultation exercises.

prosecution, as it remains unclear what may happen once they have done it.

What’s really needed is a root and branch clean up of the petty rules along with an an amnesty for those who have broken them as well as a keen focus on the big issues.

Yes, I know that this will produce mass unhappiness in the bureaucracy and many clipboard wielding officials will be forced to give up harrying law abiding citizens but there is no decent alternative. What are the chances of this happening? Stupid question, but then again…

Hiking aides for the delusional Talking of stupid, I am unsure whether its a case of stupidity or deliberate sneaky behaviour.

But anyone who walks the Sai Kung Country Park trails knows that they are littered with directional signposts giving both, the distance and estimated time for walking to the destination.

Most of these timings, however, are ludicrously exaggerated, assuming that the walkers will crawl along from one place to another.

In other words, they aren’t much help in planning the walk. Perhaps, out in the halcyon fields of Country Park management, there is a cunning plan to make walkers feel good about themselves as they view the estimates of walking distance and effortlessly beat the signposted figure.

This isn’t a serious matter, and I have to admit feeling good about always walking faster than the speed suggested by these signposts.

However, other, more serious walkers might be less delusional and require proper information from signposts.

Many people visit the area on public transportation, but it is woefully inadequate at peak times.

Be smug — it’s official It’s summer, the time for Sai Kung residents to be officially smug. Here we are in the proximity of some of the finest countryside in Eastern Asia, and unlike the unfortunate city dwellers, we not only have easy access to the hillsides but also to some spectacular beaches and, although this might be tempting fate, some rather clear seawater.

Casting off formal attire, Sai Kung residents wander around town in loose fitting casual wear, apt for the hot summer days. Even the strictest of the local restaurants only requires a ‘minimal covering’ dress code. As for the bars, well, they are bars. We can gaze with bemusement as our city cousins make their way out here, and look, evidently out of place. If you can’t spot them, then there is something seriously wrong with your Sai Kung radar.

A part of me wants to be seriously selfish and see giant barriers erected to prevent the entry of outsiders along the Hirams’ Highway and the route from Ma On Shan. However, as I often go to town myself, I have to admit that

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Can anything be done about illegal structures?

Not getting things done brings us swiftly to the increasingly intractable subject of illegal structures. We now know that practically everyone in charge of running Hong Kong has one of these and, let’s be honest, who do you know in Sai Kung that doesn’t have something on their premises that could be construed as unauthorized in some way?

The problem lies in the mind boggling web of regulations established by a bureaucracy, which just loves to find new rules for everything.

It makes a mockery of the very real need to regulate building and land development. With an eye firmly fixed on petty issues, the big picture is inevitably lost.

The administration has ‘sort’ of recognized this by inviting members of the public to register unauthorized structures that are not dangerous. and has ‘sort’ of promised that if this is done, action will not be taken immediately.

Unsurprisingly then, no one has taken up the offer of placing themselves in line for

Stephen Vines is a journalist, broadcaster and entrepreneur. He is the former editor of the Eastern Express and Southeast Asia correspondent for The Observer.

interview

ice breaker

Home delivery The part-time Icelandic honorary consul and full-time midwife talks with Robby Nimmo.

Icelandic people are independent, arrogant, hardworking, at home in the outdoors, and happy. We have a laid-back attitude and get on with it.

translations, and advised CNN how to correctly pronounce the name of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano that played havoc with flights in April 2010.

I recently became Honorary Consul for Iceland, covering Hong Kong and Macau.

We act as an extended outreach arm of the Icelandic Embassy in Beijing, which is the only embassy in Asia although Iceland has honorary consuls in most Asian countries.

I grew up in a small village on the far northern tip of Iceland. It was a lot like living in Sai Kung and had a similar community feeling. You knew the butcher and the postman.

I deal with lost passports, emergency passports, visas and problems with the law. If there are overseas delegates from Iceland on official visits, I get things sorted and understand the protocol. There will be an election in Iceland, and we are helping Icelandic people in Hong Kong to vote.

It’s all about helping people. Through my role as a midwife, I come into contact with all sorts of people. This really helps in being Honorary Consul; I have to work closely with lawyers, police, doctors and government officials. The role of midwife and consul are not that different in that you sometimes have to deal with people in emergency situations and under stress.

Iceland has only 320,000 people, and there are about 60 in Hong Kong. Their careers vary from dancers to a university professor specialising in singing and music. My father lives here – he used to be a singer but now he’s restoring a former Star Ferry to live aboard. My sister-in-law owns and runs Annerley with me.

The role comes with certain privileges, although it is not paid. The previous Consul General was English. I used to help with

I live on a boat in Port Shelter. My husband has a fishing business, and the only boats I had been on before Hong Kong were fishing boats in rough seas, with a bad smell. It was not pleasure boating.

I have lived in Hong Kong for 11 years, and have been a Sai Kung resident for nine.

I got used to delivering babies in various situations. In Iceland, you had to do all aspects of community nursing, not just midwifery, as it was 150km to the local doctor. I have been surrounded by midwives all my life. Two cousins are midwives, as are many of my friends and family friends in Iceland.

It’s hard to be the child of a midwife. It’s unpredictable. I have not been home for six of my daughter Freyja’s birthdays, which I don’t like. But birth offers such beauty, it cheers you up. When I had my son, Starry, 15 years ago, I had a terrific midwife. She inspired me. Thirteen months after having my son, I had Freyja. Then after 11 years I had another girl, Saga, and two years after that I had Vaka. With that age gap, it’s a bit like four adults raising two kids.

Many pregnant women worry they will not make it to the hospital in time. I advise them

when to go the hospital, or go in the car before being handed over to the hospital staff. I purchased Annerley midwives in 2001 and have offices in D’Aguilar Street, but also do home visits as well.

I teach midwifery at the Prince of Wales Hospital. Midwifery here is less family-orientated than the Western approach. Safety is highly regarded, and they take really good care of the patients. My role is to boost the confidence of the women and give moral support.

My regular places to dine are Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Jaspas and May’s Sawaddee Thailand. It’s a far cry from the intestines, sheep heads, testicles and things we eat in Iceland, including our version of haggis called slatur.

They are too heavy for this climate. My husband imports fish from Iceland and recently the whole family has been going around Hong Kong to test it in different restaurants.

When people from Iceland get together, there is usually singing and someone can always play guitar. I performed with my family at the Clearwater School Bay fair when Freyja was there.

I miss most about Iceland the freshness of the grass, the smell, the food, the sense of the seasons. In September we collect the sheep for four days to bed them down for winter. Also I miss my family.

I love the warm weather here, hiking to Ma On Shan, or a morning walk to Trio Beach. At weekends I like sitting on the boat in a quiet bay, or wake-boarding — we are up at 6am and ready to go.

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home rules

Cottage Industries At the helm of their ‘home business’, these Sai Kung entreprenuers tell Laura Tyson what it takes to be the boss.

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Hidden away in village houses around the hillsides and bay areas of Sai Kung are a myriad of small businesses run by its enterprising residents. Ranging from clothes and jewellery to wines and sports, there are numerous companies operating from peoples’ homes, and making a significant contribution towards the local economy.

The villages of Sai Kung are littered with ‘trailing spouses’ who often have years of experience in their home country. With domestic

help readily available to take care of housework and children, they have the time and opportunity to contemplate new business ventures and ideas.

For many, the initial business idea seem to have sprung from the frustration of being unable to source common items available back home, readily or cheaply in Hong Kong. For others, it was about spotting a gap in the market and plugging it. Whereas, for a few, it was about turning a passion or hobby into a profit-making venture.

home rules

Taking the plunge Canadian Cara Ng always had trouble finding a place for her two dogs whenever she and her husband went away. Quite certain that others would be facing the same difficulties, they set up a dog boarding business at their Sai Kung Country Park home, in 2004. Eight years later, the company is still going strong.

Justin Hart combined his wine-making heritage with a consumer’s frustration, and Winestore, a wholesale wine company, was born. “We started importing wines partly due to being sick of feeling ripped off.

Besides, since we are a family of wine-makers, I knew heaps of outstanding wineries dying to be represented in a growing market,” he explains.

Nathalie Weston scours Europe as well as the Internet for art, antiques and modern vintage pieces for her home styling and design service, Weston and Company Design. Her business, which she runs from her

Clearwater Bay home, was born out of her love of interiors. “It was something that seemed to fill a gap in the market and also something I really enjoy doing,” she chimes.

While many people may have brilliant business ideas, it takes a lot of courage and conviction to make the transition from a mere idea to an entity. Amy Har-Even, the owner of Ribbon Candy — a brand specialising in making dresses from fabrics sourced from different countries — echoes the sentiment. She had to overcome her nerves and produce her first collection from Bali, which launched her company.

“I was nervous about spending money on the pre-requisites for creating my brand – from fabric and photography to tags and labels. Initially, you can’t be certain if your idea will actually sell,” she recounts. Ribbon Candy now sells in the boutique shop Babushka in Sai Kung. Amy will soon be embarking on her second collection, this time from Thailand.

Top tips

“Always carry the latest product.”

Mojdeh Kazemi, founder, Tala’s Hair & Beauty Centre talashairandbeautycentre.com

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home rules

Red tape and regulations

Nathalie Weston found her forte in creating beautiful homes.

If you’re considering establishing an enterprise of your own, don’t be put off by the fear of the bureaucracy involved, it’s navigable and straightforward.

Hong Kong deliberately keeps the red tape involved with setting up a business impressively low.

Justin of Winestore found the red tape almost non-existent.

“Hong Kong prides itself on being business-friendly. In the wine industry, they want to promote themselves as a regional hub.

Hence there is virtually no restriction, which has been a god send,” he says. Sarah Robinson who runs Babyfit, an outdoor exercise class for new mums from her Sai Kung home, voices similar views: “I think Hong Kong is such a conducive place for small business owners that it all seemed really straightforward.”

Seeking advice

Start-up costs and struggles

Getting advice is critical, even if it’s from friends who have done something similar or can act as a sounding board for ideas. Amy of Ribbon Candy concurs: “I talked to someone at Invest HK about the nuances of starting a business in Hong Kong. I even had an accountant help me set up my LLC. However, advice from friends in the fashion industry, both here as well as back in New York, who have

started their own businesses, was absolutely invaluable.”

Invest HK offers lots of advice on setting up a company in Hong Kong. From company registration and getting business accounts to acquiring a self-employment visa, their website is packed with useful information. In addition, their advisers are on hand to chat through any concerns or issues you may have.

Top tips “Find something you love to do and figure out a way to make money doing it. You need to LOVE what you do, since that is what you will be doing night and day.”

Eve Roth Lindsay, founder, Savvy Style www.savvystyle.com

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In Hong Kong, one of the biggest constraints in running a business is space. With rent levels for housing being among the highest in the world, only few can afford to dedicate much space to a home business, be it office or storage.

Although, Sai Kung’s village houses offer more flexibility than an island apartment., it’s still an issue for many.

Amy designs her Ribbon Candy dresses from a small office off her open-plan kitchen and living room, near Marina Cove. Justin describes Winestore as an iPad business as he can run his entire enterprise from his trusty gadget.

Another factor that many entrepreneurs find tricky is establishing reliable partners for outsourcing aspects of their business. This is partly due to the small quantities involved in a cottage industry as well as the language barrier.

Michelle French struggled initially in her search for a manufacturer for her Little Local

With any business there is some upfront investment required.

Thankfully, the Hong Kong Government aims to keep the costs of setting up a new business low.

Nicola Beckett of Clearwater Bay and her UK-based partner started their bespoke stationary business, Cupcake Designs, two years ago. She remarks, “Hong Kong is relatively easy to set up a business, in fact it is very entrepreneurial. It’s fairly cheap too.”.

clothing range. “There are lots of manufacturers here but they are all after the big businesses. There aren’t many willing to take the risk and support a small start-up. It took me a long time to find the one we work with now,” she remarks.

Amy found language to be an issue, but she realised that as partnerships developed, the communication seemed to ease too. “I get the dresses made in Shenzhen, so when the designs are ready and I have all the necessary materials, I head there to meet the tailors. Not being a Mandarin-speaker is a definite disadvantage, but I always manage to convey what I need,” she adds.

Running your own business can be incredibly time consuming.

Cara Ng names ‘time pressure’ the hardest part of having her kennel business. “My husband has had only two holidays in the last eight years. The dogs need constant caring, no matter what the weather is like or if you are unwell or tired,” she bemoans.

home rules

Mastering marketing tactics Clever marketing is key to a home run business. The most lucrative and free means of marketing in Hong Kong is by ‘word of mouth’.

“Hong Kong is a good market to start a new business as people are generally receptive to new ideas and businesses,” comments Nicola from Cupcakes Designs.

Nathalie of Weston and Company Design had people approach her after seeing the interiors of her Clearwater Bay house. “We have also been featured in a few local and international magazines, since it seems difficult to find interesting homes here,” she adds.

For cottage industries, websites are their virtual store.

Michelle French who started the business from her home office in Silverstrand found the process of

setting up a website very easy.

“My website designer was great, he had my site up and running within a matter of weeks and it didn’t cost the earth,” she says.

There is a plethora of businesses quietly flourishing in the village houses around Sai Kung. Unsurprisingly, the advice from almost every one of the entrepreneurs has been the same — if you’re considering setting your own business in Hong Kong then go for it.

Justin of Winestore sums it up rather well: “The hardest part about getting started is just that, making the decision. It sounds cliché, but once you get going, you just get on with it.” www.investhk.gov.hk

Justin of Winestore educating a wine lover.

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eating Consumer counsel Having recently opened a boutique cafe that serves healthy and delicious food as well as holds sustainable food workshops — chef Peggy Chan makes a case for eating right.

What is a “locavore”?

Locavore is a term defining those who consume mostly locally grown produce. By doing so, we help decrease the food mileage and the environmental impact of food transportation, reduce packaging, and help to support the local community as a whole.

What raised your consciousness about eating right?

Animal welfare was the initial reason I stopped consuming red meat as a teenager. Over time, I learned where our meat and our crops came from and realised the truth was hidden from the public.

Inhumane animal treatment is the obvious example, but above that, the industry has forced genetically altered foods onto the market without consumer consent. always support local organic farms first.

What can be done to improve the situation?

We need to help shift consumer mindsets. If we do not voice our stance, there will never be any change. The key is education,

As a chef, how important is the quality of ingredients?

Quality is extremely important — you cannot make a bad ingredient taste good. As much as possible, I believe in using organic and local produce, as well as whole foods that are unprocessed, preservativeand chemical-free, and seldom frozen. As far as packaged goods goes, always read labels. If you cannot pronounce or recognize an ingredient on a label, don’t buy it.

Any advice on finding topquality produce?

Start by going to farmers’ markets or to Hong Kong’s organic farms to purchase produce. Take a tour to learn how everything is grown.

Eat seasonal ingredients and avoid supermarkets when possible; everything there is pre-packaged and becomes added external costs on the environment as well as on food costs.

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which is why we offer workshops, seminars and cooking classes taught by professionals on various topics to promote healthy eating and other environmental issues at Grassroots Pantry. Our goal is to bring the community together, and offer a space where everyone can speak their mind.

Peggy on getting children to eat their greens...

Putting vegetables into a child’s smoothie is one of the easiest ways to get them to eat their greens. Get your children interested in vegetables by taking them to a farm, or the Lions Nature Education Centre in Sai Kung, where they can see them growing and being harvested.

How can we find out where our food comes from?

People need to take the initiative to learn about what they are putting in their mouths. There is enough information out there to make an impact. Don’t be shy. Ask questions. Some consumers may be skeptical about organic produce bought from Hong Kong or China.

But recent scientific studies prove that growing organic makes a huge impact on health and environment.

Organic farms in Hong Kong and China are beginning to make an effort to grow more varieties. I will

Summer Tropicana Smoothie (Makes 16oz beverage) 150g fresh pineapple (diced) 150g fresh mango (diced) 1 small coconut (reserve milk and flesh) 3 leaves basil 3 leaves mint 1 handful amaranth or spinach (whichever is in season) 5 ice cubes 1½ cups unsweetened soy milk or other non-dairy milk Place all ingredients into blender to combine. Adjust consistency by adding soy milk for extra creaminess. Serve chilled.

eating right You talk in schools about healthy eating — how do children respond?

Children are more open and receptive than adults. I see more and more teenagers in Hong Kong becoming vegetarians because they realise that something is wrong with the food system. They take more initiative and try to make a difference.

Tell us about your latest project.

We’ve opened a boutique restaurant and workshop space called Grassroots Pantry in Sai Ying Pun. We serve homemade, organic, nutritious world-inspired cuisines, and hope to improve the health and wellness of the community through our educational

seminars and culinary classes.

Get your green goods

You studied at Le Cordon Bleu, worked at fivestar hotels Four Seasons and The Peninsula, why the switch to a cozy vegan restaurant?

I am very grateful for the experiences I’ve had, but I want to provide a healthy and sustainable option for the community and sadly, Hong Kong lacks in this type of food. I am passionate about sustainable, farm-to-table cooking.

Through the support of our farmers and the slow-food community, we hope to set a new standard of healthy eating in Hong Kong.

Take a trip to Grassroots Pantry, 12 Fuk Sau Lane, Sai Wan, Hong Kong, 2873 3353, www.grassrootspantry.com.

Green Earth Society This one-stop eco shop stocks certified organic produce and product from New Zealand, Australia and USA. 37 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung, New Territories, 2792 0106, www.greenearthsociety.com.

Rawthentic Food Hong Kong-based Rawthentic Food spreads the word on health and environmental benefits of eating organic foods through their classes and catering services. P.O. Box 244, Sai Kung, New Territories, 6010 4090, www.rawthenticfood.com.

Green Dot Dot Their organic range is rich with pesticide-, preservative- and chemicalfree products. F25, 1/F, The Edge, 9 Tong Chun Street, Tseung Kwan O, 2752 1048, www.greendotdot.com.

Locals Only Check out these Vegetable Farming Organization accredited retailers in Sai Kung for fresh, locally-grown foods.

Chung Heng Organic Shop, G/F, 112 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2792 3386.

Au Young Vegetable Stall, 100, 2/F, Sai Kung Market, Sai Kung.

Kan Kee, S147, Sai Kung Market, Yi Chun Street Market, Sai Kung.

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eating

Why drink wine?

We drink wine, ostensibly, for pleasure and to feel better. That is, the alcohol in wine relaxes us, aides us to talk freely and makes life seem easier by temporarily driving our troubles away. Although, I do not advocate using wine as a medium to getting drunk–we have beer and spirits for just that– its consumption will eventually lead to the inevitable.

The question, however, is why should we drink wine and make it an integral part of our lives?

Wine is a great social drink and a perfect conversation accompaniment. What could be better than sharing a bottle of crisp white wine with friends on a warm summer evening?

The social aspects of wine, notwithstanding, when consumed in moderation, wine also has numerous health benefits. Rephrasing the saying to “a glass of wine a day, keeps the doctor away,” may well be true. Firstly, there are antioxidants in red wine called resveratrol that keeps your skin looking younger.

Secondly, wine is less fattening than other alcoholic drinks. A glass of wine has approximately 126 calories, while a pint of beer has 248 calories.

Additionally, wine does not lead to cravings for pizza or kebabs and one usually ends up eating healthier food with it.

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Wine writer Alasdair Nicol (left) has been living in Hong Kong for over 30 years. He is the owner of Wine Times Hong Kong and blogs about wine in the Hong Kong market at www.winetimeshk.blogspot. com which is read in over 60 countries worldwide. He has also had published works in Time Out Hong Kong, Cru Magazine, The Drinks Business Magazine, SCMP, Hong Kong Tatler, Sommeliers International Magazine and more. Alasdair can be contacted at agsnicol@ gmail.com According to the Harvard School of Public Health, wine consumption reduces the risk of heart attacks, with moderate drinkers being 30 percent less likely to have a heart attack than non-drinkers. As a part of a healthy diet, wine can prevent

heart disease by increasing levels of good cholesterol (polyphenols) and protecting against artery damage.

The Stony Brook University concluded that controlled consumption of wine cuts the risk of colon cancer by 45 percent.

Finland’s Journal of Gerontology also found that wine drinkers have a 34 percent lower mortality rate than beer and spirits drinkers.

Moderation, however, is the key . With that in mind, wine can be sipped with friends over an evening of fun and laughs.

eating

Coming up Our new events section is beginning to get up and running but with it being August and possibly the quietest time on the wine calendar in Hong Kong we are going to tell you a little of what you can do in August and whet your appetite for what’s coming up in the second half of 2012. The annual Wine and Dine event will be held on the 2nd -4th November on the West Kowloon Promenade so look out for more information coming your way in the October issue along with the International Wine and Spirits Fair from the 8th — 10th November. There will be plenty of tastings and wine dinners to tell you about later in the year so get ready for a feast of wine information coming your way. As for August; the Spectrum Wine Auction will be held at the Mira Hotel on the 20th – 22nd August for auction fans and lovers of fine high priced wines. For the rest of the month, just chillax and have a glass or two at your local bar on at home.

Wine recommendations Sparkling: Casa Valduga Sparkling Moscatel This bubbly Brazilian number is the perfect summer tipple and should be in everyone’s fridge as the heat levels rise around the city. It has a slightly off-dry sweetness from the Moscatel and is exotic and highly addictive.

With a slightly lower alcohol level than most wines—around 9 per cent— its ideal for the ladies!

White: Pares Balta Blanc de Pacs 2011 Coming from the Penedes region of Spain where most of the Cava production of the country is based, this wine is made up from the grapes that go into making Cava, but it does not have the bubbles. This makes it light and fruity with great flavours of lychee, peach and melon. It's the perfect aperitif.

RED: Atrea Old Soul Red 2007 The Atrea Old Soul Red is made from Syrah vines that are over 100 years old; the oldest in California. It’s a blend of Syrah, Zinfandel, Petit Syrah and Malbec. Some might say this wine is the perfect red wine as it not only drinks delightfully on its own, but also pairs perfectly with both Western and Asian food.

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property

Urban Sanctuary This Clearwater Bay haven strikes a triumphant equilibrium between minimalist design and natural beauty.

Nestled in the verdant forest of Clearwater Bay, this sprawling 2,500-square-foot home brilliantly displays the real beauty of Hong Kong’s urban jungle. The panoramic views unfolding through the floor-to-ceiling windows in many of its rooms are sure to keep you captivated. In addition, the windows filter in plenty of natural light, giving a spacious and airy feel to the apartment.

Its minimalist colour scheme, bathed in white, infuses a clean and bright atmosphere, besides maximising the natural light during the daytime. The white walls are further juxtaposed with fleeting, but statement black furnishings, creating a classic and effortlessly suave style.

The dark, hardwood furniture adds to the black and white template. The hardwood cabinets and

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minimalist opulence tables also blend perfectly with the hilly backdrop, creating a gorgeous pairing of elegant style and an earthy feel.

Recently renovated, the home boasts a luxurious master bedroom with ensuite, three separate bedrooms and two bathrooms, each of which follow in suit with the black and white theme. The master bedroom exudes understated opulence: plush black floral pillows break the lively whites; while an extra sofa is positioned for looking out of the floor-to-ceiling windows to a view of the this Clearwater Bay home’s luscious green surroundings. The ensuite bathroom is fitted with his and her’s ceramic basins but the piece de resistance is a sumptuous Jacuzzi for two with a larger than life window overlooking Clearwater Bay’s tranquil forests. It’s the perfect spot to cap off a hard day’s work.

The dining room keeps to a natural theme of woods and whites. On balmy nights, switch on the ceiling fan and fold up the doors leading out to a large, private terrace-come-garden. Plus, being a fully detached flat, there are no worries of being spotted sun-bathing or relaxing. The family room, fitted out with a beautiful light chocolate sofa and rug, sets a cozy and comfortable ambience for family nights in. It’s the subtle, warm, well-thought-out touches throughout the house that make this Clearwater Bay property a home.

Conveniently located on Clearwater Bay Road, the apartment has a private parking space. The spare bedrooms and generous size of the flat makes it easy to have visiting friends or family stay over.

The apartment reinvents classic black and white style, with the gentle inclusions of deep coffees and lighter mochas, lending an urban yet homely feel.

MORE INFO visit www.hksothebysrealty.com

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education the Rugby Union and the Cricket Association so our students can benefit from their professional expertise.

How does the school balance sports, creative and academic subjects?

Our co-curricular programme extends across a wide range of creative and performance subjects. KGV students are busy and enthusiastic. They effortlessly finish a full day of studying with participation in other activities.

Creative and performance subjects are also prominent and popular within the taught curriculum.

Ring in the new King George V School has a storied past and a bright future.

Principal Ed Wickins outlines the changes underway.

Tell us a little about the history of King George V School (KGV).

KGV was founded in 1902 as the Central British School. It was built to serve the families of British expatriates. Over the past few decades, it has become a “local international” school within ESF, serving the needs of the Kowloon and New Territories population who have international aspirations. The school has excellent examination results at IB Diploma and GCSE but is probably better known for the breadth and variety of activities it offers and the way it produces confident, articulate and impressive young people. The sporting traditions of the school are particularly strong as well.

What are the school’s core aims and values?

Our vision statement is: “King George V School is ambitious in developing its fine traditions of high achievement and creativity in an engaging, enjoyable and sustainable learning environment.

We aim to celebrate diversity in an inclusive and supportive international community.”

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New science and performing arts blocks are under construction. What facilities will they provide?

The Science Block will contain 16 science laboratories and a spacious new lecture theatre on the ground floor. The laboratories will be modern and well equipped, and its design will integrate scientific thinking across the public spaces with landscaped gardens and a roof. The Performing Arts Block will contain two floors for a new canteen and dining area that wraps around a lovely old banyan tree.

Above that will be two floors of drama studios and music spaces each, and a roof garden for concerts and performances. They open in summer 2013.

What new safety measures have been taken since a pole from the construction site speared an (empty) car?

There have been extensive measures to improve the working environment so workers are not tempted to indulge in unsafe practices.

They are able to use improved walkways and the netting around the site now includes metal mesh and improved fans to catch falling items.

The Hong Kong Rugby Union has committed $10 million to establish KGV as a centre of excellence for sport. How will the money be used?

We aim to develop our wonderful field and other facilities and make KGV a centre of excellence for all sports through our curricular programme, co-curricular activities for KGV students How is the IB Diploma and the use of our site by programme going? outside groups such as the The first KGV cohort sat the Rugby Union. The pitch examination in 2009 so the surface will be re-laid to a current Y13 is our fourth cohort. very high standard, new We are delighted with the The school in 1936. lights installed so the whole results and the preparation it field can be used during gives our students, who mainly the evenings, a new climbing wall constructed, go on to university. Our alumni return and areas in the sports pavilion improved to support almost unanimously say, “It was hard but it coaching activities and our court spaces will was worth it!” We like the way the curriculum also be refurbished. We will also be developing emphasises an international perspective and our coaching links with outside bodies such as think it's very important in the current world.

a sporting chance Why did KGV choose BTEC as an alternative to IB for senior school students?

We explored different possibilities and committed to BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) because it has widespread university acceptance and it allows KGV students to successfully pursue a rigorous, challenging and engaging course that is pitched to their needs.

BTECs form a large part of the new International Diploma and take up four days a week. The fifth day allows the students to complete an extended project, work placements and more general courses to give their studies more breadth. It is the equivalent of an A Level course, but the style of working is different.

What curriculum does the middle school follow?

This is under review at present because we recognise the need to think carefully about how we bridge the curriculum between the IB Primary Years Programme, which all our students do at primary schools, and the IB Diploma, which they start at 16 years old. All ESF schools are thinking about this at the

moment. We are aiming to introduce a skillsbased curriculum within the next few years in line with IB continuum thinking.

How is the school working to improve Chinese provision?

We have recently introduced three pathways so all students can follow a curriculum that is appropriate to their needs. First pathway students are “heritage” and should become bilingual; second language students may have access to Mandarin at home but are unlikely to be bilingual; and 69 per cent of our students are Foreign Language pathway. Each group of students has different needs and aspirations.

Our challenge is to provide them with a curriculum that allows successful progression as well as motivates them to enjoy learning the language.

What’s the best thing about being the Principal of KGV? Working with an extraordinary group of students who are keen to challenge themselves and enjoy their young lives through their school work, is always an inspiration.

KGV in figures

Year founded: 1902 No. of pupils: 1,720 Middle school places (Y7-Y11): 270 a year Senior school places (Y12-Y13): 240 a year Campus: 2 Tin Kwong Road, Ho Man Tin, tel: 2711 3029 Website: www.kgv.edu.hk PTSA contact: Marc Castagnet Teacher-pupil ratio: 1:27 in Y7-9, 1:23 in Y10-11, 1:14-16 in Y12-13v

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health & beauty Mad for Murad Pamper yourself with these fabulous new facials from Sense of Touch.

Adding to their long list of luxurious facials, Sense of Touch Sai Kung have added four facial treatments by Murad.

Dr. Howard Murad, one of the world’s foremost authorities on healthy skin, created the Murad line of world-class products and treatments in 1989 based on his studies of cell membranes, which have revolutionized the skincare and beauty industry and kept men and women around the world looking young and feeling confident. Not only was Murad the first to create a doctor- branded skin care, he also founded the first medical spa. Promising, no?

H A I R

&

B E A U T Y

C E N T R E

Brazilian Blowout Mastey Organic Color Shellac Manicure, Pedicure Farfella, Certified Organic Skin and Hair Product

Waxing, Facial Ear Piercing ● ● ● ●

Refer a new client & receive 50% off your next haircut New clients receive 10% discount 10 days guarantee on all services Free Consultation

SHELLAC MANICURE for only $320 Brazilian Blowout $1800 and up 56 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, NT, Hong Kong Tel: 2335 1694 www.talashairandbeautycentre.com info@talashairandbeautycentre.com

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Pom-Power Hydrating Facial $680 / 60 mins Loaded with pomegranate extract — a potent anti-oxidant— this nourishing facial energizes the skin, balances its conditions, clears clogged pores and invigorates tired skin giving it a fresh, healthy glow. Great for

teenagers or those with normal or combination skin.

Elixir of Youth Facial $1390 / 90 mins Murad’s powerful Resurgence Renewal line targets wrinkles, improves skin firmness and elasticity with age diffusing serums, high strengths AHA’s, a Firming Treatment Mask and an eye treatment. These powerful products produce immediate results: the skin texture and complexion is improved after the first treatment itself.

After-Flight Signature Facial $1180 / 75 mins This facial was originally created for Cathay Pacific and Dragon Air’s Business Class travellers.

In fact, if you’ve flown business class on either of the airlines, you would have found that the in-flight amenity kit contains select Murad products which protect the skin from travel stress.

The Instructor Sai Kung Magazine’s resident PT shares his top tips for the month.

Most people believe that just cutting out junk food is the key to weight and fat loss. But to fuel your fat burning engine, you need to be eating smaller meals frequently; five to six meals throughout the day is recommended.

Pre workout; Rolled oats can be made with whey protein and flaxmeal in the morning to spike your metabolism with high quality carbs, proteins and good fats. Whey protein is also great for your metabolism — so don't be scared of protein shakes. Many think that whey protein leads to a body-builder physique, which is one of the biggest myths to date. Plus, whey protein helps your body feel full for longer.

Post workout; After your training session, your body needs to restore and repair itself. In other words, it needs calories. By eating

about face

With its carefully selected ingredients of Vitamin-C, professional enzymes, as well as active radiance and firming serums, this facial nourishes your skin with the nutrients that are lost during time inside an aircraft cabin. It is also perfect after a night out, when the skin is dehydrated, thirsty and in dire need of a boost.

Murad Men’s Facial $1180 / 75 mins Men need to take care of their skin too. Murad Men is a range of advanced skin care designed just for men. This facial cleanses and conditions for a superior shave; reduces redness, irritation and clogged follicles; and prevents damage to keep skin looking youthful.

Sense of Touch, 77 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2791 2278, www.senseoftouch.com.hk.

immediately after your workout, your body automatically uses the calories you eat for good (repair and recovery), not bad (fat storage).

A liquid meal containing both protein and carbohydrates is ideal, such as a protein shake. About an hour after working out, eat a whole food meal such as fish or chicken with a salad. Whatever you do, don't starve yourself. Take advantage of the metabolic changes that happen post workout to refuel.

Louis Doctrove is a NASM certified personal trainer for one-on-one or group classes and holds a BSc Sports and Exercise Science. You can mail him at louisdoctrove@hotmail.com

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family Olympic Training Inspired by the Olympics? Here’s where your young athletes can learn their sport.

Horse riding Treat your little princesses to some horse-riding lessons in Clearwater Bay. They also host pony parties and parent and toddler coffee mornings.

The Clearwater Bay Equestrian Centre is at 115 Mau Po, Clearwater Bay. For more details, call 6398 6241, email info@ceec.hk or visit www.ceec.hk.

Kayaking

Gymnastics

Tennis

Get out and about on a scenic work out exploring Sai Kung’s Geopark. Paul Etherington holds kayak day and afternoon trips. Plus he runs other trips with power boating, snorkeling and hiking.

For more details, call 9300 5197 or email paul@kayak-and-hike.com.

Take the kids for a stretch with Gay Williamson at Clearwater Bay Country Club. Gymnastic classes are held on Mondays and Tuesdays 3:30pm and 7:30pm. For details, call Gay on 2335 3878 or email williamsongay@hotmail.co.uk.

A sport forever associated with summer. Here in Sai Kung, Monster Tennis coach Lea Lai (90482810) teaches two to eight year olds, in a fun and friendly environment, giving your budding Nadals an enjoyable and healthy kick-start to the sport. For details,visit www.monstertennis.hk.

Dance

Also teaching tennis is Hong Kong’s Educational Services (www.esf.org.hk).

Their Australasia Tennis Aces are taught at King George V School and the Hong Kong Tennis Centre.

Get your teens active (and your hours of peace and quiet) by sending them on Global Adventure’s Adventure Leader Programme.

For the older ones (aged 16+) it’s a camp that includes kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, gorging and expedition planning. A word of warning though: parents might miss the noise after four weeks! For details, call 2546 3543 or visit www.globaladventurescn.com.

More kayaking courses are also offered by Sai Kung Water Sports Training Centre.

For details, call 2792 4938; email info@bluesky-sc.com or visit www.bluesky-sc.com.

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Get your tiny dancers twirling in class where they won’t break your best china vase. Tina’s Dance Studio does ballet, hip-hop and Irish dancing lessons for children of all ages. The studio is on15 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung. For details, call 2328 2250.

Red Shoe Dance Company also teaches break dancing, musical theatre and other styles. Located on Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong Kong. For details, call Jacqui Roberts on 9813 0079, or visit www.redshoedance.com

get sporty

Swimming

Football

Who can forget Michael Phelps at the Beijing 2008 olympics? While your kids may not be smashing records anytime soon, give them a head start in their school games sessions by signing them up for some swimming lessons. Sai Kung Public Swimming Pool runs lessons and classes for children and teenagers. For details, call 2706 7646.

For a twist on conventional football, Socatots does a Brazilian Soccer School for five and up, and normal football courses for children under five. For details, call 2385 9677, 2385 9033, or email admin@bss.com.hk and paul@socatots.com. Or visit www.bss.com.hk and www.socatots.com.hk.

Sai Kung also has the Sai Kung Sharks Football Club, which runs four times a week.

Training sessions are for kids five and up, and are held at the Sai Kung football pitch.

For details, visit www.saikungsharksfc.com or email charles@saikungsharks.com.

Ice skating Open a can of whoop-ice on Michelle Kwan by taking your kids to the ice rink at Tai Koo Shing’s Cityplaza Ice Palace. They have coaches offering private and group lessons.

For details, visit www.icepalace.com.hk.

And for those of you who like a challenge (and a bruising) Mega Ice hosts ice hockey classes at MegaBox in Wang Chiu Road Kowloon Bay, Kowloon. For details, visit www.megaice.com.hk.

Martial Arts Which boy doesn’t want to be a martial arts god? At Tae Kwon Do Ohdokwan, Master Norman Law teaches basic techniques, discipline, self control and defence and sparring sessions. Lessons held at Clearwater Bay School. For details, call him on 6342 7338, or email on masterlaw@ohdokwan.org.

Golf Are the children budding entrepreneurs? Give them a headstart in the field by teaching them golf, a must for any high flying businessman. Lessons are taught by former professionals at HKJC Kau Sai Chau Golf Club, located in Sai Kung. For details, call the Golf Instruction Centre on 2791 3344.

Other Sai Kung’s Outdoor Recreation Centre is a gold mine for future Olympians. With a wide range of sport to choose from, you can try out badminton, squash, table tennis, or even archery during the day and evening camps.

For more details, call 2792 3828.

Watersports Sai Kung Public Swimming Pool also hosts Sai Kung Water Sports Training Centre, which offers more adventurous courses like scuba diving, stand-up paddle boarding and wakeboarding. For details on Sai Kung Water Sports Training Centre, call 3502 1823, email info@bluesky-sc.com or visit www.bluesky-sc.com.

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travel The big smoke Carolynne Dear visits our nation’s capital.

It’s grim up North, they say. And Beijing, with its population nearing 20 million and infamous dust storms, gets a tough rap. So I was surprised to find, on a recent trip with my four children in tow, just how pleasant and user friendly the city actually is.

The city centre is green and low-rise and carved up by wide, Parisian-style boulevards. Parks and green spaces pleasantly intersperse the mad-cap traffic and the concrete. Much of the architecture, both new and ancient, is stunning. And the people are charming and — government issued phrase books in hand — really do try their very best to help tourists find their way. Pollution, no doubt, is a problem. But during my trip the sun shone from blue skies. The only visibility issue I encountered was a thick fog out on

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the Great Wall, a couple of hours outside of Beijing, which (apologies to Clear The Air) was actually rather romantic.

The city drips history. Beijing — which literally means ‘northern capital’ — has been the heart of China’s history for centuries, longer than almost any other world capital. It is the home of many of

the country’s major universities, art galleries, historical treasure. And there is scarcely a major building of any age in Beijing that does not have at least some national historical significance. Whizzing across town in taxi cabs, is an experience of driving through dense layers of Chinese history: Every street corner seems to offer an opulent palace, an ancient temple, a fragment of medieval wall or some cluster of industrial-sized government buildings. It is a city that demands time of the tourist.

But we just had three days. So to cram as much of this fascinating city into our short stay as possible, we joined a city tour. It was a long day with a lot of walking (don’t forget your comfiest trainers), but it was fascinating and even held my young daughters’ interest.

We started the day in Tiananmen

Square, the centre of Beijing and the heart of China. The only word for it is vast. It’s not pretty, but it is redolent with history. Today, with Chairman Mao’s iconic, outdoor portrait always on display, it is easy to close your eyes and imagine the rallies and protests unfolding there.

The Square lies opposite the 600-year old Gate of Heavenly Peace, the entrance most commonly used to enter the Forbidden City, Beijing’s huge imperial palace, the best preserved of its kind in China. If you’re not up for a long walk, bear in mind that once you enter, you cannot exit through the same gates, so you have to press on through this vast space until you reach the Gate of Divine Might on the opposite side.

But even if you do end up with the odd blister, count yourself lucky.

Once married, the new empresses

oriental travails

were led into the Forbidden City never to emerge again.

Our guide, Bill (Bill Liang: +86 139 1148 6833), did a great job pointing out the many significant parts of this enormous palace. It covers over 170 acres and consists of no less than 90 palaces and courtyards. We would have been factually lost without him. The Palace is of huge importance historically and is recognized as one of the five most important palaces in the world (the others being Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Versailles, the Kremlin and the White House).

After a brief rest on the tour bus, next up was the Temple of Heaven. This is actually a complex of temples constructed in the 1400s, at the same time as the Forbidden City and commissioned by the same emperor. The

buildings today sit in beautiful parkland. Around 20,000 Beijingers visit the park daily to exercise.

Of particular fascination were the ball-room dancers, swirling and quick-stepping their way over a small section of the park to the accompaniment of amplified Chinese dance music.

After the concrete of Hong Kong, the huge grass lawns of

the park proved such an attraction that we returned by rickshaw the following day. There are vendors of cheap bats, balls and other outdoor game paraphernalia all over the park, which ensured an enjoyable couple of hours with the kids. After a leisurely lunch, we were driven out to the Summer Palace. This is the most celebrated imperial garden in China and was constructed in the 1750s as a summer resort for the emperors.

Unfortunately by this time of the day (mid-afternoon), the gardens were crammed with tourists. We made our way through the crowds to the Long Corridor (in fact the longest corridor of its kind in the world) that wound itself pleasantly along the shores of the Kunming Lake. We then caught a pleasure boat back to the entrance of the park.

Getting there and elsewhere Beijing is a painless threeand-a-half hour flight from Hong Kong and Air China makes six direct trips per day, so take your pick!

And if you’re feeling adventurous, Air China makes daily direct flights to other Chinese cities, including to Dalian once per day and Chengdu — fourth on the list of China’s most livable cities — twice per day.

Visit www.webjet.com for deals, flight details and to make a booking.

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 33

gardening gardening Nursery Trawl Jane Ram scours the city’s kaleidoscopic flower markets.

Shortly before writing this column, I accompanied a couple of keen gardening friends on a stroll along what is sometimes dubbed as Sai Kung’s ‘flower market’ street.

We had to pick our way between excavators and trench-work, but it was an interesting and enlightening expedition nonetheless.

Although we pretended that it wasn’t a real plant-buying expedition, our noses were twitching as a friend had heard about a special Passiflora hereabouts. Alas, if it was there, it eluded us. For the most part, the outrageous prices aroused more interest than the plants themselves. We left empty-handed and headed to the nearby Wing Ho Yuen nursery. Once there, just as my eyes were starting to glaze over, I found a plant that I have been trying to acquire for years. Unlike the familiar Cestrum nocturnum — sometimes called Queen of the Night — the equally fragrant Cestrum diurnum flowers during the day. As a bonus, its rich yellow flower went nicely alongside a Nong nooch vine, another yellow flowering beauty that I was recently given.

Mongkok Flower Streets Mongkok was our next stop and the prices there made what we had seen earlier in Sai Kung look quite reasonable by comparison. It seems that very few sellers are also growers these days.

Most of the expensive plants come directly from

Cheap and cheerful pavement display in Mongkok (below).

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nurseries in Belgium or the Netherlands with barely a pause en route to acclimatise before they reach the air-conditioned showrooms.

Rather than something to be cherished and enjoyed for a long time, they seem to be regarded as an alternative to a bouquet, destined for landfill within a few weeks at best.

It was a different story on the pavements, which were overflowing with sturdy looking plants from China at $10 per pot. I was tempted by some of the hybrid Portulacas. A shop also had an interesting display of small Episceas and

other Gesneriads. I enjoyed looking at the gaudy Vandas hanging on wires, almost mimicking the laundry swinging from the windows of the houses in the neighbourhood. The fun and enjoyment of browsing, notwithstanding, for serious buying, I would continue to head to my favourite nurseries in the northern New Territories.

To get to this botanical wonderland, take the MTR to Prince Edward Station, get out at exit B2 and walk along Prince Edward Road West until you reach Flower Market Road.

flower hunting

Gingers for All Gardens The familiar gnarled grey-skinned rhizomes on market stalls and the ethereal white blooms that perfume the air in this season are just two of the thousand members of the Ginger family. Most flourish in this climate and are almost unparalleled in their beauty and wide variety.

Whether you are looking for flowers or foliage, planning on creating a big sunny garden or a small balcony or even a tiny windowsill space, there will be at least one kind that is right for you.

Guangzhou’s South China Botanical Garden has an outstanding section dedicated to Gingers.

August garden tasks 1. Prolonged spells of sunshine tend to compact soil in pots or in the ground.

Your plants will appreciate some gentle aeration with a fork.

2. Cuttings of Allamanda and Hibiscus should take successfully during this season. If you are pruning your favourite Bougainvillea, try a few cuttings of it too. Use plenty of coarse vermiculite or sand for drainage.

Leave the pots undisturbed in shade for at least a month before you check on their progress.

Four unusual members of the ginger family, all of which were photographed flourishing in Hong Kong (left, top and opposite page).

Jane Ram is a professional writer with a passion for plants. She has been gardening in Hong Kong for over 30 years and is still learning. Please email her at janetaipeng@ gmail.com with comments and queries, and to be kept informed of occasional workshops and excursions for gardeners.

Get in touch with Jane if you are interested in a guided day trip to the spectacular Ginger section at Guangzhou’s South China Botanical Garden on August 9 or a visit to a specialist nursery in New Territories dedicated to the propagation and cultivation of native species, on August 24. The itinerary will also feature visits to Hong Kong’s Eco-Park and the Kadoorie Farm & Botanical Garden.

3. Prior to the big seed sowing season, which starts next month, you can sow some Amaranthus tricolour — also known as Chinese spinach. Its redveined leaves and compact growth make it a decorative and delicious plant. It can be treated like regular spinach, although it tends to lose its red colour in the cooking process. Its young leaves can be eaten raw, but everyone might not like its slightly rough texture.

4. Seeds of lettuce, cucumbers and Chinese long beans should all succeed now, if you shelter them from heavy rains. Save barbecue ash to sprinkle around the plants to discourage slugs and snails.

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pets

puppy pals

Fido & friends Dr Cynthia Smillie gives a lesson on petiquette.

One of the many wonderful things about living in Sai Kung, most pet owners will agree, is having the opportunity for our dogs to socialise. Taking a stroll along the waterfront on a Sunday afternoon, they can meet everyone, from a Great Dane or a Chihuahua dressed in combat gear to a poodle in a pram.

Sitting outside Starbucks and watching the passing parade of animals and humans, can help your dog to get used to children running about and making noise. A trip to Southside’s ‘Harrods’ along busy pavements or going past the bus station, dodging whizzy minibuses and noisy double-deckers presents further opportunities to expose them to all the things we expect them to cope with in a domestic environment.

Besides the activity and bustle of Sai Kung town, there is also the joy of taking your dogs to the many incredible country parks and beaches. In fact, your dogs will love you for taking them to these outdoorsy places on a regular basis.

Socialisation entails introducing your puppy to a wide variwety of experiences, particularly to unfamiliar people. This includes men and women with varying heights, men with beards or glasses, babies, children and even

36 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

hey!

teenagers wearing baseball caps or people wearing a motorcycle helmet. A few other scenarios include people carrying bags or rucksacks, elderly people who walk differently and who may carry a stick, people in uniforms such as the postman, people riding skateboards or bicycles, pushing a pram or out jogging.

Dog to dog aggression is quite a common problem in Hong Kong, so our pets also need to be introduced to other dogs. They should be allowed to interact,

play and practice their social and communication skills when meeting and greeting their ilk.

Socialisation also includes habituating and familiarising an animal so that it becomes used to non-threatening things in its environment and learns to ignore them too. This can consist of a

number of novel sounds such as fireworks, thunder, the vacuum cleaner or washing machine or sound ofbabies crying. Other vital experiences involve being groomed, getting one’s paws and teeth examined, visiting the vet, going into lifts or travelling in a car.

The process of socialisation is most successful when it is implemented between 4 and 14 weeks of age — between 4 and 8 weeks, to be precise. The learning process, though, continues throughout an animal’s life. If a puppy is not socialised properly or the process is not continued, especially throughout the first year, it can lead to serious fear and aggression problems later. We all want a happy and friendly dog, one we are proud to take anywhere with us and introduce to anyone.

Lastly, discuss vaccinating your puppy early with your vet so that it can be done safely. Even prior to vaccination, you can always carry your puppy in your arms for that waterfront stroll or sit with it on your knees, as you sip your cappuccino.

Dr. Cynthia Smillie BVM&S PG DIp CABC MRCVS is a veterinary behaviourist and deals solely with behaviour problems in companion animals. For appointments please call 9618 2475 or visit www.petbehaviourhk.com

marketplace

Your guide to shops and services BOOKS The Reading Room (Sai Kung) 9199-5900 seasidereadingroom@gmail.com BUILDERS Best United Eng. Ltd. / awnings, roll shutter & insect screen 2344-9028 info@bestunited.com.hk www.bestunited.com.hk

To advertise, email: ads@saikung.com

Carpet Brooks Thompson Ltd 2851-3665 iqbalhk@netvigator.com DINING Hebe One O One 2335-5515 info@101.com.hk www.hebe101.com Classified 2529-3454 info@classifiedfood.com www.classifiedfood.com FASHION Celeste Fashion Ltd 2386 8388 celeste-fashion@live.com GALLERY Sai Kung Gallery 2792-3939 saikung.gallery@gmail.com www.saikunggallery.com HANDYMAN Indo Handyman 2578-1865 sales@indohandyman.hk Marco Electrician & Plumber 6190-8051 HEALTH & BEAUTY Sabai Day Spa 2791-2259 sabaidspa@sabaidayspa.com www.sabaidayspa.com Sense of Touch 2791-2278 ask@senseoftouchhk.com www.senseoftouch.com.hk Sai Kung Therapy Centre / Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Chinese Massage 8230-2733 chingyee_chan2003@yahoo.com.hk http://www.beautyadd.com/shop/04140/index.php Tala’s Health and Beauty Centre 2335-1694 info@talashairandbeautycentre.com www.talashairandbeautycentre.com IMPACT fitness 6902-2250 fitness@impactfitness.com.hk www.impactfitness.com.hk Weight Watchers 2813-0814 tpaulsen@weightwatchers.com.hk www.weightwatchers.com.hk HOME FURNISHINGS Chez Uno 2791-9662/ 2723 8990 www.chezuno.com HOME MONITORING AFSCO / Security Electrified Fence 2880-0512 afscohk@gmail.com www.sprintlocks.com

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HOUSE PAINTING Marco 6190-8051 marco_yenug000@hotmail.com INSURANCE Pacific Prime (Kiwisure) 3113-1331 christian@kwiksure.com www.kwiksure.com INTERIOR DESIGN Box Design 2573-3323 info@boxdesign.com.hk www.boxdesign.com.hk

KH. 60 x 178.5mm.pdf

7/17/2012

Studio Annetta 9849-1216 suzy@studioannetta.com 1:53:15 PMwww.studioannetta.com MOVERS Crown Relocations 2636-8388 hongkong@crownrelo.com www.crownrelo.com/hongkong Expert-Transport & Relocations Warehouse 2566-4799 www.expertmover.hk

SCHOOL FAIR

HONG LOK YUEN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

MUM & BABIES Wellness & birth, pre & postnatal home care 9022-1779 www.wellnessandbirth.com info@wellnessandbirth.com OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Blue Sky Sports Club 2791-0806 www.bluesky-sc.com Urband Discovery 2214-0011 challenge@urbandiscovery.asia Scorpion RIBS Hong Kong 2511-8337 scorpionribshk@gmail.com www.scorpionribs.com PEST CONTROL Biocycle 3575-2575 info@biocycle.hk www.biocycle.com.hk

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CM

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CMY

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Come join our S CHOOL IESTA OF CULT FAIR Lots to see, “F RES” and enjoy!. Bus lots to do. PlentyUto eat Service from Ta i Wo Near Tai PoM. TNRT.,

Christian Environmental Health 2370-9236 a-s-a-p@ceh.com.hk www.ceh.com.hk PETS & VETS Animal Behaviour Vet Practice 9618-2475 cynthia@petbehaviourhk.com www.petbehaviourhk.com b dog Tokyo (Grooming, spa, hotel) 2791-6555 b-dog@hotmail.co.jp www.facebook.com/bdog.tokyo

SATURDAY 3rd NOVEMBER 11am-4pm

Ferndale Kennel 2792-4642 boarding@ferndalekennels.com www.ferndalekennels.com Pets Central Sai Kung Hospital 2792-0833 info@pets-central.com www.pets-central.com

20TH STREET, HONG LOK YUEN, TAI PO, NT us.

Vendors interested in hiring tables please contact6935 www.hlyis.edu.hk email: fair@hlyis.edu.hk tel: 2658

COUNCIL of INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

Dr Carmel Taylor MVB, MRCVS, DipAiCVD 2549-2330 www.cutaneous.com.hk Vet2Pet 6999-1003 vet2pet@yahoo.com www.vet2pet.com.hk

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 39

STRESSED BY YOUR PET?!!!

PET BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS? Hong Kong’s first and only Behavioural Veterinary Practice can help resolve aggression, fear, anxiety, separation related problems, compulsive disorders, inappropriate toileting, noise phobias etc.

Not all behavioural problems are simply training issues.

Dr. Cynthia Smillie BVM&S PG Dip CABC MRCVS

Tel: 9618 2475 cynthia@petbehaviourhk.com

www.petbehaviourhk.com

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PROPERTY Vega Suites 3963 7888 enquiries@vegasuites.com.hk www.vegasuites.com.hk PRE-SCHOOLS New Song Christian Kindergarten (Sai Kung) 2791-2472 newsong@netvigator.com www.newsonghk.com Woodland Pre-Schools 2559-4855 enquiry@woodlandschools.com www.woodlandschools.com SPORTS Hong Kong International Tennis Academy 9048-2810 lea.lai@hkita.com www.hkita.com Toys Hong Kong Toy Club 8216-3870 support@HongKongToyClub.com www.HongKongToyClub.com TRAVEL Webjet HK Onlinetravel@webjet.com.hk www.webjet.com.hk TUITION Antsmart Learning Centre / Playgroup, Math 2335-1261 tangfrancis@hotmail.com www.playgroup.com.hk Craft Box 9014-3262 Simone@craftbox.asia www.craftbox.asia RugBees Ltd 2117 3055 nicepeople@rugbees.com www.rugbees.com Hong Lok Yuen International School 2658 6935 info@hlyis.edu.hk www.hlyis.edu.hk Jumpstart Mandarin Learning Centre 2791-4838 jumpstart@netvigator.com www.jumpstartmlc.com La Petite France 3403-9887 info@lapetitefrance.com.hk www.lapetitefrance.com.hk Little Hands Workshop 54313122 info@littlehands.com.hk www.littlehands.com.hk Sai Kung Tutors 6907-2514 info@saikungtutors.com www.saikungtutors.com Spanish Teacher-Ilsabeth Hidalgo 9043-5105 ilsabeth@hotmail.com ITS Global Education Limited 2116-3916 global@tuition.edu.hk www.tuition.com.hk/world WORSHIP Resurrection Church 2358-3232 www.resurrection.org.hk

To list your business in our new directory, or to guarantee a listing every month,

please call 2776 2772 or email ads@saikung.com

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bird at my window

The Black-collared Starling aka Gracupica nigricollis

Last month, I wrote about the crested myna. Another member of the starling family that readers will be familiar with is the blackcollared starling. It is readily identifiable by its black and white plumage, the yellow patch around its eye and its raucous, ringing alli-olli calls. At this time of year, there will also be plenty of juveniles around; these young birds have a sullied grey neck and breast, lacking the dark collar that gives the bird its English and Latin names.

Unlike the crested myna and most other starlings, the black-collared starling does not utilise holes for nest-building. Instead it builds its nest — a large, untidy, domeshaped structure made mainly of twigs and grasses — on the tops of trees or man-made structures such as utility poles. The female lays from three to five bluish-coloured eggs and up to three broods may be raised in one season. Nests may be reused in successive years.

The black-collared starling is a resident species found in Myanmar, Thailand and Indochina. In China, it extends west from Yunnan to Fujian. In the 1950s, it was only found in the agricultural areas of the northern New Territories in Hong Kong, but since then the bird has spread southwards to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island where it can frequently be seen in urban parks.

David Diskin is the author of Hong Kong Nature Walks: The New Territories.

Visit www.hknaturewalks.com or www.accipiterpress.com for more information.

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 43

LOCAL Property STUNNING FAMILY HOME HK$110 K Immaculate. 5 Beds. Beautifully Decorated. Spacious Floor Plan. Fabulous Kitchen, Split Level Living & Dining, Separate Play Room, Huge Outdoor Spaces. Sea Views. Good Management, 2 C/P. Convenient Location, Stroll to Sai Kung. www.thepropertyshop.com.hk 27193977 C-027656

HEART OF SILVERSTRAND HK $68 K 3 Bed Family Home. Spacious Floor Plan, Fitted Kitchen, Terrace, Roof Garden, Sea Views, Shared Pool, Garage & Management. Convenient for Beach, Shops & Public Transport.

27193977 C-027656

Brand New Luxury Homes: Clearwater Bay 4-5 bedroom houses with designer European interiors, private gardens & on-site parking.

Bright & spacious with open sea/mountain views. From HK$70,000.

Contact 3965 9306 or cwbhomes@gmail.com for more information.

STROLL TO SAI KUNG -HK$65 K Super Convenient 3604 Bedroom House with Shared Pool & Sea Views, Spacious Living / Dining Room, Separate Family Room. Large Fully Equipped Kitchen, Terrace & Parking. www.thepropertyshop.com.hk 27193977 C-027656

Overseas Property Luxury Beach Villa in Cebu Island Philippines for rent.(Fully Staffed) 4 double rooms all with bath. 3 direct flights per day from HK. We have a Private chef, New 50ft sailing yacht, 2speedboats, Hobie Cat and more... www.cebubeach.net or contact owner +852 91625321

SAIKUNG COASTAL PROPERTY 360o panoramic sea and mountain views in an area of outstanding natural beauty – Cha’Am Chuk Wan. House excess 2100sq ft. Terrace with swp and Jacuzzi. Delightful garden with numerous mature trees, mostly fruit.

Gated front parking many cars, very safe for pets, could keep a horse. No management fees. $25M With immediate leaseback by current owner if required. 94880282 – Owner

Tuition & Courses Piano Lesson @ HOME in English/Cantonese by professional and qualified teachers. Annual Recital in Cityhall. Trial lessons available, visit www.grandpiano.hk for details.

PRIVATE VOICE LESSONS IN SAI KUNG Conservatory-trained professional Soprano, recently relocated to Hong Kong offers lessons to students 12 years old and up.

All experience levels welcome. angela.hodgins@gmail.com 6295 6266

ENGLISH TUTORING Native English Speaker, Post Graduate Degree Holder, Qualified Teacher offering English lessons for Primary Students in Sai Kung area.

Please email saikungenglishtutor@yahoo.com

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VIANNE'S MUSIC WONDERLAND PRIVATE PIANO COURSE @ YOUR HOME ﹣www.mymusicwonderland.com ﹣Experienced tutor accept students aged 3 and over.

Student Annual Recital/ Practical Examination/ Competition/ Theory/ Accompaniment/ T:6014 - 9389 for Trial lesson/ mschanpiano@yahoo.com

MUSIC TUITION AT HOMES. Individual lessons for Piano Repertoire / Music Theory / Piano accompaniment and Aural practice for other instruments' exams/competitions. English/ Chinese instruction. Holder of LTCL with Distinction of Trinity College London. Years of teaching experience. Member of professional charity choir. Please call 9336 8059 for details.

JESSE TAEKWONDO & HAPKIDO Korea Kukkiwon Black-belt 5th Dan International Instructor Provide One-on-One personal training, Group training & Family classes. http://www.supra.com.hk/jessetkd Master Chow 9467-7787

YOGA with YoYo Asana, Pranayam, Meditation Small size classes within 8 persons location: Sai Kung Town Center, Man Nin St email: info@yoyoyoga.net tel: 9302 3931 website: www.yoyoyoga.net

Health & Well Being

Osho Meditation with Dilara Date: 2 Aug 2012 (Thurs) Time: 6-7:30pm Fee: $150/class

MASSAGE @ HOME, HOTEL Body massage, Chinese Tui Na, Swedish Massage, lymphatic drainage & aromatherapy massage. Our therapists offer mobile (outcall, housecall) service $700/2hrs (text in Chinese Address & speak in Chinese 66903658) www.ablemassage.com

BollyWood Dance with Dilara Date: 2 Aug 2012 (Thur) Time: 7:45-9:45pm Fee: $250/class YOGA is LOVE - an evening satsang with Prasad Rangnekar Date: 8 Aug 2012 (Wed) Time: 7-9pm Fee: Free Venue: Man Nin St, Sai Kung Enroll / Enquiry: info@yoyoyoga.net / 93023931 For details: www.yoyoyoga.net

No need to go to Central.....

Cambridge Weight Plan is in Sai Kung and CWB. We help you create an easy-to-manage daily diet plan and provide motivation and support every step of the way. Call our friendly local consultants today!

Alison Barnes 9618 1777 Jean Hudson 9045 5942 www.cambridgeweightplan.hk

ShenZhen DayTrip Shopping Hk 2,000. with 7-Seaters Lighting Mall Furniture Mall Art village Homedecoration , Carpet and Rugs.

Franki (90362128) happyday2128@netvigator.com

Home Deliveries Services MAN WITH VAN FOR HIRE Small Moves Logistics Deliveries.

K & S Van Transport Tel: 5403 5618 www.knsvan.com knsvan@gmail.com

PHOENIX CARPET CARE LTD for 20 years Hong Kong’s premier cleaner of carpets & upholstery.

Phoenix ensure true quality workmanship at reasonable cost.

Hand cleaning of Oriental rugs.

Steam extraction of fitted carpets.

Upholstery cleaning. Scotchgard Protection. Call 2328 2287 or 9517 5436 for free quote/inspection.

GERMAN HANDYMAN. If you are looking for: curtain, picture, mirror and shelf hanging, assembling and disassembling of furniture, wall painting, wall repair and patch, floor covering, tiling (floor&wall), bathroom & kitchen repair and much more... just give me a call! Mobile: 61411766 germanhandyman@ymail.com

COMPUTER SERVICES Microtechhk.com provides onsite support to day-to-day computer (MAC/WINDOWS) usage since 1992, Call us for any Hardware/ software, Internet problems, Virus Removal, Wifi setup, Data recovery Reasonable Price 24/7 hotline : 23976418

Award winning wines from Australia and New Zealand, highest quality, lowest prices directly from the winery to your door! Visit us at www.winestore.com.hk or email justin@winestore.com.hk.

call

2776 2772 REGISTER AS A VOLUNTEER Give a few hours of your time to Sai Kung Stray Friends. If you want to do something worthwhile come and help at our holding facility in Sai Kung. Any day or time suitable to you. Various tasks, sweeping, cleaning, dog walking, paddock Mum or just providing some love to the dogs. Dads are welcome too for mowing duty!

Email: saikungstrayfriendshk@gmail.com Call Narelle: 9199.2340 (English) Jessie: 9097.4591 (Chinese)

Charities / Community Fun Run for Charity in Sai Kung!

On Saturday, 15 September IMPACT Fitness will host a fun run for the Childrens Hope Charity.

We need to raise HK$60,000 to totally rebuild an orphanage for 55 children. Help us reach this goal by walking/running this event ($150 entry free). For details contact fitness@impactfitness.com.hk or call (852) 6902 2250. Distances are 3, 5 and 10 km. Volunteer marshals needed!

Enthusiastic tennis players of all abilities sort!

Mondays and Wednesdays 9-10 at Sai Kung courts-near the swimming pool.

Keep fit and meet new people at the same time. Just turn up and have fun!

URGENT! DOG FOOD SPONSORS Sai Kung Stray Friends We have approximately 35 dogs on our daily "meal supply".

The cost is $2,222 every 8 days.

If you would like to donate to help please deposit directly into our a/c: HSBC 004640085486001 Receipts can be issued.

Much appreciated!

Domestic help

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

DONATE OLD BABY CLOTHES, toys and equipment to mothers in need. Small toys, wraps, bottles and teething toys are desperately needed by Pathfinders, a charity that helps migrant mothers find a safe and legal home. Call Kylie: 9460 1450 or Luna (Chinese speaking): 5135 3015.

SAI KUNG SOCIETY: Locations around Sai Kung town, villages and country park. Watercolour, drawing, or other medium. All levels welcome. Free, just bring your own equipment. Meetings will mostly take place on Saturday mornings once or twice a month.

Please see www.hkcolours. typepad.com or contact Laetitia at saikungcolours@gmail.com

GUIDE LEADERS WANTED Calling all former Brownies! The Sai Kung Guide Unit in Pak Sha Wan is looking for guides (girls aged 10 and above) and new voluntary leaders for this enthusiastic group that encourages girls to be responsible and reliable through skills such as camping, first aid, crafts and more. Sign up and save the unit from closure!

For details, please email to guidesinsaikung@gmail.com.

Domestic helper seeks full time employer. Jacqueline Liagon, 44yrs old, filipino (married with 2 children). Experience in household chores, children, pets, elderly, babysitting. I'm hardworking, flexible, can work independently.

Experience in expat family and chinese family. Pls call my mobile no.92478937. References from previous employers are available on hand. Thanks.

Experienced Cantonesespeaking and Mandarinspeaking nanny. Good moral character and childcare knowledge. Qualified teaching background. Available to start in September.

Please call 6181 3365 or email : eviefan@hellokitty.com

Employment Craft Teachers We are looking for people to teach crafts at schools around Hong Kong. This is a part time role.

Please email us info@craftbox.asia for more information

A Big Brother/Sister/Auntie/ Uncle required by energetic 6 year old with autism, to help develop play skills. Two hours after school twice a week and some Saturday afternoons. Ho Chung area.

Please call 94232910.

Receptionist/Retail assistant wanted for local vet clinic.

Spoken English and Cantonese required.

No specific experience necessary.

Contact: 27920833 or drmike@pets-central.com

Email classifieds@saikung.com for classifieds booking or call

2776 2772

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back page

Last orders When 2+2=5?

“Education, education, education.”

So said the young Tony Blair when he was only a humble prime minister in waiting, of an insignificant Northern European state. Long before he became well known as an international war criminal, dodging arrest at speaking engagements all over the world, from the European Parliament in Brussels to more recently, the Hong Kong University. I was always taught that a proper sentence should contain a verb, a noun and an adjective, but T.B. at the time was struggling to articulate the supposed importance of education to New Labour.

Ironically, an area of policy he subsequently chose to ignore in favour of a bloody decade of warmongering.

Any debate on the topic of education is usually skewed for several universal reasons. Firstly everyone who’s ever been to school believes they are equipped

with unique expert knowledge in the field, backed up by a multitude of “illuminating” personal anecdotes. Secondly, those who are most vocal about the subject

are parents like myself, and where one’s children are involved, unfortunately emotion and irrationality usually take over.

Outside of the supportive majority, two polar extremes of parents exist that unfairly dominate every school agenda. Type A never complains about anything or ever attends a parents evening, yet expects a school to not only add value but to create it too.

If you consider the analogy of

photo competition Submit your shots Here at the Sai Kung Magazine office, we love receiving beautiful pictures of Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay from our readers. Each month we publish our favourite. To enter, simply email your best shots of Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay, along with a brief description, to photo@saikung.com. Happy snapping!

This month’s winner: Mary Diaz Thank you Mary for sending us a stunning collection of Sai Kung shots. We couldn't pick just one!

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schools as garages and teachers as mechanics, this kind of parent can’t comprehend why their modest economical Hyundai doesn’t come back from it’s annual service looking like a brand new Lamborghini. Type B parent complains about almost everything and not only gets under the bonnet, but tells them what tools to use and how and when to use them. They believe the inspection pit belongs to them and despite their apparent dissatisfaction, they stubbornly refuse to exercise their right to choose another repair shop.

These are the McCarthyites of the parent body and this loud, undemocratic group freely instigate petitions and witch-hunts to further their own erroneous aims, often with the collaboration of the gossip press. In order to picture the lunacy, imagine a Mathematics department barred from using the number 4 because a small group of influential parents considered it to be unlucky.

The issues that actually matter such as class size, teaching and learning tend to get lost amongst the more bizarre headline grabbing antics of these pompous lobbyists.

All evidence, for instance, suggests that support and encouragement

of students at home is by far the greatest factor in academic success. Yet often this is seen as the need for multiple tutors and the persistent meddling in the technical aspects of the school curriculum.

The real crisis in Hong Kong education reflects the bigger problem in Hong Kong society as a whole – that of the unequal distribution in wealth, which currently stands at a 30 year high. Consequently, at the top end there exists a large group of oversubscribed, successful English medium schools, while an inflexible and gruelling Cantonese state system struggles to compete. The glaring lack of anything in between leads one to assume that the Hong Kong Government is deliberately operating a policy of one SAR, two education systems.

Instead of another round of politically motivated tax rebates, perhaps the new administration could redirect these funds towards addressing this gap in educational provision. By providing a bilingual tier that uses the best practice from both existing systems. Perhaps even one that includes the use of the smallest composite number that is equal to the sum of its prime factors? Iain Lafferty

shoot for it

Sai Kung

For over 30 years Woodland has set the standard in Hong Kong for quality pre-school education. With ten schools, Woodland offers classes for children aged up to six years.

 Pre-School  Early Pre-School  Extra Curricular Clubs  Buses available for neighbouring areas For further information please contact Mrs. Deirdre Hamilton at 2813 0290: Shop D, G/F Marina Cove Shopping Centre, Sai Kung.

Tel: 2813 0290 Email: saikung@woodlandschools.com

www.woodlandschools.com