Sai Kung July 2018

FAMILY | FOOD | FLUFFY ANIMALS | BOATS

July 2018

THE PETS ARE COMING

TO TOWN

Pets Centr Paren al t Club s

The A-Z of buying a speedboat

Day-tripping in Macau

The really useful magazine July 2018

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16

43 30

24 PEOPLE 4 Snapped!

Sai Kung’s social life THE PLANNER 6 Happening in July What’s on this month NEWS 10 What’s going on?

In your backyard CRIME 12 Police blotter Chief Inspector Daniel Tsang reports on local crime LOCAL 13 Chinese Opera A closer look at the tradition

13 GIVEAWAYS 14 Free stuff Fab things to win FIVE MINUTES WITH...

15 Stewart Busby Operations Manager of HP Cars MUST HAVE THIS MONTH 16 Lets go to the beach Your summer essentials COVER STORY 20 Pet Central’s Parents Club A pet’s dream come true READERS CHOICE AWARDS 23 Vote to win!

Have your say in our annual Sai Kung Awards

39 DINING 24 UC Bistro The best view in Clear Water Bay. Plus nibbles HEALTH & WELLNESS 26 Healthy eating for kids Nutritionist Sandra Merazzi’s Cook & Go classes OUTDOORS 28 Buying a speedboat The A-Z guide EDUCATION 32 Hong Kong Academy A look inside the open day TRAVEL 36 Twenty-four hours in Macau Where to eat, sleep and spend

ZIM CITY 40 Paul Zimmerman explains…

Hong Kong’s water crisis VILLAGE FOCUS 42 Wong Chuk Wan The most scenic BBQ pits in Sai Kung

PETS 43 Ask Dr. Pauline Heat problems for pets. Plus Walkies GARDENING 45 In the garden What to plant in July VINES IN SAI KUNG 48 A new Country Park Steven Vines reports on Yeung Chau island

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Find us on Facebook Sai Kung Magazine

“EVERYTHING GOOD, EVERYTHING MAGICAL HAPPENS BETWEEN THE MONTHS OF JUNE AND AUGUST.” - JENNY HAN, THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY

SAIKUNG.COM | 1

editor’s letter

J

uly is a rather quiet time in Sai Kung, with many families away for the summer. So hop on a sanpan and spend a day soaking in the sunshine or take advantage of the peaceful streets and dine alfresco at one of the town’s many bars and restaurants.

You can even bring your best friend along to join you, with Pets Central’s Parents Club.

We give you all the insight on the new club and a compiling of the best places to bring your pooch. (page 20) If you don’t have any holidays planned this summer, take a spontaneous trip to Macau with our 24 hours in Macau guide, where we explore the old and new along with some pretty high views (page 36), or for a more adventurous experience get yourself a speedboat! (page 28).

There is plenty to do in Hong Kong this July, so whether you’re heading abroad or staying in the city, I hope you have a great summer!

Editorial

Managing editor Gemma Shaw, gemma@hongkongliving.com Acting editor Nicole Slater, nicole@hongkongliving.com Sub-editor Kay Ross, kay@hongkongliving.com

Design

Graphic designer Sonia Khatwani, sonia@hongkongliving.com Alvin Cheng, alvin@hongkongliving.com

Sales & Marketing

Sales director Hilda Chan, hilda@hongkongliving.com Sales & Marketing executive Isamonia Chui, isamonia@hongkongliving.com Corrie Tang, corrie@hongkongliving.com Johnny Wong, johnny@hongkongliving.com

Accounting

Assistant Operations Manager Charles Lau, charles@hongkongliving.com

Digital

Digital co-ordinator Julianne Dionisio, julianne@hongkongliving.com

Publisher

Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com

contributors

Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 | Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong

saikung.com talk@hongkongliving.com

Dr. Mike Muir

Dr. Kurt Verkest

Ellie Alexander

... arrived in Hong Kong in 1998 to work for the SPCA after graduating from Glasgow University veterinary school, a nd moved to Sai K u ng in 2000.

He joined Pets Central in 2006 a nd has been the Director of Veterinary Services in Sai K u ng ever since.

... graduated with honours from The University of Queensla nd, where he was awarded a PhD in the endocrinolog y of obesity in dogs. He provides advice on veterinary oncolog y (ca ncer medicine) to veterinaria ns arou nd the world through the Veterinary Information Network.

... is from England but was born and raised in Hong Kong.

With an interest in journalism for the future, she spent a week with us for her Year 10 Work Experience. When she’s not stressing out over her GCSE coursework, you can find her on the beach getting sunburnt or going out for sushi with her friends.

@saikungmag

facebook.com/SaiKungMagazine

HONG KONG hongkongliving.com

Sai Kung & Clearwater Bay Magazine is published by Hong Kong Living Ltd.This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Hong Kong Living Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any way, part or format without written permission from the publisher.

Want to write for Sai Kung Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com 2 | SAIKUNG.COM

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people Snaps from Sai Kung

Share your event photos with us at photo@hongkongliving.com. Get snapping!

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Hong Kong Living Charity Summer Lunch

Paws under the stars

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planner

JUL 6 - AUG 12

International Arts Carnival

This summer’s line-up features shows for children, including performances of Hansel & Gretel by Scottish Ballet and Ukulele Ohana Jam by IMY Creations.

Various prices, times and venues. lcsd.gov.hk

UNTIL AUG 12

National Ice-cream Month

Daily stage performances by some of the leading Chinese Opera companies, plus symposiums, Chinese Opera film screenings and exhibitions. At various venues, including The Grand Theatre at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong City Hall in Central. cof.gov.hk/2018/en/#1231

The famous ice-cream shop from Boston, Emack & Bolio’s, is celebrating ice-cream all month long this July with a range of exciting events. Enjoy buy-one-get-one promotions for those with birthdays in July, an in-store quiz with the chance to win an ice-cream cake, and social media competitions to take part in and win some sweet prizes… literally!

Shop G42, Mira Place One, 132 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Chinese Opera Festival

UNTIL SEP 2

Ocean Park Summer Carnival Featuring animal-themed parades and amazing shows every hour and over 100 exotic Caribbean food and drink specialities.

Ocean Park, Aberdeen. Oceanpark.com.hk

JUL 1

21st anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR Enjoy the day off work and join in the celebrations, including parades, flag-raising ceremonies and cultural performances around the city.

JUL 4

American Independence Day Celebrate in true American style with a barbecue, beer and a beats party. 6pm. $388.

Lily & Bloom, 5-6F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central.

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JUL 1

happening in July JUL 5

Headhunterz Dutch DJ William Reberge, better known by his stage name, Headhunterz, is coming to Hong Kong for a night of EDM and hardstyle music. $270. Zentral, 4/F-5/F California Tower, Lan Kwai Fong, Central.

Sai Kung Recycle Day by Vision Sai Kung Do your part for the environment by bringing along any clean glass bottles, batteries or plastic packaging. Man Yee Square, Wan King Path, outside the wet market.

JUL 7

JUL 6-8

Hong Kong Bakery Carnival The carnival will consist of bakery workshops, parent-child activities, food tastings and on-site demonstrations by master chefs. Adults $80, children $40. Hall 5F, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. hkticketing.com.hk/ events/WCHKBAK0718

JUL 7

Aerial yoga on the beach Hike to Tai Long Wan beach and fly in the bamboo tripods over the ocean. For yogis who have tried aerial yoga before and feel comfortable going into inversions with little or no assistance.

Meet in Sai Kung at 12.30pm. $540. bamboo-yoga.com

JUL 7

International Chocolate Day

JUL 7-AUG 26

SummerFest 2018 Relax and have fun, with outdoor art and light installations, garden games and a kids’ playground. Free admission. Central Harbourfront Event Space. summerfestcentralharbourfront.hk

JUL 9-12 RISE 2018

Three days of legendary networking with people from some of the world’s biggest companies and most exciting startups. Regular tickets from US$680. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

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planner JUL 14

Open Air Cinema Club: Hook The Hive Sai Kung is showing the sequel to the popular story of Peter Pan at its open-air cinema.

7:30pm. $100 members, $120 visitors. The Hive Sai Kung, 5 Tai Mong Tsai Road, Sai Kung, thehivesaikung.com.hk

JUL 15

Momentai Pop-Up Market Stop by the waterfront to browse items from some of Sai Kung’s best local vendors. 11am4pm. Momentai, Kiosk 1 Waterfront, Wai Man Road, Sai Kung.

JUL 18

Momentai Pub Quiz Get your brains thinking with another Trivia Quiz hosted by Russell Williams. 7.30pm.

Momentai, Kiosk 1 Waterfront, Wai Man Road, Sai Kung.

JUL 27-29

Hong Kong International Darts Festival The second Hong Kong International Darts Festival, with a concert on the night of July 27. Try your hand at darts machines and see tournaments for free. Star Hall, Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

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Hong Kong Book Fair A week-long event organised by the HK Trade Development Council, including publishers’ exhibits and plenty of books! Adults $25, children $10. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai.

JU 18-2L4

happening in July

BOOK NOW AUG 4

SEPT 22

He’s back! It’s been seven years since Bob Dylan’s last concert in Hong Kong, and tickets are sure to sell out fast. 8.30pm. $488-$1,288. Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. hkticketing. com/events/WCBOBDY0818

British singer-songwriter Jessie J is coming to Hong Kong for the first time as part of her huge World Tour, to perform her highly anticipated fourth album, R.O.S.E. 8pm.

Tickets from $698. Hall 10, Asia World Expo, asiaworld-expo.com/events/detail/ jessie-j-the-rose-tour-hong-kong

Bob Dylan Never-Ending Tour

AUG 16

Jessie J R.O.S.E. Tour

Food Expo

OCT 20

Sample gourmet treats from across the globe and watch live demonstrations by international experts, including Michelinstarred chefs. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, hktdc.com/ hkfoodexpo

Enjoy all of Mariah Carey’s greatest hits at her first-ever concert in Macau. 8pm. $480-$1,780. Cotai Arena at the Venetian, Macau. cotaiticketing.com

Mariah Carey World Tour

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

SAIKUNG.COM | 9

news

New reptile residents Sai Kung’s pet scene is welcoming some new residents — reptile residents to be exact.

Grand Reptile on Chan Man Street, opposite McDonald’s opened in June and sells a range of exotic animals, including snakes, iguanas, geckos and chameleons. The store is owned by KK Kwok. The shop has had a mixed reception from local residents.

Nicola Newbery places eighth in the City Nature Challenge

Fusion has opened!

The Sai Kung Garden block site, which was home to Wellcome for over 10 years, is now home to the newly opened Fusion. On June 8, shoppers explored the new setup. Many people have objected to the idea, believing that prices were much higher than at Wellcome, while others are thrilled to have a store full of international goodies. Local shopper Julie Slater said: “I was so overwhelmed I forgot to buy my berries!”

Hiker trapped in Ma On Shan Country Park for 12 hours A female injured herself by slipping down a slope in Ma On Shan Country Park while hiking

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Sai Kung’s own Nicola Newbery from Hoi Ha ranked eighth place out of 763 observers in Hong Kong for the i-Naturalist City Nature Challenge.

The challenge encourages participants to document different plants and wildlife around their city. Over a three-day, three-night period, Nicola combed the Hoi Ha river valley and documented over 150 species, including a Chinese king cobra, which she almost stepped on. Hong Kong also placed eighth overall in the international competition, with 20,387 observations. San Francisco Bay Area took the lead, with 42,669 observations. “Once we’ve harnessed more snorkellers and scuba divers, Hong Kong should easily be able to slide up into third place next year,” said Nicola.

alone. The woman’s sister phoned the police early the next day to report the hiker as missing and explained that she was known for going hiking alone in the country park. Firefighters rescued the woman at 10am, and she was put on a stretcher and carried for an hour down the hill before being taken to Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin for treatment.

in your backyard

Paraglider crashes into Thai Dao

Plastic Free July Hong Kong based charity, Plastic Free Seas, is bringing the worldwide “Plastic Free July” movement to Hong Kong. Started seven years ago in Perth, Australia, the environmental campaign has involved more than two million people from over 150 countries. Participants pledge to make a change for the whole of July that will reduce their plastic usage, focusing in particular on avoiding single-use plastics such as straws and not buying water in disposable bottles. Just making a simple change such as investing in a lunchbox or a reusable water bottle can make a big difference. If you’re interested in participating, register on the Plastic Free Seas website at plasticfreeseas.org

On Saturday June 16, the Thai Dao football beach party was put on hold as a paraglider flew in through the restaurant’s open-air dining area and crashed. Located on Sha Ha Beach, Thai Dao is no stranger to outdoor and water activities, but this was a first for the restaurant.

Although there was panic initially, both the paraglider and restaurant-goers were okay and the party resumed as normal.

Overheard on the 101 “Will Wellcome move to Japan Home Centre’s old location?”

“What’s up with all these burglaries recently?”

“Why can’t Domino’s Pizza come back?”

“Did you know someone in Sai Kung won $42,000 on the England game?”

Eavesdrop and share! Send your snippets via Facebook messenger at Sai Kung Magazine or email 101@hongkongliving.com

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crime

Reports from Sai Kung Police Chief Inspector Daniel Tsang reports on recent cases in Sai Kung Goodbye Michael Lai After three months of being a part of our “Police Blotter” series, Michael has sadly left Sai Kung.

ee on the loose B On June 12, a local man aged 64 was working at Heung Chung Village when some bees flew over and stung his left palm and forehead. The man filed a report and was sent to Tseung Kwan O Hospital for treatment.

Police did a sweep of the area but did not find a beehive.

Man struck by reversing car A man aged 88 was struck down on Yi Chung Street by a private car while it was reversing into a space. He was taken to Tseung Kwan O Hospital, where he remained for two weeks before succumbing to his injuries.

Family row ends in arrest A man was arrested for common assault after a family row broke out in Luk Mei Village. The police arrived at the scene after shouting was reported.

Break-in results in $314,000 loss A burglary at a house in Long Keng on June 3 resulted in the loss of watches and gold jewellery with a total value of $314,000. The police believe this break-in is linked to two previous burglaries in May at Nam A village. They are patrolling the area, and suspect a gang is hiding in the woods.

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Adult chat ends in blackmail A male in his 20’s took part in adult chat via the video-calling app Skype. After the chat ended he was sent a recording of the call and was asked to send $10,000. The man refused to pay and reported the incident to Sai Kung police. Police urge young people to be careful online and to make sure they are always aware of who they’re talking to.

June traffic accident count Thirty-seven traffic accidents occurred in June.

Twenty-nine of them involved only damage, while eight resulted in injuries, but there were no serious incidents. The bad weather is thought to be the culprit and police have urged drivers to be more cautious.

Disputes and assaults A total of 12 dispute cases and three domestic assault cases occurred in June. Police arrested three males and one female. An incident in Ho Chung resulted in a woman needing treatment for a fractured arm.

Electronics stolen A house in Lung Mei was burgled in June, resulting in the loss of a MacBook and an iPad.

Man airlifted from Ham Tin Wan Beach On June 3, a 28-year-old male was reported as drowning on Ham Tin Wan Beach, after his girlfriend was heard screaming for help. The man was airlifted and sent to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, where he remains.

For more information, contact Sai Kung Police Station, 1 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 3661 1630

local

The opera comes to town Discover the tradition behind the makeup

T

he basketball courts and car park next to Tin Hau Temple were taken over by a mass of bamboo early in June, which meant only one thing: the opera was coming to town. The Chinese Opera Festival brings a traditional touch to Sai Kung town, with colourful decorative signs and some rather loud singing. But how much do you know about the opera? We take a closer look at this ancient Chinese style of theatre.

Chinese opera is one of the oldest dramatic art forms in the world, from the Tang Dynasty era (618–907). The tradition has evolved since then and now varies in each location it’s performed, depending on local traits and accents.

The brightly coloured decorations and dazzling costumes, which are so unique to the opera, are as beautiful as they are symbolic.

Each colour and design painted on a performer’s face indicate a character’s personality, role and fate. A red face represents loyalty and bravery; black shows courage; yellow and white represent two-facedness, while golden and silver faces are mysterious.

The performances take place in a theatre made entirely of bamboo, including thin bamboo shavings that are used to hold the struts together.

The theatre takes 10 days to construct and five days to take down. Not even the terrible weather conditions this year could put the construction on hold.

The opera is part of the Tin Hau Festival and has been a Sai Kung tradition for more than 60 years. It is fully funded by the local community, with construction costs and actors’ fees reaching over one million dollars. The support from the Sai Kung community has made another Chinese Opera Festival a success!

How to enjoy the opera as a foreigner Don’t be afraid to join the event, walk around and soak up the atmosphere.

Take some pictures and share the joy. No one will mind if you don’t stay. Just enjoy the artistry and tradition.

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giveaways

win at hongkongliving.com

Porcelain toy cars

Dinner for two

Up for grabs: 30 porcelain toy cars painted by disabled children

Up for grabs: A dining voucher for two at A.O.C. Eat & Drink

From: The Society for the Relief of Disabled Children (SRDC) - a local children’s charity whose mission is to provide medical, surgical, rehabilitation and educational services to disabled children in Hong Kong. They support the Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital in the emerging areas of child health, not readily available in the public healthcare system. srdc.org.hk

From: A.O.C., which stands for the French term appellation d’origine contrôlée - serves up a variety of seafood, meat and cheese dishes perfect for sharing, by chef Stéphane Guillas. The seasonal summer menu includes small bites such as mussels and homemade farmhouse pork rillettes, and a butcher’s corner with a variety of meats. aoceatndrink.

DOCK E30 speaker

Tickets to the International Comedy Festival

Up for grabs: A DOCK E30 speaker, valued at $4,500 From: CY Audio Visual Solutions. The company provide unique and innovative AV solutions for homes, schools and performance venues. With Airsound™, audiences can enjoy a balanced, undistorted stereo sound within a 160 degree angle coverage. The DOCK E30 speaker features a wireless charger and a docking groove. cyavs.com

Up for grabs: Two pairs of tickets for the 3rd Asia International Comedy Festival.

From: TakeOut Comedy Club is the first full-time comedy club in Asia. The 3rd Asia International Comedy Festival features acts from some of Asia’s top comedians including Garron Chiu, Evans Musoka and Byron Murphy.

The shows are at 9pm on July 27 and 28. takeoutcomedy.com

Subscribe to our e-newsletter to get all our giveaways delivered straight to your inbox: saikung.com/subscribe

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five minutes with

Stewart Busby

Operations Manager at Sai Kung’s favourite garage, HP Cars I originally came to Sai Kung for a carparking space. When I was living in Central I started a new business repairing windscreens and I had a van that I drove around in. There was nowhere to park it around nearby but a friend of mine was living in Sai Kung and he was moving away, so I took his lease because he had a parking space.

When I first came to Hong Kong I was in Repulse Bay for a short time and then lived in an apartment between Mid-levels and Central for six years. After I got married we moved to Sai Kung in 1998.

I used to work for a music promoter, and we put on huge concerts all around Asia. I worked with some pretty big bands and artists back in the day, such as Bryan Adams, who was number one all over the world then, and Bon Jovi.

HP cars has been going since 2001. So I’ve been working here for over 17 years, that a bit of a scary thought!

Most of our business is from word of mouth.

We’ve been here so long and everyone knows everyone in Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay, so people will talk about you. I meet people I don’t even know sometimes, but because I’m wearing the T-shirt, they say: “Oh you’re Stewart from HP Cars.”

My favourite car would have to be an Aston Martin, but I currently own a black BMW. I’m much happier here than I was in the middle of the city. Now we’ve got the kids, I wouldn’t want them to grow up in Central. It’s much better that they can grow up in Sai Kung, where they have plenty of room to run around and play with friends away from the busy streets.

The biggest problem with cars in Hong Kong is their interior. If you keep your car parked in a garage or undercover it’s okay, but not many people have that. They have to park their car out in the open, so the UV rays and humidity tend to destroy interiors, and dashboards can dry out and crack. It’s also very common for the roof lining to fall down, which can cause big problems for cars.

The handprints all over the office were done by my mate, who was in the office while I was away. He bought rubber gloves and black paint especially and started putting prints all over the wall… it’s a bit strange really.

Things get done quickly in Hong Kong. When I was in England, if your phone or Internet goes you’d get a phone call saying they’d be there in four to five days, whereas here they’ll be there that afternoon.

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must have this month

Beach Bums Your must have summer essentials

Stuck On You Personalised Sun Hat 199 from Minifab $ stuckonyou.com

Lacroix Sweetie! Tote Bag 1,446 from Christian Lacroix $ christian-lacroix.com

X-Toosh Herbal Insect Repellent 240 from Moraz Galilee $ Mannings, 119-121, 1/F, Hang Lung Road Shopping Centre, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O moraz.hk

TRIWA Sunglasses Crystal Folke 1,195 from Triwa $ TRIWA Flagship Store, L124 Plaza Hollywood, 3 Lung Poon Street, Diamond Hill triwa.com Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 in Flamingo Pink 850 from Log On $ UG Level, Festival Walk, Kowloon Tong logon.com.hk

Egyptian leather sandals in gold leather 1,550 from La French Cut $ The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central lafrenchcut.com

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beach bums Philippe V’s WN5 in Tortoise S$370 at T Galleria by DFS U Lippo Sun Plaza, 28 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui philippev.com

Invisible KIDS Sun Protector Spray SPF50+++ 320 from Moraz Galilee $ Mannings, 119-121, 1/F, Hang Lung Road Shopping Centre, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O moraz.hk

Aluminium The Bigger Carry-on S$495 from Away U awaytravel.com

Charlotte Tilbury: Pretty Youth Glow Filter 410 from Lane Crawford $ lanecrawford.com

Teresa’s Turkish Towels Pineapple Towel 300 $ hkturkish.com

Seedling Mini Mushrooms Skipping Rope 95 from Minifab $ seedling.com.hk

SAIKUNG.COM | 17

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cover story

Bring your dog to dinner Welcome to Pets Central’s new Parents Club and rooftop dining area

Old What’s happening Sai Kung’s dog-loving community has faced a problem recently, what to do with dogs while dining out? The rules seem to change constantly, from being allowed to have dogs outside the restaurant to not having them on the premises at all. Pets Central Parent’s Club aims to solve this problem, so owners can have a true family meal... best friends included.

The Pets Central Parents Club, set to open on August 8, will be a fun and educational area to take your children, both two-legged and four-legged. Peter de Krassel, the Chairman of Pets Central Asia, encourages parents to take their pets outside more. “Animals are naturally supposed to be outdoors or else they tend to get a little restless. The club is a great place for them to get out and socialise with other animals, while the parents can relax.”

Facilities Animal charities such as Katherine’s Puppies and Sai Kung Stray Friends will hold adoption days at the Club on regularly scheduled weekends each month, and animal groups such as the Hong Kong Reptile & Amphibian Society will hold education days for children to meet and greet some animals they may have never come across before. Peter continues: “Studies have shown that kids who grow up with pets have fewer sick days, perform better in school and have a lower suicide

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rate. It’s so important to change the stigma about animals being scary for kids in Hong Kong.”

Although Pets Central focuses mainly on services for animals, with puppy-training classes, dog massage, cat care, a veterinary clinic and a boarding facility, the Club welcomes human visitors too. The rooftop terrace overlooking the Tin Hau Temple will be a dining area where people can order-in food from local restaurants, including Jaspas, Poets and The Picture House.

Augu s - Ope t 8 ningday p arty!

New Parents can enjoy a carefree meal with their pets in a pet-friendly environment. The Club, including the rooftop dining area, is located directly above the clinic.

How to join Membership is free. Sign up now at pets-central. com/hk/petscentralclub_reg Pets Central will also be open 24 hours a day starting from August. Pets Central, Shop 4, 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 0833

cover story

Meet Dr. Mike Muir I love the unconditional attachment that animals have to their owners; it’s special.

If I see a dog or animal straight after work they can usually smell the vet on me and tend to shy away. But if I’m visiting anyone’s house with a dog I treat, there’s a mixture of reactions, from barking at me to hiding in the corner.

The Parents Club is going to be pretty cool, so I’m excited to see what it’s going to be like.

I currently have four pets at home: two dogs and two cats named Maya, Teena, Lily and our only male, Tiger.

My favourite animal is either a Golden Retriever or a Labrador.

Director of Veterinary Services at Sai Kung Pet Central

The Rooft op

Old

New

The rooftop will transform into a dining, learning and charity event area, overlooking Sai Kung and the waterfront

SAIKUNG.COM | 21

cover story

Pet-friendly places in Sai Kung Sai Kung is well-known for being a dog’s paradise, with large open spaces to run around, outdoor seating with water bowls included and even beaches to have a paddle.

People travel from all over Hong Kong to the town on weekends, pooches in hand, to treat their dogs to a big day out.

While not all places are so welcoming and busy crowds can potentially scare your dogs, we’ve compiled a list of the best pet-friendly places around the town, to make sure everyone feels welcomed.

Top three: • Mak Pin BBQ pits • Waterfront promenade • Sha Ha beach Mak Pin BBQ pits: Sea views and bbq favourites both you and your pet will love

Waterfront promenade: Show off your pooch along the dog catwalk

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Sha Ha beach: Swim, tan and roll around in the sand

VOTE

TO WIN

S A

I

READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2018

K U N G

VOTE TO WIN! Vote for your favourite Sai Kung places to dine, shop and play, and you could win a great prize from one of our sponsors.

Vote online at saikung.com

Sea Lagoon $10,000 four-hour weekday evening cruise with drinks and snacks for five people, starting from 7pm. sealagoon.com

The Picture House/ Enoteca group

The Studio A package of 5 group classes worth $750 new.thestudiosaikung.com/

4 x $500 dining vouchers enotecagroup.com/ thepicturehouse/

The Hive

Momentai

$3,000 two-month part-time membership thehivesaikung.com.hk/

2 x $500 dining vouchers facebook.com/momentaila/

Entry e Deadlin ly u 9J SAIKUNG.COM | 23

A view to dine for dining

Discover UC Bistro, a gem hidden within Clear Water Bay’s university campus

T

ucked away on the campus of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), with panoramic views of the ocean, you’ll find UC Bistro. On the menu is modern American cuisine with a range of Asian and European dishes, including Pad Thai, Spaghetti Carbonara and Angus Steak. As Rody Kwok, general manager of the Sandwich Club, explains, “It’s important to give students some home comforts to enjoy while they are away from their families and home country.”

Although UC Bistro is located on the university campus, everyone is welcome to dine there, and parking is available at multiple

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locations. This has made the restaurant a bit of a hidden gem in the Clearwater Bay community, but with a new image and delicious menu the restaurant is destined to be a hit. “Clear Water Bay is lacking in the restaurant department, so if people around here want to go out to eat they have to travel all the way to Sai Kung or Hang Hau,” comments Rody.

The restaurant has been at HKUST for over 20 years, but re-opened in November after a five-month renovation period. It is now a modern and open space with a luxurious vibe. With the new look Rody believed it was important to keep the food reasonably priced, so that everyone can enjoy dining at the bistro.

With new set-lunch and set-dinner menus each day, as well as buffet brunches on the weekend, there’s always something going on at UC Bistro & Unibar. G/F, Tower C, HKUST, Clear Water Bay Road

Fun fact: • HKUST is the only campus in Hong Kong with a bar open for all; others are only for staff members. The university decided to include a bar in order to attract more international students.

uc bistro

Our top three Instagrammable picks Mango and prawn salad

Pork knuckle

Chocolate fountain cake

SAIKUNG.COM | 25

health & wellness

Cooking up some healthy fun Chop chop! It’s cook-a-clock with Sandra Merazzi, founder of Cook & Go

Photo by: Nele Borchardt

In 2010, celebrity chef and healthy-eating advocate Jamie Oliver ended a passionate TED talk with his wish for “a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everywhere to fight obesity”. Here in Hong Kong, nutritionist Sandra Merazzi has taken up Oliver’s gauntlet with her new Cook & Go classes, which aim to teach young children and teenagers all about healthy food choices and how to prepare them.

“Nutritional behaviour usually becomes manifest during childhood and once learned, food patterns and eating habits are often maintained for the rest of someone’s life,” explains Merazzi, who is a mother of three.

“Children from five years onward are able to grasp the idea of healthy and junk food. If they learn the difference between the two when they are young, they are more likely to make healthy choices as they get older.”

However, continues Merazzi, knowledge of nutrition is incomplete without the experiential learning and hands-on activities associated with food preparation. If children aren’t taught

26 | SAIKUNG.COM

Aspiring chefs cooking up great dishes

the skills to make healthy dishes themselves and to see the difference between “real” and processed food, they will still opt for the junk, she says.

A part-time language teacher at the Academy for Performing Arts, Merazzi, who is originally from Switzerland, studied nutrition and nutrition for children and teenagers at HKU Space. She has always been into sport, healthy living and cooking, and wanted to do something that combined all these passions, so on the advice of a friend she decided to set up Cook & Go. “I really enjoy teaching and spending time with children and teenagers but I don’t like the classroom setting,” she explains. “I used to be a school tour guide in New York and Singapore, taking groups around art galleries and museums, and feel that the benefit of actually experiencing something outweighs sitting in a classroom.”

Her hands-on classes and holiday camps for children are run in collaboration with the Pak Sha Wan Resurrection Life Centre, just outside Sai Kung. Each session focuses on a specific topic such as healthy lunchboxes, and starts

with a relaxed discussion about nutrition. Little ones are taught the basics of a balanced diet, while older chefs-in-the-making go deeper into the subject, for example by learning about the difference between saturated and trans fats. In the afternoon classes they cook one item; in the holiday camps they cook two. Merazzi buys allorganic ingredients and supplies the equipment, including colourful kid-sized aprons that she made out of tea towels.

“A kitchen is a learning lab. The children practice reading by following recipe instructions, and maths skills such as counting, weighing and measuring ingredients, and tracking time.

They gain social skills by working together and communicating in the kitchen. And, of course, while handling food, chopping it for instance, they also develop fine motor skills,” says Merazzi. “They have to do everything themselves. I won’t cook their food for them just so they have a perfect dish to take home.”

And herein lies the powerful idea behind Cook & Go: children take away their results to show their families. This way, parents get to see their progress and the children also take pride

cook & go in sharing what they’ve made, possibly even influencing what is prepared at home. Merazzi has had several reports from astonished parents of picky eaters who say that, thanks to her classes, their children are now eating food (typically vegetables) that they normally refused to consider.

She will try to accommodate dietary restrictions. One of the children in a group of home-schoolers who attend regular Cook & Go sessions is vegetarian, so Merazzi now offers a meat-free course.

“There is great atmosphere in the kitchen and we all have a lot of fun,” says Merazzi. “The

best feedback has been from children who have attended a one-off class and want to return, bringing their friends.”

Unlike many after-school activities, you don’t have to sign away a whole term’s fees before your child can join a class; Merazzi is happy to take them for a one-off trial class. To get the most out of the lessons, however, they should ideally commit to a month’s course as Merazzi usually tackles a meal each week: breakfast, lunch, dinner and a treat. As well as three-day holiday camps, she currently runs a class on Thursday afternoons from 4.30pm to 5.45pm, but she is willing to start additional sessions if three or more children are interested.

“Food and cooking are important and I try and make it fun so that it doesn’t feel like learning at all,” says Merazzi. “Cooking fosters creativity, and children who cook feel a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence as well as a feeling of contributing to their families. What I particularly like is that when children spend time cooking, it’s time away from their screens.”

Cook & Go classes cost $210 per child per class, including all ingredients and equipment. Summer camps will run throughout August, 2pm-3.30pm or 4pm-5.30pm, $700 for three days or $250 per day.

Contact Sandra Merazzi at sandra.merazzi@gmail.com

NIBBLES à nu retrouvez-vous opens in Harbour City The renowned Michelin-starred French restaurant from Tokyo has opened its doors at Ocean Terminal extension in Harbour City.

With panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and a unique fusion of French and Japanese cuisine, you can really indulge yourself. The ingredients used will vary from season to season, making each visit a unique experience.

Summer sundae at Ali Oli’s Cool off with a special ice-cream sundae deal at Ali Oli’s. Choose from a sponge cake or brownie base and add three scoops of your favourite ice-cream, from a range of flavours such as

chocolate, coconut and Earl Grey. Finally the sundae will be generously topped with chocolate syrup for a perfect sweet treat on a summer’s day, only $98. G/F, 11 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung

New noodle shop grand opening Kin Kee Fast Food on the corner of Fuk Man Road celebrated its grand opening on during the Dragon Boat festival on June 18, with a hog roast and an array of flowers. The location was home to the former noodle shop Tak Hing Noodles, which closed its doors in March.

New sweet treats at Momentai!

Momentai has brought out a brand-new dessert menu filled with sugar, spice and everything nice. With the recent recruitment of chef Charlotte Rose, the restaurant has revamped its range of desserts to include a cheesecake sundae and a unique take on banana split with lychees and toasted coconut. Along with the menu, Momentai will also feature a fresh selection of cookies to dip into your afternoon tea. Kiosk 1 Waterfront, Wai Man Road, Sai Kung

SAIKUNG.COM | 27

outdoors

28 | SAIKUNG.COM

outdoors

The A to Z of buying a speedboat Win friends and influence people with our how-to guide

W

ith 236 islands to play on, Hong Kong is loaded with idyllic destinations, from the Geopark and long swathes of golden sand in Sai Kung to the green-turtle nesting site at Sham Wan, Lamma. One of the best ways to get out there and explore is aboard your very own speedboat. Load the kids, a couple of friends and a cool box filled with drinks and off you go. Here’s our A-to-Z guide to buying a speedboat of your very own.

A

Awesome. Hold that thought. Make the most of this moment. They say the two best days of owning a boat are the day you buy it and the day you sell it.

B

Breaking down. In case of emergency, contact the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre by telephone on 2233 7999. Alternatively, call the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) on V.H.F. (channel 12, 14, 67) or by telephone on 2233 7801.

C

Making waves

Consortium. Buy a boat with friends and bond over beach picnics, sunsets and boat repairs. Make sure one member of your group is money-rich and time-poor (that shouldn’t be you!) and another is handy with a toolbox. Pay for dings and dents individually, but if the boat sinks you all go down together. Consortiums often run on gentlemen’s agreements, but you could have a contract that covers who owns what, how the boat will be managed and the amount of time on board. But we feel this just takes the fun out of it.

D

Decision made. You’re going to buy a boat, now let’s get down to the nitty gritty: the cost.

E

Expense. How much is it going to cost?

When budgeting, factor in costs such as mooring, fuel, maintenance and insurance.

“The price range for day boats differs vastly” says David Walder, Sales Manager at Simpson Marine. “Flyers range from 40,000 euros (including delivery to Hong Kong) for a Flyer 5.5 (the smallest in the range) with one 100hp outboard engine to around 120,000 euros for a Flyer 8.8 with twin 200hp outboards.”

“Beneteau Motorboats offer ranges such as Antares and Barracuda, which are slightly more expensive but have a proper cabin, air-conditioning and more storage. These boats are equipped for an overnight stay option. The Antares 7 with 150hp outboard would be around 75,000 euros, whereas the Barracuda 9 with twin 250hp outboards would be around 170,000 euros,” adds David.

“Should the buyer prefer to go for a second-hand option, we can find boats of different budgets and sizes, already in Hong Kong, from as low as US$30,000.”

F G

Fuelling up. Remember to do it before you set off.

Go. Where to go: For dolphins…

Head to Tai O fishing village for a glimpse of pink dolphins For diverse marine life…

Cruise over to Starfish Bay in Wu Kai Sha For breathtaking land formations…

Circle around the Hong Kong Global Geopark For an island getaway…

Go to Tung Lung Chau in Sai Kung For an unforgettable sunset…

Head over to Tai Mei Tuk for sunsets straight out of an oil painting

SAIKUNG.COM | 29

outdoors

H I

Hebe Haven. (See ‘Y’ for our guide to yacht clubs.)

J

Junks. You’ll never be trapped on one again. Accept the invite. Rock up on your boat and leave with the coolest people.

K

Knots. A knot is a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour. The term originated in the 19th century, when knots in a rope were used to measure the speed of a vessel. If you’re looking for something to give you an adrenaline rush, consider how many knots per hour your boat can travel.

Insurance. In Hong Kong it’s mandatory to have a third-party insurance coverage for your boat. Without this you will not be able to change the ownership of your boat or renew the yearly licence.

L

The Cleat Hitch knot is commonly used to tie a boat to a static dock. To tie one, take one full turn around the base of the cleat (the T-shaped piece of metal on a boat to which ropes are attached). Then take a figure-eight turn around one horn of the cleat and then the other. Finally, pass the line under itself and pull it tight.

lists. Renting a mooring or a hard stand (storage out of the water, often in multistorey racks) from a marina — Clearwater Bay Marina, Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Hong Kong Marina or the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club – is your best bet, although you will usually have to join the club first.

Licence. Before you can drive your speedboat, you will need the relevant licence: a Pleasure Vessel Certificate of Competency. See over the page for our guide to getting a boat licence.

N

Mooring. On- and off-the-water space in Hong Kong is precious and finding a mooring can be the trickiest part of buying a speedboat. The Government has halted the transfer of mooring ownership in some marinas, resulting in price increases and long waiting

O

Naming your boat. “Seas the day” or “Ship happens”? Naming your boat is not a task to take lightly, so think carefully about how you want to be perceived on the waters.

Outfits. Stock up on stylish, functional staples but don’t try too hard. Decent boat shoes are a must, and remember that whatever you do to your hair it will be ruined after just a few minutes.

P

Popular. No doubt owning a boat will increase your popularity amongst your friends.

Q

Question everything. Get answers before you sign on the dotted line. You need to have a good idea of the boat’s history and be aware of any problems that your boat may have. Problems = expense. Ask why the boat is for sale, why it is the price it is and how many owners it has had.

R

Registration. Yes, more paperwork.

During a change of ownership, the boat must be de-registered from the previous owner and then re-registered in your name. Register your boat with the Marine Department of the Hong Kong Government. For more information, see “Licensing a pleasure vessel” at gov.hk

Brett Pottinger

M

Tying the knot

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Seazing the day!

outdoors

S

T

Simpson. Mike Simpson is the Don of the yacht world and founder of Asia’s longest-established yacht dealership, Simpson Marine. Thirty-five years ago Simpson built a yacht in Taiwan with a dream of sailing it around the world.

When he reached Singapore, someone made an offer on the boat. He accepted, sold the boat and flew back to Taiwan to start again. When the boat was almost ready, the same thing happened again.

He realised that perhaps there was a business for him, within a few weeks he had sold a third yacht, and Simpson Marine was in business. Mike is still at the helm of his company and commutes to work daily by boat from his home in Lamma. With over 300 listings of boats in Asia, Simpson Marine sells new and second-hand yachts across Asia from its base in Aberdeen, Hong Kong and 12 regional offices in Asia.

Typhoons. Typhoon season in Hong Kong runs from May to October. Keep up to date with notifications from the Hong Kong Observatory. The yacht clubs provide information on how to minimise damage during a typhoon. Most importantly, check your insurance policy

How to get a speedboat licence in Hong Kong Before you can drive your speedboat on Hong Kong waters, you’ll need to obtain the relevant certificate, the Hong Kong Pleasure Vessel Operators Certificate of Competence (PVOCC). There are two grades to this certificate: Grade I and Grade 2.

for special terms regarding “named wind storms” and check that your mooring location is included in the policy.

U

Use. Why do you want a boat? This can be the most difficult question for firsttime buyers. Do you want to fish, relax or party?

V W

Visitors. Without a doubt you’ll blow their minds.

X

X-tra-ordinary. Enjoy this extraordinary experience — only a tiny percent of people on the planet will ever get to do it.

Y

Yacht clubs. Hong Kong has some great ones: Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) Founded in 1890, this is one of the largest yacht clubs in the world and the only Hong Kong club that kept the “Royal” in its title after the handover.

It has clubhouses in Kellett Island

The Aberdeen Boat Club One of Hong Kong’s main recreational boating and sailing clubs. Facilities for yacht, speedboat and cruiser owners as well as two club houses with jetty and pontoon moorings. 20 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen. abclubhk.com Aberdeen Marina Club Founded in 1984, Aberdeen Marina Club is one of Southside’s newest and most polished clubs. It offers both dry and wet berths as well as boat maintenance and servicing. aberdeenmarinaclub.com

Worth it? It sounds like hassle, but when you take the wheel, with the wind in your hair and a gin and tonic on ice in your hand, it’s worth every second and cent it cost to get there.

The Hong Kong Sailing Federation Courses are held three times a year, in April, August and November. Part A, the Master section, is held early in the month, and Part B, the engineering section, is held towards the end of the month. The price is $5,400 for ten lectures across a month.

Aberdeen Boat Club

Grade 1 entitles you to operate any pleasure vessel in Hong Kong waters. You must have held a Grade 2 certificate for at least 12 months before attempting Grade 1.

The Aberdeen Boat Club offers courses three times a year, in April, August and November. Again, the course is split into the two sections of the exam, with Part A being held early in the month and Part B towards the end. This course is cheaper, with both parts in total costing $3,400 for members and $4,000 for non-members. Fewer people take this course, so if not enough people sign up it might be cancelled.

Where to take the course

Eye test

Many brokers and marinas offer classes to get you up to speed. If exams are not your thing (and there’s a fairly high failure rate), freelance captains can be hired for around $800 a day.

The final requirement for owning a boat is to undergo an eye test, preferably before you take the course.

The Hong

Grade 2 entitles you to operate a pleasure vessel of 15 metres or less, with an unspecified engine power. The course is made up of two parts: Part A, which is Master, and Part B, engineering. Both are required to obtain the certificate.

(Causeway Bay), Middle Island and Shelter Cove. rhkyc.org.hk

Hebe Haven Yacht Club In the bay of Pak Sha Wan in Sai Kung, Hebe Haven has good facilities, 240 swing moorings and hardstanding. It also offers repair services. 10.5 Miles, Hiram’s Highway, Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung. hhyc.org.hk

Z

Zero. Looking to buy a speedboat? You should have zero worries after reading this guide.

Kong Sailing Federation recommends certain optometrists, however a test by any optometrist will do.

The exam The Marine Department Seafarers’ Certification Section in Central holds regular exams for both master and engineer certificates. The test, lasting one hour 50 minutes, is a multiple-choice paper, in English. It is usually taken on the computer, but can also be handwritten. For more information, visit mardep.gov.hk

SAIKUNG.COM | 31

education

Hong Kong Academy

OPEN DAY 32 | SAIKUNG.COM

I

education

t’s hard not to feel welcome at Hong Kong Academy. Despite its status as an established international school in a global city, the atmosphere is much more along the lines of “friendly neighbourhood” than “urban anonymity”.

Like many schools in Hong Kong, HKA has come from humble beginnings, having previously been housed on Stubbs Road and then Kennedy Town before ambitious plans for a purpose-built school began. The Sai Kung campus opened five years ago, allowing the school to spread its wings and continue its growth. It is now a through school of 630 pupils, offering the IB programme from start to finish, all within an impressive, what-morecould-you-want setting of grand auditoriums, spacious gardens, brand-new climbing walls and cosy libraries.

Daring-do Stephen Dare, the Head of School, took over eight years ago while the Sai Kung plans were still being drawn up. Based at the time in Manila, he moved to Hong Kong in order to take on the challenge of leading this international school into its next phase.

“I was really struck by this small school with big ideas and a committed group of people who wanted to see it evolve and grow into something special while still maintaining the founding principles,” he said.

Parents are often drawn to history and heritage when choosing schools. But tradition often comes with shackles, and one of the advantages of starting a school from scratch is that you don’t have to look backwards.

Instead, you get to write your own rulebook.

Day to day, HKA follows the IB programme from primary through to diploma. But the school also challenges itself to see what more it can do for its pupils’ overall education.

As such, Dare and his team continue to look globally for what they feel are the best educational advancements, propelling a school that is willing to move with the times.

Indeed, at HKA learning is not just for the pupils; the teachers have weekly professional development meetings, and throughout the year they dedicate time to keeping up with the best practices within their own field. Many are also involved in educational research.

Dare leads the charge on this. When we met, he had just finished reading The Age of Agile, a management book that discusses changing the landscape of organisations by removing hierarchy. He is also completing a doctorate

SAIKUNG.COM | 33

education This idea even bleeds through to the aesthetics of the building, where the infrastructure is purposefully exposed – cement pillars, air ducts and overhead cabling are all on show, so students can understand what makes their environment work. Within the privilege of international schools, it’s easy for children to take state-of-the-art facilities for granted, so this effort to encourage understanding has some moral value too.

Green-fingered While global momentum gathers on progreen-anti-plastic, HKA is already ahead of the curve; the campus was designed and built around an ethos of sustainability, and singleuse plastics are already banned in the school.

To encourage this, the school provides its own food service, maintains an organic garden and facilitates composting.

Aerial view of HKA

focusing on elevating student voice, teaching children that they are not just recipients of information but also contributors to a learning process. This is a forward-thinking principal, leading a modern school.

The marriage of science and art In fact, everything about HKA has a fresh and open-minded feel. The science and art departments share a floor, so students can

Principal’s Office, Stephen Dare, Hong Kong Academy What’s your Hong Kong story?

I am now completing eight years in Hong Kong in my first position as a Head of School, having worked overseas for 30 years. Before Hong Kong, I lived in Colombia, Washington DC and Manila. What brought me here was the opportunity to play a role in a small school that had really big ideas. And I live five minutes from the school in Tai Wan village so I’m definitely part of the neighbourhood!

What makes HKA stand out amongst other HK schools?

The first thing that I really like about the school is the sense of community. In our last survey, one question we asked was: “Why do you come to the school?”, and everyone said the same thing: community.

We got the same answer when we asked “What does the school do brilliantly?” We’re a medium-sized school, which gives us a feeling of intimacy and makes sure no one slips through the cracks. We’re also highly inclusive, and as such really support learning

34 | SAIKUNG.COM

benefit from seeing where these two subjects overlap rather than viewing them as separate disciplines. The aim is to teach pupils the cohesion between the two subjects, which in turn helps them to appreciate how things relate to each other in real-world scenarios.

Whilst this is obviously not a new concept – da Vinci blazed a trail on this several hundred years ago – it is nonetheless unusual to see a school actively joining departments.

difference. The world is a very diverse place and this should be reflected in school life.

What inspired you to work in education?

My father was very invested in my future career so the original plan was for me to be an accountant. I didn’t really think about what I wanted to do, I just did as I was told.

But I reached a point where I decided I needed to take control of my own life and make my own decisions. At the time, I was spending a lot of time working on youth programmes and I had a really good teacher who said to me: “Why don’t you teach?” So I changed my degree to one in education and my first job was working in early childhood.

With hindsight, I would have been a terrible accountant!

What was your favourite subject at school?

Metal work! I liked the process of starting something and seeing it through to completion. I think we work in a society where it doesn’t feel like we ever finish something. It’s the same reason that I like doing traffic duty; it’s one of the few things that I can start and I finish in the same day.

Two students recently took on the challenge of improving the school’s recycling efforts.

In doing so, they developed transparent recycling bins, designed so that people pay more attention to putting the correct recyclable waste in the correct bin. There are few things more motivational than seeing the fruits of your labours, and for these two students, the products of their initiative are now in use around the school.

Which famous person would you want to sit next to at dinner?

Arsene Wenger or David Bowie. Wenger because I’m an Arsenal fan and I want to know the back stories; Bowie because I’m a musician and I’m fascinated by the construction of the stories in his songs and his constant evolution.

What’s in the pipeline for HKA? We’re just starting an accompanied playgroup for two- to three-year-olds. This is actually a free service we are providing but people will need to sign up. It’s a great way for families to see the school in action.

We’re also finalising the Global Citizens Diploma, which we’re working on with five other international schools. It’s to provide recognition for students who spend their time going out into the community doing service projects. We’re in a very privileged position here, being able to support the community, and the diploma is to formalise this so that we can document what the students have done and help them tell their stories.

education

Choosing between established and new schools

by Anne Murphy, Director, ITS EDUCATION ASIA In Hong Kong, many of the international schools have been educating students since the late sixties, while others were only just established over the last two-to-three years and new schools will open for 2018-2019 Academic Year.

The well-established schools have a longstanding reputation for providing the type of educational experience that many parents would like to see their children receive. Alumni data can offer a glimpse into the quality of a school’s services. Many established schools, such as ESF, Canadian International School, Chinese International School, German Swiss, Hong Kong International School and Kellett School have very impressive graduates every year.

Some parents may be worried that new schools have no proven track record, no inspection reports, no parental feedback and no external exam results. But new schools have a whole lot to offer, from state-of-theart facilities, modern technologies to top-end resources as well as dedicated staff.

Schools which have opened over the past few years, have associations with renowned educational institutions. Such as Nord Anglia International School’s collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), involves the implementation of science, technology, engineering, visual arts and mathematics (STEAM) programs across all 42 of Nord Anglia’s schools worldwide.

The structure of the buildings and classroom design is something else to take into consideration. New schools and new campuses have inventive break-out areas, school gardens, classroom device integration and makerspaces.

The Harbour School, which opened a new campus in August 2017 has one of the largest, most comprehensive makerspaces in any Hong Kong school. Collaborative learning spaces and adaptable and flexible layouts will be on offer at French International School’s new campus in September 2018.

Shrewsbury International School, which will open in August 2018, has been very specific

in the design for primary-aged children even down to the choice of furniture. The overall design ensures there are a range of larger and smaller teaching spaces to allow for flexible tuition in groups or with individuals.

Whether parents are looking into new or established schools, they should pay close attention to a school’s mission and the educational promises that school representatives make. What matters more than the number of years a school has been around is that a child is placed in a school that will provide them with the education they require to thrive.

ITS Education Asia provides an education consulting service that works with families and employers to find the right schools for individual children in Hong Kong, from nursery to secondary schools. ITS also offers research, policy and advisory services for corporations.

For more details, contact es@itseducation.asia, 3188 3940 oritseducation.asia.

Come one, come all Hong Kong is woefully behind when it comes to catering for pupils with any form of SEN (Special Educational Needs). However, with its policy of inclusion and dedicated learner support department, HKA is one of the few schools that embraces children needing additional help.

Kristel Solomon-Saleem is the Director of Learner Support, one of a team of people dedicated to those with SEN. “HKA’s philosophy firmly supports the belief that all students benefit from an environment where students requiring support are part of the inclusive classroom,” she says.

Within the main body of the school, not thrust out in the far-flung corners as often happens, are the departments for occupational therapy and speech and language. In any year, between 10% and 15% of HKA students will receive some degree of learning support, which is co-ordinated between the SEN departments and classroom teachers, to offer a mainstream environment for all.

Dare says: “In any global context, this differentiates us. We pride ourselves on having pathways to individual excellence and we

Break time!

support learning differences. Because there’s mutual benefit for everybody. The world is a very diverse place in terms of the make-up of people and their ability, and this is reflected at HKA.”

A family school Aside from the usual sibling policy, HKA is a place that has family at its core; the type

of school where people become so involved that often staff become parents and parents become staff. With 80% of the students coming from the local areas of Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay, this is a place where families can really bed in and become part of the story.

“There’s a sense of ownership with the parents.

There’s no ‘them and us’. It’s ours.”

SAIKUNG.COM | 35

travel

36 | SAIKUNG.COM

macau

24 HOURS IN

Photo credit: AJ Hackett International

Macau is the perfect quick and easy getaway for you this summer. Here’s our guide to a day in the former Portuguese colony and the gambling capital of Asia.

Panoramic views from the Macau Tower SAIKUNG.COM | 37

travel Midnight - Head to bed (or the hotel bar) Fall asleep in the comfort of your hotel room or go for a nightcap. Head to the Ritz-Carlton Bar & Lounge for its famous gin collection, plus signature cocktails, DJs and live entertainment.

9am - Steam & swim

6.30pm - Dinner time Macau is home to a range of cuisines, from comforting Italian fare to sizzling Spanish tapas.

If you’re not in too much of a rush, take a stroll around Taipa towards Largo dos Bombeiros, where you’ll find plenty to choose from, including Antonio Macau and Bella Taipa.

8pm - Watch a show Madonna, Lady Gaga and Bon Jovi have all performed in Macau so be sure to check out who’s performing in advance. The House of Dancing Water runs regularly at City of Dreams Macau and comes highly recommended. The story begins on the coast of Coloane and involves a fisherman, a beautiful princess and

an evil queen. It all unfolds over a custom-built pool containing 3.7 million gallons of water in a special 270-degree viewing theatre. Somewhere along the way there is even a human chandelier.

Prices start at $580 for adults and $408 for children. thehouseofdancingwater.com

If you’ve had a big night, spend the morning relaxing at your hotel. Set within the top floors of Galaxy Macau, the Ritz-Carlton has established itself as one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. The hotel connects to an outdoor waterpark with skytop rapids, three water slides and a wave pool. Whatever you do, be sure to check out the hotel spa, ESPA. There is a sauna, steam room, ice fountain and experience shower, which blasts you from all sides with fragranced water. ritzcarlton.com/ en/hotels/china/macau

11pm - Roll the dice Try your luck at roulette, blackjack or the most popular of them all: baccarat. Minimum bets tend to be high compared to Las Vegas so you might have to call it quits after one round, but you never know! The Portuguese legalised gambling here in 1844, when the region was under colonial rule. To this day, it is the only part of China where casinos are allowed.

Old vs. new Macau

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macau How to get to Hoi Ha Wan The Cotai Water Jet operates two routes: one from the Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan and one from Hong Kong Airport straight to Taipa (note: the Hong Kong Airport route is not for passengers originating from Hong Kong as it’s in the restricted SkyPier area of the HKIA), just a stone’s throw away from most of Macau’s big casinos and hotels. Free and frequent shuttles operate from the ferry pier to most hotels and casinos.

array of swords. The nearby Pak Tai Temple is 160 years old, making it the oldest temple in the village. Pak Tai, the Northern Emperor, is believed to have the divine power to withstand floods and fire.

12.30pm - Take a leap of faith

Walk up the hill to the Taipa Municipal Garden, which houses a statue of the Portuguese poet Camoes, after whom the area is named. This quiet garden sits alongside the Our Lady of Carmo Church. The Taipa Houses-Museum nearby consists of five distinctive green Portuguese-style houses which were formerly residences of civil servants. They look out onto what remains of the once-large mangrove swamp, now surrounded by hotels and casinos. taipavillagemacau.com

Plummet towards the ground at speeds of up to 200km/h on the world’s highest bungy jump at Macau Tower. Those who dare jump off a platform 233 metres high and experience a four-to-five-second freefall before rebounding around 30 metres above the ground. Make sure it’s not too soon after breakfast. $3,288 per person. Book in advance at ajhackett.com/ macau

2pm - Time for food Have lunch at your hotel or feast on local delights. The best egg tarts in Macau are said to be found at Lord Stow’s Bakery in Coloane.

If you’re a fan of mango mochis, head to Cheung Chau Mochi Dessert in Taipa. The owners really did learn the recipe in Cheung Chau and you can get a variety of flavours, not just mango. Hong Kongers are known to queue up outside Tai Lei Loi Kei for a “chaopa bao” (pork chop bun).

5pm - Home time The Ruins of St. Paul’s

Walk up to The Ruins of St. Paul’s for a photostop, before visiting the Museum of Taipa and Coloane History and to see relics from past archaeological excavations and an impressive

Once on board the ferry, sit back and relax for the short ride home. Top tip: Book your return journey in advance. Arriving at the ferry terminal and having to wait two hours because all the seats are sold out is no fun at all.

3pm - Explore Taipa Village Originally a fishing hamlet, Taipa Village, with its pastel-hued villas, narrow cobblestoned streets, colonial churches and Chinese temples, stands in contrast to the glitz of the Cotai casino area.

Pak Tai temple

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zim city

Hong Kong’s water crisis What will the city do without water?

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very day we see headlines screaming aspirations of being a smart city. And how I wish we could be collectively really smart about the way we run the city. Because the reality is often that we are not a very smart city.

This became clear recently when the media reported on our empty reservoirs in May, after an unusually long dry spell, with images of dry cracked mud rather than water. Subtropical Hong Kong gets an average of 2,400mm of rain a year, with about one tenth of that coming in May. But for 2018, less than 170mm had fallen on the city for the first five months, under half the normal average for this period.

Instead of responding with calls for better water conservation, the Government and its advisors were out in force, claiming that there was no need to worry and that we have ample water. Next of course it started to rain, and all worries about water were quickly forgotten.

That is a pity, because access to water should be a serious concern for all of us in Hong Kong. Typhoons, rainstorms and humidity contribute to our “illusion of plenty” (I’m referring to the title of a report on Hong Kong’s water supply by ADM Capital and Civic Exchange).

The report explains that our water policy and pricing agreement have led to wastefulness. About one-third of our water supply is lost through leaky pipes and other problems. This loss is roughly equivalent to our entire local water catchment.

The report also sets out how Hong Kong

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has one of the world’s highest per-capita uses of water. Hong Kong’s average domestic water consumption per person per day is 21% higher than the global average. Meanwhile, domestic water bills remain low, because they are subsidised. But the problem is deeper than price.

Besides water gathered via local catchments that run through our country parks, about 80% of Hong Kong’s freshwater comes from Guangdong Province, specifically the Dongjiang, or “East River”. The “DongShen Agreement” with Guangdong Investment Ltd., which is majority-owned by the provincial government, gives Hong Kong rights to 820 million cubic metres of water per year.

But we are not the only ones depending on this source. The East River also supplies seven booming mainland Chinese cities, where the demand for water is rising quickly.

This at a time when concerns over future water supply are growing. Scientists at the Hong Kong Observatory are forecasting that besides higher sea levels, global warming will result in a drop in annual rainfall and fewer rainy days. However, they say the rainfall will be more extreme when it does rain – again feeding our illusion of plenty. We are also faced with concerns about the water quality and pollution from the increased economic activity throughout the catchment area of the Pearl River Delta.

For Hong Kong to be a “water-smart city”, we need to recognise and acknowledge these mega-trends we are facing and get

ourselves ready. Our water should be priced at market value or replacement cost, assuming we produce it ourselves in Hong Kong. Desalination plants, increased water storage and the recycling of grey water do not come cheap. We need a new culture of water conservation, annual targets for a reduction in water consumption, and public awareness about the scarcity of water. Let’s flush out all our illusions of plenty and make our city watersmart.

See civic-exchange.org/report/ water2017 for more info.

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

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village focus

Wong Chuk Wan Home to the most scenic BBQ pits in Sai Kung

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he quaint village of Wong Chuk Wan is surrounded by picturesque green mountains that make up the beginning sections of Sai Kung Country Park.

The village is on a slight hill and has two bus stops on either side, one on Sai Sha Road and the other on Tai Mong Tsai Road, making it easy for residents to take a five-minute bus ride into Sai Kung Town or a 10-minute bus ride to Ma On Shan MTR. Local residents also have access to a private members’ club, complete with a trampoline, hammock and swing. Food and drinks are also available at the club, with special barbecue nights when the outdoor space comes alive with fairy lights and music. People around the area can join in and become a member.

The village is conveniently located just a two-minute walk away from three waterfront barbecue areas. These are perfect places to eat with friends while looking out onto the calm ocean, or even just nice spots to sit and wait for a bus. Be warned, these barbecue pits can get a little crowded on the weekends, when many people choose to visit with friends and family.

The village is currently undergoing development, with new houses being built further down the hill. These modern homes are quite a contrast from the more traditional village houses that are a staple in the area.

Want to be a village correspondent? Email editorial@hongkongliving.com

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How to get to Wong Chuk Wan • From Sai Kung Town take the 299X, 99 or 94 bus and get off at bus stop Wong Chuk Wan.

woof

Ask a vet...

Keep your pets cool this summer. Dr. Pauline answers your questions “Is it bad for animals to drink swimmingpool water?”

I’m not an expert in swimming-pool water, but it’s not good for your animals to drink water laden with the various chemicals that keep the pool water clean for humans. I suggest you get a suitable container and fill it daily with fresh tap water for your animals to drink, and don’t allow them access to drink from your pool.

“How do I introduce a new animal to my current pet?”

It’s difficult to give you specific advice without knowing more about your current and potential new animal. For any introduction, proceed carefully and slowly, and with supervision at all times. Expect on average at least two weeks of anxiety from your current pet before it will welcome a newcomer into its domain.

“Why is my cat moulting so much?”

Creatures throughout the animal kingdom undergo the process of moulting: the replacement of their horns, hair, skin or feathers. Most mammals shed their hair in autumn to grow a thicker layer of protection

for the winter, and vice versa for the summer.

Living in hot and humid Hong Kong, most cats do not require a thick coat so they shed it more often.

parasitic diseases (especially from fleas and ticks that bite, irritate and spread disease), blocked sweat glands, pre-cancerous dry skin patches called actinic keratosis, or worse, fully blown skin cancers.

“Can my turtle overheat?”

Yes it can, and it can die in a too-hot environment. However, like other reptiles, turtles, which are often referred to as cold-blooded, generally maintain a body temperature that is comparable to their surrounding environment. Unlike most mammals, they cannot internally regulate their body temperature; instead they use an adipose-tissue-based specialised system that in some species of turtle can amazingly control their core temperatures to +/- 18°C of the environmental temperature.

“What are common skin conditions for animals in the heat?”

Actually they are much the same as for humans. Overheating leads to dehydration and general itchiness and even sunburn, friction burns, thermal burns (from water in hoses left in the sun), hot spots (moist bacterial areas on the skin), an increase in

Got a question for Dr. Pauline? Email editorial@hongkongliving.com

Dr. Pauline Pets Central veterinarian Dr. Pauline Taylor answers your questions.

Walkies

High Junk Peak with Clearwater Bay resident Alison Cooke

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lthough all of the walks around Clearwater and Sai Kung are spectacular, I would have to say that the High Junk Peak trail is the best for walking with my dog, Roxy. The whole walk is 7kms long and takes about one-and-a-half hours, with both flat and steep shaded sections, so it’s a great way to get varied exercise. Once you reach the top, the views are incredible, with 360° panoramic views of the Clearwater BayHang Hau area.

The walk finishes at the Clearwater Bay Country Club, but if you’re feeling tired before then you can drop off at two points: Sheung Sze Wan or the Kingfisher statue on the Clearwater Bay main road.

How to get there: The easiest way to get to the walk is by car.

Drive along Clearwater Bay Road until you hit

Hang Hau Wing Lung Road. Just beyond there, on the left-hand side of the road, is a small car park where you can leave your car, free of charge. Opposite the car park is a pagoda, with steps behind it that lead to the trail. It’s a fairly well-trodden path so you can easily follow it all the way up to the peak.

High Junk Peak

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in the garden

marketplace

What to plant in July?

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

y fellow Hong Kong Gardeners, we are welcomed by a hot July, which brings us cooling showers, apricots and gillyflowers! It appears that we are already over halfway through the year, and our gardens just keep on growing. As it is starting to heat up on the island, remember to keep your watering can at the ready, and mind you avoid too much sunlight as it is bad for the skin, don’t you know?

Moving on, the temperatures this month will be between 27°C (80.6°F) and 31°C (87.8°F).

The first batch of Dahlias may now be potted. Pot them in a rather rich soil composed of three parts Canton mud, one part garden soil, one part old stable manure and one part leafsoil. Give them a little water at first, but gradually increase with growth and then put them in the sun.

Cuttings of Crotons may be put in.

These have variously-coloured foliage, which gives a brightness to the garden that few other plants give.

About the middle of the month, cuttings of Heliotrope may be put in. These will succeed in any good light soil. Its delightful fragrance means it is ideal for growing in borders or beds, where it can be cut freely for vases.

Seeds of the following may be sown: Chinese Balsam, Celosia, Sunflower, Portulaca, Ipomoea Quamoclit, Torenia Fournieri, Moonflower and Clitoria Ternatea.

Look out for lawn caterpillars towards the end of the month, as these pests soon damage the best piece of turf. A dressing of Jeyes’ fluid and water, in the proportion of one of the former to seventy five of the latter, will have a very beneficial effect.

Cineraria seed may now be sown, but equally good results may be obtained if the sowing is delayed until October. Sow in a light, sandy soil in the shade. Cover the seed pan or pot with a piece of glass until the seedlings appear.

Plants in shrubberies, and creepers, will want judicious pruning to prevent overcrowding. Collect any ripe seeds of Annuals. That is all I have this month, my green-thumbed friends. Check back next month for more of my delightful notes.

Happy planting!

By William James Tutcher F.L.S. (1867-1920) Superintendent of Hong Kong Botanical Gardens.

Paraphrased from his seminal 1906 work Gardening for Hong Kong.

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

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

marketplace

Can you imagine spending 30 years like this?

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Join Team Oliver, our global community of people dedicated to ending the suffering of China’s forgotten bile bears.

Find out more and watch Oliver’s incredible story at: www.animalsasia.org/Oliver Call Animals Asia Hong Kong on: 2791 2225

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SAIKUNG.COM | 47

stephen says... with a something of a Sai Kung monopoly, a rum old state of affairs, but in the anti-competitive world of Hong Kong retailing only the mighty flourish and the price is paid by consumers, who have little choice but to swallow the very high markups the monopolists impose on their goods.

This is all the more reason for local residents to do their utmost to support the independent operators who still manage to survive.

How about a new country park?

Sai Kung to gain a new country park Is all development equally bad?

Should Sai Kung residents axiomatically oppose any big development plans in our area? This question comes into sharp focus as Sun Hung Kai Properties moves ahead with its ambitious plans to create 4,730 flats in 31 apartment blocks in Sai Sha Road, alongside other facilities, including the inevitable shopping centre and also a school, a church (the Kwok family that runs SHKP is big on religion) and a sports ground.

SHKP is looking at this development being up and running within eight years, transforming what was farmland but is now scrubland into a mini-new town. It will be located midway between the start of the road at the junction with Tai Mong Tsai Road and Wu Kai Sha, which is served by a railway station and is also a publictransport hub for buses and mini-buses.

In other words, some of the vital infrastructure is already in place, and the new town will in fact be an extension of the bigger Ma On Shan development, which, by the standard of these things, is considerably better than most developments of this kind. As SHKP has many other developments in Ma On Shan, it is likely that this higher standard will also apply here.

However, all these new buildings will clearly reduce the rural nature of the area and add to population density. However it does not impinge on the country park zones, and the location is not an area of particular ecological interest.

It can be argued that a development of this kind will help meet the undoubted need for more housing in Hong Kong, but of course it will come at a price and do little for less-well-off residents.

Nevertheless, the pressing need for more land for housing can only be met by using areas currently devoted to other purposes. In this context, indiscriminate pleas for the preservation of all rural areas are both unrealistic and smack of the “Not in my back yard” syndrome. Better campaigning for preservation means being selective and intelligent. Something has to give, and surely it is better if that something is a rather obvious development site, such as that at Sai Sha Road, rather than an incursion into the country parks or other areas where preservation of the status quo is a pressing matter.

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As matters stand, the island is also being eyed for property development involving the construction of 30,000 flats. This would also entail the construction of a bridge or some other kind of link between the island and Sai Kung town. The impact that would have on the sea and the many boat users in this area is also of concern.

The proposal by the Friends of Sai Kung also recommends the provision of better piers, an improved ferry service and some nature trails.

These are modest proposals, well within the capability of a government that lashes cash around on useless mega-projects.

The end of supermarket choice in Sai Kung Well, now it’s happened, and anyone looking for grocery shopping choice can go whistle because all three of Sai Kung’s largest supermarkets are now controlled by ParknShop. The old Wellcome store has become a PnS-run Fusion supermarket, joining the other Fusion at Centro, and the more modestly named ParknShop, located opposite the sports field in Fuk Man Road.

Other smaller stores in Sai Kung are provided by the small U Select supermarket, which is a weird old store controlled by the Mainland China Resources group, which also owns the Vanguard convenience stores. The store has a link with Britain’s Tesco supermarket chain and stocks a largish range of the British store’s proprietary products. However it’s all a bit hit and miss inside the supermarket, and service can best be described as erratic. Then there is the tiny, studiously gloomy and sparsely stocked Wellcome store at Lakeside Gardens.

That leaves the Hutchison-owned supermarkets

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The Friends of Sai Kung organisation is proposing to turn Yeung Chau island, some 500 metres from the Sai Kung Public Pier, into a country park. The case for this is strong, as this uninhabited island is home to a significant population of Black Kites and other birds. The potential exists for walking trails and there are wider conservation interests in this area. The island also has unspoiled beaches that visitors could enjoy without needing to make the longer trek over to other more distant areas with unspoiled beaches.

Stephen Vines is a journalist, broadcaster and entrepreneur.

He is the former editor of the Eastern Express and Southeast Asia correspondent for The Observer.

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