Sai Kung January 2022

O R G A NI S E | H E AL T H | EA T | FITNESS

saikung.com

January 2022

FIVE MINUTES WITH professional declutterer, ORANGE TAM

EAT YOURSELF HEALTHY NUTRITIONIST LISA TARQUINI GOES FOR THE GUT

DAYLE SHOWS YOU HOW TO START THE YEAR STRONG 1a SK Cover.indd 1

101 things to do in 2022 23/12/2021 3:28 PM

LOOKING FOR RELIABLE LIVER SUPPORT?

SAMYLIN

®

• Helps to support liver function • Protects against free-radicals • Rich in anti-oxidants To find out more speak to your vet.

SAMYLIN® The Veterinary Nutraceutical Company Ltd. P.O. Box 62495, Kwun Tong Post Office, Hong Kong. Email: enquiry.vnc@gmail.com

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CONTE N T S — 01/ 22

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COVER STORY Do something different in the New Year

2 PEOPLE

The really useful magazine

4 THE PLANNER

24 DINING

8 NEWS

26 BIG DAY OUT

Sai Kungers out and about

What’s on this January

What’s going on in your backyard?

Get ready to celebrate the Year of The Tiger

13 POLICE BLOTTER

Guy Nowell on names

32 PETS Dr Pauline answers your pet questions 34 DIRECTORY For all your Sai Kung needs

Senior Inspector Ron Yung talks crime

14 FIVE MINUTES WITH

Explore Sunrise Hill

30 CRUISING SAI KUNG

10 CNY GUIDE

Home decluttering expert, Orange Tam

36 FEATHERED FRIENDS Peter Wood on backyard birds

22 HEALTH

2

Healthy bites around town

14

26

Eat well with Lisa Tarquini

Contact us Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Whatsapp: 98119526 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong

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ORGANISE | HEAL T H | E AT | FI TNE SS

editor@saikung.com saikung.com

January 2022

@hongkongliving

facebook.com/SaiKungMagazine

FIVE MINUTES WITH pROFESSIONAL dEcLUTTERER, ORANGE TAM

EAT YOURSELF HEALTHY NUTRITIONIST LISA TARQUINI GOES FOR THE GUT

HONG KONG

DAYLE SHOWS YOU HOW TO START THE YEAR STRONG 1a SK Cover.indd 1

101 THING TO dO INS 2022 23/12/2021 3:28 PM

Sai Kung, Clearwater Bay & TKO Magazine is published by Hong Kong Living Ltd.This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication.

Hong Kong Living Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors.

The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any way, part or format without written permission from the publisher.

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Got a story? editor@saikung.com SAI KUNG | 1

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people

Snaps from Sai Kung taken by Jennifer Chung @jen.fa_jpeg

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say cheese

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planner

JAN 28-29

Vibram Hong Kong 100 Ultra Trail Race At the time of going to press, this hardcore race was still going ahead. The Half (56km) is scheduled for Jan 28 and the HK100 (103km) for the 29th. Starting on the Sai Kung Peninsula, most of the course follows the MacLehose Trail and finishes with a Tai Mo Shan descent. hk100-ultra.com

JAN 1

Happy New Year!

Time to start those pesky resolutions. See page 16 for inspiration.

JAN 1-2

Disney in Concert: A Dream is a Wish Enjoy a magical live experience of classic and contemporary Disney animated feature films including The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen and Aladdin. Each story is told through vocalists, original Disney film footage and sweeping orchestral scores performed by HKSW Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Fung Ka Hing.

3-7.30pm. From $280. 3rd Floor, Star Hall, Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Kowloon. qrstud.io/244qdsb

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planner JAN 9-10

Sensational Mindfulness Wellbeing Retreat The WM Hotel is hosting an overnight retreat incorporating yoga, a tea ceremony, a gong bath, calligraphy, gut health and meditation. Rooms from $3,800 per person sharing or $4,800 for a single room. 28 Wai Man Rd, Sai Kung, 5668 9008, wmhotel.hk

JAN 10

Stride for a Cure Take a 5km or 10km walk around Tai Tam Country Park to raise money for Hong Kong Cancer Fund.

9am-2pm. Hong Kong International School, 1 Red Hill Rd, Tai Tam. cancer-fund.org

JAN 12

Heart Health and the Menopause Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of post-menopausal women as estrogen levels drop and cholesterol goes up?

Nutritionist Lisa Tarquini talks about eating your way to a healthy heart and managing the menopause at the Hive in Sai Kung. 7pm. For tickets, contact the Hive or hello@lt.nutrition.net

JAN 15

MSIG Sai Kung 50 The last leg of the MSIG HK 50 series, this Action Asia Event is one of the most challenging and most beautiful trail courses.

The 13km, 22km and 54km races all start at Pak Tam Chung. All participants must be double vaccinated and take a PCR test within 48 hours of the race. Register now if you haven’t already at actionasiaevents.com

JAN 16

Gammon China Coast Marathon and Half Marathon Hong Kong’s oldest marathon and half marathon will take place at Pak Tam Chung for its 41st anniversary. 8am. $450. Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung. avohk.org

JAN 19-31

Hong Kong Race Week Look out for competitors navigating four race courses in the areas of Middle Island, Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay, Stanley and Tai Tam during this two-week regatta. 9am-6.30pm. hongkongraceweek.com

JAN 21-30

Kidsfest: Tabby McTat

JAN 21-FEB 21

29th Green Power Hike Due to the pandemic, this year’s Green Power Hike is a virtual one. Participants choose a distance - 10km, 25km or 50km - and complete it by taking their own customised trips along the HK Trail. You can complete your distance with a single or multiple hikes.

Registration open. greenpower.org.hk

JAN 27-30

GO! Hong Kong Carnival 2022 Shop for Lunar New Year gifts and goodies from more than 300 vendors at this annual fair. A 20,000sqft Travel and Fun Carnival will take you on a journey to Taiwan, with typical Taiwanese goods, food and games to enjoy.

Halls 5 & 7, Asia World Expo, Lantau.

Another of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s fabulous picture books comes to life. Find out what happens when singing cat Tabby McTat gets separated from his friend Fred the busker. Tickets from $435. Rita Tong Liu Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. premier.hkticketing.com

JAN 30

Discovery Bay Chinese New Year Market The popular Sunday Market will host its Chinese New Year market at Discovery Bay Main Plaza. Support the local vendors and discover an array of wonderful homemade goodies. Free. 11am-6pm. Discovery Bay. handmadehongkong.com

FEB 1

Gong Hei Fat Choy!

Welcome to the Year of the Tiger!

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planner

BOOK NOW

Public holiday dates for 2022

FEB 11-20

· Jan 1: New Year’s Day

Kidsfest: The Gruffalo Join Mouse as he goes on a stroll through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s endearing tale. Tickets from $435. Rita Tong Liu Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. premier.hkticketing.com

· Feb 1-3: Chinese New Year · Apr 5: Qingming Festival · Apr 15: Good Friday · Apr 16: Day following Good Friday · Apr 18: Easter Monday · May 2: Labour Day · May 9: Buddha’s Birthday · Jun 3: Dragon Boat Festival · Jul 1: HKSAR Establishment Day · Sept 12: The day following Mid-Autumn · Oct 1: National Day · Dec 24: Christmas Eve · Dec 25: Christmas Day

Got an event? We can publish the details.

Email talk@hongkongliving.com

· Dec 26: Boxing Day · Dec 31: New Year’s Eve

BILINGUAL MONTESSORI

KINDERGARTEN

for children aged 2.5 - 6 years old

www.saikungmontessori.com

K I N D E R G A R T E N

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NOW ACCEPTING

5369 8587 APPLICATIONS FOR Sai Kung Town THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR saikungmontessori1 info@saikungmontessori.com

3/2/2021 8:45 AM

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2022 If the past year has taught us anything, it's that family has never been more important.

HONG KONG

FAMILY GUIDE 2022

As we head into the new year, the annual Hong Kong Living Family Guide is essential reading for home and living to finance, education, kids health, family insurance and Hong Kong’s most family-friendly things to do in 2022.

If your business is aimed at engaging high-spending and influential parents, please contact us on talk@hongkongliving.com for advertising opportunities

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news

New Year, New Name Editorial Editor Adele Brunner Adele@hongkongliving.com Community Coordinator Rosa Cho Rosa@hongkongliving.com

Sai Kung (and Clearwater Bay) magazine is changing its title. With so many shops, restaurants and activities springing up in the area, Tseung Kwan O is now joining the fold. If you have a business you wish to promote or have found a shop or restaurant you love and think people should know about, get in touch and let us know. editor@saikung.com

Senior Writer Charmaine Ng Writers Nicole Slater, Gemma Shaw, Paul Zimmerman, Nury Vittachi, Peter Wood, Oliver Corrin, Guy Nowell, Matthew Teague Bars restaurants, food delivery Jasmine Hung Jasmine@hongkongliving.com Schools & Education Jasmine Hung Jasmine@hongkongliving.com

F AM ILY | SCH O O L | GIF TING | PE TS

C Gi hris ft tm Gu a id s e

saikung.com

December 2021 YUMMY CHRISTMAS DINNERS TO GO FIVE MINUTES WITH JACK (OF BEANSTALK FAME)

Designer Natalie Cheung Director of Content Hilda Chan Hilda@hongkongliving.com

OR GA NIS E | HE ALTH | E A T | F ITNE S S

Merry Christmas from Norwegian International School Kindergarten

Partnerships Janessa Chan Janessa@hongkongliving.com saikung.com

January 2022

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Thanks to Dayle Haigh-Smith, Warren Warner, Julie Dixon, Carmina Harrison, Mandy Chen, Ron Yung, Alex Stears, Jason Lau, Orange Tam, Lisa Tarquini, Sue Parsons, Mindy Tagliente, Jennifer Chung, George Hilditch R.I.P., Blue Sky Sports Club FIVE MINUTES WITH

Work with us on an event?

Events Manager Pranali Gupta pranali@hongkongliving.com

Got a story? editor@saikung.com

pROFESSIONAL dEcLUTTERER, ORANGE TAM

EAT YOURSELF HEALTHY NUTRITIONIST LISA TARQUINI GOES FOR THE GUT

Congratulations to Sai Kung dad Alex Stears, who recently had his debut children’s book published

by Bumblebee Books (an imprint of Olympia Publishers). Mr Wiz and the Dragon is a fun and light-hearted picture book aimed at children aged three to six and tells the story of a wizard who isn’t very good at his job. The book came about after his eldest daughter, then aged three, wanted a different spoken story every night. After he had exhausted all the popular fairy tales, he started making up his own, which became a big Stears family hit. He eventually wrote them down and the rest is history.

Mr Wiz and the Dragon is available from online retailers including Amazon and the Book Depository and can also be ordered through most good bookstores. Contact him via Twitter @alexstears or Facebook (AlexStearsAuthor).

101 THINGS quarantine gift boxes DAYLE SHOWS YOU Company launches TO dO IN HOW TO START THE 20

22 With no sign of the three-week hotel quarantine YEAR STRONG lifting any time soon, one enterprising lady has come up with gift boxes to ease the pain. Adi Harel created BoxHit HK after she was asked by friends if she had any ideas what to give other friends who were in quarantine. Hang In There boxes include all sorts of gifts and goodies, which can be customised according to needs. Items that can be incorporated include (but aren’t restricted to) protein bars, exercise weights, hair masks, bath bombs, chocolates, magazines and cosmetics.

There are also boxes for kids with colouring books, pencils, paints and games. Prices start from $500, with free delivery. The company was so popular that it now also sells gift boxes for birthdays, engagements, Christmas and other occasions.

Contact Adi at 6536 8317 or via instagram.com/ boxhit_hk for details.

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Join Sai Kung’s #1 Community

Sai Kung dad gets children’s book published

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in your backyard

Get set for the Lunar New Year Lunar New Year’s Day falls on February 1 and is the turn of the Tiger, a symbol of strength and courage. Heaven knows we all need a bit of good luck so this is the month to get yourself prepared and encourage as much good fortune as possible to enter your life over the coming year.

Buy new clothes

Any time (as long as you can avoid wearing them till the holiday) It is traditional to buy new clothes to wear during the festive period because it symbolises a new start for the new year. Something in red is said to bring extra good luck so maybe wear red underwear while playing mahjong at this time of year to secretly attract fortune. Who needs an excuse for some retail therapy?

Organise your lai see Jan 5 onwards

Lai see are lucky red envelopes, filled with crisp, new banknotes and traditionally given during the 15 days following Lunar New Year - this year from February 1 to 15. Go early to the bank to get yours as there will be long queues the nearer you get to the New Year. What you don’t want to do is leave it so late that you end up dredging up older notes from the depths of your wallet. Many shops and businesses give away free empty lai see envelopes, which are acceptable to use. Making do with last year’s envelopes is not.

Pay your debts Jan 24 onwards

Settle your accounts and pay your bills. It is believed that if you start the year in debt, you’ll end it that way too.

Buy flowers, plants and fruit Jan 26-31

Who doesn’t love a potted kumquat or mandarin tree? Studded with tiny orange fruit, they symbolise prosperity and good fortune. The fruit’s Chinese name, kam gat shu, sounds like the words for “luck” and “gold” but bear in mind that the trees are grown more for aesthetic appeal than greattasting fruit. Delicate white narcissi, which have an amazing scent, are also great for brightening up your home and have the added bonus of symbolising good fortune and prosperity. Buy a couple of bulbs and immerse them in a glass bowl or dish filled with water and watch them flower. The basketball court next to Sai Kung square always hosts a small flower market where you can stock up. Alternatively, the garden centres off Hiram’s Highway and the Prince Edward Flower Market will also sell them all.

Oranges: abundance and happiness Pomelos: good luck and family unity Orchids: fertility and abundance Pussy willow: prosperity and growth

Fill your CNY candy box Jan 31

Head to the salon ahead of the Lunar New Year.

In Cantonese, hair is pronounced “fat” meaning “wealth” so if you wash your crowning glory on the first day of the festival, you’ll wash away your fortune for the next 364 days.

The traditional red circular candy box, also known as the Tray of Togetherness, has six to eight compartments that are filled with nuts, seeds, candied fruit and chocolate coins, typically offered to guests. Apart from attracting the attention of little ones and anyone with a sweet tooth, the boxes are seen as a symbol of luck and togetherness and should always be filled to the brim to ensure you have everything in abundance for the upcoming new year.

Clear out your home

Open your windows

Homes are thoroughly cleaned in the run up to Lunar New Year. Dust is swept into the middle of the room and out the door to symbolise sweeping away bad luck. Tradition dictates that you should get your home shipshape on Jan 30 this year but if you’ve got a messy pad, we think you might need to start earlier and give yourself more time. Either way, do it before the 1st. It is considered bad luck to clean during New Year week as you may sweep away good fortune.

Let the old year out and the new one in (as well as some fresher air before Hong Kong’s humidity strikes again).

Wash your hair Jan 29

Jan 30

Jan 31

Put Fai Chun on your doors Jan 30

Fai Chun are a traditional Lunar New Year decoration - red strips of paper with auspicious four-character sayings written on them in black or gold ink. They taped onto the doorway for good fortune and prosperity.

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cny guide

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cny guide

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Whatsapp: 9336 9987

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on patrol

Senior inspector Ron Yung reports the latest and greatest Smoke detectors An anti-crime police patrol was on Yan Yee Road at lunchtime on December 14 when they came across a man sitting in his car with the engine on. When he opened his window, there was a strong smell of cannabis. On searching the car, the police found a resealable plastic bag with traces of what seemed to be cannabis in it and half a rolled joint. There was nothing on the man’s person but he admitted he used cannabis for his own consumption. He was released on police bail pending a government lab result to confirm whether the substances in the plastic bag and the rolled cigarette were cannabis.

It’s a steal A man left home on November 17 and when he returned two days later on November 19, he realised that his backpack was missing as were $35,000 from his safe, a further $50,000 from a locked drawer and some treasured, specialedition possessions. There was no sign of a break in. The victim reported the crime and the police swept the hillside, finding one BNO passport. The case is still under investigation.

Leave home unsafe On December 9, a woman left home in Ho Chung for work, securing all doors and windows before she went. When she returned home at the end of the day, she found her bathroom window had been prised open and her home ransacked. Diamond rings, earrings and gold jewellery totalling $400,000 in value had all been taken. The police swept the nearby area but were unsuccessful. The case is still under investigation.

Lost property While doing her supermarket shopping on November 17, a lady put her mobile phone and Octopus card into her trolley… and then forgot to put them in her bag. As soon as she realised her mistake, she went back to the supermarket but nothing had been found. CCTV showed an unidentified man taking the phone and card from the trolley. The case is under investigation.

Camp meeting A woman, 49, went camping in Sai Kung in November and met an American-Korean man, who claimed to be an architect. The two hit it off, exchanged Instagram and Whatsapp details and subsequently began a cyber love affair. After a while, he told her he had bought her a gift but she would need to pay import duty of $19,000 for it to clear customs. She transferred the money to his account and never heard from him again.

Snake in the grass A 50-year-old woman was camping on Tai Long Tung Wan beach on December 12 when she was bitten by a small green bamboo snake on her right ankle. She called the police and was airlifted to Wan Chai and was admitted to the Ruttonjee Hospital. She has since recovered.

All at sea

News from the marine police That sinking feeling On the afternoon of December 1, marine police on patrol spotted the exposed masts of a submerged pleasure craft at Tsam Chuk Wan. The FSD arrived immediately on the scene and conducted underwater dives to confirm if anyone was trapped. The vessel’s registration number was discovered and the person responsible for the craft was contacted. Fortunately, no one was missing or injured. It was revealed that the vessel had been anchored at Tsam Chuk Wan but strong winds had caused it to drift and eventually sink nearby. Awareness of vessel status, safety measures and routine checks should be maintained, especially in windy weather.

Sail away Five people boarded a pleasure craft, anchored at Ung Kong Wan, for a boat trip on the morning of December 4. They left the vessel to go hiking and sight-seeing. Upon their return, they found the boat had drifted away from the shore due to strong winds.

They reported the incident to the marine police and the FSD, who arrived on the scene. With assistance, the coxswain and his passengers were returned safely to the vessel. As winds tend to strengthen in winter, coxswains are reminded to take appropriate safety measures and conduct routine checks after anchoring.

Grounded A trip on December 7 to Bluff Island didn’t go according to plan for a party of five after their boat accidentally went aground due to adverse weather. After the incident was reported, the marine police, FSD and GFS responded and everyone was safely airlifted.

One of the men sustained a minor hand injury and was taken to hospital. Coxswains are reminded to be aware of potentially dangerous and hazardous areas at sea. as promoting overall sea safety and crime prevention messages.

Burglary prevention: • • •

Secure doors and windows Activate anti-burglary measures Call 999 if you encounter a suspicious person

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five minutes with

Orange Tam

Adele Brunner talks to Hong Kong’s first Certified Professional Organizer® (CPO®) You assume that expert declutterers are born neat and tidy, with an instinct for what to keep and what to throw away. So it comes as a refreshing surprise to learn that it took certified professional organiser Orange Tam (so nicknamed because she loves the colour) years to clear up and sort out her own space.

“I never used to let go of anything,” explains Tam, who has lived in To Kwa Wan all her life. “In 2007, a couple of years after graduating [in economics and finance], I felt overwhelmed by all my stuff but I didn’t know what to do. I bought a book called No More Clutter by British decluttering expert Sue Kaye but even though I read it constantly, I was so attached to my stuff that I couldn’t bring myself to do what she advocated.”

Fast forward to 2011 and Tam, who was still trying to get to grips with organising her home, discovered famous Japanese declutterer Hideko Yamashita, who invented the term Dan-Sha-Ri. In a nutshell, it’s the process of letting go of possessions and freeing yourself from your emotional attachment to them, only keeping what you use in the here and now. “Dan” is refusing to buy or accept things you don’t need; “Sha” is throwing away things you already own but don’t need; “Ri” is letting go of your attachment to things. By adopting Yamashita’s methods, Tam managed to tidy her home and from there, she helped friends and family with their spaces.

“It was a friend who suggested I turn my tidying up into a career,” she says. “There have been professional declutterers in the US and UK for years but none in Hong Kong. I decided to become Hong Kong’s first one.”

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five minutes with

Tidying up tips from Orange Tam •

While still working full time for a multinational financial services company, Tam joined the US’ National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) and Britain’s Association of Professional Declutterers & Organisers (APDO). She took courses, sat exams and accumulated 1,500 hours of tidying up at weekends in order to become qualified. In 2019, she decided to quit her day job and set up her company Juppuk Decluttering Services, which means “tidy your home” in Cantonese.

The way she works is to start with an initial consultation to find out exactly who her client is, how their living environment operates, what their problems and goals are.

She then formulates a plan and works on site with her client to get things shipshape.

Although Tam can help to sort out any area, her number one request is to declutter wardrobes.

“A lot of Hong Kongers have clothes everywhere - not just in a wardrobe but in suitcases, other rooms, under the bed so I get them to pull everything out,” she explains. “People get used to their living space and don’t make changes even if something bothers them. My way of thinking is that an environment has to work around humans rather than us having to adapt our way of life because of our environment.”

She then asks a load of questions about each item: does it fit? Does the client feel confident wearing it? Does it have stains, tears etc? Does it suit their style today?

When was the last time they wore it? And,

particularly interesting, if they saw the item in a boutique today, would they buy it again?

“The focus is on the here and now but the final decision rests with the client - I can’t decide for them,” she says. “I also help them to find a way to maintain their newfound organisation. If someone hates folding clothes, there’s no point trying to teach them special folding methods so we come up with a solution that works for them.”

Only when her work is done will she advise on storage solutions. She says one of the biggest organisational mistakes people make is to buy boxes and cupboards before they’ve done any sorting out. They either buy the wrong thing or simply move the same stuff from one place into their new storage.

As well as being a trainer for the Japan Association of Life Organizers (JALO) certificate course, Tam runs the Hong Kong Association of Professional Organizing (HAPO), which she founded last July. She runs workshops and talks in Cantonese (English sessions will hopefully follow) and offers two-day entry level courses suitable for anyone wanting to spring clean their homes as well as advanced courses for those who want to forge a career in the field.

“I’ve taken more than 50 courses with various different organisations but none of them is an exact fit for the Hong Kong environment and our lack of space,” says Tam. “The decluttering concept isn’t as well known here either so we are also trying to spread the word. Even my mum didn’t really understand what I did until she watched a similar Netflix show.

Start small. Pick a messy drawer or a desktop.

• Don’t procrastinate. Start today.

• Treat tidying as you might a date: schedule it into your diary.

• Declutter one thing a day and make it a habit. You don’t have to do it for hours at a time.

• Don’t wait until you are so overwhelmed by your possessions.

• If you don’t like tidying up, keep things simple and don’t keep buying more stuff.

Orange Tam’s decluttering service costs $400 per hour for a minimum of four hours. Contact her at orange@juppuk.com or via juppuk.com.

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cover story

HAPPY NEW YOU Christmas is done and dusted and it’s now 2022. What better time to get fit, take up a hobby or learn a new skill. Go on… you know you want to.

Get Fit - Bootcamps Outdoor Fitness Popular trainer Dayle Haigh-Smith will put you through your paces at her three-times weekly bootcamp sessions. Incorporating high-intensity interval training, boxing and TRX in Sai Kung’s natural surroundings, the hour-long sessions will get you fit in no time. You never have to book; just show up and take part. $140 per class or $1,200 for a package of 10. Bootcamps from 8.30am-9.30am and 7.30pm-8.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays; BoxFit from 9am10am on Saturdays. Wai Man Soccer pitch. outdoorfitness.hk

Dragon Fitness & Coaching Get strong, get healthy, lose weight, learn how to move… Holistic health professional Ally van de Pol’s goal is real lifelong health for everyone and her tips, tricks and protocols will tick all your health boxes. She offers strength training for everybody regardless of condition as well as healing, health and nutrition at her Sai Kung studio as well as occasional workshops and naturopathic health and nutrition coaching. $850 per hour one-on-one and $900 per hour for two people for strength training; coaching from $1,000. Packages available. dragonfitnessandcoaching.com

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learn something WOW (Warren’s Outdoor Workouts) A training session with Ironman Warren Warner is not for the faint hearted but if you want to shape up and get fit, his full-body workouts tick the box. His Saturday morning WOW sessions at Clearwater Bay Beach 2 or Clearwater Bay Country Park are open to all levels of fitness and offer a different combination of cardio, strength training, HIIT and TRX every week ($150 per person). His annual 12 Days of Christmas and Tour de France workouts are a fixture in the community calendar. Warner also offers individual and personalised small group training.

For more information, Whatsapp or call him on 6087 7905.

Yoga & Pilates The Studio When it comes to yoga and pilates classes, The Studio has got it covered. Located in the heart of Sai Kung town centre, it offers Hatha yoga, yoga flow, Gentle yoga (pre- and post-natal friendly) and yin flow as well as pilates, Pilates Plus and pilates for teens. There is no joining fee and classes can be paid for on a walk-in basis ($190) or with a package (from $900 for five).

Private sessions including aerial yoga are also available from $750 per person per hour. 2/F, 51 Yi Chun St, Sai Kung; thestudiosaikung.com Julie Dixon A firm favourite on the local yoga scene, Julie Dixon’s classes combine strength, conditioning, stretching and relaxation with breathwork and meditation thrown in for good measure. She runs small group classes from her rooftop studio on Saturday mornings ($200 per class); larger classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am10.15am and 7.30pm-8.45pm at the Adventist College, just off Clearwater Bay Road, as well as individual private classes. Watch out for her Retreats by the Bay yoga and nutrition days too. juliedixon65@hotmail.com

Wellness for Life If you can’t face quarantine but are still hankering for a break, why not sign up to one of Mindy Tagliente’s Be Well individual and corporate full-day retreats to recharge your batteries and reconnect with yourself and nature? Tagliente and her company Wellness for Life used to run retreats abroad but is now focusing on hosting them in stunning and often hidden venues in the New Territories incorporating meditation, mindful movement, stretching, de-stressing and a delicious plantbased lunch. She is also hoping to add Reviv (the company which offers vitamin boost shots) into the mix at some point this year. wellnessfor-life.com Pilates with Nocky Lau Train your core muscles and ease back pain with Pilates classes run by Nocky Lau. Her mat sessions for up to 10 people are for all levels, men and women, and she can teach in Cantonese and English. She usually teaches on Tuesdays at 9am and Wednesdays at 7pm and 8pm at the Man Yee Recreational Centre ($150 per person) but she will also conduct private classes at clients’ homes. WhatsApp her on 9669 2710 and give it a go.

Sally G Fitness Getting fit doesn’t have to be a slog. The way Elite Piloxing and Piloxing Booty instructor Sally Gibson does it, you’ll shape up in no time and it won’t even feel like exercise. Awarded Piloxing Instructor of the Year 2021, Gibson combines cardiovascular fitness, strength work and boxing moves to a background of pumping dance music while Gibson’s energy, positivity and enthusiasm motivates you to go for the burn.

Contact her at sallygfitness@gmail.com.

Zumba & Piloxing Zumba at The Studio This Latin-inspired cardio workout combines fitness and fun with catchy music and energetic choreography, making your workout less work and more play. The Studio currently runs classes on Wednesdays. thestudiosaikung.com

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cover story Piloxing with Carmina Harrison For anyone not in the know, piloxing combines boxing, pilates and dance into a high-energy workout that will sculpt, lift and tone your body.

Weighted gloves are worn for extra resistance and the class is set to pumping music for extra fun. Piloxer extraordinaire Carmina Harrison runs classes on Mondays at 6pm, Tuesdays at 4.50pm, Wednesdays at 7.20pm and Thursdays at 5.50pm at The Studio in Sai Kung. $170 per class but packages are available. Contact her on carmina_ayson@yahoo.com

Sports Dragon Boating & SUP Blue Sky Sports Club If you’re looking to get fit Hong Kong style, Blue Sky’s Dragon Boat beginner course of two lessons will teach basic dragon boat skills at weekends beginning in March ($480 per person). Once you’ve got to grips with that, you can join the club’s adult team training three sessions a month ($600 per person) - with adult team training also available for kayakers and Stand Up Paddleboarders. Also starting in March are SUP courses for beginners with progression to intermediate level and club membership for one year included in the price ($890 per person). To really set yourself up for the day, Blue Sky’s Morning Paddle Club will get you out on the water at 5am to watch the sun rise. For more information about courses and club membership, contact info@bluesky-sc.com; bluesky-sc.com

FORE Women Golf Society The Fore Women golf society was set up by Sai Kung resident Polly McGovern to encourage more women to play golf. Membership costs $1,000 for a year and with that you’ll get access to on-course play, structured skills clinics, fun tournaments and the odd round at Kau Sai Chau. fore-forewomenregistration.golfgenius.com Sailing Hebe Haven Yacht Club Hebe Haven Yacht Club runs year-round courses for adults who fancy life on the ocean wave. The HK Sailing Federation’s Level One is an introductory course that provides a brief experience of dinghy sailing for people who have never sailed before and will give them basic skills including boat handling techniques.

More advanced courses are also available. Non members: $5,500; members: $3,800. hhyc.org.hk Mountain biking Cross Country HK Cross Country HK offers mountain bike training for all levels from teaching complete non-riders to guiding more advanced bikers who want to explore Hong Kong’s ever expanding network of trails. All bookings have the option of renting a mountain bike plus body armour. If you do get hooked, Cross Country HK offers advice on bike and equipment purchase as well as how to set up your new bike and look after it. mtbhk.com

LEARN A NEW SKILL Mahjong Catherine Man Get a group of four together and learn to play mahjong. Cantonese and Mandarin tutor Catherine Man will come to your home and teach you the Cantonese way. Sessions typically last two hours and the course is about eight to 10 weeks. Man also runs fun and friendly mahjong tournaments about twice a year from Man Yee Recreation Centre (the yellow building across from Sai Kung square).

Whatsapp her on 6441 1227.

First Aid Nurse Sue First Aid Knowing what to do in a medical emergency can be a matter of life or death - even if that means keeping everyone calm before expert help arrives. Registered nurse Sue Parsons is running comprehensive first aid courses, accredited by the Emergency Care and Safety Institute in the US (ecinstitute.org), for beginners and anyone wanting to brush up their skills, covering topics such as CPR, choking, burns and wound care as well as how to deal with a whole host of other medical situations. She teaches small groups of up to eight people at her Sai Kung home but get a bunch of friends together and she will bring everything to you. She also runs sessions for helpers, which have proved very popular, and students. (Having a first-aid qualification looks great on a university application or CV.) $1,000 per person. nursesuefirstaid@gmail.com

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learn something Pottery Kuro Vale Get messy with clay and try your hand at pottery with Kuro Vale. The well-equipped studio is located above their shop in the Old Town. Classes are held in English on Saturdays from 10.30am-12.30pm; all other classes are bilingual. Each class lasts two hours. Choose from either four lessons ($1,200) or five lessons ($1.500) a month. G/F, 48 See Cheung St, Sai Kung, 2792 0102; facebook.com/kurovale.hk

OUHK has four campuses around Hong Kong, with the main one being in Ho Man Tin. ouhk.edu.hk

Sewing The adult sewing classes at Ensemble CoCreating Space are perfect for anyone who has a sewing machine (but doesn’t know how to use it). Topics covered include the explanation of basic parts, how to thread a machine and wind a bobbin, and perhaps most importantly, how to sew straight stitches ($550 for two hours). Once you’ve mastered that, you can take the pattern cutting and garment making course ($690 for three hours). There are also quilting, patchwork and embroidery classes and if sewing isn’t your thing, try your hand at one of the centre’s cooking classes. 112 Man Nin St, Sai Kung, Whatsapp 6725 2321; ensemblecocreatingspace.com

Insight School of Interior Design The only school in Hong Kong that specialises exclusively in interior design, Insight offers more than 20 short courses such as Renovation Bootcamp, design and styling, feng shui basics and Autocad for beginners, all of which introduce students to the tools of the trade.

Part-time interior design certification courses are also available as are year-long professional diplomas. insightschoolhk.com

Mandarin Linguabox Group Get to grips with Mandarin through Linguabox’s online one-on-one classes in the comfort of your home. Founded in 2015 by two Mandarin teachers with 30 years of combined experience, Linguabox’s focus is on offering a tailored learning experience, taught by certified native teachers in a fun and practical way. The company is offering the first 25-minute lesson free and thereafter classes cost from $480 for four lessons. Linguabox also provides Cantonese classes. linguaboxgroup.com Sourdough baking Zuzana Sisiak will introduce you step by step to the art of baking sourdough. The wholesome bread is handmade with wild yeast and lactobacillus bacteria and is not only delicious but also infinitely healthier than your regular slice. Workshops are held at Ensemble Cocreating Space. 9189 6936; cucinka@gmail.com

Hong Kong Design Institute The HKDI focuses on design programmes offering professional diplomas and certification in design-related courses including fashion, multimedia, architecture, digital marketing , jewellery and product design. 3 King Ling Rd, Tiu Keng Leng, Tseung Kwan O; hkdi.edu.hk

Online Coursera Originally founded by a group of Stanford professors, Coursera has grown to more than 28 million users worldwide. With thousands of subjects to choose from - everything from Spanish to social media marketing - you can pick up all kinds of new skills. You can even complete a course in a day or commit yourself to earning a degree. Prices vary according to the type of course and its duration; certain courses are free. coursera.org Skillshare Online learning community Skillshare offers tonnes of courses for creative and curious people on topics ranging from illustrating, creative writing and photography to business analytics, freelancing and entrepreneurship.

Premium memberships cost $125 per month and provide unlimited access to more than 18,000 classes. Still unsure? The first month is entirely free. skillshare.com

If you’ve still got some time on your hands in spite of all these new hobbies, how about signing up as a volunteer for local charities?

Sai Kung Stray Friends and Catherine’s Puppies are two Sai Kung based dog shelters who are always on the lookout for people to help walk, feed and care for the rescue dogs and puppies. We challenge you not to fall in love with at least one of them. Financial donations are also very welcome. saikungstrayfriends.com catherinespuppies.com

Time Auction is a charity that advocates volunteerism and matches people who want to lend a helping hand with nonprofit organisations who need their skills.

The charity posts regular projects and once you’ve clocked up a certain number of hours, you can redeem those for an experience such as meeting noteworthy people, take part in craft workshops and even go on a staycay. timeauction.org

Take a course The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) The OUHK provides more than 230 part-time, on-campus programs as well as online courses in a wide range of subjects from business and administration to education, languages, science and technology to art and social sciences. The

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health

Gut Instinct Nourishing your good bacteria through food can be life changing, says nutritionist Lisa Tarquini

As we say hello to January, some of us may be finding that we’ve taken the old adage of eating, drinking and being merry over the holiday period a bit too literally. To get ourselves on the right track, Clearwater Bay-based nutritionist Lisa Tarquini believes we should pay more attention to our gut health and go back to basics by eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, a variety of wholegrains and fish twice a week.

“I don’t use weight as the only indicator of health. If someone comes to me wanting instant weight loss, I tell them I’m not the person for them,” she explains. “By building gut health with food, you can reduce your waistline and feel trimmer without starving yourself.”

The gut microbiome, which consists of no less than 100 trillion bacteria, affects everything from skin health and sex drive to energy levels and hormone balance. While its main purpose is to regulate digestion, it is responsible for nurturing 70% of your immunity and also has a strong connection to the brain. It also produces 95% of the feel-good hormone serotonin so when your gut microbiome is happy so are you.

“When women in particular go on restrictive diets, they disrupt their gut microbiome,” says Tarquini, who specialises in women’s health and gut health. “The major thing they give up is carbohydrates, and carbohydrates such as whole grains contain incredible fibres that build your good gut bacteria, which has a positive impact on mood. When foods are reintroduced

after being on a restrictive diet, people tend to look and feel better even though they are eating more.”

She should know. While anyone in Hong Kong can do a few basic courses and call themselves a nutritionist, Lisa Tarquini has been living and breathing this field for more than two decades so has more experience than most. After attaining a Masters degree in Nutrition and Exercise Science and qualifying as a UK registered nutritionist, she worked with elite athletes. She was also at one point in her career the section chief of health education and research for the United Arab Emirates’ armed forces; and worked at the Hong Kong Sports Institute in Sha Tin for six years, where she was instrumental in getting Hong Kong’s finest ready for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She is also a two times cancer survivor but went through early menopause as a consequence of her treatment. She has since used food and nutrition to recover from the cancer and manage the side effects, and is now the picture of health.

Tarquini doesn’t advocate a particular eating regimen, more a mixture of foods.

She cites a recent study called the American Gut Project that showed how people with a varied diet of plant-based foods - at least 30 different ones a week such as chickpeas, lentils, seeds, nuts and lots of different veggies - had a more diverse gut microbiome than someone eating 10 or less.

“Variety is key and I work with each client to tailor make a programme that suits their needs and tastes. You can still have Indian food if that’s what you enjoy but choose a lentil daal rather than a heavy lamb dish; or make a Thai curry with chickpeas so you increase your plant-based food but still feel you’re eating what you like,” she says. “Eating two portions a week of oily fish containing Omega 3 is also important particularly for women over 40 who are at a higher risk of dementia due to a drop in estrogen.”

Using evidence-based nutrition science to enable clients to manage their weight, keep their hormones balanced and have a healthy relationship with food, Tarquini doesn’t count calories. Instead, she helps clients with their portion sizes, which can be calculated using your hands. For example, a recommended portion of dried pasta (75g) per meal is about the same amount as a fist; the ideal size of a chicken breast is equivalent to your palm.

“This always comes as a shock to most people because the portions they eat are far larger than recommended. It’s the way society is these days. Restaurants serve huge meals; there are cafés and convenience stores everywhere; and we are literally minutes away from any type of food we could possibly want via the click of a button. Our bodies just don’t need it all, especially if we have sedentary jobs,” says Tarquini. “Once you help people to understand portion sizes and control, that’s half the battle.

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health Most people, especially women, eat really well but they might not realise that they are eating a bit too much.”

She also advises giving your body a 12hour break between your last meal of the day and your first of the next and, interestingly, not to believe all of the marketing hype around coconut oil.

“Get rid of coconut oil - it is 80% saturated fat but everybody uses it due to all the marketing,” she says. “Olive oil is your friend.”

So does Tarquini eat healthily?

“I’d say 80/20. I believe in balance. I try to hike every day and eat well but I love a glass of wine and Italian food. I aim to get my clients, particularly women, to the point when they get rid of food guilt and can sit down and enjoy without all the negativity. That’s my goal.”

Lisa Tarquini offers one-on-one consultations and nutrition coaching either in person (she is at the Hive every Wednesday or can come to your home) or online. $1,200 initial consultation and $700 for each follow up session; $7,000 for a 10-week package. Contact her at hello@ltnutrition.net or visit ltnutrition.net for more information.

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Free home delivery on any mix of 6 Bottles for online orders | Shop 1, Sha Tsui Path, (Man Nin St), Sai Kung, N.T.

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dining

Health kick The best places in town to start your post-Christmas cleanse Ali Oli Bakery & Cafe

After an indulgent festive season, January is the perfect time to detox and recover with some lighter bites. Kickstart your New Year’s resolution with these local favourites, with plenty of vegetarian options.

With a history of over 25 years, this quaint bakery serves treats including sandwiches, pastries and cakes, all available with gluten-free and wheat-free options. If you fancy trying your hand at baking, the cafe also offers a variety of baking mixes and flours that include gluten-free alternatives. 11 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung Square, 2792 2655; alioli.com.hk

2084 As Sai Kung’s first fully plant-based restaurant, 2084 in Sai Kung Square offers a unique twist on traditional Asian-inspired tapas including pan-fried C-momos and Peking oyster mushroom wraps. Hearty mains include a warming yellow daal, vegan tacos and falafel burgers. All menu options are so delicious that you won’t miss meat for a minute. Open 12pm10pm. 5 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung Square, 6420 8456. 2084.casa

The Conservatory Specialising in Mediterranean cuisine, The Conservatory is the perfect place for a light lunch, with a selection of salads, tapas and dips. The alfresco restaurant offers a unique light lunch menu each week offering healthy alternatives to its classic a la carte menu items.

26 Wan King Path, Sai Kung Square, 2792 1105; enotecagroup.com

St Barts’ extensive menu means there are plenty of healthy choices. Small plates that won’t break your wellness regime include panfried vegetarian dumplings, seared tuna chunks and vegan cauliflower fritters while a page of salads offers interesting and yummy options such as Thai chicken and mango, quinoa with halloumi and pomegranate and classic Caesar.

G/F, Retail Block, Mount Pavilia, Clearwater Bay Road, 2791 1189; casteloconcepts.com

Little Cove Espresso One of Sai Kung’s most popular independent cafés, LIttle Cove Espresso is well known for its delicious smoothie bowls, healthy salads, and nutritious breakfasts and brunches. Our faves include smashed avocado on sourdough toast, the Green Brunch featuring all sorts of wholesome veggies, organic eggs on sourdough rye and quinoa porridge with almond milk and fruit. Want something smaller? Treat yourself to a protein ball or a raw pistachio slice, washed down with a herbal tea or an oat milk capp. Siu Yat Building Block A, Sai Kung Hoi Pong Square, 6397 0875.

St Barts

Bakso

SingaLings Should you choose to go the healthy route, there are more than enough options at SingaLings. It offers delicious smoothies and veggie breakfasts as well as a whole section of vegan and veggie dishes for dinner including an award-winning veggie burger, a vegan tofu burger, veggie fajitas and pizzas. If you think you’ll have to steer clear of dessert, think again.

There are various flavours of vegan ice cream with berries or yummy gluten-free chocolate cake to ensure you’re not missing out on something sweet. 60 Po Tung Rd, 2792 3318; singalings.com

The Bakso flagship store takes on a simple design and serves delectable Indonesian cuisine with a healthy twist. The restaurant serves up a range of classic Indonesian dishes including beef bone soup and grilled pork, along with a selection of dishes cooked in coconut oil to give diners a relatively healthy alternative when they are craving something crunchy. 9 Wan King Path, Sai Kung Square, 2720 3168

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big day out

START YOUR DAY THE RIGH Matthew Teague watches the day begin from Sunrise Hill 26 | SAI KUNG

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sunrise hill

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big day out

There is something rather magical about watching the sunrise over the outlying islands of Sai Kung. After wading your way through the dark of night and reaching the summit of one of Hong Kong’s most beautiful hills. Sai Kung has the privilege of facing East, which allows for spectacular cloud-level (and cloud-less) sights of a new day springing to life when you are wandering over Section four of the Maclehose Trail, running from Kei Ling Ha to Tate’s Cairn at early dawn.

For those willing, an early and wholesome nights’ sleep is ideal - especially if preparing for a fresh Saturday morning hike. A muzzy head at 4am after a few too many gins at Picture House may offer a different, albeit interesting, experience. An early start allows for enough time to pack a light breakfast picnic and dive into an icy shower, or whatever helps wake your body up in the morning. If you can, getting the whole family involved and out of bed this early certainly adds a fun communal early-rise

struggle and a story for the family memory bank.

If you are not too confident of a nighttime hiker, a head torch can definitely be helpful, along with your most comfortable hiking gear.

For the most authentic experience and once you feel comfortable finding your way without your iPhone’s torch, try to let your eyes adjust to the natural light of the moon, especially if its a full one. However, for those scared of wild boar encounters, you better keep your light on.

For a leisurely start, it’s best to begin the hike from Sai Kung at around 4:15am. Head up Chuk Yeung Road, onto Shan Liu Sheung, and then further onto Wong Chuk Yeung. Once you reach the divide, bear left and you will find yourself on the Maclehose Trail. Continue on and follow the Maclehose trail as it veers off the road left once again, you will find yourself journeying up Ma On Shan mountain. (For an easier walk, a taxi can take you to where the Maclehose Trailcrosses Wong Chuk Yeung.)

Once you have begun this section of the walk, the path will eventually lead you through a valley to a T-junction. Here, turning right will take you steeper further onto the summit of Ma On Shan, whilst turning left will guide you on a level-path around the north side of a few smaller hills. Continue left until you reach a plateau path running along a ridge, giving you a beautiful vantage point of Sha Tin to the right and Sai Kung to the left. This view will truly put your early morning struggles in perspective.

Instead of carrying on across this ridge, take a sharp left. Here, you will find a lesstrodden path leading you up a rocky incline, before bearing slightly right through a grassy area. At this point, a torch may be necessary to find your step. Follow this path for a few more minutes, you will find yourself moving up a small hill to your right, through an area of longer grass. If you time it right, you will be reaching the summit of this hill with an awesome view of a reddening sky, facing East over High Island

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sunrise hill

and beyond. Once here, you can sit and just be.

This is time for yourself, away from the hectic life of Hong Kong and the thoughts we can become absorbed in everyday. Absorb this moment - an opportunity to welcome in a new day in its purest form, and take this calm with you throughout your day and into your week.

Many ancient teachings of the East mention the importance of connecting with daybreak and day’s end. The two points in which nature’s energies are most influx and transition, from yin to yang, and back again. Understanding these balances are integral to building your foundation for a calmer, more connected life.

Once you have experienced the bliss of the mountains it is time for breakfast, sharing time with your nearest and dearest and simply reflecting with the rising sun, you can decide your descent back to Sai Kung. Either retrace your steps down the hill or follow over the ridge towards Po Lo Che. To add an extra walk to your morning you can continue along Section four of the Maclehose Trail towards Tate’s Cairn.

Remember to leave no trace, and pick up any rubbish that you see along the way to keep the trail clean for the next person to enjoy.

Rest and repeat!

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cruising sai kung

What’s in a name?

Guy Nowell finds out why certain bays, beaches and islands are so called yacht clubs and two marinas. In Cantonese, it’s called Pak Sha Wan (White Sand Bay). HMS Hebe participated in a survey of the China coast between 1842 and 1845 but there is no hard evidence to connect the ship’s name with the bay. Hebe was the Greek Goddess of Youth and also Cupbearer to Gods, so would probably have got on just fine at a yacht club.

We were sailing past Scrambled Egg Island (and taking care to stay clear of Scrambled Egg Island reef), when I wondered where some of the more interesting names on the chart came from. Most Hong Kong places have two names – English and Cantonese. Some of them translate more or less, but many of them don’t. Scrambled Egg is only marked on the chart as Fu Wong Chau, and the only place we have seen it named as such is in Richard Hownam-Meek’s excellent Afloat in Hong Kong (1978). Who knows where that came from – maybe someone bumped the reef whilst cooking a scrambled egg breakfast?

And then there’s Green Egg Island (right), which is not named at all on the charts, and only acquired an identity very recently. A circular patch of green in the middle of a low, rocky, palecoloured islet, which looks like a green egg from above. Or was it something to do with Dr Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham? A number of the Hong Kong names came from British warships. Plover Cove was named after a Royal Navy survey ship, HMS Plover. HMS Starling gave her name to Starling Inlet, but the rather unattractive-sounding Repulse Bay most certainly did not come from HMS Repulse. There never has been a ship of that name stationed in Hong Kong, so we’ll leave that open for speculation. HMS Sulphur was the vessel commanded by Edward Belcher, who landed on Hong Kong on 26 January, 1841, and claimed the island in the name of Her

Majesty Queen Victoria. The shore line has been reclaimed since then (surprise!), and what was once called Possession Point is now 400m inland.

The Sulphur Channel is the passage between Green Island and the northwest tip of Hong Kong Island.

Junk Bay is interesting because it gets its name through a misunderstanding, as explained to me by a friendly taxi driver. Tseung Kwan O has nothing to do with junks, he said. The bay was named for a famous general called Kwan.

The untutored Western ear hears “tseung” as something like “cheung” or “jun”, and then you add the “k” from Kwan, and you get “jun-k”. The rest of the “Kwan” is “wan” and everyone knows that means a bay, so…

There are two Turtle Coves in Hong Kong.

One is on the west side of Redhill Peninsula, and the other – the one you need to know about - is on Lamma and is otherwise known as Sham Wan. This is the only place in Hong Kong (and one of the few sites in South China Sea) where Green Turtles nest from time to time. The site is therefore very important to the breeding and survival of this endangered species, both locally and regionally.

It has been a restricted area since 1999, but since this year the whole bay (not just the beach) is off limits from April 1 to October 1.

Hebe Haven (above) is possibly the most picturesque anchorage in Hong Kong. It is home to more than 1,000 pleasure vessel moorings, two

Guy Nowell is founder of Asia Yacht Press and a Sai Kung resident since 1988 (yup, that’s 33 years, Deirdre). A new edition of his fabulous and authoritative coffee table book Cruising Hong Kong is available at asiayachtpress.com/cruising-hongkong

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pets

Ask a vet...

Dr Pauline answers your questions about keeping pets warm this season

Dr Pauline Taylor, Pets Central veterinarian.

Does a dog need a coat for winter?

With another winter upon us, I am often asked whether dogs need a coat to keep warm.

Some folks like to suggest that because dogs have fur coats, they shouldn’t feel the cold but I would like to point out that all dogs are not equal and wintry weather can be a challenge for some breeds. Dogs with thin body frames, with thin or short coats, with short legs and bellies nearer the cold ground can benefit from coats.

These include most toy and small breeds such as poodles, whippets and Yorkshire terriers to name a few. Larger breeds with short coats like Great Danes can also feel the cold.

In Hong Kong, our dogs do not encounter snow or ice, but the ground can still feel cold to them in winter and in the shade. Like all warmblooded mammals, dogs can control their body temperature within a narrow range. If your dog feels cold, he may shiver and shake, try and find a spot to lie in the sun or curl up and snuggle up beside a warm body - which could be you! Tolerating the colder months also varies with underlying medical problems, age, and body condition. While a French Bulldog may only require a sweater at lower temperatures, a thin Sydney Silkie or Chinese Crested require thicker jackets/coats. In cold areas, dogs can get frostbite but be aware that dressing dogs

in winter fashion can lead to them overheating too. Be careful the fabric does not cause irritation or a contact allergy. Fashion items must fit your dog properly or they can become a hazard if your mutt decides to chew it off, buttons and all.

With the recent cold snap, what can I do to keep my cat warm?

Normal healthy adult cats thermoregulate: this means they have the ability to maintain their temperature within certain boundaries between 37.7-39.1C (100-102.5F). Most mammals can do this. If cats feel cold, they will move to a warmer spot. If that isn’t enough, their internal physiology kicks in.

Vasoconstriction helps to reduce heat loss via the skin: their hairs will stand on end to trap air, which further insulates, and shivering helps to generate heat from muscle contractions. You can help by leaving out a nice enclosed bed or box with blankets; window seats also provide an opportunity to lie in the sunshine. Be aware that kittens under four weeks have difficulty controlling their body temperature because their metabolic activity isn’t yet developed. As such, it is important to keep them in warmer environments.

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SAI KUNG BUSINESS DIRECTORY ADDICTION

CO-WORKING / SPACES FOR RENT

HAIR & BEAUTY

Alcoholics Anonymous 90736922 | aa-intergroup.org

Ensemble Co-Creating Space 67252321 | ensemblecocreatingspace.com

Tala's Hair and Beauty 23351694

ADULT CLASSES

The Hive Sai Kung 27805844

Nail House 27198718

Be Candle - Candle Making Workshops 84817684 Composting workshops janicebaird@earthevery.org Cantonese Classes 60366275

GET LISTED FOR FREE. EMAIL EDITOR@SAIKUNG.COM

Allure 93453545 The Brow Effect 67180635 I IG: the.brow.effect

CORRECTIONS Did we get something wrong on this list?

Or want to be listed?

HOTELS

Marbling & Other Arts n Crafts 98342365

Email us at editor@saikung.com

The Pier 29126777 I thepierhotel.com.hk

Majong Lessons 64411227

CAFES & COFFEE SHOPS

WM Hotel 21966888 I wmhotel.hk

Cena Latin Cafe - Latin tapas, cocktails 27571020 I FB: cenalatincafe

LAWYERS & INSURANCE

Coffee Academics - speciality coffee & brunch 28822902 | the-coffeeacademics.com

Professionals Wills Limited 25619031

Black Smith Coffee 26131010

PEST CONTROL

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS Anastasias Art House - Russian Art Academy 27195533 Artiste Studio 21142083 I artistestudio.hk The Arts Factory - language and performing arts 68947555

Starbucks 2792 7725

Biocycle - fighting pests with safe & ecological products 35752575 | biocycle.com.hk

DOMESTIC HELPER IN NEED?

Easy Peasy Services 92870200

Pathfinders 51904886 | pathfinders.org.hk

Rentokil 58033055 | rentokil.com/hk

Drew's Workshop - woodworking for kids 63456965

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Snake in the house? Call the police 999

En Pointe - jazz & Ballet for kids 61472089 I FB: EnPointe

China Light & Power Emergency 21608585

H&P Taekwondo Kwan 95472655 I FB: HPTaekwondoKwan

Gas Leaks Emergency Hotline 24354511

PLACES OF WORSHIP

Sewing Classes for kids 67252321

Sai Kung Police HQ - 24/Hr Report Room 36611630

Haven of Hope Christian Service 27019019

Drum lessons for kids & adults 55085027

Sai Kung Marine Police 36611718

Cantonese lessons, Mandarin lessons 64411227

Resurrection Church 23583232 | resurrection.org.hk

GOVERNMENT

Sai Kung Pentecostal Holinesss Church 90395039

Sai Kung District Council 37405200 | districtcouncils.gov.hk/sk/english

Sai Kung Pentecostal Baptist Church 27923918

HOME & REPAIRS

RESIDENTIAL CLUBS

Ballroom Bees - dance program for boys & girls 56817673 Beat Street Dance & Fitness - for adults and kids 98586487

Stage Right! Studio 92258924 I stagerighthk.com Beads Galore 93369987 I beadsgalorehk.com BAKERIES Ali-Oli Bakery - quality western cakes, delicatessen 27922655 | alioli.com.hk Crunch N' Munch Bakery 931688701 I FB: crunchmunch.bakerycafe

China Light & Power Information 26782678 Water Fault Reports 28110788 Water Supplies Department 28245000

Termites? TrulyCare 24588378 | trulucare.com.hk

Club Marina Cove 27196622 Marina South Clubhouse 21484013 Residence Oasis 21410078

Culture Bakery 26131394 I FB: culturebakeryhk

Tung Tai Key Cut - locksmith and key cutter 63235232

REMOVALS & RELOCATION

Mushroom Bakery - friendly neighbourhood baker 27926826

New Technology Mobile Phone - phone repair 24072377

Santa Fe Relocation 25746204

Sai Kung Bakery - traditional local bakes 27923861

Eco Living - air purification 27927998

Expert-Transport & Relocations 25664799

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directory REALTORS

SCHOOLS

SPORTS & RECREATIONS

OKAY Property Agency Limited - expert real estate 21020888 | okay.com

Mills International Preschool 27176336 | millsinternational.edu.hk

Sally G Fitness - pilates, boxing and dance 95290477

The Property Shop 27193977

Malvern College Hong Kong 38984688 | malverncollege.org.hk

Hong Kong Golf & Tennis Academy 31878900 I hkgta.com

Rich on House Property Agency Ltd. 27910080

Australian International School 23046078 | aishk.edu.hk

Rugby Tots rugbytots.hk

A&A Property Consultant Limited 26311988 | info@a-property.hk

Creative Secondary School 23360233 | css.edu.hk

Sai Kung Stingrays skstingrays.com

RETAIL & DAILY NECESSITIES

ESF Clearwater Bay School 23583221 | cwbs.edu.hk

Sai Kung Bulldogs Football 90851886

Kellett School 31200700 | kellettschool.com

Dragon Fitness & Coaching - strength training 95550358 | dragonfitnessandcoaching.com

Shek Kee Frozen Meat Company 27920503 Today Speed (Photo Finish) 27925815

Hong Kong Academy 26551118 | hkacademy.edu.hk

Kids Swimming lessons 97419152

Butcher King 27920159

Hong Kong Adventist Academy 26230431 / 37270291 | hkaa.edu.hk

Equestrian Centre 63986241

Patsy House Electrical store 27920010

Hong Kong International School 31497246 | hkis.edu.hk

CWB Golf & Country club 23353700

Michael Cheuk Optical 27920929 I FB: MCOptical

Renaissance College 35563556 | rchk.edu.hk

Hebe Haven Yacht Club 27197931

Park n Shop / Fusion 23355506 / 27912080

Sai Kung Montessori 53698587 | saikungmontessori.com

Hong Kong Golf & Tennis Academy 67702726

SKIP (Sai Kung Pre-school Group) 27917354 | skip.edu.hk

TAXI LOST PROPERTY

RESTAURANT & FOOD DELIVERY Dutch Cheese 27926179 | thedutch.hk Paisanos 27914445 | paisanos.com.hk Singalings 27923318 | singalings.com The Picture House 27926991 | enotecagroup.com/thepicturehouse Jaspas 27926388 | casteloconcepts.com 2084 64208456 | 2084.casa Thai Dao 27926189 I FB: thaidao.saikung The Conservatory 27921105 I enotecagroup.com/conservatory Big Fish 27519177 Piccolos 27919233 | casteloconcepts.com

Shrewsbury International School 24801500 | shrewsbury.edu.hk Sunshine House International Pre-Schools 23583803 | sunshinehouse.com.hk Sun Island Kindergarten 23391145 | sunisland.edu.hk Yew Chung International School 23387106 | ycis-hk.com Woodland Pre-Schools 28130290 | woodlandschools.com DSC International School dsc.edu.hk Po Leung Kuk Sixth Form College sfc-plk.edu.hk Clearwater Bay School cwbs.edu.hk SPEEDBOATS Blue Flag, Miss Ma 94893297

Taxi Lost Property 1872920 | td.gov.hk TUTORS Sai Kung Tutors - group lesson for beginners 53214400 Maths Club - maths programs for Y5-Y11 56446410 Easy English For Kids 61144219 VETS & PETS Pets Central - Sai Kung's number one, 24 hr vet 27920833 | pets-central.com Hong Kong Dog Rescue hongkongdogrescue.com Lost dog? Sai Kung Stray Friends 91992340 | saikungstrayfriends.com Homevet 98605522 | homevet.com.hk

SERVICED APARTMENTS

Ferndale Kennels & Cattery - pet hotel, pet relocation 27924642

Sai Kung Serviced Apartments 24076161 | saikungservicedapartment.com

Sai Kung Animal Hospital 27922206 | saikunganimalhospital.com

Horizon Suites 31578888

Creature Comforts Veterinary Clinic 97730372 | creaturecomforts.com.hk

Takka Fusion 27922202 / 27922223

SPORTS & RECREATIONS

WINE & BEER SHOP / DELIVERIES

Sawasdee Thai 27910522

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Kids 95748523

Winerack 22536929 | winerack.com.hk

Burger Deli 36899052

Capoeira Beach Acrobatics 68460787

The Bottleshop 27911600

Padstow 23355515 | padstow.hk

Pilates with Nocky 96692710

Le Magasin 27910292

Chip In Fish & Chips 97615091 | chipin.com.hk Pepperoni's 27911738 | casteloconcepts.com Raymond Deli Club 63916689 I FB: RaymondDeliClub

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Peter Wood talks backyard birds

Feathered friends

backpage

The sound of birds stops the noise in my mind.

– Carly Simon

After years of being immersed in Hong Kong city life, my brain became jaded by urban sounds. After relocating to Sai Kung, it was the small things that refreshed my imagination. Having grown up in the African bush, I had forgotten how evocative were the sounds of crickets at night, the shrill scream of cicadas in the summer—known as Christmas beetles back home, or the mourning doves each sunrise.

High on my hill overlooking Sai Kung, there’s a sonorous orchestra throughout the day. We have a few Tokay geckos – I first heard these loud “tokay…tokay… tokay” sounds in Bali and was chuffed to hear them here in Hong Kong. Late at night I drift off to the nocturnal hoot of a Collared Scops owl, but it’s in the morning when my feathered friends make the most racket.

One of the first things I did after moving here, was to set up a bird feeder. For months nothing went near it. Then one day, to my delight, it was discovered by a rowdy gang of Masked Laughingthrushes. They are, arguably, my favourite visitors. I dubbed them The Pottertons, after a band of brothers at boarding school who were frightful bullies. After a period of observation, the common Spotted doves took up residence and have never left. They are the avian version of “the guests who came to dinner and never left.” My greedy doves are called The Haasbroeks – another group of languorous boys who loved their scoff.

A lonely Black kite spends the afternoons harassing the Haasbroeks, whilst packs of drongos glide between thickets of trees, bulbils enchant me with their song, rare sunbirds hover near the lemon blossom and tiny Swanhoe’s whiteye dart across the garden like bullets.

Occasional treepies, magpies and mynas deign to pay me a visit and a pair of teeny-tiny cinereous tits have built a nest in my moon flower. But the Oriental magpie robin is the one that keeps me most amused. It lands on the railing, looks at me, jumps up and down, then rather rudely turns its’ bottom up and splays its feathers in the most suggestive manner.

For many years I was petrified of spiders. And with good reason. During the Rhodesian bush war, most farmsteads installed security lights outside their houses.

These were generally left on until bedtime, attracting millions of bugs.

One hot October I went up to my room and was horrified to find a ghastly tableau on my net curtains of crawling, creeping insects all illuminated by the spotlights into grotesque giant proportions across the walls. Literally there were hundreds of bugs - rose

beetles, crickets, daddy long legs, mozzies and naturally the arachnids – huge, hideous hairy spiders - rain spiders, baboon spiders and hunting spiders — their sinister shadows thrown across the bedroom walls like a shuddersome, Javanese shadow dance. At the base of the net curtains, a pile of crawling insects, like some macabre Bruegel the Elder vision of hell. Such is the mind of a child.

To be fair, I used to squeal at the sight of a harmless rain spider. My mother would lie on the carpet watching telly and simply lift up her legs to allow a large fanged, hairy, huntsman dash across the room in search of its prey. “Ooh! That was a big bugger,” she would remark casually.

But even on this occasion both parents were in agreement with me—the sight in my bedroom was truly monstrous. Needless to say, I still had to sleep in the room—mortified, as I listened to the magnified crunching and clicking sound of rose beetles creeping beneath my pillow case, sounding as if they were about to crawl into my ears. It was a very long night.

Oddly, since moving to Sai Kung, my arachnophobia has ebbed somewhat. Don’t get me wrong — I have a large, hungry looking huntsman who follows me across the floor at night or, just for fun, waits by the light switch — ready to make me shriek with horror. She’s the thing of nightmares, but does she see me as food or is she just being friendly?

Hopefully, I’ll never find out.

Writer, podcaster and Sai Kung resident, Peter Wood

Wood landed in Hong Kong in 1993. He worked as a photographer for the Eastern Express newspaper and for AFP. His first book, a memoir, Mud Between Your Toes, is available.

Listen here: mudbetweenyourtoes.podbean.com

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