BAR AWARDS | SHARKS | BACK TO SCHOOL
AUGUST 2020
Paddles up
Stand up paddle boarding in Stanley
Animal antics Your ultimate guide to owning a pet
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CONTENTS — 08/20
20 COVER STORY
The ultimate guide to owning a pet in Southside
5 CONTRIBUTORS
17 LOCAL
6 PEOPLE
18 MUST HAVES THIS MONTH
8 THE PLANNER
24 DINING
Meet our team
Life in Southside
How to keep busy during social distancing. Plus virtual events
12 NEWS
What’s happening in our backyard
Ovolo’s restaurant in room
Back to school essentials
Hong Kong Living Bar Awards. Plus nibbles
32 PETS
Dr Pauline answers your pet questions. Plus walkies
34 SOUTHSIDE SECRETS
Wong Chuk Hang’s mysterious rock carvings
36 DESIGNING HK
Become a smoky vessel spotter
28 OUTDOORS
Stand up paddle boarding in Stanley
15 FIVE MINUTES WITH
Andy Cornish, Global Shark Programme Leader at WWF Hong Kong
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18
15 34
28
20 “Animals are such agreeable friends, they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.” George Eliot
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editor’s letter Like many Southside families, we are not travelling to see family and friends this summer. For us and many others this is a first. But even though Hong Kong has recently imposed the most far reaching social distancing rules to date, there are still ways to enjoy this beautiful place we call home. Being on the water can be a welcome reprieve, our outdoor feature this month focuses on stand up paddle boarding (page 28), a great way to adhere to government policies while still enjoying an active day out. The swimming pools may be closed, but the ocean is still open for us to enjoy. We met WWF’s Andy Cornish this month to talk about Hong Kong’s marine life and how we can protect it (page 15). If social distancing measures have got you feeling lonely, why not foster a furry companion? Find out all you need to know about adoption, vets and hikes to take your four legged friends on in our cover story (page 20). Finally we launched the first ever Hong Kong Living Bar Awards this month, find out who got your vote and start planning those post Covid nights out (page 24). Cheers to that.
Editorial Editor-in-chief Nicole Slater, nicole@hongkongliving.com Editorial Director Gemma Shaw, gemma@hongkongliving.com Senior Staff Writer Charmaine Ng, charmaineng@hongkongliving.com Contributing Editor Melanie Cox, melanie@hongkongliving.com Digital Editor Apple Lee, apple@hongkongliving.com
Design Graphic Designer Vicky Lam, vicky@hongkongliving.com Alvin Cheng, alvin@hongkongliving.com
Sales & Marketing Director of Content Hilda Chan, hilda@hongkongliving.com
Karin Bremer, Guest Editor
Head of Digital Content Isamonia Chui, isamonia@hongkongliving.com Partnership Manager Chrissie Ip, chrissie@hongkongliving.com Elaine Li, elaine@hongkongliving.com
Things we love
Publisher Matt Eaton, matt@hongkongliving.com
Founding Director Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com
Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 | Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
New afternoon tea set
Summer treats from Pret
With evening dining services suspended, there’s no better time to put your pinkies up and treat yourself to an afternoon tea. The Envoy’s newly launched colonial-inspired afternoon tea offers a mix and match savoury and sweet selection. theenvoy.hk
Packed with refreshing treats and Southeast Asian flavours, Pret A Manger’s new summer menu is sure to spruce up your lunchtimes. Enjoy its colourful and delicious new range of salads, gluten-free sandwiches and fizzy summer drinks until October 6. pret.hk
Covid-19 update
As Hong Kong Living goes to print we have done our best to keep our content as accurate and up-to-date as possible, but life under Covid-19 regulations means things tend to change, often from day-to-day. Please check with local businesses for operation hours and services available and remember, stay safe.
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HONG KONG hongkongliving.com
Photo credit: Karin Bremer
Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong
Southside Magazine is published by Hong Kong Living Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Southside Magazine cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
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contributors
Thank you to our contributors
Niall Westley Co-founder of Island Paddle HK, Niall grew up in Hong Kong and wanted to share his love for water sports with the Southside community. Along with his partner Esther Bland he started Island Paddle to give people the confidence to paddle safely. He shares his paddle tips in our outdoors story.
Sally Anderson Founder of Hong Kong Dog Rescue Sally and her team have rescued and rehomed Hong Kong’s strays since 2003. This month, she shares her tips for first time pet owners and talks about the benefits of adoption in our cover story.
Andy Cornish Leader of WWF and TRAFFIC Sharks & Rays Initiative Andy oversees the responsible consumption and management strategies of sharks and rays across Hong Kong. Read all about his latest projects in our five minutes with.
Cherry Lee Joining the Hong Kong Living Team this summer is third-year Hong Kong Baptist University student Cherry. She explored Wong Chuk Hang’s mysterious rock carvings in this month’s Southside secrets.
Alec Lastimosa Alec is currently studying journalism with a sub-degree in media and communications at Hong Kong Baptist University. This month, he met WWF’s Global Shark Programme Leader Andy Corish to discuss how we can improve Hong Kong’s marine life.
Vada Chung Since founding pet store and groomer Whiskers + Paws in 2008, Vada and her team have helped home over 3,000 cats and dogs. This month, Vada shares her grooming advice for short and long haired dogs in our cover story.
Want to write for Southside Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com SOUTHSIDE | 5
people
Snaps from Southside
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say cheese
26 coaching aquaton training Repulse Bay
Stanley Dragon Boat Festival
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planner
10 creative things to do at home
With Covid-19 restrictions back in place, here’s a few tips on how to while away the hours, without going stir crazy
10 Cook? Yes, cook
Nothing says home-sweet-home better than a freshly cooked meal. Give the delivery guy a day off and get busy in the kitchen - if you have one. Otherwise just call Deliveroo, put it on a plate and pretend you cooked it.
9 Party, virtually
Virtual parties with friends and family may go down as the hottest social activity of 2020. Grab some wine and go online. Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, Facebook Rooms… options aplenty.
8 Workout
If you haven’t joined a YouTube yoga class in 2020, what are you waiting for? There’s literally tens of thousands of free instructional videos online. Otherwise go pro and sign up with a real fitness instructor.
7 Learn a language
Social distancing is the perfect time to pick up a new language, even if it’s just an excuse to have a conversation with a real person.
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6 Board games
Gather your family or friends (no more than four) and let the competition begin. Hong Kong Monopoly will even allow you to finally buy that house on The
stay home
2 Find your zen
Peak you’ve always wanted. Probably best to avoid polka dot in the sociallydistanced era.
If this covid-19 business is getting a bit too much, find your happy place. Take some time out to heal your mind and soul through meditation. Breathe in, breathe out.
5 More TV
If you haven’t already hoovered up every single Netflix, Apple TV and Amazon series, it seems you’re still in luck. Grab some mooncakes and settle in.
4 Redecorate, again
Already washed your shoes, rearranged your closet, bleached your white shirts? Why not go big and redecorate your entire house. Get creative while you can.
3 Salacious stories
With attention spans waning, short stories are all the rage and Kitchen Tiles from Blacksmith Books is worth the investment. Take your pick from 50 real life stories of gamblers, drinkers, masseuses and millionaires from the mean streets of a Sheung Wan bygone era.
1 Marie Kondo your life
If it doesn’t spark joy, it goes in the bin. From clothes to paperwork, there’s no better time to reorganise.
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virtual events
VIRTUAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT AUGUST Online yoga session
Join Cristina McLauchlan, founder of The Vibe Tribe, for a series of virtual workout sessions and online courses that can be done in the comfort of your home. linktr.ee/ TheVibeTribe
Learning more about the future of your money at this online event. 11.30-2pm. redefininghk.scmp.com
around Shek O. Document your progress on Runner Reg’s app Strava, for a chance to get onto the leaderboard and earn a personally engraved Victorinox Finisher Medal. runnerreg.com
THROUGHOUT AUGUST Sweat with us, digitally
Lululemon goes digital. Dive into the sweat life and stay active with a series of online workouts from some of the city’s top wellness ambassadors. Free. lululemon.com.hk/en-hk
AUG 14
AUG 9
If online dating wasn’t enough, now we’ve got a video version - it was bound to happen, right? No filter, no date. 8-9pm. Free. getfilteroff.com
Preview Skin of Nature’s conscious activewear collection through a virtual underwater journey of images and sounds. Free. 6-7:30pm. skinofnature.co
SEP 8
UNTIL DEC 31
Will traditional banking be no more?
Test your abilities on a 7K or 15K virtual race
Speed date
Skin of Nature Virtual Launch
Virtual banking
Virtual challenge
Got an event? We can publish the details for free. Email editorial@hongkongliving.com
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news
MANDARIN ORIENTAL NAMED BEST HOTEL IN HONG KONG Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong was the only hotel in the city that has made it onto Travel + Leisure’s list of Top 100 Hotels in the World this year. Mandarin Oriental came in at Number 57 on the annual list, tying with Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa. “We are immensely grateful for the support from all our valued guests, especially during this unprecedented period,” said Pierre Barthes, general manager and Area vice president at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong. mandarinoriental.com
POK FU LAM POISONINGS Three dogs in the Pok Fu Lam area are suspected to have been poisoned with bait between July 12 and 14. A labrador, mongrel and Japanese Spitz had walked around Cyberport Waterfront Park and Victoria Road during the 72-hour period, before they experienced suspected poisoning symptoms and died. After numerous reports from worried residents, over 50 officers were deployed around the Pok Fu Lam area to search for the suspected bait and a toxicological report is
expected to be carried out to confirm the cause of the deaths. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) visited the area in question and assisted the police. In a post on the SPCA’s Facebook page, the animal charity reminded pet owners to observe surroundings closely, keep dogs on leash and muzzle them to prevent further incidents. Police have urged the public to report suspicious activity to officers at 3660 6611 or the SPCA inspectorate hotline at 2711 1100.
INTERNATIONAL BRANDS CLOSE CENTRAL LOCATIONS Ethical beauty brand Lush and clothing retailer Topshop are the latest to fall victim to increased financial pressures and tourism slump due to the coronavirus pandemic. Topshop will close it’s 14,000 square feet flagship store on Queen’s Road Central and bid farewell to Hong Kong when its lease expires in October. Lush, known for its fragrant handmade soaps and bath bombs, has
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closed its five-storey store on Lyndhurst Terrace but it’s other Hong Kong based locations remain open. The drop in tourist numbers in recent months has led to a great impact on retailers in Hong Kong. Gap has also announced it will close five of its eight shops in the city, while Victoria’s Secret abruptly closed its Causeway Bay flagship store in June.
NEW SCHOOL YEAR PUSHED BACK AS COVID-19 RAGES ON Many of Hong Kong’s international schools and kindergartens are just weeks away from reopening for the 2020/2021 school year. But with the city battling a third wave of the coronavirus, it was announced that the new school year will be delayed. Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said that schools would begin classes no earlier than August 17. Reopening dates will be announced in time, depending on the development of the pandemic.
PROVET LAUNCHES TCM FOR PETS
Developed by 123-year-old leading Chinese medicine manufacturer Wai Yuen Tong, ProVet has released a line of herbal wellness supplements for pets, which are completely natural, preservative-free and tailor-made for cats and dogs of all ages and health needs. The supplements incorporate premium Chinese ingredients, from shiitake extract to immune-boosting cordyceps and lingzhi mushrooms, encapsulated in pet-friendly vegetarian capsules. Part of the proceeds will go to SPCA to fund shelters for abandoned animals. provet.wyt.com
in your backyard
HONG KONG DISNEYLAND AND OCEAN PARK CLOSE ONCE AGAIN As the Covid-19 situation worsens in the city, theme parks Disneyland and Ocean Park have closed once again, just a month of reopening their doors to the public. While the parks remain closed, both hotels will continue operation as normal.
COOKIE SMILES LAUNCHES THE ‘LOVE 4 LUKE’ CAMPAIGN Cookie Smiles, a social enterprise launched by Jo Soo-Tang and Agnes Chin, has launched the ‘Love 4 Luke’ campaign to support 12-year-old leukaemia patient Luke Inkin. Inkin is currently battling childhood leukaemia for the second time after a relapse. The nature of his diagnosis has changed from having cancer in only his bone marrow, to a more rare situation where the disease is in both his bone marrow and central nervous system. Cookie Smiles is now selling Pink Confetti Snaps for $200 per pack to raise funds for the Inkins’ ongoing medical costs, support therapy and travel expenses. cookiesmiles.com.hk
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five minutes with
Five minutes with
Andy Cornish
coral triangle, meaning Hong Kong is the most diverse place for fish and sharks in the world.” “Southside’s jewel is the Cape D’Aguilar Marine Reserve. If you are lucky enough to dive there, you can see the kinds of fish you rarely see.” Unlike other topics such as climate change and biodiversity conservation, sharks always manage to pique people’s interest. “Sharks always get people’s attention, whether they are terrified of them or think they are the coolest thing on the planet,” says Cornish. However, people often have a distorted view of the animal. “Movies like Jaws embedded this idea that sharks are large animals coming out of water with teeth and blood. It gives such a reputation that people are instantly fearful of them and it is such a disconnect with what sharks are actually like.” The vast majority of sharks are no more dangerous than a domestic cat. On average, snakes kill 20,000 to 50,000 people a year, while sharks only kill six. With over 500 species of sharks and new ones discovered all the time, less than ten of them are serious threats to people. Due to intense overfishing, many shark species have disappeared from our ecosystems. “I always tell people, if you want to see what ground zero is like for sharks, come here. There used to be hammerhead sharks, but they too have been completely annihilated,” says Cornish. If we want fisheries or managers to care about sharks and treat them with a higher priority, it must come from society itself. Beach cleanups, ghost net removals or even joining organisations that support marine conservation efforts show that people want the government to do something about it. “It’s right here, right now. Providing stories of hope, particularly sharing peoples stories is undoubtedly what we have to do.”
‘Restoring the balance’ in WWF’s shark conservation programme since 2014, Andy Cornish has worked in over 20 countries, improving fisheries management across Asia and managing unsustainable consumption in Hong Kong. On Shark Awareness Day (July 14), we sat down with Andy Cornish, Head of World Wide Fund’s global shark and ray conservation programme, to talk about the secrets of
Hong Kong’s waters and what we can do to protect them. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Cornish took his PhD in marine ecology at the Swire Institute of Marine Science. Being one of the first diving scientists studying fish in the city, he was able to record over 100 species of fish that had never been documented before, with more species than the entire Caribbean. “We are on the edge of a very unique area of the
Photo credit@ Simon Lorenz Insider Divers
Alec Lastimosa speaks to the Global Shark Programme Leader at WWF Hong Kong
For more information on how you can save our sharks and oceans, visit sharks.panda.org
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five minutes with
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local
Bring the restaurant to you As the virus rages on, Ovolo Hong Kong is offering creative packages for those seeking a summer break. By Charmaine Ng With international travel halted and dining off the table, this summer may look a little bleak. To change the scenery for tired, wary Hongkongers, Ovolo Hotels has launched Restaurant in Room (R in R), where the very best of private dining can be enjoyed in the comfort of a hotel room. R in R was first introduced earlier this R in R is open for limited bookings each day: Komune and Veda: three-course dinner for $350 Add champagne and a night’s stay at Ovolo Southside for $500 Family & Friends room or $1,000 suite Add champagne and a night’s stay at Ovolo Central for $700 Te Quiero Mucho: three-course dinner for $390 To book your spot, contact reservations@ ovologroup.com
year in Australia at Ovolo Nishi and Ovolo Woolloomooloo. Whether you want to enjoy a romantic candlelight dinner for two or a family fun meal for two, R in R will make it all about you. Guests can choose from a series of threecourse menus from Ovolo Southside’s Komune, featuring the likes of roasted chicken and buffalo style cauliflower; Ovolo Central’s Veda, offering tasty vegetarian eats like corn khichdi and stuffed courgette; or The Sheung Wan by Ovolo’s Te Quiero Mucho, where you can double down on hearty Mexican fare such as molcajete seafood and hamachi ceviche. And if you’re feeling extra indulgent, you can even upgrade to stay the night and Ovolo will tack on a bottle of champagne and breakfast in bed the next day. “The Hong Kong dining scene has seen many ups and downs over 2020, but we are about continually providing our diners with unique experiences across our venues,” says Juan Gimenez, Food & Beverage Manager at
Ovolo Hotels. “R in R will allow Hongkongers to still enjoy a dinner with friends, corporate meetings or date nights, all in the safety of a hotel room.”
Ovolo Hotels offers two locations in Hong Kong: Ovolo Southside, the city’s first warehouse-turned-hotel and Ovolo Central, a conveniently-centrally located designer hotel. ovolohotels.com
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must haves this month
“I Am Very Busy� notebook $117 from ban.do en.smallable.com
Smooth gel ink ballpoint pen $8 each from Muji muji.com.hk
Quilted personal planner $590 from Kikki.k kikki-k.com
Premium bag green $423 from Mi-Pac en.smallable.com
SCHOOL'S IN Back to school essentials by Nicole Slater
Star 5 colour highlighter pen $40 from Bookazine bookazine.com.hk
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Stationery set
Heart leather kids bucket bag
$59 from Depesche Ylvi & The Minimoomis petit-bazaar.com
$1,160 from Stella Mccartney Kids lanecrawford.com.hk
back to school A5 notebooks - jungle tiger
Printed charge it charger
$47 from A Little Lovely Company petit-bazaar.com
$169 from Typo cottonon.com
Mini metal water bottle $119 from Typo cottonon.com
Desk set $119 from Typo cottonon.com
My first bag $459 from Childhome petit-bazaar.com
Lazy jungle 13� laptop sleeve $423 from Wouf en.smallable.com
Bento lunchbox $150 from Bamboa bamboahome.com Sampans at sunset $1,000 from Mazu Resortwear mazuresortwear.com
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cover story
Pawsome pets Your complete guide to owning a pet in Southside. By Alec Lastimosa With work from home and lockdown restrictions in place, many people have decided to add a furry addition to their family. Whether you’re a
recent pet parent, a seasoned pet owner or just love animals, we’ve got you covered with the best vets, groomers and hikes in Southside.
ADOPTING A PET Adopting a dog is a long-term commitment. Hong Kong Dog Rescue founder Sally Anderson shares her advice for what to consider before you adopt.
Age Usually, a young puppy isn’t the best choice if there are babies or toddlers at home, as puppies are babies themselves with very sharp teeth and they like to bite. A puppy’s milk teeth will have fallen out by six months to be replaced by adult teeth, these are much less needle-like. By that age, a puppy should also be fully vaccinated and toilet trained.
Breed
HKDR Sally Anderson
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A lot of first-time dog owners will go for specific breeds based on their look and size, without taking into account the characteristics. Adopters should find a suitable companion that fits their lifestyle and needs. At HKDR we emphasise temperament over everything else.
pet guide Commitment The average life expectancy of a dog is around 15 years or less for very large-sized dogs. Before adopting, you must guarantee that you can take care of a dog for that length of time and take them with you if you leave Hong Kong. The current Covid-19 situation has created all sorts of problems for those wanting to export pets overseas and although it’s possible, it’s expensive. Some countries, notably Australia and New Zealand, require blood tests before allowing dogs to enter. Many pets get left behind because they failed the blood tests or preparations were left until the last minute.
WHERE TO ADOPT Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) One of the largest dog adoption centres in Hong Kong housing small and medium-sized dogs in Ap Lei Chau and larger dogs in Tai Po, Hong Kong Dog Rescue also offers fostering and volunteering dog walking opportunities for those who can’t commit to a companion. G/F, 5 Wai Fung Street, Ap Lei Chau. hongkongdogrescue.com
The Hong Kong Reptile & Amphibian Society Preparing your home for peculiar pets? The Hong Kong Reptile & Amphibian Society is a local non-profit program which rehomes exotic animals such as snakes, lizards, salamanders and even hedgehogs. hkras.org
Paws United Run by a group of volunteers with experience
Whiskers N Paws
in homing over 500 animals a year, Paws United is a non-profit charity that provides medical treatment for all rescue animals from abandoned pets to born strays in hopes of finding them a forever home. Shop 210, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay. pawsunited.org.hk
GROOMERS Whiskers N Paws One of Southside’s most popular pet grooming and supply store, Whiskers N Paws provides a full menu of mini-groom and full-groom services. Its professional grooming team uses top-quality products and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that your canine friend is taken care of. 10/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau. wnp.com.hk
Grooming tips from Whiskers N Paws founder Vada Chung Brushing and bathing your pet is a great way to bond with them and build trust. How often a dog should be groomed depends on its breed and coat type. Dogs with a short coat can simply be wiped clean with a damp towelette, while breeds with thicker and longer fur need to be washed thoroughly, de-shed and combed. A general rule of thumb is to bathe them once a month so as to not dry out their skin. Pay attention to breeds native to colder regions that have soft, fluffy hair with undercoats. Double-coated dogs will shed densely twice a year in spring and fall, so combing once a week is ideal to remove loose fur and helps skin breathe, preventing skin irritation in Hong Kong’s humid weather.
Paws United
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pet guide Pet-friendly restaurants Winston’s Coffee With water filled dog bowls out front, this independent coffee shop welcomes everyone, including those with four legs. Serving up a range of coffees and cocktails, you can enjoy an afternoon and evening out without leaving your dog at home. G/F Rich Court, Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun. winstonscofee.com
Pinewood Battery Heritage Trail
Ruff & Fetch With the aim of promoting animal welfare, Ruff & Fetch offers a variety of services catered to spoiling your pooch, from personalised gifts to a daycare hotel and spa with certified and experienced groomers. Shop 302, Stanley Plaza, 23 Carmel Road, Stanley. ruffandfetch.com
The Dog’s Garden Established in 2015, The Dog’s Garden brings carefully selected quality products and services for dogs and cats. Its professional grooming choices include haircuts, baths, nail treatments and micro-bubble or Ayurveda herbal spa treatments. Shop 405, Stanley Plaza, 23 Carmel Road, Stanley. thedogsgarden.com
VETS Pets Central Pets Central provides general and specialist veterinary services with a committed team of veterinary professionals operating 24/7, including overseas-qualified Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarians and Veterinary technicians. Various locations across Hong Kong. pets-central.com
animals, Southern District Veterinary Centre strives to provide the best service to all pets and their owners through care, knowledge and experience. 165-167 Ap Lei Chau Main Street.
9Lives The first vet to provide an exclusive veterinary service for cats, 9Lives hosts dedicated services including surgery, preventative care, dental care and complete health checks, accompanied by cat exclusive facilities for keeping your pets calm and relaxed. G/F, 37 Aberdeen Street, Central. 9lives.com.hk
DOG-FRIENDLY HIKING TRAILS Dragon’s Back One of Hong Kong’s most iconic trails, the rolling hills of Dragon’s Back takes your fitness levels to the test. A quick tip is to start the trail early to avoid crowds of avid hikers and tourists to spend some much-needed quality time with your best friend.
Limewood Found at pet-friendly mall The Pulse, Limewood lets you dine bayside with your best bud. Enjoy munching on a selection of seafood while overlooking the South China Sea. G/F, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay. limewood.hk
Twin Peaks A short but challenging hike, guaranteed to have you both panting and ready for a snack. The trails trees provide a shady cover for you and your dog to hide from the sizzling sun and spectacular views to marvel at along the way. Remember to bring an extra bottle of water as steep stairs await when going up the Twins.
Suitable for the casual stroll, take your pup away from the hustle and bustle and bask in the beautiful natural environment in the Aberdeen Country Park.
Pinewood Battery Heritage Trail
Covering all disciplines of medicine, diagnostics and surgery, Stanley Veterinary Centre is a professional clinic catered to your pets health needs. LG/F, 10-12 Wong Ma Kok Road, Stanley. stanleyvetcentre.com
With patients including dogs, cats and exotic
Offering an outdoor area for pets, Locofama is the perfect lunch spot for you and your pooch. It serves vegan, dairy-free, nut-free and pescetarian dishes. 9-13, Fuk Sau Lane, Sai Ying Pun. locofama.com
Aberdeen Country Park
Stanley Veterinary Centre
Southern District Veterinary Centre
Locofama
Dragon’s Back
A historical wonder frozen in time. Located in Pinewood Battery, now known as Lung Fu Shan Country Park, the Pinewood Battery Heritage Trail is an old military site located up The Peak. Take a trip down memory lane and uncover other hidden secrets while your fuzzy companions roam free.
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dining
Hong Kong Living Bar Awards Raise your glass to the spaces and faces that make Hong Kong one of the best places to bend the elbow. By Melaine Cox This month, our sister magazine Hong Kong Living launched the first Hong Kong Living Bar Awards celebrating the city’s most outstanding venues and the extraordinary talent that brings them to life night after night. Here are some of the highlights. For the full list of winners, visit hongkongliving.com
BAR OF THE YEAR The Old Man The Old Man needs no introduction. A stylish, intimate, Ernest Hemingway–inspired bar tucked away in Soho, serves up some of the
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The Old Man
bar awards
Darkside’s Cocktails
BEST HOTEL BAR
BEST ROOFTOP BAR
Darkside, Rosewood Hong Kong
Terrible Baby
Our readers have a taste for the finer things in life with the crowning glory of the glitzy Rosewood Hong Kong, Darkside taking top picks for Best Hotel Bar. Darkside offers one of the best bar experiences in town, complete with sultry live jazz performances and glimpses of the stunning Victoria Harbour. The name of the game here is dark, rare aged spirits. The bar stocks vintage cognac aged from oak barrels and a selection of rum, whisky and calvados that span back to the early 19th Century. rosewoodhotels.com
Terrible Baby is so much more than your standard hotel bar. It has become the go-to destination in Kowloon to catch live music, international DJ’s and an enticing repertoire of sustainable cocktails with unique names such as “let’s go for one bruh” and “Ginie, not in the bottle” playing homage to its vibrant neighbourhood in Jordan. This is the bar to checkout for those who wish to have a refreshing change of scenery from their usual waterholes in the city. With a performing space, rooftop garden, and music room
Terrible Baby
most scholarly devotion to liqueurs and a steely focus on service. A scholarly devotion to liqueurs and a steely focus on service has led to, a series of accolades under their belt since the opening in 2017 by Agung Prabowo, Roman Ghale and James Tamang in the summer of 2017, it is no wonder our readers chose The Old Man as their favourite bar of the year.
BARTENDER OF THE YEAR Lorenzo Antinori, Four Seasons As the Beverage Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong and Beverage Ambassador, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific, Antinori attributes humble beginnings with a hard work mentality that brought him to the cities of Asia, as his recipe for success. fourseasons.com
Lorenzo Antinori
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dining
Iron Fairies
on the fourth floor of Eaton Hong Kong, this rooftop bar lives up to its quirky name translated from the French phrase ‘enfant terrible’, an expression used in the world of creative arts to describe a usually young and successful person who is strikingly unorthodox or avant-garde. terriblebaby.com
BEST PUB The Globe Hong Kong original gastropub is a definite crowd pleaser and a neighbourhood favourite. Taking the Best Pub award with its great service, value for buck and perhaps serving the best pie in Hong Kong. The Globe is Hong Kong’s response to the many gastropubs in London with a warming environment and wholesome pub grub menu alongside a wide rotating selection of ales and lagers from around the world meaning there is always something new to pick. Tucked away on Graham Street, this pub is the place to go for British fair since its opening over 15 years ago that attracts locals and expats from all over around the world. theglobe.com.hk
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Best Interior Design
BEST CONCEPT BAR
Iron Fairies
Quinary
Straight out of a (literal) storybook, designer Ashley Sutton’s joint venture with Dining Concepts “The Iron Fairies” transports us to a fantastical world. Step out of Hollywood Road and into Iron Fairies for a journey to fantasy land far far away where 10,000 butterflies on thin copper rods swing from the ceiling and thousands of small iron fairies are scattered around the tables. diningconcepts.com
An experience like none other thanks to Diageo World Class 2015 Hong Kong & Macau Champion Antonio Lai at the helm, the Quinary is the quintessential bar for those who wish to have a “Multisensory experience” as stated in their bar ethos. The bar is more like Lai’s science lab showcasing a rotary evaporator and equipment used for redistilling and slowcooking unique flavoured spirits. quinary.hk
Quinary
nibbles Summer cocktail deals
Dining News
Red Sugar Travel back in time with Red Sugar’s new cocktail menu ‘Our Little Time’, which showcases a collection of concoctions inspired by the post-war era of Hong Kong. Kerry Hotel’s popular rooftop bar has launched 11 new cocktails, all presenting key elements from the 60s to 80s. The terrace bar, overlooking the Victoria Harbour, has also just launched a new Sundown Sessions available every Saturday and Sunday for two hours of free-flow bevvies and tapas. Level 7, Kerry Hotel, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom. shangri-la.com
Zuma
Xuân opens its doors Veteran Vietnamese chef John Nguyen, formerly of Chôm Chôm, has opened a modern Vietnamese restaurant showcasing Northern regional cuisine and craft cocktails. The all-day eatery, complete with al fresco seating and hard walnut wood furniture, exudes a warm and inviting aura. Highlights
from the menu include the braised beef tongue salad and cøm gà Hoi An chicken rice. Probably one of the most famous Vietnamese dishes, the pho here features Angus prime rib, braised beef tongue and oxtail, steeped in 24-hour simmered beef broth. G/F, 18 Lun Fat Street, Wan Chai.
Smashing
Agustin Balbi goes solo
Beef & Liberty has released a new burger for the summer months. Until August 30, guests can enjoy The Double Smashed With Cheese. The burger contains a double smashed grass-fed Scottish beef patty topped with American cheese, house pickles, Dijon mayonnaise and butter lettuce, served on Beef & Liberty’s signature toasted buns. Shop G07, One Island South, Wong Chuk Hang. beef-liberty.com
Former Haku chef Agustin Balbi has joined forces with Jia Group to open his first standalone restaurant, Ando. The new restaurant pays homage to Balbi’s roots from Spain and his culinary training in Japan. 1/F, Somptueux Central, 52 Wellington Street, Central. andohk.com
This summer, Zuma is launching its firstever bottled highball in collaboration with Japanese distillery Nikka and artisanal local craft mixers brand Carbonation. The limited-edition bottled Zuma Yuzu Highball is a refreshing and fizzy cocktail with a pronounced flavour of Japanese yuzu, rounded out with a kick of Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky and green apple. Meanwhile, the modern izakaya is also offering two new cocktails that combine Japanese flavours with the unique characters of Casamigos tequila. Named Bajiru Smash and Shāpu, the new drinks will be served with a selection of tempura curated by Asia’s corporate executive chef Oscar Luzon de Arcos, available from July 17. Level 5&6 Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central. zumarestaurant.com
Maison Libanaise
Summer seafood Calling all seafood lovers, Ocean Rock Seafood & Tapas has added more seafood selections to the menu including fresh Boston lobster, Hokkaido scallops, Manila clams and New Zealand mussels, all paired with the fantastic New Orleans cajun garlic butter sauce. Shop 102, Murray House, Stanley.
To welcome summer, Black Sheep Restaurants’ Lebanese canteen is bringing back its ‘Frosé All Day’ special. Made from churned frozen rosé wine and fresh raspberry purée, then topped with a sprig of vibrant mint, frosé is available all day by the glass. Guests can take the celebration further and enjoy an exclusive food and drinks pairing on the roof of the restaurant, with two glasses of vibrant frosé alongside a hearty lamb manoushe to share between two. The offer is available on weekends and public holidays from 3-7pm.10 Shelley Street, Central. maisonlibanaise.com.hk
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outdoors
Paddles up Katrina Lau tackles the stand up paddle board in Southside
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paddle boarding
If dragon boating and windsurfing are not up your alley, standup paddleboarding (SUP) may be the relaxing water sport you are searching for this summer. We’ve tested the water and here’s how you can enjoy some sun and sea in Stanley.
WHAT IS PADDLEBOARDING A cross between surfing and kayaking, paddle boarders stand on the boards and use a paddle to propel themselves through the water. To get moving paddle boarders will need to balance their knees on the board and gradually begin to stand up. Once standing
up they can increase paddle speed and even practice some yoga poses.
WHERE TO LEARN Aqua-Bound SUP Led by professionally trained instructors, Aqua-Bound SUP, located on Stanley Main Beach offers classes and equipment hire. The water sports centre offers SUP equipment rental for SUP boards, kayaks, windsurfing and wakeboarding equipment. Boards are available to rent for one hour for $80 or the whole day for $350. Buoyancy vests and wetsuits are also available. aquabound.com.hk Island Paddle HK
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outdoors
Island Paddle HK
Island Paddle HK Founded by fitness and ocean enthusiast couple Esther Bland and Niall Westley, Island Paddle focuses on giving people the confidence to paddle safely and teach you the fundamentals of SUP safety and technique before hiring out a board. Join one of its 90-minute lessons and
tours taking place in Stanley Bay or enjoy a SUP Yoga session to help you reconnect with nature. islandpaddle.hk
AUM Yoga Academy Founded by Miss Doris in 2012, AUM Yoga Academy has four branches across Hong
SUP tips from Niall Westley, co-founder of Island Paddle HK • Always check the sea state, wind speed and direction before you get in the water. Don’t paddle in conditions beyond your ability. • Select the right board for your paddle. A wider and larger board is more stable and generally better for beginners and SUP yogis. And always use a leg leash when paddling. • Understand the different paddle strokes to control your board. A straight stroke paddle along the board will help you go towards your destination, while a sweeping circular stroke from the nose of the board to the tail will help you turn the board.
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• Improve your balance by looking out at the horizon rather than down between your toes. • Take arms out of the equation when you paddle and use the rotation and hinge motion of the hips to develop a stronger and more efficient stroke. • Always keep an eye on your surroundings when practicing SUP yoga. It’s easy to get caught up in a pose and end up drifting too close to the rocks or another yogi. • If any of this sounds a bit overwhelming, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly for more tips and a lesson or two.
Kong offering a variety of yoga practices from traditional matt yoga to aerial yoga. Throughout August, the academy is offering SUP yoga sessions at South Bay Beach, so you can practice your downward dog on the water. aum.com.hk
BEST PLACES TO GO Stanley Beach While Stanley is the perfect weekday location to hit the seas, weekends and public holidays tend to be a bit busier with plenty of sea traffic. Beginners should opt for a quieter time to practice their skills.
Repulse Bay One of Southside’s most popular beaches, paddle boarders can enjoy an afternoon in the sunshine before heading over to The Pulse for a well-earned snack.
Tai Tam Bay For a more serene SUP experience Tai Tam Bay’s calm waters will put first time paddlers at ease. Its abundance of marine life will be an exciting addition to the trip.
tate’s cairn
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pets
Ask a vet... Dr Pauline answers your pet questions this summer Dr. Pauline Pets Central veterinarian What should pet owners be more concerned about during the summer? With summer comes a bunch of hazards that can affect or kill our pets. Commonly seen by our ER vets include: • Animals coming across and getting bitten by wildlife including snakes, mosquitoes, ticks, bees and other flying insects. • Overheating/heatstroke can quickly lead to dehydration and a life threatening situation. Always bring drinking water for your pet and never leave them unattended in the car. • Hot surfaces like pavements and hot sand can burn your pets feet. Also watch out for hose pipes that have been in the sun, as the water inside can be very hot. • Drowning, animals often jump or fall into swimming pools to cool off and drown because they cannot get out. • Thick manky fur coats, ensure your pet is clean and well-groomed and take care if you cut it off. Do not remove too much as the coat also helps prevent sunburn to the skin. • BBQs, as scavengers, your dog may eat too much or ingest fatty foods like ice cream causing an upset gastrointestinal system. Cooked meat bones and sweetcorn can also cause choking or get stuck in parts of the body, and meat skewers or toothpicks can kill if they pierce vital soft areas especially in the intestine. How long can dogs lay in the sun before it’s dangerous? Normally dogs love sunbathing, but for how long before it gets dangerous depends on many things. Most important is their in-built temperature control system in an area of their brain called the hypothalamus. This internal thermo-regulating area has the ability to maintain body temperature within certain limits (38-39.5C). Problems arise when the surrounding environmental temperature equals the dog’s body temperature and it becomes difficult for the dog to lose heat naturally. If you see your dog panting, drooling and trying to get a cooler space they should naturally move out of the sun’s rays. Heat stroke can kill a dog in as quickly as 10 minutes, if there are reasons they cannot thermo-regulate. If your dog is elderly, ill or has a thick fur coat I would recommend sunbathing is monitored carefully or restricted to cooler times of the day, if ever.
Got a question for Dr. Pauline? Email editorial@hongkongliving.com 32 | SOUTHSIDE
woof
Walkies
Lung Ha Wan Country Trail with Rex the dog Located in picturesque Clearwater Bay Country Park, the Lung Ha Wan Country Trail
offers stunning sea views and rolling hills unique to anywhere else in Hong Kong. In the
past, the area was used as a shooting location for many local based films. The full hike is 2.3km and takes roughly two hours to complete, but save time for a photo opportunity at the summit. The hike isn’t too strenuous, but be prepared to climb a lot of stairs. Most of the trail doesn’t have much tree canopy to shelter underneath and with Hong Kong’s unforgiving heat, it can be difficult, so be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen and water for you and your four legged friend. With a stone path most of the way, this hike is perfect to take the kids on. Once you reach the end, call a taxi back home or stop or stop by the Lung Ha Wan Picnic Site for a well-deserved pit stop.
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southside secrets
Set in stone
Cherry Lee discovers the meaning behind Wong Chuk Hang’s mysterious rock carvings Amongst the skyscrapers and busy streets you’ll find a small window to the past, over 3,000 years ago to be exact.
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Wong Chuk Hang’s ancient carvings are situated next to the Hong Kong University Graduate Association College in Wong Chuk Hang and were first discovered by archaeologists in 1984. The unique geometric patterns and spiral designs are believed to resemble the eyes of a mythical monster representing one of the deadly sins, Gluttony. These designs can be found on many pieces of Bronze Age pottery. It was believed that these symbols protected peoples’ homes from harm. Other common carvings including clouds, thunder and other forces of nature to protect homes from unpredictable storms and flooding. Usually, rock carvings of this nature are found in close proximity to the sea, as many homes during that time were located in coastal areas.
With these carvings so far from the ocean, archaeologists question why they were marked there. There are many explanations for this. Some say it’s due to the geographical change of the land while others believe it may be due to the stream close by. Keep your eyes peeled for similar rock carvings scattered around Hong Kong’s coastline including Big Wave Bay, Cheung Chau and Lung Ha Wan.
How to get there: From Ocean Park MTR station head over to Nam Fung Road and up the stairs next to the Hong Kong University Graduate Association College. Once you see a path on the left-hand side, you’ll find the rock carvings at the end.
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marketplace
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designing hk
Smokey Vessels Designing Hong Kong on how you can become a smoky vessel spotter The residents of Ap Lei Chau, Tin Wan, Wah Kwai, Wah Fu and Pok Fu Lam, have an excellent view of East Lamma Channel, one of the world’s busiest navigation channels. It serves the ports of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. In 2014, residents joined a smoky vessel spotter campaign after new legislation was adopted making it an offence to emit smoke as dark as shade two on the Ringelmann Smoke Chart continuously for three minutes or more. The chart is a piece of cardboard with different shades of grey and black printed on it. One can hold up and determine whether a smoke plume is dark enough for prosecution action. Next, spotters pull out their phone and record a continuous video of the smoke plume. Thirty-three captains have been successfully prosecuted since. Some 29 cases were determined based on evidence provided by spotters. A total of $70,500 in penalties were imposed. It was recently proposed that the government install cameras along the East
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Lamma Channel as part of its Smart City concept. Combined with data recorded by the Marine Department’s Vessel Tracking System, there should be adequate evidence for enforcement. For now, smoky vessel spotters will need to continue sending reports to the Harbour Patrol Unit of the Marine Department. These reports help direct their vessels to check out offenders. A thorny issue is heavy smoke of any colour other than dark grey. How do we know it is not polluting? For those cases it is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Department. The Air Pollution Control (Fuel for Vessels) Regulation came into force on January 1 2019 and mandates vessels to use compliant fuel (including low-sulphur fuel with sulphur not exceeding 0.5 percent) within Hong Kong waters. EPD officers conduct surprise inspections of bunker delivery notes, operation of machinery, fuel-switch records and fuel samples, after a vessel is at berth. In 2019, EPD inspected 195 vessels and initiated prosecution against three for using non compliant fuel. Owners and masters of
the vessels concerned were convicted by the court and fined $5,000 to $10,000. Do you have a view of the sea, harbour or East Lamma Channel? Join the army of smoky vessels spotters, Find the Ringelmann Smoke Chart on-line, and when you see an offending vessel, record a video of at least three minutes continuously and send it to mi1ohps1@mardep.gov.hk
Designing Hong Kong Limited is a not-forprofit organisation devoted to promoting sustainability, quality of life and good design as core values in planning, development and governance. Its aim is to increase public awareness and to improve Hong Kong’s collective ability to plan and deliver a ‘beautiful’ city. It promotes collaborations on interventions wherever it sees bad planning and wherever it sees that policies or institutions are not working the way they should. Designing Hong Kong is a member of the World Urban Campaign by UN-Habitat.
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