Southside May 2020

FA M I LY | M O T H E R ’ S D A Y | B I G D A Y O U T

MAY 2020

S urv iv e and thri ve

navigating rocky times

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The really useful magazine May 2020

2 CONTRIBUTORS Meet the team

6 PEOPLE Southsiders out and about

8 THE PLANNER What’s on in May. Plus virtual events

26 BIG DAY OUT Rory Mackay explores Double Haven

28 BIG NIGHT OUT

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Cabin fever? Treat yourself with these staycation packages

30 NIBBLES What’s hot on the dining scene this month

12 NEWS What’s happening in our backyard

14 LOCAL

31 SOUTHSIDE SECRETS University Hall’s haunted statues

Covid-19’s impact on our environment

16 MUST HAVES THIS MONTH Mother’s Day gift guide

18 COVER STORY Southside’s business owners are powering through

32 PETS

26

Dr Pauline answers your pet questions.

Plus walkies

36 ZIM CITY Paul Zimmerman takes a walk along Hong Kong Island Coastal Trail

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28 A MOTHER IS SHE WHO CAN TAKE THE PLACE OF ALL OTHERS BUT WHOSE PLACE NO ONE ELSE CAN TAKE CARDINAL MERMILLOD

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editor’s letter

t’s officially summer in Southside and if the crowds at Repulse Bay don’t give it away, our sunny cover shoot sure does!

This month we celebrate Southside’s local business owners as they adapt in these ever-changing times. We headed out to Repulse Bay with world-renowned photographer Graham Uden to shoot our fabulous cover. Read the story on page 18 and see how we put together the cover on page 7 (being careful to abide by the social distancing rules!)

If you fancy escaping the hustle and bustle for a bit, Rory Mackay takes you to Double Haven in the New Territories, this area is the perfect escape from the crowds. Read about his adventures off the grid on page 26.

It’s important to keep spirits high, so why not treat yourself to a luxury staycation?

With tourist numbers at an all-time low, local residents can enjoy special offers at some of the city’s top hotels, Gemma Shaw checks in on page 28.

Don’t forget to celebrate the most important woman in your life this Mother’s Day on May 10!

Editorial Managing Editor Gemma Shaw, gemma@hongkongliving.com Editor Nicole Slater, nicole@hongkongliving.com Editorial Assistant Charmaine Ng, charmaineng@hongkongliving.com

Design Graphic Designer Alvin Cheng, alvin@hongkongliving.com Vicky Lam, vicky@hongkongliving.com

Sales & Marketing Director of Content Hilda Chan, hilda@hongkongliving.com Head of Digital Content Isamonia Chui, isamonia@hongkongliving.com Partnership Manager Chrissie Ip, chrissie@hongkongliving.com Elaine Li, elaine@hongkongliving.com

Digital

3 things we love this month...

Digital Editor Apple Lee, apple@hongkongliving.com

Publisher Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com

Thanks to Yankee Tsang Denis Leung Nabdeep Gill

Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 | Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772

Hong Kong Living Awards

All You Can Eat dinner at Fumi

We sweated our problems and toxins away at the LifeHub Infrared Sauna this month. Using natural thermal wavelengths, aromatherapy and light therapy the sauna leaves you feeling at peace.

The 45-minute session is perfect for lunch-breaks or an afterwork treat. thelifehub.com

This month we celebrate the city's best businesses in our Hong Kong Living Awards 2020. Pick up a copy of our sister magazine Hong Kong Living or visit us online at hongkongliving.com to find out who won!

Enjoy a selection of Fumi’s finest Japanese dishes with their “All You Can Eat” dinner menu available from Friday-Sunday. Highlights include Hokkaido king crab leg, sashimi, sea prawn tempura and grilled Miyazaki pork belly. $630. fumihk.com

Stay strong Hong Kong

You may have noticed that we’re at a reduced number of pages. These are tough times for everyone and just like other small businesses in Hong Kong, we are rationing. Hopefully things will return to normal soon. For now, we’ve squeezed the same great content into this slightly smaller issue. We hope it fills you with positivity for this great city in which we live.

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Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong

HONG KONG hongkongliving.com

Photo credit: Graham Uden

Infrared Sauna at LifeHub

Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queen’s Road Central, 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

Alvin Cheng Alvin is an experienced graphic designer who has worked on Hong Kong publications including HK Magazine, New Travel Magazine and Kee Magazine. He is also heavily involved in the fitness scene and is a NASM certified trainer.

Using both sides of his brain helps Alvin maintain a balanced lifestyle.

Paul Zimmerman Paul Zimmerman is the CEO of Designing Hong Kong, the coconvenor of Save Our Country Parks and Southern District Councillor of Pok Fu Lam. In his column this month, Paul takes a stroll around Hong Kong Island on page 36.

Graham Uden British-born photographer Graham Uden arrived in Hong Kong in 1992. His work has involved being held up by AK-47 toting ex-Khmer Rouge soldiers in Cambodia and squatting metres from Taliban trenches in Afghanistan. This month he shot our wonderful cover at Repulse Bay, shining a light on Southside’s local business owners. grahamuden.com

Suzanne Younan Southside resident, dragon boater and founder of Green Dragons HK, Suzanne shares her thoughts on how the recent Covid-19 outbreak has affected the local environment. Read all about it in our local story on page 14. bill1834.wixsite.com/ greendragonshk

Rory Mackay Avid hiker and thrill-seeker, Rory owns adventure company Wild Hong Kong. This month he kayaked over to picturesque Double Haven for our Big Day Out. Read all about his adventure and how to get to the unique location on page 26. wildhongkong.com

Nikita Agrawal Born and raised in Hong Kong, Nikita can’t get enough of this vibrant city. From hiking with her family to finding new brunch spots, she’s always out and about. This month she ventured to Repulse Bay to snap your smiling faces! Check out her pictures on page 6.

Want to write for Southside Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com hongkongliving.com | 5

people Snaps from Southside

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say cheese

Hong Kong Living team out and about this month

We’re on Facebook

Scan here to view the full photo album hongkongliving.com | 7

news

FLY WORRY FREE! With the coronavirus wreaking havoc on travel plans, Cathay Pacific is offering customers the flexibility to make free and unlimited changes to all new tickets issued before June 30, up to one year after the initial purchase. The airline’s usual fees will be waived and customers can alter their travel dates or pick a new destination as many times as they like. For more information, visit cathaypacific.com

INDIGO LIVING RELEASES SUMMER TRENDS

VISITOR ARRIVALS DROP BY 99% The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced 82,000 visitor arrivals to Hong Kong in March, a drop of nearly 99% from the same time last year. Before mid-March, the number of arrivals in Hong Kong was around 3,000 to 4,000 per day. However, from March 19 onwards, nonHong Kong residents arriving in the city were requested to undergo compulsory quarantine, and subsequently, average daily visitors fell to about 1,000. March 25 saw a further dip as

non-Hong Kong residents coming from overseas were banned outright from entering Hong Kong.

At the beginning of April, average daily visitors dropped to below 100. Whilst tourism may not be top on the priority list right now, the HKTB is working on several initiatives for Hong Kong’s tourism industry to take place after the pandemic abates. Plans include collaborating with retail and dining sectors to roll out promotional campaigns and more.

HOME DELIVERY SUPPORT FOR ISOLATING ELDERLY

More than 40 percent of Hong Kong’s elderly live in poverty and are struggling to make ends meet. These elderly are more in need now than ever as they practise self-isolation and stay at home. Elderly centres, which stay in constant

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contact with these individuals to assess their needs, are usually a life-line for these vulnerable individuals. However, they are currently operating with dramatically reduced staff and struggling to provide the degree of support needed. To help, local charity HandsOn Hong Kong is seeking volunteers to deliver Covid-19 relief packages to the city’s low-income elderly.

These packages include necessity food items, as well as masks and hand sanitiser. Teams of two volunteers each will assemble Care Packages before delivering them to elderly households. HandsOn Hong Kong has taken all safety precautions and each volunteer will receive their own protective items. To volunteer, visit handsonhongkong.org

Interior and furniture store Indigo Living has just launched their newest seasonal looks. For spring and summer 2020, botanical florals, art deco and warm neutrals are in. Make the most of your time at home and give your abode a makeover with Indigo Living’s new collection.

Some standout pieces they have introduced include the Botanical Cabinet from the Botanical Home line; the Perry Chair from the Miami Chic line; and the Cooper Armchair from the Organic Luxe line. indigo-living.com

in your backyard

POSTCARDS FOR A PLASTIC-FREE WORLD Working with design house Paper-Roses, Hong Kong-based environmental charity Plastic Free Seas has launched Postcards for a Plastic Free World. Three stunning wildlife artworks, which highlight the impact of Hong Kong’s plastic pollution crisis on our green sea turtles, whale sharks and Chinese white dolphins, can be purchased to help fund the work of the charity. Paper-Roses will be

donating a portion of the sales of each set of postcards to support the Plastic Free Seas education programme in Hong Kong schools which teaches the next generation about the plastic-waste crisis. The postcards are professionally printed on recycled paper and are a great way to connect with loved ones during this time of crisis. To purchase, visit plasticfreeseas.org

MATILDA INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL’S NEW DIGITAL BABY MAP Matilda International Hospital has launched a digital map dedicated to the Matilda baby community. The online map shows where Matilda Hospital babies currently are around the world. “We started to collect pictures in mid-October 2019 and have received over 280 so far. It is amazing to learn that Matilda babies now live around the world, from Asia, to Europe, North America and Australia, all united by the place where they were born,” says Linda Burgoyne, CEO of Matilda

International Hospital. “We are so excited to be able to reconnect with them and hope everyone helps spread the word, to enable the production of the Matilda mosaic.” If you were born at Matilda or are parents of Matilda babies, you can contribute to the digital map project by emailing your photos to design@ matilda.org. You can view the baby map on the hospital’s website at matilda.org/MatildaBB/en

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local

Repulse Bay

Plastic, plastic,

everywhere...

plastic picker like myself would hesitate to retrieve and dispose of them.

Unfortunately, the picnic areas are on another level of rubbish altogether. Monday mornings, after the picnickers have had their

Suzanne Younan, founder of Green Dragons HK (GDHK), muses on environmental silver linings

A

fter seeing the devastation that Typhoon Hato left behind in 2017, my life changed forever. Now fitted with inbuilt ‘plastic goggles’, I see plastic everywhere. It prompted me to create ‘Green Dragons HK’, a volunteer organisation raising awareness of plastic pollution in the dragon boat community. Trying to influence people to make small changes for the benefit of Hong Kong became my life’s work.

Being an avid nature lover and hiker I feel for all those people around the world who are currently under lockdown; not able to enjoy the great outdoors for however long. We are certainly lucky in Hong Kong right now.

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A daily hike with my loyal hound keeps me fit and healthy and also up to date with the current situation in the country parks. Since the pandemic, I have never seen so many hikers! It seems that the whole of Hong Kong is keen to get outdoors and take advantage of the fresh air.

I see the odd snack wrapper and plastic bottle on the trails, but now masks feature daily. Not something that I’d noticed before the virus. Disposable masks have three layers, the outer one usually has some plastic content, the inner ones… well, let’s not think too much about the germs and possible bacteria! Naturally, even the most hardened

Mask in the ocean

plastic problems fun at the weekend, are never my favoured time to walk. Seeing the mountains of rubbish left behind makes my blood boil. With the recent restrictions of the use of picnic areas in the country parks and at certain beaches, the rubbish has been at a minimum. This, in turn, has kept the wild animals and rodents at bay.

Less ‘up close and personal’ contact with the wild boars is a positive in my book!

After a longer-than-wished-for visit to the UK earlier this year, I returned to Hong Kong amid the panic buying mode that had gripped the country. I noticed, and was certainly guilty of it for a time myself, that everyone was buying so much more than they would usually at the supermarkets. What I also noticed was that much of the loose fruit and vegetables were being overlooked for plastic-wrapped produce in the interests of supposed hygiene.

The total opposite of what needs to change in Hong Kong shopping habits. Washing produce is a must and there is no guarantee that the plastic-wrapped varieties are any safer.

Harking back to the privilege of being able to go outside, I decided to walk from Deep Water Bay beach to three more on the Southside to check out the state of play. What surprised me the most was just how many people were on the beaches. It was Easter, but there were social distancing measures in

place also! The holiday season, great weather and families coming together are certainly pushing people outside. More family time can only be good, as long as we are socially responsible.

One beach offered up many more masks than I had expected to see. Some on the beach, others floating on the waves lapping the shore.

Another was pristine but again packed with people. What was most evident was the lack of buses lining up to bring tourists to visit one of the prettiest beaches in Hong Kong.

Very hard for the local businesses indeed, but the air was not filled with the black clouds of exhaust fumes.

Plastic pollution is still a huge problem for Hong Kong, perhaps even more so now with the spike in mask usage, convenience foods and the surge in takeaway food in plastic or styrofoam containers. Although necessary measures in these uncertain times, we can all still do our part. Ask yourself if there is another choice you can make and what you can do to help protect the environment; perhaps you can organise a safe, family beach or trail clean up, a neighbourhood community project of sewing some reusable masks or consider using containers from home to collect your own takeaway food?

The launch of GDHK’s new campaign ’20 ways to break up with plastic’ is coming soon; visit their website and Facebook page (GreenDragonsHK) to find out how you can make a difference in your community. bill1834.wixsite.com/greendragonshk

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must haves this month

Yummy mummies

Gorgeous gifts for Mother’s Day. By Nicole Slater

The ritual of Sakura renewing collection

Mrs Elegant vase arrangement

$390 from Rituals rituals.com

$1,580 from M Florist mflorist.hk

Miscoso primo ecoffee cup $160 from LiveZero livezero.hk

Mother and daughter heart split dangle charm $699 from Pandora hk.pandora.net

Chloé l’eau eau de toilette $780 from Lane Crawford lanecrawford.com.hk

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mother’s day Rose garden gift box $310 from La Maison du Chocolat lamaisonduchocolat.hk

Eternal flower smartphone case $379 from Swarovski swarovski.com

Fruit acid peel $660 from Vinoble Cosmetics vinoble-cosmetics.asia

Shangri La crystal vase

Perrier Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé 2006 Champagne

$2,500 from Katharine Pooley Boutique katharinepooley.com

$1,798 from Vinoble vinoble.hk

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cover story

SURVIVE Not even Covid-19 can stop these Southside businesses, as Nicole Slater finds out Photography by Graham Uden

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survive & thrive

THRIVE W

ith social gatherings limited to four people and public facilities including gyms, spas and pools closed since the end of March, there is no doubt that Hong Kong’s local businesses have been severely affected by the impact of Covid-19. This month, we caught up with seven Southside businesses to find out how they are adapting to keep Southsiders happy and safe during these unprecedented times.

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cover story

Heather Shalabi Director of Flex Studio

Covid-19 silver lining: That when we pull through this - and we WILL we’ll all appreciate one another more, be kinder, more generous and more compassionate.

Heather opened the first Flex Studio in Stanley over 15 years ago. It was the very first boutique fitness studio of its kind and became known as Hong Kong’s home of Classical Pilates. Flex now operates two successful branches in Central and Wong Chuk Hang and employs a team of dedicated teachers offering classes in Pilates, yoga and Xtend Barre. flexhk.com How are you helping your clients during this time?

During these endless days spent working from home, maintaining a regular exercise schedule helps achieve a sense of purpose and organisation. We offer our clients online programmes, equipment loans and free delivery of props to enhance home workouts (yoga mats, therabands, balls, magic circles, hand weights) to help them avoid falling into a “slump”.

How has the Covid-19 outbreak affected your business?

I’d be lying if I said we hadn’t been hard hit by the virus. The effect has been devastating for the fitness

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industry as we’ve been forced to close. We had to adapt quickly, digitising services using Zoom, and integrating with our MindBody online platform. An upside of the online classes has been attracting previous clients who are no longer in Hong Kong! We’ll definitely keep LIVE STREAM classes running well after we physically re-open.

What can the government do to help local businesses more during this time?

Businesses have been crippled, and it’s imperative that Hong Kong retains its interesting panoply of small and medium sized businesses. Without government support, we’ll all be forced to close leaving only the large, deeppocketed behemoth businesses in operation. Hong Kong deserves better than that!

Flex Studio is offering Southside readers an additional free class with every digital package booked throughout May.

Inès De Beer

Director at The Round Clinic Covid-19 silver lining: More quality time with my family. Simple things such as sharing meals together and playing board games have become very precious.

Founded five years ago, The Round Clinic is a one-stopwellness center for all paramedical services. Their Wong Chuk Hang centre provides Southside residents with a convenient location to seek treatment, advice and services such as osteopathy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, HOMEOPATHY and cranial-sacral therapy. theroundclinic.com

How have you adapted your business strategy?

We launched TeleHealth last month, an online treatment service for patients who physically can’t come to the clinic. In addition, we work non-stop to keep people informed about their health with regular newsletters covering various health topics related to the outbreak.

Have you noticed any changes in your clients habits since Covid-19?

Generally in times of crisis, people tend to need assistance regarding their physical and mental health.

Because of school closures and home offices, patients have been more flexible during office hours to come in for treatments with some even mentioning they welcome the break from working at home!

How do you stay passionate about what you do?

I feel I have a responsibility as a health practitioner to assist people in difficult times. We are making a difference to numerous patients who show us gratitude in return, and this is as a therapist, very empowering.

charity pioneers

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cover story

Jean-Paul Gauci

Iva Liu

Covid-19 silver lining: The situation is bringing us closer to our clients and in particular, our neighbours.

Covid-19 silver lining: Last year, we had plans to develop a Web App to enhance online interaction with our customers. Now, we finally get the time to do it!

Owner of Cococabana & CoCoNuts

A great lover of sea and sunshine, Jean-Paul has mastered the art of beachside dining. He currently operates two restaurants in Southside, opening his first Cococabana over 20 years ago.

This much-loved Hong Kong institution located in Shek O has stood the test of time due to its solid reputation for consistently delicious Mediterranean food.

Following destruction brought about by Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, Jean-Paul’s second restaurant CoCoNuts underwent renovation and a move just a short walk along Deep Water Bay beach, reopening last summer. Facebook: Cococabanahk How do you stay passionate about what you do?

Luckily for me, I’m always motivated about working in the F&B industry! There’s always something to do and goals to achieve. We tend to keep ourselves away from “anti-social” media and focus on keeping our guests happy!

How have you adapted your business strategy over the past few months?

The effect of the protests were

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minimal compared to Covid-19, although there were days when it was practical for clients to stay home and we also had to consider the safety of our employees.

We’ve become quite active on the takeaway side and have also gotten to know our local market and their needs a lot better, this has encouraged us to be more creative and versatile with our menu.

How are diners finding the new experience?

Apart from the legislation rules, which most guests seem comfortable with, we have also arranged for the sun to shine!

Having less tables allows us to give more time and attention to our guests - we make sure that they are extra happy and comfortable!

Shek O and Big Wave Bay residents can enjoy a Cococabana set dinner for four with a free bottle of house wine from Monday to Friday. While, residents in the Deep Water Bay area can enjoy a 10% discount when ordering takeaway Monday to Friday, when they pick up from CoCoNuts.

Assistant General Manager at The Coffee Academïcs

Hong Kong-born coffeehouse, The Coffee Academïcs, began their journey in 2012 and have since been expanding worldwide across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Their oceanfront cafe in Repulse Bay offers a tranquil atmosphere where customers can escape the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong citylife. the-coffeeacademics.com How are you overcoming restrictions put in place due to Covid-19?

We are trying new digital ways of doing business, like setting up our e-commerce shop and partnering with HKTV Mall. The new social distancing policies put in place by the government have meant that our retail occupancy has dropped by half. But this has been a great opportunity for us to move our operations online for greater flexibility.

What motivates you to keep going and stay passionate?

We are using this time to reeducate ourselves on our beloved product by hosting Specialty Coffee Association classes with our staff members and continuing to source

new beans directly from farmers and auctions around the world. We are putting the focus back on why we started our business, so we can continue to innovate and grow in new trajectories.

What can the government do to help local businesses more during this time?

Local businesses are doing their best to retain staff and ensure that people’s livelihoods are impacted as little as possible. We have received the first emergency funding for a few shops but it is only enough to tie us through for a month. We would appreciate more support for our employees, subsidising part of their salary as well as help negotiating lower rents from our landlords. Everyone should be in this together.

To support the local community, The Coffee Academïcs is offering a discount of 10% for customers who have shopped at another store in the area. Simply show your receipt from a store in Repulse Bay to enjoy the offer.

charity pioneers

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cover story

Louis Pong

Smita More

Covid-19 silver lining: With less traffic congestion and queuing, I can spend more time working on creating good food at home and at work!

Covid-19 silver lining: It’s a wake up call for people to eat healthily, exercise regularly and take time for themselves.

Lifestyle Federation was founded

by Louis Pong, who spent his childhood years growing up in the Southside area. Lifestyle Federation is a hospitality and F&B group involved with major hotels, resorts and F&B development projects across Asia. The company serves Southside neighbourhood outlets including CFK and CFK Express, plus a gourmet studio and Central kitchen that caters for upcoming virtual restaurant concepts and gourmet home deliveries. lifestylefederation.com

Smita started on her healing journey eight years ago with the aim of reducing human suffering. Since then she has helped cure many of her client’s health problems through time tested energy healing and other natural methods. By scanning her clients, Smita can pinpoint the root cause of the problem and start to heal their internal organs using natural medicines and rejuvenation exercises. Smita has been in Hong Kong for 25 years and works from her home in Pok Fu Lam. smitamore.com

Founder and Chairman of Lifestyle Federation

How have you adapted your business strategy throughout the last few months?

Although various issues and pandemic in Hong Kong meant people staying home more, this hasn’t impacted their passion for gourmet food. We are using this time to re-think, re-group and re-strategise. We are investing in our digital platforms more than

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ever, these platforms will allow our customers to order fully cooked, semi-cooked and raw ingredients straight to their door.

How do you stay passionate about what you do?

My passion for good food helps! I love searching for and buying good ingredients, when I was younger I would personally pick out seafood from the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market. I love rolling up my sleeves, making dishes and working with my chefs to develop new concepts.

How are you working to keep your customers safe and happy?

Our restaurants are not only adhering to Hong Kong government’s regulations but also focusing on hygiene, cleaning and sanitising more than ever. We are also selectively working with suppliers and vendors that share the same hygiene standards as us.

Ayurvedic Consultant, Yoga Practitioner and Energy healer

How has the Covid-19 outbreak affected your business?

I’m blessed to always work from home, even before the virus I conducted many of my consultations via video with clients worldwide. Since people are on lockdown at home, my workload has increased, with many people looking for healing advice and immunity boosting remedies.

How can Ayurveda help people during this time?

Ayurveda has hundreds of home remedies which you can make from food spices and easily available herbs. I have cured people just by suggesting simple diet changes and introducing them to immunity boosting spices, including turmeric, pepper, honey and ashwagandha bharmai. I believe these remedies can really help people during this time.

What can the government do to promote alternative health care?

Personally I feel that alternative and holistic health care is needed in today’s society. If it’s incorporated from a young age, it can promote healthy eating and exercise habits in children. The government should promote more health care workers like myself and others across Hong Kong.

survive & thrive

Maël Vastine

Chief Operating Officer at Classified Group Covid-19 silver lining: We’re all in this together and we will come back stronger Classified launched its cafe concept in 2006 with the intention to revive neighbourhood sociability. They selected locations carefully, opening in neighbourhoods such as Repulse Bay, Happy Valley and Stanley.

The chain serves fresh brewed coffee, modern comfort food and boutique wines. The Repulse Bay location is popular amongst Southsiders for its relaxed vibe, beachside setting and Instagramable swinging chairs. classifiedfood.com How has the Covid-19 outbreak affected your business?

These are challenging and unprecedented times for Hong Kong and globally, especially for the F&B industry. It has certainly made an impact on the way people dine out and consume.

We have had to think outside of

the box for unique and interesting ways to serve our customers.

How are you working to keep your customers safe and happy?

To ensure the health and safety of our customers and staff, we have implemented measures within our restaurants to provide a clean and safe environment. We cannot express enough gratitude to our passionate teams for their hard work in keeping our customers safe, and our community for their continued support during these difficult times.

Classified has recently launched a special Rosé promotion exclusive to Classified Repulse Bay and Stanley, which Southsiders can enjoy on the weekends.

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big day out

Rory Mackay visits the farflung northeastern corner of the New Territories

B

y any nations’ standards, Double Haven would be considered a remote and relatively pristine location. It’s far-flung northeastern location in the New Territories makes it all the more special. The area possesses a little bit of something for everyone; from family-friendly short walks and historical rekeys, to tranquil beaches and clear waters.

The primary port of call for all that reach the four main islands of Double Haven, is the sleepy village of Kat O. Located on Crooked Island, it is the only major settlement of note in the area and one could easily spend the best part of an hour wandering the laneways; crumbling Hakka houses interspersed with shade yielding Banyans.

Enjoy a waterfront stroll and keep an eye

out for the three 19th century era cannons, aptly pointed northwards towards the large container port of Yantian. Often visible, this behemoth on the Chinese Mainland provides a compelling juxtaposition between the traditional ways of the Hakka people and the

How to get there Getting to the island is not straight forward, but that’s what makes it all the more alluring.

The most common way is by a ferry from Shau Tau Kok to Kat O, however as this falls within the Closed Border Area, an access permit is required. Alternatively, you can join a private island tour to charter a boat or get a water taxi from Wong Shek Pier. From Sai Kung take the number 94 and 96R KMB buses go to Wong Shek Pier (96R operates on weekends only). For the more intrepid, one can sail or kayak to the region and utilise many of the secluded anchorages the archipelago has to offer.

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double haven

Jellyfish

rise of Modern China across the waters.

From Kat O, there are a few short hikes you can pursue across opposite ends of Crooked Island; the most worthwhile being a shorter trail leading northeast across to a large sandy beach which has spectacular views of Mirs Bay. Make sure to indulge yourself with a decent meal and grab refreshments in Kat O, as there are no such amenities anywhere else.

If you have your own boat or kayak, then Kat O

Sunset over the water

serves as a worthy port of call before venturing to more remote areas of the archipelago.

For those who are not so fussed about the logistics of venturing offshore and are happy to get a taster for the area, another option is to visit the coastal portion of Double Haven near Lai Chi Wo Village.

One can reach Lai Chi Wo overland by hiking from Wu Kau Tang in Plover Cove Country Park (take green minibus 20R departing at Tai Po Market MTR station to Wu Kau Tang), or by taking a ferry (Sunday and Public Holidays only) from Sha Tin (depart from Ma Liu Shui: 9am. Depart from Lai Chi Wo: 15.30pm. Fare: $50 single ticket, $80 return ticket).

The hike from Wu Kau Tang takes you in an Easterly direction over a pass with fantastic views over the entire Double Haven area, before descending to the coast. Venturing further afield, there are many trails in Plover Cove Country park to choose from. If you’re

taking the ferry from Ma Liu Shui, enjoy the views of Tolo Harbour en route before rounding the headland. Be sure to catch the final boat leaving the island at 3.30pm, unless hiking back or camping overnight is more your cup of tea. Camping in Hong Kong can be an awesome experience; there are a few great options around Plover Cove Country Park, the ‘Sam A Chung’ campsite being the best situated of them.

Among the list of Hong Kong’s many regions, the castaway islands of Double Haven are worth the trip at least once. The adventure to and from Double Haven is as much an attraction as being there.

Rory Mackay runs adventure company Wild Hong Kong.

For more details visit wildhongkong.com

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big night out

Springtime retreats Staycations are the new vacations. By Gemma Shaw

St. Regis Hong Kong Can’t jet off to an exotic location? No worries.

Escape for 24 hours and rejuvenate yourself at the exquisite Forbes Travel Guide-recognised five star St. Regis Hong Kong. The hotel boasts two Michelin-starred restaurants, a relaxing pool and spa and state-of-the-art gym. St. Regis Hong Kong is currently running a “24-hours staycation” package which

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ith travel restrictions in full force across the world, most of us will be staying put in Hong Kong during the coming weeks. Since you won’t be able to fly out, why not indulge in a staycation in the city? Here are our favourite hotel deals on offer this spring.

The Upper House The Upper House has recently launched an unbeatable staycation offer exclusive to Hong Kong residents. The “24-Hours at Our House” package offers guests the chance to relax and enjoy this highly-acclaimed tranquil Asian residence, designed by renowned architect Andre Fu. Kick off the evening with complimentary drinks while taking in panoramic city views from Café Gray Bar on Level 49. Then, soak in the ambience over dinner at Café Gray Deluxe (included for guests staying in an Upper Suite).

Back in the room, enjoy unlimited on-demand popcorn and in-room blockbuster movies as well as complimentary access to the MaxiBar before collapsing into your plush bed.

Bedrooms at The Upper House were recently voted among the world’s sexiest in a coffee

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table book published by luxury hotel travel club Mr & Mrs Smith!

Early risers can take advantage of the in-room yoga mat and online classes or visit nearby Bowen Road for a jog along one of the scenic trails, then recharge with a delicious breakfast spread at Café Gray Deluxe. For weekenders with an appetite, Café Gray Deluxe’s brunch runs until 2.30pm with a new bottomless Bloody Mary offer.

The “24-Hours at Our House” package is available from $2,880 per room per night until September 6 2020. upperhouse.com

W Hong Kong Relax amongst contemporary comfort with a staycation at W Hong Kong in Kowloon. The hotel has recently launched the “Amp Up Your Stay” package, perfect for residents looking for a change of scenery. The offer includes complimentary breakfast, an in-room movie with soft drinks and popcorn, 50 percent discount for all items in the W MixBar and

staycations Grand Hyatt

includes guaranteed room upgrade, $1,000 dining credit to be used at any restaurant in the hotel, a Virgin Canto Mary for two in the St. Regis Bar and a personalised fitness training session for two.

The “24-hours staycation” package starts at $3,888 and is available until 31 August 2020. stregishongkong.com

Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong has recently launched a “Kids Stay For Free” package, which aims to give weary parents a change of scenery during extended school-free days in Hong Kong. Parents who stay in a Deluxe Harbour View Room or above will enjoy a complimentary connecting room for their kids. The package also includes a 20 percent discount on daily breakfast and in-room dining, as well as fun family activities, a scavenger hunt and hot chocolate and coffee art.

Grand Hyatt Hong Kong in Wan Chai has created a rejuvenating staycation for the perfect weekend getaway in the city. The “Escape 24” package is exclusively designed to offer local residents head-to-toe relaxation.

The package comprises a 24-hour stay, complimentary upgrade to a Harbour View Room, daily breakfast for two at Grand Café, complimentary parking and a choice of benefits including $1,000 dining credit or a set menu for two at one of the hotels restaurants; One Harbour Road, Grand Café or Grissini.

The “Escape 24” package is priced from $2,680 per room per night and can be booked for stays up until the end of August 2020. hyatt.com

The “Kids Stay For Free” package starts from $4,300 and is valid for two adults and up to three children aged 12 or below (or for a total of up to three adults) until August 31 2020. fourseasons.com/hongkong

a lavish W Grab-n-Go basket set filled with mouth-watering treats that can be enjoyed in-room, at the West Kowloon promenade or whilst soaking up some rays at WET DECK, Hong Kong’s highest outdoor swimming pool.

The Peninsula Hong Kong

The “Amp Up Your Stay” package is priced from $2,300 per room per night and available until June 29 2020. w-hongkong.com

Trying to come up with the perfect Mother’s Day surprise? The Peninsula Hong Kong is offering a “Be Our Guest” package which includes breakfast for two at The Lobby or inroom, $800 credit for use in The Lobby, Chesa or Michelin-starred Spring Moon, welcome amenities and a late 4pm check-out.

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental The iconic Landmark Mandarin Oriental has recently unveiled the “Urban Escape” package designed to offer Hongkongers some respite in the heart of the city. The package includes complimentary room upgrade, $500 dining or spa credit ($1,000 for suite bookings), a hearty breakfast for two adults and one child, 25 percent discount at Amber, SOMM, MO Bar and PDT, as well as Le Petit Prince amenities for kids and a 4pm late check-out.

The “Urban Escape” package runs from May 11 to August 31 2020 and is priced from $4,300 per room per night. mandarinoriental.com/landmark

For lovebirds looking to celebrate a special anniversary but unable to getaway, the “European Soirée” package could be the answer. This package includes accommodation in a Deluxe Room, one-way arrival transfer between your home and the hotel, breakfast for two in The Lobby and a choice of dreamy dining experiences including a poolside candle light dinner (additional supplement of $1,000) or an authentic Swiss gastronomic experience at Chesa.

The “Be Our Guest” package is available from $3,856 per room per night and runs until 31 August 2020 while the “European Soirée” package starts at $4,880 available from now onwards. peninsula.com

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nibbles Chef’s table for four

Dining News

Test Kitchen has introduced a brand new personalised private dining experience featuring five distinguished local chefs. These chefs have worked at some of the world’s most renowned restaurants including L’atelier de Joel Robuchon and Gordon Ramsay Restaurants.

The new chef’s table experience caters to only four guests at a time with your selected menu cooked right in front of you and the entire Test Kitchen space reserved exclusively for you and your guests. $1,000 per person. Shop 3, 158A Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun. testkitchen.com.hk

Sip Song

Mother’s Day at Repluse Bay Maximal Concept’s Southside mainstays Limewood and Sip Song are offering a decadent Mother’s Day feasts by the beach.

Seafood and BBQ restaurant Limewood is serving up a laid back family-style brunch with sharing plates like yellowtail crudo, five spice

pork belly and a supersized pavlova for the ultimate sweet touch. Over at Thai eatery Sip Song, tuck into a bountiful eight dish lunch featuring signature courses like grilled beef short rib and roti pancake with BBQ pork neck. limewood.hk and sip-song.com

A dazzling Mother’s Day at Caprice Caprice is going all out this Mother’s Day to make your mum feel truly special. Book an indulgent five-course lunch with dishes like Hokkaido sea urchin, pan fried foie gras and Brittany blue lobster while overlooking the stunning Victoria Harbour for the perfect Sunday afternoon treat. $1,800 per person. fourseasons.com

Life’s a beach Enjoy Hong Kong’s great outdoors while tucking into Amalfitana classic pizzas on Repulse Bay Beach. The Italian restaurant is offering a special takeout beach package which includes pizza, drink and an Amalfitana towel, all for just $250. amalfitana.hk

All things sweet

Summer at Shoku

The Diner delivers!

Classic American restaurants, The Diner has recently announced its new delivery service to Southside! The Wong Chuk Hang restaurant has teamed up with Deliveroo to bring their burgers, milkshakes and more, right to your door. thediner.com.hk

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Shoku has launched a summer menu to welcome the warmer weather. The new menu features three refreshing chilled noodles including buckwheat, inaniwa and ramen. The chilled buckwheat noodles with sudachi and junsai is a tangy and healthy dish that will whet your appetite for more. The other two items are Japanese-style dan dan noodles and Hiyashi Chuka noodles. All noodles are served with vegetables to make for a satisfying meal. Shop 109, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay. Facebook: shokuhongkong

Building on a successful pastry pop-up at the hotel lobby last year, Four Seasons Hong Kong has recently launched an online patisserie, helmed by executive pastry chef Ringo Chan.

The new online boutique boosts handcrafted cakes and fresh pastries which can be ordered from the hotel’s e-shop for collection from The Lounge. shopfourseasonshk.com

southside secrets

The cursed statues of Douglas Castle Nicole Slater reveals the mystery behind University Hall

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niversity Hall, currently a residence for students at the University of Hong Kong, has a history which predates the university itself.

Built in 1864 by wealthy Scottish trader Douglas Lapraik as his residence, the building was first known as Douglas Castle. With the newly constructed Pok Fu Lam reservoir providing a fresh water supply, 360 degree panoramic views and its close proximity to the booming trade of the docks, Douglas Castle should have been a residence of great comfort and splendour. Lapraik however was not a well man and subsequently returned to Britain shortly after its completion.

Douglas Castle was handed over to French

missionaries 30 years later, after Hong Kong was declared to be an infected port of the bubonic plague, and made a hasty retreat.

Renamed the Nazareth by the French Mission, the building underwent many changes and new wings were added. In 1954, as foreign missionaries were declining, the government decided to grant the building to the University of Hong Kong.

are rumoured to be malevolent towards the Hall’s students: allegedly, students who touch the ‘cursed’ statues fail to graduate.

The threat of academic misery doesn’t seem to be putting too many students off from choosing University Hall as their residence, however, as the colonial relic is still one of the most popular halls of residence amongst prospective students.

Now named University Hall, the building again underwent major renovations to facilitate its purpose as a student residence.

While little remains of the original Douglas Castle, perhaps University Hall’s most striking features are the statues guarding its entrance.

Part-elephant, part-lion, the mythical creatures

University Hall, 144 Pok Fu Lam Road. uhall.hku.hk

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pets

Ask a vet...

Dr Pauline answers your pet questions Dr. Pauline Pets Central veterinarian My puppy doesn’t seem interested in food. Why might this be?

Have you tried changing his dry food to another brand? Or flavour?

Some pups just don’t like some brands. Or he may simply not like dry food. I have just experienced a similar problem with my own pup and as soon as I changed the brand he wolfed it all down. I feed him dry food mixed with some wet foods, usually from a can but often home cooked.

My cats will only eat fish flavored foods. They walk away from chicken.

I certainly didn’t train them that way. However there could be a variety of medical reasons why your pup isn’t eating well. Teething, digestive problems, parasites to name a few so if the food changes don’t help please have your pup checked by your vet. Keeping a record of your pup’s weight is also helpful. If he is gaining weight it may be that you are simply feeding him too much!

We are planning on relocating to Europe which brings with it the possibility of a garden, will my ‘indoor cat’ be able to adapt to life outdoors?

All cats are different and no one rule fits all cat “characters and personality” types. Age comes into this too with middle to senior cats usually happier near the home nest than following their innate hunting instincts and/or going for a wander. Some countries ban outdoor pet cats in an effort to protect their wildlife and thus limit cat movements so cats avoid hazards like poisons, road traffic accidents, and abuse from humans or worse being attacked and killed by cat predators. To my horror, my own beautiful eight year old indoor/out cat was recently mauled by totally out of control unleashed large dogs on our property.

So to answer your question there are many things to consider. Your cat may make that decision easy and be happy to lie around sunbathing inside your home. If your cat is inclined to wander then you will have to weigh up the good/bad of allowing her outside. Cats do get on quite well being ‘indoors only’ pets especially if that’s how they have been brought up from kittens.

How often do you recommend that I wash my dog?

I commonly get asked this question. Wash your dog only as often as your dog needs to be washed. This varies a lot between dogs and their lifestyles, habits, skin and hair types, exercise, veterinarian advice and other ad hoc things going on in their lives. A dog’s skin and hair is naturally coated in oils and washing with shampoo can remove these natural oils that act as barriers to protect the skin.

So you need to weigh up many factors when deciding when to or not wash your dog. Daily grooming to remove dead hairs and a wipe down with towels after a walk may be all your dog’s skin type needs. However, if you walk your dog every day on mountain hikes or beaches and they like to roll in delicious smells you may need to wash your dog more often. If you do, always use a conditioner after the shampoo so these oils get replaced.

Got a question for Dr. Pauline?

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Walkies

woof

Rex the dog tackles Dragon’s Back Trail With summer in full swing, hiking can sometimes feel more like a chore than a fun day out. That’s why it’s important to plan your summer hikes well. One which ends with a cool dip is The Dragon’s Back Trail - a three-hour trail which starts at To Tei Wan and finishes on the sandy shores of Big Wave Bay. The hike gets its powerful and unique name from its hilltop undulations, it isn’t too strenuous and offers stunning views of Shek O, Stanley and the South China Sea. Once you’re on the beach, your pooch can run around in the sand while you enjoy a well deserved beer and snack before hiking back!

How to get there: From Shau Kei Wan Station, take Exit A3 to Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus. Take bus number 9 to To Tei Wan - this is the start of the trail.

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marketplace

marketplace

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

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marketplace

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zim city

Hong Kong Island Coastal Trail Paul Zimmerman’s cancelled Easter getaway leads him to scale Hong Kong Island

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hat did you do with a long ‘corona’ Easter break? Having cancelled plans to look up friends at the Byron Bay Bluesfest I decided on a hike around Hong Kong Island, keeping as close as possible to the coast. With the dry weather and excellent vistas it turned into a great experience. All I needed was water, a hat and extra battery packs. Taking pictures of the details and surveying ‘missing links’ the route took three days.

Stop 2: Big Wave Bay

beaches of Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay. Opposite 18 South Bay Road, I walked up a proper trail over to Stanley. I went on to South Bay and walked the pig’s trail over and along Chung Hom Wan. After enjoying the local delights, I found the Stanley East Catch Water by going up the stairs at the Stanley Mound Fresh Water Pumping Station and down to Tai Tam. Down along the bottom of the Tai Tam dam and up Hong Kong Trail Section 7 it is a flat stretch and one long set of stairs to the start of Dragon’s Back. Once there, I headed up to Shek O. There is also the option of taking a bus, or walking to Cape D’Aguilar and bouldering down the rock stream onto Shek O beach and enjoying sumptuous refreshments.

Stop 1: Hong Kong Observation Wheel

Leaving from the Hong Kong Observation Wheel in Central, I went west along the busy ferry piers, through Shun Tak along the shore to Instagram Pier. Up along Victoria Road and down into Sandy Bay rocky beach and the promenade along the HKU sports pitches.

Here it was necessary to backtrack to the road as the link to Cyberport Waterfront Park has yet to be agreed on.

Along to Big Wave Bay, then I took the well-trodden route over Cape Collinson to Siu Sai Wan promenade. After the industrial waterfront of Chai Wan I reached Heng Fa Chuen’s tree lined waterfront. I headed up Shing Tai Road and found the informal trail along the south of the highway to get to Shau Kei Wan (we are waiting for the LCSD to open the Museum of Coastal Defence for hikers).

Fired up by the lunch it was over Waterfall Bay down along the 1,000 statues of Wah Kwai. After industrial Tin Wan I took a wander through the Aberdeen Fish Market and followed the promenade along Aberdeen’s colourful harbour.

I took the route along Heung Yip Road, past Wong Chuk Hang Station and Ocean Park, then onto Mills & Chung Path to the

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From there the Quarry Bay park and promenade took me to North Point where we are awaiting the construction of a board walk under the highway and completion of the massive waterfront park at the entrance of the Central Wanchai Bypass. Following the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter I passed the ongoing works shaping the Wan chai waterfront. I headed along the promenade from the Convention Centre and returned to my starting point at the Hong Kong Observation Wheel. Looking back, I realised what a fantastic asset we can create by connecting all these waterfront parks, promenades and trails into a 65km Hong Kong Island Coastal Trail.

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

Stop 3: Wan Chai North

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