Southside September 2018

FAMILY | KITCHENS | AFTER-SCHOOL FUN

September 2018

Private kitchens in our neighbourhood

Day trips for your guests

2 2 0 T HINGS TO DO

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The really useful magazine September 2018

4 SNAPPED! Southsider out and about 6 THE PLANNER

Things worth booking ahead for

Entertaining guests — how to throw the perfect dinner party

14 NEWS

12 MUST HAVE THIS MONTH

50 TRAVEL

Government land acquisition in Southside — how will it affect you?

22 COVER STORY

Check out what’s on in July

10 BOOK NOW

19 LOCAL

What’s happening in your back yard

30 DINING

Sally Anderson of HKDR on changing routines

36 HOME AND LIVING

64 MRS. BACKFIRE

Giveaways

HKDR and Bowerbird in the cutest collaboration to hit Southside

School’s back — our ultimate guide to afterschool activities and tuition

17 FIVE MINUTES WITH…

46 INTERVIEW

Mark Shuper of Sprouts Foundation

Paul Zimmerman talks government land reclamation and development

58 PETS

Private kitchens in the Southside

38 EDUCATION

16 FREE STUFF

56 ZIMCITY

Guest season is approaching — plan the perfect itinerary to keep them busy

A Finnish adventure

Birds of a feather

12

Interview with Amelia Sewell

36

50

38 14

30 “WHATEVER YOU ARE, BE A GOOD ONE.” – ABRAHAM LINCOLN

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editor’s letter

W

ishing you all an enjoyable MidAutumn Festival!

As the story goes, autumn is the best time to invite your guests to Hong Kong. The weather is perfect for those day trips without sweltering in the summer heat.

So guess what, we have you covered. Head to page 22 for all the ideas you can muster.

Look what Mark Shuper, founder of Sprouts Foundation, is up to and get inspired. If you are up for volunteering for a brilliant cause, look no further, because at Sprouts Foundation, educating the underprivileged is their main mission. Speaking of education, kids are back at school with more vigour than ever before.

Bearing that in mind, we have a plethora of afterschool activities lined up for you to consider for your child. Keeping the kids busy with physical and mental activity is the right thing to do this day and age, rather than gadgets like smartphones and iPads.

Thinking of an intimate dinner party for a few friends? Turn to page 30 for a list of local gastronomical hangouts, or maybe hideouts is the right word.

Cheers!

Editorial

Managing editor Gemma Shaw, gemma@hongkongliving.com Editor Vasavi Seethepali, vasavi@hongkongliving.com Contributing editor Carolynne Dear, carolynne@hongkongliving.com Nicole Slater, nicole@hongkongliving.com Sub-editor Kay Ross, kay@hongkongliving.com

Design

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

Sales & Marketing

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

Accounting

Assistant Operations Manager Charles Lau, charles@hongkongliving.com

Publisher

Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com

Thanks to

contributors

Jeramy Lee Gabrielle Tse Kaitlyn Lai Sally Andersen

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

Aviva Duncan … is an Australian-born Hong Kong-based interior designer, stylist and curator. As a Bachelor of Fine Arts graduate from Savannah Collage, Aviva is classically trained in visual arts and interior architecture. She is passionate about the potential of transforming spaces that speak to the individual needs of her clients and bringing unique artistic elements into everyday life. avivaduncan.com

Karin Bremer … is a Dutch-Australian photographer who has called Hong Kong home for the past five years.

As Karin Bremer Photography, she photographs anything from family portraits to events, commercial photography to digital courses.

When not taking photos, she loves the outdoors and can be found exploring Hong Kong’s hiking trails with the family dog, Jack. karinbremer.com

Want to write for Southside Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com 2 | SOUTHSIDE.HK

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

HONG KONG hongkongliving.com 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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people Snaps from Southside

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say cheese

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planner

SEPT 22-23

IRIS: Your Escape Get your “Om” chants at the ready as health and wellness festival IRIS returns for its seventh instalment. The weekend festival inspires people to become a better version of themselves through yoga, meditation, music and art. Tickets from $155. Central Harbourfront Event Space. irishkg.com

THROUGHOUT SEPT

PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central. silaparis.com

Watch Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa battle it out in the championships. Komune at Ovolo Southside will screen the games live throughout September. Buy drink tokens at the door or opt for 2-hours free-flow including draught Pilsner, wines and Prosecco for a very reasonable $250. komune.com.hk

SEPT 1-4

The Rugby Championships @ Ovolo Southside

UNTIL SEPT 30 SILA Pop-up

Mid-levels resident Alexandra Marque introduces SILA (short for “Sorry I’m late again”), the unique, stylish women’s watch brand she co-founded here in Hong Kong.

After a successful launch in Paris last year, Alex will be on hand at PMQ throughout September to offer customers a unique and tailored Parisian styling experience. Kapok,

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Style Pop-up Time to get shopping! Five homegrown brands will showcase a curated range of international and local fashion, lifestyle wares and resort apparel. The brands are Le French Cut, The Slow Mode, Bella Blu Design, Mary + Marie and Teresa’s Turkish Towels. The founders will be on hand to offer styling advice. 10am-8pm Saturday, 11am-6pm Sunday, 9am-8pm Monday and Tuesday. 33 Wellington Street, Central. info@bellabludesign

SEPT 1

GlamFest Kowloon Bazaar 2018 Shop ’til you drop at this lifestyle bazaar!

Enjoy the lucky draw, freebies and wine tastings while you browse through highquality stalls selling just about anything you

can imagine. 11am-8pm. Regal Kowloon Hotel, 71 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East. kowloonbazaar.com

SEPT 1-2

Restaurant Week Catch the last few days of the summer edition of Restaurant Week, with great deals in restaurants around the city, including ALTO, Big Sur and Bread Street Kitchen & Bar. Various locations. restaurantweek. diningcity.hk

happening in September SEPT 2

Finding how to Live Truly An introductory lecture about practising meditation to understand your mind, where you are now and where you want to be.

Free (register at eventbrite.hk). 4-5pm.

Hong Kong Meditation, Flat D, 6/F, 1 Glee Path, Mei Foo, Kowloon. Enquiries: meditationhongkong@gmail.com

SEPT 2 & 16

Teakha Tea Appreciation Workshop Learn all about the world of tea appreciation in this bilingual introductory two-hour class taught by the people behind Plantation by Teakha. You will get to taste several types of teas and learn how to fully appreciate their beauty. $370. 11am-1pm. 18 Po Tuck Street, Sai Ying Pun. plantation.hk

Lagrèze for an informal exchange as he shares his passion for capturing Hong Kong’s unique atmosphere at dusk, when the city is washed in deep shades of blue.

Free. 7-8.30pm. AF library, 1/F, Alliance Française de Hong Kong, Jordan Centre. afhongkong.org

Featuring stand-up and improv comedy by performers from around Asia, in English and Cantonese. Various times and ticket prices.

3/F, Comixbase, 7 Mallory Street, Wan Chai. laughfestival.hk

SEPT 5

The founder of Animals Asia, Jill Robinson, will be sharing experiences and stories about moon bear rescue, dogs in schools and animal welfare in China. Free. 2-3pm.

Whiskers N Paws, 10/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau. wnp.com.hk

Poetry OutLoud Open Mic Get an audience for your poetry – or listen to other people’s poetry – at this chilledout gathering. Free. 7.45pm. Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central. facebook. com/PoetryOutLoudHK

SEPT 8

Coffee with Jill

SEPT 5-9

“The Amazing Bubbleman” Be spellbound – no, bubblebound – as Louis Pearl the Bubbleman demonstrates the science, art and beauty of bubbles.

Mesmerising and fun for your children and inner child. Tickets start at $395.

Various times. Drama Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Wan Chai. hkticketing.com

SEPT 6-8

“John Fothergill Stand Up Comedy” Geordie comedian John Fothergill is headlining a show alongside three other comedians. $290. 8pm. Tamarind restaurant, Sun Hung Kai Centre, Harbour Road, Wan Chai. ticketflap.com

SEPT 7-8

Joshua Bell and Jaap van Zweden

SEPT 4

Hidden Diversity Hong Kong historian Jason Wordie explores the various contributions of ethnic minorities in Hong Kong from the 1840s to the present.

Entrance fee includes unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks and Thai snack food. $630 for non-members of the Mozaic social network.

7-9pm. Cafe Siam, 2/F, 21 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong. mozaiclub.com.hk

SEPT 4-9

“Beyond the Barricade” Enjoy the best songs in concert from the biggest West End and Broadway musicals of all time. Tickets start at $395.

Various times. Drama Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Wan Chai. hkticketing.com

SEPT 5

Renowned violinist Joshua Bell performs Sibelius’s expressive Violin Concerto No.3 in a programme with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Jaap van Zweden. Tickets start at $380. Hong Kong Cultural Centre, TST. hkphil.org

SEPT 8-OCT 1

Hong Kong International Laugh Festival

Rosé Revolution Don your best fancy pink outfit and sip on the best rosé wines from around the globe at this eighth annual event, hosted by The Flying Winemaker. Expect exclusive cocktails and fabulous raffle prizes! Standard tickets are $360. 3-7pm. Red Sugar, Kerry Hotel, Kowloon City. flyingwinemaker.com.hk

SEPT 8

“Centrestage” Fashion Expo Get your vogue on as the Trade Development Council hosts the third annual Centrestage fashion expo. Learn from a fashion editor about how to mix and match outfits and watch models parade down the halls. Free. 9.30am-5pm. Hall 3B-C & Grand Hall, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. centrestage.com.hk

SEPT 8-9

Lamma Bazaar Browse a unique art market, taste homemade food, try face-painting and more!

10am-6pm. Lamma Art Collective, 1/F, 23 Main Street, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island. lammaartcollective.com

SEP 8

The Blue Moment Join French photographer Romain Jacquet-

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planner SEPT 9

Discovery Bay Sunday Market Shop for indie crafts and unique goods, then head to the D’Deck restaurant to indulge in a sumptuous post-shopping dinner! 11am-6pm. Discovery Bay Plaza. handmadehongkong.com

SEPT 11-16

“Potted Potter” This Olivier Award-nominated Harry Potter parody attempts to condense all seven Harry Potter books into 70 minutes. For ages 6 to Dumbledore. $395. Various times. Drama Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Wan Chai. hkticketing.com

SEPT 12

Embroidery Workshop Local craftie group Make and Do is hosting its monthly ladies’ night embroidery workshop. Free-flow Prosecco and all materials provided. $495. 7.30-10.30pm.

The Winery, 158A Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun. Bookings: make.and.do.hk@ gmail.com

Mid Autumn Festival SEPT 23-25

Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance Marvel at the majestic 64-metre fire dragon dancing its way along the backstreets of Tai Hang. The best vantage point is Wun Sha Street.

Starting at 8.15pm. On Sept 24 at 10.45pm there will also be a special performance in Victoria Park. taihangfiredragon.hk

SEPT 24

Mid-Autumn Festival Be captivated by the gorgeous full moon! Try traditional or ice-cream mooncakes, then head to Victoria Park or the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade to admire the displays of bright lanterns.

SEPT 24

Mid-Autumn Urban Carnival Lantern displays, a Fire Dragon Dance, kung fu demonstrations, acrobatics, folk songs and crafts. 8-11pm. Victoria Park, Causeway Bay.

SEPT 13-16

Hong Kong Cool Seven world premières by eight Hong Kongbased choreographers, each partnering with a local artist in creative media to create an exciting celebration of Hong Kong’s trend setting and creative class. Tickets from $200. 8pm. Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, TST. urbtix.hk

SEPT 16

Step Out for Children The Society for the Relief of Disabled Children is hosting this educational charity fundraising event to establish a data registry for patients with rare diseases in Hong Kong. The event will include treasure-hunt games and booth games. $300. 10am4pm. Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Art, Central. Register at srdc.org.hk/en/ fundraising-event/upcoming/step-outfor-children

SEPT 16

Jimmy Carr Live British stand-up comedian Jimmy Carr is set to return to Hong Kong with brand-new jokes and hilarious material. Tickets start at $488. 6pm. Rotunda 3, Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Kowloon. hkticketing.com

SEPT 19

The Killers HK Tour Get ready to rock and roll! The Killers

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are back in town with their latest hits and timeless classics. $888. 8pm. Arena, AsiaWorld-Expo. lushington.com

SEPT 18

Dan and Phil Interactive Introverts World Tour British YouTube sensations Dan and Phil take to the stage for a night of participatory fun! Laughs, cringes and surprises guaranteed. Prices start at $200. 8-10pm.

MacPherson Stadium, 38 Nelson Street, Mong Kok. danandphiltour.com

SEPT 21-22

Food’s Future Summit 2018

Ballet Classics for Children: Carnival of the Animals Woof, meow, roar! Whether your little one is an animal-lover or a ballet fan, they’ll enjoy this interactive and delightful show featuring favourite ballet animals such as Swan Lake’s Little Swans and The Sleeping Beauty’s Puss in Boots. Tickets start at $200. Sept 15, 5pm; Sept 16, 12noon and 2.30pm.

Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, TST. urbitix.com

What does the future hold for our food?

This topic will be explored through keynote speeches and panel discussions from key industry insiders as well as interactive workshops and talks. Tickets from $80, children under 12 free. 9.30am-7pm. Hotel ICON, 17 Science Museum Road, Kowloon. foods-future.com

SEPT 22

Forrest Yoga Workshop Boost your confidence with this Forrest Yoga workshop, which is designed to help you celebrate what you are already capable of! $600. 3-5.30pm. The Yoga Room, 4/F, 104 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan. yogaroomhk.com

SEPT 22

Jessie J The R.O.S.E. Tour World-famous singer-songwriter Jessie J is coming to Hong Kong to roll out her hotlyanticipated fourth album, R.O.S.E. Tickets start at $698. 8pm. Hall 10, AsiaWorldExpo. asiaworld-expo.com

SEPT 23 & 30

Aerial Beach Yoga Indulge in a beginners’ aerial yoga class at Yoga Bam Bam, then hike to beautiful Tai Long Wan beach in Sai Kung Country Park to fly in the bamboo tripods over the blue ocean! From $765. 8.45am-4.30pm, starting at Yoga BamBam, 10 Shin Hing Street, Central. bamboo-yoga.com

SEPT 25-30

Shakespeare’s Globe Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice and The Taming of the Shrew are coming to Hong Kong! Don’t miss out on the Bard’s very best.

Tickets start at $395. Various times. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Wan Chai. hkticketing.com

SEP 15-16

happening in September SEPT 26

Ladies’ Beauty Night Enjoy a ladies’ night and learn makeup techniques from professional makeup artist and co-founder of Lamma Art Collective Cherie Chung. Wine will be provided, but bring your own cosmetics.

8pm. Lamma Art Collective, 1/F, 23 Main Street, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma. islandartonlamma@gmail.com

SEPT 27-30 “Hubbub!”

Shakespeare4All presents its Hubbub!

show, an interactive experience especially for children aged six months to three years.

Tickets from $260. Various times (daytime only). Artistree, 1/F, Cambridge House, Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay. s4a.org.hk/en

SEPT 29

LED-decorated Boats Parade at Aberdeen Promenade To celebrate the 69th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Southern District is holding a parade of LED-decorated sampans. 7.45-8.45pm (on-site registration for a free ride).

SEPT 29-30

Hebe Haven 24-Hour Charity Dinghy Race Race for a good cause! Join the longestrunning 24-hour endurance aquathon in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Have fun with the free trials of water-sports activities, and try out their race village. Free entry, $3,000 to compete. hhyc.com

SEPT 30

Connecting our Community in Hong Kong Dr. Briony Scott, principal of Wenona Girls School in Sydney, will visit Hong Kong to give a talk about about raising strong girls. 10am-2pm. Free - register online

by September 14. Frites, The Wellington, 1/F 198 Wellington Street, Central. rsvp. wenona.nsw.edu.au

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planner

BOOK NOW OCT 6-7

Shakespeare4All Gala Performance Child performers with an interest in theatre, regardless of their status, race or ability, will be performing The Tempest at Shakespeare4All’s annual Gala. Tickets from $130. Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall. s4a.org.hk

NOV 9-11

Clockenflap Grab your tickets to Hong Kong’s biggest music and arts festival in November. The three-day festival will feature big names,

including The Vaccines and Peking Duk. Tickets from $820. Central Harbourfront Event Space. clockenflap.com

OCT 6-14

Hong Kong Tennis Open More than 50 of the world’s top female players will battle it out in singles and doubles matches for prizes worth US$500,000. Free from Oct 6 to 8, $160-$880 from Oct 9 to 14. Buy online or at Tom Lee Music outlets. Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, Causeway Bay. hktennisopen.hk

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

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happening in September

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must have this month

Nambe Scoop Ice Bucket $1,520 from Town House Shop 210-211, Landmark Prince’s, 10 Chater Road, Central townhouse.com.hk

Custom flowers $1,000 from Bydeau bydeau.com

Interior designer and stylist Aviva Duncan gives her advice on preparing for dinner parties

Coasters with gold trim Price on request from The Pink Lotus facebook.com/ thepinklotus

Porcelain Bowls $150 from kikki.K Shop 220, 2/F Prince’s Building, Central kikki-k.com

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Living Salt and Pepper Mill $939 from BoConcept 73 Wyndham Street, Central boconcept.com

Ma chère Mademoiselle

Seedlip Non-alcoholic Spirits $328 from stores including Oliver’s The Delicatessen and Kapok seedlipdrinks.com

Valarie Marble Dining Table $29,990 from Indigo Living 221-224 Landmark Prince’s, 10 Chater Road, Central indigo-living.com

Metallic Porcelain $590 from Bowerbird Home 8/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau bowerbird-home.com

Moon Lamp $1,696 from Everything Under The Sun 902 Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau everythingunderthesun.com.hk

Spaghetti Garden Nature Chair $2,790 from Tequila Kola 1/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau tequilakola.com

SOUTHSIDE.HK | 13

news

“Fish for Trash” day aims to save our oceans

“Fish for Trash” is the umbrella name of an event organised by local activist group Save Aberdeen Harbour Alliance. After the success of the first event, in June 2016, this year’s event took place on June 29. The group’s mission is to raise awareness of marine pollution and to educate the community about recycling, disposing of trash responsibility and most importantly eliminating the use of Styrofoam boxes. Organisations taking part in this year’s

event included WWF, Living Lamma, Plastic Free Seas, HK Cleanup, Friends of Aberdeen Harbour, Sea Shepherd and the Fish Market Organisation (FMO). The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, the Aberdeen Boat Club, the Aberdeen Marina Club and the Hong Kong Hobie Club lent boats, and Simpson Marine offered financial support to cover fuel costs.

“Our message to everyone would be to follow a few simple points to reduce the volume of

rubbish in our seas and keep them clean for our future generations,” said Darren Catterall, spokesperson for the Save Aberdeen Harbour Alliance. “Try to eliminate single-use plastic from your daily lives (straws, bottles, bags, food containers, etc.). Never throw anything into our oceans when you are on a boat.

When you are on a junk, make sure you let the captain know that you do not want to see anything thrown in the water. Some junks dump rubbish bags into the sea on the way home because they are just lazy. When you visit a beach, pick up 10 items each time.

Make it a competition for the kids (but make them aware that there can be dangerous things out there like needles and stuff so they must be careful). If we all did this our beaches and oceans would be much cleaner.”

The Pulse to be converted into a hotel? New government recycling scheme With the increasing number of visitors to The Pulse recently, it comes as no surprise to hear that a developer has made a bid to the Town Planning Board to convert part of The Pulse into a hotel. The deadline for public comments on the application was August 24. We will follow the story with interest and report on the result of the bid.

Property sold for $6 billion A property at 39 Shouson Hill Road was recently bought by Charm Glory Resources for $6 billion, the highest amount ever transacted in the sale of a private property in Hong Kong. The 92,000-square-foot site was built in 1965 in a prime location that sits atop the hill overlooking Ocean Park and beyond. It was home to two residential buildings with a total of 12 units and a huge open space. The site is expected to attract high-end developers across Hong Kong.

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The Government recently unveiled a one-of-a-kind recycling scheme for four types of electrical equipment. It covers air-conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers, printers, scanners and monitors.

The scheme is aimed at manufacturers, who have to register and pay a levy to the Government. It is being promoted as an environmentally friendly remedy, however it does not completely solve the problem because it is not illegal for customers to dispose of used equipment. If a company selling electrical equipment has registered under the scheme, consumers can buy new equipment and sign up for the removal of the old equipment for recycling. So when you buy a new item, you can contact the manufacturer to arrange for your old item to be picked up and recycled.

in your backyard

New college offers courses in childhood New design education for aspiring teachers programmes at

My ArchiSchool My ArchiSchool, located at One Island South, is a learning centre for young architects. With support from 3DS (Dassault Systèmes) Beijing, My ArchiSchool gained 30 education licences for CATIA and 3DEXPERIENCE architectural software. This will enable students to gain experience in using engineering and design software to create 3D designs.

Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education (YCCECE) is a new wing of the Yew Chung Community College. Located at Tin Wan in Aberdeen, it offers several courses, including

a Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education, a Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Diploma in Early Childhood Studies. Applications are now open.

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win at hongkongliving.com

GIVEAWAYS

enter to win!

Dulce De Leche Mooncakes Up for grabs: A box of Dulce De Leche Mooncakes for two lucky winners From: Gaucho, Hong Kong’s premier Argentinian steakhouse, celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival by taking one of its most popular desserts, the Dulce de Leche cheesecake and adding a mooncake twist to this delicious treat. gauchorestaurants.com

Skin Care Formula Gift Set Worth $2,156 Up for grabs: A skin care gift set including: HA+B5 water based Masks, Travel Size Squalane’s, Rise & Set moisturizers and sunblock.

From: Skin Need Natural Condition System, is a reputable line of professional formulas known for its excellence in quality, with distribution centres world-wide offering Skin Need services in clinics, spas and beauty centres. skinneed.com

“Hubbub!” Tickets Up for grabs: 1 pair of tickets (1 adult & 1 child) for Theatre for the Very Young’s “Hubbub!”

From: Shakespeare4All, a registered charity founded in 2003 with the purpose of building fluency and confidence in English through drama performing Shakespearean plays and inspiring young people to aspire to be excellent. The tickets are for the 3.15pm show on September 27. s4a.org.hk Shakespeare4All will also hold its annual Gala on October 6-7.

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

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five minutes with

Mark Shuper

Photo credit: Gabe Ramos, Ivey Business School

keep an eye on our young puppy close by was a great bonus. In Wong Chuk Hang we’ve also had great times at the Pomegranate.

The Co-Founder and Executive Director of SPROUTS FOUNDATION talks to Vasavi Seethepalli about how education can help foster better communities.

Sprouts Foundation aims to break the intergenerational poverty that affects so many low-income families, including the roughly 20% of Hong Kong children living below the poverty line. We expect our students to find better jobs once they graduate from secondary school than the 30-40% of students who currently go straight into unskilled labour. While the proportion going to university should also rise from the current 3-5%, it is in raising the optimism, self-esteem, capabilities and achievement of the majority of our students that we envision impacting the wider Hong Kong society.

Earlier this year I served as one of four judges at a design contest in our afterschool secondary programme. FOSSIL Foundation had just completed an eightsession entrepreneurship course for about a dozen of our secondary students, whose final task was to design a new watch and pitch their idea for three minutes. I was incredibly impressed and felt a great sense of pride by the creativity and the quality of the students’ presentations.

As a small organisation, Sprouts prides itself on working closely with community partners to maximise the reach and impact of our work. To date, we’ve had volunteers from schools such as GSIS, CIS and Harrow, and our students have visited companies

such as Bloomberg, Alibaba, The Peninsula Hotel and Cathay Pacific to learn more about possible career opportunities. Also, organisations such as the Hong Kong Rugby Union, APSS and the Sovereign Art Foundation have brought their programmes on-site to work directly with our students.

I’m Canadian-born, of Ukrainian background. Both of my parents came to Canada as refugees with my grandparents after World War II and settled in Toronto as young immigrants. I lived in Canada from birth until 1993, when I left for a job in New York, and then I transferred to Hong Kong a year later. I’ve been in Asia – mostly Hong Kong – ever since!

We’ve lived in Pokfulam for the last 10 years and spend much of our time as a family enjoying the hiking, the beaches, the paddling and the great restaurant scene that has continued to develop beyond Stanley and into Repulse Bay and more recently Wong Chuk Hang. We’re still watching eagerly as Cyberport builds on its potential!

I’ve always been partial to South Bay Beach. Not only is it slightly quieter but it was also the finishing point for the open-water swim race that I have done in Hong Kong. For restaurants, we’ve done more than one special occasion at Limewood; the fact that we could

My inspiration comes from my grandparents.

They represented an incredible combination of strength in the face of adversity, hope and optimism in starting a new life in Canada as poor immigrants, and they pushed themselves and their families to aim high.

My father, whom we sadly lost 18 months ago, always told me never to look back once I’d made a decision. He and my mother taught me from a very early age to make meaningful choices and to understand that these decisions would reflect the best knowledge I had available to me at that moment.

My wife and I have many teachers in our families, including both of our mothers as well as my grandmother and aunt. As we learned more about the education space in Hong Kong and elsewhere, we realised there were areas where we could make – and wanted to make – a more direct impact.

Sprouts Foundation has been running since 2011 and was registered as a non-profit in 2012, with over 2,000 students served in Hong Kong and Myanmar since we started.

Sprouts aims to solve the question, “How do you support underprivileged children to maximise their chances for better jobs?”

Through a mix of after-school, day-school, weekend-activity and summer programmes, we and our partner organisations offer activity-based, creation-centric English classes with professional skills training (for example presentations and CV-writing), educational outings and company visits that are provided for free.

I would love to see more local schools adapt their pedagogical approach towards more creative learning and away from rote-based curriculum delivery, especially in subjects such as English-language teaching, where “learning by trying” is often the best way to become proficient.

Sprouts has a busy 2018-19 in store, with two new day-school programmes opening in Hong Kong and one in Myanmar.

While continuing to cover very-low-income communities, we are now supporting students from immigrant and/or ethnic minority backgrounds. In Myanmar, we are expanding from just outside Mandalay into a second rural school. Combined, we’ve come close to doubling in size this year – we have over 1,800 students in our classes in any given week! sproutsfoundation.org

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local

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local

Aberdeen Boat Club

Private clubs under threat Have your say on proposed solutions to land-supply issues by September 26

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and is valuable in Hong Kong, and the urgent demand for residential units exceeds the supply. In September 2017, the Hong Kong Government set up the Task Force on Land Supply, comprising 30 officials who were appointed by the Chief Executive for a term of one-anda-half years, i.e., until February 2019. The objectives of the Task Force are to review and evaluate various options, engage the community, achieve a broad consensus and submit recommendations to the Government.

There is a shortfall in the availability of housing units, causing rising property prices and rents. According to a survey published on The Task Force’s website, there is a severe shortage of land for residential units, infrastructure and commercial use. It is estimated that by 2026, Hong Kong will have a land-supply shortfall of nearly 815 hectares.

The Task Force on Land Supply is therefore currently conducting a five-month public engagement (PE) exercise – it started

on April 26 and is due to end on September 26. All sectors of society are invited to offer views on various land-supply options that the Task Force has identified.

So what are the various options that the public and the Government could consider?

One of the options is “Alternative uses of sites under Private Recreational Leases” (PRL). There are 66 PRL sites in total, of which 27 are private sports clubs, while the remaining 39 operate on a quasi-public basis. Although there are many other venues to consider to optimise the land supply, the Hong Kong Government is looking into the use of private sports and recreational clubs. A Development Bureau spokesperson commented: “The Task Force is inviting public views on whether the land occupied by private sports clubs should be released for housing development, as suggested by some sectors in the community, with a view to increasing land supply for housing development. The Task Force emphasises

that the society should have an objective and rational discussion on this topic, whether the site has been put to optimal use; whether there is a limit to the development potential of the land; whether the surrounding infrastructure can cope with demand; and the views of different stakeholders.”

How to get involved To make a comment and let your voice be heard, please submit your comments to the Task Force by September 26. landforhongkong.hk/ en/index.php How would you feel if we didn’t have the Aberdeen Boat Club – or any recreational clubs for that matter – and instead had lots more skyscrapers?

Email your thoughts to: vasavi@ hongkongliving.com SOUTHSIDE.HK | 19

local Many private clubs in Hong Kong that are not accessible to non-members are leasing their precious land from the Hong Kong Government at a very low premium. The leases are due to expire in 2026. The Home Affairs Bureau (HAB), which is in charge of leasing the land, hopes to renew the lease agreements at a higher premium.

Pok Fu Lam district councillor Paul Zimmerman said: “We need more not fewer sports and recreational facilities, and more land should be made available for this purpose. Existing clubs should be primed continuously to facilitate greater public use of their facilities. The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and the Aberdeen Boat Club have a wide range of boating-related services and training available for community use. The Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling can take a closer look at their booking and pricing system, and bring this in line with the public golf courses run by the Hong Kong Jockey Club at Kau Sai Chau.”

The petitions by various groups and organisations are expected to be compiled by September and submitted to the Task Force.

The Aberdeen Boat Club (ABC) is asking its members and the public to voice their opinions as a deliberate move to save the club.

One thing is for sure: once the PRL

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The Hong Kong Golf Club Fanling Clubhouse

sites such as the Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling, which occupies approximately 170 hectares of land, are taken over by the HAB for housing development, they can never be replaced. Liberal Party member Jonathan Leung, Chairperson of the Southern District, said: “The clubs represent not only their core sports but their unique history and spirit. Hong Kong is one of the most vibrant cosmopolitan cities in the world, and I believe diversity is the key to the success of Hong Kong over the years. Aberdeen Boat

Club was built when it was still a fishing village in Aberdeen, and the Fanling Golf Club is the world’s second-oldest course outside Scotland. Instead of increasing the rent, the clubs should further strengthen the contribution to sports development.”

If the use of private clubs is not feasible, another option is the partial or full development of PRL sites. Alternatively, as Jonathan Leung has suggested, “There is no quick fix, but we could consider the brownfield land and the farmland in the New Territories.”

local

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cover story

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hanging in the hood day-tripping

Here comes the good weather, and with it, like migrating birds, come the houseguests

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I

cover story

n just a few short weeks, the humidity and summer heat will drop, the typhoons will have blown away, and it’ll be blue skies all the way to Christmas (we hope). Along with cooler temperatures, autumn usually heralds the arrival of overseas visitors. And if you’re stuck for activities, or even have no idea how you’re going to accommodate them, we’ve got you covered.

GET OUTSIDE If your guests are suffering from jet-lag or they range in age from toddler to senior citizen, or if your home is feeling a bit cramped, adopt a leisurely pace and try these hikes.

The Peak The Peak

left on a shaded walk through Pok Fu Lam Country Park. Keep going until you meet the Pok Fu Lam Family Walk, where you can turn left and climb back up to the Peak Terminus or turn right and descend to the reservoir.

From the road, catch public transport back to Central or on to Aberdeen for lunch.

Need to know: The Peak Tram departs every 10-15 minutes from the Garden Road Peak Tram terminus in Central. Open daily, 7am to midnight. Adult return $52, child return $23. thepeak.com.hk

Tai Tam The Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail is a comfortable 5km walk around the Tai Tam group of reservoirs. They were constructed at the beginning of the 20th century to meet the needs of Hong Kong’s growing population, and the trail has been established to help the public appreciate the history of the water supply and waterworks structures.

Start at Wong Nai Chung Gap near Hong Kong Parkview and finish at the junction of Tai Tam Road and Tai Tam Reservoir Road. From here, it’s easy to jump on a

Photo credit: Graham Uden

With its justly famous view, The Peak is Hong Kong’s most popular tourist attraction. The extreme steepness of the Peak Tram will give guests something to talk about over lunch. At the top, escape the shopping arcades and go for a walk. Outside the Peak Lookout (book a table for your journey’s end) is a choice of three roads: take the one on the right, Lugard Road, around the mountain for great views of the skyscrapers, Victoria Harbour and Lantau. On reaching Harlech Road, either keep going straight ahead to return to the Peak – a much-loved family walk – or turn off into Lung Fu Shan Country Park if you’re feeling more adventurous. Take the track by the pagoda. Descend the steps and keep

Tai Tam

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day-tripping reach a flight of steps leading to the seafront promenade. Stop for a bite at one of the beachside restaurants in Deepwater Bay, or continue along the beach and pick up the trail again to Repulse Bay. This section of the walk affords great views across to Middle Island, with lots of photogenic boats bobbing in the foreground. If you’re feeling super-fit, continue along Beach Road up to South Bay Road and along the footpath to Middle Bay Beach and South Bay. All paths are paved and, apart from the initial steps down to the Mills & Chung Path, this is a reasonably stroller-friendly walk.

DAY TRIPS Stock up on Octopus cards, and the Island is your guests’ oyster.

Hong Kong Maritime Museum Hong Kong Maritime Museum

minibus down to Stanley for a bite. (Don’t forget your Octopus cards.) There’s limited parking outside Parkview and non-member parking at the nearby Hong Kong Cricket Club. Follow the paved trail and take in the glorious water views.

Aberdeen Country Park The shaded paths of the Aberdeen Country Park are perfect for an afternoon stroll.

There is a shorter, lower reservoir trail, and an upper trail that takes about an hour. Take a cab or walk up steep Aberdeen Reservoir Road to this lush green oasis, which has a family walk and nature discovery centre 400m from the entrance. There are plenty of

benches, tables and barbecue areas, so load up the picnic baskets.

Built in 1931, the two reservoirs were the last to be completed on Hong Kong Island. Now they’re surrounded by dense woodland, and Aberdeen Valley is a major roost for black kites that congregate en masse in the evenings.

Need to know: The park can be accessed from Aberdeen Reservoir Road, a couple of minutes from central Aberdeen. afcd.gov.hk

The Bays For spectacular ocean views, take visitors along the Mills and Chung Path. Start outside the Hong Kong Country Club and walk a short distance along the pavement until you

Veteran visitors may remember this childfriendly museum in its original location in Stanley. It’s now nearing six years since it was relocated to Pier 8 of the Central Ferry Piers. The revamped museum is five times larger, with loads of great pictures, models and interactive displays exploring the territory’s fascinating seafaring history.

There are canons, a lighthouse, ships’ bells and even a replica ship’s bridge to play on.

Deck B of the gallery boasts fantastic views over Victoria Harbour and shows just how much of this famous waterway has been reclaimed over the years. Recharge batteries with lunch or just tea or coffee and cake at Café 8 on the museum’s upper level. All employees of the café are recruited from The Nesbitt Centre, a non-profit organisation

Guest essentials 1. Treat your guests to an Octopus card.

2. Also treat your guests to a SIM card, which will give them the courage to go out and about by themselves.

China Mobile offers a pre-paid SIM card for $80 with unlimited data for 10 days and the option to top it up afterwards. Cards can be purchased from China Mobile in the airport arrivals hall.

3. Introduce guests to your friends, who might offer tourist advice and even invite them out.

4. As it’s granny season, meet up with any friends who also have guests in town, as the visitors might enjoy each other’s company.

Stanley Village

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cover story

Repulse Bay

that provides an educational programme for adults with learning disabilities.

Open Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5.30pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-7pm; Adults $30, children $15. Central Ferry Pier 8, Man Kwong Street, Central. hkmaritimemuseum.org

The beach

opposite the temple’s entrance hand-making dim sum for the local restaurants.

Head back to the Main Beach and enjoy a laid-back lunch at the Mediterranean-inspired beachside restaurant Cococabana. Then it’s siesta time on the beach, or work off the extra calories with a dip in the ocean. There are market stalls and shops a-plenty, selling

or hiring beach gear, surf-boards and paddle boards. Cococabana, G/F, Shek O Beach Building, Shek O Beach. toptables.com.hk/ coco Need to know: Grab a taxi or jump on the number 9 minibus from Shau Kei Wan MTR (exit A3) and enjoy a scenic ride down to Shek O, or “Rocky Bay”.

Most grandparents need a little serenity after the hustle and bustle of the city. Chung Hom Kok Beach is a winner for young ones and adults alike. Although there is a climb down several steps from Chung Hom Kok Road, it’s worth the effort for the shady kids’ playground and fabulously secluded beach.

If your guests can manage it, bring coal and sausages and take advantage of the BBQ pits; snacks, drinks and ice creams are available from the kiosk on the beach. Build castles in the sand, paddle in the shallows, race the bigger kids out to the dive platform, or simply sit back and watch the occasional fishing boat drift into view.

Shek O Often referred to as Hong Kong’s “last real village”, this laid-back 200-year-old fishing settlement is as picturesque as they come.

Explore the narrow laneways, taking in the Tin Hau temple (built in 1891). And if you’re there at the right time, watch the elderly residents

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Shek O

day-tripping Lamma Island Known for its seafood, laidback lifestyle and friendly community, Lamma Island is just 30 minutes and a world away from Aberdeen. Visitors arriving by ferry have a couple of options. Yung Shue Wan in the northwest is the main “town”, with alleyways bursting with trinket shops, restaurants, bars and organic shops. Flop on a couch at the Bookworm Cafe, pull a book from the shelves and while away the afternoon with a soy cappuccino and tofu burger. It’s a short walk to two beaches: Power Station Beach – home to the island’s Full Moon Parties – and the busier Hung Shing Yeh Beach, with lifeguards.

Sok Kwu Wan on the east coast is famous for its strip of seafood restaurants. Turn a blind eye to the old quarry on the other side of the bay and focus on the food. For a fun diversion, Rainbow Seafood Restaurant even runs a Fishermen’s Village tourist experience on fishing rafts out in the bay. Or try the Lamma Hilton for authentic seafood dishes.

After lunch, stroll along the easy 15-minute trail to pretty Lo Shing Beach on the west coast, or the 45-minute walk over the hill to Yung Shue Wan. More serious hikers might consider tackling Mount Stenhouse, Lamma’s highest peak at 353 metres.

Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island

Need to know: Catch a wooden “kaito” from Aberdeen (the last pier before the fish market) to Sok Kwu Wan (ferry.com.hk) or Yung Shue Wan (td.gov.hk). For details of the Full Moon Parties and other events, visit lamma.com.hk

SHOPPING For days when they want to go it alone.

Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau If there’s a shopper in your posse – particularly one with an eye for a bargain – the Horizon Plaza outlets are sure to please them. From discounted top-end fashion to stylish homeware with an Asian flavour, the warehouse-style shops will keep retail hounds happy. Others can wait out the shopping frenzy in peace at Sift Patisserie or

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cover story Tree Café. 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau. horizonplazahk.com Need to know: From Central, take bus 90 from Exchange Square or bus 91 from the Central Ferry Piers to the Ap Lei Chau Estate terminus and switch to the Horizon Plaza shuttle bus. Parking is available. Or go via MTR to South Horizons Station, take Exit C and walk for approximately 15 minutes along Lee Nam Road. (If you’re loaded down with shopping bags at the end of the day, take a taxi home!)

Where to stay No room at the inn? These southside hotels are the perfect distance away – not too near, not too far...

Ladder Street, Sheung Wan

TO IMPRESS THE GUESTS Got a recent pay rise and want everyone back home to know about it? Pull out all the stops and impress your guests with lunch and a helicopter ride.

A hop, skip and fly to Macau The 15-minute helicopter ride to the former Portuguese colony of Macau saves time and gives you and your guests the opportunity to enjoy the aerial views of Hong Kong and Macau. The alternative is the one-hour ferry ride from Hong Kong. So it comes as no surprise to see people venture out for a day trip to Macau. With its Portuguese charm, Macau attracts all kinds of tourists, including foodies, gamblers and those wanting to sample the traditional old Portuguese town.

A good place to start is Senado Square, where you can savour Portuguese cuisine, egg tarts and street food. And be sure to visit the ruins of St. Paul’s church, which was built in the 17th century and is now listed as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Book ahead to secure seats for the 5pm performance of The House of Dancing Water, a spectacular acrobatic production by Cirque du Soleil, then hit the town for dinner. A good option is the 3-Michelin star Robuchon au Dôme, a French restaurant in the Grand Lisboa Hotel, which offers an exclusive gastronomic journey through France. If you’d prefer authentic Portuguese cuisine to end your evening, Antonio’s is our pick.

Need to know: The price for the regular one-way helicopter trip is $4,300, with departure times almost every hour. 1603, China Merchants Tower, Shun Tak Centre,

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Ovolo, Aberdeen Ovolo is Hong Kong’s first “warehouse conversion hotel”. Hip freebies that come with all rooms include Superspeed WiFi, daily breakfast and free-flow drinks between 5pm and 7pm. Komune bistro offers exciting experimental dishes with South American and Asian origins (the slow-cooked salmon miso is a musttry), while the Above roof bar is great for sipping cocktails and taking in the views.

Ovolo, 64 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen. ovolohotels.com

Le Meridien, Cyberport Conveniently located in the heart of Cyberport, Le Meridien boasts an outdoor pool, gym, Japanese, Cantonese and Western restaurants and the

200 Connaught Road Central, Sheung Wan. skyshuttkehk.com VIP charter to Macau: You can charter an entire helicopter (six passengers) from The Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong or Hong Kong International Airport to Macau City Centre.

One-way trip costs $83,500, round trip

fabulously located PSI bar with sunset views over the Lamma Channel. See deals.lemeridien.com for the latest offers and long-stay packages.

Le Meridien, 100 Cyberport Road. starwoodhotels.com

The Stanley Oriental Hotel This waterfront hotel enjoys sweeping views across Stanley Bay and is just minutes from Stanley Market. With beautifully decorated rooms, sea-view balconies and a roof terrace with BBQ and Jacuzzi, this is sure to win hearts – and possibly a return visit (let’s just hope that’s not too soon!).

The Stanley Oriental Hotel, 2/F, 90B, Stanley Main Street, Stanley. stanleyorientalhotel.com.hk

$121,000. heliservices.com.hk Ferry to Macau: The Cotai Water Jet ferry operates from Shun Tak Centre almost every half hour. In Macau, free shuttle buses operate from the ferry pier to most hotels. cotaiwaterjet.com

Photo credit: Graham Uden

Sheung Wan is full of staircases that span the whole hilly neighbourhood. Ladder Street is one of them – it runs from Queen’s Road Central in Sheung Wan all the way up to Caine Road. The Man Mo Temple and the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Museum are popular spots to visit along the way. Explore the treasure trove of antiques stores along nearby Hollywood Road, and the curio shops and stalls in the “Cat Street” market in Upper Lascar Row.

Dash from Hong Kong to Macau in just 15 minutes

day-tripping

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village dining focus

A round-up of private kitchens in your neighbourhood

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private kitchens

W

hen you think parties, you think restaurants. But when you think intimate dinner parties you probably think of home, and cooking in your own comfort zone. The alternative, minus the hassle, is a private kitchen. So we’ve put together a list of private kitchens in your own backyard that can cater to all your whims while you and your guests relax and enjoy a fantastic meal.

The Secret Kitchen

by The Butcher’s Club

Pomegranate Kitchen Founded by chef Maria Bizri, Pomegranate is a Mediterranean kitchen that serves up a feast of Asianinfused spices and aromas that fill the 2,00-square-foot open kitchen. The minimalist interiors provide the ideal setting for a chic dinner party.

Cuisine: Mediterranean Price: $650-$950 per guest Location: 4B, Sing Tech Factory Building, 44 Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen info@pomegranate.com.hk

One of the largest venues in Wong Chuk Hang, The Secret Kitchen is in a warehouse with a 7,000-square-foot rooftop. The interior is decked with antiques, which gives the space a vintage ambience. The beef is custom-aged specifically for an event and carved tableside – this kitchen is definitely a steakhouse!

Cuisine: Western Price: $1,000 per guest plus the cost of selected beef Location: 16/F & Rooftop, Shui Ki Industrial Building, 18 Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen events.butchersclub@fwmfnb.com

Curore

The Secret Kitchen by The Butcher’s Club

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village dining focus

Dine Art

Dine Art

M Cuisine

La Dolce Vita

For a creative dining experience, Dine Art offers a 4,000-square-foot art-lover’s paradise. The menu is carefully created

by Chef Luca De Berardinis and Chef Alessandro Angelini, so that you and your guests enjoy authentic, creative and healthy Italian dishes.

Cuisine: Italian Price: $880 per guest Location: Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen info@dinearthk.com

Chef Michael Erlik offers a wide range of tailor-made menus featuring the best of seasonal produce and flavourful dishes from around the Mediterranean.

M Cuisine offers a fine-dining experience in a casual homely setting at its 2,000-square-foot venue.

Cuisine: Mediterranean Price: $780 per guest, minimum 12 guests Location: Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen info@m-cuisine.com

Italian private kitchen La Dolce Vita is a simple and cosy space for you and your guests. With fresh seasonal ingredients that the chef whips up into a feast to tantalise your taste buds, it’s perfect for a family gathering or a get-together with friends.

Cuisine: Italian Price: $880 per guest Location: Unit 203, Oceanic Industrial Centre, 2 Lee Lok Street, Ap Lei Chau info@stilvino.hk

M Cuisine

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Curry Bay

private nibbles kitchens

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village dining focus Curry Bay An Indian-spice-infused kitchen, Curry Bay transports you to a world of its own.

“From our kitchen to your table” is their motto. Dishes are inspired by the culinary traditions of regions across India, and are served in a contemporary set-up while still keeping the recipes authentic.

Cuisine: Indian Price: $600 per guest for a five-course meal Location: 41 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang currybaykitchen@gmail.com

Kea’s Kitchen

Curore

Curore Curore promises a whole new experience for its guests. Andrea, the chef, has travelled extensively and has cooked at various restaurants around the globe, and he loves sharing his unique stories while

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cooking up a scrumptious meal in the comfort of his loft.

Cuisine: Italian Price: $880 per guest Location: Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen andrea@cuoreprivatechef.com

A unique and exquisite experience aboard a 63-foot yacht moored at the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter, Kea’s Kitchen is perfect for that special occasion with a twist.

Savour a feast of authentic Thai delights with some bubbles. The boat can host 20 guests per dinner, and the minimum spend is $20,000.

Cuisine: Thai Price: $20,000 for 20 guests Location: Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter reservations@keaskitchen.com

private nibbles kitchens

NIBBLES at The Pulse Pancakes & Coffee Giveway at HOTSHOT Every morning from 8am to 10.30am, kids aged under 12 can enjoy complimentary banana pancakes while adults can keep their sanity with bottomless brewed coffee on the house!

Oyster Hour at THE LIGHTHOUSE All through September, enjoy freshly shucked oysters for only $10 each at The LightHouse every Saturday and Sunday (including public holidays) from 12noon to 5pm; Wednesday to Friday from 12noon to 3pm.

LeComptoir Catering Book outside catering by one of Le Comptoir’s restaurants (including The Ocean, Tri and Hotspot at The Pulse) by October 1, for an event right up to the end of 2018, and the 25% catering fee will be waived.

SOUTHSIDE.HK | 35

home & living

Welcome home, pup Nicole Slater reviews the latest (and cutest) collaboration to hit Southside

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uxury furniture and homewares brand Bowerbird Home, based at Horizon Plaza, recently collaborated with Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) in the charity’s most adorable campaign to date. The cute campaign aims to promote the “Adopt don’t shop” mentality while also highlighting the fact that just like a dog, a piece of Bowerbird Home furniture is for life (not just for Christmas!).

The stars of the campaign were rescue dogs and puppies Carlo, Bertie, Ace, Vanilla and Lottie. Although they were a little camerashy at first, they soon became accustomed to a life of luxury, even deciding to take a little nap halfway through the shoot. There were even a few accidents along the way!

Lisa Cameron, Marketing Coordinator at Bowerbird Home, says: “If the images make at least one person consider adoption we will deem it to be be a successful collaboration.

Hopefully it will encourage far more people to adopt.”

With animal adoption on the rise in

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Hong Kong, Bowerbird Home thought it was the perfect time to help remove the stigma associated with abandoned or “mongrel” dogs. They hope the campaign’s

heartwarming images will highlight the fact that all dogs deserve a safe, warm and welcoming home. “It’s easy to see a pedigree puppy in a pet-shop window and

woof automatically want to buy it, but what a lot of people don’t understand is the cruel reality behind puppy mills, especially in Hong Kong.

By adopting, you are giving a dog a chance at life that they otherwise wouldn’t have had,” comments Lisa.

HKDR was founded by Lamma resident Sally Andersen in 2003. The charity is dedicated to rescuing Hong Kong’s abandoned dogs and has successfully rehomed more than 8,000 dogs to date. Many of the dogs were previously family pets that were neglected or abandoned by their owners.

Semirah Darwin, manager of the HKDR photography team, says: “When I was approached by my friend Martin Graham, the owner of Bowerbird Home, for the project, I was excited to take on this task as it combined my passion for photography and my dedication to changing our puppies’ lives.”

She continues: “HKDR is always happy to lend our support to organisations that are keen to help promote our work and I think Bowerbird Home provided the perfect setting to show potential adopters the calm nature and beauty of our mongrel puppies waiting for homes.”

The charity is proud to be a “No Kill” organisation, meaning that no dog under its

care is euthanised for any reason other than when it is the only humane option.

Describing the day of the photoshoot, Lisa adds: “The office turned to mush, baby voices and more. I’m surprised we made it through the day without a single adoption by any of our employees… although our senior

stylist Clinton came seriously close.”

So far, almost all of the doggie models in the campaign have been adopted. And Bowerbird Home will donate a percentage of its sales from the month of August to HKDR. Photography by Tatiana Yankovskaya

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education

ESF Language students

School is not the only place to learn!

The start of the new school year is the perfect time to enrol your tots and teens in some extra-curricular activities or private tuition classes. Here’s our pick of the best on offer.

ACADEMIC

Elephant Community Press Publication is now an attainable dream for

children, thanks to Elephant Community Press. In project-based workshops held throughout the year, children aged four and above are guided through every stage of writing. Completed works are published online or in print for parents, peers and the larger community to enjoy. elephantcommunitypress.com

ESF Language The goal of the ESF Language & Learning Centre is to approach each child as an individual with their own talents and needs.

Through play and inquiry-based learning, young children are able to grasp the foundations of developing a range of new skills. esflanguagecentre.org.hk

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Sai Kung Tutors (based at The Hive Sai Kung) Sai Kung Tutors teaches subjects on a one-toone basis, including maths, English and science for both primary and secondary students. The lessons can be taught at home, at the learning centre or at The Hive Sai Kung, a modern co-working space, to give your child the best environment for learning. saikungtutors.com

Ampla Education With an experienced team comprising Oxbridge, Yale and Imperial graduates, Ampla Education offers tuition for a vast range of exams, including GCSEs, A-Levels, IB and Pre-U, as well as bespoke programmes for tests such as IELTS

after-school learning and SATs. Admissions preparation courses are also available. ampla-edu.com

centres, including in Central and Aberdeen. powerbrainrx.com

Tutor Partner

Interactive French

Tutor Partner tailors lessons to students’ individual learning needs. IB and GCSE subjects from Year 1 to Year 13 are covered, and support is offered for MYP Projects and IB Extended Essays, UK Common Entrance exams, SATs and A-Levels. Students can choose to have the lessons at the tutor’s home or at their own home. tutorpartners@aol.com

Based in Wan Chai, Interactive French offers a fun-filled, effective and motivating learning environment where your child can gain maximum exposure to the French language. Led by high-calibre tutors with extensive experience in teaching French as a foreign language, Interactive French is the ideal centre for both leisure learners and exam-takers of all ages! interactivefrench.hk

Sylvan Learning Center

HK Education Tutoring Services (HKETS)

Lessons are conducted in one-on-one sessions using interactive video calling, live chat and whiteboard facilities. teachers-to-go.com

By using a diagnostic assessment, Sylvan Learning Center is able to establish a child’s strengths and weaknesses and design a tailormade programme. They offer tuition in a range of subjects, including Maths, Science, Mandarin and English, and school entrance exam preparation for children aged 5-18. sylvan.edu.hk

ITS Education Asia

Pasona Education

Established in 2003, HKETS offer support in various subjects. One-on-one private tuition or small-group options are available, with hourly rates starting from $650 for individuals and $360 for groups. Many tutors hold post-graduate certifications in their specialist subjects.

Lessons are held at the ETS Education Centre in Central, via Skype or at the student’s chosen venue. hkets.net

ITS Education Asia provides educational support for children and adults across a range of subjects as well as exam preparation services for SATs, iGCSEs, A-levels, IBs, HKDSEs and more. It also offers university admissions advice and an education consulting service that works with families and employers to find the right schools for children. Locations in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. itseducation.asia

Founded in 1984, Pasona Education is a professional training institute in Causeway Bay that offers Japanese, English, Mandarin and Cantonese tuition to both children and adults.

Classes are taught by trained native speakers and are open to all levels of learners for both general and business use. Students can enrol in private tuition courses as well as group classes. pasona.edu.hk

Apply Ivy

Aegis Advisors

Since 2006, Apply Ivy has specialised in helping students gain a spot in prestigious American boarding schools, colleges and universities. The consultants have years of experience and have established strong relationships with admissions officers to ensure students are matched with the best school to suit their needs. applyivy.com

Aegis Advisors has been helping Hong Kong kids with everything academic for more than 10 years. Services range from helping primaryschool pupils grasp the basics to assisting young adults make the grade to get into British or American universities. aegis-advisors.com

Le Club des cinq - French Learning Centre

Alpha Academy

Founded by Monica Leung, an engineer, teacher, mother and entrepreneur, Blueinno Technology Limited is an education service that aims to promote invention and innovation.

Their technology development programme uses state-of-the-art “STEAM and robotics” to inspire students to be creative in tomorrow’s innovation economy through the skillsets of electronics, coding, robotics, and designthinking methodology. blueinnotechnology.com

Alpha Academy has been serving Hong Kong’s community with a team of dedicated, professional tutors since 2002, and has acquired a reputation for excellence in education.

The team are experienced in teaching IB, I/ GCSE, HKDSE, A-Levels, SSAT, SAT and ACT. alphaacademy.edu.hk

i-Learner Education Centre I-Learner Education Centre fosters a teaching environment where students are encouraged to become more confident in their own ability.

Their core belief is that every child possesses innate curiosity and creativity, and at i-Learner this natural enthusiasm is transformed into a love for learning. Students from kindergarten to secondary level are welcome. Based in Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui. i-learner.edu.hk

PowerBrain Rx Ltd. Established in 2012, PowerBrain Rx is the only cognitive brain-training centre in Hong Kong. Courses are suitable for everyone from three-year-olds to seniors, as well as career professionals and individuals with attention challenges. The Core Programme is the most popular choice, while those with limited time can try the Intensive Brain Booster course. Four

Blueinno Technology Limited

Brandon Learning Centre Founded in 2006 by Dr. Jessica Ogilvy-Stuart, Brandon Learning Centre in Causeway Bay specialises in getting children ready to sit exams for British boarding and day schools. The centre also offers online learning support in various subjects, university preparation, public-speaking courses and a bespoke consultancy service for students applying to UK schools. One-on-one or very small group classes. brandoncentre.com

PGEM For support outside the classroom, PGEM offers online tuition and academic support in a range of subjects, essay help and test preparation. It also covers many secondaryschool qualifications, including IB and IGCSE.

Founded in 2013, Le Club des cinq - French Learning Centre has created programmes according to the age and the level of each child.

From discovering the French language to IGCSE or IB preparation, the aim of the school is to offer the best French classes for everyone. So the three pillars of its teaching approach are entertaining material, project-oriented classes and tailor-made care. Lessons are offered as one-on-one tuition or in small groups. Located in Wan Chai, they can also come to your home. frenchlessons.hk

Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions is an international provider of educational services, including a comprehensive range of programmes, from language tuition to exam and admissions preparation. Personal tuition classes can be booked in 10-hour packages, and additional hours can be purchased after that. kaplan.com.hk/ktpa

Tute.HK Tute.HK uses British undergraduates from top UK universities to lead online tutorials. Students can opt for group or one-on-one sessions in almost any discipline or area. All sessions are recorded, so students are able to re-play sessions and parents are able to track their children’s progress. The study areas covered also include the International UK Entrance Test, IGCSEs, A-levels and IB. learn.tute.com

HK Kidz Since 1985, HK Kidz has been at the forefront of

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education teaching foreign languages across Hong Kong.

Whether your child wants to improve a second language or prepare for language examinations, the institute has a range of courses. They offer private tuition, semi-private tuition and smallgroup classes, with programmes running one or two classes per week. hkkidz.com

of dance programmes for different age groups, including Creative Movement for Toddlers, Hip Hop, Cheernastics (a fusion of cheerleading and gymnastic skills), Dancehall Teens and Jazz Funk. Class locations are dotted around Hong Kong, with one in Midlevels. skydanceavenuehk.com

Southside Mandarin

Twinkle Dance

As well as offering straightforward Mandarin lessons, this learning centre has playgroups and immersion programmes for children aged six months to 12 years. All classes are taught by professionally qualified native speakers with experience in early-childhood and primary education. southsidemandarin.com

Twinkle Dance offers ballet, jazz and contemporary dance classes for children aged 18 months and above. The classes seek to engage kids by using fun visual themes that they can connect with. All the teachers have professional training and qualifications.

Branches are located in Central, Causeway Bay and Wong Chuk Hang. twinkledance.com

CREATIVE

Mindful Wing Chun

Faust

The masters at Mindful Wing Chun teach mindfulness, relaxation and balance as a way of life through practising the Wing Chun style of martial art in a safe manner. The school derives from the lineage of Master Chu Shong Tin, a pupil of Ip Man. Students of all abilities are supported on their journey of discovering self-awareness. mindfulwingchun.com.hk

Established in 1999, Faust runs drama and creative writing workshops for children aged from three to 18 at various venues.

It introduces children to the world of theatre and creativity through fun, lively sessions, developing performance skills, theatre knowledge, teamwork, individual expression and confidence. Faust also organises productions at Hong Kong theatres throughout the year. faustworld.com.hk

STAGE RIGHT! Enriching young people’s knowledge about theatre since 2011, STAGE RIGHT! runs workshops that allow children of all ages to explore their acting and performance skills and also investigate real-world issues in a safe and controlled environment. stagerighthk.com

Red Shoe Dance Company Red Shoe Dance runs ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical and hip hop classes.

The school offers RAD ballet and ADAPT

YWCA Be your own master chef! The YWCA’s parent/ child cooking and baking class is not only a great chance for family bonding, it also teaches children the value of nutrition and the culinary arts, which is vital to their all-round development. As they explore different foods and preparation techniques, they will learn to be more independent and creative. clle.ywca.org.hk

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS Skydance Avenue

Skydance Avenue offers a dynamic selection

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after-school learning jazz examinations as well as performance opportunities, competitions and overseas training camps. Little ones can begin at three years old, and there are also pre-professional intensive training programmes for older students interested in a career in dance. redshoedance.com

award-winning Russian art academy with locations in Sai Kung, Repulse Bay, Happy Valley, Clearwater Bay, Pacific Palisades and HKUST. Qualified specialists are flown in from around the world, promoting globalised and multicultural artistic training. arthouse-hk.com

Southern School of Dance

Hebe Haven Yacht Club

Dance the day away at the Southern School of Dance! Children will love the ballet, tap, and modern dance lessons, and shine in their annual performances. Don’t feel left out, Mums – you can enroll in the ladies’ Ballet Fitness Classes to shape up into your healthiest and most elegant selves. southernschoolofdance.com.hk

SPORT

Sport offers a range of fun and challenging programmes, including football and gymnastics, designed to foster a love of sport that will last a lifetime. esf.org.hk/sports

Minisport HK Minisport HK is an enthusiastic group of sports educators who teach multiple sports to children aged 1.5 to nine through schools, clubs

The Hebe Haven Yacht Club has been providing boating and yachting facilities in the picturesque bay of Pak Sha Wan in Sai Kung since 1963. As well as having an extensive school sailing programme, it also offers courses for children through its “Development Fund for Youth Sailing” programme at the Sail Training Center. hhyc.org.hk

Russian Ballet School The first ballet school in Hong Kong to follow the disciplined-yet-vibrant Vaganova system, the Russian Ballet School takes from the rich history of Russian ballet and teaches with a unique focus on performance readiness and individual correction, allowing every student to shine with elegance. russianballetschool-hk.com

Anastassia’s Art House

ESF Sport

Learn to draw, paint and sculpt with the crème de la crème at Anastassia’s Art House, an

The role of sport in the development of young children cannot be underestimated. ESF

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education challenge their participants both physically and mentally. Scout training allows children and teens to serve their community, develop a sense of responsibility to society and realise their full potential. scout.org.hk

Treasure Island Get your kids out and about! Treasure Island offers children a transformative and rewarding outdoor experience through a series of adventure, community and environmental programmes. With various safe but exciting surf and adventure camps, your children can explore their passion for life and the great outdoors. treasureislandhk.com

Gym Danny

and private residences around Hong Kong.

Minisport coaches over 400 children per week and offers holiday sport camps and children’s parties. sportsclassesforkidshk.com

Asia Pacific Soccer School Asia-Pacific Soccer School runs football classes throughout Hong Kong, offering Kinder Kick programmes for the under-fours, and moving up to all-level training for kids aged five to 15+ years, as well as girls-only training sessions. There are also selective squad programmes for talented players, providing them with the opportunity to play in the HK Junior Football League and the HK Football Association Henderson League. apsoccer.hk

Hong Kong Island Stingrays Swim Club Hong Kong Island Stingrays Swim Club embraces all levels of swimmers. It aims to provide every swimmer with the best possible training environment and resources, allowing them to fulfill their potential as both an athlete and a person. The club is consistently ranked as one of the region’s top competitive swim teams. teamunify.com/Home. jsp?team=hkhkis

Tennis Elite Tennis Elite specialises in delivering tennis coaching services exclusively to private residences in Hong Kong. Their programmes cater to players of all ages and abilities, ranging from junior group classes to adult clinics, and even tennis holiday retreats. tennis-elite.com/junior-tennis.html

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ESF Sharks ESF Sports is a specialised youth sports coaching organisation with experienced and qualified coaches. Its swimming lessons are fun, exciting and safe, building up children to become confident and agile swimmers with key aquatic skills. There are courses for people at all age and experience levels, and even a water polo course for your sporty little ones. esf.org.hk/sports/our-sports/ swimming/overview.html

Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association The Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association, founded over 50 years ago, is the only local organisation that covers all swimming, diving, water polo, synchronised swimming, open-water swimming and masters competitions and activities. The association’s dedicated coaches and countless awardwinning alumni are proof of the high quality of its work. hkasa.org.hk

Outward Bound The premier provider of experience-based outdoor learning and leadership programmes, Outward Bound organises a variety of challenging and exciting outdoor camps for children and youth, where they’ll learn to be more independent and resilient, and become confident in their own boundless potential. outwardbound.org.hk/courses/individualsfamilies

Scout Association Of Hong Kong Hong Kong’s leading voluntary organisation for young people, the Scout Association of Hong Kong provides training programmes that

GymDanny teaches gymnastic, fine-motor, and balancing skills to all children starting from just one year old. They aim to teach basic gymnastic skills and improve children’s fitness and physical literacy. With easy-toaccess entry levels and a safe, encouraging environment, GymDanny’s classes are fun and enjoyable for children at all ability levels. gymdanny.org

Hong Kong Basketball Academy Children of all skill levels and ages (from under-eights to 19-year-olds) are sure to enjoy shooting some hoops with the HKBA, which runs weekly sessions. Introductory classes teach the fundamentals of basketball, including teamwork and sportsmanship, in a fun, safe environment, while further down the line, competitive players get to test their skills in the Premier League programme. hkbaallday.com

after-school learning

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education Harry Wright International Swim School

HK Rugby Union

The Harry Wright International Swim School offers lessons for all stages of swimming ability, from infant swim classes to competitive swim training. harrywright.com.hk

Most clubs run minis training sessions on Sunday mornings and go head-to-head against other teams in their age group at monthly tournaments. The season runs from late August to the beginning of April, typically culminating with the HK Rugby Sevens, at which these budding rugby stars play showcase games at the HK Stadium and take part in a March Past lap of honour.

Local clubs include Sai Kung Stingrays and HKU Sandy Bay. hkrugby.com

Hong Kong Cricket Club Although well known for its cricket team, the HKCC also has many other sports teams, including a netball team and a golf team. hkcc.org

Hong Kong Football Club The HKFC prides itself on offering a huge variety of sporting activities and events – the internationally famous Hong Kong International Rugby Sevens tournament began its life at the club. hkfc.com.hk/sports

Rugby clubs to try:

Valley Fort Rugby Football Club Valley Fort Rugby Football Club has a range of teams for budding rugby players as well

Tennis Centre The Tennis Centre is conveniently located at Wong Nai Chung Gap Road. There are many courts and coaches available to book. Book in advance to secure your perfect time slot. tennishk.org

Stanley Ho Sports Centre The Hong Kong University’s Stanley Ho Sports Centre has a wide range of sports

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as a senior squad for professional games. valleyfort.com/

Sai Kung Stingrays Founded in 2006, Sai Kung Stingrays is a friendly, family-oriented rugby club offering teams for boys and girls aged 4-19. saikungstingrays.com

USRC Tigers Formed in 1988, USRC Tigers is one of Hong Kong’s top rugby teams, offering training for players of all ages, including Mini Rugby and premiership teams for both boys and girls.

Training days are Sunday and Thursday for most teams.usrctigers.com

facilities and activities for kids at all skill levels. cse.hku.hk

Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club Middle Island The RHKYC at Middle Island provides sail training for people of all ages. After the summer break they offer beginners’ training on the weekends and practice sessions for advanced trainers. sailtrain@rhkyc.org.hk

after-school learning

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interview What comment do you remember from your school reports?

The majority of them seemed to be along the lines of “We can’t fault her enthusiasm but it would be lovely if Amelia could give the others in the class the chance to contribute as well.” Another report noted a strong character resemblance between me and Margaret Thatcher, which I chose to believe was intended as a compliment.

What was the best thing you learnt at school?

My school motto was “Plus Est En Vous”, which the French would be able to tell you means “More is in you.” I think about it often now and realise how applicable it is to almost everything.

How is the Hong Kong education system different to that in the UK? They are tricky beasts to compare. The Hong Kong education system is very much a product of its environment: this is an Asian city with a large expat community but a limited landmass, and the school options reflect that, with a mixture of local and international schools, predominantly within urban surroundings. In the UK, you don’t perhaps get the same diversity of people but you do get diversity of places.

School daze

Enjoying pre-prep years at Hawthorne House

What are the benefits of an international education in Hong Kong?

An education in a city like Hong Kong gives the opportunity to broaden a child’s cultural knowledge (and hopefully, compassion). In more closed communities with limited diversity, you might have one or two children in a class who speak a different language or follow a different religion, but in Hong Kong that number is much higher. It helps to dissolve

Our Education Editor, Amelia Sewell, shares her school memories and advice to parents looking for the perfect school in Hong Kong Where did you go to school?

I am half-English and half-Australian but grew up entirely in the UK. So my first school was a tiny and completely charming little pre-prep called Hawthorne House in Norfolk.

It had just three teachers. I then went to a prep school called Beeston Hall, they gave me six wonderful years of Enid Blytonstyle schooling: tree climbing, tuck shops, dormitories and hockey matches. At 13 I moved to Gordonstoun in Scotland, where I perfected the art of not getting caught.

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Did you enjoy your school years?

I truly loved school. I was lucky that my parents put a lot of time and effort into choosing schools that would really suit my brother and me, and I had a ball.

If you could change one thing about your school years, what would it be?

Appreciate how long the school holidays are!

Starting my first job was quite a shock when I realised that an eight-week summer holiday was not a courtesy extended to adults.

Little Amelia (middle) and her classmates

memories interview some of the “them vs. us” idea and encourages children to realise from an early age that the world is full of people who are different to them and that this should be embraced.

What features should parents look for in a good Hong Kong school?

In Hong Kong particularly, I think it’s crucial to ask questions about the staff. Does the school have lots of transient teachers who only stay a year or two before relocating to a new country? Does the school make an effort to retain its staff? Are the teachers up to date on their specific curriculum? Wanderlust is a magical thing, but not if it’s to the detriment of the students that the teachers are being employed to educate.

How do Hong Kong schools cater to children with extra learning needs?

Sadly, this area needs some work. Off the top of my head, I can name on just one hand the schools in Hong Kong that actively welcome children with SEN [Special Educational Needs]. Many children with some level of SEN can easily be part of a mainstream class if they’re given a little additional support – my brother was one of them, and so was my husband. Hong Kong schools seem to take the easy route and only offer places to

children who do not require extra assistance.

To borrow a well-used school-report phrase, “Must try harder.”

What would you like to change about the Hong Kong education system?

Aside from the previous point about SEN and the ridiculous practice of putting small children in an interview situation, I would put greater emphasis on creativity in English lessons. English is often taught in a very sterile way in Hong Kong, with importance on grammatical perfection. Fine, grammar is important, but no more so than creativity. My opinion is that it’s more important for eightyear-olds to be able to reel off five interesting words for the verb “to walk” (words like stroll, wander, amble, saunter, shuffle) than to be able to put the punctuation mark in exactly the right place every single time.

Why should parents attend school fairs?

It’s an unavoidable fact that when parents are selecting a school, they need to gather lots of information and ask a plethora of questions so they can make an informed decision about which school might be right for their child. Attending a school fair [where many different schools have a booth] helps to shorten this process as parents have access

to a large amount of information, in one place.

I recommend that parents arrive with a list of questions and take plenty of notes.

Amelia Sewell will host the Hong Kong Living Annual Schools Fair on October 20 at The Annex, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Central. Tickets are $60 at the door, or scan the QR code to register for a free ticket.

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travel travel

Jane Steer visits the happiest country in the world Photo credit: Jetour

S

ummer in Finnish Lakeland is a breath of fresh air. Literally.

Affectionately known as “La-la”, Lakeland boasts some of the cleanest air on the planet, with pristine water and untouched forest to match.

Vast, beautiful and empty, this is a sparkling world of peace and tranquillity, lakes and trees. The food is fabulous, the culture is interesting, and the lifestyle is outdoorsy. If ever there was a place to escape steamy, polluted, frenetic Hong Kong, this is it. Need to recharge your batteries? Try Finland.

At the country’s – and the mainland European Union’s – most easterly point, where central Finland nudges into Russia, sit North Karelia and its neighbour, Northern Savonia, or North Savo to its friends. This is arguably the most “Finnish” part of Finland, long considered a national utopia. “This landscape is our heart; our happy place,” explains one local.

It’s best experienced from the top of Ukko-Koli, a rare hill in North Karelia’s Koli National Park, with a jaw-dropping view of 100km-long Lake Pielinen and its myriad forested islands. The beauty

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of this listed national landscape inspired Finnish composer Jean Sibelius to write Symphony No.4. In winter, this is one of the region’s few downhill ski resorts (Tahko in North Savo is another), with a funicular railway offering a handy ride up most of the hill’s 347 vertical metres.

This land has been fought over for centuries, flipping between Sweden, Russia and Finland. It’s 101 years since Finland won its independence from Russia and 70 or so since the border was redrawn, splitting Karelia between Finland and the Soviet Union, where its culture has been slowly eroded. But in Finnish North Karelia, traditions still run deep.

Indeed, many of those traditions have been adopted nationwide, such as the kantele (a 2,000-year-old stringed musical instrument taught in primary schools), the Kalevala book of folk poetry, and Karelian pastries, a breakfast staple of sticky rice wrapped in crisp rye dough and best served slathered in butter.

In Lakeland, brown bears and wolverines roam, B&B landladies break into impromptu kantele performances and nice lady tourist-board executives hunt elk in their spare time. And Finns

have a lot of spare time. Perhaps that’s one reason they were declared the happiest people on the planet this year, if not the jolliest (Finns are famously poker-faced; witness inscrutable Formula 1 driver Kimi “Ice Man” Raikkonen). An admirable approach to work-life balance means most Finns have a four-week summer holiday – and almost everyone spends at least part of it at a summerhouse. Lakeland is summerhouse central.

Traditionally painted red, with white eaves and window frames, these wooden cabins peek out, blushing, from the birches, pines and spruces along the lakeshores. Many have private jetties, often with boats pulled up alongside, or furnished with benches ready to enjoy the Finnish holy trinity of

lala land

Photo credit: Visit Finland

sauna, beer and sausages.

Sauna is a national obsession.

Finland has 5.5 million people and three million saunas, including some in the unlikeliest of places: a bus, a tractor, tents. While close friends and family might strip naked to enjoy the steamy heat, flicking each other with leafy birch twigs to clean and exfoliate the skin, swimming costumes are the norm among less familiars. Whatever you’re wearing (or not wearing), a La-la sauna is inevitably followed by a brisk plunge into the nearest lake. It’s bracing, but it feels surprisingly good. Afterwards.

While most summerhouses have a sauna, not all have electricity or running water. For some, this is part of the joy.

Days are spent chopping firewood, fetching water, foraging and preparing the sauna. Dinner might be cooked in a kota, or grill house, a teepeeshaped wooden hut containing an open fire, cooking plate and kettle. At our summerhouse in Purnuranta, near Koli, the kota had cosy reindeer hides over the built-in seats for comfort while smoking trout or flipping pancakes.

If the thought of fetching firewood

and water is too hardcore, rent a holiday cottage with all mod cons – power, an electric sauna, a stove, a hot shower – and spend your time kayaking, hiking, fishing or mountain biking (see sidebar).

Or just head out to explore.

Finland’s “everyman’s rights” allow the public to roam anywhere in the country, on public land or private.

If you know what you’re looking for, help yourself to tiny wild strawberries, bilberries (blueberries), lingonberries, herbs and mushrooms. And feel free to wild camp just about anywhere, or picnic at the campfires and kotas, stocked with firewood, dotted throughout the countryside (find them at tulikartta.fi).

Just don’t intrude too closely to homes.

“Most people have their own favourite patch of forest for mushrooms and berries, which they often keep secret,” explains our friendly elk-hunter. “People can get a bit obsessional about it; there are mushroom societies and clubs.”

Summer eating is all about seasonal ingredients, plucked fresh from the forest or sustainably fished from the lakes. The Finnish approach to cooking is similar to Italy’s in its emphasis on

quality ingredients cooked simply, with salads and fish giving way to rib-sticking stews, pies and casseroles in the long, dark winter.

But this is the short, light summer, when the sun dips below the horizon for only a few hours and it never gets dark. Finns make the most of it. Winter is the time for sleeping. Summer is the time for partying at a packed schedule of festivals.

The annual Kuopio Wine Festival, in North Savo, is buzzing. Even a chilly late-evening downpour can’t dampen the mood. Wearing raincoats and boots, the festival crowd roars out the lyrics with headline act JVG, a pair of former ice-hockey players who perform tonguein-cheek raps about summer’s sunburn, mojitos and mosquitoes. After all, as they say in Finland, there’s no bad weather only bad clothing.

Next day, the sun reappears, the temperature climbs back into the 20s, and a cruise on sparkling, wind-ruffled Lake Kallavesi beckons. At Kuopio harbour, we stop for a while. And breathe.

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travel

Things to do North Karelia Feel Koli Spot a “troll’s nose” (tree deformation) and bounce on moss that grows as deep and springy as a trampoline on a nature tour through Koli National Park with Feel Koli, which also rents hiking and snowshoe equipment. feelkoli.fi

Laitalan Lomat, Nurmes Try a peat sauna at this rural guesthouse. Plaster your face with smooth, sticky peat, which dries in the sauna and is washed off in the lake, leaving the skin soft and super-clean. laitalanlomat.com

Karelia Cottages Minna and Marja organise adventure and cultural experiences, including kantele and art workshops, cooking classes, foraging trips, kayaking, fishing, family treasure hunts and overnight “forest bathing” in hammocks. kareliacottages.com

Sinkkonen Berry Farm, near Joensuu Summer is strawberry season and you can pick eight different varieties at this farm and cafe. sinkkosenmarjatila.fi

Paateri Church & Eva Ryynanen’s studio, near Lieska

Koli Activ Rent two-man kayaks, SUPs or bicycles, and afterwards, treat yourself to blueberry cake and custard at its lakeside café. koliactiv.fi 50 | SOUTHSIDE.HK

An hour’s boat ride from Koli this charming forest church was built by late Finnish sculptor Eva Ryynanen in the backyard of her cottage and studio.

Known for carving whimsical sculptures from whole tree trunks, the church is her finest creation, with an altar made from tree roots, pews scattered with bas-relief flowers, lambs carved into the beams and a beautiful floor made from slices of tree trunk. Paateri 21, Vuonisjärvi, Lieska, tel: +358 40 1044055.

travel

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How to get there

North Savo

• Finnair’s new fleet of low-emission Airbus A350s fly non-stop daily from Hong Kong to Helsinki in about 10 hours.

• Business class features distinctively Finnish touches, including food by chef Jaakko Sorsa of FINDS, Hong Kong’s only Nordic restaurant, amenities kits by Marimekko, and a Northern Lights-style display in the cabin during landing.

Aholansaari Museum, near Tahko A short ferry ride from Tahko, Aholansaari was once home to 18thcentury Lutheran revivalist pastor Paaro Ruotsalainen, whose wooden home is now a museum. It’s a charming glimpse of Finland’s past set among the meadows of what is now a holiday camp. Open to all, there’s also a café and open-air church. aholansaari.fi

Jatkankamppa smoke sauna, near Kuopio Finns discard their inhibitions with their clothes, so expect to get chatting in the world’s largest smoke sauna at Jatkankamppa, a converted 1950s lumberjack lodge. Part of the Spa Hotel Rauhalahti and campsite, it’s open on Tuesdays and Thursdays for “Finnish nights”, including a meal and a lumberjack demonstration, and on Fridays in summer. rauhalahti.fi

Where to eat Isa Camillo, Kuopio

Dine on divine pike perch gratinated with spring onion pesto and served with buerre blanc at this stylish modern European restaurant in a converted 1912 bank that once held Finland’s entire gold reserves in a vault now used as a private dining room. isacamillo. ravintolamestarit.net

• Finnair has teamed up with Hong Kong travel agents Jetour and Westminster Travel to offer a number of packages to Finland, including self-drive and family tours. finnair. com, jetour.com.hk and leisure. westminstertravel.com

plated dishes include slow-roasted pork belly with smoked potatoes and salad. sokoshotels.fi

Puukarin Pysakki, near Nurmes Traditional Karelian fare is on the menu at this rural B&B, including sweet-and-sour cabbage salad, slowcooked osso bucco, and rye bread, recently voted Finland’s national dish. puukarinpysakki.com

Lakeland Lines, Kuopio

Ukko, Tahko

Run by singing Captain Kari, this local boat operator offers lunch and dinner cruises on Lake Kallavesi. lakelandlines.fi

Tahko Safarit

Local Bistro, Joensuu

Rent an efatbike, with extra-wide tyres and an electric engine to boost pedal power and allow riders to zoom uphill with ease and freewheel down with the wind in their hair. Join CEO Arto Jauhiainen for a hike into the wilderness and learn to build a fire, whittle a stick and barbecue sausages. Or go canoeing, quad biking, paintballing, or orienteering, the choice is yours. tahkosafarit.fi

One of the top 50 restaurants in the country, Local Bistro serves innovative Finnish cuisine. Seasonal, local ingredients are elevated in dishes such as nettle pancake with rhubarb, cauliflower and egg sauce, or mushroom pie with pickled mushrooms, pea foam, broccoli and yoghurt. localbistro.fi

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• Got a layover in Helsinki? Spend it in the Finnair lounge, a series of beautifully designed spaces flooded with light from floor-to-ceiling windows. As well as free food and drink, facilities include showers and, of course, a sauna.

Grill It, Koli Stunning views accompany a meal at this contemporary hilltop restaurant in Break Sokos Hotel Koli. Beautifully

When it comes to smiling for a photo, Finns don’t say “cheese” they say “muikku”, a reference to a tiny, ubiquitous freshwater fish. Ukko bar and restaurant serves them deep-fried, whitebait style. tahko.com

Pekhubaari, Tahko A popular après-ski bar (dancing on tables encouraged) and fondue restaurant on the slopes of Tahko, Pekhubaari is a top spot for a summer lunch or post-hike coffee and cake.

Inside is the tahko, or grindstone, found during construction that gives the resort its name. pekhu.fi

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travel

Places to stay Kolin Keidas, Koli Renovating this cosy old farmhouse in Koli National Park was a labour of love for owners Joona and Marianne, who now run it as a B&B. They also offer forest yoga, an organic café and a traditional wood-fired sauna. kolinkeidas.com

Sokos Hotel Puijonsarvi, Kuopio

A large, stylish hotel in the heart of Kuopio and a few minutes’ walk from the harbour. sokoshotels.fi

Break Sokos Hotel Bomba, Nurmes Part modern spa hotel and part traditional Karelian village, Break Sokos Hotel Bomba combines modern luxury with heritage. At its heart is the Bomba Restaurant in a reconstruction of a famous Karelian house. sokoshotels.fi

Golden Resort, Tahko Stay in large luxury villas, each with its own sauna, set in a peaceful golf course just outside Tahko. goldenresort.fi

Summerhouses Visit Karelia tourist board has comprehensive online listings for holiday cottages at visitkarelia. fi For North Savo, try lomarengas.fi

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Five things you (probably) didn’t know about Finland 1 Finland’s nickname, the land of a thousand lakes, is woefully short of the mark. It has nearly 188,000 lakes and 179,000 islands.

2 In winter, the lakes freeze. Once the ice is 20cm deep, it is safe to walk, skate and ski on. Ice on most Lakeland lakes reaches 50cm thick; Lapland lake ice reaches a metre deep.

3 There is only one Finnish word in English dictionaries: sauna. And they would appreciate it if we pronounce it correctly – sow-na, to rhyme with “how”, rather than saw-na, to rhyme with, er, “saw”.

4 Post-sauna lake swims continue throughout winter, with hardy Finns plunging into holes cut in the ice. Not for the faint-hearted.

5 Don’t be fazed by those long Finnish words, simply pronounce every letter.

Good luck!

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zim city

In the land-supply debate, follow the money Who stands to benefit from development, and what are the environmental and social costs?

T

hree core issues are starting to crystallise as the consultation process about Hong Kong’s land supply moves along. And the options will definitely not be cheap. Let’s look at who is chasing the money.

Reclamation. The construction and engineering industries, together with the Government, are in favour of a plan to create a large new reclaimed island between Lantau and Hong Kong Island. Our Hong Kong Foundation has taken the lead in calling for an Enhanced East Lantau Metropolis of 2,200ha – double what the Government has proposed.

The cost is estimated at $2,000/sq.ft., or about $500 bn.

The beneficiaries of the funds will be the contractors and engineers. And the Government will generate land premiums from the land sales. The proponents’ argument is that resolving the issues involved in developing the New Territories will take too long. Opponents are concerned that, besides the damage to the marine environment, the fact that so much money is tied up with this mega-project means there will be no resources left to clean up the New Territories.

Brownfields. Unlikely partners – green groups and the landowners, including our home-grown developers and the Heung Yee Kuk – are favouring development of the New Territories. Green groups are keen to see a stop to the environmental rot of the brownfields, while the landowners want to

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cash in on their land banks. Green groups want land-resumption programmes, together with a strengthening of the Government’s resources and legal powers to ensure that brownfields don’t spread to other land, destroying habitats and agriculture.

Many of the landowners, however, want the right to develop their own land. Some are suggesting a compromise solution, with Public Private Partnership developments. The cost of land resumption to be paid to owners is lower than the cost of building the artificial island, but it will require more government manpower to negotiate with the many parties involved.

Our “lazy” government prefers writing a tender for a reclamation project and then leaving it with the contractor.

Military land. Much of the current 2,700 hectares of military land is currently underutilised. The naval base at Stonecutters is an essential facility and it would be impractical to move it. The air force facilities in Shek Kong are also essential, but they could perhaps be moved to Chep Lap Kok airport once the third runway is in place. The nearempty barracks and the firing range in Tuen Mun should be reviewed to see whether the land can be used for better public purposes.

Article 13 of the Garrison Law promulgated by the NPC in 1996 allows exactly for this negotiation to take place between the Hong Kong Government and the PLA. It also sets out how to deal with the associated costs and the compensation to be paid. Given the clamour for land, both parties

have a serious responsibility to weigh military versus public uses for each site. Article 15 explains how such a discussion is to proceed.

The above are the three big items. Other options are near-shore reclamations (these are generally supported, but there are local objections), the use of golf courses (there’s endless debate over privileges, but we do lack sports facilities) and moving the container port (or consolidating it with other ports in the Pearl River Delta).

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

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woof

Doggy distress Sally Andersen explains dogs’ routines and how the back-to-school season affects them

D

ogs are creatures of routine because it makes them feel secure – they like to wake up at the same time every morning, eat at scheduled meal times and have regular walks and toilet breaks. Sometimes this strict dog timetable can be a bit annoying for you if you fancy a lie-in or don’t feel like taking the dog out early on a Sunday, and that’s fine, your dog will live.

However a complete disruption to daily life can be very stressful for our canine companions, and that stress can manifest itself in a variety of ways, from a lack of appetite to diarrhoea, or even a change in usual behaviour. Moving home, a relationship break-up or having a baby, or even our own unhappiness and moods, can affect dogs in a negative way.

Holiday times can be also hard for our dogs as they often mean the family disappears for weeks on end and the dogs have to go into boarding kennels. Even assuming they can stay at home (if you’re lucky enough to have a reliable full-time helper), it still means the family not being there for the duration of the vacation, and that can be a lonely time, because dogs thrive on companionship and having their humans around.

Sometimes the reverse happens and the family stays at home for the holidays, meaning extra time spent with the dog and special fun outings and adventures together such as hiking, swimming or going to the beach.

Then when it’s time to go back to work or school, all of the fun stops and suddenly there’s no one around for the dog to play with anymore.

If you do plan to put your dogs into a boarding kennel when you go away, by far the best choices are the home-from-home options, which are more like holiday camps for dogs than kennels. In fact if you regularly use the same place, it can even be something your dog enjoys, as there will be regular walks and other dogs to play with in a place that has become familiar.

Sally Andersen is the founder of Hong Kong Dog Rescue, a charity that rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes unwanted or abandoned dogs. hongkongdogrescue.com

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column

Birds of a feather

Opinions, rants and random outbursts. By Mrs. Backfire

C

uckoos are the uninvited guests of the bird world. They don’t build their own nests, opting instead to take a calculated chance by laying their eggs in another bird mom’s nest and hoping she doesn’t notice until those baby cuckoos are hatched, fed, nurtured and ready to grab hostmama’s college fund and hit the road. Thank you very much!

But one of the cuckoos’ prime targets – the redstart – has wised up and can detect that wily cuckoo egg, even though its blue colour and pattern are practically identical to her own.

Scientists say the redstart mama has developed an extra colour-sensitive cell in her retina to spot the fakes. (I hear she can also tell when one of her brood is still wearing yesterday’s underwear, but that’s another study, another story.)

The hapless dunnock bird, however, is not quite as evolved as the redstart. Even though the cuckoo will lay a completely differentcoloured egg in her nest – white with brown specks this time, while the dunnock egg is blue – that poor dunnock mama doesn’t seem to notice a thing. Just another mouth, or two or three, to feed.

Scientists continue to scratch their heads over the dunnock’s apparent naiveté – does she just not notice the completely different-coloured egg (!!) in her nest, or is she strategically not seeing for fear of tossing out the wrong egg?

Meanwhile, the cuckoo is getting free childcare.

So score one in the evolutionary arms race for the bird everyone calls weird.

By now, you might be asking yourself – Mrs. Backfire, what has the evolution of birds got to do with life in Hong Kong, or anything else relevant to me living here on the Southside?

I’ll resist the urge to draw parallels between the term “brood parasites” and people who make their helpers work on Sundays, and instead draw your attention to a question that occurred to me during my recent travels to the US. Namely: Are you the same person here in Hong Kong as you are “back home”?

With Hong Kong being a go-go, clevercuckoo kind of place, I posit that every expat returning to his or her home country – for the short or long term – must go through a sort of interim personality shift, a recalibration if you will, to a slower, gentler headspace. More easygoing dunnock than hyper-vigilant redstart. I find this mood swing to be quite dramatic when I go back to the States.

To be blunt, I have to learn to be nice again,

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I’ll resist the urge to draw parallels between the term “brood parasites” and people who make their helpers work on Sundays you know?

For all the talk about the coarseness and divisiveness going on in America these days, the country’s underlying geniality and homespun hospitality will never really go away. You just won’t find that Yankee niceness anywhere else in the world. It hits you shortly after landing; from the “Have a nice day” at immigration to the “Where ya from?” small talk from the overly friendly waiter who insists on telling you his life story when all you want to do is order and eat your food in peace, not make a new friend for life, so just leave us alone, for Pete’s sake!!

Ahem (clears throat, steps back, hopes waiter at TGI Friday’s didn’t notice the side-eye).

That didn’t go well, did it? I mean, there’s customer service, and then there’s customer service, and American minimum-wage workers are just trying to earn their tips. Couldn’t I be a little more, um, easy-going? My (over)reaction to a little service-industry niceness made me wonder: What has Hong Kong done to me? Has the city morphed me into a creature of coarseness? Or has my underlying impatience and pushiness always been there? Maybe I am really, truly just a Canto-granny on the inside: brash, mercenary, persistent – forever insisting on making my way to the front of the proverbial line.

A couple of years ago, when I was on a similar Stateside trip with the family, my brother objected to some of my more, shall we say, snarky asides. He said I was being hard on our mom, and he reckoned that I was spending too much time around Brits and Aussies. It showed in my sarcastic humour – what I believe the kids euphemistically call “banter”.

Upon being called out, my first impulse was to crack a joke at that most American

of character traits – earnestness. But looking down my nose at sincerity, in my home country no less, would just prove my brother’s point, wouldn’t it?

Instead, after blaming Hong Kong for my regressive social skills, I endeavoured to change. I’m a creature of evolution, I thought; I too can adapt. In fact, I can lay all kinds of eggs, darn it! Patient, eager, tell-me-your-life-story eggs! And I refuse to believe that Hong Kong has brought an end to my chances of being a dunnock – that naïve, caring, sweetly blind bird.

Okay, so I might have the impatience of a Po Po in the rice-giveaway line, I’m rude and ill-mannered, I know it’ll take some work, but I can change…

Share your thoughts, dear reader, but please, be kind. Don’t call me cuckoo.

Mrs. Backfire is - in the words of John Hughes - a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess and a criminal (well, just that one time and I do regret it). You can see me as you want to see me ;)

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