Education | Lifestyle | Home | Activities
December 2016
THE
Christmas issue
From festive fare to gift ideas for the whole family, we’ve got everything you need to make this Christmas spectacular!
Contents
W
e can all finally stop asking when the weather will cool down. Winter is here! The knitwear can be pulled out from the back of the closet and we can start drinking copious amounts of hot chocolate and mulled wine. To accompany these Yuletide beverages make sure you turn to page 40, where we’ve sourced the top snacks for tea time treats. For those in need of a little Christmas present inspiration, we’ve got you sorted. Whether you’re shopping for something for mum, dad or the kids, our gift guide is jam packed with great ideas!
16 Christmas table spreads with the wow factor
26 Green living for the whole family
2 December's top events
Hannah Hodson, Editor hannah.hodson@timeout.com.hk
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Around Town Feature Education Activities Home Health & Wellness Food Holiday The Guide Where to find us 40 Festive fare
Publisher Desiree Au I General Manager Agee Leung I Editor in Chief Douglas Parkes I Editor Hannah Hodson I Marketing & Advertising Director Karman So I Art Direction and Designers Phoebe Cheng, Jessica Li, Stanley Chung I Photographer Calvin Sit I Sub Editor George Major I Contributors Rachel Lau, Zachary Santos, Christie Tse I
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This is a supplement published by Rubicon Communications and Time Out Hong Kong (Suite 1002, Wanchai Commercial Centre, 194-204 Johnston Road, Hong Kong) in collaboration with Time Out International Limited, London, UK. Printed by Apex Print Limited. No contents or photos can be reproduced without permission. Time Out is the registered trademark of Time Out Group Limited, London, UK. The right to use the trademark, name and logo of Time Out is licensed from Time Out Group Limited, London, UK.
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The
DEC
essentials
Don’t miss this month’s top Christmas events! Candlelight vent where admission is free and proceeds from all purchases go to the Matilda Children’s Foundation. The hospital grounds will be transformed into a twinkling Christmas wonderland as angelic singers spread the holiday spirit.
CHALKapella pop-up store, where all proceeds go to the Charles K Kao Foundation for Alzheimer’s Disease.
WHITE CHRISTMAS STREET FAIR Dec 1-3
10am-5pm, Jardine’s Lookout, Tai Hang; fis.edu.hk. The Christmas season is all about giving, and what better way to give than to participate in this Christmas Fair hosted by the French International School of Hong Kong? Support the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children by donating your unwanted artificial trees, holiday decorations and second-hand books here.
Taikoo Place, 979 King’s Road, Quarry Bay. Swire Properties is working doubletime this season with two street fairs for you to visit. The White Christmas Street Fair is jam packed with the city's hottest market vendors. Try your hand at making your own Christmas ornaments in fun a workshop or just relax with some Christmas treats and live entertainment. FREE
FEELING FANTASTIC THIS CHRISTMAS Until Jan 2
in their Christmas best. At this time of the year the “Happiest Place on Earth” becomes even happier.
Elements, 1 Austin Rd W, West Kowloon, 2735 5234; elements.com.hk. If you and your children are big fans of Fantastic Mr Fox, check out this Christmas celebration where puppets and sketches from the Wes Anderson film will be on display. Watch beloved characters come alive in recreations of some of the movie’s iconic scenes, enjoy some festive Christmas melodies and take part in a special family reading time.
WINTERFEST Until Dec 28
FREE
HONG KONG DISNEYLAND SPARKLING CHRISTMAS Until Jan 2 Disneyland, Lantau Island; disneylandhongkong.com. What’s more festive than a visit to Disneyland? Every Christmas the theme park is transformed into a winter wonderland where sparkling ornaments and carollers abound. Plus every character will be dressed
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CHRISTMAS SECRET GARDEN BY JOHANNA BASFORD Dec 1-27 Festival Walk, 80 Tat FREE Chee Ave, Kowloon Tong, festivalwalk.com.hk. This winter, Festival Walk is bringing to life the intricate drawings of world-renowned artist Johanna Basford. Immerse yourself in a fantastical wonderland and gaze in awe at Hong Kong’s tallest indoor Christmas tree. You can even design your own holiday-themed shirt at the
FREE
Open Piazza, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, discoverhongkong.com. Take your loved ones to visit the Statue Square Christmas Tree during Winterfest where you can enjoy the Pulse 3D Light Show, which features awe-inspiring illuminations set to fun music. And if you’re with a significant other you can decorate your own love-lock and fasten it to the railings at the plaza to mark the endurance of your love. FREE
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Thu Dec 1
6pm-8pm, Matilda International Hospital, 41 Mount Kellett Rd, The Peak; matilda.org. Nothing says it’s Christmas like a charity carolling night. Go a-wassailing at the Carols by
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CHRISTMAS FAIR: SANTA’S WORKSHOP Sat Dec 3
FREE
IL MARCATINO Saturday Dec 3 Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital, 12 Sandy Bay Road, Pokfulam, $20. The Italian Women’s Association is celebrating the holidays this year with a traditional market and charity event. The proceeds from the bazaar, which includes toddler clothing, makeup and even kitchen appliances, will go to various Hong Kong charities including the Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital. Sample some Italian delicacies and shop with the greater good in mind this year.
Around Town DON’T MISS
Wellness 360 Christmas Fair Sun Dec 11
10am-7pm, Lee Garden One, 33 Hysan Ave, Causeway Bay; wellness360hk.com. Are heavy holiday meals with your family weighing you down? Perhaps it’s time to check out the Wellness 360 Christmas Fair. Some of the biggest health and wellness vendors in Hong Kong are getting together to provide exercise classes and guilt-free treats for all. It’s the perfect way to get a head-start on your New Year's resolutions.
TWINKLE CHRISTMAS IN THE SKY Dec 5-Jan2 Sky 100 Hong Kong Observation Deck, 100/F, International Commerce Ctr, W Kowloon, 2613 3888; sky100.com.hk. Various prices. For the festive season, the observation deck at Sky 100 is hosting a range of Christmassy events. Make sure that you don't miss their Christmas Sky High Tea of their Christmas Sky High dinner, which offer a range of Yuletide delicacies.
HOLIDAY BAZAAR Wed Dec 7
Christmas bazaar with a touch of fairy tale magic. Spread the joy of the holiday season and savour an array of surprises including festive handicrafts, authentic German snacks, a life-sized candy house and much more.
FREE
6.30pm-9.00pm, Clifford Chance, 27/F, Jardine Hse, Central; asifma.org/wifa/events. Women in Finance Asia are supporting their fellow ladies with this year’s Holiday Bazaar. Buy from local artisans and designers in support of Free to Run, a charity organisation that uses running as a means to empower women in conflict-prone areas. While enjoying the festive season, it’s always good to help others in need.
STANLEY PLAZA ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS MARKET Dec 10-11 and 17-18 Stanley Plaza, 23 Carmel Rd, Stanley; stanleyplaza.com. Get ready to be enchanted by Stanley Plaza’s stunning fairy tale village as the market transforms into a proper traditional German
SANTA’S SECRET KINGDOM Dec 10-13 At a secret location in Quarry Bay; glitterandgore.hk. If your child has always dreamed of being one of Santa’s helpers, now is their chance! Glitter and Gore is hosting an elf training session to help with Santa’s workload over the holidays. The kids will be kitted out with an Elfer uniform and will earn an Elfer graduation certificate in return for their hard work. They can even meet real elves like head elf Doink and his friend Pippo.
the holidays with their Cyber Illusion Spectacular, an incredible stage show that includes magic acts and breath-taking performances. The entire park will be decorated for the Christmas season with dress-up penguin characters.
WORLD-CLASS ILLUSION STAGE SHOW From Dec 17
SWEET WALK Dec 23-28
Ocean Park, Aberdeen; oceanpark.com.hk. This year Ocean Park is celebrating
FREE
Discovery Park, 398 Castle Peak
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Rd, Tsuen Wan, 2733 0944; sweetwalk.asia. Sweetwalk is back for the festive season! There's absolutely tons of stuff going on to keep the whole family entertained, including a bouncy castle, sweet treats – of course –, balloon twisting, face painting, game booths and more. A great opportunity to spend time with the family over the holiday season. Just try and resist tucking into too many sweets!
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Around Town
MY LIFE AS AN...
FIRST LOOK
client a tailored concept with creative styling ideas all within their proposed budget.
Event stylist
Raised and educated in Hong Kong, Janhavi Shah co-founded 3 Degrees, one of the city's top event stylist services in 2013
What sort of events do you work on? As we are event stylists there’s no limit to the type of events we can work on. We’ve done everything from Bar Mitzvahs to baby showers to weddings to a variety of corporate and brand specific functions.
Who did you establish the company with and how did you meet? There are three of us and we all know each other independently, from growing up in Hong Kong. I went to highschool with V, and have known M since we were in diapers. M and V know each other through the social circles here in Hong Kong and in London. When the idea of 3 Degrees Event Styling came about, I mentioned it to both M and V individually. Both were excited by the idea and not long after we were planning away in our evenings, creating our business model.
What’s been your favourite event so far? Each project comes with it’s own set of challenges to conquer, so it’s hard to pick out a favourite. A recent stand out event was a corporate dinner we put together at The Jockey Club for an overseas corporate client. We converted the entire terrace into a garden, fitted with an island bar, elegant white furniture, funky floral detailing and fairy lights. The client was delighted and we were ecstatic with the success of it!
What gave you the idea? Hong Kong has developed a lot in the last five years – fusion food trends, funky decor, innovative detailing all started gaining value. However, there was a gap in the market for quirky bespoke event styling. I found that the events I attended that were the most memorable, were the ones that were pushing the boundaries of creativity and detailing. Yet here in Hong Kong there wasn’t much available at an affordable price. We truly believe it’s all the little details that make an event unique and special, therefore at 3 Degrees, we give each
THE NUTCRACKER BY HK BALLET
3 Degrees 3degrees.com.hk
THE BULLETIN
What do you want for Christmas this year?
T
here is no production more Christmassy than The Nutcracker. The classic tale being put on by the Hong Kong Ballet follows the story of a young girl whose favourite Christmas toy, the nutcracker, comes alive on Christmas Eve. She is then whisked away to a magic kingdom populated by dolls and filled with surprises. This particular production has been given an extraordinary visual twist by acclaimed Australian choreographer Terence Kohler, yet still remains true to the elegance and charm of the original story. Audience members both young and old will be treated to a jaw dropping experience with out-of-this-world set and costume designs. Performed to the music of Tchaikovsky, this show is a sure fire-way to get the whole family into the Christmas spirit. Get your tickets now and prepare to be transported into a world of life-sized toys, glittering snowflakes and a whole lot of magic! The Nutcracker Dec 16-18 and Dec 2025, Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui; hkballet.com. timeout.com/hk
Next issue: What's your new year's resolution? letters@timeout.com.hk.
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CHRISTMAS AT
Exceptional, unique, and handcrafted gift ideas for Christmas
ALTFIELD GALLErY 249 Prince’s Building, Central, Hong Kong Tel: 2537 6370 Fax: 2537 6433 gallery@altfield.com.hk @altfield_gallery www.altfield.com.hk
ALTFIELD InTErIors 1101 Nine Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong Tel: 2525 2738 showroom@altfield.com.hk www.altfield.com.hk @altfieldinteriorshk
Feature
The
Gift of
giving Being able to make a loved one light up as they unwrap a truly precious gift is one of the best parts of Christmas. Whoever you're shopping for, make sure they have a magical day on the 25th with the help of our gift guide. Your Christmas shopping sorted!
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Feature
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From silky soft PJs to a little bit of sparkle, mums are bound to love these bits and pieces
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1. Niin Corraline pendant earrings $17,750. niinstyle.com.
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. Pure Lano Luxury Full Body Treatment $950. zalora.com.
3. Vivienne Westwood Clutch $1,790. yoox.com.
4. FitBit Charge 2
$1,498. Lane Crawford, 4008, 4/F IFC mall, 8 Finance St, Central, 2118 3388; lanecrawford.com. 7
5. Marks and Spencer silk teddy $799. Marks and Spencer, 36 Queen's Rd C, Central, 2868 2360; marksandspencer.com.
6. Mindful Company believe cuff $325. mindful-company.com.
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7. Aspinal of London luggage tag $440. yoox.com.
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Make sure dad's cosy but cool in these Christmas picks
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1. Oliver Spencer gloves
4. Tiffany's stirling silver fish flask
2. 2XU thermal jacket
5. Clubround Ray Bans
$750. Kapok, 3 Sun St, Wan Chai, 2858 8170; ka-pok.com.
$1,200. 1/F, 19 Leighton Rd, Causeway Bay, 2891 1855; escapade.com.hk.
3. Book seat
$295. eezypeezyparties.com.
$17,100. Shop 2058, 2/F, 8 Finance St, Central, 2234 7163; tiffany.com.
$1,650. Sunglass Hut, Shop 1095, G/F, IFC mall, 8 Finance St, Central, 2234 7717; hk.sunglasshut.com.
6. Nespresso limited edition Touch travel mug $180. Shop 1058, G/F, 8 Finance St, Central, 800 968 821, nespresso.com.
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Whether they're creative, sporty or into fashion, these are the gifts your tweens and teens will be after!
1. Seed Heritage ice cream pens
$100. Seed Heritage, 41 Queen’s Rd C, Central, 2160 3171; seedheritage.com.
2. 2XU compression tights
$590. Escapade Sports, 1/F, 19 Leighton Rd, Causeway Bay, 2891 1855; esacapade.com.hk.
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3. Molo unisex ski jacket
$1,838. Shop OT G09, Ocean Terminal, 3-27 Canton Rd, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2352 0182.
4. OMY giant colouring poster
$130. Lane Crawford, 4008, 4/F, IFC mall, 8 Finance St, Central, 2118 3388; lanecrawford.com.
5. Seed Heritage DIY high bounce balls
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Seed Heritage, 41 Queen’s Rd C, Central, 2160 3171; seedheritage.com.
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1. Marks and Spencer faux fur gilet 5. Seedling design out loud $449. 36 Queen's Rd C, Central, 2868 2360; marksandspencer.com.
2. Woouf laptop case
3. Vans x Nintendo hat
6. Printissimo Home Sham Shui Po cushion
$570. yoox.com. 2
$200. yoox.com. 1
4. Kikki K Goals journal
$220. Kikki K, Shop 220 2/F Prince's Bldg, 10 Chater Rd, Central, 2116 0870; kikki-k.com.
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carboard speakers
$249. Lane Crawford, 4008, 4/F, IFC mall, 8 Finance St, Central, 2118 3388; lanecrawford.com.
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$650. sooqcentral.com.
Ocean View Court
Ocean View Court
L1 customer service counter at The Arcade
Ocean View Court
Ocean View Court
Ocean View Court and The Podium
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Treat your little ones to these gifts which are bound to keep them entertained
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1. Bumps to Babes London bus $699. 13/F, Entertainment Bldg, 30 Queen's Road C, Central, 2522 7112 bumpstobabes.com.
2. Gusella velvet shoes
$920. Gusella, Shop 224, Lee Garden Two, Causeway Bay, 2940 2238; gusella.com. 4
3. JIP. rocking sheep
$935. 6/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing St, Ap Lei Chau, 2555 0540; indigo-living.com.
4. Seed Heritage toy worm
Seed Heritage, 41 Queen's Rd C, Central, 2160 3171; seedheritage.com.
5. Bumps to Babes Washing machine $750. 13/F, Entertainment Bldg 30 Queen's Road C, Central, 2522 7112; bumpstobabes.com.
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6. Gusella pollock jumper
$2,380. Gusella, Shop 224, Lee Garden Two, Causeway Bay, 2940 2238; gusella.com.
7. Ibility DIY lion set
$550. Lane Crawford, 4008, 4/F, IFC mall, 8 Finance St, Central, 2118 3388; lanecrawford.com.
8. Molo baby dress
$428. Shop OT G09, Ocean Terminal, 3-27 Canton Rd, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2352 0182.
9. Emma Bridgwater tea set
$799. 6/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, 2555 0540; indigo-living.com.
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10. Marks and Spencer spiderman set
$299. Marks and Spencer, 36 Queen's Rd C, Central, 2868 2360; marksandspencer.com.
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Feature
Setting the scene
The dining table is at the heart of every family’s Christmas meal. We chat to interior design experts about how to create a winning look for the holidays
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Feature
A white Christmas Desiring a modern look for your Christmas dinner spread? Bowerbird Home lets us know how to achieve just that, with crisp accesories that you can use for all occasions
H
ave a consistent theme and keep it simple with splashes of festivity. Utilise the tableware that you already have and build on those colours. Metallics and antiqued glassware is an easy way to create a dazzling Christmas setting without a hefty price tag. This year we have crisp white plates with a metallic trim, so to compliment this we have introduced mercury candles, votives and a few decorative ornaments. Place a christmas bauble on each napkin for added effect and the guests can take them home as a keepsake.
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1. Blue and white ginger jars From $390.
2. Edwards Corian dining table $25,900.
5. Decorative chrome deer
$799.
6. Celestina flutes (set of six) $1,190.
3. White crossback dining chairs
7. Mercury candles
4. Christmas baubles
8. Entree plate with gold design
$1,100.
From $59.
From $299. $170 each.
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9. Eucalyptus floral arrangement From $119 per stem.
10. Isabella butterfly quartet
$27,790.
Bowerbird Home 8/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Lok St, Ap Lei Chau, 2552 2727; bowerbird-home.com.
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Got the glow With a whole host of traditional interior accessories, Altfield lets us know just what you need to create a cosy and classic look for your Yuletide feast
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olour is a fun and affordable way to bring life and energy to a table setting. Try experimenting with colourful tablecloths that you already own, as well as Christmas tree decorations. The latter can be used to bring variety and interest to your table and are a nice little present for your guests. Lastly, don’t forget the fresh flowers! Seek inspiration from your local flower market. A beautiful bouquet in stunning shades of red and pink is the perfect starting point for your table decoration.
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1. Small silver maple leaf dish 7. Blue & white vase
$1,650.
$1,300.
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8. Blue & white plates
$375.
9. Round scallop silver dish
. Silver deer name card holder 3. Gingerbread man $45 each.
4. Silver fruit bowl $6,800.
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5. Medium silver maple leaf dish $1,750.
6. Red candlesticks
$300-800.
$3,000.
10. Hand carved gilded wood mirror $5,000
Altfield Gallery Shop 249, Prince’s Bldg, 10 Chater Rd, Central, 2537 6370; altfield.com.hk.
$780 a pair.
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Education
LET’S GET PHYSICAL
Three Physical Education teachers shed light on the importance of team sports and exercise for school-aged children
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n Hong Kong, Physical Education is a subject all too often overlooked in favour of more academic subjects such as maths and science. In fact, earlier this year it was reported that prisoners received more outside exercise than schoolchildren. With sport and exercise proven to release endorphins and help overall wellbeing, many schools are trying to improve this part of their curriculum. We speak to three physical education teachers about how the subject has changed over the years and its importance in the curriculum.
DAVID MARTIN
is originally from New Zealand and moved to Hong Kong in August to take on the role of sports director at Island School. Where were you before Hong Kong and how is the PE curriculum here different to where you came from? I had been in Thailand and I have worked in a range of different countries and educational contexts over the past 20 years. To be perfectly honest, curriculum differences are only what you make of them. Fundamentally, a curriculum is a vehicle that allows us to take the students on a journey. Much of what is done in Hong Kong can be directly related to the physical resources available to the school, but that doesn’t mean a school should feel limited. Imagination and enthusiasm to try new things goes a long way towards making the most of what you have. For kids who don't enjoy PE, how do you encourage them to get involved? My philosophy on teaching students who don’t enjoy PE as much as I do has certainly changed over the years. I see my role as inspiring young people to get the best out of the opportunities we provide. Fun, laughter and encouragement are the cornerstones of my teaching. I often say to my PE students – or athletes in my teams – “Remember, this is a game. Games should be fun. Go and enjoy yourself.” I like to laugh with my students so they know that I enjoy being there, helping them reach their potential. Many students in Hong Kong see academic performance as the most important area of their education. How do you encourage them to balance this with sports? I have always advocated holistic education and understand the need for balance in life. Students should always have physical education and sport available through
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PE and sports programmes at school. Healthy body, mind and spirit are intertwined and all those ‘muscles’ need to be exercised. The buzzword of this decade is ‘wellbeing.’ Although it has always been in the picture it is far more explicit in current literature and marketing. Our role as PE specialists is to educate students in the benefits of physical activity and to promote their wellbeing as being as important as the academic subjects. Island School follows the International Baccalaureate curriculum. Does this provide a good framework for PE? I've been involved in a number of different curriculum frameworks and the International Baccalaureate provides a constructive and complete approach to PE. Island School is introducing the Middle Years Programme to year seven and eight and I have always been an advocate of the structure and how it provides a very balanced framework that caters for all students while also helping the more gifted students to excel. This will be a very positive move for Island School and will complement the IB Diploma courses we offer in Year 12 and 13. What changes do you hope to make to PE and extracurricular sports at Island School in your new role as sports director? I like to think that I'm enhancing what is already a great extracurricular and sports programme. Schools and sports teams like to use the word ‘culture’ when describing the efficacy and success of their programmes – this is a term that is hard to define and quantify. For me, culture is created and nurtured through people and actions. The idea of having a symbol such as a school or team logo that we can all identify with and get behind is a great place to start, but a culture is created by people working together for a common goal. Celebrating achievements, persevering when results are not forthcoming, positive coaching and mentoring and a desire to represent each other to the best of our abilities – these are what define the culture of school sport. Island School island.edu.hk.
WINTER CAMPS & CLINICS ENROLLING NOW AT www.esf.org.hk
INSPIRING FUTURES
ESF Sports
Open to ESF & Non ESF Students
Winter Camps & Clinics
ENROL ONLINE
WINTER CAMPS & CLINICS 13 - 30 December 2016
ESF Sports will host a number of sports camps and clinics across Hong Kong. With access to top quality facilities and our expert team of coaches, your child will have fun while developing sporting abilities!
TERM 2
Multi Sports Camp - starts at age 2! Basketball Clinic Football Clinic Swimming Clinic Gymnastics Clinic Tennis Clinic
3 January to 1 April 2017 The role and power of sport in the development of young children cannot be overestimated. ESF Sports deliver a whole range of fun, challenging and structured sports programmes designed to foster a love of sport that will last a lifetime.
• • • •
Basketball Football Netball Swimming
• • • •
Multi Sports Gymnastics Kung Fu Tennis
sports@esf.org.hk F
ESF SPORTS
Tel: 2711 1280
www.esf.org.hk
Education
RICHARD LANT
is the head of PE at West Island School, where he has worked for the past 17 years. Originally from the UK he came to Hong Kong in 1989 and in the first few years balanced a semi-professional football career with his teaching career. For most kids in Hong Kong there aren’t many opportunities to play outside. How do you encourage students, who perhaps aren’t used to team sports, to get involved? We put a very big emphasis on a healthy, active lifestyle and my big vision for all students at West Island School is that they should all do a school sports activity. We’re nearly there – 95 percent of our year seven students have signed up to do an extra sport outside of the curriculum. We also don’t cut people from joining in. So, if there are 20 kids taking part in basketball for an extracurricular activity, where there are 10 or 12 players in the squad for team games, we won’t cut any.
JANICE TOWN
was born and raised in Hong Kong and now works as a PE teacher at Carmel Elementary School. How did you develop a love of sports? My love for sports started when I was young when my parents taught how me to swim. I started swimming competitively at the age of eight and I also joined different sports teams at school including volleyball and crosscountry. I love the accomplishments and camaraderie when I train and compete with my teammates. What made you want to become a PE teacher? I want to spread the knowledge that I've gained throughout my sports career and apply the knowledge from my psychology background to the younger generation. I want to teach them the importance of exercise, teamwork and motivation and introduce them to activities and sports that they can enjoy, the same way I did. How long have you been teaching at Carmel and how does the PE curriculum differ from other schools that you’ve worked in? This is my second year at Carmel. Our PE curriculum emphasises development of basic motor skills and teamwork through different ball games and individual sports like swimming, athletics and gymnastics. Our curriculum not only focuses on getting our students to excel in sports, we place an emphasis on learning to appreciate sports and demonstrate sportsmanship and fair play. How do you encourage students who aren’t especially confident when it comes to getting involved?
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To ensure that all students are involved in PE, I like to teach activities that involve a lot of teamwork or group work, that way those who aren’t as confident can contribute and also be helped and inspired by their teammates. I emphasise a lot of co-operation and camaraderie when we work in groups to allow students to build confidence through their interaction with their peers. What curriculum does Carmel follow and what impact does this have on the PE lessons? Carmel Elementary School is an IB Candidate School. We are implementing the IB framework in all our subjects and the IB programme emphasises the integration of all classroom subjects with specialist subjects to ensure a holistic learning environment. With the integration, students will learn to apply their learning and knowledge across all disciplines at school. If there was anything you could change with regards to the PE curriculum what would it be? Research has shown that students are able to retain knowledge by being more active in school. If there’s something I can change, I want my students to have the ability to learn more and have fun at the same time. Having longer or more integrated PE classes, which we are working towards, will make for the ideal PE curriculum. Carmel Elementary School carmel.edu.hk. 22
In HK there's a massive focus on academic subjects. How do you make sure kids get involved in sports as well? You have to educate the parents to encourage their kids to take part in sports. They’re concerned about what’s best for their children and they want them to do well academically for sure. This is a generalisation, but the majority of them want them to do better academically than with sport. When it comes to taking part in sports there are very few students who achieve a relative level of success without their parents supporting and encouraging them. That comes down to the financing and also the travel time, taking them from one end of the city to the other. It can take a huge amount of commitment from the parents, but that helps the students to be successful. What impact does sport and PE have on the overall wellbeing of students? I believe that it’s an integral part of everyone’s all round health and wellbeing, from mental and social to physical wellbeing. We want kids to develop confidence, to be strong communicators and grow physically. What’s been great in the past few years is that some of our top students, in terms of their final IB results, have also been prominent members in sports and team games. So it's definitely possible to do both – to do well academically and to maintain a good level of sport. West Island School wis.edu.hk.
Education HKExcel
EDUCATION LISTINGS Tuition centres
With student improvement bordering on an average of almost two GCSE grades, HKExcel offers an intense focus on the IB through exclusive exam techniques and extensive chapter breakdowns, aiming to maximise improvement in the least amount of time possible. Honest Building, 9-11 Leighton Rd, Causeway Bay, 2663 9194; excelbaccalaureatte.com.
A-Square Education Centre
EOK Academy
Not only does EOK help students taking IGCSE, GCE and IB, but they also focus on being able to help students reach their career goals holistically. Personalised approaches are used to address students with various learning abilities – everyone can reach their full potential here. 6/F, Tung Chiu Commercial Centre, 193 Lockhart Rd, Wan Chai, 3953 3400; eokonthego.com.
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Providing both individual and group services, A-Square, with its professionally qualified tutors, caters to students of both local and international courses, such as GCSE, GCE and IB. The education centre in Kowloon offers a wide range of focuses, including English literature. 5/F, Capricorn Centre, 155 Sai Yeung Choi St N, Mong Kok, 2380 0868; asquare.edu.hk.
HK Education & Tutoring Services
Endeavouring to provide a more focused experience than that of the average classroom, HKETS provides both group and individual tuition
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for public examinations as well as language workshops for adults. ETS Education Centre, 304 Lap Fai Bldg, 6-8 Potting St, Central, 2147 2299; hkets.net.
GPA Learning Centre
GPA Learning Centre helps to develop students' confidence in all areas and trains them to master test taking strategies. Located in the hustle an dbustle of Causeway Bay, qualified tutors conduct individual sessions, or group sessions of no greater than six pupils for a concentrated approach. Unit 701B, 1 Hysan Ave, Causeway Bay, 3907 0380; gpa.edu.hk.
ALEC
The Aunty Lavina Education Centre employs top techniques to allow students to reach their full potential. Offering lessons in various different curriculums, including GCSEs and The IB, the centre aims to develop students holistically. They have two locations in Hong Kong and one on the Mainland. Unit 1A Centre Mark 2, 313 Queen’s Rd C, Sheung Wan, 3998 4046; alec.com.hk.
Education
KIDS LEARNING CENTRES Monkey Tree Learning Centre Speak&Spell Founded in 2009, Monkey Tree is well-established across 40 different locations all over Hong Kong. Fostering an environment where East meets West, the Centre believes in the idea that kids aged three to 12 should learn in a fun and interactive way. Room 2801, 28/F, Citicorp Centre, 18 Whitfield Rd, Causeway Bay, 3563 6771; monkeytree.com.hk.
KidsTalent Learning Centre
An english learning centre in Kowloon, KidsTalent aims to make the most of a child’s golden learning age, unlock hidden potential and develop a keen and enthusiastic learning attitude. With clients from both local and international schools, the centre pushes the boundaries of learning and nurtures great thinkers at a very young age. Unit 906, 9/F, Summit Insurance Bldg, 789 Nathan Rd, Prince Edward, 6210 1201; kidstalent.com.hk.
With teachers from an array of teaching backgrounds, Speak&Spell, an English learning centre in Kowloon has catered to a large clientele from reputable kindergartens and schools since 1996. Placing kids’ interests as the top priority, lesson plans are personalised per student and native English is taught in a comfortable, interactive and effective learning environment. 270 Prince Edward Rd W, Prince Edward, 2337 1018; speaknspell.edu.hk.
Ace Academy
Ace Academy nurtures a child’s growth through suitable training as analysed by child psychologists. Turning weakness into strength, the small class setting enables interactive 'happy' learning via an understanding of child psychology. Room 301, Summit Insurance Bldg, 789-793 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2381 1777; ace.edu.hk.
Padooki’s English Learning Centre
Conveniently located in the City Garden Shopping Centre, the 2007 founded English learning centre covers all major aspects of English language learning lasting approximately 12 months. Carrying belief in student enthusiasm upon learning, Padooki’s learning experience is of a highly interactive nature, enjoyable by kids, one and all. 80-82, 1/F, City Garden Shopping Centre, 233 Electric Rd, North Point, 2578 2922; padookis.edu.hk.
Why Choose Our School?
As part of an international family of 43 schools, and exposure to our unique Global Campus, we give your child access to unparalleled learning experiences and resources. Taught by outstanding teachers, and underpinned by our Be Ambitious philosophy, we empower students to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom. This, combined with our exclusive collaborations with two of the worlds most prestigious organisations, The Juilliard School, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), means your child will be engaged, challenged, and inspired throughout their educational journey with us.
Applications now being accepted
HK Island campus (Nursery, Reception, Year 1-3) Lam Tin campus (Year 1-13) Contact the Admissions Team to reserve your place on one of our weekly Parent Information Sessions.
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www.nais.hk
admissions@nais.hk
+852 3958 1488
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Activities
Go
Sick and tired of fruit and veggies packed with pesticides? Hannah Hodson meets two people who grow their own
G
rowing fruit and veggies is popular all over Europe and America, but only recently have Hongkongers turned their backs on supermarkets and set up their own urban gardens. In a city as dense and vertical as ours, gardening is easier said than done. However, these two green fingered city folk are encouraging our next generation to grow their own for the sake of the planet.
Pol Fabrega is
co-founder of Hong Kong’s sustainable living and urban gardening enterprise, Rooftop Republic. The group provide three services. Firstly, urban farm consultation, whereby they design and set up customised farms. Secondly, urban farm maintenance, to ensure the productivity of the farms and, finally, educational events to inspire lifestyle changes and sustainable living.
How did the idea for Rooftop Republic come about?
The team behind Rooftop Republic is amongst the pioneers of urban farming in Hong Kong, as we’ve been doing it for the past five years. Urban farming has been taking off in places such as the US and Europe in recent decades but it was still a fairly new concept in Hong Kong when we started. As born and bred city-dwellers ourselves, we realised how disconnected we and other city-dwellers around us are from our food. That matters to us because, ultimately, there will be negative consequences on our environment, our communities and health.
Who’s on the team?
Rooftop Republic was co-founded by Andrew Tsui, Michelle Hong and me. We all have different professional backgrounds but have common passions: sustainability and social entrepreneurship. In 2015, we decided to take this to the next level and co-founded Rooftop Republic.
Are there opportunities for kids to get involved?
Plenty! Education is one of our main priorities and we work with schools to install farms within their
Since March 2015, Rooftop Republic have had a major impact on Hong Kong.
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Over 22,000
Over 300
Over 100
2,020
Urban farms
Square feet of installed farms
Lunchboxes have been donated
Workshops have been conducted
People have participated
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facilities and run educational programmes for their students and parents. Our school programmes are a first-hand opportunity for students to learn about the story behind their food and understand the steps, resources and people involved in bringing food from farm to table. Students also look into the future of farming and how design and technology can be applied to farming to integrate it better with our urban lifestyles. More broadly, our activities aim to increase students’ awareness around environmental and social issues surrounding our food system and to better equip them to make informed choices about the food they eat.
Do you have any tips for families wanting to lead a more green and sustainable lifestyle?
There is nothing that we do as human beings that affects the planet more than agriculture. As consumers we have more power than we think, and we can vote at least three times per day what kind of food system we want to support. Find out where the nearest farmers market is and buy local and organic food. Some farmers even provide a vegetable delivery service to your door. It’s better for you, your community and the environment! Rooftop Republic rooftoprepublic.com.
Activities
Jo Bryce is a mother of two and grew up in Hong Kong. Having attended Peak School as a child she has returned to the school as the sustainability coordinator and runs the school’s Green Club and Gardening Club.
accessibility to soil and growing things. It’s been scientifically proven that gardening releases endorphins, it gives you that feel-good factor. So it’s healthy and it’s good for wellbeing and general happiness.
What gave you the idea to start the clubs at Peak School and how did that all come about?
Absolutely. It ties into so many different areas of the curriculum, from life cycles to growing plants to looking at the water cycle and the influence of the sun. It also ties into maths – you look at calendars and how much water to give the plants and you’re looking at spacing between plants.
There were planters already here but they were only used for perhaps a term, for a growing project for one of the year groups. But they’d been left so they were just full of weeds. So the space for us to use was there. I came in and saw these troughs that weren’t being used, so I just emptied them and started planting things in order to get the gardening club going.
Hong Kong isn’t the easiest place to get into gardening. How did you become interested in this?
Latent interest. I didn’t have access to gardening really, since I grew up in Hong Kong. But I went back to England when I was 10 or 11 for a summer holiday and we had a tiny little garden and I became very interested in herbs. So I would save my pocket money up and buy pots of herbs from the garden centre and then plant them. Later, when I was at boarding school in the UK, I bought a plant at a country fair and I subdivided it into lots of different plastic cups and kept them on my window sill. I just taught myself!
Does it tie into the curriculum in any way?
How do you get your own kids on board with living sustainably?
We are lucky enough to have a small balcony and my children are often involved in sewing seeds. It helps if they have their own specific plants, or something that they’re responsible for. But they’re also really involved in recycling because we do that at home. They know how we buy things, they know about looking for chemicals on the labels of products, they know about looking
for palm oil because we don’t buy things with palm oil in them. So they know all of that.
Recycling in HK is unfortunately not yet a big thing. How do you do it?
We’ve got recycling bins downstairs and we’ve got two bins in our house. One for general landfill waste and one for things that can be recycled. Then we sort that one bin and put things into the different groups. We’ve got one for glass and one for plastic, and then for clothes or anything so shredded that it can’t be given to anybody else, that goes into the recycling for rags.
Check out these places to buy everything you need to set up your own garden: Green Earth Society 5 Tak Lung Back St, Sai Kung, 2792 0106; greenearthsociety.com. Brighten 28 Flower Market Rd, Mong Kok, 2381 5330; brighten.hk. Happy City Farmer G/F, 148 Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, 2625 5800; happycityfarmer.com. Wong Yuen Shing Seed Co Ka On Bldg, 8-14 Connaught Rd W, Sai Wan, 2543 1896.
What do you hope the kids will get out of the different clubs?
Garden Plus Lot 715 DD 316, Lo Wai Village, Pui O, Lantau Island, 2980 2233; gardenplus.com.hk.
I think with the gardening club it’s the
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Activities
ACTIVITIES LISTINGS Ages 6-12 I-Fencing Alliance Club
I-Fencing Alliance Club is notable for helping its students attain athletic and academic scholarships and acceptance intoto top schools. Students gain a holistic learning experience as many of the values they learn in the gym can also apply to their personal and academic lives. The club is a positive community filled with caring, professional coaches invested in their students’ success. Various locations and venues, 2687 5959; i-fencing.com.hk. Class times and prices vary.
Just Climb
Get your kids up and active by taking them to this indoor rock-climbing gym in San Po Kong. The sport provides many benefits to little ones by training their hand-eye coordination, concentration and balance giving your kids a great head start in school. Room D, G/F, Prince Industrial Bldg, 106 King Fuk St, San Po Kong, 3561 7868; justclimb.hk. Trial class $120.
Ages 13-19
Sports4Kids Volleyball
Got kids inspired by China’s gold medal at the Rio Olympics this year? They’ll love this. Classes are open to 5 to 18-year-olds with students placed into classes based on age and ability. They can learn the game basics, the different positions and practice drills targeted towards improving body movement while playing. They could be future Olympic athletes in no time! Various locations and venues, 2773 1650; sport4kids.hk. Class time and prices vary.
Flex Studio
Pilates can help your kids develop muscle strength and stronger bones and even improve their sleep and self-esteem. Flex Studio offers a variety of conditioning classes. Two locations inc Shops 308310, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Rd, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, 2813 2212; flexhk.com. Class time and prices vary.
Surf Hong Kong
Surf Hong Kong is one of the most trusted surfing schools in the city. While Hong Kong is not typically known as a surf destination, it doesn’t stop avid surfers from escaping the buzz of the city to journey to Tai Long Bay’s beautiful white, sandy beach. Make sure you pack lots of layers and a flask of hot chocolate to help your little ones warm up after catching the waves – it's chilly out there! Various times and locations inc Tai Long Sai Wan, Sai Kung, 9126 1248; fb.com/SurfHK.
Mindful Wing Chun Martial Arts
My Rhythm Journey
Are your kids constantly imitating their favourite superheroes? Engage them by taking them to Central’s Mindful Wing Chun. Not only will your kids have fun learning the striking and defense techniques of Wing Chun, but they will also develop practical skills. 8/F, On Lan Centre, 11-15 On Lan St, Central, 6620 7050; mindfulwingchun.com.hk. Class time and prices vary.
At My Rhythm Journey, former local band members will help your kids to put the hustle and bustle of city life behind them. Your kids will learn the basics of rhythm and melody on the cajón and the ukulele – lightweight handmade instruments that they can carry. Two locations inc Unit 2C, Wah Fai Mansion, 38-40 Granville Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui; myrhythmjourney.com. Class time varies. $680 (four sessions).
MEET THE COACH
Barry Brown Football Programme Manager Have you always been into football? I grew up in a small village in England where the choices for after-school activities were really non-existent. This meant that you had to arrange your own. The old cliché of ‘jumpers for goalposts’ really applied to me. We spent holidays and evenings on the local village green. My love of the sport started there and you still can’t beat that feeling when you’re running around the pitch and scoring goals – even at my age. What inspired you to start coaching? It happened when I was living in Holland and my son started playing for the local team in their under-5s. They had a mix of local and English boys, but had no coach. I stepped in to help out and my coaching career started there! How does the Hong Kong kids football scene differ to that in England? I think for younger HK players football is not the be all and end all for them. They have a much wider range of activities that they participate in,
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including many more that are academic. Younger players in England will generally play or train most days, with their school, their local team, at development centres and just down the local park with friends. This is easier for them as they have the facilities to do this. There’s a much larger pathway for young players in England as the amount of teams playing at all levels gives them the opportunities to progress. Are there any ways in which Hong Kong’s football scene could improve? There are many ways that it could develop and I know that Mark Sutcliffe and his team at the HKFA are working really hard to raise the standards within Hong Kong. I personally would like to see more facilities built and made available. This would give players more opportunities for playing time. The lack of facilities also makes it hard for leagues to run, which means that there are fewer teams that can play, which leads to less time for the players. It’s a vicious circle, unfortunately!
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What’s your favourite thing about the job? My job role has changed recently and I now find myself doing more administrative work – but being on the pitch with the players is undoubtedly still the best part. Seeing a four or five-year-old learn and master an individual skill or watch an older team of players put together a passage of play that they’ve worked hard on and seeing their pride and joy at completing it – that is complete job satisfaction! ESF Educational Services esf.org.hk
Home
Grey matter
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Natural hues and a variety of different textures work together to create a polished look in this home on Po Shan Road. Peggy Bels, the designer behind the space, tells Hannah Hodson how she made it work
Home
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Home
S
ince 2008 Parisian interior designer Peggy Bels has been sprucing up the city's homes with her signature muted tones and minimal aesthetic. This home, located on Po Shan Road, is no different. Despite cladding the walls in concrete and the use of dark wood furniture, the home is bright and airy, with stunning views across the city. Now listed on okay.com, the home could be yours! How would you describe your aesthetic? My style is contemporary. I like minimalist design but I like to make sure that the interiors are still warm. All the interiors that I design have a common thread – a warm grey palette mixed with strong brights and graphic elements to give character to the space. I like the neutral palette of colours, especially the grey palette, but I'm always careful to choose warm greys.I also like to use black metal as cladding for walls, doors, stairs and cabinets. These dark backgrounds allow light colours to pop and create contrast and depth. As the texture is rough, it also gives the feeling that it has always existed. It adds character to a space. What were the challenges when designing this home? There were some structural beams between the entrance and the living area and between the timeout.com/hk
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Home living area and kitchen that we had to keep. So we covered them with the same cement finish as the walls to separate the rooms while still keeping the open feeling. Did the homeowners have any specific requests? They wanted to renovate the flat to give it a more contemporary look and make the living and dining areas more open to each other, creating a more spacious feel. The flat had been partially renovated 10 years ago but they kept the Chinese flooring and original layout. You've used a lot of dark wood but the home still looks nice and light. How did you manage this? The different shades of grey mixed with different wooden finishes, floors and soft fabrics become warm and elegant. Also, when the cement finish
is mixed with a bit of water it gives a very milky and cosy colour. Where did you source the furniture? I custom made the TV cabinet to match with the doors and cabinets. The rug was sourced in Pakistan and dyed in a dark grey colour. The sofa in the living room and cabinet in the dining area are from Organic Modernism. I bought the dining chairs from Norman Cherner in Lane Crawford. What's your favourite part of the home? I really like the kitchen, as I find the mix between the black metal cabinet and the white marble counter top very elegant. I also like the open kitchen counter which opens into the dining area. Creating this opening in the kitchen helps to make the living room feel much larger.
Ask the expert Stella Abraham, the head of residential leasing and Relocation at JLL answers your questions
For more information visit okay.com. I live in a fully furnished serviced apartment, but I've also brought many valuables such as art, antiques and jewelleries from my home country to decorate it. Do serviced apartments normally have umbrella coverage for theft or damage of personal belongings? Should I look to buying a home insurance policy for my valuables? Whenever relocating to any part of the world, if you plan to take any valuables with you, it is advisable that you insure them against fire, theft and flooding. If you already have home insurance you should check to see if they offer reciprocal rights overseas. Alternatively, find out if your insurance company works with a local partner and obtain a letter of reference so you can receive a more preferable rate. This will also help you to develop or carry forward your status and credit/reputation character reference when applying for insurance in a new country. Insurance for serviced apartments normally covers furniture, fittings and equipment (FF&E) for developers and all the landlord’s responsibilities regarding the structure of the building, but it does not cover contents. Therefore, personal home insurance is a must, wherever your globetrotting takes you. For more information visit jllresidential.com/hk or contact Stella Abraham at stella.abraham@jll.com.
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Home
HOMEWARE
Pillow talk
Snuggle up in style with these decorative cushions
H&M $99. H&M, G/F, Hang Lung Centre, 2-20 Paterson St, Causeway Bay, 2337 3400; hm.com.
Tree $995. 28/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing St, Ap Lei Chau, 2870 1582; tree.com.hk.
Indigo Living $499. 6/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing St, Ap Lei Chau, 2555 0540; indigo-living.com.
OVO $1,100. 16 Queen’s Rd E, Wan Chai, 2526 7226; ovohome.com.
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Jonathan Adler $1,100. Lane Crawford, 4008, 4/F, IFC mall, 8 Finance St, Central, 2118 3388; lanecrawford.com.
Health & Wellness
Spinning has proven to be more than just a fitness fad. This fun way to work out is here to stay. Rachel Lau discovers why it’s become is such a hit! Illustration by Ron Chiu
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ecently, post-spin session selfies have flooded our Instagram feeds, signifying the takeover of this fitness trend. Everyone from Khloe Kardashian to David Beckham has been snapped emerging from an indoor cycling class with a fresh green juice in hand. More than a celebrity craze, spinning is an intense cardio workout that can help you achieve your fitness goals. Typically a spinning class is held in a room that feels more like a nightclub than a gym with rows of up to 25 stationary bikes aligned facing a mirror and a solitary spin instructor. Saddle up, get comfortable on those bike seats and prepare for a seriously intense cardio session. For approximately an hour your spin instructor will guide you through a series of intervals where you will pedal through both ‘flat terrain’ — low resistance at moderate speed — and ‘steep hills’ — flat out sprints, out of the saddle, at high resistance. Of course, your instructor will be cheering you on throughout the entire session and the pumping music will help you pedal through the more difficult intervals. Spinning is an exercise suitable for workout enthusiasts of all skill levels. It requires much less physical coordination than other workout classes and in the comfort of a dimly lit room you can adjust your bike’s resistance and pace to your desired level. Basically, spinning has made stationary biking fun. There’s simply nothing like the exhilarating and satisfying feeling of leaving your spin studio with the final song ringing in your head and your back drenched in sweat.
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Health & Wellness
Get spinning at Torq Cycle 26/F, Li Dong Building, 9 Li Yuen St E, Central, 2677 8623; torqcycle.com
Five reasons to love spinning 1. The best music Immerse yourself in your workout with high energy dance music that’ll get the adrenaline pumping and make an hour-long session fly by. Plus, the low lighting helps set the mood — are we in a nightclub or your favourite workout class?
XYZ Indoor Cycling Studio Various locations inc 2/F, New World Tower II, 16-18 Queen’s Rd C, Central, 2865 0999; youarexyz.com Spin Roon at the Hit Room Units 13 & 15, LG/F, Office Bldg, Block 2, Discovery Bay North Plaza, 96 Siena Ave, Discovery Bay, 6621 7410; thehitroom.com. Hydro 1.0 28 Praya Kennedy Town, Brilliant Court Store #6, Sai Wan, 9475 0737; hydro1hk.com.
2. Motivation If you’re looking for fitspiration, look no further than your spinning instructor. With these cardio experts cheering you on from the front of the class you’re sure to reach your fitness goal quickly. 3. Better for your joints Give your joints a break from the deterioration that daily running can cause. Spinning takes the pressure off your knees and shins while getting your cardio work in. 4. Burn more calories The average spinning class burns upwards of 600 calories an hour, which makes it one of the most effective group classes that you can sign up for. 5. Whenever, wherever Why bother layering up to face freezing winds during an outdoor workout when you can head to your favourite spinning studio? You can stick to your indoor cycling routine even during a typhoon.
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Health & Wellness
IN THE KNOW
Gigi Chan Hannah Hodson chats to spinning instructor Gigi Chan about turning her sporty lifestyle into a career
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ince the beginning of October, Gigi Chan has been put through a rigorous training scheme with four other fitness enthusiasts to become an instructor at prestigious spinning studio, XYZ. However, considering her sporty background, this career path is hardly surprising. “When we were kids, my dad didn’t like us sitting in front of the TV for too long. So, from the age of six he’d encourage us to get out and go for runs, which would often be around 5K,” muses Chan on her childhood. “My whole family are sporty. My dad runs a lot and I have a twin sister who’s also into keeping fit. Having a twin definitely helps. It makes things much more competitive!” she adds.
At a glance Ideal weekend: A beach day
When did you first try spinning?
Two years ago in London
I'm trying to stay away from the consumer industry, I just want to help people out with their fitness and mindset After taking part in virtually every sport that her British boarding school, Taunton School, had to offer, Chan headed to Loughborough University. Despite not going down the sporty route and opting for a course in industrial design technology, Chan’s housemates had a major impact on her healthy lifestyle. “At uni I lived with all England athletes, so when they wanted to train I’d just go along with it. It just got me into all kinds of weight-based exercises and basic things in the gym,” explains Chan. That’s not where her healthy lifestyle stops though, “I’ve always been really conscious of what we put in our bodies." she says. "It really came from living with athletes – they focused so much on what they ate and now society is much timeout.com/hk
Favourite cheat meal: Cake Favourite activewear brand: Adidas Favourite workout: Spin, of course! Easy as XYZ One of XYZ’s studios
more conscious. So I definitely try and eat as healthily as possible,” explains Chan. Chan’s return to her love of sports and fitness comes after several years in the fashion industry. “I interned at a fashion label and afterwards designed footwear for different brands. I didn’t like how focused on money everything was, though, and how happy many brands were to just rip customers off,” she explains. “I believe that lifestyle and fitness are more important in life. I’m trying to stay away from the consumer industry. I just want to help people out with their fitness and mindset.” Now with a jam-packed schedule in her first 38
Music: Rihanna
month as an instructor, Chan sheds light on why she chose to pursue her fitness career at XYZ. “In other places spin can be quite standardised," she tells us. "You’ll aim for an RPM or something, whereas in XYZ you kind of listen to music and focus on yourself. At the core of XYZ is to shut everything out and focus and develop yourself. We call the studio the cave: you come back down to your five senses and connect with yourself. I really believe in the brand and what it stands for.” XYZ 2/F, New World Tower II, 18 Queen’s Road C, Central, 2865 0999; youarexyz.com.
Food
Food
Festive FARE
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Stollen
This German Christmas staple has become an absolute must for festive parties around the world. Packed with dried fruit, spices and marzipan ,Christmas wouldn't be the same without it. City Super, Shop 1041, IFC mall, 8 Finance St, Central, 2736 3866; citysuper.com.
The time has come for us to wrap up warm and tuck into all the treats that come with the season. Photography by Calvin Sit. Art direction by Phoebe Cheng 1
Cherry and almond loaf cake
Pair this with a cup of tea, a good book and you've got yourself the perfect tea time treat. The cherries are beautifully moist and the almonds help to give a bit of crunch. Yum! Feather and Bone, 18 Gage St, Central, 2325 8570; featherandbone.com.hk.
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Minced Pies
Nothing says Christmas like a piping hot minced pie with lashings of cream. These ones from Marks and Spencer are packed full of delicious dried fruit and have a gorgeously buttery pastry. Marks and Spencer, Central Tower, B/F 1/F, 22-28 Queen's Road C, Central, 2921 8323; marksandspencer.com.
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Food 5
Terrine
For a more savoury treat munch on a healthy dose of terrine on a slice of fresh toast. It's even better with a slathering of chutney! Metropolitain, Aspen Crt, 46 High St, Sai Ying Pun, 6271 6102; french-creations.com/ metropolitan.
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Biscuits
Biscuits are obviously a year round staple, but these Cartwright and Butler chocolate brownie biscuits are the perfect accompaniment to a hot chocolate on a chilly winter's day! Feather and Bone, 18 Gage St, Central, 2325 8570; featherandbone.com.hk.
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Prune and Walnut Log
Packed with a perfect balance of nuts and prunes, this cake is the ideal post dinner nibble. Share it with friends and family over coffee. Feather and Bone, 18 Gage St, Central, 2325 8570; featherandbone.com.hk.
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Holiday
Holiday
JoyRide Making sure the whole family is entertained on holiday can be a challenge. Zachary Santos uncovers the best theme parks in Asia where mum and dad can get their adrenaline rush on a rollercoaster and the little ones can go for a whirl on the spinning teacups. Ideal for a long weekend!
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Universal Studios, Singapore One of the most popular amusement parks in Asia, Singapore’s Universal Studios gives families the chance to enjoy themed lands such as Shrek’s Far Far Away, Ancient Egypt and of course, Jurassic Park. Get dino-soarin’ with The Lost World’s Canopy Flyer, an aerial adventure featuring family-sized four-seater cars from which you can enjoy a pterodactyl’s-eye view of Jurassic Park. Universal Studios, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269; rwsentosa.com.
Enchanted Kingdom, Philippines Right across the South China Sea in the sunny Philippines is Enchanted Kingdom, known as EK by the locals. Boasting 30 rides from water rapids and bumper cars to gravity-drop rides such as EKstreme, the park is rightly proud of its absolute thriller of a flagship rollercoaster – Space Shuttle. Consider holding back on the chili-fries before getting onboard this ride, which will fling you backwards and forwards along the same twisting, somersaulting track three times. A party of four fits in each carriage, and the twominutes of tumbling through outer space can only bring your family closer together! Enchanted Kingdom, San Lorenzo Rd, Laguna, Santa Rosa, 4026 Laguna, Philippines; enchantedkingdom.ph.
Holiday
Legoland, Malaysia Notoriously painful to step on, irresistible to play with and capable of keeping the kids amused for whole afternoons, Lego is an iconic brand and a great hands-on toy. So what could be better than visiting a theme park based around these tiny plastic blocks? Just four hours away from Hong Kong is Malaysia’s very own Legoland, offering a water park, themed areas and sensational rides to enjoy, including The Dragon. The rollercoaster takes riders on a medieval adventure aboard a dragon, laying siege to a castle full of animated Lego models. Legoland, 7 Jalan Legoland, Medini, 79100 Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia; legoland.com.my.
Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi’s Ferrari World is just the ticket for petrolheads and motorsport lovers. Home to the world’s fastest rollercoaster, a ride so fast that visitors are required to wear protective goggles, it’s a must-visit if you feel the need for speed. And for little ones there's is the Fiorano GT, a coaster with two parallel tracks along which rival riders compete in a race, hitting speeds of up to 95 km/h through a series of exhilarating twists and turns. Ferrari World, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; ferrariworldabudhabi.com.
Siam Park City, Thailand Thailand. It’s got the views. It’s got the beaches. It’s got Siam Park City right in the capital! The amusement park is divided into areas catering to every member of the family, from the Fantasy World and Small World to the X-Zone for those chasing a more electrifying experience. Apart from having one of the biggest waterparks in Asia, Siam Park City also showcases one of the longest suspending-looping roller coasters on the planet, The Vortex. This world-class experience from the amusement park’s X-Zone is set to provide an unforgettable tumble at 80 kilometers per hour, and a hair-raising degree of freedom as you plunge towards the ground before soaring towards the sky, all whilst screaming for mum! Siam Park City, 203 Suan Sayam Rd, Khwaeng Khan Na Yao, Khet Khan Na Yao, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10230, Thailand; siamparkcity.com.
149 mph or
140
121
metres
degrees
Standing almost 140m tall, Kangda Ka at New Jersey’s Six Flags Park holds the record for the tallest roller coaster on Earth.
With a gut-wrenching 121 degree incline, the world’s steepest rollercoaster is Fuji-Q Highland’s Takabisha ride in Japan.
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50 feet tall
Alton Towers in the UK boasts the rollercoaster with the most loops – The Smiler flips riders head over heels 14 times.
Coney Island was home to America’s first purpose-built rollercoaster. Built in 1884, it had a top speed of 6 miles per hour.
239 km/h With a top speed of 239 kilometers per hour, Formula Rossa at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi is the fastest roller coaster in the world.
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6 mph
93 Engineer Ron Toomer is credited with the design of 93 rollercoasters around the world despite, ironically, suffering from motion sickness!
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The Guide
The Guide
Jimmy’s Kitchen
We find the city's best brunches
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or many Hongkongers brunch is a weekly event. With that in mind we’ve rounded up some of our favourites, including family-friendly options.
Tri
Roasts – they’re classic, delicious and exactly what we should be tucking into for brunch in these cooler months. Excluding the ones done by mums the world over, they don’t get much better than at Jimmy’s Kitchen. There’s the option of either a three or four-course meal, starting with an appetiser, then a soup, the main and then desert. The pièce de la résistance is roast prime beef rib on the bone from the U-S-
of-A. It’s juicy, full of flavour and served up with Yorkshire puddings, veggies and gravy. For a traditional British Sunday head to Jimmy’s! Sun 12pm-2.30pm and 6pm10.30pm. From $378.
Jimmy’s Kitchen G/F, South China Bldg, 1-3 Wyndham St, Central, 2526 5293; jimmys.com.
Fish & Meat
For a rather exotic brunch, head to the Southside. Tri offers a delicious assortment of contemporary Balinese dishes in a simply stunning setting. The menu comprises a selection of sharing dishes to be enjoyed before the main course. Our favourite dishes include the restaurant’s signature Coral Trout Red Kare and Baby Back Pork Ribs, which both come with organic rice and wok fried vegetables. Little ones aren’t left out either – they can enjoy Balinese fried chicken followed by a choice of various ice creams. In addition to the exquisite cuisine you’ll be treated to interiors like no other. The sustainably sourced materials that decorate the restaurant mirror the beauty of Bali – you’ll feel miles away!
Have you got little ones under the age of 11? Then look no further. At Fish and Meat young diners go for free, so there’s no need to worry about them finishing every last morsel! The whole family can chow down on some of the freshest fare out there. Start off with a healthy portion of oysters, flaked Norwegian salmon and quinoa salad. For mains our favourite has got to be the roast of the day – the meat changes each week but it’s always delicious. For little diners who want something a little more sweet there’s a pancake station with a number of different toppings to choose from. Sun 11.30am-2.30pm. From $390, free for children under 11. Fish & Meat 32 Wyndham Mansions, Glenealy St, Central, 2565 6788; fishandmeat.hk.
Sat and Sun 11.30am-4pm. From $680 for adults, $480 for children under 12. Tri Shop 302, 3/F, Lobby C, The Pulse, 28 Beach Rd, Repulse Bay, 2515 0577; tri.hk.
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The Guide
The Optimist Tapas has got to be the best way to tuck into food with friends. Best for mums and dads, The Optimist has a variety of Spanish dishes to tickle your taste buds including huevos rotos – also known as broken eggs – and ham croquettes. The drinks menu is extensive with a wide range of mocktails, juices and cocktails – for those who fancy making it a boozy brunch! To finish off brunch, executive chef Alfredo Rodriguez serves up a different desert each time. You’ll be treated to the likes of warm apple pie, strawberry cheesecake or even chocolate brownie – delicious!
Ovolo Southside – Cirqle
Sat and Sun 11.30am-3pm. From $348. The Optimist G/F, 239 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai, 2433 3324; theoptimist.hk.
From seafood to sirloin steak, Ovolo Southside has got it all going on. The trendy hotel boasts an equally trendy restaurant by the name of Cirqle, which serves up modern European cuisine. The dining area is ideal for a casual brunch with its open kitchen and alfresco terrace. When it comes to food, you won’t be disappointed – hop from the salad station to the seafood bar to the barbecue, and finish off at the sweet corner, which is
sure to sate even the sweetest of tooths. There are two different free flow packages for adults and the kids can enjoy as much soft drink as they can handle… or as much as mum and dad allow! Sun 11.30am-2pm and 2.30pm5pm. From $298 for adults and $168 for kids. Cirqle 4/F, Ovolo Southside, 64 Wong Chuk Hang Rd, Aberdeen, 3460 8100; cirqle.hk.
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The Guide
Lawry’s
One thing’s for sure, you won’t leave this brunch hungry. The offerings include lasagne, two types of burger and, of course, three different varieties of the ribs Lawry's is famous for – and those are just the entrees! When it comes to the drinks, they’re equally enticing. The brunch kicks off with a glass of Lawry’s private
label and if you really like it you can opt to have it free-flow. Sat and Sun 11.30am-2.30pm. From $348. Lawry’s Shop 201B, 2/F, Hutchison Hse, 10 Harcourt Rd, Central, 2907 2218; lawrys.com.hk.
Cafe Deco The One Cafe Deco’s brand new flagship restaurant, located on the 20th floor at The One in Tsim Sha Tsui, offers panoramic views across the harbour. The menu extends from fresh lobster to tandoori Himalayan chicken, guaranteeing that all palates are satisfied. Alongside à la carte options there’s an extensive buffet with a range of seasonal dishes and seafood options. In addition to top-notch food, there’s live entertainment on hand to keep the whole family amused. The brunch takes place between 11.30am and 3.00pm, allowing you to make the most of precious family time, or time spent with friends. Sun 11.30am-3pm. From $398 for adults, $158 for children between four and 11, free for children under four. Cafe Deco The One 20/F, The One, 100 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2849 5111; cafedecogroup.com.
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The Guide
The Guide
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