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to schoolBack

Hong Kong’s best high teas

Pencil cases, lunch boxes,backpacks, white trainers and black shoes

Kings of the swingers

On holiday with orangutans

things to do187Playgroups for toddlers

Tutoring for teens

FAMILY | EDUCATION | HOME | MONEY

the really useful magazinewww.expat-parent.com

August 2014

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What’s on?6 Editor’s LetterExpat Parent’s Adele Brunner gets ready for a new term.

8 CalendarHappening this month.

12 The bald truth about fatherhoodSimon Parry’s World Cup theory.

14 NewsNeed to know.

18 Must havesBackpacks for all ages.

21 The monthly quizAre you ready for August?

Family24 Meet the parentsGoing solo: a single mother’s story.

Feature26 Back to school essentials (and where to get them).

No-hassle homework32 Tips from teacher and author Pat Kozyra.

Education36 Open daySay g’day to the Australian International School Hong Kong.

40 Principal’s officeWith AISHK co-head of school, Dr Leonie Drew.

Activities44 After schoolClasses and playgroups for the under-threes.

48 Me and my hobbyPaperback writer, 14-year-old novelist Jeremy Z.Y. Chan.

Food50 Big slurpChill with Hong Kong’s coolest drinks.

52 Table for fourStick out your pinkie for the city’s best afternoon teas.

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contentsAUG2014ISSUE004

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Home56 The home frontA Balinese-inspired villa in Suzhou.

60 Get the lookWhere to buy resort-style pieces.

Adventures62 Big day outStarfish and seahorses in Hoi Ha.

64 Travel Swing by Borneo’s orangutans with Jackie Peers.

Money68 Money & meStarlit Voice founder Clarissa Evans opens her wallet.

Resources70 Books & appsUseful books and downloads.

72 MarketplaceYour guide to shops and services.

76 Business directoryNumbers that make life easier.

80 DistributionWhere to find Expat Parent.

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Quote of the month:This month’s cover:

Photographers: Hannah Grogan and Cherrie YuModel: Kaitlyn LeungLocation: Hollywood Road, Central

Special thanks to the Leung family. Backpack from Bumps to Babes. find us on instagram:

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www.fastmedia.com.hk

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You can never be overdressed or overeducated.

Oscar Wilde

contentsAUG2014ISSUE004

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When I was a child, summer holidays seemed endless. These days, they seem to be over in a heartbeat. It seems like only yesterday that we were winding down

the school year and, in many cases, taking advantage of the long vacation to head out of Hong Kong. Now, the end of the holiday is in sight – or, perhaps already over for some parents – and we’re knee-deep in uniforms, name tapes, book bags and lunch boxes as we hurtle full steam into the new school year.

No matter how organised I am, there’s always something that doesn’t go according to plan. Last year, I bought my children’s school shoes in Britain, smug in the knowledge that I wouldn’t be rushing around Hong Kong trying to find suitable black shoes at the last minute like the previous year. Then five minutes before the bus was due to arrive on the first morning of starting a new school, my eldest son found his feet had grown so much in the interim weeks he couldn’t even squeeze his new shoes on. He had to make do with an old pair, while I rushed around Hong Kong trying to find suitable black shoes at the last minute like the previous year.

Because it isn’t always easy here. We don’t have vast supermarkets open 24/seven that sell everything a back-to-schooler might need, from backpacks to

black swimming costumes and cheap, make-do-for-now shoes. It’s a nightmare trying to find trainers for kids with feet sized 31-38 – especially in the regulation all-white. Come on, schools, help us out here!

So, for all those parents who find themselves in the same boat as me, we have pooled our knowledge to try to make your back-to-school preparations as seamless and easy as possible. We’ve also got tips for starting school at any age and the expert advice on getting kids to do their homework without it turning into a major family drama.

Got your school stuff sorted? Quick, time to start shopping again. There are only 146 days until Christmas – it will be on us before we know it...

Wherever you spent the summer, welcome back.

Adele Brunner

editor’s letter

www.fastmedia.com.hk

EditorAdele Brunneradele@fastmedia.com.hk

Senior Consultant EditorJane Steerjane@fastmedia.com.hk

Managing EditorHannah Groganhannah@fastmedia.com.hk

Editorial AssistantCherrie Yucherrie@fastmedia.com.hk

Art DirectorKelvin Laukelvin@fastmedia.com.hk

Graphic DesignEvy Cheungevy@fastmedia.com.hk

Marketing & Communications ManagerSharon Wongsharon@fastmedia.com.hk

Sales & Marketing ManagersRica Bartlettrica@fastmedia.com.hk

Angela Tsuiangela@fastmedia.com.hk

Accounts ManagerConnie Lamaccounts@fastmedia.com.hk

PublisherTom Hilditchtom@fastmedia.com.hk

ContributorsCarolynne DearSimon ParryElizabeth KerrJackie PeersPat KozyraMelody Liu Gordon HuTimothy MaSooYoun OhKaren Wong

PrinterGear Printing, 49 Wong Chuk Hang Road,Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong

Published byFast Media LtdLG1 Kai Wong Commercial Building,222 Queens Road Central,Hong Kong

Contact usAdmin: 3568 3722Editorial: 2776 2773Advertising: 2776 2772

Expat Parent is published by Fast Media Limited. 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. Expat Parent 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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UNTIL AUG 17International Arts CarnivalAnnual children’s arts festival, including theatre, dance, circus, music, puppetry and an amazing black-light theatre. The International Children’s Film Carnival includes golden oldies, live action and modern animations. Details at www.hkiac.gov.hk. Tickets from www.urbtix.hk.

UNTIL AUG 30Chinese Opera Festival Get to grips with Chinese traditional culture and music. Details at www.cof.gov.hk.

UNTIL OCT 5 Transformers 30th Anniversary Expo Exhibition celebrating 30 years of the Transformers. See a seven-metre Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, play in the laser area and view 400 limited-edition figures. Tickets $100 (children $80) from The Venetian Macao, www.transformers30.com. See News, p.17 for a chance to win free tickets.

AUG 1-10Hong Kong Restaurant WeekDiscounted special menus at 70 restaurants across Hong Kong, including DiVino Patio, Azure, Wooloomooloo Steakhouse and more; www.restaurantweek.hk.

AUG 1-SEP 9 Elephant Parade See 100 five-foot painted elephants at Pacific Place, Cityplaza and Citygate in aid of the Asian Elephant Foundation, www.elephantparade.com.

AUG 24 Summer Shark FeverWatery fun at Ocean Park, plus the new Shark Mystique, with more than 100 sharks and rays, and a chance to join its summer school. Ocean Park Road, www.oceanpark.com.hk.

Backstage at the Chinese Opera Festival

Sell a flag for the SPCA.

happeningin august

What’s on

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AUG 2SPCA Flag Day Sell a sticker, save a puppy. The SPCA is looking for volunteers to help raise $2 million in its territory-wide flag day. 7am-noon. Register at www.spca.org.hk.

AUG 3Sunday FundayCarnival with live performances by Joyce Lee and guests, art-jamming, face-painting, games, Zumba, yoga, a giant dance off, Peter Rabbit and more, in aid of the Adventist Hospital Foundation. Stanley Plaza, Stanley, www.hkahf.org.hk

AUG 6-10World Youth Championships Tenpin Bowling About 250 leading youth bowlers take over the alleys at the South China Athletic Association, So Kon Po, www.wyc2014.com.

AUG 7-8, 10Timber! Canada’s Cirque Alfonse fuses acrobatics with lumberjacks: think juggling with axes, somersaulting over log saws and clog dancing. Sha Tin Town Hall and Yuen Long Theatre. Tickets $120-$300 from www.urbtix.hk.

AUG 8-9Franz Harary Mega Magic The world-class illusionist returns to the City of Dreams, Macau. Tickets $530-$1,230 (children under-12, $430-$990) from www.cityofdreamsmacau.com, 800 900 783.

AUG 9-10Travis Pastrana’s Nitro Circus LiveCircus on wheels – BMX, motocross, skates and a 50-foot Gigant-A-Ramp. Va-va-vroom. The Venetian Macau. Tickets $280-$1,280 from www.venetianmacao.com. See News p.16 for a chance to win free tickets.

AUG 9-10Hi 5 House Hits The Aussie favourites are coming to Hong Kong, with three shows daily. Runway 11, AsiaWorld Expo, Lantau. Tickets $280-$680 from www.cityline.com, 2111-5333.

AUG 10 Hungry Ghost Festival Chinese opera, street-side bonfires and offerings feed the hungry ancestral spirits.

AUG 12Ellie Goulding LiveShe’s gonna let it burn, burn, burn, burn… Star Hall, KITEC, Kowloon Bay. Tickets $540-$640 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Skate stunts at Travis Pastrana’s Nitro Circus.

Illusionist Franz Harary returns to Macau.

10 expat-parent.com

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UNTIL AUG 12Snoopy Artland ExhibitionLearn to draw Snoopy, bake Snoopy cookies or meet your favourite beagle at Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, www.harbourcity.com.hk.

AUG 14-18Hong Kong Food ExpoFood and drink from around the world, plus cooking demos and a night market (7pm-10pm, Aug 14-17). Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai,hkfoodexpo.hktdc.com.

AUG 17Andy McKee Fingerstyle Guitar ConcertYouTube sensation Andy McKee performs. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $300-$550 from www.hkticketing.com.hk, 3128 8288.

AUG 18Back to schoolAutumn term begins at ESF schools.

AUG 24-31Hong Kong Squash Open 2014See the world’s top players compete. Hong Kong Squash Centre, Garden Road, Central, www.squashopen.com.

AUG 30Hong Kong Spring Wave Music and Art Festival Taiwan’s largest outdoor music festival

makes its Hong Kong debut, with a seven-hour event featuring Khalil Fong, JJ Lin, BY2 and MC Hotdog. 4pm-11pm, West Kowloon Waterfront. Tickets $330-880 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

AUG 31Lawn Bowls Fun Day Annual event, including competitions and instruction by professional coaches for the over-eights. Enrol by Aug 17. Hong Kong East Island Sports Centre, Sai Wan Ho, 2504 8249, www.hklba.org.

Snoopy Artland Exhibition.

What’s onhappeningin august

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SEP 23-28Potted PotterAll seven Harry Potter books and a live Quidditch match in 70 minutes. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $395-$550 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

SEP 24-OCT 22Mamma Mia! Your ABBA favourites plus a big fat Greek wedding. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $395-$896 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

SEP 26Electric Pet Shop Boys Live1980s pop sensations live at the AsiaWorld Arena, Lantau. Tickets $480-$1,280 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

OCT 9-12Dr Bunhead’s (Don’t) Try This At HomeWacky experiments with the Blue Peter and Brainiac science guy. Drama Theatre,

HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $195-$435 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

OCT 9-12The Cotai Jazz & Blues Festival The third annual festival and competition at The Venetian Macau, www.bluesasianetwork.com.

OCT 17-19Stick ManThe favourite children’s book live on stage. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $195-$435 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

OCT 18East Aquathon 16.3 Registration is open for this race through sea, mountain and jungle from Chung Hom Kok to Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay. For over-16s only. Solo racers and teams of two can register for $400-$464 at www.revolution-asia.com, 2891 1505.

OCT 19Rat Race Central Suits in fancy dress race through an obstacle course in Central in aid of Mindset. Register at www.centralratrace.com.

OCT 31-NOV 2Charlie & Lola’s Extremely New Play See the BBC’s favourite brother and sister live on stage. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $225-$435 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

NOV 8-9Walk for Nature Enrolment opens in mid-August for the annual fundraising conservation walk at Mai Po Nature Reserve. Details at www.wwf.org.hk.

NOV 19-23 A Midsummer Night's Dream The timeless comedy performed by Shakespeare’s Globe from London. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $355-$795 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

NOV 25-30 Avenue Q This comedy phenomenon is strictly for adults only (for full puppet nudity and worse). Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $395-$795 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

NOV 28-30 Seussical the MusicalThe Cat in the Hat, Horton and the Whos lead the charge through Dr Seuss’ favourite tales. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $265-$595 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Charlie & Lola’s Extremely New Play.

Walk for Nature.Rat Race Central.

East Aquathon 16.3 route.

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expat parent!be inBe featured in Expat Parent’s social media pages. From your child’s first steps to your summer getaways, we want to hear all about it. Post your story and photos and we’ll publish the best ones. Upload your pictures to our Instagram and Facebook pages using #expatparenthk or simply email us at photo@fastmedia.com.hk.

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My Little Princess' one-off tutus are twirly, sparkly clouds of tulle.

Pict

ure:

Den

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news

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The MTR has launched a new City Saver concession pass for commuters. For $400, it covers 40 single trips in 30 days within one month. The aim is to encourage regular cross-harbour travellers to use the MTR with one separately purchased card, saving commuters the hassle of continually top up their Octopus cards. City Saver currently operates in specific areas on seven MTR lines: Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong, Island, Tseung Kwan O, Tung Chung, East Rail and West Rail. This includes more urban stations than previous monthly passes. It is now available at sales outlets and customer service centres in designated stations. For details, visit www.mtr.com.hk.

A new language centre in Wong Chuk Hang is offering classes in Mandarin, Spanish and French for children aged two to 17. Trinity International Language Centre aims to develop confidence and language proficiency in small-group classes with no more than five students to promote interaction. Its teachers all hold internationally recognized qualifications and teach courses developed using materials by the Oxford Path Playgroup, Cambridge YLE, IELTS and more. 16/F, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road, Aberdeen, 2114 2813/ 2114 2812, www.trinitylanguage.com.

Cheaper MTR trips

New Southside language centre

Hong Kong’s first potty-training consultancy service, One Two Pee!, aims to have babies out of nappies by 18 months old. Run by Susan Chan-Norton, who potty trained her two daughters at a very young age, it cites research that early potty training can be beneficial, reducing the likelihood of urinary tract infections and saving money on diapers. The company offers services such as home visits, consultations and workshops, each of which currently costs less than $500. One-Two-Pee! caters mainly to babies aged 0 to 18 months, but also works with toddlers up to age four. For details, call Chan-Norton on 6509 4218 or email susanychan@hotmail.com.

Early potty training

Travis Pastrana’s Nitro Circus revs up Macau

Win four tickets to the Nitro Circus We are giving away four tickets to Travis Pastrana’s Nitro Circus, plus round-trip ferry tickets from Hong Kong to Macau (each worth $780 and $357 respectively), to one lucky reader. For a chance to win, like our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/expatparenthk) and send us a message with your name, telephone number and the name of the circus.

US motocross stunt performer Travis Pastrana is bringing his Nitro Circus to Asia for the first time. On August 9 and 10, the high-octane circus on wheels will perform at the Venetian Macau. It will feature 45 of the world’s best FMX (motocross), BMX and skate stuntmen performing tricks on – and off – a 50-foot Gigant-A-Ramp, casually defying death in myriad ways using all sorts of wacky contraptions. Tickets are $280 to $1,280 from www.venetianmacao.com.

TICKET GIVEAWAY!

Tutu couture Little girls who like to dress up will love My Little Princess. Its bespoke tutu dresses – think clouds of tulle and swirly skirts – are all one-off designs by Chief Princess Designer Amy Djokovic, who is selling them to raise $100,000 for the Hong Kong Cancer Fund.

As a mum herself, Djokovic knows the importance of making sure the dresses aren’t itchy, using four layers of non-scratchy cotton tulle and lining all the dresses in soft, 100 per cent organic cotton. Costing $500-$590, the tutus come in two sizes: small (for one- to

three-year-olds) and medium (three- to six-year-olds). They are available at Mirth HK (www.mirthhome.com) and the monthly Discovery Bay Handmade Markets (www.handmadehongkong.com).

On September 6, My Little Princess will be at a charity fun day at pop-up venue Little Square. Entry is free, and there will be a kids’ corner, face painting and fun raffles. 10am-6pm, Little Square, 21 Square Street, Sheung Wan, 6712 8990, mlpdresses@gmail.com, www.mlpdresses.com.

16 expat-parent.com

local news & exclusive offers

Expat Parent

Find us on to receive up-to-date

Kindy opens at The PulseNew bilingual preschool Miles International Academy opens next month in The Pulse, Repulse Bay. It will be offering programmes in English and Mandarin for children aged nine months to six years in three age-appropriate classes: Parent and Child (ages nine to 30 months), Pre-nursery/Nursery (ages two to four) and Primary School Foundation (ages three to six). It will also run a programme of Enhancement Classes in painting, music, writing and “Shake Your Body”, which sounds fun.

The preschool intends to put its beachside location to good use, with explorations of the surrounding environment. It will focus on learning through experience (an important part of the respected Montessori and Reggio Emilia curricula), based on the philosophy: “Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will understand.”

The preschool opens in September and will be holding open days on Sundays in August (register online). The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, www.milesinternational.com.hk.

news

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Expat Parent readers receive an exclusive discount on rooms at the InterContinental Hong Kong Hotel until September 30. Treat the family to a staycay for just $2,980 (plus service) and receive a free upgrade to a Harbourview room with complimentary extra bed (subject to availability), with a 20

Reader discounts at the InterContinental per cent discount for guests who book 21 days in advance, or 15 per cent discount for those who book seven days in advance. To book the Expat Parent package, please call 2721 1211 or email hongkong@ihg.com. 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com.

SPCA launches kids’ kit

Bake a mooncakeIt’s the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 8. Celebrate the full moon in style by making your own mooncakes to eat on the big night.

One-Michelin-star restaurant Yan Toh Heen in the InterContinental Hong Kong is holding a mooncake-making class on September 6, 11.45am to 1.45pm. Executive Chef Lau will teach students to make his signature custard cream and gold dust mooncakes using French Bordier butter and Shizuoka eggs. The session also includes a chance to sample some of Yan Toh Heen’s renowned dim sum dishes and special mooncakes, including one made with Iberico ham and nuts. The class is $1,488 per person, with a maximum of 10 students and reservations are required by August 25. 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2313 2323, hkghc.yth@ihg.com.

New from the SPCA is Asia’s first Responsible Pet Owners’ Children’s Kit, part of its ongoing bid to reduce the number of animals purchased on a whim and abandoned. Sponsored by the Hong Kong Bank Foundation, 3,000 kits will be given away free to parents and kids to educate young children on the responsibilities of caring for a pet, and the consideration required before deciding to buy or adopt an animal. The kit contains a comprehensive guide on proper pet ownership and includes three booklets: “What an Animal Needs”, “Life Cycles” and “Responsibility”, as well as keychains, planners and other goodies. Parents interested in receiving the kit should call 2232 5526 or 2232 5541. For details, visit www.spca.org.hk.

Kick-start your health regime with Mr Green Juice, a new raw juice concept. Its blended juices are organic and unpasteurized, made using a Norwalk hydraulic press, the Rolls-Royce of juicers. It uses a cold-pressing process, which crushes and grinds fruit and vegetables, producing more juice and preserving up to three times as many nutrients as traditional juicing, which tends to heat the produce and thereby destroys minerals and vitamins. Each 450ml glass bottle of juice requires up to a kilo of organic produce, the equivalent of your daily recommended intake of fruit and veg. Currently, Mr Green Juice is available in 10 different flavours, plus four Mr Green Nut milks, ready to be delivered to your door. Juices cost from $88, with a minimum order of three bottles, delivered daily Monday to Friday. To order, please visit www.mrgreenjuice.com.

Lean, green and very juicy

18 expat-parent.com

Melody Liu rounds up the best backpacks in town.luggageWear your

Alexanderbackpack$459 from Beatrix, www.beatrixny.com

Papar backpack $459 from Beatrix, www.beatrixny.com

From left: Honey andParty backpacks$138-$298 from Bumps to Babes, www.bumpstobabes.com

Hedgehog Skip Hop Zoo Pack $199 from Geo Baby, www.geobaby.com

Der BP M 3S$239 from Adidas, www.adidas.com

Junior wheelie bag by Navy Star$599 from Stuck on You, www.stuckonyou.hk

must have

19expat-parent.com

Backpack with handle$738 from Paul Frank, www.paulfrank.com

Retro backpack$699 from Zara, www.zara.com

Pictures grey backpack $599 from Zara, www.zara.com

AU BP 1 52CM Hi $559 from Adidas, www.adidas.com

Kånken backpack by Fjällräven$900 from Shop des Createurs, www.shopdescreateurs.com

From left: Dinosaur and Spot backpacks$328 each from www.tickitey-boo.com

Ben Bat GoVinci backpacks$275 from Bumps to Babes, www.bumpstobabes.com

Brazil backpack by Outdoor Products$659 from www.outdoor-products.com.hk

Pierre Hardy backpack $14,300 from Lane Crawford, www.lanecrawford.com

Tropicollection backpack$668 from Paul Frank, www.paulfrank.com

Rucksack No.21 by Fjällräven$1,600 from Shop des Createurs, www.shopdescreateurs.com

21expat-parent.com

Question 1 How do you know school’s back?a) Morning traffic jams return. b) You can't get a table in a club restaurant

on Sunday nights. c) The average age of MTR commuters

drops to 13. d) All of the above.

Question 2What IS that unholy stink? a) The Kai Tak Nullah. b) Durian, the king of fruits. c) Mothballs. d) Occupy Central.

Question 3This month, we’ll be watching...a) The Chinese Opera Festival. b) Transformers 5: Age of Consumption,

a gritty commentary on modern consumer culture.

c) A movie about those 1,600 pandas (you know it’s coming).

d) New TV comedy, How I Met Your Tiger Mother.

Question 4The pandas have moved on; what are this month’s it-animals?a) Elephants.b) Rubber Duck.c) Your inner beast.d) Gromit.

Question 5What’s new at Ocean Park?a) Downsizing: it’s now called Puddle Park.b) The world’s first underwater cable car. c) Watching the sharks. d) Animals are being replaced by papier-mâché models (it’s so this summer).

a) Death-defying balloon animal stunts.

b) Death-defying bike and skate stunts.

c) Death-defying bread and butter stunts.

d) Death-defying Broadway musical stunts.

Question 6When in Macau, expect to see...

Question 7What’s burning this month?a) Exposed skin – don't forget to slip

on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat.

b) Ears (yes, they are talking about you).

c) The Tai Hang fire dragon. d) Streetside offerings to feed the

hungry ghosts.

the monthlyquiz

are you ready for august?

quiz

22 expat-parent.com

1. Answer: d All of the above. After a long, drowsy summer, Hong Kong life returns to crowded normality as families return from overseas vacations and children head back to school for the 2014-15 academic year. Most international schools return this month, with ESF schools officially starting the autumn term on August 18 (check with individual schools for precise dates). Local schools don’t go back until September. See our feature, p.26, for your back-to-school essentials.

2. Answer: bDurian, the king of fruits.The Kai Tak Nullah no longer smells too bad, it’s too hot for mothballs (traditionally a winter pong in Hong Kong) and Occupy Central may be creating a stink, but not literally. Offending olfactory systems across Asia this month is the pungent-smelling durian, king of fruits. Called lau lin in Chinese, these giant spiky fruits can be sniffed out in wet markets, supermarkets and dessert counters across Hong Kong. From mid-May to mid-September, durian appears in pancakes, parfaits, shakes and cakes. The custardy flesh is said to be addictive, particularly the gourmet Golden Pillow variety. When buying durian ($12-$48 a pound), choose fruit without holes in the shell, which indicates worms, that is light for its size and with pods that move slightly inside when shaken. Serve chilled or at room temperature, sliced with whipped cream or in crepes.

3. Answer: aThe Chinese Opera FestivalBrush up on local culture by catching a performance at this month’s Chinese Opera Festival. Troupes from all over China perform, including the Haifeng Baizi Opera Troupe of Guangdong on August 2-3 at Ko Shan Theatre, Hung Hom. On August 12-13, the Yu Theatre of Hunan will be at Kwai Tsing Theatre, and the Jingkun Theatre will be performing at Tsuen Wan Town Hall on August 29-30. Tickets are $120-$320 from www.cof.gov.hk.

4. Answer: a & dElephants & Gromit.The invasion of model animals continues at malls across Hong Kong. The Elephant Parade sees 100 five-foot elephants painted by world-class artists invade Pacific Place, Cityplaza and Citygate Outlets to promote the Asian Elephant Foundation from August 1 to September 9 (www.elephantparade.com). And beware of the dog at Elements in West Kowloon. More than 70 giant statues of animated pooch Gromit by local and international designers feature in the Gromit Unleashed exhibition until August 31.

5. Answer: cWatching the sharks. Cue the Jaws theme tune. Ocean Park’s latest exhibit, Shark Mystique, opened this summer with more than 100 sharks and rays. Visitors can view the sharks, including unusual species such as the sawfish and leopard-spotted zebra shark from a 360-degree underwater walkway that circles the giant aquarium. Interactive displays offer insights into shark biology and behaviour and you can test your knowledge at the Shark Adventure booths at The Summit. For details, visit www.oceanpark.com.hk.

6. Answer: bDeath-defying bike and skate stunts.The adrenaline flows at Travis Pastrana’s Nitro Circus Live in the Venetian Macau on August 9-10. This high-octane circus on wheels features 45 of the world’s best FMX (that’s motocross to the uninitiated), BMX and skate sportsmen, plus an assortment of brand new contraptions that will zoom off a 50-foot high Gigant-A-Ramp. Motorheads and skate fans will love it. Tickets $280-$1,280 from www.venetianmacao.com.

7. Answer: dStreetside offerings to feed hungry ghosts.Okay, we’ll accept answer (a) as well – we’re big fans of the Australian Cancer Council’s long-running slip-slop-slap sun-protection campaign. But we’re talking about this month’s Hungry Ghost or Yue Lan Festival. At streetside bonfires across the city, people will burn joss paper, hell money and fantastic papier-mâché copies of material goods – from mansions to Rolex watches – to appease their ancestors’ restless spirits. On August 20, Taoists also make ritualistic food offerings, light incense and prepare elaborate meals leaving empty seats for the hungry ghosts of deceased family members. (The Tai Hang fire dragon dances September 7-9.)

theanswers

Travis Pastrana's Nitro Circus at The Venetian Macau.

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Sarah Chessis lives in Discovery Bay with her daughter, Issy, almost five, and runs her own customised clothing company, Isabella Wren.

I have always wanted to have children and thought I’d meet the right man to have them with. But when I got to age 35 and it hadn’t happened, a friend gave me the best advice I’ve ever received by telling me to think about what I really wanted: the man or the child.

She believed I was confusing the two and it made me realise that I wanted a child more than anything else. Until then, I hadn’t considered having a child on my own but the world is such a different place from when I grew up that you don’t have to be married, or even need a man, to have a child. You can be a single parent and nobody bats an eyelid.

Then, while living in Singapore, I was made redundant from the bank I’d been working for and received a substantial payout. It was my now-or-never moment. I started the adoption process in June 2009.

I had in mind that I would adopt a Malay or Indonesian child and went through a government-authorised, independent adoption agent who specialised in inter-country adoptions. I also had to see an adoption counsellor. He told me it wasn’t uncommon for couples to wait about seven years for a baby and it might be harder for me [to adopt] because the birth parents had to agree to where their baby was going. Not everyone wants their babies going to a single-parent family. I remember sitting calmly, thinking that if it was meant to be, it would happen.

I had a government home assessment and just when I thought it was all going

according to plan, the British Consulate notified me that I wasn’t allowed to adopt a baby from Malaysia or Indonesia. Every country has different adoption rules. Because I’m British, while I was living in Singapore, I could only adopt a Singaporean baby. It’s a minefield.

I called my agent and we went backwards and forwards for a few days. Issy was born the following Sunday. She was given to me.

I held Issy when she was 15 hours old. Her biological mother was Singaporean but ethnically Indian and her father was Indian. Because Issy was Singaporean, I was allowed to adopt her. I didn’t meet her parents.

I had two days to come up with a name. I didn’t have any baby stuff; I’d never held a child, bathed a baby or changed a nappy. The prospect was terrifying.

mothermakes two

And

A single parent reveals the joys (and fears) of raising a child alone. By Adele Brunner.

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After her biological parents had signed the forms agreeing to the adoption, Issy became a ward of state and lived with an adoption nanny for medical checks. Because I’d written on my initial form that I wanted a healthy child, the government had to prove it with everything from blood tests to brain, liver and heart scans.

After three days of tests, I decided enough was enough. I’d been seeing her every day and in my head she was mine. I wanted to bring her home regardless if anything was wrong with her. I signed a waiver, saying I wouldn’t sue if she was found to develop health issues. If you have a problem with your own child, you can’t just send them back, can you?

Having come so far, there was no way I was going to back out of the adoption and I felt that if she developed any health issues, I’d just work it out.

Fourteen days after I’d been approved, I had a brand new baby in my house – apparently, it was the quickest adoption in Singaporean history.

The first month was horrendous. My parents weren’t well and couldn’t fly out to see me and although my friends rallied round and meant well, the constant stream of visitors was too much. I found it all a bit intrusive. I remember hiding behind the sofa when the doorbell rang because I couldn’t face seeing another person.

I was exhausted from getting up in the night to feed Issy and I was in a state of fear and terror that I wasn’t doing things right. I had no idea what I was doing. I had no partner to reassure me or laugh about it all with. I knew I was being unreasonable, irrational and felt as if I was going crazy, but I couldn’t stop myself. I’ve since learned that all parents feel the same way.

I felt an instant rush of love for Issy, but for about a year, I felt she wasn’t quite mine. It was a strange feeling. It was as if I was taking care of my sister’s child. I was terrified the biological family would change their mind but social services said it had never happened in Singapore – families simply don’t have the money.

There are definite pros and cons to being a single parent. On the upside, I never have to share her. I have her undivided attention and I am the sole decision maker. Cons include having no back up and making all those big decisions by myself.

The first 18 months were horribly lonely, particularly on Sundays. As I was single, I wouldn’t be invited to “family” events, so it was often just me and Issy. It was particularly hard when she couldn’t

I’d never held a child, bathed a baby or changed a nappy

speak. Now, I can’t shut her up and, because I work full time, the thought of anyone interrupting our precious Sundays is annoying.

We are going on holiday for four days and I can’t wait to have all that time for just the two of us. We are incredibly close and are always laughing. She is smart, hysterically funny, loving and gorgeous, and is absolutely the love of my life.

Issy has started asking about a dad, particularly around Father’s Day, which they talk about at school. As she’s still little, I try to keep it simple. I’ve told her all families are different and we are the luckiest family ever to have each other.

I’ve also explained she has a “tummy mummy” and a “tummy daddy”, but because they couldn’t afford “num num” (her word for food), she came to me. And I don’t have a husband – that’s just how it is.

Amazingly, a few of her closest friends also live with one parent so to her it all seems very natural. Children are born with no concept of shame: they learn it from their parents and from society. She thinks it’s the most amazing thing on the planet to only have a mummy because she gets me all to herself.

I made a joke the other day about finding a husband or a boyfriend and she burst into tears. This little voice piped up, “Don’t do that, Mummy. Please don’t.”

Sarah Chessis and her daughter, Issy: “She is absolutely the love of my life.”

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Book bags Even kindergartens require a surprising number of kit-bags. Go for the personal touch with named book bags, backpacks and swimming bags from Australia-based online company Little Smudge (www.littlesmudge.com). Allow two to three weeks for delivery.

Inmybag

Where to find those backpack essentials.

Pencil caseHold onto those pencils for longer with personalised sets from online store, Stuck On You. Tools 4 School includes a full set of pens and pencils (above), scissors, ruler, eraser and sharpener, each emblazoned with your child’s name, inside a personalised pencil case. Named lunchboxes, bags and labels are also available in Roman and Chinese characters. Delivery takes two to three weeks from www.stuckonyou.hk.

Name labelsFact: every child loses things. Cut down on trips to the lost property box by putting your child’s name on everything that leaves the house. Blank Sheet (www.blanksheet.com.hk) offers a wide range of name labels with cute motifs, or even your child’s face for extra security, including sew-on, iron-on and embroidered options. Roman and Chinese characters available. Other options include Stuck on You (www.stuckonyou.hk; left) and Bright Star (www.brightstarkids.com.au).

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Gabol backpack from Bumps to Babes, www.bumpstobabes.com.

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Text by Cherrie Yu.

StationeryHong Kong’s neighbourhood stationery stores are fabulous for back-to-school essentials. But for something a little fancier, try branches of Log-On (www.citysuper.com.hk), Papyrus (Harbour City; papyrus.com.hk) or Muji (Harbour City, Causeway Bay; www.muji.com.hk). For the latest movie-inspired stationery sets, head to Toys”R”Us (www.toysrus.com.hk) . With a back to school stock including Disney’s Frozen and Transformers 4 as well as Lego inspired stationery (below). Online, Modes4U’s stationery features Sanrio and other cartoon characters with free shipping to Hong Kong (www.modes4u.com).

Laptop casesProtect delicate laptops on the school run with a colourful neoprene case. Available in various sizes from branches of Page One, including Times Square, Harbour City and Festival Walk, www.pageonegroup.com.

Art suppliesFor speciality items not available in your local stationery store, visit Artland for top-quality painting, printmaking, paper, drawing and illustration products. 3/F Lockhart Centre, 301-307 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, 2511 4845, www.artland.com.hk. backto

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lunchbunch

Lunch bagsChildren take lunch to school from year one right through to year 13, so props to Tickitey Boo (www.tickitey-boo.com; right) for its fab range of bento boxes and eco-friendly lunch bags for kids of all ages and tastes from dinosaur-loving toddlers to the fussiest teens.

Lunch boxesJapan Home Centre has a large selection of bento boxes, tupperware lunchboxes and water bottles. The celebrity choice – the mini Beckhams, Suri Cruise – is online store Beatrix (www.beatrixny.com; below) for cool lunch boxes and other backpack essentials.

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Hot and coldpacks Keep food fresh in hot weather by packing a frozen drink in your child’s lunchbox, or use a cool bag or ice pack from Tiny Footprints (www.tinyfootprints.com).

Whats for lunch

Just GreenOrganic convenience stores selling cereal bars, biscuits, dried fruits and more in Central and Wan Chai, www.justgreen.com.hk.

Food HappyFor personalized boxes of snacks – healthy or naughty – delivered weekly, visit www.foodhappy.com.

Jax Coco Kidz Coconut-water boxes ($53 for six packs), available from Great Food Hall at Pacific Place, Fusion and ParknShop. For details, visit store.jaxcoco.com.

Mr Green JuiceSuper-healthy organic cold-pressed raw fruit and vegetable juices and nut milks, delivered to your door. Minimum order three juices. Details at www.mrgreenjuice.com.

Sandwich wraps Eliminate clingfilm and foil with fabric Lunch Skins from Tiny Footprints (www.tinyfootprints.com; left), or the Snack Happened reusable bags from Tickitey Boo (www.tickitey-boo.com).

BottlesKidzinger water bottles from Zing Anything (www.zinganything.com) come with a flip-up straw and built-in citrus press for water flavoured with a dash of lemony goodness. Or go for Bobbles water bottles (left), which come with their own replaceable filters so they can be used with tap water for easy refills, and in a wide range of fun colours. Find them at Great, ParknShop, G.O.D, City’super and elsewhere.

ThermosKeep soup, rice or pasta dishes hot – or cold drinks icy cool – in thermos containers from Bumps to Babes (www.bumpstobabes.com) or Tickitey-Boo (right; www.tickitey-boo.com).

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getthekit

On the first day... Mums’ tips for starting kindergarten, primary school, secondary school and university.

“Look at the timings of secondary school food breaks. Many kids struggle with a later lunch hour, so pack extra muesli bars. Some schools have a changeover time between lessons so they can always eat on the move.” Lola McLaughlin

“I always ask the school for a telephone number of someone in the class so I can organise a get together before school starts. This means they will have one familiar face on

the first day. The schools have always given me a child who is open to helping a new kid.” Lynne Hutton “Make sure new school shoes don’t rub or pinch. After weeks of going barefoot, my boys find it hell to put on shoes. I ceremonially bash the backs of their new Dr Kongs with a hammer so they are slightly more supple.” Sue Parsons “Don’t be anxious or your kids will pick up on it.” Nicky Anderson “Excitement is catching.” Jude Bailey

“When my daughter started kindergarten, we packed her special ‘silky’ in her bag.” Lola McLaughlin

“Don’t pick up your daughter from school in your slippers in a car with Wham! blaring out of the stereo.” Terry Floyd “Only see them off at the bus stop ONCE, on the first day, if you must. You will embarrass them as you’ll be the only mum doing it but you’ll be forgiven for doing it just that one time. Thereafter, stay well away!” Carol Musgrave

TowelsFor hotel-quality towels at rock-bottom prices, visit that Hong Kong outlet institution the Towel Shop (Room 2, Level 1, Kelly House, 6-15 Gresson Street, Wan Chai, 2865 6378), two tiny rooms stacked floor to ceiling with terrycloth. For something more personal, towels can be ordered with your children’s names from online store Stuck On You (www.stuckonyou.hk; left).

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Sports bagsWhen it comes to sports bags, the bigger and sturdier the better. Try branches of GigaSports (www.gigasports.com.hk) or Marathon Sports (www.imarathon.com) for a wide range by big-name brands.

SwimmingcostumesFind everything from Thorpedo full-length swimsuits to Hello Kitty bikinis at Arena (www.arena.hk), including UPF 50+ swimming costumes. For a wide range of short- and long-sleeved UPF 50+ rash vests and shorts in children’s (right) and adult sizes, visit trusted Aussie brand Solarsuit’s local online store, www.solarsuit.com.hk.

“No public displays of affection – in fact, make sure you are acting like you don’t know them when they get on the bus. Let’s face it, that’s what they will be doing to you.” Emma Linnitt “Teenage boys – big bacon brekky!” Cate Rocchi

“Expect grumpy kids arriving home when they first start secondary school. It’s a longer day, more stressful initially and they’re starting to get hormonal too. Let them go to their rooms and chill for a bit. And leave them alone to do it.” Carol Musgrave

“We have a prep plan: haircuts, new shoes, the PTA shop, stationery shop, bag shop… and an evening labelling session about a week before. If you can do it with a school friend, it makes it more fun. We have a standing date with another family, which, of course, includes a nice lunch.” Paula King “On starting university, pack them off with a rice cooker rather than a toaster. Particularly if they’re going to a British university, everyone else will have a kettle and a toaster. A rice cooker will be a novelty and provide an instant meal.” Angela Barwell

White trainers Start your search for regulation all-white trainers at online shop Fiona’s Prince (www.fionasprince.com). Stride Rite also has white trainers (right) in small sizes and stores across Hong Kong. Also try Stanley Market and “sneaker street”, Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok.

Sports gearPick up all the sportswear you could possibly need at one-stop sports store Escapade. As well as hi-tech sports clothing in kids’ sizes, it stocks goggles, swim caps, mouthguards, rugby boots (below; in children’s and adult sizes), compression shorts and tights, and even black swimming costumes. For the full range, visit the stores at 1/F, 19 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay or 1/F, 30-34 Cochrane Street, Central. A limited range is also available online at www.escapade.com.hk.

Black shoesFind comfortable, school-approved black leather shoes in a wide range of styles and sizes at branches of Dr Kong (www.dr-kong.com.hk). Teenagers may prefer the eternally cool AirWair soles of Dr Martens (www.drmartens.com; right). While properly fitted shoes for small children are available at Stride Rite (www.striderite.com.hk).

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Teacher and author Pat Kozyra offers tips for happier homework.

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After 50 years of teaching, if it were up to me, daily homework would involve only reading by the child and to the child (particularly in the primary years), plus a reading

journal. Even book reports could be written during library class. But it is not up to me and the reality is that homework can be a pressing problem for families. There are ways parents can help.

Start by getting on the same page as your child’s school in terms of expectations and philosophy. Check the parent handbook or school guide to find out its guidelines on the amount of homework expected in each grade. A Year One child, for example, may be expected to do 20 minutes a night plus reading aloud. It does not make sense to force your child to do more.

If your child finishes a homework assignment quickly, but neatly and correctly, it is not fruitful to ring the school about the homework being “too easy” or “not challenging”. Let the child feel good.

Homework should be a review or recapitulation of work covered during the day. It should never be new work that parents or helpers must teach the child from scratch. That is the teacher’s job. I have heard of this happening with maths. However, most parents do not know how to teach new concepts and methods that can be so different from how they were taught themselves.

Let’s look at homework in terms of before, during and after.

Before homeworkRemember that your child has had a busy day, often starting early and maybe including a long journey to and from school. They have spent a full day at school with all its activities, stresses, anxiety, rules and demands, perhaps including angst with teachers, friends or peers. After school many children take part in activities, often strenuous sports or focused tutor classes. Once home, they may have completed domestic chores or music or dance practice. And they may

not have eaten properly at lunch – eating too little or choosing carb-laden meals – affecting their blood-sugar levels. All of which may affect their willingness and ability to do homework.

During homeworkWhile parents want their children to develop independence and self-reliance when it comes to homework, many children need prompting to get started, as well as assistance and monitoring while they’re working.

The personality of the child, parent or helper may dictate who can best assist with homework. If there is constant tension, opposition and stress, consider hiring another responsible person to help (a tutor, teenager or teacher). It’s also worth checking if the school offers an after-school homework club where students are assisted and monitored by teachers (pack an extra snack).

Remember that assisting does not mean providing the answers or doing the homework for the child.

Parents who do this do their children a big disservice. Teachers can easily spot projects completed by a parent or other adult and children are usually very honest.

Establish regular, consistent routines about when and where the homework is done, with a routine time, proper desk, chair and lighting in a quiet room equipped with essential materials such as pencils. The child should understand when to ask for help and how much help to expect.

When monitoring homework, parents should check whether the child is rushing the work, scribbling illegibly, writing nonsense answers to finish quickly or not using complete sentences when required.

After homeworkStay in routine mode when getting ready for bed. Washing, brushing teeth and a bedtime story are essential parts of winding down at night. Some children need a night light, a drink or soft music playing. And some like to use a checklist. Your child may not have a choice about

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what time to go to bed, but let him or her decide between the red pyjamas or the blue pyjamas.

If there is time before bed, try playing educational games: chess, checkers, Monopoly, Boggle or Scrabble, perhaps. If you prefer TV, tune into wonderful documentaries such as those on the Discovery Channel.

More and more parents tell me they feel they have “no life” because of the demands of homework, and many students are late to bed because of those demands. This must change or our students will suffer from burnout at early ages. Perhaps it is time for parents get more involved in the school PTA and help make some important changes.

Pat Kozyra is the author of Tips and Tidbits For Parents and Teachers (available at Dymocks and Amazon.com). As a trained teacher, she taught in schools in Canada and Hong Kong for more than 50 years.

For childrenParents should teach their children to… Respect school books. Don’t deface books, bend pages, tear pages or get them dirty; don’t eat or drink around books to avoid spillages. Keep water bottles away from school books.

Know where school books are kept at home, especially library books and readers, to avoid losing books and possibly paying a fine.

Put homework in the same place at night so valuable time is not taken in the morning looking for it or forgetting to take it to school.

Have fun during homework. Turn activities such as learning flashcards into games by allotting points for every correct answer. Remember to say “good game” and “congratulations”.

For parentsStay calm, patient and relaxed. Turn mobile phones off while helping your child with homework. Do not use negative phrases (“Oh, come on, you know”; “I can’t believe you don’t know!”; “Why don’t you know?”).

Don’t ask your domestic helper to help with homework she is not comfortable with. It can result in tension.

Ask your helper to report inappropriate behaviour during homework sessions.

Make sure children read aloud after homework is completed.

Employ different techniques. If your child has problems focusing, use a timer and complete small chunks of work before the alarm sounds. Use rewards: a walk with mum, a favourite snack, an extra bedtime story, or stickers that build up into a bigger present. Employ the power of music: rap it, snap it, tap it, clap it – learning is faster to rhythm and a beat.

Use a checklist for each homework subject or assignment so the child can see what has been accomplished (many children are visual learners).

Give lots of encouragement but do not over-do it – children understand what is genuine and deserved.

Offer help or even provide the answer when your child feels lost or frustrated

Ask the teacher if he or she prefers to see work with mistakes or work that has been monitored and corrected.

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After-school academics Cana Elite Tutoring and examination preparation for secondary school students from years seven-13 in a wide range of subjects and curricula, including IB, A level, I/GCSE and SAT. Individual, private groups and public classes (up to six students) available. 2/F, 135 Bonham Strand Trade Centre, 135 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, 2383 2160, www.canaelite.com.

Capstone Focusing mainly on university entrance, particularly for elite US and British universities, plus leadership and problem-solving courses for children in years one-13. Intensive courses available during school holidays. 5/F, Phase I, China Taiping Tower, 8 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay, 2893 6060, www.capstoneprep.com.

The Edge Tutoring and exam preparation for children in years 10-13 that encourages active participation from students rather than a “chalk and talk” approach. Also runs SAT boot camps, English-language and academic-writing courses. Centres in Causeway Bay and Mong Kok, 2783 7100, www.theedge.com.hk.

HK Excel Specialises in tutoring the IB Middle Years Programme and diploma in economics, maths, business, English and the sciences.

Rm 202, Honest Building, 9-11 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, 9300 8807, www.hkexcel.com.

International Tutors Offers private and small group lessons in a range of subjects, including languages, maths, sciences and social sciences. Also runs assessment courses to identify factors inhibiting potential. Concessions for local school students. 10/F, Miramar Tower, 132 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2824 8824, www.international-tutors.com.

ITS Tutorial Services Individual and small-group tuition in a wide range of subjects for primary and secondary students, including those taking I/GCSE, A level, IB and SSAT courses. ITS is the first non-mainstream school in Hong Kong to offer full Edexcel A-level courses. 3/F, Sun House, 181 Des Voeux Road Central, 2116 3916, www.itseducation.asia.

Ivy Gate Run by graduates from Ivy League universities. Tutoring and exam preparation in individual and small-group classes for secondary students taking I/GCSE, A Level, IB, SAT and HKDSE courses. Plus English enhancement classes. 5/F, Lucky Building, 39 Wellington Street, Central, 2840 1801, www.ivy-gate.com.

Kumon Worksheet-based maths, English and

Chinese tutoring and self-learning for children from kindergarten to secondary school. Available across Hong Kong. Tel: 2890 6533 or visit www.kumon.com.cn/KHK.

NTK Learning Center A registered school that publishes its own textbooks, NTK offers tutoring and exam preparation in a wide range of subjects for secondary-school children taking IB (including MYP), I/GCSE, SAT, AP and TOEFL courses. 3/F-5/F & 7/F, 18 Hysan Ave, Causeway Bay, 2577 7844, www.ntk.edu.hk.

Sai Kung Tutors One-to-one tutoring at your home or small-group classes in the learning centre for children of all ages in English, maths, the sciences, geography, Chinese, French, economics and music. 1/F, 10 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 5321 4400, www.saikungtutors.com.

Sylvan Learning Center Maths and reading tutoring for primary- and secondary-school children, as well as exam preparation classes for the SAT and ACT. 2/F, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road, Aberdeen, 2873 0662, www.educate.com.

Trinity Spanish, French and Mandarin classes for children aged two-17 years, plus English exam preparation classes. 16/F, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road, Aberdeen, 2114 2813/ 2114 2812 , www.trinitylanguage.com.

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January 26, 1995, and its first 25 primary students started school on February 6 that year in Boundary Street, Kowloon Tong. From there, it moved into premises vacated by British forces schools ahead of the handover; first into the former Gun Club School in Tsim Sha Tsui, then in 1996 into the former St George’s School on AISHK’s current site in Kowloon Tong.

In 1997, the school’s governing body was granted 6,000 sqm of land on the former St George’s site to build a new campus. In the meantime the school moved yet again to Cheung Sha Wan before finally taking up residence in its permanent home on September 4, 2001. By then, more than 500 students were enrolled.

The school faced its first big test during the 2003 Sars crisis.

“Sars hit so early in the history of the school, it potentially could have crippled it,” says Waugh. But AISHK survived and a year later both Waugh and Drew joined the growing school.

Drew says, “We very quickly filled up primary and our job was to grow secondary.

Lucky children at the Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK) get not one but two summer holidays – one in July, like other northern hemisphere schools, and a long break during

the Australian summer in December and January. That’s because it follows the traditional Aussie timetable, with the school year running from late January to mid-December.

“The only downside is the August humidity,” says Co-Head of School Philip Waugh, principal of the secondary section. “But at Christmas, students get the traditional long break in Australian terms.”

His primary-section colleague, Co-Head Leonie Drew says, “It’s like two summer holidays. The second half of the year, it’s business as usual: Chinese Week, Book Week with the Australian Book Council, a school fair in November every second year and Christmas carols. The lovely thing is having that slightly longer break in July.”

A non-profit international school, AISHK was incorporated on Australia Day,

Hong Kong’s

greengold

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Hannah Grogan takes a fresh look at the Australian International School Hong Kong.

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Children from 27 different nationalities attend AISHK, although 72 per cent hold Australian or

New Zealand passports.

The school is in a good situation. This is its 19th year – next year will be a big celebration

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[Enrollment] now sits just under 500. The school is in a good situation now. This is its 19th year, next year will be a big celebration.”

AISHK is now at capacity, with 1,140 students from reception to Year 12. While there are 27 nationalities in the student cohort, 72 per cent have Australian or New Zealand citizenship.

The school follows the New South Wales curriculum with Year 11-12 students offered the choice of studying either the NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) or the International Baccalaureate Diploma. A learning enrichment centre is available for children with extra needs.

Recent changes include converting part of the rooftop into a “green” roof for functions as well as offering outdoor classes

that allow children to get their hands dirty. Even more popular is the school’s indoor swimming pool and aquatic centre on the other side of the L-shaped roof.

“Now that we have a roof on the pool we can swim all year round,” Drew says. “In the Australian curriculum, a swimming survival programme is part of PE classes. In addition, there’s squad training and a ‘learn to swim’ programme for parents and children, and [the public].”

Lower floors house a senior common room for final-year students, a cafeteria, “tuck shop”, astroturf field, library, chemistry labs, art rooms, an auditorium, music rehearsal rooms and design and technology labs. Also in the works is a uniform transition to a more modern version of the traditional green and gold uniforms

worn by students for the past 19 years. AISHK has a wealth of alumni traditions,

with annual reunions in Hong Kong and Australia, and an active alumni Facebook page connecting former students across the globe.

Annual fees start at $80,700 for reception students, rising to $115,900 for preparatory-school students, $133,800 for years seven-10, $140,400 for years 11-12 studying the HSC and $173,600 for years 11-12 studying the IB. Various debentures are available from a $100,000 depreciating debenture to a limited number of gold debentures ($3 million), which are non-refundable and non-transferable. Students without a debenture must pay a mandatory capital levy reviewed annually: currently, it is $16,500 per student per year.

Facilities include (clockwise from top left) science labs, the new green roof and deck and an indoor pool.

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What was your dream job when you were at school?When I was a little kid, I wanted to be a ballerina. I was educated by nuns. At some stage in primary I wanted to be a nun and, in secondary, I wanted to be a teacher.

How long have you been a teacher?I started in 1978. So 36 years, I’ve been a teacher – about 20 of those as a principal.

What are some of the challenges of being a principal?There are loads. I think it’s being available to everyone and not getting caught up in the business of management, because it’s really a “people” job. You need to be there for everybody – for staff, for parents, for kids. It’s also about knowing the kids. As Principal, you can get all wound up in the organisation, meetings and keeping things running. But [you have to] constantly think to yourself, “I’m here for the people.”

What do you enjoy most about being a principal?Being with the kids. It’s a real privilege

Leonie DrewAustralian International School’s Primary Principal and Co-Head of School.

principal’s office

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to be able to work in such a happy, positive environment.

Most memorable event of your career?My first class. When you come out of uni – I’m early childhood trained – and you’ve got these little kids sitting on the floor and you think, “This is my class. I’m not a prac teacher anymore.” That’s amazing. I can still see their faces and I’ve kept their photo. I often wonder what they are doing now because, of course, it was a long time ago. Here, the most memorable thing was my first visit to the school and thinking, oh my goodness, a nine-storey building – how do you run early childhood on the fourth floor?

What do you like most about Hong Kong?It’s such a vibrant city; it’s so efficient. The dining is world-class. It’s a fabulous place to travel to both Europe and Asia. I live in Ma On Shan with 270-degree views of Tolo Harbour. There are great walks there.

Best advice you were given by a teacher?Girls can do anything.

Any tips for de-stressing?Walk near the water. Focus on what you can do something about. And wine.

What talent would you like to have?I’d love to be able to speak other languages and play a musical instrument.

What qualities do you value in people?Sincerity and loyalty. Compassion. Sincerity in the sense of honesty. I’m an open person so I expect and need that in others.

Did you have a favourite teacher?I loved my primary-school teachers. My year two teacher was amazing. She used to hitch up her habit and play with us in the yard.

What were your favourite subjects?English and biology – I did best at them.

What are your hobbies? I love reading, travelling and music.

How does the co-head setup work?We complement one another: Phil [Waugh]’s secondary- and government-

school background, my primary- and independent-school background. In 2009, we said to the board, how about you let us try running it together? We run our own sections and consult over anything whole of school. We’re jointly responsible for finances and enrollments.

Australian International School Hong KongAddress: 3A Norfolk Road, Kowloon TongPhone: 2304 6078Website: www.aishk.edu.hk

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largest single cohort sitting the diploma at 184 students), followed by 35.4 points at West Island School, and 35 points at Sha Tin College and Island School. The first cohort of 49 students at Discovery College received an average score of 31.8 points.

The highest average score in Hong Kong was 40 points achieved by students from St Paul’s Coeducational College, followed by 38.6 points by ISF Academy, 38.4 points by Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union Logos Academy, 38 points by both Singapore International School and Diocesan Boys’ School, and 37.1 points by Li Po Chun United World College. Students from Canadian International School, Chinese International School and French International School all achieved an average score of 36 points.

The IB Diploma Programme is presented as six academic areas with a central core. Students study two modern languages (or a modern language and a classical language), a humanities or social

ITS Educational Services takes a closer look at this year’s diploma achievements.

The 2014 IB diploma exam results were released in early July to more than 3,360 students in 22 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. In Hong Kong, 29 secondary schools offer the IB diploma, including three that are authorized but do not yet have graduates (ELCHK Lutheran Academy; German Swiss International School and St Stephen’s College).

Students can score up to 45 points in six subjects, and need to receive 24 points to pass. This year, students from Hong Kong achieved a mean score of 35.63 points, well above last year’s worldwide mean score of 29.9 points.

Among the ESF schools, 911 students were awarded the diploma, up from 831 students in 2013. The highest average score among ESF schools was 35.6 points, achieved by students at King George V School (the Hong Kong school with the

The IB results are in

Sponsored column

Anne Murphy is the Director of ITS Educational Services. ITS offer a variety of education solutions –

from single consultations to step-by-step management of school placements and admissions. For details, email anne.m@itseducation.asia.

science subject, an experimental science, mathematics and either a creative art or another science or humanities/social science subject. In addition, all students complete three core requirements: a 4,000-word Extended Essay based on independent research; a Theory of Knowledge course critically examining different ways of knowing and kinds of knowledge; and Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) requiring students to engage in arts, sports and community activities.

Today’s IB diploma graduates can be confident that they possess the skills needed to excel in an increasingly international world, with students uniquely poised for success both at university and beyond.

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Causeway Bay, 3568 5292, info@rollypollies.com.hk, www.rollypollies.com.hk.

RugBeesRugBees is a dedicated rugby programme held throughout Hong Kong for children aged two to five years old. Children develop key motor abilities through combining rugby principles, such as coordination, catching and teamwork, with imaginative themes such as animal play and stories. RugBees uses soft rugby balls, and

Rolly PolliesFounded by two US Naval Academy graduates, Rolly Pollies’ state-of-the-art foam gym encourages physical play and development in children aged six months to six years. Hand, foot and eye coordination and physical awareness are developed through 12-week age-appropriate programmes. Parent participation is required for children under three years old. $1,920 for a package of six classes. Music and creative art programmes will be available soon. Leighton Centre, 77 Leighton Road,

PEKiPConceived in Prague, PEKiP helps babies less than a year old develop through play and movement. Run by Anne Knetch-Boyer, a German-trained instructor with more than 20 years’ experience, the 75-minute classes offer guidance and fun for up to eight babies and their mums. Courses of eight to 12 sessions cost $3,000-$4,800. Classes are divided by age, from six weeks to 12 months. 14/F, 9 Tin Wan Close, Tin Wan, Aberdeen, 2573 6623, aaknecht@netvigator.com, www.pekip.com.hk.

Baby stepsClasses for the under-threes. By Timothy Ma.

afterschool

activities

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there is no physical contact. Children need to be of walking age. Enroll by buying class credits; six credits plus the registration fee is $1,750. For details, call 21179 3055, email nicepeople@rugbees.com or visit www.rugbees.hk.

Magic MuffinsRunning for more than 14 years, Magic Muffins runs two playgroups: one-hour sessions for babies aged 10-18 months, and two-hour sessions for children aged 18 months to three years. Activities include arts and crafts, educational toy time and music and dance. Adult supervision is required. Trial sessions available on request. The Clubhouse Tregunter Towers, 18 Old Peak Road, Mid-Levels, 9222 6269, www.magicmuffinshk.com.

KinderUKinderU believes babies can learn to read before they are a year old by developing the right brain through image-based exercises. It offers three programmes for children under three years, divided by knowledge level rather than age. Prior to enrollment, parents are required to attend a free seminar on right brain education. KinderU operates in Causeway Bay and South Horizons. For details, visit www.kinderu.org.

Sensational BabySensational Baby focuses on sensory development in an exploratory environment where parent and child can learn and play. Babies safely explore new textures, sights and sounds and develop their physical awareness. The 45-minute sessions also include songs, actions, rhymes and movement exercises. Classes have a maximum of eight participants and cost $220 each, with multi-class packages and free trials available. Annerley, 17/F, 17-19

Top tips for parents

1. Come prepared “Parents need to know what they want to get out of a playgroup; look at your child’s interests and ability,” says Joyce Chang of SPRING Learning. What do they enjoy? How do they learn best?

2. Introduce yourself Playgroups are a chance for parents and kids to socialize, so make the first move, put down your iPhone, smile and maybe arrange a playdate. And follow up with a phone call.

3. Help out Set a good example for your child by offering to help the host or staff. Just handing out snacks can ease the workload.

4. Watch your child Even while chatting to another parent, be aware of what your child is doing. If he or she has

drooled on a toy, for example, offer to clean it – staff are busy and may not have noticed.

5. Let go “We see way too many parents being overprotective of their children, which not only restricts their ability to learn, but also limits their potential in achieving something for themselves and building their self-confidence,” Rodney Wong from Rolly Pollies says.

6. Be supportive “There is often too much pressure on being talented, or developing the skill the parent wants. Kids don’t need to be exceptional at sport, but by virtue of joining in and showing up, their confidence and sense of pride through achievement really grows,” Mark Keats from Tinytots Soccer says.

KinderU believes babies can learn to read before they are a year old

SPRING Learning’s programmes develop babies’ cognitive and motor skills. Right: Sport4Kids gets little ones moving.

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D’Aguilar Street, Central, 2983 1558, www.sensationalbabyhk.com.

SPRING LearningA wide variety of programmes target different skills and areas of development, including sensory integration, neuro-physical development, nutrition and physical competence plus ballet or Mandarin. Expert-led programmes such as KindyRoo are aimed at helping young babies’ motor and mental development. Prices vary. 3/F, 181-185 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, 3465 5000, www.spring-learning.com.hk.

The Little GymWith more than 300 locations worldwide, The Little Gym is a big deal. Parent and

Child classes for children aged four months to three years (in five age groups) focus on using physical activities to improve motor skills and fitness, foster listening skills and concentration and teach social skills such as sharing, teamwork and leadership. Free introductory classes. 6/F, World Commerce Centre, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2368 8777, www.thelittlegym.com/hongkong.

Mandarin for MunchkinsSay “ni hao” to bilingual babies. Mandarin for Munchkins offers a wide range of courses, such as Music and Movement and Mandarin for Moms and Tots, for children from 12 months, with up to six participants in a group. Trial classes available. Classes are held in Discovery Bay and Central. For details, visit www.mandarinformunchkins.com.

Tinytots The World Cup may be over, but football fever can be caught any time at any age. Children aged 18 months to five years can kick off with Tinytots soccer, basketball or other sports. Parents accompany infants under age three to the one-hour classes in 19 venues across Hong Kong. Courses are non-competitive, focusing on skills and fun. Classes are $150-$190 each. For details, visit www.tinytots.com.hk.

Gecko YogaOm… Gecko Yoga’s classes for tots include 45-minute toddler yoga sessions for the under-twos and their parents. No prior yoga experience needed. Bring a baby blanket, small toy and dress appropriately. Other classes include pre and postnatal

Circle time at Rolly Pollies. Opposite, from top: Mandarin for Munchkins and concentrating hard at Magic Muffins.

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yoga and sessions for children aged three to five. Toddler yoga is held on Thursdays at Funzone, The Westwood, Kennedy Town. $250 for a trial class. For details, visit www.geckoyoga.com.

Baby DanceBust some moves at Baby Dance, which nurtures cognitive and motor skills, spatial awareness and self confidence for children aged six months to three years. The one-hour classes combine elements of dance and music with age-appropriate muscle development activities. Eight classes are $2,280 on weekdays and $2,500 on weekends. Pay online and get an extra class free. Six locations including a flagship in Kowloon Tong. For details, visit www.babydance.hk.

Rock A BabyMusic programmes aimed at mini Mozarts aged nine months to five years. Lessons focus on different developmental areas such as music and movement and social skills. Foster self-expression, confidence and creativity with classes such as Musical

Yoga and Color The Music. Prices vary. Classes are held in Sheung Wan and soon to start in Repulse Bay. For details, please visit www.rockababy.com.hk.

Discovery LandNewly opened Discovery Land is Hong Kong’s largest indoor family entertainment centre for tots to teens. The 14,000 sq ft facility includes a toddler area for children under three, plus laser tag and the city’s largest indoor slides for older kids. Children under-12 $148 on weekdays and $188 at weekends. Passes available. G/F, 31 North Plaza, 96 Siena Ave, Discovery Bay North, 2441 0098, www.discoverylandhk.com.

Sport4KidsSports classes for children aged 18 months to six years. Mini-Sports exposes children under-three to a variety of sports, including gymnastics, basketball, rugby and soccer. Classes develop coordination and motor skills in a friendly, non-competitive environment. Various locations. For details, please visit www.sports4kids.hk.

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I’m 14 years old and live in Clearwater Bay. I’m about to start grade 10 at Diocesan Boys’ School in Mong Kok. I like to read, listen to music and play the piano and flute. I’m in the school orchestra.

When I was young, I read a lot of fiction – Harry Potter, Alex Ryder – which inspired me to write my own. As I have grown up, I’ve turned to non-fiction books. If you only base your writing on reading fiction, it’s not going to make sense. I’ve been researching.

I wrote my first book, Scott Connor Death Game, when I was 10. I attended a few English writing classes and during the summer I started to write. It was a lot easier to write when I was 10, because I was still in primary school and had more time. But there were quite a few mistakes owing to my lack of research – there’s a big step from that book to this one in knowledge and vocabulary.

I finished my second book, Scott Connor, when I was 12 years old, but I had a piano competition so we put off finding a publisher until I had more time.

It was inspired by skateboarding. I don’t know how to skateboard but thought it was pretty cool. I came up with this idea of teenagers going through challenges. Some people think it’s similar to The Hunger Games, but I wrote it before that book was published.

It’s basically a survival challenge in a desert. Scott (the main character) encounters different obstacles, monsters, mental challenges and nostalgia. There’s a lot of action. It took me a year to write.

My mum really helped me a lot. I did the writing and she’s helped with everything else.

I drew the cover myself for the first book

[which was self-published] and then we found a designer to do the illustration. With the second book, I gave my design ideas to the publisher. It’s much cooler.

My friends are very supportive. I don’t make it a big thing, my friends didn’t know about it until it was published. A friend who is younger than me said he wanted to try writing. Although he’s going to write in Chinese.

I would like to continue this series, but I’m really into music and it takes up a lot of my time. When I have free time I’ll write.

I strongly encourage other kids to write – don’t be put off by thinking that writing takes a lot of planning or resources, just write what you want to say.

Scott Connor by Jeremy Z.Y. Chan is available at Amazon.com.

A portrait of the artist as a young man Teenage author Jeremy Z.Y. Chan speaks to Hannah Grogan as he publishes his second novel.

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Beat the heat with the city’s coolest drinks. By Karen Wong and Cherrie Yu.

The MixWhat: Smoothies and “healing juice” with no artificial additives. Try a Mango Tango (mango, banana, orange sherbet and apple juice).Price: Regular $38, large $42, plus $6 for every extra ingredient. Where: Two Chinachem Plaza, Central; Sun Hung Kai Centre, Wan Chai; Cityplaza, Tai Koo Shing, www.mix-world.com.

Mana! Fast Slow FoodWhat: Eat like it matters with food made from organic, gluten-free, eco-friendly, vegan, local ingredients. Try the best-selling Green juice (apple, celery, kale and green bell pepper). Price: $42. Where: 92 Wellington Street, Central, mana.hk.

Pressed JuicesWhat: Super-healthy juices made from cold-pressed fruit and vegetables, bursting with vitamins, enzymes and minerals. Try the best-selling Zest 4 (coconut water, cucumber, lemon and pineapple) or Zing 3 (pineapple, ginger, mint and pear). Price: $55. Where: 81A Hollywood Road, Central, www.pressedjuices.hk.

Gong ChaWhat: Bubble tea, milk tea with pearls, roselle tea, winter melon tea... Get a taste for Hong Kong’s favourite street drinks, lumps and all. Price: $16. Where: 257 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan, 2850 6611, www.gong-cha.com.

Neighbourhood fruit stallsWhat: Fresh fruit and vegetable juices, squeezed to order (often by a man in a wifebeater). Orange, kiwi, pineapple and mango are staples, but try a sugar cane juice if you see it. Price: $15-$30. Where: Street corners everywhere, particularly near markets – look for fruit bobbing about in glass water tanks.

BIG Slurp

7-ElevenWhat: An all-time favourite with anyone under 30, 7-Eleven’s Slurpees come in green apple, lemonade or blackcurrant with new flavours coming soon. Price: Small $6, large $8. Where: A convenient corner near you, www.7-eleven.com

ice cold in hong kong

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O, go onPicture by Cherrie Yu and Evy Cheung

Steam up your specs with a frozen-fruit smoothie at Cafe O. Icy, healthy and delicious, the Very Berry ($45) blends frozen blueberries, raspberries and strawberries with milk, honey and ice. Surprisingly filling, it makes a good breakfast and for an additional $45 it comes with a side serving of the whole ingredients for extra fibre. If that doesn’t ping your pong, try signature blended juices such as Beet It (beetroot, green apple, carrot and lemongrass, $45) or a single juice: carrot, green apple, watermelon and grapefruit. Juices are $35 for 12 oz, $45 for 16 oz, add an extra flavour for $5. Cafe O has branches at 2 Arbuthnot Road, Central; 284 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan; and 33 Bonham Road, Mid Levels. For details, visit www.cafeo.hk.

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out on a day pass (adults $550, kids $300) and make a day of it around the pool and in the gym. Children $269, adults $538 or $736 with free-flowing drinks (Chandon Brut, Mimosa, Kir Royal, Bellini, selected wines and beers). High chairs available. 11.30am-3pm, weekends.

The Grill, 11/F, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, 2584 7722.

The grande dame: afternoon tea at The Peninsula.

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The Parlour’s Old Hong Kong Afternoon Tea includes local favourites.

Afternoon tea is a Hong Kong institution. Cherrie Yu samples three-tiered feasts.

The Lobby The Peninsula is justly famous for its afternoon tea. The Lobby Strings provide live musical accompaniment as diners take a seat amid the elegant columns and gilt-edged decor for a multi-layered tea served on a silver-framed three-tier plate. The word that springs to mind is “proper”, and properly good it is, too.

During the week, the top tiers include homemade tarts, pastries and finger sandwiches filled with those quintessentially British teatime favourites smoked salmon, egg salad, prawns and cucumber (naturally), while on the bottom tier fat little scones made to a 50-year-old recipe are served with organic strawberry jam and satiny Devonshire clotted cream.

This summer, until August 31, weekends bring a distinctly French flavour to the afternoon tea service, with a wandering accordion player and a selection of French delices, such as rum baba chantilly, macarons, quiche Lorraine and Parisian truffles. Even the cucumber sandwiches come with herbs. The scones, however, will still be served on the lower tier: some things are too good to change.

The Peninsula Classic Afternoon Tea is $338 (or $598 for two), served daily from 2pm to 6pm. Colouring books are available on request. G/F, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2920 2888, hongkong.peninsula.com.

Parlour A firm favourite for its 19th-century architecture, The Parlour at 1881 Heritage

overlooks the fountain and is particularly fetching with the afternoon sun streaming through its arches. The Old Hong Kong Afternoon Tea is a recent innovation, including baked mini pineapple bun, sweetheart cake (the Hong Kong wife’s cake), bird’s nest and egg white tart, and French toast served with black garlic and blueberry jam. Try it with milk tea,

coffee or the Hullett House blend of black tea with rose. Also available is a British afternoon tea with layers of macarons, cakes and pastries. Colouring books are available for children. $398 for two, 2.30pm-6pm, Monday-Friday; 3pm-6pm, weekends and public holidays. 1881 Heritage, 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3988 0101, www.hulletthouse.com.

PINKIES OUT

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Lobby Lounge Renowned for its panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island, afternoon tea at The InterContinental Hong Kong’s Lobby Lounge is all about settling back in a big squashy sofa and soaking up the sun, the skyline and your choice of Parisian or Chinese tea sets. At weekends, there’s also a contemporary classic music performance.

The Parisian set includes mini sandwiches, freshly baked patisseries and warm scones with Devonshire clotted cream and jam accompanied by coffee or tea from Mariage Frère of France. The “Red Box” Chinese tea set features contemporary Asian pastries with hints of goji berries, lotus and mango and premium Chinese tea.

Afternoon tea starts at $548 for two or $888 including a glass each of Perrier-Jouet Champagne. 2.30pm-6pm, Monday-Friday; 1.30pm-6pm, weekends and public holidays. 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2721 1211, hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com.

The Lounge & Bar The Ritz-Carlton’s Lounge & Bar presents the Artsy Afternoon Tea, inspired by Chinese painter Yuanming He, who is also holding his first Hong Kong exhibition in the hotel’s Sky Art Salon. Available until August 10, the tea set is a feast for the eyes, with exquisite little cakes engraved with birds, truffle egg salad sandwiches, baked barbecue pork puff, spicy pineapple cake and vanilla sable bird’s nest.

Available 3pm-6pm, Monday to Thursday; 2pm-4pm and 4.30pm-6.30pm, Friday to Sunday and public holidays. From $348 or $568 for two. Lobby Level, Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, 2263 2270, www.ritzcarlton.com.

The Bostonian Take your little princes and princesses to The Langham for its fairy-tale afternoon teas. This month, while the Palm Court tearoom is under construction, the tea sets are being served in the American seafood and steak restaurant, The Bostonian – but they’re as gorgeous as ever. Sleeping Beauty is a fruity set featuring a mango caramel coconut tartlet and raspberry brioche, while Beauty and the Beast is more chocolate-based, with

delicacies such as bitter chocolate and vanilla cream tartlet and chocolate three ways. Both sets come with sandwiches and savouries such as slow cooked corn-fed chicken and foie gras wrap. From $248 or $418 for two.

Young children may prefer the Tiffin Prince and Princess tea ($98 with any tea set), including a lemon marshmallow macaron, hazelnut and chocolate chip cupcake and hot chocolate.

Afternoon tea is available 3pm-5.30pm, Monday-Friday; 2.15pm-4.15pm and 4.30pm to 6.30pm, weekends and public holidays. 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2132 7898, hongkong.langhamhotels.com.

The Lounge Try the new Summer Afternoon tea set in the Four Seasons’ Lounge. While adults

savour Boston lobster salad with spicy mayonnaise in semolina bread, parma ham with grilled figs and a selection of sandwiches, children can munch on banana brownies with feuilletine, teapot-shaped macarons or teacup-shaped vanilla and blackcurrant cupcakes. $260 or $495 for two, served daily 3pm-5.30pm. Lobby, Four Seasons Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, www.fourseasons.com/hongkong.

Lucques Tavern After a trip to the children’s shops in Ocean Terminal, recover with a Southern California-style tea at Lucques Tavern, handily located within cooee of Toys R Us. Adults can drink in the view of the harbour, while children dive face first into a yummy honey-toast “box” filled with

Ice cream, macarons, marshmallows and berries in a honey-toast box at Lucques Tavern.

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ice cream (scoops of double chocolate chip, vanilla and chestnut), macarons, marshmallows and berries. The tea set includes a mini reuben sandwich, mini pulled-pork sandwich, mini lobster crab and shrimp sandwich, a muffin and coffee, tea or juice. There’s also a DIY fun-football game to keep little hands busy. Available until August 31, 3pm-6pm, Monday-Friday. $198 for two adults and one child. Level 3, Ocean Terminal, 17 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2735 6111.

Tai O Heritage Hotel Make a day of it with a trip to Tai O on Lantau, for dolphin watching, pottery making, clam digging and exploring the waterways and back streets of the stilted village. Then retreat for a civilized afternoon tea in the glass-ceilinged dining room of the Tai O Heritage Hotel. Its three-tier High Tea Set includes local specialities such as fried pork buns, chicken wings in shrimp sauce, tea cakes, ice cream and drinks. $218 each on weekends and public holidays only. Shek Tsai Po Street, Tai O, Lantau, 2985 8383, www.taioheritagehotel.com. Contemporary Asian flavours in the InterContinental’s Red Box tea set.

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BaliThe Bali resort vibe gets

a modern twist in this Suzhou home. By Elizabeth Kerr.

Via

For most people, the idea of a tropical villa is inextricably linked with geography. Until recently, unless we lived in Thailand, Bali or the Caribbean, most of us didn’t consider open, breezy

resort-style architecture as an option. But then designers got creative, often at the behest of clients, and suddenly there were plantation houses in London, industrial-chic flats in Bangkok and loft-style apartments in Hong Kong (where there are no actual lofts).

And now there’s a 3,000 sq ft Balinese-style villa in the unlikely setting of Suzhou, a few kilometres outside Shanghai. It’s the work of Hong Kong design company Kinney Chan and Associates.

“I like to play. I love to try new things,” designer Kinney Chan says. “After looking at the floor plan it was clear the space had the potential for this kind of design. It is part of a development of several houses, but the sun and the environment made it feel like a resort.”

He emphasised the holiday vibe by exploiting the natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows wherever possible and sticking to a clean, open concept.

“The house had a lot of natural light

coming in. Wood reflects that and so we kept a light colour for the whole design. It’s quite modern and we tried to do something more relaxed. It’s a combination of East meets West. It’s got a little Bali resort in it, but we added a Scandinavian edge.”

Geometric, exposed ceiling beams feed the illusion.

“This is a trick to make it look like a house with a peaked roof [even though it has] a flat roof. The idea was to make it feel like you were on holiday,” Chan says.

The two-storey, three-bedroom villa has a fairly conventional layout on the upper floor. An open-concept kitchen and living room are linked to the outdoor yard and terrace by a semi-covered slatted pathway that helps to bring the outside in and emphasises that resort feel. A mixture of different woods – including strongly grained apple wood – unites the design. And keeping the house airy was essential, particularly in the three areas of the master suite.

“We added a study,” Chan explains. “I didn’t want to waste the yard and the view, so I pulled the bathtub out [of the bathroom] and we created another corner for the basins as well and made the space a little more interesting and resort-y.”

Lots of wood, muslin curtains and a false peaked ceiling give this Chinese home a Balinese vibe.

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Slatted wood leading to the courtyard adds to the tropical ambience and brings the outside in.

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It feels just like Koh Samui. But it’s in the basement playground

that the house transforms into a welcoming and sprawling home. This is where Chan’s Hong Kong knack for creating space kicks in, combined with western sensibilities honed on projects in London (where he trained), the United States and Canada.

The basement stairs open into a long corridor that leads to a series of fun spaces, including a bar, wine cellar, screening room, gym and family room. A sitting area leads into an open-concept wine cellar with bar kitchen (for basics, Chan explains). Directly across the corridor, a plush screening room is fitted with extra-long bespoke sofas, perhaps for a nap before last month’s World Cup games. Next door is the bar. Some might argue the space would have been put to better use as a bedroom, office or playroom, but Chan disagrees.

“It just worked,” he says. “I wanted the cellar to be ‘see-through’, and you can see the wine and the gym. It’s for relaxing and games, maybe watching television. It was right.”

Next to the bar is the family room, replete with foosball table. A wine cellar is tucked into the basement fun zone. Top: the kitchen is bright and airy.

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“In the west, the family room is in the basement,” Chan says. “This had skylights and good natural light from the ground floor. I wanted to keep the whole house, the flow, consistent.”

East-meets-west designs work in theory but often fail in execution, when culture fusion turns into culture clash with too many Buddhas or pagoda motifs. In this case, the villa is oddly un-Chinese.

“When I say east I don’t necessarily mean China,” Chan says. “It can be Thailand or Bali and Southeast Asia. The resorts in the east use natural wood features.”

Chan had 3,000 square feet to play with in Suzhou, could he replicate the look in Hong Kong’s notoriously tiny homes?

“Of course. The tone and feel in a smaller space is doable,” he says. “It’s all about proportion. The colour and furniture has to be the right size. Most important is comfort. That’s the key — making [a space] comfortable. No matter what style or what your tastes are, a home has to feel comfortable.”

Chan made a feature of the bath and basins in the master suite for a resort look. Left: the family room.

the home front

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Breakfast in BedHigh headboard, $21,950-$24,950, from TREE, www.tree.com.hk.

Kubus wine rackIn raw teak, $1,950, from TREE, www.tree.com.hk.

Walnut nightstand with one drawer $3,600 from OVO Studio, www.ovostudio.com.hk

Modern rustic elm table $14,900 from Stockroom,

www.stockroom.com.hk

GerisanOutdoor rattan chair,

$12,900, from Blume Living, www.blume-living.com.

get the lookthe home front

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Here be starfish With its incredible marine park and

beautiful beach, Hoi Ha deserves the hoo ha.

Hoi Ha Beach is on the edge of a 260-hectare marine park, which visitors can explore by

kayak or on a guided tour.

big day out

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As the most accessible part of the 260-hectare Hoi Ha Marine Park, and possibly the most cosseted stretch of sand in Hong Kong, the coastline makes the journey worthwhile. Unlike most of the territory’s somewhat sterile shores, the beach and its hinterland are a glorious reminder of all that we have lost. There’s so much to do and see.

At low tide, when the sea disappears towards the horizon, the sand flats bristle with life. The area is famous for its starfish, which bury themselves as the water retreats leaving ghostly outlines in the sand. Thousands of tiny shellfish, hermit crabs and mudskippers scuttle and leap unexpectedly. At one end lie rock pools, at the other slightly spooky mangroves and in between is a maze of freshwater streams and sandbanks, all just begging to be explored. A small shack on the beach rents kayaks and sailing boats, snorkels and sunshades, showers and lockers for daytrippers.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has a warden post in the village, enforcing strict marine park rules about not removing wildlife such as seahorses, sea cucumbers, urchins and starfish. On Sundays and public holidays, it also runs eco-tours through the mangroves, past a 100-year-old lime kiln and out to view the corals near the public pier. There’s no advance booking service, just show up half an hour before the tours start at 10.30am and 2.15pm.

There’s been a lot of hoo ha about Hoi Ha recently. On the edge of the Hoi Ha Marine Park and completely surrounded by Sai Kung Country Park, the village is at the heart of the battle

between green groups and the Heung Yee Kuk over whether to incorporate village enclaves into the country parks or allow them to be further developed. We visited to find out what the fuss is about.

Hoi Ha is about as far-flung as a Hong Kong village can be while remaining on the beaten track. Located literally at the end of the road in Sai Kung Country Park, 25 minutes beyond Sai Kung town, visitors disembarking from the No.7 minibus find their cell phones beeping with “Welcome to China” messages from mobile service providers.

Beyond the Pak Tam Chung barrier, a feeling of being in another country descends: mile after mile of heavily wooded hillsides, occasional barbecue sites, hardy hikers and hardier feral dogs, with barely a building or car to be seen. It’s wild.

So it’s a tad disappointing when, on first appearances, Hoi Ha appears to be just another New Territories’ village: three short higgledy-piggledy lanes of houses, some less well-kept than others, packed too closely together, with a couple of noodle shops and cafes to fortify passing hikers. And then you reach the beach.

At one end lie rock pools, at the other slightly spooky mangroves... begging to be explored

At low tide, the sand flats at Hoi Ha are covered with starfish (below), shells and mudskippers, while seahorses, sea cucumbers and urchins thrive underwater.

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Go in

Join Jackie Peers on photography tours to meet the orangutans.

Monkeying around

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60 little ones live in the nursery “pondok” where McCaffery is based on her visits.

Baby orangutans have four dexterous limbs. I know this because within moments of entering the orphan pondok, I have young primates climbing up my legs, crawling over my back and grabbing my camera. Their favourite method of identifying me is to twist my hair around their fingers and remove it from my scalp. No wonder volunteers are not normally allowed direct contact with the orangutans.

My way of trying to help both these great apes, and the people of the forests of Kalimantan, Borneo, is through photography tours into the jungle of the Tanjung Puting National Park. Money raised goes to Orangutan Foundation International to buy additional blocks of

land to give the survivors additional habitat. We base ourselves in the park, staying

onboard a local river boat, or klotok, and at an eco lodge. On the water, we get up early every morning and breakfast to the dawn chorus and the plaintive cry of gibbons and resident macaques as we float along the gentle Sekonyer River, trailing troops of proboscis monkeys on the river bank. It feels very far from Hong Kong.

Most trips attract a mixed group of people from all corners of the globe, with the common ground of cameras and animals. The groups always work easily together. We hold workshops on different topics throughout the day. Having established my clients’ skill levels, I give them sufficient one-on-one attention to move them on with camera knowledge

It’s five years since I first went to Camp Leakey and the Orangutan Care Centre in Kalimantan, Indonesia, with my friend Mara McCaffery of Orangutan Aid. The aim was to photograph some of the hundreds of

orangutans for which she raises funds in Hong Kong. As a portrait photographer, I was immediately hooked by these playful, social and photogenic creatures. They are just so human-like. Ever since, I have been running annual orangutan photography tours to the region.

There are more than 330 orangutan orphans at the care centre, which is part of the Orangutan Foundation International. Some are former pets – either confiscated or voluntarily handed over – others were rescued from plantations or fires. Of these,

Jackie Peers’ intimate pictures of the “old men of the forest”. She runs annual photography tours in aid of Orangutan Foundation International.

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Habitat destruction and poaching are threatening Kalimantan’s orangutans.

travel

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Mara McCaffery (second from right) and Jackie Peers (far right) lead the trips, staying onboard a riverboat (above) and at Rimba Eco Lodge (top left) in the heart of orangutan country.

and skills. Everyone comes from a different camera background – some people just want to be out there taking pictures and being part of a group.

McCaffery also joins the tours, bringing further understanding of orangutans. These tours introduce visitors to a special world and increase awareness of the orangutans’ situation.

There are an estimated 40,000-60,000 orangutans left in Borneo, putting them on the endangered list. Logging, uncontrolled wildfires and, primarily, palm oil plantations are destroying their habitat. Mining and road construction is fragmenting the rainforest, making human contact hard to avoid, and poaching for the wild animal trade or bushmeat is common.

This wanton destruction is the orangutans’ tragedy. If we don’t do something, there may be no wilderness left to which the orphans can be returned.

Jackie Peers runs photography tours to Kalimantan every May, at the start of the dry season. Suitable for families with children over 12 years old. For details, please visit www.jackiepeers.com.

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How much is in your wallet? $700. What else is in your wallet?A Starbucks card, Cafe O card, Octopus card and credit cards. Small photographs of my children (I like to keep them close) and a few Elastoplasts – the eternal mother.

What credit cards do you use? HSBC Mastercard and Amex. I try to minimize the use of credit cards to booking cinema tickets and flights – lots of flights because of family and children in the UK. Daily, I use EPS. I don’t like spending money I don’t have. My parents believed in not spending beyond your income and I try to encourage the same spending habits in my own children. My mother and father saved for the big purchases and taught me it was worth waiting for something. It tasted sweeter. The “I want it and why can’t I can have it now” attitude can lead to so much debt. You could call my parents old fashioned, but their good example and teaching have stood me well in life.

Are you a spender or a saver? I enjoy spending and I like a bargain. I

save. It’s best to plan ahead. I come from a town in Northern Ireland where people had a reputation for being careful with their money – the standard joke in the shops was that if you forgot your change, the shopkeeper would rap the window with a sponge to attract your attention. It wasn’t that bad really, but many people were very frugal. Over indulgence was frowned on. It seems a sentiment so out of place today.

How many children do you have?Five. Joanna, 23, is at university studying for her second masters; Sarah, 21, has a year to go at university; Timothy, 18, starts this September (fingers crossed); Philip, 15, is doing his IGCSEs next year; and Charlotte, 12, is in Year 7.

How are you planning to pay for your children’s education?Supporting our children through their education is a huge commitment. Yes, we did plan but probably not enough. We will have three at university to budget for next year, but we want to be fair and give them all equally the same help. Our eldest daughter is a mathematician and could make a lot of money in the finance world.

However, academia is her goal at the moment and her aim is to lecture. She is not money-driven in any way.

You were in banking before Starlit Voice, tell us about that?I was in personal banking and later in international services. I saw the success stories and the not-so-good stories, often related to poor money management and lack of planning. It taught me the value of honest budgeting. Often people don’t want to face up to realities. The head-in-the-sand attitude just doesn’t work, your problems don’t go away when you ignore them.

When were you poorest?I was poorest when I gave up my banking career to have our five wonderful children.

What did you learn from a change in your life? We learned to not spend money we didn’t have. We saved for holidays and didn’t go beyond our means. One memory that remains is moving into a new house, which used up all our spare cash and we had to save to buy the best carpet we wanted. We were so happy a few months later when it arrived, fully paid in cash. Waiting made us value and enjoy it all the more.

Do you prefer to manage your own financial affairs? Yes, always. I learned a lot from my banking days.

What was your best investment? Our family home and property generally. I have made the most income from buying and selling property, not from bank interest on savings. It is the reality of the world we live in. Having tenants in property makes it pay for itself, but location is so important.

What was your worst investment?Fortunately I haven’t had one, so far. I don’t like spending big money on non-investments. I hate spending money on cars as they depreciate as soon as they leave the showroom. But they are fun. My husband has had a few nice ones and we recognise it as our little indulgence. My worst investment has been in the stock market. It should have been property every time.

What was your best-paid work? When I worked in finance.

ClarisSa EvansThe founder of Starlit Voice children’s drama and public-speaking school enunciates about her financials.

money & me

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Do you have any advice on teaching children about money? Give them responsibility early and let them manage their pocket money. Encourage them to make good choices and to know the consequences of them. If my children don’t get up early enough for the school bus, they have to take a taxi so they make the choice and have less money for other things.

How much pocket money do you give your children? My 12-year-old gets $300 a week, my 15-year-old gets $400 and 18-year-old $500. This covers their transport and school lunch. The two eldest are at university and have to live within a budget, but it can be difficult so I often bail them out. I would rather they ask me than get into debt as many of their friends have done.

What is your most extravagant purchase?My biggest indulgence was buying a ski chalet in Austria.

What was your biggest clothes extravagance?A fabulous fur coat, but I did run it past my husband first. I love fur. My first coat I got in the Fur Vault in Chicago; it was freezing outside and I needed it – any excuse. My second and more expensive one I bought in Hong Kong. We ski a lot, so I wear it in the snow. Usually I wear it travelling, which can be challenging leaving home for Hong Kong’s in-town check-in. Fur looks better the more it is worn, but I look after them.

Do you invest in stocks?Several pension plans but otherwise very little. I leave the pension plans to my husband. I do the day-to-day stuff, pay the bills, move money around and balance the accounts.

Do you own property? We have property in Ireland, London and Austria.

What steps are you taking to ensure a financially comfortable retirement?

We have properties in Europe and a ski chalet in Austria that we plan to run as a business. We have our retirement plan. We hope to live in Austria, which we adore. The only down side is the language, we need to learn German with an Austrian accent. The air is so clear there and the mountains so beautiful, winter and summer. It just doesn’t get any better than time spent there.

Our whole family has skied from an early age. We all ski together, which is my idea of heaven. We were lucky to buy a property that we had been admiring for years and couldn’t believe it when we saw a “for sale” sign on it two summers ago. It is now a work in progress as it is very big and will eventually have four apartments and several large sun decks. We will use the largest one for our family and friends and rent out the others.

What would you change about the Hong Kong tax system? After paying British tax for years, I have no complaints about the Hong Kong tax system.

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How Children Succeed By Paul ToughIn this parenting book, Tough argues that aspects of character – including perseverance, curiosity, optimism and self-control – make children successful. Researchers and educators explore the science of character and how parents prepare their children for the world in a book that challenges our understanding of the meaning of childhood. $170 from Page One, Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, www.pageonegroup.com.

Leap & HopBy Isabelle Demenge, illustrated by Emilie SarnelThis series turns trips around Asia into fun adventures for kids. Through interactive games, scavenger hunts, activities and interesting facts, the activity books aim to foster children’s interest in new places. Books are available on Hong Kong, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Rajasthan, India, with Thailand, Beijing and Myanmar coming soon. $170 from www.leapandhop.com or www.paddyfield.com.

Enough: 10 Things We Should be Telling Teenage GirlsBy Kate ConnerBased on her popular blog post, which attracted two million views in two weeks, Kate Conner has identified 10 things teenage girls need to hear from somebody who loves them. A former child worker and a mother in her 20s, Conner deals with pertinent contemporary issues, including Facebook, flirtation, emotions and tanning beds. But the essential message that runs throughout the book is simple: you are beautiful, you are valuable, you are enough. $120 from Paddyfield, www.paddyfield.com.

reviews

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UberRide in style with Uber, which links users to private luxury cars for hire. A hit in cities worldwide, the service has just launched in Hong Kong as an alternative to registered taxis. Download the app for free to an iPhone or Android device, register your credit card and request a ride. The app quotes a fare and tracks the car, which usually arrives within minutes; the fare is charged to your card, no cash required. Minimum charge of $50. Details at www.uber.com.

FoodpandaNew online food delivery service Foodpanda connects with restaurants near you. Set up your account, register your location (the app can store several, including your home and workplace), and order away. You can pay through the app, as well as save through exclusive deals and vouchers. It even remembers your orders so you can quickly choose it again. Download the app for free on Apple or Android devices from www.foodpanda.hk.

GoGoVanMoving house or organizing a delivery? GoGoVan can help. Founded last year, this Hong Kong-based startup links to vans operated by more than 10,000 registered drivers. It locates the driver nearest you and provides his or her contact number and license plate when you place your order. Simply input your location and set your destination. Hourly rental services are also available. Download for free on Apple and Android devices at gogovan.com.hk/en.

If you have a book or app you’d like us to review, please email editorial@fastmedia.com.hk.

To advertise, emailmarketing@fastmedia.com.hk or call 2776 2772.

Marketplace

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Professional Birthday Party Entertainment

Full Party Service:Party Theming, Entertainment,

Decorations, Venue

Children’s Entertainers

www.rump l e a n d f r i e n d s . c om

Marketplace

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Mark

etpl

ace

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Marketplace

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Expat Parent is currently looking for talented individuals to become members of our editorial team. So if you’re a writer with something to say we want to hear from you!

We are looking for writers and correspondents to help cover the following areas:• Home and living• Education• Health and beauty• Money and finance• Outdoors• Travel

Are you interested? Are you an expert in your field and think you have something worth contributing? Contact us now!

Send any writing samples or inquiries to writer@fastmedia.com.hk

WE’RE LOOKING FOR INTERNSDo you want to learn about magazine publishing?

Fast Media Ltd is looking for interns to work on our three monthly publications.

You must:• Be a native English speaker• Be available for a full time two month

internship• Be a university student or recent graduate• Want a successful career in media• Be available immediately• Be ready to work hard

Email us your CV and a cover letter telling us why you would be a good magazine intern.email: writer@fastmedia.com.hk

?Here’s your chance!

Do you want to write for

76 expat-parent.com

business directory. To advertise, email marketing@fastmedia.com.hk or call 2776 2772.

Children’s Toys and Supplies

Apple & Pie3103 0853 | www.appleandpie.com

BIVA2868 0444 (General Line)2696 9218 (Stanley Shop)2915 6000 (Causeway Bay)2868 0408 (Happy Valley Shop)hello@biva.com.hk | www.biva.com.hk

HK with Kids - Toyswww.hkwithkids.com/toys.htm

Huang Shun Company Ltd.(852) 2357 4706 | sales.huangshun@gmail.comwww.wickedcooltoys.cn

Micro Scooters Hong Kong 2526 0420info@microscooters.com.hk www.microscooters.com.hk

Smile Garden2151 1098 | www.smilegarden.com.hk

Toys R Uswww.toysrus.com.hk

sports & fitness

Auskick Hong Kongheadcoachauskick@gmail.comwww.auskick.hk.com

Escapade Onlinewww.escapade.com.hk

ESF - Sports Program2711 1280 | Sports@esf.org.hkwww.esf.org.hk

Everfine Membership Services Limited2174 7880enquiry@evergolf.com.hkwww.evergolf.com.hk

Sport4Kids2773 1650info@sport4kids.hkwww.sport4kids.hk

Stanford Swim School2267 8866 | www.stanfordswim.com.hk

finance

100 Baby Essentials3621 7903 | info@100babyessentials.comwww.100babyessentials.com

Maternity and Pregnancy

Annerley Maternity and Early Childhood Professionals2983 1558 | info@annerley.com.hkwww.annerley.com.hk

Bloom and Grow (Asia’s leading nursery and maternity producer)www.bloomandgrowasia.com

Canossa Hospital2522 2181canossahospital.org.hk

Hong Kong Adventist Hospital2574 6211 | www.hkah.org.hk

Linea Negra (Maternity fashion)2522 7966 | www.lineanegra.com.hk

Matilda International Hospital2849 6301 | www.matilda.org

Mayarya (Post-pregnancy fashion)2968 0929 | www.mayarya.com

Mothers En Vogue852 2866 7171 | info@mothersenvogue.com.hkwww.facebook.com/mothersenvogueHongKong

A Mother's Touchwww.amotherstouch.com.hk

home and interiors

Allure Living (Central)2153 1022 | www.facebook.com/AllureLiving

Brooks Thompson Ltd2851 3665 | iqbalhk@netvigator.com

Chictack9848 9683 | cecilia@chictack.comchictack.com/store

community & health

Better Healthcare Limited5114 8588betterhealthcarehk@gmail.combetterhealthcarehk.wix.com/home

Hong Kong Laser Eye Centreadmin@hklasereye.com | www.hklasereye.comCentral 2526 3333 & TST 2628 1111

SPOT Centre2807 2992contact@spot.com.hkwww.spot.com.hk

Stanley Wellness Centre2372 9700 | info@stanleywellnesscentre.comwww.stanleywellnesscentre.com

Watermark Community Church2857 6160wow@watermarkchurch.hkwww.watermarkchurch.hk

parties and entertainment

Beau Partyadriana@beauparty.comwww.facebook.com/beauparty

Eezy PeezyParties2580 2530info@eezypeezyparties.comwww.eezypeezyparties.com

Rumple and Friendswww.rumpleandfriends.com

Nine Months (High-end maternity fashion)2868 5988 | www.ninemonthshk.com

Sabrina Swims (Maternity swimsuits)2115 9975 | www.sabinaswims.com

Sanatorium Hospital2572 0211 | www.hksh.org.hkSono Vaso (Maternity fashion)www.sonovaso.com.hk

Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital2276 7676 | www.twah.org.hk

Union Hospital2608 3388 | www.union.org

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education

ITS Education Asia2116 3916es@tuition.com.hkwww.itseducation.asia

Mentorhood Learning Center5160 1828enquiry@mentorhood.com.hkwww.mentorhood.com.hk

Australian International School Hong Kong3A Norfolk Road Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Konginfo@aishk.edu.hk | 2304 6078www.aishk.edu.hk

Bebegarten852 3487 2255www.bebegarten.com

Berkeley Master Math Tutoring6686 0889 (whatsapp/phone)cyruswongtutor@gmail.comwww.facebook.com/CyrusKingEducation

Berlitz Language Centre21572211www.berlitz.com.hkinfo@berlitz.com.hk

Eco Living2792 7998 | askus@ecoliving.hkwww.ecoliving.hk

Everything Under the Sun2544 9088info@everythingunderthesun.com.hkwww.everythingunderthesun.com.hk

Hidestyle2790 3801 | www.hkhiderigs.com

Home Styling9673 9443 | Email@thehomestylist.orgwww.thehomestylist.org

Indigo Living Ltd.2552 3500 | info@indigo-living.comwww.indigo-living.com

JCAW Consultants2524 9988 | jcawltd@biznetvigator.comwww.modernhome.com.hk

Opus Design Limited2121 1497 | info@opusdesign.com.hkwww.opusdesign.com.hk

Patio Mart2555 8988patio@kh-group.comwww.patiomart.com.hk

Smiling Winds Landscape & Maintenance60569010smilingwindslandscape@gmail.comWofu Deco2768 8428info@wofudeco.com.hkwww.wofudeco.com.hk

Xava Interiors852 2858 9866 | info@xavainteriors.hkwww.xavainteriors.hk

health & beauty

Bronze mobile spray tanning6234 8594bronzemobilespraytanning@yahoo.com.auwww.bronzemobilespraytanningandhairextensions.com.hk

Clean 9 DetoxContact Sia: 5467 5778hk.foreverliving@gmail.com

Queen’s Castle Organic Day Spa2719 4444

Sabai Day Spa2104 0566www.facebook.com/SabaiDaySpaStanley

Sense of Touch Spa2791 2278www.senseoftouch.com.hk

Tala’s Hair & Beauty Centre2335 1694talashair@biznetvigator.comwww.talashair.com

CAR MECHANICSAdrian Sing: 6030 0484Golden Sun: 2792 2808HP Cars: 2558 0222Sai Kung Motors: 2792 2998Sun On Motor Services: 2792 4280

DOCTORSOT&P General: 2155 9533Central Health Medical: 2824 0822International Doctors Limited: 2537 7281

GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTSGovernment Call Centre: 1823 Health Department: 2961 8989Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department: 2311 3731SPCA Emergency Hotline: 2711 1000

HONG KONG OBSERVATORYWebsite: www.hko.gov.hk General enquiries: 2926 8200 Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Enquiries: 1828 200

HONG KONG TOURISM BOARDVisitor hotline: 2508 1234

DOCTORSOT&P General: 2155 9533Central Health Medical: 2824 0822International Doctors Limited: 2537 7281

EMERGENCYSERVICES(Police, Ambulance, Fire)

Fire: 2723 2233Rescue: 2735 3355Marine: 2803 6267

999

IMPORTANT NUMBERS to cut and kEEp

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business directory. To advertise, email marketing@fastmedia.com.hk or call 2776 2772.

food and beverage

South Stream SeafoodsUnits 202-204,Lai Sun Yuen Long Centre, 27 Wang Yip St East, Yuen Long, N.T. Hong Kong

2555 6200 | fish@south-stream-seafoods.comwww.south-stream-seafoods.com

Castello Concepts2792 0970www.casteloconcepts.com

Pacific Gourmet Ltdbutcher@pacificgourmet.com.hk852 2137 9985www.pacificgourmet.com.hk

Caloundra City Private School+61 07 5437 5800admin@ccps.qld.edu.auwww.ccps.qld.edu.au

Concordia International School852 2789 9890www.cihs.edu.hkoffice@concordiaintl.edu.hk

ESF Educational ServicesLanguage & Learning Programme2711 1280Language@esf.org.hkwww.esf.org.hk

Eton House International Pre-School2353 5223enquiry@etonhouse.com.hkwww.etonhouse.com.hk

Gaia Language Company Limited2530 9888www.gaialanguage.com

Generations Christian Education2537 2552office@generations.edu.hkwww.generations.edu.hk

HKU Space http://hkuspace.hku.hkenquiry@hkuspace.hku.hk

Hong Kong Academy 2655 1111office@academy.edu.hkwww.hkacademy.edu.hk

The International Montessori School2861 0339info@montessori.edu.hkwww.montessori.edu.hk

Jumpstart Mandarin Learning Centre2791 4838jumpstart@netvigator.comwww.jumpstartmlc.com

Kellet Schoolwww.kelletschool.com

Kids Academy2871 2631, 2871 2636admin@kidsacademy.hkwww.kidsacademy.hk

Kids Land6112 2675info@kidslandhk.comwww.kidslandhk.com

Little Champs Academy2155 3900 / littlechampsacademy.com

m.i.l.k. (mansang interactive learning kingdom)28569801 | admin@imilk.cowww.imilk.co

Nord Anglia International School3107 8158 | www.nais.hk

Paradigm Group2877 8836 | 2877 9336info@paradigm-gem.comwww.paradigm-gem.com

RDI Ltd2992 0133info@rdihongkong.comwww.rdi.co.uk

Parkview International Pre-Schoolwww.PIPS.edu.hkPIPS Kowloon: 2812 6801PIPS Hong Kong: 2812 6023

Secondary Campus2655 9018 | info@ichk.edu.hkwww.ichk.edu.hk

Southside Mandarin852 3427 9619info@southsidemandarin.comwww.southsidemandarin.com

Top Schoolswww.topschools.hk8120 3172hello@topschools.hk

Trinity International Language 2114 2812enquiry@trinitylanguage.comwww.trinitylanguage.com

UUIA.5185 0885 and 9189 9591iuuokok@gmail.comwww.uuokok.com

Woodland Pre-Schools www.woodlandschools.com

extra-Curricular

Colour My World2580 5028 | info@colour-my-world.com / www.colour-my-world.com

All 4 Kids - Creative Curriculum for Children2117 1348info@all4kids.com.hkwww.all4kids.com.hk

Bricks 4 Kids2791 0007info@bricks4kidz.hkwww.bricks4kidz.com

Bricks 4 Kids2791 0007info@bricks4kidz.hkwww.bricks4kidz.com

The Clearwater Bay Equestrian & Education Centre6398 6241info@ceec.hkwww.ceec.hk

Hong Kong Elite Spirit Taekwondo Club852 6070 9847info@hkestkd.orgwww.hkestkd.org

Kids Land6112 2675info@kidslandhk.comwww.kidslandhk.com

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professional services

HARVEY LAW GROUP2116 1333 | contact@harveylawcorporation.com

Onsite Computer and Internet Services Company23976418

enquiry@microtechhk.comwww.microtechhk.com

A-1 House Doctors Contractors Handyman Service2573 5235housedoc999express@gmail.com

HAHA Helper Network9029 2653admin@hahaasia.com

Heliservices2802 0200www.heliservices.com.hk

Hong Kong Laser Eye Centreadmin@hklasereye.comwww.hklasereye.comCentral 2526 3333TST 2628 1111L Squared5499 0261homesolutions@L2q.hkwww.L2q.hk

LOCATIONSReal Estate and Relocation Consultantswww.locations.com.hk+852 2109 9096 / 9819 7870Megan.inglis@locations.com

Lung Hing Engineering2792 9787

Ord Minnett2912 8989bpatterson@ords.com.hkwww.ords.com.hk

Professional Wills Limited2561 9031 | www.profwills.com

Tung Tai Key Cut (Locksmith)2792 4886

Vandalies Plumbing6319 4745

Village Holdings Insurance2893 5225 | info@villageholdingshk.comvillageholdingsinsurance.com

Stanford Swim School2267 8866www.stanfordswim.com.hk

Starlit Art Space Ltd.2895 2187 | info@starlit.hkwww.starlitartspace.com

STARLIT VOICEUnit 1005, 10/F, Universal Trade Centre, No.3 Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong kong852 2108 2182 | www.starlitvoice.com

Tutti Music2176 4028 tuttimusic.tko@gmail.comwww.tmusic.com.hk

2776 2772marketing@fastmedia.com.hk

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HOSPITALSPublic:Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan: 2595 6111Prince of Wales, Sha Tin: 2632 2211 Queen Elizabeth, Jordan: 2958 8888 Queen Mary Hospital, Pok Fu Lam: 2255 3838Ruttonjee Hospital, Wan Chai: 2291 2000St John's Hospital, Cheung Chau: 2981 9441Tseung Kwan O Hospital: 2208 0111Tuen Mun Hospital: 2468 5111Tung Wah Eastern Hospital, Causeway Bay: 2162 6888United Christian, Kwun Tong: 2379 9611

Private:Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, Stubbs Road: 3651 8888Hong Kong Baptist Hospital, Kowloon Tong: 2339 8888Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Happy Valley: 2572 0211Matilda International Hospital, The Peak: 2849 1500St Teresa’s Hospital, Kowloon City: 2200 3434Union Hospital, Sha Tin: 2608 3388

POLICE DEPARTMENTSWebsite: www.police.gov.hk Police Hotline: 2527 7177

POST OFFICEWebsite: www.hongkongpost.com General Enquiry Hotline: 2921 2222

TRANSPORTHong Kong International Airport General Enquiry Hotline: 2181 8888MTR Train Service & Airport Express, 24-hour passenger hotline: 2881 8888 Urban Taxi: 2398 1881New Territories Taxi: 2657 2267Lantau Taxi: 2984 1328Taxi Lost and Found 24-hour hotline: 3620 3744

UTILITIESChina Light & Power, 24-hour hotline: 2728 8333LPG Gas: 9097 2235Water Supplies Department Customer Services Hotline: 2824 5000

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Central / Sheung WanA Mother’s TouchBarista JamBlooming BudsBumps to BabesCafieneCafe OClassifiedDymocksEscapade SportsGaia Language Company LimitedGateway SupermarketHabibi CafeHolly BrownJaspa’sKisses CupcakesPaisano’sPepperoni’sRockababySeasons FitnessSense of Touch• Lan Kwai Fong• The OvoloSift Dessert BarSushi OThe Cupping RoomThe DutchThe Press RoomWagyuWagyu Lounge

Discovery BayDymocksFigos Seaside CafeJaspa’sMirch MasalaPaisano’s

Sense of TouchSportsworldSubwayUncle Russ CoffeeZak’s

Deep Water BayBeach ClubPark N Shop1 Shouson Hill Road East

Happy ValleyBIVAClassifiedJaspa’sThe Broadville

Island EastIsland LodgeGrand Seaview HeightsSiftThe Floridian18 Upper East

Mid Levels / The Peak31 Robinson Road62B Robinson RoadLadies Recreation ClubNo. 29 Severn RoadOolaaPo GardenRobinson PlaceYing Piu Mansion

Pok Fu Lam / Kennedy TownBel Air on the Peak Delaney’sHarbour OneHigh Street GrillJaspa’s • Kennedy Town• Sai Ying PunK-TOWN Bar & GrillKennedy HeightsMount DavisMissy Ho’sSkyla Serviced ApartmentsThe MertonThe Sail at Victoria

Repulse Bay3 South Bay CloseBelleview PlaceDymocksHelene TowerManhattan TowerRuby CourtThe Lily

Sai Kung / Clearwater Bay/ Tseung Kwan OAgua PlusAllureCasaChip In Fish & Chips

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ClassifiedClearwater Bay Equestrian CentreColour BrownCool Doggies GroomingFirenzeHill ViewJaspa’sLeisure Book ShopLet’s JamOlde Hong Kong Tea CaféPaisano’sPark n Shop (Fusion)Pepperoni’sPets CentralPiccolo’sPole ParadiseQueen’s Castle Organic Day SpaSai Kung Animal HospitalSai Kung EnglishSai Kung Reflexology CentreSense of Touch• Sai Kung• Tseung Kwan OStarbucksSteamersTala’sTaste – Tseung Kwan OThe BottleshopThe CourtyardThe Dutch The GivernyThe HiveThe Sandwich ClubThe Village RestaurantWood + Kitchen鬆Zone @ Sai Kung Reflexology Center

Shek OCococabanaShining Stone Restaurant

StanleyBIVABoathouseCafe de ParisCheers Real Estate LtdChez PatrickClassifiedPacific PetsPickled PelicanPlaytentRicacorp Properties LimitedSmuggler’s InnSpiaggiaStan CafeStanley Veterinary CentreStanley Wellness CentreTasteThe Cupping RoomVern’s Beach Bar

Tai TamHong Kong Cricket ClubRosecliff

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Schools / Learning CentresAbacus KindergartenAlison’s LetterlandAnastassia’s Art HouseBaby Buddies• Causeway Bay• Jordan• Sheung WanBlooming BudsBrain ChildClearwater Bay SchoolColour My WorldDiscovery Bay International SchoolDiscovery Mind Kindergarten• Discovery Bay• Tung ChungDiscovery CollegeEton HouseFrench International SchoolGenerations Christian EducationGerman Swiss International SchoolHong Kong AcademyInternational Montessori SchoolITS Education• Central• MongkokKellett School• Pok Fu Lam• Kowloon BayLittle BeetlesLittle PicassoMusic HorizonNorwegian International SchoolParadigm Global EducationQuarry Bay SchoolRed Shoe Dance Studios• Central• AberdeenRenaissance CollegeSai Kung EnglishSha Tin Junior SchoolSouth Island SchoolSpring LearningSunshine House Pre-School• Pok Fu Lam• Tung Chung• Discovery BayThe Peak SchoolTutti Music• Tai Kok Tsui• Tseung Kwan OTwinkle Dance CompanyWoodland Preschool• Beachside• Happy Valley• Harbourside• Pok Fu Lam• Sai Kung• The Peak• WaterfallYMCA of Hong Kong Christian College

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Atide of nostalgia as big as a Mexican wave washed over me in the opening week of the World Cup when my 13-year-old son, James, came up to me and asked: “Dad, I know I’ve got school, but can I stay up late to watch something online this week please?”

My heart danced a brief Brazilian samba. How could I possibly refuse? After all, when I was the same age as James I got up at 2am to watch the early rounds of the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, the first I was engrossed by and, to this day, the World Cup I remember most vividly.

It wasn’t just the magic of Argentinian striker Mario Kempes, the ticker-tape cascading from the stands, or the tragi-comedy of Scotland’s doomed campaign ending with Archie Gemmill’s dazzling but ultimately futile solo goal against Holland, that made it so unforgettable.

It was the adolescent thrill of staying up all night to squint at grainy black-and-white images accompanied by a commentary that sounded as if it was being spoken through a tin can as the world’s greatest sporting event was miraculously beamed into our home from a distant, exotic continent.

“You do know the matches don’t kick off here until three in the morning, don’t you, James?” I said indulgently.

“What matches?” he replied. “I’m not staying up to watch the football, you retard. I want to see the Nintendo E3 conference.”

In case you’re another one of the morons who missed it, in the early hours of June 11 – two days before the start of the World Cup – games company Nintendo held what was billed as the year’s biggest online video game conference at 1am Hong Kong time.

The event, as far as I could make out, consisted of a selection of suited middle-aged Japanese men in suits selling video games interspersed with clips of bespectacled geeks with obvious Vitamin D deficiencies chattering excitedly about the relative merits of different video games.

How could Messi, Neymar or Robben compete with that nerd-athon? As far as James and millions of others are concerned, they had no chance. “Why would I want to watch a bunch of grown men kicking a ball around for 90 minutes?” he asked. “Football’s for losers, you sad man.”

He’s right, of course. Football is for losers. The hippest, brightest

teenagers today don’t run around outdoors doing keepie-uppies and practicing set pieces. They’re twiddling knobs in darkened rooms and making friends with characters called Super Mario and Zelda.

Failure in the World Cup is no longer a cause of national shame. It’s a sign that a country’s prosperity and computer ownership levels have reached a point where its teenagers have better things to do with their time than kick a ball against a wall for hours and dream about one day marrying a Spice Girl.

Survey after survey shows that geeks will inherit the earth. One that I just made up found that adolescents who spent the night of July 13 alone in their bedrooms rather than watching the World Cup Final

with friends or family are 67 per cent more likely to succeed in life and love.

So take heart, South Korea, Japan, Italy and England – countries knocked out of the 2014 tournament early after woeful displays of sporting ineptitude. Your offspring might be losers on the pitch but they will surely be winners in the tournament of life.

We were in Greece (a bankrupt country that did surprisingly well in the tournament, bolstering my flimsy theory) for the World Cup Final. Two days before the big match, my wife asked the children if they’d like to watch the match on a big screen in a nearby seaside town.

Georgie and Lauren, closet fans who deserve medals for watching the dull Holland vs Argentina semi-final to the bitter end, nodded enthusiastically. Younger son William said yes because he knew there would be ice cream.

James agreed on one condition: “Only if I can take my Nintendo 3DS with me.” The boy is a tactical genius.

Formerly the owner of dreams and a full head of hair, Simon Parry is a jaded, middle-aged journalist and father of four. He lives in Sai Kung with his wife, his children and his sense of profound disappointment.

My World Cup Final Own GoalFootball is for losers, says Simon Parry.

The hippest, brightest teenagers today don’t run around outdoors doing keepie-uppies

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