Southside Magazine June 2015

Top decks Eating alfresco Chasing waterfalls On Tai Mo ShanWar and peace Stanley’s military past Enter the dragonboats Your guide to the festival

Surfthroughsummer

Swell camps for kids

June 2015

FAMILY | FOOD | HOME | SPORT | LIVING

2 | WWW.SOUTHSIDE.HK

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PEOPLE

2 Snapped!Southside’s social life.

THE PLANNER

6 Happening in June What’s on.

NEWS

10 What’s going on?In your backyard.

LETTERS

14 Have your sayFrom our readers.

GIVEAWAYS

16 Free stuffSomething for everyone.

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

18 Underground artistLouise Soloway decorates the MTR.

LOCAL

20 Trash talkSouthside’s “lap sap” beaches.

NEWS FROM THE GREENS

21 One way to fix Hong Kong Pick up a ballot paper.

FEATURE

22 Fun in the sun Your guide to summer camps.

EATING

30 Alfresco a go-go Where to eat out. Plus Nibbles.

EDUCATION

36 Hello HarrowInside Hong Kong’s elite boarding school.

OUTDOORS

42 Return of the dragons The lowdown on local dragonboat teams.

BIG DAY OUT

46 Chasing waterfallsHong Kong’s highest cascades.

HOME

52 Wicker worldOutdoor furniture solutions.

TRAVEL

56 Hanoi insiders’ guide Vietnam’s new luxury travel service.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

60 Hair fix Capelli’s one-stop hair salon

PETS

62 Be more dog Sally Andersen thinks canine.

HONG KONG CREATURES

62 Longfin snake-eelOne more thing to watch out for.

MARKETPLACE

64 Guide to shops and services

SOUTHSIDE SECRETS

68 Stanley Military Cemetery Reflections on Hong Kong’s fallen.

“A PERFECT SUMMER DAY IS WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING, THE BREEZE IS BLOWING, THE BIRDS ARE SINGING, AND THE LAWN MOWER IS BROKEN.” – JAMES DENT

JUNE 2015

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Snaps from Southside

Endless Summer at The Pulse kicks off with a rooftop Water Carnival. Fun in the sun or wet and wild, there’s something for everyone. rooftop water carnival and

The Periscope Lounge on the 2nd floor.

Water slides, Water Soccer, Pop-up stalls, Music, photo booth, outdoor video,

water gun fight, face painting

every Saturday FROM

WATER CARNIVAL

thepulsehk thepulsehk THEPULSE.COM.HK 28 Beach Road Repulse Bay2815 8888

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Endless Summer at The Pulse kicks off with a rooftop Water Carnival. Fun in the sun or wet and wild, there’s something for everyone. rooftop water carnival and

The Periscope Lounge on the 2nd floor.

Water slides, Water Soccer, Pop-up stalls, Music, photo booth, outdoor video,

water gun fight, face painting

every Saturday FROM

WATER CARNIVAL

thepulsehk thepulsehk THEPULSE.COM.HK 28 Beach Road Repulse Bay2815 8888

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Share your event photos with us at [email protected]. Get snapping!

people

Southside Market Long Lunch

Cherish the early years journey.Be inspired.

Our child-centered, emergent curriculum places children first. Every child is encouraged to develop their autonomy, build physical strength, confidence and social skills. Our great teachers inspire children from crawling in, to bounding out of our doors, ready for any formal or future schooling environment. It is in these critical early years when our children build a solid foundation for lifelong learning and plant the seeds to grow into any of the many possibilities their future may hold. Let all children have the best start possible at Bebegarten.

Education Centre

Registration No: 591840

Unit 301-305Level 3, One Island South2 Heung Yip RoadWong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong

+852 3487 2255

www.bebegarten.comfacebook.com/bebegarten

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bebegarten-2015-southside-215x270-aw.pdf 1 19/5/15 3:09 pm


Cherish the early years journey.Be inspired.

Our child-centered, emergent curriculum places children first. Every child is encouraged to develop their autonomy, build physical strength, confidence and social skills. Our great teachers inspire children from crawling in, to bounding out of our doors, ready for any formal or future schooling environment. It is in these critical early years when our children build a solid foundation for lifelong learning and plant the seeds to grow into any of the many possibilities their future may hold. Let all children have the best start possible at Bebegarten.

Education Centre

Registration No: 591840

Unit 301-305Level 3, One Island South2 Heung Yip RoadWong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong

+852 3487 2255

www.bebegarten.comfacebook.com/bebegarten

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planner

JUN 2-30Hong Kong ColoursExhibition of sketches and paintings of Hong Kong streets by Gary Yeung. 1pm-7pm, Part-Of Gallery, 16 Sik On Street, Wan Chai, www.studiogario.blogspot.hk.

JUN 4-7Legally Blonde The MusicalBend and snap! Elle returns in a fun-filled musical by Frace Productions. Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Wan Chai. Tickets from www.urbtix.hk, 2111 5999.

JUN 20 Dragon Boat FestivalPublic holiday to watch the races in Stanley, Aberdeen, Cheung Chau, Sai Kung or Tai O from 8am.


planner happening in june

JUN 4Tiananmen Square AnniversaryLight a candle in memory of the mainland students who died fighting for democracy. 8pm, Victoria Park, Causeway Bay.

JUN 5-7 The Wind in the WillowsMole, Rat and Mr Toad take on the weasels in a production by British group Talking Scarlet. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $195-$435 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

JUN 6Cesar Millan Live – Love your Dogs TourThe international dog behaviour expert demonstrates his unique techniques for training dogs. Cotai Arena, Macau. Tickets $280-$880 from www.cotaiticketing.com, 6333 6660.

JUN 6Summer Garage SaleGet ready to rummage. Shop for new and pre-loved goodies at our favourite secondhand sale. LG3 Car Park, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clearwater Bay, 9045 5942, [email protected].

JUN 6-7Italian MarketCiao bella. Celebrate Italian culture with food, wines, classic cars, music, dancing and fashion. The Arcade, 100 Cyberport Road, Pok Fu Lam. Tickets $50 (free for Italian Chamber of Commerce members) from 2521 8837, www.icc.org.hk.

JUN 7Southside Market Long LunchUnlimited food, drink, music and entertainment from noon to 5pm. The Butchers Club Deli Rooftop, 16/F, 18 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, 2884 0768. Tickets $550 from www.ticketflap.com, free for children under eight.

JUN 13Ovolo MarketIndie market featuring local artists, designers and crafters. 11am-6pm. Ovolo Southside, Wong Chuk Hang, www.handmadehongkong.com.

JUN 13-JUL 26 Disney’s Beauty and The BeastThe tale as old as time turns 20. See it live at the Venetian Theatre, The Venetian Macao. Tickets $280-$788 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

JUN 13-14Zero Waste Week Family BazaarSustainably minded fun for the family featuring an eco marketplace, art, interactive games and activities. Free. Ocean View Court, The Arcade, 100 Cyberport Road, Pok Fu Lam. www.ecozine.com

JUN 13-19Pok Fu Lam Art ExhibitionThird annual art show by Pok Fu Lam’s young artists, organised by West Island School. This year’s theme is Dreams. Free. Exhibition Gallery, Cyberport 3, 100 Cyberport Road, Pok Fu Lam, www.pokfulamart.weebly.com.

JUN 12-14 Dance Drama: The Legend of MulanThe Hong Kong Dance Company retells the story of China’s woman warrior – a girl worth fighting for. Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets $100-$320 from www.urbtix.hk, 2111 5999.

JUN 14David Guetta Listen Tour Hong Kong 2015Bust some moves. AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau. Tickets $580-$880 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

JUN 21 Father’s DayHug a dad.

UNTIL JUN 21The Faust FestivalFaust’s young performers all take the stage. McAulay Studio, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. Tickets $80-$120 from www.urbtix.hk, 2111 5999.

UNTIL JUN 21The Sound of MusicA few of your favourite things… the Von Trapps come to Hong Kong via the London Palladium. Look for local kids in the cast. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $395-$3,488 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.


planner

JUL 22 Blur Live in Hong Kong Britpop’s back, girls and boys. HKCEC, Wan Chai. Tickets $480-$1,080 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

JUL 23-26 Ice Age Live! A Mammoth AdventureManny & co in a fun family musical on ice. AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau. Tickets $380-$680 from www.urbtix.hk, 2111 5999.

BOOK NOW

Got an event? We can publish the details for free. Email [email protected].

JUL 25Life in Colour World’s Largest Paint Party 2015Dance party-slash-art event that gets messy. Let the paint fly. AsiaWorld-Expo. Tickets $480-$780 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

AUG 15-16Hi-5 House of Dreams Wild and wacky dream adventures with the Hi-5 gang. Shows at 11am, 2.30pm and 6pm. AsiaWorld-Expo. Tickets $250-$688 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.


Got an event? We can publish the details for free. Email [email protected].

AUG 23Imagine Dragons Smoke & Mirrors TourLook who’s back. AsiaWorld-Expo. Tickets $480-$780 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

SEP 23Robbie Williams Let Me Entertain You Tour 2015Rocking more than the DJ. AsiaWorld-Expo. Tickets $880-$1,480 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

SEP 25-OCT 11Singin’ in the RainThe West End production, complete with umbrellas, rain and Make Em Laugh. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $445-$995 at www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.


Painting the town Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park for Central

An unsightly holding wall on a construction site has been transformed into a work of art thanks to the efforts of local resident and champion of the arts Kirsten Zaki and New Zealand artist Hayley King.

King painted a mural, Ilha Formosa (“Beautiful Island”), in

news in your backyard

Rumours are flying that the Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park is due to reopen on the Central Harbourfront this year, near the Hong Kong Observation Wheel.

A favourite among Hongkongers in the 1960s and 70s, the family theme park went into decline following the opening of Ocean Park in 1977.

In its heyday, the Lai Chi Kok park was much-loved for its kitsch decor, old-school house of horrors and ice rink, as well as (controversially) for Tino the Asian elephant. More than 80,000 people visited in the days before it closed in 1997, and Tino moved to China.

Tai Tam village, behind Stanley Market bus depot where dragonboaters meet for training.

Inspired by the endangered and extinct flora and fauna of Taiwan, the temporary artwork also reflects the changing nature of the area. Still, the seriousness of the message does not detract

from the beauty of the mural. “Anyone who questions

whether art really matters only need sit in front of the mural for 10 minutes. The way it uplifts is inspiring,” Zaki says.

Both women are on the lookout for future projects in Hong Kong. Watch this space.


Woodland Preschools rally for Nepal VRC paddles for the planet

news in your backyard

Following last month’s earthquakes in Nepal, Woodland Preschools have raised $241,028 in aid of charity First Steps Himalaya, which provides early-years education and school support in rural Nepal.

Woodlands’ deputy general manager, Michel Sealy, says the Hong Kong preschools have been raising money for First Steps Himalaya for four years.

“We know that the 22 villages where the schools are have suffered massive damage,” she says.

“I really believe in the work First Steps does in Nepal and I would like to call on other schools and organisations in Hong Kong to match our efforts to help First Steps Himalaya rebuild the classrooms and the shattered lives of these children and their families.”

For details of the charity’s work, visit www.firststepshimalaya.org.

Kayakers from the Victoria Recreation Club will be cleaning up Deep Water Bay on June 6 for World Environment Day. Paddlers will collect rubbish along either a 5km or 8km route, followed by a barbecue on the beach. The VRC’s Sai Kung branch will hold a similar event in Emerald Bay.

The global paddling event hopes to create awareness and contribute financially towards marine conservation and cleaner oceans. Non-members are welcome and the VRC will provide kayaks.

Tickets cost $200 (or $250 including barbecue and T-shirt) and paddlers are required to RSVP by emailing [email protected] or calling 9168 0469. VRC, 710 Island Road, Deep Water Bay.


Take a walk with Wild Hong Kong

Southside authors launch new books

From remote hilltop vistas to secluded waterfalls, adventure and eco-tour company Wild Hong Kong runs guided tours to the territory’s wildest places. Since he started the company in spring, experienced traveller Rory Mackay has been out exploring and finding locations for hiking, rock climbing and kayaking. He has created a series of half- and full-day experiences for individuals or groups, with customised packages available. Tours start from $400. For details, call Mackay on 6087 1439 or visit www.wildhongkong.com.

Two Southside authors are releasing their debut children’s books this month.

Long-time resident Paul Leese (below) has published Aliganda to the Rescue, inspired by stories he used to tell his daughters. Join Aliganda, a witch like no other, on her adventures with black cat Cinders. The book

is available in Swindon, Kelly & Walsh and Bookazine stores.

And Caroline Murphy is launching The Next-Time Kid Eats Noodles at Bookazine in Repulse Bay on June 6. Aimed at children aged three- to six, it uses noodles to teach youngsters that it’s okay to fail as long as you try, try and try again.

news


Headlineletters have your say

I am writing to bemoan the lack of baby facilities in The Pulse in Repulse Bay that positions itself as a family-friendly destination.

I was at Repulse Bay Beach one hot Saturday with my six-month-old, and as we were feeling the heat we decided to head to The Pulse to cool off and chill out.

When we got there, however, there was nowhere to sit, rest and drink some water for a few minutes, and the air-conditioning was nowhere near powerful enough to cool down an overheated baby, let alone an overheated mum. I found this really surprising given the number of family- and baby-related vendors in the plaza. We ended up walking circles around the Marketplace by Jasons for the aircon.

When it came time to change the baby’s nappy, the facilities were downright dismal. I asked the concierge where the baby room was and she told me it was still “under construction”, although I couldn’t see any evidence of this at all. There wasn’t even a changing table in the women’s toilet and I ended up having to change her nappy in the stairwell. Needless to say, we were both hot and grumpy by the end of the visit.

Disgruntled MumSouthside

Email your photos or letters to [email protected]. We may edit for length. Or tag us, #southsidemag on social media!

Poor baby facilities at The Pulse

“#RepluseBay” – @BOBOBOSO


To enter, click the Giveaways tab on our website, www.southside.hk. Deadlines vary.

The Palms RetreatWin a five-night stay and detox program (worth US$1,375) at The Palms Retreat on Koh Samui, Thailand, and get a dose of healthy living. To celebrate its opening, the wellness resort is also offering a special 25 per cent discount on accommodation throughout June, with a further 25 per cent discount going to the second person if two people share a room. Prices start at US$249 a night, including a daily massage, soups, smoothies and fitness activities. (Note: the prize does not include airfares.)Deadline: June 30

InnrstylWin a $1,000 cash coupon to spend on Innrstyl’s (www.innrstyl.com) clothes and accessories for men and women. Fun, functional and fashionable, the brand is all about innovative, wearable designs that can be purchased at the click of a button. Deadline: June 12

Sleep NakedWin a five-star experience at home, with bed and bath linens from British brand Sleep Naked (www.sleepnaked.hk). The company is giving away a Classic White 400 thread-count luxury bed set in the sizing of your choice that includes a bed sheet, duvet cover and four Oxford pillowcases, as well as a premium cotton bath set, with towels and a bathrobe. (Worth $3,185.)Deadline: June 24

Beauty NestUp your glamour stakes at Beauty Nest, which offers blow-dries, makeup services, nail and eyebrow treatments for girls about town (www.beautynest.com.hk). The Repulse Bay Arcade beauty bar is giving away a signature blowout treatment, with a choice of style, to 10 lucky readers (each worth $290). Deadline: June 19

free stuff gimme gimme


Louise SolowayAnji Connell meets the Southside artist behind the lively new artworks in Sai Ying Pun MTR station.

five minutes with... underground artist

Sai Ying Pun’s diverse local culture and its history inspires and humbles me.

I hope local people see it as Sai Ying Pun’s artwork and that people passing through the station will enjoy it. I like to think it will make them pause to appreciate the living spirit of one of Hong Kong’s unique and special places.

I live in Pok Fu Lam with my husband, Rey, and son, Jesse. On a typical day I get Jesse off to school and I love to go hiking with local early-risers carrying birdcages or doing tai chi. Then it’s off to the day job in the studio in Ap Lei Chau.

My 3-D paintings are maximalist, crammed with detail and colour, and filled with people. I would say it’s slightly caricatured social

realism. I’ve always been drawn to dense urban surroundings, watching people go about their daily lives.

I regularly carry small sketchbooks and make quick on-the-spot sketches whenever I can – travelling on public transport, at the hairdressers, in bars and cafes.

I love immersing myself in environments that are ripe for people-watching. My early work captured the hustle and bustle of the markets in London’s East End and I have continued to find that same energy in Asia. There is a world of subject matter out there.

My most memorable commissionwas recording the making of Chek Lap Kok airport. I had a studio on site and that was an exciting experience. It was my first big commission and it has kept me in Hong Kong.

I love to go hiking, sailing and swimming with Jesse and meeting friends for leisurely lunches and dinners. It’s great that we have so many incredible beaches, hiking routes and excellent restaurants in Southside.

St Stephen’s Beach, Stanley Military Cemetery, Tai Tam Reservoir and Middle Island are all places I love to go, and Lucy’s in Stanley is such a laid-back, relaxing restaurant with good food. We’ve spent many hours there.

Southside Magazine is published by Fast Media Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Southside Magazine cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or pubishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

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It’s slightly caricatured social

realism


local lap sap coast

Trash talkWith beaches knee-deep in rubbish, Shreena Patel reports on Hong Kong’s coastal cleanup.

Hong Kong’s beaches are awash with marine debris.

Almost 15,000 tonnes of marine refuse was collected from our shores in 2013 and 2014, according to the Marine Refuse Study by the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Clean Shorelines. Non-local refuse, identified by simplified Chinese character labels, accounted for less than five per cent of the total. And these figures do not include the uncollected litter piling up along the coastlines and in the sea.

In April, Hong Kong’s Coastal Watch team led a group of volunteers to survey Lap San Wan (Rubbish Bay) on Cape D’Aguilar, Shek O. The beach was knee-deep in litter, with 185 tonnes of rubbish piled more than 60cm high in places. About 90 per cent of the litter was plastic.

Beaches such as Lap San Wan are drowning in the by-products of our disposable lifestyle, and what goes around comes around. Aside from the visual impact on the scenery and coastline, it is the danger to marine life and the entry of plastic pollutants into our food chain that Hongkongers should worry about. Fish bite marks are commonly found on marine debris.

Coastal Watch’s project manager, Patrick Yeung, says, “The

case of Lap Sap Wan is just the tip of the iceberg. A lot of heavily polluted beaches are remote and not frequented by the public so left unattended.”

The Marine Refuse Study identifies 27 priority sites prone to litter accumulation, including five on Southside: Rocky Bay, Cape D’Aguilar near the Swire Institute, Ap Lei Chau and below Ocean Park as well as Lap San Wan, which the government has said will be cleaned more frequently.

Other measures it suggests include the installation of more water fountains at beaches to reduce consumption of bottled water, but its prime focus will be education, since most marine rubbish can be attributed to shoreline and recreational activities and comprises disposable items.

“While this is encouraging news, the report fails to admit the seriousness of the marine litter problem in Hong Kong,” Yeung says. “Besides the 27 priority sites, the government should step up efforts to inspect other remote coastal areas in the long term to review the seriousness of the marine litter problem, work out more effective cleanup strategies, and most importantly, look at source reduction. We also call on the public to reduce waste

at source by handling rubbish properly and responsibly, recycling, and using fewer disposable items such as polystyrene food containers, disposable utensils, and bottled drinks.”

Set up by WWF-Hong Kong in 2014, Coastal Watch is a two-year project that runs scientific surveys and cleanups at 34 coastal sites, plus public seminars and upcycling workshops.

The Working Group is also holding Shoreline Cleanup Days. Two have already been held with three more scheduled, and the group is looking for partners to help organise more.

As for Lap Sap Wan, Coastal Watch has been working with various government departments to find a solution. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Marine Department have initiated joint cleanups recently. Ultimately though, cleaner coastlines require new habits.

“When society’s attitude towards marine litter changes, we firmly believe that clean shorelines will return soon afterwards,” Yeung says.

For information about Coastal Watch or to volunteer, please visit www.coastalwatch.hk.

EditorialSenior Consultant EditorJane [email protected]

Digital EditorAnnie [email protected]

Staff WriterCallum [email protected]

DesignArt DirectorKelvin [email protected]

Graphic DesignSetareh [email protected]

Thanks toAdele BrunnerAnji ConnellBrian LamCarolynne DearPaul ZimmermanPauline CheungRory MackaySally AndersenSarah FungShreena PatelSteffi Yuen

PublisherTom [email protected]

Published byFast MediaFloor LG1, 222 Queens Road Central,Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Shoreline cleanupsVolunteer at www.epd.gov.hk.

June 13Saturday morning cleanup at Sha Lan, Tai Po, co-organised by ICHK.

July 26Sunday morning cleanup at Wu Kai Sha, Sha Tin, co-organised by Sheung Shui Government Secondary School.

August 8Saturday morning cleanup at Shui Hau Mangrove, Lantau. Co-organiser required.

Litter at Lap Sap Wan near Shek O.

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Photo by: Treasure Island


news from the greens tick the box

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

Every vote countsIf you want district councillors who care, register to vote, urges Paul Zimmerman.

People often ask me “how can I help make Hong Kong a better place?” But when it comes to helping Hong Kong, the most important question is: are you a registered voter?

Unfortunately, I do meet permanent residents who have not registered to vote. Some don’t know that a “PR” (permanent resident), irrespective of his or her nationality, has a right to vote in the District Council, Legislative Council and Chief Executive elections.

Others question whether their vote can have an impact. My resounding response: Yes, your vote counts – a lot.

District Council constituencies each have roughly 20,000 residents and a few thousand are eligible active voters. A single vote can make the difference between a district councillor who fights for better planning, reducing pollution, protecting the environment, more greening, improving walkability and transport, and making Hong Kong a better city for all, or a district councillor who worries about landed interests, who at every turn

blindly supports government and the ruling establishment. 2015, 2016 and 2017 are important years. District Council elections will be held in November, followed by Legislative Council elections next year and Chief Executive elections in 2017.

All one needs to do is to register and to make sure your address is up to date. The deadline for registering as a voter is July 2 and the deadline for updating your address is August 25. To have your say, download the form via www.voterregistration.gov.hk. Do it today so you will not forget, and make sure your friends and neighbours do the same. This way we will get councillors who make a difference.

When it comes to helping Hong Kong, the most

important question is: are you a registered voter?


feature

Great camps for busy kids. By Callum Wiggins.

Wet and wildAberdeen Boat ClubWeek-long summer sailing camps are open to all, including non-members, and are available in morning, afternoon or full-day sessions. Children must be aged seven or up and have “water confidence” to participate in Optimist dinghy courses. Book by June 19 for June courses, or July 3 for July courses. Details at 2552 8182, www.abclubhk.com.

Ark EdenEnvironmental group Ark Eden runs Eco Adventure camps on Lantau every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from June 29 to August 14. Kids go wild and get back to nature with activities including tree planting, organic farming, habitat exploration, composting, eco art and jungle trekking. The day-long sessions cost $650, including an organic vegetarian lunch. Contact [email protected].

Surf Hong KongKids aged eight to 17 can learn to ride the waves at Tai Long Wan in Sai Kung Country Park and sleep overnight on one of Hong Kong’s stunning

beaches with the best breaks in the territory. Three-day surfing camps – including two nights’ accommodation – cost from $2,700 and run all summer. Pick-ups and drop-offs in Central or Sai Kung. Details at www.surfhongkong.com.

Treasure IslandCatch the waves on five-day Treasure Island Surf Camps at Pui O beach on Lantau from June 22 to August 14. Grommets is for beginners aged five to nine years and includes five days of surfing, beach games and ocean education. Surfers Intermediate day camp for nine- to 15-year-olds is ideal for returning surfers to hone their skills. For those who would like to sleep under canvas, the Adventure Camp for nine- to 15-year-olds combines kayaking, hiking, mountain biking and one night under the stars. Pick-ups and drop-offs at Central pier. Details at www.treasureislandhk.com, 2984 8711.


feature summer camps

Blue SkyThe Wet & Wild camp is five days of soaking wet fun. Each day consists of a different watersport: stand-up paddling, dragon-boat racing, snorkeling, kayaking and wakeboarding. Activities run from 10am-4pm in the beautiful waters off Sai Kung. Details at www.bluesky-sc.com, 2719 9682.

Run, jump, kick ESF SportsMultisport summer camps for children of all ages, including non-ESF students, will be held at campuses across Hong Kong, including South Island School. Specialist football clinics will be held at King George V School and week-long swimming clinics at Discovery College and Renaissance College. Details at www.esf.org.hk or email [email protected].

Harry Wright SwimmingWeek-long summer camps are available for swimmers of all levels from June 29 to August 14 at locations including West Island School, Club Sienna in Discovery Bay, the SCAA and Aberdeen Marina Club. Sessions cost from $690

for three days. Details at www.harrywright.com.hk, 2575 6279

Hong Kong Basketball AcademyScore a slam dunk with summer basketball camps that focus on building skills, teamwork and fitness, with an opportunity to play five-on-five games. The six-day camps involve two hours of basketball a day and run from June 22 to August 15 at Wong Chuk Hang and Stanley sports centres. Details at www.hkbaallday.com, 6681 7774.

RugBees Using fun themes and lots of imagination and energy, RugBees teaches preschoolers basic sports skills such as catching, kicking, coordination and teamwork. From July 6 to August 15, children aged one to four can sign up for a minimum of six sessions at locations across Hong Kong. Get a group of five or more friends together for private sessions at convenient locations. Details at www.rugbees.hk, 2117 3055.

Sport4Kids Kids aged three-12 can develop their skills at Sports4Kids’ Multi Sports Camps. Different sports include basketball, soccer, rugby, tennis, gymnastics and volleyball. Classes are held at venues across Hong Kong, including Hong Kong Parkview, Aberdeen Marina Club and Happy Valley. Details at www.sport4kids.hk, 2773 1650.

It’s showtime Faust International Youth Theatre Kids can take to the stage with Faust’s summer theatre and creative writing courses from June 29 to August 28. The five-day full- or half-day workshops take place at Beacon Hill School in Kowloon Tong or Sheung Wan. Children aged three to 14 learn about the theatre and develop drama skills, or explore themes in creative writing. Details at www.faustworld.com, 2547 9114.

International Academy of Film and TelevisionThe IAFT is running summer filmmaking and acting workshops for students aged 13 to 17 years. Whether they are prefer to be in front of the camera or behind the scenes, the groups


feature

will work collaboratively over six days to produce a short film from an original script. Details at 5808 3445 or email [email protected].

KatterwallLittle songbirds can twitter to their hearts’ content this summer with classes for kids of all ages and singing ability. Held at Katterwall’s rehearsal studio, Song Birds sessions are split

into different age groups with themes such as Disney, Mary Poppins and Summer Fun. The courses end with a mini-showcase for families and friends, and cost from $1,400 for three days. Musical Teens for children aged 10-18 will introduce composers such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sondheim and Schwarz & Menken. Prices start at $3,240 a week. 2-12 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan, www.katterwall.com, 2575 3931.

Kids’ Gallery With centres throughout Hong Kong, including Bel-Air and Central, Kids’ Gallery offers more than 50 choices of workshops and camps, such as arts and crafts, magic classes, soap making and graphic design. Fun performing-arts courses include hip-hop, tap, ballet and musical theatre. Details at www.kidsgallery.com, 2501 4842.

Miles International Academy Founded by a group of award-winning musicians and professional educators, the academy promotes early learning and development through an unusual performance-based curriculum. Located at The Pulse in Repulse Bay, the Beachside Summer Camp runs from July 6-August 14 for children aged eight months to six years. Classes start from $150 and include music & movement, musical instruments, drama, and creative art. Details at 3586 3070, email [email protected].

Rumple & FriendsThe amazing team at Rumple & Friends is running a summer circus school, drama and musical theatre classes, and a new puppetry course in July and August. The five-day courses are organised by age, with three- to seven-year-olds in morning sessions, and eight- to

Preschoolers develop sports skills at RugBees; drama queens and kings take the stage at Faust.


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11-year-olds in the afternoons. All end with live performances. Courses cost from $2,500. Hong Kong Arts Centre, Harbour Road, Wan Chai, [email protected], 2582 0200.

Starlit Voice Starlit Voice’s summer workshop will be based on Roald Dahl’s beloved novel James and the Giant Peach. Learn all about the theatre and how to put on a production with fully trained and experienced drama teachers and directors. The curtains will raise every Friday for the young actors to give a short presentation to friends and family. For details, visit www.starlitvoice.com or call 2108 2182

Red Shoe Dance SchoolTwo special dance camps are available this summer. On June 29-July 3, Summer Dance 2015 introduces different styles – ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop and AcroDance – with two-hour classes every day for five days. Sessions are split between beginners, intermediate and advanced levels and are held in Wong Chuk Hang. On July 6-10, the Hip Hop Dance Camp in Arbuthnot Road, Central, includes breakdance, popping and locking, house and jazz funk. Prices start from $2,500. For details, visit www.redshoedance.com.

Feeling crafty Art LoopKids can experience their dream jobs with a creative twist at Art Loop. Its Let Your Dreams Fly summer camp offers hands-on activities exploring roles such as designers, chefs, artists and tour guides. Suitable for children aged three and up, the five-day camps are available from July 22-August 29, with a 15 per cent discount for children enrolled by June 15. 12/F Genesis, 33-35 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, www.artloop.hk.

Colour My World This popular studio is offering five-day theatre and art workshops for four- to 18 year-olds from June 15 to August 28. Artists can create visual masterpieces using painting, photography, drawing or even sculpture while thespians will hone their skills in the Theatre in practice workshops. Prices start at $1,500 a week. Aberdeen Marina Tower, 8 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen, 2580 5028, www.colour-my-world.com.

Little Picasso Summer-long camps and workshops for children aged three to teens are available for two days to two months thanks to flexible

Tny dancers at Red Shoe Dance School.

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dates that can be tailored to suit your schedule. Exploring nature is this year’s theme, and children will use a range of techniques to create artworks to take home. Materials, smocks and refreshments are provided. 21/F Oceanic Industrial Centre, 2 Lee Lok Street, Ap Lei Chau, 3521 1046, www.littlepicasso.hk.

Thinking caps on… BerlitzA budding linguist in the family? Berlitz Language Centre is running two-week summer camps in various languages from June 23 to August 21. The courses comprise 12 hours tuition and cost from $4,960. Enroll by June 19 for a 20 per cent discount. 8/F Harcourt House, Gloucester Road, Central, 2157 2211, www.berlitz.com.hk.

ESF Language and LearningHeld at various school campuses, courses include Mandarin and Spanish, plus enrichment courses for kindergarten, primary- and secondary-school children that focus on writing, art, drama, science and cookery. There’s also a playgroup and K1 preparation sessions. Details at www.esf.org.hk.

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Junior artists at Little Picasso


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IMS Summer Fun Program: Unveiling the World!Courses explore different weekly themes such as Wonders of the World and Animal Kingdom while teaching Mandarin, English, mathematics and sports. Two-week courses run from June 29 to August 21 and children can enroll for half- or full-day sessions. International Montessori School, 62 Tin Hau Temple Road, 2566 7196, www.ims.edu.hk.

ITS Educational ServicesBudding history enthusiasts can learn all about Hong Kong during World War II at this course with ITS, including visits to the Wong Nai Chong Gap Trail and the museum of Coastal Defence. ITS is also offering intensive writing courses teaching children in years three to six what makes a good story, poem or script. Details at 2116 3916, www.itseducation.asia.

PowerBrainKeep those neurons firing over summer with PowerBrain’s Brain Fitness boosters consisting of one-on-one exercises to improve attention and concentration, short- and long-term memory, decision making and organisational skills to improve cognitive skills. Details at www.powerbrainrx.com, 2302 0180.

Southside MandarinComplete Mandarin immersion classes for children from six months old. To make learning fun, little linguists ditch the textbooks and learn Mandarin through music, painting, wushu, drama and other activities. One Island South, Wong Chuk Hang, 3427 9619, www.southsidemandarin.com. YWCA There’s dawn-to-dusk action at the YWCA this summer, with a huge variety of camps for children aged one to 13, including Mandarin, soccer, gymnastics, cooking, swimming and science. YWCA, 1 Macdonnell Road, Central, 3476 1340.

For the smallsAnfieldCreative Mandarin summer programmes at Anfield’s language centre in Kowloon Tong will teach through play, music, arts and crafts. Sessions are split into two groups, June 26- July 17 and July 20-August 7. Details at www.anfield.edu.hk, 2794 3668.

EtonHouseNature-themed bilingual programmes in English and Mandarin will spark interest in curious


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minds about the place in which they live. Science, music, and arts will keep little ones engaged and learning. From July 6-31. Redhill Plaza, Tai Tam, 2353 5223.

Parkview International Pre-schoolGive your child a sense of adventure as they travel to Asia, Australasia and Africa at

PIPS’ Summer Camp 2015. The wonder of these continents will be experienced through stories, art, music and cooking over three two-week periods from July 6 to August 14. Parkview International Pre-School, 1/F, Tower 18 Parkview, 88 Tai Tam Reservoir Road, 2812 6023, www.pips.edu.hk/hk.

PlayTentThere’s lots of crazy fun at PlayTent. Its two-hour morning and afternoon sessions include messy play, cooking, singing, dancing, and maths and literacy games. Morning sessions will be held in English and afternoon sessions in Mandarin. For children aged three to seven years. Shop B1, 18 Stanley Main Street, Stanley, 2276 0488

Safari KidTravel around the world on Safari Kid’s summer camps. Action-packed days include activities such as football, music and movement, science, robotics, arts and crafts, and Mandarin. Children aged six months to seven years can sign up for one or more weeks from July 6-August 14. L101 Chi Fu Landmark, Pok Fu Lam, 2177 0001.

Woodland Pre-schools Woodlands Pre-schools across Hong Kong will be throwing open their doors for a summer fun programme. From July 6, each week will have a different theme including robots and toys, time travel and a journey through the Milky Way. Camps are suitable for children aged six months to seven years, and there is also a programme entirely in Mandarin. Details at www.woodlandschools.com, 2559 4855. SUP is one of the watersports at Blue Sky’s Wet & Wild adventure camp. Opposite: preschool summer fun.


eating dining out

Alfresco a go-go Eat outdoors on Southside’s sunny restaurant terraces. By Shreena Patel.

Artichoke CanteenLocated in the original canteen of an Ap Lei Chau industrial building, Artichoke Canteen serves international cuisine with a focus on vegetarian food, plus a few fish and chicken dishes for the carnivorous. Open and spacious, with an industrial-chic vibe, a big sunny terrace and a domed wood-fired pizza oven, what’s not to love? Make the most of the big, sunny terrace with the three-course Sunday brunch, served noon to 6pm ($550 for two). On weekends, enjoy a chilled Jamaican Red Stripe and an hour of pool on the terrace for $55 a person. Open Wed-Sun, noon-10pm. 311 Harbour Industrial Centre, 10 Lee Hing Street, Ap Lei Chau, 9684 9964, www.artichokecanteen.com.

Shades required: Sunday brunch at Artichoke Canteen is a three-course affair.

Classified Launched by the Press Room Group in 2006 with a mission to revive street-level interaction and neighbourhood sociability, Classified has become a Hong Kong favourite with 10 branches across the city. The Repulse Bay branch is less urban than most, in a nod to the beach vibe of the location. With a completely open front and blue and white interior, the restaurant easily blends into its seaside surroundings. Prime position is one of the two pillow-strewn swinging sofas facing the sea, preferably after a day on the beach: sit back and relax with a cool drink in your hand and enjoy the ocean views. The menu features all your favourites, from burgers to charcuterie platters, as well as a good selection of wine, breads and its famous artisanal cheeses to eat

in or takeaway. 1/F, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, 2351 3454, www.classifiedfood.com.

Spices Locations don’t get much better than Spices. Opened in 1987 and renovated in 2010, Spices serves authentic Southeast Asian food in a gorgeous setting with a celebrated terrace overlooking beautiful Repulse Bay. It’s a big restaurant, able to seat 168 diners, and is famed for dishes such as kaeng phed ped yang (barbecued duck with lychees and red curry sauce), salt and pepper squid and grilled naan with minced garlic. The Repulse Bay, 109 Repulse Bay Road, 2292 2821, www.therepulsebay.com.

REPULSE BAY

South Bay Rd

Beach Rd

RePu L S e B ay R d 淺水灣道

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REPULSE BAY

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eating

While away a lazy afternoon as Stanley

takes on a golden glow across the bay

Mijas The decision to move Murray House, one of the oldest colonial structures in Hong Kong, from Central to the Stanley waterfront seems nothing short of inspired from its wrap-around veranda on a sunny day. Settle down at a balcony table at Spanish restaurant Mijas and order a carafe of sangria and plate of carabineros – jumbo-sized deep-sea prawns with a distinctive red colour that are simply salted and grilled, and taste absolutely divine. Then while away a lazy afternoon, as Stanley takes on a golden glow across the bay. Now that’s how we like to enjoy our heritage. 1/F Murray House, Stanley, 2899 0858, www.kingparrot.com.

The BoathouseThis yellow-painted Stanley landmark is just a stone’s throw from Stanley Market and metres from the waterfront, making it the perfect setting for a lazy weekend lunch. Try to sit outside either at a table next to the promenade or head upstairs to the first-floor balcony for beautiful ocean views. The menu includes

soups, salads, pasta, sandwiches and seafood, but we recommend the fish and chips. 86-88 Stanley Main Street, Stanley, 2813 4467.

Cococabana With a panoramic terrace and seaside vibe, chef Jean Paul Gauci’s beachfront restaurant is a lovely spot to linger over a French-Mediterranean meal after a day on Shek O beach. Fresh seafood features prominently, including bouillabaisse, scallops St Jacques, whole grilled French sea bass and standout piri-piri king prawns. Meat options include rib-eye steak, roast chicken, Corsican pork- From top: The Boathouse; Mijas.


eating dining out

knuckle stew and slow-cooked ox tongue and vegetarians will love the ratatouille gratin. There’s also a crowd-pleasing kids’ menu. The set menu is $398 for three courses. Open daily, noon-11pm. G/F Shek O Beach Building, Shek O Beach, 2812 2226, www.toptables.com.hk/coco.

Delaney’sPok Fu Lam’s only pub is a family-friendly venue with a chilled-out terrace, fun staff and a good line in comfort food. Tuck into the wide selection of pastas, classic stone-oven pizzas, ribs and grilled items such as pork chop and char-grilled spring chicken. At 7,500 square feet, the terrace has ample space and overlooks lovely Lamma Channel. While it is a communal area, Delaney’s has a license to use it at weekends and provides full service, with live music every Saturday from 6pm. Next to the terrace is an even larger green space where kids can run free while parents loll on the freshly cut grass with a tall drink. Ah, that’s better. The Spire at the Arcade, Cyberport, Pok Fu Lam, 2677 1126, www.delaneys.com.hk.

Kea’s Kitchen

In the heart of Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter, a houseboat is cooking up a storm. Run by chef Kea Liden, this private kitchen and cookery school focusing on traditional Thai food. Open Wednesday to Sunday aboard the 63-foot Mandarin Manor, Kea’s Kitchen has indoor seating for 20 people and can accommodate another 20 on the top deck. The three-course summer business lunch starts at $399 a person and includes dishes such as overnight-roasted pork belly with homemade honey and crushed mustard dip. Bookings essential at 6077 5964, www.keaskitchen.com.

From top: Cococabana in Shek O; Spices.


NibblesNews from the dining scene

Invisible Kitchen launches canapes menu Chef Tom Burney, founder of Wong Chuk Hang catering company Invisible Kitchen, has launched a canapes menu for parties and cocktail events. The canapes are available as a series of set menus (classic, deluxe, vegetarian, Italian, sweet bites, miniature mains and luxury gourmet) that aim to make ordering party food easier than ever. For details, visit invisiblekitchen.com.

Cirqle launches summer brunchOvolo Southside’s Mediterranean restaurant, Cirqle, presents a new weekend all-you-can-eat brunch from noon-3.30pm. The international themed brunch ($448 a head) includes an outdoor barbecue station, unlimited Sangria and live DJs playing on the large terrace. Other free-flow drinks start from an extra $150. The barbecue features delicious lamb koftas, pork belly and sausages cooked before your eyes with an array of sauces and accompaniments. 4/F Ovolo Southside, Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, 3460 8100, www.cirqle.hk.

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Semi-buffet dinners at PromptLe Meridien Cyberport’s modern alfresco restaurant, Prompt, welcomes new executive chef Uwe Lasczyk and pastry chef Alex Chan. Also new are the restaurant’s mid-week semi-buffet dinners, available Monday to Thursday nights. The buffet features a wide range of

appetizers and desserts with an optional freshly cooked main course such as grilled rib-eye or salmon tortellini. The buffet is $358 ($179 for children), or add a main course for $468 ($234 for children). L4, Le Méridien Cyberport, 100 Cyberport Road, Pok Fu Lam, 2980 7417, www.www.starwoodhotels.com.

Summer sees a new seasonal brunch buffet at Cirqle in Ovolo Southside.


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eating

Middle Eastern cooking class M Cuisine is offering hands-on Middle Eastern cooking classes with chef Michael Erlik, followed by dinner and drinks at the restaurant. Dishes include falafel patties, pilaf and kebabs. The package is $1,100 a head for parties of at least eight. Reservations required. Unit B, 17/F, Derrick Industrial Building, 49 Wong Chuk Hang, 2558 8664, www.m-cuisine.com.

Spanish restaurant for Sai Ying PunRenowned chef Willy Trullas Moreno has opened a new Spanish restaurant, La Paloma, next to Sai Ying Pun MTR Station. Moreno’s second restaurant in Hong Kong for the el Willy group (the first is Fofo by el Willy) is a 3,500 sq ft space in new art complex Soho 189. The name is Spanish for dove and the colourful space is dotted with bird imagery. The food is casual and

modern, featuring tapas, paella and roasts cooked in a traditional el Asador clay oven. 1/F, Soho 189,

189 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, 2291 6161,

elwillygroup.com.

Cafe Causette now delivers Beloved of business types and ladies

who lunch, the Mandarin Oriental’s coffee shop, Cafe Causette, has launched the hotel’s first meal-delivery service. Available through delivery.com, its signature dishes can now be brought to your door, including chicken tikka makhani ($268), Hainan chicken rice ($268), lobster linguine ($317) and Cafe Causette salad ($258). Delivery is available across Hong Kong Island and in parts of Kowloon. Order at hk.delivery.com.

Top: Invisible Kitchen launches a canapes menu. Above: dishes from Prompt’s new mid-week semi-buffet.


accepted if their parents have invested in Hong Kong and the school has capped the number of Hong Kong passport holders at 50 per cent of the student body.

The school is divided into the Lower School (early years K1 and K2 and pre-prep years one to five) and Upper School, which includes the preparatory school (years six to eight), senior

Hong Kong and being an international entity.”Situated on the Gold Coast, near Tuen Mun,

the imposing, semicircular white stucco building is based on the architecture of the Royal Crescent in Bath, England, and is a contrast to the modern high-rises in the neighbourhood. All traditional-style vaulted ceilings and columns on the outside and state-of-the art facilities within, Harrow Hong Kong is set in 3.6 hectares of grounds, including a full-sized Astroturf pitch, swimming pool and sports centre.

The school currently has 1,030 pupils, ranging from fledgling K1s to mature year 13s on the cusp of flying the nest, but with more construction – and consequently more facilities – on the horizon, full capacity has yet to be decided.

Before the school opened, it was rumoured that the majority of students would come from the mainland. While Harrow embraces all nationalities, mainland Chinese children are only

education the playing fields of hongkers

Hello HarrowLife inside Hong Kong’s famous boarding school. By Adele Brunner.

Steeped in four centuries of tradition, the original Harrow School in London, England, has been a household name virtually since its foundation under Elizabeth I. So when news broke that a purpose-built sister school would be opening in Hong Kong in September 2012, the territory buzzed with anticipation.

Fast-forward three years and while the dust around Harrow International Hong Kong has settled, it still retains an aura of being the new kid on the block.

“We are a new school but we have the feel of something far more established because we have a 400-year history to draw on,” explains headmaster Mel Mrowiec, who came directly from Harrow School in England, where he had been head of geography and the school’s first ever deputy headmaster.

“We’ve tried to build on the ‘Harrow-ness’ that underpins the school and balance those traditions and philosophy with the nature of


school (years nine to 11) and sixth form (years 12-13). It follows the British National Curriculum leading to external exams in the final years; IGCSEs in year 11 and A-Levels in year 13. However, Mrowiec believes Harrow’s style of teaching sets it apart from the rest.

Owing to its boarding-school ethos, the school day is long and even day pupils don’t finish until 5pm because extra-curricular activities are integrated into the timetable. Students can take part their chosen sports for up to five hours a week, plus an extra hour-long session after school.

academics. With the vision statement “leadership for a better world”, the school aims to make sure students leave with the motivation and skills to become effective leaders, defined as making a positive difference to the lives of others. He also wants to empower students with the skills, confidence and self-esteem to make informed decisions on their own.

“Too many schools are focused solely on the achievement of high public examination results,” Mrowiec says. “Students can look

well qualified on paper, but when you meet them in an interview you get turned off straight away because they haven’t got any personality. Ultimately, if you want to get into one of the elite universities, you have to convince a tutor sitting on the other side of the interview table that you’re interesting and engaging, that you can be inspiring. We genuinely inspire children to want to learn.”

Another fascinating aspect of Harrow is its optional boarding, which starts in year six.

Children get the intensity of the boarding experience

but have weekends for family time

education

“This is a big site for Hong Kong, but it’s still not big enough for the very traditional games afternoon where everybody does sport, so we need to stagger it,” Mrowiec says. “We believe the skills from doing sport, music, art, drama and so on complement and enhance what goes on in the classroom.”

Harrow, he continues, is not all about

Harrow International Hong Kong boasts state-of-the-art facilties.


is assigned to a house for competition and activities, but at Harrow this extends to living arrangements. There are four boys’ and three girls’ houses. Up to three younger pupils share a room while older children have the luxury of their own space, often with an ensuite bathroom. Children share with others in their year group, changing rooms and roommates every half term to promote communication and the experience of learning to get on with all kinds of characters.

While the school is co-ed, the

accommodation is strictly single sex with each house presided over by a house master or mistress, who has rooms off the recreation room, a comfy space with sofas, a pantry and A/V equipment.

Not wishing to be too draconian, each boys’ house is twinned with a girls’ house and there are shared recreation rooms as well as mixed classes and activities. Day pupils each have a locker and everyone begins the day in their house for “call over” at which notices are read out. Lunch is the big meal of the day, with the whole house sitting down together, and emphasis is placed on manners and the art of conversation. Dinner often sees staggered groups owing to all the activities going on.

Head boy, Akshay Gaur, and head girl, Samantha Li – about to head off to university to study medicine and law respectively – are enthusiastic about the house system.

“Your house is like your family while you’re at school. It’s a pretty nice place to live and the food is a good standard, with lots of choice,” they say. “We get so wrapped up in school life, we sometimes forget about the real world.”

38 Tsing Ying Road, Tuen Mun, 2824 9099, www.harrowschool.hk.

education

Just over half of all students currently board and although there are some full boarders, who remain at school at weekends, most board weekly.

“Weekly boarding suits Hong Kong because families get the best of both worlds, particularly when both parents work full time,” Mrowiec says. “Children get the intensity of the boarding experience but also have weekends for family time.”

Like many other schools, every pupil

Harrow International Hong Kong boasts state-of-the-art facilties.


sponsored column

ITS School Placements provides an education consulting service that works with families and

employers to find the right schools for individual children in Hong Kong, from nursery to secondary schools. ITS also offers research, policy and advisory services for corporations. For more details, contact [email protected], 3188 3940 or www.itseducation.asia.

Teaching the whole childITS Education Services explores how schools ensure holistic education is more than jargon.

Teaching the whole child? Let’s hope so. After all, it’s not as though teachers should aim to teach an arm, leg or just from the shoulders up. Unfortunately, the phrase “teaching the whole child” – along with “holistic approach” – has become overused in the education sector. One has to question what these terms actually mean. It goes without saying that schools should deliver a broad and engaging curriculum that encompasses the full spectrum of academic work, sport, art, music, drama and social skills. We don’t need a special phrase to tell us that.

Actions speak louder than words The concept starts with valuing primary-school education for its own sake, instead of merely as a stepping stone to the senior school of choice. Primary schools are responsible for the formative years of a child’s education. They lay the foundation for future academic success and ensure children acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a life-long love of learning.

It is also important to teach children essential social skills so they learn to treat

Teaching the whole childITS Education Services explores how schools ensure holistic education is more than jargon.

people with kindness, respect and consideration. It is important to help them develop good manners and the ability to conduct themselves properly in a variety of scenarios. After all, every parent wants their child to be confident, articulate and well-rounded. Choosing a schoolInstead of latching on to pointless phrases, we should be focusing on what really works; a broad, integrated, balanced curriculum with equal emphasis on all subjects.

It is advisable to consider schools that prepare children for the 21st century with traits such as resilience, the ability to think laterally and independently, to question everything and seek answers. If a school follows a programme of summative assessment that doesn’t allow children the freedom to explore, take risks and make mistakes, how honestly can you expect a teacher to shape a child into a well-rounded individual who is adequately prepared for the challenges of life?

If you choose a school that includes a full

programme of extracurricular activities to develop risk-taking, independence, courage and spirit of adventure, then your child is on the track of learning in a complete way. ConsiderationsExamine a school’s curriculum for inbuilt creativity. Does it support children in becoming confident and articulate? Does the school have inclusive sport, music and drama programmes, with an expectation that all participate? Does the school allow an exam system to dictate teaching methods or does it have a broad and engaging curriculum that naturally prepares children for exams?


outdoors splish splash

For the past few weeks, local waters have been buzzing with dragonboats day and night as the teams get out on the water ahead of their big day on June 20. Dragonboat Festival, or Tuen Ng, draws thousands of spectators to Stanley and Aberdeen to watch the teams of suits, mums, fishermen and athletes battling it out for glory, a trophy and a roast pig.

The best way to enjoy the festival is to take part. Joining a dragonboat team is not only a fast route to a toast-rack tummy – paddling is a top workout for core muscles – but it’s a fun way to meet new people, followed by chucking down a few cold beverages on a hot summer’s day. Some companies organise their own teams, or join one of the teams that train in and around Southside.

It’s Dragonboat Festival on June 20. Annie Wong sizes up local teams.

RETURN OF THE DRAGONS


outdoors

Join the team BGC Stormy DragonsA strong dragonboat club with an undefeated women’s team, plus men’s and mixed teams, that trains on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at Tai Tam Tuk. Welcomes beginners and experienced paddlers. Details at [email protected], www.stormydragons.com.hk.

Fair Dinkum ClubA friendly club with mixed, men’s and women’s teams that trains in Stanley on Sundays. Details

at [email protected], www.fairdinkumclub.com.

Seagods Set up in 1999, Seagods has two successful mixed teams and a philosophy of “minimum politics, maximum fun”. Training takes place on Saturdays, 5pm, from January to June at Stanley Main Beach and new members are welcome, including beginners. Details at www.seagods.hk.

Loreley Dragonboat TeamA fun mixed team led by German expats but with

training in English on Thursday and Sunday in Stanley from March to the end of June, followed by drinks at the Boathouse. Try-outs are held before the season. Details at www.loreley-dragonboat.com.

Victoria Recreation ClubThis long-established Southside rowing club has men’s, women’s and mixed teams and trains throughout the week in Deep Water Bay, with sessions on the water followed by drinks. Details at 2812 2565, www.victoriarecreationclub.com.hk.

From left: racing at Stanley Main Beach; the BGC Stormy Dragons.


outdoors

Yat, yee... a drummer and helmsman keep the Stormy Dragons paddlers in synch.

SunLife Stanley International Dragon Boat ChampionshipsOrganised by the Stanley Dragon Boat Association, these races are the largest in the territory with a party atmosphere and about 30,000 spectators. Held at Stanley Main Beach, 8am-6pm, more than 240 teams take part in men’s, women’s and mixed races. Get there early and expect huge bus queues. Free admission.

Aberdeen Dragon Boat RacesMarginally less manic, the Aberdeen races have attracted large crowds since the 1950s. About 65 teams are expected to participate and there will be food and drinks available on the waterfront for spectators. Aberdeen Promenade, Aberdeen Praya Road, 8.30am-4pm.

Hong Kong International Dragonboat Races For those who can’t get enough of the dragonboat action. Winning local teams from the Tuen Ng festival and international teams take to Victoria Harbour in a three-day event on July 3-5. East Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, free admission.

Here be dragonboats


big day out the falls guy

Chasing waterfalls Rory Mackay escapes the crowd at Hong Kong’s highest cascades.

A stone’s throw from the high rises of Tai Po, the Ng Tung Chai waterfalls are one of Hong Kong’s best-kept secrets. Climb into a steep-sided world enveloped in rainforest and peppered with flowing cascades. Despite the area’s accessibility, it offers an escape from the crowds at weekends and during the week you’re likely to have this tropical wonderland to yourself.

Allow four to five hours for the moderately strenuous 6km walk to the three main falls, including swimming time, and take light snacks and plenty of water. Catch a taxi (about $50) or

bus 64K from Tai Wo MTR Station (Exit A) to Ng Tung Chai village, then follow the sealed road uphill to the trailhead.

The trail begins as a concrete path winding through lush undergrowth to picturesque Man Tak Monastery. From there, the route steps up

There are several sets of waterfalls at Ng Tung Chai, the wettest part of Hong Kong, which is alive with creatures such as the golden orb spider.

in calibre and becomes a dirt track. At the first junction, turn right up the northern slopes of Tai Mo Shan, or Big Hat Mountain.

Tai Mo Shan is Hong Kong’s highest peak at 957 metres. It’s so big that the mountain often creates its own weather and the northern slopes, where Ng Tung Chai is situated, are the wettest in Hong Kong. The upside of all that rain is the waterfalls flow year-round: visit during the summer rainy season, however, and you’re guaranteed a roaring reception.

The going is steep, but walkers are rewarded with expansive views over Lam Tsuen

A steep-sided world enveloped in rainforest

and peppered with cascades


big day out

Country Park and, on clear days, Shenzhen. After working up a sweat ascending 300

vertical metres, turn left turn at the next junction and walk to Scatter Falls. (The more intrepid can follow the track further up to the summit ridge of Tai Mo Shan and a multitude of trekking options.)

From here on in, it’s all fun. Scramble down the “forbidden path”, past banana palms and secluded caves, to emerge at the splendid Main Falls. The highest waterfall in Hong Kong, this 110-foot stunner deserves some time and its shallow pool presents a welcome opportunity to cool off.

Ready to move on? Head downhill through the lush greenery, keeping an eye out for wildlife; the area is a hotspot for lizards and

Even at weekends, the area provides an escape from the crowds.

Sunlight squeezes through the thick

canopy in ethereal beams


big day out

insects. After some time, the Middle Falls can be heard. Although not as impressive as the Main Falls, the Middle Falls are worth a visit, but save that final pit stop for the Bottom Falls.

Not much further down, the Bottom Falls are a wholly appropriate climax to any day on the hill. Delve into an idyllic chasm tangled with vines and ferns, all vying for position on the rocks to soak up the moisture. Sunlight squeezes through the thick canopy in ethereal beams. It feels more like a remote corner of Borneo than Hong Kong. The sure-footed can clamber over the rocks to the upper pool, which is the best spot for a cooling dip in the fresh water.

Once fully intoxicated by the Bottom Falls, it’s a simple matter of walking 45 minutes to Lam Kam Road and catching a bus back to civilization.

The going is steep but the views are amazing – on a clear day.

Rory Mackay runs adventure company Wild Hong Kong, which offers guided tours to Ng Tung Chai falls for $500 a head. For details, visit www.wildhongkong.com.


living & home wicker world

Humidity aside, Hong Kong’s climate justifies investing in outdoor furniture for alfresco living no matter how large or small your outside space. On a balcony, rooftop or garden, a little TLC goes a long way.

SeatingCraig Pallister, managing director of outdoor furniture specialist Everything Under The Sun (www.everythingunderthesun.com.hk), says modular sofas and armchairs are the most popular outdoor furniture in Hong Kong.

“Even if customers have limited space, they will pick a sofa ahead of a dining set. Sofas allow for wider use when entertaining in groups or relaxing on your own. Right now, specific items in demand are the Gloster Grid modular sofa and the Diamond sofa by Danish brand Cane-line,” he says.

“The quality of the raw material is very important because Hong Kong has a very wet and humid climate, with some of the highest UV rates in the world. Furniture made from low-quality raw materials will not last long in our climate.”

Pallister advises thinking about where the furniture is going to be used when choosing. The roof-top of a tall building, for example, will be susceptible to strong winds so go for furniture made from heavy materials, such as teak or stainless steel, rather than aluminium or synthetic fibres which are lighter and likely to be blown around.

If you’re opting for synthetic rattan, retailer Grace Carrey of Blume Living (www.blume-living.com) says it should be made of 100 per cent polyethylene (PE) with a high percentage of high density PE (HDPE). Furniture made with low-density PE will become brittle in the sunlight and is likely to split after a year.

“The rattan should have a nice finish and should not look ‘cheap’ or ‘plastic’,” Carrey says. “Weaving should be tight, well done and not messy especially at corners and joints. Any staples should not be visible.”

Don’t be afraid to turn the furniture upside down to check the workmanship. Carrey says the furniture should be made of aluminium tubing, powder coated for protection, and weight-bearing furniture such as sofas should

Top decksAdele Brunner finds outdoor furniture solutions.

have “support lines” running along and across the underside of the seating.

“Make sure these weight-bearing struts are made of wicker rather than metal tubing, which you will feel when you sit,” he says.

Good old Ikea (www.ikea.com.hk) comes up trumps with its inexpensive but stylish modular seating in natural and synthetic materials, such as the Arholma range in handwoven synthetic rattan. The Kungsholmen series has mix-and-match seating sections.

Trends this year include retro styles

Top: Outdoor furniture by Gloster Bell.Above: Tuuci Vineyard loungers.


living & home

channelling the 1950s and 70s. Curved-back chairs with bucket seats are paired with sleek tables to contrast old and new. Get the look with Gloster brand’s Curve and Sway collections and Tribu’s vintage chair collection at Everything Under the Sun.

“Materials are a key element of outdoor furniture manufacture,” says Pallister. “Current trends combine powder-coated aluminium or stainless-steel frames with teak, ceramic or sling

fabric detailing. This season, we are also seeing light and dark contrasting colours. Buffed teak is a great look against both light and dark frames.”

CushionsCushions are crucial for comfort as well as decoration. Opt for plump cushions that feel light when picked up – lightweight filling dries more quickly. Outdoor fabrics should be fade-resistant and UV-protected.

“Sunbrella is the leading outdoor cushion fabric brand and by far the best. But standard Sunbrella fabric is not waterproof and many potential customers do not know this,” Pallister says.

Popular this season are soft-touch materials that give outdoor cushions the feel of their indoor counterparts, but with the functionality required. These include the Diamond collection by Cane-line.

Cane-line’s Diamond sofa (above) and On the Move table (right) are from Everything Under The Sun.


low-wind areas like a sheltered backyard and you wouldn’t use these in an area like the Peak. It is also important to ensure you use the correct weight and size of base. Fabrics like Sunbrella that combine UPF/SPF can help to limit the harmful effects of the sun.”

AccessoriesOnce you’ve got your basics, personalise your

outdoor area with plants, a sound system and lighting. Ikea even has hard-wearing outdoor rugs and weather-resistant Runnen decking squares ($199.90 for nine squares) that click together to instantly upgrade any outside area. The store stocks lanterns in various colours and sizes, or keep it simple with clusters of tea lights which can transform an outdoor space on a summer’s evening.

living & home

DiningFrom a casual barbecue to a formal dinner, there’s nothing like a spot of alfresco dining. Teak is a top choice for dining tables and chairs thanks to its durability and elegance, but it often comes with a hefty price tag. It also will need maintaining, particularly if you don’t want it to turn a weathered silvery grey, especially if the furniture sits in full sun. Sealing or oiling the wood can help, although some experts believe this promotes mould and mildew. Alternatives to teak include shorea, eucalyptus and acacia woods.

For a small area, go for a compact, multifunctional, contemporary side table. Available at Everything Under the Sun, the Gloster Bells side table can be used as a seat or even an ice bucket, while Cane-line’s On the Move table converts into a serving tray.

Sunshades Everyone is more sun-savvy these days – there’s no upside to sunburn. Freestanding parasols are versatile and effective, able to be moved with the sun to shade a dining table or sofa. A more exposed space, such as a rooftop, might benefit from fixed shades.

“There are many different shapes, sizes and strength of parasol to suit all applications,” Pallister says. “Some are only designed for

Outdoor sofas such as the Gloster Grid are more popular than dining sets on Hong Kong’s terraces.


travel insiders’ guide

Bespoke HanoiWeekends in Hanoi just got way better. Tom Hilditch samples the city’s new luxury travel service.

Colonial luxury at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, where former guests include Graham Greene, William Somerset Maugham and Joan Baez.

Hanoi has long been the place for handmade suits, silks and intricate craftworks. Now there is one more bespoke indulgence to add to the list: the travel package itself.

And to be honest, tourists to the Vietnamese capital need help. The city is stunning, but it can be maddening. Hanoi delivers delicious food, wonderful souvenirs and iconic photos, but it’s vast and confusing.

It was founded as a major city more than 1,000 years ago and it still isn’t finished. Without supervision, things can go quickly wrong. One false turn and you are up the creek mumbling about “the horror”, like some tourist Colonel Kurtz.

New high-end bespoke travel company Journeys to the East makes visiting Hanoi a joy. It’s run by former Hong Kong resident, Nguyen Viet Loan Foster. Loan (pronounced Low-Ann) is a polyglot, historian, mum and global networker. Years of living abroad have equipped her with an eye for exactly what discerning travellers want to experience on trips to Vietnam.

“Sometimes that can be the best seats at the opera, and sometimes it’s the best seat in a local pho stall with an incredible view,” she says. “Whatever the visitor wants we aim to offer the ultimate.”

TouchdownThe flight from Hong Kong to Hanoi takes just 90 minutes. Loan’s driver meets us promptly at Hanoi’s Nội Bài International Airport and takes us to the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. And it really is a legend.

Opened in 1901, this is where William Somerset Maugham wrote The Gentleman in the Parlour, Graham Greene wrote The Quiet American and Joan Baez taped her anti-war

anthem, Where Are You Now, My Son? (an air-raid warning is audible in the recording). It’s totally colonial, except nothing creaks and everything works. White-gloved doormen welcome us and carry our bags, and pretty soon we find ourselves under rattan ceiling fans sipping the best gin and tonic east of Suez.

Set on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake, the hotel is the perfect base for exploring the old town. We stroll around the lake. At a little cafe,

we order Vietnamese iced coffee (ca phe sua da) with extra condensed milk and sit on little blue plastic chairs to watch the sun go down over the lake.

After dark we are driven to a private dinner at Loan’s stunning home, a French colonial villa on the shores of the West Lake. Renovated by Hong Kong architect Grover Dear, it featured on the cover of Architectural Digest. Its stunning interior harbours about 50 guests, including four ambassadors, the CEOs of 10 major corporations, Vietnam’s biggest lifestyle publisher, The Economist’s man in Vietnam, various luxury brand movers and shakers and an old communist with a fantastic combover.

The food is provided by a chef from a Michelin-starred restaurant that Loan has flown in for the week. And as the party includes a couple of wine merchants, the wine is “Grand Cru Class A”. By 11pm, we are getting an insight into the life and business of Hanoi that no tourist ever sees. By midnight, one of the embassy reps is getting very indiscreet.

The house Loan has built is a gem. The top storey is a bolted-on 19th-century Mandarin ancestral hall. It has now been earmarked as a heritage site, but when Loan bought it from the Communist party (for pennies) in the early

We find ourselves under rattan ceiling fans sipping the best gin and

tonic east of Suez


1990s it was due for demolition, and it was in a village 40 miles away. Loan hired craftsmen to take the house apart and move it stone by stone and plank by plank. It is now one of Hanoi’s most remarkable homes and the hub of Loan’s social and business network.

The evening ends in a blur, with the Australian embassy guy taking everyone to a nightclub where David Beckham once got mobbed.

Saturday morning Breakfast at the Metropole is pretty good. We run into the Economist journalist and his fiancée and share breakfast at wrought-iron tables streetside. We chat, learn more about Hanoi and watch the world amble by. At 11am, Loan and her team arrive and we take cyclos to the French Quarter. It’s a beautiful way to travel. We scoop endless photos as we go.

LunchAt the iconic restaurant Cha Ca La Vong (14, Pho Cha Ca, Hoa Kiem 825 3929), we climb rickety stairs into a bright, noisy dining room and gather around a communal table set with little charcoal burners and icy Vietnamese beer. The restaurant is 100 years old and during that entire time it has served exactly one dish, also

travel

Cha Ca La Vong has been serving only one dish for 100 years – and it’s awesome.


called cha ca la Vong. A skillet of fish and other components arrive and we assemble lunch out of turmeric, dill, shrimp paste and fish sauce. It’s awesome.

Mid-afternoon we wobble down Pho Hang Gai and on to Pho Hang Bong to shop. The streets are packed with tailors, embroidery stores and serious art galleries. You can get measured for a dress or suit and pick it up 24 hours later. Giddy with lunchtime beers and super-low prices we buy lots of stuff.

Saturday nightLoan has another dinner. But I am hungover and the Metropole has me in its wood-panelled tractor beam. I stay in. “No problem, see you tomorrow,” Loan says.

SundayAnother lovely breakfast. Half the city seems to be exercising on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake. Grannies are waving swords and fans, while the younger generation bash shuttlecocks at each other or jog around the lake. We fill our Facebook feed with pictures.

Mid-morningThe Michelin chef arrives. Loan has arranged for him to give us a cookery lesson. He takes

us to a market to buy ingredients then back to the magical setting of Loan’s Mandarin ancestor hall for a lesson in how to roll the perfect Vietnamese spring roll, Hanoi-style.

Sunday lunchWe gather in Loan’s dining room to enjoy the fruits of our labour, plus some other dishes that our Michelin chef has knocked up. The Grand Cru Class A is still flowing. We meet more Hanoi movers and shakers, plus Loan’s teenage daughters (who attend a local international school) and learn all about Hanoi pop culture.

Sunday afternoonTime is running out. In a warm and fuzzy haze, we travel across town collecting our various purchases – a suit, a silk dress, ceramics and a bunch of new impulse buys – then it’s off to the airport. It’s always nice to return to Hong Kong, but as we shamble off the plane into the ordered warehouse of Chek Lap Kok, carrying our own cases and organising ourselves, I start to miss the chaos of Hanoi and safety of Loan Foster’s bespoke travel bubble.

Journeys to the East, 34 Tu Hoa Road, Tay Ho District, Hanoi, +84 4 3719 7371, www.journeys-to-the-east.com.

travel

Journeys to the East brings order to chaotic Hanoi.


Parenting (hair)stylesNew mum Sarah Fung goes in search of a low-maintenance hairdo that doesn’t skimp on chic.

health & beauty

With a rambunctious baby in the house, it’s no surprise that new mums find lttle time to relax, unwind and take care of themselves. So when an invitation came through to check out the new Capelli salon in Central, I jumped at it. Sick of tying up my straggly, split-end-riddled locks into a limp ponytail, I wanted something fresh, different and practical and if I could squeak in a facial and a manicure, well, so much the better.

The new Capelli salon is located in the former Sense of Touch day spa on Arbuthnot Road. The venue hasn’t changed; the aroma of lemongrass still hits you as you walk in, and there are cosy treatment rooms where you can get a massage, a half-hour mini facial or a wax before or after your hair cut. The small salon area comprises two chairs in the main spa area, plus a small private room adjacent to the hair wash area.

As someone who finds the brightness, busyness and chemical smell of salons rather unpleasant, this is a nice, relaxed ambiance for a new hairdo, and it feels like a treat rather than an ordeal.

After the facial, which included a simple but ultra relaxing deep clean and face massage, I had a consultation with Danny the stylist.

I pity hairdressers who have to work with mothers of babies — the list of demands is almost impossible to fulfil.

I wanted him to chop off the length for the summer, but it needed to still go into a ponytail as the baby is inclined towards grabbing tiny fistfuls of my hair at any opportunity. I also needed my hairstyle to work with my natural waves, not against them. It had to be cut to grow out nicely so I don’t have to go back for four (OK, I’ll be honest, six) months. Oh, and if possible, I needed to be able to step straight out of the shower and go without blowdrying, but still look put-together. And if he could sweep up my leftover locks from the floor and spin them into pure

He understood that practicality is what I need in a

cut right now


health & beauty free the pony

gold, that’d be great too, thanks.Danny talked me through the

entire process, recommending long layers to avoid summer frizz.

He got the length just right — a long, 60s-style bob that can be messed up and styled with a quick blast of hairspray, but still scraped back into a ponytail when needed. He also identified — without me telling him — that my hair has a tendency to flick out in a way that makes me look like Pippi Longstocking, and he cut carefully so as to avoid that rather unflattering effect as much

as possible. He understood that practicality is what I need in a cut right now, and didn’t try to talk me into bangs, ombre, or anything that’s a headache to maintain.

As someone with almost zero hair-salon loyalty, I’d definitely return to Capelli in four (OK, six) months for a fresh cut. And hopefully next visit I’ll have enough time to try the hair spa service.

Haircuts start at $550. Capelli, LG/F, The Ovolo, 2 Arbuthnot Road, Central, 2869 0939, www.capelli.hk.

Mojdeh Kazemi of Tala’s Hair and Beauty Centre in Sai Kung shares her wisdom.

Hassle-free colourTo keep your hair looking good without too much time in the salon, choose highlights or lowlights, a semi-permanent dye or a permanent dye that is close to your natural colour. These techniques help prevent regrowth showing through too soon. Convenience is king A perm is not a good idea if you have fine or coloured hair – you’ll spend more time fighting the frizz than enjoying the curls. The one-length cut is a classic and simple low maintenance style. Long layers are also easy, but keep layers no shorter than face-length so you can tuck your hair behind the ears.

A layered bob allows the hair to define itself through natural curls, flips and waves.

Pony upThe mother’s go-to hairdo. Rules for ponytails: never tie a ponytail into wet hair or have it too tight. Never use rubber-bands and always brush before tying your hair. Swimming SOSIf you’re swimming all summer, instead of applying shampoo every day, rinse your hair with water and apply conditioner to prevent the natural oils being stripped out and your hair becoming dry and lifeless. Try a spray-on product such as Revlon Equave Sun Protection leave-in conditioner before and after swimming to protect the hair from chlorine or seawater.

Hair tips for mums

Before: long and frizzy with hard-to-manage waves.After: short and sleek with a flattering Instagram filter.


pets be more dog

hong kong creaturesLongfin snake-eelaka Pisodonophis cancrivorus

The longfin snake-eel, also known as the burrowing snake-eel, can grow up to 108cm long, although most are about 50cm. It has no scales and the skin colour may be grey, black or brown, with a long dorsal fin with broad dark edges. The eel’s head and tail are pointed for burrowing, and it has a short snout with a row of small conical teeth on both jaws.

The longfin snake-eel swims by moving its body in S-shapes, like a sea snake, and feeds on small fish, invertebrates (octopus, squid and cuttlefish) and crustaceans. It spends most of the day buried in sand or mud patches with just its head exposed: at night, the eels may be seen in loose groups.

While not endangered, the eel is affected by reclamation and pollution. It is commonly found in tropical to warm temperate seas, especially lagoons and estuaries, from the Red Sea to Australia, including the waters of Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines.

Snake-eels are usually seen near coral rubble, but have adapted to various habitats including shallow coral reefs, coastal mudflats, mangroves and rivers. In Hong Kong, they are mainly found in freshwater.

Where to find them in Hong Kong: freshwater areas. Steffi Yuen

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

My life as a dogSally Andersen tries to think like her favourite canine companions.

perspective of a dog. Like every dog owner who has read it, I’m sure, it made me stop and think about my life – my human life – as dogs view it. What must they think of us and our strange habits? How frustrated they must get being unable to make us see what they are trying to say. How much simpler it would be if they could explain to us why they behave in such a way, what makes them happy or sad or when they aren’t feeling well.

I put this to the test with the dogs closest to me and tried to imagine what was going through their minds as they carried out specific behaviour patterns.

Janie’s whole day seems to be based on the hope that in the evening I’ll watch a DVD. She’s right there next to me as quick as a flash when I sit down, her face turned towards the television screen. I’m never really sure if she’s following the action, but some dogs genuinely love watching TV.

Griffin’s favourite time of the day is when

What must dogs think of us and our strange

habits?

Pho

togr

aph

by B

rian

Lam

I go to bed and we have a game before I turn the light out. This usually involves him rolling on top of me, legs waving in the air, with something in his mouth that I have to try to take off him. It could be anything from a tiny rag of towel or a bit of chewed plastic to a dog toy, but this nighttime ritual can never be missed. When it’s time to sleep he pulls the bed covers around until he is satisfied, then settles down for the night squeezed as close to me as he can get.

A dog is as individual as any human and each has his or her unique traits and characteristics. Trying to package the canine species into one box and expecting they will all behave and respond in the same way to people, things and experiences is to totally deny the whole point of why dogs are so special. If all dog owners spent even just one day thinking like their dog, there would be a lot of happier hounds and far fewer frustrated owners. There was a time when I was never without

a book on the go, but after years of never seeming to get past the first page, I gave up. Then someone recently introduced me to The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.

It isn’t new and neither is it a dog book as such, rather a good story written from the

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southside secrets lest we forget

Few places in Hong Kong offer themselves to moments of reflection and thoughts of those who came before. Buildings fall, people move on and the fabric of whole districts can change in the space of a generation. But Stanley Military Cemetery, located on the southern outskirts of Stanley, remains a place to reflect.

On a recent sun-drenched afternoon there are only a few people visiting the cemetery.

Originally constructed during the early colonial period, Stanley Military Cemetery was used for members of the British garrison and their families from 1841 to 1846. Closed for a number of years, the cemetery reopened in World War II, during one of Hong Kong’s darkest periods.

On Christmas Day, 1941, Hong Kong fell to the invading Japanese forces. While the fighting may have been brief it was intense and casualties were high. Conditions under the Japanese Occupation were tough. The cemetery was contained within the Stanley Internment Camp, where 2,800 prisoners of war – men, women and children – were held

from January 1942 to August 1945. Many died and 121 prisoners of war are buried here, their graves marked by homemade granite headstones the prisoners carved themselves.

One touching headstone marks the graves of a 75-year-old internee, Mary Williamson, who died in 1942 and of her grandson, Lance Corporal Douglas H. Collins-Taylor, who died the year before, on the day Hong Kong fell.

Today the cemetery is beautifully maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. As well as the prisoners of war, there are 598 WWII Commonwealth servicemen buried or commemorated in the cemetery, 175 of whom remain unidentified. The cemetery also contains a new Hong Kong

memorial to the Chinese casualties of the two world wars who have no known graves.

The ages on the headstones is particularly sobering. Many of the men were barely in their 20s when they made the ultimate sacrifice. I can’t help reflecting that while Hong Kong’s richest spend millions buying cemetery plots, it’s clear who has paid the higher price.

To wander around the cemetery does not take long. There are beautiful views of the South China Sea, the hills and trees, made even more pleasing by the cheerful sound of children playing in nearby St Stephen’s College. Although those buried here had their lives cut cruelly short, their final resting place is quiet, peaceful and dignified.

Wong Ma Kok Road, Stanley.

Stanley Military CemeteryCallum Wiggins take a moment to reflect.

Top: finding peace at Stanley Military Cemetery. Above: headstones made by prisoners of war.

121 prisoners of war are buried here, their graves

marked by homemade headstones

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Southside Magazine June 2015

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Transcript of Southside Magazine June 2015