FAMILY | FOOD | HOME | SPORT | LIVING
September 2016
Over the moon New school in tko
8 tasty mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival
Get on the water in Sheung Sze Wan
Ho Chung on film
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The really useful magazine September 2016
FIVE MINUTES WITH...
PEOPLE 4 Snapped! Sai Kung’s social life.
20 Jessey Tsang Ho Chung’s film director.
THE PLANNER
NEWS FROM THE GREENS 21 Hard truths Why it’s time to act now.
8 Happening in September What’s on. FAMILY
LOCAL
12 Back to school Essentials for the new academic year. NEWS 14 What’s going on? In your backyard. GIVEAWAYS 18 Free stuff Fab things to win.
EDUCATION 40 French International School FIS’ new campus in Tseung Kwan O.
22 Affronted by front men Unusual Small House Policy applications draws attention. FEATURE 26 24 hours at the Sai Kung Police Station A look into the life of the officers from Sai Kung. EATING 36 Mooning Hong Kong Where to buy your mooncakes. Plus nibbles.
VINES IN SAI KUNG 60 Food wars The latest news from Stephen Vines.
TRAVEL 44 Bangkok A luxury break in the City of Angels. HEALTH & BEAUTY 50 Splash yourself slim Working out at Hydro 1.0. PETS 52 Gobble, gobble Strange things pets eat. HONG KONG CREATURES 52 The East Asian porcupine A prickly individual.
f
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contributors
Robyn Ma
Dr. Anders Kulhavy
Robyn Or
The youngest of the team, Robyn is our editorial intern. A student at Hong Kong International School, she spends her weekends discovering hiking trails, trying out new restaurants and spending time with friends, family and her beloved dog Ringo. Though born and raised in Hong Kong, she continues to explore the city’s hidden gems. Read about her visit to Sheung Sze Wan on page 24.
Before moving to Hong Kong in 2014, Dr. Anders spent 10 years working as an emergency veterinarian in his home state of Texas. When he’s not volunteering for animal welfare groups in Greece, India and Thailand, Dr. Anders loves to travel and explore Asia. Dr. Anders recalls a few of the stranger things dogs and cats eat on page 52.
Robyn believes she can notice the uniqueness of every single person on earth. Robyn has worked as a reporter, a flight attendant, a copywriter and now makes a living as a freelance photographer and writer. She does whatever makes her happy. Read her interview with Ho Chung’s very own filmmaker on page 20.
Want to write for Sai Kung Magazine? Contact editorial@fastmedia.com.hk
Little people, big responsibility Leaving home is difficult for everyone, but we give extra help to the youngest relocators. Relocating is a big change for most people. It can be difficult and stressful, but it should be exciting and rewarding for everyone. Our experience and knowledge, built up from nearly fifty years as a worldwide relocations company, is shared by all our people in more than 200 locations. We’ll always be there to help you get the most from your relocation.
Tel: +852 2636 8388 | hongkong@crownrelo.com
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people Snaps from Sai Kung
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say cheese Snaps from Sai Kung
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people
Winners of Sai Kung Readers’ Choice Awards 2016
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people
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planner
SEP 10
VRC/KEEN Splash 2016
The fourth Open Water Swim organised by Basecamp is a friendly open water swimming competition for children aged seven to 13 years. Races will be separated in the format of age groups with prizes for the top three winners. Registration fee is $250. Held at Victoria Recreation Club in Sai Kung, 7am-11am. For more information visit www.skbasecamp.com
SEP 1-DEC 1 Hong Kong Cleanup Challenge Now in its 16th year, this annual cleanup couldn’t come at a better time, given the amount of waste washing up on Hong Kong’s beaches in recent weeks. Over five million pieces of rubbish were collected last year. Grab your friends, family and colleagues and sign up a team today at hkcleanup.org
SEP 4 2016 Hong Kong Legislative Council Election Cast your vote for the sixth Legislative Council of Hong Kong. Polling hours: 7.30am-10.30pm. www.elections.gov.hk/legco2016
SEP 4 HMV Foodie Market Learn how to make the best whiskies and your
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own healthy snacks while trying out a wide assortment of food and listening to live music. Free entry. 11am-7pm. HMV Flagship store. 4/F, Pearl City, 22-36 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay.
SEP 4 Sai Kung Markets Over 50 vendors selling a range of organic food, jewellery, fine wines and handmade products will
happening in September be on display. Hong Kong Academy. 11am-5pm. For more information visit www.saikungmarkets. com
UNTIL SEP 5 Celebration of Colour An exhibition by Life Inspired - a group of artist friends who meet regularly for life drawing. The Celebration of Colour aims to push its audience to relate to a diverse expression of what it means to be alive. Opening reception on the evening of September 1 with a drawing session on September 3, 6-7pm. Visual Arts Centre, Kennedy Road, Central. Free admission. For more information, contact Helen Boyd, 9123 8664.
SEP 11 Ladies Lads and Lassies Race A 3.5k run open to runners aged seven and above. Runners below six may join the fun run. Registration fees are $100 for Hong Kong Ladies Road Runners Club members aged 19 and above; $85 for ages 18 and under. Fees for nonmembers are $120 (ages 19 and above); $100 for ages 18 and under. Register by September 3. Lugard and Harlech Road, The Peak. www.hklrrc.org.hk
UNTIL SEP 12 Harmonic Motion A hand knitted textile playground for kids created by Japanese textile artist Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam, Oval Atrium, 1/F, IFC Mall. Register at ifc.com.hk
SEP 15 International Day of Democracy SEP 15 Mid-Autumn Festival Also known as the Moon Festival, today families gather around to celebrate a good harvest and gaze at the full moon - a symbol of unity. Try a
mooncake, shop for colourful lanterns and watch fiery dragon dances. Head to Victoria Park in Causeway Bay for magnificent lantern displays and other entertainment, 8-11pm. Don’t forget your lanterns!
and visual effects, Road to Ultra: Hong Kong offers a multi-sensory experience and a lineup of the most popular electro artists. 12-10pm. Ticket prices vary. Nursery Park, West Kowloon Cultural District.
SEP 16 Day After Mid-Autumn Festival
SEP 20-25 The Hunting of the Snark
Public holiday.
After a sold-out show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year, The Hunting of the Snark is on a world tour. A touching father-and-son story, this musical comedy adventure story is perfect for the whole family. Show times vary. Regular tickets from $395. The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Drama Theatre. www.hkticketing.com
SEP 14-16 Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance Parades A Mid-Autumn Festival tradition. This annual three-day event involves a 67-metre long Fire Dragon, over 300 performers, 70,000 incense sticks and a lot of firecrackers. Free entry. Tai Hang, Causeway Bay.
SEP 15-18 Asia Contemporary Art Show A diverse lineup of over 80 exhibitors from more than 15 countries. Browse original paintings, limited editions, sculptures and photography from both new and emerging artists. $220 per person at the door. If you register online ahead of time, you can take a friend for free. The Conrad, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. www.asiacontemporaryart.com
SEP 17 Saturday Hash House Harriers Join the monthly hare around the Sai Kung countryside. Child and dog-friendly. Starting at 4pm. Location to be confirmed. Details at sites.google.com/site/saikungsaturdayh3 or email gunpowderplod@gmail.com
SEP 22 Pentatonix World Tour 2016 U.S. based Grammy award winning acapella group Pentatonix has over 10.5 billion views on its Youtube channel. Catch them at the AsiaWorld-Expo on their first visit to Hong Kong and listen out for the newest single, ”If I Ever Fall In Love”. Tickets from $388 at www.hkticketing.com
SEP 23-25 Choreographers’ Showcase 2016 Hong Kong choreographers push the boundaries of ballet in this spectacular production. Tickets from $180. Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. www.hkballet.com
SEP 17 Road to Ultra: Hong Kong 2016 The largest annual and most renowned electronic music festival comes to Hong Kong for the first time ever. Boasting an exuberant atmosphere along with a unique blend of audio
Choreographers’ Showcase 2016
SEP 24 Earth, Wind & Fire Live in Hong Kong America’s top-selling music group of all time comes to Hong Kong for the first time to perform smash-hit anthems including “Boogie Wonderland” at the AsiaWorld-Expo. Tickets from $680 at www.hkticketing.com Choreographers’ Showcase Xxx 2016
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planner SEP 24 International Schools Festival Thinking of sending your child to an international school? Head here to meet representatives from a selection of these schools and listen to panel discussions and information sessions. Free upon registration. 9.30am, Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel, Level 8, Concord & Oasis Room, 1 Harbour Road. www.internationalschoolsfestival.com
SEP 24 South Island Art Day Featuring contemporary dance performances and art exhibitions in 24 art spaces. This annual event is hosted by The South Island Cultural District (SICD) and a great way to meet local and
international artists while enjoying free food and drinks. 12-8pm. Free admission. www.sicd.com.hk
SEP 25 Wellness 360 Carnival
SEP 25 Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon
Hong Kong’s most popular health and wellness vendor series is back with carefully selected products from a range of wellness brands. Get ready for a fun-filled day with free fitness performances, street dance classes, kickboxing lessons, face-painting booths and much more. 12-7pm. Lee Garden One Driveway. Contactrachel@josootang.com
Open to amateur and professional cyclers in seven categories. The registration deadline has passed but you are welcome to watch and enjoy a range of exciting game booths or shop for cycling merchandise. The “International Criterium” features top cyclists from all over the world so be sure to check it out. 5.30am-5pm. Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. www.discoverhongkong.com
SEP 25 Aqua Terra: HK Island
UNTIL OCT 2 The Gruffalo’s Child
Choose between an aquathlon (1km swim, 6km run) or a 16km trail run - both begin at South Bay Beach and end at Hong Kong Parkview. Participants must be aged 18 or above. 9am2pm. Entry fee is $250. www.terramar.hk
A children’s classic, The Gruffalo’s Child returns as a musical adaptation with songs, laughs and scary fun. Times vary from 11am to 5pm depending on date. Regular tickets from $195. Recommended for children 3+ but no minimum age. Get 10 percent off for groups of ten or more. The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Drama Theatre. www.hkticketing.com
SEP 25 Very DVCR project See Des Voeux Road Central - from Morrison Street to Pedder Street - transformed into a 1.4km pedestrian area for just one day (2-5pm). The project aims to engage the general public to explore innovative, creative ways to co-create
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and manage public spaces.
planner
BOOK NOW OCT 8-9 2016 FIA FormulaE HKT Hong Kong ePrix
OCT 14-16 Hong Kong International Tattoo Convention 2016
Get ready as FormulaE hits Hong Kong for the very first time. The use of electric powered cars means the race is emission-free. Not only will you get to witness an international racing event, but also a supercharged line-up of worldclass musical acts. Meet the racers in person, experience interactive booths and enjoy a delicious selection of cuisine. Tickets from $150. Hong Kong Central Harbourfront. www. ticketflap.com
The 4th convention organised by Freedom Tattoo. Guests will be able to check out the latest tattoo accessories, meet local and internationally renowned tattoo artists and enjoy live music. Free shuttle bus from Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui. Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, 33 Shing Fung Road, Kowloon Bay. Tickets available on ticketflap.com
NOV 5 & 6 Spartan Race Hong Kong Not for the faint hearted, the obstacle-based race will make its debut in Hong Kong. The race will be split into two categories; elite for experienced athletes and open for novices with the best competitors being eligible to compete in the 2016 World Championships in the states. It will be held at Kam Tin Country Park. $650 for early bird tickets, regular tickets are $890. For more information visit spartanrace.hk.
OCT 23 Altra Terra: Sai Kung Open to participants aged 18 or above, the trail run event starts at 9am. The 13km race begins at Shek Hang and 25km race at Hoi Ha. Registration starts at $200. Transport from Ma On Shan and Sai Kung town to starting points available for additional fee of $25. For more information visit www.terramar.hk
Got an event? We can publish the details for free. Email editorial@fastmedia.com.hk.
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family
Mushroom sharpener and eraser $45 each from Seedling, www.seedling.com.hk
18-Month Weekly Diary $370 from kikki.K, www.kikki-k.com
Mouse pad $55 from Typo, cottonon.com/HK
Back to school Supplies to kick start the new term.
Zoo Lunch Bags $115 each from Bumps to Babes, G/F, 7 Wan King Path Sai Kung, 2976 0223, www.bumpstobabes.com
‘Prosperity’ A4 File Holder $14 each from G.O.D., G/F, 2 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2791 7122, god.com.hk
Dinosaur pencil case $70 from Ohh Deer, ohhdeer.com
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family
Paper Play Design Headbands $500 from Gusella, Shop No. 224, Lee Gardens Two, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay, 2940 2238, www.gusella.com
Gelati Drink Bottle $199 from Stuck On You, www.stuckonyou.hk Bella Bunny Cooler Bag $249 from Mirth, Shop 12, 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2750 4800.
Beedie A4 Lined Notebook $51 from Ohh Deer, ohdeer.com
Novelty pens $40 each from Typo, cottonon.com/HK
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news
in your backyard
Steamers goes on sale
Steamers restaurant is up for sale with a whopping price tag of $3 million. Over the last eight and a half years, Steamers has been managed by the same owners who have helped craft it into a popular social spot. Carl Neale, one of the owners of Steamers explains the reason for selling, “I’m an Engineer and four of the owners are pilots. Plus my wife, who’s the director of Steamers, is in the UK a lot of the time.” Steamers has an Outdoor Seating Accommodation Licence which makes
Steamers an even more attractive location for potential buyers. “We’ve had plenty of interest but we have been out of the country. We are only getting it all together now,” explains Carl. “There’s been interest from big chains and small pubs looking to enlarge.” The owners are looking for someone in the community to take over. “I’d love to keep it local. Steamers is a place to sit with family and kids. People identify with Steamers as part of the community, this is true with both expat and
local residents. They want to come in and have a glass of wine or a beer. We would still want to go there even when it’s been passed on.” says Carl. When asked what they are hoping the next owners will keep, Carl said, “I hope the team will remain the same, 90% of staff have stayed with us since we setup.”
Tau Tun reefs looking good A team of divers from Living Seas Hong Kong (LSHK) recently participated in the Hong Kong Reef Check 2016. The annual check organised by AFCD is done to raise public awareness on the value of coral reefs, threats to their health and solutions to these problems. “Our motto for LSHK is to preserve the marine environment for future generations,” said Jeffrey Lee, the co-founder of LSHK. “One thing we can do is contribute our part to the reef check survey. This is also an opportunity to educate people about the state of Hong Kong’s marine environment and what we can do to help preserve it.” The LSHK team handled the Tau Tun, Kat O site and spotted groupers, snappers, crabs, sea cucumbers and other species. They recorded 20
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fishes and invertebrates species in total. Ng Tze Yan, the scientist for LSHK’s Hong Kong Reef Check team said, “As we observed, the existing coral reefs at Tau Tun are quite healthy, not bleached or damaged. There are quite a number of fishes that we can find.” It’s not all good news though, Ng went on to say, “However, there are quite a number of sea urchins there. High densities of sea urchins can feed on the corals and cause damage. We need to have a closer look at the situation.” The check will last for four months starting back in June and cover marine areas in the eastern part of Hong Kong waters, including a number of sites of ecological importance. For more information visit livingseas.hk
Indicator species are observed and recorded by divers.
news
Suck it up Stop sipping, is the message from recently launched campaign group, The Last Straw. The group, initiated by Gary Stokes, director of Sea Shepherd Asia, and his graphic designer brother, are hoping to slash the use of plastic straws in Hong Kong that end up littering our beaches and waterways. “These single use items now litter the world’s oceans,” says Stokes. “The idea of using a material that lasts for hundreds of years in items that are used for a matter of minutes was the moment of insanity.” In the good old days, drinking straws were made from a single sheet of paper. However, they had limited longevity, quickly becoming soggy and collapsing. The next step was to coat them in wax, but this made them nonbiodegradable, and then the plastic straw took over. So the guys put their thinking caps on and have come up with a durable, rigid straw that is 100% biodegradable and toxin-free. The straws are an eye-catching lime green and Stokes is hoping to introduce them all over Hong Kong. So far a number of restaurants, clubs and environmental groups have signed up for the straws, including Mavericks, The Beach House,
The Globe, Hebe Haven Yacht Club and the Aberdeen Boat Club. In June the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club independently banned the use of all plastic bags and straws in its clubs. Given the level of rubbish that washed up on Hong Kong’s beaches this summer, initiatives such as these are to be commended. Stokes recommends individuals always request “no plastic straw” when buying drinks, and asks for people to take pictures and share online if they spot the distinctive lime-green straws in use. Venues are also invited to contact The Last Straw if they are interested in getting involved. Stokes and his team can be contacted at last-straw.org.
Three little turtles go home Last month, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) released three juvenile green turtles back to sea. The turtles were originally spotted at Pak Lap Beach, Silverstrand Beach and a refuse collection depot in North Point. These sightings occurred between January 2014 to July this year. After an initial checkup, the turtles were taken to Ocean Park where they underwent a more thorough veterinary assessment and any necessary medical treatment - staying here until they were ready to be released. The turtles weighed between 8.6kg to 34.5kg and measured about 45cm to 66cm across their shell. Thankfully all the turtles were healthy and ready to be returned to sea. Before release they were all microchipped for future identification and monitoring of movements. Green turtles are believed to be the only sea turtle to nest locally in Hong Kong. They are also a globally endangered species and the public are advised to report any sightings of sea turtles to the AFCD via 1823 to help protect them.
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news
Charity race on The Peak
The 42nd Sedan Chair Race will be held at the Matilda International Hospital on Sunday October 30. The annual charity race, which sees teams of eight runners and one passenger race along the 2.1km route on Mount Kellett Road, raises money for a number of small local charities. Superheroes, smurfs and even Egyptian pharaohs have been seen making the arduous climb. This year promises to be no different with an array of colourful costumes
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and elaborate chair designs on show. A family carnival atmosphere awaits the finishers as games, food and live music is held at Matilda Hospital. The Sedan Chair Charities Fund has raised over $68 million for 134 charities since its inception and applications for the 2016 team races are now open. Visit www.sedanchairace.org for more information.
Cast your vote at LegCo 2016 Walk down most streets and it’s very difficult not to notice that the 2016 Legislative Council Election is coming up. Voting commences on September 4, between 7.30am and 10.30pm. Successfully elected candidates will begin their tenure on October 1 and continue for the next four years. Each person will have two votes, one for the Geographical Constituencies (GC) and one for the Functional Constituencies. There are nine seats up for grabs within the New Territories east Geographical Constituencies. To be eligible to vote you must first be a registered elector whose name is included in the 2016 Final Register of Electors. Polling stations will be popping up all over the Sai Kung district including the Sai Kung Jockey Club Town Hall, Man Yee Fisherman Village Community Hall, Ex-Sai Kung Central Primary School and many other locations. Do be aware though you will be assigned a polling station - a poll card with the specific polling station will be issued 10 days prior to the day. For more information visit www.elections.gov.hk
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giveaways
win at www.saikung.com
The Gruffalo’s Child The Gruffalo’s Child is an award-winning and heartwarming story of bravery and perseverance. Written as a sequel to The Gruffalo, this hugely popular show will have songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3 and up. We have a family set of four tickets to the opening show on September 30 at 5pm to give away. Deadline: September 23
Mulberry House
Stazione Novella
Fast track your child’s Mandarin learning journey through interactive and engaging activities at Mulberry House. The Mandarin Immersion Programme for children aged eight months to eight years old allows children to speak, read and write Mandarin with experienced native teachers. With a maximum class size of six children, your little one will get lots of personal attention and be on their way to learning the language in no time. www.mulberryhouseasia.com We have one $2,000 voucher for six 60-minute classes to give away.
Located on the bustling corner of SoHo’s Staunton and Aberdeen Streets, Stazione Novella is a dogfriendly neighbourhood wine bar that pays homage to the simple Italian boltholes found around the train station in Florence. A robust list of affordable Italian wines and classic cocktails is complemented by a simple menu of craveable panini and other Italian fare. Stazione Novella is the home of Aperol Spritz in Hong Kong this summer.
Deadline: September 22
We’re giving away one voucher worth $1,000 to one lucky reader. Deadline: September 26
Subscribe to our e-newsletter to get all our giveaways delivered straight to your inbox: saikung.com/subscribe
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shout-out WANT TO BE A LOCAL CORRESPONDENT? Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay Magazine is looking for local residents who want to report on local news and events. Interested? Email the Editor now at annie@fastmedia.com.hk
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five minutes with...
lights, camera, action
Managing Editor Callum Wiggins callum@fastmedia.com.hk
Jessey Tsang
Editor Annie Wong annie@fastmedia.com.hk
The Hong Kong director talks to Robyn Or about her connection with Ho Chung’s history and people through filmmaking.
Editorial
Contributing Editor Shreena Patel shreena@fastmedia.com.hk Carolynne Dear carolynne@fastmedia.com.hk Editorial Assistant Eric Ho eric@fastmedia.com.hk
Design
Senior Graphic Designer Cindy Suen cindy@fastmedia.com.hk Graphic Designer Anna Schulteisz anna@fastmedia.com.hk
Thanks to
Anna Cummins Daniel Tsang Dr. Anders Kulhavy Esther Chan Gladys Ng Max Yip Jaki Faulkner Jenny To Kam Wun-cheong Kim Woo Nissa Marion Rebecca Simpson Robyn Ma Robyn Or Sergio Marcal Stephanie Brown Stephen Vines
Publisher
Tom Hilditch tom@fastmedia.com.hk
Published by
Fast Media Floor LG1, 222 Queens Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Jessey Tsang in Ho Chung.
I grew up in Ho Chung, a 400 year old village with mostly indigenous villagers. When I graduated from sound design at HKAPA’s School of Film and Television in 2001, I made a short film starring my mother and grandmother. I believe technology sparks creativity. I finished my Master of Fine Art programme at the City University of Hong Kong at a time when video making became easier and commonly accessed. In 2008, I was the assistant sound mixer of “Lust, Caution”, a movie by Ang Lee. The scale of filmmaking and acting atmosphere was deeply rooted in my heart. I knew I wanted to be a director to bring people, sound and visuals together. The shooting took place in Hangzhou where I first encountered the overseas branch of Honeymoon Dessert, a dessert shop which originated from Sai Kung. I believe globalisation brings
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illusion into our senses so I asked myself what I could do to preserve my memory as well as the culture of the village. As a villager and filmmaker from Ho Chung, I have a sense of responsibility to bring the village’s beautiful scenery to the screen and to encourage the public to explore not just the nature but the connection between family, community and history. Every time I talk to the villagers, I have a fresh new perspective towards the village. During the past 10 years, filmmaking was a medium to express my personal view on everything. It doesn’t matter whether I am a commercial or independent filmmaker, as long as I am able to deliver stories. Funding is not as difficult in Hong Kong compared to Mainland China. The Hong Kong Arts Centre provides filmmakers monetary support. However, the
market scale of an independent film is still niche here. I’m not going to say I am a feminist but a woman’s story is always the feature of my films. For example, Big Blue Lake is about a young woman who returns to her native village after years of living abroad. Flowing Stories is a documentary of my childhood neighbour, the Lau’s, whose children are dispensed all over the world. These female-focused films surprisingly spark discussion of women’s status in such a conventional village. Hong Kong women are tough, hardworking and efficient. Undoubtedly society brings them pressure so they tend to hide their true feelings and desires. In my upcoming film, the story is about a woman who is in a deadlock situation in her marriage. By going back to the community, she eventually learns to listen to her heart and appreciate herself.
news from the greens
Hard truths
Photo courtesy of Andy Cornish
Nissa Marrion gets a wake up call.
I
was out scrabbling along a beautiful rocky shoreline recently in Sai Kung. There was no path, no beach, no easy human access. It was slippery, craggy and unfriendly - the right kind of place for nature to thrive, and humans to avoid. The only other person around was a lone fisherman on a boulder a hundred yards down. And yet, in this seemingly untouchable corner of Hong Kong’s natural world, I saw trash. Not a few bits of trash. Heaps of it. There were plastic bags, water bottles, toothbrushes, lighters, shoes, medical waste, plastic rope, polystyrene boxes, broken toys, wadded tissue, food wrappers, plastic netting, lifejackets, pieces of fiberglass, pottery, fishing lures, beer cans, broken glass... the list goes on. It was heartbreaking. I wasn’t “looking” for these obscenities. Quite the contrary. I paused to gaze at the scenery with squinted eyes, trying to blur out the tideline of garbage, but could not find a single direction to look that did not include a major dose of yuck and a depressing reminder that we are already at the 11th hour. At first it made me incredibly sad. But then I became all the more determined to be part of the change. Because this cannot be what evolution comes to. It seems like an insurmountable task sometimes, but I believe that
somehow we will win the battle against our own bad habits. We just need to open our eyes and see that we’re almost at the breaking point, that the issue is urgent - that it’s not about intangible “future generations” but about us, here, now! From now until December 1, you can sign up a team for the Hong Kong Cleanup Challenge, and I know many of you will. But here’s my invitation to you: don’t go to an easy, lifeguarded beach, or a paved hiking trail with toilets and parking lots. If you can, push your boundaries and go somewhere less convenient – take a ferry, hike in, or even hire a junk. Because it’s the tough trails, the hidden bays, and the rocky shorelines that never get cleaned and need the most help. But no matter where you go, whether it’s knee-deep in plastic or just a light scattering – rest assured that your participation in the Cleanup Challenge is making a difference, by contributing vital data as well as showing your support for a cleaner Hong Kong. For this, I thank you. Visit HKcleanup.org for details about the 2016 Cleanup Challenge.
Nissa Marion is the Editor in Chief of Ecozine and Co-founder of the Hong Kong Cleanup. She loves to talk trash. nissa@hkcleanup.org
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local
ding ding
Digital
Digital Marketing Manager Charmaine Mirandlila charmaine@fastmedia.com.hk
Sales & Marketing Sales Manager Oliver Simons oliver@fastmedia.com.hk
Sales & Marketing Executive Egbert Cheung egbert@fastmedia.com.hk Maria Jones maria@fastmedia.com.hk Bonnie Li bonnie@fastmedia.com.hk
Accounting
Accounting Assistant Jason To jason@fastmedia.com.hk Office Security Cat the dog
CEO of Designing Hong Kong Paul Zimmerman at the Nam Pin Wai village site
Printer
Apex Print Limited 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong
Affronted by front men A swathe of Small House applications in Nam Pin Wai village are drawing more attention than usual. Anna Cummins investigates.
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T
he problems associated with the Small House Policy are ones that Sai Kung residents are all too familiar with - haphazard planning, unauthorised building works and ecological damage are just some of the multifarious issues that “ding uk” (village houses) have long been associated with. If you suspect the issue is not a priority for the government, you’d be correct. During a LegCo session in June, development secretary Paul Chan said that a policy review was not a “priority task” for the current term of government, being neither “realistic nor practicable as far as time is concerned.” The latest scandal in the small house saga is a series of ‘front man’ schemes. These schemes involve ‘ding keun’ (a villager’s right to build a house) being signed away to developers; ultimately ensuring a hefty pile of cash for all, once a house is built and sold.
This all rides on the wave of a watershed moment last November, when a District Court judge jailed 11 villagers and a developer for perjury and misrepresentation - the villagers had reportedly received between $130,000 and $250,000 per ding from the developer. This was the first prosecution related to the Small House Policy in Hong Kong’s history. Comprising of representatives of each rural committee, the Heung Yee Kuk has warned that it may ask Beijing to interpret using the Basic Law if the perceived crackdown continues. The Kuk argues that, as the Small House Policy doesn’t require a villager to live in a small house, this practise of selling it ‘in advance’ is “not dishonest”. (Most ding uk are sold, legally, after completion – Lands Department records show over 50 percent are sold within five years). Transactions in the Sai Kung village of Nam Pin Wai are now under scrutiny. A series of plots
were bought by developer Billion Vantage in 2004. In 2006, seven of these plots were sold to villagers, none of whom are originally from Nam Pin Wai itself. Developers Kong Hill Development Limited and Choi Chuan Wa bought up the rest of the lands between 2011 and 2014, after rezoning was approved and planning application put forward. Attention was only drawn in July when land was cleared adjacent to the site. It’s impossible to prove anything for now, but – as Paul Zimmerman, CEO of Designing Hong Kong, notes, it’s highly suspicious. “When all the applications go through at the same time; very systematically with the same lawyers and all at the same price, it rings alarms,” he says. “[It appears as though] the developer is in control but working with people who have the right to a ding, which can be worth up to a million dollars.” That fact that these alleged
If you spot suspicious small house sales in your village, report it to Lands Department at landsd.gov.hk. Get more information about Designing Hong Kong at designinghongkong.com.
An example of a small house being built in Tai Tan
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Photos by Designing Hong Kong
rackets are coming under more scrutiny marks a big change in attitudes. “It’s getting harder for these schemes to get through,” says Zimmerman. “The Lands Department have tended not to investigate in the past, partially through a lack of resources. The Heung Yee Kuk has [also] negotiated itself a lot of room over the years and it’s one of those things it’s got incrementally easier [to get away with]. But it remains an abuse of the policy.” Of course, the Small House Policy, despite its ongoing problems, is not going anywhere 240,000 men are entitled to a ding and 90,000 houses are currently awaiting approval. If it was abolished tomorrow, the compensation bill would be huge. “The government needs to set the boundaries where houses can be built,” stresses Zimmerman. “Contain the problem within the V-Zones, and ensure we only have enough houses built to meet genuine demand. The Small House Policy began as a welfare issue and it’s now a very destructive development issue. We need to ensure the pace of change doesn’t get out of hand.”
village focus
village people
Welcome to Sheung Sze Wan Robyn Ma visits Sheung Sze Wan, a carefree village with beautiful coastlines.
The beauty of Sheung Sze Wan Beach, (inset): Rows of ivory and tan houses in the village
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egend says that there were once two lovers engaged in a forbidden love which their parents were strongly against. One day, the couple escaped to the beach and drowned themselves - hence the name, Sheung Sze Wan, which translates directly to ‘missing one another’. Not your typical village, an array of residential complexes instead of the conventional archaic houses can be seen as you walk further into the village. Rows of ivory and tan houses compliment the lush green mountains surrounding it. Well known for its beach, and rightly so, the water is glistening clear - a strong contrast to many of the beaches on Hong Kong Island. Nicky Anderson, an expatriate who has lived in the village for more than eight years, compares the village to “somewhere as exotic as Thailand or Bali, if not nicer”. Taking full advantage of the surrounding beauty, residents like to engage in fishing and often take up watersports such as paddle boarding, canoeing and water-skiing. With the ocean being one of the unique aspects of the village, it’s no surprise that Sheung Sze Wan is home to an abundance of marine life. Under the grey ashen bridge connecting the beach to
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the village lies a small stream with a multitude of sea creatures with the likes of turtles, carps and starfish. Apart from its wealth of marine life, mammals including wild boars and monkeys are regularly seen roaming around the village. Sheung Sze Wan is a tight-knit community with residents looking out for each other and organising events to promote the vitality of the village. Sheung Sze Wan residents are always eager to get together and celebrate all occasions. Jenny Smith, a long-time resident organises several events, for example beach clean-ups and barbecues, as well as a British street party to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday, Christmas parties for the kids and a first aid course for helpers. Resident Adri Blumberg teaches fellow residents to make arts and crafts; a row of mosaictiled covers can be seen covering the house’s letterboxes, making it a very colourful village. Following the spirit of the community, Chinese locals often invite expats to the provincial village hall in celebration of traditional Chinese festivals. A small cemetery is located in the village where local Chinese residents visit during Ching Ming festival to sweep the graves. On the day before the festival, Chinese villagers go to the graveyard and prepare the area for its ceremonial
traditions with expats lending a hand. However, the village’s natural landscape might not remain forever. It now faces keen residential developers. As individuals are developing the land in favour of additional residential complexes, more and more of its beauty is under threat. “They’re clearing all the land and I think they have permission for 15 village houses,” says Anderson. “I know the law in Hong Kong gives indigenous villagers the right to a plot of land but at some point that’s going to have to stop because there’s not much land left. It would be great for Sheung Sze Wan to stay as it is but I don’t think that’s going to happen.” Let’s hope the beauty of Sheung Sze Wan remains in the midst of the developments. Want to have your village featured? Email editorial@fastmedia.com.hk
How to get to Sheung Sze Wan • Take a taxi from Hang Hau, costs $60. • Take 103M minibus from Tseung Kwan O Hospital, alight at Sheung Sze Wan, costs $8.5.
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on the beat
24
HOURS AT SAI KUNG POLICE STATION
Annie Wong spends a day with the officers from the police station. Photos by Eric Ho and Stephanie Brown.
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on the beat
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on the beat
The main building of Sai Kung Police Station
0645
0650
0700
I enter the gates of the Sai Kung Police Station. It is eerily quiet with only the rustle of trees audible. The grounds are still wet from the rain the night before.
There are two officers in the report room. It’s exactly how I imagined it would look like - the walls are a mixture of muted greys and blues. I ask for Max Yip, Sai Kung’s Assistant Operations Divisional Commander. Max greets me and leads me along several hallways, up a few staircases and into one of their offices on the second level which overlooks the station’s car park. Max and the officers equip themselves and prepare for the day.
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All officers check their email and prepare for the sub unit commander briefing session. Max tells me it’s been a busy weekend for Sai Kung - there were four missing persons cases, plus the heightened patrol at the pier for day trippers during the junk boat season.
0710
We walk into the briefing room. The officers report on the cases from the previous shift including the batch of 999 calls. I meet Daniel Tsang, Sai Kung’s Divisional Commander. Max details two specific search and rescue cases. The first being an 87 year old man with dementia, who has been missing for seven days. The second, a young female Sai Kung resident missing for four days. The common issues the officers deal with
0715
are traffic enforcement, felling of incense trees, burglaries and missing persons cases. Max assures me that Sai Kung is a relatively peaceful place. Officer in charge of the Rural Patrol Unit (RPU), Kam Sir, nicknamed Kam Ye (Master Kam), for his long service in the police force, briefs his team and checks the footage of the suspicious campsites where felling of incense trees have been reported. “Felling of incense trees is a common issue in Sai Kung. We rely on villagers to inform us of any suspected fellings nearby. The incense trees have medicinal value in Chinese Medicine so it’s become a business for Mainlanders.” Incense trees, although not native to, are prevalent in Sai Kung, Tseung Kwan O and surrounding villages. Kam Sir proudly tells me the RPU team seized 100 kilograms of incense trees which was estimated to be worth $10 million last year. It was a record breaking case for the team.
0815
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on the beat
0900
A report of illegal parking in Sai Kung town comes in. A police officer is sent to check up on the situation.
Daniel has a meeting with the Fire Services Department about the missing 87 year old man. The man from Lei Muk Shue had reportedly planned to go on a hike. Search area and routes are discussed. Also on the agenda, there are several events for Yu Lan Festival (Hungry Ghost Festival) in the Sai Kung area coming up. Yu Lan Festival falls on the 7th month of the Lunar calendar where many locals make efforts to appease ‘ghosts’ by burning false money and other offerings for them to use in the afterlife. “We have to patrol the event and the area for the whole day. It is extremely popular for the elderly to attend these events so we have to be extra careful.” says Max.
0930
A handful of front line staff and the RPU team set out to search the discussed routes to find the missing man. Missing persons cases are common, particularly in the summer and autumn months, when hiking and other outdoor activities are most popular. “There are constant challenges for us. Missing persons cases is one of our top priorities in Sai Kung.” says Daniel.
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1045
Daniel drives to Wong Tai Sin Police Station to discuss the policing issues of Sai Kung with the District Operations Commander.
We walk over to the onsite canteen which is across the road from the main building. Officers start piling in - some read the paper, watch TV and some are engaged in conversation. Lunch options are displayed on the blackboard near the kitchen. The choices today include Xiamen-style fried vermicelli, scrambled egg and beef rice and curry fish with rice. I admit, there is a good variety available.
1100
on the beat
Sai Kung Division’s Rural Patrol Unit team
Sai Kung Divisional Commander Daniel arrives back at Sai Kung Police Station. He tells me that the meeting went well and as we’re in the middle of typhoon season, they’ve organised a simulation exercise for the police officers next Thursday. “We will simulate a mega typhoon hitting Hong Kong. It tests the readiness of our police officers,” says Daniel. During the exercise, officers have to document decisions they make and log their actions. “This will be a regional-wide exercise, it helps establish precautionary procedures in the case of a typhoon complete with heavy rain, trees falling and landslides”. Daniel explains that even though he finishes at 6pm, there is no off duty for police officers. “We stay on call even in our after work hours. I stayed in my office all night when Typhoon Nida hit a few weeks ago. I stayed overnight to make sure if anything went wrong, I can respond quickly and immediately.” says Daniel. Daniel briefs Max on the requirements of the simulated exercise and to notify the rest of the team.
1245
1305
Daniel orders fried rice from the canteen and eats his lunch while looking at case reports. He jokes that he’s always strapped to his desk.
Max and Daniel call an urgent meeting to discuss the next steps of the missing 87 year old man. The officers are in the process of obtaining the man’s Octopus transaction records which should arrive in a few hours. As Sai Kung’s Divisional Commander, Daniel devises a search plan, pin points search areas, executes the plan, deploys teams and convenes with other services, in this case the Fire Services Department. “We have to decide what to do very carefully. Unfortunately we can’t search forever.” says Daniel. There are significant factors to consider - age, weather conditions and mental and physical capability. There are still missing puzzles of the case.
1315
1400
It starts to rain. Police constables from the next shift arrive and get changed into their uniforms.
1445
The officers on the search and rescue mission arrive back at base. They are drenched from the pouring rain.
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on the beat
1500
The interchange of shifts calls for another briefing session. The team reports on the issues that need attention including detailing the locations of snap checks on the roads.
Max and Daniel reconvene on the case of the missing man. Max says that the last transaction from his Octopus card was from Sai Kung to Diamond Hill. Max and Daniel discuss the way forward, “We don’t want to leave anything left uninvestigated before giving up. Our officers are working around the clock,” says Daniel. There is a total of 100 officers from RPU and civil aid services on this case. The last signal came from Wong Shek Pier. “We’ve already searched one third of the country park. All our officers in every shift are out there searching for him and it poses a great impact on our daily schedule,” says Daniel. The RPU team has a physically demanding job. “It’s humid and it’s been raining so the roads become muddy and slippery. They really are the unsung heroes of Sai Kung.” The case continues...
1630
The RPU team starts preparing for their visit to reported campsites of incense tree fellings. “We usually have more success at night as they are in their deepest sleep but it’s more difficult to navigate and we have to be very quiet,” says Kam Sir.
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2010
Sai Kung police officers receive a call from Tseung Kwan O police that the missing girl has been located. She was found at the Tseung Kwan O minibus stop. She is uninjured and has returned home safe.
Canteen staff call for last orders before it closes. Max says the kitchen staff are lenient in closing later when they know some officers are still out on search and rescue missions.
Incense tree felling campsites
The incoming shift starts to eat dinner at the canteen. There’s a lot of chatter. Even though the rain is pouring down, the next shift’s officers prepare to head out. They routinely check the contents of their designated car and make sure everything is stocked before leaving.
1700
Daniel heads back to his office to write reports. He tells me report writing takes up a lot of his time and that he has a handful to write including reports on cases, inspector appraisals, probationary reports and more. I ask how many he’s written today. With a slight smile on his face, he says, “one and a half”.
1900
Did you know? - There are 100 officers at the Sai Kung Division which equates to 20-30 officers per shift - There is an average of 20 999 calls on any regular day at the Sai Kung Division - Police officers in Hong Kong have to retire at 55 years old - There are currently 400 ambassadors of the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. This programme is special to the Sai Kung division and encourages residents to become ambassadors to share crime information and prevention.
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on the beat
The faces of Sai Kung Police Station Tsang Wa Hei, Daniel, Sai Kung Divisional Commander New dad to a baby girl, Daniel, was a physiotherapist before joining the police force in 2006. With ten years experience under his belt, Daniel became the Divisional Commander of Sai Kung in June. He likes to seek out challenges and believes he has a cohesive team and a good relationship with the community.
Senior Inspector Max Yip, Assistant Divisional Commander (Operations) After discovering an interest in forensic investigation from a summer job, Max joined the police force in 2009. He was previously stationed at the Kowloon East headquarters,with a focus on serious and antitriad crimes. He joined the Sai Kung division as Senior Inspector in April and regularly writes for Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay Magazine.
2100
Police officers are back from the search and rescue operation. However, they come back with no success on the case of the missing man.
2230
The next shift rolls in and prepares for the take over briefing.
2330
Station Sergeant Kam Wun-cheong, Officer-in-charge of Rural Patrol Unit Having worked in the police for 36 years, Kam Sir has served many districts across Hong Kong including Tseung Kwan O and Sai Kung. Kam Sir is the Commander of the Rural Patrol Unit and admits his job can be tough but he enjoys helping people and exploring different cases in the Sai Kung area.
Inspector Gladys Ng, Miscellaneous Enquiries Sub-unit Commander of Sai Kung Division After graduating from University in the states, Gladys returned to Hong Kong in 2012 to chase her dream of joining the police force. Completing her training and becoming a constable in 2015, Gladys is the Sub Unit Commander at the Sai Kung division. She gains a sense of achievement from serving the community.
Police officers head out to nearby restaurants to buy dinner. There aren’t too many options at this hour - it’s either a 24 hour Chinese restaurant or McDonalds.
Police Constable Jenny To, Operations Support Sub-unit Jenny is in her first year of serving the Sai Kung district as a Sub Patrol Unit constable. Encountering different cases each day, she enjoys the adrenaline she gets from being on the front line. Considered as a newbie, she enjoys talking to her seniors about their experiences in the police force.
0200
A call comes in reporting complaint nuisance. The officer inputs details of the report.
0400
The police station goes quiet again. There’s not a lot happening so I call it a day. My shift at Sai Kung Police Station is officially over.
For more information, contact Sai Kung Police Station, 1 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 3661 1630 34 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM
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eating
treat yourself
Over the moon
Annie Wong samples the city’s tastiest mooncakes. Round, flaky and full of calories. Mooncakes are typically eaten during Mid-Autumn Festival and is traditionally filled with lotus seed paste. However, modern versions of the festival staple are filled with custard or ice cream, and some are filled with more questionable ingredients.
Mid-Autumn Festival occurs on 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar, with this year’s festival falling on September 15. Families and friends gather to gaze at the moon, light lanterns and share the stodgy and highly calorific (7001,000 calories per mooncake, if you must know)
Chinese pastry during this traditional celebration. Orders are being accepted starting this month so we scour the city for the traditional, quirky, and most sought after mooncakes.
CHOCOLATE
GODIVA
FEVER
Putting a modern twist to the traditional delicacy, GODIVA has brought out their Mid-Autumn Chocolate Pastry Mooncake. The mooncake mixes in silky chocolate, nuts, all on top of a moist cake, complete with an imprinted lotus flower on the chocolate crust. Flavours include sea salt with hazelnut milk, raspberry dark chocolate, crunchy nuts milk chocolate and almond dark chocolate. A gift box of four starts at $278, $448 for eight pieces and $598 for ten pieces.
The Peninsula Hong Kong
MOST SOUGHT AFTER
Light, airy and delicate - the limited edition Spring Moon mini egg custard mooncakes from The Peninsula melts immediately in the mouth. While the exact proportions and nature of the ingredients are kept under wraps, the team uses a traditional recipe using rich duck eggs to bring out the best in both texture and flavour. Unfortunately
Mandarin Oriental Packaged in a contemporary-designed box with shapes of crescent moon, half moon, and new moon, it represents the natural progression through the full lunar cycle. Specialty mooncakes include golden or white lotus with egg yolk ($468 for four pieces), mini red bean paste with egg yolk and mini egg custard mooncakes ($378 for six pieces). This year the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant Man Wah will also offer limited edition mini mooncakes with only 500 boxes available ($588 for six pieces). Available until September 15. Order by calling 2825 4008 or emailing mohkg-cakeshop@mohg.com, www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong
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the online ordering deadline has passed (the mooncakes are only available for order for three days). $485 per box. Each box contains eight mooncakes. For more information call 2696 6828 or email mooncakephk@peninsula.com, www.peninsula.com.
Available at GODVIA shops and online, www.godiva.com.hk
G.O.D Unfortunately G.O.D aren’t bringing out their cheeky ‘moon’cakes (mooncakes shaped like a bum) this year but they are partnering with Tai Cheong bakery and showcasing their signature mini mooncakes. There will be six bite-sized mini mooncakes in each box, containing three red bean and three custard flavours. $159 per box. Available in stores across Hong Kong including the Sai Kung branch. G/F, 2 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung Town, 2791 7122, god.com.hk
eating The Royal Garden The Royal Garden has pulled out all the stops for Mid-Autumn Festival. Mooncakes come in a range of flavours - white lotus seed paste with two or three yolks, egg custard filling, mini red bean paste with dried tangerine peel. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, the Yunnan ham with mixed nuts is also a good choice which uses olive seed, walnuts, almond, watermelon seed and sesame. Gift boxes with eight pieces available. Starts from
$336 per box and vary for different flavours. Available until September 14. G/F, 69 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, 2733 2045, www.rghk.com.hk
Hyatt Regency Hong Kong Sha Tin Cased in a two-tier designer gift box, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong Sha Tin will be showcasing two flavours of mooncakes: white lotus seed paste with two yolks and mini custard. There are three combinations to choose from - all white lotus seed paste mooncake (four pieces), mini custard mooncake (eight pieces) or an assorted box. All priced at $338 per box, available at Cafe or Sha Tin 18 at Hyatt Regency Hong Kong,
XTC Gelato
GELATO INFUSED
XTC Gelato is combining artisanal gelato with mooncakes. Available in a box of four flavours with a Hong Kong twist, XTC Gelato uses only natural ingredients. Flavours include pistachio, milk tea, raspberry and original vanilla. The yolk in the classic mooncakes is replaced with mango sorbetto made fresh from Philippino mango. $285 per box, available until September 16.
Available at several locations including Shop B, 45 Cochrane Street, Central, 2541 0500, xtc.com.hk
L’Hotel Island South
MOST TRADITIONAL
L’Hotel is offering the most traditional flavour of the delicacy this Mid-Autumn Festival with their own lotus seed paste with double egg yolk mooncakes. The mooncakes are encased in a specially designed gift box with Chinese characters signifying “full moon” (月圓) when closed and “reunion” (團圓) when opened. Priced at $268 for a set of four.
Make your own mooncakes at Yan Toh Heen If you want to make your own mooncakes for the celebrated festival, join Yan Toh Heen’s Executive Chef Lau Yiu Fai’s masterclass on September 10. Chef Lau will teach guests how to make their custard cream and gold dust mooncake, with a choice of inscription of up to two Chinese characters. The masterclass includes a feast of the restaurant’s signature dim sum, mooncakes and freshly brewed Chinese tea, with one box of custard cream and gold dust mooncakes to take home. $1,488 per person. 12.15-2pm. For more information or to reserve your spot, call 2313 2323. InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental. com
LIS Cafe, Podium Level 3, L’Hotel Island South, 55 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, 3968 8833, lhotelgroup.com
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eating
Nibbles New juicery in town With eight locations across Hong Kong, Bless has opened in Sai Kung town. Bless makes fresh cold pressed juices daily. There are several juices to choose from - single flavour juices like coconut, orange, apple or watermelon (starts from $24 each) or try one of their mixed flavoured juices including Heart Guardian (watermelon and tomato; $38) and Oxi-Defender (apple, carrot and beetroot; $38) Shop A, 52 Sai Kung Town Centre, Sai Kung, 2877 2008, blessbalance.com Spice up your life Mixian Sense has launched a new menu that features traditional Sichuan soups. The Hunan and Sichuan restaurant has introduced Japanese Inaniwa udon and a selection of dumplings. The Japanese Inaniwa udon is half cold pressed with a more al dente texture. There are over 28 different toppings to choose from like hot and
spicy pork chop and U.S beef and fish tofu. Two locations in Tseung Kwan O including Shop 134, Park Central, Tseung Kwan O, www.facebook.com/MiXianSense
Live performances each night. 3/F, The Royal Garden, 69 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, 2733 2000.
Sabatini’s new set menu
Dishing up Italian cuisine since 1992, Sabatini has launched two new set dinner menus. The four course Summer Set Dinner menu ($688) and Signature Set Dinner menu ($988) starts with all-time classic appetizers, followed by a pasta or risotto dish, main course and desserts from Sabatini’s trademarked trolley with a spread of tiramisu, Napoleon and Saint Honore gateau. The two set menu includes different choices of appetizers and mains including risotto with shrimps and baked Boston lobster.
Hungry for kebabs Located in the old town at the former spot of Mandy’s Caribbean is newly opened Yaadgar Kebabs and Curries. Select from a range of kebabs, biryani, curry, roast chicken and salads with vegetarian options available. From 12pm-5pm on weekdays, Yaadgar’s lunch sets starts from $49 which comes with a main meal and soft drink. G/F, 24 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung, 2791 2088, yaadgarkebabs@gmail.com Little Cove extends opening hours The Australian-inspired cafe in the Old Town is now open till 10.30pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The night menu includes crepes, cheese and dips with craft beer and organic wines. 34 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung, 9474 0781.
recipe
forks at the ready
Salsa Verde
Jacqueline Faulkner whips up a refreshing summer dressing.
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he great thing about this time of the year in Hong Kong is how abundant your crops can be. The stiflingly hot weather prior to Typhoon Nida saw the garden at Permaclub abundant in Asian herbs such as laksa, mint and holy basil. So it’s the perfect time to make some refreshingly simple dishes to feed our appetite. The Italian’s call it Salsa Verde, The French, Sauce Verte and in Argentinian chimichurri. Call it what you will, it’s one of the easiest, greenest and quickest sauces to make. It is an excellent dish to serve as a simple pasta sauce or for meat lovers, to drizzle over grilled lamb, fish or chicken. It’s easily adapted for vegetarians,
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vegans and for gluten free diets, pick up one of the many GF pastas or Asian noodles, which are readily available in a lot of health food stores. It’s a wonderful summer long recipe and can be made with virtually any combination of your favourite herbs. Method • Mix the herbs in a pestle and mortar (or food processor) until you reach your desired consistency. • The next step is to add garlic, vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. • Mix and match according to your personal taste and season with salt and pepper. • Serve over pasta, et voilà!
Salsa Verde, a refreshing summer dressing
Ingredients • Spanish needle • Coriander • Parsley • Vietnamese mint • Arugula • Regular garden mint • Two cloves of garlic very finely chopped • White wine vinegar • Two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
Jacqueline Faulkner is Community Manager at Hong Kong Permaclub which aims to improve and promote environmental sustainability, clean food and a healthy sustainable lifestyle in Hong Kong. For more information visit www. facebook.com/permaclub or email: info@permaclub.org
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education
school trip
French International School
Rebecca Simpson learns more about the school’s new Tseung Kwan O campus, due to open in 2018.
Artist’s impression of the new French International School’s Tseung Kwan O campus.
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ast year, The Wall Street Journal reported Hong Kong as the hottest spot in the world for French expats. Over the past six years, Hong Kong has seen an influx of French professionals and their families to the city. So it’s no surprise that the French International School (FIS) is expanding. The school is due to throw open the doors of its new Tseung Kwan O campus in 2018, at which point it will accommodate over 3,000 students across multiple locations. Currently, FIS boasts four campuses in Hong Kong and runs two streams of education, from reception through to high school graduation: the French stream (French curriculum) and the International stream (English and IB curricula). The Blue Pool
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Road campus in Happy Valley is home to high school students from both the French and International streams. Jardine’s Lookout houses reception to Year Four from both streams; these children move to Chai Wan for Years Five and Six, following which the French stream students return to Jardine’s Lookout for two years. Finally, the school has a temporary campus in Hung Hom for French stream primary school students. A new campus, a new way of learning Once the new state-of-the-art Tseung Kwan O campus opens, French and International stream students will have the chance to learn side by side. Final confirmation of which year groups will be located at the new campus is
yet to be confirmed. The new campus is being pegged as one of the most innovative and green schools in the city. So what makes it so cutting edge? “It is a very clever design by a Danish company that is a leader in this area. Educationally, it’s what we’re calling the villa concept”, says Ian Clayton, Head of International Stream at FIS. The villa concept offers a new way of learning for FIS students. “There will be three classes of the French stream and two classes of the International stream sharing a villa”, explains Clayton. In the middle is the Agora: the shared area. The walls separating each room will be retractable and students will share a large area in the middle of the villa where they can experience intercultural and
education A green campus to share with the community FIS is a green and community conscious school. Since 2008 the school has been annually awarded as an international “EcoSchool” by the Foundation for Environmental Education. The new Tseung Kwan O campus will see the school deliver a new level of sustainable building design and integration throughout the new campus. The new campus will feature a botanical garden with native Hong Kong flora for students and the community to share sustainable development projects and activities. This eco garden will be maintained by the student body. The TKO campus will serve the local community, allowing access and shared facilities for the immediate community out of school hours.
The exterior of the existing Chai Wan campus.
bilingual teaching and learning.” This new way of working is designed to allow fluidity within the teaching staff and offer students more exposure to teachers from the other stream. “There will be times when the French teachers teach the international class and the international teachers teach the French students. This exchange will be for a percentage of the week. The students will also do lots of shared projects in this common area. The classrooms are big, specifically for that reason – so students can share, so they can interact, so they can mingle”, says Clayton.
This non-traditional approach is the brainchild of the FIS teaching body, driven by the school’s Principal, Christian Soulard. “When we were planning for Tseung Kwan O, the idea evolved. Our Principal drove the idea. As a school we are focused on our bilingual offering, so this new villa-style of teaching is an experience we believe will help our students. Schools are traditionally built in a linear fashion, but we wanted to build our classrooms around this shared nucleus. And that’s where the brilliance of the designers really came into its own. They helped make our vision a reality.”
An academic legacy The FIS has an established history of academic excellence. “Academic results are our strength,” boasts Ian Clayton. Not only is the school delivering strong academic results, but it’s also well regarded by universities in both Europe and the U.S. FIS has a stable relationship with an array of universities and staffs a dedicated team of career guidance experts to help senior students with their journeys to further education. Recently, student Noé Ensarguet was honoured at the old Ecole Polytechnique in Paris for winning the Mathematics Olympiad. 21,000 students took part in the Olympiad and only 38 were winners, with Noé named one of them. He was recognised in the presence of Najat Vallaud- Belkacem, the French Minister of Education.
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education
The villa-style concept at the new campus.
In 2015, FIS students excelled academically in the IB, IGCSE, and the French Baccalaureate. 100% of FIS IB students secured a place at their first or second choice university. 75% of the IGCSE graduates were awarded an A* or A across all subjects. The French Baccalaureate students had a year to remember too as student achieved the best academic results to date for the school. A place where students feel valued Proud of their strong reputation for academic excellence, the school is also keen to emphasise the relationship that each student forges with the school. “Students have great relationships with the teachers – they feel the teachers know them well and they know the teachers well. It’s a mutual understanding.” He cites modest class sizes as a contributing factor to the way FIS students feel valued, “This is linked to our small class sizes – in the senior school, it’s not unusual for our students to be in a class of only 10 or 15 students.” A reduced student-teacher ratio means FIS students are offered not only
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academic but also pastoral monitoring. The FIS sense of community and student sentiment of being recognised is a powerful proposition for parents and students alike. “Students don’t fall through the cracks here. As a student, you can’t go unnoticed at FIS. Everyone knows you and you know everyone.” A bi-lingual education The FIS offers students an opportunity for robust academic achievement supported by a sense of belonging and care from teachers. When the TKO campus opens in 2018, the students will also benefit from a new way of learning and state-of-the-art facilities. But what makes the FIS truly unique is the bilingual immersion the students experience. While English is the common playground language at FIS, students graduating from the school are fluent in both French and English. Perhaps most importantly though, embracing and understanding respective cultures could be the most valuable life lesson of all.
School Report
French International School
Established: 1963 Number of students: circa 2,600 Curriculum: French stream: French National Curriculum (French Baccalaureate) International stream - English National Curriculum to IGCSE then IB Fees 2016/2017: $96,589 - $184,038 Address: Blue Pool Road Campus French and International Streams 165 Blue Pool Road, Happy Valley Jardine’s Lookout Campus French and International Streams 34 Price Road, Jardine’s Lookout Hung Hom Campus French Stream 68 Gillies Avenue, Hung Hom Chai Wan Campus French and International Streams 1 Cheung Man Road, Chai Wan Tel: 2577 6217
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versions of the IELTS exam – the Academic version and the General Training version. General Training is usually taken by those who are sitting the exam for immigration purposes. The majority of IELTS candidates sit the Academic version. While the different versions offer different papers at different levels, the speaking and listening test is the same for both Academic and General training candidates. In addition to Academic and General Training, a brand new version of the exam has just launched – IELTS Life Skills. This exam is to meet the requirements of UK Visas and Immigration for certain visa categories and other immigration purposes. It only assesses candidates’ listening and speaking skills. It’s important to remember that, for all of the exams, an IELTS score is only valid for two years. After the two year period, the score is said to be stale and candidates must take the exam again to have a valid score. What can an IELTS exam taker do to get the best score possible? First and foremost, familiarise yourself with the test format. Practice your English,
every day. There is, of course, a variety of freelyavailable preparation material on the internet (often of poor quality, unfortunately). Or, you can take an exam preparation course. One option is ITS Education Asia’s IELTS Exam Preparation course, offered fully online and available anywhere in the world. It includes live sessions with a real teacher, teacher-guided selfstudy, exam tips and strategies, and assignments and practice papers marked with full tutor feedback. It’s a cost effective, high-quality option for students around the world looking for an IELTS course. For more information, visit www.itseducation.asia/online/ielts.htm ITS Education Asia 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 3188 3940, es@itseducation. asia or visit www.itseducation.asia.
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travel
Bangkok
Shreena Patel ditches her backpack in search of luxury in the City of Angels.
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travel
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travel
B
angkok. A classic stop on the Southeast Asia backpacking tour with cheap and delicious street food, numerous budget bars and plentiful low-cost accommodation in the form of hostels and guesthouses. But Bangkok isn’t just for backpackers and students on their gap year. If you prefer to holiday with wheeled luggage and without shared dormitories, read on. In the heart of the city’s Thonburi area, beside the Chao Phraya River, at the end of a long driveway lined with trees and flowers, lies one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. “Welcome to The Peninsula Bangkok,” white-gloved bellhops greet us with smiles as we step out of the heat and into the cool, perfumed, marble-clad lobby. Looking around at the high ceilings and dark marble floors I suddenly feel a little unpolished, but I straighten my dress and head over to the front desk to check in. The hotel was first opened in 1998 and has retained prominence in the city thanks to its classic elegance, five-star facilities, and excellent service. Recently awarded the prestigious five-star hospitality rating by the 2016 Forbes Travel Guide, it has 370 rooms (all with river views) including five themed suites, an 88-metre three-tier outdoor pool, a 14-room spa, fitness centre, several restaurants and last, but not least, a helipad.
Bangkok isn’t just for backpackers and students on their gap year.
The Wenlcinosmuela tBoangkok! Pe
resents p e r a o dh ingofbuBd uddha int n i l c e r Thee entry th rvana. Ni
Wat Pho temple
and
a
Eating breakfast by the river market e h t om Cat fr
l e ptoeorh t y b af Lanzinag sunny o on no
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We’re booked into a Grand Deluxe room - elegant and spacious, with teak and makha wood furnishings, a walkin closet area, sofa, TV (with international channels) and large writing desk. A V-shaped floor-to-ceiling window offers panoramic views of the river (balcony rooms are also available, but in summer it might be too hot and humid to enjoy sitting outside for long). Every afternoon, Thai treats magically appear on the coffee table along with a selection of local fruits: mangoes, rambutans and bananas. The bed is cosy comfortable but most spectacular is the marble bathroom with twin vanities, large shower and a deep bathtub with an in-built TV.
travel
The pool opens early every morning so we go for a quick dip to build up an appetite before breakfast - the temperature of the water is perfect and pool attendants regularly bring round ice cold face towels and water. Just behind the pool is the spa - prices here are much higher here than outside of the hotel but the massages are great and you get your own suite which houses a private steam room, sauna and jacuzzi. The fitness centre - which guests can access freely - has similar facilities but these are not private and are separated by gender. You can eat breakfast out on the river terrace or indoors - I recommend foregoing the air conditioning in exchange for the lovely river views. The spread is excellent, with Western and Asian delights, fresh juices and fruit. Top tip: try the French toast. For dinner, choose between Mei Jiang (indoor Cantonese fine dining), Thiptara (homestyle Thai food served al fresco in a tropical garden) and The River Cafe & Terrace or Lobby (gourmet international fare). For us it’s a no brainer: we dine at Thiptara for a taste of Thai cuisine and the spectacular night time river views. The setting is beautiful and our
Dinner at Thiptara, in traditional k Thai houses from ChiangteaMa i waitress Beer is friendly and attentive with good recommendations. We opt for the set menu - standout dishes include the Laab Mou (spicy minced pork salad with shallots and mint leaves), Tom Yum Goong (traditional spicy soup with tiger prawns and lemongrass) and KhaoNiew Ma-Muang (Thai mango and sticky rice with coconut cream). After dinner, we head to the lobby to enjoy some live music.
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travel
At the ket with before oumrarco oking claCsshef
Giant beans!
ad with Making papaya sal would this m mna Chef Cha e? cas t sui my n i fit The next day we attempt to recreate some of these dishes - plus new ones - in an outdoor cooking class under the guidance of Thiptara’s cheerful Chef Chamnam. This class is one of many offered by The Peninsula Academy - see the hotel website for details. It includes an optional trip to the market at 9am to check out local ingredients. We travel there in the hotel tuk tuk, an upgraded version of Thailand’s famous three-wheeled taxi. Upon our return, fresh ingredients are laid out for us to cook our own lunch (four courses in total). With the benefit of hindsight, I suggest going easy at breakfast if you’re doing this class, or at least requesting to move the cooking part to later in the day so you have enough room to eat everything.
Cooking icken skewer the strech et - smells deslicion ous! 48 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM
All aboard The Peninsula ferry!
View is whefrreomthtehe room...this Hangover Par y filmed The t II!
As for sightseeing, Bangkok is famous for its vibrant street life, cultural landmarks, notorious red-light districts and shopping malls (in fact, down the road from the hotel but out of earshot, construction is underway on IconSiam, a ninestorey waterfront mega shopping mall). The Peninsula is located on the west bank of the river, which is more peaceful but across from most of the main attractions. However, the hotel has a fleet of small teakwood ferries which shuttle guests back and forth to the Skytrain Station and the east bank every 10 minutes. There’s no charge and no need to book - ferries operate between 6am and midnight. Top tip: when it rains, traffic on the bridge can get particularly bad. Rather than taking a taxi to sites like the Grand Palace, hop on a ferry to the east bank and catch the river taxi - it’s fast, cheap and an experience in itself. Pay the conductor after you get on. Bangkok is a fun but hectic city, so it’s a relief to arrive back at the end of each day in the calm and luxurious surroundings of The Peninsula. As for when to visit, I’m told that Bangkok has three seasons: hot, hotter and hottest. Peak season is December to February (hot). Rates may be lower at other times of year, including rainy season (July to November).
Khao Sa oad - th e famous ban ckRpa cker street Essential Info A Deluxe room at The Peninsula Bangkok starts at THB 18,000++ per night for two people, including breakfast. The hotel is located 50 minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport. A one-way taxi fare costs around THB 500, including express way fee; or book a hotel limousine from THB 2,800. The Joy of Thai Cooking Class - THB 5,000 per person (including market visit; THB 4,000 without). Book in advance.
Hong Kong
Bangkok
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health & beauty
treading on water
Hydro training is an effective and low impact exercise alternative
Splash yourself slim Esther Chan tests her limits with hydro training.
H
ong Kongers love to douse the summer heat with a splash of water; and so I say to you, those that can’t afford the time it takes to leave our concrete jungle, Hydro 1.0 may just be what you’re looking for. An aquatic fitness gym, Hydro sits conveniently in an alley hidden in Kennedy Town. Sporting minimalist décor, the workout zone creates an unpretentious vibe. Hydro’s owner, Simon, has a friendly yet matter-of-fact manner which strikes a good balance for an instructor. We dive right into the world of hydro training: aqua CrossFit, spinning and paddling. The gym hosts all levels of trainees with regular sessions for professional athletes and workouts for rookies like me. Standing next to the main pool, we discussed the benefits of aqua fitness as opposed to land exercise - less lactic acid buildup and impact on joints. The buoyancy of water also makes hydro training particularly effective for toning up the core, back and thighs because you must tense those muscles to stand still. I soon realised this is no exaggeration as I found it tiring just to stay still whilst performing a range of movements
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in the water. Simon suggests aqua shoes are a must to avoid slipping (available to rent at $20 per class or purchase a pair for $250). As Simon prepared the pool, I took a rinse, changed, and stepped out of the changing room ready to conquer the world of aqua sports. Or so I thought… I felt genuinely relaxed as I waded into waist-deep room temperature water, but it did not last long as Simon began briefing me on my training plan. My first task was to press kickboards under my palms, push them backward while bringing my legs up, then pull them up and kick back at the same time. While I would like to say I got the grasp of the exercise after 20 repetitions, the truth is I was about as coordinated as an Argentinian Tango newbie. Squeezing my core and focusing on each part of my body however definitely helped. We moved onto spinning where I was able to witness on the underwater camera the true extent of my limbs’ abilities to fly in every and all directions. We not only attempted different speeds but spinning while sitting and standing. Simon took my pulse and I was proud to see it stood at a cool 100 beats per minute. He then led me to the hydraulic treadmill, I kick-started a ten minute circuit with a three-set
workout, free running with arms outstretched, dashing and high jumps. As an avid runner, I felt the treadmill could be my strong point and I was pleased to hear for once I was moving correctly. My confidence however faded three minutes in as I started to notice the need to exert myself a lot more to glide comfortably through the water. By the time I finished the circuit I had not only built up quite the sweat but was breathing heavily as my heart rate had shot up to 144 beats per minute. The aqua workout is undoubtedly impressive in terms of its effectiveness and could present a comparatively low impact alternative to the trendy High Intensity Training (HIT) now popular across Hong Kong. What struck me the most, however, is how fun Hydro 1.0 is - quite naturally my usual serious workout face transformed to a pseudo smile, and after all, during these humid summer months, who wouldn’t mind a bit of exertion, as long as it’s in the water? Private coaching is $800, group classes are $450. Hydro 1.0, 28 Praya Kennedy Town, Brilliant Court Store #6, Sai Wan, 9475 0737, www.hydro1hk.com
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pets
gobble, gobble
Got the munchies?
Dr. Anders Kulhavy recalls a few of the stranger things dogs and cats eat. Dogs and cats love to put things in their mouths and sometimes they end up biting off more than they can chew. When that happens they often end up needing surgery to pull out whatever they have gotten ahold of. Over the years I have removed some strange things bottle of glue, a leash, rocks, and a stuffed pink elephant. Cats can ingest string and have it get caught under their tongue, hang down to the intestines, and sometimes all the way to the colon. This can be a life threatening problem. Dogs tend to love eating cat faeces, straight from the litter box. However the excrement can become quite hard and unfortunately I had a patient who didn’t
survive surgery after a piece of hard cat poo blocked his intestine. One dog ate some rib bones and managed to have all of the pieces pass through the stomach, intestines, and colon, only to poke through the rear end and get stuck on the way out. Another dog ate an entire pin cushion and managed to pass it without having to have surgery. The pets and cases over the years provide great stories, however there
are some sad memories of the ones that didn’t make it. Animals are adventurous creatures. If you suspect your pet has ingested something, big or small, look for the main signs and symptoms like vomiting. However some patients just stop eating immediately. This syndrome is typically seen in younger animals, however certain medications and hormone secreting tumors can cause patients to have a ravenous appetite and eat things they normally wouldn’t (this is termed pica). If your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t have, call your vet right away. If they are vomiting consistently then it’s worth getting some x-rays to make sure things are clear.
hong kong creatures
East Asian porcupine aka Hystrix brachyura.
Also called the Malayan porcupine, the East Asian porcupine is one of the largest in Southeast Asia, growing up to 83cm long and 25kg in weight. It is among the most common large mammals in Hong Kong, living mainly in forests and cultivated areas.
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Found in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore and southern China, porcupines are nocturnal, which makes it relatively difficult to observe these animals in the wild despite their abundance. The porcupine is famously covered in spines: the front half of its body is coated in darkbrown spines 3-5cm long, while the rear half has much longer quills that are banded black and white. These sharp, hollow spines can grow up to 23cm long. When threatened, the porcupine rattles the thick quills on its short tail and raises its spines and charges backwards into its attacker.
Able to swim and gnaw, porcupines are rodents and feed mainly on fruit, nuts, roots, tubers and bark, but they will also eat carrion and insects. They live in small family groups of three or four in large burrows or hollow trees. Two or three family groups may live together in a social colony. They have few natural enemies, although large cats have been known to attack porcupines and in some areas they are hunted by people for bush meat. Their quills are sometimes used as decoration. Porcupines can live up to 27 years in the wild. Where to find them in Hong Kong: countryside areas across the territory (including Shek O, Stanley, Pok Fu Lam and The Peak) except Lantau Island. Last December, a porcupine was spotted wandering around Central’s Citibank Tower at around 3am in the morning.
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distribution
where to find us
Sai Kung Magazine continues to extend its reach in the community, here is the latest in distribution news. 30,000 readers. 10,000 copies.
SAI KUNG PENINSULA
Shatin
Sai Kung Town Hebe Haven Marina Cove KOWLOON Silverstrand Tseung Kwan O Clearwater Bay
HONG KONG ISLAND
Restaurants, Bars and Cafes -
AJ’s Sri Lankan Restaurant Ali Oli Bakery Bacco Big Fish Butcher King CC Café Casa Cava Chip In Classified Colour Brown Fiesta Fiesta Firenze Grande Restaurant Five Coffee Company Italiano’s Jaspas May’s Sawadee Mike’s Chicken Comida de Portugal Paisano’s Pepperonis Pizzeria La Gondola Sauce Sawadee Thai Starbucks Steamers Takka Fusion T.C. Deli Tree Cafe (Horizon Plaza) The Duke of York
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-
The Dutch The Sandwich Club, HKUST Union Jacks Vilavila Gourmet Village Restaurant
Shops -
The Bottleshop The Courtyard East Point City Shopping Mall Everything Under The Sun (Horizon Plaza) Final Fragment Fusion, Centro Plaza Fusion, Clearwater Bay Ka Ying Curtain Craft Leisure Book Shop Life’s a Breeze (Horizon Plaza) Look Upstairs One Kowloon Patsy House Rich On House Property Agency Sai Kung Market Schmidt Vinothek Taste (East Point City) Today Speed Photo Finishing Mirth TREE Watsons Wine Cellar Wood + Kitchen
Pets and Vets
Schools and Kindergartens
- Pets Central - Sai Kung Animal Hospital
-
Private Clubs and Hotels -
Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club Equestrian Centre Hebe Haven Yacht Club Hillview Court Hyatt Regency Hong Kong (Sha Tin) Marina Cove Residence Oasis The Giverny The Portofino Victoria Recreation Club
Anastassia’s Art House Clearwater Bay School Garden House Hong Kong Academy Hong Kong Adventist College Kellett School Mills International School Music Horizon Sunshine House Sai Kung English Tutti Music Woodland Pre-School
Health and Fitness -
Allure Escapade sports OT&P (Razor Hill) Pole Paradise Queen’s Castle Organic Day Spa Sai Kung Healthcare Centre Sara Thai Massage Seasons Fitness (Central) Sense of Touch Tala’s Hair and Beauty Zone @ Sai Kung Reflexology Centre
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marketplace
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vines in sai kung
stephen says...
Food wars No food trucks allowed in Sai Kung, Park Mediterranean on its way, PCCW’s lack of service, and more, writes Stephen Vines. four weeks the network ceased to function for two very long periods. On one occasion, for reasons that remain unclear, it suddenly sprung back to life. The other time a repair job was promised three days later, a period shortened to one day after what might be described as vigorous complaint. On both occasions it was made clear to me that this lack of internet service was somehow my fault. This is far from being an isolated experience; I calculate that on average the service stops every six weeks.
Mobile softee plies its trade near the Sai Kung waterfront.
No food truckin’ for Sai Kung Food trucks are much in the news at the moment, especially now that the government has decided to insert its bureaucratic oar. Officials have decreed that not only must food trucks remain stationary but they have also specified where they must go, and, get this, they set up some cockamamie competition so that they can regulate what they must sell and to control what the bureaucrats believe to be the most suitable food offerings. Sai Kung was not deemed to be suitable for this kind of operation despite the fact that it has a longstanding food truck business. However our version consists of a humble ice cream van that plies its trade near the Sai Kung waterfront. Presumably this is far too humble to be considered as a food truck in terms of the new government scheme. This ice cream van has many problems in official eyes. First up it sells a very basic product that is immensely popular and secondly the product is dead cheap. Tut-tut, this kind of thing cannot be tolerated in the new food truck era where so-called originality and high prices are the order of the day. And, oh yes, did I forget to mention that it helps a lot if the truck is operated by one of the big food chains because they received the lion’s share of the licenses for this scheme. Meanwhile, although Sai Kung is a pretty obvious location for this business it was ignored for the pilot scheme; were it otherwise just think of the possibilities for the waterfront area.
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The Mediterranean comes to Sai Kung… again In this space you may have seen discussion of the new property development called The Mediterranean. Yet again a property developer has seized on a name that evokes a place far from distant from Hong Kong to suggest that a mundane collection of housing units is somehow equivalent to an area of great natural beauty that is notably not dominated by high-rise or even mid-rise cramped apartments. Sino, the developer in question, is so chuffed by its clever use of this name that it has now decided to name a second property development Park Mediterranean. The ‘park’ is located on the other side of Sai Kung, nestling between the romantic setting of a large paint factory, now mainly used for storage, and the local fire station. My-oh-my the romance is there for all to see. May I suggest that the next housing development be designated as the Cote d’Azur, after all the name is alluring, it has nothing whatsoever to do with Hong Kong and its use is derivative… absolutely ideal if you ask moi. No service is our service, thanks to PCCW The lousy broadband service in Sai Kung provided by PCCW, admirably detailed by Simon Parry in this magazine, has been the focus of complaints for slow speed. However, if my experience is anything to go by, the total lack of service is a more pressing concern. In the past
Dave to the rescue Once again Sai Kung residents should acknowledge the work of snake catcher Dave Willott whose recent capture of the very large python near the entrance to the country park at Pak Tam Chung, received a fair amount of publicity. This snake is believed to have previously injured both dogs and people trying to rescue them. It had taken up residence far too close to a busy trail. Dave is very concerned over the welfare of snakes so handles these matters with the greatest of care as I discovered when he came to my house to extract a cobra, which took a fancy to the cupboards in my kitchen. I ‘bravely’ stood at some considerable distance while the snake was extracted and broke my oath of atheism to offer up a small prayer for Dave Willott’s assistance. Yet more follow up would be good Finally, I am most grateful to Maureen Siu, who heads the Sai Kung District Office, for following up on the July column that discussed the enormous bureaucratic obstacles presented to Country Park residents seeking renewal of entry permits. It would be churlish not to acknowledge that she is alert to matters of this nature. However her email showed that her more junior officials simply do not give her the true facts of the matter. I have since supplied further details of this problem but, alas, at the time of writing, received no response.
Stephen Vines is a journalist, broadcaster and entrepreneur. He is the former editor of the Eastern Express and Southeast Asia correspondent for The Observer.
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