Family

FIT FAM

with Zoe Belhomme

SITES TO BEHOLD

For my family, 2020 was a chance to discover what was on our doorstep. Not being able to travel allowed us more time to explore Hong Kong’s coasts, grasslands, forests, historical sites - and campsites! Here are my favourite family-friendly camping locations to explore before it gets hot again.

PAK LAP WAN

Situated in Sai Kung Country Park, Pak Lap is an idyllic spot right on the water. The beach is a favourite with campers because of its clean waters, easy accessibility and relative seclusion. There's a restaurant and shop open during the day, where you can hire tents, sleeping bags and stoves, or grab some rice or noodles. If a sandy sleeping bag isn’t your thing, just pay $50 to pitch your How to get there: From Sai Kung town, take a green taxi into the country park towards the East Dam. Alight just before and take the paved pathway down to Pak Lap village.

TAP MUN

Known as Grass Island, Tap Mun has much to offer a family in need of adventure. As the name suggests, the campsite is on open grassland and has spectacular views day, explore the trails, check out the traditional village

Pak Lap Wan

Tap Mun

SAI YUEN CAMPING ADVENTURE PARK

If you like the idea of camping but not the work involved, check out a “glamping” option, like Sai Yuen on Cheung Chau. If you’re after a spot of luxury, book one of the park’s Stargazing Domes, which come with comfy beds, air-con, hot running water, private bathroom and mozzie nets. How to get there: Cheung Chau can be accessed by ferries from Central Pier No.5. Once you arrive make a right towards the Municipal Services Building, walk along Sai Tai Road to Tsan Tuen Road, then walk up the hill.

HOK TAU CAMPSITE, PAT SIN LENG COUNTRY PARK

For a wooded camping experience, head to Hok Tau Campsite in Pat Sin Leng Country Park. The Hok Tau Family Walk is a great route to explore, and nearby you’ll find local farms and reservoirs. Facilities include a barbecue site, seating and bathrooms with toilets. How to get there: Take the 52B minibus from Fanling MTR Station and get off at Hok Tau Tsuen Terminus. Walk along

tent on the grassy area in the village behind the beach.

of the South China Sea and surrounding islands. By Hok Tau Road towards Hok Tau Reservoir for 15 minutes.

buildings, and see local wildlife. As a working fishing village, Tap Mun has several restaurants and stores, so you don’t have to worry about supplies. How to get there: From Sai Kung, take a green taxi or 94 bus to Wong Shek and pick up a ferry or speedboat from the pier.

A NEW CHAPTER In need of some new books for your kid’s library? Check out Rebooked, a not-for-profit social enterprise bringing the principles of circular economy to children's story books. Founded by local student, Bailey Cherry, who noticed her family’s book collection was gathering dust, the initiative sprang from her desire to collect and redistribute books to families who might better use them. Within a year of its inception, Rebooked has now become Hong Kong’s largest online shop for secondhand books. The process is simple: Rebooked collects pre-loved books from your home and posts them to their website, where people can buy them for a fraction of their original cost. In just one year, Rebooked has saved over 20,000 books from the landfill, resold over 8,000 books to families in Hong Kong, and donated 5,000 books to charities and other NGOs.

rebooked-hk.com

WEE WARRIORS Looking for a fun family challenge? Pending restrictions from COVID-19, Spartan Kids is scheduled to take over the Central Harbourfront event space on March 6 with a fun-filled mini obstacle course. Designed for children aged 4-14, the smallest of spartans will swing, crawl and jump through an 800m course, while older participants can take on a more competitive 3.2km route with bigger obstacles. Designed to be challenging but great fun, the race is all about promoting a healthy lifestyle amongst children (and adults too, of course!). Tickets range from $480-$520 and all entrants must be accompanied by an adult.

Takes place March 6, 2021 from 10am-6:30pm. Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Rd., Central, spartanrace.hk.

Zoe Belhomme is our resident fitness writer and new mum. She loves working out, eco-friendly parenting, and partnering with her husband to produce some of the region’s biggest sports events at MBS Concepts. Reach out to her directly with your healthy family news at zoe@liv.media.

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GO WITH THE FLO

Flora Chan, founder of Flo Jewellery, tells us how 2020’s challenges had some unexpected upsides for her business and her mission to boost consciousness and wellbeing.

Q 2020 has been

tough on everyone. As a business owner, how do you keep positive during tough times?

I try to keep myself resilient by going with the flow - listening to my intuition and being adaptable. Being present and living in the moment are what I lived by last year. When there were so many uncertainties, I focused on my daily priorities instead of putting my energy into worrying about the future.

I choose to look at what I have instead of what I miss. I believe in collective effort, and collaborating with like-minded people who share our vibe and values really energised me.

To me, everything happens for a reason. Things that seem to be daunting at the surface are actually perfect opportunities to learn and grow. I have learned so much in 2020 and I am thankful for that.

Q Tell us about how you pivoted your business during the

pandemic.

I would say that our business’ core values have always been helping people in their journey of transformation. Last year was tough for many people and I’m so grateful that Flo Jewellery could be a part of people’s journeys by inspiring positive changes in their lives and empowering them to be their best selves.

During uncertain times, we focused on inspiring conscious living. We hope to provide an alternative lens for our customers to look at their lives by exploring their connection with the universe or their spiritual self. We started providing online classes, in which we shared tools and tips to navigate the waves concerning their emotional and physical well-being.

Going beyond jewellery, we also offer personal consultations to support our customers in their life’s journey. Witnessing how they overcome their self-limiting thoughts, improving relationships or finding their dream job or partner is always the most rewarding part of this business.

Q Tell us about the FLO Diffusers. I’m very thankful to launch the FLO Diffuser [a wearable aromatherapy diffuser that attaches to your mask with a magnet] to offer a way to make mask-wearing more comfortable.

We have been overwhelmed with positive feedback and are so glad that people have started to explore aromatherapy as a way to promote well-being. We look forward to more creative collaborations with different parties in 2021.

Q How can a chakra reading benefit someone who has

been struggling in 2020?

I believe that if you struggle and have emotions about certain situations or people, it’s very likely to be a sign that you need to do something different with yourself and your life.

A chakra reading helps you to gain insights into yourself. Knowing the influences of your upbringing, parents, past relationships and experiences have on your thought patterns and emotions help you navigate the changes. Some clients feel more stable, some feel more joy, some recognise their life’s mission and some realise their gifts to the world. Our chakra consultation empowers people to focus on possible actions to manifest their dream life.

Learn more at flojewellery.com