Sai Kung Magazine December 2014

FAMILY | FOOD | HOME | SPORT | LIVING

Roast beasts

Giving back

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Beach Resort reopens The inside story

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Top as re m to books ist r ge h C ty er o ur s pro u ts ( an d ot h for kids oo

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Christmas tree crisis

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Stuff for stockings

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Support a local charity

Where to eat turkey

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Merry Quizmas!

How well do you know Sai Kung?

The really useful magazine December 2014

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NEWS FROM THE GREENS

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Sai Kung’s social life.

THE PLANNER 6 Happening in December The best of what’s on this Xmas.

LETTERS 12 Have your say The latest from our readers.

NEWS 14 Goings on In your backyard.

LOCAL 18 Beach Resort makeover From hotel to serviced apartments.

FIVE MINUTES WITH… 20 Fun in store The colourful life of Mirth.

22 Eco-farming and fake farming The fake farmers wrecking Hong Kong’s biodiversity FEATURE 24 Merry Quizmas!

Take our festive quiz.

28 Stuff for stockings Lovely things (and where to find them). Plus turkeys, trees and carols.

EATING 34 Festive feasts Christmas dinners and New Year’s Eve parties. Plus Nibbles.

FAMILY 38 Giving back Support a local charity.

EDUCATION 42 Good books for kids Dymocks’ Christmas recommendations.

BIG DAY OUT 46 Zoo hoo Exploring the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.

SPORT 50 Mind your manners Ray Sting’s tips for parent supporters.

HEALTH & BEAUTY 52 Running commentary Taking gait analysis in your stride.

PETS 54 Doggy distress Signs to look for.

HONG KONG CREATURES 55 East Asian porcupine A spiky nocturnal critter.

MARKETPLACE 56 Your guide to shops and services Cool stuff to buy and do.

CLASSIFIEDS 64 Loads of random useful local stuff.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY 66 All you need to know Numbers that make life easier.

VINES IN SAI KUNG 68 Good behaviour Stephen Vines has no beef with mainland visitors (and a word about cows).

“YOU WANT THE MOON? JUST SAY THE WORD AND I’LL THROW A LASSO AROUND IT AND PULL IT DOWN.” – GEORGE BAILEY

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people Snaps from Sai Kung

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say cheese

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people

say cheese 24-Hour Charity Dinghy Race

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Share your event photos with us at photo@fastmedia.com.hk. Get snapping!

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UNTIL JAN 4

Disney’s Sparkling Christmas

Oh look, it’s snowing on Main Street. And don’t miss the new night parade with performers in LED costumes at 7.30pm. Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau, www.hongkongdisneyland.com.

DEC 1-31 Winter Wonderland at Discoveryland The indoor playground gets a Christmas makeover. Visit Santa’s grotto from December 21-27, $80 including a photo with Santa, a gift and goodies. G/F, 31 North Plaza, 96 Siena Avenue, Discovery Bay, 2441 0098, www.discoverylandhk.com.

DEC 1, 15 Conrad Fair A one-stop pressie palace. Shop for hampers, fashion, jewellery, toys, skincare and so much more. Grand Ballroom, Conrad Hotel, Pacific Place, Admiralty, 2521 3838, www.prestigefairs.hk.

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DEC 4 Carols by Candlelight Santa, shopping, singing and mince pies for The Matilda Children’s Foundation. Free.

6pm-8pm, Matilda International Hospital, 41 Mount Kellett Road, The Peak, www.matilda.org/childrenfoundation.

DEC 5 Yellow Brick Road KGV Christmas Fair Fun and games, food, artjamming, sports, live music and the final performance of the Wizard of Oz school production. 5.30pm-8pm, 2 Tin Kwong Road, Ho Man Tin, www.kgv.edu.hk.

DEC 5-7 Hong Kong International Boat Show Cruise the superyachts, sailing boats, ribs and dinghies – and dream of life at sea. Club Marina Cove, Hiram’s Highway, Sai Kung, www.clubmarinacove.com.

happening in december DEC 5-7 & 11-14 Puss in Boots Pantomime Slap that thigh, it’s panto time with the Hong Kong Players (oh yes, it is). Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai.

Tickets $250-$330 from Urbtix, www.urbtix.hk.

DEC 6 St Stephen’s Chapel Christmas Fete Santa’s chopper lands at noon at this annual church fete on the lawn, with entertainment, games, stalls and refreshments. Entry $20, children free. No parking. 11am-4.30pm, St Stephen’s College, Wong Ma Kok Road, Stanley, www.ststephen.org.hk.

Suits play sevens. The hospitality village has food, beer and a Kids’ Zone ($100 entry) with a bouncy castle, facepainting, games and a Sports4Kids rugby clinic. Free. 9am6.45pm. So Kon Po Recreation Ground, 55 Caroline Hill Road, Causeway Bay, www.corporate7s.com.hk.

Visit Santa in Sai Kung. On December 7, he will be at Treasure Island (22 Yi Chun Street, 2792 9192) from 10am to noon. And on December 13, meet him at Dymocks (7 Man Nin Street, 2791 9110) from 3pm to 5pm.

DEC 7, 14 Classics for Kids Christmas Concert

Rummage for pre-loved goodies at this popular sale that draws people from across Hong Kong and even over the border from China. At press time, a few tables were still available for Jan 17. 9.30am-3pm, LG3 Car Park, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clearwater Bay, gujean@ust.hk.

Monthly eco- and community-inspired indoor market for locally sourced produce and fun activities. 11am-5pm, Hong Kong Academy, Wai Man Road, Sai Kung, www.saikungmarkets.com.

DEC 7 Hong Kong Corporate Sevens

DEC 7, 13 Santa in Sai Kung

DEC 6, JAN 17 Winter Garage Sale

DEC 7 Sai Kung Sunday Market

The SAR Philharmonic Orchestra’s 13th annual interactive concert introduces children to classical music and try the instruments.

2.15pm and 5pm, Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai.

Tickets $250 from www. hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

DEC 12-13 Xmas @ Night Market Warm food, hot drinks, cool gifts and plenty of holiday cheer. Fri 6pm-11pm, Sat 5pm-11pm, Sun noon-5pm. PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, www.pmqnightmarkets.org.

12 DEC Christmas Golf Day Tee off with the Steamers Golf Society on its annual tournament at Kau Sai Chau. For details, please email golf@ steamerssaikung.com.

DEC 12 Celtic Christmas Quiz A fundraiser for the Echoes of Erin Irish dance team ahead of the 2015 World Irish Dancing Championships. $200/ person, with Lucky Dip, Irish goodies and lots of Irish dancing. 8pm, Steamers, 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6991, www. echoesirishdance.com.

DEC 6 Forest House Christmas Fair Shop for handmade presents – soft toys, Christmas lanterns, nativity sets, decorations and more. 10am-2pm, Forest House (above Garden House Pre-school), 7 Silverstrand Beach Road, Clearwater Bay, 2358 0077.

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DEC 13-14 Sai Kung Christmas Carnival

DEC 21-JAN 4 Phantom of the Opera

DEC 25 Christmas Day

Organised by the Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy and the Sai Kung District Community Centre. There will be stalls, carols, face painting, bouncy castles, games and visits from Santa. Free, 11am-5pm, District Community Centre, Mei Yuen Street, Sai Kung, www.saikungchristmascarnival.org.

The man in the mask returns in Andrew LloydWebber’s renowned musical. AsiaWorld-Arena, Lantau. Tickets $292-$1,195 from www.lunchbox-productions.com, 8203 0299.

...He’s been! Presents! Tree! Turkey!

DEC 17-29 Pulse 3-D Light Show The Clock Tower and Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui will become giant screens for a spectacular light show four times nightly at 8.30pm, 9pm, 9.30pm and 10pm.

DEC 19-21, 24-28 The Nutcracker Hong Kong Ballet performs the classic tale of Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Mouse King, which it has presented every Christmas for more than 15 years. Grand Theatre, HK Cultural Centre, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tickets from $140 at Urbtix, 2734 9009, www.urbtix.hk.

DEC 24, 25 Christmas Night Market Gluhwine, canapés and Alpine-style Christmas shopping at The Peninsula forecourt on Christmas Eve (for restaurant patrons) and on the Sun Terrace on Christmas Day (hotel guests only). Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2696 6772.

DEC 24, 25 Carols and Santa in TKO Carols in the lobby at 7.30pm-8.55pm. And Santa will be handing out gifts in restaurants at 11am-noon and 5.30pm-6.30pm. Crowne Plaza Kowloon East, 9 Tong Tak Street, Tseung Kwan O, 3983 0388.

DEC 26 Boxing Day Public holiday (to play with new toys).

DEC 31 Village Dogs Live The Sai Kung band gets the party started at 8pm. Steamers, 66 Yi Chun Street, 2792 6991.

DEC 24 Christmas Eve

DEC 31 New Year’s Eve

One more sleep…

Happy New Year! See p.36 for party details.

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BOOK NOW JAN 11 Clearwater Bay Chase Annual 10km race, plus a 1km parents-andchildren challenge. From 8.30am, Marina, Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club, 139 Tai Au Mun Road, Clearwater Bay. Register

by December 21 at www.cwbgolf.org/ cwbchase, 2335 3752.

JAN 14-FEB 15 Kidsfest!

Stage productions of The Gruffalo, The Tiger Who Came To Tea, Horrible Histories and more. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai.

Details and tickets from www.hkticketing. com, 3128 8288.

JAN 31 Lily Allen Live Sheezus hits town. AsiaWorld-Arena, Lantau.

Tickets $788 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

FEB 5-8 Fantastic Mr Fox

FEB 27-MAR 29 Hong Kong Arts Festival

Faust International’s kid performers present Roald Dahl’s tale of the crafty canine vs Boggis, Bunce & Bean. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai.

Tickets $220-$270 from www.hkticketing.com.

The city’s annual culture bonanza is just around the corner. Full details at www.hk.artsfestival.org.

Got an event? We can publish the details for free. Email editor@saikung.com.

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letters

The key to wish locks Just spotted your question about the love locks (Letters, November 2014). These are wish locks and are shaped after the dolos – the big concrete block on the waterfront boulevard of

which more than 7,000 were used to build the High Island Reservoir.

It’s a great initiative by the Sai Kung Development Association, which sells them every weekend at the waterfront promenade market. Buy one in your favourite colour (pink for love, yellow for career or blue for peace), write down your deepest desires and lock your wish safely to the railing.

For more stories about Sai Kung’s hidden gems, download our free iDiscover City Walk App or visit i-discoverasia.com.

Ester van Steekelenburg Founder & Director of Urban Discovery

Nice to meet you, No.2 This calf was born between the trees near Fusion in Sai Kung. Just a few days old, he makes the acquaintance of one of his relatives.

Chris Davis Tai Wan

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Messing up the park I realise you normally post “pretty” pictures of Sai Kung, but my whole family was shocked at this [picnic table in Sai Kung Country Park].

It didn’t look like it was caused by an animal due to rubbish in the concentrated area of the seating – and all the other seating was spotless.

We all think someone should know about this. Who would leave such a mess?

Jamie, Frankie, Lewis and Dhani Cadman

from our readers

Picture of the Month

“Photo of Sai Kung” – Emily Kong

“Sunrise over Chuk Yeung Road, Sai Kung” – Dean Bailey

“Ordinarily beautiful, Sai Kung fruit and veg market” – Lucy Yung Murphy

“Nothing’s gonna change my love for you <3 #SaiKungMag” – @emilyksm via Instagram

Email your photos or letters to editorial@fastmedia.com.hk. We may edit for length. Or tag us, #saikungmag on social media!

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news

in your backyard

Christmas tree crisis

New principal for HKA Hong Kong Academy has appointed a new secondary-school principal, Leanne Dunlap, who has a wealth of international teaching experience.

She joins the school from Denmark, where she has been middle-school principal at Copenhagen International School since 2010.

Prior to this, she worked in Warsaw, Seattle, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro.

More than 100 faculty, staff, parents and students were involved in her appointment. The HKA community looks forward to welcoming Leanne in August, 2015.

Sharks in Sheung Sze Wan? Hong Kong’s fresh Christmas trees are (almost) all at sea, with many shipments running weeks late and others cancelled completely owing to industrial action in United States ports.

Most local nurseries order noble and Douglas firs from the US for the festive season, but a six-month dispute between West Coast longshoremen and the Pacific Maritime Association has thrown shipping schedules into chaos. Workers are on a go-slow, with US newspapers reporting some ports are operating 40 to 60 per cent slower than normal, putting many ships weeks behind schedule.

As a result, nursery owners in Sai Kung are warning Christmas trees will be arriving weeks later than usual.

“I’m luckier than many because my trees have been loaded and the ship is already on its

way,” said Chuck Fung of Yue Sun Garden, a Pak Kong nursery that opens specially for the Christmas season. “Other nurseries have had to cancel because their trees won’t be here in time for Christmas. I still don’t know exactly when the ship will arrive because the shipping company keeps changing its route. I’m hoping it will be here in early December, but I just don’t know.”

Another company we spoke to said it was buying trees from other Hong Kong nurseries after being told its trees may not arrive until the middle of December.

Meanwhile, most nursery owners are taking orders for trees as usual and advising customers to phone in December for more information about arrival dates.

For a guide to buying Christmas trees in Sai Kung, see p.35.

From rohnuts to rusticity Replacing SwissBeck on Po Tung Road is new homeware store, Bargains for Better Homes.

It’s a treasure trove of reasonably priced rustic furniture and accessories. One wall is covered in small shelf units and another has a selection of Christmas decorations, including sweet glass cupcakes and crystal trees.

Fear not, rohnut fans, SwissBeck has relocated to Chan Man Street, opposite Wellcome.

11A Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2440 4113, www.facebook.com/Saikung.BBH.

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Sheung Sze Wan residents Adri and Hannah Blumberg spotted two dorsal fins last month, while walking their dog on Sheung Sze Wan beach. The fins were about seven metres offshore, according to the mother and daughter, a 10-year-old student at French International School. Adri caught the fins on camera, sparking an online debate with marine experts from Australia, the UK and Hong Kong University offering different opinions about the species.

“It was inconclusive in the end,” Blumberg said. “It could have been a catfish, it could have been a shark. But the point is, despite the debris and pollution, there are still beautiful animals out there cruising Hong Kong’s waters.”

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news 640 flats for Shaw Studio site

A total of 642 flats and 115 hostel rooms are to be built on the site of the former Shaw Studio, behind the Caltex petrol station on Clearwater

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Bay Road, near Clearwater Bay School and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

The 7.8-hectare site will house 41 residential blocks, two hostels and two commercial buildings.

The Town Planning Board approved the plans after the developers agreed to take over road-improvement works from the government.

The site is co-owned by three companies, Clear Water Bay Land, Double One and Coastline International.

Once called “Movietown”, the Shaw Studios site was opened by the late Sir Run Run Shaw in 1961 and was the largest privately owned studio in the world, producing more than 1,000 films over four decades. However, Shaw Studios relocated to Tseung Kwan O and the Clearwater Bay site has been vacant since 2003.

The development plan was approved ahead of a proposal to give the site a heritage grading, which was due to be discussed by the Antiquities Advisory Board.

Winter camps Active children can stay busy over the holidays at ESF Educational Services’ winter sports camps in schools across Hong Kong, including Renaissance College, Kowloon Junior School and Australian International School.

Suitable for children from age two to 11, there are multi-sports camps as well as specialist soccer, basketball, gymnastics and tennis clinics. All classes are supervised by qualified coaches with first-aid training and are available on December 29-31 and January 2-3.

For details, visit www.esf.org.hk

in your backyard

The carnival is back! After a break of eight years, the AIA Great European Carnival is returning to the Central Harbourfront over Christmas and New Year, with new rides, street entertainers and three hectares of family fun.

And for that we can thank the son of founder and CEO Michael Denmark, who asked his dad, “When is the carnival coming back?”

His question sparked two years of work, including generating support from the government and community. The result will be a great day out, with bumper cars, a carousel, candyfloss and a “tour of Europe” to keep the whole family entertained.

“We are keeping the price very reasonable, so a family of four can come for less than $600,” Denmark says.

Tickets will cost $195 for adults and $90 for children aged three to 11 years, available at www.ticketflap.com. The carnival opens this month and will run until late February – at press time the exact dates were yet to be confirmed.

Photo by Alexandra Carlile

Waterfront carnival rolls up

Sensory Tots opens Paediatric occupational therapist Linsey Irvine has started classes in Sai Kung designed to stimulate babies and toddlers’ senses and development. Sensory Tots offers classes in three age groups: Babies (three-nine months), Baby Movers (nine-18 months) and Toddlers (18-36 months). Sessions are held weekly over a 10-week term. For details, visit www.sensorytots.com.

Special Offer Until February 28th 2015 You can enjoy a whitening and moisturizing facial treatment, valued at $380 with any package purchased. $500 for a soak off manicure + pedicure package 20% OFF during June 15th - December 31st 2014 | 30% OFF facial discount for student

For enquiries and/or appointment, please call: 2302 0289 10 Tak Lung Back Street, Sai Kung | 23 Sai Kung Main Street, Sai Kung Working hour: 10am-8pm

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local

ta-da!

Editorial Jane Steer jane@fastmedia.com.hk Hannah Grogan hannah@fastmedia.com.hk Adele Brunner adele@fastmedia.com.hk Cherrie Yu cherrie@fastmedia.com.hk Art Director Kelvin Lau kelvin@fastmedia.com.hk Graphic Design Setareh Parvin setareh@fastmedia.com.hk Evy Cheung evy@fastmedia.com.hk Head of Sales & Marketing Karman So karman@fastmedia.com.hk Business Development Manager Tristan Watkins tristan@fastmedia.com.hk Marketing & Communications Manager Sharon Wong sharon@fastmedia.com.hk Sales & Marketing Executive Andrea Balboa andrea@fastmedia.com.hk John Lee john@fastmedia.com.hk Viola Choi viola@fastmedia.com.hk Accounts Manager Connie Lam connie@fastmedia.com.hk Publisher Tom Hilditch tom@fastmedia.com.hk Contributors Carolynne Dear Sally Andersen Hazel Parry Stephen Vines Paul Zimmerman Steffi Yuen Callum Wiggins Queenie Choi Lauren Parry Mei-li Rose Bacani Printer Gear Printing Room 3B, 49 Wong Chuk Hang Road, (Derrick Industrial Building), Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong Published by Fast Media; Floor LG1, 222 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong

GIVE US A CALL! Admin: 3568 3722 Editorial: 2776 2773 Advertising: 2776 2772, 3563 9755 Sai Kung Magazine is published by Fast Media Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Fast Media Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any way, part or format without written permission from the publisher.

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The ins and outs of the Beach Resort Hotel.

Beach Resort makeover The old Beach Resort Hotel reopens – as six serviced apartments. By Hazel Parry.

After 12 years of standing empty and mostly derelict, the old Beach Resort Hotel on Sha Ha Beach has finally reopened for business.

However, the renovated building will not be admitting guests for weekend breaks but concentrating on elite clientele who are looking to enjoy Sai Kung with the sort of luxury and service usually found downtown.

Previously known as the Surf Hotel, it has reopened as serviced apartments following a makeover which has seen its 32 hotel rooms turned into six two-bed apartments renting for $70,000-$80,000 a month.

The apartments come in two sizes, 2,210 sq ft and 1,827 sq ft, each with two bathrooms, sea views, rustic-chic furniture and fully equipped modern kitchens.

A member of the residential leasing department of E.Lite Property Management, which is managing the apartments, said the leases were for a minimum of one year, however they were flexible and

other arrangements could be made.

The rent includes around-the-clock security and weekday cleaning of the apartments, she said.

The top-floor penthouse suite is already occupied, with rumours circulating the occupier is a billionaire who has only visited on a few occasions. His or her identity remains a mystery.

The hotel was bought by a private company called Billion Earn International in 2007 for $78.5 million from its Australian previous owner, Brad Gotfried. Since then it has been renovated on a slow on-and-off pace.

Until early this year, the directors of Billion Earn International were listed as New World Development Company chairman, billionaire Cheng Karshun, and several other of the company’s top executives.

However, in February New World Development said it had sold the Beach Resort for around $190 million – $110 million more

than the purchase price.

In June, Tony Chau Siufai, managing director of E.Lite Property Management, took over as sole director of the Billion Earn International company, which is still listed as the owner. Chau was not available to talk to Sai Kung Magazine.

The opening of the serviced apartments dashes the hopes of Sai Kung residents hoping to see a hotel on the seafront. However, construction is now well underway on two other hotel developments in the area. Cranes and pile-drivers are busy at work at the planned 250-room hotel owned by Cheer Regal on the seafront opposite Hong Kong Academy.

Work on the 40-room boutique hotel at Pak Sha Wan being built

by Cohli Investments, is also making progress.

Cheer Regal declined to talk about the project while attempts to track down Cohli Investments Ltd turned up no results.

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five minutes with...

fun in store

Colour me happy Mirth owner Kylie Platt on the joys of lovely things. By Callum Wiggins.

My husband’s job brought us to Hong Kong 15 years ago. I didn’t think about staying this long, but now it’s home and we don’t want to leave.

Opening a business and becoming a part of the community makes living in Hong Kong so much better because you feel part of it.

My husband owns My Wine Man, upstairs. It’s very much his business and Mirth is mine, but we combine staff and premises. Often, women come into Mirth to shop while the men go upstairs to buy wine.

Our style is eclectic...

Australian and Scandinavian with a bit of French and Asian

Mirth is a lifestyle concept store. It’s about surrounding yourself with fun, colour and happiness. Our style is a little eclectic and at the moment we are especially excited about Australian and Scandinavian design, with a bit of French and local Asian flavour thrown in.

hard at generating word of mouth. People have to discover us – I quite like that, it’s a bit like finding a hidden gem.

Mirth is an old-fashioned word. It means full of happiness and fun, which is what we try to achieve in the store everyday.

I’ve always wanted my own business. I own a children’s clothing label, “and the little dog laughed”, and I had a warehouse for the stock in Wong Chuk Hang. When the premises on the ground floor became available I thought it would be perfect for a store.

I love the old town area of Sai Kung and being off the main street means we have to work

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Everyone has been talking about us and we have been doing really well.

We will possibly move to Sai Kung as my children go to school in the area. I like the fact that the kids are safe and free to play and there are lots of children around. In my opinion, it’s much better to bring children up in Hong Kong than in Australia as there are so many more opportunities and they meet other children from all over the world.

I love the cows wandering around Sai Kung.

At weekends we go hiking or to the beach and to Hebe for lunch. The kids get to play on the beach and we have a nice lunch and wine!

Open daily 10am-6pm. Shop 12 (the former Babushka premises), 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, www.mirthhome.com.

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save our country parks

news from the green front

Farming, eco-farming and fake farming Eco vandals posing as farmers are wrecking Hong Kong’s biodiversity, writes Paul Zimmerman.

In the northern New Territories, agricultural tenants have long worked the land despite the meagre income. Over the past decade they have been joined by young people running eco-farms and selling their produce at farmers’ markets. Often, the land they are farming is designated for new-town development and the farmers make objections as they wish to maintain their lifestyle and because they are offered little compensation.

One of the best-known farmers is former weatherman Lam Chiu-ying. He is overseeing an agriculture-led revitalisation project at Lai Chi Wo, an enclave surrounded by Plover Cove Country Park, which he hopes to turn back into a working village.

However, more often than not, so-called eco-farms are a disguise for the willful destruction of biodiversity as landowners seek to radically reduce the ecological value of their idle land – a “destroy first, build later” attitude

now rampant throughout Hong Kong.

The incentive is clear. When the government assesses the value of land for conservation, it considers the local ecology, presence of rare species and woodland maturity. If it is found to be of high ecological value, the land may be zoned for conservation. If it is found to be low, land is more likely to be zoned for development.

And it is about to get worse. The Planning Department confirmed last month that it has

no enforcement powers over the removal of vegetation, even Sites of Special Scientific Interest – the most rigorous zoning short of declaring the area a country park. The excuse provided by the Department of Justice: where landowners have removed vegetation but have not proceeded to cultivate or build on the land, “unauthorised development” cannot be proved.

These same people informed me a massive concrete mountain blocking vehicle access on land zoned as “road” in Ho Chung village is also not “unauthorised development”.

Please take pictures, mark the location and report abuse of land via tellme@1823.gov.hk and copy info@designinghongkong.com.

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

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feature

Merry Quizmas!

Take the Sai Kung Christmas quiz (it’s just for fun).

Illustrated by Setareh Parvin.

Xmas Q&A Test your knowledge.

1. When was the last recorded snowfall in Hong Kong? a) 1934 b) 1946 c) 1975 d) 1989 2. Which of these is not the name of a Sai Kung-based sports club? a) Stingrays b) Sharks c) Dragons d) Wild Cows

8. Name Sai Kung’s dog-rescue charity. a) Sai Kung Stray Friends b) Catherine’s Puppies c) HK Rescue Puppies d) All of the above

15. A “golden orb” is… a) A feature of the Astropark b) Chinese slang for an egg yolk c) A spider d) Rude

9. What song contains the lyric “we’ll take a cup of kindness yet”? a) God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen b) Mistletoe And Wine c) Auld Lang Syne d) Ding Dong Merrily on High

16. Which pub has been open longest? a) The Boozer b) POETS c) Duke of York d) Steamers

3. What do the initials FOHH stand for? a) Fed-up on Hiram’s Highway b) Fans of Harry Harrison c) Frightened of Hang Hau d) Friends of Hoi Ha

10. Who operates the new petrol station on Hiram’s Highway? a) Esso S b) SinoPec c) EasyJoy Juice d) Caltoxic

4. What is the gestation period of a feral cow? a) 273.9 days b) 27.39 months c) 9.372 months d) Don’t know – but is it getting faster?

11. Nam Wai resident Shing Win-bui was arrested this year after... a) Setting his rabbit, Big Freddie, on a postie b) Walking his boar, Little Tommy, in Sai Kung c) Releasing his chinchilla, Fat Betty, in a restaurant d) Eating his pet horseshoe crab, Tiny Allan

5. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas lived near what town? a) Whoville b) Whatville c) Whereville d) Whyville

12. The war memorial on Tai Mong Tsai Road commemorates... a) WWII Japanese soldiers b) WWII Sai Kung Martyrs freedom fighters c) The Glorious Dead of WWI d) WWII British soldiers

6. Star Plaza is now called… a) Centro b) Fusion c) Where? d) You know, that green building…

13. Who’s the odd one out? a) David Bowie b) Bob Geldof c) Midge Ure d) Bono

7. Which is the odd one out? a) Big Fish b) S2 c) Chinese Cuisine d) Union Jacks

14. Match the name to the restaurant Mandy’s Sawaddee Anthony’s Chicken May’s Kitchen Mike’s Caribbean

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17. What is this? a) Sleigh-docking station for Santa b) It’s art, innit? c) Bootcamp equipment (climb it, ladies) d) Driving range for the Golf and Tennis Academy 18. Match the place to the translation Lung Ha Wan White Sand Bay Pak Sha Wan Big Wave Bay Ma On Shan Lobster Bay Tai Long Wan Horse Saddle Mountain 19. Who or what was the Big Splash? a) 1990s Marine Police anti-smuggling operation, Sai Kung b) 1970s waterpark, Clearwater Bay c) 1960s swingers’ scene, Clearwater Bay d) 1950s triad boss, whereabouts unknown 20. What were Frosty the Snowman’s last words? a) “Make mine a hot toddy” b) “I may be some time...” c) “I wet myself!” d) “I’ll be back again someday”

christmas quiz

Name that seafood

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christmas quiz

Faces and places Match the Santa to the venue.

Moj

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Solar

Sing

Nathan

Brenda

christmas quiz

Word search Find the Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay words.

Sai Kung

Kungdom

Clearwater Bay

Man nin

Old town

Hang Hau

Waterfront

Hebe Haven

Steamers

Trio

Casa

Jaspas

Cava

Sampan

Tin man

Sai Wan

Centro

Talas

Hirams

For answers, please see p.65.

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xmas made easy All I want for Christmas...

Things weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to find under the tree. By Carolynne Dear.

Corkers $58 from Homeless, G/F Home Square, Sha Tin, www.homeless.hk.

Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Magic Key Designed by Sai Kung mum Emma Perrin for Hong Kong homes without chimneys.

From $80 at santasmagickey@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/santasmagickeyhk.

Artist Christmas cards Prints of original paintings by Sai Kungbased artist Yvonne Costello. $150 for five cards, free delivery in Hong Kong, from www.pangello.com.

Recycled Santas Santa, Rudolph and angel tree decorations made from recycled paper in aid of disadvantaged communities in Vietnam and Cambodia. From $55. TREE, 116 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, www.tree.com.hk.

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852-inspired charms These Star Ferry, tram, taxi and dim sum charms are crafted in sterling silver and enamelled by hand. $220 each from Cool Charm & Collected, www.coolcharmandcollected.com.

stuff for stockings Taxi iPhone cases For iPhone 4, 4S, 5 and 6, $300. Also look for Star Ferry, taxi and minibus cushions and prints. By Sugar Snap Prints, www.sugarsnapprints.com.

Christmas decorations Made from recycled paper, cotton pods and driftwood. From $55. TREE, 116 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, www.tree.com.hk.

Handmade toys Knitted and stitched by local mums and their friends, these gorgeous handmade toys will be available at the Forest House Christmas Fair on December 6, 10am2pm, Forest House (above Garden House pre-school), 7 Silverstrand Beach Road, Clearwater Bay.

Mahjong print The latest canvas from artist Louise Hill, who lived in Sai Kung before moving to Singapore. Treasure Island, 22 Yi Chun St, Sai Kung, or www.louise-hill-design.com.

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xmas made easy

Join the chorus (fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la) in The Peninsula Lobby. Top: A Cambridge Christmas. Above: Children Sing for Hope.

A Sai Kung Christmas Carols, turkeys, trees… we have it covered. By Carolynne Dear.

Carol concerts Dec 2 Light Up a Life Christmas Concert Tree-lighting ceremony in St John’s Cathedral with carols by the Welsh Male Voice Choir, the Island School Choir and other performers, followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the garden. 7.30pm-9pm. Tickets $200 in aid of hospice care from St John’s Cathedral Bookshop, 4-8 Garden Road, Central.

about the birth of Jesus. 10am, Resurrection Church, 1/F Pak Sha Wan Centre, Sai Kung, 2358 3232, myriam.dzedzej@gmail.com.

Dec 12 Carols at HHYC The Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir sing at Hebe Haven Yacht Club. Members and guests.

7.30pm. Pak Sha Wan, www.hhyc.org.hk.

Dec 4 Children Sing For Hope Carols by candlelight plus Santa’s grotto and stalls, 6pm-8pm, Matilda International Hospital, 41 Mount Kellett Road, The Peak, 2849 0355.

Dec 18 A Cambridge Christmas Carols with the Cambridge Gonville and Caius College Choir, 8pm, Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Wan Chai, www. christineconcerts.com.

Dec 7 Nativity Play Young churchgoers perform a traditional play

Dec 21-23 Festive Season Afternoon Tea Tea at the Peninsula hotel with carols by the

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Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir (December 21), Hong Kong Treble Choir Elite Group (December 22) and Heep Yunn School Choir (December 23). Lobby, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2696 6772.

Dec 24 Christingle Service Take children to the lovely Christingle Service for carols by candlelight, plus oranges and sweets for the little ones. St John’s Cathedral, 4.45pm, 4-8 Garden Road, Central, www. stjohnscathedral.org.hk.

Dec 24 Midnight Mass And the blessing of the crib. 11pm, St John’s Cathedral, 4.45pm, 4-8 Garden Road, Central, www.stjohnscathedral.org.hk.

christmas products

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xmas made easy

Turkeys & trimmings Where to buy your bird (and your Brussels sprouts).

Ali Oli A wide range of Christmas comestibles, including pre-cooked turkeys with apple and walnut stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce ($1,088 for 12-14lb). Or go for the ready-toroast option ($898) or honey-glazed ham ($270/ kg). Plus homemade mince pies, gingerbread house kits, pumpkin and pecan pies, puddings and gourmet hampers filled with goodies ($998$2,288). Order by December 18. G/F, 11 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung, email orders@alioli.com.hk.

cake. Turkeys come whole and frozen ($24/ lb) or ready-roasted and there’s a huge selection of hams (on or off the bone, smoked or raw; boneless ham is $88/lb), plus ducks, chipolatas, goose fat, stuffing, parsnips and, every child’s favourite, Brussels sprouts. Don’t miss the stollen. 24 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 0159.

Mushroom Bakery Order Mushroom’s famous pineapple honeyglazed baked ham ($180/kg) or a pre-cooked roast turkey with gravy ($150/kg), plus Christmas puddings, fruit cakes and mince pies.

Order by December 20. Mushroom Bakery, 26 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung. 2792 6826.

TC Deli From caviar to Camembert, TC Deli has all the trimmings as well as a fine selection of meat, including free-range chilled turkey ($149/kg), raw hams (from $189/kg), whole salmon and even venison. Check out the deli for jars of duck and goose fat, foie gras and gravy, plus sensational stuffings: fig and pistachio, and macadamia cranberry. Order by Dec 15.

10-12B, Hang Hau Village, 2358 2332.

Butcher King Pre-order pretty much everything you need for your Christmas table, from Norwegian smoked salmon to marzipan for the Christmas

Not Only Olives For nibbles and canapés, check out Sai Kung business, Not Only Olives. From deli-style foods, to Mediterranean style snacks, cheeses,

preserves, and of course olives, this is a great opportunity to buy local. notonlyolives@ gmail.com; 6100 0253.

Seafood & Bar restaurant started in 2011, mostly seafood from Sai Kung’s fishermen, serving international cuisine. This dog-friendly restaurant can accommodate 60-80 people.

Private parties welcome.

BACCHUS BY Bistro 33 Bar & Restaurant m: 9073 0833 / t: 2791 7868 a: 79-81 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung business hours: 11:30 to 22:30, From Tuesday to Sunday, Monday Off

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Chef Mr. Dereck Hon, young professional with 10 yrs of experience in F&B, graduated in Le Cordon Bleu (Aus).

Seafood Platter (Grilled / Chilled)

xmas made easy

Christmas trees Despite a shipping crisis holding up deliveries, nurseries expect trees to be here before Santa.

Cindy Florist Order Christmas trees (noble firs), wreaths and poinsettias from this popular town centre florist. Prices start at $1,200 for 5ft to 6ft and $2,980 for 8ft-9ft.

22 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung. Call 2792 0858 or 9365 0624

Greenhouse Nursery Douglas and Noble firs ranging from 5ft to 12ft. Prices include a tree stand and delivery, from $1,150-$4,000 (a 6ft-7ft tree is $1500). Tai Chung Hai Road, Sai Kung, 2573 3627.

Kalok Horticulture Choose your own Noble and Douglas firs from 4ft-5ft ($890) to 7ft-8ft ($1,480), plus poinsettias, wreaths and decorative tree bases.

The nursery is expecting tree containers to arrive from the US on Dec 4 and 10. Mang Kung Wo Road (near Habitat), Sai Kung, 2719 3039.

KK Horticulture Noble firs in a variety of sizes, from 2ft to a ceiling-scraping 9ft ($400-$2,500), plus poinsettias (from $45), Christmas wreaths and candle centrepieces. Trees are expected to arrive in the second week of December. Tai Chung Hau Road, Sai Kung, 2792 7440.

Sophieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Trees Choose your own Fraser, Douglas or Noble fir at

the shop or order online. Trees range from 4ft5ft to a whopping 9ft-10ft ($580-$2,665). 42E Ma On Shan Tsuen, www.sophieshk.com.

Yue Sun Garden Chuck Fung opens his nursery only during the Christmas period, selling trees, poinsettias, aromatic wreaths (made with noble fir, juniper, red cedar and pine cones). Noble and Fraser firs range from 4ft-5ft to 8ft-9ft ($895-$2,370, including stands and delivery). Yue Sun Garden, Pak Kong Road, Pak Kong, 2367 9561.

Online Order a tree (4ft-5ft $999, 6ft-7ft $1,199) fonliine and have it delivered anywhere in Hong Kong at www.xmastreeonline.hk. Wreaths and stands are also available.

IKEA European firs at competitive prices ($599-$699).

With trees shipped from Scandinavia rather than the US, supplies should not be affected by the port dispute. www.ikea.com.hk.

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s European Fashion boutique started in 2014 with G/F & 2nd floor, 90% of clothes, accessories, and some organic products are from Europe.

Belle De Ville Fashion & Accessories t: 2791 0533 a: G/F Shop 70, Sai Kung Town Centre 22-40 Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung business hours: 11:00-19:00, Monday to Sunday

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eating Festive feasts Cherrie Yu finds out what’s on the menu for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Steamers This Christmas, Steamers is offering three days of turkey on lunch and dinner menus from December 24 to 26. The special three-course menu includes a glass of bubbles for adults and soft drinks for children. Start with French onion soup or smoked salmon salad, followed by traditional roasted turkey or glazed ham with all the trimmings: roast potatoes and parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy. For dessert, choose pecan pie or Christmas pudding. Adults $368, children $188. And don’t miss the Village Dogs playing live on New Year’s Eve. 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6991, www.steamerssaikung.com.

Crowne Plaza Kowloon East gets into the spirit.

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Hebe One O One Celebrate the season with a four-course feast at Hebe One O One. On December 24-25, starters include tian of blue-swimmer crab, panseared foie gras, seared fresh tuna or a salad of grilled pear, walnut and chicory, followed by

New Year’s Eve promises a party atmosphere... there will be dancing mushroom soup. Then choose a main: turkey and ham, pan-fried sea bass or char-grilled ribeye. Desserts include Christmas pudding, profiteroles or trifle ($598). Boxing Day choices include prime rib of beef and sticky toffee pudding ($338). Kids’ menu available.

Hebe One O One is famous for its New Year’s Eve party. This year’s theme is 80s Movie Mania (Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, Blade Runner, Molly Ringwald). The four-course set dinner is $888, with unlimited standard drinks from 7pm to late. A drinks-only package is $498 (from 7pm). 112 Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung, 2335 5515, www.hebe101.com.

Cava Cava’s three-course Christmas Eve menu

dig out the fat pants

Steamers has three days of turkey.

focuses on a choice of beef Wellington or chicken pie. Starters include soup or with mango float for dessert ($350, including a glass of sangria). Christmas Day brings a four-course meal with salad, soup, a choice of turkey, ham or roast beef, followed by apple crumble and a cheese platter ($550, including a bottle of wine).

New Year’s Eve promises a party atmosphere, special menu and live band. Yes, there will be dancing. G/F, 54 Po Tung Street, Sai Kung, 2217 3389.

Crowne Plaza Kowloon East With a seven-metre snowman, steam train and snow mountain, Crowne Plaza Kowloon East is a winter wonderland. From December 19, its restaurants are offering special festive menus. The Chef’s Table will have buffet tables groaning with seasonal treats from traditional Christmas recipes to fresh seafood (lunch from $288 for adults and $208 for children). On the rooftop, Cielo offers a sunlit semi-buffet Italian lunch ($228) or romantic candle-lit dinner with an amazing view. Tze Yuet Heen gives a Christmas twist to Cantonese dishes in its six-course special menu – think baked cod fish with truffle champagne soy sauce. Park Central Tower 5, 9 Tong Tak Street, Tseung Kwan O, 3983 0388.

Hyatt Regency Sha Tin Live carol singers on December 24 and 25 set the mood for a merry Christmas feast at this Sha Tin favourite. For traditional roast, the Cafe is offering a Christmas buffet, including turkey with stuffing and gravy, plus delicacies such as pan-fried foie gras with apple puree and port wine jus and wok-fried lobster in supreme stock

(lunch $328 for adults and $164 for children).

Or head outdoors to the lovely Pool Bar for an alfresco barbecue dinner buffet of prime meats and seafood cooked to order, plus salads and dessert. December 24-26, 6pm-10pm, from $528 for adults and $264 for children. 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, 3723 1234, hongkong. shatin.hyatt.com.

Hebe Haven Yacht Club A packed Christmas calendar includes the annual Ladies’ Lunch (December 5), carols by the Welsh Male Voice Choir (December 12), Children’s Christmas Party (December 14) and special menus on December 24 and 25. But the club’s most glamorous event is the annual New Year’s Eve Ball. This year’s theme is the Glitter Ball, with champagne, a five-course dinner and dancing, with DJ Marty on the decks. The dress code is black tie or glitter glam, so sashay into your sequins and prepare to dazzle. Tickets $1,188 for members, $1,388 for guests, with late tickets available for entry at 11pm ($398 members, $488 guests). 10.5 miles Hiram’s Highway, Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung, 2719 7915, www.hhyc.org.hk.

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Nibbles surprises – good or bad – this year for local restaurants, with May’s Sawaddee Thailand retaining its Bib Gourmand entry and Chuen Kee still listed. Other restaurants nearby that earned entries in the guide include Fung Lam, Lei Garden and Sha Tin 18 in Sha Tin, and Jin Cuisine and Tze Yuet Heen in Tseung Kwan O. Breakfast at Casa Good news for early risers: Casa is now open from 7am for breakfast. The new menu includes eggs benedict ($70), blueberry pancakes with maple syrup ($50), French toast ($40), English muffin with cheese and fried egg ($60), plus a coffees and teas. The menu will be available daily until noon. Shop 1&2, Sui Yat Building, Sai Kung Hoi Pong Square, 5594 0007.

Trad turkey at Forte in L’hotel elan.

Stars in Sai Kung Congratulations to Loaf On and Sai Kung Sing Kee restaurants, which have retained their Michelin stars in the Hong Kong Michelin Guide 2015. There were no

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Hello and goodbye Long-established Chinese roast meat restaurant Man Nin Wah is now serving char siu on Sai Kung’s main square (next to Grande) following its move from Yi Chun Street. Meanwhile there’s sad news for local frozen yogurt lovers: Sai Kung store Mr Froyo closed on October 31 :(

Gourmet Christmas popcorn Christmas is coming and, after all the mayhem in the lead-up, many of us will spend a lazy afternoon or two over the holidays watching popcorn movies. So do yourself a favour and ask Santa for a barrel of gourmet Garrett Popcorn. Decked out in Christmas tins – choose from red and green stripes, snowflakes or retro – the popcorn comes in several flavours including CaramelCrisp, CheeseCorn, Plain and Buttery, Chicago Mix and Nut CaramelCrisp.

New for Christmas, and available only in

Breakfast time at Casa.

If ‘Pick n Mix’ holds happy memories for you, get to Mr Simms don’t miss Hong Kong-inspired specialities such as the intriguing-sounding egg tart chocolate, coming soon. Yum. 37 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, www.mrsimms.hk.

Christmas candy at Mr Simms’ Olde Sweet Shoppe.

December, is Cocoa CaramelCrisp. Go for the special deal: $288 for a one-quart tin and one gallon tin.

P1, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, www.garrettpopcorn.com.

Mr Simms’ sweet memories If the words “Pick n Mix” hold happy memories for you, get over to Mr Simms Olde Sweet

Shoppe. This British franchise stocks all the 70s and 80s sweet-shop favourites (white mice, cola bottles, pink shrimps, Refreshers, gobstoppers, Sherbet Dip Dab) and has shelves lined with old-fashioned jars of sweets, homemade fudge and chocolates. For Christmas, look for chocolate con leche extrafino, chocolate rum truffle, Christmas reindeer gummies, selection packs and other slices of sweetie heaven. And

Forte feast In Kwun Tong, L’hotel élan’s contemporary casual restaurant, Forte, is offering festive meal deals on December 24-26, 31 and January 1. Dishes include sashimi, Alaskan king crab bisque, oven-baked mussels with Parmesan, roasted duck breast and boletus anise seeds gravy, Christmas yule log and Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Prices start at $358 for adults and $198 for children.

On New Year’s Eve, its countdown party is a bargain at $128 for two hours of free-flowing house wine, sparkling wine, orange juice, beer and soft drinks. 11pm-1am. Book by December 7 for a 25 per cent discount. 2/F, L’hotel élan, 38 Chong Yip Street, Kwun Tong, 3968 8222.

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family The gift of giving Give back this Christmas by supporting local charities. By Callum Wiggins.

Little princesses jump for Christmas joy. Below: support KELY's work with local youth.

Angels for Orphans Supporting orphaned children in Cambodia, Indonesia and Hong Kong, Angels for Orphans is offering a range of Christmas cards, gifts, angel tree decorations, bookmarks, keychains and silver angel necklaces. Look for them at two upcoming Christmas fairs: Dec 5, 5pm8pm, King George V School, 2 Tin Kwong Road Ho Man Tin, and Dec 21, noon-3pm, Union Church, 22A Kennedy Road, Central. Details at www.angelsfororphans.co.uk.

Feeding Hong Kong Back for the third year, the Festive Food Drive has bigger ambitions than ever. Feeding Hong Kong is looking for donations of money and

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food â&#x20AC;&#x201C; rice, noodles, canned goods â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to fill 1,500 Santa sacks and 20 Christmas hampers.

All food items must be non-perishable with an expiry date of Jan 2015 or later and donated

by December 18. Volunteer drivers are also welcomed in their own vehicles, or help out at the Christmas Bread Run on December 11.

Pret a Manger will donate $1 to the charity for every Christmas product. For details, please visit www.feedinghk.org.

HKSPC Help an underprivileged child with every Christmas card you send this year by purchasing boxes of cards from the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children.

itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for charity

Choose from more than 40 designs, including traditional Christmas and Chinese New Year scenes as well as drawings by the children themselves. Each box contains 10 cards and costs $30. For a catalogue, email to fr@hkspc. org or visit www.hkspc.org.

The Hub provides a fun environment for children to play, get help with learning or even receive a hot meal

KELY Support Group Not every family is happy at Christmas.

KELY Support Group, which runs youth drug and alcohol prevention and intervention programmes, noticed an increase in youth drug use last Christmas. Help support its yearround programmes: $100 pays for drug-free training for two people and $1,000 will provide early risk identification and prevention for six youths. To donate or volunteer, please visit www.kely.org.

money for a host of good causes around Hong Kong. Join in by going to a community event from quizzes to cookie sales, purchase an OSC Santa hat at Pacific Place or a Candy Gram gift pack from Sino Group Hotels including Island Pacific Hotel, The Pottinger and City Garden Hotel. For details and donations, visit www.osc.scmp.com or call 2680 8159.

Operation Santa Claus Run every year by the South China Morning Post and Radio Television Hong Kong to raise

Society for the Relief of Disabled Children Established in 1953 to provide medical, surgical, rehabilitation and educational services to disabled children in Hong Kong, the SRDC is selling Christmas cards to raise funds.

Cards can be ordered online or bought from

Windy City is donating money from its Xmas menus.

its charity booth: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, 1/F Lippo Centre, 89 Queensway, Admiralty, www.srdc.org.hk.

Tang Tang Tang Tang Christmas Drive to Help Children in Need Lifestyle store Tang Tang Tang Tang (TTTT) and Hong Kong Adventist Hospital

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family

it’s for charity plenty of festive gifts in store. All profits will be donated to HKCF. 10am-4pm, BoConcept, 73 Wyndham Street, Central, 2668 0027.

Windy City and Children’s Cancer Foundation for Christmas Indulge in a good cause this Christmas at Windy City restaurants Dan Ryan’s, Lucques Tavern and Amaroni. From December 21 to 26, for every meal purchased from the Christmas menu at branches of Dan Ryan's and Lucques Tavern, $40 will be donated to the Children’s Cancer Foundation. And for every Christmas menu order at Amaroni from December 20 to January 1, $80 will be donated to this worthwhile cause. For locations, please visit www.windy-city.com.hk.

Feeding Hong Kong's Festive Food Drive is back for the third year.

Foundation are pairing up for an in-store event on December 6. Get a head start on your Christmas gift shopping and feel good that 10 per cent of all sales will go directly to BEYOND, a hospital fund for children in need.

Tang Tang Tang Tang, 66 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, 2525 2112.

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My Little Princess My Little Princess sells handmade princess and fairy dresses for charity. On December 13, it is running a pop-up event at BoConcept store in a bid to raise $100,000 for the Hong Kong Cancer Fund. There will be face painting, a free Christmas photo booth, coffee, cupcakes and

The Hub Hong Kong The Hub children’s charity strives to help children in poverty in Hong Kong. Located in Sham Shui Po, it provides a welcoming and fun environment for children to play, get help with learning, make friends or even receive a hot meal when needed. For details and donations, visit www.thehubhk.org.

We see the individual.

Each learner is an individual with a unique story to tellâ&#x20AC;Śand to read. At HKA, teachers tap into each childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s imagination to inspire a life-long love of reading, learning, growing and understanding.

As an IB World School for students ages 3 to 18, Hong Kong Academy challenges all students to reach their potential and prepares them for life in a dynamic and diverse world.

To learn more about our school and community or to arrange a tour, please visit www.hkacademy.edu.hk or call 2655-1111.

learning, growing, understanding

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education Christmas books for kids Ursula Huber of Dymocks Sai Kung recommends good reads for children.

Young children The Nights Before Christmas

By Tony Ross Twenty-four classic tales to read at bedtime before Christmas, including extracts from books such as A Christmas Carol, festive poems and fairy tales, all beautifully bound in a special hardcover edition.

The Fairytale Hairdresser and Father Christmas

By Abie Longstaff & Lauren Beard It’s Christmas Eve and someone has stolen all the presents. Can Kittie Lacey, the Fairytale Hairdresser, come to Santa’s aid? Also look for the Fairytale Hairdresser Playbox, which includes the original picture book, hair accessories and a large playmat.

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Yikes, Santa-Claws!

By Pamela Butchart & Sam Lloyd The dinosaur babies are all tucked up in bed on Christmas Eve, waiting for the big day to dawn.

But something is making a lot of noise outside...

It’s Santa-Claws!

Hong Kong ABC

By Diana Wu-David, illustrated

by Margaret Jung Celebrate the delights of Hong Kong, with 26 aspects of culture and everyday life, and learn the ABC’s.

The Pigeon Wants a Puppy

By Mo Willems Wonderful illustrations and lots of humour make this pigeon one of our favourites. This Mo Willems tale is fun for parents and children alike. What does the pigeon want this time?

Age 5-8 The Pony Mad Princess; Princess Ellie’s Christmas

By Diana Kimpton & Lizzie Finlay Princess Ellie orders a special Christmas present for her best friend Kate, but when it arrives on Christmas Eve she discovers there has been a terrible mix-up.

Now what can Ellie get for Kate?

Daisy and the Trouble with Christmas

by Kes Gray Daisy and Gabby are superexcited when they are given roles in the school nativity play.

However, when they decide to “improve” the baby Jesus doll to make it less boring, trouble is bound to follow.

noses in books Horrid Henry’s Tricky Tricks

By Francesca Simon & Tony Ross A compilation of 10 stories featuring Horrid Henry, who is up to his usual tricks and on his very baddest behaviour.

Paddington

by Michael Bond With Paddington due to open in Hong Kong cinemas on Christmas Day, look for books about the marmalade-loving, duffel-coat-wearing bear from Peru. There’s a movie tie-in sticker book and storybooks, plus collections for different age groups, including eight picture books presented in a smart suitcase.

Age 9-12 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Long Haul

By Jeff Kinney Released just in time for Christmas, the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a must-have for fans

and followers of Gregory. Life continues and new adventures are just a page away. Now with two bag tags inside.

Awful Auntie

By David Walliams David Walliams’ books are classics in the making. Awful Auntie is another masterpiece to add to your collection. See what secret weapon Stella has up her sleeve while she tries to save Saxby Hall from Aunt Alberta and her giant owl.

Treasure Island

By Robert Louis Stevenson A wonderfully illustrated, unabridged edition of the classic story of pirates and buried treasure that follows young Jim Hawkins as he sets sail for an adventure on the high seas with Long John Silver and the crew of the Hispaniola.

Older children Heroes of Olympus: Blood of Olympus

By Rick Riordan The fifth and final book in the Percy Jackson series is sure to be one of this season’s bestsellers.

What will become of Jason and the crew of the Argo II on their final quest?

Wonder

By R.J. Palacio The touching story of a disfigured boy, August Pullman, who just wants to be normal. The latest edition features an extra chapter from his chief tormentor, Julian.

If I Stay

By Gale Forman After a terrible car accident, Mia must decide whether to hold onto life, with its bitterness, loss and love. Now a major motion picture.

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sponsored column

Choosing a playgroup ITS Educational Services outlines questions to consider before joining a playgroup.

In Hong Kong, the array of playgroup choices can be overwhelming, with classes in music, art, gymnastics, swimming and more for little ones who have barely learned to walk. Yet, like preschools, many playgroups have waiting lists.

When it comes to joining a playgroup with a baby or toddler, there are certain points to consider. Will the baby benefit from social interaction at such a young age? How do you find a playgroup you and your child will like? What should you look for? The answers are as varied as the people looking for a playgroup to join. Here are some questions to ask yourself before you start picking your playgroup...

Do I want the kids to be about the same age or various ages? If you have an infant or a crawling baby, you may want to join a playgroup exclusively for infants – it can be difficult to protect a baby from running toddlers and preschoolers. But if your child

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is walking, he or she will pick up new skills by watching older children.

Do I want several kids in the group or just a few? Consider your child’s personality. Does she or he thrive in stimulating environments or find noise and activity overwhelming? Is your child active or quiet?

Do I want a discussion group for parents as well as a playgroup? If you are seeking support and parenting information as well as playmates for your child, look for a group that does not focus exclusively on children’s activities such as a social playgroup, where the children play while parents talk.

What day and time are best for my child to play? Consider your weekly schedule as well as your child’s daily schedule. Children who have an afternoon nap need to join a morning playgroup.

Am I looking for something in particular?

Consider any other concerns: perhaps you are looking for diversity or exclusivity, such as

groups for new mums or working mums.

All of these types of playgroups are available in Hong Kong, so parents are spoiled for choice. Take a trial lesson; you won’t know what your baby will enjoy until he or she is immersed in the setting. Trying a playgroup session with an idea of what you are looking for let’s you decide more quickly what group would suit you best.

Organised activities and classes are by no means necessary – you won't be stunting your baby's intellectual or physical growth by opting out – but they can be fun.

ITS School Placements provides an education consulting service that works with families and employers to find the right schools for individual children in Hong Kong, from nursery to secondary schools. ITS also offers research, policy and advisory services for corporations. For more details, contact es@itseducation.asia, 3188 3940 or www.itseducation.asia.

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 47

big day out

Go to the zoo tomorrow Talk to the animals at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.

By Queenie Choi.

The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens is a breath of fresh air. Rambling down a steep slope in the middle of Central, this peaceful historic park is a green lung in the heart of the city, where kids can run and play in the shade of the trees.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, established in 1864 and containing

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more than 1,000 species of plants on 5.6 hectares of valuable real estate. When the Fountain Terrace opened, it had views over Government House and the harbour, but today the outlook is restricted by huge, mature trees and skyscrapers.

An array of colourful flowers wave hello at the entrance, beckoning visitors up past a

statue of King George VI and onto the parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s well-maintained paths. Follow the signposts to the main attractions, including about 70 reptiles, 70 mammals and 400 birds.

The Reptile House is home to a few gracious old tortoises and a collection of snakes, while the mammal area has habitats for two-toed sloths, orangutans (two babies were

park life

It’s one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, established in 1864

Lazy days with the ring-tailed lemurs.

born here in 2011), ring-tailed lemurs and a host of tiny monkeys, including lion-headed tamarins and pygmy marmosets. In the aviaries, the blue crane, wood duck and macaw seem more curious than intimidated by the people peering at them.

Flamingos stalk the pond and there’s a greenhouse with frequent displays (look for the orchids). The park is split into various gardens focusing on certain varieties, including azaleas, bamboo, bauhinia, camellias, magnolias and palms. With different flowers blooming at different times of the year – camellias in winter, azaleas and magnolias in spring, bauhinia in

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big day out

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big day out

This peaceful park is a green lung in the city where children can run and play

autumn – there’s always something beautiful to see.

An education centre contains learning resources included mounted butterflies, animal skeletons and moulted reptile skins, and there’s a children’s playground for little ones. A pavilion outlines how the garden has grown over the years. Seeing everything can take hours, but when you’ve had enough head downhill to the Fountain Terrace where there’s a kiosk selling drinks and snacks and several seats where you can rest your weary feet.

A bronze statue of King George VI presides over Hong Kong’s animal kingdom.

Garden open daily 6am-7pm, Fountain Terrace 5am-10pm and exhibitions 9am4.30pm. Albany Road, Central, 2530 0154.

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sport

mind your manners

Sideline sportsmanship Ray Sting shines a spotlight on parent behaviour.

Rugby is a game of long traditions. Over time it has developed laws for fair and safe play as well as the values that shape the game and the conduct of players, coaches, refs and supporters. These values are the core of the sport and Stingrays’ parents must have bought into them because we chose rugby as a sport for our kids. One value stands out: respect.

Almost every mini-rugby club has a code of conduct – for parents.

Do modern parents really need to be reminded how to behave?

Clearly they do, given the increasing numbers of signs at festivals, sports days and school tournaments pointing out that the coaches are volunteers, the players are children and this is not the Olympics / World Championships / ANZ. The point of kids’ sport is to be physically active while building selfesteem, social skills and teamwork.

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Mini-rugby festivals differ from tournaments. At festivals no scores are recorded, leaving the kids free to participate rather than win. Individuals might win awards for “Best & Fairest” player or, a new one I saw last week, MEP (Most Enthusiastic Player). Overzealous tacklers are substituted, all team members shake hands at the end of the game. Everything is in place to create a positive experience, cheered on by parents on the sidelines.

The overwhelming majority of adults (coaches, referees and parents) behave respectfully at mini rugby in Hong Kong. We know this because those who do not are pointed out, talked about and, in some cases, reported to their club.

Being a good parent spectator is not easy. It is stressful and the emotion shows clearly on the faces of parents on the sidelines, who

want so much for their child to play well and find a release shouting: “Come ON!” It’s even harder to resist conducting a post-mortem on the way home: “What could you have done better? Here’s what you could do next time…”

Which brings me back to the code of conduct and the respect on which it is based.

Our kids are under far more pressure than we ever were. Playing sport is a way to have fun, a release and a joy. But as you stand there with your ropey coffee, ready to “support”, know that your children learn as much about sport and sportsmanship from you as from their coaches.

Studies show kids give up sport mainly because of adult interference and overemphasis on winning/perfection, lack of fun and parental pressure. So stifle the urge to question the ref, applaud good play on both sides, smile and tell your child how much you enjoyed watching them play. If you celebrate character before talent, you will raise a remarkable athlete.

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health & beauty

In your stride Sore ankles? Dodgy knees? Get your gait analysed, suggests Carolynne Dear.

It’s December and Hong Kong’s social season is in full swing. As well as dancing the blissfully cool nights away, I’ve been exercising outdoors, pounding the pavements trying to knock a couple of minutes off last year’s personal best. But it’s taking its toll. With joint pains starting to creep up on me, and a half marathon, 10km race and 26km trail run on the horizon, I do the sensible thing and put the Nurofen away and seek professional help.

Joint Dynamics is one of the only places in Hong Kong that offers gait analysis, the scientific examination of a runner’s stride that aims to stop joint pain and injury. With sore ankles a continual problem, I expected to be told my

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dancing days were over and to put away my high heels and dig out my credit card for fancy running shoes with extra support. I was wrong, thank goodness.

Running specialist and exercise physiologist Jess Phillips put me through my paces, starting with stretching exercises to measure how supple my body was. Then I moved to the treadmill, where she analysed and videoed my running style. Five minutes and a couple of sheets of data later, she announced my problems were emanating from a stiff left hip that wasn’t taking its share of the strain.

“It is really easy to put right,” Phillips explained. “I’ll show you a few simple exercises to open up the hip and that should

running commentary

I expected to be told my dancing days were over loosen it enough to prevent any subsequent problems.”

Left unchecked, she said I could have ended up with unexplained shoulder or back pain.

“We don’t look for a stickingplaster solution,” Phillips said. “It’s essential to work out the source of the problem, which is often in a different place to where you feel it. If the body has been working incorrectly over a period of time, eventually something will snap.”

Instep supports or more cushioning might have helped me in

the short term, but it wouldn’t have got to the root of the problem.

In terms of kit, there was no up-sell. “If your trainers are comfortable and you enjoy running in them, then they’re the right ones for you,” Phillips said simply.

As well as personal analysis, the centre also runs drop in classes on Wednesday evenings to help with running technique.

So I’m back on track for my half marathon. Even better, I don’t have to kiss goodbye to Joe Bananas’ dancefloor just yet either.

Joint Dynamics offers specialist classes, physiotherapy, osteo and massage services. 6/F, 122 Queens Road Central, 2762 0528, admin@jointdynamics.com.hk.

Get your kit on • Choose shoes that are comfortable to run in, lightweight and as neutral as possible. Buy trainers half a size larger than your normal to allow for swelling in the heat and humidity.

• Trail shoes are different to running shoes and need good grip.

• Socks should be padded adequately to prevent blisters and should be moisture reducing. Compression socks should only be used for marathons.

• T-shirts should be moisture reducing, and not made of cotton, which gets damp then cold.

• For hill running, a lightweight pack with space blanket, whistle, head torch and also hiking poles are useful.

• Take your phone, HKID card, cash or an Octopus card to

buy water. For a 20km+ run you will need at least two litres of water.

• Eat a banana or peanut butter on toast 30-40 minutes before you run. Coffee is also useful to delay the onset of fatigue.

• Snacks such as Jelly Babies or salted nuts every 40 minutes will stop you hitting a low.

• Drink to thirst and don’t overhydrate. There will be plenty of opportunity to rehydrate after the run.

• On long runs of four hours or more, Ibuprofen or paracetamol can be useful.

While drugs are generally not recommended as they disguise pain, which can cause more problems, a couple of tablets might get you to the end of the race.

• Good running apps include Runkeeper and Strava.

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pets Stress and the modern dog Christmas can be stressful for sensitive doggy souls, writes Sally Andersen.

As we all know, stress in our daily lives can affect our physical health and emotional wellbeing. But did you know that stress also affects animals?

There are some obvious reasons for a dog to display signs of stress, with loss of family at the top of the list. Dogs that have been abandoned by their owners, or even moved to another loving home, can take a long time to overcome the trauma. Losing a four-legged friend can be emotionally devastating for a dog.

It’s true that if one dies, the other may quickly follow. You could say they die of a broken heart, which indicates how deeply a dog can experience feelings such as sadness and grief.

However, many other things can cause anxiety in a dog – some of which may appear minor to us humans. Dogs feel secure having a routine and the more rigid the schedule the better. They like to get up, go for walks and eat at set times. Many people swear their dog can

Some dogs are more sensitive to modern life than others read the clock because they know exactly when they are due for whatever it is.

Any change in their daily routine can upset them. The result could be diarrhoea, lack of appetite or disinterest in doing things they normally enjoy. I was contacted recently by someone who had adopted a dog from Hong Kong Dog Rescue some time before and, until this point, hadn’t noticed any behaviour issues or problems. Now the dog was acting very strangely and out of character – but only at night. The reason? The couple had bought a new bed and the dog just didn’t like it.

Some dogs are more sensitive to modern

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signs of the times

hong kong creatures East Asian Porcupine aka Hystrix brachyura

life than others, just as people vary in their ability to cope with noise, pollution and the rat race in general. There are confident characters who seem to take everything in their stride and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care whatever the day brings, while others are much more prone to stress-related health and behaviour problems, with some cases being extreme and even needing medication to help them cope.

At Christmas and New Year, visitors, parties and all the noise that goes along with the usual celebrations can be very stressful for many dogs. Please bear that in mind if you have a sensitive soul at home.

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

Also called the Malayan porcupine, the East Asian porcupine is one of the largest in Southeast Asia, growing up to 83cm long and possibly weighing up to 25kg. It is among the most common large mammals in Hong Kong, living mainly in forests and cultivated areas across the territory (except Lantau Island).

Found in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore and southern China, porcupines are nocturnal, which makes it relatively difficult to observe in the wild.

The porcupine is famously covered in spines: the front half of its body is coated in dark-brown spines 3cm-5cm long, while the rear half has much longer quills that are banded black and white. These sharp, hollow spines can grow to 23cm. 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 for 27 Steffi Yuen years in the wild.

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marketplace

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Tel: 9618 2475 smillie.cynthia@gmail.com

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marketplace

on patrol...

top cop

Raise an alarm Boost your home security with a burglar alarm, suggests Janet Chan.

Alarm systems can be useful in a variety of situations, including detecting unauthorised access to a premises or tampering with a safe or other installation requiring protection.

There are silent or siren alarms and some that combine both functions. The audible alarm acts as a deterrent to intruders, causing them to flee the scene, while the silent alarm warns police or a security that there is a problem.

Different sensors are available. And it’s worth knowing that the police response to alarm activations varies according to the type of alarm installed. Connection to an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) will generate a report to police if the alarm is activated. If an alarm is not connect to ARC, a report must be made by the householder or a member of the public alerted by the siren.

Depending on the circumstances, police deployments can involve several officers attending the scene. The police have a phased response for intruder alarms.

• Level one: full response.

• Level two: reduced response.

• Level three: limited response.

• Level four: no priority.

Alarm installations may be moved to a higher level of response if they are free of false alarms for three months. Installation of verification technology at the alarm site will result in being rated the highest level.

Levels are determined by the Intruder Alarm Inspection Unit (IAIU) of the Crime Prevention Bureau, which updates and amends the records of alarm system owners.

Any monitored by a civilian ARC is accorded Level One response, providing the system is maintained at an acceptable level of reliability with respect to false alarms.

Should a system on Level One give rise to three or more false alarms in any 30 day period, or five or more false alarms in any 180day period then the response will be reduced to Level Two. Should a system on Level One or

Level Two be responsible for five or more false alarm calls in any 30 day period, or 10 or more false alarm calls in any 180 day period then the response will be reduced to Level Three.

Any system receiving Level Two or Level Three response status will be reinstated to Level One when its reliability has been reestablished. This requires a continuous period of 180 days during which the system gives rise to fewer than five false alarm calls. Alternatively, if the system has been upgraded to incorporate verification technology – video, audio or zone verification – it will be raised to Level One. So, please check your alarm system regularly to ensure it works properly. And if your alarm is not connected to an ARC, always be alert when an alarm sounds – there may be something happening.

Janet Chan is the ADVC OPS for the Hong Kong Police Sai Kung Division, tel: 3661 1630

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marketplace

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classifieds

random but interesting

HEALTH AND WELLBEING CAMBRIDGE WEIGHT PLAN is in Sai Kung & Clearwater Bay. Balanced and nutritional weight loss programme with one to one support and motivation. Contact Jean 9045 5942 jean@cambridgeweightplan.hk or Alison 9618 1777 alison@cambridgeweightplan.hk

JOBS & SERVICES HKMacs: British Macintosh Specialist 20+ yrs experience + Apple Certification.

Personalised training, software installation/OS X upgrades, computer set-up and parental controls.

Networking, troubleshooting, data recovery and transfer to new computer. iPhone/iPad/iCloud management. OS X Server setup. PLEX Media Server setup with AppleTV. Encryption of email, SMS and phonecalls. PC Switchers welcome! Call Vince Loden Mobile: 93486884, Email: info@hkmacs.com • Website/Blog:http://hkmacs.com • Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HKMacs

SUPPLY TEACHING ASSISTANT – KINDERGARTEN (on call) We are looking for a native English speaking Teaching Assistant / native German speaking Teaching Assistant who will be working in our bilingual Kindergarten class in Sai Kung. You should have experience with young children and possess an approachable and warm personality. The Teaching Assistant is required to assist the class teacher with daily routines, including working with small groups of children and support in classroom administration. Computer literacy is essential. This position is on demand basis with flexible hours.

Please apply with cover letter, CV and references. http:// mygsis.gsis.edu.hk/careers, to the Head of Human Resources. www.gsis.edu.hk.

LOVELY HOMESTAY FOR YOUR DOG Planning to send your dog to cage in a pet shop or kennel while you are travelling? Why not indulge them with a HOME STAY service instead?

Your dog will be able to walk around freely inside the house as well as the enclosed rooftop in a pleasant environment. He or she will be well taken care of on a 24 hour basis; well fed and walked twice a day while you are away. I am a pet lover with over 25 years’ experience in taking care of dogs and cats. If you are living in Sai Kung or Clearwater Bay area my home is a welcoming and convenient place for your pet to stay in comfort while you away; allowing you to a have worry free trip. If you need more information, please call Kristy at 6377 5567 or visit my Face Book Page: http://on.fb. me/1zQRwvG

DOMESTIC HELPER Melanie, aged 26(contract expires Nov,2014) seeks employment with western family. would make an excellent nanny, launders and cleans with youthful energy and her pleasant disposition would make a

valuable addition to any household. For a personal reference, call John at 27296288 during the day.

Hello! My name is Sheila and I’m looking for part time work as a helper. I am available 10AM - 5PM everyday.

Please contact me at 5526 2914. $70/hour, I can do all household chores and babysitting.

PART-TIME TEACHER WANTED Kids Playhouse is seeking a part-time Native English Teacher to teach children between the ages of 2-6 years. Please contact: Sally 2705 5123

PROPERTY FOR SALE STUNNING DETACHED HOUSE $85,000 / 28M ref-SK538 Immaculate Decor, Fabulous Eat-In Kitchen, 3 Bedrooms, Study & Family Room. Large Terrace.

Close to Yacht Clubs. The Property Shop 27193977 www.thepropertyshop.com.hk (Eaa License C-027656)

PROPERTY FOR RENT NEED A HOLIDAY? PHUKET VILLA FOR RENT! Luxury 5 beds villa with swimming pool located in Surin area. Walking distance to beaches.

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GORGEOUS WATERFRONT HOME $120K ref~SK666 Great for Entertaining, Huge Garden & Stunning Sea Views. Bring Your Boat. 3 Bedrooms + Study, Covered CP. The Property Shop 27193977 www.thepropertyshop.com.hk {Eaa License C-027656)

SHEUNG SZE WAN HOUSE $65K ref-CWB437 Detached 4 Bedroom House. Popular Location.

Open-plan Kitchen & Family Rm. Green & Sea Views. Gated Parking. The Property Shop 27193977 www.thepropertyshop.com. hk (Eaa License C-027656)

Quizmas Answers Q&A 1. Light snow was recorded on Tai Mo Shan on December 14, 1975 2. Wild Cows (Sai Kung Stingrays play rugby, Sai Kung Sharks play football, Hebe Dragons sail) 3. Friends of Hoi Ha 4. 273.9 days 5. Whoville 6. Walking his pet boar, Little Tommy, through Sai Kung 7. Driving range 8. All of the above 9. Auld Lang Syne 10. SinoPec 11. Centro 12. WWII Sai Kung Martyrs 13. David Bowie was not in Band Aid 30, but he was in the original lineup (Bob Geldof, Midge Ure and Bono were in all three Band Aid lineups) 14. Mandy’s Caribbean Anthony’s Kitchen Mike’s Chicken May’s Sawadee 15. A spider 16. Duke of York opened in 1988 17. S2 is on the waterfront; the others are in Sai Kung’s main square 18. Lung Ha Wan - Lobster Bay Pak Sha Wan - White Sand Bay Ma On Shan - Horse Saddle Mountain Tai Long Wan - Big Wave Bay 19. 1970s waterpark, Clearwater Bay 20. “I’ll be back again some day” Name that seafood 1. Horseshoe crab 2. Geoducks 3. Crab 4. Squilla mantis 5. Prawns 6. Grouper 7. Cuttlefish 8. Clams 9. Lobster

MISCELLANEOUS SUPER PORCELAIN Opens on Sat, Sun & Public Holiday (11AM - 7PM) No.35, See Cheung Street, Sai Kung.

Enquiry:9277 8548.

Faces and places Moj – Tala’s Solar – Paisano’s Sing – Jaspa’s Nathan – Casa Brenda – Classified

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business directory Beauty & Spas

The Fresh Grower 2185 7825 | info@freshgrower.com.hk www.freshgrower.com.hk

A-Nails 2972 1099 | www.a-nails.com.hk King’s Health & Beauty 2302 0289 Pure Swiss Limited 2358 3998 | admin@e-pureswiss.com www.e-pureswiss.com Queen’s Castle Organic Day Spa 2719 4444 | www.queenscastlehk.com Salon Peninsula 2766 1266 | 2766 2726 salonpeninsula@gmail.com www.facebook.com/SalonPeninsula Sense of Touch Sai Kung 2791 2278 | ask@senseoftouchhk.com www.senseoftouch.com.hk Tala’s Hair & Beauty Centre 2335 1694 | talashair@biznetvigator.com www.talashair.com

Children’s toys & accessories Bumps to Babes 2552 5000 (Ap Lei Chau Main Store) 2522 7112 (Pedder Building Store) 2555 6318 (Stanley Plaza Store) www.bumpstobabes.com Toys R Us (Asia) Ltd. 2287 1888 | hk.star@toysrus.com www.toysrus.com.hk

Early Childhood Kids Playhouse 2705 5123 Leapfrog Kindergarten & Playgroup 2791 1540 | admin@leapfrogkindergarten.org www.leapfrogkindergarten.org Woodland Pre-Schools 2559 4855 | www.woodlandschools.com

Educational Services Bricks 4 Kids 2791 0007 | info@bricks4kidz.hk www.bricks4kidz.hk BYKT Enterprises HK Ltd. 6884 2885 besthongkongtutors@gmail.com www.bykthk.com / juniorcsi.com

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ITS Education Asia 2116 3916 | es@itseducation.asia www.itseducation.asia Jumpstart Mandarin Learning Centre 2791 4838 jumpstart@netvigator.com www.jumpstartmlc.com Sai Kung Tutors 5321 4400 | info@saikungtutors.com www.saikungtutors.com

Extracurricular Asia Pacific Soccer Schools 2385 9677 | admin@apsoccer.hk www.apsoccer.hk Advanced Tennis Performance 6135 7606 | atpltd.tennis@hotmail.com www.advancedtennisperformance.com ESF Sports 2711 1280 | sports@esf.org.hk | www.esf.org.hk Harry Wright International Limited 2575 6279 | swimming@harrywright.com.hk www.harrywright.com.hk Hong Kong International Tennis Academy 9048 2810 | lea.lai@hkita.com | www.hkita.com Lighthouse Playroom 2791 2918 | info@lighthouseplayroom.com www.lighthouseplayroom.com Stage Right Theatre 9199 5900 info@stageright.com.hk www.stageright.com.hk

Fashion & Accessories Belle De Ville 2791 0533

Mike’s Chicken Comida de Portugal 2392 3328 / 8102 2010 Pacific Coffee www.pacificcoffee.com Paisano’s www.paisanos.com.hk Sweets Of Singapore 6191 9669 | sweetsofsingapore@yahoo.com www.sweetsofsingapore.com The South African Shop 9457 0639 | info@thesouthafricanshop.com www.thesouthafricanshop.com Valdivia Wines humresadm@gmail.com Winerack - Hong Kong 2433 9929 | enquiry@winerack.com.hk www.winerack.com.hk

Health & Wellness Annerley 2983 1558 | info@annerley.com.hk www.annerley.com.hk Bio-Therapeutic Ltd. 2314 2772 | sales@bio.com.hk | www.bio.com.hk Teeter Hang Ups 3575 9332 | www.inversion.com.hk The Sai Kung Sessions nfo@thesaikungsessions.org rsvp@thesaikungsessions.org www.thesaikungsessions.org

Home & Interiors Food & Beverage

BACCHUS BY Bistro 33 2791 7868 Casa - Modern Tapas 9221 1940 www.casagroup.co Dr Wine www.drwine.hk

Hebe 101 2335 5515 | info@101.com.hk | www.hebe101.com

ALFA Design Limited 9536 2324 | alfamail@alfadesign.hk.com Bose Limited 2123 9000 | support_hk@bose.com www.bose.hk/en Caballo Living Co., Ltd. 2363 1925 | sales@caballoliving.com www.caballoliving.com

handy Eco Living 2792 7998 | askus@ecoliving.hk www.ecoliving.hk

Eurobrands Asia Limited www.eurobrands.hk

Rumple and Friends info@rumpleandfriends.com www.rumpleandfriends.com

Infinity Financial Solutions Ltd. 2815 5828 | hongkong@infinitysolutions.com infinitysolutions.com

Sai Kung District Community Centre 2792 1762 | skdcc@skdcc.org | www.skdcc.org

Life’s A Breeze Ltd 2572 4000 | info@lifesabreezehk.com www.lifesabreezehk.com”

Pets & Vets

Everything Under the Sun 2554 9088 | info@everythingunderthesun.com.hk www.everythingunderthesun.com.hk Indigo Living Ltd. 2552 3500 | info@indigo-living.com www.indigo-living.com Indo Handyman 2578 1865 | sales@indohandyman.hk JC Vision 2524 9988 | jcvision@biznetvigator.com

Animal Behaviour Vet Practice 9618 2475 | smillie.cynthia@gmail.com www.petbehaviourhk.com Ferndale Kennels and Cattery 2792 4642 | boarding@ferndalekennels.com www.ferndalekennels.com Homevet 9860 5522 | pets@homevet.com.hk www.homevet.com.hk Pets Central Sai Kung 2792 0833 | saikung@pets-central.com www.pets-central.com

Modulnova Hong Kong Ltd 3741 2095 | info@modulnova.hk www.modulnova.hk Pets Central Tseung Kwan O

Marco the Contractor 6190 8051 NoEndDesign 6643 9702 | mail@noenddesign.com www.noenddesign.com Onsite Computer and Internet Services Company 2397 6418 | www.microtechhk.com enquiry@microtechhk.com Professional Wills Limited 2561 9031 | enquiry@profwills.com www.profwills.com

Real-Estate Century 21 Goodwin Property Consultants Ltd 2799 9719 | saikung@century21-goodwin.com www.century21-goodwin.com

Modulnova HK Ltd. 3741 2095 | info@modulnova.hk www.modulnova.hk

2244 6684 | tseungkwano@pets-central.com www.pets-central.com

Opus Design Ltd 9733 7328 | www.opusdesign.com.hk

AFSCO Electric Fences 2880 0417 | afscohk@sprintlocks.com www.sprintlocks.com

OKAY.com 2102 0888 | support@okay.com | www.okay.com

Ayesha Oriental Carpets 2623 0499

Sothebys International Realty 3108 2108 | www.hksothebysrealty.com/en

Pantry Magic 2504 0688 | info@pantry-magic.com www.pantry-magic.com Patio Mart 2555 8988 | patio@kh-group.com www.patiomart.com.hk Pluvial Plus info@pluvialplus.com | facebook.com/pluvial.plus

International Schools

Professional Services

Best United Eng. Ltd. / Lawnings, Roll Shutter & Insect Screen 2344 9028 | info@bestunited.com.hk www.bestunited.com.hk/ Biocycle 3575 2575 | info@biocycle.hk www.biocycle.com.hk

Hong Kong Academy 2655 1111 | www.hkacademy.edu.hk office@hkacademy.edu.hk

Everfine Membership Services Limited 2174 7880 | enquiry@evergolf.com.hk www.evergolf.com.hk

Norwegian International School 2658 0341 | office@nis.edu.hk | www.nis.edu.hk

Crown Relocations 2636 8388 | hongkong@crownww.com www.crownrelo.com/hongkong

Yew Chung International School 2336 3028 | admissions@ycef.com www.ycis-hk.com

Expert-Transport & Relocations 2566 4799 | contact@expertmover.hk www.expertmover.hk

Events & Entertainment Hong Kong Arts Festival Society 2824 3555 | afgen@hkaf.org | www.hkaf.org

Sports & Fitness Escapade Sports 2891 1855 (Causeway Bay) | 2851 0769 (Central) 2705 9919 (Sai Kung) causeway-bay@escapade.com.hk central@escapade.com.hk www.escapade.com.hk

Grandslam Sports Ltd. 9161 7094 | marcus@grandslamtennis.hk www.grandslamtennis.hk

​ Heliservices 2802 0200 | chp@heliservices.com.hk www.heliservices.com”

YOLOFOREVER 9130 7006 | zumbayana@gmail.com www.yoloforever.com

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vines in sai kung

stephen says...

Good behaviour Stephen Vines has no beef with Sai Kung’s mainland visitors. apparently, it really doesn’t matter.

More fundamentally, the incinerator plan dodges basic questions about formulating a sensible waste-disposal policy. Surely there is a need to explore ideas for better waste separation, for using organic waste to produce power supply and for recycling. Then there’s the matter of diversifying collection areas and goodness knows what else that really needs to be thought through to produce a sustainable policy.

The Shek Kwu Chau scheme looks suspiciously like lazy thinking compounded by equally ill-considered political expedience.

A better class of visitor?

A report in the Oriental Daily News alleged that Sai Kung and Lamma “residents and shopkeepers” have been complaining about the behaviour of mainland visitors. This apparently occurred after magazines across the border lauded the natural environment in these places and visitor numbers started rising.

I have to say that the Oriental Daily is not my premier destination for unbiased news reporting and this inevitably colours how this story should be judged. However, it is a fact that both Sai Kung and Lamma have recently featured in the mainland media – and I have encountered a larger number of Putonghua-speaking visitors while walking in the Sai Kung Country Park. That said, I have not encountered the alleged bad and rude behaviour that is supposed to follow in their wake. My cheery “ni hao” has been met with puzzlement instead of the cheerful return greeting from local hikers. Mind you, the sight of a weird sweaty gweilo with a number of dogs might well be enough to render even the bravest visitor into silence.

Seriously, though, I am rather wary of the axiomatic association of mainland visitors with bad behaviour. Of course it happens, but I think the kind of people who are interested in the countryside and nature might well prove to

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The sight of a weird sweaty gweilo might render even the bravest visitor into silence be… how can I put it? A better class of visitor, maybe?

The wasted opportunity of waste Sai Kung District will, if the government has its way, become home to Hong Kong’s largest waste incinerator at Shek Kwu Chau in Tseung Kwan O. Local opposition, admirably led by District Councillor Christine Fong, has been strong and consistent, but the people at what is loosely termed the Environment Protection Department are wedded to this scheme. Like all bureaucrats they are convinced that not only is bigger better but that they somehow have a monopoly of wisdom in dealing with “complex” issues.

The battle has now moved to Legco’s Finance Committee, where legislators have been mobilised to stall the granting of funds needed for the project. That cost has mushroomed to $1.5 billion, three times more than the original estimate but, ho hum, it’s other folks’ money so,

Time to move road debates Meanwhile, back on Sai Kung’s narrow roads we continue to suffer quite unnecessary traffic jams arising from the simplest collisions. As everyone knows, when one vehicle hits another, even in a minor collision, the vehicles involved remain in the middle of the road while responsibility is debated, the police are called and numbers taken etc. There seems to be no thought of pulling to one side to keep the traffic flowing.

No one suggests serious road accidents do not need to involve traffic delays, however, there is a big difference between this and what tends to amount to an insurance issue being resolved without a thought to the inconvenience it causes.

Cows have feelings too I know we humans have a tendency to project our emotions onto animals, but I am quite ready to swear my dogs do an incredible job of mirroring human emotions, including various devious methods of getting their way in the face of resistance from this soft-touch. It is with this in mind that I would like to report a heart-rending scene on the Tai Mong Tsai Road: a dead cow surrounded by other cows, who nudged it occasionally and seemed distraught.

Don’t tell me this was not a display of grief.

It maybe not of the human variety but it was certainly somewhere in the ballpark. I am an unashamed fan of these creatures. Although they do things that are a bit of a nuisance, Sai Kung is very fortunate to have them on the premises.

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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