Sai Kung Magazine September 2015

FAMILY | FOOD | HOME | SPORT | LIVING

September 2015

SAI KUNG HACKS TO MAKE YOUR LIFE HAPPIER

PLUS

Hike up Lantau Peak Local chef interviews Club Med getaway The future of ESF

The really useful magazine SEPTEMBER 2015

PEOPLE

LOCAL

2 Snapped!

Sai Kung’s social life.

THE PLANNER 6 Happening in September What’s on.

NEWS 10 What’s going on?

In your backyard.

LETTERS 12 Have your say Your thoughts.

GIVEAWAYS 14 Free stuff Fab things to win.

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

16 Talking shop Jean-Charles Radaelli, owner of Le Magasin.

18 Al fresco a no-no Why Sai Kung diners can’t take it outside.

NEWS FROM THE GREENS 20 Tunnel vision Where are Hong Kong’s common service tunnels?

FEATURE 22 Sai Kung life hacks Inside tips for an easy life in Hong Kong’s “back garden”.

EATING 28 Food for thought Interviews with chefs of Chinese Kitchen and Mandy’s Caribbean.

SPORTS 34 The beautiful game We chat to Sai Kung Sharks coach Charles Nwanaga.

EDUCATION 38 Business studies Looking to the future with ESF CEO Belinda Greer.

ENTERTAINMENT 44 Family night Sai Kung’s newest hotspots for a family night out.

BIG DAY OUT 48 Treasure island Cheung Chau: beyond the buns.

PETS 58 A dog is for life The commitment of having a dog.

HONG KONG CREATURES 58 Plum Judy The dancing butterfly.

VINES IN SAI KUNG 64 Musings on life in Sai Kung Stephen Vines shares his problems, solutions and tributes.

TRAVEL 52 Dong’ao delight Club Med’s newest resort in China opens.

HEALTH & BEAUTY 56 Doctor in the house Health professionals give some expert advice.

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“STAY LOW, STAY QUIET, KEEP IT SIMPLE, DON’T EXPECT TOO MUCH, ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE.” - DEAN KOONTZ

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people Snaps from Sai Kung

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say cheese

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people

2015 Readers’ Choice Awards

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

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Organizers:

M u s i c ct tri is D g n u Fe ai K 西貢區議會 Sai Kung District Council

S

西貢民政事務處 Sai Kung District Office

Oldies

ng Sai Ku 2015 (Sat) 9, Sept 1 pm 8 5pm – Tin Hau ng Sai Ku Square e na Templ Rowe

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Opera Youth at) 2016 (S u , 6 b e F Ha ng Tin u K i a S e Squar Temple (Sat) , 2016 munity 0 2 b e F om Hau C Hang Hall

Jazz 9pm pm – uare ng 6 ) u t K a i Sq Sa 6 (S , 201 au Temple 7 2 b Fe in H ung T Sai K O – 6pm wan ng K (Sat) 3pm u e s T 6 , 201 Park Mar 5 ing Street M Tong

Free Admission. Indoor events require advance ticketing.

Venue of the event may change due to weather conditions. For the most updated information, please visit: http://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/sk/english/activities/activities_04.html.

For enquiry: 3907 0132 / 3740 5200.

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planner

SEP 3-26

The 9th Annual Hong Kong International Comedy Festival Rib-tickling entertainment from some of the funniest comedians out there Tickets available at www.takeoutcomedy.com. Tickets for finals on September 26 can be purchased from www.hkticketing.com. Event information from www.hkcomedyfestival.com, 6220 4436.

SEP 3 Public holiday

September 5-6 (afternoon and evening shows).

Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Tickets $140-$1,000 from URBTIX, www.hkballet.com, 3761 6661.

Public holiday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in Hong Kong.

SEP 6 Giddyup!

The horse racing season begins at Sha Tin Racecourse. Day-racing only, www.hkjc.com.

SEP 6 Sai Kung Sunday Market SEP 4-6 Hamlet SEP 4-5 World Darts Masters comes to Central Eight of the world’s best dart players including Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor will be in town as the World Darts Masters stops by Hong Kong for the first time. Tickets start from $499 from www.ticketflap.com, Hong Kong Observation Wheel, Central.

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London theatre company Shakespeare’s Globe is performing Hamlet in every country on Earth.

This is Hong Kong’s turn. “To see, or not to see?” It’s a no-brainer. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $395-$795 from www.hkticketing.com, 2547 7150.

SEP 4-6 Pinocchio The fibbing puppet is brought to life by the Hong Kong Ballet. September 4 (evening show only);

The monthly indoor farmers’ and craft market that champions all things local. 11am-5pm, Hong Kong Academy, Wai Man Road, Sai Kung, www.saikungmarkets.com.

happening in September SEP 8 Cellistra with Colin Carr Hong Kong International Cello Association presents a night of musical entertainment with local cello ensemble Cellistra and British cello soloist Colin Carr. 8pm, Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium. Tickets are priced between $120-$250. www.urbtix.hk.

SEP 10 Hedge Fund Fight Nite After four months of rigorous training and monthly eliminations, 12 ‘first time’ boxers will compete in a grand finale to be crowned winner.

The evening also includes drinks, followed by a four-course black tie dinner and a live charity fundraising auction. All proceeds raised on the night will go to Beam International Foundation, Operation Breakthrough and the Sovereign Art Foundation. Tables of 12 start at $24,000.

6:30pm onwards, The Ironmonger Arena at The Hong Kong Observation Wheel, 33 Man Kwong Street, Central, 2973 0372, www.hedgefundfightnite.com.

also participating. Funds raised will go to the Hospital Authority’s Health InfoWorld to support its work on enhancing disease prevention and management. 7:20am - 2:45pm, Chater Road, Central, www.hkaaa.com, 2504 8215.

SEP 15-20 The Naked Magicians Full-frontal illusions - not quite as saucy as it sounds. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai.

Tickets $395-$595 at www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

SEP 16-20 La Soirée The award-winning cocktail of cabaret, new burlesque and circus sideshow is coming to Hong Kong. Get your tickets now. Lyric Theatre, Academy for Performing Arts, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. Tickets $395-$1,095 from www.hkticketing.com, 3759 7617.

SEP 16-20 Louis Pearl The Amazing Bubble Man Art, magic, science and bubbles. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $395-$550 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

SEP 17-27 Sundance Film Festival 2015: Hong Kong The Sundance Institute returns to Hong Kong for a second year with a line-up of cutting-edge independent films. Tickets for screenings start at $90 for adults. The Metroplex, Kowloon International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Kowloon Bay. hk.sundance.org, 2620 2200.

SEP 19 Celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival at EtonHouse SEP 10 Sai Kung Sampler The monthly pop-up market for deli goodies, gifts and more. This month’s sellers are all local businesses and charities. 6.30pm onwards.

Steamers, 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6991.

Head to EtonHouse for a morning of mooncake making, lantern painting, tea appreciation and music. Free entry. 10am-1pm. 102, 1F Red Hill Plaza, 3 Red Hill Road, Tai Tam, 2353 5223, www.etonhouse.com.hk.

SEP 13 MTR Race Walk Watch top race walkers from across the world compete for the men’s and women’s titles and cheer on any family and friends who are

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planner SEP 25-26 Bon Jovi Live In Macao 2015 American rock music icon Bon Jovi will be performing for two nights in Macau this Autumn.

Cotai Arena, The Venetian Macao, 8pm. Tickets $580-$3,688 from www.cotaiticketing.com, 6333 6660.

SEP 25-OCT 11 Singin’ in the Rain Catch this classic West End production, complete with brollies, buckets of rain and soggy coppers. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai.

Tickets $445-995 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

SEP 27 Moon Festival Feast on moon cakes and look out for the

SEP 19 Family yoga Miles ELP International Academy will collaborate with Pure South to hold a free family yoga session on the rooftop of the pulse. Each child under six must be accompanied by at least one adult. 5pm-6pm, Rooftop, the pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay. To sign up, email info@ miacademy.com.hk.

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SEP 19 Sai Kung District Music Festival Opening Ceremony Singers perform golden oldies from the 60’s to 2000 live against the backdrop of Sai Kung.

5pm-8pm, Tin Hau Temple Square (near Po Tung Road), Sai Kung. Free admission. www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/sk, 3907 0132.

planner colourful lanterns. Head to Tai Hang to watch the traditional Fire Dragon Dance, which has been performed there for around 100 years.

September 26-28, 8.15pm, Tai Hang, Causeway Bay. For enquiries call 2577 2649, www.taihangfiredragon.hk.

SEP 28 Public holiday Day after Mid-Autumn festival. Long weekend.

SEP 28 Muse Live in Hong Kong 8pm, Asia World-Expo, Tickets $780 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

BOOK NOW OCT 5 Al Murray One Man, One Guvnor

Wan Chai. Tickets $445-$895 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Stand-up comedy from the Pub Landlord.

Rotunda 3, KITEC, Kowloon Bay. Tickets $488$788 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

OCT 16-18 Secret Island Party

OCT 9-10 Beertopia 2015 The city’s largest craft beer festival returns for a fourth year. With over 500 beers from breweries across the world as well as an array of stomachlining snacks, games (including giant beer pong), live bands and DJs, what are you waiting for? Friday, October 9 (6-11pm); Saturday, October 10 (12-11pm). Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road. Tickets start at $280. Book by September 21 for the early bird discount at www.beertopiahk.com.

Stay for the day or sleepover at this weekend of art, music and performance. Tickets $250-$750 from www.hushup.hk.

OCT 25 Rat Race Central Suits go cuckoo for this fancy dress obstacle race in aid of Mindset. Register by September 18 at www.centralratrace.com.

OCT 12 Beyond the Barricade A medley of songs from Les Mis, Phantom, Jersey Boys and more. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA,

NOV 24 Elton John: All the Hits Join the Rocket Man for a romp down memory lane. HKCEC, Wan Chai.

Tickets $488-$2,388 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Got an event? We can publish the details for free. Email editorial@fastmedia.com.hk.

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news Get a move on with Sport4Kids

Exercising vicariously through your children?

Time to get moving with Sport4Kids, who are offering parents a chance to work out with one of their certified personal trainers while your little one enjoys a Mini-Sports class run by the Sport4Kids team. A great way to get fit and meet other parents while your toddler has fun trying out a range of sports - from tennis to basketball - that will enhance their motor, coordination and

social skills. Available for parents with children aged 18-months to four years at the following locations: Parkview (indoor and covered facilities), Sun Yat Sen Park, Hong Kong Park and Sai Kung, Wai Man Road Playground.

Children under two must be accompanied by an adult. To book email info@sport4kids.hk, 2773 1650, www.sport4kids.hk.

Pets Central launches first annual Charity Quest

Pets Central’s inaugural Charity Quest kicked off on August 29 to raise awareness and money for animals in need. Participants are given a list of places they can visit on each of the seven Saturdays between August 29 and October 10 where there will be animals and special events, including a Guinness World Record attempt on September 5. Participants earn points by taking a selfie, including the unique water mark sticker of the location, and uploading it to Instagram with the appropriate

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hashtags. The person who earns the most points will win round-trip tickets and hotel accommodation for two to Puerto Princessa, Palawan, Philippines and will attend the launch of the Palawan Rabies Eradication Campaign as a VIP guest of the Philippine government. Don’t worry if you missed the first Saturday, you can still register online at www.pets-central.com/quest. All contributions go towards the care of needy animals. #whatareyouwaitingfor.

Make a splash

Registration is now open for SPLASH 2015.

Hosted by the Victoria Recreation Club in Sai Kung, the open-water swimming event is geared towards competent young swimmers aged seven to 15 years old and comprises five races, with prizes for the top three in each category.

Aside from showcasing young talent, SPLASH aims to provide participating swimmers with an opportunity to build their confidence and enthusiasm for open-water swimming. Saturday, September 12, 7am-11am. Registration fees are $250 per entry. Every entry will receive a free pair of KEEN water shoes worth around $500 and Zoggs goggles worth $150. Sign up at www.skbasecamp.com. For enquiries, call 9160 0504.

On yer’ bike!

Organised by Sai Kung resident Bruce Foreman, the Yangshuo Bike Festival is back for a second year. This year’s festival includes a silent disco on wheels: a DJ’d bike ride using wireless headphones, with music selected to match the weather, terrain and mood of the riders. The 15km ride begins in Yangshuo and continues through the rice fields of the Yulong Valley, along the Jade Dragon River, and through orchards and bamboo groves to Valle Luna, a newly restored 400-year-old mud brick village in Gaotian. Here, cyclists will enjoy an array of local food, drink and music in a countryside setting.

The festival is open to anyone who can ride a bike, including families. Tickets for the disco-on-wheels ride and evening festivities on Saturday, September 5 cost RMB300.

Alternatively, opt for the full weekend package, which includes accommodation, a second day of riding and festivities, meals and transfers, for RMB1,900.

September 4-6, Yangshuo, China. Book online at www.yangshuobikefestival.com.

in your backyard

ESF applications open for years 1 and 7

Parents looking to enrol their children at their local ESF school should get their skates on. The application window for enrolment in year 1 and year 7 opens on September 1. Apply online at www.esf.edu.hk by September 30. Parents who wish to gain interview priority for their children may apply for Nomination Rights Schemes from September 2.

Applications for Renaissance College and

Discovery College should be made separately.

The two private independent schools also have their own Nomination Rights Schemes.

For pre-primary education, parents may apply to the new ESF International Kindergarten in Tung Chung from October 1-31. Children attending an ESF International Kindergarten will receive priority for interview at all ESF schools. www.esf.edu.hk.

Sadia to hold Seaside Family BBQ Carnival Feast on an array of 100% vegetarian-fed, hormone-free meats at international meat brand Sadia’s Seaside Family BBQ Carnival. Enjoy stunning views of Tolo Harbour, Pat Sin Leng and the Plover Cove Reservoir as you devour the dishes prepared by guest chefs from Kayobi Kitchen. To help quench your thirst, Balancy will provide natural herbal drinks. There will also be plenty to keep little ones busy, including face and body painting, clown and magic shows, and a dance performance by Sadia mascot Lequetreque. Enter the photo contest for the chance to win four tickets to Ocean Park: upload event photos to Instagram and tag three friends with the hashtag “#SadiaHKBBQ”.

Register online via www.facebook.com/ SadiaHongKong, 8192 8964. Admission is free. Free round-trip shuttle buses will also be provided between Mong Kok and Ma On Shan.

Sunday, September 6, 2pm-8pm, Whitehead Barbecue, Ma On Shan.

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letters

“gorgeous sunset where we live at Wong Keng Tei” – Stuart Nielsen

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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free stuff

win at www.saikung.com

Venetian Macao Open

photo: Venetian Macao Open

One of the highlights of the Asian Tour, the Venetian Macao Open returns to the Macau Golf & Country Club in October.

One lucky reader will win one night’s accommodation at Holiday Inn Cotai, a pair of return ferry tickets from Hong Kong, a pair of VIP hospitality passes and signed merchandise to be picked up at the tournament.

Macau Golf & Country Club 15 -18 October 2015 www.thevenetianmacaoopen.com Deadline: Sep 30

Sport4Kids

Hotshot One of Repulse Bay’s newest restaurants, Hotshot pays tribute to the Californian lifestyle of the 1960s. Opened by Le Comptoir, the group behind Bibo, TRi and The Ocean, the design welcomes a revival of the fun and casual “come as you are” philosophy. We’ve got a $1,000 dining voucher to send some cool Californian vibes your way.

G/F, Shop 114-115, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong, 2515 1661 www.hotshot.hk Deadline: Sep 30

Sport4Kids are experts in getting young children into sport. This month Sport4Kids are giving away an adult & toddler (18months- two years) “Fitness 4 the Family” package, valued at $2,000. This is a fantastic way for parents to get fit and meet other like minded parents, whilst their toddler receives a fun-filled introduction to a range of sports and games. www.sport4kids.hk Deadline: Sep 23

Asia Contemporary Art Show The Asia Contemporary Art Show, featuring thousands of artworks from Asia and around the world, is back in Hong Kong between October 8 and 11. We have six pairs of tickets to giveaway so you can browse and buy original paintings, limited editions, and more from some of the world’s most interesting and promising artists.

October 8 - 11 Conrad Hong Kong www.asiacontemporaryart.com Deadline: Sep 25

To enter, click the Giveaways tab on our website, www.saikung.com. Deadlines vary.

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five minutes with...

Editorial

Senior Consultant Editor Jane Steer jane@fastmedia.com.hk

talking shop

Jean-Charles Radaelli Shreena Patel meets the owner of Le Magasin, a little slice of France in Sai Kung.

Editor Callum Wiggins callum@fastmedia.com.hk Shreena Patel shreena@fastmedia.com.hk Digital Editor Annie Wong annie@fastmedia.com.hk

Design

Art Director Kelvin Lau kelvin@fastmedia.com.hk Senior Graphic Designer Jack Yip jack@fastmedia.com.hk

Thanks to Adele Brunner Carolynne Dear Evie Burrows-Taylor Paul Zimmerman Rory Mackay Sally Andersen Steffi Yuen Stephen Vines

Publisher Tom Hilditch tom@fastmedia.com.hk

Published by

Fast Media Floor LG1, 222 Queens Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

Jean-Charles in his shop with assistant Ines.

I am from Carcassonne, in the south of France, although my family and I have lived in Hong Kong for almost seven years now.

Prior to starting Le Magasin I was a stay-at-home dad with two kids. Once they had grown up a little they didn’t need me as much so I decided to start my own business selling real French produce that combines tradition and quality.

I spent a summer travelling around France and visiting suppliers, writing down everything in my little ‘carnet de voyage’.

Eventually I had enough stock to open my first shop in Stanley.

That was three years ago. Last year, I had the opportunity to open another branch in Sai Kung and I jumped at the chance.

I’m always thinking about the next spot to open a shop in Hong Kong. When we started, the French community in Stanley was very big and we were able to reach many customers by word of mouth. Now, French people are spreading out across the city, from Kowloon to the New Territories,

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opening up a range of new possibilities.

Our donkey’s milk soaps are very popular. In the Pyrenees mountains there is a very old tradition of breeding donkeys.

In the past, these donkeys were key to everyday life, but the introduction of machinery has changed that. Some farmers have found a way to continue to raise donkeys by using their milk to make soaps and creams. The milk is very good for the skin.

I love living in Clearwater Bay. Here, we have enough space to have a little garden, spend time outdoors as a family, and keep pets. We have a great dane called Max (thanks to Dr Mike and his team at Pets Central for having him stay healthy all these years). He is a quiet giant who probably thinks he is a chihuahua when he wants to sit in your lap.

When the weekend comes we all enjoy spending time together outside of the city, either walking on the surrounding trails or going to the beaches in Clearwater bay. The people here are relaxed

and love outdoor activities like barbeques and boat parties. My favourite time is the summer when the town is transformed for the annual Cantonese Opera. The bamboo theatre rises up in front of the Tin Hau Temple; it feels like it is “la fête au village”!

Sometimes the traffic in Sai Kung is a concern. I think that tour buses should be denied access to the waterfront to keep the atmosphere quiet and peaceful. Also, as a wine seller I often wonder where all those empty bottles end up. It would be good to have a more convenient way of recycling glass.

Everybody will have a different approach to starting a business.

Of course, you must prepare and go over your business plan again and again (and again), but at some point you just have to go for it with your heart and your guts, believe in yourself and follow your dreams.

Le Magasin, 21 Sai Kung Tai Street, 2791 0292, www.lemagasin.com.hk

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local

licence to chill

Sales & Marketing Head of Sales & Marketing Karman So karman@fastmedia.com.hk Sales Manager Oliver Simons oliver@fastmedia.com.hk Sales & Marketing Executive Alastair Grigg alastair@fastmedia.com.hk John Lee john@fastmedia.com.hk Office security Cat the dog

Accounts Manager Connie Lam connie@fastmedia.com.hk

Printer

Apex Print 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong

Unlike many of its neighbours, Jaspas has an outdoor seating licence.

Al fresco a no-no The crackdown on outdoor seating at restaurants continues, writes Carolynne Dear. www.saikung.com ads@fastmedia.com.hk @saikungmag facebook.com/SaiKungMagazine

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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It’s a beautiful sunny morning on Sai Kung waterfront, a great day to be sipping a latte at an outdoor table. My coffee is from Casa, but the table I’m sitting at in front of the popular tapas restaurant doesn’t actually belong to the establishment.

Technically, I am sitting in a public space, which means I could be drinking a coffee from Jaspas or a glass of Prosecco bought at My Wine Man next door, or munching on a pineapple bun from the bakery around the corner.

In one of the quirks of Hong Kong licensing laws, the outdoor area of a restaurant, bar or cafe is public space, unless the outlet has been granted an outdoor seating licence. Which is why Hong Kongers can enjoy a homemade picnic at Red Bar on the roof of the IFC, or even BYO to the roof of upmarket steak restaurant Woolloomooloo in Wan Chai.

It’s also why Sai Kung favourites like Classified and Casa cannot

operate al fresco dining. In fact, Classified was asked to remove its outdoor table settings and Casa must ask al fresco patrons to collect their food from the threshold of the restaurant. Casa’s outdoor tables are allowed to stay since they were donated by a local resident and have nothing to do with Casa.

The lack of outdoor seating for dining is ironic given that Sai Kung is often described as Hong Kong’s “back garden”. The situation is so irritating that a Facebook group, Occupy Seating in Sai Kung, has been set up for locals to vent their frustrations.

At perennial Sai Kung favourite, Jaspas, it’s a different story.

Pre-SARS, it played a similar cat and mouse game with the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) whose eagle-eyed officers are often seen prowling Sai Kung’s streets. But in 2003, everything changed. Until then, restaurants had to make multiple applications to a

plethora of government departments to be granted an outdoor seating licence. The result was a deadlock where each department refused to sign off on the application until it had been approved by the others.

But in 2003, as the fear of SARS grew, the government decided that Hong Kong’s population needed to be encouraged out of populous Central and into the fresh air and relative spaciousness of the New Territories. “And suddenly al fresco dining was in vogue,” says longterm Jaspas manager, Sing. “The government launched the OSA (Outdoor Seating Area licensing), which was one simple application form. And this is why Jaspas enjoys outdoor licensing to this day.

“I do think there needs to be regulation from the FEHD but I also think the restaurants should be allowed to operate on a level playing field,” says Sing. “It shouldn’t be one rule for one, and another for the others.” He adds that having the licence also means they have more control over their restaurant.

“We can ban dogs from sitting on chairs and eating off the tables, for example. It just takes one customer complaint about hygiene to bring the FEHD down on us for an inspection of our kitchens,” he says.

Casa’s general manager Courtney Horwood says their application is still pending, with no idea when it will be granted, but in the meantime they are happy complying with FEHD regulations and operating as they are. “The FEHD is just doing its job,” she says.

“Although it does mean we have no control over the outdoor area, in terms of smokers and dogs and so on,” she admits. “We have to rely on customers being sensitive to fellow diners.”

According to Sing, the FEHD spends much of its time clearing footpaths of illegal hawkers, not just targeting restaurants. “They do serve a purpose. There have been moments when restaurants have gone a bit crazy with their dining spaces, especially on the waterfront.

But generally we have a good rapport with other businesses.”

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news from the greens

tunnel vision

Tunnel vision Paul Zimmerman explains why common services tunnels are key to making Hong Kong a smart city. is accelerating the pace of urbanisation, but backward underground pipelines appear to be a big dragging force,” Li said, according to People’s Daily. “It is necessary to step up our efforts on construction of better underground pipelines.” 10 cities including Haikou, Xiamen and Suzhou have been selected to carry out the pipe improvements over the next three years, at a cost of 35.1 billion yuan ($43.8 billion).

Singapore has already built long stretches of common services tunnels.

Shared underground tunnels for common services such as sewage, water, electricity, gas, telecoms and broadcasting are expensive and cumbersome to retrofit under existing roads.

They also require coordination of the works with the different companies who need to redirect their underground utilities. It is a big one-off investment of money, time, and roadworks. Is it worth it? Premier Li Keqiang thinks so. “China

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It is time for Hong Kong to put them in place But Hong Kong still believes that every utility should take care of its own. As a result residents suffer repetitive opening and closing of roads. Even for a greenfield site such as Kai Tak, the Government is refusing to put in common services tunnels. The safety excuse

– what if a pipe bursts or gas explodes – is outrageous as separation can be designed in. The real reason is responsibility: the urban pipelines would be the Government’s management and maintenance responsibility and require staffing up.

A less laissez-faire attitude where we put utilities underground would mean a lot less opening and closing of roads, less construction waste, traffic jams, roadside air and noise pollution. Trees would do better too, as the tunnels would prevent the repetitive damaging of roots. Common services tunnels should be known as common sense tunnels. It is time for Hong Kong to put them in place if we truly care about being known as a smart city.

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

Sai Kung life hacks Everyone loves a shortcut. Here are some top tips to make your life that bit easier in the Kung. By Carolynne Dear.

Ditch the junk, take a sampan The weekend’s looking hot and typhoon-free, and guess what, every junk in the Territory is booked out. Don’t despair, rent a sampan. Not only is it heaps of fun, you’ll save a packet too. A sampan may not be as smart or as comfortable as a junk, but it can accommodate about 20 people and there’s no need for a hefty deposit. The sampan will take you out to High Island for lunch and wait while you binge on seafood, then anchor off a beach for an hour or two on the way home. Rates depend on your haggling ability; we bartered a six-hour trip for 16 people for $1,800.

Alternatively, try calling High Island and asking for a speedboat pickup from Sai Kung New Pier or Pak Sha Wan Pier. It’s not the full junk experience, but you’ll get a fun boat ride, a yummy lunch, and if they’re not too busy you can ask to be taken around the bay to Millionaires Beach after you’ve eaten, with a late afternoon pick up. Weekend charges are $1,600 for a return trip boat to High Island (holds 20) from Sai Kung New Pier ($1,800 from Pak Sha Wan); additional trip to Millionaires is priced separately. Call or WhatsApp Simon at at High Island, 2791 1822.

Parking dramas Stuck for a parking place on Pak Sha Wan Pier? If you hand your car keys to the lady in the deckchair with the big sunhat, her boys will “take care” of the parking for your car for the day.

Usually they double park on the pier, and then move the cars around when people need to get in and out. The normal daily rate for this service is $100, although rumour has it she is charging up to $150 on peak Sundays this year.

Try the carparks on Mei Yu Street, opposite the police station, charging $8 per hour MondayFriday ($18 on weekends and public holidays), or all-day from $50, Octopus payment only. The parking spaces are “cosy”, Volvo drivers be warned. A second carpark has been fashioned out of land behind Blue Sky Sports Club, just before you reach Sha Ha Beach on the Seafront Promenade. Turn right off Wai Man Road past Sai Kung Academy. It’s a bit out of town, but is quite spacious with day rates from $40. Cash only.

Spacious carparks in Sai Kung.

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hack of a good time Fresh veggies The land that clings to the hills above Ho Chung village is traditional farming land. Although the rice paddies have all but disappeared.

The terraces remain fertile territory for fruit and vegetable allotments and small holdings, much of which is for sale. Take the Nam Pin Wai exit at the Nam Wai roundabout and continue straight until you reach a car park at the end of the road. Head towards the little footbridge straight ahead and slightly to the left, and continue on the footpath up into the hills. Allotments abound, but after about 20 minutes you will start seeing signs advertising fresh allotment veggies for sale, including Milk and Honey Organic Farm, which sells a variety of organically grown seasonal vegetables. See www.milkandhoneyorganic.com for more info.

Fresh veggies in Ho Chung village.

Beat the traffic Join the Sai Kung Traffic and Parking Facebook group for real-time updates on the state of Sai Kung’s notorious gridlock. It’s also useful for finding out where police speed-traps have been set up that day. If Hiram’s Highway is rammed, consider taking a shortcut through Las Pinadas and Mok Tse Che. The singletrack road is not for the faint hearted: it’s steep, narrow, and passing places are few and

far between, but it can be an attractive option when the traffic is bumper-to-bumper. Turn left off Clearwater Bay Road at the signpost for Ta Ku Ling San Tsuen towards Las Pinadas, take the first left and head down the mountain. The road takes you through Mok Tse Che village and out onto the old Hiram’s Highway. Turn left for the Nam Wai roundabout. Avoid traffic on Hiram’s Highway at Tai Po Tsai village by

turning left at the university roundabout.

Head through the university gates, telling the guard you are exiting at the next gate, and follow the road round to the right. This brings you out at Ngan Ying Road (where Clearwater Bay school and the Caltex station is located), bypassing the trucks and buildingwork taking place on the new apartment complex.

Share a cab It seems obvious when the taxi queue is a mile long to share a cab with someone going your way. Do the neighbourly thing and ask if anyone would like to share next time you have a couple of spare seats. It’s catching on.

Dodge the 101M queue When commuters are queuing three lines deep for the 101M at Hang Hau, consider taking the 792 double-decker to Sai Kung. Pick it up outside Tseung Kwan O Hospital.

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feature Fibre-optic internet connection Dodgy internet connection at your gaff?

Try The Hive. This co-working space on Tai Mong Tsai Road now has super-fast and reliable fibre-optic connection, as well as great coffee and a new food menu. Day rates are $100. Open 8am8pm, The Hive, 5 Tai Mong Tsai Road, 2780 5844, www.thehivesaikung.com.hk.

Heard it through the grapevine Life is always easier with a glass of wine.

Launched in 2007 by two men fed up of paying over the odds for a bottle of vino in Hong Kong, Winerack aims to offer customers value for money by sourcing its wines directly from the vineyards and cutting out the middleman.

Browse their online selection of wines from across the world, from Chile to France, and create your own mixed case. Prices start at $45 per bottle. Winerack also stocks champagne,

sparkling wine, beer, cider and spirits, and delivery is free on orders of at least six bottles of wine or three cases of beer or cider. Smaller orders can be made ready for pick-up at one of three locations each Friday at no extra charge.

Visit the store in person to find wines not listed online. Shop 5, Kam Po Court, Hoi Pong Square, 2253 6929, www.winerack.com.hk.

Lost in translation Sick of not being able to tell the minibus driver exactly what you thought of that white-knuckle ride into town? It’s time to consider some Cantonese lessons. Sai Kung Tutors offers private Cantonese tuition with a qualified tutor in the comfort of your home ($500 per hour).

Cheaper group lessons are also available at $200 per class and are taught in Sai Kung Tutor’s learning centre. 1/F, 10 Po Tung Road, 5321 4400, www.saikungtutors.com. Check out www.myprivatetutor.hk for other private tutors in Sai Kung.

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feature Clothing alterations Sai Kung The Hand Made has just opened on Po Tung Road between Tala’s and Firenze, offering all manner of clothing alteration services. Proprietor Peggy used to operate out of Sai Kung wet market, biding her time until the “right” location came up in the town. From hemlines to full-scale alterations, she offers a competitive and fast service, depending on the fabric and what needs to be done. If you don’t want to schlep all the way into town for a quote, you can WhatsApp her first on 9621 7011. She is available from 9.30am-4.30pm, closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Between Piccolo’s and Big Fish in the square (Wan King Path), is a little doorway to the apartments above. If you poke your head around the entrance, a lady works at the bottom of the stairwell altering clothes. She says just bring along what you need repairing or altering, and she will let you know if she can do it and for how much. She opens at about 9.30am and has been known to turn around small alterations such as hemlines in less than an hour. She also sells custom-made bed linen: all you need do is choose from the samples available and provide her with your measurements.

Smashed tech repairs Got a screen that needs replacing? Cindy, at Sai Kung Telecom, charges from $500 for new iPhone screens (depending on the model) and can have them ready in an hour. Shop 52A, G/F, Sai Kung Town Centre, 22-40 Fuk Man Road, 2791 6878, www.facebook.com/ SaiKungTelecom.

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feature Buzz off Ditch the itch with this little gadget. It’s a mosquito bite relief device, and quite possibly the most useful gadget you will ever buy. By clicking on the bite it produces a tiny electrical shock which localises the poison and inhibits the histamine release that causes the urge to scratch. It also reduces inflammation. There’s no battery or chemicals involved. The best news is it’s available from Bumps To Babes, which has just opened in the square. However, do read the label as it is not recommended for children under four or those fitted with a pacemaker. $79 from Bumps To Babes, 7 Wan King Path, 2976 0223, www.bumpstobabes.com.

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feature Milk delivery

Coffee break

It may not be delivered on an electric milk float at the crack of dawn like those driven by Britain’s trusty milkmen and women, but the principle is the same: fresh milk delivered to your door. Farm Milk delivers whole, skimmed and semi-skimmed fresh milk to Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay three times a week from its Yuen Long-based farm. Call 2832 9218, or see www.farmmilk.com.hk.

If you live south of Sai Kung and want a coffee but can’t bear the gridlock of Hiram’s Highway, try Starbucks at the university. Head over by minibus or on foot (cars will not be admitted without a permit), enter via the University Avenue gate and turn right. There is also an ATM and an English language bookshop.

Paddle power

Noodle cooler

Fancy a paddle but want a change of scene from Sai Kung’s Inner Port Shelter? Call Clearwater Bay’s local waterman Paul Etherington for SUP lessons on the sparkling waters off Sheung Sze Wan village at the far end of Clearwater Bay. Etherington can provide boards and paddles and charges $500 for two people per session. Call or WhatsApp Paul at Kayak and Hike on 9300 5197, paul@kayak-and-hike.com.

If you don’t want to leave Sai Kung, Mr Kwok on Sha Ha beach has SUPs as well as brand new single lightweight kayaks. The kayaks come with extremely comfy seats with backrests. $50 for two hours. Call 9235 7842 to book.

Five-foot-long foam “noodle” water toys have a handy optional extra: the connector, which is designed to form a ring, making an effective drinks cooler to keep your beverage chilled while you bob about in the sea. It’s the perfect size for a bottle of beer. It’s $30 for a noodle with connector next to the minibus station in Sai Kung.

Shop 2-021-2-066, 2/F, Tseung Kwan O Plaza, 1 Tong Tak Street, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories.

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eating Food for thought Annie Wong sits down with the chefs of Chinese Kitchen and Mandy’s Caribbean Bar and Restaurant.

Hunanese restaurant, Chinese Kitchen.

Chinese Kitchen Hunanese restaurant Chinese Kitchen was the winner of Best New Restaurant in Sai Kung in the Readers’ Choice Awards 2015.

Originally from Hunan province in China themselves, chefs Feng Bo, Chen Jian Gui and his wife Lu Ling explain their journey to becoming chefs in Sai Kung and how they plan to transform Chinese Kitchen.

Feng, Chen and Lu arrived in Sai Kung about a year ago and it’s proved a successful move. “Our boss gave us the opportunity to be chefs in Hong Kong and, most importantly, to bring the flavours of Hunan to Hong Kong. We want people to know and fall in love with our food.” Chen and Feng have worked together for many years and were partners in a restaurant

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in Hunan before signing up to be Chinese Kitchen’s head chefs, with Lu as their assistant.

“When I was a child, it was my dream to become a pilot. But I have a different dream now and that is for people to try our food and be inspired to visit Hunan, just from the taste”, says Chen.

Feng says his dream was to be a teacher but it was too difficult to go down that path. Instead, he started learning to cook in the kitchen of his family home. “It’s a practical skill to learn: you need it to live”, says Chen, “I was exposed to food from a very young age. My experience is built from scratch and has been accumulated over time.” Chen recalls that in the beginning he wasn’t even allowed

It was hard work and a slow process but i feel like it’s paid off now to touch a knife. “I learnt from watching chefs in the kitchen and slowly I got more and more opportunities to prepare food and finally to cook food. It was hard work and a slow process but I feel like it’s paid off now.”

With a big grin on their faces, both agree that the best part of being a chef is getting the thumbs up from customers, especially from those that come in to the restaurant for the first

time. “There is pressure working in the kitchen, especially when it’s really busy. But it gives me a great sense of accomplishment when I know they’ve enjoyed our food.” The most popular dishes at Chinese Kitchen are also the most traditional ones, like the steamed fish head with chilli ($248) and the steamed razor clams with chilli and garlic ($380).

While sourcing herbs and spices essential to Hunanese cuisine was challenge back in Hunan, getting their hands on the right ingredients can sometimes prove difficult in Hong Kong. “The challenge of getting the right ingredients comes with cooking Hunanese food or any other food in Hong Kong” Chen says. “The

chef talks

Top: Steamed razor clams with chilli and garlic and steamed vegetables Bottom: Chinese Kitchen chefs Chen Jiang Gui, Feng Bo and Lu Ling.

soya sauce here is too sweet so we order sauces and herbs from Hunan to keep the authenticity of the flavours in our dish, which has got more of a spicy kick to it. The bacon from Hong Kong is too sweet for Hunanese cuisine so we must import it directly from Hunan.”

The chefs draw inspiration from visiting local markets, buying ingredients and experimenting with them. “We buy fresh seafood and experiment with different combinations of spices and herbs.” Surprisingly, the weather is also a factor the chefs take into consideration. “Spicy food is good for your health, especially in winter when you have a cold. It is also very damp in Hong Kong. We

believe that spice will help release the heat from the body.”

Chen says Sai Kung is an interesting community with different tastes and, though the restaurant’s dishes are made with local ingredients cooked in Hunan style, they are adjusted to appeal to the tastebuds of locals and expats. “Westerners don’t like chewing on bone, so we debone the fish and chicken. Hunanese cuisine is notoriously spicy so we are happy to tone down the spice to suit our customers’ tastes. We hope that our menu will appeal to everyone.”

Open daily, 11am-11pm. 16 Wan King Path, Sai Kung, 2191 2498, www.facebook.com/cksaikung.

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eating

Mandy’s Caribbean Bar & Restaurant After living in the UK and Trinidad and Tobago for several years, Mandy Kaur of Mandy’s Caribbean Bar and Restaurant settled down in Sai Kung in 2004. She is now the proud owner of a restaurant, private kitchen and catering business. “There isn’t much hustlin’ in Sai Kung but we’ve still got the bustle.”

Mandy’s passion for food started when she was living in Trinidad and Tobago, a small island country in the heart of the Caribbean. Her mother-in-law and a pot of stewed beef (only the latter is available on the menu, $150) were the source of her

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inspiration. “There are so many different flavours, influences and ways to cook Caribbean food, it was fascinating.” Living in the Caribbean gave Mandy opportunities to discover the roots of the dishes. “We grew herbs and peppers on the rooftop and I discovered that everything could be grown inside our house.” Her restaurant operates similarly: most of the sauces and pastes are homemade although herbs are imported from the Caribbean.

When Mandy first arrived in Hong Kong she was a lady of leisure, but being a hard worker at heart she decided to do something

Opening a restaurant is very different. It’s a different mentality for her future. Business-minded and passionate about cooking, she opened Mandy’s Caribbean Bar & Restaurant as a homage to her days spent living in the Caribbean.

“I found that there was a demand for unpretentious, home-style Caribbean food. And that’s exactly what we offer. I wanted to open a restaurant in Sai Kung because of its distinct and relaxed atmosphere. It’s like a country

within a country, within a country. It has a different feel than any other place in Hong Kong”, she says.

“It’s a good location for people to come in and enjoy a meal.”

Mandy admits that although opening her own restaurant was a huge accomplishment, it was also one of the hardest things she has ever done. “I had already established a catering business in Hong Kong, but opening a restaurant is very different. It’s a different mentality”, she says.

“There are so many elements that I had to consider: hiring contractors, obtaining a liquor license, as well as planning and creating

eating

(clockwise from left): Chef Mandy Kaur; customers enjoying a meal; popular Caribbean dishes, fire prawns, curry goat, hummingbird chip butty,

Caribbean dishes to suit Sai Kung and Hong Kong in general. But I’m very happy with what I’ve done”.

With success come challenges. Mandy explains that kitchen dynamics are crucial. “We need to make sure the kitchen doesn’t get inundated with orders so customers can always expect us to deliver the best quality food we can offer.” That’s why Mandy has kept the menu simple with a few starters and mains including curried goat ($160) and fire prawns ($170), and she wants to keep it that way, at least for now. “We know what we’re good at and we serve just that. By not offering too

many choices, it makes it easy for customers to come and enjoy the food.”

Coming in second place in Best New Restaurant in this year’s Sai Kung Readers’ Choice Awards, Mandy’s restaurant has proved to be a popular choice in the Sai Kung community, which has embraced Caribbean food and culture with open arms.

Open 4pm till late weekdays (closed Mondays) and 8.30am till late on weekends and public holidays. G/F, 24 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung, 2791 2088, www.caribbeanhk.com.

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eating

Nibbles The class costs $1,488 and will be held from 11.30am to 2pm. Intercontinental Hong Kong, Lower level, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2721 1211, www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com.

Yan Toh Heen Moon Cake

Yan Toh Heen Moon Cake Classes Michelin-star Yan Toh Heen has introduced a collection of homemade moon cakes and two gift hampers. Flavours include custard cream and gold dust ($368 for six pieces), Iberico ham and mixed nuts ($328 for six pieces) and lotus seed paste and double salty egg yolk ($368 for four pieces). Join Executive Chef Lau Yiu Fai for a moon cake making class on September 19. The day also includes a late breakfast and special tastings of two of their special moon cakes.

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Chip In Sai Kung opens in Kowloon City Popular Sai Kung fish and chips eatery, Chip In, has opened a bistro in Kowloon City. Their regular menu of British style beer-battered cod and chunky chips remains, with the addition of breakfast dishes, Pukka pies and homemade carrot cake. Chip In is also home to Hong Kong’s only deep-fried Oreo. 2B Hau Wong Road, Kowloon City, www.facebook.com/chip.in.fish.n.chips.

New dishes from Mandy’s New dishes are coming to the popular Mandy’s Caribbean restaurant. Customers can expect pork ribs, sticky chicken wings and her signature leg of lamb from her private kitchen.

One dish that’s caught our eye is the crab fryup starter: softshell crab marinated in Mandy’s homemade masala paste and then deep fried.

24 See Cheung Street, 2791 2088.

Ice Mango Cafe

Arrival of a new cafe Ice Mango Cafe has made Sai Kung home.

The cafe serves an array of starters such as sesame prawn toast, fried chicken wings and pineapple fritters, all-day breakfast and fisherman’s basket which includes fish, calamari, prawns, crabsticks and chips.

Relax by the water with a range of organic teas. Flavours range from chocolate earl grey to ginger lemon green tea. G/F, 47 Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung, 9070 4860.

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sport

keepie uppie

Shark attack Sai Kung Sharks’ coach Charles Nwanaga explains his journey from international football player to youth team coach. By Callum Wiggins.

Coach Charles and his Sai Kung Sharks

One day after training with my team in Hong Kong, I saw some kids kicking a football around the pitch. I was impressed by their skills so I said to them, ok, let’s play together. Suddenly, it became a regular thing and when I had finished training I would coach those youngsters. That group grew and eventually they went to a local football tournament and came back with silver medals. They dedicated their medals to me.

That was the beginning of Sai Kung Sharks back in the year 2000. Now we have nearly 60 children training at Sai Kung Sharks during the week and we play in the Hong Kong Junior league.

I love Sai Kung and we have received great support from the community. I believe that over the years we have built something really special. Sai Kung Sharks is a community and it’s a place where young people can enjoy

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I love Sai Kung and we have received great support from the community playing football without being in a pressurised environment. They can just relax, play the game and have fun. We have a lot of talented young players and I hope that some of them can make it into senior teams. I have introduced some of our players to the senior teams at the clubs I used to play for. However, many parents want their child to concentrate on their studies and to study abroad one day, which I understand.

I started playing football when I was five years old. Eventually, I made it into the top league of Nigerian football. My most memorable

moment as a footballer was the FA cup final in Nigeria. I remember that we won 1 - 0 and it completed my trophy collection. The team that I played with that year won every title on offer. By 1997, I had won everything that there was to win in the Nigerian football league and I wanted to test myself abroad. Through an agent I was offered the chance to play in Guangzhou, China. I was due to arrive in Hong Kong first and then travel onwards to Guangzhou.

However, when I arrived in Hong Kong there was nobody here to meet me. The offer to play in Guangzhou fell through and so I ended up playing for some teams in Hong Kong.

I played for a few teams including Sai Kung Friends and Rangers. A few years ago when I was playing for Rangers I suffered a knee injury: during a league game I jumped up in the air to challenge for the ball and landed

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sport awkwardly on one leg. I knew straight away that I had seriously hurt my knee. Instead of getting surgery I had intense physiotherapy for a few months and then went back to play. Looking back now I know that the ligaments were not properly healed. Our team was under pressure and faced relegation and my boss asked me to come back and play to rescue the team. During the final six games I scored eight goals and we stayed up. Of course, now I regret coming back to play so soon before the injury had healed. I had such a passion for the game and I rushed back too soon.

When I played at the national stadium in Nigeria I was playing in front of 80,000 people.

I used to run out onto the pitch and feel the expectation of the fans to play well. I miss those days a lot. My injury prevents me from playing football anymore, but I’m trying to fix my knee so that I can at least kick the ball during training and play a little just for fun.

I’ve enjoyed getting to know so many kids around Sai Kung over the past 15 years. I love bumping into familiar faces on the street and around Sai Kung because of the work that I have done over the years. We are looking to invest in the team this year to get the best out

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I had such a passion for the game and I rushed back too soon of our young players. One of our initiatives is called ‘Soccer Mind’. The programme is about creating awareness in young players and making them focus while they are on the pitch.

Some of the kids are as young as four years old and it is easy for them to get distracted. We are working hard to make them focus right from the start of each game until the very end.

We will also open our training sessions to toddlers and girls so that all young children can enjoy the beautiful sport of football. All our football shirts will carry a “Say NO to racism; be a champion” badge to highlight the values that we at Sai Kung Sharks are proud of. I can’t wait for the new season to start.

For more information about the Sai Kung Sharks visit their website at www.saikungsharksfc.com.

sport

(clockwise from left); The Sharks get in some practice; coach Charles talks tactics; The Sharks take on local opposition

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education

interview

Business studies ESF CEO Belinda Greer discusses the future of ESF with Evie Burrows-Taylor.

As a foundation we’ve spent the last year working on establishing our vision and mission while also setting the strategy for the next five years. At ESF our vision is to make our students the best that they can be, and our mission is to inspire their creativity and nurture them as global citizens for the future.

The board, advisory committees, parents, students and schools have all been involved in the discussion about where we are heading over the next five years. Our main business is obviously education and we have reviewed our strategic objectives in this area. We’ve also looked, as an organisation, at how we present ourselves and how we communicate our position in Hong Kong, as well as our financial strategy and for opportunities to grow and develop ESF in Hong Kong.

There has been a lot of anxiety from parents about fees and fee increases Finance I think there has been a lot of anxiety from parents about fees and fee increases. This happens every year, but with the subsidy from the government ending for year one, the shortfall has to be made up. We’ve been quite clear as an organisation that this will entail a fee increase, though we are also looking at ways of being efficient and we have a best value model to ensure that we make very good use of our resources. This year that will mean an average increase of 5.2% for most students, except year one where parents will see a steeper rise as the government subsidy is faded out.

When you compare us to other schools, even if we were to increase our fees by the shortfall, we would still have amongst the lowest fees in Hong Kong. Interestingly, if you compare our fees with those of schools in the UK then ESF is not that high.

Education ESF is known for delivering excellent education and what has impressed me in my time here is that we’ve developed professional thinking.

Having such a large network of schools, we get teachers to work within and across schools so that we can share the best practice. We’ve

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Clockwise from left: South Island school students enjoy a cooking class; KGV student gets sporty; groupwork at Sha Tin Junior School.

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education got strong development programmes that we run from the centre. We’re looking ahead with real confidence in meeting the challenge of finding innovative, creative ways of working with students to ensure we get the very best out of them. Obviously, real education is about a lot more than just achieving high academic standards but these are important. This year we’re pleased to say we’ve got our strongest set of results ever; 17 students achieved the maximum 45 marks in their IB. Fewer than 200 students achieved this worldwide. We’re extremely proud of the academic results that our students achieve. We are also very proud of the fact that our students are confident, resilient, able to work collaboratively and develop great leadership skills. ESF is non-selective in terms of academic ability and we work with all of our students so they can be the best that they can be, regardless of academic ability. ESF is very inclusive and that’s something that we want to strive for even further.

The atmosphere of an ESF school I think it’s a place where learning thrives. There is a sense that every student is an individual and that they belong. Our students are truly engaged, which I believe is essential for real learning to take place. Using Glenealy School as an example, we completely changed what a

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Children should be inspired to want to learn and be part of what’s happening in the classroom classroom could look like. In terms of seating, we have little booths, staged areas, high stools and low seated areas so that when students come into the classroom, they’re not all seated at the same-sized tables or chairs. This creates a different atmosphere within the classroom depending on the activities being worked on.

Students are responsible for their learning and they are engaged. I think that is much more effective than when teachers do all the talking and lead the lesson.

Homework If you look at how we learn best, it’s when we see the purpose of what we are doing. I think with homework, if it’s something that’s just based on quantity and copying things out or learning by rote, that limits the quality of learning. A great example – from Peak School – is when they put on a production of Macbeth.

I visited the rehearsals and happened to be

sitting next to Macbeth’s very proud mum.

She told me that when he knew the auditions were approaching he took the script and read it every day because he wanted to land that role in the production. Now for me, that is what learning is about. Children should be inspired to want to learn and be part of what’s happening in the classroom.

Choosing the right school I would say to parents, as a mother of five boys myself, you know your child and you want them to be in an environment where they feel safe, confident and happy. I personally would choose a school that has high professional standards and excellent staff. That’s what makes the difference and at EFS, I believe we have exceptional teachers. This year we hired 103 new teachers from over 5000 applications.

I like to believe that teachers are applying to us because of the professional learning and practice environment which will help them develop their own knowledge.

I think the physical learning environment is important but I think teachers are more important. A school should have a real sense of community with plenty of extra-curricular activities. As a parent, your voice is vital, so you should also feel there is a strong community for you.

education

Clockwise from left: KGV students play at a concert; races at Sha Tin College; a young learner explores Abacus Kindergarten.

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sponsored column

How to ace a school interview Part two of ITS Education Asia’s scoop on primary-school interviews for five-year-olds Parents who are new and old to Hong Kong are often surprised by the lack of school places but more surprised by the fact that children as young as three years old face school interviews. What really happens in an interview? The following outlines what children aged four- to five years are tested on during the interview.

During group activities students are asked to complete puzzles, write their names, colour a picture, draw shapes and actively engage.

Teachers ask students questions on the following; family members, favourite book or toy, preschool friends and teachers, where they live and what they like to do at home.

Children are evaluated on their ability to work alone and complete an activity with little guidance from the teacher as well as interaction with other children in the group and their pencil grip. Children are tested on their English communication skills, level of vocabulary and ability to hold a conversation with the teacher by using extended sentences.

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During a group story time the teacher will ask questions to examine who is concentrating on the story and who can completely understand the story. Some kids will be quiet, while others will be jumping up and down trying to get the first word in.

Another interview activity includes a child being handed a simple picture or illustration and asked to describe what he or she sees. This is to test a child’s fluency in speech and creativity.

A parent can practice the general skill with their child, but any specific coaching or prepping is difficult as each picture is different.

How can parents and children best prepare for interviews? Some parents and educators argue the best preparation for school interviews is no preparation at all. That way, the child’s personality, talents and temperament will shine naturally.

However, this is not the time to hope for the best. We are not advocating sending your child to interview boot camp but some low-key preparation helps. Extra playdates for instance, and maybe drama classes or storytelling classes

would be helpful if a child is quite shy.

There is also the etiquette of school interviews. Children are expected to formally greet the teachers, thank the teacher at the end of the interview, and say goodbye while looking the interviewer in the eye. Some schools take this social aspect of the interview quite seriously.

It is important to prepare your child for a school interview without creating unnecessary anxiety in either of you. It’s also important to remember that you should not anticipate your child’s behavior during a school interview as they may not respond in the same way you have observed in the past.

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

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entertainment

TGIF

A night on the town Annie Wong samples Sai Kung's latest entertainment options.

(clockwise from left); Tikitiki bowling bar reception; players enjoying the new lanes; 10 bowling lanes with TVs.

Tikitiki Bowling Bar Boasting one restaurant, two bars, and 10 bowling lanes, Tikitiki is Sai Kung’s newest entertainment venue promising fun for the whole family. The area ia huge and the decor and interiors are finished to a high quality. We loved the Koa wood furniture and atmospheric lighting. There is plenty of space for children to run amuck and for adults to lounge around.

Wide-screen TVs displayed along the end of the bowling lanes play old-school music videos, giving the place a retro vibe. Children can bowl to their hearts’ content and adults will enjoy unique cocktails at either of the venue’s two bars: Seadogs and Mermaids and The Octopus Garden. Both are decorated differently; the former has a large bar at its centre, complete with wooden stools, whilst the latter has a spacious lounge area where a live band plays throughout the week. Try their signature cocktails including the Flaming Zombie or the Fog Cutter - both equally as

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quirky - shaken by world class mixologist, Dipen Gurung.

The bowling bar also has a casual fine dining restaurant: Beachbums and Cannibals.

The restaurant will be completely functioning by the end of September and can seat up to 37 people. The menu includes breakfast dishes, main courses as well as snacks such as calamari and chicken in a basket. There is a separate menu for children. An outside garden area is available with lovely views for al fresco dining, but there is no service at the moment as the outdoor licence is pending.

Special ‘bowl and drink’ promotions are available: $400 will get you one hour of bowling and two house drinks, or $500 for 1 hour of bowling and four house drinks. Tikitiki can cater for kids parties and events with further details to be announced soon.

Opening hours still to be confirmed. 4/F, Centro, 1A Chui Tong Road, Sai Kung, 2657 8488, www.tikitiki.hk.

.COM restaurant and bar Also new in town is .COM, which occupies the former Agua Plus location on Po Tung Road.

Promising “good fun and great food”, it falls somewhere between a casual restaurant and a rowdy sports bar. Its dark walls and high ceilings set a cosy yet relaxed atmosphere.

The restaurant-nightclub prides itself as being an all-inclusive entertainment hotspot.

You’ll find a private function room, full sized pool table, restaurant, and - for the sports enthusiasts - there are two full-screen TVs to watch the Premier League or this year’s Rugby World Cup. The bottom level is where all the action is: it contains a bar, large TV screen, entertainment area and outdoor seating. The restaurant and function room is tucked away upstairs, for quieter occasions, although the noise from downstairs is not completely unheard in the dining area. While .COM is essentially a bar, children and families are welcome.

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entertainment There are themed promotions throughout the week, including live music and entertainment performed by 15 singers and musicians. Ladies can enjoy free-flow red, white, and sparkling wine from 8pm-9pm and their choice of wine at $25 per glass from 9pm11pm on Tuesday nights. Have a boys night out on Thursday, starting with a pool competition at 7pm and free-flow on selected beers from 8-9pm, ($40 a pint; $30 bottled beers after that).

Former chef at Shangri-la and Mandarin Oriental, Rick Ney, runs the kitchen at .COM. Ney, however, keeps the menu simple with starters like nachos, edamame beans, and chicken wings. Mains include penne bolognese, sirloin steak and Thai beef salad. Try the sangria for something other than standard spirits and beers which could be found elsewhere with ease. Coffee is served from 9am.

Big plans are in the pipeline for the restaurant, which hopes to build several nightclubs under the group and expand .COM to other parts of the city, including Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. Time will tell whether it has what it takes to draw in the regulars in Sai Kung.

G/F, 72-74 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2660 5755, www.comgrouphk.com.

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(clockwise from top); customers make the most of the outdoor seating; chef Rick Ney's beef burger and chips; the band are singing some tunes

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big day out

鴯peak effort

Livin’ la vida Lantau Performing a feat that has reduced even seasoned hikers to tears, Rory Mackay hikes up Hong Kong’s second highest peak.

Shek Pik reservoir

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big day out Whenever my flight touches down in Hong Kong, the imperious sight of Lantau Peak leaves me looking back up towards the sky in awe. No matter whether you’re arriving in Hong Kong for the first time or returning home, the majesty of the territory’s second highest point is lost on few people. The allure of Lantau Peak draws in many hikers throughout the year; as a consequence there are many ways to ascend it these days. I recommend attacking this beast of a mountain via the South Ridge, as despite it being one of the most spectacular routes around, it is surprisingly one of the less frequented.

Make your way to Tung Chung on the MTR and catch the number 11 bus towards Tai O. Along the way, take in the charm of rural Lantau and catch regular glimpses of the hills above.

Keep an eye out for Shek Pik Reservoir and hop off just before the road traverses the dam wall. Walk a short distance back the way you came along the road and turn left onto Shek Pik Country trail. As you begin to walk along the trail, dramatic views across Shek Pik Reservoir and the southern expanses of Lantau begin to unveil themselves. Continuing upwards, the incline increases and the flora slowly thins out as you reach the South Ridge proper.

With Hong Kong Island on one side and

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This is arguably Hong Kong’s most prestigous summit to have bagged Macau on the other, the views by this point of the trek are simply breathtaking on a clear day.

Reaching the summit is a tough workout for even seasoned hikers. The hot summer months make this hike particularly gruelling. Regardless of the exhaustion, reaching the pinnacle of Lantau Island is a tremendously relaxing experience. At almost 1000m up, conditions here can often serve as a temperate retreat from the tropical temperatures at sea level. Gaze down upon the splendor of Lantau, the outlying islands and all of Hong Kong’s skyscrapers in miniature.

To return to civilization, a few different routes present themselves. For Lantau first timers, hike down to the Tian Tan Buddha and soak up the vibes of the Po Lin Monastery before either walking the concrete path, bussing it or catching the cable car back to Tung Chung. For those who are after a more authentic route off the mountain, follow the trail down the equally impressive North Ridge. You’ll

eventually meet the North Lantau Road at Pak Kung Au, where there are a number of buses towards Tung Chung.

All in all, this is arguably Hong Kong’s most prestigious summit to have bagged. It may not be quite as high as Tai Mo Shan, or as technical as other hills, but Lantau Peak is the true heavyweight of the Hong Kong mountain climbing scene. For anyone who enjoys a physical challenge which packs in lots of sights, this route from Shek Pik Reservoir makes for an incredible day out.

Rory Mackay runs adventure company Wild Hong Kong.

For details, visit www.wildhongkong.com.

big day out

(clockwise from top left): Lantau island’s iconic Big Buddha; the view from the ascent; walking along the peak.

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travel

Dong’ao delight As the latest Club Med destination opens in China, Callum Wiggins hops on a ferry to check out the family resort.

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travel

The impressive view from the 4 Trident resort overlooking the outdoor pool and beach.

The youthful and international team are rarely seen without a smile

Living in Hong Kong we are blessed to have an array of exciting travel destinations just a few hours flight away. Routes to Thailand, Vietnam and other well-known Asia destinations are paths well travelled.

A less likely journey for many families is to our closest neighbour - China. But with China increasingly looking to develop its international tourism industry, the options for family holidays are on the up.

Dong’ao, a small island located about an hour’s ferry journey from Zhuhai, was once a sleepy island with a small fishing community.

It has now transformed into the third location for Club Med’s ambitious expansion plans into China. Following successful resort openings

in snowy Heilongjiang and picturesque Guilin, Club Med has opted for beautiful beaches and thrilling water sports to draw in families from all over the region.

The resort Whisked away on shuttle buses straight from the ferry, the Club Med experience begins with friendly staff accompanying guests to either the 4 or 5 Trident resort. Club Med makes full use of its generous surroundings and both resorts feel noticeably spacious, something guests from Hong Kong will certainly appreciate. The 5 Trident resort is a designated secluded and intimate area of the Club Med resort. 72 rooms offer a luxurious

stay in peaceful surroundings with an infinity pool overlooking the sea. A shuttle bus taking guests to the main 4 Trident resort operates throughout the day and takes just a few minutes. The majority of the dining and leisure activities as well as the kids zone are located at the larger 4 Trident resort and this is where I would recommend families to stay.

Don’t wait too long before escaping for some quiet time by checking out the Club Med Spa

by L’OCCITANE which offers a range of blissful treatments including a thoroughly recommended full body therapeutic oil massage.

A number of restaurants are located around the resorts and guests can tuck into an abundance of fresh seafood and international dishes. During our stay the choice of food was well rotated and there were always new dishes to try, although the all-you-can-eat style of dining did start to feel slightly gluttonous after a few days.

The Club Med experience The Club Med holiday experience is largely down to its staff. ‘G.O.s’, or ‘Gentils Organisateurs’ are integral to establishing the

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(clockwise from left): children enjoying the kids’ zone; the G.O.s dressing up; trapeze practice at the sports centre.

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travel Club Med vibe from the start until the very end of your stay. A typical day may see a G.O. join families for breakfast, lead the morning bike ride and then traverse the waves during afternoon sailing classes, before finally joining the cast of the evening show. The youthful and international team are rarely seen without a smile and their enthusiasm soon rubs off on guests.

Key to the Club Med experience is the all-inclusive concept, which may take a day or two to get used to. Everything is paid for before arrival so wallets and purses can be left safely in rooms. This should make budgeting the family holiday much simpler and avoid any unwelcome surprises upon checking out.

Kids’ zone A family holiday should mean that everyone gets to enjoy themselves, including parents. A specially trained team of G.O.s will take care of and entertain your little ones throughout the day. The Petit (2 - 3 years), Mini (4 - 10 years) and Juniors’ (11 - 17 years) club can all be pre-booked before arrival or joined on the day. The indoor and outdoor activity centres feature a wide range of games and activities

Parents will appreciate the easy and simplicity of it all to keep everyone occupied. Best of all, the kids’ zone has a paddling pool specially designed for very young children. Quality kidsfree time can also be extended by signing them up for the Pyjamas Club. The club allows parents to leave their children guilt-free with G.O.s in a special sleepover zone equipped with comfy beds, couches and movies.

Sports and activities Secluded and surrounded by ocean views and rolling hills, guests are well advised to tear themselves away from the buffet for at least a few hours. In just a couple of days we managed to squeeze in cycling, hiking, sailing, kayaking, and stand up paddle boarding. Jet skis and banana boats are optional extras. A fully-equipped fitness centre, archery range, pole dancing studio, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and beach volleyball area mean the resort is crammed full of leisure and sports activities for all ages. For kids with a head for heights, the flying trapeze class is

an afternoon well spent - which incidentally leaves even more alone-time for parents at the pool.

Last thoughts A Club Med Dong’ao vacation will not leave the family any wiser about Chinese culture but then that’s not its intention.

Children will remember the time they did a double somersault from the trapeze while parents will appreciate the ease and simplicity of it all.

Having such a beautiful resort in close proximity to Hong Kong while skipping the airport is a pleasant surprise and makes for an easier travel option with kids in tow. Applying for a visa before arrival is an inconvenience and does add to the cost of your holiday but the process is relatively easy (we chose China Travel Service, www.ctshk.com).

Club Med Dong’ao is an impressive new resort and will undoubtedly prove to be a popular destination for families in search of sun, sand and good times.

Details of Club Med Dong’ao packages and online booking can be found at www.clubmed.com.hk or call 3111 9388.

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health & beauty

myth buster

Trust me, I’m an expert Searching for answers to some common health questions, Shreena Patel quizzes the experts at Matilda International Hospital.

Dr Hans Schrader Executive Medical Director 1. Will wearing sunblock stop me from getting Vitamin D? Sunblock filters out UV light to prevent skin damage. Since Vitamin D conversion in the skin is UV dependent, this means sunblock will also reduce Vitamin D production. But, no sunblock is 100% effective, so you will still produce enough.

2. Are aluminium-based antiperspirants dangerous?

Aluminium chlorohydrate is the most common active ingredient (15-20%) in antiperspirants. It’s a salt which acts directly on the cells in the sweat glands to reduce the amount of sweat produced. But it’s not a heavy metal salt and will not accumulate in the body. Numerous scientific studies have shown that there is no correlation between aluminium salts and disease.

3. Why is my hair falling out?

Each strand of hair has a growth cycle: it grows, lies dormant for several months and then falls out. After times of significant stress (severe infection, trauma), hairs become tuned in the same growth cycle and will fall out simultaneously, but after a few months hair should take up its normal density and cycling. If you are losing patches of hair then consult a dermatologist.

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Eyckle Wong Physiotherapy Manager Did you know...there may be some truth to the old wives’ tale that hair loss is passed down on the mother’s side. A study by European researchers in 2005 suggests that the primary gene for baldness is contained in the x-chromosome, which men can only inherit from their mothers.

4. Why does my stomach growl when I’m hungry?

We are all subject to a 24-hour rhythm which directs the waxing and waning of digestive hormones responsible for producing feelings of hunger. If such hormones are released, the stomach will start its digestive processes, churning liquid and gas which produces the growl sounds.

5. Is there a baldness gene?

Baldness is related to the presence of testosterone and androgen receptors in hair. Many family traits are fixed in our genes and inherited.

Baldness is probably the result of a number of genes being present.

6. When is the best time to exercise?

Tests conducted between 8am and 8pm show the effect on aerobic exercise training (muscle strength, cardiovascular system, weight loss and fitness) is similar in the morning and afternoon.

But for anaerobic exercise training (short duration, high intensity exercise), tests showed strength performance to be less impressive before noon than in the mid-afternoon and early evening.

This is because body temperature is higher (which also contributes to greater flexibility) and muscle strength is greater later in the day.

7. Should I do the “INSANITY” workout?* Good levels of physical strength, flexibility, and proprioception should be achieved before starting this type of training. Those with medical issues should consult a physician beforehand.

Some studies show that this kind of high intensity interval training (HIIT) can enhance metabolism, improve weight loss and burn fat, but more evidence is needed. *A 60-day total-body conditioning workout that involves 30-minute bouts of very high-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise.

Karen Chong Registered Dietitian 8. Should I go gluten-free?

A strict gluten-free diet is only advised for people who have celiac disease and those diagnosed as gluten intolerant. Since it eliminates a lot of whole grain products, including all wheat, rye, barley and oats, it may not provide enough dietary fibre and other important nutrients to the body.

Also, “gluten-free” doesn’t mean “healthy”. For example, gluten-free cookies can still be high in sugar and fat.

9. Is it bad to eat late at night?

Not necessarily. It’s the quantity and quality of the food that counts. Eating a full meal late at night may affect your quality of sleep and, due to reduced levels of physical activity at night, it’s more likely that the excess calories are turned into fat. If you’re really hungry try light and healthy snack, such as a low-fat yoghurt with fruit, a small peanut butter sandwich, or a glass of low-fat milk and a few crackers.

10. I’m on a vegan diet. How should I get my protein?

Vegans must get their daily protein from plant-based food such as beans, lentils, seeds and nuts.

Soybeans and quinoa are a good source of high biological value protein as they contain all the essential amino acids, just like animal sources of protein.

11. Is Greek yoghurt healthier than regular yoghurt?

Comparing the full fat versions, Greek yoghurt is much higher in fat than regular yoghurt. If you want the healthier choice, choose low-fat Greek yoghurt. It is higher in protein and calcium than regular low-fat yoghurt.

12. Are smoothies good for you?

If they are made from fresh whole fruit and contain the pulp (and thus the fibers) and no added sugar, syrup or cream, then yes. But since they don’t involve chewing and are easy to consume, watch out for portion size. Count the number of servings of fruit they contain and avoid over consumption.

13. Is a glass of red wine a day good for your health?

Red wine contains antioxidants, one of which is called resveratrol and may offer cardiovascular protection by helping to prevent blood clots. To benefit, consume red wine in moderation (no more than two glasses a day for men and one for women). However, this doesn’t mean that those who don’t drink should start (alcohol is also a source of calories).

14. What’s worse for me, regular soda or diet soda?

Most soda drinks contain artificial chemicals such as colouring, preservatives, and flavorings.

Regular soda has added sugar, typically in the form of sucrose and corn syrup, which adds a lot of calories. Diet soda usually contains artificial sweeteners which are almost calorie free. But remember, diet soda won’t make you lose weight.

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pets

top dogs

A dog is for life Sally Andersen explains why having a dog is a not a right, but a privilege.

Now that the summer holidays have come to an end and the children are back at school, I have been wondering what I would do if I ever had the opportunity to go somewhere. I used to love exploring, especially if there was a beach and beautiful clear water involved, but it’s been a long time since I was able to leave the dogs and get away. In fact, I haven’t spent a night away from home in almost a decade and I don’t even know where my passport is. There are always dogs to be taken care of if they are sick, elderly, newborn puppies, or simply just dogs. I know people think I’m crazy but there is nobody else to do it.

Having dogs is a commitment. Of course you can board individual pets for holiday periods, and there are more and more comfortable kennels and home-from-home places that will take dogs in, but when adopting a dog you have to bear these things in mind. It’s not cheap if you want your dogs to have a nice holiday too and anywhere reputable will also insist that the dogs are fully vaccinated.

Vet bills aren’t cheap either, and this is another consideration when thinking about adding a dog to your home. Are you prepared to pay for not only the basics, but also emergency surgery if it ever comes to that?

Whether you spend a lot of money on importing a named breed from abroad or adopt a lovely

mutt from a rescue organisation, there’s no guarantee of perfect health for the duration of the dog’s life. Aside from genetic weaknesses that often affect “pure” breeds, there are external factors like tick fever or car accidents that can come at any time.

For expats there is the additional and important consideration of relocating with your pets when the time comes. While some company packages include the cost of moving one or two animals as part of the family, for many it’s a big lump sum that has to be covered. As an animal rescuer, there’s nothing more heartbreaking than to see dogs that you have entrusted to an adopter being left behind with the furniture when the movers arrive.

Unless you can afford to ship your dog to whichever country you will be moving to, please don’t make a promise that you know you can’t keep.

A commitment means just that, whether it’s a couple of years or as long as two decades.

Smaller dogs can live to be 20, and with good vet care and no accidents, even larger dogs can easily reach 15 years or older.

Having a dog is not a right, it’s a privilege.

That means that even the greatest of dog lovers may not be able to have a dog in the home if work or money constraints don’t allow, not to mention the fact that many apartment

hong kong creatures Plum Judy aka Abisara echerius The Abisara Echerius butterfly is also known as the Dancing Judy or the Plum Judy. The small butterfly has a wingspan measuring from 35mm-40mm. During wet seasons, males have maroon brown or purplish brown wings with a blue gloss on the upperside, and the underside is dull brown. Females have much paler wings and no blue gloss on their wings. During dry seasons, the Plum Judy has paler wings in general. The butterflies can be found throughout the year in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Nepal, India and Burma.

They lay their eggs on the underside of leaves on host plants, like Maesa indica and Embelia ribes, as the immature stages

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of these butterflies typically feed on the underside of the young leaves. The eggs take around four days to hatch and the green caterpillars take another 12 days or so to form a pupa, which takes about six days to mature.

The Plum Judy is a very active butterfly and is called the Dancing Judy because it ‘dances’ at the tops of trees and amidst foliage. The dance along branches consists of repeatedly landing and turning around almost immediately after alighting. The turning movement is believed to help in evading predators by causing confusion.

Steffi Yuen

complexes and landlords don’t welcome pets.

It’s short-sighted and foolish to think that you can get away with it because “lots of other people keep dogs”, as many have found out when the notice arrives telling them either the dog goes or they do.

Fostering, adopting a senior dog, or volunteering are just three ways a dog lover can fulfill their desire to be around dogs without the full lifetime commitment. There is no shortage of dogs or puppies desperately in need of temporary homes, or organisations urgently wanting dog walkers.

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

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marketplace

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

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

marketplace

Carpet washing & Repairs Professionals

Our Cleaning & Repair services are among the best in hong kong We also selling Persian carpets and rugs for your home

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

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marketplace

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

marketplace

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

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vines in sai kung

stephen says...

Out of ideas Stephen Vines is looking for some smart solutions.

office frequently in order to obtain permits for visiting vehicles. The office does its best to ensure that this is never easy. Sometimes the phone goes completely unanswered but more often there is a long rigmarole, which, in my experience, revolves around allegations that I have not properly registered my address or that my dwelling does not exist.

Things went from bad to absurd when I recently tried to arrange for a delivery truck to pass through the country park barrier. As no one picked up the phone I could not register the vehicle number but after a number of increasingly desperate phone calls from the driver I suggested he went to the office and asked them to call me at my registered number.

This was done reluctantly, but when I tried to register the vehicle I was told to call back, because even though they were talking to me on my phone, they claimed they could not verify who I was. Mr Kafka would have been very proud of this performance. the demand for al fresco dining is high but the options are limited

R.I.P. Smart readers – smart solutions Sai Kung magazine readers are not stupid.

Last issue’s Readers’ Choice Awards found that local people are most concerned about the absurd crackdown on al fresco dining, the ongoing problem of development in village areas (or the Heung Yee Kuk special dispensation as it should rightly be called) and that wretched weekend traffic problem (no government department is too big to do nothing about it).

All the above have my vote too. And indeed I suspect that these concerns spread well beyond the confines of this magazine’s readers, not least because they have been around so long and seem impervious to any kind of action.

So, apologies for yet again stating the obvious but these things that blight the life of Sai Kung are quite capable of being solved even though pigs will fly before an unresponsive government does anything.

Let’s quickly run through what could be done. First, al fresco dining; all that’s required is for the bureaucrats to get off their backsides and issue more licenses instead of busying themselves with issuing summons. Secondly, illegal and unauthorized developments in villages; the clue here is in the words – if it is illegal and unauthorized, do something; this is why we have rule of law in Hong Kong. The

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third matter is more problematic but this traffic issue is really getting bad. The fine minds in the Transport Department instantly reach for solutions that have either failed or require the least imaginative thinking. Thus, the only solution they really like is that of widening Hiram’s Highway whereas there are other possibilities. These include a new weekend ferry service to Sai Kung, which would be both pleasurable and move traffic off the roads.

Then there’s the option of more park and ride schemes alongside the MTR stations in both the Tseung Kwan O and Ma On Shan areas.

How to make Franz Kafka proud You always know when an organisation is having a laugh or is seriously determined to cause inconvenience when it is run by the type of people who keep you waiting on the phone. All while you must listen to recorded messages saying something like, “your call is valuable to us, please wait”, which signals that the waiting is about to begin in earnest. Then you have the message saying: “in order to improve the quality of our service, this call may be recorded...” yeah, right.

The Sai Kung Country Park management office is an enthusiastic member of the howcan-I-not-help-you school and thus leaves this “service improvement” message on its phone.

Residents of the country park need to call this

Finally, and with great regret, it is time to pay respects to two highly valued Sai Kung residents who died recently. Mak Sing-yin, the famous ‘Tin Man’ of the old town, just missed celebrating his centenary but was working up to his last days in the same shop where he fashioned all manner of boxes and implements for the past 81 years. Despite his devotion to his trade he was reluctant to train any of his children to follow in his footsteps because he was pragmatically aware of the poor prospects for this business.

Tony Measor, a personal friend and long time Sai Kung resident, has also departed.

Sometimes known as the Warren Buffet of Asia, he had an enormous following among Chinese language readers who devoured his investment advice and appreciated his common sense approach to the stock market. Although Tony could not write in Chinese, his Next magazine column and Chinese language books, which appeared in translation, gave him a vast audience that he ironically did not have in his own language.

Stephen Vines is a journalist, broadcaster and entrepreneur. He is the former editor of the Eastern Express and Southeast Asia correspondent for The Observer.