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Hong Kong Edition www.expat-parent.com

February 2015

Kung hei fat choi (Hello sheep)

Pick of

the

crop

Hong Kong’s organic farms in’ Treasure island Cheung Chau tripp Adoption stories Three families share

Learn to lion dance

St. Margaret’s Co-educational English Secondary and Primary School

“Blending the Best of the International and Local Education Systems.

Finding a Dream School for your Beloved One.” Direct Subsidy primary to secondary through-train school Students joining St. Margaret’s family from Primary One onwards have ample time to build up their good learning habits and self-confidence; and to develop themselves into excellent communicators, capable of clear, logical organization of ideas, independent thinking, outstanding language proficiency and a positive mindset through years of immersion from a young age.

English-rich Learning Environment St. Margaret’s Co-ed. is a Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) school with English as the Medium of Instruction (EMI), offering a local, main-stream education leading to the HKDSE. Its unique curriculum blends global perspectives with flexibility of resources utilization and small class/group teaching, all hallmarks of a DSS school with an International Outlook. St. Margaret’s provides an authentic English speaking environment. More than 10 Native English-speaking Teachers are currently appointed. To further the English learning environment, St. Margaret’s Co-ed. implemented a radical and innovative English Language curriculum: Phonics is taught from Primary One to Primary Four whereas International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is taught from Primary Five to Secondary Two. An English medium is adopted for morning assembly; Campus TV and all other major school functions are also conducted in English. An annual Inter-class English Drama Competition is held to provide a platform for students to develop and consolidate their self-confidence in public English Speaking and to enhance the spirit of co-operation and teamwork.

Triliterate and Quadrilingual in the Multi-cultural campus To cope with the changing world and increasing globalization, developing students’ communication skill and global perspectives has become a hot issue in the education system. St. Margaret’s Co-ed. aims at developing students to be Triliterate and Quadrilingual. A Modern Language, French / Japanese / German / Spanish / Putonghua, is offered to students as a compulsory subject for primary students in addition to Chinese or Chinese as a 2nd Language which are taught in Putonghua whereas for secondary students as an elective, aiming to give students and edge in communication.

St. Margaret’s Co-ed. aims at preparing its students for life in the multicultural society of the 21st century. Students of various nationalities enjoy precious and harmonious school life and learning environment in which different cultures meet in

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St. Margaret’s Co-ed. Overseas study tours to Australia, China, France, German, Japan, Spain, Singapore, Taiwan, etc., are conducted whereby students are exposed to foreign languages and cultures in authentic situations.

One Sport and One Art for One Student Extra-curricular activities are essential for an all-round education. St. Margaret’s students enjoy very much their enriched school life and by participating in activities in a wide range of variety. Students’ potential and self-confidence are developed through the programme “One Sport and One Art for Each Student”.

Over the years, St. Margaret’s students have stretched their wings in different open and inter-school competitions. In the Hong Kong School Drama Festival, they obtained 5 awards, namely the Commendable Overall Performance, Outstanding Co-operation, Outstanding Director and Outstanding Script and the Outstanding Performer Awards as well. Besides performing arts, students have shown talents in dancing, sports and music, and gained many awards for outstanding performances at the Hong Kong Schools Chinese, English, French and Spanish Speech Festival as well as Music Festival. For two consecutive years, they won the overall championship in Chinese Dance at the Hong Kong Schools Dance Festival.

Through participation in different other learning experiences, students enhance not only their confidence but also embrace the unforgettable memories of the fun and harmonious school life shared with fellow companions.

Positive-thinking School, Positive-thinking Life St. Margaret’s educational philosophy, “Positive-thinking School, Positive-thinking life”, is based on the belief of the greatest American positive-thinking advocate, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale: “Through real-faith in Christ, we can do all things”. The school instils in its students the correct values in life together with a can-do spirit, encouraging them to take on responsibilities, to pursue lifelong learning and stay positive in the face of adversity. To be in line with this principle, Life Value Education is incorporated as a formal subject into the curriculum at St. Margaret’s Co-ed. Besides, the school adopts a joint disciplinecounselling approach in pastoral care and organizes annual “L.E.A.D.E.R.S. in Action – Fly Over the Rainbow” leadership training camps for students.

For admission enquiries, parents may contact the Admission Office at 2396 6675 for the latest information on the procedures and submission deadline.

News and announcements on the updated admission procedures and important dates, such as application period and submission deadline, will be posted on the school website www.smcesps.edu.hk from time to time.

The school will conduct Introductory Talks on Admission for Primary One and Secondary One 2016/2017 in summer.

Details and the online reservation would be available in July on the school website.

School Info.

2014 – 2015 School Fees: Primary One – HK$38,000/annum (in 10 instalments) Secondary One – HK$34,280/annum (in 10 instalments) Enquiries: (852) 2396 6675 www.smcesps.edu.hk 33 Sham Mong Road, West Kowloon

Contents

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What’s on 4 Editor’s Letter Kung hei fat choi!

6 Calendar Happening this month.

12 Zeitgeist What to expect at Lunar New Year.

14 News Need to know.

18 Must haves Night lights.

Family 20 Meet the parents Adoption stories.

24 Feature Down on the (organic) farms.

Education 28 Open day Inside King George V School.

32 Principal’s office Quizzing KGV’s Ed Wickins.

Activities 34 After school Crafty kids get creative.

38 Me and my hobby Lion dancer.

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Contents Food 40 In season Candies for your Valentine.

42 Table for four Restaurants with a view.

Home 46 Home front Prepare for the sheep.

Adventures 50 Big day out Cheung Chau: beyond the buns.

54 Travel On the beach in Vietnam.

Resources 58 Money & Me With Jax Coco co-founder Jane Gottschalk.

60 Marketplace Your guide to shops and services.

64 The bald truths of fatherhood Simon Parry tells it straight.

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Editor’s letter

Editor Adele Brunner adele@fastmedia.com.hk Senior Consultant Editor Jane Steer jane@fastmedia.com.hk Managing Editor Hannah Grogan hannah@fastmedia.com.hk Editorial Assistant Cherrie Yu cherrie@fastmedia.com.hk Staff Writer Callum Wiggins callum@fastmedia.com.hk Art Director Kelvin Lau kelvin@fastmedia.com.hk Graphic Design Setareh Parvin setareh@fastmedia.com.hk Evy Cheung evy@fastmedia.com.hk Head of Sales & Marketing Karman So karman@fastmedia.com.hk Business Development Manager Tristan Watkins tristan@fastmedia.com.hk Marketing & Communications Manager Sharon Wong sharon@fastmedia.com.hk Sales & Marketing Executive John Lee john@fastmedia.com.hk Sara Tomovic sara@fastmedia.com.hk Viola Choi viola@fastmedia.com.hk

P

aul Simon and Art Garfunkel were spot on when they sang about February making them shiver. It’s not a month I particularly relish as it’s usually rather cold and dreary, but this year I’ve been saved by one of my favourite celebrations, Lunar New Year.

Not only does it mean potential lie-ins and a rest from routine, I love the red decorations, the excitement of lion dances and lai see packets, the pop-up flower markets, kumquat trees and narcissus, the smell of incense from temples and the dip in air pollution thanks to the mainland’s factory shutdown. Everyone seems friendlier, Hong Kong is quieter and who doesn’t love an excuse to buy new clothes? It’s also a second chance to get those pesky resolutions off the ground.

In this issue, we aim to get you ready for the Year of the Sheep in our Zeitgeist and Home Front sections, and feature a teenager whose hobby is lion dancing.

After all the festive excess, the new year prompts many to start eating more healthily.

As Hong Kong joins the organic bandwagon (albeit slowly), our feature rounds up the

Accounting Manager Connie Lam accounts@fastmedia.com.hk

territory’s best organic farms, where you can buy chemical-free fruit and veggies, pick your own and even plant and harvest crops. Many of the farms are situated in the New Territories so prise your kids away from their screens, head out of the city and make a day of it.

You may be surprised how much fun you and your family can have picking produce, getting muddy and doing something different.

Want to go further afield? We’ve got all bases covered with articles on Cheung Chau and a short break to Vietnam for some R&R at the Angsana Lang Co. Finally, on behalf of the team at Expat Parent, I would like to wish you and your families a very happy and healthy Year of the Sheep. Kung hei fat choi!

Publisher Tom Hilditch tom@fastmedia.com.hk Contributors Simon Parry Carolynne Dear Mei-li Rose Pe Bacani Printer Apex Print, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong Published by Fast Media Ltd LG1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queens Road Central, Hong Kong Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 Editorial: 2776 2773 Advertising: 2776 2772 Expat Parent is published by Fast Media Limited. 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. Expat Parent 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 without written permission from the publisher.

www.fastmed ia .com . h k

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What’s On? FEB 1 Southside Market Long Lunch Join Butchers Club for its second Southside Market Long Lunch. Unlimited food, drink, music and entertainment from noon to 5pm.

Tickets $550 (free for under-eights) from www.butchersclub.com.hk. The Butchers Club Deli Rooftop, 16/F, 18 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, 2884 0768.

FEB 1 Bee’s Nest Open Farm Day Learn how honey is produced, from the bees to the jar, with honeycomb, bee pollen and honey to try and buy. Free, 11am-5pm. 14 Tai Tam Reservoir Road, Tai Tam, 5186 0802, www.beesnest.hk.

UNTIL FEB 22 AIA Great European Carnival Three hectares of waterfront carnival fun, including bumper cars, a ferris wheel, street entertainers and a “European tour”. Central Harbourfront. Tickets $125 (children aged three-11, $90) from www.ticketflap.com.

UNTIL FEB 15 Kidsfest!

FEB 1 Oxfam Walkathon

Eight favourite children’s stories and a bunch of dinosaurs live (except the dinos) on stage. Shows include Barmy Britain, Vile Victorians, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, and The Princess and the Pea. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai.

Tickets $195-$435 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Walk around the Peak to raise funds for the fight against poverty. For details, visit www.oxfam.org.hk.

FEB 3 Open House at Flex Central A chance to try Pilates Allegro, Xtend Barre and Pilates apparatus in the private studio.

Drinks, food and great prizes. Free, but call to RSVP. 6pm-9pm. 3/F Man Cheung Building, 15-17 Wyndham Street, Central, 2813 2399, www.flexhk.com.

FEB 5-8 Fantastic Mr Fox Faust International’s child performers present Roald Dahl’s tale of a crafty canine vs Boggis, Bunce & Bean. Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $220-$270 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

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FEB 19-MAR 5 Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival While it’s no longer possible to throw oranges into the Lam Tsuen wishing trees, you can still make a wish as well as see the parade floats, performances and try local foods. Free, 9am7pm. Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, www.lamtsuen.com, 2638 3678.

FEB 20 Lunar New Year Fireworks Blink as much as you like, you can’t miss them. Boomtime in Victoria Harbour is 8pm.

FEB 8 Discovery Bay Sunday Market Artists, makers, designers and bakers sell their wares. Free, 11am-6pm.

Discovery Bay Plaza, www.handmadehongkong.com.

FEB 10 Belle & Sebastian Live

FEB 13-15 Hong Kong Masters

The darlings of the indie world. AsiaWorldArena, Lantau. Tickets $760 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Showjumping action and lifestyle entertainment. AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau.

Tickets $330-$980 from www.cityline. com, 2111 5333.

FEB 12-MAR 8 Disneyland’s Spring Time Celebration

FEB 21 Lunar New Year Race Day

Mickey & Co turn red and gold for Lunar New Year. Tickets $355-$499 from Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau, www.disney.com.hk.

Fingers crossed you back a winner. Sha Tin Racecourse, Sha Tin, www.hkjc.com.

FEB 14 Valentine’s Day Night Market Love is in the air, with live music, stalls and a distinctly romantic ambience. Feb 13, 6pm-10pm; Feb 14, 4pm-10pm. PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central.

FEB 14 Valentine’s Day

FEB 19 Lunar New Year Night Parade

Get smoochy.

Floats, marching bands, acrobat troupes, dragons, lions and dancers parade through Kowloon. Seats $300-$450; roadside viewing free. 8pm, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2508 1234, www.discoverhongkong.com.

FEB 19-21 Lunar New Year Kung hei fat choi! Welcome the Year of the Sheep.

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FEB 14 Cold Half Swim Hardy swimmers race from Stanley Main Beach to Middle Island, followed by a warming beach party at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. Register by February 7 at www.openwaterasia.com.

FEB 27-MAR 29 Hong Kong Arts Festival

FEB 28-MAR 2 Paper Cinema’s Odyssey

The city’s annual cultural bonanza, with world-class performers from Asia and beyond. For details, visit www.hk.artsfestival.org.

Charming retelling of Homer’s epic using paper cutouts and live music. HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $80-$300 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

FEB 27-MAR 8 Restaurant Week Some of the finest food in Hong Kong at discount prices. Booking starts Feb 23 at www.restaurantweek.hk.

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BOOK NOW MAR 5-15 Pride and Prejudice The Gate Theatre present the Bennet sisters’ hunt for husbands. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $180-$500 from www.hk.artsfestival.org.

MAR 6-15 CATS Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s feline masterpiece comes to The Venetian Macao. Tickets $280-$680 from www.cotaiticketing.com, 6333 6660.

MAR 15-17 Art Basel Hong Kong The giant international art fair returns. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. Tickets $150$850 from www.artbasel.com.

MAR 18 One Direction On The Road Again Brace yourselves for 1D mania.

AsiaWorld-Arena, Lantau. Tickets $998$3,488 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

APR 2-5 Smurfs Save Spring The Smurfs on stage. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Smurfy seats $688 (including gifts), other seats $250-$588 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

APR 20 Charli XCX Boom clap! Music Zone, KITEC, Kowloon Bay. Tickets $490 from www.ticketflap.com.

MAR 10 Ed Sheeran Live in Hong Kong Yay! AsiaWorld-Arena, Lantau. Tickets $680 at www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

APR 15-MAY 7 Sound of Music A few of your favourite things, direct from the West End. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets from $395.

Bookings opened Jan 26 at www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

MAR 21 Pitbull Live in Hong Kong Woof. AsiaWorldExpo, Lantau. Tickets $880-$1,080 , www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

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happy new year

It’s considered rude to open lai see immediately after receiving it.

Giving lai see is believed to bring prosperity to both giver and receiver.

Lai see is handed out in the morning on New Year’s Day. After receiving their red packets, children traditionally give their parents a blessing (bai lin).

Red packets can be bought from stationery shops, supermarkets and through redemption systems in most malls.

As a rule of thumb, seniors give lai see to juniors: parents give to young family members and perhaps to a security guard as a nice gesture, and married couples give to non-married.

Prepare lai see by placing a single new banknote into each red packet.

Lai see should be distributed in pairs, the saying is “everything comes in two”.

After receiving lai see, reciprocate with a blessing for the giver.

Kung Hei Fat Choi And lai see dou loi! (Give me a red packet!)

What to expect at Lunar New Year.

Feb 18, Lunar New Year’s Eve It’s going to be a busy night. The MTR will run 24 hours. Shopping malls and local clothes stores will be thronged with people snapping up lastminute bargains in the sales. At Lunar New Year fairs in Victoria Park and across the territory stall holders will be haggling over prices for the last flowers, peach blossom and kumquat trees. Elsewhere, though, stores may close early as Hongkongers head home for the traditional “last dinner” with their families, before descending on temples for midnight ceremonies and lion dancing to welcome the new year.

Feb 19, Lunar New Year’s Day Good luck trying to catch a cab this morning. Every Chinese family

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will be on the move, returning to the home of the most senior family member for the first meal of the year. Lai see will be distributed and lions dance outside shops and in housing estates for lettuce and cash.

If you see a lion dance, give lai see for a lucky year ahead. Many shops and restaurants are closed. The New Year Night Parade starts at 8pm outside the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Feb 20 Married people return to their parents’ home for a first meal. Shops are still mostly closed and taxis remain elusive. At 8pm, the annual fireworks display takes place on Victoria Harbour (tune into TVB Jade for the musical accompaniment), get there early for a good spot.

happy new year

What to eat

At Lunar New Year, families traditionally feast on Buddha’s Delight – a huge claypot filled with neatly laid out delicacies such as abalone, shrimps, Chinese dried mushrooms, conpoy, fish maw and sea cucumbers. This can be made at home, ordered as takeout (Maxim’s charges from $798 for six people; 2101 1128, www.maximschinese.com.hk) or eaten in a Chinese restaurant. Steamed fish, chicken and roast pork are also popular. After dinner, dessert is usually a fried turnip cake, nian go or another pudding – grandmothers make the best, but they can be ordered from restaurants to be fried at home. Wing Wah has turnip cakes for $110 for 850g (www.wingwah.com).

Snacks are an essential part of family gatherings at home, including bowls of mandarins and jau gok (deep-fried glutinous dumplings filled with pork, Chinese sausage or Chinese black mushrooms). For kids, set out a traditional compartmentalised red or black Chinese candy box with black and red melon seeds, candies in red, gold or black wrappers (hello, Ferrero Rocher and Almond Roca), gold chocolate coins, dried candied coconut and dried candied lotus seed. Wet markets offer a wide range of Chinese candies, or try Aji Ichiban outlets.

Meet the Sheep

Fireworks feasts

So we can’t all be born in the Year of the Dragon or the Tiger, but don’t let the sheep’s humble image fool you. People born in the Year of the Sheep have many skills and positive characteristics. Sheep people are kind, polite, filial and clever.

They have a natural tendency towards the arts and are able to appreciate beauty in their surroundings that others can’t see.

A gentle nature and preference for the quiet life mean they are not particularly ambitious or career minded, but they are hard workers and will see any task through to the end.

People born in the Year of the Sheep can be shy, over-sensitive and find life puzzling, with a tendency to follow the crowd and take instructions from others.

While they may appear timid and reluctant to allow others into their inner circle, a person born in the Year of the Sheep makes a great addition to any group, rewarding you with true friendship.

InterContinental Hong Kong

Tamarind

For front-row seats at the Lunar New Year fireworks on February 20, you can’t beat the InterCon. With its two-storey windows, the Lobby Lounge has unparalleled views from all tables, plus live jazz and a special Tappetizers menu (adults $888, Feb 20, 6pm-10pm). All the hotel’s restaurants are offering special fireworks menus, including Michelin-starred Yan Toh Heen, Spoon by Alain Ducasse and The Steak House. 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2313 2323, www.ihg.com.

With a large wraparound terrace overlooking the harbour, this pan-Asian restaurant is a prime fireworks-viewing location. On Feb 20, it’s offering the Lunar New Year Fireworks Buffet of Indian, Thai and Vietnamese dishes for $438 (children under-12, $198), including two standard drinks. 2/F Sun Hung Kai Centre, 30 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, 2827 7777.

Jungle Jane For a view with a difference, join the party on the harbour aboard the Jungle Jane for the Chinese New Year Fireworks Cruise. Wrap up for a fun night on the water, with a buffet dinner, drinks, music and one of the finest views of the pyrotechnics. The cruise departs Central Pier 8 at 6.30pm and disembarks at 10pm, $1,200 a head. Hong Kong Yachting, 2526 0151, www.hongkongyachting.com.

Q Deck Right on the edge of the harbour, with the water lapping at its steps, Q Deck is a 7,000 sqft restaurant with good views of the fireworks from its vast split-level terrace.

It will be serving a special Lunar New Year menu of its signature French bistro-style food.

G/F, Fenwick Pier, 1 Lung King Street, Wan Chai, 2661 6708, www.quaysidehong kong.com.

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news

Mandarin for minis Worldwide, one in six people speak Mandarin. With that in mind, the new Mini Mandarins Learning Centre has opened in Causeway Bay offering Mandarin classes for children aged one to six years old.

An important part of the curriculum is its emphasis on real-world scenarios. In Mini Metro roleplay, children act out visiting a supermarket, clinic or even a market to reinforce the application of Mandarin in daily lives. Plus, it’s fun.

“There is an increasing demand to learn Mandarin in Hong Kong as China plays a more prominent role in the world,” says founder Anita Shum. “Mini Mandarins aims to provide a fun yet practical environment for kids to love Chinese.” 7/F, Capital Commercial Building, 26 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, 2320 1128, www.minimandarins.com.

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news GIV

EAW

AY

New at Maritime Museum

Free Kidsfest tickets Expat Parent is giving away a bunch of tickets to Kidsfest Hong Kong 2015, a five-week festival of world-class theatre for young people.

Up for grabs are family tickets to The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Horrible Histories

Vile Victorians and Horrible Histories Barmy Britain Part Two. To enter, “like” our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/expatparenthk), tag three friends in the comment box and send a message with your name and phone number.

Donate a mobile phone, help a child Put your old ding wah to good use and donate it to charity. The Child Welfare Scheme (www.cwshk.org) is asking for donations of old mobile phones to help children in need in Nepal. Delete all your personal data and drop off unwanted units at donation boxes around Hong Kong. The phones will be sold

by Cash4Mobile, with proceeds going to

the Child Welfare Scheme in Nepal. Phones that are not resold will be recycled by Hong Kong company E-Tech Management. Dropoff locations include Pure Fitness branches and the Dutch Consulate (24/F Great Eagle Centre, 23 Harbour Road, Wan Chai). For details, contact organiser Barbara Markovits, 5190 1700, barbara@markovits.eu.

Get busy at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, with its spring programme of family activities.

Take a break at the Family Corner on February 1 or 15 (2.30pm-6pm), where children can read, draw or play against a stunning backdrop of Victoria Harbour. On February 1 (3pm, 4pm and 5pm), local artist Sharon Cheung will lead craft activities including making masks and painting underwater scenes. And on February 15, take a guided interactive family tour (3pm, 4pm and 5pm) or pick up activity and colouring sheets featuring Jake the Diver at the museum entrance.

Entry is $30 for adults, $15 for children and seniors. Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm, 10pm7pm at weekends and public holidays. Closed Feb 19-20. Central Pier 8, 3713 2500, www.hkmaritimemuseum.org.

Salad in a Jar New from the Mandarin Cake Shop is Salad in a Jar, a healthy and convenient lunch served in trendy Mason jars. Choose from Greek, prawn, rocket and chef’s salad ($98) and return the jar for a $10 discount on your next Salad in a Jar. Available 10.30am-2.30pm MonFri. M/F, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road, Central, 2825 4008, www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong.

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news

FunZone opens in North Point Stage school opens

Popular indoor playground FunZone opens a new centre in North Point on February 9. The under-12s can run free in 5,000 sqft of slides, tunnels, ball pits and air balls. A miniature role-play town includes a supermarket, vet, diner and petrol station, and there’s a (real) café with wi-fi serving drinks and snacks.

Until March 7, FunZone is offering a 50 per cent discount on regular rates.

On March 8, it is holding a grand opening party, with giveaways and discounts on birthday parties and annual memberships.

Shop 209, Marble Gardens Commercial, 33 Marble Road, North Point, 3565 5601, www.funzone.com.hk.

Does your child want to go on the stage?

Drama School Hong Kong (DSHK) is a theatretraining programme for young performers aged 10 to 18 years.

The programme focuses on the core disciplines of professional actor training, including acting, vocal training and movement with technical classes led by experienced industry professionals, full public productions at major venues and smaller showcase performances.

Auditions for the programme will be held throughout the month. For details, call 2108 2182 or visit www.starlitvoice.com.

The hills are alive Relive all your favourite Julie Andrews’ moments when one of the world’s best-loved musicals, The Sound of Music, opens at the Lyric Theatre.

Running from May 15 to June 9, the production features most of the cast from the London Palladium as well as homegrown Hong Kong talent playing the younger Von Trapp children. For details, visit www.soundofmusic. com.hk. Tickets are now available at www.hkticketing.com.

All together now: raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…

Cook with the professionals Learn to cook with the chefs from the InterContinental Hong Kong’s Michelinstarred restaurants.

The hotel’s Cooking with the Culinary Stars and Baking Club classes will be held every couple of weeks throughout the year. Held on Saturdays, 10.30am-2.30pm, this month’s classes include making Lunar New Year sweets with Yan Toh Heen’s executive chef (Feb 14) or two dishes using Canadian lobster with Spoon by Alain Ducasse’s

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executive chef. At the Baking Club, whip up a batch of macarons with executive pastry chef Cyril Dupuis (Feb 14).

Classes include breakfast and lunch, Champagne for adults, a complimentary apron and recipes. Adults $1,988, children $988, with a 20 per cent discount for reservations made two weeks in advance. For the full schedule, visit the Special Offers and Dining Offers section of the hotel’s website. 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2313 2323, www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com.

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must have lullaby lamps

Batman logo night light $72 (plus shipping) from www.amazon.com.

Woodland Toadstool night light $300 (Including shipping) from www.notonthehighstreet.com.

Bird LED night light $118 from Mirth, M/F, 23 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, and 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, www.mirthhome.com.

Monty desk lamp $1,580 from Flexa, www.flexaworld.co.uk.

Twilight Turtle Tunes $488 (plus shipping) from www.cloudb.com.

Glow in the dark Night lights for sweet dreamers.

PomPom lights $179 from G.O.D, 48 Hollywood Road, Central, 2805 1876, www.god.com.hk.

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Lil Nika animal lamps $515 from Lil Nika, www.lilnika.com.

must have lullaby lamps

Rocket table lamp $1,949 from BoConcept, 73 Wyndham Street, Central, 2668 0027, www.boconcept.com/en-hk.

Rabbit LED night light $119 from Mirth.

Spรถka LED night light $129.90 from IKEA, L4, Megabox, 38 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay, 3125 0888, www.ikea.com/hk.

New York skyline touch lamp $980 from Tequila Kola, 34 Elgin Street, Central, 2520 1611, www.tequilakola.com.

Egmont Lying Fawn $1,480 from Petit Bazaar, 9 Gough Street, Central, 2544 2522.

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meet the parents

Adoption stories

Lucy, Ronnie, Pam and Bailey Cherry.

Three families tell Adele Brunner about their roads to adopting a child.

Pam and Ronnie Cherry have two daughters, Bailey, nine, and Lucy, six, who was adopted in Hong Kong.

Ronnie and I have always had a heart for adopted children. It is critical there is a 100 per cent alignment between husband and wife on the decision to adopt. In addition, my pregnancy and childbirth experience with Bailey were challenging, medically. To get pregnant again would have been a huge health risk to both myself and the baby.

Our adoption experience was through the Social Welfare Department (SWD), which handles adoptions of children born and living here. You are assigned a social worker and are required to attend seminars and workshops organised by the SWD, plus interviews and home visits. We needed to submit a number of background documents.

Most of these were fairly straightforward such as comprehensive health screening, police clearance reports and income statements. The most important was a lengthy document, specifying preferences for age and sex as well as physical, social and emotional conditions children might have. It sets the criteria for matching children with prospective parents.

We found the process straightforward and professional, with no surprises. It was about two years before we took Lucy home but we have friends who were matched with their adopted baby in nine months.

The department prioritises matching children with parents of the same race whenever possible – my husband is American and I am from the Philippines. The SWD also prioritises childless couples over families with biological children. But no two children or families are the same and these are not hard-and-fast rules.

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Lucy had been born with a cleft palate and a facial-cranial condition, requiring medical treatment. By the time we were contacted, she had already undergone three operations and would likely need additional surgery as she grew. We were given a copy of her medical reports and had a week to confirm the adoption placement. We were not allowed to meet her until we had made our final decision. Ronnie and I consulted relevant medical specialists and, within three days, it was clear to us that this baby girl would join our family. The following week, we met Lucy at her foster home, where she had been living since she was a month old.

Lucy was nine months old when she came home with us, about three weeks after being matched. It was a bit of a whirlwind. Having raised a child before, we felt ready to be parents again but the circumstances were obviously different so there was a steep learning curve in the first year. It was a big adjustment for Lucy and for us.

Our daughter, Bailey, has always been part of our family’s adoption journey. She loves Lucy unconditionally and her amazing attitude has been a source of strength and encouragement for our whole family.

It was about two years before we took Lucy home but we have friends who were matched with their adopted baby in nine months

meet the parents Andrew and Olivia Crooke adopted their son, Caspian, three, from Russia.

No matter what country you adopt a child from, the adoption process can seem mind-bogglingly confusing and difficult, but it is fundamentally simple: follow the steps needed, submit the information, be committed, do everything asked of you… and your child will come home to you.

We adopted our son, Caspian, from Russia and at times it was gruelling. But when you commit to adopting a child, you have instincts that kick in. In my view, I was already a parent. The difference was my child was somewhere out there and I didn’t know where.

It was a choice between Russia, Thailand, Philippines, India, China or Hong Kong. We were told that, once we were accepted into the Russian programme, we would have a child within 12 months so that was very appealing. And we had always wanted to visit the country.

It took two years before we officially lodged our application with the Russian courts and the adoption took three years: we had to be married for three years but when we started, we had only been married for two.

We had to complete a home study and dossier with International Social Services Hong Kong (ISSHK) before anything was submitted to the Russian authorities. This was wonderful because ISSHK got to know us and it was great to talk through what it really meant to adopt. Once we’d gained their approval, we submitted our application.

love him any more than if he was biologically ours. I sometimes feel sad knowing that later in life he may face confusion or hurt about his biological background, but we will make sure we are always there for him. We are very open about his adoption story and will raise Caspian with full knowledge, leaving nothing out. In our opinion, he has a story to empower him – to remember that his birth mother placed him in an orphanage so he would find a loving family.

Motherhood has changed me fundamentally, yet in so many ways I am still the same. I used to worry about my own life coming to an abrupt halt when we got a child, but in no way has that happened. Caspian fitted in straightaway. He was 15 months old when he came home and if I was ever worried about bonding, I needn’t have. The love was instant and it put all the worrying about whether I would know what to do out the window.

Parenting isn’t always easy. On some days everything can seem to go wrong but those days are still wonderful when you can hug and cuddle your little one.

I am always available to be contacted by anyone wanting to chat about adoption. I am no expert but I must have done something right to be typing this while the most gorgeous little boy in the world is pulling at my arm.

In my view, I was already a parent. The difference was my child was somewhere out there and I didn’t know where

We then had direct contact with the Russian team and began gathering all the documents needed. Some things were difficult to get, because they had to come from Britain (where Andrew is from) and New Zealand (where I am from). We needed lawyers to get letters of permission to adopt from our home countries. At the time, it was frustrating but the two Russian agents who worked on our behalf were amazing. Their purpose is to find loving homes for children and they are passionate about their job.

Once everything was in place, we had to visit Russia on four separate occasions. We adopted from an orphanage in northwest Russia and all trips had to be done with both adoptive parents present.

You don’t have any say in dates – you go when they say. We had to lodge an application with the Russian Ministry of Education and the courts on our first trip; we met Caspian, who was nine months old, on our second trip; and had to go to court on our third trip when we won our hearing to become his legal parents. We had to leave the country and return 30 days later to pick him up. The most amazing thing was booking a return journey for three people, not two!

Russian rules state that for three years after adopting you have to have post-placement reviews, twice in the first year and once a year for two subsequent years. You have to submit a report with photos and have a social worker visit to check everything is going smoothly.

Caspian came to us as a happy little boy and he now rules the roost. He is smart, funny, confident and loving, and has been since the day we picked him up. He is our miracle. We don’t feel we would

Olivia and Andrew Crooke, with Caspian.

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meet the parents Amy and Kevin Turner adopted their children, Andrew, 15, and Caroline, 13, from South Korea.

We were faced with the decision to proceed with IVF, remain childless or adopt. It took us about a year to make a decision but we did some research, talked to adoptive parents and decided to proceed. We chose South Korea because friends had a positive experience adopting there and infants in South Korea stay in foster homes [rather than an orphanage] until they are adopted, which was important to us.

We were living in the United States, where we are from, and Korean adoptions for US citizens had to be processed through an American agency that worked with one of four government-sanctioned agencies in South Korea.

For a first child, we were not able to specify gender but could indicate a preference for an infant. The mounds of paperwork were daunting. We started at the police station having our fingerprints taken.

We had to fill out applications, write an autobiography and have three meetings with a social worker before our children arrived and three visits after they were home. Our social workers were great and our agency was always available to answer questions. We met families who are friends to this day.

Both adoptions took six months. With Andrew, we started the process in November, received a referral in early April and he came home in late May, just shy of six months old. Caroline’s process was different. In October, we received a phone call from our social worker telling us our son had a little sister and would we be open to adopt her?

Six months to the day, she was home.

The children were escorted to Detroit, Michigan, by the agency. We drove to the airport with our extended families and it was an amazing experience both times. Andrew and Caroline transitioned really well into

our family. We were given so much information regarding their habits, schedule and diet so that part was quite easy.

We haven’t had any major issues related to their adoptions. We’ve talked about it constantly so they’ve grown up knowing they are adopted. We also look nothing alike!

We have tried to incorporate Korean culture into our family and living in Hong Kong has allowed them to blend in. They’ve attended Camp Sae Jong, a summer camp in Michigan for Korean-Americans and Korean adoptees. When we eventually return to the US our kids will once again be a minority, but the things we do now will hopefully benefit them in the future.

You have to go into adoption with an open mind and an open heart We travelled to South Korea in 2012 to meet their foster parents, which was great. The agency also allowed Andrew to review his adoption file but there was nothing new and the agency prefers adoptees wait until they are 18 to begin a birth parent search.

Nowadays, South Korean adoptions take 18 months to two years.

Adoption is not something to be taken lightly and both parents need to be on the same page. It’s a stressful and exciting time.

You have to go into adoption with an open mind and an open heart.

It’s a huge leap of faith and it won’t always go smoothly. Read as much as you can especially the blogs of parents that have gone through the process. A good question to ask yourself is how you feel about changing the cultural and racial makeup of your family.

Caroline, Amy and Andrew Turner.

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feature get back to the land

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Pick all the strawberries you can at the Tai Tong Lychee Valley.

feature get back to the land

Grown in Hong Kong For truly local, organic produce, visit the territory’s farms.

Chefs and nutritionists everywhere extol the virtues of buying local and going organic. That might sound like a tall order in tiny Hong Kong, where land is at a premium, but there are 129 certified organic farms and producers in the territory (www.hkorc-cert.org), many of which welcome visitors. Here are the pick of the crop.

Tai Tong Lychee Valley Pick your own strawberries (all-you-can-pick for $120) at this New Territories farm set among lychee and papaya trees. As well as the berries, it has a wide range of activities such as rides on bicycles, ponies and ox-carts, plus a playground, barbecue area, organic food shops and even a petting zoo, where children can feed baby goats and rabbits. English maps available. Admission $30, free parking. Open daily Pick choi 9am-6pm. 11 Tai Tong Shan Road, Tai Tong Tsuen, cherry Yuen Long, 2470 2201, www.yl.hk/taitong.

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden

Entry $20. Open daily 9.30am-5pm, Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, 2483 7200, www.kfbg.org.hk.

Lions Nature & Education Centre Set on the edge of a country park near Sai Kung town, this lovely nature centre grows a wide variety of organic fruit and vegetables in its landscaped 34ha plot. Visitors aren’t permitted to pick the produce, but at weekends there’s a stall selling fresh organic produce grown in Hong Kong. As well as the crops, there’s a dragonfly pond, insectarium, turtle pond, a collection of 5,000 seashells, arboretum, picnic areas and even a dog-training park, as well as plenty of space to run on the grass. Free.

Open daily 9.30am-5pm. Exhibition halls open Wednesday-Monday 9.30am-4.30pm, closed Tuesdays. Hiram’s Highway (entry from Che Keng sweetcorn, Tuk Road), Sai Kung, 2792 2234.

sum, tomatoes and watermelon in season

On the slopes of Tai Mo Shan, the 148-hectare Kadoorie Farm runs regular short courses on organic farming and sustainable living (mainly in Cantonese). It’s a beautiful location, with paths crisscrossing the hillside through various gardens, past pavilions and waterfalls and exhibits of local wildlife to the summit of Kwun Yum Shan. On the way, visit black kites in the aviary, local freshwater fish in the aquarium, pigsties, an orchid greenhouse and a butterfly garden with countless species. Children can get their hands dirty planting trees or join art and environmental workshops. Animal encounters are held most Sundays, with English translations available.

Zen Organic Farm

Known for its top-quality organic fruit and vegetables, Zen Organic Farm sells to many local restaurants, including the five-star Four Seasons Hong Kong, where resident pastry chef Gregoire Michaud is a fan of its organic fruit. The farm offers fruit and veg picking sessions along with regular educational tours and activities. Using an outdoor oven, it also runs bread- and pizza-making sessions, with your choice of fresh organic toppings. Located in rural Ta Kwu Ling, the farm is a bus ride and short walk from Fan Ling station. Free entry. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm.

Ping Che, Ta Kwu Ling, 6692 2671, www.zeno.com.hk.

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feature get back to the land

Country life at Tai Tong Lychee Valley and Kadoorie Farm.

Rainbow Organic Strawberry Farm Avid strawberry enthusiast Eddy Chan opened this farm in 2009 with a 300,000 sqft field, where up to 200 people can pick their own strawberries ($80 a pound) until the end of April. He grows a plethora of other vegetables to pick, including organic peanuts, choi sum, sweetcorn, cherry tomatoes and watermelons in season. There’s also a petting zoo with lambs and rabbits, and a barbecue area. Open daily 9am-6pm. 76 Hok Tau Village, Fan Ling, 9302 0258, www.strawberry-farm.com.hk.

Kam Tin Country Park Hong Kong

Grow your own Garden Farm Grow your own organic fruit and vegetables by renting an allotment from Garden Farm, with sizes varying from 36 sqft to 96 sqft and costing $600$1,500 per quarter. Staff offer instruction on organic farming techniques from the basics of turning over the soil before planting to harvesting.

Prices include equipment, seeds, compost etc.

After a hard day on the farm, reward yourself with a barbecue on site. Parking available. Open TuesdaySunday 9am-5pm. 131 Tseng Tau Tsuen, Shap Sze Heung, Sai Kung, 2792 8164, www.hkgardenfarm.org.

This 100,000 sqft park grows strawberries from different countries (French strawberries $60 a pound, Korean strawberries from $90 a pound). It’s principally an entertainment area, with a children’s playground, war games, bicycle rental, bouncy castles, sports activities and small farm animals to feed. Visitors can also bake and decorate cookies, barbecue, sample honey and buy fresh local vegetables. Free parking. Open Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-10pm. Lot 109 Shui Tau, Kam Tin, Yuen Long, 2442 0909, yl.com.hk/ktcc.

crops. Free entry. Open daily 9am-5pm. 1 Family Walk, Ho Pui Reservoir, Pat Heung, Yuen Long, 2838 4808, www.organicfarm.hkfyg.org.hk.

HKFYG Organic Farm

Strawberry Farm

Run by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, this organic farm promotes local agriculture and environmental education. It offers a range of tours with professional explanations and welcomes visitors and volunteers of all ages to get their hands dirty planting and harvesting the

Growing only strawberries, we stumbled on this open-air farm on the way to Rainbow Organics. It’s a working farm, with a daily harvest in season. Pick up a punnet or two of delicious, fresh strawberries for $40 a pound. China Garden, DD85 Lau Shui Heung Road, Fan Ling.

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feature get back to the land

How does your garden grow?

Green-fingered Hongkongers offer gardening tips.

Frances Gairns, Pure South yoga instructor and mother of two “Our plot is a corner of reclaimed land on our street in Shouson Hill cultivated by my husband, Philippe, and neighbour, David.

Currently, we have the tail end of some green beans, lemon and avocado trees, poinsettias, Lunar New Year oranges and assorted flowers that had been discarded.

“Our garden used to be a rubbish collection point, but the government told us it was private land and wouldn’t be collecting from there anymore. The owners fenced it off and Philippe cleared all the weeds and 40 years of rubbish, made some level plots on the slopes and it went from there. David joined in and took it even further with some guidance from local gardening expert Arthur van Lagenberg, whose books are a great resource. Now we have a thriving urban ‘farm’.”

“It is important for children to connect with nature and understand where food comes from”

Claire Sancelot, mother, green advocate and balcony gardener “We grow herbs – parsley, basil, rosemary, chives – and my children cut what we need every day. We also grow chilli, lettuce, tomatoes and zucchini.

“We started less than two years ago and got hooked very quickly. I bought some tools at the Prince Edward flower market, but all you really need are pots, organic soil and great seeds, and kitchen utensils. From your local wet market, get large polystyrene boxes

The Gairns family on their urban farm.

– they’re terrible for the planet so a great way to upcycle – to use as pots. They are awesome for growing sweet potatoes.

“Gardening is a wonderful hobby, very relaxing, and it is important for children to connect with nature and understand where food comes from. Plus, it is a great way to cut our carbon footprint as most Hong Kong produce comes from overseas and is overly packaged. Nothing beats local organic food.”

Brendon Chadwick, chef at One-thirtyone “We grow scented geranium, which is very aromatic. We use the leaves in jams and tea and I’m also told it’s a good headache remedy. At Christmas, we used the leaves on a dessert, which looked very festive and added great aroma. Cress, which comes from the same family as watercress but grows out of water, is very durable and great in salads and can hold a strong dressing.

“We just started planting tomatoes.

And we love fennel. We planted it last winter and by spring it exploded with flowers and fronds, which we love to use with fish and other seafoods.

“We get most of the tools we need next door from the garden farm. But we also go to Prince Edward for orchids for table decorations and other seasonal items.

“Find out what's seasonal by talking to local growers.

Provide good cover for your plants. Hong Kong weather is very desultory and you should be prepared.”

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open day golden oldie

King George V School It has a storied history and state-of-the-art makeover, but it’s the students’ attitude that really sets KGV apart. By Adele Brunner.

Students from Crozier house prepare for the interhouse tug-of-war.

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open day golden oldie

Clockwise from top: the rooftop performance space; sporting action; Wickins with the students; breaktime in the new Learning Resources Centre.

I

t speaks volumes about a school and the way it is run when its stay from one year to the next with very few leaving at the end of year principal can approach two teenage students on a whim, know their 11, which is when students typically head off to boarding schools.” names and get them talking happily about themselves and their The school is non-selective in terms of academic ability and is school. That’s no mean feat in a school of almost 1,800 students. Step “proudly inclusive” with a learning support school within the main school forward Ed Wickins, principal of King George V School, better known in that caters to children with conditions such as autism, Down’s Syndrome Hong Kong as KGV. and cystic fibrosis. This allows these students Part of the English Schools Foundation (ESF), to join mainstream classes as much as possible the secondary school caters to students aged 11 but accommodates them in subjects where they The school character to 18 and is located in Ho Man Tin, Kowloon. Its can’t access the full curriculum. KGV follows the is one of enthusiasm, feeder schools are ESF primaries Clearwater Bay, International Baccalaureate system but offers positivity and energy.

Beacon Hill and Kowloon Junior, but KGV also IGCSEs at the end of middle school in year 11 and You can’t fake that accepts children from other schools when space both the IB diploma and B-Tech in the final two permits. As an international school, its students years. In 2014, the school celebrated its best set are about 60 per cent Chinese with the rest from of IB results to date with 27 students attaining 42 Indian, Korean, Japanese and Western families. Almost all its students or more points and four achieving the maximum of 45 points. are permanent residents.

All students have their own laptops and access to the school’s “KGV has a very strong sense of community,” says Wickins, who virtual learning environment, Lionel, which features coursework, has been at the school since 2004. “A lot of our students even went to homework, social activities, individual merits and concerns. Homework primary school together and we don’t have the same sort of transience excuses are now a thing of the past as each parent also has a separate that many other Hong Kong schools face, whereby families are posted account and daily emails letting them know exactly what needs to be here for a few years before moving on. About 97 per cent of students done and when. expat-parent.com

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The new performing arts block complements the quads and existing buildings.

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open day golden oldie

Senior-school students pose for their yearbook photos.

Among the most important aspects of KGV are its heritage and They came up with the idea for a world map showing all the places our sense of identity. Built in 1936 when there was not a tower block in the students come from and found the quotes from famous people that now vicinity, many of its original buildings are still in use as well as the four adorn the walls. Almost everyone has had a hand in the way the school school houses – Upsdell, Crozier, Rowell and Nightingale, named after looks today.” former principals – to which each student belongs. There is even a With financial support from the Hong Kong Rugby Union, the dedicated room off the new Learning Resources Centre that replicates Hong Kong Cricket Club, KGV’s Parent-Teacher-Student Association the way the school used to be, complete with parquet flooring, blackand ESF Educational Services, the school’s playing fields were also and-white photographs, old wooden desks and given a makeover. Rare in Hong Kong, they the uniform worn by students way back when. stretch the entire width of the school at ground “I’m keen for KGV to be modern and forward level and incorporate a full-sized football pitch “The playing fields... thinking but I also want to keep its history and and facilities for rugby, cricket, netball, hockey, make the school heritage alive,” Wickins says. “If any two alumni basketball, track and field activities, cementing meet, the first thing they will ask each other is KGV’s reputation as one of the territory’s come alive” which house they were in. The houses were, and sportiest schools. still are, very important for sport and socialising.”

“The playing fields are spectacular and are The school has a strict uniform policy but this, in constant use for PE lessons, after-school and believes Wickins, only adds to the students’ sense of belonging. social activities, at lunchtimes and even weekends,” Wickins says. “They “Nobody has ever come to me and said, ‘No more uniform’,” he says. make the school come alive but also give something to the community For all its tradition, KGV has undergone extensive renovations, the which uses them too.” majority of which were completed in 2014. These include a new statePerhaps the ethos of the school is summed up by an anecdote of-the-art science building, lecture theatre and performing arts block, Wickins tells about the reaction of the students to the announcement of complete with a TV recording studio, music rooms able to house a full an interhouse knitting competition. orchestra and a rooftop performance space.

“In England [where Wickins worked in the past], few would show any “There was a whole range of people involved in the design and interest and certainly there would be concern about putting their hands layout of the new blocks,” Wickins says. “For example, I don’t like up to volunteer. Here, everyone wants to participate – and participate walls. I love everything open so this affected the layout of the Learning to the best of their ability. There’s no cynicism or negativity. The school Resources Centre [an open-plan space that encompasses middle- and character is one of enthusiasm, positivity and energy and that’s all down senior-school libraries and reading rooms, individual study pods and to our students and how they feel about their environment. You just can’t a café]. Students in year 10 worked on the design of the study pods. fake something like that.” expat-parent.com

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principal’s office

Ed Wickins

Principal of King George V School.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

A professional footballer. As you can see, I didn’t make it but I couldn’t ask for a better job than I have now.

Where else have you taught?

I taught in British comprehensives and was head of two different schools in England. I also spent two years teaching in Malaysia.

What are some of your biggest challenges as a principal?

The constant desire to make teaching and learning in all classes as good as it can possibly be. In a school this size it is difficult to have a direct impact so I rely heavily on my excellent team of leaders to keep this in the forefront of everyone’s minds. Another challenge is finding ways of retaining things that have made KGV such a great school for

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years as well as preparing it for the future and to keep up with the times. We try to strike a good balance between old traditions and new.

What have been your most memorable moments at KGV? Seeing KGV set the Guinness World Record for planking was one, but I think it has to be the opening event on the newly renovated playing fields in April 2014: setting the Guinness World Record for the most people doing a bleep test at the same time. The entire school was on the field running – it was an amazing sight. We smashed the world record too.

What do you like most about Hong Kong?

The energy, the can-do attitude and optimism and the multiculturalism.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

“Nothing is ever achieved on a piece of

paper.” I used to love writing plans. You can write all the plans you want, but they are worthless unless someone actually does something.

How do you deal with stress?

I exercise. I run regularly and try to keep fit. I ran the China Coast half marathon in Sai Kung Country Park last year.

What talent would you most like to have?

I would love to be musical.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Spending time at my house in France with my family.

Tell us a secret about yourself It’s my birthday today [January 15].

Beyond the website sponsored column

Dig a bit deeper when choosing a private international school, says ITS Educational Services.

There are several ways to find information about a school before enrolling your child.

Talking to parents who have children already attending the school is important, but your child is the person that matters most, so make sure you know everything there is to know to choose a school that is right for your child.

Here are a few ways to explore what is really going on in a school: 1. While impressive websites offer some understanding of a school’s unique selling points, it’s important to look beyond glitzy marketing materials and facilities to the teaching staff and core values. Ask about pastoral care and discipline – a school’s bullying policy often gives an insight into how it views its responsibility to students.

2. Attend functions when you are invited, such as open houses, tours, observation days, holiday parties and school functions. Use the opportunity to talk to other parents and hear

their true opinions about the school. Ask the principal or head of school questions – don’t get too specific about your child, but ask general questions about any plans for special projects for the school and significant changes to personnel, teachers or teaching methods.

3. Go to the school when you are not invited such as during drop-off and pickup times. Does the head of school greet children by name? Are teachers friendly and caring towards the children? Is there good order when the children enter and leave the school? If you are a diverse family, does the school community have enough diversity? If you are a dual working-parent family, do you see nannies/helpers or parents waiting for children? Attend as many PTA meetings as possible to learn how decisions are made and if parents’ opinions are taken into consideration.

4. Phone the school and talk with admissions staff about the admissions criteria

and application process. Is their tone friendly and are they able to answer your questions and represent the school in a positive way?

5. Analysing the last three years’ exam results will give you valuable academic information and reviewing the universities attended by recent graduates is also important.

Armed with this information, you’ll be on your way to finding a school where your child will be well educated, happy and comfortable.

ITS Educational Services offers numerous services to families who are looking for entrance to international schools. These range from school advice, school assessment preparation, intensive English courses for entry into mainstream schools and consultancy support for entrance to universities. For details, email anne.m@itseducation.asia.

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after-school

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Clockwise from left: children get arty creating a dragon and Easter eggs at Little Hands, painting at Anastassia’s Art House, and using their hands at Magic Muffins.

after-school

Creating Christmas trees from found objects at Little Hands.

Crafty kids Let your creative juices flow at arts and crafts groups. By Mei-li Bacani.

Anastassia’s Art House With 10 branches across Hong Kong, including Sai Kung, Repulse Bay and South Horizons, Anastassia’s Art House invites kids to explore art through projects in painting, printing, paper collaging, construction and modelling. Classes for children aged three-12 are divided into four age groups. All classes are held after school, with enrollment at any time.

Classes cost $210 to $340. Details at www.arthouse-hk.com.

Bricks 4 Kidz Kids who like Lego will love Bricks 4 Kidz. It runs four age-specific groups for children from age two to teens for building with Lego, with special classes in Robotics and Stop Motion Animation for children aged nine and over. As well as creating all sorts of amazing structures, young children use the alphabet, animals or numbers as they play, and older children are introduced to gears, axles, motors and battery packs. In Stop Motion Animation, children create their own characters, then script, storyboard, shoot and edit a short film. Classes are $200-$300 an hour, with holiday camps available. 65 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 6184 6229, www.bricks4kidz.com.

Colourful Kids Open since 2007, this Art and Drama Education centre works with children from toddlers to high school. Young children can develop their creative and motor skills through painting, drawing, printing and sculpting ($230-$255 per session). Arts and crafts parties, drama, creative writing and taekwondo are also available. 2A Millan House, 2-4 North Point Road, North Point, 2512 1916, www.colourfulkids.com.

Colour My World Based in a bright and airy studio, Colour My World’s trained artists and educators encourage children to explore a wide range of visual-arts media with courses in digital photography and darkroom processing, graphics, comic art and animation as well as the more conventional painting and sculpting. Its two-month art programmes cater to all ages and levels from toddlers to young adults, with classes held after-school as well as Saturdays and during school holidays. Theatre and speech classes are also available. Room 108, Aberdeen Marina Tower, 8 Shum Wan Road, Wong Chuk Hang, 2580 5028, www.colour-my-world.com.

Craft Hour Craft Hour introduces children to a wide world of skills, including knitting, weaving, sewing, embroidering, mosaic, clay, crafting, beading, paper crafting and decorative painting. Organised into terms of 14 weeks, the one-hour classes ($150 each) are attended by children of all ages and parents are welcome to join in too. Classes are held across Hong Kong, including Sai Kung, Stanley and Repulse Bay. Parties and themed workshops are also available. For details, call 9369 9914 or visit www.crafthourasia.com. expat-parent.com

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after-school

Focusing on the finer details at Colour My World.

Creative Kids Based in Tai Koo Shing and Central, Creative Kids has a wide array of art programmes for children of all ages, including sketching, painting, Chinese modern art, oil painting and scale models. Its Lunar New Year workshop for children aged two-12, includes papercuts and painted blessings, drums and happy horns. Classes are bilingual in English and Cantonese, and cost $540-$770. A new course, the Young Architects Programme (for seven- to 10-year-olds), is now available for enrollment.

12/F, Universal Trade Centre, 3 Arbuthnot Road, Central, 2530 4336, www.creativekids.com.hk.

Little Hands Workshop These eco-friendly arts and crafts Saturday workshops are held in Sai Kung for children aged two to 12 years. Children work together to turn found objects into works of art, such as Christmas trees made from recycled paper, bottles and cardboard rolls. For Lunar New Year, the class will make a dragon out of discarded objects, while for Easter instead of decorating eggs, children will be experimenting with tie-dying shirts, pants, headbands and pillow-cases. Private parties and art jam sessions are available. Shop 12 (above Mirth; entry via The Bottle Shop), 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 5431 3122, www.littlehands.com.hk.

Fabric Art HK Get creative with fabric-design techniques with trained textile designer Alifya Kasubhai. She runs classes for children aged four to 17 in a wide range of techniques, including batik, tie-dye, silk painting, screen printing and fabric painting. She also runs creative sewing classes for children aged seven and up at ESF schools or in her studio. Parties and adult classes are available. M/F, 25 Caine Road, Central, 9281 5290, www.fabricfun.wix.com/fabricarthk.

Little Picasso Aspiring artists aged three to teens are encouraged to explore different media and techniques in one-hour classes organised into six-week terms ($1,800 per semester). The spring semester (March 2-April 18) will focus on Pop Art, with children looking at the work of the movement’s leading artists and then creating their own interpretation. The Lunar New Year camp (February 16-27) includes origami, paper crafts and canvas painting. Art parties are also available. Studio 10, 21/F, Oceanic Industrial Centre, 2 Lee Lok Street, Ap Lei Chau, 3521 1046, www.littlepicasso.hk.

Babies and toddlers take their first steps into the art world with arts and crafts classes

Kids’ Gallery With branches in Kowloon Tong, Bel-Air, Central and Yau Tong, Kids’ Gallery has plenty of artistic activities for for children aged one to 12 years. Babies and toddlers take their first steps into the art world with Arts and Crafts classes in three progressive stages. Six- to 12-year-olds with art experience can join Studio Art, where they learn art vocabulary, interpret themes and master techniques such as oil painting, graphic design and sculpting. Other classes such as ballet, jazz, public speaking and drama are also available. 21/F, Coda Plaza, 51 Garden Road, Central, 2501 4842, www.kidsgallery.com/hongkong.

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Magic Muffins Running for 14 years, Magic Muffins is a fun and creative playgroup for young children aged eight months to three years. Sessions are filled with activities such as music and dance, arts and crafts (painting, pasting, sticking) and educational toy-time. Each child must be accompanied by an adult during the session, which run from 9.30am-10.30am for babies ($200) and 9.30am-11.30am for toddlers ($240). The Clubhouse Tregunter Towers, 18 Old Peak Road, Mid-Levels, 9222 6269, www.magicmuffinshk.com.

Swiss Art Studio With branches across Hong Kong, from Central to Sai Kung, Swiss Art Studio teaches budding artists regardless of skill or age. The Kid’s Art Journey focuses on famous Western artists, such as Van Gogh, to explore different techniques. More experienced students can focus on specific media, such as oil painting, watercolours or acrylics, in classes run by professional artists. It also offers courses leading to the Royal Talens Certificate. Branches include Shop 604, 17 Caine Road, Central, 2123 2135, www.swissartstudio.com.hk.

New French Club in Term 2 Learn French the FUN and FRIENDLY way!

Held at the Woodland Montessori Academy.

Key features: • Carefully structured and progressive language programme • Primary emphasis on FUN! Children learn through: fast-paced games, interactive activities, stories, rhymes, music and movement, role play etc.

• Introduction to France and French culture • Small classes Venez apprendre le français tout en s’amusant.

Nous offrons un environnement idéal pour découvrir cette merveilleuse langue à travers l’art, la peinture, la cuisine, les jeux et les histoires.

Le French Club permet aux enfants de s’enrichir d’une nouvelle culture et de se familiariser avec les chansons françaises traditionnelles.

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me and my hobby hear me roar

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“I want to do everything: cymbals, drums and lion dancing.�

me and my hobby hear me roar

Clover Chau

The 15-year-old lion dancer has all the moves.

I’m in Year 11 at West Island School.

I got involved in lion dance in Year 9 as a school activity. Lion dancing was something I have always loved. I grew up watching lion dance performances at Lunar New Year. The rhythm of the drums, the clash of the cymbals, the lions moving to the music… I was so impressed and fascinated by what I saw.

I saw my first lion dance when I was five years old, but it wasn’t until I was nine that I wanted to lion dance.

I was a bit scared at first because there were lots of older students, but the more I did the lion dance, the more I loved it. I found it really fun and easy to memorise the cymbal patterns, dance movements and drum beats.

I practiced at home. I didn’t need a partner, I just went through the moves on my own.

In my first lion dance performance, I played the cymbals because I was too short to be a lion dancer. I didn’t mind: I wanted to do everything: cymbals, drums and lion dancing.

This year, I’m the tail of the lion. Technically, I can be the head – I know all the moves – but as part of the performance the tail has to carry the person holding the head and my

partner can’t lift me but I can lift her. I’d like to be the head next year.

In a traditional lion dance, there’s a person with a mask and fan – a teaser – who does acrobatics around the lion. Originally, I wanted that part because it was funny.

I would also love to do the difficult moves like sitting on each other’s shoulders and leaping from there to do all sorts of tricks, but we’re not up to that level yet.

I have a lot stamina from sports so I don’t get tired. I play volleyball, badminton, table tennis, athletics, kung fu and tai chi. Also, my lion dance coach’s movements are a lot sharper so activities like kung fu and tai chi keep my movements sharp and flexible too.

Teamwork is the most important element when performing the lion dance.

I feel really happy and confident when I’m performing because I’m not the only one on stage, everyone else is there and I’m performing something I really enjoy.

We will be performing at the Chinese New Year Assembly at West Island School.

My family think it’s cool. They’re really supportive.

I was scared at first because there were lots of older students but the more I did the lion dance, the more I loved it

To perform outside school would require a professional troupe and hard-core training.

I’m not sure I could get in but if I get the opportunity, I would take it.

Anyone interested should try it out and don’t give up. Try everything because you might find it fun. And don’t be afraid to be speak up if you want to the head or the drummer or another important role.

Lion dance classes Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Dragon and Lion Dance Association Not all instructors speak English. 9/F, Block A and B, 687 Nathan Road, Mong Kok, 2394 4803, hkcmaa@ hkolympic.org, www.hkcmaa.com.hk.

Kwok’s Kung Fu & Dragon Lion Dance Team Masters Kwok Wing-cheong and Kwok Man-lung offer private or group lion dance lessons for beginners or advanced students from age 12.

G/F, Chan Hing Social Services Centre, 45 Fuk Tsun Street, Tai Kok Tsui, 2395 6263 or 9644 1999, www.kwokslion.com.hk.

Yip Man Martial Arts Athletics Association Southern lion dance classes for students of all levels from age 10, held every Wednesday, 7pm-9pm ($300 a month). One sifu (teacher) can speak English. Rooftop, Mirador Mansion, 58 Nathan Road, Kowloon, 2723 2306, www.yipmanwingchunasso.com.

Brian Ng Ng teaches lion dance in English at international schools across Hong Kong. Contact him at kungfutown5@ yahoo.com.hk or 6972 9682.

ESF secondary schools West Island School, Sha Tin College and South Island School all offer lion dance classes.

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what’s in season

Sweets for your sweet Sugar for your honey. By Cherrie Yu.

La Maison du Chocolat What: Artisanal chocolates, including new Caramel Sensations infused with pineapple and ginger, red tea, hazelnuts and other flavours.

Price: From $250 for a box of eight, or from $430 for 13 in a heart-shaped box.

Where: In store at Pacific Place, Elements, The Landmark and branches, 2343 3331, www.lamaisonduchocolat.com.

The Ritz-Carlton Lounge & Bar What: Valentine’s Day afternoon tea, including macarons by Pierre Hermé Paris, confit duck mousse tart, beetroot foam, dark chocolate BBQ mini pork burger and chocolate brownies mille-feuille.

Price: $688 for two on February 13-15.

Where: Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, Level 102, ICC, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, 2263 2270, www.ritzcarlton.com.

Vero Chocolates What: A heart-shaped globe containing hazelnut chocolates wrapped in a golden coating for a Valentine’s Day-meets-Lunar New Year vibe.

Price: $180.

Where: Kiosk 9, 3/F Gateway II Arcade, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2559 5838, www.verochocolates.com.

Yo Mama What: Frozen yogurt in three flavours of your choice (we’d choose dark chocolate, blueberry and mango pudding… just saying), with a sheep-shaped butter cookie, heartshaped sprinkles and pink marshmallows.

Price: $35 or $42.

Where: In store at IFC Mall, Festival Walk and branches, www.yomama.com.hk.

Sift What: Heart-shaped macarons in rose or chocolate flavours.

Price: $20 each, or $50 for a box of two tied with a ribbon.

Where: In store at Prince’s Building and Graham Street in Central, the QRE Building in Wan Chai and Horizon Plaza in Ap Lei Chau, or call 2870 3887, www.siftdesserts.com.

The Peninsula What: A limited-edition box of 12 handcrafted chocolates in the colours of the monthly birthstones to represent a whole year’s worth of lovin’.

Price: $1,800, including delivery by a page boy on February 13 or 14.

Where: Order by calling 2696 6694 or email diningphk@peninsula.com.

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what’s in season

Paul Lafayet What: The Valentine’s Day Macaron Gift Box has eight macarons in the flavours of your choice surrounding a heart-shaped centrepiece piped with the words “Je t’aime” and flavoured with fresh strawberries.

Price: $230.

Where: In store at IFC Mall, Hysan Place, Langham Place and branches, www.paullafayet.com. expat-parent.com

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table for four

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table for four

Feast the eyes Food with a view. By Callum Wiggins.

Bubba Gump Run, Forrest, run! We’re betting Forrest Gump would have sprinted up the Peak to enjoy his favourite food, shrimps, at the international chain based on the movie, Forrest Gump. As well as prawns in almost as many forms as Gump’s shrimp-lovin’ army buddy, Bubba Blue, outlined on screen, it serves hearty American dishes such as ribs, burgers and steaks.

Standouts include Cajun shrimp ($75) sautéed in cajun spices and butter with garlic bread. The kids’ menu ($58) features Mama Gump’s chicken strips, Hubba Bubba popcorn shrimp and the Bus Bench burger. Save room for a trip to the build-your-own sundae station, with lashings of sweets, sprinkles and chocolate sauce to top your ice cream. The views of Hong Kong are stunning from the window tables. A colouring pack will keep children occupied and the walls covered in movie paraphernalia are fun. 128 Peak Road, The Peak, 2849 2867, www.bubbagump.com.

Shelter It may not have a harbour view, but the vast terrace at Shelter has an equally iconic outlook over the humming streets, skyscrapers and malls of Causeway Bay. Kids will love the bell-shaped covered lounge beds on the terrace. There’s also a 42 sqm garden, where Shelter grows its own produce for dishes that emphasise organic, hormone-free ingredients. While there is no children’s menu, pasta, risotto and pizza are sure-fire hits with most kids. Or go for the oven-baked whole organic French chicken with potatoes and vegetables ($688), which can be shared by the whole family. Desserts are equally pleasing, with vegan cheesecake likely to go down well with little ones, while mum and dad may prefer the sophisticated fusion of flavours in the mojito semifreddo with peppermint jelly and jasmine tea sauce. 7/F Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, 2778 8398, www.shelterhk.com.

Seafood, seating and spectacular views at Shelter (left and above left) and Bubba Gump (above, top and opposite).

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table for four

BLT Steak Combining spectacular harbour views with prime US and Australian beef, BLT Steak is hard to beat. Situated in Ocean Terminal, customers can eat alfresco, watching the Star Ferry zip back and forth to Hong Kong Island. There’s a range of fillet, ribeye and strip steaks, all cooked to your preference with creamy herb butter and a choice of pepper, bearnaise and horseradish sauces. The Australian Black Angus ribeye ($398) is a standout. Children are well catered for with dishes such as BLT sliders ($88), popcorn shrimp ($78) and macaroni cheese ($58). Kids can make their own sundaes ($58) from the daily selection of homemade ice creams. G/F Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2730 3508, www. diningconcepts.com/blt.

Café 8 Run as a social enterprise by the Hong Kong Maritime museum and The Nesbitt Centre, Café 8 provides employment for young people with learning disabilities and special needs. On the roof of Central Pier 8, the café has a pleasant view over the Central waterfront and Hong Kong Island. It’s a top spot for lunch, with a choice of sandwiches, paninis, pastries and handmade pies, plus a three-course lunch set for $110, including a drink. Desserts such as blueberry cheesecake and carrot cake are often sold out by the end of the day. When the weather warms up, look for new tables with parasols on the terrace. Hong Kong Maritime Museum Rooftop, Pier 8, Central, 3791 2158.

Alfresco café culture at BLT Steak (top) and Café 8 (above).

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table for four

Save room for a trip to the build-your-own sundae station, with lashings of sweets, sprinkles and chocolate sauce

Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant Chuen Kee has two restaurants on the Sai Kung waterfront – we recommend the smaller outlet in the old town. It’s open all day, serving morning dim sum before the seafood crowd starts to arrive at lunchtime.

Children will enjoy seeing the huge variety of seafood in the brimming tanks. Choose your own (children might not like that so much), with daily prices depending on the size, weight and style of cooking. The menu features crowd pleasers such as steamed prawns with soy sauce and garlic, and lightly fried tofu with salt and pepper, yeung chow fried rice and plenty of noodles. Or go for the set meals (from $388 for two people, or $796 for four). On warmer days, it’s worth reserving a table on the rooftop terrace with views over Sai Kung harbour and Inner Port Shelter – it’s also slightly quieter on busy weekends. G/F, 53 Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung, 2791 1195.

Catch of the day at Chuen Kee.

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home front red and gold

Get ready for Lunar New Year Callum Wiggins explores the traditions of the festival.

L

ike major festivals the world over, Lunar New Year has its own set of traditions – things to do, eat, wear and adorn the home during the celebration. Take the colour red, for example. According to Chinese folklore, its use originates from the tale of the nian, a mythical beast that terrorised villages on the first day of the New Year by eating livestock, crops and even children.

The story goes that an old man passing through a village promised loud noises and bright red displays would frighten the beast away. And ever since, Chinese people have adorned themselves and their homes in the colour red during New Year, hanging red lanterns and decorations and setting off firecrackers or, more recently, attending large firework displays.

There are many other traditions associated with the festival. Here are a few of the most significant.

Decorations

Clean up

Oranges symbolise abundant happiness, while tangerines with the leaves attached have the additional meaning of a secure relationship between giver and receiver, making them popular gifts at Lunar New Year. Many homes are adorned with potted kumquat trees, studded with tiny orange fruit that symbolise prosperity and good fortune. The fruit’s Chinese name, kam gat shu, sounds like the words for luck and gold.

Attach red lai see packets containing a banknote for a really authentic touch. Bear in mind that the trees are grown more for aesthetic appeal than for great-tasting fruit.

Homes are thoroughly cleaned in the run up to Lunar New Year, with dust swept into the middle of the room and then out the door to symbolise sweeping bad luck away. Going one step further, some homeowners paint door frames and windows in order to welcome good luck in. However, it is considered bad luck to clean during New Year week, as you may sweep away the good fortune – so get your home in order by February 18.

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Hong Kong takes on a rosy glow ahead of Lunar New Year, plastered with red lanterns, candles and calligraphy banners bearing wishes for a healthy, prosperous and happy new year.

You can’t have too much of a good thing, but make sure that any decorations inside and outside the house are in auspicious red and gold. Put up your decorations on or before February 18.

Oranges, tangerines and kumquats

Now Available!

for only $108

Get yours at saikung.com/shop expat-parent.com

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home front red and gold

Flowers that bloom on the first day of New Year are said to bring extra luck

Fresh flowers Colourful fresh flowers symbolise the rejuvenation that comes with the arrival of spring. Flowers that bloom on the first day of New Year are said to bring extra luck. Not only are they beautiful but the language of flowers means certain blooms have special meanings. Plum blossom (symbolising perseverance and reliability), peach blossom (prosperity, long life and romance), fragrant narcissus or Chinese sacred lilies (prosperity) and peonies (riches and honour) are particularly popular along with yellow chrysanthemums and spring flowers such as pussy willow and azaleas.

As well as the permanent flower market in Prince Edward, pop-up flower markets spring up across the territory, with the largest in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, which attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year. Jostle with the crowds after dinner on February 18, the last day of the market, to pick up a bargain as prices are slashed.

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home front red and gold

Calligraphy 101 Look out for these auspicious characters and phrases. 福 Luck, prosperity 樂 Happiness 壽 Longevity 新年快樂 Happy New Year 恭喜發財 Prosperous New Year

Get a haircut

Buy a new outfit

While most hairdressers are likely to be shut over Lunar New Year, getting your hair cut during the festival is said to bring bad luck: by cutting your hair, you are cutting off good luck. Appointment books fill up fast ahead of Lunar New Year so book early.

A new outfit signifying new beginnings – preferably in lucky red – is an integral part of Lunar New Year. Don’t be startled to see some people dressed in red from head to toe, but if a scarlet onesie is not your thing a subtle red tie or scarf should be sufficient to frighten off the nian.

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big day out beyond the buns

Treasure island

Callum Wiggins explores Cheung Chau.

Cheung Chau’s deep south has stunning views out to sea.

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big day out cheung chau

Island life (clockwise from top left): the view from Cheung Po Tsai Cave; drying fish; the harbour wall; a fisherman dries his catch.

T

o think of Cheung Chau is to think of buns. Every year, thousands the cave remains a popular sightseeing spot. From the ferry, turn right of people flock to the small island for one of Hong Kong’s quirkier along the harbourfront and pleasant Cheng Chau Sai Tai Road, with its traditions, the five-day Cheung Chau bun shops and bicycle rental places. Don’t worry, the festival (May 22-26 this year). While it’s entertaining throngs of cyclists on the waterfront turn back to watch the race up the bun towers, using proper as the road narrows and heads uphill. Follow The loot is long gone, if climbing gear these days, and the accompanying the signs to the cave, a discreet hole among parade with its amazing “floating” children, the island the boulders. Inside, you can scramble down a it was ever there, but the is fun to visit year round. ladder and through the cave for a few minutes cave remains popular (take a torch) to its “back door” overlooking the Cheung Po Tsai Cave sea. Afterwards wander down to tranquil Pak Tso In the 19th century, pirate Cheung Po Tsai was the Wan beach, which has more lovely views. scourge of the South China Sea, with some reports claiming he had up to 50,000 men and 600 ships. Cheung had bases in Stanley and Ma Wan, but Head south he’s most closely associated with Cheung Chau, where he is said to have Beyond the cave, the peaceful southern half of the bell-shaped island stashed his booty in a cave. The loot is long gone, if it was ever there, but has more glorious views from Cheung Chau Peak Road West. Stop by expat-parent.com

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big day out cheung chau

Clockwise from above: local snacks; Pak Tai Temple is the focus of the bun festival; the harbour; Tung Wan beach is the largest on the island.

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big day out cheung chau

the crematorium and memorial gardens, stroll the low-rise residential streets and enjoy the quieter side of Hong Kong life.

Where to eat

Temple tour

Mango Mochi Cheung Chau is famous for this Japanese-style treat: chunks of sweet fresh mango wrapped in glutinous rice and coated with icing sugar. They sell out fast, so make a beeline for the mochi shop as soon as the ferry docks. $7 each from Tin Yin Dessert, 9 Tai Hing Tai Road, Cheung Chau.

In Hong Kong, you’re never far from a Tin Hau temple. Cheung Chau is no different. Located near the cave, the temple’s pavillion offers a vantage point of the fishing boats in the harbour. At the other end of the village, the large Pak Tai temple is the focal point for the Bun Festival. It was built in 1783 in honour of Pak Tai, a sea divinity said to have protected islanders from an outbreak of the plague. Look for the sculpted dragons on the roof and a Song dynasty iron sword inside.

Fishballs Some people go to Cheung Chau just for the fishballs at Kam Wing Tai, behind McDonald’s, which fries skewers to order. The giant fish ball skewer is the most popular, but we also liked the cheese and tofu puffs. 106 San Hing Street, Cheung Chau, 2981 3050.

Seafood Seafood restaurants dominate the waterfront, with a row of alfresco tables. They all serve similar fare, so pick a table with a good view and relax with your favourite Cantonese seafood dishes and an ice-cold beer.

Hit the beach Cheung Chau has a few pleasant beaches for sunny days. The main beach, Tung Wan, is the longest, but it can get crowded at weekends.

Just south of the main beach, Kwun Yam Wan or Afternoon beach is smaller but much more picturesque. Follow in the wake of Hong Kong’s only Olympic gold medallist, windsurfer Lee Lai-shan, who trained off Cheung Chau. Windsurfer rentals are available.

How to get there First Ferry runs a 24-hour service to Cheung Chau, departing every 30 minutes at peak times, from Central Pier 5. The journey takes 40 minutes on a fast ferry or an hour on a regular ferry. For the timetable, visit www.nwff.com.hk.

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travel

Nam calling For a fun family holiday, Vietnam’s Lang Co is hard to beat, writes Cherrie Yu.

Traditional Vietnamese coracles on the beach at Lang Co.

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travel On Vietnam’s South Central coast, Lang Co is fast turning into a hotspot for family holidays. Just two hours’ flight from Hong Kong, it has miles of golden sand, blue sea and surf within striking distance of Da Nang and the cultural centres of Hoi An and Hue. Once known as China Beach, the area has been discovered by the hotel industry and luxury resorts are moving in.

When to go Warm year-round, the peak season to visit is the dry season, February to May, before the crowds descend during the heat of June to August.

Avoid the wet season, when the rain thunders down from September to November.

Where to stay We stayed at Angsana Lang Co, a contemporary new resort with an excellent kids’ programme, nestled between Truong Son Mountain and a 3km beach. It shares the sand only with its sister resort, Banyan Tree Lang Co, and the 18-hole Laguna Lang Co golf course designed by Sir

Nick Faldo, both of which Angsana guests are welcome to use.

The resort’s family focus kicks in even before you arrive, with wi-fi in the car used for the two-hour airport shuttle and a driver happy to stop en route to let you take photos of the mountains or stroll through the charming old towns and fishing villages.

The hotel has 229 rooms and suites, including two-bedroom family lofts and suites, overlooking a 300m free-form pool that snakes riverlike through the grounds. Go for one of the ground-floor suites, each with a private pool, deck and direct access to the beach. Other facilities include a huge kids’ club, beach club, gymnasium, water sports centre and award-winning spa.

Things to do About half an hour’s drive from the nearest village, Lang Co is a peaceful place to kick back and enjoy sun, sand and sea. There’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained, however.

Children can get busy at the kids’ club, with a host of indoor and outdoor toys and activities, including arts and crafts, swimming lessons,

Angsana Lang Co’s guestrooms, public areas and restaurants share a cool, contemporary design aesthetic.

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travel

Children can get busy at the kids’ club with a host of indoor and outdoor games and activities

sandcastle-building, canal trips and more. The beach club also has inflatables, board games and even iPads and ebook readers available.

With the little ones happily occupied, parents can join the morning yoga sessions, bliss out with a spa treatment, play a round of golf, or go quad biking along the beach. A huge range of watersports includes surfing, windsurfing, jetskis and banana boats. Or join the cultural workshops and learn to make spring rolls, lanterns or paper lotuses.

Explore beyond the resort, with active trips such as cycling up the famed Hai Van Pass or trekking on Marble Mountain, as well as visits to local markets and fishing villages. The resort also organises trips further afield. Make a day of it with a trip to the three nearby Unesco World Heritage sites: the charming old city of Hoi An with its picturesque riverfront and multitude of tailors, the palaces and shrines of the imperial city of Hue and the historic ruins and Hindu temples of the Cham dynasty capital, My Son. Hoi An is particularly beautiful during the monthly lantern festival, on the 14th day of each lunar month, when all the electric lights are switched off and

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Top: the Angsana kids’ club. Above: Hoi An.

travel

the old city is lit only by candles. Take a rickshaw ride, watch the world go by from the cafés, visit a tailor. And don’t miss the nightly evening river cruise, drifting downstream among thousands of flickering floating lanterns that make up one of the loveliest spectacles in Asia.

Places to eat Between Angsana and Banyan Tree, guests can choose from eight restaurants at the resort offering a wide range of food, including Vietnamese, Thai and Italian cuisine as well as international dishes.

Restaurants in Hoi An offer cheap and tasty food such as cao lau (rice noodles with pork, herbs and veggies), “white roses” shrimp dumplings and wonton noodles.

The nitty gritty Visitors to Vietnam are required to have a visa, which can be organised beforehand through the Vietnamese Consulate in Hong Kong. Alternatively, apply online for an Approval Letter, which will be emailed to you, then get a visa on arrival. For details, visit www.vnconsul-hongkong.gov.vn.

Available until March 31, the Absolute Angsana Lang Co package starts at $1,783 a night for two persons sharing (with a minimum stay of two nights), including unlimited spa and golf, daily breakfast for two, airport transfers, trips to Hoi An and Hue, and 6pm checkout.

For details, visit www.angsana.com.

Cultural activities include learning to make Vietnamese spring rolls.

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money & me

Jane Gottschalk

The Jax Coco co-founder on investments, pocket money and the extravagance of having five children.

Why did you open Jax Coco?

I co-founded Jax Coco with our Hong Kong partners after moving to Hong Kong in 2011 and not being able to find packaged coconut water at the supermarket. My husband and I had previously invested in a US brand and watched how the category was exploding growth-wise and we saw a gap in the market for the product in Asia. In Hong Kong we are in Cathay Pacific, Starbucks most five-star hotels and supermarkets.

What credit cards do you use?

HSBC, although I still struggle with the banking system here. For a leading financial market, the everyday banking system seems

very antiquated, you have to operate two accounts – Savings and Checking – and every month my card gets stopped because I have forgotten to transfer funds from one account to the other, which can not be done automatically by the bank. I also have a black titanium Amex card, which makes me feel like a Mexican drug dealer. It has the most perks, especially when booking hotels and travel.

Are you a spender or a saver?

I have an innate guilt about spending money but with five kids and a lot of travel, it’s inevitable. I’m a good present giver. I love birthdays, Christmases and any celebration that involves giving to friends and family.

Jane Gotschalk, with her family and other animals.

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When were you poorest and what did you learn?

I’m still learning. I’m not going to get to retirement age to start enjoying life and you don’t need a lot of money for that – just a bunch of good mates and a happy household.

What was your best investment?

Property – although I am pleased with the seed investments we have made in the coconut, probiotic chocolate and ski-wear markets. Let’s see. I think promoting a healthy, active lifestyle is the way forward.

We need to get out and enjoy life while maintaining our health, not driving ourselves into the ground by working

money & me 24/7 and then spending our savings on doctor’s bills.

What was your worst investment?

Ask me in a few years.

Any advice for teaching children about money?

My five children are still little – 10 years to 13 months – but the older ones have a healthy respect for money. They have two entrepreneurial parents and this is rubbing off. We try to involve them in the businesses, sampling new product lines such as Jax Kidz and chocolate to designs for our ski-wear brand, and showing them the production processes. The more you tell children about your work, the more they can relate to what you do and enjoy learning and discussing it.

Last summer, the eldest three (led by daughter number two, who would leave school now and set up a business) wanted to sell homegrown vegetables outside our house in England. When I went to check on them, they had not only dug up the vegetable patch but had raided the fridge and sold our

entire stock of Jax Coco and OhSo probiotic chocolate at inflated prices to unsuspecting passers by. US$200 later and they were back checking if the chickens had laid more eggs they could sell for $10 each, citing “hand-picked, organic, free-range” as a fair explanation for the price. I’m not sure any of them will be lawyers.

They will happily be paid to do jobs.

Cleaning the car is always a good one: water, bubbles and the promise of pocket money make for a fun afternoon’s work.

Promoting a healthy, active lifestyle is the way forward How much pocket money do you give your children?

Nothing on a regular basis. But I take each one of them out shopping once in a while. It not only gives me one-on-one time but they get to choose things like clothes that haven’t

been handed down multiple times. They love going to Stanley Market, having ice cream, visiting the SPCA and the stationery shop next door. Teaching them the art of giving is so important, whether it be time, presents or friendship.

What is the most extravagant thing you have ever bought?

The most extravagant thing I ever did was have five children. Closely followed by 17 dogs. The vet bills alone keep me at work.

Do you own property?

Yes, in Britain, Ibiza and Switzerland. Buy-tolet properties, in my experience, come down to the décor. Simple, clean and elegant win every time. This can be done with taste not a huge budget. Location is key.

Do you invest in stocks?

Not since I left the finance world. I leave that to my husband, although I did push him to buy a stock recently that I was convinced would double and it quickly halved. I’m hoping it improves before my birthday in April.

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the bald truths of fatherhood

Straight talk Simon Parry worries about his son’s sexuality.

It’s every father’s nightmare. You have a healthy, sensitive, intelligent teenage son, and suddenly you start to notice things about his mannerisms, the way he walks and talks, and the things that give him most enjoyment in life that make you question his sexual orientation.

I won’t say which of my sons I’m talking about because I don’t want to embarrass James, but for some time now I’ve been picking up hints that make me more than a little concerned he might be – and I don’t mean to use this word in a pejorative way – heterosexual.

As parents, we’ve always done our best to show him the way. We listen to The Smiths and John Grant. We watch Coronation Street. We buy boxed sets of Glee, and once a year sing and dance along as a family to Priscilla, Queen of the Desert while dressed in full character costume. But there comes a time when a boy starts to hack his own idiosyncratic and ill-advised path through the steamy jungle of adolescence.

With James, it hasn’t been anything inyour-face like putting an Athena poster over his bed of a girl in a tennis skirt scratching her backside, or bringing home legions of girlfriends. (Luckily for us, he’s still far too spotty and gawky to have a hope of copping off with any right-minded female contemporary.) But for some time there have been clear signs he is taking a disturbingly keen interest in the opposite sex.

It’s all come as a bit of a shock, especially as everything seemed to start out so well.

In his formative years, his two elder sisters helped him develop an entirely appropriate interest in dolls and dressing up along with a healthy disdain for football. Then from the age

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of eight, he repeatedly declined my drunken entreaties to join me for boys’ nights out in Wan Chai.

But with the dawn of teenager-hood has come a kind of rude awakening that manifests itself in belches, low grunts, moronic guffaws and a dribbling appreciation of certain female pop singers, Dr Who companions and soap star actresses that is really quite off-putting in the living room, especially at dinner time.

For parents today, the realisation your son

He’s far too gawky to have a hope of copping off with a female contemporary

is probably straight brings with it a steaming great pile of negative lifestyle and financial implications. Not for us, in our twilight years, the delight of a breezy phone call saying: “We’re taking you both to the Bahamas on a cruise. Robin and I are paying for everything – we insist.” Or, “Do you want to use our Islington flat for the weekend and catch a play while Baz and me go house-hunting for a weekend place in the Yorkshire Dales?”

Instead, we’ll be getting doleful calls saying: “Dad? You remember Katie – yes, the one with the One Direction tattoo and the ASBO who vomited on the patio? We’re expecting a baby but we’re a bit short of cash so I wondered if we could move back in for a bit?” Or, “Our fourth is on the way now and Kelly has decided to give up her bin round

for a while. Could we have my inheritance up front so we can move to a bigger squat?”

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not heterophobic – each to his or her own, I say – but there’s no doubt that having a straight son is a depressing burden for parents who have reached the point in life where the realisation dawns on us that if we’d been gay and single, we might actually be solvent and happy today.

To their credit, some bodies and organisations in Hong Kong go out of their way to educate people about the pitfalls of heterosexuality and the merits of a childfree existence (and I’d like to give a special mention to the English Schools Foundation for their heroic efforts in this field). But, tragically for many hard-pressed parents, nature and not nurture wins the day.

Not all is yet lost. Our boys are still growing and there’s time for them to see sense. As my eldest daughter Georgie helpfully pointed out: “You’ve got four children so, statistically, one of us should be half gay.”

Now, where did I put that Erasure CD…

Formerly the owner of dreams and a full head of hair, Simon Parry is a jaded, middle-aged journalist and father of four. He lives in Sai Kung with his wife, his children and his sense of profound disappointment.

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