OUTDOORS

Clocking up your recommended step allowance with a baby in tow can be quite a challenge, but not to worry, we’ve rounded up some of the most picturesque, strollerfriendly hikes across the city to get you and your little one out and about enjoying Hong Kong’s back garden.

Time: No set time No need to stray far from the city, Hong Kong park and the MEET THE adjoining Zoological MONKEYS and Botanical Gardens are the perfect place to stroll, enjoy a picnic and introduce your little monkey to some new animals. The parks are mostly paved and flat so perfect for strollers. For slightly older children, Hong Kong Park boasts a large children’s playground complete with climbing frames and slides, while the zoological gardens are home to a range of exotic and interesting animals including flamingos, monkeys and meerkats

Time: 1 hour One of Hong Kong’s most popular strollerfriendly walks, this gem is mostly paved and downhill with stunning views across the reservoir. Take a taxi to

Parkview, head down to the left until you come across a black and white barrier, preventing traffic access. Cross the barrier and follow the signs for the waterworks trail until you reach Tai Tam Reservoir, then turn left and cross over the bridge. Turn right and you’ll find yourself at another dam with beautiful views. Head down the hill to reach Tai Tam Road, where you can then catch a bus or taxi to Stanley for a well deserved lunch.

seating areas along the way and space for older children to run around so a great stroll for the whole family. If you really want to stretch those legs, you can hike up the Peak to the starting point from either the Morning Trail or up Old Peak Road. Time: 1 hour The entirely paved path which circles the top BREATHE of the Peak is smooth IN THE VIEW riding for strollers and FROM THE scooters. This is a time TOP to appreciate the city in which you live in all its glory as you breathe in spectacular views of Hong Kong’s stunning skyline. Start at Lugard Road near The Peak Galleria, walk along the shaded path until you reach Harlech Road and continue until you eventually arrive back at your starting point. The route offers shaded

Time: 1.5 hours Plover Cove is a scenic dam surrounded by MAKE A water, overlooking DAY OF IT Shatin and makes for a great day out for the whole family. The area boasts a range of restaurants so you can fuel up before setting off. From the car park and bus terminus, head past the public toilets and through a BBQ area towards the water. Take a left and then follow the cycle path on Tai Mei Tuk Road, where there is a slight hill before you reach the entrance of the dam. The dam is paved and flat, stretching over 2km, so perfect for strollers and first-time cyclists. Be warned that the dam is very popular on weekends. Plover Cove Country Park.

Time: 45 minutes While it’s not so stroller friendly, this FOR OLDER hike offers a scenic CHILDREN stroll with the promise of a swim at the end. Perfect for getting the kids out and about in nature. The hike starts off paved but gradually becomes more rural, so be wary of loose ground. The hike only includes one hill, keeping the complaints to a minimum. From Sai Kung town take a bus or taxi to Chek Keng Tuk and follow the path towards the beach. Sai Kung.

With more than 80 years experience, Kaplan has become a recognised global leader in the test prep industry. Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions has helped over 9,000 students in Hong Kong to score higher on standardised tests and gain acceptance to top boarding schools, colleges and graduate schools. Kaplan’s professional admissions consulting counselors determine admissions strategies ultimately helping students to achieve places in their top choices of dream schools and colleges.

Aspiration is the theme for 2021 and Kaplan is keen to create noise around its high-achieving students who ‘glow as they grow’ with support from the dedicated admissions counselor team. The admissions consulting service adopts a student-centered approach with a focus purely on students themselves, their needs, confidence level, life goals and aspirations. This is a far cry from some other admissions consulting services which structure their services around a ‘one size fits all’ approach and standardised admissions essays, school interviews and school rankings.

Students tend to engage with the admissions consulting services for between one and three years forming a close relationship with counselors. In most cases, students check in every other day, sharing updates on what has happened at school, the counselor will listen and offer advice as well as giving constructive feedback on college admissions essays and interview performance.

A large percentage of students come from international schools, a smaller percentage from local schools and in recent years, an increasing number of university students who would like to explore their career path. Sessions are personally tailored to the student. “There are so many types of students and no single approach can deal with all types of student,” says Hubert Ho, Head of Admissions Consulting Services.

“In our experience, students are more receptive and willing to improve if our feedback is delivered skillfully. We are not just an admissions counselor, but also a mentor to our students, they share their ups and downs with us,” says Ho. “At the end, we are not just helping them to get into a ‘good’ school but also to guide them to have a better future,” he adds.

In a highly competitive admissions environment, Kaplan prides itself on having a unique edge over other admissions consulting services and offers a two tier approach. “We spend a lot of time researching and generating insights into the latest admissions trends. Elite universities are looking for a specific set of competencies in a pool of competitive applicants. We help our students develop a profile that would highlight these qualities. At the same time, we develop an understanding of university offerings, so we are able to identify well-fitted programs for our students,” says Ho.

It’s not just the students at Kaplan who are working towards new goals in 2021. The admissions consulting services is set to launch a new program this September called the K-Scholar Scheme. This pre-app mentoring program for Grades 9-11 aims to equip students with necessary college soft skills and leadership qualities as well providing hands-on experience working with a team of peers to achieve a common goal.

Engaging with a highly regarded admissions consulting service, such as Kaplan is an incredibly rewarding experience for students of all calibre. “Ultimately students become more self-aware, more self-confident and more energetic and most importantly, they have a clearer idea of their life goals along with a plan of how to achieve them,” says Ho. kaplan.com.hk/ktpa

Liz is now in her final year at PolyU Fashion Design and has just been awarded a place to study for a Master of Business in Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Management at Imperial College (UK). During her time at PolyU she won a $150,000 HSBC Innovation and Technology Scholarship with her fashion technology design.

“Hubert Ho, Head of Admissions Consulting Services has supported me since day one. I was very anxious about the application process, he helped me to realise that the only variable I could control was myself. That realisation helped me to refocus.

Last year, Hubert encouraged me to apply for an Innovation and Technology Scholarship. I won the scholarship which gave me the confidence boost I needed to turn my first project idea into a reality. I created an innovative sleeping product for the homeless called “The Stressless Climate Detective Sleeping Bag.”

During the university application process, Hubert and I conducted in-depth analysis of the Imperial College and courses I was interested in. This helped us identify what qualities the admissions team would be seeking. I was then able to demonstrate those qualities through my CV and personal statement. Kaplan has played an invaluable role in helping me secure a place at Imperial College London.”

Shane is applying for a Master of Science in Business Analytics and hopes to pursue a career as an entrepreneur. She recently launched her own start-up company during her admissions journey, and created a backpack with special functions.

“Kaplan’s test prep and admissions consulting service has helped me establish a clear career pathway.

Hubert used a number of techniques including the SWOT analysis, 16 Personality Test and goal setting management to help me realise my dream of becoming an entrepreneur and business consultant.

With Hubert’s help, I established my brand Aquafiery and launched my first product, the Aquafiery backpack which is targeted towards entrepreneurs and allows them to carry their company on their back. Over the next five years, I plan to develop more products to help entrepreneurs and create the business consultancy arm of my company.

Since engaging with Kaplan I’ve seen changes within myself including a willingness to take immediate action when I want to get something done, huge personal growth and above all, a sense of clarity.”