Hong Kong Living June 2021

FATHER’S DAY | DINING | HOROSCOPE | DATING

hongkongliving.com

JUNE 2021

Explore Soko Island

Love thyself

A paradise away from the city

Summer Lovin’ Everything you need for the perfect summer in Hong Kong

Join these five entrepreneurs as they celebrate self love

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CONTENT S — 0 6 / 2 1

16 COVER STORY

Five entrepreneurs on what self love means to them

4 CONTRIBUTORS

15 LOCAL

6 PEOPLE

23 DINING

Meet the team

Hong Kong Living awards ceremony on the Aqua Luna

26 BIG DAY OUT

10 NEWS

28 ISLAND GUIDE

13 FIVE MINUTES WITH

30 MUST HAVES

What’s on in June

What’s happening in our backyard

Hoss Vetry, managing director of Rosewood Hong Kong

Shane Osborn on his new restaurant concept

8 THE PLANNER

32 HOROSCOPES

The Lawn Club comes to town

Rory Mackay kayaks to the Soko Islands

Here’s what’s written in the stars for you this month

34 PETS

Dr Pauline Taylor answers you pet questions

35 HONG KONG DATING

How to ace a first date

36 BACKPAGE

Explore Cheung Chau

Nury Vittachi on the world’s biggest overreactions

Summer essentials

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30

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6 26 23 88

28 26

“To fall in love with yourself is the first secret to happiness” ~ Robert Morely

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EDITOR’S LETTER They say you cannot truly love another until you know how to love yourself and I completely agree with that statement. So we dedicated this month’s issue to self love.

From finding inner peace to saying no to plans, our cover stars share how they practice self love on a daily basis (page 16).

While it’s important to love yourself, it’s also important to get out on the dating scene once in a while. Our dating guru Valentina Tudose shares her tips and tricks for perfecting the art of a first date (page 35).

For those of you who’ve already found the one, we celebrate Father’s Day with two successful dads, Hoss Vetry (page 13) and Shane Osborn (page 24), conquering the hospitality industry.

If that’s not enough for you, we’ve got two fabulous days out to help top up your tan this month. Explore the unique island of Cheung Chau (page 28) where you’ll find a pirate cave and an array of watersporting activities. If you fancy a real challenge, try kayaking to the now uninhabited Soko Islands (page 26) and discover some of Hong Kong’s dark history.

Wishing you a wonderful start to the summer.

Editorial Editor-in-chief Nicole Slater, nicole@hongkongliving.com Contributing Editor Gemma Shaw, gemma@hongkongliving.com Features Editor Cheyelene Fontanilla, cheyelene@hongkongliving.com Senior Writer Charmaine Ng, charmaine@hongkongliving.com Dining Editor Amber Lai, amber@hongkongliving.com

Design Graphic Designer Vicky Lam, vicky@hongkongliving.com

Sales & Marketing Director of Content Hilda Chan, hilda@hongkongliving.com Partnership Manager Debbie Ky, debbie@hongkongliving.com Elaine Li, elaine@hongkongliving.com Events Manager Pranali Gupta, pranali@hongkongliving.com

Publisher

Things we love

Matt Eaton, matt@hongkongliving.com

Founding Director Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com

Contact us Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong

hongkongliving.com talk@hongkongliving.com

Cocktails

With many of us planning to stay in the city over the summer, hotels have opened up their pools and facilities for guests to use for the day. Hotels including Kerry Hotel, Ritz-Carlton, W Hong Kong offer unique packages starting from $500.

After three hot weather warnings so far this year, there’s never been a better excuse to have a mid-day cocktail while overlooking the harbour.

Ozone’s new cocktail menu represents the elements in five unique cocktails.

@hongkongliving @hongkongliving852

HONG KONG hongkongliving.com

Covid-19 update

As Hong Kong Living goes to print we have done our best to keep our content as accurate and up-to-date as possible, but life under Covid-19 regulations means things tend to change, often from day-to-day. Please check with local businesses for operation hours and services available and remember, stay safe.

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Hong Kong Living Magazine is published by Hong Kong Living Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Hong Kong Living Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any way, part or format without written permission from the publisher.

Photo: Karin Bremer

Daycations

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CONTRIBUTORS

Letao Wang

Dr Pauline Taylor

Founder of the Healing Kingdom, Letao Wang has been practising professional astrology and spiritual counselling in Hong Kong for over seven years.

He reveals what’s in store for each sign this month in our horoscope section.

Pauline is a senior vet at Pets Central. She graduated in Scotland and spent 10 years practicing in New Zealand before moving to Hong Kong with her various four-legged family members. She is passionate about animal welfare and answers readers’ questions in our monthly pet column.

Valentina Tudose Certified relationship coach and clinical hypnotherapist Valentina Tudose shares her advice for first dates in our monthly dating column.

Karin Bremer Dutch-Australian photographer Karin runs photography company Karin Bremer Photography offering a range of photography services including family portraits, events and commercial product services. This month she photographed our lovely cover stars at Hong Kong Park. karinbremer.com

Shane Osborn Nury Vittachi Our monthly backpage columnist Nury Vittachi is a Hong Kongbased author of more than 40 books. His journalism has appeared in more than a dozen publications, including the New York Times and Reader’s Digest.

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Joining the culinary world of Hong Kong in 2012, Shane Osborn opened his first independent venue, Arcane.

Osborn recently launched The Arcane Collective, a socially and environmentally aware group of restaurants. Read more about it in our dining section.

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PEOPLE

Hong Kong Living Awards ceremony on the Aqua Luna II

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SNAPPED

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PLANNER

Mark your calendars for these June events

JUN 17

Self love happy hour Sip on free-flow wine and meet inspiring individuals changing the way we practice self love. 2-6pm. $199. Metropolitain, Aspen Court, 46 High Street, Sai Ying Pun. hongkongliving.com/shop

UNTIL JUN 30

JUN 9-12

JUN 14

One of the largest cultural events in Asia with more than 150 programmes over two months.

Enjoy heritage, contemporary arts, painting, design and music and dance. frenchmay.com

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown is a musical based on the life of comic book character Charlie Brown from Peanuts. From $70, 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Academy Drama Theatre, 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai. premier.hkticketing.com

Cheer on the paddlers and enjoy the only sport in Hong Kong with its very own public holiday.

Le French May Arts Festival

UNTIL JUL 18

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown

Interweaving Poetic Code

JUN 11-12

This year’s exhibition by the Centre for Heritage, Arts & Textiles explores the coding system in textiles and how people can take better care of their clothing. Free. The Hall, The Mills, 45 Pak Tin Par Street, Tsuen Wan. mill6chat.org

Laugh all night long with Hong Kong’s international comedy winner Ben Qualan. 8pm. $300. The Hub, 1/F Fortune building, Wan Chai. thebackstagehk.com

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Standup Comedy with Ben Qualan

Dragon Boat (Tuen Ng) Festival

JUN 18-19

BBC Planet Earth II Live Experience the amazing Planet Earth documentary live with a soundtrack composed by Hans Semir, Jay Siya and Jasha Krabi. 8pm. From $380. Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. hkphil.org

WHAT’S ON JUN 26

Hong Kong Living Wellness Day A day of yoga and mindfulness workshops to help you relax and unwind for the summer.

10am-4pm. From $150. V-CO, 9/F, V POINT, 18 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay. hongkongliving.com/shop

JUN 18 - JUL 4

JUN 18-20

An exhibition featuring more than 500 artworks by master trainers and students. Workshops and guided tours are available upon request. 10am10pm. Free. Art Space, K11 Art Mall, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. ichplus.org.hk

Hong Kong Ballet brings Shakespeare’s timeless tale of star-crossed lovers to life in a live performance. 2.30pm and 7.30pm. From $140. Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. hkballet.com

The Jockey Club Heritage Education Programme

Romeo & Juliet

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NEWS

RESIDENTS RALLY TOGETHER TO SAVE STANLEY In an effort to help local business owners, Southside residents and members of the Stanley Residents Association have launched a campaign to bring crowds back to the seaside town.

The Summer in Stanley Campaign, will host several events including beach cleanups and water-sport activities. Residents will also hold frequent Stanley business meetings to discuss ways to support businesses in the area. From putting up posters, launching an Instagram account @stanleyvillagehk and even printing t-shirts, these Southsiders are putting their best foot forward in the hopes that it will bring more visitors to Stanley.

STAR FERRY LAUNCHES LUXURY TOURS The Star Ferry is offering a new, more luxurious experience for Hongkongers. Called “Staycation @ Star Ferry”, passengers on the World Star Green Ferry can relax in comfortable seating in front of large window panels to take in the panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. Offering three routes on weekends and public holidays, the journey begins in Tsim Sha Tsui. The Hong

BREAK THE CHAIN Hong Kong has very few laws governing wildlife crimes. But a Members Bill is currently being considered by the government that will provide greater investigative powers to crack down on these crimes. The bill will enable wildlife crime to be treated as the serious and organised crime that it is. To raise public awareness and support for this bill, the non-profit platform, Artists who Love Animals & Nature (ALAN) hopes to collect over 10,000 signatures from concerned citizens. The platform has created five murals across the city, using augmented reality to bring the artwork to life and raise awareness for the campaign. To sign the petition and put a stop to the wildlife trade please visit breakthechain.link

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Kong East water tour takes passengers on a journey through the harbour, past Island East to the fishing villages of Lei Yu Mun, before passing Kai Tak cruise terminal. A special sunset tour allows you to watch as dusk gently falls over the skyscrapers of the city before cruising past Stonecutter’s bridge. The last route will showcase the symphony of lights. starferry.com.hk

IN YOUR BACKYARD

THE HOTTEST DAY IN MAY

AIR TRAVEL BUBBLE DELAYED (AGAIN) The quarantine-free air travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong has been delayed once again, after a sharp spike in untraceable Covid-19 cases in Singapore. Hong Kong officials announced on May 17 that in view of the recent Covid-19 epidemic situation in Singapore, both Hong Kong and Singapore have decided to defer the date beyond the May 26 target.

May 23 was officially May’s hottest day on record, hitting 36.1 degrees. Unfortunately this caused issues for many people hiking around Hong Kong, with one man dying and two injured due to heat related issues. With hotter months still to come the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

recommends hikers “plan carefully and choose a regularly maintained path with clear directory signs, pay attention to the latest weather information issued by the Observatory and don’t go hiking alone.” For more information and safety advice visit afcd.gov.hk

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FIVE MINUTES WITH

Five minutes with Hoss Vetry Nicole Slater meets regional vice president & managing director of Rosewood Hong Kong

Starting his career in the hospitality industry in 1988, Hoss Vetry has worked in some of the most prestigious hotels in the world including The Portman Hotel and The Ritz Carlton. His latest role as vice president and managing director of Rosewood Hong Kong brought him to the city in August last year.

“I joined Rosewood Hong Kong during the most challenging year in our lifetime, but clearly, it was the highlight of the year for my family and I,” says Vetry.

While moving to a new city in the middle of a pandemic is challenging, Vetry looks on the bright side. “For many, Hong Kong is amongst a handful of cities people wish to live in. Considering the pandemic, Hong Kong is still vibrant and very much alive,” he says.

“It is very similar to San Francisco, the city where I grew up. You can easily make lots of friends with many options for dining and hanging out.”

Moving to Hong Kong meant Vetry had to travel without his wife of 27 years and daughter back in Maine, but his dog, Stella was able to come out and keep him company. But he is excited for his wife to join him this August.

When he is not busy managing the ultraluxurious hotel, Vetry spends his days getting to know the unique neighbourhoods across Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

“I often pick one neighbourhood and explore it for a whole day. So far, I love Tsim Sha Tsui the most because it is vibrant, offering many shopping and restaurant options.”

While the glitz and glamour of hotel life is Vetry’s calling, he is excited to see his family and friends again this summer.

“I’m planning to go back to America for three weeks. I’m now fully vaccinated and feel very confident to travel again. After so many months, seeing my family and friends again is my top priority.”

Last month Rosewood Hong Kong took home the Hong Kong Living Award for Best Hotel for a Staycation and it’s clear to see why. With 413 luxurious guest rooms and nine restaurants and bars, the hotel offers a sanctuary away from the city.

“We at Rosewood thrive every day to create memorable experiences for our guests at our vertical estate by simply taking them away from the madness during the pandemic and curating memorable and unique experiences that they cannot get elsewhere.”

Looking ahead, the hotel will launch the Rosewood Explorers Club dedicated to younger guests, a six-week summer camp for kids and a new restaurant, which plans to open this November.

“This restaurant will be a casual and authentic Italian restaurant located next to the Avenue of Stars. I wish that I could tell you more, but you will have to wait for more details to be released in the next three to four months.”

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LOCAL

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LOCAL

Hong Kong’s socially distanced garden party The Lawn Club is a new concept for the summer. Writes Charmaine Ng

boules, to cornhole and croquet. You can grab a pod and pick your own private game lawn for a day out in the sun.

Live music and entertainment On summer evenings, The Lawn Club turns into a full-blown party. DJs, live bands and performance artists will be entertaining from The Lawn Club Stage as you dance the night away.

Summer of sports Nothing shouts summer more than sports games. From Tennis Grand Slams to Rugby Tours to European Football Championships, you can experience the biggest sporting occasions of the year from the privacy of your own pod.

Food and drinks If you’re feeling hungry, there’s no need to go anywhere. Food and drinks at The Lawn Club are delivered directly to the safety of your own private pod.

Coming off the back of winning the Best Day Out category in our Hong Kong Living Awards last month, The Grounds has been given a makeover.

The popular outdoor cinema and dining destination reopened as The Lawn Club, Hong Kong’s ultimate socially-distanced garden party.

Designed to deliver a quality hospitality and dining experience with a sprinkle of friendly competition, The Lawn Club will combine the

atmosphere of large-scale events with the safety and intimacy of private gatherings.

Like The Grounds before it, the new concept will adopt the setup of socially-distanced private pods, with a curated list of sports, live music and summer garden games made especially for Hongkongers.

Classic lawn games Experience outdoor fun from pétanque and

The opening nine days of tickets for The Lawn Club are now on sale. To join in on the fun, visit zicket.co/the-lawn-club-hong-kong

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COVER STORY

Lo

Nicole Slater meets five entre 16 | hongkongliving.com

COVER STORY

ove thyself

epreneurs celebrating self love this summer. Photography by Karin Bremer. hongkongliving.com | 17

COVER STORY

Letao Wang

Founder and spiritual counsellor at the Healing Kingdom Letao Wang did not plan his spiritual path - he had been confused about life when one fateful meeting with a spiritual counsellor in Australia changed everything.

Since opening his professional practice in Hong Kong nine years ago, Wang has helped many Hongkongers through financial, family and relationship problems through spiritual counselling. “Some studies show an estimated one in seven people in Hong Kong experience a common mental disorder. The pressure and fast pace of society definitely has an effect on people’s mental health,” says Wang.

Through tarot readings and spiritual counselling, Wang guides each client through their thoughts and feelings taking them onto a path of self discovery, “sometimes our angels whisper wisdom at us when we are encountering new people, when they are solving a problem or even through fragments of our dreams. Don’t take it for granted, an

awakening sometimes comes when you are least expecting it,” he says.

While Wang loves helping other people, everyone needs a little healing themselves, “I do regular self-checks and once in a while I will consult my own spiritual teacher for guidance, who has been guiding me and protecting me since I was a teenager.”

Spirituality has become more practiced in recent years, opening the door for healing, “spirituality offers a completely different perspective on life. I find that it is a gateway for us to connect with more possibilities, faiths, hopes and objectivity. It empowers us and helps us find who we are.”

How do you practice self love daily?

Daily journaling for encouragement and improvement. Actively communicate with people I love and allow myself to follow my passion to pursue what I want to achieve.

Julianna Yau Founder and director of Ampla Education Graduating from the University of Cambridge with a Masters in Mathematics, Julianna Yau pursued her interest in education and founded admissions consultancy, Ampla Education, 2016 to help students succeed in their pursuit of higher education. “As a female entrepreneur, it can be hard to find a good work-family balance, but I will always try to make ‘me time’ and put myself first,” says Yau. With several professional and social obligations in Hong Kong, it can be hard to make time for yourself. But Yau prioritises her time, “If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no. Too often we agree to commitments we might not be fully enthusiastic about. But given the limited time we have, it’s important to focus on the things we are truly passionate about.”

For Yau, one of those passions is pole fitness. After being offered a free class at her

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gym Yau decided to give it a go. “I wouldn’t say I was hooked from the start but I found it a pretty good exercise and connected with my body through music. At the start of the pandemic, I installed a pole at home. Now I train on it almost every day,” she says.

While the pandemic has made us think twice about physical health, it has also given us time to reflect on our mental health. “To me self love means taking care of your own needs and being kind to yourself. I think people have prioritised self-love more in the past year than ever before.”

How do you practice self love daily?

Move your body. I try to stretch a bit everyday even when I don’t have the time for a full workout. Worry less. It’s human to feel afraid in times of uncertainty. Understanding the causes of our anxiety can help and find something to be grateful for everyday.

COVER STORY

Alice Wong Founding partner of Vinetude Asia Alice Wong describes her journey into wine as “a bit like a fairytale”. Her first career after graduating from college in New York was in physical therapy.

Back then, wine was just a hobby. Over the years, Wong met many people who prompted her to establish a career in the business.

She founded Vinetude Asia in 2017 with her fellow WSET Diploma graduates. Their goal was to offer bespoke workshops for various types of clients, ranging from beginners to wine professionals.

“I am very fortunate to be able to turn my hobby into my second career. Many people misunderstand wine education and think it’s only for sommeliers, but that’s not true. I started taking wine classes just for fun, but I gained so much from it. If someone has a hobby that is full of possibilities like wine, I’d

strongly recommend turning it into a career,” says Wong.

While she enjoys teaching people about wine she also enjoys drinking it, which is something most of us can relate to.

“A nice glass of wine can relax your mind, but there is much more to it. Wine is a catalyst that sparks chemistry and yields fascinating results. I always have a bottle of Mirafiore Alta Langa chilled and waiting for me at home.”

While unwinding with a glass of wine after a long day can be seen as self love, Wong believes it’s more than just pampering yourself. “Self love has to start with soul searching. It requires frequent but fair selfcriticism to remind myself how I got where I am, help me stay on track and further boost my selfconfidence. Self love means feeling comfortable with myself and embracing what I do.”

Janice Poon Co-founder of Gorilla Weekend After moving back to the city in 2014, Janice Poon found the stress of city life to be too much. “I’m naturally an introvert and struggled with anxiety, coupled with a lifelong case of scoliosis my mental and physical health hit an all time low,” says Poon.

After trying a range of treatments including yoga, acupuncture and physical therapy, she discovered CBD and decided it was an opportunity to truly pursue a project borne of passion.

She founded Gorilla Weekend with her partner Steve in 2020. “At the beginning it was easy to overwork and feel pressured to constantly put attention on the business.

Thankfully my co-founder has a bit more experience in managing startups so we’ve kept realistic expectations.” The beauty of owning a CBD brand is that Poon is constantly researching and trialing new

formulas to help take the edge off of work stress.

While she is passionate about building her brand, Poon still makes time for herself once in a while. “You can’t truly deal with internal or external conflict well until you genuinely take time to recharge, reset and allow yourself to get lost in new or treasured hobbies,” she says.

While the ‘fear of missing out’ is a big problem in Hong Kong, she believes that by prioritising genuine relationships and friendships, you can avoid the guilt that comes with turning down an invitation.

Since the pandemic, everyone has been able to take a step back and recharge.

“I think that having a little bit more alone time has helped people discover more about themselves, which is a good thing in terms of understanding what you really want and need in life.”

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

Valentina Tudose Founder and relationship coach at Happy Ever After

Moving to Hong Kong in 2004, Valentina Tudose noticed how difficult life was for her single friends in the city. She decided to become a relationship coach to help them find love and have better relationships.

“In the process of exploring what it takes to find real love, I learned that romantic relationships are mirrors designed to teach us how to love ourselves,” says Tudose.

Self love is often confused with vanity, leaving people feeling guilty for spending too much time on themselves. “Many religious and social rules focus on giving to others to the detriment of ourselves. We are told it’s better to put ourselves last and prioritise the greater good or our partners. For me, love, like all other emotions, is energy. Just as we cannot pour water from an empty cup we also cannot keep giving love to others without receiving anything in return.”

Through her coaching sessions Tudose helps empower her clients to be the best

version of themselves. Whether you are in a relationship or single, Tudose emphasizes the importance of not relying on external validation. “We tend to over-emphasise our professional and social success which comes from being accepted and appreciated by those around us. For many, it becomes the only way to feel good enough,” she says.

“Social media is making us even more addicted to external validation. There are many benefits to sharing our lives with others, especially during social distancing times, but we need to be able to make a clear distinction between that and real appreciation.”

How do you practice self-love daily?

I make a list of at least three things I am grateful for and three things I love about myself at the end of each day. It’s a very powerful reminder that even when things are not going according to plan, there are still many blessings.

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Dining

DINING

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DINING

The Arcane Collective

Amber Lai talks to chef Shane Osborn ahead of his new restaurant opening

and organically with talent that comes up from within our existing restaurants,” says Osborn.

“Managing people is all about respect and good communication, I have learnt this the hard way over time.”

The next chapter in Osborn’s book is The Arcane Collective, a socially and environmentally aware, ingredient-driven group of restaurants. This ideology will be used in both his current restaurants and a third which will be opening in July. The Arcane Collective will incorporate several principles formulated over Arcane’s six years of operation.

Discussing the future of the restaurants, Osborn looks to pave his own path whilst still reflecting the rapidly changing food industry.

“I’m not a great believer in following trends.

As restaurant operators, we are constantly looking at ways of improving the dining experience, whilst enhancing the work experience of our employees.”

Many of you may recognise Shane Osborn as one of the stars of Final Table, a Netflix cooking show, but has now become a familiar face in Hong Kong’s ever-growing restaurant scene.

Osborn relocated to the city in 2012 after growing up in Australia and spending 20 years in London. “I wanted a change of scenery and Hong Kong seemed like a truly international city,” he says.

The move paid off and Osborn opened his first Hong Kong-based restaurant, Arcane shortly after his arrival. The modern European restaurant has a heavy focus on seasonal menus,

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with ingredients sourced from Japan, France and England. “We are in constant contact with our suppliers, having a close relationship with our purveyors is vital to the success of our restaurants,” says Osborn. The dining experience is set to encourage guests to think about their relationship with food and stimulate conversation about the authenticity behind it.

Osborn went on to open his second restaurant, Cornerstone in 2019 with executive chef Neal Ledesma. With the level of support from his team, he feels encouraged to explore and innovate. “It’s important to grow slowly

Dining news New cocktails The Pontiac, led by popular mixologist Beckaly Franks, has released a new cocktail selection inspired by classic combinations. The menu features 10 new mixes including shells & cigarettes, a twist on a Long Island Iced Tea and the Starting Gun. The bar has also partnered up with ecoSpirits to create cocktails that will leave a lasting impression on the environment.

NIBBLES

Bubbles for the summer

Aria launches Omakase menu Located in California Tower, Aria is a modern Italian restaurant overlooking the city.

Designed by executive chef Andrea Zamboni, its new Omakase menu comes in five, seven and 10 course sets showcasing the freshest ingredients flown in from across Italy and Europe. ariaitalian.com

Summer is fast approaching, which means it’s time to stock up some bubbles at home.

Alice Wong of Vintude Asia rounds up some fun alternatives to try this season.

Rise crosses the harbour Popular pastry and coffee shop, Rise by Classified has crossed the harbour, opening its second location in Harbour City. The menu includes signature pastries and drinks, along with a new addition of a croffle (a croissant/ waffle combination). risebyclassified.com

Franciacorta Very often compared with Champagne, Franciacorta comes from the Italian region of Lombardia. Enjoying a more temperate climate, Franciacorta flaunts a riper fruit profile even without the use of dosage.

English Sparkling The English have long been the biggest fan of sparkling wines. However, with a northerly location that had historically made the country too cold for wine grape-growing. In recent years as a result of global warming, English wineries are growing fast.

Pet Nat Pet Nat stands for Pétillant Naturel, which simply means naturally bubbling.

It goes through a single but interrupted fermentation. As a result, the fruit is very vibrant, but the wine is often slightly cloudy because the sediments are not disgorged.

Pici opens in Kennedy Town The popular pasta bar has just opened its sixth restaurant in the seaside location of Kennedy Town. Fitted out with elegant decor and open windows overlooking the waterfront, diners can tuck into homemade pasta dishes including its location exclusive codfish ravioli. pici.hk

Sparkling Sake Bottle-fermented Sparkling Sake is made in the same way as normal Sake, but with an additional fermentation in the bottle that produces carbon dioxide. In a Japanese restaurant, Sparkling Sake is usually served as an aperitif.

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BIG DAY OUT

A Soko Island adventure Rory Mackay heads back in time to the now uninhabited islands

There are many spots in Hong Kong that can feel far removed from the city, but are in fact just round the corner.

Then there are those rare spots that are genuinely far removed from civilization.

The Southern waters off Lantau Island are such a locale. Within these waters lie a somewhat forgotten and neglected archipelago; the Soko Islands.

A great option for fearless day trippers, yet still family friendly, Soko Islands is a hidden gem.

As there are no scheduled boats, you will need to arrange your own, however if you make the effort to venture to this remote area you will be

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SOKO ESCAPE

rewarded with a trip back in time.

An untarnished landscape bursting with pristine beaches and historical relics lies in wait.

If you are not travelling on your own private boat or charter such as a junk, other than kayaking the simplest way to reach the Sokos is via Cheung Chau.

From Cheung Chau you can agree a fee with

a local boat operator to drop off and pick up within one day.

Incidentally if one wants to kayak there, kayaks can be rented from Cheung Chau too, but it is only advised for more experienced seafarers as you will cross exposed bodies of water. If in any doubt, arrange for a guide.

There are two main islands that you can spend time ashore on here, Siu A Chau and Tai A Chau. Both have several stunning beaches to enjoy and a pier that small vessels can safely alight at.

Up till the late 1970s, the Soko Islands were home to merely a couple dozen farming families, tending to small-scale agriculture and fishing in order to survive. This all changed in the following decades as Tai A Chau became home to an ever-expanding refugee camp housing people fleeing the conflict in Vietnam.

Although the Vietnam War came to an end, the ensuing issue of these refugees

was never properly resolved. The Soko Island camp was gradually shut down by the government approaching the 1997 handover and inmates were transferred to camps elsewhere in Hong Kong.

It’s absolutely incredible to see just over 25 years on, how little of the camp remains. For the most part, concrete foundations and not much else. But a closer look reveals smaller details of what once stood at the site of the camp.

The Sokos are an incredible part of Hong Kong to explore. Any adventure here will leave you with great memories and a sound appreciation of the living standards most of us enjoy in that big city, just across the sea.

Rory Mackay runs adventure company Wild Hong Kong. For more details visit wildhongkong.com

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ISLAND GUIDE

Cheung Chau From pirate caves to beaches, Nicole Slater experiences the island like never before 28 | hongkongliving.com

CHEUNG CHAU

Cheung Chau Family Trail begins at the ferry pier and spans the circumference of the island. This path is pathed and offers stunning views across the ocean. Along the way you’ll come across the Mini Great Wall, a section of granite railings built to replicate the Great Wall of China.

Just a 35-minute fast ferry ride from Hong Kong Island, Cheung Chau is one of Hong Kong’s oldest inhabited islands with a population of over 20,000 people. With a rich history, the island is packed full of unique adventures and even has its own festival, the Cheung Chau Bun Festival. Here’s our guide to having a great day out, Cheung Chau-style.

Hit the beach A few minutes walk from the ferry pier, Tung Wan Beach is a great place to take a dip and cool off.

The beach is fully equipped with lifeguards and changing facilities along with bars and restaurants close by. You can rent kayaks, paddle boards and windsurfing equipment from the neighbouring beach of Kwun Yam.

Hunt for treasure Cheung Po Tsai Cave, also known as The Pirate’s Cave, is rumoured to have housed the treasure of the notorious pirate, Cheung Po Tsai in the 19th Century. Those with an adventurous spirit can clamber down the ladder into the rocks and search for forgotten treasures.

Enjoy the festivities Cheung Chau Bun Festival takes place in April or May (depending on the year), it began as a

ritual for fishing communities to pray for safety from pirates. Today, the festival has become a showcase of traditional Chinese culture with colourful parades, lion dances and peace buns.

Take a hike Spanning eight kilometres across the island, The

Get active Home to one of Hong Kong’s only glamping sites, Sai Yuen Farm is an outdoor adventure playground situated on over 11 acres of land on the Southwestern tip of Cheung Chau. The area offers a range of outdoor activities including a treetop canopy walk and archery. Shi Fu Miz is an annual three-day music and arts festival which takes place on the farm, this year it is scheduled to take place from October 29-31 with early-bird tickets going on sale on June 10.

Stock up on groceries Located on Tai Hing Road, the Cheung Chau Market offers a range of local food including dried seafood and locally-grown fresh fruit and vegetables. Stock up on groceries before catching the ferry home.

How to get there During peak hours, ferries to Cheung Chau run from Central Pier 5 every 30 minutes. The fast ferry takes 35 minutes while the slow ferry takes around an hour.

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MUST HAVES

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SUMMER ESSENTIALS

Brightening Gel Crème $375 from Ole Henriksen sephora.com

Gold statement tassel earrings $129 from Black Coral blackcoralxo.com

Eyepitizer sunglasses $1,290 from kapok ka-pok.com

Rechargeable Pocket Slim Fan $88 from DOMA doma.com.hk

Napoleon Rogue gas BBQ $8,390 from Everything Under The Sun everythingunderthesun.com.hk

Eco beach towel $380 from Ruper and Bird rupertandbird.com

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HOROSCOPE

Written in the stars Letao Wang, The Kingdom Healer shares his insights on what the stars hold for you this month AQUARIUS Don’t be surprised if you feel stuck during this time, Aquarius. People around you seem rigid and retrograde-minded, which further complicates the way to a new form of life. So use your creativity to come up with new ideas and break the mold for everyone else.

TAURUS This will be a period of great intensity regarding your relationships, Taurus. Your protective nature will help and support loved ones going through a difficult time. However, be careful not to neglect your own needs. Put as much effort into caring for yourself as you do for others.

LEO Your family and loved ones will take prominence during this period. Childhood memories will keep you in a gloomy mood and you will feel the need to have your parents by your side. Take some time to contact them, especially if you live in a distant city.

SCORPIO Your creativity will give you the confidence to venture into a new undertaking. Assemble a team of efficient and reliable people, as your leadership skills will help you in this new initiative. Rely on your creativity and create something never seen before, Scorpio.

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PISCES Your imaginative mind is usually your best asset, Pisces. However, at this time, you should be careful not to take it too far. Your imagination can become an escape from reality and a way to avoid responsibilities. Try to keep your feet on the ground and don’t stay in dreamland forever.

GEMINI Your professional efforts will be finally recognised, Gemini. Your colleagues will admire your passion and will follow your example. You will also be the center of attention at various social events. Enjoy your moment of fame, you deserve it.

VIRGO Virgo, you will resume projects, agreements and contracts that have been on hold for some time. Repair the damages caused in your relationships due to misunderstandings. Your mental clarity will help you find the right words.

SAGITTARIUS Although this is not a propitious time to start new projects, you will feel a lot of movement within yourself. Your inner wisdom will restructure your personal beliefs. So, meditate on the concepts associated with your life philosophy, Sagittarius. A change of perspective will bring benefits to your future.

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ARIES You will achieve whatever you set your mind to, Aries. Your magnetic and passionate personality will help you breakthrough and become independent. Follow your heart in this new stage and don’t let negative comments from others discourage you.

CANCER Try to take notice of any dreams you may have at this time, Cancer, as they contain clues to resolve issues from the past. This is a time to reflect on your emotions and express them clearly to others. Cultivate personal confidence to share your ideas more boldly.

LIBRA Your charm and passion are the reasons why your partner has fallen in love with you, Libra.

However, it is possible that during this time, your need for approval could create problems.

Try not to demand so much from your partner and moderate how you express your feelings towards them.

CAPRICORN Life demands changes from you, Capricorn, no matter how much you want to avoid them.

However, your attachment to the past may block your way to a better future. If you feel lost follow your intuition. You’ll find more answers that way.

MARKETPLACE

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PETS

Ask a vet...

Dr Pauline answers you summer pet questions What should pet owners be more concerned about during the summer?

With summer comes a bunch of hazards that can affect or even kill our pets. Commonly seen by our ER vets include: 1. Animals coming across and getting bitten by wildlife including snakes, mosquitoes, ticks, bees and other flying insects.

2. Overheating/heatstroke can quickly lead to dehydration and a life threatening situation.

Always bring drinking water for your pet and never leave them unattended in the car.

3. Hot surfaces like pavements and hot sand can burn your pets feet. Also watch out for hose pipes that have been in the sun, as the water inside can be very hot.

4. Drowning, animals often jump or fall

into swimming pools to cool off and drown because they cannot get out.

5. Thick manky fur coats, ensure your pet is clean and well-groomed and take care if you cut it off. Do not remove too much as the coat also helps prevent sunburn to the skin.

thermo-regulating area has the ability to maintain body temperature within certain limits (38-39.5C).

Problems arise when the surrounding environmental temperature equals the dog’s body temperature and it becomes difficult for the dog to lose heat naturally. If you see your dog panting, drooling and trying to get a cooler space they should naturally move out of the sun’s rays.

6. BBQs, as scavengers, your dog may eat too much or ingest fatty foods like ice cream causing an upset gastrointestinal system. Cooked meat bones and sweetcorn can also cause choking or get stuck in parts of the body and meat skewers or toothpicks can kill if they pierce vital soft areas especially in the intestine.

How long can dogs safely lay in the sun?

Normally dogs love sunbathing, but for how long before it gets dangerous depends on many things. Most important is their in-built temperature control system in an area of their brain called the hypothalamus. This internal

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Dr Pauline, Pets Central veterinarian

DATING

Do first impressions matter?

Valentina Tusose on perfecting the art of a first date Discussion topics: Learn basic information about your date and share enough about yourself to let them know you are interested in a deeper connection. Try not to talk too much about work, weather or Covid. Focus on interests, dreams and passions.

So, what’s next?

Make sure to keep things interesting. We become more interesting to someone when we are interested in what they have to say. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, but be careful not to sound like you’re interrogating them.

How to end it if it’s a no? If the date doesn’t meet your basic criteria, be honest.

Don’t be afraid to say this isn’t working for you at the end of the date. Remember ghosting is never a good idea.

What if it’s a yes?

If you’d like to see this person again, tell them!

Get their number or agree on a fun activity to do for your next meeting. Whatever it is, you want to make sure you have a mutual interest and a commitment to meet again.

Then just say goodbye and leave. It’s always nice to thank your partner for their time, whether or not you will see them again.

Are you the kind of person who thinks a first date is nerve-racking and you’re more anxious about it than if it was a job interview?

That’s normal because we are educated to believe everything depends on it. The whole ‘performance’ element of it – the preparation and anticipation, putting your ‘best foot forward’ and making sure you make a good impression are the main reasons most people don’t have a great experience.

Realistic expectations What if I told you you’ve been looking at it all wrong? The first date is critical for the future of that relationship, but not in the way you think. Yes, in some ways, the first date is like a job interview - except you are the one hiring. Just as finding the perfect candidate for a job requires a clear job description, so finding the love of your life depends on how you are looking for it. Even more importantly, it’s all about recognising red flags and setting clear and realistic expectations.

Friendship or disaster The first date can be a wonderful opportunity

to get to know each other intellectually and emotionally before you let chemistry lead the way. By exploring your view of the world, your interests, dreams and passions, you can open the door to more intimacy and mutual understanding.

But what if it doesn’t?

Focusing too much on impressing the other means you really miss out on checking whether They are right for you. The only objective of a first date is to decide if there should be another.

You don’t need to decide if this date is marriage material right then. You basically know too little about them to make up your mind.

How to change the game in your favor: Timing: Meet for no more than 30 to 45 minutes and ensure your date knows you have plans after that. This is a good exit strategy in case things are not going well.

Venue: A quick coffee or walk in the park during the day are your best bets because they are non-committal and don’t require a big financial or time investment.

Valentina Tudose is a relationship coach and founder of Happy Ever After and ambassador for YVEREST. For more information visit happyeverafter.asia

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BACKPAGE

Don’t react, overreact Nury Vittachi on the world’s biggest overreactions The human body is 63 percent water, so people who drink H2O are basically cannibals, right?

Okay, it’s not the most logical argument in the world, but it worked for me as an excuse to spend Friday nights drinking stuff other than water in my younger days. Bar room discussions are always fun, since logic goes out the window and over-reaction becomes the normal mode of discussion.

On that topic, we have a new contender in the “Biggest Overreaction Ever” category of amazing-but-true news reports sent in by readers. Zooming into joint second place is Canada, sharing the position with a story from a different part of the same country.

Students at Ottawa’s Carleton University played a party game which involved popping balloons. The sound caused an armed police response, a lockdown of university buildings, and the start of World War III. Okay, well, maybe not the last bit, but the rest is true.

Police with guns arrived and the university was locked down.

Sharing the top spot in our overreactions list is a 2015 incident in which a US man popping bubble wrap caused the army to surround his building. (Also true. I am not making any of this up.) In second place we find an incident in Winnipeg in which a man who slammed a door caused his block to be surrounded by 12 police cars and a tactical attack squad.

Basically Canada is so peaceful that the making of ANY kind of audible noise causes the army to be called out. Sneeze or cough at your own risk. Hong Kong is also very calm, and over-reactions are the norm.

When one of my family members choked on some food, we phoned for help and a fire engine turned up. True. Not sure that large men carrying ladders is the right response to the problem. Then police turned up, presumably to arrest the bit of food causing the problem.

The ambulance was the third arrival – and got there when it was no longer needed, as family members had fixed the problem by then.

The rest of Asia outside Hong Kong is very different. There is so much drama that people are totally blasé about everything. When I was a news editor phoning foreign correspondents around Asia, conversations would go like this.

Me: “Anything interesting or unusual in your neck of the woods?”

Reporter: “Not really, except for a government

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coup, an earthquake and a civil war.”

Me: “So that’s a no from you.”

But Asia also has a particular style of localised, official over-reaction with unique logic. An example is a case in which a Beijing man noticed a foreigner in his district.

Suspicious, he went to tip off the CounterTerrorism Department. Officers pounced on the visitor and did an exhaustive check which revealed that the man was guilty of nothing at all.

But officials still gave the accuser a reward of 3,000 yuan and announced in the national media that they had made a cash award in the name of the China Anti-Terrorism Act. The fact that you can be completely wrong and still get the reward intrigued the masses. One foreign gentleman said he plans to report all 1.3 billion mainland citizens, in the hope of getting 3,000 yuan (US$460) for each of them, which would be 3.9 trillion yuan.

On a personal note, this reporter’s carefulness is often misinterpreted as overreacting. For example, I’m tempted to call the police right now, since I just discovered that my neighbor keeps an envelope on her bedside for HUMAN BODY PARTS. Just because she’s six and claims they’re for the tooth fairy doesn’t make bodypart trafficking okay, right?

Nury Vittachi is an award-winning author and journalist based in Hong Kong. He is best known for his comedy-crime novel series, The Feng Shui Detective. Contact him via nury@vittachi.com or through his public Facebook page.

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