Sai Kung April 2021

FA MI LY | C OW S | DI N I N G | B I G D AY OUT

hongkongliving.com

April 2021

The environmental issue MEET SAI KUNG’S ECO-WARRIORS

To feed or not to feed?

Far-flung foodies

Should we be feeding feral cattle?

Hong Kong’s best hidden restaurants

Start your day the right way

You’ve got a friend in me

Explore sunrise hill

meet the chairperson of sksff

CONTENT S — 04/ 21

18

COVER STORY Meet Sai Kung’s eco-warriors

2 CONTRIBUTORS Meet the team

6 PEOPLE

Photos from our pet-friendly pop-up

33 PETS

17 POLICE BLOTTER

Senior Inspector Ron Yung talks crime

22 DINING

Restaurants in far-flung places

26 BIG DAY OUT

10 NEWS

28 MUST HAVES THIS MONTH

What’s going on in your backyard?

13 FIVE MINUTES WITH..

Narelle Pamak, chairperson of Sai Kung Stray Friends

15 LOCAL

Should humans be feeding cows?

35 IN THE GARDEN

What to plant this April

36 HOROSCOPES

8 THE PLANNER

What’s on this April

Dr Pauline Taylor on the sad reality of rabbits and chickens

Wake up at Sunrise Hill

Letao Wang reveals your fate this month

Easter goodies for your basket

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31 SAI KUNG SECRETS

The Hong Kong-Kowloon Brigade Sai Kung headquarters

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22

8 15

28

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“I have learned you are never too small to make a difference” - Greta Thunberg

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editor’s letter Welcome to spring, Saikungers!

With temperatures on the rise and sunny days ahead, it looks like the Easter weekend is going to be one of Sai Kung’s busiest.

While it’s great to see so many people enjoying our lovely town, it’s important to remember to look after the environment. If you find yourself up on the hills or tanning on the beach, please pick up and throw away some left over rubbish. If we all do our part we can have a happier and cleaner town.

Our cover story this month is dedicated to Sai Kung’s eco-warriors (page 18), who invest countless hours to help make Sai Kung the best it can be. From organising recycling drives to monitoring illegal activities in Hoi Ha, our community wouldn’t be the same without them.

A big environmental issue happening this month includes our beloved feral cattle (page 15), with a lack of grass many groups have opted for hand feeding and providing food for the cows, but has this encouraged the cows to rely on human support?

If you’re looking to get away from the crowds this month, head over to some of Hong Kong’s most far-flung restaurants (page 22) to experience fresh seafood in obscure locations.

Wishing you a lovely Easter break and relaxing month ahead.

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

Design Graphic Designer Vicky Lam, vicky@hongkongliving.com Yankee Tsang, yankee@hongkongliving.com

Sales & Marketing

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

things we love this month...

No headaches A change in the weather and season can trigger migraines. Nerivio is a non-drug treatment designed to relieve migraines using electrical pulses. The machine works via an app and can even track your migraine to help detect any possible triggers. ekpachealthcare.com

Publisher

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

This year La Maison Du Chocolat is offering an array of Easter goodies themed around an extraterrestrial adventure. From planets to pilots you can munch your way through these chocolates all weekend long. lamaisonduchocolat.com

Covid-19 update

As Sai Kung Magazine 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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@hongkongliving

facebook.com/SaiKungMagazine

HONG KONG Sai Kung & Clearwater Bay 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: Eric Ho

Chocolate from the future

SAIKUNG.COM SAI KUNG | 3

contributors

Thank you to our contributors Wendell Paulus Born in a tribal village in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, Wendell Paulus has witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of invasive economic development. He started his company Asopie to sell pure, organic and natural superfruit products from his home country. Learn more about Paulus and Asopie in our cover story.

Letao Wang Founder of the Healing Kingdom, Letao 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.

Bella Huang Our newest intern Bella Huang is a journalism student currently taking a gap year to explore herself and the city.

She believes that travelling, reading and talking to people are the best ways for personal growth. This month Huang explores the town’s war-torn past in our Sai Kung secrets.

Ron Yung Senior Inspector Ron Yung joined the Sai Kung Police Force late last year and is happy to be in town. He gives us the lowdown on crime in the area over the past few weeks in our monthly police blotter.

Narelle Pamuk As chairperson of Sai Kung Stray Friends, Narelle Pamuk has been running the local dog charity for over 14 years. She tells us about how the pandemic has affected those with pets and how the Sai Kung community can help.

Carol Biddell As an active member of Friends of Sai Kung, Carol Biddell is on a mission to help protect Sai Kung’s natural environment. From educating residents and visitors about local cattle to organising recycling drives around town, she tells us how we can help in our cover story.

Want to write for Sai Kung Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com 4 | SAI KUNG

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people

Snaps from Sai Kung’s pet-friendly pop-up at Pets Central

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say cheese

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planner APR 2 Good Friday Enjoy the long weekend and keep an eye out for the Easter Bunny.

APR 2-3 Peppa Pig Live Follow along with Peppa and friends at her live show, featuring new music and adventures. From $280. Star Hall, Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre. hkticketing.com

UNTIL APR 17

San Miguel Monsoon Spring Series The third and final constituent of the Monsoon Series 2020-2021. The spring boat race will take place in outer Port Shelter and the outlying islands, offering sailors a challenging mix of geometric and island courses. From $225. Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung. hhyc.org.hk

Support over 100 local businesses at this handicraft market. Featuring hilarious screaming chickens and fascinating workshop experiences. The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay. thepulse.com.hk

A five week live theatre festival with classical piano, Western opera and ballet performances. Online and in various locations including Hong Kong City Hall Theatre. From $170. hk.artsfestival.org

UNTIL APR 6 Fairish Tea Party Weekend Bazaar

UNTIL APR 11 Pet & Home Fair

APR 1-12 Hong Kong International Film Festival

Shop for locally designed pet accessories and household items. 11am-6pm. Free.

HomeSquare, 138 Sha Tin Rural Committee Road, Sha Tin. homesquare.com.hk

Celebrate the 45th anniversary of the festival through virtual and theatre screenings of films celebrating Chinese cinema and local talent.

From $55. hkiff.org.hk

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Join us at The Pulse for two days of pop-ups, activities and Easter fun. Children will love the rooftop dance classes and fun-filled Easter egg hunt. 11-6pm. Free. The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay. hongkongliving.com

APR 24-25 Life Mart – Scream It Out! Pet Carnival

UNTIL APR 4 Hong Kong Arts Festival

A 13-day Easter market with local handicraft booths. 11am-8pm. Free. Kai Tin Shopping Centre, 50 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin. marketfairish.com

APR 5-6 Hong Kong Living Easter Fair

what’s on

BOOK NOW MAY 2

MAY 21-30

Run like a hero in Hong Kong’s first Wonder Women Run. Individual participants can choose between a 3km, 5km or 10km course, while families can run together on a 3km course. A portion of proceeds go to Make-A-Wish Hong Kong. 7am-3pm. From $398. Hong Kong Science Park. wonderwomanrunhk. championchiphkc.com

Hebe Haven Yacht Club and Sailability HK will be hosting a global women’s sailing festival featuring on-and-off-water activities and events to encourage participation by women and girls in sailing. The festival will bring together sailing communities from all backgrounds and events will take place in multiple countries at the same time.

Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung. hhyc.org.hk

Steering the Course

MAY 9

Photo: Kitmin_lee

Wonder Woman Run

NOV 26-28 Clockenflap

Mother’s Day Celebrate mum this Sunday. Flowers and breakfast in bed would be much appreciated.

The harbourfront music festival return after a two-year hiatus. Artists and performers yet to be announced. clockenflap.com

NOV 5-7

Hong Kong Rugby Sevens Hong Kong’s biggest three-day party is back (hopefully) with a three day rugby fest. Don your best costume and head to the South Stand early. hksevens.com

Got an event? We can publish the details. Email talk@hongkongliving.com

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news

Cathay Pacific suspends pet transportation until May Cathay Pacific recently announced that pets travelling as check-in baggage or cargo on flights out of Hong Kong will be unavailable until April 30. Pet owners planning to relocate in the coming months have already found it difficult to book pets on a flight.

With even less options, there is a worry many will be left abandoned. “We have temporarily stopped pet shipments. The service may resume again in May, but there will be an update in mid-April,” a spokesperson from Cathay Pacific said.

Students bring solar energy to ESF Leading the charge in making Hong Kong schools more sustainable, three Renaissance College students set out to bring solar energy to their campus in 2019. Now the English Schools Foundation (ESF) and CLPe Solutions announced that a total of 1,400 solar panels have been installed across eight ESF schools. The three students, Jane Chan, Taylor Chung and Ankita Joshi began the project in 2019 under the Student Sustainability team. They came up with the idea to put their school’s large rooftop

area to good use, commissioning designs, negotiating with suppliers and applying for funding. They took it upon themselves to see the project through. As a result, the clean energy created by these newly installed solar panels will reportedly reduce carbon emissions by nearly 280 tonnes within a year. The eight schools include Bradbury, Clearwater Bay, King George V, Kowloon Junior, Renaissance College, Sha Tin College, South Island School and West Island School.

Cannabis den found in Sai Kung

and trafficking in a dangerous drug are serious offences. The maximum penalty for cultivation of cannabis is a fine of $100,000

Hong Kong Customs smashed a $1 million cannabis growing den in Sai Kung on March 23. The raid came after customs officials intercepted a parcel from Canada containing 70g of suspicious goods. The case was transferred to the Customs Organised Crime Investigation Bureau and led police to a residential home in Sai Kung. Following the raid, 13 plants and a range of sophisticated growing equipment were found. About 200g of suspected cannabis buds and a small amount of chocolates, with a street value of $1 million, were seized. Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, both cultivation of cannabis

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and imprisonment for 15 years. Trafficking in a dangerous drug comes with a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

in your backyard

Sai Kung student releases debut album

UA Cinema closes its doors UA Cinemas shut its doors for good last month citing unavoidable and devastating pressure from the pandemic as the reason for its sudden closure.

The theatre chain was founded by businessman Ira Kaye in 1985, with its first location in Sha Tin’s New Town Plaza. The chain had only six locations left in the city including Citygate Outlets, Maritime Square, Times Square, Megabox and Amoy Plaza in Kowloon Bay.

Sai Kung resident and Hong Kong Academy graduate Dylan Halbroth released his debut album Against The Dying Light on Spotify last month, in support of Mind Hong Kong.

Having struggled with a variety of mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety, Halbroth is eager to use this project to raise awareness of mental health issues in creatives. Each song in the EP is representative of an emotion/disorder and 25% of streaming income will be donated to charity. Halbroth is currently in his final year at Berlin University of the Arts.

He is also part of Hong Kong alternative rock band Asyndeton. Alongside his album, Halbroth plans to release a minidocumentary in which he interviews up and coming Berlin-based creatives about their art and mental health. “With this, I aim to provide a raw perspective on the different ways mental illness affects all of us,” he says. @darkatthree

Free movie nights The Sci-Fi cafe in Centro shopping centre will be putting on movie nights every weekend from Friday through to Sunday. Each movie is free to watch with the purchase of a soft drink or house drink. 2/F, Urban Entertainment Centre, 1A Chui Tong Road, Sai Kung.

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five minutes with

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five minutes with

Five minutes with Narelle Pamuk Nicole Slater meets the chairperson of Sai Kung Stray Friends To say running a dog shelter in Sai Kung was not intentional for Narelle Pamuk would be an understatement. As the founder of her own property agency Peninsula Properties Hong Kong, Pamuk spent most of her early years working as a property specialist on the sought after areas of Repulse Bay, Deepwater Bay and Stanley on the southside of Hong Kong Island.

Growing up in Australia, Pamuk started her career as a model in Queensland before turning her attention to the property market.

Along with her husband Dr Werner Pamuk moved to Magnetic Island where she set up her first business, Magnetic Quay Realty.

After honeymooning in the city, Pamuk fell in love with Hong Kong’s fast-paced life and continued to visit every holiday.

“After living on a tropical island, which is everybody’s dream, you start to think about what’s next.” ….she sold her company, packed up the family and they relocated to Hong Kong in 1996.

But the quiet village life soon enticed

the family and they brought a house in Sai Kung 10 years later. Pamuk and her husband always had a soft spot for animals and they rescued their own dogs as a litter from Tai Tam. “I had just moved to Sai Kung and was in Shenzhen getting some beds ordered for our dogs when these two ladies overheard me give me address Sai Kung and radared in on me” Pamuk went on to find out that the ladies had started their own rescue group, Sai Kung Stray Friends Society. “As they were leaving the country they asked if I would just put up my ID in order to keep the society running.

Little did I know what was to come.”

“No sooner than me saying I’d help them, they left Hong Kong. I started out doing what they did, sitting outside Starbucks finding homes for puppies and dogs. But as they kept coming in, I quickly used my own home to shelter them.”

After taking in seven dogs, she soon realised it wasn’t a sustainable practice and began searching for a shelter to provide a temporary home for the pups.

“It cost $1,000 per dog each month. We didn’t make that in our donation box. I started using the money from my own business and knew I couldn’t keep doing that forever.”

Many in the community know the struggles Sai Kung Stray Friends Foundation has had keeping its shelter. Pamuk even sold her own property company to buy the shelter outright, but was outbid at the last moment.

This continues to be an ongoing battle for the charity, with rent outweighing all other costs including food and veterinary bills.

Despite this, Pamuk continues to keep a positive mindset and is proud of everything the shelter has done. “It’s a home for homeless dogs. I want them to live to the same standard like they were in a home, they have blankets and home cooked meals everyday. The dogs in our facility can have a better life than in some homes,” she says.

While this was never on the cards for Pamuk, she believes that it was destiny.

“There’s been a lot of hurt, endless stress and anxiety but you know what, as down as you can get, it’s all worth it when you get to the shelter and all those beautiful, happy faces jump up and want to cuddle and kiss you. It makes all that hardship feel worth it.

We’re there through thick and thin and to always help dogs to have a better life. ‘Stray Friends family’, I like to call it.”

You can sponsor a dog at SKSFF for $300 per month. The sponsorship includes biscuits and one hot meal a day for the dogs.

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local

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local

To feed or not to feed that is the question Bella Huang reports on the grass-feeding dilemma of Sai Kung’s feral cattle With an influx of visitors to the town over the past year, many of Sai Kung’s beloved cattle have been left with nothing to eat. You may remember a story from our January issue about Tap Mun Island running out of grass, the situation has not improved and many have decided to take matters into their own hands.

Catson, a volunteer from Hong Kong Cattle Ranger, has resorted to bringing fresh bags of hay and cut grass to the town several times a week for the feral cattle. “The cattle are living in the desert. There’s no grass for them at all,” she says. “We don’t come on a regular basis and the cattle don’t have enough food to eat most of the time. I just hope they can have a fulfilling meal every time I go.”

Prior to becoming a popular countryside retreat for busy city dwellers, Sai Kung was

home to a farming and fishing community, where cattle were domesticated to help plough paddy fields. Along with rapid economic development in the past decades, the local agricultural industry declined and many cattle were abandoned. As these animals wander around in the area, local authorities from time to time receive cattlerelated nuisance reports such as traffic disturbance and crop damage.

To tackle the complaints and stabilise the cattle population in 2011 the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) launched the “Capture-SterilisationRelocation” programme. Its Cattle Management Team implements surgical sterilisation on healthy cattle and upon recovery, the cattle are relocated to nearby

Country Park area to minimise nuisance to the public. According to AFCD, currently, there are more than 1,000 cows in Hong Kong.

Between 2012 and 2016, 453 were relocated.

Fanny, a volunteer from Sai Kung Shap Sze Heung Cattle Concern Group, says once she saw a three-month-old young calf being taken by AFCD for injury treatment and later relocated to Chong Hing, separated from the mother cow. The officers assured her that Chong Hing is a more optimal place for the calf to live. However, worried about the injured young cattle, Fanny decided to visit Chong Hing herself. “The place is shocking to me at the first sight. There’s nowhere more barren than here. You can’t even see any grass at all.

The cattle are so skinny that you can almost see their skeleton,” says Fanny. “There’s no grass in Chong Hing, so we bring grass to them. Also because we don’t want them to eat trash. Neither do we want them to beg visitors for human food.”

While many organisations have good intentions for feeding the feral cattle, founder of Sai Kung Buffalo Watch, Karina O’Carroll believes grass-feeding behavior does more harm than good to the cattle.

“It seems to be a vicious cycle. Bringing hay in garbage and plastic bags teaches cows to associate that these bags (and humans) equals food, so cattle are beginning to rummage in bins looking for hay,” says O’Carroll.

Additionally, because volunteers often take taxis to bring in food, it is likely that the cattle associate vehicles with food, according to O’Carroll, which could possibly explain why cattle have recently been chasing cars and taxis in Sai Kung.

Dr. Fiona Woodhouse, SPCA Deputy Director in Welfare Services, says she is not completely against grass feeding and that properly monitored feeding can sometimes be beneficial. Still, Woodhouse suggests a more measured approach when it comes to feeding wild animals, “it’s possible that feeding the cattle grass would change their diet habit.

It should be more carefully monitored and managed by the AFCD cattle team,” she says.

The AFCD points out that the size of Sai Kung Country Park is over 7,000 hectares with sufficient natural resources for the cattle, who have lived in the wild for decades. “They are capable of foraging in the wild, regardless of locations, seasons and weathers,” AFCD responds in an email enquiry, “on the contrary, human feeding may change their natural behaviour and survival instinct and encourage them to beg for food from humans.”

Regardless of what side you take there is one thing we can all agree on, we need to protect Hong Kong’s countryside and wildlife before it’s too late.

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on patrol

Senior inspector Ron Yung reports on recent cases around town

A smashing start to the day A male, aged 33, parked his car at Tin Liu at 7pm on February 13. Upon his return the next day he found his windscreen had been smashed, but no valuables taken. The case is still under investigation.

What’s happening at sea Based in Tui Min Hoi, Marine East Division is the local base of the Marine Police.

Not so sneaky In the early hours of March 22, a police roadblock stopped a taxi on Tai Mong Tsai Road.

Upon inspection of the taxi police found four illegal immigrants from China inside. The illegal immigrants and taxi driver were arrested at the scene.

Wheely annoying A 59-year-old male reported two bicycle wheels missing on the evening of March 2. The man had chained his bike to railings in Sha Kok Mei before heading to work at 5:30am. Upon his return he found the wheels gone. The case is still under investigation.

I’m blue Da Ba Dee On the evening of February 22 a 58-year-old bus driver parked his private light bus on Chui Tong Road. When he went to drive it the next morning he found the windscreen and windows of the bus spray painted blue. The case is still under investigation.

Sai Wan at 4:30am, he slipped and injured his right leg. The man was airlifted to Wan Chai Hospital in a conscious state.

A weight on her shoulders A female, aged 33, brought three boxes of weight loss pills on Instagram on February 25. When she never received the pill she found her account had been blocked by the seller. The case is still under investigation.

A bit too much A 70-year-old female with a history of heart disease went walking with her sister to Tai Lam Wu. She reported feeling dizzy and was sent to Tseung Kwan O hospital in a conscious state.

Burglary prevention: • • •

Late night or early morning?

Secure doors and windows Activate anti-burglary measures Call 999 if you encounter a suspicious person

At 5pm on February 15 a female, aged 37, reported that her boat had broken down off Bluff Island. When police arrived they found the woman and her male friend on board without injury. The boat was later towed back to the town by another vessel.

Dog bite at a fish farm On the afternoon of February 17 a male, aged 85, visited a fish farm in Tai Tau Chau. When he arrived an unleashed dog bit him and cut his left jaw. The man took himself back to Sai Kung Public Pier and contacted the police who took him to Tseung Kwan O Hospital. The dog owner was located by marine police and the case was handed over to the AFCD. Scuba safely On the morning of March 14 a male, aged 59, and three friends went scuba diving at east Tung Lung Chau. When his friends couldn’t find the man underwater, they contacted the police. The Police and Fire Serves Department located the man unconscious underwater, he was certified dead at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital.

Another drowning A female, aged 60, and three friends went snorkelling at Lung Ha Wan on the morning of March 12. At 12.40pm the woman lost consciousness in the water and her friend attempted to rescue her and called the police.

The woman was certified dead at Tseung Kwan O Hospital.

At 3am on February 16, a 22-year-old male attempted the HK100 Challenge. Upon reaching

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cover story

Carol Biddell is one of the members of Friends of Sai Kung (FSK), a dedicated not-for-profit community organisation that seeks to preserve Sai Kung’s environment. From hosting seminars, exhibitions and lectures to analysing the quality of life and environmental status of Sai Kung, as well as implementing conservation projects, FSK works to highlight ways in which the community can do their part to protect their beautiful, little corner of Hong Kong.

Biddell is one of the people who runs FSK, conducting beach cleanups, monthly recycling events and most recently, their new campaign to collect juice and milk cartons to recycle. When asked what her reason was for committing to a volunteer organisation like this one, she simply responded, “living in Sai Kung especially when my children were young, we spent a lot of time at beaches. Seeing them covered in plastic and other trash was just heartbreaking.”

For Biddell, it all started with those beach

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cleanups. Now, she oversees a scheme with the government to recycle beverage boxes from cafes and restaurants in Sai Kung.

“Because it is multilayered with paper plastic and foil, it cannot be mixed with cardboard and paper for recycling. If you put it in the normal recycling bins, it will just be sent to the landfill, so we are happy to say that we have expanded our collection points,” says Biddell.

Friends of Sai Kung has been collecting these difficult-to-recycle packs for over two years now, and sending them to Mil Mill in Yuen Long, the first recycled pulp mill and education center for paper-packed beverage boxes in Hong Kong. They process about 20 tons of these boxes every day in order to make recycled pulp. “So much plastic ends up in the ocean, it degrades or gets eaten by sea life, either killing the sea creatures or ending up in our food chain. I wish more people understood this.”

eco-warriors

Asopie is a company that sells pure, organic and natural superfruit products that are unique to Suriname, Wendell Paulus’s home country in South America. “I was born in a tribal village in the middle of the Amazon rainforest. Living in balance and harmony with nature and our surrounding environment is part of who I am and what life is all about for us, tribal Amazonian people,” says Paulus. With Asopie, Wendell is able to make use of century-old traditions to create economic opportunities for the natives in sustainable agriculture.

Having come from a career in petroleum engineering, Paulus has witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of “invasive economic development”. “With a background in the mining industry, I have been on both sides of this issue,” confesses Wendell. With a deeply personal connection to his work, the Asopie founder feels a fiery conviction to continue spreading awareness, “The impact of environmental abuse is swift in our tribal communities in the Amazon: deforestation and pollution due to mining or timber harvesting in your backyard means immediate displacement of communities, limited access of clean water or land for crops.”

Recognising the big players in the game,

Paulus was quick to call out the reality of our world’s current environmental problems.

“Corporations, institutions and governments have the means and the power to facilitate and magnify the change we so need, and they are rightly expected to be the trailblazers who need to make shifts happen,” says Paulus. “However, institutions, corporations and governments are made of people. I think this is what people fail to see. Real change starts with the people and when it comes to the environment it all relies on our attitude towards it.”

Paulus is right. Change begins at home, which is why every individual’s actions matter.

Your choices affect every ripple in the tide – another reason to support Asopie and the work Wendell does with his wife, Roberta Boffo. “It is hard sometimes to figure out how to protect the products, especially our fresh produce, in ways that are natural and healthy, over their travel time from Suriname to their destination,” explains Paulus. “It is tough to find ways to reduce wastage and really focus on being as sustainable as possible when you are just starting up, but if it is something that matters to you as a person, it will show in the course of your path as a business owner.”

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eco-warriors

David and Nicola Newbury moved to Hoi Ha in 1996. “Friends thought it was an eccentric move, it was an isolated, unknown village back in those days with no minibus, no terrestrial TV and not even any Government water. To my mind, it was a slice of paradise,” admits

Newbury. “The bay was a Site of Special Scientific Interest, an SSSI, on account of its corals, and it was about to be gazetted as a Marine Park. The biggest thrill of all was that there were seahorses in the sea.”

Her little slice of paradise was soon under fire, though – quite literally. “A joint Hong Kong-Canadian film crew turned up [to Hoi Ha] with actors dressed as soldiers, firing blanks around the village and on the beach.

Even worse, they’d had a boat delivered which they anchored by the jetty and filled with dynamite,” recalls Newbury, who quickly acted by contacting the World Wide Fund for Nature in Hong Kong. While waiting for police to arrive, Newbury spoke to the film Director and informed her that it was a protected area.

Wading into the water herself to ensure that the dynamite wouldn’t detonate, Newbury waited for authorities to arrive. Unfortunately, they didn’t until it was too late. “The boat was spectacularly blown up, the beach soon littered in dead sea urchins.

Finally, the Police decided it was of interest after all and turned up at 1am, evicting the film crew.” This event is what spurred Newbury to write her first press release, “I never really looked back. That was the start of 26 years of environmental advocacy.”

“The biggest threat to Hoi Ha Wan will be pollution from poorly-regulated septic tanks and unregulated farming activities in the water catchment areas. Policing of environmental regulations is poor, particularly in regard to building and agricultural activities. I cannot see this getting any better,” Newbury bluntly says. Ever the realist with her faith in science, however, she still believes there’s a way to turn things around. “There are still places where the public can influence Government decisions – bodies such as the Town Planning Board and the Country and Marine Parks Board can be lobbied to ensure that the needs of conservation are properly taken into account and that the conservation movement is given as much attention as other vested interests.”

Newbury walks the walk, too. Each day, she monitors Hoi Ha to ensure no illegal activities that could harm the area take place. “It is said that we all need a passion in life. I have certainly found mine; I love what I do. Accompanied by my 2 rescue dogs, Pizza and Nipper, I patrol the Marine Park beaches, the river valley and surrounding hillsides twice a day, clad in my wellies and armed with 2 cameras. I clean up debris washed up on the incoming tides, and keep an eye out for illegal activities such as animal traps and incense tree cutting.”

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dining

A mission to dine for Nicole Slater explores six restaurants in far-flung places

Yau Ley Seafood Restaurant Only accessible by boat or foot, this secret seafood spot is one of Sai Kung’s hidden gems.

Serving up fresh seafood, you can overlook the crystal clear waters of Sai Kung. Dine classic favourites including fried squid, razor clams and Singapore noodles, before hopping back on

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board home. If you don’t have a boat try trekking there instead.

Duen Kee Tea House Located on Hong Kong’s highest peak, Tai Mo Shan, this tea house offers fresh food at a reasonable price. The family-run restaurant is located on two levels with indoor and outdoor seating available. All its dishes are self-served in a buffet style for a flat rate fee.

Dishes include Hong Kong classics such a siu mai and lo mai gai.

far-flung foodie

Royal China Aqua Garden Tucked away in Sam Mun Tsai, the Royal China Aqua Garden is arguably one of the best outdoor dim sum spots in Hong Kong, with stunning water views that stretch into Plover Cove. If this isn’t enough for you, the dim sum is pretty damn good too. If you are planning to make the trip to Tai Po for sea-side dim sum, get there early as it tends to get busy on sunny days.

Chung Kee Store Serving up Hakka cuisine to hungry hikers.

Chung Kee Store is a hidden gem tucked away in the north of Hong Kong in Kuk Po village. The restaurant is known for its steamed oysters and fried oyster omelette and its signature duck and pork belly.

Sea Urchin Breeding Centre Seafood Restaurant Built on a concrete platform that juts into the sea, this restaurant serves up some of the freshest uni in town. Based in Leung Shuen Wan, the popular dish is only served throughout the months of March to May. It comes in a variety of dishes including sea urchin and seaweed spring rolls and sea urchin fried rice.

Tai O Crossing Boat Restaurant Trekking five hours across Lantau will take you to this classic Tai O restaurant. Located in a traditional stilt house, the crossing boat restaurant serves up fresh seafood and classic Cantonese-style stir-fries. It’s dishes also feature Tai O’s most renowned produce, shrimp paste, dried seafood and pork.

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dining

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nibbles

Dining News Oops, another coffee shop has opened If there’s one thing Saikunger’s love, it’s a decent cup of coffee.

Located on Fuk Man Road, Oops coffee shop opened its doors last month and serves up a range

of cakes, breakfast items, hot and cold drinks. The shop also offers CBD coffees to help take the edge off a busy day. Shop 11, 58-72 Fuk Man Road.

Gutwrenching Healing diets coach and nutritional consultant, Ally van de Pol answers your gut questions Your gut is at the centre of your body and health. There has been much talk about gastro-intestinal concerns in recent years, here are the answers to some questions that you didn’t know you had.

Why is gut health important?

All nutrients from food are absorbed through the gut wall. Even with the best diet in the world, if you are not absorbing your nutrients well, you will suffer deficiencies. Your colon is also a reflex organ (like the soles of your feet) and issues in your gut often correlate with problems elsewhere in your body.

How often should we be pooping?

Ideally as often as you eat. If bowel transit time is slow, we run the risk of absorbing the toxins that the body has put into the bowel for us to get rid of. Try not to put off pooping when you feel the urge.

Teppanyaki in Tseung Kwan O Tseung Kwan O parkside has welcomed a new Japanese restaurant this month. Teppanyaki Mihara will add a modern spin to classic Japanese cuisine using seasonal ingredients including prized Miyazaki Wagyu and Hokkaido Pork, along with seafood flown fresh daily with no expense spared from Japan.

Get cooking (plaza) Watch out ParkNShop and Wellcome, a new supermarket has come to town. Cooking Plaza offers a range of fresh fruits and

vegetables from local producers across Hong Kong. The family run business offers residents a new option for purchasing fresh produce. 16 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung.

What causes the gut to not function properly?

- Processed foods - An excess of animal products - Lack of fibre - Pesticides and chemicals in food - Food intolerances, causing inflammation, diarrhoea, bloating - Over use of antibiotics, prescription drugs and OTC drugs - Alcohol and tobacco - Stress - Lack of sleep - Lack of exercise What issues does a wonky gut cause?

In addition to more serious conditions in the gut itself, a sub-functioning gut can cause the following conditions: - Bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and pain - Skin issues; acne, psoriasis, eczema - Sleep issues - Fatigue - Anxiety, depression, brain fogginess

Ally van de Pol is a Healing Diets Coach, contact her at ally@dragonfitnessandcoaching.com

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big day out

Start your day the right way Matthew Teague watches the day begin from Sunrise Hill There is something rather magical about watching the sun rise over the outlying islands of Sai Kung, after wading your way through the dark of night and reaching the summit of one of Hong Kong’s most beautiful hills. Sai Kung has the privilege of facing East, which allows for spectacular cloud-level (and cloud-less) sights of a new day springing to life when you are wandering over Section Four of the Maclehose

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Trail, running from Kei Ling Ha to Tate’s Cairn at early dawn.

For those willing, an early and wholesome nights’ sleep is ideal - especially if preparing for a fresh Saturday morning hike. A muzzy head at 4am after a few too many gins at Momentai may offer a different, albeit interesting, experience. An early start allows for enough time to pack a light breakfast picnic

and dive into an icy shower, or whatever helps wake your body up in the morning. If you can, getting the whole family involved and out of bed this early certainly adds a fun communal early-rise struggle and a story for the family memory bank.

If you are not a confident nighttime hiker, a head torch can definitely be helpful, along with your most comfortable hiking gear. Although,

sunrise hill

for the most authentic experience and once you feel comfortable finding your footing without your iPhone’s torch, try to let your eyes adjust to the natural light of the moon, especially if it’s a full one. However, for those scared of wild

boar encounters, you best keep your light on.

For a leisurely start, it’s ideal to begin the hike from Sai Kung at around 4:15am. Head up Chuk Yeung Road, onto Shan Liu Sheung and then further onto Wong Chuk Yeung. Once you reach the divide, bear left and you will find yourself on the Maclehose Trail. Continue on and follow the Maclehose trail as it veers off the road to the left once again, you will find yourself journeying up Ma On Shan mountain. For an easier walk, a taxi can take you to where the Maclehose Trail crosses Wong Chuk Yeung.

Once you have begun this section of the walk, the path will eventually lead you through a valley to a T-junction. Here, turning right will take you steeper further onto the summit of Ma On Shan, whilst turning left will guide you on a level-path around the north side of a few smaller hills. Continue left until you reach a plateau path running along a ridge, giving you a beautiful vantage point of Sha Tin to the right and Sai Kung to the left. This view will truly put your early morning struggles in perspective.

Instead of carrying on across this ridge, take a sharp left. Here, you will find a lesstrodden path leading you up a rocky incline, before bearing slightly right through a grassy area. At this point, a torch may be necessary to find your step. Follow this path for a few more minutes, you will find yourself moving up a small hill to your right, through an area of longer grass. If you time it right, you will be reaching the summit of this hill with an awesome view of a reddening sky, facing East over High Island and beyond. Once here, you can sit and just be.

This is time for yourself, away from the hectic life of Hong Kong and the thoughts we can become absorbed in everyday. Absorb this

moment — an opportunity to welcome in a new day in its purest form, and take this calm with you throughout your day and into your week.

Many ancient teachings of the East mention the importance of connecting with daybreak and day’s end. The two points in which nature’s energies are most influx and transition, from yin to yang and back again. Understanding this balance is integral to building your foundation for a calmer, more connected life.

Once you have experienced the bliss of the mountains it is time for breakfast, sharing time with your nearest and dearest and simply reflecting with the rising sun, you can decide your descent back to Sai Kung. Either retrace your steps down the hill or follow over the ridge towards Po Lo Che. To add an extra walk to your morning you can continue along Section four of the Maclehose Trail towards Tate’s Cairn.

Remember to leave no trace and pick up any rubbish that you see along the way to keep the trail clean for the next person to enjoy.

Rest and repeat.

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must haves Happy Easter basket $928 from Fortnum & Mason fortnumandmason.com

Mini eggs cardboard pack $185 from Venchi venchi.com.hk

a h g n i Spr Easter fun bundle $638 from Peninsula Boutique peninsulaboutique.com

g n u r sp

Easter goodies and sweet trea

Renewing Collection $390 from RITUALS rituals.com

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as

easter treats

Rainbow egg macarons $475 from Little Miss Macarons littlemissmacarons.shop

Easter buddies tasting collection $148 from Sugarfina sugarfina.com/hk

g

Mr Simms Easter $1,388 from Gift Hampers cifthampers.com.hk

Carrot cake $450 from Butter butterbutterbutter.com.hk

ats Bunny ears gift set $450 from Lush hk.lush.com

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sai kung secrets

War-torn Sai Kung Bella Huang uncovers the dark history of the Hong Kong-Kowloon Brigade graduation trip. With the son of the Brigade’s captain, David Kerr planted two white orchid trees and named them "Thanksgiving trees".

The rescue story of Lt. Kerr was later adapted into the documentary film Take Me Home.

Sai Kung Lok-Yuk Kindergarten was another popular building during the war. Under the Japanese Imperial Army's occupation, the kindergarten was once the headquarters and interrogation centre of Kempeitai.

On August 15 1945, when Japan announced its unconditional surrender, the Hong Kong-Kowloon Brigade forced the Kenepeitai out of the kindergarten. After a gun battle, the Japanese left Sai Kung and the brigade took over until the Handover in late 1945.

To commemorate the Brigade for its heroic acts, a monument was built at Tsam Chuk Wan in 1989. The $1 million monument was listed on the third Batch of National Anti-Japanese War Memorial Facilities and Site by China’s State Council. Comprising three cenotaphs, the monument recounts the resistance story of brave Sai Kung residents during the war.

Interestingly, because the Brigade was set up by China’s Communist Party, its existence and contribution wasn’t recognised until 1997, when Hong Kong was handed over to China by the British. To visit the monument and pay tribute to the Sai Kung martyrs today, you can take a bus from Sai Kung Town and find it near the Tai Mong Tsai Campsite.

Quiet. Peaceful. Calm. When we think of Sai Kung, these are often the first words that come to mind. However, this town hasn’t always been the tranquil paradise we are used to. Almost 80 years ago it was a place of war, bullets and gunfire.

There are three main buildings across town that have a deep history of the war.

After the Japanese army invaded Hong Kong and took over the city in 1941, a Hong Kong-Kowloon Brigade, made up of young villagers, students and fishermen was formally set up to protect the British and Hong Kong population. This brigade was headquartered in Sai Kung’s Wong Mo Ying Chapel. Located in Tai Mong Tsai, the chapel was used to fight against the enemy, set up secret communication systems and rescue important

scholars, politicians and generals wanted

by Japan.

One of the most famous stories from the Brigade is the rescue of Donald W. Kerr, a lieutenant of the Flying Tigers, the first American volunteer group sent to China.

During an operation to bomb the Kai Tak Airport, Kerr’s aircraft was shot down by Japanese soldiers. Kerr jumped out of the plane with a parachute and landed safely in Sha Tin. While the Japanese were pursuing him, the Brigade, taking advantage of their familiarity with local topography, successfully rescued Kerr and sent him back to his military base within 48 days.

His son, David Kerr was so grateful to the Brigade that he visited Sai Kung on a

Know of a Sai Kung secret?

Email editorial@hongkongliving.com

SAI KUNG | 31

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pets

Ask a vet Dr Pauline Taylor on the cruel reality of our favourite Easter animals

With Easter upon us we are inundated with pictures of cute, happy little chickens and baby rabbits. Rabbits make lovely pets and there are over 300 global breeds, from Netherland Dwarf to Flemish Giants, all descended by selective breeding from the European rabbit. Chickens are also much loved as pets in many parts of the world and can become very attached to the family they live with. However, because of the demands of our food chain, billions of these animals do not have a life worth living nowadays.

Because of the many farming practices employed globally, sadly, billions of these cute animals are born to live a life totally dedicated to feeding and supporting humans around the planet, kept in small cages many consider inhumane with total disregard for ethical farm practices. Once culled, sometimes in horrific slaughtering circumstances, rabbit skins become fur coats and bags.

Chicken meat, red and white, feeds countless humans and animals, their feathers fill down jackets and pillows and their excrement, mixed with protein and other ingredients, is processed into concentrated food to feed other animals including fattening cattle to help them grow, so they too can in turn be killed for human consumption when they have put on sufficient weight.

Fun facts about chickens Chickens, like birds, were first noticed and painted on pottery around 8000 years ago in areas of Southeast Asia and originated from a member of the pheasant family, a bird called the red junglefowl. A male is called a rooster or cockerel and is distinguished from the female hen by its colourful plumage and head comb. Free range chickens are omnivores, pecking their food from the soil as they strut around in flocks, raising broods of young that hatch after a 21-day incubation period from multi coloured eggs.

The egg colour is determined by the genetics of the hen. They are very social, inquisitive and exhibit interesting behaviour, who feel pain and distress. According to PETA, more chickens are killed for food than all other land mammals combined and 245 million are caged to produce eggs for the food chain.

Chickens have a complex but strict social pecking order where every flock

member knows its place. They see in full colour vision and can recognise at least 100 other chickens in a flock of their own species. They like to sunbathe where they sleep and scientific studies support the fact that they dream like us. They sleep with one eye open and one side of their brain alert as a prey species, so they are always on guard for predators.

Fun facts about rabbits ‘Easter bunnies’ associated with the beginning of Spring and easter are found wild all over the world except in Antarctica.

Descended from the European rabbit native to the Iberian Peninsula, its introduction has often had devastating effects on local biodiversity, causing problems with the environment and ecosystems.

Wild rabbits live in underground burrows where females give birth (after 30 days of gestation) to hairless and blind young rabbits called kittens. A lot is not known about these prey animals, but some facts are.

Rabbits have many predators including cats, badgers, ferrets, stoats, weasel, fox and rats, who especially go after the young.

Rabbits eat a variety of grasses favouring young, succulent nutritious leaves. Their ear flaps can turn almost 360 degrees to pick up threatening sounds and guard duty rabbits

thump their feet to alert the family to danger when they are grazing above ground.

Their fur has much colour variation and texture hence its popularity in the fur industry while rabbit meat is enjoyed in many places around the world. Many famous rabbit characters exist in our story books and most kids growing up in Western countries hear from stories about Peter the Rabbit, Rabbit from Winnie the Pooh, White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland and Bugs Bunny to name a few.

Dr Pauline Taylor, Pets Central veterinarian.

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marketplace

marketplace

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marketplace

What to plant in April April weather facts Average high temperature: 25°C Average low temperature: 20°C Average rainfall days: 12 days

April is a joyous month for gardeners as we carefully transition into springtime parting with the frigid cold.

Tread this season with a newfound gratitude for life as the steadily increasing temperatures continue to bloom the fruits in our gardens.

Begin with digging into the soil and sowing the last seeds of your cool-season vegetables, such as Mustard and cress, Chinese spinach, French beans, cucumber, lettuce, sweet corn, Chinese long beans and brinjal. Tend to your garden beds with a lot of love and generous watering.

Don't forget to plant out your seedlings of cucumber and lettuce from last month.

Those you raised in the past mustn’t leave one’s memory. While you’re at it, heed this advice, it will save grief in the long run. Witness their growth after you successfully transfer them from your domestic pot to a homely vegetable bed.

Smaller plants such as canavalias, cucumbers, and long beans, will require a garden stake to hold themselves up. Support them with reliable materials and strength to grow.

Use a Dutch hoe to maintain the condition of your soil. A hard baked surface will not allow your plants to thrive as the earth is but a womb for your babies to flourish.

Leave all your past grudges behind and cultivate your best relationships. Care for your garden as you would your lover and continue to grow alongside it.

By William James Tutcher F.L.S. (1867-1920) Superintendent of Hong Kong Botanical Gardens.

Paraphrased from his seminal 1906 work Gardening for Hong Kong.

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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 Your relationships will take an unexpected turn that might cause you to feel slightly insecure. This change will bring a necessary update in how you live with your partner and will renew the love in your bonds. It is a propitious time to plan your future together and discard old rules.

TAURUS You will feel strong and have material stability this month Taurus. The planetary configuration creates a prosperous environment for your professional life.

However, try not to lock yourself out of your way of seeing life. Dare to discover new ways of thinking.

LEO An intense season in your life is coming, Leo. Your work may be demanding a lot from you, which can exhaust you in ways you never knew existed. However, avoid confrontation with individuals in management positions. Power struggles will not be favorable because you would likely end up losing.

SCORPIO If you think you can increase and sustain the amount of work you have in mind, you’re in for a surprise, Scorpio. The illusion of power that you are clinging to is coming to an end and you will realise it when it is too late. Do not neglect your health or your relationships to try to achieve an unattainable goal.

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PISCES The relationship with your siblings will take prominence at this time. If there are issues to resolve between you, this is the ideal opportunity to do so. The planets will favor communication, which will help you understand each other without the need to reach a confrontation.

GEMINI You will feel a strong desire to change your life, Gemini. However, try not to get carried away by enthusiasm. Plan your ideas properly and be aware of the people who accompany you along the way. Be careful not to lose yourself over your fantasies, as they can lead you away from your goals.

VIRGO Great energy takes over all your senses.

You will be encouraged to try new forms of exercise and make them part of your routine. Also, if you have any romantic interests, it is advisable to take the initiative.

The other person will notice you quickly when they see interest on your part.

SAGITTARIUS You will feel very comfortable doing activities that stimulate your intellect.

However, be careful not to give too much attention to the left hemisphere of your brain. This can lead you to neglect your emotional life. Focus on your relationships to improve them, Sagittarius.

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ARIES This will be a period of considerable movement. The planetary alignment encourages intellectual discussions, so your studies will take on great importance.

Try to respect others’ opinions in the same way that you expect yours to be considered. Remember that it is not always necessary to be right, Aries.

CANCER You are likely to feel that this is a stressful period, Cancer. Different challenges will demand a lot of your energy, which can lead to emotional imbalance. However, be your best ally and you will make the right decision. Trust the person you are and be receptive to the affection of your loved ones.

LIBRA You have been very busy lately, but now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. No need to rush into new projects, Libra. You deserve a good rest and to share your success with your loved ones. A vacation to a nearby place will help you take a break from your usual environment.

CAPRICORN You have to find all your inner strength during this period, Capricorn. The opportunity to achieve your goals will be at your fingertips, but you must work hard not to lose them. It will be a demanding time, in which you will have to leave enjoyment and free time in the background for a while.