Sai Kung June 2021

FA MI LY | DI N I N G | S UMME R | S OKO IS LA ND S

hongkongliving.com

June 2021

Get your grill on The best barbecue spots in the New Territories

Meet Rob Cooper Local restaurateur and dad of two

A SKILL FOR LIFE the sai kung legends doing their part for the community

CONTENTS — 06/ 21

18

COVER STORY Learning a new skill this summer

4 CONTRIBUTORS Meet the team

6 PEOPLE

Sai Kungers out and about

8 THE PLANNER

What’s on this June

10 NEWS

What’s going on in your backyard?

13 FIVE MINUTES WITH..

Rob Cooper, co-founder of The Conservatory

17 POLICE BLOTTER

Senior Inspector Ron Yung talks crime

20 DINING

Where to get your grill on this summer

36 HOROSCOPES

Letao Wang reveals your fate this month

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26 BIG DAY OUT

Explore the Soko Islands

28 MUST HAVES

Summer essentials

31 SAI KUNG SECRETS

High Island’s supervolcano

33 PETS

Dr Pauline Taylor answers your pet questions

18

31

8 20

33

10

“Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life” - Wayne Dyer

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editor’s letter This summer is gearing up to be one of the hottest yet, with hot weather warnings coming in thick and fast. Whether you’re ready to soak up the sun or hide under the aircon, we’ve got you covered with things to do, places to go and people to see.

First thing’s first, our cover story this month is about stepping out of your comfort zone and learning a new skill. With more time at home this past year, many people have been able to take up passion projects and discover new talents. Turn to page 18 to meet some of the town’s talent.

To celebrate Father’s Day (June 20), we sit down with local restaurateur and dad of two, Rob Cooper, to talk about his experience adopting in Hong Kong and finding a healthy work/life balance (page 13).

If you’re looking for somewhere to escape this season, our avid adventurer Rory Mackay takes you to the uninhabited Soko Islands (page 26).

Home to a former refugee camp, the island is a great place to explore and escape the city.

So fire up the grill, grab a cold one and enjoy the start of the summer season.

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

Design Graphic Designer Vicky Lam, vicky@hongkongliving.com Shirley Tin, shirley@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

Matt Eaton, matt@hongkongliving.com

things we love this month...

Founding Director

Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com

Self love This month Hong Kong Living is celebrating self love with a campaign featuring entrepreneurs changing the way we practice self love. Join us on June 17 for a free-flow happy hour and inspiring talks. hongkongliving.com/shop

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

Daycations 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.

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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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: Karin Bremer

hongkongliving.com

SAIKUNG.COM SAI KUNG | 3

contributors

Thank you to our contributors

Dr Pauline Taylor 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.

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.

Arndt Borchert

Rob Cooper

Arndt Borchert is all about working hard and playing hard.

Find out what he has planned for the beloved bowling bar, Tikitiki this summer in our cover story.

Letao Wang 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.

Restauranter and father of two, Rob Cooper can frequently be found in his restaurants, The Conservatory and The Picture House. This month he talks about raising a family while running a business in our five minutes interview.

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 Wai Man Road Playground. karinbremer.com

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

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people

Snaps from Sai Kung

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say cheese

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planner JUN 14 Dragon Boat (Tuen Ng) Festival Cheer on the paddlers and enjoy the only sport in Hong Kong with its very own public holiday.

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

JUN 18-20

Romeo & Juliet 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

JUN 21 - JUL 30

HKA summer camp Hong Kong Academy has put together an exciting summer programme featuring a range of creative and sporting activities from Asia Pacific Soccer Schools, Babel Film, Brendan Fitzpatrick, EVA Volleyball, FAUST, ISTA Performing Arts Academy, Mindful Wing Chun, Proactive Sports, Skydance, Tier One Basketball and Top Flight. 3-18 years. From $250. co-curricular.hkacademy.edu.hk

UNTIL JUN 30 Le French May Arts Festival

UNTIL JUL 18 Interweaving Poetic Code

One of the largest cultural events in Asia with more than 150 programmes over two months. Enjoy heritage, contemporary arts, painting, design, music and dance. frenchmay.com

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

JUN 9-12 You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown 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

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what’s on JUN 20

Father’s Day Luau Challenge dad to a bowling match this Father’s Day with Tikitiki’s special lunch and dinner set. Those who enjoy a meal can spend an hour on the lanes for an additional $99. Adults $199, children $99.

Tikitiki Bowling Bar, 4/F Centro, 1A Chui Tong Road, Sai Kung. tikitiki.hk

JUN 17 Self love happy hour

JUN 26

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

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

Hong Kong Living Wellness Day

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

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news

The hottest day in May May 23 was officially the hottest day on record hitting 36.1 degrees Celsius.

Unfortunately this caused issues for many people hiking around town, 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

Paint the town While the HKWalls festival may have finished, there is still plenty of artistic talent being spread across the town. The students of Chek Chee Secondary School in Sai Kung have recently displayed their artwork in Hang Hau MTR station. With a strong focus on the environment, each piece represents the negative effects humans are having on nature. The students hope that through art they can remind people to take more care of the environment and recycle, to ensure that wild creatures can enjoy and feel safe in their habitats. You can find the artwork outside of Hang Hau station.

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

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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

in your backyard

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 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

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five minutes with

Five minutes with Rob Cooper Nicole Slater meets the co-founder of Enoteca Group this Father’s Day Local business owner and father of two, Rob Cooper is well-known around town and can frequently be found in his restaurants, The Picture House and The Conservatory.

Although he has enjoyed life as a restaurateur for the past 16 years, Cooper’s journey to Hong Kong was quite the rollercoaster.

“I left a good advertising job in London in 1991 with a six month round the world Trailfinders ticket. I promised my dad I’d be back in time for Father’s Day. He gave me a

hundred quid and I went. That was 30 years ago,” says Cooper.

He spent a year backpacking around Asia and two years in Australia and New Zealand working casual jobs including waiting tables, selling carpets and computers, before moving to Hong Kong in 1994. “I headed to a cheap dorm in the Chung King Mansions. Within 24 hours I was dressed in a loud red frilly Spanish shirt and black trousers and was hired as a waiter at Dali’s Tapas Bar in Wan Chai for

$5,000 per month.”

That was when he met his wife-to-be, Kim Minards. “Life was a whirlwind of cheap shared apartments, parties and going home when the sun rose. Kids were the last thing on my mind.” The couple wed in 2004 and decided to open their own restaurant group, Enoteca in 2005.

After hitting 40, Cooper and Minards believed it was time to expand the family.

“We decided to have kids and were rubbish at making our own. So we chose to adopt. I grew up with adopted aunts and cousins and it seemed the natural alternative route to the family for us.”

The couple signed up with the Hong Kong Welfare Department and six months later became the proud parents of Jack. “There’s no build up of prenatal preparation so it was a beautifully surreal nervous moment for both of us,” he says.

The family left Hong Kong Island and moved to Clearwater Bay shortly after, “it was the best thing we could have done. Green space, forest rails, nearby beaches - Sai Kung was his playground.” In 2011 the couple welcomed their daughter Summer and the family went from strength to strength opening an array of new restaurants across the city.

“For years we didn’t have a good work-life balance. It certainly worked out for us but maybe at the expense of maximising quality time with the kids when they were both very little. Every night we worked, came home at 2am and slept during the day,” says Cooper.

With strong management teams in place, the couple has been able to enjoy more time at home together, “we work a social life with crowds, so home downtime is the best.

Quality time is not just a once a week beach or once a month Disney trip, it’s the cuddles, nerf gun wars (dad has to lose) and pillow fights that are fun for the soul.”

Now aged 13 and 10, Jack and Summer are coming into their own and will hopefully take on the reins of the Enoteca Group, “Summer has a passion for food and is naturally caring and sociable. Jack might end up having to manage the money and legal aspects for her though so maybe commercial law school first.” But until then Cooper is making the most of family time and advises fellow fathers: “don’t blink …they grow up so fast. Be with them as much as you can.”

Tell us a dad joke Why can’t you hear a pterodactyl go to the bathroom? Because the pee is silent SAI KUNG | 13

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Readers’ Choice Awards are back!

local

Vote for your favourite people, places and businesses before June 14

The annual Sai Kung Readers’ Choice awards are back celebrating everything and everyone who makes Sai Kung a wonderful place to call home.

From restaurants to spas and after school clubs we want to celebrate the people who make Sai Kung so great.

This year’s awards will be split into six categories, dining, health & wellness, education, out & about and home & living.

After a tough two years the town has sadly seen some closures but more excitedly

some new openings including Feather & Bone and Oops coffee shop.

To reflect the new changes in town we have given some of the categories a little refresh, including best new coffee shop, best lunch deal and best unique activity.

We have also brought back our people of the year category to celebrate some of the faces that make our town special. While we can’t feature everyone please share your nominations and we will keep them in mind throughout the year.

With so many people heading outdoors, our out & about category is bigger and better than ever with hikes, beaches, watersports and more.

As always we have posted a voting form on our website (hongkongliving.com) and have chosen some of our top contenders for each category.

Oh and the best part is, everyone who votes stands a chance of winning some of our incredible prizes. So what are you waiting for, get voting now!

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on patrol

Senior inspector Ron Yung reports on recent cases around town

Twist and shout On May 1, a 50-year-old woman began hiking with friends from Hoi Ha to Ocean Point at 11am. At 2:30pm, she fell, twisting both ankles.

The search and rescue team arrived and she was airlifted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in a conscious state.

A dizzying trek On May 1, another woman in her mid 50’s went hiking with friends from Pak Tam Au to Nam She Tsim when she became dizzy and began to vomit. When police arrived, they treated her but she refused to be taken to hospital.

of paper containing ketamine. The man confessed it was for personal use and was arrested at the scene.

Biking blues In Tai Ping village, a five-year-old boy was riding up and down a ramp on his bicycle.

He fell off the ramp and cut his mouth, his grandmother called the police. The boy and his grandmother were transported to Tseung Kwan O Hospital, where he received treatment in a conscious state.

Stranger danger Nice try Two houses in Pak Sha Wan were rubbed on the afternoon of April 13. In the first house, tenants heard a loud bang from inside, after looking around they saw signs of ransacking and a broken window, but nothing was stolen. A few minutes later, tenants of the second house heard a sound and spotted a man trying to pry open a window on the first floor. The man ran away empty handed.

A 30-year-old woman met a man on a hike and stayed in touch via social media. The man claimed to be a Chinese investor with insider tips and instructed the woman to download an app to make investments. The woman was asked to transfer money into the app on eight separate occasions, totalling $500,000. When

• •

A Ketastrophe At 4pm on May 12, police spotted a man acting suspiciously on Fuk Man Road. Upon investigation, they found a folded piece

•

her account closed and she was unable to reach the man, She reported it to the police.

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.

A long day out On the afternoon of May 1, a female reported that she and her son were exhausted while canoeing from Green Egg Island to Sheung Sze Wan. Marine Police located them and conveyed them to MEDIV base. They declined further medical treatment.

Burglary prevention:

Watch where you’re going A pleasure craft collided with a sailing boat in Sheung Sze Wan at 2pm on May 9. The male owner of the vessel informed the police.

They located the craft and reported no injuries or damage to the boat. The case was later followed up by the Marine Department.

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

Capsized catastrophe At 1pm on April 24, police spotted a capsized canoe with one male and one female floating in the sea by Shelter Island. They were immediately taken onboard the police vessel and escorted to the MEDIV base. They declined further medical treatment and left.

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cover story

A skill for life

Nicole Slater meets five professionals sharing their skills around town this summer

Katya Virshilas Founder of BallroomBees

Performing in the hit BBC show, Strictly Come Dancing, Katya Virshilas has danced in over 200 shows with her professional partner Pasha Kovalev.

Along with her husband and son, Virshilas moved to Hong Kong.

Virshilas wanted her son to express himself in a creative outlet as well as a physical one, but found it difficult to find something suitable.

“I wanted the core foundation that ballroom dance brings. I found everything was geared for girls, pink tutus and ballet. I went to a ballet class with my son and he was the only boy and they didn’t have any props for him.

He was upset and it got me thinking that we need to create a dance programme that unites boys and girls.”

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She went on to start BallroomBees, a one-of-a-kind programme designed to nurture a child’s all-round development, through the joy of dance.

Suitable for both boys and girls aged from walking to eight years, each class focuses on developing children’s social skills and etiquette, building confidence and fostering a deep sense of respect.

“The past two years growing BallroomBees through the protests and a pandemic has been so tough. It’s very far from my previous glamorous life, but I’ve never been happier. When you have something special it will grow.” The company now has classes in eight locations across the city. ballroombees.com

new skills

Adam Hunsley Founder of Ed Start HK

Recently expanding to Hong Kong from the UK, Ed Start is a sports coaching company that provides the highest standards of coaches and sports classes.

Having worked as a coach in Hong Kong for over 10 years, Adam Hunsley believes that sport helps children appreciate winning and losing.

“Losing teaches children to bounce back from disappointment, cope with unpleasant experiences and is an important part of becoming resilient,” says Hunsley.

Spending his teenage years playing professional football for Oldham Athletic, representing the Great Britain University Volleyball team in Europe and coaching

for many schools in Hong Kong, Hunsley thought it was time to run his own company.

“I spoke to the team in the UK to see if this would be something they would like to take international and within the space of a couple of months everything was ready to go,” he says.

Since many children have spent a considerable amount of time at home the past year, Hunsley believes it is more important than ever to make sure children’s mental health does not suffer and will be introducing a health and wellbeing programme along with the Little Hero award which helps children focus on weekly tasks. edstarthk.com

Manoj Dhar

Co founder and CEO of Integrated Brilliant Education Integrated Brilliant Education (IBEL) is a registered charity that provides after school educational support, with a special emphasis on Chinese language learning to Hong Kong’s educationally marginalised non Chinese speaking children.

Manoj Dhar originally moved to the city 22 years ago as an financial industry professional, but after noticing a divide in the educational background of minority children, Dhar and his wife cofounded IBEL to provide equal and inclusive Chinese language learning opportunities for Hong Kong’s underserved children community.

“Language is the most important of all educational and skill acquisitions, it allows for us to appreciate a culture, whilst also integrating into its social fabric,” he says.

With two Education Bureau registered centres in Cheung Sha Wan and Jordan the charity supports the academic needs of over 240 children with in and out of classroom interactive curriculum, providing them with confidence and life skills to help free themselves from the shackles of intergenerational poverty.

“With Hong Kong’s population ageing, these homegrown, language empowered children will be ready to assume the roles of dynamic leadership and captains of industry,” says Dhar.

Whilst schools remained largely closed and the educational journey of these children suffered immensely over the past few years, IBEL’s education centers remained open, ensuring that their beneficiary children were never abandoned. ibelhk.org

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new skills

Arndt Borchert Urban Entertainment Group

Moving to Hong Kong at just a few months old, Arndt Borchert learnt to fly before he learnt to walk. “I was born in Germany but Hong Kong is in my blood,” says Borchert.

Growing up, he was fascinated with the city’s bar and restaurant scene, but upon his father’s insistence he left to attend business school first. On his return to the city in 1997, Borchert worked for hotels, clubs and various restaurant groups, moving to Sai Kung in 2000.

With ties to both Hong Kong and Europe, Borchert has been able to experience both cultures.

“Speaking with my European hat on, I feel Hong Kong can relax a bit, slow down and re-evaluate some of the priorities set, but in the

end everybody needs to make their own choices. To use an old adage I’ve always had a ‘work hard, play hard’ attitude to life, I still do, but sometimes the ‘play hard’ takes a back seat in Hong Kong.”

With this in mind, he joined the Urban Entertainment Group six years ago. “We wanted to have a place where people go and relax, have fun, entertainment, laughs, good food, good drink, stay all day and then leave with a sense of fulfilment,” he says.

With five venues inside the Centro building, including the popular Tikitiki Bowling Bar and Sci-Fi Cafe, the location boasts itself as a destination of fun. tikitiki.hk

Bek Joyce

Founder of Jewel Jam New Zealand-born Bek Joyce moved to Hong Kong in 2009 and thought the city’s children edu-tainment industry needed a little more sparkle. So she combined her teaching background with her jewellery expertise to create Jewel Jam, a mobile service that teaches school-aged children to make beaded jewellery and handmade accessories.

“Jewel Jam is a fun business to run, with a focus on creativity and learning a new skill. It’s immensely satisfying to host a party for a group of children, teaching them how to make something completely unique and personal to them,” she says.

During a Jewel Jam, children design their own necklace which is finished professionally with a magnetic clasp. They choose their next accessory to make from a selection

of choices, such as a bracelet, bag tag, key chain, beaded bookmark or a beaded pen. At the end of a Jewel Jam class, children take away their selfcrafted pieces of jewellery in a special goodie bag.

Since the pandemic, Jewel Jam has helped open up creative opportunities for children and parents in order to give them a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction.

“It’s vital for children’s mental health to have an activity that can relieve anxiety and help them find inner peace. Beading is a very therapeutic activity. It’s a combination of colour and gem therapy.”

Bek will be hosting workshops and pop-ups throughout the summer.

Be sure to follow @jeweljamparties on Instagram to keep up-to-date with its classes in Hong Kong.

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dining

Get your grill on Nicole Slater rounds up the best barbecue spots in the New Territories

Ma On Shan Country Park Ma On Shan Country Park has several barbecue areas; Shui Long Wo, Kei Ling Ha, Nai Chung and Ma On Shan Village. The ones at Ma On Shan Village and Nai Chung are well loved by holiday-makers. For campers, there are campsites in Ngong Ping and Shui Long Wo.

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Facilities: Picnic tables, barbecues, benches and public toilets.

Beach BBQ King Overlooking Sha Ha Beach, Beach BBQ King is an all-you-can-eat barbecue spot that provides diners with barbecue equipment and over 30 types of meat, vegetables and seafood to grill.

Weekdays $198, weekends $238. skbeach.com.hk Facilities: Toilets, stoves, forks, plates and sauce provided

shrimp on the barbie Whitehead Barbecue Overlooking Tolo Harbour and Pat Sin Leng, Whitehead Barbecue is the perfect place for a laid back party. Spanning over 10,000 square feet the location features a covered barbecue area, a multi-function room and private villas. whiteheadbbq.hk Facilities: Toilets, stoves, air conditioning, multifunction room

Tai Mei Tuk BBQ King It’s the battle of the kings! Located in Tai Po, Tai Mei Tuk BBQ King offers a range of activities to help you build up an appetite. The site offers kitesurfing, bike riding and also has a weekend farm where guests can pick strawberries, pet animals. taimeitukbbqking.com Facilities: Toilets, stoves, activities, forks

Sharp Island As the largest island in the Kiu Tsui Country Park, Sharp Island is a popular destination for fishing, swimming and diving. As a popular camping site the area is also well equipped for barbecues.

Facilities: Toilets, showers and barbecues pits.

Tai Hang Tun Overlooking the stunning Clearwater Bay Country Park, Tai Hang Tun is the perfect family day out with open space for kite flyings and 72 open barbecue pits.

Facilities: Visitor Center, barbecues pits

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dining

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nibbles

Dining News

Visceral Fat Personal Trainer and Certified Healing Diets Coach, Ally van de Pol, discusses the fat you might not always see

Oysters and bubbles Waterfront restaurant Momentai has launched a special Friday deal serving up US oysters for just $25. To really give diners that

Friday feeling, the restaurant is also offering glasses of prosecco for just $50. Dive in. momentai-la.com

No Nationality Sai Kung’s growing cafe scene has another new arrival in the form of No Nationality. The two-storey cafe in See Cheung Street is serving up beautiful handmade pasta, like the signature spaghetti with black

truffle and parmesan, in addition to some very tasty snacks from cajun spiced chicken wings to chicken tortillas with pineapple salsa. Private dining is also available. No corkage and no service charge.

I have body composition scales in my wellness centre that measure my clients’ visceral fat, as well as their muscle and subcutaneous fat. This helps us to see how the changes they are making in their lives are being reflected in their overall body composition and not just their weight.

What is Visceral fat?

Visceral fat wraps around your abdominal organs and can’t always be seen or felt. You may think that you are lean, but you could be ‘skinny fat’ if

your diet and lifestyle are not optimal.

Why is it important to reduce Visceral fat?

Higher visceral fat levels are connected to diabetes type two, insulin insensitivity, heart disease and certain cancers. Because it wraps around organs, it may affect their function. Visceral fat can also release hormones and inflammatory cytokines which in turn interfere with other hormones and lead to changes in hunger, weight and mood.

How Can You Reduce Your Visceral Fat Levels?

• Eat healthy • Exercise regularly • Drink 2-3 litres water per day • Reduce or don’t drink alcohol • Don’t smoke • Get enough good quality sleep •Reduce stress

Ruby Tuesday’s opens in Po Lam The popular American-style casual dining restaurant, Ruby Tuesday, has opened its largest restaurant yet in Metro City Plaza. Since opening its first brand 25 years ago, the restaurant is well-known for its delicious and reasonably

priced menu items. To keep with the Covid regulations, the new branch has installed an automated Smixin hand washing and a sanitizing station in addition to the temperature check station at the front door. rubytuesday.com.hk

Many people that I consult with often have suboptimal health, but it doesn’t take much to get healthier, you just need to have a plan and keep to it.

Ally van de Pol is a Certified Healing Diets Coach (HDC), Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer, Pain Free Performance Specialist (PPSC) and Naturopath-in-Training. ally@dragonfitnessandcoaching.com

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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 a 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 islands

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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must haves

Handmade raffia visor $280 from Solidayz Hong Kong solidayz.com

Summer Lovin’

Round straw handbag $309 from Black Coral blackcoralxo.com

All you need for a perfect summer in the city

Vitamin C Serum $530 from Ole Henriksen sephora.com

Brightening Gel Crème $375 from Ole Henriksen sephora.com

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Mystic turquoise jewelled huggies

summer

$534 from Astrid & Miyu emma-wallace.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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secrets

The big bang Nicole Slater explores High Islands supervolcano

of research and investigation before the supervolcano was finally discovered in 2012.

It is fair to say that the existence of Sai Kung and Hong Kong as we know it today is credited to that volcano. During its last known eruption 140 million years ago, over 1,300 cubic kilometres of erupted ash was released, covering the whole of Hong Kong. After it cooled, the ash solidified to form a hexagonal scapolite. Such columns can be found While High Island is well-known for its reservoir, it is also home to a supervolcano. Dating back 180 million years, this supervolcano is one of only 50 in the world.

During a mapping of the High Island area by the Hong Kong Geological Society in late 2008, it was suspected that the city might be sitting in the bowel of an ancient volcano. It took a total of four years

across eastern Sai Kung.

This particular volcano is believed to have had a diameter of 18 kilometres, but over the years most of the volcanic rock has been weathered and eroded, the only remaining evidence of it left submerged in water.

While it may be worrying to live in such close proximity to a volcano, lucky for us it is now extinct. But its history lives on with the opening of Volcano Discovery Centre, educating people on Hong Kong’s violent volcanic background. Since its discovery, the volcano has gathered widespread interest from local and international media and even has a book, Hong Kong’s Big Bang, explaining the history of this discovery.

The Volcano Discovery Centre also offers half-day tours of the High Island Reservoir to experience the volcano and other volcanic rocks up close and personal.

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pets

Ask a vet

Dr Pauline answers your 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.

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 thermoregulating 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.

Heat stroke can kill a dog in as quickly as 10 minutes, if there are reasons they cannot thermo-regulate. If your dog is elderly, ill or has a thick fur coat I would recommend sunbathing is monitored carefully or restricted to cooler times of the day.

Dr Pauline Taylor, Pets Central veterinarian.

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marketplace

marketplace

To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772.

GET LISTED! 2776 2772 talk@hongkongliving.com

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To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772

marketplace

What to plant in June June weather facts Average high temperature: 30.2C Average low temperature: 26.2°C Average rainfall days: 19.1 days

Come June we are now accustomed to the hot summer days in Hong Kong and we embrace it, for it will be with us a few more months regardless.

This month we can expect increasing downpours of rain and typhoon warnings that will leave us mildly shaken to our cores.

Nevertheless, life doesn’t stop and we mustn’t lose hope for our gardens.

Key practice this month will be to avert any damage created by strong winds by moving your container plants indoors. Violent winds and heavy rains can cause havoc in the garden, so it is important to set up your defense early.

Seeds of the following may be sown: mustard and cress, Chinese spinach, cucumber, lettuce, sweet corn, Chinese long and short beans. Chinese green and white cabbage will also fare well in the warmer months.

It is well-advised to sow seeds in pans or pots whenever possible, keeping up with the withdrawal strategy against the monsoon.

Thin out the leaves of your Chinese long beans. Eggplants will also be better off with some of their leaves taken off. This will help your vegetables continue to bear much longer in your garden beds.

Don’t be intimidated by the bold skies and rising heat, as your garden can still flourish under the right circumstances.

June is a busy month for gardeners, tread carefully and win over the winds with your garden’s sturdy charm.

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 thehealingkingdom.com

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 catch up with 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.

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.

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