FA MI LY | DOUB LE H AVE N | P E TS | MOT H ER’ S D AY
May 2020
The really useful magazine May 2020
2 CONTRIBUTORS Meet the team 6 PEOPLE Sai Kungers out and about 8 THE PLANNER
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treasure, Stephen Vines weighs in on the unrelenting Covid-19 crisis
What’s still on in May. Plus virtual events
12 NEWS
35 IN THE GARDEN What to plant in May 36 VINES Award-winning journalist and Sai Kung
What’s going on in your backyard?
15 POLICE BLOTTER Senior Inspector Ron Yung talks crime 16 FIVE MINUTES WITH.. Jacquiline Hamilton on her quarantine
18 15
experience
17 LOCAL Sai Kung says bye to plastic bags 18 MUST HAVES THIS MONTH Mother’s Day gift guide 20 COVER STORY Meet Sai Kung’s local business owners 24 DINING
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Treat mum to tea. Plus nibbles
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26 BIG DAY OUT Rory Mackay explores Double Haven 28 ZIM CITY Paul Zimmerman scales Hong Kong Island 29 SAI KUNG SECRETS Tai She Wan’s abandoned resort 30 PETS Your pet questions answered. Plus walkies
12 EVERYBODY WANTS TO SAVE THE EARTH; NOBODY WANTS TO HELP MOM DO THE DISHES. - P.J. O’ROURKE
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editor’s letter
H
ong Kong is slowly dusting itself off after a second wave of Covid-19 outbreaks and while social distancing measures remain in place, there appears to be a glimmer of hope on the horizon.
Editorial
Managing editor Gemma Shaw, gemma@hongkongliving.com Editor Nicole Slater, nicole@hongkongliving.com
Our cover story this month shines a spotlight on Sai Kung’s local businesses, who help keep our town ticking along in its unique way. From property developers to book shop owners everyone has been feeling the pinch this year, so it’s important for us to show support for local businesses during this difficult time. Read all about how they are coping on page 20.
Editorial assistant Charmaine Ng, charmaineng@hongkongliving.com
Design Graphic Designer Alvin Cheng, alvin@hongkongliving.com Vicky Lam, vicky@hongkongliving.com
Sales & Marketing
Director of Content Hilda Chan, hilda@hongkongliving.com
Ever wondered what it’s like to be in government quarantine? Charmaine Ng chats to local resident and founder of Aphrodite Hair and Makeup, Jacquiline Hamilton, following 14 days at the Chun Yeung Estate quarantine centre. Follow her story on page 16.
Head of Digital Content Isamonia Chui, isamonia@hongkongliving.com Partnership Manager Chrissie Ip, chrissie@hongkongliving.com Elaine Li, elaine@hongkongliving.com
Digital
P.S. Don’t forget to celebrate the most important woman in your life this Mother’s Day (May 10).
Digital Editor Apple Lee, apple@hongkongliving.com
Keep calm and wash your hands Saikungers!
Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com
Publisher
things we love this month...
Thanks to Yankee Tsang Paul Zimmerman Nabdeep Gill
Hong Kong Living Awards This month we celebrate the city's best businesses in our Hong Kong Living Awards 2020. Pick up a copy of our sister magazine Hong Kong Living or visit us online at hongkongliving.com to find out who won!
Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 | 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
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saikung.com
talk@hongkongliving.com
@saikungmag
facebook.com/SaiKungMagazine
HONG KONG hongkongliving.com
Stay strong Hong Kong You may have noticed that we’re at a reduced number of pages. These are tough times for everyone and just like other small businesses in Hong Kong, we are rationing. Hopefully things will return to normal soon. For now, we’ve squeezed the same great content into this slightly smaller issue. We hope it fills you with positivity for this great city in which we live.
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.
Want to write for Sai Kung Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com 2 | SAIKUNG.COM
Credit: Vicky Lam
A new coffee shop has come to town and we can’t wait to grab a drink and curl up with a book in the two-storey spot on Po Tung Road. 70 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung. cozycoffeeclub.com
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contributors
Vicky Lam
Rory Mackay
Stephen Vines
Graphic Designer, Vicky designed this month’s fabulous cover. She is fanatic about typographic design in newspapers, books and magazines. On weekends, Vicky loves going on hikes, taking photos of the city, shopping and hunting out the best coffee spots.
Avid hiker and thrill-seeker, Rory owns adventure company Wild Hong Kong. This month he kayaked over to picturesque Double Haven for our Big Day Out. Read all about his adventure and how to get to the unique location on page 26. wildhongkong.com
Award-winning journalist, broadcaster and our monthly columnist, Stephen is a long-term Sai Kung resident who documents the everchanging issues affecting the town. This month he shares his thoughts on the unrelenting Covid-19 crisis and the frustrations it brings. Read his musings on page 36.
Ron Yung
Nikita Agrawal
Dr Pauline Taylor
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 on page 15.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Nikita can’t get enough of this vibrant city. From hiking with her family to finding new brunch spots, she’s always out and about. This month Nikita rounds up the best places to take mum for tea. Read all about it on page 24.
Pauline is a senior vet at Pets Central and specialises in small animal medicine. She graduated in Scotland and spent 10 years practicing in New Zealand before moving to Hong Kong with her various four-legged family members. Pauline answers your pet queries on page 30. pets-central.com
Want to write for Sai Kung Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com SAIKUNG.COM | 5
people Snaps from Sai Kung
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say cheese
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planner
Events planned to go ahead in May
creations. Shop 3, 158A Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun. testkitchen.com.hk
MAY 1 Labour Day Let’s kick off the month with a public holiday!
MAY 6, 13, 20, 27 Night Tamar Meow Yoga Unwind with a midweek outdoor yoga class overlooking Hong Kong’s iconic harbour. 7.30pm-8.30pm. $180. Tamar Park, Harcourt Road, Admiralty. Facebook: meowyogahk
MAY 11, 17 Lululemon Yoga Immersion An upside-down journey of transforming yoga practices with Victor Chau at Fivelements Habitat and The Yoga Room. From $100. victorchauyoga.com
MAY 10
Mother’s Day
Celebrate the woman in your life. Don’t forget to buy a gift - see page 18 for ideas.
EVERY THU AND FRI Roganic’s Baking Classes Bake soda bread and apple tarts at this Michelinstarred restaurant’s first-ever baking workshop series led by Executive Chef Oli Marlow. $1,000. Shop 8, UG/F, Sino Plaza, 255 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay. roganic.com.hk
MAY 16 Pottinger GreenRace 2020 Choose from a 15k, 7k or 4k trail at The 5th annual Pottinger GreenRace. 8am-1pm. From $200. Pottinger Gap, Shek O. runnerreg.com
MAY 30 Menopause, Yoga + Wellbeing Workshop Learn, share and practice with other women experiencing the perimenopause or menopause. 1.30pm-5.30pm. $600. The Yoga House,4 Greenpeak Villa, Po Lo Che, Sai Kung. theyogahouse.com.hk
EVERY SAT AND SUN Mr. & Mrs. Marshmallow A Finnish patisserie pop-up by Chef Eric Räty and his wife Can Räty serving freshly baked
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MAY 31 Round the island 60 Race around Hong Kong Island and enjoy spectacular views of Victoria Harbour and the iconic skyline. 7.30am-7.30pm. Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre. allevents.in
what’s on
Virtual events across Hong Kong
EVERY MON TO FRI The Oriental Spa Live Wellness Class Led by The Oriental Spa’s expert trainers, the classes include energising HIIT sessions and yang to yin yoga practice. Free. facebook.com/thelandmarkmandarinoriental
MAY 1, 8 The Hive x Belvedere Vodka presents: Online Cocktail Workshop Create perfect cocktails with different recipes each class. thehive.com.hk
UNTIL MAY 3 Spartan Virtual Race Beta Join the 5km obstacle sprint – social distancing style. The race features over 10 courses across Hong Kong for you to complete at your own pace. Free. bit.ly/spartanvrbetahk
MAY 6-11 Hong Kong’s Ballet: Barre Classes Online
Expert dancers have put together a barre series to help others develop the grace for ballet. hkballet.com
MAY 7 #ShangriLaAtHome Bob’s Cocktail Session Beef up your cocktail-making skills to tide you over until social distancing ends. facebook.com/islandshangrila
Take ballet classes at home using only a chair!
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planner 12 noon. instagram.com/bakingmaniachk
EVERY MON TO FRI Live stream classes with Twinkle Dance Company Twinkle Dance Company is now hosting free weekday online dance classes. Adult dance classes are also available on their Facebook page. Free. twinkledance.com
MAY 9, 23 Virtual pizza-making party Black Sheep Restaurants’ popular pizza parlour Motorino is taking classes online. Pre-order your pizza making kit and cook along with Chef Luca Marinelli. $208. motorinohongkong.com
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MAY 9 Floral Naked Cake for Mother’s Day Tune in for a live baking session hosted by Baking Maniac’s founder Ankrish Gidwani and bake a cake for your mum this Mother’s Day.
book now
BOOK NOW SEPT 26-27 IRIS: Your Escape This is the largest outdoor fitness festival in Hong Kong offering over 80 yoga and fitness activities led by famed instructors. Central Harbourfront Event Space. irishkg.com
OCT 30 Shi Fu Miz Festival 2020 A three-day music and arts festival hosted by Hong Kong creative agency, FuFu in the serene surroundings of Cheung Chau. Sai Yuen Farm, Cheung Chau. shifumiz.com
OCT 16-18 Hong Kong Rugby Sevens
DEC 12-13 Creamfields Hong Kong
Postponed from the original March date, this year’s tournament is set to be bigger and better than ever! 55 Eastern Hospital Road, Causeway Bay. hksevens.com
The Hong Kong version of electronic music festival, Creamfields. From 1pm. Art Park, West Kowloon Cultural District. livenationelectronic.asia
Got an event? We can publish the details. Email editorial@hongkongliving.com
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news
Visitor arrivals drop by 99%
Sai Kung gets spacey Sai Kung has received more UFO sightings than anywhere else in Hong Kong for the fourth year in a row. A total of 12 sightings of ‘unusual objects in the sky’ were reported to the Hong Kong Observatory in 2019. Sai Kung is known to be one of the least polluted districts in Hong Kong, which makes stargazing a popular pastime for guests and hikers. While UFO’s have been reported, no alien life has been confirmed.
Postcards for a Plastic-Free World
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced 82,000 visitor arrivals to Hong Kong in March, a drop of nearly 99% from the same time last year. Before mid-March, the number of arrivals in Hong Kong was around 3,000 to 4,000 per day. However, from March 19 onwards, non-Hong Kong residents arriving in the city were requested to undergo compulsory quarantine, and subsequently, average daily visitors fell to about 1,000. March 25 saw a further dip as non-Hong
Fly worry free! With the coronavirus wreaking havoc on travel plans, Cathay Pacific is offering customers the flexibility to make free and unlimited changes to all new tickets issued before June 30, up to one year after the initial purchase. The airline’s usual fees will be waived and customers can alter their travel dates or pick a new destination as many times as they like. For more information, visit cathaypacific.com
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Kong residents coming from overseas were banned outright from entering Hong Kong. At the beginning of April, average daily visitors dropped to below 100. Whilst tourism may not be top on the priority list right now, the HKTB is working on several initiatives for Hong Kong’s tourism industry to take place after the pandemic abates. Plans include collaborating with retail and dining sectors to roll out promotional campaigns and more.
Working with design house Paper-Roses, Hong Kong-based environmental charity Plastic Free Seas has launched Postcards for a Plastic Free World. Three stunning wildlife artworks, which highlight the impact of Hong Kong’s plastic pollution crisis on our green sea turtles, whale sharks and Chinese white dolphins, can be purchased to help fund the work of the charity. Paper-Roses will be donating a portion of the sales of each set of postcards to support the Plastic Free Seas education programme in Hong Kong schools which teaches the next generation about the plastic-waste crisis. The postcards are professionally printed on recycled paper and are a great way to connect with loved ones during this time of crisis. To purchase, visit plasticfreeseas.org
in your backyard
Safe hiking
Recent social distancing regulations have caused an increase in hikers on Sai Kung’s trials. This has spiked the number of hikingrelated incidents in recent months, with
some proving fatal. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department recommend 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 not to go hiking alone.” For more information and safety advice visit afcd.gov.hk.
Home delivery support for isolating elderly More than 40 percent of Hong Kong’s elderly live in poverty and are struggling to make ends meet. These elderly are more in need now than ever as they practise self-isolation and stay at home. Elderly centres, which stay in constant contact with these individuals to assess their needs, are usually a life-line for these vulnerable individuals. However, they are currently operating with dramatically reduced staff and struggling to provide the degree of support needed. To help, local charity HandsOn Hong Kong is seeking volunteers to deliver Covid-19 relief packages to the city’s low-income elderly. These packages include necessity food items, as well as masks and hand sanitiser. Teams of two volunteers each will assemble Care Packages before delivering them to elderly households. HandsOn Hong Kong has taken all safety precautions and each volunteer will receive their own protective items. To volunteer, visit handsonhongkong.org
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on patrol
Senior Inspector Ron Yung reports on recent cases in Sai Kung
Hush hush On the evening of March 13, two females were dining at Chuen Kee Seafood Shop on See Cheung Street. A man dining at the table next to them complained about their talking and hit one of the women over the head with a glass bottle. She was sent to Tsung Kwan O hospital in a continuous state, no charges were filed.
Coastline at 10am. The woman climbed up a cliff and fell around 50-metres. At 4.30pm another hiker alerted the police who arrived at the scene by 5pm. The female hiker was unfortunately pronounced dead at 6pm that evening.
Masked seller Love at first click From January 28 to March 24, a woman sent $332,728 to her cyber lover via WeChat. When the lover asked for more money, the victim got suspicious and contacted the police. The case is still under investigation.
On March 11, a Facebook user saw an ad for surgical masks on the social media platform. After conversing with the seller over Whatsapp, she sent over $5,000. She did not receive the masks and contacted the police. The case is still under investigation.
No reservations
Slippery businesses
At 8pm on March 7, a male aged 40 and a female aged 30 got into a dispute on Man Nin Street. The woman was standing in a metered parking space, reserving it for a friend, when the man in a private car attempted to park in the space. The woman claimed that he had hit her with his car, injuring her left knee. She was sent to Tseung Kwan O Hospital in a conscious state.
At noon on April 10, a female aged 61 was hiking from Pak Tam Au, when she slipped down
Hike with caution On April 9, a 51-year-old woman hiked from Sai Wan Pavilion towards Thousand Columns
and fractured her left calf. She alerted the police and was airlifted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in a continuous state.
Always look both ways At 4.50pm on March 27, a 4-year-old girl was riding her bicycle along Mei Fuk Street, when a private vehicle accidentally hit her bike. The girl sustained injuries to her forehead and was sent to Tseung Kwan O Hospital in a continuous state.
Government regulation update In early April, the Sai Kung Police Force and AFCD teamed up to close 10 bars and four massage establishments around the town during the CAP599G (Prevention of group gathering) period. The businesses will re-open again once the government regulations are lifted.
For more information, contact Sai Kung Police Station, 1 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 3661 1630
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five minutes with The food was typical Chinese style. I was not used to the way it was prepared and I lost a lot of weight in just a few days. No outside food was allowed in so I relied on fruit and snacks. Every day, the Department of Health called around 10am to check my temperature reading. At 4pm, I had to do a second temperature reading. Unless you felt unwell, you were left to your own devices. I never met anyone there. I saw no one through my window nor did I have any contact with fellow inmates. I missed my family and good old steak and chips! We are still socially distancing to keep safe. I am under medical surveillance for another 14 days and I need to take my temperature daily, although no one calls to follow up. The most important thing I learned from the experience was that I had to accept my situation. I had complete control over how I wanted to feel while I was in there. I kept busy and reflected on what I could change once I got out. I chose to be relaxed and happy.
Five minutes with
Jacquiline Hamilton The Founder of Aphrodite Hair & Makeup talks about her experience in government quarantine. By Charmaine Ng When I was told I needed to quarantine, I was shocked and overwhelmed. It was a normal day at work for me when I got the call. I had come into direct contact with a client in my salon who later tested positive for covid-19. I was collected 24 hours after the call. There were eight people on the bus that brought us to the quarantine centre, although we sat apart from each other. I was scared until I arrived in my room. It was the fear of the unknown. I didn’t know
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als Daily me
what to expect, but once I opened my door, I felt safe. On my first day, I was so distressed. I slept in my husband’s jumper the first few nights, but soon became settled into a routine. On my last day, I felt nervous leaving the room where I felt safe and free of the virus. Breakfast, lunch and dinner arrived around 10am, 2pm and 8pm respectively. When the food was delivered, the staff ran away so fast there was never a chance to chat. I found that very amusing.
40th b irthda y in qua celebration rantin e
Credit: BBPBHK
local
Bye bye plastic bags
Beach clean-up event
The One Island One Voice initiative comes to town. Nicole Slater reports
F
ounded in Bali by teenage sisters Melati and Isabel Wijsen in 2013, Bye Bye Plastic Bags (BBPB) has raised awareness around the world for plastic waste. Sai Kung is the next stop for their latest One Island One Voice campaign. The campaign will focus on uniting and building a plastic-free community by working and celebrating local businesses and brands who are doing their part to preserve our environment by not providing single-use plastics to customers. Juliana Riquelme, joined BBPBHK in November 2018 alongside Eugenia Chow. The organisation which now has 14 active members, has led several beach cleanups and taken part in environmental festivals and global conferences. Growing up and studying in Sai Kung, Juliana
has witnessed the town evolve into a more environmentally friendly area with the recent addition of sustainable shops including Live Zero and Seed. She hopes the One Island One Voice initiative will celebrate the efforts of local businesses that are already taking action to help the environment, while inspiring more shops and restaurants to join the fight against plastic. BBPBHK believes education is just as important as not using plastic, “If people don’t know the numbers, the issue won’t seem as relevant,” states Juliana. The organisation plans to host many more educational talks and beach cleanups, to encourage the government to implement a plastic bag ban in Hong Kong. Juliana reveals; “Our main goal is to have a plastic bag-free Hong Kong, however, in order to achieve this, we have to start small and
Sai Kung is the perfect location for us to do this.” BBPBHK has already started contacting local businesses and hopes to implement the campaign as soon as possible. To get involved or to learn more about plastic bag alternatives email bbpbhongkong@gmail.com
Juliana’s DIY plastic-free kit • Reusable tote bag (you never know when you’ll need to buy something!) • Reusable foldable cup or water bottle (if you get a drink, you can ask them to put it in there, some stores offer discounts) • Your own cutlery set (in case you get a take away)
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must haves this month
ChloĂŠ l'eau eau de toilette $780 from Lane Crawford lanecrawford.com.hk
Mother and daughter heart split dangle charm $699 from Pandora hk.pandora.net
Yummy mummies Gorgeous gifts for Mother’s Day. By Nicole Slater
Mrs Elegant vase arrangement $1,580 from M Florist mflorist.hk
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Fruit acid peel $660 from Vinoble Cosmetics vinoble-cosmetics.asia
mother's day
Shangri La crystal vase $2,500 from Katharine Pooley Boutique katharinepooley.com
Rose garden gift box $310 from La Maison du Chocolat lamaisonduchocolat.hk
Miscoso primo ecoffee cup $160 from LiveZero livezero.hk
Eternal flower smartphone case $379 from Swarovski swarovski.com
The ritual of Sakura renewing collection $390 from Rituals rituals.com
Perrier JouĂŤt Belle Epoque RosĂŠ 2006 Champagne $1,798 from Vinoble vinoble.hk
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cover story
The secret life of Sai Kung businesses Not even Covid-19 can stop them, as Nicole Slater finds out
W
ith social gatherings limited to four people and public facilities closed since the end of March, there is no doubt that Hong Kong’s local businesses have been severely affected by the impact of Covid-19. This month, we caught up with eight Sai Kung businesses to find out how they are adapting to keep Sai Kungers happy and safe during these unprecedented times.
Jenny Perry Founder of Perry Contracting HK Ltd Over the past 12 years, Jenny has transformed traditional village houses into modern worksof-art with her construction and project management company, Perry Contracting HK Ltd. With a trusty team of craftsmen and skilled laborers behind her, she creates unique homes that suit everyone’s taste and budget. perrycontractinghk.com What motivates you to keep going? Having worked in property for 15 years, each project is unique and there are so many moving parts to manage and control, which means that I have new challenges everyday to push through to a successful outcome. How has the Covid-19 outbreak affected your business? We have received less enquiries than usual in the first quarter of the year, but we are currently busy with projects that will run through to the third quarter. Since starting in 2004, we’ve seen many negative market influences and have learned that our renovations can positively impact homeowners and help them add value to their property.
Lucas Durant Minister at Resurrection Church
Founded over 30 years ago, Resurrection church is an international, English-speaking congregation located in Pak Sha Wan. Minister, Lucas Durant, moved to the town with his wife, Catherine last year and has since been blessing the local neighbourhood and growing its Christian community. The church welcomes everyone to their Sunday service from 10am-11.30 in the Pak Sha Wan Centre (when social distancing is lifted). resurrection.org.hk Has the Covid-19 outbreak disrupted your church services? We haven’t been able to meet together for our Sunday service or mid-week groups since midFebruary. This has been a sad time in many ways but we continue to gather online with Sunday services posted to our Facebook and YouTube pages. We also offer twice-weekly Zoom meetings for fellowship and prayer and smaller more personal meetings between
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Do you have any advice for someone starting out? Work on forming close and reliable alliances with the key supply chain that you need in order to be successful. Also be patient, it takes time to form a good reputation. It’s important to really value your client relationships and strive to maintain that in the long term, not just for the duration of the project.
individuals over a coffee or beer if they feel able. What makes your church unique? Our services are relaxed and accessible (no dress code or secret handshake!), the music is modern and children are very welcome. The reason we do all this is because we really believe the good news of Jesus changes peoples’ lives – the news that through his death and resurrection our sin is forgiven and we are given new life, purpose and hope. Do you have any advice for Sai Kung residents? This pandemic has given us an opportunity to face up to reality. We have seen that our businesses, wealth, holidays, health and even our lives can be destroyed suddenly and without warning. So what are we living for? Invest your life into something that cannot be destroyed.
local businesses Alexander Chung
most students have ever seen! It’s so important for them to not fall into bad habits (laziness, aversion to screens or even cabin fever). We believe that this gift of time should be effectively used to get ahead of the crowd who’ve fallen into complacency, to prepare for the next academic year. Parents need to find a balance between effective work, rest and play.
Founder of Study Buddy
Tell us a fun fact about yourself One of my favourite pastimes is building and painting plastic and resin models, the skills learnt from these have been transferrable to some of my lessons and encourages lateral thinking. I want to inspire everyone to pursue a creative hobby in some way, to increase this out of the box mentality!
Alex and the Study Buddy team
Located in Sai Kung’s old town, Study Buddy offers private tuition for students aged five to 18 years. The team is made-up of four young individuals who not only support students academically but also emotionally, helping them gain confidence in everything they do. studybuddy.hk Why did you choose to set up in Sai Kung? Most of our team grew up in Sai Kung and
attended different international schools. We felt that aside from the public library, there were no suitable study centres in Sai Kung that students could comfortably and privately study in. Since schools are closed until the end of May, how important is it for children to keep learning? This is the longest period of free time that
Dr Kurt Verkest Veterinarian at Pets Central Founded by a group of veterinarians in 2006, Pets Central Sai Kung was the first branch of the one-stop shop for animal care needs. Now with four clinics and two mobile clinics across Hong Kong, Pets Central is one of the city’s most popular and reliable pet healthcare centres. pets-central.com Why did you set up shop in the Sai Kung? Sai Kung is a community of pet lovers and is home to charities and groups who are passionate about rescuing village dogs and street cats. We are here to look after the welfare of animals, owned and unowned, so it really helps to be around other people who feel the same way!
Has the Covid-19 outbreak affected Pets Central? We’ve always been very aware of animal health, but this pandemic has made us focus more on the health of our pet parents. It has reminded us that pet health and human health are strongly linked. We started implementing human hygiene procedures early in the course of the pandemic and have rearranged how we work to protect the health of our clients and staff. Vets are well trained in hygiene and disease prevention so most of this was second nature to us. Tell us a fun fact about yourself I like to smoke my own bacon on my rooftop and brew mead from Hong Kong honey.
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cover story Ursula Huber Founder of Kidnapped Bookshop
independent bookshop, Kidnapped! Facebook: kidnappedbookshop How do you stay positive during tough times? I make sure that I spend some time each day with a decent book – away from the shop, social media and everything else. Reading books keeps me happy and grounded. Have more residents been turning to books to keep them entertained during social distancing? We are selling more books these days, either because people are reading more or they are staying in town instead of travelling. A lot of parents are also encouraging their children to balance the extra amount of time at home with a bit of good old reading.
Originally part of the Dymocks franchise, the Man Nin Street bookshop opened in 2010. With two young children, Ursula wanted to stay close
to Sai Kung and believed a good bookshop was needed. When the Dymocks left Hong Kong, she turned the store into Sai Kung’s only
How have you adapted to the Covid-19 outbreak? I don’t think you can really adapt to Covid-19. As an independent local bookshop, we can’t add an online outlet, we’d be competing with global players! We are currently offering deliveries to the Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay area, and offer help to customers who self quarantine as much as we can. In the end, all we can do is to remain a reliable mainstay to the community.
How has the Covid-19 outbreak affected your business? This has been an incredibly challenging time on a global scale, but as a result of living through SARS, more people are searching for their home using online platform and
through OKAY.com. Compared to SARS, Asia Financial Crisis and after the bursting of the tech bubble, sellers and landlords have remained confident that the market is more resilient, so have not been as willing to reduce their prices as they were during SARS.
Soi Schmeelke Associate Director at OKAY.com Soi has called Sai Kung home for 26 years, after relocating to the town from Singapore with her husband. Soi joined the OKAY.com team 2013 and has been supporting the community and helping people to find their dream home ever since. okay.com Why did you choose to set up shop in the Sai Kung? As an online agency, OKAY.com does not have street shops and is powered by a tech platform that its agents can access anywhere. The majority of my team live in the district and understand all the intricacies of living out here, what’s on offer, what can be challenging and how to take advantage of the lifestyle opportunities. How do you stay passionate? Perhaps what I enjoy the most is working with my team. We have people from all over the world, working together, which is unusual in this industry. We often help each other even when there’s no personal benefit. It’s enriching and fascinating at the same time.
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local businesses Andreas Konrad Director of Winerack After closing his wholesale company, importing wines to Hong Kong, Andreas was left with half a container of wine and German beer and nowhere to go. When a friend offered him an empty shop in Sai Kung town to sell the remaining stock, Andreas met Wineracks founders James Bradshaw and Robert Knightsbridge, who operated an online store at the time. They joined forces as a “friendchise” and opened the first Winerack store in 2014. Now they operate three stores in Sai Kung, Tsim Sha Tsui and Sai Ying Pun. winerack.com.hk
weekends and especially during the week. Consider all the costs to make sure that there will be some profit left at the end of the month. And
don’t forget to have fun whatever you do. If you don’t enjoy what you are doing, in my opinion, you cannot be successful.
What makes your business unique? I wanted our shops to have an atmosphere that appeals to everybody interested in wine, no matter how small their budget or how much wine knowledge they have. We focus on the product and train our staff to find wine that matches the individual customer’s taste - and budget. How has the Covid-19 outbreak affected your business? My shop in Tsim Sha Tsui has suffered the most, as there are no tourists or business travellers and fewer business lunches and dinners. Sai Kung has remained pretty stable and the great business in Sai Ying Pun is helping to recover the losses in Tsim Sha Tsui. Do you have any advice for someone starting out? Carefully consider your location and realistically estimate how much business there is on
Stuart Morton Company Entomologist at BioCycle Originally focusing on locations close to nature, including Sai Kung and Discovery Bay, BioCycle now covers the whole of Hong Kong, helping people control their household insect problems with waterbased, environmentally friendly insecticide. Over the past 29 years, the company has received numerous ecological awards and qualifications for their product and services. biocycle.com.hk
Has the Covid-19 outbreak affected your business? Having operated through SARS, we have experienced a little of what we are going through now. While there has been a reduction in requests for pest management services, we have seen an increase in requests for sanitation and disinfection services. This has led us to develop further services and products.
What motivates you to keep going? We strive to provide ecological services and products to the market, as we know that ecology is especially important. We feel that Hong Kong’s environmental awareness has improved but there is always room to grow. We embrace criticism and strive to provide better services and develop safer and more effective insecticides.
How can BioCycle reduce the spread of bacteria at home? Insects can carry bacteria, so we offer a range of packages to manage and prevent pests at home. We have also designed an organic sanitiser with great disinfectant properties, which can be applied throughout the home without any chemical disinfectant side effects.
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dining
Pinkies up!
Nikita Agrawal rounds up the best places to treat mum to tea this Mother’s Day of the day. Bring mum home a cake or dine in and enjoy a lengthy list of pancakes and waffles, washed down with their popular fruit tea coolers and ‘crazicinnos’. $150-200 per person. Chui Tong Road. Facebook: Crazy Cow Cafe & The Farmhouse
Let’s Jam With the most extensive homemade jam selection in Hong Kong, there is something for everyone at Let’s Jam. Order the cream tea set and enjoy their jams with a plate of freshly baked scones and cream. The café also offers a range of desserts and snacks including waffles, cakes and cheese sticks to enjoy on the side. $49 per person. 9 See Cheung Street. letsjam.hk
Little Cove Espresso Known far and wide across Hong Kong, Little Cove Espresso provides a chic waterfront location for an afternoon outing with mum. While the café is popular for their Mediterranean brunch plates, they also offer classic cakes, cookies and sourdough pastries, which pair perfectly with a cup of their specialty teas. $70-80 per person. Shop 1-2, Hoi Pong Square. Facebook: littlecoveespresso
Classic favourites The Peninsula
Afternoon tea at The Peninsula
Local delights The Conservatory Located in the square, The Conservatory offers an elegant yet comfortable restaurant experience, perfect for special occasions. Their daily afternoon tea set is the perfect treat for mum! Indulge in a sophisticated selection of scones with strawberry preserve and cream, sandwiches and cakes. Pair the set with your favourite tea, coffee or even a glass of celebratory prosecco. $188 for two. 26 Wan King Path. enotecagroup.com
Crazy Cow Café Edgy corner café, Crazy Cow offers a large selection of desserts to treat yourself, any time
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An oldie but a goldie, the Peninsula afternoon tea has become a classic Hong Kong tradition since the hotel opened its doors in December 1928. Served daily in The Lobby, the set includes a selection of finger sandwiches, homemade afternoon tea pastries and of course, no traditional afternoon tea set would be complete without freshly baked raisin scones, clotted cream and organic strawberry preserve. Each set is accompanied by tea from The Peninsula Tea Collection. $658 for two. Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. peninsula.com
181 at Fortnum & Mason Inspired by their home in London, Fortnum’s 181 brings their own exquisite version of this classic English pastime. They have a variety of high tea sets (even a vegetarian option) each served with a fragrant pot of Fortnum’s tea. Take your pick from a wide array of finger sandwiches, warm scones and a selection of freshly baked individual pâtisseries. $588 per person. K11 Atelier, Tsim Sha Tsui. 181fortnums.com.hk
nibbles
Dining news Cozy Coffee comes to town Sai Kung welcomed a new coffee shop on Po Tung Road in April. The two-storey cafe features minimalistic designs and an array of books for guests to enjoy while sipping on the many coffee options. The new cafe is part of a chain with other branches located in Tai Wai and Tsuen Wan. Diners can enjoy a delicious range of breakfast and lunch options including toasties and spaghetti. 70 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung. cozycoffeeclub.com
All things sweet Building on a successful pastry pop-up at the hotel lobby last year, Four Seasons Hong Kong has recently launched an online patisserie, helmed by executive pastry chef Ringo Chan. The new online boutique boosts handcrafted cakes and fresh pastries which can be ordered from the hotel’s e-shop for collection from The Lounge. shopfourseasonshk.com
Virtual pizza making party Black Sheep Restaurants’ popular pizza parlour Motorino, which routinely hosts pizza making parties, is taking their classes online this spring. Pre-order your pizza making kit and log onto Instagram Live on the day of the workshop to cook along with Chef Luca Marinelli. He will show you how to chop your ingredients, shape and top your dough and answer all your real-time questions. Starting from $208 for a pizza-making kit. motorinohongkong.com
Flour and empower The Nesbitt Centre, an inspiring organisation that helps adults with learning difficulties, has recently opened a brand new The Nest Bakery to showcase their delectable cakes and create more job opportunities
for individuals with disabilities to live independently. The bakery is also supporting medical staff fighting against Covid-19 by sending a cake to hospital doctors and nurses for every $380 raised. 24 Mui Fong Street, Sai Ying Pun. nesbittcentre.org.hk
Alcohol free Non-alcoholic drinks distributor Sipfree has brought a selection of beers and mocktails to restaurants across town. As the sister company of popular local brewery Gweilo Beer, customers are guaranteed high quality non-alcoholic drinking experience with lower calories. Pop by Momentai, WineRack, Picture House and Conservatory to have a taste or enjoy 5 percent discount when ordering from their online store until June by using the code SIPSK. sipfree.co
A dazzling Mother’s Day at Caprice Caprice is going all out this Mother’s Day to make your mum feel truly special. Book an indulgent five-course lunch with dishes like Hokkaido sea urchin, pan fried foie gras and Brittany blue lobster while overlooking the stunning Victoria Harbour for the perfect Sunday afternoon treat. $1,800 per person. fourseasons.com
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Double Haven
big day out
Rory Mackay visits the far-flung northeastern corner of the New Territories
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Jellyfish
y any nations’ standards, Double Haven would be considered a remote and relatively pristine location. It’s far-flung northeastern location in the New Territories makes it all the more special. The area possesses a little bit of something for everyone; from family-friendly short walks and historical rekeys, to tranquil beaches and clear waters. The primary port of call for all that reach the four main islands of Double Haven, is the sleepy village of Kat O. Located on Crooked Island, it is the only major settlement of note in the area and one could easily spend the best part of an hour wandering the laneways; crumbling Hakka houses interspersed with shade yielding Banyans. Enjoy a waterfront stroll and keep an eye out for the three 19th century era cannons, aptly pointed northwards towards the large container port of Yantian. Often visible, this behemoth on the Chinese Mainland provides a compelling juxtaposition between the traditional ways of the Hakka people and the rise of Modern China across the waters. From Kat O, there are a few short hikes you can pursue across opposite ends of Crooked
Island; the most worthwhile being a shorter trail leading northeast across to a large sandy beach which has spectacular views of Mirs Bay. Make sure to indulge yourself with a decent meal and grab refreshments in Kat O, as there are no such amenities anywhere else. If you have your own boat or kayak, then Kat O serves as a worthy port of call before venturing to more remote areas of the archipelago. For those who are not so fussed about the logistics of venturing offshore and are happy to get a taster for the area, another option is to visit the coastal portion of Double Haven near Lai Chi Wo Village. One can reach Lai Chi Wo overland by hiking from Wu Kau Tang in Plover Cove Country Park (take green minibus 20R departing at Tai Po Market MTR station to Wu Kau Tang), or by taking a ferry (Sunday and Public Holidays only) from Sha Tin (depart from Ma Liu Shui: 9am. Depart from Lai Chi Wo: 15.30pm. Fare: $50 single ticket, $80 return ticket). The hike from Wu Kau Tang takes you in an Easterly direction over a pass with fantastic views over the entire Double Haven area, before descending to the coast. Venturing further afield, there are many trails in Plover
double haven
Kayaking into the horizon
Cove Country park to choose from. If you’re taking the ferry from Ma Liu Shui, enjoy the views of Tolo Harbour en route before rounding the headland. Be sure to catch the final boat leaving the island at 3.30pm, unless hiking back or camping overnight is more your cup of tea. Camping in Hong Kong can be an awesome experience; there are a few great options around Plover Cove Country Park, the ‘Sam A Chung’ campsite being the best situated of them. Among the list of Hong Kong’s many regions, the castaway islands of Double Haven are worth the trip at least once. The adventure to and from Double Haven is as much an attraction as being there. How to get there Getting to the island is not straight forward, but that’s what makes it all the more alluring. The most common way is by a ferry from Shau Tau Kok to Kat O, however as this falls within the Closed Border Area, an access permit is required. Alternatively, you can join a private island tour to charter a boat or get a water taxi from Wong Shek Pier. From Sai Kung take the number 94 and 96R KMB buses go to Wong
Shek Pier (96R operates on weekends only). For the more intrepid, one can sail or kayak to the region and utilise many of the secluded anchorages the archipelago has to offer.
Rory Mackay runs adventure company Wild Hong Kong. For more details visit wildhongkong.com
Life’s a beach
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zim city at the entrance of the Central Wanchai Bypass. Following the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter I passed the ongoing works shaping the Wan chai waterfront. I headed along the promenade from the Convention Centre and returned to my starting point at the Hong Kong Observation Wheel. Looking back, I realised what a fantastic asset we can create by connecting all these waterfront parks, promenades and trails into a 65km Hong Kong Island Coastal Trail.
Stop 1: Hong Kong Observation Wheel
Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter
Stop 2: Big Wave Bay
Hong Kong Island Coastal Trail
Paul Zimmerman’s cancelled Easter getaway leads him to scale Hong Kong Island
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hat did you do with a long ‘corona’ Easter break? Having cancelled plans to look up friends at the Byron Bay Bluesfest I decided on a hike around Hong Kong Island, keeping as close as possible to the coast. With the dry weather and excellent vistas it turned into a great experience. All I needed was water, a hat and extra battery packs. Taking pictures of the details and surveying ‘missing links’ the route took three days. Leaving from the Hong Kong Observation Wheel in Central, I went west along the busy ferry piers, through Shun Tak along the shore to Instagram Pier. Up along Victoria Road and down into Sandy Bay rocky beach and the promenade along the HKU sports pitches. Here it was necessary to backtrack to the road as the link to Cyberport Waterfront Park has yet to be agreed on. Fired up by the lunch it was over Waterfall Bay down along the 1,000 statues of Wah Kwai. After industrial Tin Wan I took a wander through the Aberdeen Fish Market and followed the promenade along Aberdeen’s colourful harbour. I took the route along Heung Yip Road, past Wong Chuk Hang Station and Ocean Park, then onto Mills & Chung Path to the beaches of Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay. Opposite 18 South
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Stop 3: Wan Chai North
Bay Road, I walked up a proper trail over to Stanley. I went on to South Bay and walked the pig’s trail over and along Chung Hom Wan. After enjoying the local delights, I found the Stanley East Catch Water by going up the stairs at the Stanley Mound Fresh Water Pumping Station and down to Tai Tam. Down along the bottom of the Tai Tam dam and up Hong Kong Trail Section 7 it is a flat stretch and one long set of stairs to the start of Dragon’s Back. Once there, I headed up to Shek O. There is also the option of taking a bus, or walking to Cape D’Aguilar and bouldering down the rock stream onto Shek O beach and enjoying sumptuous refreshments. Along to Big Wave Bay, then I took the welltrodden route over Cape Collinson to Siu Sai Wan promenade. After the industrial waterfront of Chai Wan I reached Heng Fa Chuen’s tree lined waterfront. I headed up Shing Tai Road and found the informal trail along the south of the highway to get to Shau Kei Wan (we are waiting for the LCSD to open the Museum of Coastal Defence for hikers). From there the Quarry Bay park and promenade took me to North Point where we are awaiting the construction of a board walk under the highway and completion of the massive waterfront park
Paul Zimmerman is the CEO of Designing Hong Kong, a Southern District Councillor and the co-convenor of Save Our Country Parks alliance.
sai kung secrets
Tai She Wan’s abandoned resort
Nicole Slater uncovers the tale behind this derelict area
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ucked away in the village of Tai She Wan (Snake Bay), you’ll find an array of life-sized plastic animals, from giraffe’s to gorillas, scattered across the now overgrown terrain. These figurines didn’t just fall from the sky, their back story is all the more interesting. In the early 2000’s, a popular Wan Chai bar owner discovered the abandoned village of Tai She Wan on a trip to Sai Kung. After deeming it the perfect place for watersports fans, he leased the land in 2006 with the intention of transforming it into an up-and-coming resort. The resort, named Club Captain Bear, featured a swimming pool, bar, communal
area and accommodation rooms formed from refurbished buildings. The jungle-themed decorations, including life-sized animatronics, are thought to have been rescued from the Rainforest Cafe Hong Kong after its closure in 2000. During the resort's operation period, guests could stay at the unique hotel for $750 per night on weekends and $600 per night on weekdays. Due to its isolated location on High Island, the resort was only accessible via hike or boat. After changing owners multiple times, the project was scrapped and abandoned a few years later. Since then nature has taken over,
the once brightly painted walls have turned green and the crumbling structures have become entwined with overgrown vines. While photographers and ghost hunters love exploring this unique area, many environmental activists have shared concerns about the construction waste and state of the area. The Sai Kung District Council are looking for ways to improve the area but at the time of print, no plans have yet been made with regards to what to do with the site. Know of a Sai Kung secret? Email editorial@hongkongliving.com
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Ask a vet..
Dr Pauline answers your pet questions My puppy doesn’t seem interested in food. Why might this be? Have you tried changing his dry food to another brand? Or flavour? Some pups just don’t like some brands. Or he may simply not like dry food. I have just experienced a similar problem with my own pup and as soon as I changed the brand he wolfed it all down. My cats will only eat fish flavored foods. They walk away from chicken. I certainly didn’t train them that way. However, there could be a variety of medical reasons why your pup isn’t eating well. Teething, digestive problems, parasites to name a few so if the food changes don’t help please have your pup checked by your vet. We are planning on relocating to Europe which brings the possibility of a garden, will my ‘indoor cat’ be able to adapt to life outdoors? All cats are different. Age comes into this too with middle to senior cats usually happier near the home nest than following their innate hunting instincts and/or going for a wander. Some countries ban outdoor pet cats in an effort to protect their wildlife and thus limit cat movements so cats avoid hazards like poisons, road traffic accidents, and abuse from humans or worse being attacked and killed by predators. To my horror, my own beautiful eight year old indoor/out cat was recently mauled by totally out of control unleashed large dogs on our property. So to answer your question there are many things to consider. Your cat may make that decision easy Got a question for Dr. Pauline? Email editorial@hongkongliving.com
and be happy to lie around sunbathing inside your home. Cats tend to get on quite well being ‘indoors only’ pets especially if that’s how they have been brought up from kittens. How often do you recommend that I wash my dog? I commonly get asked this question. Wash your dog only as often as your dog needs to be washed. This varies a lot between dogs and their lifestyles, habits, skin and hair types, exercise, veterinarian advice and other ad hoc things. A dog’s skin and hair is naturally coated in oils and washing with shampoo can remove these natural oils that act as barriers to protect the skin. Daily grooming to remove dead hairs and a wipe down with towels after a walk may be all your dog’s skin type needs. However, if you walk your dog every day on mountain hikes or beaches and they like to roll in delicious smells you may need to wash your dog more often. Always use a conditioner after the shampoo so these oils get replaced.
Dr. Pauline Taylor Pets Central veterinarian answers your questions.
Walkies
Rex the dog tackles Dragon’s Back Trail With summer in full swing, hiking can sometimes feel more like a chore than a fun day out. That’s why it’s important to plan your summer hikes well. One which ends with a cool dip is the Dragon’s Back trail - a three-hour trail which starts at To Tei Wan and finishes on the sandy shores of Big Wave Bay. The hike gets its powerful and unique name from its hilltop undulations, it isn’t too strenuous and offers stunning views of Shek O, Stanley and the South China Sea. Once you’re on the beach, your pooch can run around in the sand while you enjoy a well deserved beer and snack before hiking back! How to get there: From Shau Kei Wan Station, take Exit A3 to Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus. Take bus number 9 to To Tei Wan this is the start of the trail. Have a favourite walk? Email editorial@hongkongliving.com
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marketplace
marketplace
To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772.
To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772
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marketplace
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To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772
marketplace
What to plant in May May weather facts Average high temperature: 28.4°C Average low temperature: 24.1°C Average rainfall: 304.7mm (12”) Average rainfall days: 14.7 days Average sunshine hours: 4.5 hours
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hen May comes along, we know that Hong Kong is really starting to warm up. May also marks the beginning of typhoon season, so we can expect plenty of rainfall and humidity. Get comfortable with having wet dirt in your garden, it will prove to be a cool sanctuary for your plants throughout the summer. This warm season provides the perfect opportunity for sowing the seeds of Chinese Balsam, Sunflower, Amaranthus globosus, Ipomoea Quamoclit, Cocksombs, Torenia Fournieri, Clitoria Ternatea, and Gynandropsis pentaphylla. If you’re looking to add pops of colour to your garden, these flowers will bloom and do just that. Take a good look at your previously sown seeds which have now bloomed and get ready to move things around. Annuals sown in March will now be ready for potting or planting in beds. Allamandas and Buddleias should be repotted and Poinsettias should be safely nestled into flowering pots. Pay attention to the following plants that need to be shielded from the wet May weather. Freesias will have grown to maturity and should be kept dry. Geraniums and Heliotropes will keep better through the summer if protected from the heavy rain. Consider that verandahs provide suitable shelter. Stay a little on your toes to prevent the rain and heat getting the better of you. Draw in the summer air and embark upon this month of protecting and caring for your plants. 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.
To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772
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stephen says...
Spare us the platitudes in a time of virus Stephen Vines shares his coronavirus frustrations amongst other goings on around the town
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hat is left to say about this wretched coronavirus that has not been said? The dizzying rate of infection, the death toll, the economic misery and the social disruption it has caused are quite bad enough and, although we really need to know about it, do we really need to know so much, so often? Are you not as fed up as I am by people earnestly donning a convoluted expression of concern and declaring that you should be well or be safe or be whatever? And then there’s all this claptrap about everyone being in this together, or indeed pulling together and being brave. No cliché is spared in the scramble to utter the obvious and the platitudinous. And when the tugging of the heart strings has been done, there is the avalanche of smug advice: use this as an opportunity to do what you’ve put off doing, to learn something new, to find comfort in friends and family and, for lovers of schadenfreude, to take comfort from our good fortune when so many have been less fortunate. As the days grow longer and this bloody virus refuses to budge, I turn with nostalgia to a far
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more aggressive, and frankly more honest, way of coping with disease, and the imminence of death. It is contained in a stellar interview that the great writer and journalist Dennis Potter gave to Melvyn Bragg. Potter was dying of cancer and told Bragg that one of his better ways of coping was to call his cancer Rupert, named after the infamous media baron Rupert Murdoch, who Potter charged with spreading a cancer through the world via his multifaceted media holdings. Not a man to reach for a platitude where plain speaking would do a better job, Potter described Murdoch as ‘that drivel-merchant, global huckster and so-to-speak media psychopath’. He was angry with his own condition and angry with what was going on in the world around him. How refreshing it was to see this anger being deployed in such an upfront vigorous manner. So, for those of us who are wondering what comes next – maybe a little more anger, plain talking and a lot less dissembling, clichémongering and all the rest of it, is in order. That’s my rant for the day and if it makes just one person feel better, my work is done.
PCCW – the service provider that hates to provide Meanwhile back to mundane reality, of the kind that arises during this time of crisis. It’s time to return to Sai Kung’s arch enemy – yes, of course, I’m talking about PCCW or HKT, or whatever it’s called this week. Anyone who lives outside the more built up areas of the Sai Kung district will know that when it comes to the fixed line telephone service and the provision of broadband they have no choice but to turn to PCCW, the monopoly supplier. In return for paying exactly as much for its services in Sai Kung as elsewhere in Hong Kong, PCCW supplies broadband bandwidth that is starkly inferior to what is available in parts of the SAR where it faces competition. The agonisingly slow speed and inadequate capacity of this service is a constant irritant but at a time when far more people are working at home and, for all sorts of reasons, require decent bandwidth they are left with an even worse substandard service. Some people will say, oh my, living in a rural area, you are lucky to have any service at all, try going to some parts of the boondock’s elsewhere in the world and you will discover how bad things really are. That may well be the case but we are living in Hong Kong which boasts of its super-efficient connectivity and its telecommunications sophistication, so let’s judge circumstances here by the standards that are supposed to prevail. Over to you PCCW. No crisis too big not to be exploited by landlords I was thinking of ending on a happier note, because, at the end of the day, many of us are really privileged to be living in the tranquil environment of Sai Kung, but this rant cannot be satiated without mentioning what’s going on among that much loved group of people – landlords. Commercial rents are falling like ninepins in many parts of Hong Kong as businesses collapse and premises are left vacant but here, precisely because Sai Kung is such a haven, shop rents are actually rising because some, but by no means all retailers, have benefited from the influx of visitors during the coronavirus crisis. It would not be correct to say that humongous profits are being made but, on the whole, the food and beverage industry here is much better than elsewhere and, so I hear from people in the business, local landlords have been quick to take their pound of flesh.
Stephen Vines is a journalist, broadcaster and entrepreneur. He is the former editor of the Eastern Express and Southeast Asia correspondent for The Observer.
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