Sai Kung Magazine December 2013

December 2013

DECEMBER 2013

PEOPLE

CHARITY FOCUS

4 Snapped!

Sai Kung’s social life.

THE PLANNER

18 Feeding Hong Kong Redistributing the city’s excess.

FEATURE

6 Happening in December It’s party time.

LETTERS 10 Have your say The latest from our readers.

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

11 The beer chap The Bottle Shop’s Danny Wong and his award-winning brewskis.

NEWS 12 What’s going on?

The latest from your backyard.

20 How the Grinch Stole Sai Kung’s Christmas A poem (with apologies to Dr Seuss).

24 Santa’s little helper Where to get trees, gifts and other Christmassy things.

EATING 28 Countdown to 2014 New Year’s Eve parties. Plus Nibbles from the dining scene.

EDUCATION 32 My first page-turner The best children’s books ever.

LOCAL 14 Giving back Where to volunteer this Christmas.

VINES IN SAI KUNG 16 The Kung and the Kuk The latest on the fight for the country parks.

BIG DAY OUT 38 We got air Hong Kong by helicopter.

SPORT 40 And then there were Stingrays Kevin Overton recalls the club’s early days.

TRAVEL 42 Big fish The best fishing in Asia?

HEALTH & BEAUTY 44 The glam squad Where to get pampered before the party.

CLASSIFIEDS 58 Loads of random useful local stuff.

ULTIMATE GUIDE 60 All you need to know Numbers that make life easier.

ON PATROL 62 You’re nicked!

Joe Au-Yeung Tak on making citizen’s arrests.

PETS 46 Hotels for dogs Holiday homes for Rover.

Plus Sally Andersen says adopt, don’t buy.

CREATURE FEATURE 49 Rhesus macaque The facts.

MARKETPLACE 51 Your guide to shops and services Cool stuff to buy and do.

Cover illustration by veteran cartoonist Harry Harrison.

“Just go. Go. Go! I don’t care how. You can go by foot. You can go by cow.” – Dr Seuss

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people Snaps from Sai Kung

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say cheese

Hebe Haven 24-Hour Charity Dinghy Race

Pictures: Anna Bowkis Photography

Pink Ladies, Diamonds by the Bay

Sascha Camille Howard Exhibition Opening

Share your event photos with us at photo@fastmedia.com.hk. Get snapping!

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planner Dec 3-8 The Woman in Black It’s really scary. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $295-$795 from www.hkticketing. com, 3128 8288.

Dec 5 Julio Iglesias Live Enrique’s dad hits town. Tickets $880$3,880 from www. hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Dec 5 Agua Plus Quiz Night Teams of six test the grey matter. 8pm, 72 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2791 2030.

Dec 5 Sai Kung Sampler

Until Jan 5 A Sparkling Christmas

Oh look, it’s snowing on Main Street. Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau, www.hongkongdisneyland.com.

Until Dec 2 Hong Kong International Boat Show Cruise the superyachts, sailing boats, ribs and dinghies and dream a little. Club Marina Cove, Hiram’s Highway, Sai Kung, www. clubmarinacove.com.

Until Dec 8 Sleeping Beauty Wakey wakey! It’s panto time (oh yes, it is).

Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. Tickets $290-$330 from Urbtix, www.urbtix.hk.

Dec 1 Savills Corporate Sevens Celebrating its 30th year, with a kids’ zone, food, beer tents and great rugby. All proceeds to Po Leung Kuk for a new multi-surface pitch.

Free entry. So Kon Po Recreation Ground, 55 Caroline Hill Road, www.corporate7s.com.hk.

Dec 2, 10 Conrad Fair DEC 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 Island East Markets Local organic food and other goodies, with live music and fun activities for children. Dogs welcome. 10am-5pm. Tong Chong Street, Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay.

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The mothers of all Christmas fairs. Shop for hampers, designer fashion, jewellery and skincare. Grand Ballroom, Conrad Hotel, Pacific Place, Admiralty, 2521 3838, www.prestigefairs.hk.

In time for Christmas, the monthly market will be an all-day affair at Steamers’ new upstairs venue, Zest. 10am-10pm, 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6991.

Dec 6-7 Craft and Designer Christmas Sale Give an original art piece or something crafty this Christmas. Sascha Camille Howard Artist Studio, Lot 787 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 9254 8803, www.saschahoward.com.

Dec 6-8 Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove Some of Disney’s best bits on ice: Peter Pan in Neverland, Simba in Africa and down the rabbit hole with Alice. Cotai Arena, The Venetian Macau. Tickets $280-468 from www. cotaiticketing.com, +853 6333 6660.

Dec 7, Jan 25 Winter Garage Sale People travel across Hong Kong to rummage for pre-loved goodies. 9.30am-3pm, LG3 Car Park at Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clearwater Bay, 9045 5942.

Dec 7 Steamers Christmas Bazaar Local and international vendors sell gifts and stocking fillers in the courtyard and upstairs in Zest. 2pm-7pm, 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6991.

happening in december

Dec 7 Operation Santa Claus Christmas Quiz Sai Kung’s favourite annual quiz with a cause returns with fun rounds – Call My Bluff, movie clips, music and more – plus great prizes and dinner. Don’t miss it! 7pm, The Garden Bar, Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Pak Sha Wan. Tickets $400 from saikungchristmasquiz@gmail.com.

Dec 7 Il Mercatino Charity Fair at Sandy Bay Feast on delicious Italian food and pick up a bargain or two at this annual fundraiser. Entrance $20; bring your own bag. 10am-5pm, Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital, 12 Sandy Bay Road, Pok Fu Lam.

Dec 7 Blohk Party 2013 Music, DJs, food and fashion come together in Hong Kong’s answer to the New York event, brought to you by Pharrell Williams, who also headlines. West Kowloon Cultural District.

Tickets $600-$1,288 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Dec 11 Hebe One O One Quiz It’s quiz time! Think festive. 8.30pm, 112 Pak Sha Wan, 2335 5515.

Dec 13 Welsh Male Voice Choir

Dec 21 Magical Mystery Hash

Carolling from the Valleys. Garden Bar, Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Pak Sha Wan, www.hhyc. org.hk.

Join the Sai Kung hash house harriers for its annual family Magical Mystery Tour, for teams of two or an adult and as many kids as you like. Meet at Steamers, 2.30pm. $10; free for children. Book with gunpowderplod@gmail. com, 9307 2041.

Dec 15 Sai Kung Christmas Carols O come all ye faithful – and the rest of you – for the annual outdoor community carols. 6pm, Waterfront Park, Sai Square, Sai Kung.

Dec 12-15 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Faust International Youth Theatre goes to Narnia.

Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai.

Tickets $220$270 from www. hkticketing.com.

Dec 14-15 Free Space Fest Two days of local and international outdoor music, dance, media arts, literature, theatre, parkour, workshops and more. West Kowloon Cultural District. Details at www.wkcda.hk.

Dec 21 Sai Kung Christmas Carnival A new event in Man Nin Square brings all the fun of the fair to town, with games, stalls, activities, performances, flair bartending and more.

Organised by the Sai Kung Community Centre.

Noon-4pm, Man Yee Playground, Sai Kung.

Dec 21-28 The Nutcracker The Hong Kong Ballet has staged this Christmas classic for more than 15 years. It’s pretty good now. Grand Theatre, HK Cultural Centre, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tickets from $140 at Urbtix, 2734 9009, www.urbtix.hk.

Dec 25 Christmas Day Tree! Presents! Turkey!

Dec 26 Boxing Day Public holiday.

Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Happy New Year!

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planner

happening in december

Book now Jan 1 Dragon & Lion Dance Festival

Jan 12 James Blunt Live in Hong Kong

Feb 13 Avril Lavigne

The annual parade of lion and dragon dancers, happy Buddhas and more. 1.30pm-5pm, Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, www.dragonlion.hk.

It’s going to be beyootiful. It’s true. Tickets $580-$980 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

The sk8er girl’s back. AsiaWorld Expo, Lantau. Tickets $380-$780 from www. hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Jan 14 Sarah Brightman Live The superstar soprano sings. AsiaWorld Expo, Lantau. Tickets $580-$1,180 from www. hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Jan 15-Feb 16 Kidsfest!

Jan 12 Clearwater Bay Chase The annual race from the CWB Country Club.

Adults and kids races. Register by December 22 at www.cwbgolf.org/cwbchase, 2335 3752.

Stage productions of The Gruffalo, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Horrible Histories and more.

Drama Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Details and tickets from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

Got an event? We can publish the details for free. Email editor@saikung.com.

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letters

have your say

Cop congrats Congratulations on the 50th issue of Sai Kung Magazine. Its success is worth our positive recognition. In terms of “community policing”, Sai Kung Magazine offers monthly “intelligence” to allow my divisional commander and myself a closer look at the community from a different perspective. More importantly, it provides an excellent platform to allow us to share our message with Sai Kung people. Heartfelt appreciation from Sai Kung Police.

Joe Tak ADVC OPS Sai Kung Police Party on, Sheung Sze Wan The Sheung Sze Wan Rural Committee celebrated its fourth anniversary on October 19 with a free barbecue party. More than 150 people attended, including old folks and youngsters from neighbouring villages Ha Yeung, Leung Fai Tin, Siu Hang Hau and Tai Hang Hau. It was great to meet and talk with the area’s expat residents. There is an old Chinese proverb: “A good neighbour is far better than a distant relative.”

Everyone enjoyed the party with food, drinks and karaoke – the locals sang Chinese songs while the expats sang Western pop songs – and carried on until midnight.

Stephen Wong Ho-tung, Sheung Sze Wan One mag, many uses This marvellous and rather large grasshopper (below) was saved from doom thanks to your handy magazine, which I luckily had with me. I’ve lived in Hong Kong for 30-plus years and am now able to appreciate Sai Kung’s finest secrets and gems, thanks to your excellent publication! Thank you to all your team. The magazine is brilliant.

Zoe Ng (via Facebook)

A ferry to Central?

Can something be done about the traffic, already? With the Hiram’s Highway expansion STILL not happening, I wonder if Sai Kung District Council members ever travel in and out of Sai Kung during peak hours or weekends.

There could be a simple solution to the traffic problem staring us in the face, and it isn’t widening roads or building MTR lines. A ferry service to the city could make a huge difference to commuters and weekend visitors.

If other outlying places such as Discovery Bay and Ma Wan, which both have road access, can support regular passenger ferry services, why not Sai Kung? To me, it makes sense.

Alice Young, Sha Kok Mei

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Thank you for all the letters we’ve received this year. Please keep writing to us about what’s on your mind, issues, trivia, and events at editor@saikung.com.

Please email your letters to editor@saikung.com. We may edit for length.

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five minutes with...

in your backyard cheers

Best beer in town The Bottle Shop’s Danny Wong tells Cherrie Yu what sets its award-winning craft beers apart.

I have been in this industry for two years, I did some courses overseas about craft beer and brewing. It’s very important to know how to brew.

We train our staff like that so anyone can come in to ask about beer and what to pair with it.

We were named Best Beer Importer at the Hong Kong International Beer Awards. The awards were open to all distributors to join and a panel of judging experts conducted a blind tasting.

We won the most awards. The beers are the winners, not us.

We carry five or six labels, which is not many in this industry. We keep it that way to do the best for the breweries. Our criteria are accessibility and quality. We also collaborate with other distributors so they are also present at the Bottle Shop.

In a suburban area like Sai Kung, people value quality. People eat at home more. We think Sai Kung is ready [for craft beer] – many

customers in our online store are from Sai Kung. A lot of customers ask us what food goes with craft beers and we are now selling pies from The Globe.

Everyone should be able to enjoy what they like. Some bulky, hairy guys ask for strawberry cider, some women love heavy black beer.

My favourite is The Biscotti Break – it’s really creamy and chocolatey.

A week after drinking it I can still taste it at the oddest times. We are also looking at marshmallow beer

by Omnipollo Sweden, the so-called “witches of craft beer”.

Always pour craft beers into a glass – you can really get the aroma

and taste, particularly from a wine glass.

Try Christmas ale, warmer beer with a caramel taste. It goes well with a roast… ah, the thought of it!

For more information, please visit www.thebottleshop.hk.

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news

in your backyard

Pig in a poke

Sailability’s Christmas present Operation Santa Claus is to sponsor a team from Sailability Hong Kong at the 2014 Asian Para Games in Incheon, Korea in October.

Sixteen of the group’s 24 disabled sailors are currently training for the event at Hebe Haven Yacht Club, with three to be selected to compete against sailors from 10 other countries in two classes.

“We’re putting them into local regattas and races and schooling them,” says Sailability chairman

Mike Rawbone. “We will be taking the best.”

Operation Santa Claus (osc.scmp.com) will cover 90 per cent of the team’s expenses including training costs, fees for skilled international instructors and the cost of sending the teams to Korea.

“It’s a huge load off our minds,” Rawbone says. “The cost of this, we’d have found it extremely difficult without Operation Santa Claus. We’re grateful to them.”

Santa shops at

Colourful Nam Wai shopkeeper Uncle Billy and his pet boar, Tommy, have been causing quite a commotion since the pair were taken into custody last month.

Tommy has been living at Nam Wai for 10 months, ever since Uncle Billy rescued the piglet from an attack by wild dogs that separated him from his family.

But last month, while the pair were out for a walk through Sai Kung, Uncle Billy was arrested and Tommy was sent to a pound in Sheung Shui. It is illegal in Hong Kong to keep livestock without a license.

Speaking to Sai Kung Magazine, Uncle Billy said he’d been contacted by the SPCA and people sympathetic to Tommy’s plight, and he was hoping to “bail him out” soon.

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in your backyard

Schools guide ITS Educational Services published the fifth edition of The Unique Asia Schools Guide last month. Expanded to include Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai and Beijing, it includes articles by teachers, parents, education professionals and other experts. The new edition is $225 from major bookstores or online at www.itseducation.asia.

Fusion for Sai Kung Good news for Sai Kung shoppers: Fusion supermarket opens this month in Centro on Chui Tong Road, Sai Kung. As well as breathing new life into the white elephant formerly known as Star Plaza, the new supermarket is more upmarket than its sister brand, ParknShop, with a focus on international and Western delicacies.

Even better, you really can park and shop at the new location.

Farewell Gerry Gibson Long-time Sai Kung resident Gerry Gibson passed away peacefully on October 24.

He courageously fought pneumonia, never losing his spirit or faith. He is survived by family members worldwide, including his daughter, Sally Carole Gibson.

A celebration of his life was held on November 9 at the Duke of York, Gerry’s favourite bar; he was at its opening party back in 1988.

Gerry Gibson was born on September 16, 1932, in Stoke on Trent, England. He first

came to Hong Kong in 1952 and fought in the Korean War. In 1975, Gerry moved to Sai Kung and met his wife, Leonila. He worked as a civil engineer on major Hong Kong projects such as the High Island Reservoir, MTR and Chek Lap Kok airport.

Gerry was a generous, kind-hearted man who will be deeply missed. He would always stop and say hello and was respected and liked by all who knew him.

His family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the sympathy, comforting words, kindness and concern that has been shown to them by the community.

TKO bicycle track opens A new 1.6km cycling trail opened in Tseung Kwan O last month. The trail runs along the seafront to the town centre past plenty of green areas and rest stops with picturesque harbour views. It also passes the new pet garden on Wang Po Road. The public can access the new cycle track from Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station, Exit A2, or Tseung Kwan O Station, Exit A2. There are plenty of cycle parking places available around the track, including more than 400 spaces on Tong Chun Street and Tong Ming Street.

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local Editorial Jane Steer jane@fastmedia.com.hk Hannah Grogan hannah@fastmedia.com.hk Art Director Reynaldo Dela Paz rey@fastmedia.com.hk Graphic Designer Evy Cheung evy@fastmedia.com.hk Sales Manager Jonathan Csanyi-Fritz jonathan@fastmedia.com.hk Sales Executive Jackie Wilson jackie@fastmedia.com.hk Digital Content Editor Sharon Wong sharon@fastmedia.com.hk Accounts Manager Connie Lam accounts@fastmedia.com.hk Publisher Tom Hilditch tom@fastmedia.com.hk Contributors Adele Rosi Carolynne Dear Sally Andersen Stephen Vines Chris Beale Cherrie Yu Steffi Yuen Olivia Lai Printer Gear Printing Room 3B, 49 Wong Chuk Hang Road, (Derrick Industrial Building), Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong Published by Fast Media Floor LG1, 222 Queens Road Central Hong Kong Give us a call!

Editorial: 2776 2773 Advertising: 2776 2772 Sai Kung Magazine is published by Fast Media 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. Fast Media 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.

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The season of giving

Santa on the Beach, one of many events being held for Operation Santa Claus.

Charities that need your help this Christmas. By Cherrie Yu. Hands On Hong Kong Hands On Hong Kong provides volunteers for a range of local charities. This Christmas, it’s looking for volunteers for everything from helping minority children with their homework to carolling in SoHo for Green Glass Green to manning an exhibition booth for Feeding Hong Kong.

English-speaking Santas and elves are also needed at “A Very Christmas Hong Kong”, the first outdoor family concert at the Central waterfront (costumes provided). Sign up at www. handsonhongkong.org.

Operation Santa Claus Now in its 26th year, this annual Christmas fundraiser is coordinated by the South China Morning Post and RTHK in aid of 18 local charities. This year’s beneficiaries include Sailability, Bring Me A Book, Animals

Asia Foundation, Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Disease Association, and Children’s Medical Foundation. Make a donation, organise your own fundraiser on OSC’s behalf or support events such as Sai Kung’s Christmas Quiz (December 7, Hebe Haven Yacht Club, saikungchristmasquiz@gmail. com), Santa Hat Day, Santa on the Beach (December 1, Stanley

Beach) or the Lamma Island Treasure Hunt (December 8). For details, visit osc.scmp.com.

D’Oli Charity D’Oli Charity is accepting donations of money and goods to be sent to the Philippines in aid of the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. Donate clothes, food, medicine, shoes or anything else that can make a difference. For

Volunteer through Hands On Hong Kong.

think of theXXXX kids information, email dolly@saiiltd.com or call 9843 3341. Take items to 21 Sai Kung Tai Street, Sai Kung.

Make a Wish The Hong Kong branch of this international charity is dedicated to making dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses.

Until December 26, it is looking for volunteers to man its charity sale counter, Share the Joy of a Wish, at The Landmark. Other volunteers are also needed until December 30 at its Tree of Hope in The Peninsula, encouraging people to buy ornaments in aid of Make a Wish to hang on the hotel’s magnificent Christmas tree. Donate your time, money or expertise at www.makeawish.org.hk.

YMCA Hong Kong Make a child’s Christmas this year by donating new toys to the YMCA’s Toy Bank for distribution to the children of low-income families. The YMCA has joined forces with Hong Kong Post in the Love to Share, Toys Collection Programme, with drop-off locations at 14 post offices across Hong Kong until December 31. The toys should be new and suitable for

Make a donation, organise a fundraiser or support events such as Sai Kung’s Christmas Quiz children under 12. For details, visit www. hongkongpost.hk.

The Society for the Relief of Disabled Children Established in 1953, the SRDC provides medical, rehabilitation and educational services for disabled children in Hong Kong. It is always looking for volunteers and donations.

This Christmas it is also selling a large range of Christmas cards, giftwrap and silk flowers online. For details, visit www.srdc.org.hk.

Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children The HKSPC aims to keep children happy, healthy and safe. It operates 27 service units,

including day crèches, residential homes and family service centres. This Christmas buy charity cards designed by children from HKSPC or make a donation at www.hkspc.org.

Typhoon Band Aid Party on the harbour front in aid of the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. To be held at Q Deck on Sunday, December 1, Typhoon Band Aid will feature bands from around Hong Kong with a chance for amateur musicians to jam with the pros.

Go for the barbecue brunch ($488 a head) with free-flowing bubbles or just enjoy the music for $150 including a free drink.

Great Vision group will donate $88 from every ticket and founder Paul Buxton will match the donations. The group hopes to raise $75,000 to buy 100 tents that staff will deliver to Cebu. Noon-4pm, December 1, The Fleet Arcade, Fenwick Pier, 1 Lung King Street, Wan Chai, 2827 8882, www.greatvision.com.hk.

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vines in sai kung

stephen says...

The Kung and the Kuk Stephen Vines on the changing face of Sai Kung town and the unchanging nature of the Heung Yee Kuk. The Duke’s reprieve The great thing about Sai Kung town is that it is one of Hong Kong’s few shopping centres not entirely dominated by the big retail chains.

You can still visit real coffee shops, nonchain restaurants, a variety of individual food sellers and wonderful all-purpose stores that sell an amazing array of goods, not forgetting a couple of bookshops and pharmacies staffed by people who know what they are talking about.

There are, unavoidably, some blots on the landscape such as Starbucks (a coffee shop for people who don’t really like coffee but gobble up coffee-flavoured milky drinks), McDonald’s (for people who don’t like real food) and the dismal supermarket chains.

Recently the Duke of York was threatened with closure, it may now be saved but whoever takes it over will be battling to pay the rent. The Duke has been in Sai Kung for a quarter century (in Hong Kong retail terms that’s an eternity).

It has a distinctive identity and a firm local base. No prizes for guessing that the crisis was caused by a big rent hike. As other leases come up for renewal we can be lamentably sure that more independent businesses are going to be squeezed out.

Talking to the Kuk – but are they listening?

An unusual event was held in Sai Kung Town Hall on October 19 that brought together campaigners trying to save the country parks with representatives and supporters of the Heung Yee Kuk, who can reasonably be described as not caring whether the country parks live or die. Unsurprisingly those on the preservation side of this debate took the initiative for this event.

They came armed with a great deal of interesting information and reasoned argument about the country parks and their ecology.

However, I have a nasty suspicion that good reasoning is not what will secure the park’s future.

Some die-hard optimists came away from this event thinking that much was achieved by getting the Kuk to come at all. Others, including me, noted their representative on the platform was distinctly uncompromising and still in full self-righteous flow claiming to represent the interests and rights of the indigenous population. Of course, this talk of rights is mainly twaddle, the real issue is money and property entitlements.

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The Duke of York may now be saved but whoever takes it over will be battling to pay the rent The rent-a-crowd who came with the Kuk grandees – I mean that literally because a lady in my view was busy taking names presumably for payment later – hardly bothered to listen to anyone who was not supporting their claims but cheered obediently when signalled to do so.

The Kuk are masters at getting what they want but in wanting to destroy large areas of the country parks they are clearly at loggerheads with the majority of Hong Kong people. They are even more at loggerheads with the people who actually live in places such as Sai Kung – unlike the “indigenous villagers” watching over their interests from Vancouver and Newcastle.

In the end they will have to be given something, by which I mean money, so a lot of time could be saved by working out a compensation scheme that would shut them up. As a taxpayer I don’t like the idea of doling out a lot of cash to people with spurious claims but I think it is the lesser of two evils.

A government promise – is it worth the paper it’s printed on?

Meanwhile the government has gone some little way to curb the destructive tendencies of Paul Chan Mo-po, the minister with responsibility for the country parks. In a written answer given in the Legislative Council it was bluntly stated that “the government currently has no plan to develop the country parks for housing purposes”. The word “currently” is worrying but as long as the pressure is kept up it seems the administration can be pressured into holding off from doing its worst.

Some numskulls have argued that the issue of the country parks is only for Hong Kong’s middle-class elite. Not only is this contradicted by seeing who uses the parks but this argument seems to assume that the environment is only used by the elite. In the world where I live, the environment is shared by everyone.

Stephen Vines is a journalist, broadcaster and entrepreneur. He is the former editor of the Eastern Express and Southeast Asia correspondent for The Observer.

charity focus

fill those tummies

Feeding Hong Kong Olivia Lai meets the people helping the hungry.

Hong Kong may be an affluent city but it has one of the largest wealth gaps in the world with one in five people living below the poverty line. In a city that throws away more than 3,200 tonnes of food a day, thousands of people are going hungry.

Feeding Hong Kong (FHK) is a food bank established in 2011 to fight hunger in Hong Kong and reduce the quantity of food waste going into landfills. It collects surplus food from hotels, restaurants and importers and redistributes it to people in need. Think of it as Hong Kong’s answer to Robin Hood, but without the stealing.

One of its main projects is the Bread Run: volunteers collect unsold fresh bread and

18 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

sandwiches from shops at closing time and take it to local charity distribution points that night or the next morning. On a good night, volunteers can rescue 1,000 pieces from bakeries.

This Christmas, FHK founder Gabrielle Kirstein says the group is planning exciting new events to benefit more people. It will be hosting three Christmas community meals and a Christmas party in conjunction with Box of Hope where it will give presents to children and food parcels to adults.

“It’s the small things, but when you combine it, it has a bigger impact,” Kirstein says.

Other new projects include the Santa Sack Campaign, which aims to deliver up to 1,000 family food parcels. The Chef Community Programme invites professional cooks to teach people how turn yesterday’s leftovers into today’s delicious nutritious meals, and run cooking classes at HKU Space. There’s also an FHK cookbook of $10 recipes by local chefs. And sandwich chain Pret a Manger, which has supported FHK from its earliest

days, will donate $1 for every sandwich sold in its Christmas Lunch and brie and cranberry flavours.

The group has grown in the past year, with twice as many companies contributing food and now distributing to 47 local charities.

“We’re not interested in expanding into our own soup kitchen,” Kirstein says. Instead the group is committed to being a crucial link redistributing surplus food in a safe and sustainable way.

How to get involved • Donate your surplus canned foods, rice and noodles.

• Join the FHK Monthly Bread Run on December 17 and 19. Sign up at least three days in advance.

• Become a volunteer driver, warehouse or food-sourcing assistant.

• Donate: $500 can feed a family of three for a week.

For details and donations, please visit www.feedinghk.org.

a christmas tale

Illustrations by Harry Harrison.

Every Sai Kunger, From Junk Peak to the coast From Nam Wai to Tap Mun Loved Christmas the most.

But the Grinch, who lived in Hong Kong’s tallest tower Tending Excel docs titled “Money” and “Power”, This Grinch, who loved only his penthouse and yacht, This Grinch, most certainly, did NOT! The Grinch hated Christmas!

The whole Christmas season!

Now, please don’t ask why.

No one quite knows the reason.

It could be that Central’s neon lights were too bright, Or his Marc Jacobs pants had gotten too tight.

(Or perhaps the pollution had damaged his sight.)

But I think that the most likely reason of all, May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

The Grinch watched Sai Kung with a deepening frown As Christmas cheer took a hold of the town.

Hazel was baking roast beast in her caff, Sing next door sang Jingle Bells with his staff, There’s Al round the corner dressed as Saint Nick.

“Yuck!” said the Grinch. “It’s making me sick!”

Then he growled, with his Grinch fingers nervously drumming, “I MUST find a way to keep Christmas from coming!”

20 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

giddyap grumpy

And tied a big horn on top of his head.

THEN He loaded some bags And some old empty sacks On a ramshackle rickshaw, Bought the evening before.

It was a bargain on Groupon He just couldn’t ignore, For despite all his wealth (as most Hongkies do) He loved a good bargain – darling, don’t you?

Then he hitched up old Grumpy And said “Giddyap!”

Though the going was bumpy (They’d dug Hiram’s up).

And then he got an idea, an awful idea.

The Grinch got a wonderful, awful idea.

“I will go to Sai Kung and steal all their gifts!

“Their stockings, their boxes, their presenty bliss!”

So he ordered his amah to sew a red suit, For he’d dress up as Santa and go out on pursuit.

And he chuckled and clucked, “What a great Grinchy trick!

“With this coat and this hat, I’ll look just like Saint Nick!”

“I just need a reindeer…”

Said the Grinch, looking round.

But since reindeer are scarce, there was none to be found.

Did that stop the old Grinch...?

No! The Grinch simply said, “If I can’t find a reindeer, I’ll make one instead!”

So he caught Grumpy the bull. And he took some red thread, WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 21

a christmas tale

They went village to village, from Ho Chung to Jade, Stealing all the presents, store bought and homemade.

It was quarter past dawn, Agua Plus was a-bed, The Boozer was a-snoozer When he packed up his sled.

Back in his penthouse, his big-city lair, The Grinch reclined in his Osim massage chair.

After snapping a selfie with his ill-gotten bling He said, “Now to enjoy my evil Grinchy thing!”

He turned on his tablet, his PC and iPhone, Expecting to hear Sai Kungers all moan and groan.

But Facebook was quiet, no news on his feed, No tweets on his Twitter, there was nothing to read.

So he turned on the TV and gasped in surprise.

“OMG!” he declared. “I can’t believe my eyes!”

Every Sai Kunger, the tall and the small, Was singing! Without any presents at all!

He HADN’T stopped Christmas from coming!

IT CAME! 22 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the Grinch, staring at that breakfast news show, Stood puzzling and puzzling: “How could it be so?

“It came without logos! It came without tags!

“It came without brand-name boxes or bags!”

And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!

“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “Doesn’t come from a store.

“Maybe Christmas… perhaps…

Means a little bit more!”

And what happened then?

Well… in Sai Kung they say That the Grinch’s small heart Grew three sizes that day.

And the minute his heart didn’t feel quite so tight, He whizzed with his load through the bright morning light And he brought back the toys!

And the food for the feast!

And he... ...HE HIMSELF...!

The Grinch carved the roast beast!

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 23

feature All I want for Christmas Things we’d like to find under the tree.

Eco-friendly reindeer, stars, trees and bowls made using driftwood gathered from Asian beaches from $95 at Tree, www.tree.com.hk

Cheerful red and white Christmas tableware from Indigo, www. indigo-living.com.

Deck the halls (and doors) with Christmas wreaths from The Silk Flower Company. Caledonian Centrepiece, $800 with candles; Somerset wreath, $750. Treasure Island, Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, www.thesilkflowercompany.com

Battery-operated Smart Candles from $620 at Everything Under The Sun, www.everythingunderthesun.com.hk

Dangling Santas in 10 different designs, $65 each from Look Upstairs, 1/F 9 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung, 2791 0606.

Is this the fluffiest bath linen in town?

Reversible Hong Kong flag towels, $351 from www.sleepnaked.hk.

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christmas made easy Limited-edition Snowflake pendants in sterling silver from Sai Kung-based Desert Diamonds. $760 from www.facebook.com/DesertDiamonds or email melbridger@me.com.

Commission a portrait of your pet in charcoal or watercolour from Sai Kung artist Sascha Camille Howard. Order

by December 14 for Christmas. $2,600 from www.saschahoward.com.

Adorn your tree with fairies, red poinsettia balls and sparkly reindeer from $29 at Indigo, www.indigo-living.com

Clean-burning eco-soy candles come in Christmas scents: Snow Kitten, Spiced Orange, Iced Gingerbread and Christmas Tree. From $395 at Tree, www.tree.com.hk.

The Butchers Club’s Sausage Making Kit includes all the equipment to make your own bangers, plus a four-hour class and dinner at The Butchers Club in Aberdeen, $7,950, store. butchersclub.com.hk.

Hong Kong artist Lucy Parris produces beautiful watercolours and lino cuts.

Prices on request at www.lucyparris.com.

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 25

christmas sorted Santa’s little helper Your guide to the festive season. By Carolynne Dear.

Trees: keep it real Cindy Florist Noble firs and wreaths are available to order.

Prices start at $740 for a 2ft-3ft tree, and rise to $2,980 for 9ft. Cindy Florist, 22 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2792 0858.

Pak Kong, 2367 9561, y.s.garden@ hotmail.com.

KK Horticulture Noble firs are available in a range of sizes up to a ceiling-scraping 8ft, including the most popular 5ft-6ft ($995) or 6ft-7ft ($1,335) trees. Also has poinsettias (from $30), 24inch Christmas wreaths ($355) and candle centrepieces ($355). Tai Chung Hau Road, Sai Kung, 2792 7440.

IKEA Sustainably grown Scandinaviangrown trees are available in two sizes (4ft-5ft at $599 and 6ft-7ft at $699), but they’re packed in bags so you can’t pick the perfect specimen. Order by December 12, with last deliveries on December 16. Details at www.ikea.com.hk.

Yue Sun Garden Open only for the Christmas season, this garden centre has noble and Fraser firs in various sizes (5ft-6ft $1,115, 6ft-7ft $1,395).

Prices include stands and delivery. Wreaths and poinsettias are also available. Pak Kong Road,

Sophie’s Located in the Ma On Shan country park, prices for noble firs range from $580 for 4ft to $2,665

for 9ft. 42E Ma On Shan Tsuen, www. sophieshk.com.

Mong Kok Flower Market Pick up a tree, poinsettias, wreath, decorations and lights in one shopping trip. Flower Market Road, Mong Kok (Prince Edward MTR Station, exit B2).

Christmas feasts Ali Oli Christmas is all trussed up and ready to go with 12lb-14lb roast turkeys complete with gravy and cranberry sauce (from $798), plus readyto-roast vegetables, gravy, sauces, pate and baked ham. Ali Oli also has pre-stuffed ready-

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26 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

deck the halls to-cook birds. Delivery available. Orders must be placed by December 18. G/F, 11 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung, 2792 2655.

TC Deli The Hang Hau butcher has top-quality meat for Christmas, including jet-fresh turkeys from Australia ($149/kg), cooked and uncooked hams, chilled duck, goose, pork sausage meat, and fig and pistachio or macadamia and cranberry stuffing. It also has 3kg-4kg fresh whole salmon for $880. G/F, 12B Hang Hau Village, Tseung Kwan O, 2358 2332.

Mushroom Bakery Pick up a ready-roasted turkey and gravy for $160/kilo, or one of its yummy pineapple and honey-glazed baked hams ($180/kilo).

Plum puddings, cakes and mince pies are also available. 26 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6826.

Butcher King A one-stop shop for Christmas dinner essentials including US turkeys (from $22/ lb), uncooked or cooked hams (from $50/lb), chestnut and onion stuffing and chipolatas.

Pre-order your parsnips and Brussels sprouts (come on, you know you love ‘em), and while you’re there pick up a traditional stollen, advent calendar, Christmas crackers and even extra-wide foil. 24 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 0159.

Classified Classified’s gourmet hampers are stuffed with gourmet treats handpicked by expert staff, and include boutique wines, preserves, mince pies and other gourmet goodies from Europe’s culinary centres. G/F, Stanley Plaza, 23 Carmel Road, Stanley, 2563 3454.

Things to do Ice World It’s all icy at The Venetian Macau. Carve an ice trail on the temporary outdoor ice rink at the Cotai Strip, coo at the nightly sound and light show and check out the amazing ice sculptures (above). Don’t forget your coat. The Ice World Package includes one night’s accommodation with breakfast or lunch, Ice World entry and one-way Cotai Water Jet, $1,798 for two people, www.venetianmacau.com or call +853 2882 8875.

The Nutcracker Because it just wouldn’t be Christmas without the Hong Kong Ballet’s annual show. December 21-29, Grand Theatre, HK Cultural Centre, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Tickets from $140 at Urbtix, 2734 9009, www.urbtix.hk.

Sleeping Beauty The Hong Kong Players deliver the gags and all the corny pantomime traditions (oh yes, they do) with fabulous costumes, songs, booing and cheering. Until December 8. Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. Tickets $290-$330 from Urbtix, 2734 9009, www.urbtix.hk.

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 27

eating

days of auld lang syne

Eve of the balls Toast 2014 at these New Year’s Eve parties. By Olivia Lai.

ready to tango with tequila. Smash a piñata at midnight (yes, there will be blindfolds) and unleash a cascade of candy and confetti.

Tickets are $888 for dinner, or $488 for drinks only. There will be a Recovery Roast on New Year’s Day ($198); add unlimited Bloody Mary until 6pm for $101. 112 Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung, 2335 5515, www. hebe101.com.

Chica chica boom chic Hebe One O One is turning up the heat with a Latin American vibe at its annual New Year’s Eve party. Guests can dress as their favourite Latino or Latina – Che Guevara or Carmen Miranda, anyone? – or sizzle in salsa gear. The night will start with cocktails (think caipirinhas, mojitos, margaritas and Cuba Libres), before a Latin-themed four-course dinner. Then get

Viva Cava Cosy up at Cava for a four-course New Year’s Eve dinner, kicking off with sangria or a bottle of wine, followed by crusty bread with serrano ham, crabmeat soup, seafood paella or steak pie, homemade apple pie and cheese platter. If you can still move after that, there will be live music (and possibly dancing), and a lucky draw. $550 a head. Please book before December 20. 54 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2217 3389.

Dog do There’s going to be a good old New Year’s knees up at Steamers, with live music from Sai Kung’s own Village Dogs to get the party started.

There is no cover charge, so rock up and have

a good time at the same prices as every other night of the year. Reservations recommended.

66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6991, www. steamerssaikung.com.

Flower Power Ball The annual New Year’s Eve ball at Hebe Haven Yacht Club is the poshest do this side of Fei Ngo Shan. Get out your black ties and floral frocks for a formal dinner, lashings of champagne, survivors’ breakfast, music and lots of dancing with the salty set. Members $1,088, nonmembers $1,288; late-night tickets $398/$488.

Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Pak Sha Wan, 2719 9682, www.hhyc.org.hk.

Golden oldie The Pawn celebrates its fifth anniversary by returning to the golden age of Old Shanghai at its New Year’s Eve party on the rooftop terrace.

There will be a live band, DJs spinning some great music, free-flowing drinks and a fusion of Chinese and western nibbles. Dress to impress. Early-bird tickets start at $900. 62 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, 2866 3444, info@thepawn.com.hk, www.thepawn.com.hk.

Woo hoo!

Wave goodbye to 2013 from a heaving dancefloor at Woobar’s thumping That’s the Wrap New Year’s countdown party. Top international DJs will spin the tunes at what promises to be one of the grooviest nights in town. 10pm until late. Tickets are $688, including three glasses of Veuve Clicquot champagne. 6/F, W Hotel, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, 3717 2230, hk@whotels.com, www.woobarhongkong.com.

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Santa delivers special gourmet gift hampers - and craft beers, wines, champagnes, and spirits -

Ho

Ho

Hop?

the bottle shop www.thebottleshop.hk

2791 1600 | mail@thebottleshop.hk | G/F 114 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, N.T.

eating

Nibbles Occo’s booths and the playful menu plastered across one wall. It includes the Sheung Sze Wan Swinger (a sub sandwich to tickle your fancy), Captain Scupps’ chip butty, and the bun-less Nudie Burger. Open for breakfast from 8am, with daily set lunches ($88) and a combo deal: add a soda and fries to any burger or sandwich for $25. 18 Wan King Path, Sai Kung, 2791 1792.

Yum in a bun There’s a new kid on the block with the opening of Hong Kong Gourmet Burger Company in the space formerly occupied

by Occo Steak and Seafood. Run by Wayne Parfitt’s Castelo Concepts, it does what it says on the lid: great burgers and cold beers.

The new concept is distinctly different to Jaspas, the group’s top dog in the square, with wooden tables and chairs replacing

A Christmas cracker For a proper Christmas dinner that you don’t have to cook yourself, book a table at Steamers. Available on December 24-26, the Christmas menu includes pumpkin soup or prawn salad, roast turkey or glazed ham with all the trimmings, pecan pie or Christmas pudding and a glass of beer or house wine for just $288 (children $128). Chef Daniel will even carve at the table. The menu is available at other times

for tables of eight or more; booking essential.

66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6991.

Jam with everything New in the old town, Let’s Jam makes its own fresh fruit jams which owner Ah Him adds to all the cafe’s dishes. On the menu is Australian wagyu burger with poire au vin rouge jam ($68), chicken wings with strawberry jam ($24) and crab salad with mango jam ($48). If you prefer your jam on toast, go for the All-Day Breakfast ($58).

Open 10am-8pm on weekdays and 9am-9pm on weekends. 9 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung, 2791 9888.

New menu at Sha Tin 18 Dongguan winter delicacies have arrived on the menu at Sha Tin 18. Chef Ngai makes the most of seasonal ingredients in dishes such as chilled avocado with Chinese basil, garlic and black vinegar, braised pork tail and black bean with preserved beancurd, and caramelised apricot chocolate cake in vanilla sauce. 4/F, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong Sha Tin, 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, 3723 1234, www.hongkong.shatin.hyatt.com.

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 31

education

hooked on books

My first page-turner

www.blankbespokeart.com

What’s your favourite children’s book? Adele Rosi asks Hong Kong bookworms.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien Nury Vittachi, journalist and author of The Feng Shui Detective and the Jeri Telstar series “In the 1960s, I was ‘refugeed’ out of war-torn Sri Lanka and ended up in Britain, in a house full of books. I picked one up. One moment I was a kid sitting on a sofa and then something extraordinary happened. I found I’d been transported to a strange house where I watched a short man gazing fearfully out of a window at a range of distant, misty, dragon-haunted mountains.

Behind us, someone was reciting a poem: Far over the misty mountains cold / To dungeons deep and caverns old / We must away, ere break of day / To seek the pale enchanted gold.

“That moment was so vivid I have never forgotten those words. My first reading of

32 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

The Hobbit will always be proof that the book is the teleportation device people have been dreaming of for centuries. My heart aches for modern children, robbed of these transformative experiences by thoughtless parents who give them DVDs and take them to movies before they have read the books.”

The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton Tinja Wright, managing director, Blank Bespoke Art “I loved The Magic Faraway Tree as a child and I still love it. It has amazing characters such as Moonface and the grumpy washerwoman and they have some brilliant adventures. Details like the slide going all the way down the tree and Upsidedown Land are so imaginative.”

Blank is currently producing customised Favourite Books canvasses ($1,400) with your favourite titles on spines in Blank’s signature prints. www.blankbespokeart.com.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler Ursula Huber, owner, Dymocks “The Gruffalo is brilliant collaboration between award-winning author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler. Based on a Chinese legend, it is a beautiful story about the power of the imagination. It shows that even the smallest creatures can win against big enemies. The book is written in rhyme, it is pure poetry. My children love it as much as I do and we all know the book by heart.”

For 35 years Woodland has set the standard in Hong Kong for quality early years education.

With ten schools, Woodland offers the only accredited early years education in Hong Kong.

• Nursery & Pre-School classes for children up to 6 years old • Extra Curricular Clubs for children aged 3 yrs plus • Buses available for neighbouring areas

For further information please contact Ms Angela Chan:

Sai Kung

Shop D, G/F Marina Cove Shopping Centre, Sai Kung, New Territories Tel: 2813 0290 Fax: 2719 2938 Email: saikung@woodlandschools.com

www.woodlandschools.com

education The Tiger Who Came to Tea

by Judith Kerr Angela Barwell, librarian, ESF Clearwater Bay School: “Being a bookworm, I have a number of books I could name but the one picture book I will alway remember telling my children is The Tiger Who Came to Tea. It brings back wonderful memories.”

Matilda by Roald Dahl Sarah Brennan, author of The Chinese Calendar Tales and The Dirty Stories “It’s horribly difficult choosing a favourite kids’ book but if I have to come up with just one, I’ll plump for Matilda by Roald Dahl, mainly because it’s such fantastic fun. Who could ever forget its eponymous heroine, so tiny yet so brilliant, and no pushover when she’s been crossed by an evil adult? Or the fabulous Miss Trunchbull, so ugly, so nasty yet so fiendishly inventive, with her penchant for throwing children over fences by the pigtails. Then the ineffably sweet Miss Honey, the stuff of children’s dreams, and Matilda’s ghastly family, the stuff of nightmares.

I read the book to my girls with many a giggle

back when they were little, and still find any excuse to read the book again for my own amusement. Roald Dahl never patronised children and had a wicked sense of humour, which still makes him a big favourite with kids of all ages, no matter how wrinkled!”

Sarah’s latest Chinese Calendar Tale, The Tale of a Dark Horse, is available in all good bookshops.

The book is the teleportation device people have been dreaming of for centuries 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea by Jules Verne Kristina Tanso, Room To Read Hong Kong “My favourite book was Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. It was the first book I read where the words made the pages come alive and made a world I knew so little about more accessible. This book not only sparked my interest in reading but a lifelong interest and passion for protecting the marine environment.”

Room To Read is a global charity, dedicated to promoting and enabling education through a focus on literacy and gender equality in education.

For details, visit www.roomtoread.org/asiapacific.

Bear by Mick Inkpen Rachael Rostron, teacher, SKIP “There are so many brilliant children’s books but Bear by Mick Inkpen gets my vote. A gorgeous story and beautiful illustrations, and it is as lovely to read as an adult as it is as a child.”

The BFG by Roald Dahl Oliver Jeffers, author of How To Catch A Star, Lost And Found and other stories “I wasn’t much of a reader when I was growing up, preferring to look at pictures instead and spend my time playing football on the street. That changed when someone gave me this book. I was hooked. Dahl has such a dark and vivid imagination and such an incredible way of painting stories with words that it is quite impossible for small boys to resist. It’s a good thing he had written plenty of other books, so I learned pretty quickly my enjoyment of one book wasn’t a freak occurrence.”

ESF LIONS Sai Kung Soccer Sundays Wai Man Road Playground, Sai Kung Girls Football: Soccer Cubs: Football Fun: Fast Paced 5/side:

5+ (9 - 10am) 2-4yrs (10 - 11am) 4-9yrs (10 - 11am) 9+ (11am - 12pm)

ALL PROGRAMMES ARE ALSO OPEN TO NON ESF STUDENTS

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ben.costello@esf.org.hk Tel 2711 1280

34 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

ENROL ONLINE

The Reading Room Bookshop and English Centre 21 Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung 9199 5900

Stories and Poems at STAGE RIGHT! Youth Drama Classes

Good Quality Christmas Cards in Stock

Fun Christmas activities in all our English Class in December Christmas Sale Discount on all books and games

Merry Christmas

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 35

sponsored column

Interview season ITS Educational Services offers tips to prepare for primary school interviews.

Interview season is approaching for children who will start primary school in the 2014-15 academic year. While a school may breezily describe them as “a chance to get to know the child better”, interviews tend to send parents (not children) into a spin. Here are some tips to prepare for the big day.

Prepare your child.

Make sure your child knows some basic information about school, such as about the playground or music room. Tell them the visit is going to be fun and a chance to play with other children. Tell your child what to expect and to follow rules for polite behaviour – remind him or her to say thank you at the end of the interview. Shy children may need practice looking the teacher in the eye.

Don’t stress yourself – or your child.

Admissions staff and teachers are far too familiar with children on the brink of tears because their parents have given them too much advice. Give your child a big hug before the interview and remind yourself that you are looking for the right school, not one

you have to campaign to convince that your child is right for.

Avoid preciousness and over-coaching.

Teachers are wary of children who have been professionally coached for the interview. Your child should be natural and not feign interests or talents, such as an interest in reading if he/ she does not know how to read. Instead, a child should be prepared to speak politely about what he/she likes to do – whether it’s football or playing with Lego.

Your child should be natural and not feign interests or talents Some questions your child may be asked What is your name and when is your birthday?

The teacher is evaluating how well a child can use complete sentences, so your child should be able to say their full name and know their

birthday. “My name is Holly Ryan and my birthday is on July 17th.”

Tell me about your family.

Your child should be able to name the people in their family. They may be asked to draw a picture of their family.

What do you do at the weekends?

Your child should not fabricate activities but speak naturally about what he or she likes to do.

Tell me about your school.

Your child should be able to talk about their teacher and classmates and what he or she likes most about school Tell me about a holiday you went on with your family.

Your child should be able to talk about what you did on holiday.

ITS School Placements provides an education consulting service that works with families and employers to find the right schools for individual children in Hong Kong, from nursery to secondary schools. ITS also offers research, policy and advisory services for corporations. For more details, contact es@tuition. com.hk, 3188 3940 or www.itseducationasisa.com.

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 37

big day out

A helicopter’s view of Two IFC. Below: the route for the new $999 Christmas trip.

For the birds Hannah Grogan goes flightseeing by helicopter over Hong Kong.

What: You, Hong Kong and a helicopter – and a pilot, of course. Heliservices has been running the only sightseeing helicopter tours of Hong Kong since 1978, offering views of the city unlike anything you’ve seen before.

This Christmas, it’s introducing a new service that allows guests to book individual seats for a 12-minute round-the-island tour rather than charter the entire Twin Squirrel helicopter, which makes that dream trip more affordable.

Heliservices really knows its stuff. As well as flightseeing tours, it provides aerial filming (remember those amazing shots of Batman jumping off Two IFC in The Dark Knight?), banner towing, VIP charters, aerial surveying, lifting and construction work. One specialist piece of kit is a water jet for cleaning the ceramic insulators on power lines, which requires precision flying (water, electricity, helicopter – ouch!).

Where: Take off from the roof of The Peninsula hotel. The new seat-only Victoria Harbour

38 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

Experience goes around Hong Kong Island; hire the whole helicopter and you can choose from a variety of routes including Lantau, Kowloon, the New Territories, Sai Kung and the Geopark.

Any experience that involves The Pen is, of course, one to remember. Take the private elevator to the gorgeous, aviation-themed China Clipper Lounge (it’s all very James Bond).

After a safety briefing – we recommend a glass of champagne while you’re watching the video – head up to the rooftop helipad, where your chopper awaits. Strap yourself in, slip on the earphones so you can speak to each other and the pilot, then prepare for the stomachclenching swoop off the 30th floor. After that, it’s a pure joy ride.

When: Now! As an introductory offer, Heliservices is offering seats on the new Victoria Harbour Experience for $999 from December 16 to January 5 (usual price $1,200). Flights are available daily from 11am5pm, subject to the weather. We recommend

Kowloon Kai Tak

The Peninsula

Victoria Peak

Hong Kong Island Shek O Ocean Park

Stanley

the last flight of the day at “golden hour”, when the sun is starting to set turning the sky beautiful shades of pink and yellow, and Hong Kong’s towers seem to glow.

long way up mean photographers will be glued to their viewfinders (those post-flight snaps are sure to be a hit on Instagram).

Vouchers for the new seat-only trip make a great gift idea for people who have everything, a hard-to-beat date, and an affordable option to impress the in-laws when they’re in town and you’ve already run through all the city’s mustsees. Why not see all the sights again, but this time from above?

For reservations and details, visit www.heliservices.com.hk.

Win a free flight!

Make like Santa and take to the skies this Christmas.

Why: Contrary to popular belief, flightseeing tours aren’t just for tourists with deep pockets.

Hong Kong residents will get a thrill out of seeing the city from a new perspective – after

all, we know exactly what we’re looking at. Besides, it’s fun trying to spot your favourite places from the air. Hong Kong’s dramatic cityscape, mountains and coastline

Giveaway

As a special Christmas treat for our readers, we are giving away one pair of tickets for a Heliservices 12-minute Victoria Harbour Experience.

To enter, please email free@fastmedia. com.hk with the subject line “Hong Kong

by Helicopter”.

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sport

sponsored column

And then there were Stingrays Sai Kung Stingrays president Kevin Overton looks back at the rugby club’s history.

In January 2006 the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union decided to test the appetite of the Sai Kung community for a mini rugby club. Robbie McRobbie, Brandon Huang and Andy Yeung started training a few kids at the Sai Kung stadium. Numbers quickly reached 20 and it was obvious there was a desire for Hong Kong’s 16th mini rugby club. Robbie chaired a meeting upstairs in Cru, now Hong Kong Gourmet Burger, and appointed a chairman, treasurer and secretary: me, Paul Hart and Steve Bennett respectively.

In February 2006 the Sai Kung Mini Rugby Club was born and on March 12 we entered our first ever tournament: one under-8s team in the last mini tournament of the season.

While toasting that success and gazing out to sea from Adrian McCarroll’s garden, we came up with our identity. Owing to Sai Kung’s beautiful location next to the sea, we decided we should be the Stingrays. And since we all admired a pink and blue harlequin Hong Kong sevens shirt one of us was wearing, we adopted those colours.

Adrian set about designing a logo while my wife, Fiona Overton, worked on the kit with Tsunami. It arrived the day before the Hong Kong rugby sevens, which marks the end of the season for most mini clubs. But it marked our true birth when the Stingrays appeared for the first time in the famous march past. It was the only time we have been the smallest group of boys and girls doing the lap of honour. We had 35 members.

That summer was spent planning our future. Through ads and word of mouth, on the first Sunday of the new season we signed 65 members. We were elated!

By the end of our first full season, Sai Kung Stingrays numbered 136 members. Now in our seventh season we have almost 700 members and are one of the largest mini clubs with a rapidly growing youth club. (We prefer not to use the term “colts” as we have arguably the strongest contingent of girls in Hong Kong.)

Winning is a great achievement but the most important thing is to allow everyone to participate, and we think we are achieving that.

Sai Kung Stingrays has had its successes, however, winning many competitions and with players selected to represent Hong Kong. Jay Cook captained the U16 boys national team last year. And at the Asian Youth Games in Nanjing, Hong Kong won gold in the men’s sevens event and bronze in the women’s sevens with

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The original Stingrays, then known as Sai Kung Mini Rugby Club, in 2006.

Our true birth was when the Stingrays appeared for the first time in the famous march past Stingrays players helping to bring back the honours: Gracie Mann (captain), Francesca Wood, Courtney Cox and Elise Overton.

The club has started to diversify with a senior netball team and it would be great to have sections for soccer, hockey, squash, tennis, badminton, dragon boating, sailing, tennis, triathlons, cycling, yoga, keep fit and more. We have the membership base, now we just need volunteers to run them.

The one thing holding us back is space. Sai Kung Stadium s one of the best LCSD pitches but we have only limited access and it often closes in bad weather. We dream of an artificial pitch with clubhouse facilities in Sai Kung. But for now, Stingrays continues to grow, offering an opportunity to everybody to play rugby and, hopefully, nurturing some future stars.

travel

Clockwise from above: Beale catches a sailfish in Malaysia, a giant Mekong catfish in Thailand, that sailfish again and an arapaima in Krabi.

It was this big...

Chris Beale takes on Asia’s big fish.

Romping in Rompin When it comes to sport fishing, sailfish are top of the food chain. Majestic and beautiful, they are the fastest fish in the sea, clocked at 60mph, and travel thousands of miles like underwater albatrosses. They’re typically associated with exotic, faraway destinations such as the Bahamas, the Seychelles and Mauritius, but we had word the fishing in Rompin, Malaysia, was just as good if not better. We had to check out the truth of this fisherman’s tale.

We booked a three-day session with Dominic Pereira, recognised as the best guide in town; he charged just $9,000 per person, including transfers for the four-hour trip from Singapore, food and accommodation.

We headed out to the sailfish grounds with the sun beating down and clear water splashing over the bow like exploding shards of crystals.

We stopped only to catch some bait fish, which we suspended beneath balloons. After an hour, we had our first bite.

Line screamed off the reel at lightning pace and an acrobatic fight began as the sailfish

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leaped clear off the water time after time. After 15 minutes, we had our first fish. Weighing 90 pounds, its flanks shimmered like burnished gold, with flashes of iridescent blue and black stripes.

And, of course, that fearsome bill and amazing dorsal fin, which opens up to four feet square. It was the first of 20 fish, all 80lb-100lb, we caught over the next two days, then released to fight another day.

On our last day, we went for the fisherman’s Holy Grail: catching a sailfish on a fly rod. This requires precision angling and dextrous teamwork. We set two “teaser” rods trailing large and colourful lures 50 feet behind the boat. These lures have no hooks; the idea is to attract a sailfish to repeatedly attack a lure, thinking it is a wounded fish, then draw it and the fish to within 20 feet of the boat. With split-second timing, one fisherman swiftly reels in the lure as the angler casts the fly and replaces the lure with a smaller version and a hook.

The fish’s attention switches to the new lure... it’s hooked.

Seeing a 100-pound fish surge towards the fly, take it, and turn headlong into the depths is awesome. What follows is half an hour of mayhem. The fish tears off like a submarine, alternating between incredible leaps and equally spectacular dives. As fly gear is so light, the boat must follow the fish, often for several miles, and the power of the fish reverberates through the rod. I was extremely relieved when the guides got the fish on board.

It was the only one we managed to catch with a fly – but what a Hemingway moment.

The cats of Bungsamran I was a fanatical angler when I lived in Britain 20 years ago. Back then, my biggest fish was an 11lb carp.So when I heard about monster freshwater catfish in Thailand, I googled.

Nothing prepared me for what I found on Bungsamran Lake’s website: giant Mekong catfish running to more than 200lbs of pure muscle, with shoulders like Russian weightlifters and tails the size of industrial paddles. Three days later, I pulled up in a taxi.

gone fishin’

Bungsamran is a well-tended complex with a tackle shop, bar and restaurant (with cold beer and a delivery service), and a lake ringed on two sides by lodges. The gear was something else: an extremely stiff 6ft boat rod, a monster reel, a float the size of a zucchini and a mashed-up-bread bait ball the size of a melon, which hits the water like a nuclear explosion.

You fish at half depth for catfish. They have mouths the size of buckets and surge up from below, engulfing the bait ball with a violence that often drags the rods of the unwary into the lake.

At 19lbs, my first fish was big by British standards, but my guide was dismissive: “Smallest fish in lake.” They got bigger. I caught a series of fish at about 30lbs, one or two at 50lbs and then a huge specimen at 105lbs.

These are the hardest fighting of freshwater fish. When a fish is a hooked the guides sit down and light a cigarette knowing it will be at least 20 minutes until it is netted.

I caught 13 giant Mekong catfish on my first visit, and returned two more times to the lake. On one memorable day, I hooked a real brute. It took line no matter how much pressure I applied – it felt as if I’d hooked a crocodile with a couple of sacks of cement strapped to its back. It took 90 minutes, three

It felt as if I’d hooked a crocodile with a couple of sacks of cement strapped to its back guides and three nets to land the 180lb catfish.

In the twilight, it looked like a cross between a large pig and a torpedo.

Arapaima in Krabi Gillhams Fishery in Krabi is breathtaking, with limestone karst mountains, eagles overhead and a lake in groomed grounds. Its waters are home to the astonishing arapaima. This living fossil is the oldest fully scaled freshwater fish on the planet and can grow up to 500lbs.

Originally from the Amazon Basin, it has evolved to breathe air, a legacy of its habitat in flood basins that dry up for part of the year.

The fishery is owned by British expat Stuart Gillham, who sold his construction business to live the dream. He is one of very few people who have bred a sustainable stock of these fish, which are very delicate, despite their size. They can drown if they overstrain their jaw muscles, and their spines can snap if not handled properly.

Gillhams is open from 7am to 7pm. At 6.55pm on day one, my rod was yanked off the rests, the electric bite alarm screeched and something took off at great speed in the dark. After an exciting half-hour fight, the guides landed a beautifully marked 220lb fish. I found myself trembling as we took the trophy shot and gently returned this exceptional creature to its watery home.

But the angling gods had more in mind for me. At 7am next morning, something even bigger and more powerful snaffled my fishhead bait. The rod was bent at a distressing angle, and sweat was pouring off me as a large unseen force did it’s best to drag me into the lake. About 35 minutes later, my stomach lurched as a massive arapaima swirled on the surface. It was a staggering 280lbs, and six and a half feet of pure muscle with scales the size of my hand, each edged with a beautiful crimson hue. It was truly the fish of a lifetime.

Contacts Rompin: Dominic Pereira, +65 9027 6972, fishzonesportfishing@yahoo.com.sg Bungsamran Fishing Park, 21 / 596 Soi Navamin Road, Bungkum, Bangkapi, Bangkok, 10240, +66 2734 9272, info@bungsamran.com Gillhams Fishing Resort, 74 Moo 2, Tumbol Khotong, Krabi 81000, +66 28 6164 4554 info@gillhamsfishingresorts.com.

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health & beauty

The glam squad

Relax before the big night with a treatment at Sense of Touch.

Below: Jacquiline Hamilton offers makeup services at Tala’s.

Where to get pampered before the party. By Olivia Lai. Put your face on Tala’s Razzle-dazzle this Christmas party season with a whole new look courtesy of Tala’s. New executive stylist Jacquiline Hamilton is also a makeup artist, able to wield the brushes to create a variety of looks including bridal styles.

Drop by for a complimentary consultation on the best makeup looks to suit your outfit and the occasion. She also offers hair extensions, updos and the only African hair relaxing service in Sai Kung, using organic products.

This month, treat yourself to Tala’s Christmas Party package and receive a 10 per cent discount on manicures, pedicures, updos, makeup and retail products.

Available only in December.

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56 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2335 1694, www.talashair.com.

Sparties Sense of Touch With a row of four pedicure “thrones”, Sense of Touch is a great spot to gather the girls for a joint pampering session. Bring your own wine. Or take your loved one or best gal pal for a treatment for two: the Sublime Ritual massage and facial ($1,690), or the Sense of Touch Ritual, including body scrub, steam treatment, massage and pedicure ($2,180). G/F, 77 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2791 2278, www.senseoftouch.com.hk.

Zone Massage Book the recently renovated private upstairs room at Zone Massage in

Sai Kung old town for a girly sparty, where up to four people can have mani-pedis together. Zone is also

offering a special two-hour package of facial and fully body massage ($520), or a body scrub and wrap

all things bright and beautiful

BE INSPIRED join Weight Watchers® today!

The Melo Spa’s festive packages make great gifts.

We teach people to lose weight for good and become Everyday Strong!

MEETING LOCATIONS Central YWCA Mondays 12pm, 6pm, 7.30pm Kowloon USRC Mondays 6.30pm Pokfulam Kennedy School Tuesdays 3.45pm Sai Kung/Clearwater Bay – Hebe Haven Yacht Club Wednesdays 6pm Southside – Hong Kong Cricket Club Thursdays 10am Please check www.weightwatchers.com.hk for meeting details before visiting a meeting **Show your Australian Association or AWA membership cards for registration discounts!** Bring this advertisement in and receive a Weight Watchers cookbook (while supplies last)

with a facial ($480). 16 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung Old Town, 2886 8804, www.zone-massage.com.

Gift treatments Sabai Day Spa Spa treatments make great gifts. Sabai Day Spa provides customized gift vouchers for any combination of treatments, with a 10 per cent discount on treatment packages this Christmas. Choose from the range of specialist facials, massages and body scrubs to leave the skin glowing and body relaxed. Other partyready treatments include eyebrow shaping and tinting, eyelash extensions and even a 25-minute express manicure – yes, Cinders, you shall go to the ball. 2F/10D, Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2791 2259, www.sabaidayspa.com The Melo Spa Got a spa bunny in the family? Treat her (we know it’s a her) to a fourmonth spa and fitness membership at The Melo Spa at Hyatt Regency

WW2469_LAM120_120x93_Hong Kong Clearwater Magazine.indd Sha Tin. Costing $11,888, it includes six spa treatments, use of the Fitness Centre, a fitness assessment session and complimentary parking. Alternatively, choose the Winter packages for one or two ($1,900 per person for 2.5 hours), including a milky, hot chocolate bath guaranteed to warm body and soul.

18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, 3723 7684, melospa@hyatt.com, www.hongkong.shatin.hyatt.com.

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The Peninsula Spa Here’s something anyone woman would like to find their stocking: a gift certificate for a half- or full-day treatment at the Peninsula Spa. Festive packages include Embrace Winter’s Bliss ($2,200): one-hour aromatherapy massage, one-hour anti-ageing facial, poolside lunch and use of the peppermint-infused Crystal Steam Room, Thermal Room and pool. Now that’s what we call a happy Christmas.

Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2696 6682, spaphk@peninsula. com, www.peninsula.com

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 45

pets

adopt, don’t buy

Pet-shop blues There are lots of things about people that never cease to amaze me, like how anyone could enjoy jumping off a cliff wearing only a onesie with wings and a small parachute or paying to be terrified by a horror movie. Closer to home, and all too common, I don’t understand how anyone can buy a puppy from a pet shop when only someone living in a cave can have failed to read about the way Hong Kong breeders treat the poor dogs that are forced to produce these puppies.

Just last month, yet another “home” was raided after a foul smell had been reported from an apartment. Inside more than 100 dogs and cats were crammed into rusted cages where they were living in their own filth. Many of them will have spent years, often their whole miserable lives, living like that.

The day after the animals were rescued, the informant told me it had taken him almost two years to make the call because he was afraid of what would happen to the dogs and cats

Picture: Kat

Sally Andersen tells a doggy horror story.

that were seized. The answer to that is they will be kept at SPCA and government animal management centres until the case has been heard and then (hopefully) released for re-homing.

Last December, I wrote about getting a puppy for Christmas. I said that, as long as it was a properly thought out decision and with a commitment for the dog’s life, I didn’t have any problem with it. Still, the thought of people Sai kung choosing a puppy from a pet-shop window fills advert.pdf

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me with sorrow, because I know that behind every adorable pup lies a tale of greed and suffering.

For every puppy bought, a mother dog is forced to have yet another litter. I have seen too many of these wretched females thrown away at the end of their usefulness not to feel anger on their behalf.

So please – once again and until it ends – adopt, don’t buy. Even if you have a specific breed in mind and won’t consider anything else, as long as you’re willing to wait there’s a high chance the right dog or puppy will come along.

In any case, I’ve lost count of the number of “must haves” who have ended up taking home a completely different breed after falling in love. After all, isn’t that what owning a dog is all about?

Sally Andersen is the founder of Hong Kong Dog Rescue, a charity that rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes unwanted or abandoned dogs.

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pets Hotels for dogs Going away for Christmas? Olivia Lai finds holiday homes for pets. active dogs, with twice daily walks in the country park and the chance to socialize with other dogs. It costs $275 a day during peak season. For details, please visit www. dbdogdayz.com.

Stacy Tucker at Ferndale Kennels.

DB Dog Dayz Located in an air-conditioned house in Sai Kung Country Park, DB Dog Dayz offers a more homey environment than most kennels and invites you to bring your dog to visit before deciding to board. Dog Dayz is perfect for

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Ferndale Kennels & Cattery Also located in Sai Kung Country Park, Ferndale is owned and managed by experienced local veterinary nurse Stacy Tucker. It has a large secure compound for dogs with a separate cattery, so dogs can run around freely and group play times can arranged (after assessment). During boarding, pets are exercised daily and have their own comfortable space. It’s a popular

facility during holiday periods so book early. For details, visit www.ferndalekennels.com.

Kennel Van Dego The air-conditioned “dog motel” where dogs enjoy their own personal space is a popular choice at these kennels off Yan Yee Road.

It also has more conventional kennels for dogs of all sizes with convenient access to the outdoor playground. Rates vary from $125 to $260 depending on the size of your dog, and staff recommend that you bring your own dog beds. For details, please visit www. kennelvandego.com.

Pet Field Located in Yuen Long, Pet Field has a doggy swimming pool and a 10,000 sq ft playground.

Pets stay in a 30,000 sq ft boarding house that can cater for up to 60 pets. There’s 24-hour supervision and dogs are exercised twice a

check in

creature feature Rhesus macaque aka Macaca mulatta

Pets are exercised daily and have their own comfortable space day. Boarding fees range from $110 to $230 a day depending on your dog’s size, and pickup and delivery can be arranged for extra cost. For details, visit petfield.com.hk.

Pet World Resort Dogs staying at Pet World have their own private room, daily walks and even cuddle time with pet sitters. They can also access the large grassy playground and socialize with others, and owners will be emailed daily photos of their pets having fun. Boarding rates depend on the size and age of your dog. Pet World is located in Yuen Long, but offers pick up and delivery services. For details, visit www.petworldresort.com.

There are an estimated 2,000 rhesus and longtailed macaques in Hong Kong, mainly around “Monkey Hill” – Kam Shan and Lion Rock country parks – where they have become a popular attraction. But they can also be found in Shing Mun, Tai Po Kau, Ma On Shan and Sai Kung country parks. They are native to Asia, with a range from Afghanistan to North Thailand and China.

Rhesus macaques are greyish- to golden brown, with a red tinge to their hindquarters, pink faces and rumps and a relatively short tail.

They eat mainly roots, fruit, seeds and bark, plus insects and small animals, and often store food in cheek pouches for later consumption.

They are good climbers and swimmers. Infants can swim from a few days old and adults can swim half a mile between islands.

They live in active, noisy troops that can include up to 200 animals and spend most of their time on the ground. The groups are mixed sex with a matrilineal hierarchy,

although males are dominant to females.

Males are peripheral to the group and are replaced every few years.

Macaques have close relationships with humans throughout their range, often coming to rely on people and towns for food.

The Hong Kong population has boomed to unsustainable levels and in 2008 the AFCD introduced a neutering programme to bring it under control. It is illegal in Hong Kong to feed wild monkeys.

Steffi Yuen.

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classifieds Overseas Property

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Want to place an ad?

If you would like to place an ad in our magazine please contact us at: marketing@fastmedia.com.hk or call 2776 2772

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the ultimate guide to sai kung Sports & Fitness Grandslam Sports

9161 7094 marcus@grandslamtennis.hk Advanced Tennis Performance 6135 7606 | atpltd.tennis@hotmail.com www.advancedtennisperformance.com Cambridge Weight Plan Hong Kong 9618 1777 / 9045 5942 www.cambridgeweightplan.hk

Food & Beverage

Everfine Membership Services Limited 2174 7880 | enquiry@evergolf.com.hk www.evergolf.com.hk

Colour Brown Coffee 2791 7128 | shop.colourbrown.com.hk

Sai Kung Stingrays www.saikungstingrays.org Weight Watchers 2813 0814 | kmahjoubian@weightwatchers.com.hk www.weightwatchers.com.hk

Hebe One O One 2335 5515 | info@101.com.hk | www.hebe101.com Ma Cave 5319 7901 | macave-hk852@gmail.com www.macave-hk.com Pacific Coffee 2290 6039 | coffeesolutions@pacificcoffee.com http://www.pacificcoffee.com/ Top Chef Food Services Ltd. 2358 2332 | tcfood@netvigator.com http://tcdeli.com The Bottleshop 2791 1600 | mail@bottleshop.hk www.thebottleshop.hk

Beauty Chelria Debard - Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist 9331 6909 | chelria.makeup@gmail.com Allure Beauty 2792 2123 Bronze Mobile Spray Tanning 6234 8594 bronzemobilespraytanning@yahoo.com.au Native Essentials 2870 1234 | info@nativessentials.com www.nativessentials.com Nuan Cashmere 2849 8440 | info@nuancashmere.com www.nuancashmere.com

2573 3323 info@boxdesign.com.hk www.boxdesign.com.hk

Units 202-204, Lai Sun Yuen Long Centre, 27 Wang Yip St East, Yuen Long, N.T. Hong Kong | 2555 6200 fish@south-stream-seafoods.com www.south-stream-seafoods.com

ESF Lions Youth Football 2711 1280 | sport@esf.org.hk | www.esf.org.hk

Impact Fitness 6385 0304 | www.impactfitness.com.hk

Box Design

South Stream Seafoods

Casa - Modern Tapas 5594 0007 | info@casagroup.co www.casagroup.co

Hong Kong International Tennis Academy 9048 2810 | lea.lai@hkita.com | www.hkita.com

Home & Interiors

The Wine Guild 9099 5774 www.hkwineguild.com

Modulnova Hong Kong Ltd 3741 2095 | info@modulnova.hk www.modulnova.hk

Modulnova Hong Kong Ltd

3741 2095 | info@modulnova.hk www.modulnova.hk Best United Eng. Ltd. / Lawnings, Roll Shutter & Insect Screen 2344 9028 | info@bestunited.com.hk www.bestunited.com.hk Brooks Thompson Ltd 2851 3665 | iqbalhk@netvigator.com China Treasure 2611 9663 | chinatreasure@hotmail.com www.chinatreasure.com.hk Eco Living 2792 7998 | askus@ecoliving.hk www.ecoliving.hk Everything Under the Sun 2544 9088 www.everythingunderthesun.com.hk Indo Handyman 2578 1865 | sales@indohandyman.hk JCAW Consultants 2524 9988 | jcawltd@biznetvigator.com

Valdivia 2866 0587/77 | info@castellodelvino.com.hk

Look Upstairs 2791 0606

The South African Shop www.thesouthafricanshop.com

Patio Mart 2555 8988 | patio@kh-group.com www.patiomart.com.hk

Pacific Coffee 2290 6039 | coffeesolutions@pacificcoffee.com http://www.pacificcoffee.com/ Top Chef Food Services Ltd. 2358 2332 | tcfood@netvigator.com http://tcdeli.com Winerack 2433 9929 | www.winerack.com.hk

Tala’s Hair & Beauty Centre 2335 1694 | talashair@biznetvigator.com www.talashair.com

Travel & Relocation

Pantry Magic 2504 0688 | info@pantry-magic.com www.pantry-magic.com/hongkong Sai Kung Marketplace 5503 0369 www.saikungmarketplace.com Wofu Deco 2768 8428 | info@wofudeco.com.hk www.wofudeco.com.hk

Motoring & Boating

Children’s Toys & Supplies Bumps to Babes

2552 5000 (Ap Lei Chau Main Store) 2522 7112 (Pedder Building Branch) www.bumpstobabes.com Hazel Ltd 53161456 | saleshazel@biznetvigator.com www.mcl-sources.com Rumple and Friends www.rumpleandfriends.com Tiny Footprints 2522 2466 | www.tinyfootprints.com

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Relosmart 2561 3030 | enquiry@relosmart.asia www.relosmart.asia

Crown Relocations 2636 8388 | hongkong@crownrelo.com www.crownrelo.com/hongkong Expert-Transport & Relocations Warehouse 2566 4799 | www.expertmover.hk Philippine Department of Tourism 2806 3261 | 2911 0119

Expat Cars 5588 2261 Kwong Hing Motorworks 2791 4949 | enquiries@khmwhk.com www.khmwhk.com

Parties & Entertainment Eezy PeezyParties www.eezypeezyparties.com Pete Kelly - Musician 9477 0669 | www.petekelly.com.au

directory Education Tutti Music

2176 4028 tuttimusic.tko@gmail.com www.tmusic.com.hk

ITS Education Asia

2116 3916 es@tuition.com.hk www.itseducationasia.com

Education

Financial Services

Woodland Pre-Schools Sai Kung 2813 0290 | saikung@woodlandschools.com www.woodlandschools.com

Financial Planning Excellence info@fpehk.com | www.fpehk.com

Yew Chung International Children’s House/ Kindergarten 2338 7106 | enquiry@hk.ycef.com www.ycis-hk.com

Kwiksure 3113 2112 | christian@kwiksure.com www.kwiksure.com

Real-Estate & Hotels Community & Health

The Reading Room (Sai Kung) 5 Tai Po Tsai, Clearwater Bay Road, Sai Kung, New Territories | 9199 5900 seasidereadingroom@gmail.com

Anna Massage 9354 7606, 6622 5398

Antsmart Learning Centre / Playgroup, Math 2335 1261 | tangfrancis@hotmail.com www.playgroup.com.hk

James Chan Chinese Medicine 9876.9925 | chankwojames@gmail.com

Bricks 4 Kids 2791 0007 | info@bricks4kidz.hk www.bricks4kidz.hk Busy Bees Kindergarten busybees@ust.hk http://ihome.ust.hk/~busybees English for Asia 2392 2746 | bianca@englishforasia.com www.englishforasia.com Everest Education 6013 7827 | mdrin1998@yahoo.com German Swiss International School 2961 4008 | www.gsis.edu.hk International College Hong Kong Hong Lok Yuen 2658 6935 | info@hlyis.edu.hk www.hlyis.edu.hk Jumpstart Mandarin Learning Centre 2791 4838 | jumpstart@netvigator.com www.jumpstartmlc.com Kaplan 2836 0332 | info@kaplan.edu.hk www.kaplan.edu.hk Les Petits Lascars 2526 8892 | www.lespetitslascars.com Lighthouse Playroom 2791 2918 | info@lighthouseplayroom.com www.lighthouseplayroom.com Nord Anglia International School www.nais.hk O’Connor-Barton Irish Dance, Hong Kong dance@oconnor-bartonid.com www.oconnor-bartonid.com

Annerley — Maternity and Early Childhood Professionals www.annerley.com.hk

Resurrection Church 2358 3232 | admin@resurrection.org.hk www.resurrection.org.hk

OKAY.com

2102 0888 | support@okay.com www.okay.com Sino Group 2457 0789 | www.sino-homes.com Vega Suites 3963 7888 www.vegasuites.com.hk

Sara Thai Massage 5196 9755 | 2792 3172

Professioal Services

SPOT Centre 2807 2992 | contact@spot.com.hk www.spot.com.hk

Biocycle 3575 2575 | info@biocycle.hk www.biocycle.com.hk

Still Point Osteopathy 9634 5848 | www.stillpointdrja.com evolveatstillpoint@gmail.com

Citibank 2962 8042 | www.citibank.com

Fashion & Accessories

Kwiksure 3113 2112 | christian@kwiksure.com www.kwiksure.com

Alex Greg - Specialist Handmade Jewellery 3543 1791 | www.alexgreg.co Nuan Cashmere 2849 8440 | info@nuancashmere.com www.nuancashmere.com

Pets & Vets Homevet 9860 5522 | pets@homevet.com.hk www.homevet.com.hk Animal Behaviour Vet Practice 9618 2475 | cynthia@petbehaviourhk.com www.petbehaviourhk.com

Quest Study Skills 2690 9117 | www.queststudyskills.com

Animal Emergency Centre 2915 7979 www.animalemergency.com.hk

Sai Kung Tutors 5321 4400 | info@saikungtutors.com www.saikungtutors.com

Ferndale Kennel 2792 4642 | boarding@ferndalekennels.com www.ferndalekennels.com

SQOOLL 9863 7511 info@sqooll.com www.sqooll.com

Hong Kong Dog Rescue www.hongkongdogrescue.com/p2f2013 p2f@hongkongdogrescue.com Mega Pet 2626 0818 | www.megapet.com.hk

Financial Planning Excellence info@fpehk.com | www.fpehk.com

Professional Wills Limited 2561 9031 | www.profwills.com Marco Electrician, Plumber, House painting, Air Conditioning 6190 8051 | marco_yeung000@hotmail.com National Harbour Renovations 90851886 | charles@nationalharbour.com.hk www.nationalharbour.hk Sum Hing Carton Box Factory info@boxx.hk | www.boxx.hk Sunkoshi Gurkha Security Ltd 2199 7774 | www.sunkoshigurkha.com Tri Style - Fitting Models 9777 2486 Wifi Guy 9385 8379 | wifiguy.hk@gmail.com

Events Kidsfest Hong Kong 2014 | From Jan 15, 2014 Drama Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts 31 288 288 | www.hkticketing.com The Woman in Black | Dec 3-8 Lyric Theatre, The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts 31 288 288 | www.hkticketing.com

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on patrol...

diy policing

You’re nicked!

Sai Kung’s top cop Joe Au-Yeung Tak explains how to make a citizen’s arrest.

When Sai Kung Police invited village heads to a policing seminar in Sai Kung Town Hall in October, an interesting question came up: “Will I be arrested for harming burglars ransacking my house and threatening my life or my family?”

It’s a situation that, unfortunately, could be encountered by anyone living in a village house.

The legal system in Hong Kong consists of Common Law and Statute Law, both of which contain similar provisions in citizen powers of arrest and use of force.

Section 101 of Cap 221: “Any person may arrest without warrant any other person whom he may reasonably suspect or believe of being guilty of an arrestable offence, which was defined as (i) any offence as stipulated in Laws of Hong Kong with a fixed penalty, i.e murder (ii) any offence which the first conviction in court would have at least a penalty of 12 months imprisonment.”

Section 101(a) of Cap 221: “A person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime or in effecting or assisting in the lawful arrest of offenders or suspected offenders or of persons unlawfully at large.”

Burglary is an arrestable offence; a conviction can lead to 14 years in prison. So if you confront burglars ransacking your house

You can make a citizen’s arrest and use reasonable force if necessary or in self-defence and threatening your life or your family’s lives – or who attack or threaten to attack you or your family – you can make a citizen’s arrest and use reasonable force if necessary or in selfdefence. You can also use reasonable force to prevent a burglary.

What is reasonable force? This is not a question of law but a question of fact with

photo competiton Submit your shot Here at the Sai Kung Magazine office, we love receiving beautiful pictures of Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay from our readers. Each month we publish our favourite. To enter, simply email your best shots of Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay, along with a brief description, to photo@fastmedia.com.hk.

This month’s winner: Nick. “Sunset at Yung Shue O, when a typhoon was coming.”

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consideration to the circumstances. It is not reasonable force to shoot an unarmed burglar attacking you or your family, but it is justifiable to use a stick or rope. Any force must cease once the burglar has been arrested or the crime prevented.

There is no hard and fast rule to determine what is reasonable force.

Reasonableness is determined by your subjective appreciation of the situation and the objective circumstances. That’s to say, you can arrest – not harm – a burglar ransacking your house or threatening you or your family, using reasonable force if necessary. You must hand over the arrested person to police as soon as practicable after making an arrest.

Common Law also states that “where a person kills another in defence of himself or his family such killing or grievous bodily harm may be lawful”.

I hope this makes you feel more secure but please consult your legal representative for more details if necessary.

Joe Au-Yeung Tak is the ADVC OPS for the Hong Kong Police Sai Kung Division Tel: 3661 1630

shoot for it