Sai Kung Magazine May 2012

May 2012

The food issue CWBS cookbook

161

spring things

New town square for Sai Kung?

The best dishes in town

MAY 2012

the planner 4 Come what May Le French May, Diamond Jubilee tea and more.

Letters 8 Have your say Building in Tai Long Wan, costly coffee and bright, shiny bugs.

News 10 Moths in the mangroves Plus record property prices, golden monkeys and the latest on the Grapevine.

Vines in Sai Kung 12 Trouble with the natives Stephen Vines on Sai Kung.

INTERVIEW 13 Zen master Professor Judith Mackay on lungs and lunges.

Local

FAMILY

14 Big plans for Sai Kung Government considers building a new stadium and town square.

Feature

30 Bonding breaks Family weekends at Outward Bound, Mother’s Day gifts and more.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

16 CWBS writes a cookbook Plus Sai Kung’s top 15 dishes.

WINE

32 Get jiggy Hop on the Zumba bandwagon.

OUTDOORS

22 Tim Atkin on taste A new column from the Master of Wine, plus events and wines of the month.

PROPERTY 24 The high life Retreating to a tower block.

Education 28 A jewel of a school 30 years of Hong Lok Yuen.

34 Outrigging Pick up a paddle.

Pets 44 Achy breaky heart Diagnosing heart worm.

Marketplace 46 Your guide to shops and services Cool stuff to buy and do.

BIRD AT MY WINDOW 49 House swift David Diskin on Hong Kong birds.

Hikes 36 High hat Jackie Peers takes on Tai Mo Shan.

Travel 38 Fantasy islands Asia’s finest offshore retreats.

GARDENING 42 Talk of trees Loving flowering trees and lilies.

Classifieds 52 Local property, holiday lets And loads of other random stuff.

LAST ORDERS 54 Thin end of the wedge Iain Lafferty’s diet plans.

"FISH ARE JUMPIN' & THE COTTON IS HIGH"

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 3

planner

happening in may

May 15-20

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo

Technically brilliant comedy ballet as The Trocks all-male troupe perform the classics. Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai. Tickets $350-$950 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

May 10-13 Carmen

Until Jun 24 Le French May

Bizet’s tale of the gypsy cigarette girl and her bullfighter lover by Warren Mok and Opera Hong Kong. Part of Le French May. Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui, www.operahongkong.org. Tickets $130$880 from www.urbtix.hk.

The annual celebration of French art exhibitions, theatre, dance, music, fashion and, of course, plenty of “GourMay” events at various locations. For details, visit www.frenchmay.com.

May 11 Steamers Golf Day

May 1 Labour Day

Down tools – it's a public holiday.

May 2, 3, 5, 7 Lady Gaga – Born This Way Ball

Lady Gaga live, horns and all. AsiaWorldArena, Lantau. Sold out – try your luck with a tout.

4 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

May 5-6 SPCA Pet Adoptathon

The Hong Kong SPCA’s ninth annual adoption push includes a series of free pet seminars at its Wan Chai HQ. It’s hoping to beat last year’s total of 100 pets adopted over the weekend. For details, visit www.spca.org.hk.

Join the Steamers Golf Society for a day on the course. For details, email team captain Sarah Henderson at golf@steamerssaikung.com or visit www.steamerssaikung.com.

may May 17-19 Punchline Comedy Club

The comedians took a month off in April, but they’re back with Geoff Norcot, Dave Williams and Rob Brown telling the jokes. Duetto, Sun Hung Kai Centre, Wan Chai. Tickets $250-$290 from www.cityline.com, 2111 5333, or direct from the venue on 2598 1222.

May 13 Mother’s Day

May 18-20 International Soccer Sevens

Make Mum breakfast in bed and shower her with flowers today, and she’ll spoil you rotten all year.

The annual tournament’s strongest ever line-up includes English Premiership teams including Chelsea, Newcastle United and Aston Villa. Hong Kong Football Club, Happy Valley, www. hksoccersevens.com. Tickets $120-$200 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

May 24 Sai Kung Sampler

Another pop-up shopping opportunity with some of the area’s most interesting independent businesses.

Vendors vary. Steamers, 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6991.

May 27-Jun 10 Royal Afternoon Tea

May 16-20 ART HK 12

Asia’s largest art fair sees leading galleries from around the world showing their wares. It’s your chance to spot a modern masterpiece. HKCEC, Wan Chai. Details from www.hongkongartfair.com.

The Mandarin Oriental celebrates Her Maj’s 60-year reign with an exhibition of royal artwork that you can admire while sipping tea and nibbling on treats fit for a queen. Think Rhug Estate coronation chicken, poached Scottish salmon sandwiches, cherry trifles and Victoria sponge. Pinkies up, everyone.

5 Connaught Road Central, 2522 0111.

May 26 Boogie by the Bay

Party on at Hebe Haven Yacht Club at a fundraiser for its Youth Development programme. Garden Bar, HHYC, Pak Sha Wan, www.hhyc.org.hk.

May 31-Jun 10 Annie

The red-headed orphan and her hard-knock life hit the stage in this West End production starring Su Pollard and David McAlister.

Lyric Theatre, HKAPA, Wan Chai.

Tickets $330-$950 from www. hkticketing.com, 3128 8288.

If you have an event in Sai Kung, email the details to editor@saikung.com

Book now

Jun 2 Summer Garage Sale

Get ready to rummage for pre-loved goodies in the best garage sale in Sai Kung. Book a table through Jean Hudson on 9045 5942, gujean@ust.hk.

9.30am-1pm, Car Park, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clearwater Bay Road.

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Jun 3 Diamond Jubilee Lunch

From the people behind last year’s fabulous Royal Wedding Party comes another right royal knees up to celebrate 60 years of QEII. Garden Bar, Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Pak Sha Wan, 2719 9682. Non-members will need to schmooze for an invitation.

Jul 24 The Stone Roses Reunion Tour

The Manchester Sound returns. But is it what the world is waiting for? AsiaWorldArena, Lantau. Tickets $388$988 from www.hkticketing. com, 3128 8288, and Tom Lee branches.

Jun 9 Chartis Cup

Jun 24 Jason Mraz

Mr A Z is back in town with “Tour is a Four-Letter Word”. Expect teenagers.

AsiaWorld-Arena, Lantau. Tickets $480$880 from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288, and Tom Lee branches.

English Premiership rugby champions Saracens, led by South Africa’s World Cup-winning captain John Smit, take on an all-star BGC APBs team. Plus junior and veteran tournaments and a family-friendly Rugby Village. Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po. Tickets $300 (children $50) from www.chartiscup.com.

Sum

E mer nrol n o (3 rd Fun P w for rog July to 1 ramm 7 th A e ugu 2012 st)

Sai Kung

For over 30 years Woodland has set the standard in Hong Kong for quality pre-school education. With ten schools, Woodland offers classes for children aged up to six years.

 Pre-School  Early Pre-School  Extra Curricular Clubs  Buses available for neighbouring areas For further information please contact Mrs. Deirdre Hamilton at 2813 0290: Shop D, G/F Marina Cove Shopping Centre, Sai Kung.

Tel: 2813 0290 Email: saikung@woodlandschools.com

www.woodlandschools.com

letters

have your say

Lantern bugged This intriguing bug seemed to be following me as I cleaned off black streaks left behind after the six or so weeks of humidity we’d had at home on a forested hillside above Tai Mong Tsai. This unusual bug would fly away only to reappear again. Was there more than one? It’s wings, lemon yellow when flying, were a bright distraction.

I’d seen a lantern bug once before over in the Lam Tsuen Valley outside Tai Po, and it seems there is a story attached to it. Here is what EnvironmentalGraffiti. com has to say: “Local folklore even attributes magical powers to the bug. For one, it was often believed that lantern bugs are able to produce light, similar to glow worms. But their wing patterns merely reflect light, making it look as if they are glowing at night. Lantern bugs are like hummingbirds in that they stick their long proboscis into flowers and drink the nectar.”

Apparently they exist all around the globe in tropical climates. I’ve not seen it at night, or a light that may be a lantern bug.

Robin Louise

Costa (lot) coffee

Dodgy building

I would appreciate it if your magazine could investigate the unreasonable increase in prices in Sai Kung.

Coffee, for example. If you go to the square it can be $32 a cup. What is the meaning of this? I’ve noticed other restaurants have kept the same price – only $20 at Steamers. How do they justify the $12 difference?

This could be an opportunity to warn restaurant owners that they should not take advantage of inflation and the current economic situation to make more profit.

Guy

Illegal building has started again at Tai Long Wan. Buildings are going up, a golf course appears to have been constructed and on March 28 about 10 workers were seen at a site behind the helicopter landing pad and public toilet along the inland path behind the tree line.

The Friends of Sai Kung Facebook page has a photograph taken on March 26 showing workers bringing ashore what

appear to be many bags of construction materials. AFCD has been informed and they wrote to the chairman of FSK claiming they conduct regular patrols but have been unable to catch anyone. They have done nothing.

Please help to raise awareness of this blatant abuse and contempt for the law by the landowner and the inaction of AFCD. John Wright

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

8 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

news Hoi Ha moth to halt development?

Board since 2010, when Hoi Ha was protected as a Developmental Planning Area until a full Outline Zoning Plan could be developed.

Of the applications, four have been withdrawn, including one that attracted more than 200 objections, six have been deferred and three approved – enabling four properties to be built in the environmentally sensitive area.

The mangroves where the rare moth population was found falls outside the protection of the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park, which ends at the hightide mark.

Newbery says the group is also concerned about the effects of pollution on the bay’s 64 species of coral.

A rare moth that is known to breed only in Hoi Ha’s mangrove beds could be threatened by the development of luxury seaside properties in the area, says Friends of Hoi Ha chairman David Newbery.

The Mangrove China-mark moth was discovered by the territory’s leading moth specialist, Dr Roger Kendrick. He says that while the insect has been seen singly in other locations, Hoi Ha has the world’s largest breeding colony.

This means it meets IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) criteria for a critically endangered species and the area may be spared from any development.

That’s good news for the Friends of Hoi Ha, which has been lobbying against 13 separate planning applications for 15 houses that have been lodged with the Town Planning

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in the know

Golden opportunity Ocean Park has added a pair of rare golden monkeys to its menagerie.

Both females, the monkeys are from Sichuan Province in China and are named Le Le and Hu Hu. To take care of them, the park has devoted an area to growing privet – their favourite food. Ocean Park Road, Aberdeen, www.oceanpark.com.hk.

Grapevine

Kellett School is holding a foundation stone-laying ceremony on May 10 to officially mark breaking the ground on its new school premises in Kowloon Bay. For details, visit www.kellettschool.com.

Friends of Sai Kung elected a new chairman at its annual general meeting last

Pricey property The most expensive property in the New Territories is on Pik Sha Road, Clearwater Bay, where a Guangdong-based developer recently paid $21,350 per square foot – a new record for the area.

A total of 18 bidders vied for the 32,787-square-foot site but vice chairman of Agile Property, Chan Cheuk-yin, won the day by offering a cool $700 million – more than double the estimates.

The splurge was a personal investment for Chan, who plans to build houses on the site. Executive director of Knight Frank, Alnwick Chan Chi-hing, revealed the new properties may potentially sell for up to $35,000 per square foot.

month. Andrew Maxwell has taken over from Guy Shirra at the helm of the local lobby group, Karina O’Carroll becomes vice chairman and John Wright is secretary.

To join the group, which is always looking for members, please email membership secretary Geraldine Kennedy at gerryhk88@ hotmail.com.

Hebe Haven Yacht Club is running Family Bingo Nights every Tuesday, after the Sunset Dinghy Challenge, to raise money for the club’s Development Fund for Youth Sailing.

Sounds like a fun night for a good cause.

From 6.30pm, Garden Bar, adults $100, children $50. For reservations, call 2719 8300 or visit www.hhyc.org.hk.

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 11

vines in sai kung

stephen says

Trouble with the natives

Stephen Vines on indigenous villagers, policies and wildlife.

Is there such a thing an indigenous villager?

Of the many, many myths surrounding the New Territories, one that is taken as gospel is the notion that there is a legal definition of the term “indigenous inhabitants”.

It is clear why this matters, because anyone deemed to be a male indigenous inhabitant is entitled to a 700-squarefoot plot of land to build a three-storey house (or more if you can get away with it).

12 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

The scandalous small-house policy introduced by the colonial administration in 1972 was designed – but only in part – to provide a remedy to the housing shortages in the rural areas. In larger part, it was introduced to reward the powerful Heung Yee Kuk for supporting the government, particularly during the tense standoff during the 1960s Communist-inspired riots.

Since the policy came into being it has been systematically and ruthlessly abused, with government connivance. Not only has the size of the houses been inched up but a blind eye has been shown to their sale to developers and to the fact that allocations have been made to people who don’t even live in Hong Kong.

In 2003 the Kuk estimated there were 240,000 indigenous male villagers, so the queue for land plots is very long indeed.

Although it is clearly unrealistic for demand to be satisfied, the government has declined to confront the powerful Kuk over this matter.

Now the reality of acute land shortage and growing rumblings of discontent have brought the issue forward again. Yet a rather basic fact has been overlooked – and we should all be grateful to the lawyer John Wright, who looked into this matter on behalf of Friends of Sai Kung.

At the recent annual meeting of this admirable body, Mr Wright delivered the remarkable conclusion that there is no definition in law of an indigenous resident.

There are, he explained, numerous references to these citizens in orders and other pieces of legislation but no legal definition of who qualifies for this status.

There is, in other words, no more than a dubious basis for the way this extraordinary land giveaway is allocated – namely that the plots go to male members of families who were resident in the New Territories before they were annexed to the colony of Hong Kong in 1898, following the lease arrangement with China. However, this assumption of who is an indigenous resident does not have the benefit of enactment in law.

The implications are considerable. Maybe all New Territories’ residents can start to claim

equality with the chosen few. I’m just kidding but it does demonstrate that this whole business is both slightly farcical and hardly sustainable.

A tale of Two Sai Kungs The tale of two cities – or, to be more precise, the tale of two Sai Kungs – continues. In one Sai Kung, any restaurant seeking to exploit the considerable pleasure, and money-making opportunities, of providing outdoor seating is faced with a barrage of clipboard-wielding bureaucrats should they dare to do so without very hard-to-get permission. In the other Sai Kung, the scrappiest, ugliest tables and chairs can be scattered around open spaces without repercussion or, apparently, any need to secure tiresome permissions. No prizes are offered for guessing which type of premises benefit from this liberal attitude and which do not.

The suggestion is not that bureaucrats should be given full reign to go out and further restrict the joys of outdoor dining, but that the whole stupid system should be relaxed so that, where the space exists, more people can enjoy the benefits of the great outdoors.

Do snakes have rights?

It’s fair to say that it is now officially hot. One of the things that happens in Sai Kung at this time of year is that frogs make a great deal of noise as they breed. And then there’s snakes.

Frankly, I do not like snakes and I’m not at all happy about the cobra that appears to have resumed residence near my back garden. I suspect it’s the same serpent that lurked there last year – only bigger.

What to do? Most snakes are not aggressive and will leave you alone as long as you leave them alone. However, many of them also happen to be poisonous and can be stirred into action by those more lovable creatures, dogs. My gut instinct says this snake has to go – and I mean in a terminal fashion – but logic says this is unfair. After all, it’s not a troublesome bureaucrat.

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

interview

where there's smoke...

Professor Judith Mackay, OBE

The anti-smoking advisor looks back over 40 years in Sai Kung. By Robby Nimmo.

I do not look like your average radical. In the past I have been an anti-smoking activist. These days, I advise governments, the World Health Organization and the anti-tobacco lobby. In 2006, I was recruited by the Bloomberg Initiative to reduce tobacco use in lowand middle-income countries and have worked with it ever since as part of the World Lung Foundation. For 25 years, I have made representations in Hong Kong, such as at LegCo hearings, and speak frequently at international meetings. I hold a Silver Bauhinia Star, a merit given to those who take a key part in improving Hong Kong. I have written 10 atlases, ranging from sex to dental health and have two more in the offing.

Between us, my husband and I have lived in Hong Kong for nearly 100 years. John arrived in in 1963 and I arrived in 1967. In the old days, the custom was for expatriates to have six months’ home leave after every threeyear “tour of duty”. John elected to combine home leave with post-graduate work for a degree in internal medicine at the City Hospital in Edinburgh, which is where we met. I was finishing a one-year internship.

We organized our wedding in less than a week.

John came back to Hong Kong before me [during the 1967 communist-inspired riots] – he was watching the situation closely to see if it would be safe for me to move here. There were reports in British papers of the danger of the territory succumbing.

We have owned our house in Sai Kung for more than 40 years.

The only other person we knew here at the time was a British pilot for Cathay Pacific, one of the few companies that encouraged property ownership.

We lived temporarily at the Matilda Hospital on the Peak, then three years in Kadoorie Avenue. Once we found out our rent was going up HK$100 a month, we said, “That’s an awful lot of money over the next three years.” So that same day, in 1971, we purchased a house in Sai Kung. It was an impetuous decision we have never regretted.

We purchased the house in turbulent times. It was considered almost reckless to buy in what was then the back of beyond. We had use well water as there was no mains supply. In hindsight, it was pioneering stuff. In the 1960s the Red Guards were active in Hong Kong, and many expatriates left.

Communist schools and banks were barricaded by barbed wire.

This was the time of the Star Ferry Riots and big character posters denouncing the colonial government. Bombs were regularly going off. There was considerable unrest. There was even a question

as to whether the police force could hold the territory.

Society. Right now the bauhinia and bougainvillea look beautiful.

Our two sons love to visit.

There were born here in 1969 and 1970. It was a difficult decision, but when they were 12 and 13 we sent them to boarding school in Scotland, and then to Cambridge University. One is a doctor, and one is an environmentalist. Back then, most people sent their sons at the age of eight. A friend who was a psychologist told us that leaving the decision to later gave children more emotional grounding.

Sai Kung is not that different from the sleepy, slightly alternative place it once was. But now you can just about get anything here. The Westerners and Chinese always got along with a sense of harmony.

Sai Kung was not such a convenient place to live. The only route out was a single-lane road over the hill at Pik Uk. In heavy rains and typhoons it would flood and sometimes there were landslides and we’d get stranded for a couple of days.

Occasionally, the police would warn of bandits or illegal immigrants on the roads and that it was not safe to travel.

We love our garden. It is around 17,000 square feet, with an additional adjacent Short Term Tenancy. We have hosted garden tours for the Hong Kong Garden

We plan to be here for another 40 years.

I am big believer in health and exercise. I have been practising tai chi for seven years now and I wield my sword on the Sai Kung waterfront twice a week.

Recently I practised a tai chi fan routine on the Great Wall. This drew a crowd of rather astonished mainland tourists. When I am doing tai chi, I can tune out and clear my mind. [Health secretary] York Chow once asked me what I get out of it. I told him I gained exercise, flexibility and a sense of grounding; I said I didn’t know if it prevented cancer or heart disease, but I know it’s not doing me any harm.

If doctors are going to make a difference, they have to embrace preventative medicine. In doing tai chi, I am putting this into practice.

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 13

local Editorial Jane Steer Jane@saikung.com Coco Marett Coco@saikung.com Art Director Sammy Ko design@fastmedia.com.hk

A sporting chance

Sai Kung could have a new sports centre and town square within five years, writes Hazel Knowles.

Sales Director Heung Sai ads@fastmedia.com.hk Sales Manager Siam Sattayaphan Siam@fastmedia.com.hk Online Marketing & Distribution Michelle Lee Michelle@fastmedia.com.hk Ad traffic & Classifieds Executive Nick Chong Nick@fastmedia.com.hk Accounts Manager Clara Chan accounts@fastmedia.com.hk

This month’s contributors Graham Uden Carolynne Dear Adele Rosi Hazel Knowles Dr Carmel Taylor MVB Jackie Peers Iain Lafferty David Diskin Jane Ram Tim Atkin Robby Nimmo Freya Giles Christina Ip Printer Gear Printing 1/F, Express Industrial Bldg 43 Heung Yip Road Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong Published by Fast Media Floor LG1 222, Queens Road Central Hong Kong Sai Kung 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. Sai Kung 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 pubishers.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

14 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

Picture: Dean Ransan

CEO Tom Hilditch Tom@fastmedia.com.hk

The hard-surface pitches at Wai Man Road Playground may be replaced by artificial turf. Charles Nwanaga and the Sai Kung Sharks (opposite), who train there, welcome the news.

A plan is being drawn up to revamp Sai Kung’s sports facilities with a modern multi-sports centre and a new town square along the waterfront, government officials have revealed.

The sports centre would occupy around 2.82 hectares behind the current Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground on a piece of unused government land and the existing Wai Man Road Playground pitches.

It would boast a range of indoor facilities with squash courts and a 1,200-seater indoor stadium with multi-purpose courts to accommodate badminton, basketball or volleyball.

Outside facilities would include rooftop tennis courts, a seven-aside hard-surface football pitch and artificial-turf pitch, under the plan drawn up by the Leisure and

Cultural Services Department (LCSD).

The current tennis and squash courts on the seafront would be demolished to make way for a new town piazza with seating and exercise equipment for the elderly.

The plan – which is still in the concept stage – was recently revealed to the Chief Secretary for Administration Stephen Lam when he visited Sai Kung in April to inspect public facilities.

The site of the proposed town square on the seafront was Lam’s first stop on his visit where he was briefed on the plan by LCSD officers.

In a statement released after his visit, Lam promised to consult the District Council as early as possible to encourage speedy implementation of the project.

"The government accords

priority to caring for people's livelihoods. For the betterment of residents in the district, the government is committed to providing appropriate community facilities and upgrading the existing facilities,” he said.

Although no details of the project have been published, a LCSD officer revealed details to Sai Kung Magazine and said the centre could be completed within five years if it gets the necessary approval and support from Sai Kung District Council.

“We have consulted the District Council informally. After seeking support from the policy bureau we will consult them formally to take on their ideas before consulting the public,” she said.

The officer revealed the planned site for the sports centre would be Wai Man Road

a new backyard?

Pitch perfect for Sharks Playground and a section of unused government land at the junction of Mei Yuen Street, which is currently fenced off.

“Local people would enjoy the same kind of sport facilities they have now, only better, and with the addition of an artificial soccer pitch and a town square,” she said.

“In the plan, the town square would be located where the current squash and tennis courts are, which would be demolished and replaced by new ones on the centre’s rooftop to free up more space outside.

“The town square would be a place for leisure and recreation.

The seafront is a big gathering place at weekends and on holidays and we hope developing this piece of land will lead people into Sai Kung and to more open spaces.

“We believe it would make the

town more attractive and provide more facilities to encourage more people to participate in sport.”

The officer added the building would be carried out in phases so as not to interfere with people’s enjoyment of existing sports facilities.

Phase one would involve building the new centre on the area of Wai Man Road Playground while keeping the current squash and tennis courts open.

These would be demolished in phase two to make way for the piazza once the new courts were up and running.

The officer said although the plan had not reached the design stage, they would ensure it would fit in with the low-rise, green character of Sai Kung and complement the existing facilities at the Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground.

An artificial turf pitch in Sai Kung would be good news for football and the young players of the town, says former professional soccer player-turned-coach Charles Nwanaga.

Nwanaga, who coaches the Sai Kung Sharks Football Club, welcomed the idea of new sports centre and artificial pitch saying it would help keep good players in Sai Kung and promote the game.

Currently he trains 60 young players aged three to 16 on hard-surface courts at Wai Man Road playground and at Pak Kong.

However, he said the hard surfaces were not ideal for football and were a discouragement to some young players.

“Astro turf is much better to train on than a hard surface,” said Nwanaga, a former Nigerian international and Sai Kung Friends FC player.

“A lot of kids don’t like playing in Sai Kung because of the hard courts. They would rather travel to Hong Kong Island and play for teams there because the pitches are better.

“If we had a sports centre and a good pitch, the good players would stay here. It would be great for kids in Sai Kung and great for football here.”

Nwanaga said the Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground had a good pitch but it was heavily booked.

“There are so many groups wanting to use the pitch. So at the moment we are struggling playing on concrete. It would be excellent to have a new sports centre with an artificial pitch.”

WWW.SAIKUNG.COM | 15

cover story

W

hat’s cookin’

Local families dish up their favourite recipes for the new Clearwater Bay School Cookbook. Its authors tell us how they did it.

It started at a coffee morning, as these things often do.

“Our coffee mornings were famous for their cakes,” says Clearwater Bay School’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) secretary, Lindsay Stark. “The teachers and office staff used to jump on the leftovers, and often used to say that the food was so amazing, we should write a cookbook.”

She held that thought for two years. Then one morning in September, P1 mum Langley Allbritton walked into the PTA office with a similar idea – to publish the favourite recipes of CWBS families, raise funds for some much-needed outdoor furniture and showcase the school’s multicultural diversity. The Clearwater Bay School Cookbook was born. Right from the start, the two were on the same page about what it should be.

“No staples!” Stark jokes. “I jumped at the idea, but I didn’t want to sit in the office stapling photocopies of recipes together.”

Allbritton takes up the story.

“I think people were quite shocked at how professional we wanted to make the final product,” she says. “We asked parents to contribute photographs of their dishes but it quickly became clear that not all the pictures had the polish we were after. Some were too light, too dark, too close or too far away.”

It was the book’s Julia Child

16 | WWW.SAIKUNG.COM

moment: the point at which they realized that to get a consistent look and quality, they would need to make and photograph the dishes themselves. More volunteers came forward, including mother-of-three

Cinnamon Biscotti

Jasmine Arif Webb-Johnson, who threw herself into the project. Of the 78 original recipes in the book, she tested and photographed 48, taking – and sometimes ignoring – advice from her

photographer husband (“We had lots of arguments about camera angles,” she jokes). Others were photographed by Allbritton and another major contributor, Kylie Waterstrom.

“I set up a test kitchen and spent up to 10 hours a day making and photographing the dishes,” WebbJohnson says. “Food styling – oh my God! Some dishes, like the Fridge Cake, I made eight times. Not because the recipe is complicated but because I wanted it to look perfect, without cheating. It was really important to us to keep the look and feel of the original dishes.”

Her attention to detail shines from every picture. Take the shot accompanying the Cinnamon Biscotti recipe, for example. “It tells a story of a lady living in Asia, reading and enjoying a coffee,” she says. “It took me a while to find the perfect book to include: Murder in Peking.”

The team drew on their professional backgrounds – WebbJohnson worked in newspapers in Sabah, while Allbritton has a background in PR – to pull the book together and overcome hiccups such as a change of printer. They sold advertising to help cover the costs, meaning all the proceeds can go to the PTA, and produce a book they could be proud of.

“I wanted the book to sit side by side with cookbooks by Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver and not be embarrassed,” Webb-Johnson says.

cover story

The cookbook team, from left: Jasmine Arif Webb-Johnson, Lindsay Stark and Langley Allbritton.

The recipes are (mostly) health-conscious and the instructions are kept simple enough for a child to follow. WebbJohnson also added interesting facts to some recipes, and how-to tips on others. A foreword by local naturopath Dr Katherine S. Dale gives tips on healthy diets for children.

The final result is a beautiful publication, easy to read, with tempting photography and approachable, delicious-sounding recipes from around the world such as Sunshine Rice with Green Drops, Kylie’s Wicked Chili Mussels and Birthday Banana Cupcakes. Each recipe is credited to the person or family who submitted it, so children can try their friends’ favourite dishes.

“The Clearwater Bay School Cookbook: Favourite Family Recipes” is $200 from the CWBS PTA, Clearwater Bay Road, as well as Dymocks (7 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung) and Babushka (Shop 12, 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung), with all proceeds going towards outdoor furniture for CWBS. For details, contact Lindsay Stark at cwbspta@cwbs.edu.hk.

“We included every recipe we were sent – they’re all family favourites and will expand children’s palates and tastes,” Allbritton says.

It was launched at a party at the school last month, with about 50 guests munching on dishes produced from the cookbook.

Allbritton says they couldn’t have done it without the help of advertisers, their contributors and the famously cheerful Stark, who kept them all smiling.

“We’ve already had parents offering us more recipes,” she says.

“And now we know how to do it, we’re thinking about volume two…”

BBQ beetroot burgers

This healthy veggie burger gets the thumbs-up from the four children in the Waterstrom-Walker family who submitted it, as well as its tester, Jasmine Arif Webb-Johnson, who previously “hated” beetroot.

Serves 4 Preparation time: 25 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Ingredients 2 cups pumpkin seeds ½ cup grated beetroot ½ cup finely chopped bell pepper ½ cup chopped onion ½ cup finely chopped parsley 3 tbsp chopped garlic 1 egg, beaten 1 tsp salt 2 tsp chopped fresh basil or sage Breadcrumbs for coating Topping Natural yoghurt Mango chutney

Method Using a food processor, blitz the pumpkin seeds to a coarse flour.

Combine with all the remaining ingredients. Mix well. Add a little plain flour if the mixture is too wet.

Scoop the burger mixture with a soup spoon into breadcrumbs, turn gently, and place onto a tray. Repeat until all the mixture is used up.

Heat BBQ plate or frying pan, add olive oil and cook the burger patties for five minutes each side.

Top with yoghurt and mango chutney, and serve with fresh garden salad or vegetables.

Tip Best made fresh, just before cooking.

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cover story

Sai Kung’s top 15 dishes A highly subjective list of the best food in town.

3. Honeymoon Dessert, Mango and sticky rice This is a dish on which an empire was built. Honeymoon Dessert is a Sai Kung institution that is fast becoming an Asia-wide stalwart, with 80 branches (and counting) throughout the territory, China, Indonesia and beyond. The flagship store is still in Sai Kung, now spread across almost half a block of Po Tung Road, and attracts throngs of pudding-lovers nightly. Imaginative chefs come up with a continuous stream of innovative new Chinese desserts but our vote goes to the classic combination of Thai black glutinous rice with mango. The sweet sticky rice is paired with juicy fresh mango for an unforgettable explosion of texture and flavour. 10A-C Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2792 4991, www.honeymoon-dessert.com.

4. Steamed fish, Chuen Kee Of all the seafood joints in all of Sai Kung, you have to walk into Chuen Kee. Another Sai Kung restaurant with a nod from the Michelin men, it serves a similar menu to the other waterfront eateries – but it does it just that bit better. The whole steamed fish is a case in point. Choose your dinner from the fishtank – usually a garoupa or snapper – and it will reappear on your table within minutes, bathed in a delicious mixture of sweet soy sauce, topped with julienned ginger, spring onion, and served in a fish-shaped hot-plate. Perfectly cooked, it should fall off the bone yet remain mouthwateringly juicy. Do the right thing, and try not to squabble over who eats the cheeks. 87-89 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6938.

1. Crispy chicken, Loaf On There are so many contenders for the crown of best dish at Sai Kung’s one-time Michelin-starred restaurant that we had a heated debate in the magazine office before we settled on the crispy chicken over the perfect bricks of deep-fried tofu, the subtle fish and tomato soup and the delectable salt-and-pepper squid. Then there’s the razor clams with black beans, the whole steamed fish, the butterfly prawns with smashed garlic... But back to the chicken.

It gets our vote for its perfect combination of light, crispy skin, incredibly soft and juicy flesh and delicious “chicken-y” flavour – a texture and taste sensation that moves into the realms of the sublime when combined with the salty dipping sauce of fermented tofu. It’s a delight that sells out almost every night, so remember to book your chook. 49 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung, 2792 9966.

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2. Fajitas, Jaspas A few years ago a local TV programme devoted a segment to Jaspas fajitas. It involved manager Sing bringing out a sizzling hot-plate piled high with sweet caramelised onions and green peppers, topped with marinated strips of beef, pork or chicken that the TV presenter wrapped up in a soft tortilla, along with lashings of guacamole, salsa and sour cream.

Much oohing and aahing and licking of fingers followed, so that for months after the programme aired Jaspas was overwhelmed with diners clamouring to try it.

The fuss may have died down, thankfully, but the fajitas are as fine as ever. Follow yours with a slice of banoffee pie – our Jaspas no.2.

13 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung, 2792 6388.

5. Peking duck, Sha Tin 18 “The secret to making good Peking duck is the chef himself,” says Sha Tin 18’s sous chef Zhao Qingmin, who trained at Beijing’s legendary Peking duck restaurant Quanjude from the age of 20. The ducks are all imported from Beijing and cooked in the traditional three ways, starting with wafer-thin slices of skin bursting with glorious duckfat flavour. Next comes wok-fried minced duck in lettuce, and finally duck soup. Yum. Hyatt Regency Sha Tin, 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, 3723 1234.

6. One-Thirtyone The food at Sai Kung’s fine-dining favourite is so exquisite that we decided to nominate it all. Besides, you never know exactly what you’re going to get on chef Gary Cheuk’s ever-changing prix-fixe menu.

The quality of the ingredients is stellar, with many herbs grown in the restaurant’s kitchen garden, and Cheuk is expert at bringing out intense flavours in his dishes. 131 Tseng Tau Village, Shap Sze Heung, 2791 2684, www.one-thirtyone.com.

cover story 7. Steel Pan lamb, Mandy’s Private Kitchen Sai Kung’s Caribbean queen, Mandy Nathali, makes a magical Steel Pan leg of lamb. The meat is marinated for up to five days before being slowly smoked on the barbecue till the meat falls off the bone. Eat by itself or in bread pockets. “It disappears in minutes,” says Nathali, who hosts private feasts in her Sai Kung home. Book at mandysprivatekitchen@gmail.com.

8. Barbecued pork neck, May’s Sawadee Once tried, forever ordered. The barbecued pork neck at May’s is deceptively simple: slices of soft, flavoursome, salty-sweet meat, served with a delicious Thai dipping sauce. Castelo Concepts’ founder Wayne Parfitt says it's one of his favourites. “This is where I take guests,” he says. “They know what they’re doing and they do it well.”

24 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2791 0522.

9. Pan-fried lotus cakes, Beach Cuisine In our subjective opinion, this is the finest offering on the dim sum menu at the Beach Resort, which gets our vote for its alfresco tables, beautiful view and beachfront location. The frisbee-shaped cakes are a umami-packed combination of lotus roots, ground pork – and is that a hint of water chestnut we detect? Sha Ha Beach, Tai Mong Tsai Road, Sai Kung.

10. Beef brisket noodles, Chan Kuen Kee Beef brisket noodles are a Hong Kong favourite, a big meaty brew of slow-cooked, melt-in-the-mouth beef, hearty soup and chewy noodles.

It’s like a hug from your Chinese grandma in a bowl. Chan Kuen Kee has raised this dish to a fine art. It may not be the prettiest bowl of noodles, but it’s tasty and MSG free. 11 Kam Po Court, Hoi Pong Square, 2792 3018.

11. Black pepper squid, Yau Ley There may be better black-pepper squid dishes in Hong Kong, but who cares when you’re hungry, sun-kissed and salty from beach or junk?

Then a piping-hot basket of golden, crunchy, melt-in-the-mouth squid is so irresistible that you inevitably order another. After lunch, sleep off the food coma while the kids play on the beach. It’s the perfect Sai Kung Sunday. Sha Kiu Tsuen, High Island, 2791 1822, www.yauleyseafood. com.hk.

12. USDA Prime striploin, Anthony’s Ranch The Deep South decor may not be to everyone’s taste, but there’s no arguing with the quality of the food. This is chilled prime US steak as it is meant to be served – thick, tender, charred on the outside, pink in the middle and so tasty you’ll be wishing you’d ordered the 14oz. The secret is in the smoke from the apple, pear, maple and oak wood chips that fire the American char rock broiler. 28 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6113.

13. Sunday roast, Steamers One of the best deals in town, Steamers’ is justly famous for its slapup Sunday dinners. We’re talking roast beast – your choice of beef, lamb or chicken – with all the trimmings: roast potatoes, two veg and lashings of gravy, plus Yorkshire pudding with the beef (and everything else if you fancy it), mint sauce with the lamb, and stuffing with the chicken. 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6991.

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cover story 15. Sashimi, Sushi Tenku Sai Kung has not been immune to the invasion of Japanese restaurants that has swept Hong Kong. Head and shoulders above the rest is Sushi Tenku, with its great location in Man Nin Square and quiveringly fresh sashimi presented on a bed of crushed ice in a lacquer tray. You feel better just looking at it. 15 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung, 2792 7700.

Top 5 takeaways 1. Homemade baked ham. Mushroom Bakery, 26 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6866.

2. Portugese egg tarts. Sai Kung Cafe & Bakery, 6-7 Kam Po Court, 2 Hoi Pong Square, 2792 3861.

3. Dough balls. Paisano’s, Shop 27, Chan Man Street, Sai Kung, 2791 4445.

4. Homemade pistachio ice cream. Bibini Nice Cream, Shop 11, 58-72 Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung, 6040 7278.

14. Tandoori chicken, Jo Jo's at Bacco On nights when only a curry will do, book a table at Jo Jo’s. A stalwart on the Hong Kong Island dining scene since 1985, Jo Jo’s has won fans for the quality of dishes such as tandoori chicken. Cooked in a tandoori oven, it is authentic, fresh and aromatic with charcoal smoke. M/F, 21 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2574 7477.

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5. Aussie meat pies. Ali Oli, 11 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung, 2792 2655.

Did your favourite dish make our list? Let us know at

editor@saikung.com.

cover story

Nibbles Lestafette.com is a fabulous online source for French delicacies: epicerie, boulangerie, charcuterie (aka groceries, baked

goods and cold cuts), plus artisan cheese and wines from small, family-run vineyards and sourced by chef-owner Emmanuel Vallier.

Opened in October and based in Sha Tin, it offers free delivery to Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay on orders of more than $500. On May 7, Vallier is opening Stan Cafe, a French boulangerie, epicerie and restaurant in Stanley Plaza with a pastry chef who will bake all the bread and patisserie on the premises, using the finest French flour and Valrhona chocolate.

5/F Stanley Plaza, 2324 9008.

Crepes Francaises is a new hole-in-the-wall food outlet on Fuk Man Road, which is fast developing into Sai Kung’s takeaway strip. It serves – you guessed it – French-style crepes. These large, thin, golden pancakes come with a variety of sweet or savoury fillings including cheese, ham and eggs ($25), banana pancake with cream ($20) and fresh strawberries and cream ($20). Add a soft drink for an extra $5. 5 Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung, 5622 6370.

Summer is back and so is the Hyatt Regency Sha Tin’s poolside barbecue, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, and eves of public holidays. Wait for the rain to stop, then hit the buffet tables for Hawaiian-style roasted suckling pig, T-bone steaks,

spring chicken and more – plus a guilt-reducing trip to the salad bar. Desserts include those great hot-weather classics summer pudding and pineapple upsidedown cake. Adults $408, children $204. 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, 3723 1234.

Steamers’ live music nights are proving such a hit that the bar is planning to put them on twice a month. Details were still sketchy as we went to press, but keep an eye on the website, www. steamerssaikung.com, for dates and bands. Meanwhile, motorracing fans will be pleased to learn that it will be showing live screenings of the Spanish and Monaco grand prix on May 13 and 27 respectively (non-racing fans have been warned). 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6991.

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wines A matter of taste

If you like it, drink it, says Master of Wine Tim Atkin in his new column.

“What do you think of my shirt?” It’s an unconventional way to begin a tasting, but it’s an opening I often use with consumers who are new to wine. Over the years, I’ve assembled some very loud pieces of clothing: clashing stripes, gaudy Hawaiian sunsets, outrageous paisleys.

The sartorial gambit is my way of making a simple point. Like couture, wine is highly subjective. There’s always someone in the room who likes my dress sense and the discussion that ensues is a way of melting the openingnight ice.

By its very nature, fashion is subject to change. I’m old enough to have seen flared trousers go in and out of vogue at least four times and I think I saw an “A list” celebrity wearing an Afghan coat recently.

Wine, too, is subject to trends, although they take a little longer to manifest themselves. A hundred years ago, Germany made the most expensive wines in the world.

The land of fine Riesling and, increasingly, Pinot Noir has been through a prolonged slump since the 1970s, but is now modish once more.

My goal as a wine writer is to encourage people to trust their senses. If you like something, that’s all you really need to know to enjoy it. Forget the amount of time it spent in fine French oak, the precise details of pH, tannin levels or malolactic fermentation. In the end, wine comes down to a simple question: does it give me (or preferably us, since bottles taste best shared) pleasure?

We live in an age when consumers are often scared to trust their own judgments. I have a cartoon on my wall that makes fun of our insecurities. A guy in a wine shop pulls a face when the salesman asks him what he thinks of a sample he’s just been offered.

“But the Wine Speculator gave it 96 points,” counters the salesman. “OK, I’ll take a case,” says the punter.

If there’s no such thing as a right answer

and everything is subjective, what’s the point of this new monthly column? The answer is that I want to steer you towards wines I hope most of you will like. I don’t pretend to be the only source of wine wisdom, but I love recommending bottles that excite my readers.

What are my qualifications? Well, I’ve been writing about wine

for more than 25 years and have been lucky enough to taste (and drink) all over the world. I’m also a Master of Wine, a qualification that entitles me to a lifetime’s supply of dandruff and the right to wear pinstripe suits. Only joking…

Hong Kong is fast becoming the centre of the wine world, so you are in a truly fortunate position.

Tens of thousands of winemakers want you to drink their wines: a mixture of the sublime, the good, the mediocre, the poor and the downright unpalatable. As we get to know each other, I hope I’ll introduce you to some great wines. If not, you can always laugh at my shirts.

Award-winning wine journalist Tim Atkin (www.timatkin.com) has written for The Guardian, The Economist and Daily Telegraph newspapers and appears regularly on the BBC.

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he nose

Events May 1-31

Put down the brew, bro...

And pick up a glass of Hunter’s wine instead. Back by popular demand, Tin Tin Bar at the Hyatt Regency Sha Tin is offering a New Zealand wine and cheese promotion, pairing vintages by the multi award-winning label with the country’s premium cheeses. 4/F, Hyatt Regency Sha Tin, 18 Chak Cheung Street, 3723 1234, hongkong.shatin.hyatt.com.

May 21

21st Annual Great Chefs of Hong Kong Bottoms up for a great cause. Over the years, the Great Chefs of Hong Kong has raised $30 million for the Heep Hong Society and children in need. This year, try wines picked by Hong Kong’s finest sommeliers paired with food by renowned chefs. Tickets come in three categories for $800, $1,380 and $1,800, which includes dinner hosted by 12 chefs with premium wine. Book at www.heephong.org/greatchefs.

May 29-31

Vinexpo Asia Pacific The region’s leading international wine and spirit exhibition takes over Level 1 of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, with more than 1,000 exhibitors from 30 countries and 14,00015,000 visitors – F&B professionals.

The programme includes 40 conferences, seminars and tastings, which will be held against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour. For details, visit www.vinexpo.com.

Wines of the month

Three of the best Hong Kong-produced wines from 8th Estate Winery.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, $140 A refreshing blend of blackberries, cinnamon, fresh mint and cedar on the nose while dark cherry, plums and fig, balanced with American oak and vanilla, delights the tongue. Grapes from Washington State, USA. Riesling 2010, $180 A glowing yellow wine, with a fresh bouquet of minerals with green apples, snap peas and almonds and a palate of sweet apple and citrus. Grapes from Clare Valley, South Australia.

Sangiovese 2008, $280 Hints of black tea, fresh tomato plants and redcurrants on the nose, while the palate bursts with ripe strawberries and cookie dough. A velvety finish.

Grapes from Tuscany, Italy.

8th Estate Winery, 2518 0922, www.the8estatewinery.com.

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property

The living is easy

A tower block houses an unlikely retreat from city life.

Few would dispute Hong Kong is among the world’s busiest cities. It reigns supreme emperor of hustle and bustle, king of the hectic working day, queen of the long, fevered night. When the city’s residents finally retreat to their homes, it is to cocoon themselves in an oasis of quiet calm.

This was the vision of Australian Casey Lewis. He dreamed of recreating a little piece of laid-back Australiana in the concrete jungle. A tower block apartment might not seem an obvious choice for such a project, but Lewis was confident that by combining two neighbouring apartments he could create

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a spacious, sea-view retreat that would remind him of home. So he commissioned LLS Design and Associates to turn his vision into reality. The result is a triumph.

The apartment takes every advantage of the surrounding scenery. Windows spanning the entire length of the flat hint at outdoor living with unobstructed sea views, bathing the space in natural light. It reflects off the clean, white walls travelling to every corner to create a feeling of open airiness.

The colour scheme is predominantly white, punctuated by confident blacks and cool greys. Pops of bright blue – in the dining

chairs and upholstery – add a sense of levity and personal style. The azure echoes the endless sea and sky outside and whispers of sun, sand and surf. In the living room, the feature wall is papered in tactile grey, while in the bedroom modern canvases are placed intriguingly off centre to catch the eye.

The apartment is designed to deliver maximum convenience and functionality, conceived for a busy professional who appreciates it when everything works as it should. The cutting-edge A/V system and lack of visible wires are the result of particularly ingenious design.

the high life

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property

However, ruthless efficiency is only the underpinning for supreme comfort. A plush modular sofa and scattered cushions in every room are a reminder that the principal job here is to sit back, relax and enjoy.

In the bedrooms, furnishings are simple, uncontrived and inviting. In the guest bedroom, set aside for visiting friends and family, touches of femininity – a sensually curving chair, a carefully placed flower and a hint of pink – counterbalance the apartment’s masculine feel.

Unobtrusive sliding doors are used to deliver stylish flexibility, alternately opening up the space or dividing it to create more intimate alcoves. The privacy of the master suite is protected by a concealed white door panel, while within the suite a darkwood sliding screen can be pulled across to separate the sleeping space from the study and bathroom.

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The semi-open kitchen with its mini bar corner entices guests to gather. It is brilliant with light and almost seamlessly white. Topof-the-range modern appliances are secreted in tailored cabinetry that also provides ample storage. The space is dominated by an oversized black extractor that looks as much like a sculpture as a piece of kitchen equipment.

The master bathroom, accessed through glass doors from within the master suite, is equally brightly lit. It is almost ethereal, with a shower cubicle that is barely there thanks to borderless glass walls and a toilet that seems to float in mid air.

The overall feeling of the apartment is of laid-back sophistication, reflecting the personality of its owner and fulfilling its function as beacon in the city storm.

LLS Design, 2117 8983, www.llsdesign.com.hk.

property

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education Jewel of a school

Hazel Knowles visits Hong Lok Yuen International School as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.

There are several things which combine to make Hong Lok Yuen International School unique, according to Principal Ruth Woodward.

The first is the green and open spaces of its location, north of Tai Po in the New Territories. The second is its strong community atmosphere which, says Woodward, is something people feel from the very moment they walk through the door. Then there is its strong Mandarin programme which includes daily lessons and a group specifically teaching Mandarin as a first language.

“We started teaching Mandarin on daily basis 15 years ago,” she said. “That means we have had all those years of experience to improve the programme.”

And last not least, says Woodward, is the school’s commitment to remain small: a rare thing in the modern world where expansion and growth is considered the norm.

“I have worked in 10 different schools across the world and I really feel Hong Lok Yuen is unique,” said Woodward, who has been principal for 12 years.

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“Everyone believes in the school. The parents have a passion for it and there is a sense of a real partnership between the parents and the school. All our governors are parents and any parent who registers a child is eligible to a governor. This means there is a high degree of accountability.

“We are also very fortunate in

that people really feel they are part of the school community and the kids are cherished and nurtured because of the small environment and it this which makes us special.

People who come to visit us say they get such a good vibe when they walk through the door.”

This month sees the nonprofit making independent school

celebrate the 30th anniversary of its kindergarten, which opened two years before the primary school in May 1982.

A series of events have been planned, including a party, a display of memorabilia, and the production of a cookery book. On the official day of the anniversary there will be a big cake, Woodward says, andall the children will wear special T-shirts.

The anniversary will be extra special for Year Four teacher Chau Ho-mei, who attended the kindergarten when he was a child and returned to work at the school after qualifying as a teacher. The school still has an old photograph of him riding a tricycle.

“The youthful spirit of the kindergarten remains exactly as I remembered as a student – a fun and happy place to learn.

“Though the grassy hill I loved to tumble down in the playground has now gone, my mind is filled with warm fuzzy memories each time I see students singing in circle time, pedalling on tricycles and digging in the sandpit just as I did all those years ago. I really do think those who have the chance to learn and teach here are truly blessed.”

happy birthday

Humble Beginnings One day in 1980 pilot Jon Bent and his wife, Marjorie, were walking with their son Alexander as they talked about the problem of where they could send him to school. The military school they had enrolled him in had stopped accepting children of non-military families.

Marjorie turned to her husband and said: “Why don’t we open a kindergarten and school here in Hong Lok Yuen?”

Later Jon Bent recalled: “From this seed the kindergarten grew and, after much negotiation, the school followed.”

The Bents gained the support of Hong Lok Yuen Village developer Clifford Wong, who agreed to let them have a four-storey showhouse to use as the school. And on May 14, 1982, Orchard Kindergarten officially opened its doors with 19 children and three staff.

Following much negotiation and paperwork, the new Hong Lok Yuen School opened in a new purposebuilt building in 1983 with 33 pupils.

Within three years it had 180 students in the primary school and 100 in the kindergarten.

A new block, designed by

architect Nelson Chen, opened in 1990 when the school changed its name to Hong Lok Yuen International School. Since then there has been refurbishments and revamps of classrooms and the playground, a new library, and in 2006 the school introduced the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP).

Its sister school, the International College Hong Kong opened in the northern New Territories in September 2009.

Together the two schools now provide through-train education from kindergarten to Year 13.

Today, HLYIS has 430 pupils of 36 nationalities, about 60 per cent of whom are from expatriate families, says principal Ruth Woodward.

Principal Ruth Woodward (left) and the children of Hong Lok Yuen celebrate the school's 30th anniversary.

Looking to the future, she hopes to continue to improve facilities and build a new hall.

“However, we don’t want to get much bigger. We want to stay small and community-minded and green,

and keep our open spaces,” she said.

“Somebody called us a jewel in the crown of the New Territories and I feel we are. I know I am biased, but Hong Lok Yuen has a feel I have never experienced in any other school.”

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family Bonding breaks

For an injection of enthusiasm, excitement and energy, try Outward Bound’s Family Weekend. Two days packed with action, adventure and quality bonding time, the course aims to enhance family relationships, improve communication, trust and respect, and build new friendships with the other families – each course has eight to 12 participants.

It is an ideal opportunity to discover your children’s hidden talents, through activities that require both brains and brawn.

Hiking, camping and kayaking are blended with initiative games and problem-solving exercises.

In Outward Bound’s fun, relaxed and supportive atmosphere, the Family Weekend offers a chance to spend some quality time with the kids, get some exercise and create some memories.

Family Weekends are $1,580 a person, and suitable for children aged eight and above. For details, please contact Outward Bound at 2791 3228.

One for Mum

If you’re looking for a special treat for mum for Mother’s Day, consider Melo Spa’s Queen of the Month package. It includes a 75-minute facial using Payot’s 42-step massage technique, a Payot handcream, and flowers from Blooms and Blossoms for $1,190. There are also gift certificates available. Melo Spa is open daily from 9am-11.30pm at the Hyatt Regency Sha Tin, 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, 3723 7684, melospa@hyatt.com, melospa.com.

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splish splash

Canvas for kids The Bluebell Collection has produced a brand new range of enchanting, top-quality art canvases for children. Italian-Polish artist Paulina Slebodzinska and gallery owner Clementine de Forton, creator of the Artemiss Contemporary Art Gallery in Hong Kong, designed a Bluebell Fairy as a logo, and – like all good fairytales – set their first collection in The Forest.

Captivating pictures of bears, squirrels and deer transform in close up into a magical world of micro images: plants and bunnies, birds and butterflies, foxes and flowers, and even planes and helicopters. Bears climb trees and deer sprout wings, vines grow letters instead of fruit, children fly kites and birds pour tea. Every picture contains the Bluebell Fairy and finding her is a game that will delight and entertain.

“The canvases are fine-art quality, designed to last a lifetime, so children can pass on the pictures to their own children,” says de Forton.

Available at Little Mercerie Boutique, 15 Aberdeen Street, Central.

Or email collectionbluebell@gmail.com.

Run for rice Outdoor fitness specialist Circuit25 has introduced charity initiative, All4One. Every calorie burned in class will be translated into pounds of rice for somebody less fortunate in the local area. The scheme works on the premise that participants burn an average of 800 calories in every class. A standard bowl of cooked rice contains around 200 calories, which means each class member burns around four bowls (a pound) of cooked rice.

C25 will keep an online record and at the end of each quarter the total number of calories burned will be converted into rice donations to local food bank St James’ Settlement which works with partner agencies on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories to provide emergency food supplies.

“We often read about the problems associated with obesity and overeating,” said Connie Ng of the St James’ Settlement People’s Food Bank. “But Hong Kong’s widening income gap means that there are also many people – especially children – who suffer from a lack of nutrition because their families simply don’t have the resources to provide them with a balanced diet.”

To find the most convenient class, visit www.circuit25.com.

promotion

The Waterside

Welcome to the two-storey learning mecca in the heart of Ma On Shan.

Bumble Tots Keeping busy children entertained can tax even the most energetic mum in Hong Kong’s long summers, when it’s often too wet – or too hot – to play outside.

Enter Bumble Tots, 5,000 square feet of airconditioned playground heaven for the under-10s in The Waterside, conveniently located in the heart of Ma On Shan.

Children can bounce off the padded walls, and play for hours on the slides, tubes, trampolines, ball pools and balancing beams, climbing walls and so much more.

There’s a giant piano keyboard to jump on and even a kid-friendly shooting range.

And while the kids are having the time of their lives, mums and dads can relax and enjoy a well-deserved mug of freshly brewed coffee at the Bumble Tots’ cafe. Parents will also like the convenient parking on site and at the nearby public car park.

Decorated with big friendly bees and other bugs, the colourful jungly indoor playground makes a great venue for fuss-free parties. Just don’t forget your socks – shoes and bare feet are not allowed – and that means adults, too.

This month, Bumble Tots is offering discounted party coupons exclusively to Sai Kung Magazine readers!

Bumble Tots is open 10am-7pm Monday-Thursday, and 10am8pm FridaySunday. Closed Wednesdays, unless it’s a public holiday. Shop 4-12, 1/F, 2631 4001, www.bumbletots.com.hk

RDStudio “More than just a studio, RDStudio is a community of artists committed to the cultivation of individuality and talent, to the joy, the work, the focus, and the abandon of dance,” says manager Sky Suen.

Open daily, RDStudio offers a huge variety of dance classes at all levels including ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, tap, theatre dance, hip hop, ethnic, aerial and body conditioning, all led by the creme de la creme of Hong Kong’s dance scene. Dance instructors are either graduates of HKAPA or celebrity level performers in the Hong Kong arts world, ensuring an inspiring and exciting environment for aspiring dancers.

Hong Kong Sports Development Institute Pry your kids away from the computer and video games and get them engaged in healthier, active pursuits with help from the Hong Kong Sports Development Institute.

Established in 2002, the institute encourages children to participate in and experience the joys of sport, including badminton and its most popular activity, table tennis.

If you think your child has sporting potential, sign him or her up for the Hong Kong Sports Development Institute’s table tennis “Star” certificate course, taught at the New Generation Table Tennis Training Centre.

During May, all new students will receive a free uniform.

RDStudio is open 10am9pm Monday-Saturday, and 9am-3pm on Sundays. Shop 24-26 1/F, 2643 9688, rdstudio.com.hk

English Castle Academic.

Creative. Fun. The English Castle family run Language School where learning English is made fascinating have a team of qualified Native English Teachers nurturing courses like Kid’s Palace & Young Knights playgroup the incredibly organic Bionic Phonics, witty & informative Let’s Talk, plus the very popular Pen Friends writing course. Students’ comfort is paramount & range from young learners, teens and even adults.

Classrooms are large and spacious and the Castle is accredited with the EDB and adhere to their strict codes of conduct. The Castle has free trial lessons & an early bird discount for summer courses. Call hotline for enquiries.

Indigo English Learning Centre It’s all about English at Indigo. Its qualified teachers guide young learners aged three to 14 years in well-rounded English-language programmes designed to develop reading, writing, conversation and phonics skills. Their mission?

“To inspire within children a desire to learn, experience and motivate themselves to become better English speakers and readers by providing the correct information and tools they need to grow and develop their minds,” Selina Chan says.

Approximately 90 per cent of students attend Band 1 schools, and class sizes are kept to a maximum of six students to ensure plenty of personal attention from teachers. Indigo’s teaching staff are all native English speakers.

Contact Indigo English Learning Centre today for a free trial.

Shop 16, 1/F, 2633 0223.

Shop 44-45 1/F, 2699 5409.

Shop G2-G5 G/F, 2631 3661, www.englishcastle.edu.hk

The Waterside Shopping Mall 15 On Chun Street, Ma On Shan Tel: 2643 6332 Website: www.thewaterside.hk Facebook: www.facebook.com/hk.TheWaterside

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health & beauty Join the party

Zumba puts the fun back into fitness, says Adele Rosi.

Fitness crazes come and go – Jane Fonda, anyone? – but if the popularity of the latest is anything to go by, it’s here to stay. Step forward, Zumba – a Latin-inspired, dance-fitness class that blends music by Grammy Awardwinning producers with easy-to-follow steps. The trend was created by accident by Colombian aerobic instructor Alberto “Beto” Perez when he forgot to bring his traditional aerobics music to one of his classes. He improvised with some salsa and meringue tapes he had in his backpack, and never looked back.

Zumba is now practised by more than 12 million people in 125 countries – including devotees in Sai Kung.

Not only does this high-energy exercise burn calories like wildfire, it aims to put the fun back into fitness and can be done by people of all shapes, sizes and ages. And no, you don’t even have to be much of a dancer. Classes are accessible and enjoyable to those with only an ounce of rhythm.

“You don't have to be super fit to join, and while it is certainly easier if you are a good dancer, it's more important to have a good sense of humour and be able to let yourself go and enjoy it,” says instructor Kaylene Mattner, who has been teaching Zumba for a year at The Studio in Sai Kung. “I tell my students they don't have to do the steps exactly like me but should just keep moving and enjoy themselves.”

Mattner’s Zumba class is a effectively a cardio session during which you’ll sweat, dance and hopefully laugh for a full hour. She also teaches 30-minute Zumba-In-The-Circuit classes at Curves, which incorporate the cardio-dance aspect in between resistance training on the machines. She changes the moves and music every two months but welcomes anyone to join her classes at any time.

“Unless it is the beginning of a new choreography cycle, some students will have done the moves more than others, but it doesn't really matter,” she explains.

As you sweat a lot while Zumba-ing, comfortable workout clothing is advisable. Mattner says you can wear regular trainers but there are special Zumba shoes that allow for good lateral movement, helping you slide without slipping over, and are particularly recommended for those with dodgy knees.

“Zumba just makes me smile,” says Sai Kung-based graphic designer and Zumba fan Louise Hill, who started the classes at The Studio as a way to vary her weekly fitness routine. “I heard about it through a friend in Shanghai, and I find it is the best way to start the week. It is very uplifting and it’s all about dancing, having fun and getting fit. I make a fool of myself every week but that’s all part of it. It really doesn’t matter as everyone is so easy going and there to join in and have a laugh.”

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get jiggy

Kaylene Mattner teaches Zumba at The Studio (1/F, 28 Man Nin St, tel: 2971 9705; www.thestudiosaikung. com) on Monday at 9.30am, Wednesday at 6.15pm and Friday at 1.45pm; Zumba-In-The-Circuit classes at Curves (G/F Lot 787, Hirams Highway, tel: 2234 9800; www.curveshongkong.com) are on Monday at 6.30pm, Thursday at 9.30am and Saturday, 9.30pm.

For further details, visit vwww.zumba.com.

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outdoors

Master strokes Carolynne Dear takes up outrigging.

It’s a blustery, rainy day in Stanley. The sea is a steely grey with ominous white caps rolling around the bay. But the cool temperatures and stormy conditions do nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of outrigging fanatics Katherine Lynch and Elisabeth Schardt.

“You must come out and join us. I promise, you’ll be hooked,” enthuses Lynch, who is a founding-member of Hong Kong Outrigger Canoe Club (HKOCC), the only local outrigging club in Hong Kong to train year-round, which started in 2003. “There is absolutely nothing more relaxing than getting out on the water. Paddling solves everything.”

Originally from Hawaii, outrigging is a favourite sport across Polynesia and is growing in popularity the world over, including Hong Kong where the weather and sea conditions are ideal.

“That’s the big difference with dragon boating,” Schardt explains.

“Outrigging is a long-distance, endurance sport in open ocean and big waves. It’s the thrill of the wave that makes it such fun. It might look nervewracking to start with, but once you get into it, outrigging is seriously addictive.”

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The canoe – “va’a” in Hawaiian – is stabilised by the outrigger, a long, thin, solid float positioned rigidly parallel to the hull of the main canoe. In Polynesia, the va’a was originally carved by hand from a single tree, and it is believed the spirit of the tree lives on in the canoe.

Modern canoes are more likely to be made from lightweight carbon fibre, but the superstition remains.

“Never step over the boat, always walk around it,” Schardt warns.

Paddlers, usually six, face towards the bow with number one – the “stroke”, who sets the pace – in the bow through to

thrill seekers The team also participates in races in Singapore, Guam, Australia and Hawaii. One of the toughest races is Australia’s Hamilton Island Cup in June, where Lynch and her teammates compete against 40 international teams.

HKOCC is also a strong supporter of the Hong Kong Sea School, where it stores its boats. And it recently joined Dragon Boating team Stormy Dragons in raising $300,000 for the school at a charity ball.

If you would like to try outrigging, the club is always looking for new members and holds training sessions five days a week, although you can pick and choose your times. The 6.15am Wednesday session is particularly recommended by Lynch. “You see the sun come up in front of you,” she says. “Quite a way to start the day.”

Training locations include the flat-water of Tai Tam, Stanley Bay and longer distances around southside at the weekend. Newbies can enjoy their first three sessions free of charge. the helmsman (number six), who steers the boat at the back. The helm requires a high level of strength and endurance as s/he is responsible for keeping the boat straight and the crew safe, particularly in very rough seas. Stronger paddlers are typically placed in the middle of the canoe.

Unlike dragon boating, there is no drummer to beat a paddling rhythm.

“This is a sport that rewards experience, the ocean is constantly changing and you are continuously learning,” says Lynch. “Paddlers can still participate in their 50s, 60s and even 70s. In a way, it’s a bit like golf, you’re always searching for the perfect stroke. It’s very meditative.”

The team takes part in races all over southside and trains year round in readiness for big races. These include a 20km run to Lamma and Po Toi, and the season culminates with a 45km round-the-island race in November.

For more information, see www.hkocc.com or email newmember@hkocc.com.

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hikes

Head for the hills

Jackie Peers tackles the big daddy: Tai Mo Shan. Pictures by Dean Ranson.

Before the really hot weather hits, there’s still time to spread the maps out, identify the unexplored bits and head for the hills. On May’s clear-sky days, between the downpours, get out there and stretch your legs. This was my intention a few Sundays ago, accompanied by hubby and hound.

Our aim: Tai Mo Shan – Big Hat Mountain – Hong Kong's highest point.

A quick trip north past Ma On Shan and we were soon parked at the Tai Po Kau Forest car park (easily accessible by taxi from Tai Po Market MTR station). I’ve mentioned Tai Po Kau before, but if you haven’t been there you simply must. It’s a treasure trove of mature forest stands, shady glades and rushing streams, inhabited by an abundance of insects, butterflies, birds and larger fauna. We can personally attest to the latter: Fergus – hound, not hubby – managed to sandwich us between a family of ill-disposed boar and some large, well-toothed macaques, while he turned in circles not knowing who to address first.

Less antagonistic visitors interact with the wildlife more peaceably, like the camouflageattired bird enthusiasts on the lookout for scarlet minivets and velvet-fronted nuthatches.

All the Tai Po Kau trails are well signposted in a clockwise direction. But for this walk you

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need to follow the brown trail backwards – anticlockwise. Climb up the short section of road from the car park, and at the warden’s post take the lower unmarked road rather than the higher signposted one. It’s not too hard to follow if you start off in the right place.

There’s a section of road for a kilometre or so, which is interesting enough, but then you have the joy of entering real forest. Follow the brown trail markers as the path winds meditatively around the northern side of Grassy Hill. At the Forest walk signpost, deviate off to connect to the road to Lead Mine Pass. At the fork in the road go right.

Stage 8 of the MacLehose Trail starts at the pass, and it’s a straightforward climb up Tai Mo Shan. Steep at first, but soon leveling off, this section of the trail is popular with local Hong Kongers. Hikers range from the muscle-bound and Lycra-clad to the more cautious, swathed in scarves and tea towels and equipped with hats, sun brollies, knobbly sticks and Cantonese opera. Most groups were in raucous good humour. Usually I prefer solitude in the outdoors, but it was salutary to be reminded how friendly everyone was – such a contrast to the impersonality of the urban mall.

Big Head didn’t have his hat on this time

top spot

– referring, I believe, to the mountain’s frequent adornment of mist and cloud – but he was wearing his usual accumulation of strange objects, such as radio, satellite and military installations. I guess he’s not that beautiful in that respect. But do come up at least once on a clear day.

From the top, there’s a magnificent panoramic view that throws all the territory’s bumps and wrinkles into clear relief. You can see nearly all parts of Hong Kong, and Shenzhen to boot, except for our own fair peninsula, which is blocked by Ma On Shan.

There are many options for your return, depending on how much gas is left in the tank. If you left your car at Tai Po Kau, you could explore another route on your return through the forest, even climbing over Grassy Hill on the way. Or you might go over Needle Hill and through Shing Mun Country Park. Or a more sedate stroll down Route Twisk will take you to the 51 bus and a ride to Tsuen Wan MTR station.

Pack some sarnies and get out there.

Jackie Peers is a director of Walk Hong Kong, a unique company offering guided hikes to areas such as Tai Po Kau. She also runs photography courses in the Sai Kung area.

Details at www.walkhongkong.com.

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travel

Paradise found

When it comes to Asia’s tropical islands, the trick is to stay one step ahead of the tourist hordes.

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Koh Kood, Thailand The banana-pancake brigade may have established a toehold on this flattish, jungly island near the Cambodian border, but it’s the Six Senses Soneva Kiri eco resort that has really put Thailand’s fourthlargest, least-inhabited island on the map. Proving that being green does not require a poker face, this is uber luxury with a sense of fun, from the 50ft high bamboo dragon bridge that greets new arrivals to the free daily chocolate experiments (raspberry vinegar flavour, anyone?), in-house ice-cream parlour with a wall of 60

flavours and circular glass cheese vault. Our favourite innovation is Tree Pod Dining, a giant nest for four that is hauled five metres up a tree trunk and served by waiters on zip lines. The whole place is woody and gorgeous, with a whimsical children’s club complete with sleepover pod, a world-class spa, butler service and private buggies for every villa. Stay in an oversized villa with private infinity pool – or splash out on a four- to six-bedroom private reserve, perhaps with its own treehouse, private spa, library or even a water slide. And when

fantasy islands

Clockwise from left: Tree Pod Dining at Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood; palm-fringed Pulau Joyo can be yours, all yours; the sleepover pod at Soneva Kiri.

you’re bored of the toys, there’s always the pristine coast to explore.

How to get there: Soneva Kiri has its own Cessna plane for transfers from Bangkok. For details, visit www.sixsenses.com. Otherwise, take a plane or bus to Trat, then pick up a speedboat at Laem Sork Pier (see www.kokood.com for details).

Pulau Joyo, Indonesia They had us at “driftwood palaces”.

One of the most alluring phrases we’ve come across lately, we defy anyone to resist the barefoot luxury

those two little words conjure up, particularly when paired with the equally evocative “private island”.

A palm-fringed dot in the Riau archipelago, Pulau Joyo is available for hire in its entirety. Which means it can be yours, all yours – driftwood palaces and all. The four palaces are as appealing as their name, each constructed entirely from wood salvaged from the ocean: think chunky bleached-wood four posters, wafting white muslin, planters’ chairs on private terraces, decorative carvings and luxurious bathrooms. Two Javanese houses – or joglos – have also been moved and reassembled on the island. There’s a 25m pool with another palace of a pool house, spa services, snorkeling gear, superb food and a 140ft yacht. And then there’s the white-sand beach that entirely surrounds the island, complete with shaded driftwood “bivouac”. Robinson Crusoe, eat your heart out.

How to get there: Pulau Joyo is three hours from Singapore by ferry and private boat. The entire island can be hired for S$4,000 (HK$24,675) a night for groups of 10 adults for at least two nights, or the palaces can be booked individually (S$350 per adult per night). Rates include all food, non-alcoholic drinks, snorkeling and kayaking, and transfers from Bintan. For details, visit www.pulaujoyo.com.

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travel

This page, clockwise from top: three views of Song Saa, Cambodia’s first luxury island resort – a two-bedroom Jungle Villa, "The Sweethearts" from the air, and a bath with a view. That page, from top: inside a “driftwood palace” at Pulau Joyo; Sunset Beach, Koh Lipe.

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travel Song Saa, Cambodia Cambodia’s first luxury island resort is a little gem set on twin islets adrift in the Gulf of Thailand. Like the other 60 islands in the Koh Rong archipelago, privately owned Song Saa – Khmer for The Sweethearts; the islets’ local name – is a pristine reminder of Thailand 30 years ago, with virgin rainforest, unspoiled coral reefs and pristine white beaches. Owners Rory and Melita Hunter based the architecture on local fishing villages, and have made every effort to keep it green with driftwood furniture, a yoga platform amid the rainforest and a Marine Protection Area extending 200m off the fringing reef, with its dugongs, seahorses and fish. If the 27 villas are sustainable then they’re sumptuously so, with glassfloored over-water living rooms, sea views from the showers and verandahs made for sundowners.

World-class chef Neil Wager cooks up exquisite contemporary Cambodian meals, which guests can work off by snorkeling with the resort’s marine biologist, kayaking, hiking – or learning to cook the dishes themselves.

How to get there: Song Saa is three hours from Phnom Penh by car and by speedboat from Sihanoukville. Villas cost from US$1,336, including all meals and drinks, most activities, boat transfer, minibar and laundry. Larger parties can hire the entire island. For details, visit www.songsaa.com.

Koh Lipe, Thailand Tiny, idyllic and tricky to get to, Koh Lipe is on the cusp of changing from a backpacker hotspot to a more upscale resort. Which means that, right now, it is unspoiled enough for your paradise-island fantasies but developed enough to offer hot showers, cold cocktails and comfy beds. Close to Langkawi, Malaysia, on the edge of the Tarutao National Park, this jungle-clad island is fringed by beaches – Pattaya, Sunrise and Sunset – all within 15 minutes of each other via Walking Street. All

three are insanely gorgeous, with powdery white sand, sapphire sea and snorkeling and diving straight from the beach. Not to be confused with its notorious namesake, Pattaya Beach is the busiest, with a string of small resorts, while Sunrise is the quietest and the most sheltered in monsoon season (May to November). It’s also home to the lovely Serendipity Beach Resort

(www.serendipityresort-kohlipe. com), the most luxurious on the island.

How to get there: In high season (November-April), ferries travel to Koh Lipe from Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Langkawi. At other times, ferries travel once daily from Pak Barra (a taxi ride from Hat Yai airport). Transfer from the ferry to shore is via longtail boat. See www.kohlipethailand.com for timetables.

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gardening Tree lines

Jane Ram renews her love affair with flowering trees.

This is also peak season for many types of lilies. They look great en masse, especially if you have space in the ground where they can be left to naturalise. They multiply fast, so two or three in a large pot will give a great show within a couple of years. The advantage of a container is that the flowers can be moved to a prime position while they are at their best then transferred into a less conspicuous corner to await next spring.

In late March I spent 10 wonderful days in Sri Lanka enjoying some of the island’s beautiful gardens. The lush tropical growth and wide open spaces were a treat, as was the warmth after Hong Kong’s long, chill winter.

Once again I fell in love with the flowering trees Amherstia and the Cannonball Tree.

Monsoon rain triggers the best show of blooms, but although it was the dry season they still looked good to me. Alas, like the spectacular red Sealing Wax palms, I have to accept that (along with hybrid tea roses at the other end of the spectrum) these stunners will not thrive in Hong Kong.

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Fortunately, we have compensations, including the Bauhinia trees that currently resemble pink and white clouds along our roadsides and in the parks.

The white Bauhinia would be my tree of choice as it stays relatively small and compact.

But I do enjoy the Bauhinia blakeana with its magnificent fragrant purple flowers and its long flowering span. The downside is fast growth – it becomes almost unmanageable before you know it. Nothing is perfect and Bauhinia wood is brittle, unable to withstand strong wind; the trees are also prone to attack by termites and other insects. So that’s another tree that I can cross off my wish list.

green fingers

May garden tasks

From left: the flowering Cannonball Tree, Amherstia and a host of blooming lilies.

Caladiums and gingers are starting to emerge from their dormant state, although I fear some were watered into oblivion during the winter. The dramatic pendant Heliconia rostrata should soon be taking over from the spiralflowering Heliconia latispatha that has given me so much pleasure throughout the winter.

Slow-release fertiliser will boost most plants this season. Read labels carefully and choose a high phosphorous level for gingers, Heliconias and other flowers, while fertiliser with a high nitrogen content will improve the leaves of Caladiums and other foliage plants.

Please email Jane Ram at janetaipeng@ gmail.com with comments or queries, and for more information about monthly Saturday workshops for gardeners held in Fanling, or to join her guided tour to the spectacular Ginger Garden in Guangzhou.

1. If your spring annuals and cuttings are looking crowded transfer them to bigger pots. On a warm and humid day, try new cuttings of Hibiscus, Allamanda and Brunfelsia (Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow).

2. Move a few favourite Impatiens and fibrous-rooted Begonias to a sheltered place. They don’t appreciate being scorched or drowned: hopefully some will survive until the autumn.

3. For colour in the ground or in containers, every couple of weeks sow a few seeds of miniature Balsam and Celosia. They seem to cope with our summer conditions and can be relied on to self-seed and provide a continuous succession of flowers until the autumn.

Jane Ram is a professional writer with a passion for plants. She has been gardening in Hong Kong for over 30 years and is still learning. Send your gardening queries to: janetaipeng@gmail.com

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pets

the worms turn

Achy breaky heart

Dr Carmel Taylor diagnoses heartworms.

“Oh but that’s impossible, doctor. You see, Rose never goes out to those places where dirty stray animals go, so it couldn't possibly be worms.”

The lethargic Pomeranian lifted her head and coughed.

“Well, Mrs Chiu,” I replied, “Rose is clearly very sick and listening to her chest...”

“You can hear worms?” she shrieked. ”No, I can hear sounds in her lungs and heart which suggest she might be in early heart failure. She is only two years old, and not a breed I normally associate with heart problems. I see from your records that you have declined heartworm testing in the past, and Rose is not on preventatives.” ” I would never use those horrible cancercausing chemicals on my baby! Anyway, like I said, she never goes out...” ”But mosquitoes get in,” I pointed out, recalling that I had fought like a ninja the previous night when one of the evil insects had the effrontery to accost me in the sanctity of my own bedroom.

The perplexed look on her face indicated Mrs Chiu had never read any of the information sheets we regularly dispensed. ”Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes, which suck up tiny infective larvae in the blood of an infected dog, and inject them into the next dog he bites.” ”Mosquitoes?” she sputtered. ”That would make them microscopic worms – how could they possibly cause damage?” ”After about seven months they grow to be a foot long, and live in the heart and blood vessels, choking this vital organ and eventually causing circulatory failure.”

I showed her photos of a canine heart sliced open to reveal hundreds of spaghetti-like worms occluding the heart chambers.

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“They can survive for up to seven years unless we intervene.”

There was a momentary silence as she processed this information.

“OK, if you feel it is necessary, but I don’t think a mosquito could bite through her lovely thick fur.”

Just 15 minutes later, the test results confirmed my suspicions.

“Let’s book Rose in for X-rays to assess the level of lung damage and see whether we can admit her to hospital for the treatment. The injections to kill the worms are quite strong, arsenic-based chemicals and…”

“Wait! You want to give... poison to my Rose?” Mrs Chiu seemed dumbstruck. “I need to think about this.

Maybe I will get another opinion.”

Dr Google would be busy tonight.

“Of course, Mrs Chiu, but don’t delay,” I warned. “This condition is fatal if left untreated.” ”I’m certain she will be fine,” she responded. “This breed is very resilient. Did you know that a Pomeranian was one of only three dogs to survive the Titanic?”

I had the sinking feeling that if Mrs Chiu didn’t get over her fear of “poisonous chemicals” this particular Rose might miss the lifeboat.

Fade to black, roll credits, cue Celine Dion warbling “My heartworms go on and on...”

Dr Carmel Taylor MVB MRCVS DipAiCVD is a veterinary dermatologist and consults at many different clinics around the territory. For appointments please call 9251 9588 or visit www.cutaneous.com.hk

marketplace

Your guide to shops and services BOOKS The Reading Room (Sai Kung) 9199-5900 seasidereadingroom@gmail.com

To advertise, email: ads@saikung.com

BUILDERS Yuki International Contractors 9884-5824 CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

STRESSED BY YOUR PET?!!!

PET BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS? Hong Kong’s first and only Behavioural Veterinary Practice can help resolve aggression, fear, anxiety, separation related problems, compulsive disorders, inappropriate toileting, noise phobias etc.

Not all behavioural problems are simply training issues.

Dr. Cynthia Smillie BVM&S PG Dip CABC MRCVS

Tel: 9618 2475 cynthia@petbehaviourhk.com

www.petbehaviourhk.com

Little Hands Workshop 5431-3122 info@littlehands.com.hk www.littlehands.com.hk Carpet Brooks Thompson Ltd 2851-3665 iqbalhk@netvigator.com COWS Sai Kung Buffalo Watch 9781-4703 DESIGN Sai Kung Magazine, magazines and brochures 9811-9526 tom@saikung.com DINING Hebe One O One 2335-5515 info@101.com.hk www.hebe101.com EMERGENCY Ambulance Centre 2735-3355 Marine Rescue 2803-6267 ESTATE AGENTS The Property Shop 2719-3977 info@thepropertyshop.com.hk www.thepropertyshop.com.hk FOOD & WINE Wine Store Info@winestore.com.hk www.winestore.com.hk GARDENS & LANDSCAPE Leisure Turf and Landscape Limited 2579-0323 / 9487-4710 LTL@netvigator.com www.leisureturf.asia

ads@saikung.com

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GOLF Island Golf Club 2513-9888 info@islandgolf.com.hk www.islandgolf.com.hk HANDYMAN Indo Handyman 2578-1865 sales@indohandyman.hk Marco Electrician & Plumber 6190-8051 National Harbour Renovations & Removals 9085-1886 info@nationalharbour.com.hk HEALTH & BEAUTY Cambridge Weight Plan Hong Kong 9618-1777 / 9045-5942 www.cambridgeweightplan.hk Curves 2234-9800 www.curveshongkong.com Lai Hing Lok Foot Massage 6690-3658 rebecachan@yahoo.com www.ablemassage.com Sabai Day Spa 2791-2259 sabaidspa@sabaidayspa.com www.sabaidayspa.com Sai Kung Therapy Centre 8230-2733 www.beautyadd.com/shop/04140/index.php Sense of Touch 2791-2278 ask@senseoftouchhk.com www.senseoftouch.com.hk Somatic Pilates with Mira 9102-4975 mira.juntunen@gmail.com www.miranpilates.com Super Natural, nutritional advice 6039 2505 cjonkers@super-natural.info www.super-natural.info Tala’s Health and Beauty Centre 2335-1694 info@talashairandbeautycentre.com www.talashairandbeautycentre.com Weight Watchers 2813-0814 tpaulsen@weightwatchers.com.hk www.weightwatchers.com.hk HIKES Walk Hong Kong 9187-8641 walks@walkhongkong.com www.walkhongkong.com HOME FURNISHINGS Canaan Property Agency Ltd. 2792-3678 canaanproperty@yahoo.com.hk Chez Uno 2791-9662/ 2723 8990 www.chezuno.com

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bird at my window

House swift aka Apus nipalensis

Swifts are perhaps the most aerially impressive of birds; they are always on the wing except when at their nests or roosting sites. House swifts – by far the most common swift species in Hong Kong – can be identified by their small size, shallowforked tails and white rumps. They often fly in parties, giving shrill calls as they scythe the air, sometimes almost out of sight in the ether, looking for their insect prey.

Migrating house swifts pass through Hong Kong to breed in southern China from mid-January to mid-April, often in flocks of a thousand or more. They are especially common during bad weather when they come down to feed over fish ponds in the New Territories.

There has been a resident population in Hong Kong since the 1950s with colonies scattered throughout the territory. The largest colony on a single building is at the Chinese University Library, where 200 to 300 pairs breed.

Nests are built high in the angle between the roof and wall and are made of vegetable matter and feathers; the material is held together by the birds’ saliva. An average of three eggs is laid and pairs raise two to three broods during the breeding season.

Like the barn swallow (April issue), the house swift is associated with good luck in Chinese culture and their nests are generally tolerated by the community.

David Diskin is the author of Hong Kong Nature Walks: The New Territories.

Visit www.hknaturewalks.com or www.accipiterpress.com for more information.

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Everything Under The Sun 2554-9088 info@everythingunderthesun.com.hk www.everythingunderthesun.com.hk Life's A Breeze 2572-4000 info@lifesabreezehk.com www.lifesabreezehk.com Taipo Home Centre tphc01@yahoo.com.hk www.tphc.com.hk HOME MONITORING Easy Monitoring 3590-2820 info@easymon.org www.easymon.org HOUSE PAINTING Marco 6190-8051 marco_yenug000@hotmail.com

Mandarin for Kids in Sai Kung Town 2012 Summer Program July 9 - August 17 2012 Fall Term: Sept. 3

*Preschool Mandarin Workshop Mon ~ Fri: 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Tue / Thu 2:00-4:30 p.m. *Parent-child Mandarin 18 mon+ Mon ~ Fri: 9:15-10:15 a.m. / 10:30-11:30 a.m. / 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Open for enrollment now!

TEL: 2791 4838 Email: jumpstart@netvigator.com www.jumpstartmlc.com

INSURANCE Kwiksure Insurance 3113-1331 sophie.parkington@kwiksure.com www.kwiksure.com INTERIOR DESIGN Box Design 2573-3323 info@boxdesign.com.hk www.boxdesign.com.hk JCAW Consultants 2524-9988 jcawltd@biznetvigator.com Studio Annetta 9849-1216 suzy@studioannetta.com www.studioannetta.com THE XSS Limited 2739-8893 enquiry@thexss.com www.thexss.com MALL The Waterside Shopping Mall 2643-6332 nted_promo@sino.com www.thewaterside.hk MOVERS AGS Four Winds International Movers 2885-9666 enquiries-hong-kong@agsfourwinds.com www.agsfourwinds.com Elite Movers & Decoration 8209-1793 elite930@hotmail.com www.emdhk.com Writers Relocasia 2976-9969 writer.hongkong@writerrelocasia.com www.relocasia.com

Summer Paint & Play Fun themes based on popular children’s books

9 Ju ly _ _ _ to 1 7 A __ u Mon ______ gust ___ day _ t o 9 .3 0 F to 11 riday .3 0

Crown Worldwide (HK) Limited 2636-8388 hongkong@crownrelo.com www.crownworldwide.com

• indoor and outdoor activities in a safe and stimulating environment

Expert-Transport & Relocations Warehouse 2566-4799 www.expertmover.hk

• circle time with singing & dancing and stories

Warehouse Removals-Local & International Moving service 9125-2611 warehouse_removals@hotmail.com

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• arts & crafts and sensory activities • designed for pre-school children (ages 1-5) Tickets on sale 2 May – HK$130 per child

Tel 2791 7354 www.skip.edu.hk

PEST CONTROL Biocycle 3575 2575 info@biocycle.hk www.biocycle.com.hk Christian Environmental Health 2370-9236 a-s-a-p@ceh.com.hk www.ceh.com.hk Hong Kong Ships' Fumigation Co., Ltd. 2891-2730 / 2891-9907 info@hkshipsfumigation.com PETS & VETS Animal Behaviour Vet Practice 9618-2475 cynthia@petbehaviourhk.com www.petbehaviourhk.com Best Friends Veterinary Hospital 2792-8555 Dr Carmel Taylor MVB MRCVS DipAiCVD 2549-2330 www.cutaneous.com.hk Ferndale Kennel 2792-4642 boarding@ferndalekennels.com www.ferndalekennels.com Pets Central Sai Kung Hospital 2792-0833 info@pets-central.com www.pets-central.com Vet2Pet 6999-1003 vet2pet@yahoo.com www.vet2pet.com.hk PHOTOGRAPHY White Box Photography Limited 28343200 admin@whitebox.hk whitebox.hk Graham Uden Photography 9195-7732 uden@netvigator.com grahamuden.com Jackie Peers 9121-1470 jackie@jackiepeers.com www.jackiepeers.com PRE-SCHOOLS Hong Lok Yuen International School 2658-6935 info@hlyis.edu.hk www.hlyis.edu.hk

EasyMon

www.easymon.org

A new level of security and control with easy monitoring See the status of your home on the go and receive sms/email alerts for any alarm.

New Song Christian Kindergarten (Sai Kung) 2791-2472 newsong@netvigator.com www.newsonghk.com Sunshine House International Pre-schools (Clearwater Bay) 23581-3803 www.sunshinehouse.com.hk Woodland Group 2813-0290 saikung@woodlandschools.com www.woodlandschools.com SPORTS

209‐211 Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon T: 3590 2820

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

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Photography Courses

Spend a day on location with Jackie Peers & your camera from bustling market place to the tranquillity of an abandoned village.

Groups are small, and customised to meet each person’s needs.

You can join a group, arrange your own small group or choose a private tour for one.

Prices are available for each.

Contact jackie@jackiepeers.com www.jackiepeers.com mobile 9121 1470

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Toys Tickitey Boo / Online store info@tickitey-boo.com www.tickitey-boo.com Hong Kong Toy Club 8216-3870 support@HongKongToyClub.com www.HongKongToyClub.com TRAVEL Beach Villa Rental in Cebu 9162-5321 simpson@towermark.com www.cebubeach.net Concorde Travel 2526-3391 info@concorde-travel.com www.concorde-travel.com TUITION Ace Ltd. 9306-3967 vandana@aceltd.com.hk Antsmart Learning Centre / Playgroup, Math 2335-1261 tangfrancis@hotmail.com www.playgroup.com.hk Craft Box 9014-3262 Simone@craftbox.asia www.craftbox.asia Jumpstart Mandarin Learning Centre 2791-4838 jumpstart@netvigator.com www.jumpstartmlc.com La Petite France 3403-9887 info@lapetitefrance.com.hk www.lapetitefrance.com.hk Private Guitar Tuition 9158-7274 samuli.salmi@helsinki.fi Russian Ballet School 9505-9305 Alpieval@gmail.com www.russianballetschool-hk.com Sai Kung Tutors 6907-2514 info@saikungtutors.com www.saikungtutors.com Spanish Teacher-Ilsabeth Hidalgo 9043-5105 ilsabeth@hotmail.com

Sai Kung readers love to shop Advertise Here and reach

30,000+

upscale readers ads@fastmedia.com.hk

Vianne's Music Wonderland Private Piano Course 6014-9389 mschanpiano@yahoo.com www.mymusicwonderland.com YewChung Arts & Language Centre 2337-0369 info@yalc.edu.hk www.yalc.edu.hk WORSHIP Resurrection Church 2358-3232 www.resurrection.org.hk To list your business in our new directory, or to guarantee a listing every month, please email ads@saikung.com

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LOCAL Property Pik Uk Home Available July $40k p.m 2100sqf 4-5 bedroom spacious older style village home in excellent condition.

Excellent space and layout inside with wonderful outdoor space and sea views.

Prime location to Kowloon, CWB, Sai Kung and MTRs. Don’t miss out, view today. Call Heather 92716099

Luxury Beach Villa in Cebu Island Philippines for rent.(Fully Staffed) 4 double rooms all with bath. 3 direct flights per day from HK. We have a Private chef, New 50ft sailing yacht, 2speedboats, Hobie Cat and more... www.cebubeach.net or contact owner +852 91625321

FULL SEA VIEW TOWN HSE Conveniently Located Family Home in Well Managed Development. High Ceilings, 3 Double Bedrooms, Good Kitchen & Bathrooms, Large Storage Areas, 2 c/p, 5 mins to Sai Kung Town. www.thepropertyshop.com.hk HK$65K 27193977 C-027656

NEED A HOLIDAY?PHUKET VILLA FOR RENT! Luxury 5 beds villa with swimming pool located in Surin area. Walking distance to beaches.

Reasonable rates! Website: www.phuketvilla4rent.com Email the owner: info@phuketvilla4rent.com

SILVERSTRAND LUXURY $120 K / $40 M Beautifully Renovated 4 Bed Villa. High Ceilings, Quality fixtures & Fittings Large Open plan Kitchen, Split Level Living & Dining. Private Terrace. Green & Sea Views.

Conveniently located for Shops, Beaches & Public Transport. www.thepropertyshop.com.hk 27193977 C-027656

Tuition & Courses Jesse Taekwondo & Hapkido Korea Kukkiwon Black-belt 5th Dan International Instructor.

Provide One-on-One personal training, Group training & Family classes. http://www.supra.com.hk/jessetkd Master Chow 9467-7787 My Music Wonderland Piano VIANNE'S MUSIC WONDERLAND PRIVATE PIANO COURSE @ YOUR HOME ﹣ www.mymusicwonderland.com - Experienced tutor accept students aged 3 and over.

Student Annual Recital/ Practical Examination/ Competition/ Theory/ Accompaniment/ T:6014 - 9389 for Trial lesson/ mschanpiano@yahoo.com

Summer Paint & Play at SKIP Summer fun for pre-schoolers in July and August. Tickets on sale from 2 May. Call 27917354 or visit www.skip. edu.hk for details.

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Overseas Property

PHUKET LUXURY FAMILY APARTMENT. Club Lersuang apartment. Sleeps 5. Great value. Master bedroom, 2nd bedroom (3 single beds), self-contained, fully fitted kitchen, pool, gym, restaurant. Visit www.tripadvisor.com and search “Club Lersuang” to see amazing reviews.

E-mail: paul_stocker88@hotmail.com

Maple Leaf Tennis Singapore has arrived. Children’s, Mini-tennis & advanced adult lessons in Sai Kung. Certified Canadian female tennis pro teaches in English or French 5321-3663 mapleleaftennis@hotmail.com mschanpiano@yahoo.com

Massage @ Home, Hotel Body massage, Chinese Tui Na, Swedish Massage, lymphatic drainage & aromatherapy massage. Our therapists offers mobile (outcall, housecall) service $700/2hrs (text in Chinese Address & speak in Chinese 66903658 www.ablemassage.com

Individual GUITAR INSTRUCTION for students of all ages and levels. An experienced jazz guitarist and tutor enables you to master the guitar with a brand NEW LEARNING METHOD. Please call 915 87274/Samuli for private tuition in Sai Kung area.

YOGA with YoYo (ERYT200 and RYT200) Location: Sai Kung Town Center, Man Nin St email: yingying_yu@hotmail.com tel: 9302 3931 website: www.yoyoyoga.net New Class with Guest Teacher: Pre-natal Yoga with Tamika Thurs 12nn-1:30pm HKD$150

Health & Well Being Aussie/US educated Personal Trainer with private studio.

Specializing in injury recovery/prevention and improving athletic performance.

REAL Experience REAL qualifications, REAL results.

Nicks-pt.com or call Nick 9446 9056

No need to go to Central.....

Cambridge Weight Plan is in Sai Kung and CWB. We help you create an easyto-manage daily diet plan and provide motivation and support every step of the way. Call our friendly local consultants today! Alison Barnes 9618 1777 Jean Hudson 9045 5942 www.cambridgeweightplan.hk

Nutritional questions? Ask a professional for sensible advice based on daily-life nutrition. Contact Christine (cjonkers@super-natural.info or 60392505) at Super Natural for honest advice or visit www.super-natural.info.

Energize your body and calm your mind with SOMATIC PILATES. Please call 910 24 975/Mira to book a private or group session in Sai Kung area. Please see www.miranpilates.com for details.

Services PHOENIX CARPET CARE LTD for 20 years Hong Kong’s premier cleaner of carpets & upholstery. Phoenix ensure true quality workmanship at reasonable cost. Hand cleaning of Oriental rugs.

Steam extraction of fitted carpets.

Upholstery cleaning. Scotchgard Protection. Call 2328 2287 or 9517 5436 for free quote/inspection.

Playgroup for Babies with Special Needs Held in Sai Kung town.

Age 9mnths - 2 years email kiddiefit101@gmail.com.

Computer Repair - Professional, friendly computer specialist available to help with any computer related problems at home or in the office.

Call Jan Boshoff 6403 6623, jan@edge-technology.net.

Would you like your cherished family pet captured forever in watercolor?

Please visit www.paintedpalshk.com to arrange your own personal piece of pet art! Prices start from 650HKD for an 8x8 inch graphite study GERMAN HANDYMAN. If you are looking for: curtain, picture, mirror and shelf hanging, assembling and disassembling of furniture, wall painting, wall repair and patch, floor covering, tiling (floor&wall), bathroom & kitchen repair and much more... just give me a call! Mobile: 61411766 germanhandyman@ymail.com Need Storage?

From a box to whole House Low Cost Storage Humid Control Start from as low as HK$500per month Collect & Delivery Call Today : 2578 1865 www.expertmover.hk NEED TO MOVE? Call Warehouse Removals for a free quotation. We have over 15 years of moving experience with English-speaking staff. No job too small.

Local / International / Office / Disposal.

Call 2789 2205 / 91252611 or email warehouse_removals@hotmail.com" FOR FULL HOME RENOVATIONS Painting, Plumbing, Carpentry, Floor tiling, Electrical work, Ceiling repair; call Yuki International Contractors & Engineers for free quotation.

Our staff are fluent English, Cantonese & Japanese. Tel: 9884 5824

Home Deliveries Award winning wines from Australia and New Zealand, highest quality, lowest prices directly from the winery to your door! Visit us at www.winestore.com.hk or email justin@winestore.com.hk.

Travels Yangtze Gorges with Jason Wordie "Vinegar Joe" and the "Flying Tigers". 6 Days. Departs 17 June, 2012. Concorde Travel 2526 3391 www.concorde-travel. com Licence 350343

Need a car in Europe? Peugeot Open Europe offers the best package: -brand new cars -unlimited mileage -full cover insurance -roadside assistance service contact : fm@netvigator.com www.eurocardrives.com

Charities / Community People Bereaved by Suicide (PBS) An English-speaking support group meets first Wednesday each month, 8pm, at the Mariners’ Club, TST. Free, confidential. Further information, tel 28960000 or check http://www.

Samaritans.org.hk 2896 0000 The Samaritans 24 hour Multilingual Suicide Prevention Hotline. Problems? Depressed? Lonely?

Desperate? Need an empathic, nonjudgemental listening ear in complete confidence? Bereaved by Suicide? We facilitate an English speaking monthly support group. Please call 2896 0000 or email: jo@samaritans.org.hk German Kids in Sai Kung Provide your children and toddlers with German language activities for their age, contact our Sai Kung German parents community for playgroups, lessons, and more. Contact: Uli, u.gast@egdshk.org URGENT! DOG FOOD SPONSORS Sai Kung Stray Friends We have approximately 35 dogs are on our daily "meal supply". The cost $2,222 every 8 days. If you would like to donate to help please deposit directly into our a/c: HSBC 004640085486001 Receipts can be issued.

Much appreciated!

REGISTER AS A VOLUNTEER Give a few hours of your time to Sai Kung Stray Friends.

If you want to do something worthwhile come and help at our holding facility in Sai Kung. Any day or time suitable to you.Various tasks, sweeping, cleaning, dog walking, paddock Mum or just providing some love to the dogs.

Dads are welcome too for mowing duty!

Email: saikungstrayfriendshk@gmail.com Call Narelle: 9199.2340 (English) Jessie: 9097.4591 (Chinese)

VOLUNTARY POSITIONS NEEDED Sai Kung Stray Friends *Kennel Carer - 1 or 2 days per week *Weekend Sai Kung Homing Team *Fundraising Director *Website director *Daily Meals on Wheels delivery roster *Rescue & Desexing Join us in our local community initiative to help our beautiful animals.

Email: saikungstrayfriendshk@gmail.com Call Narelle: 9199.2340 (English) Jessie: 9097.4591 (Chinese)

GUIDE LEADERS WANTED Calling all former Brownies! The Sai Kung Guide Unit in Pak Sha Wan is looking for guides (girls aged 10 and above) and new voluntary leaders for this enthusiastic group that encourages girls to be responsible and reliable through skills such as camping, first aid, crafts and more. Sign up and save the unit from closure! For details, please email to guidesinsaikung@gmail.com.

DONATE OLD BABY CLOTHES, toys and equipment to mothers in need. Small toys, wraps, bottles and teething toys are desperately needed

by Pathfinders, a charity for that helps migrant mothers find a safe and legal home. Call Kylie: 9460 1450 or Luna (Chinese speaking): 5135 3015.

Seek fulltime job, with the experience in western and chinese family withe 7 yrs in hongkong my former employer is living hongkong if you are interested you can call me in my no#94406877,thanks.

RESURRECTION CHURCH COMMUNITY CHOIR. Enjoy singing?

Classical, contemporary or jazz?

This is the community choir for you!!!.

Every Wednesday in Resurrection Church. Pak Sha Wan 7.30 pm – 9pm. Be trained by an expert voice coach and concert pianist.

Interested, drop us a line RXchoir@gmail.com DONATE CLOTHES, SHOES, BOOKS, toys and electrical appliances in good condition. Reach out to help the poor and disadvantaged men, women and children in our communities. All profits help the needy in Hong Kong and mainland China. Collection hotline: 2716 8778. Donation hotline: 2716 8862.

Website: www.christian-action.org.hk Blog: http://siewmei.cahk.org Email: ca@christian-action.org.hk SAI KUNG SOCIETY: Locations around Sai Kung town, villages and country park. Watercolour, drawing, or other medium. All levels welcome. Free, just bring your own equipment. Meetings will mostly take place on Saturday mornings once or twice a month. Please see www.hkcolours.typepad.com/ or contact Laetitia at saikungcolours@ gmail.com NEW SONG CHRISTIAN KINDERGARTEN Sai Kung T: 2791 2472 F: 2791 2477 Email: newsong@netvigator.com Website: www.newsonghk.com

Domestic help

Experienced Cantonese-speaking and Mandarin-speaking nanny .

Good moral character and childcare knowledge . Qualified teaching background . Available to start in September . Please call 6181 3365 or email : eviefan@hellokitty.com Are u looking for Driver, Gardener?

ADONIS CANEDO, 33 years old, working in Hongkong for 2 years. Pls contact 51339984.

Employment G. T. College (Primary Section) invites applications for the post of Native English Speaking Teacher Requirements: • A Bachelor’s degree or higher.

• With teacher training e.g. Postgraduate Diploma in Education.

• Knowledge in gifted education, drama and literature would be an advantage.

• Experience in Primary school teaching preferred.

• Able to plan student-centred lessons.

• A good team worker.

About G. T. College : - A DSS through train school, focusing on gifted education.

- Small class teaching with an ideal size of twenty four students.

- Primary Section has about seven NET teachers and five local teachers.

- We are looking for teachers in upperprimary i.e.G.4 to G.6, in our Tiu Keng Leng Campus.

Please send a full CV with recent photo by email to: gts@gtschool.edu.hk with a cover letter to The Principal, Dr. Chan.

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back page

Last orders Diet harder: diet hard 2 Throughout this year’s winter of discontent a change to my usual routine allowed me to observe a hard-core group of Kowloonies enjoying a daily early-morning dip in Victoria Harbour. Now it is one thing to throw yourself into the Irish Sea on New Year’s Day for a bit of a laugh, or to break up an otherwise suffocating sauna with a splash around in a crystalclear Scandinavian fjord. But it takes a considerable amount of grim determination and guts to ritually immerse oneself in the murky waters surrounding a major sewage outflow pipe in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. And as if this were not proof enough of their toughness, it was two of these hardy types who last month discovered and dragged ashore a floating suitcase containing the murdered body of a young woman.

If you are more sensitive and warm blooded than these yearround open-water swimmers, who laugh in the face of south China’s climatic variations, then you may feel the need to shift some winter blubber before squeezing into last year’s beach apparel.

Gym-toned celebrities once

dominated the slimming industry with photo-laden coffee-table books ghostwritten by unemployed nutritionists and aimed at the Christmas stockings of the chip-fat classes. But as science has become more hip, these pseudoexperts now feel confident enough to publish under their own credentials and market overly complex snake oil solutions to the upwardly mobile problem of calorific greed.

My own preferred system of weight loss is more natural and capitalizes on some of the reckless behaviour that develops flabbiness in the first place. Based on a twoday rolling programme, it is feng shui common sense in a yin-yang format that ensures six months’

photo competition Submit your shots 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 the best ones. To enter, simply email your best shots of Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay, along with a brief description, to photo@saikung.com. Happy snapping!

This month’s winner: Miriam "My children and I watched with a chuckle as these curious calves got closer to inspect a remote-controlled car that a boy was zooming around at the soccer/basketball/skating ground in Sai Kung."

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temperance a year without any perceived sacrifice.

Day one: a healthy breakfast of fruit and yoghurt will fool mind and body into thinking a significant change in lifestyle is underway.

This is the only concession to healthy eating the diet requires. For lunch, choose a tasty Pot Noodle from the wide variety on offer – my current favourite flavours are Mainland Chinese Locust and Japanese Endangered Fish.

The evening meal is strictly liquid, but be wary of over-indulging in beer: in calorific terms, it is the beverage equivalent of a deep-fried Mars bar. Wine has a much more efficient alcohol-to-calorie ratio so

its consumption is encouraged.

Note that the more effort you put in at this stage, the easier it will be the next day.

Day two: rise early to avoid wetting the bed and indulge in a little light exercise, such as a stroll to the nearest 7-Eleven. Breakfast on three cans of diet soda to address your rehydration issues.

Any brand is suitable though I strongly recommend Irn Bru, which has been effectively dissolving hangovers in Scotland since 1901.

Lunch should consist of a slab of carbohydrates between two thick slices of white bread and contain enough fat to absorb the remaining toxins in your body.

Dinner must be something complicated and home cooked, providing you with a sober distraction for the entire evening.

Make bedtime appropriately early given that it is day one again tomorrow.

This diet can be easily adapted for vegetarians or those who require gluten free, halal or kosher meals. It is not, however, appropriate for non-drinkers. If this is the case please consult a doctor immediately.

Iain Lafferty

shoot for it