DIAMONDS | JUNKS | BEAUTY | HOROSCOPES
July 2021
Summer beauty treatments Where to pamper yourself this season
Glitz,
glam and gumption Meet the millennial shaking up the jewellery business
Junk food We review the best junk catering packages
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CONTENTS — 07/21
17 COVER STORY
Meet the woman behind Innaya Jewelry by Himani Shah
4 CONTRIBUTORS
15 LOCAL
6 PEOPLE
20 DINING
8 THE PLANNER
24 SPORTS
10 NEWS
26 BEAUTY
13 FIVE MINUTES WITH
28 MUST HAVES
Meet the team
The Peak Tram gets a makeover
Southsiders out and about
Junk catering for the perfect day at sea
What’s on in July
Watersports in Southside
What’s happening in our backyard
Simon Hui, founder of Mindful Studio HK
Where to get pampered this summer
Pool party essentials
31 SECRETS
32 PETS
Dr Pauline Taylor answers your pet questions
33 HOROSCOPES
Find out what this month has in store for you
36 ZIM CITY
Paul Zimmerman on the shrinking Cyberport waterfront
26
The history behind Tai A Chau
10 8
31
15 24
“Luxury is in each detail.” – Hubert De Givenchy
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editor’s letter If diamonds truly are a girl’s best friend, then what’s with the industry being completely male-dominated? For this month’s cover story, we speak to Himani Shah (page 17), a 24-year-old woman who’s founded her own diamond jewellery business with the sole purpose of handing the industry back to its main customers by making her pieces affordable. Who says you need to wait around for a man to buy you a diamond ring? In the spirit of celebrating the power of a little glitz and glam, we’ve also got a stellar rundown of all the health and beauty treatments you need to get your hands on this summer (page 26). With lots of fun in the sun scheduled over the next couple of months, it’s good sense to look after your skin–and what’s the harm in a little pampering, right? Speaking of fun in the sun, if you’re planning to jump on the junk bandwagon this season, head over to our dining section (page 20) for all the best places that cater for boat parties. And remember, while it’s easy to get caught up in the high-energy excitement of summer, especially as Covid cases decrease and that light at the end of the tunnel gets a little brighter, it’s essential to continue checking in on yourself. Head to our five minutes with interview (page 13) to read about a man
Editorial Editor-in-chief Nicole Slater, nicole@hongkongliving.com Editor Cheyelene Fontanilla, cheyelene@hongkongliving.com Senior Writer Charmaine Ng, charmaineng@hongkongliving.com Dining Editor Amber Lai, amber@hongkongliving.com
Design Senior Graphic Designer Vicky Lam, vicky@hongkongliving.com
who’s dedicated his life to teaching people how to do just that. He went from studying at an Ivy League university to becoming ordained as a monk in Cambodia. Now, with a holistic yoga studio in Hong Kong, he’s sharing his insights on what it takes to feel fulfilled and content. As always, happy reading, folks.
Graphic Designer Shirley Tin, shirley@hongkongliving.com
Sales & Marketing
Director of Content Hilda Chan, hilda@hongkongliving.com Partnership Manager Debbie Ky, debbie@hongkongliving.com Elaine Li, elaine@hongkongliving.com Events Manager Pranali Gupta, pranali@hongkongliving.com
Publisher
Matt Eaton, matt@hongkongliving.com
Founding Director
Things we love
Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com
Contact us Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
Japanese fine dining
Personalised skincare
Award-winning Japanese restaurant at Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, HAKU, has an 11-course dinner designed by their new executive chef, Rob Drennan. With uni, sashimi, caviar, foie gras and wagyu on the menu, each course plays with texture, temperature and flavours in such a deliciously unique way. You’ll be struggling to pick your favourite dish. I’d also recommend enjoying dinner with the premium sake pairing menu to get the full experience.
Skin Need is a California-made skincare business that’s just made its way to Hong Kong. Its products use non-GMO raw, vegan ingredients and is meant to be tailored to your skin type to combat any skin irritation, dullness, dryness or breakouts that are all too common in humid summer weather. This stuff is easy on the skin, doesn’t overdo it on the synthetic scents and leaves complexions glowy.
Covid-19 update
As Southside Magazine goes to print we have done our best to keep our content as accurate and up-to-date as possible, but life under Covid-19 regulations means things tend to change, often from day-to-day. Please check with local businesses for operation hours and services available and remember, stay safe.
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HONG KONG hongkongliving.com
Bindiya Mulchandani
Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong
Southside Magazine is published by Hong Kong Living Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Southside Magazine cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
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contributors
Thank you to our contributors Dr Pauline Taylor Dr Pauline Taylor is a senior vet at Pets Central. She graduated in Scotland and spent the past 10 years practicing in New-Zealand before moving to Hong Kong with her four-legged family members. This month, she takes to her pets column to answer your questions.
Paul Zimmerman Paul Zimmerman is the CEO of Designing Hong Kong, the co-convenor of Save Our Country Parks and Southern District Councillor of Pok Fu Lam. In his column this month, Zimmerman shares his thoughts on the shrinking of Cyberport waterfront park.
Simon Hui He is an Ivy League graduate, a trained yoga teacher and an exBuddhist monk. Simon Hui founded Mindful Studio HK in order to help people find their way to a holistically balanced life–emotionally and physically. He shares his story in our five minutes with interview.
Amber Lai Our dining editor, Amber Lai keeps her finger on the pulse of Hong Kong’s everevolving F&B industry. Head to our dining section to get our insider low down on junk catering for this summer’s festivities.
Himani Shah
Yvonne Tung Yvonne Tung is an editorial intern at Hong Kong Living. This month, she takes an in-depth look at Tai A Chau, a little-known island off Lantau that forms part of the Soko Islands. Gain some insight on the interesting history of a place that’s since been abandoned–all in our secrets section.
This month’s cover star is Himani Shah, the founder of Innaya Jewelry. As a millennial woman in an industry dominated by older men, her mission is to give power back to women by being unashamed of a little glitz and glam. Learn more about her journey in our cover story.
Want to write for Southside Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com 4 | SOUTHSIDE
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people
Snaps from Southside
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say cheese
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planner MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE JULY EVENTS
JUL 1 HKSAR Establishment Day Enjoy the day off
JUL 8 Takeout Comedy Show Get tickets to the first-ever female-produced standup comedy show hosted at a comedy club in Hong Kong! Bianca Lau, a comedian from Hong Kong who’s done shows in New York and beyond, has rallied a few of her fellow comedians to join her on stage for the evening’s lineup. 8pm. Advance tickets $150, door tickets $200. 34 Elgin Street, Soho, Central.
JUL 4
Kayak n Run Explore Tai Tam Bay like never before, kayaking along the coastline to Hobie Cat Beach and running over Dragons Back in an attempt to make it to the top three. Family and adult races available. 8am. Family race $450, adult race $900. Tai Tam Tuk, Tai Tam Bay, Hong Kong Island. actionasiaevents.com
UNTIL AUG 6 SummerFest Jam-packed with summer events, SummerFest returns to the Central Harbourfront Event Space to provide Hongkongers with a wide range of large-scale outdoor recreational activities including A series of 3D summer smileys, light/shadow Maze and handicraft workshops. Free. 9 Lung Wo Road, Central, Hong Kong. summerfest-centralharbourfront.hk summerfest-centralharbourfront.hk
JUL 3 Midsummer Race JUL 3 Boundless Tempo outdoor yoga Enjoy a complimentary outdoor yoga experience in Stanley when you spend $500 or above at Stanley Plaza and Murray House. 10.30-11.30am or 3-4pm. Free. G/F Amphitheatre, Stanley Plaza. linkhk.com
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After a one-year hiatus the Midsummer Race is back. Race the clock across Shing Mun Reservoir in a range of age categories from junior to veteran Plus. Top 3 winners in each category receive a trophy and prize. 3pm. $220. Shing Mun Reservoir Main Dam, Lower Shing Mun Road, Kam Shan. xterace.com
what’s what’s on on JUL 8 Boozy Bliss Balls & Low Sugar Cocktail Class Join Shima Shimizu, chef at Sesame Kitchen, to learn how to make her popular boozy balls and low-sugar cocktails previously showcased at Tai Kwun. $680. 11am-1.30pm. FoodCraft, 16/F, Yiuga Factory Building, 62 Victoria Road, Kennedy Town. foodcraft.hk
JUL 14-20 Hong Kong Book Fair
Enjoy book shopping, literary workshops and seminars in the annual week-long fair. 10am- 10pm. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. hkbookfair.hktdc.com
JUL 11 Discovery Bay Sunday Market
JUL 11 Young Theatre Makers 2021
Head down to DB for its monthly market, held by Handmade Hong Kong. Free. 11am-6pm. Discovery Bay Main Plaza, Discovery Bay. handmadehongkong.com
A bilingual learning programme for middle school students, focusing on analysis and understanding of scripts and group discussions. 2.30pm. $120. Sai Wan Ho Civic Center Theatre. aftec.hk
Got an event? We can publish the details. Email editorial@hongkongliving.com
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news
Indigo Living launches a new brand TRIBE
Hong Kong’s vaccine lucky draw
The Indigo Living family has just gotten a bit bigger with the launch of their new subbrand, TRIBE. The new furnishing brand offers shoppers reasonably priced furniture and accessories with attention to trends, accessibility and functionality. The brand hopes to encourage people to show off their individuality and creativity across their home by mixing and matching contemporary trendsetting pieces with zero compromises on style or function.
The Hong Kong government has come up with an entire list of prizes and incentives for residents to get vaccinated. From a $10.8 million flat in Kwun Tong, actual pieces of gold and $100,000 in spending credit and shopping vouchers, to luxury liquor, business class flights and much more. Permanent residents who get vaccinated before September 1 can sign up to the lucky draw at register.vaccinationluckydraw.hk
A 24/7 golf simulator opens in Causeway Bay A new golf simulator, Bay 247, has opened in the heart of Causeway Bay, targeting golfers of all skill levels and ages. True to its name, the indooring golfing facility is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bay 247 features small and large rooms that can cater to six people and has two professional coaches on hand to guide you through.
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in your backyard
Hong Kong’s court grants parental rights for same-sex partners The Court of First Instance ruled in favour of samesex partners last month, granting them equal parental rights over their children. The ruling states that a non-biological mother should be granted joint custody of her children with her ex-partner, who is the biological mother. This ruling comes
at a time when the government’s support for the LGBTQIA+ community has been questioned after Junius Ho’s comments last month. While same-sex unions and civil partnerships are not recognised in Hong Kong at the moment, it is a step in a more inclusive direction for the city.
Dog-friendly café opens at The Pulse Popular dog-friendly café HOOMAN by the Sea, is opening its second location at The Pulse this month. The grab-and-go hotdog kiosk serves up signature hotdogs and a variety of bites, drinks and desserts. Exclusive items will also be available to celebrate the opening, promising diners a great view to relax with human and canine friends alike.
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Five minutes with Simon Hui
five minutes with
Cheyelene Fontanilla meets the founder of Mindful Studio HK Simon Hui is both an Ivy League graduate and an ex-Buddhist monk, so it’s safe to say he’s got a very unique mix of life experience. Having attended Cornell University where he majored in civil engineering, Hui jokes that his degree gives him a bit of an edge when it comes to the vocation he’s chosen. “I can explain how bodily forces are distributed in bridge pose in a way no other yoga teacher could,” he says. While he is of Chinese descent, Hui actually grew up in Nigeria. “It was hands down the most natural, unpolluted, and serene environment–this was 40 years ago. The city I lived in was nestled between the Sahara Desert and the Atlantic Ocean. We got to experience sandstorms as well as thunderstorms. There were no tall buildings so you could see as far as your eyes could see on clear days, and in the evenings my favorite activity was stargazing. I think that was how I developed a deep connection with nature,” says Hui. Now, as a trained yoga practitioner and the founder of Mindful Studio, Hui set out to achieve his goal and realise his purpose–and he did just that. “Having asked myself repeatedly what I really wanted to do with this life, it became clear that my calling is to help others who want to walk the path of purity. Mindful Studio was founded for those who have seriously pondered the question, what is the meaning and purpose of life?” says Hui. Years ago, Hui took to India to learn yoga at its source. “The programme was severe. Morning practice was two and a half hours long, followed by meditation, lectures and an hour and a half of back-bending. Nothing but back-bending. Around sunset, there was chanting.” Hui says. Although he wears his experience as a badge of honour, he admits that it was no easy ride. “Honestly, I was ready to leave after the first three days of the programme. But then I persevered. The experience taught me one key secret to life: Never give up, even if you think you cannot handle the challenge anymore. Hard work will always pay off,” says Hui. Hui was also an ordained monk–and the trials that came with that journey were just as fascinating and difficult as his experience
in India. “The biggest obstacle of my life was the decision to get ordained as a Buddhist monk. Understandably my family and friends thought I had gone insane, that something traumatic had happened which caused me to abandon my life,” says Hui. “I once stayed at a meditation center for three months–and that was three months of practice. There were no weekends off. The morning bell goes off at 3:30am and the first meditation session begins at 4:00am. The day ends around 9:00pm,” says Hui. “I remember at one point I started crying profusely, wondering why I ended up at this place, having ‘abandoned’ my relatives, my work, my life.” One can only imagine the depths to which you’re pulled in an environment that invites such devoted introspection, but to Hui, it was a beautiful moment of truth, “to meet suffering eye-toeye,” he says. So, what makes his career so fulfilling? “Seeing how people gradually change for the better, a little step at a time. It could be physical, mental, or both. Someone who was never able to touch his toes suddenly managed to; someone who never knew how to relax fell asleep in shavasana; someone who was filled with remorse and guilt decided to forgive herself.”
It is abundantly clear that Hui sees such life-transforming value in yoga and meditation. He believes that the power you find in yourself through these simple, refined practices is priceless. “Many people do not know that the definition of yoga is the ‘stilling of the fluctuations of the mind’,” he says. “At Mindful Studio, we aim to share the full spectrum of spiritual knowledge. The challenge is that, generally, people have limited patience. They saw me doing a particular posture and they asked why they could not do the same. But they do not understand the years of commitment and effort that took place behind the scenes.” Mindful Studio’s bread-and-butter lies in their private sessions, particularly because the feedback they receive from clients is about how overwhelming or intimidating larger studios can be. But with private sessions, which is what they focus on, they can really tailor to clients’ needs, pace, and answer questions in-depth. Taking it a step further, Hui is also a counsellor-in-training. He hopes that this will enable him to include counselling services at Mindful Studio, “to truly work with clients in a holistic way–physically and mentally.”
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local
The Peak Tram gets a new look A Hong Kong icon is being reborn. By Charmaine Ng
Hong Kong’s history of Peak Trams
1888
Built in 1888, the Peak Tram has served Hong Kong for over 130 years. Having started out as an essential mode of transport, it has since transformed into one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, carrying more than 6 million passengers annually. Over the years, the tram has gone through several rebuilds and was most recently running its fifth generation of classic 1989 burgundy carriages. It has effectively retired on June 28, 2021 – after 32 years – to undergo an upgrade project to reveal a brand new look.
Bidding farewell to the fifth generation tram To celebrate the end of an era, a series of special offers were launched to bid farewell to the fifth generation tram. These included discount tickets for senior citizens, limited edition collectable tickets, a Peak Tramthemed board game and a craft beer gift set. On June 1, the Peak Tram also collaborated with eight local artists – Even
Lee, Jacmila, John Lamto, No Paper Studio, Pei Chung, Peter Ng, Stella So and Uncle@ Afterworkshop – to illustrate the retiring tramcars with artwork themed around Hong Kong’s ‘Culture’, ‘Nature’, ‘Iconic Landmarks’ and ‘Movies’.
The upgrade project The tram service is now suspended for a period of approximately six months, allowing the Peak Tramways Company to launch the new sixth-generation carriages. Costing $700 million, the project is nearly doubling the capacity of the trams from 120 to 210 passengers. At the same time, both terminals are being reworked to accommodate the new tramcars, tackling the problem of long queues at peak times. New control systems, track trails, track foundations and bridges are being built and renovated to offer visitors a more comfortable travel experience.
The first Hong Kong Peak Tram began its service 133 years ago on May 30, 1888. A remarkable leap at the time, it replaced the sedan chair as the main mode of transportation up and down Victoria Peak.
1959 Some senior Hongkongers may still remember the fourth generation Peak Tram. The green tramcar was introduced in 1959.
1926 The secondgeneration tramcar was launched in 1926. It had an electrically powered system, which replaced the coal-fired steam boilers of its predecessor.
1948 The third Peak Tram was put in service in 1948. It had all-metal tramcars and was more than just a transport link; it had become a landmark for locals and tourists.
1989 The green tramcar was retired in 1989 and replaced by the burgundy carriages we know today.
2021 The burgundy tramcar made its last trip just last month.
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cover story
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Glitz, glam and gumption Himani Shah shakes up the jewelry business. By Cheyelene Fontanilla SOUTHSIDE | 17
Photo: Bindiya Mulchandani
glitz and glam
cover story
To build a brand of your own is no easy feat, but to do it as a young woman in a maledominated industry is something else entirely. Innaya Jewelry is owned and run by 24-yearold Himani Shah, who was born into a family of diamantaires. Though she grew up around the tricks of the trade, Shah is determined to pave her own path. As a millennial jewelry designer, Shah began her entrepreneurial journey with a search for something that could make her business stand apart–an innovation that could breathe some fresh air into the jewelry market. That’s when she came across piecut diamonds. “It’s a unique artistry that assembles smaller, fancy-shaped diamonds to create the illusion of a larger, solitaire diamond,” says Shah. Since its founding in November 2018, Innaya Jewelry by Himani Shah has steadily gained more recognition for its beautifully designed, modestly priced diamond jewelry pieces. But the journey to this point has been far from clear-cut. “Starting out was hard, everyone knew me as my father’s daughter, when I’d be negotiating, the immediate response would be ‘I’ll talk to your father about it later.’ That affected my confidence.” says Shah. Nonetheless, she fully recognises how lucky she is to have a father in the business who
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has been nothing but supportive. “If he learns that he’ll be getting calls for my deals, he would stop them there and say, ‘It’s her business, you talk to her,” she says. “I made it a point to let people know that, yes, I am a diamantaire’s daughter but I have an identity, goals and a brand of my own. I will fight my own battles and I will negotiate my own deals and terms. This has been the beginning of a movement where women are acknowledged, respected and appreciated in the jewelry
industry now more than ever.” The fact of the matter is Shah shouldn’t have to fight tooth and nail to be taken seriously. Having studied Management with Marketing at the Royal Holloway University of London and earned a Graduate Certificate in the Graduate Diamonds Program at the Gemological Institute of America, Shah is hellbent on achieving her goal: “For Innaya Jewelry to be a household name in Hong Kong–the go-to brand for all your jewelry needs.”
glitz and glam Though she may be regarded as a newcomer on the scene, her business is built on solid ground. When asked what Innaya Jewelry’s most important values as a business were, she responded vulnerably and with heart. “Its values coincide with the values I was brought up with: trust, transparency and responsibility,” she says. Where trust is concerned, Shah sees the importance of establishing credibility, especially since people are making big purchases online these days. “We have to work even harder to make people believe in us. I am a shy person, but when it comes to the brand, I’ve put myself out there, for people to be able to put a trustworthy name and a face to the brand,” says Shah. “The GIA qualification attached to my name gives clients a sense of safety and trust; they know I’ve got the basics covered, I’m knowledgeable and I’ll give them what I’ve promised.” Adding onto that, transparency is essential when you’re selling precious items on online platforms. She needs to be reliable, talk them through each step and make them feel like they’re part of the process. So what sets this company apart from its competitors? To begin, Himani Shah isn’t afraid to experiment or fail. “I’ve used fancy shapes, bold diamond and gold colours and eccentric materials and textures. I want to make jewelry fun–it’s too serious right now.” Shah uses her age to her advantage, staying in touch with what her target market wants. To further her aspirations, Himani Shah has dedicated herself towards her soon-tolaunch “Second Skin” Jewelry Collection, a selection of minimalistic, everyday wear designs; using natural diamonds and gold. “There is a shift in preference towards fashion jewelry, I want to bring the focus back onto diamond and gold jewelry. All designs will be priced under HK$2,000. The aim is to make it accessible to a wide variety of people, both locally and globally.” As for Shah, she’s continuing to push the boundaries of what it means to be a young entrepreneur. “I’m learning new things and skills every single day on the job. I’m the director, designer, accountant, manager, marketing head and sales representative at Innaya. It’s a onewoman show. I run it all by myself,” she says. If you take anything away from Shah’s journey, let it be this: “Put yourself out there and give it all you’ve got, push yourself out of your comfort zone because you’ll never be motivated to work as hard until it’s for your own goals, your own mission. There’s no other feeling like it.”
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dining
Junk food
Amber Lai rounds up the best catering companies for your next boat trip
Calimex
Monsieur Chatte
Soak up some of that free-flow wine with Calimex’s burrito filled junk package which comes with three fillings, grilled chicken, barbacoa beef and vegetarian mixed beans. Larger menus include its quesadillas, chips with dips and salads. cali-mex.com
Experts in French cuisine and wine Monsieur CHATTÉ will bring the French flair to any party. Sets come with various salads, meat, cheese and fresh bread. Evening menus are also available and include canapes and petit fours. monsieurchatte.com
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Big Birdy
La Rotisserie
Ready for a hot chick summer? Big Birdy’s junk packages come in a variety of menus including a quarter or whole chicken, various sandwiches, corn on the cob and wings - all coated in the restaurant’s signature peri peri seasoning. big-birdy.com
The traditional French rotisseries are ready for your junk extravaganza with whole roasted chickens and a range of side dishes. Mix and match roast potatoes, quiche lorraine, truffle mashed potatoes, salads and desserts. larotisserie.com.hk
junk catering
Black Sheep Restaurants This summer Black Sheep Restaurants is bringing its restaurants to the seas with tailormade packages from a selection of cuisines. Dip into mezze platters from Artemis & Apollo, enjou Vietnamese freshness from Chôm Chôm or celebrate Mexican style with Taqueria Super Macho. blacksheeprestaurants.com
Classified Hong Kong’s neighbourhood cafe brings its classic dishes to the seas with two catering menus, voyage and cruiser. Enjoy four mains including grilled chicken, lasagna, grilled ribeye or roasted salmon with various side dishes for a filling and premium lunch. classifiedfood.com
Nosh
Knead
If you fancy a healthier alternative on your day on the water, Nosh has created a junk platter that features a choice of two salads and three mains along with snacks for the morning and afternoon. nosh.hk
For a classic lunch menu, Knead offers freshly made sandwiches and salads with an emphasis on healthy eating. Add on yoghurt cups or an afternoon antipasto platter for an extra sumptuous feast. kneadhk.com
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dining
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nibbles
Dining news
New brunch menu at Classified Perfecting its classic brunch menu, Classified has introduced new vegan and South East Asian-inspired dishes. Start your morning with a chia pudding, tofu florentine or its creation of Hong Kong macaroni soup. classifiedfood.com
Sustainable seafood Debuting its latest range on World Oceans Day (June 8), OmniFoods has released a new OmniSeafood series that promotes a sustainable ecosystem. The plant-based fish collection includes a golden fillet, Omni ocean burger and OmniTuna. The new products are being launched across restaurants including Green Common and Ming Court at Cordis Hong Kong. omnifoods.co/hk
Lady M is ready to pop Diners can enjoy the new novelty flavour in the form of its crêpe cake, topped with blond chocolate ganache with caramel and popcorn. ladymhk.com
Mother of Pearl pops-up at The Upper House Running until August 31, The Upper House has welcomed Mother of Pearl as its latest pop-up. The pioneer for dairy-free and healthy bubble tea, offers drinks using their own plant-based ‘mylk’. New vegan bakes and drinks including an affogato with vegan ice cream will be exclusively available at the summer pop-up. motherpearl.world
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sports
Wet and wild Matt Eaton rounds up the best watersports in town from wakesurfing to SUP boarding
Flyboard Hong Kong The flyboard is not for the fainthearted. The latest in extreme water sports, this personal watercraft will send you flying through air and across water. With proper instruction, almost anyone can start flying during their first five minutes. From there you’re limited only by your creativity. Flyboard Hong Kong offers private classes for one or two hours for up to six people. hkflyboard.com
What’s SUP If dragon boating and windsurfing are not up your alley, stand-up paddle-boarding (SUP) may be the relaxing water sport you are searching for. SUP is for everyone, even if you don’t consider yourself particularly athletic. You can rent a board for one hour for $80 or the whole day for $350 at the Aqua-Bound Centre on Stanley Main Beach. You can even try your hand at SUP yoga with Island Paddle HK.
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wet and wild
Kayaking
Wakesurfing
Kayaking is the perfect way to explore Hong Kong’s coastal caves and spectacular rock formations. Located on Stanley Main Beach, Aqua Bound offers kayaking equipment starting from $350 for the day. Wild Hong Kong and SeaKayak are our top picks for guided tours.
In recent years wakesurfing has exploded in popularity. And for good reason. It’s crazy good fun and you’ll get one hell of a workout while doing it. The best spots to wakesurf are around Repulse Bay and Stanley. Check out HK Wake School for boats from Aberdeen. hkwakeschool.com
Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club For rowing and sailing you can’t go past the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. Founded in 1890, this is one of the largest yacht clubs in the world and offers a broad range of programmes from outrigger canoeing, dragon boating and competitive sailing. Being part of the club will also give you access to some world-class talent, from former Olympians, national team members and a number of sailing legends. rhkyc.org.hk
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beauty
A stylish summer Nicole Slater rounds up the best beauty treatments this season
Bikini ready
Sense of Touch Located in serene Repulse Bay, Sense of Touch day spa offers unique face and body firming treatments using the Cellu M6® Endermolift. The natural treatment tightens the skin and erases signs of aging. senseoftouch.com.hk
Dolma Waxing Boutique As one of Hong Kong’s most trusted waxing boutiques, Dolma Gurung and her team strive to offer their clients premier brazilian waxing and hair removal treatments including bikini waxes and eyebrow threading. brazilianwaxing.com.hk
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stylish summer
Nail it
Protect yourself
Urban Chillez Nail Bar
Essensuals TONI&GUY
The Wong Chuk Hang based nail bar believes a nice pair of hands complements a look and shows off personality. Using cruelty free and eco-friendly products and polishes, the nail bar produces chic and stylish nail art without causing harm to the environment. urbanchillez.com
To combat sun damaged and salty hair, Essensuals TONI&GUY hair salon has introduced a new hair treatment, K18. Using amino acids the product heals hair from the inside out and brings damaged strands back to their original, youthful state. essensuals.hk
Hand and Foot With locations on and off the island, Hand and Foot literally focuses on those two body parts. Choose from over 1,000 gel nail polishes to mix and match or treat yourself to a pedicure and a foot massage.
Elu Spa With a natural and organic Hydrojelly mask, the body waxing treatment by Elu Spa gives you clean-shaven skin with the least unpleasant after-effects. The mask helps eliminate tension and pain on the waxed area, also disinfects and brightens up the skin. eluspa.com
Get the glow
The Skin Gym As Hong Kong’s premier destination for all your beauty needs, The Skin Gym offers a range of treatments from hair removal to spray tans. Its specialty tan from Australia is made using indigenous plant extracts and pure essential oils to nurture and hydrate the skin for long lasting results. theskingym.com.hk
California Beach Club California Beach Club has been perfecting the art of spray tanning since 1999. With specialised spray tanning rooms and separate adjoining drying rooms, you can preview the results in 270 degree mirrors and point out any concerns to the therapist. californiabeachclub.net
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must haves
Active pink sunscreen $129 from Cancer Council Australia cancercouncilshop.org.au
Mermaid beach ball $110 from Escapade Sports escapade.com.hk
Flamingo sunsuit $380 from Ozzie Cozzie Co. ozziecozzieco.com
Intex advanced swimming series $199 from ToysRus toysrus.com.hk
Make a splash Kids pool party essentialss
Inflatable buoy $59 from Decathlon decathlon.com.hk
Beverage holder $49.90 from ToysRus toysrus.com.hk
Qu lantern $1,990 from Everything Under The Sun everythingunderthesun.com.hk
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pool party Hydro body surfer
ECOrepel
$289 from Surfdome surfdome.com
$200 from Coconut Matter coconutmatter.com
Boys’ swimming boxer $54 from Decathlon decathlon.com.hk
Fast set inflatable pool $690 from Hong Kong Hot Tubs hkhottubs.com
Fitbit Ace 3 Minions $598 from Fitbit fitbit.com
Trunki extras dive sticks $99 from Baby Central babycentral.com.hk
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secrets
The little-known island of Tai A Chau Yvonne Tung covers the hidden history of one of the Soko Islands
We featured the remote Soko Islands in last month’s Big Day Out, but we wanted to take a closer look at Tai A Chau’s history. The island forms part of the chain of Soko Islands and it’s a place that’s largely unexplored these days. Divided into Upper Tai A Chau and Lower Tai A Chau, this 0.12 square-kilometer chunk of land was once inhabited by over a hundred Hakka residents (a Han Chinese subgroup whose ancestral homes are mainly in the provincial areas of Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi,
Guangxi, Sichuan, Hunan, Zhejiang, Hainan and Guizhou). They migrated to Hong Kong in the 18th and 19th centuries and made a living out from farming and fishing. Farmers stayed on the land for pig farming and pineapple cultivation while fishermen lived on wooden junks in the bay. When the Vietnam War came to an end in 1975, Tai A Chau played a role in housing the refugees that were displaced. Though they had escaped the widely feared new regime in
Vietnam, they were not regarded as refugees and therefore treated poorly. Vietnamese people took to Hong Kong by boat and ship and in an effort to address the influx of Vietnamese refugees, the indigenous people of Tai A Chau were moved in the 1980s. A detention centre was built there, where 5,000 refugees were held. On September 23, 1989, the Vietnamese refugees started an insurrection and over a thousand people attacked 50 police officers who were on duty at the detention site. Some officers swam and escaped to rafts nearby but the situation had gotten so out of hand that officers had no choice but to evacuate. After one night, police returned in numbers and took back control. 23 police officers were injured and some refugees were killed. After this incident, the refugees were gradually moved off Tai A Chau to another detention centre. The last group departed from Tai A Chau in 1996 and the detention camp was shut down in that same year, leaving the island empty. Several suggestions were made regarding the usage of this vacant land, such as building airport facilities, prisons and storing liquefied natural gas. Yet, because of safety concerns and inconvenient transportation, none of the proposals have been approved to this day. While there is a possibility that conservation projects will be carried out in the waters around the island, as they are the only habitat in Hong Kong where Chinese White Dolphins and finless porpoises co-exist, now, there is only an expansive concrete road to welcome you and the leftover foundations of removed structures. Walking into the woods, you may be able to spot remnants of the past, such as stone chairs, tables and fences. There is also a wall carved with the Chinese characters “Tai A Chau”. The future of Tai A Chau is still up in the air. Whether it will be used for economic development, a port for environmental conservation or simply remain unchanged for the coming decades, no one knows. Considering it’s a place that’s been touched by interesting bouts of history, we reckon it’s a place worth visiting for those prone to adventure.
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pets
Ask a vet... Dr Pauline answers your summer pet questions Dr Pauline Pets Central veterinarian Is it bad for animals to drink swimming pool water? I’m not an expert in swimming pool water but common sense tells me it’s not good for your animals to drink water laden with various chemicals to keep the pool water ‘swimming’ clean. I suggest you get a suitable container and fill it daily with fresh tap water for your animals to drink and do not allow them access to drink from your pool.
How do I introduce a new animal to my current pet? Without knowing more about your current and potential new animal it’s difficult for me to give you good specific advice. Simple answer for any introduction is to proceed carefully, slowly and with supervision at all times. Expect on average at least two weeks of anxiety from your current pet to welcome a newcomer into their domain.
Why is my cat moulting so much? Creatures throughout the animal kingdom undergo the process of moulting – the replacement of their horns, hair, skin or feathers. Most mammals shed their hair in autumn to grow a thicker layer of protection for the winter, and vice versa for the summer. Living in hot and humid Hong Kong, most cats do not require a thick coat so shed it more often.
Can my turtle overheat? Yes it can, and it can die in a ‘too hot’ environment. However, often referred to as “coldblooded”, turtles like other reptiles, generally maintain a body temperature comparable to their surrounding environment. They cannot internally regulate their body temperature like most mammals, instead they use an adipose tissue based specialized system which in some species of turtle can amazingly control their core temperatures to +/- 18C of the environmental temperature.
What are common skin conditions for animals in the heat? Actually they are much the same as humans. Overheating leads to dehydration and general itchiness, and even sunburn, friction burns, thermal burns (from water in hose pipes left in the sun), hot spots (moist bacterial areas on the skin), increase in parasitic diseases especially fleas and ticks that bite, irritate and spread disease, blocked sweat glands, precancerous dry skin patches called actinic keratosis or worse fully blown skin cancers.
Got a question for Dr. Pauline? Email editorial@hongkongliving.com 32 | SOUTHSIDE
horoscope
Written in the stars Letao Wang, The Kingdom Healer shares his insights on what the stars hold for you this month thehealingkingdom.com
AQUARIUS Don’t be surprised if you feel more anxious than usual. The planetary configuration will increase your impatience and nervous tension. However, try not to let these feelings turn into aggressiveness towards other people. Respect yourself and others.
TAURUS Your sincerity and analytical skills will bring you good job opportunities. You will perform your tasks functionally and gain the trust of your colleagues. However, be careful of overanalyzing your feelings and being overly critical with other people.
LEO The planetary alignment will encourage you to become aware of your personal power. Your extroversion will be highlighted and people will admire your performance talents. Trust your heart and not the opinions of third parties, Leo. Separate yourself from others and set out on your own path.
SCORPIO Your professional life will seem demanding, Scorpio, but you will be happy to do your job. You will be very productive and have a knack for solving problems. However, you may find it difficult to make quick decisions and delegate functions. Remember that control is an illusion, you need help from others to achieve your goals.
PISCES Don’t be tempted to think you have the ultimate truth, Pisces. During this time, your ideas may be very rigid, so try to become more flexible. Question the groups you are a part of and the truths you identify with. It is probably time for a change in your outlook on life.
GEMINI You are not usually competitive, Gemini. However during this time you will feel the urge to defend your territory. Be careful, as this attitude may be disguising a hidden resentment towards people around you. So, try to regain confidence in your ideas and projects.
VIRGO You should pay attention to your personal life, Virgo. You have been very focused on your work and have been neglecting your own emotions. Try to do your best to rest and take care of yourself during this period. Spending time with your loved ones will be more than welcome.
SAGITTARIUS This is not a propitious time for social relationships, Sagittarius. Your philosophy of life is dogmatic and overbearing, which causes other people to distance themselves from you. Take time to reflect. This will help you change the way you project yourself into the future.
ARIES The emotions you have stored up can bring you unfavourable consequences. Try to release negative feelings. It’s time to check your inner self and stop self-destructive behaviour. Being vulnerable is not a sign of weakness, Aries. Try to accept your feelings without judging yourself.
CANCER Your emotional intelligence and intuition will help you make proper decisions and inspire you to create beautiful works of art. Be careful with excessive attachment to the past, Cancer. It is time to conquer your personal goals and focus on the future.
LIBRA You will need to put order in all aspects of your life, Libra. Take the time to repair the damage that has occurred in your relationships and clear up misunderstandings. After this period you will feel renewed to begin a new stage in your life.
CAPRICORN You have worked hard to achieve your goals, Capricorn and the time has come to reach the peak. A sense of freedom will take over your life, as it’s time to enjoy the rewards you’ve earned. Social activities and a reunion with old friends will bring much joy to your soul.
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marketplace
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marketplace
marketplace
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GET LISTED! 2776 2772
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zim city
The community deserves compensation Paul Zimmerman on the shrinking of Cyberport waterfront park
offices and conference facilities, the new building will offer alfresco dining, public toilets and water fountains. With the loss of a large area of the park for the new building, the community deserves compensation. Under the approved budget, Cyberport will take permanent ownership of the waterfront park. To date it has maintained the area under a short-term tenancy. Funding has
Photo: Legislative Council
The Legislative Council has just approved of a budget of over $5 billion for the expansion of Cyberport. The expansion will include the construction of Cyberport 5, which will start in the fourth quarter of 2021 and is expected to be completed in 2025. This decision will result in the loss of 20 percent of the park area for a new building, access road and elevated walkways. Besides
been included only for re-turfing the lawn and repaving the promenade. However, residents and park users want more. Our cartoon shows popular requests for waterfront enhancements including an extension of the promenade to Sandy Bay, a skate park, a roof over the burning hot concrete pier and more kid and pet facilities. The presentation by Cyberport to the Legislative Council of Hong Kong included conceptual drawings which provoke other questions. Why an elevated walkway in the park area? Is the road through the park for emergency access only? Why replace grass with a lot of concrete without shade? Cyberport has committed itself to consulting the community and district council. The master layout plan for the building will have to be approved by the Town Planning Board. The Lands Department will incorporate requirements in the leases for the park and the building. Tell us what you want in the park at paulzimmerman.hk or send us an email at info@paulzimmerman.hk. We will collate all comments and questions for presentation to Cyberport and relevant Government departments.
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Paul Zimmerman is CEO of Designing Hong Kong and Vice-Chairman of the Southern District Council. He has been acting as Chairman of the Single-Use Beverage Packaging Working Group and their ‘Drink Without Waste’ initiative since 2017.
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