August-September 2018

AUG-SEP 18

Travel Sri Lanka Singapore & Skiing

Great mani-pedis Nailing it! G Having a baby in Hong Kong?

Dining with Kids

Lamps mps & ghts

Win W $10K voucher

+Beautiful Bedrooms

EDITOR’SNOTE

Often as I makemy way through Hong Kong, I’m saddened to see how few of the old-style tong lau shop-houses have been preserved, and I wonder at how many older buildings have been swept aside for the glittering skyscrapers and towering apartment blocks that are synonymous with the city. While there’s no doubt that attitudes around the world to architecture and public space were very different in previous decades, we’re fortunate now to live in an era of true appreciation for heritage, where earnest efforts are made to protect and reinvent historic structures. The newly-opened Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts is a great example of this. The former Central Police Station compound, which dates back 170 years, has been sympathetically restored and developed to create an exciting new hub for the arts and culture. Make sure you check out the exhibitions, free music and movie events, and try the exciting bars and restos on offer. Find out more about the project from page 56. It wasn’t deliberate, but history and heritage have ended up permeating this issue! Another great example of how a piece of HK history has been revitalised is evidenced in the Sham Shui Po campus of the Savannah College of Art and Design. SCAD, which offers creative university courses here in Hong Kong, is celebrating its 40th anniversary (page 54). On a smaller scale, but arguably no less challenging, expat David Crane tells us how he renovated a village home in Sai Kung to create a beautiful retreat for his family (page 18). We also feature a look at life in Tai Hang, a district of Hong Kong that has been gradually gentrifying since the 1990s, creating a fascinating mix of old and new HK, in our regular Street Talk feature.

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Editor-in-Chief REBECCA BISSET Group Editor SHAMUS SILLAR Editor MELISSA STEVENS Client Services & Production LEANDA RATHMELL | LIANA TALIB | NUR HANANI KAMAL LUDDIN Senior Graphic Designers MICHAEL BERNABE | BEATRICE NG | JEANNE WONG Circulation & Marketing ANNA TSERLINGAS | GRACE BANTARAN | VEENA GILL Sales & Marketing KATE WOODBURY | DANIELLE HIGGINS Chief Operations Officer COLIN PURCHASE Contributing Writers ORLA BREEZE | AMY BROOK-PARTRIDGE TARA JENKINS | RACHEL MANSON | MELINDA MURPHY Contributing Photographers MICHELLE PROCTOR (MICHELLEJPROCTORPHOTOGRAPHY.COM) Printed by MIRACLE PRINTING CO. LTD.

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Cover: TREE (tree.com.hk)

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CONTENTS

UPFRONT 10 Calendar of Upcoming Events 12 Follow Us Online HOME & PROPERTY 16 News 18 * Showcase: A renovated village house in Clearwater Bay 24 Improving Snooze: Why choose a natural latex mattress? 26 Buying Guide: The best of bedroom furniture 30 Product Focus: Bright ideas to light up your space 32 Street Talk: Living in Tai Hang 34 On the Market: Properties for sale and lease LIFE & FAMILY 40 News 43 On the Page: We preview the latest great reads 44 Rated PG: Our regular parenting column 46 Shopping: A sneak peek at the upcoming GlamFest

18

An inside look at a revamped home

30 Lots of lights and lamps!

EDUCATION FOCUS 48 Back-to-school essentials 50 A parent’s perspective 51 Day in the life of an international school kid 52 The importance of balance 53 Why dance is important 54 SCAD’s 40th anniversary

48 Super supplies for school

56 Art Scene:

Discovering the Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts

58 There is Hope:

Insights into depression and suicide 60 Wills & Guardianship: Are your affairs in order? 62 Shopping Receipts: Bad for your health, bad for the planet!

Showcase Features: Each issue, our home showcase features provide a through-the-keyhole look into some of our readers’ lifestyles and their interior design decisions. If you’d like us to profile your own home – whether it’s beautiful, quirky, historic or modern – and you’re willing to be interviewed and photographed, drop us a line at info@expatliving.hk.

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CONTENTS

BODY & MIND 68 News 70 Mani-Pedi Magic: Four great spots to try 72 Maternity Special: From delivery to nutrition and fitness 78 Children’s Health: Managing screen addiction 80 People Profile: How this surgeon strikes a balance WINE & DINE 84 News 86 Food with the Fam: Kid-friendly places to dine 90 Recipe Corner: Fail-safe favourites for your repertoire

86

Where to eat with the kids!

104

TRAVEL 94 News 98 Sailing in Style:

The many different faces of Cape Town

Explore Phuket aboard a superyacht

100 Japan Powder: Top resorts this season 102 Beyond Beaches:

REGULARS 110 Important Numbers 111 Our Advertisers 112 Parting Shot: Smile Pile

Explore the other sides of Sri Lanka

104 Cape Town:

A city that’s got it all! 106 Singapore Stays:

We check out three hip hotels

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FAMILY FUN

STAGE Endless Summer Hong Kong International Reggae Ska Festival 2018 (25 AUGUST) Asia’s biggest reggae and ska festival is back for another summer. Expect top acts from Asia and beyond in the line-up, with artists representing the reggae, ska, rocksteady, dub and dancehall genres. This year sees legendary New York US third-wave ska originators The Toasters performing for the first time in Hong Kong. hkirsf.com Hong Kong Cool (13-16 SEPTEMBER) This collaboration between Hong Kong Ballet, West Kowloon Cultural District and Hong Kong Art School will feature seven world premieres, with seven Hong Kong-based choreographers pairing with local artists working in different media to create unique performances. hkballet.com

Summerfest (UNTIL 26 AUGUST)

Head to the Central Harbourfront Event Space to make the most of a huge programme of events (free to the public) through summer. August highlights include a ukulele festival, a food carnival and World Helicopter Day. summerfest-centralharbourfront.hk

Summer Family Fun (UNTIL 26 AUGUST)

Grab the kids and visit Taipa Village in Macau for a Summer Family Fun weekend. A series of workshops, portrait drawings and face-painting activities will be provided by local creative and handcraft artists. Workshop and activity dates vary, so make sure to check details. taipavillagemacau.com Noah’s Ark 10th Anniversary Celebration (UNTIL 26 AUGUST) One of HK’s quirkier attractions is celebrating a decade of operation this summer. Noah’s Ark Hong Kong is a full-scale replica of the ark, and there will be a range of special fun and educational activities to celebrate the milestone on weekends. noahsark.com.hk Louis Pearl the Amazing Bubble Man (5-9 SEPTEMBER) The Amazing Bubbleman has been thrilling audiences around the world for over 30 years with the magic, art, science and fun of bubbles. From square bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, trampoline bubbles to flying UFO bubbles and even people inside bubbles, prepare to be enthralled. amazingbubbleman.com.hk Potted Potter: The Unauthorised Harry Experience (11-16 SEPTEMBER) Potted Potter condenses all seven Harry Potter books (and a real-life game of Quidditch) into seventy side-splitting minutes. Beginning as a five-minute entertainment for the release of the sixth book, the show has grown into a full-length stage production, even securing an Olivier Award nomination for Best Family Show. pottedpotter.com

Hong Kong Cool

Dean Alexander

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The Killers

CALENDAR

CULTURE Mid-Autumn Festival (24 SEPTEMBER)

The Mid-Autumn Festival traditionally signals the end to a year’s hard work in the fields, culminating in the harvest season. This annual event is marked with lantern festivals

around the city, with Victoria Park hosting a huge event, with singing, dancing, acrobats and lantern displays. discoverhongkong.com Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance (23-25 SEPTEMBER) Coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival is the Fire Dragon Dance, where a 67-metre-long dragon is studded with thousands of burning incense sticks and wends its way through the backstreets of Tai Hang in Causeway Bay. This year’s parades will be held from 23 to 25 September in Tai Hang from about 8.15pm to 10pm, and from about 10.45pm to 11.30pm on 24 September in Victoria Park. taihangfiredragon.hk SPORT Central Rat Race (26 AUGUST) The Central Rat Race 2018 is a themed relay race based on the corporate world. Gather some friends and form a team of eight to compete in the main category, the Rat Race. Put on a costume and navigate a tricky course inspired by daily business life, using a briefcase as a baton to fit with the theme. centralratrace.com EXHIBITIONS An Age of Luxury: the Assyrians to Alexander (UNTIL 9 SEPTEMBER) See more than 200 historic artefacts from the ancient Assyrian, Babylonian and Persian empires, with items from the era between 900 and 300 BC showcasing the precious objects owned by the wealthy and used to decorate interiors of the period, at this exhibition developed by the British Museum and on display at the Hong Kong Museum of History. hk.history.museum SHOPPING Handmade Hong Kong’s Discovery Bay Sunday Market is a DIY indie arts, crafts and small traders’ fair. Hong Kong’s finest makers and sellers will be offering arts, crafts and other special goods with about 140 different vendors taking part. The markets are located in the DB main plaza, just a short walk from the ferry pier. handmadehongkong.com GlamFest (1 SEPTEMBER) Local and international vendors will offer a huge array of products and services at this year’s GlamFest, an all-day Saturday shopping extravaganza at the Regal Kowloon Hotel. Look out for freebies and prizes throughout the fun-filled event. kowloonbazaar.com Discovery Bay Sunday Market (12 AUGUST & 9 SEPTEMBER)

The Killers (19 SEPTEMBER)

US rockers The Killers will return to Hong Kong for their first show in five years. Expect them to perform tracks from their latest album Wonderful Wonderful and hit songs like “Mr Brightside”, “Somebody Told Me”, “When You Were Young”, “Human”, “The Man” and “Run for Cover”. hkticketing.com Pablo Francisco (20-21 SEPTEMBER) Look forward to an evening of laughter, spontaneous outbursts and clever insights as international superstar comedian Pablo Francisco brings his unique talent of weaving together his one-of-a- kind arsenal of off-the-wall characters and spot- on impressions to Hong Kong this September. takeoutcomedy.com

11 AUG-SEP2018

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AUG-SEP2018

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13 AUG-SEP2018

HOME&PROPERTY

26 Buying Guide:

The best of bedroom furniture

Altfield Interiors

18 Home Showcase: A renovated village house in Clearwater Bay

24 Improving Snooze: Why choose a natural latex mattress?

32 Street Talk: What it’s like living in Tai Hang

HOME & PROPERTY

FRESH START Get the kids motivated about the new school year by livening up their rooms or study spaces. Altfield Interiors has a wonderful selection of colourful and patterned fabrics, printed wallpaper and fun trimmings, offering something for the young and young at heart. It also offers curtain making, upholstery and lampshade services, which means that it’s a one-stop resource for every decorating need in Hong Kong. 1101, Nine Queen’s Road, Central. 2525 2738 | altfield.com.hk

New Opening French innovator Devialet’s flagship store has opened its doors in Pacific Place, bringing more of its game-changing sound technology to Hong Kong. Through revolutionary products like the Phantom and Expert Pro, the brand’s award-winning sound systems offer unparalleled audio quality and smart technology – plus, the new store features immersive rooms for demonstrations. 2219 9991 | devialet.com

Home Help Things will run more smoothly on the domestic front with Butler, a new bespoke home-management platform. Meticulously trained butlers help to manage your abode and make sure you never have to worry about running out of water or tissue boxes again. Offering everything from Raise the Bar Up your domestic drink-service game with Town House’s new barware collection and impress your guests with stunning cocktails made in your very own home. Whether it’s for a ladies’ night or a simple get-together, the collection is sure to bring a luxe feel to the table. On our lust list is this oh-so-sleek Nambe Scoop Ice Bucket. 2845 0633 | townhouse.com.hk

housekeeping and closet management to food preparation and groceries, the service is tailored specifically to what you need for your home. 9811 6661 | butlerasia.info

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RETREAT See inside this beautifully revamped village house in tranquil Clearwater Bay.

BY TARA JENKINS PHOTOGRAPHY MICHELLE PROCTOR

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HOME & PROPERTY

B ritish expat DAVID CRANE has called Hong Kong home for over 20 years now. He and his wife Sally bought a village house in Clearwater Bay six years ago, which they set about renovating. David, who has had a lengthy career in the property industry, details how they designed their home, and shares his thoughts on buying property in Hong Kong. You’re an expert when it comes to managing and renovating property. Tell us something we don’t know! When a house feels hot, it’s usually due to humidity, not temperature. If your air-conditioning unit allows it, switch to a dehumidify setting during the day, and buy additional dehumidifying units. Moisture is produced by people breathing, so there’s less humidity in an unoccupied house, but in rural areas like Clearwater Bay or Sai Kung, both empty and occupied houses need quite a bit of maintenance. Spores, algae and bugs from the forest are rife, and everything grows incredibly quickly. You need to repaint a house every two to three years, as even anti-fungal paint can’t combat our extreme climate! Also, consider the climate when specifying materials, especially outdoors. Decking is in the sun all the time, so use a very hard wood to counter warping. Teak works well, but it needs to be oiled

19 AUG-SEP2018

every three months during the summer, requiring considerable work and attention. There’s a lot of imitation woods now that are very good quality, made of plastics or ground up bits of timber. They’re easy to lay and look after, and there’s no thermal expansion in the sun. The only issue is they don’t feel quite as nice on your feet. A lot of angst for expatriates renovating houses arises from communication issues with contractors. Our own architect understood what we wanted, but he wasn’t on site most of the time, and problems arose from getting contractors here to understand we were building to European design specifications and standards; your design brief needs to be very tight. I only use European contractors, electricians and plumbers; they’re a little more expensive than the local guys, but you save in the long run, because you get very good quality work – and exactly what you want! Property is so expensive in Hong Kong – if you can afford to buy here, is it still a good investment? Hong Kong is one of the most expensive markets in the world and it’s driven, like any market, by supply and demand. There’s still not enough supply, and too much demand, which means prices continue to rise. Government measures to slow this down and discourage foreigners from buying have reduced the number of transactions, but prices haven’t necessarily gone down. The government is selling land to developers at a high price and for developers to make their margin, they have to sell at a certain price, which keeps prices high. Is Hong Kong a good place to buy? The short answer is yes: if you buy in an expensive market and it keeps going up, you’re going to make a lot more money! My clients are generally expatriates who were owner-occupiers and have returned to their country, or overseas investors that have bought property in Clearwater Bay. They’re British, Germans, Japanese, Australians, from the Middle East – a whole mix. If you have rental income from a Hong Kong property and you live elsewhere, the differential in the cost of living means you can have quite a nice lifestyle, because rents are so high in Hong Kong! The other reason for buying or renting in Clearwater Bay is lifestyle, of course. It’s good value for money relative to the island, and it offers greenery, space and proximity to a beautiful national park. It’s a quiet part of Hong Kong because there’s only one road in and out, no restaurants – just a few noodle shops – and only one supermarket. Commercial structures are forbidden as it’s all conservation, country park or village land.

Otherwise, development is strictly controlled – village houses and villas aren’t allowed to be more than three stories high – so there’s a lovely rural feel to it. But it’s still possible to be in Central in under 40 minutes. Traditional village houses have all sorts of restrictions in terms of space and overall footprint, so how did you go about making your own place feel individual? We’ve played around quite a bit with the interior of the house, and the way the spaces function and flow. The ground floor is an entertainment zone, with the focus on a sleek, open-plan kitchen and built-in dining area. We took the idea of a Chinese- style round table and gave it a contemporary twist by making it square. There’s comfortable seating downstairs, but once we’ve eaten dinner we all

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HOME & PROPERTY

head upstairs to the lounge, where the TV and the built-in office is. It was a good move not having a TV downstairs: it means you actually talk to people! Upstairs we opened up the entire third floor to make a luxurious master bedroom and bathroom suite, with a double walk-in shower. It’s completely open plan to maximise space, but we delineated spaces by using different floor coverings – the bedroom is European oak, for example, but the bathroom is teak, to echo the decking outside. I wanted texture and grip in the shower so we used a nubby black granite tile, but if I was doing it again I’d go for an even rougher texture, like an outdoor stone. We also created a separate room for the WC – I really dislike it when architects design beautiful bathrooms, and then stick a toilet in the middle – a toilet is not a feature! There was enough space to put

in a sizeable walk-in wardrobe too. (My wife has a full-time job and a wardrobe to match!) Otherwise it’s all about clever design details. When we put in the pool, we wanted a very uneven look to it, as if it were natural. The design was based on the pool at the Shangri-La in Boracay; I tried to source exactly the same stone, but couldn’t track it down in the end. But we found a very similar one in Indonesia; it’s called Bali Green Stone and when the light plays on it, it feels just like a tropical pool. There’s a mixture of palms, hibiscus flowers and bougainvillea surrounding it, and we built a shelf just beneath the water at the deep end. It’s my favourite place in the house. Having a cup of coffee in the morning and sitting on that bench is just about as good as it gets. There’s warmth from the sun, but you’re cool because you’re in the water.

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Has Asian design influenced the way you’ve decorated the house? The pool is Balinese-inspired and the garden is tropical, but the rest of the house is actually very European. When we moved in, we already owned a much-loved contemporary Italian leather sofa, and we used it to define the colour palette and overall feel of the house –sometimes you need a feature piece! It’s probably the most expensive piece of furniture we’ve ever bought, but it needs to be recovered, because Sidney the golden retriever uses it as his personal bed. When you come downstairs in the morning, he tries to guiltily leap off before you see him. We decided against painting the house a standard white, because we didn’t want to live in a clinical box. Instead, we chose matt, light shades of grey, beige and pink from Farrow & Ball; the colours make the living areas feel more intimate. We’ve been here six years now and during that time our tastes have changed, so we’re thinking about re-painting; but we’ll use different colours and a different paint manufacturer next time. You never really “finish” a house, because you’re always looking at it and thinking, “Do we need to change the wooden doors to something more contemporary? Or re-varnish all the floors, or upgrade certain pieces of furniture?” The outdoor seating is Dedon wickerwork, for example, but it’s definitely time for an upgrade; textures andmaterials of outdoor furniture have moved on so much. Otherwise, the kitchen units and the marble in the bathrooms is Italian, while the fixtures and fittings are all German, from Hansgrohe. The electric blinds

throughout the house are also German, and the outdoor kitchen is Australian – no one does better barbecues! Inside we have Kartell Bougie lamps, a host of candles from Tom Dixon, and the artwork is from all over the world. Our favourite piece is Bookshelves by Phil Shaw that we bought from the Affordable Art Fair last year. You’ve got to be working to live here; to have a pension that would allow you to live in the most expensive place in the world would be difficult, I think! We always thought the cut-off point would be when our son went to university – he’s 13 now. We assumed we’d go back to the UK, but he’s talking about studying in New Zealand, so we could easily be here for another 10 to 15 years. There’s a loose plan, but life gets in the way. We love Hong Kong, our every-changing house, and our idyllic rural lifestyle. It’s not a hardship to stay! You’re a homeowner and a business-owner; are you here in Asia to stay?

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HOME & PROPERTY

David’s Recommendations

DINING Dragon-i The Centrium,

60 Wyndham Street, Central 3110 1222 | dragon-i.com.hk

Lardos Steak House Hall IV, 4B, G/F Hang Hau Village, Tseung Kwan O 2719 8168 The China Club 13/F, The Old Bank of China, Bank Street, Central 2521 8888 SHOPPING TC Deli 10-12B, G/F, Hang Hau Village, Tseung Kwan O 2358 2332 Ali Oli Bakery G/F, 11 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung 2792 2655

Shun Kee City Hardware 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung 2792 9850

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HOME & PROPERTY

Struggling to get enough Z’s? Okooko by European Bedding’s THIJS VEYFEYKEN talks us through the advantages of choosing the right mattress. GoodNight, What makes your latex mattresses a good option for Hong Kong? They’re well-suited for all seasons, including warm and humid weather – the latex core inside is naturally resistant to dust mites and mould. They’re also designed with an open cell structure, pinholes, and no glue to promote proper air circulation. Every mattress is clothed in a removable cover, easily unzipped all around and dry-cleaned. And the ease of keeping the entire mattress free of allergens makes it perfect for allergy sufferers. Tell us a bit about the materials used in them. We use only 100 percent certified natural organic latex in our mattresses. From soil to rubber sap to final product, every step in the process is strictly controlled; that means no pesticides, fertilisers, heavy metals, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or other chemicals that put your health in harm’s way. Natural latex comes recommended by professionals as the best material for support. And our mattresses have seven firmness zones across their core that acknowledge and accommodate the body’s natural contours; that means your hips, back and neck can all enjoy just the right firmness.

What are some tips for choosing the right mattress? Each person has a different body build and this determines the right mattress type for you. At Okooko by European Bedding, we have different firmnesses for each mattress model to better suit individual preferences. We can even combine different firmness levels in one king-size mattress, so both you and your partner can sleep in comfort. Besides carrying Asian and EU mattress sizes, we can also arrange for a custommattress of any dimensions. Whether it’s a super long family mattress or a uniquely shaped boat mattress, we can make one for any size and space needed. The journey to that heavenly rest begins with shopping for a great mattress. We want to make that experience pain-free, personalised and thoroughly enjoyable. You can have all the space and time you need in the privacy of our sleep studio; you can ask us anything, and lie down for as long as you like! What’s more, service doesn’t stop once you make your purchase. We offer a 100-night trial on our mattresses and bed bases, and we’re confident that our sleep system will transform your night for the better. Okooko by European Bedding is at 13/F, The Plaza LKF, 21 D’Aguilar Street, Central. 2870 1132 | europeanbedding.hk What else can a shopper expect from a visit to Okooko by European Bedding?

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From contemporary beds with plenty of storage to grand headboards and nifty side tables, you won’t want to hide these pieces away behind closed doors.

Palermo bed, from $12,950, and Pong bedside table, $3,750, TREE , 2870 1582, tree.com.hk

Samuel & Sons Matelassé fabric collection, from $470 per yard, Altfield Interiors , 2525 2738, altfield.com.hk

Oxford headboard, from $5,990, Bowerbird Home , 2552 2727, bowerbird-home.com

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HOME & PROPERTY

Circa17 bed with inbuilt bedside table, from $29,950, TREE ,

2870 1582, tree.com.hk

Heveya natural organic latex mattress, from $16,500 (single), Okooko by European Bedding , 2870 1132, europeanbedding.hk

Lamberi bed with customisable headboard, from $12,700, DSL Furniture , 8191 3885, dslfurniture.com

Air bed in oak, from $13,950, TREE , 2870 1582, tree.com.hk

Ergonomic slatted bed base in beech wood, from $20,500, Okooko by European Bedding , 2870 1132, europeanbedding.hk

27 AUG-SEP2018

Slipper chair, $4,990, Bowerbird Home , 2552 2727, bowerbird-home.com

Mother-of-pearl- inlay mirror, $5,980, Tequila Kola , 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

Larsen fabrics collection, price on request, Altfield Interiors , 2525 2738, altfield.com.hk

Tewari cotton and satin quilted bedspread, from $2,990, Bowerbird Home , 2552 2727, bowerbird-home.com

Kerrie Brown Pineapple Picker cushion, $1,690, Bowerbird Home , 2552 2727, bowerbird-home.com

Mother-of-pearl-inlay chest of drawers, $16,980, Tequila Kola , 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

Wool and silk rugs, price on request, CarpetBuyer , 2850 5508, carpetbuyer.com

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HOME & PROPERTY

Belfort bedroom collection, price on request, Tequila Kola , 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

Lamberi bed with customisable headboard, from $13,000, DSL Furniture , 8191 3885, dslfurniture.com

Lamberi bedside table, $5,400, DSL Furniture , 8191 3885, dslfurniture.com

Heveya natural organic latex pillow, $1,100,

Nordic wardrobe in oak, $29,950, TREE , 2870 1582, tree.com.hk

Okooko by European Bedding , 2870 1132, europeanbedding.hk

29 AUG-SEP2018

Parecchi Art House hanging lamp, $6,980, Tequila Kola , 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

Brass chandelier, $16,990, Bowerbird Home , 2552 2727, bowerbird-home.com

Lamps and lights can really change the feel and look of a room. If you’re living in a rental property they can also personalise the space and make it feel more like home. Time to get enlightened!

Bamboo tripod floor lamp, $3,990, Bowerbird Home , 2552 2727, bowerbird- home.com

Vaughan Chamonix glass lamp base, $5,940, Altfield Interiors , 2525 2738, altfield.com.hk

Flying pendant lamp, $2,980, Tequila Kola , 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

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HOME & PROPERTY

Romantic swag chandelier, from $14,085, Atelier Lane , 9558 3007, atelierlane.com

Paint-dipped wooden lamps, $1,450 each, TREE , 2870 1582, tree.com.hk

Chain floor lamp, $1,980, Tequila Kola , 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

Dining Birds pendant lamp, $5,980, Tequila

Kola , 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

Natural lighting collection, price on request, TREE , 2870 1582, tree.com.hk

Table and standing lamps, Bowerbird Home , 2552 2727, bowerbird-home.com

31 AUG-SEP2018

DAVID MOORE From: Australia Occupation: Journalist

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO LIFE IN THEIR ’HOOD

Tucked away to the southeast of Causeway Bay is the neighbourhood of Tai Hang. The area was originally a slum – its name translates as “big water channel” – but it was redeveloped in the 1990s and in more recent times has developed a reputation as a haven for hipsters, with gentrification bringing in bars and restaurants. Locals will tell you that Tai Hang still retains a feel of old Hong Kong, and it’s the location for the annual Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls this year between 23 and 25 September. Here, Aussie expat David shares some insights into life in this charming corner of the city.

Where do you live? Tai Hang.

What transport do you use to get to and from your house? I walk!

How long have you lived here? Seven years.

Why here? It’s close to work and close to the MTR.

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HOME & PROPERTY

Your hands-down favourite neighbourhood joint is: Second Draft. You won’t find better local food than at: Bing Kee dai pa dong. The best bargains in your neighbourhood are: The Minimal has some cool retro stuff. We love a good bargain. The best deals in your neighbourhood are: The $15 orchids at Song Lang. The strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street is: A photoshoot involving a male model pretending to be asleep on a pillow in a phone box.

When you walk out of your place, what’s the first thing you see? The Lin Fa Temple stall. The closest store to your front door is? ParkNShop. The unofficial uniform of your area is? Anything cool as it can get very hot due to being built up. If a celebrity moves in next door, it will most likely be: A Cantonese catalogue model! When you’re in need of a dose of culture, you: Go f o r a w a n d e r a r o u n d my neighbourhood.

A mandatory stop for taking out- of-town guests is: Any rooftop bar. It’s a great thing to do with visitors; you get good views all over the city, but a regular for me is The Excelsior hotel rooftop bar. You’d swap houses in a second with: Li Ka-shing. A common myth about your neighbourhood is: It’s a hipster hangout. If you’re ever woken up at night, it’s almost always due to: Traffic. A massive late-night rager on your street is likely to involve: The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance – it only happens once a year but Tai Hang is transformed during this time.

The guiltiest pleasure in your area is: Shanghai dumplings!

One thing you’d never change is: The atmosphere.

But one thing you wouldn’t mind seeing go is: The cars that turn the street into a parking lot. The city gives you $5 million to soup up your street: Come up with better parking and also add some more greenery.

If you’re missing home, you: Call my parents.

DO YOU LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD? Share it with others – just email us at info@expatliving.hk with “Street Talk” in the subject line. Include your name and street, and we’ll be in touch.

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RESORT-LIKE LIVING

Stella Abraham Head of Residential Leasing & Relocation Services National Director Jones Lang LaSalle Limited (JLL) I t’s back-to-school time again – how does it come around so fast each year? New challenges and new encounters are waiting for your kids, and it can be an exciting time for parents as well! Of course, returning your kids to class is that much easier if you live close to their school – and that’s a priority for many of the families that we work with. Thanks to its large and diverse expat community, Hong Kong has a wide range of international schools. Most of these start the school year in August or September, except for the Australian International School, which starts in January. So, where should you live to take advantage of the best schools? Let’s explore some of the neighbourhoods that might be the most suitable for you. The Southside is home to a number of large, residential developments. It’s also close to beaches and extensive country parks, as well as some pre-eminent international schools, including the Hong Kong International School, which offers an American-style curriculum, and the English Schools Foundation’s (ESF) South Island School. Mid-Levels East is close to Hong Kong Park and some renowned international schools, such as the ESF’s Bradbury and Island Schools, making it an excellent choice for families. The area is also within walking distance of Wan Chai, where you can pick up groceries from wet markets, supermarkets and organic stores. Situated on the west side of Hong Kong Island, Pok Fu Lam is a 20-minute drive from both Central and the beaches on the Southside. The West Island School (ESF), Kennedy School and Kellett School are all situated in the neighbourhood. If you’re looking for more spacious and resort-like living in Hong Kong, Tuen Mun offers houses with gardens and rooftop terraces. Harrow International School Hong Kong chose this area for its campus when it opened in 2012 and since then the area has seen an uptick in expats looking for low-density living.

Area: Tuen Mun Rent: $165,000 (incl.) Size: 4,905 sq. ft

Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 5

This house is a rare find in Hong Kong! Located in Tuen Mun, near the Hong Kong Gold Coast, it features not just five bedrooms but also a lovely garden and rooftop terrace, with stunning sea views and summer breezes. Make the most of the first-class facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, gym, children’s play area and multi-function room. Harrow International School Hong Kong is just a five-minute drive away.

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HOME & PROPERTY

SOUTHSIDE VIEWS

Area: Redhill / Tai Tam Rent: $55,000 (incl.) per month Size: 1,017 sq. ft

Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2

If peace and quiet are what you’re after, living in the Southside is definitely a great choice. Apartments in Redhill Peninsula enjoy ocean or green views, and residents have access to excellent facilities including a gym, tennis court, children’s playground, squash court, outdoor swimming pool and shuttle bus services. This two-bedroom, two- bathroom apartment is ideal for families!

CBD DOORSTEP

Area: Mid-Levels East Rent: $98,000 Size: 2,240 sq. ft

Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2

Check out this apartment in the peaceful and family-friendly neighbourhood of Mid-Levels East. It boasts access to an excellent schools network, as well as featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully-fitted kitchen, and quality finishings throughout.

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COMMUNITY & CONVENIENCE

Area: Pok Fu Lam Rent: $51,000 Size: 1,003 sq. ft

Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2

Pok Fu Lam is a quiet neighbourhood yet is conveniently close to the action of the CBD, and this apartment comprises three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open kitchen. It also comes with a covered car parking space. There are plenty of facilities to enjoy with children, too, including a gym, tennis court, kids’ playground, squash court and outdoor swimming pool.

SCHOOLS NEARBY

Area: Jardine’s Lookout Rent: $98,000 Size: 2,077 sq. ft

Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2

This newly renovated apartment in popular Jardine’s Lookout has a practical, well-appointed layout, brand new kitchen and bathroom fittings, and a wide balcony. It's surrounded by a network of prestigious international schools, including the French International School of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Japanese School. Wan Chai is a five-minute drive away, and Central is 10 minutes.

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HOME & PROPERTY 37

LIFE & FAMILY

48 Education

Focus: From back-to- school gear to enrichment ideas

Island Dance School

46 Retail Therapy: A sneak peek at the upcoming GlamFest

58 There is Hope: Insights into depression and suicide

62 Shopping Receipts: Bad for your health, bad for the planet!

LIFE & FAMILY

UnleashYour Creativity

Artist Lorette Roberts, known for her beautiful paintings of Hong Kong, has spaces available in her summer season Watercolour Workshops. These run over one to three days in her Suffolk studio. Each workshop is tailor-made to suit individual wishes, so, if you’re visiting the UK this summer, why not book one and stay in a local B&B or even at her 16th-century farmhouse? Lorette is also taking bookings for her next round of HK workshops in October/November this year. Meanwhile, find her new prints in Bookazine, on her website or on her Facebook page. Don’t forget to look for the hidden snail – there’s one in every picture! Email lorette@loretteroberts.com. +44 7 824 357 295 | loretteroberts.com

Mrs Hong Kong World South African-born Chinese national Natasha Clausen has been named Mrs Hong Kong World 2018. The 42-year-old mother-of-two will now compete against more than 30 other finalists later this year, in the hopes of becoming the 28th titleholder of Mrs World. Natasha is CEO and president of a movement called “I Can World”, which motivates and encourages children to follow their dreams and innovations for a better tomorrow. She makes short one- minute documentary-style videos, encouraging children to become their own “change agents” and “self-starters” to save the planet in sustainable ways. The Lantau resident is also a bee farmer and is an official ambassador for Glow Salon & Spa.

Global Recognition Director Joanna Bowers’ feature- length documentary focusing on Hong Kong’s migrant domestic workers, The Helper , is getting global distribution. The documentary will be available for purchase on DVD, BluRay, VOD and iVOD distribution platforms internationally. The Helper chronicles diverse stories fromHong Kong’s migrant domestic worker population, showing the immense

contribution these women make to HK society and uncovering the pride and determination that drives them. Joanna says, “These women have made the impossible decision to migrate for work and leave their families behind. They deserve their strength and sacrifice to be acknowledged and respected.” The film’s social impact campaign, “Thanks A Million”, has been launched on Facebook with the objective of collecting a million ‘thank yous’ from all over the world to show gratitude towards all domestic workers. The campaign is ongoing at facebook.com/thehelperdocumentary .

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LIFE & FAMILY

TAKE NOTE

Whether you’re new to Hong Kong or just getting around to sorting out your paperwork, we have answers to your burning financial issues, courtesy of SIMON PARFITT of Pyrmont Wealth Management.

An exciting new service is available with the arrival of School Notices Asia. This free-to-post online marketplace helps international school parents raise funds for school initiatives. From brilliant bikes and vital vehicles to hideaway holiday homes, incredible internships and used uniforms, the site is the go-to place to buy, sell, find work or advertisewithin a trusted network. Log on, sign up and start to connect with other parents. schoolnoticesasia.com

“I want to buy a home in the UK; should I arrange the mortgage here or there?” There are mortgage brokers in Hong Kong who can help arrange a mortgage on a UK property. I suggest using an FCA-regulated broker; they can deal with as many lenders as possible and find you the best deal. Sometimes for large mortgages (i.e., over £1m), a specialist broker is required to deal with private banks. Specialist advice can save you thousands of pounds of interest costs too. A will ensures your assets are distributed as you wish when you die. The one from your home country may be suitable for assets there, but due to the probate process you should have a “mirror will” written for any other country you have assets in. In Hong Kong, an important consideration is to have a Deed of Temporary Guardianship to ensure that if something happens to both parents the children will not become wards of the state, and will instead be cared for by people you know and trust. It would be sensible to have your current will reviewed to see if it’s still appropriate. “Is a will important, and do I need a different one in Hong Kong?”

Let the Games Begin Zero Latency, a pioneer of out-of-home, free roam, virtual reality entertainment is coming to Macau. Up to eight players at a time will be able to experience zombie attacks, galaxy space missions and fun family adventures in a 200-square-metre space in Broadway Macau. Macau is the 19th location for Zero Latency worldwide. Minimum age to play is 16 years. zerolatencyvrmacau.com

Simon is regulated by both the HK Confederation of Insurance Brokers (011833) and the Securities and Futures Commission (BGY807). Call 6017 4140, email simonparfitt@pyrmontwm.com or visit pyrmontwm.com.

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LIFE & FAMILY

10 new and notable books recommended by the team at Bookazine.

FICTION

NON-FICTION

Sea Prayer Khaled Hosseini

21 Lessons for the 21st Century Yuval Noah Harari On this exciting journey through today’s most urgent issues, Harari looks at the challenge of maintaining our collective and individual focus in the face of disorienting and constant changes. Are we capable of understanding the world we have created? Simple Yottam Ottolenghi With 130 brand-new dishes, the renowned chef and food writer’s latest book contains recipes with great flavour combinations but minimal hassle. Whether you want a great meal in 30 minutes or a dish that only requires one pot, this book has it all. Andy and Terry have added 13 new levels to their treehouse including a burp bank, a never-ending staircase and a mighty fortress. Now they’re in a race against time to find a funny story for their next book; will they be able to do it? Catwoman Sarah J. Maas Two years after escaping GothamCity’s slums, Selina Kyle returns as the mysterious and wealthy Holly Vanderhees. When she realises that Batwoman is away, Gotham City looks ripe for the taking. Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas Dav Pilkey When a new bunch of baddies come to down, Dog Man teams up with a cute kitten, a remarkable robot and Petey, the World’s Most Evil Cat. Can Petey beat his evil urges and help the team stop the baddies? CHILDREN The 104-Storey Treehouse Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

Khaled Hosseini’s latest novel tells the heart- wrenching story of a father and son, brought to life by Dan Williams’ illustrations. The night before they leave Syria in search of a new home, the father recounts his happy life before the bombs fell. A Simple Favor Darcey Bell When Emily asks her best friend Stephanie to pick up her son after school, she happily says yes. But Emily doesn’t come back. Terrified, Stephanie reaches out for help, only to find out that Emily is dead, and that nothing is as simple as it seems. Hippie Paulo Coelho

In this work of biographical fiction, Paulo is a young Brazilian on the search of a deeper meaning of life. In Amsterdam, he meets Karla, and joins her on a trip to Nepal. As they explore their relationship, they come to a choice that could change their lives forever. The Accidental Further Adventures of the Hundred-Year-Old Man Jonas Jonasson

After a failed hot-air balloon trip, Allan and Julius are rescued at sea by a North Korean ship whose captain is on a nuclear weapons mission for Kim Jong-un. Soon they find themselves in the middle of a diplomatic crisis involving even President Trump. Flights Olga Tokarczuk This award-winning collection of stories explores what it means to be a wanderer through both space and time. It follows a 17th-century Dutch anatomist who discovers the Achilles tendon and a young man whose family mysteriously vanish and reappear, among others.

Find Bookazine outlets in various Hong Kong locations including Shop 326-328, Landmark Prince’s Building, Central, and Shop 3092C, IFC Mall, Central, or visit the e-shop at bookazine.com.hk.

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LIFE & FAMILY

THEPOWEROF

Another instalment in our regular parenting column, by advisor, writer and mother of three, ORLABREEZE. Rated PG

We all need to pause. No, I don’t mean chill out or have some me-time or anything like that. I mean pause. Or Le Pause to be more precise. In fact, I should have started this column by saying “we all need to be French” but I realise it’s a whole lot simpler to pause than to go through all the paperwork and red tape needed to change nationality. You see, Le Pause is a parenting technique employed by French parents that involves … yes, you’ve guessed it … pausing before running to a crying baby or giving into a toddler’s demands – or any of the myriad of requests made

Picture this. You’ve literally just become a parent to your first child and your parent-in-law/parent asks you when you’re planning on adding another to the brood. Do you react the way you feel like reacting? The way they’re probably expecting you to? No, you do not. Instead, you pause. And in that pause, you look at them knowingly for a minute or so – which, by the way, is a looonng time to remain silent – then respond in the manner you choose to; firmly, harmlessly and safe in the knowledge that you will never be asked that same question by that same person again. Or how about this

by the little ones in our lives. This pause can be anything from a few seconds to a couple of minutes (I guess there’s a bit of wiggle room there – Le Wiggle perhaps?), but the fascinating thing is that it has quite the positive impact on parent

“Taking a few moments to get our balance instead of rushing to everybody’s wants and needs ain’t such a bad idea!”

scenario? You finally find a few minutes to run to the bank to cash that gift cheque your relative sent you. The one you’re planning on spending entirely on yourself. However, the bank teller has

and child. It’s even been credited with getting pretty much all French babies to sleep through the night by two months, which I could’ve done with knowing 10 years ago when my third child decided that night-time didn’t begin until 2am and only lasted 4 hours. Quelle horreur! However, I’ve had a recent revelation that Le Pause could have applications far beyond the usual parenting list of problems and could hold the key to keeping our own sanity. And, if you pause to think about it, taking a few moments to get our balance instead of rushing to respond to everybody’s else’s wants and needs ain’t such a bad idea.

different plans and tells you that it’s going to take up to 23 days to clear. Do you let him have it? Lose your cool? Embarrass yourself in front of the entire bank and its customers making it almost impossible to ever darken its doors again? (Full disclosure: may be based on a true story.) No! You pause, gather up your papers and leave quietly to immediately go next door and cry into your coffee. Perfect ending? Maybe not. But my point is this. In a world full of beeping devices and busy people and small humans demanding an instant response to every whim, Le Pause may just be L’Antidote you are seeking. N’est-ce pas ?

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