June-July 2018

JUN-JUL 18

Summer JOURNEYS

for junk trips Catering

Kids Advice

What it’s like to live there Lamma

Bedrooms Early Years Activities & Fun

INSIDE a beautiful Repulse Bay home

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EDITOR’SNOTE

Hong Kong is a city of contrasts. Where else can you move between being in one of the most densely populated CBDs in the world to hiking in lush greenery in less than an hour? It’s a city where you can eat in a dai pai dong one meal and then dine in a Michelin-starred restaurant the next and be equally blown away by the quality of the food. Another one of the classic contrasts is between high-rise apartment living and the lifestyle on some of the city’s outlying islands. We capture a sense of these contrasts in this edition with our feature on the beautiful home of fashion entrepreneur Fanny Moizant, perched above Repulse Bay beach (page 20), and a look at the chilled village of Lamma Island (page 32). As we move into the summer season here in the 852, we know how tricky it can be to keep the kids occupied when they’re climbing the walls at home but could well get heat stroke from running around outdoors! Head to page 46 for our guide to some of the best indoor activities for the kids – rain, haze or shine! Summer for us big kids usually means lazy days cruising the harbour on a junk, and crazy nights making the most of the ebullient vibe in spots like Soho and Lan Kwai Fong. You’ll find details of some excellent junk catering companies from page 86, and a round-up of great Indian restaurants from page 78. And don’t miss my interview with Aussie Ashley Sutton (page 82). Ashley is the design mastermind behind bars that are redefining cool, including Ophelia, Iron Fairies and

Stay updated online

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the newly-opened Dear Lilly. His venues play a significant part in what makes Hong Kong’s nightlife scene among the best in the world. If you haven’t been, make sure you check them out.

Until next time!

MELISSA STEVENS

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JUN-JUL2018

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 ANNA TSERLINGAS Circulation & Marketing ANNA TSERLINGAS | GRACE BANTARAN | VEENA GILL Sales & Marketing KATE WOODBURY | DANIELLE HIGGINS Chief Operations Officer COLIN PURCHASE Contributing Writers ORLA BREEZE | DEBRA FERTIG | DANIELLE HIGGINS VERNE MAREE | MELINDA MURPHY | MELINDA MURPHY Contributing Photographers COL SIM (COLSIMPHOTOGRAPHY.COM) Printed by MIRACLE PRINTING CO. LTD.

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Cover: Cocktails at Dear Lilly (diningconcepts.com)

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JUN-JUL2018

CONTENTS

20 See inside a Repulse Bay retreat

UPFRONT 12 Upcoming Events 14 Follow Us Online HOME & PROPERTY 16 News 20 * Showcase: Check out this fashion

entrepreneur’s beachside home

26 Clutter Control:

Nifty storage solutions for the home

29 Buying Guide:

Kids’ furniture and fab accessories

32 Street Talk:

Living in Tai Peng Village

28

Great ways to reboot a room

33 Carpet Talk 34 On the Market:

Properties for sale and lease

56 Summer wear

LIFE & FAMILY 40 News 41 Rated PG: Our regular parenting column 42 On the Page: We preview the latest great reads 44 Expat Parents: The challenges of raising children overseas 46 School’s Out: 13 kids’ activities for the long break

49 Early Years:

How two schools are guiding young learners

52 Shopping:

Check out this new online portal for men 54 Environment Focus:

29 Ideas for

Sustainable fashion and brands

56 Buying Guide:

kids’ rooms

Cool looks for the hot summer

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

98

How to safari in style

BODY & MIND 62 News 64 Trending: Guy Tang, the guru of hair colour 66 Children’s Health: Allergies 101 67 Expert Voice: How to avoid sports injuries 68 Tried & Tested:

We give the Hypoxi method a go

69 Tried & Tested:

Our anti-ageing facial experience

70 Health Hacks:

Ways to improve your vision naturally

WINE & DINE 78 News 80 Curry Cravings:

Sampling some popular Indian restaurants

84 Raising the Bar:

The man behind HK’s hottest watering holes

86 Recipe Corner:

Fail-safe favourites to add to your repertoire

88 Junk Season:

Top catering companies to call

80

Time for an Indian feast?

TRAVEL 92 News 96 Breaks with the Brood: Family-friendly destination ideas 98 African Adventures: Five stellar safaris 100 Tropical Thailand: A sneak peak at a Phuket gem 102 Fab Fiji: Is there a better family getaway?

REGULARS 110 Important Numbers 111 Our Advertisers 112 Parting Shot: Yoga school dropout

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SPORT Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival (22-24 JUNE) Hundreds of thousands of spectators flock to the Central Harbourfront each year for the CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races. Three days of racing provides colourful sights and sounds as teams of international paddlers compete on boats adorned with dragons and accompanied by drummers. The party atmosphere continues on the foreshore with games and food trucks. Meanwhile, the traditional Dragon Boat Festival falls on 18 June. discoverhongkong.com

Shek O Challenge (7 JULY)

This is a popular event among Hong Kong’s open-water swimming community. Put your fitness to the test with either a 2.2km swim, 8.5km run or 9km paddle from Big Wave Bay to Shek O Back Beach, either competing solo or as part of a team. There’s also a Kids Swim category for 10-to- 18-year-olds this year – a 600m loop starting and finishing at Back Beach. openwaterasia.com

CULTURE

Chinese Opera Festival (14 JUNE – 12 AUGUST)

This annual festival gives attendees a chance to immerse themselves in an experience that has been formally listed by UNESCO as part of Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage. The festival blends opera genres from Beijing, Guangdong and Jiangsu, as well as local Cantonese opera to provide an insight into ancient China. Also included are appreciation sessions, talks and exhibitions. cof.gov.hk

Evolution Asia Yoga Conference (7-10 JUNE)

This yoga and wellness conference is in its tenth year and will bring leading experts from around the world to Hong Kong for four days. There will be more than 160 classes to suit all abilities, and workshops and lectures with some of the best practitioners and teachers in the region. There will also be a variety of exhibitors so you can check out the latest gear and gadgets. asiayogaconference.com Midsummer Race (1 JULY) Keen trailrunners who aren’t deterred by Hong Kong’s heat will enjoy the chance to take part in the Midsummer Race. The second event in this year’s Midsummer series covers a route of 10km starting from Shing Mun Reservoir Dam, heading along the Wilson Trail and MacLehose Trail, then on to Needle Hill and back to Shing Mun Main Dam. The race starts at 3pm. xterace.com

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CALENDAR

La Vie En Rose: Tribute to Edith Piaf (20-21 JUNE)

Hong Kong Museum of History

FAMILY One of Julia Donaldson’s much-loved children’s stories will be brought to life on stage. Tabby McTat tells the tale of Fred the guitar-playing busker’s cat who sings as people throw coins in Fred’s hat. But what happens when the pair are separated? This 55-minute show explores themes of friendship and loyalty. Suitable for ages three and up. aba-productions.com Faust Festival (UNTIL 17 JUNE) Students of the Faust International Youth Theatre will present a selection of more than 20 performances in their annual showcase. Watch children aged four to 16 take to the stage in some fantastic youth theatre. Shows are performed in English. faustworld.com As the second month of the Le French May festival continues in June, one of the highlight events will be a tribute to Edith Piaf, France’s legendary national chanteuse. The festival also features a host of other cultural and culinary activities throughout the month. frenchmay.com An Age of Luxury: the Assyrians to Alexander (UNTIL 3 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. The exhibition has been developed by the British Museum and will be on display at the Hong Kong Museum of History. hk.history.museum Tabby McTat (UNTIL 3 JUNE)

Image: The Trustees of the British Museum

International Arts Carnival (6 JULY–12 AUGUST)

This Leisure and Cultural Department festival is one of the biggest family arts events each year in Hong Kong. The programme includes a mix of local and international performers with shows and activities aimed at a broad range of interests and ages, from ballet and puppetry to music, physical theatre, magic and circus shows. ticket.urbtix.hk

ON STAGE

Evita (UNTIL 3 JUNE)

Don’t miss the last performances of the award-winning Evita , an original West End and Broadway production from Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Evita charts the rags-to-riches rise of Eva Perón, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Perón, and features hits such as “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”. lunchbox- productions.com Celebrate Bernstein on Broadway (6-7 JULY) The HKPhil is marking the centenary of American musical composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein with a performance of his greatest Broadway hits, including “New York, New York”, “Glitter and Be Gay” and “Maria”. The performance is suitable for ages six and above. hkphil.org

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JUN-JUL18

Summer JOURNEYS

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KIDS •CUPBOARDS&SIDEBOARDS • INDIANRESTAURANTS

What it’s like to livethere Lamma

Kids Advice

Bedrooms EarlyYears Activities &Fun

INSIDE abeautiful RepulseBay home

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JUN-JUL2018

Whatwe’reup toon…

INSTAGRAM Follow us @expatlivinghk for all our behind-the-scenes antics!

Enjoying the best shows and entertainment in town

Immersing ourselves in the culture and vibrant sights in Hong Kong

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NEW TO HONG KONG ORKNOWSOMEONEWHO IS?

SETTING UP HOME • INTERIOR DÉCOR • THINGS TO DO

Our City Guide features use f u l a r t i c l es on healthcare, schools, choos ing the r ight neighbourhoods to live in as well as the best places to shop and dine.

SETTING UP HOME • INTERIOR DÉCOR • THINGS TO DO

C TY GUIDE

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HOME&PROPERTY

29 Buying Guide: Kids’ furniture and fab accessories

FLEXA

20 Showcase: Check out this fashion entrepreneur’s beachside home

32 Street Talk: Living in Tai Peng Village

34 On the Market: Properties for sale and lease

HOME & PROPERTY

Sleek & Chic Add a luxury touch to your dinner table with Essentiel, a modern flatware set from Christofle. Essentiel has 24 pieces, made up of six sets of stainless steel tablespoons, table forks, table knives and coffee spoons, housed in a streamlined cylinder chest, making it a decorative yet functional item. The storage chest has a white oak handle on top for practical use, which adds a Nordic touch to the contemporary design. Shop 117, Prince’s Building, Central . 2869 7311 store-us.christofle.com

Sleep studio European Bedding has joined forces with Okooko, a sleep system company founded in Hong Kong in 2016, to provide high-quality mattresses and bed frames that are produced in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner. Okooko by European Bedding will be stocking Heveya’s natural organic latex mattresses. Experience the difference that can be made to your sleep by a visit to their new showroom, which moves from Horizon Plaza to The Plaza in Central in June. 13/F, 21 D’Aguilar Street, Central. 9080 3476 | europeanbedding.hk DreamTeam

Special Delivery Get beautiful blooms regularly delivered to your door with Floristy at M&L’s new weekly jar subscription service. The floral arrangements are inspired by wild and natural flowers and foliage to create modern, hand-crafted bouquets, flower jars and home fragrances. Choose from a Mini Jar, Bud Jar, Large Jar or Large Vase for delivery. G/F, 18 Bonham Strand West, Sheung Wan. 2155 5108 floristry-ml.com

Wall of Sound Make your speaker system a design feature of your home with Bang & Olufsen’s new BeoSound Shape. Consisting of hexagonal tiles that can be placed creatively on the wall in a size and pattern to suit your home in a range of colours, the wireless system combines superb sound with customisable design. bang-olufsen.com

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HOME & PROPERTY

The DSL Furniture contemporary summer collection is out now and available online. There’s a selection of new designs for the living room, dining room and bedroom, all of which come in a range of unique styles and sizes to suit all homes. If you need assistance with furniture selection or layout, the team at DSL will assist. Just email any queries to info@dslfurniture.com. 8191 3885 | dslfurniture.com Styles toSuit

Stylish Sleep Award-winning retailer Kikki.K has a new homeware collection available for summer, in its trademark Swedish style. The More Sleep Please range aims to encourage stressed-out people to get a good night’s sleep through a variety of homeware and self-care products. Expect to find herbal tea sets, candles and bathroom accessories in a colour palette of blues, whites and golds. Start your new bedtime ritual now! Kikki.K has four outlets in Hong Kong: Times Square, Harbour City, Prince’s Building and Cityplaza. kikki-k.com

LIGHT FANTASTIC

Is it time to revamp your home lighting to create a different mood? Visit the Altfield Interiors showroom this July for a “Celebration of Light” and be inspired by the array of interior lighting options. Styles range fromFrench bronzes to brass, chrome and glass from Portaromana andVaughan, aswell as decorated andmonochrome porcelains, cloisonné and lacquer from Altfield’s own collections. The store also stocks hand-made decorative lampshades in plain silks and linens, and patterned designer fabrics and trimmings. 1101, 9 Queen’s Road Central. 2525 2738 | altfield.com.hk

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A Fashionable Address BY MELISSA STEVENS PHOTOGRAPHY COL SIM

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HOME & PROPERTY

W ith expansive views over the ocean from enormous picture windows, the light- soaked Repulse Bay apartment of French expat FANNY MOIZANT has something of the feel of a holiday home. The relaxed vibe belies the reason for Fanny’s move to Hong Kong, however, which was not for a sea change but due to the growth of her burgeoning business. One of the founders of Vestiaire Collective, a global marketplace for luxury pre-owned fashion, Fanny had already relocated her family from Paris to London for work. But the need for an Asian headquarters in Hong Kong meant Fanny, her husband and their two daughters were on the move again last year. Howa French fashion entrepreneur has brought an “easy chic” style to a beachside home.

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House hunting Fanny visited last July to look for apartments but it was like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. Not only had she not decided where her office would be, but she and her husband also had very different ideas about where they wanted to be based. “I really wanted to live by the beach,” Fanny recalls, “and he wanted to live in the city. We started very open-minded and visited a lot of places to see what would click and what didn’t. We looked at a lot – probably 30! To find four bedrooms and three bathrooms was quite difficult, and then it was a matter of falling in love with the place. This one was clearly the best option.” There were a few key things that made them choose the apartment, aside from the jaw- dropping view. The quality of the materials used in the home was important to them, as was the abundant natural light, and the size of the living area and kitchen. The living room is large enough to accommodate two separate spaces, as well as an area for dining, which makes it perfect for a family.

“We mainly live in the living room and in the kitchen,” Fanny says. “The last thing I wanted was a small living room and a small kitchen. I especially like the living room because the set-up is interesting – having two living areas gives us a few more options to play with. The open kitchen makes it easy, too. I was spoilt in London, as we were living in a beautiful house. It had been completely renovated and it had a lot of light – and I need light!” While many expats are advised not to bring too much when moving to Hong Kong, Fanny took the opposite approach and brought all her furniture and homeware with her, despite the fact she was moving from a house to a Hong Kong apartment. “I didn’t invest in furniture when my girls were babies, but they were old enough for us to get some nice furniture when we arrived four years ago in London,” Fanny says. “Because I had spent a bit of time and money I absolutely wanted to keep everything with me. So, I brought everything in the move. It was very difficult at the beginning to make everything fit in a very different space. It took me two or three months to really find the perfect set up in this house and re-purpose everything.”

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HOME & PROPERTY

Passion for fashion Fanny’s connection to fashion and style started as a teenager working in her mother’s boutiques. She studied business and then worked for apparel companies, such as John Galliano. She took a career break with the arrival of her daughters, before enrolling in fashion school, where she became inspired to set up her own company. Noticing that fashion bloggers had begun to sell their out-of-season designer clothing, she teamed up with five partners to create Vestiaire Collective, a dedicated platform for buying and selling pre-owned items. Her lifelong connection with fashion means Fanny has a well-developed personal style which she describes as “easy chic”, and which she also applies to her interiors. “It has to be easy – I would hate to live in a museum,” she says. “I don’t want to be super careful about what I own.” Perhaps it’s not surprising given the company’s focus on giving new life to designer clothing and accessories that Fanny is a fan of mixing vintage and designer in her home. The furniture and décor is a tasteful blend of carefully selected newer pieces and flea-market finds. Most of the pieces in her home have meaning and memories attached to them. A vintage Clash poster, for example, is more than just a quirky conversation piece. “It was in a poster shop near my house in London and my husband knew howmuch I loved it, and he bought it for my birthday.” A dragon mobile that now has pride of place above the dining table was purchased in London from Chinatown to mark a previous Chinese New Year. As the family settles in Hong Kong, Fanny says they greatly enjoy living in Repulse Bay. “I feel really happy to be able to relax and unplug on the weekends because it’s stunning and it’s convenient to be living close to the shops and restaurants. We have a car but we barely use it.” Going global Fanny admits when she first launched Vestiaire Collection she did not envisage it would end up taking her family around the world. “I created it almost 10 years ago now, in Paris, with six of us as co-founders,” she says. “It started as a French business only, but very quickly we saw a growing demand outside of France. We decided to expand first to the UK, where we opened an office in London in 2012. I moved from Paris to London in 2013 and from there I drove the European expansion of the company.”

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Fanny says the need to have a Hong Kong presence came as they saw organic demand coming from Asia. “That’s always a signal for us, when the community shows signs and an appetite for the concept,” she says. “Last year I spent a time studying the Asian markets. As soon as I understood there was a lot of demand, I arrived early September to build everything from scratch.” A seasoned expat, Fanny is passionate about the benefits, particularly for her daughters. “I’ve always wanted to have broad experiences for myself and for my girls,” she remarks. “When they were babies, most of my friends were bi-national, so the kids have been raised in a very international mindset with at least a few languages and so on. My parents did the same for me and I have always wanted that for the kids. They’ve been going to international schools since they were in France.” Fanny admits she is somewhat surprised at how big Vestiaire Collective has become. “When I launched, I was thinking small,” she says. “I’m not a super ambitious person and I wanted to do something small at my own pace so I could manage time with the family. If you had told me back in the day what it would become I probably would have freaked out! But moving to London and Hong Kong – it’s a matter of timing in life. And in both cases, the timing was right for me.”

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HOME & PROPERTY

HOME & DÉCOR Lane Crawford – Lifestyle 2118 2288 | lanecrawford.com.hk/home- lifestyle Casa Capriz 1/F, Kwai Bo Industrial Building, 40 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang 9318 1730 Flea Markets Vestiaire Collective – Life & Living vestiairecollective.com FANNY’S RECOMMENDATIONS

Gia Trattoria Fleet Arcade, Fenwick Pier, 1 Lung King Street, Wan Chai 2511 8081 | giatrattoriaitaliana.com Café Gray Deluxe 88 Queensway Admiralty 3968 1106 | upperhouse.com/en/ restaurants-bars/cafe-gray-deluxe SEVVA Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central 2537 1388 | sevva.hk MUM Veggie + Coffee + Sweet G07, G/F, One Island South, Wong Chuk Hang 2115 3348 | mum-hk.com Rokkaku 6 Kwong Ming Street, Wan Chai 2866 8166 22 Ships

The Conran Shop conranshop.co.uk Finnish Design Shop finnishdesignshop.com Selency brocantelab.com

22 Ship Street, Wan Chai 2555 0722 | 22ships.hk Stan Café

23 Carmel Road, Stanley 2324 9008 | stancafe.hk Amalfitana 1/F, Shop 105, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay 2388 7787 | thepulse.com.hk/amalfitana

FOOD & DRINKS Grassroots Pantry

108 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan 2873 3353 | grassrootspantry.com

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Lodge, Wave and Lekk TV cabinets, TREE, 2870 1582, tree.com.hk

STORAGE

Get your clutter under control with these clever and stylish options. SOLUTIONS

Lamberi shelving unit, DSL Furniture, 8191 3885, dslfurniture.com

Puro TV console, Tequila Kola, 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

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HOME & PROPERTY

Brooklyn drawers, Tequila Kola, 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

Children’s wardrobe, FLEXA, 2688 2339, flexa.com.hk

Brooklyn display cabinet, Tequila Kola, 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

Lamberi sideboard, DSL Furniture, 8191 3885, dslfurniture.com

Puro bookcase, Tequila Kola, 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

Bedroom drawers, FLEXA, 2688 2339, flexa.com.hk

Puro Zick Zack shelving unit, Tequila Kola, 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

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HOME & PROPERTY

For the Kids! Cute and functional pieces for little spaces.

Mountable unicorn head, Mirth, 2553 9811, mirthhome.com

Pierre Frey Confettis cushion collection, Altfield Interiors, 2525 2738, altfield.com.hk

De Gournay Amazonia wallpaper, Altfield Interiors, 2525 2738, altfield.com.htk

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Ellie cot bed, Mirth, 2553 9811, mirthhome.com

Hand-painted canvas artwork, Tequila Kola, 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

Study chair, available in pink turquoise and black, FLEXA, 2688 2339, flexa.com.hk

Brooklyn bed, Tequila Kola, 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

Hand-painted canvas artwork, Tequila Kola, 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

Tables and chairs from the Please and Thank You collection, TREE,

2870 1582, tree.com.hk

Mickey and Minnie

Mouse rugs, CarpetBuyer, 2850 5508, carpetbuyer.com

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HOME & PROPERTY

Mid-high bed with staircase and safety rail and storage, in solid oak and birch, FLEXA, 2688 2339, flexa.com.hk

Samuel & Sons Cirque trimmings collection, Altfield Interiors, 2525 2738, altfield.com.hk

Captions xxx

Brooklyn desk, Tequila Kola, 2877 3295, tequilakola.com

Circus toy baskets, Mirth, 2553 9811, mirthhome.com

Fairy duvet and pillow case, Mirth, 2553 9811, mirthhome.com

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SKYE CUNNINGHAM Originally from: Warwickshire, England Occupation: Curriculum Director and co-founder of Lamma Art Collective

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO LIFE IN THEIR ’HOOD

When you’re in need of a dose of culture, you: Go to Lamma Art Collective, usually for the Sunday Afternoon Concert Series. Great music! If you’re missing home, you: Have a meal out in the main village, which is a 15-minute walk away. Lots of Western restaurants to satisfy my taste for home. A mandatory stop for taking out- of-town guests is: Sampan Restaurant for dim sum. You’d swap houses in a second with: Anyone who has a view of the Yung Shue Wan Bay.

Where do you live on Lamma? Tai Peng Village.

When you walk out of your place, what’s the first thing you see? At the moment, sadly, a construction site. The closest store to your front door is? Tai Peng Village Shop, the hub of the community and a godsend during typhoons! The unofficial uniform of your area is? Flip flops and shorts. If a celebrity moves in next door, it will most likely be: Chow Yun Fat, Lamma Island’s famous son.

What transport to you use to get to and from your house? My legs!

How long have you lived here? 16 years.

Why here? Because it has lots of greenery.

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HOME & PROPERTY

Your hands-down favourite neighbourhood joints are: Candela, Blue Goose and the Waterfront – all fantastic restaurants!

You won’t find better local food than at: Sampan Restaurant, which serves authentic Chinese food.

The strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street is: A huge python in the branches of a tree that use to touch my balcony! The tree sadly got blown down in a typhoon. The best bargains in your neighbourhood are: Whatever is being sold on the Lamma Island Market Place Facebook group.

The guiltiest pleasure in your area is: Sunsets and wine evenings with friends overlooking the small harbour.

One thing you’d never change is: The Lamma community spirit!

A common myth about your neighbourhood is: That the hill up to Tai Peng gets easier the longer you live up there. It doesn’t! The locals often refer to it as Heart Attack Hill, though I personally like to think of it as Better Health Hill! If you’re ever woken up at night, it’s almost always due to: Cats yowling and dogs barking. Plus, a chorus of frog croaks! A massive late-night rager on your street is likely to involve: Beer and a guitar.

But one thing you wouldn’t mind seeing go is: The rubbish that washes up on the beaches.

The city gives you $5 million to soup up your street. You use it to: Replace unnecessary concreted areas with trees, plants and flowers. Why should your neighbourhood be featured in a guidebook? The Tai Peng Community Garden is a pretty lovely space for local gardeners. It’s full of beautiful flowers and a haven for wildlife, especially butterflies.

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H ong Kong regained the title of Asia’s most expensive location for business travel in 2017 – but there are no shortage of visitors to our city. Increasingly, we’re seeing a rise in the popularity of serviced apartments, as business travellers look for a home away from home. Serviced apartments are also a good stepping stone for those relocating to Hong Kong for the first time, or young professionals who will only be here short-term. If you’re not sure how long you’re going to be in the 852, serviced apartments offer an affordable entry-point into the market, and shorter-lease terms mean you can avoid the financial outlay that comes with finding a more permanent address. Even if you’re planning to stay, we know that finding a suitable flat can be a daunting task, and a stay in a serviced apartment can tide you over while you carry out your home search.

There have been serviced apartments in Central and Wan Chai for many years, but now operators are opening up on the east of Hong Kong Island, catering to business travellers based in Taikoo Place and the surrounding area, as well as elsewhere. The best thing about serviced apartments is the amenities, which are normally more sophisticated than those you’d find in a regular hotel room. They normally provide separate living and sleeping quarters, a comfortable sofa where you can curl up, and a fully-fitted kitchen with cooking utensils. You can also forget about housekeeping, as all that is taken care of by professional cleaners! Once you’re ready to find something more permanent, remember it’s a great idea to partner with a single agent you trust. We’ve got plenty of fabulous properties that will make you want to live in Hong Kong long-term!

Stella Abraham Head of Residential Leasing & Relocation Services National Director Jones Lang LaSalle Limited (JLL)

BRAND NEW

Area: Wan Chai Rent: $28,000-$120,000 per month Size: 365-1,771 sq. ft Bedrooms: Studio to 3-bedroom penthouse Bathrooms: Varies

The Luna offers a wide range of apartment types, from studios to a three-bedroom penthouse. Seven- day concierge and resident services are provided, and residents can enjoy excellent facilities including an outdoor function area, terrace and gym, and a club lounge. The property is close to the CBD with an MTR station, buses and trams just a fewminutes’ walk from the door – not to mention a huge array of delicious restaurants.

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HOME & PROPERTY

The view from Kennedy Road from this property is enough to make you fall in love with Hong Kong’s famous city skyline all over again. Close to the CBD, the building’s residents enjoy both convenient commutes and multi-storey living. The three-bedroom duplex has very good storage and a large kitchen – if you love cooking, this place is for you!

UNIQUE DESIGN Area: Mid-Levels East Rent: From $165,000 (incl.) Size: 2,200 sq. ft

Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2

QUIET NEIGHBOURHOOD

Area: North Point Rent: $58,000 (incl.) Size: 1,173 sq. ft

Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2

If you’re looking for a quiet residential area in Hong Kong East, this apartment is definitely worth a visit – for one thing, the open city and harbour views are simply stunning. Aside from its spaciousness, another positive aspect of this apartment is how close it is to a number of international schools, making it ideal for families.

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Looking for a good value apartment in a quiet neighbourhood? Look no further! This apartment not only has views of HK’s well-known racetrack, but it boasts three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a maid’s room. Residents can enjoy excellent facilities including a gym, tennis court, squash court and outdoor swimming pool. * Rental promotion: $125,000 (incl.), subject to the tenant committing to the lease before 30 June 2018.

RACETRACK VIEW

Area: Happy Valley Rent: From $150,000 (incl.)* Size: 2,451 sq. ft

Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3

SEE THE SEA

Located on the peaceful Southside of Hong Kong Island, this apartment not only enjoys breathtaking ocean views, but has a fully- fitted kitchen, while the complex offers excellent facilities including a gym, tennis court, children’s playground, squash court and outdoor swimming pool – even its own shuttle bus service. This truly is a rare find in Hong Kong.

Area: South Bay Rent: $85,000 (incl.) Size: 1,390 sq. ft

Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3

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HOME & PROPERTY 37

LIFE & FAMILY

56 Buying Guide:

Cool looks for the hot summer

Teresa’s Turkish Towels

46 School’s Out: Kids’ activities for the long break

49 Early Years: How two schools are guiding young learners

54 Environment Focus: Sustainable fashion and brands

LIFE & FAMILY

EXPERT EXPO ADVICE

Parents with children aged up to six years will get answers to all their questions at the second edition of the Kids Health & Parenting Event, held by Healthy Matters, on Saturday 2 June. There’ll be talks and panels on topics like children’s allergies, complementary medicine and raising multilingual children. There’ll also be an exhibition hall with great providers and special features for parents and kids. The first 200 attendees on the day will get a free signature goodie bag. From 9am to 4pm. 2296 9725 | healthymatters.com.hk

Chic Shades Grab yourself a pair of sustainable wooden sunglasses this summer. The sunglasses are made by Ballo, a Cape Town company focused on producing high-quality, environmentally friendly products by practicing responsible production. All frames are handmade from recycled paper and off-cut timber from local furniture producers. The collection is available on The Great Diggers e-store, a Hong Kong-based online marketplace offering mindful and sustainable products made all over the world for charismatic men. (See our article on page 52!) 9700 7443 | thegreatdiggers.com

PRINTS CHARMING Artist Lorette E. Roberts has a new series of prints that will be available at the Conrad Fair on 4 June. Fans of Lorette’s work can book into her one- to three-day UK summer workshops at her Suffolk studio – you can even stay in her 16th-century farmhouse. Or join one of her Hong Kong workshops in October or November this year. See her new prints on her website and Facebook page and look for her signature snail, with one hidden in every picture. For more info, email lorette@ loretteroberts.com. +44 7 824 357 295 | loretteroberts.com

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LIFE & FAMILY

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

T he other day I had a realisation that my child’s friend’s mother’s friend’s sister’s neighbour had made a parenting decision for one of my kids. Yeah, I know! Imagine being the kind of parent that goes around making parenting decisions for kids they have never met, and quite likely never will. Outrageous, right? Except it’s not. Because the thing is, I allowed her to. Well, I didn’t exactly mean to but ultimately it was kinda my fault. OK, it was all my fault. And before you go all judgey on me, I have a very strong feeling that you may have done the exact same thing too. Allow me to explain … So, my kid comes home from school and says she wants to play a game online that I’ve never heard of. I say no. But she says that Jenny plays it all the time and it’s completely safe. Still I say no, but does my kid give up? Of course, she doesn’t. Instead she ups her game and moves onto the next level. Apparently, Jenny’s mother has no problem with it, so why do I? It’s a fair question. Now, she knows that I know Jenny’s Mum, and she also knows that I know there’s no way Jenny’s Mum would allow her daughter to be online playing an unsafe game. (Still with me? Good.) She’s a fine, upstanding, sensible, grounded, responsible individual (who also likes a few glasses of wine from time to time, and is a great laugh on a night out. Don’t want you to think she’s a total bore.) I think to myself, maybe the game is fine. In normal circumstances, I’d spend a bit of time researching the game myself but it’s mid-week and I’m busy. (Who isn’t? We’re parents.) So, I decide to trust Jenny’s Mum’s judgement. I’m sure she must have done the research. Wouldn’t make sense if she hadn’t. I turn to my daughter and say yes, sure, why not? But that night, I wake up with a sinking feeling that maybe Jenny’s Mum didn’t do the research. And that maybe she said yes to Jenny for the same reasons I just said yes to my daughter. Not because she knew that everything was safe, but because someone else told her so. Like, maybe one of her friends. Who may have heard the same from one of her sisters. Who may have been told the same by her neighbour. And that’s when I realise that I have allowed a long chain of assumptions to lead to my child’s friend’s mother’s friend’s sister’s neighbour making a parenting decision for my kid. See? It’s easily done. And then I start to wonder how often I’ve done that in the past. Once or twice? More than that? Possibly (gulp) very often?? I mean, do I let my son go meet his friends in the city because I think it’s fine or because his friends’ parents do? Did my middle child’s best friend’s Mum thoroughly check out that tattoo parlour we let our 12-year-olds go to or did she just see a tatty ad in a tatty newspaper? I mean, where does it all end? (Ha! Just kidding about that tattoo parlour. I’m not that bad!) But you get my point, right? Who’s making your parenting decisions? WHO DECIDES?

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LIFE & FAMILY

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

FICTION

NON-FICTION

The President is Missing Bill Clinton and James Patterson

A Higher Loyalty James Comey

During an international crisis, the sitting US President has disappeared; what follows is a dramatic three days in American history. This thriller is penned jointly by the world’s bestselling author James Patterson and former President Bill Clinton. The Woman in the Window AJ Finn Anna Fox is agoraphobic and afraid to leave home. Her lifeline to the real world is her window. When she witnesses something no one was supposed to see, she tries to uncover the truth about what happened. But will anyone believe her? Can she even trust herself? Ghosted Rosie Walsh

Baby Loves Coding Ruth Spiro This board book demonstrates the use of logic, sequence and patterns to solve problems. Beautiful illustrations combine with age-appropriate language to encourage baby’s sense of wonder. From the author of the award-winning Baby Loves Science series. She Persisted Around the World: 13 Women who Changed History Chelsea Clinton Women have broken barriers to achieve extraordinary feats in science, the arts, sports, activism and more. This book, by the daughter of two famous names in American politics, introduces readers to 13 incredible women including Marie Curie, JK Rowling and Malala Yousafzai. The World’s Worst Children 3 David Walliams This compendium features 10 more horrendously hilarious stories about the worst children ever! From Tandy and her titanic tantrums to Hank’s pranks on his poor, long-suffering family, this new collection is the perfect sequel to the first two books in the series. Former FBI director Comey shares never-been-told- experiences, from prosecuting the Mafia and Martha Stewart to overseeing the Hillary Clinton email investigation and the ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. Five Stars Carmine Gallo Gallo interviews neuroscientists, economists, historians and business leaders of companies like Google, Nike, and Airbnb to show how they use their words to captivate your imagination and ignite your dreams. From the internationally bestselling author of Talk Like Ted . FOR KIDS

When Sarah meets Eddie, they form an instant connection. After six fantastic days, he leaves on holiday and promises to call her; but he doesn’t. Sarah believes something must have happened. She soon discovers the one thing they didn’t share with each other: the truth. When Life Gives You Lulu Lemons Lauren Weisberger

Miranda Priestly’s ex-assistant Emily Charlton is working in Hollywood as an image consultant. But she needs a big opportunity – and now . When Miriam’s A-List friend is publicly dumped by her husband, Emily sees the client of a lifetime. By the author of The Devil Wears Prada . In her new short story collection, Groff explores loneliness, rage, family and the passage of time, in stories whose common connection is the US state of Florida. With shocking accuracy, she pinpoints the moments and decisions behind human emotions. Florida Lauren Groff

Find Bookazine outlets in various 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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Parenting as anExpat

BY MELISSA STEVENS

A new book looks at the challenges of raising kids in a foreign country.

What led you to write your book? Very little has been written about the day-to-day experiences parents face when raising kids abroad. My aim in writing this book is to provide real-life, “in the trenches” experiences I’ve encountered during my time working internationally with students and families. I wanted to write something that was practical, authentic and reflective of the realities parents will encounter when raising kids overseas. Sometimes, the tendency is to glamorise the international experience. To be sure, there are unique aspects of living abroad, and these do change one’s outlook on life. This noted, there is still the day-to-day of practical parenting to be done. Will my family be safe? How will transitions affect my child’s life? Have we made the right decision moving to this new location? Will our children receive a “good” education? Will they get into a “good” school? Have we caused irreparable harm to our kids by moving abroad? What do I do about our cultural values in the context of our current culture? Am I raising entitled kids? How do we maintain our parenting values in the context of differing beliefs? How do I parent when my partner is gone so frequently? These and a host of other questions are common concerns noted by parents. What do you think are the biggest concerns parents have when raising children as expats?

Let’s face it: parenting is tough, whatever your situation. There’s a constant need to make complex judgement calls about what is best for your child. Being an expat adds another dimension to that equation. International school psychologist DR JEFF DEVENS understands this as an expat parent himself, and has drawn on his professional and personal experiences to write a book on the subject. Tell us a bit about yourself. I’m originally from the US but have spent most of my adulthood overseas; we’ve lived in China, Saudi Arabia and, most recently, Singapore. For the past 22 years, I’ve worked in international education as a school psychologist, counsellor and classroom educator. In 2006, I completed a PhD in School Psychology – my dissertation research focused on depression rates among Third Culture Kids (TCKs). This past December, I published my first book, entitled A Parent’s Guide to Raising Kids Overseas . My wife Nanette and I have two Third Culture Kids (TCKs), Cylas (age 13) and Cora (9). We’re loving the parenting journey!

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“How will transitions affect my child’s life? Have we made the right decision in moving overseas? Will our children receive a good education?”

Are these concerns justified? Absolutely. Parents often don’t give weighted thought to these questions until they arrive. Once here, and the honeymoon period fades (typically lasting three minutes to three months) they’re faced with many practicalities and realities of parenting. Without answers to these questions, parents become anxious (naturally so) and this permeates into their parenting, resulting in anxious kids. Kids growing up overseas are presented with many wonderful life experiences that impact their view of themselves and their place in the world. Many of these kids become Third Culture Adults (TCAs), continuing their work abroad just as they did when they were children. For others, the desire is to plant deep roots and not venture far from “home”. Most of the kids I’ve worked with realise that home isn’t so much about geography. Instead, it’s rooted in shared experiences with others. It’s these experiences that provide them with a unique life perspective. The biggest challenges parents encounter when living as expats include long working hours, frequent parent/partner separations due to extended travel, and loss of community. Expat life, in some respects, isn’t what many parents thought it would be. At times, marriages are put under tremendous stress, with one partner gone for long periods of time. Often this results in guilt or resentment, both terrible motivators for parenting. Parents need to understand what they are committing to when they sign contracts. Once signed, it’s about supporting one another and the work they’re both doing until the next contract period. What do you think are the biggest impacts on a child being raised as an expat? What are the biggest challenges for families when living as expats?

Far too often, I’ve witnessed parents chase the golden handcuffs of the expat package, climbing the ladder, all under the pretence that this is beneficial for the family. Sometimes, the best choice is to not take that promotion knowing it will “cost” additional hours away from home. International living can result in a loss of community. Schools often act as the hub of the community, providing supports and structures helping parents and kids connect with others in similar stages of life. This can be a wonderfully enriching experience or it can feel like living in a fishbowl! Expat families will also need supportive networks of other parents and caring adults in their kids’ lives. The influence of loving, caring adults will need to be provided by those in the extended international community. What do you think of the Third Culture Kid concept? Does being raised in a different culture have a lasting impact on a child? By design, our travels and childhood experiences will impact who we become as adults. Being raised in a different culture (sometimes many cultures) and then attempting to assimilate parts of these into one another can be challenging and rewarding. The Third Culture Kids I’ve had the privilege of working

with view the world, and their place in it, in wonderful ways.

A Parent’s Guide to Raising Kids Overseas is available on Amazon and Kindle.

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13

Boredom

Busters

Banish cries of “I’mbored”with these kids’ activities.

K eeping children entertained can be a challenge in Hong Kong – space may be limited, but energy levels usually aren’t! If you’re planning to stay in the city over summer, here are some suggestions of places where toddlers to teenagers can let off a bit of steam. #1 SuperPark SuperPark is a purpose-built indoor activity park inKowloonwith an array of activities to suit all ages and interests. It’s divided into three zones: the Adventure Area with obstacle walls, trampolines, zip wires and slides, the Game Arena offering sports like basketball and golf, and the FreestyleHall for skating and scooting. Look out for their summer programmes too! superpark.com.hk #2 Ryze Ultimate Trampoline Park Ever-popular Ryze trampoline park in Quarry Bay’s Kodak House has expanded to a new floor, doubling its size and doubling your fun! You can Zip Line across a river of foam, dodge the arms of the spinning

Wipeout, or test your skills on the new Free Style Course. Want to challenge a friend? Try the Battle Beams or the Wall Running Trampolines. With more space to play, kids of all ages can have fun at Ryze.

ryzehongkong.com #3 Funzone

This indoor playground has three branches in Hong Kong, in Kennedy Town, North Point and Ma On Shan. Kennedy Town is the largest but all three have heaps of clean and safe equipment, a café and Wi-Fi. They also have a dedicated toddler area for kids three and under. All three branches offer playgroup classes and birthday party packages. funzone.com.hk #4 EpicLand EpicLand is the largest indoor family entertainment centre in Hong Kong. Located in Discovery Bay, it caters for an array of ages and interests. The huge rainbow slides are the longest in Asia, and there’s also an air trek obstacle course, rock climbing walls, laser tag, a ballistics arena, trampolines

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