Life on Lantau October/November 2018 by Life on Lantau magazine

October/ November 2018

WIN!

A group SUP session and beach lunch for four at Treasure Island, and a barbecue for two at Le Jardin de Sophie

HOW REFORESTATION IS BRINGING BACK THE ISLANDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BIODIVERSITY

WHY PET OWNERSHIP IS BETTER THAN PROZAC WHAT PADDLE SPORTS CAN DO FOR YOUR HEALTH AND FITNESS GOALS

Zein Williams MUI WO-BASED ACTIVIST, TEACHER, MOTHER AND RUNNER NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS * THOUGHTS ON ISLAND LIFE

Publishers in Lantau since 2002

October / November 2018

FEATURES 12

DISPATCH Why reforestation is the best way to bring back the island’s biodiversity

PERSONA Meet Zein Williams, the Mui Wo-based activist, teacher and mother whose passion for running beats all

SPOTLIGHT Pet ownership boosts both

FITNESS Find out what makes paddle

physical and mental wellbeing, so how do you go about adopting a pet? sports so popular locally, and what they can do for your health and fitness goals

REGULARS 24

10 30 36

GIVEAWAYS Win great prizes LANTAU FACES Community snaps PUZZLER Mind games and conundrums

AGENDA

04 LANTAU NEWS 33 CLASSIFIEDS 34 LOCAL NUMBERS

October/ November 2018

COVER

WIN!

A group SUP session and beach lunch for four at Treasure Island, and a barbecue for two at Le Jardin de Sophie

Zein Williams, never far from the Lantau trails

HOW REFORESTATION IS BRINGING BACK THE ISLAND’S BIODIVERSITY

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2 LIFE ON LANTAU October / November 2018

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WHY PET OWNERSHIP IS BETTER THAN PROZAC WHAT PADDLE SPORTS CAN DO FOR YOUR HEALTH AND FITNESS GOALS

Zein Williams MUI WO-BASED ACTIVIST, TEACHER, MOTHER AND RUNNER NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS * THOUGHTS ON ISLAND LIFE

Publishers in Lantau since 2002

To read the cover story, turn to page 20 Photo by Andrew Spires

and www.lifeonlantau.com

CAN YOU ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS? If not, you should consider a review or start your estate planning

• Why is a Will necessary? • What are the advantages of having a Will? • What happens to my children if both parents die? • What is probate? • When is probate necessary? • Is a Living Trust more private than a Will? • Will my estate be subject to taxes? • How my other dependant relatives maintain their rights? • If I have a blended family, how do I ensure that everyone entitled receives? • What happens if I don’t die but become mentally incapacitated?

We can help you build a detailed estate plan for peace of mind and future generations. Carey, Suen Will Services Ltd 8B Wing Yee Commercial Building 5 Wing Kut Street Central

“It’s not about having time, but making time. If it’s important, you’ll make time.”

Join us for a Will Services seminar on 10th October 2018 6:30pm to 8:30pm Room 702, 7/F, Hung Kei Mansion, 5-8 Queen Victoria Street, Central

Space is limited so RSVP to the below address if you wish to attend.

Tel: +852 9160 7855 email: annette@careysuen.com website: www.careysuen.com

PUBLISHER Corinne Jedwood corinne@baymedia.com.hk MANAGING EDITOR Rachel Ainsley rachel@baymedia.com.hk

MORE LAND FOR EAST LANTAU METROPOLIS?

SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS & ONLINE EDITOR Claire Severn claire@baymedia.com.hk DIGITAL & SALES ASSISTANT Patricia Jover patricia@baymedia.com.hk DIGITAL & EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Katrina Mercado katrina@baymedia.com.hk SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andrew Spires andrew@baymedia.com.hk ASSISTANT GRAPHIC DESIGNER Duey Tam duey@baymedia.com.hk ADVERTISING & SALES MANAGER Connie Cottam connie@baymedia.com.hk SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER Monika Carruthers monika@baymedia.com.hk OFFICE MANAGER Maxine Parry accountant@baymedia.com.hk PHOTOGRAPHERS Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com Andrew Spires Duey Tam CONTRIBUTORS James Allen Henry Benjamin Elizabeth Kerr Samantha Wong PRINTING Champion Design & Production Company Ltd. Flat D, 18/F, Sing Teck Factory Building, 44 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Hong Kong. DISCLAIMER The views expressed in Life on Lantau are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or contributors. The publisher and editor cannot be held responsible for differences of opinion or statements published in good faith. The publisher, contributors, their employees and partners are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors or omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication and expressly disclaim all and any liability for any such action of any person. The mention of specific companies or products in articles or advertisements does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by this magazine or its publisher in preference to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without permission.

www.savelantau.org

hink tank Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF) has suggested that the government needs to reclaim a larger piece of land for the East Lantau Metropolis (ELM) than the initial 1,000 hectares proposed. OHKF’s mission is to promote the long-term and overall interests of the city and it believes that only large-scale reclamation can bring about a paradigm shift. According to OHKF, the ELM should be extended to 2,200-hectares, thus providing space for 400,000 homes and accommodating 1.1 million people. The initial 1,000-hectare plan did not go down well with local residents, and the new proposals have caused public uproar. Lantauers argue that the 2,200-hectare reclamation would not only be detrimental to the environment, but prohibitively expensive – estimated at around HK$700 billion. Dr Tom Yam of the ELM Concern Group says, “It is wrong to assume that reclamation is the solution to all land problems. How can developing one new district improve the living space and quality of life in the other 18 districts in Hong Kong?” At a community forum on land supply on September 8 in Mui Wo, organised by Save Lantau Alliance and Legislative Councillor Eddie Chu, guest speaker Camille Lam Tsz Kwan of Liber Research Community opened by saying, “The unclear projection to justify the ELM development is unjust and dangerous. Land built in recent years has not been beneficial to the public… very few public housing complexes [have been created], which has not helped solve the congestion problem of the city.” Rather than expanding the ELM, Kwan suggested developing existing underutilised sites, such as the 700-hectare field outside Fanling North (a New Development Area in the Northeast New Territories), military camps and land leased to organisations that provide facilities for recreational purposes. Residents suggested vacant land in Sunny Bay, surrounding Hong Kong Disneyland, could be put to better use.

LANTAU NEWS

WHAT’S HAPPENING IS LA N D WIDE! By Katrina Mercado

If you would like to see a news story or event featured in this section, email katrina@baymedia.com.hk

ECO FEATURES FOR TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN EXTENSION

he Tung Chung New Town Extension (TCNTE) was devised in 2014 in order to provide additional housing and community facilities, while increasing job opportunities. The extension will sit to the east and west of the existing Tung Chung New Town. The TCNTE will provide space for about 49,400 residential flats, as well as 870,000 square metres of floor area for office, retail and hotel use. A large portion of land has also been reserved for recreational, educational and community uses. A sports ground, post-secondary institution and clinic are included in the development plans. The idea is that the TCNTE balances the needs of development and conservation. Secretary for Development Michael Wong Wai-lun reported on his blog that plans include bird-watching hides, walking trails and butterfly gardens. These eco-features are intended to complement and preserve the countryside surrounding Tung Chung.

FIGHT FOR WETLANDS

www.economist.com

he long-running campaign to prevent further damage to the Pui O wetlands faced a serious setback on September 13. A Judicial Review, challenging the government’s assertion that it does not have discretion to prevent landfilling of private land with ecological value, was rejected by Judge Thomas Au at the High Court. Members of Living Islands Movement (LIM) are calling on residents to take action. “It seems illogical to us and other observers that the government would conclude that they have no authority to prevent a private

www.tung-chung.hk

A riverside park at Tung Chung Valley is another highlight of the planned TCNTE. Open to the public for recreational use, it will promote eco-education and a ‘water-friendly’ culture. A sustainable drainage system, something new to Hong Kong, is being implemented to prevent flooding, with attenuation ponds to manage stormwater run-off, prevent downstream erosion, and improve water quality. In addition, land enhancements and walking trails are being considered to improve accessibility to Tung Chung stream. The first phase of the TCNTE was launched at the end of December last year and it is slated for completion by 2030.

landowner destroying a valuable wetland habitat which is also a biodiversity hotspot and home to rare and semi-rare species of wetland animals and plants,” says Martin Lerigo of LIM. “The land in question was zoned as a Coastal Protection Area by the government and their intent that it should be protected was clear in the zoning regulations, which state unambiguously that landfilling is prohibited,” Martin adds. “This is not enforceable due to an administrative anomaly which underlines the government’s inability to establish a coherent set of regulations governing land use, an issue that has become ever more troublesome in recent years.” Judge Au’s decision means that Hong Kong will likely now lose a significant amount of its last remaining wetland habitats. LIM is calling on the government to amend the legislation and implement statutory protections for Coastal Protection Areas. “It is a matter of grave concern that this judicial review decision has taken two years to be delivered,” says Martin. “We ask the Secretary for Justice to explain this unacceptable delay and outline how she will fix the problem, without which confidence in the rule of law will be seriously eroded.” www.lifeonlantau.com

October / November 2018

LIFE ON LANTAU 5

LANTAU NEWS

WHAT’S HOT

THE MENOPAUSE ROOM

ealising that there was no avenue for women to share and discuss their menopause journey, Tung Chung resident Jane Atherton started The Menopause Room five years ago. Today, the Facebook page draws over 80,000 women from all over the world. “It’s a safe space where women can talk freely about their symptoms and realise that there are others who are going through the same thing,” Jane says. “Knowing that you aren’t alone in what may be a very tumultuous time makes all the difference. “We try to keep the group well balanced so it doesn’t turn into one big moan-and-groan playground,” Jane adds. “Menopause touches so many parts of our life, so we have lots of help from experts in their field, such as doctors, fashion consultants, exercise experts, nutritionists and beauty specialists. Members can post anonymously in our open group, and join our secret group for total privacy if they want to discuss sensitive issues in private.” A clinical nutritionist, specialising in menopause diet, nutrition and lifestyle, Jane is aware that many doctors don’t fully understand menopause, leaving women with a poor diagnosis. “The more we know before the appointment, the more likely we are to get the results we want,” she says. Jane moderates the groups very carefully and does not tolerate any hostile behaviour or abusive comments, while at the same time being mindful that the tone of text can sometimes be misinterpreted,

COWSHED BOTANICALS

Photo courtesy of Jane Atherton

especially when you have thousands of hormonal women all in one place! To get in touch, visit the Menopause Facebook page or email jane@themenopauseroom.com.

“Full empowerment is my healing goal,” Tammy opens. “I focus on helping people eat, live and sleep better. Often when we go to the doctor, we are given a small piece of our health puzzle. I try and show the whole situation.” Following a far-reaching 90-minute consultation, Tammy uses acupressure and essential oils to treat a range of physical ailments from back pain to fibromyalgia, as well as emotional problems such as anxiety, insomnia, and brain fog. She also informs clients about breathing and meditation techniques.

Photo by Duey Tam

welve-year Mui Wo resident Tammy Peters launched Cowshed Botanicals in May last year, in order to focus on what she calls “very wellness.” A fully qualified acupressure therapist and registered holistic aromatherapist, fluent in English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Dutch, Tammy provides healing and support out of her renovated village house or at people’s homes and places of work.

6 LIFE ON LANTAU October / November 2018

www.lifeonlantau.com

Acupressure is an alternative medicine technique similar in principle to acupuncture, but without the needles. It is based on the concept of life energy which flows through meridians in the body. “In treatment, physical pressure by hand or elbow is applied to acupressure points, with a mix of tailor-made essential oil blends. The aim of the procedure is to clear blockages in these meridians,” Tammy explains. Married for 12 years with a stepdaughter, Tammy got into alternative medicine in 2010. “My work is a way of life for me and an extension of who I am,” she says. To find out more, call/ WhatsApp 6172 8712 or email Tammy at tamarapeters07@yahoo.ie.

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LANTAU NEWS

Overjoyed with Garen’s outstanding results, YHKCC principal Dion Chen commended him for his, “incredibly positive attitude towards learning, his insatiable thirst for knowledge and the enormous amount of hard work and effort he has put in over the last few years.”

aving achieved straight A’s in 12 subjects in his IGCSE exams, Garen Arjun Gurung Regalado, 16, is the toast of his school of four years, YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College (YHKCC). His exceptional results are the best in the school’s history.

Now in Form Five, Garen is studying religious studies, history, business and biology at A level. He says, “I have my eye on Cambridge University due to its rigorous curriculum which demands the highest level of discipline.”

The 12 subjects Garen aced were chemistry, physics, biology, English, M a n d a r i n , Fre n c h , b u s i n e s s , e co n o m i c s , re l i g i o u s st u d i e s , maths, history and English literature. Economics was the subject he found most interesting due to its practical use and depth of knowledge, while the one he found hardest was physics.

Going forward, Garen’s work ethic is simple but inspiring. “I just work to the point where I feel satisfied with myself and my efforts, always ensuring that I maintain excellence and standards in all that I do,” he says.

Garen puts his achievement down to determination, admitting that in the lead-up to his exams he would study all the time. He does manage to hang out with friends, however, and is pictured here with two high-achieving classmates, Courtney Cowle and Julliane Mata.

OCTOBER EVENTS at a glance

www.ymcacc.edu.hk

8 LIFE ON LANTAU October / November 2018

www.lifeonlantau.com

YHKCC offers students a diverse cultural setting and a caring, dynamic, international teaching and learning environment. The school offers both HKDSE and English curricula (IGCSE and GCE A Levels). To know more, visit www.ymcacc.edu.hk.

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GIVEAWAYS

Here’s your chance to win great prizes!

WIN A TWO-HOUR GROUP SUP SESSION AND A BEACH LUNCH FOR FOUR AT TREASURE ISLAND

Life on Lantau prizes are incredibly easy to get your hands on, and you have until October 10 to apply. Simply scan the barcode, or go to www.lifeonlantau.com/giveaways, select the giveaway you want, and enter your details into the online form.

Treasure Island Group is offering one reader a twohour group SUP session and a beach lunch for four (worth HK$1,200) for use on a Saturday or Sunday.

Treasure Island Group has been at the forefront of outdoor education and team building since 1996. Revamped in summer 2018, the Treasure Island restaurant and bar in Pui O is open to the public on Friday evenings, weekends and public holidays. Recreation services, including water sports equipment hire, group lessons and full-service camping, are also available on weekends and public holidays. For more information, visit www.treasureislandhk.com. le-jardin-de-sophie.business.site

WIN A SUNDAY MIXED BARBECUE FOR TWO AT LE JARDIN DE SOPHIE Le Jardin de Sophie is offering one reader a Sunday mixed barbecue, with vanilla ice cream profiteroles and coffee for two, plus a bottle of Howard Park Flint Rock Shiraz (worth HK$1,000).

www.treasureislandhk.com

Le Jardin de Sophie, a newly opened French café in Lower Cheung Sha Village, enjoys a beautiful garden setting. Offering a selection of cold cut platters, French cheeses and pastries, the café also caters to private parties and events. Le Jardin de Sophie is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 9pm. For more information, visit le-jardin-de-sophie.business.site.

Congratulations to last issue’s winners Amanda Carrick and Fiona Altoft for tickets to see The Killers; and Charlie Monar for one month’s access to Buffalo Strength, plus a free personal training session.

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DISPATCH

Recreating

Lost Woodlands

Photos by Paul and River Melsom, and courtesy of Jenny Quinton

the

Lantau’s once great biodiversity continues to decline and deforestation is at the heart of the problem. Henry Benjamin reports

12 LIFE ON LANTAU October / November 2018

www.lifeonlantau.com

antau is one of the most beautiful parts of Hong Kong, although to the trained eye and mind all is not well. The hill fires and clearing of forests that stretches far back has the island’s plant and animal life teetering on a knife-edge. The destruction of its native forests is at the heart of the problem but there is still hope that Lantau can return to its glory days. Two long-time Lantau conservationists in particular, Ark Eden’s Jenny Quinton and Paul Melsom of Eagle Owl on Lantau, are determined to right the situation and increase islanders’ awareness of the problem. A vicious circle There are a number of reasons why Lantau is currently facing a biodiversity crisis, with nearly all of its primary forest lost over thousands of years. Clearing has long been an issue, and now there is the additional pressure caused by the demand for new developments and infrastructure projects. Hill fires, largely caused by the grave cleaning associated with the Ching Ming and Chung Yeung festivals, continue to cause damage to the countryside. “Awareness is growing, so we are seeing fewer fires,” 28-year Mui Wo resident Jenny says. “But still people go up with candles and incense and they leave them burning, with potentially catastrophic results. It’s very easy to start a fire. When I was first here, that’s what everyone did to clear a grave because nobody cared if the hillsides burnt down all the time. If you want to clear around a grave you just light a match and there are no repercussions.” While the government has attempted to reinvigorate the lost forests, earlier attempts saw too many non-native trees planted, which has affectively been detrimental when it comes to increasing native biodiversity. “In forests of planted non-native trees, you are unlikely to hear many insects or birds,” opens Mui Wo resident Paul. “Birds and insects won’t visit these ‘silent forests’ of non-native trees because they haven’t evolved with those species of tree and they can’t adapt fast enough to live off them. These alien forests have fruit that the birds can’t eat and leaves that the insects can’t feed on. “The degradation of the forests will actually accelerate because we are losing the animal seed dispersers and insect pollinators,”

A mighty indigenous Chinese Hackberry tree (Celtis sinensis) on the Mui Wo hills near Ark Eden

Jenny Quinton tree planting at Ark Eden with Peak School students www.lifeonlantau.com

October / November 2018

LIFE ON LANTAU 13



DISPATCH

Paul adds. “Forests are unable to spread and re-grow naturally. It’s a vicious circle, an accelerating cycle of degradation. We are continuing to lose more and more flora and fauna species.” Making a difference Jenny, a former teacher, has been involved in reforesting the hills behind Mui Wo for roughly 20 years. At Ark Eden, an eco-education and permaculture community, which she started 12 years ago, she runs nature-based camps, experiential workshops, courses and restorative projects. The aim is to educate people about conservation, preservation and sustainability. Through her work with Ark Eden, Jenny has planted many native trees (112 different species) with the help of student groups, religious groups and other volunteers.

Horticulturalist Paul Melsom of Eagle Owl on Lantau immersed in Mui Wo’s biodiverse native flora

“I never realised why the hills were bare and then I had an awakening when my house nearly burnt down,” she says. “Unbelievably, this nearly happened four times and I became... a crusader. Paul and I, our stories intertwine very much because it would be him and I on the hills with our homemade fire-beaters trying to stop these raging fires.” As a horticulturalist, Paul could see just how much the Lantau countryside was suffering. “Planting many species of native trees significantly enhances the biodiversity, reduces erosion and makes the hills more beautiful,” he says. “In the last decade, the government has been making much more of an effort to do this.”

Hill fires destroy many thousands of Lantau’s indigenous trees and plants

Paul recalls a watershed moment back in November 2004: “A huge hill fire burnt nearly 200 hectares of countryside between Mui Wo and Hong Kong Disneyland. The Civil Engineering Development Department proposed for this area to be planted with 1.5 million non-native trees. I couldn’t believe it,” he says. “Through top-level meetings in LEGCO with former environmentalist legislator Albert Chan Wai-yip, Professor Richard Corlett of the University of Hong Kong, and concerned NGOs, like WWF and Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG), we managed to awaken the government to plant 20% native trees on this project. That was a start at least! “More native trees are being planted nowadays, but still certain government departments need to embrace the importance of including species that are indigenous to Hong Kong in their projects,” Paul adds. Paul and Jenny can only do so much, and there are vast areas on Lantau that require the same love and care. “The area between Discovery Bay when you walk towards Tung Chung, it’s like being on the moon,” Jenny says. “The trees are literally falling down and being washed away.” Paul points out that the longer areas of land remain bare, the harder they become to reforest. “If we don’t have native trees to hold the soil in place then the soil is going to become lost and it is going to be increasingly more difficult to restore,” he says. “The hills are going to become poorer and poorer, eventually getting down to degraded granite and bedrock, which is a point of no return, a ground zero scenario.” 14 LIFE ON LANTAU October / November 2018

www.lifeonlantau.com



Brisbane Box, South Lantau, a ‘silent forest’ of non-native trees

DISPATCH Spreading the word Through Eagle Owl on Lantau, Paul holds tree-reforestation talks in schools and arranges forest fieldtrips for students, as well as volunteers. Inspired by KFBG’s contribution to native biodiversity in the New Territories, he is determined to enhance the biodiversity on Lantau. But he knows there needs to be a bigger-picture view taken to ensure sustainable reforestation. “In a perfect world, we would like to see more about trees and native ecosystems in school curriculums,” says Paul. “Children need an awareness of how important native forests are for Hong Kong’s future. If we lose the biodiversity, we are never going to get it back. And unfortunately, most people lack basic local ecological knowledge – they don’t appreciate the seriousness of the accelerating local flora and fauna extinctions. We need to save biodiversity for the long-term health of Hong Kong. By failing to do so, we are putting the survival of our own species at risk.” Through their years of conservation education, Jenny and Paul have established a real awareness among the community. Their work has ensured hill fires are far less frequent, and the biodiversity above Mui Wo has been significantly enhanced. “We’ve got fire-beater racks and fire breaks there,” Jenny says. “Lantau District Councillor Rainbow Wong was instrumental in having a stone path put in between Wang Tong Cemetery and Wo Tin village, and now there are uniformed personnel stationed there every Chung Yeung and Chung Ming. At least on those days, the people are very careful.

A native fragrant flowering Cape Jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)

“If we didn’t have the government authorities helping, none of this would have happened,” Jenny adds. “Many more systems have been put in place, the situation is so different now to what it was 20 years ago.” Despite this, there are still plenty of issues to overcome. The government is committed to reforestation but it appears to lack the manpower or resources to expand its ecological reforestation process. Nonetheless, Jenny and Paul remain hopeful and active. “I want people to understand what a treasure trove of biodiversity we have in Hong Kong, especially on Lantau, and how we must protect it,” Jenny says. “I want to see the students in schools and universities learning about our native trees and biodiversity, and getting out there and protecting it. To me, that would be the next big place that we need to get to. It would be amazing if we could actually do that.”

A native fruit-laden Daphniphyllum tree

FIND IT • Ark Eden, www.arkedenonlantau.org • Eagle Owl on Lantau, eagleowlonlantau1@gmail.com

If you spot smoke rising in the Lantau countryside or suspect you see a hill fire, call 999 immediately to alert the emergency services. 16 LIFE ON LANTAU October / November 2018

www.lifeonlantau.com

Barking deer are a rare sighting – their survival is dependent on the conservation of their habitat

SPONSORED CONTENT

Exciting new

UK partnership with Lantau kindergarten

isit Kind Hing Trinity International Kindergarten and Nursery (KHT) in Mui Wo, and the school’s mission is evident: To develop its students into leaders of the future who excel in communication and creativity, and care for themselves, their families, their communities and their world. Building on this, KHT is very excited about its new partnership with Ashville College UK, which formally began in September 2018. Director of Ashville Education Gareth Johnson explains more.

Photos courtesy of Kind Hing Trinity International Kindergarten and Nursery

How did the relationship between KHT and Ashville come about? I met KHT’s vice principal Sue Woods and the school’s management team during a visit to KHT in December 2017. We immediately forged a strong relationship, and I knew at that moment that this was the right school for us to work with. We are very excited about what the future holds for us as a team. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in education? I started out as a mathematics teacher and rugby coach at The Manchester Grammar School, before becoming head of mathematics at Millfield School in Somerset. I then became the academic deputy head at Ashville College, a position I held until January 2017, when I was appointed to the role of director of Ashville Education, responsible for all our overseas operations and projects. I work with some fantastic people from all over the world, and I thoroughly enjoy leading projects like this. What are your plans for the existing kindergarten? The fundamental key to success in the partnership will be collaboration. If we can develop and grow the best that both schools have to offer, we will create a truly excellent future together.

We are delighted that KHT has a creative arts specialism, and the ambition is to support the head in developing a continuous curriculum for three to 18-year-olds, with the first phase being the development of a junior school. We hope that this will be possible in the next 12 to 18 months. There is also potential to develop KHT as a centre of excellence for teacher training, by inviting colleagues from all over Hong Kong to join us in an educational leadership and management programme, similar to the one I run back in the UK. For the time being, the school will carry both Ashville and KHT logos, since it is a genuine partnership, and the Ashville crest bears the name Ashville International Kindergarten/ Nursery, Lantau Island. In your view, what makes Ashville College special? I have been working at Ashville for 11 years, and I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I have led and managed a talented teaching staff for most of that time as academic deputy head, which has been an absolute pleasure. And the most important part of Ashville – our pupils – are the politest and hardest-working children I have ever worked with. We also have over 50 years’ experience of teaching Hong Kong pupils who have been boarders with us, and many Ashvillians have gone on to have very successful careers in Hong Kong and across Asia. Can you tell us about the summer camps offered at Ashville College? The Ashville International Language School runs every year for two weeks in the summer holidays, and we welcome students aged 11 to 18 from all over the world to join us in our beautiful Harrogate campus. The camps offer an intense spoken-English programme and plenty of fun in the form of activities and excursions around Yorkshire.

For Ashville International Kindergarten/ Nursery enquiries, join the open day on October 13 from 10am to 1pm, email info@kht.edu.hk or visit www.kht.edu.hk. For Ashville College information, visit www.ashville.co.uk.

18 LIFE ON LANTAU October / November 2018

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PERSONA

n ing n u

Lantau runner, teacher, activist and mother Zein Williams somehow finds time for it all. Elizabeth Kerr reports

T Photos by Andrew Spires

here is no such thing as sitting down with Zein Williams for a quick cup of coffee. In her packed 38 years – 34 in Hong Kong – the Jordanian-born, UK-educated, Chinese literate, Cantonese-speaking, endurance-running mother of five has stockpiled countless stories and anecdotes that make time fly. She’s incredibly fit looking – wiry, not gaunt – decked out in what could be either running gear (which explains the lean fitness) or mother-wear. Three energetic girls sit at the next table, occasionally demanding attention. Zein bounces from subject to subject, from travel (“It’s all about the towels for me when I go to a hotel!”), to being precious about coffee (“I was going to ask ‘Regular milk, or something fancy?’ But I thought better not make fun of that yet.”), to philosophising about otherness. “When I went to England for university, for the first time I looked like most people, but I really felt alien,” she says, sounding curious rather than entitled. “I didn’t get the jokes, the culture. It went way over my head. And now I’m a foreigner here. It’s so weird.” The backstory

northern England’s cold climate. “My mum said to my dad one day, ‘Open the paper and apply for a job in the hottest country you can find.’ It just so happened they were looking to build the first Royal Cultural Centre in Jordan,” Zein explains. “Dad applied for stage manager and mum applied for costume designer.” The couple and three young boys promptly packed up and drove – yes, drove! – to Jordan, where Zein was born in 1980. “With five kids now, I don’t know how they did it,” marvels Zein of her parents’ gumption. Though they loved the Middle East, the Williams had their eyes on Hong Kong, a goal finally realised when Zein’s dad secured a gig at the (then) relatively new Hong Kong Arts Centre, and her mother work at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Discovery Bay was their first home, followed by Shek O. They’ve all stayed on. “No one wanted to leave,” Zein says with a smile. “My mum won’t go back to England.” The activism

A true third-culture kid, Zein landed in Hong Kong as a four-yearold, arriving here from Jordan where her theatre professional parents had based the family for a couple of years, largely to escape 20 LIFE ON LANTAU October / November 2018

the

www.lifeonlantau.com

Zein considers herself fortunate that her parents not only put her in a local public school (hence her Cantonese fluency) but that

“Mui Wo-based Zein is probably best known to Lantau readers as a runner – the one who’s been winning all the high-profile local races for years”

“Change can happen so quickly, and for so little cost,” Zein says, citing working toilets as an example of an easy, impactful fix. Menstruating teens in Hong Kong take the bathroom for granted, but not so in Nepal… “Nepalese girls miss a week of school every month, then they’re too embarrassed to explain why. Their grades drop, they drop out, and then they’re trafficked,” Zein explains, clearly flabbergasted. “By building a toilet you’re preventing trafficking.”

World Zein Williams with her eldest daughters Bella, Zoe and Skye

their adventurous spirit guided her childhood – and in many ways dictated her career path. “Growing up, my parents always took holidays in… the threelegged hotels we called them, the ones that were collapsing. We really saw a lot in the Middle East and in Asia,” she says. “By doing that you see the haves and the have-nots as well. As a kid you see it – you see the kid on the street with nothing. I wanted to understand that a bit more. I had an amazing development studies teacher during my IB programme and I decided I wanted to study that at university.” After graduating in development and economics at the University of Sussex, Zein connected with Douglas Maclagan’s Nepalbased Child Welfare Scheme (CWS). She spent a year teaching in Nepal, but was disheartened by the idea that she’d leave a vacuum when she left and wouldn’t really help solve any Nepalese education problems. At 23, Zein returned to Hong Kong and was convinced to work in fundraising at CWS’s Hong Kong office, largely because of the organisation’s commitment to action over just writing cheques. CWS focuses its work on education, empowering parents, skills training and job placement.

In her bid to create change, Zein has refused to be deskbound and, in fact, it was her work with CWS that first drew her to endurance running. In 2007, CWS chair Gordon Oldham convinced her to sign up for the Gobi March – the 4 Deserts/ Racing The Planet race for charity that covers 250 kilometres of the Gobi Desert – and that was it, a new passion was born. The running Mui Wo-based Zein is probably best known to Lantau readers as a runner – the one who’s been winning all the high-profile local races for years. She’s a regular competitor (and podium topper) at series like Action Sprint, HK Stairmaster, HK 50, King of the Hills, Lantau Vertical, LBC Valentines Race, MoonTrekker and Oxfam Trailwalker to name but a few. Zein’s running, though she’s slow to admit it, has often hit the headlines. Notably in 2015, when she became the first woman in Action Sprint series’ history to secure six wins in a row in two consecutive years, and in 2016, when she conquered the gruelling Lantau 2 Peaks in three hours 20 minutes. “There aren’t any other races in Hong Kong that have more than 2,000-metre elevation in 23 kilometres like Lantau 2 Peaks,” she says. For the past year or so, however, Zein has put her running career on the backburner, admitting that she finds simply “getting out of the house and going for a run a bit challenging.” Not surprising, when you consider that in addition to the girls in the coffee shop – 10-year-old Bella, Zoe, 7, and Skye, 5 – she has year-old twins Robbie and Tyler at home. These days, when Zein does run, she says, it’s simply to enjoy the trails and get some time out. “It’s escaping. I’m running away. It’s my sanity zone,” she jokes. “And because I have no social life now, it really is my social life.” www.lifeonlantau.com

October / November 2018

LIFE ON LANTAU 21



PERSONA

That said, race season is just about to start and, with Zein looking this fit, it’s doubtful she’ll be able to resist taking part. In one breath she says, “I’m going to take a break and just enjoy the trails.” In the next, she reveals that she’s considering entering November 10’s RUN Charity Race in Tai Tam, which raises funds for refugee aid organisation RUN (Rebuild, Unite and Nurture). “I was always into sports,” Zein muses. And it turns out she plays rugby too, which in a roundabout way was how she met her husband, banking counsel Garrett… in the notorious south stands during the Hong Kong Sevens. And more besides Whether or not she’s stepped back from competitive running, and CWS to a degree, Zein has plenty on her plate. This month, she’s focused on the Lamma Fun Day, which she helps organise on behalf of CWS and which all proceeds go to. Taking place on October 27, and now in its 18th year, the event kicks off with the Lamma8 charity run, followed by market stalls, food, music and activities for kids starting around noon. “It’s a day where the community comes together to donate time and goods,” Zein explains. “The day ends with music on the beach.”

Zein helps organise the Lamma Fun Day on October 27

Zein is doing all this while getting ready to head back to teaching full time after a 15-year detour. As a bonus, she’ll have the added challenge of switching from secondary to primary school. It sounds like a lunatic workload, but Zein doesn’t see it that way. “Because I love everything I do, it’s manageable,” she says. “Living on Lantau, it’s hard not to be optimistic,” she adds. “You look out and it’s beautiful. ‘Of course I can do it all! The key is making sure whatever you put on your plate is something you love.”

COMMENCEMENT OF PRACTICE

SPOTLIGHT

s t fi e s n d e n e B i r F Photos by Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com, and courtesy of Dr Anita Tomasov

with

“L

Are you looking to introduce a cat or dog into your life? Jane Drew uncovers some of the paybacks of pet ownership and asks if you’re up for the challenge

ots of research has been done on the many benefits of owning a pet,” opens Dr Anita Tomasov, owner and senior veterinary surgeon at Tung Chung Vet Centre. “For me the most important is that you get to experience unconditional love. A dog or cat is always happy to see you when you come home. They don’t care if you have no make-up on, are wearing old clothes, or just failed an exam. They love you for you.” While we all love to be loved, we also love to give love, and that is something pet owners can’t help but do. You get to love a pet in practical ways, you feed and nurture it and take it to the vet, and you get to lavish affection on it, rather as you do with a child. What’s more, pets make great companions. Most people admit to talking to their pets… and feeling understood.

All this is backed up by Friends With Benefits, a body of research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology in July 24 LIFE ON LANTAU October / November 2018

www.lifeonlantau.com

2011 by psychologists at Miami University and St Louis University in the US. The findings – that the emotional benefits of pet ownership can be equal to those of human friendship – are based on interviews with 370 people. Pet owners were found to have higher self-esteem and be more active than people without pets. They are also less likely to be lonely, ill or depressed. “Belongingness is considered a central need for people,” the psychologists said. “If pets are ‘psychologically close’ to their owner, they may provide well-being benefits for the owner just like any other person.” A pet is better than Prozac The emotional benefits of having a pet can translate into physiological ones as well. The Friends With Benefits study links pet ownership “to decreased pain transmission,” and reveals that the benefits of pet ownership can be especially pronounced in people older than 50.

Dr Anita Tomasov of Tung Chung Vet Centre

“An obvious physical benefit of owning a dog or a cat comes from the activity necessary to take care of it, such as playing with it or taking it for a walk,” says Anita. “But pet ownership can also help reduce stress levels, combat depression and even reduce blood pressure.” Do you find that the stresses of your day seem to vanish as soon as you get home to find your furry friend waiting for you? Well, you’re not imagining it. When you feel a surge of love – an immediate sense of attachment – your brain releases chemicals that reduce your breathing rate, blood pressure and anxiety level. In terms of mental health, taking care of a dog or a cat can provide a sense of purpose and a feeling of validation. Added to which, it’s almost impossible to feel lonely with a pet in the house. Animals simplify things too. If they are fed and loved, they give love in return. So, for some, a pet is better than Prozac. In fact, a 2015 study in Science revealed that oxytocin (one of the body’s feelgood chemicals) is boosted in both dog and human when a dog owner stares into the eyes of his dog. Studies have also shown that stroking a pet increases the levels of serotonin and dopamine in our bodies. A pet can help you stay married The Friends With Benefits study also reveals that pet owners are just as close to friends and family as they are to their animals. “We repeatedly observed evidence that people who enjoyed greater benefits from their pets also were closer to other important people in their lives and received more support from them, not less,” the psychologists said. Anita agrees, and goes so far as to say that early pet ownership can actually help people stay married. “If both spouses owned pets as a child, statistically they are less likely to divorce than spouses who

Kat Cheung of Hong Kong PAWS Foundation (PAWS)

grew up without pets. The theory is that learning empathy and body language from owning a pet when young gives adults the ability to read their partners.” Empathy isn’t the only thing kids learn from pet ownership, according to Anita. “They learn responsibility from feeding and looking after their pet. Research also suggests that children who grow up with animals are less likely to get sick and that pet owners generally make fewer trips to the doctor. “Lots of new parents are worried that having a pet around their new baby will increase the risk of allergies but the reverse is true,” Anita adds. “Studies have repeatably shown that exposure to pets during pregnancy and in the nursery leads to children having less allergies as they grow up.” How to adopt a pet For anyone thinking of homing a pet this year, some respected animal rescue groups are listed overleaf. Due to the closure of Protection of Animals Lantau South (PALS) this summer, Okka Scherer, who cares for abandoned dogs in her Pui O home, is the person to contact in Lantau. Hong Kong PAWS Foundation (PAWS), though not actually based in Lantau, runs weekly Adoption Days for both dogs and cats in DB Plaza. Headed up by Kat Cheung, PAWS works with local animal shelters to provide financial aid, animal-care consultation and rehoming services. When it comes to welcoming a pet into your family, Kat is adamant that adoption is the way forward. “Adopt an animal and you save a life,” she says. “Don’t buy from pet shops or breeders, while hundreds and thousands of animals are waiting for a home… or waiting to be euthanised.” www.lifeonlantau.com

October / November 2018

LIFE ON LANTAU 25



SPOTLIGHT Kat also advises that you choose a non-breed pet, and one that is indigenous to Hong Kong. “Go for character and not appearance,” she says. “Some breeds are hyperactive or disposed to a poor temperament. Cats and dogs ‘built’ for a cold climate will suffer in the heat without constant air-conditioning. “Responsible pet ownership involves time, effort and money,” Kat adds. “Consider your accommodation, your family members and your working schedule before bringing an animal home.” PAWS requires prospective owners to fill out a questionnaire to help them choose the right animal, and you can foster for a fortnight before committing to adopt. “It is a big decision to take the life of an animal into your hands – we want people to be absolutely sure about what they’re doing, so they can give the animal the care it deserves,” says Kat.

FIND IT

• • • • • • • •

Hong Kong Alley Cat Watch, www.hkalleycatwatch.com Hong Kong Dog Rescue, www.hongkongdogrescue.com Hong Kong PAWS Foundation, www.hkpaws.org Lifelong Animals Protection, www.lap.org.hk Okka Scherer, 9544 9181 Society for the Abandoned Animals, www.saa.org.hk Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, www.spca.org.hk Tung Chung Vet Centre, 2328 7282

PAWS Adoption Day in DB Plaza

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FITNESS

Paying a visit to South Lantau Paddle Club, James Allen finds out what makes paddle sports so popular in Hong Kong, and what paddling can do for your health and fitness goals

itting on a beach in Pui O, watching the South Lantau Paddle Club (SLPC) fighting furiously with the waves, it’s easy to see how a battle between man (or woman) and water can yield impressive fitness results. Chris Hewison and Douglas Kidd talk about their paddling experiences at the SLPC, and what they have learnt from spending hours out at sea. “At the SLPC, we do dragon boating, outrigger canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking,” opens Douglas. “Dragon boating and outrigger canoeing are the main two paddle sports.” Cutting through the water From a fitness perspective, it’s clear that dragon boating and outrigger canoeing both require twisting movements of the core and back, strong leg muscles for bracing, and impeccable timing to move the boat through the water as quickly and smoothly as possible. Douglas explains: “You want core and back strength, and you need strength in your arms, because it’s about locking out and pulling at the last part of the stroke. You want to strengthen your legs because you’re always supposed to be bracing in order to allow for that twist.”

Photos by Andrew Spires

But that’s basically where the similarities between dragon boating and outrigger canoeing end. Chris Hewison and Douglas Kidd

Dragon boating is an explosive, fast-paced paddle sport. Although a race will only last around 1 minute and 30 seconds, paddlers move a fully laden dragon boat from a dead stop to speeds of up to 14 kilometres per hour. Consider too that a full dragon boat, with 20 paddlers onboard, can weigh up to two tonnes – you’re looking at athletes with some serious muscle power.

“With dragon boating on the one extreme, you’re intensely one sided and intensely explosive,” Douglas adds. “Then with kayaking at the other extreme, you’re much more long distance, likely to be out for six or seven hours a day.”

With outrigger canoeing, it’s a different story. “The usual is a sixman boat, so it’s a much narrower, lighter boat,” explains Douglas. “In races it can be faster and smoother in the water than a dragon boat. For the canoes, there’s anything from 4- to 40- kilometre races.

Chris points out another interesting difference between the sports. “You can sort of hide in a dragon boat, particularly on the back seat. But in a kayak or outrigger canoe it’s all about you, it… separates the men from the boys pretty quickly.”

28 LIFE ON LANTAU October / November 2018

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David Ko, Linoy Kidd, Chris Hewison, Nicole Cowley, Zoe Vanderhoeven and Lucie Element

It’s impossible to say which sport is the more demanding physically but it could certainly be argued that dragon boating is less mentally taxing. “If you’re in an outrigger canoe, you need to read the water but if you’re a dragon boater, you can switch off entirely, put your head down and let the steersman take care of it,” Douglas says.

Aiming for all-round fitness

Land-based training

“Boxercise is a very good complement to on-water training,” says Douglas. “And you should do a lot of resistance training, band training, TRX training… core stuff as well. Engaging around an active core, rather than just moving your back, makes a huge difference to your stroke.”

Training for paddle sports presents its own set of challenges. Time of day, surf conditions and inclement weather can all get in the way of having a real paddle-based training session. While the SLPC paddlers aim to get out on the water every Saturday and Sunday morning, the club also organises land-based training sessions, plus Wednesday-night training at the Pui O basketball court. “I would say three quarters of the club are new, so we’ve started a lot more land-based training not only to up the general fitness of the entire club, but also to refocus on technique,” three-season club veteran Chris says. “I think this is the first season where we’re really getting that technique.” “I’ve been here for two seasons,” says Douglas, “and in my first season, I was getting tingling down my shoulders because I was trapping nerves as I built muscle. This season, I feel I have a stroke that is far, far better. It’s genuinely a full-body stroke. It’s coming from my feet, it’s moving through my hips, through the twist… it makes a heck of a difference and it pulls everything forwards.” Talking about the number of new members at the club, Chris adds, “If you join a mature club where everyone has a lot of experience and you’re the only newbie, it becomes a difficult learning experience, because you’re not learning as a team. Whereas this time round, most of the training sessions that go out, I think at least half the boat are in their first season. That’s a real plus when you’re starting out.”

SLPC training sessions include core-based exercises, drills to improve cardiovascular fitness, and exercises to strengthen and tone the leg muscles that are constantly in play during races.

Paddlers need to build up their cardio strength, particularly for dragon boating. “There is that burst at the beginning, so you need deep power for that but also to keep going all the way through the race,” Chris says. “If you’re using your arms a lot and improving your technique but you don’t have that cardiovascular fitness, your arms soon die and your whole body is dead halfway through the race.” Of course, fitness levels can always be improved, and the SLPC never turns a wannabe paddler away. “But you can’t expect to come out and do a lot of paddling without any complementary exercise. You can’t expect to improve,” says Chris. “Part of the advantage of having done several seasons is that you’ve built up your muscles and worked out how to engage them. In the first season, you do it all with your arms. The big change the club made was the land-based training, and many of us go to the gym outside of that.” “We are looking for all-round fitness,” Douglas concludes. “Paddling is a complement to it but it will never do you any good if it’s the only thing you’re doing.” You can contact South Lantau Paddle Club at southlantaupaddleclub@gmail.com. www.lifeonlantau.com

October / November 2018

LIFE ON LANTAU 29

LANTAU FACES

e ould lik If you w tured os fea t o h p your to see email page, is h t on m.hk dia.co e m y a a@b katrin

COMMUNITY SNAPS SunTrekker saw runners cover 18 kilometres of the Lantau Trail for fun on September 2 Find more familiar faces @ www.lifeonlantau.com

Photos courtesy of SunTrekker

30â&#x20AC;&#x192; LIFE ON LANTAU October / November 2018

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Attendees enjoyed dolphin watching, SUPing, beach cleaning and barbecueing at Dolphin Quest on September 8

Find more familiar faces @ www.lifeonlantau.com

Photos courtesy of Dolphin Quest www.lifeonlantau.com

October / November 2018

LIFE ON LANTAUâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 31

LANTAU FACES

COMMUNITY SNAPS

Locals had a fun day under the sun at Treasure Island's Summer Beach Party on August 19 Find more familiar faces @ www.lifeonlantau.com

e ould lik If you w tured os fea t o h p your to see email page, is h t n o m.hk dia.co e m y a a@b katrin

Photos courtesy of Treasure Island

32â&#x20AC;&#x192; LIFE ON LANTAU October / November 2018

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LOCAL NUMBERS COMMUNITY SERVICES Tung Chung Man Tung Road Sports Centre Tung Chung Public Library Tung Chung Public Swimming Pool

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34 LIFE ON LANTAU October / November 2018

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ART & CULTURE Flanhardt Galerie und Atelier (FGUA)

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RETAIL INSIDE Quay House VIBE Book & Music Shop

2890 8606 2882 8710 2984 9371

SPORT & RECREATION Lantau Base Camp Long Coast Seasports Pause by the River - pilates ∙ yoga ∙ dance Treasure Island Group

5463 6060 2980 3222 9708 0187 2546 3543

TRANSPORT New Lantau Bus Company

2984 9848

USEFUL NUMBERS Alcoholics Anonymous Phoenix Wills

9073 6922 6108 8471

VETERINARY SERVICES SPCA Mui Wo

2984 0060

DISCOVERY BAY

SOUTH LANTAU

LOCAL NUMBERS COMMUNITY Club Siena DB Recreation Club DB Fire & Ambulance DB Marina Club DB Management

2987 7382 2987 7381 2987 7502 2987 9591 2238 3601

EDUCATION DBIS Kindergarten DBIS Primary School Discovery College Discovery Mind International Play Centre Discovery Mind Kindergarten Discovery Mind Primary School, North Plaza Discovery Montessori Academy, North Plaza Discovery Montessori School, North Plaza Epic Adventurers , North Plaza Eye Level Education Learning Centre, North Plaza Mandarin for Munchkins, North Plaza Mathnasium, North Plaza SKH Wei Lun Primary School Sunshine House International Preschool Zhi Zhi Chinese

2914 2142 2987 7331 3969 1000 2987 8088 2987 8088 2914 2202 2812 9206 2987 1201 2441 0098 9366 0000 2480 3909 2628 3362 2987 8608 2987 8143 9648 2966

FOOD & RESTAURANTS 22˚ North Coyote Mexican Cantina Epic Foods, North Plaza Gilmore’s by the Golden Pig, North Plaza Hemingway’s McSorley’s Ale House The Pier Bar Uncle Russ, North Plaza

2987 2298 2987 2848 2172 6111 2662 9168 2987 8855 2987 8280 2520 2166 2840 1188

HEALTH & BEAUTY Afflatus Hair Workshop, North Plaza Maximum Care Nailed It!

2987 0283 2987 2060 2987 2266

MEDICAL Bayside Dental Practice, North Plaza DB Medical Centre Health and Care Dental Clinic Island Health Quality Health Physiotherapy

2987 0855 2987 5633 2666 6183 2987 7575 2473 6200

RETAIL Bookazine P-Solution Wing On Star Mart, North Plaza

2987 1373 2987 1777 2987 9268 2366 6534

SPORT & RECREATION DB Pirates Greenwich Vinyasa, North Plaza HK Dragons Football Club Harry Wright International Island Dance Kapuhala Train-in-Space, North Plaza Yoga Bay, North Plaza Yoga Up, North Plaza

2517 8248 9685 8366 5322 5556 2575 6279 2987 1571 6101 8434 6704 9851 8197 5591

TRANSPORT Passenger Telephone Hotline

2987 0208

PROPERTY LISTINGS AND BOATS Headland Homes Okay.com Savills Hong Kong

2987 2088 2102 0888 2987 1919

USEFUL NUMBERS Alcoholics Anonymous Auberge Discovery Bay Hotel, North Plaza Island Veterinary Services

9073 6922 2295 8288 2987 9003

www.lifeonlantau.com

October / November 2018

LIFE ON LANTAU 35

PUZZLER

7 24 17 17 11 11 8 8 5 5 16 16 10

CAN YOU23CRACK7 THE CODE? 17 10 23 9 17

15 10

6 24

10 14

19 8

8 11

14 16

16 15

8 18

4 15

6 18 10 8

16 9

1617 16 10 14 8 9

10 5

9 9

9 10

15 15

13 22

17 10

15 22

22 19

15 15

17 22

22 14 14 6

917

6 17

21 10

198

15 9

5 5 7

178

14 13

8 16 19 19 14 198

10 8 22 19

1119 25 22

26 26

13 1813

12 17 22

1110

13 18 10 22

25 20 14

22 16 17 1519 10 24 13

17 6

6 17

8 22 5

510

10 15

14 14

13 10

I I I

15 14

5 18

D6 7 DD 20 19

1516 16 17 17 1818 1919

23 concentration and overall brain power. Can you fill this 17 9x9 grid with numbers so that each row, column and 3x3

17 section contain all of the digits between 1 and 9? 19

22 8 5

138

14 6

817

19 13

1515 13

14 6 8

20 20

21 21 21

K L M NO P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

22 10 8

K L M NO P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

9 1517

I J

SUDOKU BRAIN GAME

G H

17 23 Sudoku is an excellent brain game, improving

A B C D E F 2

5 2

K L M NO P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

9 4

I J I J

G H

A B C D E F

10 13 2210

9 17

10 1715 15 10

15 114 109 24

179

8 5

10 10

2 9

9 12

18 16

10 9

19 10 13

22 8

13 8

195 26 17 1613 1712 10 13 10

22 19

11 14 22

25 15

16 13 14 13 6 14 5 8 22 1917 16

14 19

17 19

16 13 14

11 14 5

22 17 16 10

22 14

9 10 25

14 16

10 22

10 15

10 10 13

14 9 8 6 8

18 14 19 9

4 4

8 15 14 17 10 9 In this 26 Code 22 Cracker, letters have been replaced by numbers, and 16 each 23 26 represents 22 8 the15same 14 letter 17 throughout 10 the grid. 9 You’ve been 16 number 15 19 4 7 22 14 13 13 10 22 given a few pre-determined letters, use these to decipher the code.

16 615

2222 2323 24 2425 2526

3 4

17 12

1 KAKURO LOGIC PUZZLE

A Kakuro puzzle consists of a blank grid with sum-clues to help you fill in the missing numbers. Can you fill all the empty squares using the numbers 1 to 9, so that the sum of each horizontal block equals the clue on its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the clue on its top?

3 23 17

10 24 11

23 25

16 22 12 6

12 6 24 11

24 17 10 13

10 23 23 3

10 9 16 23

24 8 10 3

3 3

16 23

28 10 3

16 20

10 16

10 13 16

FIND THE SOLUTIONS AT

WWW.LIFEONLANTAU.COM/LIFE-ON-LANTAU-ARTICLES/PUZZLER-SOLUTIONS

GET THOSE SYNAPSES sizzling

3 11 10 25 3

8 3 18 24

3 16 30

11 23 19

23 8 23 3

22 23 16 13 4

16 11 10 4

3 10 23 10

14 24

6 16 23 13

19 23 20

4 18 8

24 14 10

30 10

Two-year Lantau resident Trisha Hughes is an ardent puzzler. She is also a crime fiction writer, and the author of the best-selling memoir Daughters of Nazareth. Trisha’s V2V trilogy traces the British Monarchy from the Vikings through to Elizabeth The Virgin Queen and Queen Victoria, and back again. For more on Trisha, visit www.trishahughesauthor.com.

36 LIFE ON LANTAU August October//September November 2018 www.lifeonlantau.com

n a i d In e uc isin THE BEST

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