December 2020/ January 2021
ENZO HILAIRE STAR OF THE VOICE KIDS (FRANCE)
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: WHERE TO EAT, DRINK, SHOP AND HANG OUT HIKING THE SOUTH LANTAU COUNTRY TRAIL TURKEY LEFTOVERS 3 WAYS
NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS
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CONTENTS FEATURES
December 2020 / January 2021
12 PERSONA Enzo Hilaire reveals how he made it to the finals in The Voice Kids (France)
16 XMAS SUPPLEMENT Home for the holidays: Where to eat, drink, shop and hang out
26 WALKABOUT Discover the South Lantau Country Trail with a special route up from Pui O
30 HOME CHEF Three leftover Christmas turkey recipes to make in minutes
36 MOMENTS Read an excerpt from Papaya Tree by Orchid Bloom
16
Philippe Joly getting festive at the China Bear, Mui Wo
REGULARS
04 LANTAU NEWS
08 OUT & ABOUT
07 GIVEAWAYS
33 CLASSIFIEDS
December 2020/ January 2021
ON THE COVER
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NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS
IN
TURKEY LEFTOVERS 3 WAYS
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For the latest Life on Lantau updates
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Photo by Duey Tam
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HIKING THE SOUTH LANTAU COUNTRY TRAIL
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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: WHERE TO EAT, DRINK, SHOP AND HANG OUT
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KIDS (FRANCE)
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STAR OF THE VOICE
YOUR GUIDE TO HONG KONG’S ‘GREEN JEWEL’
FR
To read the cover story, turn to page 12
ENZO HILAIRE
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Enzo Hilaire in Cheung Sha
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34 LOCAL NUMBERS
2019 / 2020
It’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas! DB kids are in for a treat on St Nicholas Day!
Origami Santas and parols to make at home Brownie Guides doing a good turn every day Eco-friendly Xmas tips from Plastic Free Seas Shout out to the Cathay Dragon community
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WHAT’S HAPPENING ISLAND WIDE
PUBLISHER Philip Jay MANAGING EDITOR Rachel Ainsley rachel@baymedia.com.hk ASSISTANT EDITOR Elizabeth Jerabek elizabeth@baymedia.com.hk DIGITAL MANAGER Jan Yumul jan@baymedia.com.hk ART DIRECTION Terry Chow terry@baymedia.com.hk
Dolphin numbers are up in Lantau waters
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Duey Tam duey@baymedia.com.hk
THE PINK DOLPHINS ARE BACK!
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OPERATIONS MANAGER Amber Kahu amber@baymedia.com.hk PHOTOGRAPHERS Terry Chow terry@baymedia.com.hk Duey Tam duey@baymedia.com.hk
Dr Lindsay Porter, a senior research scientist at SMRU (Hong Kong), was conducting regular marine surveys shortly after Hong Kong and Macau closed their borders when she noticed large numbers of the dolphins.
CONTRIBUTORS Orchid Bloom Elizabeth Kerr Jason Pagliari
“It was the last week in February, literally the week after the high-speed ferries stopped travelling between Hong Kong and Macau,” she says. “I’ve been studying these dolphins since 1993 and I’ve never seen anything like this before; the only thing that had changed is 200 ferries stopped travelling.
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“The dolphins are spending much more time socialising, splashing around on the surface, and there’s quite a bit of foreplay, quite a bit of sex. Hong Kong dolphins normally live on the edges, they’re stressed, they spend their time eating and resting. So to see them playing… to see them having a good time, that was really great.”
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It is estimated that the number of pink dolphins off the shores of Hong Kong has dropped from 158 in 2003 to approximately 30 today. “Numbers have been falling steadily for many years due to overfishing, pollution, boat traffic, habitat loss and net entanglement,” Lindsay confirms.
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esearchers say that with the reduction in water traffic resulting from the pandemic, pink dolphin numbers in the waters off Lantau have risen by 30% since March.
“Vessels make the underwater environment very noisy, impairing the dolphins’ ability to communicate by sound. And as noise levels rise, they can be so loud the dolphins’ hearing can be permanently damaged. In addition, shipping lanes bisect the habitat, fragmenting the dolphin population into smaller units, and vessels can run into dolphins causing injury or death.” Lindsay’s team is partnered with WWF Hong Kong, and she says the NGO has costed permanently detouring the high-speed ferries away from the area at just an “extra few dollars” per passenger.
LANTAU NEWS
WOULD-BE PETS RESCUED FROM MAINLAND SMUGGLERS
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he latest in a recent spate of cross-border animal smuggling activities was halted when more than 40 kittens and puppies were seized aboard a speedboat following a high-speed chase with police in Lantau waters in November.
It’s thought that the smugglers had been forced to deliver the animals across the border by sea because of the closure of major border checkpoints under the pandemic. The would-be pets, none of whom had identification microchips, were likely bought online before being smuggled from the mainland to buyers in the city.
The 26-foot long speedboat was found docked at the Tung Chung New Development Pier, where it had been abandoned by six mainland smugglers who fled on foot. Officers scouted the area, but no arrests were made. More than 30 boxes of illicit cigarettes valued at HK$1.1 million were also seized by police officers in the early hours of November 9.
The animals were found caged but unharmed. While all nine puppies were poodles, the kittens were of various equally bankable breeds – Ragdoll, Russian Blue, Chinchilla, British Shorthair, Scottish Fold, American Shorthair and Bengal. None of the animals were thought to be more than two months old. After being rescued, the kittens were taken to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals headquarters in Wanchai, the nine puppies were placed in the charge of officers from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
The animals were all expensive breeds
While animal smuggling is rare in Hong Kong, it is said to be expanding as a business amid the pandemic. According to recent police reports, many owners – believed to be mainland Chinese working or studying abroad – have paid up to 40,000 yuan each to have their pets smuggled back to them on their return home.
SAVING THE WETLANDS FOR THE BUFFALO
Photos courtesy of www.unsplash.com & Martin Lerigo
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n elderly woman was injured by a charging buffalo in Pui O in late September, provoking villagers and concern groups to criticise the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for mismanagement of the herd. The 82-year-old Ham Tin resident required stitches – six to her head and three to each hand – on arrival in hospital after the incident.
Earlier that month, villagers had expressed their concern about the buffalo to the AFCD because he was destroying their crops. Shap Long resident Jean Leung, who has been caring for the herd since 2009, called for him to be desexed because he was always fighting other buffalo. The AFCD is responsible for managing the herd and while much good work has been done over the years, there is still a lack of any strategic plan for their future or any proper protection for their habitat. Loss of habitat resulting from ongoing degradation of the wetlands, some sanctioned by the government, some illegal, is already having an effect. Buffalo have to wander further afield, including along the increasingly busy South Lantau Road and into the Pui O villages, to find food. Loss of habitat forces the buffalo into closer proximity with
The AFCD is responsible for managing the herd
humans, both local people and visitors, increasing the likelihood of an incident. Overwhelmingly docile and friendly, buffalo can present a danger when hungry or when fighting amongst themselves, simply because they become oblivious to anything in their path. Concern groups continue to call for the government to protect the Pui O wetlands, Hong Kong’s last remaining buffalo habitat. “The logical solution would be for the government to buy back the land and treat the wetlands as a special conservation area,” Jean says. “If the government had the will, they could also look at land swaps or a managed land leasing scheme which have been tried elsewhere.” www.lifeonlantau.com December 2020 / January 2021
LIFE ON LANTAU 5
LANTAU NEWS
WHAT’S HOT LANTAU SINGERS
C
atching a performance by community choristers The Lantau Singers is a highlight of every holiday season, and the 17-strong group has two events already scheduled for 2020 – at the Mui Wo Ferry Pier on December 9, and on Cheung Sha Beach on December 13. Singing at the Mui Wo Ferry Pier in the lead-up to Christmas has become a special tradition for the choir. They sing as the gates open, with commuters often joining in to sing carols before heading home. “We’ve been rehearsing hard for the Christmas concerts,” says choir director Sui Ming Chu. “And this year we’re hoping to do something different – hiring a Lantau bus, and singing all the way from Mui Wo through Cheung Sha and Tong Fuk to Tai O.” With Christmas just around the corner, every Wednesday evening finds the choir rehearsing hard at Silvermine Bay School in Mui Wo. “We are active; in fact, very active,” says Sui Ming. “We’ve been recruiting, our rehearsals are outdoor and socially distanced, and we managed to perform at The Stoep at High Tide and at the Mui Wo Ferry Pier in June.”
Photos courtesy of Sui Ming Chu, Gary Brightman & commons.m.wikimedia.org
The Lantau Singers is open to anyone who would like to join, and newcomers are welcome. No previous experience is necessary (you don’t even have to be able to read music) and there are no auditions. To join the choir and for updates on its Christmas event schedule, visit The Lantau Singers Facebook page.
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ump on the Inter-Island Ferry and make your way between Cheung Chau, Chi Ma Wan, Mui Wo and Peng Chau to take part in the Inter-Island Festival running from December 4 to 6. Organised by Peng Chau residents Myriem Alnet, Chan Chun-kit and Yip Kai-chun, the festival brings together local performers, experts and artists, with activities going on at the four locations concurrently, and scheduled to match ferry times as you island hop. The idea is to celebrate the unique character of the outlying islands, specifically Lantau, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau, by introducing festivalgoers to the vibrant art forms and traditions that have evolved there over time. “We want to bring everyone together to appreciate, defend and further develop this character,” Myriem explains, while drawing attention to the developmental and environmental threats that pose a threat to traditional island life.
Free books for helpers at VIBE
Gary has also been busy giving away free books to domestic workers. He plans to keep this scheme in place through January 2, longer if it proves popular. Domestic workers can pick out a maximum of six books (chick lit, romance, fiction) from a special selection of 400+. “I see myself as a community service and we are going through tough times with COVID-19. As employers leave Hong Kong, helpers are losing work and need our support,” Gary says. “Books can be sold on, sent home or used personally – whatever the helper likes.” To find out more, visit www.vibehk.com. 6 LIFE ON LANTAU
INTER-ISLAND FESTIVAL
“You may look forward to activities ranging from workshops and performances to tours but do not expect them to be big and loud,” Myriem adds. “We plan for activities that blend with the insular life and hope you can embrace their subtlety with us.” To find out more, visit interislandfestival.live/Home.
THE RIGHT VIBE
t’s been an amazing year for Mui Wo-based VIBE Book and Music Shop, with owner Gary Brightman claiming not to have closed for a day. Flying in the face of COVID-19, Gary’s been producing podcasts, getting albums made, and continuing to organise book talks and jamming sessions for local residents and artists.
The Lantau Singers at The Stoep at High Tide in Mui Wo in June
December 2020 / January 2021
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The Inter-Island Ferry
Here’s your chance to win great prizes!
WIN AN AUTO SPARKLING WATER MACHINE FROM SODAMAGIC
GIVEAWAYS
Life on Lantau prizes are incredibly easy to get your hands on, and you have until December 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.
SodaMagic is offering one reader a free ‘Auto’ sparkling water machine (worth HK$980); the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys making their own sparkling water and flavoured carbonated beverages. With a SodaMagic sparkling water machine, you can carbonate your tap water, and personalise it to your taste, in seconds. The new Auto model benefits from ‘one push and automatic stop’ functionality – simply push the start button once and the machine will stop automatically when finished. SodaMagic’s sparkling water machines are stylish and modern, and guaranteed to fit the look of all kitchens. For more information, visit www.sodamagic.hk.
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OUT & ABOUT
LANTAU EVENTS Since early April, more than 80 ghost nets have been cleared from the Lantau coastline between Tung Wan Tau and Man Kok Wan. The nets have been left or lost in the ocean by fishermen and pose a threat to marine life. On September 27, locals gathered at a clean-up event organised by Living Islands Movement and Eco Marine to remove more nets. Find more familiar faces @ www.lifeonlantau.com
Photos courtesy of Keilem Ng
To see your photos featured on this page, email duey@baymedia.com.hk
Over the weekend of October 17, the non-profit Mui Wo+ organised a community market event in Mui Wo featuring arts-andcrafts workshops and a variety of booths selling everything from craft beer and pet supplies to homemade food and skincare products. Find more familiar faces @ www.lifeonlantau.com
Photos by Duey Tam
8  LIFE ON LANTAU
December 2020 / January 2021
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Tung Chung climate activist Lance Lau, 11, organised a family-friendly clean-up of the Tung Chung Bay mangroves on October 25. Despite being close to so much development, Tung Chung Bay is still a precious habitat for Hong Kong wildlife. Find more familiar faces @ www.lifeonlantau.com
Photos by DFN Studios
www.lifeonlantau.com December 2020 / January 2021
LIFE ON LANTAU  9
OUT & ABOUT
LANTAU EVENTS On October 24, Marcy’s Lantau in Mui Wo hosted a pumpkin carving competition to get islanders in the mood for Halloween. Free pumpkins were provided by the store and there was a community vote to pick the winners. Find more familiar faces
@ www.lifeonlantau.com
Photos by Elizabeth Jerabek & Jesse Pyeatt
To see your photos featured on this page, email duey@baymedia.com.hk
The annually anticipated Treasure Island Group Halloween Beach Party went ahead on October 30 this year. A movie and disco for the kids was followed by an adults-only after-party with a DJ on the decks. Find more familiar faces @ www.lifeonlantau.com
Photos by Terry Chow
10  LIFE ON LANTAU
December 2020 / January 2021
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Students, parents and teachers enjoyed some Halloween fun and games on October 31 at the Little Lantau Montessori School Ghouls Day Carnival. The event was held on Cheung Sha Beach and saw HK$21,000 raised for the school. Find more familiar faces
@ www.lifeonlantau.com
Photos by Duey Tam www.lifeonlantau.com December 2020 / January 2021
LIFE ON LANTAU  11
PERSONA
n a C Kid
w o l F
Just back from tearing up The Kids Voice France, 12-yearold rapper Enzo Hilaire could well be Hong Kong’s next great export. Elizabeth Kerr reports
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here’s a kid from Cheung Sha sitting on the patio of Starbucks in DB North Plaza one warm, sunny afternoon – warm, but cooler and drier than in the past few months. He’s got a bushy shock of tight curls that make him look like a rock star, but he’s wearing the functional duds of school football practice. As it turns out he is a budding rock star, or to be more precise, rap star. And at 12 years old, Enzo Hilaire is just about the right age to start a career in these youthful, TikTok/ Instagram hero days. He’s a step ahead of the game too: he’s just returned from a stint on The Voice Kids France, which hit French airwaves in the autumn.
Photos by Duey Tam
Toast of The Voice As clearly driven as the Year 7 Discovery College student is, it was The Voice Kids’ casting team that recruited him, after seeing some of his performances on – what else? – YouTube (see for yourself at www.youtube.com/enzothesinger/videos). A Skype audition got him an invitation to the blind auditions in Paris and a chance at glory. You can watch the show which includes short documentaries about Enzo shot in Hong Kong at www.tf1.fr replay. 12 LIFE ON LANTAU
December 2020 / January 2021
Enzo made it all the way to The Voice Kids finals on October 10, and he describes his time on the show with infectious enthusiasm. “It was incredible,” he says. “I learnt so many new vocal capabilities, and so many new techniques. It was an amazing journey and experience. “The best bit was at the blind auditions when Soprano turned round,” Enzo adds. “It was so magical and it was incredible to know that all my hard work had paid off.” While on The Voice, Enzo got to meet a lot of famous French musicians, many of whom he describes as his idols. “I’d say my favourite was Soprano because he gave me loads of extremely important advice,” he says. “One of them was not to start very energetic in the rap. Like start very slowly, then get a bit more energetic as the song starts to go. Then climb the mountain. “I was very nervous, especially in the blind auditions, the first step,” Enzo adds frankly. “I was actually considering like… failing, not because I didn’t want to do it but because I was so nervous. My legs were literally trembling. I’ve never had that feeling before.”
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“The best bit was at the blind auditions when Soprano turned round. It was so magical and it was incredible to know that all my hard work had paid off”
And how did Enzo gel with the other contestants? Did everybody get along? “We became best friends. I think because we all have the same creativity and the same musical mindset,” Enzo says, adding with a chuckle: “We all think the same.” Industry veteran When we meet, Enzo’s just out of home quarantine after returning from Paris, which he’s thankful for. He’s not keen on the idea of one of those government quarantine centres. “It’s like jail, basically,” he jokes. Despite the fact that The Voice is a singing competition, Enzo thinks he knows why the show pursued him. “I’m a singer and a rapper,” he points out. “They wanted something different from just singers.” Enzo comes across as wise beyond his years, a bundle of barely contained ambitious energy, and he already sounds like an industry veteran. He knows he wants a career in music. He’s already writing and producing his own music – “hip-hop inflected pop” – and he hints at future projects with big names in the music industry that are being considered in the wake of his success. He can’t name names, but he plays it off like a pro. Suggest he’s so young to be wrapped up in all this and he chuckles.
www.lifeonlantau.com December 2020 / January 2021
LIFE ON LANTAU 13
PERSONA
“I think [12] is actually old. I sta r ted s i n g i ng a n d dancing when I was two,” he recalls. He rolls his eyes in horror at the thought of old videos and material of him singing when he was around four. “I was terrible. I didn’t know anything about singing back then,” he says. “At 10, I started to turn it around a bit, and even more now. But it takes so long to get anything done I feel old now.” Amusing as it is to anyone over, oh, 21, that a first-year secondary schooler could feel old, it’s best to bear in mind how youth-driven the modern music industry is. Justin Bieber is 26 years old and has been a pop star half his life. Enzo’s a fan of The Biebs – check his superb cover of Lonely on YouTube. “Justin Bieber is incredible, especially now he’s changed his style,” Enzo says. “He’s a pretty big inspiration. Lonely is a song that touched me immediately.”
Enzo cites influences that include genre titans Jay-Z and Tupac Shakur, Travis Scott and Chance the Rapper, who he likes for his “realism.” But his favourite rapper if he had to pick one? “I’d have to say Eminem because without Eminem I wouldn’t be on The Voice, I wouldn’t be nowhere,” he says. “He’s the one who really motivated me to start rapping.” Enzo’s not a fan of the newer generation of rappers like Lil Pump and Lil Wayne, who he sees as all flash-and-dash, with no content. And he takes a cautious pass on the sad stuff, rap music that makes people cry. “I wouldn’t say happy exactly but I like music that’s energetic, jumping, where there’s a vibe to it.” He sang Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore at the blinds, and Uncover by Zara Larsson in the finals. Enzo is very definite about preferring to rap in English than in French, in fact he giggles when I ask him that question. And he loves playing the guitar. “My nerves go away a bit when I’m with my guitar because I feel like it’s protecting me, I feel like it’s my shield,” he says. “When I’m singing by myself, I’m a bit more nervous because it’s just me, my voice. And I feel like with the guitar there’s more excuses.” Enzo’s dad used to play the guitar and sing a bit in a band, and both his parents are thrilled by his success. “My parents love it. They think I’m special,” Enzo says. “Without them I’m nothing. They’re the reason why I’m this far on my musical journey.”
Enzo’s thrown by the fact that this writer (another Canadian person) doesn’t really rate the Ontario-born singer. “But you’re from Canada,” he comments, fully perplexed. I ask if he digs French superstar Charles Aznavour and he stops cold. “Oh, yeah. No.” Musical prodigy Enzo was born in France to Francois, a pilot, and Moroccan-French mum Fatima, but landed in Macau at six months, living there until the family relocated to Cheung Sha when he was seven. “I was sad when we left Macau because all my friends were there,” he says. “Lantau’s quite different. But once we moved here, I got to like it more.” Finally discovering rap probably helped him get comfortable too. Though he got distracted by football at age six (his second career choice), a few years back Enzo ‘stole’ his older brother Romain’s (now 14) guitar and started playing music. It was around the same time he developed an ear for rap music, also thanks to Romain. He was eight. “My brother used to listen [to it] all the time. I wasn’t interested until I heard rap battles,” Enzo says (for you fogeys out there, check out 8 Mile).
14 LIFE ON LANTAU
December 2020 / January 2021
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XMAS GUIDE TO LANTAU
Home for the holidays Photos by Duey Tam & Terry Chow
Where to eat, drink, shop and hangout
16  LIFE ON LANTAU
December 2020 / January 2021
www.lifeonlantau.com
M
any of us are used to heading overseas during the Christmas break, whether to visit family and friends ‘back home’ or simply to chase some sun (or snow), but this year we’re staying put with an eye to enjoying the festivities right here. The good news is that with Citygate decked out like a Christmas tree and poinsettias brightening up every flower stall, it’s surprisingly easy to enjoy a traditional celebration in Lantau. You can find out exactly how in the following pages. If carolling is what you’re after, the Lantau Singers has a number of performances planned in South Lantau over the holidays, notably at the Mui Wo Ferry Pier on December 9. And on Christmas Eve, if you book yourself a table at the Regal’s Café Aficionado, students from YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College will be there to serenade you. In fact, when it comes to making merry, we’re very well catered to in Lantau. Bars and restaurants from Tung Chung to Tai O are pulling out all the stops this year with fancy cocktails to get the party started and festive menus complete with all the trimmings. Turn to pages 18 and 23 for our top picks. Lantau’s leading hotels also ‘do’ Christmas very well. Whether you want to splash out on a full-blown winter staycation or simply enjoy some of the Xmas-themed fine dining opportunities and activities on offer, there’s no better time to treat yourself – and your family – to a little luxury. We’ve outlined what’s happening at hotels across the island on page 22. And here’s one for your diary: You can enjoy free-flow mulled wine over dinner at the Novotel’s Essence from December 22 to 27. If entertaining (small groups) at home is more your idea of holiday fun, Lantau’s gourmands have you covered. Find out where to go for delicious cakes – and wine – on page 19. Top tip: Solomon Leeder of Leeder Quay Wines in Mui Wo suggests you pair Boplaas Cape Tawny NV, a South African port-style wine, with any sweet Christmas treats or desserts. Last but not least, Lantau retailers can help you out with those last-minute stocking fillers and under-the-tree presents. Turn to page 24 for a great selection of gifts from the likes of Lantau Ren, My Island Home and Big Island Bars. You’ll also want to head to a couple of the Xmas markets being held island-wide this month. We look forward to seeing you at the Inter-island Festival, December 4 to 6; the Treasure Island Group Christmas Market, December 12 to 13 and at the Mui Wo Pop-up Fair at Marcy’s Lantau, December 19 to 20. Know too that there’s a Christmas Flea Market at the Regal every weekend throughout December. Happy holidays!
www.lifeonlantau.com December 2020 / January 2021
LIFE ON LANTAU 17
XMAS GUIDE TO LANTAU
International
Dining des tinations I s land -Wide
A Tavola Bar & Grill, Tung Chung: A complete Mediterranean mezze covering everything from salads and pastas to burgers and mains from the grill. 2321 5500.
The Kitchen, Mui Wo: Old-style Italian dining where almost every dish, including the pasta, is homemade. Arguably the best pizza in Lantau. 5991 6292.
Bahçe Turkish Restaurant, Mui Wo: Authentic and delicious Turkish and Eastern Mediterranean cookery big on small plates and dips. Try the shish kebab and felafel wraps. 2984 0222.
Discovery Bay
Tung Chung Peng Chau Mui Wo Tai O
Ngong Ping Chi Ma Wan
Hei Ling Chau
Pui O Tong Fuk
Cheung Sha Cheung Chau
Illustration by Duey Tam
Al fresco
Bathers, Cheung Sha: Modern British cuisine with delicious sharing plates and salads. Splurge on the hot seafood platter of squid, whitebait, soft-shell crab, tiger prawns and octopus. 2504 4788. The Gallery, Tong Fuk: Delicious steaks, salads, burgers and pizzas all made with hand-picked, quality ingredients. Get stuck into the beef and Guinness pie. 2980 2582.
18  LIFE ON LANTAU
Asian Treasure Island, Pui O: Timeless beachside favourites like burgers and ribs served up alongside an extensive range of tasty vegetarian and vegan dishes. 5236 7013.
December 2020 / January 2021
www.lifeonlantau.com
Handi Indian Restaurant, Tung Chung: Authentic and traditional North Indian cuisine with plenty of tempting, expertly made vegetarian options. 2988 8674 Yee Hen Seafood Restaurant, Mui Wo: Delicious seafood dishes that are easy on the wallet. Order the salt and pepper squid followed by crunchy noodles topped with prawns. 2984 1665.
Lantau’s best Christmas bakes
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ou’re never too old for cookies and cakes and, lucky for you, Lantau is full of online boutique bakers who can satisfy your sweet tooth and deliver a dose of holiday cheer.
“Christmas is my favourite holiday because of the music, the beautiful holiday decorations and the magical stories about Santa,” says Ivy Chow, the baker behind Pui O artisan bread business, Tiger Sourdough. Best known for the bread that she bakes in Lo Wai village twice weekly, Ivy also does a sweet line in holiday specials. Our top picks include the Swedish cardamom buns and the double chocolate and orange zest sourdough boules baked with dark cocoa, dark chocolate chips and grated orange zest. Christmas s’more cookie pie, The Backstage Baker
Reporting by Elizabeth Jerabek; photos courtesy of Hou Hou Mei & The Backstage Baker
Order up to two days in advance from Tiger Sourdough on Facebook for free delivery to Mui Wo Ferry Pier on Fridays from 5.30pm to 6pm. Nothing says Christmas like cookies, and Mui Wo-based Ruelle Pretorius and Ashleigh Theunissen of Hou Hou Mei bake some of the best. Choose between pre-baked cookies (ready to serve) and premixed cookies (just add eggs and butter). For ultimate convenience, we recommend Hou Hou Mei’s ready-baked frozen cookies which come in six different flavours – chocolate and walnut, double chocolate, white chocolate, almond and orange, matcha macadamia and oatmeal raisin, and peanut butter and raisin.
Need a couple of crates of wine (and a litre of port for Santa) delivered right to your door? While many Hong Kong-based wine sellers deliver to Lantau (including the Wine Rack, www.winerack.com.hk), Pui O based Cavalli Wine is also well worth a look (www.facebook.com/CavalliWine). That said, should you find yourself in Mui Wo over the holidays, make your way to Leeder Quay Wines right next to the ferry pier – all of the fortified and desserts wines are available for free tasting. You can also order online at www.vigilantforvalue.com.
Hou Hou Mei cookies are now on offer at Lantau Base Camp in Mui Wo, or you can place your order on Facebook – enjoy free delivery within Mui Wo. Similarly, Tong Fuk-based Rowan Thane who heads up The Artisan along with his partner Colleen Thane, has plenty of holiday treats on offer. “We’ve been working hard to get our small-batch jams, pistachio and orange biscotti, and homemade arancello ready. We plan to be at all the Christmas markets,” says Rowan, who launched The Artisan just six months ago.
Solomon Leeder suggests you pair Boplaas Cape Tawny NV with any sweet Christmas treat. “This South African port-style wine has undergone a minimum of eight years’ ageing,” he says. “It’s lusciously smooth with a mouthwatering palate of brandied fruits, roasted nuts, honey and caramel toffee.”
You can place your order online at The Artisan, and delivery is free within South Lantau if you spend HK$300 or more. Last but not least, Mui Wo baker Anna Del Prado has turned her hobby into a small business with the cupcakes and s’more cookie bars and pies that she bakes and sells at The Backstage Baker. Be sure to order one of her special 9-inch Christmas s’more cookie pies on Instagram, and pick it up in Mui Wo before December 24.
FIND IT
Hou Hou Mei cookies
• • • •
Hou Hou Mei, www.facebook.com/houhoumeibakes The Artisan, www.facebook.com/theartisanhk The Backstage Baker, www.facebook.com/thebackstagebaker Tiger Sourdough, www.facebook.com/tigersourdough
www.lifeonlantau.com December 2020 / January 2021
LIFE ON LANTAU 19
XMAS GUIDE TO LANTAU
Feel the Christmas Kisses
at Citygate Outlets! Elves on tour in the Christmas Forest
T
his Christmas, the Kissy Elves are camping out at Citygate Outlets, helping everyone send zero-contact holiday kisses to their loved ones regardless of distance. From immersive Christmas-themed decorations and holographic interactions to online workshops, there’s plenty of festive fun to be had. What’s more, there are lots of enticing shopping incentives on offer to make your visit to the mall even more rewarding. The Feel the Christmas Kisses campaign sees the entire mall decked out with giant heart- and kiss-shaped hangings and light installations, and you can head to The Atrium to meet a Kissy Snowman and enjoy a reindeer sleigh ride. The Atrium is also the elves’ hideout, so be sure to stop by the 6-metre-tall Kissy Elves Treehouse to receive Christmas blessings from their leader.
Photos courtesy of Citygate Outlets
One of the elves’ primary duties this year is to help everyone send their friends a no-lips-touching digital Christmas kiss. You’re invited to join the line at the holographic Kissy Post Office in The Atrium to create your own unique wooden Christmas tag. By registering as a CLUB CG member, you can experience the holographic creation of your tag and have it printed with your kisses. When you get home, simply post a photo of your tag on social media to share your festive blessings – and include the designated hashtag for the chance to win a cash coupon. Citygate’s Feel the Christmas Kisses campaign also delivers a series of online workshops, designed to help you enjoy the holidays at home, while creating gorgeous gifts for friends and family. Learn how to make a cute fabric Christmas Tree (no sewing and no tools required), plus a couple of dazzling lamps (an etched glass bottle and a light box) that will give the light installations at the mall a run for their money. At over 800,000 square-feet, there’s no doubt Citygate has you covered when it comes to picking out Christmas gifts. Choose from over 150 top international brands, including fashion labels 20 LIFE ON LANTAU
December 2020 / January 2021
Maje, Max Mara and ba&sh. There are also 40+ F&B highlights at the mall: Hot holiday dining options include Guangdong-style SIXA, Kissy hangings and light installations Beijing’s legendary XIHE Bistro and Hana for Japanese hotpot. Drop by Chun Shui Tang Cultural Teahouse for hand-shaken bubble tea, and Law Mark Kee for all the Cantonese comfort food you can eat. To round off a day at the mall with some additional festive entertainment, you can, of course, head to UA Cinemas. Its four state-of-the-art theatres provide over 600 seats and feature the latest projection and sound technologies. That’s all folks!
Xmas Rewards From December 1 to 27, spend HK$2,000 and up on the same day via electronic payment at designated Citygate stores and register as a CLUB CG COVA Christmas Hamper member to get fabulous Christmas rewards. ‘Gifts’ on offer, while stocks last, include a COVA Christmas Hamper, a Fresh Sugar Lipstick Trio and cash coupons. To find out more, jingle over to the Concierge Desk on the ground floor, or the Customer Care Centre on level two. Visit www.citygateoutlets.com.hk.
www.lifeonlantau.com
Fresh Sugar Lipstick Trio
Shop online
Free delivery to the door in Discovery Bay from December.
www.vigilantforvalue.com
Great value wines available exclusively at our Mui Wo shop.
Leeder Quay
Come join us for Free Tastings, Chill out Vibes and Lazy sunsets! WhatsApp
6132 9120 for enquiries
We are vigilant for value. We invite you to be one of us.
Shop S2, Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road Opening Hours: Mon - Fri — 4pm - 8pm, Sat - Sun — 11am - 8pm.
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XMAS GUIDE TO LANTAU
HO HO HOTELS!
W
hether you want to splash out on a full-blown winter staycation or simply enjoy some of the Xmas-themed fine dining opportunities and activities on offer, it’s time to treat yourself – and your family – to a little luxury at Lantau’s leading hotels. Get away from it all at the Novotel
Reporting by Elizabeth Jerabek; photos courtesy of Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong, Novotel Citygate Hong Kong & Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Festive window displays, a sparkling Christmas tree and even snow... you’ll find the perfect backdrop for a traditional holiday getaway at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. And the icing on the (Christmas) cake? Hong Kong residents can enjoy a special discounted rate on the one-night Magical Staycation package at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel through January 2. To add to the magic of your stay (or park visit), there are festive buffets on offer at restaurants throughout the resort (and at the three hotels), and you can catch socially distanced performances from all your favourite Disney characters. Be sure to drop by the Frozen Fantasy Garden Village to enjoy the festive music, shop the merchandise carts, and hang out with Elsa and Anna. For reservations, call 3550 3388. Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong
Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong One of the highlights of the Be Merry staycation package at Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong is the all-inclusive festive dinner buffet for two. Gourmands can get their fill of classic holiday delicacies, such as roast turkey, Lobster Mornay and sherry trifle, plus all the gingerbread and Christmas cookies they can eat. For the kids, the festive brunch and dinner buffet periods on December 25 and 26 will include face painting workshops, and a visit from Santa Claus – with a surprise gift! While at the Auberge, you can unwind from all the holiday excitement at Spa Botanica with either the Warm Stone and Organic Oil Massage or the Warm Sea Shell and Organic Oil Massage, both of which provide the perfect combination of heat and essential oils to relieve tension and stress. For reservations, call 2295 8355.
While you may not be heading to the airport over the holidays, your children can still get in flight mode with Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong’s aviation-themed family staycation package. The best part is the pint-sized pilot’s uniform that will be ready and waiting for them upon checking into the hotel. Each dry-cleaned pilot costume, to be returned upon check-out, is available in five sizes and includes a shirt with badges, tie, skirt or shorts, socks, and most importantly a pilot’s cap! Further fun activities for kids include cupcake-making classes, puppet-making workshops and a bouncy castle. As the family-fun staycation package includes Christmas buffet dinner at the hotel’s Café Aficionado, be sure to check-in on Christmas Eve to catch the dinner service performances of Christmas carols by students from YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College in Tung Chung. For reservations, call 2286 8688.
Lobster Mornay: The Auberge
• Enjoy free-flow mulled wine over dinner at Novotel Citygate Hong Kong’s Essence restaurant from December 22 to 27. For reservations, call 3602 8888
• Dine at Tai O Heritage Hotel’s Tai O Lookout restaurant
for a chance to attend a Christmas Candy Jar Workshop, December 19 to 20 and 24 to 27. For reservations, call 2985 8383
• Head to Man Ho Chinese Restaurant at Hong Kong Skycity Marriott Hotel for the seafood, or the incredible dim-sum lunch. For reservations, call 3969 1888
Café Aficionado at the Regal
22 LIFE ON LANTAU
December 2020 / January 2021
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Holiday tipples recommended by local bartenders
C
hill out over a Frozen Margarita at China Bear, Mui Wo. To make this at home (for two), you will need a handful of cranberries, 100ml tequila, 50ml Cointreau, 50ml lime juice and 30ml sugar syrup. Place the cranberries in a blender and blitz until smooth. Blitz the remaining ingredients with a large handful of ice. Spoon a little cranberry compote into each glass and pour the alcohol on top. Garnish with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.
Get the party started with a Burnt Orange Martini at Andante in Tung Chung. To make this at home (for six mates), you will need 200ml gin, 200ml dry vermouth, 125ml Grand Marnier, 4tbsp lemon juice (or bitters) and the juice of one orange. Combine all the ingredients, shake well and chill. Serve ice-cold with a twist of orange in each glass.
Photos courtesy of stockadobe.com
Cuddle up with a Black Russian at Tap Tap Bar in Pui O. To make this at home (for two), you will need 100ml vodka, 50ml coffee liqueur and a splash of cola (optional). Put the vodka and the coffee liqueur into a couple of tumblers filled with ice and stir gently for about a minute. Top with a splash of chilled cola if you prefer a longer drink.
EDITOR’S PICK: Hot Toddy. To make this at home (for two), you will need 50ml whisky, 3tsp honey, 1 cinnamon stick (halved) and the juice of 1 lemon. Whisk the whisky and honey together and split between two heatproof glasses. Add half a cinnamon stick to each, then top up with 200ml boiling water and a splash of lemon juice. Finish with cloves, star anise and a slice of lemon or apple.
FIND IT
•
Andante, Novotel Citygate Hotel, 51 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung, 3602 8888
• •
China Bear, 3 Ngan Wan Road, Mui Wo, 2984 9720 Tap Tap Bar, 15 Lo Wai, Pui O, 2015 0903
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LIFE ON LANTAU 23
Photos courtesy of Afro Jewellery, Big Island Bars, JB Leathercraft, LCC Roastery, Lantau Ren, Marcy’s Lantau, My Island Home (Mih), Red Velvet Designs, The Artisan, VIBE Book & Music Shop
XMAS GUIDE TO LANTAU
Stocking fillers Solid Coconut Dish Block in Lavender (300g), with bamboo holder, Big Island Bars, HK$150
Multi-colour tube socks, (unisex), Marcy’s Lantau, HK$25
Solid Coconut Lotion Bar, Big Island Bars, HK$95
Tausi earrings, (brass), Afro Jewellery, HK$180
Classic bifold wallet, (with/ without coin pouch), JB Leathercraft, HK$800
Tarot deck, VIBE Book & Music Shop, HK$200-HK$258
Spiced plum and orange jam, The Artisan, HK$60
Retro-style hair clip, Marcy’s Lantau, HK$18
24 LIFE ON LANTAU
December 2020 / January 2021
Scented soy wax hand-poured candle, Red Velvet Designs, HK$45
Mah Jong beer holders, (set of 4), Lantau Ren, HK$155 www.lifeonlantau.com
...and under-the-tree presents Pineapple tray, My Island Home (Mih), HK$70
Made in Hong Kong by the Red Stripes, VIBE Book & Music Shop, vinyl HK$180 & CD HK$100 Coffee drip bags & kettle gift set, LCC Roastery, HK$238
Suede cushion cover, Red Velvet Designs, HK$80
Zoo collection reindeer stool, Marcy’s Lantau, HK$95
Dahlia clutch, Lantau Ren, HK$750
LANTAU STOCKISTS
Outdoor mat, My Island Home (Mih), HK$370
• • • • • • • • • •
Afro Jewellery, www.afrojewellery.hk Big Island Bars, www.facebook.com/bigislandbars JB Leathercraft, www.jpleathercraft.com LCC Roastery, lccroastery.wordpress.com Lantau Ren, www.lantauren.com Marcy’s Lantau, www.facebook.com/marcyshongkong My Island Home (Mih), www.facebook.com/mih.myislandhome Red Velvet Designs, www.redvelvetdesigns.net The Artisan, www.theartisanhk.com VIBE Book & Music Shop, www.vibehk.com
www.lifeonlantau.com December 2020 / January 2021
LIFE ON LANTAU 25
WALKABOUT SPOTLIGHT
CONTO
R U
T R E K K I N G To round off a successful year’s hiking, Jason Pagliari invites you to explore one of the easiest and best trails on the island – the South Lantau Country Trail with a special route up from Pui O
View over the South Lantau Country Trail looking towards the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula and Shek Kwu Chau
T Photos by Jason Pagliari
he South Lantau Country Trail is a classic hike. It’s commonly known as the Contour Trail because, like a contour on a map, it follows the folds in the island’s steep mountain range profile at a more or less steady elevation of about 370 metres. Extending from Nam Shan campsite between Mui Wo and Pui O and crossing over Tung Chung Road at its crest (Pak Kung Au), it continues westwards, before heading sharply downhill to the catchwater road above Tong Fuk. You’ll see the coastal villages of Pui O, San Shek Wan and Cheung Sha below you, and pass by numerous boulder streams in the mountain clefts, with varied vegetation and steep mountain views above. There are several ways to hike the Contour Trail; the easiest is to skip the section west of Tung Chung Road and hike from Pak Kung Au, for a leisurely jaunt above the South Lantau coast, east towards Nam Shan. This is a 7-kilometre stretch, mostly downhill, and it will likely take between two and three hours. If you think you’re up for only one Lantau hike, this should be it. The route I’m about to introduce you to, however, is more challenging; it’s ideal for enthusiastic hikers with an afternoon to spare. Going
26 LIFE ON LANTAU
December 2020 / January 2021
in the other direction, you bypass the first 2.5 kilometres from the Nam Shan end and climb to the Contour Trail on a forested ridge starting just west of Pui O. You then head west towards the trail’s conclusion above Tong Fuk. Allow yourself between three and four hours (climbing and taking in the views) to cover a distance of about 9 kilometres. Start: Pui O Starting out from the west end of Pui O, you follow the main road out of the village towards San Shek Wan. Just after the first corner, there’s a fork to the right with a sign: Jardine Valley View. Take this and you’ll see, on the left, stone steps going up through trees with a yellow hiking trail signpost. The hike begins here, up and to the left through forest. The trail levels out then climbs again, and after 15 to 20 minutes you find yourself at the top of a flight of stone steps where there’s a distance marker – L120. The main trail continues left to the catchwater road, but you go right. It’s a steep climb on a narrow, rocky, earth trail through ferns and trees, with a few ribbons for reference.
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Soon, you arrive at a trig point with a great overlook of Pui O and Ham Tin where it’s time to rest up and enjoy the view. Continuing up, there are some rocks to scramble over as you follow the trail through trees along a ridgeline. At points, the trail levels out and you can see the view to the right, at the edge of the forest. It’s breezy here and pleasant as you walk through long grass, listening to the insects chirping. The last stretch of this section takes you up through thick tree cover and you soon reach the top of the forest at the junction of the South Lantau Country Trail. Give yourself around an hour, which allows for 10 minutes of rest stops, to get this far.
View over Pui O and Ham Tin from the trig point
On the South Lantau Country Trail The stretch from here to Pak Kung Au is probably the best part of the hike – you follow a winding trail with trees on the left, before the view opens out to provide a spectacular glimpse of the surrounding mountain tops and coast below. Boulder streams (I counted seven on this stretch in October) flow through the deep folds in the mountainside.
Turn off point from the Contour Trail to the forested ridge down to Pui O
After passing over San Shek Wan at a rock pool, you soon spot a flat rock at the drop off over Cheung Sha. Be sure to break here to enjoy a panoramic view of the beach below. As you continue your hike, there’s an enormous split boulder, on a hilltop, also well worth checking out. Look out for paragliders overhead here, particularly in the summer months when the winds are favourable. Pressing on, you continue into light forest. The trail is pristine, littered with big boulders, jungle vines and tree roots. After about
www.lifeonlantau.com December 2020 / January 2021
LIFE ON LANTAU 27
WALKABOUT
an hour and a half on this trail, passing over stone steps and boulder streams, you arrive at a pagoda at Pak Kung Au. This has to be the ‘central station’ of Lantau hiking, since busloads of hikers disembark here for their weekend climbs to Sunset and Lantau peaks. Pak Kung Au to Tong Fuk After a rest at the pagoda, you cross over Tung Chung Road and walk through the picnic area on the left. There’s a hiking trail sign at the end and you follow a forested trail that winds around the hillside. For the first 15 minutes, this stretch is unremarkable – compared to the previous section, there are just not so many features to observe – but things pick up as you start to descend through boulders. Even the stone steps look like natural rock formations. The rocks wind their way up and over for a few minutes and at one point a climb down takes you underneath a giant boulder – it’s like you’re in a tunnel. After the boulder section, its uphill for a while until you reach a signposted fork at the top. The right trail connects to the Lantau Trail heading up Lantau Peak, so you go left. Walking on, you’re suddenly out of the forest looking out over an enormous valley on the right, with Lantau Peak towering above and the Dog’s Teeth ridges far away on the other side. Coming into the homestretch, the hillside is grassy with plenty of shrubs and bushes. As you descend stone steps, curious conifer
Forested section close to Pak Kung Au
trees are silhouetted against the open skyline. It’s incredibly quiet in this large open space, and the views are terrific with Tong Fuk visible ahead. Continuing downhill, back in tree cover, you soon cross a bridge to join the catchwater road where there are a couple of benches and a distance marker – L108. Heading left to Tong Fuk along the catchwater road, watch out for a series of crazy-paved steps with brown handrails after five minutes or so (there’s no signpost). Follow the steps downhill through trees and past a graveyard overlooking the Tong Fuk Beach shark net. From here, a concrete path takes you to a pagoda/ shelter on South Lantau Road at the east end of Tong Fuk. Typically, you are greeted by the feral cows that live along the road as you make your way past a few village shops to the bus stop in front of The Gallery restaurant.
Heading downhill towards Tong Fuk
28 LIFE ON LANTAU
December 2020 / January 2021
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YI
FAN munchkins
Christmas Mandarin Camp 聖誕中文營
14-18 28-31
DECEMBER
learn@yifanmandarin.com
2486 9012
9208 7611
YIFANMANDARIN.COM
Starting January 2021 Coding Classes
Game Design Classes ZZZ Playground, 2/F Silver Centre Building, 10 Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, N.T.
T: +852 2984 0006 E: zzzplayground@gmail.com FB: ZZZ Playground
Robotics
Available at Mui Wo ZZZ Playground
Classes
Check out our website zzzplayground.com for updates
We learn how to learn. The world is our Playground.
HOME CHEF
Top Bird
Rather than freezing all your leftover Xmas roast, get stuck into these tempting, easy-to-make turkey recipes
Turkey paté Serves 4
Fry the bacon, without extra fat, for about 5 minutes over a medium heat. Pour off the fat and blend it with the liver paste. Mix in the turkey, garlic, parsley and chives. Season well. Pack the paté in a small earthenware dish. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Serve with hot toast.
Photos courtesy of www.wikimedia.org
2oz back bacon, diced 4½oz liver paste 4oz cooked turkey, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 1tsp parsley, finely chopped 1tsp chives, finely chopped
30 LIFE ON LANTAU
December 2020 / January 2021
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Turkey á la king Serves 4 4oz mushrooms, sliced 4oz green pepper, sliced 2oz butter 2oz all-purpose flour ½ chicken stock cube ¼ pint single cream or milk 10oz cooked turkey, chopped 3oz red pepper, diced
Fry the mushrooms and green pepper in butter over a medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the flour and half a chicken stock cube. Return to the heat, stir for 1 minute then add the cream. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until slightly thickened. Add the turkey and red pepper, season well and heat through. Serve with buttered pasta or rice.
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LIFE ON LANTAU 31
HOME CHEF
Turkey enchiladas Serves 4 5tbsp chilli powder
2 jalapenos, minced
2tsp ground cumin
12oz cooked turkey, chopped
3½ cloves garlic, minced
15oz can black beans, drained
1tsp cinnamon
2oz coriander, chopped
¼tsp ground cloves
2tbsp lime juice
2oz all-purpose flour
8oz cheddar cheese, grated
4oz turkey stock
8 flour tortillas
1 medium onion, chopped
32 LIFE ON LANTAU
December 2020 / January 2021
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To make the enchilada sauce, fry the chilli powder, cumin, half a clove of garlic, cinnamon, cloves and flour in a little oil. Add the stock, simmer and remove from the heat. To prepare the filling, fry the onions, jalapenos and 3 cloves of garlic in oil. Remove from the heat and mix in the turkey, black beans, coriander, lime juice, 4 ounces of cheese and a little of the enchilada sauce. Dip the tortillas in the enchilada sauce and divide the filling between them. Cover with the remaining sauce and cheese. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes at 175°C. Serve with sour cream, lime juice, coriander and pomegranate arils.
AKASH MOVING Local packing, moving, storage & handyman service • All kinds of transport services • Inbound shipment clearance Having stuff delivered from China? They are not delivering to DB or Lantau? Have it delivered to our office in Kwai Chung & we’ll deliver it to your home
Contact 2421 8088 or visit
info@akash.hk www.akash.hk
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info@baymedia.com.hk Deadline for CLASSIFIEDS February/ March issue
January 15, 2021
TUNG CHUNG
LOCAL NUMBERS COMMUNITY SERVICES Tung Chung Man Tung Road Sports Centre Tung Chung Public Library Tung Chung Public Swimming Pool
2109 2421 2109 3011 2109 9107
EDUCATION Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Education Centre Discovery Mind Play Centre & Kindergarten Discovery Mind Primary School Greenfield International Kindergarten Han Xuan Language Education Centre Salala Kids’ House Soundwaves English Education Centre Sun Island Education Foundation Sunshine House International Preschool Tung Chung Catholic School YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College
3141 7319 2987 8070 2915 0666 2162 5538 2666 5905 2611 9193 2164 7210 2420 1068 2109 3873 2121 0884 2988 8123
ELECTRONIC REPAIRS So Nice Technologies (Onkar Singh)
6206 3497
EMERGENCY – FIRE/POLICE/AMBULANCE – 999 North Lantau Hospital Tung Chung Ambulance Depot Tung Chung Fire Station Tung Chung Police Station
3467 7000 2988 8282 2988 1898 3661 1694
FOOD & RESTAURANTS A Tavola Bar & Grill Curry Lounge Essence Restaurant - Novotel Citygate Handi Indian Restaurant McDonald’s Delivery Melody Thai Moccato Coffee Shop My Thai Olea Restaurant - Novotel Citygate Pizza Hut Delivery Resto Restaurant Velocity Bar and Grill - Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott
2321 5500 2960 1977 3602 8808 2988 8674 2338 2338 2988 8129 3602 8838 2907 6918 3602 8818 2330 0000 2886 3156 3969 1888
HEALTH & WELLBEING Freedas Max Beauty Spa OM Spa - Regal Airport Hotel Quan Spa - Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel Rainbow Voice and Soundhealing Spa by MTM Tung Chung Nail Ninjas
3483 8356 2162 5752 2286 6266 3969 2188 5178 5658 2923 6060 9551 6468
HOME REPAIRS & DESIGN New Look Design Mega Power Engineering/Locksmiths Mr. Chan 24-hours Handyman Shun Yu Engineering
9783 5840 2109 2330 9343 3718 2988 1488
HOTELS Novotel Citygate Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel Regal Airport Hotel
3602 8888 3969 1888 2286 8888
KIDS 4 Dimensions+ (Dance, Gym, Drama, Art) Clement Art School Jumping Castles Kidznjoy Little Stars Playgroup Sakura Kids Soundwaves Tung Chung
9446 6013 9021 1502 9662 1747 6273 7347 6479 0390 6674 6194 2164 7210
34 LIFE ON LANTAU
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MEDICAL Bayside Dental Essential Health Family Clinic Human Health Medical Centre Maternal & Child Health Centre North Lantau Hospital Quality HealthCare Medical Quality HealthCare Physiotherapy Raffles Medical Raffles Medical Emergency Skyline Physiotherapy
2185 6550 2109 9396 2109 2288 3575 8370 3467 7000 2403 6623 2403 6328 2261 2626 2261 0999 2194 4038
REAL ESTATE HomeSolutions
3483 5003
REMOVALS & RELOCATIONS Akash Removals FTC Relocations ReloSmart SwiftRelo
2421 8088 2814 1658 2561 3030 2363 4008
RESIDENTIAL ESTATE CONTACTS Caribbean Coast Club House Caribbean Coast Management Office Coastal Skyline Club House Coastal Skyline Management Office Seaview Crescent Club House Seaview Crescent Management Office Tung Chung Crescent Club House Tung Chung Crescent Management Office
2109 9277 2109 9288 2179 6678 2179 6621 3473 8700 3473 8833 2403 6770 2109 1222
SPORT & RECREATION Aqua Gym Asia Pacific Soccer Schools Canterano Futbol Club Dance for Joy Edge ’n Pointe Dance Centre ESF Sports HK Dragons Kinder Kicks Soccer KipMovin La Cantera Perun Fitness Rugbytots Sparrow Soccer School Hong Kong Tung Chung Rugby Club
2914 0658 2385 9677 5611 2490 9264 8597 6688 2167 2711 1280 2987 4274 2385 9677 6180 3256 2557 8007 6443 6597 5307 6677 6051 8196 6079 0825
USEFUL NUMBERS Alcoholics Anonymous Arrow Accounting Services FTC Apparel Phoenix Wills
9073 6922 6201 9710 2428 2566 3100 0101
VETERINARY & PET SITTING SERVICES Bon’s Mobile Pet Grooming Royal Pets Ltd - Pet Sitting Tung Chung Animal Clinic Tung Chung Vet Centre
9099 9959 6314 9887 2988 1534 2328 7282
ART & CULTURE Flanhardt Galerie und Atelier (FGUA)
2882 3390
EDUCATION Ashville International Kindergarten & Nursery Buddhist Fat Ho College Lantau International Kindergarten Lantau International School Lao Shi Lantau Mandarin lessons Little Lantau Montessori Kindergarten Mindfulness Matters Mui Wo Language Cafe Silvermine Bay School
2109 9886 2985 5365 2984 0302 2980 3676 5197 4647 3689 6709 9048 5425 5511 6107 2984 0006
FOOD, BEVERAGES & RESTAURANTS Bahçe Turkish Restaurant Bathers/ Beach House Cafe Isara Caffe Paradiso China Bear Deer Horn Restaurant & Bar Kebab Korner Lantau Grocer Lantana Italian Bistro Le Jardin de Sophie Loi Chan Frozen Meat Co. Long Island Mucho Gusto Natural Plus Robert’s Market Tai O Solo Café The Gallery The Kitchen The Stoep @ High Tide The Water Buffalo Value Vigilantes Treasure Island Restaurant
2984 0222 2504 4788 2470 1966 2984 0498 2984 9720 3484 3095 6429 3507 2702 0050 5465 5511 2997 9070 2984 8346 2320 2001 6422 5009 2984 2233 9193 2937 9153 7453 2980 2582 5991 6292 2980 2699 2109 3331 6132 9120 5236 7013
HEALTH & BEAUTY Greenstyle Organic and Healthcare Pause by the Banyan - health ∙ wellness Spa Ambiance Spa Puretouch Thai Palin Thai Sa Baai
9802 0553 9708 0187 2984 2488 2984 0088 9062 0148 5228 6552
HOME REPAIRS & DESIGN New Look Design Unitek
9783 5840 9156 0360
HOTELS Silvermine Beach Resort Tai O Heritage Hotel
6810 0111 2985 8383
REAL ESTATE HomeSolutions Findley Leung
3483 5003 2984 8334
RETAIL INSIDE Quay House VIBE Book & Music Shop
2890 8606 2882 8710 9088 2370
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 Lingostars HK, North Plaza Mandarin for Munchkins, North Plaza Mathemagic – home tutoring 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 6375 2015 2480 3909 9135 4724 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
PROPERTY LISTINGS & BOATS Headland Homes Okay.com Savills Hong Kong
2987 2088 2102 0888 2987 1919
RETAIL Bookazine P-Solution Wing On Star Mart, North Plaza
2987 1373 2987 1777 2987 9268 2366 6534
SPORT & RECREATION DB Pirates Rugby, Netball, Hockey & Dragonboat Greenwich Yoga School, 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
9255 6133 9685 8366 5322 5556 2575 6279 2987 1571 6101 8434 6704 9851 8197 5591
TRANSPORT Passenger Telephone Hotline
2987 0208
USEFUL NUMBERS Alcoholics Anonymous Auberge Discovery Bay Hotel, North Plaza Island Veterinary Services
9073 6922 2295 8288 2987 9003
www.lifeonlantau.com December 2020 / January 2021
LIFE ON LANTAU 35
MOMENTS
Forbidden fruit
In this excerpt from Papaya Tree by Orchid Bloom, Jessica returns to Mui Wo from Europe where she works as a botanical artist. As the story unfolds, we see her struggling to maintain her own identity in a culture ruled by centuries of tradition
J
essica took a last long drag from her cigarette before extinguishing it in the ashtray she hid in the garden. She had to beat the mosquitoes and go inside the house before they came out to hunt at sunset. She picked up her weekend bag and walked around the back of the house – she wanted to stop by and check on the papaya tree. “Ooh, hello, little one.” Jessica was delighted to find a new small papaya tree branching out from its mother trunk. The papaya tree in the back garden of her family house had just begun to grow when she left Hong Kong for London more than three years ago. This papaya tree had never ceased to fascinate her ever since. Every time she came back, she discovered some new development. Over the past few years, the papaya tree had grown from a small bush to a handsome, tall tree. It also gave birth to six small papaya trees that branched out from it like a second-tier on a Christmas tree. She found the tree a perfect symbol of her family as she had five siblings. Her third sister, Janice, recently gave birth to her first child, George. The new baby tree budding from a lower level made a timely appearance to mark a new generation. A papaya tree usually had a lifespan of four to five years, but she suspected this one was going to last for a very long time, given the new trees it kept giving birth to.
Cover photo courtesy of Orchid Bloom
No one else in her family seemed to pay much attention to this special papaya tree, mainly due to the abundance of them in the village. They were everywhere. Every house in the village had at least one to two papaya trees. When one died, there was always another one, or more, that budded somewhere else to replace it. The birds, which fed on the papaya, kept the species alive in the village by spreading its seeds everywhere. It only took months for its fruit to ripen, so the villagers never ran out of papaya. The papaya had integrated into part of the villagers’ diet since many generations ago. Besides consuming it on its own as fruit and juice, papaya salad, papaya stir fry, papaya cake, and papaya soup were the villagers’ favourite household dishes. Papaya soup was particularly highly regarded for its effectiveness in bringing in milk for nursing mothers.
FIND IT Papaya Tree by Orchid Bloom is available at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo, and on Amazon.com and the Book Depository
36 LIFE ON LANTAU
December 2020 / January 2021
www.lifeonlantau.com
Add some spice to your scaled-back holiday celebrations with the best of what Indian cuisine has to offer.
Seekh kebab
Chicken Roll
Tandoori chicken
Mirch Masala Indian Restaurant
Opening Hours
11am to 4pm 5.30pm to 11pm
W O N PEN O
Butter chicken
Shop G29, 96 Siena Avenue, Discovery Bay North Plaza, Lantau Island Tel: 2987 1387, 2987 1337
Expand your dining opt ions in Discovery Bay wit h a... LOGO_taste of thai_R4op.pdf
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Shop G30, 96 Siena Avenue, Discovery Bay North Plaza, Lantau Island Tel: 2987 2010, 2987 2026 Opening Hours: 11:30AM to 10:30 PM
We do home and office delivery now!
香港愉景灣 Visit Discovery Bay