A Magazine for the Women of • July-August 2014 CCWM AWA Half Jan 2014 Horizontal.pdf 1 3/12/2014 5:02:32 PM July-august 2014

The American Women’s Association of Hong Kong, Limited. Established in 1956 A volunteer organization of women of all nationalities women supporting Hong Kong charities and schools through community service and monetary grants, while providing educational and social activities for members. 14 AWAre Production Staff

Editor Joy Murray Tel: 6773 7036 [email protected]

Assistant Editors Carole Atkin Laura Metoudi Membership Information 3 Lori DiCarlo Angela Bellas WOW Update 4 Rachel Bourke AWA Grants 8 Graphics ContentsWater Sport 10 Fahima Ahmad 12 Weekend Getaways 11 Jacky Ngan Mosaics 12 PhotographY Happy Valley 14 Fahima Ahmad Lori DiCarlo 16 Asian Tours 18 Advertising Manager AWA Enjoys 20 Hildy Karev [email protected] Local Tours and Activities 21 On-going Activities 32 Published & Printed by R&R Publishing Ltd. Sporting Activities 35 2126 7812 Contact Information 37 [email protected] www.rrpublishing.com.hk 22

The AWA office is open from Monday-Thursday 9:30am-3:30pm.

Visit the AWA website: www.awa.org.hk Find us on facebook: www.facebook.com/awahk

Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author only and do not represent the opinion of the American Women’s Association. Any reliance by the reader upon any recommendation or opinion in this publication is at the reader’s own risk. The AWA accepts no responsibility for any loss which may result from such reliance. Copyright 2014. The content of the Aware publication is the property of the American Women's Association Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. Information from within the publication may not be distributed without the express written consent of the American Women's Association. Welcome

From the President

As incoming president of the AWA, I would personally like to thank our returning members as well as welcome our new members to the Association. The board and I are thrilled you have chosen to join this organization and are excited to share with you the upcoming years’ events and activities, so read the magazine and visit the website often for the latest news. From the Editor

I also want to encourage members to take As a guest in Hong Kong I am constantly reminded of my own advantage of the wide array of resources good fortune; my life is good, in contrast to the lives of many in the AWA provides so as to maintain a this bustling city. productive, satisfying and happy life here in Hong Kong. There are many opportunities to meet new members such as our Foon I recently participated in Dialogue in the Dark, an opportunity Ying group, Chat, the new Buddy Program, presented by AWA Local Tours. This was a simulation of life for and OWL, where you can build relationships a blind person. We were guided by voice in with many fantastic ladies that will no complete blackness through various scenarios doubt develop into life-long friends. such as a park, busy traffic areas and even crossing a swaying bridge. We had our canes With the many events and activities the and a caring guide who ensured we didn’t come AWA offers, it is important to remember that as an to any harm. The importance of relying on our organization we are passionate about our service-oriented other senses was paramount, and very difficult. roots of charitable giving and volunteerism and encourage We stumbled often and speaking for myself, I all members to actively participate as each of you have had no idea of direction in this alien world. much to offer.

We will begin our AWA season with the Welcome Back I was humbled by the experience and became Coffee on the morning of September 17 at the American very aware that in this hot, overcrowded city, Club in Tai Tam. So please mark your calendars and join us many people could use a helping hand. The AWA Charitable in discussing our upcoming year, giving a warm welcome to Donations Committee rises to this challenge and at the Annual newcomers, and catching up with friends. Awards Tea, May 30, grants were awarded to 22 charities, nine of which were selected by our partner, the American Chamber I look forward to getting to know everyone and sharing our of Commerce. The recipients were varied and so very grateful vision for a successful organization. Please do not hesitate for the help. A report on the Awards Tea is printed in this issue to contact me with your ideas to help us improve. and we will feature most of these charities through the next few issues.

Hats off to the Charitable Donations Committee, who carefully screen all the grant applications and to the fundraising volunteers and of course to all the AWA members who donate time and money to help those in need. Stephanie Bourque AWA President

Joy Murray AWA Editor

2 AWARE July-August 2014 Membership

Owl (Out With the Ladies) Come join us any week or every week - same time, same Welcome New Members place (except public holidays). Where: Oolaa Lynda Meeks Holly Miles 20 Bridges Street, Soho When: Every Tuesday, 5:30pm – 7:30pm Coordinators: Kathy Barber, [email protected] Julie Naughton, [email protected]

AWA (American Women’s Association) is a dynamic, Foon Ying community of women of all nationalities, with over 800 When: July 9, 16, 23 members from 36 countries. We are sure you will find August TBD your niche through our diverse range of activities, events Where: Meet at Admiralty MTR by Pacific Coffee and opportunities to volunteer. All women are welcome – CoordinatorS: Hildy Karev, [email protected] do join us! Kate Mahjoubian, [email protected] Current members – you are our best ambassadors. Please Cost: No fee but registration is required introduce new arrivals and old friends to AWA – over wine "Foon Ying" means ‘welcome’ in and what better at OWL, at a Neighborhood Coffee, WoW event or welcome than to embark on a social adventure designed to encourage them to attend CHAT. AWA’s vision is that all foster new Hong Kong friendships. This informal program women can connect with us and develop a rich, satisfying takes the guesswork out of finding your feet by designing fun and purposeful life in Hong Kong. activities for your group, sharing experiences and building your “guanxi” or ‘network’. Your commitment? Attend all Joining is easy via our website at: awa.org.hk three sessions over three weeks, be open to exploring your or call 2527 2961. new environment and meeting great people. Join and enjoy! CHAT (Come Have a Talk) Neighborhood Coffees When: Thursday, 10:00am – 12:00 noon If you live, work or play in any of the following neighborhoods, (except public holidays) join others in your area for a monthly coffee. Meet new Where: J.W. Marriott Hotel, 4th Floor, Lobby friends or catch up with old ones, discuss and plan new Lounge (bar area), Pacific Place activities. Contact your local coordinator for details of Cost: No fee (all beverages & lunches at personal forthcoming coffees. expense) Coordinator: Susan Wallace, 9783 3227 HK Central/Mid Levels CHAT is an informal gathering for members, newcomers, and Kathy Barber, [email protected] non-members. In a friendly atmosphere, we share a coffee or HK Southside tea and lively conversation. CHAT is a drop-in activity. No Walli Seegar, [email protected] registration is required. Join us anytime between 10:00am Sandra Gallaudet, [email protected] and noon. The group often proceeds to lunch to continue chatting. A chance for some "grown-up" time and to leave the Pok Fu Lam and Shouson Hill little ones at home. Amita Gupta, [email protected] Kowloon Jane Buck, [email protected] Susan Trebach, [email protected] Discovery Bay Tracy Russell & Tina Volkman, [email protected] SAI KUNG Katherine Fenton, [email protected]

Some CHAT Hostesses July-August 2014 AWARE 3 130912_WOW_bc_FIN.pdf 2 12/9/13 7:33 AM

M EMBERs H i P

C

M WoW offers a range of personal and professional development talks, Y workshops and seminars to keep us all at the top of our game. How does

CM work in Hong Kong differ from work in other parts of the world? In the second of a series on women who work in Hong Kong, we look at the MY differences in a variety of occupations.

CY If you have a story to tell please email aware.org.hk to share your work or volunteer experiences. CMY

K A Whole new World for Vicki neale

If you had told me two years ago that I would be writing for a especially seeing the different ways my Cantonese children's newspaper in Hong Kong, I would have laughed. In colleagues approach things. the UK I worked as a town planner in local government. After I soon realized that in Hong Kong, and working for a small maternity leave I quickly realized that I had lost the love for company, everyone needs to be able to do a little bit of the job, so when we moved to Hong Kong, I had no regrets everything. I am really enjoying researching news stories for at leaving my 'career'. primary school children and writing something Initially my priorities were to get us settled, that makes them happy. And, although I am not however, soon I wanted to go back to work, expected to be available 24-7, I do come up with but didn't know where to start. I had joined ideas and maintain the company's social media ‘Hong Kong Moms’, a Facebook group, where I accounts in my spare time. saw an advert for an English Language Editor Vicki Neale is the English Language Editor for working on children's newspapers. I hastily Kids Dailies who produce My Little Paper, Daily 7 updated my resume and was thrilled to get the and Daily 10 for primary school children. The job. It has been an interesting learning curve, website www.kidsdailies.com will launch soon. Global Perspective for nancy roberts I work for Cambridge University Press, the world's oldest titles matter. It is not considered appropriate for me to deal publisher, which is of course based in Cambridge, UK. with postmen, for example, or to wash up my own coffee However in my role as Global Production and Operations cup, whereas in the UK I would never get away with such airs Director for Academic Publishing, I have managed a global and graces. I also find, particularly in , that I am often team for around three years, with many of my staff located in invited to meetings purely on the basis of my job title; the our New York office. This seemed an ideal opportunity for me higher rank of staff you can take to a meeting, even a meeting to transform my role from being primarily transatlantic to truly outside of their area, the better you will be received. I am global and in March 2013, I followed my partner John out to therefore learning a lot of new skills as I sit in on sales, Hong Kong. marketing and commissioning meetings! In effect, I now work remotely; in a small office in Central I am impressed by the high proportion of women in the which I share with three local staff. Working in Central and workplace in Hong Kong and China. I regularly attend living in Sheung Wan means I have swapped my meetings, particularly with printers, where three hour round trip from London to Cambridge women will outnumber men, and the women are for a 10 minute stroll down Hollywood Road. also more likely to hold higher status office jobs, I find working in Hong Kong interesting, whereas the men will be on the factory floor. This challenging, and very different from the UK. In is a marked difference from the UK, where general, I find the staff to be somewhat printing remains largely a male-dominated deferential and hierarchical in the Hong Kong industry. office, a big change from Cambridge. Publishing Overall I have found the Asia team to be very is by its nature a collaborative industry with a welcoming, and I already feel part of the healthy scepticism for authority, but here, job Cambridge Asia family.

4 aWaRE July-august 2014 Membership

she is looking forward to being near family. “I’ve made Goodbye and Thank You wonderful friendships and created a life with purpose to make my transitions from corporate lawyer to full time mum to Nicky Cooper “empty nester” easy. My advice – take the chance to think about what you love to do and Nicky Cooper is leaving Hong Kong after seven years of AWA is sure to be able to help out expat life in Asia. During her five years in Hong Kong, she find a way to do it – while having a was very involved in AWA. She volunteered as features editor whole lot of fun.” Good advice, for AWAre and collaborated Frocks & Bubbles with LoveIt (an Nicky. AWA fundraiser event) before taking up the position of VP We wish you the best with your Membership for AWA in 2013. Her highlight of this year was upcoming move to New Zealand working with the WoW team - “young, dynamic and and extend our sincere thanks for positive…no wonder they are successful in their own your hard work and contribution to businesses and find jobs quickly!” AWA. Nicky is heading back to New Zealand after her years in Hong Kong. Although she will miss friends and Hong Kong,

New Member Discounts

Il Bel Paese has eight shops in Hong Kong selling a wide range of high-quality, authentic and popular Italian fresh products, delicacies and special seasonal items as well as food-related gifts. Four of the shops (Caine Road, Hennessy Road, Queen's Road Central and Discovery Bay) include dine-in. Customers can also enjoy the taste of Italy at home, as the shops offer the best in “ready-made” meals for take-away or catering. For further details and locations see www.ilbelpaese.com.hk. AWA members can receive a 10% discount on a minimum purchase of HK$300 or above at any of Il Bel Paese shops. The offer is not applicable to catering, hampers, private functions or paid events and can not be used in conjunction with any other promotion. Members should present their AWA Global Perspective for Nancy Roberts Membership card on payment. Read Books • 3 hour Adventure sailing tickets with a minimum of 2 Read Books is an online secondhand English language tickets purchased ($800/person before discount) bookshop at www.readbookshk.com. AWA members can • Harbour Winetasting & Lights Cruise with a minimum of 4 receive a 20% discount on all orders. The code for the tickets purchased ($590/person before discount) discount is AWA20% (to be entered on the payment page). • Container Port Tour with a minimum of 4 tickets purchased Read Books offers free delivery on all Hong Kong orders and ($795/person before discount) issues a newsletter showing the latest arrivals in store. If you American Women’s Association members can have a private are looking for a specific book, Read Books can help you charter for the prices above on: locate it. Read Books can also trade any of the books you • Harbour Cruise with a minimum of 35 people currently own for store credit or sell your books for you on a • Container Port Tour with a minimum of 35 people consignment basis. Email any queries or requests to • 3hr Adventure sailing charter with a minimum of 10 people [email protected]. • Ladies Champagne Po Toi Lunch Sail with a minimum of 10 people ($1500/person before discount) Hong Kong Yachting Charter sailing yachts, cruisers, party boats and junks for all ROSARINI offers simple yet stylish clothes made from a sorts of activities from Hong Kong Yachting. Services include unique jersey fabric that is comfortable, does not crease, adventure sailing, corporate team building, wine tasting shrink, fade or require ironing - clothes that will flatter all cruises, birthday parties, client entertainment, themed tours, shapes and sizes as they drape the body and don’t cling. cocktail dinner parties, corporate days out, sail training, deep Styles include tunics, tops, leggings, dresses, jackets, sea fishing or just great swimming days out on the water with ponchos, skirts, cardigans and pants. Sizes from an Australian your friends. Hong Kong Yachting also provides professional Size 6 to 22. catering and beverage packages to suit any occasion. See American Women’s Association members will receive a 20% www.hongkongyachting.com/ for details. discount. Please show your membership card when you pay. AWA members can have a 10% discount on prices Rosarini is at Ho Lee Commercial Building, 8th Floor, Room D, (subject to change without notice) for: 40 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central.

July-August 2014 AWARE 5 M EMBERs H i P Summer Volunteer Opportunities Community Service Save your Travel If you are staying in Hong Kong for the summer there are Toiletries for Charity volunteer opportunities ready for you: At the September 17 Welcome Back Coffee the Meals in the Home Charitable Donations Committee will be collecting Contact: Marybeth Coffer, toiletries for donation to some of Hong Kong’s [email protected] most needy residents, so scoop up those soaps, An ongoing, year round activity, Meals in the Home provides shampoos, disposable razors and airline care bags opportunities for US Naval personnel to explore Hong Kong, provided by airlines and hotels and bring them to enjoy a local meal or participate in an activity. Volunteer the Welcome back Coffee. If you are so inclined opportunities depend on when the US ships are in dock in you can supplement these items with full size Hong Kong. There is usually a 30 day lead time. toiletries found in the supermarkets. Sunshine Action and Feeding Hong Kong are Reading for the Blind the two charities that will be distributing your Contact: Kate Mahjoubian, donations to the needy. [email protected] Your donations can also be dropped off at the This is also a year round activity and any additional summer AWA office. help would be welcomed. Time is flexible. Contact Kate if interested.

Soup Kitchen. Contact: linda wolfe, [email protected] The soup kitchen, an ongoing activity, runs two meals a day 365 days a year and all help is much appreciated. Sign-ups for summer volunteering continue in the same manner as they Welcome Back Coffee! do year round. ! Wednesday 18th September ! 9.30am until Noon ! The American Club, Tai Tam! ! Please join us to find friends, old and new! Learn how you can become more involved in the coming year! Discover all the marvelous local tours and activities, sensational ! Asian tours and unique volunteer and fundraising efforts that ! The AWA has to offer.!

COST: HK$240 Members / HK$270 Guests Cost: $195 Members/$230 Guests! Breakfast is included! ! Register at awa.org.hk! ! Shuttle bus available! ! !

Generously sponsored by Asian Tigers Mobility.

6 aWaRE July-august 2014 Membership Membership Renewal Stay connected over the summer and don’t miss any AWA opportunities! The AWA membership year starts July 1, 2014. Your membership will take effect from the date of your renewal for a full year. The annual membership fee is HK$980. The higher rate takes into account increased expenses and inflation. All AWA members are able to access the new AWA website including Forum, the new LIstServe, and a copy of the AWAre Magazine.

DON’T DELAY! RENEW TODAY!

A[[

A+ Living In Hong Kong

6031-4930 [email protected]

Any premises leasing business with us by Aug 31, 2014, you will have supermarket gift vouchers equivalent to 10% of service payment.

July-August 2014 AWARE 7 Charitable Donations

AWA Grants Nearly HK$1 Million to 22 Local Charities

The AWA this year has again granted nearly HK$1 Million Other projects funded include: new sterilizers for estate to local needy charities. The annual grant program follows a dental clinics, replacement dehumidifiers for an elderly tradition begun when the organization was founded in 1956. residence, and tablets and internet access for children The grants, nine funded by the American Chamber of awaiting and recovering from serious heart surgery. Commerce (AmCham) with an educational orientation, “We rely on the AWA’s highly credible vetting process to typically support charities that serve children, the elderly, the identify worthy charities and projects”, said James Sun, disabled and women and families. Select grants this year chairman of the AmCham Charitable Foundation. “Ours is a include: longstanding, fruitful partnership that is both efficient and • A community program for older adults at risk for effective. It enables us to invest in outstanding small charities hypertension and diabetes performing meaningful work”. • Sign language for interpreters The AWA accepts grant proposals each fall and through an • A sexual abuse prevention program for mentally all-volunteer vetting program, reviews and performs site visits handicapped students. with the applicant charities. “We specialize in assisting “Our charitable niche is targeting small grant to small local charities that have great passion and commitment but minimal charities with big hearts”, said AWA President Eileen Glynn. resources”, said Susan Trebach, AWA Charitable resources “With our loyal AmCham partner, this year we are delighted chair. “These modest grants can be quite important to the to assist a total of 22 charities that provide valuable services recipients and we are privileged to be of assistance”. to our community”. Despite a challenging economic environment with many The largest single award this year, just over HK$126,000 deserving groups competing for donor dollars, this year the will go to the Rainbow Project Company Ltd. to treat children AWA, in partnership with AmCham, was able to raise almost with autism spectrum disorders. One of the smallest grants a million dollars for charities and needy student scholarships at HK$15,000 will provide replacement toys for teaching under the leadership of Marcy LaRont, vice president of language skills to hearing impaired children at the Suen Mei fundraising. Speech and Hearing Centre. “This year we developed a real momentum for giving among our already generous members", LaRont said. “From our highly successful annual charity bazaar to our more targeted spring events we were able to engage hundreds of donors with most satisfying results”. The AWA and AmCham presented the grants May 30, 2014 at an Awards tea hosted by the US Consul General Clifford Hart. “This is a real American family affair every year for us”, said Richard Vuysteke, president of AmCham. “We greatly appreciate the US Consul General’s support and participation and we all feel exceptionally fortunate to be able to assist this array of dedicated community partners". A full list of grant recipients will be posted on the AWA website in conjunction with the Awards Tea Ceremony.

8 AWARE July-August 2014 Charitable Donations

July-AugustJune 2014 AWARE 9 summer in hong kong

Hong Kong

the ideal water sport island By Hildy Karev

This summer when the temperatures soar into the high 30s, why not consider learning a new water sport? Hong Kong is blessed with beautiful beaches and mild temperatures most of the year so it’s an ideal place to learn a new skill or participate in various water sport training programs. The Leisure and Cultural Service Department, a state run program, has established five major water sports centers on and the New Territories. They are: • Stanley Main Beach Water Sports, Stanley Main Beach area, Stanley • St. Stephen’s Beach Water Sports Center opposite Stanley Bay, Stanley • Tai Mei Tuk Water Sports Center next to Main Dam of Plover Cover Reservoir, Tai Po • Chong Hing Water Sports Center, next to the High Island Reservoir, Sai Kung • The Jockey Club Water Sports Center at Wong Shek Pier, Sai Kung. There are also Water sports centers on Lantau Island and Discovery Bay. Centers are open from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm daily and they offer a variety of certification programs and activities for nominal fees. For more information go to: http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/watersport/en/index.php In addition to the Government run facilities, there are numerous privately owned centers offering other water sports such as Kayaking, Windsurfing, Sailing, Wakeboarding, Dragon Boating and many more. A few of the larger facilities are: • Hong Kong Aqua-Bound Center, Stanley • Wakesurfection, Wong Chuk Hang • Long Coast Seasport, Lantau Island • Hebe Haven, Sai Kung • Yachting Ventures Ltd. at the Hong Kong Royal Yacht Club, Causeway Bay

So grab your wetsuit and don’t forget your sunscreen. Have fun!!

10 AWARE July-August 2014 Summer weekend getaways Koh Samui By Carole Atkin

After almost three solid weeks of rain in HK we were more than ready for a hot and sunny weekend in Koh Samui, an island off the east coast of Thailand. On emerging from the airport, we were less than impressed by the fairly heavy rain, darkness and the drive through some pretty tacky looking streets. Throw in the recent military coup in Thailand, and we began to ask ourselves, What have we done? Our resort, the X2 Samui, lay south of Lamai beach on the south-eastern tip of the island. On getting up at sunrise the next day to explore our new surroundings, we were delighted to find a quiet complex of 20 or so chalets, most with their own private pool, and a restaurant overlooking an attractive beach. Before breakfast, we walked towards the rising sun to Boracay - White Sand a Muslim fishing village where life and business begin early in the day. The call to prayer was sung more beautifully than I and Clear Blue Waters had ever heard it, while the street market was a visual feast. By Shelda Chickles And it just kept getting better. If you want action and parties, crowds, shops and a beach with good swimming, I finally had an opportunity to visit Boracay around Easter then head for Chaweng or any of the northern beaches. break. Although there is plenty of lodging along the famous Lamai has several very beautiful and high-end resorts, but the White Beach that will suit most budgets, we opted to stay at water quality leaves a lot to be desired. We preferred the Shangri-la located on the north side of the island. White southern and western edges of the island where life is lived in Beach, often voted as one of the best beaches, is a four the slow lane. If your budget will stretch to it, experience kilometer stretch of white powdery sand and warm, clear blue sunset drinks from the Air Bar at the InterContinental, or at water. A definite draw for visitors looking for a piece of Island View restaurant at Five Islands Beach on the west paradise. coast. There are two ways to get to Boracay from Manila via A standard snorkeling/sightseeing day trip to the distant Caticlan Airport or Kalibo Airport. If you land at Kalibo, expect Ang Thong National Marine Park, can begin with a speedboat a 90-minute drive to the pier at Caticlan. Once in Caticlan, you trip which takes almost two hours and that can be challenging. will have a 15-minute boat ride to the island of Boracay. We Instead, we used TK Tour in Thong Krut to take us there in only flew Cebu Pacific from Hong Kong to Caticlan via Manila. It 20 minutes by long-tail boat. Koh Taen and Koh Mat Sum, off was easier than I imagined. After clearing immigration to the southern end of the island, gave us a morning of catch our flight, we walked to the domestic terminal which is snorkeling and island hopping. With just five of us in the boat, essentially in the same building, Terminal Three. A word of this was a lovely, low key way to enjoy the locality and see the caution, the overhead compartment in the plane is only big fish and coral of the area. enough for a bag pack so it is best to check in larger baggage. To sum up, we loved Koh Samui. My advice, just make White Beach is on the west side of the island and is sure to book accommodation in an area of the island that best divided into three areas, Stations One, Two and Three. Station suits your expectations and budget. Two seems to be where the all the action is, restaurants, bars, lodgings and shops. The area does get a bit crowded but once you have your toes in the water, it doesn’t matter. The water is warm and clean and the sand, as advertised, soft and divine. Scuba diving in Boracay couldn’t be any easier. The dive sites are within minutes of the shore and can provide a satisfying dive experience to suit your level. We spotted several Moray eels and banded sea snakes on our dives. Our vacation was short but sweet. Knowing that Boracay is only a hop, skip and a jump away from Hong Kong, we will definitely come back.

July-AugustJune 2014 AWARE 11 Feature

Mosaic Murals A of Hong Kong By Lori DiCarlo

Before moving to Hong Kong, I thought ceramic and mosaic tiles were for bathrooms and kitchens. Since moving here, I have been amazed at the extensive use of mosaic tiles. They are everywhere! In restaurants, in building foyers, in underpasses and overpasses, and on entire buildings, such as the one AWA volunteers go to in Nam Cheong to work in the Soup Kitchen; the entire building, inside and out, is done in a weary white mosaic tile. And, of course, we are all familiar with the boring brown tiles of Sheung Wan’s MTR station, the cheery cherry red tiles of Central’s, and the awful avocado tiles of Wan Chai’s. But, have you stopped to notice the many mosaic tile murals around Hong Kong? I traveled around Hong Kong to capture these beautiful B works of art. See how many of the following murals you recognize and if you can identify each one’s location. Answers are on page 35. Watch to see more of these marvelous mosaics in future issues of AWAre!

A special thank you to Mr. Cliff Wallace for his help in stitching photos together to create panoramic shot "A" above

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E

D F July-August 2014 AWARE 13 Feature

Many Faces of Happy Valley

By Tanvi Gupta

My introduction to Happy Valley, as for so many other people, was a trip to the Jockey Club for Melbourne Cup. Happy Valley is synonymous to horse racing for most visitors to Hong Kong. There is that, of course, but there is so much more, as we discovered after we moved here, and are still discovering.

Going to the races is quite an experience. Races at the pub food, Mexican, French, Japanese or local cuisines, the Jockey Club are organized every Wednesday night and draw options are there. To find any of these less-known treasures huge crowds. A note of caution on the traffic situation though, of epicurean Hong Kong, take a stroll along the road circling the jams can be brutal. Another reason we locals also like to the Jockey Club (Wong Nai Chung Road), or make your way a head to race grounds, on days other than Wednesdays, is to little uphill on to Ventris Road and walk into some of the make use of the public track for a walk or a run. smaller bylanes. That is how we discovered most of these Happy Valley’s best kept secret is its restaurants. Although places. not as many choices as offered in Central, there is a diverse Then, if you feel the need to burn all those yummy variety in cuisine and ambience. Whether your interest is in calories, Happy Valley has quite a few sport clubs such as

14 AWARE July-August 2014 Feature

South China Athletic. That is not all though. For people like disease, death. It started as paddy fields, which then became me, who like wide open spaces, there are several bike routes a British war camp and was ultimately turned into a race track. around Happy Valley. As such, the city has few opportunities To convert this area into a track, the stream that nourished the for biking in the populated central areas, but in Happy Valley, a fields was covered and is now under Canal Road. Who would pleasant weekend sight is bikers whizzing through the hills, have thought? In early 2014, an unexpected reminder of the making their way via Stubbs Road through to popular spots valley’s undulating history presented itself in the form of a like Stanley. Some of these roads are single lane unfortunately, WWII US bomb (an undiffused bomb!). Causing great but usually they are not too crowded early on a Sunday excitement, the bomb was found in a construction site, a morning. testimony to the many-layered history of not just Happy Valley, In contrast, the crowning glory of all sporting events is but of Hong Kong as a whole. definitely the Rugby Sevens. A highlight of the sporting and I think the thing I like most about Happy Valley is that social calendar of Hong Kong, it is organized in the Hong Kong against all odds, it is a quiet nook that feels like home, though stadium located in Happy Valley. Roads are blocked off, traffic it is so close to all the activity. As my shuttle-bus lumbers up is a nightmare, it is noisy, but somehow it is the most colorful, the hill every evening, I can physically feel myself leaving the fun-filled time. high-octane craziness behind and I can sink into the coziness Happy Valley is not all about activity-filled weekends. It is of home, to ready myself to immerse in it the next day. hard to imagine but this area has seen it all – excitement, war,

July-August 2014 AWARE 15 Feature

Hidden Treasures in Sheung Wan Frances continues her exploration of Sheng Wan.

By Frances Nicholls

We left Shueng Wan last month enjoying Chinese tea The brushes are made from hair of different animals, including and we now continue our exploration. wolves. A Chinese parent might choose a unique brush made After leaving the tea shop, follow Queen’s Road Central from hair from a child’s first haircut. then right into Wing Kut Street. At Lemon King (stall 20) Mr. At the end of Wing Kut Street, turn left along Des Voeux Tang has sold preserved lemon rind here for more than 40 Road Central and walk for a couple of minutes, then turn left years. Mixed with liquorice or ginger it is a remedy for a sore into Wing Lok Street. Walk along until you get to JHC/Japan throat. You can sample the offerings before buying and I loved Home Centre (67 Wing Lok Street) then turn right onto Man the lemon rind and ginger and bought a bag (HK$30). Wa Lane (aka Chop Alley). On both sides of this lane you can A hidden treasure well worth a visit on this small street is have traditional Chinese chops, rubber stamps and business Man Luen Choon, which offers anything you would need for cards made. Mr. Yam’s stall on the right, next to the hardware Chinese brush painting, including brush hangers (from store, has been there for 40 years and his youngest son, Yam, HK$150) to display your Chinese brushes, or your necklaces. Man Hong, works on the other side of the lane. You appreciate

16 AWARE July-August 2014 Feature

how talented these engravers are when you realise they have Morrison Street, go up the hill, crossover and turn right into to engrave the Chinese character backwards so when you Queen’s Road Central. stamp it shows up the correct way. A simple chop can be You will soon come across Wo Hing Preserved Meat ordered and will be ready in two to three days. Pricing of the Dealers, a family owned store which has been selling different chop depends on the stone chosen and how elaborate the types of preserved sausages, preserved meat and preserved carving. It comes with a box, and the red ink for stamping. duck since the 1950s. They make their own brand of sausages The name can be translated into Chinese or can be made in in their factory instead of importing them from China. One of English. their tasty Cantonese preserved sausages is made from pork Continue back along Wing Lok Street until you arrive at fat, meat, rosewater and rice wine. the bright yellow frontage of HK JEBN Ltd, the Turn left onto Possession Street, cross over and walk up “supermarket” of Chinese medicine. Everything is neatly laid the hill and on the right is Chu Wing Kee, a provision store out and you can stroll around with a trolley, much less first opened in 1959. One of the cutest items for sale here intimidating than the traditional Chinese medicine shops with are the miniature bamboo steamers which would be great for the elderly Chinese men standing behind the counter. A using as small gift baskets. stand inside on the left has recipe cards in English and Come back down to Queen’s Road West, turn left, walk Chinese relating to Chinese food therapy. along and you will find yourself at the American Women’s Exit out the other entrance of this shop, turn left onto Association Office (Office No 5, 11th floor, Arion Commercial , then take your first right onto Hillier Street, Centre, If you are in the vicinity during office hours you can not signposted but between two sample shops. Halfway up swing by for a reasonably priced coffee, tea or soft drink and the street on your right is She Wong Lam which has been rest your weary feet. serving snake soup since 1910. Snakes in wooden boxes line Finally after a hard day exploring it’s time to eat, my the store and down the back of the shop, I could hear and see recommendation is Lin Heung Kui. Here, the rustic interior a man chopping up a snake. In Chinese medicine it is believed gives a sense of going back in time. Dim sum is served from that eating snake alleviates pain and stiffness. traditional trolleys and the servers call out their dim sum – if Come back down Hillier Street and turn left back onto only my Cantonese were better. Sheung Wan, is a place to Bonham Strand. As you walk along you will pass numerous explore and to absorb the sights, sounds and smells of an Chinese medicine shops and shops selling Bird’s nests and ancient culture. tea. Walk to the end of Bonham Strand and turn left at

July-August 2014 AWARE 17 AsiaN Tours

Book now for Asian Tours

All you have to do is pack your bags, get your visa and go – AWA’s Asian Tours are all-inclusive! ASIAN TOURS 2014 - 2015 TRIPS

Trip Date Destination Sign-Up Start Date Leader 20 – 26 September Nepal Trekking Sign-Ups On-going Marja Lasek-Martin, 9675 2596 18 – 24 October Tibet Sign-Ups On-going Cynthia Lackey, 6200 3222 28 – 30 November River Kwai & Hellfire Pass Sign-Ups On-going Jane Buck, 9530 7957 January 2015 Harbin October date, TBA Cynthia Lackey, 6200 3222 6 – 14 February Myanmar Sign-Ups On-going Marja Lasek-Martin, 9675 2596 March Asia Biking September date, TBA Amanda McGovern, 6200 3976 April Yellow Mountain & November date, TBA Rebecca Wong, 9278 2727 Shanghai Watertowns May Zhangjiajie & Feng Huang December date, TBA Kate Mahjoubian, 6462 6559 (where “Avatar” was filmed) September 2015 Mongolia March 2015 date, TBA Julie Naughton, 9028 6606

For more information on any trip, please contact the trip leader. The AWA office will not have the information!

You can still sign up over the summer for these four fabulous AWA Asian Tours!

To register, go to https://awa.org.hk/activities_asia.php. For information, please contact the trip coordinator!

WORLD WAR TWO WEEKEND – THAILAND MYANMAR 28 – 30 NOVEMBER 2014 6 – 14 FEBRUARY 2015 Contact: Jane Buck, [email protected] Contact: Marja Lasekk-Martin, [email protected]

18 AWARE July-August 2014 AsiaN Tours

All you have to do is pack your bags, get your visa and go – AWA’s Asian Tours are all-inclusive! ASIAN TOURS 2014 - 2015 TRIPS

Trip Date Destination Sign-Up Start Date Leader 20 – 26 September Nepal Trekking Sign-Ups On-going Marja Lasek-Martin, 9675 2596 18 – 24 October Tibet Sign-Ups On-going Cynthia Lackey, 6200 3222 28 – 30 November River Kwai & Hellfire Pass Sign-Ups On-going Jane Buck, 9530 7957 January 2015 Harbin October date, TBA Cynthia Lackey, 6200 3222 NEPAL TREKKING 6 – 14 February Myanmar Sign-Ups On-going Marja Lasek-Martin, 9675 2596 20 – 26 SEPTEMBER, 2014 Contact: Marja Lasek-Martin, [email protected] March Asia Biking September date, TBA Amanda McGovern, 6200 3976 April Yellow Mountain & November date, TBA Rebecca Wong, 9278 2727 Shanghai Watertowns May Zhangjiajie & Feng Huang December date, TBA Kate Mahjoubian, 6462 6559 (where “Avatar” was filmed) September 2015 Mongolia March 2015 date, TBA Julie Naughton, 9028 6606

For more information on any trip, please contact the trip leader. The AWA office will not have the information!

TIBET 18 – 24 OCTOBER 2014 Contact: Cynthia Lackey, [email protected]

July-August 2014 AWARE 19 AWA EnJOYS

Clamming on Lantau Island

Grocery Shopping in Wan Chai market with Lavinia Hemandas

Soup Kitchen Volunteer Farewell luncheon

Exploring GeoPark by junk boat

Awards Tea

20 AWARE July-August 2014 Local tours and activities

Local Tours & Activities – At a Glance! Sign-up Starts 1 July

Friday, 4 July Fourth of July Celebration Luncheon on a Junk Thursday, 10 July Lolly Pop! Lolly Pop! Monday, 14 July What It’s Worth – Appraising Gemstones Monday, 14 July Local Lunch: The American Restaurant (Peking Food) Tuesday, 15 July Light Summer Menu Cooking Class & Lunch with Eric Poon Wedneday, 16 July Local Lunch: An English Pub Thursday, 17 July Foto Moto – Making a 3D Photo Collage or Shadow Box Tuesday, 22 July A Visit to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum Wednesday, 23 July Travel With Us to Antarctica! - Register by 16 July Thursday, 24 July Cider Tasting & Afternoon Tea at Trafalgar Monday, 28 July OHHHHHHHH, I need another Pearl Necklace! Tuesday, 29 July A Day of Decadence at Chuan Spa - Register by 22 July Wednesday, 30 July Local Lunch: Ferry to Discovery Bay for Lunch & Laughter - Register by 28 July Thursday, 31 July Ice Cream Making (Ice Cream Gallery, Kwun Tong) Monday, 4 August Local Shopping – The Best in Kowloon Wednesday, 6 August Make Your Own Kaleidoscope Wednesday, 6 August Lunch and a Foot Massage! - Register by 30 July Thursday, 7 August Flower Jamming Friday, 8 August Yes, There Is A Great Office & Craft Supply Store in Hong Kong! Tuesday, 12 August It’s High Time for Tea! Tea Buffet at the JW Marriott Hotel Wednesday, 13 August Two Views of Nature! Victoria Harbour (Over Lunch) and the “Flight of the Butterflies” (After Lunch!) - Register by 6 August Wednesday, 20 August All that Glitters – The Trade Secrets of Buying Gemstones Wednesday, 20 August Cooking Class for Domestic Helpers – Healthy and Delicious Western Meal Thursday, 21 August Chinese Calligraphy 101 Tuesday, 26 August Bone China and More for Less Tuesday, 26 August Let’s Go Squid-Fishing! Ahoy! - Register by 18 August Thursday, 28 August Shoe Artistry Mondays, 1, 8, 15 and 22 September Intro to Mahjong Wednesday, 3 September Mid-Autumn Festival Explained Friday, 5 September Making Mooncakes – A Mid-Autumn Tradition Wednesday, 10 September Getting Around Hong Kong 101 Thursday, 11 September Domestic Helpers Cooking Class: A Taste of India – 5

July-August 2014 AWARE 21 Local tours and activities

Fourth of July Celebration Luncheon on a Junk!

When: Friday, 4 July, 9:45am – 2:15pm Fourth. You do not have to be American to celebrate with Where: Meet at Central Pier 9 us! Dress is casual, but red, white and blue is definitely Cost: $225 member/$295 members’ guest encouraged! Capacity: minimum 10/maximum 25 Coordinators: Marybeth Coffer, 6624 4484 Liza Boltz, 6070 4303 We may be in Hong Kong on the Fourth of July but we can certainly celebrate America’s Independence Day! We will start the excursion with Bloody Marys and then have an American pot-luck luncheon while we cruise around Hong Kong Island. Included in the price is barbequed chicken, tips, paper goods, etc. The rest of the feast is where you come in! We’ll ask you to bring a side dish or dessert and will coordinate this with you before the

Lolly Pop! Lolly Pop! What It’s Worth – Appraising When: Thursday, 10 July, 9:30am –12:30pm Gemstones Where: Meet at Admiralty MTR – near GNC When: Monday, 14 July, 9:45am –12:30pm Cost: $470 members/$540 member’s guest Where: D’Alejo Jewelry, 9/F, On Hing Building, Capacity: minimum 4, maximum 6 No.1 On Hing Terrace, Central Coordinators: Marybeth Coffer, 6624 4484 Cost: $170 members/$240 member’s guest Let’s indulge in the childish pleasure of making and enjoying Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 10 lolly pops and stick candies. Manie and Freddi, owners of Hey Coordinators: Marybeth Coffer, 6624 4484 Candy in Tseun Wan, are going to let us inside their world of During our series of talks by Celso D’Alejo, a certified creating bespoke hard candies. In this class, you will learn gemologist and appraiser, we have learned much about how hard candies are made, flavored and colored. Then you gemstones and pearls. But there is probably one question we will have the opportunity to create your own combination of all have – what’s it worth. The “value” of jewelry has many animal shaped lolly pops, twisted lolly pops and traditional meanings and this value is not necessarily what was paid. candy shop stick candies. It will be your choice as to whether “What’s it worth” varies depending on the purpose of the you make one incredibly large lolly pop or a selection of valuation and the intrinsic value of the gemstones, gold, and smaller items. Lunch to follow at shared expense. designer of the jewelry. Learn about the current market value of the famous gemstones: diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires and how the origin of the gemstones can significantly affect commercial pricing. This is an insider’s look into how professionals determine origin, gold content, age, manufacturer, and quality. In addition, the different types of appraisals will be explained and examples of both good and suspicious appraisals will be shown. Learn what you need to protect yourself and your valuables. This hands-on seminar will be conducted in the showroom of Celso D’Alejo.

22 AWARE July-August 2014 Local tours and activities

Local Lunch: The American Local Lunch: An English Pub Restaurant (Peking Food) When: Wednesday, 16 July, 11:30am – 2:00pm When: Monday, 14 July, 11:45am – 2:30pm Where: Meet at Admiralty MTR – near GNC Where: Meet at Admiralty MTR – near GNC Cost: $70 members/$140 member’s guest Cost: $70 members/$140 member’s guest Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 12 Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 12 Coordinators: Jane Buck, 9530 7957 Coordinators: Lisa Wallis, 6715 0653 Lori DiCarlo, 6136 9871 Jane Buck, 9530 7957 A night time nitty gritty bar area of Wan Chai is transformed The American Restaurant is a famous landmark in Wan Chai during the day into the pleasant home of a true local English and has been around for more than 50 years, not too long pub, the Blue Goose Tavern. There, we will enjoy some after World War II. Although there is nothing "American" about incredibly good pub food, Wan Chai style, with your choice of the restaurant, legend has it that the name was chosen to everything from burgers to fish ‘n chips. Of course, real attract American sailors way back when. To this day it still English ale (half or pint) is available for your choosing. Dress draws an international crowd and serves excellent Beijing- really casual and bring your appetites for this one! Lunch is at style Chinese food offering over 200 dishes. What also makes shared expense. this restaurant unique is the knowledgeable long-serving old- time waiters. Our family started eating at the American Foto Moto – Making a 3D Photo Restaurant in 1971 and this restaurant is still one of our Collage or Shadow Box favorites. So come join us as we try some of their specialty When: Thursday, 17 July, 10:00am –12:00pm dishes such as: Minced Chicken with Lettuce, Crispy Beef Where: AWA Office, 2-12 Queens Rd, Arion Bldg, with Sesame pockets, Spicy Prawns, and for dessert, Toffee 11/F, Sheun Wan Apples and Bananas. (Lunch is at shared expense.) Cost: $370 members/$440 member’s guest Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 20 Light Summer Menu Cooking Class & Coordinators: Marybeth Coffer, 6624 4484 Lunch with Eric Poon Lori DiCarlo, 6136 9871 When: Tuesday, 15 July, 9:30am – 2:30pm Tired of having boxes full of photos and postcards? Are you Where: Meet at Admiralty MTR – near GNC looking for a unique and interesting way to display your travel Cost: $470 member/$540 member’s guest and family photos? Looking for a gift? Local professional Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 8 photographer Veron Sung is going to show us how to create Coordinators: Marybeth Coffer, 6624 4484 a 3D photo or photo collage that draws viewers in and Liza Boltz, 6070 4303 transforms a flat photo into a work of art worthy of hanging or We’re going back to Eric Poon’s in Tai Po for a light, summer gifting. Using multiple copies of the same photo, we will cut, inspired cooking lesson and lunch. Using traditional classic paste and layer until our scene comes to life. In this class, we cooking techniques, combined with the science of molecular will create a simple, small shadow box with some of Veron’s gastronomy, local celebrity chef Eric Poon Eric demonstrates own photographs, but once we learn her techniques, we will a modern style of cooking that is not only tasty but visually be able to take any photo or collection of photos and repeat stimulating. Eric will introduce us to cooking methods suitable the process ourselves. The piece you create in this class will for at-home cooking as we prepare a three course lunch make a great Hong Kong souvenir. Veron is a professional which includes smoked salmon and crabmeat roll with photographer who has traveled and studied aboard, has avocado and yogurt dressing, pan-fried sea bass fillet with exhibited in several countries, and has worked for many top fennel and cherry tomatoes, and rum baba with vanilla cream. fashion magazines. Her creative approach for using Eric is a graduate of the University College Birmingham, UK photography and art techniques make her unique in her field. and has worked under Gordon Ramsay and in several top Lunch at shared expense will follow. Hong Kong hotel kitchens. He specializes in private dining and recently delighted out Galloping Gourmet group. His recipes are now regularly included in one of the local Sunday newspapers. The trip to Tai Po is well worth it for the food.

July-August 2014 AWARE 23 Local tours and activities

Visit to Hong Kong Heritage Museum Cider Tasting and Afternoon Tea at When: Tuesday, 22 July, 10:00am – 2:00pm Trafalgar Where: Meet at Admiralty MTR – near GNC When: Thursday, 24 July, 2:30pm –5:00pm Cost: $70 members/ $140 member’s guest Where: Trafalgar, 5/F, 54-62 Lockhart Rd, Capacity: minimum 5, maximum 12 The Broadway, Wan Chai Coordinators: Jane Buck, 9530 7957 Cost: $280 members/$350 member’s guest Lori DiCarlo, 6136 9871 Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 20 Today we will venture into the New Territories to visit the Coordinators: Marybeth Coffer, 6624 4484 Hong Kong Heritage Museum and its famous New Territories Let’s get together and start the weekend early with a slightly Heritage Hall. This gallery consists of a series of time tunnels unusual afternoon tea at Trafalgar British pub in Wan Chai. Be that lead you through more than 6000 years of New Territories' sure to eat a light lunch, as our afternoon tea will include history. Featuring a number of reconstructed scenes, the time many savory, and a few sweet, treats to enjoy as we sample tunnels trace the natural environment and the social changes many different ciders. It doesn’t matter whether you already that have taken place in the area. Join us as we view over 300 love fizzy fruit ciders or have never tasted them, Trafalgar is artifacts from the New Territories on display. Optional lunch at providing us a unique opportunity to learn about ciders and shared expense after we tour the gallery. taste at least 8 of the 40 plus ciders they have in stock while enjoying a slightly untraditional summer tea set. The ciders, Travel With Us to Antarctica! which are an alcoholic beverage, range from the traditional When: Wednesday, 23 July, 12:00pm – 4:00pm dry apple variety to some new sweeter varieties made from Registration must be received by berries. Cider production has long been dominated by Great Wednesday, 16 July Britain, but the US, Sweden, Germany, and South Africa are Where: Meet at Central Star Ferry Pier gaining market share. Unlimited coffee and tea will also be Cost: $110 members/$180 members’ guest served. Each participant will be given a “cider log” to keep Capacity: minimum 4, no maximum track of her preferences. Coordinators: Lori DiCarlo, 6136 9871 Jane Buck, 9530 7957 Ohhh, I Need Another Pearl Really, we're only going as far as Tsim Sha Tsui, but once Necklace!!! inside the Space Museum’s OmniMax theatre, we will be When: Monday, 28 July, 12:00 – 3:30pm transported to the island of South Georgia near Antarctica. Where: Meet at Star Ferry Pier, Central, Also known as “Penguin City,” South Georgia is home to a Upper Deck Turnstiles vast colony of hundreds of thousands of penguins, along with Cost: $70 members/$140 member’s guest hundreds of albatrosses, fur seals, and elephant seals. This Capacity: minimum 8, maximum 10 summer’s new OmniMax movie, “Penguins,” is a Coordinators: Jane Buck, 9530 7957 documentary which follows a young male King Penguin for Katherine Fenton, 9600 3197 more than a year. This is no computer-animated “Happy Feet” What is more fun than to find a “sample” sale whether it is movie but the real thing! Throughout the movie, we will jewelry or clothing! Join us as we spend a fun afternoon witness how the young male forages along the coast despite trying to decide which sample from Henna Pearl Co. we want being stalked by predators, to buy! Jewelry designs are constantly changing and finds a mate, and helps someone “needs” to purchase the samples to make room raise their chick. It is truly for new merchandise in the showroom. Henna of Henna touching to watch as the Pearl has invited us to do just that! Henna Pearl is a couple takes turns keeping wholesaler of fresh water pearl jewelry. Her designs include the egg, and then the chick, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and pendants with 14k gold or warm and foraging in the silver findings. Many designs feature freshwater pearls and sea for food. After the Italian silver chains. This sample sale is too good to believe! movie, we will walk to Sorry, only cash is Knutsford Terrace for some accepted for the sales. ice cream at Lab Made Optional lunch Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream beforehand at shared Laboratory before returning expense. to Central by MTR.

24 AWARE July-August 2014 Local tours and activities

A Day of Decadence at Chuan Spa Ice Cream Making (Ice Cream Gallery, When: Tuesday, 29 July, 9:00am – 2:00pm Kwun Tong) (or later, it’s up to you!) When: Thursday, 31 July, 9:30am – 2:00pm Registration must be received by Tuesday, Where: Meet at Admiralty MTR – near GNC 22 July Cost: $390 member/$460 member’s guest Where: Meet at Admiralty MTR – near GNC Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 10 Cost: $1720 member/$1790 member’s guest Coordinators: Marybeth Coffer, 6624 4484 Capacity: minimum 4/maximum 8 Leslee Boyd, 6757 7789 Coordinators: Jane Buck, 9530 7957 Let’s escape the summer heat and have a fun morning Debbie Balling, 6621 3424 making two flavors of all natural ice cream with local celebrity Before you say “that’s too expensive” – read on! This is what chef Arron Liu. One of our flavors will be chili chocolate and your body (and mind) have been waiting for and deserve after the other will be summery. As a special treat, Arron will demo enduring the oh so hot days in Hong Kong! We will travel by a confectionary treat or ice cream topping. Arron’s innovative MTR to Chuan Spa at the 5-star Langham Place Hotel. Upon ice creams include those made from unusual ingredients arrival, we will immediately arouse our senses by trying each such as foie gras, salmon, and lobster. These innovations have of the Spa’s “five element” oils to find out which appeals to put him in the Hong Kong media spotlight and have brought each of us. Then, we can quickly indulge in the Spa’s steam him to the attention of Heston Blumenthal. Arron has also room and oriental spa hot tub before we change into our authored several pastry cookbooks, as well as one on Asian robes for our treatments. And, these are not just any ice creams. Arron, who prefers not to name drop, perfected treatments! No, no! We will start with a Coffee Scrub to rid his pastry skills in Michelin star restaurants in France. At the our skin of those nasty polluted bits of air that seem to cling completion of the class, each student will take home both when it’s hot. Next, we each have our choice of body massage: flavors of ice cream, so bring an insulated tote. An optional a Lymphatic Massage (for those who really need to recover!) or lunch will follow at shared expense. a Harmony Massage (instant relaxation!). Then, when we are already feeling so relaxed, we have a Purifying Facial to put the finishing touches on a perfect morning. And then, (yes, there’s more), we stroll down to the hotel’s lovely Portal restaurant for a fabulous salad bar lunch with soup and fragrant, wonderful homemade breads. And then, (fooled you! there’s even more for those interested), we can indulge in the Spa’s lovely outdoor pool and hot tub – in fact, we can stay and use the Chuan Spa facilities all afternoon! Fee includes everything – all treatments, lunch, tips and use of facilities. Local Shopping – The Best in Kowloon When: Monday, 4 August, Local Lunch: Ferry to Discovery Bay 10:00am – 3:00pm for Lunch and Laughter Where: Meet at Admiralty MTR – near GNC When: Wednesday, 30 July, 11:30am – 3:30pm Cost: $70 members/$140 member’s guest Registration must be received by Monday, Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 12 28 July Coordinators: Jane Buck, 9530 7957 Where: Meet at Central Ferry Pier # 3 to Melissa Azzopardi, 6345 3066 Discovery Bay We’re all familiar with Hong Kong Island’s high end Cost: $70 members/$140 member’s guest international shopping malls. Today, we’ll see what else Hong Capacity: minimum 5, maximum 10 Kong has to offer! We will start with a tour of the Prudential Coordinator: Jane Buck, 9530 7957 Mall in Jordan – four levels of non-designer shops, each with Lori DiCarlo, 6136 9871 great values and hidden treasures! Then we will have lunch at Here's your chance to visit Discovery Bay. If you've not been yet a nearby restaurant and enjoy western food with a distinct – and even if you have – come join us for lunch in the relaxing local twist. For those interested, after lunch we can visit Yue resort-like community of Discovery Bay. The short 25-minute Hwa Department Store, the Chinese “Macy’s” of Hong Kong, ferry ride over is in the air-conditioned comfort of a high-speed where you will find all of life’s necessities (linens, towels, ferry. The Plaza is where we will enjoy lunch at shared expense clothing, shoes, bags, even furniture) and all those little at one of the many restaurants. Afterwards, we can stroll extravagances (think Chinese Arts & Crafts Emporium at a around the Plaza with its many shops and businesses. reasonable cost). Optional lunch is at shared expense.

July-August 2014 AWARE 25 Local tours and activities

Make Your Own Kaleidoscope ankles, calves, and knees worked on by professional When: Wednesday, 6 August, Reflexology masseurs. While sitting in a luxurious, comfy 10:00am –12:00pm seat, your tootsies will be treated to a warm, herbal foot bath. Where: AWA Office, 2-12 Queens Rd, Arion Bldg, Then, your personal masseur will use his/her hands to work 11/F, Sheun Wan magic on your lower extremities for 60 minutes. If you are Cost: $320 members/$390 member’s guest unfamiliar with Reflexology, this is “the practice of using the Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 20 hands to apply alternating and firm pressures to the feet to Coordinators: Marybeth Coffer, 6624 4484 stimulate physiological changes in the body through reflexes Have you ever wondered how a kaleidoscope is made or how and the nervous system.” Like we said, amazingly delicious! it works? Local professional photographer Veron Sung is Lunch is at shared expense. going to show us how to take photos, recycled household materials, paper and fabric scraps, and a little bling to create Flower Jamming your own personal kaleidoscope or, as she calls it, a When: Thursday, 7 August, 9:45am –12:30pm Vcyclescope. You are going to take home a piece of art that Where: Meet inside Lai Chi Kok MTR – Exit B1 will amaze. All materials will be provided. Moms and Cost: $450 members/$520 member’s guest grandmothers – this is a great rainy day activity you can share Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 12 with the kids once you learn the technique. Veron is a Coordinators: Marybeth Coffer, 6624 4484 professional photographer who has traveled and studied Leslee Boyd, 6757 7789 abroad, has exhibited in several countries and has worked for This is a repeat of a very popular spring event. Let’s play with many top fashion magazines. Her creative approach for using flowers in this instructor-led Flower Jamming Session. The photography and art techniques make her unique in her field. instructors and floral designers of Sweet Pea/Amore Flowers Lunch at shared expense to follow. will provide us some basic rules of flower arranging before we are let loose to select flowers from their wall of flowers. Using our imagination and the instructor’s guidance, we will each create a personalized flower arrangement to take home. All flowers are beautiful high quality blooms and upgraded wicker and metal containers will be provided. No experience is necessary. Optional lunch to follow at shared expense.

Lunch and a Foot Massage! When: Wednesday, 6 August, 11:45am – 3:30pm Registration must be received by 30 July Where: Meet inside Causeway Bay MTR – Exit D1 Cost: $240 members/$310 member’s guest Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 15 Coordinators: Lori DiCarlo, 6136 9871 Barbara Galligan, 6080 6523 Get out of the heat and have a relaxing afternoon enjoying a delicious lunch at Ruby Tuesday in Causeway Bay followed by an even more delicious foot massage at “Health Feet for Life.” (Yes, that is spelled correctly!) Ruby Tuesday’s luncheon menu is very reasonable and nicely diversified so there should be something for everyone. Once our bellies are full, we will walk to “Health Feet for Life” and have our feet,

26 AWARE July-August 2014 Local tours and activities

Yes, There Is a Great Office and Craft After a lovely lunch overlooking Victoria Harbour at BLT Steak Supply Store in Hong Kong! in Ocean Terminal, we will walk a short distance to the Hong When: Friday, 8 August, 10:00am – 2:00pm Kong Space Museum to watch an amazing OmniMax movie Where: Meet at Admiralty MTR – near GNC inside the cool OmniMax theatre. The film, “Flight of the Cost: $70 members/$140 member’s guest Butterflies,” is a true story of a Canadian zoologist who spent Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 10 most of his life trying to unravel the secrets of the daunting Coordinators: Jane Buck, 9530 7957 annual migratory journey of butterflies. He and his wife Susan Trebach, 9402 2334 worked for over 40 years looking for the overwintering site of We found it! And its not just any store, but four stories of Monarch butterflies. Every autumn, millions of these beautiful stationery, office and art supplies! Today we will journey to butterflies fly from North America to some remote place in Yau Ma Tei and visit CN Square, where you will be able to find the south. But where? And everything you might need – from binder clips and batteries how do they accomplish to weekly planners and zipper pouches – and everything in this most amazing feat? Not between (think Staples or Office Depot). After we’ve only will we see the doctor’s shopped, we will have lunch – believe or not – at the nearby work, but we will follow the California Pizza Kitchen (optional, at shared expense). life of “Dana,” one of the Monarch butterflies in the It’s High Time for Tea! Tea Buffet at movie, along with her The JW Marriott Hotel daughter and granddaughter, When: Tuesday, 12 August, 3:30pm – 6:00pm as they annually travel on Where: The Lounge, one of the longest insect JW Marriott Hotel at Pacific Place migratory journeys on the Cost: $70 member/$140 member’s guest planet. Lunch is at shared Capacity: minimum 6, no maximum expense. Coordinators: Jane Buck, 9530 7957 Melissa Azzopardi, 6345 3066 All that Glitters – The Trade Secrets of Return to the days of the British Empire when high tea was Buying Gemstones taken in the afternoon to appease one’s appetite. Enjoy a When: Wednesday, 20 August, traditional high tea complete with a sumptuous buffet in the 9:45am –12:00pm tranquil setting of The Lounge in the world famous JW Where: D’Alejo Jewelry, 9/F, On Hing Building, Marriott Hotel. Situated above Pacific Place, The Lounge No, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central offers a pleasurable environment, bathed in natural daylight Cost: $170 members/$240 member’s guest along with dazzling views of Victoria Harbour. The tea buffet Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 10 promises to be a relaxing afternoon of good fellowship, Coordinators: Marybeth Coffer, 6624 4484 conversation, and lots of delicious food – and of course, tea! Lori DiCarlo, 6136 9871 The Lounge offers quite an extensive tea selection. Skip lunch A three carat diamond, whether purchased in New York or and join us! The tea buffet is approximately $270 per person Hong Kong, should be of similar price for similar quality. The payable on the day. question is not where you buy, but what quality you buy. This informative seminar is conducted by Celso Alejo, a certified Two Views of Nature: Victoria Gemologist and Appraiser and owner of D’ALEJO. It will Harbour and “Flight of the provide us with the facts about a broad range of familiar and Butterflies” not so familiar gemstones, how to understand quality which When: Wednesday, 13 August, 1:00pm – affects pricing, and the tricks many dealers use on the 5:00pm unsuspecting customer. A wide range of gemstones is Registration must be received by shown to illustrate the subtle differences that greatly affect Wednesday, 6 August gemstone pricing. The information provided in this lecture and Where: Meet at Central Pier Star Ferry, Lower demonstration is invaluable as we travel and often have Level opportunities that seem just too good to pass up. Cost: $110 members/$180 member’s guest Capacity: minimum 4, no maximum Coordinators: Lori DiCarlo, 6136 9871 Melissa Azzopardi, 6345 3066

July-August 2014 AWARE 27 Local tours and activities

Cooking Class for Domestic Helpers – Bone China and More for Less Healthy and Delicious Western Meal When: Tuesday, 26 August, 10:30 am – 2:00pm When: Wednesday, 20 August, Where: Meet at Admiralty MTR – near GNC 10.30am – 12:30pm Cost: $70 member / $140 member’s guest Where: Flat 29A, Branksome Crest, Capacity: minimum 5, maximum 8 3A Tregunter Path, Mid Levels Coordinators: Jane Buck, 9530 7957 Cost: $350 member’s helper/$420 member’s Katherine Fenton, 9600 3197 guest helper Hidden away across the harbor is a one-room showroom Capacity: minimum 4, maximum 6 laden with the collectibles you would most love to own. Coordinators: Lena Zakharova, 9726 2378 Imagine Wedgewood, Ganz miniatures, hand-painted bone Why go out to an expensive restaurant to have a delicious china and more, at less than half the price you would pay at meal? Lena will teach your domestic helper to cook healthy Shanghai Tang, Lane Crawford or Chinese Arts & Crafts. and tasty meals that can be served either for family dinners Yumiko, of KY Network, has agreed to open her showroom or when you are entertaining friends. She will also give tips exclusively to AWA members and their guests, so sign up on how to modify these recipes to accommodate various now to make sure you don’t miss this amazing opportunity! food allergies/sensitivities. Today's menu: Summer Corn Cash and checks only please, as credit cards are not Soup, Chicken Piccata with different side dishes, Apple- accepted. Optional lunch will follow at shared expense. Blackberry Crisp. Enjoy your meal - Bon Appetit! Let’s Go Squid-Fishing! Ahoy! Chinese Calligraphy 101 When: Tuesday, 26 August, 6:45pm – 11:00pm When: Thursday, 21 August, 10:00am –1:00pm Registration must be received by Monday, Where: AWA Office, 2-12 Queens Rd, Arion Bldg, 18 August 11/F, Sheun Wan Where: Public Pier #9, Outlying Ferry Terminals, Cost: $370 members/$440 member’s guest Central Capacity: minimum 3, maximum 8 Cost: $280 members/$350 member’s guest Coordinators: Marybeth Coffer, 6624 4484 Capacity: minimum 17, maximum 26 Melissa Azzopardi, 6345 3066 Coordinators: Regine Pocsatko, 6141 7061 This is a basic orientation to Chinese Calligrapy. Millie Chu, Kate Mahjoubian, 6462 6559 from Dotted Collective, will share with us her extensive It’s Night Squid Fishing season! Grab your spouses, pack your knowledge of and passion for Chinese Calligraphy. She will wine, and prepare to enjoy one of Hong Kong’s favorite speak to us about the History of Chinese Calligraphy, the pastimes. We will set sail to the area of Tseung Kwan O to Evolution of the Chinese Characters, and Calligraphy get to prime squid-fishing territory while watching the sunset Appreciation as an art form. In addition, she will demonstrate and savoring our own potluck dinner on board. Later, we will various styles and show us how the characters for certain be provided with fishing tools and try to master the art of words have changed over time. Finally, at the end of her squid fishing under the floodlights as instructed by our lecture/demonstration, she will give each of us an opportunity captain. Squids are strong swimmers, ready inkpots and to try our hand on a take home piece. delicious delicacies. We will return to Pier #9 by 11:00pm, at the latest.

28 AWARE July-August 2014 Local tours and activities

Shoe Artistry Mid-Autumn Festival Explained When: Thursday, 28 August, 10.15am–12.30pm When: Wednesday, 3 September, 9:45am – Where: Meet at Admiralty MTR – near GNC 12:00pm Cost: $140 members/$210 non-members Where: AWA Office, Conference Room Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 10 Cost: $350 members/$420 members’ guest Coordinators: Celine O’Connor, 6383 2508 Capacity: minimum 12, maximum 24 Lori DiCarlo, 6136 9871 Coordinator: Lori DiCarlo, 6136 9871 What is a girl’s best friend? Her shoes! Join us for a talk You know your husband and your helper have the day off for hosted by a unique local shoemaking business aiming to this public holiday, but do you know why the holiday is preserve Hong Kong’s shoe craftsmanship and its heritage. celebrated? What does it mean? What are the many Gain insight into the background of local custom shoe making traditions, and their meanings, behind the Mid-Autumn with a show and tell overview on the steps needed to make a Festival? Join us today when Christine Chan, AWA's lecturer custom pair of shoes. Baby booties, Daddy’s big foot, Mum’s on Chinese Culture and Festivals, explains all of this and more ballet flats eat your heart out! Following the talk we will enjoy to AWA members in a relaxed presentation/discussion in the an optional casual lunch (at shared expense). cool, air-conditioned office of the AWA. The Mid-Autumn Festival turns Hong Kong into an enchanting world of fiery dragons, ancient lanterns, and modern light shows as the Chinese appreciate and offer sacrifices to the moonlight. And let’s not forget about the moon cakes!

LOOKING AHEAD TO

SEPTEMBER Making Moon Cakes – Intro to Mahjong A Mid-Autumn Tradition When: Friday, 5 September, 9:30am – 2:00pm When: Mondays, 1, 8, 15 and 22 September, Where: Meet at Admiralty MTR – near GNC 2:00pm – 4:00pm Cost: $520 members/$590 member’s guest Where: AWA Office Capacity: minimum 8, maximum 15 Cost: $150 members/$220 member’s guest Coordinators: Marybeth Coffer, 6624 4484 Capacity: minimum 4, maximum 12 Moon cakes are a traditional Chinese bakery item that appear Coordinator: Martine Vallone, 2866 9801 around the time of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Traditional moon Do you feel like you’re the only person in Hong Kong who cakes consist of a thin pastry layer that surrounds a sweet doesn’t know how to play Mahjong? Can’t tell a dragon tile dense filling that is usually a salted egg custard or bean from a wind and never heard of “chi” or “pong”? Then this is paste. In this class we will make both sweet and savory your lucky month! Our own Martine Vallone will teach us all moon cakes, plus the more modern, but very popular, Icy the basics needed to know in just four easy and fun lessons! Mooncakes. Teresa Cheung, owner of Fukwawa Happyland, This introductory class (beginners only, please!) will meet and a keen bread maker, will provide lots of moon cake weekly for 4 consecutive weeks. Please plan on attending all history and information as she teaches us how to make these 4 sessions. moon cakes with our choices of fillings. We will each leave with 12 nicely packaged moon cakes that will be good eating and will also be perfect gifts for your neighbors and building staff. This is a great opportunity to combine cooking and Chinese culture. Lunch to follow is at shared expense.

July-August 2014 AWARE 29 Local tours and activities

Getting Around Hong Kong 101 herbs and spices that will excite your palate and impress your When: Wednesday, 10 September, 10:00am – family and friends. Today’s menu: Machi Kari – a wonderful 2:00pm fish curry simmered in fenugreek and coconut sauce; Murgh Where: Meet at Admiralty MTR – near GNC Tikka – succulently grilled chicken in yoghurt and tikka Cost: $70 members/$140 member’s guest marinade; Aloo Mutter Bhaji – delicately flavored potatoes Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 12 and peas cooked in fragrant spices. Coordinators: Jane Buck, 95307957 Lori DiCarlo, 6136 9871 Getting around Hong Kong can be so quick and so easy, but many of us opt to take a taxi because we’re not exactly sure Refund, Cancellation and how to deal with public transportation. If you’re new to Hong Substitution Policies Kong, this is the perfect introduction to Hong Kong’s transport Every activity includes an administrative fee of HK$70* system! We will start with the tram, which we will take into Member/HK$140 Member's Guest. This base fee is not Sheung Wan where we will visit Gateway, Hong Kong’s refundable at any time, unless the AWA cancels the event. version of Costco or Sam’s Club. Then we will descend into Charges in excess of the base fee are refundable if cancellation the MTR station where we will teach you how to deal with is received by the AWA office at least one full week before the activity date. For example, if the activity is on a Tuesday, octopus cards and figure out how to get where you want to cancellation must be received prior to midnight of the go and how much it will cost. Next, we will take the MTR to previous Tuesday. If the AWA cancels an event, the entire Admiralty where we will board a bus (with instructions, of activity cost will be automatically credited to you. Credit notes course) and take a ride to Repulse Bay for lunch (at shared are not transferable and must be used within six months from expense). Over lunch, we will answer any questions you may the date of issue or by the end of the AWA fiscal year (30th have about Hong Kong and living here! June), whichever is earlier. You may request a check in lieu of a credit at any time before the credit expires. Owing to the popularity of AWA activities, many have a wait list and therefore substitutions cannot be accepted. If you are unable to attend an activity, please inform the AWA office to cancel your place and allow someone on the waitlist to attend.

Registration Procedures Local Tour and Activity (LTA) events are open for registration as of the first of each month in which the activity will be held. Activities being held in the early part of the following month are open for registration on the first day of the prior month. Check the AWA website at www.awa.org.hk for the most up-to-date schedule and don't forget to register early as many of the events will sell out. Domestic Helpers Cooking Class: A Taste of India – 5 When: Thursday, 11 September, 11:00 am – * The $70 registration fee is purely an administration fee. It is 12:30 pm not donated to the Charitable and Education fund. Where: 41A Stubbs Rd, Villa Monte Rosa, Block C, 9/F, Flat 1 Cost: $350 member’s helper/$420 member’s guest helpers Capacity: Minimum 4, maximum 7 Coordinator: Lavinia Hemandas, 2838 2199 Tantalize your taste-buds with the aromatic flavors of India! Send your Domestic Helpers to learn from our very own Lavinia Hemandas, how to create some amazing dishes with

30 AWARE July-August 2014 LocaL tours and activities

July-august 2014 aWare 31

CR Ad_Hong Kong_AWA Magazine-ol.indd 1 5/21/2014 10:54:42 AM On-going activities

Ongoing activities are generally for AWA members only. An celebrate unity in diversity and gather to foster spiritual annual one-time registration is required to become a member literacy in everyday life. The group will break for the summer of an ongoing activity group. To register, contact the AWA months, resuming in the Fall, meeting on the second and office at [email protected] or register on the AWA website: fourth Wednesday of each month from 9am to noon. The next https://www.awa.org.hk/activities_ongoing.php. Please Note: meetings will be September 10 and 24 to discuss the book "A Registration for the 2014-15 year begins July 1at. Don't Place of Grace, The Virtues of a Sustainable Life" by Linda forget to re-register for your favorite On-going Activities Popov.

New AWA Buddy Program ART LOVERS Welcoming new members in a personal one on one fashion is When: Monthly the purpose of the new AWA Buddy Program. It is hoped Where: Various venues that this will nurture a strong connection between the new Coordinators: Kumiko Matsushima member and existing member while easing her transition into [email protected]; Hong Kong life. Cynthia Lackey, [email protected], The Buddy would welcome the new member and if new in 6200 3222 town, the Buddy could answer any questions about life in The “Culture Vultures” will explore the local fine arts scene. Hong Kong. Activities could range depending on available We will visit museums, current exhibitions, galleries, film time and may include meeting for coffee or sharing an AWA festivals, the Hong Kong Arts Festival, and the Literary Festival event or activity. with its numerous lectures by international authors. An Buddy matching will take into account interests and also optional lunch at shared expense will follow where we discuss districts where new members live. Consideration is also given our opinions. to whether the new member has children living with them as life with children can be a shared experience. Anyone interested in being a Buddy is asked to contact Alison May at [email protected] and provide the following information: • District where living • Mobile number • Mail address • Whether or not you have children living with you

AFTERNOON BOOK CLUB When: TBD Where: TBD Cost: No charge. One-time annual registration Coordinator: Penny Van, Niel [email protected] Anna MacDonald, [email protected] Afternoon Book Club will adjourn during July and August . The book for September will be "The Empress Dowager Cixi" by NEEDLE ARTS Jung Cheng. Registrations for the Afternoon Book Club begin When: Fridays, 10:00am – 12:00pm July 1, 2014. Coordinators Penny Van Niel penny.vaniel@gmail Coordinator: Elisabeth Denys, [email protected] .com; Anna MacDonald [email protected] Join us as we work on needle arts projects – sewing, quilting, needlepoint, cross-stitch, knitting, and embroidery – while SPIRITUAL LITERACY BOOK/ chatting about our common interests, exchanging new ideas, DISCUSSION GROUP learning and getting advice from each other. This is not a class When: TBD but an informal group. Members may bring an unfinished Where: TBD project to work on. Needle Arts will continue to meet over the Coordinator: Kate Weisman Summer months. [email protected] SLG is a gathering of interfaith, spiritually-minded women who celebrate unity in diversity and gather to foster spiritual literacy in everyday life. The Spiritual Literacy Group is a gathering of interfaith, spiritually minded women who

32 AWARE July-August 2014 On-going activities

BRIDGE AND LUNCH SOCIAL Come and play mahjong on Tuesdays with other AWA / When: Mondays, 10:00am – 1:00pm American Club members. This activity is suitable for all skill Where: AWA Office, No. 5, 11/F Arion Commercial levels, but players are expected to have a prior knowledge of Centre, 2 Queen’s Rd West, Sheung Wan the rules. Optional lunch at individual expense. Non-American Cost: Free (Optional lunch at shared expense) Club members must settle their bills prior to departure by Coordinator: Lisa Strunin, 6184 8370, strunin.lisa@ credit card only (no cash or checks). gmail.com Registration required for one-time only sign up for the entire FRENCH CONVERSATION GROUP 2014-2015 membership year. When: TBD Note: This group is for players with a previous knowledge of Where: Central and Southside the game. Coordinator: Barbara Markovits, Make Monday your bridge morning! Come and enjoy social [email protected] bridge at the AWA on Monday mornings. We rotate tables so Enjoy French conversation in a fun, casual group setting! The there are plenty of opportunities to make new friends and French conversation group meets once a month with an aim enjoy the company of others who love playing bridge. to socialize, have fun, and improve conversational skills Optional lunch at a local restaurant follows. while gaining more knowledge about the culture. Activities are organized by rotating hosts. All levels welcome! Register to join the group re-starting in September.

ITALIAN CONVERSATION GROUP When: TBD Where: Various locations, TBD Coordinator: Patty Tarallo, [email protected] Enjoy Italian conversation in a fun, casual group setting! The Italian conversation group meets once a month with an aim to socialize, have fun, and improve conversational skills while gaining more knowledge about the culture. Activities are organized by rotating hosts. Register to join the group starting in September.

GAMES GALORE ICC – INTERNATIONAL COOKING When: Fridays, 10:00am – 3:30pm CLUB Where: The American Club, Fireside Lounge When: Group meets every second Friday of each AWA or American Club members only month, 10:00am – 2:00pm Coordinator: Beth Hall, [email protected] Where: Various venues; TBA. If you enjoy playing Mahjong or Bridge, plan to come to the Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 8 American Club on Fridays. Coordinator: Sylvie Guyot, [email protected] Mahjong tables and tiles will be set up, and Bridge cards and Are you interested in learning how to cook international tables will be available. All skill levels are welcome; however, dishes that might bring a welcome change to your daily players must have prior knowledge of Mahjong or Bridge. routine? Rotating hostesses will introduce foreign dishes and Lunch is at individual expense; non-American Club members demonstrate how to prepare easy, family-oriented dishes in may make payment by credit card only, no cash. Play will the comfort of their own kitchen. Lunch follows each class. continue in the Summer. We pick a new country monthly and share the costs for food and drinks (costs per person will not exceed $250). Each MAHJONG MADNESS participant will leave with a printout of the recipes. The When: Tuesdays, 10:00am – 4:00pm (come hostess will notify the group each month about the planned anytime) cuisine and the venue–first come, first in! Where: The American Club, Fireside Lounge or other location to be posted AWA, American Club or AMHH members only Coordinator: Katherine Fenton, [email protected] 9600 3197

July-August 2014 AWARE 33 o n-going activities

LUNCH BUNCH “SOCIAL” . . . IS COMING . . . ! When: Monthly Are you finding yourself alone in Hong Kong with nothing to Where: Various restaurants do? Craving some conversations with others besides the CapaCity: maximum 20 doorman? You are sooooooooo not alone! AWA wants to find Coordinator: Marcia Hammelev Sander, a way for us to meet up – whether for a movie, coffee, wine, 9868 4112, [email protected] dinner or other adventures! SOCIAL provides the S.. Would you enjoy gathering for lunch on a regular basis? The cheduling, O..utings, C..oordinate, I..nteresting, A..nytime, L.. Lunch Bunch coordinator sets up a group of 12 to 20 ink. Details coming soon. Interested in Helping Organize members. Each member takes turns choosing the restaurant, SOCIAL? Contact: Barbara Macho, [email protected]; making the reservation, informing the others, and hosting. and/or Patti Smith, [email protected]. Lunch is either at individual or shared expense as agreed upon on the day of the event. This is a great way to socialize GALLOPING GOURMET with other AWA members while enjoying a variety of cuisines Hong Kong restaurants offer an international gastronomic in Hong Kong. extravaganza which we explore by visiting different restaurants each month. A designated host couple selects a restaurant for the group. Contact: info@ awa.org.hk. Look for our next event in the fall.

MOMS & TOTS MORNING PLAY DATES When: TBD Where: TBD Coordinator: Alpa Tolia, [email protected] Moms-to-be and tots up to 3 are welcome to join us for a morning of play, chatting, and coffee/tea! Please feel free to come in costume.

PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP ! When: Group meets at least once a month "#!$%&!%'()#*+#! CapaCity: maximum 10 ! $%&!,+-,%+%$)*.!/!$%&!,0%..).1! Coordinator: Becky Wong, [email protected], 9278 ______2727 !"#!$!#%&'()*)+(,&,+()*),-%(,() .&-,"+-(/!.()*)01-.1-&,!1"() The AWA Photography Group is a social way to enjoy ) photography as a hobby while giving you a chance to practice 23!'%()#!0"#45!6+3!)0.&)2"03) your skills and explore Hong Kong. All you need is enthusiasm $7*8%#!63!2%$-+#))0.&)21/3) %8)!0-.1))0.&)20&3) and a camera to join us as we capture Hong Kong's 4567).-1(.+-!,8)9!''+""!&).'&:&) contrasting architecture and communities. All camera types ;;<)=!">?()-1&#@)"1-,/).1!", welcome as well as suggestions for excursions. ,+'+./1"+)ABCD)<4C4)577D) +9&!')EFGHIJKLMNMOPHQ)))

34 aWare July-august 2014 SPORTing activities

AWA’s Globe Paddlers Dragon Boat I-HIKES Team Readies for the 2014 Race CoordinatorS: Lori Wigmore, Sarah Rindlaub Season Cynthia Lackey, [email protected] Cost: No charge. One-time annual registration. CoordinatorS: Elissa Imran, [email protected] Are you amazed at how much space there truly is in Hong 9618 470 0 Kong? Join us for intermediate hikes in and around Hong Sara Bertino, [email protected] Kong Island, lasting 2 to 3 hours, usually on Wednesday 9666 4954 mornings. We hike various stages of the Hong Kong Trail, the The AWA Globe Paddlers Dragon Boat team has won the Wilson Trail, and many other trails that may not be as well Stanley International Ladies Cup for the last 4 years! The known but offer a challenge and a view. Occasionally we Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng) celebrates an old Chinese venture off of the island to the New Territories, Lamma Island, legend by racing long narrow boats with 18 paddlers, one and Lantau. These moderately paced hikes are recommended drummer and one helmsman. for beginner to intermediate hikers who love the outdoors. The team consists of 24 dedicated women who practice Hikes will begin again in the fall. twice a week. Our pre-season practices run from October to December on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our regular season practices run from January to June and are on Tuesdays and Answers to Mosaic Mural Quiz Saturdays. We welcome women from all walks of life, as long as they demonstrate a strong fitness level, a A) Wan Chai – Hopewell Centre, 17th floor lobby; there are three fabulous murals here, each filling an entire wall commitment to attend practices, and an even stronger dedication to our Globe Paddlers family. We are all about working hard and playing hard, and we complement our dedicated work with plenty of team social events.

We will start actively recruiting for paddlers again starting at B) Ocean Park, outside D) Ladies’ toilet in the Hong the AWA Welcome Back Coffee in September. In the Ocean Theatre Kong International Airport meantime, if you are interested in getting more information about joining the Globe Paddlers, please contact either one of the captains listed below All are welcome to come give dragon boating a try!

We would like to thank our sponsor, TTI Group, for their generous support of the AWA Globe Paddlers. C) Ngau Tau Kok Viaduct, outside the MTR station – “Healthy City” – “Inspired by Elissa Imran, 9618 4700 their experience living or [email protected] studying in Kwun Tong, E) Wan Chai, on the side of about 300 students, mostly a building on Spring Garden from schools in Kwun Tong Lane, Ocean Park, exit from Sara Bertino, 9666 4954 District, created the artwork.” Ocean Theatre [email protected] There are three pillars, a different mosaic on each of the four sides, twelve mosaics in all. May, 2008

F) Jordan MTR Station, platform - “Persimmon” - “The growth of persimmons is very fruitful and with cyclic harvests, it symbolizes an unfailing life and an unyielding will power.” - by Liu Tung Mui, February 2007

July-August 2014 AWARE 35 SPORTing activities

SOCIAL GOLF Keep an eye out for dates and details about golf in the second Contact: [email protected] half of the year by checking AWAre and checking our AWA Social Golf Group's newsletter ~ The Whack and Hack. For The AWA Golf Group is well into the golfing year. We've held more information, contact the coordinator: Jodi Jones on no less than seven golf clinics already and competed in five [email protected]. tournaments while our regular golf continues every Monday and Wednesday. Weekly golf will resume in August:

Nevertheless, whether you are a member returning or new to When: Every Monday and Thursday Hong Kong and perhaps even new to golf, we want you! Where: Hong Kong Golf Club, Deep Water Bay When: 09:00 am tee-off on a roll up basis The AWA Social Golf Group makes playing golf in Hong Kong Cost: $550 for AWA Members ~ please make simple, fun and stress free. We try to cater for all levels of sure you bring your handicap card and your ability from beginner to advanced or experienced golfers. We HK ID or passport. play regularly each week on different courses, and we also Coordinator: Marlyn Robertson, [email protected] organise golf clinics twice a month to help you improve your game. Every so often, we host golfing weekends or golf days When: Wednesdays further afield such as in and Mission Hills, and other Where: Kau Sai Chung Public Golf Course, Sai Kung one-off activities including quiz nights or simulator coaching, When: Tee-times are usually booked on request amongst others. If you like the competitive side of golf, we and as the system allows (08:30 onwards) run a tournament each month, which is very popular. Cost: $600 approximately Sign up: As reservations have to made a week in You can sign up to play golf with us by registering online via advance, kindly book your spot with the the AWA Website. Simply go to "golf" in the sports section, coordinator as soon as possible when the complete the registration and you'll start receiving our emails, email is sent out advertising details about newsletters and other communications. There is no additional the round. fee charged for this group and events are all open to AWA Coordinator: [email protected] members and guests.

During the summer, tournaments and clinics will not take place until August when our regular golf programme resumes.

36 AWARE July-August 2014 contact information

Office EXECUTIVE BOARD Phone 2527 2961/2 Fax 2865 7737 Executive Board [email protected] Hours 9.30am – 3.30pm Mon-Thu President Stephanie Bourque [email protected] Address No.5, 11th floor. Arion Commercial Centre, 1st VP Fundraising Marcy LaRont [email protected] 2-12 Queen's Road West, Hong Kong 2nd VP Membership [email protected] Website www.awa.org.hk 3rd Vice President Activities Lisa Strunin [email protected] Office & Website Manager Barbora Mayer [email protected] AWAre Editor Joy Murray [email protected] Membership Representative Joanne Lam [email protected] Charitable Donations Andrea Roth [email protected] Administrator Caroline Nicholas [email protected] Community Service Patty Tarallo [email protected] Education & Scholarship Eileen Glynn [email protected] Public Relations Jennifer Schlueter [email protected] Community Recording Secretary Marybeth Coffer [email protected] Treasurer Irene Chu [email protected] C haritable Donations [email protected] Online and Social Media Angela Bellas [email protected] Chairperson Andrea Roth, [email protected] Social Community Service [email protected] Activities [email protected] Chairperson Patty Tarallo [email protected] ACS Partnering Susan Trebach [email protected] 3rd Vice President Lisa Strunin [email protected] Cheung Chau Reading Program Ellen Albrecht [email protected] Art Lovers Kumiko Matsushima [email protected] Volunteers Carol Lampard [email protected] Cynthia Lackey [email protected], 6200 3222 Helpers for Domestic Helpers Tammy Baltz [email protected] Asian Tours Jane Buck [email protected] HK Society for the Blind Kate Mahjoubian [email protected] Bridge & Lunch Social Lisa Strunin [email protected] Meals in the Home Marybeth Coffer [email protected] Book Club - Day Penny Van Niel [email protected] Ronald McDonald House Renee Cheung [email protected] Anna MacDonald [email protected] Trisha Cliff [email protected] Dragon Boat E l i s s a I m r a n e l i s s a . i m r a n @ g m a i l . c o m , 9 6 1 8 4 7 0 0 Soup Kitchen Linda Wolfe [email protected] Sara Bertino [email protected], 9666 4954 French Conversation group Barbara Markovits [email protected] Games Galore Beth Hall [email protected] Galloping Gourmet [email protected] Education & Scholarship Global Insights Stella Schumann 2493 7114, Tracy Russell 6921 4400 [email protected] Golf – Events and Lessons Jackie Johnson 852 5662 7248 Golf – Social Play and Events [email protected] Chairperson Eileen Glynn [email protected] iHikes Lori Wigmore, Sarah Reinlaub, Cynthia Lackey [email protected] Chatterbox Rosalind Keith [email protected] International Cooking Club Sylvie Guyot [email protected] Kowloon Marti Law [email protected] Italian Conversation Group Patty Tarallo [email protected] Wan Chai tba Local Tours and Activities Jane Buck [email protected] Pok Fu Lam Rachel Bourke [email protected] Lunch Bunch Marcia Hammelev Sander 9868 4112 Sham Shui Po Lindy Vasey [email protected] Mahjong Katherine Fenton 9600 3197 Chai Wan Rosalind Keith rmekeith@ yahoo.com Moms & Tots Alpa Tolia [email protected] Ap Lei Chau Sue Cummings-Walder [email protected] Needle Arts Elisabeth Denys [email protected] Dining Etiquette Heather Black [email protected] Photography Group Becky Wong [email protected] Phone Pals Shibani Dutta [email protected] SOCIAL Barbare Macro [email protected] Mock Interviews Bernice Lee [email protected] Patti Smith [email protected] Spiritual Literacy Book/Discussion Group [email protected]

Fundraising [email protected] 1st VP Fundraising Marcy LaRont [email protected] Membership [email protected] 2nd Vice President [email protected] CHAT Coordinator Susan Wallace 9783 3227 Public Relations [email protected] Foon Ying Kate Mahjoubian 6462 6559 Hildy Karev 6799 9604 Chairperson Jennifer Schlueter [email protected] Membership Discounts [email protected] Newsletter/E-Blast Coordinator Nancy Roberts [email protected] Night OWL Kathy Barber [email protected] WOW 2527 2961/2 ListServe Moderator/E-Newsletter Nancy Roberts [email protected] [email protected]

If you would like to join the AWA or if you have any question about the organization, please contact the office or any of the Executive Board.

July-August 2014 AWARE 37