A Magazine for the Women of • Summer 2018 OTM AWA Half Dec 2016.pdf 1 12/8/2016 5:23:49 PM

Save the Date AWA Welcome Back Breakfast & General Meeting

Tuesday, September 11, 9:30 am – 12 pm The American Club, Catch up with old friends, make some new ones, and learn how you can become more involved with AWA in the year ahead!

Thank you to our sponsors SUMMER 2018

The American Women’s Association of Hong Kong, Limited. Established in 1956 We are a vibrant organization of international women. Our mission is to welcome and empower women to connect and contribute in Hong Kong.

AWARE PRODUCTION TEAM EDITOR Stephanie Chan [email protected] 14 ASSISTANT EDITOR Samantha Merton CONTRIBUTORS Gabriela Caraman-Heijnen Georgia Davidson Jessica Flaten-Cheng Contents Pattie Gordon Sophie Leahy Frances Nicholls News From the Board 2 Kim Rehmann AWA Enjoys 4 GRAPHICS Jacky Ngan A Piece of Our Hearts for Rachel: A Tribute From AWA’s Interns 6 ADVERTISING MANAGER Teg Malla Top Tips From Women on [email protected] 11 the Way Up (WOW) 7

A Year With the Charitable Donations Committee 8

Going Meatless in Hong Kong 10 PUBLISHED & PRINTED BY R&R Publishing Ltd. A Walk Through Tai Po Market 11 2126 7812 [email protected] www.rrpublishing.com.hk Ladies Who Junk 12 Trip Report: Tea Fields, Tulou, and Tires 14 12 Calendar 17

The AWA office is open from Monday-Thursday 9:30am-3:30pm. We are closed on Hong Kong public holidays.

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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 2018. 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. NEWS FROM THE BOARD

News From the Board By Barbora Mayer, Director of Operations, and Tracey-Lee Hayes, 3rd Vice President, Activities

BARBORA: Summer has AWA. It’s been a lifeline to friendship, a way to definitely arrived in Hong contribute to the local community and charities – and Kong and many of us are my social calendar is never empty! getting ready for our After my second local tour, I was inspired to join the summer vacations. For committee, enthralled by the commitment and those of us braving the heat dedication of the volunteers who put together activities and humidity of the Hong every month so that new AWA members can make Kong summer, the Local friends and longtime members can maintain them. Tours committee has From heritage tours to educational talks, luncheons to organized a wide variety of health and wellness classes, there’s never a dull or activities to keep us busy – lonely day to be had in Hong Kong! see Tracey Lee’s article below. Beyond the borders of Hong Kong, our Asian tours The AWA office will remain open throughout the take you to regional destinations that are off the beaten summer (Monday – Thursday, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm) so track of mass tourism, be they Hakka “tulous” in China, please come in out of the heat to say hello and have a Architectural Island in Japan or golfing week in Da cup of coffee or a glass of cold water – Joanne and I Nang. will be very glad to see you. Still room in the diary? We also have fabulous For those of you looking for some outdoor activities ongoing clubs, also coordinated by dedicated to do during the summer, my personal favorites are volunteers. Explore Hong Kong’s finest galleries and waterfall hikes. Trekking up a stream, finding a pool of museums with fellow Art Lovers, graze with the fresh water to cool off in – what could be better? Hong Galloping Gourmets, walk the greens with our Golf Kong Outdoors (www.hkoutdoors.com) lists several Society or enjoy some hikes suitable for all fitness levels. stimulating conversation Or would you like to get your hats, scarves and with the Afternoon Book mittens out this summer? Why not give ice skating a Club. These are just a few go? The Rink @ Elements HK (ICC), Cityplaza Ice of the wonderful ongoing Palace (Taikoo Shing) and Mega Ice at MegaBox clubs on offer. You can (Kwun Tong) will be the coolest places to be this find more information on summer. the AWA website or on Whatever you decide to do this summer – have fun, page 28 of this issue. stay safe and see you at the Welcome Back Breakfast All of our activities, on Sept. 11. tours and clubs are designed to benefit members, and they continue to TRACEY-LEE: It’s marvelous to hear from fellow succeed with your continued participation – so thank members that they stay awake just past “Cinderella you! We welcome any ideas you might have for future hour” to pre-book their favorite activities! What a activities, and if you would like to be a coordinator reward for the hardworking committee members on please feel free to make contact with me. Local Tours that after all these years we are still able to For those traveling over the summer, safe travels entice members to sign up. and remember, no matter where you are you can Arriving in Hong Kong nearly four years ago, I was access and sign up for the next exciting tour! fortunate to be guided within a few days to join the

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Walk in the Steps of a Hong Kong Refugee

The AWA (American Women’s Association) is a dynamic community of women of all nationalities, with Welcome New Members more than 650 members from 36 countries. We are Kerry-Lyn Blades sure you will find your niche through our diverse Natalia Bochorishvili range of activities, events and opportunities to Niina Burgess volunteer. All women are welcome – do join us! Anna Calis Luisa Cingolani Current members – you are our best ambassadors. Manuela Guthrie Please introduce new arrivals and old friends to AWA – Ronit Katz over wine at OWL, at a Neighborhood Coffee or a Tara McCartney WOW event, or by encouraging them to attend CHAT. Birgit Rappold AWA’s vision is that all women can connect with us Tina Siebert Sunny Wai and develop a rich, satisfying and purposeful life in Hong Kong. Joining AWA is easy via our website at awa.org.hk or by calling 2527 2961.

Summer 2018 AWARE 3 AWA ENJOYS

Gallery Visits in H Queen’s and Afternoon Tea at Four Seasons Hotel

Lost in Hong Kong: Escape Room Outing

Send your photos to [email protected] to be featured in the next issue’s AWA Enjoys!

Talk & Workshop on Living a Zero-Waste Lifestyle

4 AWARE Summer 2018 AWA ENJOYS

Globe Paddlers Dragon Boat Team Grab your husband, grab your kids, grab your friends – or just come on your own to cheer on the Globe Paddlers, AWA’s own dragon boat team, as they take to the water this summer! Bring a blanket, a picnic lunch, sunscreen and your camera, and join in the fun of these amazing events. Summer 2018 Races All race days start at 9 am and end at 5 pm. Come at any time; no registration is required. Sunday, June 10: Mui Wo (beach next to ferry pier) Monday, June 18: Stanley (main beach) Saturday & Sunday, June 23 & 24: Victoria Harbour Saturday, June 30: Stanley short course (main beach)

AWA Golf Society Spiritual Literacy Group For our last tournament of the SLG is on a summer break with plans to meet on season, we were checking the HK Wednesday, Sept. 12. The SLG summer reading selection (to Observatory weather forecast all be discussed at the first meeting of the fall) is “The Book of weekend. It wasn’t good – in fact it Joy” by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. The book is was horrendous – but we kept the about the week that the two Nobel Peace Prize laureates and faith and 20 of us gathered at good friends spent in Dharamsala, India celebrating His Deep Water Bay at 9 am. Holiness’s eightieth birthday. They traded intimate stories, Thunderstorm warnings were teased each other continually and shared their spiritual issued, the clouds gathered and practices. It’s a story of how to transform despair into a life everywhere else in Hong Kong brimming with joy. suffered heavy rainfall. But Deep Let coordinator Kate Weisman know if you’d like to join Water Bay has its own this dynamic, international and interfaith group of soul sisters, now entering its seventh year: [email protected] microclimate and we managed to The winning team of Thea play for over three hours without a Morgan and Camilla Chan drop. We played a team Stableford competition, adding up the three team members’ points for an aggregate total. Four teams were within five points of each other, but the winning team consisted of Thea Morgan and Camilla Chan (rounded out with Ms. Average). Camilla had 38 points, Thea 30, so Ms. Average got 34 for a total of 102 points. We all congratulated Ms. Average on how very well she played! We will kick off next season in the middle of September with a potluck lunch at my place with a rules quiz set by our pro, Jackie Johnson. Our first tournament will be at Deep Water Bay on Monday, Oct. 22.

- Nicci Button Discussing "Tao: The Watercourse Way" by Alan Watts at the May SLG meeting

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She’s set a high bar for our future bosses! Avery Lam: Living in Tuen Mun, the thought of getting up at 8 am and going to Sheung Wan every week – on the only weekday when I don’t have class or work – was absolutely A Piece of heartbreaking. However, I soon came to realize that it was totally worth it to lose my day off to Rachel for a whole semester. A morning meeting with Rachel is like taking a Our Hearts dose of caffeine: you come with your eyes half open, but you leave with a fully-functioning brain filled with ideas and for Rachel thoughts, feeling ready to go out there and kick ass. Keane Lau: I remember Rachel telling us how much she would have liked having a mentor in her early 20s so she A Tribute to Their Mentor From could have wasted less time stumbling around the dark. AWA’s City University Interns That’s why she has been more than happy to be our mentor throughout our final year project. It has been seriously one of the best experiences in my final year of uni. Nicolas Mo: I was always told to obey and follow a system that does not accept differences, just like another brick in the SINCE 2015 the AWA has been cooperating with the English wall. Rachel gave me the tools to break the wall, and department at City University of Hong Kong to offer six everything seems possible now. Without her guidance, I’d students an internship at the AWA as part of their final year still be lost and would never have found the courage to break project. The goal for the students is to finish a professional free. communication project in a workplace setting. It’s a win-win Holly Lam: It would be an understatement to say that Rachel situation for both sides: the students gain experience in is a great supervisor. She has been an amazing friend and applying communication skills to real-world projects and we the best mentor who guides us not only when it comes to can count on their valuable support for promoting our big work, but also in life when we feel lost. She’s like a big sister fundraising events. we can learn so much from. Her determination, sincerity and This program wouldn’t be possible without a coordinator kindness inspire us. who guides and supervises the students. Rachel Bourke, our Marvin Chan: Without Rachel, our whole final year project wonderful PR chair, has taken on responsibility for the interns would not have come into being. This year with AWA could for the past two years with passion and commitment. The not have been more fruitful and rewarding, all thanks to feedback of her first interns was so positive that this year’s Rachel’s help. She doesn’t just guide us through the students ranked the AWA very high on their list of preferred hardships; she prompts us to figure out the answers hosts. Their conclusion: “As lucky as we were, we were whenever needed. In the process, together we have grown a granted the opportunity to work with AWA and had the best lot and developed our relationship into a precious, lifelong year of our uni life thanks to that!” friendship. – Andrea Roth Summer Wong: When I think back on our time with Rachel, moments pop up like a highlight reel. Her swear jar, the rugby shirt story, all the laughter we shared, the words of wisdom and of course, the tears (yes, we cry every other week). She’s the perfect mix of professionalism and genuine fun. As a supervisor, she is tough because she makes sure to challenge and bring out the best in us. But she’s also a great friend and mentor. I’m grateful for her guidance during Rachel Bourke (third from right) and AWA's interns from City University at Art on the Line. Image such a confusing phase in life. courtesy of Julia Broad - www.JuliaBroad.com

6 AWARE Summer 2018 FEATURE Top Tips From a Year of Workshops With Women on the Way Up (WOW)

By Jessica Flaten-Cheng

Women @ Work Panel on Looking for Work in Money on My Mind: Our Relationship With Hong Kong (October 2017) Money With Deepa Gupta, Certified Money • Having a dependent visa is a great advantage, so make Coach (January 2018) sure it is stated clearly on your CV. • Money coaching helps us to identify how money • If you have all the desired skills except for language influences our feelings and emotions. skills, it is still worth applying for a job. • Identifying money archetypes allows us be mindful of our • Start-ups always need people, so they are great places mindset around money and other relationships, which in turn to look for opportunities. allows us transform it into a beneficial influence.

LinkedIn Workshop and Office Tour CV Master Class with Cathy Blanc, (November 2017) HR Consultant (March 2018) • LinkedIn has a function where you can signal to recruiters • HR recruiters only want “fresh” candidates so they will that you are interested in being contacted without your only look at LinkedIn profiles that have been recently current employer being able updated. All you have to do to see it. is change a space or add a • On LinkedIn, you can word to reset the clock! expand on your CV without • In Hong Kong, you only being confined to two need a photo on your CV if pages. Make use of that you are applying for a front- flexibility! of-house position. • Make sure you use a • Use dynamic and professional quality photo. specific language but do not exaggerate. How to Grow Your • HR recruiters love to Business With LinkedIn Workshop and Office Tour read the “interests” section Karena Belin, at the end of the CV, so Co-Founder of W Hub (December 2017) include what makes you unique. “Travel” is too vague but • Use the “Business Model Canvas” (https://strategyzer. “Love to cook Greek food” is good. com/canvas/business-model-canvas) to help you frame a consistent and sustainable business model. Start with the Cover Letter Master Class With Cathy Blanc, problem, make some Leap of Faith Assumptions and then HR Consultant (May 2018) build a prototype to test your solution, be it a product or a • If you find a job on a job board, apply there and also service. Based on concrete experiences and user feedback, through LinkedIn. Being pushy is seen in Hong Kong as a keep or pivot. Continue this iteration until you have found the sign of determination and a positive attribute to have in the right product-market fit. workplace. • For your prototype, don’t get stuck in the planning phase. • A cover letter should have four paragraphs: 1) Identifying Use the three golden rules: 1) Find the quickest path to the position you are applying for in a friendly yet professional experience; 2) Doing is the best kind of thinking; and 3) Use manner; 2) Explaining why you are interested in the tools that can move at the speed of thought (paper, clay, company; 3) Explaining why you would be a good fit, photos or other simple materials). matching three of your qualities or experiences to the job • Remember: execution is the best strategy, the only one description; and 4) Leaving a lasting impression by showing your consumers see. kindness and consideration while avoiding the overused words “I look forward to hearing from you.”

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GIVING BACK… And Getting Back Two First Timers' Experiences with the Charitable Donations Committee By Sophie Leahy and Pattie Gordon

Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre

This year’s grant recipients will be announced at the charities that have submitted applications for funding. My Charity Awards Coffee at the American Club Town Club team hit the ground running thanks to our team leaders, on Friday, June 8. Celine O'Connor and Ilene Levy, who did a fabulous job Sophie: This past September, a year after arriving in Hong organizing the charity visits, welcoming and educating the Kong, I joined the Charitable Donations Committee. I had newbies, and generally creating a friendly atmosphere been inspired by committee chair Gabriela Caraman- conducive to exploration and collaboration. Heijnen's presentation at last year’s Welcome Back Our group had to quickly find suitable candidates for the Breakfast. Joining the CDC proved to be a great way to Giving Tree, which highlights charitable organizations during connect and contribute in the spirit of the AWA’s mission! the fall Charity Bazaar. What a joy to see the generous Most of our work as committee members takes place in response from AWA members in support of Love 21’s sports the fall, when we are split into teams to visit and vet local classes for children with Down syndrome, and the purchase

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limbo” due to unfortunate circumstances in their personal lives as domestic helpers or asylum seekers. We visited organizations such as Project Concern, which provides necessary dental treatment for the elderly and poor in low-income areas like Sham Shui Po, and Justice Centre Hong Kong (featured in the May 2018 issue of AWAre), which provides pro bono legal advice and help for refugees who are stranded in Hong Kong with nowhere to go. Other organizations focus on the needs of families and families-to- be: United Christian Nethersole (UCN) sought funding to provide basic nutrition education for families of children with special needs; Pathfinders supports pregnant domestic helpers, who are vulnerable to losing their jobs and often need legal help and counseling. These are just a few

RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) Hong Kong examples of the more than 40 organizations visited by CDC teams from 2017-18. of fans and water heaters for the elderly in a Helping Hand Through each of our visits, we were touched by and retirement home! enlightened about all the good works that are happening in We were always touched to meet with the potential Hong Kong - and how much need there still is in this city. recipients of AWA funds, and humbled to see the formidable The CDC’s efforts are without a doubt one of the best work being done by the charity leaders we met. At the same ways that the AWA supports the local community and I feel time, it was difficult to prioritize needs and to realize that we privileged to have been part of the process this year. I could not help everyone. After having seen firsthand the applaud the capable women on this committee who offered great needs in the local community, it became that much insight and leadership as we visited and considered the easier to decide to contribute to the AWA’s fundraising many worthy organizations that applied for our funding. events. Most of all, it was very satisfying to do this work with a terrific group of women. Pattie: This year was my first on the AWA’s Charitable Donations Committee and it did not disappoint. As someone who spent part of my childhood in Hong Kong and now has lived here for the last 15 years with my own family, I was a bit skeptical about renewing my membership to the AWA and becoming “involved” again. It has turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made this year. At the urging of my friend Beth McNicholas, I joined her CDC team (co-led by Namrata Dhanuka). We visited nine charities, all of which served worthy causes and had needs that could not be met through government funding or the larger charitable organizations commonly active in Hong Kong (e.g. the Community Chest and Jockey Club). Helping Hand The visits reminded us that there is a large gap between the well-to-do, comfortable life that many of us lead here in Inspired to join the CDC? Learn more at the Hong Kong, and the lives of those who are in great need – AWA Welcome Back Breakfast on Sept. 11. living below the poverty line, with poor health, or in “legal

Summer 2018 AWARE 9 FEATURE Food for Thought: Going Meatless in Hong Kong By Gabriela Caraman-Heijnen ON OUR JOURNEY towards environmental sustainability it Cooking at Home is natural also to tackle the footprint of our food choices. If you enjoy the plant-based diet enough to try it at home, Formerly determined by the need to survive, our diets are you will find plenty of inspirational recipes online from Post now driven by such factors as taste, nutritional value, Punk Kitchen (www.theppk.com), Isha Foundation (www. affordability, habit, spiritual and religious beliefs, and even ishafoundation.org/us/blog/recipes), and Oh, She Glows the perceived social status conferred by certain foods. (ohsheglows.com). For a special treat, Google “homemade The environmental argument for reducing meat energy bars Brendan Brazier” for a recipe by the famous consumption comes down to the efficient use of vegan endurance triathlete. limited resources. Livestock production From the AWA side, Yelena Zakharova, a accounts for 70 percent of all agricultural holistic health coach, suggests the beet, land use, and requires much more water orange and arugula salad by Martha Rose than grain and vegetable production. Shulman of the New York Times (cooking. Hence, for those who are in the nytimes.com/recipes/1015857-beet- position to help safeguard the orange-and-arugula-salad; subscription environment by enjoying nutritious required), whereas Augusta Nichols- vegetarian/vegan food, here is a Even, a member of the AWA Globe compilation of places and resources in Paddlers, recommends watermelon and Hong Kong not to be missed. lemon juice to quench the Hong Kong summer thirst. Eating Out Whether you follow a fully plant-based or a We have personally tried and can recommend: Lok mixed diet, bear in mind the words of one of the most Cha Teahouse, a place of rest and contemplation amid the outstanding figures in the history of medicine, Hippocrates: rush of Admiralty; Pure Veggie House in Mid-Levels, an “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Please oasis of Chinese organic dishes; Green Veggie in Sheung eat consciously, be moderate, and remember that individual Wan, a modest but heartwarming place full of traditional and choices not only impact the environment, but also dictate the fusion recipes; Green Commons (multiple locations), where marketplace. you can try faux meat and shop for sustainable food and household items; Happy Veggies, a reasonably priced nonprofit social enterprise restaurant in Wan Chai; Mana!, If you are interested to learn more about vegetarianism/ offering enticing dishes in Central with a “fast slow food” veganism, please email us at awahkenvironment@gmail. philosophy; and Sangeetha and Saravanaa Bhavan for com so that we can note your interest and coordinate a famously good south Indian food in TST. more in-depth, hands-on workshop in the future. Further vegetarian/vegan restaurants can be found via HappyCow (www.happycow.net) and Green Queen Hong Kong (www.GreenQueen.com.hk). Diets, Defined To discover new vegan/vegetarian-friendly places while Veganism: Promotes the elimination of all animal/bird/fish/ socializing with like-minded people, you may wish to join the insect products, particularly in diet but also in clothing, etc. Meat Free Hong Kong meetup community (www.meetup. Usual diet includes legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, com/Meat-Free-Hong-Kong). mushrooms, seaweed, vegetables, fruits. A valuable resource for conscientious pescatarians is the Vegetarianism: Allows all of the foods consumed by vegans WWF-HK Seafood Guide, available on the web (wwf. as well as some animal products (dairy products for lacto- panda.org/get_involved/live_green/out_shopping/seafood_ vegetarians; unfertilized eggs for ovo-vegetarians). guides) and as a smartphone app. It offers information on Pescatarianism: Allows the consumption of fish and seafood the origin and method of farming of various species, and in addition to plant-based foods. : Allows the consumption of, in addition to all of categorizes common seafood options as “Recommended,” Omnivorism the above, birds, mammals and even worms and insects. “Think Twice” or “Avoid.”

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into a “Green Hub” by Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden. It was reopened to the public in 2015. The buildings are built in typical colonial style with verandahs, red brick walls and chimneys with Chinese pitched roofs. In the outlying buildings, you can see a heritage display (closed on Tuesdays) consisting of the report room, a detention cell and armory. The co-op shop sells local agricultural products and the Eat Well Canteen (open daily except Tuesdays, 10 am – 5 The former Tai Po Market railway station, now home to the HK pm) sells locally sourced vegetarian dishes. Railway Museum, features auspicious Chinese motifs on the The original police station had 12 rooms for 37 police traditional pitched roof staff, which have now been redesigned as guest rooms. Short residential courses are held here on subjects relating to sustainable living; you can go to the Green Hub website Hong Kong Neighborhoods (www.greenhub.hk) for more information. After you have finished walking around the police station, walk down the hill to Tai Po Contour Sitting-out Area and turn A Walk Through left onto Kwong Fuk Road. As you walk along you will see many egrets; the trees that were their homes have been chopped down and as such they have been displaced. Tai Po Market Continue on for 15 to 20 minutes until you pass Tsing By Frances Nicholls Yuen Street. Turn left down the street market and on your right you will see the Man Mo temple, built in 1893 and restored in 1985. Man Tai, the god of literature, is TAI PO is located in the northeast of the New Territories on worshipped here and is popular with students who believe the banks of the Lam Tsuen River. Travel there by taking the praying to him assists them with their studies. East Rail MTR line to Tai Po Market, about a 30-minute Continue along through the street market and up to journey from Hung Hom. Shung Tak Street and you will reach the old Tai Po Market If you look at the photos of this traditional market town in railway station, featuring the pitched roof of a traditional the MTR station you can see ducks being herded in Tai Po in Chinese building. The sides of the roof are covered in the ‘50s. The surrounding waters were originally used for auspicious Chinese motifs: red bats (luck), peonies (good clamming and pearl farming. fortune) and magpies (lasting Take Exit A2 and walk through fortune). Built in 1913, it now houses Wan Tau Kok playground, where you the Hong Kong Railway Museum can see the original arch of the Tai Po (13 Shung Tak Street, open daily Primary School. except Tuesdays, 10 am – 6 pm), a Walk up the hill and turn left when 6,500 square meter open-air you see the Wan Tau Kok playground museum, opened to the public in changing rooms. Continue up the hill 1985, where you can learn about the until you get to the Old Tai Po Police history of the railroads in Hong Kong. Station (11 Wan Tau Kok Lane). Built Here you can see historical coaches in 1899, it was the first permanent and a narrow-gauge steam police station in the New Territories locomotive out on the platform, and and remained operational until 1987. walk through a couple of different This site is believed to be where the train compartments. British raised the flag marking the After you have finished follow the official takeover of the New Territories signs back down to Tai Po Market from China in 1899. MTR station. Listed as a Grade I historic Thank you to AWA member Jackie building, the police station was Smith for showing me around Tai Po selected by the Hong Kong Built in 1893, Man Mo temple honors the god of Market. government in 2010 to be transformed literature

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Ladies Who Junk How to Survive the Summer With Your Dignity Intact By Georgia Davidson

SAVE FOR BUYING a Budweiser on the Staten Island Ferry, they think you will bring a decent spread and good the average New Yorker has few opportunities to enjoy a wine. Second, they will think you are too classy for drink at sea. So it came as a shock to this Brooklynite to junks that involve pole-dancing contests. learn that junk trips are to Hong Kong what baseball doubleheaders are to the United States. Not only is it 2. Beginning of junk season acceptable to spend seven hours on a boat eating and a) The invites are pouring in. It is time to develop a drinking, you are considered practically unpatriotic if you screening process. don’t. i)  Beware of “kid-friendly.” Does the host actually For those who are coming to junk boating relatively late in mean kid’s party? The cuteness half-life of a 2-year- life, it can look like a fraternity party on the Kon-Tiki. old who does not share your genetic material is 30 However, there are ways to enjoy Hong Kong’s “national” minutes. summer pastime with grace and dignity. Before ceding all ii)  Avoid “pet-friendly.” It gets ripe quickly. And a the fun to the next generation, here are a few tips to mitigate snout in the guacamole and cheese platters means potential loss of face. sure starvation by docking time. iii)  Keep in mind that if your host exhibits any 1. Upon arrival in Hong Kong gendered stereotypical behavior when sober – a) Cultivate friends who make a boatload of money, such as squealing or chest-bumping – it gets literally. Dignity is easily maintained if you are on a worse with cocktails. private yacht with a crew instead of a tricked-out iv) If your host spends an inordinate amount of time at sampan. the gym, so do most of his or her buff friends. No b) If rich friends prove elusive, then pretend to be rich. one needs that kind of humiliation for seven hours. Pick up that tab. Act refined with your tastes. While v)  If you are getting the invite on Friday afternoon, you’ll take a monetary hit in the short term, it serves two somebody cancelled at the last moment. Yes, it purposes. One, people will invite you on their junks if could be the flu. More likely it is because the boat

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will be filled with boring people. c) Don’t swim too closely to the toilet side of the boat. b) I can’t compete with “Sassy’s Junk Trip Guide” for the Allegedly junk operators don’t use holding tanks. inside scoop, but be on the lookout for ones you should d) Don’t attempt to catch the beer tossed to you from the go on. deck. You should know that beer cans float. i) A 2 pm launch instead of the usual 10 am negates e) Determine which would look more idiotic: attempting to the guilt of drinking before noon. Further, the drink the beer while balancing on a noodle, or dreaded midafternoon panic of how-am-I-going-to- abandoning 7(b) to drag yourself onto a raft first. survive-another-four-hours is replaced by a sunset. ii)  A junk that includes an island lunch adds a bit of 8. Halfway mark local culture. You are either having the time of your life or in Dante’s ninth circle of hell. Both situations can lead to over-imbibing. If you 3. Upon accepting a junk offer haven’t been pacing yourself, start now. Pay ahead of time. If you wake up in a cold sweat at the idea of spending seven hours on a boat with people you barely 9. Two hours left know, you can cancel and not lose future invites due to a) Now you’re really hungry but the food has been out in shafting the host. 90-degree heat for hours. Eat that energy bar covertly (5). Everyone else is starving, too … or in the early 4. One day before the junk and if in a stages of food poisoning. relationship b) Someone’s husband is flirting just a little too much with Block out a half-hour to discuss with your partner a strategy one of the sculpted, bikinied beauties (7(a)). Be honest, for getting your purchases to the boat. Being seen yelling, it’s time to lie. Loudly say how you just read a “How could you have forgotten the cheese, you moron,” puts fascinating piece in the Hong Kong Free Press about you in negative dignity territory before you’ve even left land. the exploding STD rates that seem to be affecting only the heterosexual expat community. If they say they 5. Morning of the junk read the Press and didn’t see it, double down on your Along with the usual junk junk (bathing suit, suntan lotion and bluffs (both of them – too few of us are reading the towel), pack a nice wrinkle-free outfit, makeup and energy HKFP these days) and act shocked. “But it was listed bar. under ‘Trending.’” Granted, this has nothing to do with your dignity per se, but it is gratifying. 6. Upon launching Once you were invited on a junk, you probably stopped 10. IFC is back in sight pretending to be gracious and well-off (1(b)). To save face a) Change into the wrinkle-free number you packed and while putting your cheap wine in the cooler and potato chips freshen up as much as the gods will allow (5). on the table, just loudly say to someone in earshot of the b) Circle back around and make sure flirty husband is host, “Wellcome was the only place open this early.” now with wife (9(b)). 7. Upon anchoring 11. Docking and aftermath a) Be honest, it’s almost November and this is the first junk a) The moment of truth. Can you make it off the boat you’ve been invited to. And yes, you only heard about it without doing a face-plant on Pier 9 (8)? yesterday (2(a)(v)). The screening protocol has been b) Believe it or not, someone will suggest the night is abandoned and you are now on a boat with a young and ask where to go next. Here is your face- significant number of women half your age in bikinis saving exit strategy. Because you are no longer in flip- who squeal and spend all their extra time at the gym flops and a sundress (5) you can thank your hostess (2(a)(iii) and (iv)). Dignity requires graciousness. Fill and say you’re off to meet friends at a concert. They’ll their glasses, run their beers. And make sure you tell be amazed at your youthful stamina! The minute you them how happy you are to see that they are able to cut are out of sight, throw yourself in a cab and then drag loose for one day and forget the soul-crushing student your exhausted, sunburned self into bed while the sun debt hanging over their heads. is still out. b) Conceal your cellulite and sags by getting into the c) Before drifting off, smile. You made some new friends. water as soon as possible. Ignoring the warning sign The islands were beautiful. You jumped off the top of a and jumping off the top of the boat carries the added boat into the South China Sea (7(b)). It wasn’t a very benefit of momentarily suspending gravity. dignified dive. But your 20-something self would have never predicted how much fun you are having now.

Summer 2018 AWARE 13 FEATURE

Tea Fields, Tulou, and Tires Cycling Through Fujian With AWA

By Kim Rehmann

The start of the cycle trip, with the first night's village in the background

Day 1: On Friday, Apr. 27, 10 women and six men was a wedding in the village. According to Chinese custom, representing AWA ventured out for a weekend of cycling the bride is taken to be married at the time the feng shui through Fujian’s famed tea fields and past “tulou” master says is most auspicious. Naturally, 3 am is very roundhouses. Most of us were a bit uncertain about what to auspicious and catches the bride and other guests off expect, but the adventure before us seemed like a once-in-a- guard. lifetime experience. Without delay we flew to Xiamen, then Day 2: Our breakfast included, among other Chinese met our enthusiastic guide Bruce, his local guide Lily and his delights, hearty, delicious bread made by our host, Stephen; business partner Scott for a three-hour bus trip to Fujian. We hard-boiled eggs; congee; and many fresh, wonderful tea arrived at our first night’s accommodations late, so we didn’t options. After breakfast, we took a walking tour around the know exactly where we were. Some of us had a nip of sweet quaint village of Yongding, which boasts 46 tulou in nine rice wine before turning in for the night. clusters which are now UNESCO-listed World Heritage Our first night was in a UNESCO-listed “wufeng” (“five- properties. The tulou here were built by Hakka people who phoenix”) tulou. Tulou are multi-story, feng shui-aligned, migrated from northern China to escape invading Jurchens rammed-earth fortresses that were built from the 13th century and Mongols. Most of the younger generation have gone off onward to protect the then-newly arrived Hakka people and to live in bigger cities, but the older generation cannot their rich culture. During the first night some of us were imagine leaving their villages. awakened around 3 am by the sounds of footsteps going up On the first day our 50 km of biking took us through many and down the wooden stairs and blasting firecrackers. What tea fields and villages. There were rolling hills (or undulations was going on? as Bruce called them) and one particular hill was a full 4 km The next morning (after being awakened at the crack of up. We quickly realized there was no shame in walking one’s dawn by the sound of roosters crowing), we were told there bike up some of the hills. We also stopped at a Catholic

14 AWARE Summer 2018 FEATURE

church surrounded by an entire community of Catholics. We found the “keeper of the church keys,” who happily opened the gates for us to take a look inside. Our accommodation this evening was a genuine tulou roundhouse where a few renovated rooms are maintained for guests. The space is designed to not disrupt the daily lives of the residents, so there are no typical “hotel” amenities. The rooms, while basic, are comfortable and clean, and the views and experience are unforgettable. Some rooms had a “prison” toilet, which meant a stainless steel toilet-and-sink combo directly in the room. The actual bathrooms down the hall were best to use. No towels were supplied, so BYOT! Day 3: We started our day early with a 7 am breakfast. After visiting with a very friendly couple in their humble tulou, we set out on our second full day of riding. The hills seemed to Tea fields as far as the eye can see be a bit steeper today (perhaps due to fatigue) as we biked through fields of tobacco and Iron Goddess tea bushes, bamboo forests and pomelo orchards. Our biggest hill today took about 30 minutes to climb, and the many switchbacks left us uncertain as to when it would end. There were many ways to get to the top of this one: bike all the way (congratulations to those amazing riders); ride/walk your bike up (still an amazing feat); hike up; take the van all the way; or any combination of the above. Most important, we all made it to the top! We had many stops along the route – to enjoy the landscape, to take in the local hospitality in a teacup, but mostly to get off the bike and rest our sore muscles. Whenever we spotted a motorcycle bringing in the fresh- picked tea leaves in large bags, we would stop and watch the spinning of the leaves (so they can be cooled and then heated several times) to make the tea we would eventually taste. We also passed many homes that had pictures of Mao painted on the outside walls to show support during the Cultural Revolution; cool wells; roosters, pigs, and cute puppies; Buddhist shrines; and lovely old Chinese men and women who were so proud of their homes. We arrived at the airport before check-in time, so to One of the local tea men freshen up a bit we changed in the small bathroom stalls (another unique local experience). We gathered in a small restaurant and took the time to share pictures, play cards, drink some beer and build pyramids with the cans. One advantage of AWA members’ love of travel is that we had enough people with privileges to get us all into the Cathay lounge. A hot shower was a welcome sight and the massage chairs were a hit too. Our flight was delayed a bit but at least we had a comfortable place to hang out, charge our phones, eat and drink. We arrived home after midnight – a long day but a trip well worth the exhaustion! The best parts of AWA trips are always exploring new places and making amazing new The accommodations for the second night friendships.

Summer 2018 AWARE 15 Spa Beaute Par Zai & The Academy Our Award Winning Treatments • Facials • Eyelash Extension HONG KONG . CANADA • Aromatherapy • Eyebrow & Eyelash Tint SINCE 1975 • Slimming Treatments • Henna • Reflexology • Permanent TaMoo • Waxing • Manicure & Pedicure • Permanent Hair Removal • Hairstyling • Electrolysis • Make up by Nigar Q. 12/F Sea Bird House 22-28 Wyndham Street Central Hong Kong Tel: 25241272 / 25225945 Whats app 93645271 Email: [email protected] Website : www.spabpz.com

16 AWARE Summer 2018 CALENDAR - ONGOING EVENTS

CHAT (Come Have a Talk) Foon Ying-Hong Kong Insights WHEN: Thursdays, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Foon Ying means “welcome” in and the whole (except public holidays) idea of these sessions is to embark on adventures and WHERE: Café 8, Rooftop of Pier 8, above the embrace new friendships. We welcome AWA members, both Maritime Museum long-standing and newbies, to get together and explore the COST: No fee (all beverages & lunches at SAR; to share experiences about life in Hong Kong along personal expense) with the tips and tricks that just make it all a bit easier. We COORDINATORS: Nancy Acee, [email protected] aim to help you build your friendship circles, so the program Avril York, [email protected] is great for both brand-new “Hong Kongers” as well as those of us who have been here a while and watched our first Neighborhood Coffees batch of friends and contacts head home or off to new If you live, work or play in any of the following pastures. Your commitment is to attend all three sessions neighborhoods, join others in your area for a monthly coffee. over a three-week period and be willing to explore new Meet new friends or catch up with old ones, discuss and places and meet some lovely people (and possibly lifelong plan new activities. Contact your local coordinator for details friends)! of forthcoming coffees. WHEN: Every month HK SOUTHSIDE SAI KUNG WHERE: AWA office or alternate location as agreed Jean Han, [email protected] Katherine Fenton, [email protected] COORDINATORS: Chrissie Govier, AND KOWLOON [email protected] Annie Fifer, [email protected] Penny Soder, [email protected] Helen Pott, [email protected] DISCOVERY BAY HK CENTRAL/MID LEVELS KD Schumacher, [email protected] Kathryn Abbott, ykathrynabbotty@ Kathy Barber, [email protected] hotmail.com OWL (Out With the Ladies) CENTRAL Come join us any week or every week - same time, same place (except public holidays). WHEN: Tuesdays, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm WHERE: Oolaa 20 Bridges Street, Soho COORDINATOR: Connie Albracht, [email protected]

DB OWL (Out With the Ladies) Come join us any week or every week - same time, same place (except public holidays). WHEN: Thursdays 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm WHERE: Il Bel Paese Casa Rinaldi, DB Plaza COORDINATORS: Susan Putnam, [email protected] Dede Marconato, [email protected]

AWA Buddy Program How would you like to help welcome new members to the AWA? The AWA Buddy Program pairs interested new members with a “Buddy” who helps answer questions about life in Hong Kong and/or the AWA. We always need new Buddies as new members join throughout the year. If this behind-the-scenes activity appeals to you, please contact Alison May at [email protected].

Summer 2018 AWARE 17 CALENDAR - UPCOMING EVENTS

JUNE Arts and Crafts Series: Fabric Embellishment Wednesday, 4 July, 1:00pm – 4:00pm Tasting Series: Craft Brewery Beer Tour When: When: Saturday, 2 June, 2:45pm – 6:15pm Entertainment Series: Bowling and Pizza @ Thunder Bowl, Whampoa Wednesday, 11 July, 9:30am – 2:00pm (approx.) Educational Series: Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) - A Talk Given by the When: U.S. Consulate Covering B1 Domestic Visas When: Wednesday, 5 June, 12:00pm-1:00pm The Perfect End to the Day – Foot Massage & Happy Hour When: Tuesday, 17 July, 3:30pm – 6:30pm Wander Asia Local Tour: Adventure Series: Exploring Hakka Tulou - Massive Fortress Hidden in the Remote Mountains of Fujian Educational Series: Historical Talk With Jason Wordie – How Does When: Tuesday – Thursday, 5-7 June (registration by 5 May, no Hong Kong Work? refunds) When: Thursday, 19 July, 10:00am - 11:30am

Educational Series: Collecting & Investing in Contemporary Art 101 Educational Series: Wine School Thursday, 19 July, 5:00pm – 7:00pm When: Wednesday, 6 June, 11:00am –12.30pm When:

Health and Wellness Series: 10 Rules to Follow at a Restaurant – Club Series: Buffet Lunch at the Pacific Club Kowloon Tuesday, 24 July, 11:45am - 2:00pm Part 2 of Nutrition Bootcamp by Zora Benhamou When: When: Wednesday, 6 June, 2:00pm – 3:30 pm Museum Series: Hong Kong Museum of History Thursday, 26 July, 10:00am – 12:00pm Cooking Series: Japanese Cooking by Mayu Okada When: Monday, 11 June, 11:00am – 2:00pm When: AUGUST Sports Series: Kayaking Outing in Stanley Sports Series: Kayaking Outing in Stanley When: Tuesday, 12 June, 9:00am – 12:30pm (registration by Tuesday, When: Monday, 6 August, 9:00am – 12:30pm (Registration by Monday, 5 June) 30 June)

Educational Series: A Talk on Myths and Facts about Mosquito Borne High Tea Series: The Pacific Club Diseases When: Wednesday 8 August, 1:45pm – 4:00pm When: Wednesday, 13 June, 11:00am – 1:30pm (approx.) Learn About Feng Shui Series: Feng Shui for Your Apartment Neighborhood Dinner & Tasting Series: CHINO Restaurant with When: Thursday, 9 August, 10:00am – 12:00pm Margarita Demonstration When: Wednesday, 13 June, 7:00pm – 9:00pm (no refunds after 13 Educational Series: Historical Talk with Jason Wordie – Everyday May) Popular Culture in Hong Kong When: Tuesday, 14 August, 10:00am - 11:30am Museum Series: Bruce Lee: Kung Fu~Art~Life Special Exhibit at the Heritage Museum Local Lunch Series: Beach – Cococabana Restaurant When: Thursday, 14 June, 9:30am – 2:00pm When: Wednesday, 15 August, 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Health and Wellness Series: Essential Oils Workshop Sports Series: Beginners Archery When: Thursday, 14 June, 2:00pm – 4:00pm When: Wednesday, 22 August, 10:15am – 1:00pm (approx.) (registration by Wednesday, 15 August. No refunds) Summer in the City Series: Foot Massage and Lunch at The Foreign Correspondents’ Club Neighborhood Series: Harbour City Mall Tour and Cheesecake When: Friday, 15 June, 11:00am – 2:00pm (Registration by Friday, 8 Factory Lunch June) When: Monday, 27 August, 10:30am – 1:30pm

Entertainment Series: Dim Sum Lunch and Mahjong with Hong Sports Series: Dragon Boating for Beginners Konger, Theresa Cheung Kit Ping (Beginner Players Welcome) When: Wednesday, 29 August, 9:45am – 11:00am When: Tuesday, 19 June, 10:00am – 2:00pm Looking Forward September/ Educational Series: Historical Talk with Jason Wordie -- Women in the 20th Century, A Hong Kong Perspective October 2018 When: Wednesday, 20 June, 10:00am – 11:30am Educational Series: Beginner Cantonese in Eight Easy Lessons Lunch Series: Jinjuu Korean When: Monday, 3, 10, 17 Sept; 8, 15, 22 Oct; 5, 12 Nov; 3:00pm – When: Wednesday, 20 June, 12:00pm – 2:00pm 4:00pm

Arts and Crafts Series: Indigo Dyed Silk Scarves Educational Series: Intermediate Cantonese in Eight Easy Lessons When: Thursday, 21 June, 2:00pm – 4:00pm When: Monday, 3, 10, 17 Sept; 8, 15, 22 Oct; 5, 12 Nov; 4:15pm – 5:15pm High Tea Series: AMMO @ The Asia Society – Chantecaille Rose De Mai Afternoon Tea Learn About Feng Shui Series: The Chinese Art of Auspicious Date When: Friday, 22 June, 3:00pm – 5:00pm (registration by Friday, 15 Selection June) When: Tuesday, 4 September, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Arts and Crafts Series: Indigo Dyed Silk Scarves Adventure Series: Wander Asia - Longji Rice Terrace (Repeat of 21 June class) When: Tuesday-Thursday, 18-20 September (Registration by Monday, When: Thursday, 26 June, 2:00pm – 4:00pm 20 August. No refunds.) JULY Adventure Series: Wander Asia - Sing with the Dong Tribe in Remote Guizhou! Learn About Feng Shui Series: “What's in a Face?” – Face Reading When: Tuesday – Thursday, 9-12 October (No refunds after Tuesday, Talk 25 September) When: Tuesday, 3 July, 10:00am – 12:00pm

18 AWARE Summer 2018 LOCAL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

Tasting Series: Craft Brewery Beer Tour VIP & behind the scenes access into the breweries and – Hong Kong! acquire insider tips. Talk to the brew masters and owners WHEN: Saturday, 2 June of the breweries and learn about the brewing process. 2:45pm – 6:15pm And of course, taste at least 14 different craft beers! So WHERE: Meet at MTR get ready to drink… and then drink some more! station, Exit A, at Circle K COST: $560 member/$620 member’s guest CAPACITY: minimum 8/maximum 16 COORDINATOR: Heidi Rockowitz 9090-7909 Looking for a boozy, fun Saturday afternoon? Look no further: craft beer has exploded Hong Kong over the past three years; so, it’s a great time for your taste buds to sample some local brews. While there is lots of beer drinking to be done, we will also be learning about each of the local breweries and for which beer they’re known. The breweries are quite different, from a smaller family- run brewery, to one of Hong Kong’s biggest craft beer brewery, and then to a brewpub, in order to give you an overall flavor of the Hong Kong craft beer scene. Get

Educational Series: Non-Immigrant Visa Wander Asia Local Tour: Adventure Series: (NIV) – A Talk Given by the U.S. Consulate Exploring Hakka Tulou – Massive Fortress Covering B1 Domestic Visas Hidden in the Remote Mountains of Fujian WHEN: Wednesday, 05 June WHEN: Tuesday – Thursday, 5-7 June 12:00pm – 1:00pm Registration by Saturday, 5 May. No WHERE: AWA Office refunds. COST: Free to AWA members and their guests WHERE: Exact bus depot location will be emailed CAPACITY: minimum 10/maximum 20 to participants COORDINATOR: Lisa Wallis 6715 0653 COST: $7230 member/$7530 member’s guest The Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) unit at the U.S. Consulate Single Supplement $800 (subject to General in Hong Kong will provide a Consular Officer for a availability) presentation on the B1 Domestic visa class, which is for CAPACITY: minimum 10/maximum 12 domestic employees traveling to the United States to work COORDINATOR: Tracey-Lee Hayes 9130 0851 for short periods of time. The B1 domestic visa class is very Scattered across the hills in the Fujian province, the Hakka complicated, and employers and applicants often feel tulou are colossal multi-story fortified villages, predominantly frustrated as they go through the application process. in doughnut shapes. More than just empty castles, they were Domestic workers in the United States are subject to and the epitome of traditional communal living, with hundreds of protected by U.S. law; therefore, the Consulate requires that people living in close proximity. We will explore authentic all domestic helpers have a contract with their employer that tulou, which are still occupied by real villagers, and then stay conforms to U.S. labor regulations. The 45-minute overnight at one of the tulou to experience authentic Hakka presentation will include how employers or domestics apply food and hospitality. Please see the AWA website for further for their visas, the visa class requirements, and most information. common application package problems, and will finish with a 15-minute Q&A session. Feel free to visit (http://www. Educational Series: Collecting & Investing ustraveldocs.com/hk/hk-niv-typedomesticemployee.asp) to in Contemporary Art 101 find out more about this visa class. WHEN: Wednesday, 6 June 11:00am – 12:30pm WHERE: AWA Office COST: $280 member / $340 guest

Summer 2018 AWARE 19 LOCAL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

CAPACITY: minimum 10/maximum 20 (excluding emailed to participants) coordinator) Registration by Tuesday, 5 June. No COORDINATOR: Tracey-Lee Hayes 9130 0851 refunds. Where is the best place to buy art? Should you purchase COST: $610 member/$670 member’s guest modern or contemporary art? How do you make a good CAPACITY: minimum 6/maximum 8 purchase decision when there is so much art to choose COORDINATOR: Tracey-Lee Hayes 9130 0851 from? Do you enjoy Japanese food and want to learn the art of Come join Ms. Hilary Tsui, independent art adviser, making it? If so, come along to this home cooking class and curator, cultural manager with over 15 years of international demonstration given by Mayu Okada, Le Cordon Bleu Paris- arts & culture sector experience and get all the insight. trained chef who has worked at the French Ministry of Educated in Hong Kong, Germany and Vienna, Hilary has Foreign Affairs in Paris. Now, with her own business, Mayu’s curated numerous art projects and spearheaded cultural Kitchen & Co. in Hong Kong, Mayu is offering private chef management and promotional projects in collaboration with services and cookery courses in French and Japanese institutions, art festivals and independent art groups in Asia, cuisine. In this class, you will learn Europe, and the U.S. Hilary specializes in contemporary art to make sesame sauce and and is passionate in nurturing its appreciation. She advises crunch vegetable salad and clients on their art acquisition, develops art portfolios and chirashi sushi and collections, as well as hosts events and programs for decoration. These are corporations. Hilary will teach you characteristics and the very popular, convenient protagonists of the art market and important factors to and simple ways to eat consider in purchase decisions. This talk is designed for sushi at home. After the those who are interested to own or to collect contemporary demonstration, we will sit art, those who enjoy art and look for alternative investment down together and enjoy channels, and/or art lovers and owners who want to learn the lovely Japanese lunch. more about the contemporary art market. Sports Series: Kayaking Health and Wellness Series: 10 Rules Outing in Stanley to Follow at a Restaurant – Part 2 of WHEN: Tuesday, 12 June Nutrition Bootcamp by Zora Benhamou 9:00am – 12:30pm WHEN: Wednesday, 6 June Registration by Tuesday, 5 June, no 2:00pm – 3:30pm refunds WHERE: AWA Office WHERE: Central Exchange Square Bus Depot, Bus COST: $60 member/$120 member's guest 260 to Stanley CAPACITY: minimum 4, maximum 16 (excluding COST: $220 member/$280 member’s guest coordinator) CAPACITY: minimum 4/maximum 10 COORDINATOR: Tracey-Lee Hayes 9130 0851 COORDINATOR: Kim Rehmann 6039 2311 Eating out is a favorite Hong Kong pastime, but can often be Join us for a two-hour paddle around the Tai Tam Bay and the biggest barrier to fat loss. As we will NOT give up we will see Stanley like you may have never seen it before. restaurants, Zora Benhamou will share practical tips when Some experience is recommended as there will be no lesson eating out to stay in your best shape ever. You will learn how as part of this outing. Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets are to overcome obstacles to create positive change in your included in the price. An optional lunch and libations in body composition and move another step closer to your Stanley will follow at shared expense. If you live on the south health goals. This is a one-hour presentation followed by 15 side, you can meet us at the corner of Hoi Fung Path and minutes of Q&A. Anti-aging expert Zora Benhamou (http:// Tung Tai Wan Road in Stanley (the bus stop AFTER the main hackmyage.com) is a certified health coach and has helped bus terminus in Stanley) at 9:50am. clients successfully lose weight over the last 10 years. Educational Series: A Talk on Myths and Cooking Series: Japanese Cooking by Facts about Mosquito-Borne Diseases Mayu Okada WHEN: Wednesday, 13 June WHEN: Monday, 11 June 11:00am – 1:30pm (approx.) 11:00am – 2:00pm WHERE: Escapade, Shop 110, The Pulse, 28 WHERE: Mid-Levels apartment (address will be Beach Road,

20 AWARE Summer 2018 LOCAL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

COST: $60 member/$120 member’s guest Museum in Sha Tin to see the special exhibition of Bruce CAPACITY: minimum 15/maximum 24 Lee: King Fu~Art~Life. Bruce Lee passed away 45 years COORDINATORS: Tracey-Lee Hayes 9130 0851, ago, but the legend lives on. In collaboration with the Bruce Stephanie Hemshall 9122 7647 Lee Foundation in the U.S., the Hong Kong Heritage “My son came back from Vietnam with dengue fever. I regret Museum will display over 600 items of Bruce Lee to not have been informed about mosquito-borne diseases memorabilia from both local and overseas collectors. The beforehand." (Stefanie Hemshall, founder and owner of exhibit shows him not only as a film star and a martial artist Escapade Sports). Join us for a talk given by experts from but also as a cultural phenomenon. Bring along your PARA’KITO™ who have substantial knowledge to share Octopus card for the MTR and after we are finished, we will about mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases. Like any head back to TST and enjoy lunch at shared expense. treacherous disease, there are myths which need to be debunked in order to exactly understand the risks and Health and Wellness Series: Essential Oils consequences, as well as the precautions which can be Workshop taken. After the informative talk, we will have lunch at one of WHEN: Thursday, 14 June the restaurants at The Pulse (at shared expense). 2:00pm – 4:00pm WHERE: AWA Office Neighborhood Dinner & Tasting Series: COST: $310 member/$370 member’s guest CHINO Restaurant with Margarita CAPACITY: minimum 6/maximum 15 (excluding Demonstration coordinator) WHEN: Wednesday, 13 June COORDINATOR: Tracey-Lee Hayes 9130 0851 7:00pm – 9:00pm In this informative talk given by Elma Pena, co-founder of House No refunds after Sunday, 13 May of Pure Essence (HoPE), we will learn about the use of essential WHERE: Kennedy Town MTR Exit B, or at CHINO, oils in natural home cleaning to personal and beauty products. 1B-1C New Praya, Kennedy Town Participants will also learn the perfect way of designing and COST: $700 member/$700 member’s guest blending their own essential oils during their one-to-one personal CAPACITY: minimum 15/maximum 24 consultation with Ms. Pena. In addition, each participant will take COORDINATORS: Heidi Rockowitz 9090 7909, home a HK$250 coupon towards designated items featured Tracey-Lee Hayes 9130 0851 during the talk. A 20% discount will also be offered when The night at this modern, family-style Mexican restaurant will participants purchase HoPE products online. begin with a short class on how to make the best, “CHINO- style” margarita. Then, enjoy your margarita as we dine on Summer in the City Series: Foot Massage many of CHINO’s signature dishes specially selected for us and Lunch at The Foreign Correspondents’ by Executive Chef Erik Idos, who grew up in Los Angeles Club surrounded by some of the best Mexican street food. Chef WHEN: Friday, 15 June Idos’ love of Japanese ingredients and cooking techniques 11:00am – 2:00pm were developed during his eight years at Nobu in Los Registration by Friday, 8 June Angeles and New York. He uniquely sources all his WHERE: Zhen Foot Spa, 18/F, Century Square, ingredients from Hong Kong, Japan and Mexico, bringing 1-13 D’Aguilar Street, Central together the distinct flavors of each culture. The night is sure COST: $330 member/$390 member’s guest to be a culinary experience! CAPACITY: minimum 4/maximum 9 COORDINATORS: Tracey-Lee Hayes 9313 0851, Museum Series: Bruce Lee: Kung Yelena Zakharova 9726 2378 Fu~Art~Life Special Exhibit at the Nourish the body and soothe the sole! Let's escape the heat Heritage Museum and indulge in a little "Tai Tai" treat of a foot massage at Zhen WHEN: Thursday, 14 June followed by lunch at the charming Foreign Correspondents’ 9:30am – 2:00pm Club, a 5-minute walk away. Who knew that pressure on your WHERE: Meet at Admiralty MTR (inside) near M&S big toe could help clear your sinuses? While reflexology Foods dates back to ancient Egypt, India and China, modern-day COST: $60 member/$120 member’s guest reflexology has been shown to be effective against migraines, CAPACITY: minimum 6/maximum 20 hormonal disorders and much more. Your 50-minute foot COORDINATORS: Lisa Wallis 6715 0653, massage is included in the price; lunch and drinks at the Jane Buck 9530 7957 Foreign Correspondents’ Club will be at shared expense. Join us as we make our way to the Hong Kong Heritage

Summer 2018 AWARE 21 LOCAL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

Entertainment Series: Dim Sum Lunch Jinjuu, meaning “pearl,” is Hong Kong’s premier modern and Mahjong (Beginners Welcome) with Korean restaurant with a menu encompassing both Theresa Cheung Kit Ping traditional and contemporary fare. American-born Judy Joo WHEN: Tuesday, 19 June is owner and chef patron, and is also the host of the 10:00am – 2:00pm successful cooking and travel show “Korean Food Made WHERE: Meet at Admiralty MTR (inside) near M&S Simple.” After earning a degree in engineering from Foods Columbia University, she decided to follow her passion and COST: $60 member/$120 member’s guest enroll in the French Culinary Institute. She can be seen on CAPACITY: minimum 4/maximum 8 (excluding the Food Network and Cooking Channel and has made a coordinator) name for herself as the only female Iron Chef UK. Please COORDINATOR: Tracey-Lee Hayes 9130 0851 come join us for a unique culinary experience right here in The best way to experience a city is with a local! Join Hong Hong Kong! Konger Theresa Cheung Kit Ping for a relaxing day at an outdoor neighborhood restaurant, near Swan Lake, to eat Arts and Crafts Series: Indigo Dyed Silk dim sum and play Mahjong (beginners welcome). Theresa Scarves was born in Hong Kong, raised in Macau, and presently WHEN: Thursday, 21 June resides in Chi Kung (Ba Duan Jin). Theresa will introduce 2:00pm – 4:00pm you to the local life of lunch and mahjong – a unique WHERE: Exact address will be provided to experience. Lunch and refreshments will be at shared participants expense. Please bring loaded Octopus cards for the MTR. COST: $400 member/$460 member’s guest CAPACITY: minimum 3/maximum 5 (excluding Educational Series: Historical Talk with coordinator) Jason Wordie - Women in the 20th COORDINATOR: Lynne Stewardson 5696 0604 Century, A Hong Kong Perspective Western Australia fabric artist Sue Doorey is running a WHEN: Wednesday 20 June beginners’ workshop in natural dyeing with indigo. Participants 10:00am – 11:30am will be introduced to “shibori,” a Japanese term for dyeing WHERE: AWA Office cloth by binding, stitching, folding, twisting, and compressing. COST: $330 member/$390 member's guest You will go home with a lovely indigo-dyed silk scarf CAPACITY: minimum 12/maximum 25 embellished with your unique pattern. You may also dye linen COORDINATOR: Susan Brooks 9628 7763 place mats (depending on their sourcing). Silk scarf lengths Twentieth-century Hong Kong experienced tremendous (linen), dye and resists supplied by Sue. Please bring an societal change, and nowhere will we have found this apron, rubber gloves and plastic bags in which to take your transformation more profound and long lasting than in the wet scarves home. See Sue on Instagram: @sue_doorey_art changing role and status of women. In particular, the public role played by Chinese women altered profoundly during this High Tea Series: AMMO @ The Asia Society century, and the effects of greater opportunities continue into – Chantecaille Rose De Mai Afternoon Tea the present day. In this exciting lecture, we will explore the WHEN: Friday, 22 June broader international as well as local circumstances which 3:00pm – 5:00pm contributed to this evolution and track these changes Registration by Friday, 15 June through the fascinating lives and careers of various women WHERE: The Asia Society, 9 Justice Drive, from very diverse ethnic backgrounds, educational levels Admiralty and socio-economic circumstances who all made their COST: $280 member/$340 member's guest homes and lives in Hong Kong. CAPACITY: minimum 6/maximum 15 COORDINATOR: Karen Womick 6316 7737 Lunch Series: Jinjuu Korean There’s more to the Asia Society than lectures and exhibits! WHEN: Wednesday, 20 June Bring your appetites and join us at the Asia Society’s Hong 12:00pm – 2:00pm Kong Centre stylish and comfortable AMMO restaurant WHERE: Jinjuu, 32 D’Aguilar Street, California where we will enjoy a delicious array of savories and sweets Tower, LKF, Central served with coffee or tea. Price includes high tea set, coffee, COST: $60 member/$60 member’s guest tea and/or Spy Rose Mocktail inclusive of 10% service CAPACITY: minimum 10/maximum 15 charge (all other drinks are at participant’s own expense). COORDINATORS: Heid Rockowitz 9090 7909, Tracey-Lee Hayes 9130 8051

22 AWARE Summer 2018 LOCAL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

Arts and Crafts Series: Indigo Dyed Silk Entertainment Series: Bowling and Pizza Scarves @ Thunder Bowl, Whampoa (Repeat of 21 June class) WHEN: Wednesday, 11 July WHEN: Thursday, 26 June 9:30am – 2:00pm (approx.) 2:00pm – 4:00pm WHERE: Meet at Admiralty MTR (inside) near M&S WHERE: Exact address will be provided to Foods participants COST: $155 member/$235 member’s guest COST: $400 member/$460 member’s guest CAPACITY: minimum 10/maximum 12 CAPACITY: minimum 3/maximum 5 (excluding COORDINATORS: Heidi Rockowitz 9090 7909, coordinator) Jill Baran-Scott 5940 2050 COORDINATOR: Lynne Stewardson 5696 0604 Escape the heat and join us for a fun morning of ten-pin See event description above. bowling. Situated in the Whampoa Garden Centre, Thunder Bowl is a fully automated bowling alley easily accessed from the Whampoa MTR station. Following bowling we will have JULY 2018 lunch (optional) at California Pizza in the same center (at shared expense). The price above includes two hours of Learn About Feng Shui Series: “What's in a bowling and the hire of bowling shoes. Face?” – Face Reading Talk WHEN: Tuesday, 3 July The Perfect End to the Day – Foot Massage 10:00am – 12:00pm & Happy Hour WHERE: AWA Office WHEN: Tuesday, 17 July COST: $410 member/$470 member’s guest 3:30pm – 6:30pm CAPACITY: minimum 5/maximum 12 WHERE: Meet at Admiralty MTR (inside) near M&S COORDINATOR: Susan Putman 6272 6700 Foods Have you ever wondered what’s in a face? The Chinese have COST: $60 member/$120 member’s guest used the art of face reading – also called “Mian Xiang” – for CAPACITY: minimum 6/maximum 12 centuries to determine who makes a good husband or wife, COORDINATOR: Lisa Wallis 6715 0653 a strong leader, a trustworthy business partner, a good There’s nothing better in a late summer’s afternoon than employee, or a healthy child. Today, this art is still used to relaxing in air-conditioned comfort while experiencing the forecast one’s luck in life, career and health. In this talk, we total relaxation that is reflexology – nearly a full hour of will delve into more detail as to the origins of Chinese face massage that your feet will never forget! After our massages, reading and its current uses today, and we will also look at we will top off the afternoon with a drink and camaraderie at our own faces and see what they tell us. This talk is given by OWL, the AWA’s own Tuesday evening happy hour. Cost of Susanne Schutz, a feng shui business consultant. massage (approximately $200) and drinks payable on the day. Arts and Crafts Series: Fabric Embellishment WHEN: Wednesday, 4 July Educational Series: Historical Talk with 1:00pm – 4:00pm Jason Wordie - How Does Hong Kong WHERE: Exact address will be provided to Work? participants WHEN: Thursday, 19 July COST: $400 member/$460 member’s guest 10:00am - 11:30am CAPACITY: minimum 3/maximum 5 WHERE: AWA Office COORDINATOR: Lynne Stewardson 5696 0604 COST: $330 member/$390 member's guest Fabric embellishment entails a mixed media piece of fabric CAPACITY: minimum 12/maximum 25 suitable for a cushion cover or for your quilting stash. We will COORDINATOR: Susan Brooks 9628 7763 experiment with painting, stamping and stitching and other How Hong Kong functions on a day-to-day basis remains an techniques to create a unique piece of fabric. enigma to many residents. Join us for some valuable insights on “How Does Hong Kong Work?” Gain a better understanding of Hong Kong’s governmental and administrative structures, both as a Crown Colony and on a post-handover basis as a Special Administrative Region

Summer 2018 AWARE 23 LOCAL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

(SAR) of China. In this talk, Jason Wordie will give a brief enjoy each other’s company, the view and the delicious overview and, hopefully, dispel a number of common buffet! misconceptions. He will discuss the role of the executive, judiciary, administration and the legislature, and Hong Museum Series: Hong Kong Museum of Kong’s special relationship to the sovereign power, History especially in light of last year’s inauguration of the new Chief WHEN: Thursday, 26 July Executive of the Legislative Council (LegCo), and give a 10:00am – 12:00pm better understanding of the key personalities involved. This WHERE: Meet inside the TST MTR not an impersonal lecture, but more a friendly “fireside chat” COST: $60 member/$120 member’s guest with plenty of room for questions and answers. CAPACITY: minimum 6 COORDINATORS: Lisa Wallis 6715 0653, Educational Series: Wine School Heidi Rockowitz 9090 7909 WHEN: Thursday, 19 July Whether you are new to Hong Kong or not, the Hong Kong 5:00pm – 7:00pm Museum of History is a museum not to be missed. “The WHERE: MWM Wine School, Unit 1524, 15/F, 41 Hong Kong Story” is a permanent, amazing exhibition, Heung Yip Road showcasing the collecting, preserving and researching of Wong Chuk Hang, HK Island Hong Kong’s culture, history and development. It comprises COST: $660 member /$720 member’s guest eight galleries located on two floors, displaying over 4,000 CAPACITY: minimum 15/maximum 25 exhibits. The visit will provide a useful backdrop and put in COORDINATOR: Heidi Rockowitz 9090 7909 context many of the local landmarks and festivals which Attention wine lovers! Join Master of Wine and Hong Kong have captured our curiosity. Many of us find a museum visit resident Debra Meiburg and learn the secrets of wine tasting so much more enjoyable when we go with friends. There is (nose, tongue, sweetness, acidity, tannin, bitterness, etc.). so much to see, so you can go at your own pace. Bring Become a home sommelier by sampling eight wines from along your Octopus card for the MTR and lunch will follow at different regions of the world and enjoy various cheeses shared expense. during the class to compliment the wine. Ms. Meiburg, founder of Asia’s leading wine marketing agency, Meiburg Wine Media (MWM), is an award-winning author, TV personality and international speaker, and is considered a global authority on the Asian wine market. Come join us for a truly educational experience and learn more about what we all love: wine! Club Series: Buffet Lunch at the Pacific Club Kowloon WHEN: Tuesday, 24 July 11:45am – 2:00pm WHERE: Meet inside TST MTR, near exit A1 COST: $260 member/$320 member’s guest CAPACITY: minimum 6/maximum 10 AUGUST 2018 COORDINATORS: Lisa Wallis 6715 0653, Yelena Zakharova 9726 2378 Sports Series: Kayaking Outing in Stanley Enjoy a very relaxing buffet lunch while taking in the beautiful WHEN: Monday, 6 August sights and sounds of the Harbour. The Pacific Club is 9:00am – 12:30pm located in Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon) on its own pier with the Registration by Monday, 30 July most picturesque view over Victoria Harbour to Hong Kong’s WHERE: Central Exchange Square Bus Depot, Bus beautiful skyline. Island View Restaurant is very popular and 260 to Stanley well-known for its incredible buffet, offering a wide variety of COST: $180 member/$240 member’s guest dishes: extensive salad and cheese bars, fresh shrimp, CAPACITY: minimum 4/maximum 10 oysters, sushi, and international hot dishes just to name a COORDINATOR: Kim Rehmann 6039 2311 few, accompanied by mouthwatering desserts. So, bring Join us for a two-hour paddle around the Tai Tam Bay and along your friends, your appetite and your camera as we we will see Stanley like you may have never seen it before.

24 AWARE Summer 2018 LOCAL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

Some experience is recommended as there will be no lesson Educational Series: Historical Talk with as part of this outing. Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets are Jason Wordie – Everyday Popular Culture included in the price. An optional lunch and libations in in Hong Kong Stanley will follow at shared expense. If you live on the south WHEN: Tuesday, 14 August side, you can meet us at the corner of Hoi Fung Path and 10:00am - 11:30am Tung Tai Wan Road in Stanley (the bus stop AFTER the main WHERE: AWA Office bus terminus in Stanley) at 9:50am. COST: $330 member/$390 member's guest CAPACITY: minimum 12/maximum 25 High Tea Series: The Pacific Club COORDINATOR: Susan Brooks 9628 7763 WHEN: Wednesday, 8 August Flickering red candles in darkened doorways. Women 1:45pm – 4:00pm beating shoes on the ground under busy flyovers. Coins WHERE: Meet inside TST MTR near exit A1 scattered on the ground along funeral routes. These COST: $195 member/$255 member’s guest seemingly inexplicable aspects of local Hong Kong life are CAPACITY: minimum 6/maximum 10 the survivors of animistic beliefs within a post-industrialized COORDINATORS: Lisa Wallis 6715 0653, society. In this lecture, we will explore numerous commonly Heidi Rockowitz 9090 7909 encountered ritual observances and clarify many of those Come join us while we sit back, relax and take in the sights “what was that?” questions you have probably asked of Hong Kong while enjoying High Tea at The Pacific Club, yourself many times. This a great talk for those new to Hong located in Tsim Sha Tsui. The Pacific Club sits on its own pier Kong as well as those who have been here a while. with the most picturesque views over Victoria Harbour to Hong Kong’s beautiful skyline. We will enjoy good fellowship Local Lunch Series: – and conversation while being served a delicious assortment Cococabana Restaurant of dainty tea sandwiches, delicate cakes and scones along WHEN: Wednesday, 15 August with an assortment of tea or coffee choices. Additional 12:00pm – 2:00pm beverages may be purchased at own expense. WHERE: Meet at Shau Kei Wan MTR, Exit A3 COST: $60 member/$120 member’s guest Learn About Feng Shui Series: Feng Shui CAPACITY: minimum 10/maximum 15 for Your Apartment COORDINATORS: Heidi Rockowitz 9090 7909, WHEN: Thursday, 9 August Susanne Salg 9175 6909 10:00am – 12:00pm Join us for a relaxing Mediterranean lunch at this charming WHERE: AWA Office beachside restaurant located in Shek O on Hong Kong COST: $410 member/$470 member’s guest Island. Feel free to stay afterwards and enjoy the beach or CAPACITY: minimum 5/maximum 14 (excluding take a nice walk around this beautiful town. coordinator) COORDINATORS: Susan Soskin West 9191 1503, Sports Series: Beginners Archery Cathy Furlong 9249 8533 WHEN: Wednesday, 22 August What is classical feng shui and why is it so important in Asia, 10:15am – 1:00pm (approx.) and especially Hong Kong? How does it differ from the “New Registration by Wednesday, 15 August. Age feng shui” practiced in the West? This talk offers a brief No refunds historical and cultural background of classical feng shui, WHERE: Meet at Admiralty MTR (inside) near M&S practical and discrete tips and tricks for better qi flow by Foods applying simple feng shui techniques to your apartment, COST: $290 member/$350 member’s guest thereby improving your health, wealth, career and overall CAPACITY: minimum 8/maximum 20 wellbeing. At the end of the talk, participants will be able to COORDINATOR: Heidi Rockowitz 9090 7909 distinguish between “good” and “bad” apartments, Join us for a fun beginner’s class (indoors) at Golden Trust recognize which building features to avoid, and how to Archery in Lai Chi Kok, located a short walk from the MTR. protect themselves from negative external influences. This Our instructor will teach us the basics of using a bow and talk is given by Susanne Schutz, a feng shui business arrow. Bring your Octopus cards for the MTR. consultant.

Summer 2018 AWARE 25 LOCAL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

Neighborhood Series: Harbour City Mall WHEN: Monday, 3, 10, 17 Sept; 8, 15, 22 Oct; 5, Tour and Cheesecake Factory Lunch 12 Nov WHEN: Monday, 27 August 3:00pm – 4:00pm 10:30am– 1:30pm WHERE: AWA office WHERE: Meet at TST Star Ferry, Lower Deck Exit COST: $1280 member/$1440 member’s guest COST: $60 member/$120 member’s guest CAPACITY: minimum 5/maximum 10 (excluding CAPACITY: minimum 6/maximum 12 coordinator) COORDINATORS: Susanne Salg 9175 6909, COORDINATOR: Tracey-Lee Hayes 9130 0851 Lisa Wallis 6175 0653 After the success of the practical Cantonese classes, and by Come beat the summer heat and join AWA for a fully air- popular request, we have managed to secure with Lester an conditioned tour of the Harbour City Mall and lunch at the eight-lesson course that will cover: What is Cantonese? ever-popular Cheesecake Factory. We will begin with a brief Cantonese phonics: consonant, vowel and tone, learn it in a tour of the Harbour City Mall and Ocean Terminal while fun and easy way. Daily expressions: Greetings, polite highlighting all its shopping and dining options. At the end of words, and other useful expressions. Learn how to say yes/ our tour, we will stop for lunch (at shared expense) at The no and ask simple yes/no questions. Basic vocabulary: Cheesecake Factory. Pronouns, everyday nouns and verbs, and words for time and location. Basic sentence structures: Combine words into Sports Series: Dragon Boating for meaningful sentences to express ourselves and understand Beginners others. The cost includes all eight lessons. If you are unable WHEN: Wednesday, 29 August to commit to all eight lessons, please contact the coordinator 9:45am – 11:00am as it may be possible to sign up for a few of the classes Registration must be received by Sunday, individually. 19 August WHERE: (participants will be Educational Series: Intermediate sent map of location) Cantonese in Eight Easy Lessons COST: $300 member/$360 member’s guest WHEN: Monday, 3, 10, 17 Sept; 8, 15, 22 Oct; 5, CAPACITY: minimum 10/maximum 20 12 Nov COORDINATORS: Heidi Rockowitz 9090 7909, 4:15pm – 5:15pm Tracey-Lee Hayes 9130 0851 WHERE: AWA office Dragon boating…it’s a Hong Kong tradition and if you’ve COST: $1280 member/$1440 member’s guest never been out on a boat before, here’s your chance. No CAPACITY: minimum 5/maximum 10 (excluding experience necessary and OK for any fitness level. We’ll coordinator) explain the storied history of dragon boating, show you a bit COORDINATOR: Tracey-Lee Hayes 9130 0851 of paddling technique, and then we’ll all go out on the water Why limit yourself! If you have attended our basic eight-week for an hour. The award-winning AWA Globe Paddlers will be Cantonese course with Lester, then you might like to further assisting on the boats! We may even have a fun race or two. your knowledge of the language. This eight-week If you think it would be fun to get out on a dragon boat and intermediate course (requested by many AWA members) will try paddling, but aren’t looking to join a team, this is your cover more in-depth learning than basic Cantonese. The chance. Just come with a willing attitude to meet some new cost is inclusive of the entire eight-week course. If you are friends, get wet and have lots of fun – you can even bring unable to make all eight lessons, please contact your your spouse/partner if you’d like! We supply the boat, coordinator as it may be possible to sign up for a few of the paddles and steersman. Afterwards, we can shower/change classes individually. at the Stanley Sports Centre and go for a lunch around 12:00pm-1:30pm on the Stanley waterfront at shared Learn About Feng Shui Series: The Chinese expense. This popular activity will fill up quickly, so sign up Art of Auspicious Date Selection early to avoid disappointment. WHEN: Tuesday, 4 September 10:00am – 12:00pm Looking Forward – WHERE: AWA Office COST: $410 member/$470 member’s guest September/October 2018 CAPACITY: minimum 5/maximum 14 (excluding coordinator) Educational Series: Beginner Cantonese in COORDINATOR: Yelena Zakharova 9726 2378 Eight Easy Lessons

26 AWARE Summer 2018 LOCAL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

Date selection is a classical Chinese practice which Single supplement $800 (subject to predates to the Han Dynasty era (206 BC – 220 AD). The availability) concept behind date selection is simple: the objective is to CAPACITY: minimum 10/maximum 12 carry out an activity at the point in which the energies of the COORDINATOR: Jill Baran Scott 5920 2050 universe are optimized for that particular endeavor. In that In remote Guizhou live the Dong tribe, famous for their way, a particular event can commence on a positive note elaborate architecture and singing. The Dong have no and footing. Originally utilized for matters relating to war and written language; instead, their traditions and history are peace, date selection was eventually extended to key passed down through oral tradition – everything from clan activities such as planting and harvesting of crops, history to societal rites and duties recorded through song. marriages, moving into a new house, travel and burial. This Their music is inspired by nature, as it mimics the sounds of talk will reveal some of the methods used in date selection birds, insects, mountains and streams. In 2009, the Dong and will pinpoint dates that are particularly prosperous for folksong traditions were inscribed on UNESCO’s certain activities, while also pointing out dates on which Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of important business or personal decisions should be made. Humanity. The village is not generally open to tourists, so it This talk is given by Susanne Schutz, a feng shui business will not be “touristy.” Rather than simply observing, we will consultant. interact with the local Dong people, and experience their way of living. Adventure Series: Wander Asia - Longji Rice Terrace WHEN: Tuesday-Thursday, 18-20 September Registration by Monday, 20 August. No refunds. WHERE: Exact bus depot location will be emailed to participants COST: $7500 member/$7800 member’s guest CAPACITY: minimum 8/maximum 12 COORDINATOR: Susanne Salg 9175 6909 Fall is one of the best times to travel to China: witnessing the rice grains just before harvest! The rice terraces will be filled with fully-ripened grains, which look magically golden from afar. The Zhuang, Yao and Dong tribes have been developing the rice terraces for at least a thousand years in the remote hills of Guangxi, Guizhou and Hunan. Because of Registration Procedures the hills, their ancestors had to cut out steps along the hills 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 for cultivation and they had to divert streams to irrigate the early part of the following month are open for registration on the first day terraces, while taking care not to destroy the natural of the prior month. Check the AWA website at www.awa.org.hk for the ecosystem. The rice terraces are nothing short of a miracle, most up-to-date schedule and don’t forget to register early as many of the events will sell out. made possible by the generations of hard work by their ancestors. The plan is to stay at a guesthouse in one of the Refund, Cancellation and Substitution villages for two nights and use it as a base for hiking in the Policies surrounding countryside. In addition to admiring the rice Every activity includes an administrative fee of HK$60 Member/HK$120 terraces, we will take time to explore the houses of the Member’s Guest. This base fee is not refundable at any time unless the AWA cancels the event. Charges in excess of the base fee are refundable minority tribes and talk to the locals. Please see the AWA if cancellation is received by the AWA office at least one full week before website for full itinerary details. the activity date. For example, if the activity is on a Tuesday, cancellation must be received prior to midnight of the previous Tuesday. If the AWA cancels an event, the entire activity cost will be automatically credited to Adventure Series: Wander Asia - Sing with you. Credit notes are not transferable and must be used within six months from the date of issue or by the end of the AWA fiscal year (30 June), the Dong Tribe in Remote Guizhou! whichever is earlier. You may request a check in lieu of a credit at any WHEN: Tuesday – Thursday, 9-12 October time before the credit expires. Owing to the popularity of AWA activities, many have a wait list and No refunds after Tuesday, 25 September therefore substitutions cannot be accepted. If you are unable to attend an WHERE: Exact departure location will be emailed activity, please, inform the AWA office to cancel your place and allow to participants someone on the waitlist to attend. *The $60 registration fee is purely an administration fee. It is not COST: $10000 member/ $10200 member’s guest donated to the Charitable and Education fund.

Summer 2018 AWARE 27 ONGOING GROUPS

AWA’s Ongoing Clubs & Sports

Of the many ways to get involved in the AWA, Ongoing Clubs & Sports are the most popular, and easiest, ways to make new friends. We offer something for everyone: from hobbies to languages, golf and dragon boat racing. Ongoing Clubs & Sports offer comfortable and enjoyable ways to keep busy and expand your network of friends. These activities are organized by AWA members for AWA members with similar interests and passions. One time registration is required in order to receive updates about scheduled activities. For more information and to register, go online to www.awa.org.hk.

ART LOVERS: Kumiko Matsushima, [email protected]

PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP: Angela Bellas, [email protected] STITCH: To be announced AFTERNOON BOOK CLUB: Penny Van Niel, [email protected] Kathryn Abbott, [email protected] SPIRITUAL LITERACY GROUP: Kate Weisman, [email protected] MAHJONG MADNESS: Katherine Fenton, [email protected] Michelle Barrows, [email protected] Michele Goulding, [email protected] SOCIAL BRIDGE AND LUNCH: Heather Black, [email protected] Cat Graydon, [email protected] GAMES GALORE-MAHJONG OR BRIDGE: Beth Hall, [email protected] LUNCH BUNCH: Connie Albracht, [email protected] GALLOPING GOURMET: Linda Gomoll, [email protected] Jean Han, [email protected] Penny Soder, [email protected] HIKING GROUP: Gail Sousa, [email protected] (Monday hikes) Alison Doran, [email protected] (Monday hikes) Kathryn Abbott, [email protected] (Wednesday hikes) Jackie Smith, [email protected] (Wednesday hikes)

GLOBE PADDLERS Sarah Brundan, [email protected] DRAGON BOAT TEAM: Anne Fifer, [email protected] GOLF SOCIETY: Nicci Button and Tanya Keg, [email protected] WOMEN’S FORUM: MaryAnn Boone, [email protected] WOMEN ON THE WAY UP (WOW): Deepa Gupta and Karen Whitaker, [email protected]

28 AWARE Summer 2018 CONTACT INFORMATION

OFFICE EXECUTIVE BOARD Phone 2527 2961/2 Fax 2865 7737 EXECUTIVE BOARD [email protected] Hours 9:30am – 3:30pm Mon-Thu President Andrea Roth: [email protected] Address No.5, 11th floor, Arion Commercial Centre, 1st VP Fundraising Robin Neiterman: [email protected] 2-12 Queen's Road West, Hong Kong 2nd VP Membership Jean Han: [email protected] Website www.awa.org.hk 3rd VP Activities Tracey Lee Hayes: [email protected] Director of Operations Barbora Mayer: [email protected] Treasurer Alison Doran: [email protected] Membership Representative Joanne Lam: [email protected] Recording Secretary Jessica Cheng: [email protected] Charitable Donations Beth McNicholas: [email protected] Community Service Lee Parr: [email protected] COMMUNITY Education & Scholarship Augusta Nichols-Even: [email protected] COMMUNITY SERVICE [email protected] AWAre Editor Stephanie Chan: [email protected] Sponsorship Debbie Cruikshank: [email protected] Chairperson Lee Parr: [email protected] PR & Communications Rachel Bourke: [email protected] China Merchants Wharf Volunteers Kimm Schumacher: [email protected] Environmental Committee Gabriela Caraman-Heijnen: [email protected] SOCIAL Hong Kong Hosts – Adopt a Marine, Adopt a Sailor Amy Caine: [email protected] ACTIVITIES [email protected] HK Society for the Blind Lee Parr: [email protected] Ronald McDonald House Renee Cheung: [email protected] 3rd Vice President Tracey-Lee Hayes: [email protected] Trisha Cliff: [email protected] Asian Tours Tracey-Lee Hayes: [email protected] Soup Kitchen Claudia Ciesielski: [email protected] Annie Fifer: [email protected] Heidi Rockowitz: [email protected] Debbie Cruikshank: [email protected]

EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIP If you would like to join the AWA or if you have any [email protected] question about the organization, please contact the office or any of the Executive Board members. Chairperson Augusta Nichols-Even: [email protected] English Programs: Kwun Tong Marti Law: [email protected] Pok Fu Lam Liz Clark: [email protected] Sham Shui Po Barbara Iannazzone: [email protected] Chai Wan Linda Gomoll: [email protected] Mei Foo Reading Program Jill Baran Scott: [email protected] CARPET WASHING & REPAIRS Lai King Karen Prosser: [email protected] Dining Etiquette Bernice Lee: [email protected] PROFESSIONALS Mock Interviews Katherine Payne: [email protected] CLEANING & REPAIR SERVICES Our cleaning and repair services are the best in Hong Kong. Free pickup and delivery. PUBLIC RELATIONS [email protected] Chairperson Rachel Bourke: [email protected] Newsletter/E-Blast Coordinator Rachel Bourke: [email protected] Forum Moderator Rachel Bourke: [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP [email protected] 2nd Vice President Jean Han: [email protected] Buddy Program Alison May: [email protected] CHAT Coordinator Barbara Galligan: [email protected] Foon Ying-Hong Kong Insights Chrissie Govier: [email protected] KD Schumacher: [email protected] Helen Pott: [email protected] SHOP IN YOUR HOME Membership Discounts [email protected] You can buy a carpet in the comfort of your home. OWL Connie Albracht: [email protected] (We can bring the carpets to you with no obligation.) DB Owl Susan Putnam: [email protected] WOW Deepa Gupta and Karen Whitaker: [email protected] CALL : 9018 0897 / 2851 3665 EMAIL : [email protected] WEBSITE : Iqbalcarpets.hk ADDRESS : G/F. 21 PO TUNG RD. SAIKUNG

Summer 2018 AWARE 29 JOIN US TODAY

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The American Chamber of Commerce is the largest international chamber in Hong Kong, with almost 50 years of history and influence in the Asia-Pacific. Our mission is to serve as a center for networking, information and advocacy for our valued members.

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