MEGA MOUNTAIN BIKE PRACTICE GROUND OPEN IN MUI WO
The Mui Wo Mountain Bike Practice Ground opened on December 17, offering bikers of all abilities a safe and exciting environment in which to enhance their skills. Designed by the Civil Engineering Department’s Sustainable Lantau Office and managed by the Agricultural, Fisheries and
Conservation Department (AFCD), it covers 4.5 hectares and is located in Lantau South Country Park near Lai Chi Yuen Tsuen, Mui Wo.
With a total capacity for 500 bikes, the Mui Wo Mountain Bike Practice Ground is the first in Hong Kong and one of the largest in Asia. Together with its associated trails, it is the only venue in Hong Kong that covers all five mountain bike difficulty levels.
In addition to the trails and practice areas, there are a whole series of rock gardens, from so-called beginner to advanced. Further technical features – uphill challenge, switch-back, steep descent, sand pit, rock pit, cork screw, ladder bridge, jumps and skinny – ensure bikers of all abilities are challenged and given the opportunity to progress.
Enthusiasts are advised to choose training facilities that best suit their skill level and experience, and to be equipped with safety gear in good condition. The AFCD has long been committed to improving the mountain bike trails in Lantau’s country parks, while protecting the natural environment. To this end, sustainable principles have been adopted in the design and construction of the Mui Wo practice ground, in order to retain the original landscape and reduce the need for future maintenance.
The facilities comply with the sustainable trail standards of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). The HK$40 million project provides around 9 kilometres of new mountain bike
trails connecting to Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road in the east and the road leading to Lai Chi Yuen Cemetery in the west. A free venue, open 24/7, it has toilets, a first-aid kiosk, a shelter and water filling stations.
MTR TUNG CHUNG LINE EXTENSION
The Hong Kong government has approved the MTR Tung Chung Line extension project, which will see the line diverging into East and West sections. The project will include the construction
of an above-ground Tung Chung East station between the existing Sunny Bay and Tung Chung stations, and an underground Tung Chung West terminus beside Yat Tung Estate.
Scheduled for completion in 2029, the extension is poised to bring more convenience to Tung Chung residents. As of now, it takes around 25 minutes to reach Tung Chung from Yat Tung Estate, with buses running every 20 minutes. According to estimates, the total journey time between Tung Chung West Station and Tung Chung East Station towards Tsim Sha Tsui or Central will be reduced by around 12 and 21 minutes, respectively.
To find out more, visit mtrtungchunglineextension.hk.
[PHOTO COURTESY OF Wikimedia Commons.]
LIVING ISLANDS MOVEMENT AGM AND GARDEN PARTY
Living Islands Movement (LIM) is entering the new year with a watching brief on three significant initiatives: the proposed artificial islands near Kau Yi Chau, the development of 1,000 hectares for recreational use on South Lantau, and the South Lantau sewerage scheme.
You can learn more about these projects, and how LIM is proposing to respond to them, at the group’s Fundraising Garden Party in Wang Tong on March 18. Meanwhile, LIM is holding its AGM on February 18 at Good Old Soil in Mui Wo. Headed up by new LIM chair Louise Preston, the meeting will include a brief update on current and forthcoming issues, as well as the chairman’s and treasurer’s reports. LIM is currently looking for volunteers and everyone is invited to attend the upcoming meetings, and commit to working on the challenges and opportunities facing South Lantau. To find out more, visit www.livingislands.org.hk.
[PHOTO BY Beatrix Malan – www.atscollective.com.]
VIRTUAL GOLF IN DB NORTH
A new addition to DB North Plaza, The Golf Bay provides a unique virtual golfing experience, allowing players to perfect their technique and even play 18 holes.
The venue’s technologically advanced simulators, designed by Foresight Sports, use three high speed cameras, which capture everything from posture and swing to the length of your drive.
State-of-the-art software replicates some 30 golf courses, from Mission Hills in Hainan to Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, immersing players in real-life scenarios as they work on improving their game.
Cost-effective training packages are on offer, and The Golf Bay also partners with golf coaches, with one-hour individual lessons and group lessons available
for kids as well as adults.
There are two bays: Bay 1 for left- and right-handed players and Bay 2 for right-handed players only.
To learn more and book a bay,
visit www.thegolfbay.hk.
[PHOTO BY Raphael Blet.]
RACE FOR LOVE ON VALENTINE’S DAY
The Trail Hub is holding its annual Valentine’s Day Race on February 12 at 9.30am. Starting and finishing at Treasure Island in Pui O, the event is one of the most inclusive in town, with joiners competing in pairs in various categories, including Men’s Team, Women’s Team, Mixed Team, Non-Binary, Mum & Me and Dad & Me. The cut-off is four hours and there are two intensity levels – the Easy Love (9km) coastal path and trail route or the Tough Love (15km) route that includes the climb up and over Lo Yan Shan (303m) and the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula.
Entry costs HK$680 per team with the option to add HK$100 per person for a post-race brunch at Treasure Island; day care is also available from 9am to 1pm.
To enrol, by February 11, visit www.thetrailhub.com.
[PHOTO COURTESY OF The Trail Hub.]
HOT HONEY AT SHAKE SHACK, TUNG CHUNG
Shake Shack’s special CNY menu, Hot Honey – tasty ‘golden delights’ filled with sweet honey and spice – is available through February 25.
Try the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich, which combines hot honey-glazed crispy chicken with the Shack’s signature cabbage and green apple slaw on a freshly toasted potato bun, or the crispy Hot Honey Chicken Bites served with Hot Honey sauce on the side.
Shake Shack serves elevated versions of American classics, and it’s known for its delicious made-to-order Angus beef burgers, crispy chicken, hot dogs, hand-spun milkshakes and house-made lemonades. Opened in 2004 in New York’s Madison Square Park, the company has expanded to nearly 300 locations, with more than 140 international eateries, including Tung Chung Citygate.
To find out more, visit Facebook @shakeshackhongkong.
[PHOTO COURTESY OF Shake Shack.]
DBIS CELEBRATING 40 YEARS
Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) is celebrating its 40th anniversary
this year, a milestone that is set to be marked with a glittering ball at the Auberge Discovery Bay on February 11.
The event will be a wonderful celebration of DBIS’ journey from its original cohort of three students and three staff in January 1983 to a community in its thousands.
In other news, DBIS welcomed Marc Morris as its new Head of School in January. Taking over from former head Stuart Bridge, who expertly guided the school for three and a half years, Marc joins DBIS from Jumeirah College, Dubai, bringing with him 40 years’ experience in the education sector.
Originally from the UK, Marc is no stranger to Hong Kong, having previously spent six years as Principal of Sha Tin College. With a resume that includes headteacher roles in the UK and Asia, as well as three years as Chief Education Officer for Dulwich College International, Marc has a track record of academic excellence, while being a strong advocate for extracurricular activities.
For more on DBIS, visit www.dbis.edu.hk.
[PHOTO COURTESY OF DBIS.]
SOLARIS FOUR PEAKS RACE
The epic Four Peaks Race, sponsored by Solaris Yacht Asia, is taking place from February 4 to 5. Competitors sail between Lantau Peak, Mount Stenhouse on Lamma, Violet Hill on Hong Kong Island and Ma On Shan in the New Territories.
At each destination, two runners kayak ashore, scale the mountain and return to their boat. This year for the first time in the race’s history, a team of sailors and runners from Sailability are taking part. To have a fully inclusive team of para-sailors and para-runners competing in one of the most testing sports competitions in Asia is a new milestone for both the race and Sailability.
To find out more, visit www.sailability.org.hk and www.4peaksrace.com.
[PHOTO COURTESY OF Aberdeen Boat Club.]
NEW ITALIAN AT CITYGATE
Woolly Pig Concepts’ Man Mano opened in mid-January at Citygate, with a focus on artisan style pasta, all made in-house.
Man Mano means ‘hand to hand’ in Italian – working with two hands to gradually achieve a goal – and the aim is to provide home-made and delicious, seasonal dishes that could have come from a nonna’s kitchen.
While pasta is the speciality, other Italian favourites such as Veal Parmigiana and Suckling Pig are available, not to mention an extensive selection of antipasto.
There is also a solid range of Italian wine, spirits and mocktails. Must-try desserts include Tiramisu, Panna Cotta, Cannoncini (Italian Cream Horn) and Cannolis.
Man Mano is open seven days a week from 11.30am to 10.30pm. To find out more or book a table, visit www.manmano.com.
REGALA SKYCITY HOTEL
Newly opened Regala SkyCity is Hong Kong’s third airport hotel, well positioned for MICE, weddings, social gatherings and staycations, as well as business and leisure travels. The hotel has 1,203 rooms, three restaurants and a bar, plus games rooms to keep kids entertained.
There are also two banquet halls with a bridal room covering 1,789 square metres. Wellness facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and an outdoor gym.
Part of Regal Hotels International, the property is directly connected to AsiaWorld-Expo and the 11 SKIES retailtainment complex, which is scheduled to open in phases through 2025. A shuttle bus service is available between the hotel, the airport and Tung Chung MTR station.
To learn more about the property, visit www.regalahotels.com.
[PHOTO COURTESY OF Regala SkyCity Hotel].]