HOP ON THE INTER-ISLAND FESTIVAL EXPRESS
Myriem Alnet, Chun-Kit Chan and Kai-Chun Yip are back, bringing the Inter-Island Festival to our shores over four weekends from November 4 to 26. Through the festival, the Peng Chau-based trio aims to celebrate and help preserve the unique character of the outlying islands, specifically Lantau, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau, by introducing festivalgoers to their vibrant art forms and traditions.
“We want islanders (and visitors) to experience and appreciate island life from a different perspective. People jump on the Inter-Island Ferry and make their way between Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Chi Ma Wan and Peng Chau to take part in the festival. We bring together local performers, experts and artists, with activities going on at the four locations concurrently, and scheduled to match ferry times,” Myriem explains.
The festival aims at strengthening the bonds between island communities, promoting the unique cultures that develop in the inter-island region, and shaping a path for a positive, shared future.
The first Inter-Island Festival took place in March 2021 with around 10,000 people attending over three days. The organisers worked with more than 50 collaborators, all islanders. Workshops included tofu-skin making, driedleaf ink making and foraging. Festivalgoers were given the opportunity to take part in a Taiko performance and a workshop tour of Chi Ma Wan.
Looking to the future, Myriem, Kit and Chun hope to make the festival a bi-annual event. Islanders and visitors will be invited to engage in various activities (tours, workshops, performances), visit neighbouring communities and celebrate life by the sea in their own way.
“We tell people to expect a whole bunch of activities but not to expect anything big and loud. We are planning activities that will blend with the insular island life and hope festivalgoers will embrace their subtlety with us,” Myriem says. “This year, we are inviting scholars from different universities to collaborate with local artists, designers and musicians. A collective music installation and performance by students at the School of English at HKU promises to be a highlight.”
For more on the upcoming festival, email interislandfestival@gmail.com or visit interislandfestival.live. [PHOTO BY Duey Tam.]
HUNKER DOWN AT NAK KAFE
Nak Kafé at 20 Tai O Wing On Street is one of Tai O’s hidden gems with gorgeous views over the waterways. It is one of the few places in the village where you can get amazing coffee, a great view and air conditioning. It’s also toddler-friendly, thanks to a closed entryway. Owner Kevin Kan decided to open the café in early 2021 to be closer to his father, whose family has lived in Tai O for four generations. Kevin has close connections with local tour operators and is happy to help customers plan out their Tai O visit.
Nak Kafé serves everything from classic spaghetti carbonara to more exotic, locally inspired dishes, such as truffle prawn toast. There’s also a rooftop event space for up to 40 guests, which you can rent for social or corporate gatherings, such as formal lunches, buffets, barbeques, cocktails, afternoon teas and birthday celebrations. Nak Kafé is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 6pm. To find out more, call 2368 8030 or visit Facebook @NakKafe. [PHOTO BY Beatrix Malan – www.atscollective.com.]
GET INTO UPCYCLED ART
From now until October 14, Tung Chung-based multi-media artist Agnes Pang is presenting an outdoor exhibition, Dialogue in Material and Structure, at CIC Zero Carbon Park, Kowloon Bay. Agnes is wellknown both locally and overseas as an eco-artist and educator; her artwork is innovative, authentic and colourful and she always sets out to deliver positive messages. With her current exhibition, Agnes’ focus is twofold: to raise awareness about environmental issues through the use of recycled materials (LAN cables, electrical wires, safety hamlets and wooden boxes), and to encourage all of us to take a closer look at those who work in the construction industry, and give them the respect and support they deserve.
“The construction industry plays a crucial role in modern society by providing us with comfortable, secure and aesthetically pleasing living spaces,” Agnes says. “As such, it is important to honour and value every individual involved in this field.” Visit agnesrecycles.weebly.com to find out more. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Agnes Pang.]
PLAY BEACH BOARD HK
Former DBIS student Hinako Nishi has created Beach Board HK, a boardgame to educate and engage young people about the issue of marine pollution in Hong Kong. The game is loosely based on Monopoly and aimed primarily at primary-age children. Players take turns rolling the dice and moving their pawns in a clockwise direction. When a player lands on a beach spot for the first time, they become the owner of that beach and receive a beach property card. This card states the environmental issue of the specific beach and, most importantly, makes the players take different actions. The first player to collect 15 beach tokens is the winner.
Hinako is looking to get Beach Board HK into homes and schools. She has covered the costs of the game’s production herself and will donate any proceeds to charity: A Plastic Ocean Foundation and Plastic Free Seas. Beach Board HK is available for HK$220 at www.beachboardhk.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Hinako Nishi.]
BE INSPIRED BY ELITE FEMALE ATHLETES
Hong Kong’s Women’s Masters 50 Outrigger Canoe Team, sponsored by Cathay, achieved an impressive sixth place at the 2023 International Va’a Federation World Distance Championships in Samoa. The six-strong crew – Adrienne Ng, Polly Snaith, Vicky Choie, Vanessa Watts, Noelle Gahan and Martha Levin – competing in the so-called Olympics of outrigger canoeing from August 14 to 19 was drawn from paddling clubs across the SAR.
Reflecting on the experience, South Lantau Paddle Club (SLPC) member and Treasure Island founder Adrienne Ng says, “We feel very proud to have placed sixth in the Worlds, representing Hong Kong in the Women’s Masters 50. We were racing with the best of the best; first place was team Australia, followed by the USA and Canada. We beat our target time going into the race and now we will focus to inspire more women to pursue their passion in sports.
“The team with the best athletes doesn’t always win, it’s the team with the athletes who blend best together – that’s what I learned from this journey,” Adrienne adds. “I hope to inspire women of any age and ability to join outrigger canoeing. Age is just a number.”
Indeed, for Adrienne, one of the highlights of the time in Samoa was seeing other masters teams racing – athletes in their 50s, 60s and 70s from around the world. “It was so inspiring and encouraging! We are the teens just getting started. We still have another 25 years to refine the art of paddling,” she says with a laugh.
“We want to thank our sponsor Cathay for empowering women in sports and believing in our story,” Adrienne adds. “Also, we want to thank Hong Kong China Outrigger Canoe Racing Association (HKCOCRA) for their unwavering support as the official Hong Kong representative of the IVF World Distance Championships.”
With this achievement under their belt, the team is already looking ahead: their sights are set on a return to the IVF in 2025 – in Brazil. Plans are in motion for rigorous training and preparation, ensuring that Hong Kong continues to make waves on the global outrigger canoeing stage. [PHOTO BY Xavier Keutch.]
MOVING AND STORAGE SOLUTIONS
Looking for a reliable moving service to make your move seamless and stress free? Look no further than Tung Chung-based Rocket Movers. The expert team provides a full range of residential and commercial moving and packing services, plus a truck rental service, storage service, handyman service and disposal service.
Ask owner Karamjeet Singh what we can expect from Rocket Movers and he points first to business transparency. “We offer accurate and non-obligatory moving estimates without hidden fees. We provide a professional service that fits your budget,” he says, adding, “All our movers are skilful and knowledgeable team players. When you hire us, you can expect absolute support every step of the way. We don’t just pack and transport: we dispose of any items you don’t want; we store items that don’t fit into your new home and we can provide you with a handyman to help you settle in.” To find out more, call 5134 0044, email info.rocketmovers@gmail.com, or visit www.rocket-movers.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Rocket Movers.]
OPTIONS FOR SECONDARY AT DBIS
Applications for Year 7 at Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) are now open! Interviews for places starting in August 2024 will begin in November. DBIS is an excellent choice for parents who want their children to not only achieve outstanding academic results but to also grow and learn in a welcoming, nurturing environment. Small class sizes, daily tutor time and regular 1:1 tutoring sessions mean students at DBIS receive tailored support. The broad curriculum, culminating in IGCSEs and A Levels, helps ensure students develop into wellrounded individuals, ready to make a difference in the world.
Students at DBIS enjoy excellent opportunities for experiential learning and STEAM, and the school actively encourages its students to embrace leadership and service opportunities. A wide variety of extracurricular activities are included in the school fees; from sports to service, music to maths – there’s something to suit every child. To find out more, email admissions@dbis.edu.hk. To apply for a place in Year 7, go to dbis.hk/apply. [PHOTO COURTESY OF DBIS.]
FUN AND GAMES AT TREAUSRE ISALND
I t’s all happening at Treasure Island on Pui O beach this month: the Sunday Market is back on October 15 packed with all your favourite local handicraft vendors, and the 11th Lantau Beer Dash finishes up right by the beach club on October 21. Treasure Island Autumn Adventure Camps run from October 23 to 27 for children aged five to 17, and on October 27, at the Freaky Friday Halloween Party, you can expect trick-or-treating and a scary movie night for the kids, followed by live music sessions.
Looking for the icing on the cake? You can enjoy Sunset Beach Sundowner Specials every Friday in October from 5pm to 8pm, with 30% off selected drinks. Meanwhile, you can look forward to the first in a series of special Pizza Fridays, starting November 1 – your chance to enjoy an artisan pizzaand-drinks combo, while watching the sun set over the bay. To find out more, visit www.treasureislandhk.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Treasure Island.]