Big Smog for Time Out HK

It Happened Here: Hong Kong welcomes the crocodile hunter

Hong Kongers are left shocked and bemused as the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) invites Australian crocodile hunter John Lever to share his expertise after failed attempts to capture the SAR’s newest resident; Pui Pui the crocodile.

First sighted on November 2, 2003 by villagers in Yuen Long, the croc evaded authorities for 10 days before Lever was brought in for reinforcements on November 11. Believed to be an escaped or abandoned pet, Pui Pui is the first ‘wild’ crocodile to be found in the territory leading to world-wide media attention and local questions over spending on Lever.
Having learnt to grapple with crocodiles from a New Guinean crocodile clan, Lever had all the confidence of Crocodile Dundee going as far as to claim that he would “just walk in and grab it”. Pui Pui, however, turned out to be far more elusive than Lever had expected resulting in several attempts to bag the 1.5m long reptile. Lever employed varied methods including using chicken heads as bait and a bamboo harpoon but following two weeks of tracking the Aussie’s hunt was over and, defeated, he returned home.

The croc was finally captured on June 10, 2004 in the Shan Pui River, Yuen Long by the AFCD after it strayed into one of the numerous set traps. After a territory-wide naming contest Pui Pui, meaning “the precious one”, and as a nod to the Shan Pui River, was selected as the official name. Following capture Pui Pui lived at Kadoorie Farm for two years, she now has a permanent home at the Hong Kong Wetland Park.

Sarah Simpson

Photo by: Michael Elliott

Shopping & Style at Time Out HK

Body language: Martial Arts

Sarah Simpson looks into the eye of the tiger with Impakt gym’s Michelle Kang.

We’ve all marveled at martial arts at the movies, but how do you at Impakt tackle the ancient arts?
There’s a huge difference between different styles of martial arts, obviously from all over the world so what we do is try to put a combination together of martial arts as would be suited to the type of clientele that we have. Altogether we teach Muay Thai, regular boxing, Brazilian jujitsu, Thai Kyokushin Karate, and then we also do strength and fitness conditioning.



How can I tell the difference between the variety of martial arts?
With the Muay Thai the difference really from the kickboxing is it’s just a little more technical, it has a little bit more flair to it and you’re allowed to use elbows, knees, clinches, things like that. For the jujitsu, we chose Brazilian jujitsu style which is more based on the ground work, the grappling and the holds, the locks on the ground. And then the Thai Kyokushin Karate is a far more disciplined sort of style. It combines a full contact sport with the mental toughness and the spiritual side as well.



Do I need to be fit and healthy before I start classes?
No, we take all levels of fitness all levels of ability all ages, shapes, sizes everything that comes along. We have all different fitness levels and what we encourage people to do is push themselves to their limit and we’ll push you and drive you to go beyond what you think are your goals and that’s how you improve.



What are some of the health benefits of practicing martial arts?
You’ve got the obvious physical benefits, you know any exercise is obviously going to benefit you but from the more spiritual side of things, and this is why we push this toward the kids, they learn the respect, they learn the origins of the sport. It’s also a really great stress reliever. People come in here at the end of the working day, really wound up, wanting to kill their boss, and they come out of here and feel fantastic. People feel so much more comfortable afterward and feel really good about themselves.



Now, most importantly, am I going to come out with a black eye?
It’s incredibly rare for anybody to do a stray punch or anything like that. So its actually very safe and that’s particularly why we choose the trainers we have as well so these are guys that have actually grown up doing this all their lives. They’re either nor or previously have been professional fighters so they’ve got so much experience and that really brings out the safety aspect as well. Safety is a big aspect for us.

Gay & Lesbian for Time Out HK

Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival

Confidently striding into its second decade is Hong Kong’s 21st annual Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. The first of its kind in Asia this cinematic extravaganza merely goes from strength-to-strength with age and is recognised as one of the most influential LGBT events across the continent. As a platform for lesbian and gay artists the festival is not only a dominant event on our cultural calendars but also a powerful means by which to spread sexual equality and eliminate discrimination.

With a wide range of films carefully chosen for the festival there’s sure to be something there for everyone. As a special selection for World AIDS movies day Queer China ‘Comrade’ China is a documentary that charts the equal rights movement in China through social reforms, changes and regressions in attitudes and historical moments. Other must sees include the UK’s Fit and The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister. Fit, an effort from director Rikki Beadle Blair, focuses on the lives of six British students who must confront their own perceptions of homosexuality and how they fit into society. The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister presents its content with a classically British approach as it tells the story of iconic lesbian figure, you guessed it, Anne Lister.

The festival will be showcasing 40 local and international films over 12 days from November 20 to December 1 held at Palace IFC in Central, Broadway Cinematheque in Yau Ma Tei and AMC Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong. Tickets can be obtained from the corresponding venues and through their online systems.

Sarah Simpson

Restaurants & Bars for Time Out HK

Any excuse for a drink: Belgian Women's Day

Belgian Women’s Day may be a mere shadow of its former self but this does not mean the fairer sex, Belgian or otherwise, shouldn’t take advantage of celebrating their rights and freedom on November 11.

First observed in 1972, Women’s Day went on to achieve legendary status in feminist circles as a landmark event that would map the Belgian women’s rights movements of the 1970s and early 80s.

The inaugural Women’s Day’s saw over 10,000 participants from across Belgium descend on Brussels in support of societal equality. As Ann van Asbroeck, Minister of Equal Opportunities Policy for Flanders in VOK, remembers, “from the first edition of Women’s Day, feminist and progressive women from all political, social, cultural, and scientific corners balled up their fists and brought their demands with explosive strength to the table.”

Over time, as the roadblocks have been cast aside and the gap in gender role expectations lessened, Belgian Women’s Day has diminished to an almost non-existent event. This year we raise our glasses in thanks to the brave women across the divide of the century who pointed out that women deserve to enjoy the same rights as men.

As November 11 falls on a Thursday this year, take advantage of the weekly ladies night options Hong Kong provides. We recommend heading to Pure Bar + Restaurant for their Sexy Cosmopolitan Ladies Night with free cosmos for ladies from 6.30pm-8pm.

When: Thursday 11Where: Pure Bar + Restaurant, 2/F Kinwick Centre, 32 Hollywood Rd, Central, 8199 8189 PH: 8199 8189 Drink: Cosmopolitan (regular $65, happy hour $45).

Sarah Simpson

Big Smog for Time Out HK

It Happened Here: Harbour Fest

In late 2003 Admiralty’s harbour-fronting Tamar site played host to one of Hong Kong’s biggest ever music festivals. Organised as a way of attracting tourists and positive press after SARS, Harbour Fest aimed to repair the city’s tainted image, bringing in big names and being broadcast into US homes.

Billed as “a dazzling series of live shows catering to all tastes and ages”, the organising committee, InvestHK, was off to a solid start. Acts like Gipsy Kings, Santana, and Neil Young, promised a stellar line-up, and the legendary The Rolling Stones were tapped for the finale.

But before the sound systems had even warmed up, the high hopes for the festival began to fall. Concert costs steadily rose, Cantopop acts Nicholas Tse, Andy Hui, and Joey Yung were mysteriously cut from the bill, and disappointing ticket sales led to the handing out of free tickets for performances from Twins and t.A.T.u, which resulted in violent scuffles outside ticket vendors.

Following the festival, an independent inquiry found almost every act was overpaid (The Rolling Stones received US$5m), the total overrun stood at HK$13.3m, and the festival reached only 600,000 US homes, 0.6 per cent of the targeted 100 million. A survey conducted by the Democratic Party found 50 per cent of those polled believed it was a colossal waste of money, which, on these numbers, doesn’t seem that far off the mark.

Sarah Simpson

Big Smog for Time Out HK

It Happened Here: The British extend their empire

The United Kingdom’s 99-year lease of the New Territories from 1898 to 1997 tends to be the popularly recognised period for the Brits’ control over the region. However, the fact that the whole territory was returned to China in 1997 often overlooks the fact that the area of the current SAR was ceded to Queen Victoria in parts. Hong Kong came first in 1842, and Kowloon was later transferred in 1860, following the Second Opium War.

British and French troops stormed the Old and New Summer Palaces, and in the absence of Emperor Xianfeng, who had already fled, looted and incinerated the gardens. There were also plans to burn the Forbidden City to the ground but, fortunately for the historical site, the over-excited plans of arson were overturned in favour of a more diplomatic approach.

On October 24, 1860, British dignitary Byron Elgin and the Chinese Prince Gong met at Beijing’s Ministry of Rites to sign the Convention of Peking treaty. Article 6 of the Convention stipulated that the area below modern day Boundary Street, along the Kowloon Peninsula, would come under British rule indefinitely.
It wasn’t until 1984 that the terms of the treaty were reassessed and the agreement was made for Britain to hand over Hong Kong and Kowloon to China on July 1, 1997.

Sarah Simpson

Around Town for Time Out HK

Oktoberfest roundup

Sarah Simpson puts on her drindl to find the best local celebrations of the German beerfest

Oktoberfest at Happy Valley RacecourseWednesday Oct 13 & 205.15pm, Happy Valley Racecourse
On consecutive Wednesdays in October the Beer Garden will get a German revamp. Besides drinking German brews such as Lowenbrau and Erdinger, chow down on various sausages, metre-wide pretzels and other German fare while cheering on folks competing in all sorts of games like drinking contests, the “Slick’n’ Slide” beer slide and beer pong. And don’t forget about the horse races.

King Ludwig BeerhallOctober 14-24

www.kingparrot.com
The German-themed King Ludwig outlets offer up a variety of events to get your blood pumping and beer churning. The festivities kick off at the Wan Chai outlet with Rocktoberfest, featuring the stylings of German band Gehrenbergspatzen and local indie band KOLOR, alongside the Mr & Miss Oktoberfest Contest. The bands will be there to entertain throughout the 11-day event, coinciding with fun-filled games and authentic German cuisine – and, of course, beer.

The Marco Polo German BierfestOctober 23-November 136pm, Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel
As one of Asia’s more traditional and authentic Oktoberfest celebrations, The Marco Polo German Bierfest offers revelers a taste of everything German. A culinary spread will feature roast pork knuckle, braised beef steak in red wine vinegar, and of course all types of sausages, which will be complemented by free flowing beer and the panoramic view the hotel affords. All-night dancing and a number of games will keep party-goers entertained, and traditional tunes will be performed by Munich’s The Notenhoblers. Don’t miss out on the intriguingly named Strong Man, Milking the Cow, Pump-the-Balloon and Chicken Dance games.

Erdinger OktoberfestOctober 28-306pm, Happy Valley Racecourse
Get ready as The Flying Sausages prepare to once again take the stage at the Erdinger Oktoberfest. A specially built beer hall will play host to overflowing steins, a German banquet, raucous singing and dancing and ideally the occasional beer hall wench. The 2009 Erdinger Oktoberfest was such a success that the two-day event has evolved to cover a total of three days as well as offering lunch at noon on Saturday only as a fun alternative to your usual weekend brunch.