WELCOME PACK 2014

Dear Incoming Teacher,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Hong Kong Academy for the 2014-2015 year. The information contained within this handbook was compiled and edited by some of your future colleagues. I believe that you will find the information practical and useful as you begin the process of making Hong Kong your home. We have attempted to anticipate many of your needs and questions based on our own experiences and feedback from previous new teacher groups, however, you will most likely encounter situations that have not been addressed. Faculty and staff are very helpful and will also be willing to answer any other questions you may have.

We all look forward to having you join the team!

Sincerely,

Stephen Dare

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Table of Contents ...................................School Contacts! p. 2

...................Housing and General Tips! p. 2

..............................................Settling in! p. 4- Stocking up- Staying in shape- Phone services- Directory inquiry- Internet Connection- Bank Accounts- Bill Payment- Mail- Emergency Calls- Consulates- General Costs- Typhoons and Severe Rain Storms

........................................Getting Legal! p. 9- Hong Kong ID Card- Teacher Registration- Visa Extensions- Taxes

.....................................Getting Around! p. 11- Octopus Card- MTR- City Buses- Trams- Minibuses- Taxi’s

............Eating, Drinking and Shopping ! p. 13- Water- Supermarkets/Grocery Stores- Wet Markets- Eating Out

Other Activities.....................................p. 14- Travel- Biking- Hiking- Sports Leagues- Sailing Course- Happy Valley Racecourse- Live performances- Things To Do (useful links)

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photos by HKmPUA

School ContactsName Title Phone MobileSchoolSchool 2655-1111Steve Dare Head of School 2655-1271 6114-7365Doug Musco Secondary Principal 2655-1274 6114-7364Virginia Hunt Primary Principal 2655-1272 6114-7073Eileen Chan Human Resources Manager 2655-1280Gemma Chambers Orientation Co-ordinator 6255-7424

HOUSING & GENERAL TIPSHong Kong rental costs are among the most expensive in the world. Land is dear and the population is dense. Hong Kong Island apartments are usually the smallest and costliest. A move out to the outlying islands or to Kowloon or the New Territories will lower your rent and increase your living space. It’s also important to consider commute time and costs.

Officially stated sizes of apartments in Hong Kong can be deceptive since a 650sq. ft. unit also wraps in your share of the lobbies, halls and elevators. Expect about 10% to 15% less actual living space.

Since the 2007/8 academic year, teachers have been given an allowance to enable them to find their own apartment to suit them in terms of size, location, and even budget. The housing allowance is a monthly cash payment, paid into your bank account which is only marginally taxed. Teachers are not obliged to spend all of their allowance on housing although most would, if not more.

How do I find my apartment? Real estate agents will show you around neighbourhoods and take you to apartments that fit your needs and budget. Often estate agents will only show in their own districts so it is important to know which area suits you best before beginning to look. To get a clearer idea of what is available, the districts that interest you and what you can expect to pay in rent, visit any of the below websites. A school loan is available for any staff who have difficulty raising the money for their initial rental deposits.

HKA Campus HKA Campus

HKA Campus

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HKA Campus

Sai Kung

Housing options

Happy Valley / Wan Chai -

housing options

HK Airport

Ma On Shan / Shatin -

possible housing

options

Central / midlevels/

Lang Kwai Fong

Where do the HKA staff live?Many staff are currently living in the Sai Kung area. Sha Kok Mei, Nam Sham, Po Lo Che or or somewhere along Tai Mong Tsai Road, are all good village choices and are approximately a 10 - 15 minute bus ride or walk from campus. Have a look at this article for more information: http://www.hongkongextras.com/_sai_kung.html

Others stay on Hong Kong island to enjoy city life a bit more. North Point is a good place to look, as this gives good access to public transport for both Sai Kung and Hong Kong Island. The commute from town is about 45 minutes door to door with some people sharing cabs in the morning from a number of pick up points.

Agencies HK Island Website

GoHome http://www.gohome.com.hk/english/home.asp

HongKongHomes http://www.hongkonghomes.com

HongKongAsiaExpat http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/

Rent.com http://www.rent.com.hk/

Craigslist http://hongkong.craigslist.hk/apa/

Agencies in Sai Kung Website

T & T Properties www.saikungproperty.com/index-eng.html‎

Marco at Eastmount www.eastmount.com.hk/‎

Marie at Joyland www.estatesalliance.com/en/hong-kong/?agency=9431‎

Catherine at The Property

Shop

www.thepropertyshop.com.hk

Amigo at Sunshine

Property

www.sunshineproperty.hk

Moodi at AM property www.epdc.com.hk

Maps Website

Google Map http://bit.ly/cyEUUY

Lonely Planet http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/hong-kong

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SETTLING INStocking UpMost apartments will come with a refrigerator and two-burner gas stove tops that may or may not be built in. Ovens are not often included since Chinese cuisine seldom includes baked dishes. You may want to bring some household items, but everything is readily available in Hong Kong.

You will most likely want to make your apartment more comfortable. If you are partial to certain brands or thread counts you may wish to bring items along with you in your suitcase such as: sheets, towels, deodorant etc.

Many grocery stores have notice boards where patrons can advertise used furniture and other items. Departing expats sell everything imaginable through these boards. Also check out the Trading Post published every Sunday in the South China Morning Post and the Trading Post at www.asiaxpat.com. You can also join the face book groups “Swap-it-hk and “Sai Kung Marketplace” where items are exchanged frequently.

Shopping Website

IKEA http://www.ikea.com.hk/main.html

Pricerite (furniture) http://e-catalogue.pricerite.com.hk/e/default_home.asp

Wellcome (supermarket)

http://www.wellcome.com.hk/en/index.php

Fortress (Electronics) http://www.fortress.com.hk/fortress/jsp/sys/Sf_render.jsp?hf_s_id=FT11&hf_srv_id=Pv_fcu_home&hf_rand=1407850683

Japan Home Store http://www.japanhome.com.hk/products/e_products.html

Craigslist (Online ads) http://hongkong.craigslist.hk/

Gumtree (Online ads) http://hongkong.gumtree.com.hk/

General Shopping Advice

http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/forums/

Ikea, located in Causeway Bay, Megabox (Kowloon Bay) and Sha Tin, is a good bet for furniture and household goods, including bedding and linens. Fortress and Broadway, chain stores, are usually the best place for electrical purchases – appliances, electronics, audio & telephone equipment.

Staying In Shape Membership-only fitness clubs range from full-service gyms to specialty yoga studios. Monthly prices vary greatly depending on the club’s poshness and the kind of package you purchase. Staff have had memberships at California Fitness (Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui), Fitness First (Sheung Wan, Kwun Tong and North Point), and Pure Yoga (Central and Causeway Bay). Pure Fitness has two locations in Central. California Fitness is the cheapest of the gyms ($300-500/month depending on the plan) and Pure Fitness is the costliest ($1,000/mo.). To join, you’ll need your Hong Kong ID card and a Hong Kong bank credit card or bankcard, so the club can debit your account monthly. If you don’t have a local credit card, be prepared to pay all of the fees upfront on your overseas card. However at the moment we do not have any staff in clubs near Sai Kung, although some staff now take part in a fitness boot camps in Sai Kung and the public leisure services gym in Tsueng Kwan-O has a good recommendation.

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Fitness Website

California Fitness http://www.californiafitness.com/

Pure Yoga http://www.pure-yoga.com/en/hongkong/

Fitness First http://www.fitnessfirst.com.hk/hk/home.asp

Sai Kung also provides plenty of options for activities for the public such as swimming, tennis courts, squash courts, and a running track. There are a number of easily accessible public pools around Hong Kong, with an olympic size swimming pool 2 minutes walk from school (accessible by Octopus card or by paying the admission fee which usually stands at around HK$20 depending on the pool). Likewise, there are number of basketball courts, fields, and jogging tracks scattered around the same areas, including Sai Kung town – please ask should you want more information.

There are also a number of seaside sports available, including kayaking, canoeing and windsurfing. Be aware that you have to get in early for a facility booking as the demand for such water sports is high; follow this link for more information: http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/watersport/en/index.php).

Phone Services If you want a landline, call 1000 from any phone to reach PCCW, the phone company, to make arrangements. You also can make an appointment in person at the PCCW office in Wan Chai at G/F, Hong Chiang Building, 147 Johnston Road. At the time this handbook was put together, the installation service charge was $475 and the monthly charge was $110 (for local service). There are many packages available for extras such as voice mail, call transfer and phone/fax services.

You may also want to get a long distance service – known as IDD. If you do not yet have a Hong Kong ID card, you will have to post a security deposit of HK $1,000. You can secure a refund after you get your HKID. There are approximately eight different IDD providers, so you may want to shop around among the various companies. Bills can be paid in person, by mail, or by autopay.

Telephone / Internet Website

PCCW http://www.pccw.com/?language=en_US

3 http://www.three.com.hk/website/appmanager/three/home?_nfpb=true&pageid=000001&_pageLabel=P200170391219567376547&lang=eng

Smartone http://www.smartone-vodafone.com/jsp/english/index.jsp

International phone cards are an alternative means of making overseas calls. These cards are readily available at 7-Eleven and Circle-K (the local equivalent) stores around Hong Kong.Some teachers purchase mobile phones to the exclusion of landlines. The major mobile phone providers – 3, PCCW, CSL and Smartone – all sell phones at a lower price if you sign up for one of their service plans (which may or may not include IDD). Alternatively, rechargeable SIM cards are available for purchase from all the major service suppliers.

Internet connectionThere are about a dozen ISP’s in Hong Kong. Your choice of provider is dependent on whether or not your building has already been wired for their particular service. Your best bet is to check with your real estate agent as to what internet providers are available to your building, and then to call the said providers to compare prices. The vast majority of housing in Hong Kong is broadband capable with very competitive pricing. However, many staff moving to Sai Kung are finding that they are only served by PCCW with a maximum 8MB connection.

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Other common service providers, depending on where you live are; Hutchison, 3, Hong Kong Broadband, iCable and Pacific Supernet.

Bank Accounts Hong Kong is considered one of the world’s major banking centers. Major banks include HSBC, Standard Chartered, Hang Seng, Bank of China and Citibank.

During the first week of orientation, the school will assist you in opening an account with HSBC. In order to open the account you will need your passport or Hong Kong ID Card, and a letter from the school indicating your monthly income. You will fill out an application in person. Having created this initial account, you are of course free to change to another bank if that is your choice. Should you wish your pay to be directed towards a new account with a different local-operating bank, please be sure to let admin at the school know of your new account details.

All of the big banks provide services for online banking and money transfers. By using a teller you can deposit cheques and pay most of your household bills, including Hong Kong Electric, PPCW and Smartone-Vodafone and other mobile services. Such bills can also be paid at most post offices and 7-Eleven stores.

ATMs can be found almost anywhere and some HSBC "Electronic Money" machines provide 24-hour cash withdrawal facilities for Visa and MasterCard holders. Some ATM machines in Hong Kong can now also accept cheque and cash deposits as well (a convenient way to avoid the queue at your local branch). American Express cardholders have access to Jetco ATMs and can withdraw local currency and travelers' cheques at the Express Cash ATMs in town.

Most major banks are open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm on Saturday. They close on Sundays and public holidays. Some banks and branches are open slightly longer hours.

Bill PaymentBills can be paid by auto-pay directly from your bank account, on-line, ATM/ bank, and at 7-Eleven stores (PCCW).

MailMail service is excellent in Hong Kong. Generally, you can rely on next day delivery within the SAR. Local postage is $1.40 for the first 30gm and $2.10 for mail under 50g. The main post office, next to the Star Ferry, is open Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm and Sunday, 8am to 2pm Post offices are located throughout Hong Kong. The Sai Kung Post Office Branch is located in Sai Kung Town, near the Starbucks.

Telephone NumbersDirectory inquiry - To get a phone number in English, dial 1081.Emergency calls - For police, fire or ambulance services dial 999.

ConsulatesCertain consulates – the U.S. among them – recommend that their nationals register when they take up residence in Hong Kong. Here are some phone numbers.

• Australian Consulate – 2827-8881• Canadian Consulate – 3719-4700• New Zealand Consulate – 2877-4488• Philippines Consulate – 2823-8500• U.S. Consulate – 2523-9011• UK Consulate – 2901-3000• Indian Consulate - 2528-1406• South African Consulate – 2577-3279

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General CostsBelow is a cost of living index (quoted in HK$), based on a single person. This research is based on some teacher’s experiences and may vary according to lifestyle choices and where you live.

COST OF LIVING INDEX

Item Cost HK$Bed (double) $2500Broadband Television one month (PCCW)

$150+

Cable TV $200 +Cell Phone (purchase price of phone only)

$1000-$5000

Digital Camera $1200-$3000+Dinner for TwoChineseWestern McDonalds

$80$200+$60

DVD player $800Electricity (Summer requires more A/C) - Monthly

$200 (winter)$400 (summer)

Gas - Monthly $100Groceries for single person $500 per weekLong Distance (depends on where you’re calling and how long, generally cheap to North America)

$50 phone card (Dragon) allows you to speak for 2 hours to Australia, Canada or US

Microwave $500Monthly Cell Phone Plan (1000 minutes)

$100

Monthly Mobile with unlimited data $350 - $550Rent $10 000+Sofa $1800

Television $900+Toaster Oven $400Monthly Internet Unlimited (PCCW) $200 +

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Typhoons and Severe Rain StormsThere are two kinds of severe weather warnings in Hong Kong – rainstorm warnings and typhoon signals.

Rainstorms come in 3 colours: amber, red and black. If a black rainstorm warnings is issued before the school day, school is cancelled. If a red rainstorm warning is issued before the school day, PK1 and PK2 classes are cancelled. For more information about the school’s weather procedures, check the school’s website.

Typhoon signals are rated T1, T3, T8, and T10. A T3 means the typhoon is somewhere in the South China Sea – and may be 24 hours away. A T8 means the typhoon is very close to Hong Kong. School bus service must be cancelled and public transportation will start winding down. A T10 is a direct hit. Luckily T10s are extremely rare. If you don’t have typhoon shutters for your windows, it’s worth keeping your distance or even taping your windows to avoid injury. The best thing to do is to check the Hong Kong Observatory website for regular updates at the following address:

Weather Website

HK Observatory http://www.hko.gov.hk/contente.htm

Weather information http://gohongkong.about.com/od/travelplanner/ss/weatherbyseason.htm

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GETTING LEGAL

Hong Kong SAR Working VisaHong Kong Academy will arrange your Working Visa with the Department of Immigration for your first working year. This will require a letter from the school stating your occupation, salary and contract period and usually copies of your educational credentials. See below for advice on renewing your visa, as this process, whilst relatively easy is left up to your own devices.

Hong Kong Identification CardYou are required by law to get a Hong Kong ID card and carry it with you at all times. The ID card is essential for registering for services and proving that you are legally living here.

Arranging for your ID card is simple. The Immigration Tower is in North Wan Chai (between Gloucester and Harbour Roads), 8/F. You will need your passport and a supporting letter from the school. It’s all very organised and takes approximately one and a half hours to process (application, photo, thumbprint). You will get a temporary ID card and a date about 3 weeks out to return for your permanent card. The school will assist you with this process during the first week of orientation.

Teacher registrationRecently the Education Manpower Bureau (EMB) has become more rigid and bureaucratic in the teacher registration process. The school will support you during this process, however, to make life easier it is recommended that following documentation is brought with you:

• High School Certificates/transcripts• University Results/diplomas/transcripts• Details and Results of teacher training practicums (this includes the number of hours you did

whilst on teacher practicum’s and course descriptions)• Relevant Personal documentation (passport, marriage and divorce certificate)

Wherever possible these documents should be originals and should be in sealed envelopes from your university/college. We recognise that some of these documents may have long since vanished or may require you to contact academic institutions.

Visa ExtensionsYour initial work visa is only good for one year. You will be responsible for extending your visa after your first year of employment. The school will reimburse you.

TaxesYou are responsible for saving your monthly taxes for later payment and then paying them on time. It is a good idea to set this money aside as you go along so that it doesn’t sneak up on you! A Brief Guide to Taxes Administered by the Inland Revenue Department is provided for your reference in your Welcome Manual upon arrival.

In general the tax system in Hong Kong is extremely simple. Roughly speaking, you will be taxed 15% of your income, although it can be considerable less depending upon deductions. For tax purposes, your income consists of your salary plus 10% of the value of your housing or housing allowance.

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The tax year runs from April 1 to March 31. Shortly after March 31, all employers file a statement of earnings with the Inland Revenue Department. Eventually, Inland Revenue will send you a Return Form, which will provide a calculation of your taxes and the dates by which you must make tax payments.

By law, an employer must file a statement of earnings for a departing employee and may not pay that employee’s last month’s salary until an employee has secured Form I.R. 607.

Mandatory Pension FundThe school offers participation in the Hong Kong Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) to all school employees. Under this scheme the school and staff member each contribute 5% of base salary up to a maximum monthly contribution of $1,500 each. Exemptions from participation in the MPF may be granted in exceptional circumstances where the teacher participates in another qualified retirement scheme.

Amounts accumulated in the teacher's individual MPF account may be invested in various fund options at the teacher's discretion. Accumulated MPF benefits can be withdrawn at age 65, or upon permanent departure from Hong Kong and in certain other exceptional circumstances.

Financial Website

Pension Fund http://www.hsbc.com.hk/1/2/mpf/home

HSBC http://www.hsbc.com.hk/1/2/home

Online Convertor http://www.xe.com/ucc/

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GETTING AROUND

Public transportation is one of the great bonanzas of life in Hong Kong. You can go anywhere cheaply and efficiently.

The Octopus CardThe Octopus card simplifies life immeasurably. It’s a debit card that can be used on trains, buses, ferries and some other businesses such as 7-Eleven and Starbucks. If you are using your card to travel, you can only use it once per trip. So if you’re travelling with a visitor you cannot swipe the card twice. The easiest places to purchase octopus cards are at MTR stations, and value can be added at 7-Elevens, however, the school will provide you with one to get you started.

MTRThe main lines that you will use are the BLUE line that runs from the west side to the east side of Hong Kong Island along the harbour (principally used to get between Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay), the RED line that takes you from Hong Kong side to Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon, and the PURPLE line that starts in North Point and heads north and east to Hang Hau (the nearest MTR to the school). Train service runs from 6:00am to 1am Fares are approximately $8 to $12 per trip. It’s easier to use your Octopus card, but you can also purchase single trip tickets at automated machines in MTR stations.

City BusesOn Hong Kong Island there are two bus franchises – CityBus and First Bus. They have different routes – often to the same places – and there is really no difference between them. On Kowloon side there is an additional 3rd operator, Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (KMB).

On most routes, fares vary depending on where you embark. Fares range between $4 and $8 per trip, and you can pay by cash or Octopus card. Sai Kung is served by many different bus companies and the small green and red minibuses provide an extensive and cheap service.

Travel Website

MTR http://www.mtr.com.hk/jplanner/eng/planner_index.php

CityBus http://www.nwstbus.com.hk/home/default.aspx?intLangID=1

General Info. http://www.12hk.com/links/LinksToHongKongTransportationSites.shtml

General Info. http://www.hong-kong-travel.org/Transportation.asp

Transport Dept. http://www.td.gov.hk/en/home/index.html

Bus Info. http://www.hong-kong-travel.org/Buses.asp

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TramsTrams are the cheapest transport in town, but only located on Hong Kong island ($2 gets you anywhere on the line) They are the best way to see the main thoroughfares along the harbour. There are tram stops every 1/3 kilometre or so on the route between Central and Causeway Bay along Queen’s Road, Johnston Road and Hennessy Road. For sightseeing, take the tram west from Central to the Western District. As you will quickly discover, the most pleasant way to ride trams is to head upstairs immediately upon boarding. Pay as you exit. Be warned, on Sundays and public holidays these trams can get extremely crowded.

Minibuses/Light busesMinibuses are 16-seater buses that travel to just about all parts of Hong Kong. They can (or will) stop most anywhere except on major routes where there are double yellow lines along the curb. Minibuses also will not stop if full. Pay quickly (Octopus is much easier but exact cash is accepted) and then try to take a seat before the driver rushes to complete his journey. The real challenge of minibus riding is getting off. As the bus approaches where you want to get off, just shout, “Stop please!” or “yow-lock” or “mm-goy” to sound something like a local.

There are 2 types of minibus, Red Top and Green Tops (different roof colours). Green tops are the normal public service whereas Red Tops are privately run. Most Red Tops now accept Octopus but some are still cash only. Red Tops usually wait until they are full at the departure stop and then are ‘express’ to their destination.

To get between campus and the Hang Hau MTR station, take the 101M minibus (green top). Its two terminal spots are at Hang Hau and the bus stop a short walk from our campus (adjacent to public swimming pool).

TaxisTaxis are plentiful and inexpensive at $8 a kilometre. (The flag falls at $18 for the first 2kms in a red/HK Island and Kowloon taxi and $16 for a green/New Territories taxi.) There are three coloured taxis.• Red taxis are able to travel all over Hong Kong. and have no restrictions.• Green coloured taxis only operate in the New Territories, and even then they are not allowed

into some town centres such as Shatin.• Light blue taxis operate on Lantau Island only.

There are taxi stands at major shopping malls and MTR stops, but you can also hail a cab on the street. Cabs cannot pick up or discharge passengers where there are double or single yellow lines along the curb. If the cabbie can’t figure out where you’re going, he will call the dispatcher and you can scream your destination into the two-way radio. Tipping is not expected, but many people will add an extra dollar or two to the fare for good service, safe driving, or an interesting conversation. If your fare comes to $29.50, the driver may round the fare up to $30.

If it’s late, you’re in a remote spot, or it’s raining and there are no cabs to be had, you can call for a taxi (some numbers are listed below). Tell the dispatcher where you are and where you are going. If you’re lucky, they will come back with a taxi license number and how many minutes it will take for the cab to arrive. The charge for a called cab is $5 that you add to the meter fare. NOTE: If you are desperate for a cab and there are none to be had, call the next company and say “Add 10 dollars” after you give them your destination. You will have to pay $15 above the metered fare – but at least you will have a cab.

Sai Kung Area: 2729 6600 or 2729 1199HK Island: 2527 6324 or 2574 7311Kowloon: 9162 2270 or 2760 0411Lantau Island: 2984 1328

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EATING, DRINKING AND SHOPPINGThe local Hong Kong residents and many of the expatriates here are passionate about their food, so restaurants and food shopping sources are plentiful.

WaterWater is safe to drink, but many people are more comfortable with bottled water or use a water filter. Watson’s Water can be delivered directly to your apartment. You can order on-line at the website address below. Local fruit and vegetables should be cleaned very thoroughly because some fresh foods, especially those from China, are treated with pesticides that probably were banned elsewhere decades ago.

Grocery StoresThere are three major food store chains: Park ‘n Shop, Taste and Wellcome. All three stores have delivery services (particularly useful if you’re buying bottled water). They all take bank debit cards or checks. You also can apply for credit cards and be billed monthly. Most grocery stores will provide same day delivery service if you shop before 2:00pm Shopping after 2:00pm will be delivered the next morning between 9:00 and 11:00.

Sai Kung has three major supermarket/grocery stores: Wellcome, Park ‘n Shop, and Fusion that are worth checking out for their wide selection of merchandise, both Western and Chinese. The Wellcome even has an elevator that goes down into the car park from where you can load a car or push a trolley out to a taxi at the taxi stand.

Larger selections of western and organic foods can be found in the more up-scale and expensive grocery stores. Some of these grocery stores such as; 360 (Kowloon) and GREAT in Pacific Place (Admiralty), have long fresh meat and seafood counters, wonderful bakeries and a range of deli foods ready to go. Similar in price and selection are Oliver’s Market in the Prince’s Building (Central), and City Super in multiple locations, including IFC Mall (Central), in Times Square (Causeway Bay), in Ocean Terminal (Tsim Sha Tsui) and in ShaTin. City Super also sells a wide range of Japanese foods and other products. Teachers are currently exploring options closer to the Sai Kung campus and will be able to provide more information upon arrival.

Shopping Website

Wellcome http://www.wellcome.com.hk/en/index.php

ParknShop http://www1.parknshop.com/WebShop/Home.do

360 http://www.threesixtyhk.com/

Watsons water http://www.watsons-water.com/eng/order/login.html

Wet MarketsWet markets are a collection of fresh food stalls that are either housed in a large building or run along a side street. Fruits and vegetables usually are considerably cheaper than in the grocery stores. There are some smaller markets in Sai Kung town, with a larger indoor market spread out over multiple levels in the centre.

Eating OutHong Kong is a city that caters to “foodies.” If you have an adventuresome palate then you’ll find just about any food at any price range. To get an idea of just how wide the selection is pick up a copy of HK Magazine, a free weekly, which reviews new restaurants and writes weekly features about particular cuisines. Its reviews are compiled annually into a supplement that is distributed with the magazine or available for purchase during the remainder of the year. Another review publication is the annual Dining Guide, compiled by BC Magazine. It is available in most bookstores.

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OTHER ACTIVITIESOutdoor recreation and sports opportunities abound in Hong Kong (and beyond):

TravelThere are many travel agencies that are very efficient and offer good package deals. You can look forward to many exciting travel adventures!

Travel Website

Zuji - Online Agent http://www.zuji.com/

FlightCentre http://www.flightcentre.com.hk/

AirAsia - Budget Airline http://www.airasia.com/hk/en/home.html

CebuPacific - Budget Airline http://www.cebupacificair.com/

DragonAir - Budget Airline http://www.dragonair.com/da/en_INTL/homepage

Hiking TrailsThere are extensive hiking trails on Hong Kong Island, throughout the New Territories and on the outlying islands. Major trails include the Hong Kong Trail, a route that extends from the west end to the east end of Hong Kong Island; the Wilson Trail that runs from the Kowloon side of the south end of Hong Kong Island; and the Maclehose Trail that extends the length of the New Territories from east to west and looks down on the Sai Kung campus. All of the outlying islands are covered in trails. Two great books to purchase are ‘The Serious Hiker’s Guide to Hong Kong’ and ‘The Leisurely Hiker’s Guide to Hong Kong’ which can be found at most major bookstores.

BikingBike rentals are available on Lantau Island, Lamma Island, and in Tai Po in the New Territories.

Sports LeaguesThere are leagues organised for most sports, including softball, basketball, netball, roller hockey, ice hockey, rugby and Ultimate Frisbee (oh, and Australian Rules Football for those Australians who just cannot do without).

Sailing ClassesThe Leisure & Cultural Services Department offers inexpensive classes in sailing, windsurfing, and other water-based recreation. The boat club in Discovery Bay offers sailing lessons on two-person catamarans.

Happy Valley RacecourseFar be it from us to encourage gambling, but a night at the races is lots of fun.

Live Performances and EventsIn February every year Hong Kong hosts a major performing arts festivals that features acts, many famous, from around the world. Between arts festival times, the arts venues continue to host a variety of major and minor talents. Tickets for the Hong Kong Arts Festival come out in November/December.

Two of the major sports events of the year include the Rugby Sevens (in March) and the Cricket Sixes (late October). These events are incredible for their atmosphere, for the quality athleticism, and for the quantities of alcohol that are usually consumed on site. As with the Arts Festival, these events are amazingly popular so you need to get in very early to buy tickets.

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Things To Do Website

HKTicketing http://www.hkticketing.com/eng/

TimeOut http://www.timeout.com.hk/

Clubs List http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/directory/expat-fitness-leisure/

Hiking Trails List http://www.hkwalkers.net/eng/trail_list/type.htm

Trampers - Hiking http://www.hktrampers.com/Mambo/

General http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g294217-Activities-Hong_Kong_Hong_Kong_Region.html

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