VIBErations Podcast

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Tales of Jack & Milly is a series of 15-minute episodes about the adventures of 5 talking rescued pets that live with their human parents on a beautiful green hilly island in the South China Sea.

If only our pets had voices, what would they say? Would they be poets, rappers or philosophers, or just like, well… family…

Jack is a 6 year-old beige village dog who looks like a cross between a wolf and a teddy bear.

Milly is a 5 year-old petite black village dog. They have 3 younger siblings: Eeva, a low-slung, wire haired Jack Russell, O’Malley, a ginger tomcat, who are both 5 years old and Louie the Maine Coon cat is 7 years old. In this 2nd season Jack & Milly decide to change things around so that they can raise their profile as a family in the neighbourhood and better protect their humans.

You’ll meet some new characters along the way and there’s always plenty going on locally.

Written & Produced by Gary Brightman

Narrated by Stefan Gannon Featuring:-

Dr. Esslin Terrighena as Milly

Gary Brightman as Jack

Stef Le Gall as Eeva

Cary Nicolson as O'Malley

Stephen Walsh as Louie

Andy Tait as Haggis

Shelly Cox as Field Mouse Montgomery

Ciara Morris as Chekov

Music by Celestial

Recorded at Studio 114 - soundstudio114@gmail.com

The pets in ‘Tales of Jack & Milly’ were adopted from TAILS (Team for Animals in Lantau South) a Hong Kong registered charity. The pets are all looked after by Lantau Vets.

For further information you can visit their website at https://www.tailslantau.org/ Or facebook at tailslantau or instagram at tails.lantau

These stories of which this is the 2nd in the second series are about 3 dogs and 2 cats. They had nothing going for them and no hope for a secure and happy future, until they were given a home by a human family.

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Tales of Jack & Milly is a series of 15-minute episodes about the adventures of 5 talking rescued pets that live with their human parents on a beautiful green hilly island in the South China Sea.

If only our pets had voices, what would they say? Would they be poets, rappers or philosophers, or just like, well… family…

Jack is a 6 year-old beige village dog who looks like a cross between a wolf and a teddy bear. Milly is a 5 year-old petite black village dog. They have 3 younger siblings: Eeva, a low-slung, wire haired Jack Russell, O’Malley, a ginger tomcat, who are both 5 years old and Louie the Maine Coon cat is 7 years old. In this 2nd season Jack & Milly decide to change things around so that they can raise their profile as a family in the neighbourhood and better protect their humans. You’ll meet some new characters along the way and there’s always plenty going on locally.

Written & Produced by Gary Brightman

Narrated by Stefan Gannon

Featuring:-

Dr. Esslin Terrighena as Milly

Gary Brightman as Jack

Stef Le Gall as Eeva

Cary Nicolson as O'Malley

Stephen Walsh as Louie

Paul Elliott as Eddie the Egret

Music by Celestial Recorded at Studio 114 - soundstudio114@gmail.com

The pets in ‘Tales of Jack & Milly’ were adopted from TAILS (Team for Animals in Lantau South) a Hong Kong registered charity.

The pets are all looked after by Lantau Vets.

For further information you can visit their website at https://www.tailslantau.org/ Or facebook at tailslantau or instagram at tails.lantau

These stories of which this is the 1st in the second series are about 3 dogs and 2 cats. They had nothing going for them and no hope for a secure and happy future, until they were given a home by a human family.

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Established in 2018 by Gary Brightman - VIBE is a Book & Music shop situated in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.

This weeks interview is with long term Lantau resident, Bob Bunker

Born in the UK; on graduating in 1968 from Cambridge with a degree in French and German, Bob went to work for a stockbroking firm in the City of London, to look after their European business.

He came to HK in 1979, where he worked for Chase Manhattan Bank. Then spent many years as a Director of HSBC’s investment operation and latterly worked for a private investment operation along with several ex-HSBC colleagues, before retiring in 2010.

He sat for many years on the Listing Committee for the HK Stock Exchange, vetting mainland companies for listing. Bob was one of the founding fathers who set up the Hong Kong Securities Institute, to improve standards of professionalism in the financial industry, and set entry exams and licensing.

Bob and his wife Sally and 2 sons, took a weekend cottage in Shui Hau on Lantau in 1985, and then moved to live full time in Mui Wo in 1997.

He’s retired now on Lantau with his well-known artist wife Sally - they have 2 sons, 2 grandchildren and a dog.

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Tails of Jack & Milly is 6 x 10-minute series about the adventures of 5 talking rescued pets that live with their human parents on a beautiful green hilly island in the South China Sea.

If only our pets had voices, what would they say? Would they be poets, rappers or philosophers, or just like, well… family…

Jack is a 5 year-old beige village dog who looks like a cross between a wolf and a teddy bear. Milly is a 4 year-old petite black village dog. They have 2 younger siblings: Eeva, a low-slung, wired hair Jack Russell and O’Malley, a ginger tomcat, who are both 4 years old.

In this episode a new family member joins - Louie the Maine Coon cat is 6 years old.

Written & Produced by Gary Brightman

Narrated by Stefan Gannon

Featuring

Dr. Esslin Terrighena as Milly

Gary Brightman as Jack

Stef Le Gall as Eeva

Cary Nicolson as O'Malley

Stephen Walsh as Louie

Music by Celestial

Aesop's Fable: 'Belling the Cat'

Recorded at Studio 114 - soundstudio114@gmail.com

The pets in ‘Tales of Jack & Milly’ were adopted from TAILS (Team for Animals in Lantau South) a Hong Kong registered charity.

The pets are all looked after by Lantau Vets.

For further information you can visit their website at https://www.tailslantau.org/ Or facebook at tailslantau or instagram at tails.lantau

These stories of which this is the sixth in the series are about 3 dogs and a 2 cats. They had nothing going for them and no hope for a secure and happy future, until they were given a home by a human family.

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Tails of Jack & Milly is 10-minute series about the adventures of 4 talking rescued pets that live with their human parents on a beautiful green hilly island in the South China Sea.

If only our pets had voices, what would they say? Would they be poets, rappers or philosophers, or just like, well… family…

Jack is a 5 year-old beige village dog who looks like a cross between a wolf and a teddy bear. Milly is a 4 year-old petite black village dog. They have 2 younger siblings: Eeva, a low-slung, wired hair Jack Russell and O’Malley, a ginger tomcat, who are both 4 years old.

Written & Produced by Gary Brightman

Narrated by Stefan Gannon

Featuring

Dr. Esslin Terrighena as Milly

Gary Brightman as Jack

Stef Le Gall as Eeva

Cary Nicolson as O'Malley

Music by Celestial

Aesop's Fable: 'Jack's Story'

Recorded at Studio 114 - soundstudio114@gmail.com

The pets in ‘Tales of Jack & Milly’ were adopted from TAILS (Team for Animals in Lantau South) a Hong Kong registered charity.

The pets are all looked after by Lantau Vets.

For further information you can visit their website at https://www.tailslantau.org/ Or facebook at tailslantau or instagram at tails.lantau

These stories of which this is the fourth in the series are about 3 dogs and a cat. They had nothing going for them and no hope for a secure and happy future, until they were given a home by a human family.

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Tails of Jack & Milly is 10-minute series about the adventures of 4 talking rescued pets that live with their human parents on a beautiful green hilly island in the South China Sea.

If only our pets had voices, what would they say? Would they be poets, rappers or philosophers, or just like, well… family…

Jack is a 5 year-old beige village dog who looks like a cross between a wolf and a teddy bear. Milly is a 4 year-old petite black village dog. They have 2 younger siblings: Eeva, a low-slung, wired hair Jack Russell and O’Malley, a ginger tomcat, who are both 4 years old.

Written & Produced by Gary Brightman

Narrated by Stefan Gannon

Featuring

Dr. Esslin Terrighena as Milly

Gary Brightman as Jack

Stef Le Gall as Eeva

Cary Nicolson as O'Malley

Music by Celestial

Aesop's Fable: 'Jack's Story'

Recorded at Studio 114 - soundstudio114@gmail.com

The pets in ‘Tales of Jack & Milly’ were adopted from TAILS (Team for Animals in Lantau South) a Hong Kong registered charity.

The pets are all looked after by Lantau Vets.

For further information you can visit their website at https://www.tailslantau.org/ Or facebook at tailslantau or instagram at tails.lantau

These stories of which this is the third in the series are about 3 dogs and a cat. They had nothing going for them and no hope for a secure and happy future, until they were given a home by a human family.

View Details

Tails of Jack & Milly is 10-minute series about the adventures of 4 talking rescued pets that live with their human parents on a beautiful green hilly island in the South China Sea.

If only our pets had voices, what would they say? Would they be poets, rappers or philosophers, or just like, well… family…

Jack is a 5 year-old beige village dog who looks like a cross between a wolf and a teddy bear. Milly is a 4 year-old petite black village dog. They have 2 younger siblings: Eeva, a low-slung, wired hair Jack Russell and O’Malley, a ginger tomcat, who are both 4 years old.

Written & Produced by Gary Brightman

Narrated by Stefan Gannon

Featuring

Dr. Esslin Terrighena as Milly

Gary Brightman as Jack

Stef Le Gall as Eeva

Cary Nicolson as O'Malley

Music by Celestial

Aesop's Fable: 'Jack's Story'

Recorded at Studio 114 - soundstudio114@gmail.com

The pets in ‘Tales of Jack & Milly’ were adopted from TAILS (Team for Animals in Lantau South) a Hong Kong registered charity.

The pets are all looked after by Lantau Vets.

For further information you can visit their website at https://www.tailslantau.org/ Or facebook at tailslantau or instagram at tails.lantau

These stories of which this is the fifth in the series are about 3 dogs and a cat. They had nothing going for them and no hope for a secure and happy future, until they were given a home by a human family.

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Established in 2018 by Gary Brightman - VIBE is a Book & Music shop situated in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.

This weeks interview is with a mate Pete Millward of Celestial. I’ve been pestering him to interview with me since VIBE opened back in early 2018…

His latest album ‘Sub Coda’ is used as the sound-bed for this interview.

Back in 2018, high on my priority list was to add the music shop into the book shop mix. Although I’d accumulated a lot of vinyl and CDs, I wanted to feature local Hong Kong artists, such as GDJYB who I’d recently written and produced a documentary on after leaving film school. Mate Pete Millward lives on Lantau island and although I knew he worked for Drum Music producing music for such big HK brands as Cathay, HSBC and HK Sevens, I hadn’t heard his music under the guise of Celestial. He supplied me with his back catalogue and I was immediately sold on it, maybe because we’re both born in 1960 and have the same musical references throughout our lives…

“Celestial” is a Hong Kong based collective whose unique sound resonates with the diversity of life in this city. Celestial was conceived by producer and guitarist Peter Millward, a co-founder of Drum Music along with Eddie Chung. Pete moved to Hong Kong in 1990 from South London coming from a background playing in punk bands and recording reggae acts. Upon arrival he was asked to write music for a leading fashion boutique for their compilation album. His unique fusion of Asian sounds with modern production techniques pioneered the emerging genre of “Asian chill-out” music - and the idea for “Celestial” was born.

Pete, who produces, arranges, mixes, plays guitar, bass, melodica, and keyboards, plus programming and various other bits of audio manipulation, is a long time Hong Kong resident, with his musical roots in the Punk and Dub Reggae of the ’70s.

I liked Celestial’s music so much that I asked Pete if I could use it in my newly written and directed sci-fi series called ‘Transformed’ back in 2014. Very generously he said I could use any of his music in my work for free, just credit ‘Celestial’ and I’ve been using his music for my sound beds ever since. Indeed, this very podcast uses a sample from a track ‘Green Island Dub’ for its intro/outro. He has performed at VIBE with mate Mike Hill under the guise Elektro Mull. Indeed he’s performed many other times at VIBE under the guise of Celestial. He recently performed at Clockenflap and also Lantau Live music festival.

https://hongkongdubstation.com/

10 Questions….

Favourite book or authors? George Orwell, Graham Greene, Raymond Chandler, Ernest Hemmingway, Hanif Murakami, Cormack McCarthy
Favourite musical artists? The Clash, The Specials, Joy Division, Philip Glass, Miles Davis, Nick Cave, The Who, David Bowie & Rolling Stones
Favourite films? Bladerunner, Bladerunner 2049, The Big Lebowski, Wings of Desire, Coen Brothers films
Preferred drink? Depends on the time of day - tea/coffee, beer later, wine with food
Life motto? Go into everything with an open mind
Favourite HK walk? Over Lantau Peak, Happy Valley to Shek O
Favourite HK restaurant? My kitchen. The Globe, Fiata Pizza. China Beach Club. The Gallery. Ciao Bella. The Kitchen. Southside
Best advice you were given? More an action of learning to hug family…
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Came to HK with girlfriend for work and working with a mate
Favourite area of Hong Kong? Lantau

https://www.vibehk.com/

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Established in 2018 by Gary Brightman - VIBE is a Book & Music shop situated in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.

This is our periodic podcast and in this episode I interview Ed Salter - organiser of 'Lantau Live 2024 Music Festival on Lantau Island, HK https://lantaulive.com/ / lantaulive / lantaulive https://www.ticketflap.com/lantaulive...

BIO

Edward Salter is, amongst many other things the organizer of Lantau Live… His musical journey began at the tender age of five in Kent in the UK. Growing up surrounded by music, he started with the piano and later studied the saxophone during his secondary school years. His passion for music led him to the University of Hull, where he studied music at the scenic Scarborough campus.

After university, Ed answered the call of adventure, taking on various live musical 'gigs' in China and the Middle East, ultimately settling in Hong Kong. In this vibrant city, he dedicated himself to teaching music and drama, establishing an Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA) program with schools in the New Territories.

In addition to his musical pursuits, Ed harbors a deep passion for graphic design and web development. During the COVID pandemic, he made a significant transition into the world of software and web development, blending his artistic sensibilities with technology.

Today, Ed continues to inspire students and innovate within the worlds of music and technology.

10 Questions

Favourite book or authors? Hobbit Trilogy, Fantasy Fiction
Favourite musical artists? Motown, Stevie Wonder, Jamiroquai, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Queen
Favourite films? Shawshank Redemption, Django Unchained, Pulp Fiction
Preferred drink? Tomato Soup, Pineapple juice, Pale Ale
Life motto? Music transcends language. 'Music is the tool to express life and all that makes a difference' Herbie Hancock
Favourite HK walk? Pak Ngam hun to Tigers head
Favourite HK restaurant? Char sui & egg restaurant in kowloon city
Best advice you were given? Keep doing what your doing
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Music career brought me here and fell in love with HK.
Favourite area of Hong Kong? Mui Wo, Lantau Island. Kowloon City

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Established in 2018 by Gary Brightman - VIBE is a Book & Music shop situated in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.

This is our periodic podcast and in this episode I interview Father John Wotherspoon. ...also announcing upcoming Lantau Live Music festival on Sunday 24th November 11am until 9pm

https://lantaulive.com/

https://www.ticketflap.com/lantaulive...

For this week’s interview I went up to Jordon in Kowloon to interview a very special guest…

Father John Wotherspoon is a Catholic priest from Brisbane, Australia who has been in HK since 1985. He is a Correctional Services Department prison chaplain and is a founder of two NGOs Voice for Prisoners and MercyHK. MercyHK is an organization caring for homeless and other needy people in Hong Kong They have a meeting place at 187 Temple st, Kowloon and a Canteen at 191 Temple St. Voice for Prisoners are a Hong Kong-based NGO that helps prisoners overcome some of the many challenges encountered behind bars. They support prisoners through advancement of education and prison visitation programmes. Through social media they raise awareness in overseas countries of the harsh penalties in Hong Kong for drug mules. https://www.mercyhk.org/

https://www.voiceforprisoners.org/

https://www.doctorjesus.org/

10 Questions

Favourite book or authors? The Bible. Author Joseph F. Girzone. 'Lond Walk to Freedom' by Nelson Mandela
Favourite musical artists? The Seekers. John Denver. Abba. The Beatles.
Favourite films? 'Joseph and the coat of many colours'. 'Mulan'
Preferred drink? Green Tea 5. Life motto? 'Make the spreading of the good news your life's work' 2nd Timothy
Favourite HK walk? Big Wave Bay
Favourite HK restaurant? MercyHK Canteen at 191 Temple St, Kowloon. HK
Best advice you were given? Be good
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… 40 years ago, Catholic Oblate Priests in Rome were looking for people to come to HK
Favourite area of Hong Kong? Big Wave Bay. Kowloon Park. West Kowloon waterfront. Temple Street and Jordon

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Established in 2018 - VIBE is a Book & Music shop situated in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.

Back in May, it didn’t take me or my wife Stef long to think about who my special guest should be for this 50th edition of my VIBErations podcast interviews.

When I asked him if he could supply me with his BIO, he mumbled a bit, went quiet for a few weeks and finally admitted that he didn’t have one…but he welcomed my offer to piece one together for him…

RTHK Radio Presenter Peter Beilby-King (Pete to everyone who knew him) studied at the Royal Air Force College, before becoming an apprentice in the Royal Air Force from 1971 to 1974. He went on to work at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, and then The Royal Corps of Transport in Aldershot.

In 1983 his military career merged into BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) allowing him to make the career jump across to DJ at The London Town Discotheques in Frankfurt and Hamburg, before moving to Heliopolis in Al Quahirah, Egypt. In 1985, he first arrived in Hong Kong, settled down in Sai Kung and started his 1st role at RTHK. Four years later he got the travel bug again and rejoined BFBS in Cyprus, then the Falkland Islands. He remained working with BFBS on and off up until 1997 and the Hong Kong handover which he covered with them. In 1990 he joined the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation, interviewing Lee Kuan Yew, then moved to Darwin 4 years later.

2000 saw him back in Hong Kong at RTHK, where he’s been ever since, presenting ‘Pete’s Magical Mystery Tour’

His passport would have been pretty well thumbed by then…

In his own words he says he is ‘a Radio Presenter, who enjoys a quiet private life, but also loves being with his friends and having a good night out!’ He is quite philosophical and loves thinking about life, the universe and everything in it.

He’s easy to get on with, but doesn’t suffer fools gladly, of which he says he’s met a few in his time! This interview was recorded on 25th May, one week after VIBE’s 6th birthday which he attended, and where he lit up the room with his impromptu charity auction for the Water Buffalo of Lantau.

I didn’t appreciate at the time of asking Pete if I could interview him for VIBErations podcast 50th special edition that throughout his life he had refused pretty much ALL interviews. Other than an interview he did with Annemarie Evans for the RTHK Heritage program back in 2018, I can’t find any other interviews…?

https://www.rthk.hk/radio/radio3/prog...

He asked me several times post interview if I’d finished it yet, saying he knew he’d ‘waffled on a bit’ and offering to re-record bits wherever necessary. The truth was I knew it would take some editing and just hadn’t got round to starting. After a lot of thought, I decided not to edit this one, but just let it flow, as easy it was to talk to him like an old mate ‘down the pub’ or in this case at VIBE before opening time…

So here is the unedited version, which my Jack Russel Eeva also attended, along with Phil Whelan whom Pete had introduced and mentored into RTHK 24 years ago.

Sadly, after a period of illness Pete left us on Saturday 6th July 2024, aged 69 years.

I had a lot of respect for Pete, and I always enjoyed having a drink & a laugh with him.

I will miss you, dear friend…

I’d like to dedicate this interview to Pete’s partner, Grace and to his family…

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VIBErations podcast Ep 48 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong on 19th April, 2024 Interview with Peter Barry

One of my passions is Hong Kong History and this weeks interview very much taps into that! More than anyone I’ve met, to date, Musician & Author Peter Barry has 50 years of Hong Kong and Mui Wo experience to offer. Because of this, I’ve chosen to make this a 2-part podcast…

BIO

Born in 1939, Peter grew up on a family farm in the Lancashire Pennine hill country. A mischievous boy and a friend to all, Peter delighted in all things outside of school, not inside. Working on his parents’ dairy farm, he taught himself how to yodel, taking advantage of the acoustic echo in the dairy. Little did Peter Barry know how this would change the course of his life. From a childhood on a hilltop farm – as the landscape of rural Northern England changed forever – to building the legendary Snowy Dam in Australia, from playing gigs in Lancashire village halls to recording albums in Australia and entertaining troops in the Vietnam War, Peter Barry’s long and colourful life has bumped up against history, time after time, in a truly remarkable way.

Peter and his wife Ling first set eyes on Silvermine Bay in 1970 from a vantage point on the walk over from the Trappist Monastery. Immediately, the young couple felt that they’d be calling this place home for good. Back in those days, terrace farming rice paddy fields could still be seen, with farmers and their water buffalo ploughing the fields. 50-years on, four children, many bicycles, trolleys, guitars, songs, a few business ventures and misadventures later, Peter has taken stock of his remarkable life to share with his family, friends and those interested to join him on his entertaining life adventures via the first volume of his memoirs, For Pete’s Sake – from 1939 to 1970.

This ever-resourceful, simple dairy farmer-turned-adventurer makes every page a testament to a life lived fully.

10 Questions

Favourite book or authors? James Herriot
Favourite musical artists? Slim Whitman and Lonnie Donegan
Favourite films? Avatar
Preferred drink? Water
Life motto? Love and let live, always give your best
Favourite HK walk? Walk over the hill from the trapist monastry to Mui Wo
Favourite HK restaurant? Rome, Mui Wo and the Yum Cha restaurant at Silvermine Resort
Best advice you were given? Always be yourself
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… it’s my home
Favourite area of Hong Kong? Mui Wo

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VIBErations podcast Ep 49 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong on 17th May, 2024

Interview with Sam Barbour

BIO

Sam Barbour is an award-winning educator, songwriter & children’s author from the UK. He has worked as a primary English teacher in Hong Kong since 2007. His successful YouTube channel, Teacher Ham is now 11 years old, and he published his first children’s book, (available at VIBE), The Litter Bug in 2022.

As an active songwriter & performer, Sam has released an EP, a debut album and two singles as well as several albums of children’s music & poetry. Notable performances include the H2 Festival, The Irish Festival, The Works (RTHK), The Morning Brew Show & The World’s Big Sleep Out (HK). His music has been played on BBC Scotland & around the world. His dream is to write music for sync placements in films and TV in HK & beyond.

LINKS: All Streaming Platforms: Sam Barbour FB. IG & Twitter: Sam Barbour Music & Teacher Ham You Tube: Teacher Ham

10 Questions….

Favourite book or authors? Roald Dahl, Arthur Conan Doyle
Favourite musical artists? Gerry Rafferty, James Taylor & Paul Simon 3. Favourite films? 'A River Runs through it'
Preferred drink? Chinese Green tea
Life motto? Be Good, Be Kind, Be Happy and Enjoy life
Favourite HK walk? Mui Wo, Silvermine area and up to waterfall. Walk along TST waterfront to Hung Hom
Favourite HK restaurant? My wife's cooking at home
Best advice you were given? Father's advice: If you can find something you enjoy doing, then your successful
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… I love the city, I love the people here and I love Hong Kong
Favourite area of Hong Kong? Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, the quieter areas

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VIBErations podcast Ep 47 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong on 10th April, 2024 Interview with David Bellis https://gwulo.com/

https://www.eventbrite.hk/d/hong-kong...

Writing about history was never the plan – David left school with a firm dislike of both English and History, he studied Computer Science then worked as a Software Engineer. But in 1992 a move to Hong Kong meant having to find a new job in a hurry and forced a switch from programming to sales. That lead to writing newsletters to keep customers updated, and as he found it was surprisingly satisfying, he also started writing a blog as a hobby. A new baby caused the next upheaval.

David quit the sales job to spend less time traveling, expanded the blog into a website, and narrowed its focus to Hong Kong’s history. He still wrote newsletters though and found that sharing an old photo from his collection and inviting readers to explore its hidden details helped make the history easier to digest. The newsletters’ photos and stories meant he had enough material to start giving talks, and as the talks were well received, he used them as the foundation for a book.

David has since published five books in the ‘Old Hong Kong Photos and The Tales They Tell’ series. Meanwhile the website, Gwulo.com, continues to grow. It now hosts over 50,000 pages about old Hong Kong, including over 35,000 photos.

David’s work on the site was recognised by a Heritage. Preservation Award from the SCMP, one of their ‘The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards’.

David gave an excellent talk at VIBE recently, on some of the historic Hong Kong photos appearing in volume 5.

This talk can be viewed on our YouTube channel at ‘Live at VIBE HK’.

10 Questions

Favourite book or authors? Mapping Hong Kong' by Hal Empson
Favourite musical artists? U2 and Smashing Pumpkins
Favourite films? Groundhog Day, Jerry McGuire
Preferred drink? London Pride
Life motto? 'It's a funny old life'
Favourite HK walk? Yung Shue Wan on Lamma to Sok Kwu Wan
Favourite HK restaurant? The Globe, Branto's Vegetarian Indian restaurant
Best advice you were given? You can't please all the people all the time 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… I was on route to Australia and HK was a stop over and wanted to live here
Favourite area of Hong Kong? Tai Long Wan, Beach north of Sai Kung

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VIBErations podcast Ep 46 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong on 22nd August, 2023

Interview with Anna Robb

TheatreArtLife.com

https://olc.live/

Anna is the Executive Director for Our Legacy Creations, a Global Live Entertainment Company launched this year (2023). Prior to starting this new venture, Anna was the COO of Dragone known for its iconic theatre shows such as "The House of Dancing Water" in Macau, “La Perle” in Dubai, "Le Reve" in Las Vegas and Celine Dion's "A New Day" residency show.

Originally from Australia, Anna's 23-year career in live entertainment has taken her around the world. She has created shows in the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and in many countries across Asia. Anna has worked on concerts, arena events, corporate shows, trade shows, musical theatre, plays, dance, circus, outdoor festivals and mega shows.

Always behind the scenes, Anna has been involved in the execution of some of the largest show creations in the world, including “The Beatles: LOVE” by Cirque du Soleil, and “The House of Dancing Water” by Dragone. She has not only worked through the process of research and development, training and formation and creation but has also run the operations of these shows, 2 shows per day, 5 days a week, year after year, dealing with all the trials and tribulations of running multi-million dollar theatrical shows for millions of spectators to enjoy.

Anna holds a (BA) Honours degree in Design for Theatre and Television and is also the Co-Founder and Managing Director for TheatreArtLife.com, an online platform for entertainment industry professionals.

10 Questions….

Favourite book or authors? No favourites but Murder mystery books and informational books
Favourite musical artists? Country Music - Australian & US
Favourite films? Shawshank Redemption, Top Gun 2
Preferred drink? Whiskey, Red wine
Life motto? Quote by American Writer James A Michener
Favourite HK walk? Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak. DB headland
Favourite HK restaurant? Mui Wo restaurants
Best advice you were given? It doesn’t matter how high you get, still be ready to sweep the stage
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Affordable childcare and HK is still relatively safe
Favourite area of Hong Kong? Lantau. Sheung Wan

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VIBErations podcast Ep 45 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong on 20th March, 2023

Interview with Mark Rawson

Facebook ‘What the folk HK’

https://www.motherschoice.org/en/

BIO

Mark retired from a career in Wealth Management with a plan to travel only to time that with the arrival of covid … the last few years have given time to reflect and reassess the things he felt were important and reconnect with passions and practice being open to saying ‘yes’.

Currently his yes list is;

⁃ playing music with a number of bands - Naggin Eejits, Black Velvet Collective, The 852…

⁃ Creating music, writing, recording and composing

⁃ Running musical showcases under the banner What The Folk

⁃ Developing a ‘self help’ group for original artists and working to raise awareness of local talent through radio, media and general introductions

⁃ Currently planning for a World Music and Dance festival plus a St Patrick’s festival 2024

⁃ He Owns with his daughter an Embody Pilates and yoga studio

⁃ Foster parenting with Mothers Choice

⁃ Drop in support for a number of disadvantaged communities

⁃ Mentoring a number of businesses

⁃ Assisting on experiential learning camps with students

⁃ Helping his wife with her passion for the craft of Indonesian Batik ⁃ Operating a small private kitchen focused on regional Indonesian cuisine (planning a podcast for this 😂)

⁃ Getting ready for a number of expedition ‘races’

⁃ Developing a number of concepts around ‘project Do’…

10 Questions….

Favourite book or authors? Tends to read books inspired by current interests...
Favourite musical artists? Ska music and Genesis early influences and any music that makes you want to do something
Favourite films? Godfather 1 & 2, The Lord of The Rings
Preferred drink? Tea. Real Ale
Life motto? Life, adventures and successes begin with the word 'can'
Favourite HK walk? Daily walk is Brick Hill near home in Aberdeen
Favourite HK restaurant? Bace Turkish Restaurant in Mui Wo - now closed and my wife’s kitchen!
Best advice you were given? Don't be worried, be concerned, but don't worry…
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Where else can an old man like me do so many things, so easily!?
Favourite area of Hong Kong? My roof!

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Tails of Jack & Milly is 10-minute series about the adventures of 4 talking rescued pets that live with their human parents on a beautiful green hilly island in the South China Sea.

If only our pets had voices, what would they say? Would they be poets, rappers or philosophers, or just like, well… family…

Jack is a 3 year-old beige village dog who looks like a cross between a wolf and a teddy bear. Milly is a 2 year-old petite black village dog. They have 2 younger siblings: Eeva, a low-slung, wired hair Jack Russell and O’Malley, a ginger tomcat, who are both 1 year old.

Written & Produced by Gary Brightman

Narrated by Stefan Gannon

Featuring

Dr. Esslin Terrighena as Milly

Gary Brightman as Jack

Stef Le Gall as Eeva

Cary Shakeshaft-Nicolson as O'Malley

Music by Celestial

Aesop's Fable: 'The dog and his reflection'

Recorded at Studio 114 - soundstudio114@gmail.com

The pets in ‘Tales of Jack & Milly’ were adopted from TAILS (Team for Animals in Lantau South) a Hong Kong registered charity.

For further information you can visit their website at https://www.tailslantau.org/ Or facebook at tailslantau or instagram at tails.lantau

These stories of which this is the first in the series are about 3 dogs and a cat. They had nothing going for them and no hope for a secure and happy future, until they were given a home by a human family.

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Tails of Jack & Milly is 10-minute series about the adventures of 4 rescued pets that live with their human parents on a beautiful green hilly island in the South China Sea.

If only our pets had voices, what would they say?

Would they be poets, rappers or philosophers, or just like, well… family… Jack is a 3 year-old beige village dog who looks like a cross between a wolf and a teddy bear. Milly is a 2 year-old petite black village dog. They have 2 younger siblings: Eeva, a low-slung, wired hair Jack Russell and O’Malley, a ginger tomcat, who are both 1 year old.

Written & Produced by Gary Brightman

Narrated by Stefan Gannon

Featuring

Dr. Esslin Terrighena as Milly

Gary Brightman as Jack

Stef Le Gall as Eeva

Cary Shakeshaft-Nicolson as O'Malley

Music by Celestial

Aesop's Fable: 'The Tortoise and the Hare'

Recorded at Studio 114 - soundstudio114@gmail.com

The pets in ‘Tales of Jack & Milly’ were adopted from TAILS (Team for Animals in Lantau South) a Hong Kong registered charity. For further information you can visit their website at https://www.tailslantau.org/ Or facebook at tailslantau or instagram at tails.lantau These stories of which this is the first in the series are about 3 dogs and a cat. They had nothing going for them and no hope for a secure and happy future, until they were given a home by a human family.

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VIBErations podcast Ep 44 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong on 26th January, 2023 Interview with British Author Patricia O'Sullivan

BIO

Patricia O’Sullivan is a writer and researcher on the lesser known aspects of Hong Kong's history prior to 1941. Stumbling over an article concerning the death of her great-uncle in 1918 when an inspector in the Hong Kong Police, She quickly became immersed in the social history of colonial Hong Kong.

As a specialist recorder teacher, in a career spanning three decades and more, She has had the joy both of introducing thousands of young children to music and developing the skills and musicianship of senior students to diploma level and beyond.

Now she writes full-time, while keeping some teaching and playing to keep herself sane. Pre-covid times she spent many months in Hong Kong – and is currently back here. Patricia’s second book, on women the wrong side of the law, was finished during the first lock-down and came out in December 2020.

Since then she has been working on the next book project - Hong Kong during World War One and the policemen who fought in that war. Alongside that, she continues to contribute articles on other aspects of Hong Kong's social history, all of which can be found on the 'Insight' page of her website at https://www.socialhistoryhk.com/

Questions….

Favourite book or author? – P. G. Wodehouse
Favourite musical artist? - Andreas Scholl
Preferred drink? - Milk/Champagne/Tea
Life motto? - Always look for the good in something
Best advice you were given? If you want a job done well, but can’t do it yourself - empower someone to do all of it not just bits of it...

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VIBErations podcast Ep 43 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong on 9th November, 2022 Interview with Historian and Author Uther Charlton-Stevens

BIO

Uther Charlton-Stevens is an author, historian and fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society. Uther spent his childhood in Hong Kong, where he attended ESF schools - specifically Peak School and Island School. After this Uther earned his bachelor's and doctoral degrees in history from the University of Oxford, and his master's degree in between from the London School of Economics.

His first book, ‘Anglo-Indians and Minority Politics in South Asia’, was Published by Routledge for the Royal Asiatic Society Books series in 2018 (released on paperback in 2020). His Latest book ‘Anglo-India and the End of Empire’ was Published in London in September of this year by Hurst and will soon be Published in North America by Oxford University Press USA. The South Asian rights have been sold to Harper Collins India.

Uther's research and writing draws inspiration from his own 'mixed-race' family, including the stories he heard during childhood summer holidays from his Anglo-Indian grandmother of her service as an officer in the Women's Auxiliary Corps (India) during the Second World War, her life and upbringing in colonial South India, and her trip to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Uther's Anglo-Indian father was born in an Army station in Ferozepore, and spent his childhood in Bangalore before migrating to the UK with his two elder siblings and widowed mother.

10 Questions….

Favourite book or author? - 'Lord of the Rings' JRR Tolkien / Herman Wouk - 'Winds of War & War & Remembrance'
Favourite musical artist? - Lana Del Rey / Anoushka Shankar / Jazz / Blues
Favourite film(s) ? - The Last Emperor / Mississippi Burning / Some Like it Hot / Elizabeth
Preferred drink? - Tea - Green, dark - Fresh Juice & Whiskeys
Life motto? - Everything will be interesting
Favourite HK walk? Sai Kung - Pak Tam au / Peak Walk
Favourite HK restaurant? Chaat in The Rosewood, Sichuan food , Korean BBQ
Best advice you were given? N/A
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… I grew up here and returned a year ago and hold it very dear in my memories
Favourite area of Hong Kong? N/A

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VIBErations podcast Ep 42 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 3rd October, 2022 Interview with Entrepreneur Asha Sridhar

BIO

Asha, in Sanskrit means ‘hope’. She moved to Hong Kong in 2006 with her family – husband, Sridhar and daughter, Meghna. They’ve enjoyed making Hong Kong their home. They love every facet of this wonderful city – the fast-paced life on the one hand and the beautiful country parks, hiking trails and beaches on the other.

They moved to Lantau Island in 2013 and made Tung Chung their home. Last year in November, they moved to the lovely little village of Tai Tei Tong in Mui Wo, so they could enjoy the serenity, beauty, and slower pace of rural Hong Kong. They also wanted to indulge in their love for gardening and happy to say they have a beautiful terrace garden in their apartment. They have now hiked many of the HK and Lantau trails. Asha completed the 25km Green Power Hike on multiple occasions. Asha lives her life by the motto “live in the present. The past is gone and cannot be changed, and the future is yet to be made”. She is known for her optimism, “never say never” attitude. She also stands by her friends – no matter what. Professionally, she runs a consulting business named Active Communication. They specialize in organizational, leadership and talent development. Asha is a certified NLP Trainer and Master Coach, aside from having certifications in executive coaching.

Website: www.activecommunication.net

10 Questions

Favourite book or author? Enid Blyton/Agatha Christie/PD James/Daniel Silva/Jane Austin
Favourite musical artist? Indian music - 50's/60s Mohammad Rafi/Queen/Springsteen
Preferred drink? Water/Rose Wine or Red wine
Life motto? Live in the Present - not the future or past
Favourite HK walk? The Lantau Peak 6. Favourite HK restaurant? Vegetarian in TST
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? Move to the side and be respectful let it go about its business
Best advice you were given? My mum said never ever give up your freedom of choice to someone
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… It’s the best place to be - safest place in world
Favourite area of Hong Kong? Mui Wo! Tai Tei Tong

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VIBErations podcast Ep 41 at Studio 114 for VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 4th May, 2022

Interview with Psychic Counsellor Philippe Raynaud

BIO

Gifted with a natural psychic ability for 25 years, Philippe assists his clients with issues ranging from life decisions, emotional difficulties, relationship issues, career/money/business concerns, spiritual growth, personal growth, exploring and changing gold beliefs, metaphysical challenges, higher consciousness choices, goals creation and much, much more...

Contact Philippe via email at Raynaud.philippe@gmail.com

10 Questions

Favourite book or author? 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Favourite musical artist? Mick Jagger
Preferred drink? G&T also Rose wine
Life motto? Live in the Present - not the future or past
Favourite HK walk? Any walk that’s by the sea
Favourite HK restaurant? The Ocean Rock, Murray House, Stanley
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? I'd avoid it
Best advice you were given? Live in the present same as motto
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… after 21 years its now home
Favourite area of Hong Kong? Central and Lantau

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VIBErations podcast Ep 40 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 22nd March, 2022

www.artbymartinlever.com

BIO

Award-winning Hong Kong Artist Martin Lever - Chinese name Li Wah - has lived, studied and worked in Hong Kong on and off for nearly 40 years. One of the biggest inspirations in his life is this unique city he calls home. His contemporary artwork has been exhibited in a number of solo shows in Hong Kong, the UK and the Middle East. His work adorns the walls of private collectors, and commissioned pieces hang in corporate lobbies from Wheelock & Wharf to the McKinsey corporation to Patton Boggs Law.

His approach to painting is refreshingly simple: he closes his eyes, then paints what he sees. Using striking contrasts of colour and light-hearted observational touches, he creates powerful abstract and pop-art impressionist images that celebrate the world around us through a new lens.

Beyond art, his creative work has been recognised around the world with countless advertising industry awards. And his acclaimed series of children’s books – The BogeyBugz – is helping fuel young imaginations.

His awards incl.

Grand Prix, Golds, Silvers and Bronzes at a range of local, regional and international creativity festivals and shows…including HK Kam Fan – Best in Show 2017 Cannes Festival of Creativity New York Festivals London International Awards D&AD Awards

10 Questions….

Favourite book or author? - John Grisham, The Jam by Bruce Foxton & Rick Buckler, Paul French, Carl Hiaasen. 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' by Eric Carle
Favourite musical artist? - Beatles, Joy Division, Smiths. Echo & the Bunnymen, The Jam - The Specials 1st album
Preferred drink? - JD & Coke
Life motto? – ‘La Fiesta no es para los fayos’ - The Party is not for the ugly one's - Che Guevara
Favourite HK walk? - Urban walking - from Canton Rd, TST to Prince Edward via Temple St
Favourite HK restaurant? - Tai Ping Koon - local Shanghainese Off Hysan Av. in Causeway Bay
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Retreat at pace!
Best advice you were given? - Gift of diversity from parents and to always say please and thank you
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Parents moved here when 9yrs old but since then because I love it!
Favourite area of Hong Kong? Various incl. Shek O and Lantau

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VIBErations podcast Ep 39 at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 1st March, 2022

https://www.tailslantau.org

BIO

Cary (as in Cary Grant) Shakeshaft-Nicholson was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada… A steel city located between Toronto and Niagara Falls. Approx. population of 580,000. At a young age her parents divorced and remarried, resulting in a double household environment. Cary wasn’t much into schooling; she attended a Catholic high school where her favourite subjects were Drama and Gym. She never finished College and started working for a Family business... Tim Hortons (highly known in Canada)

As a teenager Cary played a lot of Baseball (and even played for Canada) and spent time with her friends and her pets. Roller skating became a huge pastime for several years. In her early 20’s she got hired at UPS and got involved with Aviation- where she met her one day to be husband, Brandon. 12 years at UPS landed her a Load planning and Management position, allowing her to financially support herself Not long after dating Brandon… he got offered a job with Cathay Pacific, which lead them here to HK. Cary then retired from Aviation.

After residing in Central (SOHO) area for a few months with a roommate, Cary and Brandon moved to Lantau (Mui Wo) and have happily been living in a village house with their 4 adopted dogs. Cary now spends her days being a stay-at-home housewife, attending to household duties and spending time with her dogs. She’s actively involved with TAILS LANTAU, a nonprofit animal charity here on Lantau. Cary loves HK and all it has to offer, but realised that the animal’s welfare in HK is a mess and needs a major facelift.

10 Questions….

Favourite book or author? Jodi Picoult and Alice Sebold
Favourite musical artist? 90s Hip-Hop R&B - EPMD, Total, Scape, Notorious B.I.G, Tragically Hip, Dallas Green
Preferred drink? Iced Tea, Sauvignon Blanc
Life motto? Even if you're crawling you're still moving forward
Favourite HK walk? Nam Shan
Favourite HK restaurant? Gordon Ramsey's Bread Street Kitchen & Paisanos Pizza
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? Take a photo or video and send it to Andrew MacDonald
Best advice you were given? Respect your elders
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Better financial opportunity to live here and the weather…
Favourite area of Hong Kong? Lantau

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VIBErations podcast Ep 38 Suzanne Andrews at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 17th February 2022

https://www.nitasworld.co

https://www.vibehk.com

BIO

Suzanne’s lived in Hong Kong for almost 10 years, working as a High School English teacher. She’s been president of the Hong Kong Women in Publishing Society for 2.5 years and spent five years taking her own Bodyburn fitness classes at Gold Coast in Hong Kong.

Prior to living in Hong Kong, Suzanne taught in Brunei for two years and before that she lived in New Zealand, her home country. She taught English and Maths in High Schools then had a complete break for seven years. For three of those years, she was manager of a large Values Education charity in Auckland. Her 16 staff taught life skills in 12 South Auckland schools and educated children in how to combat bullying, build self-esteem and aim high.

Suzanne also taught her own confident communication classes in schools and to adults in the evenings. She worked in sales and advertising for three years and helped with a Yellow Pages start-up magazine. Some of her great memories include singles events which she organized, matching couples. At least two different couples are now married with children!

Suzanne’s three adult children live in L.A, the Cook Islands and Auckland. She has two grandchildren too. Most Saturdays she catches the ferry from Tuen Mun Ferry Pier, hikes across Lantau and ends up here at VIBE, perched on a tiny toddler’s chair in the corner, sourcing books for her Nanny Zan date with Carter, her 3 yr old grandson whom she reads to usually for 2 hours. He loves books! Last year Suzanne published her first book in the Nita’s Adventures series, Queen of the Pawpaws. She’s releasing the next two books in the series by May hopefully, as well as another series, Nita’s Eureka Pick-Me-Ups. She’ll leave teaching in July to focus on Nita’s World full-time. Her website is Nitasworld.co

10 Questions….

Favourite book or author? 'The Story of the Orlando Magic' by Sara Gilbert & 'The Prophet' by Kahlil Gibran
Favourite musical artist? Meat Loaf & Dolly Parten
Preferred drink? Red Wine / Mulled Wine/ Pimms
Life motto? Don't compare yourself to others cause they're more screwed up than you think…
Favourite HK walk? Lantau Olympic Trail
Favourite HK restaurant? Heato Coffee in Gold Coast
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? Run away and maybe screaming!
Best advice you were given? Not all is as it seems
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… I had to originally, but now love it!
Favourite area of Hong Kong? Gold Coast

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VIBErations podcast Ep 37 Jake Johnson at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 26th January 2022

BIO

Like many people, Jacob Johnson was born. As a toddler, he was moved from a rural area of middle Tennessee to Memphis where he spent most of his youth. While spending his teenage years endeavouring to avoid living up to his scholastic potential, he began working in the food service industry as a line cook at a corporate chain restaurant. After an unmotivated, perfunctory stint in university, he decided that he may as well go to culinary school and acquire a broader range of skills to accompany the unhealthy sleeping habits and functional alcoholism the restaurant industry had already given him.

Around this time, he met Matilda who would become his wife - while playing fighting games at a shopping mall arcade. Their idiosyncrasies were surprisingly compatible and they were married a few years later. After buying a small home and beginning to establish a respectable rut, they realized they were bored and wanted to try living somewhere entirely different. As Matilda still had permanent residence in Hong Kong from her childhood, they decided they would move here - with no plan whatsoever. Both ended up finding work in schools and spent the next 7 years traveling non-stop during every holiday and long weekend.

After a brief stint back in the States, Jake rediscovered an old hobby he'd picked up as a teenager and started making beef jerky. After a year or two of using his friends as guinea pigs to improve recipes, the birth of his first son prompted a somewhat irrational decision to leave the security of his job to spend more time with his family and pay the bills with beef snacks. After renovating a small location in Mui Wo to begin building Lantau Jerky, Jake and Matilda decided to start cooking a few simple comfort foods from southern cuisine on weekends to make a little extra to pay the rent. Thanks to the overwhelming support of the Lantau community, this little side hustle grew to become Southside.

10 Questions….

Favourite book or author? – Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson
Favourite musical artist? - 'Wish you were here' by Pink Floyd/ 'Boston' by Boston / 'Ten' by Pearl Jam
Preferred drink? – Mint Julip or hot toddy or Whiskey & water
Life motto? – …from 'Time enough for Love' by Robert Heinlein
Favourite HK walk? – Walk between Yau Ma Tei & Sham Shui Po…
Favourite HK restaurant? – Mama Lala Sham Shui Po - Sichuan food
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? – Carry on walking
Best advice you were given? – Don't be Beholden
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… The diversity
Favourite area of Hong Kong? – Mui Wo!

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After 35 episodes of VIBErations Podcast, I was persuaded to sit on the other side of the mic... This episode was recorded at VIBE on 3rd December, 2021 and I was interviewed by Martin Malden (interviewee on 23rd March 2021) I've been running VIBE Book & Music shop for nearly 4 years now in Silvermine Bay, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, HK.

https://www.facebook.com/VibeSilvermineBay/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXnVuHCsRcswTqr0FZ2Pz5Q

https://www.vibehk.com

https://www.instagram.com/vibehk/

https://open.spotify.com/show/2LHQKTk20zpNynS9kyPp7o

http://floatudio.com

10 Questions….

Favourite book or author? – J G Ballard / Roald Dahl
Favourite musical artist? - David Bowie / The Clash
Preferred drink? – Water / Red Wine / G&T
Life motto? – ‘Treat others the same way you would want to be treated yourself’
Favourite HK walk? – Chi Ma Wan Coastal walk
Favourite HK restaurant? – China Beach Club, Mui Wo
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? – Take a photo and then retreat
Best advice you were given? – My parents taught me all people are equal 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… I chose to live here and its my home
Favourite area of Hong Kong? – Sham Shui Po & Lantau Island

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VIBErations podcast Ep 35. Pete Spurrier at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 16th October 2021

https://www.blacksmithbooks.com

BIO

Pete Spurrier is the author of three guidebooks for exploring Hong Kong’s wild and interesting places: the Serious Hiker’s Guide to Hong Kong, the Leisurely Hiker’s Guide and the Heritage Hiker’s Guide. He arrived in Hong Kong by happy accident in 1993, at the end of a journey along the Silk Road through all the newly independent ‘Stans’, which he only embarked upon after an old man in Greece gave him a decades-old map of Central Asia. He ran out of money, when he crossed into northwest China, but another stranger told him that he could probably find work in Hong Kong, so he hopped on and off trains to get across the country to Lo Wu.

He has had many jobs, including acting in TVB dramas, managing an unlicensed restaurant, teaching Vietnamese boatpeople and editing a free magazine. Nowadays he runs Blacksmith Books, which has published more than 100 titles on Hong Kong, focusing on culture, history and the life stories of its people. The first flat he rented in Hong Kong was in Silvermine Bay, and he still returns to Lantau for the hiking.

10 Questions….

Favourite book or author? - 'Down & Out in Paris & London' by George Orwell
Favourite musical artist? - David Bowie
Preferred drink? - Guinness
Life motto? – ‘Prior Preparation prevents piss poor performance’
Favourite HK walk? - 8 Peaks on Kowloon side or Fan Lau to Tai O
Favourite HK restaurant? - Taj Mahal in Chungking mansions
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Freeze and then walk backwards very slowly and move away
Best advice you were given? – “Why don’t you go to HK - you could probably find a job there”
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Because all my friends are here…
Favourite area of Hong Kong? - Sai Kung

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VIBErations podcast Ep 34. Diana Tang at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 8th October 2021

Interviewed during heavy rainstorm...

Instagram - little_field_hk

BIO

Diana Tang grew up, like many other Hong Kong girls in a traditional Chinese family and studied Sociology at university. She realized that there are many different perspectives to see around the world and HK norms are not the only way to live. Her mother always wanted her to be a civil servant, but she found herself working as a baker and then a cook in Mui Wo before traveling around the world and returning to Hong Kong in the summer of 2019.

Upon her return she had the chance to run a restaurant she named ‘Little Field’ by Cheung Sha Beach and for a year Diana established the brand. Many people think Little Field is a bakery brand, but besides making long-fermented bread, they are actually making a space that allows people to take their time - a space that challenges the impossible - a space that encourages breaking norms. She says that ‘she believes, after all people are looking for happiness and it is important to follow their hearts and not what the society tells them to do’.

10 Questions….

Favourite book or author? – ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho
Favourite musical artist? - Nujabes
Preferred drink? – Water and Tea
Life motto? – ‘If you want something to happen enough the universe will conspire to make it happen’
Favourite HK walk? - Pak Kung au to Sunset Peak
Favourite HK restaurant? – Little Field – her restaurant
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Take a photo in case bitten by it
Best advice you were given? - Don't bother to argue with idiots
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… To take care of my parents and grandparents
Favourite area of Hong Kong? - Lantau

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VIBErations podcast Ep 34. Diana Tang at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 8th October 2021

Interviewed during heavy rainstorm...

Instagram - little_field_hk

BIO

Diana Tang grew up, like many other Hong Kong girls in a traditional Chinese family and studied Sociology at university. She realized that there are many different perspectives to see around the world and HK norms are not the only way to live. Her mother always wanted her to be a civil servant, but she found herself working as a baker and then a cook in Mui Wo before traveling around the world and returning to Hong Kong in the summer of 2019.

Upon her return she had the chance to run a restaurant she named ‘Little Field’ by Cheung Sha Beach and for a year Diana established the brand. Many people think Little Field is a bakery brand, but besides making long-fermented bread, they are actually making a space that allows people to take their time - a space that challenges the impossible - a space that encourages breaking norms. She says that ‘she believes, after all people are looking for happiness and it is important to follow their hearts and not what the society tells them to do’.

10 Questions….

Favourite book or author? – ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho
Favourite musical artist? - Nujabes
Preferred drink? – Water and Tea
Life motto? – ‘If you want something to happen enough the universe will conspire to make it happen’
Favourite HK walk? - Pak Kung au to Sunset Peak
Favourite HK restaurant? – Little Field – her restaurant
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Take a photo in case bitten by it
Best advice you were given? - Don't bother to argue with idiots
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… To take care of my parents and grandparents
Favourite area of Hong Kong? - Lantau

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VIBErations podcast Ep 33. Xiao Mei Huang at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 9th September 2021

Facebook: @muiwolanguagecafe

BIO

This week I’m pleased to interview VIBE’s own ‘Sunday girl’ Xiao Mei Huang. Based in Mui Wo, she’s just clocked up 3 years working for VIBE, and I hope we can keep her for many more years to come… Being a Mandarin native, she is always interested in learning new languages and now she teaches English, Spanish and Cantonese to adults and kids, of different ages and levels.

She enjoys literature and does a lot of simultaneous interpretation and translation works, including Chilean writer Isabel Allende’s ‘In the Midst of Winter’. She has an M.A. in cultural studies, and is also a researcher, writer and translator: ‘Fukushima: Looking back in Ten Years’ is published in Mainland China and its traditional character version will soon be released in Hong Kong. The kids like her because she is playful and fun-loving. Also because she has a cat called Dumb Dumb. You can easily catch her in VIBE on Sundays as long as she is not occupied by her students.

10 Questions

Favourite book or author? - Jorge Luis Borges, Pablo Neruda, Haruki Murakami, Raymond Carver, William Somerset Maugham, Wang Xiaobo, Bill Bryson, and a lot more.
Favourite musical artist? - Chavela Vargas! Favourite tunes: Summertime by Janis Joplin, The Thrill is Gone by B.B. King, Sweet Child O'Mine by Guns N' Roses, Concerto de Aranjuez
Preferred drink? - Hot tea or coffee
Life motto? - I'd rather end up wishing I hadn't, rather than end up wishing I had (Leo Tolstoy).
Favourite HK walk? - Lantau Trail Sec.5
Favourite HK restaurant? - a nameless Chinese cafe on the farmland in Kam Tin, N.T.
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Take a photo and leave quietly
Best advice you were given? - Don't be afraid to make mistakes
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because…of a series of beautiful coincidences.
Favourite area of Hong Kong? - South Lantau.

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VIBErations podcast Ep 33. Xiao Mei Huang at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 9th September 2021

Facebook: @muiwolanguagecafe

BIO

This week I’m pleased to interview VIBE’s own ‘Sunday girl’ Xiao Mei Huang. Based in Mui Wo, she’s just clocked up 3 years working for VIBE, and I hope we can keep her for many more years to come… Being a Mandarin native, she is always interested in learning new languages and now she teaches English, Spanish and Cantonese to adults and kids, of different ages and levels.

She enjoys literature and does a lot of simultaneous interpretation and translation works, including Chilean writer Isabel Allende’s ‘In the Midst of Winter’. She has an M.A. in cultural studies, and is also a researcher, writer and translator: ‘Fukushima: Looking back in Ten Years’ is published in Mainland China and its traditional character version will soon be released in Hong Kong. The kids like her because she is playful and fun-loving. Also because she has a cat called Dumb Dumb. You can easily catch her in VIBE on Sundays as long as she is not occupied by her students.

10 Questions

Favourite book or author? - Jorge Luis Borges, Pablo Neruda, Haruki Murakami, Raymond Carver, William Somerset Maugham, Wang Xiaobo, Bill Bryson, and a lot more.
Favourite musical artist? - Chavela Vargas! Favourite tunes: Summertime by Janis Joplin, The Thrill is Gone by B.B. King, Sweet Child O'Mine by Guns N' Roses, Concerto de Aranjuez
Preferred drink? - Hot tea or coffee
Life motto? - I'd rather end up wishing I hadn't, rather than end up wishing I had (Leo Tolstoy).
Favourite HK walk? - Lantau Trail Sec.5
Favourite HK restaurant? - a nameless Chinese cafe on the farmland in Kam Tin, N.T.
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Take a photo and leave quietly
Best advice you were given? - Don't be afraid to make mistakes
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because…of a series of beautiful coincidences.
Favourite area of Hong Kong? - South Lantau.

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VIBErations podcast Ep 32. Shirley 'Shirminator' Johnson at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 13th August 2021

VIBErations podcasts are also available on YouTube, Spotify, PodBean, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, Listen Notes, Sticher and PlayerFM

https://lantauren.com

https://tongfuker.com

https://impacthk.org

BIO

Shirley Johnson, also known as ‘The Shirminator’, is a proud and self-proclaimed Tong Fuker. When she was pregnant with her first child, she sensed a strong kick in her tummy when she came across a property development advertisement in a Cheung Sha newspaper. She believed it was a message from her unborn child that, that was where she wanted to spend her childhood. Shirley and her husband started house hunting in South Lantau, a part of the island that she had never visited. Well, it was love at first sight and the rest was history… A former jetsetter in the glamorous luxury sector, Shirley dedicates her second career in making a difference, and helping people to heal. She is a life coach, yoga and meditation teacher, Reiki healer, writer and online business owner. You may have heard of Lantau Ren, a local lifestyle brand of designs inspired by its name sake.

10 Questions….

Favourite book or author? - American Journalist Daniel Silva
Favourite musical artist? - Gotan Project Argentinian Tango
Preferred drink? - Ginger Lemonade
Life motto? - Believe to receive
Favourite HK walk? - Walk between Tong Fuk beach & Cheung Sha beach 6. Favourite HK restaurant? - Mandarin Bar & Grill
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Leave it alone and don’t do anything stupid
Best advice you were given? - 1st Love yourself, then you can love others 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Its where I was born, but then when to study in Japan
Favourite area of Hong Kong? - Lantau st - but Central if going out for city fix

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VIBErations podcast Ep 32. Shirley 'Shirminator' Johnson at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 13th August 2021

VIBErations podcasts are also available on YouTube, Spotify, PodBean, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, Listen Notes, Sticher and PlayerFM

https://lantauren.com

https://tongfuker.com

https://impacthk.org

BIO

Shirley Johnson, also known as ‘The Shirminator’, is a proud and self-proclaimed Tong Fuker. When she was pregnant with her first child, she sensed a strong kick in her tummy when she came across a property development advertisement in a Cheung Sha newspaper. She believed it was a message from her unborn child that, that was where she wanted to spend her childhood. Shirley and her husband started house hunting in South Lantau, a part of the island that she had never visited. Well, it was love at first sight and the rest was history… A former jetsetter in the glamorous luxury sector, Shirley dedicates her second career in making a difference, and helping people to heal. She is a life coach, yoga and meditation teacher, Reiki healer, writer and online business owner. You may have heard of Lantau Ren, a local lifestyle brand of designs inspired by its name sake.

10 Questions….

Favourite book or author? - American Journalist Daniel Silva
Favourite musical artist? - Gotan Project Argentinian Tango
Preferred drink? - Ginger Lemonade
Life motto? - Believe to receive
Favourite HK walk? - Walk between Tong Fuk beach & Cheung Sha beach 6. Favourite HK restaurant? - Mandarin Bar & Grill
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Leave it alone and don’t do anything stupid
Best advice you were given? - 1st Love yourself, then you can love others 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Its where I was born, but then when to study in Japan
Favourite area of Hong Kong? - Lantau st - but Central if going out for city fix

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VIBErations podcast Ep 31. Adrian Brown at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 21st July 2021

VIBErations podcasts are also available on YouTube, Spotify, PodBean, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, Listen Notes, Sticher and PlayerFM

BIO

With over 40 years in the industry, Adrian Brown is considered one of the industry’s most experienced Asia correspondents. He has reported extensively on topics ranging from war, revolution and political turmoil to natural disasters to economic shifts and its social consequences, among many others.

While he has reported globally, his area of expertise is Asia – its people, politics, economies and development.

Via the Seven Network Australia, SBS Australia and most recently Al Jazeera English and Sky News Australia, Adrian has covered many of the defining moments in recent Asian history.

Some Asian story examples include the 1988 election of Benazir Bhutto - and her assassination 20 years later - as well as the 1989 student protests in Beijing, the transition to democracy in Indonesia, Cambodia, and East Timor as well as its restoration in the Philippines.

Internationally, Adrian has also reported on key stories such as the 2005 London bombings, the Olympic Games in Greece, the Bali bombings, the Asian tsunami and its aftermath, the 1991 Gulf War, the 2005 Iraqi elections, the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, the Kobe earthquake, the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah conflict, the funeral of Yasser Arafat, and the 1996 Presidential elections in Taiwan.

Winning multiple awards over the years, one of his commendations comes from the 14th Annual Human Rights Press Awards in Hong Kong, for his 2009 story Kidnapped! about child trafficking in China.

10 Questions….

Favourite book or author? - Eric Ambler
Favourite musical artist? - David Bowie
Preferred drink? - Vodka Martini
Life motto? - 'Lay Low, act dumb, keep moving' Lee Atwater
Favourite HK walk? - The Catchwater above Pui O on Lantau
Favourite HK restaurant? - Hooked Fish & Chip shop, Caine Road
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Take a video then beat hasty retreat
Best advice you were given? - Take a risk but know when to cut your losses
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… no day will ever be a dull one
Favourite area of Hong Kong? - Sai Ying Pun

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VIBErations podcast Ep 31. Adrian Brown at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 21st July 2021

VIBErations podcasts are also available on YouTube, Spotify, PodBean, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, Listen Notes, Sticher and PlayerFM

BIO

With over 40 years in the industry, Adrian Brown is considered one of the industry’s most experienced Asia correspondents. He has reported extensively on topics ranging from war, revolution and political turmoil to natural disasters to economic shifts and its social consequences, among many others.

While he has reported globally, his area of expertise is Asia – its people, politics, economies and development.

Via the Seven Network Australia, SBS Australia and most recently Al Jazeera English and Sky News Australia, Adrian has covered many of the defining moments in recent Asian history.

Some Asian story examples include the 1988 election of Benazir Bhutto - and her assassination 20 years later - as well as the 1989 student protests in Beijing, the transition to democracy in Indonesia, Cambodia, and East Timor as well as its restoration in the Philippines.

Internationally, Adrian has also reported on key stories such as the 2005 London bombings, the Olympic Games in Greece, the Bali bombings, the Asian tsunami and its aftermath, the 1991 Gulf War, the 2005 Iraqi elections, the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, the Kobe earthquake, the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah conflict, the funeral of Yasser Arafat, and the 1996 Presidential elections in Taiwan.

Winning multiple awards over the years, one of his commendations comes from the 14th Annual Human Rights Press Awards in Hong Kong, for his 2009 story Kidnapped! about child trafficking in China.

10 Questions….

Favourite book or author? - Eric Ambler
Favourite musical artist? - David Bowie
Preferred drink? - Vodka Martini
Life motto? - 'Lay Low, act dumb, keep moving' Lee Atwater
Favourite HK walk? - The Catchwater above Pui O on Lantau
Favourite HK restaurant? - Hooked Fish & Chip shop, Caine Road
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Take a video then beat hasty retreat
Best advice you were given? - Take a risk but know when to cut your losses
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… no day will ever be a dull one
Favourite area of Hong Kong? - Sai Ying Pun

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VIBErations podcast Ep 30. Alison Fung at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 17th July 2021

VIBErations podcasts are also available on YouTube, Spotify, PodBean, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, Listen Notes, Sticher and PlayerFM

https://www.facebook.com/marcyshongkong

BIO

A town girl who grew up on the rocky west coast of Canada, Alison Fung has now found her permanent home in Lantau with her family and three cats.

When she’s not squinting at her computer screens at work, you will find her exploring alleyways, searching for hidden speakeasies, or pacing around Marcy’s Lantau to make sure all the shop displays are in their perfect state.

10 Questions….

Favourite book or author? – ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley
Favourite musical artist? - Bee Gees & Air Supply & Slash
Preferred drink? - Anything with Whiskey
Life motto? - Do What You Love
Favourite HK walk? - Sai Ying Pun Promenade to Macau ferry
Favourite HK restaurant? - Shun Hing in Cooked Food Market Mui Wo
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Stay nearby and observe
Best advice you were given? - I will go on and do great things
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… the city and the people here have so much energy
Favourite area of Hong Kong? - Of course Lantau!

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VIBErations podcast Ep 29. Jill Marshall at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in HK on 30th June 2021

VIBErations podcasts are also available on YouTube, Spotify, PodBean, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, Listen Notes, Sticher and PlayerFM

https://www.pause.hk

BIO

Jill Marshall is the owner of Pause Pilates studio and healing centre in Mui Wo where she is a long time resident. She is herself a Pilates instructor and has been sharing this work with people for over 20 years.

She is also a yoga teacher and Nia teacher. Nia spelt NIA is another form of movement training which is fun and uplifting for people.

She is a student of hypnotherapy and is a Reiki Master and practices other healing modalities such as the BodyTalk technique. These are available at her studio along with many other classes with other local health professionals she teams up with to bring healthy living to the Lantau community and to Hong Kong residents through her popular, healthy Day Retreats.

She set up the studio, and later the local Pause Café - Pause, is both a statement, and place, for people to slow down to avoid the burnout effects of stress.

She was raised in HK by her Scottish parents but was born in London where she lived for her first 7 years.

She loves learning new skills and is fascinated by the human mind and body complex.

She thinks being a mum is a privilege and loves her daughter Chloe who she raised on Lantau.

Her area of expertise is in improving posture for optimal physical function and teaching about core activation to all populations to relieve or prevent joint pain, in particular back pain using the techniques she has studied and the Pilates equipment at her studio. She specialises in working with women, during and after pregnancy and during menopause.

10 Questions….

Favourite book or author? - 'A Fine Balance' by Rohinton Mystery
Favourite musical artist? - Pink Floyd
Preferred drink? – A really good Chai Tea
Life motto? - Trust myself and follow my heart
Favourite HK walk? – Tung Chung to Tai O
Favourite HK restaurant? - Lucy's in Stanley
Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - It's a phobia of mine so run away as fast as possible
Best advice you were given? - Never give up because anything is possible and See life as art
Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Because I love it, its amazing - my family came here and all my history is here
Favourite area of Hong Kong? - Kowloon / Kowloon City