VIBErations Podcast

VIBEHK - Gaz Brightman

I’m Gaz Brightman and I run VIBE Book and Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong These podcasts have 3 purposes:- 1. To promote VIBE Book & Music Shop in Hong Kong 2. To interview local people with businesses or good stories to tell 3. To promote local authors books, musicians Tiny Desk gigs at VIBE and our other services read less
Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

VIBErations Episode 47 - David Bellis
16-04-2024
VIBErations Episode 47 - David Bellis
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 1. Favourite book or authors? Mapping Hong Kong' by Hal Empson 2. Favourite musical artists? U2 and Smashing Pumpkins 3. Favourite films? Groundhog Day, Jerry McGuire 4. Preferred drink? London Pride 5. Life motto? 'It's a funny old life' 6. Favourite HK walk? Yung Shue Wan on Lamma to Sok Kwu Wan 7. Favourite HK restaurant? The Globe, Branto's Vegetarian Indian restaurant 8. 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 10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? Tai Long Wan, Beach north of Sai Kung
VIBErations Episode 46 - Anna Robb
08-09-2023
VIBErations Episode 46 - Anna Robb
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…. 1. Favourite book or authors? No favourites but Murder mystery books and informational books 2. Favourite musical artists? Country Music - Australian & US 3. Favourite films? Shawshank Redemption, Top Gun 2 4. Preferred drink? Whiskey, Red wine 5. Life motto? Quote by American Writer James A Michener 6. Favourite HK walk? Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak. DB headland 7. Favourite HK restaurant? Mui Wo restaurants 8. Best advice you were given? It doesn’t matter how high you get, still be ready to sweep the stage 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Affordable childcare and HK is still relatively safe 10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? Lantau. Sheung Wan
VIBErations Episode 45 - Mark Rawson
10-05-2023
VIBErations Episode 45 - Mark Rawson
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…. 1. Favourite book or authors? Tends to read books inspired by current interests... 2. Favourite musical artists? Ska music and Genesis early influences and any music that makes you want to do something 3. Favourite films? Godfather 1 & 2, The Lord of The Rings 4. Preferred drink? Tea. Real Ale 5. Life motto? Life, adventures and successes begin with the word 'can' 6. Favourite HK walk? Daily walk is Brick Hill near home in Aberdeen 7. Favourite HK restaurant? Bace Turkish Restaurant in Mui Wo - now closed and my wife’s kitchen! 8. Best advice you were given? Don't be worried, be concerned, but don't worry… 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Where else can an old man like me do so many things, so easily!? 10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? My roof!
VIBErations Episode 44 - Patricia O’Sullivan
03-02-2023
VIBErations Episode 44 - Patricia O’Sullivan
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…. 1. Favourite book or author? – P. G. Wodehouse 2. Favourite musical artist? - Andreas Scholl 3. Preferred drink? - Milk/Champagne/Tea 4. Life motto? - Always look for the good in something 5. 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...
VIBErations Episode 43 - Uther Charlton Stevens
18-11-2022
VIBErations Episode 43 - Uther Charlton Stevens
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 / BluesFavourite film(s) ? - The Last Emperor / Mississippi Burning / Some Like it Hot / ElizabethPreferred drink? - Tea - Green, dark - Fresh Juice & WhiskeysLife motto? - Everything will be interestingFavourite HK walk? Sai Kung - Pak Tam au / Peak WalkFavourite HK restaurant? Chaat in The Rosewood, Sichuan food , Korean BBQBest advice you were given? N/AFinish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… I grew up here and returned a year ago and hold it very dear in my memoriesFavourite area of Hong Kong? N/A
VIBErations Episode 42 - Asha Sridhar
07-10-2022
VIBErations Episode 42 - Asha Sridhar
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 1. Favourite book or author? Enid Blyton/Agatha Christie/PD James/Daniel Silva/Jane Austin 2. Favourite musical artist? Indian music - 50's/60s Mohammad Rafi/Queen/Springsteen 3. Preferred drink? Water/Rose Wine or Red wine 4. Life motto? Live in the Present - not the future or past 5. Favourite HK walk? The Lantau Peak 6. Favourite HK restaurant? Vegetarian in TST 7. 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 8. Best advice you were given? My mum said never ever give up your freedom of choice to someone 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… It’s the best place to be - safest place in world 10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? Mui Wo! Tai Tei Tong
VIBErations Episode 40 - Martin Lever
05-04-2022
VIBErations Episode 40 - Martin Lever
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…. 1. Favourite book or author? - John Grisham, The Jam by Bruce Foxton & Rick Buckler, Paul French, Carl Hiaasen. 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' by Eric Carle 2. Favourite musical artist? - Beatles, Joy Division, Smiths. Echo & the Bunnymen, The Jam - The Specials 1st album 3. Preferred drink? - JD & Coke 4. Life motto? – ‘La Fiesta no es para los fayos’ - The Party is not for the ugly one's - Che Guevara 5. Favourite HK walk? - Urban walking - from Canton Rd, TST to Prince Edward via Temple St 6. Favourite HK restaurant? - Tai Ping Koon - local Shanghainese Off Hysan Av. in Causeway Bay 7. Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Retreat at pace! 8. Best advice you were given? - Gift of diversity from parents and to always say please and thank you 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Parents moved here when 9yrs old but since then because I love it! 10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? Various incl. Shek O and Lantau
VIBErations Episode 39 - Cary Shakeshaft-Nicholson
19-03-2022
VIBErations Episode 39 - Cary Shakeshaft-Nicholson
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…. 1. Favourite book or author? Jodi Picoult and Alice Sebold 2. Favourite musical artist? 90s Hip-Hop R&B - EPMD, Total, Scape, Notorious B.I.G, Tragically Hip, Dallas Green 3. Preferred drink? Iced Tea, Sauvignon Blanc 4. Life motto? Even if you're crawling you're still moving forward 5. Favourite HK walk? Nam Shan 6. Favourite HK restaurant? Gordon Ramsey's Bread Street Kitchen & Paisanos Pizza 7. 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 8. Best advice you were given? Respect your elders 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Better financial opportunity to live here and the weather… 10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? Lantau
VIBErations Episode 38 - Suzanne Andrews
01-03-2022
VIBErations Episode 38 - Suzanne Andrews
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…. 1. Favourite book or author? 'The Story of the Orlando Magic' by Sara Gilbert & 'The Prophet' by Kahlil Gibran 2. Favourite musical artist? Meat Loaf & Dolly Parten 3. Preferred drink? Red Wine / Mulled Wine/ Pimms 4. Life motto? Don't compare yourself to others cause they're more screwed up than you think… 5. Favourite HK walk? Lantau Olympic Trail 6. Favourite HK restaurant? Heato Coffee in Gold Coast 7. Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? Run away and maybe screaming! 8. Best advice you were given? Not all is as it seems 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… I had to originally, but now love it! 10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? Gold Coast
VIBErations Episode 37 - Jake Johnson
06-02-2022
VIBErations Episode 37 - Jake Johnson
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…. 1. Favourite book or author? – Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson 2. Favourite musical artist? - 'Wish you were here' by Pink Floyd/ 'Boston' by Boston / 'Ten' by Pearl Jam 3. Preferred drink? – Mint Julip or hot toddy or Whiskey & water 4. Life motto? – …from 'Time enough for Love' by Robert Heinlein 5. Favourite HK walk? – Walk between Yau Ma Tei & Sham Shui Po… 6. Favourite HK restaurant? – Mama Lala Sham Shui Po - Sichuan food 7. Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? – Carry on walking 8. Best advice you were given? – Don't be Beholden 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… The diversity 10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? – Mui Wo!
VIBErations Episode 35 - Pete Spurrier
02-12-2021
VIBErations Episode 35 - Pete Spurrier
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…. 1. Favourite book or author? - 'Down & Out in Paris & London' by George Orwell 2. Favourite musical artist? - David Bowie 3. Preferred drink? - Guinness 4. Life motto? – ‘Prior Preparation prevents piss poor performance’ 5. Favourite HK walk? - 8 Peaks on Kowloon side or Fan Lau to Tai O 6. Favourite HK restaurant? - Taj Mahal in Chungking mansions 7. Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Freeze and then walk backwards very slowly and move away 8. Best advice you were given? – “Why don’t you go to HK - you could probably find a job there” 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Because all my friends are here… 10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? - Sai Kung
VIBErations Episode 34 - Diana Tang
21-10-2021
VIBErations Episode 34 - Diana Tang
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…. 1. Favourite book or author? – ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho 2. Favourite musical artist? - Nujabes 3. Preferred drink? – Water and Tea 4. Life motto? – ‘If you want something to happen enough the universe will conspire to make it happen’ 5. Favourite HK walk? - Pak Kung au to Sunset Peak 6. Favourite HK restaurant? – Little Field – her restaurant 7. Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Take a photo in case bitten by it 8. Best advice you were given? - Don't bother to argue with idiots 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… To take care of my parents and grandparents 10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? - Lantau
VIBErations Episode34 - Diana Tang
21-10-2021
VIBErations Episode34 - Diana Tang
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…. 1. Favourite book or author? – ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho 2. Favourite musical artist? - Nujabes 3. Preferred drink? – Water and Tea 4. Life motto? – ‘If you want something to happen enough the universe will conspire to make it happen’ 5. Favourite HK walk? - Pak Kung au to Sunset Peak 6. Favourite HK restaurant? – Little Field – her restaurant 7. Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Take a photo in case bitten by it 8. Best advice you were given? - Don't bother to argue with idiots 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… To take care of my parents and grandparents 10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? - Lantau
VIBErations Episode 33 - Xiao Mei Huang
23-09-2021
VIBErations Episode 33 - Xiao Mei Huang
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 1. Favourite book or author? - Jorge Luis Borges, Pablo Neruda, Haruki Murakami, Raymond Carver, William Somerset Maugham, Wang Xiaobo, Bill Bryson, and a lot more. 2. 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 3. Preferred drink? - Hot tea or coffee 4. Life motto? - I'd rather end up wishing I hadn't, rather than end up wishing I had (Leo Tolstoy). 5. Favourite HK walk? - Lantau Trail Sec.5 6. Favourite HK restaurant? - a nameless Chinese cafe on the farmland in Kam Tin, N.T. 7. Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Take a photo and leave quietly 8. Best advice you were given? - Don't be afraid to make mistakes 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because…of a series of beautiful coincidences. 10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? - South Lantau.
VIBErations Episode 33 - Xiao Mei Huang
23-09-2021
VIBErations Episode 33 - Xiao Mei Huang
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 1. Favourite book or author? - Jorge Luis Borges, Pablo Neruda, Haruki Murakami, Raymond Carver, William Somerset Maugham, Wang Xiaobo, Bill Bryson, and a lot more. 2. 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 3. Preferred drink? - Hot tea or coffee 4. Life motto? - I'd rather end up wishing I hadn't, rather than end up wishing I had (Leo Tolstoy). 5. Favourite HK walk? - Lantau Trail Sec.5 6. Favourite HK restaurant? - a nameless Chinese cafe on the farmland in Kam Tin, N.T. 7. Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Take a photo and leave quietly 8. Best advice you were given? - Don't be afraid to make mistakes 9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because…of a series of beautiful coincidences. 10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? - South Lantau.
VIBErations Episode 32. Shirley ‘Shirminator‘ Johnson
02-09-2021
VIBErations Episode 32. Shirley ‘Shirminator‘ Johnson
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…. 1. Favourite book or author? - American Journalist Daniel Silva 2. Favourite musical artist? - Gotan Project Argentinian Tango 3. Preferred drink? - Ginger Lemonade 4. Life motto? - Believe to receive 5. Favourite HK walk? - Walk between Tong Fuk beach & Cheung Sha beach 6. Favourite HK restaurant? - Mandarin Bar & Grill 7. Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak, what would you do? - Leave it alone and don’t do anything stupid 8. 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 10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? - Lantau st - but Central if going out for city fix