The Maker Bay is a multi disciplinary workshop which provides tools and space for people to come…read moreand work on their own projects, from pure recreation to new startup ideas and companies. I really can't do justice to the place here, it's basically for anybody who wants to do their own projects but as space in Hong Kong is so limited is prohibited. They have tools to work on wood, metal and also have a laser cutter. You rent a space for the day etc, they offer lots of different options. The staff are so friendly and will answer any questions you have. Get creative and go check it out!

A sleek, clean educational building conveniently located in Causeway Bay? Oh, yes. There are plenty…read moreof food options in the area, so if you're taking a late-night class, you can still grab some food before you go home. There are small break-out areas on most floors, which are great for studying or holding group meetings. Be weary of when you need to get to class -- lines for the elevator can get quite long during peak hours. Similarly, don't be surprised if you need to wait for a few elevators to go by after class is over to take you back downstairs.

At night it's always easier to spot shops located in high rises around Hong Kong. Whether it's the…read morelights or the quietness that makes you look up, it's a cool way to discover places that you wouldn't have noticed at day time. I had walked past this area of Queen's Road East possibly every single day and never checked out this place. Last night I finally did. I came into the building (and had to wait for the lift for about 15 minutes...) and got up to the second floor. It was late and the place was about to close, but a very friendly guy welcomed me in. I had picked up a leaflet downstairs and knew they were about art classes but I wasn't sure they also run classes for adults as well as kids (8 months to 5 years) and juniors (6 to 10 years). The studio is ample enough to accommodate for big groups (maybe ten people on one side and 10 other on the other) and it doesn't lack decoration. Indeed, the pieces of art by the students made for a great deco. There are also nice small fish pictures made by one of the teachers who later showed me some of his works and he's a real artist. What a talent. He explained to me how classes work: you go for a trial lesson (normally they last for two hours) and pay half the normal price (360HKD) and you pick the canvas, use their materials and apron and get all the guidance from them (there's another teacher). They would help you with painting techniques, perspectives and so on...They have only been operating in this studio since January but the place already got that character that makes artisty spaces so authentic. If you are planning on develop your creative skills or you simply want to let loose your imagination you may want to try them!

The HKU is a public research university, which is the oldest tertiary institution in Hong Kong…read more There are so many stairs here and there surrounding the campus, and expect hiking from spot to spot, and currently ongoing construction has made it less convenient.

Warning: it's apparently a review with very biased views as this is my alma mater…read more All these things are some of the best, if not THE best, in Hong Kong education: 1. Although the Hong Kong education system as a whole has been criticized as spoon-fed education, HKU is one of the better places actually requiring critical thinking. (For god's sake, some of the other universities here in town still take attendance at glass to make sure everyone's presence.) 2. Its network of people due to its longest history of establishment in Hong Kong. You can't work in any major companies in Hong Kong without meeting at least some alumni. I'm being realistic here, but the connections may help you in a way you don't even realize. 3. Fairly consistent quality in terms of teachers, students and other supports, across all curricula. But these things happening these days too.. ah well, I have noticed them, but since I've since graduated, I don't really care anymore: 1. For exchange students, there's a strong trend skewing towards Mainland Chinese students. I have no problem with Chinese students, but the diversity of different nationalities is what makes exchange program works. It may be politically correct, but it doesn't help the University. 2. It's not really a campus, it's just a "collection of buildings" in the city. It gets worse after they expended the campus further west. You don't really feel like you are studying in a proper campus, like CUHK or HKUST. Ah well, I didn't really mind when I started, after all, I chose the other factors listed above over a nicer campus, but it seems like now something is missed that I never had a real campus life.

Learning French seems to be a very romantic thing to many people- maybe its the films, the culture…read moreand the general impression of the French being very passionate lovers. I'm not too sure what it is that attracts people to AF but for me, it was purely an academic pursuit. As the language is spoken by so few in Hong Kong, I found myself at a loss as to how I could continue learning the language because it had always been part of my syllabus at school. After so many years of perfecting my broken French, I thought it would be a waste to just throw it away and forget everything that I had learnt. that's why I signed myself up for a course at the AF. Back then it was still in Jordan (which I think a school is still there) and the conditions were exactly great. I hear that they have managed to get the place done up which I think will be a great thing for students to come. They make such an effort to make learning fun and credit goes to the teachers for being so patient. Courses are split into beginner, intermediate and advanced levels- if you are unsure they will test your abilities and I think that's a good measure for where you are at. The fees back then were quite reasonable and I think they still are, such fees include books and tapes which you will need for lessons. In all, I think learning languages should be encouraged at all times, it brings people together and will open your eyes to other cultures. If the French May is your thing but you don't speak a word of it- I would definitely point you in AF's direction.

If you are new to HK, or even an old hand, you may want to learn a bit of Chinese. Whether it is…read moreMandarin or Cantonese, I would thoroughly recommend that you call Sasha O, quite frankly the best Chinese teacher in HK, in my humble opinion! What makes Sasha great, is not that she is a better Chinese person than anybody else (she is however very lovely and good natured, and learning with her is easy and stress free), but it is because she teaches you what you need, and want, to know. Sure, teaching kids is very structured, and there are prescribed syllabus requirements, all of which Sasha can teach. However, when it comes to adults, do I really need to know how to say, "This is my friend Richard, he likes to skateboard in the park."? The last time I went skateboarding, the bottom of my trousers were much wider than the tops (OK, only oldies like me will get that!). What is great about classes with Sasha, is that you are flexible to learn what is useful to you. For Mrs L, it's about learning a new language from scratch (and being able to ask for the vegetarian menu). For my friend C, it's about learning business lingo in Mando for trips to the mainland. For me, it is all about going "street" and improving my tones and pronunciation, as I am already a Canto speaker - but just a bit ropey. Sasha specialises in 1-to-1 classes, or small groups (i.e. couples, families). This ensures that her teaching is effective and personalised. Also, as a freelance "gun for hire", her charge out rate is very affordable. As she is based in Lamma, Sasha will travel to your location for classes. I currently learn at work in the IFC. You've come all the way to HK, why not learn a bit of the lingo. You should at least try to learn enough to say "Oi, mate, don't take Garden Road, we'll be here all bleeding day!".

my daughter, 13, is taking lessons from Sasha. She loves her. Sasha is very creative. She is…read moreteaching her both Mandarin and Cantonese. We feel fortunate that we found her.

Come check out the training restaurant located on B2, it's open to the public for lunch and dinner…read more Make sure to call ahead to for a table and find out what's on the menu.