Celebrity Life

Don’t fret, we’re not resorting back to Zoom quizzes quite yet. Here are five things you can still do in Hong Kong — in groups of two, of course.

As of 8 February, the government announced its most stringent social distancing measures since the pandemic began. Down from four to groups of two, Hong Kongers are quickly losing steam as social plans unravel and hopes of a holiday continue to fade.

Let’s face it: The new rules are tough. We get that it’s hard to remain optimistic while it feels as if the rest of the world is moving on, and this new wave is only just beginning in Hong Kong, but now more than ever, we need to keep our spirits high. So if you must, there are still ways to (safely!) get out there — as a pair — and make the most of the concrete jungle.

Things to do in Hong Kong in groups of two

Escape to an outlying island

It’s been over two years since some of us have seen our families and left the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong for calmer climes; but while we continue to wait for the green light to travel, we’re making do with what we can and escaping as far afield as possible within the city.

Currently, there are no restrictions for public transport, so grab your partner or a friend and hop on a ferry to explore one of our outlying islands for the day. From Lamma to Peng Chau and Po Toi to Sharp Island (to name but a few!) check out what to do and where to eat in this guide — or make a weekend of it and book an AirBnb. Sure, we’d rather be sunning on a beach in Thailand, but we promise these sea views will suffice, for now.

Picnic in the park

As a public space, parks follow the rule of two (unless you’re a family) as well, so there will just be room for a couple on that picnic blanket for the time being. Think of it as a chance to catch up over a canned G&T and a takeaway from your favourite restaurant — or, make it a super swanky affair and splash out on a luxury picnic setup. Complete with highly Instagrammable table settings, decorations and even snacks and drinks, why not spend a little extra cash on something unique while we can’t pop to the pub or have friends over for rooftop drinks?

Take to the trails — two by two

The weather is actually cool enough to take advantage of Hong Kong’s abundance of hiking trails, so we might as well make a move on those New Year’s resolutions. Bars are closed, after all.

In no need of an introduction, Hong Kong hikes are steeped in history, boast panoramic views and even lead to some pretty great food — so take your pick of the lot and clock up a few steps with your hiking partner in crime. Here’s how to stay on top of your game — just in case you choose to tack on a few kilometers and there.

Snack on all the street food

Restaurants have a cap on tables of more than two, so why not take to the streets and embark on a self-guided street food tour of Hong Kong instead. With majority of street food vendors usually operating for takeout only regardless of social distancing measures, make a list of must-try snacks and get to gobbling. Favourites include: Master Low Key’s egg waffles, Fei Jie’s Oyster Omlette, Hop Yik Tai’s cheung fun and Tai Cheong Bakery’s egg tarts.

Staycations

With hotels allowing rooms of four (for now!) take advantage and take some time out for yourself. Regardless of whether you simply lounge around encased in cosy hotel sheets and ordering room service or use it as a base to explore a new neighbourhood, simply spending the night away from home will do you wonders. Alternatively, keep the room to the two of you and invite a furry friend along for the night. These dog-friendly hotels are sure to treat your pooch like royalty.

Hero image courtesy of Sergio Capuzzimati via Unsplash

The post 5 Socially Distant Activities Perfect for Pairs in Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Vax gets the title of the Word of the Year 2021 by Oxford Languages, the world-famous language database that produces the Oxford English Dictionary.

Having caused quite a stir, quite literally, the post-pandemic world seems to have used the word vax 72 times more frequently in September 2021 than the previous year, according to Oxford Languages. 

Vax - Oxford Dictionary's Word of the Year

According to Oxford’s data analysis, ‘vax’ was most commonly and frequently used in Australia, North America and South-East Asia, but it also observed that Britain and other English speaking nations were also picking up the word.

“When reviewing the language evidence, vax stood out as an obvious choice. The word’s dramatic spike in usage caught our attention first. Then we ran the analysis and a story started to emerge, revealing how vax sat at the centre of our preoccupations this year”, Casper Grathwohl, the President of Oxford Languages was quoted as saying. 

Vax is derived from the word ‘vaccine’, having been used for the first time in the 1980s. It has seen a steep surge in usage this year, now that the entire world is on a vaccination drive. What’s interesting is that the word vax also came up several times for those against vaccination, commonly known as anti-vaxxers. 

In 2020, for the first time ever, Oxford Languages did not announce a Word of the Year. It declared that 2020 could not be put in one word, given the chaos that the world was reeling with. 2020 had several contenders, from “coronavirus” to “lockdown”, among others. But Oxford declared that it was impossible to choose one since there were too many words that could sum up the year. 

All images: Courtesy Shutterstock

The post Vax is the Oxford English Dictionary’s Word of the Year for 2021 appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.