A
        
        
          nature-themed issue? In Hong Kong? If you’re new to the city, you might be wondering how we’re
        
        
          going to fill an
        
        
          entire issue
        
        
          on this topic. But despite Hong Kong’s concrete
        
        
          jungle vibe
        
        
          and reputation as a giant metropolitan mall, there are quite a few ways to bring a bit of nature
        
        
          into your urban life.
        
        
          Beaches abound in our city, and we’ve
        
        
          got the scoop
        
        
          on finding them. Hong Kong is sprinkled with
        
        
          campsites and hiking trails too, and we’ll help you track them down. While you’re out there exploring, your
        
        
          kids (and you!) are likely to get dirty. Before you load up on a bulk supply of antibacterial hand wipes, might
        
        
          there be
        
        
          some benefit
        
        
          to letting the dirt into your lives? Get in on the discussion inside.
        
        
          While few of us have the luxury of having our own
        
        
          backyard garden
        
        
          ,
        
        
          there are cool ways to
        
        
          cultivate a bit of earth at home, even inside. And, when you bring the soil indoors, instead of getting your
        
        
          bleach and chemicals out to fight it, why not try cleaning up with some natural ingredients instead? Learn
        
        
          how in this issue.
        
        
          And while you’re reading this issue and experimenting with natural cleaners, I’ll be indulging in the
        
        
          natural wonders
        
        
          of Fiji. You see, I’m not sure how it happened, but, seemingly suddenly, I’m turning
        
        
          40
        
        
          this month. As I think about it now, it didn’t come without warning. We did, after all, celebrate my dad’s
        
        
          70
        
        
          th
        
        
          birthday earlier this year. And my husband and I are celebrating our tenth anniversary as expats in
        
        
          Asia. And I recall
        
        
          beginning that journey
        
        
          around my 30
        
        
          th
        
        
          birthday. So the numbers do add up.
        
        
          But despite all that evidence, now that it’s here, it still seems difficult to believe. I feel quite young. In
        
        
          fact, I’m
        
        
          fitter and happier
        
        
          at 40 than I was at 20, 30, or any other moment up to now. So, bring
        
        
          on the cake and candles! With my wonderful hubby by my side for the journey (and a
        
        
          fabulous trip
        
        
          to
        
        
          celebrate), I’m confident that the best adventures are still ahead of me.
        
        
          Thanks for reading,
        
        
          Tracey Starr, Editor-in-Chief
        
        
          welcome
        
        
          Tracey and models Didi, Gavin and Miles
        
        
          2
        
        
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