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Flying through the buildings

Kayton Tang on March 12, 2025

Nestled between towering skyscrapers and bustling neighborhoods, Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport was a marvel of aviation, renowned for its breathtaking approach.

Planes would glide low over the city, weaving between buildings before landing, an exhilarating spectacle that left passengers in awe.

For Stephen Howard, this vivid memory springs to life as he recalls sitting in the cockpit’s jump seat as a child, captivated by the vibrant energy of Hong Kong below.

“Hong Kong captivated me from the moment I stepped into the cockpit of a Cathay Pacific 747-400 to land at Kai Tak. As we soared through what felt like between the buildings, it was evident from the outset that this city offers a different perspective on all angles of life and is anything but normal.”

For Stephen, this unforgettable experience mirrors the bold and vibrant essence of Hong Kong, a city that Ovolo Hotels embodies in every way. From its daring design to its guest experiences, Ovolo celebrates the extraordinary spirit that makes Hong Kong anything but ordinary.

Aaaand that’s a wrap! 🙌

Kayton Tang on December 24, 2024

As we say 拜拜 to 2024, we want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays! 🎄✨
 
Thank you for being a part of our Hong Kong Never Normal journey — we’ve come a long way in such a short time, and your support means everything to us! 🫰❤️
 
But don’t worry — we’re just getting started! We’re gearing up for an exciting 2025 filled with more unusual, extraordinary, and downright bizarre stories that will challenge everything you thought you knew about Hong Kong! 🇭🇰
 
So stay tuned — you won’t want to miss what’s coming next! 👀
 
P.S. We’d also love to hear from you! If you have any interesting HKNN stories to share over the break, tag us at @hknevernormal !

Vertical gardens for a vertical city

Kayton Tang on December 19, 2024

Embrace nature at Hotel ICON! 🌱

🌿 Did you know that @‌hoteliconhk boasts Asia’s largest indoor vertical garden? With over 8,603 plants of 71 species, hotel’s vertical green wall, designed by Botanist Patrick Blanc, greets guests in a stunning display of biodiversity. 🌺🌱

“A Hotel Unlike Any Other” – At Hotel ICON, the team redefines hospitality with innovative initiatives like the vertical garden, showcasing a commitment to sustainability and guest experience. 🌍💚

“We Love to Care” – Hotel ICON goes the extra mile for the environment by converting food waste into water. Being the first in Asia to implement ORCA technology, 135,000 liters of water are recycled annually, leading eco-friendly practices in Asia and reducing landfill waste and CO2 emissions. 🌏💧 Hotel ICON has been awarded the CarbonCare® Label by Carbon Care Asia, recognising achievements in carbon footprint reduction.

Sharing this story as a @‌hknevernormal, an initiative dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary nature of our city. Follow @‌hoteliconhk and @‌hknevernormal for similar stories.

Full Circle on Arbuthnot Road: A Family Legacy

Kayton Tang on December 17, 2024

Arbuthnot Road is more than just a street for Girish Jhunjhnuwala, the founder of Ovolo Hotels.

It’s where his family home once stood, rich with memories that shaped his identity.

Growing up in Hong Kong’s vibrant Central district, Girish was inspired by the lively energy around him, fuelling his passion for hospitality.

Today, Ovolo Central, the first hotel established by Ovolo, proudly stands on this cherished street.

This hotel serves as a tribute to his roots, blending comfort and local charm while reflecting the city’s dynamic spirit.

Through Ovolo Central, Girish not only honours his past but also invites others to experience the vibrant essence of Hong Kong that has always inspired him.

BeCandle

Kayton Tang on December 10, 2024

BeCandle was founded 15 years ago by designer Xavier Tsang. Starting as a one-man studio, it has grown into a small team in Sai Kung, continuously exploring and experimenting by participating in markets and exhibitions around the world, collaborating with various local and international brands. Today, it has become a fragrance brand with its own retail shops and local factory . Driven by a passion for scent craftsmanship and a spirit of exploration, BeCandle maintains a multifaceted approach to sustainable development. This includes using sustainable natural materials, long-standing candle refill service, and recycling waste materials such as construction site soil, industrial coffee grounds, floral waste, and even retired tram parts to create scented products. In recent years, it has partnered with volunteer organizations to establish  production lines that provides job opportunities for low-income individuals and youth in need of special care.

We’re sharing this story as a proud partner of @hknevernormal, an initiative dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary nature of our city. Follow @hknevernormal for more inspiring stories.

Events Beyond Ordinary: Hong Kong’s Vibrant Events Scene

Kayton Tang on December 10, 2024

According to Razlan Manjaji from SCMP Live, “Hong Kong is an events capital.” With a wide array of events taking place, people are increasingly seeking experiences that genuinely captivate them – the demand motivates event organisers to continually elevate their standards. 

For Razlan and SCMP Live, this means incorporating unique and thoughtful elements into every event. These elements include high sustainability standards, inclusive panels, quiet spaces for neurodiverse attendees, and accommodations for nursing mothers, among other features. 

Razlan has executed more than 30 events this year alone, proving that Hong Kong remains a vibrant cultural hub where diverse individuals gather, connect, and share ideas. 

From Warehouse to Wonderland: The Story of Southside By Ovolo

Kayton Tang on December 10, 2024

In a city where change is the only constant, Southside by Ovolo stands as a testament to Hong Kong’s spirit of reinvention.

As the first hotel converted from a warehouse in Hong Kong, this design-centric retreat has transformed a functional space into a stunning blend of rich industrial heritage and modern hospitality.

Step inside to find an inspiring mix of past and present, with creative design elements that honour the building’s history.

One standout feature is the original truck turntable in the GiG event space, which serves as a striking reminder of the building’s industrial past.

The ABOVE rooftop, where you can indulge in breathtaking, uninterrupted views of the captivating vista of the Southside of the Island. 

Ready for a memorable getaway? Experience the unique charm and creativity of Southside by Ovolo for yourself!

Ying Ying Makes history

Kayton Tang on December 10, 2024

This year, Hong Kong celebrated the birth of its first locally born panda cubs! 🎉🐼

The cubs, affectionately dubbed “Little Brother” and “Elder Sister,” were born to Ying Ying, who is 19 years old, making her the world’s oldest first-time giant panda mother. 

This milestone was achieved thanks to the dedication of the animal care team at Ocean Park Hong Kong and their extensive knowledge of giant panda care and breeding-related behaviours.

Did you know that giant pandas are naturally solitary, coming together only during the breeding season from March to May? 🤔

After mating, the parents separate, leaving the mother to raise the young alone.

At Ocean Park Hong Kong, the animal care team closely observed Ying Ying and Le Le during the annual mating season to create the right conditions for the pair to mate naturally.

When Ying Ying gave birth to twins, the team supported her by using an incubator to help care for both cubs and introducing stuffed animals with their scent to establish a strong bond.

The team aims to give Ying Ying the chance to learn how to be a mother and care for the cubs until they are two to three years old.

This nurturing approach reflects Ocean Park’s commitment to a high standard of animal care. 

Are you excited to meet Ying Ying and her adorable twin cubs? 🐾✨

余仁生同浸大聯合出書，仲勁過Wikipedia？

Kayton Tang on December 10, 2024

提到余仁生，大家第一時間會諗起百年信譽嘅中醫藥保健企業，但其實呢個超過140年歷史嘅品牌，仲做咗一件突破傳統嘅事——全力支援浸會大學中醫藥學院，聯合出版咗一本專業級嘅中藥材圖鑑《香港中藥材圖鑑》。

呢本書嘅誕生背後有一個重要嘅原因：由於中藥材品種眾多，名稱相近嘅藥材經常容易混淆，甚至引致安全風險。例如，附子同生附子雖然名稱相似，但實際性質差異極大，後者更加含有毒性；又例如滇烏鹼與烏頭鹼名稱相近，但滇烏鹼毒性明顯更強。為咗澄清呢啲混亂，建立中藥材嘅標準，《香港中藥材圖鑑》以「澄清混亂，建立標準」為宗旨，收錄咗多種本地常見嘅中藥材，詳細研究藥材品質，確保用藥安全有效，對推動中醫藥學嘅現代化發展有重大意義。

呢本書唔單止詳細記錄咗香港常見嘅中藥材特徵、用途同檢測方法，仲結合傳統智慧同現代科學，提供準確同權威嘅專業知識，成為中醫藥界重要嘅參考書籍。比起一般網上資訊，呢本圖鑑內容經過實證同驗證，資料專業性及準確度極高，甚至有人話佢「仲勁過Wikipedia」。

透過呢本書，余仁生提升咗中藥材嘅可靠性，成功將中醫藥推向現代化同專業化，更拉近咗中醫文化同普羅大眾嘅距離，展現咗傳統品牌喺創新路上嘅無限可能。

呢個故事係@hknevernormal嘅合作企劃之一，旨在展現香港獨特又非凡嘅一面！想睇更多精彩又充滿香港「非常」精神嘅故事？快啲追蹤@hknevernormal啦！

余仁生