Lifestyle

Kayakers, stand-up paddle boarders, and rowers have explored Hong Kong’s spectacular coastal scenery for years, but increasing amounts of rubbish and pollution means those marine paradises are far from unspoiled.

Hong Kong has a long tradition of poking fun at society through satire; now political satire is everywhere in light of events like Occupy Central and Hong Kong’s fraught relations with China, to the point where a spoof awards show can pack Queen Elizabeth Stadium.

People in Hong Kong use "Kongish," a new kind of Hong Kong-style English, and there's even a Facebook page celebrating this unique way of communicating. Some say that it's not just a kind of short hand; it's a way for Hongkongers to express their identity.

Although people type or text instead of writing things out by hand, the community of people taking up calligraphy in Hong Kong is slowly growing.

Lau Shui-shum has been farming for decades, and she used to have to wake up at 1a.m. to harvest and take her crops to market, where she would have little bargaining power. Now thanks to the growing movement of community markets, more Hongkongers are finding out about local agriculture and demanding it.

More and more people are taking to running in Hong Kong and they're doing it to meet friends and experience Hong Kong’s neighbourhoods, not just to keep fit.

History is not something we only learn about in textbooks. There are many local enthusiasts who study history through collecting various historical tangibles, such as old maps, revenue stamps and photographs. Varsity meets the collectors, restorers and archivists who can help us understand how the past has shaped our city today.

Lego has been a popular toy for generations of children. Its manufacturer and fans say the bricks encourage creativity. But more and more Lego products are now theme and even gender specific – some are based on blockbuster entertainment franchises. Does this hinder children’s creativity?

In the 1970s and 1980s, the annual Miss Hong Kong Pageant was one of the biggest entertainment events of the year. But with the rise of sensationalist tabloid-style media, changes in Hongkongers’ lifestyles and the status of women, the competition and the idea of beauty queens can seem like old-fashioned.

From schoolchildren to celebrities to presidents, anyone with a smartphone can and does take selfies these days. Some people go to extreme lengths and exotic locations, such as from high altitude and even space, to make their selfies more creative and unique. Varsity looks at selfie culture and the different reasons people have to snap their own images.