Hong Kong-based diplomats share their travel secrets and books, films and songs that remind them of home
- Consular officials recall their best loved holiday destinations in the countries they represent
- From Kazakhstan’s Charyn Canyon to Kruger National Park, in South Africa, there is plenty to inspire
Diplomacy, it’s said, is the art of letting somebody else have your way. But putting professional duplicity aside, what do some of Hong Kong’s 100-plus consular officials feel about the country they represent, and where do they like to kick back when they get home?
A dozen diplomats let us in on some of their not necessarily best-kept travel secrets, as well as a book, film or song that they feel sums up their native land.
Canada: Patricia Elliott, consul and senior trade commissioner
“My Grade Three teacher would read Lost in the Barrens [1956], by Farley Mowat, to us during the last 30 minutes of the day and it tells of both the beauty and the dangers of northern Canada. It also highlights many Canadian characteristics: love of the outdoors, respect for our environment and the diversity of our communities. The book was also made into a movie.
“One of my favourite places to visit is Tofino, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. It’s a magical place with cathedral trees, giant waves on long beaches, fabulous hiking and kayaking, and delicious food – fresh salmon, crab, blueberries – and craft beers.”
Laos: Phimmasone Inseng, vice-consul
“The Most Secret Place on Earth [2008], produced by the German director Marc Eberle, is riveting and gives a good insight into our recent history. The film deals with the secret operation waged by the CIA throughout the 1960s and early 70s against communist guerillas in Laos, particularly in the city of Long Cheng.
“I was born and brought up in Phongsaly, the northernmost province of Laos, which borders China and Vietnam, and lived there for 10 years before moving to Vientiane. This mountainous province is still mysterious and wonderful for me, especially as 23 ethnic groups live there, with their own languages and cultures.”
Brazil: João Carlos Belloc, deputy consul general
“The song that best summarises Brazil is Garota de Ipanema [The Girl from Ipanema]. Its composer, Tom Jobim, is one of the big names of the bossa nova movement and this song has been a symbol of Brazilian culture around the world since it was first recorded, in 1962.
“There’s so much to see in Brazil, but Cataratas do Iguaçu [Iguazu Falls] are stupendous – I never tire of going there. The waterfalls, which are more than 60 metres high, are surrounded by a rich park and there are lots of possible activities like hiking, rafting and abseiling.”
Australia: Ryan Neelam, deputy consul general
“The lyrics of I Am Australian [1987] are simple but beautifully capture the diversity and multicultural character of Australians – from our indigenous people to the waves of immigrants from all over the world that have come to Australia since. The song encapsulates how all of them have contributed in some way to making modern Australia, our common identity and our shared values.
“I travelled to the Kimberley region of Western Australia after a friend’s wedding a few years ago, and it’s spectacular. I remember swimming under waterfalls and in gorges, vivid red-sand beaches, and camping under a billion stars. Take me back!”
Israel: Ahuva Spieler, consul general
“Dan Senor and Saul Singer wrote Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle [2009], which explores the country’s history, culture, society and the influence of Jewish civilisation, traditions and values, as well as Israeli entrepreneurship and technological development.
“I enjoy visiting Haifa. It’s our third-largest city, beautifully set on the slopes of Mount Carmel, facing the Mediterranean, inhabited by Jews and Arabs, Christians and Muslims, who peacefully coexist; the result is an amazing fusion of cultures. Bahá’í Gardens is a Unesco World Heritage site while the German Colony neighbourhood is lined with trendy boutiques, cafes and restaurants. There are some superb surfing beaches, too, which my husband loves.”
South Africa: Harris Madoda Ntshinga, consul general
“Shosholoza [meaning ‘move fast’] is sung by all sports teams in South Africa. It motivated our rugby team to win the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019. In the olden days, workers sang it when they were leaving their families behind to work in the mines in Rustenburg, Johannesburg and Kimberley.
“I never fail to be amazed by Kruger National Park; it’s not just the Big Five – lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino – but a whole host of other wildlife. There are archaeological sites, too, and bushman rock paintings. And you get very well looked after, whether you’re camping or staying at a plush lodge.”
Malaysia: Grace Teh, deputy consul general
“Ola Bola [2016] is based on the true story of Malaysia’s football team, who fought to qualify for the 1980 Olympics. The film is a good portrayal of our multicultural and multiracial society, where different ethnicities live as one.
“I love visiting Lang Tengah Island, off Malaysia’s east coast, which is near the better-known Redang and Perhentian islands. Lang Tengah’s turquoise waters and vibrant coral reef are perfect for divers and snorkellers. On many nights – though it depends on the weather – you can catch a glimpse of bioluminescent ostracods or seed shrimps, nicknamed Blue Tears, which glow like a blue carpet.”
Sweden: Helena Storm, consul general
“Astrid Lindgren’s best-known book, Pippi Longstocking [1945], sums up many core Swedish values – being innovative, open, caring and authentic. People of all ages consider her a role model and a symbol for independence and anti-authoritarianism. Her liberal, free-spirited character has made an impact far beyond the world of children’s books. Pippi’s character can also influence gender equality in education. She is an unconventional, beautiful, kind, physically strong, assertive, sweet young Swedish girl. She says, ‘If you are very strong, you must also be very kind.’
Saudi Arabia: Hamad Aljebreen, consul general
“Our film industry is growing by leaps and bounds. Born a King was released last year. It is an amazing real-life story set in 1919, a coming-of-age drama about Faisal, a 14-year-old prince who was dispatched from the deserts of Arabia to London by his warrior father, Prince Abdulaziz, on a high-stakes diplomatic mission to secure the formation of his country.
“I find Al-‘Ula, in the northwest of Saudi Arabia, fascinating. The ancient incense trade route passed through here, and it’s a stunning area, full of golden rock formations and the remains of several ancient kingdoms, including clusters of sites dating back more than 2,000 years.”
France: Marine Bouyssou, consul
“Childhood Memories, by Marcel Pagnol, is a [serial] family portrait with touches of a historical novel, which takes you to the wonderful region of Provence and is a good testimony to French culture and values, seen through the eyes of a little boy. It’s also given rise to a pair of very good movies, My Father’s Glory and My Mother’s Castle [both 1990].
“Like Hong Kong, Corsica is a beautiful mountainous island that is ideal for yachting and hiking. If you go there in the autumn or spring, you’ll enjoy a more pristine environment. You won’t find big hotels but rather charming places that offer good food, from cheese to pork specialities, honey or chestnuts. Of course, Corsica is Napoleon’s birthplace.”
Mexico: Saúl Zambrano Barajas, acting consul general
“Los Olvidados [1950], which was directed by superb cinematographer Luis Buñuel, is one of the many great films of Mexican cinema. Also called The Young and the Damned, it’s in the best tradition of social realism with elements of surrealism.
“Oaxaca, in the south of Mexico, is one of the most attractive places. It is ethnically and culturally diverse, with a wide culinary offering, colonial architecture, archaeological sites and some of the world’s best surfing beaches.”
Kazakhstan: Timur Temirkhanov, consul
“An Illustrated History of Kazakhstan [2014], written by Jeremy Tredinnick, who used to be based in Hong Kong, explains our country’s long and complex history as a single flowing narrative, complemented by a range of maps, illustrations and beautiful images. I often dip into it and learn something new.
