My portfolio, musings, amusing(s - that a word? No? K.) and more. Photoshoots over the years, behind the scenes anecdotes, some awesome celebrity encounters (some horrific ones too!). 21 years+ as a journalist in Hong Kong - that's a lot of verbal diarr... um... discourse!
Didn't have time to head to HSBC or Chung King Mansion (where there are two Money Exchange and Currency Converter booths) which give somewhat similar rates.
At Hong Kong airport, HK$1,000 got me Inr 9,800, but in Bangalore airport, with Thomas Cook, got Inr 9,200.
Lesson learned. Change the $$ before travel. Never changing currency in an Indian airport again!
A whopper of an issue. 1.3kg, which brought on its own fair share of troubles with distribution - too heavy! Cannot carry!
It looks slick. Chic. Very... RR. On brand et al.
As the go-to consultant for several high-end luxury brands, VIPs, and businessmen for nearly two decades, feng shui master Pius Chan’s advisory features can be found in many a local newspaper and magazine in the region and on television.
For an online exclusive, we were in conversation with Chan and volleyed pertaining questions that are in all our collective consciousness, primarily: Is this going to be a good year? “Overall, it’s going to be good year.” Happy days!
First and foremost, for the uninitiated, feng shui literally means “the way of wind and water” in Mandarin, but it’s a practice—the ancient Chinese art of arranging buildings, objects, and space in an environment to achieve harmony and balance.
Right off the bat, we had to ask what advice Chan had for this coming Year of the Rabbit, as he often advises those questioning on the crossroads. “Quite a lot of clients come to me for guidance, especially when they are facing a difficult time or a turning point in their life,” he says with further observations of his clientele. “And yet, surprisingly, quite a large portion come to me for further discussion even when they have already attained a successful stage in life.”
Reassurance? Affirmation? Guidance? Perhaps all three, as he consults the stars and charts, studies and literature before sending out sound advice. After all, he is the go-to feng shui master for several high-end luxury brands and businesses. In the West, there’s Chani Nicholas, the fashion world’s go-to astrologer. In Asia, Chan is on speed dial in that same orbit, and he has good news to report to the fashion world, too.
“It is going to be a good year for high-end luxury brands, especially in China Mainland. I have only positive views and expectations for market performance in 2023,” he says as we hear a collective sigh of relief escape to the ether. “Hong Kong market will rebound from the bottom, from the past few years to a great extent we will see growth.”
If you’ve eyed a designer wallet, bag, or accessory recently, there is no better time than now to buy what your heart desires and bring in good chi, says Chan. “You should highly consider getting a new purse or handbag, to get rid of the old and bring in new energy of money and good fortune. In your working or living environment, old objects with cracks… I suggest getting rid of it and replace it with a new one.”
Reeling back a bit to dive into Chan’s past, the master reveals more about his time as a student, when the interest in feng shui was first ignited. “When I was young, I already had a great interest in face and hand readings. I was always studying related books on the topic in stores,” he reminisces as we get nostalgic for bookstores that once studded the streets and arteries of Kowloon and New Territories. “Back in 2004, I finally met my first real feng shui master—master So Man Fung—and I learned from him. Soon after, I started my feng shui career in 2006.”
Consultation can be a mysterious and multi-faceted thing, from checking the charts to see if it’s a good time to marry, to wondering if it’s a good time to put down a lump sum for a prized possession, like a supercar, yacht, or private jet. According to him, sales for the aforementioned will have a steady climb. “With the pandemic influence lessening and most of the world’s borders returning to normal, my view is that most of the high-value spending will be getting more active and frequent.”
So, it’s a good time to invest, we presume. He confirms with a nod, “Yes, it is especially positive in Asia market. My top pick is Hong Kong. It has already performed well in January, and we are only a few weeks in, and the China stock market. The US market relatively conservative… but positive.”
Chan also advices to check and avoid red objects in northwest and the east side of your home or office, in order to avoid “inflaming illness” in 2023. To rectify that, place some metal objects (preferably round shapes) in these two orientations and it can ward off, if not reduce sickness. Health inquiries are also part and parcel of Chan’s consultations, and he wants all to pay heed to bone, joint injury, and skin allergies. And, of course, that white elephant in the room: “The pandemic situation hasn’t been eradicated completely—you have to remain cautious, no doubt.”
And finally, just as we sign off, his parting shot made us smile, “Coincidently, dog zodiac objects could enhance overall luck in the Year of the Rabbit!”
According to the Chinese Zodiac Sign and Lunar Calendar, it’s going to be a great year for:
For work:
Cow, Rabbit, Dragon, Goat, and Dog are good
For Love and Relationships:
Mouse, Horse, Dog, Pig, and Goat are good.
For Money and Fortune:
Rabbit, Dragon, Dog, Cow, and Goat are good.
For Health:
Rabbit, Roaster, Tiger, and Goat have to pay more attention.
Good luck colours:
Mouse: Red, Purple
Cow: Black, Grey, Blue
Tiger: Brown, Earth-tone, Yellow
Rabbit: Beige, Yellow
Dragon: Black, Grey, Blue
Snake: White, Gold, Silver
Horse: Red, Gold, Silver
Goat: Black, Grey, Blue
Monkey: Green
Roaster: Brown, Yellow, Gold
Dog: Black, Grey, Blue
Pig: Red, Pink, Orange
Duhwan Song! Korean supermodel based in Hong Kong: Well, when he was BC. Before Covid...
Song has been on a cover with me/my company every year for three or four years in a row. Nicest guy in the world. Fame becomes him...
@gordonlund @chrislammakeup @sharpayfung 
