Lamma Island has a great space where adults and kids can ignite their creativity through a variety of music classes, wellness programmes, art classes and more. Behind these outdoor activities in Hong Kong is expat TAMARA NORRIS. We ask her about what inspired her to start her own business Vivid Vibrations and event location Open Space.
Tell us about your background and how you came to Hong Kong.
I’m from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and had never been on an airplane when I decided – very quickly – to quit my corporate job in F&B, sell everything I owned and fly here at 28 years old! I was here for six months initially. Friends of friends back home lived on Lamma Island, so I had a place to stay. I worked as an English teacher, then went backpacking across Thailand. I flew back to Canada for a year before running into an old acquaintance who was planning on teaching in North China – I was all for it! I suggested we stop in Hong Kong to visit my Lamma friends and then do the long train adventure north. We never got on the train. My friend has since gone back home but I’m still here on Lamma 21 years later!
Who do you live here with?
I live with my husband James who is an integral part of Vivid Vibrations and resident DJ at Open Space, which is our event space. He’s the man behind a lot of our expansion over recent years, working hard every day to build the magical setup we have now. He’s also a wonderful dad to our eight-year-old daughter, Gemma.
What was the aim when you launched Vivid Vibrations?
As a teacher and tutor, I soon became disenchanted with the Hong Kong education system, and two years after arriving I opened my own business, Vivid Vibrations, offering creative education and art-and-music-related programmes and workshops for children and adults. I acquired Open Space about two years after Vivid Vibrations was born – it turned 15 this year.
Tell us about the art classes, music classes and outdoor activities in Hong Kong on offer?
We provide nature-based and wellness programs and services for all ages! For example, we run Wilderness Adventure/Forest School camps and workshops, Art Jams, Organising and Decluttering Services, Nature and Creativity-based team-building workshops and cooking classes, to name a few.
We also host and manage private bookings at Open Space – barbecues, dance parties, birthdays, weddings, family days, staff appreciation parties, yoga and meditation retreats and mini festivals.
What is the space like?
It’s a private venue in the hills of Yung Shue Wan on Lamma – a 20-minute walk from the ferry pier. Open Space is multi-terraced, surrounded by nature, with a waterfall and stream running through it. It has an upper terrace with a small village house with basic facilities, a DJ booth and full sound system, sitting areas, a barbecue, an outdoor theatre, and a great view! The lower terrace has a children’s play area with mud kitchen, bamboo treehouse and more, surrounded by fruit trees. And our jungle camp area is perfect for a family day out with a large safari tent and facilities.
There’s something for everyone at Open Space! It’s beautiful by day and magical when all lit up at night.
What do you find special about Lamma?
Lamma is a unique place – a small yet diverse community of people from all over the world. There are no cars or tall buildings, and the economy supports local businesses – until today, the only corporate entity is the small HSBC branch in Yung Shue Wan offering services a few days a week. We’re blessed with lovely beaches, walking trails and nature right at our door.
What are you looking forward to in 2024?
My biggest wish is always for peace, love and kindness for all living beings. I hope that we can contribute to this goal by supporting others in any small way we can.
For more information about these art classes, outdoor activities in Hong Kong and music classes, visit vividvibrations.com.
This article on outdoor activities in Hong Kong first appeared in the Winter 2023/2024 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
Enjoyed this profile? Find more in our Living in Hong Kong section
