As a group of avid readers in the LRP team we are very happy to have recently expanded our book offering online and in the showroom. We knew you would be interested in finding out more about some of the wonderful authors and illustrators who have created the ones we've selected. All books have a Hong Kong theme whether it be written or illustrated by someone who lives here or is about the city, the stories and the history of the place so many of us call home.
This week we are meeting author Antonia da Cruz who wrote the lovely book Off to the Races with Nacho!
About
Even though I was born in Singapore I have lived in Hong Kong my entire life as my Dad is from here. I studied here at Beacon Hill and KGV, until I went to boarding school in the UK at the age of 14. I have lived abroad in various places but Hong Kong has always been home to me.
I began my career in the financial industry spending five years in equity sales and research at brokerage house CLSA, before moving to Singapore to join RHB Banking Group to deliver clients a full suite of banking products. In 2015, I made the monumental decision to switch careers and pursue her passion in health & wellness, returning to Hong Kong.
Since then, I've worked with other startups, such as social enterprise Kindred in the UK, and most recently at a progressive mental health clinic mindish. As a wellness advocate As a wellness advocate, Antonia is a certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner, has completed her EKAA Level 5 hypnotherapy course, Reiki Level 2, and RYT 300. She joined Zero2 in June 2023 to help drive more on- and offline engagement in social and wellbeing practices throughout the communities. She is now also a Certified ESG Planner CEP®.
Since then, I've worked with other startups, such as social enterprise Kindred in the UK, and most recently at a progressive mental health clinic mindish. As a wellness advocate As a wellness advocate, Antonia is a certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner, has completed her EKAA Level 5 hypnotherapy course, Reiki Level 2, and RYT 300. She joined Zero2 in June 2023 to help drive more on- and offline engagement in social and wellbeing practices throughout the communities. She is now also a Certified ESG Planner CEP®.
Inspiration
Off to the Races with Nacho is my second book. The first book was about my cats, but I've always been more of a dog person. My family love animals, my Dad works with horses, so we've always had dogs, Rottweilers, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Schnauzers (giant and small), American bulldog and now Nacho, our beloved Frenchie. Out of all the dogs we've had he is the most special. He is so curious, full of life and has such a boisterous character. He is truly loved by everyone he meets. So I just had to write a book about him. I also wanted to promote horse racing as a sport amongst the younger generations.
Favourite things to see or do in Hong Kong
During Covid, I used to love exploring parts of Hong Kong I'd never been to, go on hikes and go wakesurfing. Nowadays I don't have much time for that (I also don't particularly want to carry my toddler on these hikes in the crazy heat), but we love to be out on the water and at the beach, mostly on the Southside or in Sai Kung.
