VIBErations Episode 23 - Martin Malden
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VIBErations podcast Ep 23. Martin Malden of 'Lantau Network' at VIBE Book & Music Shop in Mui Wo on Lantau Island in Hong Kong on 23rd March 2021
BIO
Martin Malden is a permanent ex-pat. He grew up on a farm in what was originally Southern Rhodesia, when it was part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, in central Africa. After leaving school at the end of 1970, he did his National Service in 1971 and then went down to Durban, in South Africa, in 1972, where he spent his student years.
After graduating, he returned to what was by now simply Rhodesia, and went to work in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry as secretary to two committees. These committees allocated foreign exchange to businesses developing industrial or commercial projects. By 1977, with the bush war in full swing, Martin could see by virtue of his position at Commerce & Industry, that the country was running out of money. So at the age of 25, and with thoughts of starting a family, he decided to leave Rhodesia, and arrived in the UK in May 1977.
He survived 17 years in the UK, eventually finding himself working in the then-fledgling mobile phone industry. He went self-employed in 1994, and joined a small team that came to Hong Kong in January 1995 to write the licence application for what became Sunday. The success of that project led to other projects in East and South Asia, where governments were issuing new mobile phone licences. Martin found living and working in Asia to be much closer to the entrepreneurial, self-reliant lifestyle that he grew up in – and the decision to make Asia his home was an easy one. Today, 26 years later, Martin has his own web development agency on Lantau Island and is thoroughly enjoying life!
10 Questions
1. Favourite book or author? - 'The Afghan' by Frederick Forsythe
2. Favourite musical artist? - Freddie Mercury
3. Preferred drink? - Gin & Tonic - Bombay Tonic
4. Life motto? - You'll have many acquaintances but very few friends so take care of them
5. Favourite HK walk? - Mui Wo to Pui O
6. Favourite HK restaurant? - The Sai Sha Café at Ma On Shan
7. Faced with a python whilst walking up to the Peak – what would you do? - Give it a very wide berth
8. Best advice you were given? - Same as life motto
9. Finish this sentence… I live in Hong Kong because… Because it’s easy and affordable to live here
10. Favourite area of Hong Kong? - Sharpe's peak Sai Kung
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