Around DB January 2021

Ringing in the New Year

with Sander Looijen at the new Tung Chung Sheraton How employable is your teen post-COVID-19?

Career paths and ladders to help you switch jobs Why intermittent fasting is more than just a fad

Feng shui tips to plumb your bathroom’s potential

NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS Join your community online at www.arounddb.com

JJAUNLY U A R Y2 02 02201

YEAR OF THE OX MASCOT DESIGN COMPETITION Share your hopes and dreams for

2021 Deadline: January 25

Calling all students attending DB primary schools! Here’s your chance to put pen (or brush) to paper to celebrate the Chinese New Year (CNY) with your art.

What to draw

Key dates

By entering the Year of the Ox Mascot Design Competition, you can share your hopes and dreams for 2021. Just be sure to include at least one ox mascot (2021 is the Year of the Ox) in the fun.

January 25: Submission deadline

How to enter Students should submit their designs on A3-size paper (with their name, age, school name, year group and email on the back), along with a copy of their student ID from a DB primary school, to the Bay Media (Around DB) office by January 25.

The office, located at 6E Elegance Court, Hillgrove Village, will be open to receive entries Monday to Friday from 11am to 4pm.

Students can also submit their entries by email to baymedia.competition@gmail.com with the information above and a highresolution image (at least 1MB).

March 1:

Finalists’ pictures published in the March issue of Around DB

March 5-12: Online voting on the Around DB Facebook page March 16:

Results posted on the Around DB Facebook page

April 1:

Prize winners’ pictures published in the April issue of Around DB and on www.arounddb.com

So come on kids, get your creative caps on and start planning your perfect CNYthemed picture! For more information, visit www.arounddb.com.

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Love.Together@DB is a community-caring platform initiated by Hong Kong Resort Company dedicated to serving the Discovery Bay community. The platform supports and co-organises diversified corporate social responsibility initiatives with NGOs, community leaders and volunteers to promote a loving and caring culture in the sustainable and multicultural DB community.

www.arounddb.com January 2021

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CONTENTS

Join your community online

JANUARY 2021

PROFILE - 18 Sander Looijen, GM of the Sheraton Tung Chung

IN FOCUS - 22 Is 2021 your year to switch jobs?

EDUCATION - 26 Teen employability post-COVID

INSIDER - 36 Fasting – how to get healthy from the inside out

RECIPES - 40 Fruit puddings to help you get your five a day

22 REGULARS

If you have a story idea, email rachel@baymedia.com.hk To publicise a local event, email elizabeth@baymedia.com.hk For general enquiries, email info@baymedia.com.hk

AGENDA

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HELPLINE Support for FDWs

06

DB EVENTS

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GEOMANCY Introductory feng shui

17

GIVEAWAYS

44

DB FACES Community snaps

46

CLASSIFIEDS

52

OUT THERE Peter Sherwood talks back

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LOCAL NUMBERS

ON THE COVER Former DB resident Sander Looijen, GM of the Sheraton Tung Chung

We also publish…

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YOUR GUIDE TO HONG KONG’S ‘GREEN JEWEL’

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with Sander Looijen at the new Tung Chung Sheraton

2019 / 2020 ENZO HILAIRE STAR OF THE VOICE KIDS (FRANCE)

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: WHERE TO EAT, DRINK, SHOP AND HANG OUT

How employable is your teen post-COVID-19?

Career paths and ladders to help you switch jobs Why intermittent fasting is more than just a fad

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Ringing in the New Year

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To read the cover story, turn to page 18

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December 2020/ January 2021

Feng shui tips to plumb your bathroom’s potential

NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS Join your community online at www.arounddb.com

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HIKING THE SOUTH LANTAU COUNTRY TRAIL

Photo by Terry Chow

TURKEY LEFTOVERS 3 WAYS

NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS

Join your community online at www.lifeonlantau.com

FREE

Publishers in Lantau since 2002

FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF FOOD & DRINK • LIVING • PETS • SPORTS • PASTIMES • EDUCATION • HEALTH • BEAUTY • SERVICES • TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS • COMMUNITY

www.arounddb.com Publishers in Lantau since 2002

PUBLISHER Philip Jay MANAGING EDITOR Rachel Ainsley rachel@baymedia.com.hk ASSISTANT EDITOR Elizabeth Jerabek elizabeth@baymedia.com.hk ART DIRECTION Terry Chow terry@baymedia.com.hk GRAPHIC DESIGNER Duey Tam duey@baymedia.com.hk OPERATIONS MANAGER Amber Kahu amber@baymedia.com.hk PHOTOGRAPHERS Baljit Gidwani www.evoqueportraits.com Col Sim www.colsimphotography.com CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Kerr Sonal Kulkarni Peter Sherwood Dorothy Veitch Samantha Wong PRINTING Champion Design & Production Co. Ltd Flat C & D 9/F Sing Teck Factory Bldg 44 Wong Chuk Hang Rd Hong Kong BAY MEDIA LTD 6E Elegance Court Hillgrove Village Discovery Bay Lantau Island Hong Kong Tel: 2987 0167 Advertising enquiries: info@baymedia.com.hk

DISCLAIMER The views expressed in AroundDB are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or contributors. The publisher and editor cannot be held responsible for differences of opinion or statements published in good faith. The publisher, contributors, their employees and partners are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors or omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication and expressly disclaim all and any liability for any such action of any person.

The mention of specific companies or products in articles or advertisements does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by this magazine or its publisher in preference to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without permission.

Š BAY MEDIA GROUP LTD

www.colsimphotography.com

RED VELVET GRAND OPENING Red Velvet Designs celebrated the opening of its new boutique in the DB Plaza shopping arcade on December 18. Founded by DB resident Kavita Mathur, Red Velvet specialises in decorative lighting products, customised rugs and carpets and other bespoke homewares.

s t n e v e y t i n u c om m IN DISCOVERY BAY

RECENT

BAKING WORKSHOP

Junior bakers baked and decorated gingerbread cookies and miniature gingerbread houses with FLOUR cake designer and former ESF teacher Lan Hee Hong on December 15 at the Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong.

www.colsimphotography.com

www.arounddb.com January 2021

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DB EVENTS

MGK GRAND OPENING

On November 22, DB residents celebrated the grand opening of the new MGK Fight Club studio in the DB Plaza shopping arcade. Festivities included a lion dance, a traditional roast pig-cutting ceremony and open mat training sessions.

www.richardgordonphotography.com

SUBWAY AND EBENEEZER’S NOW IN TUNG CHUNG

Long-time favourites in DB Plaza, Ebeneezer’s Kebabs & Pizzeria and Subway now have new locations at the new Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel. Both restaurants opened last month for dine-in and take-away services. To order for delivery within DB, search for Ebeneezer’s Kebabs & Pizzeria and Subway on Foodpanda, Deliveroo or Uber Eats.

Photos courtesy of Rekhani Hospitality Group

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January 2021 www.arounddb.com

Branches in Hong Kong Opens everyday 11am - 9pm

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @ CinnabonHK

Shop 298, Citygate, 18-20 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau G06, G/F Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Road, West Kowloon

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TUNG CHUNG NEW Tel: 27300988 9 11 Shop G11, Sheraton Hotel, T-Bay, 9 Yi Tung Road,Tung Chung, Hong Kong

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Timing: 8AM - 10PM

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Get Delivery Through: Foodpanda or Deliveroo

SEARCH KEBABS

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Tel: 23800201

SPONSORED CONTENT

HUSH HOME® co-founder Stephanie Huen, a certified health and wellness consultant, shares how sleep science takes her mattresses, beds and bedding to the next level

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Photos courtesy of Hush Home

hen I coach others, I draw on my background in health and wellness – and the first thing I emphasise is sleep.

It is such an overlooked part of short-term and long-term health (especially in Hong Kong), and yet there’s truly nothing with more immediate impact on your day than a good night’s sleep.

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When my husband Rick and I started a family, we realised that Hong Kong had few mattress choices that were high-quality yet affordable. That’s why Rick and I created Hush Home.

We make high-quality mattresses, beds and bedding, and we sell them at honest prices so everyday families can sleep better and be healthier.

Family-friendly sleep products First and foremost, when designing family-friendly products, we prioritise safety. We make sure all products are certified to international standards. Our workshops are also trusted by luxury hotel brands, meaning not only are the production standards top-notch but the materials and products are continually lab-tested.

Furthermore, we’re meticulous in how we choose fabrics and materials. For example, all products are hypoallergenic and the solidwood furniture uses zero artificial pigmentation.

Each item we sell has what we call ‘thoughtful details.’ These are

January 2021 www.arounddb.com

small design details that big brands don’t care about, but families do – because they make products more user-friendly on a day-to-day basis.

How to choose a mattress So the big question is: How do you choose mattresses for yourself and your kids? For an adult, it’s all about sleep quality. It’s best to get a mattress that offers a balance of comfort and support. I often teach customers to do a body scan when they try mattresses to check whether each part of the body (especially, shoulders, lower back and hips) is getting the right balance. You’ll also want something that has motion isolation, so you don’t wake up when your partner tosses and turns.

Our Hush Mattress, using a hybrid technology of pocket coils and premium foams, is very popular right now because it was designed to incorporate all factors that affect sleep quality.

For children, you want to consider what’s best for their growth. Very young kids will need a firmer mattress for better bone growth but, as they get older, they’ll need and likely prefer something that balances out the firmness with plushness. With 2 firmnesses-in-1, our Loft Mattress was designed specifically to address that need.

Extending a mattress’ lifespan There are three key ways to make your mattress last longer.

Firstly, prioritise hygiene. I highly recommend everyone use waterproof protectors to keep the mattress germ-free and stain-free.

(This is especially important for kids). Secondly, make sure you’re using the appropriate bedframe that supports your mattress type.

How to test a mattress You can view and purchase all our sleep products on our website. We created a robust digital library on choosing the right sleep products so that everyone can be an informed buyer. You can also check out our showroom in Sheung Wan, where we encourage customers to make a 30-minute private appointment for a one-on-one consultation.

For instance, pocket coils require a flat platform or solid slats. Thirdly, rotate your mattress periodically so that it can continue to evenly distribute your body pressure.

Our showroom is deliberately designed to feel like home – each bed has its own private space, with relaxing music and aromas, and no bright lights. You can even take a nap! We also offer a 100-night trial for our products so that you can really experience Hush Home in the comfort of your own home.

FIND IT • Hush Home, Unit 07, 2/F Wayson Commercial Bldg, 28 Connaught Rd West, Sheung Wan, 3500 9475, www.hushhome.com Hush Home delivers to Discovery Bay. www.arounddb.com January 2021

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DB EVENTS

y t i n u m m o c HAPPENINGS AND EVENTS

YOUR GUIDE TO

COMPETITION

OX MASCOT CNY DESIGN COMPETITION CALLIGRAPHY CONTEST Submission deadline: January 25

DB primary school students are invited to draw a CNY-themed picture to enter the Year of the Ox Mascot Design Competition. They should submit their designs on A3-size paper (with their name, age, school name, year group and email on the back), along with a copy of their student ID from a DB primary school, to Around DB. For more information, turn to page 9 or visit www.arounddb.com.

FOR A GOOD CAUSE

WALK FOR IMPACT

LEKKER LAA

Submission deadline: January 31

Photo courtesy of One World Spirit Association

Illustration by Terry Chow

DELIVERING TO DB

Write your own fai chun (pictured) to enter One World Spirit Association’s CNY Calligraphy Contest. Outlying islanders can enter in the children’s group (12 years and under) or the open group (13 and up) to compete in either the traditional calligraphy category or the creative English/ graphic design category. The fai chun must be written on red paper with a Chinese calligraphy brush and submitted to the DB Midvale Village Management Office. For enquiries and enrollment, WhatsApp 6186 7874 or email admin1@1worldspirit.org.

NEW IN TUNG CHUNG CINNABON

www.lekker.hk

Founded by two DB residents, Neil Schonken and Ainslie Vosloo, Lekker Laa is a specialty online food and wine business now delivering to DB. On top of delicious wine and meat (such as traditional boerewors) from South Africa, Lekker carries salmon from Norway, bacon from the Netherlands and steak from Australia. “We are two South Africans who love good food,” says Neil. “Our products are of the highest quality, and they won’t break the bank.” For more information, visit www.lekker.hk.

BRING YOUR DRINK CARTONS, COFFEE CUPS/ LIDS AND POLYFOAM for recycling at the

waterfront side of Hemingway’s on January 17 from 9am to 11am. Visit the DB Green Facebook page.

JOIN A BEACH CLEAN-UP at Nim Shue Wan on January 24 from 9am to 11am. Visit plasticfreeseas.org.

www.unsplash.com

Start 2021 on the right foot and walk 10,000 steps every day in January to support Impact HK. If you hit your goal of 10,000 steps/ day then you donate HK$20/ day. If you don’t hit your step goal then you donate HK$40/ day. Students can also participate by donating HK$5/ day if they hit their daily goal, and HK$10/ day if they don’t. Funds raised will support Impact HK’s work with the homeless.

To sign up, message 9323 3127.

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www.facebook.com/CinnabonHK

Check out the second Hong Kong location of Cinnabon, the iconic Seattle bakery, which opened in October at Citygate Outlets. As one of the most recognised brands worldwide, Cinnabon offers freshbaked, mouth-watering cinnamon rolls, as well as a wide range of other baked items and beverages in 1,700 outlets across over 50 countries. For more information, follow Cinnabon on Instagram and Facebook @CinnabonHK.

January 2021 www.arounddb.com

SHOP THE DISCOVERY BAY SUNDAY MARKET in DB Plaza

on January 24 from 11am to 6pm. Visit www.handmadehongkong.com.

HAVE YOUR PRELOVED ITEMS COLLECTED from your home and rehomed to charities and individuals in need. WhatsApp Nikki of DB Mothers and Friends at 9677 6676.

HELP YOUR HELPER! Enrich HK workshops equip helpers with the tools to save, budget and plan for a future with greater financial security.

Visit www.enrichhk.org.

SPONSORED CONTENT

TOGETHER, LET’S SPORT!

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Photos courtesy of Ginny Malbon & DRF Photography

upporting Discovery Bay residents in their desire to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle has long been a priority for Discovery Bay Services Management Ltd, or City Management (CM) as the company is known locally. Due to social distancing restrictions for COVID-19, many of the yearly sporting events in DB were cancelled or postponed in 2020. Nevertheless, whenever possible, CM welcomes all events that are beneficial to residents and local community groups.

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“We are highly concerned with the sound body and mind of all residents in DB,” a CM spokesperson says.

“During the pandemic it’s been difficult to keep the wheel of sport moving, but we have been able to do so, and to find alternative solutions to care for the community.”

support, we aim to continue providing community access to rugby, netball, hockey and dragon boating, despite the challenges that we face right now with COVID-19.

“We are always looking for ways to reduce costs for the club and its members so that we can maintain our fees at a level that encourages more players to participate,” Simon adds. “This is especially important as COVID-19 leaves lasting financial effects on the community.”

The DB Pirates, along with six other DB sports groups, uses the North Pitch for its training sessions. CM

DB Pirates chairman Simon Knight is of the same mind, and he has high hopes for 2021. “We believe that the availability of affordable sports is important for the wellbeing of not only the community as a whole, but for the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals,” he says. “For 2021, with the help of community sponsorship and January 2021 www.arounddb.com

manages the booking process, and all paying pitch users are invited to submit their requests for time slots well in advance. Thanks to cooperation between the teams, the process is smooth and efficient, and most are allocated their preferred time slot.

While the North Pitch is not open to for-profit businesses, it is available for the community to use free of charge – on weekday evenings from 8.30pm to 10pm, Saturdays from 12pm to 1pm and 6.30pm to 10pm, and Sundays from 1pm to 2pm and 6.30pm to 10pm. (Residents should also note that the community has

CITY MANAGEMENT makes things happen despite COVID-19 access to the Siena Club basketball court on weekdays from 6pm to 10pm and there are 11 sets of outdoor sport equipment around DB that are free for the community to use at any time.)

Admitting that demand for the North Pitch is high, Simon says: “We have had a great relationship with CM over the years and we appreciate the support that we receive, without which it would be difficult for the club to give kids and adults an opportunity to participate in sport locally. The past year has impacted everyone in the community in many different ways, and we thank CM and the community for their support. Let’s hope this year we can all enjoy the sports that we love to play!”

“CM has been doing a fantastic job in improving and supporting sport and leisure activities within our community, especially in difficult times of a global pandemic,” affirms Sabine Fischer, the vice chair of the paddling section of the Lantau Boat Club (LBC). “We were extremely lucky to launch the recent Pink Day event despite social distancing restrictions being in place.” The event on October 17 raised

HK$46,848 for Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation and included fun relay sprints off Tai Pak Beach.

around Lantau to spot Chinese White Dolphins; and the Lantau Classic, an all-day relay race in DB waters.

“CM has made a great effort in improving communication within the community, especially with regards to community events,” says Sabine. “For our Pink Day they offered us advertising space via banners and posters along the main road and notice boards at bus stops. This was very helpful to reach out to residents, especially in times of social distancing precautions.”

The LBC is also planning other community events for 2021, such as the Switch Contest, an outrigger introduction fun day open to all DB dragon boaters; and a second Pink Day.

Moving into 2021, the LBC is hoping to organise several key events, in addition to participating in the DB Dragon Boat Festival, which was cancelled last year due to the virus.

For the paddling community, these events include the ever-popular Dolphin Quest, a charity paddle

“We feel that it’s important to offer these events, as they include not only the paddling community, but also the larger DB community,” says Sabine. “We are more than happy to work with CM on ideas for future projects and are grateful for all the support we can get for our events.

With aligned forces, together with other local sports clubs, we can improve Discovery Bay’s leisure and sports culture and serve our fantastic community.” Together, let’s sport!

FIND IT • City Management, www.dbcommunity.hk • DB Pirates, www.dbpirates.com • Lantau Boat Club, www.lantauboatclub.com

www.arounddb.com January 2021

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SUCCESS STORY

Entrepreneur of the month

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Gill Welgemoed, owner of Embody

Photo by Baljit Gidwani – www.evoqueportraits.com

mbody is a Pilates, Barre, Yoga and Zumba studio in DB Plaza,

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offering a personalised service through small group and private sessions. In addition to a fabulous array of classes for adults, we provide lots of classes for kids – Yoga, Bounce DanceFit and a combo of Bounce DanceFit and Zumba. My youngest clients are four years old. ֎ Embody was founded in 2008 so it was already wellestablished when I bought it in September 2020. This explains a lot of our success to date –and I have high hopes for the future. ֎ One of the special things about Embody is that all our Pilates instructors are Stott-trained, and each of us has a wealth of knowledge in various fields, including injury prevention, rehabilitation and Pilates for cancer warriors. ֎ What I love most about my business is that I will never stop learning. There are always new teaching techniques and methods to discover. Apart from that, it is so satisfying watching clients get stronger, recover from injuries and see the positive changes in their bodies. ֎ My advice for someone looking to start up a business is to be brave! ֎ To succeed in business, you need to be adaptable and have a sense of humour. ֎ The greatest challenge I’ve faced is navigating the ever-changing COVID-19 regulations. Having long periods of shutdown and suddenly having to adapt to teaching online classes has been a sharp learning curve. ֎ My greatest achievement is owning my own studio in Discovery Bay. That, and crossing the finish line at a few Ironman 70.3s. ֎ My plan for the future is to keep Embody growing steadily. We recently opened a second studio in DB Plaza; it’s equipped with a top-of-the-range ballet barre for our new BootyBarre classes that will be starting soon. ֎ When hiring staff, I always ask what activities they do for fun outside of work.

Our teachers are the essence of Embody and they love what they do.

They’re professionally trained and qualified in the classes they conduct and it’s an absolute joy to work with such a talented group of people. ֎ The Embody team strives to empower clients by providing them with the tools to take control of their physical health and improve their quality of life. ֎ My favourite social media platform is Instagram because it gives us access to teachers and instructors all over the world. We get to share ideas, and support and encourage each other. ֎ The fitness guru I most admire is Tracey Mallet, founder of BootyBarre. Not only is her business a roaring success, she has also given thousands of instructors the tools to become successful. My team and I recently did some training via Zoom with her, and she was so humble and down to earth. ֎ My personal motto is Keep moving!

FIND IT • Embody, Studios 225 & 211, Block C, DB Plaza, 6624 8712, gill@embody.hk, www.embody.hk January 2021 www.arounddb.com

GIVEAWAYS

HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN PRIZES! Around DB prizes are incredibly easy to get your hands on, and you have until the 10th of the month to apply.

Scan the QR code, or go to www.arounddb.com/giveaways, select the giveaway you want, and enter your details into the online form

WIN A GIFT SET FROM TREE OF JOY CONCEPT TOY SHOP Tree of Joy Concept Toy Shop is offering two readers a gift set (worth HK$599). The Mommy Care Gift Set includes a Skip Hop Five Star Mommy tote bag, Skip Hop stroller organiser, Skip Hop Butterfly Zoo bib and a Skip Hop Silver Lining Cloud Raindrop keyring. The Brilliant Educational Games Gift Set includes a Clementoni Mechanics Lab - Trimaran & Watercraft, a Clementoni Science & Play: Mechanics Laboratory - Hot Rod & Race Truck, an Educational Insights Kanoodle and a classic Rubik’s Cube.

www.treeofjoydb.com

From its new location in DB Plaza shopping arcade (Shop G77), Tree of Joy Concept Toy Shop offers award-winning and planet-friendly toys, gifts and games specially curated for families in Discovery Bay. Check out the shop for a wealth of creative and long-lasting toys and games, and follow Tree of Joy on Instagram and Facebook @treeofjoydb.

Congratulations to last month’s winners Lucy Renault and Richard Crosbie for an Auto Sparkling Water Machine from SodaMagic, and Paul Treanor for a math assessment and month of tuition from Mathnasium

Photos by Terry Chow

PROFILE

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January 2021 www.arounddb.com

May I speak to the manager?

Hospitality pro Sander Looijen is starting the year on a high note at the new Tung Chung Sheraton – he tells Elizabeth Kerr just what that entails

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even days after Sander Looijen threw open the doors on the shiny new Sheraton in Tung Chung, he was feeling pretty chuffed – even with a fresh government ban on on-site restaurant dining roughly 60 hours away. Despite a pandemic that has crippled the hospitality industry, opening week (in December) went well. “Very well, considering the situation we’re opening in isn’t ideal,” he states. “The restaurants have been very busy. The comments are great. We’re off to a great start.”

of us have at some point these past months. But he’s ready; this isn’t Sander’s first rodeo. The Tung Chung property is his second AsiaPacific launch in a career that’s so far spanned at least five countries.

The first was in China at the end of 2008. At the height of the Global Financial Crisis. “Oh, that was another challenge,” he chortles.

As the Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel’s cluster general manager, Sander is keeping several dozen spinning plates in the air. Not only is he tasked with making sure the hotel observes a battery of biosecurity measures – which he’d also like to see the hotel exceed – he’s managing over 200 rooms in a multinational asset that has been positioning itself to cater to a robust air industry, and ideally spill over from Hong Kong’s equally robust convention sector.

Yeah, about that.

Hot hotelier

“It’s a unique situation and there’s nothing to compare it to,” he says.

“We have an airport hotel next to an airport that’s closed.” He shakes his head disbelievingly, like most

As if that weren’t enough, Sander relocated to Hong Kong, to Discovery Bay to be exact, to steer the new Sheraton last August. He has incredible timing.

Tall and lean, Sander exudes an unflappable Beneluxian calm.

He’s approachable, and quick to chuckle behind his face mask.

He lingers in the hotel lobby, unperturbed at the prospect of this interview – a task many bosses would consider beneath them.

An exciting new destination for leisure and business travellers, the hotel, the second Sheraton in Hong Kong, is also positioning itself as a neighbourhood hotspot – a vast community hub of restaurants, bars and shops. And Sander clearly knows every inch of the building inside and out. Mention the cocktails at the Sunset Grill (and

you will, they’re delicious) and he perks up. “Did you try the gin and tonic, with the champagne foam?”

He gives full credit to bartender Klein before nodding proudly when I applaud Chinese restaurant Yue’s creative, citrus-inflected hargau.

“That’s what we hire for: personality,” Sander says. “Experience is one thing but personality is important.

And to be fair creativity goes with personality.” Sander’s hands-on, but not a micro-manager, and he encourages experimentation. “I’d rather people tried 100 things and failed 90 times than try five and succeed each time. Failure is part of the learning and communication process. I’ve failed many times.” It’s easy to see why the staff love him.

A life in hotels The Nijmegen, Netherlands, native discovered a calling in hospitality in his teens, when part-time work as a steward in local restaurants led to a gig as a junior waiter and the realisation that he actually liked doing it. “I enjoyed it. I enjoyed interacting with guests. I enjoyed making people feel at home,” he recalls, agreeing it’s not a career you stumble into.

Mention unreasonable complaints  that make the job look tough

www.arounddb.com January 2021

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PROFILE

and Sander argues there’s value in those complaints. “Our most critical guests help us get better; they make us who we are,” he says.

From Nijmegen it was off to study hotel management at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences in Maastricht at 19, and shortly thereafter work in Van der Valk hotels and restaurants – first at home, then in London and then in Shanghai. He toggled back and forth between Europe and Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai (again) before the debate was settled in his own mind: Asia was the endgame, and in 2004 he stopped toggling.

Along the way Sander met a fellow hospitality pro who would become his wife: Ligia.

Sander’s spent the last few years at the Renaissance in Phuket and when the opportunity to open the ambitious new Hong Kong location came up, he jumped at the chance. In addition to the waterfront Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Hong Kong, Tung Chung will add another 1,000 rooms when it opens early this year. And it will mark Marriott International’s first dual-branded hotel opening in Hong Kong.

Many would have steered clear of the city last year, but Sander didn’t hesitate. In part because he finds Hong Kong “amazing.”

“We all know what was going on in August, but I still think Hong Kong’s safe, and I love it. There are few places in the world that are so versatile – with a world-class shopping mall a 10-minute taxi ride from a beautiful hike. I can go to beaches, the food is amazing.

Everything you need is here.”

After 11 hotels, three brands and varying price points, the challenge of shifting expectations and

to move here. “To be honest I wasn’t that familiar with Lantau, but we’ve enjoyed it tremendously.

There are beaches all around, the people are friendly, there are great restaurants. We hike, it’s a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and from DB it’s a few minutes to IFC. It’s great.”

Sander Looijen at the new Sheraton

working in a new country are still where the pleasures come from.

“That’s where you really get to know a culture,” he says. “I was in Thailand for three-and-a-half years, and it requires a completely different management style than Hong Kong, and switching between them isn’t always easy.”

At home in Lantau After earlier stints spent in Wanchai and Happy Valley, when the Looijens made their most recent move back to the SAR it was to Discovery Bay. In addition to Sander and Japanese-Brazilian Ligia, the family now includes two Hong Kong-born Discovery Bay International School students aged six and seven, and a two-year-old born in Thailand. For the record, 47 passports aren’t stuffed in a drawer somewhere, but Sander is quick to recognise his family’s cosmopolitanism. He describes his brood as “world citizens.”

Sander admits DB’s proximity to the hotel factored into the decision

DB was ultimately a short stop: all five Looijens shifted to an apartment on the hotel site at its opening. And life at the Sheraton suits them. Sander says he’s well able to switch off while on family time. Date nights tend to take him off the premises, however.

“Dining in my own hotels is something Ligia does not prefer,” he admits with a smile. “I have to take the seat facing the wall or else I’ll be paying attention to the restaurant.”

Sander is going to get to know Lantau – and his Tung Chung neighbours – a whole lot better, very soon. The plan was always for Sander and the Sheraton to engage with the local community, and so far residents have responded in kind, particularly to the restaurants.

A series of package stays (including the food-based Saveur) will take advantage of the local heritage, hiking trails and nearby bee farm (Klein uses its honey in the Honey Bourbon Old Fashioned at Sunset Grill), while observing health and hygiene protocols with some above-and-beyond technology.

If government regulations remain in place into 2021, the next few months are going to be a complicated time for Sander, but he’s confident he and his crew will be able to smooth out any snags that arise – and ensure guests a memorable visit, no matter what they do. And if there is a fire to put out, never fear Sander is close by.

Find more local heroes @ www.arounddb.com

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January 2021 www.arounddb.com

Contact an Expert: (852) 5803 0052 TOJ_AroundDB.pdf | rentokil.com/hk 1 21/10/2020| initial.com/hk 11:48 AM

~ J.H Pilates

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5205 3736 Embody Studio Plaza Lane, Room 225 Discovery Bay

IN FOCUS

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Photos by Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com & courtesy of Marie Swarbreck

2021

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The pandemic has given many of us the time to take stock and think about where we are in our lives and whether our careers are making us happy. Elizabeth Jerabek sits down with three Lantau-based coaches to find out what it takes to make a change January 2021 www.arounddb.com

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any of us have just made resolutions to improve some aspect of our lives in the year ahead. From finding better work-life balance, to retraining to pursue a new job opportunity, to finally getting that long-awaited promotion, the 12 months ahead are full of possibilities. So what’s the best way to make those career changes a reality? Is 2021 your year to finally get some advice from a career coach?

“A career coach is a third party who cares about your success and happiness – and can bring active listening and questioning techniques that will help you see deep inside yourself in ways that you could not do alone,” opens DB resident and leadership and wellness coach Adrian Stones, founder of Zenshin Coaching.

“Think of a coach as someone helping you to stay open, honest and motivated. A coach is there to help you take real action using insights that they can help you discover about yourself.”

Get the right mindset For DB resident Tannistha Chatterjee, a master practitioner and transformational coach in neurolinguistic programming, and the founder of Dazzle Inside, the first step for anyone looking for new career opportunities in 2021 is to get in a mindset where you are truly ready to go after what you want.

“Making a major change can seem overwhelming because your mind protects you from impulses that could challenge your status quo, which keeps you trapped in your comfort zone,” Tannistha says.

“In order for you to escape, set positive goals and make timelinebased, bite-sized action plans.

Know that it takes less energy to push on to the next step than it does to hesitate and hold back.

Each step forward is a choice in itself. Similarly, choosing not to try

Marie Swarbreck, founder of FLEXImums

Adrian Stones, founder of Zenshin Coaching

is also a choice and is induced by self-doubt.

“Ask yourself: ‘What is it that I want?’ Next: ‘What are the measures that I could take to reach my desire?’ Journal every possible action that could be taken towards your desire, followed by how, by when, and with whom. This simple act energises you with positivity.”

Tannistha is quick to point out that healthy coping mechanisms, like regular exercise and meditation, can help you stay on track and achieve your goals.

“It’s also important to journal all your possible strengths, every small to large accomplishment on your journey so far – and journal your current stressors,” she says. “Each time you feel negative emotions, consciously redirect yourself towards positive self-talk and affirmations instead.

Most importantly, be kind and compassionate to yourself because you deserve it.”

Being kind to yourself includes eradicating any unhealthy habits that could be sabotaging your success. “Be mindful if you’re

Tannistha Chatterjee, founder of Dazzle Inside

sulking, self-blaming, not sleeping or eating well, or venting your stress on others,’ says Tannistha.

“First, be aware; second, pause and reflect; third, redirect yourself consciously.”

Tannistha’s last piece of advice?

Don’t be afraid to fail. “‘It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce that counts,’” she says.

“A good way to be resilient is to quickly assess what went wrong, translate that into learnings, project those learnings into the future and put them to good use.

“Rejection shouldn’t lead you to automatically question your capabilities,” she concludes. “A few non-successes don’t make you a universal failure. It’s the meaning that we attach to any event, more than the event itself, which makes it significant.”

Get support Adrian agrees that anyone making  a career change will likely face

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IN FOCUS

setbacks, and he stresses how important it is to have a support system in place. “Talk to your network – family and friends sometimes know you better than you know yourself and they will support you through this transition,” he says. “There will be ups and downs – and this is not something you want to do alone.

to a 2019 Wharton study which revealed that the average age of high-growth US entrepreneurs was 45. “The same study indicated that a 50-year-old founder is 1.8 times more likely to be successful than a 30-something founder,” he says.

“Why? It comes down to your work and life experience – and transferable skills.”

“Ask for introductions through shared connections,” Adrian adds.

“Talk to people you know who are doing what you are interested in and ask them what it is like to do that every day. Look for people – not a new job – on LinkedIn.”

Get with the times

It’s clear that advice from people already working in the field you are interested in will help you make informed decisions about your future. And Adrian stresses how important it is to ask yourself whether the career path you are considering will bring you longterm personal happiness. “Imagine yourself retired, when your professional identity fades into the past. What kind of person will be left then? For you, what would a life well-led look like?”

“Now, more than ever, it’s about standing out from the crowd, making sure you have a strong CV, cover letter and LinkedIn page, as well as being confident when presenting yourself,” opens Marie Swarbreck, Cheung Sha resident and founder of FLEXImums, a recruitment and diversity and inclusion consultancy specialising in supporting female talent looking to re-enter the workforce or change jobs for a better work-life balance.

Emphasising the importance of digging deep and recognising your own potential, Adrian says it’s your personal strengths – “the closest thing any of us will ever come to having superpowers” – that will get you where you want to go. He says it’s also essential that you acknowledge the relevance of your previous experience, and how it can still be an asset even if you are changing careers. “You are never really starting over again from scratch. Your career to date and your life experiences are invaluable assets you bring to any new challenge.”

Adamant that marketable skills only increase with age, Adrian points

Of course, anyone seeking new job opportunities in 2021, needs to be aware that the pandemic has affected the recruiting process for both candidates and employers.

“We have seen virtual interviews becoming a new normal to the point where employers are hiring candidates, based in Hong Kong, they have never met in person,” Marie adds. “One of the advantages of virtual, of doing the interview from the comfort of your own home, is that you can practice in front of your screen and record it – adjust your posture, the angle of your screen and work on your body language.

“When you walk into an office, the interviewer forms an opinion about you within seconds, often before you’ve even said anything.

In a virtual interview, you have the advantage of being heard first so take advantage of that and prepare an opening, an introduction and have a first question ready.

When being interviewed virtually, it is a lot easier to influence the interview flow.”

Marie also stresses that the way you close an interview is as important as the opening. “Make sure you have a brief summary prepared or a final question,” she says. “Keep track of time, thank them at the end, and do not relax until you have turned off the camera and left the call – doublecheck!”

Marie is full of encouragement for anyone looking to make the flexible work arrangements from 2020 more permanent. “If I were to go for an interview today, I would feel a lot more confident about bringing up flexible working, as everyone is doing it and it is no longer taboo. If the employer says, ‘We are all back in the office and hope to keep it that way,’ I think you know what kind of company and possibly employer he/ she might be. But it’s still worth bringing it up as, at that point, you have little to lose if flexibility is key to you.”

“Change is happening,” Marie concludes. “Company cultures are becoming more agile and flexible, and diversity and inclusion initiatives have become a priority.”

FIND IT • Dazzle Inside, www.dazzleinside.com • FLEXImums, www.fleximums.com • Zenshin Coaching, www.zenshin-coaching.com

Find more topical local topics @ www.arounddb.com

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January 2021 www.arounddb.com

Let’s together put up with the rain, so we can wait to see the rainbow.

How can I help?

1. Stress/ Anxiety/ Depression/ Emotions Management 2. Overcome Set-backs 3. Deal with Limiting Habits 4. Regain Inner-Power & Motivation 5. Chase Life Goals with Clear Action Plans 6. Resolve Self-esteem & Self-image Issues 7. Overcome Creative Blocks 8. Time & Priorities Management 9. Overcome Public Speaking Difficulties 10. Customised Group Sessions — Corporates/ Educational Institutions

Happy to catch-up for a 30minutes No-obligation Consultation Session (By appointment only) About Tannistha Certified Master Practitioner and Transformational Coach in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) working with clients across the globe to maximize personal and professional potentials.

Accredited By — International NLP Center (California, USA), International NLP Association (Australia), International Coach Federation (ICF).

+852 6103 9636

tannistha@dazzleinside.com www.dazzleinside.com

EDUCATION

BRIGHT FUTURES Photos courtesy of unsplash.com; source www.weforum.org

The skills teens need to develop in order to excel in the workplace post-COVID may not be the ones they learn in university. Dorothy Veitch reports

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iving in Discovery Bay has fantastic advantages for teens. Young people growing up here acquire an international set of friends, excellent schooling, exposure to different cultures and, until very recently, amazing travel opportunities. As parents, we make every effort to prepare our ‘kids’ for life ahead. Before they fly the nest, we teach them to cook simple meals, use a washing machine, budget a monthly allowance – and to be both compassionate and resilient. But are we doing enough to ensure their future employability in a post-COVID world?

With the pandemic causing a projected loss of 195 million jobs,

along with dismaying interruptions to education, preparing young people to earn and thrive when they enter the world of work requires our immediate attention.

Sought-after skills The world we live and work in is increasingly volatile, uncertain and ambiguous. Our children are likely to enjoy longer life spans and working lives, very different work opportunities and more career changes. The World Economic Forum predicts that more than 1 billion jobs, almost one-third of all jobs worldwide, will be transformed by technology in the next decade.

Young people will need a highly specific skills set to respond to this

January 2021 www.arounddb.com

reality with the ingenuity to earn an income.

Traditional ‘hard’ skills, like writing, mathematics and science, continue to have a place in the worlds of academia and of work, but employers are increasingly focused on ‘soft skills’ that are applicable across multiple disciplines and careers. Soft skills include the ability to communicate well and adapt to changing circumstances, and the willingness to learn through experience, problem-solve and think entrepreneurially.

The top five employment skills identified by The World Economic Forum as being most in demand by 2021 are complex problem solving,

critical thinking, creativity, people management and coordinating with others. The top three skills are considered absolutely essential for all teenagers to cultivate. Creativity, now considered the third most important job skill, has jumped from tenth place in 2015. Emotional intelligence and cognitive thinking did not make the top 10 ranking in 2015, they now place sixth and tenth respectively.

New ways of learning This changing environment calls for a transformation in how we think about learning. Young people must ‘learn to learn’ in order to develop the abilities required to gain new skills and adapt, which will help them secure work opportunities.

They must also ‘learn to discern’ between reliable information and that which is false or misleading.

Skill #1: Learn to learn: To participate and thrive in a rapidly evolving world, young people must become power learners.

Learning to learn helps them rapidly gain skills and knowledge to adapt to changes and succeed.

This skill is particularly important as the COVID-19 pandemic causes dramatic shifts in the work opportunities available.

When it comes to learning performance, 40% is due to metacognition – organising and guiding one’s own learning processes, thinking and actions – but most teaching methods do not prioritise these skills as myths persist that learning relies on innate intelligence, rather than on developing skills and habits.

Students need to be encouraged to take charge of their learning journey by applying a growth mindset which strengthens their agility and openness to learning.

This helps them guide their own learning and translate this knowledge into action.

Soft skills include the ability to communicate well with others

Skill #2 Learn to discern: Bombarded by information, young people must have the skills to identify and resist manipulative content, in addition to the selfbelief to call out misinformation when they see it. Learning to discern sets teens up to become resourceful employees, leaders and entrepreneurs.

During the pandemic, perhaps as never before, young people are weighing information, including misleading information about health risks, to make decisions about their futures. Inability to recognise disinformation and misinformation can negatively impact real-life decisions and actions, target emotional triggers and feed confirmation bias. When young people receive information, they need to have the healthy information engagement skills to check those sources before spreading the information or pursuing opportunities.

The secret of success In addition to becoming power learners and discerning thinkers, young people need to cultivate

entrepreneurial mindsets. Exposure to reflective practice and problembased learning will help them achieve this, and become better able to identify earning opportunities.

Reflective practice is a teaching method that prioritises time for critical reflection. Young people need to be given opportunities to pause and reflect on their progress towards learning goals, and on their ability to apply skills learnt.

Teens need to be given the opportunity to learn new concepts and skills over time through practice. Authentic learning takes place gradually, rather than at one discernible point in a curriculum or training programme. Young people with access to enabling conditions for learning – including critical reflection, feedback and support from peers – can develop the values, habits and self-reliance to become power learners.

Problem-based learning sees teens engaged in solving relevant, real-world problems, and building a can-do attitude in the process.

Real-world projects have the added  benefits of providing concrete work-

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EDUCATION

World Economic Forum’s TOP 10 EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS 2021

2015

1 Complex problem solving

1 Complex problem solving

2 Critical thinking

2 Coordinating with others

3 Creativity

3 People management

4 People management

4 Critical thinking

5 Coordinating with others

5 Negotiation

6 Emotional intelligence

6 Quality control

7 Judgement and decision making

7 Service orientation

8 Service orientation

8 Judgement and decision making

9 Negotiation

9 Active listening

10 Cognitive flexibility

10 Creativity

related experiences and building networks, which can help young people develop entrepreneurial mindsets to overcome barriers to earning and employment.

Beyond the classroom Many of us spent the first third of our lives acquiring the college degrees we needed to find jobs.

These degrees are the stamps on our professional passports that pave the way for the remaining two-thirds of our journey. This implies that the nature of our work, along with the skills and knowledge required to execute it, remains unchanged for a lifetime – which of course is no longer true.

Our children can expect to have many different jobs and careers throughout their professional lives – perhaps even at the same time, with the maturing of the gig economy. Arguably then, the future of work will not be about college degrees; it will be about job skills.

Finding the right people with the right skills and mindset is a serious challenge for any enterprise. Using a four-year degree as a proxy for employability means relying on talent with potentially redundant skills rather than lifelong learners with ever-relevant skills. If we shift our focus from degrees to skills, we’ll enable a bigger more diverse workforce, and we will help close the all too familiar opportunity and employment gaps. This will mean transitioning to a skills-based education and employment infrastructure that embraces not just credentials and certification but fitness-for-job and employment as outcomes.

In recent years, many corporation giants, including Ernst & Young, Google and IBM, have embraced this kind of thinking and have increased hiring from alternate talent pools. Several more are investing in continuous learning for the workforce.

Others, like Infosys, following COVID-19, have already created

free, online platforms to provide job training and apprenticeship opportunities for job-seekers and to connect them with employers offering them new work streams and career pathways.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Jobs of Tomorrow report (2020), we can expect a rapid influx of roles at the forefront of the data and AI economy, as well as new roles in engineering, cloud computing and product development.

Emerging professions also reflect the continuing importance of human interaction in the new economy, giving rise to greater demand for care economy jobs, and people-oriented roles in marketing, sales and content production. These jobs need talent with relevant skills, and importantly these skills can be learnt either through apprenticeship programmes or on the job by those without college degrees.

Find more on education @ www.arounddb.com

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January 2021 www.arounddb.com

HELPLINE

Financial advice for migrant domestic workers from the team at Enrich HK!

Photo courtesy of Enrich HK

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he new year is finally here and we could not be more thrilled! Let’s face it, 2020 was tough on us all. Many of you will have missed celebrating the holidays with loved ones at home. And you might have had more financial pressures – maybe you needed to take out a loan or maybe you had to start sending home a bigger remittance to support your family.

But the new year brings with it renewed hope for better times to come – it’s a good opportunity to tackle your finances with a clean slate. This month, we look at how to set up good financial intentions

and habits for the year, so that you’re prepared to meet any challenges that come your way.

Let’s dive in!

You want to start the year right and manage your finances better in 2021. How or where do you begin?

if they’re too scary you might not want to achieve them! So set some resolutions which are simple, and some which are a little more ambitious; write them down and hang them somewhere you will see them daily. Financial resolutions will be different for each person, but here are some which we think are important.

It’s great that you want to improve your finances in 2021, and setting those intentions is exactly where to begin. Just as you set New Year’s resolutions, let’s think of some ‘financial resolutions’ that you can commit to. These don’t have to be very complicated – in fact

#1 “I will stop avoiding my finances.” Start off the new year by doing a ‘financial cleanse.’

Reflect back on what you did last year: What did you spend on?

What did you overspend on? What did you need to borrow money for? How is your financial health

Make some financial resolutions

January 2021 www.arounddb.com

interest rate? Plan in advance, so that you can reserve your loan payments from your monthly salary. Learn how to allocate your salary each month and plan your overall expenses, so that you’re not stuck always needing a loan. #3 “I will say no when I need to.” Due to the pandemic, you might be sending home a higher remittance amount to your family, but that doesn’t mean you have to agree to all financial requests from them. Distinguish between their ‘needs’ (e.g. groceries, medical expenses and school fees) and ‘wants’ (e.g. new clothes, gadgets and homeware). Start to say a kind but firm ‘no’ to the ‘wants.’ And, if you’re already sending a higher remittance home, make sure you review it on a monthly or weekly basis and reduce it when your family is in a better position.

at this very moment? Get a clear idea of your total savings, your investments and your debts too.

If you’ve been avoiding thinking about your finances ask yourself: Is it harder to face my finances now, or to deal with them in the future when it could be too late?

If you feel overwhelmed, consider investing your time in financial education so you can learn how to budget, allocate your money and save. It’s not difficult, and it will benefit you for years to come. #2 “I will get out of debt this year.”

Do you find yourself always in a cycle of debt? Well, it’s time to change that. Yes, it’s easier said than done, but with planning, focus and determination, you can make it happen! Prioritise your debts to see which need to be paid first: Which has the closest due date? Which has the highest

#4 “I will put my savings in ‘automatic mode.’” Figure out a fixed amount which you can set aside for your monthly savings. At the start of each month, allocate that money immediately. How nice would it be to know that every month, you will definitely save HK$1,000?

uncertainties in 2021, especially health-related expenses. What can you do?

If you’ve struggled in 2020, then 2021 is the year to focus on recovery and on building financial resilience. To start with, we cannot stress enough the importance of an emergency fund. Every month, set aside a fixed amount that you can use for a rainy day, and don’t tap into this fund unless you really, really need to (e.g. for a medical emergency).

Look into medical insurance for yourself and your family. Before agreeing to any insurance plan though, make sure you do your research. Shop around, and consider options provided by government bodies and private companies, based on your families’ needs and budget. Most importantly, do not sign anything you do not understand.

Plan for a rainy day

Lastly, remember to put your own mask on first, this year, by which we mean prioritise the needs of yourself and your immediate family before others. You might have to say ‘no’ to financial requests from extended family or friends. It sounds tough, but it’s a necessary step towards financial recovery.

You had a lot of unexpected expenses in 2020, and you want to be more prepared for financial

From the Enrich team, we wish happiness, health and hope for you and your loved ones in 2021.

Enrich HK is an award-winning Hong Kong charity providing financial and empowerment education to migrant domestic workers. For a free, confidential one-to-one financial counselling session and to learn about the courses on offer, visit www. enrichhk.org. If you have a question you would like to have answered on this page, email info@enrichhk.org.

Find more advice from Enrich HK @ www.arounddb.com www.arounddb.com January 2021

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GEOMANCY

FENG SHUI: The bathroom Bathrooms are a drain on a home no matter where they are located, so you need to take special care of their energy… and always keep the loo seat down. Samantha Wong reports

T Photos courtesy of unsplash.com

alk to any feng master and you will find they give bathrooms a bad rap. By their very nature, bathrooms can easily create, as well as store si chi (negative energy). What’s more, all that flushing and draining can provide a strain on a household both financially and emotionally – unless you get the feng shui right.

While it’s true that bathrooms present many feng shui challenges, it would be a huge mistake to decide to ignore them. Rather, you need to keep a constant eye on their energy in order to keep the overall energy of your home fresh, stable and harmonious. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple things you can do to achieve this.

Controlling the water energy Bathrooms do tend to accumulate lower vibrations and leak si chi, so you need to cleanse them regularly. Space clearing – clearing a space on an energy level – is not a traditional feng shui application but most practitioners now recommend it. From smudging with sage to burning essential oils or lighting incense sticks, there are numerous ways to clear a space. The trick is to experiment and find what works for you. You’ll want to cleanse the energy in your bathroom at least once a week, so find an easy solution that you enjoy doing.

Any lack of order or cleanliness will quickly double, if not triple the

si chi in your bathroom so be sure to keep it clean and tidy. Aim for a pared-back, clutter-free look but, if you do have a busy bathroom, then make it a priority to invest in some clever closed storage solutions. Feng shui sees the bathroom (along with the kitchen and bedroom) as connected to your well-being – decoratively speaking, the look you want is Zen. In addition to being sparkling clean and well-ordered, the bathroom needs to be well-lit and wellventilated. These are the basics of good feng shui in any room, so don’t overlook them.

When decorating a bathroom, you need to pay particularly  close attention to balancing the

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GEOMANCY

Decoratively speaking, the look you want is Zen

elements. Bathrooms have an overly strong Water energy, so avoid the Water feng shui colours (blue and black) and images with a strong presence of water (ocean, lakes, waterfalls) – these details will only strengthen the energy that you want to keep under control.

Mirrors bring in additional Water energy, so limit their use as much as you can. Include touches of white for purity and cleanliness, and add a touch or two of green (even if it’s a plant) to signify new growth and new beginnings.

You need to make a special effort to strengthen the Metal energy in your bathroom since water is tough on metal. The easiest way to do this is by decorating with Metal feng shui colours (white and grey).

You can also deck your bathroom out in light yellow and sandy Earth colours since Earth strengthens Metal and weakens Water in the relationship of the five feng shui elements.

Of course, water also douses fire, so you need to boost the Fire element in your bathroom decor.

Fail to do so and you’ll likely find your finances or your reputation drowning. One quick fix is to display nine red candles in your

bathroom – nine symbolises fame and red adds Fire.

Bathroom locations If you’re familiar with feng shui or have been reading this column for the past few months, you’ll know where your bathroom is located within the bagua (the feng shui map of your home). Every area of the bagua represents a different aspect of your life, including family, career, health, wealth, and travel, and it’s important to know that bathrooms sap energy from the area in which they are positioned.

This can cause real issues, particularly if your bathroom is located in the money area of your home. With drains and flushing water in your centre of wealth, there is the potential for your money to go down the drain.

What’s the solution? Bamboo is a good feng shui cure for wealth and abundance, so place eight stems in your bathroom. You can also display a bowl of moneygenerating crystals – ideally citrine, pyrite, amethyst and jade.

Last but not least, always keep the toilet seat down. This will minimise the problem of energy leakage in any bathroom.

Challenging bathroom dilemmas don’t begin and end with the bagua, however. Bathrooms will always have a draining energy on a home, no matter where they are located. Fortunately, there are feng shui solutions you can implement to neutralise the negative impact of any bathroom location.

You need to take particular care if your bathroom door is directly aligned with another door. Chi, like water, can rush very fast through two or more directly aligned doors without slowing down to nourish the space between. So, you need to find a way to redirect the path of energy and prevent it from flowing directly into your bathroom. It goes without saying that you should always keep the bathroom door closed (no matter what it faces).

Another simple solution? Hang a mirror outside the bathroom door.

This works wherever your bathroom is located – the mirror pushes incoming energy away from the bathroom, preventing it from being flushed or drained away.

Bathrooms do have a bad reputation in feng shui, this is a fact.

But with a bit of extra effort, it’s easy enough to transform their draining energy into one that heals.

Find more on feng shui @ www.arounddb.com

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January 2021 www.arounddb.com

INSIDER

Photos by Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com

Healing from the

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inside out

If 2021 is your year to finally get serious about your health, Sonal Kulkarni says fasting is the way forward

January 2021 www.arounddb.com

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asting isn’t just a dramatic weight loss strategy or a hack that bodybuilders use to lose fat quickly while maintaining lean muscle mass. It is the world’s most ancient and natural healing mechanism; at its best it triggers a truly wonderful cleansing process that reaches right down to each and every cell and tissue in the body.

Fasting, if you do it for long enough, triggers autophagy – from the Ancient Greek meaning self-devouring. And that’s a good thing. Autophagy is the natural, regulated mechanism of the cell that removes unnecessary or dysfunctional components.

It allows the orderly degradation and recycling of cellular components.

It’s something our bodies do naturally but arguably not often enough.

By fasting we are asking our bodies to be much more efficient and self-protective than they are accustomed to being. Fasting helps every system in the body to function smoothly and it provides an opportunity for the body to heal and repair itself. Fasting is done to store energy utilised in the digestion process, as well as to remove toxins from the body.

Types of fasting Fasting can mean total or partial abstinence from food. Medical advice generally suggests anywhere from 24 hours to three days as the maximum time to fast.

When you fast, you’re allowed to drink as much water as you like.

If you’re thinking about fasting for the first time, it’s advisable to seek expert guidance and supervision from your doctor. Fasting isn’t for everyone – you certainly can’t fast if you’re pregnant, insulindependent or an alcoholic, or if you have diabetes or anaemia. Be sure to check with your doctor first.

For beginners, the easiest option is to fast for between four and eight hours during the day and then in the evening for 12 to 16 hours until morning. As a way in, you might decide to fast in the mornings from 6am to 1pm, and again in the evenings from 4pm to 10pm.

Popular ‘intermittent fasting’ regimens range from ingesting few if any calories all day every other day or several times a week, to fasting for 16 hours or more every day. Many people will experience hunger, irritability and a reduced ability to concentrate during periods of food restrictions.

However, these side effects usually disappear within a month.

Less hardcore fasts include the ‘one item fast’ – eating only one type of food, such as rice, for much of the day; the ‘liquid fast’ – drinking fruit juice and milk as you fast; and the ‘fruit fast,’ which allows you to eat fruit during your fast.

The fasting process From the onset, it’s important to recognise that the lifestyle implications of a poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, lack of sleep, and alcohol or drug use cannot simply be flushed or purged away.

But a fast can help cleanse your body, and allow you to jump-start a healthier lifestyle.

Before you fast, you need to make sure that you are prepared both physically and mentally. In the fortnight preceding your fast, try to relax and get plenty of sleep.

Drink lots of liquid and take some moderate exercise. Reduce your intake of all addictive substances and start to exclude certain foods, like red meat, dairy and refined carbohydrates.

Committing to fasting helps you reassess your diet, and become better informed about healthful

eating. Many people find that their tastes change for the good and their old cravings disappear after a fast. Going forward, you may find that you do not need to eat as much, and that you feel more satisfied with healthy choices.

When you break your fast, start with raw foods – fruit and vegetable juices and salads – before switching to ‘normal’ cooked meals. Your diet after fasting should include 40% carbohydrates, 30% fruit vegetables and 30% pulses, plus plenty of leafy greens.

Post-fast, you will find that you have a clean taste in your mouth, sweet breath and a clear tongue.

Your urine will be clear. You’ll feel fresh, your eyes will sparkle and you’ll be full of energy.

Fasting and autophagy When talking about fasting, it’s important to focus on autophagy – the natural ‘self-devouring’ process mentioned earlier that fasting triggers.

The human body contains trillions of cells, and over time, as they age, unwanted molecules build up inside them. When we fast, the body does not have its usual access to glucose, forcing the cells to resort to other means and materials to produce energy.

During a long fast, insulin drops and this raises glucagon, which in turn stimulates autophagy – cells start to heal themselves, removing and recycling any unwanted molecules and dysfunctional parts. This process of cellular housekeeping is crucial for cellular quality control – not only does it rejuvenate cells it enables them to absorb nutrients more easily.

Defects in autophagy have been linked to various diseases, including neurodegeneration and cancer, and interest in modulating autophagy  as a potential treatment for these

www.arounddb.com January 2021

37

INSIDER

diseases is growing rapidly. Recent studies of intermittent fasting have found that it improves such disease indicators as insulin resistance, blood fat abnormalities, high blood pressure and inflammation, even independently of weight loss. In patients with multiple sclerosis, intermittent fasting reduced symptoms in just two months, a research team in Baltimore reported in 2018.

Consider that in nature, when animals get sick, they stop eating.

This results in better functioning at a cellular level, which in turn helps their bodies to heal.

The benefits of fasting Fasting has numerous additional benefits. Importantly, it gives the digestive system a rest, while at the same time allowing the body to metabolise food and burn fats more efficiently.

Increased metabolism can, of course, help with weight loss.

Just as importantly, fasting helps to regulate the hormones in your body so that you can experience true hunger. This can be particularly beneficial to people who find it difficult to establish a correct eating pattern due to work and other priorities, and to people with eating disorders.

Medicine practitioners and naturopaths, from Phuket to Sri Lanka, Denpasar to DB, will tell you that fasting is an essential part of any detox. Even a short fast eliminates toxins from your body, and you’ll benefit from flushing them out – regularly Fasting results in increased immunity. It reduces free radical damage, regulates inflammatory conditions and staves off cancer cell formation.

For DB resident Sonal Kulkarni fasting is now a lifestyle

Fasting boosts the body’s production of pro-proteins, which activate neural stem cells to generate new neurons – this results in improved mental clarity, focus and memory. People who fast also experience improved sleep quality.

This is because fasting regulates the body’s production of serotonin and dopamine, the neurotransmitters

that regulate countless functions and processes in the body, from sleep to metabolism.

Last but not least, fasting feeds the soul, making us feel peaceful and content. With a lighter body and clearer mind, we become more aware of and grateful for the things around us.

Find more insider tips @ www.arounddb.com

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January 2021 www.arounddb.com

Relieve Stress, Increase Fitness, Gain Confidence!

Since the initial wave of the Covid-19 pandemic & the restrictions & closures schools & leisure facilities have faced, Koach Errol has been teaching teenagers boxing as a positive way for them to deal with the stress, which would often build up, from their being indoors for much of the day.

Koach Errol is now starting a Boxing Club “It Takes Guts� & will be getting a regular location in time to start training over the Christmas holidays.

To find out more about how to get involved & learn to box

please WhatsApp 6750 7614

RECIPES

Seasonal fruits Starting the new year as you mean to go on, here’s a sweet way to help your family get their five fruits a day Cherry Sorbet Serves 6

• 750g cherries* • 140g caster sugar • 1 lemon, juice only* • ½tsp almond extract • ½tsp salt

Photos courtesy of stock.adobe.com

Destalk, pit and dice the cherries.

Place the cherries and all the other ingredients in a bowl; pour over 300 millilitres of boiling water.

Leave to macerate until cool, then blitz until smooth. Push the purée through a sieve. Clear a shelf in the freezer and place a sided metal tray in to chill. Pour the mix into the tray and cover with clingfilm.

Freeze the liquid until frozen around the edges and slushy in the middle. Use a fork to break up the ice into smaller crystals. Return the tray to the freezer. Repeat the breaking up process every half hour (at least three times) until it’s completely frozen and the texture of snow. Serve with a sprig of mint.

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January 2021 www.arounddb.com

Rhubarb Compote Serves 4

• 100g rhubarb* • 75g brown sugar • 2tsp grated ginger • 1 orange, juice and zest* Heat the oven to 180ºC. Chop the rhubarb into 1-inch pieces.

Place in a bowl and combine with the sugar. Add the ginger (or the grated zest and juice of 1 large orange). Transfer to a shallow baking dish and bake for 30-40 minutes, without covering. Serve with vanilla panna cotta or a dollop of Greek yoghurt. Alternatively, after you have made the compote, whizz it to a purée together with 200 millilitres of Greek yoghurt to make a Rhubarb Fool. Serve with some preserved ginger or a slice  of orange.

Eat The Kiwi delivers fresh, frozen and dried fruit direct to your door www.arounddb.com January 2021

41

RECIPES

Passion Fruit Soufflé Serves 4

• 15g butter, plus extra for greasing* • 75g caster sugar, plus extra for dusting • 4 egg whites* • 6 ripe passion fruits, halved* • 150ml pre-made custard

• Order all the asterisked items and more online at store.eatthekiwi.com

Heat the oven to 180ºC. Grease 4 x 150-millilitre ramekins with butter and dust the insides with caster sugar. Whisk the egg whites in a bowl until stiff. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and whisk until thick.

In a separate bowl, scoop the pulp from 1 passion fruit into the pre-made custard, then fold in the whisked egg white. Spoon the mixture into the prepared ramekins and bake for 15 minutes until risen and golden on top.

While the soufflés are cooking, make the sauce. Scoop the remaining passion fruit pulp into a saucepan, add the remaining sugar and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Add 15 grams of butter and stir until melted. To serve, ask your guests to break a hole in the centre of their soufflés, then pour in the sauce.

Eat The Kiwi is an online grocer sourcing premium goodness direct from New Zealand’s best producers. They deliver to DB on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 12pm and 6pm (order by 10am, Monday/ Wednesday). Delivery is free for orders over HK$1,000, and costs HK$120 for orders under HK$1,000.

Eat The Kiwi delivers fresh, frozen and dried fruit direct to your door

FIND IT

Find more deliciously simple recipes @ www.arounddb.com

42

January 2021 www.arounddb.com

Need professional assistance with your designs and graphics?

From logos, leaflets and company brochures, to book publishing and website creation‌

We can help all businesses

For further enquiries on details of our packages, please contact our Managing Director, Philip Jay, at philip@baymedia.com.hk. www.baymediastudio.com

DB FACES

Snaps COMMUNITY

Photos by Baljit Gidwani www.evoqueportraits.com

Find more familiar DB faces @ www.arounddb.com

Win prizes from Uncle Russ Coffee and The Pier Bar!

Congratulations to last month’s winner: Jessie Leung @akane_photographie

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The best snap wins! Your mission this month is to share your favourite photo of DB on Instagram, hashtag #arounddb. You have until the 10th of the month to enter.

This is your chance to win a complimentary coffee from Uncle Russ, or a beer from The Pier Bar every day for a week. We will contact the winner via Instagram. Good luck!

Uncle Russ Instagram Contest!

January 2021 www.arounddb.com

View local business directories @ www.arounddb.com EMPLOYMENT

HEALTH & WELLBEING

SPORTS

AKASH MOVING & HANDYMAN SERVICES

VR, HYPNOSIS: INDIVIDUAL/ COUPLES THERAPY

PRIVATE MARTIAL ARTS COACHING

• Local packing, moving, storage & handyman services • All kinds of transport services • Inbound shipment clearance • Expecting a shipment from China but no one is delivering to DB or Lantau?

Have it sent to the Akash office in Kwai Chung & delivered to your home

• Virtual-reality programmes for PTSD, addictions, phobias (fear of flying, public speaking, bridges, enclosed spaces, storms) • Couples’ conflicts • Overeating • Career/ relationship stress • Anger management • Nail biting • Exam jitters • Career coaching • Quitting smoking

Dr Melanie Bryan, Psy.D. Clinical Psychologist, ypnotherapist.

Contact 2575 7707, www.mindmatters.hk

Contact 2421 8088, info@akash.hk, www.akash.hk

Hong Kong Limited

Well known in the Hong Kong MMA community, Marc Guyon guides you through your journey to become a martial artist. As a former whitecollar-turned-professional fighter, Marc’s understanding of looking for peak performance in all your occupations & activities is like nothing in Hong Kong.

Contact 9303 2996, marcguyonkungfu@gmail.com, www.marcguyon.com

The finest selection of lavender essestial oils, shampoos, hand creams, Foam Bath, Wildflower & Geranium, body lotions imported from the U.K. Lavender grown and harvested in the Cotswold with no artificial fragrances.

Ginger extract hair serum and herbal teas from Thailand.

A range of branded alcohol hand & body gels.

E-mail: essentialssophia@gmail.com

www.sophiaessentials.com

GUITAR LESSONS

British born Music Composer/Producer-GuitaristVocalist, Steve Gardner is offering Home visit electric or acoustic guitar lessons In DB or Online.

I teach at various International schools in Hong Kong since 1994 and teaching in DB since then as well.

I teach young and old, children or adults, beginner or advanced, whether for a fun hobby or guiding students into university via school curriculum or even to take up guitar as a future profession. With many years experience I teach to the very highest standards in a hands on and friendly manner treating each students individual needs.

6645 3280

www.stevegardnerhk.com music@stevegardnerhk.com

DB PROPERTY FOR RENT L U X U RY A PA R T M E N T S I N S I E N A 2

Spacious 600 square-foot apartments – quiet with sea views over park, near Club Siena & DB Tunnel. Fully furnished with washer/ drier, bed linen, kitchenware, 55” TVs, wi-fi, NOW TV & sound bar. Contact the owner on 9317 0624, nialady2011@gmail.com

If you are looking to rent or sell a property and would like to see it listed on this page, email philip@baymedia.com.hk

trimco Painting Decorating Renovation Cladding Tiling Contact Steve Donovan at 6149 0894 (call or WhatsApp), trimcohk@gmail.com

Clinical Psychology, Counselling, Coaching Services The service scope covers mental and psychological health of children, adolescent, adults and the elderly with home visits. Other specialized services are IQ testing, addictions & behaviour, cognitive impairment, family relationship, parenting, health management, immigration worries & business training workshops.

Contact website at www.changefocus.com.hk or call 9094 2064/ 6110 8778 for appointment

• • • •

3 Hi resolution retouched digital images Private 30-minute studio session Images delivered in 24 hours HK$950.

t. +852 6620 3421 e. info@colsimphotography.com w. www.colsimphotography.com

CLOT HING & ACCESSORIES

FTC Apparel

2428 2566 FOOD, RES TAUR A N T S & BA RS

A Tavola Bar & Grill Airport Izakaya Andante Café Aficionado China Coast Bar & Grill Curry Lounge Dosirak House Essence Restaurant - Novotel Citygate Federal Palace Restaurant Kimos Mansarover Indian Cuisine McDonald’s Delivery Melody Thai Moccato Coffee Shop My Thai Olea Restaurant - Novotel Citygate PizzaExpress Pizza Hut Delivery Regala Café & Dessert Bar Resto Restaurant Rouge - Regal Airport Hotel Skycity Bistro Tung Chung Pizza Zentro Garden

2321 5500 2286 6668 3602 8828 2286 6238 2286 6898 2960 1977 3520 0848 3602 8808 2626 0181 2886 3646 2109 1927 2338 2338 2988 8129 3602 8838 2907 6918 3602 8818 2297 3588 2330 0000 2286 6618 2886 3156 2286 6868 3969 2500 2466 1010 2802 8000

HE A LT H & W EL L BEING Bayside Dental Bon’s Mobile Pet Grooming Essential Health Family Clinic Human Health Medical Centre North Lantau Physiotherapy Tung Chung Animal Clinic Tung Chung Vet Centre Tung Chung Maternal & Child Health Centre Quality Health Dental Quality Health Medical Raffles Medical Rainbow Voice and Soundhealing

2185 6550 9099 9959 2109 9396 2109 2288 2194 0020 2988 1534 2328 7282 3575 8370 2403 6613 2403 6623 2261 2626 5178 5658

SOUTH LANTAU

TUNG CHUNG

LANTAU NUMBERS FOOD, RES TAUR A N T S & BA RS

Bahce - Turkish Restaurant Café Bar Bathers Caffe Paradiso (Tom’s Café) Cafe Isara China Bear Deer Horn Restaurant & Bar Kebab Korner La Pizzeria Lantana Italian Bistro Le Jardin de Sophie Long Island Mucho Gusto Robert’s Market Stoep @ High Tide Restaurant The China Beach Club The Gallery The Kitchen The Water Buffalo Treasure Island Restaurant FI T NESS, SP OR T S & W EL L BEING

Pause by the Banyan South Lantau Paddle Club Thai Palin Massage Thai Sa Baai Treasure Island Group

9708 0187 9688 9112 9062 0148 5228 6552 2546 3543 HOME & REPA IRS

Findley Leung Group Koon Wah Hardware Lee Wo Construction Engineering Man Shun Construction & Engineering New Look Design

2421 8088 2109 2330 9343 3718 2988 1488

HOT EL S

Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel Novotel Citygate Hong Kong Regal Airport Hotel

3969 1888 3602 8888 2286 8888

L E A RNING CEN T RES

Clement Art School Discovery Mind International Play Centre Greenfield International Kindergarten Kidznjoy Sakura Kids Salala Kids House Soundwaves English Education Centre Sun Island Education Foundation Sunshine House International Preschool Tung Chung Catholic School (Yat Tung) YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College

9021 1502 2987 8070 2162 5538 6273 7347 6674 6194 2611 9193 2164 7210 2420 1068 2109 3873 2121 0884 2988 8123

SOCI A L , SP OR T S & EQUIPMEN T

Asia Pacific Soccer Schools Caribbean Coast Club House Coastal Skyline Club House Dance for Joy Edge ’n Pointe Dance Centre Jumping Castles Perun Fitness Seaview Crescent Club House Smash Cricket Sparrow Soccer School Hong Kong Tung Chung Crescent Club House Tung Chung Sports Badminton Union

2385 9677 2109 9277 2179 6678 9264 8597 6688 2167 9662 1747 6443 6597 3473 8700 5400 4109 6051 8196 2403 6770 5703 2947

2984 7225 6810 0111 2985 8383 L E A RNING CEN T RES

Ashville International Kindergarten & Nursery Lantau International Kindergarten Lantau International School Lao Shi Lantau Mandarin lessons Little Lantau Montessori Kindergarten Silvermine Bay School Mui Wo Language Cafe

2109 9886 2984 0302 2980 3676 5197 4647 3689 6709 2984 0006 5511 6107

PROPER T Y AGENCIES

Findley Leung Real Estate Home Solutions Real Estate Proper Trip Real Estate

2984 8334 3483 5003 2984 1666 RE TA IL

Friendly Bike Shop Greenstyle Organic & Healthcare INSIDE Island Wines Lantau Base Camp Lantau Grocer Quay House Red Hall Chinese Antiques Tony’s Salon Value Vigilantes VIBE Book & Music Shop ZenvarA

2984 2278 9802 0553 2890 8606 9521 8481 2983 8428 2702 0050 2882 8710 2988 1368 2984 0990 6132 9120 9088 2370 9586 3459

SERV ICES & OT HERS

Jumping Castles SPCA Miriam Safadi Photography Parteezi Phoenix Wills

9662 1747 2984 0060 5145 0227 6112 9842 6108 8471 T R A NSP OR TAT ION

U T IL I T Y, SERV ICES & E MERGENC Y HOT L INES

Tung Chung Ambulance Depot Tung Chung Fire Station Tung Chung Police Station

2984 8334 2984 8487 2984 1802 2984 9833 9783 5840

HOT EL S

Mui Wo Inn Silvermine Beach Resort Tai O Heritage Hotel

HOME & REPA IRS

Akash Removals Mega Power Engineering/Locksmiths Mr. Chan 24-hours Handyman Shun Yu Engineering

2984 0222 2504 4788 2984 0498 2470 1966 2984 9720 3484 3095 6429 3507 2984 8933 5465 5511 2997 9070 2320 2001 6422 5009 9193 2937 2980 2699 2983 8931 2980 2582 5991 6292 2109 3331 5236 7013

2988 8282 2988 1898 3661 1999

Lee Hing Loong Hon Kee Transportation Company Lantau Tours New Lantao Bus Company

2984 2268 2984 8494 2984 8255 2984 9848

www.arounddb.com January 2021

49

DB NUMBERS COMMUNITY & HEALTH Bayside Dental Practice, North Plaza BMSE, North Plaza DB Alliance Church Community Centre DB Anglican Church DB International Community Church Discovery Bay Medical Centre Health & Care Dental Clinic Herbal Health Care Island Health Island Veterinary Services The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council, North Plaza Trinity Chapel

2987 2259 2987 2987 2987 2987 2666 2834 2987 2987 2259 2987

0855 3422 8136 4210 7061 5633 6183 7276 7575 9003 3422 9909

2987 8460

DAILY NECESSITIES 7-Eleven Convenience Store Fusion by PARKnSHOP Watson’s Pharmacy Wellcome, North Plaza Star Mart, North Plaza

2987 2987 2987 2947 2366

4401 7486 4089 9092 6534

FINANCIAL SERVICES Bank of China HSBC Parsons White Wealth Management The Stephen Putnam Practice

2160 8585 2233 3000 2433 6981 2914 0388

FOOD & BEVERAGE, HOTELS 22º North Auberge Discovery Bay (Hotel), North Plaza Café Bord de Mer & Lounge, North Plaza Caffe Pascucci Cali-Mex, North Plaza Coyote Mexican Cantina Ebeneezer’s Epic Foods, North Plaza Figos Seaside Café First Korean Restaurant Hemingway’s il Bel Paese Island Café Koh Tomyums La Creation & Châteraisé McSorley’s Ale House Mirch Masala, North Plaza Moofish, North Plaza Pacific Coffee Paisano’s, North Plaza Peony Chinese Restaurant PizzaExpress Solera Starbucks DB North Plaza Subway The Pier Bar Three Sheet Marquee Bar Uncle Russ, North Plaza Zak’s

DRS Company Good Luck Engineering Red Velvet Hoi Yu Transportation Hung Kee Co Japan Home Centre May’s furniture & curtain design Rapee-living Rich Point Hardware Materials Tai Fat Hardware Store Wing On Department Store Yours Electrical Centre

9156 0360 2987 1313 9010 5832 2987 4488 2987 5087 2987 1041 2987 0222 2987 7082 2987 0789 2987 0789 2987 9268 2987 4428

LEARNING CENTRES

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES Nomadic

LEARNING CENTRES

HOME

2987 2298 2295 8288 2295 8299 2591 1426 2904 7698 2987 2848 2987 0036 2172 6111 2987 2915 2987 9123 2987 8855 2987 0202 2987 9311 2987 0767 2987 1829 2987 8280 2987 1337 2987 6318 2987 1662 2673 4445 2500 1950 2465 2426 2555 0772 2246 8372 2914 0005 2520 2166 2987 0966 2840 1188 2987 6232

Discovery Montessori School A reputable & well-known international school for authentic Montessori Bilingual (English & Chinese) Education for children aged 1 to 12 years. Beautiful campus & highly qualified teachers (15 years+ experience). Contact 2987 1201, enquiry@dms.edu.hk, www.dms.edu.hk

Future Stars Dance Academy Dance classes based on the ISTD requirements conducted in a fun, disciplined & safe environment. Contact melissa@futurestarsdanceacademy.com, Futurestars Dance Academy Hong Kong Facebook page, Instagram: @futurestarsHk

Island Dance ISTD Freestyle, ISTD Hip Hop, RAD Ballet, tap & Bollywood classes at DBRC, Club Siena & DB Plaza. Five professional instructors, teaching six days a week.

Contact 2987 1571, 9159 0663, info@islanddance.com.hk, www.islanddance.com.hk

Lingostars Limited, North Plaza Providing Mandarin & Korean education.

After-school Mandarin for Year 1-13 and adult Mandarin classes in a communicative and interactive setting at DB North Plaza. Contact 6375-2015, info@lingostarshk.com, www.lingostarshk.com

Little Explorers The longest running playgroup in DB, Little Explorers eases the transition between home play and kindergarten for children, aged 18 months and up. Contact 6331 7215, LittleExplorersDB@gmail.com

Tree of Joy A fun, engaging & supportive environment in which children play & learn. Programmes include drop-off nursery class, parent-toddler class, afternoon camp & a cooking class Contact 9787 2755, info@treeofjoydb.com, www.treeofjoydb.com

Woodentots Woodentots is a Montessori playgroup providing a caring & nurturing environment in DB Plaza. Run by a qualified Montessori teacher for children aged 18 months to 6 years. Contact 6108 9131, woodentotsdb@gmail.com

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January 2021 www.arounddb.com

Bayview House of Children DB International School (Kindergarten) DB International School (Pri / Sec) Discovery College Discovery Mind International Play Centre Discovery Mind Kindergarten Discovery Mind Primary School, North Plaza Discovery Montessori Academy, North Plaza Discovery Montessori School, North Plaza DMR School of Ballet Dr. Bear Education Centre Early Adventures Playgroup Epic Adventurers Eye Level Education Learning Centre Funfit HK International Learning Academy, North Plaza Kumon, North Plaza La Petite Enfance Kindergarten L’Ecole Pierre et Marie Curie Education centre Lingostars Limited, North Plaza Links Parenting, North Plaza Little Explorers English For Kids Mandarin for Munchkins, North Plaza Mathemagic – home tutoring Mathnasium SKH Wei Lun Primary School Treasure House Zhi Zhi Chinese

6114 2914 2987 3969 2987 2987 2914 2812 2987 2987 6762 2987 2441 9366 6302 2416 2459 8191 8191 6375 6114 6331 2480 9135 2628 2987 2987 9648

2436 2142 7331 1000 8088 8088 2202 9206 1201 4338 6264 9644 0098 0000 6327 3198 8808 0813 0813 2015 2436 7215 3909 4724 3362 8608 4217 2966

MULTIMEDIA Bookazine Fotomax (F.E.) Ltd

2987 1373 2914 2378

OTHER SERVICES

Harvey Law Group International law firm offering a wide range of commercial & personal legal services. Meeting facilities available in DB. Contact 2416 8618, dboffice@harveylawcorporation.com, www.harveylawcorporation.com

Martina Stevens Photography Photographer based in Discovery Bay specialising in small and exclusive projects. Newborns, Maternity, Family and Lifestyle photography.Contact 9487 5242, martina@martinastevensphotography.com, www.martinastevensphotography.com Gillian florist, North Plaza Manulife P-Solution The Optical House Well Supreme Laundry Services

2529 9172 2987 2987 2987

8256 9152 1777 1368 5151

DB NUMBERS PETS Mypetshop, North Plaza Pets Gallery Ready, Pet, Go!

TOYS & KIDS’ PARTIES 2987 8873 2987 0428 5721 6181

Bo Bo House Toysland

2987 4230 2987 7859

TRANSPORT SERVICES

PROPERTY LISTINGS EPS Property Consultants Headland Homes Kingsland DB Land Master Property OKAY.COM

2987 2987 2987 2987 2102

2023 2088 2987 6238 0829

DB Golf Cart Services DB Transportation Services Limousine Rental Passenger Telephone Hotline Wiselink Golf Cart Services

2914 2987 5303 2987 2987

2727 7351 3489 0208 9368

UTILITIES, SERVICES & EMERGENCY HOTLINES

SOCIAL, SPORTS & EQUIPMENT 24-hour Customer Service Hotline China Light & Power Emergency China Light & Power Information Line Discovery Bay Commercial Services Discovery Bay Fire & Ambulance Discovery Bay Lost & Found Discovery Bay Management Discovery Bay Office Centre Discovery Bay Post Office Gas Leakage Emergency Hotline Lantau North Report Room North Lantau Hospital San Hing Gas Co Typhoon Signal Enquiries Water Fault Reports Water Supplies Department

HK Dragons Football Club Football for girls & boys aged 2.5 years to 14 years. Contact 2987 4274, dragons.hk

Tekkerz Football programmes for boys and girls for age groups U5 up to U14. Contact 9770 4548, train@tekkerzfootball.com, www.prosportsasia.com

Club Siena, North Plaza DBees Ice Hockey DB Pirates Rugby, Netball, Hockey & Dragonboat Discovery Bay Marina Club Discovery Bay Golf Club Discovery Bay Recreation Club Embody EpicLand, North Plaza FIT 852 Greenwich Yoga School, North Plaza Kapuhala Train-in-Space, North Plaza MAS FIT MGK Fight Club Nutrition and Fitness with Emilie YogaBay, North Plaza YogaUp, North Plaza

To add your own directory listing box, call the Bay Media office on 2987 0167, or email info@baymedia.com.hk

2987 6473 9255 2987 2987 2987 6624 2441 9680 9685 6101 9387 9303 6385 6704 8197

7382 4277 6133 9591 7273 7381 8712 0098 7665 8366 8434 0735 2996 5425 9851 5591

2345 8333 2678 4242 7502 2345 3601 3388 6046 4511 1694 7000 6738 1473 0788 5000

@ www.arounddb.com

WELLBEING

The Beat Dance & Fitness Studio BODYPUMP, BODYBALANCE, GRIT, BODYSTEP & Zumba (fitness, toning & kids). Piloxing, yoga & Pilates, RPM (indoor cycling), plus Latin, belly & wedding dance. Classes for adults & children, & personal training. Contact 5194 9630, info@thebeat.com.hk, www.thebeat.com.hk

3651 2728 2678 2987 2987 3651 2238 2238 2987 2435 3661 3467 2987 2835 2811 2824

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Bay Spa

ay Spa

Massage, facials & nail services in DB Plaza. Contact 9837 0969 (Tel/ WhatsApp)

Ingredients of Wellness Mindfulness training for children, teens and their parents and teachers. Offering Mindfulness Matters!, Mindfulness in Education (for adults), AMT Mindfulness Teacher Training. Contact 9048 5425, angie@ingredientsofwellness.com, www.ingredientsofwellness.com

Nail Spa: 2987 2266

Afflatus Hair Workshop, North Plaza DB Pure Spa Freedas Maximum Care Nest Care, North Plaza Salon De Coiffure

Massage: 2988 1188

2987 9794 2987 2987 2499 2987

0283 0918 4555 2060 8826 4112

www.arounddb.com

www.arounddb.com January 2021

51

OUT THERE

A Nanosecond Celebrated by Billions Waking up without a hangover, Peter Sherwood explores the pros and cons of New Year’s Eve

A

round a minute past twelve on the first of this month billions of human brains – already flooded with alcohol – were hit by a cocktail of vastly more powerful happiness drugs. Alcohol’s euphoric effect was suddenly quadrupled by a rush of nature’s joy stimulants, dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins. Not a great narcotic combination from which to make pronouncements such as New Year resolutions.

And yet… There we were, naked of inhibitions and celebrating a coming 365 days of bliss and blue skies.

If history teaches anything (it always does so we have more life lessons to ignore) it is that the continuum called time makes no allowance for drunks, or for our fantasy called ‘New Year.’ And so we sober up, then thud back down to the ground in high anxiety.

Illustration by Terry Chow

How to keep that booze-saturated promise to lose weight? The stats do not auger well. Ninety percent of strict dieters who lose weight end up heavier than before. So while no fat is ultimately shed – it’s off with the old lard and on with the new – there’s always next year.

That leaves precious months to pile on the kilos, certain of opportunity lurking for another crack with

52

tend to cry a lot. I’ve no idea why, which only adds to their enduring mystery. The downside for overzealous New Year’s Eve fans is the interminable wait for the next feast of fireworks, flares and festivities.

(The alliteration here is as tedious as the occasion).

stronger resolve, conveniently forgetting we don’t need the end of December to make decisions.

Hopes, wishes and prayers will see us through. Or will they? I have a problem with hope. It’s meaningless. And wishes and prayers seem to me to be pretty much the same, divided only by religion. It’s confusing. Let’s say I’m an atheist and you’re religious.

If I wish and you pray for free beer and it happens, who gets the credit, me or God? One splendid thing about New Year’s Eve, following as it does the overkill of Xmas, is the elimination of gratuitous gift-giving, sacchariferous theme music, airborne caribou and a monotonous colour scheme. And it’s sentimental only for women, who

Those of us content with less limiting options have a world of whacky recreational possibilities to see us through. Such as the drama of soap carving, trainspotting, the hysteria of navel fluff collecting and competitive head-banging.

There’s Tiddlywinks. And the high adventure of golf. Harmless pursuits unconstrained by a brief period in December/ January, the memory of which soon retreats into a beery fog.

New Year’s for me? Dinner and a glass of fermented grape before retiring early. Extract the body from the straw in time for the 8am news. Over coffee and a stale croissant watch highlights of midnight’s colourful conflagration in about 37 countries, with a lame commentary on how the people of Kiribati, in the South Pacific, were the first to see in the New Year (due to the international time zone).

More interesting is how many of the nation’s 115,000 people woke up on the beach with a behemothic hangover and wishing a shark would eat them.

Peter Sherwood has lived in DB for over 20 years. The former head of an international public relations firm, Peter is the author of 15 books and has written around 400 satirical columns for the South China Morning Post.

Find more from Peter @ www.arounddb.com January 2021 www.arounddb.com

pac Spec kag ial es adve ava rti ilab sing le 2 AFFLUENT 021

WANT TO REACH AN ENGAGED AUDIENCE OF RESIDENTS AND FAMILIES IN LANTAU?

Kevin Chu: Reducing the transmission of COVID-19 through art

NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS Join your community online at www.arounddb.com

Magical reads for Halloween and beyond Expert advice for wannabe day traders Armchair travel: Australia’s Red Centre

O OBER J CUTLY 2 02 02200

December 2020/ January 2021

ENZO HILAIRE STAR OF THE VOICE

It’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas!

DB kids are in for a treat on St Nicholas Day!

Origami Santas and parols to make at home Brownie Guides doing a good turn every day Eco-friendly Xmas tips from Plastic Free Seas Shout out to the Cathay Dragon community

NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS Join your community online at www.arounddb.com

KIDS (FRANCE)

Ringing in the New Year Guitar Man:

What modern kids can learn from the past

Jay Apungan rockin’ the COVID-19 blues

DECEMBER J U LY 2 02020 20

Classic fruit puddings to make in minutes Tips on clothing and nutrition for DB trail runners

NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS Join your community online at www.arounddb.com

with Sander Looijen at the new Tung Chung Sheraton

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: WHERE TO EAT, DRINK, SHOP AND HANG OUT

How employable is your teen post-COVID-19?

HIKING THE SOUTH LANTAU COUNTRY TRAIL

Feng shui tips to plumb your bathroom’s potential

TURKEY LEFTOVERS 3 WAYS

Career paths and ladders to help you switch jobs Why intermittent fasting is more than just a fad

NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS NOVEMBER J U LY 2 02020 20

Join your community online at www.arounddb.com

JJAUNLY U A R Y2 02 02201

NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS

Join your community online at www.lifeonlantau.com

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Publishers in Lantau since 2002

For 18+ years the Bay Media team has been publishing the original community magazine in Discovery Bay. Around DB is the most trusted source of content for DB residents.

From our humble origins we have grown into another two publications, Life on Lantau and Best of Lantau, and a design studio. We have a very active Facebook presence, over 40,000+ visitors to our website every month and provide tailor-made marketing campaigns to reach our unique readership.

We are currently offering special advertising packages (both print and digital) 2021.

For further enquiries on details of our packages, please contact our publisher, Philip Jay, at philip@baymedia.com.hk.

publishing and design studio