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
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CONTENTS
Join your community online
OCTOBER 2020
PROFILE - 20 Meet Kevin Chu and his COVID-beating lamps
IN FOCUS - 24 Have you got what it takes to be a day trader?
EDUCATION - 30 Magical reads for Halloween and beyond
ESCAPES - 40 Armchair travel: Australia’s Red Centre
RECIPES - 44 Fabulous fish dishes that are right off the scale
06 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
34
HELP LINE Support for FDWs
06
DB EVENTS
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GEOMANCY Introductory feng shui
18
GIVEAWAYS
48
DB FACES In and around the plaza
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CLASSIFIEDS
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OUT THERE Peter Sherwood talks back
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LOCAL NUMBERS
ON THE COVER Kevin Chu’s photocatalysis-enhanced lamps are on show at Gallery Jeeum this month
We also publish… TH
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YOUR GUIDE TO HONG KONG’S ‘GREEN JEWEL’
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To read the cover story turn to page 20 Kevin Chu: Reducing the transmission of COVID-19 through art
NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS Join your community online at www.arounddb.com
2019 / 2020
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
Photo by Baljit Gidwani www.evoqueportraits.com
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
JOIN NAIS HK We are currently accepting applications for January and August 2021, the deadline is 30 Oct 2020.
Apply now on www.nais.hk
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PUBLISHER Philip Jay MANAGING EDITOR Rachel Ainsley rachel@baymedia.com.hk ASSISTANT EDITOR Elizabeth Jerabek elizabeth@baymedia.com.hk DIGITAL MANAGER Jan Yumul jan@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
Photos courtesy of Kathy Mawdsley
IN MEMORIAM: SIMON MAWDSLEY
PHOTOGRAPHERS Baljit Gidwani www.evoqueportraits.com Col Sim www.colsimphotography.com
Members of the DB community gathered on September 27 at the Discovery Bay Office Centre Multi-Purpose Hall to remember Simon Mawdsley, who passed away on September 4. The hall was open throughout the day for friends, family and colleagues to drop in and share stories, view photos and sign a memory book in honour of Simon.
CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Kerr Billy Ko Ray Robertson Peter Sherwood Boon Tiong Tan Dorothy Veitch Samantha Wong
Simon was chairman of the Village Owners’ Committee and he is survived by his wife of 37 years Katherine (Kathy), his sister Elizabeth and daughter Sue.
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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.
© BAY MEDIA GROUP LTD
s t n e v e y t i n u rece nt c om m IN DISCOVERY BAY
www.arounddb.com October 2020
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DB EVENTS
WORLD CLEANUP DAY ACTION
DB Green and Plastic Free Seas helped residents do their bit in the lead up to World Cleanup Day on September 21. Some 50 volunteers removed 550 kilogrammes of waste from Nim Shue Wan on September 19, and on September 20, there was a collection outside Hemingway’s of all those hard-to-recycle items like drink cartons, coffee cups/ lids and polyfoam (food containers, packaging and fruit nets). Thanks in part to the involvement of Hemingway’s and Uncle Russ, DB Green collected a record 8,980 liquid cartons and 20 kilogrammes of polyfoam.
Photos courtesy of DB Green
HK BOLLYWOOD DIVAS BACK IN CLASS
As soon as social distancing measures eased last month, teen members of the HK Bollywood Divas headed back to class to practice their moves. HK Bollywood Divas classes, for residents of all ages, are led by Sunita Nebel in DB Plaza.
www.evoqueportraits.com
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October 2020 www.arounddb.com
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22.09.20 08:34
#beautifuldb2020 photography competition The aim of the #beautifuldb2020 photography competition is to recognise the talented photographers in our community, while also celebrating the beauty of DB. Check out the photos from this year’s finalists, pictured here, in two categories:
• DB Scenic Beauty: DB’s incredible natural diversity, it’s gorgeous flora and fauna, and inspiring landscapes • DB Community Spirit: The people of DB, who work (and play) so hard to sustain our loving and caring community culture
Help pick the winner in each category by voting for your favourite photo on the Around DB Facebook page from October 9 to 16. The results will be announced in the November issue of Around DB, and the winners will have their photos featured. Visit www.arounddb.com for more competition information.
1st prize: One Night Stay at Auberge with Dinner and Breakfast Buffet for 2 1st runner-up: DBRC and Club Siena Food and Beverage Coupon 2nd runner-up: Auberge Relaxing Tea Set for 4 Merit: Love 4 Luke Cookies
DB Community Spirit
@hannahjoyball
@richard_gordon_photography
@akane_photographie
@sassy_sanyia
DB Scenic Beauty
@ginnymalbonphotography
@khianey
@wandermi
@vincey_photography @852go
@raymondiphotography 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. The organiser has the discretion to use the photos for promotion purposes and reserves the right of final decision in the event of any disputes. Terms and conditions apply.
@nerie_adrianne
@jlk_hk
DB EVENTS
YOUR GUIDE
E H T TO
L A I T N E S UPCOMING S E COMMUNITY EVENTS
LANTERNS ON THE BEACH BINGO NIGHT Tai Pak Wan
LBC PINK DAY
Discovery Bay Recreation Club
October 1
October 9 & 23
LBC October PINK DAY 17th 2020 Start: Tai Pak Wan October 17
Photo courtesy of LBC stock.adobe.com www.evoqueportraits.com
Pick up your lanterns and a blanket, and join the community for some socially distanced Mid-Autumn Festival moongazing on the evening of October 1. And a reminder from DB Green and Plastic Free Seas – be environmentally conscious on the night by avoiding glowsticks and single-use plastic.
Head down to D’Cafe for an evening of bingo, starting at 8pm. Anyone spending a minimum of HK$80 at the club on refreshments or tickets can play. Tickets cost HK$20 per game, with a maximum of two cards per player. Win a jackpot prize of HK$1,000! Call the Discovery Bay Recreation Club on 2987 7381.
Paddlers from the Lantau Boat Club are organising a series of ‘pink’ events this month, including a 2-kilometre relay race from Tai Pak Wan to Sam Pak Wan to raise funds for breast cancer awareness. All proceeds from the events and the sale of the club’s Pink Move shirts will go to the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information, visit the Lantau Boat Club Facebook page.
KEVIN CHU EXHIBITION Gallery Jeeum
SHOP THE DISCOVERY BAY SUNDAY MARKET in DB Plaza on
October 1-31
October 11 from 11am to 6pm. Visit www.handmadehongkong.com.
JOIN A BEACH CLEAN-UP at Sam Pak Wan on October 11 from 9am to 11am with Plastic Free Seas. Visit plasticfreeseas.org. BRING YOUR DRINK CARTONS, COFFEE CUPS/ LIDS AND POLYFOAM (food containers, packaging and fruit nets) for recycling at the waterfront side of Hemingway’s on October 18 from 9am to 11am. You can also now recycle your contact lens packaging. Visit the DB Green Facebook page.
www.evoqueportraits.com
DB-based eco-designer Kevin Chu is debuting two of his beautiful, COVIDbusting light installations at Gallery Jeeum this month. The chemistry-based surface additive used on the lamps is believed to reduce transmission of the virus. To find out more, turn to page 20 or visit www.jeeumgallery.com.
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HAVE YOUR PRELOVED ITEMS COLLECTED from your home and donated to charities and individuals in need. WhatsApp Nikki Boot 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.
October 2020 www.arounddb.com
CONGRATULATIONS
LULU LAI
LUCIA TORRESI
NEW IN DB
POLISH FOOD.HK
www.db-brownies.com
www.arounddb.com
Lulu Lai is celebrating nine successful years at Nailed It this month. The DB Plaza salon stocks all the major brands of nail polish, with more than 300 colours to choose from. Lulu’s staff specialise in hard gel, acrylic, soak-off gel, natural nail services and nail art. To find out more, visit the Nailed It Facebook page.
PROGENY WINES
DB sixer Lucia Torresi is the first Brownie in Hong Kong’s Bauhinia Division ever to win an Outstanding Brownie award. She’s been recognised for her inspirational charity work which includes organising bake sales to help fund the building of a well in a village in Pakistan, and cutting her hair off to raise money for childhood cancer research. For information about DB’s three Brownie packs, visit www.db-brownies.com or email contact@db-brownies.com.
NEW IN DB
URBAN GREENS
www.polishfood.hk
New to DB Plaza (in the shopping arcade), Polish Food.HK is a specialty grocery store selling topbrand products from Poland – the heart of Europe. Head to the grand opening on October 11, from 9am to 9pm, for a kabanos (sausage) eating competition, chalk drawing competition and more. For more information, visit Polishfood.hk on Instagram or Facebook, or head to www.polishfood.hk.
TREE OF JOY
Photo courtesy of Progeny Wines
Progeny Wines is a small, family-run DB business bringing boutique wines to Hong Kong. This month, Progeny is donating HK$10 per bottle of South African wine sold to the Pebbles Project and Anna Foundation. These two charities work to enrich the lives of disadvantaged children and families in the Western Cape. To find out more, and to purchase, visit Progeny Wines on Instagram or Facebook, or email progeny.wines@gmail.com.
www.treeofjoydb.com
www.urbangreens.hk
Resident Josh Hughes at Urban Greens is growing micro greens – red radishes, pea shoots, broccoli and sunflowers – at his indoor farm in DB. Containing up to 40 times more nutrients by weight than their fully grown counterparts, Josh’s greens start at HK$28 per 40 grams. For more information, visit www.urbangreens.hk.
From its new location in the DB Plaza shopping arcade, Tree of Joy offers comprehensive programmes and products for children and families. Stop by the store to find a selection of educational children’s toys, such as puzzles, games, books and arts-andcrafts kits. For more information, call 9787 2755.
www.arounddb.com October 2020
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DB EVENTS
COMPETITIONS #BEAUTIFULDB2020
MASK GRAPHIC DESIGN
CLEAN UP CHALLENGE
Photo courtesy of DBSML www.colsimphotography.com
Celebrate the beauty of DB by voting for your favourite photo in the #beautifuldb2020 photography competition, sponsored by Love. Together@DB. Turn to page 10 to see the finalists’ photos, and cast your vote on the Around DB Facebook page from October 9 to 16. The results will be announced in the November issue of Around DB. To find out more, visit www.arounddb.com.
The submission deadline for the Discovery Bay Mask Graphic Design Competition is October 26. The first 50 participants to enter will each be awarded a HK$200 cash voucher. The five winners of each group (open and child categories) will win prizes worth up to HK$20,000 in total and have three customised masks made from their designs. To enrol, scan the QR code, call 2238 3601 or email dbcr@dbsml.com.
www.adventurecleanup.org
Sign up for this year’s Adventure Clean Up Challenge, a multi-discipline sports competition with a mission to help clean up the Hong Kong coastline. Each team in the challenge is assigned a difficult to access, polluted coastal area, and they compete with each other to achieve the best results. For more information, visit www.adventurecleanup.org.
COMMUNITY UPDATE FIRE AT THE GOLF CLUB
EVENT CANCELLATIONS
KIDS IN THE PARK TREAT BAGS
www.evoqueportraits.com www.hongkong-rocks.com Photo courtesy of DB Watchdog
On September 15 at around 8.30pm a fire broke out at the Discovery Bay Golf Club cart parking bays near Bijou Drive. The Fire Services Department had the blaze under control by about 9.30pm. Some 80 golf carts were damaged and the golf club was closed temporarily.
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Due to social distancing restrictions both The BIG Picnic and Team FEAR have been cancelled this year. Usually held in November, these events are among the most popular on the DB social calendar. For more information, and plans for 2021, visit www.thebigpicnichk.com and www.team-fear.com.
October 2020 www.arounddb.com
Since Kids in the Park has been postponed until 2021, Discovery Bay International Community Church (DBICC) is providing a little compensation for DB kids aged two to 10 years old. Simply email DBICC at office@dbicc.org to register to pick up a treat bag for your children. Supplies are limited, so sign up early. For more information, visit www.dbicc.org.
LANTAU HIGHLIGHTS
VIRTUAL LANTAU 2 PEAKS October 1-11
SAVE THE DATE
MUI WO MARKET
HLG KART RACE
November 7
October 10, 11, 24 & 25
Photo by Duey Tam
www.actionasiaevents.com
Due to COVID-19, this year’s Lantau 2 Peaks race is a virtual event. Participants can choose a date within a window of 11 days to complete the 23-kilometre course over both Lantau and Sunset peaks. For more information, visit www.actionasiaevents.com.
On the back of two successful market weekends in September, the Mui Wo Market returns this month with Lantau entrepreneurs and small businesses showcasing their wares. The market is located two shops down from Pause Café, opposite the Mui Wo playground. For more information, and for market vendors, visit the Mui Wo Market Facebook page or email muiwomarket@gmail.com. To register for a stall, you can download a form at forms.gle/hnrv93kwddDDdhZPA.
FOR A GOOD CAUSE
BOX OF HOPE
PLASTIC FREE SEAS
www.hlgkartrace.com
Rescheduled due to COVID-19, the HLG Kart Race is back next month. Head to Discovery Bay Road to check out DB’s speed racers from 9am to 5pm. The first HLG Kart Race in October 2015 attracted over 20 competitors, the latest race in March 2019 saw over 80 children, aged 7 to 13, vying for trophies. The races are split into age groups, and kids have the option to design and build their own karts. To know more, visit www.hlgkartrace.com.
BADMINTON COMPETITION November 14
www.dbis.edu.hk
Start saving those shoe boxes for this year’s Box of Hope campaign. Box of Hope is an annual charity project that enables Hong Kong kids to donate useful/ educational gifts to underprivileged children in Hong Kong and Asia. The campaign starts the week of October 12, with box collections at DB schools from November 6 to 11. For more information, visit www.boxofhope.org.
Photo courtesy of Living Lamma
Plastic Free Seas has teamed up with the Hong Kong University Environmental Geochemistry and Oceanography Research Group to investigate the high volume of fish feed bags being found both in the sea and washed up on local beaches. Residents can help by photographing the bags they come across – this will help the experts determine the source of the problem. To get involved, visit the Plastic Free Seas Facebook page.
www.colsimphotography.com
This year’s DB Badminton Competition again comprises six divisions – men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, men’s singles, women’s singles and children’s singles (for kids aged 10 to 15 years). Each applicant can enrol in a maximum of two divisions. To register by October 23, visit www.amyung.org.hk.
www.arounddb.com October 2020
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SPONSORED CONTENT
Top tips on buying a mattress from Okooko by European Bedding
M Photos courtesy of www.europeanbedding.hk
ost advice on staying healthy starts with getting a good night’s sleep. Not only does your mattress affect how well you sleep, but it also has a huge impact on your posture and mood.
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With so much at stake, buying a mattress is an important purchase and it can be hard to know which one to plump for. Apart from the common factors such as size, firmness and material, maintenance and purchase policy are also important factors that you should keep in mind. Here are five things that you should consider when you are buying a mattress.
1 Which size should I get? Consider the physical space you need in order to be comfortable in
bed. When at the store, make sure you try the mattress with a pillow. Without it, you will instinctively lie further up and overestimate the space available for your feet. If you sleep with a partner or your kids, visit the store together to see what size and models would accommodate everyone comfortably. Okooko carries both standardsize and custom-size mattresses, all made of natural organic latex. In the past, they have made custom mattresses with round and irregular shapes for yachts, and for big families, they can make superlong mattresses that are up to 3.6 metres wide.
2 Should I choose latex? Consider what goes into making your mattress because you’ll be sleeping on it every night. The most common materials for mattresses
October 2020 www.arounddb.com
on the market are metal spring coils, polyurethane (PU) foam, memory foam and latex foam. Different brands use these materials in all sorts of combinations. Coil mattresses are the most common and probably the most familiar. However, coil mattresses tend to have a short lifespan and the metal springs often squeak as they get older. Polyurethane and memory foam are both petroleum-based. Memory foam is at the higher end compared to polyurethane. However, due to their chemical nature, foam mattresses often trap heat and are less elastic. In comparison, latex mattresses are very elastic and can hold their shape much longer than spring or foam mattresses. Okooko’s Heveya® organic latex mattresses can easily last more than 10 years
without losing support. Besides that, latex has an open-cell structure, making it very breathable and cool to sleep on.
3 How firm should it be? There are really no rules when it comes to this one, but only guidelines. The secret is to check your spinal alignment in your preferred sleeping positions. Achieving a neutral spinal alignment when lying down is an excellent indicator of good pressure distribution. It shows that your body weight is well-supported and there are no excessive pressure points anywhere. Available in multiple levels of thickness and firmness, Okooko’s Heveya® organic latex mattresses cater to all kinds of builds and preferred sleeping positions.
4 Is it easy to clean? Here in Hong Kong, the top two environmental triggers for allergies are dust mites and mould spores. A mattress that is resistant to these allergens and comes with a removable and washable cover is ideal. Okooko’s Heveya® organic latex mattress cores are hypoallergenic and you can have the bamboo cover cleaned as often as you like. Furthermore, it’s important to pair your mattress with a bed base which allows it to ventilate as a poorly ventilated bed base can quickly become a gallery
wall for mould. The team at Okooko recommends you choose a slatted bed base as it allows air to pass freely beneath your bed, keeping your mattress fresh and fungus-free.
5 The bottom line When purchasing a mattress, the most important thing is that you lie down on it and see how it feels. The Okooko team always recommends that customers come to the showroom to try out the Heveya® organic latex mattresses. They also offer a 100-day free trial guarantee, which means you can be 100% sure that you’ve made the right choice.
FIND IT • Okooko by European Bedding, 13F The Plaza LKF, 21 D’Aguilar St, Central, 6286 1132, www.europeanbedding.hk
www.arounddb.com October 2020
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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 PILATES CLASSES AT EMBODY DB Pilates and yoga studio Embody is offering one reader two free Pilates classes (worth HK$490). Still located in DB Plaza but with a brand-new owner, Gill Welgemoed, Embody offers fitness classes throughout the week including Pilates reformer, yoga and Zumba. Founded in 2008, Embody was the first studio in Hong Kong to offer classical Pilates classes and use Peak Pilates equipment. In addition to classes for adults, Embody also offers classes for kids aged four years and up, including yoga, Bounce DanceFit and Zumba.
Photos by Roy Esterhuysen
To book a session, call 6624 8712.
Congratulations to last month’s winners Ada Chan, Ruby Yong, Wendy Chan, Lyndsay Lingard and JP Sun for a bag of roasted coffee from Cowbird Coffee Roasters; and Mar-Loes Mantoua and Tatum White for a trial class at MGK Fight Club
New Zealand fresh groceries delivered straight
to your door!
Visit store.eatthekiwi.com to order now, or email hello@eatthekiwi.com or WhatsApp 9785 5706 for more information. 18
September 2020 www.arounddb.com
Photos by Baljit Gidwani – www.evoqueportraits.com
PROFILE
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Photo Finish DB designer Kevin Chu is taking his sustainable design concepts to the next level with a little help from science and the sun. Elizabeth Kerr reports October 2020 www.arounddb.com
F
irst thing’s first. Despite what kind of rumours might be floating around out there, designer Kevin Chu’s series of photocatalysisenhanced lamps do not eliminate COVID-19. They never have, and they never will. The chemistrybased surface additive used on them “is not a cure, but it reduces transmission” of the bug, he explains one afternoon in Pizza Express in DB Plaza over a refreshing Peroni.
The elegant, birdlike FLY lamps
Photocatalysis is not a magic bullet, but it’s not snake oil either. Kevin has been working with environmental cleaners in his interior design work at COC Design (www.coc.design) and now with product at I Am Sugo. He’s added biophilia creations to his credits, but for him the concept is far from a bandwagon to hop on. He’s been at it for six years.
Guilin, a stylised mountainscape
Kevin looks as switched on as he did back in 2018, when he and his Italian wife, Giulia, were talking about environmentally sustainable design over coffee in ifc. Since then there have been some major changes in his life –an opportunity to reposition his design philosophy and products in light of COVID-19, and the birth of a son.
coronavirus on Italy, where Giulia still has family, the fresh hurdles he’s faced in supply chains thanks to petulant trade disputes, the upcoming American election, and Apple’s court fight with Epic Games. The primary topic, however, is photocatalysis.
“Man, he’s a lot of work. Sleeping is a luxury for me,” Kevin says with a laugh. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you here today, to grab a beer, and just get out of the house for a bit.” The ‘poor dad pose’ is bluster, though. As Kevin swipes around for photos to show me of his nearly two-yearold, he stresses he hopes he’ll be able to be the kind of parent that encourages his children to do what makes them happy. That doesn’t mean he can’t lament the terrible twos.
In a nutshell, Kevin is using an improved version of a photocatalytic additive on a series of light fixtures and lamps that react to a wide spectrum of light to passively clean our environment. The concept has been around since the early 20th century, with major breakthroughs coming from Japan in the 1970s. Kevin’s been working with it for six years, and this past summer, he won the 2021 German Design Award (GDA) for the sexy and functional FLY lamp. The GDA is bestowed on products that are more than just good looking, and the lamp’s ceaseless photocatalytic properties made it stand out.
The conversation rambles and weaves, covering everything from the initial, brutal impact of
Kevin’s magic lamps
“Even as a discarded material it’s actually doing something. It’s still working,” says Kevin. “That’s why the GDA gave us an award. And it’s applicable to anything, not just the lamp.” Currently Kevin’s additive (the tech itself was refined by a local lab, BLG) starts life as a milky white liquid that goes into interior finishings that are applied to various surfaces in the home, from lamps to varnishes. Kevin claims their compound (certified safe and effective by labs in Hong Kong and Germany) is able to cleanse the environment of up to 70% of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in three minutes once the light is on — including viruses and bacteria. The bigger the surface area it covers, the better it works. But, there’s a difference from older versions. “So why is this so different? It’s light-based but it’s not necessary for a light to be on all the time. If it’s off it still works,” Kevin notes
www.arounddb.com October 2020
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PROFILE
Kevin Chu with Shin Eunhye at Gallery Jeeum
enthusiastically. “And existing nanotech has been proven to get into the body and cause some cancers. The particles used in this are about 100 times bigger, and so can’t get into the bloodstream. The gamechanger for us is that we can make an additive for your paint and redo your house. The application is endless.” Kevin and his scientific partners are working on a version that can be embedded into all kinds of materials for everyday usage, which isn’t a crackpot idea either. Between 2012 and 2015 the European Commission experimented with adding a similar compound to construction concrete in Copenhagen, Holbæk and Valencia to mitigate air quality. They recorded a 5 to 20% reduction in pollutants in a year. Kevin is still working on getting the scientific paperwork together that would support the compound’s ability to mitigate the presence of things like swine flu viruses and other coronaviruses, including COVID. Needless to say, “You need a level four laboratory for those tests, which are not easy to get into under normal circumstances, and they’re slammed now,” he admits.
“But there are ways to get it done, and we’re exploring those.”
On show at Gallery Jeeum But Kevin is first and foremost a designer, and the lighting options he’s created blend science, sustainability and art without losing their style, and prove the three elements indeed go together. The photocatalysis series includes the elegant, birdlike FLY; Guilin, a stylised mountainscape; the Rain pendant that recreates the ripples of drops on water; the Hutong, mirroring the planning of old Beijing; the striking leaf design of the Foglia; and the fun and funky Omino stickmen with lightbulb heads among others. (Science details and design are both at www.iamsugo.com). When looking to debut his creations in Hong Kong, Kevin found an ally in Gallery Jeeum owner Shin Eunhye. From the first of this month, the gallery in DB North Plaza is featuring some of Kevin’s sculptural installations in a hygienic space. “Gallery Jeeum is the first place in the world to exhibit the Guilin light sculpture and the FLY lamps
in a public space,” says Kevin of the special editions he created for the show. “Shin argued there were no art galleries in DB but there are people who like art – who maybe don’t want to head all the way to Central for it,” Kevin says of the gallery which opened in February this year and, as the little sister of the acclaimed Seoul-based Jeeum, represents hip, contemporary artists from all over the world. “During COVID, nobody cares about beautiful things. But we need to, especially right now,” he adds. “Shin saw the potential in paying a bit more for a bigger piece and so she went for it. This goes beyond just sustainability. Things can be designed to be actively working for the environment.” Through COC Kevin is trying to make his cleansing additive a standard part of all his institutional work (hotels, offices, restaurants), as well as for consumer product like furniture going forward. The manufacturing batches are small for now, so the lamps aren’t IKEA cheap, but they’re not bank-breakers either. “These are absolutely for everybody,” he stresses. Just don’t expect miracles.
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Just do it!
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Stock investment is like playing chess – you have to play defence and offence at the same time, all the time. DB finance expert Boon Tiong Tan has some advice for wannabe day traders
October 2020 www.arounddb.com
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hile the stock market is hot, it is naturally easier to make money. It was so easy in the late 1990s that many amateur traders quit their jobs to become full-time day traders. But before you make that leap, know that even the brightest minds can lose their shirts. Faced with huge losses after participating in the South Sea Bubble (1720), Sir Isaac Newton said: “I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people.” Here are some tips to help you avoid making the same (financial) mistakes he did.
– are critical factors in determining success in the stock market. You need to temper your hope to break even when your stocks are losing and your greed when they are winning. You need to fight the fear of missing out or you’ll soon regret buying high. The ability to control your emotions is key. Benjamin Franklin didn’t say honesty was about having the best morals – he said it was the best policy. This is good advice for investors. Being honest with yourself is crucial if you’re to succeed. It’s the starting point and foundation for good investment decisions. You need to take full
ourselves – we forget our follies and remember only our victories. Trade records and journals help you remain honest with yourself.
Do your homework Another tip? Spend some time learning about financial history; familiarise yourself with events that rocked the markets like Black Monday (1987), the Japanese asset-price bubble (1989) and the dot-com bubble (2000). Knowing what has happened in the past expands your experience, and shows you that every party must one day come to an end.
Investing isn’t a oneIf someone tells you: size-fits-all proposition. “These were the best Each person must find stocks to own. They were their own approach. If big, well managed and, Benjamin Franklin didn’t say you’re always looking for a most importantly, they honesty was about having the bargain, value investing will grew fast. No price was too probably suit you best. If Which stocks come best morals – he said it was the high.” you’re always on the move, to mind? Amazon? Apple? momentum trading might best policy. This is good advice Nope. Your friend is likely looking back to the early be your cup of tea. Are for investors 1970s and talking about the you most comfortable with Nifty Fifty – stocks like IBM, fundamental or technical Polaroid and Xerox. These analysis or a combination of growth stocks rewarded both? After a bit of trial and investors with growing dividends error, you’ll discover what works responsibility for your results. You and capital appreciation. At their for you and which investment should never claim that the market peak in 1972, the Nifty Fifty had approach suits your personality. is crazy and blame the world for an average P/E ratio of 43 – more your losses. If you aren’t honest than double that of the S&P 500. The best – and only – way to learn with yourself, you’ll never learn What happened to these invincible about investing is to give it a try: from your mistakes; if you never stocks? In the 1973/74 bear ‘Just do it.’ If you want to find out learn from your mistakes, you won’t market, while the Dow Jones Index how you’ll react when facing bull improve as an investor; if you don’t fell 45%, they plunged 62%. and bear markets, there’s nothing improve as an investor, you’ll never like committing your own money. be a profitable one. Consider both risks and rewards In early September, the seemingly endless rally in US technology To make sure you’re honest with It’s possible that you buy Tesla stocks abruptly came to an yourself, make a point of recording at US$350 and profit-take at end. The high-flying Tesla and all your trades and keep a journal US$2,500 (before the 1-for-5 stock Zoom dropped a third in a week. on your investment thoughts. A split) but how likely is it? Good Rollercoaster rides likes these are journal might sound trivial or even trades are those that are likely to childish, but many top investors not for the faint-hearted. Think make money, not those with a slim recommend it. There’s much to you’ve got nerves of steel? There’s chance to make big money. Don’t learn from past trades. If a trade only one way to find out. confuse probability with possibility. was good, remember it and try to Be honest with yourself do the same again; if it was bad, You should not trade stocks just learn from your mistakes and try Psychology, temperament and because it is commission-free or not to do it again. Our memories character – more than intelligence because the Robinhood app is at can trick us into feeling good about www.arounddb.com October 2020
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IN FOCUS
your fingertips. Every trade should be based on good risk/ reward. Don’t be blinded by high returns and lose sight of the risks. Always look at both risks and rewards before putting on a trade.
economy keeps growing and the stock markets keep scaling new heights. The Dow Jones was below 100 at the beginning of the 20th century. It is about 28,000 today. The Hang Seng Index was
launched in 1969 at 158 and it now stands at around 25,000. Will these indexes continue to break new highs in the future? No one has a crystal ball but you probably want to bet on it. Just sit tight.
Most investors pay a lot of attention to price and tend to overlook size; they think that in order to maximise their return, they need to maximise the size of their position. As a result, their default position can end up being too large and outside their comfort level. Don’t just focus on making money. Focus on not losing money too. When making money is easy and borrowing money is cheap, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that you can make money with borrowed money. However, the obvious danger is that you can lose more than you have. The less obvious danger is that your emotional swing is magnified – more greed and fear, more hope and despair. You’re going to make more impulsive trades and more mistakes. Borrowing is like a drug, once you’ve enjoyed the extra return it brings you, you’re addicted. In this age, with everyone living longer and more people facing career disruptions, learning how to invest is more important than ever. Legendary Wall Street trader Jesse Livermore offered this timeless advice a century ago: “It never was my thinking that made the big money for me. It always was my sitting. Got that? My sitting tight!” Despite all the setbacks – natural disasters, pandemics, world wars, cold wars, trade wars – the world
DB resident Boon Tiong Tan (CFA) has worked as a trader with banks like HSBC and Morgan Stanley for over 20 years. The author of A Stock Investment Book For The 99%: By A 99%, BT’s aim is to educate regular folk about the stock market and how to invest successfully. His book is available at Bookazine, Amazon and Book Depository; for information about the finance courses he offers in DB, email tbt444@gmail.com.
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FAMILY LORE
Top tips for effective communication from family lawyer Billy Ko of Withers!
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ommunication is key to preventing and resolving conflicts. As a longtime lawyer specialising in family law, this is something I always tell my clients. And, as a new father to a baby boy, this is something I also practice at home to help strengthen the bonds of trust and partnership between my wife and I. However, COVID-19 has completely upturned how we communicate both at work and at home, causing me to rethink my own communication best practices. Due to the pandemic, people have been confined to their homes, working remotely, and living in much closer quarters with family members 24/7. With so many high-tension factors in place, an uptick in family quarrels has been inevitable.
Photo courtesy of Withers
But in the last few months, I’ve learnt some important lessons on how to improve my communication skills at home and at work to prevent and resolve these types of quarrels. 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us, and I sincerely hope that my findings will be useful for you as well.
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Be patient and considerate; everyone is going through a challenging time. It’s easy to get frustrated with family members when you are all confined at home. Small issues, like leaving out a
dirty mug, are suddenly amplified when we spend significantly more time with each other.
to help ease her workload. Again, communication is key in preventing any potential arguments.
However, it is important to keep calm and not let petty grievances cause disproportionately large arguments. Everyone in the household is unsettled and on edge so instead of jumping hotheadedly into an argument, take a breath, be patient and empathise.
Prioritise the small gestures that show your loved ones you care. As an advocate for mental health and wellness, I understand that the many additional stress points this year has challenged us with can cause increased anxiety and depression. That’s why it is so important to take a few minutes out of your day to give the people in your life positive affirmations. Be sure to ask family members how they are feeling, and then actively listen to their response. By keeping the lines of communication open, you can understand what they are struggling with, and be there to help.
Communicate with your partner ahead of time instead of expecting her to anticipate your needs. Neither you nor your spouse are mind readers, so you need to talk things through – don’t assume you can second-guess each other. I encourage you to let your spouse know in advance about aspects of your schedule where you would appreciate her special consideration. For example, you might have a conference call for which you need privacy and quiet. Or perhaps your spouse has an important upcoming deadline, and would appreciate you taking on more childcare responsibilities
With work colleagues, you could send a quick email thanking them for their hard work. In the age of working remotely, it is easy for office staff to feel underappreciated, so reaffirming their contribution to the team, especially when you may not have seen them face-to-face for an extended period of time, is invaluable.
FIND IT • Withers, 30/F United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, 3711 1600, www.withersworldwide.com/en-gb/hong-kong A Partner at international law firm Withers, Billy Ko advises on all aspects of family law. Find more from Billy at www.withersworldwide.com/en-gb/people/billy-ko.
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EDUCATION
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Magical reads 30
Revisit Middle-earth, Hogwarts and Never-Land with your kids this Halloween. Getting to know Frodo Baggins, Harry Potter and Peter Pan will set them up for life, writes Ray Robertson October 2020 www.arounddb.com
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here are multiple reasons why authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling and J.M. Barrie continue to captivate young readers. Their ability to take us into a fantasy world where magic is a natural part of everyday life is just one of them. The greatest books provide more than just a ‘good read,’ they actually impart goodness and wisdom; they support and carry us through life. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (1955), the Harry Potter heptalogy (2007), and Peter Pan (first written as a play in 1904) are all perfect examples. These stories have some really tough life lessons to impart (that have nothing to do with magic or the supernatural), and this is one of the reasons we continue to read them to our kids. But we also continue to read them to our kids simply because kids love them. Children connect to the vulnerability of the characters, they live vicariously through their potentially fatal challenges and, when the last page is turned, they return to their real lives having survived death by the Nazgûl, Lord Voldemort or Captain Hook.
Middle-earth The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a profound, classic example of beautifully written fiction, it shows kids what literature – or more specifically, fantasy – is all about. First and foremost, it’s a thrilling adventure story, an epic battle (of good versus evil) for Middle-earth. Immersed in a mind-blowingly complex fantasy world, what children learn about is their own reality. There’s a lot of bravery to be found and fear to get through before the ‘happily ever after.’ Tolkien’s Middle-earth is epic in every sense. He writes as if he were recounting both history and legend, and draws children into a
world that feels every bit as real as their own. As they walk the gardens of the Shire, sleep under the stars and climb the slopes of Doom, kids grow alongside and befriend the fellowship – Froddo Baggins, Sam Gamgee, Merry Brandybuck, Pippin Took, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli and Gandolf – and all those who fight with them. They mourn their deaths, and glory in their triumphs. Through the story, children come to a new understanding of the nature of good and evil. They feel the slow-rising tide of temptation, of power, of the Ring. They wrestle with the complexities of pride and humility. They witness the heroic virtue of self-sacrifice, and they learn to cherish friendship. Overcoming their fears alongside Frodo and Sam, and witnessing their bravery, children find their courage. Middle-earth’s fate is placed in the hands of ‘little people’ like themselves, so kids learn that they too have the potential to stand up for what is right – and that they must never give up. The Lord of the Rings also has a fiercely inclusionary message to impart – Men, Elves, Dwarves and Hobbits overcome their differences to come together and fight Sauron. As the ferocity and size of the battles increase, children come to understand war in a very real way. It’s presented not in a romanticised way, but with all its complexities, horrors, great losses and triumphs. Tolkien fought in the First World War, and he weaves his experiences into his story. Interestingly too, his central female characters are warriors – they are not the sort to sit by the hearth, rather they are there to save the day. The Lord of the Rings is also deeply relevant to young readers in the way it encourages a deep appreciation for nature. Tolkien’s
heroes live in harmony with Mother Earth, while his antagonists seek to destroy and manipulate her. What’s more, The Lord of the Rings is profoundly spiritual – those who seek to destroy the Ring of Power are helped by something greater than themselves, kids are introduced to the concept of an after-life (Valinor, the Undying Lands) and of rebirth (Gandolf the Grey returns as Gandolf the White), Hobbits show them the value of simplicity and goodness. Although Tolkien swore that The Lord of the Rings is not allegory, it is undeniably full of metaphor.
Hogwarts Young children reading Potter for the first time may focus on the classroom banter and the potionmaking but as they get older, they find that Rowling’s books have a lot to teach them. Again, a battle for power unfolds in a fantasy world populated by witches, wizards, Muggles (men) and all manner of magical creatures; good triumphs over evil (real-world evil not the supernatural kind) and friends stick together no matter what. Essentially what kids learn through reading the heptalogy is courage. It becomes easier to stand up to a bully at school once you have fought Lord Voldemort, Bellatrix Lestrange and Dolores Umbridge alongside Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Bravery means standing up for what’s right and acting on it even when it’s hard; intelligence, loyalty and nerve are important; our choices determine who we are. Children learn that it’s wrong to be prejudiced or to seek power over others. Anyone who was disturbed by Rowling’s recent comments about transgender people should note that in the world of Potter, children are taught always to support and be accepting of those who are ‘different.’ Only people
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EDUCATION
they are able to do this, most can cope with the scares they experience in the make-believe world of a book. Kids can handle the fears they face in Never-Land because Never-Land doesn’t actually exist.
like the Malfoys use the word Mudblood, Hermione sets up the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare (S.P.E.W.) in response to the unjust treatment of house-elves at the 1994 Quidditch World Cup. Kids are encouraged to empathise with outsiders and to stand up for anyone who is mistreated simply for being themselves – Harry, Luna Lovegood, Professor Lupin and, of course, Dobby the House Elf. The characterisation in the Harry Potter heptalogy is incredibly complex and there are amazing role models for girls as well as boys in these books. At the same time, children learn that people (even Dumbledore and Snape) aren’t all good or all bad but a mixture of both. A classic coming of age story, Potter provides an introduction to the iconic hero’s journey – kids reading the books for the first time, literally grow up with Harry. They walk with him on the road to maturity and experience his breakthroughs (and setbacks) as if they were their own.
Never-Land Underneath all the fun and fairy dust that has allowed the play to transfer so well to the world of pantomime and Disney, J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan has some equally important lessons to share with young readers. There’s evil to overcome (Captain Hook may be a bumbler but he’s a bona fide baddie) and a homeland to fight for, family and friendship are all important. Children are introduced to the idea of death, which Peter expects will be an awfully big adventure, and they learn that everyone (apart from Peter) has to grow up. Of course, kids love all the good magic that’s expressed in Peter
Kids love all the good magic that’s expressed in these stories but that’s not all
Pan – you can fly if you think lovely, wonderful thoughts, you can save a fairy’s life by clapping your hands. So, is it that which makes them love the 116-year-old story? Yes. But only in part. The other side of it is that kids, like adults, actually like to suspend disbelief every now and then, and really feel the fear. It’s fun for them to get so caught up in Peter Pan that they scream when the wicked pirates (or the ticking crocodile) come near. What they are enjoying is the thrill, the hyperarousal of the fight-or-flight response within safe parameters. It’s true that Peter Pan can cause nightmares (none of us has ever really gotten over the horror of Tootles shooting the Wendy Bird), but, generally speaking, the fears children experience in a story like this are manageable. By age seven, most kids know the difference between what is real and what is not and, once
Kids are instinctively drawn to scary things because they rely on the continuing safety of the real world. And in the real world, there are no evil fairies, malicious mermaids or wicked pirates – and your parents are always there to protect you. Reading Peter Pan means visiting places where impossible things are suddenly, temporarily, possible. It gives kids the chance to experience a really potent fantasy and almost live it, without any of the consequences. They get to experience fear in a controlled environment (in the fantastical world of the play) in the safety of their own homes. The best children’s books are written in such a way as to help kids differentiate between what is real and what is not. A common device sees a book open in the real world, one with which young readers are familiar, that is populated by characters not unlike themselves. Then, after a page or two, something happens to these characters, which means they transition into a world of makebelieve. So it is that in Peter Pan, The Darlings are woken up by a magical boy, whom they have already met in their dreams, and they fly with him (second turn to the right and then straight on till morning) to Never-Land. Children know when the bridge between reality and fantasy has been crossed, and they adjust their fear threshold accordingly. In reading Peter Pan, children are left in no doubt of their happily ever after.
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HELP LINE
Financial advice for migrant domestic workers from the team at Enrich HK!
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Photo courtesy of Enrich HK
ave you ever been invited by a friend to invest in a company, asked to sell a product, or to work from home and earn a huge commission? If an opportunity promises to help you ‘get rich quick,’ it can certainly be tempting – especially right now when you may well be sending extra money home because of the pandemic. However, there are many scams which specifically target domestic workers in Hong Kong and understanding how to identify them is extremely important.
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Before we get into this topic, you need to know about the AntiDeception Coordination Centre (ADCC), run by the Hong Kong Police. If you suspect something is a scam, call 18222, the ADCC’s 24-hour hotline, even if you’re unsure. Talking to an officer at the ADCC is not the same as making
a formal police complaint. It is simply the opportunity to speak to an officer who can give you advice. It’s also a good way to do your own research about an ‘opportunity’ you’ve been offered before investing your money.
Ponzi schemes Your sister is encouraging you to invest in a great low-risk investment opportunity that promises guaranteed high returns. She says she will receive some payments soon and she has a lot of faith in this company. Should you invest? You’re absolutely right to take a moment to think before investing, because this might well be an illegal investment scheme, known as a ponzi scheme. Organisers of ponzi schemes often trick new investors by promising
October 2020 www.arounddb.com
high returns with little or no risk of losing money. Investors may be asked to invite new investors in order to participate, such as family and friends. They contribute money which they believe will be invested in a company, but it is actually used to pay earlier investors as socalled ‘returns.’ We encourage you to take a deeper look at the investment opportunity you’re being told about and see whether you can identify any of these red flags – warning signs that it might be a ponzi scheme. The first red flag is the promise of low risk and high returns. Know that there is no ‘guaranteed’ investment opportunity. Every investment is risky and higher returns usually involve more risk. If an investment pays back regular, positive returns despite overall market conditions, it may be too good to be true. Investment
values tend to go up and down over time, especially those with the potential for high returns. The second red flag is that you’re not being given much information about the investment/ company. The key to protecting yourself from investment scams is to avoid investments you do not understand or for which you cannot get complete information. Ponzi schemes are typically not registered with government regulators – they involve unlicensed individuals or unregistered firms. Registration is important because it provides investors with access to key information about the company’s management, products, services and finances. Do not be afraid to ask for such information about an investment, and never accept the claim that you cannot review this information in writing. If you’re looking at an investment in the Philippines, know that the Securities and Exchange Commission regularly issues advisories on entities or individuals which are operating illegally. The third red flag is that you are being asked to recruit friends and relatives. Victims of ponzi schemes are often required to recruit others into the scheme. What they don’t realise is that the money invested by the people they recruit is used by the organisers to stand as the ‘profits’ from the socalled investment. Eventually, the ponzi scheme organisers will flee with the accrued funds. Make sure there is a clear explanation of how returns are calculated. The fourth red flag is that it looks like it will be difficult to receive payments. Ponzi scheme organisers often encourage investors to ‘roll over’ or ‘reinvest’ payments by promising higher returns. Be suspicious if you have difficulty cashing out or receiving payments on your investment. There should be a systematic
process of how investors can cash out investments at any time.
Pyramid schemes Your friend bought some health products from a company and she is selling them to everyone she knows. She took a loan to buy these products, but she says she is earning the money back. Is this an investment scam? It sounds like your friend could be an agent for a multi-level marketing scheme (MLM) which may not be a bad thing but you need to be very careful, because MLMs can be very similar to pyramid schemes. As an MLM agent/ distributor, you make money by selling products to other people, and signing them up to become agents too (you might also earn a commission on the sales generated by the agents you recruit). Pyramid schemes similarly recruit people as agents/ distributors for the product, but operate differently to MLMs. While MLMs focus on selling the product and building the network, pyramid schemes target your money, and then use you to recruit others who will also invest money to become agents. Here are some things to think about when considering whether your friend’s investment opportunity is in fact a pyramid scheme. Firstly, are you being asked to ‘invest’ a large amount of money to become an agent or to pay for an inventory charge? Legitimate MLMs do not ask for large start-up costs.
If you do have to buy the goods you are being asked to sell, does the company commit to buying back any unsold products from you? Legitimate MLMs will usually offer this up to a certain amount of your initial investment. Is there demand for the MLM’s product or services among potential customers? If the company doesn’t seem interested in customer demand, that’s a warning sign. In fact, be careful about believing that the products are actually useful, saleable and effective without clear evidence. Also, remember that targeting friends and family as immediate customers is not a sustainable marketing plan. Does there seem to be more importance placed on recruiting other agents than on selling the product? If you receive commissions for recruiting new members, or if you earn more from recruiting members than from selling the products, that’s definitely a pyramid scheme looking to make a quick profit from keen investors. Be careful about investment opportunities you see on social media even if they are from trusted friends or family members, as these could well be pyramid schemes too. One thing we would say for sure: Never, ever borrow money or take out a loan for investment purposes. Money for investments should be any extra money you may have that you do not need in the short term. You need to protect your hardearned money – never invest more than you can afford to lose.
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.
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GEOMANCY
FENG SHUI: THE BAGUA MAP Each room in your home represents a different aspect of your life, which means that your happiness is largely dependent on your home decorating skills. Samantha Wong reports
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Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
n order to successfully apply feng shui in your home, you need to determine where each room is located on the bagua map. This is simple enough to do but first you need to decide whether you are going to follow the Western (BTB) bagua or the traditional bagua. Both BTB and traditional baguas are divided into nine squares (see the BTB map overleaf), with each square representing a different aspect of your life – wealth, fame and reputation, love and marriage etc. Each square also corresponds with one of the five elements and a colour or colours. Simply put, the bagua connects aspects of your life with areas in your home. This allows you to work on specific areas in your life by improving the energy in the corresponding area of your home. You can do a BTB bagua reading in three easy steps. Step 1: Draw the BTB bagua map on tracing paper. Step 2: Superimpose your map over your floor plan, aligning the bottom
row of your map with the wall of your front door. Step 3: Note down which parts of your home ‘fall under’ and are therefore governed by which sections of the bagua map. A traditional bagua reading works in much the same way, except it takes the points of the compass into account. You need to take the compass reading of your front door in order to line up a traditional bagua map with your floor plan. If your floor plan is not a perfect square or rectangle, sections of the bagua will be foreshortened or missed out altogether, and you’ll have to work at filling in the space (and therefore the energy) that is lacking. Remedies include introducing potted plants to activate the area or hanging crystals, especially when there is a window. If a whole section is missing, place mirrors on both walls of the interior corner to expand the area. Extensions, like a bay window or balcony, are a positive in feng shui
even if they fall outside the bagua map. This is because they extend the good energy that you are creating within your home.
Plotting your course In many ways a bagua reading is so literal, you can work out how to boost the energy in a room intuitively. Worried about your health? Revamp the decor in the centre of your home (which falls under the health section of the bagua map). Hoping to travel again soon? Decorate the travel corner of your home (bottom right on the map) with photos of the countries you want to visit. Sex life in need of a boost? Place candles and flowers in the love and marriage section of your home (top right). But there’s more to the bagua than that. You’ll see from the map below that each bagua square corresponds not only with an aspect of your life but also with one of the five elements. So, once you know where a room fits in the bagua map, you’ll know which
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GEOMANCY
element needs to be supported in it. Let’s say your living room falls under the creativity section of the bagua map, which is supported by metal – if you feel you are lacking in creativity, you’ll benefit from introducing more metal into your living room. An easy way to boost the presence of a particular element in a space is through colour use – for instance, metal is commonly represented by the colour white, so you can invite more metal energy into a space by
introducing some white-coloured furnishings. But take another look at the map below, you’ll see that colour-use in the bagua is more complex, since colours in each square correspond with both the element and aspect of life represented. For instance, you can up the metal energy in the creativity section of your home by adding white-coloured accents, but to boost the travel section of your home, also associated with metal, you need to decorate with grey and black, as well as white.
By learning about the bagua, you can improve your quality of life. So think about which aspect of your life needs work. Let’s say it’s your relationship with money. Work out which room in your home falls under the wealth section of the bagua (top left on the map). Which element do you need to boost in that room to bring more money in? Wood. How do you do that? By incorporating plenty of blue, purple, red and green accents into your decor. Throw in a piece of real wood furniture and you’ll soon be as rich as Jack Ma.
BTB bagua map
Find more on feng shui @ www.arounddb.com
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October 2020 www.arounddb.com
PENANG PROPERTY FOR SALE (Owner Direct Sale) PENANG LUXURY APARTMENT HK$2.79M (NEGOTIABLE) 1,231sq ft. nett Located on the famed Batu Ferringhi beach, “By The Sea” is a low density development comprising 3 low-rise blocks of 138 units of suites. Its expansive 50m innnity pool and deck has unobstructed views of the sea while green hills serve as a verdant backdrop. Freehold, fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms & 1 carpark space. Innnity pool, gym, playgrounds, monkey park & outdoor gardens. PLEASE E-MAIL malaysiapropertysales2020@gmail.com AND WHATSAPP/CALL (+852) 9739-1403 FOR DETAILS AND PHOTOS. SERIOUS BUYERS ONLY!
JOHOR PROPERTY FOR SALE (Owner Direct Sale) JOHOR LUXURY APARTMENT HK$2.10M (NEGOTIABLE) 954 sq ft. nett Puteri Harbour, the pearl of Johor, is a prestigious waterfront development located along the southern coast of Johor, where it is closest to neighboring Singapore. Its’ ideal location and award winning masterplan have transformed the harbor into a popular dining, entertainment and holiday destination and given rise to highly desired luxury residences. Freehold, fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms & 1 carpark space. LCD smart home, innnity pool, gym, playgrounds, clubhouse, tennis courts & function rooms. PLEASE E-MAIL malaysiapropertysales2020@gmail.com AND WHATSAPP/CALL (+852) 9739-1403 FOR DETAILS AND PHOTOS. SERIOUS BUYERS ONLY!
ESCAPES
GONE WALKABOUT
Photos courtesy of unsplash.com
Dreaming of a road trip from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock, Dorothy Veitch conjures up never-ending desert landscapes, mighty rock formations and big skies
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October 2020 www.arounddb.com
Alice Springs Rather than flying into Ayers Rock Airport, you’re better off making Alice Springs your gateway into Australia’s awe-inspiring Northern Territory (the Red Centre). Some 460 kilometres from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and halfway between Darwin and Adelaide, both 1,500 kilometres away, Alice Springs is one of the most remote towns in the Australian outback. You’ll find it’s packed with history, indigenous art and opportunities for wilderness adventure.
Leaving Alice Springs
The Arrernte The five-hour drive from Alice Springs to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park opens up an extraordinary landscape of desert plains, mountain ranges, waterholes and gorges. This is Arrernte Aboriginal Land and it runs as far west as Kings Canyon, and as far east as the Simpson Desert. The iron-coated red sand is set against a deep blue sky that seems to roll on forever. Hidden in the Spinifex grasses and Mulga trees, you spot goannas, snakes, eagles, kites, budgies and, of course, kangaroos.
The Arrernte
Mount Conner On the drive through the Arrernte, you catch sight of flat-topped, sandstonecapped Mount Conner, known locally as Fool-uru since tourists often mistake it for mighty Uluru (Ayers Rock). Mount Conner sits on private land, so if you want to do more than admire it from a distance you need to book a tour through Curtin Springs Station.
Mount Conner
Lake Swanson You can also view Lake Swanson, one of seven salt lakes within Curtin Springs. This arid salt mass stretches to the horizon – it’s not the place for a swim. Travelling on, you get your first glimpse of Uluru from almost 100 kilometres away. At that moment, as you stand in awe before the world’s largest monolith, you’ll understand why I recommend you drive into the Red Centre from Alice Springs.
Lake Swanson
www.arounddb.com October 2020
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ESCAPES
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Arriving at Yulara, a little village about 18 kilometres from Uluru, you’ll find multiple accommodation options, varying from camping grounds to fancy resorts. Before you head into the park, be sure to gen up on general safety information. Stop by the Cultural Centre to pick up your visitor’s guide, get a feel for how the park is managed and learn about its iconic rock formations.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Uluru (Ayers Rock) You’re here to see Uluru, one of the great wonders of the world, 348 metres high, 3.6 kilometres long and 1.9 kilometres wide. It’s best viewed at dusk and again at dawn. As the rock changes colour, mirroring the sky around it, you’ll appreciate why Uluru is a sacred part of Aboriginal Creation Mythology, or dreamtime – reality being a dream.
C Uluru (Ayers Rock) M
Y
CM
MY
Kata Tjuta (The Olgars)
CY
Kata Tjuta (The Olgars) is the second big-ticket sight in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Kata Tjuta is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘many heads,’ and this incredible rock formation comprises 36 sandstone domes spread over an area of more than 20 kilometres. To fully appreciate the magnificence of Kata Tjuta, there is a beautiful two-and-ahalf-hour hike through the Valley of the Winds to Karingana Lookout.
CMY
K
Kata Tjuta (The Olgars)
Kings Canyon There are plenty of trails to explore in and around Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and, if you’re up for it, Kings Canyon Rim Walk at first light is a must. It’s a 6-kilometre round trip, with the first part of the hike – up ‘heart attack hill’ – being the hardest. After taking in the sublime views, a series of wooden steps lead you to the shady verdant glades of a hidden oasis – the Northern Territory’s very own ‘Garden of Eden.’ Find more dream destinations @ www.arounddb.com
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October 2020 www.arounddb.com
Kings Canyon
RECIPES
Off the scale! Simple, healthy and quick to make, these fabulous fish dishes taste every bit as good as they look
Salmon with salsa verde Serves 8
• 4 salmon fillets* • 6 spring onions, sliced* • 16 whole black peppercorns • 8 green chilli peppers, chopped fine • 2 limes, zest and juice* • 680g tomatillos, husks removed • 1 large white onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, chopped* • 150g coriander leaves, chopped
Photos courtesy of stock.adobe.com
Fry the salmon fillets, skin side down, for about 6 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden. Turn carefully, then cook for a further 2 minutes. Set aside. Fry the spring onions, peppercorns, 3 chilli peppers and the zest of one lime for 2 minutes, then add the juice of one lime. Spoon the chilli and lime infused oil over the salmon. To make the salsa verde, fry the tomatillos, searing them on both sides. Remove from the heat. Pulse the cooked, chopped tomatillos, the juice of one lime, onion, garlic, coriander and 5 chilli peppers in a food processor until combined. Drizzle the fish with the salsa verde or serve it as a side.
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October 2020 www.arounddb.com
Gurnard with peas and cider Serves 2
• 1 small onion, finely sliced • 1 garlic clove, finely sliced* • 2 gurnard fillets* • 2tbsp plain flour • 75g peas* • 200ml dry cider • 2tbsp parsley, finely chopped • 1tbsp mint, finely chopped Fry the onion and garlic until soft, then set aside. Dust the gurnard fillets in the seasoned flour. Return the pan to the heat and fry the fish, skinned side down. Cook for about 2 minutes, until it is nicely browned on one side. Return the onion and garlic to the pan. Add the peas and the cider and simmer for 4 minutes. Make sure the fish is cooked through then divide it between two warmed plates. Return the pan to the heat, and stir in the parsley and mint followed by a knob of butter. Simmer until the sauce is thick and glossy. Spoon the peas and sauce around the fish to serve.
Eat The Kiwi delivers sustainably sourced New Zealand fish direct to your door www.arounddb.com October 2020
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RECIPES
Snapper with three cheese sauce Serves 2
• 2tbsp butter* • 3tbsp flour • ¾tsp salt • 1/8tsp nutmeg • ½tsp mustard powder • 118ml milk • ¾tsp lemon juice* • 50g each cheddar, gruyere, emmental* • 2 snapper fillets* Preheat the oven to 200°C. In a saucepan, melt the butter and blend in the flour, salt, nutmeg and mustard powder. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Add the lemon juice and grated cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted. Place the snapper fillets in a greased baking pan. Cover with the cheese sauce and bake for 20 minutes. Garnish with fresh rosemary and basil to serve.
FIND IT • Eat The Kiwi, 9785 5706 (WhatsApp), hello@eatthekiwi.com, store.eatthekiwi.com Eat The Kiwi delivers high quality New Zealand groceries* 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.
Find more deliciously simple recipes @ www.arounddb.com
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October 2020 www.arounddb.com
DB FACES
Snaps COMMUNITY
Photos by Col Sim www.colsimphotography.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: Rebekah Jones (@shewalkssheruns)
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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!
October 2020 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 • Having stuff delivered from China? They are not delivering to DB Or Lantau? Have it sent to the Akash office in Kwai Chung & delivered to your home. Contact 2421 8088, info@akash.hk, www.akash.hk
• 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
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
GUITAR LESSONS
MPF Services QDAP Insurances VHIS Protection Wealth Management Candy Cheung Financial Planning Manager Bachelor of Business
(852) 9172 9152
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
Email: candy_y_cheung@manulife.com.hk | www.manulife.com.hk
www.stevegardnerhk.com music@stevegardnerhk.com
FLEXIBILITY TRAINER Tired of sore muscles after exercising? Do you wish for a pain-free life? Releasing body tension and building core muscles are just some of the solutions. Get that great posture back with an improved athletic performance with NASM certified trainer Atsuko Nakashio.
Call Atsuko today at 6751
5717
Boost your fitness and energy levels.
START TRAINING TODAY! FIT FOR LIFE PERSONAL TRAINING Certified KETTLE BELL, TRX, PRO & POSTNATAL instructor All training is outdoor or in the CONTACT 98580770 cwressmark@outlook.com convenience of your home
DB PROPERTY DB PROPERTY FOR RENT
CHIANTI-THE LUSTRE “DON’T MISS OUT”
L U X U R Y A PA R T M E N T S I N S I E N A 2
OPEN DAY – OCTOBER 10, 17, 24, 31 from 14:30 – 17:00
SO LE AG EN T
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
HK$11.38M (Vacant with Key
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
)
Gross 1,266’ Saleable 977’
Beautiful Sea View, High Floor with Newly Renovated & Open Kitchen, Storage, Balcony, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Big Master Bedroom
Please call Joe: 6770 1566
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
FRENCH LANGUAGE PRIVATE TUITION WESTERN DRAWING LESSONS Experienced, Patient, Mature, Effective, master+ educational level. Tuition of French language to individuals at about or more than 7 years old. All levels. Beginners / adults. French Literature for French students. Homework tuition. Offer private Drawing / Painting Art Lessons to individuals / small groups. All mediums / techniques. Personalised lessons according to levels & interests. Home / office visits / venues to be specified. Please contact gsn6sy@hotmail.com
trimco Hong Kong Limited
Painting Decorating Renovation Cladding Tiling Contact Steve Donovan at 6149 0894 (call or WhatsApp), trimcohk@gmail.com
(E-216093)
www.sophiaessentials.com
• • • •
3 Hi resolution retouched digital images Private 15-minute studio session Images delivered in 24 hours HK$800.
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 October 2020
53
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
3102 2977 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 Gilmore’s by the Golden Pig Healthy Chicken, North Plaza 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 TigerLily Uncle Russ, North Plaza Zak’s
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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 Action X, North Plaza Nomadic
LEARNING CENTRES
HOME
2987 2298 2295 8288 2295 8299 2591 1426 2904 7698 2987 2848 2987 0036 2172 6111 2987 2915 2987 9123 2662 9168 6933 6990 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 2997 8688 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
October 2020 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
Action X, North Plaza 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
2911 2987 6473 9255 2987 2987 2987 6624 2441 9680 9685 6101 9387 9303 6385 6704 8197
4833 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 October 2020
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OUT THERE
Poor connection Brought to the brink of despair by a computerised banking system that refuses to transfer funds, Peter Sherwood gets on the phone and lost in cyberspace
H
ere’s a recent example of ‘asinine’ in action, while dealing with a faceless overseas bureaucracy that has brought the art of social distancing to a new level. But this is not just a whining Troglodyte recalling halcyon days when an international bank transaction took two minutes – with a phone call and email. It’s a universally heartfelt ode to stupidity.
She disappears for about a week while I’m left to calculate how much this phone call is going to cost me. I picture her having wandered into some dank corporate cave where ancient computers whirr and grind, while she awaits a response from Big Brother. A torturous time later she’s back with the news that there is something wrong with The System, that amorphous black hole in cyberspace that absorbs blame for every 21st century act of irresponsibility.
‘To save my time and better serve me’ my bank has introduced a computerised model that refuses, after a week of trying, to acknowledge my existence. And I’ve been with the same outfit in Australia since 1984. Frustrated? If there were an app for hara-kiri, I’d try it.
Illustration by Terry Chow
Input into the void failed so I phoned for help. I am eventually put through to a generic ‘John,’ but not before being warned that my call might be used for training purposes. Translation: If you curse the staff, we’ll make ignoring you our life’s work. As if they haven’t already. Then 20 minutes of appalling Seventies music, and bingo! “We’re connecting you to a customer service agent.” ‘Eric’ appears reading a script: “Good morning, Peter. Is it OK if I call you Peter?” Faux friendliness to soften me up so I’ll accept any old idiocy. Beginning with interrogation –
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A real human with his or her own name you seek? Ha, ha and ha! Try this for a giggle: Hang up, call back and ask for the Eric you were just speaking to. Good luck. my great grandmother’s maiden name, please, and the date of my last online purchase of laxatives. Forty minutes has passed and at my expense. A transfer of funds was a bridge too far; too complex for these moronic humanoids to achieve. What used to be easy is now ridiculously complicated – and by the way get used to it because they don’t care. But hold! Here comes ‘Janet:’ “Certainly, Peter. Is it OK if I call you Peter? Please wait a moment while I enter you into The System.” Click.
Complain? Janet and John are not the complaints department. You have to email. I did, and got an automated reply referring me back to the computer page that has not worked since Bill Gates was a boy. Apparently this interminable hanging on the phone is for my own good, and all in the name of efficiency. I’m not a vengeful man, and it’s not that I don’t appreciate the billions spent providing me with endless hours of convenience. But I would not be terribly upset if Janet, John and Eric were to spontaneously combust.
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 October 2020 www.arounddb.com
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