Around DB December 2022

David Golibroda

+852 9881 8770 david@diamondexpertshk.com www.diamondexpertshk.com

Suite 711, 7F, Yu To Sang Bldg 37 Queens Road, Central, Hong Kong

CREATING LEADERS SINCE

1572

For almost 450 years, Harrow has been the hallmark of a first class British boarding education.

We are continuing this tradition in Hong Kong’s vibrant community, by preparing the leaders of tomorrow to thrive in our rapidly changing world. Harrow is a leading academic school in Hong Kong, and offers more than 250 Co-Curricular Activities to develop you as an individual. You can learn about the world via numerous trips and expeditions. Our pupils become doctors, engineers, artists and scientists, and attend the world’s most elite universities including Oxford, Cambridge, Yale, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Columbia, Toronto and HKU.

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Party Canapés

Smoked Salmon Lemon Cream Cheese Bruschetta (Half Dozen)

Parma Ham and Melon Skewer (Half Dozen)

Salad (2kg)

Seared Peppered Tuna Nicoise Salad

Chicken and Grape Waldorf Salad

Special Dishes

Baked Macaroni with Ham and Mushroom Cream Sauce (2kg)

Grilled Pork Sausage Spiral with Home-made Black Truffle Honey Mustard (1.5kg)

Festival Dishes

Christmas Vegetable Platter

Glazed Chestnut, Braised Red Cabbage, Vicky Carrot, French Bean, Sesame Roasted Sweet Potato

Christmas Glazed Boneless Ham with Honey Orange (2-2.5kg)

Christmas Roasted Whole Turkey with Port Wine Sauce (14-16lbs) Served with Chestnut Sausage Bread Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce

Dessert

Christmas Stollen (300g)

Christmas Cup Cake (Half Dozen)

Christmas Yule Log (2lbs)

HKD$158

HKD$158

HKD$388

HKD$388

HKD$388

HKD$388

HKD$238

HKD$538

HKD$888

HKD$168

HKD$268

HKD$568

CONTACT US

@ BAY MEDIA GROUP

P: +852 2987 0167 E: info@baymedia.com.hk W: www.arounddb.com

PHILIP JAY

Publisher/ Owner philip@baymedia.com.hk

RACHEL AINSLEY Managing editor rachel@baymedia.com.hk

RAPHAEL BLET Assistant editor raphael@baymedia.com.hk

BEATRIX MALAN Digital manager beatrix@baymedia.com.hk

SARIN ALE Art director sarin@baymedia.com.hk

CONTRIBUTORS

RAY AU, IMOGEN CLYDE, ELIZABETH KERR, PETER SHERWOOD

PHOTOGRAPHERS

BALJIT GIDWANI www.evoqueportraits.com RICHARD GORDON www.richardgordonphotography.com

PRINTING

Flat C & D, 9/F Sing Teck Factory Bldg, 44 Wong Chuk Hang Rd, Hong Kong

BAY MEDIA GROUP

Flat 6E Elegance Court, Hillgrove Village, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island

DISCLAIMER

The views expressed in Around DB 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.

CHRISTMAS FAMILY PHOTOSHOOTS

DB photographer Richard Gordon has two festive options lined up for DB families this Christmas – a 10-minute Meeting with Santa Photoshoot, and a 20-minute Christmas Family Portrait Session. The photos, taken at Richard’s studio in DB North Plaza, are ideal for personalised Christmas cards and sending friends and family digital Xmas wishes. To find out more and make a booking, WhatsApp 9127 0977. For dates and times available, visit www.richardgordonphotography.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF www.richardgordonphotography.com.]

Happenings STUFF TO

DBIS STUDENT IN HK

PLAYERS PANTO

It’s pantomime season, and Hong Kong Players is celebrating its 61st consecutive year of annual pantos with Robin Hood: The Panto. Part of the ensemble cast, and performing with the Players for the first time, is Year 9 DBIS student Eloise Stewart (top row, second on the left).

Eloise, who is taking drama as a GCSE and is quick to give a shout-out to her teacher Mr Piggott, has never seen a film version of Robin Hood but she loves the panto. “It’s really funny and has an interesting plot,” she says. “In the ensemble cast, we’re all under 18; it’s basically just singing, dancing or being in the background of the scene. I’ve learned how to sing properly and how to collaborate well with other people while performing.” Best piece of advice from the director? “If you make a mistake, no one will notice, just make it look good and carry on!

“The rehearsals are really fun,” Eloise adds. “It’s fantastic to be around a group of people who all love what they’re doing. It’s a big show to perfect in a short amount of time, so we rehearse a lot. We want it to be excellent!”

Be sure to catch Eloise in Robin Hood: The Panto, running from December 1 to 11, at the Hong Kong Arts Centre’s Shouson Theatre in Wanchai. For tickets, starting at HK$295, visit www.popticket.hk/en/event/robin-hood-panto. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Hong Kong Players.]

DISCOVERY BAY HOLIDAY MARKET

Still got stocking fillers and under-the-tree presents to buy? Make your way to the Discovery Bay Christmas market in DB Plaza on December 11 from 11am to 6pm. Handmade Hong Kong, the organisers of these indie craft markets, believe in the value of handmade goods, the act of creating and old-fashioned neighbourliness. What better way to treat loved ones this Christmas than by supporting local artisans? To find out more, visit www.handmadehongkong.com.

CHRISTMAS ON ICE AT DBIR

Make your way to Discovery Bay Ice Rink (DBIR) on December 17 and 18 from 5pm to 6pm to enjoy a sensational Christmas figure skating performance, Joyous Christmas on Ice. Students of the DBIR figure skating school are performing alongside their coaches, many of whom skate for the Hong Kong National Team. For more on DBIR, turn to page 36 or visit www.dbicerink.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF HKR.]

& Events! KNOW IN DECEMBER !

XMAS TREE RECYCLING

Did you know there is a service in place in DB to remove Christmas trees and give them a new lease of life? Call them after the holidays, and Winson Cleaning Services will collect your tree for a small fee – under 5ft, HK$150; over 5ft, HK$200; over 7ft, quote upon request. All the trees collected will be taken to the Green @ Islands Station in Tung Chung for recycling from January 4 to 8. You can call Winson to arrange for collection on 3176 3188.

SEASONAL WORKSHOPS AT DB COMMUNITY GREEN SQUARE

There are two Christmas-themed classes to sign up for at DB Community Green Square this month. On December 3, from 10am to 1pm, professional florist Samantha Yan is hosting a Christmas Wreath Workshop, and on December 10, from 2pm to 5pm, landscape and floral designer Anna Li is providing an Upcycled Glass Jar Lantern Workshop. To find out more and enrol, visit Facebook @DynamicDBers. [PHOTO COURTESY OF DBSML.]

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

THROUGH DECEMBER | DONATE PRELOVED FURNITURE to people in need through DB Mothers & Friends. To arrange for pick-up, visit Facebook @dbmf.collection.

DECEMBER 4 | GATHER AT THE PLANT MARKET in DB Community Green Square from 2pm to 4pm. Visit Facebook @DynamicDBers.

December 11 | JOIN A BEACH CLEAN-UP! Meet at the gate to DB/ Nim Shue Wan at 2.10pm. Email dana@plasticfreeseas.org to RSVP.

EAT GINGERBREAD TO RAISE HK$600,000

Hong Kong-based charity Cookie Smiles has partnered with the Landmark and 22 celebrity chefs to bring back the Gingerbread for Good Campaign, which aims to raise at least HK$600,000 for its two beneficiaries: Box of Hope and the Vocational Training Council’s Shine Skills Centre. The campaign runs through January 1, with a range of unique Mrs Claus gingerbread cookies on sale at Shop 350, 3/F, Landmark Atrium in Central. To learn more, visit www.cookiesmiles.com.hk. [PHOTOS BY Until Chan.]

FESTIVE FUN AT EPICLAND

Hong Kong’s tallest indoor family entertainment centre, aka EpicLand in DB North Plaza, is pulling out all the stops this month to provide families with an immersive and fun-filled festive experience. You can expect to see Christmas decorations, trees and inflatables throughout the 14,000 square-feet playground, plus a Santa’s Grotto. For daily, weekly or monthly passes, or to book a Christmas party or corporate event, visit www.epiclandhk.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF EpicLand.]

CHESS FOR KINDERGARTENERS AT CAISSA

CAROLLING IN DB PLAZA COURTESY OF DBIS

Discovery Bay International School is hosting DBIS Community Christmas Carols in DB Plaza on December 15 from 5pm to 6pm. A sure-fire crowd pleaser, the event features a brass band, and all are welcome. Scan the QR code to download a programme and join in with the carol singing.

Caissa Hong Kong Chess Club is launching chess classes for kids in kindergarten, aged four and up. Lessons are short, just 45 minutes, and tailored to the cognitive development of young minds. At chess club, children develop skills such as creative thinking, forward thinking, visualisation, problem solving and concentration. They also learn to socialise, while developing patience – and a competitive spirit. Starting January 2023, classes will take place at DB North Plaza on Thursdays (3.15pm) and Fridays (11am). For more on Caissa, turn to page 48 or visit www.caissahk.org.

HOLIDAY TAKEOUT

Bay Hong Kong through December 27. Our

Glazed Boneless Ham with Honey Orange (2-2.5kg, HK$538), Christmas Vegetable Platter (Glazed Chestnut, Braised Red Cabbage, Vichy Carrot, French Bean, Sesame Roasted Sweet Potato, HK$238) and Christmas Stollen (300g, HK$168). The icing on the cake? Free delivery within DB for orders exceeding HK$2,000. To place an order, WhatsApp 6317 3559 or email cafe@aubergediscoverybay.com.

DISCOVERY BAY CHURCH CHRISTMAS SERVICES

Discovery Bay Church is holding a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at S.K.H. Wei Lun Primary School on December 4 at 10am, inspired by the annual service at King’s College, Cambridge. The church is arranging a Christmas Eve Christingle Service with Nativity on December 24 at 6pm in the same location. The service ends in candlelight with participants standing in a circle holding their lit Christingles singing Silent Night To learn more, visit www.discoverybaychurch.org.hk.

[PHOTO COURTESY OF Discovery Bay Church.]

DBICC’S CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

PHOTOGRAPHY GRAND PRIX AT NATURAL SPACE

Hua Zi, owner of DB North Plaza-based exhibition space and photography studio Natural Space, is organising a Christmas/ New Year Happy Family Photography Grand Prix, inviting residents to submit their best festive shots and stand a chance to win exciting prizes. The deadline to submit photos, up to 10 per entrant, is February 1, 2023; email info.fhotog@gmail.com. To find out more, scan the QR code or call Tiffany Ho on 2579 9288.

[PHOTOS COURTESY OF China Visual.]

FESTIVE BOX PHOTOSHOOTS

Through December, South Lantau-based ATS Collective is offering a twist on the traditional Christmas card photoshoot through fun and festive box shoots complete with props. Clients have a choice between four different templates and dressing up is encouraged! The photoshoot includes a complimentary digital Christmas card design which can be emailed or printed. To find out more and make a booking, email info@atscollective.com or visit www.atscollective.com.

[PHOTO COURTESY OF Beatrix Malan.]

Discovery Bay International Community Church (DBICC) is hosting Christmas celebrations throughout DB this month. There’s the popular ‘Line of Lights’ on December 3 at 5.45pm on Discovery Bay Road, and an interactive Nativity scene on December 10, from 4.30pm to 7.30pm, at DB North Plaza. DBICC is also holding a Christmas Eve Service at Tai Pak Wan playground on December 24 at 6pm, and a Christmas Day Service at Discovery College on December 25 at 10am. To know more, visit www.dbicc.org. [PHOTO COURTESY OF DBICC.]

DB CNY DRAWING COMPETITION

2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, and to celebrate, we’re asking young DB artists to put pen to paper (or tablet) to create an A4-sized, rabbitthemed CNY artwork. The competition has two categories: primary school students living/ studying in DB and secondary school students living/ studying in DB. Entries need to be submitted to dbdrawingcompetition@gmail.com by December 18 for an online vote, January 1 to 15. To find out more, turn to page 16.

2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, and to celebrate, we’re asking young DB artists to put pen to paper (or tablet) to create an A4-sized, rabbit-themed CNY artwork .

The competition has two categories: (1) primary school students living/ studying in DB and (2) secondary school students living/ studying in DB.

EACH ENTRY MUST INCLUDE

• The entrant’s name, student ID copy, age and chosen category

• Three photos showing the artwork in progress

• A photo of the entrant with the completed artwork plus either

• A photo of the original artwork (1MB minimum) or

• The digital artwork (2480 x 3508px at 300dpi)

Please email your entry to: dbdrawingcompetition@gmail.com

Shortlisted entrants will be required to drop off their original artwork or send it via registered post to us at 6E Elegance Court, Hillgrove Village, DB.

KEY DATES

December 18: Submission deadline

January 1: Shortlisted entrants are announced and pictured in the January issue of Around DB and on the Around DB Facebook page

January 1-15: Online voting on the Around DB Facebook page

January 18: Results posted on the Around DB Facebook page

February 1 : Photos of the finalists in each category, and their drawings, are published in the February issue of Around DB

PRIZES TO WIN

There are prizes for the finalists in each category:

W inner: HK$1,500 in book vouchers

1st runner-up: HK$1,000 in book vouchers

2nd runner-up: HK$800 in book vouchers

For enquiries, please email: dbdrawingcompetition@gmail.com

SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY BY DECEMBER 18, 2022

Love.Together@DB is a community-caring platform initiated by Hong Kong Resort Company dedicated to serving the Discovery Bay community. The platform has been supporting and coorganising diversified corporate social responsibility initiatives with NGO’s, community leaders and volunteers to promote the loving and caring culture in the sustainable and multicultural DB community.

Out & About! WHAT YOU'VE BEEN UP TO!

BOX OF HOPE DELIVERIES AT DBIS

DBIS students took part in the annual Box of Hope campaign last month, packing shoeboxes of gifts and essentials which will be sent to children in need in Hong Kong and across Asia. The students made their boxes at home and brought them to school for collection on November 4. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF DBIS.]

DB RUNNERS ON THE ACTION ASIA PODIUM

In Action Asia Event’s Hysan Island Hike and Run, held on November 13, competitors chose to run either the 5km, 14km or 22km course. A special shout out goes to DB residents Delphine RicheFranz, who placed third in the 22km and Maggie Cvetkovic, who placed second in the 14km. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Action Asia Events.]

CELEBRATING HALLOWEEN ON HEADLAND DRIVE

Headland Drive was crammed with witches, vampires, goblins and ghouls on October 31 as kids and their parents got together to have their photos taken and trick or treat. [PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon - www.richardgordonphotography.com.]

SCARY FUN AT THE NIGHT MARKET

PRIZE WINNERS IN THE HALLOWEEN DRESS-UP COMPETITION

On October 31, China Visual held an awards ceremony to celebrate the winners of its Halloween Dress-Up Competition at Natural Space, the new photography and exhibition studio in DB North Plaza. The competition drew 41 participants of all ages. Congratulations to Zoe Davis and her four-legged friends for placing first for best costume (individual), which won her a HK$10,000 voucher to spend at Natural Space, a HK$3,000 cash voucher and a medal. For more photos of the prize winners, visit bit.ly/3UjSm2U. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Herman@ChinaVisual.]

SHOPPING THE DB CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Residents made their way to the Discovery Bay Christmas markets in DB Plaza on November 13 and 27 to stock up on under-the-tree presents and stocking fillers.

Under 12 Finalists

[PHOTOS BY Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com.]

MARKING POLISH INDEPENDENCE DAY

On November 13, residents joined their Polish neighbours and members of Hong Kong’s wider Polish community on Tai Pak Wan to celebrate Poland’s Independence Day. The event was organised by DB Plaza-based Polish grocery store POLISHFOOD.hk, who sponsored a kabanos eating competition. Everyone was asked to bring their own picnic food, whether Polish or international, to enjoy on the day. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Marcin @POLISHFOOD.hk.]

Each educational and imaginative toys at felix & mina is created to encourage play, support, development and create joy in every child.

With toddlers and babies putting literally anything and everything in their mouths, it's only natural that we're a bit wary of some toys. With felix & mina, we love the selection of BPA and Phthalate free toys as well as the collection from GreenToys that has no screws or metal axles making them dish-washer safe for easy cleaning!

Aside from toys, you can also shop a great selection of modern children's wear and family orientated lifestyle products. We highly recommend dropping by our store in Discovery Bay or over online shopping, especially for first timers!

UNVEILING THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN

DB NORTH

Love.Together@DB got the festive season off to a cracking start with a traditional Christmas Lighting Ceremony and Parade at DB North Plaza on the evening of November 25. As the fake snow fell, residents were treated to a Christmas choir, dance performances and a live band.

[PHOTOS BY Raphael Blet.]

We are a dedicated online grocery supermarket in Hong Kong and a completely independent business affiliated with some of the biggest grocery distributors in UK.

In addition, we are the official online retailer of Morrisons own label groceries in Hong Kong giving you a complete wealth of choice between branded British groceries and Morrisons own label range. Morrisons is one of UK’s leading grocery retailer with over 500 stores and an online home delivery service in UK. You will be spoilt for choice. We give you the “Best British Brands” at the best prices in Hong Kong.

TRAIL CHALLENGER GIFT BOX, HK$350

HONG KONG 180 BY DJ CLARK, HK$180 OLD HONG KONG THE WAY WE WERE BY LAU KOON TAN, HK$499

MORRISONS PICKLED ONIONS, 675G, HK$38, BRITAINESSENTIALS.COM

BRANSTON ORIGINAL PICKLE, 520G, HK$42, BRITAINESSENTIALS.COM

RUBBERWOOD 4-PIECE CHEESE BOARD SET, HK$268, MAITREDEVIN.COM

PIERRE

XMAS PARTY TAKEOUT: ROASTED 14-16LBS WHOLE TURKEY W/ PORT WINE SAUCE, CHESTNUT SAUSAGE BREAD STUFFING AND CRANBERRY SAUCE, HK$888, AUBERGEDISCOVERYBAY.COM

BACKSBERG FAMILY RESERVE 2016, HK$299, LEEDERQUAY.COM

MANDUKA - PRO LITE YOGA MAT 4.7MM, HK$1,099, ESCAPADE.COM.HK

MIDNIGHT MERMAID HIGH WAIST LEGGINGS, HK$460, FLOWITHMEHK.COM

POLAR - VANTAGE V2, HK$4,480, ESCAPADE.COM.HK

CHRISTMAS WOODEN PACKABLE TREE, HK$556.50, TREE.COM.HK

CROWD PLEASERS

STRAPPY SALERNO SHIRRED RED SUNDRESS, HK$890, SHECREATESSTORIES.COM

PINE FOREST SCENT DIFFUSER BY HETKINEN, HK$489, SLOWOOD.HK

RENPHO - AI SMART EXERCISE BIKE, HK$3,825, RENPHO.COM

Sinter,Santa,Saint! THE MAN IN RED

"Iwas a Krampus when I did my first visit in Germany. It’s the easiest role because you don’t have to talk. You go in and look grim,” begins Hans Dickert, recalling nearly a lifetime’s worth of holiday St Nicholas visits. He was 18, in his hometown of Schnaittenbach (about an hour from Nürnberg) and knew almost everyone he was visiting.

“I dropped into one house with about seven kids around 5.30 in the evening. It was great, we gave the gifts to the kids and off they went. Then the parents said, ‘Have a schnapps with us.’ Now, we had two more visits planned. I knew these people. If we didn’t stop for a drink, they’d never let us out of the house. So, we had one schnapps. And some Ouzo, 20ccl, not a shot. We went back later for mulled wine and cookies,” he pauses, throwing a deadpan stare over Google Meet. “I’m from Bavaria. The mulled wine glass was a beer stein.”

THAT’S THE SPIRIT

Now, DB parents and guardians who are expecting a visit from Hans or one of his assistant St Nicholases this year can relax. His drinking days are far behind him. A DB resident of 13 years, Hans is an active Lantau Boat Club paddler, hiker and on-the-weekend farmer. He works for a German industrial tech firm. We live and learn. What’s more, he’s had plenty of practice.

Hans has been doing St Nicholas visits (before Christmas, traditionally on December 5) for nearly all of the 20 years he’s lived in Hong Kong, and for the last

three years as part of local charity One World Spirit Association’s (OWS) cultural exchange programmes.

It’s been roughly 10 months since I chatted with Hans and his wife, OWS founder Shirlee, back when the couple was preparing its Lunar New Year events. Unsurprisingly those events got put on ice when Hong Kong got slammed in an Omicron outbreak in February. Those plans were canned, but the Dickerts are back in business, making new ones, starting with the St Nicholas visits for children aged two to six.

After getting an idea of how many kids are in the home, ages, genders and names, Hans or one of his ‘colleagues’ show up dressed up like St Nicholas with small gifts and sweets, sharing the historic folklore that gave birth to the myth of the man in red.

The legend stems from a Roman Empire-era Greek bishop who developed a reputation among early Christians for his secret gift-giving. “He left some money for very poor families and little candies on the night of December 5 for children,” explains Hans.

“The tradition travelled to Europe and it stuck. In Germany you give little gifts, in the Netherlands you give a larger one, so the tradition varies from place to place. But each time it’s the joy in the children that makes it so special,” Hans adds. “This shouldn’t be confused with Santa Claus; he visits on Christmas Day.”

SHARING A LEGACY

This year will be the third in a row Hans and his St Nicholases – now counting Olli, a Finn; Gil, a Belgian;

Hans Dickert sits down with Elizabeth Kerr as he gets ready to share some old-school St Nick love with DB kids

PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon - www.richardgordonphotography.com & courtesy of Hans Dickert

Nigel, a Brit and Sergius, a fellow German – have visited kids in DB, and he admits he’d love to see the tradition picked up across Hong Kong. OWS would be thrilled to teach anyone who’s interested the tricks of the trade, and both Hans and Shirlee would love to get into more schools and, most importantly, connect with organisations that serve underprivileged kids.

In fact, the Dickerts need help if they hope to avoid turning requests down. “We had an enquiry from a kindergarten about St Nicholas, and really it’s just about manpower,” Shirlee says. “School visits need to be on weekdays and all our St Nicholases are volunteers. But we’re trying to work it out.”

In 2021, 27 DB families got visits from three teams, and Hans expects all this year’s available slots to fill up. In early November, seven families were already on board.

While OWS’ team of regular volunteers now numbers 15+, the Dickerts have been looking for more support in the lead-up to the December event. They needed more golf cart drivers to get the St Nicholases to residents’ homes, and young volunteers (aged 13 years and up) to assist the team by liaising with families signed up for a visit.

“This is the second year, we have enrolled students from Po Leung Kuk Tong Nai Kan Junior Secondary College to assist us. We hope the volunteers who are helping on the Christmas visits will keep up the tradition down the road,” Hans says. “We want to recruit young people in particular, in order to pass on this wonderful tradition and legacy.”

CONNECTING CULTURES

More is required of a wannabe St Nicholas than being willing to dress-up and Hans held a series of training days in November for new recruits. “They learn a bit about how to represent, how to pay attention to the children and the family when they go in, how to read out loud and how to interact with the kids,” he explains. “Everyone needs to make their Golden Book. They can read from the text, and once they get into it, they can improvise a bit.”

The big day this year is Sunday, December 4. Hans proudly shows off a new, handmade bishop’s sceptre, something like a shepherd’s staff, for St Nicholas to wield. It’s a traditional part of the costume that’s been missing until now. That was remedied when the Dickerts picked up a headpiece in Schnaittenbach on a visit this summer.

The final touch is the aforementioned Golden Book, which is a list of names, directions for the golf cart drivers, and some notes submitted by parents when they request the visit (check out OWS’s Facebook page for details: fb.me/e/32lcdNMWr). Most of the notes are

little things – “Could help clean up,” “Needs to brush teeth better” and “Doesn’t finish breakfast” – but to a four-year-old the fact that St Nicholas knows these secrets must be astonishing.

“They look at us like, ‘How does he know that?’ It’s in the Golden Book,” Hans says with a chuckle. “We can’t let them look inside because it’s a ‘special’ book.”

As COVID seems to come under some semblance of control and Hong Kong starts to re-connect with the world (when the Dickerts travelled in the summer, the airport was, “Like an old zombie movie. Everything was closed. We landed in Istanbul in the middle of the night and people were all over the place, life everywhere. It was like night and day.”) OWS is getting back at it, planning a Christmas Bazaar with the German Chamber of Commerce and rescheduling some of those postponed CNY events.

“We’re looking ahead to January, planning a Hanfu Chinese traditional clothing event with Hua Zi at Natural Space, and a series of workshops on Chinese calligraphy, spring couplets and an introduction to tea art,” Shirlee says.

In the meantime, December 4 is fast approaching. For the record, it’s not a one-way street. “We get the kids to sing or draw a picture for St Nicholas, keep them engaged and ask them to reflect on their year,” finishes Hans. “Sometimes it can help parents out. I did this for many years in Germany and seeing how the kids grew up and changed. It’s amazing.”

HANS IN SCHNAITTENBACH WHERE THIS STORY BEGINS

felix & mina

IS OFFERING TWO READERS ONE FENJA FAME BRAIDED VEAL LEATHER DESIGNER BRACELET EACH (WORTH HK$499 EACH)

A long-time presence in Germany, and now with a high-end store in DB Plaza, ‘felix & mina’ is best known for its fashionable, comfortable and eco-friendly range of children’s clothing. The brand opened a second store in Xiamen in 2021, and has its own creative team of designers in Germany, Italy, Spain, the US and Hong Kong.

On repositioning in 2021, felix & mina became a family-oriented, multi-brand lifestyle store, offering quality clothing and accessories for adults and children, plus a wonderful line of educational toys. In addition to its own brand, felix & mina carries a number of forward-thinking international brands including Desigual, Puma, Fenja Fame, Pantolinos, Tiger Tribe and Mother’s Choice. To shop online, visit www.felixandmina.com. Around DB readers can get 15% off online and in-store purchases through January 1, 2023 by using promo code FMXMAS22 (terms & conditions apply).

Around DB

IS OFFERING FIVE READERS TWO ONE-DAY GENERAL ADMISSION PARK TICKETS TO HONG KONG DISNEYLAND RESORT (WORTH UP TO HK$639 EACH)

Win a pair of general admission park tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and you get to experience all the heart-warming holiday togetherness of ‘A Disney Christmas.’ Tickets are valid for six months from December 16. Winners are reminded to register online at www.hongkongdisneyland.com before visiting the park.

Running through January 2, 2023, ‘A Disney Christmas’ is packed with splendid winter shows, opportunities to share special moments with your favourite Disney characters, festive music and delicious dining options. Don’t miss ‘Mickey and Friends Christmastime Ball,’ ‘Santa Goofy’s Magical Snowfall’ and the ‘Holiday Wish-Come-True Tree Lighting Ceremony.’ This year’s all-new ‘Disney Live in Concert!’ is destined to become a fan favourite, combining joyous jazz, uplifting classical music and breath-taking songs from hit musicals. To end your day on a high note, join Duffy and family for a ‘Wish Upon a Star’ photo in front of the castle. Special packages that include priority seating for the ‘Disney Live in Concert!,’ park tickets, in-park dining, Disney Premier Access and hotel accommodation are available through Cathay. To find out more, visit www.hongkongdisneyland.com.

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST ISSUE’S WINNERS

HOW TO WIN!

Around DB prizes are incredibly easy to get your hands on, and you have until the 15th of the month to apply. Simply scan the QR code or go to www.arounddb.com/giveaways, select the giveaway you want, and enter your details into the online form. (Terms and Conditions apply.)

Nick Jones and Tedmond Fu for two tickets each for a half-day Zoom Ribs speed boat trip, and Helene Chane for four tickets to see Robin Hood, The Panto!

A Little Bit of Trivia! CHRISTMAS QUIZ

Find out how much you know about the silly season!

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Flickr & Wikimedia

1. Which of the following is Santa Claus aka?

A. Father Christmas

B. St Nicholas, Kris Kringle

C. All of the above

2. Which world leader was born on Christmas Day ?

A. Justin Trudeau B. Emmanuel Macron C. Kim Jong-un

3. What does the Krampus do at Christmas?

A. Scares naughty children

B. Gifts good children

C. Skis in the Alps

4. What is the Grinch’s dog called?

A. Bailey B. Max C. Rocky

5. Which country is the largest exporter of Christmas Trees?

A. Canada B. Denmark C. Russia

6. Where does Santa live?

A. Nuuk, Greenland

B. Rovaniemi, Finland

C. Kimmirut, Canada

7. To which cause did British pop duo Wham! give the royalties of Last Christmas ?

A. The Ethiopian famine B. Live 8

C. The eradication of child labour

8. In the Twelve Days of Christmas , what is given on the seventh day?

A. A partridge

B. French hens C. Swans a-swimming

9. What’s the highest grossing Christmas movie of all time?

A. Meet Me in St. Louis

B. Home Alone

C. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

10. Which city is home to the world’s largest Christmas market?

A. Strasbourg B. Vienna C. Munich

11. What colour is Elvis’ Christmas?

A. Blue B. White C. Red

12. Which alcoholic ingredient is used in a Snowball?

A. Sherry B. Gin C. Advocaat

13. In which European country does the Christmas Tree originate?

A. Italy B. Germany C. Poland

14. How many reindeers pull Santa’s sleigh?

A. 8

B. 9, if you include Rudolf C. 12

15. What song do the plastics perform in Mean Girls?

A. O Holy Night B. White Christmas C. Jingle Bell Rock

16. Why does Jingle Bells hold a Guinness World Record?

A. It was the first Christmas song played in outer space

B. It was the first Christmas song played in Antarctica

C. It was the first Christmas song played in a submarine

17. On average, how many babies are born on Christmas Day worldwide?

A. 172,000 B. 220,000 C. 380,000

18. Who wrote Hercule Poirot’s Christmas ? A. Daphne du Maurier B. Agatha Christie C. George Orwell

19. In 1958, where was Christmas Island excised from?

A. Singapore B. Australia C. New Zealand

20. Where does the White Christmas dessert originate?

A. Austria B. Australia C. Sweden

You can check your score at www.arounddb.com/across hong-kong/christmas-quiz.

Get YourSkatesOn! HIT THE ICE

At DB Ice Rink, kids as young as three can train in figure skating, short-track speed skating and ice hockey – and they are taught by some of the best coaches in Hong Kong. Ray Au reports

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HKR

ince its opening in May 2021, DB Ice Rink (www.dbicerink.com) has set out to support the development of ice sports in Hong Kong and, as such, one of its main priorities is to provide top-level coaching opportunities for children in figure skating, short-track speed skating and ice hockey.

S

At DB Ice Rink (DBIR), young people’s interest in ice sports is nurtured through these different types of skating training, and through tournaments and international events. More than that, DBIR’s stateof-the-art facilities – an international standard rink (27m x 59m), large spectator capacity (230 seated, 224 standing) and four sides of LED scoreboards –create an unbeatable environment for youngsters to develop their skills and potential.

“Due to the professional amenities, kids and teenagers, who have skating lessons at DBIR, become familiar with the international-competition environment and atmosphere,” says Raul Gomes, DBIR Senior Manager. “As they grow up, they will be at an advantage – well able to perform freely and smoothly in any large-scale competition without getting stressed.”

No doubt, one of the aims of DBIR’s extensive coaching programme is to create future icesports champions. “DBIR’s future plans are to be recognised as an elite training centre of all icesports activities, therefore we are working with the Hong Kong Speed Skating Academy, Hong Kong Skating Union, Hong Kong Sports Institute and China Hockey Group to train world-beating short-

track speed skaters, figure skaters and ice hockey players,” Raul explains.

FIGURE SKATING

With this in mind, the figure skating arm of DBIR’s skating school is headed up by six-time Hong Kong Senior Men’s Champion figure skater (former world ranking 130), Harry Lee. Not only that. Lincoln Yuen, 2022 Hong Kong Senior Men’s Champion; Adonis Wong, 2022 Hong Kong Senior Men’s Silver Medallist; Rachel Yu, 2022 Hong Kong Senior Ladies Bronze Medallist and Kahlen Cheung, 2022 Hong Kong Junior Ladies Champion are currently all on staff.

“Classes follow Ice Skating Institute Asia (ISIAsia) guidelines, taking skaters from beginner to competition level,” Head Coach Harry Lee explains. “The ISIAsia recreational teaching and testing programme encourages skaters of all ages and ability to learn ice skating in a safe environment. It covers basic skills before figure skaters progress to learn more difficult manoeuvres, like jumping and spinning. Importantly too, ISIAsia is a feeder programme for the elite ISU-based coaching curriculum.”

Kids can start their figure skating training aged three, with DBIR coaches focusing on technique, stamina and having fun. Several different packages for group, semi-private and private sessions are on offer. Skate helpers (handrails), toys and training tools, which help children develop skating skills at a quick pace, are also available for rent.

THE LEARN TO SPEED SKATE PROGRAMME

COACHING FOR KIDS AGED THREE AND UP

HARRY LEE HEADS UP THE FIGURE SKATING SCHOOL

“The semi-private classes are the most popular as many young people like to learn skating with friends or family,” Harry says. “Currently, we have a waiting list of over 400 students waiting for the schedule to free up so that they can join our classes. Over 80% of our students are DB residents.”

SHORT-TRACK SPEED SKATING

DB Ice Rink, in partnership with the Hong Kong Speed Skating Academy, launched Hong Kong’s first International Standard Short-track Speed Skating Programme in June. Participants were taught by Sidney Chu, short-track speed skating representative in the 2022 Winter Olympics and other current and former national speed skaters. Each 30-minute session was fun-packed and informative, and enabled participants to get a taste of speed skating around the 111.12-metre track.

“Speed skating is not as popular in Hong Kong as other ice sports, not because of a lack of interest, but because of the lack of opportunity for people to learn and practice. For this reason, we decided to team up with the Hong Kong Speed Skating Academy to organise the Learn to Speed Skate programme at DBIR,” Raul explains. “Our wish is to get involved in developing the next generation of speed skaters, and also to ensure that Hong Kong has continued representation at future Winter Olympics.”

Since September, the Learn to Speed Skate programme at DBIR has been taught by star coach Wang Chuang – Head Coach of the Hong Kong National Short-Track Speed Skating Team, and former Head Coach of the Chinese National Short-Track Speed Skating team.

Wang has trained numerous Winter Olympians, including Han Tianyu, Sidney Chu and Lin Yue and at DBIR, he invites skaters aged three and up to join his twice weekly classes. “Youngsters who have zero experience in skating are welcome to join the course and learn the basics,” he explains. “Those who completed the Introductory Course in the summer can choose to advance their skills by taking regular courses.”

The Learn to Speed Skate programme is designed to develop kids’ interest in short-track speed skating, while improving speed and technique. ‘Dryland’ sessions are included, which are equally important in building strength, agility and coordination.

“Participants need to have basic skating ability –they should be comfortable skating forward with no assistance on regular skates,” Wang says. “I recommend that children with no experience, who would like to participate in the Learn to Speed Skate programme, take some basic skating classes at DBIR first.”

THE JUNIOR TIGERS ICE HOCKEY COACHING PROGRAMME

Since September, DBIR and China Ice Hockey Group (CHG) have been jointly hosting a Junior Tigers Ice Hockey Coaching Programme for children aged between four and 18 years old. Now in its fourth year, CHG is at the centre of growth driving ice hockey forward in the region. Its Junior Tigers, one of the largest youth hockey organisations in Hong Kong, offers training sessions by experienced coaches, plus the opportunity for children of all ages and abilities to take part in leagues, camps and tournaments.

Again, the aim is to nurture young talent and prepare players to compete at a high level. Group, semi-private and private lessons are on offer in partnership with the Junior Tigers, plus a separate series of inhouse ice hockey lessons.

The Beginners Programme covers basic strokes, balance and control, proper stance and body positioning, and the correct way to fall and get back up. Participants are introduced to crossovers, turns and glides, plus multi-directional movements (stopping, moving forward and backward, and turning). The Intermediate and Advanced Programme focuses on puck and stick usage, explosive starts, stride, energy conservation and improved response time.

DB Ice Rink is also the home of community-based ice-hockey team the DBees, who previously had to commute to Kowloon to train. “In June 2021, as part of our commitment to develop local ice-hockey talent, we offered four, free sessions to the DBees to help them recruit new members,” Raul says. “After the four sessions their membership quadrupled, and they are now training here twice a week.”

DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS

Enjoy an eventful and snow-filled European-style celebration in Discovery Bay

This year Discovery Bay has transformed into a Christmas Wonderland; a snow-filled Europeanstyle town taking all of us on a timeless holiday adventure. While captivating seasonal decorations dot the path from Discovery Bay Pier to D’Deck and beyond, DB North Tower, reenvisaged as a 10-metre-high giant Christmas tree, provides a stunning centrepiece. The celebrations began on November 25 with a traditional Christmas Lighting Ceremony and Parade at DB North complete with dance performances, singers and a romantic snow spectacle.

Christmas Wonderland is a place for everyone to get together, put their worries aside and have some festive fun! If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, check out Wonderland Winter Snow, every Saturday and Sunday in December. What could be better than sitting in DB North Plaza enjoying the sea view as the snow falls!

The Christmas Sunday Market on December 11 at DB Plaza is sure to be another crowd pleaser; the perfect place to pick up last-minute gifts and eat delicious Christmas food, while enjoying traditional Celtic music and dance performances.

Look out for the special seasonal booth where kids can write letters to Santa Claus and receive his reply.

Meanwhile, Christmas Moonlit Movies is back on Tai Pak Beach, with screenings of all your favourite holiday classics every Thursday and Sunday, before December 18. And there’s Joyous Christmas on Ice at DB Ice Rink on December 17 and 18 – a festive figure skating extravaganza featuring over 100 skate school students alongside their coaches.

More holiday magic comes in the form of Carolling in DB Plaza on December 24, and a classic Santa Claus Meet and Greet , yours to enjoy on December 24 and 25 at DB Plaza, DB North Plaza and Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong. For the young and young at heart, there’s also a Popcorn and Cotton Candy Sweet Giveaway pop-up at DB North Plaza on December 24 and 25.

To round off all the fun and ring in 2023, don’t miss the celebratory Countdown Parties across DB on December 31. Christmas Wonderland is yours to enjoy through January 2, 2023. Happy Holidays everyone!

Spirit Of The Season!

Are you getting caught up in the frenzy of Xmas? It’s time to take a breath and transform the way your family celebrates. Ray Robertson reports

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Adobe Stock

Christmas may have become a commercial carnival but that doesn’t mean you can’t buck the capitalist trend and ‘do’ the holidays a little differently. So instead of trucking in the presents and bulk-buying new decorations, look around you for opportunities to reach out to others and show some genuine goodwill. The instant gratification of treating family and friends to their ‘best Christmas ever’ is one thing but helping other people can also give you a warm glow.

While you’re at it, refuse to buy into the societal pressure of having to have a ‘perfect’ Christmas. Relax and enjoy the time together, and remind children that Christmas is about giving, not gifts.

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

What rubbish, you may be thinking. Now more than ever, after 18 months of pandemic and when lockdown

ruined last year’s holiday, we need to celebrate with friends and family. We deserve to treat ourselves to an iPhone 14, WildTable4, Liberty cotton pyjama set and Xbox Series S Holiday Console; we will buy our kids everything on their wish list, including the VTech Level Up Gaming Chair and Jurassic World Inflatable T-Rex. And nothing will stop us gorging on turkey, ham, stollen, Christmas pudding, zabaglione, and every other decadent treat that comes our way. Most of us are perfectly happy having a self-indulgent Christmas, thank you very much.

But here’s an experiment. Think of everything you don’t want from Christmas. Sprouts, secret Santas, Dickensian schmaltz, Amazon Prime, the look in your children’s eyes when they tell you on Christmas morning that they’ve already got one of those. What exactly would you and yours miss out on by cultivating a new Christmas experience?

If you’re ready to take a new approach, challenging the social norms that say we must ‘keep up with the Joneses’ is a good place to start. Begin by asking yourself questions like, ‘What do the children have?’ ‘What do they need?’ and ‘What is our financial situation like?’ Once you have those answers, it’s easier to decide on – and stick to – a budget for gifts. Another trick when it comes to Christmas shopping for children comes in the form of an easy mantra: “Something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read.” This leaves plenty of scope for practical gifting with a few treats that will be genuinely well-received.

Give simple stockings filled with small gifts including things like a piece of fruit… try something different! Consider too that by keeping spending low, you can leave wriggle room in the budget for a big-ticket family holiday every now and then.

Christmas gives us a chance to step off the hedonistic treadmill but instead, we have made it the annual culmination of buying, giving, receiving, being disappointed and queuing to return things. When you give your children an avalanche of Christmas presents, you risk turning them into consumer junkies; people who measure their self-worth by the value of their possessions. Tough words but true.

As parents of impressionable children, we need to look at our own habits and language. Light-hearted talk of ‘retail therapy’ may inadvertently reinforce the idea that the best way to lift your mood is buying something new. Where most adults can recognise that this quick-fix approach doesn’t address serious problems, children and teens may not have the ability to reason this out.

The motive for consumer addiction is often about seeking to fill a hole that a person feels inside

themselves. Spending may temporarily offer relief, but in the long run, the hole is still there. Therefore, as parents, it is important to try to foster a lifestyle that builds a core sense of self-worth. Maxing out your credit card on Black Friday and revelling in your feelgood overspending doesn’t set much of an example.

GIVE OF YOURSELF

Christmas could provide us with an opportunity to put aside our own needs and wants, and do something like the Centre for Effective Altruism recommends, namely thinking hard about how best to help other people. This is something we could aim to do every day but most of us need a spur, a special reason to get benevolent, charitable, curious. Christmas could be just such a catalyst.

Start small. Make a gift. It will mean so much more than something store bought. From handmade chocolates or cookies to picture frames, a knitted scarf or bulbs in a flowerpot, there are millions of easy-to-make options. Or you could decide that gifts just aren’t necessary any more. Why not ask your friends if you can make a donation to their chosen charity instead? Or, offer your skills in place of a present, and make the gift a useful and experiential one – think babysitting, tutoring or cooking. Alternatively spend part of the holiday volunteering for those less fortunate.

You can also encourage your kids to gift their time. Impact HK (www.impacthk.org) began with the idea of one act of kindness per month for the underprivileged in Hong Kong, and has since grown to a full programme of monthly initiatives, events and fundraisers. Older kids and teens may benefit from joining one of the group’s monthly Kindness Walks, where donations of clothing, toiletries and food are distributed in various locations around the city.

Feeding Hong Kong’s (www.feedinghk.org) weekly Bread Run involves willing volunteers of any age in collecting surplus bread from bakeries to send to schools, shelters and charities. The organisation also invites groups to host Food Drive initiatives, collecting non-perishable items such as rice, cooking oil, and canned and dried goods to redistribute to a variety of good causes.

SPREAD GOODWILL

So, let’s say my argument is winning you over and you’ve decided to do things a little differently this year. What more can you do in the lead-up to the big day?

Firstly, practice random acts of kindness. When you’re in town and see an acquaintance getting stressed out by the Christmas chaos, do something kind for them. Help carry their shopping bags on to the ferry, or buy them a cup of coffee. If we want to see more Christmas spirit, we need to be proactive in showing it to others. The win-win here? By brightening someone else’s day, you brighten your own.

Secondly, show gratitude to those who help you daily. Think of the people who deliver your mail, pick up your trash, drive your kids to school on the bus, teach or coach them, or assist you in the supermarket, pharmacy, or bank. Christmas is super hectic for them as well, with many of them working long and extra hours. Why not show your appreciation with a homemade treat and gift card?

Lastly, set aside one hour each week to slow down and reflect on the spirit of the season. Make yourself a cup of hot chocolate and listen to Christmas music or watch a Christmas movie. Take a brisk walk on Tai Pak Wan, and stop to look at the lights and decorations in DB Plaza. Read a Christmas book with your children. Don’t miss the little joys of the holidays because you are moving too fast.

RELAX AND ENJOY THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON

SICHUAN

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ASIA PACIFIC ADVENTURE www.asiapacificadventure.com/ campapa

Asia Pacific Adventure’s outdoor camps, for kids aged 7 to 15, are held throughout HK with pick-up and drop-off in Central. The exciting programme includes a high ropes obstacle course, rock climbing, abseiling and Tyrollean. Five-day (twonight) camps are provided from December 19 to 23, three-day camps from December 28 to 30. There are three age groups: Explorer (7 to 9), Adventurer (10 to 12), and Navigator (13 to 15).

Tel: 2792 7160 Email: camp@apa.com

CAISSA HONG KONG CHESS CLUB

www.caissahk.org

Caissa Hong Kong Chess Club is running two camps in DB North Plaza this Christmas – a five-day camp from December 19 to 23, and a three-day camp from December 28 to 30. Action-packed three-hour morning sessions are conducted by Caissa’s popular World Chess Federation licensed chess coaches.

Caissa camps are fun and competitive, with a focus on tactics and strategy. Children of all levels, aged 5 and up can join.

Tel: 6938 7603 Email: contact@caissahk.com

ENVIRONMENTAL

FOOTBALL

LANGUAGES

YIFAN MANDARIN www.yifancamps.com

At Yifan Mandarin’s winter camps in DB North Plaza, kids enjoy fun, festive activities while speaking Mandarin. The camp schedule includes half-day winter workshops for kids aged 3 to 6 (December 19 to January 6), a Christmas theatre camp for kids aged 6 to 10 (December 19 to 23) and a New Year outing camp for kids aged 8 to 11 (January 3 to 6).

ARK EDEN

www.arkedenonlantau.org

Ark Eden’s multi-day Christmas camps bring out the adventurous, curious and compassionate side of children, aged 5 to 11 years. Running from December 19 to 23, 27 to 30 and January 2 to 6 in the Mui Wo hills, the camps are both fun and educational with different eco-minded activities, like treehouse building, campfire cooking and swimming in waterfalls on offer each day. Pick-up and drop off in Tung Chung is available.

Tel: 2988 5355 Email: info@arkedenonlantau.org

HK DRAGONS FC dragons.hk

HK Dragons FC’s winter camps, for children aged 4 to 14, run from December 19 to 23 and December 27 to 30. Held at DB North Plaza Pitch, the camps are led by experienced coaches and open to players of all abilities. Themed daily sessions include small group training, and focus on players’ technical ability, physical conditioning and tactical understanding.

Tel: 2987 4274 WhatsApp: 6417 3303 Email: theoffice@dragons.com.hk

Friendly Rides & Guides’ winter camps offer children of all ages an exciting experience adventuring around HK. Designed for beginner to intermediate riders, the camps cover all of the fundamental skills for kids to safely progress and have fun on the trails. Camps are filled with outdoor cycling adventures and progressive skills lessons, and run from December 19 to 23, 27 to 30 and January 2 to 6. Pick-up and drop off in Tung Chung is available.

Tel: 5117 0051

Email: friendlyridesandguides@gmail.com

Celebrating 10 Years!

CAISSA HONG KONG CHESS CLUB

Founded in 2012 by 18-year DB resident David Garceran Nieuwenburg, Caissa Hong Kong Chess Club is one of the oldest and largest chess clubs in the city. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Caissa provides training, tournaments, events and camps for its members, aged four to 60 years.

Caissa launched modestly enough with just five students, providing classes out of DB Community Centre. Now, the club has over 250 members and hosts classes in DB North Plaza, Sheung Wan and schools around Hong Kong.

Ask David, who was competing in tournaments in his native Holland at age eight, why he founded Caissa, and he says: “Hong Kong has no real chess scene like you’d find in Europe. I put my children into some local schools but found the teaching too random; the teachers were not rigorously trained.”

On joining Caissa, students get to learn from a team of six International Chess Federation licensed coaches, two of whom, Matthew Tan and Marcos Llaneza Vega, have earned the prestigious title of International Master.

“The Caissa coaches really are the heroes of the hour,” David says. “They are the professional instructors, many hired from abroad. They are the face Caissa presents to students and their parents.”

Over the last 10 years, Caissa coaches have played an essential role in nurturing youngsters’ love for chess, partnering with schools from Malvern College and Harrow International School to Discovery College and Discovery Montessori Academy. Children as young as four can learn the basics of chess through workshops and game playing, and Caissa is currently rolling out a programme for kindergarten-age kids for the first time. “Chess is fun. It’s about connecting with others and exchanging thoughts and ideas,” David says. “It’s not

the kind of thing you should enrol kids in because there is a gap to fill between piano lessons and Mandarin. Chess club shouldn’t be somewhere kids go simply to improve their mathematical capabilities either; that’s a side effect.”

At Caissa, the coaches encourage players of all ages to experiment with alternative chess forms to keep them thinking and having fun. “We always try to do something new in Hong Kong in regards to chess,” David explains. “For instance, we hold Fischer Random events which help players stay creative as there are 960 different starting positions possible.”

Among Caissa’s most widely used teaching methods is the Steps Method, developed by Royal Dutch Chess Federation members Rob Brunia and Cor van Wijgerden. “The Steps Method consists of six steps, each of which corresponds to a rating, step one equalling 800 and step six up to 2,100,” David explains. “Our Senior Trainer Matthew Tan worked very closely with van Wijgerden.”

Right now, David and his team are preparing to host a series of winter camps for kids age five and up in DB North Plaza and, with borders open, they are looking forward to competing internationally again next year.

For more on Caissa Hong Kong Chess Club, call 6938 7603, email contact@caissahk.com or visit www.caissahk.org.

REPORTING BY Raphael Blet

PHOTOS BY Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com & Raphael Blet

CAISSA SENIOR TRAINER AND INTERNATIONAL MASTER MATTHEW TAN

FOUNDER DAVID GARCERAN NIEUWENBURG

Top Tips! YOUR DECEMBER PRESCRIPTION

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels

Healthy eating is often the first thing to suffer when you’re partying, so try to at least aim for three energy-rich meals and two snacks a day. Hungover or not, start as you mean to go on: A good breakfast makes you less likely to snack on all those sugary Christmas treats later in the day. Try a ‘grill-up’ rather than a fry-up; two poached eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes provide the perfect sustained energy pick-me-up.

A heavy supper with buckets of wine is likely on the agenda come evening, so keep lunch light but energising by pairing complex carbohydrates with protein and a little bit of healthy fat. Top wholegrain bread with a few slices of healthy fat in the form of avocado. Pile on tomatoes, bean sprouts and spinach – all packed with vitamins and minerals – and use canned tuna or shredded chicken breast for protein. Another easy lunch option is a salad with lots of vegetables, beans for protein and a drizzle of olive oil and vinegar dressing.

For a quick energy boost throughout the day, fresh fruit and vegetable juices are your go-to. Juices that combine fruit, milk and pine nuts actually tell the brain you’re full – plus they keep energy levels topped up for longer. Whizz up orange, apple and chocolate with milk thistle extract for a truly beneficial Christmas treat. Whatever you do avoid diet sodas, as these speed-up the stomach-emptying process so you end up eating more canapés.

When you need a snack, almonds are a great choice. Research shows that a handful a day helps you reduce

your daily calorie intake by stopping ‘bad’ snacking. Stick to those with the skin on as they help to inhibit fat absorption.

LAST WORD ON BLOATING

There’s no simple answer as to why we bloat, as there’s such a wide range of possibilities. Usually, it’s down to air getting trapped in our digestive system, from either talking too much while eating or unconsciously gulping when stressed. Fizzy drinks can cause fast bloating – and all is made worse by eating high-fat foods that take longer to digest, keeping trapped air around for longer. No surprise, as we guzzle sparkling wine and eat rich food, bloating can be a real issue in the lead-up to Christmas.

To stop or at least reduce bloating, eat slowly, talk less and don’t chew gum. Lactose (in milk) and soya are notorious for those susceptible, and bloating is often worse during PMT. Giving up fizzy drinks and sparkling mineral water helps, as does avoiding sugar-free sweeteners that contain sugar alternatives. A salt-rich diet makes our bodies hold on to excess fluid, so cut the salt. Avoid pulses, sprouts and cabbage which tend to cause bloating within an hour.

There’s no de-bloating magic bullet but drinking peppermint tea between meals definitely helps, as does taking a daily probiotic. De-stressing is also important, as is stomach massage, as both help shift trapped gas.

The pre-Christmas party season can wear out even the hardiest of constitutions but these quick energy-boosting tips will leave you feeling as good as new, says Samantha Wong

If you need to de-bloat fast, try this Hollywood prered carpet diet for 36 hours before a big night; it’s only a short-term measure. Stick to protein, salad and soft vegetables and cut out carbs, caffeine, sugar and alcohol. Also, forgo salt – this alone can mean the difference of 1 to 1.5 kilograms over four to five days.

INSTANT ENERGIZERS

When time is short and energy levels are low, try these sure-fire ways to top up your body’s batteries. Avoid the urge for something sugary for an energy boost; instead, go for a natural sugar source, like a sweet fruit such as mango or grapes. These satisfy that sugar urge without the subsequent slump.

Coffee can be useful when you drink it the Italian way, by rationing it wisely. Go for one cup in the morning and one cup in the afternoon when you really need it. And there’s nothing wrong with adding a teaspoon of sugar for an added lift. Or have a cup of matcha tea, this powered form of green tea comes with the same hit as a cup of coffee but with a lower dose of caffeine and, as an added bonus, it is high in antioxidants.

Oxygenating the body is one of the fastest ways to energise it, so try a stimulating breath exercise. Inhale and exhale rapidly through your nose keeping your mouth closed. Keep the breaths short – three in and three outs in one second. Make it noisy.

A shot of vitamin C is another tried-and-tested energy hit to try. Take two 500mg capsules when needs must. Boost the supplement’s effects with a yoga stretch. Lie on the floor with your legs up against the wall. This sends blood and energy down into the organs, meaning they function more efficiently.

Looking for another way to revitalise a tired mind and body? Take a warm, not hot sea-salt bath. This age-old therapeutic soak promotes relaxation and sleep, while supporting skin health, muscle and joint relaxation and mineral absorption. Use unrefined sea salt, and set aside at least 15 minutes.

POST-PARTY REVIVERS

When you finally get to bed, sleep with the windows open because anything that makes you feel stuffy keeps you awake. Bedroom temperature should be cooler than in the rest of the flat. And invest in ionizers particularly if you smoke. They clean the atmosphere for that sleepy, sea-air effect. Don’t use scented candles, they do the opposite.

Alcohol dysregulates hormones, which is one of the reasons you wake up feeling fat, lethargic and achy after a big night. The first thing to reach for is an easy-to-take rehydrating drink. Ola Loa provides a

stronger detox than the popular Berocca or Emergen C, and it’s packed with vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin D, magnesium and zinc, along with electrolytes.

When you’re partying hard, natural levels of vitamins and minerals fall, so it’s important to supplement daily. Boost your intake of vitamin C (it restores cellular health damaged by alcohol consumption) and B vitamins, which are necessary for energy, a good mood and cognition. Take magnesium (it supports relaxation, sleep and nervous system functioning) and zinc, which restores hormonal balance and the immune system after drinking.

You can also help counter the effects of the night before, with Nux Vomica 30, a popular homeopathic remedy. It helps relieve the digestive stress and acidity caused by too much alcohol. Take a probiotic too, to restore your gut’s microbial balance.

After popping all those pills, take a shower, get dressed and find time for a grill-up somewhere outdoors on your way to work. Follow the tips outlined above and you’ll be ready to hit the town again by 6pm. Before you head out, remember to take Liver Support – a clinical-grade formula containing milk thistle. It’s like first-aid for an over-partied liver.

BOOST YOUR INTAKE OF VITAMIN C

BecauseYouCan! CITY OF MUSIC

VIENNA IS SYNONYMOUS with architectural grandeur, classical music and café culture. With its charming baroque monuments, world-renowned concert halls and treasure-trove museums, the Austrian capital is the perfect place for a Christmas vacation. Stay in the UNESCO World Heritage-accredited Historic Centre and expect snow.

THE ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S CONCERT is performed by the Vienna Philharmonic at the magnificent Musikverein concert hall. Broadcast live, the January 1 performance reaches 50 million and always includes wellloved pieces by the Strauss family. The second encore, Johann Strauss II’s The Blue Danube waltz, follows a New Year’s greeting from the conductor.

VIENNA’S

OPULENT

COFFEE-HOUSE ‘living rooms’ serve up spectacular cakes in delicious surroundings. The city’s signature Sacher Torte –dense chocolate cake filled with apricot jam and wrapped in dark chocolate icing – is best enjoyed where it originates, at the Hotel Sacher’s Café Sacher.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels

Celebrate Xmas in Vienna

THE HOFBURG PALACE complex was home to the Habsburgs for over six centuries, and it’s now packed with a fascinating collection of historic buildings, museums and art galleries. Be sure to catch the Vienna Boys’ Choir singing Sunday Mass in the Imperial Chapel and the famed Lipizzaner stallions performing at the Spanish Riding School.

THE

MUSEUMSQUARTIER IS

A SPRAWLING and impressive cultural hub packed with restaurants and bars, and over 90,000 square metres of exhibition space. You’ll find 19th- and 20th-century Austrian art at the Leopold Museum, and modern art at MUMOK. For photography, video, film, installations and new media head to Kunsthalle Wien.

3 MILLION Vienna Central Cemetery has more inhabitants than the city itself (population less than 2 million). A veritable museum, the cemetery is ‘home’ to bigname musicians such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms and Johann Strauss II. After all, Vienna isn’t known as The City of Music for nothing.

SHELTERING

THE CHRISTMAS MARKET, held in front of the Rathaus (City Hall), is among Europe’s largest and most traditional. Providing a fun-filled nostalgia-fest for Yule lovers, vendors from across Austria dole out traditional Christmas crafts and seasonal delicacies. Sip mulled wine and munch on freshly roasted chestnuts as you shop.

HOT CHOCOLATE WITH MARSHMALLOWS

Serves 1

50ml double cream

150ml whole milk

50g milk chocolate, chopped

25g dark chocolate, chopped

Whip the double cream until it holds its shape then set aside until needed.

Put the milk in a small saucepan and heat gently until simmering. Add the milk chocolate and dark chocolate, then stir until melted. Pour into a mug and top with a dollop of the double cream and a couple of marshmallows.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Adobe Stock

The holidays bring out the child in all of us – time to snuggle up with a delicious cup of hot chocolate and some reindeer cookies

REINDEER COOKIES

Makes 20

140g icing sugar, sieved

1tsp vanilla extract

1 egg yolk

250g butter, cut into small cubes

375g plain flour, sieved

Tip the icing sugar, vanilla extract, egg yolk and butter into a mixing bowl, then stir together with a wooden spoon (or pulse in a food processor) until well combined. Add the flour and mix to a firm dough. Shape the dough into two flat discs and wrap them. Chill for 20 to 30 minutes. Heat oven to 190˚C and line two baking sheets with non-stick baking paper.

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface so that it’s about 7mm thick. Cut out circle shapes and place on the baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until lightly golden.

Lift the biscuits onto a wire rack to cool. Decorate using chocolate shavings for Rudolph’s eyes and antlers, and a red smartie for his nose.

PHOTOS BY Baljit Gidwaniwww.evoqueportraits.com

Daughter Church of St.John's Cathedral SKH Wei Lun Primary School, Discovery Bay Road

Email: markrogers@discoverybaychurch.org.hk Web: www.discoverybaychurch.org.hk Priest in Christmas Services in Discovery Bay Church! Come & Celebrate the Birth of Christ

10:00am (English) Sunday

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Discovery Bay Church (Anglican / Episcopal)

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. Contact 2987 1201, enquiry@dms.edu.hk, www.dms.edu.hk

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DB Lampoon!

WHAT WOULD JESUS SAY?

Is

Peter Sherwood a party pooper?

Not exactly. But he’s totally over the Christmas greed-fest

He would have balked at having his good name fixed to an alcohol-fuelled extravaganza whose meaning has been lost in the euphoric din of crass advertising and silly songs. He would have railed against the mass shopping hysteria and the resultant pollution. He’d have thought it distasteful that a religious celebration can’t proceed without a billion tons of rubbish –piles of polythene, polyvinyl chloride and putrefying turkey parts.

I can hear him now: “The Last Supper wasn’t an orgy with the mass slaughter of wildlife. We ate sparingly. We didn’t cram down bucketloads and fall asleep in front of a group of travelling Roman poetry readers. And what does gorging yourselves have to do with the Nativity? Three wise men? You lot could use three billion.”

I’m no Grinch. I just think the mess created by the Christmas industry is insane and unnecessary. Sure, I give gifts sometimes and everyone gets a book –the visually impaired, the illiterate, new-born, or 90... you get a book.

Jesus drove the moneylenders from the temple. Today the moneylenders drive Ferraris. If he returned, he would set fire to Wall Street after disconnecting Amazon from the Net and redirecting our space billionaires to a Mars trajectory.

I don’t think I’m half as obsessed with this conversation as Jesus would be. He was a simple man wandering the land in a robe and sandals. He didn’t haul an apartment-size trailer or carry a cage full of carrier pigeons for speedy communications. Robe and sandals. What else do you need, he would ask. And I didn’t have much more when I walked the 1,600-kilometre Camino de Santiago.

Thinking about the year-round, worldwide, multi-trillion-dollar industry called Christmas, I’m overwhelmed with despair. The sort of feelings that hit me at age five when an aunt gifted me a pair of grey socks. Every autumn, hundreds of mammoth cargo vessels make their way to the consumer-mad West from atheist China loaded with Christmas ‘stuff,’ and most of it becomes toxic smoke up an incinerator chimney or ends up in landfill.

Jesus was not big on 'stuff’. No walk-in closet, no rooms packed with entertainment options, no three-camel garage, no 25-kilo backpack for daily necessities.

As for the gift of giving at Christmas, Jesus’ entire thing was about giving. He didn’t mean throwing presents at each other for a few hours out of the annual 8,765. He meant giving of ourselves every day to those in need. Not everything is about the almighty (sorry, God) dollar.

At the risk of seeking his approval, I bought books for some children at Christmas, but in a rush had nothing to wrap them. I used last week’s New York Times and wrote on them “Because…”. They had to guess why. “Because you’re cheap,” came the first reply. I told them it was because gifts are like people: It’s not the outside that matters, it’s what’s inside. So, what might Jesus say about that? “Sherwood, the kid was right. You’re cheap.”

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF Adobe Stock

NOT EVERYTHING IS ABOUT THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR