Around DB July Issue 2019

Discovery Bay’s original community magazine

JULY 2019

What kids get out of summer camp Hiking in hot weather Brush up on your Chinese etiquette (to avoid losing face)

Make Sri Lanka your last-minute getaway

READERS Check out DB’s prize-winning young writers ISLAND-WIDE EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS * THOUGHTS ON ISLAND LIFE

FREE

TEA

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Premium Zhuyeqing

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Sweet Potato & Egg

Orange

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Black Sesame

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We are a garden-themed teahouse providing assorted organic tea paired with delicate and healthy tea-cakes.

Afternoon-tea Set for 2, $250/person 4 pcs of sweet-tasting tea-cakes 3 pcs of flaky pastries 8 pcs of sandwiches 2 Greek yogurt with freeze-dried fruits 2 pots of any tea hot/iced *No Flavourings/additives/added sugar or any nonsense in our tea. *We either use fresh fruits or freeze-dried fruits for our food and drinks.

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BUS STOP AUBERGE HOTEL

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NORTH PLAZA

CONTENTS July 2019

Join your community online

PROFILE - 30 Meet the Young Writers Competition finalists

IN FOCUS - 40 Where and how to hike out of DB

EDUCATION - 44 What kids get out of summer camp

TOP TIPS - 50 Dos and don’ts – Chinese etiquette

ESCAPES - 54 Why you have to spend time in Sri Lanka

44 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 To advertise, email corinne@baymedia.com.hk For graphic design, email andrew@baymedia.com.hk Call 2987 0577/ 2787 0886 Fax 2987 0533

AGENDA

34

SPOTLIGHT YWC winning story

36

WISH LIST July must-haves

60 68

08

DB EVENTS

29

GIVEAWAYS

58

HK HAPPENINGS

DB FACES In and around the plaza

62

CLASSIFIEDS

OUT THERE Peter Sherwood talks back

64

PROPERTY

65

LOCAL NUMBERS

INSIDER

ON THE COVER Around DB and Life on Lantau Young Writers Competition finalists Millie Zoë Tarrant, Renee Tan and Hermione Barnes-Clay

> 38 Dr Andrew Vermeulen of Island Exotics Clinic advises you to home a tortoise

We also publish…

FREE

Discovery Bay’s original community magazine

JULY 2019

To read Renee’s winning story, turn to page 34 What kids get out of summer camp Hiking in hot weather Brush up on your Chinese etiquette (to avoid losing face)

Make Sri Lanka your last-minute getaway

READERS Check out DB’s prize-winning young writers ISLAND-WIDE EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS * THOUGHTS ON ISLAND LIFE

FREE

June / July 2019

To read the cover story, turn to page 30

2018 / 2019 WIN! A term’s dance classes with Twinkle Dance Company, tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland, a place on a Treasure Island summer camp and an A Tavola dinner voucher

Publishers in Lantau since 2002

NEW FESTIVAL ALL SET TO BOOST THE LOCAL LIVE MUSIC SCENE

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DRAGON BOATING

HIKING THE LANTAU TRAIL (SECTIONS 7 TO 9)

Love our ocean

FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF

M E E T E C O M A R I N E AC T I V I S T K E I L E M N G

Photo by Duey Tam

NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS * THOUGHTS ON ISLAND LIFE

Publishers in Lantau since 2002

www.arounddb.com

FOOD & DRINK • LIVING • PETS • SPORTS • PASTIMES • EDUCATION • HEALTH • BEAUTY • SERVICES • TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS • COMMUNITY

MOSQUITO CONTROL 防治蚊患

OUTDOOR SUITABLE

戶外適用

BICYCLE STORE & PATIO BOX 單車儲物櫃 及 戶外儲物箱

Flagship Store:-

Mongkok:-

Shatin:-

7/F Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau 鴨脷洲 新海怡廣場7樓

157 Sai Yee Street, Mongkok 旺角 洗衣街157

351 HomeSquare, Shatin

2553 3251

2317 4798

沙田 新城市中央廣場351

2482 9181

2602 8622

www.gardengallery.com.hk

PUBLISHER Corinne Jedwood corinne@baymedia.com.hk MANAGING EDITOR Rachel Ainsley rachel@baymedia.com.hk PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Elizabeth Jerabek elizabeth@baymedia.com.hk SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andrew Spires andrew@baymedia.com.hk ASSISTANT GRAPHIC DESIGNER Duey Tam duey@baymedia.com.hk DIGITAL & EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Alexander Grasic alexander@baymedia.com.hk SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER Monika Carruthers monika@baymedia.com.hk OFFICE MANAGER Nikki-Ann Yee nikki@baymedia.com.hk PHOTOGRAPHERS Baljit Gidwani www.evoqueportraits.com Col Sim www.colsimphotography.com INTERN Lea Mahoudeau-Campoyer production@baymedia.com.hk CONTRIBUTORS Jason Broderick Elizabeth Kerr Lydia Yang Peter Sherwood PRINTING Champion Design & Production Co. Ltd Flat C & D 9/F Sing Teck Factory Bldg 44 Wong Chuk Hang Rd Hong Kong

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

www.evoqueportraits.com & www.colsimphotography.com

DB DRAGON BOAT DAY

It was standing room only on Tai Pak Wan during the 30th edition of the Discovery Bay Dragon Boat Races & Carnival on June 9.

s t n e v e y t i n u rece nt c om m

THE HOTTEST

IN DISCOVERY BAY

www.arounddb.com July 2019

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DB EVENTS

HELPER APPRECIATION MONTH Helper Appreciation Month in May saw several special community initiatives: Baljit Gidwani held a photoshoot for children and their aunties on May 18 at his Evoque Portraits photography studio. The Unsung Heroes performed on May 19 at a concert at Discovery College. And on May 28, Year 5 students at Discovery Bay International School held a special celebratory tea to thank and show their appreciation for their aunties.

highjumpphotography.com & www.evoqueportraits.com

STAND-UP PADDLE FUN DAY

Stand-up paddle boarders got on the water during a fun training day at Tai Pak Wan on June 22 organised

by Whatzup Stand Up Paddle Board Pro Shop.

Participants demoed boards and were given tips by advanced local boarders.

whatzsup.hk

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July 2019 www.arounddb.com

DB EVENTS

YWC PRIZE-GIVING

Congratulations were in order for the finalists and runners-up in the Around DB and Life on Lantau Young Writers Competition at a prize-giving event at Discovery Bay International School’s Globe Theatre on June 19.

The students each received a selection of books from competition sponsor Bookazine. To read all about the competition and the talented writers involved, turn to page 30. To read Renee Tan’s winning story, turn to page 34.

www.evoqueportraits.com

DB PIRATES END-OF-SEASON PARTY

The DB Pirates hosted an end-of-season celebration on June 1 with dinner, free-flow drinks and prizes at the Auberge Discovery Bay. www.colsimphotography.com

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July 2019 www.arounddb.com

Lantau International School

Please contact us if you would l ike to visit the school

Reception and Primary 1 - 6 places still available

Enquiries: 2980 3676 / 2984 0302 Website: www.lis.edu.hk E-Mail: lisadmin@lis.edu.hk FB: lantauinternationalschool

DB EVENTS

THE DREAM

On June 7, DMR School of Ballet presented its yearend performance, The Dream, at Youth Square in Chai Wan. The DMR students’ rendition of the well-loved ballet, which is based on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, was nothing short of magical. www.dmr-hk.com

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY

Yoga Up instructors ChauKei Ngai and Nicola Belen celebrated International Yoga Day by providing a ‘free for partners’ yoga class at the Auberge Discovery Bay on June 22.

www.evoqueportraits.com

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July 2019 www.arounddb.com

DB EVENTS

ROTTEN HEAD HEADLINER BAND LIVE

Rotten Head Music & Craft Beer Festival headliner Ari Clan wowed the crowd at Hemingway’s on June 22. Local lads, Case Sensitive, opened the evening and got the party started. Everyone who attended was eligible for a HK$50 discount to the all-new family festival, which is debuting at Tat Tung Road Park, Tung Chung on October 26.

Photos by @KevinKuPhotography - www.kevinku.com

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July 2019 www.arounddb.com

S alsa Night

Li V E B anD

Great drinks, great food and great company.

Tel: 2321 5500 www.atavola.hk Follow us on Facebook for upcoming events

atavolahk

Shop E&F G/F, Seaview Crescent Plaza Tung Chung, Lantau Island

IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORY OF

Major General Macfarlane DB’s first ‘mayor’

T

he next time you’re enjoying a leisurely afternoon drink on Tai Pak Wan, pour one out for the man who helped make it all possible, Major General William ‘Bill’ Thomson Macfarlane CB. Operations Director for Discovery Bay from 1981 to 1983, Bill died peacefully on April 14, 2019, at the age of 93. He is survived by his daughter Tina and granddaughter Iona, who lovingly remember him as an officer and a gentleman.

As DB’s first Operations Director, with a house on Headland Drive, Bill organised and oversaw all the work needed to build the community from scratch.

Generally referred to as the first ‘mayor’ of DB, Bill was responsible for organising and implementing city management services, setting

General Bill Macfarlane with DB’s Estate Manager Stephen Yuen

DB timeline: The highlights of the early years

Photos courtesy of HKR

The pioneering concept of a fully integrated resort-style residential community starts to take shape and a new master plan is approved by the government

The City Management team gradually comes together and the infrastructure starts to take shape, including the ferry service, private reservoir and Hong Kong’s first manmade private beach Phase 1, including Headland Drive, Parkridge and the Beach Villages, is completed. DBIS and DBRC open in the same year, marking another milestone for DB in becoming a selfcontained community

The first batch of units at Phase 1 go on sale and are snapped up within a few hours

1977 – 1979 18

For a full DB timeline, visit www.hkri.com

1980

July 2019 www.arounddb.com

1981 - 1982

1983

The General in action

DB in the early ‘80s

up security services, and operating and maintaining the infrastructure services, such as water supply, sewage disposal and public roads.

At that time, a development like DB was a completely new concept and there was no precedent to follow.

Bill led a group of young colleagues to face various external issues, while liaising with government departments to resolve key concerns from residents. Thanks to his leadership and contribution, a harmonious community was set up.

A true people person, Bill was extremely popular with both DB’s early residents and his staff. “General Macfarlane was a gentleman and an easy-going person,” former colleague Clarence Leung recalls. “Even if he was a retired general, his management style was never militaristic. He always encouraged us to share our ideas and try different options.”

An officer and a gentleman Thirty-five years in the British Army ensured that Bill was uniquely

qualified for his Operations Director role. It was difficult for the police to patrol DB in the early days because there was no overland access, so one of the most important parts of the job was to set up a security force which could offer peace of mind to residents.

Bill’s military experience meant he was well positioned to tackle this challenge.

Commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals in 1946, Bill’s long military career included posts across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, where he gained experience in administration, committee work, personnel selection, engineering management, and finance and accountancy.

As the Chief of Staff at British Army Land Forces Headquarters in the UK, Bill planned and coordinated the work of some 86,500 regular soldiers, 57,000 reservists and 55,000 civilians. Notably too, he was stationed in Bonn, then West Germany as the Chief of the Joint Services Liaison Organisation.

His role was to oversee the British Army’s requirements, rights and

obligations in West Germany.

From 1973 to 1976, Bill was the Director of Public Relations for the British Army and, as the Military Assistant to the Commander-inChief, he travelled extensively throughout Southeast Asia – often visiting Hong Kong.

In recognition of his years of service, Bill was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II as Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB) in 1981.

Bill describes the appeal of DB after his long military career in a South China Morning Post article published on March 5, 1983: “There is peace and quiet and you are constantly aware of the countryside... it’s a green and pleasant land. A place where people are not subject to the noise, bustle and harassment of town.”

That his description of DB is still as true now – 36 years later – as it was then, is a testament to Bill’s vision and dedication in guiding DB through its formative years.

www.arounddb.com July 2019

19

DB EVENTS

YOUR GUIDE

E H T TO

L A I T N E S UPCOMING ES COMMUNITY EVENTS

SUMMER DISCOUNTS

FLOWER ARRANGING WORKSHOP

Auberge Discovery Bay

HanMade Teahouse Learn how to make a flower basket with Lisa Ai from Sparkles Flowers from 11am to 12pm.

The workshop in the new teahouse in DB Photo courtesy of HanMade Teahouse North Plaza costs HK$500, with fresh cut flowers and the necessary tools provided. The finished basket is yours to take home. To reserve a place, call 2322 8558.

Throughout July

July 6 & 7

SUMMER SURVIVORS DINNER Discovery Bay Church July 13

www.aubergediscoverybay.com

DB residents can enjoy up to 20% off on lunch and dinner buffets at Café Bord De Mer & Lounge from July 12 to September 1. A Summer Afternoon Tea Set, with a selection of sweets and savouries, is also available through August. To make a booking, call 2295 8299.

www.pexels.com

With so many expat families heading home in July, DB can get a bit lonely, so Discovery Bay Church is organising a get-together. Enjoy a relaxed group meal, fun and fellowship at 7.30pm. To get involved, email markrogers@discoverybaychurch.org.hk.

KAYAK N RUN – DB Start: Nim Shue Wan July 13

ENROL AT DB FARM Siena Park

Throughout July

www.actionasiaevents.com

The Action Asia Kayak n Run – Discovery Bay offers up a family team category (a 1.4-kilometre kayak and 3-kilometre run) and an adult team category (a 3-kilometre kayak, 5-kilometre run and 3-kilometre kayak).

The course follows the Nim Shue Wan coastline to Man Kok Tsui. To secure your slot, visit www.actionasiaevents.com.

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July 2019 www.arounddb.com

www.evoqueportraits.com

You can sign up this month to farm a plot at DB Farm in Siena Park. Enrolment is open to all DB residents and is free of charge. Forty-four plots are available for the next planting season August to December. To bag your plot, call 2238 3601.

FAREWELL

www.arounddb.com

PEN’N PAPER TO CLOSE After 21 years in business, Sophia Lau-Duehring is closing Pen’n Paper, her well-loved stationery store in DB Plaza. “I will miss the hustle and bustle in the shop, meeting people from all

walks of life every day,” she says.

“I will always remember seeing the boys and girls growing up, becoming ladies and gentlemen – and some even becoming parents

themselves. I’d like to thank all the people who’ve supported us all these years.” Pen’n Paper closes in early July, after which Sophia will enjoy a well-deserved holiday.

REGULAR DB EVENTS ADOPT A PET through Hong Foundation (PAWS) in DB Plaza Kong Paws on July 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 2pm to 6pm. Call Kat Cheung on 9485 5188.

STOCK UP AT

THE PLAN from Haven Court on July 6 fromT MARKET across 2pm to 4.45pm.

Call 2238 3617.

CONNECT AT THE DB ENTR NETWORKING BREAKFAS EPRENEURS T at Zak’s on July

at 8am. To register, visit www.t8ev ents.com.

4

classes at FOR HELPERSd 28 from 7am A G O Y E E R F Y an , 21 ENJO th Plaza on July 7, 14 Yoga Bay, DB Nor it yogabay.hk.

51/ 9150 7019 or vis 98 04 67 ll Ca . m 8a to

ECTED ED ITEMS COLLfrom 2pm V O L E PR R U O Y 30 and HAVE ly 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25

at your home on Ju 76.

Nikki Boot at 9677 66 to 4pm. WhatsApp s equip Enrich HK workshop a future !

R PE L E H R U O for HELP Y ve, budget and plan sa to s ol to e th th wi k.org. helpers rity. Visit www.enrichh cu se l cia an fin r te with grea

www.arounddb.com July 2019

21

DB EVENTS

NEWinDB HANMADE TEAHOUSE

BOOKSHARERS

booksharers.com

Photo courtesy of HanMade Teahouse

HanMade Teahouse in DB North Plaza offers premium teas and blends, along with healthy and delicious tea cakes.

In blending her teas and making her cakes, owner Han Gao avoids artificial flavourings, colourings and additives.

Han also stocks fresh cut flowers from Holland. To find out more, visit the HanMade Teahouse Cakes Flowers Facebook page.

After successful book donation campaigns in May and June, the DBers behind DreamChasers celebrated the launch of their first community ‘bookshelf’ at the Discovery Bay Pier on June 22. The DB bookshelf is based on the Book Crossing idea, where people release their lightly used books ‘into the wild’ for a stranger to find. To get involved, visit the Booksharers Facebook page.

CONGRATULATIONS

SAVE the DATE

TRISHA HUGHES

AFTER-SCHOOL AND WELLNESS FAIR August 24

Photo courtesy of Trisha Hughes

DB resident Trisha Hughes has released the third and final book in her historical V2V series, Victoria to Vikings: The Circle of Blood, which covers the era from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II. Trisha’s first book, the bestselling memoir Daughters of Nazareth, was first published 18 years ago. For more information and to purchase the final instalment of V2V, visit www.bookguild.co.uk.

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July 2019 www.arounddb.com

Photo courtesy of Claire Severn

The After-School and Wellness Fair, running from 9am to 12pm at Zak’s, features local DB businesses and education providers. Residents can check out over 50 local sports, education, arts, social and health organisations all in one place. To find out more, email Kim at kimwhiley@factory2home.net.

Asian Express DB’s premier mover

trust US to take you home!

2893 1000

aemovers.com.hk

DB EVENTS

LANTAU HIGHLIGHTS SIMPLY SALSA NIGHT A Tavola, Tung Chung

SUNTREKKER Start: Nam Shan

www.barclaysmoontrekker.com/en/suntrekker adobe.stock.com

Dance to the best of Salsa, Bachata, Merengue and Reggaeton every Thursday night at A Tavola Bar & Grill from 8pm onwards. Entry is free with a free salsa class at 8.30pm, followed by the opportunity to dance, drink and dine till late. For more information, visit dancewithstylehk.com/simply-salsa.

Registration is now open for SunTrekker! The ‘relaxed’ 18-kilometre run/ hike, being held on August 31, covers some of Lantau’s most beautiful coastal trails. A barbecue and New Zealand craft beers are included in the registration fee of HK$490, as is a H$50 donation to Gary Stokes’ new NGO OceansAsia.org. For more information and to register, visit www.barclaysmoontrekker.com/en/suntrekker.

SPONSORED CONTENT

DBTPL presents a revised proposal for its overnight bus service to and from DB

Night ferry at DB Ferry Pier

I

Photo courtesy of HKR

n response to feedback from the community, Discovery Bay Transportation Services Limited (DBTPL) has revised its proposal replacing some of the late-night ferry sailings between DB and Central with double-decker bus services. The revised proposal to the Transport Department (TD) is open for public consultation until July 31.

26

In a statement on May 21, Hong Kong Resort (HKR) summarised the feedback to the initial proposal, which was sent to more than 8,000 DB households last October: “Among the opinions collected, residents commented positively to the current ferry services. However, they realised the substantial environmental benefit of the plan, the dire financial situation and operation difficulties faced by the ferry operation, and the importance of maintaining sustainable transport operations for Discovery Bay by rationalising the extremely under-utilised overnight ferry services with efficient

overnight bus services. This would avoid trimming on the day-time ferry service or implementing a significant fare rise. Meanwhile, residents pointed out that modifications to the last ferry departure time and fare level are necessary.”

onboard the remaining ferry sailings between midnight and 6am. In addition, the proposed overnight bus fare for residents – HK$38 – is HK$12.50 cheaper than the HK$50.50 residents’ overnight ferry fare.

The revised proposal preserves the existing DB-bound 12.30am weekday sailings and the 1am weekend sailings. For Centralbound services, it preserves the existing 12am weekday sailings and 12.30am weekend sailings.

Only four roundtrip ferry services – between 1am and 5am – have been replaced by more frequent bus services. DBTPL has also pledged to provide additional overnight ferry sailings to coincide with special events and festive holidays, subject to demand.

The overnight bus service

Furthermore, the overnight bus fare for residents has been reduced from the proposed HK$42 to HK$38. The revised proposal also cancels the existing overnight surcharge of HK$17 for residents

July 2019 www.arounddb.com

In responding to DBTPL’s original proposal, residents were concerned that the proposed bus service would increase door-todoor travel time. However, the overall journey time by bus and ferry is comparable because the buses run more frequently. Eight daily overnight ferry sailings are replaced by 16 bus trips on weekdays and 14 bus trips on weekends. The overnight buses depart at 20- to 30-minute intervals between 12.50am and 2.05am, and at 50- to 60-minute intervals between 3am and 5.50am.

Test runs conducted by DBTPL have the trip between Central and DB North Plaza taking 32 minutes.

According to DBTPL, the DB ferry has been operating at an accumulated loss of over HK$230 million since 2002, with the daytime ferry operation subsidising the under-used nighttime operation, which generally has a passenger load of between zero to 46 passengers per trip.

While the revised proposal could

While the bus route covers around 70% of DB households, connecting bus schedules for villages not directly along the route will be synchronised.

On the DB-bound route, buses start from Pier 3 (which will remain open for passengers to use the bathroom and seating facilities) and call at Connaught Road Central, the Lantau Link Toll Plaza and the DB Tunnel Toll Plaza. Within DB, they call at DB North Plaza and a number of bus stops along Discovery Bay Road, terminating at Coastline Villa. The Central-bound buses follow the route in reverse, with an additional stop at the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal.

According to an environmental consultant about 80% of the current greenhouse gases emitted by four overnight ferry roundtrips would be eliminated if the revised proposal is implemented.

FIND IT • Discovery Bay Transportation Services Limited, dptpl@hkri.com • Islands District Office, 2815 2291(fax), edmond_ip_tsui@had.gov.hk • Transport Department, 3528 0564 (fax), pakfungleung@td.gov.hk Residents are welcome to provide their comments on the revised proposal on or before July 31.

DB to Central Weekdays

go some way to alleviating these costs, there’s also an environmental bonus.

Central to DB

Weekends

Ferry

Bus

Ferry

11.30pm

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Weekends

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11.30pm

11.55pm

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Sailings retained in revised proposal Sailings cancelled in revised proposal Bus services cancelled in revised proposal www.arounddb.com July 2019

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CAREY, SUEN WILL SERVICES

tel: +852 9160 7855 email: annette@careysuen.com website: www.careysuen.com

STILL PROCRASTINATING ABOUT WRITING YOUR WILL? BE SURE TO READ THIS PRECAUTIONARY TALE If you die without making a will, your assets will be distributed according to the law and not necessarily according to your wishes. There are many things to consider, but with a little preparation the process can be less painful and expensive than you might think – and certainly preferable to the chaos and confusion that can happen if there is not a will in place. Even with a will, there can be unforeseen delays and complications in the distribution of assets. So, it is often wise to also make provisions for a family trust.

In my capacity as Managing Director of Carey, Suen Will Services, I’d like you to consider the below example which reveals how your descendants can benefit from a family trust. …An American client of mine was married to a Filipina lady and he was concerned about how his assets would go from him to his wife if he died. We wrote a will and created a family trust. The difference between the two is that a will gives instructions for the distribution of assets but first has to go through probate, which takes time, whereas the family trust contains the same instructions but the assets are immediately accessible to named beneficiaries.

The will took 17 months to go through probate due to the fact that my clients were married in Samoa, and the Hong Kong court wanted the marriage certificate to be certified by the Samoan government as authentic. This meant that the marriage certificate had to go to the Beijing Samoan consulate to be sent to Samoa, to be sent back to Beijing, to be sent back to Hong Kong. This took six months.

There was an additional delay of the probate claim as neither the deceased’s MPF provider nor his bank would provide the values of his accounts without permission from the courts. In order to get permission from the courts, you need the values so this circle went on for three months.

Eventually, my client’s company life insurance, bank account contents and MPF were paid out. But while the widow was waiting on probate, she at least had the trust money to live off as a dependent wife. She could withdraw from the trust at any time and did not have to wait for court approval.

By creating the family trust – in addition to the will – my client gave his wife financial peace of mind.

Email Annette M. Houlihan at annette@careysuen.com for a free consultation Carey, Suen Will Services 8B Wing Yee Commercial Building, 5 Wing Kut Street, Central

tel: 28

+852 9160 email: annette@careysuen.com website: www.careysuen.com July7855 2019 www.arounddb.com

GIVEAWAYS

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

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

Win tickets to see Matilda The Musical

Lunchbox Theatrical Productions is giving away three pairs of tickets (worth HK$1,690 each) to see Matilda The Musical at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Wanchai on September 24 at 7.30pm.

www.lunchbox-productions.com

Get ready for some wickedly glorious fun as Matilda The Musical swings into Hong Kong this September! Direct from London’s West End, the ingenious adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved story follows a gifted young girl who dares to challenge those above her. Matilda The Musical has received fivestar reviews across the board, with critics at The Australian stating, it “makes you want to punch the air with delight.” For tickets, starting at HK$445, visit www.hkticketing.com.

Win a place on a Faust International summer programme

Faust International Youth Theatre is offering one reader a place at either its Summer Theatre or Summer Creative Writing programme (worth HK$2,980). The five-day programmes are held over the summer, from June 24 to August 23, in Sheung Wan (Faust studio), Discovery Bay (Discovery Bay International School), Kowloon (King George V School) and Tai Wai (Island School).

www.faustworld.com

Faust International’s Summer Theatre programme empowers children, aged three to 14, through drama and performance skills, with plenty of fun and action encouraging creativity and expression. The Creative Writing programme helps children, aged six to 13, develop their writing skills and creativity in a fun and relaxed environment. For more information, visit www.faustworld.com.

Congratulations to last month’s winners Bernadette Crockford for a two-night stay at The Farm at San Benito; Keith Lee for a place on a Faust summer programme; Gilian Hadley for a 90-minute massage at Quan Spa; and Leone Tear, Justin Sweeting, Kristine Howse, Yvonne Chan and Miguel Uremeneta for day passes to Hong Kong Disneyland.

PROFILE

Ghost World

Photo by Duey Tam

Three young DB women are getting ready to run the world – right after some spooky storytelling in this year’s Young Writers Competition. Elizabeth Kerr reports

Renee Tan, 15, DC; Millie Zoë Tarrant, 12, DC; and Hermione Barnes-Clay, 13, DBIS

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July 2019 www.arounddb.com

R

enee Tan, Millie Zoë Tarrant and Hermione Barnes-Clay are sitting around in a Pacific Coffee shop near the ferry pier, dissing Marvel. The three seem to agree that there’s just too much frantic fighting in the films, though Renee recently went to see Avengers: Endgame with her mother and sister. Her dad is “more into Batman.” Hermione looks resigned to answering questions about her name. “I do really like JK Rowling,” she says only a tiny bit sheepishly, admitting her name may indeed have come about because of the bestsellers.

All three practically clutch their imaginary pearls at the notion that anything other than the original Star Wars trilogy – yes, the ones from the 1970s – is worth their time. Millie takes a moment to boast about speaking the dialogue before it happens.

Join the club, little sister.

Renee, 15, Discovery College (DC), Hermione, 13, Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) and Millie, 12, DC are the finalists in this year’s Around DB and Life on Lantau Young Writers Competition (YWC), open to any and all budding writers living or going to secondary school on Lantau. The three standout stories were selected by judges and mentors Peter Sherwood, Trisha Hughes and John Saeki, all published authors.

The finalists’ stories went to an online vote on Facebook from June 7 to 14, with Renee placing first, Millie second and Hermione third.

You can read Renee’s winning story on page 34. The runnersup, Rebecca Tilbrook, 15, DBIS; Ada Arho Havren, 15, DC and Kayla Adara Lee, 15, YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College,

as well as the finalists, each received books from Bookazine at a prize-giving ceremony at DBIS on June 19.

Scarily good The three YWC finalists are at three different, engaging stages in their young lives. As the oldest, Renee has a kind of poise about her that will only get stronger.

She’s a bit more woke than the other two, and can tenderly address issues like institutional racism and sexism. She’s aware of issues like those, but admits,

young adult, but sometimes I read adult fiction. I probably shouldn’t, but because of that I hope I’m aware of more,” she reasons. “We all learn about [this stuff]. The boys, and some of the girls, will be messing around and laughing in class, and I’m staring at my book and thinking this is really happening, and if it happened to them, they wouldn’t be laughing.”

All three – Renee, Hong Kongborn to Malaysian/ Singaporean parents; Hermione and Millie both Brits, and each with a sister

There is nothing better than a suspense story written in the first person and in the present tense to hook a reader and get their heart racing

“It’s hard [to understand] if you’re living somewhere like Discovery Bay. We’re in a bit of a bubble.

We’re ‘educated’ about things that are going on in the world but we still don’t realise it’s actually happening. It doesn’t touch us here.”

Hermione is just starting to parse the real world. “We do study a lot of global topics and my tutor always reminds me to read the news – and I do,” she says, pointing out that at school her classes have touched on women in science, gender discrimination and gun laws in America. Ouch.

Millie is still figuring out what it even means to be woke. “Is that smart?” she genuinely asks.

After a quick description she ponders for a moment, eventually contextualising herself. “I read

– are youthful but clearly not young. Their personalities slowly reveal themselves during the course of the interview.

Renee is reserved at first, eventually loosening up when she finds common ground.

Hermione has artistic energy to burn, plays ukulele and piano, and is flirting with art school.

Millie is just energetic, quick with a retort to almost any comment and focused in the way 12-yearolds usually aren’t.

“I want to go to Oxford,” she says of her future plans in a tone that broaches no argument.

“Everybody wants to go to Oxford,” quips Renee right back, who’s also considering law. “Yes, but I am going to Oxford,” comes Millie’s quick reply. The reason Hermione has 

www.arounddb.com July 2019

31

PROFILE

no input: she’s outside getting photos taken.

Watching This year’s YWC story was of the ghost variety, something all three admit they have little belief in.

Renee is pragmatic with a firm “maybe” when asked where she lands on the spectre spectrum, but that didn’t stop her from the creatively structured Watching, told from a fresh point-of-view.

“I was hoping people would become more attached to it and think of [the action] as something that could affect them; so when it happens there’s a connection they would feel.”

Renee entered the contest last year and finished in the runnersup circle even though the story wasn’t written for the YWC. This year she committed to the process, partly in order to get some writing tips from a pro.

And she was thrilled to get so much feedback from her mentor, Trisha Hughes, author of the V2V series of historical fiction and bestselling memoir Daughters of Nazareth.

“She actually printed out my essay and had a ton of notes. I knew she was pretty busy – she was flying someplace the next day – and I didn’t know she was a published author.” Needless to say, Renee appreciated the time she got.

“It was very easy to be her mentor because I already believed she had a terrific story to begin with,” says Trisha of their collaboration on Renee’s chiller, which she compared to Stephen King.

“There is nothing better than a suspense story written in the first person and in the present

tense to hook a reader and get their heart racing… For someone so young, I believe she has a fabulous future ahead of her.”

as well as raise awareness of how real bullying is and the massive impact it can have on preteens and teens.

Fifty-eight

Her story, The Night My Brother Returned, is about suicide. Millie doesn’t have a mobile phone, and the only social media she interacts with right now are email and Pinterest, almost unheard of for a ‘tween’ in 2019. She admits she can stress herself out, but assures readers – and the school, which upon seeing the story placed a call to her parents – “I’m fine,” with a little eye-roll.

She says, “Lots of people feel this way in the world, and I want people to know that. But I also have a vivid imagination, so that helped too.”

For Hermione, Fifty-eight was a semi-gothic experiment taken from childhood memories. The truly spooky tale had a simplicity, lack of flowery embellishment and power her mentor, author and Around DB columnist, Peter Sherwood applauded.

“With mentoring she listened well, asked questions and was clearly ready to accept advice,” says Peter. “However, her tale was so well constructed there was not a lot of input left to provide. She did have something of an advantage, as her father is a storybook writer.”

“I do read and I’ve always loved writing – since I was little. I was always drawing picture books and making up stories to go with them,” Hermione reveals. “I love horror and gothic horror, so [of entering] I thought ‘Why not?’”

Like the writer herself, Fiftyeight is somewhat ambiguous; Hermione at her transitional age had one modest goal in mind.

“I didn’t really have a message.

It was just an idea came to me that I wanted to creep people out with.”

The Night My Brother Returned Millie, with her questioning nature did have goals in mind. She wanted to see if she could find more confidence in her writing,

“It’s important for us to tackle [bullying] and talk about it openly,” says mentor John Saeki, the author of The Tiger Hunters of Tai O. “Storytelling is one of the ways to do that, and I think Millie nailed it with her excellent ghost story. She is very bright and has many great ideas. She told me it’s the first story she’s written, which surprised me, but I certainly hope it won’t be the last.”

By mid-summer they’ll all be visiting family overseas, but for now, Hermione ducks out early to get ready for a concert, while Renee and Millie hang around to argue the relative merits of not over-thinking anything, how they identify (Renee leans Malaysian, Millie is aggressively ‘English’) and their shared Game of Thrones prohibition. Just as well. Most of us aren’t old enough for that.

You can read Watching by Renee Tan, the winning story in this year’s Around DB and Life on Lantau Young Writers Competition, on page 34.

Find more local heroes @ www.arounddb.com

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July 2019 www.arounddb.com

SPOTLIGHT

Watc

By Around DB and Life on Lantau Young Writers Competition winner Renee Tan, 15, Discovery College

I

watch. I always love to watch the children play outside.

Running around free in the tall green grass, flying high in the swings. I scan the crowd for the girl with the shiny pink shoes.

She’s my favourite to watch, her smile bright and her soul sparked with joy. Today, the sun glistens brightly in their hair, while their skin absorbs its warmth.

Through my stained dusty window, I see them dancing with the wind as their singing spreads my smile from ear to ear. I press my ear against the window, desperately trying to catch the lyrics to the song they’re singing. Their voices are muffled by the walls that isolate me from what seems like a different universe.

Photos by Duey Tam and courtesy of unsplash.com

I hastily fidget with the window handle until it finally creaks open.

How I long to feel the sun’s glow, to belt out a chorus and feel free.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes.

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My bleak, solitary house transforms into a haven of nature and tranquillity. Birds flutter around me and a soft breeze blows through my hair. I can feel the dirt beneath my feet, while the cool grass tickles my legs. This, is the world I dream of being a part of. This is…

“What are you doing!”

In a split second, this hope is lost.

July 2019 www.arounddb.com

I open my eyes, returning to my own secluded world, the warmth reluctantly leaving my body as a chill runs down my spine.

“How could you open the window again? After all the times I’ve told you.”

My mum sighs as her eyes drift to the outside. For a moment, I saw the spark that I feel, the longing to push past the walls of this house.

Yet, just as quickly as it came, the look vanishes, and her eyes turn dull once more.

My mum says I can’t go outside.

She says that the people are mean. Dangerous. However much I persist that the children sing and play, laugh and smile, and don’t look mean at all, her answer remains the same.

“No, I am protecting you.”

Sometimes, the tears can’t help but flow as I wonder why I am different, why I can’t play outside.

Sometimes, I laugh and hum along with their cheerful melodies.

Sometimes, I am so absorbed by the fantasy that I believe I’m with them, that they’re my friends, that I am happy. The one thing that prevails is the omnipresent yearning for more. More.

Absorbed by my thoughts, I barely notice my mum walking back to her room. I am about to head to

ching mine, when I notice the nice girl’s pair of pink shoes gleaming by the swings. All the children have finished playing and are scattering back to their houses. The shoes were left behind.

A knot grows tight in my stomach as I consider my options. Despite my mother’s warnings, there is no doubt in my mind of what I should do. I tiptoe across the rug, so gently that not a strand of yarn is changed. I clench my fists in fear as I shakily walk to the doorway, yet the wooden boards don’t creak. With relief, I rush past the mirror with such speed that I don’t even see my reflection. Without hesitation, I unlock the door and bolt to the swings. It wasn’t until then that it hit me. I was out, free.

The girl’s eyes scan her surroundings, frantically searching for… I’m not sure... In confusion, I do the same, looking behind me.

In the reflection of my window, I spot the beautiful pink shoes.

Floating. But where am I? In panic, I rub my eyes and glance once more. Why can’t I see myself? A million questions race through my head as my grin fades to a frown.

Panic swallows my whole body.

I drop the shoes as my body collapses in shock. Before the shoes have even hit the ground, the girl whips around and runs away, her mouth open in a silent scream. I hardly notice. My eyes are glued to the window.

I suddenly realise the reality my mum has been protecting me from.

I am a ghost.

It was just as I imagined. No, more.

I can see the little bugs crawling in the tree bark, hear the birds chirp, while the smell of flowers overtakes my senses. None of this can be experienced from my window, watching. Yet nothing bad has happened like my mother warned.

“Hey, wait up!”

I shout to the girl as I excitedly skip over with her shoes in my hand. I tap her on the shoulder with a grin on my face.

“Your shoes are really pretty. I live in that house right there and saw you left them.” www.arounddb.com July 2019

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37

INSIDER

Wh a t you n e e d t o k n ow

Island Exotics Clinic Veterinarian Dr Andrew Vermeulen talks about homing tortoises in Hong Kong and introduces Gwei Lui

A

furry pet may not be for everyone – especially if allergies are a concern.

In which case, an exotic reptile may be a suitable solution.

Snakes and lizards have their fans and their foes, but many find tortoises less threatening – and easier to love. Tortoises can be friendly and personable, but some pet owners don’t reckon with their long lifespans and complex needs. As a result, it is often necessary to rehome tortoises when their owners are no longer able or willing to care for them.

If you are interested in homing a tortoise, it’s a good idea to start by rescuing an elderly one rather than buying a baby as their long lifespans sometimes lead to them outliving their owners.

Photo courtesy of Island Exotics Clinic

An example is a local Sulcata tortoise, named Gwei Lui, who was rescued by Island Exotics Clinic – Tai Wai Small Animal and Exotic Hospital. Sulcata tortoises live up to 70 years and can weigh as much as 60 kilogrammes.

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Tortoises live well in Hong Kong during the summer months, if they have access to a secure garden or rooftop with plenty of space to roam. They need a heated hide box if night-time temperatures fall below 20ºC, and during the day they need a basking spot fitted with a 30ºC heat lamp. In the winter, tortoises can be brought inside to stay warm, but they need a UVB bulb to provide them with active vitamin D. Whatever the weather, tortoises need daily soakings, and large quantities of hay and vegetables.

Gwei Lui, happy in her new home

Gwei Lui’s story Gwei Lui came to the Island Exotics Clinic in a very poor state after suffering a cloacal prolapse (the cloaca is a reptile’s single orifice, that they pass faeces, urine and eggs from). The prolapse was caused by a baseball-sized bladder stone, which formed because she was dehydrated and undernourished.

Gwei Lui’s owners were unable to afford the prolonged treatments she required. So, we decided to try to save her.

We started by replacing the prolapse under general anaesthetic with endoscopic guidance, much like performing a colonoscopy on people. Once it was replaced, we took steps

to make sure her body had what it needed to heal, including daily morphine, antibiotics and special medicines to help her gut.

Gwei Lui then underwent open shell surgery to remove the stone from her bladder. This required a second anaesthetic and use of a pneumatic surgical saw to open a window through her shell into her body. Since Gwei Lui was also suffering from constipation, we gave her a repeat colonoscopy and extensive enema, which finally got things moving.

Gwei Lui recuperated at the Island Exotics Clinic for a month before being adopted. At her new home, there’s plenty of outdoor space which will allow her to grow. She won’t be our ‘little 5-kilogramme girl’ for long!

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If you have any questions about looking after a shelled friend, email Dr Andrew Vermeulen at doctorandrew@taiwaiexotic.com.

July 2019 www.arounddb.com

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IN FOCUS

Hiking in hot weather Trail walking is about adventure – getting a new perspective either on the place you’re in or the people you’re with and, if you’re smart, you can keep it up even when temperatures soar. Alexander Grasic reports

L

Photos by Alexander Grasic

antau’s trails form a comprehensive network of highways and avenues, by-streets and alleys that snake over the lush hilly countryside. Some are government-maintained paved footpaths, replete with railings and signs. Others are only accessible if you are willing to bushwhack through the overgrown bramble that obscures the ground you walk on.

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Hiking trails lead out from Discovery Bay in all directions. Go south through Nim Shue Wan to reach Mui Wo, Pui O and eventually Tai O. Go west and up to Tiger’s Head and veer off towards Tung Chung, or turn north to follow the path that overlooks Hong Kong Disneyland.

All of these routes can link and overlap with each other, meaning

you can hike here for years and still find yourself covering new ground.

What’s more, these trails are uniquely versatile. It’s up to you whether you want to challenge yourself and trek a day (or several days) away, or simply stretch your legs on a Sunday morning.

All of that being said, a good hiker is a prepared hiker; there is nothing worse when hiking than wishing you had done something differently. And with a bit of planning and some hiking smarts, you can still enjoy hiking the trails in the hot summer months.

Today’s hike Let’s take as an example a casual DB hike, one you may

July 2019 www.arounddb.com

have already enjoyed a hundred times before. The route you are going to take starts at the bottom of the stairs across the road from the Seahorse playground, and goes all the way up the stairs to the ridge above the Lookout Point. Crossing the ridge, you will descend to the Lookout Point then double back onto the Golf Club road and wind down it until you are just in front of the Discovery Bay Recreation Club tennis courts.

It is a short, brisk walk, only a few kilometres, but the stairs will knock the wind out of anyone at an average level of fitness. It is a great first go for a new hiker, but younger children may struggle with the steps. On a good day, the view of the bay and (possibly) Victoria Harbour still makes the Lookout

always better to start a hike earlier than later. That way, you can have as much of it behind you as possible before the midday heat kicks in.

Shoes, hats and sunscreen You begin your ascent. The damp air clings to the at-first rocky steps.

Some are sporting a healthy layer of moss, all are slightly slippery.

Good thing you are wearing a pair of running shoes that have a decent tread, if not hiking boots with ankle support. Tennis shoes will not do.

Boots may be excessive for this walk, but they are a solid investment if you wish to tackle longer, lessmaintained trails. A good pair will have specialised treads and extra padding. The support around the neck of the boot can help prevent you from rolling your ankle, a nightmare scenario for any hiker, and a real possibility on many of the steep descents on slopes or stairs you may face on Lantau.

The view from the ridge just above the Lookout Point

Point a rewarding destination, or at the very least a worthwhile pit-stop on a longer route.

The duration of this hike can, like all hikes, vary wildly depending on the ability of your group and the weather at the time of walking.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department provides approximate times for many popular hikes, as do a plethora of Hong Kong hiking blogs, but these often contradict each other.

According to the calculations I learnt while doing the Hong Kong Award for Young People (the local equivalent of the Duke of Edinburgh award), the roundtrip hike to the Lookout Point takes around an hour and a half. I’d call that accurate if you’re taking a leisurely

stroll for pleasure, or hiking with young kids… but you can ‘race’ there and back in half that time, if you’re fit and looking for a workout.

Use you way long it a

whatever approximation get as just that; the best to accurately find out how any hike will take is to walk couple of times yourself.

Get an early start You start at 7am, maybe 7.30am if someone took a little too long to get out of bed. ‘Starting’ means beginning your ascent up the stairs, fully-stocked and nourished; it does not mean meeting in the plaza to pick up breakfast and snacks.

Admittedly the hills are not going anywhere fast, but it is almost

As you are climbing, the sun starts to break through the morning clouds. You immediately stop to apply sun cream (if you didn’t already at home) and, importantly, you put on your hat. There is very little shade on this route (barring the Lookout Point itself) and wearing a hat can be a crucial factor in preventing sunstroke.

Know your route As you continue up the stairs the steps become concrete brackets packed with earth, a DB specialty.

Some are a bit worn so you watch your step. You barely notice a turnoff to your left until someone in your group peers down it. Knowing that it’s going in the direction of the Lookout Point you consider for a moment before carrying on.

In all truth, you could have gone that way. There are at least a dozen combinations of routes that can get you to the Lookout

www.arounddb.com July 2019



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IN FOCUS

Point, but you are taking this route because it follows the most visible paths with the fewest deviations. I challenge anyone to get lost on the Golf Club road.

Knowing your route means avoiding unnecessary detours that can cost precious time in the sun and heat.

Stay hydrated You’ve been walking up the steps for a good while now. You’re starting to lose your breath and your legs are aching slightly.

You tell your group you’re ready for a break and you pull out your water bottle. For an extra kick, you sip on the still-cold bottle of Gatorade you bought at 7-11 about half an hour ago.

There is no exact science for the amount of water one should bring on a hike; it really depends on the person. One thing is for certain though – always bring a bit more than you think you need.

It is much better to have half a bottle left at the end of the trail than to run out halfway through.

As hiking is a sustained sweaty exercise, it is also a good idea to bring an isotonic sports drink with you to help replenish your electrolytes. I am partial to Gatorade, but Pocari Sweat, Vitamin Water and some brands of coconut water also fit the bill.

You should additionally bring some snacks. Nuts and dried fruits provide the good natural fats and sugars you’ll need to stay energised. Add in some M&M’s or yoghurt-covered raisins to sweeten things up –

The only shade you’ll find on this hike is at the Lookout Point

it’s called trail mix for a reason!

Hiking with others You have climbed the stairs and made it to the ridge. You walk along and see Tiger’s Head to your right, Tai Pak Wan directly below and Discovery Bay below you to your left. Continuing along, you reach a trigonometrical point, a concrete post used for surveying. You sit your kids on top of it and take a photo of them with the sea and Victoria Harbour as the backdrop. As you make your way down to the Lookout Point, you start a game of I spy that you carry on playing all the way back down to the plaza.

Hiking with others is above all else a safety precaution. If by some unfortunate chance you injure yourself on the trail, having someone there to administer

Steep stairs are best tackled in hiking boots

aid or services

However, the majority of the time, the people you hike with will simply set the tone for your journey.

Having nowhere to go but further helps you to forget about the little things, and prompts you to share stories and discuss literally anything that pops into your head.

Also when hiking with friends, you can share your enjoyment of the spectacular views you come upon in the moment.

Find more topical local topics @ www.arounddb.com

42

July 2019 www.arounddb.com

contact emergency may be essential.

Jumping for joy because Summer's almost here

“And that’s a wrap” Congratulations to all students participating in, and the Dream Team that put on the DMR / Sharpe Steps end of year performance at Youth Square!

Enquiries: info@dmr-hk.com

EDUCATION

HAPPY CAMPERS

Wellbeing coach and counselling psychologist at Discovery Bay International School Jason Broderick reveals just how much kids can get out of summer camp

Summer camps encourage and promote pro-social behaviours

Photo courtesy of www.pexels.com

S 44

ince most local schools close for six weeks over the summer, the holidays arrive with a large offering of kids’ camps and activities.

Numerous brochures, pamphlets and online advertisements inform parents of the measurable benefits that these activities offer. Camps provide a period of respite for both child and parent over the long summer vacation, they allow kids to focus on a special interest, or on something they are not excelling in at school, and there is a budget

available for all. But what parents may not appreciate are the immeasurable, intangible benefits of these activities.

Summer camps offer more than just the development of new skills, they also provide the building blocks for positive social interaction – a fundamental soft skill required to assist young people as they progress toward adulthood.

Camp attendees are faced with activities that are emotionally and psychologically challenging.

July 2019 www.arounddb.com

Placed in a situation where they have to meet new people and triumph over obstacles, kids become more resilient and, importantly, more aware of ‘self.’

At summer camp, children get the experiences they need to bolster their range of coping strategies.

It’s an opportunity for kids to face the simple and complex challenges of day-to-day life in a safe environment. For instance, they learn how to get along with a new group of peers, how to

ask for help, and how to take a manageable amount of risk without a parent in attendance.

Constructive downtime For many children, school has meant pressure. Pressure to achieve. Pressure to do things on time. Pressure to learn at someone else’s pace. Some children seem to be wired to meet these challenges, while others are not. For many, the pace and the demands of the school setting are overwhelming and, as a result, school has been ultimately defeating. Summer camps encourage and promote pro-social behaviours, and they teach important skills while giving children a break.

For most young people, summer camps are a breathing space in which the pressure is off. Kids can be kids but at the same time learn and grow in a healthy and positive manner. Many children flourish in a different aspect of their life without the stresses school can bring; they have the chance to feel good about who they are and what they can do.

At summer camp, children are able to ‘connect’ with their surroundings, other people and themselves. Yes, children have the opportunity to socialise and connect at school but at camp, they have more downtime in which to do so. Along the way, they have the chance to learn deeper empathy and better communication skills – they can gain better respect for others and deepen their social intelligence.

Importantly too, summer camps often put children in a context where they are interacting with

children (and adults) that they do not know. Unhampered by worries about old friends, jealousies or the expectations of the school group, children are free to pal up with anyone they choose. This gives them a chance to overcome shyness and also to experiment with different ways of socialising.

Some of these friendships last, while many will evaporate. It doesn’t matter. What counts, is that children experience getting close to new people, some of

whom will be very different from their usual buddies. As a result, they’ll probably learn something about stereotypes, acceptance and understanding. Summer camps teach morals and build character, while giving children the opportunity to play, laugh and create memories.

Children who are fortunate enough to attend summer camp are lucky indeed because a whole new world of friendship, interests, skills and independence is opened up for them.

5 skills kids gain at summer camp 1. Children learn to work with each other and their adult mentors outside of the classroom and family unit. While building new friendships, they learn to navigate through group dynamics, manage conflict and accept guidance.

2. Placed in a new environment with new people, kids learn to value the kindnesses of others and they begin to give of themselves in return. In challenging situations, they learn to be sensitive, to empathise and to support friends who are struggling.

3. Children learn that to succeed, they must work together. Rather than thinking only of themselves, they begin to see themselves as part of a community, and with this comes a valuable sense of acceptance and belonging.

4. By putting themselves out there and trying new things, kids begin to understand what it takes to succeed in life. They develop decision-making skills to get themselves through challenging situations, and they grow in confidence and flexibility.

5. By tackling an activity that pushes them outside their comfort zone, children come away with a stronger sense of personal pride and self-reliance. As they progress through a course, their confidence builds and they accomplish tasks that at first seemed impossible. All this builds strength of character, courage and determination.

Jason Broderick is wellbeing coach and counselling psychologist at Discovery Bay International School (DBIS). To follow him on Instagram, head to @wellbeingcoach101. For more on DBIS, visit www.dbis.edu.hk.

Find more on education @ www.arounddb.com www.arounddb.com July 2019

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EDUCATION

School’s out for summer

With all the different summer camps on offer across Lantau, how do you decide which will benefit your child the most? Samantha Wong reports

I

n choosing a summer camp for your children – with your children if they’re old enough – making sure they are going to have lots of fun has to be a first priority. After all, it is the long vac and, no matter how old they are, kids deserve some downtime.

Whichever type of camp you choose, your kids will be given the opportunity to be busy and social.

Hopefully too, away from the pressures and social hierarchies of school, they’ll be able to make new friends and, with the guidance of adult mentors, discover new things about themselves.

Photo courtesy of www.wikimedia.org

The obvious way to go about choosing a camp is to match your kids’ interests with a course that’s available locally. And with so many different classes on offer across the island, this will likely be a no-brainer. Even within DB itself, you’ll find camps that allow your children to focus on everything from ballet and theatre to Maths and Mandarin.

46

Looked at this way, your decisionmaking process is simple enough. Sign your children up for an activity they already enjoy and give them the chance to focus on it, and get seriously good at it.

Game over, I hear you say. But have you considered going the other way? Rather than enrolling your kids in a course they already know something about, plump for something new and unexpected, something that will expand their horizons.

Let’s say, for instance, that your kids are homebodies and, like mine, tech obsessed. Any camp

Camp is an opportunity for kids to have fun and learn something new about themselves

you choose will encourage them to unplug and get social, but one that’s based outdoors could be the best bet. Sign them up for a sports course and you’ll see them being physically active and more than that, they’ll be outdoors, connecting with nature in some way. My kids are always saying that they’re not interested in being outdoors, that they lack access to it and it makes them feel uncomfortable… a few sessions on the playing field could well open their eyes!

To keep things interesting, there’s also the option of enrolling children in a classroom-based camp. This is a great way to avoid

the ‘summer slide,’ where grade points are lost because of lack of tuition over the holidays. And an educational camp doesn’t have to be dull. Specialised, teacherled summer courses make learning and problem-solving fun and interactive.

Most DB summer camps last a week at most, so here’s your answer: Sign your kids up for as many different courses as you can afford. Ideally, they’ll be able to explore their favourite hobbies and try something new, while keeping up with their studies.

It’s starting to look like a busy, productive and most importantly fun summer!

Find more on education @ www.arounddb.com July 2019 www.arounddb.com

Time to enrol your child in Playgroup

Maths

EARLY ADVENTURES PLAYGROUP

LITTLE EXPLORERS

EYE LEVEL EDUCATION CENTRE

Early Adventures Playgroup is offering eight weeks of fun-filled activity for children from July 2 to August 23 in DB. The summer playgroup is available for children aged two to four years, with daily arts and crafts and a different theme each week.

The longest running playgroup in DB, Little Explorers aims to make the transition between home play and kindergarten easier. Over the summer, children, aged 18 months and up, are provided with a caring, stimulating environment which facilitates early learning through play, and gross and fine motor skills activities.

Eye Level is running a series of four, fiveday summer camps in DB North Plaza to prepare kids for the coming school year. Designed for children aged three to 14 years, the camps aim to nurture maths skills from basic thinking through to advanced concepts and applications.

Activities include Mathematical Olympiad questions, quick calculation methods for multiplying large numbers and mental arithmetic.

9511 2107 sarah@earlyadventures.net www.earlyadventures.net

9327 0507 littleexplorers@team-fear.com

9366 0000 hi@hicentre.biz www.myeyelevel.com

Maths PREETI’S PASSION FOR TEACHING Over the summer and all year round, Year 1 to 12 students can explore and excel in maths, science, economics and business studies at Preeti’s Passion for Teaching.

The aim is to strive for progress not perfection, as children get ready to take the IB Diploma, A Levels or IGCSE, MYP/ PYP. One-on-one and group tutorials are held in DB with a 10% discount offered to DB residents.

9200 4354 tutor.doorstep@gmail.com www.facebook.com/preetsmath

Performance DMR SCHOOL OF BALLET

FAUST INTERNATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE

DMR School of Ballet’s summer programmes have been running in DB since 1984 and are designed to suit children’s every artistic need. The age range for classes, running from July 1 to August 9, is from three to 15 years. DMR’s choreography camps sell out fast due to their creative and action-packed content.

At Faust’s five-day Summer Theatre programmes in DB, Sheung Wan, Kowloon and Sha Tin, kids, aged three to 14 years, explore different themes and plays, and perform for their families at the end of the week. Faust’s week-long Creative Writing programmes in Sheung Wan and Sha Tin, encourage kids, aged six to 13 years, to bring their imagination to the page.

2987 4338 info@dmr-hk.com www.dmr-hk.com

2547 9114 info@FaustWorld.com www.FaustWorld.com

Sport

! p m a c r e m m su

DBEES

HK DRAGONS FOOTBALL CLUB

KAPUHALA

Non-profit DB community-based ice hockey team the DBees offers summer programmes (and year-round coaching) for girls and boys of all skill levels, aged five years and up. With a new rink opening in DB in April 2020, the DBees are looking for more participation from the DB community – players, coaches and support volunteers. Join the team now to participate in the 2019-2020 season at Elements Rink in Kowloon.

HK Dragons Football Club offers summer camps (and year-round coaching) for girls and boys of all abilities, aged three to 18 years. The camps run from July 2 to 5, July 8 to 12, August 5 to 9 and August 12 to 16 in DB, Pui O and Stanley. Coaches aim to motivate players to try new things, develop their game skills and realise their full potential, both on and off the pitch.

At Kapuhala’s week-long DB summer camps, running from July into August, kids train, play games and have lots of fun while learning new skills. Each day, the camp warriors, aged five to 13 years, challenge themselves through a different activity, like movement training, boot camp, spin, touch rugby and team games.

nstuartwinchester@gmail.com www.dbeeshockey.com

5322 5556 theoffice@dragons.hk www.dragons.hk

6101 8434 tribe@kapuhala.com www.kapuhalaspace.com

Mandarin DR BEAR EDUCATION CENTRE

MANDARIN FOR MUNCHKINS

Dr Bear Education Centre is offering a six-week Mandarin immersion summer camp from July 8 to August 16 in DB, for children aged two years and up.

Activities, including singing, dancing and painting, allow students to develop their language skills in a creative and motivating environment. Classroom-based learning, for children aged five years and up, includes topics such as cooking, Chinese culture, nature and sports.

Mandarin for Munchkins’ summer programme provides 100% mandarinimmersion for children aged three to eight years, and nine to 13 years. Full- or halfday classes are on offer from July 2 to August 16 in DB. Using the ‘learn through activities’ approach, kids explore and solve problems in imaginative and playful ways – exclusively in Mandarin.

9685 7856 or 6762 6264 (WhatsApp) drbearschool@gmail.com

2486 9012 learn@yifanmandarin.com www.mandarinformunchkins.com

TOP TIPS

CHINESE ETIQUETTE What’s the polite way to behave when you’re out and about with local friends?

And how do you make sure no one loses face? Founder of Mandarin Time School Lydia Yang has the lowdown

H

ave you ever felt uncouth or disrespectful when meeting a Chinese person for the first time, or even in the company of good Chinese friends? If you have, here are some quick takeaways for you.

Photos courtesy of unsplash.com & stock.adobe.com

How to meet and greet

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You can’t be too polite when greeting a Chinese friend. Always nod or shake hands and say hello.

But don’t bow... we Chinese only bow when we pay respect to our ancestors. And don’t shake hands too firmly. If the handshake is too firm, it feels hostile to the Chinese and can be read as a sign of aggression, so don’t be surprised if Chinese women in particular shake hands very softly.

We Chinese are taught to be particularly respectful towards older people, and so we never

call them by their given name – that would be considered rude or weird. You address someone senior by their family name plus Mr or Ms, or by their honorific title (for instance, Teacher). If you are greeting a group of people, address the eldest person first to show respect.

Westerners like to hug and kiss when they meet but again this is considered inappropriate by the Chinese. Such overwhelming friendliness can make us feel uncomfortable. It’s best to avoid any body contact apart from a simple (soft) handshake, especially when meeting people for the first time.

Once a relationship has been established, a Chinese friend may choose to kiss or hug you when you meet, then of course it’s OK to follow their lead.

July 2019 www.arounddb.com

Lastly, if you’ve arranged to meet a Chinese friend at a certain time make an effort to be punctual.

Being on time is a sign of respect and considered a virtue in China, much as it is in the West. Just don’t show up too early! If your Chinese friend arrives later than you, she will be embarrassed about having kept you waiting.

Equally, if you turn up for a lunch date ahead of time, you will seem uncouth because you’re giving the impression that you’re hungry and desperate to eat.

Rules of engagement As for conversation, particularly with new Chinese friends or acquaintances, there’s a lot of etiquette to adhere to – and subjects to avoid.

We Chinese are just as proud, if not prouder, of our country

as Westerners are of theirs, so criticisms don’t go down well.

Unless you have something positive to say, avoid talking about China’s political situation, state leaders, recent history and issues concerning the environment and population. Taiwan, Xinjiang and Tibet are still sensitive topics, so it’s best not to bring them up.

Above all, keep calm and don’t get upset, no matter what’s under discussion. Raising your voice or getting angry is considered a loss of face in Asian culture, and China’s no exception. For this reason, you’ll seldom see a Chinese friend shouting or getting frustrated in public – to do so would create a ‘losing face situation’ for everyone involved, and draw unnecessary attention.

Surprisingly, when conversing with Chinese friends, it’s ok to get personal! It’s acceptable to ask questions about a friend’s marital status, family, age, job or income as this is seen as a way to find common ground and keep a conversation going. If this level of intimacy makes you feel uncomfortable, let your friend know – there’s no need to answer every question you are asked.

Speaking of intimacy, it’s important not to be too familiar when chatting with Chinese friends. Don’t compliment your friend’s wife by saying, “You look beautiful!” Instead, you can say, “Wow, I hear your job is really high powered,” or “I love your cooking; it’s absolutely delicious.”

By the same token, if you are meeting Chinese friends together with your partner or spouse, avoid public displays of affection. Hugging and kissing your partner in public is still a taboo in Chinese culture.

Red is good for lai-see packets, flowers, gift wrap, thank you cards… but not ink!

Gift giving It’s customary to present your Chinese host with a small gift when you visit her home, and there are lots of dos and don’ts surrounding the giving of gifts that you need to be aware of.

Firstly, be sure to give your gift with both hands – it would be impolite not to do so. And don’t be surprised if your Chinese friend refuses your gift a number of times before accepting it; this is another norm born out of politeness. Gently press your gift on your host but once she has accepted it, don’t ask her to unwrap it. It’s considered polite in Chinese culture to wait to open gifts until your guests have left.

Small gifts like a book, chocolates or perfume, will be well received.

Flowers are always appreciated but not white flowers, unless you are attending a funeral, and avoid gifting sharp objects because they symbolise the severing of relationships.

Don’t gift anything with the number four on it (like a clock), because we Chinese associate the number

four with death. The word ‘four’ and the word ‘death’ sounds alike when spoken in Mandarin, so four is an unlucky number and giving a gift related to four is quite a bad curse.

As an aside, at a Chinese wedding or during Chinese New Year always give red lai-see packets. When you are deciding how much cash to put inside, go with multiples of six, eight or nine, never four. This is because six stands for everything going well, eight for prosperity and nine longevity.

When wrapping gifts for Chinese friends, choose a brightly coloured wrap – ideally red. Avoid black or white wrapping paper because black and white are associated with death and funerals. And never write a thank you note in red ink.

Chinese teachers write in red ink when they correct students’ homework – it’s a symbol of criticism. It’s also traditionally used to convey bad news, for instance a break-up letter.

So just remember that red is good for just about everything (lai-see packets, flowers, gift wrap, thank you cards) but not ink!

Mandarin Time School offers Mandarin classes, a summer camp for kids and tailor-made Chinese-culture workshops at its Central campus and also in Discovery Bay. You can contact Lydia Yang at 6111 0523 or lydia@mandarintimeschool.com. For more information, visit the Mandarin Time School Facebook page or www.mandarintimeschool.com.

Find more top tips @ www.arounddb.com www.arounddb.com July 2019

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www.arounddb.com July 2019

53

ESCAPES

Above and beyond

Photos by Ben Chan, & courtesy of Elizabeth Kerr, www.shangri-la.com & www.wikimedia.org

Lush, diverse, tasty and welcoming, Sri Lanka has something for everyone. Elizabeth Kerr reports

“Y

ou need eggs? I’ll get you some eggs.

Be right back,” is the reply that comes from an independent grocer in Hikkaduwa, on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. We’re staying at a rented villa just off the town’s main strip and have run out of eggs.

It’s a sweltering afternoon and, after hopping in his tuk-tuk and returning with a dozen eggs (where

54

from remains a mystery), the owner steers the conversation to Sri Lankan inflation, his worries about his daughter’s schooling, and his hopes the country can find its way through the mire after 30 years of civil war. Needless to say, going in search of eggs for a bunch of tourists is above and beyond the call of duty.

But that’s the thing about Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans. Above and

July 2019 www.arounddb.com

beyond is par for the course.

Colombo city tour The cautious among us will advise against travelling to Sri Lanka in the wake of April’s terror attacks, but they shouldn’t. While not detracting from the tragedy, Sri Lanka actively practises tolerance, and for now, it’s an affordable, diverse and delicious vacation destination ideal for individuals and families alike.

Elephant-spotting at Yala National Park

of the land. The hotel sits walking distance from Galle Face Green, a 12-acre urban park, where you should sample Sri Lanka’s representative street food, kottu – a grilled mix of shredded chicken, vegetables, noodles, egg and roti – while sitting by the sea. A few minutes further and the Khan Clock Tower identifies Pettah Market, a bazaar that puts Mongkok’s Ladies’ Market to shame and must simply be experienced.

A market-stall seller in Tangalle

Most international visitors start in Colombo, and most brush it off far too quickly. Located on a harbour that was once a strategic port for Portuguese, Dutch and British traders – and is now a Chinese Belt and Road stop – Colombo has more going for it than it’s given credit for.

Start with a stay at the ShangriLa Hotel, Colombo (with serviced apartments for families) to get a lay

Colombo is also an architecture buff’s dream, so dive into history at the 19th-century Italianate National Museum of Colombo and move on to renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa’s 33rd Lane home.

Among the most influential Asian architects of his generation, Bawa is widely credited with creating tropical modernism, and thus shaping the look of modern-day South East Asia.

The next day, tour Colombo Fort with knowledgeable, loquacious local guide Mark Forbes of Colombo City Walks. He’ll regale you about how after the Civil War ended newly unemployed Sri Lankan soldiers were drafted into restoring the Old Colombo Dutch Hospital – home to trendy

local brands and one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants (Ministry of Crab). Mark’s tour stops at the magnificent colonial General Post Office and Cargills department store, and winds up at the luxurious Grand Oriental Hotel, for a gin and tonic.

Most delightfully, Mark points out the teahouse where ’80s new wave band Duran Duran shot the classic video for Hungry Like the Wolf. Maybe leave the kids behind for this one.

The question after Colombo becomes one of which way to go.

Heading inland towards Kandy is always a good idea given Sri Lanka’s tea reputation. But if you’ve got kids, you might prefer to bask in the country’s diverse wildlife. Make your way south, either by train or on the new west coast highway, to the beach town of Tangalle and start adventuring there.

Elephants and treehouses Sri Lanka is home to 26 national parks, each with unique charms, but Yala National Park is the second largest and most visited.

Located on the southeast coast  around three hours’ drive from

www.arounddb.com July 2019

55

ESCAPES

Galle Face Green

Hikkaduwa

Tangalle, Yala has some of the most varied animal life of all of the parks in the country, including elephants, sacred langurs and endangered Sri Lankan leopards.

Yala has a permit-based entry system but a murky web presence.

Fortunately, dozens of local tour operators are picking up the slack.

A good one is Lanka Tracker, and if you’re lucky you’ll have guide Indu’s eagle eyes spotting animals hidden in the bush.

Lanka Tracker will come pick you up from your hotel if you’re in the Yala area, and nothing says wildlife safari like a stay in a treehouse.

For a naturalist experience, spend a few days at Saraii Village, which stays true to its word. Rooms are accessed by crooked ladders made from branches, floors are woven together branches, walls exist in spirit only and bathrooms have dirt floors.

Saraii puts ecology first, so powersucking air conditioning and overlyprocessed soaps are out. But if ‘rock-a-by baby’ isn’t your cup of tea, there are mud huts – on the ground.

Either way you’re going to hear all manner of wildlife running around outside overnight.

Spas and cooking classes Sleeping in trees should be rewarded with pampering and, with Sri Lanka becoming a hotbed of luxury spa resorts, plenty of decadent options exist. Among the

best are the high-end Amanwella and the Bawa-designed Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, both stops on the way back from Yala.

exemplary of his work, which also offers its cooking class.

Peace Haven has plenty to keep kids amused, with one of its most engaging ‘excursions’ being ‘Spice Spoons,’ an outing to a local market first thing with the hotel’s chef followed by lessons in making lunch.

Hit the road and head for a town like Hikkaduwa. With its tourist-friendly beach bum vibe, it’s popular for swimming and surfing.

Sri Lankan cuisine is distinct from Indian, and involves heaps of coconut and coconut milk, making it somewhat milder. Even the rice is different: fat-grained and almost nutty. Must-haves (aside from kottu) include pani pol – a dessert crepe made with coconut milk and stuffed with palm sugar and shredded coconut – and jackfruit curry. Yes. Jackfruit.

Admittedly cooking for oneself isn’t entirely vacation-y, but watching Sri Lankan dishes come together with the same few ingredients is worth the work. Anantara has a second hotel in Sri Lanka at Kalutara – also

by Bawa and perhaps the most

Beach bums and batik

The town is a good place from which to explore the old Dutch stronghold of Galle Fort (30 minutes by train), visit sea turtle sanctuaries and tour Lunuganga, Bawa’s Country Estate (about an hour).

Also around Hikkaduwa is a clutch of traditional Sri Lankan wax-dyed batik makers. If Alponso Batiks is closed when you visit, don’t worry.

A neighbour will call Alponso and tell him he has customers. He’ll race down on his moped to see how he can help you. At the family-run Genuine Batik (Jungle Workshop) close by, you’re likely to get offered fruit and tea, while you browse Hirantha’s incredible artisanal work.

See? Above and beyond.

FIND IT • Amanwella, www.aman.com • Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, www.anantara.com • Colombo City Walks, www.colombocitywalks.com • Grand Oriental Hotel, www.grandoriental.com • Lanka Tracker, lankatracker.simdif.com • Saraii Village, www.saraiivillage.com • Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo, www.shangri-la.com Cathay Pacific flies direct to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport.

For more information refer to travellanka.lk.

Find more exciting escapes @ www.arounddb.com

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Chicken Kottu

July 2019 www.arounddb.com

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HK HAPPENINGS

THE PANSODAN POP-UP The Laneway, Sai Ying Pun

Throughout July

10 FUN THINGS TO DO IN HK THIS MONTH! Like the Around DB Facebook page for event reminders

Photo courtesy of Florian Dahm

Get a taste of Burmese cuisine courtesy of Hong Kong-born restaurateur Ivan Pun. The Pansodan, an outpost of the same restaurant in Yangon named after the bustling street in the former capital, brings the vibrant flavours of Myanmar to Hong Kong.

Expect a range of tangy, spicy and bright dishes, topped off with exotic botanical-driven cocktails. To make a booking, visit www.thepansodan.com.

22ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE HKSAR Across Hong Kong July 1

STAR WARS IN CONCERT Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui Enjoy watching Star Wars: A New Hope and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back like never before, as the Hong Kong Philharmonic O r c h e s t r a simultaneously plays the score live with the www.wikimedia.org film screening. Catch A New Hope on July 4 and July 6, The Empire Strikes Back on July 5 and July 6.

For more information and tickets, starting at HK$380, visit www.hkphil.org.

July 4-6

SUMMERFEST

www.bbc.com

There are various activities lined up to celebrate the 22nd Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day. Events, organised by the state offices and community groups, include flag-raising ceremonies, carnivals, exhibitions and guided tours.

For more information, visit www.hong-kong-traveller.com.

INTERNATIONAL ARTS CARNIVAL Across Hong Kong July 5-August 18

Central Harbourfront Event Space Throughout July

www.pexels.com

This year’s month-long Summerfest comprises a series of over 30 free, family-friendly events. Highlights include the jazzy folksy Mellow Yellow Music Festival on July 5, and the Hong Kong Ukulele Festival (complete with Hawaiian handicrafts and fake tattoo workshops) on July 27. For the full programme of events, visit www.summerfest-centralharbourfront.hk.

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July 2019 www.arounddb.com

www.hkiac.gov.hk

Covering theatre, dance, music, film and magic, the International Arts Carnival showcases a varied line-up of overseas and local shows. Highlights this year include the production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favourites by the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, and The Little Mermaid by Theater Terra. For tickets, visit www.urbtix.hk.

HONG KONG BOOK FAIR

Get your events listed @ www.arounddb.com

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai July 17-23

BEER WE GO Yau Tong

July 20-21

www.readersland.com

Every summer, hundreds of thousands of bookworms flock to the Hong Kong Book Fair. Major exhibit categories include children’s and teens’ books, e-books, e-learning resources and multimedia products. Visit hkbookfair.hktdc.com to find out more. Tickets, starting at HK$25, are available at the door.

ALVVAYS

This Town Needs, Yau Tong Clockenflap Presents is a year-round series of events featuring the finest local, regional and international talent, leading up to the Clockenflap music and arts festival in November.

Local fans of ‘jangle pop’ coconuts.co will want to check out Canadian indie pop band Alvvays this month. For tickets, starting at HK$470, visit www.ticketflap.com.

July 24

ANI-COM AND GAMES HONG KONG

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The Beer We Go @ This Town Needs craft beer and indie music festival features 20 international craft breweries plus music from around the world. The festival is organised into four sessions over the weekend, and each session features a different genre of music. For more information and tickets, starting at HK$580, visit www.ticketflap.com.

MIKU EXPO Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Kowloon Bay July 27

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai July 26-30

www.flickr.com

www.pexels.com

Hong Kong’s answer to the San Diego Comic Con, the annual Ani-Com and Games Expo brings together comic book and anime fans, as well as gamers to browse limited-edition comics, figures and other collectibles from Hong Kong, Japan and around the world. The event is also one giant cosplay gathering, where fans dress up as their favourite characters.

For more information, visit www.ani-com.hk.

Japanese virtual singer Hatsune Miku is not only a music sensation in Japan; ‘she’ has 2.5 million followers on Instagram and has been touring internationally for five years.

People have been going wild for this computer-generated blue-haired teenager, thanks to some incredible 3D graphics and a repertoire of pop hits. Miku is performing in Hong Kong for the first time. For tickets, starting at HK$380, visit hkticketing.com. www.arounddb.com July 2019

59

DB FACES

Snaps COMMUNITY

Find more familiar DB faces @ www.arounddb.com

Photos by Baljit Gidwani www.evoqueportraits.com

T Congratulations to last month’s winner: Jeanice de la Grandiere (@jeanicedlg)

Win prizes from Uncle Russ Coffee and The Pier Bar!

he best snap wins! Your mission this month is to share a photo taken in DB or Lantau on our @around-db Instagram page and hashtag it #arounddb. You have until the 10th of this month to enter – so get tagging.

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!

WORSHIP SERVICE Discovery College Sundays @ 10am CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP PRACTICAL BIBLE TEACHING KIDS CHURCH & TEENS

Alcoholics Anonymous •Counselling for individuals, couples, families & adolescents • Sliding fee scale; affordable options for all clients • English, Putonghua, Cantonese, Russian, Hindi, Marathi and Marwadi speaking counsellors

Church Office: 2987 7061 www.dbicc.org

www.resourcecounselling.org Serving the community over 40 years A Member Agency of the Community Chest

If you want to drink, that’s your business.

If you want to stop, we can help.

Alcoholics No dues or fees.

Anonymous

24hr hotline:9073 6922 www.aa-hk.org

View local business directories @ www.arounddb.com EMPLOYMENT

HEALTH & WELLBEING

DELIVERY PERSON/ MESSENGER

LIFE COACHING & FACIAL REFLEXOLOGY

Michael, a HK resident, is available to deliver documents & small parcels around HK. Available full- or part-time.

Call 9145 6731 to leave a message

• One-on-one online Quantum Life Coaching to help you achieve your goals • Quantum Facial Reflexology for a better looking face & whole-body relaxation & wellness Contact Tina at vatyh@netvigator.com

VR, HYPNOSIS: INDIVIDUAL &/ OR COUPLES THERAPY

HOME SERVICES

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

Contact 2575 7707, www.mindmatters.hk

FTC RELOCATIONS

• Local & international moves • Long/ short-term storage • Handyman services • World-class service – competitive rates • Operating on DB & Lantau Contact 2814 1658, sales@ftc.hk, www.ftc.hk

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

Well known in the Hong Kong MMA community, Marc Guyon guides you through your journey to become a martial artist. As a former white-collarturned-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

TUITION & COURSES

AKASH MOVING & HANDYMAN SERVICES

• Local packing, moving, storage & handyman service • 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.

SPORTS

PRIVATE MARTIAL ARTS COACHING

Tina at Tina’s AAA Practice in DB provides

HEALTH & WELLBEING

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 Divorce/ post-divorce/ career coaching • Quit smoking quickly.

HOME SERVICES

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

LEARN SPANISH • Native speaker • Experienced teacher & DELE examiner • IB, IGCSE, A-levels & HKDSE • Business Spanish & courses for adults • Flexible schedule & locations • Special offers for students who live in DB & Tung Chung Contact Erik at 9666 9511, rerikm@hotmail.com

BayMediaStudio

Wonderful Websites!

Need a website or a website refresh?

“I contacted Bay Media to help me in redesigning the website for my business. I am extremely happy with what they have done. They quickly understood the nature of the business and was able to represent it visually in a newly beautifully designed website. I also appreciated the fact that they came up with several good ideas, and were always happy to address any technical questions I had.

Everything was done promptly and in a very professional way.

Thank you so much!”

www.baymediastudio.com/websites Sylvie Lopardi: www.sl-lightingdesign.com

Greenland Pest Control Tailored Pest Control Solutions for Rodent, Cockroaches, Fleas, Mosquitoes, Termites, Ants, Ticks etc…

For info please call Thomas 9871 0771 or Baguio 6776 8400 Email: baguiowong@hotmail.com

Yoga Therapy Classes for Senior Citizens

Every Tuesday 11:30am

Located at DB North Plaza

Every Thursday 2:30pm

Slow and gentle flow yoga, taught by a qualified yoga instructor. English-speaking and easily accessible from Sunny Bay MTR station. t!

Stay Briiian

likegreenwich@gmail.com

9685 8366

www.greenwich-vinyasa.com.hk

EnjoyEnjoy the the lastlast promotion! promotion!

PEUGEOT OPEN EUROPE HOLIDAYS BY CAR

Best duty-free Car Rental in Europe!

- for short & long durations info@eurocardrives.com www.eurocardrives.com

Ark Eden’s Summer camps bring out the adventurous, curious and compassionate side of children and provide outdoor fun for children, aged 5-11 years. Camps are held deep in the forests of Lantau, with different accviies each day. Accviies include tree-house building, campfire cooking, carpentry, Visit www.arkedenonlantau.org, scavenger hunts, overnight email info@arkedenonlantau.org, camp and Nature play. or call 2988 5355

Find short-term rentals @ www.arounddb.com DB PROPERTY FOR RENT STYLISH APARTMENT IN GREAT LOCATION

Bright, beautifully decorated apartment with every modern luxury. Sleeps one couple & one child. Conveniently located in walking distance of DB Plaza, the bus terminus & ferry. Available for short or long stay. Contact the owner at corinhk@yahoo.com

FULLY FURNISHED 1-BED

Smart apartment on a high floor with sea view.

Close to pier & DB Plaza. Available fully furnished.

Call Tiareti on 9732 8985

LUXURY APARTMENTS IN SIENA 2

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

If you are looking to rent or sell a property and would like to see it listed on this page or at www.facebook.com/arounddb, email monika@baymedia.com.hk

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

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 Tung Chung Crescent Club House

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

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

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

2984 8334 2984 8487 2984 1802 2984 9833 9783 5840

HOT EL S

Mui Wo Inn Silvermine Beach Resort Tai O Heritage Hotel

2984 7225 6810 0111 2985 8383

Kind Hing Trinity International Kindergarten & Nursery Lantau International Kindergarten Lantau International School Lao Shi Lantau Mandarin lessons Little Lantau Montessori Kindergarten Mui Wo Owls School & Kindergarten 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

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

L E A RNING CEN T RES

HOME & REPA IRS

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

SOUTH LANTAU

TUNG CHUNG

LANTAU NUMBERS

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

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

d-clutter DRS Company Good Luck Engineering 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

3102 2977 2987 8460

2987 2987 2448 2987 2947 2366

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

4401 7486 1180 4089 9092 6534

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

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

2160 8585 2233 3000 2433 6981 2914 0388

PapyrusEDU A family-friendly centre offering 3D Modelling & Printing, LEGO Education After School, Junior Food Art. Lifestyle morning programmes: Decoupage, Porcelart, Food Artist. Contact 6360 1715, info@papyrusedu.com, www.papyrusedu.com

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 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

66

1417 0360 1313 4488 5087 1041 0222 7082 0789 0789 9268 4428

Future Stars Dance Academy

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

6323 9156 2987 2987 2987 2987 2987 2987 2987 2987 2987 2987

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 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

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 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

To add your own directory listing box, call the Bay Media office on 2987 0577, or email info@baymedia.com.hk

July 2019 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 Les Petits Pois 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 8191 6114 9327 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 0813 2436 0507 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 DB Party Time Gillian florist, North Plaza P-Solution Pen’n Paper The Optical House Well Supreme Laundry Services

9502 2529 2987 2987 2987 2987

2381 8256 1777 8898 1368 5151

6201 2987 2987 5721

7749 8873 0428 6181

PETS Kristy’s Paradise - Cat Sitter in Discovery Bay Mypetshop, North Plaza Pets Gallery Ready, Pet, Go!

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

2987 2987 2987 2987 2102

2023 2088 2987 6238 0829

DB NUMBERS SOCIAL, SPORTS & EQUIPMENT

UTILITIES, SERVICES & EMERGENCY HOTLINES 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

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

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

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

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

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

WELLBEING

@ www.arounddb.com

Bay Spa

ay Spa

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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

Elly House of Beauty

Highly skilled skincare specialist committed to providing the most effective skincare services to the DB community. Also postnatal abdominal binding & jamu massage.

Contact 6131 9039, Elly House of Beauty Facebook Page, www.ellyhouseofbeauty.com

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

TOYS & KIDS’ PARTIES Bo Bo House Toysland

2987 4230 2987 7859

TRANSPORT SERVICES 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

Nail Spa: 2987 2266

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

Massage: 2988 1111

2987 9794 6131 2987 2987 2499 2987

0283 0918 9039 4555 2060 8826 4112

www.arounddb.com

www.arounddb.com July 2019

67

OUT THERE

F

inally, it´s happened: an innovation beyond our craziest imaginings.

Prayers have been answered. For the ungodly, your fierce and sustained wishes clearly worked their magic. Dreamers also did their bit. The result’s what matters. So, dance for joy, dear reader (if you’re Canadian). You have been blessed with an ice rink, a desperately needed addition to DB’s recreational wonderland.

Once it opens in the ‘gentrified’ plaza in April 2020, you’ll have easy access to the kind of rockhard H2O that cracks skulls and fractures inexperienced limbs.

OK, it’s not going to be a ski jump to rival Norway’s monster Holmenkollbakken, but winter activities have to start somewhere and they couldn’t afford snow machines on the subtropical hills.

Had proponents of the new rink asked around to see who might want one, voting might have looked like this: Do you want an ice rink?

No – 2,876. What’s an ice rink? – 19,495. Yes – Every Canadian in DB (and three Finns).

A Canuck obsession

Illustration by Andrew Spires

With no conscious desire I turn now to the sole Canuck obsession. (Canadians obsessing about anything is considered ostentatious – or American.) Ice hockey is not a game you can just drop in on and enjoy. It’s a tradition you have to be born into for generations. Like Australia’s

68

Skateville

So we’re getting an ice rink in DB Plaza? That’s just cracked, writes Peter Sherwood

national pastime cricket, it is the basis of an entire national identity.

Arrive from another planet and land in an ice-hockey arena, and questions of sanity would arise.

An extra-terrestrial visitor would be similarly nonplussed by my beloved cricket, a game that’s beyond intelligent description – for the uninitiated.

Ice hockey’s too slippery for a bouncing ball, so they flattened it, called it a ‘puck,’ and painted it black. (The name is related to the verb ‘to puck’ – a cognate of ‘poke’ – used in the game of hurling to mean ‘to strike or push the ball.’ It also derives from the Scottish-Gaelic ‘puc’ or the Irish ‘poc,’ meaning ‘to poke, punch or deliver a blow.’ Note: nonsense can indeed be educational.)

While the black puck looks good on a white ice background, it loses sharp relief when moving at 275 kilometres an hour. This is its speed

most of the time, while grown men in padded clown suits charge about whacking each other with a 3-kilogramme lump of miraculously curved timber. Most heavily cushioned is the goalkeeper, a man of large proportions made giant-size by padding that makes him seem puny.

The actual goal is the size of a small dog kennel. A framed net is smothered by this monster of flailing limbs, who wears an entire sofa of protective wadding and Darth Vader headgear to soften the blows of numerous 3-kilogramme sticks raining down in unison. How the puck ever gets past the goalie, even at lightning speed, is as big a mystery as why millions pay billions to watch it happen.

You know the game is serious by the line of battle-hardened clones in the dugout. They sit there full of adrenalin, clutching their weapons and awaiting the chance to create havoc.

Peter Sherwood has lived in DB for 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 July 2019 www.arounddb.com