All proceeds support Heep Hon g Society , a charity committed t o helping children of diverse needs .
Who Can Participate ?
Own a custom kart? Bring it along !
Age Limit : 7-12 years ol d
Freestyle Category : 7+ years ol d (no age cap! )
Location & Tim e
Date : 23rd Nov, 202 4
Time : 9am – 5p m
Location: Cycle Lane (parallel t o Seabird Lane) , Discovery Ba y
www.hlgkartrace.com
CONTACT US
@ BAY MEDIA GROUP
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E: info@ba y media.com.hk
W: www.aro u nddb.com
PHILIP JAY
Publisher/ Owner philip@ba y media.com.hk
RACHEL AINSLEY
Managing editor rachel@ba y media.com.hk
SARIN ALE
Art director
sarin@ba y media.com.hk
KAYLI LIEBENBERG
Client services
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CONTRIBUTORS
Ray Au, Imogen Clyde, Nicole Innocenti, Elizabeth Kerr, Peter Sherwood
PHOTOGRAPHER
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DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in Around DB are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or contributors. The publisher and editor cannot be held responsible for differences of opinion or statements published in good faith. The publisher, contributors, their employees and partners are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors or omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication and expressly disclaim all and any liability for any such action of any person. The mention of specific companies or products in articles or advertisements does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by this magazine or its publisher in preference to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without permission.
The DB 10K, on November 9, starts at the waterfront near the DB Plaza ferry pier. The race is open to runners aged 12 years and up, with multiple age categories (and prizes) on offer. All money raised will go to RUN Hong Kong, the local non-profit that supports vulnerable refugees, particularly women. To register to run, visit www.db10k.com.
Discovery Bay Services Management Ltd (DBSML) is back with the ESG Discovery Fair (formerly DB Recycling Day) on November 30, from 1pm to 5pm, at DB Plaza. Expect free workshops, live performances, eco exhibitions and the opportunity to learn about different environmental topics from DBSML’s green partners. Highlights include an electric golf cart showcase, Christmas-themed Jewellery Box Workshop and Insect Fun Interactive Workshop. To find out more, visit Facebook @Dynamic DB. [PHOTO BY Richard Gordon - www.richardgordonphotography.com.]
Happenings STUFF TO KNOW
PETER PAN, THE PANTO: RETURN TO NEVERLAND
“You know you want to! Oh yes you do!” It’s time to book tickets for Hong Kong Players’ Peter Pan, The Panto: Return to Neverland running from November 29 to December 8 at the Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Wanchai. Hong Kong Players’ pantomimes have been a highlight of the Christmas festivities for over 60 years and, with Peter Pan , we can expect classic panto fun for all the family – plus a little fairy dust.
There are 28 performers in the cast this year and DB is represented by three residents: Alex Grasic playing Peter, Matt King playing Dame Fishy Nets and Eloise Stewart in the ensemble. “Panto is one of those rare live theatre performances that cater for the whole family –lots of innuendo for the grown-ups and lots of silly jokes, singing and dancing for the kids,” says Matt. “They are always set in a non-real world and they contain lots of slapstick and interaction with the audience. There is always an ‘it’s behind you’ scene and the goodies always triumph over the baddies. It’s a great way to kick off the Christmas festivities and the quest for laughter, love, bravery, adventure and lifelong happiness is something the world can always do with more of!”
This is not the first time Hong Kong Players has treated us to a Peter Pan panto, but this year’s play, written by Steve Imrie, is an original take. “Steve is a very funny man and has done an amazing job ensuring that it is up-to-date with relevant pop-culture and local references,” says Matt. “Discovery Bay may even get the odd mention!” To book tickets, visit www.popticket.hk; to win tickets, turn to page 15. For more on the Hong Kong Players, visit www.hkplayers.com. [PHOTOS BY Scotty Clare, Instagram @scott.shotz.]
CHRISTMAS PARTY TAKEAWAY
Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong is kicking off the holidays early this year, providing a full Christmas Party Takeaway from November 15 to December 27. Enjoy free delivery within DB for orders over HK$2,000. Scan the QR code or email cafe@aubergediscoverybay.com for the order form.
& Events! IN NOVEMBER!
LANTAU LIVE
Get ready to rock out on November 24, from 11am to 9pm, at the Treasure Island Campsite, Pui O Beach. This year’s Lantau Live lineup includes General Lino & The Captains, Sham Pain Buddha, Rockstars Anonymous, The Cashed- up Johnnies, Soulman Rushdie and many more. On the day, you can expect food and beverage vendors on-site, plus local businesses showcasing their products, services and skills. To find out more and book tickets, head to lantau live.com.
TENNIS ACE
Congratulations to Discovery College student Fernanda Morales Vallejo, who reached round three in the qualifying draw of the Nissin Cup Noodles HK Jr Tennis Series 2024 (U12 singles), September 21 to October 3, beating her first opponent 8-1. The Nissin Cup (competition 5) continues this month, and Fernanda will also compete in the CRC Open 2024. Fernanda has been passionate about tennis since she was five years old, and she trains for 12 hours a week. She plays for the DBRC Junior team and DC U14 Girls team, and she is ranked 147 (girls singles) and 101 (girls doubles) in the Hong Kong China Tennis Association Junior Ranking.
OPEN EVENTS AT DBIS
Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) is hosting two open events on November 6 – one showcasing early years (FS-1 and FS-2) from 9.30am to 11.15am at DBIS EYFS campus; and one dedicated to Year 7 from 6.15pm to 7pm at DBIS main campus. Sign up today to meet the senior leadership team, explore the campuses and discover why children love learning at DBIS. Registration is essential. To confirm your attendance, go to https://dbis.hk/OpenEvents2024. For more on DBIS, visit www.dbis.edu.hk. [PHOTO COURTESY OF DBIS.]
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
NOV 2 | GATHER AT THE PLANT MARKET in Community Green Square from 2pm to 4pm. Visit Facebook @DynamicDB.
NOV 10 & 24 | SHOP THE DB CHRISTMAS MARKETS in DB Plaza from 11am to 6pm. Visit www.handmadehongkong.com.
NOV 16 | JOIN A BEACH CLEAN-UP! Meet at the Nim Shue Wan gate at 2.10pm. Email dana@plasticfreeseas.org.
ALL MONTH | DONATE PRELOVED FURNITURE to people in need through DB Mothers & Friends. To arrange for pick-up, visit Facebook @dbmf.collection.
KITCHEN WASTE UPCYCLING WORKSHOP
An instructor from Ways Out HK is hosting a Kitchen Waste Upcycling Workshop on November 8, from 8pm to 9.30pm, at Discovery Bay Office Centre. Attendees, aged 10 years and up, can experience the process of turning processed food waste into unique pieces of jewellery, with tips on mixing, moulding, sanding and assembly. The workshop ends with an introduction to Ways Out HK (www.waysouthk.com) and a discussion about individual actions and sustainable development goals. To find out more and enrol, WhatsApp 5469 1748.
HANSEL AND GRETEL
BUDDHA YOU RUN
Some 2,000 people are expected to take part in Buddha You Run on November 2, with a 9am start at Di Tan Plaza, Ngong Ping. There are three distances – 3km, 8km and 18km – to choose from, and you can run solo or as part of a team. Parent and child categories in the 3km ensure that young athletes can join, or they can run as part of a threegenerational family group.
To find out more, visit www.buddhayourun.org.hk.
[PHOTO BY Beatrix Malanwww.atscollective.com.]
MEOW RECYCLING TRUCK
Mil Mill’s Meow recycling truck is back in DB Plaza from 3pm to 5pm on November 2. As Hong Kong’s first paper-packed drink box recycling pulp mill, Mil Mill can process up to 50 tons of paperpacked drink boxes every day, plus waste paper of all types (books, magazines, newspapers). Stop by the bus, and you can also drop off plastic bottles and bags, aluminium/ tin cans and containers, laptops and tablets. To find out more, visit Facebook @Dynamic DB.
Hong Kong Grand Opera is bringing Hansel and Gretel to the Kwai Tsing Theatre Auditorium from November 22 to 23. In this brand-new adaptation of Engelbert Humperdinck’s catchy three-act opera, two siblings become fascinated by a beautiful candy house and fall into the hands of an evil witch. The magic of the Grimms’ tale comes to life in this fairy-tale production and, as per operatic tradition, the role of Hansel is played by a female singer. Treat yourself to tickets at www.urbtix.hk/event-detail/12519 or www.art-mate.net/buy_ticket/78888. [PHOTO COURTESY OF HKGO.]
TALLIS CHRISTMAS MASS
Peter Phillips, founder of the world’s leading Renaissance music ensemble The Tallis Scholars, is conducting Tallis Vocalis in the final concert of their 10th anniversary season: Tallis Christmas Mass on November 21 at St John’s Cathedral, Central. The concert features Thomas Tallis’ Missa Puer natus est nobis , a seven-part masterpiece of Renaissance polyphony, plus Marian motets by both contemporary and Renaissance composers. To book tickets, visit www.art-mate.net. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Tallis Vocalis.]
MUST-HAVE STOCKING FILLERS FROM TOYS CLUB
Located in Wyndham Street, Central, with a floor space of 4,000 square feet, Toys Club is packed with toys, books and gifts for all ages. Take your pick from new-born, STEAM and educational toys, LEGO, outdoor and party toys, board games and classic toys.
Here are some exciting Christmas must-haves for kids aged 3+ to 6+:
1. TWO-PLAYER-READY DESKTOP ARCADE, HK$339, for kids aged 3+. With 200 builtin games, including 20 that are specifically for two players, this miniature console brings hours of fun. Games include shoot ‘em ups, puzzles, sports and arcade fantasy. Designed to bring back all the fun of the arcade, the console has two controllers, two eight-way joysticks and button controls, a full-colour 2.8” screen and built-in speakers.
PROVERSE AUTUMN RECEPTION
2. BITZEE MAGICALS, HK$399.90, for kids aged 5+. These smart digital friends respond to touch, swipes and tilts with sounds and silly interactions. Magicals need to be loved, cared for and played with to grow from baby, to adult, to Super Bitzee. By playing Super Bitzee games, kids can change their character’s colours, swipe through gems in the treasure chest, cast spells with the new magic wand and collect Super Bitzee unicorns, dragons, kitsunes and jackalopes.
3. FURBY COTTON CANDY, HK$499.90, for kids aged 6+. This cute electronic plush toy is fully interactive with five voice-activated modes and over 600 phrases, jokes and songs. Kids tell Furby what they want to do using five commands: Dance Party, Copy Cat, Tell My Fortune, Let’s Chill and Lightshow. Furby also responds to hugs, pats, shaking, combing and feeding.
Kids can play dressup with Furby to make fashion accessories they can wear, too.
For more toys and gifts, visit the Central store or shop Toys Club online at www.itoysclub.com. [PHOTOS COURTESY of Toys Club.]
Longtime DB residents Dr Gillian Bickley and Dr Verner Bickley, MBE are hosting the Proverse Autumn Reception on November 21 from 7pm at Helena May, 35 Garden Road, Central. You are invited to join them for cocktail-style mixing and mingling, canapés buffet, cash bar, book-table, literary prize announcements and awards, and writers’ talks. To find out more and register, visit https://proversepublishing.com/2024-autumn-reception.
FINE WINE IN THE PLAZA
Sean Paul Carter, the owner of online store House of Fine Wines (HOFWS, www.hofws. com), has been working the Discovery Bay markets since 2008, and is likely the longest active vendor. A familiar face in the plaza, known for his fine wines and signature truffle sauce, Sean entered the wine business selling leftover wine from his wedding, and met Gregoir Cleary, who was to become his business partner, in DB. HOFWS now has 4,000 square feet of warehouse space stocked with over 500 different wines, plus a fabulous selection of imported gourmet food. Shop online or chat with Sean at the DB Christmas markets on November 10 and 24.
HLG KART RACE
The HLG Kart Race community fundraiser is taking place on November 23 from 9am to 5pm. Kids, aged seven to 12, race down a 16-foot-long ramp set up on the cycle lane parallel to Seabird Lane. The event is made possible through the support of Harvey Law Group (HLG), who sponsor and build karts for the race, as well as participants who choose to construct their own karts. Enrol at kartrace@harveylawcorporation.com. To find out more, turn to page 16. [PHOTO COURTESY OF HLG.]
MEET SANTA PHOTO SHOOTS
Book now to have a private Christmas photo shoot in December, with a professional DB photographer. It’s a great way to create lasting memories, and you can opt to make an e-card or have one printed. To book a session, WhatsApp Richard Gordon at 9127 0977. Richard’s photos regularly feature in Around DB and you can see more of his work at www.richardgordonphotography.com.
NORTH POLE POST
As you shop the DB Christmas markets on November 10 and 24, be sure to stop by the Vi Galerie stall where you can pick up festive products of all kinds – from personalised keepsakes to handcrafted ornaments. Vi Galerie is also famous for the North Pole Post, where children get to write their letters to Santa, and everyone is guaranteed to receive a reply. For more on Vi Galerie, a small local business focused on homeware products and seasonal home decor and accessories, visit vigalerie.com.
ST NICHOLAS VISITS
One World Spirit Association has arranged for St Nicholas, the third-century Catholic saint who inspired the modern version of Santa Claus, to pay a visit to DB homes on December 7. Families with children aged two to six years can sign up for a visit, and then prepare a small gift for St Nicholas to deliver when he knocks on their door. To enrol, WhatsApp 6219 3817 or visit https://forms.gle/pQ5PwnWPRqNqqyeD7. [PHOTO COURTESY OF OWS.]
ONE-STOP XMAS SHOPPING
Prestige Fairs is holding a Christmas Lifestyle and Gift Fair on November 18 from 10am to 8pm at the Grand Ballroom, Conrad Hong Kong, Admiralty. You can expect over 100 vendors selling an exciting range of products that you won’t find in local shopping malls. Take your pick from eclectic clothing, jewellery, homeware, beauty products, food and wine, pet products and just about everything for kids. To learn more, visit www.prestigefairs.hk. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Prestige Fairs.]
CHRISTMAS TREE DELIVERY
XmasTreeOnline.hk has been delivering direct to DB homes for over a decade. You can pick out Douglas Firs (from HK$1,558), Noble Firs (from HK$1,758) and Nordmann Firs (from HK$1,758), plus those essential accessories – tree stands, fairy-string LED lights, baubles and wreaths. The team delivers to DB and Tung Chung daily, 9am to 2pm, from the end of November to early December. The fee is HK$258, with an additional charge of HK$50 per floor if your building doesn’t have an elevator. A removal and recycling service is provided in January. To place your order, visit xmastree.online.
HONG KONG PLAYERS
IS OFFERING TWO READERS TWO TICKETS (EACH WORTH HK$395) TO SEE PETER PAN, THE PANTO: RETURN TO NEVERLAND ON NOVEMBER 30 AT 7.30PM
Hong Kong Players is performing Peter Pan, The Panto: Return to Neverland from November 29 to December 8 at the Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Wanchai. Join Peter and Wendy on a new adventure as they take on Captain Hook and his crew with the help of their feisty fairy friend Tinkerbell, the elegant Dame Fishy Nets and the Lost Children. Expect festive fun for all the family with hilarious dialogue, audience participation, spectacular stage combat, dancing and live music.
With origins dating back to 1844 as the then Hong Kong Amateur Dramatic Club, Hong Kong Players is one of Hong Kong’s oldest community theatres. Providing regular performances, workshops and play readings, the theatre group is on a constant quest to find talent of all ages and from all walks of life. For more on the Hong Kong Players, visit www.hkplayers.com. For panto tickets, visit www.popticket.hk.
[PHOTOS BY Scotty Clare, Instagram @scott.shotz.]
CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST ISSUE’S WINNERS
Zahra Thioune and Siu Shan Lau each for a monthly EpicLand pass.
HOW TO WIN!
DB prizes are
to www.arounddb.com/giveaways,
*Arts & Crafts, Barbie, Bluey, Board Games, Bitzee, Books, Corolle, Disney Princess, Dolls World, Dress Up, Fisher Price, The Gabby Dollhouse, Harry Potter, Hatchimals, Hello Kitty, Hot Wheels, Leapfrog, L.O.L, Marvel, Minecraft, Needoh, Partyware, Party Returns, Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, Pokemon, Plushes, R/C cars, Robots, Siku, Sonic Cat, Squishmallows, Super Mario, TMNT, Top Trumps, Star Wars, VTech, Zoggs
Fast and Furious! IN IT TO WIN IT
Ahead of the ninth edition of the HLG Kart Race on November 23, founder Jean-François Harvey provides some race day tips
PHOTOS COURTESY OF Harvey Law Group
Conceived by Jean-François Harvey of Harvey Law Group in 2015, the HLG Kart Race has quickly grown from a small community event into one of the most anticipated races in Discovery’s Bay’s packed racing calendar. This year, 80+ competitors, aged seven to 12 years old, are expected to vie for trophies.
While racers of all ages can choose to construct their own karts, and compete in the freestyle category, most are provided by HLG, and this year sees JeanFrançois launching the state-of-the-art, scary-fast Super Kart. “Our new Super Kart was designed by Martin Blondeau and put together with the support of Milwaukee, our main event sponsor,” Jean-François opens. “While they are a lot faster, they are also much safer thanks to a full hydraulic disk brake system.”
So how about some race day tips? Looking at the big picture, Jean-François says he doesn’t have any complex race-strategy or kart-handling tips to share with competitors. “All our carts are the same; they all have the same wheels, same steering system,” he explains. “As long as the kids know how to drive left and right, they will be fine.
“Competitors should keep in mind that the race is all about speed, so they need to steer their karts to the finish in a straight line, as much as possible. Every time they make a turn, they lose speed, so the key is to keep to a straight line.”
The HLG Super Karts are fitted with double bearing wheels, which Jean-François says makes them very fast. “If you are building your own kart, be sure to choose wheels that roll very well,” he advises. “Avoid lawnmower wheels. Bicycle wheels could be a very good choice.
“Staying calm and steady is very important,” JeanFrançois adds. “It’s quite something for kids to go down that eight-foot ramp. Then the track goes
down quite fast all the way to Seabee Lane. Some courage is necessary, especially in the first heat. Self-confidence is key.”
Karts like these don’t have engines but they come off that ramp at high speed – they have to, in order to make it to the finish line without losing impetus. For this reason, racers are advised to keep their foot off the brake as much as they dare. “Unless their opponent swerves across their path or they find themselves approaching a corner too fast, competitors should brake only after crossing the finish line,” Jean-François confirms.
With safety a priority, competitors are required to wear properly fitted bike helmets, closed-toe shoes (trainers) and race shirts; they are advised to wear long trousers and gloves. Mechanics are on hand on race day to check, service and fix the karts, as they are used many times during the race.
While the logistics are fairly simple, Jean-François is quick to acknowledge the support of the HLG Kart Race officials, and of Hong Kong Resort Company Ltd and City Management. Parents make up the bulk of the race committee, and Jean-François himself is also determinedly hands on.
So here’s hoping for a strong turnout this month (register at kartrace@harveylawcorporation.com).
As Jean-François concludes, “I wanted to find something where every single child would have the same chance of winning. In this event, kids are equal whether they are athletic or not. It’s open to everyone but it’s still a real competition.”
THE ALL-NEW SUPER KART
Out & About! WHAT YOU'VE BEEN UP TO!
AT THE TENNIS CHARITY CUP
The 17th Tennis Charity Cup at DBRC saw some 200 tennis players come together on September 28. The Sexy Mushroom Mashers were the runners-up to Charity Cup Champion Yabba Dabba. The Bayside Blasters made the biggest donation, followed by Rings on Fire and DBDB. Funds raised will go to Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association and Watchdog. [PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon - www.richardgordonphotography.com.]
TRAINING WITH DBDB
DBDB has been going all out this autumn, starting with a two-hour barbell master class on September 28 at DB North Pitch. The class was led by Olympic-lifting specialists from Coastal Fitness in North Point, with the aim to give confidence and support to those seeking to improve their skills. Then, on October 12, DBDB organised a full HYROX simulation – the first of its kind in DB. There was an 8km run, plus ski ergs, row ergs, wall balls, burpee broad jumps, farmers carry, weighted lunges, sled push and sled pull. FitAid provided energy drinks, and 45 people took part. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Andrew Tasker.]
COFFEE AND CAKE FOR A CAUSE
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, on October 15, DBrasserie hosted a pink-themed charity coffee and cake morning. The event was organised by Jane Hyde, and the baked goods were all homemade. Upwards of HK$7,000 was raised which has been donated to HK Breast Cancer Foundation and HK Cancer Fund Pink Revolution to help fund vital research and breast cancer support services. Thanks go to everybody who helped including the team at DBrasserie, Cathy Wong @Cathy Wong Cupcakes and Jane’s fellow bakers Jane Owen, Stephanie Taynor, Yvonne Dow, Leah Balogh and Vicky Edwards. [PHOTOS BY Richard Gordonwww.richardgordonphotography.com & courtesy of Jane Hyde.]
AT THE PENG CHAU CHALLENGE
Part of the Open Water Swim Series Hong Kong, the Peng Chau Challenge took place on October 1, with participants swimming in the clear waters around the island. The challenge was open to competitors aged 13 to 60+ and there were three distances – 5.5km, 3.4km and 1.7km. To find out more, visit www.eventshorizons.com. [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Events Horizons.]
The Chronicler!
PAST MASTER
Photographer, writer and curator Ed Stokes sits down with Elizabeth Kerr to discuss his upcoming exhibition, and wind the camera back on the city he’s called home for a half-century
PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon - www.richardgordonphotography.com & courtesy of Ed Stokes
It’s a sunny afternoon in late October, and it seems autumn has officially begun. Ed Stokes glides into the Hong Kong Maritime Museum Café 8 like any good photographer: with a wheelie case in tow. But Ed isn’t toting camera gear today. “Which is a regret, but it’s simply because the books of what I call heritage photography and other research are very time intensive,” he opens. “Doing the books and the exhibitions is a full-time job. But I would love to pick up a camera again.”
Ed is lingering at the museum putting the finishing touches on one of those time-consuming exhibitions. Voyage Through Time: Hong Kong Maritime Photographs, 1940s – 1970s opens November 13 (running through February) and chronicles the profound changes Hong Kong underwent between the challenging post-war years and the pre-1980s economic boom. With roughly 70 on-and-off years in the city, much of that photographing it, Ed’s uniquely qualified for the job.
Born in Adelaide, Ed relocated to Hong Kong in – hold onto your hats – 1953 with his family. His father, an Australian navy man stationed to the HMAS Australia during the Pacific War, served at Guadalcanal, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines, and when the Australia went home for refitting in 1945, the elder Stokes wound up on a British frigate headed for Hong Kong. He fell in love with the city and moved the family, eventually going into education and becoming headmaster at Queen’s College. The family lived in Repulse Bay, in government quarters, and after putting down real roots stayed well past Stokes the principal’s retirement. “It was the most interesting part of the family experience and I really do believe it was fate. It certainly impacted my work,” Ed says.
That’s an understatement. Ed, a lifelong bachelor, has spent over half his life in Hong Kong, between stints in Australia, in the UK to attend Oxford, which led to eight years of teaching, and in Singapore. Initially, he planned to follow his father into the navy but realised, after three years as a cadet, that it wasn’t for him. On leaving the navy, he returned to Hong Kong before beginning university, but misalignment between academic years resulted in a cub reporter gig at the SCMP. It was 1967, the romantic time of newsrooms filled with cigarette smoke and the clack of Remington typewriters, and Ed got bitten by the writing bug, which sat well with the love of photography he’d picked up on one of his many trips between Asia and England.
“Back then, the journey overland was through all these countries you can’t just cross now – Iran, Iraq,” Ed recalls. “It was a fascinating time. In India I was really captured by the colour, the diversity and the intensity. I decided I wanted to be a photographer.” Ask Ed if he considers himself a writer or a photographer and he wisely cops out by saying “both,” referring to himself as a visual storyteller, heavily influenced by author and oral historian Studs Terkel, best known for chronicling American life from the Great Depression to the early 21st century.
“Terkel was my great inspiration for his ability to reach out to all different strata of society, to communicate with people and draw out their stories.”
VISUAL STORYTELLING
Ed started a photography career in earnest by chronicling life in an Outback mining town, as well as Australia’s natural landscape; the final piece of the puzzle coming when he developed a keen interest in
bringing history to life. That would ultimately lead him down the path of photo historian and curator –and back to Hong Kong; to Lamma.
As an autodidact, Ed developed his aesthetic little by little, reading technical manuals of course, but also immersing himself in other photographers, among them indirect mentors like W. Eugene Smith, Dorothea Lange, and noted Hong Kong chroniclers Brian Brake and Hedda Morrison. Ed himself wasn’t big on photojournalism, mostly because he was less than enamoured with “barging into people’s lives,” as he puts it.
He hit his stride when he started capturing Hong Kong’s natural environment in books such as Hong Kong’s Wild Places, Exploring Landscape Photography and Across Hong Kong Island (check him out at www.edwardstokes.com). Working in 35mm allowed Ed to pack his camping and photo gear and spend days in the wild, a less frequent occurrence once he transitioned to large format. But he still managed to catch the city at its most unguarded.
One of the things Ed loves about Lantau – he’s lived in DB for 10 years – is the proximity to nature. “When I was doing Wild Places , I was camping out, taking photos overnight. I went down to a very small stream to slosh some water onto my face, to wake myself up, and I sensed some presence. I looked up and there was a barking deer just staring at me. Unbelievable,” he says.
Looking back, Ed recalls a kind of anti-DB movement, when all he heard was, ‘Who could ever live there?’ But he’s found it to his liking. “It’s this mixed community, with all ages. I really, really like that. In my building, you’ve got families, babies, younger kids, teenagers, older folks, elderly people. Like Lamma there are no cars, but unlike Lamma there are lots of day-to-day facilities.”
VOYAGE THROUGH TIME
From his position as curator at his own Hong Kong Photo Heritage Programme (now an archive), Ed’s Voyage Through Time (sponsored by The Robert HN Ho Family Foundation HK and The Swire Group Charitable Trust) is a free exhibition of roughly 60 photographs by Hedda Morrison, Brian Brake and Stokes himself, shot between the 1940s and 1970s. In some ways, the exhibition is a continuation of 2021’s Recovery, Resilience, Resurgence, which included the work of local shooter Lee Fook-chee. “That was very successful, and had been partly inspired by a desire to say yes Hong Kong has had problems, political issues, COVID and so on, but Hong Kong has always had problems that it transcended,” Ed
explains of the new collection’s genesis, this time with a maritime angle, hence its venue.
The images in Voyage Through Time portray Hong Kong’s harbour, its shipping and people, and they reveal the dedication of three very different photographers each determined to bear witness and create a record of a specific point in time –bestowing a rich legacy. As an added bonus, all the photographs in the exhibition are from film negatives, a medium quickly becoming specialised in the wake of the ubiquity of digital imaging, which to Ed’s mind can’t hold a candle to silver halide.
“One of the things about all the work I’ve done in heritage photography is telling, retelling, recreating and bringing back to life the story of those photographers,” he says. “That’s quite important to me; talking about their stories. Who were they? How did they work? What did they like? Because that’s really far more important than taking good photos, from any camera. The exhibition is telling the stories of people, of their humanity.
“Digital is incredibly useful,” Ed concludes. “But I would always say to any younger person wanting to become a photographer, ‘Go and work with film. You become more selective and considered.’ And film has a beauty that digital doesn’t have.”
VOYAGE THROUGH TIME EXHIBITION PHOTOS: ED STOKES, HEDDA MORRISON, BRIAN BRAKE
Please send inquiries to info@bouclier.co or follow and message via Instagram
ALINI BINI
www.alinibini.com
“It says my name!” Give your loved ones a special surprise with a beautiful, personalised Alini Bini gift! There are blankets, throws, stationery, plushies and more, all customisable in gorgeous printsfrom animals and rainbows to a dedicated Christmas collection! Perfect for kids of all ages! Shop online using the promo code DBSpecial for 20% off all November orders, plus free local shipping.
Tel: 9302 7768
Email: info@alinibini.com
ANGEL WONG IMAGE
www.angelwongimage.com
Your ticket to a fun and stylish holiday experience: Angel Wong Image offers a variety of unique headbands, hats and fascinators, along with crystals necklaces and accessories, face paint and party hair glitter. Shop online or at the DB Christmas markets on November 24 and December 8.
Tel: 5243 3060
Email: angelwongimage@gmail.com
https://shorturl.at/sNbue
With a vision to celebrate Indian artistry while providing high-quality, affordable options for those looking to enhance their living spaces, Mahika’s Label delivers a wide range of home accessories with a focus on table, bed and bath linens. In creating her line, Mahika blends traditional craftsmanship with modern designs, ensuring that each piece tells a story and adds warmth to any home.
Tel: 5295 1684
Email: mahika.arora@gmail.com
VI GALERIE
www.vigalerie.com
Specialising in homeware and seasonal decor, Vi Galerie is your go-to source for holiday shopping: its Christmas collection includes personalised keepsakes, festive cushions, tableware and baking supplies, and gifts of all kinds. Check out the personalised Christmas stockings with over 100 designs priced at HK$230. Use the promo code AROUNDDB for 10% off all November orders.
Tel: 6329 4334
Email: info@vigalerie.com
TOYS & GAMES
TOYS CLUB
www.itoysclub.com
With a floor space of 4,000 square feet, Toys Club is packed with toys, books and gifts for kids and adults of all ages. Take your pick from newborn, STEAM and educational toys, LEGO, outdoor and party toys, and classic toys. The wide range of card games and board games make for perfect Xmas gifts. Shop online or at the Central store.
Tel: 2167 8474
Email: toysclub@hotmail.com
JEWELLERY
VALENTINA
HOME DECOR SINGING BOWLS
www.valentinafine.com
Focused on bespoke diamond engagement rings and diamond and gemstone fine jewellery, Valentina Fine Jewellery has all its pieces handcrafted at its Hong Kong atelier. The adorable bee charm pendant, pictured, is handcrafted in 18k yellow and white gold, with black, yellow and colourless diamonds. Each bee and chain is made to order and can be customised: allow a two-week lead time at Xmas.
WhatsApp: 9542 0034
Email: info@valentinafine.com
TREES
When it comes to the Christmas centrepiece, XmasTreeOnline.hk has what it takes, delivering Douglas Firs (from HK$1,558), Noble Firs (from HK$1,758), Nordmann Firs (from HK$1,758) and tree accessories right to your door. All trees are sourced from environmentally responsible farms with carbon neutral certification in place.
Tel: 6909 1148
Email: service@xmastreeonline.hk
HIMALAYAS CRAFT
www.himalayascraft.com
For all those interested in sound healing, Himalayas Craft imports its handmade singing bowls direct from Nepal. The range includes both antique and new, decorative and plain singing bowls, with sets priced from HK$5,500 to HK$11,200, and iindividual bowls from HK$100 to HK$2,500. Shop online using the promo code HCLDB024 to get 20% off all November orders.
WhatsApp/ Tel: 9158 9181
Email: himalayascrafts@gmail.com
WINE & FOOD
HOUSE OF FINE WINES www.hofws.com
At House of Fine Wines (HOFWS) you get to eat well, drink well and live well! The 4,000 square feet of warehouse space is stocked with over 500 different wines, plus a fabulous selection of imported gourmet food including Valnerina Truffles, Mulino Le Pietre Pasta and Biscottificio Belli. World-class products for every budget are directly sourced, with free delivery for local orders over HK$1,000.
Tel: 9339 6322
Email: sean@hofws.com
A Little Bit of Trivia! SIRIUS BLACK QUIZ
Celebrate this beloved character’s birthday by discovering just how much you know about his role in the Harry Potter series
BY Nicole Innocenti
1. W hen is Sirius Black’s birthday?
A. N ovember 3, 1959
B. N ovember 9, 1959
C. N ovember 16, 1959
2. H ow old is Sirius when he is taken t o Azkaban?
A. 2 2
B. 27
C. 3 2
3. W ho frames Sirius?
A. A lbus Dumbledore
B. Peter Pettigrew
C. L ord Voldemort
4. W hen he’s a student, which house is S irius in at Hogwarts?
A. S lytherin
B. Ravenclaw
C. G ryffindor
5. W hat does Sirius’ younger brother R egulus steal?
A. A H orcrux
B. T he Cloak of Invisibility
C. T he Elder Wand
6. W hat form does Sirius’ Animagus take?
A. A l ion
B. A d og
C. A w olf
7. W hat is Sirius’ nickname in the Marauders?
A. Wormtail
B. Moony
C. Padfoot
8. W ho is Sirius’ godchild?
A. H arry Potter
B. C edric Diggory
C. D raco Malfoy
9. W here does Sirius live when he runs away fr om his family?
A. W ith Remus Lupin
B. W ith James Potter
C. O n the streets
10. H ow long is Sirius imprisoned i n Azkaban?
A. 8 y ears
B. 12 years
C. 15 years
11. W here in London is Sirius’ family home?
A. 12 Grimmauld Place
B. 2 2 Grimmauld Place
C. 24 Grimmauld Place
12. W hat does Sirius lend Hagrid?
A. H is wand
B. T he Marauders’ Map
C. A f lying motorbike
13. I n which Potter book, is Sirius f irst mentioned?
A. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
B. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
C. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
14. W hich of these wizarding families is S irius not related to?
A. T he Malfoys
B. T he Weasleys
C. T he Potters
15. W hy does Sirius say he never married?
A. Too busy taking care of Harry
B. Too busy taking care of Buckbeat
C. Too busy being a rebel
16. W hat does Sirius give Ron?
A. A n owl
B. A r at
C. A F irebolt
17. W hat is the name of Sirius’ house elf?
A. D obby
B. Kreacher
C. Re acher
18. W ho does Sirius refer to as a “horrible o ld hag”?
A. R ita Skeeter
B. P rofessor Umbridge
C. H is mother
19. W here does Sirius die?
A. M inistry of Magic
B. S hrieking Shack
C. L eaky Cauldron
20. Wh o kills Sirius?
A. B ellatrix Lestrange
B. A ndromeda Tonks
C. N arcissa Malfoy
You can check your score at www.arounddb.com>20questions>sirius-black-quiz.
On the Wing!
HOME - WHERE THE HEART IS?
Having lived in three countries in six years, four if you count Hong Kong twice, Sharon Lesley Le Roux finds herself in an ideal position to reflect on expat life and the true meaning of home
PHOTOS COURTESY OF Adobe Stock
It’s the middle of October, and as I wake it’s a whole 3º outside. Daylight is still a few hours away. I flew out of Hong Kong two days ago, and am now thousands of miles away, in my attic bedroom/ study in our north of England home. Three months ago I left here, having decided to return to Hong Kong with my youngest daughter, Emily, after six years away.
This house is one of six roofs I’ve had over my head that I’ve called home in the last six years, in three countries, across three continents. Since we returned to Hong Kong, I’ve watched Emily settle brilliantly into Year 8 at Discovery Bay International School, as well as into DB life in general, all too conscious that this is her fifth school since she left Owls in Mui Wo at the age of six.
Sitting in my attic room, coffee made, the central heating kicking in, I almost feel a visitor in this space, even though it’s my space. This is still my home, but it’s not home home anymore. That, for the moment at least, is a rented flat close to DB Plaza. I’ve lived all over the world, and I realise, as an expat, I’m not sure anymore what the term “home” refers to. I feel I once knew what “home” was; it had a definable substance, something solid and real I could associate it with, as did Christmas, before I discovered there was no magic, no rotund bearded man bringing my presents.
I sip my coffee and I ask myself: what is “home”? Where is it? Is it just one place, or can it be several at any one time? Are its foundations firmly planted in one location, or is it pack-up-and-moveable? Is “home” even a place at all? Is it a feeling, the essence that belongings and decor and ambiance create inside a set of four walls, or is it rather a collection of experiences and emotions shared by the people who live there?
One thing I do know, we all need a home; somewhere to sleep at night, somewhere to keep our people and our stuff safe. In our search for somewhere to call home, we’ve all, at some point, entered a place which immediately felt “right”, that feeling of rightness almost ethereal in nature, going beyond what we can only see. Places have character, personality, atmospheres, auras, and they’ll welcome one person and turn another away. We move in, and begin adding to that “right” feeling the experiences of everyday living which turn into memories and, before we know it, this place we’ve labelled “home” is now a space where we not only feed our stomachs but our souls.
Lantau is, for me, one of those places. In 2003, visiting my long-time friend Carol, we walked from her home in DB via a Trappist monastery to a place called Mui Wo. It was Easter, the weather perfect for this Englishwoman, and as we came over the
hilltops and began descending into Mui Wo, I fell in love. By the time we were down at sea level, walking the path around the bay, I was telling Carol I wanted to live in Mui Wo one day. Two and a half years – and a couple of visits later – on a Christmas break from a job I’d taken in South Korea, I met my to-be-husband at the China Bear. (Note: while Santa may not, the Universe delivers, so be careful what you wish for.) I moved to Hong Kong the following year and we progressed in our studies and careers, we raised children, and lived a Lantau life for the next 12 years.
I’ve called many places home in my life: flats; houses; Airbnbs; hotels; resorts; tented camps in national parks with elephants, and bears, outside; youth hostels galore across Europe; even a train once, while crossing the expanse of South Africa.
In the eighties, my home was a rural American house a train ride outside of Philadelphia, my room connected, via a shared bathroom, to the bedroom of the children I was nannying. In the early noughties, home was a dorm room on a South Korean university campus where I taught English. In 2018, we lived a short walk from beautiful Melkbosstrand beach in Cape Town. And, until moving back to Hong Kong in July of this year, home was this late-Victorian terrace house overlooking an oh-so-English park with a bronze WWII memorial angel at its gates. Before I bought and lived in my first home in Leeds – which gave me that “right” feel as soon as I walked through the door – home was a house a
few short miles away from where I am now, where I lived with my mum. It was the house I grew up in, went to school from, and although it wasn’t said too often those days, it was the house where I was loved. They say home is where the heart is, and if “home” is something etched on one’s heart, then that particular home is etched very deeply.
As is the house in Mui Wo we called home for 12 years. I recently did the DB-Mui Wo walk with my husband, Chris, and on looking down into Silvermine Bay, I got the same exact feeling I did that first time, and every time since: this is my home. Something about the place pulls at me, like a child tugging at my sleeve and squeezing my hand; it’s a magnet pulling at the core of me. Sometimes we choose where home is, and sometimes it chooses us.
In this house in Yorkshire, even though it’s totally familiar, I feel unsettled, displaced. I’m here primarily to check that my older daughter, Gen, is doing OK. She didn’t leave for Hong Kong with us, she stayed for her university studies, her part-time job, her friends, the boy she loves. But her younger sister, Emily, is thousands of miles away in Hong Kong, along with her dad. Being an expat means you can’t be with all of your people all the time. My ageing dad is here, my brother is here, my cats are here. The transient nature of being an expat, with family and friends in different places around the world, means memories, even the good ones, are revisited at a price.
When I arrived yesterday, I opened the door to Emily’s old bedroom. I could see her so clearly there in my mind’s eye, but I also saw a room standing empty. We have symbiotic relationships with our spaces, and her bedroom – her space – felt almost lonely, an empty room filled with nothing but expectation and hope, and disappointment that it was me opening the door. This house now has too many rooms and too few people; it’s haunted by the spectres of the family we were here until a few short months ago.
I know Gen feels our absence, how could she not? She sees us here together, I’m sure, the Ghosts of Family Past. I want to put her in my suitcase and take her back home to Hong Kong when I go, but her life is here, in this house, creating new memories in it every day that don’t include us apart from in WhatsApp video calls, and our once-in-a-while guest appearances. So instead, I’ll transport her in my heart, trusting her to take care of my precious cargo; trusting that she’ll eat properly, get enough sleep, laugh plenty. As a parent, there’s no escaping Empty Nest Syndrome, it occurs even when it’s me who leaves.
So, what is “home”? Now as much as ever, it’s still the place where we put down roots – for however long we might be there. Back in the eighties, Paul Young sang that home was wherever he lay his hat. Today, I feel we expats are snails or tortoises,
SO, WHAT IS “HOME”? NOW AS MUCH AS EVER, IT’S STILL THE PLACE WHERE WE PUT DOWN ROOTS – FOR HOWEVER LONG WE MIGHT BE
THERE
carrying “home” with us, except it’s less “caravan” now, more virtual reality. Like my SmarTone eSIM, home is more digital than it is physical. For me, forever the traveller, the concept of “home” is something moveable in nature; it’s mobile and transportable. It has real foundations: they’re not laid in bricks and cement, but in layers of memories and emotions and experiences of all my homes past and present, shared with all my people, past and present. It’s this home I carry, wherever I go.
As I ponder in this, my space, warmed by the room’s radiator, daylight is just showing behind the Velux window blinds. In hope, I speak to Alexa. She tells me it’s still only 3º outside and that I really shouldn’t get my hopes up about today’s “high”. My thoughts return to Lantau where I’ll be in a couple of weeks, that place where, thankfully, the temperature at this time of year is in the mid-tolate 20ºs. Lantau, where home is where the heat is.
SOME OF US CARRY OUR HOME WITH US
YOUR LOCAL REALTOR
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MEET THE DISCOVERY BAY TEAM
Our Discovery Bay team is a dynamic and dedicated group of real estate professionals committed to serving your unique property needs. What's more, the DB office enjoys a full range of support from company headquarters in Central.
The team comprises a highly diverse mix of local and expatriate agents, each bringing a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the property market. This diversity allows us to cater to a broad range of clients, from first-time homebuyers and seasoned investors to clients who are new to DB or already familiar with it.
What sets our team apart is our unwavering commitment to excellence. We pride ourselves on building lasting relationships with our clients and taking the time to truly understand their desires and requirements. Whether you are looking to buy, sell,
or rent, our agents work collaboratively to provide tailored solutions that simplify the process, enhance your real estate experience and save you time.
Our extensive market knowledge enables us to stay ahead of market trends. This ensures that our clients receive the most accurate and up-to-date information, which empowers them to make more informed decisions.
But don’t take our word for it, have a look at the client testimonials on our website. One such says: "We relocated our family from Australia to Hong Kong, and Nina and the team at OKAY.com were incredibly helpful during this transition. Nina presented us with various options and truly understood our needs, always going the extra mile – essential when making such a significant move. My family and I highly recommend reaching out to OKAY.com for their exceptional support."
BEGIN YOUR REAL ESTATE JOURNEY TODAY
Unsure about whether to buy, lease, or stay put? Our team is here to help you confidently navigate your options. With recent property cooling measures benefiting permanent and non-permanent residents, alongside lower bank valuations, now is an ideal time to consider your dream home in DB.
Explore our monthly property selection featuring outstanding options for purchase and lease. We look forward to working with you!
Poggio Le Volpi Roma
$138 Lazio, Italy
Penny’s Hill Specialized $178 McLaren Vale, Australia
Hook & Ladder, Tillerman $225 California,
Pr’ Maufoux Chardonnay
$175 Bourgogne, France
Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc
$118 Marlborough N.Z
Pra Dei Dogi, Prosecco
$98 Veneto, Italy
MDLC Reserva, Rioja
$135 Rioja, Spain
Sauvion Fondettes Sancerre
$268 Loire, France
The Ned Sauvignon Blanc
$98 Marlborough, NZ
Doppio Passo Primitivo
$88 Salento, Italy
Emotional Wellbeing!MINDFULNESS FOR KIDS
Help your kids live in the moment – it’s easy for them to do and they’ll reap the benefits
PHOTO COURTESY OF Adobe Stock
As mental health gains the recognition it deserves, we as parents are becoming more proactive in addressing our children’s emotional wellbeing. We are looking to mindfulness practices to help children navigate their emotions, focus better on tasks, build resilience and reduce stress. Mindfulness programmes are now commonly found in schools, and it’s something we can teach our kids at home, in a fun and engaging way.
Mindfulness has become a household term, and it has its roots in Buddhist meditation. The aim is to train yourself to focus on the present moment. You become aware of what’s going on inside and
around you – your thoughts, feelings, sensations and environment. You observe these moments without judgment. By practicing mindfulness, we can develop a better understanding of our emotions and reactions, leading to a calmer, more balanced approach to life.
Mindfulness can involve a sitting meditation that’s practiced in a quiet space. In this practice, you focus on your breathing, or sensations in your body. If your mind wanders, you accept the thoughts that pop in then gently bring your mind back to the present moment. But mindfulness doesn’t have to be done sitting still or in silence. You can integrate the practice into things you do every day, like walking or eating. You can also be mindful when interacting with others.
Kids can start engaging in simple mindfulness practices at a very young age, even as young as preschool. The key is to keep the practices ageappropriate and enjoyable. For younger children, mindfulness can be as simple as focusing on the breath, or paying attention to the sensations of the body. As they grow older, they can explore more structured practices, such as meditation.
INTRODUCING THE CONCEPT
It can be difficult for adults to focus on the now: we often spend more time thinking about what’s coming up in the future, or dwelling on things in the past. But children, little kids in particular, naturally live in the moment, which means that mindfulness comes easily to them; all you need to do is explain the concept in a way that they can understand.
Start by asking your child to pay full attention to what they’re doing or feeling at a given moment. Ask them to notice how the sun feels on their skin, or how their body feels when they run. Ask them questions to get them thinking about their experiences. For instance, “How did it feel when you bit into that apple?” or “What did you notice when you were playing outside?”
By engaging in mindfulness practices together, you can make sure it’s a shared, enjoyable experience. Use simple language and resources, like mindfulness apps or books, to make the learning process engaging and relatable. Have a “mindful moment” together, where you both sit and notice things around you, then have a light-hearted chat about what you saw and felt.
Aim to create a supportive environment for mindfulness practice, where children feel safe and encouraged to explore at their own pace. Set time aside each day for mindfulness practice and encourage your child to discuss their experiences.
Mindfulness is a skill that develops over time, so be patient; celebrate your child’s efforts along the way.
When children are old enough, let them know that practicing mindfulness can help them understand their feelings better and make school or home life feel easier. Encourage them to enjoy the calm and clarity that comes with regular practice.
6 EXERCISES TO DO AT HOME
When introducing mindfulness, the key is to keep it simple, fun and engaging. The practices listed below can help you make mindfulness a natural and enjoyable part of your child’s daily life.
1. I ntroduce your child to the practice of mindful breathing: teach them “teddy bear breathing”, where they hold a stuffed animal on their belly while taking deep breaths. Encourage them to notice the rise and fall of their belly as they breathe in and out, and to watch as the teddy bear moves up and down with the breath. Another way to make mindful breathing fun is to practice “cool the pizza breathing”: ask your child to pretend to cool down a hot pizza with gentle, slow breaths.
2. S it together in a quiet space and count your breaths: breathe in through your nose to a count of four, hold for 1 second and then exhale through the mouth to a count of five. Repeat often.
3. Spend time outdoors and encourage your child to engage their senses mindfully. As you walk, ask your child to pay attention to all the sights and sounds around them. You can also practice mindful eating: ask your child to focus on the taste, textures and flavours of an ice-cream as they eat it.
4. Encourage journaling: invite your child to write a story or draw a picture about their day, emphasising the emotions they felt or the things they’re grateful for.
5. P ractice Savasana: guide your child through a r elaxation exercise by asking them to focus on relaxing each body part, one at a time.
6. I ntroduce meditation through short, simple sessions. Use calming background sounds or guided meditations specifically designed for children to enhance the experience.
BENEFITS TO REAP
Mindfulness is so much more than a quiet moment of reflection. It's a practice that can cultivate emotional wellbeing: take a look.
MAKE MINDFULNESS A NATURAL AND ENJOYABLE PART OF YOUR CHILD’S DAILY LIFE
Mindfulness gives children a sense of ownership over their thoughts and emotions because it encourages them to notice their feelings without immediate reaction. This awareness creates a space between feeling an emotion and responding to it, which can be particularly helpful in managing anger or frustration.
In a world full of distractions, having the skills to focus has never been more important. Mindfulness practices can help children to quiet their minds, pay attention to a single task at hand, and enhance their concentration.
Children can experience stress, whether from schoolwork, peer interactions, or family dynamics. Mindfulness practices, such as mindful breathing, can help reduce stress by promoting a relaxed state of mind.
By practising mindfulness, children can become more aware of their own thoughts and feelings, meaning they develop a greater understanding and empathy toward the feelings of others. This can lead to improved relationships with peers, siblings and parents.
Mindfulness practice can help children unwind, clear their minds of worry and relax. With a calm and clear mind, falling asleep can become a much easier task.
Life is full of ups and downs: mindfulness helps kids build a buffer against adversities by cultivating a resilient mindset. When practiced regularly, it can help children bounce back from challenges with a more positive outlook.
By promoting a sense of calm, enhancing emotional regulation and boosting focus and resilience, mindfulness lays a strong foundation for a balanced and positive life. When introducing mindfulness to your kids, do them a favour – make it fun!
Top Tips! ON THE WAGON
If you’ve decided to take the Dry November challenge, good on you! Find out what physical and mental changes to expect in the month ahead and you’ll be part way to achieving your goal
PHOTO COURTESY OF Adobe Stock
Dry November, otherwise known as No Alcohol November, is a superb opportunity for anyone concerned about their alcohol intake to quit drinking for 30 days. For some, it’s an attempt to enter into the Christmas season with a detox-fresh mind and body; for others, it’s more of a test run – an attempt to see what a life-long commitment to sobriety would look like.
One of the key challenges posed by alcohol is its deep-rooted integration into our everyday lives. Avoiding it can be extremely challenging: the decision to quit for a month – although a relatively short period of time in the bigger picture – is demanding for some and unmanageable for others.
When you stop drinking, various things happen to your mind and body. However, the nature and intensity of these effects will vary depending on how much and how frequently you drink. While occasional social drinking may not result in any major changes when you decide to quit, you may experience more significant effects if you have been drinking heavily for an extended time. If you’re ready to give up alcohol, and you habitually drink every day, here’s a look at what you can expect in regards to your mental and physical health when you quit.
DETOX AND WITHDRAWAL
The first day is always the hardest, but it’s also an important milestone. After 24 hours without alcohol, your body will start to detoxify and you may experience withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, sweating and nausea. It’s important to remember these symptoms are only temporary and will usually subside within a few days. For individuals with severe alcohol dependence, however, withdrawal symptoms can be more severe. If you experience delirium tremens (DT), a condition that can cause high blood pressure, tremors and seizures, you need to seek medical attention.
Alcohol cravings are common when you first try to change your drinking habits, particularly at times or in situations where you’d typically have a drink. The good news is, they only last for a short period of time. If you can distract yourself or sit through them, they’ll typically pass.
That being said, heavy or binge drinkers are welladvised to have their detox medically supervised. Your doctor may prescribe medications that can reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings: Vivitrol (naltrexone), Campral (acamprosate) and Antabuse (disulfiram) are FDA-approved to treat alcohol-use
disorder. Psychotherapy options, such as cognitivebehaviour therapy, can help change unhelpful thinking patterns, teach valuable coping skills and boost the motivation to quit. Just remember you don’t have to run the course alone – connecting with a therapist or joining a recovery programme can make all the difference.
INSOMNIA AND ANXIETY
One of the most common initial side effects of giving up alcohol is insomnia. Alcohol acts as a sedative, so when it’s no longer in your system, you can have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. This will be more pronounced if you habitually selfmedicate with alcohol, using it as a way to manage existing sleep problems.
It’s important to recognise that while alcohol helps you fall asleep, the quality of that sleep is poor, with reduced amounts of restorative REM sleep. What’s more, drinking a small amount of alcohol may help you fall asleep more quickly initially, but going forward, you will need to drink more alcohol to achieve the same effect. Quitting alcohol can help improve sleep quality in the long term. If you find yourself struggling to fall asleep, talk to your doctor about solutions that might help.
Likewise, you may experience mood swings when you give up alcohol. You will notice this effect more if you were drinking to manage your mood –to temporarily relieve negative emotions or boost positive ones. Feeling anxious or irritable is also common. This is because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, so when it’s no longer in your system, your body has to adjust to the change.
FEELING GOOD
A month free of alcohol is a big accomplishment, and there are immediate benefits. Your mind is clearer, your outlook is more positive and your skin glows. What’s more, your liver has started to repair itself, and your risk of developing cancer, heart disease and stroke has begun to decrease.
After a month, most physical withdrawal symptoms will have subsided and you find that you have more energy than you did before you stopped drinking. Alcohol is a depressant, so once it’s out of your system, your body has more energy to work with. You have more stamina, and you’re more productive. Alcohol can cause fatigue and decreased motivation, so when you stop drinking, you’ll find it easier to get things done.
Once your body is free of alcohol, you’ll find that your mind is clearer. Drinking alcohol can contribute to a variety of cognitive issues, including poor memory, slow reaction time, impaired impulse control and poor concentration. Over time, drinking can also damage nerve cells and contribute to a loss of brain volume. Research shows that it takes about four weeks for cognitive function to improve. You find yourself better able to concentrate and your short-term memory has improved; you are less impulsive and better able to plan and organise tasks.
You may have viewed alcohol as a coping mechanism, when in fact it only worsens depression, stress and anxiety. So one of the best things about quitting is what it does for your mental health. Equally, once free of alcohol, you feel the benefit of improved relationships with friends and family – say goodbye to communication problems, conflicts and trust issues.
STAYING SOBER
So what happens on December 1? It’s possible that you’re feeling so good, you’ve decided to ditch alcohol permanently. Here are some pointers:
1. Celebrate your decision: Understand the extent of the benefits, possibilities and positivity of a future without alcohol. Above and beyond the obvious positives –money saved, zero hangovers, no fear of what you might have said or done the night before – relish the feeling of freedom a life without addiction brings.
2. Share your decision: tell your friends and family what you’re doing. Most people will have your back; you’ll be astounded by the support you receive. Some won’t understand, which is fine too, as long as their opinion doesn’t affect your decision. Remember your sobriety can unwittingly serve as a reminder to your drinking buddies that they’re consuming unhealthy amounts of alcohol.
3. Calculate the money you’ve already saved by giving up alcohol and use it to treat yourself. Make some self-care investments: daily yoga class, weekly meals out, occasional massages, the odd weekend away. Having fun is not a frivolous thing, it is a really important human need. Doing fun things sober will quickly become your new normal.
4. Harness all that new energy and seek out new ways of enjoying yourself every day. Don’t let yourself become isolated and lonely. The opposite of addiction is connection, so find new hobbies and meet new people. It helps to spend
AFTER 24 HOURS WITHOUT ALCOHOL, YOUR BODY WILL START TO DETOXIFY AND YOU MAY EXPERIENCE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING ANXIETY, SWEATING AND NAUSEA
time with people who are also freeing themselves of addiction, so find a group if you can.
5. Record your thoughts: keep a journal of each day and log the challenging moments and how you grew through them. Refer back to these as the months go by: each moment you struggle through builds your strength for the next one.
6. Enjoy the journey: you don’t meet people who regret quitting alcohol. They enjoy life so much more. Once this enjoyment is firmly established, and you realise there is nothing to miss, your life will become infinitely richer.
Vacation Time! LAHORE
Paris of the East
BY Kayli Liebenberg
THE STUNNING TERRACES OF SHALIMAR Gardens are lined with breathtakingly foliage and exquisite pavilions. Built in the 17th century, water is a central element, with intricate water channels and stunning fountains strategically placed to create a soothing ambience.
THE CULTURAL CAPITAL of Pakistan, Lahore is steeped in the history, art and architecture of the Mughal era (early 16th to mid-18th century). Situated in the heart of Punjab province, Lahore beckons visitors with its rich heritage, timehonoured festivals, vibrant bazaars and warm hospitality.
THE BUSTLING VIBE OF THE OLD TOWN is best experienced at Liberty Market, where you can bargain alongside the locals, and enjoy a cup of chai at one of the many cafés. Spend your rupee on exquisite Pakistani artefacts, carpets and souvenirs at the eclectic mix of handicraft stores.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF Adobe Stock
LAHORE FORT IS A UNESCO
World Heritage site home to a succession of stately palaces, halls and gardens all built by Mughal emperors. Enter through the colossal Alamgiri Gate, which was originally built to allow several elephants carrying members of the royal household to enter at one time.
LAHORE MUSEUM IS A
MUST for history buffs, housing Gandharan sculptures, Islamic art and relics from the Indus Valley Civilization. The museum offers a deep dive into Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage with over 60,000 artefacts bringing more than 5,000 years of history to life.
COMPLETED IN 1674, Badshahi Mosque boasts a massive gateway, four towering minarets, three vast marble domes and an open courtyard that can hold up to 100,000 people. It homes the Tomb of Allama Mohammed Iqbal, the philosopher-poet who first proposed the idea of an independent Pakistan.
FROM AROMATIC BIRYANIS
to succulent kebabs and creamy desserts, like kulfi and falooda , the city’s culinary offerings are a delight. Don’t miss the bustling food streets of Gawalmandi and Anarkali, where you can savour local favourites such as masala french fries, chaat, gol gappay and halwa puri
Lantau Crossword !
FLOWERS & TREESFlowers &
Discovery Bay Anglican Church
Daughter Church of St John's Cathedral
SKH Wei Lun Primary School, Discovery Bay Road
Sung Eucharist (English) at 10:00am Sundays
Email: dean@stjohnscathedral.org.hk
Web: www.discoverybaychurch.org.hk
Priest in Charge: The Very Revd Kwok-keung Chan
Tel: +852 - 2523 4157
Packing, Moving & Storage Services. Fixed price quote upon onsite survey or choose from the rates below:
Hire a Truck: HK$220/hour. Minimum 3 hours. Short Trips: HK$200 & up.
Hire Movers: HK$120/hour per mover. Minimum 3 hours.
Plastic Boxes & Used Cartons can be provided free of charge. (Subject to availability.)
Serves Lantau, DB, Tung Chung and the rest of HK.
LOCAL NUMBERS TUNG CHUNG
EMERGENCY SERVICES 999
Tung Chung Ambulance Depot 2988 8282
Tung Chung Fire Station 2988 1898
Tung Chung Police Station 3661 1999
HOME & REPAIRS
Mega Power Engineering/Locksmiths 2109 2330
Mr Chan 24-Hour Handyman 9343 3718
Papabo 5541 1502
Shun Yu Engineering 2988 1488
So Nice Technologies 6206 3497
HOTELS
Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott 3969 1888
Novotel Citygate Hong Kong 3602 8888
Regal Airport Hotel 2286 8888
Sheraton Tung Chung 2535 0000
The Silveri Hong Kong - MGallery 3602 8989
LEARNING CENTRES
Discovery Mind International Play Centre 2987 8070
Discovery Mind Primary School 2915 0666
Greenfield International Kindergarten 2162 5538
Sun Island Education Foundation 2420 1068
Tung Chung Catholic School 2121 0884
YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College 2988 8123
MEDICAL
Bayside Dental 2185 6550
Essential Health Family Clinic 2109 9396
Human Health Medical Centre 2109 2288
North Lantau Hospital 3467 7000
Quality Health Dental 2403 6613
Quality Health Care Medical 2403 6623
REMOVALS & RELOCATION
Akash Moving 2421 8088
Crown Relocations 2636 8399
FTC Relocations 2814 1658
ReloSmart 2561 3030
Rocket Movers 5134 0044
SwiftRelo 2363 4008
RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
Caribbean Coast Clubhouse 2109 9277
Caribbean Coast Management Office 2109 9288
Coastal Skyline Clubhouse 2179 6678
Coastal Skyline Management Office 2179 6621
Seaview Crescent Clubhouse 3473 8700
Seaview Crescent Management Office 3473 8833
Tung Chung Crescent Clubhouse 2403 6770
Tung Chung Crescent Management Office 2109 1222
RESTAURANTS & FOOD DELIVERY
3 Italiani 5182 7646
A Tavola Bar & Grill 2321 5500
Andante, Novotel Citygate 3602 8828 Basic Bistro
SOUTH LANTAU
DISCOVERY BAY
Harvey Law Group International law firm offering a wide range of commercial & personal legal services. Meeting facilities available in DB. Contact 24168618, dboffice@harveylawcorporation.com,
Elevate
Discovery Montessori School
A reputable & well-known international school for authentic Montessori bilingual (English & Chinese) education for children aged 1 to 12 years. Beautiful campus & highly qualified teachers. Contact 2987 1201, enquiry@dms.edu.hk, www.dms.edu.hk
EpicLand
Billed as Hong Kong’s tallest indoor entertainment centre, EpicLand is home to the city's first ‘air trek’, complete with eight sky-high obstacles, trampolines, slides and more. Contact 2441 0098, reception@epiclandhk.com, www.epiclandhk.com
Located in DB Plaza Extension, the THE RINK Italian Kitchen offers guests a unique gastronomical experience of authentic Italian flavours. To reserve a table, call 3709 6451.
La Petite Enfance Kindergarten 8191 0813
Mandarin for Munchkins 2480 3909
Mathemagic (home tutoring) 9135 4724
Rigolo comme la vie 5495 8810
SKH Wei Lun Primary School 2987 8608
The Rink Italian Kitchen
DISCOVERY BAY
Pasha
Peony
Pho
Sushi
ISTD Freestyle, ISTD Hip Hop, RAD Ballet, Tap & AcroDance 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
Tekkerz Football programmes for boys & girls for age groups U5 up to U14. Contact 9770 4548, train@tekkerzfootball.com, www.prosportsasia.com
TELL IT LIKE IT IS
Truth - from the mouth of one babe: Peter Sherwood receives an insightful letter from a young fan
OK, call me weird (everyone does) but I had a dream that a little kid wrote to me in little kid language expressing an interest in the world of abject poverty called journalism:
Deer Mista Woodshed. Wen I gro up I wanna be a riter like yoo and rite a narticle but funny and not prawnografy becos its not nise. Is a riter a good job. My dad sed to get a reel job but a riter is pretty good. I wooden hav to go to werk and just stay home like yoo and rite stuf and get munny for my bank.
My mum sed to be a loyer but peeple hate them. I could make peeple go to jale but not rich peeple who wood pay me lots of munny to liv in monty carlo. But my dad sed I wood hav to go to an ofise everyday not like yoo. Mum sed to be an engineer and I don’t know what it is… I wood eer engines or some thing.
My frend sed yoo are a famus riter but my dad sed yor a legund in yor own lunch box but what does that meen. He sed yoo use to werk for jane bond of movees and Shawn Cannery who preten to be 007 in the olden dayz. Yoo mus be 100 years old. Do yoo rite with a pensil. My dad sed yor brane must be jelly and yoo shood be in a home for silly peeple and yoo shood gro up and be an adultery. My frend sez yoo are cleva and wen to oxfor and camrige but dad reckons only to the pub to drunk too many beer. Can yoo drunk many beer and be a riter. My dad sez yoo wood hav to be drunken.
lived in DB for 20+ years.
Is reel estat a good job. I cood buy a big blok of flats and yoo can live in a smal one and collect all the rents and I wood give yoo sum food. I think its a good job and I don’t hav to do any werk. My dad sed werk is a 4 letter werd and I don’t know what that meens. He sed I cood kick out the tenents any time becos biznes is biznes. Is riting boox a good job like kj railing lady who sels boox to little kids and takes all the munny to skotland in a wheel barrow. Dad sed take the munny but not rite the boox is a perfect job.
Yoo use to rite in the newzpaper in Hong Kong and sum peeple think yoo wer funny and sum peeple wer angry and off ended. My dad sed yoo off ended him many times so I don’t know wy he waz reeding it. He jus got opset and wood shout bad werds at my mum and then she got angry so may be they shood not reed yor riting. if I am a riter I wood be reely nise not like yoo.
Peter Sherwood has
The former head of an international public relations firm, he is the author of 15 books and has written around 400 satirical columns for the South China Morning Post.
