Around DB October issue 2021

C O M M U N I T Y

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L O C A L

I N F L U E N C E R S

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L I F E S T Y L E

D I S COV ERY B AY ' S O R I G I N A L CO M M U N I T Y M AGA Z I N E - P U B L I S H ED S I N C E 2 0 0 2

EASY-PEASY KIDS' PARTIES SWERVE THE STRESS AT YOUR NEXT BIRTHDAY BASH

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PA R E N T I N G

O C TO B ER 2 0 21 | A R O U N D D B.CO M

JUNK DAYS ARE HERE TO STAY RELAX, SUBMERGE, EXPLORE, REPEAT!

ESCAPE TO ROME FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR ARMC HAIR

DB DRAGON BOAT RACES T H E P L AC E T O B E O N O C T O B E R 10

FOLLOW US

GREAT DRINK • GREAT FOOD • GREAT COMPANY

Address: E&F G/F, Seaview Crescent Plaza, Tung Chung, Lantau Island Website: www.atavola.hk Tel: 2321 5500

REASONS TO VISIT US: An amazing sunset, al Fresco Dining OUR POLYNESIAN CUISINE AND SERVICE Address: Shop G-12-G15, Sheraton Tung Chung No 9 Yi Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau Tel: 2777 8980, 2777 8982 Email: info@cabanabreeze.hk

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Now’s the time your money could start going places.

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Now could be the best time to discuss and review your financial plans for long term success.

Talk to our Expat banking team today and discover a more rewarding banking relationship. hsbcexpat@hsbc.com.hk +852 2822 3225 expat.hsbc.com/wealth

Please remember that the value of investments, and any income received from them, can fall as well as rise, is not guaranteed and you may not get back the amount you invested. This could also happen as a result of changes in currency exchange rates, particularly where overseas securities are held or where investments are converted from one currency to another. We always recommend that any Investments held should be viewed as a medium to long-term investment, at least five years.

Issued by HSBC Expat which is a division of HSBC Bank plc, Jersey Branch: HSBC House, Esplanade, St. Helier, Jersey, JE1 1HS. HSBC Bank plc, Jersey Branch is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission for Banking, General Insurance Mediation, Investment and Fund Services Business. HSBC Bank plc is registered and incorporated in England and Wales with limited liability, number 14259. Registered office 8 Canada Square, London, E14 5HQ. HSBC Bank plc, Hong Kong Branch, is licensed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority as an authorised institution and registered with the Securities and Futures Commission to conduct Type 1 (dealing in securities) and Type 4 (advising on securities) regulated activities under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (central entity number: AFJ824). Deposits made with our office in Jersey are not protected deposits under the Hong Kong Deposit Protection Scheme and are not protected by such scheme. However, HSBC Expat is a participant in the Jersey Bank Depositors Compensation Scheme. The Scheme offers protection for eligible deposits of up to £50,000. The maximum total amount of compensation is capped at £100,000,000 in any 5 year period. Full details of the Scheme and banking groups covered are available on the States of Jersey website www.gov.je/dcs, or on request. 200910/GI/375.

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OC TOBER 2021 W W W. A R O U N D D B .CO M

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FEATURES 28

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Profile Forest bathing guru Amanda Yik discusses her mindful DB life

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Community Time to book a junk trip, while the good weather holds

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Fitness

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Dragon boating and outrigger canoeing at Lantau Boat Club

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Parenting Sneaky cheats to help you throw the best kid’s party ever

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Insider How to invest in the stock market without buying stocks

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AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

REGULARS

AGENDA

32 DINING OUT

12 DB EVENTS

At Moofish

52 ESCAPES

Rome: The Eternal City

57 RECIPES

Scary good Halloween treats

68 OUT THERE

Peter Sherwood talks back

C O M M U N I T Y

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L O C A L

I N F L U E N C E R S

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L I F E S T Y L E

D I S COV ERY B AY ' S O R I G I N A L CO M M U N I T Y M AGA Z I N E - P U B L I S H ED S I N C E 2 0 0 2

EASY-PEASY KIDS' PARTIES SWERVE THE STRESS AT YOUR NEXT BIRTHDAY BASH

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P A R E N T I N G

O N T H E C OVE R 12 + 4 1

O C TO B ER 2 0 21 | A R O U N D D B.CO M

JUNK DAYS ARE HERE TO STAY RELAX, SUBMERGE, EXPLORE, REPEAT!

The LBC Pirates practising for the DB Dragon Boat Races on October 10

ESCAPE TO ROME FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR ARMC HAIR

DB DRAGON BOAT RACES T H E P L AC E T O B E O N O C T O B E R 10

FOLLOW US

PHOTO BY Mark Horton

16 ACROSS HK 20 EVENT ROUND-UP 26 GIVEAWAYS 62 CLASSIFIEDS 65 LOCAL NUMBERS WE AL S O P UB L IS H

CONTACT US @ B AY ME D IA GROU P P:

+852 2987 0167

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www.arounddb.com

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_ PHILI P JAY

Publisher/ Owner R ACHE L A I N S L EY Managing editor

rachel@baymedia.com.hk R ACHE L S A D L ER Assistant editor

rachel.s@baymedia.com.hk SARAH M U I R H EAD Digital manager

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IT/ Graphic designer

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CO NTRI BU TORS T R I S H A H U G E H S , E L I Z A B E T H K E R R , KAT E PA R R , P E T E R S H E R WO O D, B O O N T I O N G TA N

P HOTOGRAPH E RS B AL J IT G I DWANI

www.evoqueportraits.com R I CH A R D G OR DO N www.richardgordonphotography.com

P RI NTI NG

C H A MP I ON D ESIGN & P RODU CT I ON CO LTD Flat C & D, 9/F Sing Teck Factory Bldg, 44 Wong Chuk Hang Rd, Hong Kong

B AY M EDI A GRO UP

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

D I S CL AIME R 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. © BAY MEDIA GROUP 2021

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LBC PIRATES SUCCESSFUL MERGER

The Lantau Boat Club and DB Pirates dragon boat teams joined forces to form the LBC Pirates in March.

The merger was a bid to return to normality ahead of the 2021 season, since so many paddlers had left DB in the wake of COVID, job cuts and repeated lockdowns.

It takes time and commitment to blend two teams into one successful, ambitious and enthusiastic team, and so far, the hard work has paid off with LBC Pirates enjoying gold and bronze success in recent dragon boat races. To get involved, email paddling-chair@ lantauboatclub.com. [PHOTO BY Richard Gordon www.richardgordonphotography.com.]

VKB ADOPTION IS HOT CALENDAR

Villa Kunterbunt (VKB) Lantau Animal Rescue has come up with a cute way to create awareness, raise funds and show that ‘pet adoption is hot.’ “The VKB Adoption is Hot Calendar 2022 features 12 hot local guys and their adopted pups,” says Cindy Bouw of VKB. “We were inspired by the Australian firefighter calendars with the really athletic firefighters and their puppies.” To make a HK$200 donation by purchasing a calendar, email receipts. vkbcalendars@gmail.com or head to https://docs. google.com/.../1mG7DTitElMPah4gmhibTzqt.../ edit. [PHOTO COURTESY OF VKB.]

s g in n e pp a H

STUFF TO KNO

DB DRAGON BOAT RACES

DB’s long awaited dragon boat races are taking place on October 10 at Tai Pak Wan after being postponed in June due to the pandemic.

You can expect mixed, open, ladies, under-23 and community races.

The event runs from 7.30am to 5.30pm; course length 430 metres. For more information, visit the DB Dynamic Facebook page. [PHOTO BY Mark Horton.]

HANDMADE’S HALLOWEEN MARKET

On October 31, Handmade Hong Kong is holding a special Halloween Market at DB North Plaza from 11am to 6pm.

Head there for last-minute costumes, jack-o-lanterns and, we hope, broomsticks. In addition to the Halloween treats, you can expect to find plant stalls and plenty of great buys for children and pets. For more information, visit www.handmadehongkong.com,

WICKED FUN AT DISNEY!

Head to Hong Kong Disneyland through October 31 to attend Mickey’s Halloween Time Street Party and trick-ortreat with all your favourite Disney villains. When the sun sets, the fiendishness continues at the Wicked Fun Party Zone and Let’s Get Wicked musical. With Disney’s ongoing double-the-fun promotion, you can enjoy two visits to the park for HK$699 through January 19, 2022. To find out more, visit www.hongkongdisneyland.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Hong Kong Disneyland.]

DB EVENTS

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FRIGHT NIGHTS AT EPICLAND

Every Saturday and Sunday in October, there’s a spooky lights-out theme at EpicLand in DB North Plaza, with Halloween costumes and face painting available for all. From October 16 to 31, the venue is also bringing back its hugely popular Haunted House Laser Tag. To find out more, visit www.epiclandhk.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF EpicLand.]

PROVERSE AUTHOR ON THE UP

Harper Voyager at HarperCollins UK has won a four-way auction for Ascension, a ‘fast-paced modern sciencefiction thriller’ by Nicholas Binge. Rights have been sold in 10 territories around the world, including in the US to Riverhead at Penguin Random House. Nicholas’ debut novel, Professor Everywhere, was published by DB residents Gillian and Verner Bickley of Proverse Hong Kong in 2020. [PHOTO COURTESY of Gillian Bickley.]

! s t n e v &E

W IN OCTOBER!

EMILY’S KINDNESS CARDS

A little project with a big heart, Emily’s Kindness Cards enables volunteers to send cards, letters or drawings to people who are alone in hospital or chronically ill, and it provides a space for those in need of such kindnesses to ask for it. “However small the gesture may seem, these cards can be a lifeline for people,” says co-founder Michelle Parsons, a Tung Chung resident. To get involved, head to the Emilys-KindnessCards Facebook page. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Michelle Parsons.]

GAYLENE MEESON'S BIG

TAKEOUT COMEDY NIGHT

TakeOut Comedy HK is returning to DB after 10 years on October 6, debuting at Hemingway’s with two shows. Some of Hong Kong’s funniest stand-up comedians are on the bill including Steve Lee, Pete Grella and Jamie Gong. There’s a student-only show at 7pm (HK$100 per person) and the main show (HK$200 per person) starts at 8.30pm. To book tickets, visit www.takeoutcomedy.net.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY OCTOBER 2 | GATHER AT THE DB PLANT MARKET in DB Community Green Square from 2pm to 4pm.

OCTOBER 2 | JOIN A BEACH CLEAN-UP at Cheung Sha Lan from 2pm.

Check the DB Green Facebook page for details.

OCTOBER 10 | SHOP THE DISCOVERY BAY SUNDAY MARKET in DB Plaza from 11am to 6pm. Visit www.handmade hongkong.com.

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

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DB EVENTS

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HALLOWEEN ON ICE Head to DB Ice Rink on October 29 from 10am to 1pm, or October 30 from 6pm to 10pm for a Halloween spooktacular. The evening session is a skate in the dark party, with glow paints provided. To enter the best-dressed competition, take a photo in your Halloween costume at the rink and share it on Facebook and Instagram hashtag #dbirhalloween2021. To find out more visit www.dbicerink.com.

CHINA ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE MATCHES China Hockey Group has partnered up with DB Ice Rink to hold its elite adult China Ice Hockey League (CIHL) matches in DB. Head to the rink every Saturday from October 9 to 23 to see CIHL play against the South China Sharks, Macau Aces and Kowloon Warriors. Visit www.dbicerink.com or www.chinahockeygroup.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF China Hockey Group.]

PINK DAY AT LBC

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to show support Lantau Boat Club (LBC) is holding a Pink Day on October 30. The theme is ‘Be active for a cause,’ with fun races in outrigger canoes, dragon boats, kayaks and SUPs. To get involved, shop the club’s Pink Beach Village market and pre-order a limited-edition event shirt to wear on the day. Proceeds go to Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation. To find out more, email paddling-chair@lantauboatclub.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF LBC.]

RECYCLING TUESDAYS THE GREAT GLOBAL NURDLE HUNT It couldn’t be easier to take part in this year’s Great Global Nurdle Hunt, October 1 to 31, and do your bit to combat marine pollution. Simply click attending on The Great Global Nurdle Hunt Facebook page, download a participant pack, choose a date, source your equipment and recruit your fellow nurdle hunters, and head to a beach. Plastic Free Seas is organising a nurdle hunt in DB on October 24 – to find out more, visit www.plasticfreeseas.org.

[PHOTO COURTESY OF Plastic Free Seas.]

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AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

City Management’s new recycling collection point at the Green Icon, opposite Parkridge Village is proving a hit with residents. A team from Tung Chung Community Green Station comes to DB every Tuesday, from 10am to 1pm and 2.30pm to 5.30pm, to collect clean and sorted recyclables, including waste electronics, liquid cartons, rechargeable batteries and most plastics including polyfoam, bottle lids and contact lens packaging. To find out more, call 2499 2308.

ACROSS HONG KONG

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REPORTING BY Trisha Hughes

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Unsplash

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AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

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n October 31, you can hardly walk through the plaza or along Headland Drive without bumping into a blood-sucking vampire, a zombie or a witch riding a broomstick. Fusion and Wellcome are already full of cobwebs, skeletons and carved-out pumpkins; and there is excitement in the air as people chatter eagerly about their costumes.

When we think of Halloween our minds conjure up images of ghosts, witches, vampires and monsters. Hollywood and literature have crafted versions of these creatures for us but like many fantastic beasts, they have a basis in reality.

The original word ‘Hallowe’en’ actually means ‘hallowed evening’ and the last day of October has also been called All Hallows’ Eve, Day of the Dead, Samhain and All Saints’ Eve. For centuries it’s been considered one of the most magical nights of the year.

DAY OF THE DEAD Today, we have lost the significance of this most meaningful celebration but the Celts believed that the normal laws of space and time were held in abeyance on the Day of the Dead, allowing a window to open where the spirit world could intermingle with the living. Many believed it was a night when the dead could cross the veils and physically return to the land of the living to celebrate with their family or clan. As such, burial mounds were lit at midnight, with torches lining crumbling walls, so that the spirits of the dead could find their way in the darkness. Out of this ancient tradition comes one of our most famous icons of the holiday: the Jack-o-lantern.

ACROSS HONG KONG

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hunger and the physical illnesses consequent of all of those. It was widely regarded as the time when the spirits of darkness and fear, the evil and malevolent forces of nature, were let loose upon the earth.

People reacted to this forbidding prospect in two different ways. In ancient times, Halloween was the festival of prophecy in which people gathered together and most frequently tried to predict the future. In pre-modern times, the prediction most often sought was who would live through the winter.

Bonfires were lit for protection and torches carried around homes and fields sun-wise, from east to west.

The flames, smoke and even the ashes were deemed to have protective and cleansing powers.

Another reaction was to mock darkness and fear by singing songs about spirits and lighting candles on the graves of the dead. Trick or treating originated in the 16th century, when people began going from house to house impersonating the souls of the dead.

They recited verses or songs and received offerings on their behalf, usually a small round cake called a soul cake.

Halloween heralds hocus pocus, spell making and the telling of creepy stories; it’s a night to eat, drink and be scary. Happy Halloween everyone!

The Jack-o-lantern was used as a light for the lost soul of Jack, a notorious trickster, stuck between worlds.

Jack is said to have tricked the devil into the trunk of a tree by carving an image of a cross on it. He successfully trapped the devil but after already having been denied access to Heaven, and then having also angered the devil in Hell, Jack became a lost soul. As a consolation, the devil gave him a sole ember to light his way through the darkness between worlds.

Originally, Celts placed candles in hollowed-out turnips to help guide Jack’s lost spirit back home; these days we hollow-out pumpkins to make our Jack-o-lanterns.

EAT, DRINK AND BE SCARY In one sense, Halloween was a celebration of plenty and homecoming. It was harvest time and people would have been well fed after the bountiful summer and they would have gathered in their homes after long days spent working in the fields.

There was, however, the other face of the festival. It ushered in winter, the most frightening, uncomfortable and inconvenient of all the seasons. Even in modern Britain, it is the time when the clocks go back and the night rushes early into the afternoon. Halloween was the feast that prefaced months of darkness, cold,

JACK-O-LANTERNS HAVE A SPOOKY BACKSTORY AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

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SPONSORED CONTENT

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HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PILOTS TO OBTAIN GREEN CARDS IN THE UNITED STATES PHOTOS COURTESY OF Tracey Taylor Wilcock & Unsplash

As COVID-19 wanes and the pilot shortage in the US comes roaring back, there is now an unprecedented opportunity for experienced foreign pilots to apply for permanent residence in the US without obtaining a job offer or labour certification.

“Numerous reports indicate that there will be a severe deficit of pilots in the US by 2023. As the demand for professional pilots continues to rise, foreign pilots holding the appropriate background may now apply for a green card for themselves and their families through the EB-2 National Interest Waiver programme,” according to JeanFrancois Harvey, Global Managing Partner of leading business immigration law firm Harvey Law Group.

To qualify for the programme, applicants must meet the following criteria: i) they will undertake an endeavour that has both substantial merit and national importance; ii) they are well positioned to advance the proposed endeavour; iii) it would be beneficial to the US to waive the requirement of a job offer, and thus the labour certification.

“The growing demand for pilots in the US has made it potentially easier for foreign pilots to meet criteria i) and iii). In other words, so long as an applicant can demonstrate that he/ she has the skills, experience and education that the US needs to address its pilot shortage problem, the applicant likely qualifies for a green card without securing a job offer,” says Harvey.

To paint a picture of the pilot shortage situation in the US, reports predict that there will be a shortage of over 12,000 pilots by 2023 and the country will need a total of 65,000 new pilots in the next 10 years to meet the demand for air travel. Furthermore, the Federal Aviation Administration predicts that the US will need to recruit 87 new airline pilots every day for the next 20 years to meet the growing demand.

Whilst several reports highlight the forecasts and its ensuing impact on the US over the next few years, the lack of pilot availability can be felt today. In the last five months alone, Delta Airlines cancelled nearly 100 flights and American Airlines cancelled over 300 flights due to a shortage of pilots.

The news of the pilot shortage in the US may come as a surprise to some people, as the US is arguably the world’s largest aviation market and major US airlines pay competitive salaries to keep their pilots. To entice new pilots, commercial airlines are not only offering newly hired pilots up to US$150,000 in signing bonuses, but some airlines are also providing a 30% to 40% raise in salary to their commercial pilots this year.

A number of factors are contributing to the pilot shortage situation in the US. Initially, it started with restrictive hiring practices, but the situation snowballed as the industry found it difficult to replace their ageing pilot workforce in view of the profession’s increasingly strict experience requirement.

In this particular climate, foreign pilots may find it easier to qualify for permanent residence in the US via the EB-2 National Interest Waiver programme.

“Over the past two months, we have received a sharp increase in queries from foreign pilots looking to move to the US. We encourage those interested in the EB2 National Interest Waiver programme to speak to one of our lawyers as soon as possible as this prime opportunity hinges on the prevailing shortage,” Harvey states.

A petition under the EB-2 National Interest Waiver programme typically takes about 8 to 10 months to process. Upon being approved for the petition, the applicant and his family will be able to obtain an Immigrant Visa to enter the US and receive a green card to reside permanently in the country upon arrival.

If you are an experienced pilot and would like fur ther advice on the EB -2 National Interes t Waiver programme, contac t Jean - Francois Har vey at w w w.har veylawcorporation.com/contac t for more information.

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

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! t u o b A & t u O WHAT YOU'VE BEEN UP TO!

EVENT ROUND-UP

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FUNDRAISER FOR CHRISTIAN ROMANO

PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon - www.richardgordonphotography.com & COURTESY OF Ada Wong & City Management

DBers came out on mass on August 28 to attend a community day held to support popular HK Dragons Football Club coach Christian Romano, who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in June. In addition to an all-day market at DB North Plaza Pitch, with net proceeds going towards Christian’s treatment, there was a live music benefit at Hemingway’s in the evening with local bands Fireflies, No Direction, Saxon and Jarvis and Grounded rockin’ out.

To get involved in the ongoing fundraising, search Christian Romano at www.gofundme.com.

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AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

EVENT ROUND-UP

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

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EVENT ROUND-UP

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BEACH TENNIS

PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon www.richardgordonphotography.com

DB Beach Tennis Hong Kong held a tournament on September 18; there were matches for male, female and junior players on Tai Pak Wan.

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AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

A BIG SCHOOL EXPERIENCE IN A SMALL SCHOOL SETTING

HKILA is a private school situated on the waterfront at Discovery Bay North Plaza. Following the UK National Curriculum, HKILA offers education provision for students between 5 and 16 years of age.

Our small class sizes and high teacher:student ratio, allow for a highly personalized and individual curriculum for all students.

HKILA tuition fees are all-inclusive.

Open for Enrolment

Contact us for more information @ T +852 2416 3198 W www.studyhkila.com E hkila@studyhkila.edu.hk

EVENTS

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MID-AUTUMN CELEBRATIONS PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon www.richardgordonphotography.com

Lanterns were lit all over DB on September 21 as residents and visitors came together to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. DB Green gave a shout out reminding everyone to be responsible by avoiding glow sticks and single-use disposable lanterns.

MARKET PLACE X IKEA OPENING PHOTOS BY Sarah Muirhead

Market Place x IKEA opened in DB North Plaza on September 17, providing a clever combo of fresh produce, groceries and home essentials. DB’s all new food-and-home store has some special events lined up for residents this month, including an acapella performance by Metro Vocal Group on October 1, and beer tasting with the founder of Gweilo on October 23.

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AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

Nailed It 10th Anniversary Special Offer* 10% off on all our services for the month of October!

We thank you all for being a part of our success!

For more information contact us @ 2987 2266 / 29881188

2988 1188

* Not applicable to other package promotions

GIVEAWAYS

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.3COFFEE

IS OFFERING FIVE READERS A .3COFFEE TASTING BOX (EACH WORTH HK$190)

.3coffee contains only 30% of the caffeine of an espresso meaning you can enjoy it late in the day and still get a good night’s rest.

What’s more, there’s no compromise on taste since the premium beans are sourced from farm and freshly roasted in Hong Kong.

Health-conscious herbal blends include osmanthus, jujube and cinnamon. As a sustainable e-commerce brand, .3coffee strives for plastic-free packaging – it has collaborated with Invisible Company to create guilt-free drip bags that dissolve in hot water.

Each .3coffee tasting box contains eight individual drip bags of freshly roasted premium-grade coffee in four flavours – floral ethiopia, nutty brazil, osmanthus and cinnamon. Tasting boxes are made of bamboo, and refills come with minimal packaging. Shop online at www.point3coffee.com and see more on Instagram @point3coffee.

HOW TO WIN!

Around DB prizes are incredibly easy to get your hands on, and you have until the 10th of the month to apply.

Simply scan the barcode or go to www.arounddb.com/giveaways, select the giveaway you want, and enter your details into the online form.

CONGRATUL ATIONS TO L AST ISSUE’S WINNERS William Ho and Hayley Doughty who have each received four tickets to see The Gruffalo Live on Stage, and Kristine Howse and Hong Mei who have each received a Mooncake DIY Kit from Complete Deelite.

EM BODY

IS GIVING ONE READER FIVE EQUIPMENT CLASS PACKAGES (WORTH HK$1,100) AND ONE READER FIVE GENERAL CLASS PACKAGES (WORTH HK$700)

Situated across t wo beautiful studios in DB Plaza, Embody specialises in Pilates, yoga and Zumba. Room 225 is the Pilates Reformer and Pilates Suspension studio; Room 211 is the brand-new barre, mat and yoga studio.

Embody of fers a variet y of classes for all ages and abilities. General classes include yoga, Pilates Mat, HIIT, Move Well and Zumba.

Equipment classes include Pilates Reformer and Boot y Barre. To find out more or book a class, call 5205 3736 or visit w w w.embody.hk.

HOW TO WIN!

Around DB prizes are incredibly easy to get your hands on, and you have until the 10th of the month to apply.

Simply scan the barcode or go to www.arounddb.com/giveaways, select the giveaway you want, and enter your details into the online form.

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AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

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PROFILE

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"FOREST THERAPY

CAN CHANGE PEOPLE FROM THE INSIDE OUT. IT CAN MAKE THEM FEEL NATURE. - AMANDA YIK

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! g in th a B t s e For

PROFILE

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YOUR INVITATION TO CONNECT

DB resident Amanda Yik pulls double duty to prove wellness and environmentalism can be one and the same as Hong Kong’s first Shinrin-Yoku guide. Elizabeth Kerr reports

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PHOTOS BY Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com

t’s mid-September and still blistering in Hong Kong, and even in allegedly breezy Discovery Bay Amanda Yik is fanning herself with her shirt as she takes a seat with a matcha latte. She marvels at the atmospheric misery nearby typhoons have brought with them but she looks remarkably cool. There might be a bead of sweat at her hairline. Whether that’s a sign of emotional and mental health manifesting in her pores is debatable, but many would argue Amanda’s regular forest baths may indeed be the reason.

Amanda is Hong Kong’s first (possibly only) forest therapy guide, a therapeutic practice she took up four years ago after coming off a serious illness at just 36 years old.

Her route was a circuitous one. A lawyer by training and a diversity and inclusion pro with Community Business by trade, Amanda eventually heeded her interest in environmental activism and completed a master’s degree in corporate environmental governance and went to work for an NGO in corporate responsibility.

They’re happily child-free – not childless, an important distinction for Amanda. She points out how an explanation for not having kids is asked of too many.

“No one asks you why you have kids,” she argues. “It’s really just thinking about the many different ways life unfolds. It’s so easy to make assumptions.”

Amanda is easy to talk to, possessed of a gentle, lowkey sense of humour and comfortable talking about what she’s feeling and thinking. She’s the perfect forest therapy guide. Ultimately, Amanda discovered the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (which operates in 60 countries) and earned guide and trainer certification before launching Shinrin-Yoku Hong Kong (www.shinrinyokuhk.com). Now she runs her own public or customised walks, running up to three hours, in English or Cantonese. But the million-dollar question remains. What is forest therapy?

ROAD TO WELLNESS Amanda and her husband of eight years relocated to DB just around the time Amanda started a battery of cancer treatments. The resulting low energy forced her to slow down. Prior to that Amanda admits she didn’t deal well with downtime and was uncomfortable with the idea of doing nothing. But as she wandered her neighbourhood and the surrounding environment – the forest – she found a level of acceptance she needed at a time when no one around her really ‘got it.’ “There’s nothing in the forest that asks you questions,” she says.

Amanda and her husband settled in a flat halfway up the hill overlooking the beach; it was the view that got them.

But they’re pretty unique to DB, having neither children nor dogs.

“That was one of the reasons we moved to DB. I really wanted a dog. But once we moved in we were kind of…” she tails off with a shrug. “It does mean giving up quite a bit of freedom. It’s like having a toddler that never grows up. My husband and I really enjoy our freedom, it’s part of the reason we’re here. We have space and distance from the brouhaha of Hong Kong. That’s rarely talked about.”

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021 29 AMANDA HOSTING A FOREST THERAPY WORKSHOP IN DB

PROFILE

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“It’s not traditional therapy, and we don’t call ourselves therapists. We’re just guides. Some guides prefer the word healing. I had an older gentleman last week who teared up on our walk, and he had no idea why. That’s a sign of healing. Often we receive exactly what we need.” For anyone wondering, guides are necessary to worry about what most bathers would be fixating on were they alone, and most importantly to facilitate sharing experiences.

“Plenty of people can let go and immerse themselves, and they wouldn’t need a guide. Personally, I couldn’t do it,” Amanda admits. “If I were alone, at some point I’d pull out my phone.”

FROM CONNECTION TO ACTION

AMANDA TRAINED AT THE ASSOCIATION OF NATURE AND FOREST THERAPY

FOREST THERAPY 101 Amanda admits the concept is hard to grasp intellectually. “The most common question I get is ‘So what exactly do we do?’ There is a rundown,” she explains with a laugh. “When I take people into a country park for three hours, I’m not winging it. I have a plan but if I tell you what it is, you’ll be turned off or think you can do it yourself. It defeats the purpose.”

The purpose, very simply, is to immerse in nature and enhance wellbeing. It’s a way to connect with nature, wake the senses, and heal the mind, body and spirit.

Forest bathing’s purported benefits include reduced blood pressure and stress, and enhanced immune system strength and mood.

Amanda’s been fortunate in that she hasn’t had to deal with accusations of peddling new-agey ‘woo-woo’ nonsense, and most who sign up do so because they’re open to receiving whatever the forest may provide.

Though ‘forest’ evokes specific ideas – think the Black Forest in Germany – the proper definition of forest as more than half a hectare of land with trees higher than 5 metres and a canopy cover of more than 10% (according to the UN) makes 25% of Hong Kong a forest.

Another key aspect of forest therapy for Amanda is its ability to make an environmental impact. By immersing ourselves in nature the chances of appreciating just how harmful our actions are will inspire positive change.

“Forest therapy can change people from the inside out.

It can make them feel nature,” theorises Amanda. The idea is that our instinct to protect that which we care about will be stoked by receiving something positive from the forest, which is more empowering than just reducing, reusing and recycling.

"We are selfish and we do prioritise ourselves at the expense of other species and the earth, but that kind of problem isn’t solved by naming and shaming, or by science and technology. It will be solved by love, compassion and empathy,” Amanda says.

While forest therapy is still at the ‘excursion’ stage, forest therapy as wellness practice, environmental activism and social repair has seen its profile rise in the wake of COVID. Amanda agrees the past 18 months have made emotional and mental health a priority for many, and that the demand for balance in work and life, between city and nature, is gaining traction.

But Amanda's a realist. “That’s not to say we need to go back and live in caves,” she finishes. “It’s just that our extremely digital and indoor lifestyle is terrible for our health. We’re built for mobility and being out in nature.”

Just make sure you have a fan.

As Amanda explains it, forest therapy is a chance for anyone to meet what she calls their edge (satoyama in Japanese): “The space somewhere in between, where we explore our edges in our encounters with nature.

“I know people who have never touched a tree,” she adds. “It’s common to grow up in Hong Kong and spend all your time indoors.” By the same token, Amanda has encountered many so-called nature lovers who have never spent time in nature doing nothing.

That’s forest therapy.

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FOREST BATHERS IMMERSE IN NATURE TO ENHANCE WELLBEING

DINING OUT

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! th on m e th f o t n a r u a t Res

MOOFISH BY ZAKS REPORTING BY Rachel Sadler PHOTOS COURTESY OF MooFish & Debby Meyers

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ooFish by Zaks, formerly MooFish in DB North Plaza, reopened in DB South Plaza in June this year. The relaxed waterfront restaurant specialises in mouth-watering steak and seafood dishes from a carefully curated Asian and Western menu.

Victoria Harbour,” Matthew explains. One thing that does stand out, however, is the stunning turquoisecoloured MooFish logo hand-painted by DB resident Megan Thomas, a waitress at the restaurant.

“We sadly had to close down the North Plaza restaurant just after Chinese New Year as we were not given the option to renew our lease. We then made the decision to relocate the brand to the upper floor of Zaks,” opens General Manager Matthew Wilcock. “MooFish in DB North Plaza had such an amazing following from the community that we could not disappoint them by letting the brand disappear from DB. “The menu is very similar to the original one with a few changes,” Matthew adds. “We have replaced items that are also offered in Zaks to give South Plaza customers more choices.”

The new restaurant’s decor is also reminiscent of the original MooFish, with a minimal look and a chic brick finish. “We have gone with light colours so as not to distract from the amazing views of the beach and across 32

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

WAGYU BEEF SALAD

SPECIALS

DINING OUT

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There are plenty of specials at MooFish by Zaks, starting with the popular daily set lunch, which changes every fortnight. Customers choose between soup or a visit to the salad bar, followed by a choice of four main courses. On Tuesdays, there’s an incredible twofor-one offer for dine in, takeaway and deliveries; and Wednesday is steak night.

“We also have an amazing deal on a dozen oysters with a bottle of Harvest Blanc de Blancs, for just HK$628,” says Matthew.

MooFish by Zaks is well-acquainted with the community’s needs and dining habits having had a presence in DB for six years, and Matthew is introducing a free-flow brunch menu on Saturdays in the near future, as well as a Sunday roast menu.

BRUNCH WITH A VIEW

A place to wine and dine indoors or out, and soak up the glorious view, MooFish by Zaks is proving popular with social drinkers as well as diners. “As the weather starts to cool down and we can open up all the windows, it will become even more enticing for people to come and enjoy happy hour drinks and food,” Matthew finishes.

THE MENU MooFish By Zaks prides itself on serving freshly prepared dishes, made in house, that are simply bursting with flavour. Much of the produce is imported – the red meat from America, Australia and New Zealand; the seafood from Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, France and New Zealand.

A number of the original MooFish classics have been reimagined by new Head Chef David Beato, who worked previously at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, Butchers Club and Chez Patrick. “David has brought with him a new flair and vision for our existing menu, which has been a great addition to the restaurant,” says Matthew. “He has altered some of our existing dishes, giving them a fresh new twist. For instance, the steamed barramundi with Asian greens has transformed into pan-fried barramundi served on a bed of cauliflower purée, roasted potatoes, buttered carrots and vine tomatoes topped with a spiced mango salsa.”

The most popular seafood dishes are the jet-fresh oysters, which are flown in weekly from around the world, and the seafood stew; the most popular meat dishes include the rib eye steak and filet mignon.

“Our most popular dish of all is the amazing wagyu burger which consists of inhouse ground patties that are made up of a combination of brisket, topside and rump,” says Matthew.

Chef David recommends the confit of duck, pan-fried barramundi and tomahawk steak – a 1.2kg bone-in cut of meat which is cooked to the customer’s preference, and perfect for group sharing.

AL FRESCO DINING

MooFish by Zaks is open six days a week for lunch and dinner, and it now serves breakfast at the weekends. To make a booking, call 2987 6318 . To find out more, visit www.casteloconcepts.com.

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

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EVENTS

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AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

EVENTS

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! y a w A l i a S

JOLLY JUNK FUN!

Relax, submerge, explore, repeat! It’s no secret that DBers love a junk trip and the good news is we don’t have to look far for the best boats in town REPORTING BY Rachel Sadler

PHOTOS COURTESY OF Floatudio Yacht Rental & Pexel

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COMMUNITY

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day out on the water, filled with friendship, food and floaties… life really doesn’t get much better, and junk trips are definitely here to stay. In fact, with overseas trips off most of our radars this year, sailings have been more popular than ever.

Hong Kong is renowned for its junk trips and rightly so. A day on a junk is a unique opportunity to kickback and take it easy, but it can just as easily be full of activity. While working on your tan, you can get your water-sports adrenalin fix, play beer pong, swim out to a remote island and/ or stop off at a favourite beachside restaurant for lunch.

The best junk companies are all about flexibility when it comes to event planning. Some occasions call for a comprehensive package where everything is taken care of – food, drink, wakeboarding... you name it.

Other times, boat-only charters are the way to go – the crew leaves you to it and you are free to really unwind… and commandeer the kitchenette to prepare your own meals.

Peak season is June to November but thanks to the climate, junk hire is available year-round. There are countless junk companies across Hong Kong, all offering a variety of packages for both day and night trips. Old timers like Saffron Cruises, Island Junks and Viking Charters are tried-and-tested favourites, or you can splash out on a luxury cruise with companies like Breakaway and Lazydays, where add-ons include shisha, massage and mani-pedi.

Spoilt for choice, we’ve decided to keep it local this month, providing you with a bit of an introduction to Floatudio in Cheung Chau and Discovery Bay’s own Charter Junks HK.

SOAKING UP HONG KONG'S SPECTACULAR SUNSET ON FLOATUDIO

DB PARTY JUNK A long-standing favourite in the community, DB-based Charter Junks HK offers a wide variety of packages and tours to take advantage of Hong Kong’s fantastic waters and coastline. You can opt for collection and drop-off in DB, and choose between any number of packages – a full-day, boat-only package starts at HK$12,000 in high season.

Charter Junks HK’s two teakwood motor junks – Kitty and Polly – are licensed to carry up to 30 passengers and staffed by a qualified and friendly crew. Regular haunts include Clearwater Bay, Deepwater Bay, Joss House Bay, Repulse Bay, Shek O, Stanley, Turtle Cove Beach, Tai Tam Bay, Cheung Chau and Lamma.

Night cruises are also on offer – the Big Harbour Tour, which gives you the opportunity to spend an evening soaking up Hong Kong’s spectacular skyline; and the unique Container Port Tour, which takes you off the tourist track to discover one of the largest and busiest container ports in the world.

Whether you’re looking for an all-inclusive, fully catered experience, complete with speedboat and wakeboard rides, or a boat-only charter where you bring your own provisions, Charter Junks HK has you covered. During the day, you can choose between Western, Asian and Indian menus; in the evening, there’s tapas, canapes or BBQ – all with vegetarian options.

Kitty and Poppy both feature a high-quality sound system with Bluetooth and loudspeakers throughout, so you can party the day or night away. Tired of your playlists? There’s also the option to hire a private DJ for your trip.

DISEMBARKING AT A DESERTED BEACH

Something you also need to know: Char ter Junks HK donates a percentage of ever y booking fee that is arranged by an ex-ser viceman or woman from any nation to the Royal British Legion of Hong Kong and China.

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COMMUNITY

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FLOATUDIO CHEUNG CHAU JUNK Now well and truly on DBers’ maps, Cheung Chaubased Floatudio is the brainchild of Sarah Yip and Rex Law, who first bought a junk in 2016, and lived on it while they started their business. Floatudio offers pick up and drop off in DB for up to 38 passengers, with a full-day, boat-only junk trip starting from HK$5,800 on weekdays and HK$6,800 on weekends.

Rex is a third-generation Cheung Chau fisherman and the couple’s junk trips are focused on local waters around Cheung Chau, Lantau and Lamma. Different kinds of boat rental services are on offer, such as round-the-island tours, fishing, squid fishing and private boat parties.

The Floatudio also heads out to Tai A Chau, the largest of the Soko Islands in the far southwest of Hong Kong’s waters. On this trip, you have a good chance of spotting pink dolphins, and you can enjoy a real desert-island experience on disembarking. Once home to a thriving farming community, Tai A Chau became a refugee camp for Vietnamese boatpeople in the 1990s, and is now uninhabited.

It’s nuggets of information like this that you gain from a trip on the Floatudio – Sarah and Rex both have extensive knowledge of the outlying islands, local waters and marine life, which they are more than willing to share. Sarah moonlights as an eco-tour guide at The Jockey Club HSBC WWF-Hong Kong Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre.

SARAH AND REX RELAXING ON THE FLOATUDIO

The couple have been actively involved in marine conservation since 2019, when they upgraded to a 60-foot fibreglass motor junk, and formed Eco Cheung Chau, an NGO dedicated to protecting local waters and raising awareness particularly among outlying islanders and local fishermen.

Since then, Sarah and Rex have regularly paired up with Gary Stokes at OceansAsia, Hillian Siu at Kitesurf for a Cleaner Ocean and Dana Winograd at Plastic Free Seas. They also loan their boat – and their time – to help HKU’s University of St Andrews’ dolphin and finless porpoise research team with acoustic monitoring.

Not surprisingly, Sarah and Rex have extended their passion for marine conservation to their business.

They provide guided, tailor-made eco-tours, as well as specialist sea workshops in which you get to handcraft fishing nets and upcycle your creations into art pieces, while learning a little bit of Tanka (water dialect).

All that being said, a trip on the Floatudio can be anything you want it to be. It’s fully equipped with everything you need for a fun day on the water – sound system, karaoke, BBQ grill, floaties; and you can opt for the usual add-ons like kayaking and standup paddleboarding. The food and drink comes in biodegradable packaging. Sarah and Rex aim to keep the Floatudio plastic-free, naturally.

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EATING - AND DRINKING - IS PART OF THE FUN

WHO TO SAIL WITH Breakaway, www.breakawayhk.com Charter Junks HK, www.charterjunkshk.com Floatudio, www.floatudio.com Island Junks, www.islandjunks.com.hk Lazydays, www.lazydays.com.hk Saffron Cruises, www.saffron-cruises.com Viking Charters, www.vikingscharters.com.hk

CENTRE MINDS

COUNSELLING SERVICE

WHAT CAN COUNSELLING DO FOR YOU? REGAIN EMOTIONAL BALANCE ABILITY TO SET BOUNDARIES INCREASE ASSERTIVENESS BUILD GREATER SELFCONFIDENCE BETTER RELATIONSHIPS TRAUMA RESOLUTION STRESS RELIEF LESS ANXIETY

www.centreminds.com Tel or Whatsapp: 5322 6674 Level 12, Infinitus Plaza, 199 Des Voeux Road, Sheung Wan

CREATE A LIFE WHICH FEELS GOOD ON THE INSIDE AND SHOWS ON THE OUTSIDE.

PINK

MOVE

Saturday, October 30‘2021

PADDLE ROW SAIL RUN HIKE BIKE WALK

Be active for a cause and show your support wearing our PINK-Limited-Edition-Event-Shirt!

Pre-Order only - HK$ 250 each! Orders close OCT 07. Visit our PINK Beach Bazaar to shop for a cause.

All proceeds of the day are going towards the HK Breast Cancer Foundation.

Pre-Order your Pink-Event-Shirt: paddling-chair@lantauboatclub.com Interested in a free Outrigger-Canoe-Paddle-Trial on a Saturday morning?

Reserve your spot now: paddling-secretary@lantauboatclub.com www.lantauboatclub.com

paddleforlbc

lantau boat club paddle section

Beneficiary:

! c n y S n I GET READY TO PADDLE

FITNESS

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In the lead up to DB Dragon Boat Race Day on October 10, Rachel Sadler checks in at Lantau Boat Club to discuss dragon boating – and the wider sport of outrigger canoeing PHOTOS BY Richard Gordon – www.richardgordonphotography.com

OUTRIGGER CANOEING TRAINING runs year-round at the Lantau Boat Club (LBC) Paddling Section, whereas dragon boat training is more seasonal with training star ting early in the year, and races held in May and June. This year, with most of the dragon boat races postponed until the autumn, DB Dragon Boat Race Day and Carnival is being held on October 10.

LBC PADDLERS TRAIN MULTIPLE TIMES PER WEEK. They focus on shor t-

distance races in the first half of the year and the signature longdistance races in September, October and November.

THE LBC PIRATES COMMUNITY DRAGON BOAT TEAM formed in March. The merger – between the LBC and DB Pirates dragon boat teams – has proved hugely successful, with LBC Pirates already enjoying gold and bronze success in this season’s races.

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FITNESS

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OUTRIGGER CANOEING AND DRAGON BOATING are both great team spor ts. The team needs to be in sync, regardless if there are six or 20 paddlers in a boat. For outrigger canoeing, you paddle on both sides, but for dragon boating you paddle on one side only. The main secret is that the team works as one – one team, one stroke, one hear t, one spirit.

OUTRIGGER RACES VARY IN LENGTH

and endurance is paramount par ticularly with the long-distance races (up to 45-kilometres). Towards the end of a race, when paddlers are feeling fatigued, they need to dig deep to keep the team spirit alive. A typical six-person outrigger canoe (with a buoyancy suppor t attached to the lef t side) weighs around 180 kilogrammes, so it takes strength and teamwork even to get it in and out of the water.

PADDLING IS A VERY GOOD FULL-BODY WORKOUT with the strength for a powerful stroke coming from your core and legs. The amount of training paddlers put in before a race really counts, winning comes down to a mix of technique, fitness level, endurance and perfect teamwork.

DRAGON BOAT RACES ARE A SPRINT – they can

be as shor t as 200 metres – so ever yone goes full power for two minutes, give or take. Crews who compete internationally can paddle their boats at 20 kilometres per hour; a 12-metre, fiberglass men’s boat, with a paddling team of 20, can weigh almost 2,000 kilogrammes.

OUTRIGGER CANOES WERE A MEANS OF LIVELIHOOD

for the ancient Polynesians long before Captain Cook landed on Hawaii’s shores. Huge outriggers, built to hold dozens of people, enabled long journeys across the Pacific in search of new land. Today, in addition to the international races, you can still find fisherman using six-man outrigger canoes in Polynesia.

DRAGON BOATS WERE FIRST USED in southern China 2,500 years

ago to transport warriors into battle. Ancient traditions are upheld in races to this day – the boat is blessed and awakened before 20 paddlers plus the drummer and steerer take to the water for a sprint finish.

Lantau Boat Club (LBC) offers sailing, rowing and diverse paddling opportunities to its members.

The LBC Paddling Section is always looking for new recruits to train year-round with its outrigger canoe teams and the newly formed LBC Pirates dragon boat team. The club aims to provide paddling for youth in the near future. To find out more, email paddling-chair@lantauboatclub.com or paddling-secretary@lantauboatclub.com.

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Let us help you take care of your family. enquiry@profwills.com +(852) 2561 9031

www.profwills.com

HATHA YOGA Enquiry:

9685 8366 likegreenwich@gmail.com

當內心像天空的雲一樣輕， 你便能打開心窗，獲得 「寧靜」 與「和平」」

www.greenwich-vinyasa.com.hk

PARENTING

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! s e m a g d n un aTIME FPARTY

PARTIES DON'T HAV

Throwing a party for kids need not be a headache-inducing trauma or a junk-food bonanza.

It can be a blast! Kate Farr reveals how it’s done PHOTOS COURTESY OF Pexels

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THE INVITES

Choosing an electronic invitation service, such as Paperless Post, keeps the process straightforward and makes your guest list easy to manage digitally. Take it a step further with Hong Kong-based Twopresents, who not only sends virtual invites to all your guests, but also gives them the option to send money in lieu of a gift. The funds are then split into two portions, with one for the birthday boy or girl to spend as they choose, and the other donated to a charity of their choice. This simple site cuts down on the amount of plastic junk you have to home, saves your guests shopping time, and is the ideal solution for the timepoor parent with a party to hack.

Ever found a party invitation crumpled at the bottom of your child’s school bag many weeks after the event?

We’ve all been there, and so for the sake of your time and sanity – not to mention the environment – seasoned party hackers should avoid paper invites at all costs.

Consider too that the number of guests at your child’s party doesn’t matter. Children will be happy with a small gathering as long as it feels special to them. And by limiting the invites to just best friends and family, you’ll find the whole experience a lot easier.

f there’s one thing guaranteed to turn the most Zen of parents into a frazzled mess, it’s the annual stress-fest that is a children’s party. From invites to cake, there’s a whole host of elements that need to come together to make a birthday bash run smoothly.

Happily, for those of us who weren’t blessed with superior organisational skills, just about every element of a children’s party is ripe for hacking.

So here are a few tips, tricks and downright sneaky cheats to help hack the hassle and swerve the stress during your next birthday bash.

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HOLD THE PARTY OUTDOORS. THIS ALLOWS KIDS TO LET OFF STEAM...

WITHOUT DESTROYING YOUR HOME.

PARENTING

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THE ENTERTAINMENT Throwing a kid’s party isn’t the jelly and ice-cream affair of times past. Even a clown doesn’t cut it unless he can pull a few seriously cool stunts out of the bag. So as party planning gets more competitive, it’s worth thinking seriously about what you really want to achieve, and all the exciting alternatives on offer.

Firstly, pick a theme that works with you, not against you. Your child may beg for an outlandishly complicated theme but that can be hard to carry off convincingly. Remember timeless classics, like jungles and wild things, or pirates and princesses, never go out of fashion. And whatever style of party you go with, be sure to make it magical. Parties can be so much more than just pass the parcel. Try holding a treasure hunt for wannabe pirates, playing wave music at a mermaid party, or setting off magical firework ‘spells’ at a Potterbased bash.

While there’s no shortage of professional party entertainers available to delight your little guests, those balloon animals come at a pretty steep price and have to be booked weeks in advance, making a dent in your party budget and upping your planning time. Happily, there are plenty of alternatives for parents wanting to keep a gang of kids amused, and Discovery Bay is the ideal spot for them.

VE TO BE BIG TO BE SPECIAL

Unless the weather is truly dreadful, hold the party outdoors. This allows kids room to let off steam… without destroying your home. If you have a garden then a water party is great fun, as well as being incredibly easy to organise.

Ask invitees to bring spare clothes and a towel, fill a few large storage bins with water and then allocate your guests into teams. Timed wetsponge relay races, water balloon fights and squirt battles are all sure-fire crowd-pleasers that can easily be refereed by a parent.

Don’t have a garden? Check in with your village management office to see if your local playground is available for hire, or head to EpicLand in DB North Plaza – it’s a great onestop-shop party option, catering for groups of 10 to 20 plus. Kids can take their pick from various party themes, including glowdisco, slime, epic-nerf and laser-tag. All party packages at the 14,000-square-foot indoor entertainment centre include two hours’ use of the party room with balloon and table setup.

WATER BALLOON FIGHTS ARE SURE-FIRE CROWD-PLEASERS

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PARENTING

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THE MAIN EVENT What’s a party without yummy treats?

Unfortunately, while the additivepacked, sugary snacks that the majority of us picture when it comes to birthday celebrations may go down well with small people, the majority of parents would probably prefer to jettison the junk, keeping things healthy (and avoiding the dreaded sugar-crash tantrum on the way home). Fortunately, festive food is extremely easy to hack while keeping all the fun and flavour.

While Mum and Dad enjoy their celebratory glass of bubbly, children can get in on the act with some sparkles of their own. Add citrus slices to sparkling mineral water for a refreshing tipple, or try infusing whole jugs with mint, cucumber, apple chunks and strawberries for a carbonated cocktail. Meanwhile, swap salty crisps and pretzels in favour of crudités and veggie-based dips and, assuming no age and allergy restrictions, switch salted peanuts for almonds, walnuts and cashews gently toasted without oil in the oven.

And let’s not forget the main event – birthday cake is everyone’s favourite part of a party, but if inch-thick icing transforms your little angel into something you’d prefer to see caged then there’s a hack for that too. If you’re paying a professional, then ‘naked’ cakes – where the sides remain un-iced – are currently all the rage in the world of baking and look just as good as they taste. Complete Deelite in Central is a top go-to for children’s birthday cakes, and it also hosts baking parties, where kids decorate prebaked cookies or cupcakes and then bring them home for their guests to enjoy.

If you’re brave enough to DIY then it’s easy to find instructions for a low-sugar cake online. Simply search for diabeticfriendly recipes; you can add natural sweetness later with fruit toppings.

Alternatively, for a fun sugar-and-fat-free option, make a watermelon ‘cake.’ Slice off both ends of a melon then pat dry, leaving a bright and beautiful base for the sweet-treat toppings of your choice.

Whipped cream, berries and, if you’re feeling just a little indulgent, rainbow sprinkles all look and taste fantastic!

THE BIRTHDAY CAKE IS EVERYONE'S FAVOURITE PART OF A PARTY 46

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So there we have it; perfecting a party is easy with just a few sneaky shortcuts.

Now pour yourself a drink – you’ve earned it!

Contact us today for a free assessment.

Mathnasium of Discovery Bay WhatsApp/Phone : 2628 3362 mathnasium.com.hk/discoveybay Shop 105-B North Plaza

INSIDER

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! s p i T Top

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

Invest in the stock market, without buying stocks! Boon Tiong Tan explains why ETFs are the better bet PHOTO COURTESY OF Pexels

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he US stock market is hot. The China stock market is not. Whether you are a growth or value investor, there are plenty of stocks for you to choose from. Most people who are looking to invest in the stock market, think they must buy stocks – specifically Amazon or Alibaba.

Well, we used to only make phone calls, but now we use FaceTime and Zoom. Communication has evolved, and so has the stock market. Nowadays, you can invest in the stock market without buying stocks!

While many people are familiar with exchange traded funds (ETFs), very few realise that they are a much better way to invest in the stock market. When you buy an ETF, the fund manager uses your money to buy a basket of companies.

An ETF is a collection of tens, hundreds and sometimes thousands of stocks or bonds in a single fund.

During trading hours, ETF prices change all the time just like stocks. You buy and sell an ETF exactly the same way you buy and sell a stock. You can buy an ETF immediately at the market price or leave an order to buy at a lower price. All you need is a broker account. Just like stocks, many ETFs pay dividends too.

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INSIDER

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There are more than 2,000 ETFs in the US alone, giving you lots of options. You can pick an index – Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 or Nasdaq. You can pick a single country – Malaysia, Japan or Nigeria. You can pick a group of countries – emerging market, frontier market or Asia Pacific. You can pick an industry – financials, utilities or even marijuana. There are more and more choices as the ETF industry’s global assets race past US$9 trillion this year. In Hong Kong, there are ETFs that follow major indexes like FTSE China A50 and Hang Seng, and industries like semiconductor and electric vehicles.

While ETF prices do not shoot to the moon like Tesla, Inc and GameStop, some can move really fast. Global X Copper Miners ETF (COPX) went up more than four times in slightly over a year, and Invesco Solar ETF (TAN) went from US$20 to US$120 in less than a year.

KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB), which has Tencent and Alibaba as its biggest holdings, fell 60% in six months in 2020.

Most conventional and big ETFs charge an annual management fee of less than 0.5%. The Tracker Fund of Hong Kong (tracks Hang Seng Index) charges 0.1% a year and Vanguard S&P 500 charges only 0.03%.

Though most ETFs are sound, you should avoid leveraged ETFs, which promise to double or triple returns in a day. Not only can you double or triple your loss on a bad day, the hidden high cost will slowly and surely chip away your principal. Also be mindful that some US commodity and currency ETFs may require additional tax reporting.

BETTER THAN STOCKS An ETF’s diversification means you aren’t putting all your eggs in one basket. If you were to create your own portfolio of stocks, you would need at least 20 stocks to reduce the companies’ risks. And here is the problem.

It is hard to find more than 20 worthwhile companies that all do well. It is time consuming to manage the portfolio. You need to study each company. You need to know the earnings dates and monitor the dividends.

You need to decide when and at what price to buy and sell each stock. The more decisions you make, the more mistakes you’ll make. An ETF solves all these problems.

ETFs put you on auto-pilot. You just pick one and the manager does all the work, while you enjoy your leisure time. If you bought a broad-based ETF that tracks the S&P 500 Index, you would’ve earned an average return of 9% over any 10-year period within the past 100 years.

The last 10-year average return is much better at 14%. A dollar invested 10 years ago turns into US$3.7. The best investors like Warren Buffett and Ray Dalio’s long-term average annual return on ETFs is 20% to 30%.

If you do not like to cut your losses, buying stocks can be dangerous and costly. No matter how big and successful a company is, the share prices can go down and down. General Electric and ExxonMobil were the biggest companies in the world and now they are a shadow of themselves. Buying a broad-based ETF like 50

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Vanguard S&P 500 is different – you are not relying on a single stock to do well.

It is a good idea to hang on to a broad-based ETF during a bear market. Indeed, you are probably wise to buy more in a bear market. The US stock market has always bounced back given enough time. The S&P 500 Index has gone up almost seven times since the low of 2009.

BETTER THAN MUTUAL FUNDS If a bank or an insurance company is selling you a fund, it is almost certainly a mutual fund, not an ETF. Most mutual funds are active funds. The fund managers actively try to pick good stocks to outperform indexes. Most ETFs are passive funds where the fund managers simply buy the stocks in an index. Media darling Cathie Wood, an American investor and founder, CEO and CIO of investment management firm Ark Invest, runs a few active ETFs. Her funds greatly outperformed the S&P 500 Index last year but have underperformed so far this year.

This is typical of active funds; they can outperform for a period of time but underperform subsequently.

Many academic studies have shown that, overall, active funds do not perform better than passive funds in the long term.

A mutual fund charges an expensive upfront fee of 3% to 5%, while ETFs do not charge an upfront fee at all. Mutual funds also charge higher management fees, usually in the range of 1% to 1.5% yearly. Buying mutual funds is like using a landline phone to make an overseas call – it is very expensive and the result is no better.

This year, the asset under management (AUM) of ETFs has surpassed mutual funds. There is a global shift over the past decade from mutual funds to ETFs. Many investors are starting to realise that ETFs are a better deal.

Benjamin Graham, the so-called father of value investing, once said: “To achieve satisfactory investment results is easier than most people realise; to achieve superior results is harder than it looks.” His protégé, Warren Buffett, advised his wife to put most of her wealth in a passive fund that tracks the S&P 500 Index. Next time you want to invest in the stock market, buy ETFs not stocks.

DB resident Boon Tiong Tan (CFA) has worked as a trader with banks like HSBC and Morgan Stanley for over 20 years, and he is the author of A Stock Investment Book For The 99%. For information about the one-on-one courses (money management, stock investment, options trading and chess) that he provides for both adults and kids, email tbt444@gmail.com.

! l e v a r t r i a h c m r A THE ETERNAL CITY

ESCAPES

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All roads (should) lead to Rome, Italy’s hot-blooded ancient capital PHOTOS COURTESY OF Unsplash

THE 50,000-SEATER COLOSSEUM is the largest

amphitheatre ever built. It was used for gladiatorial contests, staged animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles and mythological dramas. There’s a huge underground complex, where the wild animals were caged and the gladiators prepared themselves for battle.

PALATINE HILL, WHERE THE ROMAN EMPERORS and

aristocracy lived, enjoys some of the best views in Rome. On one side, there’s the ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium Circus Maximus, on the other, the labyrinthine ruins of the Roman Forum, the centre of public life for over a millennium.

THE PICTURE-PERFECT SPANISH STEPS feature in

countless movies including Roman Holiday (1953) and The Talented Mr Ripley (1999), and they’re a great place for peoplewatching. There are 135 steps – don’t mistake the slightly elevated drainage system for the first step – linking Spanish Square below with Trinità dei Monti church above.

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OVAL-SHAPED PIAZZA NAVONA is Rome’s

ESCAPES

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largest ‘square,’ it’s best known for its jawdropping Baroque fountains: Fountain of the Four Rivers, Fountain of the Moor and Fountain of Neptune.

THE ART GALLERY AT VILLA BORGHESE boasts

paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian, as well as sculptures by Bernini. The villa is set in an 80-hectare park with beautifully landscaped gardens.

THE SHOWSTOPPING TREVI FOUNTAIN is

arguably the best-loved fountain in the city. Throw a coin into the water and, legend has it, you’ll be sure to return to Rome.

THE VATICAN COMPLEX IS VAST – no one is ever prepared for the size and magnificence of St Peter’s Square, St Peter’s Basilica (the largest church in the world), or the Vatican Museum, which is over 14 kilometres long. The Renaissance wow-factor carries through to Michelangelo’s glorious Sistine Chapel, and its world-famous frescoes.

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! e c i v Ad

GOOD COUNSEL FOR START-UPS Founders often refer to their start-up as their baby, so they should treat their legal advisers as paediatricians, involving them from the early stages, advises Tim Drew – Partner, Head of Corporate and Commercial at Tanner De Witt

L

DB RESIDENT TIM DREW OF TANNER DE WITT

egal advice can fall down the priority chain in the early stages of a start-up, when budgets are tight, and the business is pre-revenue. However, seeking help in the early stages will ensure the business has the best foundation for growth and success. For instance, it is better to know early on that a law or regulation makes your business model impossible. Know too that a lawyer, who is experienced with start-ups, will prioritise legal work using lean business principles, and postpone legal issues that can be addressed later.

situation. Don’t hold back points that are embarrassing or unfavourable. Don’t present a version of facts to manipulate the advice you hope to get.

Prior to a meeting, once the law firm has completed its internal conflict check, you should send them all relevant documents. If in doubt, send it. The lawyers may not review the documents at this stage but it is better for them to have information to hand from the get-go.

TIME SAVED IS MONEY SAVED

MEETING PLANNER Meeting lawyers can be intimidating. They seem to speak a different language. Sometimes, you’re none the wiser after the meeting. Then, the bill arrives. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Forewarned is forearmed, and planning is everything.

Law firms may agree to an initial meeting to understand the background information of the business and the legal issue at hand. The meeting is to determine what work needs to be done, not to give legal advice, and it allows founders to raise issues or concerns. To maximise the value of the meeting, you should come prepared to present a brief background of the business, including the business model and corporate structure (place of incorporation, the shareholders, directors, share classes, shares issued), plus details about existing agreements and stage of growth. You need to be clear about both the legal advice and best-case outcome sought, and ready to discuss the most important issue you want addressed.

Conduct during the meeting is all-important; remain candid, truthful and direct. It is very difficult for a lawyer to help, if he does not receive clear answers to his questions, or have a complete picture of the 54

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Be mindful to arrive at the meeting with the necessary materials to take notes. Usually, lawyers will decline to have the meeting recorded, so notes are important.

Also, if there are points you fail to understand, ask for further clarification or ask your lawyer to explain it in a different manner until you understand.

Start-ups have limited budgets for legal advice. So, you should be assertive and ask for a fee proposal with detailed work scopes, timelines and fixed fees. Then, you can assess the actual costs and budget accordingly.

Review the fixed fee proposal carefully and examine the work scope properly – is it for one draft of the document or two? Inspect the assumptions, comments and particularly the exclusions.

Work outside the agreed work scope is usually charged according to time spent. You should ask your lawyer to inform you before he starts work outside the agreed work scope. However, this is something that is ultimately your responsibility, so you need to be aware when the agreed work scope is concluded.

Start-ups should be mindful of their own limited budgets and treat time as an expensive resource. Your goal is to minimise the time your lawyer must spend advising the business. Each communication or meeting with legal counsel should be according to an agenda – concise and structured. Don’t send 10 emails each with one question; consolidate your questions into one email that can be answered once. Remember, time saved is money saved.

Tanner De Witt was established in 1999 and now has a team of over 100, including more than 50 Hong Kong lawyers. The firm’s Corporate and Commercial team can provide legal advice for businesses of all sizes, from start-ups to large corporations. For more information, visit www.tannerdewitt.com.

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Recipe Of The Month HALLOWEEN RECIPES

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PHOTO COURTESY OF Adobe Stock

SCARY SAUSAGE MUMMIES 2 sheets savoury puff pastry 8 pre-cooked sausages 16 candy eyes

Preheat the oven to 220˚C℃.

Thaw the puff pastry and slice it into thin strips to make the ‘bandages’ for the mummies.

Gently wrap each sausage in the ‘bandages’ and place on a lightly greased baking tray. Make sure that you leave a big enough gap at the top for the eyes.

Bake for about 5 minutes or until golden. Once baked, add the candy eyes or make them yourself using a dollop of mayonnaise and a circle of olive.

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

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HALLOWEEN RECIPES

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Treacle Sponge Serves 4 2tbsp golden syrup 110g wholewheat flour 2½ tsp baking powder 2 large eggs 110g soft brown sugar 110g soft butter

Butter an 850 -millilitre pudding basin and pour in the golden syrup. Place all the remaining ingredients in a bowl and beat well for 2 or 3 minutes until thoroughly mixed. Spoon this mixture on top of the golden syrup and use the back of the spoon to spread it out evenly. Cover with a double piece of buttered foil, pleated in the middle to allow for expansion and pressed down over the rim of the basin.

Secure the foil with string.

Place in a steamer over boiling water and steam for 1½ hours. Make sure the saucepan does not boil dr y or the water go of f the boil – top up with boiling water as needed. When cooked, turn the sponge out on to a warmed plate and ser ve hot with custard or extra golden syrup.

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HALLOWEEN RECIPES

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A Not So Tricky Treat Comforting, fluf f y sponge with an irresistible puddle of sweet syrup at the bot tom – this easy- to - make childhood classic is per fec t for Oc tober 31 PHOTO COURTESY OF Adobe Stock AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

59

DB FACES

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i n a w d i G Baljit

COMMUNITY SNAPS

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UNCLE RUSS INSTAGRAM COMPETITION

WIN PRIZES FROM UNCLE RUSS COFFEE AND THE PIER BAR! The best snap wins! Your mission this month is to share your favourite photo of DB on Instagram, hashtag #arounddb. You have until the 10th of the month to enter.

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

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST MONTH'S WINNER: Albert Tsang @alberthktsang

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CLASSIFIEDS

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樂群家居照顧服務

電 申請服務H致 otline︓ Application

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Caregiver Support 照顧者支援服務

Nursing & Personal Care 護理及個人照顧

Clinical Psychological Service 臨床心理服務

可自行申請服務 May apply on your own 服務時間︓星期一至六︓早上八時至下午六時 逢星期日及公眾假期休息 Service Hours: Monday to Saturday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm (Close on Sunday and Public Holidays)

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Physiotherapy 物理治療 Case Management 個案管理

綜合到戶家居服務

Package of home-based support service

3

2803 210

Speech Therapy 言語治療

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為殘疾人士提供服務 Serve the people with disabilities

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CLASSIFIEDS

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

Ginger extract hair serum and herbal teas from Thailand.

A range of branded alcohol hand & hand Sanitisers.

Tel: 2527 0118 / 6050 5737 Gmail: essentialssophia@gmail.com

https://sophiaessentials.com

AROUND DB / SEPTEMBER 2021

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CLASSIFIEDS

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If you’re reading this, so is everyone else To advertise in print or online, email info@baymedia.com.hk

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LOCAL NUMBERS

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LOCAL NUMBERS TUNG CHUNG EMERGENCY SERVICES 999 Tung Chung Ambulance Depot Tung Chung Fire Station Tung Chung Police Station

2988 8282 2988 1898 3661 1999

HOME & REPAIRS Mega Power Engineering/Locksmiths Mr Chan 24-Hour Handyman ShunYu Engineering

2109 2330 9343 3718 2988 1488

HOTELS Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Novotel Citygate Hong Kong Regal Airport Hotel SheratonTung Chung

3969 1888 3602 8888 2286 8888 2535 0000

LEARNING CENTRES Clement Art School Discovery Mind International Play Centre Greenfield International Kindergarten Salala Kids’ House Soundwaves English Education Centre Sun Island Education Foundation Sunshine House International Preschool Tung Chung Catholic School YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College

9757 9157 2987 8070 2162 5538 2611 9193 2164 7210 2420 1068 2109 3873 2121 0884 2988 8123

MEDICAL Bayside Dental Essential Health Family Clinic Human Health Medical Centre North Lantau Hospital North Lantau Physiotherapy Quality Health Dental Quality Health Care Medical Raffles Medical Raffles Medical Emergency

2185 6550 2109 9396 2109 2288 3467 7000 2194 0020 2403 6613 2403 6623 2261 2626 2261 0999

REALTORS HomeSolutions

3483 5003

REMOVALS & RELOCATION Akash Removals 2421 8088 FTC Relocations 2814 1658 ReloSmart 2561 3030 SwiftRelo 2363 4008 RESIDENTIAL SERVICES Caribbean Coast Clubhouse Caribbean Coast Management Office Coastal Skyline Clubhouse Coastal Skyline Management Office Seaview Crescent Clubhouse Seaview Crescent Management Office Tung Chung Crescent Clubhouse Tung Chung Crescent Management Office

2109 9277 2109 9288 2179 6678 2179 6621 3473 8700 3473 8833 2403 6770 2109 1222

RESTAURANTS & FOOD DELIVERY ATavola Bar & Grill 2321 5500 Airport Izakaya 2286 6668 Andante, Novotel Citygate 3602 8828 Café Aficionado 2286 6238 Café Lantau, SheratonTung Chung 2535 0021 China Coast Bar & Grill 2286 6898 Curry Lounge 2960 1977 Essence, Novotel Citygate 3602 8808 Kimos 2886 3646 McDonald’s Delivery 2338 2338 Moccato Coffee Shop, Novotel Citygate 3602 8838 MyThai 2907 6918 Olea, Novotel Citygate 3602 8818 PizzaExpress 2297 3588 Pizza Hut Delivery 2330 0000 Regala Café & Dessert Bar, Regal Airport Hotel 2286 6618 Resto 2886 3156

Rouge, Regal Airport Hotel Skycity Bistro, SkyCity Marriott Sunset Grill, Sheraton Tung Chung Tung Chung Pizza Yue, SheratonTung Chung Velocity Bar & Grill, Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott

2286 6868 3969 2500 2535 0025 2466 1010 2535 0028 3969 1888

RETAIL FTC Apparel Lantau Balloons

2428 2566 9733 5483

SPORT & RECREATION Asia Pacific Soccer Schools 2385 9677 Aqua Gym 2914 0658 Dance for Joy 9264 8597 Edge ’n Pointe Dance Centre 6688 2167 ESF Sports 2711 1280 Fitness in Motion 9744 4736 HK Dragons 2987 4274 Kinder Kicks Soccer 2385 9677 Perun Fitness 6443 6597 Rugbytots 5307 6677 Tung Chung Public Swimming Pool 2109 9107 Tung Chung Sports Centre 2109 2421 Tung Chung Rugby Club 6079 0825 VETERINARY SERVICES & PETS Royal Pets (Pet Sitting) Tung Chung Animal Clinic Tung ChungVet Centre

6314 9887 2988 1534 2328 7282

WELLBEING & BEAUTY Max Beauty Spa OM Spa, Regal Airport Hotel Tung Chung Nail Ninjas Quan Spa, Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott

2162 5752 2286 6266 9551 6468 969 21888

The Gallery The Kitchen Treasure Island Beach Club

2980 2582 5991 6292 5236 7013

SOUTH LANTAU MEDICAL North Lantau Hospital

3467 7000

REALTORS Findley Leung HomeSolutions

2984 8334 3483 5003

EMERGENCY SERVICES 999 Lantau South Police MuiWo Fire Department

3661 1696 2984 1570

HOME & REPAIRS KoonWah Hardware LeeWo Construction Engineering Man Shun Construction & Engineering New Look Design

2984 8487 2984 1802 2984 9833 9783 5840

HOTELS Silvermine Beach Resort Tai O Heritage Hotel

6810 0111 2985 8383

REMOVALS & RELOCATION Akash Removals 2421 8088 FTC Relocations 2814 1658 Lee Hing Loong 2984 2268 ReloSmart 2561 3030 SwiftRelo 2363 4008

LEARNING CENTRES Ashville International Kindergarten & Nursery Buddhist Fat Ho College Lantau International Kindergarten Lantau International School, Reception, Lantau International School, Lower Primary Lantau International School, Upper Primary Little Lantau Montessori Kindergarten MuiWo Language Cafe Silvermine Bay School

2109 9886 2985 5365 2984 0302 2984 0302 2980 3676 2984 0302 3689 7033 5511 6107 2984 0006

RESTAURANTS & FOOD DELIVERY BahçeTurkish Restaurant 2984 0222 Bathers 2504 4788 Cafe Isara 2470 1966 Caffe Paradiso 2984 0498 China Bear 2984 9720 La Pizzeria 2984 8933 Lantana Italian Bistro 5465 5511 Long Island 2320 2001 The China Beach Club 2983 8931

RETAIL Friendly Bike Shop 2984 2278 Garden Plus 2980 2233 IslandWines 9521 8481 Loi Chan Frozen Meat Co. 2984 8346 Lantau Base Camp 9889 4375 Lantau Grocer 2702 0050 Red Hall Chinese Antiques 2988 1368 Tony’s Salon 2984 0990 ValueVigilantes 6132 9120 VIBE Book & Music Shop 9088 2370 SPORT & RECREATION Long Coast Seasports South Lantau Paddle Club Treasure Island Beach Club

5545 5625 6058 8843 2546 3543

WELLBEING & BEAUTY Pause by the Banyan Spa Ambiance

9708 0187 2984 2488

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

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LOCAL NUMBERS

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DISCOVERY BAY EMERGENCY SERVICES 999 China Light & Power Emergency DB Fire & Ambulance Gas Leakage Emergency Hotline Lantau North Police Report Room

2728 8333 2987 7502 2435 4511 3661 1694

FINANCIAL SERVICES Bank of China 2160 8585 HSBC 2233 3000 Parsons White Wealth Management 2433 6981 The Stephen Putnam Practice 2914 0388 HOME & REPAIRS China Light & Power Information DRS Company Good Luck Engineering Hung Kee Co May’s Furniture & Curtain Design Rich Point Hardware Materials Water Fault Reports

Water Supplies Department Well Supreme Laundry

2678 2678 9156 0360 2987 1313 2987 5087 2987 0222 2987 0789 2811 0788 2824 5000 2987 5151

HOTELS Auberge Discovery Bay

2295 8288

LAWYERS & INSURANCE 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,

Manulife 9172 9152 LEARNING CENTRES 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 Lingostars Providing Mandarin & Korean education: Afterschool Mandarin for Year 1-13 & adult Mandarin classes in a communicative & interactive setting at DB North. Contact 6375 2015, info@lingostarshk.com, www.lingostarshk.com Little Explorers The longest running playgroup in DB, Little Explorers eases the transition between home play and kindergarten for children aged 18 months and up. Contact 6331 7215, littleexplorersdb@gmail.com Tree of Joy A fun, engaging & supportive environment in which children play & learn. Programmes include a drop-off nursery class, parent-toddler class, afternoon camp & cooking class. Contact 9787 2755, info@treeofjoydb.com, www.treeofjoydb.com

Bayview House of Children 6114 2436 DBIS 2987 7331 DBIS Kindergarten 2914 2142 Discovery College 3969 1000 Discovery Mind International Play Centre 2987 8088 Discovery Mind Kindergarten 2987 8088 Discovery Mind Primary School 2914 2202 Discovery Montessori Academy 2812 9206 Dr Bear Education Centre 6762 6264 Epic Adventurers 2441 0098 Eye Level Education Learning Centre 9366 0000 Funfit 6302 6327 HKILA 2416 3198 HK International Learning Academy 2416 3198 66

AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

Kumon 2459 8808 La Petite Enfance Kindergarten 8191 0813 L’Ecole Pierre et Marie Curie 8191 0813 Links Parenting 6114 2436 Mandarin for Munchkins 2480 3909 Mathemagic (home tutoring) 9135 4724 Mathnasium 2628 3362 SKH Wei Lun Primary School 2987 8608 Sunshine House International Preschool 2987 8143 Treasure House 2987 4217 Woodentots 6108 9131 Zhi Zhi Chinese 9648 2966 MEDICAL Bayside Dental Practice DB Medical Centre Health & Care Dental Clinic Island Health North Lantau Hospital Quality Health Medical Centre Quality Health Physiotherapy

2987 0855 2987 5633 2666 6183 2987 7575 3467 7000 2987 5633 2473 6200

PLACES OF WORSHIP DB Alliance Church Community Centre DB Anglican Church DB International Community Church Trinity Chapel

2987 8136 2987 4210 2987 7061 2987 9909

REALTORS Headland Homes 2987 2088 Kingsland 2987 2987 Land Master Property 2987 6238 Okay.com 2102 0829 Savills 2987 1919 REMOVALS & RELOCATION Akash Removals 2421 8088 FTC Relocations 2814 1658 Hoi Yu Transportation 2987 4488 ReloSmart 2561 3030 SwiftRelo 2363 4008 RESIDENTIAL SERVICES DB Office Centre DB Lost & Found DB Management The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council Typhoon Signal Enquiries

2238 3388 3651 2345 2238 3601 2259 3422 2835 1473

RESTAURANTS & FOOD DELIVERY 22º North 2987 2298 Bones & Blades 2383 0792 Café Bord de Mer & Lounge 2295 8299 Caffe Pascucci 2591 1426 Cali-Mex 2904 7698 Coyote Mexican Cantina 2987 2848 Ebeneezer’s 2987 0036 Epic Foods 2172 6111 Figos Seaside Café 2987 2915 First Korean Restaurant 2987 9123 Hemingway’s 2987 8855 il Bel Paese 2987 0202 Island Café 2987 9311 Koh Tomyums 2987 0767 La Creation & Châteraisé 2987 1829 Lekker Laa 6857 1620 McSorley’s Ale House 2987 8280 Mirch Masala 2987 1337 Moofish 2987 6318 Pacific Coffee 2987 1662 Paisano’s 2673 4445 Peony 2500 1950 PizzaExpress 2465 2426

LOCAL NUMBERS

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DISCOVERY BAY Solera 2555 0772 Starbucks 2246 8372 Subway 2914 0005 The Pier Bar 2520 2166 Three Sheets Marquee Bar 2987 0966 Uncle Russ 2840 1188 RETAIL & DAILY NECESSITIES 7-Eleven 2987 4401 Bones & Blades Butcher 2383 0683 Bookazine 2987 1373 DB Post Office 2987 6046 Fotomax 2914 2378 Fusion by PARKnSHOP 2987 7486 Gillian Florist 2529 8256 Japan Home Centre 2987 1041 P-Solution 2987 1777 Rapee-living 2987 7082 Sloowood 2944 5189 Star Mart 2366 6534 Tai Fat Hardware Store 2987 0789 The Optical House 2987 1368 Nomadic 2987 8460 Red Velvet 9010 5832 Toysland 2987 7859 Watson’s Pharmacy 2987 4089 Wellcome 2947 9092 Wing On Department Store 2987 9268 Yours Electrical Centre 2987 4428 SPORT & RECREATION HK Dragons Football Club Football for girls & boys aged 2.5 years to 14 years.

Contact 2987 4274, dragons.hk

Island Dance A 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@islanddanceom.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

MGK Fight Club 9303 2996 Yoga Bay 6704 9851 Yogika 6749 7836 YogaUP 68054996 TRANSPORTATION DB Golf Cart Services DB Transportation Services Limousine Rental Wiselink Golf Cart Services

2914 2727 2987 7351 5303 3489 2987 9368

VETERINARY SERVICES & PETS Island Veterinary Services

My Pet Shop Pets Gallery Ready, Pet, Go!

2987 9003 2987 8873 2987 0428 5721 6181

WELLBEING & BEAUTY Ingredients of Wellness Mindfulness training for children, teens & 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

Afflatus Hair Workshop 2987 0283 Bay Spa 9837 0969 DB Pure Spa 9794 0918 Herbal Health Care 2834 7276 Maximum Care 2987 2060 Nailed It! 2987 2266 Nest Care 2499 8826 Salon De Coiffure 2987 4112 Sophia Essentials 2527 0118

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY @

www.arounddb.com

The Beat Dance & Fitness Studio A premium fitness centre situated in two convenient locations at north and south plaza.

Offering group fitness, pilates reformer, barre, yoga, kids fitness, personal training and latin dancing. Contact 5721 3000, info@thebeat.com.hk, www.thebeat.com.hk

BMSE Community Centre 2259 3422 Club Siena 2987 7382 DBees 6473 4277 DB Ice Rink 2234 0187 DB Pirates 9255 6133 DB Golf Club 2987 7273 DB Recreation Club 2987 7381 DMR School of Ballet 2987 4338 Embody 6624 8712 EpicLand 2441 0098 Fit 852 9680 7665 Future Stars Dance Academy 2987 6867 Greenwich Yoga School 9685 8366 Harry Wright International 2575 6279 Kapuhala Train-in-Space 6101 8434 Lantau Yacht Club 2987 9591

To add your own directory listing box, call the Bay Media office on 2987 0167, or email info@baymedia.com.hk AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

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OUT THERE

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Do prayers reach God? It’s the most profound question humanity has asked since “How does your average bat feel about carrying 13,000 different coronaviruses?” Someone should have asked Stephen Hawking about the astrophysical aspects of heavenly begging. It’s a communal monologue; oneway traffic – and not a peep out of the Almighty. Just voices reverberating through the universe. Maybe prayers travel billions of light years before they reach Him in a rush, and are too overwhelming – what with 20,000 languages and dialects to translate – to elicit a response.

And what about invocations from a silent religious order? (Just asking.) Could it be that prayers wander off course, bypass God, and go whizzing around in the infinite, before eventually coming back here with a Return to Sender sticker attached? What if, by the time they get to Earth it has been incinerated by explosions from a dying sun? Then what? Do they go round again? These are powerful metaphysical, religious and astronomical questions which, if we’re smart, deserve to be ignored in favour of “What’s for lunch?”

Divine silence may well be God acting in mysterious ways, but after all the effort I think it’s downright discourteous for an omnipotent being to get away with it. Mysterious? It’s no mystery to me. If I phone you every day for 50 years and you ignore me, I’d begin to feel you might not care. I’d be deeply offended. Yet He seems to ignore everyone but me.

! on o p DB Lam GOD IS IN DB AND FEELING PRETTY WRATHFUL

A PRICKLY CUSTOMER The end of the world is nigh and it’s keeping Peter Sherwood up at night – that and God, who’s hiding out in a cactus on his balcony feeling wrathful PHOTO COURTESY OF Pexels

N

o peace around here. If it’s not some amateur engineer upstairs rearranging walls with a jackhammer, it’s God bleating at me. Not your booming echo from the heavens, but a piercing squawk from a cactus on the balcony.

I’m sick of it. He is annoying (and, by the way, the insistence on ‘He’ is misogynistic). Why me, when prayers from the faithful make world Internet traffic look like two kids talking with cans connected by fishing line?

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AROUND DB / OCTOBER 2021

A sample of His latest diatribe: “Hey, Sherwood, what’s going on down there? Floods and fires! I spend time making the place perfect, putting in some of my best work, and you lot wreck it. Your Attenborough bloke got it right when he described mankind as a “plague upon the Earth.” You breed like hamsters and there’s 3.5 billion too many of you, more than any deity worth his salt could have planned for.

“As for billionaires in space: Cosmic clowns Bozo Bezos and Bully Branson travelled the macrocosm equivalent from their kitchen… to their kitchen. The only thing vast about their popping up to the edge of space is the loot and environmental damage.

“Anyway, I designed Earth to self-destruct should one species decide to mess it up. Hear this, folks, the Sixth Extinction – the only mass extinction of life on Earth by a single species, you, human dummies – is well under way. I did My bit and now I’m outta here.”

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

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