The Best Of Lantau 2018/ 19

FREE

2018 / 2019

FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF

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

1 The Best of Lantau

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CONTENTS 2018/2019

PUBLISHER Corinne Jedwood corinne@baymedia.com.hk EDITOR Claire Severn claire@baymedia.com.hk

55 55 PASTIMES Hobbies and creative classes

65 65 EDUCATION From early years to further education

SALES ACCOUNT MANAGER Monika Carruthers monika@baymedia.com.hk

95 HEALTH 95 Medical services and personal wellbeing 101 101 BEAUTY Nails, spas, hair salons and massage

DIGITAL & SALES ASSISTANT Patricia Jover patricia@baymedia.com.hk

105 105

SERVICES Finance, photography and domestic help

111 111

TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS Destinations, agents and more

121 121 COMMUNITY Religious centres, charity groups and local events

DIGITAL & EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Katrina Mercado katrina@baymedia.com.hk

FOOD & DRINK Asian and international

39 39 SPORTS Local clubs and fitness

ADVERTISING & SALES MANAGER Connie Cottam connie@baymedia.com.hk

11 11

35 35 PETS Animal services and supplies

ASSISTANT GRAPHIC DESIGNER Duey Tam duey@baymedia.com.hk

LANTAU FACTS A to Z of Lantau

21 LIVING Agents, movers and more 21

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andrew Spires andrew@baymedia.com.hk

08 08

130 130

MARKET PLACE More local businesses and classifieds

132 132

WILD LANTAU Lantau’s dazzling array of wonderful wildlife

OFFICE MANAGER Maxine Parry maxine@baymedia.com.hk PHOTOGRAPHY Baljit Gidwani www.evoqueportraits.com May James www.siusingallery.com Cherlyne Mak Natasha Ramsey Col Sim www.colsimphotography.com Andrew Spires Duey Tam

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PRINTING Champion Design & Production Company Ltd. Flat D, 18/F, Sing Teck Factory Building, 44 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Hong Kong.

Disclaimer The views expressed in The Best of Lantau are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or contributors. The publisher and editor cannot be held responsible for differences of opinion or statements published in good faith. The publisher, contributors, their employees and partners are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors or omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication and expressly disclaim all and any liability for any such action of any person.

The mention of specific companies or products in articles or advertisements does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by this magazine or its publisher in preference to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without permission.

© BAY MEDIA GROUP LTD

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Tickets to see The Killers and a month’s access to Buffalo Strength gym

Mid-Autumn Festival – say no to glow sticks Be inspired by Sandra Roe aka The Farting Princess

Is alcohol messing with your health and fitness goals?

DBers in the Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir

DB family taking a sabbatical to travel the world

MULTICULTURALISM IN THE CLASSROOM BOOT CAMP: NOT SO BASIC TRAINING

GLOBETROTTING ISLAND-WIDE EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS * THOUGHTS ON ISLAND LIFE

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FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF

On Syzygy, Agnes Q and cutting a solo record NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS * THOUGHTS ON ISLAND LIFE

Publishers in Lantau since 2002

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

Photos by Baljit Gidwani www.evoqueportraits.com, Natasha Ramsey, Col Sim www.colsimphotography.com and Andrew Spires

CAN YOU ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS? If not, you should consider a review or start your estate planning • Why is a Will necessary?

• What are the advantages of having a Will?

• What happens to my children if both parents die?

• What is probate?

• When is probate necessary?

• Is a Living Trust more private than a Will?

• Will my estate be subject to taxes?

• How my other dependant relatives maintain their rights?

• If I have a blended family, how do I ensure that everyone entitled receives?

• What happens if I don’t die but become mentally incapacitated?

We can help you build a detailed estate plan for peace of mind and future generations. Contact DB resident Annette M Houlihan to find out more.

“It’s not about having time, but making time.

If it’s important, you’ll make time.”

Carey, Suen Will Services Ltd 8B Wing Yee Commercial Building 5 Wing Kut Street Central

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

Photo by Cherlyne Mak

BEAUTY OF LANTAU

6 The Best of Lantau

BEAUTY OF LANTAU

YOUR ULTIMATE LANTAU GUIDE Back with a bang, and bigger and better than ever, The Best of Lantau 2018/ 19 is your go-to guide for everything you need to know about Hong Kong’s largest island.

From excursions to education, pastimes to pets, it’s all here in this, the fourth edition of Lantau’s ultimate handbook.

Brimming with useful tips and features, this year’s edition has a fresh new look, making it even easier to find what you’re looking for. So sit back, relax, and enjoy The Best of Lantau 2018/ 19!

OUR THANKS GO TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS: Rachel Ainsley Jacqui Green Annette M Houlihan Anne Murphy Céline Pasteur Col Sim Ben Stower Sophie Woolf Cecilia Yee

The Best of Lantau 7

Lantau Facts

Lantau A Airport The gateway to our city, HKIA relocated from Kowloon to reclaimed land north of Lantau in 1998.

d

Dolphins Renowned for their ‘pink’ appearance, the famed Chinese White Dolphins live in the waters north of the island.

g

Illustrations by Andrew Spires

Golf carts The preferred mode of transport in Discovery Bay, these zippy little buggies are an expensive yet attractive luxury.

j

Jumping jellyfish! The Lion’s mane jellyfish – the world’s largest at up to 36.5 metres long – has been spotted at times off the Lantau coast!

8 The Best of Lantau

B

A- Z c

Beaches From Cheung Sha to Silvermine Bay, Lantau’s picture-perfect stretches of sand are a thing of beauty.

Cable car The longest bi-cable ropeway in Asia, Ngong Ping 360 transports over 1 million sightseers a year.

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Expo Chek Lap Kok’s AsiaWorld-Expo draws in all the big names on the world music scene.

Fan Lau Fort This historical ruin in south-west Lantau dates back to the 18th century.

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I

Hiking trails Boasting miles of trails through country parks, Lantau is a wanderer’s dream.

Inspiration Lake This charming, Disney-designed park offers a great place to kick back with a picnic.

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Kap Shui Mun Bridge One of the longest cablestayed bridges in the world, this impressive structure links Lantau to its nearest neighbour, Ma Wan.

L Lantau Peak At 934 metres high, this imposing mountain is a popular challenge for hikers, along with its smaller neighbour, Sunset Peak.

Lantau Facts

M Magazines Bringing you everything you need to know about island life, it’s Life on Lantau and Around DB!

p

Po Lin Monastery A striking example of Buddhist culture, architecture and landscaping.

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Sea Ranch Built as a luxury resort in the 1970s, this quirky settlement is now home to around 40 residents, who enjoy the peace and tranquility of its remote location.

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Village life Traditional villages across the island offer an alternative to Hong Kong’s fastpaced lifestyle.

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Yam O The original Chinese name for the Sunny Bay area, Yam O actually means cloudy bay, however the MTR station was named Yan O, meaning joyful bay, when the Disneyland project got the go-ahead.

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Ngong Ping Home to the Big Buddha, which at 34 metres high is one of the largest seated Buddha statues in the world.

Q Qing dynasty Due to its strategic location, Lantau was a major defence stronghold against pirates during the Qing Dynasty.

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Opium Significant in Hong Kong’s history, Lantau was plagued by drug smugglers during the Qing Dynasty.

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Rock pools Natural pools abound on Lantau – just be sure to read up before you go, as swimming is banned in some areas.

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Tai O Famed for its stilt houses, Lantau’s intriguing fishing village is a world away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Hong Kong.

Uncle Russ Everyone’s favourite coffee chain, serving Lantauers for over 25 years.

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Wildlife From cows and buffaloes to fiddler crabs, giant spiders and slithering snakes, our island is a haven for all things nature.

X-treme sports Whether it’s mountain biking or paragliding, Lantau is an adrenaline junkie’s heaven.

Z

Take a snap of one of these places or things and share it on the Life on Lantau Instagram page using

Zzz With the relaxed pace of life on Lantau, there’s always time for a quick snooze!

#LifeonLantau The Best of Lantau 9

From the publishers of Around DB and Life on Lantau magazines

Wonderful Websites!

Need a website or a website refresh?

“Bay Media helped me on a project to create a full website. They know their onions, have that rare ability to speak in layman’s terms, have oodles of patience for us non-digital folk and have created a fantastic site, which has been complimented by peers and clients alike.” Paul Redmayne-Mourad BayMediaStudio

www.baymediastudio.com/websites

FOOD & DRINK

Food & Drink www.unsplash.com

Asian flavours | International cuisine | Sweet treats

The Best of Lantau 11

FOOD & DRINK

ASIAN FLAVOURS Curry Lounge, Tung Chung With an exciting yet traditional range of the finest Indian dishes, Curry Lounge uses fresh local ingredients, halal meat and herbs and spices imported directly from India. The menu boasts a vast array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options from various regions of India.

Shop S, G/F, Seaview Crescent, 8 Tung Chung Waterfront Road, Tung Chung, 2960 1977, www.currylounge.com.hk.

Koh Tomyums, Discovery Bay Koh Tomyums provides a truly authentic Thai experience, from the traditional decor to the delicious food. The dishes are fresh and tasty, with specialties including classics like grilled pork neck and pad thai.

Contemporary Thai fusion dishes are also on the menu. You can sit inside or on the terrace, with lovely views over the water. Bookings are recommended.

Open seven days a week from noon to 11pm.

Shop 105B, 1/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2987 0767.

Mansarover Indian Restaurant, Tung Chung Mansarover serves up tasty Indian favourites such as chicken tikka masala and lamb korma, as well as a delicious prawn curry. It’s open seven days a week, with a pick-up service or home delivery.

G/F, 21 Ha Ling Pei Tsuen, Tung Chung Road, Tung Chung, 2109 1927, www.mansarover.hk.

First Korean, Discovery Bay First Korean’s expert Korean chef, innovative menu and elegant, traditional tableware make for a rich culinary experience. The restaurant offers a large variety of barbecue specialties served with a unique soy sauce. Open weekdays from 11.30am to 3pm and 6pm to 11pm, and at weekends from 11.30am to 11pm.

Shop 102B, 1/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2987 9123, www.kingparrot.com.

Handi Indian Restaurant, Tung Chung

INTERNATIONAL CUISINE A Tavola Bar & Grill, Tung Chung A Tavola Bar & Grill offers an indoor and outdoor multi-cuisine dining experience. The extensive menu covers everything from salads and pastas to burgers and mains from the grill. A Tavola offers a daily happy hour plus live music on weekends.

Shops E & F, G/F, Seaview Crescent, 8 Tung Chung Waterfront Road, Tung Chung, 2321 5500, www.atavola.hk, Facebook: A Tavola Bar & Grill.

Founded in 2006, Handi Indian Restaurant aims to bring the pure essence of North Indian food to the Tung Chung and wider Hong Kong community.

Focusing on North Indian and Punjabi-style food, Handi also caters to vegetarians. Free pick-up and drop-off services are available from Tung Chung MTR station.

Bahçe Turkish Restaurant, Mui Wo

8 Ha Ling Pei Tsuen, Tung Chung Road, Tung Chung, 2988 8674, www.handi.com.hk.

Shop 19, Mui Wo Centre, 3 Ngan Wan Road, Mui Wo, 2984 0222.

12 The Best of Lantau

Bahçe Turkish Restaurant has been a favourite with locals for years. Serving up delicious Turkish dishes such as lamb shish kebab, falafel wraps and dips, the food is authentic and delicious. Offering friendly service, a relaxed atmosphere and good-sized portions, Bahçe is one of the best-known restaurants in the area.

FOOD & DRINK

Brasserie 22° North, Discovery Bay

Coyote Bar & Grill, Discovery Bay

Offering an alfresco dining experience, with lovely views over the bay, Brasserie 22° North is a popular restaurant, which serves up a large selection of tasty, classic recipes with a creative twist. Open Tuesday to Friday from 4pm to midnight, and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to midnight.

A cosy restaurant in DB Plaza, Coyote offers tasty, authentic Mexican food in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Whether you want a quick weekday bite on your way home or a long Sunday brunch with the little ones, Coyote is always buzzing with activity. Only a short ferry ride away from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong Island, with the beach a stone’s throw away, Coyote is a great spot for team-building events and family celebrations.

Shop G08B, G/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2987 2298, www.22north.com.hk.

Shop G08A, G/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2987 2848, www.coyote.com.hk.

Café bord de Mer & Lounge, Discovery Bay

Epic Foods, Discovery Bay

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Café bord de Mer & Lounge offers a choice of buffet or à la carte dining.

Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong, 88 Siena Avenue, DB, 2295 8299, enquiry@aubergediscoverybay.com, www.aubergediscoverybay.com.

Café Solo, Tai O Friendly and welcoming, Café Solo offers good food and cakes with a view. Sit out on the terrace above the water and watch the world go by. All tips go to supporting local, disadvantaged students.

G/F, 86-88 Kat Hing Street, Tai O, 9153 7453.

Caffe Paradiso, Mui Wo

Epic Foods prides itself on sourcing only the best global products from producers with a conscience.

Caring for and understanding the environment is Epic Foods’ primary goal, meaning customers can always be assured of top quality, as well as dedicated staff who are always on hand to explain products and cooking methods.

Shop G26A, DB North Plaza, DB, 2172 6111, epicfoodshk@gmail.com.

Hemingway’s, Discovery Bay Hemingway’s serves up plantbased comfort food in a beachfront setting. Enjoy live music on Saturday nights, plus acoustic music on Sunday afternoons. The extended happy hour, every weekday from 4pm to 7pm, makes Hemingway’s a popular choice. Open weekdays from 2pm till late, weekends from 1pm till late.

Shop G09, G/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2987 8855.

Specialty coffee shop serving the finest-quality British breakfasts.

Kimos, Tung Chung

Shop 8, G/F, Mui Wo Centre, 3 Ngan Wan Road, Mui Wo, 2984 0498.

Shop L, G/F, Seaview Crescent, 8 Tung Chung Waterfront Road, Tung Chung, 2886 3646, www.kimos.com.hk.

Indian and Turkish cuisine, with certified halal food.

The Best of Lantau 13

www.pexels.com

FOOD & DRINK

Long Island, Cheung Sha Located on Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Long Island serves up a variety of international dishes from curries to salads, seafood, pasta and more.

35 Lower Cheung Sha Village, South Lantau, 2320 2001, Facebook: Long Island 長沙下村.

McSorley’s Ale House, Discovery Bay McSorley’s Ale House is a popular spot to grab a pint or enjoy a bite to eat while watching a game of sport. It offers pub favourites and also has a kids’ menu. Open Monday to Friday from 3pm to 12am, weekends and public holidays from 11am to 1am.

Shop G11A-1, G/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2987 8280, db@mcsorleys.com.hk, www.mcsorleys.com.hk.

Mucho Gusto, Mui Wo Mucho Gusto is a Mexican restaurant serving specialties including nachos, tacos, burritos and quesadillas. Breakfast is served from 6am with breakfast burritos, continental breakfasts, vegetarian dishes and more. Private catering is also available.

PizzaExpress, Discovery Bay & Tung Chung PizzaExpress has been serving hand-crafted pizzas made with the freshest ingredients since 1965. Having opened in Tung Chung in 2016, PizzaExpress also docked in DB Plaza in 2017.

Shop G01B, G/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2702 6890. Unit G21, G/F, Citygate, 20 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, 2297 3588, www.pizzaexpress.com.hk.

Shop 9, G/F, Mui Wo Centre, 3 Ngan Wan Road, Mui Wo, Facebook: Mucho Gusto.

Resto, Tung Chung

Paisano’s, Discovery Bay

Resto is known for serving Italian favourites, including pasta, pizza and risotto, as well as other international dishes.

New York-style pizza and Italian home cooking.

Shop G28, G/F, DB North Plaza, DB, 2673 4445, www.paisanos.com.hk.

14 The Best of Lantau

Shop G, G/F, Seaview Crescent, 8 Tung Chung Waterfront Road, Tung Chung, 2886 3156, www.resto.com.hk.

FOOD & DRINK

SOLERA, Discovery Bay Situated right by DB Ferry Pier, Solera offers a delicious blend of Spanish and other Mediterranean favourites. With stunning sea views from the spacious indoor and outdoor seating areas, diners can go à la carte, try the superb weekday set lunch or linger over weekend brunch with family and friends. Solera’s lively bar features a massive wine and beverage selection, including its own in-house craft beer and, of course, classic sangria. There’s also live acoustic music on Friday evenings and the ever-popular happy hour Tuesday to Friday from 4pm to 7pm. A great venue for big events and private parties, Solera is open Tuesday to Sunday and every public holiday from 12pm till late. Where a public holiday falls on a Monday or Tuesday, standard opening days may be affected; contact the restaurant for details.

Shop 101, 1/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2555 0772, enquiries@solerarestaurantandbar.com.hk, www.solerarestaurantandbar.com.hk, Facebook: Solera Restaurant and Bar.

Stoep at High Tide, Mui Wo

The China Beach Club, Silvermine Bay

Stoep at High Tide, just a five-minute walk from Mui Wo Ferry Pier, offers a very reasonably priced set meal at lunchtime on weekdays, as well as a varied international selection on its à la carte menu. The Namibian beers are ice cold and the bread homemade.

Outdoor seating and free Wi-Fi are available.

The China Beach Club is a Mediterranean barbecue restaurant, located at Silvermine Bay. This popular eatery boasts a large balcony overlooking the beach as well as indoor seating and a 2,000-square-foot rooftop, which can be hired for private parties and functions. Two-for-one cocktails are on offer all day.

Open Friday to Sunday and public holidays from noon to 11pm.

Shop 2, Riverwalk, 6 Ngan Kwong Wan Road, Mui Wo, 2980 2699, dollabruce@yahoo.com.

The Bounty Entertainment & Sports Bar, Discovery Bay Featuring large screens and TVs for live sports as well as weekly live band performances, The Bounty Entertainment & Sports Bar offers a relaxing vibe with an exclusive drink and snack menu. Private functions can be held in the venue’s VIP room.

Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong, 88 Siena Avenue, DB, 2295 8299, enquiry@aubergediscoverybay.com, www.aubergediscoverybay.com.

18 Tung Wan Tau Road, Silvermine Bay Beach, 2983 8931, thechinabeachclub@hotmail.com.

The Kitchen, Mui Wo The Kitchen is an old-style Italian restaurant located near Mui Wo Ferry Pier. Almost every dish, including the pasta and pizza, is homemade. Diners are welcome to bring their dogs.

Shop 1, G/F, Scenic Crest, 18A Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road, Mui Wo, 5991 6292, Facebook: The Kitchen HK. The Best of Lantau 15

FOOD & DRINK

The Pier Bar & Uncle Russ Coffee Discovery Bay & Central The Pier Bar: Discovery Bay Ferry Pier, 2520 2166. Central Pier 3, 2501 0398, Facebook: The Pier Bar.

C

Uncle Russ Coffee: Shop LG19, DB North Plaza, DB, 2840 1188. Central Pier 3, 2501 0398. Central Pier 6, 2869 8339. info@uncleruss.com.hk, www.unclerusscoffee.com.hk, Facebook: Uncle Russ Coffee.

The Pier Bar is a wine, beer and coffee bar, offering ferry travellers a high-quality beverage experience on the go, or to enjoy while waiting DB or Central side. Serving Uncle Russ coffee, as well as a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, The Pier Bar is also the perfect location for busy residents to grab a great bottle of wine for dinner.

Established in 1992, Uncle Russ Coffee has outlets at DB North Plaza and Central Piers 3 and 6, offering a great selection of drinks from espressos to fruit smoothies, as well as assorted snacks.

16 The Best of Lantau

FOOD & DRINK

The Water Buffalo, Pui O British restaurant and brewpub The Water Buffalo serves quality British food such as fish and chips, pies, apple crumble and Sunday roasts, plus a selection of fusion dishes and a range of craft beers, including cask-conditioned real ales brewed on the premises.

A dedicated gluten-free (GF) menu is available.

Advance notice of GF requirements is recommended.

Open Tuesday to Sunday.

G/F, 13 Lo Wai Tsuen, Pui O, 2109 3331, info@thewaterbuffalo.com.hk, www.thewaterbuffalo.com.hk.

Tung Chung Pizza, Tung Chung Hand-thrown pizza made in a stone hearth oven.

9B Sheung Ling Pei, Tung Chung Road, Tung Chung, 2466 1010, www.tungchungpizza.com.

Village Bakery is an artisan bakery serving fresh, homemade bread every day, as well as a range of cakes, pastries, cheeses and selected groceries. Stop by and relax with a delicious coffee at one of the bakery’s indoor tables.

Shop 2, G/F, Lucky Court, 16 Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road, Mui Wo, 2980 3344, Facebook: Village Bakery.

Zentro Garden, Tung Chung This relaxed outdoor bar and restaurant is known for its extensive, varied menu.

Specialties include steaks, salads and Indian curries.

www.pixabay.com

Shop K, G/F, Seaview Crescent, 8 Tung Chung Waterfront Road, Tung Chung, 2802 8000.

www.pixabay.com

Village Bakery, Mui Wo

Sweet Treats!

Nina’s Cakes, Discovery Bay

Nina’s Cakes specialises in made-to-order cakes, cupcakes and cookies for all occasions, for both children and adults. Available in a variety of delicious flavours and frostings, every cake is freshly baked and fully customisable with unique designs for your special events.

2987 5217, 9461 4791, e3kan@netvigator.com, www.ninascakes.org.

The Best of Lantau 17

SPONSORED CONTENT

Delicious dining in

Discovery Bay W

hen it comes to eating out, there’s no doubt that DB is the place to be. From amazing Asian cuisine to intriguing international flavours, DB’s diverse restaurants serve up whatever you’re in the mood for all year round.

Now, DB food lovers have more choice than ever before, with a number of exciting new happenings at DB North Plaza.

Photos by Andrew Spires and courtesy of Gilmore’s and Starbucks

First up is the town’s newest offering, Gilmore’s by The Golden Pig. Having opened in summer 2018, Gilmore’s has already proven to be a big hit with locals and visitors alike. Boasting large indoor and outdoor seating areas, the restaurant serves up scrumptious food from breakfast through till dinner.

“Gilmore’s offers casual dining using high-quality British ingredients sourced from small farms or producers with an emphasis on animal welfare, sustainability, traceability and quality,” explains head of business development Gavin Cheung.

“We chose DB because our products and cuisine suited the community and we could offer outstanding value for the quality of food we serve. Gilmore’s is unique in that it uses ingredients that many five-star hotels, private members’ clubs and top restaurants are using.

“The response from the community has been outstanding, with customers not only coming back to eat but also buying the retail packs we have to 18 The Best of Lantau

offer. We’re planning to extend the dinner menu soon and will be adding a kids menu too, and at Christmas customers can look forward to British turkey with all the trimmings, which they can cook at home themselves.”

Also new at DB North for 2018 is Starbucks, serving a wide range of hot and cold drinks, as well as food options including sandwiches, salads and, of course, yummy sweet treats!

“Starbucks continually strives to offer the world’s best coffee and create the finest coffee experience,” says a company representative. “We are incredibly humbled by how our customers have come to embrace our store as a community gathering place, and we’ve been working relentlessly to take this experience to more

FOOD &CONTENT DRINK SPONSORED

neighbourhoods in Hong Kong. We are delighted to be extending the ‘Third Place’ experience to customers at Discovery Bay, creating the perfect place for them to relax, recharge and enjoy their favourite taste of coffee outside their homes and workplace.

classics to ensure everybody is catered for,” explains Matthew Wilcock, general manager of the group’s DB outlets. “With our sister restaurant MooFish just down the road, we wanted to give DB residents more variety in their North Plaza dining destinations.

“Residents and visitors at Discovery Bay can expect the same exceptional beverage innovation and craft in this store, including Starbucks’ signature coffee beverages, a modern tea experience with the Teavana™ range, creative frappuccino blended beverages and delicious food options to cater to different needs.

“What used to be Jaspas has now been freshened up with tropical rainforest wallpaper and lime green walls, which give off a relaxing vibe. New chairs and table settings along with new lighting and bird cages add to the Asian theme. We’re getting great feedback from customers so far, particularly on our sharing plates.

Happy hour is popular too, and we’re looking forward to launching a second menu this summer.”

“Starbucks Rewards™ members can also enjoy different promotions from time to time, including free beverage upgrades and bonus stars to thank them for their continuous support.”

A few doors down from Starbucks and Gilmore’s, the new theme continues with TigerLily, the latest restaurant from Castelo Concepts. Serving a wide range of Asian-influenced dishes, such as sushi tacos and steamed pork buns, as well as hearty western fare, the new kid on the Castelo block is already a firm favourite.

“TigerLily is an Asian-inspired restaurant featuring dishes from all over the region, as well as a few western

Elsewhere in DB, other great dining options include D’Café at Discovery Bay Recreation Club, Café Siena at Club Siena and Peony restaurant in DB Plaza, where seasonal specialties are regularly on offer. Whatever you’re celebrating, whether it’s Mid-Autumn festival, Christmas or Chinese New Year, you’ll find tempting treats on special menus throughout the year.

FIND IT

• Gilmore’s, Gilmore’s by The Golden Pig Facebook page, • Starbucks, www.starbucks.com.hk • TigerLily, www.casteloconcepts.com The Best of Lantau 19

FOOD & DRINK

All that and dim sum We sent our graphic design guru and resident eating machine Andrew Spires out to a dim sum restaurant to choose his top picks. What would you have gone for?

Let us know at FB.com/arounddb

Total

includin

g tea

HK$13

6

Name: 叉燒腸 Char Siu Cheung How to say it: Tsah see-u churng Description: Rice noodle roll with succulent barbecue pork Why? It’s delicious in its simplicity, the combination of the sweet, flavoursome pork balancing perfectly with the salty soy sauce. Kids love it.

Name: 豬腸粉 Jyu Cheung Fun How to say it: Jew churng fun Description: Soft rice flour roll, fried and served with two sauces – one sweet and one peanut

Why? The savoury roll and spring onion work beautifully with the sauce combo. Bathe the roll in soy then dip it in both sauces at the same time. Cosmic.

Name: 鹹水角 Ham Sui Gok How to say it: Ham soy go (flat ‘o’ sound in go) Description: Deep-fried glutinous bun filled with pork and prawn Why? The textures change as you eat it, with flavours of sesame, pork and prawn all singing harmoniously together.

Name: 小籠包 Siu Loong Bau How to say it: See-u long bow (short ‘o’ in long) Description: A soup-filled dumpling made with Chinese spices and pork Why? Dip one of these in the accompanying vinegar and your mouth will thank you forever. The fresh, intense flavours of ginger, sesame, spring onion and garlic leave you wanting more.

Photos by Andrew Spires

Name: 奶皇包 Nai Wong Bau How to say it: N-eye wong bow Description: Soft rice flour bun with a sweet egg-custard centre Why? A nice break from the ginger and soy, this sugary bun is basically a goopy sweet-custard doughnut. Beware though – they’re called lava buns for a reason!

20 The Best of Lantau

LIVING

Living

Photo courtesy of Headland Homes

Property agents | Moving companies | Pest control | Home services Furniture & home accessories

The Best of Lantau 21

LIVING

PROPERTY AGENTS Headland Homes & DB Homes, Discovery Bay Established 29 years ago by the King family, Headland Homes believes that long-term market knowledge and reputation count a great deal when making big decisions such as buying or renting a home, and its experienced team is there for you every step of the way. The company’s property management division, DB Homes, assists landlords by taking away the burden of any maintenance issues, providing advice and assistance wherever you are in the world.

2987 2088, 9150 7319, 9047 7252, www.headlandhomes.hk.

Homes R Us, Discovery Bay Homes R Us, based in DB, prides itself on listening to what the client wants, helping people to move with little stress but great success. Homes R Us combines a strong ethical foundation with excellent, friendly customer service.

2662 1878, www.homesrus.hk, Facebook: Homes R Us Discovery Bay.

DB Plaza 22 The Best of Lantau

DB North Plaza

LIVING

HomeSolutions Real Estate Tung Chung & South Lantau

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Shop 10, Mui Wo Centre, 3 Ngan Wan Road, Mui Wo, 3483 5003, property@homesolutions.hk, www.homesolutions.hk.

Leading estate agency HomeSolutions Real Estate makes buying, selling and leasing your home a breeze. The team is made up of experienced staff from around the world who understand the stresses of moving, both internationally and domestically. Everyone needs less stress, and the team is there every step of the way to guide you in all areas of your move and make everything flow smoothly.

HomeSolutions strives to update advertising every single day, promptly removing listings when they are no longer available. An open and honest agency, you don’t need to worry about bait and switch tactics with HomeSolutions.

Visit the website, and you’ll find a comprehensive, trusted resource for both community information and properties for sale and lease, however if you

can’t find what you’re looking for, it’s worth getting in touch with the team directly, as the agents often have additional properties that vendors have chosen not to advertise publicly.

The HomeSolutions team is known for being honest, caring and excellent when it comes to communication. HomeSolutions listens to clients’ requests and honours their time by only showing the properties that meet their needs. The methods used for leasing, buying and selling are transparent and pressure free, and the team strives to ensure that all parties in each transaction are happy. Most new clients find HomeSolutions via referrals from previous happy clients – something which the team takes great pride in!

HomeSolutions’ main focus is on South Lantau, a charming hidden gem in bustling Hong Kong.

A family-friendly community that offers amazing green space, numerous beautiful beaches and a rich quality of life, South Lantau is a wonderful area to live in, with many homes boasting private gardens.

Elsewhere on Lantau, HomeSolutions also happily represents properties in the high-rise towers and low-rise villages of Tung Chung, so whether you want to head north, south, up or down, HomeSolutions is there to help!

The Best of Lantau 23

LIVING

OKAY.com is a leading Hong Kong property agency dedicated to providing the best real-estate experience to DB residents through superior service and the most up-to-date property information. Whether you have a property you want to sell or lease out faster or you’re looking for a new home in DB, OKAY.com is ready to help.

2102 0829, db@okay.com, www.okay.com.

Riverwalk, Mui Wo Sino Group’s Riverwalk comprises a variety of different units, including studios, one-bedroom flats, one-bedroom duplexes and two-bedroom flats. The beautifully outfitted apartments are available to rent and range from 204 square feet to 882 square feet.

A world away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Riverwalk is just 35 minutes from Central by ferry.

8207 7608, leasingcs@sino.com, www.riverwalk.com.hk.

MYW_HK_Ad_108x155mm.indd 1

Savills, operating in Lantau Savills is a global real-estate services provider with a vast international network. It offers a broad range of specialist advisory, management and transactional services to local and overseas clients. A combination of sector knowledge and entrepreneurial flair gives clients access to real-estate expertise of the highest calibre.

2987 1919, www.savills.com.hk.

www.pixabay.com

OKAY.com, Discovery Bay

7/9/2018 3:46:14 PM

LIVING

MOVING COMPANIES

Asian Express International Movers, operating in Lantau Asian Express International Movers is one of Hong Kong and China’s leading relocation companies, serving multinational organisations and individual families for both local and overseas moves since 1979.

Asian Express is a founding member of the Harmony Relocation Network, so wherever clients are moving to, its network ensures a consistently high standard all the way through to destination.

Akash Moving, operating in Lantau Over more than 10 years, Akash Moving has built a reputation as an affordable and reliable moving service. It is a complete one-stop shop for clients’ packing, moving and storage needs.

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

2893 1000, www.aemovers.com.hk.

Allied Pickfords, operating in Lantau

2736 6032, www.alliedpickfords.com.hk.

www.pixabay.com

Allied Pickfords offers an outstanding range of moving services to ensure a smooth process, whether you are moving locally within Hong Kong or relocating from Hong Kong to anywhere else in the world.

Crown Relocations, OPERATING IN LANTAU Mastering the art of relocation for 50 years, Crown Relocations takes extra care in packing and unpacking, shipping and delivery. The respect shown for clients and their belongings is a hallmark of the company’s service. With offices in 53 countries, Crown helps clients get to know their destination prior to facilitating a move, with particular attention to children and pets. Crown is proud to lead wide-ranging corporate social responsibility programmes supporting health, education and welfare, and was awarded Best Relocation Company for three consecutive years at the HR Vendor of the Year awards. Get your quote today and ‘go knowing.’

2636 8399, hongkong@crownrelo.com, www.crownrelo.com.hk.

The Best of Lantau 25

www.pexels.com

LIVING

FTC Relocations, operating in Lantau FTC Relocations is a specialist international moving company dedicated to offering its clients a firstclass service at an affordable price. Its employees are professional, experienced and committed to protecting your belongings.

2814 1658, sales@ftc.hk, www.ftc.hk.

SwiftRelo, operating in Lantau SwiftRelo specialises in overseas relocations and storage.

SwiftRelo is a member of the internationally recognised Harmony Relocation Group and is well known for providing quality moves at competitive prices.

Truly Care, operating in Lantau Applying only the most professional pest-killing and control methods, Truly Care is equipped to tackle pestinfested environments such as offices, warehouses, restaurants and homes. Its proven track record relies on a five-step process and a one-year contract of treatment and maintenance.

2363 4008, contact@swiftrelo.com, www.swiftrelo.com.

2458 8378, info@trulycare.com.hk, www.trulycare.com.hk.

PEST CONTROL

HOME SERVICES

BioCycle (Hong Kong), operating in Lantau

Amity Shoes Care, Discovery Bay

While getting rid of pests is the main focus, BioCycle (Hong Kong) is also committed to preventing pollution and improving its environmental performance by using ecological materials and methods throughout the pest-control process. BioCycle offers both indoor and outdoor services, including rodent management, snake prevention, wasp nest removal, carpet cleaning, termite prevention, sanitising services and air conditioner cleaning.

3575 2575, info@biocycle.hk, www.biocycle.hk.

Greenland Pest Control, operating in Lantau Offering tailored pest-control solutions for rodents, cockroaches, fleas, mosquitoes, termites, ants, ticks and more, Greenland Pest Control provides a thorough and efficient way to get rid of pests for good.

Thomas: 9871 0771, Baguio: 6776 8400.

26 The Best of Lantau

After 24 years at the Amity Shoes Care store off DB Plaza, Lawrence Lau now provides an on-call service to repair shoes and offer key-cutting services around DB. Lawrence: 5369 2329.

Best United Engineering, operating in Lantau Best United Engineering specialises in both commercial and residential design and installation of awnings (retractable awning systems imported from France), insect screens and rolling shutters.

2344 9028, www.bestunited.com.hk.

DRS Company, operating in Lantau DRS Company offers interior and exterior painting and handyman services for your home.

9156 0360, drscompanyhk@gmail.com.

LIVING

New Look Design, operating in Lantau New Look Design provides design-and-build home renovations specifically catered to clients’ tastes and lifestyles. It prides itself on affordable prices, exceptional professionalism, top-quality construction and functional designs.

9783 5840, westley@newlookdesign.asia, www.newlookdesign.asia.

Sonthra Handyman, Discovery Bay Peter Sonthra, of Sonthra Handyman, repairs furniture (both in and outdoor) and is a polishing specialist.

Peter provides all kinds of solid wood work, as well as wall work, such as hanging pictures.

9674 7531, sonthrapeter@gmail.com.

FURNITURE & HOME ACCESSORIES Blume Living, Discovery Bay Blume Living supplies high-end outdoor furniture and umbrellas to hotels, restaurants and commercial projects. Its Hong Kong offices are located in Central and DB. 2564 3499, sales@blume-living.com, www.blume-living.com.

EL:AR Group, serving Lantau residents EL:AR Group supplies high-quality, eco-friendly ceiling fan products. The firm has a large selection of ceiling fans and is recognised for delivering excellent service to its customers.

2164 7228, sales@elar.com.hk, www.elar.com.hk.

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INSIDE, Mui Wo Founded with the aim of sourcing unique, handcrafted furniture and homeware products from around the globe, with many hailing from India, INSIDE is Hong Kong’s go-to shop for those who love their homes. With natural fabrics, unique pieces of furniture, charming accessories and cosy furnishings, the new shop in Mui Wo is brimming with irresistible yet practical temptations. Whether furnishing a house or buying a gift, you’re bound to be back for more!

17 Chung Hau Street, Mui Wo, 2890 8606, inside.com.hk.

Nomadic, Discovery Bay Nomadic sells a tempting and diverse range of Southeast Asian-style jewellery, clothing, decorative homeware and plants.

Shop 120A, 1/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2987 8460, nomadicshop@yahoo.com.hk.

Rapee-LIVING, Discovery Bay Rapee-LIVING focuses on seven categories: bed linen, quilts and pillows, skincare products, home accessories, baby linen, home fragrances and illuminations.

Shop 134, 1/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2987 7082, info@rapeeliving.com.hk, www.rapeeliving.com.hk.

The Best of Lantau 27

OFFICE 3483 5003 www.homesolutions.hk

Kelly Merrick Sharon Riley Misako Takato

9331 8141 9664 4749 9757 0927

(S-365384) (E-413823) (S-287062)

NOW SERVING SOUTH LANTAU AND TUNG CHUNG Meet the HomeSolutions Team

Kelly Merrick

Sharon Christine Riley

EA Licence No: S-365384 +852 9331 8141 property@homesolutions.hk

EA Licence No: E-413823 +852 9664 4749 sharon@homesolutions.hk

Misako Takato Languages: English, Japanese and Spanish SA Licence No: S-287062 +852 9757 0927 misako@homesolutions.hk

$64K - $71K

$15K - $26.8K

FROM $13.5K - $34K

MICHELIA LUXURY VILLAS FOR LEASE

RIVERWALK STUDIO, 1 BED, 2 BEDS FOR LEASE

LEYBURN VILLAS FOR LEASE, STUDIO, 1 BED, 2 BEDS

For lease, luxurious villas, sizes range from 1500 sqft to 1540 sqft. Located in the beautiful area of Cheung Sha. Three generous bedrooms, 2/3 bathrooms, amah room, spacious living & separate dining area. Beautifully landscaped gardens. One house includes private swimming pool. Private car parking for all houses.

Situated on the banks of the Silver Mine Bay River in Mui Wo comes a new luxury development in South Lantau. 50 Flats occupy 7 blocks of this stunning 3-story development. All have fully equipped kitchens, washer, dryers and 24-hour security. Built with convenience in mind and minutes away from Mui Wo Ferry Pier.

For lease, lovely villas situated in Cheung Sha, this Villa Complex offers quiet, secure & affordable living. Villas ranging from 350’ (1 Bed Studio), 766’ (2 Beds, 2 Baths) & 1150’ (3 Beds, 2 Baths) NET. Most villas have a Sea View and car parking. Complex has a large swimming pool, tennis court, gym, reading room and 24-hour security.

$13.5K - $71K (LEASE) & $9M - $25M (SALE)

$8K - $55K (LEASE) and $2M - $20M (SALE)

FROM $37.8K - $42.8K

VILLAS IN CHEUNG SHA BEAUTIFUL BEACH VILLAS

VILLAGE HOUSE

PALOMA COVE – PENG CHAU LUXURY VILLAS FOR LEASE (1319’ – 1325’ NET)

For sale or lease, stunning villas in gated complexes often with swimming pools & 24-hour security. Small complexes with 2-10 Villas up to larger complexes with 25+ Villas.

Usually these homes offer 3+ Beds & 2+ Baths & private parking. Villas usually provide gardens, rooftops and/or terraces. Perfect for families or couples looking for the amenities of gated community living.

RANGES FROM STUDIO TO 5 BEDROOMS (350’ to 2100’ + ROOF)

Beautiful properties built with space and convenience in mind. The houses can be separated into flats which are available on ground, 1 s t & 2 nd floors with rooftop. Most include balconies or some outdoor space. Many homes offer gardens and patio areas, as well. Perfect for families and those who enjoy space and comport of the village life. Most walking distance from our beautiful beaches.

Paloma Cove comprises of 10 elegantly appointed low-rise villas. These villas consist of 3 good-sized bedrooms & 2.5 Bathrooms. All villas are fitted with electric water heaters and split type air conditioners. Each villa offers an exclusive space comprising its own garden, outdoor terrace, as well as roof terrace. Enjoy the gorgeous sea view from the rooftop.

Call us any time at 3483 5003 or email ADMIN@HOMESOLUTIONS.HK

C-044849

LIVING

Lantau living Residents of Discovery Bay, Tung Chung and South Lantau give an insight into everyday life in their corner of our unique island

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rom stilt houses to skyscrapers, it’s fair to say that housing options on Lantau are somewhat broad. But what is it actually like to live on Hong Kong’s largest island? We take a look at life in Lantau’s three main residential areas: Discovery Bay, Tung Chung and South Lantau.

DB offers a resort-style way of life

Discovery Bay

Photos by Andrew Spires

Popular with expats and locals alike, DB started out life in the late 1970s. Privately owned by Hong Kong Resort International, the town offers a resort-style way of life, just a 25-minute ferry ride from Central.

For mother-of-three Atika Sandham, DB was the obvious choice when choosing where to live in Hong Kong. “We moved here from the UK in 2014,” she opens. “It was very easy to settle in. DB is extremely child friendly, and the green, open spaces helped to make it less of a culture shock.

There’s always something going on too, whether it’s trick or treating at Halloween or community events on the beach.

“Life in DB is low stress. There are no traffic jams [DB is a car-free town] and it’s easy to get around, which is vital when kids have so many activities to be shuttled to and from!”

“If I had to name a downside, it would be that a small number of people don’t clean up after their dogs properly, but in general, DB is clean, safe, and a fun place to live for both kids and adults.”

According to Atika, one of DB’s biggest strengths is its sense of community. “People in DB are always happy to help out – there’s a real neighbourly spirit.

For fellow resident Tim Marrable, the contrast that DB offers to the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong Island is a big plus. “DB is less hurried, less crowded,” he

Life in DB centres around its welcoming plaza

The Best of Lantau 29

LIVING

High-rise living in Tung Chung

says. “It’s a slower pace of life. The air is cleaner, and it’s much quieter, however there are still plenty of amenities, shops and entertainment options.”

DB also works well for Tim in terms of its location.

“The ferry is very efficient,” he explains, “and there’s easy access to the airport. I travel frequently, so convenience is important for me.”

Of course, resort-style living isn’t everyone’s cup of tea – DB is often criticised by outsiders as being a little like The Truman Show – however its residents don’t seem to mind. And with amenities including large international schools, a multitude of restaurants and easy access to hiking trails, it’s easy to see why DB appeals to so many.

Tung Chung Located on the north coast of Lantau, Tung Chung is the island’s most populous town. Currently home to approximately 80,000 residents, the population is set to nearly triple over the coming years due to the proposed Tung Chung New Town Extension.

Well connected both locally and internationally – Tung Chung has its own MTR station and is minutes away from Hong Kong International Airport – there are a range of housing options, from high rises to village houses.

30 The Best of Lantau

“Day-to-day life in Tung Chung is pretty easy going,” says four-year resident Nuwan Kamaragoda. “It’s always buzzing in the outlet mall, but as soon as you get past that you wouldn’t believe you’re in such a densely populated area.

“The leisure facilities, from sports pitches and swimming pools to running tracks and gyms, are adequate, and we have a few bars, restaurants and takeaway options in the area. There are also several hotels nearby for visiting friends and family.”

Nuwan says that property prices are a bonus too.

“Rental rates in Tung Chung are more reasonable compared to DB,” he says, “although the apartments are small and some of the older ones are a bit tired.”

While Nuwan admits that Tung Chung isn’t necessarily the most “happening” of places, he points out that Hong Kong Island is just a short MTR ride away and that, as with DB, there’s always a mountain on your doorstep to climb.

According to local Hongkonger Elsie Hung, Tung Chung is a good option for families as well. Elsie, who moved from DB to Tung Chung with her young family in 2016, likes the fact that her children can go to school on foot and says the convenience of having wet markets and public facilities close by is a bonus.

LIVING

Shui Hau resident Dee Eadon moved to South Lantau with her family in 2012, after a stint in Pokfulam. “Village life is quieter and friendlier than on the island,” she begins. “There is a strong support network within the expat community and people are very outgoing. The local Hong Kong people are very friendly too and have personally welcomed us into their schools and neighbourhood,” she adds.

Life’s a beach on Lantau

When it comes to education, options in South Lantau are admittedly more limited than in DB or Tung Chung, however Dee says this isn’t a problem. “It was a conscious decision to send our kids to local school,” she explains. “We really wanted them to speak Cantonese and to feel like Hong Kong was home.”

Another advocate of the quiet lifestyle that South Lantau affords is Mui Wo resident Lucie Element.

Having lived in DB for six years, Lucie and her family made the move along the coast two years ago.

“We used to hike from DB to Mui Wo at weekends,” says Lucie, “and were drawn to the quiet way of life, with cows and buffaloes roaming free.

Initially, I found it harder to settle than I did in DB, as my children are older and go to school on Hong Kong Island. I knew I had to get myself out in the community to meet people, so I joined a fitness class and dragon boat team, and soon built a network.

South Lantau traffic jam

“The public library is popular with families,” says Elsie, “as is the community hall. The high-rise buildings also have well-maintained clubhouses, which help to nurture a sense of community. Tung Chung offers a quality lifestyle at a lower cost.”

South Lantau In contrast to Tung Chung, life on the south side of the island is somewhat more horizontal, with villages made up of low-rise buildings scattered along the coast.

“As a family, we lead an outdoor lifestyle; we enjoy hiking, going to the beach and having people over for barbecues, so Mui Wo suits us perfectly.”

Of course, village life does have a few drawbacks, but Lucie says you soon get used to the little quirks.

“Shopping can take a couple of trips if you live in a village without car access,” she explains. “The bank runs out of money after the weekend, the internet doesn’t work at times and the cows eat all my plants. But we’re only 30 minutes away from Central by ferry, there are lots of great restaurants nearby, and best of all the kids can be kids, building tree houses, playing by the sea and enjoying the great outdoors.”

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LIVING

There’s no place like

home Transform the look of your living space with these simple yet effective home decor ideas

W

By Céline Pasteur

hether you’ve just arrived in Hong Kong and need to deck out your new place or you’re simply tired of looking at the same old walls, with the right tricks and tips, creating a stylish home can be easier than you think.

In fact, furnishing a home is not dissimilar to putting together a wardrobe – you have your staple items: sofas, dining room furniture and so on, and you have your accents – the items that make your look ping.

Photo courtesy of INSIDE

All too often, however, we stick with the same accessories for years on end, we get used to seeing them, and we miss out on the pleasure that can come from changing things up a bit.

So, how do you go about updating your home interior? Start with the basics: What colours do you like? What is your style? What kind of life do you lead?

Do you have kids? Do you have pets?

Consider your staples and layer on top the extras and seasonal items – yes, seasonal! Hong Kong goes from cold and damp in winter to hot and humid in summer, so, provided you have the storage space, how about 34 The Best of Lantau

switching cushions and curtains accordingly and layering in some throws and carpets?

Begin with the things you love and work around them. Perhaps you have a favourite rug or picture, or a striking piece of furniture – make that the focal point and build up from there, picking out colours to complement or contrast.

Another good tip is to try and incorporate some symmetry for balance. Lamps are great for this and have the added benefit of creating a cosy setting and adding intimacy.

Don’t be afraid to include things that may be a bit offbeat either – your home is a reflection of your personality, so think laterally. Lantau’s beaches often throw up lovely sculptural bits and pieces that may add character to a room.

If you find yourself struggling for inspiration, search through Pinterest for refreshing ways to mix things up.

A lick of paint here, a cushion there, a quirky ornament on a shelf – all small changes, but they can make a big difference. Just experiment, and have fun!

Find more home decor inspiration at INSIDE, 17 Chung Hau Street, Mui Wo, call 2890 8606, or visit inside.com.hk.

PETS

Pets

Photo by Col Sim - www.colsimphotography.com

Animal rescue centres | Veterinary services | Pet products & services

The Best of Lantau 35

PETS

ANIMAL RESCUE CENTRES Hong Kong Paws Foundation, Discovery Bay Hong Kong Paws Foundation (PAWS) was founded and registered as a charity in 2001 by Hong Kongborn Kat Cheung. PAWS aims to help raise awareness of animal welfare issues and reduce the number of abused and neglected animals in Hong Kong. To operate, it relies 100% on donations and volunteers.

PAWS holds a weekly homing day in DB Plaza every Saturday, from 3pm to 6pm, for families looking to offer either permanent or foster homes to animals in need.

Villa Kunterbunt Lantau, Pui O Pui O resident Okka Scherer has a mission to rescue any unwanted or neglected animals.

Having checked and improved their health, the ultimate goal is to rehome the animals. If they cannot be homed, a sanctuary is offered, at Villa Kunterbunt, for them to live out their days. Volunteers and donations (towels, food, medical supplies and money) are greatly welcomed. Every Saturday, from 3pm to 6pm, Okka holds an adoption day in conjunction with PAWS in DB Plaza.

9544 9181, okkascherer@gmail.com, Facebook: Villa Kunterbunt Lantau.

Kat: 9485 5188, kat@hkpaws.org, Kate: 9705 7630, kate@hkpaws.org, www.hkpaws.org.

Protection of Animals Lantau South, Mui Wo Protection of Animals Lantau South (PALS) was formed in 1998 as a response to the dumping of unwanted kittens and puppies. The society’s voluntary efforts span a wide range of welfare and rescue activities, however its primary concern is the rescue and rehoming of local stray and abandoned animals. PALS ensures all its animals for adoption are vet checked and vaccinated, and strives to create the perfect match between pets and people. PALS will be winding up its activities by the end of 2018, as one of its founding members, Jacqui Green, is retiring.

9197 4371, jaquigreen@gmail.com, www.pals.org.hk.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Mui Wo Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) cares for abandoned, sick and injured animals, rescuing and rehoming them as necessary. It provides veterinary services, animal birth control services and hospitalisation. SPCA also educates the public to improve animal welfare across Hong Kong.

Mui Wo Clinic, Shop 17, Mui Wo Centre, 3 Ngan Wan Road, Mui Wo, 2984 0060, www.spca.org.hk.

36 The Best of Lantau

VETERINARY SERVICES Community Vet Clinic, Pui O Community Vet Clinic is a friendly neighbourhood pet-care clinic offering consultations, hospitalisation, vaccinations, diagnostic lab tests, advanced digital radiology, dental care, surgical procedures, health certificates, hair cutting, transportation, pet foods and ancillary services. Open from 10am to 6pm. Closed on Sundays and some public holidays.

3486 6100, 5114 2617, communityvethk@gmail.com, Facebook: Community Vet Clinic Ltd.

Doctors Beck & Stone, Discovery Bay Doctors Beck & Stone is one of the leading pet hospital groups in Asia, supporting pet owners and providing the highest level of veterinary services. The surgery offers hospitalisation, prescription food orders, veterinary laboratory services and more.

Shop G38, G/F, DB North Plaza, DB, 2788 1599, dbnorthplaza@drbns.com, doctorsbeckandstone.com.

PETS

Island Veterinary Services, Discovery Bay Island Veterinary Services has been caring for Lantau pets for over 20 years, offering services such as vaccinations, general checkups, dentistry, surgery, neutering and more. The friendly vets and certified nursing staff ensure pets get the right attention and treatment.

Shop G10, G/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2987 9003, 9142 9709 (after hours), dbsouthplaza@drbns.com, doctorsbeckandstone.com.

Tung Chung Animal Clinic, Tung Chung Tung Chung Animal Clinic provides vaccinations, dentistry, surgery, radiology, blood tests, oncology, acupuncture, house calls and airport consultations. Its team is happy to discuss preventative medicine and basic animal care.

www.pixabay.com

Shop 7, G/F, Ma Wan Village, Tung Chung, 2988 1534, doctorsbeckandstone.com.

Tung Chung Vet Centre, Tung Chung Tung Chung Vet Centre aims to provide the highest-quality medical and surgical care to its patients, while providing clients with education and assistance in all aspects of animal care. Available services include annual vaccinations, in-house blood work, acupuncture, dental and desexing surgery, X-ray and ultrasound. Consultations by appointment only.

Shop Q2, Seaview Crescent, 8 Tung Chung Waterfront Road, Tung Chung, 2328 7282.

PET PRODUCTS & SERVICES Mypetshop, Discovery Bay Mypetshop offers a comprehensive menu of food and accessories for dogs, cats and fish. Full grooming services are available, and owners can choose to have their dogs washed in a unique pet washer machine with hydromassage jets and pre-heated water.

Shop G09, G/F, DB North Plaza, DB, 2987 8873, mypetshop@live.hk.

O.N.E. Pet Shop, Mui Wo O.N.E. Pet Shop has been serving Lantau residents since the 1990s, offering a variety of products including pet accessories, food and much more. A number of brands of dog, cat and small animal food are available.

Customers all receive a warm welcome.

G/F, 4 Lucky Court, Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road, Mui Wo.

Pets Gallery, Discovery Bay In operation since 1997, Pets Gallery offers cat and dog grooming by appointment, as well as a cat-sitting service. It sells a healthy range of pet supplies and helps its customers choose the right options for them and their pets. A delivery service is offered within DB. Shop G11B, G/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2987 0428.

Ready, Pet, Go!, Discovery Bay Ready, Pet, Go! is a dog-walking and pet-sitting service located in DB. Whether pet owners are looking for a reliable and comfortable stay for their furry friends or a new dog-walking programme, Ready Pet Go!’s first aidand CPR-qualified staff offer a 24-hour contact line and regular ‘pupdates’ to keep you in the loop.

5721 6181, 9380 3655, readypetgohk@outlook.com, Facebook: Ready, Pet, GO. The Best of Lantau 37

PETS

Adopting Pets on Lantau

Thinking of adding a four-legged friend to your family? Here’s what you need to know

I

By Jacqui Green

t’s well documented that owning a pet is good for you. Animals act as companions to us, they help keep us healthy, they become an integral part of the family. But welcoming a pet into your home isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly, and neither is choosing where to get your pet from.

Photo by Col Sim – www.colsimphotography.com

Here on Lantau, we’re fortunate to have a number of great rescue groups – local volunteers who help to look after and rehome animals in need. The animals in their care, broadly speaking, come from three main groups: feral/ abandoned puppies and kittens that are found roaming, animals whose owners have given them up for rehoming and pedigrees given up by breeders.

The message from the rescue groups is clear: don’t shop, adopt! Yes, there are pet shops in Hong Kong, but when there are already so many animals out there needing a loving home, it’s obvious that adopting and giving an animal a second chance in life is the better way to go.

Of course, having a pet is a huge responsibility - it takes time, effort and money! If any of these are in short supply, or likely to become so in the future, think again.

But if you’re certain that you can commit to a new pet, you should think about the type of animal that will complement your personal situation.

38 The Best of Lantau

Be sure to consider your family make-up, your lifestyle, back-up options for holidays and, most crucially, your future and where you may go from Hong Kong.

Do you know the quarantine requirements and the expense involved in rehoming a pet?

Bearing all this in mind will help you decide what type of pet is right for you in terms of size, age, characteristics and background. It’s easy to be swayed by your heart, but let your head get a look-in too!

Whatever you decide, there’s no doubt that pets bring with them a wealth of joy and fulfilment – they amuse, they delight, they teach, they comfort, and most pet owners will tell you that they simply couldn’t live without them!

PET RESCUE CENTRES ON LANTAU PALS – pals.org.hk PAWS – www.hkpaws.org Villa Kunterbunt – Villa Kunterbunt Lantau Facebook page

Photo by Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com

SPORTS

Sports

Fitness | Team sports | Tennis | Water sports | Martial arts | Golf Sports equipment

The Best of Lantau 39

SPORTS

FITNESS AdrenaLean Fitness, Tung Chung Driven by a passion for health, fitness and chocolate, AdrenaLean Fitness’ ‘rock star instructors’ offer outdoor bootcamps, personal training and group training classes in Tung Chung. The super-popular, high-intensity circuit sessions focus on functional training using barbells, medicine balls, TRX and kettlebells for an all-round workout that will leave you aching in a good way! Classes teach consistency, form, discipline and good nutrition in a fun, energetic environment.

Bermuda Park, Caribbean Coast Phase 2, Tung Chung, 6644 1240, adrenaleanfitness@gmail.com, Facebook: AdrenaLean Fitness.

Buffalo Strength, Mui Wo Buffalo Strength gym boasts top-notch equipment and provides free, customised exercise plans. Clients can pay by the day or month, and there’s no joining fee or longterm contract.

Shop 4, Scenic Crest, 18A Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road, Mui Wo, tony@buffalo-strength.com.

Embody, Discovery Bay Embody is a boutique fitness studio in the heart of DB offering an array of classes for kids, teens and adults.

From yoga to Pilates (mat and reformer), Nirvana Fitness, Zumba, Bounce DanceFit, FitMix and more, classes are taught by dedicated, qualified instructors and are suitable for both beginners and the advanced.

Your first class is free. Private sessions can be arranged to cater for individual needs.

6624 8712, susan@embody.hk, www.embody.hk.

FIT 852, Discovery Bay DB-based FIT 852 makes fitness interactive and fun, helping you to increase cardiovascular endurance, strength, tone, agility and coordination. Men and women of all fitness levels are welcome, including new mums.

Classes take place outdoors on Mondays and Fridays at 8.45am, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm, and on Saturdays at 8.30am. WhatsApp Rosa for details.

Rosa: +358 40 539 23 96, rosa@knutar.fi.

d.BeFit, Discovery Bay

Greenwich, Discovery Bay

Founded in 2012 by Katia Kucher, d.BeFit offers group training, personal training and outdoor classes, including trail running and road running. The focus is on endurance, agility, cardio, speed work and strength.

Greenwich specialises in hatha yoga classes designed specifically for flight crew and seniors, using slow-flow sequences to restore and revive the body. Greenwich also offers a private gym for its clients with brand new, imported equipment including power bags, boxing apparatus, a treadmill and a G4 Home Gym. Its aim is to develop and improve the overall fitness and wellbeing of the community.

Greenvale Village, DB, 6974 7707, dbefit@gmail.com, www.dbefit.com.

www.pixabay.com

Unit 11, 1/F, Office Block 2, DB North Plaza, DB, 9685 8366, likegreenwich@gmail.com, www.greenwich-vinyasa.com.hk.

40 The Best of Lantau

Kapuhala Train-in-Space, Discovery Bay Kapuhala Train-in-Space is designed to help athletes pursue their ideal balance in life, with the finest training, nutrition and wellbeing facilities. With 40 classes per week, the studio offers a wide variety of fitness options including Spin, Les Mills BODYPUMP, Les Mills GRIT, TRX, bootcamp and more, as well as a number of kids and teenager fitness classes.

Units 13 & 15, LG/F, Office Block 2, DB North Plaza, DB, 9480 7464, tribe@kapuhala.com, www.kapuhalaspace.com.

KIPMOVIN, Discovery Bay Catering to adults and children of all fitness levels, KIPMOVIN offers outdoor fitness training programmes, in particular running, in a disciplined, fun and supportive environment. DB resident Thomas Kiprotich, an elite Kenyan athlete and certified fitness trainer, founded KIPMOVIN in order to share his passion for running and fitness with others.

6180 3256, thomas@kipmovin.com, www.kipmovin.com.

MAS FIT by Claire Mas, Discovery Bay Fitness professional and health coach Claire Mas specialises in customised health, personal fitness and nutrition programmes. An internationally accredited health coach and personal trainer, Claire helps her clients change their mindset and achieve their health and lifestyle goals through six-month health-coaching programmes, group fitness classes and personal training.

9387 0735, claire@clairemasfitness.com, www.clairemasfitness.com, Facebook: MAS FIT by Claire Mas.

SPORTS

The Beat Dance & Fitness Studio Discovery Bay

C

DB Plaza, DB, 5194 9630, info@thebeat.com.hk, www.thebeat.com.hk.

The Beat is a premium dance and fitness studio conveniently located in DB Plaza. With a diverse range of dance and fitness classes, you’ll be hard pushed to find another studio offering so much in one place! Catering to both adults and children, classes at The Beat are fun and engaging, and provide a great way to stay fit and healthy.

Founded by professional Latin-American dance instructors Ivailo Tonchev and Alyona Zarnitsyna, The Beat offers a number of dance options from Latin and ballroom to belly dancing, Irish dancing and even wedding dance planning. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to dance, you’ve found the right place!

42 The Best of Lantau

But it’s not just dancing that’s on offer; a wide selection of fitness classes are also available throughout the week, helping clients to get fit, stay strong and powerful, and achieve balance of both mind and body.

Whatever motivates you, there’s a class to suit, from Les Mills BODYPUMP, BODYBALANCE, GRIT and BODYSTEP to Zumba Fitness, Zumba Toning, Zumba Kids, Piloxing, yoga and Pilates.

The Beat has a great team of highly professional and top-of-their-field, qualified instructors who will make sure you get the most out of every class you participate in.

And if the group class schedule doesn’t fit in with yours or you feel that you need extra help taking your fitness to the next level, personal training sessions can also be arranged. The Beat can help you reach your goals whatever they may be.

SPORTS

Perun Fitness, Tung Chung & South Lantau Perun Fitness has been providing professional training sessions in Lantau since 2011. It offers a periodised training programme with a mixture of free weights, TRX and calisthenics, as well as classes specific to fitness, boxing and free-weight technique.

For those looking to do a bit extra, Perun Fitness can help with sport-specific conditioning and also provide nutritional advice.

6443 6597, jamie@perunfitness.com, www.perunfitness.com.

Ryan Lau, Mui Wo & Cheung Sha Ryan Lau is an energetic and knowledgeable sports-medicine fitness coach. His comprehensive training system ranges from bootcamp to CrossFit and standup paddle boarding. Group classes and one-on-one personal training sessions take place outdoors.

Yoga Bay, Discovery Bay Opened in April 2018, Yoga Bay is a yoga and aerial yoga studio with a unique atmosphere. Located in DB North Plaza, facing the sea, it offers many different types of yoga classes for adults and kids, including vinyasa, hatha, yin, power flow, full body sculpt, yoga therapy and yoga nidra, as well as aerial yoga, yoga trapeze and Tibetan singing bowl therapy.

Unit 10, LG/F, Office Block 2, DB North Plaza, DB, 6704 9851, namaste@yogabay.hk, yogabay.hk.

9228 2334, Facebook: Ryan Lau PT.

Treece Fitness, Discovery Bay Treece Fitness provides a unique and effective fitness system which teaches individuals and groups how to coordinate and strengthen their minds and bodies.

Personal training and group classes are on offer, boosted by take-home/ travel workouts to enhance results and increase confidence.

www.unsplash.com

9400 4237, tyler@treecefitness.com, www.treecefitness.com, Facebook: Treece Fitness.

Vinyasa Hatha Yin Yoga Power Flow Body Sculpt Yoga Therapy Yoga Trapeze Aerial Yoga Kids Yoga Kids Aerial

Photos by Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com, Col Sim - www. colsimphotography.com and courtesy of Dirk Haddow

SPORTS

Smells like

T

t i r i p s m a Te

Why team sports are good for both body and soul

hink of exercise and, more often than not, the first thing that comes to mind is a row of treadmills with toned fitness buffs sweating it out in the gym.

But keeping fit doesn’t need to be a solitary pursuit, and in fact, evidence shows that exercising in a group can actually offer more benefits than going solo.

“Playing in a team helps to develop strength and character,” says Nick Wade, chief of operations for the DB Pirates. “You learn to compete with the best, while acknowledging the weaker links and lifting them up. Players develop patience, compassion and self-esteem, and learn how to accept failure together.

“Team sports aren’t just about winning the game, they are about being leaders, team players and 44 The Best of Lantau

better human beings. Our club motto is ‘Give what you can. Leave no one behind.’”

Jon Hart, chairperson of the South Lantau Buffaloes agrees, adding that taking part in team sports is particularly good for young children. “Playing sports such as rugby gives children the opportunity to make new friends in a fun, energetic environment,” he explains. “Kids of all ages and abilities can get involved – no matter what your background, everyone can give it a go.”

Lesley Pears, office manager for the Hong Kong Dragons, continues. “Sports like football teach children many fundamental values that will assist them throughout their lives. It’s a fantastic way for them to stay fit and healthy, build self-confidence and learn about respect, while at the same time getting lots of fresh air and sunshine, and developing new skills alongside their friends.”

SPORTS

Annual DB Pirates’ award ceremony

But it’s not just kids who can benefit from team sports, and there are plenty of opportunities across Lantau for adults to get involved too. From rugby and football to netball, hockey and dragon boating, whatever you’re interested in, there’s a club to match.

And in a city where personal connections can be so transient, the social aspect of group training is particularly relevant.

“Team sports offer a great avenue to meet new people,” says Pamela Wallace, co-captain of Discovery Bay International Community Church’s dragon boat team, Ripple Effect, and member of the DB-based Sea Cucumbers. “The camaraderie in our multicultural teams is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced; we truly become like family!”

Pamela adds that the team bonding continues after training too. “We do a lot together – barbecues,

Discovery Bay Football Club (DBFC) at the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens

family get-togethers, birthday celebrations, spontaneous plaza meet-ups... there’s always something happening.”

So what are you waiting for? You’ll find a wide variety of team-sport providers in the pages to come – the question is simply which one will you choose?

The Best of Lantau 45

SPORTS

TEAM SPORTS Asia Pacific Soccer Schools, Tung Chung Asia Pacific Soccer Schools (APSS) is a soccer coaching school for girls and boys aged five and up. APSS aims to provide quality coaching in all lessons, regardless of player ability, with new students always welcome. The curriculum is designed to be fun and demanding, helping all players develop their skills and self-esteem. There is a free trial class for newcomers.

Tung Chung Sports Centre, Man Tung Road, Tung Chung, 2385 9677, admin@apsoccer.hk, www.apsoccer.hk.

DB Angels Football Club, Discovery Bay DB’s only all-girls soccer programme, DB Angels Football Club provides a safe, fun and inclusive learning environment. Girls aged six to 14 develop their skills, teamwork and enjoyment of the game. Inexpensive, nonprofit and family-friendly, the club provides dedicated, hands-on coaching on Sunday mornings.

Discovery Bay International School, DB, dbangelsfc@hotmail.com, www.dbangelsfc.hk.

DBees, Discovery Bay DBees is a nonprofit ice hockey team that offers programmes for boys and girls of all skill levels, aged five and up. Practice sessions are held at Elements Ice Rink in Kowloon on Saturday mornings from 7.15am to 9.15am. dbeesicehockey@gmail.com, www.dbeeshockey.com.

DB Pirates, Discovery Bay DB Pirates is one of Lantau’s most successful sports clubs and DB’s only rugby, netball, hockey and dragon boat club. It offers senior mens’ and ladies’ rugby (19 and over), boys’ and girls’ youth rugby (U13 to U19), mini rugby (U6 to U12), senior and youth netball, mini and adult hockey and dragon boating.

Its mission is to enhance character development through team sports and to develop a family environment within the community.

2516 7397, admin@dbpirates.com, www.dbpirates.com.

DB Smashers Cricket Club, Discovery Bay Coached by Hong Kong international cricketer Ankur Vasishta, DB Smashers holds weekly practice sessions helping players aged six to 14 years understand the rules, improve technique and develop a love for cricket.

The club also enters teams for matches in the Hong Kong Cricket Association League. kids.dbsmashers@gmail.com, Facebook: DB Smashers Cricket Group.

DB Tigers, Discovery Bay Founded in 2011, DB Tigers is a baseball club for boys and girls aged five to 14. Kids are taught basic skills by a professionally certified head coach. Sessions are held on Saturday afternoons.

Sports Pitch, DB North Plaza, DB, info@dbtigers.com, www.dbtigers.com.

Discovery Bay Football Club, Discovery Bay Comprising over 80 members across three competitive teams – Legal League, Veterans and Seniors – Discovery Bay Football Club (DBFC) is one of the longest-running sports clubs in DB. Anyone aged 15 to 115 with a passion for football is welcome to get in touch via the website.

www.pixabay.com

www.discoverybayfc.com, Facebook: Discovery Bay FC.

46 The Best of Lantau

SPORTS

ESF Sports

Discovery Bay & Tung Chung

C

2711 1280, www.esf.org.hk/sports.

At ESF Sports, knowledge and passion for sport are translated into a whole range of fun, exciting, challenging and structured sports programmes designed to foster a love of sport that will last a lifetime.

options including basketball, football, swimming, gymnastics, kung fu and tennis.

ESF’s programmes are all progressive, so students can build up to development and academy level, with some teams even playing in local leagues and international competitions.

Babies as young as four months can start with the Baby & Me Swimming Programme, and on turning two and a half, they can join the Learn to Swim Programme and swim on their own.

ESF strives to deliver sessions of the highest possible standards at all times and has a rigorous quality assurance and continued professional development system to ensure its staff are always at the cutting edge of sports and coaching knowledge.

The Sports Cubs Programme, which starts from the age of two, focuses on building fundamental sports competencies such as running, kicking, catching and throwing, to increase children’s confidence and their ability to further develop in other sports.

Classes are held at various locations around Hong Kong, with access to high-quality facilities and equipment. ESF coaches all specialise in teaching young children and possess international qualifications in their areas of expertise.

At the age of five, children can choose their mainstream sport of choice, with

ESF Sports is open to both ESF and non-ESF students.

The Best of Lantau 47

SPORTS

HK Dragons Football Club, Discovery Bay, Tung Chung & Mui Wo HK Dragons Football Cub offers football coaching for girls and boys of all abilities from age three to 18, as well as football camps at various times during the year for all Lantau residents. The Dragons motivates players to try new things, develop their game skills and realise their full potential, both on and off the pitch. Members have the opportunity to compete in tournaments and matches. Football birthday parties are also available.

www.pexels.com

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

Kinder Kicks, Tung Chung Kinder Kicks is a soccer-based programme for preschoolers (toddlers through to age five). Special equipment, such as bean bags, mini balls and skittles, is used to develop motor skills, soccer-specific skills and social skills.

Tung Chung Sports Centre, Man Tung Road, Tung Chung, 2835 9677, admin@apsoccer.hk, www.kinderkicks.hk.

Lantau Cricket Club, Tung Chung & Pui O Lantau Cricket Club was established in 2013 and participates in Cricket Hong Kong competitions at U11, U13, U15 and U17 levels. Training takes place at Tung Chung North Park on Sunday mornings. New members aged seven and up are welcome. lantau.cricket@gmail.com Facebook: Lantau Cricket Club.

Rugbytots, Discovery Bay & Tung Chung Rugbytots’ fun, structured play sessions take children on a journey of sporting imagination with engaging and energetic coaches supporting them every step of the way. Kids are taught how to catch, pass, kick and run with the ball, as well as to play as part of a team.

5307 6677, info@rugbytots.hk, www.rugbytots.hk.

South Lantau Buffaloes Rugby Football Club, Tai O The ‘Buffaloes’ are celebrating 10 years of rugby on South Lantau!

Boasting a great community atmosphere as well as dedicated, qualified coaches and first aiders, the club provides a safe, friendly and welcoming environment for girls and boys aged four to 12. Training takes place on Sunday mornings from September through April on the grass pitch in Tai O. admin@slbrfc.com, Facebook: South Lantau Buffaloes Rugby Football Club Ltd.

SPORTS

Tekkerz, Discovery Bay

Tung Chung Rugby Club, Tung Chung

Developed and run by Progressive Sports Asia, Tekkerz focuses on developing the technical and ball mastery skills of individual players and overall game play using a ‘maximum-touch’ approach. With Tekkerz, players touch the ball 200 times in the first five minutes and over 1,000 times in a session. In addition to weekly classes, players can access the Tekkerz Player Development Platform to view and practice skills, which are split into 12 levels. Classes range from Mini Tekkerz (U3/ 4) to U14 boys and girls.

Formed in 2012, Tung Chung Rugby Club (TCRC) has a vibrant community focus. Young children play noncontact rugby before moving on to play contact in the older age groups. TCRC has an active touch-rugby side, which fields both youth and adult teams.

www.pexels.com

Discovery College, 38 Siena Avenue, DB. EpicLand, DB, 9770 4548, train@tekkerzfootball.com, prosportsasia.com.

YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College, Tung Chung, tc.rugby.fc@gmail.com, www.tungchungrugbyclub.org.

Vikings Football Club, Discovery Bay Vikings Football Club, run by English Football Association-qualified coach Richard Hainsworth and a team of professional footballers, caters to children aged two to 12. Sessions, held indoors and out, are split into Mini Vikings (two to four years) and Pro Vikings (five to 12 years).

Discovery College, 38 Siena Avenue, DB, 9533 2600, enquiry@vikings.hk, www.vikings.hk.

GIVE RUGBY A TRY! 2018 - 2019 SEASON

AU T N

A L S TH E U O SO FAL F BU

FOR MORE CLUB INFORMATION CONTACT:

EMAIL

WHATSAPP

$700 A PLAYER / $150 SOCIAL MEMBER

SPORTS

Anyone for tennis?

Forward Motion, Discovery Bay Forward Motion’s team of dedicated tennis professionals provides tennis coaching services for all ages and levels, as well as developing club programmes and organising tennis events.

During the holidays, Forward Motion runs popular sports camps for children. Training is held in DB at Discovery Bay Recreation Club, Club Siena and DB Marina Club. info@forwardmotionhk.com, www.forwardmotionhk.com.

WATER SPORTS Harry Wright International, Discovery Bay Harry Wright International has been offering a swim programme for children in the community for almost 40 years.

The programme is designed to give children the skills they need to enjoy swimming, while also providing pathways of excellence for competitive swimmers. Children aged four months to four years take part in the Infant Aquatic Programme, while the Learn To Swim Programme is designed for ages three and up. Classes are held at Discovery Bay International School and Club Siena.

South Lantau Paddle Club, Pui O South Lantau Paddle Club trains and competes in dragon boat and outrigger canoe races both locally and overseas. The club is devoted to family, friends, community, positivity, fitness and fun. Its ethos is work hard, play harder. southlantaupaddleclub@gmail.com, Facebook: South Lantau Paddle Club.

Splash, Discovery Bay Splash runs free learn-to-swim programmes for under-served communities.

Its 12-week programme for foreign domestic workers runs on Sundays in multiple locations on Hong Kong Island, and most recently in DB with the help of local residents Jenn Atepolikhine and Olivier Baillet. Splash provides an opportunity for individuals to develop confidence and improve wellbeing, helping them to flourish both in and out of the water. info@splashfoundation.org, www.splashfoundation.org, Facebook: Splash.

2575 6279, swimming@harrywright.com.hk, www.harrywright.com.hk.

Lantau Boat Club specialises in non-powered, waterbased activities with catamarans, dinghies, outrigger canoes, dragon boats and coastal rowing boats. Its members also participate in SUP, surf-ski, windsurfing and kayaking. New members are welcome, whether experienced or not.

Tai Pak Wan, DB, admin@lantauboatclub.com, www.lantauboatclub.com.

50 The Best of Lantau

www.pexels.com

Lantau Boat Club, Discovery Bay

SPORTS

Treasure Island Group, Pui O Treasure Island Group (TIG) has been at the forefront of outdoor education and team building in Hong Kong since 1996, offering catering, private events and water sports at its stunning seafront venue on beautiful Pui O Beach. Revamped in summer 2018, the Treasure Island Restaurant and Bar is open to the public on Friday evenings, weekends and public holidays, while recreation services, including water sports equipment hire, group lessons, cabana rooms and full-service camping are available on weekends and public holidays. TIG also runs a small community farm as part of the Eco-Adventure Foundation, a registered Hong Kong charity.

Pui O Beach, Pui O, 2546 3543, www.treasureislandhk.com.

MARTIAL ARTS Daruma Judo Club, Discovery Bay Husband-and-wife team Cedric Sum, Fourth Dan, and Emily Lau, Third Dan, provide judo education for kids, aged four and up, and adults at Daruma Judo Club. The focus of learning includes judo as an Olympic sport and self-defence techniques, as well as building selfesteem and manners.

Discovery College, 38 Siena Avenue, DB, 6244 6093, www.darumajudo.com.

Hong Kong School of Capoeira, Discovery Bay, Tung Chung & Mui Wo Capoeira is a high-energy, Afro-Brazilian art form, incorporating elements of dance, music, acrobatics and self-defence. Classes for kids, aged two-and-a-half years and up, help to develop their social, physical and creative skills. Adults can keep fit and gain flexibility and strength through functional body movements and exercises. www.capoeirahk.com.

The Best of Lantau 51

SPORTS

MGK Fight Club, Discovery Bay MGK Fight Club offers a unique martial arts experience for toddlers, kids and adults of all levels, from hobbyists through to professional competitors. Founded by professional MMA fighter Marc Guyon, MGK’s team of experienced coaches trains members from all walks of life, the core aim being to create better people both on and off the mat. Classes are held in both DB and Wanchai.

DB Plaza, DB, 9303 2996, marcguyonkungfu@gmail.com, www.marcguyon.hk.

GOLF Big Sai Wan Golf Society, Discovery Bay Big Sai Wan Golf Society holds monthly tournaments throughout Hong Kong, as well as annual overseas tours. The club welcomes new members of all skill levels and prides itself on having as few rules as possible. bigsaiwan@gmail.com, www.bigsaiwan.com.

Discovery Bay Residents Golf Society, Discovery Bay Membership of Discovery Bay Residents Golf Society is open to all golfers in Hong Kong.

Membership benefits include concessionary green fees at Discovery Bay Golf Club.

52 The Best of Lantau

Photo by Andrew Spires

www.all-free-download.com

dbrgsevents@gmail.com, www.dbrgs.com.

SPORTS

SPORTS EQUIPMENT Bike Energy Lab, Discovery Bay Bike Energy Lab offers bike-fitting services, pre- and postpurchase bike consultations – helping clients identify which advertised features will impact the suitability and performance of a prospective bike – plus bike assembly and bespoke servicing.

The Bike Hub, Discovery Bay The Bike Hub provides a range of cycling services, including multi-level mountain bike workshops and guided rides for adults, as well as balance bike training sessions and mountain bike skills lessons for kids. Safety and efficiency classes are also offered for children in the lead-up to Team FEAR. Other services on offer include bike sale and hire, plus repairs and customisations.

8191 0362, www.bikehub.club, Facebook: The bike hub.

Peninsula Village, DB, 9710 4610, 6380 6144, bike.energy@gmail.com, www.bike-energy-lab.com.

Friendly Bicycle Shop, Mui Wo Friendly Bicycle Shop sells and repairs city, road and mountain bikes of all sizes and types. It also sells all kinds of biking accessories.

G/F, Shop 5, Scenic Crest, 18A Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road, Mui Wo, friendlybicycle@netvigator.com, Facebook: Friendly Bicycle Shop.

Lantau Base Camp, Mui Wo Founded in 2012, Lantau Base Camp prides itself on being run by trail runners for trail runners.

The store offers a wide range of products, including sportswear, shoes, backpacks, gels, bars, electrolytes and powdered fuel. Purchases can be made online or at the retail store. Aside from merchandise, Lantau Base Camp also organises weekly runs and annual trail races, its biggest event being the Salomon Lantau Trail 70 in October.

www.pixabay.com

Photo by Andrew Spires

2984 8428, lantaubasecamp@gmail.com, www.lantaubasecamp.com.

The Best of Lantau 53

SPORTS

LANTAU ADVENTURE RACES

DRAGON BOAT TEAMS ON LANTAU

Lantau Vertical, Shek Pik Reservoir What: The ultimate short-course challenge, this 7-km race passes over Lantau Peak When: September 23, 2018 Website: www.lantauvertical.com

Hong Kong Life ASTC Sprint Triathlon Asian Cup/ ASTC Aquathlon Asian Championship , Sunny Bay

Photos by Andrew Spires and courtesy of Action Asia Events and www.pixabaycom

What: Annual races offering Elite, Youth Open, Discovery and TriKids categories When: October 20 - 21, 2018 Website: www.triathlon.com.hk

• DB Alliance Church, Discovery Bay, 5180 5106, markjamesrogers@gmail.com

LBC Ladies Trail Running Race, Mui Wo

• DBIS Marlins, Discovery Bay, 9031 4571,

What: A women-only race with 11-km and 20-km options; bring a friend and encourage more women to be active on the trails When: January 13, 2019 Website: events.lantaubasecamp.com

• DB Pirates, Discovery Bay, 9255 6133,

LBC Valentines Day Race, Pui O What: A team-of-two event in which each pair must run and complete the race at the same time When: TBC, February 2019 Website: events.lantaubasecamp.com

Country of Origin, Mui Wo

acooper17@hotmail.com

dbpdragonboat@gmail.com • Lantau Boat Club, Discovery Bay, 5173 0492, paddling-chair@lantauboatclub.com • Ripple Effect (DB International Community Church), Discovery Bay, 2987 7061, office@dbicc.org

What: A 30-km route for teams of three sharing the same nationality; fancy dress in national costumes or colours is encouraged When: April 13, 2019 Website: www.countryoforigin.asia

• Sea Cucumbers, Discovery Bay, 9766 0440,

Kayak n Run, Discovery Bay

• South Lantau Paddle Club, Pui O, 9461 0703,

What: Family teams and all-adult teams come together to paddle and run along the coastline When: TBC, July or August 2019 Website: www.actionasiaevents.com

membership@southlantaupaddleclub.org.

54 The Best of Lantau

seacukes.db@gmail.com

Pastimes

PASTIMES

Photo courtesy of DMR

Dance & gymnastics | Creative classes, art & games | Drama & theatre Party entertainers

The Best of Lantau 55

PASTIMES

DANCE & GYMNASTICS Dance for Joy, Tung Chung Founded in 2012, Dance for Joy’s mission is to discover and nurture unique talents in dance and music and bring them to fruition. Programmes include kids’ pop, hip hop, jazz, kids’ funky, GymnasTRICKS, adult funky-dance fitness, bounce dance fit and cardio-power dance classes. Dance for Joy places a strong emphasis on love, compassion, fulfilment and generosity in each class. In its continuing mission to be the ‘Path to Creativity,’ Dance for Joy collaborates with a number of international schools across Hong Kong as well as XP Fitness Hub in Central.

Classes are available in Tung Chung, Ma Wan and Central. Dance birthday parties and events can also be arranged.

Man Tung Road Sports Centre, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung, 9264 8597, info@danceforjoyhk.com, www.danceforjoyhk.com.

DMR School of Ballet, Discovery Bay DMR School of Ballet, an official Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Imperial Society of Dance (ISTD) centre, offers children, teenagers and adults the opportunity to learn to dance in a professional and enjoyable environment. Its faculty is made up of highly talented and experienced teachers, recruited locally as well as from abroad, whose high standards are reflected in DMR’s very satisfactory examination results as well as the quality of dancers that have graduated from DMR over the past 35 years. DMR also offers creative non-syllabus classes such as Fun Ballet and Tots in Tutus. The main studio is conveniently located in DB Plaza.

More than just dance

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

Shop 112 DB Plaza, Discovery Bay

29874338 info@dmr-hk.com www.dmr-hk.com

PASTIMES

Edge ’n Pointe, Tung Chung Edge ’n Pointe performing arts centre offers a wide array of classes including ballet (American Ballet Theatre Training curriculum), ADAPT jazz, contemporary dance, musical theatre, Kindermusik, Latin dance and Zumba. Renowned for its excellent training, the centre has received top awards in local and international competitions and festivals and has produced numerous high-quality performances and shows. Students also have the opportunity to sit international examinations.

As a service to the community and the arts, Edge ’n Pointe offers full scholarships to less fortunate students and partial scholarships to those in need of financial aid. Its aim is to foster a dance company of passionate individuals with a high standard of technique and artistry.

Shop 34, Caribbean Square, Caribbean Coast, Tung Chung, 2271 9178, 6681 4274, admin@edgenpointe.com, www.edgenpointe.com.

PASTIMES

Future Stars Dance Academy, Discovery Bay Future Stars Dance Academy (FSDA) offers classes in disco freestyle, modern, jazz, lyrical and contemporary styles of dance.

Taught by highly qualified dance teachers, FSDA students perform in numerous shows as well as an annual ISTD dance examination session.

DB North Plaza, DB, melissa@futurestarsdanceacademy.com, Facebook: Futurestars Dance Academy, Instagram: @futurestarshk.

iGym, Discovery Bay iGym offers high-energy gymnastics classes for girls and boys aged three to 17. Highly qualified coaches aim to instil a passion for the sport in their students, who regularly attend international camps. Classes are held at Discovery Bay International School and EpicLand in DB. 6077 2758, igymhk@icloud.com, www.igymhk.com.

Island Dance, Discovery Bay & Mui Wo Celebrating 25 years of turning passion into performance, Island Dance offers ISTD Freestyle, ISTD Hip Hop, RAD Ballet, tap and Bollywood classes six days a week. Island Dance also provides and organises dance workshops, birthday parties, flash mobs and camps throughout the year.

Free trial classes are available on request.

Discovery Bay Recreation Club, DB. Club Siena, DB. Mui Wo Sports Centre, Mui Wo, 2987 1571, 9159 0663, info@islanddance.com.hk, www.islanddance.com.hk.

La Sylphide School of Ballet, Tung Chung & Mui Wo La Sylphide offers classical ballet classes and seasonal dance camps to students aged two to seven. La Sylphide’s teachers are all registered with the Royal Academy of Dance. Classes are held in Tung Chung and Mui Wo. 2109 9886 (Mui Wo bookings), lasylphideschoolofballet@gmail.com, Facebook: La Sylphide School of Ballet.

Russian Ballet School, Discovery Bay Russian Ballet School follows the Vaganova system of ballet, regarded by many as the highest quality in the world. Classes are available for children aged three and over as well as adults.

2570 2006, rbsindb@gmail.com, www.russianballetschool-hk.com.

Sportsmanship Gymnastics, Discovery Bay Sportsmanship Gymnastics has been providing structured gymnastics classes for children in DB for over 14 years. Sportsmanship’s new head coach is Judy Yiu, a former Hong Kong National Gymnastics Team member, with over 15 years of teaching experience. Classes are suitable for children aged three to 16. Each session is well structured and diverse, combining floor exercises with balance beam routines. Classes are held at Club Siena.

Club Siena, 88 Siena Avenue, DB, 2870 3524, sportsmanshiphk@gmail.com.

Winky’s Workshop, Mui Wo Winky’s Workshop offers ballet, jazz and visual arts classes. Its dance curriculum entitles students to join RAD Ballet examinations and the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD) Jazz examinations. Students can also take part in performances and competitions.

9324 3754, chan_wai_ki@hotmail.com, Facebook: WorKshop 創作室.

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PASTIMES

CREATIVE CLASSES, ART & GAMES

Ark Eden Foundation is a leading eco-education and permaculture community based on Lantau.

Founded in 2006, it offers outdoor camps, experiential workshops and courses, nature-based wellness experiences and restorative projects for children and adults. The foundation’s aim is to cultivate more caring, sustainable communities dedicated to taking action for people and the planet and restoring respect for all living creatures.

9277 4025, info@arkedenonlantau.org, www.arkedenonlantau.org.

60 The Best of Lantau

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Ark Eden Foundation, Mui Wo

PASTIMES

Caissa Hong Kong Chess Club, Discovery Bay At Caissa Hong Kong Chess Club, avid chess players engage in child-friendly chess instruction, plus competitions and tournaments. From complete beginners to advanced players, Caissa welcomes all those who are interested to join its courses and events.

DB Community Centre, DB North Plaza, DB, 6938 7603, www.caissahk.org.

Chameleon Workshop, Discovery Bay Eleanor McColl of Chameleon Workshop is a practising artist who has been teaching art in Hong Kong for over 20 years. She currently runs classes one day a week from her DB studio, offering a multi-disciplinary approach to art, incorporating technical drawing and painting, printing, wire sculpture, collage and much more. Classes are open to students aged seven and over, with morning painting classes also available for adults. el@chameleonworkshop.com, www.eleanormccoll.com.

Creative Coding HK, Discovery Bay & Tung Chung

AD

Creative Coding HK offers computer science courses and camps for kids, aged five to 15, covering science, maths, art, robotics and technology. Classes include Creative Coding with mBOT, a STEAM-based programme to encourage kids to develop a maker mindset, S.M.A.R.T. Kids, JAVA Coding with Minecraft and App Lab – perfect for kids who are ready for more complex design thinking and programming.

2707 6578, 9469 8225, info@creativecoding.hk, www.creativecoding.hk.

Winky’s Workshop, Mui Wo The visual arts programmes offered by Winky’s Workshop include creative arts and crafts, experimental drawing, sketching and acrylic painting. Different topics are assigned to each lesson to give students the chance to explore the visual language of art and to achieve the balance of creativity and technique.

9324 3754, chan_wai_ki@hotmail.com, Facebook: WorKshop 創作室.

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PASTIMES

DRAMA & THEATRE PARTY ENTERTAINERS Acting Antics, Discovery Bay

Rumple and Friends, serving Lantau residents

Acting Antics provides ageappropriate acting and musical theatre classes for children aged four to 12.

Students learn acting, singing, performance and leadership skills through small classes in a fun, safe environment on Tuesdays or Wednesdays at Discovery College. Visit the website or email Deborah to register.

Rumple and Friends has been providing high-quality, professional entertainment to children across Hong Kong at birthday parties, private events and corporate family fun days since 2012. Its expert entertainers perform magic shows, paint faces, twist balloons and much more in their mission to bring happiness, joy and magic to the children of Hong Kong.

Discovery College, 38 Siena Avenue, DB, admin@actingantics.com, www.ctchk.actingantics.com.

Faust International Youth Theatre, Discovery Bay For over 19 years, Faust has been bringing the wonderful world of theatre, performing arts and creativity to the youth of Hong Kong through its after-school drama workshops, holiday/ specialised programmes and extensive array of productions. Children learn in a fun-filled, supportive environment, developing skills in performance, theatre, teamwork, leadership, individual expression and confidence. Workshops, for children aged three to 18, are conducted in English at venues across Hong Kong, including DB and Sheung Wan. 2547 9114, tess.polo@faustworld.com, paulette.victorino@faustworld.com, www.faustworld.com.

9830 8287, info@rumpleandfriends.com, www.rumpleandfriends.com, Facebook: Rumple and Friends.

Join Us For Our 20th Anniversary Season Starting September 2018

Term-Time Weekly Drama Workshops Join us for action-packed weekly drama workshops for ages 3 to 18 in venues across Hong Kong including: Sheung Wan

Kowloon Tong

Discovery Bay

Wan Chai

Pok Fu Lam

Aberdeen

Repulse Bay

Tai Po

“It is the one activity they constantly asked to do. They love the opportunities to be on stage and it has given them both a big boost in confidence.”

Faust Parent, August 2017 (852) 2547 9114 Info@FaustWorld.com FaustHongKong (852) 2547 9799 www.FaustWorld.com FaustHK th Faust International Ltd. 5 Floor, Nan Dao Commercial Building 359 & 361 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan

62 The Best of Lantau

t u re c i P perfect

PASTIMES

As hobbies go, photography is fairly easy to get started with – cameras on smart phones are getting better all the time, so all you need to do is point and shoot, right? Well, not quite. Whether you’re kitted out with the latest DSLR or simply keen to take better photos on your phone, here are a few tips to take your photography to the next level…

By Col Sim View everything you see as a potential photo Stop burying your eyes in your mobile

Photos by Col Sim – www.colsimphotography.com

phone and take notice of the world around you – you may never see things the same way again!

COMPOSI TION IS KEY Decide on your main

subject, and consider any other elements in the frame – will they improve the photo or create a distraction? Be aware of what is in the background and try not to overlap people – a slight step sideways can completely change the image.

WHEREVER POSSIBLE, TRY TO AVOID USING THE FLASH A harsh light source, the flash can

create unattractive reflections and cause red eye. Try photographing in the shade, or invest in a speed-light flash for your camera to bounce the flash off walls or ceilings and soften the light. Use a tripod (or any solid surface) for long exposures.

The Best of Lantau 63

PASTIMES

CHANGE YOUR POINT OF VIEW Get down low for children and animals or get up high for a view most others don’t usually see.

Stop shooting in auto mode Don’t allow your

camera to guess what you’re trying to achieve – read your user manual, learn the basics of aperture and shutter priority, and take control for yourself. Try to keep ISO as low as possible to avoid grainy images.

WHEN I T COMES TO CROPPING, I T 'S BET TER TO DO I T IN CAMERA Get closer

to your subject if you need to, or recompose the shot. Never pinch to zoom on a mobile – you’re stretching your image, not zooming.

And finally...Don’t hesitate – take the shot.

Take as many photos as you can, and keep only the best; practice at every opportunity; photograph things you enjoy; spend time with other photographers who share your passion; take a course or join a photography club – it’s a great way to learn, meet new people and have fun.

Lighting is your friend and your enemy

Strong light can create shadows, meaning the midday sun is your worst enemy. Look for soft light such as the golden hour just before sunset, or try to find a window or doorway away from direct sunlight.

64 The Best of Lantau

GET CONNECTED Col Sim Photography – info@colsimphotography.com DB Photography Club – Discovery Bay Photography Club Facebook page, info@colsimphotography.com

EDUCATION

Education

www.pexels.com

School advisory services | Playgroups | Early years | Primary schools Secondary schools | Tutoring

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EDUCATION

SCHOOL ADVISORY SERVICES ITS Education Asia, serving Lantau residents At ITS Education Asia, Anne Murphy and her team of experts share a passion for supporting parents in their search for the right education solution for their child.

ITS’ role is to enable parents so that they feel confident that they are making informed, objective decisions about the right school or university both for their child as an individual and for their family unit as a whole. ITS understands that the needs of each family are different, therefore tailors its service to each client’s personal situation.

9166 7601, es@itseducation.asia, www.itseducation.asia.

PLAYGROUPS Epic Adventurers, Discovery Bay Epic Adventurers is an all-new playgroup, held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.45am to 10.45am. Children from walking up to three years learn through play and imagination. Sessions combine music, movement, singing and obstacle play as well as sign language, arts and crafts and meditation time. Sessions cost HK$150 including one hour of free play at EpicLand.

EpicLand, DB North Plaza, DB, 2441 0098, events@epiclandhk.com, www.epiclandhk.com.

Epic Explorers, Discovery Bay At EpicLand’s Epic Explorers, held every Tuesday and Thursday from 9.45am to 10.45am, children from crawling to three years learn through play. Sessions combine music, movement, singing and obstacle play. Having fun with bubbles and balls helps to fire kids’ imaginations while helping them to develop gross motor skills. Epic Explorers is included in EpicLand’s happy hour price, with playtime until 11.30am.

EpicLand, DB North Plaza, DB, 2441 0098, events@epiclandhk.com, www.epiclandhk.com.

Funfit, Discovery Bay Funfit offers an active learning programme and accompanied toddler playgroup with lots of physical, sensory, imaginative and educational play opportunities to stimulate and delight little ones. The focus is on building confidence, friendships and lasting memories, and having fun. Classes range from 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Club Siena, DB, 6302 6327, funfitdb@gmail.com, Facebook: Funfit DB.

Kidznjoy, Discovery Bay & Tung Chung Kidznjoy specialises in Englishlanguage playgroups for children from nine months to three years.

Classes follow the unique ‘Play and Learn’ methodology through a range of activities such as singing and dancing, arts and crafts, circle time, storytelling, sensory trays and more. Children must be accompanied by a guardian.

www.pexels.com

DB Plaza, DB. Seaview Crescent and Coastal Skyline clubhouses, Tung Chung, 6273 7347, info@kidznjoy.com, Facebook: Kidznjoy Playgroups Hong Kong.

66 The Best of Lantau

EDUCATION

Little Buddies, Tung Chung

Tree of Joy, Discovery Bay

Little Buddies encourages little ones to explore and discover sensory, dramatic and creative play. Each session is filled with music, art, dance, phonic awareness and social play, and is run by an experienced and qualified teacher. Little Buddies lays the foundation for English-language skills, while building friendships in a fun environment.

Tree of Joy is an extension of the family experience where children play and learn in a fun, engaging and supportive setting. Run by a qualified and experienced early years teacher, programmes include a nursery class, parent-toddler class, afternoon camp and cooking class.

9275 0371, littlebuddiestungchung@gmail.com, Facebook: Little Buddies Playgroup.

Peninsula Village, DB, 9787 2755, info@treeofjoydb.com, www.treeofjoydb.com.

Tiny Beats, Tung Chung

Woodentots, Discovery Bay

Tiny Beats offers sensory-rich music and movement classes for children aged six months to three years. Various percussion instruments are used in the sessions to allow children to explore and react to new sounds and sensations, helping to develop their neural pathways. Tiny Beats uses music to encourage speech development, as well as listening, social and physical skills, all in a fun, playful environment.

Each theme-based class is carefully divided into story time, sensory play and circle time.

Providing the full, child-centred Montessori experience, Woodentots, run by Natalie Regazzoni, offers a caring and nurturing environment where children grow and learn through self-discipline and self-discovery. It offers a wide range of activities to keep children productive and entertained. For children aged two to six years.

Tung Chung Sports Centre, Man Tung Road, Tung Chung, 9791 4921, tinybeatshk@gmail.com, Facebook: Tiny Beats.

DB Plaza, DB, 6108 9131, woodentotsdb@gmail.com, Facebook: Woodentots DB.

EARLY YEARS ONLY Bayview House of Children, Discovery Bay Bayview House of Children offers classes for children aged three to six years. It provides a rich learning environment appropriate to children’s needs at each stage of their development.

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Units 5 & 6, LG/F, Office Block 2, DB North Plaza, DB, 6114 2436, ramesha@bayview.hk, www.bayview.hk.

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EDUCATION

ESF Tung Chung International Kindergarten Tung Chung

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1/F, Commercial Accommodation, The Visionary, 1 Ying Hong Street, Tung Chung, 3742 3500, kinder@tc.esf.org.hk, www.esf.edu.hk.

areas, the kindergarten offers children rich opportunities to learn, socialise and develop key skills, inspiring them with a lifelong love of learning.

ESF Tung Chung International Kindergarten’s purpose-built, spacious kindergarten provides the perfect environment for young learners to flourish and grow.

ESF kindergarten children enjoy priority for admissions to ESF primary schools, including Discovery College and Renaissance College for Year 1 central applications. What’s more, a new interview-free process is now in place for ESF kindergarten graduates.

“Ours is a world-class facility staffed with the finest teachers,” says head of school Alison Banbury. “Every single one of us cares deeply about the children and helping them to be the best that they can be. Every child has so much potential – we think it is our job to help unlock it.”

With exceptional teachers, the latest learning technologies plus indoor and outdoor play 68 The Best of Lantau

Parents can find out more about starting their child’s ESF learning journey at ESF Tung Chung International Kindergarten by joining the taster day on October 6, from 9.15am to 11.15am, or the school tours on October 9 or 23, November 6, or December 4 or 11, starting at 9.15am. To register, visit www.esf.edu.hk.

EDUCATION

Kind Hing Trinity International Kindergarten & Nursery, Mui Wo Kind Hing Trinity International Kindergarten & Nursery integrates the UK National Curriculum with Cantonese and Mandarin, taught in partnership with Ashville College – a leading independent school in the United Kingdom. Small class sizes in spacious, lightfilled classrooms create a positive learning environment with a strong focus on expressive and creative art.

G/F, Sea Crest Terrace, 19 Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road, Mui Wo, 2109 9886, info@kht.edu.hk, www.kht.edu.hk, Facebook: Kind Hing Trinity International Kindergarten & Nursery 啟興璀尼迪國際幼稚園 /幼兒園.

Sunshine House, Discovery Bay & Tung Chung Sunshine House is an international pre-school committed to providing a vibrant and nurturing learning environment that gives children the very best start in life. The Tung Chung campus has a spacious outdoor playground, enabling children to develop various skills through supervised play.

Shop 106, 1/F, DB North Plaza, DB, 2987 8143, dbay@sunshinehouse.com.hk. 2 Mei Tung Street, Tung Chung Crescent, Tung Chung, tungchung@sunshinehouse.com.hk, 2109 3873, www.sunshinehouse.com.hk.

EARLY YEARS & PRIMARY Discovery Mind Play Centre, Kindergarten & Primary School, Discovery Bay & Tung Chung Discovery Mind International Play Centre’s English playgroups and Putonghua playgroups, for children aged 15 months to two years, provide a gentle introduction to pre-school life, accompanied by a familiar adult. The Pre-Nursery (international or bilingual) class, for pupils aged two to three years, offers stimulating, fun sessions in a caring environment.

Discovery Mind Kindergarten (DMK) offers both international and bilingual curricula for children aged two years eight months to five years. Students have priority going forward to Discovery Mind Primary School.

Discovery Mind Primary School (DMPS) integrates a British and international curriculum with a comprehensive Putonghua programme. The DB campus serves Years 2 to 4, and the Tung Chung campus Years 2 to 6.

Discovery Mind International Play Centre and DMK: G/F, 2-8 Coastline Villa, DB, 2987 8088, pc@discoverymind.edu.hk, dmk@discoverymind.edu.hk. G/F, Seaview Crescent, 8 Tung Chung Waterfront Road, Tung Chung, 2987 8070, dmtc@discoverymind.edu.hk.

DMPS: Shop 102, 1/F, DB North Plaza, DB, 2914 2202, primary@discoverymind.edu.hk.

G/F, Shop A-D, Seaview Crescent, 8 Tung Chung Waterfront Road, Tung Chung, 2915 0666, primary_tc@discoverymind.edu.hk, www.discoverymind.edu.hk.

70 The Best of Lantau

Messy time

Music games

Arts & crafts

FREE TRIAL!

Gymboree

English Playgroups 9 months - 3 years (with guardian)

Discovery Bay: DB Plaza Tung Chung: Coastal Skyline - weekdays Seaview Crescent - weekend

6273 7347

www.kidznjoy.com

kidznjoy playgroups HK

Happy Soul

Programmes offered

Tworiffics (ages 15 months - 2) Playgroup (ages 2 - 3) Kindergarten (ages 3 - 6) Primary (ages 6-11) www.discoverymind.edu.hk

Global Community

Caring Environment

Creative Minds

Discovery Mind International Play Centre and Kindergarten Discovery Bay T 2987 8088 Tung Chung T 2987 8070 Discovery Mind Primary School Discovery Bay T 2914 2202 Tung Chung T 2915 0666

EDUCATION

Discovery Montessori School & Discovery Montessori Academy DB & Central

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Discovery Montessori School, Central, 2850 8006. Discovery Montessori School, DB, 2987 1201, enquiry@dms.edu.hk.

Discovery Montessori Academy, 2812 9668, primary@dms.edu.hk, www.dms.edu.hk.

Facebook: Discovery Montessori Schools- DMS.

Maria Montessori said: “Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment.” This philosophy is at the core of the Discovery Montessori School group’s (DMS) approach to learning.

Set in beautiful European-style buildings, DMS provides education for children aged one to 12 years. The pre-schools in DB and Central cover ages one to six, while the Discovery Montessori Academy (DMA) primary school in DB is the first and only Montessori campus to offer both a Montessori primary curriculum and an International Baccalaureate programme (IB) for children aged six to 12.

Each DMS campus provides children with a supportive, thoughtfully prepared, open learning

environment that embraces their natural eagerness for knowledge, with calm learning spaces helping to promote self-motivation, independent learning and exploration.

Classes at DMS are designed so that children can choose to work either individually or in small groups, with mixed age groups allowing for peer teaching and role modelling. Students explore key learning areas, including practical life, sensory awareness, language, mathematics, geometry, biology, geography, science and history. Specialist lessons are also offered during the school day.

DMS has developed a holistic approach to Chinese language learning, using Putonghua and other proven tools. This curriculum is further enriched with engaging activities, annual field trips and Chinese literature to fully support children with speaking, reading and writing.

DMS schools currently comprise 500 international students from over 30 nations, with a low studentteacher ratio. DMS is a member of the Montessori Schools Association in the United Kingdom and DMA is an IB PYP candidate school.

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EDUCATION

Lantau International School Established in 1995, Lantau International School (LIS) offers reception and primary classes in South Lantau. At LIS, children receive a well-rounded education of the highest standard and flourish both socially and academically.

Reception: 22 Upper Cheung Sha Village, 2984 0302.

Lower Primary: 113 Tong Fuk Village, 2980 3676.

Upper Primary: 17 - 19 Lo Wai Tsuen, Pui O, 2984 0302, lisadmin@lis.edu.hk, www.lis.edu.hk.

PRIMARY ONLY Bui O Public School, Pui O Bui O Public School offers a free, Chinese education.

Adjustments are made to teaching materials and assessment procedures to meet the needs of nonnative speakers.

2 Lo Uk Village, Pui O, 2984 1189, buioschool@hotmail.com, www.buiosch.edu.hk.

Hong Kong International Learning Academy, Discovery Bay Offering a tailor-made learning experience in a small setting, Hong Kong International Learning Academy (HKILA) is a private school offering a non-formal curriculum. HKILA has an extremely high studentteacher ratio, and its fully-qualified teachers have a wealth of experience. Open now for registration.

Units 7 & 8, G/F, Office Block 1, DB North Plaza, DB, 2416 3198, hkilacademy@gmail.com, www.studyhkila.com.

Mui Wo School, Mui Wo Mui Wo School is a friendly, local primary school with around 150 students. Subjects are taught in Cantonese, following the Hong Kong Curriculum. Putonghua and English classes are also offered.

Tai Tei Tong, Silvermine Bay, Mui Wo, 2984 8461, mws@mws.edu.hk, www.mws.edu.hk.

74 The Best of Lantau

SKH Wei Lun Primary School, Discovery Bay SKH Wei Lun Primary School is a Chinese-medium school with approximately 500 students, teaching a local curriculum. Through diversified activities, children develop their potential and talents. As a Christian school, it hopes to nurture the children to grow up and live a life that will glorify God. Discovery Bay Road, DB, 2987 8608, skhweilun@skhweilun.edu.hk, www.skhweilun.edu.hk.

SECONDARY ONLY Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College, Tai O Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College offers both full English Medium of Instruction (EMI) and Chinese Medium of Instruction (CMI) streams. The school follows the local New Senior Syllabus leading to the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education.

99 Tai O Road, Tai O, 2985 5365, info@eclass.bfhmc.edu.hk, www.bfhmc.edu.hk.

EDUCATION

www.pexels.com

One size fits all?

Small, medium or large: does school size really matter?

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By Anne Murphy

hoosing the right school for your child can be a daunting decision, particularly here in Hong Kong where the options are seemingly endless. Should you opt for a large international school with on-site facilities, a small community school or something in between?

Truth be told, although ‘small,’ ‘medium’ and ‘large’ are relative terms, the size of a school can make all the difference to your child’s learning and overall academic success, so it’s important to take the various different factors into account.

Let’s look at each option...

Small schools One of the key benefits of smaller schools is that they are often able to tailor classes to meet the needs of individual students, with low studentteacher ratios meaning staff can really get to know the academic strengths and weaknesses of each child.

“Small classes enable teachers to monitor students’ progress easily,” explains Tom Vujnovac, principal of Lantau International School. “They make individual support and flexible learning possible. Students can also gain confidence quickly through working in small groups.”

Another factor helping students feel more confident in the classroom is the strong sense of family and community that small schools tend to foster.

According to Rachel Humphreys, principal of Discovery Mind Primary School, this family atmosphere is key in enabling teachers and staff to provide a personalised approach to learning and development. “We really know each individual child,” she explains. “We celebrate their achievements, we know what they need to learn next, and we take care that our tailored style of learning best suits their profile. Ensuring each child is heard and that their contributions are valued has a significant impact on their confidence and attitude to learning.”

Another plus for small schools is the strong bond that students develop with teachers and fellow classmates, building relationship skills that will benefit them later in life. This is particularly positive for children who are shy or introverted, as they learn to become comfortable sharing ideas with teachers and fellow students.

Add in other plus points, such as the sense of responsibility students gain from high levels of engagement in the school community, The Best of Lantau 75

EDUCATION

and the benefits of small schools are easy to understand.

Of course, the nature of small schools often means that there are less on-hand facilities in terms of sports fields and so on. However, Hong Kong isn’t short of supplementary venues, and a smaller setting can actually feel more secure for some children – a unique, intimate learning environment that allows them to flourish and build strong academic and emotional foundations.

Medium and large schools Sending your child to a larger school can be advantageous for different reasons. One of the primary arguments is the variety of classes and subjects on offer. For instance, a small school might only be economically equipped to offer Chinese, while larger schools might employ specialist teachers for Chinese, Spanish and French, or even offer accelerated programmes for gifted students.

Larger schools are also often well equipped to provide specialist support for children with additional needs, as well as those who may be struggling academically or socially.

Medium- and large-sized schools generally have more to offer students in the way of extracurricular activities (ECA) too. For example, Canadian International School has an extensive ECA programme covering over 70 activities and clubs, including sports, drama, music, coding, robotics and photography. “It is a priority for us that our students are able to take classes they enjoy,” says Melanie Hnetka, senior manager of communications.

Combine those offerings with a wealth of resources such as on-site swimming pools, extensive libraries and specialist classrooms, and larger schools clearly have a lot of appeal.

According to Lisa Olinski, marketing manager at Stamford American School Hong Kong, despite their size, larger campuses still provide a great opportunity to create a caring and close-knit 76 The Best of Lantau

community. “This enables both staff and students across grades and departments to interact and support each other both in and outside the classroom,” she explains.

Decision time So how do you decide on the right path for your child? At the end of the day, it comes down to your personal requirements. In order to make an informed decision, visit each school to see what it feels like, and don’t be led by others – what’s right for one child isn’t necessarily right for another.

When children are comfortable and happy, they can go anywhere and do anything.

Questions to consider: •

Does the school offer enough variety in terms of curriculum and ECAs?

•

Does the size feel limiting/ overwhelming?

•

Do students receive an appropriate level of attention?

•

Is there a discipline or bullying problem?

•

Are there factors in your community causing an increase or decrease in enrolment?

•

Are parents actively involved in the school community and does the school welcome parent involvement?

•

Are the majority of students achieving at a high level?

Contact Anne Murphy, director of ITS Education Asia (School Advisory Services) at anne.m@itseducation.asia, or visit www.itseducation.asia.

EDUCATION

YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College Tung Chung

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2 Chung Yat Street, Tung Chung, 2988 8123, info@yhkcc.edu.hk, www.yhkcc.edu.hk.

YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College (YHKCC), established in September 2003, is a DSS English-medium school sponsored by YMCA of Hong Kong.

With students and staff hailing from over 40 different countries, YHKCC offers pupils a diverse cultural setting and a caring, dynamic, international teaching and learning environment.

Standing firm on Christian beliefs and values, an excellent pastoral care and guidance system is provided to ensure students are valued as individuals while being given clear expectations.

Offering both HKDSE and English curricula (IGCSE and GCE A Levels), YHKCC is well equipped to cater for the differing aspirations of individual students, the school’s student-centered learning approach facilitating an active and experiential learning experience for the 21st century.

YHKCC believes that students should take an active role in serving and caring for their 78 The Best of Lantau

community and organises initiatives every year to help students develop a sense of personal responsibility and a dedication to fostering social welfare. More importantly, the school places high importance on home-school cooperation and partnership through different platforms such as the Parent Teacher Association, Student Council, VLE system and information evenings, with communication being key.

Furthermore, to foster whole-person development and the provision of an all-round education, 45 clubs and interest groups are offered for students to discover and develop their talents and interests outside the academic curriculum. These are facilitated by the school’s exceptionally well-resourced and equipped facilities including an artificial turf pitch, multipurpose sports field, a four-lane, 100-metre running track with a long jump sand pit, a twostorey music block with state-of-the-art musical instruments and a fine arts centre.

A new black box theatre and fitness room are also under construction, which will contribute further to the joyful, stimulating setting, helping YHKCC students to become happy, confident, responsible global citizens with a strong respect for other cultures.

EDUCATION

THROUGH-TRAIN Discovery Bay International School, Discovery Bay Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) is situated in the unique and picturesque community of DB. The school was established in 1983 and now comprises 1,150 students and 205 staff of 50 nationalities across three very well-resourced campuses.

DBIS’ distinction lies in its small class sizes and personalised approach to learning. The school offers a broad international curriculum based on the English National Curriculum. Students’ learning journeys begin in the Early Years section and culminate in Year 13, with students studying three subjects at A Level.

Early Years: Discovery Bay Road, DB, 2914 2142.

Primary and Secondary: Discovery Bay Road, DB, 2987 7331. Upper School: Units G06 & G07, G/F, DB North Plaza, DB, 3962 1500, dbis@dbis.edu.hk, www.dbis.edu.hk.

Discovery College, Discovery Bay Discovery College (DC) is a private independent school run by ESF that has been educating students since 2008.

DC offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP) and the Career-related Programme (CP). The college focuses on the development of the child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside. Students from across Hong Kong can apply to study at the school.

Scholarships are available for exceptional students.

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38 Siena Avenue, DB, 3969 1000, office@dc.edu.hk, www.discovery.edu.hk.

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SCHOOLS SERVING LANTAU WITHOUT PREMISES ON LANTAU

EDUCATION

Canadian International School of Hong Kong Aberdeen

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36 Nam Long Shan Road, Aberdeen, 2525 7088, admissions@cdnis.edu.hk, www.cdnis.edu.hk.

Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS) has long been recognised as one of the leading International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in the region. Since opening its doors in 1991, the school continues to make significant strides in delivering new initiatives that offer the very best education experience to its 1,750 students from Pre Reception (three years old) to Grade 12.

Chief among these is Project Innovate, which builds on the school’s world-class expertise and practice to incorporate the principles of ‘futureready learning’ into its pedagogy – in accordance with the shift towards a more innovative approach to education.

CDNIS implements future-ready learning by emphasising foundational skills, while providing students with ample opportunities for handson learning, creativity, innovation and problem solving within the context of the school’s dual

diploma programmes – the IB Diploma and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

Not only is CDNIS known as one of the most innovative schools regionally and globally, but its highly regarded Chinese Studies programme includes courses from beginner to native levels in both oral and written Mandarin. Students develop an appreciation of Chinese culture through an abundance of cultural exchange opportunities.

All CDNIS students, from Pre Reception to Grade 12, share life on one campus and are encouraged to maintain a balance between academics and extra-curricular opportunities.

This positive balance, along with the benefits of holding two internationally recognised diplomas, adds significant value as students seek higher education opportunities. The school maintains a 100% university placement record, with students admitted to top institutions around the world.

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Photo courtesy of Malvern College

EDUCATION

Harrow International School, Tuen Mun Harrow International School Hong Kong is the first international boarding and day school in Hong Kong.

Located in a magnificent crescent-shaped building with specialist facilities near the Gold Coast, it now has a combined roll of approximately 1,250 pupils aged three to 18 years.

38 Tsing Ying Road, Tuen Mun, 2824 9099, info@harrowschool.hk, www.harrowschool.hk.

Island School, Sha Tin Island School is the founding school of the English Schools Foundation (ESF), with a roll of approximately 1,200 students aged 11 to 18. Students take IGCSEs and then move on to either the IB Diploma Programme or Applied Learning Pathway in Years 12 and 13. Classes are currently being taught in Sha Tin and Tai Wai while the school’s original site in Mid-Levels is being redeveloped.

Island School Sha Tin Wai: Pok Hong Estate. Island School Tai Wai: Sun Chui Estate, 2524 7135, school@online.island.edu.hk, www.island.edu.hk.

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Malvern College Hong Kong, Pak Shek Kok Malvern College Hong Kong (MCHK) strives to be a leading international school in Hong Kong, having inherited the traditional yet forward-looking ethos of Malvern College UK (MCUK). The school offers an international curriculum, following the example of MCUK, at both primary and secondary levels and has a diverse pupil population. By combining a culture of academic excellence with an array of creative and sporting opportunities, together with outstanding pastoral care, MCHK inspires and empowers pupils to exceed their expectations and fulfil their potential.

Pupils have the opportunity to study at the Downs Malvern from Year 7 and MCUK from Year 9, subject to fulfilling entry requirements.

3 Fo Chun Road, Pak Shek Kok, 3898 4699, info@malverncollege.org.hk, www.malverncollege.org.hk.

EDUCATION

Stamford American School Ho Man Tin

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Stamford American School: 25 Man Fuk Road, Ho Man Tin, 3467 4500, schooloffice@sais.edu.hk.

Admissions Office:Two Exchange Square, 40/F, Suites 4005-4007, 8 Connaught Place, Central, 2500 8688, admissions@sais.edu.hk. www.sais.edu.hk.

Stamford American School is a world-class international school offering a rigorous, interdisciplinary and standards-based education for children aged five to 18, from Pre-Primary to Grade 12.

Stamford’s inquiry-driven American curriculum is integrated with the rigorous American Education Reaches Out (AERO) and Common Core Plus standards, and the school offers students the choice to graduate with either the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme,* the American High School Diploma or both, giving them unparalleled choices and a competitive advantage.

With a broad and balanced curriculum, Stamford’s vision is for every child to achieve more than they believe they can, both academically and as citizens of our increasingly globalised world.

Mandarin or Spanish are taught daily, with four proficiency levels offered in each language at grade level to ensure students are challenged appropriately. The optional bilingual programme, commencing from Pre-Primary and currently offered up to Grade 2, aims to develop excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Mandarin in the core subjects.

The school also has a strong EAL (English as an additional language) team, offering English support for students of varying proficiency levels either in a mainstream class or through a dedicated accelerated language programme, which students typically graduate from within one year.

To prepare students for the world of work, Stamford offers a problem-based Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMinn) programme, challenging students in each discipline through critical thinking and realworld application. For students looking to discover new talents or become savvier in specific areas, Stamford offers over 30 co-curricular activity programmes, enabling each child to pursue their individual passions and unleash their full potential. *Stamford American School has applied for International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme candidacy and will seek authorisation for the school’s first graduating cohort.

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An education to nurture resilient students for

tomorrow’s world

S

tamford American School is a world-class international school offering a rigorous standards-based education for children aged five to 18 years old.

Photos courtesy of Stamford American School

Stamford’s aim is to instill in children a lifelong enthusiasm for learning, and the school inspires its students with innovative projects and personalised teaching to ensure that every child achieves more than they believe they can. Head of school Karrie Dietz explains: “This approach develops each child not just academically, but also stretches their skills and develops traits that promote resilience, preparing them for life beyond their schooling.”

Stamford’s combination of inquiry-based learning and robust academic standards is key in ensuring that students not only gain the skills needed for the modern workforce but also have a solid foundation in core subjects such as mathematics, English and science. The effectiveness of this approach is proven through the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessment, which is run twice a year to benchmark learning and measure how much students have grown.

To further foster that growth, in addition to the core subjects, Stamford offers many specialist programmes, including daily language classes in 86 The Best of Lantau

Mandarin and Spanish, arts opportunities (full-scale productions, visual arts, an active choir and private instrument lessons), a strong athletics programme, including swimming in Stamford’s on-site pool, and an innovative STEMinn programme that creates a balanced education for students and draws them out of their comfort zone. This year, Stamford is offering up to 33 co-curricular activities (CCA) to encourage students to pursue their passions, providing myriad opportunities for them to unleash their potential.

Highlights from last year include students using their STEMinn skills to construct and sail life-sized boats, build solar-powered lights for donation to Papua New Guinea and invent new uses for items that they collected from cleaning Hong Kong’s beaches.

Other memorable moments include a full-scale production of Annie, outdoor camping excursions and ‘Shark Tank’ week, when Grade 5 students developed innovative ideas to save the earth.

Academics and CCAs are not the only focus, however, and developing socio-emotional skills through the Second Step social programme is a critical element of education at Stamford, arming students with the essential skills required to navigate tough social situations and be responsible community members both on and offline.

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To help build resilience, Stamford students engage in many practical projects, which rely heavily on collaboration and problem solving. Students develop soft skills as part of the process, learning from failure and working through the challenges of teamwork, therefore gaining important skills for a successful future.

Following on the heels of the tremendous success of Stamford Singapore, the Hong Kong school has seen substantial growth since it opened in 2017.

Being part of the Cognita family has ensured that the school is staffed with a high-calibre faculty and is committed to the highest safeguarding standards to ensure that all children feel empowered to identify and report unsafe situations, something which Stamford deems critical as children enter middle and high school in our stressful, highly connected world. “Safety is our number one priority,” explains Karrie. “We value academics, but without safety, students aren’t able to learn and grow.”

Currently offering places up to Grade 8, the school is set to grow further next year with the introduction of high school programmes, through which its globally-minded students can receive both an American Diploma and the highly coveted IB Diploma, opening doors for them worldwide.

According to recently appointed Upper School principal Neil Walton, who brings with him over 25 years’ experience in education, this is an important time for the school. “I am excited to have joined Stamford at such a pivotal time where I will get to experience the joy of seeing students grow into adults and move beyond our doors to pursue their passions,” he says.

“We provide an education that values individual talents and creates an environment that allows them to flourish. Seeing happy students who want to come to school each day, feel safe to take risks and by doing so develop their confidence, this is what education is truly about.”

Stamford has now commenced its second academic year and is taking applications for its first high school cohort, with Grade 9 being offered from August 2019. Stamford offers a bus service from the Central piers, and its convenient location in the heart of Kowloon means the bus ride from the pier to the classroom is just a short, 15-minute journey.

For more information, visit www.sais.edu.hk The Best of Lantau 87

EDUCATION

Yew Chung International School Kowloon Tong

3 To Fuk Road, Kowloon Tong, 2338 7106, admissions@ycef.com, www.ycis-hk.com.

each ECE and primary class, two fully qualified teachers, one western and one Chinese, plan and teach lessons together, providing excellent role models who respect and value one another’s culture.

Founded in 1932, Yew Chung International School (YCIS) has been providing quality bilingual education in Hong Kong for over 85 years. Originally specialising in Early Childhood Education (ECE), YCIS now teaches students from six months to 19 years, culminating in IGCSE in Years 10 and 11, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Years 12 and 13.

YCIS’s international curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England framework, the research-based approach allowing high standards as well as ease of transition for international students. Alongside this, YCIS places strong emphasis on character formation, with a focus on developing positive qualities in each student.

Offering a unique richness and diversity of both eastern and western cultures, YCIS equips children to be bilingual, competitive, appreciative and caring global citizens. Students are nurtured in a multicultural environment with a fully rounded and balanced education, which transforms them into global-thinking individuals and provides them with the intercultural competence required for the 21st century.

The school also offers a strong music programme, which helps to enhance children’s reasoning skills and develop memory span, concentration and coordination.

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Uniquely, two co-principals, one western and one Chinese, serve as partners in the operation and administration of the school. In addition, in 88 The Best of Lantau

YCIS Secondary is authorised by the International Baccalaureate organisation as an IB World School and is an authorised Cambridge International Examination Centre. YCIS has also received accreditation from the Council of International Schools. YCIS maintains 100% university placement with students admitted to top universities in Hong Kong and overseas.

EDUCATION

TUTORING Dr. Bear Education Centre, Discovery Bay

Sound Waves, Tung Chung

Dr. Bear Education Centre in DB North Plaza offers Mandarin courses for children aged two and up. Kids learn to develop their language skills in a relaxing and joyful learning environment.

The Sound Waves programme is a phonics-based approach to learning English. The individual sounds of words (phonemes) are used as building blocks to ensure success in reading, writing and speaking English. Students build a strong foundation in Kindergarten 1 and 2 classes, with Primary 1 (K3) and 2 classes going on to explore vocabulary, spelling patterns and grammar.

Primary 3 to 6 students apply their phonics skills in reading comprehension, grammar activities and creative writing.

6762 6264, drbearschool@gmail.com, Facebook: Dr. Bear Education Centre.

Eye Level, Discovery Bay Eye Level makes learning mathematics fun for children who bore easily in a traditional learning environment.

Kids love the special Critical Thinking Math programme, designed to train multiple areas of intelligence. Eye Level has been operating in DB for over 13 years.

Unit 1, G/F, Office Block 2, DB North Plaza, DB, 9366 0000, hi@hicentre.biz, www.myeyelevel.com.

Mathnasium, Discovery Bay An authority on maths education, Mathnasium provides primary and secondary school students with the strong maths foundation they need to succeed. The result of over 40 years of hands-on instruction and research, the ‘Mathnasium Method’ uses proprietary materials and techniques to deliver a customised learning plan unique to each student, whether they require additional help or need to be challenged further by enrichment studies.

Mathnasium’s experienced instructors teach children in ways that make sense to them, going beyond traditional maths tutoring so that they develop a true understanding and build a real love of maths. Mathnasium has over 900 learning centres worldwide.

Shop 105-B, DB North Plaza, DB, 2628 3362, discoverybay@mathnasium.com, www.mathnasium.com.hk/discoverybay.

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Shop 10, Coastal Skyline Circle, 12 Tung Chung Waterfront Road, Tung Chung, 2164 7210, 9045 2914, soundwavestungchung@gmail.com, www.soundwaves.com.hk.

EDUCATION

Wise Choice Education’s aim is to help you speak to the world! Specialising in English-language training for all ages, the experienced instructors teach a range of English-language skills, from phonics to business English and more.

3957 0082, 9064 1842, wisechoiceedultd@gmail.com, www.wisechoiceeducation.info.

Yifan Mandarin, Discovery Bay Yifan Mandarin offers Mandarin classes and holiday camps for children and teens, using an interactive teaching approach.

Unit 1, LG/F, Office Block 1, DB North Plaza, DB, 2486 9012, learn@yifan-mandarin.com.hk, www.yifan-mandarin.com.hk.

Zhizhi Chinese Education, Discovery Bay Zhizhi Chinese Education is a professional language institute located in the heart of DB. Courses at Zhizhi are RICE: Relevant, Interesting, Challenging and Engaging, and the institute’s experienced instructors are passionate about giving children the best possible education for a successful future.

6253 6202, info@zhizhichinese.com, www.zhizhichinese.com. www.pixabay.com

Wise Choice Education, Tung Chung

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EDUCATION

Time for a Considering hiring a tutor for your child? Here’s everything you need to know about when, why and how to go about it

By Anne Murphy

E

ducation in Hong Kong can be a competitive scene, with academic success high on many parents’ agendas. According to a 2016 study by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, one in three Hong Kong adults believes that children should be trained to “win at the starting line,” with one in six saying it’s important not to let children fall behind their peers.

It’s no surprise therefore that an increasing number of parents are turning to tutors to ‘top-up’ their child’s education. But when you’re paying upwards of HK$100,000 a year to have your child privately educated, the prospect of forking out for extra tuition may not sound all that appealing.

So, when should you consider hiring a tutor? Let’s look at the different scenarios…

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A helping hand One of the most common reasons parents hire a tutor is to support students who are struggling with a particular subject. Lesson time is limited during the day, and teachers cannot always adjust the pace to suit every learner, therefore it can help to seek extra support outside of school, where classes can be tailored to individual needs.

Small class sizes are a plus too, with the low student-teacher ratio allowing students to focus on areas of weakness. Smaller groups or one-to-one tuition can also encourage children to ask more questions, which helps to build their confidence.

“The first step is to assess students to identify improvement areas,” explains Hermann Chu,

EDUCATION

tutor?

director of Eye Level Health and Intelligence Education Centre. “They can then work up the levels according to their individual needs, building confidence in a solid way with tailormade guidance. They soon find that things they previously found tricky no longer seem so difficult.”

Getting ahead

Another group of students who can benefit from extra tuition are those who are already flourishing academically but want to improve even more and achieve higher grades. These students are often capable of higher-level work in a particular subject, and working with a tutor can allow them to develop that subject further and explore more complex ideas. This can be particularly beneficial for children working towards IB Diploma or A levels and can help them learn some useful testtaking strategies.

Which brings us to the third reason: exams.

Whether it’s standardised tests such as SAT, IELTS or ACT, or entrance tests for school or university, at some point or another, every student

A good tutor can help prepare a student for upcoming tests by addressing weaknesses or gaps in knowledge and providing valuable tips

will be required to sit an exam of some sort, and very often they need an exceptional score in order to stand out from the crowd.

A good tutor can help prepare a student for upcoming tests by addressing weaknesses or gaps in knowledge and providing valuable tips, such as effective revision methods and exam strategies. And while cramming just before exams is not strictly recommended, time-crunched students can often benefit from a little last-minute tutoring to fine-tune their preparation.

An individualised approach According to Danny Harrington, founder of ITS Education Asia, perhaps the single most important reason for turning to tutoring is to take the broad The Best of Lantau 93

EDUCATION

and general learning your child receives in their class of 20+ students and individualise it for them.

“Everyone learns differently and everyone takes to certain subjects differently,” he shares. “Your child might complain a subject or topic is ‘too hard,’ but maybe they just need it explained in an alternative way. Classroom teaching can’t always present learning in the multiple ways it may be needed for the audience it addresses.”

But Danny warns that it’s important to make sure you set clear objectives and goals. “Don’t just enrol in blanket lessons indefinitely – that defeats the purpose. Precision-guided choices are the way to enhance your child’s learning and maximise their chances of fulfilling their potential. Very often it helps children learn to love subjects they thought they hated.”

Finding the right fit With all this in mind, the next question is how to find the right tutor for your child. Debbie Tai, founder of Zhizhi Chinese Education, says there are a number of factors that parents need to consider.

“First of all, you need to know why you are sending your child to classes. Then you need to consider the education centre: Are the teachers experienced? Are they good at communicating with young kids? How are the lessons delivered?

What is the teaching methodology? But it’s the student-teacher relationship that is more important than anything else – patience and caring for students’ feelings are key to successful tuition.”

Finally, with a tutor selected, Debbie cautions that parents should be measured when it comes to expectations. “I think it is unrealistic for parents to expect a change after one or two sessions,” she says. “Learners need to acquire enough comprehensive input before they can produce any output, but with time, students can begin to enjoy a sense of achievement.”

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4

tips on choosing a tutor

1. Make a shortlist

Know your options. Search and shortlist from online forums or ask friends and colleagues for recommendations.

2 . Read testimonials Some tutorial centres have comprehensive testimonials (more than just one or two lines of praise). Use them to learn from other parents’ and students’ experiences.

3. Budget accordingly Fees can vary significantly between different tuition centres but so can standards, and you may be better off paying a little more to get what you need than paying anything at all for a substandard service.

4. Consider class size The bigger the class, the less individual attention can be given to students, and most parents prefer smaller class sizes.

Sometimes one-to-one tuition can be the better choice, but consider your child’s social preferences, as the intense attention that comes with being alone with a tutor can be difficult for some.

Contact Anne Murphy, director of ITS Education Asia (School Advisory Services) at anne.m@itseducation.asia, or visit www.itseducation.asia.

HEALTH

Health

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Pregnancy & babies | Medical services | Physiotherapy & osteopathy Dental health | Nutrition & wellbeing

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HEALTH

PREGNANCY & BABIES DB Doula, Discovery Bay DB-based labour and birth doula Cathee Jackson offers support to couples throughout and beyond pregnancy with antenatal classes, placenta encapsulation and breastfeeding support.

5993 3699, cathee13@hotmail.com, www.dbdoula.com.

La Leche League Hong Kong is the local branch of the international organisation recognised by WHO and UNICEF as the leading authority on breastfeeding. It holds free group meetings every month, and counsellors also give free information, support and encouragement by phone and electronic media. Two of the counsellors live on Lantau. info@lll-hk.org, www.lll-hk.org.

MEDICAL SERVICES Dr Ka Cheong Kwok, Mui Wo

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La Leche League, Discovery Bay

Mui Wo General Out-Patient Clinic, Mui Wo 2 Ngan Kwong Wan Road, Mui Wo, 2984 2080.

Grandview Mansion, 11 Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road, Mui Wo, 2984 7530.

North Lantau Hospital, Tung Chung

Human Health Medical Centre, Tung Chung

Open since 2013, North Lantau Hospital has a 24-hour accident and emergency service and offers in-patient, ambulatory care, specialist out-patient, allied health and community care services. Pharmacy, diagnostic radiology and pathology services are also provided.

Shop 20, Tung Chung MTR station, Tung Chung, 2109 2711.

Island Health, Discovery Bay Consult: Dr Winnie Siu, Dr James Oliver and Dr Douglas Kwan.

Shop 109A, DB Plaza, DB, 2987 7575, enquiries@islandhealth.com.hk.

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8 Chung Yan Road, Tung Chung, 3467 7000.

Quality HealthCare Medical Centre, Discovery Bay Consult: Dr Simon Siu, Dr Yau and Dr Tracy Leung.

Shop 108, 1/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2987 5633, www.qhms.com.

HEALTH

PHYSIOTHERAPY & OSTEOPATHY Island Health, Discovery Bay Physiotherapy consult: Melanie Potgieter. Osteopathy consult: Louis Ollu.

Shop 109A, Discovery Bay Plaza, DB, 2987 7575, enquiries@islandhealth.com.hk.

Quality HealthCare Medical Centre, Discovery Bay Physiotherapy consult: Sapna Harris. Appointments are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and must be booked in advance.

Shop 108, 1/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2473 6200.

Quality HealthCare Medical Centre, Tung Chung Physiotherapy consult: Newton Chan.

Quality HealthCare Medical Centre, Tung Chung

Shop 18, G/F, Block 3, Tung Chung Crescent, 1 Hing Tung Street, Tung Chung, 2403 6623, www.qhms.com.

Consult: Dr Chung Wing Yee, Dr Leung Yin Ching and Dr Siu Hon Pong.

Skyline Physiotherapy, Tung Chung

Shop 18, G/F, Block 3, Tung Chung Crescent, 1 Hing Tung Street, Tung Chung, 2403 6623, www.qhms.com.

Physiotherapy consult: Gary Fan, Henry Elliott, Cindy Chau, Ivan Chu and Claire Leung.

Raffles Medical Group, Chek Lap Kok

Shop P1, G/F, Seaview Crescent, 8 Tung Chung Waterfront Road, Tung Chung, 2194 4038.

Landside Medical Centre, Level 6, Terminal 1, Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, 2261 2626.

Tai O Jockey Club General Out-Patient Clinic, Tai O www.pexels.com

G/F, 103 Shek Tsai Po Street, Tai O, 2985 7236.

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HEALTH

NUTRITION & WELLBEING Alcoholics Anonymous, Discovery Bay

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If you think you may have a problem with alcohol, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can help. AA holds three weekly meetings in DB: Two of the meetings are for alcoholics and those who think they may have a drinking problem, while the third welcomes alcoholics and their family and friends.

Parkridge Village, DB, 9073 6922 (24-hour hotline), aahelp@aa-hk.org, www.aa-hk.org.

DENTAL HEALTH Bayside Dental, Discovery Bay & Tung Chung Bayside Dental provides a variety of dental treatments in its modern and child-friendly clinics. It is fully equipped with the latest in dental technology, but the emphasis is still on old-fashioned values, such as prevention and practising family dentistry with a friendly touch. Patients in pain are given priority and parking is available at the Tung Chung clinic.

Unit 1, G/F, Office Block 1, DB North Plaza, DB, 2987 0855, 6071 4530 (emergencies). Shop 26, Caribbean Square, Caribbean Coast, Tung Chung, 2185 6550, info@baysidedentalhk.com, www.baysidedentalhk.com.

Ingredients of Wellness, Discovery Bay Ingredients of Wellness offers eight- to 10-week mindfulness programmes which teach young people how to be calmer, how to deal with stress, how to concentrate and direct attention, and how to notice what is happening with their minds, thoughts and emotions. Weekly drop-in mindfulness meditation groups are also available for teenagers.

9048 5425, angie@ingredientsofwellness.com, www.ingredientsofwellness.com.

Just Green, Discovery Bay

Quality HealthCare Dental Centre, Tung Chung

Just Green is Hong Kong’s largest chain of organic convenience stores, with a selection of over 5,000 organic and allergy-free foods, beverages, supplements and home and beauty products. Open seven days a week from 11am to 7.30pm.

Shop 18, G/F, Block 3, Tung Chung Crescent, 1 Hing Tung Street, Tung Chung, 2403 6613, www.qhms.com.

Shop G29, G/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2448 1180, info@justgreen.com.hk, www.justgreen.com.hk.

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HEALTH

Eating out the healthy

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way

B oasting one of the highest number of restaurants per capita in the world, Hong

Kong is a foodie heaven. But with many of us eating out several times a week, it’s easy to slip into bad habits and make poor food choices. Here are eight top tips on how to stay healthy without giving up your social life

1.

Read the menu before you go: Deciding on what you’re going to eat before you get to a restaurant means you are less likely to make unhealthy choices in the spur of the moment, so be prepared and plan ahead.

2.

Order your meal first: How often have you sat in a restaurant and asked your fellow diners what they’re planning to eat? Avoid the temptation to mimic others by ordering your food before the rest of the table.

3.

5.

Pass on the bread: When hungry, it can be all too easy to nibble on the bread basket while waiting for your meal. Instead, try sipping water until your food arrives. That way, you’ll still have space for the main event and will fill up on nutritious grub instead of empty calories.

6.

Ask for dressings on the side: While salads may seem like an obvious healthy choice, the calorie and fat content can skyrocket when they are covered in a rich, creamy dressing. Ask for the dressing to be served separately so that you can control how much you consume.

Avoid buffets: Here in Hong Kong, we all love a good buffet brunch, but the amount of calories we consume when there is free-flow food (and drink!) on offer can be huge.

Opt for à la carte instead, and focus on selecting healthy choices.

7.

4.

8.

Cut the courses: While three-course meals in restaurants are somewhat of a tradition, in reality we don’t need to eat that much food. Try skipping the starter or opt for coffee instead of dessert.

STOP EATING WHEN YOU'RE FULL: This may sound obvious, but when you’re paying for a meal, it can be tempting to try and get value for your money. Listen to your stomach to avoid overating.

Choose your drinks wisely: Sharing a bottle of wine with a meal is a nice treat, but the high sugar content sees those calories soon stack up.

Opt for low-sugar options such as fresh lime soda or choose spirits with low-calorie mixers.

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BEAUTY

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Hair salons | Spas & nails

The Best of Lantau 101

BEAUTY

HAIR SALONS

SPAS & NAILS

Afflatus Hair Workshop, Discovery Bay

Head to Toe, Discovery Bay

Afflatus Hair Workshop is a well-established hair salon for men, women and children. This contemporary salon offers top-quality services including cutting, colouring and straightening through its dedicated, professional team of stylists. As a special bonus, the mirrors in the kids’ area are fitted with televisions to entertain children while they are having their hair cut. Open daily from 10am to 7pm. Ask for Matt or Roy.

A new venture by DB native Nailed It, Head to Toe in DB North Plaza offers professional services including popular foot and body massages such as Thai, sports deep tissue, traditional Chinese and more. High-quality products can also be purchased to take home.

Shop G13F, G/F, DB North Plaza, DB, 2987 0283, afflatushair@gmail.com.

Salon De Art, Tung Chung Salon De Art offers reasonably priced hair and nail services. The team is highly professional and friendly.

Shop T, G/F, Seaview Crescent, 8 Tung Chung Waterfront Road, Tung Chung, 2618 0909.

Salon de Coiffure, Discovery Bay Salon de Coiffure is a long-standing professional hair salon, very popular among DB residents. The dedicated and talented team of stylists specialises in creating the perfect look for special events.

Shop G20, G/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2987 4112.

Unit 8, LG/F, Office Block 2, DB North Plaza, DB, 2988 1188, Facebook: Head to Toe by Nailed It.

Nailed It, Discovery Bay Very popular among DB ladies, Nailed It offers professional artificial nail services and nail art design in a relaxing and peaceful environment. The highly experienced and creative team is happy to cater to clients’ individual needs through customised manicures and pedicures.

DB Plaza, DB, 2987 2266.

OM Spa and Fitness Centre, Chek Lap Kok OM Spa at Regal Airport Hotel is a luxurious spa facility attached to Hong Kong International Airport.

Featuring a contemporary decor incorporating Thai elements, the spa was awarded Best Luxury Hotel Spa and Best Luxury Destination Spa in the World Luxury Spa Awards. OM Spa has also been ranked by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the world’s best airport facilities.

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3/F, Regal Airport Hotel, 9 Cheong Tat Road, Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, 2286 6266, spa@airport.regalhotel.com, www.spa-om.com.

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BEAUTY

Quan Spa, Chek Lap Kok Renowned for its tranquility zones, Quan Spa is unique to the Marriott brand. The award-winning spa offers a variety of massages, authentic treatments and spa packages.

Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel, 1 Sky City Road East, Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, 3969 2188, quanspahk@marriott.com, www.skycitymarriott.com/spa.

Spa Ambiance, Mui Wo Spa Ambience offers relaxing body massages, foot massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, threading, soft gel services and more.

G/F, Shop 12, Mui Wo Centre, 3 Ngan Wan Road, Mui Wo, 2984 2488, 3689 2527, spa.ambiance.hk@gmail.com.

Spa Botanica, Discovery Bay Spa Botanica at Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong has won prestigious awards for the purity of its products and their effectiveness. Trained specialists offer more than 30 different treatments, including detox and aromatherapy treatments.

Family treatments are also available such as the 75-minute Mommy & Princess Treat. From cleansing facials to stress-releasing massages, Spa Botanica can provide a head-to-toe makeover, leaving guests feeling revitalised, refreshed and relaxed.

Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong, 88 Siena Avenue, DB, 2295 8288, www.aubergediscoverybay.com/ wellness-experiences/spa-botanica.

Thai Pailin Massage serves up pure relaxation in a tranquil and comfortable environment. It specialises in traditional full-body massage and a customised head-and-shoulder treatment.

Shop N, Seaview Building, 1 Ngan Wan Road, Mui Wo, 9062 0148.

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Thai Pailin Massage, Mui Wo

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Smooth

operator B

Fed up with the continuous slog of shaving and waxing? Katrina Mercado throws some light on the latest trend in hair removal

ody hair: some of it we want, some of it we don’t. From shaving to waxing to depilatories, we’ve tried it all! But in recent years, two new options have been growing in popularity – laser and IPL (intense pulsed light).

Could these high-tech treatments actually offer the solution we’ve all been seeking?

WHAT EXACTLY ARE LASER AND IPL?

Marketed as permanent or semi-permanent hair removal treatments, both laser and IPL work in a similar way – reducing hair with the use of light. Without going into too much detail, the treatments use machines that emit light energy which is then converted into heat, thus destroying hair follicles, rendering them incapable of producing hair.

In the weeks following each session, the hair should slowly ‘drop off’ as the follicles are destroyed. In the case of those that grow back, the hair will be noticeably thinner and less coarse.

WHAT 'S THE DIFFERENCE? The main difference between the two treatments is the type of light produced. In the case of IPL, the machines use a high-output flash lamp (think light bulb!) that produces broad-spectrum light. The areas treated are not too focused, covering a wide but not necessarily deep target area. Since only a portion of each hair follicle is destroyed during 104 The Best of Lantau

www.lakesidedermatology.com

BEAUTY

each procedure, it’s unlikely that one visit will suffice.

The other treatment on offer, laser hair removal, makes use of a device that emits one narrow, focused light which goes deeper into the skin, maximising follicle absorption, with each laser beam targeting a specific area. Since this treatment is stronger and more precise, fewer sessions may be needed to achieve your goal, although again, it’s not a one-stop solution.

Do they work?

For people with light-blonde, white, grey or red hair, there is a possibility that neither IPL nor laser treatment will do the trick. This is because lightcoloured hair carries low levels of melanin and is therefore unable to absorb light. Those with darker, coarser hair, however, may see good results.

If you think you’re a good candidate, be sure to go for a consultation before making a decision. It’s important to check the quality of the equipment, how experienced the therapists are and the processes they follow, such as whether they use goggles to protect your eyes.

Also, think about how long you are willing to spend going through the whole process and how much money you are happy to shell out – permanent hair removal doesn’t come cheap and it doesn’t happen overnight, but if you can commit, it may just be the answer you’ve been looking for.

SERVICES

Services

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Finance, wills & insurance | Helper agencies | Photography

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Photo by Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com

SERVICES

Carey, Suen Will Services serving Lantau residents

C

9160 7855, info@careysuen.com, annette@careysuen.com, www.careysuen.com.

Twenty-three year Hong Kong resident Annette M Houlihan has been helping people organise their financial affairs for over three decades. After focusing initially on wealth accumulation for the medium- to long-term along with insurance to help clients protect their income and families, Annette decided to specialise in estate planning in 2012, her concern being that most people did not fully understand or even consider what would happen to their wealth and loved ones if they passed away.

not have a will, assets must be shared with your children. If you don’t have children, they must be shared with your spouse’s parents or siblings.

Many people assume that their spouses will automatically inherit in the event of their death, but Annette warns that this is only true in Hong Kong if it is specified in a Hong Kong will. If you do

Having 32 years of international financial services experience allows Annette to tailor-make solutions to give her clients peace of mind should the unthinkable happen.

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Living in Discovery Bay and surrounded by families from all over the world, Annette’s aim is to help her fellow residents and clients put plans in place to support their loved ones should the worst happen, such as what would happen to minor children if both parents did not return home.

SERVICES

FINANCE, WILLS & INSURANCE Harvey Law Group, Discovery Bay Founded by DB resident Jean-François Harvey, Harvey Law Group’s (HLG) multinational team has been serving clients for 25 years. With offices around the globe, including meeting facilities in Discovery Bay, HLG offers full corporate and individual services and specialises in immigration law, business law, employment law and private client services.

Unit 11, LG/F, Office Block 1, DB North Plaza, DB, 2416 8618, dboffice@harveylawcorporation.com, www.harveylawcorporation.com.

Phoenix Wills, serving Lantau residents Phoenix Wills, run by Asa Wilkins, aims to provide an easy solution to the will-making process. Clients are consulted throughout, as each will is customised to suit the individual’s exact needs.

Professional Wills, serving Lantau residents Professional Wills is a specialist will-writing company helping clients not only write their wills but also overcome all the associated issues. These include estate and succession planning, domicile and inheritance, estate tax and appointment of guardians for children of expat parents without family members in Hong Kong.

2561 9031, enquiry@profwills.com, www.profwills.com.

St. James’s Place Wealth Management, serving Lantau residents St. James’s Place Wealth Management is a FTSE 100 company with £96.6 billion of client funds under management and one of the largest wealth management companies in Asia. It specialises in the provision of faceto-face financial advice to individuals and businesses.

The strength of the business is underpinned by satisfied clients, their referrals and the dedication of the wider St. James’s Place team.

2824 1083, hongkong.marketing@sjp.asia, www.sjp.asia.

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3100 0101, info@phoenix-wills.com, www.phoenix-wills.com.

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Photo by May James - www.siusingallery.com

Photo by Natasha Ramsey

SERVICES

HELPER AGENCIES Fair Employment Agency, serving Lantau residents Fair Employment Agency takes the stress out of hiring a domestic helper by pre-interviewing all candidates and only putting forward those who are a good match with your family. Fair Employment Agency never charges fees to the helper, and transparent pricing and great service are all part of the package. Services offered include full placement, direct hire and contract renewal.

3568 6858, info@fairagency.org, www.fairagency.org, Facebook: Fair Employment Agency.

Maid for You, serving Lantau residents Maid for You is a well-respected, premium domestic helper agency whose mission is to create harmonious homes by matching the right helper with the right family.

Owned and operated by expats for expats, its expert team offers ethical, personalised, multilingual services to clients across Lantau and Hong Kong, and has placed hundreds of qualified helpers with satisfied clients.

For clients who don’t require a personal service, Maid For You’s partner company FairMaid offers a curated online database of domestic workers, with custom search facilities.

9167 2737, freedom@maidforyou.com.hk, www.maidforyou.com.hk.

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PHOTOGRAPHY Col Sim Photography, Discovery Bay Specialising in events and commercial shoots, DBbased photographer Col Sim captures everything from sporting action to corporate speeches and community gatherings. Passionate about portrait, landscape, black and white, street and night photography, Col also offers photography classes and is head of the DB Photography Club.

6620 3421, info@colsimphotography, www.colsimphotography.com.

Evoque Portraits, Discovery Bay DB-based photographer Baljit Gidwani of Evoque Portraits captures all your family’s natural moments of love, affection and play. From the time of pregnancy to those special moments you experience with your children, Baljit helps create lifelong memories. He also offers modelling shoots, personal portrait photography and event coverage, as well as tailor-made photography workshops from beginner through to pro level.

9659 6034, baljitgidwani@gmail.com, www.evoqueportraits.com.

Highjump Photography, Discovery Bay Claire Fraser of Highjump Photography has 18 years’ experience as a photographer. Specialising in family, newborn and maternity photos, Claire also works with Discovery Bay International School and Discovery College for school events and official portraits. Claire is based in DB but travels all over Hong Kong for photo sessions.

6503 0063, claire@highjumpphotography.com, www.highjumpphotography.com.

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SERVICES

will,

Where there’s a

Wills, trusts and guardianship documents – what exactly do you need in Hong Kong?

E

By Annette M Houlihan

state planning – it may sound like something only the wealthy need to consider, but in reality it’s something we all need to think about. Here’s what you need to know about the different options in Hong Kong.

Wills A will is a formal document that tells everyone what should happen to your assets in the event of your death. It can cover anything from bank accounts to property, land, MPF and so on. It’s important to have a will in Hong Kong, because the law is very prescriptive about who assets should go to without one in place.

For example, did you know that if you are married and die without leaving a will, only 50% of your assets will go to your spouse, with the other 50% going to your children? If you are married without children, 50% will go to your parents and/ or siblings. This always gives people a shock!

Living trusts

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While wills are important, in reality they can take months, even years to administer, especially if you have assets spread across the globe. This is where trusts come in.

A living trust enables you to set the rules about how and when your assets should be distributed. It works by effectively giving your assets to the trustee so that they can access them immediately and distribute them to your beneficiaries; think of it as baby-sitting your assets.

Living trusts are particularly useful for people with substantial assets such as cash, shares, antiques or The Best of Lantau 110

way

there’s a

jewellery and can often mitigate estate taxes. Assets covered by the trust must be placed into it while you are still alive, however you can still access them by setting yourself up as a beneficiary.

Will trusts Will trusts are useful for individuals who don’t need a living trust but who would prefer their estate to be drip fed rather than paid out all in one go, for example those with young children. Assets are placed into the trust in the event of your death and are administered by an executor.

Guardianship documents Guardianship documents are written instructions stating what should happen to your minor children if they become orphans. They can be used to appoint a temporary guardian to look after your children if the permanent guardian is not in Hong Kong.

Guardianship documents are extremely important, as without them the government will assume responsibility for your children and it can take a long time to extract them from the care system. It is advisable to use a professional to help complete the forms in order to avoid overriding any instructions you already have in place regarding permanent guardians.

For more estate planning advice, contact Annette M Houlihan, managing director of Carey, Suen Will Services at annette@careysuen.com, or visit www.careysuen.com.

TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS

Travel & Excursions www.unsplash.com

Hotels | Travel agencies | Excursions

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TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS

Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong Discovery Bay

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88 Siena Avenue, DB, 2295 8288, enquiry@aubergediscoverybay.com, www.aubergediscoverybay.com.

Located in picturesque Discovery Bay, Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong invites visitors to discover another side to Asia’s most dynamic city, its relaxing surroundings offering a tranquil alternative to the hustle and bustle of downtown Hong Kong.

Comprising 325 superbly appointed rooms and suites, guests are surrounded by ocean views, greenery and natural beauty. With its unique location, Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong offers the best of both worlds. Guests can retreat to the beauty of an island oasis, while 112 The Best of Lantau

Hong Kong’s Central district is only 25 minutes away via high-speed ferry.

When it comes to food, guests can enjoy a range of international cuisines and pan-Asian favourites at Café bord de Mer & Lounge.

Seating up to 160 inside, the restaurant also boasts an outdoor terrace with panoramic views over the South China Sea – perfect for an evening cocktail.

Couples and wedding planners will also want to visit Auberge Discovery Bay Hong Kong for its picture-perfect White Chapel. The first of its kind in Hong Kong, the seaside chapel captivates with its romantic charm, elegant design and ideal waterfront setting.

The hotel is close to a number of popular tourist attractions too, including Hong Kong Disneyland, the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car and the Big Buddha, while Hong Kong International Airport is only 25 minutes away.

TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS

HOTELS

TRAVEL AGENCIES

Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel, Chek Lap Kok

Apple Travel, Discovery Bay

Located next to AsiaWorld-Expo and Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel features 658 guest rooms, a grand ballroom, 11 meeting rooms, five food and beverage outlets, a 24-hour fitness centre, a 27-metre indoor swimming pool and Marriott’s signature Quan Spa. Less than 30 minutes by train from Central, a complimentary shuttle bus service is also available to the airport, Tung Chung MTR station and Hong Kong Disneyland.

1 Sky City Road East, Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, 3969 1888, www.skycitymarriott.com.

Regal Airport Hotel, Chek Lap Kok Connected directly to the passenger terminal of Hong Kong International Airport by an enclosed link bridge, Regal Airport Hotel provides superb accommodation with 1,171 rooms, state-of-the-art meeting and banquet facilities and six restaurants and bars. Recreational facilities include a 24/ 7 gymnasium, indoor and outdoor pools and a luxurious spa.

Apple Travel has been providing expert travel services to the DB community since 1998. It specialises in fullypackaged Asian weekend getaways. The team offers everything from flight tickets and travel visas to special package deals.

Shop 125, 1/F, DB Plaza, DB, 2987 2626, annie@appletravel.com.

Flight Centre Hong Kong, serving Lantau residents At Flight Centre Hong Kong, the team is committed to providing a great travel experience at unbeatable prices.

Its highly trained consultants are dedicated to finding the best travel deal for any destination. Flight Centre offers a full range of travel services including flights, accommodation, tours, car hire, travel insurance and much more.

2830 2776, www.flightcentre.com.hk.

9 Cheong Tat Road, Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, 2286 8888, www.regalhotel.com.

Tai O Heritage Hotel, built in 1902 as a police station to guard the shore against pirates, is a luxury getaway with a difference, with rooms classically furnished for historical authenticity. Nestled on a headland to the west of Tai O, the hotel boasts a glassroofed, open-view restaurant, Tai O Lookout, which enjoys a stunning vista of the South China Sea. Shek Tsai Po Street, Tai O, 2985 8383, info@taioheritagehotel.com, www.taioheritagehotel.com.

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Tai O Heritage Hotel, Tai O

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Photos courtesy of Flight Centre Hong Kong

TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS

It’s only natu From the world’s highest mountain to emerald bays dotted with limestone islands, when it comes to natural attractions, Asia is hard to beat

By Ben Stower Halong Bay, Vietnam

Few places have been photographed as much as UNESCO World Heritage-listed Halong Bay, famed for its towering limestone karsts and isles surrounded by emerald waters. Home to almost 2,000 islands and countless species of wildlife, such as the endangered golden-headed langur, Halong Bay is a nature114 The Best of Lantau

lover’s paradise. Swimming in the bay is banned for environmental reasons, however you can still immerse yourself in the mesmerising nature while kayaking or walking through the many caves.

How to get there: Fly direct to Hanoi from Hong Kong with Cathay Dragon, Hong Kong Airlines or

TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS

and water deer, the park is split into five distinct areas including Tianzi Mountain, where mists and clouds appear to turn the pillars into floating islands.

Perfect for nature photographers, the area also offers challenging hikes for those looking for an active holiday, and the 326-metre-high Bailong Elevator and newly-built Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge both deliver memorable outlooks over the peaks, spires, karst pinnacles and lush forest below.

How to get there: Fly to Zhangjiajie via Shanghai on Shanghai Airlines.

ural

Halong Bay, Vietnam Zhangjiajie, China

Vietnam Airlines. Halong Bay is a three-and-a-halfhour drive from Hanoi.

Zhangjiajie, China

The inspiration for Oscar-winning movie Avatar, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is truly a sight to behold, the collection of towering quartz-sandstone pillars rising from subtropical forests attracting more than 20 million people each year.

With over 3,000 unique plant species and a diverse array of fauna such as macaques, giant salamanders

The Himalayas, Nepal

Stretching across Asia for approximately 2,500 kilometres, the Himalayas cover numerous countries such as China, Pakistan, Bhutan and Nepal. This incredible mountain range features more than 110 peaks exceeding 7,300 metres in elevation, including the world’s highest – Mount Everest.

Trekking through the Himalayas reveals a wealth of nature. Juniper trees and various mosses grow in the alpine zones, while bamboos, oaks, Himalayan The Best of Lantau 115

TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS

Palau

The Himalayas

screw pines and Nepalese autumn poppies can be found at lower heights. Black bears, langurs, goat antelopes and leopards also frequent the region.

How to get there: Fly direct to Kathmandu from Hong Kong with Cathay Dragon.

Palau

Relatively unknown, and off the beaten track, the archipelago nation of Palau is home to a wealth of untouched natural beauty. Comprising around 250 limestone and volcanic islands with lush rainforests, the surrounding waters are beautifully clear and offer some of the world’s best scuba diving sites.

In fact, Palau’s marine life is so stunning, it has been dubbed the ‘Underwater Serengeti,’ with manta rays, Word War II artefacts, shipwrecks, schools of colourful fish, reef sharks and other fascinating sea life abundant.

Those who prefer to stay dry can explore the islands via kayaks, 4WDs, ATVs, scenic flights and hikes.

Each island reveals an array of unique nature and culture such as waterfalls, local villages, pristine rainforest and open lookouts with uninterrupted ocean views.

How to get there: Fly to Palau via Taipei on China Airlines.

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Mount Bromo, Java

MOUNT BROMO, INDONESIA

An imposing sight at 2,329 metres high, Mount Bromo is an active volcano which has been attracting adventurous travellers for many years. Great for hikers, those wanting an easier ride can book guided jeep tours from the nearby villages of Cemoro Lawang or Probolinggo.

For the best views of the volcano, nearby Mount Penanjakan offers an incredible, panoramic vista.

Take a trip at sunrise to witness it to its full effect.

How to get there: Fly from Hong Kong to Surabaya with Cathay Pacific. Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is a three-and-a-half-hour overland transfer from Surabaya.

For more natural travel destinations, call 2830 2776 or visit www.flightcentre.com.hk.

TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS

EXCURSIONS EpicLand is one of Hong Kong’s largest indoor family entertainment centres, boasting the largest indoor slides in Asia and a variety of games and activities to captivate all ages. EpicLand offers 14,000 square feet of pure, exhilarating fun, from an air trek obstacle course and sky-high rock climbing wall to an all-out after-hours laser tag war. With state-ofthe-art equipment and certified international safety standards, EpicLand provides a safe and clean environment for the whole family.

DB North Plaza, DB, 2441 0098, events@epiclandhk.com, www.epiclandhk.com.

Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau At the happiest place on Earth, kids get to meet their Disney friends in person, fly through space, hop onboard a river cruise or ride in Winnie’s honey pot.

Recent additions to the park’s lineup include the Iron Man Experience – the first ever Marvel-themed ride to feature at a Disney theme park – and the STAR WARS: Command Post. www.hongkongdisneyland.com.

Hong Kong Junks, serving Lantau residents Proud to be a plastic-free junk company and offering boatonly as well as all-inclusive packages, Hong Kong Junks takes the hassle out of junk rental so that you can relax. Both boats can accommodate up to 40 people, with shower facilities and a fullyequipped kitchen and bar. To up the fun factor, water noodles, floating mats and SUP boards are provided, and you can even hire a DJ as an added extra.

2840 1588, 5944 3331, info@hongkongjunks.com.hk, new.hongkongjunks.com.hk.

Photo by May James - www.siusingallery.com

EpicLand, Discovery Bay

Hong Kong with Stephen Private Tours, operating in Lantau Hong Kong-born Stephen Tse is a licensed, independent guide who offers authentic-experience tours of Lantau and wider Hong Kong. Fluent in Cantonese and English, Stephen customises tours based on your preferences, whether that’s history, culture, food, hidden gems or even language. www.stephentourhk.com.

Inspiration Lake, Penny’s Bay A stone’s throw from Hong Kong Disneyland, Inspiration Lake is a great place to kick back and relax with a family picnic on the grass. Rent a pedal boat or surrey bike for even more adventure. The park is open daily from 9am to 7pm. www.hongkongdisneyland.com.

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TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS

Saffron Cruises, serving Lantau residents

The Big Buddha, Ngong Ping

Bringing you the largest fleet of boats in Hong Kong, Saffron Cruises’ options range from traditional Chinese junks to high-end luxury motor and sailing yachts from 40 up to 160 foot. Saffron Cruises can also provide anything from party food to a fourcourse gourmet meal, making its vessels ideal for any occasion.

2857 1311, 6493 2650, info@saffron-cruises.com, www.saffron-cruises.com.

Silvermine Waterfall, Mui Wo Silvermine Waterfall is quite a spectacle, especially during the rainy season from May through October.

It’s a gentle 3-kilometre hike from Mui Wo.

Tian Tan Buddha, known to most as The Big Buddha, was erected in 1993. At 34 metres, it’s the biggest bronze, seated Buddha in the world. On a clear day, you can climb the 268 steps to enjoy superb views across Lantau and beyond. www.discoverhongkong.com.

Wisdom Path, Ngong Ping Located close to the Big Buddha, Wisdom Path offers up a pleasant and peaceful 10-minute stroll.

The path is lined with 38 wooden steles (upright monuments) inscribed with the Chinese version of Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist prayers, arranged in the shape of the infinity symbol. www.discoverhongkong.com.

www.discoverhongkong.com.

Photo by Andrew Spires

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118 The Best of Lantau

Wisdom Path, Ngong Ping

Asia travel

TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS

Tired of the same old vacation spots? Broaden your horizons with these five great holiday destinations

1

CORON (PALAWAN), PHILIPPINES

Considered one of the Philippines’ hidden gems, Coron on Busuanga Island, in Palawan province, is home to secret lagoons, dramatic limestone cliffs, sunken WWII shipwrecks and white, sandy beaches, along with the tropical paradise vibe that every discerning traveller craves.

Photos courtesy of Flight Centre Hong Kong

HOT LIST

By Cecilia Yee

Coron, Palawan

How to get there: Fly to Luang Prabang via Bangkok on Cathay Pacific and Bangkok Airways.

Where to stay: Belmond La Residence Phou Vao, Burasari Heritage Luang Prabang, Sofitel Luang Prabang or Victoria Xieng Thong Palace.

How to get there: There are no direct flights to Busuanga Island from Hong Kong. The best option is to fly to Cebu on Cathay Pacific, then to Busuanga Island on Philippines Airlines.

Where to stay: The Funny Lion or Two Seasons Coron.

2

LUANG PRABANG, LAOS

Ancient temples, incredible views of the Mekong River, unforgettable cuisine blending the best of Vietnamese, Thai and French influences, and unspoilt rainforests – this UNESCO World Heritage site in Laos has the lot, topped with friendly locals who can’t wait to welcome you to their little slice of paradise.

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TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS

4

ISHIGAKI, JAPAN

If you thought you knew Japan, think again – Ishigaki, with its distinctive landscape, culture and cuisine, has an identity all of its own. The island’s spectacular beaches are what wanderlust is made of; Kabira Bay, Sukuji Beach and Yonehara Beach are favourites for a reason (the latter is particularly great for snorkelling), but get exploring and you might just discover a hidden gem or two.

How to get there: There are daily direct flights to Ishigaki from Hong Kong on Hong Kong Express.

Ishigaki, Japan

3

Where to stay: ANA Intercontinental Ishigaki.

PHU QUOC, VIETNAM

Tired of the usual beach spots in Thailand or Bali? Turn your view to the balmy island of Phú Quốc in Vietnam. The island’s lush jungles, rugged mountains and many kilometres of protected coastline provide a safe haven for its native dugong, alongside plenty of other rich marine life in the surrounding reefs. Phú Quốc is renowned for its pristine, white, sandy beaches, with Sao Beach on the south-eastern coast purportedly the whitest of all.

How to get there: This idyllic island is easily accessed via connections in Bangkok on Cathay Pacific and Bangkok Airways.

Where to stay: Fusion Resort Phu Quoc or JW Marriot Phu Quoc.

Phú Quốc, Vietnam

5

SRI LANKA

From pristine beaches, lush tea plantations and ancient temples to elephant sanctuaries, surf spots and yoga retreats, there are countless reasons why this island is topping every traveller’s must-visit list. A great spot for food lovers, Sri Lanka’s fiery cuisine is influenced by Indian cooking, while still boasting plenty of exotic flavours of its own.

How to get there: Cathay Pacific offers daily flights to Colombo, while SriLankan Airlines flies there three times a week.

Where to stay: The Fortress Sri Lanka, 98 Acres Resort & Spa, Jetwings Yala or Marriott Weligama.

Sri Lanka 120 The Best of Lantau

For more hot travel destinations, call 2830 2776 or visit www.flightcentre.com.hk.

Photo by Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com

COMMUNITY

Community

Charity & community organisations | Religious centres | Annual charity events

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COMMUNITY

Living Islands Movement, South Lantau

CHARITY & COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS DB Green, Discovery Bay DB Green supports and promotes environmental initiatives and public awareness, focusing on issues relevant to DB. Regular events include beach cleanups and a stall at the DB flea markets to encourage reuse.

If you have any ideas on how to improve the local environment, DB Green would love to hear from you and is happy to support your efforts in any way it can. www.dbgreen.org, Facebook: DB Green.

DB Mothers & Friends, operating in Lantau Through DB Mothers & Friends, DB resident Nikki Boot collects useful second-hand goods at a small cost from those who no longer want them and redistributes them to people in need. Items collected through the household and office moving and clearance service are donated to local charities, schools, churches and people in need via social workers.

9677 6676, nikkiboot@gmail.com, www.2ndhanditem.wordpress.com, Facebook: DB Mothers & Friends.

Enrich, serving Lantau residents Co-founded by DB resident Myriam Bartu in 2007, Enrich promotes the economic empowerment of migrant domestic workers by offering a wide variety of workshops and services to teach about budgeting, saving, paying off debt and setting up a business. Enrich also provides services and information for employers. Employers can sponsor their helper to attend either a single workshop or the full 27-hour financial and empowerment education programme. Donations of time or money are welcome.

2386 5811, info@enrichhk.org, www.enrichhk.org.

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Living Islands Movement (LIM) is a South Lantau-based community group that promotes ‘A Livable Lantau for All’ by campaigning for outcomes in management processes that enhance the quality of life on Lantau.

LIM engages the government and other stakeholders regarding key issues of local concern (e.g. waste management, transport, parking, illegal dumping, landfill etc.) and seeks to bring greater awareness and visibility to issues affecting Lantau and its surroundings through media and events. info@livingislands.org.hk, www.livingislands.org.

Plastic Free Seas, Lantau Plastic Free Seas (PFS), led by DB resident Dana Winograd and former resident Tracey Read, is dedicated to reducing the amount of plastic marine pollution in Hong Kong. Through education in schools and organising regular beach cleanups and events, PFS aims to deliver waste reduction and prevention information as efficiently as possible to spread awareness and understanding. dana@plasticfreeseas.org, www.plasticfreeseas.org.

Save Lantau Alliance, Lantau Initially formed to monitor the government’s plans to develop Lantau, Save Lantau Alliance (SLA) focuses on encouraging public discussion on the matter through forums, questionnaires and actions. SLA aims to help save the island’s beautiful natural environment that is now under threat, sharing information on conservation, history and planning. savelantau@gmail.com, www.savelantau.org.

Sea Shepherd Global, Hong Kong Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Global is an international nonprofit, marine wildlife conservation organisation, aiming to end the destruction of wildlife in the world’s oceans. DB resident Gary Stokes is Sea Shepherd Global’s director for South East Asia. info@seashepherdglobal.org, www.seashepherdglobal.org.

COMMUNITY

Tai O Community Cattle Group, Tai O Tai O Community Cattle Group (TOCCG) was formed to improve safety for Lantau’s cattle, helping them to coexist in harmony alongside local residents. Led by Kathy Daxon, it provides fluorescent road collars for cows on South Lantau. TOCCG regularly monitors herd statistics and roaming patterns, and liaises with the police, the AFCD, and the Transport Department. Educating visitors to Lantau is a top priority. TOCCG also monitors the water catchment to help save vulnerable barking deer.

5181 4406, taioccg@gmail.com, Facebook: Where is Melvin?

RELIGIOUS CENTRES Bridge Church, Tung Chung Bridge Church is an international family of Christian believers meeting every Sunday at 10am.

YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College, 2 Chung Yat Street, Tung Chung, www.thebridgechurch.hk.

Calvary Church, Discovery Bay & Tung Chung Calvary Church is an English-speaking international church which holds services on Sundays at 10.30am.

DB Community Centre, DB North Plaza, DB, robertescueta@calvaryhk.com. Novotel Citygate, Tung Chung, kevinhar@calvaryhk.com, www.calvaryhk.com.

Discovery Bay Alliance Church, Discovery Bay Discovery Bay Alliance Church invites anyone wanting to know more about Jesus Christ to its prayer meetings and services. Sunday service takes place at 8.20am, 10am and 11.40am, with a teens’ Sunday school at 10am and children’s Sunday school at 9.30am. Services are conducted in Cantonese, with the 11.40am session having Mandarin translation.

DB Community Centre, DB North Plaza, DB, 2987 8780, church@dbac.org.hk, www.dbac.org.hk.

Discovery Bay Church, Discovery Bay A warm, welcoming and family-friendly church in the Anglican/ Episcopal tradition, Discovery Bay Church holds a weekly Sunday service at SKH Wei Lun school hall in DB, with children’s ministry at 10am. Contact Father Mark Rogers for enquiries.

5180 5106, markrogers@discoverybaychurch.org.hk, www.discoverybaychurch.org.hk.

Discovery Bay International Community Church, Discovery Bay Discovery Bay International Community Church (DBICC) holds services for adults every Sunday at 10am at Discovery College. Separate age-appropriate programmes are held for children and teens.

Discovery College, 38 Siena Avenue, DB, 2987 7061, office@dbicc.org, www.dbicc.org.

Epiphany Parish, Mui Wo Epiphany Parish is a place of worship for those of Catholic faith. Sunday Mass takes place at 8am in Chinese and 10.45am in English.

G/F, Silver Pearl Mansion, Flat D, Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road, Mui Wo, 2984 1951, epiphanyparishlantau@yahoo.com, epiphany.catholic.org.hk.

Trinity Chapel, Discovery Bay Trinity Chapel welcomes anyone keen to learn more about the Catholic faith. Sunday Mass takes place at Discovery Bay International School at 8am and 10.30am in English, and at 9.15am in Cantonese.

9234 3548, info@dbtrinitychapel.org, www.dbtrinitychapel.org.

The Best of Lantau 123

COMMUNITY

Box of Hope, across Lantau Why: Local kids can make a difference by sending useful and educational gifts to underprivileged children in Hong Kong and Asia When: Collection points are open from November 5 to 9, 2018

ANNUAL

CHARITY EVENTS

Contact: siantaylor1@boxofhope.org, www.boxofhope.org

DB 10km Run for Charity, Discovery Bay Why: Raise money for charity as you join over 500 road runners on this challenging 10-km course When: December 1, 2018

Photos by Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com and official Team FEAR photographer

Contact: info@dbrunforcharity.com, www.dbrunforcharity.com

DB 10km Run for Charity

DMK Operation Santa Claus Walk, Discovery Bay & Tung Chung Why: Get decked out in your festive gear and join the children of Discovery Mind as they raise money for good causes in Hong Kong and beyond When: November 17, 2018 DBRC Tennis Charity Cup

DBRC Tennis Charity Cup, Discovery Bay Why: Local tennis players battle it out at the Discovery Bay Recreation Club to raise funds for children and adults in need When: October 6, 2018 Contact: dbrc-enquiries@dbrc.hk, www.dbrc.hk 124 The Best of Lantau

Contact: www.discoverymind.edu.hk, osc.scmp.com

Harvey Law Kart Race, Discovery Bay Why: A super-fun event for kids aged seven to 12; proceeds go to the Heep Hong Society to create a better tomorrow for children with diverse needs When: March 2019 Contact: kartrace@harveylawcorporation.com, www.hlgkartrace.com

COMMUNITY

Lantau Buffalos 5K Run, Discovery Bay

Team FEAR, Discovery Bay

Why: Kids aged eight to 14 can join in this annual charity event, with proceeds going to support Plastic Free Seas; six- and seven-year-olds can compete in a shorter, 2-km option

Why: Over 900 students, aged eight to 18, run, cycle, swim, kayak and climb across DB to raise funds for Youth Outreach; registration starts in September

When: April 2019

When: November 25, 2018 Contact: www.youthoutreach.org.hk, www.team-fear.com

Contact: www.lantaubuffalos.org

Harvey Law Kart Race

Ngong Ping Charity Walk, Tung Chung & Ngong Ping Why: Help the Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association promote cultural exchange, physical and mental wellbeing and environmental protection with either a 10-km leisure walk or a 20- or 29-km competition route

Team FEAR

When: January 20, 2019 Contact: npcw.yha.org.hk

The Crayon Run, Discovery Bay

SPCA Dogathon, Hong Kong Disneyland

Why: An annual family fun run to promote charitable giving, a healthy lifestyle and family bonding; proceeds go to the Society for the Relief of Disabled Children, to help children with orthopaedic problems

Why: Hang out with your pooch for a day of fun while helping the SPCA raise funds for animals in need When: February 24, 2019 Contact: dogathon@spca.org.hk, www.spca.org.hk

When: May 2018 Contact: thecrayonsociety@gmail.com, www.thecrayonrun.com The Best of Lantau 125

COMMUNITY

Inspiration

island

Photos by Andrew Spires and Duey Tam

A melting pot of cultures from around the world, Lantau is full of people working hard to make a difference. We asked four inspirational islanders to share their stories

DB-based domestic worker Liza Avelino proves the sky really is the limit if you set your sights high enougH

helper; I had to save for eight months for my first trip, but I would have done anything to realise my dream, and that was the first step.

I arrived in Hong Kong from the Philippines in 1996 to start a new job as a domestic worker.

At first, I spent my Sundays sitting in Central, but I soon found that wasn’t for me. Instead, I headed to the public library, where I stumbled across a book about hiking. On my next day off, I set off to walk the Wong Nai Chung Gap, and so began a whole new chapter.

My hikes haven’t all been straightforward either – bad weather and sickness prevented me from reaching Island Peak on Everest in 2015, however I didn’t give up and went back to tackle it again the following year.

My new hobby soon became a passion, and I became a hike leader for a local hiking group. Since then, I’ve gone on to climb mountains across the world - Mount Yarigatake in Japan, Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

I’ve tackled many hurdles along the way – I had never seen snow before, let alone walked on it, and it can be tricky getting a visa with me being a domestic 126 The Best of Lantau

When I left the Philippines, I couldn’t possibly have imagined the path my life in Hong Kong would take. One of my biggest achievements was when I addressed 500 people at a TEDx event last year.

I now hope to become a motivational speaker (and continue climbing mountains), while helping to raise funds for charities that support the wellbeing of domestic workers in Hong Kong.

My advice to fellow domestic workers is to grab every opportunity that Hong Kong has to offer. Use your days off in a meaningful way – do something that makes you smile.

COMMUNITY

Dedicated to helping those less fortunate, Hong Kong native and eight-year DB resident Nikki Boot has put community thinking firmly on the agenda on Lantau through her social enterprise, DB Mothers & Friends I founded DB Mothers & Friends in 2013.

The initial idea was to try and connect DB residents so that they could share tips and create a convivial community, but we soon discovered that there was an opportunity to do much more.

In 2014, we registered as a social enterprise and began collecting unwanted furniture, initially from DB, then later from across Lantau and Hong Kong, which we redistributed to charities.

Since then, we’ve helped over 5,000 households and offices clear unwanted items from furniture and appliances to toys, clothes and other useful items. The items collected have been used to support over 50,000 beneficiaries, including charities, schools, churches and individuals.

A popular, well-known figure in Lantau, Jacqui Green has been championing the rights of animals on the island for nearly three decades I arrived in Hong Kong in October 1979 and moved to Lantau on a full-time basis in 1989. PALS (Protection of Animals Lantau South), or SLAP (South Lantau Animal Protection) as it was originally known, was founded in 1998 to try and address the local attitude towards animals, especially cats and dogs. In those days, it was not uncommon to find villagers throwing away live litters of kittens in rubbish bins or dumping puppies in paddy fields or at refuse collection points.

I haven’t kept a record of how many animals we’ve helped over the years, but it must run into the thousands.

I strongly believe that animals need humans to speak and act

Most of the people we have helped are here in Hong Kong, however we’re now at a point where we can help people in third world countries too, and in March this year we sent a 40foot container to Burkina Faso in Africa, where the literacy rate is one of the lowest in the world. Among all the pre-loved items were thousands of books for a local school.

Of course, it’s an honour to be able to help people in need, but there are other benefits too. For example, I love how our initiative encourages a green lifestyle, and it’s great to be able to help the unemployed by creating job opportunities.

DB Mothers & Friends has come a long way since 2013, and I’m looking forward to continuing to expand our network and supporting the community through socially beneficial causes

on their behalf. No one should condone cruelty in any shape or form, however animals, although sentient creatures, are all too often held hostage to the whims and misdeeds of humans.

I’m happy to say that PALS has achieved a lot since its inception. Joining the TNR (Trap/ Neutar/ Return) scheme for feral cats has made a tremendous difference to the number of unwanted kittens being born in South Lantau, and we’ve been able to initiate a fledgling programme for dogs, too. We’ve also worked with other animal welfare organisations to vigorously lobby the government to update and improve animal welfare legislation, to increase fines and penalties for animal cruelty, to enhance public education of animal rights in society and, most recently, to push through revised animal trading laws.

This year, I am planning to retire, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my work on Lantau, and it has suited me well.

My brother-in-law used to say of me, “She’s barking mad!” – so very English and probably very apt!”

The Best of Lantau 127

COMMUNITY

South Lantau’s Merrin Pearse arrived in Hong Kong in 2007 and has been fighting the good fight for Lantau ever since How would I describe myself?

I’m a Kiwi passionate about reconnecting people with nature and raising awareness of more sustainable development options in business. After moving to South Lantau, it soon became clear to me that there was potential for negative developments in the area and surrounding waters, so I joined Living Islands Movement (LIM) to try and make a difference.

Photo by Andrew Spires

LIM’s mission is to campaign for outcomes from Hong Kong planning and management processes that enhance the quality of life on Lantau. Over the years, LIM has been instrumental in stopping the super prison proposed for Hei Ling Chau, raised public awareness around the LNG terminal proposed for the Soko Islands, lead

alternative options to building the incinerator next to Shek Kwu Chau, participated in regular meetings to help inform government officials and hosted numerous community events.

In terms of personal motivation, I get annoyed by poorly designed projects that waste energy or destroy nature when there are better alternatives. Of course, things aren’t always straightforward – not speaking or reading Chinese means I have to rely on others for translations and can miss out on some of the finer points of why people are concerned, but I enjoy getting people together to talk through issues for the good of the community.

To anyone concerned about the environment on Lantau, I’d say talk to your neighbours, share your concerns on social media and write in to the government’s 1823 enquiry service to ask what is going on or to point out possible illegal activity. And if you’d like to take a more active role, the LIM committee is always looking for volunteers – translators, graphic designers, writers – whatever you have to offer, you can make a difference for Lantau too.

Mangrove wetlands, Tai O 128 The Best of Lantau

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TEL: 2164 7210 WhatsApp: 9045 2914

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KINDERGARTEN – LANTAU ISLAND

Are you looking for a top class International Kindergarten?

We teach an International EYFS Curriculum with Cantonese and Mandarin to make children world ready. Kind Hing Trinity International Kindergarten, in partnership with Ashville College – one of the UK’s leading independent schools – offers small class sizes, within a light and spacious environment.

Learning has a strong focus on expressive and creative art. www.kht.edu.hk khtinternationalkindergarten G/F, Sea Crest Terrace, 19 Mui Wo Ferry Pier Rd, Lantau Island 大嶼山梅窩梅窩碼頭道19號海愉花園地下 Tel: 2109 9886 • Fax: 2109 9896

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TEL: 9275 0371

TEL: 9469 8225

MARKETPLACE

Tung Chung Vet Centre covers all of your pets’ veterinary needs From annual vaccinations, in-house blood work, X-Ray, ultrasound to desexing and dental surgery.

Prescription diets and acupuncture services are also available at our clinic. Our experienced vets and nurses will work with you to keep your pets ďŹ t and healthy so they can live fuller, longer lives.

Tel:2328 7282

By appointment

Shop Q2, Seaview Crescent Retail shops, 8 Tung Chung Water Front Road, Tung Chung

MARKETPLACE

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Take a walk on

Wild Lantau

the WILDside Known as the ‘green lung’ of Hong Kong, Lantau is home to an array of wonderful wildlife. Here are just some of the amazing creatures you might encounter as you explore the island’s rich ecology Dragonflies, butterflies and moths

Photos by Andrew Spires and courtesy of and Naomi Brannan of SMRU (Hong Kong) and www.wikimedia.org

Wild cattle and water buffaloes

The offspring of farm animals introduced to Hong Kong in the 1900s, Lantau’s feral bovines now live mostly in herds across South Lantau.

Home to approximately 60% of the 110 dragonfly and 240 butterfly species in Hong Kong, Lantau has an extremely rich insect fauna. And when it comes to moths, it has some of the largest, including the enormous atlas moth, whose wingspan can reach an incredible 30 centimetres!

Dog-faced fruit bats Common in both urban and rural areas, these big-eyed mammals like to roost in among the palm leaves.

Red Munjac Commonly known as barking deer due to their distinct dog-like call, these striking animals love to hide deep in the woods.

Romer's tree fog A protected species in Hong Kong, these tiny creatures are the smallest amphibians in the territory.

Snakes Did you know that there are approximately 55 species of snake in Hong Kong? No wonder they’re seen so often around and about Lantau!

132 The Best of Lantau

Horseshoe crabs Often referred to as living fossils, these unique sea dwellers have been around for 475 million years!

Chinese White Dolphins Now critically endangered, Lantau’s friendly cetaceans spend most of their time in the waters north of the island.