February 2012 issue

Buff is beautiful Why DB bootcamp might float your boat

School report How local kids find university overseas

Walk on the wild side Top trails for families and fitness freaks

FEBRUARY

2 0 12

Publishers in DB since 2002

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CONTENTS FEATURES

20

42

DEAR READER

50

20

PROFILE Meet bodacious bootcamp trainer Tyler Treece

24

IN FOCUS In search of spiritual and /or personal development

30

FAMILY MATTERS DB kids report back from university overseas

37

MONEY MATTERS Where to invest now

42

TALKING POINTS DB’s first MasterChef

46

ESCAPES Just for kicks: kite boarding in Kenya

50

ACTION Your guide to hiking in Hong Kong

56

STYLE How to design your home office

REGULARS 10

IN & AROUND DB Catch up with the latest community news

44

TECH TREND Environmentally sound technologies

62

HOTSPOTS Hip happenings around Hong Kong

64

DB FACES Community snaps

66

CLASSIFIEDS Great deals!

68

PROPERTY Hot local listings

70

DB NUMBERS Your ultimate guide in DB

72

DB MOMENTS Becoming a black belt, age 9

Because it’s Valentine’s Day on February 14, or maybe just because, this issue is all about love... love for self, love for education, love for travel, love for the environment, love for our community.

Needless to say then, February’s Around DB is all about people. I hope you’ll agree that interesting faces are popping out at you from every page. And by this I don’t just mean the Dalai Lama, or even kid’s entertainer Scott Ligertwood of Scotty and Lulu fame, but a whole host of fascinating DBers. Taking it from the top, I feel sure you’ll want to read all about bootcamp trainer Tyler Treece, teen MasterChef Phoebe Whalley, photographer Luiz Souza and nine-year-old black belt Rafi Joss.

This issue sees our lead articles focusing on journeys of self improvement. If you’re concerned about sending your third-culture kid to university overseas, turn to page 30, where you’ll gain some

solace. Three DB kids report back from the US, South Africa and Scotland expressing their love not just of learning but of the whole cultural experience. Likewise, on page 24, you’ll find an inspiring piece about three radically different individuals and their disparate paths of personal discovery. The crux is that all three are determined to improve their own lives and by so doing improve the lives of those closest to them.

Finally I’d like to draw your attention to the events pages in the opening section of the magazine. Most of these happenings are a way for the community to give back. You see… it’s all about love.

Dancing in Dragon Year Photos by Tracey van Geest Buff is beautiful Why DB bootcamp might float your boat

School report How local kids find university overseas

Walk on the wild side Top trails for families and fitness freaks

FEBRUARY

2 0 12

Publishers in DB since 2002

On the cover: DB resident Tyler Treece Photo by Catharine Nicol

Publisher

Corinne Jedwood corinne@arounddb.com Editor

Rachel Ainsley editor@arounddb.com Community news

Lise Dooling lise@arounddb.com Advertising

Lissa Morris lissa@arounddb.com Art direction

Terry Chow Photography

Tracey van Geest tracey@inspiredimages.co Accounts

accountant@arounddb.com Contributors this month

Andrew Dembina Lauren Gordon Martin W. Hennecke Elizabeth Kerr Paula Lepore Burrough Catharine Nicol Karmel Schreyer Phillippa Stewart Heather Wilson General enquiries

info@arounddb.com Published by

Bay Media Limited Flat 230, Block D, DB Plaza Discovery Bay, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2987 0577 Fax: (852) 2987 0533 Disclaimer The views expressed in Around DB are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or contributors. The publisher and editor cannot be held responsible for differences of opinion or statements published in good faith. The publisher, contributors, their employees and partners are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors or omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication and expressly disclaim all and any liability for any such action of any person. The mention of specific companies or products in articles or advertisements does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by this magazine or its publisher in preference to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without permission.

This Chinese New Year, the Lion and Dragon Dancing at the Discovery Bay Recreation Club and Club Siena was particularly well attended, and we hope the auspicious event will bring plenty of luck to the whole community in 2012. How can you tell the difference between a Lion and a Dragon dance? It’s all about the size, power and presence of the animal.

While a Lion requires only two people to bring it to life, a Dragon typically requires a team of 15!

YMCA Tung Chung - International Night On December 10, 2011 YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College (YHKCC) hosted close to 1,400 visitors at the Lantau campus during its annual International Night. Students, parents and friends celebrated with delicious multi-cultural food and some exciting live performances. The evening’s highlight had to be the International Show featuring songs and dances from around the globe.

Bake Sale for PALS Photos by Frederic Guiral

Well done to a group of young DBers (Maya Guiral and Rei Sakamaki, 10, Chisato Mizumoto, 9, Sayaka Mizumoto, Miwa Sakamaki and Julie Guiral, 8, and Lana Guiral 5) who held a bake sale last month in DB in order to collect funds for PALS (Protection of Animals Lantau South).

The kids’ work in the kitchen was well rewarded as all the cup cakes, cookies and brownies sold out in 40 minutes. All proceeds were handed to Jacqui Green of PALS during the DB Flea Market the following day.

February 2012

11

FEBRUARY 2012

IN & AROUND DB

Compiled by Lise Dooling

FEBRUARY AT A GLANCE WHEN

WHAT

WHERE

February 4, 3.30-6.30pm

HK Paws Adoption Event

DB Plaza

February 4-5, 7.00pm

Live Jazz

D Deck

February 5, 10.00am-2.00pm

Farmer’s Market

DB North Plaza

February 14

Valentine’s Day Violin Performance

D Deck

February 18, 7.30pm

Moon Bear Fundraiser

DBIS Globe Theatre

February 26

Start-rite Launch

D’Café Function Room

If you organise an event, club or charity that you would like to see featured in this section, please contact communitynews@arounddb.com.

Working on Wellness Giveaway

COMPETITION

A great way to jump-start your fitness goals for 2012, the first KIPMOVIN Working on Wellness (WOW) Challenge begins in DB on February 4. The 8-week programme encourages healthy living choices as well as fitness, as you go up against other teams to compete for prizes based on personal and team achievements.

For more information, go to www.kipmovin.com.

KIPMOVIN is offering two free memberships to the WOW programme valued at HK$1,999 each. To enter simply tell us, ‘What is the name of the world-class athlete and DB-based founder of KIPMOVIN’? Clue? He won the 10K Charity Run in DB in November. The first two correct answers emailed to info@arounddb.com (subject line: WOW) will win.

Anyone for Tennis?

The annual Tennis Nations Cup is a 19-year tradition in Discovery Bay, and we are counting down the days until March 3, when the Discovery Bay Recreation Club (DBRC) will once again play host. If you want to ‘play for your country’ you need to register before February 12 - forms are available at the DBRC. If you are new to DB and would like to be part of a team, contact Stevo, head tennis coach at the DBRC at 2987 7381. And don’t forget that on the day, your kids will also be entertained with an exciting carnival. Be sure to read all about the much-anticipated event in our March issue!

D Deck Entertainment

Photo courtesy of www.kipmovin.com

Enjoy great Brazilian music from one of Asia’s premier jazz bands, Brasril, on February 4 and 5. Take your seat on the promenade at 7.00pm to catch the funky two-hour show.

Congratulations to last month’s winners Emil Marquez and Nicola Michelle for Kidsfest; Stephanie Leung, Joanne Chau, Minnie Moreno, Louise Tyrrell and Dina Noviani for Avalon Organic products; and Trine Hoel, Navin Jain, Mike Mexted and Eric Le Bian for Philippe Joly’s book POTEMKIN, Inc. Please call our office on 2987 0577 to collect your prize.

12

February 2012

FEBRUARY 2012

IN & AROUND DB

DB: Top Love Destination

Lantau 50 Race

This Valentine’s Day, celebrate with a romantic stroll along the promenade where the beach will be lit by thousands of candles. If you opt to dine at D Deck, you’ll be serenaded by a live violin performance.

Spend HK$400 or more at one of the 12 designated restaurants, and you can also pick up a free gift at the D Deck ticket kiosk.

March 24 sees the first Lantau 50 mountain run presented by Raidlight. "The race will start from Discovery Bay, then head to one of the longest trail climbs in Hong Kong before bringing you back to Sunset Peak to enjoy Hong Kong’s most scenic contour trail," says race organiser and Lantau resident Clement Dumont.

Illustration by DB resident Richard Leschinsky

Win Flowers for February 14

COMPETITION

Missing her Scottish garden was the prompt for DB resident Dot Caddis to open Flowers from the Heart in Discovery Bay. Dot has a passion for orchids and flowers of all kinds and she has the expertise to artfully arrange your bouquets. Call her on 9150 7165.

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day this month Flowers from the Heart is offering two great prizes to Around DB readers – the winner will receive a beautiful pot of orchids valued at HK$850, and the runner up a Reed Diffuser Set valued at HK$460.

Orchids come in a variety of colours, to Colourful assortments of have a chance to win name three of them. seasonal flowers and beautiful orchids Email us at info@arounddb.com (Subject artfully arranged, right here in DB line: Flowers from the Heart).

Tel: 2987 0802 Mobile: 9150 7165 dotcaddis@me.com

Calling all Dragon Boaters!

Less experienced runners can choose the Explorer 15-kilometre course, while the elite tackle a 2,500-metre climb to complete the 50-kilometre course. The race is limited to 500 participants, so don’t wait to register! For registration and information on volunteering, visit www.lantau50.com or email Clement at info@lantau50.com.

New North Plaza Farmers’ Market Head to DB North on February 5 from 10.00am-2.00pm to peruse and purchase a rich variety of organic produce and eco-friendly consumables.

You can expect locally grown and baked items, such as Lantau-grown organic produce, plus imported delights, such as Spanish ham and wine. Be sure to check out the gorgeous organic skincare products too. While you are browsing the stalls, Girl Effect HK, a local non-profit group, will entertain the kids with stories.

Dragon Boat season is coming up, with races all over Hong Kong culminating in DB on June 23. The paddle division of the Lantau Boat Club is therefore putting together teams to compete. It is looking for fit people who can commit to training at least twice a week from late February. Dragon boat racing is a great way to meet people, get fit and have fun – for more details contact kobi@netvigator.com.

February 2012

13

FEBRUARY 2012

IN & AROUND DB

Deer Horn Dinner Vouchers

COMPETITION

For a great new addition to the dining experience at Mui Wo, head to Deer Horn Nepalese Restaurant. Childhood memories of watching deer play in their homeland prompted owners Robinson and Pushpa Rai to give the restaurant its name. Deer Horn is open from 12 noon until late everyday but Tuesday and is a short walk from the ferry pier. Call 3484 3095 to make a reservation.

Lovers of Nepalese cuisine can answer the following question correctly to win a dinner voucher at Deer Horn worth HK$250. ‘Which meat is used in the Nepali dish Khasi Ko Sekuwa?’ The first four readers to email us the correct answer to info@arounddb.com (Subject line: Deer Horn) will win.

Counselling Service for DB Families Long overdue in DB, the Child and Family Development Practice (CFDP) is opening this month. It offers a wide range of counselling and therapy services, including parent-child relationship building, child play therapy and behaviour management. Also available are child development group programmes which are suitable for children of all abilities, including those with special needs, developmental delays, and/or behavioural issues. To find out more call 2914 2223.

Free Tickets to The Little Big Club

Check out Hong Kong Paws Foundation (HK Paws) adoption event every Saturday in DB Plaza from 3.30-6.30pm. Adorable, healthy dogs and puppies are just waiting to find a ‘forever home’ with you! There are volunteers on hand to share pet behaviour and training tips. Meanwhile, DB Paws, an affiliate established by three DB College students, offers dog walking, washing and brushing services at discount prices with all proceeds benefiting HK Paws. To get involved, find them on Facebook: Hong Kong Paws Foundation, Twitter: @HKPaws or www.hkpaws.org. For DB Paws, email dbpaws101@gmail.com.

14

February 2012

COMPETITION

Save A Life!

Adopt A Pet!

Give your kids an amazing treat this Easter by taking them to see their favourite characters live on stage.

Barney, Thomas, Bob, Sam, Angelina and more!

The Little Big Club is a song and dance extravaganza showing at kid-friendly times. For more information, go to www.hkticketing.com.

Around DB is very happy to have five A-reserved tickets to give away to two lucky readers who answer the following question correctly.

Name the distinctive characteristics of the above named characters (ie Sam is a Fireman).

Please send your answers to info@arounddb.com (Subject line: The Little Big Club).

Start-rite Summer Launch Start-rite, the famous English brand of high-quality children's shoes, recently opened a shop in DB Plaza. On February 26, it is launching its spring/summer collection at the D’Cafe function room at the Discovery Bay Recreation Club. During the event, Start-rite staff will provide plenty of information about the importance of good shoes for children. There’ll be lunch for guests, plus gifts for the kids. There are 15 places available for mothers with children, so if you would like to attend sign up at the store in the plaza before February 20 or call 2987 2098.

www.kipmovin.com

Outdoor Fitness Training with a Kenyan twist!

Thomas Kiprotich (Founder) Tel: +852 6180 3256 Thomas@kipmovin.com

BEAUTY, from inside out…

Professional beauty treatment by qualified RN and Medical Aesthetic Consultant!

Conveniently located in DB.

We offer a wide range of treatments like:

NOW OPEN IN DB NORTH PLAZA Children’s clothing and accessories, trendy and fashionable Up to 60% off on selected items

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kittytang@professionals-beauty.com www.professionals-beauty.com

FEBRUARY 2012

IN & AROUND DB

Cycling Cambodia for Charity DB resident Alison Price is taking on an amazing challenge this month by embarking on a 500-kilometre, seven-day cycle journey through Cambodia with her partner in action Sue Beer. The last time Alison was on a bike was five years ago (!) but after reading The Lost Road to Innocence by Somaly Mam, a Cambodian woman who was sold at the age of 13 to become a sex slave, she decided to help put an end to human trafficking, the third largest criminal industry in the world. Alison and Sue leave for Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh on February 27. If you would like to help them raise funds to support the Somaly Mam Foundation, please visit www.crowdrise.com/alisonprice.

French Primary School to Open in September Abi Hashani of the French Learning Centre La Petite Enfance is opening a primary school in DB’s North Plaza this September. In compliance with the criteria of the French Ministry of Education, lessons will be conducted in accordance with official French programmes by a certified, qualified and experienced teacher. This will allow for continuity with the programme conducted in France. To find out more call 6538 1578 or email info@ecolefrancaisedediscovery.com.

HK_Firm&Voice_Around DB Mag FA 2.pdf

1

1/17/12

4:52 PM

FEBRUARY 2012

IN & AROUND DB

Take-home Gifts from Pollux Books

COMPETITION

Pollux Books specialises in award-winning authors/ illustrators mainly from the UK and US, encouraging you to entertain your kids with authors such as Richard Scarry, Enid Blyton and Roger Hargreaves, or with learning materials from Little Einstein and Sesame Street. See what’s on offer on www.polluxbooks.com.

Pollux Books is offering three Around DB readers a book voucher worth HK$300, if they can correctly answer the following question. ‘Among the authors listed above, who wrote The Famous Five series?’ The first three readers to email the correct answer to info@arounddb.com (subject line: Pollux Books) will win. Good luck!

Aqua Gym on the Move

After 13 years of teaching DBers to swim at the Discovery Bay Recreation Club (DBRC) and Club Siena, Aqua Gym is moving to the Discovery Bay Marina Club and Golf Club. The relocation takes place at the end of March, and founder Erik Chan would like to thank all parents and children for their long-standing support. “Until today, more than 3,000 families have participated in our aquatic programmes,” he says. For more information go to www.aquagym.com.hk.

Harry Wright International will be providing swim school at the DBRC and Club Siena. To find out more call 2987 7381.

Moon Bear Fundraising Bash On February 18, be sure to attend the Animals Asia Foundation fundraiser in the Discovery Bay International School Globe Theatre at 7.30pm. There’ll be a wonderful selection of classical, folk, pop and rock sets to keep you entertained. At the same time, your generosity will help stop bear-bile farming in China and Vietnam. Tickets are available at the DB Veterinary Clinic. For more information, call Clara Chan on 9707 7994.

MUI WO

Photo by Terry Chow

FERRY SCHEDULES From DB

From Mui Wo

Mon-Sat (except PH) 7:15am

7:45am

Sun and PH only

8:45am

9:15am

Sat, Sun and PH

10:45am 11:15am

Mon-Fri (except PH)

11:00am 11:30am

Sun and PH only

11:45am 12:15pm

Sat, Sun and PH

From DB

From Mui Wo

1:15pm

1:45pm

Daily except Sat

3:00pm 3:30pm

Daily

4:15pm

4:45pm

Daily

6:15pm

6:45pm

Sat, Sun and PH

8:05pm 8:30pm

18

February 2012

Feijoada, Seafood Muqueca, Cheese Bread and many more..

Private Bookings - Kit for parties - Takeaway - Catering Shop A, G / F, Silver Centre Building, Mui Wo - Lantau Island Open: Monday to Friday 2 pm to 10:30 pm Saturday and Sunday 12 pm to 10:30 pm

Tel: 2984 7471

casabrasil.hk @ gmail.com

EVENTS

Dress up for the Lantau Beer Dash It’s not often you can dress up, drink beer and run/walk five kilometres all at the same time but if this sounds like your ideal combo then register for the annual Lantau Beer Dash on March 10. At each kilometre mark you can sample a different international beer courtesy of San Miguel and proceeds go to charitable groups working with the animals of South Lantau, including the Lantau Buffalo Association and PALS (Protection of Animals of Lantau South). Register online at www.active.com or pick up a form at Pen ‘n Paper in Discovery Bay Plaza. Registration closes on March 7. For further enquiries contact lantaubeerdash09@live.com.

Photos by Lantau Beer Dash

THE RED LANTERN Genuine antiques, small pieces of delightful furniture from the late Ching Dynasty.

4 minutes' walk from the ferry in Mui Wo in the direction of the Silvermine Beach Hotel.

Free Delivery to DB Tel: 2987 0099 Fax: 2980 4833 glandam@netvigator.com

If you organise an event that you would like to see featured in this section, please call

2987 0577 February 2012

19

PROFILE

Photos by Catharine Nicol

body beautiful 20

A fun, fast way to blast calories and burn fat, the bootcamp workout is a super-hot fitness trend.

Catharine Nicol talks to long-time DB facilitator Tyler Treece

Trainer Tyler is living proof of the benefits of bootcamp

February 2012

PROFILE

I

ncreasing numbers of Hong Kongers are abandoning

nearby and it’s ideal for running and biking. There are lots

the tedium of the treadmill for outdoor bootcamp

of very active people and not much traffic so pollution levels

classes. Why? An hour’s intense stretching, cardio,

are lower. It’s quiet, scenic, more of a resort scene,” he says.

interval training and fitness skills, alfresco, and in the

company of a small group of likeminded people is a tonic

Tyler is particularly passionate about instilling an enthusiasm

to the mind as well as the body. DB resident Tyler Treece

for sports in the next generation with his coaching of local

is one of Hong Kong’s earliest bootcamp instructors, and

triathlon club the Hong Kong Dragons. “I love working with

through his new company Treece Fitness, he is working on

kids,” he says. “There’s something about them that makes

getting Hong Kong fitter, lunge by lunge and squat by squat.

you want to be a better person in front of them.”

“I’ve always been into exercise,” says the blond, 33-year-

Training kids, even if they’re doing similar exercises to

old from America. He’s built, he’s cute, he’s every inch the

adults, is very different. “Adults want to feel better and

poster child for a healthy lifestyle, making him a powerful

increase their strength, but for kids that doesn’t process,”

ambassador for a fit way of life.

Tyler explains. “They understand exercise is good for them but they don’t have that feeling of necessity. I have a point

Starting out

system to keep them motivated.”

A quick rewind into Tyler’s past reveals a long passion for

Motivating adults

sports. At five he was already skiing, and playing soccer and baseball regularly, and he was working out with a

Tyler has been teaching adult bootcamp since 2006 when he

personal trainer from the tender age of 12. “I was never a

was an instructor with bootcamp.com.hk. “You’re creating

big guy – I was small but fast. Arnold Schwarzenegger and

that team atmosphere where you’re not only wanting to

Jean-Claude Van Damme were my role models – I wanted

work out to better yourself, but also to show other people

to be a muscle guy,” he says. “With the personal training I

what you’re made of,” he says. “You’re all working towards

started putting on muscle and performed better in sports.”

a common goal.”

Tyler never went the body-building route, instead he

While Tyler doesn’t exactly bark orders, his classes are

followed his sporting dreams into playing baseball and

exacting. “Bootcamp is meant to be tough, and for me

American football, and even training with a junior Olympic

that works,” he says. “The coaches that influenced me the

development team for slalom skiing. But football was his

most were my toughest coaches. As human beings we’re

favourite sport, and he quickly moved from freshman to

capable of a lot more than we give ourselves credit for and

assistant varsity coach at college in Washington.

being pushed to a point you didn’t think you could reach is exhilarating. You’re a little more powerful than you thought

On leaving college Tyler cashed in on his toned physique and

you were. The best classes are when everyone has invested

good looks by landing a modelling contract, which took him

something, worked really hard and feels great about it.”

on a two-month trip through Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

He immediately fell for Hong Kong, extending his stay here

His classes are so popular, Tyler travels to Phuket and

to four months, and despite returning to the US, he just had

Koh Samui in Thailand to take corporate groups through

to come back. Realising his modelling income wasn’t going

their paces too. Adding a team-building aspect, these

to be enough to live on, he added a National Association

classes bring around 50 people of varying degrees of

of Sports Medicine (NASM) international personal trainer

fitness from one company together. Teaching this kind of

certification to his skills and never looked back.

class is very different. “Some people are unfit, and no one likes to do something they’re not good at, but those who

Coaching kids

give it an honest try and push themselves get a lot out of it,” Tyler says. “I like these classes, they challenge me and

Tyler’s home is, and has been for six years now, DB. “It’s

keep me on my toes. I feel like a performer on stage and

a great escape from the concrete jungle. There are trails

get a real adrenaline rush.”



February 2012

21

PROFILE

Eating for energy Doing such a physical job Tyler makes sure to focus on eating healthily. He can’t afford not to when his livelihood depends on high energy levels. A typical day sees him breakfast on a meal replacement shake, a banana, a scary sounding cocktail of apple cider vinegar, black molasses and cayenne pepper, which he calls ‘Dragon’s Breath’, and coffee. He alternates snacks like yoghurt, power bars and nuts with meals of sandwiches or sushi, and makes sure his evening carbs are vegetables rather than rice or bread.

“I can pretty much eat whatever I want, but I need to eat what gives me the most energy so that I can do my job properly,” he says. “If I eat rubbish I crash.”

Far from crashing at the end of a bootcamp, Tyler’s signature ‘three breaths’ leaves bootcampers physically but also mentally energised. “Everyone comes together one last time giving themselves the opportunity to reflect on the workout they have completed and give themselves a pat on the back,” he says. “Every good story needs a conclusion and the three breaths provides a closure to the workout. Everyone leaves on a high note.”

Tyler’s tips for self discipline • Before you go to bed write down five things you must achieve the following day – for example exercising for 60 minutes, drinking two litres of water, diet goals etc • Keep that list with you at all times and check off each one you accomplish • Once you’re regularly ticking off the items on your list by midday, up the list to 10 • Get your brain into the habit of systematically breaking down the day into goals • Be proactive!

DB bootcamp

Tyler focuses on stretching, cardio and interval training

22

Tyler holds bootcamp in DB four times a week.

You can call him on 9400 4237 or visit his website, www.treecefit.com

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INFOCUS

making

changes

If you are looking for some personal and/ or spiritual development in the Year of the Dragon, how do you decide which path is best for you?

Lauren Gordon gets the scoop from three radically different sources His Holiness the 14th, the Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso

24

February 2012

INFOCUS

Michael with the Dalai Lama

P

erhaps the most important realisation that

“I just happened to meet the right people at the right time,”

an individual can make in his or her quest

he says. “One of my yoga teachers helped organise the

for personal growth is that there is no single

trip. When I found out that I would have a chance to meet

formula that defines the path. We all have

the Karmapa and the Dalai Lama, I knew that I couldn't

different goals and priorities, which means that different

miss the opportunity.”

activities, theories and beliefs will benefit us.

Michael describes meeting the Dalai Lama thus: In aiming to improve your own life experience and the

“Everyone had to enter the main temple of the Namgyal

lives of those around you, it matters little whether this is

Monastery 90 minutes before the Dalai Lama. While

achieved through secular study, psychology, meditation,

we waited, everyone chanted several mantras. Just as

or prayer. What matters, as the case studies below reveal,

Kho teaching Tibet of he entered, I felt a very Michael warm sensation inyoga the in centre

is that you are in a process of looking at your life, and

my chest and my eyes started to water. Tears streamed

you are actively working on improvement through new

down my cheek. I felt very moved by his presence.

knowledge, increased awareness and specific changes.

“I definitely felt some kind of shift, but I'm not sure if I can

Michael Kho – meeting the Dalai Lama

really verbalise it at the moment. I wouldn't say that I am a Buddhist, but I am very drawn to all the teachings.”

Unlike many for whom self development involves a concerted effort, ice-skating champion and coach at Elements’ ice rink

Michael recounts a particularly special moment he had

in Kowloon from 2008 to 2011, Michael Kho’s quest has

with the Dalai Lama – and a beanbag toy ‘Yoda’, Michael

progressed almost by accident – and recently culminated

has travelled with since 1999.

with his meeting the Dalai Lama in India.

“I had learned that George Lucas, the creator of Star It began when Michael suffered a serious injury in 2006,

Wars, based Yoda's character on a Rinpoche, which

while performing with Disney on Ice, and he started

means reincarnated Lama, from Tibet,” Michael explains.

practising yoga to get his body back into shape. This led to

“This Lama was the Dalai Lama's teacher. So I showed

his taking a yoga teaching certification in New York in 2008.

Yoda to the Dalai Lama and asked if he minded if he was in the group picture. The Dalai Lama grabbed Yoda out

“Before I did the teacher training, I had sort of shunned

of my hand, held him up, giggled and smiled. Afterwards,

religion and spirituality,” Michael, the Canadian-born son

he just stared him in the eyes for a long time, as if he

of Chinese-Indonesian immigrants, says. “During my yoga

could see the image of his teacher; all the while smiling

teacher training, I learned about yogic philosophy and I

the way he does.”

became more receptive to these things.”

In December, Michael returned to India to attend another Since moving to Hong Kong, Michael has continued

teaching with the Dalai Lama. “I'm really excited to learn

taking yoga classes and through this he gained the

more,” he says. “And I definitely want to keep teaching

opportunity to visit the Dalai Lama in Namgyal Monastery,

skating and yoga. Teaching is a great form of service, so

Dharamshala, northern India – the international centre for

I hope that I can continue to help people as they journey

Tibetan exiles.

along their prospective paths.”



February 2012

25

INFOCUS Working with the Enneagram has given Natalia new perspectives on her own strengths and challenges, and helped highlight useful keys to moderating or working with her "sore spots". “You need to open yourself to new information and be prepared to occasionally hear some difficult things about your own type,” she warns.

“At the same time, understanding how inner motivators work in other types is a powerful key,” Natalia adds. “For close family relationships, the Enneagram has blended seamlessly into what I already knew about those close to me, and enriched it with new thoughts.

Natalia Veldman (left) with Enneagram Course leader Carol Bagattini

”One of the most powerful things I learned during the course was how as individuals we tend to under-appreciate our own main strength, assuming it is present in everyone else

Natalia Veldman – thinking 'Enneagramatically'

around us. We know we are good at something intrinsically and are often proud of that, but we don't realise that that

DB resident Natalia Veldman has also been on a personal

quality is usually much harder to access for any other

development journey – but one much closer to home,

type. Many of us had a moment on the course where we

attending a course here in DB run by human resources

said, ‘But wouldn't everyone do that in such-and-such a

professional and ‘Enneagram’ teacher Carol Bagattini.

situation?’, and the others in the room would slowly shake their heads and smile. Wow!”

Natalia came upon the Enneagram system of personality typing and self development through friends, and it didn't

Scott Ligertwood – quieting the mind

take much to lure her to Carol’s coffee morning launching the Enneagram workshops in Discovery Bay.

Scott Ligertwood – better known to many Discovery Bay families as ‘Scotty’ from the children’s musical theatre duo

According to Enneagram literature, the Enneagram is

‘Scotty & Lulu’ – lived in Hong Kong for 15 years before

a system of nine personality types based in modern

moving with his wife and seven children to the UK. The past

psychology and traditional wisdom, creating a tool for

few months have seen him devote more time to personal

better understanding ourselves and the people in our lives.

growth, embarking on a series of courses and travels.

The Enneagram details the key strengths and challenges of different personality types, and how people can utilise

“My passion is to share the techniques that help quiet

those strengths and work on their areas of difficulty.

the mind and bring a more sustainable level of joy and awareness to our everyday life,” Scott says. “Without this

”The Enneagram course came along at a time when

quiet time I feel more restless and discontent as the mind's

our second child was just old enough for me to begin

chatter drowns out the quiet voice of reason.”

thinking that a ‘life audit’ might be in order,” Natalia says.

“Understanding your own personality type at a deeper level, the motivations, key strengths and struggles, all

In 1989 Scott took a course in meditation and found it helped to “calm the mind and inspire a flow of creativity”.

seemed like a perfect launch-pad to thinking about the next phase of my life.”

Natalia viewed the Enneagram through the rigour of her background in science and she was so impressed with the first course that she signed up for more. “For me, for every question the Enneagram answered about myself and others close to me, it raised another. After learning that there are nine basic types, you quickly realise that the sub-types of each play a definite role.”

26

February 2012

Scott Ligertwood



INFOCUS Scott says that when he then moved to Hong Kong

So what is Scott’s main motivator? “Simply to be more aware

in 1991 he met likeminded people who opened

of who I am and how I function, to help me make sense of

his mind to “Reiki, healing… and dealing with [his]

what life throws at me and to deal with it. If ever the journey

emotional baggage”.

had a destination it would be attaining a level of awareness and peace.

Through friends, Scott was introduced to US chiropractor Dr Donald Epstein and his

“My health is better than it's ever been and my state

wellness practices including Network

of mind is more peaceful,” Scott adds. “I deal with

Spinal Analysis and Somato-Respiratory

stress much better when I am more aware and I

Integration. Dr Epstein uses various

am learning to see people and situations for what

chiropractic techniques to relieve spinal

they are. The most rewarding, and hardest part

tension and has, it is claimed, achieved

is returning to the pressures of family life after a

“life-changing” results for his patients.

retreat or course. It is the challenge of integrating

He focuses on “re-organisational healing, wellness and all types of personal growth”.

all the teachings into everyday activities.”

Scott Ligertwood

Scott attended a course with Dr Epstein in Colorado, US, last January and learnt a “profound energy

Scott notes that there are many paths to self improvement, and the key is to find what resonates with

transfer technique, the Oneness Deeksha, which

you personally. “I’d suggest, for starters, simply go out and

helps clear emotional charges and excessive mental

be in nature for a while. Go walk in the hills. Let your right-

chatter”. He went on to attend another Epstein course

hand brain have a chat with you,” he says with a smile.

with his eldest daughter, and then travelled to India to

“If you try something – whether it’s yoga, meditation, a

visit the Oneness University, followed by a pilgrimage

course, whatever – if it works for you, great, if not just try

to Mount Kailash in Tibet.

something else.”

Enhance your Relationships The ENNEAGRAM - a powerful tool for understanding yourself and others better and enhancing your relationships with family, friends and colleagues.

The Enneagram is not a new-age idea, but rather, a well-established system, grounded in modern psychology, tried and tested and used internationally by individuals in their private lives, by professional practitioners and in major corporations.

Our significant relationships are the foundation of our happiness.

What makes for healthy relationships?

How can we deepen, improve or heal our relationships?

Why do some people press our buttons?

How does our personality help and hinder us?

The Enneagram helps us understand what drives our behaviour, our automatic reactions and blind spots. This opens the door to greater self-awareness, choice and development. By better understanding others, we also become more empathetic, flexible and skillful in our relationships.

Level 1 and 2 Workshops are offered here in Discovery Bay by internationally qualified and experienced Enneagram trainer and coach Carol Bagattini (EPTP, USA). Workshops run from 8.45am to 2.45pm once per week, over five weeks. Participants also receive a pre-workshop 2-hour Typing interview, and a comprehensive workbook.

Upcoming Level 1 workshops:  Consecutive Tuesdays - 28th February to 27th March  Consecutive Thursdays – 10th May to 7th June

Past participant’s comments: “It’s really helped me understand myself, my husband and children better. I find I’m using the Enneagram all the time!”

“Every time I come home after a day on the course, I feel stimulated and invigorated. I am utterly amazed to have found something so engaging fall into my lap, right here in DB!” * Past participants’ contact details available on request

For enquiries and bookings contact Carol: carol@ninetypes.org ; 9014 9955

Kung Hei Fat Choy greetings for the

Year of the Dragon 2012

From

the DMR Dance Team Establishing standards of excellence since 1984

Shop 112 DB Plaza, Discovery Bay Tel: 2987 4338 / info@dmr-hk.com

FAMILY MATTERS

a letter

home What happens when the ‘third-culture kid’ grows up and leaves the nest? Karmel Schreyer finds out how three former Discovery Bay students are enjoying university overseas

30

February 2012

FAMILY MATTERS

M

any kids take the transition from school to university, from living at home to living in digs totally in their stride. Of course this is their first big chance to learn about who

they are and what they want from life, without too many responsibilities to distract them… apart from attending the occasional lecture and writing the odd paper. But even the most mature undergraduates will experience some teething problems, and this can only be compounded if they are living a long-distance flight away from family and friends, in a new country, experiencing a new culture.

Here in DB we worry about our ‘third-culture kids’, about the stresses we impose upon them by bringing them up ‘abroad’. Will it be harder for them to make the transition to (an overseas) university? How can an expat childhood prepare them for the ‘real’ world? But let’s hear it from the horse’s mouth – three DB kids, now at university in the US, South Africa and Scotland. Do they feel enabled or disabled by their upbringing? How has their Hong Kong life and formative schooling shaped them?

Nick Schmitt – University of Southern California Nick Schmitt started his schooling at Sunshine House in DB Plaza, did primary at Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) and all of secondary at Island School. Now a sophomore, the decision to attend university in the States was easy for him. “I am American, and all my extended family is from the US, so I looked mainly at universities in California,” he says. “A friend recommended I apply to the University of Southern California (USC), School of Cinematic Arts. It's an elite school with a rigorous application [procedure], but the chance to attend was not one I was going to pass up. I had to submit two essays, two scripts and 15 pages of writing portfolio. Somehow, I managed to get in!”

Nick credits the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme at Island School with preparing him for college. “It taught me that if I wanted to get through the toughness of college classes, I couldn't procrastinate,” he says. “It got my time management in order. IB also introduced me to the subject I would later pursue, Film Studies.

“What's also cool about Hong Kong,” Nick says, “is that it's a tight-knit community that seems to reach out to the rest of the world. Although we come from a small place, I am nearby, or at college with, many of my good friends. For example, at USC alone there are six people in my year all 

February 2012

31

FAMILY MATTERS

Shelby Smal, second from left, takes a break from her studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa

from Island School. And there are many, many more from

her first year of university in South Africa, she says her

other Hong Kong schools here.”

Hong Kong upbringing, in academic terms, has helped her immensely. “I did the IB at West Island School, which

Nick values having had the opportunity to learn from

involved a lot of essay writing, so going into university

people of all sorts of cultures growing up. “I think there

was simple, really. The IB programme helped with respect

were over 30 nationalities at Island School,” he says.

to the workload. The amount of work that is given here

“You can't get that much diversity in

would make anyone panic, but since I did

many other places.”

two years of panicking all the time, I didn't find it that difficult to fall into a routine.”

That’s not to say that Nick didn’t experience culture shock on moving to the

For Shelby, though, the lifestyle change

States. “Although I'm American, I'd never

was undeniably radical on leaving home.

lived here,” he says. “The Hong Kong

“The freedom and safety I felt in DB

community is quite international but many

made growing up easy and fun without

customs changed for me once in the US.

the worry. In South Africa – not that it is

They make fun of me, I make fun of them.

Although there will be culture differences for everyone moving away from home, it's

Nick Schmitt lives in Los Angeles, studying at the USC School of Cinematic Arts

fun bridging the gap and getting to know

dangerous – you just have to be more aware. You also have to do a lot of driving around to get to places that you want to get to, whereas in Hong Kong you just get

the people around you.”

on public transportation.”

Shelby Smal – Stellenbosch University, South Africa

Like many a student before her, Shelby also points out that university life brings with it a whole new level of

32

Shelby Smal completed primary at DBIS, and graduated

independence. “You have to be self-sustaining; you don't

from West Island School in 2010. Having just completed

have your parents or your helper around to help you out 

February 2012

FAMILY MATTERS

with washing and cleaning. I find that in Hong Kong, kids

Emily credits her Hong Kong schooling for giving her a great

don't really get that sort of education.”

start in life. “The quality of the teaching and the variety of subjects offered are at the source of my love of learning: a

Emily St Denny – University of Stirling, Scotland

passion that has defined my life,” she says.

Emily St Denny spent seven years in Hong Kong,

In hindsight Emily recognises that her education in Hong

attending both DBIS and the Lycée Français

Kong was a privileged one, and that many of her friends

International. After her family returned to

were the children of an expatriate elite – “not just a financial

France, she graduated high school with

elite but an intellectual and cultural one, too”. She admits

an International Option Baccalaureate in

to finding the transition difficult when she was plunged into

2005. Restless in Bordeaux, she decided

public education at the age of 14. “For me, Hong Kong was

to read journalism and politics at

a bubble and when the bubble bursts you have to see what

the University of Stirling [2005-

you're left with: I was left with some good memories, some

2009]. She then did an MSc in

good friends, and a solid and privileged start to life.”

global crime, justice and security at the University of Edinburgh

Emily now finds the lessons, friends and role models

[2009-2010]. She is now back at

she gained at school in Hong Kong a constant source

Stirling, 10 months into her most

of enlightenment and strength. “I was left with an ability

challenging adventure to date: a

to uproot that is much more developed than non-third-

doctorate in politics.

culture kids, and an ambition to succeed,” she adds. “It might look like I have ended up a world away but my roots

Emily St Denny now studying in Scotland

are firmly planted under the jungle gym at DBIS.”

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“Did we miss anything?”

The most important thing to me?

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11-Jan-12 10:45:46 AM

Who am I? KayeHaye Khemiani, a native English speaker with a strong presence in Discovery Bay.

My thoughts: Greetings to all DB residents.

As we are now celebrating the beginning of 2012, I understand we all go through different stages of life and so do our insurance needs.

Besides work, we also have to think about Mandatory insurances which are absolutely required by HK Government, Domestic Helper Insurance for our helpers, including those helpers whoive on houseboats in the Marina, coverage on Automobile, Office Package Employee Compensation & Home Owner Public Liability. In addition, we should also think of having Renters, Home Owners Insurance, Houseboat Public Liability & Medical Insurance (individual or group) for our own peace of mind. Though optional, it is also good to have a travel insurance, accident, and education and savings plan for your kids, term life for breadwinner etc..etc.. So overwhelming!

That’s why I am here for you with a large variety of plans, options and quotations that will help you achieve your goals faster and easier. Feel free to call or email me at your own convenience.

My offer: I can do a comparison shop for you free of charge, to ensure that you made the right choice and check that you have the right product at the right price.

MONEYMATTERS

surviving the

slump

Are we headed for another Great Depression?

Martin W. Hennecke takes a look at the global state of play and provides some pertinent advice for investors

A

s 2012 gets into gear, the high interest yield of

Western countries falter soon. Certainly it appears to be

above 7% for the 10-year Italian government

starting now with France, and we have seen repeated

bonds shows us that the recent Eurozone

warnings by rating agencies that the US fiscal position is

bailouts and attempts to contain the sovereign

not sound either.

debt crisis don’t seem to be working. The Italian trend is reminiscent of Greece, Ireland and Portugal which lost

Accordingly, from an investor's perspective, it is certainly

control and required bailouts at the same interest-yield

a time for cautious positioning, which first and foremost

level in 2011. But Italy is simply too big to bail, with over 1.9

should mean not being leveraged in any form, i.e. avoiding

trillion Euros of debt.

not only such obviously high-risk strategies as ‘margin trading’, but also mortgages. Likewise, any short-term

At the same time even the major Western countries of

speculative investments should be avoided, even when

France, Germany, the UK and US are struggling with

paid for outright. That said, holding 100% cash is not

debt crisis, indicating that we may see the sovereign-

a safe option either, given the negative interest-rate

bond

environment, coupled with the risk that inflation may

markets

of

these

supposedly

super-strong

February 2012



37

MONEYMATTERS

accelerate substantially on a global basis fuelled by

has guaranteed 839 million Euros of its national debt.

Western quantitative easing (money-printing) policies put in place as a way out of the debt trap.

The problem here is that, if France, Italy or Austria declared bankruptcy, then chances are BNP Paribas, UniCredit

So how should investors be positioned for this crisis in

and Oesterreichische Volksbanken AG would vanish or

order to protect their wealth, if not benefit from the crisis?

default together with the government, rendering the CDS they issued worthless, and defeating the whole point of

Not all crisis-plays are safe

the exercise. And who would want a Euro-denominated CDS anyway, if the Eurozone (and presumably also its

In order to benefit from a deterioration of the Eurozone

currency) was in collapse?

debt crisis, many investors have recently been buying Credit Default Swaps (CDS) – a risk insurance against a

Go East – and accumulate gold

country’s default. The value of such instruments should in theory rise significantly as the respective countries’

Amid the gloom and doom in global markets and

default risk rises. However, this is an investment we would

downgrade

advise against at this point, for two major reasons.

and banks that we saw in 2011, it has been somewhat

after

downgrade

of

Western

countries

overlooked that a number of emerging market economies Firstly, when buying CDS investors should note that

and banks actually received upgrades.

payout would only be triggered if the country in question actually defaulted. For this reason one needs to ask how

As an example, Indonesia regained investment-grade

likely it would be for these countries to default, given

status last month by Fitch ratings, ending a 14-year stretch

their considerable influence over the European Central

of being rated as ‘junk’. And the major Chinese banks

Bank (ECB) which may simply expand money-printing to

(which everyone seems to love to hate, or to run from in

a level where their debt would be bailed-out or inflated

fear) were upgraded by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service

away? So, as with the United States which really is in as

with the same stroke of pen that saw six US financial

dire a financial position as Italy and France, an outright

institutions downgraded. Talking to The Wall Street Journal

default may happen, but it also may not. Defaults could be

in December, the ratings service described this as a

avoided through hugely expanded and highly inflationary

fundamental shift in the global landscape in favour of Asia.

quantitative easing programmes that would result in reduced inflation-adjusted debt burdens.

The World Bank also recently issued a report highlighting the potential of most Asian nations to withstand a worsening

And perhaps more importantly, from whom do investors

of the Europe crisis, given their strong fiscal positions.

usually buy CDS? In France, BNP Paribas has sold 1.5

38

billion Euros of them on France’s debt, in Italy UniCredit

So when looking at recent global market movements,

has insured more than 500 million of its government’s

investors should seek to maintain a cool head and

bonds, and in Austria, Oesterreichische Volksbanken AG

identify calmly where market sell-offs may be justified

February 2012



MONEYMATTERS

and where not. One can then possibly enter oversold but fundamentally attractive areas/ country exposures, such as in the emerging markets as well as in commodities space.

Depending on the severity of the Eurozone/ US crisis and the readiness of the Federal Reserve and ECB to inflate the debt away, there are risks for emerging markets too of course, particularly in the short term. But there is always risk when investing in anything, including cash that may actually get hit the hardest soon due to quantative easing.

More specifically with regards to commodities/ precious metals, it should be noted that a number of extraordinary factors combined in the second half of last year to drive prices down considerably. These included margin hikes and the MF Global scare, plus forced selling or gold leasing by cash-starved Eurozone countries and banks. But margin hikes can’t continue indefinitely, and emergency gold can only be sold once. As these factors wear off, demand (particularly from Asian consumers and safe-haven investors) may soon overpower the recent downtrend.

Martin W. Hennecke is Associate Director of Tyche Group Ltd, an independent Hong Kong-based investment and financial advisory firm specialised in providing individually tailored discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning strategies. Email him at mhennecke@tyche-group.com for more information

Specialist lawyers for UK expats

You’re invited to a FREE seminar to learn more about our Concierge Service in Discovery Bay. More details below.

We’ll support your family in the UK – when you can’t be there Moving overseas and leaving loved ones behind can be hard, but leaving elderly parents without the emotional and practical support upon which they have become reliant is distressing.

At Mogers we have been helping expats who have elderly parents in the UK manage long distance care for decades. Our Concierge Service offers hands on local and practical support, such as paying bills, dealing with tax returns or finding suitable long or short-term care solutions which take away a real burden and give genuine peace of mind for everyone concerned.

To learn more about this service and how it can benefit your family please join Derwent Campbell at Hemingway’s By the Bay at the following times: Wednesday 21st March 6.30 – 7.30 pm or Saturday 24th March 10.00 – 11.00 am.

To book a place for either event, please email sarah@jpmediahk.com or contact Derwent Campbell direct at derwentcampbell@mogers.co.uk

TALKINGPOINTS

culinary

cool Everyone loves to eat, but not everyone finds their kitchen calling to them. Karmel Schreyer talks to DB’s first MasterChef

T

welve-year-old

Phoebe

Whalley

was

crowned DB’s first MasterChef at the Discovery College (DC) Family Fun Day last November. Phoebe’s motivation to enter

the competition was her little sister Sophie, who had been taking cooking lessons with Apron Strings, the Discovery College MasterChef event organiser.

“I do like to cook, so I thought why not try?” says Phoebe. “Sophie was so happy and excited that it made the competition look like a lot of fun.”

Phoebe decided to opt for a pudding for the competition,

Rachel

Griswood’s

Chocolate

Crunch from her book Manna from Heaven. “I love sweet food! It's tasty, it presents well and there is so much variety,” she says. With only one hour to prepare, Phoebe figured the recipe was a safe bet, but since it required one hour of refrigeration, there was a concern, and the trials at home did not turn out perfectly. “The Phoebe Whalley presents her prize-winning pudding

42

February 2012

day I cooked

TALKINGPOINTS

for the judges was the best,” she explains, “because the

and events, big and small. Once you have agreed on the

freezer at the school is a bit colder and the bar set perfectly.”

menu and the numbers, the team takes all the stress out of

Improvising by using the freezer instead of the fridge also

the evening, by bringing in the food, and then cooking and

won Phoebe points for resourcefulness from the judges.

serving a delicious meal out of your own kitchen. HKPC also delivers chef-made frozen meals to DB homes once a

Phoebe’s favourite food is “Mexican food and bananas

week. Bon appetit!

— separately”. She likes making her own guacamole and salsa, and also her own nachos. “Mexican food is easy and yummy,” she says. “I like bananas because they are yellow (my favourite colour) and because they make so many different dishes (desserts, smoothies, salads).”

At the DC event, Phoebe won a spatula, a whisk, a peeler, a knife and a MasterChef cookbook. She has already tried two recipes (Caramelised Onion Dip — “very quick and nice to have as a starter”; and Cinnamon and Orange French Toast —“also yummy!”). Winning the competition has inspired Phoebe to cook more. “I have been in the kitchen more than normal,” she says, “even if it’s just to make something simple.”

Interestingly, Phoebe’s former Year 3 hometeacher at Discovery Bay International School (DBIS), Brett McGregor

Phoebe receiving her award from Jo Alani of Apron Strings

is now New Zealand’s First MasterChef. Brett has these words to pass on: “A huge congratulations to Phoebe! I know how much pressure a competition like MasterChef

DB catering services

hails onto its competitors. There can be no doubt that

• Apron Strings, www.apronstrings.com.hk

Phoebe is one of the most talented students I have ever had

• Chef Pour Toi, www.chefpourtoi.com

the pleasure to educate. In all facets of life, Phoebe excels.

• HKPC, www.HongKongPersonalChef.com

I wish her every success in the future.”

DB’s take-home chefs For those of you not lucky enough to have a budding MasterChef in the family, there’s plenty of help at hand right here in DB. Chef Pour Toi provides a sensational catering service tailor-made to your specific needs. Chefs cater to everything from seated dinners at home, to cocktail

Phoebe’s award-winning recipe, Rachel Grisewood’s Chocolate Crunch (Makes 15 bars) • 500 g dark chocolate, roughly chopped • 150 g golden syrup • 250 g butter

receptions, birthday parties, buffets and barbecues.

• 300 g digestive biscuits, broken into chunks

What’s more you can hire the Chef Pour Toi venue for a fun

Line a 20 x 30 cm baking tin with baking paper. Melt the chocolate, golden syrup and butter in a large saucepan over a low heat (do not cook; you want the butter to be just melted). Add the biscuit chunks and stir until well coated. Pour into the baking tin and use the back of a spoon to flatten the mixture.

Cover with baking paper and refrigerate for 1 hour, or until set. Turn out onto a chopping board and, using a serrated knife, cut into bar shapes. Dust with icing sugar and serve with a little whipped cream, grated chocolate and a fanned strawberry

evening of cooking and dining with friends or a corporate celebration – with a chef on hand to help!

While DB-based Apron Strings also provides private catering services and runs corporate cooking events, it functions as a cookery school with classes for kids, teens and adults.

Hong Kong Personal Chef (HKPC) has just expanded into DB, so you can now literally rent-a-chef for dinner parties

February 2012

43

TECHTREND

tree-hugging tech

A

Paula Lepore Burrough talks to environmentalist Dr Willie Smits who pioneers the use of new technologies to protect our forests and our primate cousins

google search will give you a picture of Dutch-born, Indonesian citizen Dr Willie Smits’ passions – nature, forest conservation and orangutans. Dr Smits’ efforts to save the rainforests of Borneo require knowledge and constant commitment, and incorporate the use of revolutionary new technologies. He is often in Hong Kong, speaking at conferences and schools, since Hong Kong is a key centre for the transport of illegally-smuggled wildlife from Indonesia. During a recent chat, he received a message on his Blackberry saying that his work on the DeforestAction project (www.deforestAction.org) had won an award from the European Space Agency for Best Technology Innovation.

44

Dr Willie Smits teaching an orphan to eat termites

Rainforest monitoring

Environment watch

Monkey business

Biofuel technology

DeforestAction EarthWatchers is a project that empowers young people worldwide in rainforest monitoring from satellite images, to stop illegal deforestation in Indonesia. Student volunteers are involved in analysing near real-time radar-satellite imagery.

These ‘earthwatchers’ use social media to cooperate; they then report their findings to a team of ‘ecowarriors’. The eco-warriors follow up on the reports, check out the sites and use programmed drones to collect the proof needed to send in a police report.

The police then confirm whether or not action is required. This approach takes students beyond the classroom walls and directly involves them in conservation efforts.

Dr Smits is raising funds to build a remote-sensing system, which integrates a digital elevation model, the internet, satellite technology and highresolution optics to connect techies to a realworld environment. As part of the DeforestAction programme, students can ‘adopt’ land and check how their trees are growing by plugging in the geographical coordinates.

Weekly, the camera takes a panoramic image of the area and from that they can measure how many centimetres the trees have grown. The height of the trees helps to approximate their biomass and fruit production, correlate how much carbon they store in the soil, and even how many jobs the area generates.

With Dr Hanna Wirman at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Dr Smits is also working on a pilot research and design project on orangutan digital-game play. One of the aims of the project is developing a technology to improve the lives of animals living in captivity through increased opportunity for stimulation and (touch-screen) play.

The project is also looking at how animals interpret meanings in games, examining technologically mediated communication between humans and orangutans, and exploring similarities and differences between human and orangutan players. All this is important since studies suggest that happy orangutans live longer in captivity.

Dr Smits’ ingenious scientific research shows no tree can produce alternative fuel (from sugar) as well as the sugar palm.

In fact, a single sugar palm can produce enough sugar each day to power a car once it has been converted into ethanol.

Dr Smits is one of the founders and the chairman of the Masarang Foundation, which in 2007 opened a sugarpalm factory that uses geothermal waste energy to turn tapped juice into sugar or ethanol. This effort returns cash and power to the community, while saving up to 200,000 trees per year from being used as fuel. The Masarang Foundation was voted one of the world’s best charities by the BBC in 2007.

February 2012

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ESCAPES

all aboard There’s more to Kenya than safaris and Lion King songs, as kite-surfing enthusiast Phillippa Stewart discovers

Camel herders on Diani Beach

46

February 2012

ESCAPES

A

familiar face was beckoning us from across

Our next problem was how to fit into a local taxi. Trying

the baggage reclaim. It was my boyfriend

to squeeze us all in was like a giant game of Tetras. First

Charlie’s sister, Sally, scuttling across the

up – Charlie and his brother, Mike, (both 6 foot 3 inches),

airport. When she reached us there were no

followed by Sally (5 foot 11 inches), then three kite-surfing

fond salutations, no hugs. Instead, “Have you got any

boards and four bags. Lastly, being short, I was stuffed in

money?” Quite the greeting!

under the boards where I remained hidden for 40 minutes in the chaotic Nairobi traffic on the way to the train station.

“I don’t have enough for the visa and they’ve let me pop through and I promised I’d go back,” she said. I looked

Train travel

around for any burly security guards hanging about to stop her doing a runner: no one. My first taste of Kenya – rough-

For those of you who have never been, travelling on Kenyan

and-ready with a focus on people, not rules.

trains is like stepping back in time. No flash electronic departure boards here but simple wooden signs with the

Once Sally had paid off immigration we were ready to begin

place, and departure time, pinned on them. We were taking

our journey: easier said than done as my boyfriend and his

the 7pm sleeper to Mombasa, and then hiring a car to get

family are sports’ nuts. Triathlons, tennis, squash – name a

to Diani Beach, on Kenya’s south coast, for a few days of

sport, they do it. Unfortunately for my baggage allowance,

kite surfing.

they are also mad on kite surfing. For a three-week trip I was limited to a week’s worth of undies, two pairs of shorts,

The train journey was one of the highlights of the trip, and

a dress and a few t-shirts. The rest of my luggage was taken

I’d thoroughly recommend it to couples, groups, or even

up with kite-surfing harnesses, boards, rash vests and

families with young children who fancy a real adventure. We

kites. My look this holiday: minimalist.

hired a second-class carriage to sleep all four of us (squishy

Train t a camel Phillippa takes a break with

Getting to grips with kite boarding

ravel

is a s

tep b

ack in

February 2012



time

47

ESCAPES

by the time we’d got all our gear in). The seats turn into

in the UK while learning how to fly a kite or being dragged

bunk beds, and while you’re at dinner the staff make up

through the water in Boracay, trying not to take-out the

your beds.

seasoned pros as I came careering off my board. Either way, my experience to date has been one of embarrassment and

Dinner is not for the faint hearted. You’re given what’s

general dishevelment. All images of the archetypal ‘cool’

on offer (usually something rice/chicken based), and

kite surfer go out of the window when I try it – I look more

you eat off tableware that looks like it dates back to the

bedraggled beach beast, than beach babe. But if at first

1930s. But, if you’re not expecting high-end luxury, it is

you don’t succeed then try, try again…

a fantastic experience. The views as you rattle and roll your way across the vast Kenyan plains as night falls are

Diani Beach, like many of the other popular beaches in

breathtaking, and at each local train station, villagers ask

Kenya, has a kite-surfing school where you can rent

you to throw sweets, or empty beer bottles out of the

equipment and get lessons. I would strongly recommend

window (which they later sell).

lessons as kiting is dangerous, and you need to know how to control the kite and what to do if you get into trouble.

I spent most of the evening with my head stuck out the window and the cool wind on my face, looking at the pitch-

Luckily, I found some rather patient instructors in my

black sky until the rocking motion of the carriage sent me

boyfriend’s family. Charlie was only subject to a few cross

to sleep. We arrived in Mombasa around 11am where we

words from me – I swear he said pull your arms in, not

picked up a hire car and drove 30 kilometres south to Diani.

push out – either way the result was me flying through the air at an alarming speed. But after a few days, and a

Beach life

forgiving boyfriend, I did learn how to stay on the board, albeit for a minute or so. But no worries, or as the Kenyan’s

With its white sand and clear-blue sea, Diani Beach meets

say: hakuna matata. I’ll be back on the board in no time.

all the clichéd travel descriptions of a tropical resort. Coral

I’m already planning my next trip back.

reefs line the shore making it an ideal spot for divers. But if beach bumming is not your thing Diani is also close to

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I did eventually make it

the Shimba Hills National Reserve, famous for its black-

on safari.

and-white colobus monkeys. There are also two shopping centres near the beach and accommodation ranges from backpacker tree houses to high-end hotels.

Kenya is a bit of a year-round destination. The peak seasons, however, are mid-December to the end of March, and mid-June to late September. In February, the weather

The practical bits

is hot and dry. It’s a good time to see game gathering

How to get there: most of the major airlines offer flights to Kenya – be prepared for a stopover though. Kenya Airways will get you there the quickest in around 13 hours 30 minutes

around the remaining waterholes. The Rift Valley is also likely to be packed with birds.

The good news for kite surfers is you can kite all year round; the water is warm and there’s no need for wetsuits. Consistent trade winds throughout the year ensure that you’re never short of wind, and what’s best for beginners, and pros alike, is the beaches are not overly populated like many of Asia’s

Popular kiting spots

hotspots – Boracay, Philippines and Mui Ne, Vietnam.

On the south coast check out Diani Beach and Kite Beach

Kite surfing

On the north coast Nyali Beach is popular as is Mwazaro Beach, near the Tanzanian border

In the interests of full disclosure, I have tried kite surfing

Find out more at www.iksurfmag.com; www.prosurfkenya.com; www.kitekenya.com

before. It mainly involved me being dragged across beaches

48

Getting around: if you’re not travelling in a group, it’s simple enough to hire a car at the airport. For a more authentic experience take the local trains but do keep an eye on your belongings

February 2012

ACTION

walks of

life

Photos by Luiz Antonio Souza

DB-based photographer Luiz Antonio Souza takes Heather Wilson on a tour of Hong Kong’s most spectacular walking trails

50

Luiz Antonio Souza author of The Natural Beauty of Hong Kong – A Photographic Journey

ACTION

T

his is probably the best season in which to explore some of Hong Kong’s fantastic scenery.

Low humidity and cooler temperatures are a great excuse to get outside and walk.

There are many hiking books available that give information on routes, but for true inspiration on what to see in Hong Kong, who better to talk to than DB-based photographer, Luiz Antonio Souza. Luiz spent three years travelling over 8,000 kilometres to photograph the natural landscape of Hong Kong. In his book, The Natural Beauty of Hong Kong – A Photographic Journey that was published last year, the glory of Hong Kong’s countryside is captured with some stunning photography.

The photographs and accompanying text are sequenced as a personal journey beginning at Tai Po Kau Forest Reserve.

From here, Luiz takes us in a clockwise direction down the east coast to the spectacular Ninepin group of islands. His journey then continues through the southern part of Hong Kong and the south coast of Lantau Island before ending up in Mai Po Marshes where tens of thousands of visiting birds stop by to rest and re-fuel during their long spring and autumn migrations.

Here Luiz suggests three walks of varying degrees of difficulty for those who wish to improve their fitness levels while enjoying the countryside, or simply want a leisurely day out with their families.

Chi Ma Wan to Pui O Taking around 30 minutes one way, this is more of a day out for the family than a vigorous hike. The easiest way to get going from DB is to connect with the scheduled ferry to Chi Ma Wan from either Peng Chau or Mui Wo. On arrival at the pier, follow the road up past Chi Sun Correctional Institution and take the right fork into Chi Ma Wan Road.

This road will lead directly into Pui O. The first part of the tree-lined trail is fairly steep, but once you pass Shap Long Bay it levels out through open fields where a resident herd of water buffalos graze. As the road begins its descent, you’ll glimpse Pui O Bay intermittently through clearings among the trees.

Despite recent residential developments, Pui O still retains a rustic charm and a clean soft-sand beach for children to

February 2012

51

ACTION

Fan Lau Peninsula

play on. There are a number of refreshment kiosks and restaurants nearby for those who prefer to travel light and sample some of the local flavours.

Cheung Sha Wan to Fan Lau For more of a workout (around five hours one Pu i O B e

way), take a bus from Mui Wo to begin the walk

ac h

from Cheung Sha Wan to Fan Lau along Shek Pik Reservoir Catchment Road. Walk up the old Tung Chung Road from Cheung Sha to reach the

distance to Kau Ling Chung where a

trail. This is a relaxing and picturesque route and

lookout pavilion affords a sweeping view of the peninsula.

a pleasant alternative to the more arduous Tei Tong Tsai

From here, a steep gravelly path leads down to the beach at

Country Trail to the north and South Lantau Road to the

Fan Lau. A narrow path at the far end of the beach leads up

south. The entire trail extends some 17 kilometres from east

to the fort. On the way, a large boulder some seven to eight

to west and is flat for most of the distance. It is long rather

metres high dominates the exposed ridge. It is sometimes

than strenuous, and is well worth the trip.

referred to as the Fan Lau ‘Stalagmite’ because of the way it has been carved and split by the forces of nature. From

The trail is paved and tree-lined with numerous rest areas

a certain angle, the rock also resembles a burning flame –

along the way. It is also the longest designated mountain-

hence its alternative name – the ‘Burning Rock’.

bike trail on Lantau. If you want to spend more time exploring the Fan Lau Peninsula, you can access the trail from Tong

Fan Lau’s Qing Dynasty fort was built in 1729 during

Fuk further west along the coast. Both these points are

Emperor Yongzheng’s reign. It is believed to have been used

serviced by buses running along South Lantau Road.

as a base by smugglers and pirates before its surrender to Qing government forces in 1810.

Further on from Tong Fuk, the mudflats and mangroves

52

of Shui Hau Wan below come into view, right before you

To return, catch either the 11 or 23 bus from Shek Pik

reach the reservoir dam. The trail continues for some

Reservoir Dam to Tung Chung.

February 2012



ACTION

Pak Tam Chung to High Island East Dam

end of the road where you can take in the view of the dam and Po Pin Chau, with its volcanic tuffs rising 100

The area around High Island East Dam is part of Hong

feet vertically from the sea. It’s also a good place to

Kong’s spectacular geopark, and is a great sight to show

stop for a picnic.

visitors. Pak Tam Chung sits at the southern entrance to Sai Kung West and Sai Kung East country parks and is serviced

A 15-20 minute walk up the trail to the left leads up to

by city and mini buses from Sai Kung town. Allow a day to

another pavilion offering a much less dramatic but no

explore the sights and take in the views.

less enchanting view of Long Ke Beach below. Make the return journey by following the same route back.

When High Island Reservoir was being built in the seventies,

Happy trail walking!

two private service roads were created as part of the project.

From Pak Tam Chung, take the longer of these two roads to the right. This 10-kilometre Sai Kung Man Yee Road leads not only to the beautiful beaches at Tai Long Wan and Long Ke Wan, but also to the unique volcanic structures at the High Island East Dam. You can walk the length of the trail in two-and-a-half hours.

With only a scattering of trees to obstruct the view, the scenic beauty of the reservoir can be enjoyed all along the way. There is a pavilion at the

a Ke Be Long

High Island Coast

54

February 2012

ch

STYLE

office

protocols A brightly lit office nook

Working from home is ideal if you put your back into the design and create a well thought-out space.

Elizabeth Kerr reports A designated office space by Monique McLintock Interiors

56

February 2012

STYLE

A

ccording

to

the

United

States’

a separate room

Department of Labor, almost 34% of

but

self-employed workers did so from

Kong

in

Hong

this

is

home in 2004, a jump of 3% from

rarely the case

2001 — and the numbers have gone up since then.

and often we

Hong Kong’s Census and Statistics Department

just

doesn’t break down its employment data, but

make do with

unscientific surveys (like, say, at a cocktail party)

a screen divider

would probably reveal similar patterns here.

in the corner of a

have

to

room,” says designer Modern communications have made working from

Monique

McLintock.

home an increasingly popular option particularly

Plenty of home-furnishing

among 20-somethings who want to do their own

suppliers

thing and women still tasked (in 2012) with the

desks and small storage that fits into tight

majority of childcare and domestic duties. But

corners, so it’s critical to find that corner of your

that’s a PhD paper. That both residential and

home that can effectively be ‘closed off’.

offer

Decorative cabinetry doubles as a desk

space-saving

office rents can border on outrageous is another incentive to kill two birds with one stone.

It almost goes without saying that it is beneficial to choose an area away from noise and other

The ability to work from home varies from industry

disturbances, since working in a peaceful and

to industry – construction and neurosurgery

undisturbed environment will add greatly to

would be tricky – but Hong Kong’s labour force

efficiency. Make sure too that the space is neither

is intensely white collar. Graphic design, interior

humid nor gloomy, since working under such

design, accounting, writing and financial advisory

conditions will not only hamper your productivity

are among the raft of professions that dovetail

but also harm your electronic equipment.



nicely with working in one’s pyjamas. On occasion.

Designated space If you’ve decided to take the home-office path and your business license is in order (the Inland Revenue Department really doesn’t care about locations) the next step in getting busy is a space to work in. Where the home office was once the purview of super-high powered CEOs who just had to keep an eye on the markets after hours, it is now frequently the reason single people need two-bedroom flats, and office furniture options are myriad.

The first, and perhaps the most crucial item on the agenda is not whether you want to go with Mac or PC but setting aside a space for your office, ideally one that’s separate from day-to-day activities. “We would all like to have

The dorset table, courtesy of Tequila Kola



February 2012

57

STYLE

Lighting and decor

It is very important to have a comfortable chair that does not strain your back and a complementing desk to go with

Which brings up the necessity for great lighting. “One

it. And as for the desk, Monique advises that, “A design

of the most important things in home-office design is

with lots of drawers and shelves allows you to reduce

to make sure that you create a space that is well-lit,”

the amount of clutter. A tidy desk frees up your mind and

Monique continues. It needs to be bright enough to see

makes it easier to get work done.” A proper section for the

well and keep the mind sharp, but part of the reason

computer should form an essential part of the desk so that

people choose to work at home is to get away from,

you can protect your machine and clean it easily.

firstly the grind of the cubicle and secondly the agonising fluorescent light that goes with it. Low-cost LED is rapidly

Keep a paper pad on the desk and a pen stand with pens

becoming the standard and manufacturers like Megaman

as well as pencils and erasers handy. Stumbling around for

even offer LED versions for existing bulb fittings. If you’re

something to write on, or something to write with, wastes

doing a complete redesign, fitting a dimmer switch is also

time as well as thought. It is essential that all files and other

a good idea.

work-related papers are kept near the work station so 

Wall colour, as well as light, is vital to productivity since it creates mood. After all there are certain colours that stimulate your brain in a certain way. Orange and yellow hues are said to make people hungry and this is one reason more and more restaurants are using it in their schemes. For the home office, choose a wall colour that is not too gaudy so that it does not distract you. Select a neutral colour that will soothe you in summer and provide warmth in winter. Lemons, pastel blues and creams are good colour choices.

Additionally, try placing a vibrant painting above your desk to keep your spirits high.

Gloomy

and

abstract

designs tend to have an adverse effect on the mind and so affect its creativity.

Savvy organisation “In addition to great lighting, a home office needs to be a really organised place,” Monique

adds.

“Your

organisation system needs to be personal enough to encourage but

rigid

transcend

maintenance, enough the,

to

‘Trust

me, I know what’s under these stacks of paper’, Hi-tech office furniture, courtesy of Marc James Design

mentality.”

58

February 2012

STYLE

that you don’t have to walk far to reach them. A filing cabinet that suits your requirement can be chosen for this purpose.

A designer can of course be called upon for major structural work if necessary, but it is possible to outfit an office on one’s own. And you already know the solution: Ikea! It’s low budget but for what you pay the quality is great. Ikea is also ideal because it does

A colour coordinated living/ office space

installations for a nominal fee. The downside of course is all that white.

Find it:

Recommended alternatives include GOD, Marc James

• GOD, www.god.com.hk

Design, Indigo and the independent shops in Ap Lei

• Ikea, www.ikea.com.hk

Chau, though style can sometimes trump substance.

• Indigo, www.indigo-living.com

Still, there are finds. “Last weekend I was at Tequila Kola and fell in love with this big suitcase that can be opened to reveal a drop-down desk with storage

• LRD Ltd, www.lrd.com.hk • Marc James Design, www.marcjamesdesign.com • Megaman Concept Store, www.megaman.cc

shelves inside. I thought it was the most genius

• Monique McLintock Interiors Ltd, www.moniqueinterior.com

design,” Monique recalls. And really, what better way

• Tequila Kola, www.tequilakola.com

to make space for your nap corner?

HOTSPOTS

What's

new

around

Hong

Kong

c o m p i l e d b y A n d re w D e m b i n a

Breakfast for High Flyers

The recently launched Peninsula Hong Kong hotel's ‘Sky High Champagne Breakfast’ offers a pretty amazing start to a day. From now until the end of June on Sundays and public holidays, from 9.30-11.00am, you can enjoy a tasty buffet-breakfast spread at the China Clipper Lounge, along with an eight-minute urban helicopter flight from its rooftop helipad. The twin-engine Squirrel helicopter seats up to five passengers who each get a bird's eye view through wraparound windows. From Tsim Sha Tsui, the ride sweeps over eastern Hong Kong Island, catching sight of Happy Valley Racetrack, before whirling over to the skyscrapers of Central. The deal includes a glass of champagne, and costs HK$1,388. For more information call 2315 3146 or check www.peninsula.com.

Free Folk Dancing Catch the swirls and steps of a handful of international dance forms for free at Wanchai’s Hong Kong Arts Centre’s main entrance from 7.00-8.30pm on February 10. Curated by Daniel Yeung, Open Dance – A Night of World Ethnic Dance introduces international dance in an informal dance party atmosphere, celebrating four major forms of folk dance. Argentine tango, Spanish flamenco, Xinjiang dance from China and belly dancing from the Middle East are showcased, presented by performers from locally based dance studios and dance groups.

For programme enquiries call 2582 0273, or visit www.hkac.org.hk to find out more.

Disney and Dragons Although Chinese New Year began late last month, Hong Kong Disneyland’s characters events and decorations will still be a blaze of red and gold until February 5. Besides Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and others wearing their gilt-edged and embroidered finery around the theme park, the eye-catching ‘Rhythm of Life: Dragon Procession’ is a contemporary take on traditional street pole-puppet celebrations, held in eight different zones, three times a day. Mushu the dragon character from Mulan is being honoured with special duties around the park – this being the Year of the Dragon. Until February 5, all visitors will receive a special Disney lai see packet containing a chocolate gold coin. Some Chinesethemed dishes are available at onsite restaurants. Find more information at www.hkdisneyland.com.

62

February 2012

HOTSPOTS

Pasta Lovers’ Promo While we are not showcasing the thousands of local Valentine’s Day promos in these particular pages, this writer likes the sound of Pure Bar and Restaurant’s love for the first day of many people’s working week. Its ‘Amore Monday’ presents a choice of six pasta dishes, served with garlic bread and a glass of wine, all for HK$138. Three lunch menus are on rotation, so dishes will vary. Meatball Napolitana with spaghetti, fettuccini alla carbonara, linguine with mussels in dill cream sauce, macaroni with chicken, mushroom and spinach, and spaghetti Bolognese all feature at this hip little Central taverna. Call 8199 8189 to make a reservation; or visit www.pure-dining.com.

New Local Family Street-side Guidebook Chocolaterie Updated Cindy Miller Stephens has just updated her book Hong Kong for Kids.

It’s a family book really, written some years ago when her own children were very young here. In this new edition, the former country singer from the US has introduced plenty more places of interest that will keep younger and older kids happy, as well as their parents. This guidebook for resident families scours urban, New Territories and Outer Islands getaways and provides lots of practical information, including how to get to places, what lies in their vicinity, easy-to-follow maps and Chinese characters for place names. The handy reference book, priced at HK$148, is well distributed in local bookshops or available through its publisher at www.blacksmithbooks.com.

A top French chocolatier, Jean-Paul Hévin, just opened Hong Kong’s first Parisian-style Boutique et Bar à Chocolat. This street-side café and retail spot is inspired after the award-winning flagship chocolate specialist on elite Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris. Exclusive to the Boutique et Bar à Chocolat on Central’s Lyndhurst Terrace is Jean-Paul Hévin’s signature box containing tasting slabs of premium chocolate from Venezuela, Madagascar, Peru and Colombia, priced at HK$580.

And filled handmade chocolates come in several varieties. Cups of top quality hot chocolate, voted ‘best in Paris’ by Figaroscope magazine are available.

These vary by both origin – such as Central America, Madagascar or Venezuela – and additional flavours that change seasonally. Hot chocolate can be had with a croissant and signature jam or chocolate spread, or cake. Take a look at www.jphevin.com.hk.

February 2012

63

COMPETITION

Photos by Terry Chow

DBFACES

Great prizes from Uncle Russ!

A

Y

B

C

Congratulations to last month’s winner Debbie Barnett who correctly identified picture C featured on page 28 of our January issue. Please contact our office on 2987 0577 to collect your prize.

our challenge, this month, is to identify which of the three photos above is the exact copy of a photograph featured elsewhere in this issue of Around DB. You need to list the page number the photo appears on, as well as which of the three pictures is the exact copy. The first person to send us the correct answer will win a complementary drink at Uncle Russ in DB Plaza every day for a week.

Email your answer to info@arounddb.com (subject line: Uncle Russ competition). Good luck!

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66

February 2012

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Fully qualified, UK-trained beauty therapist with over 16-years’ experience.

• C.A.C.I. – the new CACI ultimate, incorp MICRO-DERMABRASION, L.E.D LIGHT THERAPY, to treat lines & wrinkles plus facial toning using micro-current exclusive to C.A.C.I • FACIALS – Nobel-prize winning SKEYNDOR stem plant system cell facials & homecare, DERMATOLOGICA products & Dr Murad VIT C, Glycolic peels & anti-aging treats GUINOT HYDRADERMIE with Lifting Plus treatment • AROMATHERAPY - using 100%-certified organic oils • BODY MASSAGE / BODY SCRUBS/ WRAPS for slimming & detoxifying • REFLEXOLOGY • WAXING & EYELASH TINTING • COLOUR ME BEAUTIFUL make-over & colour analysis • GIFT VOUCHERS Call Gillian on 9604 6920/ 2987 0764

Looking for a place to stay?

Check out our property listings

HOME & REPAIRS

KIDS

AKASH MOVERS

MOUNTAINVIEW MONTESSORI

For all your moving needs, including packing materials, & full packing & moving services. Plus small deliveries & handyman services.

Payment upon complete satisfaction.

Best move - best rates.

Call 2421 8088, or visit www.akash.hk ALL-ROUND HELP! Trustworthy, reliable male available to help. Pet sitter, cleaner, lawn care, handyman & cleaner. Very flexible hours. Call 6203 2840 for references. Or talk to Marvin or Reynaldo 6332 3355

KIDS MIDGET GEMS RENTAL

Have an idea for a children’s business? We have a clubroom available for rent, afternoon time slots.

Please call Koren on 9176 2990

The Montessori method nurtures every child’s natural curiosity for learning. It ignites creativity and builds self worth.

For children 33 months to 6 years.

Email mountainview_montessori @hotmail.com

MIDGET GEMS KIDS’ CLUB

Established playgroup for children from 2-4 years.

Morning sessions with afternoons coming soon.

A wonderful environment where children learn through play with our qualified & experienced teachers.

Also offering Bilingual Gems, afternoon sessions in German & Mandarin.

Please contact 2987 0272, info@midgetgemskidsclub.com, or visit www.midgetgemskidsclub.com

EARLY ADVENTURES PLAYGROUP

A dedicated playgroup with the emphasis on learning through play.

Activities to stimulate all areas of development.

Come & look at our facilities.

Classes from 20 months to 4 years.

Morning & afternoon sessions.

Call 9511 2107, or visit www.earlyadventures.net

PETS GROOMING & DOG SERVICES Patient, caring & loving, Japanese/ English speaking. Welcome Graduate of Petco Grooming School & Tokyo Pet Business School. Please contact Peter Tse on 9360 3048, or visit www.petcoDB.com

QUO QUO CLUB DOG SERVICES

GEMS OCCASIONS

Looking for that perfect party venue for your little gem? A colourful, safe & fun environment with toys & dress-up clothes. We have an entertainer upon request. We also tidy up!

Please contact 9176 2990, info@midgetgemskidsclub.com, or visit www.midgetgemskidsclub.com

KIDS

EARLY ADVENTURES PARTY TIME!

Need a venue for a party? Ideal playgroup environment with toys & activities. For further information, please call 9511 2107

Grooming, boarding & behaviour classes. Responsible, patient & detail-conscious in a hygienic & relaxed environment. Call Dave Chan, Associate Member of The Animal Care College, Berkshire, UK, on 9872 5439, or visit http://quoquoclub.com

February 2012

67

PROPERTY DB

PROPERTY DB

SHORT-TERM 3-BED RENTAL

NICE SHORT-TERM RENTAL

Fully furnished, 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom flat in Jovial Court. Linen & fluffy towels provided, baby items available. LCD TV, DVD, wi-fi, telephone, washer & dryer. Fabulous views. Non-smoking flat. Call 6905 3765 evenings & weekends or email jovialflat@gmail.com

Newly renovated studio flat with open kitchen, 5 minutes to pier. Fully furnished, with cable TV & broadband. Contact 2987 2468, or dbshortlet@yahoo.com.hk

DELUXE SERVICED APARMENTS

LUXURIOUS 1-BED APARTMENT

Newly renovated, 550’ flat on a high floor with split-type air conditioning. Fully equipped with DVD & free wi-fi. Bedding & towels provided. Weekly cleaning available. Email dbaygreenish@gmail.com

For lease. Fully furnished 1-2-bed apartments with beautiful decor, wi-fi & broadband. Well-equipped kitchen, luxurious bedding, weekly cleaning service. Contact Warren on 2987 2626 or warren@appletravel.com

STYLISH SHORT-TERM RENTAL

NEW SHORT- OR LONG-TERM RENTAL

Fully furnished, with cable TV, DVD, linens & towels provided.

Contact 9159 2476 or sweet_castillo2001@yahoo.com

LUXURY MODERN FLAT TO LET

Short- or medium-term rent at Siena 2. 600’ 1-bedroom flat with sea views, near new plaza, Club Siena & tunnel. Serviced & fully furnished with washer/dryer, bed linen & kitchenware.

Plus wi-fi, broadband, blue-ray & home theatre.

Contact 9317 0624 or nialady2011@gmail.com

SHORT-TERM LET, PENTHOUSES

From HK$700 per night. 2-3 beds & studios all with balcony. Luxuriously furnished, with TV, DVD, cable & broadband. Panoramic harbour views & short walk to pier. Contact Brian on 9098 6951, or brian@headlandhomes.hk

Greenery Court, 1-bedroom flat with deluxe renovation. Modern & fully furnished with internet, 37’’ LCD TV & DVD. Contact Sandy on 9654 8862, or sandylamdb@yahoo.com.hk

PROPERTY DB STUDIO FOR SHORT-TERM LET Comfortable, nicely decorated studio, close to plaza & pier, with fully equipped kitchen. 37” TV, DVD, wi-fi, linens & towels provided.

Contact 9190 7348, niceroom_db@yahoo.com.hk SHORT-TERM RENTAL Bright, fully furnished flat. Sleeps 4.

Fully equipped kitchen, plus wi-fi & broadband, towels & linen.

Minimum stay 1 month.

Email dbstay4@yahoo.com 2-BED APARTMENT FOR RENT Greenmont Court, nice & fully furnished.

Call 9108 5525

CHERISH COURT TO LET

Fully furnished 2-bedroom, newly renovated flat. Tranquil with sea & Disneyland view, & wi-fi. Photos available. Contact Jacqueline at 9811 0718, jacquelinedb@gmail.com

PROPERTY OVERSEAS

AUSTRALIAN PROPERTY

GREENDALE COURT RENTAL

Brand-new, fully furnished, 533’ 1-bed apartment. Deluxe renovation, on a high floor, with mountain view. Call 9108 5525

Everything you need to know about buying a property in Australia. Information on property markets, taxation, finance, migration & legal.

Free online at www.aussieproperty.com

SPANISH VILLA FOR SALE

FULLY FURNISHED 1-BED RENTAL

Smart apartment on a high floor with sea view.

Close to pier & plaza. Call Tiareti on 9732 8985

Advertise your business and get great results with Around DB

2987 0577

68

February 2012

20 minutes from Valencia airport. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Large living room/ dining room & kitchen plus garage. Mature terraced gardens with Roman-style pool. Good holiday rental returns: 240,000 euros. For more details & photos, email snr.cranmer@gmail.com

PHUKET LAGUNA LINKS TOWNHOUSE 2,200’, 3-bed home on the golf course.

Available for sale, HK$5.5M, or as a holiday rental. Email kasumico.laguna@gmail.com

SERVICES & OTHERS

TRAVEL

AUSTRALIAN TAX RETURNS

CONCORDE TRAVEL CONSULTANTS

Need to lodge your Australian tax return? If you are an expat or collect rental from Australian property, you must lodge an annual return.

Let us do it for you here in Hong Kong. Contact Australasian Taxation Services on 3571 8700, or helen.wong@smats.net, or visit www.smats.net

THE BOTTOMLINE

CFO, COO & business development support for SME’s or regional offices by a qualified accountant with a clear focus on improving the bottom line of the P & L account.

Call 9017 0250

TRAVEL

FLIGHT CENTRE

We will always go out of our way to find you the perfect trip at a great price.

Talk to our travel experts today!

Contact 2830 2866, enquiry@flightcentre.com.hk or visit www.flightcentre.com.hk

Leisure travel specialists since 1978.

Licence No. 350343.

Call 2526 3391 or visit www.concorde-travel.com

TUITION & COURSES MATHEMATICS (GCSE, AS, SAT, IB, GMAT, ETC.) & ENGLISH TUITION

Offered by a London University graduate (First-Class Honours).

Experienced in teaching adults, ESF & International School students.

Call 9121 0389

French Primary Classes Accepting registrations now for September 2012  Full-time Primary One class (Cours Preparatoire CP) with qualified, certified and experienced French teacher  Official French distance learning Cned programmes for Primary 2 to 6

For more information, please call 6538 1578 or e-mail us at info@pmcuriehk.com.

STUDENTS’ CREATIVITY AND THINKING SKILLS SEMINARS

CHINESE MANDARIN LESSONS

DB Mandarin Room at Phase 1.

For Year 1-13 students: schedule on demand. Many groups of different levels to meet each student’s needs. Help with homework, revision, exams & more.

For adults: beginners, intermediate & advanced classes every Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 10-11am.

Please call 6071 9643, or visit http://putonghua.isfun.net

Venue: Discovery College Commencement Date: Sat Feb 4, 2012 Free Preview: DC Wed Feb 1, 2012 3:30pm

Enquiry and Enrollment Cherry at 3480 9448 cherry@outoftheboxthinking.biz www.outoftheboxthinking.biz

February 2012

69

Your ultimate guide in DB

DBNUMBERS COMMUNITY & HEALTH

Bayside Dental Practice, North Plaza Catholic Church (Trinity Chapel) DB Alliance Church Community Centre Discovery Bay Community Hall DB International Community Church Discovery Bay Medical Centre Health & Care Dental Clinic Herbal Healthcare Island Health Island Veterinary Services The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council

HOME

2987 0855 2988 1515 2987 8136 2852 4338 2987 7061 2987 5633 2666 6183 2834 7276 2987 7575 2987 9003 2259 3422

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

Good Luck Engineering Hoi Yu Transportation Home Services Engineering Hung Kee Co Interior 18 Japan Home Centre Marc James Design, North Plaza Next Furniture Rapee-living Rich Point Hardware Materials Season Art Kitchen Perfection Tai Fat Hardware Store Wing On Department Store Yours Electrical Centre

LEARNING CENTRES

2987 1313 2987 4488 2987 0061 2987 5087 2987 7803 2987 1041 2765 5700 2987 0222 2987 7082 2987 0789 2987 1990 2987 0789 2987 9268 2987 4428

LEARNING CENTRES

Prince & Princess

Kids Wear & Accessories Shop G13B, G/F., North Plaza Tel: 2947 9228 Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm www.prince-princess.com.hk

International Academy of Performing Arts Discovery College www.actingantics.com Contact deborah@actingantics.com 852 6842 8092 - 8122 9475

rush yoga ∙ fitness ∙ swim G/F, G35, DB Plaza, Discovery Bay Tel +852 2526 0720 www.rush.com.hk Mon – Sun: 10:30am to 7:30pm

Treat Boutique "Treat yourself, Treat your wallet"

US Depatment store handbags, jewelry, ladies wear, men's wear and more...

L’ecole Pierre Et Marie Curie

L’Ecole Francaise de Discovery Limited French classes, specialised and tutorial services Block One, LG6, 92 Siena Avenue DB North, Discovery Bay Tel (+852) 6538 1578 info@pmcuriehk.com

Tel: 6163 3421

First Friends & Second Friends In Style Little Whale Nomadic Start-rite shoes

2987 8226 3480 1348 2987 8460 2987 2098

DB’s largest & longest running playgroup Iin Porter 9151 5545 firstsecondfriends@yahoo.com www.firstfriendshk.com

Midget Gems Kid’s Club Established playgroup for children 2-4 years Tel: 2987 0272 info@ midgetgemskidsclub.com www.midgetgemskidsclub.com

Mountainview Montessori Run by Montessori trained teacher Come and Join the Fun! mountainview_montessori@hotmail.com

DB International School (Kindergarten) DB International School (Pri. / Sec.) Discovery College Discovery Mind International Play Centre Discovery Mind Kindergarten Discovery Montessori School DMR School of Ballet Early Adventures Learning Centre HK International Learning Academy Les Petits Lascars de DB SKH Wei Lun Primary School Sunshine House Int’l Pre-School Sunshine House Kindergarten Treasure House

2914 2142 2987 7331 3969 1000 2987 8028 2987 8088 2987 1201 2987 4338 9511 2107 2416 3088 2526 8892 2987 8608 2987 0813 2987 8143 2987 4217

MULTIMEDIA

Bookazine, DB Ferry Dymocks & Gallery Fotomax (F.E.) Ltd Fun to Read Movieland Pen’n Paper P-Solution The Bookshop

2987 1373 2987 8494 2914 2378 3105 3588 2987 7111 2987 8898 2987 1777 2987 9372

OTHER SERVICES

DAILY NECESSITIES

7-Eleven Convenience Store 7-Eleven Food Kiosk Fusion by PARKnSHOP GNC Mannings Watson’s Pharmacy Wellcome

2987 4401 2914 1183 2987 7486 2987 9331 2987 1720 2987 4089 2947 9092

DB Garden House Montessori Quality Montessori programmes for 6m to 6y olds For details call Ramesha on 6114 2436 ramesha@gardenhousemontessori.com www.gardenhousemontessori.com

Flowers from the Heart Flowers for all occasions Baskets, Bouquets, Orchids, Gifts and Luxury Chocolates Free Delivery in Discovery Bay T: 2987 0802 M: 9150 7165 Email: dotcaddis@me.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES

HSBC HSBC Expat TRAVELEX Money Exchange, North Plaza Luen Fat Securities Co. Ltd

2233 3000 2822 3927 2682 1210 2987 1851

HOME

PetcoDB Kindergarten, French classes and tutorial services.

French kindergarten open for registrations for school year 2012-13.

Accepting registrations for 2011-12.

LG-05, 92 Siena Avenue, DB North Tel: 6710 0391 e-mail: info@la-petite-enfance.com

Island Dance Butterfly Dreams Luxury Bed Linens Ltd. “Luxury that doesn’t cost the Earth” Tel. ( 852 ) 9770 4474 / 9779 9424 www.butterflydreams.com.hk

Furniture, Wall paper, Interior Design and Home Furnishings Shop 119 DB Plaza Tel: +852 3482 5785 www.yaalidesigns.com, info@yaalidesigns.com

70

February 2012

Freestyle, Jazz, Ballet & Tap Tel: 2987 1571 www.islanddance.com.hk

Grooming & Pet Services Wth Trust, Love & Safe Care For the ones you love Tel: 2914 0382 Email: info@petcoDB.com www.petcoDB.com

Amity Shoe Care Apple Travel Co Pets Gallery The Optical House Well Supreme Laundry Services REAL-ESTATE AGENCIES

Mandarin for Munchkins® For kids 1 year and up Call 2480 3909 www.mandarinformunchkins.com

Lifestyle Homes Tel: 2914 0888 info@lifestylehomes.com.hk www.lifestylehomes.com.hk

2987 4538 2987 2626 2987 0428 2987 1368 2987 5151

DBNUMBERS REAL-ESTATE AGENCIES

Centaline Property Agency Limited Century 21 Newcourt Realty Headland Homes Kingsford DB Ltd Land Master Property Midland Realty

SOCIAL, SPORTS & EQUIPMENT

2987 8484 2987 9729 2987 2088 2987 6888 2987 6238 2987 2888

RESTAURANTS

22º North Berliner Café Duvet Caramba Mexican Cantina Ebeneezer’s First Korean Restaurant Fresh Fruit Juice Paradise Hemingway’s by the Bay il Bel Paese Ippu Japanese Restaurant Island Café Jaspa’s, North Plaza Koh Tomyums La Création Bakery McDonald’s & McCafé McSorley’s Ale House Mirch Masala, North Plaza Pacific Coffee Paisano’s, North Plaza Peony Chinese Restaurant Sopranos Subway Super Super Uncle Russ, DB Plaza Uncle Russ, North Plaza Wildfire Fresh Yogurtime Zak’s

2987 2298 2987 8203 2987 0966 2987 2848 2987 0036 2987 9123 2987 4768 2987 8855 2987 0202 2987 2886 2987 9311 2997 8688 2987 0767 2987 1829 2987 1033 2987 8280 2987 1337 2987 1662 2673 4445 2500 1950 2987 2915 2914 0005 2914 1308 2682 0068 2682 8108 2987 8202 2259 4511 2987 6232

Movement Improvement Pilates, yoga, posture & fitness 2987 5852 www.movementimprovement.com.hk

Sportsmanship Gymnastics Programs, Health Consultancy, Weight Management & Nutritional Supplements Tel: 2870 3524 www.sportsmanship.usana.com

Sports World All your sporting needs right here in DB Tel: 2914 1323 Email: bruce@sportsworld.hk TOYS, ACCESSORIES & KIDS’ PARTIES

TRANSPORT SERVICES

DB Golf Cart Services DB Transit Services DB Transportation Services Hire Car Bookings Passenger Telephone hotline Wiselink Golf Cart Services

2914 2727 2914 0186 2987 7351 2987 6348 2987 0208 2987 9368

UTILITIES, SERVICES & EMERGENCY HOTLINES

24-hour Customer Service hotline China Light & Power Emergency China Light & Power Information Line Discovery Bay Commercial Services Discovery Bay Fire & Ambulance Discovery Bay Management Discovery Bay Medical Services Discovery Bay Office Centre Discovery Bay Police Discovery Bay Post Office Gas Leakage Emergency hotline Lantau North Report Room Typhoon Signal Enquiries Water Fault Reports Water Supplies Department

3651 2345 2728 8333 2678 2678 2987 4242 2987 7502 2238 3601 2525 6798 2238 3388 2987 4052 2987 6046 2435 4511 2988 2369 2835 1473 2811 0788 2824 5000

WELL-BEING

Body Talk

Little Miss Green The Party Queen Eco Party Supplies, Toys, Games & Gifts www.missgreenpartyqueen.com

Holistic therapy for illness, stress, sports injury & learning disorders Tel: 6683 5755 angie@bodytalksystem.com.hk www.bodytalksystem.com.hk

SOCIAL, SPORTS & EQUIPMENT

Curves Women’s Fitness Centre Club Siena Discovery Bay Tel: 2987 0772 curvesdb@gmail.com www.curves.com

Penny Scallan Design Unique and individual Tel: 6015 4050 hk@pennyscallan.biz www.pennyscallan.biz

Planting Ideas, Growing Minds.

Embody Exercise for Energy for Life

Tel: 2987 2608 soyhongkong@gmail.com www.seedling.com.hk

Tel: 2987 8923 / 9443 8333 Email: embody-hk@live.com www.embody.com.hk

Tel: 2987 4274 www.dragons.hk

Stuck on You Label It, Own It, Keep It! Tel: 2549 2245, 2987 2608 sales.hk@stuckonyou.biz www.stuckonyou.biz

Bo Bo House Toysland

Sher Martelle-Climas, R.M.T. DB’s Massage Therapist House calls, by appointment only Call for rates 9503 9117

Lantau Island Outrigging Canoe Club Training at Lantau Boat Club, Tai Pak beach www.liocc.com

2987 7382 2987 9591 2987 7273 2987 7381

CIBTAC, ITEC, BABTAC, City & Guilds Facials, CACI-Face lifting, SKINCARE, Make-up & Colour analysis, Waxing & more!

Please contact Gillian : 9604 6920 / 2987 0764 www.theskintherapycentrehk.com

2987 4230 2987 7859 TRANSPORT SERVICES

Club Siena Discovery Bay Marina Club Discovery Bay Golf Club Discovery Bay Residents Club

Professional beauty treatments by qualified RN & Medical Aesthetics Consultant Please call 5116 1617 kittytang@professionals-beauty.com www.professionals-beauty.com

The Skin Therapy Centre

HK Dragons Football Club Football for 2.5yrs to 14yrs old girls and boys

Nailed It Professional artificial nail services in DB Tel: 2987 2266

Limousine Rental

limo service in HK & China.  pick up from / to DB Tunnel  direct transfer to SZ / GZ Airport Tel: 53033489 Email: limo9689@yahoo.com

Afflatus Hair Workshop Maximum Care Salon De Coiffure Sense of Touch Spa Siena

February 2012

2987 0283 2987 2060 2987 4112 2987 9198 2987 7382

71

DBMOMENTS

karate kid

Around DB catches up with nine-year-old DB resident Rafi Joss, one of the youngest black belts in the world in Shotokan Karate

H

ead down to the dojo, the formal training place

But Rafi adds that, "After a year or two of serious karate

where martial arts are taught, at the Discovery

training, you will not want to get into any fights. You will avoid

Bay Recreation Club (DBRC), and one of

fights at all times as karate is absolutely not about violence.

the brightest shining stars is Rafi Joss, who

It will teach you discipline. When you are young: you have

at just nine-years old is the youngest student ever to be

to respect your elders, that means accepting all of their

awarded a Black Belt 1st Dan in DB. Although he weighs

decisions, and never answering back to them.”

in at just 34 kilogrammes and is 1.45-metres tall, Rafi is, for that matter, one of the youngest black belts in the world. He

Having the right attitude then, is as important as knowing

has been training at the DBRC three times a week for the

the movements. “Karate teaches that you mustn't show off

past three years under Andy and Zenny Kendall, both highly

– you can't go around telling everybody how good you are

accomplished teachers of Shotokan Karate.

– you need to be humble. I like karate because it changes your attitude not just during karate lessons but also outside

Karate kid that he is, Shotokan Karate should not be

them,” says Rafi, who has read the karate syllabus book so

confused with the karate immortalised in the movies of

many times, the cover has fallen off.

that name which combines various styles with a little bit of Hollywood karate mixed in. Shotokan, a style of karate developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Gigo Funakoshi (1906–1945), is

Rafi’s mother Tamsin notes that Rafi is an active kid, who has always loved competitive sports. “However, karate is a little different,” she says, “as he has had to strive to better himself, rather

divided into three parts:

than compare himself to others.

kihon (basics), kata (forms

He has trained consistently,

or patterns of moves)

with great teachers, and the

and

kumite

(sparring).

The idea is by repeating

momentum

this

provided,

along with his great love of

choreographed

this martial art, is what has

movements

kept him motivated. Not many

over

again,

internalised be

over

and

they

are

and

can

coupled with the drive and

without

commitment to achieve a black

produced

hesitation in a combat

kids

have

the

opportunity,

belt at this age.”

situation if necessary.

Now Rafi will start to study the Karate

72

involves

punching,

black belt syllabus. In terms of a

kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and

goal, he is aiming for his 2nd Dan,

open-handed techniques such as knife-

which will likely take three years to achieve.

hands, and Rafi is confident that

Once he has passed the grading for his 2nd

he could defend himself if he ever

Dan, and reached his teens, Rafi hopes to

needed to (no kidding!).

become a karate instructor.

February 2012

Discovery Bay T 2987 8143 dbay@sunshinehouse.com.hk

walking on sunshine...

Sunshine House, a group of English-speaking international pre-schools, with specifically designed programs for children from under 2 to 6 years of age. • Bilingual and Mandarin Immersion classes • Primary 1 classes for age 5-6 years Sunshine House is committed to providing a vibrant, nurturing learning environment. www.sunshinehouse.com.hk

Tai Tam T 2813 0713 taitam@sunshinehouse.com.hk Tung Chung T 2109 3873 tungchung@sunshinehouse.com.hk The Peak T 2849 7123 peak@sunshinehouse.com.hk Pok Fu Lam T 2551 3213 pokfulam@sunshinehouse.com.hk Chi Fu T 2551 3781 chifu@sunshinehouse.com.hk Discovery Bay North T 2987 0813 dbaynorth@sunshinehouse.com.hk Clearwater Bay T 2358 3803 clearwaterbay@sunshinehouse.com.hk