Around DB February 2021 by Around DB Magazine

KUNG HEI FAT CHOY!

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to a great ride in the Year of the Ox!

IPO pop: How to secure yourself a prosperous new year MMA: In the cage with Marc Guyon, Jomar Manlangit and Maleek Mathiesen CNY: The legends behind lion dancing, lucky scrolls and lai-see NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS Join your community online at www.arounddb.com

FEBRUARY J U LY 2 02021 20

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CONTENTS

Join your community online

FEBRUARY 2021

PROFILE - 18 Eric Giles, approaching his centennial

IN FOCUS - 22 In the cage with DB’s MMA fighters

EDUCATION - 26 Myths and legends surrounding CNY

INSIDER - 36 How to double your money in Ox Year

RECIPES - 40 Three-course Valentine’s Day supper

22 REGULARS

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AGENDA

HELPLINE Support for FDWs

DB EVENTS

GEOMANCY Introductory feng shui

GIVEAWAYS

DB FACES Community snaps

CLASSIFIEDS

OUT THERE Peter Sherwood talks back

LOCAL NUMBERS

ON THE COVER What we can hope for in the Year of the Ox

We also publish… TH

YOUR GUIDE TO HONG KONG’S ‘GREEN JEWEL’

IN G

To read the cover story, turn to page 26

KUNG HEI FAT CHOY!

Here’s to a great ride in the Year of the Ox!

2019 / 2020

Illustration by Terry Chow

FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF

FEBRUARY J U LY 2 02021 20 FOOD & DRINK • LIVING • PETS • SPORTS • PASTIMES • EDUCATION • HEALTH • BEAUTY • SERVICES • TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS • COMMUNITY

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Photos courtesy of Bones & Blades

BONES & BLADES GRAND OPENING Bones & Blades celebrated the opening of its new restaurant and butcher shop in the DB Plaza shopping arcade on January 6. With shops in Sai Ying Pun, Sai Kung and Yuen Long, Bones & Blades specialises in pasture-raised meat imported from family-owned farms across the globe.

s t n e v e y t i n u c om m IN DISCOVERY BAY

RECENT

FIRST SUNRISE OF 2021

Residents welcomed the first sunrise of 2021 by hiking up Tigerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head (Lo Fu Tau) in the early morning of January 1.

www.richardgordonphotography.com

DB ARTISTS AT GALLERY JEEUM

Rounding off the year in style, Gallery Jeeum in DB North Plaza showcased the work of DB artists throughout December.

www.richardgordonphotography.com

www.arounddb.com February 2021

DB EVENTS

CHINESE NEW YEAR IN DB

The 2021 CNY celebrations in DB are likely to be more subdued than they’ve been in previous years (pictured). But as we say goodbye to Rat Year, here’s hoping for a much healthier and happier Year of the Ox.

www.evoqueportraits.com & www.colsimphotography.com

February 2021 www.arounddb.com

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DB EVENTS

y t i n u m m o c HAPPENINGS AND EVENTS

YOUR GUIDE TO

COMMUNITY UPDATE

UNPROVOKED ATTACK ON DB RESIDENTS

NEW IN DB

ADULT SWIM LESSONS

Photo courtesy of Mary Thomson

unsplash.com

DB residents James and Mary Thomson are seeking to warn residents of a violent attack made on their son Callum, 26, and three other DB residents at Pier 3 in the early hours of December 19, 2020. They hope to trace the other victims of the attack and also hear from any eyewitnesses who can help the police with their investigation. If you have information to share, please contact Mary on 2525 3746.

Harry Wright International is offering adult swimming classes at the Club Siena indoor pool. Participants in the Adult Swimming Strokes class can fine-tune their technique, while participants in the Adult Swimming Fitness class can work on building aerobic fitness through competitive swim sets. To register, visit www.harrywright.com.hk.

CONGRATULATIONS

FOR A GOOD CAUSE

25 YEARS OF TREASURE ISLAND

THANK YOUR STREET CLEANER

FREE CHESS CLUB FOR KIDS

www.evoqueportraits.com

Children aged six to 12 are invited to join a weekly chess club on Tuesdays from 3.45pm in DB Plaza (by the post office). The kids pair up in groups of two, and spread out to tables across the plaza, to play. Any child who already knows how to play chess is welcome. To find out more, call Crystal Lee Passarello on 6101 8434.

BRING YOUR DRINK CARTONS, COFFEE CUPS/ LIDS AND POLYFOAM for

recycling at the waterfront side of Hemingway’s on February 21 from 9am to 11am. Visit the DB Green Facebook page.

JOIN A BEACH CLEAN-UP at

www.impacthk.org

www.treasureislandhk.com

Founded by Adrienne Ng in 1996, Treasure Island Group (TIG) is celebrating 25 years of providing outdoor education and adventure on Pui O beach. TIG is well known for its camping and corporate team building programmes, as well as its water sports rentals and weekend beach club restaurant. To get involved, visit www.treasureislandhk.com.

Social charity Impact HK has organised a lai see-giving campaign to thank Hong Kong’s street cleaners, many of whom have been working in high-risk conditions since the outbreak of COVID-19. During the week of February 11 to 15, say thank you by gifting your local street cleaner a red packet containing a small financial donation or supermarket voucher. You can print a thank you note (in Chinese and English) to include in the packet at https://bit.ly/2LCC2fY.

February 2021 www.arounddb.com

Nim Shue Wan with Plastic Free Seas on February 27 from 2pm to 4pm. Visit plasticfreeseas.org.

HAVE YOUR PRELOVED ITEMS COLLECTED from

your home and rehomed to charities and individuals in need. WhatsApp Nikki of DB Mothers and Friends at 9677 6676.

HELP YOUR HELPER! Enrich workshops equip helpers with the tools to save, budget and plan for a future with greater financial security. Visit www.enrichhk.org.

LUNAR NEW YEAR FAIR February 6-11

CNY PROSPERITY BUFFET February 12-14

DANCING LIONS February 13

www.wikimedia.org

Ring in the Year of the Ox with flowers and potted plants from one of the 15 Lunar New Year Fairs that the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has organised across Hong Kong. The fair in Tung Chung, located at Tat Tung Road Garden, will observe strict social distancing protocols in order to reduce the risk of group gatherings. For more information, visit www.fehd.gov.hk.

Café bord de Mer & Lounge’s Prosperous Buffet at the Auberge features a selection of festive dishes that are guaranteed to boost your finances, including the musthave CNY Fortune Pot. The lunch buffet is available from February 12 to 14. To make a booking, call 2295 8299.

HANFU PARADE

LUCKY LUNAR CHARMS

www.aubergediscoverybay.com

February 15

Photo courtesy of One World Spirit Association

Join One World Spirit Association, a DB-based non-governmental organisation promoting the benefits of a culturally diverse community, for a Hanfu Parade across the Western District. Participants are encouraged to wear traditional Chinese clothing. For more information, visit www.facebook. com/events/425369212181539.

www.cookiesmiles.com.hk

Cookie Smiles, the social enterprise co-founded by Jo Soo-Tang and DB resident Agnes Chin, is providing a sweet start to 2021 with its bitesized Coconut and Pineapple Lucky Charms. Proceeds from the sale of these beautifully packaged redand-gold delights will go to charities across Hong Kong. To order, visit www.cookiesmiles.com.hk.

www.evoqueportraits.com

Residents are invited to celebrate the second day of Lunar New Year by watching the traditional lion dances at the entrances of Discovery Bay Recreation Club at 10.30am and at Club Siena at 1pm. To find out more, visit www.dbrc.hk.

OX MASCOT DESIGN COMPETITION

Illustration by Terry Chow

DB primary school students have been drawing CNY-themed pictures to enter the Year of the Ox Mascot Design Competition – and you can vote for the winner on the Around DB Facebook page from March 5 to 12. Selected finalists will be published in the March issue of Around DB and online. To find out more, visit www.arounddb.com.

www.arounddb.com February 2021

GIVEAWAYS

HEREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN PRIZES! Around DB prizes are incredibly easy to get your hands on, and you have until the 10th of the month to apply. Scan the QR code, or go to www.arounddb.com/giveaways, select the giveaway you want, and enter your details into the online form

WIN A CNY GIFT SET FROM LEKKER LAA AND VICTRADA WINES Lekker Laa and Victrada Wines are offering two readers a Chinese New Year gift set packed with South African abalone and an award-winning Saronsberg Shiraz (worth HK$1,000).

www.lekker.hk

Founded by two South African-born DB residents, Neil Schonken and Ainslie Vosloo, Lekker Laa is a specialty online food and wine business now delivering to DB. Victrada Wines, run by Pieter and Mishalee Brits, is an international wine importer and distributor, mainly focused on wholesale distribution in Hong Kong. The first 21 people who order three or more items at Lekker Laa, using the promo code LL8899, will receive a free bottle of wine. For more information, visit www.lekker.hk.

Congratulations to last issueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winners Tracey Prigge and Kellie Ashworth for a gift set from Tree of Joy Concept Toy Shop

Branches in Hong Kong Opens everyday 11am - 9pm Shop 298, Citygate, 18-20 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau G06, G/F Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Road, West Kowloon

PROFILE

Never

Too Old

Photos by Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com

Eric Giles is proud to be one of DB’s – and Hong Kong’s – newest oldest permanent residents. Elizabeth Kerr reports

February 2021 www.arounddb.com

ric Giles is living proof that you’re never too old to start a new chapter in life. Teetering on the cusp of 100 (his centenary comes in August) and smartly dressed like any gentleman should be, Discovery Bay’s most mature new permanent resident relaxes in his favourite chair in the flat he shares with his daughter Denise, and cats Bluebell, Marmite and Snowflake. He faces the water, slightly bemused by all the commotion. Age is just a number, after all, and he has a sister who’s already 101. Nonetheless there’s a mischievous, good-natured gleam in Eric’s eye when he considers answers to the various queries fired at him. He lets two of three domestic aides – equally good-natured Raisel, Melita and Ruena – fuss over him, as he consults quietly with friend and neighbour Susan Ho. Her father lives downstairs and is a regular hang for Eric (sadly he’s been stuck in Australia for most of the COVID-19 lockdowns). When I mention he’s the first person I’ve ever met that had reached 99, Eric throws down an epic side-eye. “Wow. I’m sorry. If I’m the first person you’ve met, your next choices are not going to be terribly impressive.”

A life well-led Born in Aldershot, about 50 kilometres south of London, in 1921, Eric spent some of his twenties in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. “I started out stationed in England, but then the Japanese were starting to cause a bit of trouble, so I was transferred to Asia,” he understates. He spent time in Burma (now Myanmar) and then India, but didn’t actually get to see Hong Kong back then. When Eric got back to Aldershot, he took the civil service exams and kicked off a career in government

Eric has been living in DB with his daughter Denise since 2013

bureaucracy. Which one? He starts chuckling again, almost sheepish, as if bracing for blowback. “I was in customs and excise. Enough said,” he says with a knowing laugh. Who likes the taxman? But Eric has fun with the image; he can banter with the best, and the job served him well. “I opted for that because it was more of a mixed type of employment to choose from,” he says. “I actually liked it.” Before long he met fellow Aldershot denizen Mavis, who would go on to become his wife of nearly 65 years. Both played tennis, and wound up as a fairly successful mixeddoubles team. “We won various cups. We weren’t professionals but we weren’t bad,” he recalls. Eventually the couple got married and moved to Woking, just outside London, where they settled, built a home and had their only daughter. It was Denise’s career in medicine that helped Giles and Mavis see the world. They visited her for extended holidays, including in Swaziland

(now Eswatini), where she worked for 11 years. “Mavis enjoyed it so much I was often on my own,” he says. “That was very nice too, and I don’t know if we wouldn’t have retired there if Denise was still there. I wouldn’t have minded, but that was way before she moved here. She’s been here 30 years.”

Golden years in DB The Giles’ first visit to Hong Kong was in 1981, on another extended holiday, with regular vacations after that in order to be doting grandparents to the daughters Denise adopted, Khetsi and Sindi, currently in Greece and the UK. Eventually retirement beckoned, and after a few years of pottering (as we all plan to during retirement), Eric and Mavis decided they wanted to live in the SAR. “Hong Kong is a nice place to spend retirement,” Eric states. “The weather is lovely, and I suppose being here, in this location, I’m  spoilt.” For Eric, DB is ideal;

www.arounddb.com February 2021

PROFILE

necessary regular services – doctor, pet store, barber – are easily accessible, and it felt familiar. “We knew what we were coming into. It was another extended holiday until Mavis said, ‘Do we have to go back?’ I didn’t want to move any place else. I have no regrets.” The couple resettled in DB in 2013, and Eric seems not to miss the UK – certainly not its politics. His view on Brexit, for instance, is that he would not have voted in the referendum even if he had been able to. “The result of the referendum will affect younger people for years to come,” he reasons, “so they should be the ones deciding the outcome.”

Eric with his helpers Raisel, Melita and Ruena, and daughter Denise

Eric doesn’t fancy himself special, but for the rest of us he’s a living repository of 20th century headlines – an eyewitness to world history. Eric has lived through the Great Depression, the Second World, Korean, Vietnam and Cold Wars, South America’s Dirty Wars, two Gulf Wars, Nixon, Thatcher, Apartheid, Suharto, Pol Pot, two Duvaliers… the list goes on. It’s hard to resist asking if the world is changing, and if he has any words of wisdom. “Of course, the world is changing,” he says quickly. “And I like to think it’s getting better. I certainly don’t have all the answers, and I don’t want to force my views on people, but I’m happy to give advice.” As an aside, his friend Susan points out he’s great at it too.

that guy. As far as exercise went, I played tennis quite a bit.”

that.” He gets fresh air every day, and keeps his mind engaged with Mexican Train and strategy games with friends, crossword puzzles and Sudoku, and reading (currently John Jakes’ On Secret Service). As has been said before, he did everything in moderation.

And what are Eric’s hopes for 2021, the Year of the Ox? “I would like to make it to 100 and receive a card from the Queen,” he says. “I have a better chance of doing so by living here rather than if I was in the UK. Hong Kong is a safe place to be during the pandemic.”

“I worked hard, did my best at work. I smoked when it was kind of ‘illegal.’ When it became OK, I didn’t want to anymore. I never really drank,” Eric reasons. “I watched a lot of liquor go down the drain and I saw what happened when people got too fond of the drink. I determined I’d never be

Raisel and Melita start flipping through a bound collection of photos Denise had made for Eric’s 99th birthday. Everyone looked like a movie star in the 1940s but Eric – in his RAF uniform and cocked beret – was silly handsome. He lets himself bask in the attention of four women. Just for a bit.

As the afternoon wears on, Eric loosens up and the regular teasing and bantering Susan talks about starts up. Like most, he’s planning on a low-key Chinese New Year, or rather, he thinks he is. “I used to enjoy giving a red course, the world is changing. packet to the lion dancers at the residents club [DBRC] And I like to think it’s getting and watching the fireworks better. I certainly don’t have all from one of the terraces at the Peninsula,” he says. the answers, and I don’t want “These days though, I leave to force my views on people, the planning to Denise… and just show up when but I’m happy to give advice” I’m told.”

Sadly, Mavis was only in DB for less than a year before passing away. Eric’s residency became permanent last November, which was an important step for him personally, as a way to “Of demonstrate commitment.

Words of wisdom

So, the question must be asked: What’s the secret to reaching 99? Eric chuckles that chuckle again, and waves off any mystery. He’s remarkably fit, having only had cataract and heart surgery according to Susan. That elicits a raised eyebrow. “I don’t remember

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Photos by Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com & courtesy of www.just-mma.com

IN FOCUS

NO HOLDS BARRED What’s all the fuss about mixed martial arts (MMA) and why is DB becoming something of an MMA hub? Elizabeth Jerabek sits down with a couple of local cage fighters – and Jomar ‘Rush’ Manlangit – to find out

Maleek Mathiesen and Marc Guyon in DB

February 2021 www.arounddb.com

estiny is a common thread running through martial arts traditions from all over the world. For example, in 1958 Bruce Lee won both a boxing tournament organised by local Hong Kong schools, as well as the Hong Kong Crown Colony Cha-Cha Championship. Think how different the world would be if he had gone on to pursue the cha-cha instead of continuing his kung fu training in Wing Chung with Yip Man.

Marc Guyon

Bruce Lee’s hybrid martial arts style Jeet Kune Do is often credited with paving the way for mixed martial arts (MMA), the full-contact combat sport in which just about anything goes and exhibitionism is encouraged. Famously described as ‘human cockfighting’ in 1996 by US Senator John McCain (initially only eye gouging and biting were forbidden), MMA is one of the most popular spectator sports in the world.

Enter the dragon Without Bruce Lee not only would there be no MMA, but there would also not be a MGK Fight Club in Discovery Bay. “I watched a lot of kung fu movies, a lot of Bruce Lee, when I was a teenager growing up in Marseille,” opens DB resident and MGK founder Marc Guyon, 36, who started training in Wing Chung aged 15. Marc got his first taste of MMA at the Ultimate Training Centre, the UK’s premier MMA facility, when he was working in Birmingham as a young graduate. Two years later, he made his way to Hong Kong and over the past eight years he has built his career and reputation as an MMA fighter. His first professional MMA fight (which he won) was in September 2014 in Hong Kong. Marc competes on the mainland and throughout Asia but, here in Hong Kong, you’ll often find him

Maleek Mathiesen

on the fight card at Just MMA. Founded by Andrew Chan and Tony Au, Just MMA organises professional MMA fights as well as amateur feeder programmes and semi-pro undercard events. “We provide a platform for fans and practitioners alike to have access to exhilarating events featuring upcoming and internationally acclaimed fighters,” says Tony. For professional fighters, intensive training usually starts two to three months in advance of a fight. To prepare for a fight, Marc trains at least twice a day and the regimen includes a mix of aerobic conditioning, strength training and working on martial arts techniques. “And, of course, you change your diet,” says Marc. “I like to eat everything, but when I am preparing for a fight, I have to be

Jomar ‘Rush’ Manlangit

more careful in order to cut weight to fit into the [bantamweight] division.” Marc’s fighting weight is 61kg, and he fasts and goes without water for several days before a fight. MMA fighters weigh in the day before a fight, which allows them to recover from their efforts to make weight. “It’s for safety reasons, and to be fair, and also so that the fighters can put on a good show,” says Marc. “Because MMA is also a show business, it’s not just fighting.” Coming from a traditional martial arts background, Marc says he didn’t immediately take to the show business aspect of MMA – but time has changed that. “In traditional martial arts training, you practice a technique over and over again, and when you get really good, and  have mastered a lot of techniques,

www.arounddb.com February 2021

IN FOCUS

the repetition can get a bit boring,” he explains. “But in combat sports, like MMA, the training also includes finding the strategy for a fight with a specific opponent – what is their personality, their style – and that lends itself to putting on a show. It is also what makes it interesting to train in MMA; the focus is on the fight and not just on the technique.”

high school after the fourth year to focus on his training.

Destiny’s champion

“There is nothing like the feeling inside the cage,” he says. “It’s incredible to focus beyond the fear so that you can stay positive and be focused on the game plan to win.”

A knee injury has kept Jomar out of action since April last year – it’s no holds barred in the cage, remember. But post-surgery, he is now keen to get back to his twice daily training regimen of skipping rope, shadow boxing, sparring and practicing martial arts techniques.

Talking about what it’s like starting out as a young fighter, Maleek says: “I liked how humbling it was to get into the ring and get smashed by the other person. I am a very competitive person, so I immediately was like, ‘I want to get good enough to do that to someone else.’” After his first fight at a white-collar boxing event in the summer of 2019, Maleek was hooked. “As soon as I exited the ring I wanted to fight again,” he says. “I would train all day, every day, if I had enough training partners to spar with.”

You could easily say it was Jomar ‘Rush’ Manlangit’s destiny to become a professional MMA fighter – it’s certainly in his blood. A trainer Maleek is hoping for his first at MGK for two years (2018 to amateur MMA fight early this 2020), Jomar was six years “There is nothing like the feeling year. “I tried to get down to old when he started training inside the cage. It’s incredible to a fighting weight of 70kg,” in Muay Thai in Manila under his uncle Charles ‘Le Tigre’ de focus beyond the fear so that you he says. “But it was just too hard and I was only focused Tomas. While Charles used can stay positive and be focused on losing the weight, and to fight professionally, his son on the game plan to win” not focused on training for Carls John ‘Golden Boy’ de the fight. So I’ve settled on a Tomas (CJ) is currently one Jomar ‘Rush’ Manlangit fighting weight of 77kg, in the of the hottest MMA fighters welterweight division.” in the Philippines. Well able to hold his own, Jomar, 25, won Karate kid a gold medal in Muay Thai at the If all goes well, Maleek could have 2014 Philippine National Games. 10 to 12 years ahead of him as a When it comes to finding your destiny, sometimes luck also professional fighter. “I think MMA “My whole family are fighters,” says plays a role. And that’s certainly is the most pure form of fighting Jomar, who credits his uncle for his the case for Maleek Mathiesen, because you can do anything, success. “My uncle encouraged 22, who grew up in DB and you can use any technique,” me to focus on training in order started his training in MMA and he says. to keep me out of trouble. I didn’t Brazilian jiu jitsu in 2019 at Hybrid want to listen to others, I didn’t MMA & Fitness in Central. His job Like Jomar, Maleek says MMA has want to be told what to do. But my as a trainer at MGK came about given him discipline and direction. uncle would wake me up every after a chance meeting on the “When you learn to fight, you learn day at 5am and kick me out of ferry last year. “Marc told my dad compassion,” he concludes. “You bed to start running, followed by that he was looking for trainers for learn how to handle your emotions training at 7am, and then more his new studio,” Maleek explains. and reactions so you can see the training after school and in the “And I was looking for a job...” bigger picture.” evening until 11pm. He wanted CJ and I to be good fighters – to be FIND IT champions. And I didn’t want to disappoint him.” Jomar, who fights in the flyweight division at 57kg, was eight years old for his first Muay Thai fight and 15 years old for his first professional MMA fight. He left

• Hybrid MMA & Fitness, www.hybridmmafit.com • Just MMA, www.just-mma.com • MGK Fight Club, www.marcguyon.hk

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W W W . E M B O DY . H K

EDUCATION

CNY MYTHS AND LEGENDS

Illustration by Terry Chow, photos courtesy of www.wikimedia.org

Ever wondered why we celebrate Chinese New Year the way we do? Samantha Wong goes back in time to find out

irst up, a few facts. Based on the lunar rather than the Gregorian calendar, Chinese New Year (CNY) begins on the first day of the new moon, which appears any time between January 21 and February 20 each year. Also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, this celebration dates back thousands of years and it is steeped in myth, legend and folklore. Chinese communities all over the globe celebrate CNY and it’s a major holiday here in Hong Kong (February 12 to 15 this year). During the festivities, we get together and welcome the new year through ancient

customs that are believed to bring good fortune, prosperity and happiness.

The Jade Emperor’s race If you’re familiar with the Chinese zodiac calendar, you’ll know that it has a cycle of 12 years, and each year has an animal as its symbol – and you’ll know the folk tale that explains how these animals came to be. It goes like this… Once upon a time the Jade Emperor called a race, decreeing that the first 12 animals to swim across a fast-flowing river would each have a year named in their honour. Thirteen animals lined up on the riverbank – the Rat, Ox,

February 2021 www.arounddb.com

Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig and Cat. The Cat was pushed into the water by the Rat, and excluded from the race. The Rat reached the opposite bank first, by riding on the Ox’s back, which is why he is the first of the 12-year cycle of animals in the Chinese zodiac. The animals always come in the same order – Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. So, 2021 is the Year of the Ox, 2020 was the Year of the Rat and 2022 will be the Year of the Tiger. The last Ox years were 2009 and 1997.

Soft skills include the ability to communicate well with others

Lion dancing originates in a dream the Emperor had before going into battle

What can we expect of 2021, the Year of the Ox? Importantly, the Ox is strong and robust, he is considered one of the most naturally healthy animals in the Chinese zodiac, so we should be in a good place to combat COVID-19. The Ox is hardworking, methodical and self-disciplined – if we follow his lead, we can expect good things. The Ox brings stability to relationships and casts a favourable eye on long-term financial investments.

Monsters and demons Have you ever wondered why on Lunar New Year’s Eve, we decorate our homes in red and wear new and festive red clothing? Well… it all goes back to ancient times when there was a monster named Nián, who lived at the bottom of the sea. Nián walked the land once a year, on Lunar New Year’s Eve, to terrorise villages and feast on

animals and humans. One year, a beggar came to seek shelter when everyone was hurrying away to hide out in the mountains. An old woman took the beggar in and, in return, he promised to chase Nián away. While the villagers fled, the beggar decorated their front doors with red paper scrolls. At midnight, Nián lumbered into the village but stopped short when he saw the bright red decorations. He was afraid, and when the beggar started setting off firecrackers, he became even more afraid. When he saw the beggar, jumping up and down, dressed in red, laughing at him, Nián became so terrified, he ran away. The villagers came back the next day to find their homes intact and Nián vanquished. Since then, it’s become traditional to decorate our homes and doors in red on Lunar New Year’s Eve and to set off firecrackers (or attend firework displays).

Over time the custom of hanging red paper scrolls at CNY spread since they were believed to provide protection not just against Nián but also from the many other demons who wander the Earth at night. These demons must return to the underworld at dawn, the entrance to which is under a giant peach tree. Two gods guard the entrance, and it is their job to feed any demons who have harmed humans during the night to the tigers. To safeguard their homes, people began to carve the gods’ names into peach-wood tablets. Placing them outside their doors was enough to scare the demons away. Nowadays, you can see these scrolls on the doors of nearly every household during CNY.

Gifts from the gods Hanging scrolls emblazoned with the 福 character [fú], meaning happiness or good fortune, is  another important tradition at CNY.

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EDUCATION

Lucky red packets The origin of lai see giving harks back to a time when an evil spirit named Sui would appear at children’s bedsides on Lunar New Year’s Eve. If Sui patted the heads of sleeping children three times, the children would get a terrible, often terminal fever. Fortunately, one couple happened upon a remedy. On Lunar New Year’s Eve, their daughter had been playing with some gold coins and when she fell asleep, they placed the coins on red paper and left them by her pillow. When Sui appeared, the coins flashed and frightened him away. This is why we give money wrapped in red paper (lai see) to children on Lunar New Year’s Eve.

But you’ll rarely see the character hung upright. Why? Well, here’s another story for you… One CNY a very long time ago, the Emperor ordered every household to decorate their homes by pasting the character 福 on their doors. On Lunar New Year’s Day, he sent his soldiers to check that he had been obeyed. The soldiers found that one illiterate family had hung the character upside down. The Emperor ordered that the family be put to death, which is when the Empress stepped in. The Empress realised that hanging the character 福 upside down was in fact highly auspicious. This is because the character for ‘upside down,’ 倒 [dào] is a homonym of the character for ‘to arrive,’ 到 [dào]. So, by hanging the character 福 (good fortune) upside down, we are saying that good fortune is arriving. The explanation made sense to the Emperor and he set the family free. From then on, it’s become customary to hang the character 福 upside down at CNY, both for good fortune and in remembrance of the clever Empress.

Decorative red scrolls were first used to frighten the sea monster Nián

Another way that we attract good fortune at CNY is, of course, through the lion dance ceremony. The lion dance brings good fortune for the coming year to everyone who watches or takes part in it. But have you ever wondered why?

experienced advisors and asked them what the dream meant. They explained that the lion was a gift from the gods. Since there were no lions in China, the gods had given one to the Emperor – they wanted him to have everything.

Well, it all goes back to a dream the Emperor had one night after a day in battle. He dreamt of a fierce, strange-looking beast, playing. It was larger than a dog but smaller than a horse. The next day, the Emperor sent for his advisers and asked them about the beast. They told him it was a lion.

Believing that the lion empowered his army, the Emperor ordered his advisors to make a replica of the beast out of paper, cloth and bamboo. It was so big that two men could fit inside it, making it appear to walk. When the Emperor next went into battle, the lion came too and the army was again victorious. The lion was seen to bring good fortune, and this is why it remains a symbol of happiness and prosperity to this day. Kung Hei Fat Choy!

That very evening, after another victorious battle, the Emperor had the same dream again. In the morning, he went to his most

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HELPLINE

Financial advice for migrant domestic workers from the team at Enrich HK!

Photo courtesy of Enrich HK

W 30

ith Valentine’s Day following hot on the heels of Chinese New Year (CNY), February can be a busy time for migrant domestic workers. This month, we’re going to take a look at some of the challenges that can come up around each of these celebrations. As always, our aim is to ensure that as a domestic worker, you are able to protect your finances, and plan and save for your future.

You will be receiving lai-see (red money packets) during CNY. You really need the extra money right now, but you don’t want to spend all of it immediately, like you’ve done before. What’s the best way to use it?

Spend it: Spending this money on CNY treats isn’t the answer, but you could use it to pay off any outstanding debts. Your bonus could also cover several smaller but necessary expenses, like the service fee for your mobile phone or remittance cable charge costs for when you send money home.

Whenever you receive any extra money, your options are always either to spend it, save it or invest it. Let’s explore each one!

Save it: Could you save this money for your long-term goals, such as your children’s education or a large purchase for your home?

Making the most of lai-see

February 2021 www.arounddb.com

Or could you put it towards an emergency fund? We’ve talked a lot about how crucial it is to have an emergency fund, so that you can bounce back if you lose your job, or have urgent medical needs. Invest it: Why not make your lai see work for you by investing it? Research and carefully consider investment options available, or simply invest in your own future by taking a course to learn some new skills. And one thing to remember: While you may have received a good amount of lai-see in the past, this year may be different – given the current situation, you may receive less. So if you’ve ear-marked this money towards a certain goal, make sure you have a backup plan.

Avoiding love scams You’re single on Valentine’s Day this year, and you’ve been thinking of signing up to an online dating app to try and meet someone. You’re a little nervous as you’ve heard about ‘love scams.’ How can you tell if someone is a scammer? Online dating is becoming an increasingly popular way to meet new people, and there’s nothing wrong with trying something new. It can be scary at first, but it’s great that you’re putting yourself out there. Having said that, you’re absolutely right to be a little bit wary. There are many people who try to take advantage of others on dating apps, and if you’re not careful, you can land yourself in serious trouble, potentially losing your hard-earned money or even your job. Love scammers can target anybody, and many Hong Kong residents have fallen victim to these scams.

Firstly, what does a love scam look like? Typically, scammers find their target on social media platforms and dating sites. They get to know the victim and quickly establish an online relationship, even though they might never meet in real life. They then use different excuses to swindle money from the victim. Scammers usually try to portray themselves as someone who is quite attractive (often using a fake profile picture), with a good job and income. They might say they have a job outside of Hong Kong, or very far away from your area – or one which has odd hours so they’re not available to meet easily. They might also immediately claim to be looking for a serious, longterm relationship. A big red flag to watch out for is if someone professes love for you sooner than you would expect, especially without meeting you in person first. They might also quickly try to lure you off the dating app or social site (for example, to chat on WhatsApp), to minimise the record of their conversations. They might offer to send you more photographs in exchange for your contact information, or even claim to be leaving the dating app/ cancelling their subscription. Their reason for this? They’ll say they don’t need to date anyone other than you. Scammers ultimately

want to get access to your money – they might claim to urgently need money for emergencies, hospital bills or travel. When using online dating apps, always remember to protect yourself. For example, keep your personal information (your phone number, address and work location) confidential. Limit your discussions to the dating site, especially until you meet the person face to face. Do not send them photos or videos of friends or family, or which reveal your location. Never, ever send money to someone you’ve met online. If you feel you’ve encountered a scammer, there are several things you can do. Firstly, stop communicating with the person immediately. Secondly, report any evidence to the police, including monetary losses. (Contact the Hong Kong Police’s AntiDeception Coordination Centre – its Anti-Scam Helpline (18222) is a free consultation line, available 24 hours a day.) Lastly, consider reporting the scammer’s profile to the app or social media site. You certainly shouldn’t be afraid of everyone you meet online, and you’ll be just fine if you look out for these key warning signs. Just keep a good head on your shoulders, and protect yourself and your hardearned money.

Enrich HK is an award-winning Hong Kong charity providing financial and empowerment education to migrant domestic workers. For a free, confidential one-to - one financial counselling session and to learn about the courses on offer, visit www.enrichhk.org. If you have a question you would like to have answered on this page, email info@enrichhk.org.

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GEOMANCY

FENG SHUI: Flowers

Fresh from the market, painted on porcelain or embroidered on silk, flowers are a sure-fire feng shui cure. Samantha Wong reports

F Photos courtesy of unsplash.com

eng shui says that flowers do much more than adorn a room, they stimulate the flow of sheng chi (positive energy), the life force that amplifies luck and protects against negative outcomes. Flowers bring the energy of blossoming, heart-opening joy; they are alive and sensual. They also teach us to live in the moment, as their fragile beauty is transient – it transforms with the passing of time. Real flowers are always the first choice for your home as they bring a strong healing energy, but floral patterns (on upholstery and tableware) or floral artwork can work feng shui magic too. Feng shui is all about balance and placement, and the good news is that you can display as many flowers as you want, anywhere

you want. If you are familiar with the bagua, the feng shui map that indicates which areas of the home have the greatest effect on your wealth, relationships, creativity, career, health etc., you can get specific about which flowers you display where, but well-cared for flowers of any type will boost the sheng chi in any room.

Dos and don’ts When choosing and maintaining flowers and plants for feng shui, you should, however, keep the following tips in mind. Potted plants are more auspicious than cut blooms, since they bring ‘live’ growing chi into your home. If you lack a green thumb, choose quality artificial flowers (silk) over dried flowers. Dried flowers are lifeless, while a beautiful silk flower captures the living

spirit of the flower it represents. Know that larger plants and floral arrangements attract greater amounts of energy. Choose plants with upwards foliage growth patterns as opposed to those that droop. Be sure to throw away any flowers that are past their prime. Brown, dying, dried-up or damaged blooms are repositories for stagnant si chi (negative energy), so you need to prune and replace any dead flowers promptly. Likewise, trim thorns off flowers, such as roses, before arranging them in a vase. Thorns can snag and trap chi, impeding its harmonious flow in a space. Certain plants bring less fortuitous energy than others, and are therefore best avoided. Bonsai, for  instance, represent stunted growth

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GEOMANCY

Miniature kumquat plants symbolise wealth

Red peonies represent riches, honour and love

and are not considered good feng shui plants, even if they are miniature flowering trees. Thorny plants like cacti are also thought to bring si chi, as are superspiky plants, such as mother-inlaw’s tongue. Choose plants with rounded leaves.

The language of flowers In feng shui, attention is often paid to colours and numbers as well as the symbolism of specific flowers. The most celebrated blooms are more than decorative – they are deliberately chosen for their ‘special powers.’ Take the orchid as an example. Generally speaking, orchids symbolise wealth, luxury, good fortune and abundance, but delve a little deeper and you can put them to more specific uses. Red and pale pink orchids signify love and romance, while coralcoloured orchids ignite creativity. White orchids provide a sense of clarity and calm, peach-coloured orchids represent comfort and stability, and yellow orchids bring hope into your life, nourishing the spirit. The type of flower you choose is as significant as its colour. For example, any orchid will boost fertility but a moth orchid will also improve

White orchids promote clarity and calm

Gift flowers at CNY For prosperity: Any flower that blossoms over Chinese New Year (CNY) bestows a blessing but a plant that blooms on Lunar New Year’s Day brings 12 months of prosperity to the family that homes it. This is particularly true of the white narcissus. Miniature kumquat plants are popular wealth-enhancers, with the fruits’ golden colour symbolising money, as are red gladioli and yellow chrysanthemums. Bright red peonies (the flower of riches and honour) are another auspicious choice at CNY. Over the holiday, business people spend a lot of money on bouquets of peonies to ensure that they will have a prosperous year. For love: As well as bringing with them the promise of material success, red (and pink) peonies are also associated with romance, since they are a symbol of feminine beauty. Blossoming fruit branches, particularly peach and cherry, are another love and marriage cure. Walk around a branch three times, clockwise, on Lunar New Year’s Eve to secure yourself a romance-filled year to come. Gift the one you love a red amaryllis. For long life: Peach blossom is considered one of the most auspicious of all plants at this time of year. Its significance lies in the symbolic importance of the peach, which, in Chinese culture, signifies long life. The lotus flower is another propitious gift at CNY. It’s a popular health cure because all parts of the lotus – from the root to the flower and seeds – have medicinal uses. concentration, enhance your productivity and reduce anxiety. As with all things feng shui, working with flowers relies a lot on common sense. If you want a romantic partner, arrange your flowers in pairs – never solo. Remember that eight is a lucky feng shui number,

so make a habit of arranging flowers in bunches of eight. (A display of eight bamboo stems will improve your financial situation). Want to cover all the bases? Mass a bank of multicoloured blooms together for a powerful boost of happy, life-giving energy.

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INSIDER

the price is right

Looking for a low-risk short-term investment opportunity? Boon Tiong Tan reveals how to make some easy money in the Year of the Ox

Photos courtesy of stock.adobe.com

hat should we do with money that’s sitting in the bank earning almost nothing? Buy bonds? The coupons are very low and when interest rates are heading higher, bond prices drop. Buy stocks? The stock market could be volatile moving into the Year of the Ox. Pop an IPO? Yes.

more than a million applicants. The top eight performing IPOs last year made investors between HK$8,000 and HK$18,000 richer, and that was when they were allotted only the minimum number of shares. Those who were allotted multiples of the minimum shares were literally laughing all the way to the bank.

Applying for a red-hot IPO (Initial Public Offering) and selling the shares on its first day of listing is a quick and easy way to make some money at low risk. Many Hong Kong investors are already doing so, making hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars each time. In the biggest ever but aborted IPO in 2020, Ant Group attracted

In extreme cases, the so-called ‘IPO pop’ on the first day of trading can more than double your money. Eleven out of 145 IPOs did just that last year.

What is an IPO? When business owners want to raise money to expand, one way

February 2021 www.arounddb.com

to do so is to sell the company to the public through an IPO. It is a process that takes a company out of private hands and into the hands of public shareholders. There are over a hundred IPOs in Hong Kong each year. Some rise above the IPO prices, some sink below. To be safe and efficient, you should only go for large, reputable companies that will almost certainly give you quick and healthy profits on the first day. There are probably around 10 such IPOs each year. JD Health, Blue Moon Group and NongFu Spring are great examples from 2020. It’s not difficult to identify the good bets, they are splashed all over the internet, on TV and in the

your family members to open a brokerage account.

The application process IPO financing is not as risky as you might think. The fact that banks and brokers are willing to lend investors up to 90% at low interest rates without collateral, shows that they consider it low risk. Why? Because hot IPOs are always many times oversubscribed and investors are only allotted a small fraction of what they apply for. When the number of shares is small, so are the risks. An IPOs’ performance is correlated to the general stock market. When the stock market is rising, IPOs tend to do well. You need to be alert and participate less or not at all when the stock market sentiment is deteriorating.

Best-case scenario: An IPO pop will more than double your money

press – you don’t need to read the Financial Times or watch CNBC to notice them. The demand for these IPOs is always much more than the supply. The hottest IPOs in Hong Kong are hundreds or even thousands of times oversubscribed. This is the reason you almost certainly sell at a profit on the first day. On the flip side, your chance of getting shares can be as low as a few percent. How can you increase your chance of being allotted shares? In this world where the divide between rich and poor is widening, the IPO market, unfortunately, favours the rich. The more shares you can afford to apply for, the more likely

you’ll get the minimum number of shares, and possibly more. As a result, many experienced investors go so far as to take out IPO financing (loans from banks and brokers specifically for IPO applications) to multiply their returns. Those who borrowed for the top performing IPOs last year made multiples of HK$18,000. Banks like HSBC can offer interest rates lower than 1% and most brokers offer about 3%, and you’ll be asked if you want to take up financing during the application process. Alternatively, you can double, triple, or quadruple your chance of getting shares in a simple way, that does not favour the rich – get

Transforming a privately held company into a public company takes months. But there are only two things you need to know – when the application period is and when the listing day is. This information is readily available on social media through websites like aastocks.com. Though participating in hot IPOs is low risk (not all IPOs are low risk), you’ll want to play it extra safe by applying on the last day of the application period (which usually lasts four days). This is prudent just in case the stock market crashes before you apply. Most importantly, by choosing to delay you get a very crucial piece of information – the oversubscription rate during the first few days of the application period. If the number is low, you might want to reconsider your application. Once you have applied, you can’t do much about the risk of waiting a week  until the listing day.

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INSIDER

During the depths of the bear market in March and April last year, there were 23 IPOs. Out of the 12 ‘winners,’ amazingly, three more than doubled their IPO prices, while the worst among the 11 ‘losers’ sank by 50%.

Listing day It takes just minutes to apply for an IPO online through your bank (you must have a brokerage account with them) or broker. You will be notified the day before the listing on how many shares you are allotted, if any. It also takes just minutes to key in your sell order on the listing day (which is about a week after the end of application period). Prices are very volatile and impossible to predict so, if you are happy to make any money, you will sell at open and kickback for the rest of the day. If you enjoy the thrill of watching stock prices go up and down, you’ll likely choose to sell later in the day when you feel the price is right. It is entirely your prerogative to hold on to your shares as longterm investments. However, there’s no evidence to show that this is a good strategy. While there are some companies, like Facebook and Google, that have made their IPO investors rich, many more companies fail to do – they sink below the IPO prices, with some even going bankrupt. Long-term investor Warren Buffett famously shunned IPOs throughout his career until last year when he participated in Snowflake’s IPO. (Snowflake made history. The largest software company ever to IPO in the US, it became the largest company ever to double in value on its opening day, reaching a market cap of close to US$75 billion.)

Prices are volatile so it’s safest to sell at open

How it’s done • What do I need? A brokerage account and cash in the bank • When do I apply? To be safe, apply on the last day of the application period • When do I know if I get the shares? A day before the listing day • When do I sell? On the listing day

All banks and brokers charge a processing fee, generally HK$100, regardless of the outcome of the application. Other fees total slightly more than 1% of any successful allocation of shares. Those who use IPO financing obviously need to pay the interest on the loan. The interest amount for a HK$1 million loan at 1% for seven days is HK$192. For long-suffering savers,

this is an opportunity to turn the tables around on low interest rates. We should take advantage of the fact that Hong Kong is the biggest IPO market in the world (alongside New York). When times are good, IPOs provide one of the best risk/ reward options in stock investing. Isn’t it time to make your idle money work hard for you?

DB resident Boon Tiong Tan (CFA) has worked as a trader with banks like HSBC and Morgan Stanley for over 20 years. The author of A Stock Investment Book For The 99%: By A 99%, BT’s aim is to educate regular folk about the stock market and how to invest successfully. His book is available at Bookazine, Amazon and Book Depository; for information about the finance courses he offers in DB, email tbt444@gmail.com.

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RECIPES

In the mood for love There’s no need to wait until February 14 to treat your Valentine to this delicious three-course supper – just be warned it may cause passion Asparagus Pasta with Peas Serves 2

• 250g asparagus* • 50g butter* • 1 slice white bread, crumbed* • 100ml double cream • 5ml chicken stock* • 250g penne* • 50g peas* • 25g cheddar*

Photos courtesy of stock.adobe.com

Chop the asparagus into 1-inch slices and remove any tough stalks. Place it in a pan and cover with boiling water. Simmer, covered for about 8 minutes, until the asparagus is tender enough to mush with a fork. Drain. In a separate pan, melt the butter and gently sauté the breadcrumbs for about 2 minutes until soft. Add the cream and a little stock. Add the asparagus and season well. Cook for about 5 minutes to form a thick sauce. Meanwhile, boil the pasta together with the peas until both are al denté. Drain and add to the asparagus sauce. Stir in the grated cheese and serve at once.

February 2021 www.arounddb.com

Lobster Thermidor Serves 2

• 1 cooked lobster (crayfish)* • 150ml dry white wine* • 1 shallot, chopped fine* • Handful tarragon leaves, chopped • Handful parsley leaves, chopped • 1tsp Dijon mustard • ½ lemon, juice only* • 3tsp paprika • 2tsp Tabasco sauce • 5tbsp parmesan, grated fine* • 140g butter, softened* Declaw the lobster and cut it in half. Wash the head cavities under cold water, then lay the lobster, cut side up, on a baking tray. Crack the claws and remove the meat, divide between the head cavities. Then, to make the butter, put the wine and shallots into a pan, bring to the boil and simmer until nearly dry. Tip into a bowl to cool, and mix in all the remaining ingredients. Chill this mixture in the refrigerator until it is firm enough to roll into a log, using foil, then continue to chill until hardened. Slice the butter into thin rounds and lay it along the lobster so all the meat is covered. Grill for 6 minutes until the butter is bubbling and starting to brown. Serve with  salad, fat chips and cheese sauce.

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RECIPES

Wine-poached Pears Serves 2

• 750ml red wine* • 200g golden caster sugar • 2 cinnamon sticks, snapped in half • 1 vanilla pod, quartered • 2 firm pears, peeled* Gently heat the wine, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla until the sugar dissolves. Add the pears, making sure they are fully covered by the syrup, then simmer for 20 minutes until tender. Remove the pears from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside. Boil the syrup for 30 minutes until reduced. Serve the pears with the thickened syrup and either a little chocolate sauce or a slice of chocolate cake. For a delicious easy-to-make cake, try one of The Caker kits* at store.eatthekiwi.com.

FIND IT • Order all the asterisked items and more online at store.eatthekiwi.com Eat The Kiwi is an online grocer sourcing premium goodness direct from New Zealand’s best producers. They deliver to DB on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 12pm and 6pm (order by 10am, Monday/ Wednesday). Delivery is free for orders over HK$1,000, and costs HK$120 for orders under HK$1,000.

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Congratulations to last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winner: Raymond Ip (@raymondiphotography)

The best snap wins! Your mission this month is to share your favourite photo of DB on Instagram, hashtag #arounddb. You have until the 10th of the month to enter. This is your chance to win a complimentary coffee from Uncle Russ, or a beer from The Pier Bar every day for a week. We will contact the winner via Instagram. Good luck!

Uncle Russ Instagram Contest!

February 2021 www.arounddb.com

View local business directories @ www.arounddb.com EMPLOYMENT

HEALTH & WELLBEING

AKASH MOVING & HANDYMAN SERVICES

VR, HYPNOSIS: INDIVIDUAL/ COUPLES THERAPY

• Local packing, moving, storage & handyman services • All kinds of transport services • Inbound shipment clearance • Expecting a shipment from China but no one is delivering to DB or Lantau? Have it sent to the Akash office in Kwai Chung & delivered to your home

GIVING LIFE SHOULDN’T BE SO DEADLY

• Virtual-reality programmes for PTSD, addictions, phobias (fear of flying, public speaking, bridges, enclosed spaces, storms) • Couples’ conflicts • Overeating • Career/ relationship stress • Anger management • Nail biting • Exam jitters • Career coaching • Quitting smoking

Ramatoulaye, who lives in Burkina Faso, was about to give birth to her fourth child, but the boatman was nowhere to be found. Unable to get to the health centre across the river, she gave birth alone on the river banks.

Dr Melanie Bryan, Psy.D. Clinical Psychologist, ypnotherapist. Contact 2575 7707, www.mindmatters.hk

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

E-mail: essentialssophia@gmail.com

www.sophiaessentials.com

Learn more at www.amnesty.org.hk.

The finest selection of lavender essestial oils, shampoos, hand creams, Foam Bath, Wildflower & Geranium, body lotions imported from the U.K. Lavender grown and harvested in the Cotswold with no artificial fragrances. Ginger extract hair serum and herbal teas from Thailand. A range of branded alcohol hand & body gels.

Maternal health is a human right — join Amnesty International to defend human rights for women like Ramatoulaye.

GUITAR LESSONS

British born Music Composer/Producer-GuitaristVocalist, Steve Gardner is offering Home visit electric or acoustic guitar lessons In DB or Online. I teach at various International schools in Hong Kong since 1994 and teaching in DB since then as well. I teach young and old, children or adults, beginner or advanced, whether for a fun hobby or guiding students into university via school curriculum or even to take up guitar as a future profession. With many years experience I teach to the very highest standards in a hands on and friendly manner treating each students individual needs.

6645 3280

www.stevegardnerhk.com music@stevegardnerhk.com

DB PROPERTY FOR RENT L U X U RY A PA R T M E N T S I N S I E N A 2

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

If you are looking to rent or sell a property and would like to see it listed on this page, email philip@baymedia.com.hk

Clinical Psychology, Counselling, Coaching Services The service scope covers mental and psychological health of children, adolescent, adults and the elderly with home visits. Other specialized services are IQ testing, addictions & behaviour, cognitive impairment, family relationship, parenting, health management, immigration worries & business training workshops.

Contact website at www.changefocus.com.hk or call 9094 2064/ 6110 8778 for appointment

• • • •

3 Hi resolution retouched digital images Private 30-minute studio session Images delivered in 24 hours HK$950.

t. +852 6620 3421 e. info@colsimphotography.com w. www.colsimphotography.com

CLOT HING & ACCESSORIES

FTC Apparel

2428 2566 FOOD, RES TAUR A N T S & BA RS

A Tavola Bar & Grill Airport Izakaya Andante Café Aficionado China Coast Bar & Grill Curry Lounge Dosirak House Essence Restaurant - Novotel Citygate Federal Palace Restaurant Kimos Mansarover Indian Cuisine McDonald’s Delivery Melody Thai Moccato Coffee Shop My Thai Olea Restaurant - Novotel Citygate PizzaExpress Pizza Hut Delivery Regala Café & Dessert Bar Resto Restaurant Rouge - Regal Airport Hotel Skycity Bistro Tung Chung Pizza Zentro Garden

2321 5500 2286 6668 3602 8828 2286 6238 2286 6898 2960 1977 3520 0848 3602 8808 2626 0181 2886 3646 2109 1927 2338 2338 2988 8129 3602 8838 2907 6918 3602 8818 2297 3588 2330 0000 2286 6618 2886 3156 2286 6868 3969 2500 2466 1010 2802 8000

HE A LT H & W EL L BEING Bayside Dental Bon’s Mobile Pet Grooming Essential Health Family Clinic Human Health Medical Centre North Lantau Physiotherapy Tung Chung Animal Clinic Tung Chung Vet Centre Tung Chung Maternal & Child Health Centre Quality Health Dental Quality Health Medical Raffles Medical Rainbow Voice and Soundhealing

2185 6550 9099 9959 2109 9396 2109 2288 2194 0020 2988 1534 2328 7282 3575 8370 2403 6613 2403 6623 2261 2626 5178 5658

SOUTH LANTAU

TUNG CHUNG

LANTAU NUMBERS FOOD, RES TAUR A N T S & BA RS

Bahce - Turkish Restaurant Café Bar Bathers Caffe Paradiso (Tom’s Café) Cafe Isara China Bear Deer Horn Restaurant & Bar Kebab Korner La Pizzeria Lantana Italian Bistro Le Jardin de Sophie Long Island Mucho Gusto Robert’s Market Stoep @ High Tide Restaurant The China Beach Club The Gallery The Kitchen The Water Buffalo Treasure Island Restaurant FI T NESS, SP OR T S & W EL L BEING

Pause by the Banyan South Lantau Paddle Club Thai Palin Massage Thai Sa Baai Treasure Island Group

9708 0187 9688 9112 9062 0148 5228 6552 2546 3543 HOME & REPA IRS

Findley Leung Group Koon Wah Hardware Lee Wo Construction Engineering Man Shun Construction & Engineering New Look Design

2421 8088 2109 2330 9343 3718 2988 1488

HOT EL S

Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel Novotel Citygate Hong Kong Regal Airport Hotel

3969 1888 3602 8888 2286 8888

L E A RNING CEN T RES

Clement Art School Discovery Mind International Play Centre Greenfield International Kindergarten Kidznjoy Sakura Kids Salala Kids House Soundwaves English Education Centre Sun Island Education Foundation Sunshine House International Preschool Tung Chung Catholic School (Yat Tung) YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College

9021 1502 2987 8070 2162 5538 6273 7347 6674 6194 2611 9193 2164 7210 2420 1068 2109 3873 2121 0884 2988 8123

SOCI A L , SP OR T S & EQUIPMEN T

Asia Pacific Soccer Schools Caribbean Coast Club House Coastal Skyline Club House Dance for Joy Edge ’n Pointe Dance Centre Jumping Castles Perun Fitness Seaview Crescent Club House Smash Cricket Sparrow Soccer School Hong Kong Tung Chung Crescent Club House Tung Chung Sports Badminton Union

2385 9677 2109 9277 2179 6678 9264 8597 6688 2167 9662 1747 6443 6597 3473 8700 5400 4109 6051 8196 2403 6770 5703 2947

2984 7225 6810 0111 2985 8383 L E A RNING CEN T RES

Ashville International Kindergarten & Nursery Lantau International Kindergarten Lantau International School Lao Shi Lantau Mandarin lessons Little Lantau Montessori Kindergarten Silvermine Bay School Mui Wo Language Cafe

2109 9886 2984 0302 2980 3676 5197 4647 3689 6709 2984 0006 5511 6107

PROPER T Y AGENCIES

Findley Leung Real Estate Home Solutions Real Estate Proper Trip Real Estate

2984 8334 3483 5003 2984 1666 RE TA IL

Friendly Bike Shop Greenstyle Organic & Healthcare INSIDE Island Wines Lantau Base Camp Lantau Grocer Quay House Red Hall Chinese Antiques Tony’s Salon Value Vigilantes VIBE Book & Music Shop ZenvarA

2984 2278 9802 0553 2890 8606 9521 8481 2983 8428 2702 0050 2882 8710 2988 1368 2984 0990 6132 9120 9088 2370 9586 3459

SERV ICES & OT HERS

Jumping Castles SPCA Miriam Safadi Photography Parteezi Phoenix Wills

9662 1747 2984 0060 5145 0227 6112 9842 6108 8471 T R A NSP OR TAT ION

U T IL I T Y, SERV ICES & E MERGENC Y HOT L INES

Tung Chung Ambulance Depot Tung Chung Fire Station Tung Chung Police Station

2984 8334 2984 8487 2984 1802 2984 9833 9783 5840

HOT EL S

Mui Wo Inn Silvermine Beach Resort Tai O Heritage Hotel

HOME & REPA IRS

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

2984 0222 2504 4788 2984 0498 2470 1966 2984 9720 3484 3095 6429 3507 2984 8933 5465 5511 2997 9070 2320 2001 6422 5009 9193 2937 2980 2699 2983 8931 2980 2582 5991 6292 2109 3331 5236 7013

2988 8282 2988 1898 3661 1999

Lee Hing Loong Hon Kee Transportation Company Lantau Tours New Lantao Bus Company

2984 2268 2984 8494 2984 8255 2984 9848

www.arounddb.com February 2021

DB NUMBERS COMMUNITY & HEALTH Bayside Dental Practice, North Plaza BMSE, North Plaza DB Alliance Church Community Centre DB Anglican Church DB International Community Church Discovery Bay Medical Centre Health & Care Dental Clinic Herbal Health Care Island Health Island Veterinary Services The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council, North Plaza Trinity Chapel

2987 2259 2987 2987 2987 2987 2666 2834 2987 2987 2259 2987

0855 3422 8136 4210 7061 5633 6183 7276 7575 9003 3422 9909

2987 8460

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

2987 2987 2987 2947 2366

4401 7486 4089 9092 6534

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

2160 8585 2233 3000 2433 6981 2914 0388

FOOD & BEVERAGE, HOTELS 22º North Auberge Discovery Bay (Hotel), North Plaza Café Bord de Mer & Lounge, North Plaza Caffe Pascucci Cali-Mex, North Plaza Coyote Mexican Cantina Ebeneezer’s Epic Foods, North Plaza Figos Seaside Café First Korean Restaurant Hemingway’s il Bel Paese Island Café Koh Tomyums La Creation & Châteraisé McSorley’s Ale House Mirch Masala, North Plaza Moofish, North Plaza Pacific Coffee Paisano’s, North Plaza Peony Chinese Restaurant PizzaExpress Solera Starbucks DB North Plaza Subway The Pier Bar Three Sheet Marquee Bar Uncle Russ, North Plaza Zak’s

DRS Company Good Luck Engineering Red Velvet Hoi Yu Transportation Hung Kee Co Japan Home Centre May’s furniture & curtain design Rapee-living Rich Point Hardware Materials Tai Fat Hardware Store Wing On Department Store Yours Electrical Centre

9156 0360 2987 1313 9010 5832 2987 4488 2987 5087 2987 1041 2987 0222 2987 7082 2987 0789 2987 0789 2987 9268 2987 4428

LEARNING CENTRES

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES Nomadic

LEARNING CENTRES

HOME

2987 2298 2295 8288 2295 8299 2591 1426 2904 7698 2987 2848 2987 0036 2172 6111 2987 2915 2987 9123 2987 8855 2987 0202 2987 9311 2987 0767 2987 1829 2987 8280 2987 1337 2987 6318 2987 1662 2673 4445 2500 1950 2465 2426 2555 0772 2246 8372 2914 0005 2520 2166 2987 0966 2840 1188 2987 6232

Discovery Montessori School A reputable & well-known international school for authentic Montessori Bilingual (English & Chinese) Education for children aged 1 to 12 years. Beautiful campus & highly qualified teachers (15 years+ experience). Contact 2987 1201, enquiry@dms.edu.hk, www.dms.edu.hk

Future Stars Dance Academy Dance classes based on the ISTD requirements conducted in a fun, disciplined & safe environment. Contact melissa@futurestarsdanceacademy.com, Futurestars Dance Academy Hong Kong Facebook page, Instagram: @futurestarsHk

Island Dance ISTD Freestyle, ISTD Hip Hop, RAD Ballet, tap & Bollywood classes at DBRC, Club Siena & DB Plaza. Five professional instructors, teaching six days a week. Contact 2987 1571, 9159 0663, info@islanddance.com.hk, www.islanddance.com.hk

Lingostars Limited, North Plaza Providing Mandarin & Korean education. After-school Mandarin for Year 1-13 and adult Mandarin classes in a communicative and interactive setting at DB North Plaza. Contact 6375-2015, info@lingostarshk.com, www.lingostarshk.com

Little Explorers The longest running playgroup in DB, Little Explorers eases the transition between home play and kindergarten for children, aged 18 months and up. Contact 6331 7215, LittleExplorersDB@gmail.com

Tree of Joy A fun, engaging & supportive environment in which children play & learn. Programmes include drop-off nursery class, parent-toddler class, afternoon camp & a cooking class Contact 9787 2755, info@treeofjoydb.com, www.treeofjoydb.com

Woodentots Woodentots is a Montessori playgroup providing a caring & nurturing environment in DB Plaza. Run by a qualified Montessori teacher for children aged 18 months to 6 years. Contact 6108 9131, woodentotsdb@gmail.com

February 2021 www.arounddb.com

Bayview House of Children DB International School (Kindergarten) DB International School (Pri / Sec) Discovery College Discovery Mind International Play Centre Discovery Mind Kindergarten Discovery Mind Primary School, North Plaza Discovery Montessori Academy, North Plaza Discovery Montessori School, North Plaza DMR School of Ballet Dr. Bear Education Centre Early Adventures Playgroup Epic Adventurers Eye Level Education Learning Centre Funfit HK International Learning Academy, North Plaza Kumon, North Plaza La Petite Enfance Kindergarten L’Ecole Pierre et Marie Curie Education centre Lingostars Limited, North Plaza Links Parenting, North Plaza Little Explorers English For Kids Mandarin for Munchkins, North Plaza Mathemagic – home tutoring Mathnasium SKH Wei Lun Primary School Treasure House Zhi Zhi Chinese

6114 2914 2987 3969 2987 2987 2914 2812 2987 2987 6762 2987 2441 9366 6302 2416 2459 8191 8191 6375 6114 6331 2480 9135 2628 2987 2987 9648

2436 2142 7331 1000 8088 8088 2202 9206 1201 4338 6264 9644 0098 0000 6327 3198 8808 0813 0813 2015 2436 7215 3909 4724 3362 8608 4217 2966

MULTIMEDIA Bookazine Fotomax (F.E.) Ltd

2987 1373 2914 2378

OTHER SERVICES

Harvey Law Group International law firm offering a wide range of commercial & personal legal services. Meeting facilities available in DB. Contact 2416 8618, dboffice@harveylawcorporation.com, www.harveylawcorporation.com

Martina Stevens Photography Photographer based in Discovery Bay specialising in small and exclusive projects. Newborns, Maternity, Family and Lifestyle photography.Contact 9487 5242, martina@martinastevensphotography.com, www.martinastevensphotography.com Gillian florist, North Plaza Manulife P-Solution The Optical House Well Supreme Laundry Services

2529 9172 2987 2987 2987

8256 9152 1777 1368 5151

DB NUMBERS PETS Mypetshop, North Plaza Pets Gallery Ready, Pet, Go!

TOYS & KIDSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; PARTIES 2987 8873 2987 0428 5721 6181

Bo Bo House Toysland

2987 4230 2987 7859

TRANSPORT SERVICES

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

2987 2987 2987 2987 2102

2023 2088 2987 6238 0829

DB Golf Cart Services DB Transportation Services Limousine Rental Passenger Telephone Hotline Wiselink Golf Cart Services

2914 2987 5303 2987 2987

2727 7351 3489 0208 9368

UTILITIES, SERVICES & EMERGENCY HOTLINES

SOCIAL, SPORTS & EQUIPMENT 24-hour Customer Service Hotline China Light & Power Emergency China Light & Power Information Line Discovery Bay Commercial Services Discovery Bay Fire & Ambulance Discovery Bay Lost & Found Discovery Bay Management Discovery Bay Office Centre Discovery Bay Post Office Gas Leakage Emergency Hotline Lantau North Report Room North Lantau Hospital San Hing Gas Co Typhoon Signal Enquiries Water Fault Reports Water Supplies Department

HK Dragons Football Club Football for girls & boys aged 2.5 years to 14 years. Contact 2987 4274, dragons.hk

Tekkerz Football programmes for boys and girls for age groups U5 up to U14. Contact 9770 4548, train@tekkerzfootball.com, www.prosportsasia.com

Club Siena, North Plaza DBees Ice Hockey DB Pirates Rugby, Netball, Hockey & Dragonboat Discovery Bay Marina Club Discovery Bay Golf Club Discovery Bay Recreation Club Embody EpicLand, North Plaza FIT 852 Greenwich Yoga School, North Plaza Kapuhala Train-in-Space, North Plaza MAS FIT MGK Fight Club Nutrition and Fitness with Emilie YogaBay, North Plaza YogaUp, North Plaza

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

2987 6473 9255 2987 2987 2987 6624 2441 9680 9685 6101 9387 9303 6385 6704 8197

7382 4277 6133 9591 7273 7381 8712 0098 7665 8366 8434 0735 2996 5425 9851 5591

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

@ www.arounddb.com

WELLBEING

The Beat Dance & Fitness Studio BODYPUMP, BODYBALANCE, GRIT, BODYSTEP & Zumba (fitness, toning & kids). Piloxing, yoga & Pilates, RPM (indoor cycling), plus Latin, belly & wedding dance. Classes for adults & children, & personal training. Contact 5194 9630, info@thebeat.com.hk, www.thebeat.com.hk

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

VIEW THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Bay Spa

ay Spa

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

Ingredients of Wellness Mindfulness training for children, teens and their parents and teachers. Offering Mindfulness Matters!, Mindfulness in Education (for adults), AMT Mindfulness Teacher Training. Contact 9048 5425, angie@ingredientsofwellness.com, www.ingredientsofwellness.com

Nail Spa: 2987 2266

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

Massage: 2988 1188

2987 9794 2987 2987 2499 2987

0283 0918 4555 2060 8826 4112

www.arounddb.com

www.arounddb.com February 2021

OUT THERE

A Chat with God

As part of his tireless struggle to be politically incorrect, Peter Sherwood ropes in a higher power

used to talk to God; you know, get a dialogue going. Not an interaction in any religious sense but a blunt device to get my slothful butt off the sofa and working. God-based articles were not considered politically incorrect or otherwise; no one much bothered. The Almighty was a fiction designed to lighten the reader’s day and provide a shallow raison d’être for my own. Compared to the cringing politically correct standards of 2021, I got away with journalistic murder, while appearing entertaining enough to stay employed. The God character gave me a columnist’s Bond-like licence to kill: God can make all sorts of outrageous pronouncements with impunity; stuff that would ring hollow coming from my curmudgeonly self. But these days I have to be careful with words I put into The Omnipotent Mouth, being mindful not to offend. And that’s the problem. If I’m doing my job a load of people will be aggrieved. Neither do I see it as rewarding to be fried crisp by a lightning strike if one of the disgruntled happens to be a supreme being.

Illustration by Terry Chow

So, what you thought was just some bloke shooting his mouth off is in fact a high-risk endeavour. (In one 24-hour period I had a grim Australian gentleman take a swing at me and a couple of less pedantic

your pathetic struggle to amuse.” Naturally I was startled. “Is that you, God?” “Of course, it’s Me! Who else could be offended by your churlish gibberish?” “Are You angry?” “I don’t get angry, I get even. If I were angry you and your stupid machine would be microscopic cinders. I’m cool these days, not vengeful like before. If you have something to say then use the proper channels, a church, temple, a Hare Krishna tent, or give money to some American televangelist fraudster for a new private jet. I’m sick of your arrogant paganus drivel, pretending that you alone have My ear.” “Paganus, God!?” “It’s Latin, numbskull. Google it. You know how many of you unenlightened beings are vying for my attention? Never mind, but its billions. Adios.” souls tell me I’d scratched their funny bone. Same article, different opinions, proving that writing can be both hazardous and gratifying.) Then there are times that take no account of literary pitfalls: A booming voice like Morgan Freeman in an echo chamber once whacked me from the blackness of outer space. He/She/ It (not wishing be sexist) thundered down to scold: “I see you’re at it again Sherwood; taking My name in vain, masquerading as some perspicacious columnist in

See what I mean? Not much will electrify me these days, but a cosmic command and dire threats will get me moving. I’m supposed to gain social acceptability by being sensitive, but it doesn’t seem to apply to the Master (OK, if I must) Mistress of the Universe, and therein is the win-win. As author of this stuff, I get to trash political correctness via a deity. How good is that? So, don’t blame me if your feelings are hurt; talk to God. I do.

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

Find more from Peter @ www.arounddb.com February 2021 www.arounddb.com

Around DB February 2021

Articles inside

IN FOCUS

INSIDER

EDUCATION

PROFILE