Around DB November 2020

Guitar Man:

What modern kids can learn from the past

Jay Apungan rockin’ the COVID-19 blues

Classic fruit puddings to make in minutes Tips on clothing and nutrition for DB trail runners

NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS Join your community online at www.arounddb.com

NOVEMBER J U LY 2 02020 20

Price SALAD (4lb) Guest name Contact number E-mail Self-collection date and time Or Delivery date Delivery time

11am — 1pm

1pm — 3pm

3pm — 6pm

HK$308

Roast Chicken with Pumpkin, Capsicum and Feta Salad

HK$388

Cranberry and Quinoa Salad with Candied Walnuts

HK$328

Assorted Cold Cuts and Cheese Platter

HK$598

FROM THE OVEN

Delivery address

Total amount HK$ Card type VISA Master Credit card number Card holder’s name Expiry date MM/YY __ __ / __ __ Card Issuing Bank Signature

Roasted Vegetable Salad with Caper Dressing

Roast Whole Turkey with Giblet Jus and Cranberry Sauce (14-16lb)

HK$798

Honey Glazed Boneless Gammon with Honey Pineapple Sauce and Dijon Mustard (4.5lb)

HK$528

Roast U.S. Beef Strip Loin with Herb Jus (6.5lb)

HK$1,788

Roast Pork Spare Rib with BBQ Sauce (4.5lb)

HK$598

DESSERT Signature must correspond to the specimen signature of the above credit card account.

Christmas Cinnamon Cheese Cake (2lb)

HK$588

Buche de Noel (2lb)

HK$568

Quantity

#beautifuldb2020 photography competition The results are in!

The aim of the #beautifuldb2020 photography competition is to recognise the talented photographers in our community, while also celebrating the beauty of DB. The winners and runners-up were selected by the DB community through a popular vote on the Around DB Facebook page from October 9 to 16.

Check out the photos from this year’s winners, pictured here, in two categories.

The winning photos will be displayed in DB and they can be downloaded at www.arounddb.com and used as virtual backgrounds on Zoom to promote the beauty of DB. Visit www.arounddb.com to view all of the finalists’ photos.

DB Community Spirit

1

1st place @hannahjoyball

Prize: One Night Stay at Auberge with Dinner and Breakfast Buffet for two

@hannahjoyball

2 @akane_photographie

1st runner-up @richard_gordon_photography Prize: DBRC and Club Siena Food and Beverage Coupon

3 @richard_gordon_photography

2nd runner-up @akane_photographie

Prize: Auberge Relaxing Tea Set for four

DB Scenic Beauty

1

1st place @Nerie_adrianne

Prize: One Night Stay at Auberge with Dinner and Breakfast Buffet for two

@nerie_adrianne

@khianey

3

2nd runner-up @khianey

@jlk_hk

2

1st runner-up @jlk_hk

Prize: DBRC and Club Siena Food and Beverage Coupon Love.Together@DB is a community-caring platform initiated by Hong Kong Resort Company dedicated to serving the Discovery Bay community. The platform supports and co-organises diversified corporate social responsibility initiatives with NGOs, community leaders and volunteers to promote a loving and caring culture in the sustainable and multicultural DB community.

The organiser has the discretion to use the photos for promotion purposes and reserves the right of final decision in the event of any disputes. Terms and conditions apply.

Prize: Auberge Relaxing Tea Set for four

s n o i t a l u t a r g Con

CONTENTS

Join your community online

NOVEMBER 2020

PROFILE - 20 Jay Apungan still rockin’ in the free world

IN FOCUS - 24 Expert advice for DB trail runners

EDUCATION - 30 What modern kids can learn from the past

ESCAPES - 40 Armchair travel: gearing up for the Galapagos

RECIPES - 44 Classic fruit puddings with a zany modern twist

24 REGULARS

If you have a story idea, email rachel@baymedia.com.hk To publicise a local event, email elizabeth@baymedia.com.hk For general enquiries, email info@baymedia.com.hk

AGENDA

34

HELP LINE Support for FDWs

06

DB EVENTS

37

GEOMANCY Introductory feng shui

16

GIVEAWAYS

48

DB FACES Community snaps

49

CLASSIFIEDS

56

OUT THERE Peter Sherwood talks back

53

LOCAL NUMBERS

ON THE COVER Jay Apungan ready for the spotlight again

We also publish…

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YOUR GUIDE TO HONG KONG’S ‘GREEN JEWEL’

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To read the cover story turn to page 20 Guitar Man:

What modern kids can learn from the past

Jay Apungan rockin’ the COVID-19 blues

2019 / 2020

Classic fruit puddings to make in minutes Tips on clothing and nutrition for DB trail runners

NEWS & EVENTS * PRIZES * COMMUNITY SNAPS * CLASSIFIEDS Join your community online at www.arounddb.com

NOVEMBER J U LY 2 02020 20

Photo by Baljit Gidwani www.evoqueportraits.com

FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF FOOD & DRINK • LIVING • PETS • SPORTS • PASTIMES • EDUCATION • HEALTH • BEAUTY • SERVICES • TRAVEL & EXCURSIONS • COMMUNITY

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We’re right with you. *Please remember that the value of investments, and any income from them can fall as well as rise, is not guaranteed and you may not get back the amount you invested. Fees and charges may apply. **Available to HSBC Expat customers who have registered for internet banking. Issued by HSBC Expat, a division of HSBC Bank plc, Jersey Branch, HSBC House, Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey JE1 1HS. HSBC Bank plc, Jersey Branch, is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission for Banking, General Insurance Mediation, Investment and Fund Services Businesses. HSBC Bank plc, Hong Kong Branch, is licensed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority as an authorised institution and registered with the Securities and Futures Commission to conduct Type 1 (dealing in securities) and Type 4 (advising on securities) regulated activities under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (central entity number: AFJ824). Deposits made with HSBC Expat are not protected by the rules made under the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 for the protection of retail clients, including the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme and the UK’s Financial Ombudsman Service. Deposits made with our office in Jersey are not protected deposits under the Hong Kong Deposit Protection Scheme and are not protected by such scheme. However, HSBC Expat is a participant in the Jersey Bank Depositors Compensation Scheme. The Scheme offers protection for eligible deposits of up to £50,000. The maximum total amount of compensation is capped at £100,000,000 in any 5 year period. Full details of the Scheme and banking groups covered are available on the States of Jersey website www.gov.je/dcs, or on request. HSBC Bank plc, Hong Kong Branch address is at Level 5, HSBC Main Building, 1 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong. HSBC Bank plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (UK FCA reference number: 114216). HSBC Bank plc, incorporated and registered in England and Wales number 14259, with limited liability. UK registered office: 8 Canada Square, London, E14 5HQ. Please note that this service is provided from Jersey and is not subject to UK financial services rules and regulations. Further information about the regulatory regime applicable to this service is available on request. 00729/IC/322.

PUBLISHER Philip Jay MANAGING EDITOR Rachel Ainsley rachel@baymedia.com.hk ASSISTANT EDITOR Elizabeth Jerabek elizabeth@baymedia.com.hk DIGITAL MANAGER Jan Yumul jan@baymedia.com.hk ART DIRECTION Terry Chow terry@baymedia.com.hk GRAPHIC DESIGNER Duey Tam duey@baymedia.com.hk OPERATIONS MANAGER Amber Kahu amber@baymedia.com.hk PHOTOGRAPHERS Baljit Gidwani www.evoqueportraits.com Col Sim www.colsimphotography.com CONTRIBUTORS Trisha Hughes Elizabeth Kerr Sharon Ser Peter Sherwood Dorothy Veitch Samantha Wong PRINTING Champion Design & Production Co. Ltd Flat C & D 9/F Sing Teck Factory Bldg 44 Wong Chuk Hang Rd Hong Kong BAY MEDIA LTD 6E Elegance Court Hillgrove Village Discovery Bay Lantau Island Hong Kong Tel: 2987 0167 Advertising enquiries: info@baymedia.com.hk

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www.colsimphotography.com & One World Spirit Association

MID-AUTUMN CELEBRATION AND GERMAN BEER FEST One World Spirit Association, a new non-governmental organisation in DB promoting the benefits of an integrated and culturally diverse community, hosted two events for residents in October. On October 1, there was a Mid-Autumn Festival performance of Chinese dance and Cantonese opera at the DB Community Hall, followed by a Hanfu parade from DB Plaza to Tai Pak Wan. On October 10, a German beer festival at Midvale Village offered up a beer drinking competition and barbecue, plus Bavarian music and dance.

ts n e v e y t i n u m rece nt c om IN DISCOVERY BAY

POLISH FOOD.HK GRAND OPENING

New to DB Plaza, Polish Food.HK celebrated its grand opening on October 11. The event included a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Consul General of Poland, plus free food, games and competitions. Polish Food.HK stocks specialty grocery products including top brand products from the heart of Europe.

www.evoqueportraits.com

www.arounddb.com November 2020

7

DB EVENTS

LBC PINK DAY

Paddlers from the Lantau Boat Club organised a charity ‘Pink Day’ on October 17, which included a 2-kilometre relay race from Tai Pak Wan to Sam Pak Wan, to raise funds for breast cancer awareness. All proceeds from the event and the sale of the club’s Pink Move shirts were donated to the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation.

www.colsimphotography.com

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November 2020 www.arounddb.com

www.arounddb.com November 2020

9

DB EVENTS

CARGO BIKE RIDES FOR RMHC

To raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in Hong Kong, DB resident Rob Prange provided free cargo bike rides to kids after a Tekkerz football training session on October 10 and again in both plazas on October 11. Rob, whose daughter Robin died at the age of eight after a five-year battle with leukaemia, raised HK$4,066 in two days for RMHC.

www.evoqueportraits.com & www.prosportsasia.com

BEST OF THE BIG PICNIC

From humble beginnings in 2006, The BIG Picnic now sees festivallovers from across Hong Kong heading to Tai Pak Wan and DB Plaza to enjoy music and dance performances across four stages.

The hugely popular event is cancelled this year due to COVID-19, but we look forward to the 2021 edition!

www.evoqueportraits.com & www.colsimphotography.com

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November 2020 www.arounddb.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

HKILA: Making Home Learning Easy!

I

Photos courtesy of HKILA

t has been said many times but 2020 is a year we will not forget no matter how much we may want to. The pandemic has caused stress, anxiety, confusion and uncertainty for adults and children alike.

Children have been caught up in a constantly changing schedule in which one of the main constants in their lives – going to school – has not featured. They have had to adapt to a completely new schooling experience.

Educational establishments worldwide have had to adapt just as quickly as students, turning to websites and apps that had only really been utilised by large global businesses prior to March. It was a bumpy road initially, but it is safe to say that most schools now have a slick homeschooling set-up in place. At HKILA, we noticed that children and families quickly fell into a routine of Zoom sessions and working online. Indeed, for many students, the online environment has proved beneficial – making them more productive and engaged than they had been in a classroom.

For this reason, we decided to develop Home@HKILA, a new programme that combines a thematic curriculum written by Dimensions Curriculum (UK) with adapted plans for English and Maths that can be delivered at home.

The rationale behind expanding our provision was threefold – to accommodate students who find working at home a less stressful experience than school, to provide a continued education for students who have moved away from Hong Kong or are in quarantine, and to offer an alternative schooling option for families whose future may be uncertain – those for whom paying school fees and debentures etc is not feasible in the current climate.

The Home@HKILA programme delivers a full online learning experience, and a wealth of materials, resources and support from teachers, while also allowing

families to be flexible. While the Home@HKILA learning schedule follows what would be happening within the HKILA classroom, it does not have to be followed to the letter.

Home schooling your child, long term, can seem like a daunting prospect but this is really not the case. With Home@HKILA, teachers Zoom with each child on a weekly basis with the option for more sessions if required. We are also running regular workshops to give parents and helpers the tools they need to be, to quote from alternativetoschool.com, “the guide on the side, not the sage on the stage.”

As the pandemic continues, having a consistent learning setup will help children to develop, thrive and grow. Whether they are based at home or in school, we aim to provide HKILA students with a programme that is clear and rigorous yet creative and fun.

FIND IT • HKILA, 2416 3198, home@studyhkila.edu.hk, www.studyhkila.edu.hk www.arounddb.com November 2020

11

DB EVENTS

YOUR GUIDE

E H T O T

L A I T ESS EN

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

ART JAMMING

BADMINTON COMPETITION OUTRIGGER CANOE RACES

DB North Plaza

DB North Community Hall

November 5, 12, 19 & 26

Pui O Beach November 28

November 14

Photo courtesy of Garden Artemis

Head to Garden Artemis to try your hand at acrylic painting, with mentoring from multi-disciplinary artist and designer Leslie Lachiche. For HK$600 (evening) or HK$450 (morning), the adults-only workshops include paint, brushes and a choice of prepared canvases. Monthly packages at HK$2,200 (evening) or HK$1,680 (morning) are also available, valid for two months from purchase. To find out more, visit the Garden Artemis Facebook page.

Check out this year’s DB Badminton Competition from 10am to 10pm. The competition includes six divisions – men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles, men’s singles, women’s singles and children’s singles (for kids aged 10 to 15 years). For more on the competition, visit www.amyung.org.hk.

NEW IN DB

COMPETITION

XMAS TURKEYS TO PRE-ORDER

Photos courtesy of SLPC www.colsimphotography.com

#BEAUTIFULDB2020

Drop by Treasure Island Beach Club to cheer on teams from all over Hong Kong at the South Lantau Paddle Club (SLPC) Buffalo Sprints Outrigger Canoe Race. The entry fee for competitors is HK$300, which includes beers and burgers for a day of beach club chill. To get involved, contact racing@southlantaupaddleclub.org or visit the SLPC’s Facebook page.

JOIN A BEACH CLEAN-UP at Nim Shue Wan on November 7 with Plastic Free Seas from 2pm to 4pm.

Visit plasticfreeseas.org.

SHOP THE DISCOVERY BAY SUNDAY MARKET in DB Plaza on

November 8 & 22 from 11am to 6pm.

Visit www.handmadehongkong.com.

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

@hannahjoyball

store.eatthekiwi.com

Get a head start on the holidays by pre-ordering a turkey (priced at HK$720) from Eat the Kiwi. The free-range turkeys are raised in New Zealand with 24-hour access to fresh air and lush pastures. They are halal-certified, contain no hormones or steroids, and are not genetically modified. For more information, and to order for delivery to DB, visit store.eatthekiwi.com.

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Turn to page 2 to check out the winning photos in the #beautifuldb2020 photography competition, sponsored by Love.Together@DB. The winners and runners-up were selected by the DB community through a popular vote on the Around DB Facebook page from October 9 to 16. To see all the finalists’ photos, visit www.arounddb.com.

November 2020 www.arounddb.com

recycling at the waterfront side of Hemingway’s on November 15 from 9am to 11am. Visit the DB Green Facebook page.

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 HK workshops equip helpers with the tools to save, budget and plan for a future with greater financial security. Visit www.enrichhk.org.

FOR A GOOD CAUSE BOX OF HOPE

REMEMBRANCE DAY

WORLD FOOD DAY

www.studyhkila.edu.hk www.dbis.edu.hk

Box of Hope is back for its 13th year, in a slightly different format. Due to COVID-19, boxes are not being collected from schools. Instead, you can donate goodies and essentials directly to Box of Hope via their website. These items will then be packaged into boxes to help children in need in Hong Kong and throughout Asia. To get involved, visit www.boxofhope.org.

Photo courtesy of Ailsa Lloyd

DB designer Ailsa Lloyd’s stunning range of sterling silver poppy charms, earrings and brooches make an ideal gift to mark Remembrance Day, November 11. Ailsa is donating all profits from the sale of her jewellery to the Gurkha Cemeteries Trust. For more information, and to order, starting at HK$200, visit the Chatteriz shop on Etsy.

HKILA students marked World Food Day on October 16 by learning about the causes of the global food crisis, which has been exacerbated by COVID-19, and by bringing in nonperishable foods to be delivered to ImpactHK for distribution among the Hong Kong homeless. The students are already planning another food collection in December, which will be open to the wider DB community.

For more information, visit www.studyhkila.edu.hk.

FOR YOUR DIARY AFFORDABLE ART FAIR November 6-30

HK INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL November 14

www.arounddb.com

Only 50 galleries from around the world have been selected to take part in the Affordable Art Online Fair (AAF) this month, and DB’s Gallery Jeeum is the only Hong Kong gallery in the line-up. In addition to viewing the online show, be sure to drop by the gallery in DB North Plaza. To find out more, visit affordableartfair.com and Gallery Jeeum’s Facebook page.

HONG KONG JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL November 14-19

Photo courtesy of Les Bird

DB resident Les Bird, the author of A Small Band of Men: An Englishman’s Adventures in the Hong Kong Marine Police, is a guest speaker at this year’s Hong Kong International Literary Festival. Head to Tai Kwun - Centre for Heritage and Arts, Hall F, to hear him discussing his memoir with Annemarie Evans of RTHK. For more information, visit www.festival.org.hk.

www.hkjff.org

The Hong Kong Jewish Film Festival, back with a curated line-up for its 21st edition, is streaming more than 30 films online for viewers in Hong Kong. This year’s programme includes some of the best new Jewish feature films, biographies, documentaries and shorts that explore Jewish culture and history.

For tickets starting at HK$80, visit www.hkjff.org.

www.arounddb.com November 2020

13

SPONSORED CONTENT

Okooko by European Bedding:

Photos courtesy of www.europeanbedding.hk

Custom-made mattresses for the perfect fit!

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D

o you wake up with body aches? Then your mattress is not meeting your specific needs. It’s time to find a mattress that is comfortable and supports your body while you sleep, not one that contributes to your pain.

Okooko by European Bedding can help you with that.

Best option for couples As you know, each person’s sleep preferences are unique. The

mattress that works for you, might not work for your partner and vice versa. After all, many couples differ in posture, weight, build and sleeping preferences. So why would you stick with a one-sizefits-all mattress?

Enter Okooko by European Bedding: This bedding specialist can customise its Heveya® natural organic latex mattresses to cater to both your and your partner’s comfort levels all in one bed. For example, you can get a king-size

November 2020 www.arounddb.com

mattress that has a firm feel on one side and a softer feel on the other.

The first step is to visit Okooko’s showroom in Central together with your partner. Spend some time trying the Heveya® natural organic latex mattresses which come in different thickness and firmness levels. Each of these chiropractorendorsed mattresses is designed with seven-comfort zones to provide excellent support for different parts of the body. Due to its natural elasticity, a latex mattress

can conform to the curves of your body while providing the right amount of support for optimal rest and relaxation.

During every consultation, an Okooko sleep specialist focuses on understanding your sleep patterns, body type and preferences. You are then matched with the right mattress and pillow for balanced support across the body. To finetune your comfort, you can also opt for either a standard or motorised adjustable bed base.

Customisation options At Okooko by European Bedding the customisation options are numerous. Aside from customising both halves of the bed differently to suit distinct sleep preferences, Okooko’s bespoke service also includes customising the size and shape of mattresses. Need a giant mattress to accommodate the whole family or a soft cushion for a daybed? Don’t worry, Okooko has you covered.

The ability to customise your own mattress also comes in handy if you have purchased your bedframe from an overseas retailer. “Different countries have different dimensions for beds and mattresses,” explains Thijs Veyfeyken, General Manager at Okooko by European Bedding.

“And that means the queensized mattress you bought from a local big-box store is likely going to be too short for a Western bedframe, which typically has larger dimensions.”

Customising mattresses for boat owners is another key feature of Okooko’s bespoke service. Natural latex foam is considered the best material for marine environments for many reasons. To begin with, latex offers excellent breathability and ventilation thanks to its open cell structure and the pin holes created during manufacturing.

Secondly, it is mould resistant and dust-mite proof, ensuring a hygienic sleeping surface even in highly humid environments. Last but not least, latex is durable – a Heveya ® natural organic latex mattress has a much longer shelf life than other types of mattresses.

All in all, whatever your requirement, whether you are looking for a mattress for a trundle bed or a baby’s cot, a mattress for the whole family or even for your yacht, Okooko by European Bedding can meet your needs, supplying the comfortable night’s sleep you deserve.

FIND IT • Okooko by European Bedding, 13F The Plaza LKF, 21 D’Aguilar St, Central, 6286 1132, www.europeanbedding.hk

www.arounddb.com November 2020

15

GIVEAWAYS

HERE’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 PERSIAN RUG FROM RED VELVET DESIGNS Red Velvet Designs is offering one reader an acrylic Persian runner rug (150 x 80 cm), worth HK$880.

www.redvelvetdesigns.net

Lantau-based online homestore Red Velvet Designs provides the ultimate in convenience shopping. Specialising in decorative lighting products and customised rugs and carpets, Red Velvet Designs also offers bespoke products including lacquer jewellery boxes, aromatic candles and cushion covers. See for yourself at the Red Velvet Designs Discovery Bay HK Facebook page, or by visiting www.redvelvetdesigns.net.

Congratulations to last month’s winner Andrew Ryder for two Pilates classes at Embody

PENANG PROPERTY FOR SALE (Owner Direct Sale) PENANG LUXURY APARTMENT HK$2.79M (NEGOTIABLE) 1,231sq ft. nett Located on the famed Batu Ferringhi beach, “By The Sea” is a low density development comprising 3 low-rise blocks of 138 units of suites. Its expansive 50m innnity pool and deck has unobstructed views of the sea while green hills serve as a verdant backdrop.

Freehold, fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms & 1 carpark space. Innnity pool, gym, playgrounds, monkey park & outdoor gardens.

PLEASE E-MAIL malaysiapropertysales2020@gmail.com AND WHATSAPP/CALL (+852) 9739-1403 FOR DETAILS AND PHOTOS. SERIOUS BUYERS ONLY!

JOHOR PROPERTY FOR SALE (Owner Direct Sale) JOHOR LUXURY APARTMENT HK$2.10M (NEGOTIABLE) 954 sq ft. nett Puteri Harbour, the pearl of Johor, is a prestigious waterfront development located along the southern coast of Johor, where it is closest to neighboring Singapore. Its’ ideal location and award winning masterplan have transformed the harbor into a popular dining, entertainment and holiday destination and given rise to highly desired luxury residences.

Freehold, fully furnished, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms & 1 carpark space. LCD smart home, innnity pool, gym, playgrounds, clubhouse, tennis courts & function rooms.

PLEASE E-MAIL malaysiapropertysales2020@gmail.com AND WHATSAPP/CALL (+852) 9739-1403 FOR DETAILS AND PHOTOS. SERIOUS BUYERS ONLY!

Gallery Jeeum participates in Affordable Art Online Fair this year, which selected only 50 galleries around the world. You can find Gallery Jeeum on the AAF homepage as well. In addition to the Online Show, an offline show will also be held at the Gallery at DB North Plaza, so if you want to see the participating works, please come to Gallery Jeeum.

New Zealand fresh groceries delivered straight

to your door!

Visit store.eatthekiwi.com to order now, or email hello@eatthekiwi.com or WhatsApp 9785 5706 for more information.

We stock the biggest selection of

HIGH-END SPORTS PRODUCTS IN HONG KONG

Causeway Bay Central t: 2891 1855 t: 2851 0769

Repulse Bay t: 2395 2778

SPONSORED CONTENT

Nord Anglia International School:

Is your child ready for kindergarten?

‘B

eing ready’ is not about a set of skills you need to make sure your child has before they start kindergarten. It is about preparing your child for this next transition in their lives so you can ensure that kindergarten is a positive and enriching experience for them.

At Nord Anglia International School, we know that children develop best when they feel safe and secure.

Our pre-schools create a caring and happy environment where a child believes that they are capable of anything. We also believe that building a strong relationship with the family supports the child’s development in all areas and we love doing this.

Language skills

Photos courtesy of Nord Anglia International School

Being able to express ourselves and be understood is very powerful.

To develop your child’s language skills, you can support them by modelling simple sentences and phrases that they can imitate and use. Encourage them to express their needs verbally, using these modelled phrases.

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Be sure to engage in ‘real’ conversations with your child, where you take turns to talk and listen to one another. This will help your child understand the function of language and the joy of a reciprocal exchange.

egocentric stage (concerned only for their own needs) and they will need support to prepare them for companionship (becoming aware of others and their needs and feelings). You can help to prepare them by visiting parks, play areas and places where they share the space with other children.

To develop your child’s social skills, play simple games that require turn taking and sharing, and model turn taking and consideration. Talk about feelings and emotions and look at pictures of what the feelings may look like in others. Praise your child when they listen and recognise the feelings and needs of others.

Independence skills It’s important to develop some practical self-help skills with your child to prepare them for kindergarten. Can they get dressed and go to the bathroom by themselves? Can they cope without you for part of the day? Can they ask for help if they need it?

Remember, a kindergarten’s role is to nurture and teach your child, in partnership with you, so if your child cannot do the above perfectly, a good kindergarten will understand its role to continue to develop these self-help skills.

Emotional readiness Emotional development is another

key consideration as your child approaches kindergarten age.

Consider the following questions and talk them through with your child’s teacher before they start kindergarten: How does your child deal with frustrations? Can they comfortably spend time apart from you? How do they like to be comforted? How do they approach new people and new tasks?

When the big day finally arrives, do not rush the settling period. Allow your child time to get to know their teachers and carers and become familiar with the environment and the new routines that will be structuring their day.

If your child is not used to being separated from you, gradually increase the separation time, making those periods manageable – your child will soon come to realise that you always return. And never underestimate the power of your child seeing you building a relationship with their teacher.

When your child sees you trusting the adults in the setting, they will often follow suit.

Lastly, be mindful that the kindergarten teacher should be asking you lots of questions, so they can get to know your child and how best to support them.

This information helps a teacher respond individually to a child, thus supporting them to feel safe and secure.

Social skills

FIND IT

Many young children entering kindergarten may still be in the

• Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong has campuses in Lam Tin, Tai Tam and Sai Kung. Contact 3958 1428, www.nais.hk

November 2020 www.arounddb.com

JOIN NAIS HK We are currently accepting applications for January and August 2021.

Apply now on www.nais.hk

nais.hk

PROFILE

Photos by Baljit Gidwani - www.evoqueportraits.com

The Axeman Cometh

20

DB musician and teacher Jay Javier Apungan is ready for the spotlight again, whenever it returns.

Elizabeth Kerr reports November 2020 www.arounddb.com

J

ay Javier Apungan paid HK$10,000 to see Guns N’ Roses.On the notorious rock band’s last Hong Kong stop in 2018 Jay was getting ready for the night out with his wife, Kris Perry, and lost his wallet on the bus on his way to meet her.

“My auntie called me so I answered the phone and put my wallet down beside me,” he recalls with a hearty chuckle and a shrug. It just so happened he was travelling to the Philippines the next day, so he’d just withdrawn a considerable chunk of change from the bank, after putting the HK$2,400 tickets in his wallet. The couple trekked out to AsiaWorld-Expo anyway and bought fresh tickets. “It’s one of the most expensive concerts I ever saw. But it was worth it, even if Axl Rose can’t hit those high notes anymore,” he finishes with a laugh.

Jay greets visitors at his DB studio looking like, well, a rock star. The space is what you’d expect of a musician: there’s a double-tiered keyboard, a dozen guitars – his baby, a Fender Telecaster, and a Gibson Les Paul – are visible, and there’s a book (a gift) about living like Keith Richards propped behind the desk. Jay is rocking Black-era Kirk Hammett locks.

Sadly, there’s no rock star attitude or Jack Daniels-littered sitting room. Or perhaps, fortunately.

But there is a Christmas tree – in October.

Effortlessly good-natured, Jay perches on a stool, flipping his hair every so often between sips of sparkling water. He’s alone these days; Kris and his eight and 12-year-old daughters Neve and Mia headed to her hometown of Indianapolis four months ago when the consumer electronics executive was offered a plum job.

He hopes to see everyone near the end of the year, but he’s happy the girls are finally settling into life in a sleepy US suburb.

Jay Apungan at a gig at Hemingway’s in October

“They were born here. They can’t deal with the quiet, and being unable to walk off to Starbucks on their own,” he says. But they’re making new friends – and one has joined a band. Jay still has the family cat, Daisy, an SPCA adoptee, and of course the kids that come through three times a week for music lessons.

quite the singing voice and before long he was singing at parties, in church choirs, and anywhere that would help him contribute to the family.

Stay tuned

By the time he turned 16, Jay was getting a reputation around Manila for his guitar skills –and harbouring ambitions to travel, initially to Japan.

He got side-tracked, however, by local band Stay Tuned.

A native of a town about four hours south of Manila – “one hour without traffic” – Jay started singing and playing music at age nine. His father had gone blind, and he was acting as the man’s eyes, and when his dad picked up the guitar so did he. The family discovered Jay had

“I believe in luck,” he says. “I was hanging out, having some beer with friends, and someone in the bar’s band recognised me from around town.” Stay Tuned was on the verge of losing its guitarist and so asked if Jay would be interested  in stepping in. One jam later they

www.arounddb.com November 2020

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PROFILE told him where to show up the next day to start. “I was very early,” he says, laughing again. He was 18.

Jay stuck with Stay Tuned for eight years, touring in Penang and Singapore before the group disbanded following a series of minor tiffs. It was then he got offered a contract to work at stalwart Hong Kong nightspot Insomnia.

He landed in 2003, and for seven years he ripped through personal and fan favourites there, and at the Hard Rock Café and Adrenaline (at Happy Valley Racecourse) among others. He cites influences including Carlos Santana and the Eagles’ Glenn Frey.

“If you play these, you’re a guitar player in the Philippines. But one of my favourites is Gary Moore. Slash is ok, Matthias Jabs is ok too. And oh my gosh, I can’t believe he just died: Eddie Van Halen!”

Jay gets animated when he talks about music. He describes the Telecaster as having a “brilliance” to it, and the Les Paul as “fat and rock.” He doesn’t quite understand the enduring charm of Hotel California, but admits “the solo is unbelievable.” He’s working on mastering AC/DC’s Thunderstruck – Australians ask for it all the time – but he has a dark secret.

“To be honest? My favourites are oldies: Johnny Mathis, The Platters and the crooners from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s.”

Local shredder Insomnia was a good career move both professionally and personally: Jay met Kris almost immediately after arriving. “I’d been here about two weeks, and we met at a gig I was playing. At Chasers. That was one of the best bars I’ve ever played. I loved that bar,” he recalls of the old Knutsford Terrace haunt. The bar may be

Jay’s influences vary from Carlos Santana to Johnny Mathis

gone but the couple flourished, relocating to DB after the birth of their first daughter.

“We were living in Hung Hom, and there was no place for kids. I was teaching a friend of mine guitar, and he lived in DB, so I came here to teach him,” Jay explains.

Interest piqued, Jay saw a realtor and looked around – then told Kris, who didn’t need much convincing considering the space they could get for their money.

Still gigging at the time, Jay relished the change of pace, and he still does. “After work it’s always nice to get on the ferry and just… let it all go and relax,” he says.

His daughters were also the reason he opened JK International Music Production in 2012 (www. jkmusicint.com). The late nights and boozy venues were getting to be a bit much, so he turned his attention to JK – producing, booking and teaching during normal business hours.

“I wanted to reduce the nightshift work because it left me no time during the day. I’d finish a gig at Dusk till Dawn at 6am, my ferry

would be at 6:30am, all my kids’ teachers would be on the boat, and I’m out of it,” he says with a shake of the head. “Sometimes they’d have to wake me up. It wasn’t good. I started the business so I could be home more, and pick the girls up from school.”

Though teaching is keeping him busy, ask if Jay has missed playing live during the pandemic and the answer is an instant, “Oh god, yes.” He can’t wait to get up on stage again, pooh-poohing the idea of retiring, and laments the loss of The Big Picnic this month.

“That’s one of the best events in Discovery Bay. I love it. It’s very freeing. There are whole families in the audience, and your kids can see you play.” For now though, he relies on low-key Sunday shows at Hemingway’s to scratch the performance itch, something he chalks up to his typical Filipino upbringing, where singing is part of everyday life.

“We sing all the time. We’d sing carols in October. Did you notice my Christmas tree?” He points out the aforementioned tree with a cheeky grin. “That’s Pinoy style!”

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November 2020 www.arounddb.com

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IN FOCUS

Photos by Col Sim & @kkrunphotography

ready, set,

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go!

With the weather getting cooler, now is an ideal time for beginners to hit the trails for the first time, or – for those with more experience – to start training in preparation for a race.

Elizabeth Jerabek gets the lowdown on gear, nutrition and motivation from three local experts Nikki Han on her way up to Tiger’s Head in the Everest Challenge, 2020

November 2020 www.arounddb.com

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here are many reasons to live in Discovery Bay, but having Lantau Country Park right in your backyard is one of the best.

During COVID-19, this proximity to some of best trails in Hong Kong has provided a lifeline for many DB residents.

“Night-time hiking and trail running are getting popular and are a good way to beat the crowds, beat the heat and enjoy fantastic sightings of Hong Kong’s wildlife,” Shakeel adds. “If you are planning to run at night you not only need a good headlamp, but also a small auxiliary torch as backup.”

With so many trails leading out from DB, it’s up to you whether you want to challenge yourself with a tough uphill sprint in preparation for a race or simply get a little gentle exercise on a Sunday morning.

Shakeel is quick to highlight recent innovations in the way trail running gear is made. “Changes in outerwear not only include new styles, but also a greater choice in fabrics, such as high-tech superbreathable polyesters, bamboo fibres or classic Merino wool,” he says. “GPS watches have become more affordable and superlightweight with longer battery run times.

The gear According to Shakeel Nawaz, director of retail operations for Escapade Sports, the most important consideration for trail runners is their shoes. “The outer sole of the shoe is the most significant difference between a typical running shoe and a trail variant,” he says. “The outer soles of trail running shoes have lugs, which provide increased traction.

Some trail running shoes have shorter lugs, which are better suited for the hard surfaces often found on many of the paved concrete trails in Hong Kong.

Other trail running shoes have longer more aggressive lugs on the outer soles, which are better suited to runs on loose, soggy or wet trails and paths.”

Once properly shod, how much other gear you need is again determined by the kind of trail you are tackling. “A short run might only require a water bottle, energy bar, Octopus card and a phone – all of which could be carried easily in a waist pouch,” explains Shakeel. “But a 30K walk across Lantau would call for a hydration pack where – in addition to the reservoir for water – you could carry some extra food and electrolytes, a jacket and other essentials like trail poles.

“Ten years ago, finding a pair of poles usually meant settling for a pair that a mountaineer would want on a K2-bound expedition,” he adds. “But now you can find lightweight aluminium and carbon fibre poles that can be quickly and easily folded away with the pull of a string. Hydration packs to head lamps, shoes to caps, everything has evolved and choices have improved.”

Fitness and nutrition DB resident Michael Skobierski started trail running eight years ago when he arrived in Hong Kong.

“I was looking for a way to access all the hills I kept seeing from the office and I was fascinated by Hong Kong’s natural beauty,” he says. “I was amazed at how quickly you can exit the urban area and find yourself in completely different environments.”

Michael’s basic advice for trail runners is to put on your shoes and go: “You don’t need much for a short trail run and you can be ready with five minutes of preparation.” But with that said, he has some valuable wisdom to

share. Michael was a member of the winning team, Gone RunningJoint Dynamics, in the 2018 Oxfam Trailwalker race, as well as the Lantau 70 and Lantau Vertical individual champion in 2017, and the King of the Hills overall champion 2017/ 2018.

For those transitioning from road to trail running, Michael says the biggest challenge is the constant up and down across different surfaces. “When you are running on the road, you can usually hold a steady pace. But on the trail, you need to constantly brake and accelerate due to turns, technical downhills or steep uphills,” he explains. “For trail runs over a longer distance, you might not run the uphill but power hike instead to conserve energy.”

In Lantau the conditions on the trail can be very tough and a steep climb in the sun will quickly wear down your reserves, so it is important to be mindful of your nutrition and hydration. “There are many different formulas, and you will want to try different things to see what works best for you,” Michael says. “I usually hydrate from the start and make sure I have a constant calorie intake.

For each hour of running I have 500ml of liquid and at least 100cal of nutrition (solid food such as banana, granola bars or energy gels), and I keep the intake steady from the start.”

Trail runners often experience injuries as a result of over use, as repetitive movements over a long time can wear down joints and ligaments. “The strong impact of running downhill can be very tough for the feet and knees while some preconditions like an unbalanced stride will also result in injuries,” Michael confirms.

Cross training, consequently, is important for trail runners, particularly exercise targeting the  core and hip strength.

www.arounddb.com November 2020

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IN FOCUS

Giving your body sufficient recovery time to rest and heal after a run or series of runs is equally important. “The beauty of trail running in Lantau is the variety and you can keep changing between hillier trail runs or flat runs. Or you can take a break one day with a run on the road, as well as changing the intensity of the runs,” Michael says. “But there are different forms of fatigue, and when you notice any of them I would either just do a very easy and short pleasure run or not run at all.”

Staying motivated DB resident Nikki Han has been trail running for seven years and is a member of the Hong Kong Sports Clinic Team affiliated with Lantau Base Camp in Mui Wo. In 2019, Nikki was also one of the top three finalists in the non-stop, 300-kilometre Hong Kong Four Trails Ultra Challenge (HK4TUC). Nikki beat out 26 local and international runners to finish in third place in 58 hours and become the first woman to do so.

“Trail running is awesome,” she says. “It makes you feel free. It clears your head and everything you see makes sense. The trails teach you. They keep you calm and not so worried about ‘stuff.’

The more you run the more you filter out all the meaningless stuff.”

Speaking of motivation, it also helps to hit the trails to benefit a good cause, as Nikki did on August 15 to celebrate her 50th birthday and to raise awareness for Asia Trail Girls (ATG), an organisation dedicated to helping girls and women from all over Asia discover the beauty of trail running.

“My goal was to inspire and encourage ladies of a similar

Michael Skobierski racing up Lantau Peak in the Lantau Vertical, 2017

age to challenge themselves, to keep moving forward,” says Nikki. “I want other women to see the benefits that come with trail running. Doesn’t matter how fast or slow you are, just getting out there is the thing you can do for yourself.”

her, and she also did five loops on her own.

As part of the ATG Vert - Race for Elevation Challenge, Nikki completed an ‘Everest’ by running 20 laps from the bottom of the golf course road in DB to the top of Tiger’s Head and back down – in 22 hours. Nikki started the challenge at 6am on August 15 and finished at 9am on August 16.

She was joined by 15 trail running friends who each ran a loop with

You can go south through Nim Shue Wan to reach Mui Wo, Pui O and eventually Tai O. You can go west and up to Tiger’s Head and veer off towards Tung Chung, or turn north to follow the path that overlooks Hong Kong Disneyland.

All of these routes are interlinked, meaning you can run and hike here for years and still find yourself covering new ground.

Nikki’s Everest Challenge route is popular with both veteran trail runners and casual weekend hikers, as are many of the trails that lead out from Discovery Bay.

FIND IT • Asia Trail Girls, www.asiatrailgirls.com • Escapade Sports, www.escapade.com.hk

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November 2020 www.arounddb.com

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FAMILY LORE

Advice for couples on managing financial disagreements from family lawyer Sharon Ser of Withers!

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020 has been a tough year financially for people across the globe, however it is not only our material lives that have been affected. The pandemic has caused substantial and, in some cases, irreversible changes to our emotional lives.

Due to a myriad of reasons many marriages have become casualties during this challenging time.

Photo courtesy of Withers

Importantly, of course, couples have found themselves in each other’s company much more than usual. More time together means more interaction, which potentially leads to more conflicts. Small irritations are amplified into colossal issues that cannot be ignored.

In addition, disagreements over how to conduct oneself during a pandemic are leading couples to question or even re-evaluate their compatibility, as they contemplate how best to balance the needs of society at large with their own.

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Money has long been a significant make-or-break factor in marriages and it has become a major source of conflict during the pandemic, since many people have been forced to take unpaid leave or a pay cut; some have even been laid off. The reduction in household income has led to a drastic shift in lifestyle choices for many couples, as well as additional emotional duress.

The resolution to these financial disagreements may be an age-old

one that applies to any relationship at any stage – communication.

Effective communication is key. Only when expectations and desires are clearly expressed can couples move forward as a united front.

How we spend, save and invest reflects our values, beliefs and habits. The amount of money that we have impacts our lifestyle directly. When partners disagree on how to handle their finances, the damage caused to the relationship can seem irreversible.

Effective communication can help bridge this fundamental gap.

Therapy is not a dirty word.

Counselling can be highly effective for couples who are at odds for financial reasons. It gives them the opportunity to communicate effectively and openly in the presence of a skilled mediator.

Within a secure environment, they can open up to each other, understand each other, re-imagine a future together and possibly save their marriage.

Being able to communicate openly with each other is particularly important at the current time since the change in tone and tempo of society has prompted many of us to reflect more deeply on our present and future circumstances.

Life cannot go on as normal. How, then, should we proceed? Conflicts regarding money have been exacerbated and if a couple feels their relationship is in jeopardy, they should not hesitate to seek help from a marriage guidance counsellor.

If it is impossible for a couple to resolve their issues, the next step is dissolution of the marriage. To deal with such circumstances, couples need to understand both the bigger picture and the finer details of the legal proceedings.

At Withers, we have a number of specialist family lawyers, speaking fluent English, Cantonese, Mandarin and French, who are ready to talk you through the various options that would best suit your family circumstances.

Please feel free to contact us to learn more about how our family lawyers can help you.

FIND IT • Withers, 30/F United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty, 3711 1600, www.withersworldwide.com/en-gb/hong-kong Sharon Ser is a Partner in the family and divorce team at Withers.

Find more from Sharon at www.withersworldwide.com/en-gb/ people/sharon-a-ser.

Find more advice from Withers @ www.arounddb.com November 2020 www.arounddb.com

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EDUCATION

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TIME WILL TELL Acknowledging the importance of history to a child’s education, Trisha Hughes explains why the best stories never get old November 2020 www.arounddb.com

W

hen I was at school, history lessons – learning about the Magna Carta, the Battle of Hastings, Agincourt, Bosworth and Bannockburn along with the names of unknown kings fighting unknown battles in unknown places – were the most boring I could imagine. They were just names and dates but I had to remember them because I knew that in a very short time, there would be a test. In the back of my mind was the question: ‘Why do I have to learn about this when I’ll never use it again when I grow up?’

And you can be sure our children’s minds work the same way as ours did.

used to be but its lessons can teach us things that are important for life today. History can be the richest of all stories, the saddest of stories and the most shocking of stories. It’s a story of all people, in all places, at all times and because we know of that history, we can decide what may happen in the future.

transformation. Images, video, sound bites, tweets and interactive apps are just some of the ways through which they learn nowadays.

So, keeping that in mind, we need to share our knowledge of history in a way that will be engaging.

Movies are a great place to start, as you want to make sure that learning about history is exciting and fun.

It provides identity and shows us Look to the old Hollywood classics models of good and responsible like Ben-Hur or The Great Escape, behaviour, as well as teaching us as well as more recent releases like how to learn from the mistakes Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur: Legend of others. History helps us of the Sword. Children will soon understand how society can realise that being a ‘historian’ is like change and develop. If we don’t being a time detective; they’ll start teach our children to connect with looking everywhere for clues to help them build up a picture of what happened long ago.

On the small screen too, Look to the old Hollywood they’ll find plenty of grist for the mill, through popular, classics like Ben-Hur or blockbusting series like The Great Escape, as well as Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey.

But now that we’re older and wiser, we understand that our children can learn a lot by looking closer at the past. As we get older, our perception changes, as do our interests. All of a sudden, these characters are not eccentric anymore and we realise they were real people with real personalities. They fought battles, they fell in love, they made mistakes and they were vulnerable to diseases. Just like us. All of a sudden history becomes exciting.

And then at some stage, almost like a revelation, we realise that learning history has many important benefits as well. By understanding our past, and where we came from, we hope to understand where we are now and even decide what might happen in the future. The way things are now is a consequence of the things that happened in the past. The way things will be tomorrow will be a consequence of the way things are now.

more recent releases like Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur: Legend of the Sword history, then the consequences for our society could be disastrous.

The more we know about the past the better prepared we are for the future because by remembering the past, we realise that we are responsible for building a legacy for the generations that follow us.

Considering that greed caused The War of the Roses, family misunderstandings caused the First World War and the need for power caused the Second World War, who would want to repeat them? As the Spanish philosopher George Santayana said: “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Learning from the past

Bringing history to life

History not only provides us with a nostalgic glimpse of how things

The way our children absorb information is undergoing a rapid

Apps are of course another great way to bring history to life, with games, interesting visuals and interactive multimedia features making study fun. Take Timeline Eons: All major historical events are organised on a timeline, so children can zoom in and out to learn about different time periods. Ancient Rome from Britannica Kids is another very welldesigned app – it includes mediarich material, games and quizzes.

My grandkids also rate Faking It, a free app from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which teaches history through iconic photos.

And what about storytelling? We were telling stories long before the golden-haired, blue-eyed Vikings sailed dragon-prowed boats up a river in Northumbria one cold miserable January morning in 793AD, and we are still listening to these stories told by today’s raconteurs and writers, and by our grandparents and parents. Hence  the word ‘his-story.’

www.arounddb.com November 2020

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EDUCATION

Interactive apps are a great way to bring history to life

Using stories to teach history From a very young age, children are taught to recognise and appreciate stories that they are told. At bedtime especially, a wave of hushed concentration envelops children as they hear the words ‘once upon a time’, and there are hundreds of titles, not necessarily nonfiction books, to choose from.

For example, there is the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Although fictitious, this tale is full of intrigue and bravery, dashing knights on white horses and swooning damsels in distress. Then we have the story of Robin Hood and his Merry Men robbing from the rich and giving to the poor, while romping though Sherwood Forest in Lincoln-green long johns. For something closer to our times, there is Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn which offers readers a glimpse of what life was like in 19th century

America and addresses important issues from the past – slavery, for example.

The book list is endless and in every one, there is a story to grab children’s imagination. With just one chapter a night, it’s possible to take the time to answer any questions your children may have about the stories you choose. Who knows, soon your children may start reaching for the historical fiction shelf on their own.

Growing up in Hong Kong, our children are already exposed to different cultures and values,

and history helps to open their minds and allows them to learn the importance of world cultures.

By exploring the different stages of history, they understand the importance of major events and the mistakes that were made.

Mistakes that we hope will never be repeated. And isn’t that what we really want? To make our children’s future better than our past?

In the immortal words of the English poet and novelist Rudyard Kipling: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.”

DB resident Trisha Hughes is the author of five books including the bestselling V2V historical trilogy, that provides a thrilling and highly accessible ride through the British monarchy from the time of the Vikings to the present day. For more on Trisha, visit www.trishahughesauthor.com and www.vikingstovirgin.com.

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

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his month, we’re talking about Christmas. Afterall, in the Philippines the Christmas season has already begun. From September onwards, our houses are lovingly decorated, trees are put up, and parol (Christmas stars) are secured in place. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, is what we say – but the truth is Christmas can sometimes be far from jolly for migrant domestic

workers. It’s a special time of year for the family but a stressful time for finances.

lasting Christmas memories with your family – memories that won’t break your budget.

Christmas will be very different this year. Most of you reading this will be unable to travel home due to lockdowns, travel restrictions or greater expenses, and you are probably feeling sad to miss this special time. But even though you’re far away, you can still create

Christmas on a budget

November 2020 www.arounddb.com

Usually when you go home for Christmas, you take gifts for everyone. This year, you feel you must send gifts by post but it’s very expensive to send so many.

What should you do?

It can be uplifting to give to our loved ones, but the most important thing to remember is that money and gifts do not replace love. Why do you feel you need to send so many gifts? Are you overcompensating because you can’t be at home this year?

total amount spent must fit into your monthly budget – don’t forget to include the cost of postage. If you’re spending more than you can afford on sending these gifts, then you need to look at your list again and make some tough decisions.

If you’re giving aguinaldo (money traditionally given at Christmas in the Philippines), consider giving a smaller amount, reducing the number of recipients or even giving a nonmonetary gift instead.

Take the time to check different options for your gifts. Perhaps there is a better deal out there.

Also consider if your gift can be valued as a second-hand item, which would reduce your customs charges.

You might already have been collecting gifts for your balikbayan box (cargo that is sent to family in the Philippines) but it’s worth pausing to consider whether you can handle this expense right now.

The gifts you’ve gathered might keep for next Christmas, or for the next time you go home. Keep your long-term goals in mind: The money for the fancy mobile phone that you’d like to send to your son could help with a down payment on your dream house.

Incidentally, this is also a great time to think about planning ahead for next year – if you set aside a small amount as part of your budget every month, you can ensure that gift-giving doesn’t come as a stressful surprise in 2021.

Whatever you do, do not take a loan to buy or post gifts. When you borrow money, you have to pay interest on that loan, making your gifts even more expensive and taking you further away from your long-term goals.

Make a realistic list of everyone you really need to give a gift to and allocate a maximum amount that you will spend per person.

This is important because the

The foundation of gift-giving is all about expressing sincere thought and love. So, why not post loved ones a handwritten Christmas card or letter, and either make your own gifts or send upcycled second-hand ones. You could also consider gifting books or classes that support your loved one’s interests. The personal touch speaks volumes.

Making special memories You miss your family and Christmas is the best time for you to bond with them. How can you make this Christmas special if you’re not there?

It’s completely understandable for you to feel sad that you can’t be at home with your loved ones. You

work hard throughout the year to provide them with a better future, so of course you cherish this time with them. But you really don’t have to rely on gifts to make this Christmas ‘special.’

This year, make the theme ‘special memories.’ Plan some fun, inexpensive activities that you can do together online. Your loved ones will value the quality time you spend with them. You could sing Christmas carols or ‘share’ a special dinner together – you could even have a lovely meal delivered to them on Christmas Day. Take the time to have personal conversations with your children or partners this Christmas. It’s been a tough year for them too. Talk to them about your Christmas wishes for the family, and allow them to share their thoughts and even their concerns if that’s what they need. These memories will last much longer than their happiness over a new toy or gadget.

Finally, don’t forget your happiness this Christmas. Be sure to treat yourself to a small gift or a special meal with friends. Take the time to recognise everything you’ve achieved, everything you’ve overcome, and all your dreams for the future.

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.

Find more advice from Enrich HK @ www.arounddb.com www.arounddb.com November 2020

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GEOMANCY

FENG SHUI: THE LIVING ROOM For many of us the living room is the true heart of the home, so it’s important to get the sheng chi (beneficial energy) flowing.

Samantha Wong reports

O Photos courtesy of unsplash.com

ne of the reasons minimalist design schemes appeal to so many of us is that they radiate sheng chi (beneficial energy). A pared back, clutterfree room is harmonious and well-balanced; it’s calming without being dull and it has a sense of flow – all essentials for good feng shui.

So, if you are reworking your living room to improve the feng shui, start by decluttering it. Throw out what you can (that pile of old magazines on the coffee table) and find storage solutions for things you use on a regular basis. It’s worth investing in a few simple pieces that will free up space – perhaps you need a bookcase or a couple of side tables with in-built storage.

You’re aiming to fill your room with only the (attractive) necessities,

and this goes for larger pieces too – get rid of the chair you never sit in and the painting you no longer look at.

The basic elements Paring down will immediately up the feel of any living room, as will giving some thought to furniture placement. Work with scale and proportion to create harmony between pieces of furniture, and make sure there’s enough space for chi to flow. Group chairs to promote conversation and togetherness, and put the TV in a cabinet so that you can really switch off from it every now and then.

A word here about tech – televisions, stereos, computers and phones are all associated with yang (male energy), so you need to go big on ying (female) energy elsewhere

in the living room. This is easy enough to achieve – avoid painting the walls stark white opting instead for cream or earth tones, and swap out any overpowering paintings or oversized pieces of furniture.

Minimalist design schemes rely on clean lines and angular shapes but be sure to introduce a few yingboosting curves. A circular coffee table will immediately soften things up, as will curvy design motifs on your soft furnishings.

Another thing you need to ensure in the living room, as in every room in the home, is that each of the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water) is well represented.

We’ve talked, in previous issues, about how you can up the presence of a particular element in a room through colour use. For instance, you can invite more wood energy  into a room by introducing some

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GEOMANCY

green-coloured or real-wood furnishings. But note that the shapes you choose to decorate with are also important, since each shape represents a specific element. Triangles and stars are associated with fire, squares with earth, round shapes with metal, curvy shapes with water, and rectangles with wood.

Chi can’t flow in a room filled with stagnant air, so be mindful about that and open your windows regularly. You can also freshen a room by burning incense sticks or, better, using an aromatherapy diffuser. The healing power of essential oils works on many levels, making a room smell good, while purifying its energy.

Good lighting is another must.

Don’t limit your living room to a single ceiling lamp because si chi (bad feng-shui energy) breeds in both harshly- and dimly-lit spaces. Layered lighting works best, meaning you have a number of fixtures – ceiling, standing and table – placed liberally around the room. Fire up some candles too.

Playing with fire Mirrors are another great way to bounce light around a living room, while also making the space look bigger. They introduce a calm, fresh energy but they possess a lot of magic, so you need to be a little bit cautious with them.

Mirrors literally and metaphorically double what they reflect, which means they need to reflect something positive, like a beautiful view or favourite piece of furniture.

A mirror above the sofa might look stylish but if it’s reflecting a neglected corner, that feeling is likely being doubled in your life.

Minimalist design relies on angular shapes but you also need a few ying-boosting curves

Mirrors are also linked to selfesteem, so stick to full-length ones in which you can see yourself completely. If your body is ‘cut’ in your reflection, your energy is cut, and you’re telling yourself that you don’t measure up.

Lastly, it’s time to throw caution to the wind and play with fire.

You can brighten any space with a splash of red and in so doing you introduce the fire element of joy, warmth, love and excitement.

Good feng shui is all about balance, so you’ll want a good mix of colours in your living room but pick up a rug or throw in a warm and nurturing shade of red and you’ll feel the benefit.

Find more on feng shui @ www.arounddb.com

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November 2020 www.arounddb.com

ESCAPES

Photos courtesy of unsplash.com

GREAT GALAPAGOS! 40

It was this remote, volcanic archipelago that inspired Charles Darwin’s ground-breaking theory of natural selection and, 185 years since his visit, you can still see much of the enchanting wildlife that captivated him. Dorothy Veitch reports

November 2020 www.arounddb.com

Enchanted Isles Lying 1,000 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are probably the most famous wildlifewatching destination on the planet.

The isolated terrain, now fiercely protected, shelters an incredible diversity of plant and animal species, many found nowhere else on Earth. It’s a terrific place to visit any time of year.

Temperatures range from 21°-30°C.

Sea lions cavorting on the sand

Heavenly wildlife The Galapagos is made up of 13 volcanic islands, six smaller ones and more than 100 islets, and each has its own unique landscape and wildlife.

One island is best known for its birdlife, another for prehistoric-looking marine iguanas and yet another for giant tortoises. However, you find many species, such as sea lions, lava lizards, turnstones and whimbrels, at most visitor sites.

View from the top of Bartolomé Island

Protected national park An impressive 97% of the Galapagos is designated as national park and you can only visit specific visitor sites accompanied by certified naturalist guides. At each visitor site, you’re shown a marked trail that you must stick to – you can’t go wondering off on your own disturbing the wildlife. Some sites have wet landings (you wade to shore from skiffs) and others have dry landings (you step foot directly on dry land). The Galapagos National Park limits the number of visitors to each island and coordinates each tour ship’s itinerary.

Tourism is strictly controlled

Birds of paradise Be sure to make it to Genovessa Island, known as Bird Island because of the many and varied bird species that nest there. You spot blue-footed boobies tapping out their bizarre mating rituals, frigate birds flaunting their red bellies and gigantic gulls snuggling up in the  crook of a lava rock.

A red-bellied frigate bird

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ESCAPES

Befriending sharks Diving and snorkelling are a must in the Galapagos, bringing you nose to nose with fabulous tropical fish and rays.

On land, visitors are asked to keep a 2-metre distance from the wildlife but this is not the case underwater. Even the sharks are friendly – they have no interest in eating people thanks to the great abundance of tasty fish.

Diving with whale shark

Relaxing with iguanas One of the most surprising things about the Galapagos is just how fearless the wildlife is. The birds and animals give you no more than a cursory glance. And the absence of natural predators on many of the islands means that those that have made it all the way to this remote spot can live and breed in safety and without restriction.

Marine iguanas are found only on the Galapagos Islands

Getting around The best way to see as much as possible is to book a cabin on a liveaboard boat. The tour ships vary in size and each has accommodation to fit most budgets. Visitors enjoy packed itineraries, with activities ranging from snorkelling to hiking. In the evening, the ships up anchor and sail to another location, so that each day brings a new island to explore.

Tour ships accommodate some 170,000 tourists a year

Hunkering down If you want a day or two to get back your land legs, you can opt to stay ashore on the islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Floreana or Isabela.

A short kayak away you might find a sheltered cove where oversized plovers nest in the cliffs. And wading into the sea, you might experience the thrill of seeing a penguin dive off a rock and dart past you, before circling back for another look.

Wherever you stay, you’re bang in the heart of paradise

Find more dream destinations @ www.arounddb.com

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November 2020 www.arounddb.com

Need professional assistance with your designs and graphics? From logos, leaflets and company brochures, to book publishing and website creation...

We can help all businesses.

For further enquiries on details of our packages, please contact Philip Jay, our Managing Director, at philip@baymedia.com.hk.

www.baymediastudio.com

RECIPES

The time is ripe These classic fruit puddings have been reinvented with a modern twist – try strawberries in your rhubarb crumble, ginger in your pear cake and sour cream in your apple pie

Rhubarb and strawberry crumble Serves 4

• 1tbsp cornflour • 185g golden caster sugar • 450g strawberries, hulled and halved* • 450g rhubarb, cut into chunky lengths* • 140g plain flour • 50g ground almonds • 100g butter, chopped* • 25g flaked almonds

Photos by stock.adobe.com

Preheat the oven to 190°C. Combine the cornflour and 85g caster sugar in a large bowl, then toss in the strawberries and rhubarb until well coated. Cook over a gentle heat, stirring until the fruit softens and the released juices thicken. Tip the fruit mixture into a 750ml ovenproof dish, scraping in the juice. To make the crumble, mix the flour, ground almonds and remaining sugar in a bowl, then rub in the butter to form a crumbly mixture. Add the flaked almonds, then scatter the crumble mixture over the fruit. Bake for 35 minutes until the fruit is tender and the crumble golden. Serve with clotted or sour cream.

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November 2020 www.arounddb.com

Pear and ginger loaf cake Serves 8

• 200g unsalted butter* • 100g caster sugar • 100g soft brown sugar • 2 large eggs, beaten* • 1tsp vanilla extract • 200g self-raising flour • 1tsp baking powder • 2 balls stem ginger in syrup, drained and chopped • 2 pears, peeled, cored and roughly chopped* • 3tbsp syrup from the ginger jar • 3tbsp granulated sugar Heat the oven to 160°C. Beat the butter, caster sugar and brown sugar together, then gradually stir in the eggs and vanilla extract.

Fold the flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt into the mix, then stir in the stem ginger and pears. Pour the mixture into a lined, 1,200ml loaf tin. Smooth the surface, then bake for about 1 hour until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Leave to cool. To make the glaze, mix the syrup with the granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of water. Poke the surface of the loaf all over with a skewer, then pour on the syrup.  Serve hot or cold.

Eat The Kiwi delivers fresh and frozen fruit direct to your door www.arounddb.com November 2020

45

RECIPES

Apple pie Serves 6

• 310g all-purpose flour • 120g sugar • 285g unsalted butter, cubed* • 115ml sour cream • 3lbs cooking apples, sliced thin* • ¼tsp each allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon • 1tsp vanilla extract • 1 large egg yolk*

FIND IT • Eat The Kiwi, 9785 5706 (WhatsApp), hello@eatthekiwi.com, store.eatthekiwi.com Eat The Kiwi delivers high quality New Zealand groceries* 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.

Combine 285g flour, 8g sugar and a pinch of salt. Using your hands, work the butter into the flour until the mixture is shaggy. Make a well in the centre and pour in the sour cream; mix until the dough begins to clump. Separate the dough into two equal disks, sprinkle with flour, wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. Toss the sliced apples with 25g flour, 112g sugar, the spices and vanilla extract. Roll out one disk of dough to a 12-inch circle.

Place on a 9-inch pie plate, and arrange the apples on top. Roll out the top crust and place over the apples, pressing the top and bottom dough rounds together at the edges. Brush with egg yolk, and cut slits in the top. Bake at 190°C for an hour, until the crust is golden and the juices are bubbling.

Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Find more deliciously simple recipes @ www.arounddb.com

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November 2020 www.arounddb.com

DB FACES

Snaps COMMUNITY

Photos by Baljit Gidwani www.evoqueportraits.com

Find more familiar DB faces @ www.arounddb.com

Win prizes from Uncle Russ Coffee and The Pier Bar!

Congratulations to last month’s winner: Michelle Paton (@mich_paton)

48

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!

November 2020 www.arounddb.com

View local business directories @ www.arounddb.com EMPLOYMENT

HEALTH & WELLBEING

SPORTS

FRENCH LANGUAGE PRIVATE TUITION WESTERN DRAWING LESSONS

AKASH MOVING & HANDYMAN SERVICES

VR, HYPNOSIS: INDIVIDUAL/ COUPLES THERAPY

PRIVATE MARTIAL ARTS COACHING

Experienced, Patient, Mature, Effective, master+ educational level.

Tuition of French language to individuals at about or more than 7 years old.

All levels. Beginners / adults.

French Literature for French students.

Homework tuition.

• Local packing, moving, storage & handyman services • All kinds of transport services • Inbound shipment clearance • Having stuff delivered from China?

They are not delivering to DB Or Lantau?

Have it sent to the Akash office in Kwai Chung & delivered to your home.

• 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

Dr Melanie Bryan, Psy.D. Clinical Psychologist, ypnotherapist.

Contact 2575 7707, www.mindmatters.hk

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

Well known in the Hong Kong MMA community, Marc Guyon guides you through your journey to become a martial artist. As a former whitecollar-turned-professional fighter, Marc’s understanding of looking for peak performance in all your occupations & activities is like nothing in Hong Kong.

Contact 9303 2996, marcguyonkungfu@gmail.com, www.marcguyon.com

Offer private Drawing / Painting Art Lessons to individuals / small groups.

All mediums / techniques.

Personalised lessons according to levels & interests.

Home / office visits / venues to be specified.

Please contact gsn6sy@hotmail.com

GUITAR LESSONS

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.

E-mail: essentialssophia@gmail.com

www.sophiaessentials.com

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

trimco Hong Kong Limited

Painting Decorating Renovation Cladding Tiling

Clinical Psychology, Counselling, Coaching Services

Contact Steve Donovan at 6149 0894 (call or WhatsApp), trimcohk@gmail.com

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

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

Boost your fitness and energy levels.

START TRAINING TODAY! FIT FOR LIFE PERSONAL TRAINING Certified KETTLE BELL, TRX, PRO & POSTNATAL instructor All training is outdoor or in the convenience of your home

CONTACT 9858 0770 carolinesfitness@outlook.com

www.caroline.fitness Caroline’s fitness

READ online for all the latest community news www.arounddb.com FOLLOW:

publishing and design studio

GIVING LIFE SHOULDN’T BE SO DEADLY 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.

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

Learn more at www.amnesty.org.hk.

© Anna Kari

• • • •

3 Hi resolution retouched digital images Private 15-minute studio session Images delivered in 24 hours HK$800.

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

CLOT HING & ACCESSORIES

FTC Apparel

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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

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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

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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

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

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HOT EL S

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

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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

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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

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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

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PROPER T Y AGENCIES

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

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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

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SERV ICES & OT HERS

Jumping Castles SPCA Miriam Safadi Photography Parteezi Phoenix Wills

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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

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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

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

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www.arounddb.com November 2020

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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

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3102 2977 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 Gilmore’s by the Golden Pig Healthy Chicken, North Plaza 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 TigerLily Uncle Russ, North Plaza Zak’s

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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 Action X, North Plaza Nomadic

LEARNING CENTRES

HOME

2987 2298 2295 8288 2295 8299 2591 1426 2904 7698 2987 2848 2987 0036 2172 6111 2987 2915 2987 9123 2662 9168 6933 6990 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 2997 8688 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

November 2020 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

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MULTIMEDIA Bookazine Fotomax (F.E.) Ltd

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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 & KIDS’ 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

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2023 2088 2987 6238 0829

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

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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

Action X, North Plaza 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

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55

OUT THERE

Where Babies Come From Doting dad Peter Sherwood takes a satirical swipe at parenthood and questions our irresistible urge to procreate

A

recent BBC headline – Remarkable Decline in Fertility – suggested zero population growth in some countries. So, what’s the problem? It led me to scribble an admission of things I know little about.

Illustration by Terry Chow

Decades writing esoteric nonsense proves the less I know the easier it gets.

Profound insights into a subject only complicate and confuse. So, it is with procreation, a bank-busting practice I’ve managed to avoid, and for which the benefactors (my two adopted kids) of what is hilariously called my ‘estate,’ should be thankful. They’ll get a bigger share of the loot, although half of not much is not a lot.

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My pathetic excuse for resisting the temptation is that more homo sapiens in my image would be intolerable. It’s hard enough looking in the mirror shaving.

are born, the mist of romance dissolves, and then She ceases to give a damn. You’re on your own.

Social scientists observe that exactly 100% of all serious romantic relationships before marriage are doomed. (I didn’t need research nerds to tell me that.) After marriage, at least 50% are headed for the scrapheap.

In other words, the chance of a successful lifelong partnership is right up there with a trifecta on the 2.30 at Happy Valley. But still we make babies.

Producing offspring may not be intellectually demanding, but judging by the huge numbers of new-borns one has to wonder if some parents are even certain of the cause. Seems it works like this: The human brain goes to mush (and mine has often been soggier than most) via a powerful chemical reaction called, scientifically, ‘the fragrant cloud of heavenly delight.’

Without this irrational biological rush, we would look too ridiculous to each other for any meaningful entanglement of ‘love’ to eventuate.

Given the cosmic randomness of what Mother Nature does when unleashed, had I reproduced I’d be no more enlightened. Babies

Of course, some people know precisely what causes kids and carry on anyway, driven by an apparent implacable algorithm.

But I do love the little twerps, especially my own. The problem is they don’t stay little. They can eat an entire supermarket shelf of Coco-Pops in one sitting and cost billions to educate. And when they hit early teens an obnoxious streak tends to emerge; it’s the Great Mother’s way of making sure we don’t miss them when they leave the nest.

Meanwhile we sit at home cringing as they race off with high-octane enthusiasm to engage in every dumb act we remember doing with horror and regret.

In its infinite quest for replication of the species, nature doesn’t make us go all gooey and sentimental to produce a cantankerous twoyear-old. She’s smarter than that, demanding a bubbly little baby to fuss over. So potent is the love cloud, we’re blinded to any possibility that said baby might become a spotty teen, anxious to let us know how stupid we are.

Later they begin thinking maybe we weren’t such imbeciles after all – before admitting, in our dotage, they were right the first time.

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 November 2020 www.arounddb.com